David_120218
12-02-18, 12:27
Hello! My name is David Swallow and I work for The Paciello Group, a US-based accessibility consultancy. We provide advice to companies and organisations about how to make their websites, software applications and mobile apps accessible to people with disabilities.
I am doing a bit of research into anxiety and panic disorders, which I feel are often overlooked with regards to web accessibility. Specifically, I am interested in features of websites that might contribute to feelings of anxiety or panic (and how we can avoid them). The so-called “dark patterns” that might just be mildly annoying for anyone but could present a real barrier to someone with anxiety. For example, someone told me that time limits on websites (such as “you have 5 minutes to complete your purchase”) can be really stressful. Same with persuasive warnings on travel websites (such as “Hurry! Only 2 tickets left!” or “5 people are viewing this room!”).
I realise this is a massive topic and I’m only just getting to grips with it myself. Also, it’s not a topic I want to mishandle, so it would be really good to speak to someone who has an anxiety or panic disorder, to get a first-hand account. Ultimately, I am hoping to produce a series of blog posts about the subject, to hopefully provide insight and practical guidance for anyone creating websites. Anything you share with me would, of course, be treated with the strictest confidence.
If you have anything you would like to share, please reply to this message or send a Private Message.
I am doing a bit of research into anxiety and panic disorders, which I feel are often overlooked with regards to web accessibility. Specifically, I am interested in features of websites that might contribute to feelings of anxiety or panic (and how we can avoid them). The so-called “dark patterns” that might just be mildly annoying for anyone but could present a real barrier to someone with anxiety. For example, someone told me that time limits on websites (such as “you have 5 minutes to complete your purchase”) can be really stressful. Same with persuasive warnings on travel websites (such as “Hurry! Only 2 tickets left!” or “5 people are viewing this room!”).
I realise this is a massive topic and I’m only just getting to grips with it myself. Also, it’s not a topic I want to mishandle, so it would be really good to speak to someone who has an anxiety or panic disorder, to get a first-hand account. Ultimately, I am hoping to produce a series of blog posts about the subject, to hopefully provide insight and practical guidance for anyone creating websites. Anything you share with me would, of course, be treated with the strictest confidence.
If you have anything you would like to share, please reply to this message or send a Private Message.