Accessibility Issues and UserCentered Design Trey Duffy Director

Accessibility Issues and User-Centered Design Trey Duffy, Director, Disability Resource Center Debie Mc. Ardle, Alternative Media Coordinator, DRC Kathy Kimball, Information Technology Consultant

Definition Universal design - The design of products and environments to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without adaptation or specialized design. © Copyright 1997 NC State University, The Center for Universal Design

never sacrifice style.

Another recent development in public toilets is the "family restroom". Family restrooms are unisex but unlike other unisex bathrooms that allow only one user at a time, the family restroom contains multiple stalls designed for maximum privacy and communal washing area for use by both genders. The family restroom is designed so that a parent with a young child of the opposite gender can bring the child into the restroom with them without the concerns associated with single-gender restrooms. Family restrooms have started appearing in newly-built sports stadiums, amusement parks, shopping malls, and major museums.

At Matsushita, we strive to achieve universal design in our products, instruction manuals, packaging, and catalogues, in line with the six basic elements of our universal design policy. We aim to improve overall satisfaction (usability) in terms of operability, efficiency, comfort, and convenience by adopting the customer's perspective right from the planning and development stage. In fiscal 2005, we launched a new system of collaboration with Matsushita Electric Works, and together we are continuing to made advances in the field of universal design.

This Walker Dialogue voice carry-over phone allows users to speak to callers while reading their words on a built-in screen.

Cars have had “keyless” locking systems for decades, Why not have them for doors at home?

Motion Detection Lighting What a simple idea: as you enter a space or environment the lights automatically go on.

Adjustable keyboard platform

Lever Door Handles

Aeron Chiar: What a simple thought: design a chair with every feature You might need that comes in small, medium or large

PRINCIPLE ONE Equitable Use The design is useful and marketable to people with diverse

PRINCIPLE TWO Flexibility in Use The design accommodates a wide range of individual preferences

PRINCIPLE THREE Use Simple of the design is easy to understand, and Intuitive Use regardless of the user's experience, knowledge, language skills, or current concentration level. © Copyright 1997 NC State University, The Center for Universal Design

PRINCIPLE FOUR Perceptible Information The design communicates necessary information effectively to the user, regardless of ambient conditions or the user's sensory abilities. © Copyright 1997 NC State University, The Center for Universal Design

PRINCIPLE FIVE Tolerance for Error The design minimizes hazards and the adverse consequences of

PRINCIPLE SIX Low Physical Effort The design can be used efficiently and comfortably and

PRINCIPLE SEVEN Size and Space for Approach and Use Appropriate size and space is provided for approach, reach, manipulation, and use regardless of user's body size, posture, or mobility. © Copyright 1997 NC State University, The Center for Universal Design

Universal Design for Learning Design of flexible instructional materials and activities that allow the learning goals to be achievable by those with differences in their abilities and learning styles. Center for Applied Special Technology (CAST)

Learning Material Accessibility & Availability The creation and production of academic materials for universal access by students of all learning styles through digital, audio, and enlarged print media while accommodating a diversity of access methods Center for Applied Special Technology (CAST)

Universal design vs. Assistive technology Universal design The design of products and environments to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without adaptation or specialized design. Any item, piece of equipment, that is used to maintain or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities.

Universal design vs. Assistive technology Universal design technologies Assistive technology technologies

What is Web Accessibility? • Access to people with vision, hearing and motor impairments • Also includes those with color blindness, cognitive and developmental limitations • Involves creating Web pages that facilitate assistive technologies – Screen Readers (JAWS, Window Eyes) – Alternative input devices/approaches – Text enlargers (Zoom Text)

What is the Problem? • Many Web sites use design techniques, scripts, images and graphics in ways that make the content inaccessible or difficult to use – Images without alt tags – Complex navigation – Content presented as graphics without text version such as Flash, PDF’s – Video and audio clips without captions or transcripts

Why is Web Accessibility Important? • Insures Web information and services are available to people with disabilities • Insures Web information available to the broadest audience

Web Accessibility Examples • Screen reader example – http: //www. webaim. org/simulations/screenreadersim. htm • Viewbook http: //www. ess. calpoly. edu/_admiss/viewbook/index 2. html • Video – http: //www. csufresno. edu/webaccess/users/default. h tml

Incorporating Accessibility in User-Centered Design • • • Business and usability goals include meeting accessibility requirements Understanding user characteristics includes users with various disabilities Environmental aspects for a mobile device include hands-free operation Workflow scenarios include use of an assistive technology Usability testing include participants with disabilities Copyright © 2004 Georgia Tech Research Corporation

• Accessibility is about designing user interfaces so that more people can use your product effectively in more situations. Henry, S. L. (2002). Understanding Web Accessibility. In Constructing Accessible Web Sites (p. 8 - 31).

Basic Tips for Web Design • For Visual Impairments – Avoid low contrast graphics – Don’t require the ability to see color • Avoid “Click the green button. ” • Be careful with the use of green and red – Don’t force the font, size, or color of text • Use a style sheet which can be turned off – Be sure forms can be navigated with the Tab key • Avoid entry boxes that require a mouse click

Basic Tips for Web Design • For Visual Impairments – Alt tags for every image/graphic – Provide redundant text links for image maps and drop-down menus – Provide a “Skip to Content” link – Create accessible PDF documents

Basic Tips for Web Design • For Motor Impairments – Be sure links are obvious Cal Poly Home Page – Alt text needs to match text on buttons – Provide redundant text links for drop-down menus – Avoid small buttons and link text – http: //smalltext

Basic Tips for Web Design • For Hearing Impairments – Caption video clips – Provide a transcript for audio clips – http: //mds. calpoly. edu/mds_videoservices/media_captioning. htm

Guidelines and Standards • Section 508 – http: //www. access-board. gov/508. htm • Section 508 Explanation – http: //www. calpoly. edu/warc/accessibility/index. html • Web Accessibility Initiative – http: //www. w 3. org/WAI/ • Accessibility and Information Resources: – http: //accessibility. calpoly. edu/

Tips and Techniques • Web. Aim – http: //www. webaim. org • Techniques and Tools – http: //www. csusm. edu/accessibility/training/508_guide_edited. htm • Accessibility Techniques – http: //www. htmlhelp. com/design/accessibility/tips. html • Creating Accessible Adobe PDF Files – http: //www. adobe. com/enterprise/accessibility/pdfs/acro 7_pg_ue. pdf

Website Assessment Tools • Web. AIM’s WAVE 3. 5 (development version) – Great single page testing tool – http: //www. wave. webaim. org/wave 35/index. j sp • Hi. Software’s Acc. Verify – Download from the Cal Poly Portal – Technology Tab – Software Download Channel

Web Browser Developer Tools • Firefox – http: //chrispederick. com/work/webdeveloper/ • Internet Explorer – http: //www. visionaustralia. org. au/info. aspx? page=614