Onboarding App for Blind and Low Vision Users
Onboarding App for Blind and Low Vision Users
Project Overview
I led the design of a mobile app to help blind and low vision users onboard the award-winning Glidance mobility device. I led a team of four designers over five months, conducting research on assistive technology, pioneering a new usability testing method for blind users, and delivering 35 screens for app development in 2026.
Impact
• Pioneered new usability testing method which is published in the Human-Computer Interaction International conference
• Secured app design buy-in from Glidance stakeholders.
My Role
UX Designer, Content Designer
Strategies
Design Systems
Product Strategy
My Team
UX Designer
Sr. UX Designer
Visual Designer
Content Designer
Timeline
May - Aug 2024
3 months
Most mobile apps are not designed with blind or visually impaired users in mind, often lacking essential accessibility features such as:
Most mobile apps are not designed with blind or visually impaired users in mind, often lacking essential accessibility features such as:
Voice over navigation accessibility
Voice over navigation accessibility
Large text and high contrast options
Large text and high contrast options
User Testing with Blind and Low Vision users for feedback
User Testing with Blind and Low Vision users for feedback
Non-accessible design fosters skepticism within the BLV community towards adopting new products.
Non-accessible design fosters skepticism within the BLV community towards adopting new products.
New technologies often fail to support VoiceOver and remain inaccessible to low-vision users. Skepticism is high, so making a strong first impression with onboarding is essential to prevent user drop-off.
New technologies often fail to support VoiceOver and remain inaccessible to low-vision users. Skepticism is high, so making a strong first impression with onboarding is essential to prevent user drop-off.
A seamless onboarding experience is crucial to build trust and ensure successful adoption.
A seamless onboarding experience is crucial to build trust and ensure successful adoption.
Glidance, our client, develops a mobility device which helps blind users navigate by detecting and steering around obstacles. I led and managed the design of their app which takes the user through set up and learning to use the device.
Glidance, our client, develops a mobility device which helps blind users navigate by detecting and steering around obstacles. I led and managed the design of their app which takes the user through set up and learning to use the device.
Problem
Problem
How might we design an intuitive and inclusive onboarding experience that empowers Blind and Low Vision (BLV) users to move independently and confidently?
How might we design an intuitive and inclusive onboarding experience that empowers Blind and Low Vision (BLV) users to move independently and confidently?
Solution
Solution
Onboarding Considering a BLV User's Preferences and Needs
Onboarding Considering a BLV User's Preferences and Needs
The app includes setting up a profile, pairing the device, learning to walk and use Glide, and media resources about the product.
The app includes setting up a profile, pairing the device, learning to walk and use Glide, and media resources about the product.
Personalize your Visual Preferences
Personalize your Visual Preferences
Usability testing revealed that many low-vision users rely on visual interaction. Placing "Visual Preferences" at launch ensures they can adjust settings immediately for a more comfortable experience.
Usability testing revealed that many low-vision users rely on visual interaction. Placing "Visual Preferences" at launch ensures they can adjust settings immediately for a more comfortable experience.
User can change Visual Preferences immediately
"While You Wait" section
Empower Product Learning and Community
While waiting for Glide to arrive, users can explore resources about the company and product and reach out to other members of Glide.
Empower Product Learning and Community
While waiting for Glide to arrive, users can explore resources about the company and product and reach out to other members of Glide.
Short Audio Learning
The Glide device features step-by-step audio learning to help users learn to use their Glide in a variety of scenarios. The interface is designed for simplicity, compatible with VoiceOver, and supports actions like scrubbing forward and backward, pausing, and viewing the audio transcript.
Short Audio Learning
The Glide device features step-by-step audio learning to help users learn to use their Glide in a variety of scenarios. The interface is designed for simplicity, compatible with VoiceOver, and supports actions like scrubbing forward and backward, pausing, and viewing the audio transcript.
Audio learning section
Accessibility for Low Vision Users
Accessibility for Low Vision Users
The majority of Glidance users are Low Vision and navigate their phones using sight. We implemented features such as large font sizes, high-contrast buttons, and a typeface specifically created by the Braille Institute for low-vision readers.
The majority of Glidance users are Low Vision and navigate their phones using sight. We implemented features such as large font sizes, high-contrast buttons, and a typeface specifically created by the Braille Institute for low-vision readers.
Typography
Typography
Buttons
Buttons
Research Methods
Lived Experience
Emulating Blindness
Community Outreach
Persona Development
Ethan: Our BLV Community Touchpoint
Ethan, a graduate student who has been blind since birth, played a crucial role in our design process. We consulted with him at every stage, and by the end of the five months, I had come to know him personally. His experiences and preferences don’t represent all BLV users, but his insights provided a strong foundation for our team to design with empathy and purpose. His perspective helped us understand the challenges and opportunities we could create with our designs.
Me (center), co-lead Annabelle Neher (right), and Ethan Ligon (left) at the National Federation of the Blind of Texas
Day-to-day Observation
I observed Ethan navigating with his walking cane and using VoiceOver to interact with his phone. Understanding both of these interactions was integral to the design process.
Ethan demonstrates how he uses his phone
Ethan navigates downtown Dallas
Research Methods
Lived Experience
Emulating Blindness
Community Outreach
Persona Development
Ethan: Our BLV Community Touchpoint
Ethan, a graduate student who has been blind since birth, played a crucial role in our design process. We consulted with him at every stage, and by the end of the five months, I had come to know him personally. His experiences and preferences don’t represent all BLV users, but his insights provided a strong foundation for our team to design with empathy and purpose. His perspective helped us understand the challenges and opportunities we could create with our designs.
Me (center), co-lead Annabelle Neher (right), and Ethan Ligon (left) at the National Federation of the Blind of Texas
Day-to-day Observation
I observed Ethan navigating with his walking cane and using VoiceOver to interact with his phone. Understanding both of these interactions was integral to the design process.
Ethan demonstrates how he uses his phone
Ethan navigates downtown Dallas
Research Methods
Lived Experience
Emulating Blindness
Community Outreach
Persona Development
Ethan: Our BLV Community Touchpoint
Ethan, a graduate student who has been blind since birth, played a crucial role in our design process. We consulted with him at every stage, and by the end of the five months, I had come to know him personally. His experiences and preferences don’t represent all BLV users, but his insights provided a strong foundation for our team to design with empathy and purpose. His perspective helped us understand the challenges and opportunities we could create with our designs.
Me (center), co-lead Annabelle Neher (right), and Ethan Ligon (left) at the National Federation of the Blind of Texas
Day-to-day Observation
I observed Ethan navigating with his walking cane and using VoiceOver to interact with his phone. Understanding both of these interactions was integral to the design process.
Ethan demonstrates how he uses his phone
Ethan navigates downtown Dallas
Research Methods
Lived Experience
Emulating Blindness
Community Outreach
Persona Development
Ethan: Our BLV Community Touchpoint
Ethan, a graduate student who has been blind since birth, played a crucial role in our design process. We consulted with him at every stage, and by the end of the five months, I had come to know him personally. His experiences and preferences don’t represent all BLV users, but his insights provided a strong foundation for our team to design with empathy and purpose. His perspective helped us understand the challenges and opportunities we could create with our designs.
Me (center), co-lead Annabelle Neher (right), and Ethan Ligon (left) at the National Federation of the Blind of Texas
Day-to-day Observation
I observed Ethan navigating with his walking cane and using VoiceOver to interact with his phone. Understanding both of these interactions was integral to the design process.
Ethan demonstrates how he uses his phone
Ethan navigates downtown Dallas
Research
Research
Building Empathy for a Blind Individual's Experiences
Building Empathy for a Blind Individual's Experiences
Research Methods
Lived Experience
Emulating Blindness
Community Outreach
Persona Development
Ethan: Our BLV Community Touchpoint
Ethan, a graduate student who has been blind since birth, played a crucial role in our design process. We consulted with him at every stage, and by the end of the five months, I had come to know him personally. His experiences and preferences don’t represent all BLV users, but his insights provided a strong foundation for our team to design with empathy and purpose. His perspective helped us understand the challenges and opportunities we could create with our designs.
Me (center), co-lead Annabelle Neher (right), and Ethan Ligon (left) at the National Federation of the Blind of Texas
Day-to-day Observation
I observed Ethan navigating with his walking cane and using VoiceOver to interact with his phone. Understanding both of these interactions was integral to the design process.
Ethan demonstrates how he uses his phone
Ethan navigates downtown Dallas
Leading the App Design Team
Leading the App Design Team
Alongside contributing as a designer on the app team, I also managed and led a team of four design students with varying schedules and strengths. I worked diligently to ensure everyone could meet deadlines and had access to any resources they needed.
Alongside contributing as a designer on the app team, I also managed and led a team of four design students with varying schedules and strengths. I worked diligently to ensure everyone could meet deadlines and had access to any resources they needed.
Managing and Delegating Tasks
Managing and Delegating Tasks
The app team was working on a tight deadline, so my co-lead and I developed a detailed timeline to keep us on track. Each week, we sent out a video update outlining our plan for the week and assigning tasks to everyone involved. I focused on creating and maintaining a calendar, as well as organizing the Figma file to highlight the specific parts of the app that needed attention that week. Additionally, my co-lead and I met with the student project managers twice a week to address any roadblocks and brainstorm solutions.
The app team was working on a tight deadline, so my co-lead and I developed a detailed timeline to keep us on track. Each week, we sent out a video update outlining our plan for the week and assigning tasks to everyone involved. I focused on creating and maintaining a calendar, as well as organizing the Figma file to highlight the specific parts of the app that needed attention that week. Additionally, my co-lead and I met with the student project managers twice a week to address any roadblocks and brainstorm solutions.
Me assigning tasks and presenting app information architecture
Weekly video going over each person's tasks
Presenting to Glidance Stakeholders
Presenting to Glidance Stakeholders
Keeping our client, Glidance, informed and aligned with our progress was a top priority. As a team lead, I participated in biweekly stand-up meetings where I presented the work my team had completed and received feedback from key members of Glidance.
Keeping our client, Glidance, informed and aligned with our progress was a top priority. As a team lead, I participated in biweekly stand-up meetings where I presented the work my team had completed and received feedback from key members of Glidance.
Me talking to stakeholders during a process call
Presenting low-fidelity app prototypes
Designing for Blindness
Designing for Blindness
Learning to use VoiceOver
Learning to use VoiceOver
Ensuring compatibility with VoiceOver was a critical priority. VoiceOver, Apple’s built-in screen reader allows users to navigate on phones using gestures like swiping and tapping.
Ensuring compatibility with VoiceOver was a critical priority. VoiceOver, Apple’s built-in screen reader allows users to navigate on phones using gestures like swiping and tapping.
Man using VoiceOver to navigate his phone
The App Design team explored apps that were rated highly for accessibility in the BLV community, and others that weren't. We learned the components of effective VoiceOver …
The App Design team explored apps that were rated highly for accessibility in the BLV community, and others that weren't. We learned the components of effective VoiceOver …
Clear, concise labels for buttons
Clear, concise labels for buttons
Avoid poorly structured navigation
Avoid poorly structured navigation
Audio feedback must be intentional
Audio feedback must be intentional
3 features from 400 ideas
3 features from 400 ideas
I facilitated a Figma workshop where the App Design team generated 400 ideas for the product. We plotted these Crazy 8 ideas on a feasibility/impact graph to find the best ideas.
I facilitated a Figma workshop where the App Design team generated 400 ideas for the product. We plotted these Crazy 8 ideas on a feasibility/impact graph to find the best ideas.
Example image from the ideation session
We took the top concepts to explore a community page, signing up for a Glidance account on the web, and alternative routes to get to the Glidance app.
We took the top concepts to explore a community page, signing up for a Glidance account on the web, and alternative routes to get to the Glidance app.
User Testing with BLV Users: an Opportunity for Innovation
User Testing with BLV Users: an Opportunity for Innovation
We encountered a challenge: design thinking relies on continuous iteration based on user feedback. But how could we gather feedback if our users couldn’t interact with our visual, no-code prototypes?
We encountered a challenge: design thinking relies on continuous iteration based on user feedback. But how could we gather feedback if our users couldn’t interact with our visual, no-code prototypes?
We engineered a new usability testing format that simulates VoiceOver. A team member acted as the VoiceOver, reading annotations from our screens, while users verbally navigated by issuing commands like "up," "down," "back," or "next." This approach allowed us to gather valuable feedback from blind and low-vision users who rely on VoiceOver to navigate instead of sight.
We engineered a new usability testing format that simulates VoiceOver. A team member acted as the VoiceOver, reading annotations from our screens, while users verbally navigated by issuing commands like "up," "down," "back," or "next." This approach allowed us to gather valuable feedback from blind and low-vision users who rely on VoiceOver to navigate instead of sight.
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VoiceOver in Detail
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VoiceOver in Detail
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VoiceOver in Detail
This method was essential for our team to test designs with blind users without relying on fully coded prototypes. It allowed us to remain agile in our design process and find meaningful results within our five-month timeline.
This method was essential for our team to test designs with blind users without relying on fully coded prototypes. It allowed us to remain agile in our design process and find meaningful results within our five-month timeline.
My team found great success with this user testing method. I have submitted an abstract to an academic conference and am currently working through the publication process for an academic paper.
My team found great success with this user testing method. I have submitted an abstract to an academic conference and am currently working through the publication process for an academic paper.
Accessibility-Focused Handoff
Accessibility-Focused Handoff
We ensured that developers fully understood the VoiceOver requirements for the app, especially since some of the narration involved non-standard elements that required backend adjustments. Additionally, we provided detailed explanations of our design decisions for components such as buttons, toggles, and text fields.
We ensured that developers fully understood the VoiceOver requirements for the app, especially since some of the narration involved non-standard elements that required backend adjustments. Additionally, we provided detailed explanations of our design decisions for components such as buttons, toggles, and text fields.
Spacing guide for UI components
We also provided user research documentation on how to conduct a Wizard of Oz usability test, along with a testing script and success metrics.
We also provided user research documentation on how to conduct a Wizard of Oz usability test, along with a testing script and success metrics.
Wizard of Oz Usability Testing Script
Example of a screen with VoiceOver annotation
Takeaways
Takeaways
Reception
Reception
The final app design for Glidance addressed key accessibility challenges, ensuring seamless navigation for BLV users. Glidance team members praised the clarity and ease of use, particularly in the app’s VoiceOver integration and intuitive layout.
The final app design for Glidance addressed key accessibility challenges, ensuring seamless navigation for BLV users. Glidance team members praised the clarity and ease of use, particularly in the app’s VoiceOver integration and intuitive layout.
Learnings
Learnings
This project helped me grow both as a designer and a leader. Designing for the BLV community who often face challenges navigating unfamiliar spaces and using tools not built for them, deepened my commitment to accessibility. As a leader, I learned to manage a diverse team and prioritize clear communication throughout the design process.
This project helped me grow both as a designer and a leader. Designing for the BLV community who often face challenges navigating unfamiliar spaces and using tools not built for them, deepened my commitment to accessibility. As a leader, I learned to manage a diverse team and prioritize clear communication throughout the design process.
