Exploring haptic interfacing with a mobile robot without visual feedback

Search and rescue scenarios are often complicated by low or no visibility conditions. The lack of visual feedback hampers orientation and causes significant stress for human rescue workers. The Guardians project [1] pioneered a group of autonomous mobile robots assisting a human rescue worker operating within close range. Trials were held with fire fighters of South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue. It became clear that the subjects by no means were prepared to give up their procedural routine and the feel of security they provide: they simply ignored instructions that contradicted their routines

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

Click-Enter-Send: The Relationship Experiences of People Who are Blind or Visually Impaired in Text-Based Workspaces

Companies have increasingly turned to text-based communications to recruit, hire, and manage a distributed remote workforce. For people who are blind or visually impaired, this movement presents both challenges and opportunities for attaining and retaining employment. Does the potential isolation of telework have a negative effect on workplace relationships for people who are blind or visually impaired? Does participation in text-based workspaces mitigate stereotypes and stigmatization experienced by people with visible disabilities? Using a constructivist grounded theory framework, this study explored how people who are blind or visually impaired experience relationships in text-based workspaces. Building and maintaining social connections and networks is critical for employment success, so understanding the factors at play in text-based workplace communications is key. Interviews with 18 blind or visually impaired professionals revealed a number of ways individuals connected with colleagues, cultivated professional identity, and built extended networks. This happened despite challenges from technologies and organizational processes that failed to account for employees who are visually impaired. This investigation resulted in the development of an emergent theory and a model that can advance policies and practices for employers and for employment training and support programs. This dissertation is available in open access at AURA (https://aura.antioch.edu/) and OhioLINK ETD Center (https://etd.ohiolink.edu/)

Interdependence as a Frame for Assistive Technology Research and Design

In this paper, we describe interdependence for assistive technology design, a frame developed to complement the traditional focus on independence in the Assistive Technology field. Interdependence emphasizes collaborative access and people with disabilities' important and often understated contribution in these efforts. We lay the foundation of this frame with literature from the academic discipline of Disability Studies and popular media contributed by contemporary disability justice activists. Then, drawing on cases from our own work, we show how the interdependence frame (1) synthesizes findings from a growing body of research in the Assistive Technology field and (2) helps us orient to additional technology design opportunities. We position interdependence as one possible orientation to, not a prescription for, research and design practice--one that opens new design possibilities and affirms our commitment to equal access for people with disabilities

Information Technology and the Workplace: Implications for Persons with Disabilities

The Internet improves access to employment and community for many people. However, there is growing concern that many Web sites are inaccessible to people with certain disabilities. This article examines the impact on people with disabilities of online human resources processes used for employee recruitment, benefits, and training. In 2002, Cornell University staff reviewed the accessibility of 10 Job boards and 31 corporate e-recruiting Web sites. Human resource (HR) professionals are well positioned to report on key issues regarding these processes. A survey of 433 HR representatives was conducted regarding their organizations\u27 use of information and Web technology in HR processes; knowledge of computer/Web barriers to employees with disabilities; and familiarity with assistive technology and resources. The authors summarize current literature and legislation relevant to Web accessibility, and discuss implications of their findings for businesses and people with disabilities in the workplace

The Process Of Obtaining And Retaining Employment Among The Vision-restricted

National estimates indicate that only a small percentage of vision-restricted individuals are employed. Identified obstacles to employment include lack of access to assistive technology, inadequate transportation, and negative attitudes of potential employers. A constructivist Grounded Theory methodology was used to gain an in-depth understanding of what people with vision-restrictions, who perceived that they are successfully employed, considered to be fundamental in the search for employment. Three themes emerged from the analysis of their responses: facing and negotiating barriers, the cyclical process of seeking and keeping employment, and settling for second best. As a person with a vision-restriction, I am uniquely situated to relate to participants and to gain insight into their employment experiences. Such knowledge may enable service providers to assist clients in implementing successful strategies, may promote attitudinal changes among employers, and may inspire job seekers not to abandon their search

Addressing the challenges of Visually Impaired using IoT

Internet of Things is a new revolution of the Internet. IoT allows networked objects to be sensed and controlled remotely, creating opportunities for more direct integration of the physical world into computer-based systems, resulting in reduced human intervention. People with complete blindness or low vision often have a difficult time self-navigating in unusual environments. In fact, mobility is one of the biggest challenges for visually Impaired. IoT offers the assistance and support to the visually impaired people to achieve a quality life allowing them to involve in social activities. Assistive IoT technologies are powerful tools to increase independence and improve participation. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to analyze how people with visual impairment can interact with and benefit from the IoT

WHAT BLIND OR VISUALLY IMPAIRED PEOPLE EXPERIENCE WHEN THEY REQUEST WORKPLACE ACCOMMODATIONS

Workplace accommodations can be categorized as tools or processes that are needed by a person with a disability to complete their job responsibilities. Research has demonstrated that the provision of reasonable accommodations has been linked to the employability rates of people with disabilities. Considering that the passing of the ADA occurred over 30 years ago and that the persistently high unemployment rate amongst the blind and visually impaired population remains a prevalent issue, it is important to evaluate what blind or visually impaired individuals face when requesting workplace accommodations. Research on this topic will help identify any significant contributing factors that might be hindering the reasonable accommodation process and with this the employment rates of this population. The evaluation of this research topic was accomplished by the gathering of qualitative data via the completion of six semi-structured interviews with employed blind or low vision participants. During the data analysis process, the important concepts that emerged from the data were indications that there are gaps in the reasonable accommodation process. This included inaccessible technology and having to continually remind employers of the pending or established workplace accommodations. The data also implicated that there is a deficit in awareness and training for employers. This included the employer’s lack of knowledge of the Americans with Disability Act and a lack of awareness of disability-sensitive practices. The third important concept was the benefits of a ground-up approach to reasonable accommodations (RA). The last theme was the notion of “going the extra mile”. This last theme illustrates that reasonable accommodation is one contributing factor in the adaptation and adjustment process to a disability in the workplace. These findings have the potential to guide those in the realm of social work by providing an overview of what challenges disabled clients face in the job sector. This data provides insight on the need for evaluation of the underlying factors that contribute to the issues faced by employees with disabilities and if any can be addressed through legislative advocacy on the rights of the disabled community

Invisible Disability: A Review of Hearing and Vision Impairment Challenges in the Workplace

This thesis explores the factors related to individuals with vision and hearing impairments in organizational contexts within the United States. It overviews the definitions, current state, and U.S. legislation pertaining to individuals with disabilities in the workplace. The thesis reviews disclosure practices, psychological theories, and recommendations for supporting and accommodating individuals with hearing and vision disabilities. In reviewing these factors, this research aims to enhance understanding of the challenges faced by individuals with hearing and vision impairments in organizations and contribute to fostering inclusive and supportive work environments. The thesis also identifies areas for further research in order to advance knowledge and practice in this field

A Constructive Model To Demonstrate the Relationship Between the Effectiveness of Training Programs, Assistive Technology, and the Working Environment for Workers With Visual Impairment.

The studys goal was to evaluate a structural model that incorporates training variables and workplace variables in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Buraidah and Al Majmaah cities. The researcher used the descriptive approach to suit the nature of the subject by studying the causal correlation to develop a causal model of the relationship between the effectiveness of training programs and assistive technology and the dimensions of the working environment in workers with visual impairment. The current research sample was randomly derived from workers with visual impairment, and the psychometric characteristics calculation sample consisted of 40 visually impaired workers in order to calculate certain psychometric characteristics (validity, internal consistency, and reliability) of the study tools: Working environment questionnaire of workers with visual impairment (researchers preparation). Questionnaire on the effectiveness of training programs for workers with visual impairment (researcher preparation). Identification of the employment of assistive technology for the training of workers with visual impairment (researcher preparation). The final sample consisted of 212 visually impaired workers in Buraidah and Majmaah, whose age ranged from 25 to 40 years, with an average of 32.6 years and a standard deviation (4.56). The study used the test (T), correlation coefficients, and path analysis method as a statistical method to test the validity of the proposed model and the probability of causal relationships between study variables based on previous theories and research. The results of the study were as follows: There is a statistically significant positive correlation between the work environment and its dimensions, the effectiveness of training programs - and the assistive technology of workers with visual impairment. The proposed model achieves high suitability indicators with its various components in its interpretation of the relationships between the work environment and the effectiveness of training programs - and assistive technology for workers with visual impairment. There are direct causal effects of external underlying autonomous variables (effectiveness of training programs - assistive technology) on the ancillary dimensions of the workplace environment variable for workers with visual impairment. There are indirect causal effects of assisted technology on the work environment through training programs. This study shows positive improvements in workers perceptions of visual impairment in the workplace while using a cognitive assistance system. This strategy encourages diversity and boosts productivity in the workplace while lowering stigma and the need for special accommodations. Keywords