Ruwaydah Shariffali
UX Designer

Stemettes - Accessibility Audit

Stemettes - Accessibility Audit Case study

 

context

Project Brief

As a human-computer interaction student, this project was part of my Inclusive Design modle coursework assignment aimed at enhancing the accessibility and user experience of an existing website.

Project Goals

  1. Identify accessibility issues on the Stemettes website

  2. Suggest actionable fixes based on established guidelines

  3. Ensure a more accessible and inclusive user experience

Scope

Tools

  1. W3C's "Easy Check" for preliminary evaluation

  2. WAVE (WebAIM) accessibility evaluation tool for automatic testing

  3. Keyboard and screen reader (VoiceOver) for manual testing

  4. WCAG 2.1 Level AA, British Dyslexia Association Style Guide, and Hassell Inclusion recommendations for Autism as guidelines

Executive Summary

The Stemettes website accessibility audit revealed multiple issues that hinder the user experience for individuals with disabilities and impairments. These issues should be addressed by the Stemettes team to ensure a more accessible and inclusive experience for all users. Some issues, while not severe, may cause considerable irritation and discourage users from engaging with the site. Addressing these issues will not only benefit users with impairments but also expand the potential audience for the Stemettes' mission of inspiring more people to pursue STEM subjects.


Methods

  1. Preliminary evaluation with W3C's "Easy Check"

  2. Automatic testing using WAVE (WebAIM) accessibility evaluation tool

  3. Manual keyboard testing (tabbing through the website)

  4. Screen reader testing with VoiceOver

  5. Assessment against WCAG 2.1 Level AA, British Dyslexia Association Style Guide, and Hassell Inclusion recommendations for Autism

  6. Identification of affected user personas

  7. Severity of impact rating for each issue (based on Rubin's severity scale)

  8. Compilation of prioritised issues with suggested fixes from multiple guidelines

 

Severity scale used

Key Findings and recommendations

conclusion

The Stemettes website should address the identified accessibility issues to provide a more inclusive and user-friendly experience. By implementing the recommended fixes and adhering to established guidelines such as WCAG 2.1 and WAVE, the Stemettes can better fulfill their mission of inspiring individuals to pursue STEM subjects. Regular audits and maintenance will ensure continued accessibility and an ever-improving user experience.

reflection

As my first accessibility audit, this project was an educational and challenging experience. It provided me with the opportunity to understand the importance of designing inclusive and accessible websites that cater to the needs of all users, regardless of their abilities or impairments. Throughout the audit process, I learned to effectively use various tools and methodologies, as well as apply established guidelines to identify and address accessibility issues.

This project has not only expanded my knowledge of accessibility principles but has also reinforced the importance of empathy and understanding when designing for diverse user groups. Moving forward, I am eager to apply the insights gained from this experience to create more accessible and inclusive digital experiences in future projects.

 

For more inquiries or to have a chat, feel free to reach out to me at Ruwaydahshariffali@outlook.com ☺️

 

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