Accessibility Issues and Accessibility Issues and User-Centered DesignUser-Centered Design

Trey Duffy, Director, Disability Resource CenterTrey Duffy, Director, Disability Resource Center

Debie McArdle, Alternative Media Coordinator, Debie McArdle, Alternative Media Coordinator, DRCDRC

Kathy Kimball, Information Technology Kathy Kimball, Information Technology ConsultantConsultant

DefinitionDefinition

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 themfor doors at home?

What a simple idea: as you entera space or environment the lights automatically go on.

Motion Detection Lighting

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 ONEPRINCIPLE ONE Equitable UseEquitable Use

The design is useful and marketable to people with diverse abilities.

© Copyright 1997 NC State University, The Center for Universal Design

PRINCIPLE TWOPRINCIPLE TWOFlexibility in UseFlexibility in Use

The design accommodates a wide range of individual preferences and abilities.

© Copyright 1997 NC State University, The Center for Universal Design

PRINCIPLE THREEPRINCIPLE THREESimple and Intuitive UseSimple and Intuitive Use

Use of the design is easy to understand, regardless of the user's experience, knowledge, language skills, or current concentration level.

© Copyright 1997 NC State University, The Center for Universal Design

PRINCIPLE FOURPRINCIPLE FOURPerceptible InformationPerceptible 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 FIVEPRINCIPLE FIVETolerance for ErrorTolerance for Error

The design minimizes hazards and the adverse consequences of accidental or unintended actions.

© Copyright 1997 NC State University, The Center for Universal Design

PRINCIPLE SIXPRINCIPLE SIXLow Physical EffortLow Physical Effort

The design can be used efficiently and comfortably and with a minimum of fatigue.

© Copyright 1997 NC State University, The Center for Universal Design

PRINCIPLE SEVENPRINCIPLE SEVENSize and Space for Approach Size and Space for Approach

and Useand 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 LearningUniversal 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 Learning Material Accessibility & Availability& 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)

Assistive technology

Any item, piece of equipment, that is used to maintain or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities.

Universal design vs. Universal design vs. Assistive technologyAssistive 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.

Universal design vs. Universal design vs. Assistive technologyAssistive technology

technologies

Assistive technology

technologies

Universal design

What is Web Accessibility?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?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 Why is Web Accessibility Important?Important?

• Insures Web information and services are available to people with disabilities

• Insures Web information available to the broadest audience

Web Accessibility ExamplesWeb Accessibility Examples

• Screen reader example– http://www.webaim.org/simulations/

screenreader-sim.htm

• Viewbook http://www.ess.calpoly.edu/_admiss/viewbook/index2.html

• Video – http://

www.csufresno.edu/webaccess/users/default.html

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 DesignBasic 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 DesignBasic 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 DesignBasic 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 DesignBasic Tips for Web Design

• For HearingImpairments– Caption video clips– Provide a transcript

for audio clips

– http://mds.calpoly.edu/mds_videoservices/media_captioning.htm

Guidelines and StandardsGuidelines 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.w3.org/WAI/

• Accessibility and Information Resources:– http://accessibility.calpoly.edu/

Tips and TechniquesTips and Techniques

• WebAim– 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/acro7_pg_ue.pdf

Website Assessment ToolsWebsite Assessment Tools• WebAIM’s WAVE 3.5 (development

version)– Great single page testing tool– http://www.wave.webaim.org/wave35/in

dex.jsp

• HiSoftware’s AccVerify– Download from the Cal Poly Portal– Technology Tab – Software Download Channel

Web Browser Developer ToolsWeb Browser Developer Tools

• Firefox– http://chrispederick.com/work/webdeveloper/

• Internet Explorer– http://

www.visionaustralia.org.au/info.aspx?page=614