Product Description:
Internet and Web access is important because it provides resources and current information, as well as socialization and support opportunities for users. People with disabilities are known to have less access to computers and the Internet than the general population. Individuals with cognitive disabilities are suspected to experience additional barriers using the Internet even after they have gained physical access. Little research has been reported on what these difficulties are and how to remediate them for this population. The overall goal of the Web Accessibility for People with Cognitive Disabilities program is to better understand the Web accessibility and usability issues for individuals who are cognitively impaired and to develop recommendations, solutions and tools from our research. We are addressing this goal with a three-phase approach. The first step is to perform a needs assessment by focus group interview and observation of individuals with cognitive disabilities (and their personal assistants or caregivers) to determine and report the major online barriers they encounter. The second step will be to use this work to design and perform subsequent usability studies that monitor and tabulate challenges met by a person with cognitive impairment while accessing the Internet. Finally we will analyze this data, develop recommendations for Web development and develop tools to assist both Web developers to create, and people with cognitive disabilities to access, a more usable online environment. We are currently in the first phase of this approach. A needs assessment is being performed that involves the use of user surveys, focus groups and individual usability studies comprised of participants with developmental cognitive disabilities to identify the reasons for accessing online services, along with possible misperceptions about the benefits and caveats of the Internet, as well as the major barriers to doing so. Subjects are being recruited through the OIDD’s established and extensive involvement with the disability community, e.g., Center for Self Determination, State Council for Developmental Disabilities, state and county Developmental Disability services, local DD service brokerages, and the Arc of Oregon and local county Arcs. http://www.aucd.org/meetings/2004_AM/program2004web.htm#PosterSession
Product/Publication Type(s):
Conference presentations and posters presented, Other
Alternative Format:
Visual Format or Large Print, Electronic (disc, CD, 508 compliant web posting)
