Interface design strategies to improve the usability and accessibility of university websites
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.70577/asce.v4i4.509Keywords:
Accessibility; Usability; Interface design, Human-computer interaction.Abstract
Currently, educational websites must incorporate interface design strategies that promote usability, accessibility, and inclusion, ensuring efficient navigation for all users. The implementation of user-centered design is essential to optimize communication and information access within higher education institutions. This study examined interface design strategies aimed at improving the usability and accessibility of university websites, highlighting their importance in academic information management and user inclusion. To this end, a survey was conducted with 130 users at the State Polytechnic University of Carchi (UPEC). The responses were analyzed using correlation coefficients, chi-square tests, and factor analysis to identify the factors influencing the user experience on the institutional website. The results revealed that 78.10% of users rated navigation as “neither easy nor difficult” or “easy,” in contrast to 17.20% who reported difficulties in accessing content. Attention to aspects such as visual appeal and ease of use was reflected in the evaluations of 68% and 77.30% for interface design and color suitability, respectively. However, the polarization in accessibility perceptions among users with disabilities indicated critical areas that required intervention. The triangulation of data collected through surveys and semi-structured interviews with the UPEC ICT team allowed for a deeper contextualization of the findings. Although improvements had been implemented, challenges persisted in the adoption of assistive tools and in achieving full universal accessibility, underscoring the urgency of user-centered strategies and systematic evaluations to address existing gaps. This comprehensive approach, which integrated technical assessment and end-user participation, proved essential for fostering a more inclusive and effective university website at UPEC.
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