Abordagem metodológica híbrida para avaliação da usabilidade de recursos de acessibilidade para deficientes visuais.

Abstract

This paper presents the adaptation of a methodological approach, and an experimental protocol, to evaluate the usability of accessibility features developed to help individuals with visual impairments, at different levels, use the computer in a simple and effective way; promoting their social inclusion. To validate the adapted methodology and protocol, a study was conducted which evaluated the following aids: screen readers and Braille keyboard, typically used by the user community, with limited vision. The study also aimed to compare the effectiveness of the usability evaluation methods adopted, when applied to the context of accessibility. The adopted methods were: (i) standard inspection, (ii) usability testing, (iii) application of heuristics, (iv) cognitive walkthrough, (v) focus group and (vi) user satisfaction survey. The study was based on the verification of a set of assumptions made about the appropriateness of the accessibility features to the user community, regardless of gender, age or previous experience in the use of the specific aid. The tasks carried out by the community of 30 users were categorized as leisure, learning and social inclusion activities. The data obtained from the experiment allowed the testing of the assumptions, leading to the conclusion that the adapted methodology and protocol are effective for the purpose, in addition to highlighting which methods are most effective in locating specific categories of usability problems. The text also presents the results of the usability evaluation of the accessibility aids under different product evaluation points of view of: the user, the expert, and the application of standards available in the literature. It is considered that the main contribution of this paper is to provide the protocol and methodology, adapted for use in evaluations of accessibility products and devices, for the blind community.