WebAIM - Web Accessibility In Mind

E-mail List Archives

Re: [EXTERNAL] heading question

for

From: Mark Magennis
Date: Dec 16, 2019 8:02AM

I expect the difference in the reported and observed value users place on heading levels is very likely due to different user samples, which illustrates a problem area for accessibility. As Birkir says, the WebAIM survey may represent a user population more advanced in their screen reader capabilities than the general population. Although it may not even be apt to talk about "the general population" in relation to the audience for a specific product. I think the lack of rich, reliable, sample controlled user experience data is a real drawback for accessibility. I've done a lot of user testing in the past, mostly for general usability but also for accessibility, and I'm inclined to agree with what Jakob Nielsen said when he was asked "what makes someone a usability expert?". His answer was (paraphrased, I can't remember exactly) "someone who has witnessed hundreds of user tests". There's more to it than that of course (e.g. knowledge of processes, tools and techniques used in UX, dev and QA), but I've found user testing to be very insightful. Not just for myself, but also for designers and developers who often experience a moment of profound realization the first time they witness an AT user using their product. I also find it very insightful to see data or reports from user tests I've not witnessed myself, although testing with one audience doesn't necessarily translate to another and can even be very misleading so you have to be careful when drawing inferences. I hope to be doing a lot more accessibility user testing next year but resourcing it is always a challenge ☹.

Mark

Mark Magennis
Skillsoft | mobile: +353 87 60 60 162
Accessibility Specialist