Research Reports

A Usability and Accessibility Evaluation of the Census-in-Schools Web Site

Michelle Rusch, Benjamin Smith, Erica Olmsted-Hawala, Elizabeth Murphy, and Lawrence Malakhoff

KEY WORDS: usability testing with children; usability goals; accessibility testing; screen reader; games; avatar; user satisfaction

ABSTRACT

The Census in Schools program promotes data literacy and increases awareness of Census Bureau products and activities by providing educators with teaching tools, resource materials, workshops, and other professional development opportunities. In addition to targeting teachers, the Census Bureau’s Public Information Office (PIO) is expanding the current Web site to include online activities for students in grades K-12. Specific to this round of testing, PIO has tested web content customized for grades K-6 .

Before the site is officially released to the general public, the Census in Schools design team contacted members of the Usability lab, and these two groups created a team to look into usability issues. The Usability Team consisted of the following members: Michelle Rusch (lead), Benjamin Smith, Erica Olmsted-Hawala, and Betty Murphy (SRD), Victoria Glasier and Schere Johnson Jordan (PIO), Kimberly Crews (MSO), and Carollyn Hammersmith (SSD).

CITATION: Rusch, M., Smith, B., Olmsted-Hawala, E., Murphy, E., and Malakhoff, L. A Usability and Accessibility Evaluation of the Census-in-Schools Web Site. Statistical Research Division Study Series, (Survey Methodology #2008-13). U.S. Census Bureau.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Statistical Research Division

Created: September 30, 2008
Last revised: June 13, 2008