creators_name: Hailpern, Joshua
creators_name: Guarino-Reid, Loretta
creators_name: Boardman, Richard
creators_name: Annam, Srinivas
type: conference_item
datestamp: 2009-04-06 19:11:04
lastmod: 2009-04-29 12:15:19
metadata_visibility: show
title: WEB 2.0: Blind to an Accessible New World
ispublished: pub
full_text_status: public
pres_type: paper
abstract: With the advent of Web 2.0 technologies, websites have evolved from static pages to dynamic, interactive Web-based applications with the ability to replicate common desktop functionality. However, for blind and visually impaired individuals who rely upon screen readers, Web 2.0 applications force them to adapt to an inaccessible use model. Many technologies, including WAIARIA, AJAX, and improved screen reader support, are rapidly evolving to improve this situation. However, simply combining them does not solve the problems of screen reader users. The main contributions of this paper are two models of interaction for screen reader users, for both traditional websites and Web 2.0 applications. Further contributions are a discussion of accessibility difficulties screen reader users encounter when interacting with Web 2.0 applications, a user workflow design model for improving Web 2.0 accessibility, and a set of design requirements for developers to ease the user's burden and increase accessibility. These models, accessibility difficulties, and design implications are based directly on responses and lessons learned from usability research focusing on Web 2.0 usage and screen reader users. Without the conscious effort of Web engineers and designers, most blind and visually impaired users will shy away from using new Web 2.0 technology in favor of desktop based applications.
date: 2009-04
pagerange: 821-821
event_title: 18th International World Wide Web Conference
event_location: Madrid, Spain
event_dates: April 20th-24th, 2009
event_type: conference
refereed: TRUE
citation: Hailpern, Joshua <http://www2009.eprints.org/view/author/Hailpern=3AJoshua=3A=3A.html> and Guarino-Reid, Loretta <http://www2009.eprints.org/view/author/Guarino-Reid=3ALoretta=3A=3A.html> and Boardman, Richard <http://www2009.eprints.org/view/author/Boardman=3ARichard=3A=3A.html> and Annam, Srinivas <http://www2009.eprints.org/view/author/Annam=3ASrinivas=3A=3A.html> (2009) WEB 2.0: Blind to an Accessible New World. In: 18th International World Wide Web Conference, April 20th-24th, 2009, Madrid, Spain.
document_url: http://www2009.eprints.org/83/1/p821.pdf
document_url: http://www2009.eprints.org/83/2/2009-04-22_pdf.pdf