United States federal health care websites: A multimethod evaluation of website accessibility for individuals with disabilities.

摘要

The problem addressed by this study is the observed low levels of compliance with federal policy on website accessibility. The study examines the two key federal policies that promote website accessibility, using a side-by-side policy analysis technique. The analysis examines the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which together have the intent of establishing a legal mandate for equality regarding website accessibility. In comparing key aspects of these two policies, the findings indicate several areas were the policies were inconsistent or unclear in providing guidance on attaining accessible websites. The study performed an accessibility analysis that included automated testing, an expert review, and a content review of six federal health care websites. Recommendations call for the establishment of federal programs that would provide federal website managers with additional training in website accessibility, and provide support for ongoing research towards developing guidance and tools that would serve to promote websites that are more accessible.