Eintech Head of Product Anna Kate Phelan was recently asked to share her thoughts on inclusive design in testing at the ABNS (American Board of Nursing Specialties) annual fall meeting.
The ABNS have kindly provided a recording of the session so that we can share it with you all here.
In the session, Anna-Kate talks about how accessibility addresses diagnosed disabilities through accommodations, but inclusive design takes a broader approach to creating equitable testing experiences to improve delivery for all candidates. She references established research, and echoed sentiment that she had recently shared at the E-ATP conference in Dublin with industry peer Richard London.
The full presentation contains a range of insight and practical advice.
Highlights include:
The Power of Designing for One
When we solve design challenges for users with permanent disabilities, we often create solutions that benefit everyone. For example ‘Closed Captioning’, originally designed for the deaf community, now helps people in noisy airports and children learning to read (in addition to these practical elements, it is reported large numbers of people regularly use subtitles to better understand storylines and concentrate when watching streaming services and social media: https://idealinsight.co.uk/infographics/netflix-captions). Similarly, clear assessment interfaces and plain language instructions reduce cognitive load for all test takers, not just those with specific challenges.
Key Principles for Better Assessments
Inclusive design recognizes that exclusions can be permanent, temporary, or situational. A candidate might struggle with a mouse and keyboard due to unfamiliarity with the technology, a temporary injury, or simply test anxiety. By considering these varied experiences, we can create:
- Simple, uncluttered interfaces that reduce stress
- Culturally neutral language that avoids bias
- Flexible accommodations with empathy
- Clear communication throughout the testing journey
We hope the video above provides some useful insight, and we look forward to discussing the topic with you at a future event!
If you would like to discuss how Rogo and the team at Eintech can help you make better assessments, get in touch today!
