Dekode and NTNU: Together for a more accessible web

NTNU is the only university in Norway that includes universal design in a design master's degree. Then Dekode met NTNU at the DOGA award ceremony for universal design, a strong collaboration was born.

After the award ceremony, the design director came to Dekode , Erik Ferrier, in conversation with Anne Britt Torkildsby , associate professor at NTNU's Department of Design. NTNU offers the subject “ Inclusive UX design ” in the master's degree in interaction design, and the conversation made it clear that there was a great need to increase the expertise and awareness of UU in the industry.

We therefore took the initiative to connect with the master's program. The goal was to strengthen our own expertise within UU, while giving the students valuable experience from a real industry project.

The project with SOS Children's Villages

Dekode presented 5 case options to the students, and the choice fell on SOS Children's Villages, as their website has a purpose and complexity that is ideal for accessibility testing. The students tested four main facets of accessibility: hearing, vision, motor skills and cognition. They used various accessibility testing tools, focusing on alt text for images and contrasts, among other things.

An important part of the test was to see if users could perform specific tasks using only a keyboard. The students discovered that blind users often face the greatest challenges, and that there is a lack of good frameworks for designing for this group.

Valuable learning and insight

The project gave students valuable insight into how to communicate with clients , and the importance of working on real projects. They also gained insight into the challenges associated with implementing accessibility measures.

Master's student Anders Helgesen Hesselberg says: “For us, it was nice to get outside eyes on the project. Master's projects quickly become very theoretical, so this was very useful and cool. We want to continue with this.”

The students spent eight weeks on the project, and found that the rigid timeframe and milestones contributed to efficiency.

The way forward: Universal design as a core competency

The project was educational for both parties, and we want to continue to develop the collaboration in the future. The plan is to establish a more continuous dialogue and collaboration, with clearer lines and more follow-up during the projects.

For us in Dekode Universal design is not just a requirement, but a fundamental value. We believe in a digital society where everyone has equal opportunities, regardless of functional ability. The collaboration with NTNU has only strengthened our commitment to UU, and we see it as an investment in the digital solutions of the future.

We are convinced that UU will become an increasingly important competitive factor in the years to come. Companies that take accessibility seriously will not only reach a larger target audience, but also strengthen their brand.

We will continue to explore new methods and tools for accessibility testing, and we look forward to collaborating with NTNU on future projects. Together, we can create a more accessible web for everyone.