Usability Testing Overview

Student Disability Services is working to build a group of proactive, interested students who are willing to beta test websites for usability and accessibility, completing a true checklist for usability for persons with disabilities.

What is Usability?

Usability is more than just website accessibility. Usability encompasses accessibility, but is also a description of how the navigation, content, page layout, and overall organization of the page is conducive to individuals finding the information they need as quickly and efficiently as possible. Having an accessible website lends itself to being more usable to more people, but there are many more steps necessary to be truly usable, including end-user, real-world testing and validation. Student Disability Services is striving to provide accessibility and usability to persons with disabilities.

Requesting Usability Testing

At this time, The Usability Testing Group is still being developed and invitiations to interested individuals sent out. Unfortunately, until this group is solidified, we are unable to offer usability beta testing by end-users. Please check with Student Disability Services often for updates regarding this initiative.

Volunteering

If you wish to volunteer to be on the usability beta testing group, you will need to send the following information to our office:

• Name
• Classification (Staff, Faculty, Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, Senior, etc.)
• Contact Information (E-mail, Phone, Instant Messenger Contact
• Description of Overall Technical Knowledge
• Description of Website Design and Coding Proficiency
• Web Browsers utilizied
• Assistive Technology utilized
• Any disabilities you may have (if you wish to self-identify)

You will be contacted by Student Disability Services following the receipt of your application. Once it has been processed, you will receive a form that you must sign and return indicatin your acknowledgement of the privacy information. You will also receive a copy of the methodology and information on how to conduct a review once the first review request is received.

Once you have joined the group, you will be placed on an e-mail discussion list with other members of the group. Posting to the list will identify your name, e-mail address, and other information to other members of the group. This information is only made public once you e-mail or post to the list. If you wish to remain anonymous, e-mails can be submitted directly to the Assistive Technology & Accessibility mailbox, bypassing the group entirely.

You can expect your involvement to be approximately three hours per month, however we will accept more time if you are willing to give it.

Through your involvement with the group, Student Disability Services will be happy to provide you with references and letters of recommendation for your time and involvement in this volunteer service. If you are in need of volunteer time for community action groups or Greek community service, we will be happy to provide you with confirmation of any time and involvement you have contributed. For information about including resume information or requesting a letter of recommendation, please contact us.