Improving Web and Mobile Accessibility Resources for Iranian Designers

Abstract

The concept “Postcolonial Computing” suggests that the design and use of technology are different based on the culture of the users and designers. Therefore, design methodologies and variances need to be devised and evaluated according to the culture of the audience. Digital accessibility, as a component of design, has become an important topic in the field of HCI, and in my research, I will focus on the impact of cultural differences on “accessible design” in particular. When looking at accessibility on a global scale, we find that the representation of accessibility research is mostly centered in the Global North and the countries that are WEIRD (Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, and Democratic). This suggests a possible cultural bias in accessibility research and accessible design. The focus of my research study will be on Iranian culture, a non-WEIRD country from the Global South with limited accessibility research dedicated to it. I aim to connect with Iranian designers, students, and educators to understand the existing challenges and how accessibility is being considered in design and education, and to come up with improvements in the digital accessibility resources for Iranian designers.