Wireless Inclusive RERC| Georgia Institute of Technology | Atlanta, GA - Wireless Connected Devices (D2)

Evaluating the Impact of WEA 2.0 Regulations (Final)

kp37 — Mon, 16 May 2022 21:20:49 +0000

Date of Publication:

2022 March

research_brief_-_evaluating_the_impact_of_wea_2.0_regulations_final.pdf

Technology and Disability Policy Highlights - Summer 2020

dbright7@gatech.edu — Mon, 10 Aug 2020 19:09:04 +0000

Date of Publication:

2020 August

This summer, the country celebrated the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in July. The ADA was signed on July 26, 1990, so this year the legislation hit the big 3-0, which in humans typically signifies a turning point into true adulthood where grand change occurs as a result of assessing the journey to 30. Perhaps, we'll observe similarly expansive impacts as the ADA turns the corner to 30. Though large gatherings are still discouraged, advocates and members of the disability community virtually celebrated the 30th anniversary. On social media, the National Council on Disability is commemorating the momentous occasion with a social media campaign called #30onADA30. The hashtag signifies a six-month campaign where participants are encouraged to share 30 words or less (or 30 seconds of audio/video) communicating their support and appreciation of the ADA. See one here, https://twitter.com/i/status/1286020356839440386.

In the regulatory space, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released a Public Notice requesting stakeholder input on the tentative findings for the 2020 Biennial Report on Accessibility Under the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act [CG Docket No. 20-768]. The FCC sought further comments "on whether these tentative findings accurately represent the current state of accessibility and usability of telecommunications equipment and services." Outside of rulemakings, there are other methods of contributing to the advancement of inclusive policies. To that end, the FCC is now accepting applications for its Disability Advisory Committee.

In Wireless RERC news, our User Experiences and Expectations project published Technology Use for Social Connectedness: Exploring the Experiences of People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, Family Members, and Professionals. Georgia Tech's Center for Advanced Communications Policy, and the home of the Wireless RERC, is currently seeking any U.S. residents aged 65 or older AND adults with disabilities (any age 18 and up) to take a survey of COVID-19 Information Access. We also continue data collection for our 2020 Survey of User Needs. If you haven't already, please take the survey.

This issue also includes news about accessibility in emergency services, broadband, telehealth, developer tools, assistive technologies, wearables, eye-tracking tech, smart cities, and more.

technology_and_disability_policy_highlights_-_summer_2020_june_-july.pdf

technology_and_disability_policy_highlights_-_summer_2020_june_-july.docx

Design and Evaluation of a Multimodal Physics Simulation

dbright7@gatech.edu — Mon, 01 Jun 2020 17:29:35 +0000

Date of Publication:

2018 October

We present a multimodal science simulation, including visual and auditory (descriptions, sound effects, and sonifications) display. The design of each modality is described, as well as evaluation with learners with and without visual impairments. We conclude with challenges and opportunities at the intersection of multiple modalities.

Design and Evaluation of a Multimodal Physics Simulation

Supporting Simulation Use for Students with Mild Cognitive Impairment

dbright7@gatech.edu — Mon, 01 Jun 2020 17:25:04 +0000

Date of Publication:

2018 March

In this study, we explore how enhancing interactive science simulations with sonifications can scaffold interaction and learning for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). We added auditory cues to three PhET Interactive Simulations as additional feedback to highlight important concepts and relationships. Working with seventeen students who have I/DD, we evaluated the success of these cues in emphasizing science concepts, explored what additional help may be necessary to support successful inquiry-based learning for these students, and collected feedback on the auditory cues and the students’ overall user experience.

Supporting Simulation Use for Students with Mild Cognitive Impairment

Spotlights and Soundscapes: On the Design of Mixed Reality Auditory Environments for Persons with Visual Impairment

dbright7@gatech.edu — Mon, 01 Jun 2020 17:19:41 +0000

Date of Publication:

2020 January

For persons with visual impairment, forming cognitive maps of unfamiliar interior spaces can be challenging. Various technical developments have converged to make it feasible, without specialized equipment, to repre- sent a variety of useful landmark objects via spatial audio, rather than solely dispensing route information. Although such systems could be key to facilitating cognitive map formation, high-density auditory environments must be crafted carefully to avoid overloading the listener. This article recounts a set of research exercises with potential users, in which the optimization of such systems was explored. In Experiment 1, a virtual reality environment was used to rapidly prototype and adjust the auditory environment in response to participant comments. In Experiment 2, three variants of the system were evaluated in terms of their ef- fectiveness in a real-world building. This methodology revealed a variety of optimization approaches and recommendations for designing dense mixed-reality auditory environments aimed at supporting cognitive map formation by visually impaired persons.

Spotlights and Soundscapes: On the Design of Mixed Reality Auditory Environments for Persons with Visual Impairment

Design and Evaluation of a Multimodal Physics Simulation

dbright7@gatech.edu — Mon, 01 Jun 2020 17:13:29 +0000

Date of Publication:

2019 March

We present a multimodal physics simulation, including visual and auditory (description, sound effects, and sonification) modalities to support the diverse needs of learners. We describe design challenges and solutions, and findings from final simulation evaluations with learners with and without visual impairments. We also share insights from completing research with members of diverse learner groups (N = 52). This work presents approaches for designing and evaluating accessible interactive simulations for learners with diverse needs.

Design and Evaluation of a Multimodal Physics Simulation

Imagining futures: A collaborative policy/device design for wearable computing

dbright7@gatech.edu — Mon, 18 May 2020 18:01:29 +0000

Date of Publication:

2017 March

The rapidly expanding market for wearable computing devices (wearables), driven by advances in information and communication technologies (ICT), wireless access, and public acceptance of a design aesthetic, is indicative of the near limitless potential for changing the relationship of users to information context(s). As the adoption of wearable devices spreads, there are cultural and social impacts that represent both barriers and opportunities, with subsequent policy ramifications. All too often designers, technologists, and policymakers operate independently developing products that are out of sync, lack interoperability, or are hindered by well-meaning, but obstructive policy. This paper proposes a futures-based, iterative policy-informed design framework for developing wearable devices that guide interdisciplinary collaborators early in the process of designing a research & development plan. This approach allows for the development of “images of the future” through which various potential implications and effects of device design in social, technological, and regulatory contexts can be explored.

Imagining futures: A collaborative policy/device design for wearable computing

Re:Wireless Newsletter - 2019/05/22

blippincott4 — Fri, 24 May 2019 17:16:14 +0000

Date of Publication:

2019 May

The file below is a PDF of the Wireless RERC's 05/22/2018 Re:Wireless Newsletter for consumers. If you have trouble accessing the file or need it in an alternate accessible format, please contact Ben Lippincott at 678-992-9309 or ben@imtc.gatech.edu.

You can also view the newsletter at this web address: https://conta.cc/2HLb8g6

This is a PDF version of the consumer-focused Re:Wireless newsletter.

Re:Wireless Newsletter - 2019/03/15

blippincott4 — Fri, 24 May 2019 17:07:23 +0000

Date of Publication:

2019 March

The file below is a PDF of the Wireless RERC's 03/15/2019 Re:Wireless Newsletter for consumers. If you have trouble accessing the file or need it in an alternate accessible format, please contact Ben Lippincott at 678-992-9309 or ben@imtc.gatech.edu.

You can also view the newsletter at this web address: https://conta.cc/2F7y4ol

This is a PDF version of the consumer-focused Re:Wireless newsletter.

Re:Wireless Newsletter - 12/31/2018

blippincott4 — Fri, 11 Jan 2019 16:39:57 +0000

Date of Publication:

2018 December

The file below is a PDF of the Wireless RERC's 12/31/2018 Re:Wireless Newsletter for consumers. If you have trouble accessing the file or need it in an alternate accessible format, please contact Ben Lippincott at 678-992-9309 or ben@imtc.gatech.edu.

You can also view the newsletter at this web address: https://conta.cc/2EWMDNf

A PDF version of the Re:Wireless Newsletter for 12/31/2018