An Accessibility and Usability Evaluation of the MAF/TIGER Partnership Software Viewer Application
Lawrence Malakhoff
KEY WORDS: accessibility, MAF/TIGER Partnership Software Viewer Application, MTPS, Internet, screen-reader, federal regulations, user-interface evaluation
ABSTRACT
Census Bureau employees and the public will use the MAF/TIGER Partnership Software (MTPS) Viewer Application to view roads and features on maps used for official U.S. Government purposes. According to federal regulations, computer users who have visual and or other disabilities are entitled to have the same access as users who do not currently have any disabilities. The MTPS viewer application cannot be fully accessible, since it requires the user to have normal vision to be able to zoom or pan on a map, but it is possible that persons with limited vision may use some features of this application with the aid of a screen magnifier that announces button labels when accessed by the tab key. The JAWS 9 screen reader, software used by persons with visual disabilities, was used in November 2008 to check tab navigation and button labels. The present evaluation determined that the MTPS viewer has accessibility issues with incorrect button labels on two screens, and that visited links do not change to the standard color, from blue to magenta (purple). These design flaws violate federal regulations. This report uses screen shots to illustrate how compliance with federal regulations can be accomplished, and it includes recommendations to improve the accessibility of the MTPS viewer user interface.
CITATION: Malakhoff, Lawrence. (2009). An Accessibility and Usability Evaluation of the MAF/TIGER Partnership Software Viewer Application. Statistical Research Division Study Series (Survey Methodology #2009-04). U.S. Census Bureau. Available online at <http://www.census.gov/srd/papers/pdf/ssm2009-04.pdf>.
