UX Research & Design - Group Project | Oct 4 - Nov 13, 2023

Transforming Yelp

Empowering Wheelchair Users for Inclusive Dining Experience

Nidhi , Yicheng, Rui, and Jimin

Design Prompt :

Website for wheelchair users to select appropriate restaurants for a comfortable meal with friends.

My Role :

  • Joined project in step 4(Information Architecture)

  • Verified applicability of UI design iterations

  • Ensured logical coherence of UX flow

  • Managed presentation flow to meet course requirements

Design Frame

How might we enhance the Yelp website for wheelchair users to empower them to make informed dining choices? Hence, ensuring a seamless and inclusive experience.

Design Process

  1. 3 User interviews, observation, 2 contextual inquiries

  2. Define the design frame

  3. Affinity diagram, mental model, task model

  4. Information Architecture

  5. Low-fidelity wireframes, feature intervention, task flow

  6. High-fidelity wireframes

  7. 4 Usability testings

  8. Design iteration

  9. Presentation & Review

Why Yelp?

Users already depend on Yelp for restaurant choices. Despite Yelp's existing accessibility features, our research suggests that current functionalities don't fully meet wheelchair users' needs. Thus, the project aims to redesign Yelp, integrating improved accessibility features to address these issues.

Key Insights

from 3 interviews, observations, and 2 contextual inquiries include:

  • Users rely on search engines and restaurant review websites, but the information is often incomplete or outdated.

  • Phone reservations are preferred for clarity in case of misinformation found online.

  • Needs for a comprehensive accessibility checklist, real-time availability of accessible tables, and user-generated feedback.

  • User needs include information on physical attributes, customer service, and an accessibility checklist.

  • Solutions for main trends involve implementing an accessibility feature list, a filter for searching by specific accessibility attributes, reviews with photos, staff-related information, and accessible table reservations.

  • Users typically go through three stages of restaurant investigation:

  1. Browse for preferred food and basic info (some users prioritize accessibility features).

  2. Seek for comprehensive accessibility features.

  3. Contact the restaurant or check official websites for direct communication.

After analyzing Yelp through Information Architecture, we developed low-fidelity wireframes to explore design iterations.

Subsequently, we decided to focus our scope on the Home Page, Result Page, Detail Page, and Reservation Page. Link to Intervened IA

We have created the following task flow based on the insights derived so far.

Key Design Solutions

  1. Result Indication Improvement:

    • Addressed the issue of unclear indications for Wheelchair Accessible Restaurants in search results.

  2. Refined Filtering for User Preferences:

    • Recognized that a mere "Wheelchair Accessible" tag is insufficient.

    • Introduced filtering options for accessible specific preferences.

    • Balanced the need for diverse filtering options without overwhelming users.

  3. Enhanced Cards with Detailed Information:

    • Introduced a related icon with text and a dropdown for users to access more detailed information on accessibility features.

  4. Efficient Dropdowns for Quick Info Access:

    • Implemented a dropdown feature enabling users to access essential information, including accessibility ratings, quickly.

5. 3D Interior Views:

  • Added a 3D view option to enhance visualization of the restaurant's accessibility layout, eliminating any surprises.

6. Distinctive Wheelchair-Accessible Indicator:

  • Included a related icon to serve as a clear and quick identifier for wheelchair-accessible restaurants.

7. Comprehensive Feature Lists:

  • Provided a detailed list of accessibility features, including both available and unavailable features, enhancing user-friendliness.

  • Included photos related to accessibility for a more holistic understanding.

8. Get Accessible Map:

  • Added a 'get accessible map' button to guide users to a floor plan with accessibility details, enhancing navigation confidence.

Recognized the broader issue in the digital world, where users with special requirements often face barriers to accessing features that could enhance their online experience.

My Personal Takeaway

The feedback loop from our collaborative efforts reinforced our dedication to solving real-world problems and building connections with a diverse audience.

Advocated for crafting dedicated accessibility modes and encouraged platforms to prioritize accessibility in the ever-changing landscape of technology and design.

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