KOGS5751 COG2: Accessible Visualizations: Conveying Information Across Sensory Modalities Hands-on Lab (JSS33) (3 cr)

How to make technology work for people with sensory, cognitive, or physical disabilities. A key aspect of digital accessibility is ensuring that information can be perceived and understood irrespective of the cognitive and sensory capabilities of the individual, for example persons with visual, auditory or cognitive disabilities. The principles of accessible design also have relevance for information presentation where environmental or situational factors limit usefulness of what might seem preferred modalities. By understanding the foundational concepts of our sensory/perceptual systems, and the requirements of accessible design, we will explore how information can be adapted and transformed to suit a variety of individual needs. Modalities examined will include speech and non-speech audio, tactile displays, haptics, and visual adaptation.

Through a combination of lecture and laboratory projects, students will uncover the foundational principles of designing alternative representations for traditionally visual or auditory information. These principles will be aligned with requirements defined by EU and international Accessibility Standards. Students will also understand how attention to accessible design of information can be of broader benefit to users in a variety of contexts. 

The course KOGS5750 Fundamentals of Inclusive and Accessible Design of Technology and/or the course KOGS581 Accessible and Inclusive Design of ICT. Students are asked to bring examples of their own data (from research or work activities) and be prepared to use it as the basis for their project on alternative visualizations of their data.