WebAIM - Web Accessibility In Mind

E-mail List Archives

Diagrams for blind people

for

From: Oliver Burmeister
Date: Aug 8, 2002 7:28PM

Dear All.

This is not really a web related accessibility query, but I thought this
group might be able to help.

Note, I sent the same request to <EMAIL REMOVED> , but only
got 2 responses that were a little helpful. One told me to think outside the
box and come up with an alternate for diagrams, the other told me that there
is a photocopy like device called a 'burner' that with render diagrams in
Braille form.

I am teaching a java subject this semester that requires design work using
UML diagrams. I have a student taking the subject who is completely blind.

I have two related issues:

1. I need to demonstrate UML diagrams to the student in a way that is
accessible. Can you recommend a drawing tool that will render diagrams in a
format this student will be able to access?

2. The student needs to learn how to design programs, rather than just sit
down and start coding. Do you have suggestions for how I might teach the
student program design (preferably using UML notation). Ie, how does the
student draw diagrams that will also be able to communicate the design to a
tutor, or as necessary for assessment.

Lastly, part of the subject is teaching GUI development using java. Yes
there are accessibility guidelines for GUIs written in java to be
accessible. But what about the reverse? How does a blind student design and
code a GUI? Eg, some of the existing class exercises ask students to create
applets with event-driven functionality (buttons, mouse clicks, etc).

If you don't know any answers for these questions, perhaps you can point me
to resources or people who might be able to help.

Thank you for any assistance you can provide,

Oliver

------------------------------------------------
Oliver Burmeister
Lecturer
Swinburne Computer-Human Interaction Laboratory
School of Information Technology
Swinburne University of Technology
PO Box 218, Hawthorn, Victoria 3122
Australia
(T) +61 3 9214 8304
(F) +61 3 9214 5501
email: mailto: <EMAIL REMOVED>
URL: http://www.it.swin.edu.au/schil/biographies/oliverburmeister.html
SCHIL URL: http://www.it.swin.edu.au/centres/schil/


----
To subscribe, unsubscribe, or view list archives,
visit http://www.webaim.org/discussion/