Improving search engine interfaces for blind users: a case study

Authors:
Patrizia Andronico;Marina Buzzi;Carlos Castillo;Barbara Leporini
Affiliations:
CNR-IIT, via Moruzzi 1, 56124, Pisa, Italy;CNR-IIT, via Moruzzi 1, 56124, Pisa, Italy;Center for Web Research, University of Chile, via Moruzzi 1, 56124, Santiago, Chile;CNR-IIT, via Moruzzi 1, 56124, Pisa, Italy
Venue:
Universal Access in the Information Society
Year:
2006

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Abstract

This article describes a research project aimed at improving search engine usability for sightless persons who use assistive technology to navigate the web. At the beginning of this research, a preliminary study was performed concerning accessibility and usability of search tools, and eight guidelines were formulated for designing search engine user interfaces. Then, the derived guidelines were applied in modifying the source code of Google’s interface, while maintaining the same look and feel, in order to demonstrate that with very little effort it is possible to make interaction easier, more efficient, and less frustrating for sightless individuals. After providing a general overview of the project, the paper focuses on interface design and implementation.