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Angelia Brockington

REQUIRED DISCUSSION: Increasing Awareness about Web Access Barriers - 55 views

I am glad that you found this. It is a pretty comprehensive list of what is out there. I am glad that there are a set of guidelines out there to be followed. I think we sometimes take for granted t...

F11accessibility Web2.0

Monica Strand

Accessible Technology: Technology: Disability.gov - 2 views

  • Accessible Digital Media Guidelines These guidelines from the Carl and Ruth Shapiro Family National Center for Accessible Media examine the educational needs of students with disabilities and how those needs may be met with software, digital books and other technologies. The guidelines also look at ways to achieve the goal of helping students learn while using adaptive and accessible technology.  The National Center on Access to the General Curriculum at the Center for Applied Special Technology (CAST) provides more information on access adaptations and the educational goals of instructional materials.
  • IRS Talking Tax Forms The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has PDF talking tax forms for people who are blind or visually impaired. The forms are easy to use with Microsoft Active Accessibilty compliant screen readers and Dragon Naturally Speaking Voice Recognition Software.
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    Disability.gov: Conncecting the Disability Community to Information and Opportunities has a plethora of resources for making technology accessible. I have highlighted two that I found of particular insight. The first is Accessible Media Guidlines -- they are a set of guidelines look at ways to achieve the goal of helping students learn by using adaptive and accessible technology which is so important to all educators, but especially to those of us that teach special education. The other site, IRS Talking Tax Forms, is designed for people that are visually impaired that are supposed to be easy to use -- uses Microsoft Active Accessibility compliant screen readers and Dragon Naturally Speaking Voice Recognition Software. It is great that the government is at least trying to make this part of filling out your IRS Tax Form a little easier -- I guess so they can more easily get your money from you.
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    This is an awesome resource. I had no idea it was out there.
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    I am glad that you found this. It is a pretty comprehensive list of what is out there. I am glad that there are a set of guidelines out there to be followed. I think we sometimes take for granted the use of all of our facilities and senses, we are aware that we have them, but don't take into consideration the obstacles we would face had we not.
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    This is good to know about. I think especially teachers should know about the resources out there to help out every person who might have some sort of disability. Great resource, glad you found this!
Amanda Summey

The future of web accessibility - 3 views

  • The Amazon diamond search3, for example, showcases a great example of using AJAX to create an interactive and highly useful interface. It basically uses click-and-drag sliders to allow users to broaden and narrow a wide range of filtering criteria. The page then automatically updates to show how many results conform to the users' selected criteria. The Amazon application offers fantastic usability for many web users. But it's totally impossible for screen reader and keyboard-only users to use, and very difficult for any screen magnifier user to use. The solution? A separate simplified accessible version, which Amazon have actually provided (ironically, this separate version hasn't been built to high levels of accessibility, although it could easily have been).
  • for many web users . But it's totally impossible for screen reader and keyboard-only users
  • large number of content editors
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  • Websites such as Blogger4, Flickr5 and YouTube6 are totally reliant on user generated content, in the form of blogs, photos and videos respectively. How can these websites control the accessibility of their content? Content is created at such a rapid speed that it wouldn't be reasonable (or even possible) for any of these websites to police that content for accessibility.
  • Image- and photo-driven websites, such as Flickr, could request users insert alternative descriptions, either of their own or other people's photos. Ensuring this actually happens across the site though will be difficult to impossible to achieve.
  • Predictions There are three major factors that will shape web accessibility in the future: AJAX, user generated content and WCAG 2.0. The increased prominence of these factors could lead to some of the following: Accessibility will become less and less guideline-driven With the advent of new technology (such as AJAX), and the technology-neutral and vague nature of the new W3C guidelines (WCAG 2.0), accessibility is becoming less and less guideline driven. This means that employing accessibility experts is going to become more and more important for organisations as interpreting these guidelines correctly will become more and more difficult. Alternative accessible versions will become the norm Historically speaking, separate accessible versions were frowned on for both ethical and business reasons (see Separate text-only version? No thanks!7 for more on this). However, for the first time usability and accessibility are coming head-to-head with each other and rich interactive interfaces often can't be made fully accessible. In this instance, a separate version will have to be provided (but only after all other routes have been exhausted). User generated content is likely to offer poor accessibility Content created by users is becoming more and more commonplace on the web. This kind of content is being created at such a rapid rate that it's going to be impossible to police it for accessibility. JavaScript, PDF & Flash will no longer be thought of as 'evil' In WCAG 1.0, web managers and developers were basically told that their websites shouldn't rely on any of these three technologies. WCAG 2.0 on the other hand doesn't stipulate this, and rightly so as most assistive technologies can now support these technologies
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    This site goes through and describes how accessibility is difficult to maintain due mainly to user generated content. It mentioned Blogger and Flickr as 2 of them. One issue it examined was that of photos needing to be appropriately tagged, or given an alternative description.
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    It also gave "props" to Amazon for having a user friendly system for those who would normally have accessibilty issues.
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    Yes, Amanda. It also discussed YouTube being one of the websites as being difficult to use due to user generated content, just as Flickr and Blogger. Can the website owners provide a mechanism to ensure this content is produced accessibly?
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    Unfortunately, I don't see how it is possible to make each and every site easily accessible as this article seems to say. With the high rate of use and so many people posting content to YouTube, Blogger. Flickr, etc. it would be impossible to police. As stated, people could be encouraged to make their postings more accessible, but with everyone being so pressed for time, I don't think it would actually happen. Since computers are doing more thinking and becoming more intuitive, perhaps its brain will eventually make everything accessible for us?
Robby Crowley

7 Tech Breakthroughs That Empower People With Disabilities - 3 views

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    This article demonstrates technology that is already used, cochlear implants,and new technologies, a driverless car. Very interesting!
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    Wow! There are some pretty amazing things out there!! Im not sure I would want to share the road with a driver-less car. Although, it may be safer than some of the drivers I share the road with now. I once had a student who was hearing impaired. He was a candidate for the ear implant. I often wonder about him and how he is doing today as a hearing person.
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    I have used the Dynovox and Cochlear impacts in my classroom before and as they are wonderful their prices aren't so wonderful. It's truly shameful that these things would open the doors for so many individuals with disabilities and yet they can't afford them.
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    I am so amazed and encouraged to learn about the DynaVox system. I had an uncle that had a stroke at the age of forty and he spent fifteen years in a nursing home unable to communicate with the outside world. We think that it got to be so depressing for him that he eventually just gave up on life and stopped eating. Just think if he had been able to participate in spoken communication using only his eyes. He would have loved being able to enter words and phrases through the use of the eye tracking systems with the on-screen keyboard which could translate the text to speech. It is comforting to now know that this technology exists for other loved ones that might be afflicted with a similar situation.
ashley dress

Using Assistive Technology to access Web 2.0 Tools - 0 views

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    This is a slide show that talks about the assessability issues that disabled people are facing with all the new graphic web technology. I learned about some neat websites that offer a lot of assistance for disabled users. This is worth looking at!
kelievans78

Steve Jobs gave 'the blind eyes; the deaf ears' -- Stevie Wonder - latimes.com - 2 views

  • Truly you’ve been a blessing for those of us who’ve needed that kind of technology to do more things, to be part of this world, to be in this millennium.'
  • “I’m just hoping that his life and what he did in his life will encourage those who are living still and those who will be born, that it will encourage them and challenge them to do what he has done,” Wonder added, “and not making the whole concept so complicated that people can’t use it -- you just make it one of your applications, it’s in your technology. That will then create a world that will be accessible to anyone with any physical disability, and anyone can buy it, even if that person doesn’t have lots of money.”
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    Article in the LA Times from an interview with Stevie Wonder and his thanks to Steve Jobs for the things he has created, which helped the world be more accessible to him and others.
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    Very moving article Kelly!
Amanda Summey

Accessibility in Web 2.0 Technology - 4 views

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    This article focus on accessibility awareness as a growing requirement in Web 2.0 and the principles in the Web 2.0 design.
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    This site was provided by IBM. It has a lot of technical jargon that is somewhat difficult to read through, but I used the highlight tool on mine to help me go through and find the important information. Basically, it notes that there are 4 main areas in which it is difficult to make Web 2.0 tech. accessible to people with disabilities: *Document structure *Dynamic content updates *Enhanced keyboard accessibility *Widget accessibility. It goes on to break down each area and explain how the problem can be addressed and fixed to ensure accessibility for all users.
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    This says shared by Amanda, but based on join date, the bookmark was first posted by Lilian.
Lillian Dixon

Improving Internet Access for the Aging, Disabled with Open Source - 0 views

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    This site highlights barriers faced by the aging disabled and the new technology to help software developers make it easier for them to use Web 2.0.
Jo Lynn Field

Web 2.0 Accessibility Tests - Assistive Technology News - Axistive.com - Web 2.0 Acce... - 1 views

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    This article describes how Tech dis looks at how well people with disabilities can access web services. This team has built an accessibility tool kit to test accessibility to Web 2.0 services. They have also developed a pen drive application to assist with accessibility of Web 2.0 services
Lunden Letofsky

Improving website accessibility generates better search results and usability too - 0 views

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    Finding the balance between making a website accessible and integrating the latest web 2.0 technologies isn't one that is mutually exclusive. The deployment of accessibility standards and technologies can bring new benefits and opportunities for business advantage. In general terms accessibility can benefit a broader audience and improve website performance for users. This article focuses on how website editors should factor in accessibility for users of all disabilities. The content should be the ground work for all websites and all the other fluff can be added later on.
Angelia Brockington

Does the Internet Open Up opportunities - 1 views

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    I chose this article becuase it really takes a good look into whether the internet is really providing options for disabled people. It looks into the barriers and benefits.
kelievans78

In Case You Missed It: Web 2.0 and Independence 2011 | Yahoo! Accessibility - 1 views

  • WebAIM: WebAIM: Web Accessibility for DesignersWebAIM makes it easy for designers to understand accessibility concerns
  • Steve Jobs gave ‘the blind eyes; the deaf ears’ — Stevie Wonder“His company was the first to come up with technology that made it accessible without screaming out loud, ‘This is for the blind, this is for the deaf” Wonder said
Paige Silva

Social Media Accessibility: Where Are We Today? - 1 views

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    Presentation by Denis Boudreau which provides an overview (based on research) of the state of Accessibility in the social media sphere. A comparison of "accessible" features in common social media services such as Facebook and Twitter, an some pointers for the ideal future of the social Web with regards to Accessibility.
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    This reminds me of a class we took through Lesley where we had to do a test on websites to see how accessible they were. This is something that more people need to be aware of.
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    I agree with Ashley. This has completely helped me take accessibility into consideration when I am creating websites, or when having my students create websites. So many things are overlooked, and this is one of them!
Paige Silva

EasyChirp - Accessible Twitter Web Client - 0 views

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    This website is a Web client for Twitter users that takes into account several features that make Twitter more accessible for users with disabilities. To name a few, it includes features such as: - "All links are keyboard accessible (and visual styling on focus as well as hover states). - Headings and page titles are implemented for optimal accessibility. This includes an H3 heading (for author screen name) added to tweets to assist with screen reader users. - Large default text size and high color contrast. - Text resizes many levels without breaking. Access keys (keyboard shortcuts) to main menu items."
Elias Santiago

Spring 2011: Designing Universally Accessible Web 2.0 Applications - 1 views

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    Illinois Center for Information Technology and Web Accessibility - I thought this was interesting because this is an actual course that teaches how to design Web 2.0 applications so that their functionality is more accessible. As you can see the course offering was for spring 2011 - very recent.
jlikourinou

Social Networking-Not for Everyone - 2 views

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    This article by Accessities.org discusses how social networking sites are not user friendly for people with disabilties. Here is the list of issues. No accessibility page. A lack of skip links and poor support for keyboard navigators generally. Navigational graphics that lacked alternative text attributes. Poor link text. Poor typography. No alternatives for site facilities that relied upon JavaScript.
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    Social networking sites are way to cluttery! That is what ruined Myspace. Not only should people with disabilities fine simplicity more user friendly but also those without.
Rachel N

Apple's AssistiveTouch Helps the Disabled Use a Smartphone - NYTimes.com - 2 views

  • Apple has always gone to considerable lengths to make the iPhone usable for people with vision and hearing impairments
  • LED flash
  • vibration patterns
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  • If you’re blind, you can literally turn the screen off and operate everything — do your e-mail, surf the Web, adjust settings, run apps — by tapping and letting the phone speak what you’re touching. You can also magnify the screen or reverse black for white (for better-contrast reading).
  • AssistiveTouch, is Apple’s accessibility team at its most creative.
  • To me, the most impressive part is that you can define your own gestures. In Settings->General->Accessibility, you can tap Create New Gesture to draw your own gesture right on the screen, using up to five fingers.
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    Like the author said, it's pretty neat for the apple developers to incorporate accessibility features such as AssistiveTouch to the iPhone, knowing that disabled people are not the large part of the market! I highlighted a few sections.
Robby Crowley

Blind Students Demand Access to Online Course Materials - Technology - The Chronicle of... - 0 views

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    Im ashamed to say that I rarely think about a website or college class im taking as being accessible. Ive never had a physically handicapped student in my class except for one year when I had a child with hearing problems. (not totally non hearing) This year was the first year we had a child in our school without out fully functioning arms and no hands. It has made me so aware of the barriers she has to face everyday compared to the majority of kids in a school.
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    I agree with you on the fact that it is hard to think about that when you aren't dealing with it at that point in your life. I think this article really makes you think about the struggles people with disabilities have to deal with on a regular basis. This was a good article that really makes you understand from their point of view.
Dante Torgersen

Web 2.0 Accessibility and Disability - 3 views

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    Short article, but contains some good links to other information as well as good info in the post.
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    I liked the link that described specifics on how people with different disabilities use the web. A great point was made about accessibility features making websites usable to all, but possible for the disabled.
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    Wow, I was not aware how we sill are so ignorant about the need of accessibility in the age of technology for people with disabilities. In this blog it points out the how the programming technique that is used to create dynamic and interactive web applications such as Java, continually change or update text which makes it difficult for screen readers to interpret websites for visually impaired Internet users. Hello?
ashley dress

Making Web 2.0 Assessability Mainstream - 1 views

http://libr.org/isc/occasional_papers/access.html Here is the link to this article. This talks about how people with disabilities that use assistive technology are often restricted by incompatibili...

F11accessibility

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