Computer Science 480/840 Detailed Information

This course will investigate the analysis and design of accessibility issues and features related to computing applications. It will investigate the major sources of information and work towards developing a comprehensive strategy for improving the accessibility of computing applications.

Accessibility is EXTREME HCI! Human-Computer Interaction is about designing usable systems. ISO 9241-171 Guidance on Software Accessibility defines accessibility as, "usability of a product, service, environment or facility by people with the widest range of capabilities " and it notes that: "The concept of accessibility addresses the full range of user capabilities and is not limited to users who are formally recognized as having a disability." Thus, good accessibility serves all of us.

Accessibility is the new frontier of developing usable systems. CMPT 480/840 Accessible Computing is in the forefront of this movement. ASSETS, the ACM conference that focuses on accessibility, published a paper, Techniques to Assist in Developing Accessibility Engineers, about our course in 2008, before any other accessible computing courses had appeared in North America.

Accessibility involves the ultimate in multi-media {visual, auditory, tactile} and media-shifting to communicate using media that the user is capable of using. Therefore, accessibility involves finding new and alternate ways of interacting with different users within a single application. This leads us to consider new ways of using existing technologies and new technologies for existing problems.

Please contact Prof. Jim Carter <carter@cs.usask.ca> for further information.

Instructor

Jim Carter <carter@cs.usask.ca> 280.3 Thorvaldson Bldg, 966-4893.

Office hours: Mon/Weds/Fri 12:30 - 1:20 or by appointment.

Text/Recommended Reading

Lecture/Discussions

• Mondays will discuss the best of the critique items identified by students this term and in previous terms
• Wednesdays will discuss additional materials related to the week's topic
• Fridays will provide students with direct contact with various accessibility issues and tools, via using USERLab Accessibility Demonstration Exercises

Assignments/Project

Assignments: A number of interactive assignments will be used to acquaint students with a range of accessibility issues and a range to techniques for dealing with these issues.
Critiques: Students will be expected to become familiar with the assigned readings prior to the class in which they will be discussed. Students will be assigned to prepare critiques of particular readings.
Project: A major project will require students to investigate a related topic in greater detail than is covered in the class. Students will be required to make a short accessible presentation about their project.

Marking

NOTE: There are no exams. The expectations of your class work take this into account. This means that the project plays a very significant role in your grade.

20% Assignments

20% Critiques of Assigned Readings

60% Term Project

  5% Project Proposal [Oct 8]
10% Project Analysis and Design Report [Oct 29]
10% Project Implementation Report [Nov 12]
10% Project Evaluation Report [Nov 26]
  5% Project Presentation [Nov 29]
20% Revised Project [Dec 3]

Outline

Statement on Academic Integrity