Naureen Raza



Hi, my name is Naureen! I’m a third-year Digital Experience Design student at George Brown College, passionate about transforming ideas into accessible digital experiences. I am gaining experience in systems analysis & design, usability testing and storytelling as a Platform & Automation Analyst at EC Studios. I’m eager to take on a product design or UX-related internship to further expand my expertise. Outside of my design career, you can find me in a pilates studio training to be an instructor.



I’m a third-year Digital Experience Design student at George Brown College, passionate about transforming ideas into accessible digital experiences. I am gaining experience in systems analysis & design, usability testing and storytelling as a Platform & Automation Analyst at EC Studios. I’m eager to take on a product design or UX-related internship to further expand my expertise. Outside of my design career, you can find me in a pilates studio training to be an instructor.

Evaluating the Accessibility of Sephora.com for Older Users




PROJECT OVERVIEW:
Sephora.com is a widely-used e-commerce platform that caters to diverse customers. However, as a visually rich website, its accessibility for older adults—who may experience visual, cognitive, or motor impairments—deserves close examination. This study aims to identify barriers older users might face and propose actionable solutions to enhance inclusivity.
TIMELINE:
November 2024
1 day

MY ROLE:
UX Researcher 
TEAM:
Naureen Raza

TOOLS:
Google Docs

Macbook Pro Accesibility Tools 

W3 Accessibility Report Tool


THE PROBLEM


Older adults (65+) often face challenges navigating visually dense e-commerce websites like Sephora.com. Issues such as insufficient text contrast, small font sizes, complex navigation paths, and lack of assistive technology support can hinder their ability to complete key tasks, such as product search, selection, and checkout. Without accessible design practices, Sephora risks alienating a valuable demographic, compromising both user satisfaction and business potential.


SOLUTION 


Using the WCAG 2.2 guidelines, the report identifies and addresses the following areas:

1. Perceivable

  • Problem: Insufficient contrast between text and background, particularly for secondary information (e.g., product details).
  • Solution: Adjust color contrast ratios to meet the minimum 4.5:1 standard. Use larger, scalable fonts.

2. Operable

  • Problem: Key website features (e.g., dropdown menus, carousel controls) are not fully operable via keyboard or screen readers.
  • Solution: Ensure all interactive elements are keyboard-navigable, with clear focus indicators.

3. Understandable

  • Problem: Complex navigation and inconsistent interface labels confuse users.
  • Solution: Simplify navigation paths, use clear labels, and provide real-time error suggestions during forms (e.g., checkout).

4. Robust

  • Problem: Inconsistent behavior of elements when accessed through assistive technologies, like screen readers.
  • Solution: Test and optimize all components to function seamlessly with assistive tools.




KEY TAKEAWAYS


Inclusive Design Benefits Everyone: Enhancing accessibility improves the experience for all users, not just older adults.

WCAG as a Benchmark: Adhering to WCAG 2.2 creates a more equitable digital experience.

Accessibility Drives Business Value: Inclusive websites attract a broader audience and foster brand loyalty.

Iterative Testing is Key: Ongoing testing with diverse user groups ensures continuous improvement