| Abstract |
The Web is becoming an increasingly important vehicle for many types of
every day activities. At the same time, the technological platforms and
devices used to access the Web are increasing both in number and complexity
(e.g., PDAs, mobile devices, iTV, etc). Therefore, it is of crucial
importance that web applications and services are accessible to all citizens
in the Information Society, including people with disabilities, through a
variety of different devices.
Currently, Web accessibility is addressed mainly through development
guidelines and de facto standards, and is required by law in many countries.
Tools for assessing conformance to such guidelines are also available.
Still, it is widely recognized that most web applications and services are
not accessible by disabled people, due to limited expertise of web
developers in web accessibility issues and related tools. Additionally, the
development of web interfaces appropriate for different technological
platforms and devices often requires the additional cost of maintaining
alternative versions.
Therefore, it becomes particularly important to face the above challenges in
a cost effective way, by producing web interface elements capable of
intelligent adaptation behaviour, i.e., capable of adapting to users?
diverse characteristics, requirements and preferences, as well as to
different devices, screen resolution, and aspect ratio, avoiding the need of
multiple implementation. Towards this end, this thesis proposes an online
tool which supports the development of fully accessible web resources, and
in particular web forms, that:
. Fully comply with current web accessibility de facto standard
. Can be personalised according to users? needs and preferences
Can be accessed through various platforms and devices
. Can be constructed without specific knowledge of web
accessibility, or indeed web development.
As the developed tool is itself fully accessible, it also constitutes a step
towards providing adequate means for people with disabilities to author web
resources themselves.
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Accessible Online Tools Supporting the Development of Accessible and Adaptable Web Forms
