- From: Laura Carlson <lcarlson@d.umn.edu>
- Date: Wed, 25 Aug 2004 11:41:52 -0500
- To: RUST Randal <RRust@COVANSYS.com>, w3c-wai-ig@w3.org
--On Wednesday, August 25, 2004 10:16 AM -0400 RUST Randal <RRust@COVANSYS.com> wrote: > Again, accessibility and usability are not the same thing. I agree. To me accessibility refers to web page information/content being obtainable and functional to largest possible audience. It is about providing access to information for those who would otherwise lose their opportunity to use the web. In contrast inaccessible means unobtainable, nonfunctional. Usability is the art and science of designing systems or sites that are effective, efficient, engaging, error tolerant and easy to learn. Usability and accessibility seem to be often confused. Some believe that a usable site is accessible and vice versa. The two are not exclusive, but it is important to understand the difference. Usability means that a Web site is intuitive and easy to use. Accessibility means a Web site is as barrier-free as possible. Accessibility and usability are closely related, as they both improve satisfaction, effectiveness, and efficiency of the generic user population. But while accessibility is aimed at making the website open to a much wider user population, usability is aimed at making the target population of the website happier, more efficient, more effective. Laura ___________________________________________ Laura L. Carlson Information Technology Systems and Services University of Minnesota Duluth Duluth, MN 55812-3009 http://www.d.umn.edu/goto/webdesign/
Received on Wednesday, 25 August 2004 16:44:01 UTC