The Simulated User Impairment Testing (SUIT) Protocol and Toolbox for Digital Artifacts

User testing involving people with varying abilities and impairments are two of the key ingredients of universal design that can help to increase the accessibility and usability of an ICT artifact. However, recruiting adequate participants during the design and development process can be difficult, time-consuming and resource intensive. We suggest mitigating these challenges by employing user simulation as additional quality assessment measure throughout the design and development process of a digital ICT artifact.

In the present paper, we present a protocol and a toolbox for Simulated User Impairment Testing (SUIT) that enables non-impaired designers and developers to simulate the perception of people with some of the most common impairments related to cognitive, visual, auditory, vocal, mobility-related and motor-related functioning. We compile a list of possible tools and methods that are readily available or easily obtainable in a production and design setting. Moreover, we complement this list with relevant user examples for each category, as well as examples of the most common barriers. Finally, we point out how the Simulated User Impairment Testing (SUIT) toolbox can be used to add an additional layer of quality assessment during the design and development process of a digital artifact and argue that it cannot replace the user testing part.