Universal Usability: From Education to Politics (http://www.worldusabilityatauburn.org/)

Presentation: Maximizing the Universal Usability of a Computer Literacy Course: An Auburn University Case Study
Time: 3:00 pm

Technology-enhanced education is becoming an increasingly important part of higher and professional education.  The Information Technology (IT) solutions for training, assessment, testing, Web-based Course Management and Web-based Integrated Learning Environments are becoming more and more part of the IT academic programs.  Another way IT tools can be successfully used in improving the education process is by making computers, computer software applications, and Web sites accessible to students with disabilities.  It is true that educational institutions, as of yet, are not specifically required to comply with government's Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.  It does seem logical, however, that public universities with government funding will one day be required to disseminate information in the same manner and with the same regard to those individuals with and without physical impairments. Auburn University has an enrollment population of more than twenty thousand students.  Of these, there are currently more than a thousand students served by the Auburn University's Office of Students with Disabilities. Each year the student population includes approximately twelve visually impaired students and thirty-three students with a hearing impairment, as well as numerous students with various levels of motor-skill limitations. These are the impairments that are likely to affect the ability of a university student to effectively complete an IT course

This presentation it's a review of how cutting edge educational, assistive and accessibility evaluation technologies were successfully integrated toward maximizing the universal usability of the learning, teaching and coordinating the traditional and distance learning versions of the COMP1000 Personal Computer Applications.

Daniela Marghitu
Lacey Montgomery
Ashley Wachs
Personal Computer Applications Lab  https://fp.auburn.edu/comp1000/
Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering
Auburn University 
  

Presentation: Holistic Usability Measure
Time: 2:00 pm

The HUM is designed to evaluate the usability of voice user interfaces (VUIs). It is divided into various metrics. These metrics may include user opinions, recognition performance, task completion time, or any other specified metric. The designer in conjunction with the client can place emphasis on each metric for the VUI. This is accomplished by assigning weights to each metric. These weights have values between 0 and 1 with their sum equaling one. The HUM provides a concrete measure that can be used to compare multiple VUIs in an “apples to apples” manner.

Priyanka Gupta, M.S.
Human Centered Computing Lab  http://www.humancenteredcomputing.org/
Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering
Auburn University

Presentation: Prime III: Electronic Voting System
Time: 1:00 pm

Prime III incorporates the current voting process that the voter is accustomed to using and significantly improves upon it. This approach allows the voter to remain comfortable and confident while using an enhanced voting system. The Prime III voting process begins when the voter enters the voting precinct. More specifically, the voter checks in with the election officials by showing the official an acceptable form of identification (ID). After the ID is verified the voter is handed a unique ballot card. The voter takes the ballot card to an empty voting booth. The voting booth contains a single sheet printer, a touch screen and a headset. The voter places their ballot card into the printer and is subsequently presented with the option of using the touch screen, headset with an embedded microphone or both to cast their ballot. The Prime III system has an integrated automatic speech recognition (ASR) system which can be accessed through the headset. The implementation of a robust multimodal system (text-to-speech, speech-to-text, and touch) facilitates voter interaction with the system in a private manner, even if the voter has a physical disability, i.e. anything from arthritis, to a visual impairment. Voters that can’t see, hear or read, can still vote! When a voter uses the ASR component of the Prime III system they are prompted through the choice of candidates via the headset. Each candidate is assigned a randomly generated number that the voter can select by simply saying the number. This is done so that when the user articulates the number corresponding to a candidate, no other voter will know which candidate they are voting for.

E. Vincent Cross II
Human Centered Computing Lab  http://www.humancenteredcomputing.org/
Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering
Auburn University

Workshop: Assistive Technology
Time: 12:00 pm

 A variety of technology and solutions that enable visually impaired population to be gainfully employed in standard work environments will be displayed.

Assistive Technology Department
Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind

Presentation: Assistive Technology in the Workplace
Time: 11:00 am

The ability of people who are blind to compete in the modern workforce has been increased exponentially over the past 10 years. This leveling of the playing field is largely attributable to advancements in technology. Professionals form the assistive technology department at the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind have designed this presentation to provide information regarding the use of assistive technology by people who are blind in the workplace. A variety of technology and solutions that enable this population to be gainfully employed in standard work environments will be demonstrated. Techniques for identifying and providing the appropriate equipment, software, and other reasonable accommodations will also be discussed.

This presentation will provide information on the effective use of assistive technology in the workplace for people who are blind or vision impaired. The information will be delivered using case scenario, audio visual, handouts, and demonstration where appropriate. Upon completion of the Assistive Technology in the Workplace presentation participants will:

1. Understand the importance of appropriate assessment, training, implementation, and evaluation regarding the application of assistive technology in the workplace for people who are blind or vision impaired.

2. Be able to identify basic types and general uses of assistive technology in the workplace for people who are blind or visually impaired.

3. Be able to obtain appropriate information from the employer to provide when making referral for assistive technology assessment.

Assistive Technology Department
Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind
 

Maximizing the Pedagogy and Universal Usability of Education Technology Applications: the Prentice Hall MyITLab
Time: 10:00 am

Today’s cutting edge applications of Information Technology (IT) in the educational process can humanize the education environment, can bring mass customization to learning and fine-tune the product to allow students to follow somewhat divergent paths and learn at their own rates.  A well proportioned use in class of IT training and assessment solutions proved already to be extremely beneficiary allowing human instructors to use their knowledge and experience when is really needed and irreplaceable.  This presentation shows the efforts and accomplishments of the Pearson Prentice Hall team toward maximizing the pedagogy and universal usability of the new MyITLab training and assessment application.

Richard Keaveny
AVP Executive Editor
Pearson Prentice Hall Publishing Co.

Daniela Marghitu, PhD
Computer Science and Software Engineering Department
Auburn University

Interface Design. In her user interface design class she introduces programmers to Web Design. The capstone projects from the usability class are real world projects and websites created for companies.

Cheryl Seals, PhD
Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering
Auburn University

There will be more outstanding presentations.