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