Usability versus accessibility: best friends or worst enemies?

VALA 2006 CONCURRENT SESSION 6: Usability
Wednesday 8 February 2006, 15:10 - 15:40
Persistent URL: http://www.vala.org.au/vala2006-proceedings/vala2006-session-6-alexander

Dey Alexander

Usability Specialist, Monash University
http://its.monash.edu.au

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Abstract

This paper discusses the relationship between usability and accessibility in web design which is thought by some to involve contradictory design requirements. It examines the relationship between the two design fields by comparing and contrasting definitions of each along with the techniques and methods used by their practitioners. It considers two commonly-expressed views of the relationship, concluding that both are misleading. The paper defends the view that usability and accessibility are complementary design philosophies and recommends that practitioners in each field embrace the methods and techniques of the other.