Accessibility Compliance and Assessments for Gateway Websites in Life Sciences: Toward Inclusive Design

One main purpose of information architecture and site navigation is to enhance the effectiveness of user interfaces (UIs) by supporting and enabling task completion, accessibility, and sustainability. This is of particular importance for science gateways given the complexity of information on portal sites. We examined the accessibility of 50 randomly selected gateway websites in the Life Sciences category in the Science Gateways Community Institute (SGCI) catalog, using both manual and automated methodologies. None of these sites produced an accessible website as per W3C, WCAG 2.1, and Section 508 standards. The most common accessibility success in these websites was URL structure, which enables web browsers and search engines to access content

Accessibility Compliance and Assessments for Gateway Websites in Life Sciences: Toward Inclusive Design

Information architects and accessibility experts examined the accessibility of 50 randomly selected gateway websites in the Life Sciences category in the Science Gateways Community Institute (SGCI) catalog, using both manual and automated methodologies. None of these sites produced an accessible website as per W3C, WCAG 2.1, and Section 508 standards. The most common accessibility success in these websites was URL structure, which enables web browsers and search engines to access content. Both manual and automatic methodologies are needed to fully assess website accessibility. For example, a website can meet W3C accessibility standards and not be fully accessible. However, automated tools are useful for identifying and troubleshooting accessibility issues for expert reviews

Accessible Gateways: Communicating Inclusive Design Practices with Pattern Libraries

<p>On a website, a pattern library is typically defined as a collection of reusable user interface (UI) components. A pattern library can be a part of a website's overall design and development system, or it can be a unique collection of UI components with supporting documentation for information architects,designers, and developers. A shared set of pattern libraries can help Science Gateways when multiple teams need to collaborate. Pattern libraries also ensure consistency and quality throughout a website. Noreen Whysel and Shari Thurow,co-founders of the Information Architecture Gateway, will present a workshop on creating an accessible pattern libraries and style guides for gateway websites at Gateways 2023. </p&gt

Accessible Gateways: Communicating Inclusive Design Practices with Style Guides

<p>Style Guides and Pattern Libraries are user experience (UX) tools that help to communicate user interface design and code to members of the website team. In addition, these tools help Science Gateway teams to comply with the accessibility requirements of many grant-funded programs. Noreen Whysel and Shari Thurow, co-founders of the Information Architecture Gateway, will present a workshop on creating an accessible pattern libraries and style guides for gateway websites at Gateways 2023. Style Guides and Pattern Libraries ensure that gateway websites meet Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.1) and create consistent, usable and sustainable information architectures.</p&gt

Creating a Gateway for Collaborative Learning

<p>The OWASP Learning Gateway Project proposes developing a platform that is adaptable to the learning needs and user requirements of a global community of technology learners. The gateway will offer learning pathways that connect learners with mentors and the knowledge needed to be successful. Our ultimate goal is to be a successful Science Gateways Incubation Project.</p><div><br></div