Learning about Business Intelligence - Challenges of the Visually Impaired

Modern business systems, especially those of middle and large size, generate a large amount of different data.This data is important for proper analysis, prediction of future trends or in other words for making various business decisions. The large amount of data that can be found in many different formats and in different technology can be stored on multiple locations that all refer to the same business system. Education about technology, such as various business organizations’business intelligence systems and data warehouses is important part of many higher education curriculums. However, since many business intelligence tools rely on various graphical representations of data they are not suitable for visually impaired students. In this paper a discussion about challenges that visually impaired students encounter when trying to learn about business intelligence is given along with directions for future research

Learning about Business Intelligence - Challenges of the Visually Impaired

Modern business systems, especially those of middle and large size, generate a large amount of different data.This data is important for proper analysis, prediction of future trends or in other words for making various business decisions. The large amount of data that can be found in many different formats and in different technology can be stored on multiple locations that all refer to the same business system. Education about technology, such as various business organizations’business intelligence systems and data warehouses is important part of many higher education curriculums. However, since many business intelligence tools rely on various graphical representations of data they are not suitable for visually impaired students. In this paper a discussion about challenges that visually impaired students encounter when trying to learn about business intelligence is given along with directions for future research

System for aiding visually impaired in graphical interfaces programming

Otkad su računala ušla u masovnu uporabu, postojala su nastojanja da se osobe oštećena vida uvedu u svijet programiranja. Međutim, ubrzani razvoj grafičkih sučelja u ovom području doveo je programere oštećena vida do točke u kojoj se više nisu mogli nositi s vizualnim aspektima novih programskih koncepata. Analizirajući trenutno stanje, može se doći do zaključka da je upravo oblikovanje grafičkih sučelja jedan od dominantnih problema programera oštećena vida koji traži adekvatno rješenje. U okviru ovog doktorskog rada provedeno je istraživanje o potrebi i ključnim karakteristikama koncepta i sustava koji bi doveli do rješenja problema programera oštećena vida u području oblikovanja grafičkih sučelja u domeni klasičnog stolnog programiranja. Temeljem provedenog istraživanja izrađen je konceptualni model sustava za pomoć osobama oštećena vida u razvoju grafičkih sučelja. Uz konceptualni model, razvijen je i funkcionalni sustav s novim deskriptivnim jezikom GUIDL (Graphical User Interface Description Language) kao centralnim dijelom koji omogućava programerima oštećena vida jednostavan i prilagođen način opisa grafičkih sučelja tekstualnim putem. Opisana sučelja je moguće u okviru razvijenog sustava prevesti u neku od aktualnih programskih tehnologija što u konačnici omogućava programerima oštećena vida da se uključe sa svojim idejama i radom u aktualne projekte. Nad razvijenim sustavom je provedeno testiranje koje je pokazalo da razvijeni konceptualni model i sustav predstavljaju uporabljivo rješenje za problem razvoja grafičkih sučelja za potrebe osoba oštećena vida.Since computers have entered into mass usage, there have been efforts to introduce visually impaired into the world of programming. These efforts have been successful and computers have brought a number of advantages for visually impaired, such as easier access to information, books and articles, easier communication, etc. Along with other advantages, computer usage has created new jobs for visually impaired. One of these jobs was programming and software design. Visually impaired programmers have been able to perform their jobs for years since all graphical user interfaces (GUIs) were based on text and developed assistive technology in the form of text to speech converters was sufficient for enabling visually impaired to produce computer code and develop programs. However, the rapid development of GUI in this area, has led the visually impaired programmers to the point where they could no longer cope with the visual aspects of new programming concepts. This transition did not come overnight, but is has soon become clear that existing assistive technology will not be able to cope with all of new graphical concepts. Analyzing current situation, it can be concluded that a visual programming and GUI design are the dominant problems for visually impaired programmers that need an adequate solution. In this doctoral thesis, several different approaches for solution of the problems mentioned are stated along with the discussion about the most effective solution that is proposed as the general solution. Existing efforts in solving the problems mentioned are also stated and described. The research about the need for this kind of solution and about its desired characteristics is also presented. Considering a review of existing efforts to solve this problem a new model is proposed, whose central part consists of a new description language GUIDL (Graphical User Interface Description Language) that enables visually impaired to create visual interfaces in a suitable and simple way using pure textual form. A graphic interface described in GUIDL language is translatable into a form supported by newer software development environments and programming languages in the field of classic desktop programming. In this way proposed solution enables visually impaired to be involved in the design part of the overall software design process

System for aiding visually impaired in graphical interfaces programming

Otkad su računala ušla u masovnu uporabu, postojala su nastojanja da se osobe oštećena vida uvedu u svijet programiranja. Međutim, ubrzani razvoj grafičkih sučelja u ovom području doveo je programere oštećena vida do točke u kojoj se više nisu mogli nositi s vizualnim aspektima novih programskih koncepata. Analizirajući trenutno stanje, može se doći do zaključka da je upravo oblikovanje grafičkih sučelja jedan od dominantnih problema programera oštećena vida koji traži adekvatno rješenje. U okviru ovog doktorskog rada provedeno je istraživanje o potrebi i ključnim karakteristikama koncepta i sustava koji bi doveli do rješenja problema programera oštećena vida u području oblikovanja grafičkih sučelja u domeni klasičnog stolnog programiranja. Temeljem provedenog istraživanja izrađen je konceptualni model sustava za pomoć osobama oštećena vida u razvoju grafičkih sučelja. Uz konceptualni model, razvijen je i funkcionalni sustav s novim deskriptivnim jezikom GUIDL (Graphical User Interface Description Language) kao centralnim dijelom koji omogućava programerima oštećena vida jednostavan i prilagođen način opisa grafičkih sučelja tekstualnim putem. Opisana sučelja je moguće u okviru razvijenog sustava prevesti u neku od aktualnih programskih tehnologija što u konačnici omogućava programerima oštećena vida da se uključe sa svojim idejama i radom u aktualne projekte. Nad razvijenim sustavom je provedeno testiranje koje je pokazalo da razvijeni konceptualni model i sustav predstavljaju uporabljivo rješenje za problem razvoja grafičkih sučelja za potrebe osoba oštećena vida.Since computers have entered into mass usage, there have been efforts to introduce visually impaired into the world of programming. These efforts have been successful and computers have brought a number of advantages for visually impaired, such as easier access to information, books and articles, easier communication, etc. Along with other advantages, computer usage has created new jobs for visually impaired. One of these jobs was programming and software design. Visually impaired programmers have been able to perform their jobs for years since all graphical user interfaces (GUIs) were based on text and developed assistive technology in the form of text to speech converters was sufficient for enabling visually impaired to produce computer code and develop programs. However, the rapid development of GUI in this area, has led the visually impaired programmers to the point where they could no longer cope with the visual aspects of new programming concepts. This transition did not come overnight, but is has soon become clear that existing assistive technology will not be able to cope with all of new graphical concepts. Analyzing current situation, it can be concluded that a visual programming and GUI design are the dominant problems for visually impaired programmers that need an adequate solution. In this doctoral thesis, several different approaches for solution of the problems mentioned are stated along with the discussion about the most effective solution that is proposed as the general solution. Existing efforts in solving the problems mentioned are also stated and described. The research about the need for this kind of solution and about its desired characteristics is also presented. Considering a review of existing efforts to solve this problem a new model is proposed, whose central part consists of a new description language GUIDL (Graphical User Interface Description Language) that enables visually impaired to create visual interfaces in a suitable and simple way using pure textual form. A graphic interface described in GUIDL language is translatable into a form supported by newer software development environments and programming languages in the field of classic desktop programming. In this way proposed solution enables visually impaired to be involved in the design part of the overall software design process

System for aiding visually impaired in graphical interfaces programming

Otkad su računala ušla u masovnu uporabu, postojala su nastojanja da se osobe oštećena vida uvedu u svijet programiranja. Međutim, ubrzani razvoj grafičkih sučelja u ovom području doveo je programere oštećena vida do točke u kojoj se više nisu mogli nositi s vizualnim aspektima novih programskih koncepata. Analizirajući trenutno stanje, može se doći do zaključka da je upravo oblikovanje grafičkih sučelja jedan od dominantnih problema programera oštećena vida koji traži adekvatno rješenje. U okviru ovog doktorskog rada provedeno je istraživanje o potrebi i ključnim karakteristikama koncepta i sustava koji bi doveli do rješenja problema programera oštećena vida u području oblikovanja grafičkih sučelja u domeni klasičnog stolnog programiranja. Temeljem provedenog istraživanja izrađen je konceptualni model sustava za pomoć osobama oštećena vida u razvoju grafičkih sučelja. Uz konceptualni model, razvijen je i funkcionalni sustav s novim deskriptivnim jezikom GUIDL (Graphical User Interface Description Language) kao centralnim dijelom koji omogućava programerima oštećena vida jednostavan i prilagođen način opisa grafičkih sučelja tekstualnim putem. Opisana sučelja je moguće u okviru razvijenog sustava prevesti u neku od aktualnih programskih tehnologija što u konačnici omogućava programerima oštećena vida da se uključe sa svojim idejama i radom u aktualne projekte. Nad razvijenim sustavom je provedeno testiranje koje je pokazalo da razvijeni konceptualni model i sustav predstavljaju uporabljivo rješenje za problem razvoja grafičkih sučelja za potrebe osoba oštećena vida.Since computers have entered into mass usage, there have been efforts to introduce visually impaired into the world of programming. These efforts have been successful and computers have brought a number of advantages for visually impaired, such as easier access to information, books and articles, easier communication, etc. Along with other advantages, computer usage has created new jobs for visually impaired. One of these jobs was programming and software design. Visually impaired programmers have been able to perform their jobs for years since all graphical user interfaces (GUIs) were based on text and developed assistive technology in the form of text to speech converters was sufficient for enabling visually impaired to produce computer code and develop programs. However, the rapid development of GUI in this area, has led the visually impaired programmers to the point where they could no longer cope with the visual aspects of new programming concepts. This transition did not come overnight, but is has soon become clear that existing assistive technology will not be able to cope with all of new graphical concepts. Analyzing current situation, it can be concluded that a visual programming and GUI design are the dominant problems for visually impaired programmers that need an adequate solution. In this doctoral thesis, several different approaches for solution of the problems mentioned are stated along with the discussion about the most effective solution that is proposed as the general solution. Existing efforts in solving the problems mentioned are also stated and described. The research about the need for this kind of solution and about its desired characteristics is also presented. Considering a review of existing efforts to solve this problem a new model is proposed, whose central part consists of a new description language GUIDL (Graphical User Interface Description Language) that enables visually impaired to create visual interfaces in a suitable and simple way using pure textual form. A graphic interface described in GUIDL language is translatable into a form supported by newer software development environments and programming languages in the field of classic desktop programming. In this way proposed solution enables visually impaired to be involved in the design part of the overall software design process

Designing and Evaluating Accessible E-Learning for Students with Visual Impairments in K-12 Computing Education

This dissertation explores the pathways for making K-12 computing education more accessible for blind or visually impaired (BVI) learners. As computer science (CS) expands into K-12 education, more concerted efforts are required to ensure all students have equitable access to opportunities to pursue a career in computing. To determine their viability with BVI learners, I conducted three studies to assess current accessibility in CS curricula, materials, and learning environments. Study one was interviews with visually impaired developers; study two was interviews with K-12 teachers of visually impaired students; study three was a remote observation within a computer science course. My exploration revealed that most of CS education lacks the necessary accommodations for BVI students to learn at an equitable pace with sighted students. However, electronic learning (e-learning) was a theme that showed to provide the most accessible learning experience for BVI students, although even there, usability and accessibility challenges were present in online learning platforms. My dissertation engaged in a human-centered approach across three studies towards designing, developing, and evaluating an online learning management system (LMS) with the critical design elements to improve navigation and interaction with BVI users. Study one was a survey exploring the perception of readiness for taking online courses between sighted and visually impaired students. The findings from the survey fueled study two, which employed participatory design with storytelling with K-12 teachers and BVI students to learn more about their experiences using LMSs and how they imagine such systems to be more accessible. The findings led to developing the accessible learning content management system (ALCMS), a web-based platform for managing courses, course content, and course roster, evaluated in study three with high school students, both sighted and visually impaired, to determine its usability and accessibility. This research contributes with recommendations for including features and design elements to improve accessibility in existing LMSs and building new ones

General Catalog 1972-1974

General Catalog of 1972-1974 Contains course descriptions, University college calendar, and college administration.https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/universitycatalogs/1133/thumbnail.jp