Theo Mandel's Usability Blog» Accessibility

Finally! Microsoft celebrates IE6 death!

Theo Mandel, Ph.D. — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 04:39:15 +0000

As a user experience designer and prototyper, one of the painful aspects of creating websites is checking browser compatability. With the demise of IE6, there’s one less browser version we have to worry about! Hooray!

Check out the article on BBC Technology News!

Reaching Retirees: Web Design for Senior Users

Theo Mandel, Ph.D. — Sat, 24 Apr 2010 19:48:17 +0000

Good article by Design For Use on web design for seniors. Here’s the summary:

“With the aging population and increased reliance on internet resources, improving the online experience of senior and retired users can facilitate greater success and knowledge about the web. While the common practices of increased text size, button size, and simplified layout contribute to online retiree success, the real key is developing confidence in senior users by improving their mental models of websites. By requiring self-identification, providing a shallow page structure, and limiting the use of PDFs, senior and retired users can grow more adept at completing online tasks quickly and successfully.”

<< View the Article >>

Improving the Patient Experience (Bridget Duffy, Gel Health ’09)

Theo Mandel, Ph.D. — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:39:46 +0000

Bridget Duffy
Former Chief Experience Officer
Cleveland Clinic

After breaking her leg, Bridget Duffy got a close look at the patient experience – by being a patient herself. At the first Gel Health conference, Bridget discusses what she learned – and what has inspired her, throughout her career, to advocate for improved patient experience.

This is a video everyone in healthcare should watch!!

<< View the Video >>

Web Accessibility Day – September 22, 2009

Theo Mandel, Ph.D. — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 18:52:25 +0000

The National Federation of the Blind and the Maryland Technology Assistance Program present Web Accessibility Day, September 22nd, 2009. The event will be held in Baltimore, MD.

The Maryland Technology Assistance Program and the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute team up on September 22nd to present a day-long, in-depth look at how to create accessible web content that complies with Federal and State regulations. The conference will feature:

Training in how to use web evaluation tools
Creating accessible PDF’s (portable document format)
How to liven up your website with graphical content and make it accessible
Side-by-side evaluations of web content creation and evaluation tools so participants can decide what works best for them
Opportunities to network with developers, vendors, web accessibility consultants and experts in non-visual access technology
Exhibitors will present their products during session breaks, and participants will have to oppotunity to learn more about their services

<< View the Event Website >>

National Federation of the Blind and American Council of the Blind File Discrimination Suit Against Arizona State University

Theo Mandel, Ph.D. — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 17:02:01 +0000

It was bound to happen soon…Companies and universities implementing new technology that should enable all users to use the technology, yet has not fully addressed accessibility issues…and they are now caught in the act and are rightfully getting sued.

In a new Press Release: Lawsuit against Arizona State and complaints against Princeton, Reed, Pace, Darden School of Business and Case Western regarding Universities Amazon Kindle DX Pilot Program that discriminates against the blind.

The Kindle DX features text-to-speech technology that can read textbooks aloud to blind students. However, the menus of the device are not accessible to the blind, making it impossible for a blind user to purchase books from Amazon ��s Kindle store, select a book to read, activate the text-to-speech feature, and use the advanced reading functions available on the Kindle DX.

<< Read the press release >>