Usability Testing & Assistive Technologies for Web

One of the first questions that web users ask about the accessibility of web pages is what are the key elements of accessibility. As we go deeper, other questions may arise, such as why a usability test is needed, what factors should be considered when testing accessibility, etc. The main purpose of the Internet accessibility test is to test people with disabilities, such as the visually impaired, colorblind, deaf and dumb, dyskinesia, cognitive impairment and people using assistive devices.

 

Accessibility Standards:

• Section 508 compliance;

• WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) conformance - WCAG 1.0 and 2.0.

Above are 2 recommendations for websites that should be followed to ensure effective access for people with disabilities. There are many assistive technologies available to help users with disabilities use software/applications more constructively. Such widely used assistive technologies include:

1. Screen Readers: This tool is mainly for people who are visually impaired or have trouble seeing well. It reads out the text on the web page so they can listen to it instead.

2. Screen magnification software: This software is mainly used by users who have trouble seeing well. It makes things bigger on the screen so they can see better.

3. Head Pointers: The main users are people with mobility disorders. The head pointer takes the mouse's place and allows an individual to move the mouse pointer around the screen without fine motor control.

4. Voice recognition software: It converts speech to text and allows control of the web browser using only voice commands. People with hearing impairment are major users of this category of software.

 

Standard Guidelines for Accessibility testing:

There are several standard guidelines for accessibility testing that are mentioned in section 508 and in the WCAG conformance. I do not have any disabilities myself but based on my work experience and research working with other accessibility testers like TestFort, I have experienced that although a website is section 508 compliant and believed to be fully accessible, there may still be a few hurdles which prevent the website from being totally usable for the disabled. So I would like to propose a few enhancements to make websites and applications more accessible.


Seen below are such proposals:

• Volume control of audio/ video/ captcha: Note that on most websites, the audio/video player does not label the audio/video control. These controls are recommended to be properly labeled and controlled via the keyboard, for the benefit of the visually impaired.

• Horizontal and Vertical Scrolling: If horizontal and vertical scrollbars are used in any web page without an equivalent keyboard implementation, it is problematic for the visually impaired. If implemented, it should also be accessible from the keyboard.

• Duplicate Heading: Page headings and labels for interactive controls and forms should provide information. When designing a web page using these controls, you should avoid duplicate headings. Such redundancy creates confusion for visually impaired users.

• Captcha: Sometimes the provided captcha will not be clear for those with low visibility. When creating a captcha for any website/web application, it should be designed with an approach and style that can also be accessed by users with low visibility.


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• Instructions: If a visually challenged person fills in fields available in a form using the tab key, it sometimes is designed such that the website does not allow the screen reader to read out the instructions to fill them. Websites should be designed such that instructions provided in the form field should be accessible through the tab key.

• Clickable items: Sometimes it becomes a challenge for the visually impaired users to identify clickable items on the web page; to overcome this difficulty; it is suggested to include clickable items as links wherever possible.

 

Conclusion:

Achieving comprehensive web accessibility requires close attention to various factors and the implementation of certain standards. Compliance with these standards is essential, but real-world experience reveals that even compliant websites can pose challenges for users with disabilities, so continuous enhancement and rigorous usability testing are important. By working on these areas, you can get closer to creating a more comprehensive web environment that effectively serves all users, regardless of their capabilities.

Author

reverbtime-magazine

Poland Web Designer (Wispaz Technologies) is a leading technology solutions provider dedicated to creating innovative applications that address the needs of corporate businesses and individuals.

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