INtroducing training on user Testing with people with disabilities into UX design and related higher education programmes

<< Background >>We applied for this project to address three key needs. First, we aimed to enhance the skills of UX design students by providing training on inclusive and accessible user testing, especially involving people with disabilities, a gap we identified in current higher education programs. This ensures that future UX professionals can design for all users. Second, we sought to equip students with the necessary skills to meet the growing demand in the labor market, driven by the European Web Accessibility Directive, which mandates accessible products and services. Lastly, we aimed to empower people with disabilities in user testing processes by addressing gaps in ethical and sustainable practices, ensuring their proactive involvement and recognition as experts in testing. << Objectives >>The main objective of the project was to introduce training on accessible and inclusive user testing with people with disabilities into UX design and related higher education courses. The project also aimed to empower people with disabilities by making them aware of their rights and enabling them to take a more active role in usability testing, collaborating with public and private sector organizations on an equal partnership basis.General Objective 1: To establish a framework for developing a training course for UX design students in higher education on inclusive and accessible user testing with people with disabilities.General Objective 2: To create and test a training course on inclusive and accessible user testing involving people with disabilities.General Objective 3: To generate user scenarios to teach students how to apply theoretical knowledge on user testing in a practical context, directly involving and empowering people with disabilities.General Objective 4: To stimulate the uptake of training on inclusive and accessible user testing in European higher education curricula and to facilitate access to the labour market for UX design students.<< Implementation >>Activities were structured into five work packages (WP), ranging from project administration (WP1), research activities (WP2) to the development and dissemination of results (WPs 3, 4, and 5). WP2 contained 6 sub-activity blocks: 2.1 Literature review on topics related to inclusive and accessible user testing; 2.2 Identification of best practices on topics related to inclusive and accessible user testing; 2.3 Development of a survey for people with disabilities; 2.4 Digital co-creation and validation with people with disabilities and university teaching staff; 2.5 Development of the learning framework and 2.6 Kick off meeting. WP3 was aiming to develop training modules and was structured in 6 cub-activity blocks: 3.1 Design and development of training modules and the assessment methodology; 3.2 Development of the trainer handbook; 3.3-3.5 Pilot testing In Latvia, Slovenia and Spain; 3.6 Refinement of training course. In frame of WP4 we have developed user testing scenarios, organized workshops on user empowerment in Latvia, Slovenia and Spain, tested and improved scenarios. WP5 contained Mapping of education programmes, customer case workshop, development of Recommendations on the user testing and dissemination activities.<< Results >>The following results have been obtained: Literature review; Overview of best practices on inclusive and accessible user testing; Report on survey identifying user needs and expectations; Digital Validation and Co-creation Workshop Report; Learning framework; Training Course- this resource provides course five modules on user testing from an accessibility perspective; Knowledge assessment methodology; Handbook for trainers; User scenarios -an educational resource with 4 case-based user scenarios; Summary of user scenario test results or lessons learned; Mapping Report - document describes the main result of mapping study programs where usability testing with disabilities are involved in study courses; Recommendations for more inclusive user testing in higher education UX design programs; 4 multiplier events - with objective to stimulate the uptake of training on inclusive and accessible user testing in European higher education curricula - 300 participants across the 4 multiplier events. The results were incorporated into the curricula of partner universities. Nine universities (outside the consortium) have confirmed their readiness to use the results of the project. Main results available: https://accessibility.turiba.lv