Frontend at the Sharp End of Accessibility Research

Frontend have recently completed the delivery of the first version (1.1) of the Irish National Disability Authority (NDA) IT Accessibility Guidelines. In the course of their work for the NDA over the last year they have consulted widely with groups and individuals who have an interest in accessibility and as a result, have modified their views.

The challenges they make to acceptd thinking are tidily recorded on their website and make interesting reading. "Accessibility Arguments Revisited" by Henry Poskitt breaks these into the following headings:

'The Cost-benefit argument' - essentially this does not persuade. In summary of their argument, the public sector needs to provide access for all as part of its mandate and the private sector will rarely find it profitable to do so.

'The Digital Divide' - a real danger exists that this will worsen and it is social accessibility rather than physical accessibility that will be the divider.

'Beyond the Web'
Other channels are being overlooked in an obsession about the Web. The telephone is still the first port of call.

‘The Best is the Enemy of the Good’
Worst cases are intimidating people out of making sensible modifications that would include many more people than are included at present.

Associated Link: Accessibility Arguments Revisited

All change at the top for System Concepts
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Two new Behavioural research Tools from Noldus
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Cell Phones that Listen and Learn
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Top Six Don’ts for Usability Testing
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Usability: ‘Lovely software. But I can’t work it’
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It's all about 'meaningful use'.

Glossy monitors look good but can hurt
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