Improving academic library website accessibility for people with disabilities

2014 ◽  
Vol 35 (8/9) ◽  
pp. 565-581 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa Billingham
Keyword(s):  
Web Sites ◽  
Web Site ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
People With Disabilities ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Initial Testing ◽  
Wcag 2.0 ◽  
Version 2.0 ◽  
Accessibility Guidelines ◽  
The Web

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explain how Edith Cowan University (ECU) Library improved the accessibility of their web site, aiming for Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) version 2.0 Level AA. It describes the results obtained. Design/methodology/approach – Initial testing by consultants was conducted in October 2012. The web site was defined as all webpages which appear part of the library web site, including supplier webpages, plus pages from the university web site and library web site. Library staff applied the recommendations to pages which they could edit, and discussed the recommendations with suppliers to improve their product ' s accessibility. The web site was re-tested in June 2013. Findings – ECU Library web site failed WCAG 2.0 Level A standard in the initial testing and re-testing. Many individual pages which failed initially passed the re-test. The smallest improvement was seen in suppliers’ web sites. Practical implications – This paper could help libraries to improve web site accessibility, as it covers negotiating with suppliers to upgrade their web sites, plus upgrading editable webpages. It shows initial and re-test results, allowing libraries to compare their results to those of ECU. Legislation and guidelines state web sites should be accessible to all users and organisations providing non-accessible web sites risk being sued. Social implications – A web site not complying with WCAG version 2.0 would be very difficult for people with disabilities to access. Upgrading ECU Library ' s web site will provide all users with more equal access to the resources. Originality/value – This study describes problems in upgrading academic library webpages and related supplier web sites and organisation web site to improve accessibility for people with disabilities.

Eliminating Invisible Barriers: Health Web Site Accessibility

2003 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 70-86
Author(s):  
Christine Rzepka
Keyword(s):  
Health Information ◽  
Web Sites ◽  
Web Site ◽  
People With Disabilities ◽  
High Tech ◽  
Accessibility Issues ◽  
Accessibility Guidelines ◽  
Use Of The Internet ◽  
Simple Evaluation ◽  
The Web

One of the top reasons given for use of the internet is the ability to search for health information. However, much of the planning for web-based health information often fails to consider accessibility issues. If health care organizations and community agencies’ web sites have the latest, most wellresearched information on the health topics of the day, it is useless to those who cannot access it because of invisible technological barriers. Many flashy, high-tech sites were designed only to appeal to the needs of the mainstream population, with no consideration given to how people with disabilities must adapt their use of the web in order to access information. This article addresses issues of access specific to web site development, and will explore barriers to accessibility frequently experienced by web users with disabilities, requirements for ADA compliance, and how people with disabilities use the web. Web site accessibility guidelines, as well as simple evaluation tools, will be discussed. A thorough review of the article will enable even the least tech-savvy of health educators to enhance their skills in planning and evaluating web sites to promote access for people with disabilities.

Accessibility as an integral factor in e-government web site evaluation

2014 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 208-228 ◽  
Author(s):  
Faouzi Kamoun ◽  
Mohamed Basel Almourad
Keyword(s):  
Web Sites ◽  
Web Site ◽  
Web Content ◽  
Content Type ◽  
General Evaluation ◽  
Wcag 2.0 ◽  
Bivariate Correlation ◽  
Government Web Sites ◽  
Accessibility Guidelines ◽  
Site Ranking

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the extent to which accessibility is taken into account in the assessment and ranking of e-government web sites through the lens of a specific study related to Dubai e-government. Design/methodology/approach – The paper considers a case study related to Dubai e-government and it evaluates the accessibility of each of the 21 Dubai e-government web sites, based on the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 and using an automated accessibility testing tool. A bivariate correlation analysis is performed to assess the correlation between web site ranking and accessibility score. Findings – The research reveals that contrary to common intuition and some earlier studies, there is a weak correlation between e-government web site ranking score and web site accessibility. Research limitations/implications – The paper uses an accessibility metric that is a proxy indicator of web accessibility and is not a real assessment of accessibility as experienced by a person with disability. Practical implications – When re-examined through the lens of Rawls's moral theory, this research suggests that accessibility should be given a higher priority in the general evaluation and ranking of e-government web sites. Social implications – The paper promotes universal accessibility to e-government information and services. Originality/value – The paper uses ethical arguments to highlight the need to comprehensively consider accessibility as a major criterion in the assessment and ranking of e-government web sites.

Eliminating Invisible Barriers

2003 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 70-86
Author(s):  
Christine Hagion Rzepka
Keyword(s):  
Health Information ◽  
Web Sites ◽  
Web Site ◽  
People With Disabilities ◽  
High Tech ◽  
Accessibility Issues ◽  
Accessibility Guidelines ◽  
Use Of The Internet ◽  
Simple Evaluation ◽  
The Web

One of the top reasons given for use of the internet is the ability to search for health information. However, much of the planning for web-based health information often fails to consider accessibility issues. If health care organizations and community agencies’ web sites have the latest, most wellresearched information on the health topics of the day, it is useless to those who cannot access it because of invisible technological barriers. Many flashy, high-tech sites were designed only to appeal to the needs of the mainstream population, with no consideration given to how people with disabilities must adapt their use of the web in order to access information. This article addresses issues of access specific to web site development, and will explore barriers to accessibility frequently experienced by web users with disabilities, requirements for ADA compliance, and how people with disabilities use the web. Web site accessibility guidelines, as well as simple evaluation tools, will be discussed. A thorough review of the article will enable even the least tech-savvy of health educators to enhance their skills in planning and evaluating web sites to promote access for people with disabilities.

scholarly journals Eliminating Invisible Barriers

2003 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 70-86
Author(s):  
Christine Hagion Rzepka
Keyword(s):  
Health Information ◽  
Web Sites ◽  
Web Site ◽  
People With Disabilities ◽  
High Tech ◽  
Accessibility Issues ◽  
Accessibility Guidelines ◽  
Use Of The Internet ◽  
Simple Evaluation ◽  
The Web

One of the top reasons given for use of the internet is the ability to search for health information. However, much of the planning for web-based health information often fails to consider accessibility issues. If health care organizations and community agencies’ web sites have the latest, most wellresearched information on the health topics of the day, it is useless to those who cannot access it because of invisible technological barriers. Many flashy, high-tech sites were designed only to appeal to the needs of the mainstream population, with no consideration given to how people with disabilities must adapt their use of the web in order to access information. This article addresses issues of access specific to web site development, and will explore barriers to accessibility frequently experienced by web users with disabilities, requirements for ADA compliance, and how people with disabilities use the web. Web site accessibility guidelines, as well as simple evaluation tools, will be discussed. A thorough review of the article will enable even the least tech-savvy of health educators to enhance their skills in planning and evaluating web sites to promote access for people with disabilities.

Code in action: Closing the black box of WCAG 2.0, A Latourian reading of Web accessibility

First Monday ◽  
2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Kreps ◽  
Mhorag Goff
Keyword(s):  
Web Accessibility ◽  
Web Content ◽  
Wcag 2.0 ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Heterogeneous Nature ◽  
Version 2.0 ◽  
Accessibility Guidelines ◽  
Content Accessibility ◽  
Web Developers ◽  
The Web

The focus of much academic work on Web accessibility has been concerned with the lack of implementation of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines. There seems, as yet, however, to have been little critical reflection on the Guidelines themselves — save perhaps some awareness of the heterogeneous nature of the Web, and the difficulties facing Web developers trying to ensure their work displays true to their intentions across a wide range of different browsers and devices, making use of continually evolving and contested code. Yet, as this paper highlights, the long drawn out process by which version 2.0 of the WCAG came into being hides many skeletons, including aspects of the process of developing standards that bear closer scrutiny, and reveal much when viewed through Latourian eyes. The findings of this paper suggest that the WCAG2.0 are almost irrelevant today — to the detriment of those for whom they were made — and that the process of creating them was at fault.

Complementing consumer magazine brands with internet extensions?

2009 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 408-424 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anssi Tarkiainen ◽  
Hanna‐Kaisa Ellonen ◽  
Olli Kuivalainen
Keyword(s):  
Web Sites ◽  
Web Site ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Brand Extensions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Print Version ◽  
Consumer Magazine ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
The Web

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to increase understanding of the effects of web site extension on the parent‐magazine brand in the context of experiential goods, and to identify factors that are related to success.Design/methodology/approachThe paper focuses on the relationship between consumers' experiences on magazine web sites and their loyalty towards the print magazine.FindingsThere are different ways in which the web site can complement the print version. The first mechanism is related to engaging in more frequent communication with the magazine's readers, and the second is related to consumer‐initiated interaction between other readers. In both cases something is offered that cannot be obtained from the print magazine, but is assumed to complement it.Originality/valueThe paper increases understanding of brand extensions with regard to experiential goods, but more research is needed on the factors that are related to extension success.

Web atmospheric qualities in luxury fashion brand web sites

2015 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 384-401 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hyeonsoo Kim ◽  
Yun Jung Choi ◽  
Yuri Lee
Keyword(s):  
Customer Service ◽  
Web Sites ◽  
Web Site ◽  
Product Information ◽  
Web Site Design ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Fashion Brand ◽  
Site Design ◽  
Revisit Intentions ◽  
The Web

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between atmospheric qualities with different levels of task relevance in luxury fashion brand web sites and their impact on consumer attitude toward the site and brand, which is essential to build valid strategies for e-retailing. Design/methodology/approach – An empirical study was conducted and quantitative analyses of 292 respondents’ shopping experiences yielded findings that confirm the impact of atmospherics upon the shopper’s views of the web site and the brand. Structural equation modeling was used to test the research hypotheses. Findings – Both low task-relevant atmospherics (web site design, responsive customer service) and high task-relevant atmospherics (product information, convenience) affect the consumers’ revisit intentions toward the web site, while web site design directly affected brand attitude. The study also illustrates the mediating roles of product information and convenience to the relationships between web site design and responsive customer service and the consumers’ revisit intentions toward the site. Practical implications – This study provides insights for luxury e-tailing. Luxury e-tailers should understand the different effects depending upon the types of web atmospheric qualities and use them strategically. Originality/value – The main contribution of the study is to highlight the unique aspects of luxury online shopping in the Korean context. This study also contributes to e-commerce research by providing an expanded understanding of the interrelationship between types of web atmospheric qualities.

Academic library leadership in the digital age

2015 ◽  
Vol 36 (4/5) ◽  
pp. 300-314 ◽  
Author(s):  
Binh P. Le
Keyword(s):  
Survey Research ◽  
Web Sites ◽  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Leadership Skills ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Digital Age ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Library Leadership ◽  
The Usa ◽  
The Web

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to focus on academic library leadership in the digital age. Primarily, the goals are to identify: first, the top five major challenges facing academic library leadership; second, the top five most important leadership skills required for effective academic library leadership; and finally, the top five best ways to develop these academic library leadership skills. Design/methodology/approach – A survey was conducted to elicit responses from individuals who hold senior library leadership positions in American academic libraries throughout the USA. The participants were identified through several means: the web sites of the ALA and its divisions; the web sites of American universities; referrals; and the author’s professional contacts. To simplify the survey research process, e-mails including the survey research questions were sent to potential participants. In all, 38 invitations (n=38) were sent out to large and medium-size academic libraries throughout the USA. Over 36.8 percent (n=14) of the participants returned the survey. The participants represent a wide spectrum of libraries. Findings – The top five major challenges are how to: demonstrate the library values to the university community, operate the library under fiscal uncertainty, retrofit outdated library facilities to accommodate new services, strike a balance between digital and print materials, and keep the library staff trained and current. The top five essential academic library leadership attributes are: vision, integrity, management skills, collaboration skills, and communication skills. The top five best ways to acquire these skills include the need to have mentors, to attend leadership development programs, to gain practical library leadership experience, to seek leadership roles, and to know oneself. Originality/value – Research in this area is rather limited. As a result, this study will contribute to the academic library leadership literature and help current and aspiring academic library leaders worldwide with insightful leadership lessons needed to lead academic libraries successfully in this transformational era.

A webometric analysis of major keywords and expressions in biochemistry using LexiURL Searcher

2015 ◽  
Vol 33 (6) ◽  
pp. 1163-1173 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kobra Taram ◽  
Abbas Doulani
Keyword(s):  
Web Sites ◽  
Web Site ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Information Access ◽  
Link Analysis ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Common Thread ◽  
The Common ◽  
Mesh Database ◽  
The Web

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore webometric analysis of keywords and expressions of the biochemistry field of study via LexiURL Searcher. Design/methodology/approach – Interfaces for assisting users with information access have received considerable attention. Along with the extraction of data on Web sites for webometric purposes (e.g. link analysis, ranking of Web sites, etc.), LexiURL Searcher presents some information on the arrangement of links among different Web sites. Such capability enables users to identify one or more Web sites around their intended subject and, accordingly, explore all Web sites linked with their identified Web site(s). LexiURL Searcher has preceded webometric analysis by considering the main expressions and keywords derived from the MeSH database. Findings – The worldwide survey indicated that links from countries such as England, Japan, Germany, Australia and Canada were among the Web sites that are most used in biochemistry. Alternatively, other countries such as Singapore, Thailand and Poland had the most advantageous links to the outside world, whereas South Africa, New Zealand and The Netherlands had the least link effect. Biochemistry, being a specialized domain, would benefit greatly from site linking and would provide users the most assistance in information processing. Originality/value – Most webometric studies remain on the level of link analysis and Web site statuses; however, this paper gives information on the common thread Web sites based on a standard thesaurus.

The effectiveness of embedded social media on hotel websites and the importance of social interactions and return on engagement

2015 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 670-689 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ajay Aluri ◽  
Lisa Slevitch ◽  
Robert Larzelere
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Social Interaction ◽  
Web Sites ◽  
Web Site ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Post Test ◽  
Hotel Websites ◽  
Hotel Managers ◽  
Media Channels ◽  
The Web

Purpose The main purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of embedded social media channels and determine whether the embedded social media channels enhance the overall experience of travelers using the hotel Web sites. Design/methodology/approach A true-experimental, between-group and post-test-only design was used to address the primary research questions. Two privately accessible complete versions of the Web site (one with embedded social media channels and one without them) were designed for the experiment. The uses and gratifications approach was used to test the proposed hypotheses. Data were analyzed using ANOVA. Findings The results of this study revealed that embedded social media channels on the hotel Web site enhanced travelers’ social gratifications of perceived social interaction. Apart from these benefits for travelers seeking social gratifications, embedded social media channels did not enhance the overall experience (content and process gratifications) of travelers using the Web site. Practical implications In the case of embedded social media on hotel Web sites, this study suggests that hotel managers measure return on engagement to examine the effectiveness of embedded social media, instead of return on investment. Social implications The study revealed that the emergence of embedded social media channels and their integration on hotel Web sites will have significant influence on travelers who seek social gratifications. Originality/value The findings of this study offer new empirical evidence that embedded social media channels enhance only travelers’ perceived social interaction during their first visit to the hotel Web site.

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