Haze in the digital library: design issues hampering accessibility for blind users

doi:10.1108/EL-10-2016-0209

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Haze in the digital library: design issues hampering accessibility for blind users

Journal Article•DOI•

Haze in the digital library: design issues hampering accessibility for blind users

17 Oct 2017-The Electronic Library (Emerald Publishing Limited)-Vol. 35, Iss: 5, pp 1052-1065

TL;DR: This paper raises awareness of design choices that can unintentionally bar blind information seekers from DL access, and further suggests solutions to reduce these design problems for blind users.

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Abstract: Purpose The purpose of this study is to explore design issues hampering the accessibility of digital libraries (DLs) for first-time blind users. Design/methodology/approach A combination of questionnaire, pre-interview, think-aloud and post-interview methods was used to collect data on non-visual interaction experiences with American Memory Digital Collection (AMDC) from 15 blind participants. Qualitative analysis via open coding revealed recurring themes on design problems and consequent difficulties for blind users in accessing DLs. Findings It was found that AMDC is not blind-friendly. Five categories of design problems were identified. Participants faced difficulty perceiving, operating and understanding content and controls needed for information retrieval. Research limitations/implications This paper does not offer a comprehensive set of design issues prevalent across DL design models, instead it focuses on design problems observed in a publicly available DL. Practical implications This paper raises awareness of design choices that can unintentionally bar blind information seekers from DL access, and further suggests solutions to reduce these design problems for blind users. Originality/value The paper’s originality is its identification of unique design problems that prevent blind users from effectively interacting with DLs.

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Journal Article•DOI•

Enhancing usability of digital libraries: Designing help features to support blind and visually impaired users

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Iris Xie¹, Rakesh Babu, Tae Hee Lee¹, Melissa Davey Castillo¹, Sukjin You¹, Ann Hanlon¹ - Show less +2 more•Institutions (1)

University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee¹

01 May 2020-Information Processing and Management

TL;DR: The findings of this study show that the experimental group encountered fewer number of help-seeking situations than the control group when interacting with the experimental and baseline versions of a DL.

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Abstract: Blind and visually impaired (BVI) users experience vulnerabilities in digital library (DL) environments largely due to limitations in DL design that prevent them from effectively interacting with DL content and features. Existing research has not adequately examined how BVI users interact with DLs, nor the typical problems encountered during interactions. This is the first study conducted to test whether implementing help features corresponding to BVI users’ needs can reduce five critical help-seeking situations they typically encounter, with the goal to further enhance usability of DLs. Multiple data collection methods including pre-questionnaires, think-aloud protocols, transaction logs, and pre and post search interviews, were employed in an experimental design. Forty subjects were divided into two groups with similar demographic data based on data generated from pre-questionnaires. The findings of this study show that the experimental group encountered fewer number of help-seeking situations than the control group when interacting with the experimental and baseline versions of a DL. Moreover, the experimental group outperformed the control group on perceived usefulness of the DL features, ease of use of the DL, and DL satisfaction. This study provides theoretical and practical contributions to the field of library and information science. Theoretically, this study frames vulnerabilities of BVI users within the social model of disability in which improper DL design impairs their ability to effectively access and use DLs. Practically, this study takes into account BVI users’ critical help-seeking situations and further translates these into the design of help features to improve the usability of DLs.

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25 citations

Journal Article•DOI•

Defining, evaluating, and achieving accessible library resources: A review of theories and methods

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Amy Kazuye Kimura¹•Institutions (1)

Rutgers University¹

08 Oct 2018-Reference Services Review

TL;DR: This review offers theoretical and practical perspectives from recent work that can assist librarians in planning and decision-making, as they deal with an increasingly complex landscape of digital resources.

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Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to review the library and information science literature related to the accessibility of digital resources by individuals with mental, physical or other impairments, to assess the state of research in the field and to explore new avenues for investigation,There is an increasingly rich body of literature surrounding digital accessibility in libraries, ranging from practical guides for authors of Web content, to principles of universal design, to the ethical considerations of libraries subscribing to packages of digital content, to critical examinations of the accessibility guidelines themselves This review is intended to be illustrative, not exhaustive; less attention is given to studies of specific tools that will become quickly outdated, and more attention is given to underlying considerations and approaches that will remain relevant even as technologies change,Many libraries and vendors have taken steps to provide equal access to websites and electronic resources in recent years While the literature reflects an increasing level of critical engagement with concepts around disability and diversity, it also demonstrates methodological weaknesses in assessment projects that do not lead to meaningful accessibility,This review offers theoretical and practical perspectives from recent work that can assist librarians in planning and decision-making, as they deal with an increasingly complex landscape of digital resources

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15 citations

Cites background from "Haze in the digital library: design..."

...Xie and Babu (2015) and Babu and Xie (2017) provide concrete ideas about how to enhance metadata for digitized and borndigital objects to enhance their accessibility....
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...While there remains a heavy focus on library websites in the accessibility literature, other types of online resources have come into question as well, including research databases (Blechner, 2015); online exhibits and collections of digitized and born-digital materials (Walker and Keenan, 2015; Xie and Babu, 2015; Sorrell et al., 2017; Babu and Xie, 2017); instructional objects (Oud, 2011; Wakimoto and Soules, 2011; Wray, 2013; Clossen, 2014; Clossen and Proces, 2017); archival finding aids (Southwell and Slater, 2012 and 2013); e-books and ereaders (Maatta and Bonnici, 2014; Mune and Agee, 2016; Dobson and McNaught, 2017; Kahler 2017; McNaught et al....
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...…2015); online exhibits and collections of digitized and born-digital materials (Walker and Keenan, 2015; Xie and Babu, 2015; Sorrell et al., 2017; Babu and Xie, 2017); instructional objects (Oud, 2011; Wakimoto and Soules, 2011; Wray, 2013; Clossen, 2014; Clossen and Proces, 2017); archival…...
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Journal Article•DOI•

Orientation tactics and associated factors in the digital library environment: Comparison between blind and sighted users

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Iris Xie¹, Rakesh Babu¹, Hyun Seung Lee¹, Shengang Wang¹, Tae Hee Lee¹ - Show less +1 more•Institutions (1)

University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee¹

01 Aug 2021-Journal of the Association for Information Science and Technology

TL;DR: The findings of this study support the social model that the sight‐centered design of DLs, rather than blind users' disability, prohibits them from effectively interacting with a DL and reveal the limitation of existing interactive information retrieval models that do not take people with disabilities into consideration.

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Abstract: This is the first study that compares types of orientation tactics that blind and sighted users applied in their initial interactions with a digital library (DL) and the associated factors...

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11 citations

Cites background from "Haze in the digital library: design..."

...…within a DL. Existing DLs are sight-centered by design and characterized by complex structures, heterogeneous content formats, and layered system dimensions, which run counter to the nonvisual, linear interaction approach of blind DL users (Babu & Xie, 2017; Xie, Babu, Lee, Castillo, et al., 2020)....
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Journal Article•DOI•

Proposing an information value chain to improve information services to disabled library patrons using assistive technologies

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Devendra Potnis¹, Kevin J. Mallary²•Institutions (2)

University of Tennessee¹, Western Carolina University²

12 Jan 2021-Journal of Information Science

TL;DR: Information services offered by academic libraries increasingly rely on assistive technologies (AT) to facilitate disabled patrons’ retrieval and use of information for learning and teaching.

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Abstract: Information services offered by academic libraries increasingly rely on assistive technologies (AT) to facilitate disabled patrons’ retrieval and use of information for learning and teaching. Howev...

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4 citations

Cites background from "Haze in the digital library: design..."

...Babu and Xie [7] recommend that academic libraries be innovative to help disabled patrons meet their information needs, whereas practitioners ask academic libraries to adopt combinations of new ideas, processes, teams, and work practices...
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..., JAWS), can help visually impaired students read PDF documents [7]....
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...Babu R and Xie I. Haze in the digital library: Design issues hampering accessibility for blind users....
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...Babu and Xie [7] recommend that academic libraries be innovative to help disabled patrons meet their information needs, whereas practitioners ask academic libraries to adopt combinations of new ideas, processes, teams, and work practices [19] to improve information services....
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...Xie I, Babu R, Joo S, Fuller P....
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Journal Article•DOI•

Studies on blind and visually impaired users in LIS literature: A review of research methods

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Iris Xie¹, Shengang Wang¹, Meredith Saba¹•Institutions (1)

University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee¹

01 Jul 2021-Library & Information Science Research

TL;DR: An opportunity to enhance the diverse approaches to BVI research and further satisfy BVI users' unique needs is revealed.

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3 citations

References

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Open Access

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Book•

Qualitative Data Analysis

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Miles Matthew B, Huberman A. Michael

01 Jan 1994

TL;DR: In the field of qualitative data analysis, qualitative data is extremely varied in nature. It includes virtually any information that can be captured that is not numerical in nature as mentioned in this paper, which is a generalization of direct observation.

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Abstract: Qualitative data is extremely varied in nature. It includes virtually any information that can be captured that is not numerical in nature. Here are some of the major categories or types: In-Depth Interviews In-Depth Interviews include both individual interviews (e.g., one-on-one) as well as "group" interviews (including focus groups). The data can be recorded in a wide variety of ways including stenography, audio recording, video recording or written notes. In depth interviews differ from direct observation primarily in the nature of the interaction. In interviews it is assumed that there is a questioner and one or more interviewees. The purpose of the interview is to probe the ideas of the interviewees about the phenomenon of interest. Direct Observation Direct observation is meant very broadly here. It differs from interviewing in that the observer does not actively query the respondent. It can include everything from field research where one lives in another context or culture for a period of time to photographs that illustrate some aspect of the phenomenon. The data can be recorded in many of the same ways as interviews (stenography, audio, video) and through pictures, photos or drawings (e.g., those courtroom drawings of witnesses are a form of direct observation). Written Documents Usually this refers to existing documents (as opposed transcripts of interviews conducted for the research). It can include newspapers, magazines, books, websites, memos, transcripts of conversations, annual reports, and so on. Usually written documents are analyzed with some form of content analysis. sumber : http://www.socialresearchmethods.net/kb/qualdata.php

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18,082 citations

Book Chapter•DOI•

Qualitative Data Analysis

[...]

Delwyn Goodrick, Patricia J. Rogers

14 Oct 2015

TL;DR: Qualitative data is extremely varied in nature and can include everything from field research where one lives in another context or culture for a period of time to photographs that illustrate some aspect of the phenomenon.

...read moreread less

Abstract: Most evaluations include some qualitative data, whether in the form of transcripts or notes from interviews, answers to open-ended questionnaire items, photographs, observational field notes, videos, e-mails, meeting minutes, or other program documentation. Some evaluations use solely qualitative data to draw conclusions, some use qualitative data in a supplementary role to complement quantitative data, and some give equal weight to qualitative and quantitative data in an integrated mixed-method approach.

...read moreread less

5,864 citations

Journal Article•DOI•

What Frustrates Screen Reader Users on the Web: A Study of 100 Blind Users

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Jonathan Lazar¹, Aaron Allen¹, Jason Kleinman¹, Chris Malarkey¹•Institutions (1)

Towson University¹

05 Dec 2007-International Journal of Human-computer Interaction

TL;DR: Most of the causes of frustration, such as inappropriate form and graphic labels and confusing page layout, are relatively simple to solve if Webmasters and Web designers focus on this effort.

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Abstract: In previous research, the computer frustrations of student and workplace users have been documented. However, the challenges faced by blind users on the Web have not been previously examined. In this study, 100 blind users, using time diaries, recorded their frustrations using the Web. The top causes of frustration reported were (a) page layout causing confusing screen reader feedback; (b) conflict between screen reader and application; (c) poorly designed/unlabeled forms; (d) no alt text for pictures; and (e) 3-way tie between misleading links, inaccessible PDF, and a screen reader crash. Most of the causes of frustration, such as inappropriate form and graphic labels and confusing page layout, are relatively simple to solve if Webmasters and Web designers focus on this effort. In addition, the more technically challenging frustrations, such as screen reader crashes and conflicts, need to be addressed by the screen reader developers. Blind users in this study were likely to repeatedly attempt to...

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300 citations

"Haze in the digital library: design..." refers background in this paper

...Lazar et al. (2007) identified six design problems that can frustrate blindWeb users: (1) complex page layout generating erratic SR feedback; (2) SR-incompatible Web applications; (3) unlabelled and unorganized forms; (4) visual items without alternative text descriptions; (5) misleading links; and…...
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Proceedings Article•DOI•

WebinSitu: a comparative analysis of blind and sighted browsing behavior

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Jeffrey P. Bigham¹, Anna C. Cavender¹, Jeremy T. Brudvik¹, Jacob O. Wobbrock¹, Richard E. Ladner¹ - Show less +1 more•Institutions (1)

University of Washington¹

15 Oct 2007

TL;DR: This remote study used an advanced web proxy that leverages AJAX technology to record both the pages viewed and the actions taken by users on the web pages that they visited and describes quantitative differences in the browsing behavior of blind and sighted web users.

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Abstract: Web browsing is inefficient for blind web users because of persistent accessibility problems, but the extent of these problems and their practical effects from the perspective of the user has not been sufficiently examined. We conducted a study in situ to investigate the accessibility of the web as experienced by web users. This remote study used an advanced web proxy that leverages AJAX technology to record both the pages viewed and the actions taken by users on the web pages that they visited. Our study was conducted remotely over the period of one week, and our participants used the assistive technology and software to which they were already accustomed and had already configured according to preference. These advantages allowed us to aggregate observations of many users and to explore the practical effects on and coping strategies employed by our blind participants. Our study reflects web accessibility from the perspective of web users and describes quantitative differences in the browsing behavior of blind and sighted web users.

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154 citations

"Haze in the digital library: design..." refers methods in this paper

...Bigham et al. (2007) described dynamic technologies including AJAX, JavaScript and Flash as problematic....
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Journal Article•DOI•

Beyond web content accessibility guidelines: Design of enhanced text user interfaces for blind internet users

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Stefan Leuthold¹, Javier A. Bargas-Avila¹, Klaus Opwis¹•Institutions (1)

University of Basel¹

01 Apr 2008-International Journal of Human-computer Studies \/ International Journal of Man-machine Studies

TL;DR: It is concluded that the ETI is an improvement over the GUI, but that it cannot help in overcoming one major weakness of most websites: If users do not understand navigation labels, even the best user interface cannot help them navigate.

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Abstract: Websites do not become usable just because their content is accessible. For people who are blind, the application of the W3C's Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) often might not even make a significant difference in terms of efficiency, errors or satisfaction in website usage. This paper documents the development of nine guidelines to construct an enhanced text user interface (ETI) as an alternative to the graphical user interface (GUI). An experimental design with 39 blind participants executing a search and a navigation task on a website showed that with the ETI, blind users executed the search task significantly faster, committing fewer mistakes, rating it significantly better on subjective scales as well as when compared to the GUIs from other websites they had visited. However, performance did not improve with the ETI on the navigation task, the main reason presumed to be labeling problems. We conclude that the ETI is an improvement over the GUI, but that it cannot help in overcoming one major weakness of most websites: If users do not understand navigation labels, even the best user interface cannot help them navigate.

...read moreread less

94 citations

"Haze in the digital library: design..." refers background in this paper

...Numerous other commands are available for a multitude of operations, but blind users typically use just a handful of them (Leuthold et al., 2008)....
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...…(3) unlabelled and unorganized forms; (4) visual items without alternative text descriptions; (5) misleading links; and (6) inaccessible PDFs. Leuthold et al. (2008) pointed out four issues that hamperWeb navigation: (1) visual orientation of navigation elements; (2) navigation and…...
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...Accessibility problems of digital resources It is widely believed that the Web is sight-centred by design and, thereby, it presents significant problems for blind users (Babu, 2013; Leuthold et al., 2008)....
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...Lazar et al. (2007) identified six design problems that can frustrate blindWeb users: (1) complex page layout generating erratic SR feedback; (2) SR-incompatible Web applications; (3) unlabelled and unorganized forms; (4) visual items without alternative text descriptions; (5) misleading links; and (6) inaccessible PDFs. Leuthold et al. (2008) pointed out four issues that hamperWeb navigation: (1) visual orientation of navigation elements; (2) navigation and interpretation cues conveyed via colour, graphic or video; (3) navigation options repeated across pages; and (4) multiplicity of navigation options....
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