Ever since the SUS (System Usability Scale) was created back in the 1980s, UX researchers have developed an increasing variety of psychometric survey models for quantifying user experiences in different ways, on different vectors and from different user perspectives.
One of these models is the AUS (Accessible Usability Scale), a direct spin-off of the SUS that was developed specifically for evaluating the usability of platforms for users relying on assistive technology. In the case of usability testing for digital products, this includes people using screen readers, screen magnifiers, speech recognition software, on-screen keyboards, mouse alternatives, and other technologies designed to aid users with disabilities on their computers and mobile devices.
AUS is one of several psychometric survey models that the Trymata usability testing suite has built-in, for research and design teams to easily add to the end of their user tests.
What is the AUS?
The Accessible Usability Scale (AUS) was originally developed by Fable to address the lack of usability testing models geared towards users with accessibility concerns.
In the words of Fable’s co-founder: “I remember sharing the idea of what we were building and being asked a question that I didn’t know the answer to, ‘Are you helping with accessibility or usability for people with disabilities?'” And thus, the AUS was born.
The AUS questionnaire is modeled directly on the 10 questions of the System Usability Scale, and in fact many of the items are identical or only slightly modified. Other items have been changed to explicitly reflect accessibility concerns.
The 10 questions of the AUS are:
- I would like to use this website frequently, if I had a reason to.
- I found the website unnecessarily complex.
- I thought the website was easy to use.
- I think that I would need the support of another person to use all of the features of this website.
- I found the various functions of the website made sense and were compatible with my technology.
- I thought there was too much inconsistency in how this website worked.
- I would imagine that most people with my assistive technology would learn to use this website quickly.
- I found the website very cumbersome or awkward to use.
- I felt very confident using the website.
- I needed to familiarize myself with the website before I could use it effectively.
The survey is administered after the video portion of a website usability test. Reflecting on their experience on the site they were testing, users mark their answers to the 10 items above on a 5-point Likert scale, where 5 represents “Strongly agree” and 1 represents “Strongly disagree.”
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How does AUS differ from other psychometrics?
Compared to most other psychometric survey models, the AUS has a very strict, targeted purpose. Put simply, it exists to evaluate and quantify how well a website works for users relying on assistive technology.
If you are running a usability testing study with participants who have disabilities, the AUS is the perfect survey choice to include in your study. On the other hand, the questions of the AUS will not make sense for participants who are not using any assistive technologies, so you would never use it in other situations or studies.
Below is a list of all the built-in psychometrics offered on the Trymata user testing platform, and how they compare to the Accessible Usability Scale.
SUS
The System Usability Scale (SUS) is the most widespread UX quantification metric in usability testing, and for good reason. SUS gives you a reliable indicator of your platform’s overall usability. It is not designed to reflect accessibility aspects; nonetheless, the SUS survey does serve as the basis of the AUS, and there is a high degree of overlap between the 2 models.
If you are using or plan to use the AUS for your accessibility studies, the SUS is a great partner survey for your non-accessibility-focused ones. The scores calculated from each should be roughly comparable (although not to a scientifically precise degree).
PSSUQ
The Post-Study System Usability Questionnaire (PSSUQ) is another great option for measuring overall usability of a website or other digital platform. In its general purpose and application, it is very similar to the System Usability Scale, and can be used in the same types of studies. It does not attempt to measure any accessibility factors.
ALFQ
The Adoption Likelihood Factors Questionnaire (ALFQ) is a Trymata original psychometric developed to predict the success of a product (mobile or web) with new users. The ALFQ consists of 16 post-test survey questions that evaluate 4 different adoption-related vectors. While it focuses on a broader range of user experience aspects than strictly usability, it does not touch on web accessibility like the AUS does.
SUPR-Q
Jeff Sauro’s Standardized User Experience Percentile Rank Questionnaire (SUPR-Q) and our ALFQ are sister psychometrics in their intentionality. Both go beyond usability to gauge users’ more abstract thoughts and perceptions of a product and brand (such as trust and credibility).
SRS
The Survey Respondent Scale is the brainchild of a partnership between Trymata, MeasuringU, and QuestionPro, developed jointly to scrutinize the cognitive stress of respondents while taking a survey. The SRS should be used by marketers trying to optimize their survey designs before sending them out.
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When should I use AUS?
The AUS is the perfect psychometric tool for measuring how accessibility-friendly your website is. It takes the best pieces of the SUS psychometric model and expands on them, creating a simple solution for teams to better ensure the accessibility of their web products.
Compared to our other psychometric offerings, the AUS is one of the easiest survey models to know when to use. If you’re testing a product with users who are employing any kind of assistive technology during their experience, the AUS is a natural fit. Including it at the end of your user test will enhance the value you receive from your study, allowing you to evaluate your platform’s accessibility in a qualitative and quantitative way.
Read more: Accessibility in UX design
