Web Accessibility

The Relationship Between Web Content and Web Accessibility at Universities: The Influence of Social and Cultural Factors.

This article examined the question of whether universities from varied cultures rank differently in regards to web accessibility (WA) and the quality of web content. Since universities are responsible for providing higher quality web content, this study was used to examine whether universities also take into account web accessibility as a means of providing ease of access to this higher quality content. At the time of this article, it was reported that approximately 15% of the world’s population, or just over a billion people, live with some form of disability. Which adds value to this study and illuminates the importance of accessibility on the web. Interestingly, this article explains that many European countries haven’t been faced with lawsuits yet, for lack of WA, and therefore have failed to be motivated to make changes. This study uses a qualitative and quantitative approach to examine the results. The results of this study were interesting, and found that universities in Anglo-Saxon and Nordic countries are committed to WA, regardless of the level of quality of the web content, and those in Germanic countries ranked the highest. The exception was in developed Latin countries, which found that the lack of regulations corresponded with a lack of WA. The author believes that enforcement measures, such as sanctions, should be imposed in order to send a clear message to the disabled groups in those areas,which would help provide a means of adding pressure to regulatory bodies which implement enforcement measures of WA. 

So, what is web accessibility? It is a set of procedures used to overcome barriers which limit access to any web user, due to a disability, through methods which assist with perceiving, understanding, navigating, contributing, and interacting with the web. This is important because it increases the number of people, and the method of engagement, which provides added service and equality for students pursuing higher education. Web accessibility removes the digital divide, and helps to ensure that web content is available to people with disabilities or in certain situations that require assistance. WA is an important method of removing prejudices against users, and providing open access for all internet users.  

Lorca, P., Andrés, J. D., & Martínez, A. B. (2018). The Relationship Between Web Content and Web Accessibility at Universities: The Influence of Social and Cultural Factors. Social Science Computer Review, 36(3), 311–330. https://doi.org/10.1177/0894439317710435 (Links to an external site.)

Danger, danger! Evaluating the accessibility of Web-based emergency alert sign-ups in the northeastern United States

This article discusses some of the ways in which web accessibility has failed those with disabilities. In particular, this article addresses the fact that people with disabilities need access to emergency related information, and are often asked to register on a web page that is not web accessible,  in order to receive emergency notification via text or email. Oftentimes, government and emergency respondents don’t even consider those with disabilities when planning for technology that is used during emergency planning. Another shortcoming discussed in this article, which has now been corrected, was the fact that even FEMA failed to provide web accessibility on their homepage,for blind citizens, who use screen reader technology. Although there is a plethora of information available for web developers to explain how to make websites accessible, numerous studies have reported shortcomings by U.S. federal government sites. The Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibit discrimination against those with disabilities, however, violations continue to persist.  

Here are a few ideas for evaluating the accessibility of a website. In regards to emergency planning and management, accessibility becomes quite urgent. GIS mapping should include the locations of people with disabilities, as well as disability related barriers, in order to serve this population properly. As noted in the article summary, the link to the sign-up page should be accessible, as well as descriptions on the page, forms that must be submitted through the page, and navigation buttons. If a site includes a CAPTCHA, there should be an audio version, to ensure that doesn’t become a barrier for the disabled. Research included in this study indicated that CAPTCHAs were proprietary for use with the Everbridge system, and presented many challenges in regards to web accessibility. For the blind or visually impaired audience, that requires text to speech through a screen reader, there are additional obstacles. The default on most screen readers is to read the ‘general notification’ notices.  Instead of defaulting to emergency notifications, screen readers read the alternate text labeled “receive community notifications.” This poor design creates a less accessible environment. 

Wentz, B., Lazar, J., Stein, M., Gbenro, O., Holandez, E., & Ramsey, A. (2014). Danger, danger! evaluating the accessibility of web-based emergency alert sign-ups in the northeastern United states. Government Information Quarterly, 31(3), 488-497. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.giq.2014.02.010 (Links to an external site.)