The theory of affordances

Management: Tasks, Responsibilities, Practices

On Being There

Current approaches to accessible computing share a common goal of making technology accessible to users with disabilities. Perhaps because of this goal, they may also share a tendency to centralize disability rather than ability. We present a refinement to these approaches called ability-based design that consists of focusing on ability throughout the design process in an effort to create systems that leverage the full range of human potential. Just as user-centered design shifted the focus of interactive system design from systems to users, ability-based design attempts to shift the focus of accessible design from disability to ability. Although prior approaches to accessible computing may consider users’ abilities to some extent, ability-based design makes ability its central focus. We offer seven ability-based design principles and describe the projects that inspired their formulation. We also present a research agenda for ability-based design.

https://faculty.washington.edu/wobbrock/pubs/taccess-11.pdf

Ability-Based Design: Concept, Principles and Examples

The increasing spread of the Internet holds much potential for enhancing opportunities for people with disabilities. However, scarce evidence exists to suggest that people with disabilities are, in fact, participating in these new developments. Will the spread of information technologies (IT) increase equality by offering opportunities for people with disabilities? Or will a growing reliance on IT lead to more inequality by leaving behind certain portions of the population including people with disabilities? In this paper, the authors draw on nationally representative data regarding Americans' Internet uses to (1) identify the extent to which people with disabilities are embracing use of the Internet; (2) how their use of the Internet compares with the Internet uses of the rest of the population; (3) how having a disability relates to and interacts with other social statuses (e.g. socioeconomic status, age, gender) with regard to Internet use; and (4) what explains these trends. They draw on representativ...

/pdf/the-disability-divide-in-internet-access-and-use-hf9qa3e7kz.pdf

The disability divide in internet access and use

This study examines the role of the Internet and its usage on the level of perceived independence among people with physical disabilities. A questionnaire was posted on the Internet as well as distributed to two associations. It was answered by 24 people with physical disabilities who use the Internet, and 22 people with physical disabilities who do not use the Internet. The results of the two groups were compared. It was found that an increase in the number of Internet services used positively influences the perceived level of independence among individuals with physical disabilities. This was particularly true for independence related to the fields of employment and learning. The various Internet services used do not impact the same components of independence to the same degree. The usage of the World Wide Web and Telnet particularly benefits independence.

The Internet and the independence of individuals with disabilities

This paper focuses on Web accessibility. Relevant legislation and judicial decisions are reviewed, and prior empirical research is presented. This study presents the results from the Web accessibility analysis of the home pages of the 50 states and the District of Columbia. It found that twenty-nine percent of the home pages do not meet the requirements for Conformance Level A Web accessibility. Only one state meets Conformance Level AA standards, which are the minimum standards recommended for Web accessibility, and no state meets Conformance Level AAA standards. This paper also discusses how to address common accessibility problems.

An exploratory study of the accessibility of state government Web sites

In this paper, results are presented from a field study of individuals with disabilities who used voice recognition technology (VRT). Twenty‐three individuals who were successful in the use of VRT and 17 who were unsuccessful were interviewed by the researcher. Qualitative results indicated that task‐technology fit, training, the environment, and the disability limitations were the differentiating items. The ability to use the VRT for a trial period may be the major factor resulting in successful adoption of the technology.

Keys to the adoption and use of voice recognition technology in organizations

Organizations face growing liability with regard to employee use of electronic resources. To mitigate the risk of liability, companies must develop and implement a computer-use policy outlining proper use of organizational electronic resources. This paper examines critical aspects of computer use policies, including: clearly explaining reasons for the policy, applying the policy to all employees including all levels of the organization, and indicating zero tolerance for offensive, harassing or discriminating communications. Finally, the paper identifies the implications of a computer usage policy.

/pdf/workplace-surveillance-and-employee-privacy-implementing-an-3hw7pkpd4n.pdf

Workplace Surveillance and Employee Privacy: Implementing an Effective Computer Use Policy

In this paper, results are presented from a field study of individuals with disabilities who used voice recognition technology (VRT). The perceived benefits of the VRT and the ability to use the VRT for a trial period were determined to be the major factors resulting in successful adoption of the technology.

Tanya Goette

Papers

The Internet and the independence of individuals with disabilities

An exploratory study of the accessibility of state government Web sites

Keys to the adoption and use of voice recognition technology in organizations

Workplace Surveillance and Employee Privacy: Implementing an Effective Computer Use Policy

Factors leading to the successful use of voice recognition technology