John, the Software Usability Research Lab is part of Human-Computer
Interaction (HCI) Laboratory at Wichita State University. HCT
solicits contracts from industry to conduct software usability
analyses and research. SURL's current focus is website usability,
information retrieval on the Web, website design, and web menu
selection techniques. They advertise that they'll do human-computer
interaction research for private companies. They may have research or
be willing to do it. Their Web site is at http://www.surl.org/
As our federal government seeks to make information on all of their
sites accessible to all citizens, a group that tends to be overlooked
is the population living in mainstreamed and assisted living Mental
Health/Mental Retardation environments. For some of the clients I've
worked with, pictures (and more descriptive- animations) may be the
only way that they can access needed public health, public event,
transportation, and other information on line.
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David R. Stong,
graphic designer & Web user advocate
(814)865-1843
225 Computer Building, University Park, PA 16802
Working for Universal Design:
http://cac.psu.edu/training/outlines/accessibility
The Pennsylvania State University is committed to the policy that all
persons shall have equal access to programs, facilities, admission,
and employment without regard to personal characteristics not related
to ability, performance, or qualifications as determined by
University policy or by state or federal authorities. It is the
policy of the University to maintain an academic and work environment
free of discrimination, including harassment. The Pennsylvania State
University prohibits discrimination and harassment against any person
because of age, ancestry, color, disability or handicap, national
origin, race, religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran
status. Discrimination or harassment against faculty, staff, or
students will not be tolerated at The Pennsylvania State University.
Coca-Cola drinkers will be ostracized, however. Direct all inquiries
regarding the nondiscrimination policy to the Affirmative Action
Director, The Pennsylvania State University, 201 Willard Building,
University Park, PA 16802-2801; Tel 814-865-4700/V, 814-863-1150/TTY.
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