뇌성마비 학생의 웹 접근성 향상을 위한 인터페이스 개발

Development of User Interface applying Universal Design Principles for Cerebral Palsy Student"s Enhancement of Web Accessibility

  현재의 웹 기반 학습 콘텐츠는 지나치게 시각적이거나 복잡한 형태를 보이고 있다. 이와 같이 사용자의 웹 접근성(Web Accessibility)을 고려하지 않은 사용자 인터페이스는 장애인이나 노인 등의 웹을 통한 정보 탐색과 자료 수집 등의 활동을 어렵게 만들고 있다. 어떠한 사용자든, 어떤 환경에서도, 전문적인 능력 없이 웹에서 제공하는 모든 정보에 접근하고 이용할 수 있도록 보장하는 웹 접근성은 웹페이지 디자인에 있어서 필수적으로 요구되는 중요한 과제이다. 이와 관려해 본 연구의 목적은 실질적인 세계 표준이라고 할 수 있는 WAI(web Accessibility Initiative)의 WCAG(Web Content Accessibility Guideliness; 웹 콘텐츠 접근성 개발지침)을 비롯하여 국ㆍ내외의 웹 접근성 동향을 조사하고, 그 결과를 통해 보편적 설계(Universal Design) 중심의 사용자 인터페이스 설계 구성요소를 추출한다. 아울러 연구결과를 바탕으로 웹 접근에 불편을 느끼는 뇌성마비 학생을 중심으로 웹의 사용이 어려운 사람들의 웹 접근성 향상을 위한 인터페이스를 개발하는 데 있다.

&nbsp;&nbsp;This study examines the various designing principles in improving web accessibility for those who find it difficult to use the web, focusing on cerebral palsy student who have hardships in web access, and purports to implement and develop appertaining user interface. Relating to this objective, the WCAG(Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) of WAI(Web Accessibility Initiative), the international standard, is reviewed along with web accessibility trend of foreign leaders and the local web accessibility status. Moreover, the concept and design principle of Universal design and User interface are analyzed. Through this, from 6 major local and foreign web contents design principles, common items related to user interface were extracted. By considering the user interface design principle and features of cerebral palsy students, items were added or taken out; a total of twelve user interface design directions were induced for enhancement of web accessibility.<BR>&nbsp;&nbsp;Based on these design directions, in order to develop the user interface, a low-elementary academic level Website has been produced. The screen was composed and menu placed with web accessibility in consideration, and for menu selection, the conventional method of mouse selection was reinforced with a new method which employs [Tab] keys for moving through menus and space/enter keys for selection; another method added was auto-menu scanning and selection with a simple click on the mouse. To verify the accessibility of user interface developed, 5 cerebral palsy students and 1 normal student were tested; search paths were given to them on the content of Website developed, and they searched the Website. The time spent to move to designated path were categorized into: general method, [Tab] method, and auto scan method.<BR>&nbsp;&nbsp;As a result, some students who could not use the web at all, due to significant disability, had enhanced web accessibility. Especially, the students, who had excessive involuntary movements in their arms and hands and therefore couldn&quot;t use the web, showed some potentiality in web use. This imports that by considering the web accessibility in designing stage of user interface, the users who have low web accessibility due to disability or other reasons may fully use the Website.