Birding by Ears 🦜
Reimagining Birding Through Accessible Design and Community Support
My ROLE
UX Researcher
I led and supported user research by recruiting and interviewing 12 subject matter experts and participants with visual impairments, and facilitating co-design sessions. I contributed to prototyping an audio-based app and conducted user testing with SMEs. In partnership with a birding organization, I translated generative insights into actionable recommendations that informed website accessibility improvements.
FOr
Usability & User Research class @UW
Duration
Fall 2025
Scope
Accessibility, Vibe Coding, Desk Research, Generative Research, User Testing
Team
Winnie Cheng,
Katarina Blind,
Charlotte Truong
Impacts We've Made
Making Accessibility Information Visible
As a result, the Birds Connect Seattle organization added a trip accessibility section to each event, helping users with visual impairments better understand trail accessibility.
Impacts We've Made
Making Accessibility Information Visible
As a result, the Birds Connect Seattle organization added a trip accessibility section to each event, helping users with visual impairments better understand trail accessibility.
Try our prototype
Tap the sound button to receive an AI-generated audio highlight from your trip of the day.
Project Background
We were inspired when our program director mentioned being an avid birder; although none of our team members had prior experience with birding, we found it to be an intriguing opportunity to explore accessibility through a new lens.
The Problem
The Challenge
How might we evolve birding culture so that the insights and experiences of birders with visual impairments enrich the community as a shared source of learning, inspiration, and belonging?
Research Questions
Desk Research/ Literature Review & BenchMarking
Generative Research/ Field ethnography
Firsthand Birding Experience
I participated in a two-hour field research session guided by Birds Connect Seattle to gain firsthand experience with birding and develop foundational knowledge by engaging with people deeply involved in the practice.
📍Bellevue, washington
Generative Research/ SME Interview
3 People with Visual Impairments +
5 People without VI
We conducted interviews with three individuals with visual impairments recruited through an online article and the Birdability organization. The goal was to ground our work in lived experience rather than assumptions, allowing us to uncover accessibility barriers and opportunities that informed inclusive design directions for birding experiences.
Generative Research/ Data Analysis
Finding Common Themes
Through coding and affinity mapping, we synthesized research data into key themes centered on exclusivity within the birding community, challenges in guidance and support, and learning through birding.
Generative Research/ Overview
design challenge
As a team, we began ideating a range of possible solutions focused on fostering community and accessibility. Rather than reinventing the wheel, we aimed to build on what the birding community is already familiar with.
Evaluative Research/ Co-Design
Who did we talk to and why?
Why we talked to them?
Because they have a large existing network of members and participants, improving their services or website could have a meaningful and scalable impact.
Why we talked to them?
Jay is a pioneering birder with visual impairment who actively participates in recordings, podcasts, and Birdability speaker sessions. We saw Jay as the closest match to our project’s target persona.
Evaluative Research/ Ideations
Planning Co-Design Sessions
Based on insights from generative research, we planned two co-design sessions. We also developed initial sketches and prototypes to facilitate discussion and feedback during the sessions.
Evaluative Research/ Co-Design
Co-Design and User Testing
We divided the sessions into three parts: Part I: Awareness, Part II: Guidance, and Part II: Reminiscence.
Prototype + Solutions
We tested one early-stage prototype during the workshop and developed two additional solution concepts based on insights from the co-design session.
Prototype
By compiling audio highlights of bird songs, our solution builds on Merlin’s existing workflow—highlighting a birding by ear perspective, and the learning and beauty that comes with fully focusing on sound.
User Testing
"Hope this actually works in Merlin."
User testing revealed strong enthusiasm for the audio highlights prototype, with participants describing it as joyful, intuitive, and easy to use. Jay (SME, VI) saw potential for the feature to serve not only as a bird identification aid but also as a new listing and bird call education tool, highlighting an opportunity for Merlin to support more inclusive and exploratory birding experiences.
Additional Solution 1
We shared Jay’s insights with Birds Connect Seattle, recommending that they adapt their leader training to include scenarios specific to guiding birders with visual impairments.
Additional Solution 2
Jay showed strong interest in our “Bumble for Birders” concept (inspired by the friend-making app Bumble). He shared that he feels comfortable sharing his profile and wants to connect with others based on birding expertise and location.
Additional Solution 3
Jay stressed the need for more accessible trails with stable surfaces, clear signage, and good railings to ensure safe and inclusive participation for everyone. Based on his feedback, the organization reviewed its website’s trail accessibility information and discovered that key details were buried at the bottom, making them easy to overlook.
