Remote and local delivery of cisco education for the vision-impaired
25 Jun 2007-Vol. 39, Iss: 3, pp 78-81
TL;DR: A university research project is undertaken to improve the accessibility of Cisco e-learning materials for vision-impaired computing students and the network architecture which supports the delivery of the Cisco courses to both local and remote vision-IMpaired students is presented.
Abstract: Vision-impaired students face tremendous obstacles in their quest to access learning materials delivered in web-based and other electronic formats. The predominance of visual prompts, use of flash and animation and the inability of screen reading applications to interpret images all contribute to make much of the current e-learning materials associated with computing studies inaccessible by blind or vision-impaired students. This paper describes a university research project undertaken to improve the accessibility of Cisco e-learning materials for vision-impaired computing students.allThe network architecture which supports the delivery of the Cisco courses to both local and remote vision-impaired students is also presented.
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01 Jan 2012
TL;DR: 2012 [AS13b, Wal12a], 2013 [Alv13, Bar13, Cam13, Car13, CCS13, Cut13, Edi14, Swe13].
Abstract: 2012 [AS13b, Wal12a]. 2013 [Alv13, Bar13, Cam13, Car13, CCS13, Cut13, Edi14, Swe13]. 2014 [CDS13, DN14, ND14, Rod14, Tym14a]. 2015 [DeL14a, DeL14b, She15b]. 2016 [AT16a, CCV16, CCV17, MR15, SDCT16a, SDCT16c, She16a]. 2017 [DG17, EC17, Fit18b, MJ18, TCSM17, TCM17]. 2018 [BG18b, DD17, Dec19b, Gol18, JI18, MKMP18, MMK18, PQH17, She18]. 2019 [Cut19, FI19, HPQ19, MP19a, MPRM19, MP19b, MS19, Rod18, She19a]. 2020 [DH19].
169 citations
TL;DR: The authors conducted an online survey of 71 vision-impaired university students and semi-structured interviews with 44 key stakeholders (students, academics, disability liaison officers and accessible graphics providers) to understand the current state of accessible graphics provision in Australian higher education.
Abstract: Information graphics such as plots, maps, plans, charts, tables and diagrams form an integral part of the student learning experience in many disciplines. However, for a vision impaired student accessing such graphical materials can be problematic. This research seeks to understand the current state of accessible graphics provision in Australian higher education. We conducted an online survey of 71 vision-impaired university students and semi-structured interviews with 44 key stakeholders (students, academics, disability liaison officers and accessible graphics providers). We found that difficulty in accessing graphical materials was a barrier to many vision-impaired students and that there were systemic problems with current processes for accessible graphics provision. Recommendations are made on ways to address these concerns in order to provide a more equitable higher education experience.
34 citations
Cites background or result from "Remote and local delivery of cisco ..."
...This is in contrast to graphical materials, which vision-impaired students find much harder to access (Armstrong & Murray, 2007)....
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...…for vision-impaired students in HE include extra time and effort required by students to achieve the same learning outcomes as their sighted peers (Armstrong & Murray, 2007; Frank et al., 2014); lack of training or access to adaptive technologies (Reed & Curtis, 2012) and difficulties navigating…...
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TL;DR: The development of a fully accessible e-learning environment to deliver advanced IT network curriculum to adults with acute vision disabilities was described, and vision impaired students who excelled in the pilot project were trained as instructors, gaining industry-standard instructor certifications.
Abstract: Lack of accessibility in the design of e-learning courses continues to hinder students with vision impairment. E-learning materials are predominantly vision-centric, incorporating images, animation, and interactive media, and as a result students with acute vision impairment do not have equal opportunity to gain tertiary qualifications or skills relevant to the marketplace and their disability. Due to its logical, rather than physical, nature IT help desk and network administration roles are ideal for people who are blind. This paper describes the development of a fully accessible e-learning environment to deliver advanced IT network curriculum to adults with acute vision disabilities. The components include a virtual classroom, accessible learning materials, a remote computer laboratory, and delivery of the learning materials by vision impaired instructors. Industry standard courses in advanced IT were redeveloped, and the accessible on-line learning environment was developed to deliver the courses. Vision impaired students who excelled in the pilot project were trained as instructors, gaining industry-standard instructor certifications. These instructors were used to assist with the design of accessible methods and delivered the materials to the vision impaired students.
21 citations
TL;DR: The extent to which electronic and print information resources in university libraries are accessible to people with visual impairments is examined; the extent toWhich existing national/international copyright laws facilitate or hamper access to electronic and Print information resources by people withvisual impairments; and challenges facing people withVisual impairments in accessing electronic andPrint information resources are examined.
Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to discuss the implication of copyright on access to electronic and print information resources by people with visual impairments in university libraries. The paper examines the extent to which electronic and print information resources in university libraries are accessible to people with visual impairments; the extent to which existing national/international copyright laws facilitate or hamper access to electronic and print information resources by people with visual impairments; examine challenges facing people with visual impairments in accessing electronic and print information resources; and how these challenges can be ameliorated.,The paper is based on review of empirical and theoretical literature and is underpinned by Oliver’s (1990) social model of disability.,The findings reveal that many university libraries the world over lack the capacity to offer an effective information service to people with visual impairments. Furthermore, the stringent copyright laws and licensing regimes for purchasing or transcribing content from one format to another make provision of information services to people with visual impairments difficult. In-university libraries are faced with various challenges in accessing electronic and print information that include among others copyright and licensing restrictions, and system design issues. Assistive technologies (ATs), enabling policies, skilled staff and facilitative copyright regimes can help ameliorate some of these barriers.,ATs, enabling policies, skilled staff and facilitative copyright regimes are key to unlocking the barriers that hinder people with visual impairments from effectively accessing print and electronic resources in university libraries. Protection of the basic rights of persons with disabilities including visual impairments, the elimination of social discrimination and bridging the accessibility gap are integral to social inclusion. This paper provides the basic information to university libraries for addressing challenges associated with access to electronic and print resources by people with visual impairments.,Access to information to all including people with visual impairments in society is a basic human and moral right that every human being must enjoy. The Sustainable Development Goals’ 2030 agenda for sustainable development envisages a world of universal respect for human rights and human dignity […] equality and non-discrimination, an equitable, tolerant, open and socially inclusive world in which the needs of the most vulnerable are met (United Nations, 2015), and inclusive rights such as education, access to services (including information) and employment for people with disabilities.,This paper builds on existing literature and contributes to the growing body of knowledge on access by people with disabilities predicating on World Summit on Information Society principle and agenda 2030 on sustainable development goals.
18 citations
Dissertation•
01 Jan 2008
14 citations
Cites background from "Remote and local delivery of cisco ..."
...Computing theory is a combination of logical and physical abstractions, invariably taught to students using conceptual diagrams or figures containing shapes of different sizes together with other visual effects such as shading, colour and sequence (Armstrong and Murray, 2007)....
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References
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TL;DR: This work proposes a set of criteria targeted to improving the navigability for a specific group of disabled users, i.e., vision-impaired people, and proposes a classification of the criteria according to usability aspects.
Abstract: The application of appropriate Web site design and evaluation methods helps to ensure more usable and accessible Web sites. While in the literature guidelines and evaluation methods for accessibility and usability are given and discussed separately, we aim at identifying the relationships between these two concepts, in particular considering usability criteria for accessible Web sites. In this work, we propose a set of such criteria targeted to improving the navigability for a specific group of disabled users, i.e., vision-impaired people. The identification of the eighteen criteria suggested herein was performed through empirical feedback, by which potential issues were identified. Subsequently, a systematic method was developed on the basis of the analysis of potential solutions, resulting in a classification of the criteria according to usability aspects. Some example applications of the proposed criteria to three existing public administration Web sites are discussed.
83 citations
"Remote and local delivery of cisco ..." refers background in this paper
...Notwithstanding the efforts of many researchers in the area the development of assistive technologies is still in its early stages and usability of screen reading software in particular remains limited [6]....
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Journal Article•
65 citations
TL;DR: Children with bilateral RB, in which both eyes are affected, performed significantly less well in motor development, received many more types of treatments, and were more likely to be referred for visuomotor therapy than children with unilateral RB.
Abstract: Objectives To assess the health and development of children with retinoblastoma (RB), or cancer of the retina, and to determine if they are at greater risk for developmental delays than normal children. Specific aims were to determine if type of RB (unilateral vs bilateral), family history, and number of treatment types affected mental and motor development. Design Descriptive study based on medical record review and pediatric, psychological, and visual evaluations. Setting Major referral center for patients with RB and early intervention program in a voluntary urban hospital. Subjects and Methods Fifty-four children younger than 41 months with RB who attend an ophthalmology oncology clinic were recruited for study. Measures included demographic variables such as social class and race/ethnicity, and medical factors such as age at diagnosis ( 18 months), type of RB (unilateral or bilateral), family history of RB, and number and types of treatments. All children received a pediatric examination that assessed physical growth and health; a behavioral test of visual acuity using Teller acuity cards; and the Bayley Scales of Infant Development II, a standardized test of mental and motor development. Children found to have delays were referred to intervention services to treat their specific areas of weakness. Results Three quarters of the children had had 1 eye enucleated; 51 of 54 had normal vision in at least 1 eye, and the other 3 had partial vision in 1 eye. Except for the RB, 46 children were largely normal in growth and health, and 8 had medical diagnoses that were unrelated to RB or its treatment. The average mental and motor development scores were in the normal range (91.4 ± 16.3, and 91.1 ± 13.4) and not significantly lower than the normal population. Twenty-six children were referred for early intervention services, and 21 of 26 were referred for services to improve their visuomotor coordination. Demographic variables were not associated with medical variables or outcome. Children with bilateral RB, in which both eyes are affected, performed significantly less well in motor development, received many more types of treatments, and were more likely to be referred for visuomotor therapy than children with unilateral RB. Conclusions Children with RB generally function normally in terms of physical health and mental and motor development. However, they are more likely to show delays in visuomotor integration. Early developmental evaluations may improve the visuomotor development of children with visual impairment due to RB.
40 citations
"Remote and local delivery of cisco ..." refers background in this paper
...In particular, diagrams, images and visual cues are inaccessible by blind and vision impaired students [3] [4]....
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Journal Article•
TL;DR: This paper seeks to address issues facing visually impaired users of the World-Wide-Web by extending current guidelines and design methods to include the real-world mobility concepts of orientation, memory, environment, preview and the purpose of the task at hand.
Abstract: The ‘Towel’ project seeks to find solutions to problems encountered by visually impaired users when travelling in the World-Wide-Web (Web) by leveraging solutions found in real-world mobility. Visually impaired users find mobility on the Web particularly difficult because of the reliance of hypermedia on visual layout. Hypertext design and usability guidelines have traditionally concentrated upon navigation to facilitate this mobility; consequently other aspects of travel are neglected. This paper seeks to address these issues by extending current guidelines and design methods to include the real-world mobility concepts of orientation, memory, environment, preview and the purpose of the task at hand.
39 citations
"Remote and local delivery of cisco ..." refers background in this paper
...In particular, diagrams, images and visual cues are inaccessible by blind and vision impaired students [3] [4]....
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23 Oct 2006
TL;DR: iNetSim, a universally accessible network simulator, created to allow vision-impaired and sighted users to complete Cisco Certified Network Associate level two (CCNA 2) laboratory sessions, is described.
Abstract: This paper describes iNetSim, a universally accessible network simulator, created to allow vision-impaired and sighted users to complete Cisco Certified Network Associate level two (CCNA 2) laboratory sessions Previously, software used in the CCNA course was not accessible to those with impaired vision because it utilized images of network topology These images were incompatible with screen reader software In contrast, iNetSim is assessable by blind and vision impaired users, in addition to those with normal vision It is based on Mac OS X Tiger, an operating system with an integrated screen reader called VoiceOver
13 citations
"Remote and local delivery of cisco ..." refers background in this paper
...Removing a connected port disables the connection the same way unplugging a cable would in a real network [ 8 ]....
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