So far in our journey through Multimedia, we have addressed those who put it together, how to handle it, fix it, color it, rearrange it, and so much more using authoring tools, etc. We have praised the Interfacers, Instructional designer, and many more for their diligence in working hard so that technology can not just be fun but a great learning experience. However, I have yet to know or learn about how people with auditory deficiencies, blindness, and other problems that somewhat effect those with ailment to be able to use multimedia functions.
What is about Multimedia and it's function's that accomodate those who interact with technology everyday, but not in some of the same way as people who can see or hear? After reading Tom Wlodkowski's "Making CD-ROM's Multimedia Work for All Users", you will get a better understanding of how Multimedia helps those with deficiences make just as much use out of it as those who can see and hear just fine. You can also read an interview that was done with Orville Maxon, a highly intelligent producer who in fact works with Multimedia and is visually impaired.
After your reading, ask yourself: if what is done is good enough to accomodate those with hearing loss or blindness and what do you feel could be done better? What other problems can you think of that present an issue to people with disorders when it comes to using multimedia, power points, and other forms of technology? If you were a multimedia designer, what would you do in order to test and see if what adjustments you have made are effective?
During my undergrad, I took a psychology course called Sensation and Perception. We talked about many of the things that Wlodkowski speaks of in his article. There are just so many barriers today for people with sensory disabilities. I feel that in our field, we really have to take that into account when we are designing multimedia.
ReplyDeleteI thought that Java definitely had a lot to contribute to people with these disabilities. The programming allows for implementation of an effective interface keyboard as well as audio output for all of the words on the computer’s screen. It seems that in time we will all need to learn how to design each and every program for the sensory disabled, and I look forward to it.
I too have read and studied Sensation and Perception in psychology classes. One of the sticking points to me was how differntly we process information genderwise and our vastly different our perceptions are based upon our past experiences. While persons with disabilities such as blindness and auditory deficiencies are more readily identifiable, the bulk of the disabilities I encounter have to do with a myriad of learning disorders.
ReplyDeleteIn the Wlodkowske article, the author references Duke Universities widespread use of iPods on campus. Using the iPod as a sound/video recording device has many good and not-so-good ramifications. Mac has just introduced a Nano iPod with recording features. RCPS' policy does not allow recordable devices inside the school building outside of the hands of teachers and specified Jounal student's hands. The potential for misuse is deemed too great. Students with IEP or identified with speacial needs would most likely be granted an exception. Introducing and managing new technology is a mixed blessing. I personaly enjoyed Mac's software allowing me to enlarge the font view of the screen for late night reading and use the voice-over feature when learning new software as an audible reminder of what I am doing.
I worked as the technolgy and media specialist for Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center for three years, 2000-2003. During that time, I learned much about how people with visual and hearing disabilities actually use technology. It is hard for them, but it can be done. There are devices such as straws that quadrapalegics can use to operate a mouse and learn CAD. One can use special screens to greatly enlarge test, or Dragon to activate by voice. I imagine that all of these tools help. Just remember how hard is is not only to have the disability but have to learn to operate around technolgy and apply for special situations. The paperworkcan be mindboggling. These people must work twice as hard and it can take much more time to complete simple tasks.
ReplyDeleteI would like to see developers employ teams of disabled designers, or perhaps an entrepreneurial group of individuals representing multiple disability groups could market themselves as free-lance consultants to media developers (perhaps someone is already doing this, I have no idea). Might be an interesting idea for some group at JMU, perhaps in Ed-Tech or ISAT, to pursue further.
ReplyDeleteI have not had the chance to work with many disabled students in my educational experience. I do know one individual personally who uses a computer to communicate due to his speech disability. I was amazed at how quickly he was able to catch on to this technology. He cannot have long conversations with others using the computer, but he can contribute to the conversations going on around him.
ReplyDeleteI believe that when developing multimedia products the customer/consumer needs are extremely important. I also agree with Gary in saying that a group of disabled individuals would be extremely helpful to have as consultants during the creation and production process. Instead of waiting until the end during the evaluation period, designers could use multiple disability groups to provide feedback from the beginning. This would help designers accommodate to a larger variety of consumers.
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ReplyDeleteMy special interest (okay, ONE of my special interests) is in developing products/ marketing to people who have color deficiencies (color blindness). It is not a common practice, but is one of the easiest to account for (in my opinion). Simply by not using similar colored fonts and backgrounds to create contrast increases the number of people who can see the image or text. Red/green and blue color deficiency are the most common types.
ReplyDeleteCheck out this website for a really cool filter that simulates how websites look to people who have different color deficiencies:
http://colorfilter.wickline.org/
I am going to have to look up the book that has been referenced in a few replies - Sensation and Perception, it sounds facinating. One of my career goals is to have the chance to open up the world via the internet to those with accessibility difficulties - especially seniors. I see no reason they should be pushed to the side just because they did not grow up in the technological age.
ReplyDeleteGary - there is an instructional design company in NOVA that does hire almost all disabled workers, for the very reason you mentioned. Unfortunately the name escapes me at the moment.
We have talked about Universal Design for Learning, but I would like to see that taken one step further - Universal Design for E-learning. Take the basic concepts of universal design and apply them to online learning content.
Multi media can be for everyone, the hard part is getting those who are producing the content to think outside the box when it comes to their target audience.