Accessibility university course proposal

[Michael Whapples]

I think it is a good idea, may be one thing that doesn't get considered is 
the actual usability. I think of my university, they have changed over to 
using exchange for email (from groupwise), and for students they only allow 
web access to the email, which is much more clumbsy than using a client 
(when using a screen reader, while technically accessible, poor usability). 
The used to allow imap access to the groupwise system for students, so this 
seems to be a case where true accessibility considerations haven't been 
taken into account.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Chris Norman" <cnorman at rnibncw.ac.uk>
To: "Speakup is a screen review system for Linux." <speakup at braille.uwo.ca>
Sent: Wednesday, October 11, 2006 11:18 AM
Subject: Re: Accessibility university course proposal


>I think that's a great idea! Go for it. I think it is an issue that should 
>be taught, not bolted on by experience.
>
> Good luck!
>
> Chris Norman
> <!-- cnorman at rnibncw.ac.uk -->
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Juan Hernandez" <juan at netplus1.com>
> To: <speakup at braille.uwo.ca>
> Sent: Wednesday, October 11, 2006 6:08 AM
> Subject: Accessibility university course proposal
>
>
>> Hello everyone,
>>
>> I am in the process of compiling a proposal to my university.  This 
>> proposal
>> will be directed at the computer science department of my university. 
>> The
>> information is below.
>>
>> When referring to computers and software, accessibility is a very 
>> important
>> topic.  If a web site, software program, or a device is not usable by
>> someone that has a disability, this may make the person's experience very
>> bad, and even jeopardize their ability to work, and in some cases make 
>> them
>> loose their job entirely.
>>
>> I am building an academic guide line and course requirement request for 
>> my
>> university.  I am finishing my Bachelor of Science in computer science at 
>> my
>> school, and will be entering their Master of Science program in the same
>> field of study next year.  I am hoping to get this requirement accepted 
>> by
>> my school, and even teach it while I am a graduate student.  I will 
>> propose
>> to the Computer Science Department that I would like to see a course
>> developed that instructs students in the different facets of 
>> Accessibility
>> in terms of software design and development.
>>
>> The criteria that I have come up with are as follows:
>>
>> Web accessibility
>>
>> Interface design and development
>>
>> Documentation availability
>>
>> Accessibility considerations when updating software
>> (I.E. breaking something that worked in previous versions to make 
>> something
>> else work in a new version)
>>
>> This is only a rough outline, and I hope to get more criteria to consider
>> for my proposal.  Please give me any input, criticism, ideas, opinions, 
>> what
>> ever you feel about this.
>>
>> Examples of bad and good accessibility implementations, problems people
>> encounter when making something accessible, and what ever else.
>>
>> I feel that students do not understand the importance of accessibility, 
>> and
>> that they should be aware, from the beginning of their education about
>> accessibility.
>>
>> For those that are not blind or visually impaired please give me input, I 
>> do
>> not know much about other accessibility needs then those of the blind and
>> visually impaired.
>>
>> Please right me off list if you want at:  juanh at cox.neIf you would like 
>> to
>> discuss more about this, we can skype or talk on the phone.
>>
>> Please let me know what you all thing, remember no needs/wants are 
>> stupid,
>> everything will be considered, and will be compiled into a proposal to my
>> university.  If I am successful with this, I would like to approach other
>> universities about this.
>>
>> Thank You.
>>
>> Juan Hernandez
>> San Diego State University
>> E-mail:  juanh at cox.net
>>
>>
>>
>>
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>>
>
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