Usability and accessibility issues in the localization of assistive technology

Abstract

People with disabilities are faced with several barriers to computer usage. Various companies provide assistive software that makes computer usage possible for the population with disabilities. While increased awareness of disability issues has resulted in the formulation of guidelines for developing accessible software, such guidelines do not guarantee that the end product will be optimal for a person with a disability [5]. During localization of software it is important to understand the needs and requirements and target culture of users, which is beyond mere translation of the interface language. This project was carried out to provide broad design guidelines which are driven by usability and accessibility issues that were uncovered during the evaluation of an assistive technology software package.

Digital disability divide in information society

“…However, culture as a factor in digital disability has not been discussed often in prior literature; the review revealed only five instances of a discussion on culture. The usability and accessibility of assistive technology (Jhangiani, 2006;Zetterström, 2012) in culturally different environments was a common theme in this subset.…”

“…The literature review revealed that this sub-group was highly relevant, with 129 unique publications discussing ICT in the context of disability. Within these publications, the core focus was on designing technologies for better web (Sevilla et al, 2007;Cooper et al, 2012) and environmental (within the user's physical location) (Wills et al, 2010) accessibility and usability (Jhangiani, 2006;Wentz and Lazar, 2011).…”

Mada's effort in the localization of Assistive Technology and Digital Accessibility A Gateway to Sustainable Inclusivity

“…For individuals with disabilities, the availability of assistive technologies and services in their native languages can significantly impact their ability to engage with digital platforms and their broader communities. A lack of localized assistive tools can inadvertently exclude non-English speakers or those from linguistically diverse backgrounds from fully accessing digital content [6]. Moreover, certain languages might have rich vocabularies and terminologies for expressing various sensory experiences, emotional states, or physical conditions which can be pivotal in designing assistive tools [7].…”