2004 Summer Institute : Final Report

How does industry decision-making shape new information technologies?

One –important -Factor

The information technologies have to make economic sense.

Universal Design

…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

http://www.design.ncsu.edu/cud/univ_design/ud.html
Canadian Listserv: uid-forum@listserv.uoguelph.ca

Windshield Wiper Analogy

Hitchcock, C., & Stahl, S. (2003). Assistive Technology, Universal Design, Universal Design for Learning: Improved Learning Opportunities. Journal of Special Education Technology, 18(4), 45-52.

Electronic Curb-Cuts

Curb-cuts were implemented for people in wheelchairs, but are much more widely used by parents with strollers, shoppers with carts, and people on bicycles and scooters.

Electronically, accessibility for people with disabilities = usability for all.

For People with Disabilities

This means that the Information Technologies are accessible.

Accessibility Defined

“Simply put, accessibility means providing access -making products and services available to, and usable by, everyone.”

Moulton, Huyler, Hertz, & Levenson, 2002, p.25 Accessible Technology in Today’s Business www.microsoft.com

Accessibility

Three Elements

• Accessibility Features (operating system & software)
• Assistive Technology Products
• Compatibility

Moulton, Huyler, Hertz, & Levenson, 2002, p.7,8 Accessible Technology in Today’s Business www.microsoft.com

For the General Public

They have to a relevant function in the Information Technology application.

Blind Online Learners 2003

Kinash Doctoral Dissertation

Funding

Louisiana Center for the Blind
Professional Development and
Research Institute on Blindness
Louisiana Tech University
http://www.lcb-ruston.com/

Galileo Educational Network
http://www.galileo.org

Universal Design of Online Learning

Dr. Norman Coombs, & Dick Banks
EASI -Equal Access to Software and Information
http://easi.cc

“The Doorway” is equivalent to “The Courseware”
“The Building” is equivalent to “The Content”

Universal Design of Technology

• Accesssible
• Simple
• Interactive

Three Questions

• What is it like to be a blind online learner?
• What design characteristics best facilitate learning for blind students?
• What is the impact of blind students engaged in online learning?

Interpretive Inquiry

Interactive Interviews(conversations with a purpose)

• Seven Participants
• Two hours face-to-face
• Video-taped
• Follow-up Online

Examples of Universal Design   (from Kinash03 research)

• Communication tools
  Bulletin Board to e-mail
• Font type, size, & color
• Interpretation of assignmentsnon-tech savvy

Two things to remember

1. Be Proactive. Act in the design phase.
2. Consider the needs of diverse citizens.