Accessibility and Usability

Closely related to the topics of standards and appropriate coding is the topic of web site accessibility. We'll talk about different kinds of accessibility, the reasons for building accessible web sites, and some techniques for making sure sites are accessible to all users.

Usability and accessibility are connected, but not the same thing. Usability addresses a wider range of site design components, and builds on information architecture as well as standards and accessibility.

Videos from class:

• The Science and Art of User Experience (Google) (captioned)
• Web Accessibility Video (Quicktime link; other formats available on the Web AIM site.) (captioned)
• Ted Talks: David Pogue (not captioned)

Readings on Accessibility

• Dive Into Accessibility (30 Days to a More Accessible Web Site)
• CNN Article on Web Accessibility

Readings on Usability

• "How we really use the Web," a chapter from Steve Krug's wonderful book, Don't Make Me Think!
• Jakob Nielsen's "Top Ten Web Design Mistakes of 2003" and "Ten Most Violated Homepage Design Guidelines"
• Lane Becker's 90% of All Usability Testing is Useless
• 37 Signals: The Long Road to Simple