An Accessible Platform for People With Disabilities

Abstract

This article discusses a modular, accessible platform that provides a computing environment for people with disabilities accessible through adapted control devices and the television set at users' homes. Relying on a standard television set as the presentation device allows dependent individuals, especially people with disabilities, to introduce new technological advances in communication and information management in their everyday lives. As a proof-of-concept, the solution presented offers a collection of educational and training services related to teleworking and the search of employment targeted to people with disabilities. A smart job advisor included among these services, which was designed to help our target users to locate job offers that best suit the abilities and disabilities of a particular individual, is also discussed to illustrate how semantic technologies can be applied to increase the perceived accessibility and inclusion by reducing the dependence from other persons. The platform developed, the introduction of semantic technologies, and the way adapted interfacing and presentation devices were integrated may also serve as inspiration to provide services to people with disabilities.

Bridging the digital divide for people with intellectual disability

“…Finally, several authors say that using technologies is often complicated by confusing elements, such as only one button to turn a cellphone both on and off (Williams & Nicholas, 2006 Rocha et al, 2012;Stock, Davies, Davies, & Wehmeyer, 2006;Williams & Hennig, 2015;Wong et al, 2009). Other authors suggest instead to remedy some difficulties by configuring certain parameters through the control panel, for instance, modifying the mouse settings or enlarging the font (Rivas-Costas et al, 2014;Williams & Nicholas, 2006). Finally, some believe that the solution would be to take into account universal accessibility rules, so that everyone in the community could access the same digital environment (Blanck, 2014;Harrysson et al, 2004;Karreman, van der Geest, & Buursink, 2007;Tanis et al, 2012).…”

“…To date, the studies' results suggest that interacting with technologies and digital content requires the mobilization of several cognitive components, like inductive reasoning, problem-solving skills, short-and long-term memory, reasoning, planning, reflection and deduction (Chevalier & Tricot, 2008;Dagenais et al, 2012;Tanis et al, 2012;Tricot, 2007;Rivas-Costas et al, 2014). Reading and writing skills also influence Internet use (Michel et al, 2006;Rivas-Costas et al, 2014).…”

“…To date, the studies' results suggest that interacting with technologies and digital content requires the mobilization of several cognitive components, like inductive reasoning, problem-solving skills, short-and long-term memory, reasoning, planning, reflection and deduction (Chevalier & Tricot, 2008;Dagenais et al, 2012;Tanis et al, 2012;Tricot, 2007;Rivas-Costas et al, 2014). Reading and writing skills also influence Internet use (Michel et al, 2006;Rivas-Costas et al, 2014). Yet, the vast majority of these functions are posing a problem in people with ID, who thus have difficulty understanding how the devices work, as well as how to decipher the symbols, formulate a query in a search engine, select relevant content or even understand the information provided (Danielsson, Henry, Messer, & Rönnberg, 2012;Harrysson et al, 2004).…”

A Review of Ontological Models Applied for the Assistance of Persons with Disabilities

“…In their work they show how semantic technologies can be applied to increase perceived accessibility and inclusion by reducing dependence on other people. In their work they create an intelligent tutor for the recommendation of work depending on the disability of a particular individual with the technologies of the Semantic Web [27]. In the work of Zerkouk, Calvacante, Mhaded, Boudy and Messabih mentioned that with the increasing proportion of dependent people (elderly, disabled users) in the world, telecare and televigilance platforms will play an important role in providing a Efficient and less expensive remote care in assistance environments.…”

“…In Rivas et al 2014 [27] they propose an accessible modular platform that provides a computing environment for people with disabilities through control devices adapted to the television set in the users' homes. Relying on a standard television set, which is the device that allows dependents, especially people with disabilities, to introduce new technological advances in communication and information management in their daily lives.…”