Persona development : Alex

Quote ideas

It's not like I can't use a keyboard or mouse, I just can't use it for long periods and really like to keep my use to a minimum. I don't want my condition to get worse.

Description

Alex has worked as a reporter for more than 20 years. A few years ago he developed a repetitive strain injury that makes it painful to use a mouse and to type for extended periods of time.

Alex can still do his job but sometimes he finds it tiring and painful when he uses the mouse for long periods of time. He uses an ergonomic keyboard to navigate around web pages and has found that this helps alleviate the pain associated with using the mouse. This works well when he can see which field or link has focus and when they are in a logical order. Sites often include good visual styling when you hover over a link but not when it has keyboard focus. When this happens he loses his place on the page.

Using the keyboard does help but Alex tries to limit that as much as possible. If there is no way to skip all the navigation he has to tab through a lot of links in the header, which is very tiring and limits the time he can spend working comfortably. Alex uses voice control software which helps him to avoid using the mouse and keyboard. The software allows him to select and 'click' on links with his voice but only when the links are clear and coded correctly. Alex seldom uses the dictation part of his voice control software when writing articles. He still prefers to type as it suits how he thinks about his work.

Outside of work, Alex finds his mobile device easier to use than the computer because there is limited navigation, no pointer device, and because it is hand-held, he can usually find a comfortable position. He wishes his employer would create a mobile-friendly/responsive site that he could use for his job.

Technologies or adaptations used

• Accelerators (Input)
• Alternative keyboard and mouse (Input)
• Speech recognition (Input)
• Word prediction (Input)
• Keyboard navigation (Interaction)
• Skip links (Interation)

Barrier examples

Problem: When I tab through links and form fields there is no visual styling to show me which element I am on.

Works well: There is clear and strong visual styling for links and form fields when they receive focus.

Problem: I usually take much longer to complete long forms or processes and often get timed out.

Works well: At the start of a long form or process, I am told that there is a time out and given the option to set it to be slightly longer.

Problem: Completing a long forms with no way to save progress and take a break can be painful and tiring.

Words well: I have an option to save progress and take a break when completing long, multi-step forms.

Problem: When a window opens and I can't close it using only the keyboard it can be difficult.

Works well: New windows have a close icon that I can access using the keyboard and some include the option to press the escape key to close them.

Related resources

• Perspectives: Voice Recognition

• Tips: Use headings to convey meaning and structure

• Tips: Make link text meaningful

• Tips: Ensure that interactive elements are easy to identify

• Tips: Associate a label with every form control

• Tips: Ensure that all interactive elements are keyboard accessible

• Easy Checks: Keyboard access and visual focus

• Easy Checks: Forms, labels, and errors

• Tips: Provide clear and consistent navigation options

Related principles

• Text alternatives for non-text content (Perceivable)
• Content can be presented in different ways (Perceivable)
• Functionality is available from a keyboard (Operable)
• Users have enough time to read and use the content (Operable)
• Users can easily navigate, find content, and determine where they are (Operable)
• Content appears and operates in predictable ways (Understandable)
• Users are helped to avoid and correct mistakes (Understandable)
• Content is compatible with current and future user tools (Robust)

---

Working materials

Personal details

• How did he develop his repetitive stress injury? (common condition, very painful, can come on suddenly)
• Often in a hurry, does a lot online - banking, booking travel...., plus his job - need to watch the stereotype of young = digitally savvy
• Because he can use a mouse, he's not very adept at knowing keyboard commands for everything he wants to do - this might be more historically, learned to use a mouse with limited keyboard shortcuts, needing to relearn how he does things
• Mobile is easier - no pointing device, limited navigation, hand-held so can find a comfortable position, comes with it's own limitations
• Because mobile is often easier, wishes his employer would create a mobile-friendly/responsive site (would fit well for someone who does data entry) - mobile friendly work environement, digital workplace tooling

Online scenarios

• His job as a data entry clerk
• Submitting a timesheet
• Long online form - tax, health, etc
• Poor visible focus for links

What myth or stereotype does this persona address?

• Not everyone navigates the web using a mouse.
• Keyboard navigation is only important to people who can't use a mouse/pointing device.
• We will get around to developing a mobile-friendly site when the schedule/budget allows it.

Needs or barriers to be included

• Control over or no timeouts
• Keyboard navigation
• Limited typing and scrolling
• Modal windows work properly (currently not included)
• No keyboard traps (currently not included)
• Saving during long, multi-step processes (currently not included)
• Visible skip links
• Focus visible
• Meaningful sequence

Impact of barriers

• Websites time out and he has to start over
• Doesn't know where he is on a page (focus visible)
• On new page, has to navigate through long menus (skip link)
• Takes a long time to get through all content, especially if the link he needs is at the bottom
• Loses work
• Link he wants is at the top, on the right but he has to navigate through the entire page to get to it because of where the link is in the tab order.