6.4: Evaluate websites located in a complex search

Table of Contents

1. Evaluating websites
   1. Evaluation criteria
   2. Authority
   3. Tracing website ownership
   4. Credibility
   5. Evaluating credibility
   6. Accuracy
   7. Bias
   8. Emphasis
   9. Currency
   10. Establishing currency
   11. Currency indicators
   12. Problems in establishing currency
   13. Previous versions of a Website
   14. Clarity of presentation
   15. Presenting information clearly
   16. Use of multimedia
   17. Ease of use for visually impaired clients

Ease of use for visually impaired clients

There are two main areas which should be considered for the visually impaired client.

It may be that a client can use text on the monitor screen if it is very clear and perhaps large size. Here it is necessary to check that the website text is not partly obscured by background graphics such as a watermark effect. Other considerations are whether the text size can be increased by the user and if there is a text only version of the website.

The colour of the text and the background can also influence visibility. It is generally accepted that bright orange, yellow and red backgrounds make text difficult to read.

http://www.dundee.ac.uk/djcad/courses/details.php?s=3 is an example.

Another practice to be avoided is white or pastel coloured text on a dark background.

http://www.battle1066.com/ The banner headline above the coat of arms in this site is difficult for even those with perfect vision.

http://www.abelard.org/technology/net-searching.php Much of the text here is almost illegible.

At the level where the client is unable to read text from a monitor screen a text to speech accessory must be used. For this to be a successful experience, the website must be clearly laid out. Also it is important that all graphics have text descriptions. This is vital when it comes to the use of graphics in navigation through the website.

There are guidelines for accessibility and although you cannot be an expert in this area, you will find useful information on the following websites:

Two sites covering all accessibility issues:

http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/e-government/resources/handbook/html/2-4.asp

and

http://www.becta.org.uk/industry/advice/advice.cfm?section=2&id=4360

A commerce site explains its approach

http://www.abbey.com/site_help/site_help_accessibility.htm

The RNIB site

http://www.rnib.org.uk/xpedio/groups/public/documents/code/public_rnib008789.hcsp

Recent research by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council tested websites in the museums, libraries and archives sector and found that only 3% of these met the accessibility criteria set for government websites. You can read more about this research at:

http://www.egovmonitor.com/reports/rep11278.pdf

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