Horizon: Travel Planning App
Horizon is a mobile travel planning app designed to make trip organisation accessible and inclusive for all travellers. It allows users to build itineraries, discover accessible venues, and learn local customs so they can feel confident exploring new destinations.
Challenge
Accessibility is an afterthought in travel planning
Travellers with physical access needs struggle to find reliable information about accessibility in travel planning; information is scattered, inconsistent, and hard to verify. There was no single app that brought inclusive trip planning together in one place. They needed an easy way to check accessibility information rather than treating it as an afterthought.
Process
Research-led, accessibility-first design
Discover
- Research into inclusive design, accessible travel challenges, and WCAG 2.2 guidelines
- Reviewed existing apps and new design solutions: large tap targets, consistent layout, and clear information architecture
Define
- Problem statement: "How might we design a travel app that makes trip planning inclusive and accessible for all users?"
- Core features identified: itinerary builder, accessible venue filters, local customs information
Design
- Low-fidelity wireframes in Figma to test for clarity and task flow
- Built with an accessible colour palette, adjustable text sizes, and clear navigation hierarchy
- Prioritised key journeys: create trip, view plan, edit stays, and input accessible needs
Deliver
- Fully scalable Figma prototype simulating real-world user journeys
- Accessibility reviewed against WCAG 2.2 Guidelines throughout
Sketches
Early ideation and wireframing
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Prototype Walkthrough
WCAG Guidelines & Features
Accessibility built into every decision
Horizon was designed with WCAG 2.2 compliance as a core requirement, not a retrofit. Each feature maps to specific success criteria across four areas of inclusive design.
Inclusive Design for Physical Impairments
- WCAG 3.3.6: Error Prevention (All)
- WCAG 2.5.5: Target Size (Enhanced)
- WCAG 3.3.8: Accessible Authentication (Minimum)
Inclusive Design for Visual Impairments
- WCAG 1.4.1: Use of Color
- WCAG 1.4.4: Resize Text
- WCAG 2.4.8: Location
- WCAG 1.4.9: Images of Text (No Exception)
- WCAG 1.4.6: Contrast (Enhanced)
- Voice Input
Inclusive Design for Auditory Impairments
- Translator
- Accessibility Filter
- AI Trip Planner
Inclusive Design for Cognitive Impairments
- WCAG 2.3.3: Animation from Interactions
- WCAG 2.4.2: Titled
- WCAG 2.4.6: Heading and Labels
- WCAG 3.3.2: Labels or Instructions
- WCAG 3.2.3: Consistent Navigation
- WCAG 3.2.6: Consistent Help
- WCAG 2.4.13: Focus Appearance
- WCAG 1.4.8: Visual Presentation
Multi-Platform Accessibility
- WCAG 2.4.13: Focus Appearance
- WCAG 1.3.2: Meaningful Sequence
- WCAG 2.4.5: Multiple Ways
- WCAG 2.5.7: Dragging Movements
Testing
Validated across multiple rounds
Usability testing was conducted with a diverse group of participants including users with physical accessibility needs. The System Usability Scale (SUS) was used to measure perceived usability across testing rounds.
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Results
A prototype that puts accessibility first
- Delivered a high-fidelity app prototype demonstrating inclusive trip planning
- Feedback highlighted the clarity of daily plan cards and the value of accessibility filters
- Next steps include a nuanced accessibility score (person, room, route) and collaborative trip sharing features
- Designed a high-fidelity mobile prototype that reflects accessibility and culture information throughout the planning flow