Methods for evaluating software accessibility

Abstract

Context. The development and enhancement of methods for evaluating software accessibility is a relevant challenge in modern software engineering, as ensuring equal access to digital services is a key factor in improving their efficiency and inclusivity. The increasing digitalization of society necessitates the creation of software that complies with international accessibility standards such as ISO/IEC 25023 and WCAG. Adhering to these standards helps eliminate barriers to software use for individuals with diverse physical, sensory, and cognitive needs. Despite advancements in regulatory frameworks, existing accessibility evaluation methodologies are often generalized and fail to account for the specific needs of different user categories or the unique ways they interact with digital systems. This highlights the need for the development of new, more detailed methods for defining metrics that influence the quality of user interaction with software products.Objective. Building a classification and mathematical model and developing accessibility assessment methods for software based on it.Methods. A method for assessing the quality subcharacteristic “Accessibility”, which is part of the “Usability” quality characteristic, has been developed. This enabled the analysis of a website’s inclusivity for individuals with visual impairments, and the formulation of specific recommendations for further improvements, which is a crucial step toward creating an inclusive digital environment.Results. Comparing to standardized approaches, a more detailed and practically oriented accessibility assessment methodology has been proposed. Using this methodology, an analysis of the accessibility of the main pages of Vasyl Stefanyk Precarpathian National University’s website was conducted, and improvements were suggested to enhance its inclusivity.Conclusions. This study presents the development of a classification and mathematical model, along with an accessibility assessment methodology for websites based on the ISO 25023 standard, and an analysis of the main pages of the university’s web portal. The identified quantitative accessibility indicators enable an evaluation of the web resource’s compliance with modern inclusivity requirements and provide recommendations for its improvement.The scientific novelty of this research lies in the development of assessment methods for the “Accessibility” quality subcharacteristic by introducing new subproperties and attributes of software quality, based on clearly defined metrics specifically adapted for evaluating the accessibility level of digital products for individuals with visual impairments. This approach ensures a more precise and objective determination of web resources’ compliance with inclusivity requirements, contributing to their effectiveness and usability for this user group.The practical significance of the obtained results lies in their applicability for objectively evaluating the accessibility of softwareproducts and web resources.