{"id":43527,"date":"2021-10-05T05:00:25","date_gmt":"2021-10-04T20:00:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jirak.net\/wp\/making-windows-11-the-most-inclusively-designed-version-of-windows-yet\/"},"modified":"2021-10-05T05:34:19","modified_gmt":"2021-10-04T20:34:19","slug":"making-windows-11-the-most-inclusively-designed-version-of-windows-yet","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jirak.net\/wp\/making-windows-11-the-most-inclusively-designed-version-of-windows-yet\/","title":{"rendered":"Making Windows 11 the most inclusively designed version of Windows yet"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Making Windows 11 the most inclusively designed version of Windows yet<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/jirak.net\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Contrast-Themes-1920x1080-1-1024x577-1.png\" width=\"1024\" height=\"577\"><br \/>\n<span data-contrast=\"auto\">Earlier in the year\u00a0my colleague Jeff Petty\u00a0shared with you\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.windows.com\/windowsexperience\/2021\/07\/01\/whats-coming-in-windows-11-accessibility\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">the accessibility improvements and features that were coming to Windows 11<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\">.\u00a0Now that the day is here,\u00a0I wanted to give you a peek behind the curtain\u00a0at\u00a0our accessibility journey and\u00a0how our team\u00a0made\u00a0Windows 11 the most inclusively designed version of Windows\u00a0yet.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Our ambition:\u00a0Beyond possible,\u00a0efficient,\u00a0and yes, delightful<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">It all starts with our\u00a0ambition:\u00a0Here\u00a0in the Windows team,\u00a0we aspire to create\u00a0efficient,\u00a0fun\u00a0and delightful experiences for\u00a0people with disabilities\u00a0and\u00a0without.\u00a0We root our ambition\u00a0in the\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/design\/inclusive\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">principles of inclusive design<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\">,\u00a0which celebrates and draws inspiration from<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">people with\u00a0different\u00a0abilities, needs and\u00a0preferences.\u00a0Within Windows 11,\u00a0this\u00a0commitment led to\u00a0a\u00a0host of innovations<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0\u2013 but I\u2019ll focus on j<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">ust\u00a0three\u00a0here:\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" data-aria-posinset=\"0\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Reimagining\u00a0what\u00a0contrast\u00a0themes\u00a0could look like<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" data-aria-posinset=\"0\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Rethinking Windows sounds to make them\u00a0calmer and\u00a0more\u00a0informative<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" data-aria-posinset=\"0\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Reframing\u00a0our\u00a0Ease of\u00a0Access\u00a0settings explicitly as\u00a0Accessibility\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Inclusion in both function and form<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">High Contrast themes in Windows 10 were designed to provide maximum differentiation between text, backgrounds and elements on the screen for people with low vision and light sensitivity. And they did that \u2013 maybe a little too well. We heard from our customers that these themes created an othering experience; that they were too blunt a tool. They needed contrast \u2013 but not that much contrast. And hey, couldn\u2019t they be a little nicer to look at, too? It was clear that a more holistic approach was needed. So we brought together people across an array of disciplines within Microsoft to re-focus the design process not on ticking off boxes on a compliance checklist. Instead, we were committed to improving the way that people with low vision experience Windows 11 to have a smoother and more positive user experience with the new contrast themes. People with vision disabilities were included in our design process from the start, helping drive and guide the color contrast designs by providing their expert feedback and sharing their lived experience. We gathered customer feedback on multiple color combination prototypes, and in each iteration found new items to improve. And the result? Windows 11 includes four new contrast themes that not only provide a range of options for making Windows more accessible and easier to see \u2013 they make it more beautiful, too.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-176306 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.windows.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/prod\/sites\/2\/2021\/10\/Contrast-Themes-1920x1080-1-1024x577.png\" alt=\"Windows 11 contrast themes\" width=\"1024\" height=\"577\" \/><\/p>\n<h3><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Nothing about us without us\u00a0\u2013 from the\u00a0start<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">One key\u00a0change we made while designing Windows 11 was to shift\u00a0our engagement with customer feedback to an earlier point in the design process.\u00a0We have traditionally started\u00a0engaging\u00a0with the\u00a0disability\u00a0community\u00a0at the point where\u00a0we have a feature\u00a0users\u00a0can try.\u00a0For Windows 11, we wanted to involve the community from day one.\u00a0One of the\u00a0features most influenced by\u00a0this early feedback\u00a0is the\u00a0re-envisioned\u00a0set of Windows 11\u00a0sounds.\u00a0Through our customer listening systems,\u00a0we heard\u00a0from\u00a0deaf\u00a0and hard of hearing customers\u00a0who\u00a0found the existing sounds \u201caggressive,\u201d\u00a0leading\u00a0them to mute their PC altogether.\u00a0At the same time,\u00a0we heard from people who are blind that\u00a0the startup chime\u00a0in particular was\u00a0crucial as a way of letting them\u00a0know that the computer was on, so they\u00a0did not have to guess when they could start interacting with their PC.\u00a0Balancing these\u00a0different sets\u00a0of\u00a0initial\u00a0feedback\u00a0along with the goal\u00a0of creating a calm Windows experience, the team\u00a0began\u00a0to explore a new set of Windows sounds.\u00a0As soon as we had a set of\u00a0sounds\u00a0we\u00a0thought had potential,\u00a0we\u00a0re-engaged\u00a0our customers\u00a0with vision and hearing\u00a0impairments.\u00a0Based on their feedback,\u00a0we determined that\u00a0the sounds needed\u00a0to traverse the entire 250 \u2013 8000 Hz range\u00a0in order to be audible to\u00a0people who are hard of hearing,\u00a0and that the startup sound\u00a0would be most helpful if it played when the lock screen was displayed so that\u00a0blind users would know when to enter their login information.\u00a0In the end,\u00a0the team\u00a0delivered\u00a0not only\u00a0a new Windows startup sound that\u00a0lets everyone know their PC is ready\u00a0at just the right time,\u00a0but a set of\u00a0calm, informative\u00a0sounds that\u00a0can be heard by\u00a0a broader set of our users.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Making Accessibility easier to find for everyone<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">G<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">reat accessibility features\u00a0can only take you so far if\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">people<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0can\u2019t find them. The continual feedback cycle of inclusive design\u00a0influenced\u00a0this\u00a0aspect of Windows 11 as well,\u00a0in the reframing of \u201cEase of Access\u201d as \u201cAccessibility\u201d within the\u00a0Settings pane.\u00a0In prior versions of Windows,\u00a0the team had chosen\u00a0the phrase \u201cEase of Access\u201d\u00a0to try to represent the\u00a0fullness of\u00a0the accessibility space \u2013 not only\u00a0permanent disabilities, but\u00a0temporary and\u00a0situational ones as well.\u00a0However, when we engaged with our\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">users<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">, we learned that no one really knew what it meant! Some people\u00a0even\u00a0told us that they thought that\u00a0\u201cEase of Access\u201d sounded more like where\u00a0they would find\u00a0options to connect to the\u00a0internet.\u00a0Hearing this feedback,\u00a0the team knew that it was time for a change. We\u00a0didn\u2019t want to\u00a0lose\u00a0sight of the\u00a0original goal\u00a0of\u00a0honoring\u00a0and embracing\u00a0the fullness of the disability spectrum\u00a0with the new\u00a0design\u00a0\u2013\u00a0and\u00a0at the same time we wanted to make certain that\u00a0individuals looking for\u00a0assistive features built into Windows would know where to look.\u00a0The team got to\u00a0work,\u00a0engaged our\u00a0writing and\u00a0icon design team,\u00a0and tested\u00a0close to a dozen\u00a0different icon\u00a0and name combinations\u00a0with the goal of finding that inclusive and clear\u00a0set.\u00a0In the end,\u00a0\u201cAccessibility\u201d\u00a0was what customers expected to find, and the human figure\u00a0icon\u00a0stood out as\u00a0a\u00a0great\u00a0way to\u00a0celebrate\u00a0the fullness of human\u00a0abilities.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-176307 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.windows.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/prod\/sites\/2\/2021\/10\/Accessibility-Settings-Home-1920x1080-1-1024x577.png\" alt=\"Accessibility Settings in Windows 11\" width=\"1024\" height=\"577\" \/><\/p>\n<h3><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Join us\u00a0on\u00a0the\u00a0journey<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Windows 11 marks\u00a0a significant\u00a0milestone in our efforts to\u00a0integrate\u00a0accessibility\u00a0and inclusive design\u00a0throughout both our products and our culture\u00a0\u2013\u00a0and I want to\u00a0take this opportunity to\u00a0thank\u00a0everyone\u00a0who\u00a0helped us on our way\u00a0by giving us the gift of\u00a0feedback.\u00a0We know there\u00a0are more\u00a0milestones\u00a0yet to come, and we still need your help.\u00a0So\u00a0join\u00a0us by trying Windows 11 and giving\u00a0us your feedback to\u00a0help create better experiences for each of us.\u00a0Just press the Windows logo key + F to launch the Feedback hub and share what\u2019s\u00a0on your\u00a0mind.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Finally, if you are a customer with a disability and need technical assistance\u00a0with Windows or any other Microsoft product,\u00a0please reach out\u00a0to\u00a0the\u202f<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/Accessibility\/disability-answer-desk\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Disability Answer Desk<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u202fvia phone,\u00a0chat or\u00a0ASL\u00a0(via videophone).\u00a0Please contact us, we are always happy to help.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\nSource: <a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.windows.com\/windowsexperience\/2021\/10\/04\/making-windows-11-the-most-inclusively-designed-version-of-windows-yet\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Making Windows 11 the most inclusively designed version of Windows yet<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<div class=\"mh-excerpt\"><p>Making Windows 11 the most inclusively designed version of Windows yet Earlier in the year\u00a0my colleague Jeff Petty\u00a0shared with you\u00a0the accessibility improvements and features that were coming to Windows 11.\u00a0Now that the day is here,\u00a0I wanted to give you a peek behind the curtain\u00a0at\u00a0our accessibility journey and\u00a0how our team\u00a0made\u00a0Windows 11 the most inclusively designed version of Windows\u00a0yet.\u00a0\u00a0 Our ambition:\u00a0Beyond possible,\u00a0efficient,\u00a0and yes, delightful\u00a0 It all starts with our\u00a0ambition:\u00a0Here\u00a0in the Windows team,\u00a0we aspire to create\u00a0efficient,\u00a0fun\u00a0and delightful experiences for\u00a0people with disabilities\u00a0and\u00a0without.\u00a0We root our ambition\u00a0in the\u00a0principles of inclusive design,\u00a0which celebrates and draws inspiration from\u00a0people with\u00a0different\u00a0abilities, needs and\u00a0preferences.\u00a0Within Windows 11,\u00a0this\u00a0commitment led to\u00a0a\u00a0host of innovations\u00a0\u2013 but I\u2019ll focus on just\u00a0three\u00a0here:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Reimagining\u00a0what\u00a0contrast\u00a0themes\u00a0could look like\u00a0 Rethinking Windows sounds to make them\u00a0calmer and\u00a0more\u00a0informative\u00a0 Reframing\u00a0our\u00a0Ease of\u00a0Access\u00a0settings explicitly as\u00a0Accessibility\u00a0\u00a0 Inclusion in both function and form\u00a0 High Contrast themes in Windows 10 were designed to provide maximum differentiation between text, backgrounds and <a class=\"mh-excerpt-more\" href=\"https:\/\/jirak.net\/wp\/making-windows-11-the-most-inclusively-designed-version-of-windows-yet\/\" title=\"Making Windows 11 the most inclusively designed version of Windows yet\">[ more&#8230; ]<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":43528,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[169],"tags":[201],"class_list":["post-43527","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-windows"],"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/jirak.net\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43527","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/jirak.net\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/jirak.net\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jirak.net\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jirak.net\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=43527"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/jirak.net\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43527\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":43529,"href":"https:\/\/jirak.net\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43527\/revisions\/43529"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jirak.net\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/43528"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/jirak.net\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=43527"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jirak.net\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=43527"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jirak.net\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=43527"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}