VALA2006 Session 6 Alexander

VALA2006Usability versus accessibility: best friends or worst enemies?

VALA 2006 CONCURRENT SESSION 6: Usability
Wednesday 8 February 2006, 15:10 – 15:40
Persistent URL: http://www.vala.org.au/vala2006-proceedings/vala2006-session-6-alexander

VALA Peer Reviewed PaperDey Alexander

Usability Specialist, Monash University
http://its.monash.edu.au

Please tag your comments, tweets, and blob posts about this session: #VALA2006

Abstract

This paper discusses the relationship between usability and accessibility in web design which is thought by some to involve contradictory design requirements. It examines the relationship between the two design fields by comparing and contrasting definitions of each along with the techniques and methods used by their practitioners. It considers two commonly-expressed views of the relationship, concluding that both are misleading. The paper defends the view that usability and accessibility are complementary design philosophies and recommends that practitioners in each field embrace the methods and techniques of the other.