Making Dictionary Content Accessible for People with Visual Impairments

Abstract

This article discusses the development and evaluation of EDictViz: a visually accessible dictionary website intended to meet the accessibility needs of people with visual impairments. It is argued that dictionary access is important not only because of the utilitarian role that dictionaries play in resolving language queries but also because of their potential to promote social inclusion. With reference to previous research, a summary is provided of the barriers to access typically faced by people with visual impairments when using dictionary websites. Following this, the way in which these problems have been addressed in the development and evaluation process of
EDictViz thus far is discussed. An evaluation of a development version of EDictViz based on the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines is reported — it indicates that the latest prototype version of the tool is accessible. This suggests that the design decisions taken at the outset of the project were sound. Throughout this process the parallels between lexicography research, which is often concerned with providing efficient access to lexicographic data, and accessibility research in general are drawn. Plans for future experimental studies to evaluate EDictViz which directly involve people with visual impairments are set out. This development process demonstrates the potential for mutually beneficial collaboration between accessibility and lexicography researchers.

Opsomming: Toeganklike woordeboekinhoud vir mense met visuele gestremdhede.

Hierdie artikel bespreek die ontwikkeling en evaluering van EDictViz: 'n visueel toeganklike woordeboekwebwerf wat bedoel is om aan die toeganklikheidsbehoeftes van mense met gesiggestremdhede te voldoen. Daar word aangevoer dat woordeboektoegang belangrik is, nie net vanweë die utilitaristiese rol wat woordeboeke speel in die oplossing van taalnavrae nie, maar ook vanweë hul potensiaal om sosiale insluiting te bevorder. Met verwysing na vorige navorsing word 'n opsomming gegee van die hindernisse tot toegang wat mense met gesiggestremdhede tipies teëkom wanneer hulle woordeboekwebwerwe gebruik. Vervolgens word die manier bespreek waarop hierdie probleme tot dusver in die ontwikkelings- en evalueringsproses van EDictViz aangepak is. 'n Evaluering van 'n
ontwikkelingsweergawe van EDictViz gebaseer op die Webinhoudtoeganklikheidsriglyne word aangebied — dit dui daarop dat die nuutste prototipeweergawe van die instrument toeganklik is. Die ontwerpbesluite wat aan die begin van die projek geneem is, is derhalwe sinvol. Gedurende hierdie proses word die parallelle getrek tussen leksikografiese navorsing, wat dikwels gemoeid is met die verskaffing van doeltreffende toegang tot leksikografiese data, en toeganklikheidsnavorsing in die algemeen. Planne word uiteengesit om EDictViz te evalueer aan die hand van toekomstige eksperimentele studies wat mense met gesiggestremdhede direk betrek. Hierdie ontwikkelingsproses demonstreer die potensiaal vir wedersyds voordelige samewerking tussen toeganklikheids- en leksikografiese navorsers.