Abstract
The information seeking behaviour of visually impaired people has been explored in this study to develop further understanding of user behaviour with web based resources. Using a sample of twenty sighted and twenty visually impaired people, users undertook the same four information seeking tasks using four different electronic resources. Results confirmed that it takes visually impaired users longer to complete searching and browsing tasks, with times varying considerably depending on the design of the site. Overall, visually impaired users spend more time navigating around each page, especially if, for example, the page contains a lot of information or has many links. Observations revealed that those using screen reading technology tended to find searching the web much harder than those who had some sight and could use screen magnification or read a screen at close proximity. People with more experience with the assistive technology they were using were also more successful with the task, which raises training issues both for users and trainers. The type of assistive technology used also had a bearing on the search process - the more advanced features offering the user a more flexible approach to searching.
Peter Brophy is Professor of Information Management in the Department of Information and Communications, and Director of the Centre for Research in Library and Information Management (CERLIM), at the Manchester Metropolitan University. He has published widely in the field, including The library in the Twenty First Century (2001). He was formerly Head of Library and Learning Resource Services at the University of Central Lancashire and is a former President of the Institute of Information Scientists.
Jenny Craven is a Research Associate at the Centre for Research in Library and Information Management (CERLIM), Manchester Metropolitan University. Jenny has worked on the British Library and JISC funded REsources for Visually Impaired users of the Electronic Library (REVIEL) project which explored the accessibility of library OPACs and other electronic library services. She has also led a supporting study for Disability and Information Systems in Higher Education (DISinHE) which investigated awareness and use of accessibility design standards in UK higher education libraries.
© Copyright Resource: The Council for Museums, Archives and Libraries 2003
The opinions expressed in this report are those of the authors and not necessarily those of Resource: The Council for Museums, Archives and Libraries
Library and Information Commission Research Report 145
RE/115
ISBN 0 9535343 2 4
ISSN 1466-2949
The authors have asserted their moral right.