When to include users with accessibility needs

When should you include users with accessibility needs in your research? This depends on your goals and resources. There are two possible options:

• Include some users with accessibility needs at every stage of the product development. This will ensure that people with disabilities drive your product’s innovation and accessibility.
• Use only participants with access needs at select stages of your research. For example, when you need to check your product for accessibility before shipping it.

Both approaches are suited to generative and evaluative research. Evaluate your project's needs and other constraints to decide what's most appropriate.^[1]