Applying Web Usability Criteria for Vision-Impaired Users: Does It Really Improve Task Performance?

Submitted by mlb78 on Fri, 09/16/2016 - 17:24
TitleApplying Web Usability Criteria for Vision-Impaired Users: Does It Really Improve Task Performance?
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2008
AuthorsLeporini, Barbara, and PaternĂ², Fabio
JournalInternational Journal of Human-Computer Interaction
Volume24
Issue1
Pagination17-47
ISBN Number1044731070177
AbstractAvailable accessibility guidelines do not necessarily guarantee usable Web sites, particularly when specific groups of users with special needs are considered. We have identified 15 Web design criteria aiming to provide integrated support of accessibility and usability for vision-impaired users. In this article, we present the results of a study investigating whether the application of such guidelines for vision-impaired users can actually improve their task performance when accessing Web applications. We report on two user tests, both involving vision-impaired users, that aim to provide empirical validation of the design criteria. During each test, users had to access and navigate two versions of a Web site, one version supporting the selected design criteria and one obtained with traditional techniques. Our results indicate that the 15 design criteria improved Web site usability both quantitatively and qualitatively by reducing the navigation time needed to perform the assigned tasks and by making the Web sites easier to navigate for blind and low-vision users.
NotesThis study identified 15 Web design criteria supporting the web accessbility for vision-impaired users. Then it did an experiment to compare the task performance in terms of the amount of time needed to perform the assigned tasks and level of easiness to navigate Web sites. The result showed websites designed against these 15 web site guidelines were associated with better task performance among vision-impaired users.
DOI10.1080/10447310701771472