Evaluating the Usability of Online Accessibility Information

Report by David Sloan Anna Dickinson, Nicola McIlroy and Lorna Gibson at the Digital Media Access Group

Introduction

The importance of Web site accessibility has been underlined both by legislative obligations and the demonstrable benefits that result for disabled and other site users alike.

In an effective model of Web accessibility, responsibility is shared by the Web site designer, browsing tool manufacturers and developers of the software used to create Web sites and Web content. However, this also relies on end-users taking on a degree of responsibility - in knowing what adjustments are required to suit their own access needs, and how these adjustments can most effectively be made.

In practice, though, the issue of user responsibility is challenging on a number of accounts. From a technical perspective, there is a wide variation in quality of the accessibility of Web sites, and in the accessibility support of browsing technologies available to users. There is also a lack of awareness amongst users, in terms of what changes are needed to help them better access on-line information and what changes can be made, as well as the need for a degree of technical knowledge in terms of how these changes can be made.

This lack of user awareness has led to a frustration amongst many developers who design Web sites, following standards and guidelines, and yet still hear of difficulties experienced by people trying to use their sites, through users’ lack of awareness of what steps they can take to improve accessibility, and limitations of browsers and assistive technologies. The difficulty is that many of these Web users who acquire an impairment-related accessibility problem simply do not have the technical knowledge necessary to make the relevant accommodation – assuming they know the accommodation can be made in the first place.

Many Web sites now offer accessibility information through an Accessibility Statement - a specific page on the site devoted to accessibility. But can the effective provision of on-line advice on accessibility enhance the accessibility of Web sites for disabled and elderly people? If so, how can Web site developers and designers best present accessibility information so that it will actually be of use to the site’s target users?

This research project looked at the nature, quality and effectiveness of online accessibility statements, with the aim of developing a set of guidelines for effective provision of accessibility advice. The research combined expert analysis of a selection of accessibility statements taken from UK Web sites with a programme of user evaluations.

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