Web accessibility: Filtering redundant and irrelevant information improves website usability for blind users

Abstract

Accessibility norms for the Web are based on the principle that everybody should have access to the same information. Applying these norms enables the oralization of all visual information by screen readers used by people with blindness. However, compliance with accessibility norms does not guarantee that users with blindness can reach their goals with a reasonable amount of time and effort. To improve website usability, it is necessary to take into account the specific needs of users. A previous study revealed that a major need for users with blindness is to quickly reach the information relevant to the task, by filtering redundant and irrelevant information. We conducted three experiments in which seventy-six participants with blindness performed tasks on websites which filtered or not irrelevant and redundant information. Cognitive load was assessed using the dual-task paradigm and the NASA-RTLX questionnaire. The results showed a substantial benefit for information filtering regarding participants' cognitive load, performance, and satisfaction. Thus, this study provides cogent arguments for improving usability of websites by information filtering for users with blindness.

Towards Developing a Framework to Analyze the Qualities of the University Websites

“…The authors of [30] investigated that there is a positive correlation of academic performance of an institute with the quality of its website. Giraud et al [31] highlighted the potential of a tool based on filtering redundant and irrelevant information, which allows reducing the cognitive load of users with blindness and improving interface usability.…”

Proposal and testing goals-guided interaction for occasional users

“…Giraud et al [21] conducts relevant experiments showing that filtering redundant and irrelevant information for new user with special needs is paramount for their accessibility. Our proposal, Goal-Guided Interaction (GGI), has as main goal guiding the user, avoiding they needing to deal with metaphors and irrelevant information for the goals they want to accomplish.…”

“…Firstly, the evolution of Graphical User Interface (GUI) [1] and the correct inclusion of multi-touch systems [10][11][12] have brought about new kinds of devices and new ways of interaction. Secondly, this increase in the heterogeneity and number of occasional users is also driven by the incorporation of the principles of Usability [13][14][15], Inclusive Design [16,17], and Accessibility [18][19][20][21]. Thirdly, the ubiquity and the permanent online interconnection of the devices have burst into less traditional tasks and contexts of use, e.g.…”

Accessible software development: a conceptual model proposal

“…As software is making its way towards the cloud and "local software" is being transformed into web-based [46], the need for compliance with existing Web accessibility patterns is also growing [47]. In what concerns the referred type of applications and the inherent user interfaces, the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) of the World Wide Web Consortium are the recommended accessibility standard for many organizations-including governmental organizations-for the establishment of an accessible Web for people with disabilities [48].…”