Bridging the digital divide for people with aphasia: a study protocol for codesigning web accessibility tools and...

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Human-Computer Interaction
• Health Informatics

Background:

• Aphasia, a language impairment affecting one-third of stroke survivors, significantly hinders access to online health information.
• Existing web accessibility guidelines inadequately address the needs of individuals with aphasia, leading to digital exclusion.
• Over 90% of websites fail to adhere to current accessibility standards, exacerbating the problem for this population.

Purpose of the Study:

• To codesign and develop a web-browser extension to re-render webpages into an 'aphasia-friendly' format.
• To create training tools for users and health professionals to customize the browser extension.
• To establish guidelines for creating communication-accessible websites.

Main Methods:

• Experience-based codesign methodology involving people with aphasia, family members, and health professionals.
• Stage 1a: Focus groups to identify priorities for web accessibility using nominal group technique and qualitative analysis.
• Stage 1b: Codesign workshops to iteratively develop the browser extension, training tools, and guidelines.

Main Results:

• Focus groups and codesign workshops will yield user-centered requirements for web accessibility tools.
• Development of a functional web-browser extension tailored for aphasia-friendly web navigation.
• Creation of practical training materials and comprehensive guidelines for accessible web design.

Conclusions:

• The 'Bridging the Digital Divide' project will enhance digital inclusion for people with aphasia.
• Developed tools and guidelines will empower individuals with aphasia to access vital online health information and support.
• This research addresses a critical gap in digital health accessibility, promoting equitable access to information for stroke survivors.