Accessibility

Government Accessibility and Stakeholder Mental Models - an Independent Study

By David R. Hankes

Overview

The promise by the Obama Administration to the American public was to develop quality, transparent government services to all end users. As government seeks to attain these goals and focuses on the needs of every citizen; have government stakeholders been mindful of those users who have accessibility barriers to the same information? It is essential that all citizens have the same equal access to all government resources. In addition, the informational services needs of any government agency must be evaluated to meet the planning and implementation of that agency’s digital strategy. A survey was conducted and data collected from two groups of government stakeholders, to learn about government accessibility and their mental models.

Research

This research was performed through an exploratory study focusing on members of various government professional groups. Participants were introduced to the study through email recruitment via their professional group. The survey had taken approximately 20-30 minutes to complete and was made available for a three week duration utilizing an online survey tool (Qualtrics, SurveyMonkey, etc).

Data was collected and consisted of organizational demographics, procurement demographics, website accessibility standards and knowledge based on the POUR methodology, and personal demographics (years of employment in public sector industry and current organization, age, and gender). Data collection had consisted of ordered (Likert), open-ended, categorical, and yes/no responses.

Participants had engaged in the survey on their own time and from their location (work, home, etc) using their own computing device with all IP tracking features turned off in the survey tool. Digital files containing research data have been stored in password protected files, preferably on University maintained servers with regular and secured back-up. Sensitive data would also be encrypted, stored, and securely erased when appropriate or at termination of this study’s analysis.

Analysis Methods

A total of 49 participants were recorded for the survey. 24 participants had completed the survey. 24 participants had uncompleted surveys. One participant had screened out of the survey. The low participation rate (N) had caused the results to be divided into two groups: completed and uncompleted. The final analysis was focused on the completed group.

Statistical inference was used to construct multiple two sided t-tests using RStudio. These tests were conducted on the final survey questions to examine how mental models of accessibility differ between the two groups of government stakeholders.

Discussion/Conclusion

Accessible websites may be challenging to maintain by stakeholders. However, a creator’s and stakeholder’s mindsets and responsibilities are difficult to determine through accessibility studies.

The survey results had indicated few participants used or had knowledge of VPAT and GPAT templates. However, participants had agreed that future government solicitation would benefit from using procurement templates. The participants were familiar with Section 508 laws and their website's accessibility to users with disabilities. However, few organizations had included community members with disabilities in testing their website’s level of accessibility.

Future Work

Future surveys which continue to explore accessibility might look into: (1) how government agencies assess and understand their end users' needs, (2) how web accessibility policies have encouraged accessibility by considering it a core feature rather than an afterthought, or (3) how to find a way to measure the cost of web accessibility.

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