Community Access Program

1
Community Access Program
Accessibility Workshop Neil Squire
Foundation Colin Keane Joel Macht
2
Introduction

• CAP History
• Digital Divide
• Description of our project
• Survey Results
• Experiences with Clients
• Solutions
• On the Horizon (Web4All)

3
CAP History

• Industry Canadas initiative enabling Canadians
  to take advantage of the potential of the
  internet.
• Since 1995, over 8800 sites have been
  established, providing public internet access in
  the community.
• Enabled Canadians to hook up to the internet who
  otherwise would not have had the opportunity.

4
The Digital Divide

• A figurative line separating those who have the
  skills and the means to access and utilize
  information and those who do not.
• Issues of poverty, literacy, education and
  attitude force people with disabilities to the
  latter side of the Digital Divide.
• People with disabilities remain among those least
  likely to have access to the internet and its
  potential benefits.

5
Portrayal of Persons With Disabilities

• Language is a powerful and important tool.
• Attitudes can be the most difficult barrier for
  persons with disabilities.
• The use of proper terminology can help people
  with disabilities reach their goals.
• The word "disabled" is an adjective, not a noun.
  People are not conditions. Do not use "the
  disabled" use "persons with disabilities".

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Portrayal of Persons With Disabilities (contd)

• Avoid using words such as "special" suggesting
  people with disabilities should be treated
  differently.
• Individuals with invisible disabilities such as
  epilepsy and learning disabilities also encounter
  negative attitudes and barriers.
• Bridge the Communications Gap
• Speak directly to him/her

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Project Description

• Visit and survey CAP sites
• Determine how accessible CAP sites are for people
  with disabilities in hopes to improve
  accessibility.
• Introduce our clients with disabilities to CAP
  sites in their communities.

8
Project Description (contd)

• Surveys and experiences at CAP sites with our
  clients helped to identify barriers.
• Identifying barriers that exist in the CAP
  environments, allow us to
• formulate specific suggestions/recommendations
• provide resource information

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Survey Results

• Four aspects were researched
• Physical building accessibility
• Accessibility of the workstation
• Accessibility of workstation information
• Staff reliability and approachability
• Consultations with disability organizations gave
  broad perspective on barriers at CAP sites.

10
Building Accessibility

• Buildings are generally physically accessible.
• Half of the sites surveyed had designated
  accessible parking spaces.
• Location played a big part in the areas where
  accessible parking spaces were not available.
• Many roadside/storefront buildings had no defined
  parking area. However, street parking was
  provided.

11
CAP Site Location

• Eighteen sites were within five blocks of
  accessible transit. The majority being within two
  blocks.
• People with disabilities are often unable to
  afford private automobiles and therefore rely
  greatly on transit or HandyDart services.

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Entrances, Corridors Stairs

• Most sites surveyed had a welcoming environment
  with clearly marked entrances.
• Automatic doors were present at nine sites.
• Doors at street level were left open or had
  easily operable hardware.
• Hallways were generally very wide with extended
  handrails on the ramps and stairs.
• Elevator/lifts were provided if second floors
  existed.

13
Washroom Access

• Washrooms were generally accessible.
• Nine sites had well signed washrooms.
• Three designated washrooms required a key.
• Doors required both arms, a high level of
  dexterity and strength.
• Often the washroom doors were heavy.
• Three sites did not have raised toilet seats.
• One site had grab bars incorrectly located.

14
Signage Plain Language

• Some groups identified a need that instruction
  materials and other information be in plain
  language.
• Entering a busy building unsure of where to go or
  what to do can be intimidating and confusing.
• Many CAP sites did not indicate the whereabouts
  or availability of computers.

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Signage Plain Language (contd)

• Sign in procedure needs to be simple and easy to
  use.
• Plain language guidelines and information is
  available at
• Clear Language and Design
• Plain Language Online Training
• Electronic Communications Basics

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Hardware

• Adjustable computer desks or tables were
  non-existent in all sites.
• Adjusting elements of the workstation can reduce
  strain on muscles and joints and allowing people
  to use the computer for longer periods of time
  without discomfort.
• Lack of adjustable desks can limit the usage of
  CAP terminals by people with disabilities.

17
Ergonomic Chairs

• Ergonomic chairs were not the norm at the CAP
  sites that were surveyed.
• This is a potential barrier to people with back
  or neck injuries or muscle fatigue.
• Seven of the sites did not have ergonomic chairs,
  nor did they have armrests.

18
Mouse Accessibility

• Most mice were in an immediate reach zone, close
  to the chair and the keyboard.
• No site had mice on adjustable surfaces causing
  potential barrier for people with mobility
  difficulties.

19
Anti-Glare Measures

• Most sites did not provide anti-glare measures.
• Glare, from window or overhead lights, was a
  potential issue in four sites.
• Privacy screens at one site served to reduce the
  intensity of screen glare.
• Glare can be a barrier for people with visual
  impairments or light sensitivity.
• Lighting was generally very good at all sites.

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Distractibility Issues

• Affect learning difficulty or brain injury
  clients.
• In eight sites, computers in low traffic areas
  allow active listening during one-on-one training
  
• Five sites placed computers in high traffic
  areas.
• CAP computers were in walled off rooms at five of
  the sites we surveyed.
• Traffic/noise notably a concern at school sites

21
Hardware Alternatives

• No site had keyboard/mouse alternatives.
• On screen keyboards, BAT, keycaps, King Keyboard,
  trackballs, joysticks, trackpads optical mice.
  
• We are aware of only two sites in BC that can
  presently adapt a computer with these devices to
  allow people with disabilities internet access.

22
Adaptive Software

• Four sites had adaptive software installed in
  their computers.
• Accessibility Options
• Zoomtext
• One site had a dedicated Large Print terminal

23
Time Limits

• Libraries limit usage time often ½ hour to 1
  hour.
• Community Centres often 2 hour limit or longer.
  
• Some people simply need more time to make
  effective use of the internet.
• Time limits ensure many people can access the
  internet.

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Software

• Other programs in addition to a web browsers were
  not usually available at sites surveyed.
• Being trained on the internet is difficult if one
  cannot type notes into a Word document.
• Disk access.
• Additional programs such as Word/Notepad can make
  the internet a more versatile tool for everyone,
  not just people with disabilities.

25
Client Experiences

• Three clients have had positive experiences.
• One client cannot use local CAP sites because of
  distractions fan noise/high traffic area
• Of twelve prospective clients, eight could not be
  taken to CAP sites in their community because of
  inaccessibility.

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Solutions

• Attitude is everything
• Solutions that have worked for the Neil Squire
  Foundation
• Solutions that have worked at other locales
• Vernon Disability Resource Centre
• IAM Cares

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CAP Site Suggestions

• Windows Accessibility Options
• Trackball
• Low traffic areas
• Adjustable desk and keyboard height
• Outreach/contact community resources and
  establish a network of expertise
• Volunteer training program

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Towards AccessibilityStep 1

• Non adjustable table
• Computer tower on ground
• No signage

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Towards AccessibilityStep 2

• Welcoming sign
• Ergonomic chair
• Tower on the table

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Towards AccessibilityStep 3

• Raised desk

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Towards AccessibilityStep 4

• Monitor riser
• Adjustable keyboard arm or tray

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Towards AccessibilityStep 5

• Trackball or other mouse alternative

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Towards AccessibilityStep 6

• Mini keyboard or other keyboard alternative

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Towards AccessibilityStep 7

• Windows Accessibility Options

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Towards AccessibilityStep 8

• Screen reader/magnifi-cation software
• Useful for multiple client groups

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Towards AccessibilityStep 9

• Speakers with headphones

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Towards AccessibilityStep 10

• Word prediction software
• This type of software can help to address time
  limit concerns

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Towards AccessibilityStep 11

• Screen filter Anti-Glare Screen

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Towards AccessibilityStep 12

• Various peripheral devices (e.g.. Printer, multi
  sheet scanner)

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Towards AccessibilityStep 13

• Various accessories
• document holder
• wrist rests
• foot rests

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Towards Accessibility

• Began with an un-accessible terminal
• Ended with a terminal that makes the internet
  accessible for a wider range of people

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Base cost

• Ergonomic chair 100 and up
• Placing tower on desk 0
• Sign 3 and up
• Raised desk 0
• Monitor riser 0 and up
• Adjustable keyboard arm/tray 90 and up
• Trackball 30 and up
• Keyboard alternatives from 30 and up
• Window Accessibility Options 0

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Base Cost (contd)

• Screen reading.mag. Software 0 to 795 and
  up
• Speakers and headphones 43 and up
• Word prediction software 20 and up
• Screen filter 25 and up
• Accessories 8 and up each
• ____
• TOTAL.. 349 (Est.)

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Base Cost (contd)

• Costs can range on either side of the 349
• Other effective options include
• Adjustable desk
• Large, flat screen monitor
• Multi-sheet scanner with Kurzweil 1000 software
• Various software including Zoomtext, Kurzweil
  3000, JAWS, WiVik, voice recognition software
• Various shareware programs available for free
  including mouse tools and dwell click programs
• Advanced interface systems including microphones,
  headmouse, Jouse

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Multiple Options

• Adjustable workstation with 19 flatscreen monitor

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On the Horizon Web-4-All

• Developed for Industry Canada to ensure people
  have computer access to services and information
  on the Internet.
• It creates a customizable computer interface
  based on universal design principles.
• Each user can select, save, and deploy their own
  interface preferences using smart card technology
  automatically configuring a suite of assistive
  software and hardware

47
Neil Squire Foundation Accessibility Display

• Please investigate the booth in the CAP
  Marketplace for more information on specific
  accessibility solutions.
• Try out devices and software.
• Win a trackball!

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Feedback

• Please fill out our brief feedback questionnaire.
  We would appreciate your input and you will be
  entered in a draw to win a trackball for use at
  your CAP site!