Space, domesticity and 'people's power': civic organisation in Alexandra in the 1990s

Paper presented at the Wits History Workshop: Democracy, Popular Precedents, Practice and Culture, 13-15 July, 1994

Augmentative communication device design, implementation and evaluation

The ultimate aim of this thesis was to design and implement an advanced software based Augmentative Communication Device (ACD) , or Voice Output Communication Aid NOCA), for non-vocal Learning Disabled individuals by applying current psychological models, theories, and experimental techniques. By taking account of potential user's cognitive and linguistic abilities a symbol based device (Easy Speaker) was produced which outputs naturalistic digitised human speech and sound and makes use of a photorealistic symbol set. In order to increase the size of the available symbol set a hypermedia style dynamic screen approach was employed. The relevance of the hypermedia metaphor in relation to models of knowledge representation and language processing was explored.Laboratory based studies suggested that potential user's could learn to productively operate the software, became faster and more efficient over time when performing set conversational tasks. Studies with unimpaired individuals supported the notion that digitised speech was less cognitively demanding to decode, or listen to.With highly portable, touch based, PC compatible systems beginning to appear it is hoped that the otherwise silent will be able to use the software as their primary means of communication with the speaking world. Extensive field trials over a six month period with a prototype device and in collaboration with user's caregivers strongly suggested this might be the case.Off-device improvements were also noted suggesting that Easy Speaker, or similar software has the potential to be used as a communication training tool. Such training would be likely 10 improve overall communicative effectiveness.To conclude, a model for successful ACD development was proposed

The Verdict on Roberts v. Texaco

When I first heard that Bari-Ellen Roberts had written a book about the race discrimination lawsuit against Texaco, I was ecstatic. I was eager to read about the legal strategies that had resulted in the highest settlement award ever given in a class action race discrimination lawsuit. After reading the first few pages of the book, however, I became somewhat disappointed. The first few chapters made it clear that Roberts\u27s book was not about the actual details of the class action lawsuit against Texaco but about Roberts\u27s personal experiences at home, in school, and in the corporate world. As I read further though, I began to realize that the strength of Roberts\u27s book was not in the legal details of the class action lawsuit but in the stories of Roberts and her co-workers. Their stories in and of themselves invoked important questions and arguments concerning a number of pressing legal and social issues. This Book Review will proceed in two parts. First, it will provide a brief summary of Roberts\u27s life experiences as told by her. Second, it will discuss how these experiences serve as a standpoint for evaluating the importance of affirmative action in hiring and the role that whites should play in helping to eradicate race discrimination in employment

Anticipating Stage Two: Assessing the Development of Meaningful Use and EMR Deployment

This article begins by briefly restating the concepts behind the "meaningful use of certified EMR technology" and the types of requirements included in the MU stage 1 regulation of 2010. Second, the article provides additional context for the design of stages 2 and 3, noting, for example, the impact of more general healthcare reform and some studies that have been critical of the MU strategy. Third, the article briefly explains the processes behind the development of stage 2 and the criticisms leveled at early drafts. Finally, with Department of Health and Human Services ("HHS") Agencies apparently once again bowing to HIT and healthcare industry pressure (or, depending on your perspective, showing flexibility), some key questions are posed as to the eventual success of the subsidy program