User Research

The systematic study of users and their needs, behaviours, and experiences to inform the design and development of products and services. User research methods include interviews, surveys, focus groups, usability testing, diary studies, contextual inquiry, and beta testing. In accessibility, user research with people with disabilities is essential for understanding real-world barriers and ensuring that accessibility features are genuinely usable rather than merely technically compliant. Effective accessibility user research requires recruiting participants across a range of disability types, severities, and assistive technology configurations, and recognising that many people who benefit from accessibility features may not identify as having a disability.