Evaluating Accessibility & Usability of No-Code Development Platforms for Building Accessible UIs for Visually Impaired Users

Abstract

"The lack of web accessibility has been more noticeable in recent years, especially for visually impaired users with low vision. This thesis addresses the significant issues raised by insufficient compliance to Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) in no code developer platform contexts, imprecise definitions of web accessibility, and a lack of comprehension of how design elements influence visually impaired users' usage behaviours. Websites with poor design and a lack of accessibility features can exclude a large portion of the users, particularly those with low vision visual impairments. Because most web content is visual, users face difficulties navigating and accessing a wide range of web-based platforms.

In order to solve issues with web accessibility for visually impaired users, an approach was selected that entailed obtaining information through surveys and interviews in order to comprehend user needs. The WCAG standards were then followed in the creation of a set of principles for using no-code tools to create accessible UI/UX elements. The development phase concentrated on creating a prototype of a no-code developer platform, giving special attention to keyboard navigation, adhering to ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) standards, choosing substantial text sizes for readability, and making sure that colour contrasts were appropriate.

The prototype's findings demonstrate improvements in accessibility elements, with the no-code tools effectively producing accessible features like keyboard navigation, semantic HTML, readable font sizes, focus indicator, basic color contrast and ARIA characteristics that pass compliance tests. In summary, the study not only addresses the issues raised but also makes a substantial contribution to the conversation on web accessibility by emphasising the value of inclusive digital experiences for all."