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Accessibility of Apple iPad for partially sighted users: pilot study
- Authors:
- HEWETT Rachel, TORGERSON Carole E., DOUGLAS Graeme
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Assistive Technologies, 8(1), 2014, pp.2-13.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to present the results of a pilot trial, investigating the accessibility provided by a tablet computer (Apple iPad) to individuals with visual impairment. The study was designed around an N-of-1 randomised controlled trial (RCT), which was replicated for 12 participants. It served as an opportunity to evaluate the use N-of-1 trials in studies involving people who are visually impaired. Design/methodology/approach: The study centred round an N-of-1 RCT, comparing the accessibility provided by control equipment (Windows computer) against the intervention equipment (Apple iPad). Twelve participants conducted six tests on the equipment as per randomisation, followed by a quantitative-based evaluation and short interviews. Findings: One-sided individual randomisation tests showed a significant result for overall satisfaction in favour of the tablet at the 0.05 significance level for seven of the participants. Participants identified several strengths of the iPad in helping a partially sighted user in accessing the internet: inbuilt zoom and magnification options; increased control as a result of the touch screen; and accessibility tools being built into the operating system. The main limitation suggested was the way the zoom function operates by enlarging the onscreen keyboard. This caused difficulties for those with more severe visual impairments using this function in inputting text. Originality/value: There has been limited research to substantiate positive reviews of the tablet computer for low-vision users. The results of this pilot study gives evidence in support of these potential benefits, and demonstrates the importance of a more thorough investigation.
Age-related macular degeneration patients’ awareness of nutritional factors
- Author:
- STEVENS Rebekah
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Visual Impairment, 32(2), 2014, pp.77-93.
- Publisher:
- Sage
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of visual impairment in older adults in the United Kingdom. This study sought to characterise AMD patients who seek the services of the Macular Society, and determine the level and source of their dietary knowledge. A questionnaire was designed, validated, and administered to 158 participants. The questions covered demographic data and knowledge of nutrition and supplementation. The mean age of participants was 79 years; 61% of them were female, and 27% were registered visually impaired. Only 55% of the participants thought diet was important for eye health, 63% felt that they had not received enough information about AMD. The participants reported that their information mainly came from non-professional support groups. Most participants identified healthy food, but could not say why, and were not able to identify carotenoid rich foods. The results of the study will inform design of education and dissemination methods regarding dietary information. (Publisher abstract)
Disability
- Author:
- THORNTON Patricia
- Journal article citation:
- Research Matters, 17, April 2004, pp.17-22.
- Publisher:
- Community Care
Looks at the findings of a series of studies which highlight the gaps in housing needs of disabled children and their families.
The web: access and inclusion for disabled people: a formal investigation conducted by the Disability Rights Commission
- Author:
- DISABILITY RIGHTS COMMISSION
- Publisher:
- Stationery Office
- Publication year:
- 2004
- Pagination:
- 48p.
This report demonstrates that most websites are inaccessible to many disabled people and fail to satisfy even the most basic standards for accessibility recommended by the World Wide Web Consortium. It is also clear that compliance with the technical guidelines and the use of automated tests are only the first steps towards accessibility: there can be no substitute for involving disabled people themselves in design and testing, and for ensuring that disabled users have the best advice and information available about how to use assistive technology, as well as the access features provided by Web browsers and computer operating systems. Disabled people must frequently overcome additional obstacles before they can enjoy the full range of information, services, entertainment and social interaction offered by the Web: blind people need sites to provide, for example, text as an alternative to images for translation into audible or legible words by specially designed screenreading devices; partially sighted people may be especially reliant upon large-format text and effective colour contrast; people who are dyslexic or have cognitive impairments may benefit in particular from the use of simpler English or alternative text formats, such as Easy Read, and from the clear and logical layout of an uncluttered website; people whose first language is British Sign Language may also find Plain English indispensable; and people with manual dexterity impairments may need to navigate with a keyboard rather than with a mouse.
How to use the internet and create an accessible website
- Authors:
- LONDON ADVICE SERVICES ALLIANCE, ROYAL NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR THE BLIND
- Publisher:
- National Information Forum
- Publication year:
- 2002
- Pagination:
- 95p.
- Place of publication:
- London
This guide was written for the Forum by London Advice Services Alliance (lasa) in association with the RNIB. It is intended for people who have only a limited knowledge of the internet and not a high level of technical understanding.
Tell all: a guide to inclusive communications
- Author:
- THOMAS Mark
- Publisher:
- Brasshouse
- Publication year:
- 2000
- Pagination:
- 86p., 2 CDs
- Place of publication:
- Birmingham
This resource offers practical guidance for educational establishments and other organisations on how to communicate clearly, be it on paper, by telephone, Internet, e-mail or sign language with disabled people.
Sensory wellbeing
- Author:
- GEORGE Mike
- Journal article citation:
- Care and Health Magazine, 24, November 2002, pp.38-39.
- Publisher:
- Care and Health
Provides key information and statistics on sensory impairments.
Equal lives strategy: services for disabled people in Essex
- Author:
- ESSEX. Social Services Department
- Publisher:
- Essex. Social Services Department
- Publication year:
- 2001
- Pagination:
- 49p.
- Place of publication:
- Chelmsford
This strategy is based upon the feedback received from the consultation process on ‘Equal Lives’. It sets out the aims of social services in the way it commissions services for people with physical and sensory impairments. The first stage of the ‘Equal Lives’, consultation set out ways in which services for disabled people may be redesigned to help ensure that they remain independent by exercising control over their own life-styles and circumstances. Essex Social Services proposes to use ‘independent living’, the choice and control resting with disabled people, as the value base for future services for people with physical and sensory impairments.