accessibility / handicapped kate dehbashi cs575 - spring 2010 dr. k.v. bapa rao
TRANSCRIPT
Accessibility / Handicapped
Kate DehbashiCS575 - Spring 2010
Dr. K.V. Bapa Rao
AgendaWhat does “Computer Accessibility”
mean? Types of ImpairmentComputer Accessibility HistoryFirst Accessibility ProductsADAAccessibility GuidelinesAssistive Technology Solutions Stephen HawkingWeb Accessibility
Computer Accessibility
Accessible to all people regardless of disability or severity of impairment
Assistive technologyCombination of hardware and softwareEnables the use of a computer by a person with
impairment
Types of impairment Cognitive
Developmental, learning disabilities Memory, perception, problem-solving, and conceptualizing
Ranges from ADHD to severe retardation 20% of the U.S. population affected by mental disorders
Visual Low-vision, complete or partial blindness, color blind 3.4% of the U.S. population
Hearing Hard hearing, deafness Often non-speaking 8.2% of the U.S. population
Physical Paralysis Not able to use conventional input devices
Computer Accessibility History
1971 Trace Center was founded
Part of the College of Engineering, University of Wisconsin Address the communication needs of people who are
nonspeaking or have severe disabilities
1980’s Personal computers moved in to peoples’ houses The Trace Center became a leader in making computers
accessible to people with all types of disabilities 1984 “computer design guidelines” was developed by
Trace 1980s & 1990s, the Trace Center worked directly with
the computer companies to integrate disability access features into their products
First Accessibility Products
1980’sFirst “Access Pack”
StickyKeys, SlowKeys, ShowSoundsDOS ver. 1, 2, 3Optional
Late 80’sDragon
Speech recognitionZoomText
screen magnifier JAWS
Screen-reading package
ADA (Americans With Disabilities Act)
Law that was enacted by US Congress in 1990
Prohibits discrimination based on disabilityTitle IV addresses telecommunication
Requires that all telecommunication companies in the U.S. take steps to ensure functionally equivalent services for consumers with disabilities
Accessibility Guidelines
How to make products accessible?Direct Accessibility
Simple, low-costBeneficial to normal peopleExample: “StickyKey" feature
Accessibility via Standard Options or Accessories (from the manufacturer) Used when direct accessibility is not possibleNot offered for all productsExtra-cost or free on requestExample: raised letter or Braille overlay on keyboard
Accessibility Guidelines (Cont.)
Facilitation of Custom Modifications For people with combination or severe disabilityCustom modifications of the product Standard product manufacturers should facilitate this
as much as they can Leave room for special attachments Documenting places to patch into software or hardware Publishing information to safe modification to the product Honoring warranties after modification
where the modification did not result in the problem
Example: General Motors offers up to $1,000 reimbursement of adaptive equipment costs on eligible vehicles
Accessibility Guidelines (Cont.)
Compatibility with Third Party Assistive Devices Often difficult or impossible to connect the assistive
devices to standard products Special interfaces or accessories from third party
assistive device manufacturers Cooperation between mass manufacturers and
assistive device manufacturers Example: "SerialKeys" for alternative input devices
Assistive Technology Solutions
Cognitive very few assistive devices for people
Visual Screen magnifier Screen reader Speech synthesizer Refreshable Braille Display
Hearing System sounds substitution with visual notifications Speech to text IBM SiSi Project
Physical Alternate input devices: switch, joystick, trackball Speech recognition software Famous example: Stephen Hawking
Assistive Technology solutionsvisual impairment
Screen Readers speaks everything on the screen including
graphics and text
Speech SynthesizersSpeaks the input
Refreshable Braille Displays The user reads the Braille letters, after a line is
read, refreshes the display to read the next line
Video
http://www.afb.org/Section.asp?DocumentID=3652&SectionID=7&SubTopicID=97&TopicID=330
Assistive Technology solutionshearing impairment
IBM SiSi Say it, Sign itSpeech recognition moduleSpeech-to-sign languageAnimated signing Avatars in the corner of the
display
Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RarMKnjqzZU
Assistive Technology solutionsphysical impairment
Stephen HawkingProfessor at Cambridge university International icon for science and intelligenceOne of the world’s most recognizable disabled
peopleHas been suffering from ALS for three decadesPublished a lot of papers and books
Stephen Hawkins Utilizing Assistive Technology
1970’s Dictating letters to a secretary Gave seminars through an interpreter
1985 Could only communicate using his eyebrow Equalizer software
Uses menus of word 1990’s
He receives a copy of “EZ keys” software Program is based on word prediction Converts text to speech Speeds up communication A laptop and voice synthesizer was installed on his wheelchair He is able to speak in seminars, write papers and books
“The only trouble is that it gives me an American accent !”
Video
http://singularityhub.com/2010/05/03/how-does-stephen-hawking-talk-video/
Web Accessibility
Enabling access to Web content for all users W3C Guidelines
Provide equivalent alternatives to auditory and visual content
Name links meaningfully helps blind users using text-to-speech software and/or text-to-
Braille hardware Don't rely on color alone
Make links underlined as well as colorful Help color-blind people recognize the links
Ensure user control of time-sensitive content changes Ensure that moving, blinking, scrolling, or auto-updating objects or
pages may be paused or stopped For complete list of guidelines use
www.w3.org/TR/WAI-WEBCONTENT/
Questions?
References
Wikipedia.orghttp://trace.wisc.edu/http://www.charityadvantage.comhttp://www.businessweek.comwww.IBM.comwww.w3c.org