January 2009 Archives

Wired Calls "Access for the Disabled" an Obstacle

By Jeff on January 31, 2009 9:25 AM | No Comments | No TrackBacks
Last month's Wired magazine had an interesting article on what we should expect of the new Obama administration in terms of transparency of government by using the web.  One of the callout features specifically addressed the obstacles that might prevent the administration from fully utilizing Web 2.0 technology.  Listed among those is "Access for the Disabled."
Wired article calling access for the disabled an obstacle
As those of use working in this field know, creating accessible content is not only generally relatively easy, but is also just part of good design.  Wired's irresponsible and inaccurate characterization of access for the disabled being an obstacle may reflect a broader myth popular with the technical community, and that is what is truly unfortunate about it. 

Enabling the base level of access necessary to keep you on the right side of the law is relatively easy.  The government needs to set an example of how enabling access isn't an obstacle, it just requires a small amount of forethought.

Petitioning for Disney Audio Descriptions

By Jeff on January 30, 2009 9:50 AM | No Comments | No TrackBacks
A friend of mine recently created a petition urging Disney to add audio descriptions to the movies that they produce.  Audio descriptions, when done well, can make a blind person feel like they're part of the action, just like the visual effects and action can for a sighted person.

The best audio descriptions don't just list what's on the screen or even try to describe the visual elements of the screen exactly, they recreate the experience of visually watching a movie using sound.  Producing high-quality audio descriptions isn't easy, and is just as much an art as creating the original movie.  For that reason, it's difficult to imagine how it could be automated, but I bet we researchers could provide better tools and interfaces for helping the average video producer better create audio descriptions for their YouTube videos.  And who knows, some of those tools might be useful for the pros too.

For now, sign the petition, but keep thinking how you might better support the creation of audio descriptions through research!

Computers and Disability Stats

By Jeff on January 30, 2009 8:56 AM | No Comments | No TrackBacks
A friend recently pointed me to a wealth of stats that Microsoft has published on how accessible technology can be useful for all sorts of people.

The research is presented in two phases.  The first phase looks at who is using computers and who is likely to benefit from accessible technology, and the second phase explores the potential for growth in who is using and who is aware of accessible technology.

In many places these numbers seem inflated according to what we're used to.  For instance, it says that 25% of computer users have a visual difficulty that accessible technology might help.  Of course these numbers aren't talking only of the blind and low-vision people that most research targets - they also include people who are color-blind or have deteriorating vision or other issues that are often not included in "disability."  They also consider situational impairments (as has become increasing popular these days) - if I make a product that can be used non-visually, that product is likely to be more useful to someone in a car or while walking.

Overall, these studies are a great primer for businesses to see the market potential of supporting everyone.  They can also serve as a heads-up for us researchers to make sure we're thinking about the many different people who could potentially benefit from new technology.

Access technology isn't just about supporting folks with specific disabilities, it's about supporting access.

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