Valve Corp.
Steam Website
Accessibilty Evaluation
Problem Statement
The Steam website currently faces significant accessibility challenges that hinder its usability for individuals with disabilities. Key areas of concern include navigating the main page, product searching and understanding, managing the shopping cart, account creation, and the checkout process. These issues not only limit the user experience but also fail to meet the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) Level AA standards. Addressing these deficiencies is crucial for Valve Corporation to expand its market reach, enhance user experience, and demonstrate its commitment to inclusivity and social responsibility. By improving accessibility, Valve Corporation can ensure that Steam remains a welcoming and user-friendly platform for all users, including those with disabilities, thereby broadening its customer base and reducing legal risks associated with non-compliance to global web accessibility standards.
The Concerns:
-
Navigation of the main page
-
Product searching and understanding
-
Shopping cart management
-
Account creation process
-
Checkout process
-
Adherence to Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) Level AA
-
Limited user experience for individuals with disabilities
-
Restricted market reach due to accessibility barriers
-
Potential legal risks from non-compliance with global web accessibility standards
-
Need to demonstrate commitment to inclusivity and social responsibility
As a UX designer for this project, my role involves conducting a thorough accessibility evaluation of the Steam website to identify and address usability challenges faced by individuals with disabilities. I will be responsible for ensuring the website adheres to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) Level AA standards, focusing on key areas such as navigation, product searching, shopping cart management, account creation, and the checkout process. My approach will include automated code inspections, manual reviews, and experience walkthroughs to capture a comprehensive view of the current accessibility landscape. By collaborating with developers and stakeholders, I will provide actionable insights and recommendations to enhance the website's inclusivity, ultimately improving the user experience for all users and reinforcing Valve Corporation's commitment to social responsibility and diversity.
My Role
The evaluation process for enhancing the Steam website’s accessibility will follow a structured and iterative approach. Initially, we will conduct a comprehensive analysis of the current website through automated tools like PowerMapper to identify preliminary accessibility issues. This will be followed by manual inspections to address more nuanced aspects such as logical navigation, appropriate ALT text for images, and compatibility with various assistive technologies. To gain deeper insights, we will perform experience walkthroughs, simulating the user journey from the perspective of individuals with disabilities. Based on the findings, we will develop and prioritize design recommendations that align with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) Level AA. These recommendations will then be prototyped and tested with real users to ensure effectiveness. The process will involve continuous feedback and iterations, ensuring that the final design solutions are robust, inclusive, and significantly improve the user experience for all Steam users.
Evaluation process
Automated Code Inspection
Utilizing PowerMapper, an automated website testing software, to scan the Steam website's code for potential accessibility issues. PowerMapper will identify problems in line with web standards such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).
Manual Inspection
This process addresses issues that automated tools may overlook, focusing on elements like logical navigation order, appropriate ALT text for images, and the overall user experience for various assistive technologies.
Experience Walkthrough
This approach simulates the user experience from the perspective of individuals with disabilities. It involves navigating the website using keyboard-only and screen reader functions to perform tasks such as searching, accessing products, adding products to the cart, etc.
User Research
Key Findings
-
Insufficient text alternatives for non-text content.
-
Inadequate navigation mechanisms for keyboard and screed reader users.
-
Low contrast ratios.
-
Unavailability of accessible media controls
The anticipated result of Steam's accessibility evaluation is a significantly enhanced website that is user-friendly and inclusive for individuals with disabilities. This evaluation will provide a comprehensive analysis of the current accessibility landscape, highlighting key areas for improvement. By addressing these areas, Valve Corporation can ensure compliance with WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards, thereby reducing legal risks and demonstrating a strong commitment to social responsibility and diversity. The improved accessibility will expand Steam’s market reach by making the platform more usable for a broader audience, including individuals with permanent or temporary disabilities. These enhancements will not only boost the company's brand image but also foster a more inclusive gaming community, ultimately leading to increased customer satisfaction and loyalty.