1. Health, Access, and the Environment
Chapter 7

2. Ergonomics
Ergonomics is the science of how to make a computer workspace, hardware, and environment fit the individual using it.
Using an ergonomically correct workspace and ergonomic hardware can help avoid or lessen the pain associated with some RSIs.

3. Health Matters Repetitive stress injuries Eyestrain & headaches
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Eyestrain & headaches
Back & neck pains
Electromagnetic fields
Noise

4. Ergonomics Fitting the job environment to the worker
Purpose – make working conditions and equipment safer and more efficient

5. Ergonomic Considerations
Chair
Keyboard Height
Wrist Rest
Monitor Height
Lighting
Noise

6. Ergonomics
Eye strain
Radiation
Glare

7. Ergonomic Keyboard

8. Recommendations Maintain good posture Take rest breaks
Do alternate tasks
Use docking stations for notebooks
Raise notebook to eye level

9. Internet Addiction
Internet addiction refers to not being able to stop using computers, the Internet, or other technology.
Most prominent in countries with high levels of broadband Internet access.
It can affect users of any age and is treated similarly to other addictions.

10. Quality of Life Issues The environment Mental health Isolation
Gambling
Stress
The environment – visual and chemical pollution a result of technology are a concern to many individuals
Mental health – problems linked to information technology
Isolation
Gambling
Stress
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11. Quality-of-Life Issues
Information Technology misuse can result in
Environmental problems
Manufacturing computers and circuits can cause pollution
Computer component manufacturing employees may be exposed to toxic substances
Used computers/monitors contain chromium, cadmium, lead, mercury, PVC, and brominated flame retardants – all toxic substances that must be disposed of properly
Exacerbation of Mental-health problems
Proliferation of pornography
Workplace problems
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12. Quality-of-Life Issues
Information Technology misuse can result in
Environmental problems
Exacerbation of mental-health problems
Isolation; computer gamers may substitute online games for interpersonal interaction
Online gambling can be addictive
Many users find PCs stressful
Internet usage by children can expose them to online predators
Proliferation of pornography
Workplace problems
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13. Quality-of-Life Issues
Information Technology misuse can result in
Environmental problems
Exacerbation of Mental-health problems
Proliferation of pornography
Online pornographers use pop-up ads and internet search engines to troll for new customers
This means that children may be exposed to porn when involved in innocent online searches
Parents may use online blocking software like Cybersitter, Cyber Patrol, or Net Nanny to prevent this
Workplace problems
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14. Quality of Life Issues cont.
The workplace
Misuse of technology
Fussing with computers
Information overload
Bozo filters
Intelligent agents
Are you Internet-dependent?
The workplace
Misuse of technology – recreational Web surfing while at work
Fussing with computers – wasted time fussing with hardware, software, or online connections
Information overload – tendency to work longer hours using technology
Bozo filters – software for screening out trivial messages
Intelligent agents – software to help make decisions
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15. Fussing with Computers
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16. Fussing with Computers
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17. Digital Divide
The digital divide refers to the gap between those who have access to computers and communications technology and those who do not.
Those without physical access to technology
Those who do not understand technology

18. Environmental Issues High energy use
Massive amount of paper computer users consume.
Green computing refers to using computers in an environmentally friendly manner.

19. Green Computing
Green computing refers to using computers in an environmentally friendly manner.
It can include using environmentally friendly hardware
ENERGY STAR certification
consolidating servers
using power management features

20. Environmentally Friendly Computers
Environmentally friendly computers are just starting to come on the market
Alternate-powered hardware is beginning to become available.

21. Recycling
Working computer equipment may be able to be donated and refurbished for additional use
Toner and ink cartridges can often be refilled and reused.
Hardware that cannot be reused should be recycled if possible, or properly

22. Security and Privacy
For security and privacy, storage media should be wiped or shredded before being reused or recycled.

23. Web Accessibility

24. Web Accessibility Overview
What is universal Web Accessibility?
Accessible web design allows people with disabilities access to electronic communication and information technology provided to everyone else
Access to people with vision, hearing and motor impairments
Also includes those with color blindness, cognitive and developmental limitations

25. Web Accessibility Overview
Why is it important?
ensures Web information and services are available to people with disabilities
ensures Web information available to the broadest audience
legal requirement
Changes to the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 508 of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act require all campus Websites to be accessible to people with disabilities.

26. Accessibility
For many organizations, providing equal access to Web pages is institutional policy, if not a federal mandate.
To check the accessibility of your pages you can use a tool like Bobby ( Bobby is a free service provided by the Center for Applied Special Technology.

27. Web Accessibility Overview
Factors influencing need for accessible college Websites
College Web-based systems
e-learning through online courses
Vocational Rehabilitation Act, Section 508 accessibility standards by Federal government, Dec. 2000

28. Web Accessibility Overview
Web accessibility problems
Many current Web sites use design techniques, scripts, images and graphics in ways that make the content inaccessible or difficult to use
Images without alt tags
Tables for layout
Content presented as graphics without text version
Video and audio clips without text versions

29. Types of Disabilities
Visual
Auditory
Physical
Language
Cognitive

30. Aids for People with Disabilities
Screen Readers - Jaws
Alternative input devices
Text enlargers – Zoom Text
Transcriptions
Video captions

31. Two sets of Standards Legal Standards: Section 508
emphasizes end results and enforceability
Access Board has developed tips for implementation
Implementation Standards: WAI
The W3C’s Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI = way)
published guidelines, implementation methods, and priority checkpoints under the WCAG.
No force of law
The Electronic and Information Technology Accessibility Standards are published in the Federal Registrar by the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board, known as the Access Board.

32. Legal Standards Section 508 emphasizes end results and enforceability
Access Board has developed tips for implementation
The Electronic and Information Technology Accessibility Standards are published in the Federal Registrar by the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board, known as the Access Board.

33. Section 508 Standards Alt Text Tags Multimedia Presentations Color
Readability (style sheets)
Tables
Frames
Flicker Rate
Text-Only Alternative
Time Delays

34. Recommended Standards
Implementation Standards: WAI
The W3C’s Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI = way)
published guidelines, implementation methods, and priority checkpoints under the WCAG.

35. Alt. Text and Captions
Adding alternative text for images is the first principle of web accessibility.
Vision
Hearing

36. Captions and Transcripts
Video files have synchronized captions.
Audio files have captions and/or transcripts.

37. Graphics and Charts
Complex graphics (graphs, charts, etc.) are accompanied by detailed text descriptions,

38. Color Color should not be used solely to convey important information.
Sufficient contrast is provided.
Consider individuals with Red/Green color blindness

39. Tables
Data tables have the column and row headers appropriately identified .
Tables used strictly for layout purposes do NOT have row or column headers.

40. *New* Flicker or Flashing
No elements on the page flicker at a rate of 2 to 55 cycles per second, thus reducing the risk of optically-induced seizures.
*New*

41. Forms
All form controls have text labels.

42. Age-related Disabilities
Vision
Hearing
Slower reactions
Understanding

43. Injuries

44. Assistive Technology
Hardware and software that makes conventional computer systems easier for users with disabilities to use.

45. Assistive Input Devices
Braille keyboards
voice input systems
foot-controlled mice
Head pointing systems.

46. Assistive Output Devices
Screen readers
Braille displays
Braille printers.
Web pages need to use features, such as alternative text descriptions for Web page images and descriptive text-based hyperlinks.

47. Accessibility Issues http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kziXJX6a7E4