• Scheduled a conversation with Molly re: ADA audit (Mon 9/30)

CPACC

Visual Disabilities

• Blindness:
  • Complete or nearly complete loss of vision.
  • May experience light versus dark or general shapes but cannot read text or recognize people.
• Color vision deficiency:
  • Inability to distinguish certain color combinations.
  • Most common form is red-green color blindness, affecting 8.3% of males and 0.5% of females.
• Low vision:
  • Uncorrectable vision loss that interferes with daily activities.
  • Requires magnification to read or discern details.
  • May experience low contrast or color deficiencies.

Barriers for People with Visual Disabilities

• Physical environment:
  • Lack of Braille on signs and controls.
  • Inadequate lighting in public spaces.
  • Obstructions in hallways and on sidewalks.
• ICT environment:
  • Images without descriptive text (alt text).
  • Inaccessible navigation menus and controls.
  • Low color contrast between foreground and background.
  • Reliance on color alone to convey information.
  • Websites and applications that are not compatible with screen readers.

Solutions for People with Visual Disabilities

• Physical environment:
  • Raised tiles to indicate changes in elevation.
  • Clear pathways and removal of obstacles.
  • Braille signage and tactile controls on devices.
• ICT environment:
  • Web accessibility: Adherence to WCAG guidelines for accessible web content.
  • Assistive technologies:
    • Screen readers: Convert text and structural information into speech.
    • Magnifiers: Enlarge text and images.
    • Braille displays: Provide tactile output for reading and writing.
    • Voice recognition software: Allow users to control devices using voice commands.
    • Audio description: Provide additional audio track for visual content.
• Adaptive strategies:
  • Organization: Use labels, calendars, and checklists to stay organized.
  • Time management: Set reminders and prioritize tasks.
  • Social skills: Learn effective communication strategies and build relationships.

Additional considerations:

• Assistive technology: Choose devices that are compatible with individual needs and preferences.
• Training: Provide training on how to use assistive technologies effectively.
• Accessibility awareness: Educate others about the challenges faced by people with visual disabilities and the importance of accessibility.
• Universal design: Design products and environments to be accessible to everyone, regardless of ability level.