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System Usability Scale with Blind Users

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From: Amelia Dickerson
Date: Sep 2, 2015 6:03PM

My question has 2 parts:
1. Has anyone used or seen anyone else use the System Usability Scale
http://www.usability.gov/how-to-and-tools/methods/system-usability-scale.html
with blind/VI users when testing for accessibility/usability? Just
from a logical perspective, it seems like it would be just as valid
and reliable with a blind/VI user as with any other user-- it asks
about things like if you would want to use this system often and if
you are confident with it and if you felt able to figure it out
without training. At the same time, you aren't really supposed to
assume a tool is valid and reliable in a population where it hasn't
been tested. As a general rule, blind/VI users are probably going to
wind up with lower scores on usability than other users.

2. Is there another tool you use or have seen other people use to give
a general number on usability or accessibility when evaluating? We
are using WCAG guidelines and providing a lot of specifics. We also
try to offer a summary at the beginning. For the most part though, we
are communicating with people who know very little about
accessibility-- probably a bit more about general usability- so we are
trying to communicate in ways that make sense to them. Providing a
number might give a reader just one more way to try and relate to what
our reports say. A list of 20 problems can mean different things, but
having a score of 50 versus 80 is something that might help
communicate significance and impact and what it all winds up looking
like.
Thanks,
Amelia