This week’s blog is on another topic that hits me close at home. I have a cousin who is deaf and another cousin who has mental and physical handicaps due to being born with spina bifida. So when I came across this interview about the organization Knowbility’s effort to make the internet more accessible to disabled users my interest was piqued. (I recommend listening to the recording of the interview if possible so that you can hear the sampling of the text reader used.)
The interview points out that many people recognize accessibility issues based on class issues, but not everyone thinks about how disabled people access the internet. One of the people interviewed is blind and uses a text reader to surf the web. Unfortunately not every website works with the text reader. She estimates that she can use about 75% of public websites. For deaf users the organization recommends providing closed captioning. There is also the need to include keyboard controls for users who can not use a mouse. Even tougher is the issue of helping those with cognitive handicaps navigate websites.
What I took from this interview was how important it is for website developers to include accessibility for all users in the website code. I think this is especially important for libraries to consider as they develop websites and other online resources. They should also provide links to sites that are disability friendly. I thought the question asked by the interviewer about government requirements for disability accessibility was thought provoking. While it is natural now to consider how physical locations are accessible to the disabled it should also be a consideration for the internet. Of course the size and fluidity of the internet makes this difficult to achieve and govern.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Internet access for the disabled is a big issue. My school has deaf students and students who can't read due to a learning disability or mental handicap. Some students with gross motor challenges can't use a traditional mouse or keyboard. These students' "world" is very limited. Internet access is a life line for these kids. Screen readers are cheap and easy to use. All public and school computers should have them. Adaptive mice don't cost much either. The web address below is the vendor for my school's screen reader software, Premier Universal Reader.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.readingmadeez.com/home.html (I don't know how to make this a link here.)
Thanks for exploring this important issue.
Jennifer
I did an assignment in one of my other classes and ended up choosing an article on web accessibility and Section 508.If I remember correctly it was a study on libraries that had implemented web accessibility standards. It was really eye opening considering how dependent we are required to be on the internet to conduct our daily lives anymore. I copied the citation below if you're interested. I can send you a copy of the article if you want.
ReplyDeleteBlansett, J. (2008). Digital Discrimination. Library Journal (1976), 133(13), 26-9. Retrieved January 20, 2010, from Library Lit & Inf Full Text database.
I just finished a web programming class here, and one of the assignments was to do an interview with a webmaster. Everyone in the class asked his or her interviewee about accessibility issues with coding, and it was scary how few of the coders actually worried about making sure their websites were accessible. One of the things drilled into us during coding assignments was to make sure we checked our sites for proper accessibility, and I was really glad to get into the habit.
ReplyDeleteSabrina,
ReplyDeleteI thought your post was especially interesting, especially considering I am taking S622 right now, which is Resources for Patrons with Special Needs. If you haven't taken it, I would recommend it to you because you seem really passionate about the topic. We just finished a lesson on resources for those with hearing impairments and we watched Children of a Lesser God or Sound and Fury. Have you seen either one. They both bring up interesting debates about the deaf community.
I think it is important for websites to be accessible to all, but I agree that the size would make it extremely difficult to manage.
Leah
I wanted to but was unable to get in S622. I have a daughter who is developmentally delayed so this is an issue that is close to my heart.
ReplyDeleteThere are resources available for people with a variety of disabilities, but finding them is often a problem. IMCPL recently increased the font on all of their public computers. The Glendale branch (where I do my Sunday's) has equipment for people with visual limitations. Central has even more to choose from. Like everything else, it's a matter of making people aware of what is available as well as the need for these resources.
And there are people who may not have a disability but can still benefit from having computer equipment that is better suited to their needs.
Another thing to remember is that a lot of people who have a disability have worked hard their whole life to fit in and not be thought of as "handicapped" so to admit that they need something different is hard for them to do. But I totally agree that accessibility is important for everyone.
You have raised a very important issue. Library services to the special needs population have been not received the attention it deserves. As a former special education teacher, I am acutely aware of the lack of consideration many libraries have in providing services for persons with disabilities. Federal and state governments across the country have been cutting programs for the diabled at a time when that population is growing. We need to make this issue a higher priority because libraries serve as a community center for the poor and disabled in many parts of the country.
ReplyDelete