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Modeling web-based information seeking by users who are blind
Carissa Brunsman-Johnson1, Sundaram Narayanan, Wayne Shebilske
1Department of Biomedical, Industrial, and Human Factors Engineering, Wright State University, Dayton, OH 45435, USA. brunsman.3@wright.edu
Disability and Rehabilitation. Assistive Technology
|May 20, 2011
Summary
Users who are blind primarily use keyword searches for website information. Both blind and sighted users benefit from accessible, consistent keywords for efficient information seeking online.
Area of Science:
- Human-Computer Interaction
- Accessibility Research
- Information Science
Background:
- Website usability presents unique challenges for users with visual impairments.
- Assistive technologies and web design play crucial roles in information access for blind users.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare website information-seeking strategies of blind users with those of sighted users.
- To identify how assistive technologies and website design can improve information seeking for blind individuals.
Main Methods:
- Participants (blind and sighted) completed website tasks using an assessment tool.
- Data collected included task completion times, keystrokes, commands used, and spatial questioning.
Main Results:
- Blind users predominantly employed keyword-based search strategies.
- Sighted users also utilized keyword searches when visual scanning of homepages was insufficient.
- A novel information-seeking model was proposed based on study findings.
Conclusions:
- Keywords are vital for both user groups; accessible and consistent keyword placement enhances search efficiency.
- User search behavior may differ between familiar and unfamiliar websites.
