Assistive Technology

Fall, 2005. MW 3:00-4:20, Wean 4601

Preferred contact method is in bold.

Instructor: Jennifer Mankoff jmankoff@cs.cmu.edu HCII, 3601 NSH, (W)+1 (412) 268-1295
Office hours: By Appointment & 1-2pm Thurs

Course Description

This class will focus on computer accessibility, including web and desktop computing, and research in the area of assistive technology. The major learning goals from this course include:

• Develop an understanding of the relationship between disability policy, the disability rights movement, and your role as a technologist. For example, we will discuss we will discuss the pros and cons and infrastructure involved in supporting mainstream computer applications rather than creating new ones from scratch.
• Develop a skill set for basic design and evaluation of accessible web pages and desktop applications.
• Develop familiarity with technologies and research relating to accessibility including a study of optimal font size and color for people with dyslexia, word-prediction aids, a blind-accessible drawing program,
• Develop familiarity with assistive technologies that use computation to increase the accessibility of the world in general. Examples include memory aids, sign-language recognition, and so on.

Requirements

Students will be expected to do service work with non-profits serving the local disabled community during one to two weekends of the start of the semester. This course has a project component, where students will design, implement, and test software for people with disabilities. Additionally, students will read and report on research papers pertinent to the domain. Grading will be based on service work (10%); the project (60%); and class participation, including your reading summary and the lecture you lead (30%).

Other relevant documents

Course Calendar, Assignments, Bibliography, and other Interesting Information

Prerequisites

Prerequisites for this class are: Familiarity with basic Human Computer Interaction material or consent of the instructor (for undergraduate students) It is recommended that you contact the instructor if you are interested in taking this class.

Past version of class

Spring 2002