Start Date
11-8-2016
Description
The purpose of this pilot study is to identify accessibility and usability problems of blind and visually impaired (BVI) mHealth users. We use a novel task-oriented, user-centric, multi-method evaluation approach which was originally developed and was used in the context of accessibility evaluation of web interfaces. We evaluate two mHealth apps for diabetes patients. Our sample comprises two BVI expert iPhone users. Using verbal protocol analysis and app user interface analysis we identify (1) no or inappropriate text alternatives, (2) unpredictable/confusing behavior, (3) absence of Structural Elements, and (4) confusing Reading Order of Data Tables as the primary accessibility and usability problems in the chosen apps. We also propose design principles to mitigate the identified problems.
Recommended Citation
Sahasrabudhe, Shrirang and Singh, Rahul, "Accessibility Problems of Blind MHealth Users, a Pilot Study" (2016). AMCIS 2016 Proceedings. 7.
https://aisel.aisnet.org/amcis2016/SocialTech/Presentations/7
Accessibility Problems of Blind MHealth Users, a Pilot Study
The purpose of this pilot study is to identify accessibility and usability problems of blind and visually impaired (BVI) mHealth users. We use a novel task-oriented, user-centric, multi-method evaluation approach which was originally developed and was used in the context of accessibility evaluation of web interfaces. We evaluate two mHealth apps for diabetes patients. Our sample comprises two BVI expert iPhone users. Using verbal protocol analysis and app user interface analysis we identify (1) no or inappropriate text alternatives, (2) unpredictable/confusing behavior, (3) absence of Structural Elements, and (4) confusing Reading Order of Data Tables as the primary accessibility and usability problems in the chosen apps. We also propose design principles to mitigate the identified problems.