Premium
Perceptions of accessibility and usability by blind or visually impaired persons: A pilot study
Author(s) -
Tomlinson Shan M.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
proceedings of the association for information science and technology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.193
H-Index - 14
ISSN - 2373-9231
DOI - 10.1002/pra2.2016.14505301120
Subject(s) - usability , perception , applied psychology , psychology , web usability , perspective (graphical) , population , computer science , human–computer interaction , medicine , neuroscience , environmental health , artificial intelligence
This pilot study utilizes qualitative interviews to explore perceptions of accessibility and usability from the perspective of blind or visually impaired (BVI) persons. Using the frameworks of everyday life information seeking (ELIS) and the sense‐making approach, this research addresses a gap in the literature; most studies with this population are either quantitative, outdated, or task‐based observations. Through five in‐depth interviews, this study provides a more nuanced understanding of the perceptions, experiences, and opinions of BVI persons who use screen readers with a voice synthesizer as a primary modality of interaction with web content. Understanding the information needs and information behavior of BVI persons is important for proper web design, since technical accessibility does not ensure usability. In particular, it is the perception of accessibility and usability that affects information behavior. Design must be informed by empirical research in order for it to be effective in assisting a variety of users to accomplish their information goals.