Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Accessibility Design'
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Michel, Linnea. "Using an Accessibility Maturity Model to Facilitate the Inclusion of Accessibility in Design Practices." Thesis, Linköpings universitet, Institutionen för datavetenskap, 2020. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:liu:diva-166287.
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In an increasingly digital world, the accessibility of digital services is an important question of inclusion. Despite judicial requirements for accessibility of digital public services, the inclusion of accessibility into design practices is a new research area. This research project explores how to facilitate the inclusion of accessibility into design practices by creating a methodology that centres around an accessibility maturity assessment. The result of the assessment forms the basis for the selection of design methods that are mapped to the attributes of the model. Preliminary research consists of an interview study, desk research and unorganized research activities. A case study is conducted at the Swedish Tax Agency, the result of which form the basis of the design intervention. Case study data is analysed with the help of an accessibility maturity model, which also serves as the core of the design intervention. For the intervention, adapted, proven design methods are connected to the attributes of the accessibility maturity model. A proof of concept is created in the form of a handbook and validated with designers and employees at the Tax Agency. The validation shows that there is promise in the proposed methodology, as the use of the design practices ensure that accessibility is a part of the entire design process. Further research should investigate the use of the handbook in a case study in order to consolidate the practicalities of the methodology, as well as validate the utility of the methodology in a practical application. Keywords: digital accessibility, digital public service, maturity model, accessibility maturity assessment, UX practices, universal design, disability Contact: linneamichel@gmail.com
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CAVALIERI, MARTINA. "Digital accessibility for academic design archives." Doctoral thesis, Università degli studi di Genova, 2021. http://hdl.handle.net/11567/1047293.
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La digitalizzazione sta costantemente modificando la nostra esperienza culturale non solo in termini di accesso, produzione e diffusione delle informazioni, ma anche in termini di apprendimento, creazione e partecipazione alla società della conoscenza. Nel corso degli anni diversi enti e organizzazioni governative hanno cercato di accelerare l’adozione di misure volte a tutelare e migliorare la fruizione dei contenuti online in modo tale da renderli accessibili al vasto pubblico. Tuttavia, è stato proprio negli ultimi tempi, segnati dalla necessità di abbandonare i luoghi fisici della cultura e della conoscenza quali biblioteche o archivi, che questo bisogno di organizzare gli spazi digitali dedicati alla fruizione del sapere è divenuto improrogabile. La situazione nella quale ci ritroviamo attualmente, caratterizzata dalla presenza del COVID-19, ha rimarcato la necessità di interrogarsi su come questi ambienti possano essere riprogettati a misura di utente, in modo da innalzare il livello di accessibilità e usabilità dei contenuti presenti e aumentarne la chiarezza espositiva, favorendo così l’accrescimento e la diffusione della conoscenza in modo democratico e paritario.
Alla luce di queste considerazioni il lavoro di ricerca, che si colloca nell’ambito del design della comunicazione in relazione alle tecnologie dell’informazione e della comunicazione (ICT), si pone come obiettivo quello di dimostrare che l’accessibilità non solo rappresenta un valore contemporaneo necessario per garantire un equo accesso alle informazioni da parte di tutti, ma è uno strumento a supporto di strategie progettuali e comunicative finalizzate alla espansione della conoscenza collettiva. L’obiettivo specifico della tesi è quello di consentire agli archivi universitari di diventare più comunicativi e collaborativi in un sistema di conoscenza democratica e accessibile attraverso lo studio e l’analisi comparativa di modelli digitali già esistenti. Per conseguire questo scopo, la ricerca fornisce inizialmente una panoramica rispetto al ruolo che ricopre l’accessibilità nel contesto del digitale e l’importanza che essa riveste nella diffusione di contenuti sia di natura testuale che multimediale illustrando inoltre i benefici della sua applicazione nell’ambito del design. La seconda parte del lavoro si concentra sulla funzione degli archivi, quali luoghi di conoscenza e fruizione del sapere, fornendo un quadro rispetto ai benefici che la digitalizzazione ha portato in termini di velocità e facilità di accesso ai contenuti depositati, semplificando i meccanismi di ricerca dei dati e riducendo il rischio di perdita degli stessi.
Come casi studio, sono stati presi in esame due tipologie di archivio, nello specifico, gli archivi digitali istituzionali universitari e gli archivi di progetto, sviluppati sia da fondazioni culturali, sia da singoli autori. Nel primo caso, attraverso uno studio di tipo comparativo di quattro archivi istituzionali universitari italiani, è stata svolta un’analisi in merito sia all’architettura della navigazione dei portali sia sugli aspetti inerenti all’accessibilità degli stessi con l’obiettivo di estrapolare informazioni utili in merito a differenze e somiglianze tra i casi studio analizzati. La stessa analisi è stata svolta, in un secondo momento, su quattro archivi nazionali ed internazionali dedicati alla raccolta e divulgazione di progetti. Il motivo di tale scelta risiede nel fatto che i primi, presentando delle strutture standardizzate il cui obiettivo è quello di fornire al visitatore informazioni sintetiche e di tipo prevalentemente testuale, non garantiscono di per sé una fruizione dei contenuti tipici di una tesi progettuale il cui contributo scientifico e culturale risiede anche nello sviluppo di elementi di tipo multimediale. Per questo fatto, è stato utile prendere in considerazione anche la seconda tipologia di archivi in quanto, questi ultimi, forniscono maggior risalto alla narrazione progettuale.
A seguito dell’analisi condotta, la ricerca ha definito quelle che sono le componenti necessarie per rendere maggiormente accessibile l’enorme patrimonio culturale presente all’interno di questi database, tenendo in considerazione le peculiarità correlate all’accessibilità e fornendo, come output della ricerca, delle indicazioni in merito all’organizzazione delle informazioni presenti negli archivi istituzionali con un focus dedicato anche agli elaborati di carattere progettuale, la cui peculiarità risiede nello sviluppo e realizzazione di elementi multimediali.
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Kim, Hyung Nam. "Usable Accessibility and Haptic User Interface Design Approach." Diss., Virginia Tech, 2010. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/26880.
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Many people have visual impairment and make up a population that is increasing each year. Haptic technology is often used to assist members of this population by providing a way of understanding visual information. Although haptic technology is relatively new, it is widely applied across a variety of domains (research and industry). However, a great number of users are dissatisfied with their assistive technology applications. Unfortunately, such dissatisfaction is likely to cause abandonment of the technology devices. In particular, recent research shows that the adoption rate of haptic technology is low. Discontinuing the use of assistive technology devices ultimately results in a waste of time, money, freedom, and reduced function for individuals with disabilities. Of all the factors that lead to abandonment, the most significant is the failure to meet user needs. Whether existing design approaches properly reflect assistive technology user needs should be explored, especially for haptic technology.
Existing design approaches have rarely considered the heterogeneous needs of users in the same disability category (i.e., visual disability). Most previous studies on assistive technology have been oriented towards those with total blindness as opposed to those with residual vision (also referred to as low vision). In addition, researchers have paid less attention to older adults with low vision in terms of individual differences in haptic user interface (HUI) needs. There is also some doubt about the applicability of existing design approaches in such design contexts as users with visual disabilities using haptic user interfaces.
The aim of this research was to investigate individual differences in usersâ capabilities in the haptic modality and user needs in HUIs. Particularly, age-related and vision-related individual differences were explored. Another aim was to develop a more accessible design approach applicable to users with visual disabilities and HUIs.
The magnitude estimation technique was employed to examine how participants (classified by vision and age) perceive the same objective stimulus, such as haptic perception, differently. Brain plasticity theory was primarily applied to modify the existing design approach, PICTIVE. The effectiveness of modified and original PICTIVE methods was investigated in terms of the frequency of statements, gestures, satisfaction, and time to complete a given design task. HUI user needs were elicited from participants and were analyzed to understand age-related and vision-related individual differences.
It was found that the haptic perception of the same objective stimulus was not significantly different between younger and older participants with low vision. The two age groupsâ overall preferences for a set of HUI user needs were not significantly different. In addition, the haptic perception of the same objective stimulus was not significantly different between sighted participants and those with low vision. The two vision groupsâ overall preferences on a set of HUI user needs were not significantly different as well. The two design methods resulted in significantly different outcomes. First, participants in the modified PICTIVE method made a significantly higher number of statements. Second, participants in the modified PICTIVE method showed a significantly higher number of gestures. Third, participants in the modified PICTIVE method took significantly more time because they had more design ideas to deliver. Last, both groups were satisfied with a given design method.
In short, the research outcomes contribute to the advancement of knowledge and understanding of more â usableâ accessibility for users with visual impairment and a more â accessibleâ participatory design approach to nontraditional user interfaces (i.e., haptic user interfaces) for users with visual impairment.Ph. D.
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Kapari, Marianna. "Usability, accessibility andresponsive web design utilizingGoogle Maps API." Thesis, Uppsala universitet, Institutionen för informationsteknologi, 2017. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-363984.
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This Master’s thesis describes the development and evaluation of a responsive, map-based website intended to support book sharing in public places. The book sharing concept focuses on allowing a user to locate a book in a public place, register it online and share it again once they have finished reading it. In order to measure the usability of the website, two tests were conducted, which compared the website with another website for book sharing. The first test was conducted using questionnaires, with 24 participants, where as the second test focused on observations and interviews with four participants. Moreover, in order to measure the accessibility of the thesis website, an expert evaluation and an evaluation using accessibility evaluation tools were conducted. The results from the usability tests showed a need for improvements, for instance in the form of supporting documentation and addition of undo/redo options. The results of the expert review were positive while theresults ofthe accessibility tools showed compatibility issues depending on the browser that the website is accessed with.
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Fujii, Takeshi. "Accessibility in recreation programs." Virtual Press, 2002. http://liblink.bsu.edu/uhtbin/catkey/1231338.
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The purpose of this thesis was to investigate the current status of the accessibility level of campus recreation programs throughout the United States. There were no previous studies available describing the accessibility level in the campus recreation field. This study was conducted with Electronic mail and an on-line survey. Electronic mail messages were sent to inform the possible participants about the study. The participants answered the questions on-line with An Integrated Network Quizzing, Surveying, and Interactive Testing (INQSIT) system. This system enables the researcher to collect, sort and analyze the data. A total of 81 responses were obtained. The main finding is that campus recreation is not accessible for individuals with disabilities for several reasons. Program opportunities for individuals with disabilities are relatively limited compared to the programs offered for the entire campus population. Additionally, there are not enough staff available who are specifically trained for recreation and physical activity programs for individuals with disabilities.School of Physical Education
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Sumberg, Audrey. "The influence of format on accessibility /." Online version of thesis, 1995. http://hdl.handle.net/1850/12243.
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Belich, Jerald. "Designing Toolsets for Improving the Accessibility of Immersive Technology." Miami University / OhioLINK, 2019. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1556720229902984.
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Cardoso, C. M. C. "Design for inclusivity : assessing the accessibility of everyday products." Thesis, University of Cambridge, 2006. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.597283.
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This research addresses the improvement of accessibility methods during the design process when real end-users are not readily available. Time, cost and logistical constraints imposed upon typical design projects prevent many designers form working directly with end-users. Consequently, a large number of designers resort to intuitive and informal (Self-observation) approaches when evaluating the cease of use of the designs they create. This results in design solutions that often cause ‘avoidable’ levels of discomfort, or even exclusion, to the growing older adult population and people with physical and psychological impairments. This research set out to investigate ways of influencing designers’ Self-observation approaches to accessibility evaluations. Two new supplementary assessment methods have been developed during the implementation of three studies. Each of these comprised the participation of real users and designers interacting with several everyday products. The methods introduced to the group of designers aimed at prompting them to perform more objective and informed accessibility assessments of everyday products. The research showed that in general the new methods enabled designers to find a significant number of accessibility problems, which had been previously overlooked during informal self-observation evaluations. Most of these problems had also been identified by the real end-users taking part in the studies. This thesis will present the outcomes of the complete research project, concluding with the presentation of further work, which could facilitate the broadening of the proposed tools to better suit the specific assessment requirements of practising designers.
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Pihavaara, Jasmin. "Integrating Accessibility into Digital Design Processes : A Systemic Approach." Thesis, Jönköping University, Internationella Handelshögskolan, 2020. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:hj:diva-49373.
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Today's digital products, services and experiences need to be designed with accessibility in mind in order to provide equal opportunities in use and enjoyment for the growing group of users with permanent, temporary and situational impairments. However, the topic still seems to be an afterthought in practice. With the research question 'What are the enablers and inhibitors for integrating accessibility into digital design processes from a systemic perspective?', this thesis aims to identify factors that drive or hinder accessibility efforts among design practitioners in Germany and how these factors may interrelate. Accessibility integration is therefore defined as a system. The research is based on a qualitative study using semi-structured interviews with four UX Designers, two UI Designers and one Chief Creative Officer with varying experiences regarding accessibility in past projects. By conducting a content analysis, the responses are grouped into categories and further visualized in the form of system archetypes to understand systemic behavior. The findings indicate that integration of accessibility into digital design processes is influenced by many enabling and inhibiting factors, of technical, individual, societal, institutional, regulatory, economic and financial as well as cliental and organizational nature, turning the topic into a complex, wicked problem. While economic reasons were a dominant force driving the system's behavior, it appears that the underlying mental models of all actors involved are significantly contributing to the state of accessibility in design practice.
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Balderston, Allison. "Achieving experiential accessibility in nature: accommodating persons with disabilities in trail design." Kansas State University, 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/2097/32688.
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Master of Landscape ArchitectureLandscape Architecture/Regional and Community Planning
Howard D. Hahn
The absence of participation in physical activity is a public health concern for all people, but even more of a problem for the estimated 52 million Americans with disabilities (Rimmer 2005). Besides the physical health benefits derived from physical activity, when a trail leads through a natural setting, research shows that significant sensory and cognitive benefits can also be gained which leads to greater well-being (Maller et al. 2005; Hull and Michael 1995; Kaplan 1995; Irvine and Katherine 2002). Furthermore, when trails are planned and constructed in natural settings, most of the attention is directed at minimizing environmental impacts at the exclusion of maximizing the physical, sensory, and cognitive experience of users. This shortcoming is compounded when the user has disabilities. Besides typical disability concerns related to mobility, disabilities to be better accommodated in trail design also include vision and hearing impairments. The focus of this research is investigating how trail planning and design in natural settings can better provide for the physical, sensory, and cognitive experience of users, particularly those users who have disabilities. Findings informed the development of Natural Trail Design Guidelines prepared for the City of Manhattan Parks and Recreation Department who is seeking to improve the City’s existing natural trails. Sample designs for trail enhancements at Anneberg Park and the Konza Prairie near Manhattan, Kansas were proposed. Once implemented and assessed to be found successful, the Natural Trail Design Guidelines might be transferable to other locations.
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Lee, Scott J. "Accessibility of the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway." Online version, 2002. http://www.uwstout.edu/lib/thesis/2002/2002lees.pdf.
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Johansson, Stefan. "Towards a framework to understand mental and cognitive accessibility in a digital context." Licentiate thesis, KTH, Medieteknik och interaktionsdesign, MID, 2016. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-183168.
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This digitalization has in many ways contributed to greater inclusion but access to the digital community is not evenly distributed in the population, and we can see that groups of citizens do not feel involved in the transition to a digitalized society, or are not involved as much as they would actually like. The purpose of this thesis is to discuss how designers and developers to a greater extent can be able to take account of accessibility requirements for people with mental and cognitive impairments. The discussion is based on the study “Pilot study on accessibility of electronic communications for persons with mental disabilities”, literature reviews and my experience from almost 25 years of work in the field. The design and development processes I primarily want to highlight are those that produce digital products and services in what we call the mainstream. Mainstream is the society in which we act as citizens have rights and duties, and where we should be able to realize our dreams, wishes and needs, where we find friends, family, education, livelihood and meaningfulness in the activities and the tasks we perform. The persons who participated in the study describe situations where: Design and development processes often fail to meet the need for cognitive simplicity. Many in themselves relatively simple functions, processes and activities can, used together create new and unknown difficulties. Support processes malfunction. Knowledge of user requirements is missing or does not reach out to the people and the processes where this knowledge would be useful. The people also describes that they are never involved in the design- and development processes, and that the knowledge and experience they possess is not being utilized. There is a need for a transfer of knowledge from the areas that produce knowledge today (rehabilitation, assistive technology, special solutions) to the mainstream. There is a need to explore and describe the knowledge and experience persons with mental and cognitive disabilities possesses. There is a need to work closely with persons who have mental and cognitive disabilities directly in mainstream-solutions in order to improve the digital society. Methods seem to be further developed on how to do this cooperation, in research, in innovation and in ordinary societal processes. The thesis presents a proposed framework for the design and development processes to be able to meet accessibility requirements for persons with mental and cognitive disabilities.Digitaliseringen har på många sätt bidragit till ökad inkludering, men tillgången till det digitala samhället är inte jämnt fördelat i befolkningen. Vi kan se grupper av medborgare som inte känner sig delaktiga i övergången till ett digitaliserat samhälle, eller som kanske är med fast inte lika mycket som alla andra och inte lika mycket som de egentligen skulle vilja. Avhandlingens syfte är att med utgångspunkt från studien ”Pilotstudie om tillgänglighet till elektronisk kommunikation för personer med psykiska funktionsnedsättningar”, aktuella litteraturöversikter och snart 25 års arbete på fältet diskutera hur designers och utvecklare i högre utsträckning ska kunna beakta krav på tillgänglighet för personer med psykiska och kognitiva funktionsnedsättningar. De design- och utvecklingsprocesser jag i första hand är intresserad av att belysa är sådana som producerar digitala produkter och tjänster inom det vi kallar mainstream, det samhälle där vi agerar som samhällsmedborgare har skyldigheter och rättigheter och där vi efter bästa förmåga ska kunna förverkliga våra drömmar, önskemål och behov. Där vi hittar vänner, familj, utbildning, försörjning och meningsfullhet i de aktiviteter och de sysslor vi utför. De personer som medverkat i studien beskriver situationer där: Design- och utvecklingsprocesser ofta misslyckas med att tillgodose behov av kognitiv enkelhet Många i sig relativt enkla processer och aktiviteter skapar sammantaget nya och okända svårigheter Stödprocesser fungerar dåligt Kunskap om användarnas behov saknas eller når inte ut till personer eller till processer där den skulle göra nytta Personerna beskriver också att de i inte är delaktiga i design- och utvecklingsprocesser och att den kunskap och de erfarenheter de besitter inte tas tillvara. Det finns behov av en överföring av kunskap från de områden som producerar sådan idag (rehabilitering, hjälpmedel, särlösningar) till mainstream. Det finns behov av att utforska och beskriva den kunskap och erfarenhet som finns hos de berörda personerna och till sist finns behov av att direkt i mainstream-samhället och tillsammans med personer som har psykiska och kognitiva funktionsnedsättningar göra detta samhälle mer tillgängligt. Metoder för hur detta ska gå till förefaller behöva utvecklas. Det gäller särskilt metoder för hur personer med psykiska och kognitiva funktionsnedsättningar ska få inflytande över och vara delaktiga i design- och utvecklingsprocesser. Avhandlingen presenterar ett förslag till ramverk för hur design- och utvecklingsprocesser bättre ska kunna möta kraven på tillgänglighet för personer med psykiska och kognitiva funktionsnedsättningar.
QC 20160303
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Virunhaphol, Farida. "Designing Khom Thai letterforms for accessibility." Thesis, University of Huddersfield, 2017. http://eprints.hud.ac.uk/id/eprint/34345/.
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This practice-led research aimed to design letterforms for an ancient Thai script known as Khom Thai, to aid learning of the script by today’s Thai population. Khom is a script that was developed in Thailand around the 15th century. It was widely used as the country’s official script for historical documents and records in Pali, Sanskrit, and Thai until 1945. Now, very few members of younger generations can read the script, which poses a major obstacle for preserving the knowledge of Khom Thai and severely limits access to the country’s historical documents and heritage. Although there are some relationships between contemporary Thai letters and Khom Thai letters, the unfamiliar letterforms constitute the largest hurdle for Thai readers learning to read the Khom Thai script. This study’s goal was to resolve this problem by creating three new Khom Thai letterform designs for use as learning materials and writing models for beginners. This study investigated whether Khom Thai letterforms could be redesigned so that modern Thai readers could recognise them more easily. To explore this possibility, three letterform designs, TLK Deva, TLK Brahma and TLK Manussa, were developed. This practice-led research employed mixed methods, including interviews, a questionnaire, and a letter recognition study. The first section of the research discusses the theoretical framework regarding familiarity in enhancing letter recognition. Additionally, analyses on Thai, Khom Thai, and Khmer letterforms were also included in this part. The second section is about the design process resulted in three designs. Among the three, TLK Brahma and TLK Deva maintain a close connection to the proportions and writing style of the traditional script, and could potentially be used as writing models for those learning the script. By contrast, TLK Manussa is adapted to characteristics and proportions of the present-day Thai script and is intended to look more familiar to Thai readers. One potential use of TLK Manussa is as a mnemonic aid for learning Khom Thai characters. Interviews were conducted with Khom Thai palaeographic experts to gather opinions on the designs. A questionnaire was also used with 102 participants to establish which of the three TLK designs had most familiar characteristics for Thai readers. The results showed that TLK Manussa was the most familiar among the three. After further refinement of the designs, the third section describes the data collection procedures. A short-exposure technique was used with 32 participants who already had some knowledge of Khom Thai, to compare letter recognition. This method was used for gathering reader feedback on the designs. In general, the findings did not indicate any significant differences between the three designs regarding the accuracy rate of letter identification. However, certain individual letters that more closely resembled the Thai script received higher scores than did unfamiliar characters. The three TLK designs constitute the primary contribution to knowledge. However, further contributions made by this research are its analyses of Khom Thai characters and its systematic guidelines for developing Khom Thai letterforms, the guidelines will aid future type designers of Khom Thai on letterform design. The study contributes to the field of research in non-Latin type design by endorsing the role of design in enabling contemporary audiences to learn ancient Thai scripts.
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Whitney, Michael. "The Relationship Between Web Accessibility Policy and Practice in Postsecondary Institutions." OpenSIUC, 2009. https://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/dissertations/80.
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From computer workstations to the world of the web, statutes and policies have afforded students with disabilities the right to participate in postsecondary education in a non-discriminatory manner. Automatic doors and adjustable tables are a commonplace on campuses and represent prime examples of accessible policy adherence, but what affect do accessible website design policies have on practice? The answer is monumental for the students with disabilities that rely on the integration of electronic curb cuts into institutional websites. In 2006, Illinois Board of Higher Education required public postsecondary institutions to develop and implement a website policy, report on the accessibility of their websites and continuously improve throughout the year. In response, multiple policies and practices were implemented throughout the state. As to how effective this requirement was and what variables influenced policy decision and implementation is the purpose of my study. Through a mixed method approach, I examined the relationship between web accessibility policy and practice. Quantitatively, descriptive statistics in conjunction with a paired t-Test were used to examine the amount of change in the accessibility pass and fail rates of all 12 Illinois postsecondary institutional homepages. In addition, quantitative data were used as a means to identify trends such as spikes and drops. Qualitatively, autoethnographic practices and document analysis were implemented to bring focus as to why these changes and trends might have occurred. By implementing this mixed methodological approach, I was able to identify a statistically significant change in the overall statewide pass rate. In addition, three prominent trends were discovered. The first was a spike trend where accessibility pass rates spiked just before deadlines. The second was a high standard, high accessibility rate where institutions that incorporated a high standard ended up being the most accessible of all the state institutions. The third was a low standard, high accessible illusion trend. Here, institutions incorporated a low standard then stopped accessibility development when the standard was met. This afforded institutions the opportunity to report a high pass rate when assessed with their low standard rather than a low pass rate against a more stringent standard. The implications of this study are many. Of paramount importance is that policy is not always incorporated into practice as it was intended. This is evident with the low standard, high accessible illusion trend. The intent of the policy in this study was for continuous improvement. However, when institutions reported 100% compliance to a low standard, they were also able to report that there was no need for improvement. Consequently, if a policy is to succeed, such behavior needs to be taken into consideration and appropriately addressed.
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Babar, Shahzad, and Aamer Mehmood. "Enhancing Accessibility of Web Based GIS Applications through User Centered Design." Thesis, Blekinge Tekniska Högskola, Sektionen för datavetenskap och kommunikation, 2010. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:bth-4231.
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Web Accessibility emerged as problem when disabled and elder people started interaction with web contents soon after the inception of World Wide Web. When web based GIS applications appeared on the scene of web and users of these kinds of applications increased, these applications faced the similar problem of accessibility. The intensity of web accessibility problems in GIS based applications has increased rapidly during recent years due to extensive interaction of user with maps. Web Accessibility problems faced by users of GIS applications are identified by content evaluation and user interaction. Users are involved in identification of accessibility problems because guidelines and automated tools are not sufficient for that purpose. User Centered Approach is used to include users in the development process and this has also helped in identification of accessibility problems of the users at early stages. The thesis report identify the accessibility issues in Web based GIS application by content evaluation and user interaction evaluation. MapQuest, a web based GIS application, is taken as a case study to identify the web accessibility problems in GIS applications. This thesis report has also studied that how accessibility of the web based GIS applications can be enhanced by using UCD approach in development process of GIS applications.Webbtillgänglighet fram som problem när funktionshindrade och äldre människor började interaktion med webb-innehåll strax efter starten av World Wide Web. När webbaserade GIS-applikationer på scenen av webb och användare av dessa typer av tillämpningar ökat, dessa tillämpningar mötte liknande problem med tillgängligheten. Intensiteten av problem webbtillgänglighet i GIS-baserade applikationer har ökat snabbt under senare år på grund av omfattande interaktion med användaren med kartor. Webbtillgänglighet problem som användare av GIS-applikationer är identifierade med innehåll utvärdering och interaktion med användaren. Användare delta i identifieringen av tillgänglighetsproblem eftersom riktlinjer och automatiserade verktyg är inte tillräckliga för detta ändamål. Användarcentrerad metoden används för att inkludera användarna i utvecklingsprocessen och detta har också bidragit till en kartläggning av tillgängligheten problem för användarna i ett tidigt skede. Avhandlingen rapport identifiera tillgänglighetsfrågor i Webbaserade GIS-applikation av innehåll utvärdering och användarinteraktion utvärdering. MapQuest, en webbaserad GIS-applikation, tas som en fallstudie för att identifiera problemen webbtillgänglighet i GIS-applikationer. Denna uppsats Rapporten har också studerat hur att tillgängligheten av webbaserade GIS-applikationer kan förbättras med hjälp UCD strategi i processen för utveckling av GIS-applikationer.
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Deem, Andrew William. "Improving accessibility to the visually impaired through web and interface design /." Click here to view, 2009. http://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/grcsp/4.
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Thesis (B.S.)--California Polytechnic State University, 2009.Project advisor: Michael Blurn. Title from PDF title page; viewed on Jan. 13, 2010. Includes bibliographical references. Also available on microfiche.
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SACHNIKAS, NIKOLAS. "How can urban farming communities based in Stockholm, increase their efficiency and accessibility?" Thesis, KTH, Maskinkonstruktion (Inst.), 2016. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-193315.
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I omställningsprocessen mot ett mer hållbart samhälle kan en designer ha en viktig roll för social innovation och samverkan. En designer kan underlätta för föreningar att själva lösa sina problem genom nerifrån-och-upp metoder. Detta betyder att den traditionella designerrollen är i förändring och att nya färdigheter efterfrågas. Det här projektet har utforskat ett praktiskt och föreningsdrivet designangreppssätt. Målet med designprocessen var att designa en tjänst för stadsodlingsprojekt baserade i Stockholm. Tjänsten utvecklades tillsammans med aktiva medlemmar i projekten för att göra odlingen mer effektiv, tillgänglig och enkel att sprida.More and more, designers take the role of facilitators in social innovation processes by using collaborative approaches aiming at a transition towards sustainability. To do so, they collaborate with active communities that create solutions for their own problems through bottom-up approaches. Consequently, the role of professional designers is shifting and new design skills and approaches are required. This project explored a community driven design approach, on a practical level. The goal of the design process was to design a service for urban farming communities situated in Stockholm. This service was co created with members of the communities to make them more efficient, better accessible and easier to replicate.
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Mausch, Anna Marleen. "Friluftsliv för Alla? : exploring and hacking our accessibility to the outdoors." Thesis, Linnéuniversitetet, Institutionen för design (DE), 2021. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:lnu:diva-105278.
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When we are outdoors we rely on the things we bring. By questioning, if the outdoors are freely accessible and detached from our capitalistic world, I identified that to- day’s outdoor equipment industry is not only enjoying great popularity, but is also having the tendency to stay in its comfort zone, mainly engaging in ecological spheres of sustainability. With my bachelor’s thesis project, Friluftsliv för Alla?, I had the aim to initiate a shift, to broaden one’s mind, and to put a focus beyond the sustainability indicator of a product. Together with my collaborator ‘Friluftsfrämjandet’, a Swedish outdoor association, I shared concerns about social-cultural sustainability in the area of outdoor recreation, and started to look at the people who are in need of gear. An item that sparked a lot of my interest was the indispensable shelter, that is needed when we want to spend a good amount of time outside in nature. With the help of my sponsors and other stakeholders I was able to craft a fully functioning tent, that is supposed to be used and shared unconditionally.
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Guimarães, Leticia Bianchi. "Problems in Apartment Accessibility: The Rio de Janeiro Building Code." University of Cincinnati / OhioLINK, 2005. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1122652853.
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Jutterström, Ellinor. "News for Everyone - Investigating Universal Accessibility with Cognitively Disabled Users on Swedish News Sites." Thesis, KTH, Medieteknik och interaktionsdesign, MID, 2018. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-226946.
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As more readers consume news through digital platforms such as computers, mobiles and tablets, it is essential to make these interfaces accessible to as many users as possible, both from an economic and social standpoint. The terms ‘universal accessibility’, ‘inclusive design’ and ‘design-for-all’ refer to the method of designing for users both with and without disabilities, which is a widely debated subject among researchers in the field where some say that it improves the usability for everyone, while others argue that it is impossible to create a design that fits all needs. The aim of this thesis is to investigate this ‘universal design’ method on news sites and answer the question whether a more accessible design can improve the experience for all users regardless of cognitive abilities. In order to do so, five current news sites were evaluated and compared to accessibility guidelines and previous research. Based on the results, two prototypes were developed and tested in a qualitative user study together with the existing sites. The user study consisted of two test groups of students with (Group 1) and without (Group 2) cognitive disabilities, with 5 users in the first group and 9 users in the second. Oral opinions were compared within and between the groups together with results from a hierarchical sorting of sites based on general preference, appearance and credibility. The results showed both differences and similarities between the groups, whereas the greatest common factor was the preference for the “clean” and “calm” design, ranking both prototypes higher than their originals. The conclusion was that it is indeed difficult to design for everybody because of individual needs and preferences, but including disabled users in the design process highlights general problems that could otherwise have been missed, while also making it easier to implement customizable options for disabled users.När allt fler läsare konsumerar nyheter via digitala plattformar - såsom datorer, mobiler och läsplattor - så behöver dessa gränssnitt vara tillgängliga för så många som möjligt, både ur ett ekonomiskt och socialt perspektiv. Med termerna 'universell design', inkluderande design'och'design-för-alla' menas den designmetod som utgår från användare både med och utan funktionsvariationer. Denna metod är starkt debatterad bland forskare där vissa anser att det förbättrar användarvänligheten för alla, medan andra menar att det är omöjligt att skapa en design som uppfyller alla behov. Målet med denna rapport är att utforska denna 'universella design' på nyhetshemsidor och se om en mer tillgänglig design kan förbättra upplevelsen för alla användare, med fokus på kognitiva funktionsvariationer. För att besvara denna fråga så analyserades och jämfördes fem nyhetshemsidor med riktlinjer för tillgänglighet samt tidigare forskningsstudier. Baserat på resultatet så skapades även två prototyper som utvärderades tillsammans med de existerande hemsidorna i ett kvalitativt användartest. Denna studie bestod av två grupper av studenter med (Grupp 1) och utan (Grupp 2) kognitiva funktionsvariationer, med 5 användare i första gruppen och 9 användare i den andra. Muntliga åsikter jämfördes inom och mellan grupperna tillsammans med resultaten från en hierarkisk sortering av hemsidorna baserad på generella preferenser, utseende samt trovärdighet. Resultatet visade på både skillnader och likheter mellan grupperna, där den största gemensamma nämnaren var preferensen för en "ren" och "lugn" design, vilket placerade båda prototyperna högre än deras originalversioner. Slutsatsen var att det mycket riktigt är svårt att skapa en design för alla på grund av individuella behov och preferenser, men att inkludera användare med funktionsvariationer i designprocessen kan markera generella problem som annars hade kunnat missas, samt att göra det enklare att implementera skräddarsydda inställningar.
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Maigua, Mwaura Isaac. "The extent of accessibility of public buildings to persons with disabilities in Kenya." Thesis, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1017098.
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Many countries in the world have in recent years developed measures to increase accessibility to the built environment for persons with disabilities. Of particular concern are facilities such as roads, railways and public premises. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons With Disabilities (CRPD) confers accessibility as a right and gives responsibility to state parties to ensure to persons with disabilities (PWDs) a barrier free environment. The Constitution of Kenya (2010) states that PWDs have a right to facilities including educational that integrate their needs. The Person With Disabilities Act (2003) provides for mechanisms through which such enforcements can be enacted. The body responsible for implementing the Act has developed minimum accessibility guidelines to inform this endeavor as part of Kenya‟s dream of becoming a middle income economy by the year 2030. This research report/treatise details the findings of a pilot baseline survey study conducted in Nairobi, Kisumu and Mombasa Cities.
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Pike, Hilary Eryn. "ADA Compliance and Accessibility of Aquatic Facilities in the North Texas Area." Thesis, University of North Texas, 2007. https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc3557/.
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The purpose of this study was to determine the degree to which existing aquatic facilities in the North Texas metroplex complied with the 1991 Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG) and the proposed Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines: Recreation Facilities (ADAAG supplement). Fifty-two aquatic facilities were evaluated based on: parking lot, ticket counter, gate/entry, restroom, dressing area, drinking fountain, pathway, and pool entry method structural domains. Physical measurements and a few direct observations were recorded on the survey instrument. Surveys were then reviewed and facility scores were tabulated. No facility was found to be 100% compliant with ADAAG and the ADAAG supplement. Aquatic facilities are already struggling to catch up with the 1991 ADAAG, but when the United States Department of Justice approves the proposed ADAAG supplement, aquatic facilities will fall even further behind.
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Shaligram, Shakti. "Accessibility in museums : where are we and where are we headed." Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2019. https://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/122334.
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Thesis: S.M. in Engineering and Management, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, System Design and Management Program, 2019Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.
Includes bibliographical references (pages 61-66).
This study examines the experience of blind people in science and art museums. It is important for two reasons. First, museums have the potential to become hotbeds for the development of inclusive technology and practices. Second, improving the experience for a small section of society with special needs, blind visitors in this case, can lead to a better experience for everyone. In the current landscape, museums are already on this path consciously or unconsciously. At this juncture, the right decisions could lead to a better and more inclusive future for everyone. As a first step in this direction, this thesis describes the use of the human centered design process to identify opportunity areas that can improve the experience universally. The three key areas were identified through extensive primary and secondary research involving interviews with key stakeholders and user observation. Major opportunities lie in the areas of Navigation, Multimodal experiences and Social Inclusion. These areas not only represent challenges faced by blind visitors, but also key improvement areas for all visitors. For example, navigation is important for all visitors, but more so for blind visitors because it represents independence. Current layouts of museums force otherwise completely independent visitors to depend on external help. Improvements in any of these areas is very likely to improve the overall experience of museums, while including an often overlooked segment of the population.
by Shakti Shaligram.
S.M. in Engineering and Management
S.M.inEngineeringandManagement Massachusetts Institute of Technology, System Design and Management Program
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Pike, Hilary Eryn Collins John R. "ADA compliance and accessibility of aquatic facilities in the North Texas area." [Denton, Tex.] : University of North Texas, 2007. http://digital.library.unt.edu/permalink/meta-dc-3557.
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Bordas, Eddy Marta. "Universal accessibility : on the need of an empathy-based architecture." Doctoral thesis, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/10803/405709.
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Universal Accessibility: On the need of an empathy-based architecture is a PhD thesis researching the paradigm of accessible architectural design. Starting from the very first understanding of accessibility in architecture, it analyses the evolution of the concept over recent decades up to the present, in order to evaluate its current significance. The assumption of this dissertation is that all current theories concerning accessibility in architecture are not properly approached and/or they are poorly linked to architectural practice, since the main postulate of this thesis is that the quality of built environments is poor in respect to accessibility. Therefore, this thesis aims to point out the main problems that accessible designs face nowadays and, more importantly, to rationalize why this situation must be reversed while also exploring the tools for doing this.
Accessibility standards were defined decades ago and are continuously being updated to more precise and restrictive regulations, aiming at higher compliance for fully accessible thus, “non-discriminating” designs. Hence, we cannot deny the existence of abundant literature concerning how to design accessible built environments. Nevertheless, the fact is that the quality of designs in respect to accessibility is doubtful on many occasions. The regulations give plenty of instructions on how to design the built environment to be “wheelchair friendly” and have also recently introduced tools for being “blind friendly”, but they have not adopted a design for all understanding, at least, not in a way that is holistically inclusive. Indeed, many current accessible designs are not designs meant for all, but just mere differentiated “designs for the disabled” that do not form a part of the whole “normal” environment. Consequently, non-disabled people rarely use them, even when they are more practical, because they do not identify themselves with such segregated “designs for the disabled”.
In this respect, accessibility needs to evolve from the current simplistic view of barrier-free environments towards a more inclusive approach. Accessibility should be understood as comprehending higher existential needs such as pleasantness and identity; that is, it must take into consideration how we perceive and experience the built environment. This is crucial for the psychological wellbeing of the users. We all need belonging, to feel part of and not separated from society and our environment; we need a sense of normality. Thus, the premise of this dissertation is that an empathic approach is necessary for designing an accessible built environment that goes beyond the regular barrier-free requirements, beyond functionality and usability concerns. Empathy is essential to satisfy the “supra-functional needs”, those social, emotional, spiritual, aspirational and cultural aspects that are relevant to all of us equally. Herein lies the real pleasure, the sense of wellbeing and perception of a good life. Empathy is the key and starting point for defeating the “design for the disabled” and for success in achieving inclusive architecture. If we do so, we will be looking at long-term designs that are able to healthfully support needs that cover a human lifespan. Thus, sustainable designs which provide quality of life. If this is achieved, some standardized behaviours and prejudices against people with disabilities will simultaneously be defeated.
To sum up, this thesis is a general reflection regarding the paradigm of accessible architecture, observed from different points of views, and arriving at some final thoughts. Thus, this thesis is not so much about giving instructions on how to build accessible architecture, but it instead reflects on 'why' it is necessary. This dissertation attempts to change attitudes regarding accessibility, so that is truly embraced as designing architecture for all; that is, architecture in which sustainability and social justice in all design is ensured."Accessibilitat Universal: Sobre la necessitat d’una arquitectura basada en l’empatia" és una tesi doctoral centrada en el paradigma del disseny arquitectònic accessible. Partint de la primera comprensió de l’accessibilitat en l’arquitectura, s’analitza l’evolució del concepte des de les últimes dècades fins a l’actualitat, per tal d’avaluar el seu significat actual. La hipòtesi és que totes les teories vigents que avaluen i defineixen l’accessibilitat en l’arquitectura no estan correctament enfocades i/o no estan suficientment vinculades a la pràctica professional, ja que el postulat principal d’aquesta investigació és que la qualitat dels entorns construïts és pobre en matèria d’accessibilitat. Resulta necessari evolucionar de l’actual punt de vista simplista de l’accessibilitat entesa com a entorn sense barreres arquitectòniques, cap a un enfocament més inclusiu. Cal entendre que l’accessibilitat abasta necessitats existencials superiors tals com l’amenitat i la identitat. És a dir, cal que tinguem en consideració com percebem i experimentem l’entorn construït. Això resulta crucial per al benestar psicològic de tota persona. Per a tothom resulta important el sentiment de pertinença, el sentir que formem part de, i no que estem apartats de la societat i del nostre entorn; per a tots resulta indispensable la sensació de normalitat. És per aquest motiu que la premissa d’aquesta tesi defensa que és necessari un enfocament empàtic cap el disseny d’entorns accessibles. L’empatia és essencial per tal de satisfer aquelles necessitats ‘suprafuncionals’, aquells aspectes socials, emocionals, espirituals i culturals que són rellevants per a tots nosaltres de la mateixa forma. Aquí rau el veritable plaer, el sentiment de benestar i la percepció d’una bona vida. L’empatia és la clau i el punt de partida per derrotar el ‘disseny per al discapacitat’ i per a l’èxit d’una arquitectura inclusiva. Si ho aconseguim, estarem front dissenys duradors que són capaços d’assumir, d’una manera saludable, les diverses necessitats que sorgeixen al llarg d’una vida. És a dir, dissenys sostenibles que proporcionen qualitat de vida. Si ho aconseguim, certes conductes predeterminades i prejudicis vers persones amb discapacitat seran a la vegada enderrocats. En resum, aquesta tesi és una reflexió general sobre el paradigma de l’arquitectura accessible, observat des de diversos punts de vista, i arribant a unes conclusions finals. Per tant, aquesta tesi no tracta tant de donar instruccions sobre com construir de forma accessible, sinó que més aviat reflexiona sobre el per què és necessari Aquesta dissertació pretén canviar actituds respecte a l’accessibilitat, de manera que sigui veritablement integrada dins del disseny arquitectònic. El resultat serà una arquitectura per a tothom en la que la sostenibilitat i la justícia social quedarà assegurada.
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Spingola, Elizabeth Marie. "Understanding the Relationships Between Disability, Engineering, and the Design of Engineering Course Websites Through Disabled Engineering Students' Perspectives." Diss., Virginia Tech, 2020. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/97630.
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This dissertation examines the culture and climate of disabled people and the disability community within society and the engineering field and the experience of disabled students in higher education. The theoretical lenses utilized is the Technology Acceptance Model which emphasizes the importance of end user's perspectives, and the Social Model of Disability which sees the world and society as disabling rather than the imposition of disability on a person. The perception of disability in engineering is examined through the use of a systematic literature review within Chapter 3 by comparing general engineering academic literature and engineering education literature housed within the American Society of Engineering Education national database. Chapter 4 of this dissertation quantitatively examines the digital accessibility landscape of learning management systems utilized within engineering and engineering related courses that first and second year engineering students are required to take. Finally, Chapter 5 utilized a mixed method approach to examine disabled and non-disabled engineering students' perspectives on the usability of their Learning Management System within their engineering courses. The second part of this research study utilizes individual design interviews to have students redesign their Canvas experiences such that it minimizes digital accessibility barriers. Chapter 6 details tangible digital accessibility recommendations for developers, designers, and instructors/content managers. These recommendations are based on the results within the previous chapters of this dissertation.Doctor of Philosophy
This dissertation examines the culture and climate of disabled people and the disability community within society and the engineering field and the experience of disabled students in higher education. The research presented is understood by looking at disability as not a detriment to the individual and is imposed by society. Chapter 3 talks about how disabled people are and are not included within the engineering field. It compares a more general engineering academic literature with engineering education academic literature from American Society of Engineering Education national proceedings. The second study researches the accessibility of engineering and engineering related course websites from a higher education institution. This research shows the most common digital accessibility errors that are found along with the types of web pages that have the most accessibility errors. Finally, the third study researches the digital accessibility barriers encountered by disabled and nondisabled engineering students. These results are broken down by the specific disability that was disclosed by the participant. Chapter 6 details tangible digital accessibility recommendations for developers, designers, and instructors/content managers. These recommendations are based on the results within the previous chapters of this dissertation.
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Kavanaugh, Maureen. "Examining the Impact of Accommodations and Universal Design on Test Accessibility and Validity." Thesis, Boston College, 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/2345/bc-ir:107317.
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Thesis advisor: Michael RussellLarge-scale assessments are often used for statewide accountability and for instructional and institutional planning. It is essential that the instruments used are valid and reliable for all test takers included in the testing population. However, these tests have often fallen short in the area of accessibility, which can impact validity for students with special needs. This dissertation examines two strategies to addressing accessibility: the use of technology to implement principles of universal design to assessment and the provision of accommodations. This study analyzed test data for students attending high schools in New Hampshire, Vermont and Rhode Island who participated in the 2009 11th grade New England Common Assessment Program (NECAP) science assessment. Three test conditions were of interest: (1) no accommodations with a paper-based form (2) accommodated test administration with a paper-based form and (3) accommodated test administration using a universally designed computer-based test delivery system with embedded accommodations and accessibility features. Results from two analyses are presented: differential item functioning (DIF) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). DIF was used to explore item functioning, comparing item difficulty and discrimination under accommodated and non-accommodated conditions. Similarly, CFA was used to examine the consistency of underlying factor structure as evidence that constructs measured were stable across test conditions. Results from this study offered evidence that overall item functioning and underlying factor structure was consistent across accommodated and unaccommodated conditions, regardless of whether accommodations were provided with a paper form or a universally designed computer-based test delivery system. These results support the viability of using technology-based assessments as a valid means of assessing students and offering embedded, standardized supports to address access needs
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Surbella, Kevin. "Academic accessibility mapping sociospatial perceptions by students who use wheelchairs /." [Kent, Ohio] : Kent State University, 2007. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc%5Fnum=kent1185541127.
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Veskoukis, Alexandra. "Where have we been, where are we now and where could we go? : Re imagining the accessibility of digital maps." Thesis, Malmö universitet, Institutionen för konst, kultur och kommunikation (K3), 2021. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:mau:diva-43647.
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By investigating digital maps with an inclusive- and research through design approach, this research project aims on answering the research question: how can a digital map convey accessibility information of a route before the journey without the need of special adaptation?The research question involves two issues, how digital maps can convey information about a route and what accessibility information of a route is.With Rätt från början and the Swedish Agency for Accessible Media as stakeholders, a recruitment of participants with different capabilities, preference, characteristics, and needs was completed to explore how the participants use digital maps and perceive accessibility of the physical world by using the methods of interviews and design probes.The design process resulted in prototypes of a digital map that affords exploration without displaying normative standards of accessibility by using a design strategy of presenting the world as it is through audio-haptic and visual communication.
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Al, Jarallah Khulud. "Cognitive user-centred design approach to improve accessibility for blind people during online interaction." Thesis, De Montfort University, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/2086/9737.
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The use of internet and other communication technology has become predominantly common in the life of normal sighted users. In order to have a fair level of equality in the society, blind people must also be able to use these facilities with equal ease and effectiveness Many governments decided to implement e-Government applications to enhance the delivery of information and services to its citizens, residents and businesses. These e-Government applications were carefully designed with the help of international standards to serve the whole group of population and especially people with disabilities. However, recent studies showed that the acceptance rate of these e Government applications among the community, especially between people with disability, is not up to the expectations. The aim of this research is to investigate the accessibility issues faced by blind people while interacting with online services like e-Government portals Owing to the nature of content and the importance of information which is to be delivered to the whole country, the accessibility standards of such portals are of paramount importance. It is this idea of evaluation of such websites for special category of blind people that has been the main focus of this thesis. The main aim of this doctoral research is to discover any accessibility problems that could be faced by people with blind users during online interaction and not covered in accessibility standards. A real example of online interaction is the e-Government portals. This research followed a rigours tri-staged evaluation process for a selected e-Government portal (Saudi Arabian portal) to analyse the accessibility issues faced by blind people. The aim of this evaluation process is to understand the cognition and perception of a blind user while interacting with a web-based environment. The first step of the evaluation process was to verify the level of adherence of the selected portal to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). The second stage includes a detailed experimental exercise with a number of blind people following the task- oriented approach. The third step of the evaluation process was a detailed interview with web designers to analyse the problems faced by blind participants in the experimental exercise. Thereafter, cognitive-based solutions were proposed to improve the accessibility of online interaction for blind users and fill the gap in the accessibility standards. The introduction of navigational landmarks and the insertion of virtual map description improve the navigation and hence the performance of blind users. The proposed solution has been tested with a separate group of blind users to validate the research findings and to ensure the desired level of accessibility of the e-Government portals is achieved.
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Thorén, Tobias. "Exploring visual accessibility and why it is missing on the internet." Thesis, Malmö universitet, Fakulteten för teknik och samhälle (TS), 2021. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:mau:diva-43299.
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The internet is becoming the primary channel for many daily tasks, services and necessities. The information and services available on the internet should be accessible to everyone, especially when the only channel available is the internet. For the visually impaired the internet can be a great asset, but also an impossible barrier depending on how the website has been implemented. The goal of this paper was to explore why accessibility for the visually impaired on the internet is not more widespread, and what factors affect the creation of visually accessible websites. Through creating an evaluation method and assessing it, along with end-user as well as developer interviews and feedback we find indicators that the root cause of the issue is multi-factored. Education, resources and directive from clients and superiors seem to be the major culprits.
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Eriksson, Amanda. "Lika nödvändigt & tillgängligt som toalettpapper: : En kvalitativ intervjustudie som undersöker tillgänglighet till mensskydd för elever under skoltid, på ett urval gymnasieskolor under februari till mars månad 2019." Thesis, Mittuniversitetet, Institutionen för design, 2019. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:miun:diva-37236.
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Den här studien undersöker tillgänglighet till mensskydd, utifrån ett universal design-perspektiv, vid ett urval gym- nasieskolor i Sundsvall februari och mars månad 2019 samt hur eleverna upplever tillgängligheten. En kvalitativ inter- vjustudie, bestående av intervjuer med skolsköterskor och elever vid skolorna, genomfördes utifrån en noga formule- rad intervjumanual, där resultatet sedan sammanställdes. Resultatet beskrevs, tolkades och analyserades sedan innan slutsatser kunde dras. Resultatet visar på att tillgänglighet till mensskydd, vid ett urval av gymnasieskolor i Sundsvall under februari och mars månad 2019, utifrån ett universal design-perspektiv, är bristfällig.
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Scholz, Anne-Charlot. "Voice Qualities in Audio Subtitles : Opportunities and Challenges in Voice Design for accessibility and beyond." Thesis, KTH, Skolan för elektroteknik och datavetenskap (EECS), 2021. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-299944.
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This paper explores novel experiential qualities of the voice in Audio Subtitles through research through design. Audio subtitles is an accessibility service for users who have trouble comprehending subtitles in audiovisual content and has been newly developed for video on demand platforms such as SVT Play. In order to explore possibilities in its voice design, short video clips of films and TV series with different types of audio subtitles were produced, presented to and discussed with a small number of potential users of audio subtitles that included people with dyslexia, cognitive difficulties and autism. Results indicated that applied voices that did not support the user’s expectations, low and high pitches as well as low-quality speech synthesis, made for uncomfortable experiences, which could prove to be useful for provoking reflection and challenging norms. The paper also discusses how voice design for this service has the potential to match the filmmakers intentions by translating more than semantic information, as well as how audio subtitles could potentially be produced by professional sound designers and filmmakers instead of video on demand services. Finally, challenges such as misgendering and insensitive choices of voice in voice design for audio subtitles are considered, underscoring how ethics can’t be avoided when working with the voice modality.Denna uppsats utforskar nya kvaliteter av rösten i uppläst undertext genom research through design, en metod där kunskap skapas genom design processen och reaktioner till design. Uppläst undertext är en tillgänglighetstjänst för användare som har problem med att läsa och följa undertexter i audiovisuellt innehåll och har nyligen utvecklats för video on demand-plattformar som SVT Play. För att utforska möjligheter i dens röstdesign producerades korta videoklipp av filmer och TV-serier med olika typer av uppläst undertext. De presenterades för och diskuterades med ett litet antal potentiella användare av tjänsten, bland dem personer med dyslexi, kognitiva svårigheter och autism. Resultaten indikerade att röster som inte stödde användarens förväntningar, låga och höga tonhöjden samt talsyntes av låg kvalitet, gav obehagliga upplevelser, vilket kan visa sig vara användbart för att framkalla reflektioner och utmana normer. Uppsatsen diskuterar även hur röstdesign för uppläst undertext har potentialen att efterlikna filmskaparnas avsikter genom att översätta mer än semantisk information, och hur ljudundertexter kan produceras av professionella ljuddesigner och filmskapare istället för video on demand tjänster. Slutligen tas utmaningar som felaktig könsbestämning och okänsliga röstval i röstdesign för uppläst undertext i hänsyn, vilket understryker hur etik inte kan undvikas när det arbetas med röst-modaliteten.
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Avis, Amanda H. "Accessibility and attitudinal barriers encountered in sectors of travel and tourism by travelers who have disabilities /." free to MU campus, to others for purchase, 2003. http://wwwlib.umi.com/cr/mo/fullcit?p1418001.
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Sloan, David R. "The effectiveness of the web accessibility audit as a motivational and educational tool in inclusive web design." Thesis, University of Dundee, 2006. https://discovery.dundee.ac.uk/en/studentTheses/f5c9d678-64be-4253-89a2-cf693b2e6f47.
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The importance of Web sites that can be accessed and used regardless of an individual?s disability is critical. One barrier to improved accessibility of Web sites relates to the gap between Web authors? technical knowledge of Web accessibility guidelines and a broader understanding of the challenges facing disabled people when interacting with Web sites.This thesis describes the development and evaluation of a Web accessibility auditing methodology with the dual aims of accurately identifying accessibility barriers present in a Web site, and presenting the audit findings and recommended actions in a way that informs, educates and engenders an improved understanding of accessibility amongst the audience.The methodology was piloted amongst a sample of Web sites, validated against other published accessibility evaluation methodologies, and adopted for subsequent audits carried out on a commercial basis. The impact on recipient organisations and individuals of a sample of 14 commercially commissioned audits was then evaluated. Audit recipients were surveyed, and each Web site audited evaluated to identify any changes to accessibility, and the presence of evidence of changes or improvements to accessibility strategy.Strong indications were found that the audits had a positive impact both on individuals and on the commissioning organisations. The audits were identified as having a particularly positive educational and motivational impact on recipients who did not identify themselves as having expertise in Web accessibility. There was also evidence that the design approach promoted by the audits had been adopted and applied by some of the commissioning organisations. The majority of respondents cited the recommendations for improvement as the most valuable feature of the audit. This illustrates a tension between the importance of presenting specific recommendations for actions and providing richer narrative accounts of evaluation stages to encourage a more holistic appreciation of accessibility.The particular benefits of the study are found in the identification of evidence of impact of commercially-commissioned Web accessibility audits over a period of time to recipients of varying characteristics. A number of areas for further investigation have been identified, focusing on investigating the potential value of the accessibility audit in providing more ?experiential? evaluation stages.
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Rivers, James. "Improving the usability and accessibility in aging rural communities: rural policy for innovation in an aging community." Kansas State University, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/2097/17748.
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Master of Regional and Community PlanningDepartment of Landscape Architecture/Regional and Community Planning
Katherine Nesse
Most adults have grown accustomed to the current design orientation of their communities; however, as adults grow older they will be hard pressed to maintain their current lifestyle and level of activity in their community. This research identifies the importance of incorporating accessibility and usability elements into the streetscape of a community to encourage the integration of seniors into community life. One of the four pillars of the Main Street approach is design. This encompasses the design of building facades, streetscapes, and public spaces. This research looks at the Kansas Main Street program and investigates its success in furthering usability and accessibility of streetscapes in rural communities experiencing an aging population and infrastructure. My thesis is if the Main Street organizations of Kansas were concerned about the access and use of streetscapes for elderly populations, their concern would be expressed in development plans and practices through their Main Street program undertakings. Through this research, I have found that while rural communities see the value in accessible streetscapes their primary barrier to creating them is a financial one.
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HECKEL, PAMELA FUNDERBURG. "BEYOND THE WHEELCHAIR." University of Cincinnati / OhioLINK, 2003. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1068666912.
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Martin, Claudia Maria 1964. "Desenho universal e a NBR 9050:2004 : contribuições para projetos de arquitetura." [s.n.], 2013. http://repositorio.unicamp.br/jspui/handle/REPOSIP/258574.
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Orientador: Núbia BernardiDissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia Civil, Arquitetura e Urbanismo
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Resumo: A necessidade de uma arquitetura acessível tem sido cada vez mais solicitada e torna-se importante ao arquiteto compreender a diferença entre o conceito de projeto de arquitetura "acessível" e o conceito de projeto de arquitetura "universal". Enquanto o projeto acessível é aquele que atende Normas Técnicas de acessibilidade garantindo a utilização dos ambientes por pessoas com deficiência e/ou mobilidade reduzida, o projeto universal é baseado em princípios do Desenho Universal (DU) e visa criar espaços que não segregam e que atendam o maior número possível de diversidades. Esta pesquisa teve por objetivo demonstrar a diferença entre estes conceitos aliando conceitos do DU aos parâmetros de acessibilidade apresentados na norma técnica NBR 9050:2004, que trata da acessibilidade a edificações, mobiliário, espaços e equipamentos urbanos sendo a principal referência utilizada no Brasil para orientação técnica de soluções arquitetônicas acessíveis. A metodologia incluiu uma análise de conteúdo de publicações referentes à acessibilidade no ambiente construído e uma pesquisa de exemplos iconográficos e diretrizes conceituais dos princípios do DU aplicados a projetos de arquitetura. O resultado da pesquisa foi à criação de um documento de auxílio ao arquiteto durante a elaboração de projetos. Este documento relaciona de maneira síncrona alguns parâmetros de acessibilidade que constam na NBR 9050:2004 com os conceitos do DU, facilitando o entendimento destes conceitos para a sua aplicação no projeto de arquitetura. Desta forma esta pesquisa pretende contribuir para a elaboração de projetos que expressem com clareza os conceitos de uma arquitetura universal
Abstract: The need to produce accessible architecture is increasingly asked for and therefore it is important for designers to fully understand the difference between the concept of "accessible" architecture and the concept of "universal" architecture. While accessible design attends Technical Standards by ensuring the accessibility of environments for people with disabilities and/or with reduced mobility, universal design is based on the principles of Universal Design (UD) and aims to provide spaces that do not segregate and that serve the biggest number of diversities. This study demonstrated the difference between these concepts adding the concepts of UD to the accessibility parameters presented in the Brazilian technical standard NBR 9050:2004, that deals with accessibility of buildings, furniture, spaces and urban equipment and is the main reference in Brazil for technical orientation towards accessible architecture solutions. The methodology included an analysis of the content of publications relating to questions of accessibility in the built environment and a search of examples and conceptual guidelines to incorporate UD principles into architectural designs. The result of this study was the creation of a document to help designers during their design process and project development. This document connects some accessibility parameters synchronously contained in the standard NBR 9050:2004 with the concepts of UD, facilitating the understanding of these concepts for their application in architectural design. Thus this research contributes to the development of design solutions that express more clearly the concepts of a universal architecture
Mestrado
Arquitetura, Tecnologia e Cidade
Mestra em Arquitetura, Tecnologia e Cidade
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Everett, Inez Celeste. "Web accessibility: Ensuring access to online course instruction for students with disabilities." CSUSB ScholarWorks, 2003. https://scholarworks.lib.csusb.edu/etd-project/2367.
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The number of instructors introducing web-based elements in the course curriculum is growing and students need to be able to access content on the web to participate. As such, a campus website with accessibility design standards for course developers at California State University showed potential to greatly assist in equalizing the educational playing field for students with disabilities.
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Orens, David M. "an end to the 'other' in landscape architecture: poststructural theory and universal design." Thesis, Virginia Tech, 1997. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/30523.
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Accessibility in the landscape has gained increased attention in recent years, and the practice of Universal Design, rather than providing ‘accessible’ accommodations as separate, distinct elements within the landscape, attempts to address social issues such as segregation by proposing an integrated accessibility and design for a diverse society. However, while proposing integration, it can be criticized as designing to the lowest common denominator and clinging to the idea of a ‘disabled’ population which must be designed down to. It frequently fails to address the complexities arising from conflicts between the needs of individuals with different disabilities and lacks a theoretical framework which would place the philosophy’s ideals within a broader social and cultural context. The poststructural project is posited as such a theoretical framework, and a means for evaluating the principles of Universal Design along with the social and cultural beliefs upon which the accessibility issue rests. Poststructuralism is used to challenge the idea of separate ‘able’ / ‘disabled’ populations on the basis that this dichotomous opposition is based on limiting conceptions of disability and fails to acknowledge the complexities which comprise the diverse fabric of society. The project is explored here as an alternative means for advancing the ideals of Universal Design within the realm of landscape architecture. Using a matrix of poststructural practices, social concepts such as normality and disability are examined and ‘deconstructed.’ Ultimately a reconstruction of the paradigm, a Critically Integrated Design, is proposed based upon the reconceptualization and resituation of accessibility and social conditions.Master of Landscape Architecture
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Alahmadi, Tahani J. "A Multi-method Evaluation of Website Accessibility: Foregrounding User-centred Design, Data Mining and Using a Quantitative Metric." Thesis, Griffith University, 2019. http://hdl.handle.net/10072/389683.
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Accessibility evaluation is an important equity-oriented step in assessing the effectiveness and usefulness of online learning materials for users with disabilities. The popular uptake of blended and online learning warrants an assessment of the accessibility of university web-based systems. Previous studies indicated that such systems have become gradually inaccessible as the complexity of their content increases, yet higher education institutions continue to pay minimal attention to this issue. Administrators of university websites and companies that develop learning management systems usually focus on conforming to specific accessibility standards, such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1. The problem is that the systems of these institutions extensively feature media and document files, thereby necessitating more than mere adherence to common principles for users with disabilities to efficiently interact with the systems.
The development of an efficient accessibility evaluation method for dynamic web-based systems poses a significant challenge to researchers. In this regard, the main shortcomings that were addressed in this thesis are as follows: (1) The creation of accessible and usable questionnaire statements to be answered by disabled groups. (2) The limitations of accessibility evaluations carried out through automated and human-directed approaches. (3) The assignment of fixed weights to accessibility problems without consideration for the prioritisation of each problem encountered by disabled populations. (4) The lack of a technique for validating the results of human and automated assessments. (5) The occurrence of false negative and false positive accessibility problems during evaluations performed by automated tools. (6) The insufficient quality of descriptive texts or captions for non-textual elements. (7) The absence of accessibility values for uploaded files, such as Word, PowerPoint, PDF, image and video files, in a quantitative metric. (8) The shortage of initiatives in highlighting potential influencing factors for accessibility evaluation by users. (9) The failure of current standards to categorise accessibility issues on the basis of disability characteristics and system features.
The outcomes of this research are expected to influence the types of information incorporated into evaluated systems and the development plans formulated for such platforms. They should also drive universities to institute adequate mechanisms that increase accessibility awareness among developers and educators. All the data collected through the multi-evaluation method put forward in this work can serve as reference in the design of a quantitative metric intended to identify accessibility values for users with visual and hearing disabilities. The ultimate goal of the proposed approach is to enable the construction of fully accessible systems that simultaneously facilitate the creation of accessible content by end-users, such as educators.
To the above-mentioned ends, this study involved measuring and analysing the accessibility of university web-based systems used by visually and hearing-impaired groups. The measurement and analysis, which covered the accessibility of image, video and document files, were aimed at casting light on the influence of university web-based systems on content accessibility for vision-, hearing- and vision–hearing-impaired individuals. They were also meant to elucidate how developers, educators and universities implement accessibility principles with respect to the usability of system webpages and uploaded files. A model for accessibility evaluation was developed in accordance with a multi-method approach, the characteristics of disabled groups and the features of university systems. The model considers subjective and objective measurements. The subjective evaluation conforms to user-centred design (UCD) theory and embodies a design informed by usability and accessibility statements derived from state-of-the-art questionnaires and standards. The specific foundational materials for this evaluation are WCAG 2.0, the Software Usability Measurement Inventory, the IBM Usability Evaluation, Section 508 and PDF and MS Office standards. The objective evaluation entails the use of automated tools, human judgement and a quantitative metric (A3). Mining techniques (NaiveBayes, BayesNet, JRip and J48) were likewise carried out in developing the evaluation.
The core end-products of this thesis are strategies for ranking and prioritising accessibility problems, a UCD theory-grounded estimation approach to the weighing of each accessibility problem by system users with visual and hearing impairments (subjective evaluation), a list of accessibility problems for each checkpoint for webpages as well as image, video, Word, PowerPoint and PDF files and a list of accessible and inaccessible files. Additional insights were drawn from the comparison of the outputs of the automated and human evaluations and the comparison of the number of accessible and inaccessible instances identified via data mining techniques as validation for the results of the human evaluations and vice versa. In the end, accessibility values for visually and hearing-impaired groups were determined by integrating all the evaluation findings as regards webpages, images, videos and Word, PowerPoint and PDF files and then by computing the developed Accessibility Metric of Web-based system including uploaded files (AMWSUF) (objective evaluation). The results showed that the overall accessibility values of university web-based systems were low. The accessibility value for the visually impaired users was 0.88, indicating that 88% of the examined university webpages (including uploaded files) were inaccessible for this population. The accessibility value for the hearing-impaired users was 0.42, denoting that 42% of the webpages (including uploaded files) were inaccessible for this group. The group with visual disabilities faced web access challenges in interacting with such critical systems, while the hearing-impaired group was confronted with difficulties relating to videos and audio files, which are popular content replete with usability problems.Thesis (PhD Doctorate)
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
School of Info & Comm Tech
Science, Environment, Engineering and Technology
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Ljungberg, Alexandra. "Design och evaluering av en universitetskurs om webbtillgänglighet : Med fokus på pedagogiska arbetssätt samt ett kursmoment om assisterande teknik." Thesis, Karlstads universitet, Handelshögskolan (from 2013), 2021. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:kau:diva-85914.
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En pågående digitalisering av det svenska samhället gör att tillgänglighet inte längre är ett enbart fysiskt fenomen utan också ett digitalt. Allt fler av samhällets viktiga tjänster, såsom hälsovård och banktjänster, går över helt eller till stor del till den digitala världen. I och med den ökande närvaron av digitala lösningar finns ett ökande behov av kunskap inom webbtillgänglighet. Syftet för uppsatsen är att på uppdrag av informatikgruppen vid Karlstads universitet undersöka hur en universitetskurs om webbtillgänglighet kan utformas på B-nivå(G1F). Uppsatsförfattarens huvudsakliga fokus har varit de arbetssätt som kan vara av vikt när man lär ut en kurs i webbtillgänglighet och att utforma, följa och utvärdera en workshop där studenter får bekanta sig med de problem som en användare med synnedsättning kan uppleva på webben. Undersökningsfrågorna evaluerades genom observation av föreläsningar och workshops under pilotkursen Framtida Webbstandarder som uppsatsförfattaren tillsammans med en annan uppsatsstudent hjälpt till att formge. Utöver observationerna gjordes en intervju med undervisande lärare och en webenkät skickades ut till studenterna där de gavs möjlighet att yttra sina åsikter om kursen. Efter analys av insamlade data kan det konstateras att en kurs inom webbtillgänglighet kan gynnas av att ha en blandning av teoretiska och praktiska moment för att lära ut det aktuella materialet och att studenter kan engageras i ämnet genom diskussionsuppgifter under föreläsningarna. Den analyserade data visar också på att man kan bygga upp en workshop på sådant sätt att studenterna får testa på olika nivåer av assisterande teknik för synnedsättningar och på så sätt ge dem en övergripande erfarenhet och förståelse för de problem som personer med synnedsättning kan uppleva på webben.
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Brännström, Sanne, and Miranda Lunnerhag. "Infografik för alla (IFA) : design av information för individer med synvariationer." Thesis, Högskolan Kristianstad, Fakulteten för ekonomi, 2020. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:hkr:diva-21102.
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Infografik har blivit en populär metod för att visualisera information i det digitala samhället. Tidigare forskning har fokuserat på hur användare med normal synförmåga på webben uppfattar infografik, men det finns ett behov av att undersöka infografik utifrån ett tillgänglighetsperspektiv för att inkludera användare med synvariationer. I denna studie presenteras designkonceptet “IFA”, som står för “Infografik För Alla”, som är framtaget i syfte att ta reda på hur ett designkoncept för infografik mot en synvarierad målgrupp kan konceptualiseras för att stödja dessa. Konceptet tas fram i enlighet med konceptdriven designforskning. I konceptet presenteras ett eget bidrag i form av färg, nämligen violett, något som författarna inte stött på tidigare inom ämnets forskningsfält. Tidigare rekommenderade färger som turkos och magenta testades och visade sig vara otillgängliga för målgruppen. I övrigt bekräftade konceptet även befintliga teorier, som vikten av hög kontrast mellan text och bakgrund och en lagom stor typgrad. Förslag på framtida forskning kan vara att testa konceptet “IFA” i en verklig kontext, samt att ta fram en version av konceptet som bygger på motsatsen till vad som rekommenderas i denna studie, detta för att kunna jämföra effekterna i en verklighetskontext.Infographics has become a popular method for displaying information in the digital society. Previous research have mainly focused on how people with normal visual ability perceive infographics on the web, but there is a certain need to examine infographics from a perspective that focuses on accessibility to include people with visual impairment. This paper presents the design concept “IFA”, which stands for “Infographics For All”. The concept was developed with the aim of finding out how a design concept for infographics for the visually impaired can be designed, and was developed by concept-driven design research. The design concept presents a color contribution, the color violet, which the authors have not encountered in the research field of the subject before. Previously recommended colors such as turquoise and magenta were tested and proved inaccessible to the target group. The research of the design concept also confirmed existing theories, such as the importance of high contrast between text and background and fairly large font sizes. Suggestions for future research may contain to test the concept, “IFA”, in a real-life user context, as well as to develop a version of the concept that is based on the opposite of what is recommended in this thesis, to compare the effects of the concepts in a real-life user context.
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Burns-Johnson, Toshiba L. "Are Government Websites Achieving Universal Accessibility?: An Analysis of State Department of Health and Human Services’ Websites." Thesis, School of Information and Library Science, 2007. http://hdl.handle.net/1901/417.
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Research reports that the search for health information is the fourth most popular activity being done on the web (Pew Internet & American Life Project, 2004). However, for disabled persons, barriers experienced when interfacing with the Internet may cause healthcare websites to be inaccessible to them. This study explores the level of accessibility of healthcare websites and the relationship between accessibility and usability by determining how compliant state department of health and human services websites are with accessibility and usability guidelines. A content analysis of each state’s department of health and human services website was conducted. Results revealed that state department of health and human services websites are not very compliant with accessibility guidelines, are somewhat compliant with usability guidelines, and overall are not very accessible. The findings also indicate that there is a significant moderate relationship between accessibility and usability which suggests that the two concepts are interconnected.
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Cline, Holly Leeann. "The Evaluation of Universal Design Kitchen Features by People in Wheelchairs." Diss., Virginia Tech, 2006. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/28966.
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The purpose of the study was to investigate the effectiveness of universal design kitchen features by people using wheelchairs. The study examined the features of the GE Real Life Design Kitchen in the Center for Real Life Design at Virginia Tech and determined which universal design features were beneficial to users in wheelchairs. The specific objectives were:
to evaluate the universal design features of the GE Real Life Design Kitchen by people in wheelchairs, and
to examine how the GE Real Life Design Kitchen is used by people in wheelchairs as they prepare a meal in the space.
Nine participants, with various disabilities, who use a wheelchair on a daily basis were selected for the study. The sample consisted of 5 male and 4 female participants with ages ranging from 28-58 years old. Each participant had varying levels of grip, strength, and memory as a result of their disability. Data for this study were collected through a variety of observation and interviewing methods.
The study was separated into four different sections/activities; the pre-cooking interview, the universal design evaluation, the cooking activity, and the post-cooking interview. Each participant was asked to test specific universal design features located in the GE Real Life Design Kitchen and was given a set menu and asked to prepare a meal.
The results of this study determined that people who use a wheelchair while cooking are very efficient and do not require much counter space in order to prepare a meal. Appliances with easy to read and use controls are preferred and should be located within good visual range of a person in a wheelchair to be effective. In addition, it was determined that a pull-out cutting board and some type of roll-out tray feature in a base cabinet is useful to a person in a wheelchair. The results concurred with existing recommendations concerning clear floor and open knee spaces at the sink and cooktop areas, and also discovered that clear floor and open knee space is useful under a countertop microwave because it allows the wheelchair user to get their body closer to the task.
Results from this study cannot be generalized to a national population of wheelchair users because of the limitations of the sample. Results, however, are significant in terms of providing consumers, cabinet and appliance manufacturers, policy makers, and designers with valuable insight and information concerning the inclusion of universal design features in kitchens and environments that accommodate the needs of all people, including the person in a wheelchair. In addition, the results of this study imply that not all universal design features recommended in kitchen design are beneficial to people in wheelchairs. Further investigation of some of the universal design features tested is needed.Ph. D.
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Lucio, Cristina do Carmo [UNESP]. "Análise da acessibilidade e usabilidade de equipamentos médico-hospitalares para pacientes obesos da cidade de Bauru (SP)." Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), 2007. http://hdl.handle.net/11449/89754.
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lucio_cc_me_bauru.pdf: 2368608 bytes, checksum: 78fecb7e6d8e73eaf9e87e8ba3031b0d (MD5)Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP)
A obesidade é uma doença de caráter crônico que se caracteriza pelo acúmulo excessivo de gordura no organismo e acarreta graves problemas de saúde, além de transtornos psicológicos e dificuldade de acesso a muitos produtos e equipamentos. Com um crescimento em proporções epidêmicas, vem sendo considerada um dos maiores problemas de saúde na maioria dos países desenvolvidos, com destaque para a obesidade mórbida. Em 1995, o impacto da obesidade para os custos com saúde nos EUA foi de U$ 99,2 bilhões, com cerca de um terço da população apresentando-se acima do peso. No Brasil, em 1994, a obesidade atingia 11% da população e 40,6% das pessoas estavam com sobrepeso. Além do preconceito e discriminação decorrentes de seu aspecto físico, os obesos enfrentam dificuldades na utilização de produtos e equipamentos, pois são projetados para a faixa média da população. Referente a isto, muitas empresas têm investido no aperfeiçoamento de novas tecnologias, entretanto não há normas sobre as características que os produtos devem ter para se adequarem às necessidades físicas e psicológicas dos usuários obesos. Leis e decretos foram criados em algumas cidades referentes a essa problemática, ma ainda são pouco eficazes, pois, não há meios de projetar interfaces confiáveis, adequadas a esse público considerando a ausência de normas técnicas específicas no país...
Obesity is a chronic disease which is characterized by the extreme accumulation of fat in the organism and causes serious health problems, besides psychological disturbances and restrained access to many products and equipments. Whith a growth in epidemic ratios, it has being considered one of the biggest health problems in the majority of the developed countries, with distinction to morbid obesity. In 1995, the impact of the obesity in the health expenses of the U.S.A. was of U$ 99.2 billion, with about one third of the population overweighted. Recently it has been growing quickly also in developing countries due to, among others factors, the dissemination of occidental habits, as sedentarines and ingestion of foods rich in fat and sugar. In Brazil, in 1994, the obesity reached 11% of the population and 40.6% of the people were overweighted. Besides the prejudice and discrimination deriving from its physical aspect, the obese individuals are facing difficulties in using products and equipment, since they are designed for the population average range. Regarding to this, many companies have invested in the improvement of new tecnologies; however there are not norms about the characteristics the products must have to be adjusted to the physical and psychological necessities of the obese users. Laws aqnd decrees had been created in some cities referring to this problem, but still they are little efficient, because there are not ways to design trustworthy and adequate interfaces to this public since there are not specific technical norms in the country...(Complete abstract, click electronic address below)
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Bazar, Nancy Sceery. "Web usability or accessibility comparisons between people with and without intellectual disabilities in viewing complex naturalistic scenes using eye-tracking technology /." Fairfax, VA : George Mason University, 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/1920/4559.
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Thesis (Ph.D.)--George Mason University, 2009.Vita: p. 238. Thesis director: Frederick Brigham. Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Education. Title from PDF t.p. (viewed Oct. 12, 2009). Includes bibliographical references (p. 229-237). Also issued in print.
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Mahon, Dan Ashby. "Universal design in forest recreation: planning for a transition towards the accessibility of U.S. National Forest recreation areas." Thesis, Virginia Tech, 1995. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/44245.
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This study tests two methods of transition planning for accessibility to developed National Forest recreation sites. Accessibility is defined in terms of access to opportunities for persons with disabilities as mandated by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. The subject of the study is the Mount Rogers Ranger District of the Jefferson National Forest located within the state of Virginia.
The two models are tested through a simulated application to the district. The first model was developed by the Forest Service with the goal of achieving full accessibility of all sites as soon as possible. The second model was developed for the purpose of this study and emerged as a result of concerns raised by the first model. The second method is guided by user needs and the desire to manage accessibility development to prevent impacts to current site conditions.
Master of Landscape Architecture
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Ceccacci, Silvia. "Study and development of methodologies and advance solutions to support design of smart and inclusive environment." Doctoral thesis, Università Politecnica delle Marche, 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/11566/243105.
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L’aumento della popolazione anziana avrà nei prossimi anni un forte impatto sulla nostra società, in particolare sul finanziamento del Welfare. Per garantire che il sistema del welfare sia sostenibile è essenziale sostenere gli anziani nel mantenersi indipendenti: questo è il motivo per cui il design for inclusion è un tema importante per l'Unione Europea.
In questo contesto, le tecnologie domotiche possono giocare un ruolo chiave nel supportare gli anziani nella vita quotidiana e nell’aumentare il loro benessere. Tuttavia, nonostante la domanda di questi prodotti è in aumento e la tecnologia necessaria esiste già da decenni, esse rimangono scarsamente utilizzate.
Il fallimento delle soluzioni disponibili è dovuto al fatto esse non sono inclusive. Infatti i progettisti spesso si concentrano più sui problemi tecnologici o sulle funzionalità dei prodotti che sui bisogni e le abilità degli utenti, oppure si limitano a seguire le linee guida progettuali, senza considerarne il contesto d’uso.
Durante gli ultimi anni, sono stati proposti molti approcci che mirano a supportare la progettazione di prodotti più inclusivi. Tuttavia, non è ancora stato definito un metodo che fornisca strumenti pratici in grado di guidare il progettista in modo sistematico nelle scelte progettuali. In questo contesto, il lavoro di ricerca propone una metodologia, basata su un approccio centrato sull’utente che grazie a strumenti in grado di guidare le scelte progettuali a seconda dei bisogni e delle abilità degli utenti finali, mira a supportare la progettazione di prodotti inclusivi, modulari e adattabili.
Il metodo e gli strumenti proposti sono stati utilizzati nella progettazione di un ambiente cucina, grazie anche a tecnologie domotiche risultasse accessibile e utilizzabile per le persone anziane e disabili. I risultati sperimentali dimostrano che il metodo e gli strumenti proposti consentono di supportare efficacemente la progettazione di prodotti inclusivi.Demographic changes resulting in increasing of elderly population will have substantial societal implications, ranging from the workforce to the funding of welfare system. Maintaining independent living for longer is essential to ensure a sustainable welfare system: this is why inclusion is an important topic for European Union. In this context, technology may play a key role in alleviating a number of these problems. In particular, Smart Home technology has the potential to prolong the independence living of elderly people and may increase their wellbeing. However, despite the demand of these products is rising and the necessary technology already exists for decades, they remain scarcely implemented. The failure of solutions currently available is due to the fact that they are not inclusive, because designers focus more on technological issues or individual product functions then on users’ needs and skills. Otherwise, products are merely designed according to design guidelines, without considering their effective context of use. Over the last years, several approaches have been defined to support the design of more inclusive product, but it has not yet been developed a method that allows supporting inclusive design process in a systematic way. In particular, there is the need for a systematic approach that offers practical and measurable design criteria. In this context, this research work propose a new ability-oriented methodology, based on a User-centred approach, and tools able to support the definition of modular and adaptive design product, where for product we mean any device, artefact, building, or service. The proposed methods and tools are used to support the re-design process of a domestic kitchen, with the aims to define a new inclusive and smart home environment, accessible and usable for elderly and wheelchair people. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method and tools effectively supports designing of successful inclusive product.
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Durmus, Suna. "User-centered Design Approach In E-government Applications." Master's thesis, METU, 2012. http://etd.lib.metu.edu.tr/upload/12614215/index.pdf.
Full textAbstract:
Public services have been provided in an electronic format to reduce time and cost and to improve service quality. In this context, significant investments have been made since 2003 in Turkey and many government agencies started to provide services via the Internet. Government agencies need to learn the effectiveness of the offered services and the benefits of these services to citizens. The purposes of this thesis are to evaluate e-government websites in a comprehensive manner and to identify website design related problems. Especially, the study focuses on user-centered design of the e-government application. For this purpose, 33 e-government websites are evaluated, and an interview was conducted with eight government agencies websites&rsquodesigners. As a result of these studies, the problems encountered while using government electronic services are identified. Also, causes of these problems are found out. The study aims to provide a guideline in order to design user-centered e-government applications.