The Accessibility Mismatch Workshop

A Must-Try for UX & Design Teams

When designing accessible products, the biggest barrier is often a lack of understanding. How do we bridge the gap between what we assume and what users actually experience?

One of my favorite activities from WCAG for Designers: Accessibility Reference Manual is the Accessibility Mismatch Workshop, created by Stacy & Rachel Power. This workshop uses flash cards to help teams identify gaps in knowledge and uncover what additional research is needed—ensuring they design with real users in mind.

How It Works

The workshop consists of five key questions, each on a separate flash card:

1️⃣ Who is the user? – Define your audience. What are their identities, backgrounds, and roles?
2️⃣ What are their motivations and behaviors? – What are they trying to achieve? What drives them?
3️⃣ What are their circumstances and needs? – Consider disabilities, environment, and accessibility barriers.
4️⃣ What are their frustrations? – Identify obstacles they face when interacting with your product.
5️⃣ What are their mismatches & approaches? – Where does the design fail to meet their needs? What solutions can improve accessibility?

💡 Key Takeaway: Teams must talk to real people. It’s not enough to guess or assume—especially when designing for people with disabilities. The best insights come from listening to diverse voices.

Running This Workshop

This activity can be done in person or remotely using collaboration tools like:
✅ FigJam
✅ Miro
✅ Mural

The simple format—flash cards, sticky notes, and open discussion—keeps the process engaging and thought-provoking.

Why This Matters

At its core, accessibility is about people. Inclusion isn’t just a checkbox; it’s a universal human need to belong. To design for everyone, we must ensure equitable participation from as many people as possible. Talking to and learning from a diverse set of individuals leads to the best inclusive outcomes.

If you're interested in trying this workshop, I highly recommend checking out WCAG for Designers. Because of copyright restrictions, I can only give an overview here, but the book itself provides full details on the methodology, examples, and practical application.