Accessibility Interfaces In Digital Libraries For Divyangjan: A Comparative Study

User-Generated Captions: From Hackers, to the Disability Digerati, to Fansubbers

Migrating from WCAG 1.0 to WCAG 2.0 – A comparative study based on Web Content Accessibility Guidelines in Taiwan

Introduction: Over 1 billion (15%) of the world’s population are estimated to experience some form of disability, of whom up to 190 million people live with significant difficulties in functioning, often requiring health care services. Despite a myriad of policies and research, disabled people globally continue to be denied their human rights and face enduring barriers to full participation in society. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD) is an International Treaty setting out legal obligations on States to promote and protect the rights of persons with disabilities. It provides a unique opportunity to improve the quality of life of all disabled people. The convention identifies that disability arises as a result of barriers in society, including negative attitudes, inappropriate or inaccessible services that result in discrimination against persons with disabilities. The convention includes persons who are or will require Integrated Care. A number of the fifty Articles of the Convention are relevant as a framework to guide the implementation of Integrated Care for and with persons with disabilities. The aim of this workshop was to seek to understand how UNCRPD articles and the IFIC 9 pillars might inform priorities for integrated care. Methods: Led and co-designed by people with disabilities, a workshop was held to seek to understand from a broad audience how to use the UNCRPD to frame integrated health care in Ireland in parallel with the IFIC 9 pillars of integrated care. The workshop used a World Café methodology, a participatory multi-stakeholder action research process that takes place in a cafe style setting and supports the development of collective knowledge among individuals and communities to address shared problems. Participants were allocated into four groups to discuss the following four questions under the guidance of facilitators - 1.In the context of the UNCRPD and the IFIC 9 pillars of integrated care what are the top 3 priorities to be addressed for people with disabilities across Ireland? 2.What is currently happening in advancing integrated care for people with disabilities in Ireland? 3.What would a successful, innovative integrated care system for people with disabilities in Ireland look like? 4.What are the top 3 solutions you would like to see and work to see implemented immediately? Feedback and perspectives were captured on post-it notes and flipcharts and subsequently collated by facilitators. Data were reviewed, and a thematic analysis was conducted. Results: There were 20 participants from diverse backgrounds, including experts by experience, disabled persons organisations, academia and health services. Four key themes were generated through inductive thematic analysis: 1) the importance of co-production, 2) the need for equity as opposed to equality, 3) the need for data collection, sharing and knowledge mobilisation and 4) the need for a socioecological integrated care system for people with disabilities. Conclusions: Having policies and conventions, and models for the rights of persons with disabilities is not sufficient to ensure implementation. Successful implementation of integrated care needs enablers, including co-production of initiatives with persons with disabilities.

PurposeBlockchain technology is a distributed and decentralized public digital ledger, which is employed to save dynamic transaction data and static records across several computers so that each record could not be modified retroactively without the collusion of the network and alteration of all subsequent blocks. Recently, it has become immensely popular in digital resource sharing in different research areas such as healthcare, smart cities, cryptocurrency and libraries. Since the current eLibrary systems are vulnerable to issues such as unauthorized access, plagiarism, etc., there is a lack of access control system that can efficiently address these issues.Design/methodology/approachThe authors designed a conceptual model for evaluating the users' intention in the use of blockchain-based digital libraries, which can facilitate the resource organization and provide additional security to interactive processes between users. To conduct our survey, the authors devised and shared two versions, English and Chinese, among 298 participants. Moreover, 7 PhD students participated in the pre-testing of the questioner design. The authors analyzed the demographic data using the Jamovi software and SmartPLS in order to generate the path modeling.FindingsThis study revealed that blockchain technology adaption in eLibraries is essential for enhancing the quality of services, infrastructure and resources for libraries. The study’s results show that optimism, informativeness, perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, attitude and intention to use blockchain technology for accessing digital resources in libraries.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the adoption of blockchain technology in the digital library. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this work is the first empirical attempt to provide a new perspective of developing digital libraries based on security policies. This model shows the underpinning knowledge to manage digital resources, which can facilitate the design phases and enhance the management costs in eLibraries.

Vast amounts of consumer-based health care information are widely available on the World Wide Web. However, for some this material is inaccessible due to reliance on specialized computer equipment or software known as assistive technology. These tools, designed for people with sensory, physical, or learning disabilities, act as a median to interpret Web pages in accessible ways. Unfortunately, many websites, including those with health-related content are not designed to accommodate this equipment. No research has yet been published examining the extent of this problem in Canadian consumer-oriented health care sites. The purpose of this study was to investigate the percentage of accessible consumer-based health care websites of Canadian origin. A listing of such sites was randomly sampled for study inclusion. Each was assessed for accessibility based on the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 1.0 using the validation software Bobby. The results indicated that only about 40% of pages investigated were free of errors in accordance with WCAG 1.0 Priority 1 level. Websites should be constructed in compliance with these standards to better accommodate those using assistive devices.

How to use the information resources is a very important part of graduate education. Meanwhile digital libraries can provide instructors and students with a repository of digital resources that have been peer reviewed and checked for accuracy and authenticity. We take the knowledge maps as a tool to combine the digital resources and the e-Learning environment. Knowledge maps can integrate the related digital resources, which will make the way of looking for the resources and the relationship of knowledge turn to the form of map so that the learners can better understand it. In this process we use the RDF, ontology language, XML etc. standards and technology and digital library can provide API to the knowledge maps. The application of knowledge maps can construct the macrostructure of knowledge and help the graduates form their knowledge system and obtain knowledge. With the help of the knowledge maps, the graduates' innovation ability will be trained well.

Purpose of Article. The study aims to analyse and summarize existing experience and technologies of the implementation strategies of library (international and national) digital projects. Methodology. The research methodology is a systematic approach to identifying and specifying technological basic requirements to create and organize library digital resources in accordance with international requirements and standards. Scientific Novelty. The scientific novelty is to create united technical and technological approaches to digitization of library collections, providing access to online digital library, digital resources integration to the international digital library projects. Conclusions. The large-scale digital library projects are implemented based on corporate involvement institutions of national memory in addition to libraries. The realization of such projects requires coordination and resolve a number of technical issues and developing common standards. The legal issues of access to digital library resources are recommended to decide on the basis of a reasonable balance between copyright creators of documents and the rights of users to access digital resources.

Purpose: This study examines the digital accessibility of websites from top-ranked open universities in India, evaluating their compliance with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). The focus is on understanding how these institutions adhere to WCAG principles and identifying the accessibility challenges faced by specially abled users. The study examines universities ranked by the latest National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), emphasising the importance of Open and Distance Learning (ODL) and online modes, which are vital for students with physical disabilities. Access to digital resources is crucial for these users, and the university website is often the first point of access. Methodology: The study involves a comprehensive review of WCAG principles and a structured survey of top-ranked Indian open university websites. These websites were evaluated for compliance with WCAG standards. The analysis focused on identifying patterns and gaps in digital accessibility. Findings: The evaluation of three prominent open universities in India reveals varying levels of adherence to WCAG standards. IGNOU demonstrates a balanced performance. NSOU, on the other hand, faces significant challenges. BAOU presents a moderate level of compliance. The study underscores the need for continuous efforts to ensure that higher education websites are fully inclusive and accessible to all students, regardless of their abilities. Value: This study offers a detailed analysis of digital highlighting, including both strengths and areas for improvement. It underscores the importance of accessible digital experiences for specially abled users in higher education, particularly in accessing resources through ODL and online education.

Increasing amount of digitised content is a very promising fact. It promises a wide and easy access to digitised pictures of valuable content and artefacts. But reality shows us it may be contrary – we encounter problems searching digitised content. Metadata aggregating services solve the problem. Splendid example of such is Europeana providing universal access to European digital cultural heritage resources. Locally we may know digital libraries metadata aggregators, such as Polish FBC (Federation of Digital Libraries). Very functional they have limitation, though. They provide access to limited, in terms of formats, sources. Organisations aiming towards digital transformation face a new challenge – combining variety of available digital content formats. An attempt to address problem of access to different digital resources in a Leopoldina online platform. Developed by University of Wroclaw (UWr), in cooperation with PSNC – Polish national meta data aggregator for Europeana, it aims to aggregate and deliver digital resources of various UWr units. In current paper we present goals of the project, short description of different digital resources available, metadata handling and common, universal search engine design.

People with visual impairment or blindness face a wide range of daily barriers, both at school and at work. This article describes the development process of an online resource, addressing Occupational Safety and Health (OSH), accessible for students with visual impairment or blindness. This study was framed in a Design-Based Research methodology involving the analysis, design, development and implementation of a digital resource. In the analysis stage, a first list of accessibility challenges was created allowing the design of strategies and specific technical solutions to approach them. The development process has shown that online digital resources can be accessible for users with visual impairment or blindness and even the most visual contents and activities (based on images and videos) can be easily adjusted. Online accessible resources should be based on the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) guidelines, allowing the proper description of all contents by screen readers, using audio description, accessible features and providing keyboard navigation. Further research must be conducted to deepen knowledge on the role of educational digital resources for students with visual impairment or blindness, namely regarding OSH barriers that workers with visual impairment or blindness face at the workplace (as visual safety signs and pictogram labels).

The relevance. Access to digital content is becoming increasingly important in today’s world, and libraries play an essential role in providing such access to a wide range of users, including the ones with disabilities. However, despite the efforts of many libraries to ensure digital accessibility, many still fall short of providing equal access to all users. This problem highlights the relevance of conducting assessments of the digital accessibility of library websites, in order to identify and address any barriers that may exist. The purpose of the article. This study aims to evaluate the digital accessibility of libraries in Ukraine through an analysis of their websites. By using the Web Accessibility Checker tool, the study identifies common errors and provides suggestions for addressing them, with the goal of improving digital accessibility for all users, especially those with disabilities. Presentation of the main material. The study analyzed the websites of various libraries in Ukraine to assess their digital accessibility. The Web Accessibility Checker tool was used to identify common errors, such as lack of alternative text for images and videos, improper use of headings and links, and inadequate color contrast. The study suggests practical ways to address these errors, such as providing alternative text for all visual content, using proper headings and links, and ensuring adequate color contrast. The results. The results of the study show that a significant portion of libraries in Ukraine have a low level of digital accessibility, which can make it difficult for users with disabilities to access library resources and services. The study highlights the need to improve library websites in order to provide greater accessibility for users with disabilities, as well as to enhance the overall level of service and satisfaction. The practical significance. The study provides practical recommendations for improving the digital accessibility of library websites, which can be used by libraries in Ukraine and abroad. These recommendations are based on the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 and can help libraries provide more accessible and user-friendly websites for all users, regardless of their abilities or disabilities. The study emphasizes the importance of ensuring digital accessibility in libraries to promote equal access to information and knowledge, as well as to meet the needs and expectations of all library users.

In document will explain a web-based application that is stored in HAPS (High Altitude Platform Station) to facilitate communication and evacuation of disaster in rural areas called TeleHAPS. TeleHAPS has three main services, namely TeleChat, TeleData and TeleKamera. TeleChat is a service that serves to send and receive text messages, images and videos that are running locally. TeleData is a real time disaster collection service and the results of the data collection are presented in tables. While TeleCamera is a camera access service at HAPS to facilitate the observation of rural areas and affected by the disaster. The TeleHAPS application is built using HTML, CSS, PHP and JavaScript programming languages, using Sublime software, using Apache as a web server, and also using MySQL as a database. The TeleHAPS application is embedded in Raspberry Pi 3 and transmitted by TP Link Adapter WN 722 to be accessible to users via IP (Internet Protocol) provided by HAPS. In addition, the TeleHAPS application is built on the standards of the W3C (World Wide Web Consortium) on Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 1.0.

Section 508 of the Rehabilitations Act of 1973 states that federal agencies are required to maintain accessible web-based information for persons with disabilities, namely, visual impairments. Studies spanning over 1 decade conducted by The American Foundation for the Blind and Towson University’s Universal Usability Lab investigated federal home pages for Section 508 violations. Both studies concluded that numerous university, corporate, federal, and federal contractor websites are largely inaccessible to people with disabilities—specifically in terms of clarity, consistency, and fidelity to standards. Due to inconsistencies across federal agencies, constant website updates, and webmaster turnaround, there is a need for practical guidelines for web page design compliant with Section 508, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the World Wide Web Consortium’s Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, with particular focus on the visually impaired.

Chapter 4 - Technical standards for accessibility

The accessibility of Cyprus Islands’ Higher Education Institution Websites