Abstract
This chapter explores web accessibility, focusing on empowering visually impaired learners through inclusive design. It highlights the importance of accessibility and associated ethics in providing equal opportunities online. The chapter introduces the web content accessibility guidelines (WCAG), notably WCAG 3.0. This latest version of the accessibility guidelines introduces new concepts, principles, and success criteria to improve inclusiveness, flexibility, and user-centricity. The chapter emphasizes practical use of these guidelines in web development, improving classroom experiences for visually impaired students, and guiding educators. It also assesses web accessibility of top QS-ranked institutions globally and in Asia and India using WAVE accessibility checker. Overall, the chapter underscores web accessibility's significance in an inclusive online environment, particularly for visually impaired learners.
TopStudy Background
Studies within the previously published literature have focused on assessing the accessibility of websites in various regions and scopes. These studies have employed the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) as a framework for evaluation (W3C, 2018a). Their main objective has been to assess the current state of accessibility, identify potential issues, and provide insights for improving web accessibility. Through an analysis of these studies, a comprehensive understanding of the current research status in this area can be obtained.
Key Terms in this Chapter
Assistive Technologies: Assistive technologies are tools and systems designed to assist individuals with disabilities in various tasks and activities. They compensate for limitations and challenges faced by people with disabilities, promoting their independence and access to information. These technologies support individuals with visual, hearing, physical, cognitive, and communication impairments. Examples include screen readers, hearing aids, wheelchairs, AAC devices, and specialized software. Assistive technologies bridge the gap between individuals with disabilities and their environment, enabling them to interact, communicate, learn, and perform daily activities. They are essential for promoting inclusivity, accessibility, and equal opportunities for people with disabilities.
Screen Readers: Screen readers are assistive technology software applications that help visually impaired individuals browse the web by converting on-screen content into synthesized speech or braille output. By audibly describing webpage elements and providing navigation options, screen readers enable visually disabled users to independently access online information, interact with websites, and participate in digital activities. Web developers play a crucial role in ensuring that websites are designed in an accessible manner, allowing screen readers to accurately interpret and convey content to visually impaired users.
Inclusive Web Design: Inclusive web design involves creating websites that are accessible and usable by individuals of diverse abilities. It aims to remove barriers and ensure that all users can effectively access and interact with web content. This includes considering the needs of individuals with visual, auditory, motor, cognitive, and neurological impairments. Inclusive web design strategies include providing alternative text, captions, and transcripts, ensuring keyboard accessibility, using clear language, and accommodating different devices and assistive technologies. The goal is to create an inclusive online experience, promote equal access, and improve user experience for all users, regardless of their abilities or disabilities.
Visually Impaired Users: Visually impaired users, or visually disabled users, are individuals with varying levels of vision loss or impairment, ranging from mild to severe conditions like low vision, partial blindness, or complete blindness. They face challenges in perceiving visual information, including text, images, colors, and layout. They may or may not use corrective measures such as glasses or contact lenses. To access and interact with digital content, visually disabled users rely on assistive technologies like screen readers, magnification software, refreshable braille displays, and other specialized devices. These tools convert text into synthesized speech, braille output, or enlarge on-screen content. By using assistive technologies and following web accessibility guidelines, developers can ensure that visually disabled users have equal access to digital content and an inclusive online experience.
QS Ranking: QS-ranking refers to the ranking system developed by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), a global higher education research company. QS-rankings provide an assessment and comparison of universities and institutions worldwide based on various criteria, such as academic reputation, faculty quality, research output, student satisfaction, international diversity, and employer reputation. The rankings aim to provide students, researchers, and institutions with insights into the performance and reputation of universities across different disciplines and regions. QS-rankings are widely recognized and influential in the field of higher education and serve as a valuable resource for prospective students seeking to make informed decisions about their educational pursuits.
Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG): The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are internationally recognized standards developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) to improve web accessibility for individuals with disabilities. WCAG provides technical recommendations and criteria for creating websites and digital content that can be accessed and used by people with diverse abilities. The guidelines cover principles such as perceivability, operability, understandability, and robustness. They address various accessibility aspects, including visual, auditory, motor, and cognitive impairments. WCAG is organized into different levels of conformance (A, AA, and AAA) and covers topics like alternative text for images, keyboard accessibility, color contrast, multimedia captions, and navigation structure. Adhering to WCAG helps promote inclusivity, ensure equal access to information and services, and create a more accessible web environment for all users.
Web Accessibility: Web accessibility refers to the practice of designing and developing websites and digital content in a way that ensures equal access and usability for all individuals, regardless of their abilities or disabilities. It aims to eliminate barriers and provide inclusive online experiences for people with diverse characteristics, including visual, auditory, motor, and cognitive impairments. Web accessibility involves following guidelines and standards, such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).
WCAG 3.0: WCAG 3.0 is the latest version of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, currently under development by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). Building upon the success of WCAG 2.0 and WCAG 2.1, WCAG 3.0 aims to further enhance web accessibility and address a broader range of disabilities. It introduces new concepts, principles, and success criteria to ensure inclusiveness and user-centric design. WCAG 3.0 considers evolving web technologies and user needs, providing more flexibility and adaptability.