Everyday inclusive Web design: an activity perspective

<br><b>Introduction.</b> The accessibility of Websites to people with disabilities is a problem that affects millions of people. Current accessibility initiatives generally target large government or commercial sites. A rapidly growing segment of online content is created by non-p...

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Main Author: Shaun K. Kane
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: University of Borås 2007-01-01
Series:Information Research: An International Electronic Journal
Subjects:
Online Access:http://informationr.net/ir/12-3/paper309.html
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author Shaun K. Kane
author_facet Shaun K. Kane
author_sort Shaun K. Kane
collection DOAJ
description <br><b>Introduction.</b> The accessibility of Websites to people with disabilities is a problem that affects millions of people. Current accessibility initiatives generally target large government or commercial sites. A rapidly growing segment of online content is created by non-professionals. This content is often inaccessible, thereby excluding users with disabilities. <br><b>Method.</b> Activity theory is used to provide a model of the activities of non-professional, 'end-user' designers. Drawing from the author's experiences with technology learners, a holistic model of end-user Web design is produced. <br><b>Analysis.</b> The activity model is divided into three components. The activities of end-user designers, tool designers and Website consumers are examined. Potential barriers to the adoption of accessibility practices are identified. <br><b>Results.</b> Barriers to accessibility can occur within individual activity systems, or may be caused by interactions between systems. The accessibility of this content cannot be addressed by a single party, but requires collaboration between the designer and toolmaker. End-user designers work within a complex social environment and may face uncertainty regarding their roles as designers that affects their awareness of accessibility. <br><b>Conclusion.</b> . Increasing the accessibility of user-produced content may require a holistic approach. An activity model may be helpful in producing tools and educational materials
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spelling doaj-art-3ccf47bfac6d4b569d8535ebaaf49bc42025-02-02T10:43:32ZengUniversity of BoråsInformation Research: An International Electronic Journal1368-16132007-01-01123309Everyday inclusive Web design: an activity perspectiveShaun K. Kane<br><b>Introduction.</b> The accessibility of Websites to people with disabilities is a problem that affects millions of people. Current accessibility initiatives generally target large government or commercial sites. A rapidly growing segment of online content is created by non-professionals. This content is often inaccessible, thereby excluding users with disabilities. <br><b>Method.</b> Activity theory is used to provide a model of the activities of non-professional, 'end-user' designers. Drawing from the author's experiences with technology learners, a holistic model of end-user Web design is produced. <br><b>Analysis.</b> The activity model is divided into three components. The activities of end-user designers, tool designers and Website consumers are examined. Potential barriers to the adoption of accessibility practices are identified. <br><b>Results.</b> Barriers to accessibility can occur within individual activity systems, or may be caused by interactions between systems. The accessibility of this content cannot be addressed by a single party, but requires collaboration between the designer and toolmaker. End-user designers work within a complex social environment and may face uncertainty regarding their roles as designers that affects their awareness of accessibility. <br><b>Conclusion.</b> . Increasing the accessibility of user-produced content may require a holistic approach. An activity model may be helpful in producing tools and educational materialshttp://informationr.net/ir/12-3/paper309.htmlAn activity theory analysis of Web design by end-userswith an emphasis on accessibility for people with disabilities
spellingShingle Shaun K. Kane
Everyday inclusive Web design: an activity perspective
Information Research: An International Electronic Journal
An activity theory analysis of Web design by end-users
with an emphasis on accessibility for people with disabilities
title Everyday inclusive Web design: an activity perspective
title_full Everyday inclusive Web design: an activity perspective
title_fullStr Everyday inclusive Web design: an activity perspective
title_full_unstemmed Everyday inclusive Web design: an activity perspective
title_short Everyday inclusive Web design: an activity perspective
title_sort everyday inclusive web design an activity perspective
topic An activity theory analysis of Web design by end-users
with an emphasis on accessibility for people with disabilities
url http://informationr.net/ir/12-3/paper309.html
work_keys_str_mv AT shaunkkane everydayinclusivewebdesignanactivityperspective