AccessibilityComputing @ Carnegie MellonCam BogieChris PalmerAllison McKnightClaire Sullivan

Introduction

•What is accessibility?▫Accessibility describes the ways in which

people with disabilities access technology.•Why is understanding accessibility

important?

Vision through Sound• Technology currently in

development includes technology to interpret sight into audio interpretations of the environment▫Once developed, this technology

could translate computer screen images into auditory information

• List of companies focusing on these projects can be found at the NYISE website

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090703091804.htm

NYISE LogoCourtesy of NYISE Website

Why is Accessibility Important?

•The ability to access information through technology is key to an individual's education today and will have a great effect on what that individual will and can do in the future.

http://www.slideshare.net/ArnoldBail/information-technology-accessibility-and-training-of-the-blindvi-student

•In 2004, Microsoft conducted a study on accessible technology▫The study focused both on how to market

accessibility technology and how it could better benefit its users.

Microsoft Study: The How and Why

Original image courtesy of http://hotline.ccsinsight.comhttp://www.microsoft.com/enable/research/phase2.aspx

Microsoft Study: Use of Accessibility Technology•While 57% of computer users would

probably benefit from the use of accessible technology, only 44% of users make use of it.

•Not all of the users of accessible technology use accessible technology to its full extent.▫Making accessible technology easier to find

and to use can increase the number of people who use accessible technology to its full extent.

http://www.microsoft.com/enable/research/phase2.aspx

Microsoft Study: Accessible Technology in the Market• While expanding on the options available in current

accessibility technology will not result in an increase in the amount of people using the technology, it will increase the amount of different technologies used by current users, thereby expanding the accessible technology market.

• As accessible technology increases in popularity due to the ageing of the American population and the increased use of computers by people over the age of 65, the accessible technology market will expand.

http://www.microsoft.com/enable/research/phase2.aspx

Microsoft Study: Accessible Technology in the Market

• Microsoft’s study predicted a dramatic increase in the users of accessible technology from 2003 to 2010.

http://www.microsoft.com/enable/research/phase2.aspx

Microsoft Study: Conclusion•“Making accessible technology easier to find

and use is also essential to helping individuals with low levels of computer experience or confidence overcome these barriers.”

•Accessible technology is also an important part of the technology market.▫The market serves as motivation to all providers

of technology to improve accessible technology, which will therefore improve the ability of those with disabilities to access technology.

http://www.microsoft.com/enable/research/phase2.aspx

Accessibility in Our Technology

•There are many accessibility options available in the technologies that we use every day.

Windows• In Display Options,

one can change the size settings of text and icons in order to make them more easily readable

• Many accessibility options can be found in:Start > All Programs > Accessories > Accessibility

Windows

•The Microsoft Magnifier allows users to magnify certain portions of the screen for easier visibility

Website in screenshot: http://www.google.com

Windows

• Narrator is a program that reads onscreen text to the user▫Only available in English;

not always completely understandable

More information on accessibility options on Windows machines can be found at the Microsoft website.

Apple

•In addition to implementing many accessible technologies on Mac machines, Apple is using accessible technology to make iPods and iPhones more usable by people with disabilities.

More information available at http://www.apple.com/accessibility/

Apple: iPhone & iPod• iPhone

▫Screen reader that can read 21 languages

▫Voice commands to play music and place calls

▫Zoom feature• iPod

▫Newer iPods have both large text and spoken menus to make song selecting easier for the visually impaired

Original images courtesy of Apple website

ConclusionWorks Cited:- http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090703091804.htm- http://www.nyise.org/vendors.htm- http://

www.slideshare.net/ArnoldBail/information-technology-accessibility-and-training-of-the-blindvi-student

- http://www.microsoft.com/enable/research/phase2.aspx- http://www.microsoft.com/enable/products/default.aspx- http://www.apple.com/accessibility/