Introduction to Volume 5, Issue 4
Welcome to the fourth issue of volume 5 of JUS! We are closing volume 5 with this special issue devoted to Universal Design and Information and Communications Technology. For this special issue we have three guest editors: André Liem, Sarah Swierenga, and Rama Gheerawo. The background and motivation for this special issue, along with a […] [Read More]
Moving Towards an All-Encompassing Universal Design Approach in ICT
Information and Communications Technology (ICT) is an overarching term that includes all technologies for the manipulation and communication of information. It encompasses any medium to record information; technologies for broadcasting information using radio, television, and the Internet; and technologies for communicating through voice and sound or images. Based on the rapid growth in digital information, […] [Read More]
Comparing Computer Versus Human Data Collection Methods for Public Usability Evaluations of a Tactile-Audio Display
Abstract We present a public usability study that provides preliminary results on the effectiveness of a universally designed system that conveys music and other sounds into tactile sensations. The system was displayed at a public science museum as part of a larger multimedia exhibit aimed at presenting a youths’ perspective on global warming and the […] [Read More]
Online Learning: Designing for All Users
Abstract During the fall of 2008, 4.6 million students pursued their education in online environments in the United States (Allen & Seaman, 2009). Considering that students with disabilities represent nearly 10% of all U.S. college students (National Council on Disability as reported by Frieden, 2003), one can see a need to disseminate information regarding how […] [Read More]
Beyond Specifications: Towards a Practical Methodology for Evaluating Web Accessibility
Abstract The current set of tools and specifications for ensuring web accessibility require expert knowledge and often have a highly technical orientation, with the consequence that it is not very clear how, or even when, to make use of them. In an attempt to tackle this problem, this paper reviews the types of tools and […] [Read More]
Intra- and Inter-Cultural Usability in Computer-Supported Collaboration
Abstract In this paper, we argue for an increased scope of universal design to encompass usability and accessibility for not only users with physical disabilities but also for users from different cultures. Towards this end, we present an empirical evaluation of cultural usability in computer-supported collaboration. The premise of this research is that perception and […] [Read More]