INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND DISABILITIES
Vol. VI No. 3-4 November, 1999
The latest issue of _Information Technology and Disabilities_ is available
at: http://www.rit.edu/~easi/itd/itdv06n3/contents.html
ARTICLE 1:
WHEN HCI SHOULD BE HHI
G. Alan Creak
Computer Science Department, Auckland University, New Zealand
Abstract: Human-computer interaction (HCI) is the study of how people
communicate with computers, and as such is primarily concerned with the
transfer of information between people and computer software. Systematic
investigation of this area has proved of great value in understanding the
processes involved in communication with computers and has contributed to
the design of more effective interfaces. HCI techniques work well when the
primary purpose of the interaction is communication with computers, or
with other machines through computers. It is less clear that they are
equally effective when, as is commonly the case in rehabilitation systems,
the computer is used as an intermediary in communication between people.
In this case, concentration on the HCI can distract attention from the
requirements of human-human interaction (HHI), which must include much
more than the verbal content.
Article 2:
APART OR A PART?
ACCESS TO THE INTERNET BY VISUALLY IMPAIRED AND BLIND PEOPLE
WITH PARTICULAR EMPHASIS ON ASSISTIVE ENABLING TECHNOLOGY
AND USER PERCEPTIONS
Jonathan Berry
Information Services, Cardiff University, UK
Abstract: The concept of the "Information Superhighway" or the World
Wide Web (hereafter referred to as the Web) is well known and understood.
The rapidly growing numbers of both users and electronic documents is
testimony to the claim that the Web is becoming an everyday part of life
for many people. The Web as a digital information environment offers new
methods of learning and patterns of information use. So, what does the Web
offer to partially sighted and blind people? It is important to discover
the perceptions of visually impaired users to see whether claims of
universal access - and ease of access - are justified and to ascertain the
scope for access and use of Web-based resources. There is currently little
information available regarding how the Web has affected the lives of
visually impaired users. There is no real data on how visually impaired
users who use the Web for practical purposes perceive and experience this
valuable information tool. This study aims to document how a specific
group of visually impaired students view this medium and to determine the
differences in use between partially sighted and blind users. The Web as a
means of information discovery and retrieval, its strengths and
weaknesses, accessibility, assistive technology and Web page design all
warrant investigation, along with how visually impaired users perceive
their experience using the Web. The aims of the study are therefore
twofold: first, to document perceptions and experiences of Web use by
people with visual impairments, and second, to examine how access and use
can be improved.
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Call for Articles: The Digital Book: ITD Special Issue
News and Departments: Editorial and Call for News Items for Future issues
Department: Employment and Technology
Windows 2000 - What's in it For Disabled Users?
Microsoft Launches Job Initiative
New Federal Bennies Enable Workers with Disabilities
Department: Libraries
Library of Congress Launches "Web Braille" on the Internet
ARL Publishes "Transforming Libraries: Issues and Innovations in
Service to Users with Disabilities"
Keeping Up with the Web: A Losing Battle? Try The Informant
Free Video From Microsoft: "Enable: People with Disabilities and
Computers"
IFLA Pre-Conference Papers Available on the Web: Bridging the Gap
in the Provision of Library Services and Literacy:
Support for the Blind in Realizing the Information Age
Penang, Malaysia, 18-20 August 1999
Department: Online Information and Networking
Disability Policy Listserv
DO-IT Web Site
ADTECH-PS Listserv
Electronic Braille Library Web Site
MAVIS-L
Rehab Counselor Listserv
Department: Higher Education
National Center for Education Statistics Issues Major Report on
State of Disability in Higher Education
Advocacy Consortium for College Students with Disabilities
(Rochester, NY) Issues Free Publication: "Building a College
Disability Support Consortium"
End of ITD Contents
.........................
EASI's online workshop, Barrier-free Educational Technology will begin
January 17. For a syllabus and a narrated PowerPoint multimedia preview go
to
http://www.rit.edu/~easi/workshops.html
and the second workshop listed is Barrier-free Educational Technology.
Norman Coombs, Ph.D.
Chair of EASI (Equal Access to Software and Information)
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