Infopeople Webinar Series: Accessibility and Technology

An Webinar Jane Vincent, A.M.L.S. September 16, :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 #

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 shortcuts Magnifier On-screen keyboard Speech 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  audio Visual  tactile Audio  visual Tactile  speech Visual / audio  smell?!!

Simplicity Intuitive design Appropriate feature presentation Appropriate task automation Error prevention / confirmation Clear 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: Access on Main Street: More resources on handouts

Thanks! Jane Vincent, “Accessibility and Technology” Infopeople Webinar series: –Universal Design: Sept. 16 –Accommodating Boomers: October 7 –IT Staff and Assistive Technology: November 19