IT Accessibility Review
Volume 1, Number 6
Accessibility Resources
Non-Acoustic Sensors Detect Speech Without Sound
U.S. military research is working on technology that will permit telephone communication, for example, without ever making a sound. The Advanced Speech Encoding project uses technology involving "non-acoustic sensors that detect speech via the speaker´s nerve and muscle activity, rather than sound itself." Some of the technology comes from magnetic resonance imaging, permitting the detection of "changes in capacitance" caused by the movement of vocal cords. Other methods under study involve placing "electromyographic sensors on the neck, to detect changes in impedance during speech."
While the technology is presently being developed for military use, such as in noisy vehicles or underwater, future application of the technology may benefit persons with communication disorders.
Source:
New Scientist, Apr. 9, 2005, by David Hambling.
http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=mg18624946.300
Visually Impaired Struggle with Smart Machines
The advent of "lighter, smaller and more portable" technology, though very convenient to many, poses barriers to millions of persons with visual impairments. As Jay Leventhal, Editor-in-Chief of AccessWorld, notes, even the machines at the laundromat may use smart cards in lieu of quarters, and provide instructions on digital screens "that he can´t read." Leventhal adds, "The biggest barrier for blind people is access to information…."
The Levar Burton Vision Enhancement Technology Center is working with West Virginia University, Georgia Tech, and Motorola Corp. to improve the way people with visual impairments communicate with today´s machines. This article discusses promising advancements.
Source:
CNN.com, Apr. 22, 2005.
http://www.cnn.com/2005/TECH/04/22/vision.tech.ap/index.html
FirstGov.gov-- The U.S. Government´s Official Web Portal
FirstGov.gov is an easy-to-search, free-access website designed to give users a centralized place to find information from U.S. local, state and federal government agency websites. It offers a powerful search engine and an index of web-accessible government information and services to help users find what they need. It is sponsored and maintained by the General Services Administration.
To see a list of the services and sites provided, go to the home page at:
http://firstgov.gov/index.shtml.
Sony Aims to Beam Sights and Sounds Directly into Brain
LONDON - If you think video games are engrossing now, just wait. PlayStation maker Sony has been granted a patent for beaming sensory information directly into the brain.
The technique could one day be used to create videogames in which you can smell, taste, and touch, or to help people who are blind or deaf.
To read this article:
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/index.cfm?c_id=5&ObjectID=10119198
Source:
The New Zealand Herald, 07.04.05 1.00pm
at: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/index.cfm?c_id=5&ObjectID=10119198
Robots to Help Out Blind Shoppers
Geoff Adams-SpinkComputer scientists in the US have developed a robot that could help blind people to shop or find their way around large buildings.
To read this article:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/4509403.stm
Source:
Story from BBC NEWS:
Published: 2005/05/04 08:47:06 GMT
© BBC MMV
Tutorial on Accessible Telecommunication Products Available A new web-based training course is available on ensuring access to telecommunication products under section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, which requires access to electronic and information technologies procured by the Federal government.The course, the last in a series developed by the Board covering different aspects of its section 508 standards, is designed for those involved in the purchase or procurement of telecommunication products for Federal agencies.It covers all of the requirements that telecommunication products must meet, including those providing access for persons with hearing impairments.
Since issuing its standards for electronic and information technology, the Board has maintained a program of continuing on-line guidance and training on the requirements of the standards.Other section 508 tutorials in the series cover software applications and operating systems; desktop and portable computers; and self contained, closed products, such as information kiosks, calculators, and fax machines.The courses are part of the on-line "508 Universe" program provided on the http://www.section508.gov website.This site also provides other section 508 tutorials and resources.
Source:
