Inclusive Design For Emerging Markets: A Static Web Apps Discussion
Tags: mscreate, a11y, webdev, beginners
Published: 2020-07-29 01:41:13

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title: Inclusive Design For Emerging Markets: A Static Web Apps Discussion
published: true
description:  Join us Jul 29 for as discussion with two domains experts from Google and Microsoft as we unpack the challenges and opportunities for inclusive design! https://aka.ms/mscreate
tags: mscreate, accessibility, webdev, beginners
cover_image: 
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> Want to do more with static web apps?

> _Join us at [CREATE:Frontend](https://aka.ms/createfrontend) on Jul 29 (8:30am PDT / 11:30am EDT) for a 4-hr free virtual event with 8 talks and a [90-minute hands-on workshop](https://dev.to/azure/free-workshop-on-azure-static-web-apps-1341) to jumpstart your static web apps journey_

> Bookmark [our anchor post](https://dev.to/azure/let-s-talk-about-everything-frontend-2o9e) and do check back for updates

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# About Inclusive Design?

If you have been in tech for a while you have probably heard the terms _accessibility_ (a11y), localization (l10n) and _internationalization_ (i18n) applied in various contexts. Or you might have heard a broader theme - _inclusive design_.

According to the [Microsoft Definition](https://www.microsoft.com/design/inclusive/)

> Inclusive Design is a methodology, born out of digital environments, that enables and draws on the full range of human diversity. Most importantly, this means including and learning from people with a range of perspectives.

_But what does that mean for emerging markets?_

Inclusion is about more than identity and marginalization. It is about access to resources and providing a consistent and equal experience to everyone regardless of their location, language or economic situation. And these pose new or different challenges when we consider _emerging markets_.

## About Emerging Markets

By [definition](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emerging_market) an emerging market has some characteristics of a developed market, but does not fully meet its standards. Examples include India, China, Nigeria and more. 

Many of these are [mobile first](https://www.smashingmagazine.com/2018/02/comprehensive-guide-to-mobile-app-design/) economies and face challenges including:
 * Poor internet connectivity
 * Limited data
 * Device constraints
 * Cost of operation

For a better understanding of the issues, read [this Nov 2019 Pew Report](https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2019/11/20/mobile-divides-in-emerging-economies/) on the _Mobile Divides in Emerging Countries_. Let's look at some stats!

![Charts on Mobile Technology and Social Impact Survey, 2018](https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2019/11/PG_2019.11.20_Mobile-Divides-Emerging-Economies_0-02.png)

The data limitations and costs of ownership are vastly different in emerging markets (vs. developed countries like the US and UK). That means apps developed and tested using the latter populations in mind are often not practical for use by consumers in the former. Yet, most application developers (who likely don't reside in emerging markets) are often unable to address them in a meaningful way due to lack of awareness of the issues, or prioritization of features and resources.

_With emerging markets now a key driver for growth in the mobile ecosystem, this is no longer acceptable. A "mobile first" approach must necessarily be inclusive first too!_

## Let's Talk About The Issues:

The same report shared this interesting data on the most common hardships faced in emerging markets with respect to the _accessibility_ of mobile devices (and apps/experiences)

![Charts on Mobile Technology and Social Impact Survey, 2018](https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2019/11/PG_2019.11.20_Mobile-Divides-Emerging-Economies_0-06.png)

* _Security_ focuses on the data, and ability to guarantee privacy of information. In many emerging markets mobile payments and m-commerce are critical, making security vital.
* _Financial_ focuses on affordability of devices and data. Mobile (and mobile web) experiences that drain the batter or exhaust the data budgets of consumers are problematic!
* _Connectivity_ is an infrastructure and network access issue. Apps designed with reliable 4G/5G connections are ill equipped to deal with intermittent connectivity and low bandwidth environments. Offline first approaches are key.
* _Language_ is a critical factor, with many emerging markets having diverse regional languages and dialects that require better localization of information on mobile and web. Apps that are designed and tested for English-only or primarily English-speaking audiences fail the inclusivity test.


## How can we develop more inclusive products?

In this session, we talk to two developer advocates -- Chris Nwamba (Microsoft) and Stephen Fluin (Google) - on their own journeys designing apps for emerging markets. We look at examples of good and bad design, and ask _how can we as developers do better in designing, testing, and deploying, experiences that are universally accessible_!

Join us!

{% user codebeast %}
{% user stephenfluin %}

> Session Moderator

{% user nitya %}

## MSCreate: Frontend

If you want to learn more about the _MSCreate:Frontend_ event then check out this post with links to all the talks and speakers. And bookmark it to be notified of links to recordings and resources after the end!

{% link https://dev.to/azure/let-s-talk-about-everything-frontend-2o9e %}

Want to learn more about Azure Static Web Apps?
 - [Check out the docs](https://aka.ms/swadocs)
 - [Try out a learning path](https://aka.ms/swalearn)
 - [Watch talks on Channel 9](https://aka.ms/mscreate-ch9)