The accessibility of websites for blind and visually impaired individuals.
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Date
2010
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Abstract
This study investigates the accessibility of web sites for blind and visually impaired individuals.
The researcher’s aim in this study is to highlight the different problems these individuals
experience when interacting with websites.
A case study approach was adopted in order to investigate accessibility problems amongst blind
and visually impaired people. This was investigated by conducting a user test, observation with
the think aloud technique and interviews. The user test was made up of tasks where the
participants had to visit four different types of websites and complete predefined tasks for each
of these websites. The researcher also analysed the data by the use of automated web
evaluations. This was used to compare the automated web evaluation results with the
researcher’s results.
Content analysis was used to identify frequencies and intensities with which themes and
concepts appear in interviewee responses. In addition, correspondence analysis was used to help
corroborate the findings of the content analysis and interpret the data.
Results revealed that blind and visually impaired individuals do experience many difficulties
when interacting with websites. The findings identified certain technical and conceptual
accessibility problems that were experienced by blind and visually impaired individuals. The
results also indicate that there is a relationship between website design and accessibility
problems experienced. Further, the results indicate that the use of an assistive technology has a
positive effect on the performance of web based tasks.
Description
Thesis (M.Com.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, 2010.
Keywords
Web sites., Information organization., Computers and people with visual disabilities., Theses--Information systems and technology.