ILRT

What We Do - Usability and Accessibility

Image of video capture of a user interacting with a website Using video capture software to observe how users interact with a website

We create websites and IT applications that put users' needs at the centre of the design process.

Usability

We employ user-centred design methods to find out what users require from the site and how it should be structured. We then develop the design and functionality of the website around their needs.

Working in partnership with Pure Usability we test the website to ensure it is meeting the users' needs. This can involve online surveys, face-to-face and Skype interviews, paper prototypes, card-sorting, focus groups and task anaylsis as well as using 'thinking aloud' sessions, video and screen-capture methods.

To date, without exception, usability reviews have produced a positive return on investment by ensuring that business objectives have been met, through increased user satisfaction.

Accessibility

W3C accessibility guidelines

Even before legislation made this a vital area, we ensured sites were accessible to all, regardless of their circumstances. We have retained a strong emphasis on accessibility now that public sector site owners are legally required to ensure that their website or application can be used and accessed by everyone.

We have in-depth knowledge of accessibility issues and work closely with both our clients and their users to ensure that the systems we produce are accessible to all. As a matter of course, all our systems adhere to W3C Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 1.0 Priority 2 (AA) level, as a minimum. We can also provide advice to organisations that wish to increase their understanding of the issues involved.

Technical Evaluation

We conduct technical reviews or audits of websites and IT applications for clients both within and outside the University of Bristol.

These reviews have included:

For more information please contact:
Pete Walker, Internet Development Manager
peter.walker@bristol.ac.uk, +44 (0)117 331 4395