Access symbols for use with video content and ICT devices e-Inclusion The work of STF 286 A project funded by the European Union

This presentation Describes access services Explains need for symbols Describes derivation of symbols Describes tests chosen Gives test examples Details other modalities Gives preliminary results Access symbols

The Team Wally Mellors - STF leader Richard Hodgkinson Clive Miller Access symbols

Access services To overcome social differences By rendering content in alternative formats To provide access to all Access symbols

Which services? Subtitling Audio description Signing Speech output Spoken command Access symbols

Why symbols? No use without awareness No awareness without understanding No awareness without promotion International - Symbols do not need language Access symbols

How to get a good symbol Check for existing symbols Check for existing metaphors Brainstorm new symbols Access symbols

Brainstorming! Access symbols

How to get a good symbol (Plan B) Call in the professionals Select the best Access symbols

Testing ISO 9186:2001 Test for Judged Comprehensibility What percentage expected to understand meaning? Where result inconclusive Perform comprehension test What do you think this symbol means? Judge results Access symbols

Comprehension judging 1 – Correct understanding certain 2 – Correct understanding very probable 3 – Correct understanding probable 4 – Opposite of what intended 5 – Any other response 6 – Response is “Don’t know” 7 – No response given Access symbols

ETR 070 – Multiple Index Approach 1 – The hit rate 2 – The false alarm rate 3 – Missing values 4 – Subjective certainty 5 – Subjective suitability 6 – Pictogram preference 7 – Pictogram set preference Access symbols

Test used Testing to ISO 9186 Both Comprehensibility and Comprehension Estimate MIA from comprehension results 1,2,3 (correct understanding) give hit rate 4 & 5 (opposite or other) taken as false alarm 6 & 7 (no response) taken as missing values 1,2,3 also give subjective certainty Access symbols

Comprehensibility Judgement Access symbols

Comprehension test You may see this symbol in association with a telephone. What do you think t his symbol means? Make louder If you cannot guess the meaning, please answer "Don't know". Do not worry if you give the same answer to more than one symbol. Access symbols

Other modalities Tactile symbols Audible versions Designed by National Centre for Tactile Diagrams (NCTD) Symbols for Speech output Spoken command Audio description Audible versions Access symbols

Results so far 1500 accesses to website Nearly 600 tests completed from 30 countries Cultural analysis – Scandinavia, Central Europe, Eastern Europe, Iberia, Mediterranean, UK & Ireland Access symbols

Problems Inability to control display Inability to control respondents Biased age and education More results needed from Scandinavia (Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden) and Central Europe (Austria, Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Switzerland) Access symbols

Remember the website: http://www.accesssymbols.org We look for your support Thank you for listening