University of Brighton | School of Architecture, Technology and Engineering
Exploring the Impact of Web Content Accessibility Guidelines on User Experience
By Anthony Akintola
5 Min Read
By making web content more inclusive and accessible, Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) play a vital role on the digital landscape. When creators, such as designers and developers can follow these guidelines, they ensure better user experience, promoting equal access to important content for users, including those with disabilities. The task of designing interfaces that prioritize accessibility without sacrificing visual appeal is a challenge for designers, while developers grapple with the challenge of implementing the WCAG requirements to standard. These requirements focus on making web content presentable to users regardless of their abilities (Perceivability). They also ensure that users interact with and can explore the content (Operability), emphasizing clear and straightforward information of the interface (Understandability) and making sure the content is interpreted consistently by a range of user agents, including assistive technologies. The coaction between these different stakeholders highlights the need for continued innovation and collaboration, reflecting the evolving nature of web accessibility. This study seeks to examine the impact of web content accessibility guidelines (WCAG) on user experience as well as on other stakeholders (creators) such as designers and developers.
1.
Background
Web accessibility involves creating web content in an inclusive way that guarantees equal usability and access. It involves overcoming all obstacles to internet access (De Lorca et al., 2017), for all categories of users. It is the ability for anyone to access all information on the web, regardless of device limitations, software limitations, or disabilities. (Huang & Chao, 2001).
To guarantee web accessibility, numerous organizations worldwide have created a variety of standards and web guidelines over the years. (Li et al., 2012).
The World Wide Web Consortium’s (W3C) goal is to develop policies and procedures that guarantee the internet’s continuous expansion in order to realize its full potential (About W3C, 2023); the Center for Applied Special Technology (CAST) seeks to increase learning opportunities for the disabled by developing assistive technologies (Timeline of Innovation - CAST, 2023); and finally The Research Development and Evaluation Commission (RDEC) is in charge of encouraging the creation of public websites for government agencies and establishing guidelines for web accessibility development in order to increase the accessibility of public websites. (Li et al., 2012). In 2002, the WCAG was established in Taiwan by the RDEC. (Li et al., 2012b).
The WCAG, developed by the Accessibility Guidelines Working Group (AG WG), a part of the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) under the Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) (Initiative, 2023-c), is arguably one of the most extensively and actively utilized documents for web accessibility worldwide. (Sandnes, 2021). With three priority levels in mind, the fourteen guidelines are organized as a set of 63 checkpoints. (Karreman et al., 2007).
While WCAG 1.0 focused more on programming guidelines that allow websites work together with assistive technologies, the WCAG 2.0 adds new interactive technologies to cater to an evolving and a more complex web. (Reid and Snow-Weaver, 2009).
Taking accessibility guidelines into account improves overall usability. For example, good contrast helps people using the internet on their phones in bright light or in dimly lit spaces, and people benefit greatly from captions or subtitles in both quiet and noisy environments. (Web Accessibility Initiative, 2016).
The overall quality of a product is improved when creators take web accessibility into account. (Yesilada et al., 2012). Furthermore, web accessibility considers the overall user experience as well as the usability as measured by the objective and subjective results of an interaction. (Vollenwyder, 2023).
In this review, the impact of WCAG on the usability and user experience for all stakeholders is explored. The term ‘creators’ is coined to describe the actors involved in the design and development of web content available for all types of users (Designers and Developers).
2.
Related Works
There are diverse sets of studies on WCAG and its impact. However, only a few focuses on the effect on user experience for specific user groups. The following papers address a part of the research in its entirety.
Sohaib et al. (2011) in “user experience (UX) and the web accessibility standards” reviews different usability guidelines with how well they are in line with the Rubinoff usability characteristics. This focuses on a comprehensive user-centric perspective and how they contribute to satisfying end-user needs. The study emphasises the importance of effective usability in web design and suggests further exploration of challenges and characteristics in aligning web usability with accessibility guidelines. Sohaib et al. (2011) in “How compliance with web accessibility standards shapes the experiences of users with and without disabilities” The study investigated how web accessibility standards impact user experiences for individuals with and without visual impairments. The study suggests integrating user-cantered design with standard compliance for better web accessibility.
Schmutz et al. (2017) in “Implementing Recommendations from Web Accessibility Guidelines: A Comparative Study of Nondisabled Users and Users with Visual Impairments” examines whether implementing WCAG 2.0 affects non-disabled users and users with visual impairments differently. After testing from both users, findings showed that higher conformance to accessibility guidelines improved performance and subjective evaluations without significant differences between them. This suggests WCAG 2.0 benefits all users, supporting an inclusive design approach rather than being solely for accommodating to disability.
3.
Methodologies
The methodology used for this literature review consisted of a combination of scoping, snowballing, and online search. The primary ideas and sources of information on the subject were mapped using scoping, which did not impose rigid inclusion or exclusion standards. Starting with one key paper on this subject, the snowballing method was used to follow the relevant references to find more related literature. Searching online was used to find literature on the topic using online tools and platforms, such as general search engines, academic search engines, specialised databases, online repositories, as well as social media platforms. These methods were chosen to ensure a comprehensive and rigorous search of the literature, and to identify the key themes, debates, and gaps in the existing knowledge.
4.
Understanding WCAG: a comprehensive overview
WCAG was created by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) through its Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) along with global cooperation with the aim of meeting the needs of people, governments, and cooperation by establishing a unified standard for web accessibility (Henry, 2023). According to the W3C, Campbell et al. (2023) in “WCAG 2.2 documentation”, posits that the WCAG guidelines are structured around four key principles namely: Perceivability, Operability, Understandability, and Robust content. Each principle has several guidelines associated with them in total, making 13. These include 13 guidelines and success criteria rated across three levels: A, AA, and AAA.
4.1 Evolution
With the progression of technology as well as accessibility needs, there has been a timeline of updates on the WCAG documentation with the first version (WCAG 1.0) released in 1999 and the second released in 2008 (WCAG 2.0), after which there have been two updates (2.1&2.2). Each update builds up on the previous version with user and designer feedback being integral to its evolution. By analysing real-world experiences and challenges encountered by users with disabilities, the W3C has continually refined and updated the guidelines (Cao & Loiacono, 2018).
4.2 Adaptations
In highlighting its global impact, the WCAG documentation has been adapted by various stakeholders. Different countries and regions have adopted or been impacted by these guidelines to suit their legal frameworks and specific needs. Some examples are the United States’ Section 508 Federal law, Europes’ EN 301 549, as well as other national guidelines. (Sohaib, 2011).
5.
The Dual Impact of WCAG
There are two main groups affected by the implementation of these guidelines which include the creators - the designers as well as the developers adhering to these rules.
5.1 Creators
WCAG's primary goal is to demonstrate a single, globally applicable standard for web content accessibility that considers the concerns of organizations, governments, and individuals. (Dongaonkar et al., 2017), and this goal is realised through the work of the creators – designers and developers.
Studies show that web designers and developers are generally unaware of the significance of website accessibility guidelines. (Fakrudeen et al., 2011). Creators can use various assessment tools to gauge the web accessibility of webpages and identify which one is the most accessible out of several. (Alsaeedi, 2020)
5.2 Users without disabilities
The importance of creators adhering to the guidelines extends beyond individuals with disabilities and includes all other types of users. Improved readability, clear navigation and consistency in overall design contributes to a positive experience for all users, regardless of their abilities or disabilities (Cao & Loiacono, 2021).
5.3 Users without disabilities
Historically, the basis of web accessibility in emerging technologies has been in offering users alternative input modes as well as converting information into alternate output modalities, such as screen readers for example. (Vollenwyder et al., 2023). These methods, along with the development of the internet, resulted in the first guidelines being published.(WCAG 1.0). (Vollenwyder et al., 2023).
Although users without disabilities and those with disabilities may experience similar issues with web content, users with disabilities will be more affected. (Petrie and Kheir, 2007). Overall, accessibility is one of the most common requirements alongside clarity and availability, that web-based applications must meet to satisfy end users. (Sohaib et al., 2011).
The WCAG provide recommended methods in form of documents that will keep changing as creators find new and creative ways to meet each previous requirement, creating an innovative and dynamic internet that is usable by all types of users. (Reid & Snow-Weaver, 2009b).
5.4 Users without disabilities
Around the time WCAG 1.0 was first established, designers were not so involved in the design of assistive technologies specifically for users with disabilities. The primary focus of web accessibility implementation, which was restricted to programmers and testing tools only, was on the coding specifications that made the websites compatible with assistive technologies. (Reid & Snow-Weaver, 2009b).
In recent times, however, due to the increase in web complexity, content needs to be available for users with disabilities in a variety of interaction styles to meet their needs. Therefore, it is more important than ever to consider users with disabilities during the initial stages of site design, as opposed to restricting accessibility to the act of only programming a website to be compatible with assistive technology. (Reid & Snow-Weaver, 2009b).
6.
User Adaptability
In theory, the internet is designed to be globally accessible, catering to people with disabilities but in practice this is not always the case - webpages are mostly designed without considering accessibility standards. (Aizpurua et al., 2016).
User adaptability involves considering crucial design elements such as visual/auditory design, colour, contrast, text size, sensory capabilities, focus indicators, seizure triggers, input fields, recurring functions, interaction design, keyboard operation, navigation, unpredictable changes of context, time limits, errors and so on. (Reid & Snow-Weaver, 2009b).
7.
Case Study
Websites are used for a variety of functions; common categories include job portals, social media, business, education, and government. Web content accessibility is one of the many factors that must be considered when designing a website. (Dongaonkar et al., 2017).
In the ‘Content Accessibility Evaluation of Government Website using WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines), Dongaonkar, Vadali and Dhutadmal analyse a group of government websites. Findings revealed that creators did not place a high priority on the accessibility of content for all types of users.
8.
Evaluation and Compliance to WCAG
According to Karreman in 2007, the guidelines focus on helping people who have disabilities, outlining the necessary conditions for functionality. However, the guidelines are not explicit about how to modify content for people whose intellectual disabilities impact their language abilities. (Karreman et al., 2007).
In a test conducted by Karreman, Van der Geest and Buursink in 2007, to determine whether the guidelines were appropriate, forty experienced computer and web users were tested, 20 of which were selected based on having intellectual disabilities. The results found that based on efficiency (time to search for and read content), there were no positive outcomes from following the guidelines.
However, regarding the effectiveness of the verbal adaptation of the same site, it was concluded that participants understood the verbal content better. (Karreman et al., 2007).
Evaluating conformance to WCAG is another crucial aspect of the conversation. (Dongaonkar et al., 2017). Alsaeedi (2020) states that even though they are widely used, there is no systematic way to compare the effectiveness of web accessibility evaluators.
Four primary techniques are typically used to evaluate conformance to web accessibility standards. While the first is an automated approach, the second method involves a manual evaluation by experts. The third uses in-person usability testing to test users with disabilities based on pre-selected tasks, while the fourth combines both manual and automated methods. (Alsaeedi, 2020).
9.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the examination of current website content accessibility highlights a notable pattern, which is the fact most websites do not place a high priority on conforming to WCAG.
To guarantee that all users can access the online experience, creators must adopt and apply the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). We can help create an online ecosystem that is more inclusive by closing the accessibility gap.
References
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Alsaeedi, A. (2020). Comparing web accessibility evaluation tools and Evaluating the accessibility of webpages: Proposed frameworks. Information, 11(1), 40. https://doi.org/10.3390/info11010040
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