Inside Google's Award-Winning Accessibility Discovery Centre
Kelly Chan | 02 May 2024Updated in December 2024.
Google's commitment to accessibility and inclusion took a leap forward in December 2022 when it opened its Accessibility Discovery Centre (ADC) in London. Since then the ADC has served as a hub for innovation, research, and collaboration in the field of accessibility - and has welcomed more than 3000 visitors from organisations worldwide. In April 2024, the ADC won the Global Disability Inclusion Award at the Disability Smart Awards, confirming its status as a beacon of accessibility excellence.
Learn more about the Accessibility Discovery Centre
In June 2024, we ran a free webinar from the ADC to learn more about its impact inside and outside Google.
This blog sets the scene for that webinar by exploring the ADC’s role in promoting accessibility in technology through collaboration and innovation, led by Google's accessibility champion Christopher Patnoe.
What is Google's Accessibility Discovery Centre (ADC)?
Google's ADC is a physical space located at Kings Cross, London dedicated to understanding the diverse needs of disabled people, conducting innovative research, and showcasing transformative assistive technologies.
Much more than a showcase for Google products, the ADC provides a platform for collaboration and a way of connecting people with many different roles from organisations in every sector.
As well as offering tours it also hosts events such as a round table event with AbilityNet and Deque. This is a key part of the focus on partnership and highlights Google's commitment to supporting collective progress in accessibility.
The ADC emphasises inclusive user research, ensuring that the perspectives of disabled users are integral to the development of accessible products. By involving disabled users in the research and testing phases, Google ensures that their products are not only accessible but also genuinely user-friendly. This inclusive approach helps identify real-world challenges and gather valuable feedback, which is essential for creating effective assistive technologies.
Are you interested in getting insights from user research and testing to refine your website or app, making it more intuitive and beneficial for everyone? Get in touch to find out about AbilityNet's inclusive user research services or download our user research and testing brochure.
Who leads Google’s Accessibility Discovery Centre in London?
Driving the ADC in London is Christopher Patnoe, Google's Head of Accessibility and Disability Inclusion.
At AbilityNet’s TechShare Pro 2023, Christopher spoke to Mark Walker about the development of the ADC.
Christopher and his team ensure Google's Accessibility Discovery Centre stands as a testament to the power of collaboration, innovation, and inclusivity.
Christopher shared that the ADC “provides an opportunity for people to contribute to something better than themselves, using the skills of what they have," highlighting the collaborative and inclusive nature of the ADC, where individuals from various backgrounds can contribute to creating a more accessible world.
The team supporting the ADC in London has grown to support the success of the Centre and Google is now expanding the network of Centres worldwide.
As Christopher says, “Other sites in Google around the world are in the process of building similar Accessibility Discovery Centres... to tell the stories of how accessibility can be useful.”
You can watch the whole interview in this recording from TechShare Pro 2023.
Watch our free webinar live from the ADC
Our free webinar that took place on 5 June was LIVE from inside the Google Accessibility Discovery Centre.
Christopher was joined by Ashley Peacock, who leads AbilityNet's Inclusive User Research services.
As well as touring the ADC they talked about why the ADC exists, how it operates, and the impact it is having on inclusive user research.
Learn more about Inclusive User Research
- Find out how AbilityNet's inclusive user research services put the needs of disabled people at the heart of your digital projects.
