Course:LIBR559A/Yoon, K., et al. (2013)

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Citation: Yoon, K., Newberry, T., Hulscher, L., & Dols, R. (2013). Call for library websites with a separate information architecture for visually impaired users. Proceedings of the American Society for Information Science and Technology, 50(1), 1-3.

Objective(s): The purpose of this mixed methods design study (semi-structured interviews and “think-aloud protocol) was to assess the usability and accessibility of library websites for visually impaired users that use screen readers.

Sample: Three library and two non-library websites were tested using 6 blind participants using screen readers on their personal laptops. Sighted peers were used as comparison in the usability testing.

Methodology: Data was collected on home page and task scenario tests for each website. A note taker and facilitator made observations for each test. Comparisons were made “among different users, between library and non-library website use, between sighted and blind users, and between the two different screen readers” (p. 2).

Main Results: The main result of this study found that multiple strategies were used to make sense of a new site. Older users (ages 50+) that began using screen readers for 25 years pre-Internet used hierarchical headings for initial navigation of websites, while younger users (ages 30 and under), used links for their initial navigation.

Discussion/Conclusion: The barriers encountered while using screen readers to navigate library websites included site complexity and excessive amounts of information. This study has implications for website design. Website designers need to design a high level of information architecture for library websites by considering the user experiences of screen reader users. This study used 6 participants which follows the rule of ‘7, plus or minus two’ when conducting qualitative evaluation research in web design.

Pitfalls, Blind Spots, and Weaknesses of This Article: A limitation of this study is only user-based usability testing was used. An automated accessibility tool(s) was not used for assessment in addition to the user-based usability testing. This is problematic because there may be accessibility problems that the users did not identify based on their unique experiences of visual impairment. Furthermore, an expert web designer assessment should have been conducted to reveal problems in the information architecture of webpages. This underscores the importance of using a three-pronged approach to accessibility assessment: user-based usability testing, automated tool(s) assessment, and an expert web designer(s) assessment.

Theoretical Framework: The author implies the use of the Social Construction of Technology (SCOT) by adopting a “usability perspective”. SCOT looks at the legal, social, and organizational factors influence the progression and development of technology including web accessibility. The legal requirements of Title II and Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, and Section 504 were discussed. The social factors that influenced the development of these laws include the disability rights movement that began in the 1960s. Organizational factors also contributed to the progression of accessibility; for example, the American Library Association (ALA) developed a policy that “deals with libraries making all possible accommodations so that people with disabilities can access the [information] resources [and services they need].” Copeland (2011) argues that, “by making their websites inaccessible, libraries are contributing to the social construction of disability” (Yoon et al., 2013, p. 1).

Potential Contribution to The Scholarship of Social Studies of Library and Information and to The Practice of Librarianship:

This study highlights the importance of web accessibility for people with disabilities so they have the same access to information and support just like any other person. Accessibility will open doors and opportunities for people with disabilities in the different domains of life including the social studies of Library and Information and the practice of Librarianship whether as students, researchers or patrons.

Page Author: Karan Bola