Accessibility Study: GOJO website – Part 2

Part 2 of Cimex's accessibility user testing sessions for GOJO, a website which aimed to get more young people using public transport. Read the outcome of the research, conducted on behalf of the Disability Rights Commission (DRC).

5. Data Analysis

Qualitative methods were used to analyse the information obtained from the user testing sessions. The data analysis was based on the users’ reactions and comments during the interviews and the interaction with the GOJO website, as well as on their ability to perform the given tasks.

6. Results

Task Performance

Task performance revealed numerous usability issues affecting users’ interaction with the GOJO website. Key findings and recommendations are described below:

a. Finding: The options for customizing the text size and colour were missing from the homepage.

Recommendation: Ensure the accessibility options are placed on all the pages of the website.

b. Finding: This section was quite well received but users seemed to be confused about the purpose of the website. Fun Stuff appeared third in the main menu order of the links, before ‘News’ and ‘Your rights’ section links which users considered as being more important.

Recommendation: Consider placing ‘Fun stuff’ between ‘Your rights’ and ‘Useful links’ in the main navigation as users thought that this was not a very important section but a nice to have. Always display menu links by order of importance.

c. Finding: Users thought that there was not sufficient contrast for the blue text on white background, neither for the pink text on white background.

Recommendation: Consider using a darker colour of text to optimise colour contrast. Always ensure a sufficient colour contrast between text colour and its background.

d. Finding: Users were interested in accessible maps from their area and thought that this website would be very well suited to provide such information.

Recommendation: Consider providing accessible maps by region, disability and form of transport.

e. Finding: A mechanism for sharing experiences would be useful in the Out & About section of the website.

Recommendation: Consider creating a blog in the ‘Out and About’ section of the website to allow users to communicate and exchange experiences.

f. Finding: The yellow button was not easy to identify

Recommendation: The colour contrast should be enhanced e.g. white on black and the button should better match the user action e.g. ‘Submit/Submit Websites’ instead of ‘Submit Comment’.

g. Finding: Some users expressed the desire to be involved in the process of enhancing the website and would like to have a feedback form that will allow them to send their feedback and ideas for content to GOJO.

Recommendation: Consider implementing a feedback form which will provide an easy and efficient mechanism of gathering user feedback for further improving the website.

Post-session interview

The prototype of the new GOJO website was overall considered clear and simple with a familiar and intuitive navigation that helps the user find the required information.

The participants completed most of the tasks quickly and efficiently however some accessibility issues were addressed. In addition the user testing helped to identify some areas for improvement that are not strictly related to accessibility but would enhance the usefulness and functionality of the website.

7. Conclusion

Overall the GOJO website was very well perceived by all participants who were characterised by different needs, expectations and abilities. The accessibility of the website was quite effective and almost all the users managed to navigate through without encountering major problems.

Having a website where they can get informed, find out about latest disruptions, get tips of where to get off, what to be aware of per region and disability came across as the major need people with disabilities have. Most of the users relied on several websites to gather all this information and thought that GOJO had the potential of being the website that could fulfil all the needs of somebody who wants to plan a journey.

The outcomes of the current user testing were incorporated in the information architecture (IA), design and build of the GOJO site. These have led to the development of an accessible, effective and engaging user-centred solution that allows people with several disabilities use the public passport confidently and independently. The GOJO campaign has been launched successfully in five cities across England: Newcastle, Sheffield, Nottingham, Manchester and Exeter.

Read more about Cimex’s work on the GOJO campaign.

Published: 07 Nov 2008

Tags: Customer insight