Accessible accessibility

ABSTRACT

This paper discusses the need for an all-encompassing methodology for determining the level of accessibility of web resources, and the requirement that the results of such a procedure are as meaningful as possible to developers. It is argued that current accessibility evaluation methods are unsatisfactory in the scope and presentation of their results. An alternative meta-method of accessibility assessment is then described.

REFERENCES

• 1: Eric Bergman , Earl Johnson, Toward accessible human-computer interaction, Advances in human-computer interaction (vol. 5), Ablex Publishing Corp., Norwood, NJ, 1995
• 2: Bobby is available from the Centre for Applied Special Technology (CAST) web site: http://www.cast.org/bobbv
• 3: Colwell, C. and Petrie, H. (1999) Evaluation of Guidelines for Designing Accessible Web content, in: Biihler, C. & Knops, H. (Eds) Assistive Technology on the Threshold of the New Millennium (IOS press).
• 4: Department of Applied Computing, University of Dundee: http://www.computing.dundee.ac.uk
• 5: Digital Media Access Group: http://www.computing.dundee.ac.uk/proj ects/dmag/
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• 8: JAWS for Windows, by Henter-Joyce: http://www.hj.com
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INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  D. Software
  D.2 SOFTWARE ENGINEERING
      D.2.2 Design Tools and Techniques
          Subjects: User interfaces

Additional Classification:
  H. Information Systems
  H.3 INFORMATION STORAGE AND RETRIEVAL
      H.3.5 On-line Information Services
          Subjects: Web-based services
  H.5 INFORMATION INTERFACES AND PRESENTATION (I.7)
      H.5.3 Group and Organization Interfaces
          Subjects: Web-based interaction

  K. Computing Milieux
  K.4 COMPUTERS AND SOCIETY
      K.4.2 Social Issues
          Subjects: Assistive technologies for persons with disabilities

General Terms:
Design, Human Factors, Management, Performance, Theory

Keywords:
Web resource, accessibility, usability