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BitcoinDesign-GAAD-Workshop1

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May 16, 2025
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 BitcoinDesign-GAAD-Workshop1

Intro to Disability Use Cases, Assistive Technologies, and Universal Design. In honor of Global Accessibility Awareness Day.

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RRBTC

May 16, 2025
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  1. GLOBAL ACCESSIBILITY AWARENESS DAY 2025 Bitcoin Design - GAAD Workshop

    1: Intro to Disability Use Cases, Assistive Technologies, and Universal Design
  2. WHY ACCESSIBILITY MATTERS IN FOSS AND BITCOIN: • Free Open

    Source Software must serve everyone • Bitcoin UX is high-stakes, unforgiving • Hal Finney used Assistive Tech
  3. DISABILITY USE CASES Visual: Blindness, low vision, colorblindness Cognitive/Neuro: ADHD,

    dyslexia, autism, memory issues Auditory: Deafness, hard-of- hearing Temporary/Environmental: Broken arm, noisy café, bright sunlight Motor: Limited mobility, tremors, paralysis
  4. BITCOIN USER PERSPECTIVES The Blind Bitcoiner @GaryJordon7 “I am blind.

    I am currently researching the bitcoin economy to see if this might help disabled people have a better life than receiving a govt begging bowl.” Craig McGee – Bitcoin Enthusiast / Contributor to Icy Wallet @guilt_manager “The biggest barriers for the blind are accessibility, Most of the wallets are difficult to use, and the QT client interface doesn’t work too well with a screen reader.”
  5. “Today, I am essentially paralyzed. I am fed through a

    tube, and my breathing is assisted through another tube. I operate the computer using a commercial eyetracker system. It also has a speech synthesizer, so this is my voice now. I spend all day in my power wheelchair. I worked up an interface using an arduino so that I can adjust my wheelchair’s position using my eyes. It has been an adjustment, but my life is not too bad. I can still read, listen to music, and watch TV and movies. I recently discovered that I can even write code. It’s very slow, probably 50 times slower than I was before. But I still love programming and it gives me goals. Currently I’m working on something Mike Hearn suggested, using the security features of modern processors, designed to support “Trusted Computing”, to harden Bitcoin wallets. It’s almost ready to release. I just have to do the documentation.” “That’s my story. I’m pretty lucky overall. Even with the ALS, my life is very satisfying. But my life expectancy is limited. ”
  6. HOW TO SETUP TALKBACK (ANDROID) Settings > Accessibility > Talkback

    > Toggle Use Talkback and Talkback shortcut
  7. Assistive Technology Demo Screen Readers (VoiceOver, NVDA, TalkBack) • Convert

    text to speech or braille. Require proper labels, roles, and focus order. Unlabeled buttons or poor tab order break the experience. Screen Magnifiers (Zoomtext, Browser Zoom, OS Settings) • Used by people with low vision to zoom in. Layouts must hold up at 200% zoom and reflow at 400% zoom — avoid overlaps or cut-off content. Switches & Eye Tracking (Keyboard, Single switch, Tobii) • Allow interaction via one button or eye movement. Keyboard support and logical focus order are essential. Voice Control (VoiceControl & VoiceAccess, Dragon Naturally Speaking) • Lets users navigate by saying “Tap Send” or “Scroll Down.” Descriptive labels that match visible UI elements are key.
  8. PERSONAS EXERCISE You’ll each work with a user persona representing

    a real disability use case. Your goal is to choose one user flow from the Bitcoin UI Kit, identify where a common bitcoin wallet interface might break for them, and describe how it could be improved.
  9. GARY (BLIND BITCOINER) •Uses Android with TalkBack to send and

    receive sats. •Avoids wallets that require QR scanning with no alternatives.
  10. ANA (MOTOR IMPAIRMENT) •Uses an iPad with switch control and

    voice navigation. •Prefers interfaces that support keyboard and voice control input.
  11. JAY (LOW- VISION) •Relies on 200% zoom and high contrast

    mode. •Uses magnification software and prefers large, well-spaced elements.
  12. MO (NEURODIVERGENT) •Has ADHD and finds complex, cluttered layouts overwhelming.

    •Benefits from consistent UI, fewer distractions, and step-by-step flows.
  13. ABDI (OUTDOOR WORKER) •Accesses wallets on a cracked phone in

    bright daylight with spotty data and is partially colorblind. •Needs high contrast, clear visibility, and offline-friendly workflows.
  14. PRINCIPLES OF UNIVERSAL DESIGN Equitable Use Design is usable by

    people with diverse abilities. Example: A wallet that works equally well with screen readers and visually. Flexibility in Use Accommodates a wide range of preferences and abilities. Example: Backup flows that support copy/paste, QR scan, TTS, or NFC. Simple and Intuitive Use Easy to understand, regardless of experience or cognitive ability. Example: Minimize jargon; use familiar icons and step-by-step flows for sending BTC. Perceptible Information Communicates essential info clearly across sensory differences. Example: High contrast, icon + label pairing, text alternatives for QR codes. Tolerance for Error Minimizes risks and adverse consequences. Example: Require confirmation before sending large amounts or erasing a wallet. Low Physical Effort Can be used with minimal fatigue or dexterity. Example: Large tap targets; support for keyboard navigation; avoid rapid interactions. Size and Space for Approach and Use UI fits various screen sizes and input methods. Example: Responsive design that supports magnification, one-handed use, and switch input.