Computers and Disability Case Study

IB Computer Science II

Paul Bui

What are the five senses?

What are the three components of a computer system?

What gives people problems?

Issue Input Device Output Device

dexterity

hearing

sight

Touch / Dexterity Disabilities

Limited use of fingers and limbs Carpal tunnel syndrome! Others?

Head mice

http://depts.washington.edu/enables/images/headmouse%20doit.gif

Eye-tracking

http://news.thomasnet.com/images/large/451/451115.jpg

Ergonomic mice

http://www.techpin.com/wp-content/ergonomic-mice.jpg

Ergonomic Keyboards

http://www.pctechguide.com/images/51NaturalKeyboard.jpg

http://cache.gizmodo.com/images/2006/07/maltron.jpg

http://www.ulva.com/images/maltron-right-hand785x581.jpg

http://www.mobilemag.com/content/images/10_large.jpg

How would you input text on the screen without a keyboard?

What solutions could we create for hearing impairment?

Electronic Reading Aids

Scanner reads text Translates to output format for user

Magnified text Speech output Braille

https://www.mirrorplace.com/store/images/P/co-dr-200.jpg

Screen magnifier

Start Accessories Accessibilty Different from a video magnifier

Video magnifier uses a camera

Electronic Braille Display

Sneakers clip

http://www.independentliving.com/images/999892.jpg

Notetakers

https://www.gwmicro.com/images/catalog/braillesense_large.jpg

Other vision impairments

Color-blindness Solution use contrasting colors Convert and view in grayscale

Example Question 1

Design a computer system to be used by a person with a vision impairment.

Example Question 2

A computer laboratory has been specifically equipped for use by visually impaired students.(a) Outline how an electronic reading aid will enable

these students to access printed notes handed out on paper by teachers. [3 marks](b) Apart from an electronic reading aid, describe

how another hardware feature of this laboratory could allow better access to information for students with

(i) limited sight [2 marks](ii) no sight. [2 marks]

Example Question 3

The company that designed the laboratory used a prototyping approach when designing the user interfaces for these computers.(c) Outline how this approach would involve the

intended users. [3 marks](d) Outline how the following users could reliably

enter text into a computer system:(i) A person who is unable to see. [2 marks](ii) A person who is unable to use their hands

to enter text. [2 marks]

Example Question 4

A student is designing a stock control system for a small shop. The system is designed to read barcodes from products. When a barcode is successfully scanned, the system issues a beep.

(e) Compare two different ways in which the student could collect information at the analysis stage from one of the staff who is hearing impaired. [6 marks](f) Explain how the system might need to be modified for the hearing impaired. [2 marks]

Example Question 5

For the following prototypes, outline how each one could be used by operators with a range of disabilities.

(i) A series of screen drawings showing the user interface. [2 marks]

(ii) A programmed prototype (e.g. Java, Visual Basic) which uses a normal keyboard. [2 marks](iii) A programmed prototype which uses physical switches to operate the user interfaces. [2 marks]

Example Question 6

(h) Outline three ways in which voice recognition systems can assist disabled computer users.

Example Question 7

An engineer is developing a voice-activated system for control of a wheelchair.

(i) Describe three situations or environments which the engineer should include when testing the system.