Characteristics of an accessible web product and how to implement them : recommendations for Brella Oy
Nedelkina, Mariia (2022)
Nedelkina, Mariia
2022
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2022052912881
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2022052912881
Tiivistelmä
One billion people, more than 15% of the world, are disabled, excluding people with disabilities due to ageing. Blinded by short-term gains, businesses tend to neglect the accessibility of their web products, although the number of lawsuits against inaccessible websites is rising. With stricter laws, companies are forced to consider dissimilar user needs, which should not be the case. Accessibility has to be consulted because of its benefits to all parties. Starting small, the author decided to examine the accessibility of the product of her employer – a SaaS company. The researcher evaluated the current accessibility level of the product, surveyed the team to know its views and wishes, and issued recommendations that could help the company build accessible software.
The thesis project followed the framework of design science research (DSR) and delivered the list of suggestions as an artefact. From the DSR perspective, the author identified the problem, justified the solution, and developed it. To find supporting ideas for the suggestions, the researcher conducted a literature review. Thanks to the mixed method research type, quantitative and qualitative data were collected. The former helped to assess the scope of the problem, while the latter – understand the reasons behind it and the professional views and wishes of the company. Finally, the three information sources were compiled into the project artefact – accessibility-improving recommendations.
Accessible web products are Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, and Robust. Accessibility does not oust customisation opportunities or elaborate UX design. On the contrary, it supports the former and is intertwined with the latter. The process takes time and costs work hours, but product accessibility can be improved by as small as one-person teams by following international guidelines and auditing results. The most crucial element is an empathetic and benevolent attitude. The approach transformation is required as accessible software development is a long-term investment into user and designer/developer satisfaction. These and other findings are also reflected in the recommendations to the company.
The thesis project followed the framework of design science research (DSR) and delivered the list of suggestions as an artefact. From the DSR perspective, the author identified the problem, justified the solution, and developed it. To find supporting ideas for the suggestions, the researcher conducted a literature review. Thanks to the mixed method research type, quantitative and qualitative data were collected. The former helped to assess the scope of the problem, while the latter – understand the reasons behind it and the professional views and wishes of the company. Finally, the three information sources were compiled into the project artefact – accessibility-improving recommendations.
Accessible web products are Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, and Robust. Accessibility does not oust customisation opportunities or elaborate UX design. On the contrary, it supports the former and is intertwined with the latter. The process takes time and costs work hours, but product accessibility can be improved by as small as one-person teams by following international guidelines and auditing results. The most crucial element is an empathetic and benevolent attitude. The approach transformation is required as accessible software development is a long-term investment into user and designer/developer satisfaction. These and other findings are also reflected in the recommendations to the company.