Improving web accessibility: a study of webmaster perceptions
TL;DR: A survey was created, and data was collected from 175 webmasters, indicating their knowledge on the topic of web accessibility and the reasons for their actions related to web accessibility.
About: This article is published in Computers in Human Behavior.The article was published on 2004-03-01. It has received 285 citations till now. The article focuses on the topics: Web standards & Web Accessibility Initiative.
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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.
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...
300 citations
05 May 2012
TL;DR: The results show that few developers are implementing the current version of WCAG, and even when the guidelines are implemented on websites there is little indication that people with disabilities will encounter fewer problems.
Abstract: This paper describes an empirical study of the problems encountered by 32 blind users on the Web. Task-based user evaluations were undertaken on 16 websites, yielding 1383 instances of user problems. The results showed that only 50.4% of the problems encountered by users were covered by Success Criteria in the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 (WCAG 2.0). For user problems that were covered by WCAG 2.0, 16.7% of websites implemented techniques recommended in WCAG 2.0 but the techniques did not solve the problems. These results show that few developers are implementing the current version of WCAG, and even when the guidelines are implemented on websites there is little indication that people with disabilities will encounter fewer problems. The paper closes by discussing the implications of this study for future research and practice. In particular, it discusses the need to move away from a problem-based approach towards a design principle approach for web accessibility.
263 citations
Cites background from "Improving web accessibility: a stud..."
...[18], who found that the role of accessibility tools and related guidelines remained unclear to many of the site owners they surveyed....
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TL;DR: The authors examine the Internet digital divide between people with and without disabilities from a multidimensional approach, and a range of Internet-related dimensions—affordability, motivation and attitudes, skills, usage, and others—is taken into account.
Abstract: Over the last few years, information and communication technologies have become an essential part of daily life, affecting education, employment, and leisure, among other activities. Nonetheless, many individuals still reap few or no benefits from these technologies, and there are resilient gaps in their use. Within this larger context, the authors examine the Internet digital divide between people with and without disabilities from a multidimensional approach. Rather than analyzing the gap in terms of “haves” and “have-nots,” a range of Internet-related dimensions—affordability, motivation and attitudes, skills, usage, and others—is taken into account.
222 citations
Cites background from "Improving web accessibility: a stud..."
...In the lights of these facts, it is crucial for the EU to make appropriate laws since business “will only make Web sites accessible if government forces them to” ( Lazar et al. 2004 , 284)....
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25 Feb 2017
TL;DR: The automatic alt-text (AAT) system demonstrates that artificial intelligence can be used to enhance the experience for visually impaired users on social networking sites (SNSs), while also revealing the challenges with designing automated assistive technology in a SNS context.
Abstract: We designed and deployed automatic alt-text (AAT), a system that applies computer vision technology to identify faces, objects, and themes from photos to generate photo alt-text for screen reader users on Facebook. We designed our system through iterations of prototyping and in-lab user studies. Our lab test participants had a positive reaction to our system and an enhanced experience with Facebook photos. We also evaluated our system through a two-week field study as part of the Facebook iOS app for 9K VoiceOver users. We randomly assigned them into control and test groups and collected two weeks of activity data and their survey feedback. The test group reported that photos on Facebook were easier to interpret and more engaging, and found Facebook more useful in general. Our system demonstrates that artificial intelligence can be used to enhance the experience for visually impaired users on social networking sites (SNSs), while also revealing the challenges with designing automated assistive technology in a SNS context.
176 citations
Cites background from "Improving web accessibility: a stud..."
...RELATED WORK There has been a long line of research addressing web accessibility issues, mostly focusing on the usability of specific websites, products, and platforms [6, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 21, 23, 25]....
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13 May 2013
TL;DR: This paper empirically shows the capabilities of current automated evaluation tools and investigates the effectiveness of 6 state-of-the-art tools by analysing their coverage, completeness and correctness with regard to WCAG 2.0 conformance.
Abstract: The use of web accessibility evaluation tools is a widespread practice. Evaluation tools are heavily employed as they help in reducing the burden of identifying accessibility barriers. However, an over-reliance on automated tests often leads to setting aside further testing that entails expert evaluation and user tests. In this paper we empirically show the capabilities of current automated evaluation tools. To do so, we investigate the effectiveness of 6 state-of-the-art tools by analysing their coverage, completeness and correctness with regard to WCAG 2.0 conformance. We corroborate that relying on automated tests alone has negative effects and can have undesirable consequences. Coverage is very narrow as, at most, 50% of the success criteria are covered. Similarly, completeness ranges between 14% and 38%; however, some of the tools that exhibit higher completeness scores produce lower correctness scores (66-71%) due to the fact that catching as many violations as possible can lead to an increase in false positives. Therefore, relying on just automated tests entails that 1 of 2 success criteria will not even be analysed and among those analysed, only 4 out of 10 will be caught at the further risk of generating false positives.
161 citations
Cites background from "Improving web accessibility: a stud..."
...However, a study of webmasters’ perceptions revealed that the majority of them are familiar with accessibility guidelines [15]....
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References
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TL;DR: This essay discusses what makes computers different from other technology and how this difference makes a difference in ethical considerations and why this emerging field is both intellectually interesting and enormously important.
Abstract: Computers are special technology and they raise some special ethical issues. This chapter discusses what makes computers different from other technology and how this difference makes a difference in ethical considerations. It describes computer ethics and shows why this emerging field is both intellectually interesting and enormously important. A typical problem in computer ethics arises because there is a policy vacuum about how computer technology should be used. Computers provide us with new capabilities and these in turn give us new choices for action. Computer ethics include consideration of both personal and social policies for the ethical use of computer technology. The mark of a basic problem in computer ethics is one in which computer technology is essentially involved and there is an uncertainty about what to do and even about how to understand the situation. Hence, not all ethical situations involving computers are central to computer ethics.
868 citations
"Improving web accessibility: a stud..." refers background in this paper
...This definition can be applied to anything including circumstances involving computer technology (Johnson, 2001, p. 4)....
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TL;DR: It is shown that knowledge so disseminated through the mass of mankind that it may reach even the extremes of society: beggars and kings.
Abstract: see knowledge so disseminated through the mass of mankind that it may…reach even the extremes of society: beggars and kings.
579 citations
"Improving web accessibility: a stud..." refers background in this paper
...The world wide web provides a wealth of information, and the user population of the web is diverse, including users of all ages, educational levels, and levels of computing experience (Shneiderman, 2000)....
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Book•
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TL;DR: In this paper, Johnson has added two new chapters on the Internet: one focusing on ethical behavior online, and the other addressing the social implications of the Internet, and they are presented in compelling and understandable language so that rigorous, in-depth analysis is accessible to students who may be novices in philosophy or technology studies.
Abstract: From the Publisher:
Author Deborah G. Johnson has updated material throughout this text. Two new chapters on the Internet have been added: one focuses on ethical behavior online, and the other addresses the social implications of the Internet.
Topics covered include:
What is computer ethics?
What are the philosophical foundations of computer ethics?
How does computer ethics relate to professional ethics?
Privacy.
Property rights.
Accountability.
All topics are presented in compelling and understandable language, so that rigorous, in-depth analysis is accessible to students who may be novices in philosophy or technology studies.
534 citations
Book•
10 Jan 2000
TL;DR: Web Accessibility for People with Disabilities as mentioned in this paper is a vital tool for web site developers and administrators who need to understand the law, the requirements of the disabled, and the processes of site evaluation and implementation.
Abstract: From the Publisher:
Web Accessibility for People with Disabilities is a vital tool for Web site developers and administrators who need to understand the law, the requirements of the disabled, and the processes of site evaluation and implementation. It includes an authoritative compendium of development tools and utilities, and is packed with examples demonstrating techniques for adjusting HTML tags, scripts, and other code to improve accessibility. Readers will learn answers to the challenges ahead, including how to: deliver highly graphic and visual content to the blind; provide access to Internet kiosks for the physically challenged; enable nonverbal users to "speak" to devices with voice recognition interfaces. This is a critical resource in helping companies comply with the "effective communication" requirement of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
232 citations
"Improving web accessibility: a stud..." refers background or methods in this paper
...Assistive technologies include hardware and software such as screen readers, voice recognition, alternative pointing devices, alternate keyboards, and refreshable Braille displays (Paciello, 2000)....
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...A survey was created, and data was collected from 175 webmasters, indicating their knowledge on the topic of web accessibility and the reasons for their actions related to web accessibility....
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TL;DR: The IEEE-CS/ACM Software Engineering Code of Ethics and Professional Practice Glossary Index as discussed by the authors is an extension of the IEEE Code of Professional Practice glossary for software engineering.
Abstract: Preface Acknowledgements Foreword Chapter 1. Introduction to Cyberethics: Concepts, Perspectives, and Methodological Frameworks Chapter 2. Ethical Concepts and Ethical Theories: Establishing and Justifying a Moral System Chapter 3. Critical Thinking Skills and Logical Arguments: Tools for Evaluating Cyberethics Issues Chapter 4. Professional Ethics, Codes of Conduct, and Moral Responsibility Chapter 5. Privacy and Cyberspace Chapter 6. Security in Cyberspace Chapter 7. Cybercrime and Cyberrelated Crimes Chapter 8. Intellectual Property Disputes in Cyberspace Chapter 9. Regulating Commerce and Speeech in Cyberspace Chapter 10. Social Issues I: Equity and Access, Employment and Work Chapter 11. Social Issues II: Community and Identity in Cyberspace Appendix A. Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineering (IEEE) Code of Ethics Appendix B. Association for Computing (ACM) Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct Appendix C. IEEE-CS/ACM Software Engineering Code of Ethics and Professional Practice Glossary Index.
206 citations