Research Reports

Steps Toward Integrating Accessibility into Development of an Internet Option for the 2010 U.S. Census

Elizabeth D. Murphy

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ABSTRACT

The potential benefits of electronic data collection include timely receipt of data and improvements in data quality. Such benefits cannot be achieved, however, unless significant numbers of potential respondents opt to submit their data electronically. Making electronic forms usable by and appealing to all potential respondents presents a challenge to software designers and developers. Since 2000, the U.S. Census bureau has been prototyping and testing various iterations of a Census Internet form while paying attention to usability and accessibility issues. During this time, the Census Bureau's software development process has also been maturing to include traditional software lifecycle processes that have the potential for integrating usability and accessibility. Designing for usability and accessibility is becoming part of the agency's culture. The objective of a fully integrated process is to provide not only a functional Internet form, but also one that is accessible and usable by all respondents who have the capability to submit their data electronically.

CITATION:

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Statistical Research Division

Created: October 5, 2005
Last revised: October 5, 2005