Personalising User Interfaces: Meeting the access needs of the individual

As recent legislation requires that public sector websites meet the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), this thesis explores how accessibility can be improved for the individual user rather than the needs that come with specific disabilities. In order to improve digital accessibility for the individual, personalisation is employed to allow users to change the user interface of e-commerce websites, to better meet their needs.

This research analyses literature relating to the difficulties in conforming to the WCAG, development methods used for improving accessibility and previous work around the subject within the same area that looks at adaptable user interface solutions. Following this, developer interviews are used to provide an understanding as to how developers define accessibility, as well as the challenges that are being faced when trying to implement accessible websites. This work illustrates that between those interviewed, there was no single definition of accessibility and that the needs of businesses are prioritised ahead of the needs and goals of individuals.

With an understanding of the problems facing individuals and those seeking to create accessible websites, 2 studies were conducted. The first, Bog Roll Business Builder, used an interactive study to understand the features of a user interface that could be personalised to better meet the needs of an individual. The second study, Miss Thread, puts these features into a typical fashion e-commerce website, allowing for the testing of affordances and development methods with both disabled users and developers respectively.

The implications of this work provide a foundation for future investigation into personalisation. The results of the studies conducted show a promising insight into personalisation and how it could feasibly be implemented to improve accessibility for the individual.