What is the difference between accessibility and usability?
‘Usability focuses on making software, websites and on-line applications or services easy for people to use. Accessibility focuses on making them equally easy for everyone to use, including people who may use assistive technologies such as screen readers etc.’ Quoted from Frontend.com [External link: Open in new browser window] (last accessed June 2002). It is important to remember that you can make something such as a drag and drop activity accessible with keystrokes but because it is a complicated procedure usability is reduced. As a result the effort required to actually use the learning materials may seriously impinge on the learning itself.
Related Questions
- How will the Accessibility of Information Technology policy requirements affect usability and appearance of Web sites for non-disabled users?
- Does complying with accessibility guidelines offer any significant general benefits other than improved usability?
- Can this software assist with conducting usability testing in addition to accessibility testing?
