11/30/2006

Web Accessibility for Visually Impaired Users: Extending the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM)

Djamasbi, S., †Tullis, T., *Girouard, M., *Hebner, M., *Krol, J., and *Terranova, M. (2006), Web Accessibility for Visually Impaired Users: Extending the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), Americas Conference on Information Systems (AMCIS), Acapulco, Mexico.

The Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) is one of the most widely used models in the MIS literature. Verified by many

studies, TAM asserts that the perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness of an information technology is instrumental in

its adoption. While previous research has been valuable in explaining how and why the perception of ease of use and

usefulness develops, this research does not include a growing number of users, namely the disabled. The large number of

disabled technology users calls for scientific examination of ways to improve technology acceptance and usage in this

population. Our study will address this need by extending TAM to include visually disabled users. Moreover, our study will

expand TAM by examining information accessibility as a potential key determinant of ease of use and usefulness of web

usage for people with and without visual disability.