Developing a blind user mental model (BlUMM) for web browsing

• Main Authors: Sulong, Suraina, Yusof, Raja Jamilah Raja
• Format: Article
• Published: Springer Verlag (Germany) 2024
• Subjects: QA75 Electronic computers. Computer science
• Online Access: http://eprints.um.edu.my/47157/; https://doi.org/10.1007/s10209-023-01035-5

The development of Web 3.0 is aimed at utilizing available information to enhance users' experiences of searching, allowing this process to be catered by different users to their own needs. However, websites do not make life easier for blind users. Unconditional situations lead to the frustration and total exclusion of blind users. To overcome the accessibility problems, this study aims to develop a blind user mental model (BlUMM) for browsing websites. We conducted a qualitative empirical study via usability test with structured interviews and task analysis in five different scenarios on a website using JAWS screen reader. Six blind users participated in this study. Their feedback was recorded on a video and transcribed into a GOMS model. From the activities, the participants indicated the challenges they faced to accomplish the tasks. The information obtained was analyzed, and BlUMM was developed based on Nielsen's usability principles, GOMS model, and Norman's action cycle model. The methodology was divided into three phases. Phase 1 was the identification of the challenges encountered by blind users while browsing the website. Phase 2 was the analysis of the ability of the blind users to accomplish tasks. Phase 3 involved mapping the blind users' actions. As a result, the BlUMM was developed with 14 elements, which were set/plan the goal, explore the browser/website, apply the existing mental model, discover new features, select features, predict the feedback, execute the plan, execute the task, perceive the feedback, interpret the feedback, change strategy, accomplish the goal, update the strategy, and implement the new mental model with four stages of user action: planning, selection, execution, and evaluation.