Table 3: Test results of Web information systems
examination.
1. need for supportive text
1. need for supportive
text
always use HTML image ALT
texts, to make comments on
graphs, images, charts
use labels for website elements,
such as forms
use symbols or comments to mark
some elements on websites
if placing audio, video
information, it’s better to have
comment or transcript of a file
content
2. need for a organization of displayed
information
3. need for web system elements
organization
4. need for layout and element formatting
5. need for
contrast
design
allow changeable style sheets
6. need for user
system interaction
if video, audio or animation
information is included in
websites there is a need for
simple and clearly understandable
control over those elements –
sound volume, stop button, play
button
7. need for extended time limits
8. need for improved web browsing
environment
Results of examination by previously mentioned
criteria shows that websites has relatively good
performance towards usability and accessibility for
people with disabilities. But it is also seen that
critical improvements are needed. Examination
method shows that main problems arise with such
criteria as needs for alternative texts, control over
animations, presence of extra graphical information
and changeable design styles. Changeable design
styles are not available in any evaluated website, but
it is highly demanded feature for people who have
visual disabilities, even color blindness. Solutions
provided in Table 2 can be taken in notice to
improve system page layout.
4 CONCLUSIONS
With the use of this method, developers can evaluate
and prevent main problems for Web projects that
relate matters of resource accessibility and usability
for people with disabilities. Improvements can be
done with a use of client side programming
languages which directly address information layout
on pages.
But when developing Web information systems
with critical usability and accessibility requirements,
method mentioned in this paper can be used only as
one of the tools. Method covers only Web content
layout matters, not including server side tools and
implementation of specific elements, such as
integration of Braille code or special multimedia.
These elements require another analysis and
researches which results can be used in combination
of client side layout requirements.
Improving presence of supportive text, including
information structuring, could solve almost 50% of
layout problems that arise in Web information
system usage for people with various disabilities.
With a release of improved researches for
accessibility and usability matters, there is a need for
future investigation of new client and server side
language possibilities examination, such as AJAX,
as a tool to solve emerging demands.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Funding support for this research provided by
Europe Social Fund program “Support for doctoral
studies in LUA”, agreement 2009/0180/1DP/
1.1.2.1.2/09/IPIA/VIAA/017.
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