Evaluation of accessibility of open-source EHRs for visually impaired users

Abstract

This study investigates the accessibility of open-source electronic health record (EHR) systems for individuals who are visually impaired or blind. Ensuring the accessibility of EHRs to visually impaired users is critical for the diversity, equity, and inclusion of all users. The study used a combination of automated and manual accessibility testing with screen readers to evaluate the accessibility of three widely used open-source EHR systems. We used three popular screen readers - JAWS (Windows), NVDA (Windows), and Apple VoiceOver (OSX) to evaluate accessibility. The evaluation revealed that although each of the three EHR systems was partially accessible, there is room for improvement, particularly regarding keyboard navigation and screen reader compatibility. The study concludes with recommendations for making EHR systems more inclusive for all users and more accessible.