W3C argues with DRC Web Accessibility Findings

The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) has responded critically to the Web Access Report released by the Disability Rights Commission (DRC), which focusses on issues experienced by disabled Web users, and makes a number of recommendations with regard to policy options in the UK. W3C's Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) produces a set of three accessibility guidelines recognised as international standards.

A statement by the W3C seeks to 'address potential misunderstandings about W3C's WAI Guidelines'.

Finding 5 of the DRC Report states: 'Nearly half (45%) of the problems experienced by disabled users when attempting to navigate websites cannot be attributed to explicit violations of the Web Accessibility Initiative Checkpoints. Although some of these reflect shortcomings in the assistive technology used, most reflect the limitations of the Checkpoints themselves as a comprehensive interpretation of the intent of the Guidelines....'

The W3C/WAI's examination of the DRC data available as of 14 April 2004 shows that 95% of the barriers reported are indeed covered by existing checkpoints in WAI Guidelines. Of the high-frequency problems identified in the DRC Report, the W3C says that 77% are covered by checkpoints of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 1.0, while 18% are covered by checkpoints of the User Agent Accessibility Guidelines 1.0.

Essentially, the W3C asserts, the interpretation of the data in the report fails to account for the role of browser and media player accessibility, and the role of interoperability with assistive technologies, in ensuring that people with disabilities can use websites effectively.

'A more complete picture of the interaction of website and browser accessibility might result in additional policy recommendations - for instance, recommending that conformance to the User Agent Accessibility Guidelines be considered when selecting browsers, media players and assistive technologies. For instance FINDING 3 notes that many people with disabilities are unaware of the accessibility features in browsers; the User Agent Accessibility Guidelines address this issue by requiring that browsers and media players provide documentation of accessibility features to help users find and learn how to use features that they need.'

The W3C response goes on to say that the user-testing methodology employed in this study revealed similar usability problems for disabled and non-disabled users alike, over and above the accessibility problems which created specific barriers for people with disabilities. 'Given the extremely small number of Web sites conforming to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines in this study, however, it is hard to draw clear conclusions on the relationship between accessibility and usability measures.'

The WAI Guidelines - a complementary set comprised of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 1.0, the User Agent Accessibility Guidelines 1.0, and the Authoring Tool Accessibility Guidelines 1.0 - address requirements for making websites, browsers, media players, assistive technologies, and Web authoring tools accessible for people with disabilities. These WAI Guidelines have been developed with the international cooperation of industry, disability organizations, accessibility researchers, and government representatives. W3C/WAI is currently developing advanced versions of the WAI Guidelines.

Associated Link: The DRC report

All change at the top for System Concepts
Source: System Concepts Ltd, 3 July 2009
 
Leslie Fountain has been promoted to joint Managing Director of leading usability consultancy System Concepts.

Life in UCD immortalised in fiction: you couldn't make it up
Source: UN, 2 July 2009
 
Sarah Herman's fictitious book on life in a user-centred design company has hit the shelves and The Guardian's book pages...

Interfaces Magazine - Issue 79: The Education Issue
Source: Interaction Group, 1 July 2009
 
The latest issue of Interfaces is now available as a free download from the Interaction Website.

Two new Behavioural research Tools from Noldus
Source: UN, 30 June 2009
 
Tool updates make on-site behavioural data collection easier.

Cell Phones that Listen and Learn
Source: MIT Technology Review, 29 June 2009
 
New software tracks a user's behavior by monitoring everyday sounds.

Top Six Don’ts for Usability Testing
Source: FutureNow Inc., 27 June 2009
 
Six tips for creating quality usability tests to ensure useful feedback from testers.

Usability: ‘Lovely software. But I can’t work it’
Source: FT.com, 26 June 2009
 
In a recent survey by Global Graphics, 77 per cent of office workers estimate they lose up to one hour a week because business software is difficult to use.

And what do you do?
Source: Dexo Design, 25 June 2009
 
How do you describe your job role? Here are the results of a recent 'Preferred UX/UI Title' Poll.

Most Doctors cite Usability as critical to Electronic Health Record Adoption
Source: TMCNet, 24 June 2009
 
It's all about 'meaningful use'.

Glossy monitors look good but can hurt
Source: QUT, 23 June 2009
 
A new advisory cites research which suggests high gloss monitors make users sit awkwardly.