KOGS5750 COG1: Fundamentals of Inclusive and Accessible Design of Technology (JSS33) (3 cr)

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Study level:
Advanced studies
Grading scale:
Pass - fail
Language:
English
Responsible organisation:
Faculty of Information Technology
Curriculum periods:
2024-2025

Description

This course bridges the fundamentals of sensory, perceptual, cognitive and physical capabilities with a growing technological toolbox to create devices and services that work for individuals with and without disabilities. This topic becomes even more important with the implementation of the EU Web Accessibility Directive and the European Accessibility Act, and similar requirements in a growing number of countries. To build inclusive and accessible technologies that work for a broad range of human abilities and disabilities requires understanding of how people sense and perceive information, how information design (and complexity) impacts the ability to understand information, and how physical (or virtual) interface design impacts a user’s ability to operate it. Emerging technologies, such as cloud-based cognitive computing, multi-modal interfaces, sensors, and IoT provide a rich set of tools that can augment, or offer new modes of, interaction with our environment, devices, systems, and services. This course will include lectures, hands-on demonstrations, and exercises to understand the challenges and new opportunities for inclusive and accessible design.

Learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete the course will be able to understand how to apply fundamental principles in inclusive and accessible design to guide creation of new applications or systems, and how they can begin to apply this knowledge in their work and research. Crucial to this is understanding the role guidelines and technical standards play in defining legal requirements for accessibility. Knowledge of these fundamentals will increase the probability of creating highly usable and accessible products for a broad audience, including those with disabilities. Motivated students can use successful completion as a basis for further study or research in the field of inclusive design and accessibility. 

Description of prerequisites

Students should have a background in cognitive science, information systems, computer science or related discipline; or approval of instructors

Completion methods

Method 1

Description:
Lectures, demonstrations, readings
Evaluation criteria:
Pass/Fail. Obligatory attendance at all lectures and lab sessions. Active participation is required. In addition, participants will present a problem in Inclusive Design and a proposed, evidence-based solution in a 7–10-minute oral presentation prepared beforehand. Each participant filling the above-stated requirements will receive a diploma of participation to the workshop, but to receive a course diploma with credit statement (3 ECTS) the student must also return a brief project report (which includes a written report and a prototype solution using one or more of the following: storyboard, physical model, software, or video).
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Parts of the completion methods
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Participation in teaching (3 cr)

Type:
Participation in teaching
Grading scale:
Pass - fail
Evaluation criteria:
<p>Pass/Fail. Obligatory attendance at all lectures and lab sessions. Active participation is required. In addition, participants will present a problem in Inclusive Design and a proposed, evidence-based solution in a 7–10-minute oral presentation prepared beforehand. Each participant filling the above-stated requirements will receive a diploma of participation to the workshop, but to receive a course diploma with credit statement (3 ECTS) the student must also return a brief project report (which includes a written report and a prototype solution using one or more of the following: storyboard, physical model, software, or video).&nbsp;</p>
Language:
English
Study methods:

Lectures, demonstrations, readings

Teaching