Easi Equal Access to Software and Information

Abstract: In the computer age, 10 years is a very long time. As a point of reference, consider that in October of 1994 Tim Berners-Lee created the now famous World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). In looking over a few histories of the Internet, I humorously note that in early 1994 there were only a total of 3,000 web sites around the world. Ten years later, that number now exceeds 50 million. It was also 10 years ago, in January of 1994, that the journal Information Technology and Disabilities was born, thanks to the forward thinking and hard work of Tom McNulty, Norman Coombs, and others of EASI. At that time I was asked to serve as both a Contributing Editor and a member of the Editorial Board. Now with the crossing of our 10-year threshold, Tom McNulty, our able Editor-in-Chief since ITD's first issue, has decided that it is time to take a less active role in the journal. Therefore, beginning with this 2004 issue, I am formally taking over the reins as ITD's new Editor-in-Chief. However, Tom's valuable talents will not be totally absent from the journal, as Tom has agreed to stay on as Senior Editor. This positioning will help retain a sense of continuity to what has been a reliable and worthy enterprise.

Abstract: It was suggested that I, in recognition of Information Technology and Disabilities' tenth anniversary, write an article chronicling the history of its founder, EASI. Perhaps I earned this honor because I've been active in EASI for the longest time, or because at one time I saved the acronym EASI (read on for more on this pivotal moment in EASI's history), or maybe because I have been a cheerleader for EASI since its early beginnings. Actually, it could be because I am a packrat and a very organized one, so I have and can still find old files on just about anything I've been involved in. Norm Coombs, our fearless leader, helped me out on current news. And I got lucky-one of the founders of EASI, Krista Kramer, attended EASI's traditional Mexican buffet at this year's CSUN conference after many years of absence; she gave me some details about EASI's origin. For new members of EASI, I hope you find our roots interesting. For old-timers, I hope this article will stir up some warm memories.

Abstract: The 1997 Amendment to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA-97) mandated that students with disabilities be afforded increased access to the general education curriculum. As an outgrowth of this, educators, assessment developers, publishers and researchers should begin to expand the research base of classroom assessment to include emerging online assessment tools. The purpose of this article is to shed light and begin to contextualize how next generation assessment tools could function to meet individual student learning and assessment needs. Future online assessment tools have the power to provide immediate individualized feedback for both students and teachers. By offering the assessment process within a universally designed framework, students gain individualized feedback based upon their unique learning styles while teachers gain just-in-time feedback to gauge teaching styles and content acquisition.

Abstract: Much of the work of creating effective public policy in the technology arena is accomplished with the help of nationally and internationally recognized standards. The Digital Accessible Information SYstem (DAISY) is a standard that is recognized worldwide as an ideal approach to making content accessible to all. Publishers' collaboration is critical so that consumers, including those with print disabilities, can begin to experience the full benefits of the multimedia standard which was created with universal Design in mind. Published content, encoded in semantically rich XML, is the essential ingredient used to transform information into a multimedia product offering multi-sensory access to text, images, and sound. As publishers make the transition to XML-centric publishing processes, we should work together to ensure that access to information is a by-product that will easily and cost effectively be achieved in the new era of publishing.

Abstract: DOTSYS, the project that launched the age of computer braille as we know it, began in 1969. In the year that the first men walked on the moon, designing a transportable braille computer program, even giving it away to anyone with the resources to use it, did not seem too large a challenge. DOTSYS was developed initially for mainstreamed blind students in the Atlanta, Georgia, public schools, and eventually became the core of thirty braille production systems in several countries. Under direction of Robert Gildea, the software was put together by MITRE Corporation, a not-for-profit corporation with extensive research experience working for government clients such as the United States Air Force. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology signed on to develop embossing hardware to get the hoped-for braille translations onto paper.

Vol. X No. 2 December, 2004

Introducing a special issue of Information Technology and Disabilities
CASTING YOUR BALLOT: ACCESS TO VOTING FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
Editor: Steve Noble
Policy Analyst, Kentucky Assistive Technology Service Network

In recognition of the recent 2004 U.S. presidential election, Information Technology and Disabilities is pleased to present this special issue on accessible voting for people with disabilities. It is without question that the ability to cast a vote is central to the concept of democratic rule, and that people with disabilities must have equitable access to ensure that ability to vote is not diminished. This collection of articles are part of our special theme to address the technological and public policy aspects of this important civil right.

On behalf of EASI, Equal Access to Software and Information, I would like to say a special “thank you” to all the authors who contributed to this issue.

Special Theme Articles

ACCESSIBLE VOTING EQUIPMENT CHALLENGES:
VOTER VERIFIED PAPER BALLOTS AND MORE

Diane Cordry Golden, Ph.D.
Missouri Assistive Technology

Abstract: Landmark federal legislation, the Help America Vote Act (HAVA), was passed on the heels of the voting snafus of the 2000 election with the goal of reforming and improving elections across the country. Part of this improvement includes an expectation that voting equipment will be accessible and will allow voters with disabilities to cast their ballots independently and secretly. To reach this vision, HAVA requires one accessible voting machine at each polling place by January 1 of 2006.

USING EXTENDED AND ENHANCED USABILITY (EEU) TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO MAINSTREAM ELECTRONIC VOTING MACHINES

Gregg C. Vanderheiden
Director, Trace Research & Development Center
Professor, Industrial Engineering and Biomedical Engineering Departments
University of Wisconsin-Madison

In addressing the voting rights of people with disabilities the approach to date has often been to provide at least one accessible machine per voting place or district. However, work with elderly individuals who need to have accommodations to allow them to vote confidently and accurately, suggests that this might not be an effective approach. First, these individuals may not recognize that they have a problem that needs addressing. They may feel they don't see quite as well - but they may have gradually lost vision and not realize the extent. If they do recognize that they have a problem they often do not wish to use voting booths that are for 'disabled people' in front of their friends (who are often among the poll workers). To address this problem, a series of prototypes and usability studies were used to explore methods of creating electronic voting machines that would work well for all voters. By extending and enhancing the usability of mainstream voting machines it may be possible to address the needs of as much as 99% of voters. The one percent of individuals with severe disabilities can then use a single accessory that can allow them to vote independently.

DISABILITY AND VOTING: AN ANALYSIS OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE HELP AMERICA VOTE ACT OF 2002 IN ARIZONA

Edward L. Myers III. JD
Policy and Funding Specialist
Arizona Technology Access Program
Institute for Human Development
Northern Arizona University

There is no greater civic duty than to vote. Our representative form of government depends on it. The history of the United States is marked by each minority group understanding they may not be considered equal before the law or heard by their elected officials if they do not have the right to vote. For voters with disabilities it is no different. This article will provide a legal analysis of previous laws assisting persons with disabilities with the right to vote, and the Help America Vote Act of 2002 and the efforts aimed at its implementation in Arizona.

ACCESSIBLE DEMOCRACY AND ELECTRONIC VOTING IN THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND

Maeve Paris
Lecturer in Computer Science,
School of Computing & Intelligent Systems,
University of Ulster

Abstract: Just six weeks before voters went to the polls, the Government of the Republic of Ireland was forced to withdraw its plans for the country's first all-electronic elections, and revert to the traditional paper-based ballot, at a substantial cost to taxpayers. The proposed system had been criticized on many counts by commentators, politicians, and the independent Commission on Electronic Voting. Accessibility was never a requirement in the procurement of the system, which turned out to be inaccessible to many users with disabilities; the right to accessibility is not enshrined in Irish law, and disability rights in general are not protected. This is in contrast with the situation in the United Kingdom, where all e-voting initiatives must ensure compliance with legislation. This paper examines how, by failing to take into account the needs of a substantial portion of the electorate, the Irish Government's e-voting implementation is no more democratic than the traditional paper-based method, and may even pose additional barriers to full participation in the democratic process.

A NEW WAY TO VOTE:
ACCESSIBLE, AFFORDABLE, AVAILABLE

Dr. Charles A. Gaston
Assistant Professor of Engineering
Penn State University (York Campus)

Abstract: The Florida election fiasco of 2000 has spawned thousands of articles on what is wrong with our voting systems, hundreds of ideas on how to fix the problems, and one radically different voting system that is arguably more secure and less expensive than any other system in existence. The system described here is primarily software, and runs on ordinary PCs as old, small and slow as a 20 MHz 386 with 4 Mb of memory. Such computers are free. Security is obtained not by secrecy, but by openness; everything is public knowledge except how any individual votes. Fully functional software is downloadable from the web.

HAVA, STATE INITIATIVES AND POLLING PLACE ACCESSIBILITY IN 2004 AND BEYOND

Hollister Bundy
Vice President
Inclusion Solutions

Abstract: One of the stated goals of the Help America Vote Act ("HAVA") was to ensure the accessibility of the entire electoral process for voters with disabilities. Making elections accessible to voters with disabilities requires two primary changes. Voters must be able to actually cast their vote on the voting system - HAVA is clear on this point - one accessible voting machine is required at each polling place by January 1, 2006. But in order to use these machines, voters must be able to physically get into the polling place so that they can vote (or at minimum have the ballot brought out to them). This article examines HAVA's success to date on this less studied area - physical access to the polling place.

ACCESSIBILITY AND AUDITABILITY IN ELECTRONIC VOTING

Ren Bucholz
Electronic Frontier Foundation

Abstract: Nearly one-third of American voters - over 50 million people - live in districts that will use electronic voting (e-voting) terminals to elect the next president. In contrast, less than half that number cast an electronic ballot in 2000. This huge increase in e-voting has been embraced by the disability rights community, as these systems could make it possible for many disabled Americans to cast their ballots in secret, without the assistance of another person. This article examines the dual issues of accessibility and auditability, and sets forth the premise that accessible elections with verifiable results are not an impossibility. In fact, currently available technology can accomplish both objectives.

DISABILITY AND VOTING - THE (AS OF YET) UNFULFILLED POTENTIAL OF THE ADA AND REHABILITATION ACT

Michael Waterstone
Assistant Professor of Law, University of Mississippi School of Law

Abstract: Whereas most citizens have the option of voting secretly and independently, and in a polling place, people with disabilities often do not. This Article tells the story of how this situation came to pass, and discusses how two federal civil rights statutes have impacted the voting rights of people with disabilities. The Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act are the two main statutes protecting people with disabilities from discrimination in all areas of life. This Article suggests that while these statutes have eliminated discrimination against and improved the lives of people with disabilities, they have had a limited effect on the real issues facing people with disabilities in voting. This Article concludes, however, that the future may be brighter than the past. There are new court decisions strengthening the viability of voting rights claims, and indicating that courts may be revisiting earlier interpretations of the ADA and Rehab Acts.

Other Articles

SOFTWARE ACCESSIBILITY, USABILITY TESTING AND INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES

Sheryl Burgstahler
University of Washington
Disabilities, Opportunities Internetworking and Technology
Tracy Jirikowic
Disabilities, Opportunities Internetworking and Technology
Beth Kolko
Department of Technical Communication
Matt Eliot
Department of Technical Communication

Abstract: This paper reports on a collaborative project between a university and technology corporation that explored computer software usability and accessibility with older adults and individuals who have disabilities, some of whom use assistive technology. The project history and overall goals are described. In addition, the methods and results from usability/accessibility studies involving individuals with visual impairments, people with mobility impairments, and older adults are presented. The implications of these findings are discussed relative to the notion that in order for information technology products to be considered "usable" (i.e., efficient and easy to learn and use), they should be universally designed to meet a wide range of user needs, with or without the use of assistive technology. Suggestions for future research, as well as for promoting the consideration of the needs of consumers with disabilities during product design, development, and usability testing are also discussed.

ASSISTIVE INTERFACES FOR THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED USING FORCE FEEDBACK DEVICES AND DISTANCE TRANSFORMS

Marcelo Medeiros Carneiro
UERJ-Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro
Luiz Velho
IMPA-Instituto de Matemática Pura e Aplicada

Abstract: This article proposes the use of force feedback devices in the planning and implementation of assistive user interfaces, which would help blind users perform simple 2D interaction tasks. By exploring the sense of touch, such devices can be used to improve the efficiency of communication between the user and the interface. This work also investigates the use of distance transforms as a powerful mechanism to support many 2D interaction tasks.

Table of Contents Page

Information Technology and Disabilities

Vol. X No. 1 August, 2004 and No. 2, December 2004

Vol. X No. 2 December, 2004

Vol. X No. 1 August, 2004
and No. 2, December 2004