The Shaw Trust is a UK nationwide charity for people who are disadvantaged in the labour market due to disability, ill health or other social circumstances. Part of the trust’s work involves testing websites for accessibility. We visited their testing facility in Neath, Wales to meet four of their testers and to find out more about accessibility tools.  Seeing them use these to explore the internet really brought theoretical web accessibility issues to life; we were really impressed by the specially designed assistive technologies and tools that enable disabled users to get the most out of the web.

Malcolm – Voice Activated Technologies

First, we met Malcolm who has been working with computers since he left college in 1986. He provided a working demonstration of how a user of voice activated assistive technologies would navigate around the web. It was obvious that Malcolm is a master of the tools he uses and, like all of the testing team, can instantly identify a site’s shortcomings.

Speaking about his role, Malcolm said “The Internet is a fantastic means of finding information, there is a whole world of information at your fingertips - but, if the sites are NOT user friendly or accessible to the WHOLE community then it is very frustrating for those people who have a disability.”

Malcolm also talked to us about a selection of the switch access assistive tools that Steve, a fellow tester, uses. These are tools such as touch pads which can be positioned for a user with minimal movement.

For example, someone may not have use of their limbs. For such individuals, touch pads can be placed by a user’s head allowing them to replicate the pressing of a certain predefined keyboard key or mouse button. Users of these devises are able to navigate the web if sites are set up in a way that requires minimal variation of controls.

Steve – Keyboard Only Control and Switch Access

After this demonstration, we met Steve who has profound athetoid cerebral palsy. He demonstrated how a user with limited mobility can get the most out of a web site. Steve was writing a report for the design team who are creating the new Shaw Trust website and the first thing I noted was that he is a complete perfectionist.

We were fortunate enough to be able to chat to Steve and hear his thoughts on how these devices help him to enjoy the computer and Internet that many people take for granted.

Although Steve’s disability prevents him from being able to communicate in speech, specific assistive technologies have been created to support such users and he is now able to communicate through a PC with ease.

We chatted about how certain features such as unwanted pop ups are often frustrating and how the new technologies help to make his web experience much more enjoyable. He explained that prior to having a specially designed keyboard, his index finger frequently got bruised when using a standard keyboard with a cover to enlarge the keys.

Anne - Readability

Next we were introduced to Anne who has colour blindness and dyslexia.  Anne talked us through how badly selected colour combinations affect her personally. She then went on to introduce and demonstrate FOG and SMOG testing. These are measures of the readability of a written piece of work such as text on a website.

FOG results indicate the age level of a site’s copy. All too often companies think that in order to project a professional image, they need to use formal words rather than everyday ones. This is not necessary, simple is best and failing to use plain language will often create a negative impression and users will leave the website. For companies and individuals that want to develop a clear house style, The Write Way offers writing courses and consultations and in-company writing training programmes. Their sister organisations, which can be found at Comm Text and Document Doctor offer professional writing and editing services.

You can test the FOG index of any web page on Gaz Lemon’s site Juicy Studio.

On the day of our visit to Shaw, we also discussed how font selection can effect the readability of web content. If you wish to know more, I suggest you get a copy of Jim Byrne’s ebook Accessible Web Typography which is also available in hard back.

The dyslexia website gives basic tips on website clarity for people with reading difficulties.

Jamie – Screen Readers

Our final presentation was given by Jamie who is a non visual tester and uses Jaws speech reading software. Gavin switched the screen off so that we could experience navigating a site in the way that Jamie does. Personally, I found this an extremely daunting task and it emphasised just how important it is for sites to be set up correctly.

We talked about common misconceptions that lead to flawed web design, such as the labelling of every image on a page, even ones that do not support the particular page content. This is distracting and does not help user with impaired sight.

Linda – Screen Readers

I began a touch-typing course at Shaw Trust nearly 2 years ago and then progressed onto a computer course, using JAWS as a screen reader. “I was pleased to be asked to be a tester for STWA. It gives us the chance to help companies and web designers to understand how difficult basic things become when you are unable to find things easily, and how very much more difficult it is when you have lost your eyesight.”

Accessibility for all

I recently had a conversation with a web developer who insisted that web accessibility issues are caused by the poor standard of assistive technologies and not by web developers. I only wish that everyone could witness what I did. Technologies have moved on a great deal in recent years and it is now the responsibility of developers and those who commission websites to ensure that projects are truly accessible to all.

Asking individuals with a variety of access needs to test your site will ensure that it meets all legal and moral obligations. Often a site that is accessible is more user friendly. If your online offering was a building you would want it to be as easy as possible for people to get to the product or information that they need. Unfortunately, only a small percentage of private sector sites view web accessibility as a priority.

We would like to thank Gavin, Cam and Paul of the management team, and more importantly, the testers Malcolm, Steve, Anne and Jamie for taking the time to demonstrate how the process works. Their level of professionalism is outstanding and the quality of testing unrivalled.

For more information on web accessibility testing services please visit their web site at www.shaw-trust.org.uk/page/3/59 or contact Cam Nicholl at the Shaw Trust on 01792 325 345.

Links

• Contact us regarding this article
• The Shaw Trust
• Web Content Accessibility Guidelines
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