a11y-personas

# A11y Personas

Library of accessibility personas for understanding diverse user needs.

## Auto-Initialize

**Before reading any persona files**, check if the `repo/` folder exists in this skill directory. If it doesn't exist, run the setup script:

```bash
cd .cursor/skills/a11y-personas && ./setup.sh
```

This clones the a11y-personas repository. Only needs to run once.

## Updating Content

To pull the latest personas:

```bash
cd .cursor/skills/a11y-personas/repo && git pull
```

## Data Source

All personas are in `repo/data/personas/` as markdown files. Each contains:
- **id**: Unique identifier
- **title**: Descriptive name
- **profile**: Key characteristics
- **interaction_style**: Input/output methods and limitations
- **key_needs**: Accessibility requirements
- **cross_functional_considerations**: Guidance for customer care, development, design, and testing
- **biography**: Narrative description with quote

## Finding Personas

Search `repo/data/personas/` for relevant personas by category:

### Vision
| File | Persona |
|------|---------|
| `blindness-screen-reader-nvda.md` | NVDA screen reader user (Windows) |
| `blindness-screen-reader-voiceover.md` | VoiceOver user (Apple) |
| `blindness-braille-user.md` | Braille display user |
| `blindness-light-perception.md` | Light perception only |
| `blindness-low-vision-progressive.md` | Progressive vision loss |
| `low-vision.md` | General low vision |
| `color-vision-deficiency.md` | Color blindness |
| `vision-contrast-sensitivity.md` | Contrast sensitivity |
| `visual-processing-disorder.md` | Visual processing differences |

### Hearing
| File | Persona |
|------|---------|
| `deafness-sign-language-user.md` | Sign language primary |
| `deafness-hard-of-hearing.md` | Hard of hearing |
| `deafness-late-deafened.md` | Late-deafened adult |
| `deafness-oral-communicator.md` | Oral/lipreading |
| `deaf-blind.md` | Deaf-blind |
| `hearing-loss-age-related.md` | Age-related hearing loss |
| `tinnitus-audio-sensitivity.md` | Tinnitus |

### Motor/Physical
| File | Persona |
|------|---------|
| `paraplegia-wheelchair.md` | Wheelchair user |
| `parkinson-tremor.md` | Parkinson's/tremor |
| `mobility-one-handed-limb-difference.md` | One-handed use |
| `mobility-chronic-pain.md` | Chronic pain |
| `mobility-repetitive-stress-injury.md` | RSI |
| `multiple-sclerosis-fluctuating.md` | MS fluctuating symptoms |
| `arthritis-rheumatoid.md` | Rheumatoid arthritis |

### Cognitive/Neurological
| File | Persona |
|------|---------|
| `cognitive-memory-loss.md` | Memory loss |
| `cognitive-aphasia-language.md` | Aphasia |
| `dyslexia-reading.md` | Dyslexia |
| `dyscalculia-number-processing.md` | Dyscalculia |
| `intellectual-disability-mild.md` | Intellectual disability |
| `adhd-attention.md` | ADHD |
| `epilepsy-seizure-risk.md` | Epilepsy/seizures |

### Autism Spectrum
| File | Persona |
|------|---------|
| `autistic.md` | General autistic needs |
| `autistic-sensory-sensitive.md` | Sensory sensitivities |
| `autistic-communication-differences.md` | Communication differences |
| `autistic-executive-function.md` | Executive function |
| `autistic-visual-thinker.md` | Visual thinking |
| `autistic-rule-oriented.md` | Rule-oriented |
| `autistic-non-speaking.md` | Non-speaking |

### Mental Health
| File | Persona |
|------|---------|
| `anxiety-mental-health.md` | Anxiety |
| `depression-major.md` | Depression |
| `ptsd-trauma.md` | PTSD/trauma |

### Speech
| File | Persona |
|------|---------|
| `speech-impairment-communication.md` | Speech impairment |
| `motor-impaired-non-speaking.md` | Non-speaking motor impaired |

### Temporary/Situational
| File | Persona |
|------|---------|
| `temp-broken-dominant-arm.md` | Broken arm |
| `temp-concussion-cognitive-fatigue.md` | Concussion |
| `temp-eye-patch-temporary-vision.md` | Eye patch |
| `temp-holding-child-one-handed.md` | Holding child |
| `temp-laryngitis-temporary-voice-loss.md` | Voice loss |
| `temp-migraine-light-sensitivity.md` | Migraine |
| `temp-noisy-environment-limited-audio.md` | Noisy environment |
| `temp-public-place-privacy-concern.md` | Public privacy concerns |
| `temp-crisis-situation.md` | Crisis/stress |

## Usage

### Get a specific persona
Read the relevant file from `repo/data/personas/` to understand:
- How the person interacts with technology
- What barriers they face
- What accessibility features they need
- Considerations for different teams

### Compare personas
Read multiple personas to understand overlapping and distinct needs.

### Design review
Use personas to evaluate if a design meets the needs of specific user groups.

### Generate test scenarios
Use the `cross_functional_considerations.testing` section for test case ideas.

## Persona Structure

Each persona follows this format:

```yaml
---
id: unique-identifier
title: Display Name
profile:
  - Key characteristic 1
  - Key characteristic 2
interaction_style:
  input: [methods used]
  output: [feedback needed]
  no_reliance_on: [inaccessible patterns]
key_needs:
  - Requirement 1
  - Requirement 2
cross_functional_considerations:
  customer_care: [support guidance]
  development: [implementation guidance]
  design_ux: [design guidance]
  testing: [testing guidance]
---

## Biography
Narrative description with representative quote.
```

## Quick Lookup by Assistive Technology

| Technology | Relevant Personas |
|------------|-------------------|
| Screen reader (NVDA) | `blindness-screen-reader-nvda.md` |
| Screen reader (VoiceOver) | `blindness-screen-reader-voiceover.md` |
| Braille display | `blindness-braille-user.md` |
| Screen magnifier | `low-vision.md`, `blindness-low-vision-progressive.md` |
| Keyboard only | Multiple motor personas |
| Switch device | `motor-impaired-non-speaking.md` |
| Voice control | `mobility-repetitive-stress-injury.md` |
| Captions | All hearing personas |
| Sign language | `deafness-sign-language-user.md` |