Client:
Perplexity
Service:
Accessibility Evaluation
Perplexity
Accessibility Evaluation
This project assessed the accessibility rating of Perplexity through a comprehensive report detailing findings from three distinct evaluation methods: cognitive walkthrough, WCAG compliance evaluation, and redesign recommendations. The report offers a thorough analysis of Perplexity's current accessibility status and proposes actionable improvements for a more inclusive user experience.
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In today's digital world, access to information is paramount. AI-powered chatbots like Perplexity have the potential to democratize knowledge, but only if they are accessible to everyone. This project focused on evaluating and improving the accessibility of Perplexity, ensuring a more inclusive experience for all users.
Conducted a comprehensive evaluation using methodologies such as: cognitive walkthroughs and WCAG evaluations focused on accessibility.
Identified key accessibility barriers and their impact on users with diverse needs (e.g., visual, auditory, cognitive, motor).
Developed actionable redesign recommendations to address these barriers, prioritizing user experience and feasibility.
Surprisingly, Perplexity, presented potential accessibility challenges. My goal for this project was to uncover these challenges and propose solutions that would not only meet accessibility standards but also enhance the overall user experience. This involved considering the diverse needs of users, including those with visual impairments who rely on screen readers, users with cognitive differences who benefit from simplified interfaces, and users with motor impairments who may use assistive technologies.
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Discovering video recipe for Christmas cookies
Sharing an article of interest with friends on WhatsApp
For this research method, I simulated the experience of users with different cognitive abilities to identify potential usability issues related to information architecture, navigation, and task completion.
"It's like I'm searching in the dark. I can't tell if these videos are even about cookies, let alone the kind I want!"
Ashleigh, 27
Partially sighted screenreader user
To gain deeper insights into the user experience, I conducted a cognitive walkthrough with Ashleigh, a partially sighted screen reader user. Ashleigh's scenario involved searching for Christmas cookie recipes in video format, a common use case where accessibility is crucial. This walkthrough allowed me to observe first hand how Ashleigh interacted with Perplexity using her screen reader and identified specific pain points she encountered.
Lack of descriptive video transcripts:
While Perplexity returned video results, the absence of detailed transcripts made it difficult for Ashleigh to quickly understand the content of each video and determine if it contained Christmas cookie recipes. She relies on transcripts to scan for relevant information before committing to watching a video.
Ambiguous search result descriptions:
The text descriptions accompanying the video results were often generic and didn't clearly indicate the type of cookie recipe or whether the video provided step-by-step instructions. This made it challenging for Ashleigh to filter through the results effectively.
Screen reader navigation challenges: Ashleigh encountered difficulties navigating the search results page using her screen reader. The focus order wasn't always logical, and some interactive elements lacked proper labels, making it hard for her to understand and interact with the page.
"The close spacing of these links makes it really hard for me to click the right one. My hand sometimes slips, and then I have to start over."
Ade, 32
Experiences limitations in his hand mobility
For my second walkthrough, I followed Ade. Ade is a reporter with limited hand mobility. Ade's scenario involved researching a news story on Perplexity, a common task for journalists. This walkthrough allowed me to observe firsthand how Ade interacted with the platform using assistive technologies and identify specific pain points he encountered due to his limited hand mobility.
Small and closely spaced interactive elements:
The small size and close proximity of buttons, links, and other interactive elements on Perplexity made it difficult for Ade to accurately target and activate them with his limited hand mobility. This led to frustration and errors.
Lack of keyboard navigation support:
While some basic keyboard navigation was possible, many key functions lacked proper keyboard shortcuts or focus management. This forced Ade to rely on a mouse, which was challenging due to his hand mobility limitations.
Complex or multi-step interactions:
Tasks requiring complex or multi-step interactions, such as filtering search results or navigating through menus, proved particularly difficult for Ade. He often struggled to maintain control and complete the necessary steps accurately.
In addition to the cognitive walkthroughs, I conducted a thorough evaluation of Perplexity against the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 AA.
Form fields within the search filters lacked proper labels, making it challenging for screen reader users to understand the purpose of each field.
Some text elements, particularly within the search results, did not meet the minimum color contrast requirements, making them difficult to read for users with low vision.
Many video thumbnails lacked descriptive alt text, making it difficult for screen reader users to understand the content of the videos.
This directly impacts the ability of someone like Ashleigh (from the cognitive walkthrough) to find relevant video recipes.
The visual focus indicator was not always clearly visible when navigating interactive elements with the keyboard, making it difficult for users to track their position on the page.
The share functionality, specifically the WhatsApp sharing option, was not fully keyboard accessible. This would prevent users who rely on keyboard navigation, like Ade (from the cognitive walkthrough), from easily sharing content.
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Perplexity's dynamic content makes accessibility tricky, especially for things like image descriptions and clear formatting. Complex searches and multimedia results need to be designed carefully so everyone can use them. Keeping keyboard navigation and visual focus consistent is another big challenge, especially as the content changes. Plus, when Perplexity connects to other apps, it needs to make sure those are accessible too.
Insufficient alt text for images, hindering screen reader users.
Implementing descriptive alt text for all images and graphical elements.
Low focus contrast in certain elements, text does not meet guideline requirement impacting users with low vision.
Increasing color contrast to clarify focus and increase font.
Lack of keyboard navigation support for certain interactive elements.
Ensuring full keyboard accessibility for all interactive components.
Understanding alt text is crucial for screen reader users to understand the visual content of a page, the first design recommendation focuses on providing context and information conveyed by images. Without it, they miss essential details, hindering their ability to fully engage with the content and understand the page's message. This is fundamental for equal access to information.
Understanding alt text is crucial for screen reader users to understand the visual content of a page, the first design recommendation focuses on providing context and information conveyed by images. Without it, they miss essential details, hindering their ability to fully engage with the content and understand the page's message. This is fundamental for equal access to information.
Keyboard accessibility is essential for users who cannot use a mouse, so last design recommendation includs those with motor impairments. It allows them to navigate and interact with all elements of the website using only the keyboard, ensuring they have equal access to all functionalities. This is a fundamental requirement for digital inclusion.
By implementing these recommendations, Perplexity can become significantly more accessible to a wider range of users. This not only ensures compliance with accessibility standards but also expands the platform's reach and impact.
This project demonstrated the importance of incorporating accessibility considerations throughout the design process. By prioritizing inclusivity, we can create digital experiences that are not only usable but also equitable, empowering everyone to access and benefit from the power of AI.