[CEUD-ICT] Accidental Accessible solutions

[Cearbhall O Meadhra]

Dear Dieter,

Can you tell me a little more about the person from Dubai? If you think he
is a good contact I would be very interested in hearing from him. Please
feel free to pass on my contact details. 


All the best,
 
 
Cearbhall 
 
"Good design enables - Bad design disables"
 
Tel: 01-2864623 Mob: 087 9922227 Em: cearbhall.omeadhra at colibri.ie
 

-----Original Message-----
From: ceud-ict-bounces at list.universaldesign.ie
[mailto:ceud-ict-bounces at list.universaldesign.ie] On Behalf Of Klaus-Dieter
Hinck
Sent: 29 January 2009 06:20
To: Centre for Excellence in Universal Design ICT mailing list
Subject: Re: [CEUD-ICT] Accidental Accessible solutions

would like to introduce you to some guy from dubai, who is working in your
field if you like, i met him once ....

interest?

dieter from germany

----- Original Message -----
From: "Antoinette Fennell" <antoinettefennell at eircom.net>
To: <ceud-ict at list.universaldesign.ie>
Sent: Wednesday, January 28, 2009 6:08 PM
Subject: Re: [CEUD-ICT] Accidental Accessible solutions


> Hello again,
>
> Moving on from clothes washing, some more examples of accidental 
> accessible solutions that have come to mind over the day. Bear in mind 
> that sometimes these new products or environments also offer up new 
> accessibility issues of their own:
>
> Guggenheim Museum:
> This museum is an architectural icon in New York's Manhattan completed in 
> 1959. A tour brings you in an elevator to the top of the building, and you

> view the artwork by winding down a very gradual spiral-shaped ramp, 
> modelled on a nautilus shell. The idea was to offer visitors a "user 
> friendly" route that did not make them retrace their steps as traditional 
> museums do. The museum was not built with physical or mobility impairments

> in mind, and there are certainly flaws in certain parts of the building 
> from that point of view, but the vast majority of the collections are 
> physically accessible from the spiralling ramp.
>
> eBooks:
> Electronic books and eReaders - these handheld devices provide readers 
> with an alternative to the traditional printed book. Thousands of books 
> can be stored on the one book-sized device and can be easily ordered from 
> the internet in a similar way to downloading music for an MP3 player. From

> a sustainability point of view, paper, printing etc. is reduced 
> considerably. The added benefit of e-books can be that the typeface style 
> and size can be customized, and the background and text colour can be 
> customized. Newer versions are providing audio options too.
>
> Biometrics:
> Biometrics were devised over decades primarily for the purpose of 
> security, to prevent fraudulent activity and to keep information or data 
> private. The more familiar biometrics include the use of fingerprint 
> recognition, iris recognition, voice recognition, speech recognition, and 
> written signatures. Less familiar include gait recognition (how a person 
> walks), grip recognition, vein recognition, the list is endless. One 
> potential advantage of these applications, from an accessibility point of 
> view, is that a person does not have to remember a pin number or password.

> A person who finds it difficult to remember an ATM pin number or a login 
> password for a computer, for example, will find this helpful. As I alluded

> to above, the emergence of biometrics into general use (such as in 
> airports) is leading to many new accessibility and other issues, however 
> the option of biometrics - for some individuals - is more accessible than 
> conventional security and privacy options of codes and!
>  pin numbers and passwords.
>
> Speech recognition:
> Apparently speech recognition was originally applied for the purposes of 
> medical transcription. In other words healthcare professionals would have 
> to record their notes on a Dictaphone or their notes would be hand written

> by an assistant. The notes would then have to be typed up. Speech 
> recognition reduced this process by transcribing speech directly into 
> electronic text. The same technology has been used in military contexts, 
> where pilots of planes and helicopters can interact with controls with 
> vocal instructions.
>
> Braille:
> Did you know that Braille originated from Napoleon's request for a means 
> of soldiers communicating silently and without the need for a light?
>
> Mobile phone features:
> Text messaging on mobile phones was originally used to send short one-off 
> messages to the user, such as to alert him or her to the fact that a 
> voicemail had been left. The text message opened up this line of 
> communication to people who were hard of hearing, deaf people as well as 
> people with speech impairments etc. Non-audio alerts on phones such as the

> vibrate setting or the option for the screen to light up when a message 
> comes through are particularly useful to people working in noisy 
> environments, people with hearing impairments, people with vision 
> impairments, in open plan offices etc. etc.
>
> Motion sensors:
> Technologies that respond to movement were traditionally used for purposes

> of security. Lighting, taps or hand dryers etc. with motion sensors are 
> fantastic from an accessibility point of view.
>
> Subtitling:
> Subtitles on films were originally devised in the era of the silence 
> movie, they then were revised for the purposes of foreign language 
> translation. Only in recent decades have they been used to convey dialogue

> to people with hearing impairments.
>
> And I'm spent.
>
> Hope this helps.
>
> All the best,
>
> Antoinette
>
>
> Dr Antoinette Fennell
> Research Fellow - Project Scientist
> TrinityHaus
> McNamara Centre for Construction Innovation and Sustainability
> Trinity College Dublin
> Dublin 2
> Ireland
> Tel: +353 (0)87 6645 618
> Email: antoinette.fennell at tcd.ie
>
>
>
> ----- ceud-ict-request at list.universaldesign.ie wrote:
>> Send CEUD-ICT mailing list submissions to
>> ceud-ict at list.universaldesign.ie
>>
>> To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit
>> http://list.universaldesign.ie/mailman/listinfo/ceud-ict
>> or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to
>> ceud-ict-request at list.universaldesign.ie
>>
>> You can reach the person managing the list at
>> ceud-ict-owner at list.universaldesign.ie
>>
>> When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific
>> than "Re: Contents of CEUD-ICT digest..."
>>
>>
>> Today's Topics:
>>
>>    1. Re: Accidental Accessible solutions (Donal J. Rice)
>>    2. Re: Accidental Accessible solutions (Alan M. Dalton)
>>
>>
>> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>>
>> Message: 1
>> Date: 28-Jan-2009 12:22:38 GMT
>> From: "Donal J. Rice" <DJRice at nda.ie>
>> Subject: Re: [CEUD-ICT] Accidental Accessible solutions
>> To: Centre for Excellence in Universal Design ICT mailing list
>> <ceud-ict at list.universaldesign.ie>
>> Message-ID: <200901281222.n0SCMfF3024441 at nda.blacknight.ie>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="ISO-8859-1"
>>
>> Hi folks.
>>
>> I'll row in with a couple of ICT examples seeing as this is an ICT
>> list!!
>>
>> Interesting examples so far.  the more complex the design and
>> functionality
>> of the product, the bigger the challenge to design in universally
>> accessible features, particularly for ICT products and services.
>>
>> Designing a product, service or ICT service to be accessible requires
>> a
>> concerted effort and design methodology.  It is not just a case of,
>> for
>> example including a token disabled persona in the hope of capturing
>> the
>> requirements of people with disabilities who are not a homogenous
>> grouping.
>> Methodologies developed by Greg Vanderheiden and Zimmerman from CAST
>> describe the careful use of use cases, scenarios and accessibility
>> guidelines that are then tested using test cases and checkpoints
>> derived
>> from the guidelines. This work is also referenced on the Universal
>> Design
>> website at
>> http://www.universaldesign.ie/useandapply/ict/universaldesignforict
>>
>> I have not come across examples in the ICT domain where the designer
>> intentionally built in accessibility features that were not
>> explicitly
>> required by the client.  That said some web design companies use
>> (W3C)
>> standards correctly in the design and development of all websites for
>> clients.  While this may still result in issues with things like
>> colour
>> contrast and link text, the website will go a long way to being usable
>> with
>> AT and being customisable by the end user.  In fact this was the case
>> with
>> the Oasis website, now www.citizensinformation.ie.  Our first audit
>> and
>> user test revealed that most of the accessibility issues were fairly
>> trivial to fix and were not presenting big obstacles to begin with.
>> One of
>> the original motivations for using standards in this case was to
>> ensure
>> that the tools used for backend publication process and XML work flow
>> could
>> be swapped out according as better ones became available or the
>> functionality of the website changed.  I think one could make the case
>> that
>> this is a form of sustainability which resulted in the website being
>> accessible.
>>
>> A case I heard of anecdotally a couple of years ago was the
>> development of
>> an online mobile phone banking interface.  The development company
>> told me
>> that the interface was reasonably accessible as a result although
>> accessibility was not in the design brief.  So accidental accessible
>> design
>> by virtue that mulitmodality was in the design spec.
>>
>> The examples Laurence pointed to show how some large product companies
>> are
>> incrementally improving the universal appeal of their products by
>> introducing accessibility features in their mainstream lines.  For
>> example
>> the ovens with the fold away door or the automated lift feature.  None
>> of
>> these examples are fully accessible to the extent that they cater for
>> a
>> wise range of disabilities.  But it does show a definite design trend
>> towards catering for people with a greater spectrum of requirements.
>>
>> hope this helps,
>> D?nal.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>              Antoinette
>>
>>              Fennell
>>
>>              <antoinettefennel
>>  To
>>              l at eircom.net>
>> ceud-ict at list.universaldesign.ie
>>              Sent by:
>>  cc
>>              ceud-ict-bounces@
>>
>>              list.universaldes
>> Subject
>>              ign.ie                    Re: [CEUD-ICT] Accidental
>>
>>                                        Accessible solutions
>> (Antoinette
>>                                        Fennell)
>>
>>              27/01/2009 13:49
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>              Please respond to
>>
>>                 Centre for
>>
>>                Excellence in
>>
>>              Universal Design
>>
>>              ICT mailing list
>>
>>              <ceud-ict at list.un
>>
>>              iversaldesign.ie>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Hello,
>>
>> I'm guessing the examples don't have to be ICT specific?
>>
>> If not, another very simple example, which I have yet to see quoted
>> in
>> relation to accessibility, is the ingenious Punch Colour Catcher.
>> These are
>> small sheets that you place in the washing machine to prevent colours
>> running.
>>
>> >From a sustainability point of view, you don't have to do two or
>> three
>> separate washes and you don't have to worry about throwing out clothes
>> that
>> are no longer white!
>>
>> >From an accessibility or independent living point of view, a person
>> who is
>> unable to see the clothes, or to distinguish between the colours, does
>> not
>> have to worry about a rogue red sock getting into the white wash.
>>
>> >From a physical point of view, it might make washing just that small
>> bit
>> less laborious now that you don't have to separate the clothes.
>> Though
>> perhaps I'm clutching at straws with that one!
>>
>> I'm sure I've thought of other examples over the years, so will get
>> back to
>> you Cearbhall if I think of them.
>>
>> All the best,
>>
>> Antoinette
>>
>>
>>
>> Dr Antoinette Fennell
>> Research Fellow - Project Scientist
>> TrinityHaus
>> Trinity College Dublin
>>
>> Dr Antoinette Fennell
>> Research Fellow - Project Scientist
>> TrinityHaus
>> McNamara Centre for Construction Innovation and Sustainability
>> Trinity College Dublin
>>
>> ----- ceud-ict-request at list.universaldesign.ie wrote:
>> > Send CEUD-ICT mailing list submissions to
>> >            ceud-ict at list.universaldesign.ie
>> >
>> > To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit
>> >            http://list.universaldesign.ie/mailman/listinfo/ceud-ict
>> > or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to
>> >            ceud-ict-request at list.universaldesign.ie
>> >
>> > You can reach the person managing the list at
>> >            ceud-ict-owner at list.universaldesign.ie
>> >
>> > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific
>> > than "Re: Contents of CEUD-ICT digest..."
>> >
>> >
>> > Today's Topics:
>> >
>> >    1. Accidental Accessible solutions (Cearbhall O Meadhra)
>> >    2. Re: Accidental Accessible solutions (Laurence Veale)
>> >    3. Re: Accidental Accessible solutions (Eamon Mag Uidhir)
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>> >
>> > Message: 1
>> > Date: Mon, 26 Jan 2009 15:51:21 -0000
>> > From: "Cearbhall O Meadhra" <cearbhall.omeadhra at idd.ie>
>> > Subject: [CEUD-ICT] Accidental Accessible solutions
>> > To: "'Centre for Excellence in Universal Design ICT mailing list'"
>> >            <ceud-ict at list.universaldesign.ie>
>> > Message-ID: <B627842E11AB4264A169708C65BBED10 at ProjectIDD1>
>> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>> >
>> > Hello,
>> >
>> > Would you know of any design solution such as a building, product
>> or
>> > service
>> > that was designed for a particular market other than that of
>> > disability but
>> > yet included all aspects of usability so that the result was
>> > comfortably
>> > usable by any person with a disability?
>> >
>> >  I am researching use cases of examples where wise designers have
>> > realised
>> > that sustainability requires preparation for the future by building
>> > in
>> > accessibility requirements even though the client does not demand
>> > such
>> > compliance.
>> >
>> > I look forward to hearing from you. My contact information is shown
>> > below.
>> >
>> > Yours sincerely,
>> >
>> > Cearbhall E. O'Meadhra
>> >
>> > "Good design enables - Bad design disables"
>> >
>> > Tel: +353 1-2864623 Mob: +353 83 3323487 Em: omeadhrac at ncad.ie
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > -------------- next part --------------
>> > An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
>> > URL:
>> >
>>
http://list.universaldesign.ie/pipermail/ceud-ict/attachments/20090126/c6f85
8fd/attachment-0001.html
>>
>> >
>> >
>> > ------------------------------
>> >
>> > Message: 2
>> > Date: Mon, 26 Jan 2009 16:05:26 +0000
>> > From: Laurence Veale <laurence.veale at iqcontent.com>
>> > Subject: Re: [CEUD-ICT] Accidental Accessible solutions
>> > To: Centre for Excellence in Universal Design ICT mailing list
>> >            <ceud-ict at list.universaldesign.ie>
>> > Message-ID:
>> >
>> <440f656b0901260805s1f9bc8a1qab47892ad1ad1d3a at mail.gmail.com>
>> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
>> >
>> > Hi Cearbhall,
>> >
>> > there are a few examples up on:
>> >
>> >
>>
http://www.universaldesign.ie/exploreampdiscover/definitionandoverview/examp
les
>>
>> >
>> > Lar
>> >
>> > Laurence Veale
>> >
>> > Usability | Design | Content | Analytics
>> >
>> > Blog: www.iqcontent.com/blog
>> > Tel: (office) +353 1 817 0768
>> > Tel: (mobile) +353 87 900 2999
>> > Fax: +353 1 817 0769
>> > Email: laurence.veale at iqcontent.com
>> >
>> > iQ Content Limited.
>> > Registered in Ireland. No 329994
>> > Registered Office: Unit 19 Docklands Innovation Park, 128-130 East
>> > Wall
>> > Road, Dublin 3
>> >
>> >
>> > On Mon, Jan 26, 2009 at 3:51 PM, Cearbhall O Meadhra <
>> > cearbhall.omeadhra at idd.ie> wrote:
>> >
>> > >  Hello,
>> > >
>> > > Would you know of any design solution such as a building, product
>> > or
>> > > service that was designed for a particular market other than that
>> > of
>> > > disability but yet included all aspects of usability so that the
>> > result was
>> > > comfortably usable by any person with a disability?
>> > >
>> > >  I am researching use cases of examples where wise designers have
>> > realised
>> > > that sustainability requires preparation for the future by
>> building
>> > in
>> > > accessibility requirements even though the client does not demand
>> > such
>> > > compliance.
>> > >
>> > > I look forward to hearing from you. My contact information is
>> shown
>> > below.
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > Yours sincerely,
>> > >
>> > > Cearbhall E. O'Meadhra
>> > >
>> > > "Good design enables - Bad design disables"
>> > >
>> > > Tel: +353 1-2864623 Mob: +353 83 3323487 Em: omeadhrac at ncad.ie
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > _______________________________________________
>> > > CEUD-ICT mailing list
>> > > CEUD-ICT at list.universaldesign.ie
>> > > http://list.universaldesign.ie/mailman/listinfo/ceud-ict
>> > >
>> > >
>> > -------------- next part --------------
>> > An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
>> > URL:
>> >
>>
http://list.universaldesign.ie/pipermail/ceud-ict/attachments/20090126/06f94
978/attachment-0001.html
>>
>> >
>> >
>> > ------------------------------
>> >
>> > Message: 3
>> > Date: Tue, 27 Jan 2009 10:34:04 +0000
>> > From: Eamon Mag Uidhir <eamon at maguidhir.com>
>> > Subject: Re: [CEUD-ICT] Accidental Accessible solutions
>> > To: ceud-ict at list.universaldesign.ie
>> > Message-ID: <20090127103404.cdjmpb2oz4swcgs4 at www.maguidhir.com>
>> > Content-Type: text/plain;          charset=UTF-8;
>> DelSp="Yes";
>>        format="flowed"
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > The proverbial lever door-handle replacing the hard-to-grip round
>> > door-handle in the period since the second world war may be the
>> > greatest-ever implementation of accessibility and usability by
>> > stealth. It's a very useful example when you're giving
>> accessibility
>> >
>> > awareness training to people who haven't thought about the subject
>> > before.
>> >
>> > A more recent achievement has been the arrival of the current
>> > generation of milk carton closures from Avonmore and Premier. When
>> I
>> >
>> > was without the use of one arm due to injury last year I thought I
>> was
>> >
>> > going to be snookered whenever I wanted to open a new milk carton,
>> but
>> >
>> > lo and behold the spiral movement that twists off the closure tab
>> is
>> >
>> > perfectly doable with just one hand. I doubt that efficient
>> one-handed
>> >
>> > use was uppermost in the minds of the product design team that
>> created
>> >
>> > the closure, but that's what came out.
>> >
>> > Eamon
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >     ?amon Mag Uidhir
>> >
>> ''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
>> >                       eamon at maguidhir.com
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > RESPONDING TO Laurence Veale <laurence.veale at iqcontent.com>:
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > > Hi Cearbhall,
>> > >
>> > > there are a few examples up on:
>> > >
>> > >
>> >
>>
http://www.universaldesign.ie/exploreampdiscover/definitionandoverview/examp
les
>>
>> > >
>> > > Lar
>> > >
>> > > Laurence Veale
>> > >
>> > > Usability | Design | Content | Analytics
>> > >
>> > > Blog: www.iqcontent.com/blog
>> > > Tel: (office) +353 1 817 0768
>> > > Tel: (mobile) +353 87 900 2999
>> > > Fax: +353 1 817 0769
>> > > Email: laurence.veale at iqcontent.com
>> > >
>> > > iQ Content Limited.
>> > > Registered in Ireland. No 329994
>> > > Registered Office: Unit 19 Docklands Innovation Park, 128-130
>> East
>> > Wall
>> > > Road, Dublin 3
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > On Mon, Jan 26, 2009 at 3:51 PM, Cearbhall O Meadhra <
>> > > cearbhall.omeadhra at idd.ie> wrote:
>> > >
>> > >>  Hello,
>> > >>
>> > >> Would you know of any design solution such as a building,
>> product
>> > or
>> > >> service that was designed for a particular market other than
>> that
>> > of
>> > >> disability but yet included all aspects of usability so that the
>> > result was
>> > >> comfortably usable by any person with a disability?
>> > >>
>> > >>  I am researching use cases of examples where wise designers
>> have
>> > realised
>> > >> that sustainability requires preparation for the future by
>> building
>> > in
>> > >> accessibility requirements even though the client does not
>> demand
>> > such
>> > >> compliance.
>> > >>
>> > >> I look forward to hearing from you. My contact information is
>> shown
>> > below.
>> > >>
>> > >>
>> > >> Yours sincerely,
>> > >>
>> > >> Cearbhall E. O'Meadhra
>> > >>
>> > >> "Good design enables - Bad design disables"
>> > >>
>> > >> Tel: +353 1-2864623 Mob: +353 83 3323487 Em: omeadhrac at ncad.ie
>> > >>
>> > >>
>> > >>
>> > >> _______________________________________________
>> > >> CEUD-ICT mailing list
>> > >> CEUD-ICT at list.universaldesign.ie
>> > >> http://list.universaldesign.ie/mailman/listinfo/ceud-ict
>> > >>
>> > >>
>> > >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > ------------------------------
>> >
>> > _______________________________________________
>> > CEUD-ICT mailing list
>> > CEUD-ICT at list.universaldesign.ie
>> > http://list.universaldesign.ie/mailman/listinfo/ceud-ict
>> >
>> >
>> > End of CEUD-ICT Digest, Vol 4, Issue 7
>> > **************************************
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> CEUD-ICT mailing list
>> CEUD-ICT at list.universaldesign.ie
>> http://list.universaldesign.ie/mailman/listinfo/ceud-ict
>>
>>
>>
>>
****************************************************************************
******
>> The information transmitted is intended only for the person or entity
>> to which it is addressed and may contain confidential and/or
>> privileged material. Any review, retransmission, dissemination or
>> other use of, or taking of any action in reliance upon, this
>> information by persons or entities other than the intended recipient
>> is prohibited. If you received this in error, please contact the
>> sender and delete the material from any computer.  It is the policy of
>> the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the Agencies
>> and Offices using its IT services to disallow the sending of offensive
>> material.
>> Should you consider that the material contained in this message is
>> offensive you should contact the sender immediately and also
>> mailminder[at]justice.ie.
>>
>> Is le haghaidh an duine n? an eintitis ar a bhfuil s? d?rithe, agus le
>> haghaidh an duine n? an eintitis sin amh?in, a bhearta?tear an
>> fhaisn?is a tarchuireadh agus f?adfaidh s? go bhfuil ?bhar faoi r?n
>> agus/n? faoi phribhl?id inti. Toirmisctear aon athbhreithni?, atarchur
>> n? leathadh a dh?anamh ar an bhfaisn?is seo, aon ?s?id eile a bhaint
>> aisti n? aon ghn?omh a dh?anamh ar a hiontaoibh, ag daoine n? ag
>> eintitis seachas an faighteoir beartaithe. M? fuair t? ? seo tr?
>> dhearmad, t?igh i dteagmh?il leis an seolt?ir, le do thoil, agus
>> scrios an t-?bhar as aon r?omhaire. Is ? beartas na Roinne Dl? agus
>> Cirt, Comhionannais agus Athch?irithe Dl?, agus na nOif?g? agus na
>> nGn?omhaireachta? a ?s?ideann seirbh?s? TF na Roinne, seoladh ?bhair
>> chol?il a dh?chead?.
>> M?s rud ? go measann t? gur ?bhar col?il at? san ?bhar at? sa
>> teachtaireacht seo is ceart duit dul i dteagmh?il leis an seolt?ir
>> l?ithreach agus le mailminder[ag]justice.ie chomh maith.
>>
****************************************************************************
*******
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> ------------------------------
>>
>> Message: 2
>> Date: 28-Jan-2009 13:32:41 GMT
>> From: "Alan M. Dalton" <AMDalton at nda.ie>
>> Subject: Re: [CEUD-ICT] Accidental Accessible solutions
>> To: Centre for Excellence in Universal Design ICT mailing list
>> <ceud-ict at list.universaldesign.ie>
>> Message-ID: <200901281332.n0SDWhjh024897 at nda.blacknight.ie>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
>>
>> My favourite example of a design solution that was designed for a
>> market
>> other than disability but included all aspects of usability, is
>> search
>> engine optimisation (SEO). SEO is the use of techniques to help a
>> website
>> appear higher in a search engine's results for a search on a
>> particular
>> keyword.
>>
>> Google's page on "Webmaster Guidelines" [1] gives advice on how to
>> implement SEO. The webpage doesn't mention accessibility or usability;
>> it
>> just says that "following these guidelines will help Google find,
>> index,
>> and rank your site." However, practically all of those guidelines will
>> also
>> make a webpage more usable by someone with a disability.
>>
>> I've summarised Google's Webmaster Guidelines here.
>>
>> Design and content guidelines:
>> - Clear hierarchical structure for the website
>> - Text links
>> - Site maps
>> - Information-rich websites
>> - Webpages that clearly describe your content
>> - Use of relevant keywords
>> - Use of text instead of images
>> - Accurate webpage titles
>> - Accurate, descriptive alternative text
>> - No broken links
>> - Correct HTML
>> - Short URLs
>> - Reasonable number of links per webpage.
>>
>> Technical guidelines:
>> - Checking your website with a text-based browser
>> - Allowing search engines to examine your website
>> - Testing your site in different browsers.
>>
>> Quality guidelines:
>> - User-centred content
>> - Using only relevant and useful links
>> - No hidden text or links
>> - No automatic redirects
>> - No irrelevant keywords
>> - No duplication of content
>> - No "badware"
>> - Unique and relevant content.
>>
>> Anyone who follows those guidelines will create a better experience
>> for
>> people with disabilities.
>>
>> Regards,
>> Alan.
>>
>> [1]
>> http://www.google.com/support/webmasters/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=35769
>>
>> __________
>> Alan Dalton
>> Accessibility Development Advisor
>> Excellence through Accessibility http://www.nda.ie/eta
>> National Disability Authority, 25 Clyde Road, Dublin 4.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>              "Donal J. Rice"
>>
>>              <DJRice at nda.ie>
>>
>>              Sent by:
>>  To
>>              ceud-ict-bounces@         Centre for Excellence in
>> Universal
>>              list.universaldes         Design ICT mailing list
>>
>>              ign.ie
>> <ceud-ict at list.universaldesign.ie>
>>
>>  cc
>>
>>
>>              28/01/2009 12:22
>> Subject
>>                                        Re: [CEUD-ICT] Accidental
>>
>>                                        Accessible solutions
>>
>>              Please respond to
>>
>>                 Centre for
>>
>>                Excellence in
>>
>>              Universal Design
>>
>>              ICT mailing list
>>
>>              <ceud-ict at list.un
>>
>>              iversaldesign.ie>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Hi folks.
>>
>> I'll row in with a couple of ICT examples seeing as this is an ICT
>> list!!
>>
>> Interesting examples so far.  the more complex the design and
>> functionality
>> of the product, the bigger the challenge to design in universally
>> accessible features, particularly for ICT products and services.
>>
>> Designing a product, service or ICT service to be accessible requires
>> a
>> concerted effort and design methodology.  It is not just a case of,
>> for
>> example including a token disabled persona in the hope of capturing
>> the
>> requirements of people with disabilities who are not a homogenous
>> grouping.
>> Methodologies developed by Greg Vanderheiden and Zimmerman from CAST
>> describe the careful use of use cases, scenarios and accessibility
>> guidelines that are then tested using test cases and checkpoints
>> derived
>> from the guidelines. This work is also referenced on the Universal
>> Design
>> website at
>> http://www.universaldesign.ie/useandapply/ict/universaldesignforict
>>
>> I have not come across examples in the ICT domain where the designer
>> intentionally built in accessibility features that were not
>> explicitly
>> required by the client.  That said some web design companies use
>> (W3C)
>> standards correctly in the design and development of all websites for
>> clients.  While this may still result in issues with things like
>> colour
>> contrast and link text, the website will go a long way to being usable
>> with
>> AT and being customisable by the end user.  In fact this was the case
>> with
>> the Oasis website, now www.citizensinformation.ie.  Our first audit
>> and
>> user test revealed that most of the accessibility issues were fairly
>> trivial to fix and were not presenting big obstacles to begin with.
>> One of
>> the original motivations for using standards in this case was to
>> ensure
>> that the tools used for backend publication process and XML work flow
>> could
>> be swapped out according as better ones became available or the
>> functionality of the website changed.  I think one could make the case
>> that
>> this is a form of sustainability which resulted in the website being
>> accessible.
>>
>> A case I heard of anecdotally a couple of years ago was the
>> development of
>> an online mobile phone banking interface.  The development company
>> told me
>> that the interface was reasonably accessible as a result although
>> accessibility was not in the design brief.  So accidental accessible
>> design
>> by virtue that mulitmodality was in the design spec.
>>
>> The examples Laurence pointed to show how some large product companies
>> are
>> incrementally improving the universal appeal of their products by
>> introducing accessibility features in their mainstream lines.  For
>> example
>> the ovens with the fold away door or the automated lift feature.  None
>> of
>> these examples are fully accessible to the extent that they cater for
>> a
>> wise range of disabilities.  But it does show a definite design trend
>> towards catering for people with a greater spectrum of requirements.
>>
>> hope this helps,
>> D?nal.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>              Antoinette
>>              Fennell
>>              <antoinettefennel
>>  To
>>              l at eircom.net>
>> ceud-ict at list.universaldesign.ie
>>              Sent by:
>>  cc
>>              ceud-ict-bounces@
>>              list.universaldes
>> Subject
>>              ign.ie                    Re: [CEUD-ICT] Accidental
>>                                        Accessible solutions
>> (Antoinette
>>                                        Fennell)
>>              27/01/2009 13:49
>>
>>
>>              Please respond to
>>                 Centre for
>>                Excellence in
>>              Universal Design
>>              ICT mailing list
>>              <ceud-ict at list.un
>>              iversaldesign.ie>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Hello,
>>
>> I'm guessing the examples don't have to be ICT specific?
>>
>> If not, another very simple example, which I have yet to see quoted
>> in
>> relation to accessibility, is the ingenious Punch Colour Catcher.
>> These are
>> small sheets that you place in the washing machine to prevent colours
>> running.
>>
>> >From a sustainability point of view, you don't have to do two or
>> three
>> separate washes and you don't have to worry about throwing out clothes
>> that
>> are no longer white!
>>
>> >From an accessibility or independent living point of view, a person
>> who is
>> unable to see the clothes, or to distinguish between the colours, does
>> not
>> have to worry about a rogue red sock getting into the white wash.
>>
>> >From a physical point of view, it might make washing just that small
>> bit
>> less laborious now that you don't have to separate the clothes.
>> Though
>> perhaps I'm clutching at straws with that one!
>>
>> I'm sure I've thought of other examples over the years, so will get
>> back to
>> you Cearbhall if I think of them.
>>
>> All the best,
>>
>> Antoinette
>>
>>
>>
>> Dr Antoinette Fennell
>> Research Fellow - Project Scientist
>> TrinityHaus
>> Trinity College Dublin
>>
>> Dr Antoinette Fennell
>> Research Fellow - Project Scientist
>> TrinityHaus
>> McNamara Centre for Construction Innovation and Sustainability
>> Trinity College Dublin
>>
>> ----- ceud-ict-request at list.universaldesign.ie wrote:
>> > Send CEUD-ICT mailing list submissions to
>> >            ceud-ict at list.universaldesign.ie
>> >
>> > To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit
>> >            http://list.universaldesign.ie/mailman/listinfo/ceud-ict
>> > or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to
>> >            ceud-ict-request at list.universaldesign.ie
>> >
>> > You can reach the person managing the list at
>> >            ceud-ict-owner at list.universaldesign.ie
>> >
>> > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific
>> > than "Re: Contents of CEUD-ICT digest..."
>> >
>> >
>> > Today's Topics:
>> >
>> >    1. Accidental Accessible solutions (Cearbhall O Meadhra)
>> >    2. Re: Accidental Accessible solutions (Laurence Veale)
>> >    3. Re: Accidental Accessible solutions (Eamon Mag Uidhir)
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>> >
>> > Message: 1
>> > Date: Mon, 26 Jan 2009 15:51:21 -0000
>> > From: "Cearbhall O Meadhra" <cearbhall.omeadhra at idd.ie>
>> > Subject: [CEUD-ICT] Accidental Accessible solutions
>> > To: "'Centre for Excellence in Universal Design ICT mailing list'"
>> >            <ceud-ict at list.universaldesign.ie>
>> > Message-ID: <B627842E11AB4264A169708C65BBED10 at ProjectIDD1>
>> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>> >
>> > Hello,
>> >
>> > Would you know of any design solution such as a building, product
>> or
>> > service
>> > that was designed for a particular market other than that of
>> > disability but
>> > yet included all aspects of usability so that the result was
>> > comfortably
>> > usable by any person with a disability?
>> >
>> >  I am researching use cases of examples where wise designers have
>> > realised
>> > that sustainability requires preparation for the future by building
>> > in
>> > accessibility requirements even though the client does not demand
>> > such
>> > compliance.
>> >
>> > I look forward to hearing from you. My contact information is shown
>> > below.
>> >
>> > Yours sincerely,
>> >
>> > Cearbhall E. O'Meadhra
>> >
>> > "Good design enables - Bad design disables"
>> >
>> > Tel: +353 1-2864623 Mob: +353 83 3323487 Em: omeadhrac at ncad.ie
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > -------------- next part --------------
>> > An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
>> > URL:
>> >
>>
http://list.universaldesign.ie/pipermail/ceud-ict/attachments/20090126/c6f85
8fd/attachment-0001.html
>>
>>
>> >
>> >
>> > ------------------------------
>> >
>> > Message: 2
>> > Date: Mon, 26 Jan 2009 16:05:26 +0000
>> > From: Laurence Veale <laurence.veale at iqcontent.com>
>> > Subject: Re: [CEUD-ICT] Accidental Accessible solutions
>> > To: Centre for Excellence in Universal Design ICT mailing list
>> >            <ceud-ict at list.universaldesign.ie>
>> > Message-ID:
>> >
>> <440f656b0901260805s1f9bc8a1qab47892ad1ad1d3a at mail.gmail.com>
>> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
>> >
>> > Hi Cearbhall,
>> >
>> > there are a few examples up on:
>> >
>> >
>>
http://www.universaldesign.ie/exploreampdiscover/definitionandoverview/examp
les
>>
>>
>> >
>> > Lar
>> >
>> > Laurence Veale
>> >
>> > Usability | Design | Content | Analytics
>> >
>> > Blog: www.iqcontent.com/blog
>> > Tel: (office) +353 1 817 0768
>> > Tel: (mobile) +353 87 900 2999
>> > Fax: +353 1 817 0769
>> > Email: laurence.veale at iqcontent.com
>> >
>> > iQ Content Limited.
>> > Registered in Ireland. No 329994
>> > Registered Office: Unit 19 Docklands Innovation Park, 128-130 East
>> > Wall
>> > Road, Dublin 3
>> >
>> >
>> > On Mon, Jan 26, 2009 at 3:51 PM, Cearbhall O Meadhra <
>> > cearbhall.omeadhra at idd.ie> wrote:
>> >
>> > >  Hello,
>> > >
>> > > Would you know of any design solution such as a building, product
>> > or
>> > > service that was designed for a particular market other than that
>> > of
>> > > disability but yet included all aspects of usability so that the
>> > result was
>> > > comfortably usable by any person with a disability?
>> > >
>> > >  I am researching use cases of examples where wise designers have
>> > realised
>> > > that sustainability requires preparation for the future by
>> building
>> > in
>> > > accessibility requirements even though the client does not demand
>> > such
>> > > compliance.
>> > >
>> > > I look forward to hearing from you. My contact information is
>> shown
>> > below.
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > Yours sincerely,
>> > >
>> > > Cearbhall E. O'Meadhra
>> > >
>> > > "Good design enables - Bad design disables"
>> > >
>> > > Tel: +353 1-2864623 Mob: +353 83 3323487 Em: omeadhrac at ncad.ie
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > _______________________________________________
>> > > CEUD-ICT mailing list
>> > > CEUD-ICT at list.universaldesign.ie
>> > > http://list.universaldesign.ie/mailman/listinfo/ceud-ict
>> > >
>> > >
>> > -------------- next part --------------
>> > An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
>> > URL:
>> >
>>
http://list.universaldesign.ie/pipermail/ceud-ict/attachments/20090126/06f94
978/attachment-0001.html
>>
>>
>> >
>> >
>> > ------------------------------
>> >
>> > Message: 3
>> > Date: Tue, 27 Jan 2009 10:34:04 +0000
>> > From: Eamon Mag Uidhir <eamon at maguidhir.com>
>> > Subject: Re: [CEUD-ICT] Accidental Accessible solutions
>> > To: ceud-ict at list.universaldesign.ie
>> > Message-ID: <20090127103404.cdjmpb2oz4swcgs4 at www.maguidhir.com>
>> > Content-Type: text/plain;          charset=UTF-8;
>> DelSp="Yes";
>>        format="flowed"
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > The proverbial lever door-handle replacing the hard-to-grip round
>> > door-handle in the period since the second world war may be the
>> > greatest-ever implementation of accessibility and usability by
>> > stealth. It's a very useful example when you're giving
>> accessibility
>> >
>> > awareness training to people who haven't thought about the subject
>> > before.
>> >
>> > A more recent achievement has been the arrival of the current
>> > generation of milk carton closures from Avonmore and Premier. When
>> I
>> >
>> > was without the use of one arm due to injury last year I thought I
>> was
>> >
>> > going to be snookered whenever I wanted to open a new milk carton,
>> but
>> >
>> > lo and behold the spiral movement that twists off the closure tab
>> is
>> >
>> > perfectly doable with just one hand. I doubt that efficient
>> one-handed
>> >
>> > use was uppermost in the minds of the product design team that
>> created
>> >
>> > the closure, but that's what came out.
>> >
>> > Eamon
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >     ?amon Mag Uidhir
>> >
>> ''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
>> >                       eamon at maguidhir.com
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > RESPONDING TO Laurence Veale <laurence.veale at iqcontent.com>:
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > > Hi Cearbhall,
>> > >
>> > > there are a few examples up on:
>> > >
>> > >
>> >
>>
http://www.universaldesign.ie/exploreampdiscover/definitionandoverview/examp
les
>>
>>
>> > >
>> > > Lar
>> > >
>> > > Laurence Veale
>> > >
>> > > Usability | Design | Content | Analytics
>> > >
>> > > Blog: www.iqcontent.com/blog
>> > > Tel: (office) +353 1 817 0768
>> > > Tel: (mobile) +353 87 900 2999
>> > > Fax: +353 1 817 0769
>> > > Email: laurence.veale at iqcontent.com
>> > >
>> > > iQ Content Limited.
>> > > Registered in Ireland. No 329994
>> > > Registered Office: Unit 19 Docklands Innovation Park, 128-130
>> East
>> > Wall
>> > > Road, Dublin 3
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > On Mon, Jan 26, 2009 at 3:51 PM, Cearbhall O Meadhra <
>> > > cearbhall.omeadhra at idd.ie> wrote:
>> > >
>> > >>  Hello,
>> > >>
>> > >> Would you know of any design solution such as a building,
>> product
>> > or
>> > >> service that was designed for a particular market other than
>> that
>> > of
>> > >> disability but yet included all aspects of usability so that the
>> > result was
>> > >> comfortably usable by any person with a disability?
>> > >>
>> > >>  I am researching use cases of examples where wise designers
>> have
>> > realised
>> > >> that sustainability requires preparation for the future by
>> building
>> > in
>> > >> accessibility requirements even though the client does not
>> demand
>> > such
>> > >> compliance.
>> > >>
>> > >> I look forward to hearing from you. My contact information is
>> shown
>> > below.
>> > >>
>> > >>
>> > >> Yours sincerely,
>> > >>
>> > >> Cearbhall E. O'Meadhra
>> > >>
>> > >> "Good design enables - Bad design disables"
>> > >>
>> > >> Tel: +353 1-2864623 Mob: +353 83 3323487 Em: omeadhrac at ncad.ie
>> > >>
>> > >>
>> > >>
>> > >> _______________________________________________
>> > >> CEUD-ICT mailing list
>> > >> CEUD-ICT at list.universaldesign.ie
>> > >> http://list.universaldesign.ie/mailman/listinfo/ceud-ict
>> > >>
>> > >>
>> > >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > ------------------------------
>> >
>> > _______________________________________________
>> > CEUD-ICT mailing list
>> > CEUD-ICT at list.universaldesign.ie
>> > http://list.universaldesign.ie/mailman/listinfo/ceud-ict
>> >
>> >
>> > End of CEUD-ICT Digest, Vol 4, Issue 7
>> > **************************************
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> CEUD-ICT mailing list
>> CEUD-ICT at list.universaldesign.ie
>> http://list.universaldesign.ie/mailman/listinfo/ceud-ict
>>
>>
>>
>>
****************************************************************************
******
>>
>> The information transmitted is intended only for the person or entity
>> to
>> which it is addressed and may contain confidential and/or privileged
>> material. Any review, retransmission, dissemination or other use of,
>> or
>> taking of any action in reliance upon, this information by persons or
>> entities other than the intended recipient is prohibited. If you
>> received
>> this in error, please contact the sender and delete the material from
>> any
>> computer.  It is the policy of the Department of Justice, Equality and
>> Law
>> Reform and the Agencies and Offices using its IT services to disallow
>> the
>> sending of offensive material.
>> Should you consider that the material contained in this message is
>> offensive you should contact the sender immediately and also
>> mailminder[at]justice.ie.
>>
>> Is le haghaidh an duine n? an eintitis ar a bhfuil s? d?rithe, agus
>> le
>> haghaidh an duine n? an eintitis sin amh?in, a bhearta?tear an
>> fhaisn?is a
>> tarchuireadh agus f?adfaidh s? go bhfuil ?bhar faoi r?n agus/n? faoi
>> phribhl?id inti. Toirmisctear aon athbhreithni?, atarchur n? leathadh
>> a
>> dh?anamh ar an bhfaisn?is seo, aon ?s?id eile a bhaint aisti n? aon
>> ghn?omh
>> a dh?anamh ar a hiontaoibh, ag daoine n? ag eintitis seachas an
>> faighteoir
>> beartaithe. M? fuair t? ? seo tr? dhearmad, t?igh i dteagmh?il leis
>> an
>> seolt?ir, le do thoil, agus scrios an t-?bhar as aon r?omhaire. Is ?
>> beartas na Roinne Dl? agus Cirt, Comhionannais agus Athch?irithe Dl?,
>> agus
>> na nOif?g? agus na nGn?omhaireachta? a ?s?ideann seirbh?s? TF na
>> Roinne,
>> seoladh ?bhair chol?il a dh?chead?.
>> M?s rud ? go measann t? gur ?bhar col?il at? san ?bhar at? sa
>> teachtaireacht seo is ceart duit dul i dteagmh?il leis an seolt?ir
>> l?ithreach agus le mailminder[ag]justice.ie chomh maith.
>>
****************************************************************************
*******
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> CEUD-ICT mailing list
>> CEUD-ICT at list.universaldesign.ie
>> http://list.universaldesign.ie/mailman/listinfo/ceud-ict
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> ------------------------------
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> CEUD-ICT mailing list
>> CEUD-ICT at list.universaldesign.ie
>> http://list.universaldesign.ie/mailman/listinfo/ceud-ict
>>
>>
>> End of CEUD-ICT Digest, Vol 4, Issue 9
>> **************************************
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> CEUD-ICT mailing list
> CEUD-ICT at list.universaldesign.ie
> http://list.universaldesign.ie/mailman/listinfo/ceud-ict 

_______________________________________________
CEUD-ICT mailing list
CEUD-ICT at list.universaldesign.ie
http://list.universaldesign.ie/mailman/listinfo/ceud-ict