David Swallow

Guidelines are only half of the story: accessibility problems encountered by blind users on the web

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.

Virtual learning environments: another barrier to blended and e-learning

With online and blended learning now commonplace, it is surprising that the research regarding the accessibility of virtual learning environments and other collaborative learning management systems is relatively sparse. This paper provides an initial empirical investigation into the accessibility problems that are present in 3 different virtual learning environments. This investigation demonstrates that there are a number of places where virtual learning environments can present barriers to learning for students with disabilities.

Navigating, Discovering and Exploring the Web: Strategies Used by People with Print Disabilities on Interactive Websites

The majority of research into web accessibility has focused on identifying and eliminating the problems that people with disabilities encounter when interacting with the Web. In this paper we argue that we need to move away from studying user problems to studying how people with disabilities apply interaction strategies while browsing the Web. In this paper we present a study of 19 print disabled users, including blind, partially sighted and dyslexic people, interacting with a variety of interactive Web 2.0 web applications. The participants undertook tasks using concurrent and retrospective protocols to elicit information about how they interact with web content. The result of this study was a collection of 586 strategic action sequences that were classified into seven different types of strategy. Differences in the application of strategies between the user groups are presented, as well as the most frequent strategies used by each user group. We close the paper by discussing some implications for the design of websites and assistive technologies as well as the future directions for empirical research in accessibility.

Speaking the Language of Web Developers: Evaluation of a Web Accessibility Information Resource (WebAIR)

This paper describes the design and evaluation of a new accessibility information resource, the Web Accessibility Information Resource (WebAIR), for assisting web developers in the creation of accessible websites and applications. Evaluations were conducted with 26 web developers in which they had opportunity to use both WebAIR and an existing accessibility information resource, the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, to perform accessibility testing on their own websites. The results indicate that a number of design decisions relating to the language, organisation and comprehensiveness of WebAIR have been successful in improving access to web accessibility information that supports web developers’ practices.

Remote evaluation of WCAG 2.0 techniques by web users with visual disabilities

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines represent an opportunity to provide concrete, structured guidance for designers and developers regarding how to build accessible web pages. However, there is currently a lack of evidence regarding which techniques contained within WCAG 2.0 produce accessible websites. This paper presents a methodology for evaluating implementation techniques with remote users and demonstrates its use in evaluation techniques for one Success Criterion of WCAG 2.0.

Understanding and supporting the needs of educational professionals working with students with disabilities and mature age students

This study investigated the knowledge of educational professionals on the needs and preferences of disabled and mature age students in further and higher education. 102 Interviews and 6 focus groups were conducted in 4 European countries (Austria, Italy, Spain, and the UK) as well as in New Zealand and the USA. An online survey was publicised worldwide and 343 educational professionals from 21 countries responded. The results indicated a lack of standardisation in training and gaps in the knowledge and attitudes of educational professionals regarding how to appropriately support disabled and mature age in higher and further education. The use of e-learning technologies to address these issues is highlighted, as well as what is needed in future to better support not only disabled and mature age students but also the educational professionals who support them.

Students with disabilities in higher education: challenges and tactile solutions

This paper highlights the increasing numbers of students with disabilities in higher education. Results from international online surveys of such students, and the professionals who work with them, show that the provision of alternative format and enhanced materials is less than ideal. In particular the provision of tactile versions of images and graphics is very poor. Methods for producing such materials for blind and low-vision students are discussed.

Co-designing Urban Living Solutions to Improve Older People’s Mobility and Well-Being

Mobility is a key aspect of active ageing enabling participation and autonomy into later life. Remaining active brings multiple physical but also social benefits leading to higher levels of well-being. With globally increasing levels of urbanisation alongside demographic shifts meaning in many parts of the world this urban population will be older people, the challenge is how cities should evolve to enable so-called active ageing. This paper reports on a co-design study with 117 participants investigating the interaction of existing urban spaces and infrastructure on mobility and well-being for older residents (aged 55 + years) in three cities. A mixed method approach was trialled to identify locations beneficial to subjective well-being and participant-led solutions to urban mobility challenges. Spatial analysis was used to identify key underlying factors in locations and infrastructure that promoted or compromised mobility and well-being for participants. Co-designed solutions were assessed for acceptability or co-benefits amongst a wider cross-section of urban residents (n = 233) using online and face-to-face surveys in each conurbation. Our analysis identified three critical intersecting and interacting thematic problems for urban mobility amongst older people: The quality of physical infrastructure; issues around the delivery, governance and quality of urban systems and services; and the attitudes and behaviors of individuals that older people encounter. This identified complexity reinforces the need for policy responses that may not necessarily involve design or retrofit measures, but instead might challenge perceptions and behaviors of use and access to urban space. Our co-design results further highlight that solutions need to move beyond the generic and placeless, instead embedding specific locally relevant solutions in inherently geographical spaces, populations and processes to ensure they relate to the intricacies of place.

Using Photo Diaries to Elicit User Requirements from Older Adults: A Case Study on Mobility Barriers

Older adults encounter numerous barriers to mobility, many of which are in the built environment. Technological solutions may enable them to mitigate these barriers and promote physical activity. To design appropriate technological solutions, it is crucial to understand the specific barriers to mobility older adults face from their perspectives. Photo diary studies allow older adults to autonomously document their experiences to support generation of user needs and requirements. We investigate the methodological appropriateness of photo diaries for exploring experiences of older adults and eliciting their requirements for new technologies. A photo diary study was conducted with 26 older adults, who were given disposable cameras to document things that affect their mobility. As well as presenting a selection of the mobility barriers identified in this study, the paper outlines a number of methodological issues relating to the use of photo diaries for eliciting the needs and requirements of older adults.