Physical usability and the mobile web

Abstract

This paper examines the degree of overlap between good design for physical ease of access on the Web in general, and design for physical ease of use on the mobile Web. There are marked differences in the basic interaction techniques used and usability issues experienced. As a group, people with physical impairments tend to have a broader range of needs. These differences impact Web page design in various ways. Problems can be addressed in a unified way by designing for device independence. At least for physical ease of access, a unified set of mobile/accessibility best practice guidelines would be mutually beneficial. This approach may be helpful in preventing fragmentation of the Web. Copyright 2006 ACM.