Mr Ky Lane1
1University Of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
Biography:
With over 30 years of experience in user interface design and development, I bring deep expertise in crafting digital systems that are intuitive, robust, and inclusive. For the past decade, I’ve worked at the University of Queensland (UQ), where I’ve played a leading role in the design and development of two flagship eResearch products: UQ eSpace, the university’s institutional repository, and UQRDM (UQ Research Data Manager), a widely recognised platform for managing research data across the project lifecycle.
These projects reflect a broader commitment to enabling researchers to work more efficiently and inclusively in increasingly complex digital environments. My approach blends technical skill with human-centered design, ensuring that tools are not only functionally sound but usable and accessible to a wide range of people.
I hold a Master of Digital Design and regularly contribute to institutional accessibility strategy and implementation. My lived experience as a neurodivergent person—diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)—informs my work deeply. I also live with spinal radiculopathy, a neurological condition that intermittently limits the use of my right arm. These experiences give me a unique perspective on the importance of designing for variability in ability, attention, and interaction.
Rather than treating accessibility as a checklist, I see it as a mindset—one that consistently leads to better design for everyone. I believe inclusive digital environments are not just ethically necessary but strategically essential for research institutions.
I remain committed to advocating for accessibility, usability, and equity in every stage of digital development.
Abstract:
In many eResearch environments, accessibility is still viewed as a compliance requirement rather than a core element of usability. This results in platforms and tools that appear functional, yet exclude or frustrate users with disabilities—and often degrade the experience for others as well.
Recognizing this gap, our goal was to identify practical, low-effort accessibility checks that could be embedded into everyday development workflows to improve digital research infrastructure for a broader audience.
We introduced lightweight practices—such as keyboard-only navigation testing, screen reader trials, and contrast ratio reviews—during the development of institutional research tools. These actions required minimal training and time investment, yet consistently revealed design oversights, confusing navigation flows, and interaction barriers.
The outcome was not only improved accessibility for disabled users, but also more intuitive and efficient interfaces for all researchers. These adjustments led to fewer support requests, higher satisfaction among users, and increased confidence among developers. This presentation will share strategies, examples, and lessons learned, making the case that embedding accessibility early and often results in better, more inclusive eResearch systems that benefit the entire research community.