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When a website is not accessible for users with disabilities, there is a cost imposed on that user. This study quantifies the time disparity experienced by blind users when they encounter web accessibility barriers. The resulting data illustrates a significant reason why web accessibility is imperative, by highlighting and measuring the cost of inaccessibility through the lens of the inequity that accessibility barriers place on the time of users with disabilities in both personal and business settings. This data is needed for policymakers who are creating new regulations or statutes, as well as for informing future technical standards for web accessibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Numerous studies have investigated task performance times for selection from hierarchical menus, with structures containing many choices at each of a few levels (broad, shallow structures) generally outperforming structures containing fewer choices at each of many levels (narrow, deep structures). To see if these results applied to blind users who rely on screen reader software for computer access, we replicated an earlier published study, using 19 blind screen-reader users. Consistent with earlier studies, broader, shallow hierarchies outperformed narrow, deep hierarchies. Task performance times and hypertext lostness measures were correlated. Although further work will be needed to understand specific determinants of task performance rates, these results support the use of broad, shallow menus for blind as well as sighted users. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: User frustration with information and computing technology is a pervasive and persistent problem. When computers crash, network congestion causes delays, and poor user interfaces trigger confusion there are dramatic consequences for individuals, organizations, and society. These frustrations, not only cause personal dissatisfaction and loss of self-efficacy, but may disrupt workplaces, slow learning, and reduce participation in local and national communities. Our exploratory study of 107 student computer users and 50 workplace computer users shows high levels of frustration and loss of 1/3–1/2 of time spent. This paper reports on the incident and individual factors that cause of frustration, and how they raise frustration severity. It examines the frustration impacts on the daily interactions of the users. The time lost and time to fix problem, and importance of task, strongly correlate with frustration levels for both student and workplace users. Differences between students and workplace users are discussed in the paper, as are implications for researchers. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]