We usually look at discomfort as something we need to avoid. But if you're serious about accessibility, you should feel eager to feel discomfort. You should feel eager to understand people with disabilities and how they experience the web. This is, I think, the only way to make things better for them and everyone else.
Constructive discomfort is the only way to make room for everyone. We need to look for it whenever we can.
How can we experience constructive discomfort? Here are a few ideas:
- Have no-mouse days. Don't use your mouse to browse the web.
- Turn off your monitor and use a screen reader for an hour. Try completing common tasks like checking your email.
- Browse websites with high contrast mode enabled to understand colour contrast needs.
- Set your browser zoom to 200% and try to navigate your favourite website.
- Use only keyboard shortcuts in your apps for a full workday.
- Turn off images and try to understand content through alt text alone.
- Simulate colour blindness using browser extensions while browsing popular websites.
- Try using your non-dominant hand for all computer interactions for one hour.
- Set your device to grayscale mode for a day to understand colour dependence.
- Turn off sound and try to watch videos with captions only.
- Use your phone or computer with a slow internet connection to understand loading frustrations.
- Try accessing complex web applications during high-stress moments or when extremely tired.
These don't come close to what people with disabilities experience every day. But you will feel enough discomfort to build a modest amount of empathy. As you experience these moments of discomfort, think about how you can create inclusive solutions that make room for everyone.
My advice is to approach these exercises with genuine curiosity and respect. You need to understand that for many people, these aren't just exercises but daily realities.