Assessment for ACM Digital Library by Fanshawe - Module 3: Interface Structure

Submitted by c_forsythe2116… on
Can the purpose of each link be determined from the link text, or from the link text together with its surrounding context?
Answer: Sometimes
Score: 1
Notes: Most of the time, the purpose of each link can be easily determined from the link text; however, there are certain instances where the links can be vague. For example, within each article there is a references section, and beneath each reference is a link to view the article on Google Scholar, however, NVDA reads it as 'Google Scholar'.
Can keyboard focus be moved to all page elements?
Answer: Always
Score: 2
Notes: The ACM Digital Library has a strong semantic structure that allows the keyboard focus to follow a logical flow.
If moving keyboard focus away from a component requires more than arrow or tab keys, is this clearly indicated on the page?
Answer: Not Applicable
Score: -1
Notes: I have not come across an instance of this.
Is default keyboard navigation order logical and intuitive, following the visual flow of the page as described above?
Answer: Always
Score: 2
Notes:
When using a keyboard to navigate the interface, is the keyboard focus indicator visible?
Answer: Always
Score: 2
Notes:
Does all interactive functionality work via keyboard, and does it behave consistently and as expected?
Answer: Always
Score: 2
Notes:
Does focus order move sequentially across form fields?
Answer: Always
Score: 2
Notes:
Are there skip links (either visible or invisible)?
Answer: Always
Score: 2
Notes:
Are skip links visible or invisible?
Answer: Always
Score: 2
Notes:
Are skip links (visible or invisible) positioned prominently near the beginning of the page?
Answer: Always
Score: 2
Notes: The database homepage has additional skip elements, such as 'Skip Slideshow'.
Are skip links labelled properly?
Answer: Always
Score: 2
Notes:
Are skip links accessible via keyboard?
Answer: Always
Score: 2
Notes: Yes, in some cases I have Shift+Tab in NVDA at the beginning of the page to get the skip link to appear.
Do anchors (link destinations) appear at the beginning of the relevant content?
Answer: Always
Score: 2
Notes:
Do skip navigation controls appear in the same place on every page?
Answer: Always
Score: 2
Notes: Skip content links appear in the same place on every page; however, the ACM Digital Library homepage contains additional skip elements, such as 'Skip Slideshow'.
Does the reader capture accurate information as it appears in the table and the columns and rows?
Answer: Always
Score: 2
Notes: Order in which information makes sense in each table I tested. I tested with both Read&Write and NVDA. Read&Write could not read MathJax code, but NVDA could read the content.
Does the screen reader successfully navigate from one frame to another?
Answer: Always
Score: 2
Notes: Frames are not used frequently in the ACM Digital Library; however, the few frames there are I can navigate easily.
Does each frame have a meaningful title that tells the user the purpose of the frame?
Answer: Always
Score: 2
Notes:
When navigating the page using keyboard navigation, is the user able to navigate effectively from one frame to the next?
Answer: Always
Score: 2
Notes:
eResource: ACM Digital Library
eResource Type: Database
Vendor: ACM
Institution: Fanshawe
Score: A+

Key Findings

Strengths

  • All interactive functionality works consistently for users who are navigating a site via keyboard
  • Screen readers accurately capture information presented in tables

Navigation Links

Question Answer Notes Images
Can the purpose of each link be determined from the link text, or from the link text together with its surrounding context? Sometimes Most of the time, the purpose of each link can be easily determined from the link text; however, there are certain instances where the links can be vague. For example, within each article there is a references section, and beneath each reference is a link to view the article on Google Scholar, however, NVDA reads it as 'Google Scholar'.

Keyboard Navigation

Question Answer Notes Images
Can keyboard focus be moved to all page elements? Always The ACM Digital Library has a strong semantic structure that allows the keyboard focus to follow a logical flow.
If moving keyboard focus away from a component requires more than arrow or tab keys, is this clearly indicated on the page? Not Applicable I have not come across an instance of this.
Is default keyboard navigation order logical and intuitive, following the visual flow of the page as described above? Always
When using a keyboard to navigate the interface, is the keyboard focus indicator visible? Always
Does all interactive functionality work via keyboard, and does it behave consistently and as expected? Always
Does focus order move sequentially across form fields? Always

Skip Links

Question Answer Notes Images
Are there skip links (either visible or invisible)? Always
Are skip links visible or invisible? Always
Are skip links (visible or invisible) positioned prominently near the beginning of the page? Always The database homepage has additional skip elements, such as 'Skip Slideshow'.
Are skip links labelled properly? Always
Are skip links accessible via keyboard? Always Yes, in some cases I have Shift+Tab in NVDA at the beginning of the page to get the skip link to appear.
Do anchors (link destinations) appear at the beginning of the relevant content? Always
Do skip navigation controls appear in the same place on every page? Always Skip content links appear in the same place on every page; however, the ACM Digital Library homepage contains additional skip elements, such as 'Skip Slideshow'.

Tables

Question Answer Notes Images
Does the reader capture accurate information as it appears in the table and the columns and rows? Always Order in which information makes sense in each table I tested. I tested with both Read&Write and NVDA. Read&Write could not read MathJax code, but NVDA could read the content.

Frames

Question Answer Notes Images
Does the screen reader successfully navigate from one frame to another? Always Frames are not used frequently in the ACM Digital Library; however, the few frames there are I can navigate easily.
Does each frame have a meaningful title that tells the user the purpose of the frame? Always
When navigating the page using keyboard navigation, is the user able to navigate effectively from one frame to the next? Always
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