Universal Usability for Web Sites

Download Universal Usability for Web Sites conference materials

Photo of Sarah Horton Sarah Horton
Instructional Technologist, Dartmouth College

Flexibility and user control are attributes that make the Web a good medium for universal usability. With flexible pages, users can customize their browsing environment to meet their needs and preferences. However, when we build web pages we often try to nail down designs and control the user interface. In doing so, we create access barriers. This presentation will provide strategies for working with the technology to enhance access to learning.

Readings

Koyani, Sanjay J., Robert W. Bailey, Janice R. Nall, Conrad Mulligan, Susan Allison, Kent Bailey, and Mark Tolson. Research-Based Web Design and Usability Guidelines. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, September 2003. http://usability.gov/pdfs/guidelines.html.
Trace Research and Development Center. "General Concepts, Universal Design Principles and Guidelines." http://trace.wisc.edu/world/gen_ud.html.
Usability News. http://psychology.wichita.edu/surl/usability_news.html.
WebAIM: Web Accessibility in Mind. http://www.webaim.org/.

About Sarah Horton

Sarah Horton is a Web developer with Academic Computing at Dartmouth College, where she helps faculty incorporate technology into their teaching. Together with Patrick Lynch she authored the best-selling Web Style Guide, currently in its second edition. Her second book, Web Teaching Guide, was the 2000 winner of the American Association of Publishers Award for the Best Book in Computer Science. Her latest book, Access by Design: A Guide to Universal Usability for Web Designers, was published in July 2005 by Peachpit Press.