Accessibili ty and inclusive design Deborah Fels Ph

Accessibili ty and inclusive design Deborah Fels, Ph. D. , P. Eng. Ryerson University, Professor, ITM

Agenda 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Disability and assistive technology Models of disability Universal and inclusive design Electronic curbcuts Standards and regulations Web Accessiblity

Disability/Accessibility �What is �Who? ◦ ◦ ◦ it? Blind, low vision Deaf, hard of hearing, deafened Motoric disabilities Learning/reading/cognitive disabilities Temporary disabilities �Broken leg, repetitive strain, etc. ◦ Many of us would not call ourselves disabled but still have trouble using certain products

Assistive Technologies � Hardware, software, processes designed for people with disabilities to perform daily living, learning, work or leisure tasks. � Intended to promote greater independence. Examples problems � Daily living ◦ Try finding the washroom closest to this classroom with your eyes closed (with help from classmate). � Work ◦ Make blog/word entry with only 1 hand �Time yourself

Examples �Supporting low vision/blindness ◦ Braille (braille devices/displays) ◦ Screen readers http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=IK 97 XMib. Ews �Mobility �Communication

Different models of disability http: //www. bfi. org. uk/education/teaching/disability/thinking/medical. html,

Medical model of disability �Disability is part of individual’s condition ◦ Affects quality of life ◦ Disadvantageous to the individual �Medical solution (surgery, medication, physical therapy, etc. ) used to “fix” or “manage” the problem �Understand/diagnose problem and control it �Normalize person’s life

Social model of disability � distinction between impairment and disability. � physical, sensory, intellectual, or psychological variations -> individual functional limitation or impairments � But, ◦ do not have to lead to disability ◦ society fails to account for and include people regardless of individual differences. � society then is the main contributory factor in disabling people. ◦ systemic barriers, negative attitudes and exclusion (purposely or inadvertently) E. g. , theatre can produce disabling environments for individuals. � http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=nbgx 7 I 8 v. D 0 g&feature=em ail �

Universal Design � What is a curb cut? � Technology designed to work with diversity. � Technology for disability useful to others. � Getting it in at beginning is good design & less cost for retrofit. � Examine the 7 principles of universal design ◦ Prescriptive in nature?

Inclusive Design �UK development �Design to include as many people as possible and practical ◦ Incorporate diverse user requirements ◦ Accessible, useful and meaningful ◦ There is no one universal solution �Accomplished throughout design process and as part of it �Has roots in social and cultural values as well as human rights.

User Needs specify problem to be solved verify problem definition User Perception representation of the system verify user perception User Cognition structure the interaction verify user understanding User Motor Function quality of control and input verify user comfort Usability evaluation & validation validate usability & accessibility

Palsbo, S, Kailes, J. I. (2006)

Electronic curbcuts? �Captioning/subtitling for hard of hearing �Used by many ◦ Gym, pub, language learners, to avoid disturbing others �But…. . ◦ Much information missing ◦ Not designed from start but after master edit is complete. �Audio description ◦ Not used by many

Inclusive Media Key concepts 1) It is creative 2) Director needs control 3) Amateurs have a place 4) People who are deaf or blind want to be entertained rather than informed 5) Adopt a social model of disability rather than medical model

Audio description Conventional Alternative Live ◦ Hamlet + wiki (www. livedescribe. com)

Standards and regulations � Canadian - Federal ◦ Canadian Human Rights Act ◦ “ensure equal opportunity to individuals who may be victims of discriminatory practices based on a set prohibited grounds such as gender, disability, or religion. ” (Wikipedia, 2012) ◦ CRTC regulations about captioning and audio description � Canadian – Provincial ◦ Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (http: //www. elaws. gov. on. ca/html/source/regs/english/2011/elaws_src_regs_r 1 1191_e. htm/ and http: //www. mcss. gov. on. ca/en/mcss/programs/accessibility/index. aspx ◦ 5 standards, ICT, Employment, Transportation, Customer Service, Built Environment ◦ Implementation schedules phased over 10 years, 2011 - 2021 � International ◦ Amercan’s with Disabilities Act (section 508) ◦ Equity Act, UK

Web Accessibility � Web is visual medium by design ◦ People with vision disabilities experience greatest barriers � Access to web and software relies on using standards ◦ Formal & valid html ◦ W 3 C

Example Reporter with repetitive stress injury Mr. Jones is a reporter who must submit his articles in HTML for publishing in an on-line journal. Over his twenty-year career, he has developed repetitive stress injury (RSI) in his hands and arms, and it has become painful for him to type. He uses a combination of speech recognition and an alternative keyboard to prepare his articles, but he doesn't use a mouse. It took him several months to become sufficiently accustomed to using speech recognition to be comfortable working for many hours at a time. There are some things he has not worked out yet, such as a sound card conflict that arises whenever he tries to use speech recognition on Web sites that have streaming audio. He has not been able to use the same Web authoring software as his colleagues, because the application that his office chose for a standard is missing many of the keyboard equivalents that he needs in place of mousedriven commands. To activate commands that do not have keyboard equivalents, he would have to use a mouse instead of speech recognition or typing, and this would re-damage his hands at this time. He researched some of the newer versions of authoring tools and selected one with full keyboard support. Within a month, he discovered that several of his colleagues have switched to the new product as well, after they found that the full keyboard support was easier on their own hands. 1) what are 3 main access issues in each scenario 2) why were they issues and 3) how were these solved http: //www. w 3. org/WAI/EO/Drafts/PWD-Use-Web/#shopper

WAI Guidelines �Web Accessibility Initiative of the W 3 C ◦ Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 1. 0 & 2. 0 ◦ Authoring Tool Accessibility Guidelines ◦ User Agent Accessibility Guidelines ◦ XML Accessibility Guidelines � WCAG 1. 0 http: //www. w 3. org/TR/WAI-WEBCONTENTTECHS/#tech-text-equivalent ◦ Checklist based � WCAG 2. 0 http: //www. w 3. org/TR/WCAG 20/ ◦ 4 principles: perceivable, operable, understandable & robust ◦ guidelines & success criteria

WCAG 2. 0 � 1. 1 Text Alternatives: Provide text alternatives for any non-text content so that it can be changed into other forms people need, such as large print, braille, speech, symbols or simpler language � 1. 2 Time-based Media: Provide alternatives for synchronized time-based media � 1. 3 Adaptable: Create content that can be presented in different ways (for example simpler layout ) without losing information or structure � 1. 4 Distinguishable: Make it easier for users to see and hear content including separating foreground from background � 2. 1 Keyboard Accessible: Make all functionality available from a keyboard � 2. 2 Enough Time: Provide users enough time to read and use content � 2. 3 Seizures: Do not design content in a way that is known to cause seizures � 2. 4 Navigable: Provide ways to help users navigate, find content and determine where they are � 3. 1 Readable: Make text content readable and understandable � 3. 2 Predictable: Make Web pages appear and operate in predictable ways � 3. 3 Input Assistance: Help users avoid and correct mistakes � 4. 1 Compatible: Maximize compatibility with current and future user agents, including assistive technologies

Sign. Link Studio www. signlinkstudio. ca

Questions for reflection Why should designers consider accessibility for people with disabilities? 2) Find something in the health care environment or in your everyday work that is not accessible, state why. What are some suggestions that could improve it? 1)

Contact Information Email: dfels@ryerson. ca Website: www. ryerson. ca/clt