Blackboard Inc.
Accessible Laundry Kiosk
Built an accessible Android POS kiosk for visually impaired users using Google TalkBack API.
The Problem
University laundry rooms used touchscreen POS kiosks that were completely inaccessible to visually impaired students. There was no screen reader support, no audio feedback, and no alternative interaction model, effectively excluding a population of students from using on-campus laundry facilities independently.
Approach
I led a team of 5 engineers in researching visual impairment, deriving accessibility requirements, designing an inclusive UI, and implementing a TalkBack-integrated Android application for an embedded laundry kiosk. We worked directly with Blackboard's product team using Agile methodology.
Process
User Research
We conducted structured research into visual impairment categories and their impact on touchscreen interaction. This informed our decision to prioritize TalkBack integration, high-contrast visuals, and sequential navigation over free-form touch.
Inclusive Design
Every UI element was designed for screen reader compatibility first. We implemented logical focus ordering, descriptive content labels, and audio confirmation for every transaction step, from machine selection to payment confirmation.
Team Leadership
As capstone lead, I coordinated weekly standups, sprint planning, and stakeholder demos with Blackboard’s engineering team. I ensured the team maintained clean code practices, wrote documentation, and delivered on schedule.
Impact
- Made laundry POS systems accessible to visually impaired students for the first time
- Led a team of 5 through user research, requirements gathering, and iterative design
- Delivered production-ready embedded Android application to Blackboard