Web accessibility for citizens with reduced capacities on science portals: evaluation of MCTIC and Ciência Viva

Abstract

This investigation aims to study the accessibility of science dissemination web portals, focusing on citizens with some form of disability or limitation. Based on the theoretical framework developed by the Spanish Infoparticipa project and other similar studies that examine Brazil and Portugal, we analyse the two most important science dissemination portals in these two countries. The method is based on the design of a set of indicators that enable access to information by users with various physical limitations or disabilities to be measured, and which are subsequently verified through specific questionnaires. The analysis of the science dissemination portals examined here shows that there is still a deficit in terms of access to science information by all citizens, with the imposition of more specific accessibility rules being desirable.