In March, we asked the Digital Media Access Group (DMAG) to evaluate the effectiveness of the online graphics introduced on our website last year. Young people, users with print disabilities, and people whose first language is not English were recruited for this. The study was carried out face to face. Each participant provided a little background information and tried to complete short tasks on the HRIS website. Researchers then conducted a short interview to find out about any problems participants may have had when carrying out the set tasks.

We also used an electronic survey to test the appropriateness of the graphics with members of the HRIS network and with Consumer Focus Scotland Consumer Network ePanel members. Respondents were asked how familiar the icons looked and how easy it was to associate the icons with the resources they represent. We also wanted to find out whether respondents liked the icons, and if not, if they could tell us why. 148 surveys were completed.

Key findings from the DMAG study and from the online survey show that most icons seem to work well as signposts to resources in alternative formats. However, it is clear that the text on the labels is too small and that we need to rethink the design of the translations icon. Other suggestions for improvement include colour-coding the icons and using them more widely throughout the website. Although the young peoples’ illustrations attracted some negative comments in our survey, they were well-received by the young people who took part in the DMAG study. This prompted the DMAG to recommend using them throughout the young peoples’ section of the website.

Based on these findings, and on the DMAG recommendations we will consider ways of improving the visibility and usability of these graphics.

A copy  of the DMAG report is available here - the report appendices are available here.

For more information about this work, please contact Brigitte. 

(News article published: 25 May 2010)