Usability of Accessibility Statements
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Hi all,
The issue of supporting users in making necessary changes to browsing set-up to improve accessibility is one that's been discussed a lot here and elsewhere.
Aside from a couple of articles, there isn't much guidance on how accessibility support should be provided by web sites. So we did some research (funded by Techdis) looking at what sort of information sites put on their accessibility pages, how easy it is to find that information, and how useful the information is to people who might benefit from it.
We conducted a review of selected accessibility pages, and then carried out user testing with a group of older people. This group was specifically chosen as although none had significant impairments at the time, the ageing process is such that they may soon notice declines in capabilities (for example vision or manual dexterity) which may affect the way they browse. In other words, we chose people who were unlikely to know (but may soon need to) about techniques like enlarging text size, keyboard access etc.
We found that most accessibility pages in our study were hard to find, and tended to present information as a technical description of work done rather than as task-focused information aimed at supporting a user make adjustments to their browsing set-up.
The final report is now available in Word version from:
http://www.techdis.ac.uk/...
If you'd like a copy in another format, please let me know.
Comments gratefully received!
Dave
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An HTML version would be nice. Should be a great deal smaller than Word format. Also means user's don't have to download a document and open it in a second program, or wait for a plugin to load. You could also hyperlink your references inline with the text, rather than using a references section all the way at the end.
| DMAG wrote: |
| If it is assumed that the primary audience of an accessibility page should be people who would benefit from advice and support, then it follows that the information provided should help this group take steps to improve the accessibility of the site through configuring their browser, using bespoke accessibility features or acquiring new browsing or assistive technology. Technical or legal information, such as steps taken to conform to guidelines or standards becomes information for reference by a secondary audience, rather than directly supporting users in making accessibility adjustments. |
Interesting that it found the term accessibility was largely unknown by the participants. Although thinking about it, I guess it's a bitt like "interoperability" and suchlike: you wouldn't know what they meant unless you did them as a job?
| DMAG wrote: |
| 3. Take advantage of existing accessibility related information on the Web, on sites like the BBC and Ability Net “My Web My Way” site [16]. This encourages users to visit an authoritative and stable resource from a Web site’s accessibility page, and enables them to bookmark the site for future reference. Doing this also avoids site providers having to write and maintain their own detailed instructions on how to perform tasks using specific browsers. |
_________________
My CV type thing and my Life of Ben (Blog). Nigel Peck's Accessify Forum Requirements.
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| Cerbera wrote: |
| An HTML version would be nice. Should be a great deal smaller than Word format. |
Totally agree! Working on it...
| Cerbera wrote: |
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Interesting that it found the term accessibility was largely unknown by the participants. Although thinking about it, I guess it's a bitt like "interoperability" and suchlike: you wouldn't know what they meant unless you did them as a job? |
Yes, I think we mention in the report that Microsoft did some research into usage of accessibility features at operating system level, and many of the disabled people they surveyed said these features made the computer "easier to use" (as opposed to "made it accessible").
| Cerbera wrote: | ||
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No we didn't, but that's next up! Although I already have some informal feedback from a colleague who did an informal review of the My Web My Way site with some older Web users, that the site, which first asks users to select their operating system before providing information, caused the users significant problems in terms of assumed technical knowledge.
Dave
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Hi Dave, nice to see you here. 
I found this really interesting, in particular this bit:
| Quote: |
| Where direct manipulation of the user interface was offered, this was generally welcomed in preference to instructions to adjust the browser to achieve a similar effect. |
Obviously you were working with a small number of participants, but given their profile (over 60s, not web novices but not experts, no significant impairments) I think this is a significant finding.
Either browser producers need to expose more of their interace options (e.g. text resizing) through icons or other easily consumed methods, or we as site developers need to continue to compensate for those sub-optimal interfaces by providing more and more widgets. Given the population profile (at least in the UK) this is an issue that isn't going to go away, so accommodating these silver surfers is extremely important to commercial and public organisations.
Excellent work, looking forward to reading more from DMAG in future.
Dan
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Dan Champion, Champion IS, Mooch Marketing, Revish
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| danchamp wrote: |
| accommodating these silver surfers is extremely important to commercial and public organisations |
We know that populations in Western countries are getting older but is it perhaps overlooked that as people get older the years they're gaining are actually ones more increasingly benefitting from exposure to computers?
And therefore people in their 60s today probably know more about computers (and software including browsers) than people in their 60s did five years ago and that trend will continue.
People will get older and their eyesight may deteriorate, but they're probably also more likely to know how to change the settings on their browser if they need to.
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Don't forget that the 'older' generation are the ones introduced to Sinclair ZX79, ZX80, Spectrum, Commodore Pet, BBC, and all other manifestations, and don't forget the remote and mobile phones 
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Mike Abbott
Accessible to everyone
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| danchamp wrote: |
|
Hi Dave, nice to see you here. |
Thanks Dan! I'm always a bit late for the party
| Tyssen wrote: |
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We know that populations in Western countries are getting older but is it perhaps overlooked that as people get older the years they're gaining are actually ones more increasingly benefitting from exposure to computers? And therefore people in their 60s today probably know more about computers (and software including browsers) than people in their 60s did five years ago and that trend will continue. |
| Tyssen wrote: |
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People will get older and their eyesight may deteriorate, but they're probably also more likely to know how to change the settings on their browser if they need to. |
I think there are two issues here - one is preserving accessibility for existing technology users whose capabilities are declining, and the other is providing an accessible environment for new technology users who are about to experience, or already, experiencing age-related decline.
While as Dan pointed out our study was of a small sample, I'm willing to bet that there are many, many people who use default settings regardless of how inappropriate they might be, and wouldn't even think to figure out how to change things let alone actually do it. I remember someone from AbilityNet once said that for 80% of the disabled clients they assess, the solution was an accessibility adjustment to the operating system rather than the introduction of an assistive technology.
I agree, things will (or at least should!) change over time, as a higher proportion of older people become experienced technology users and are aware of what they can do to change things. But right now there are many people using technology who just don't know that adjustments can be made to improve things for them (one of the things our review found was that people were very reluctant to make any changes to the computer for fear of 'breaking it'), and we need to help them. The debate is just how far do we go - but a helpful accessibility page would be a nice start
Dave
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One way to help (imho) is to create websites which are highly adaptable and fairly well "bulletproofed". That way fewer sites will break when users change their preferences, which should increase confidence in using their device's configurable features._________________
My CV type thing and my Life of Ben (Blog). Nigel Peck's Accessify Forum Requirements.
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| Mikea wrote: |
| Don't forget that the 'older' generation are the ones introduced to Sinclair ZX79, ZX80, Spectrum, Commodore Pet, BBC, and all other manifestations, and don't forget the remote and mobile phones |
As a 60 year old, I confess I never came across a ZX79.
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| kiwibrit wrote: |
| As a 60 year old, I confess I never came across a ZX79. |
_________________
Mike Abbott
Accessible to everyone
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