The role of accessibility in a universal web

"Universal design" is the process of creating products that are usable by people with the widest possible range of abilities, operating within the widest possible range of situations; whereas "accessibility" primarily refers to design for people with disabilities. While the focus of accessibility is disabilities, research and development in accessibility brings benefits to everyone, particularly users with situational limitations, including device limitations and environmental limitations. Awareness and understanding of the benefits of web accessibility to users without disabilities is growing in some areas with the rapid increase of web-enabled devices such as mobile phones, tablets, televisions, and more; with the increasing focus on the growing number of older web users; and with wider web reach in areas with high incidence of low literacy, low bandwidth, older technology, etc. Although there is significant overlap between designing for accessibility and designing for situational limitations, addressing one set of needs does not necessarily provide sufficient solutions for other needs. Keeping accessibility focused on disabilities encourages research and development on meeting the specific needs of people with disabilities. This communications paper explains the importance of "accessibility" continuing to focus on people with disabilities, while further integrating accessibility with web design, development, and research in other areas, including those covered under universal design and design for all. It also describes how the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) and Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) are working to address accessibility and related user needs throughout the technologies of the Web, and invites all interested parties to participate in research and development to further integrate accessibility for people with disabilities in ways that benefit all

Future bathroom: A study of user-centred design principles affecting usability, safety and satisfaction in bathrooms for people living with disabilities

Research and development work relating to assistive technology 2010-11 (Department of Health) Presented to Parliament pursuant to Section 22 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 197

Rockefeller Foundation 2010 Annual Report

Contains president's letter; 2010 program highlights, including support for Africa's green revolution, sustainable and equitable transportation policy, and healthy communities; grants list; financial report; and lists of trustees and staff

Challenges and strategies for accessibility research in the Global South: A panel discussion

Over 80% of the 1 billion people with disabilities in the world live in the Global South, yet, most of the research at the intersection of disability and technology published across HCI venues is based in the Global North. With limited published research, and a large range of socio-cultural, practical and environmental differences across the Global South, HCI researchers and practitioners can encounter unexpected challenges when planning and conducting accessibility studies. The aim of this panel is to bring together three experienced academics who have conducted, managed and published impactful HCI research working with people with disabilities in various regions of the Global South from Latin America to East Africa and South Asia. Panelists will give an initial overview of their experiences conducting research with participants who had different disabilities and other relevant stakeholders, dedicating particular attention to the practical aspects commonly involved in research projects

Sentara Healthcare: A Case Study Series on Disruptive Innovation Within Integrated Health Systems

Examines how integration and ties with health plans, physicians, and hospitals helped protect against revenue volatility and enabled experimentation; factors that facilitate integration; innovative practices; lessons learned; and policy implications

New learning opportunities in a networked world: developing a research agenda on innovative uses of ICTS for learning and teaching

IDRC Project Title: Developing a Research Agenda on Expanding New Digital Learning Opportunities in Developing Countries;IDRC Project Number: 107628The report describes outcomes of the activities carried out for the project “New Learning Opportunities in a Networked World: Developing a Research Agenda on Innovative uses of ICTs for Learning and Teaching”. The research consists of three main activities, namely desk research, written expert consultation and group concept mapping study involving a 2-day workshop and a follow-up with experts who could not attend the workshop. These activities are interconnected elements of the consultative approach to establishing a research agenda.International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Canad

Bridging Educational Frontiers: AI-Adaptive Learning, Subscription Strategies, and the Quest for Global Online MBA Accessibility

This research dives deep into the rapidly evolving realm of postgraduate online education, mainly focusing on online MBA programs. The study unveils significant patterns and fresh perspectives through comprehensive content analysis and participant interviews. The transformative potential of AI in personalizing learning experiences has been recognized, with AI-AL tools highlighted as not just tools for automation but as dynamic partners in curating individualized learning experiences. Another significant discovery is the “resignated acceptance” phenomenon, revealing society's shift towards accepting technology’s omnipresence in education. Moreover, the rise of subscription-based models indicates a shift towards democratizing elite education, though questions arise regarding its long-term implications on educational quality. Practical implications suggest educational institutions could leverage AI to optimize student learning experiences and explore subscription-based pricing strategies to increase access. However, a balanced approach, ensuring the human touch in education remains, is crucial. Furthermore, emphasizing local collaborations when expanding into new regions is essential. This study underscores the importance of adapting to technological advancements while ensuring holistic, high-quality, and globally inclusive educational experiences.Tässä tutkimuksessa syvennytään nopeasti kehittyvään jatko-opintojen verkkokoulutuksen maailmaan, keskittyen erityisesti verkkoon perustuviin MBA-ohjelmiin. Tutkimus paljastaa merkittäviä malleja ja tuoreita näkökulmia kattavan sisällönanalyysin ja osallistujahaastattelujen kautta. Tekoälyn muutosvoima oppimiskokemusten personoinnissa on tunnustettu, ja "AI-AL" työkalut korostuvat ei vain automaation välineinä, vaan dynaamisina kumppaneina yksilöllisten oppimiskokemusten kuratoinnissa. Toinen merkittävä löydös on "resignated acceptance" ilmiö, joka paljastaa yhteiskunnan siirtymisen kohti teknologian kaikkialla läsnä olevan hyväksymistä koulutuksessa. Lisäksi tilauspohjaisten mallien nousu viittaa siirtymään kohti eliittikoulutuksen demokratisointia, vaikka herääkin kysymyksiä sen pitkän aikavälin vaikutuksista koulutuksen laatuun. Käytännön seurauksena koulutuslaitokset voisivat hyödyntää tekoälyä optimoidakseen opiskelijoiden oppimiskokemuksia ja tutkia tilauspohjaisia hinnoittelustrategioita lisätäkseen saatavuutta. Kuitenkin tasapainoinen lähestymistapa, joka varmistaa inhimillisen kosketuksen säilymisen koulutuksessa, on ratkaisevan tärkeää. Lisäksi on olennaista korostaa paikallisia yhteistyökumppanuuksia laajentuessa uusille alueille. Tämä tutkimus korostaa teknologisiin edistysaskeliin sopeutumisen tärkeyttä samalla varmistaen kokonaisvaltaiset, korkealaatuiset ja maailmanlaajuisesti inklusiiviset koulutuskokemukset

Using Ocean Observing Systems Data in K-12 Classrooms: Proceedings from a Workshop Exploring the Merit and Feasibility of Developing a National Ocean Observing Systems (NOOS) Education Product

Ocean engineers and scientists are transforming the way we experience and understand the ocean through Integrated Ocean Observing Systems (IOOS). For the first time, there will be continuous, sustained, near-realtime, multi-dimensional data available from the oceans, collected both from within the oceans using sensors systems and above using remote sensing methodologies. These data make possible inquiry-driven questions concerning the dynamic nature of the ocean's physical, biological and chemical characteristics in both time and space. These data provide unique and meaningful access to the ocean for a broad range of users. One major expected user group is K-12 educators and their students, who will be able to explore and utilize data and information from coastal observing systems in real time from the classroom. This workshop, held in July of 2005, explored the feasability of developing a collection of resources, tools, and/or classroom applications that use National Ocean Observing Systems (NOOS) data and resources to promote ocean literacy and supplement classroom learning and understanding of the ocean environment. Educational levels: Graduate or professional

Mobility and Public Transit: Navigating Rural - Place Based Solutions for Rural Canada

Rural ResilienceNavigating Rura

Economic resilience : including a case study of the global transition network

This paper explores the dynamic properties of organisms and ecosystems that make them so resilient and capable of adapting to changing circumstances, allowing them to maintain an overall condition of coherence, wholeness and health while living in balance within the resources of the planet. Key principles of resilient ecological systems are explored including: self-regulation; positive and negative feedback; diversity; scale and context; cooperation; emergence and novelty; and ecological tipping points. In contrast, market based economic systems can produce unstable growth with unintended destruction of cultural and species diversity and homogenisation of global life-styles. The paper re-examines fundamental economic principles using insights from biological evolution and ecosystem dynamics to establish a foundation for more resilient economies. This involves experimenting with different models in different communities to find patterns of sustainable production and exchange appropriate to local regions. Fundamental steps in this direction include the emergence of self-organising local communities based on creative experimentation, re-localisation of core sectors of the economy (food, energy, health and education), evolution of local currencies and banking practices that support local enterprise and investment in green technologies, stimulation of decentralised renewable energy networks and economic reform aligned with ecological principles. The Transition Network provides a case study of an international community based movement that has been experimenting with putting some of these principles into practice at the local level. The aim of the Transition Network is to support community led responses to peak oil and climate change, building resilience and well-being. The concept of ecological resilience and its application to local economy is hard wired into the values and emerging structure of the network of transition communities across the globe. The movement started in the UK in 2005 and there are now over 1000 Transition initiatives spanning 34 countries across the world. Many attribute the success and phenomenal growth of the Transition Network to its emerging holographic structure that mimics cell growth within living organisms. Growing a more resilient food system in the face of the twin challenges of natural resource scarcity and climate change is central to the Transition movement. A set of principles for a post carbon resilient food economy in the UK are offered. These include an 80% cut in carbon emission in the food sector by 2050, agricultural diversification, prioritization of farming methods that establish and enhance carbon sinks, phasing out of dependence on fossil fuels in food growing, processing and distribution, promoting access to nutritious and affordable food, as well as promoting greater access to land for growing food in urban and peri-urban areas. Practical examples of Transition related projects in the food sector are presented across the following themes: access to land, low carbon production methods, food distribution systems, health and community gardens and orchards, and collaborative ownership models