A review and reappraisal of information technologies within a conceptual framework for individuals with disabilities

Abstract

With over thirty million individuals with disabilities being reported in the United States, and with information systems permeating nearly every aspect of society, there is a growing urgency to ensure that everyone has equal access to technology. To render information technologies universally accessible, researchers must have at their disposal an accurate and reliable user model. Through the use of the conceptual framework presented here, accurate assumptions can be generated from knowledge of an individual's impairments, and functional abilities to influence the creation of a user profile. Ultimately, user profiles serve as a vital attribute of user models applied to the design of technology in an effort to achieve universal access.

Developing Online Community Accessibility Guidelines for Persons With Disabilities and Older Adults

“…Designers should embrace inclusive values from the outset of design and create opportunities for users to participate in the creation of the online community from the outset. Without universal design, universal access cannot be achieved, as universal access inherently means designing, developing, and implementing ICTs to meet the needs of all users (Buhler, 2001;Goggin & Newell, 2000;Jacko & Vintense, 2001).…”

Satisfying Divergent Needs in User-Centered Computing: Accounting for Varied Levels of Visual Function

“…As stated previously, limitations to human functioning can be categorized into four areas: visual impairment, speech/hearing impairments, cognitive impairments, and physical/ motor impairments. In their work aimed at deriving a framework of functional ability, Jacko and Vitense (2001) illustrated that each of these categories involves a unique set of clinical diagnoses. The clinical diagnoses determine the ability of the user to provide and receive information critical to the efficacy and efficiency of interacting with technology.…”

“…Visual function is most commonly assessed in terms of visual acuity (e.g., 20/20). In addition to visual acuity, other visual functions that may be used to characterize low vision include color perception, contrast sensitivity, eye movements, and visual fields (Jacko & Sears, 1998;Jacko & Vitense, 2001). Table 5.3 provides a definition of each component of visual function, the impact it can have on computer use, and common, clinically based assessment techniques.…”

<title>Server Transcoding of Multimedia Data for Cross-Disability Access</title>

“…Most universal accessibility solutions have been studied in the interface level, by improving the software interfaces to suit the users [K98]. Other works address the use of assistive technology such as access equipment and input devices, and show how such tools can be made more popular by alleviating some of the accessibility issues [JV01]. Universal Design techniques have been applied to information technologies to make all information perceivable, including keys and controls, facilitate navigation, and ensure compatibility with commonly used assistive technology [JV01,SS01].…”

“…Furthermore, the abilityrequirements approach also accounts for the abilities that are primarily affected as well as other abilities that are affected as a result. For instance, even a mild hearing loss of (25 -40dB) might result in mild language retardation [JV01].…”