Here's a story to share on another IDPD.

I was recently asked to provide a student with a reference for graduate school. Only after reading the student's application was it clear to me that the student lived with a mobility impairment. She was very enthusiastic to learn that the university is planning to propose an online law program. Her reaction was that, were AU to have such a program, it would certainly be her first choice for continuing her studies.

We may not know the extent to which our university serves students with various needs that may or may not require accommodations. Students' ability to disclose what they choose, to whom, and for which limited range of purposes increases their autonomy. We can take pride in providing a range of much-needed services without necessarily seeing the disability at all in an online environment.

 Happy IDPD to colleagues and students,

J

Been meaning to send this to you for a long time. I was very impressed that all over the streets of Hong Kong there was a rubber strip along one side of the road. We couldn't figure out what it was for the longest time. Turns out that it was tactile information for people with visual impairments. What a great thing to do! C

Mike MacLean did the Rock 'n Roll Challenge for half a day! Here is his experience https://landing.athabascau.ca/blog/view/759855/60-minute-access-challenge-wheelchair-for-half-the-day

I wore the glasses that simulate Retentis Pigmentosa http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Retinitis_pigmentosa

Basically it feels like tunnel vision and I had quite a few problems while using the glasses.

Firstly because my field of vision was so small, finding my mouse cursor was really frustrating when I started.  I eventually learned to move it to the top left and look for it there.  The mouse was the first thing I had trouble finding, but other things were problems as well.  Looking for some information or links on a page was really difficult because I had to scan the whole page with my little spot of vision.  The same was true with items on my desk.  Finding a pen wasn’t that easy because I had to look all over with a very small view.  I think this highlighted the importance of clear and logical organization for our websites.  I’m sure that the desk of somebody with this disability is very organized and that they can just reach for their pen in the same place all the time.

I found walking around a bit unnerving.  Having no peripheral vision isn’t bad for a minute or two, but from time to time I felt like I was about to bump into things I couldn’t see.  Open spaces were more comfortable for movement.

This simulation really emphasized how uncluttered and logical spaces, either online or in the real world, would really help someone with this disability. 

Colin, Your DIY & on-line participation are very appreciated. Yourself and the library staff really "notched up" this challenge by doing multiple challenges to seek an understanding of possible barriers to AU students/staff. Great job! I'd love other centers and departments to take this on with such enthusiasm and openness. .

We had a few people in the room yesterday. By the end of the live simulations there were some "WOWS!",  "it's not about helping 'them' its about designing it first and helping 'us'! ". And "find funding to do accessibility won't happen because its our Duty to Accommodate in the eyes of Government."

I will send the narrated presentation out before Christmas as I didn't get a chance to record it yesterday. A snapshot of anonymous feedback will be provided on Wednesdays IDPD Disability @ AU presentation.

Thanks again.

Keep on truckin'. You are doing good things that help everyone!

Carrie

PS Colin also did the ACCESS Challenge in a wheelchair https://landing.athabascau.ca/blog/view/759855/60-minute-access-challenge-wheelchair-for-half-the-day