A 20-year Prospective View of Accessibility and ICT

Over the past 40 years, the field of ICT accessibility has seen significant progress. What started with "special devices for special people" evolved into public and company-specific accessibility guidelines, international standards, and accessibility laws both in Europe and the U.S. Many large companies have dedicated teams to improve accessibility and have built significant accessibility features directly into their products. The growing emphasis on accessibility in the industry has given rise to consultants, accessibility evaluation and remediation companies, and training programs aimed at developing, training, and certifying accessibility specialists. Despite all of the progress in accessibility, however, there are still major shortcomings. Audits of the field reveal that a low percentage of websites and products are accessible. Moreover, while some products have built-in accessibility features, they are only accessible to some individuals with disabilities. For example, smartphone screen readers with their gesture controls are fantastic for some blind users but are too complicated or physically impossible for others who are blind. Additionally, many products do not effectively address the range of cognitive, language, and learning disabilities, even though this is cumulatively the largest disability group (Disability and Health Data System 2021). While we've made great progress from essentially zero products accessible to anyone 40 years ago, today, there are still only a fraction of products that are accessible. Even the best among these are still inaccessible to a wide range of individuals. In sum: 1. There are no products that are accessible across all of the different types, degrees, and combinations of disability. 2. There are a small number of products that are reasonably accessible across disabilities. But even those are only accessible to more typical or able individuals (e.g., those who are blind but are more digitally adroit versus the full range of people who are blind and who may have other disabilities). While it is essential to continue moving forward with our traditional methods, there is also a need to consider augmenting them with new approaches that: • can reach the large number of individuals who are currently left out and • require less effort, so more companies are willing and able to make their products accessible. Recent and emerging technological advances may give us the tools to do this. In this chapter, we will briefly discuss the evolution of ICT accessibility before introducing an alternate approach to accessibility, its potential benefits, and what might be required to implement such an approach.In den letzten 40 Jahren wurden auf dem Gebiet der IKT-Zugänglichkeit erhebliche Fortschritte erzielt. Was mit "speziellen Geräten für spezielle Menschen" begann, entwickelte sich zu öffentlichen und unternehmensspezifischen Barrierefreiheitsrichtlinien, internationalen Normen und Barrierefreiheitsgesetzen sowohl in Europa als auch in den USA. Viele große Unternehmen haben eigene Teams zur Verbesserung der Barrierefreiheit eingesetzt und wichtige Barrierefreiheitsfunktionen direkt in ihre Produkte eingebaut. Der wachsende Stellenwert der Barrierefreiheit in der Branche hat dazu geführt, dass Berater*innen, Unternehmen für die Bewertung und Behebung von Problemen mit der Barrierefreiheit sowie Schulungsprogramme für die Entwicklung, Schulung und Zertifizierung von Barrierefreiheitsspezialist*innen entstanden sind. Trotz aller Fortschritte im Bereich der Barrierefreiheit gibt es jedoch immer noch große Mängel. Prüfungen in diesem Bereich haben ergeben, dass nur ein geringer Prozentsatz der Websites und Produkte barrierefrei ist. Darüber hinaus verfügen einige Produkte zwar über integrierte Barrierefreiheitsfunktionen, sind aber nur für einen Teil der Menschen mit Behinderungen zugänglich. So sind z. B. Smartphone-Bildschirmlesegeräte mit ihren Gestensteuerungen für einige blinde Nutzer*innen fantastisch, für andere blinde Menschen jedoch zu kompliziert oder physisch unmöglich. Darüber hinaus gehen viele/ die meisten Produkte nicht auf die verschiedenen kognitiven, sprachlichen und Lernbeeinträchtigungen ein, obwohl dies insgesamt die größte Gruppe von Behinderungen ist (Disability and Health Data System 2021). Obwohl wir große Fortschritte gemacht haben, nachdem es vor 40 Jahren praktisch keine Produkte gab, die für jeden zugänglich waren, ist heute immer noch nur ein Bruchteil der Produkte barrierefrei. Selbst die besten unter ihnen sind immer noch für eine Vielzahl von Menschen unzugänglich. Zusammengefasst: 1. Es gibt keine Produkte, die für alle Arten, Grade und Kombinationen von Behinderungen zugänglich sind. 2. Es gibt eine kleine Anzahl von Produkten, die einigermaßen behinderungsübergreifend zugänglich sind, aber selbst diese sind nur für eher typische oder fähigere Menschen zugänglich (z. B. für blinde Menschen, die digital geschickter sind, im Gegensatz zu blinden Menschen, die möglicherweise andere Behinderungen haben). Es ist zwar wichtig, dass wir mit unseren traditionellen Methoden weitermachen, aber wir müssen auch darüber nachdenken, sie durch neue Ansätze zu ergänzen, die: • die große Zahl von Personen erreichen können, die derzeit nicht berücksichtigt werden, und • weniger Aufwand erfordern, so dass mehr Unternehmen bereit und in der Lage sind, ihre Produkte zugänglich zu machen. Jüngste und sich abzeichnende Fortschritte in der Technologie könnten uns die Instrumente dafür liefern. In diesem Kapitel werden wir kurz die Entwicklung der IKT-Barrierefreiheit diskutieren und, bevor wir einen alternativen Ansatz zur Barrierefreiheit vorstellen, seine potenziellen Vorteile und was es möglicherweise erfordert, um einen solchen Ansatz umzusetzen

Neuroinflammation and COVID-19

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused a historic pandemic of respiratory disease. COVID-19 also causes acute and post-acute neurological symptoms, which range from mild, such as headaches, to severe, including hemorrhages. Current evidence suggests that there is no widespread infection of the central nervous system (CNS) by SARS-CoV-2, thus what is causing COVID-19 neurological disease? Here, we review potential immunological mechanisms driving neurological disease in COVID-19 patients. We begin by discussing the implications of imbalanced peripheral immunity on CNS function. Next, we examine the evidence for dysregulation of the blood-brain barrier during SARS-CoV-2 infection. Last, we discuss the role myeloid cells may play in promoting COVID-19 neurological disease. Combined, we highlight the role of innate immunity in COVID-19 neuroinflammation and suggest areas for future research

Perspektiven einer Einwanderungsgesellschaft: ein Plädoyer für ein neues interkulturelles Miteinander

Dieser Artikel geht drei Fragen nach: Wie könnte eine Einwanderungsgesellschaft in Deutschland und Europa aussehen? Wie könnte ein soziales und interkulturelles Gefüge in idealer Weise aussehen? Welche gesellschaftliche Verantwortung sollte (katholische) Erwachsenenbildung in diesem Kontext übernehmen

A Social Justice Perspective in Anti-Bullying Program Implementation

Oppression is in our everyday lives. Children get to experience it first hand in school by simply being different than others. Bullying has become a serious problem in American schools and many programs have been implemented to address it. This thesis grew out of a large evaluation study of anti-bullying program implemented in a large school district located in the Pacific Southwest. The main goal of this thesis is to continue the research process of the large evaluation study by focusing on the theme of implementation. Another goal is understand social justice as it relates to anti-bulling program evaluation. In so doing, isms (e.g. racism, sexism, and heterosexism) will be examined as indicators in how oppression exists in schools, how they manifest in bully behaviors, and how they dictate the success of an anti-bullying program implementation. A potential outcome of this thesis is to propose ways in which future program implementation can address issues of evaluating bullying interventions. Both pre-implementation and post-implementation criteria that address the oppressive environment will be considered for the process of anti-bullying program evaluation. One important consideration in this thesis is the deconstruction of various forms of oppression from a social justice perspective. Multiple forms of oppression are pervasive in the school environment and are expressed through bullying behaviors. This thesis will utilize a restorative justice approach to conceptualizing bullying, and postulate ways in which the restoration of justice can occur. The hope is that future research can expand on this idea to create anti-bullying program implementation guidelines that address oppression at is exists in schools

Can design documentaries disrupt design for disability?

This paper shows how design documentaries can motivate new perspectives for design and disability. We critically consider the ways in which design documentaries can foreground children's lived experiences and priorities, in cases where it is not always possible to involve children early on in the design process. By presenting a design case for supporting communication that involves children with severe speech and physical impairments and their social peers, we discuss how this narrative method can evoke designer empathy and guide new interpretations. Our findings show that design documentaries can convey to designers rich and multifaceted accounts of children's communication experiences. Although this is found to be generative, we also identify a tension with a bodily impairment understanding of disability. Drawing on reflections from our case study, we propose new methodological implications for embedding design documentaries in the design process of technologies for disability

Fatal outcome after brain stem infarction related to bilateral vertebral artery occlusion - case report of a detrimental complication of cervical spine trauma

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Vertebral artery injury (VAI) after blunt cervical trauma occurs more frequently than historically believed. The symptoms due to vertebral artery (VA) occlusion usually manifest within the first 24 hours after trauma. Misdiagnosed VAI or delay in diagnosis has been reported to cause acute deterioration of previously conscious and neurologically intact patients.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>A 67 year-old male was involved in a motor vehicle crash (MVC) sustaining multiple injuries. Initial evaluation by the emergency medical response team revealed that he was alert, oriented, and neurologically intact. He was transferred to the local hospital where cervical spine computed tomography (CT) revealed several abnormalities. Distraction and subluxation was present at C5-C6 and a comminuted fracture of the left lateral mass of C6 with violation of the transverse foramen was noted. Unavailability of a spine specialist prompted the patient's transfer to an area medical center equipped with spine care capabilities. After arrival, the patient became unresponsive and neurological deficits were noted. His continued deterioration prompted yet another transfer to our Level 1 regional trauma center. A repeat cervical spine CT at our institution revealed significantly worsened subluxation at C5-C6. CT angiogram also revealed complete occlusion of bilateral VA. The following day, a repeat CT of the head revealed brain stem infarction due to bilateral VA occlusion. Shortly following, the patient was diagnosed with brain death and care was withdrawn.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Brain stem infarction secondary to bilateral VA occlusion following cervical spine trauma resulted in fatal outcome. Prompt imaging evaluation is necessary to assess for VAI in cervical trauma cases with facet joint subluxation/dislocation or transverse foramen fracture so that treatment is not delayed. Additionally, multiple transportation events are risk factors for worsening when unstable cervical injuries are present. Close attention to proper immobilization and neck position depending on the mechanism of injury is mandatory.</p

Auto-personalization: Theory, practice and cross-platform implementation

In an increasing digital society, access to information and communication technologies (ICT) is no longer just helpful but has become a necessity. However, the human interfaces appearing on these ICT (and increasingly, even common household products) are beyond of the abilities of many people with disability, digital literacy, or aging related limitations. Access to these ICT is essential to these individuals yet it is not possible to create an interface that is usable by all. This paper introduces a new approach to auto-personalization that is based on the development of the Global Public Inclusive Infrastructure (GPII). The GPII is a new international collaborative effort between users, developers and industry to build a sustainable infrastructure to make access to all digital technologies technically and economically possible, including access by users who are unable to use or understand today�s technologies. Based on a one-size-fits-one approach, the GPII uses auto-adapting mainstream interfaces, and ubiquitous access to assistive technologies when mainstream interfaces cannot adapt enough, to provide each user with the interface they need. The GPII has three main components: a mechanism to allow individuals to easily discover which interface variations they need and then store it in a secure way on a token or in the cloud; a mechanism to allow them to use these stored needs and preferences to automatically adapt the interfaces on the digital technologies they encounter, anywhere and anytime; and a resource for developers (mainstream and assistive technology) providing the information and tools required to develop, disseminate, and support new access solutions more simply, more quickly, and at lower cost