People with Special Needs and the Accessibility of Websites of Educational Institutions: Using the Brazilian System to Point to a Current and Problematic Global Issue

Abstract

The virtual world of the internet is increasingly present in society. However the accessibility to this world is not fully guaranteed in an inclusive way for those with special needs. In this study, we investigated the presence of accessibility tools considered of less complexity (increase of text font, navigation shortcuts and high contrast) in homepages of 97 Brazilian Educational Institutions including 38 Federal Institutes of Vocational Education, Science and Technology which were specialized in technical formation and 59 Federal Universities. The results of the Federal Institutes revealed that 12 of the 38 sites had none of the tools evaluated, which might hinder or prevent the access of those with special needs. The analysis also revealed the increase of text font as the tool with the highest incidence in the evaluated sites (26 of 38 sites). The universities analysis showed that 41 of the 59 sites evaluated did not have any of the tools analyzed and only the Federal University of Ceará showed all evaluated tools. According to our overall analysis, this is a global issue in several educational institutions who ignore the right of the people with special needs to access this educational virtual world. This lack of access may hugely compromise this people's life in a longer perspective so they should be remembered by those who have the control of these virtual environments. People with special needs may have a full and complete life, including in the virtual * Corresponding author. C. G. de Freitas et al. 2022 world of internet, if conditions of accessibility are offered and this is mandatory for educational institutions like those evaluated in this study.

Accessibility on the Web: Subsidies for the Creation of a New Site for a Master’s Course in Diversity and Inclusion

“…Public education institutions, such as universities and federal institutes, must include all persons with special needs in all their actions, such as providing the tools to provide digital accessibility (Freitas et al, 2015;Cabral et al, 2019). Thus, every effort must be made to provide access to the information contained in its websites to all users, regardless of their sensory, linguistic and motor conditions (Corradi, 2011).…”

“…Although digital accessibility is socially important, it is not easily achieved, since there are numerous sensory and motor limitations of users with special needs that need to be compensated by different tools. However, despite the numerous difficulties, digital accessibility must be relentlessly pursued by all societies (Smith, 2008;Ferreira & Nunes, 2008;Freitas et al, 2015;Cabral et al, 2019). In this sense, the present study describes the analysis of a site accessible by its own users.…”

“…In today's world, it is necessary to provide strategies, support systems and a range of related services for people with special needs (Smith, 2008), such as a fully accessible website (Freitas et al, 2015;Cabral et al, 2019). Therefore, everyone has a condition of access and use, with autonomy and independence of computer systems, information environments and media, regardless of sensory, motor and linguistic conditions of users (Corradi, 2011…”

“…For people with disabilities, communication barriers may occur in terms of how they expressed or how they receive messages and information through communication technology systems (Freitas et al, 2015). The choice and motivation to carry out the present study are based on the need to exercise citizenship, respect for differences, and the promotion of equal opportunities in access to information in accordance with the best practices and accessibility guidelines adopted by many countries.…”

“…The creation of the new website was aimed at improving the interactivity and functionality of this course in the virtual environment of the internet, providing more inclusive management among the administration of the course, its students and professors, especially those with sensory disabilities. Therefore, the creation of a website environment that breaks up digital barriers and makes an easy access to the content is essential to promote a social inclusion (Smith, 2008;Freitas et al, 2015).…”