EDUC 477/698O:

Assistive Technology/Universal Design for the General Classroom Settings

Session 9: What's available: Devices, Services and Strategies Part II

March 28, 2006

Introduction:

The last session allowed us to explore ACC devices. We then moved on to investigate a variety of adaptive switches and other vision impairment AT options. This session will explore the meaning behind ... Accessibility by Any Other Name Is ...Usability. Accessibility or Usability, as explained by Mochael Paciello (from Digital Equipment Corporation) "maximizes the number of potential customers who can readily use a product".

Making products easy to use can increase market share by enabling people with disabilities and functional limitations to enjoy consumer electronic products. According to Paciello, usability is product design containing five specific attributes:

  • Learnability (easy to learn)
  • Efficiency (promoting productivity)
  • Memorability (easy to remember)
  • Low Rate of Errors
  • Satisfaction (users like product)
Paciello claims usability marketing is on the rise, particularly among computer companies. Among the companies marketing usability, Paciello cited his own Digital Equipment Corporation, Microsoft, Lotus, and IBM.

This session will allow us to explore scanning techniques, different switch devices, ECU (environmental control units) and internal/external computer peripherals which play an important roles in our daily interaction with technology. While a major focus is on AT for physical handicapped-continue to think "how could these resources and adaptations be used in the general classroom to promote learning or general well being of the general classroom student? Computer access (external and internal devices) are playing out more and more in the general classroom particularly with reading and writing assignments.

Readings

  • Skim Computers in STEM and Overview [Word ... PDF]
  • Skim Consideration in Computer accessibility and design [Word ... PDF]
  • Usability [Word ... PDF]
  • Skim Access Methods and Strategies PP III-A [PPT ... PDF]
  • Skim Use of Adaptive Switches III-B [PPT ... PDF]
  • Skim Environmental Control Units III-C [PPT ... PDF]

These next two have many slides - do not panic -they are quick to go through.

You may have found that the information from this session has captured your attention and would like to read further. Here are additional resources: ETO AT/UD Resource Center and

Asynchronous Postings:

Please revisit the previous week's threads and read the class summary for each thread

  • 9.1 Keyboard-input Barriers
  • 9.2 Output barriers
  • 9.3 Storage barrier
  • 9.4 Switches
  • 9.5 Simulations
  • 9.6 The Use of Computer Switches
  • 9.7 Computer Access (optional)

Post original posts by Sunday April 2 and 2 follow-ups by Tuesday April 4.