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Joan C. Durrance

Bio: Joan C. Durrance is an academic researcher. The author has contributed to research in topics: Web accessibility & Web standards. The author has an hindex of 2, co-authored 2 publications receiving 53 citations.

Papers
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01 Jan 2010
TL;DR: Findings of this study can be used both by those who purchase and manage databases in libraries to identify the most accessible databases and by designers of the databases to improve specific features.
Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this study is to address problems associated with the accessibility of academic library databases. Design/methodology/approach – This study evaluates 32 databases and measures their accessibility to users of adaptive technology. Findings – Based on the results of this study, 72 percent of the evaluated databases were rated as marginally accessible or inaccessible, reflecting a low level of compliance to federal web accessibility legislation and international web accessibility standards. To measure database accessibility to adaptive technology users, this study operationalized accessibility into ten component parts as the Tatomir Accessibility Checklist (TAC) and tested each database on each component. Originality/value – Findings of this study can be used both by those who purchase and manage databases in libraries to identify the most accessible databases and by designers of the databases to improve specific features.

31 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors evaluated 32 academic library databases and measured their accessibility to users of adaptive technology using the Tatomir Accessibility Checklist (TAC) and found that 72 percent of the evaluated databases were rated as marginally accessible or inaccessible.
Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this study is to address problems associated with the accessibility of academic library databases.Design/methodology/approach – This study evaluates 32 databases and measures their accessibility to users of adaptive technology.Findings – Based on the results of this study, 72 percent of the evaluated databases were rated as marginally accessible or inaccessible, reflecting a low level of compliance to federal web accessibility legislation and international web accessibility standards. To measure database accessibility to adaptive technology users, this study operationalized accessibility into ten component parts as the Tatomir Accessibility Checklist (TAC) and tested each database on each component.Originality/value – Findings of this study can be used both by those who purchase and manage databases in libraries to identify the most accessible databases and by designers of the databases to improve specific features.

28 citations


Cited by
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: To assess the accuracy of vendor-supplied compliance documentation, and to identify common accessibility issues highlighted by theVPATs, researchers compared 17 VPATs with the results of an automated accessibility scan to identify inconsistencies and common problems.
Abstract: Purpose – In an effort to ensure vendor compliance with Section 508, some libraries have begun requesting Voluntary Product Accessibility Templates (VPATs) or other documentation of accessibility compliance. The purpose of this paper is to assess the accuracy of vendor-supplied compliance documentation, and to identify common accessibility issues highlighted by the VPATs. A detailed discussion of vendor responses to each Section 508 checkpoint is provided in the Appendix. Design/methodology/approach – Researchers compared 17 VPATs with the results of an automated accessibility scan to identify inconsistencies and common problems. Findings – Vendors reported being fully compliant with 64 percent of the applicable VPAT items, and partially compliant with a further 24 percent. However, in 16 of 17 cases, there were discrepancies between the information on the VPAT and the results of the scan. Of the total 189 VPAT checkpoints the author scanned, 19.6 percent had errors (meaning the information on the VPAT wa...

29 citations

Book ChapterDOI
01 Jan 2012
TL;DR: Jaeger et al. as mentioned in this paper showed that public libraries have a long and proud tradition of providing access to information for all residents, regardless of race, gender, religion, economic status, or disability.
Abstract: Public libraries in the United States have a long and proud tradition of providing access to information for all residents. Public libraries have been the equaliser - providing access to books, and both printed and electronic information, regardless of race, gender, religion, economic status, or disability. Since the mid-1990s, public libraries have also been providing direct access to the Internet for patrons who come to visit. And since that first burst of access to the Internet within public library buildings, libraries have been pushing to provide access to their resources through the Internet, so that patrons can search library catalogues, reserve resources and renew materials, and even access digital libraries of documents, all wherever the patrons happen to have Internet access - at home, work, or using mobile phones (Jaeger et al., 2011)

20 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The overall analysis shows that digital inclusion would be more meaningful if it involved providing content in alternative formats and empowering users to make informed choices.
Abstract: Digital inclusion is a strategy pursued to foster social inclusion of those who have been sidelined from the mainstream of information society due to lack of access to digital technologies and the ...

17 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This study evaluates 64 Ontario university, college, and public library web sites to see how well they comply with WCAG 2.0 guidelines at present.
Abstract: New changes to Ontario law will require library web sites to comply with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, version 2.0 (WCAG 2.0). This study evaluates 64 Ontario university, college, and public library web sites to see how well they comply with WCAG 2.0 guidelines at present. An average of 14.75 accessibility problems were found per web page. The most common problems included invalid html, poor color contrast, incorrect form controls and labels, missing alt text, bad link text, improper use of headings, using html to format pages, using absolute units of measure, and issues with tables and embedded objects.

17 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The Marrakesh Treaty acts as a bridge between the copyright and human rights regimes, and can promote meaningful participation of persons with an array of cognitive and other disabilities in the design and implementation of national and international copyright laws and policies, and thus fosters harmonization of TPM with the principles of web accessibility.
Abstract: The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) obligates State Parties to ensure full and equal access to the web for persons with disabilities However, copyright law and policy sometimes poses challenges to realizing full and equal access to the web for persons with varying physical, mental, and cognitive disabilities Recent developments in international law and policy that promote the use of technological protection measures (TPM) as a means for protecting copyrighted digital content on the web create barriers to accessibility for certain individuals with disabilities This article uses theories of multilevel governance and social regulation to explore the relationship among laws and policies that aim to ensure web accessibility, and laws and policies to preserve and promote the use of TPM It employs a case study of US law and policy to examine how different levels of governance have ensured and supported the rights of persons with cognitive disabilities and web content publishers This article argues that the Marrakesh Treaty acts as a bridge between the copyright and human rights regimes, can promote the meaningful participation of persons with an array of cognitive and other disabilities in the design and implementation of national and international copyright laws and policies, and thus fosters harmonization of TPM with the principles of web accessibility

17 citations