Journal on Technology & Persons with Disabilities Volume 1
http://hdl.handle.net/10211.3/125008
Collection of articles for Center on Disabilities' Journal2024-03-19T04:50:33ZS-K Smartphone Barcode Reader for Blind Users
http://hdl.handle.net/10211.3/124890
S-K Smartphone Barcode Reader for Blind Users
Tekin, Ender; Vasquez, David; Coughlan, James M.
Barnard, Ian; Gifford, Mary; Goggin, Sean; Kakita, Ruby; Miesenberger, Klaus; Santiago, Julia
We describe a new smartphone app called BLaDE (Barcode Localization and Decoding Engine), designed to enable a blind or visually impaired user to find and read product barcodes. Developed at The Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute, the BLaDE Android app has been released as open source software, which can be used for free or modified for commercial or non-commercial use. Unlike popular commercial smartphone apps, BLaDE provides real-time audio feedback to help visually impaired users locate a barcode, which is a prerequisite to being able to read it. We describe experiments performed with five blind/visually impaired volunteer participants demonstrating that BLaDE is usable and that the audio feedback is key to its usability.
28th Annual International Technology and Persons with Disabilities Conference Scientific/Research Proceedings, San Diego, 2013
2014-06-01T00:00:00Z3D Simulation of an Accessible Biomedical Lab
http://hdl.handle.net/10211.3/121991
3D Simulation of an Accessible Biomedical Lab
Duerstock, Bradley S.; Dunstun, Phillip; Hilliard, Lisa; Mankey, Chris; McGlothlin, James
Barnard, Ian; Gifford, Mary; Goggin, Sean; Kakita, Ruby; Miesenberger, Klaus; Santiago, Julia
Accessibility of biomedical and chemistry laboratories is essential to enable students and scientists with physical disabilities to actively participate in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) educational, research and vocational activities. The Institute for Accessible Science (IAS) decided to address this need through accessibility driven renovation of a laboratory space at Purdue University known now as the Accessible Biomedical Immersion Laboratory (ABIL). In order to broaden the reach of this innovation, a 3-D computer simulation modeled after the physical space was conceived. This simulation was designed not only to provide persons with physical disabilities a training facility for practicing lab techniques but also to provide a test bed for studying laboratory accessibility and ergonomics. The 3-D ABIL simulation is freely available online through IAShub.org and provides a unique opportunity for individuals from disparate locations to visit and experience the space virtually. Users can explore ABIL’s lab work triangle and safety features from the first-person perspectives of standing, sitting in a wheelchair, or having limited vision. Future use of this simulation will be centered on enabling users to perform actual lab tasks from the aforementioned perspectives.
29th Annual International Technology and Persons with Disabilities Conference Scientific/Research Proceedings, San Diego, 2014
2014-06-01T00:00:00ZAssistive Technology Support for Complex Reading
http://hdl.handle.net/10211.3/121990
Assistive Technology Support for Complex Reading
Hart-Davidson, William; Jackson, James E.; Swierenga, Sarah J.
Barnard, Ian; Gifford, Mary; Goggin, Sean; Kakita, Ruby; Miesenberger, Klaus; Santiago, Julia
Kurzweil 3000 is an assistive technology designed for individuals with learning disabilities, especially dyslexia. While this technology has existed for years and has been widely employed by college disability resource centers, we know relatively little about how this technology and others like it support the reading practices of college level students. To investigate this research question the Usability/Accessibility Research and Consulting lab, in partnership with the Writing in Digital Environments research center (both at Michigan State University) conducted a usability evaluation of Kurzweil 3000 with users who have dyslexia, and this paper presents preliminary findings.
29th Annual International Technology and Persons with Disabilities Conference Scientific/Research Proceedings, San Diego, 2014
2014-06-01T00:00:00ZThe iPad and Preschool Children with Learning Difficulties
http://hdl.handle.net/10211.3/121989
The iPad and Preschool Children with Learning Difficulties
Chmiliar, Linda
Barnard, Ian; Gifford, Mary; Goggin, Sean; Kakita, Ruby; Miesenberger, Klaus; Santiago, Julia
Preschool children learn through exploration of their environment, and a review of the research literature has revealed that learning can be enhanced through exploration that also includes the use of digital technologies. Although research can be found illustrating the use of computer assisted instruction to enhance learning with preschool children, research on the use of touch screen tablets with this population is just beginning to emerge. These devices offer the possibility of exploration in a new way, with ease of interaction on the touch screen, thousands of early learning applications, engaging multimedia capabilities, and reasonable cost. They have great potential as an early learning digital tool. However, little information exists on how this potential can be utilized effectively with young children with learning difficulties. The focus of this study was to look at the use of early learning applications loaded on the iPad, one of the touch tablets available, by preschool children with learning difficulties. The study also examined the applications that the children and parents chose to use, parent perceptions of the use of the iPad by the child, parent/child interactions while using the iPad, and the supports that parents and families needed to use the iPad effectively.
28th Annual International Technology and Persons with Disabilities Conference Scientific/Research Proceedings, San Diego, 2013
2014-06-01T00:00:00Z