A Pilot Study Examining the Online Behavior of Web Users with Visual Impairments

Abstract

Abstract-Thisreport presents the results of a pilot study on the online behavioral habits of 46 internet users; 26 of whom self-identified as having a visual impairment (either blind or low vision). While significant research exists which documents the degree of difficulty that users with visual impairments have in interacting with the Web relative to the sighted, few have addressed the degree to which this usability disparity impacts online behavior; information seeking and online exploratory behaviors especially. Fewer still have addressed this usability disparity within the context of distinct website types; i.e. are usability issues more pronounced with certain categories of websites as opposed to others? This pilot study was effective both in exploring these issues and in identifying the accessibility of online social networks as a primary topic of investigation with respect to the formal study that is to follow.

Twitter y el activismo por la discapacidad: liderazgo y temas relevantes en la conversación en red

“…La red social más popular para personas con discapacidad (Asuncion et al, 2012;Raghavendra et al, 2012) y, sobre todo, para personas con discapacidad visual (Brinkley y Tabrizi, 2013;Vashistha et al, 2015), específicamente, es Facebook. Esta red ha sido empleada para expresarse libremente, conectar con otras personas y compartir información (Stamou et al, 2016;Smieszek y Borowska-Beszta, 2017;Pritchard, 2021;Aikaterini y Papadopoulos, 2022).…”

Facebook usage and quality of life of individuals with visual impairments

“…People with disabilities believe that the internet can foster social inclusion while removing the social stigma associated with disability (Guo et al, 2005). In a pilot study, Brinkley and Tabrizi (2013) found that individuals with visual impairment used social network sites more than other types of websites, while 7 out of 10 indicated a preference for Facebook, as did their sighted participants.…”

“…Even though social network sites were designed without taking disability into account, they are increasingly being used by people with disabilities (Enajeh et al, 2018). The most popular social network site for people with disability (Asuncion et al, 2012; Raghavendra et al, 2012) and for people with visual impairment (Brinkley & Tabrizi, 2013; Martiniello et al, 2012; Vashistha et al, 2015), specifically, is Facebook. It is considered one of the most accessible social network sites by users with disability and has offered them a degree of access that was not possible in other social network sites before (Asuncion et al, 2012; Quainoo et al, 2021).…”

The Daily Experiences of Facebook for Visually Impaired Users

“…Prior literature has focused on the accessibility challenges that BVI users experience with SNSs. These challenges can act as barriers, preventing them from having an optimal experience (Brinkley, Hoffman, & Tabrizi, 2017;Brinkley & Tabrizi, 2013. However, this focus has resulted in gaps within current research that must be considered.…”