Date of Conferral

2022

Degree

Doctor of Information Technology (D.I.T.)

School

Information Systems and Technology

Advisor

Donald Carpenter

Abstract

Most websites cannot be readily used by people with disabilities, despite the internet being an essential component for people to be part of a community. Applying web accessibility strategies means that people with disabilities can better interact with the web. Grounded in Davis’s technology acceptance model, the purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to examine strategies used by web designers to make websites accessible for people with disabilities. The participants were experienced web developers from organizations in Florida with websites that have a Web Content Accessibility Guidelines Level 2 of three levels, i.e., AA- rating. The data collection process included semistructured interviews with experienced web developers (N = 8) and examination of company documents (N = 9). Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Three major themes emerged: the importance of awareness and experience of accessibility strategies, the importance of testing websites for accessibility, and the importance of training developers in web accessibility. A recommendation is for leaders and developers to advocate the organization about the need for web accessibility. Once the organization is committed to accessibility, the leaders must agree on evaluating developed websites. Additionally, there should be a financial commitment to train developers and accessibility evaluators in web accessibility. The implications for positive social change include the potential to increase software accessibility for people with disabilities.

Download

Share

 
COinS