I began doing some Twitter searches for "visually impaired" and came across a great network of organizations. Interestingly, most were European which leads me to ask if Europe and other countries are further ahead or more committed to making technology usable for those with disabilities. Or, are Europeans in general more "connected" than Americans? If anyone has any insights, please comment!
In any case, I have started following a small population of organizations and people who are visually impaired, or are working in a field that assists in making software accessible. Judging from what I has happened thus far, there will be no shortage of willing subject matter experts.
To those who have already helped me, thanks so much!!! And, to my classmates and friends who have provided feedback my project, a big thanks as well.
Before I close today's entry, I would like to share one of the MANY interesting items I came across in my beginning searches for info. This comes from the American Association for the Blind (AFB) and provides an overall report card for how accessible social media is to those who are sight impaired. http://www.afb.org/Section.aspSectionID=57&TopicID=167&DocumentID=3153
The most interesting take away for me was the challenge that CAPTCHAs present. For those, who like me weren't aware of what a CAPTCHA was, they are the weird letter-numeric codes that certain sites ask you to enter when you sign up for something, or sign in. It makes perfect sense that these would be problematic. There are times when I can't decode the symbols. I can't imagine the difficulty if I was visually impaired. Not to mention, they cannot be read by screen readers, devices that I will explain in detail in a blog to come.
For anyone with disabilities the web has to be a difficult place. New technology like the ipad is making it easier for people with physical disabilities, but I think you are right about your observation regarding sight impaired individuals; Europe is most likely way ahead.
ReplyDeleteSuch an educational and inspiring topic! We take so much for granted so it's not surprising, although disheartening, that technology is behind in considerations for individuals who are impaired.
ReplyDeleteTo piggyback on what KBC said....The internet can be such a difficult environment for people with disabilities. There are so many sites that don't even consider the visually or hearing impaired. In addition to corporations losing out on a large market, it widens the gap between the havs and the have nots. Perhaps the ADA should get involved.
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