infopeople webinar series: accessibility and technology
TRANSCRIPT
Infopeople Webinar Series:
Accessibility and Technology
An Webinar
Jane Vincent, A.M.L.S.
September 16, 2008
12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m.
Infopeople webinars are supported by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered in California by the State Librarian.
Finding Assistive Features Hidden in Mainstream Technologies
Agenda
It’s everyone’s technology: Universal Design (UD)
UD and computers
UD and other technologies
Seeking and finding UD features
It’s not everyone’s technology: UD limitations
Universal Design: It’s Everyone’s Technology
Old model: Specialized technology
Perception of people with disabilities having product needs distinct from non-disabled people
Perception of a need for separate products for use by people with disabilities
Examples of product development
Mainstream products people with disabilities– infrared mice– text messaging
“Specialized” products mainstream– “blind writers”– scanning software
New model: Universal Design (UD)
“Universal design is the design of products and environments to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design.”
–Ron Mace
Examples of conscious UD
OXO Good Grips
TV remotes
Internet Explorer
UD implications beyond disability
May also encompass language, culture, and other diversity factors
Example: Kenmore oven #665.72133300
Universal Design - Computers
UD computer hardware features
Keyboard nubs– and how to enhance them
Brightness features on monitors
UD control panels - Windows
Accessibility (XP) / Ease of Access (Vista)– StickyKeys– ToggleKeys
Other panels– Mouse: Cursor options– Folder options: Click items…– Regional and Language Options
UD utilities - Windows
Keyboard shortcutsMagnifierOn-screen keyboardSpeech recognition (Vista only)
UD control panels – other systems
Macintosh– VoiceOver screen reader
Linux– suite of built-in utilities
UD in Microsoft Office
Zoom
Insert Object
Universal Design in other technologies
Cell phones
Text messaging replacing TTYs
“Normalization”
OMG! GF, WYB…
Websites
Confluence between accessibility and usability– ALT attributes– color contrast/font specifications– search strategies
Video
Captioning
Audio description
Creative assistive technology use
Accommodation of temporary disability
Darkrooms
Literacy
Universal Design features to watch out for
Flexibility
Can features be adjusted?– font / font size / font and background color– volume– sensitivity– target area
Multi-modality
Visual audioVisual tactileAudio visualTactile speechVisual / audio smell?!!
Simplicity
Intuitive designAppropriate feature presentationAppropriate task automationError prevention / confirmationClear documentation
Versatility
Can product be used for multiple purposes?
Example: learning disability and literacy
Example: resource sharing
Limits of Universal Design
Needs not met by UD
Human ability as a continuum
Individuals at the extreme end may always need custom technology
UD as one of multiple factors
Should not automatically trump other considerations
Example: Copy machine
Availability
Awareness issues
Political issues
Models with UD features may be out of practical reach
Conclusion
UD is always a goal…
…and always a worthwhile one
Useful websites
Center for Universal Design, North Carolina State University: www.design.ncsu.edu/cud/index.htm
Access on Main Street: www.accessonmainstreet.net
More resources on handouts
Thanks!
Jane Vincent, [email protected]“Accessibility and Technology”
Infopeople Webinar series:– Universal Design: Sept. 16 – Accommodating Boomers: October 7– IT Staff and Assistive Technology:
November 19