ERIC Number: EJ954754
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2011-Dec
Pages: 25
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1055-8896
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Exploring the Design, Development and Use of Websites through Accessibility and Usability Studies
Foley, Alan
Journal of Educational Multimedia and Hypermedia, v20 n4 p361-385 Dec 2011
In this paper, data obtained from a university website accessibility and usability validation process are analyzed and used to demonstrate how the design process can affect the online experience for users with disabilities. Interviews, observations, and use data (e.g. where users clicked on a page or what path taken through a site) were collected. Findings indicate that using automated validation tools does not necessarily ensure complete accessibility. Students with low vision found many of the pages hard to use even though automated validation did not indicate issues for visual disabilities. While the pages were accessible for blind users, low vision students who did not use specialized software had access problems. Findings from this study are used to present principles for web designers interested in creating and testing usable and accessible websites. (Contains 4 tables, 3 figures, and 10 footnotes.)
Descriptors: Standards, Special Needs Students, Testing, Evaluation Criteria, Federal Legislation, Internet, Educational Technology, Computer Software Evaluation, Web Sites, Computer Mediated Communication, Computer Uses in Education, College Students, Accessibility (for Disabled), Assistive Technology, Design Requirements, Barriers, Program Validation, Audits (Verification), Program Effectiveness, Visual Impairments, Dyslexia, Learning Disabilities, Usability, Use Studies, Observation, Interviews, Computer System Design
Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education. P.O. Box 1545, Chesapeake, VA 23327-1545. Tel: 757-366-5606; Fax: 703-997-8760; e-mail: info@aace.org; Web site: http://www.aace.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Laws, Policies, & Programs: Americans with Disabilities Act 1990; Rehabilitation Act 1973
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A