UniversalUsability.org

By Harry Hochheiser and Ben Shneiderman, November, 2000

See also: Hochheiser, H. and Shneiderman, B., Universal usability statements: Marking the trail for all users, ACM interactions 8, 2 (March-April 2001), pp. 16-18.

Website operators can promote Universal Usability by giving information to users about the measures taken at their site. A Universal Usability statement based on a standard template would provide users with an easy-to-read, one-page summary of the requirements and accommodations made at a given site.

The checklist given below provides several categories and subcategories of measures that might be used to describe the Universal Usability efforts of a given site. Each subcategory describes the kind of information that should be provided (yes/no, lists, version numbers, etc.). Many sites will find that many of these categories do not apply. However, for those entries that do apply, site operators can increase the usability of their site by providing as much detail as possible.

• Browser Requirements
  • Versions Tested: (Major/Minor numbers and operating systems)
  • Minimum HTML version required (2.0,3.0, etc..)
  • Plug-Ins required (list)
  • Avoids Java (yes/no)
  • Java version required (version number)
  • Avoids JavaScript (yes/no)
  • JavaScript versions (list)
  • Avoids Frames (yes/no)
  • Avoids Cascading Style Sheets (yes/no)
  • CSS Features (list)
  • Avoids ActiveX (yes/no)
  • Avoids Layers (yes/no)
  • Avoids Cookies (yes/no)
  • Avoids multiple windows (yes/no)
  
  
• Basic System Requirements
  • Operating Systems that the site has been tested on: (Win, Mac,Unix,Linux + version numbers)
  
  
• Input Devices
  • Mouse requirements (3rd wheel, etc)
  • Navigable with Keyboard only (yes/no)
  • Compatible speech recognition products (list)
  
  
• Display
  • Screen Resolution (minimum and recommended)
  • Designed for fixed width (yes/no)
  • Screen Sizes designed and tested with (list)
  • Hand-held devices supported/tested (list)
  • Mobile devices supported/tested (list)
  • Presence of alternative depictions (for screen readers) (everywhere, nowhere, etc.)
  • Do all non-text messages have text equivalents?
  • Font sizes used and tested (list)
  
  
• Audio/Video
  • Types of audio/video output (list)
  • Alternative labels/description or other displays for audio/video data? (yes/no)
  
  
• Network Connection
  • Maximum download size per page (KB)
  • Minimum & recommended connection bandwidth (14.4K, 28K, 56K, DSL, Cable Modem, etc)
  • Network access speeds tested, along with average/expected times for each speed (list)
  
  
• Access for users with disabilities
  • Text only version of site (yes/no)
  • Alternative browsers supported (and tested) (list products and versions)
  • Screen readers supported and tested (list)
  • Accessibility validators used and conformance levels? (list)
  • Reading level assumed (Fogg Index or other measure)
  • Tested for color deficiencies (color blindness) (yes/no)
  • Screen magnifier software tested (list)
  • Braille keyboard support (list products)
  • Can users turn off rendering features that can affect usability? (yes/no)
  
  
• Diverse Users
  • Languages supported (list)
  • Languages supported via inline translations (list)
  • Tested on both left-right and right-left languages (yes/no)
  • Translations supported by Alta Vista translators (Systran) (yes/no)
  • Education Level Required (grade level)
  • Novice user testing conducted and results (yes/no)
  • Experience required (description of skills and assumption)
  • Other user background assumptions (describe)
  • Other internationalization support (describe)
  
  
• User support
  • Email response expectations (e.g. response guaranteed with 48 hours)
  • Phone support availability (hours, estimated wait times, costs...)
  • Online communities, newsgroups provided (list)
  • FAQ provided (yes/no)?
  
  
• Contact Information
  • Webmaster Name, Phone, Email
  • Date of last update for this notice