[论文解读] Implications for Improving Accessibility to E-Commerce Websites in Developing Countries - A Study of Hotel Websites

Arunasalam Sambhanthan, Alice Good|arXiv (Cornell University)|Feb 22, 2013

Digital Accessibility for Disabilities参考文献 14被引用 7

一句话总结

本研究探讨了发展中国家电子商务网站在网络可访问性方面面临的挑战，重点关注斯里兰卡酒店网站的情况。通过网络调查和内容分析，研究识别出可读性差、不符合W3C指南要求以及导航不完善是主要障碍，尤其对视觉障碍和行动障碍用户影响显著，建议采用以用户为中心的设计、可自定义的门户网站以及重构搜索结果，以提升可访问性。

ABSTRACT

This research explores the accessibility issues with regard to the e-commerce websites in developing countries, through a study of Sri Lankan hotel websites. A web survey and a web content analysis were conducted as the methods to elicit data on web accessibility. Factors preventing accessibility were hypothesized as an initial experiment. Affecting design elements are identified through web content analysis, the results of which are utilized to develop specific implications for improving web accessibility. The hypothesis tests show that there is no significant correlation between accessibility and geographical or economic factors. However, physical impairments of users have a considerable influence on the accessibility of web page user interface if it has been designed without full consideration of the needs of all users. Especially, visual and mobility impaired users experience poor accessibility. Poor readability and less navigable page designs are two observable issues, which pose threats to accessibility. The lack of conformance to W3C accessibility guidelines and the poor design process are the specific shortcomings which reduce the overall accessibility. Guidelines aim to improve the accessibility of sites with a strategic focus. Further enhancements are suggested with adherence to principles, user centered design and developing customizable web portals compatible for connections with differing speeds. Re-ordering search results has been suggested as one of the finest step towards making the web content accessible for users with differing needs. A need for developing new design models for differencing user groups and implementing web accessibility strategy are emphasized as vital steps towards effective information dissemination via e-commerce websites in the developing countries.

研究动机与目标

• 调查发展中国家电子商务网站中的可访问性障碍，特别聚焦于斯里兰卡的酒店网站。
• 识别出对身体障碍用户（特别是视觉和运动障碍用户）可访问性构成阻碍的设计要素。
• 评估地理和经济因素对发展中国家网络可访问性的影响。
• 评估本研究中斯里兰卡酒店网站对W3C网络可访问性指南的符合程度。
• 提出可通过以用户为中心的设计和可自定义网络门户来改善可访问性的切实可行策略。

提出的方法

• 开展网络调查，收集访问斯里兰卡酒店网站的用户报告的可访问性问题。
• 进行网络内容分析，系统评估设计特征及对W3C可访问性标准的技术合规性。
• 假设地理和经济因素对可访问性有显著影响，并通过统计方法进行检验。
• 分析特定设计缺陷，如可读性差、导航不直观以及图像缺乏替代文本。
• 结合定性与定量数据，推导出改善可访问性的启示，强调对可访问性原则的战略性遵循。
• 提出重新排序搜索结果和开发可自定义网络门户作为支持多样化用户需求的关键技术改进措施。

实验结果

研究问题

• RQ1 发展中国家的地理和经济因素在多大程度上影响电子商务网站的可访问性？
• RQ2 可读性和导航等设计要素如何影响视觉和运动障碍用户对可访问性的影响？
• RQ3 斯里兰卡酒店网站在多大程度上符合W3C网络可访问性指南？
• RQ4 针对发展中国家用户，电子商务网站在可访问性方面面临的主要障碍是什么？
• RQ5 如何通过以用户为中心的设计和可自定义网络门户改善多样化用户群体的可访问性？

主要发现

• 发展中国家的可访问性与地理或经济因素之间无显著相关性。
• 由于设计考虑不足，视觉和运动障碍用户面临显著的可访问性问题。
• 可读性差和无法导航的页面设计是导致所研究酒店网站可访问性失败的主要原因。
• 未符合W3C可访问性指南是影响整体网站可访问性的主要技术缺陷。
• 这些网站的设计过程往往未能考虑所有用户的需求，导致排他性界面。
• 重新排序搜索结果被确定为显著提升不同需求用户可访问性的有效措施。