Abstract
Local government organizations such as municipalities often seem unable to fully adopt or implement web accessibility standards even if they are actively pursuing it. Based on existing adoption models, this study identifies factors in five categories that influence the adoption and implementation of accessibility standards for local government websites. Awareness of these factors is important for stakeholders adopting and implementing web accessibility standards. To further develop and understand these factors, this study has identified and interviewed experts in the field of (organizational) accessibility. This has led to an extension of the existing models. The extended model was then validated by interviews with key stakeholders. The outcome of this study places existing adoption models in a new context. The result is an adoption model that contributes better to explaining adoption and implementation processes within eGovernment systems and organizations. This adoption model aims to better help local governments in the identification of factors influencing the actual adoption and implementation of web accessibility standards in their situation. The model explains how factors in the different categories contribute to the adoption and implementation of web accessibility standards. The model may also be applicable to the adoption and implementation of other guidelines and (open) standards within local government.
Highlights
The web has become an essential and ubiquitous part of our daily life, and it is continuing to converge with media and technologies, including television, mobile telephony and a multitude of different kinds of mobile devices at home, at school and in the workplace
This study proposes a new adoption and implementation model (Fig. 1)
The model is based on a combination of factors identified in the literature and from semi-structured interviews with experts and stakeholders
Summary
The web has become an essential and ubiquitous part of our daily life, and it is continuing to converge with media and technologies, including television, mobile telephony and a multitude of different kinds of mobile devices at home, at school and in the workplace. The web is part of our daily social, political and economic life. In the Netherlands, citizens in many municipalities can arrange meetings or order products using the web or special online applications. This saves the municipality and the citizen time and money and provides users with a 24/7 opportunity to interact with the government. This requires the channel to be accessible to everyone ‘regardless of disability.’
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