Web Site Accessibility Blog

The following is another interview that I did with Lee Laughlin. Lee is the owner of Fearless Events, an event planning service. I met Lee when I was speaking at a seminar and we immediately became friends. I have learned a great deal about accessibility simply through our conversations together.

Lee has albinism, a condition of low pigmentation, which also affects vision. Just as the lack of pigment in the skin, the lack of pigment reduces the number of “cones” in the retina. You haven’t lived until you’ve ridden in a car with her and her telescope glasses. Lee was a fascinating choice for this article series, as I believe that most of us understand blindness to a degree, but most do not understand or even grasp how extensive low-vision affects people and websites. In many of the accessibility consulting jobs that I have done, low vision is always overlooked as art of the project.

This is a shame, as it affects more than the elderly, as some would claim. This affects one of the fastest growing segments of the American population, the baby boomers. It also affects countless other people because of other conditions such as albinism, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and many others.

I hope you learn from this interview, as I have learned from Lee as well.

MB: How long have you been using the internet?

LL: Since 1994

MB: What is your preference of search engine?

LL: Google

MB: Which engines are more accessible than others, in your opinion?

LL: I like Big.com if I have a headache or am suffering from eye strain.
I typically stick with Google because of the uncluttered interface. Everything else is too cluttered.

MB: Have search engines been an obstacle for you? How so?

LL: No, just the opposite, a boon. Growing up, there were many things that I had difficulty reading (e.g. phone books). The Internet has opened up a whole knew world for me and search engines have helped me organize it.

MB: What is the best color combination/contrast for you to be able to see pages the best?

LL: I prefer a black background with yellow or white text

MB: Has search improved in the past few years?

LL: Yes and no. I think the results you get are much more accurate and relevant, but some SE’s insist of Feature overload.

MB: What assistive technology do you use?

LL: Apple’s built in screen enlarging software.
MB: Do they help or hinder your use of search engines?

LL: It reduces the field of view, so an uncluttered interface is critical.

MB: What are specific things you would like to see improved in search queries, results, and services?

LL: I’d love to see the ability to store interface preferences in a cookie. I want to go to Google and automatically have it show up as light text on a dark background. I can do it through the OS, but in many applications, it is a hinderance. So If Google would let me do it, that would be great.

MB: Have you tried the Google Accessibility search at labs.google.com/accessibility? If so, what are your thoughts about this beta search service?

LL: I just looked at it. I suspect if I used a screen reader it might be useful.

MB: How can I best describe to others what you “see”?

LL: Simple answer, a lack of detail at a distance. Detailed answer, http://www.albinism.org/publications/What-We-See.html

MB: Can you tell me a little bit about albinism and how it affects your vision?

LL: I have a difficulty seeing details at a distance. I also have problems reading small print and light and glare are an issue as well. I have nystagmus (an uncontrollable and irregular motion of the eyes). The world doesn’t move, but my brain has to work harder to provide a stable image. Eye fatigue is can be an issue. Compared to most people with albinism, I have fairly good vision and am able to get by with minor modifications.

MB: You are obviously tied into the albinism community – what kind of support is available, and how does news of new features disseminate to the end user?

LL: Well, truth be told, in this case, we’d align more with the Low Vision or Blind Community and hope for trickle down from them.

MB: What resources does the average user in the albinism community have available to learn of new features or find assistance?

LL:Depends on how technically savvy they are. Newsletters, organizational memberships (i.e. American Council for the Blind or National Federation of the Blind). It they are still “in the system”, meaning they are connected to an agency that serves the blind or visually impaired, they might get the info from a rehabilitation counsellor or agency newsletter.

MB: You had said that you just went to the accessible search, but had you heard about it prior?

LL: Nope.

MB: Do search engines or sites do a good job of notifying people of their new features?

LL: NO!

MB: Do any web-based businesses or technologies communicate to the National Albinism community or leadership for guidance or assistance in order to make their products or user experience better?

LL:No, not with us, but they might with American Council for the Blind (Nat’l Federation for the blind is a little more militant, so my guess is people would avoid them). You could also post to the Albinism Online Community.

http://community.albinism.org/2/OpenTopic