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Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing

500

Giuseppe Di Bucchianico

Pete Kercher Editors

Advances in

Design for

Inclusion

Proceedings of the AHFE 2016

International Conference on Design

for Inclusion, July 27–31, 2016,

Walt Disney World®, Florida, USA

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Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing

Volume 500

Series editor

Janusz Kacprzyk, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland e-mail: kacprzyk@ibspan.waw.pl

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About this Series

The series “Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing” contains publications on theory, applications, and design methods of Intelligent Systems and Intelligent Computing. Virtually all disciplines such as engineering, natural sciences, computer and information science, ICT, economics, business, e-commerce, environment, healthcare, life science are covered. The list of topics spans all the areas of modern intelligent systems and computing.

The publications within “Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing” are primarily textbooks and proceedings of important conferences, symposia and congresses. They cover significant recent developments in the field, both of a foundational and applicable character. An important characteristic feature of the series is the short publication time and world-wide distribution. This permits a rapid and broad dissemination of research results.

Advisory Board

Chairman

Nikhil R. Pal, Indian Statistical Institute, Kolkata, India e-mail: nikhil@isical.ac.in

Members

Rafael Bello, Universidad Central “Marta Abreu” de Las Villas, Santa Clara, Cuba e-mail: rbellop@uclv.edu.cu

Emilio S. Corchado, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain e-mail: escorchado@usal.es

Hani Hagras, University of Essex, Colchester, UK e-mail: hani@essex.ac.uk

László T. Kóczy, Széchenyi István University, Győr, Hungary e-mail: koczy@sze.hu

Vladik Kreinovich, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, USA e-mail: vladik@utep.edu

Chin-Teng Lin, National Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan e-mail: ctlin@mail.nctu.edu.tw

Jie Lu, University of Technology, Sydney, Australia e-mail: Jie.Lu@uts.edu.au

Patricia Melin, Tijuana Institute of Technology, Tijuana, Mexico e-mail: epmelin@hafsamx.org

Nadia Nedjah, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil e-mail: nadia@eng.uerj.br

Ngoc Thanh Nguyen, Wroclaw University of Technology, Wroclaw, Poland e-mail: Ngoc-Thanh.Nguyen@pwr.edu.pl

Jun Wang, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong e-mail: jwang@mae.cuhk.edu.hk

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Giuseppe Di Bucchianico

Pete Kercher

Editors

Advances in Design

for Inclusion

Proceedings of the AHFE 2016 International

Conference on Design for Inclusion,

July 27–31, 2016, Walt Disney World

®

,

Florida, USA

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Editors Giuseppe Di Bucchianico University of Chieti-Pescara Chieti, Pescara Italy Pete Kercher

EIDD—Design for All Europe Oliveto Lario, Lecco

Italy

ISSN 2194-5357 ISSN 2194-5365 (electronic) Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing

ISBN 978-3-319-41961-9 ISBN 978-3-319-41962-6 (eBook) DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-41962-6

Library of Congress Control Number: 2016943963 ©Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2016

This work is subject to copyright. All rights are reserved by the Publisher, whether the whole or part of the material is concerned, specifically the rights of translation, reprinting, reuse of illustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on microfilms or in any other physical way, and transmission or information storage and retrieval, electronic adaptation, computer software, or by similar or dissimilar methodology now known or hereafter developed.

The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even in the absence of a specific statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use.

The publisher, the authors and the editors are safe to assume that the advice and information in this book are believed to be true and accurate at the date of publication. Neither the publisher nor the authors or the editors give a warranty, express or implied, with respect to the material contained herein or for any errors or omissions that may have been made.

Printed on acid-free paper

This Springer imprint is published by Springer Nature

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Advances in Human Factors

and Ergonomics 2016

AHFE 2016 Series Editors Tareq Z. Ahram, Florida, USA Waldemar Karwowski, Florida, USA

7th International Conference on Applied Human Factors and Ergonomics Proceedings of the AHFE 2016 International Conference on Design for Inclusion, July 27–31, 2016, Walt Disney World®, Florida, USA

Advances in Cross-Cultural Decision Making Sae Schatz and Mark Hoffman Advances in Applied Digital Human Modeling

and Simulation

Vincent G. Duffy Advances in Human Factors and Ergonomics in

Healthcare

Vincent G. Duffy and Nancy Lightner Advances in Affective and Pleasurable Design WonJoon Chung and Cliff(Sungsoo) Shin Advances in Human Aspects of Transportation Neville A. Stanton, Steven Landry, Giuseppe

Di Bucchianico and Andrea Vallicelli Advances in Ergonomics In Design Francisco Rebelo and Marcelo Soares Advances in Ergonomics Modeling, Usability &

Special Populations

Marcelo Soares, Christianne Falcão and Tareq Z. Ahram

Advances in Social & Occupational Ergonomics Richard Goossens Advances in Neuroergonomics and Cognitive

Engineering

Kelly S. Hale and Kay M. Stanney Advances in Physical Ergonomics and Human

Factors

Ravindra Goonetilleke and Waldemar Karwowski

Advances in The Ergonomics in Manufacturing: Managing the Enterprise of the Future

Christopher Schlick and Stefan Trzcielinski Advances in Safety Management and Human

Factors

Pedro Arezes Advances in Human Factors, Software, and

Systems Engineering

Ben Amaba Advances in Human Factors and Sustainable

Infrastructure

Jerzy Charytonowicz Advances in The Human Side of Service

Engineering

Tareq Z. Ahram and Waldemar Karwowski (continued)

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(continued)

Advances in Human Factors in Energy: Oil, Gas, Nuclear and Electric Power Industries

Sacit Cetiner, Paul Fechtelkotter and Michael Legatt

Advances in Human Factors in Sports and Outdoor Recreation

Paul Salmon and Anne-Claire Macquet Advances in Human Factors and System

Interactions

Isabel L. Nunes Advances in Human Factors, Business

Management, Training and Education

Jussi Kantola, Tibor Barath, Salman Nazir and Terence Andre

Advances in Human Factors in Robots and Unmanned Systems

Pamela Savage-Knepshield and Jessie Chen Advances in Design for Inclusion Giuseppe Di Bucchianico and Pete Kercher Advances in Human Factors in Cybersecurity Denise Nicholson, Janae Lockett-Reynolds

and Katherine Muse

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Contents

Part I Design for Inclusion and Product Development “Tutti a Tavola!” Project. A Didactic Experience on Design

for All Applied to Ceramic Objects for Food and Beverage . . . 3 Giuseppe Di Bucchianico and Stefania Camplone

From “Liquid Kitchen” to “Shared Kitchen”: Human-Centred Design for Innovative Services of Social Inclusion in Food

Consumption . . . 13 Alessandra Rinaldi, Francesca Tosi and Daniele Busciantella Ricci

Does Design for All Need Marketing? . . . 27 Daniela Gilardelli and Avril Accolla

Improving Learning Technologies and Social Inclusion Through Human Centred Design and Universal Design

Approaches: Novel Designing Scenarios . . . 39 Alessia Brischetto and Francesca Tosi

Part II Designing for Inclusion in the Public Sector and Cultural Heritage

Making Voting by Mail Usable, Accessible and Inclusive . . . 53 Kathryn Summers, Whitney Quesenbery and Amy Pointer

Bringing Universal Usability to All Users: A Case Study

on Public Realm Locations of Tourist Interest in Bhopal, India . . . 65 Shweta Vardia, Rachna Khare and Poonam Khan

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Part III Design for Disability and Social Inclusion

Design for People Affected by Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Proposal of a New Type of Ankle Foot Orthosis [AFO]

Based on 3D Indirect Survey and 3D Printing . . . 81 Alessandra Tursi and Giuseppe Mincolelli

Design for Duchenne. Guidelines for Dwellings’ Construction

or Renovation for Muscular Dystrophy—Affected Families. . . 87 Michele Marchi and Giuseppe Mincolelli

IESAMI: An Intelligent Environment to Support the Academic Monitoring and Inclusion of Students with Disabilities

in University. . . 97 Paola Ingavélez-Guerra, Fernando Pesántez-Avilés,

Vladimir Robles-Bykbaev, Jennifer Yépez-Alulema, Cristian Timbi-Sisalima and José Ramón Hilera

Communication Support with the COMUOON Communication

Support System . . . 109 Shinichiro Nakaishi

Part IV Designing for Inclusion: Methodology and Future Trends

Building Bridges Between User and Designer: Co-creation,

Immersion and Perspective Taking . . . 117 Santiago Martinez, John Isaacs, Fabiola Fernandez-Gutierrez,

Daniel Gilmour and Ken Scott-Brown

Ask Yourself the Right Question. To Know and Understand the Beauty of Human Diversity It Is the First Design Step:

A Design for All Structured and Autopoietic Tool . . . 131 Avril Accolla and Luigi Bandini Buti

User Knowledge Creation in Universal Design Processes. . . 141 Elke Ielegems, Jasmien Herssens and Jan Vanrie

Light: Towards an Inclusive Perspective . . . 155 Kim Janssens, Jan Vanrie, Katelijn Quartier and Stefan Danschutter

Part V Multisensory Design and Mobility for Special Needs A Design Toolkit for Visually Impaired People on Travelling

Experience . . . 169 Jing Guan and Clifford Sze-Tsan Choy

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Sensory—Friendly Grocery Store for the Visually Impaired

Shoppers . . . 181 Doaa Khattab

Can You Hear Architecture: Inclusive Design and Acoustics

in the Nordic Region. . . 191 Camilla Ryhl

An Experimental Study on Fused-Deposition-Modeling Technology as an Alternative Method for Low-Cost

Braille Printing. . . 201 Claudio Loconsole, Daniele Leonardis, Massimo Bergamasco

and Antonio Frisoli

Using a Mobile Application to Help Visually Impaired

Individuals Explore the Outdoors . . . 213 Shelby K. Long, Nicole D. Karpinsky, Hilal Döner

and Jeremiah D. Still

Part VI Inclusive and Universal Fashion Design in Clothing, Footwear and Accessories

Inclusive Fashion Design: Interdisciplinary Practice

in the Fashion Design Degree Program at SENAC-PE College . . . 227 Christianne Falcão and Danielle Simões-Borgiani

The Importance of Ergonomic Design in the Inclusion

of Women with Mastectomies with Lymphedema . . . 235 Maria Grave, Miguel Carvalho and Fernando Ferreira

WearAbility . . . 247 Gianni Montagna and Cristina Carvalho

Fashion Design and Life Experience: Reduced Mobility

in Ageing . . . 257 Cristina Carvalho, Gianni Montagna and Carla Morais

Open Inclusive Fashion: New Insights for a Co-design Platform . . . 265 António Lucas Soares, Eric Costa, Solange Mazzaroto, Miguel Carvalho,

David Allen, Kathleen Wachowski, Eric Gehl, Veronique Barreau, Deza Nguembock and Fernando Nunes Ferreira

Part VII Design for Inclusion: The Japanese Perspective Applicability of HAPTICS for Universal Design: A Study

to Develop a New System for Visually Impaired People . . . 279 Masayoshi Kubo

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Panasonic Group’s Universal Design Measures. . . 291 Yoko Nakao

Built Environment Design Toward an Inclusive Society:

How Can We Improve the Existing Infrastructure in Cities? . . . 307 Satoshi Kose

Effect of Cross-Sectional Shape of Small Level Change

on Walkability . . . 315 Yoshiaki Goto, Mai Miyake, Katsushi Sato and Satoshi Kose

Part VIII Designing for Inclusion in Learning Experiences

Inclusive Design for Children at the Master Education . . . 325 Rita Assoreira Almendra and Gonçalo Falcão

Mobile Device Development and Its Contribution

to the Treatment of Young Dyslexic Brazilian Children . . . 339 Teresa Bittencourt, João Savino, Helena Fernandes

and Luiza Helena Boueri Rebello

Design and Evaluation of a Universally Accessible Academic

Course Search Portal . . . 351 Omid Elliyoun Sardroud and Young Mi Choi

Assessing the Reading Level of Web Texts for WCAG2.0

Compliance—Can It Be Done Automatically? . . . 361 Evelyn Eika and Frode E. Sandnes

Cultural and Creative Industries of the Color and Design

of Packaging. . . 373 Chih-Chun Lai and Lung-Wen Kuo

Color Size and Design of Computer Peripheral Products of Black. . . 381 Chih-Chun Lai and Lung-Wen Kuo

Part IX Designing for Inclusion for Ageing Population Agder Living Lab: From Ideas to Large-Scale Deployment

and Long-Term User Adoption of Inclusive Health Solutions . . . 391 Santiago Martinez, Silje Bjerkås, Ann-Elisabeth Ludvigsen

and Rune Fensli

Ergonomics and Inclusive Design: Innovative Medical Devices

for Home Care . . . 401 Francesca Tosi, Alessandra Rinaldi and Daniele Busciantella Ricci

Creating Inclusive Living Environment in Urban Residences

for Indian Elderly. . . 413 Sandeep Sankat and Rachna Khare

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Research Methods Applied to Studies with Active Elderly:

A Literature Review . . . 425 Laura Martins, João Baptista and Pedro Arezes

Part X Designing for Inclusion in the Information Society

Towards Universal Design Criteria for Design of Wearables. . . 439 Vladimir Tomberg and Sebastian Kelle

Alternative and Augmentative Communication for People with Disabilities and Language Problems: An Eye Gaze

Tracking Approach. . . 451 Emmanuel Arias, Gustavo López, Luis Quesada and Luis Guerrero

Web Accessibility for People with Reduced Mobility: A Case Study

Using Eye Tracking . . . 463 Emmanuel Arias, Gustavo López, Luis Quesada and Luis Guerrero

Virtual Accessibility Guide in Brazil . . . 475 Regina Cohen and Cristiane Rose S. de Duarte

Multimedia Interfaces for People Visually Impaired . . . 487 Alexiei Dingli and Isaac Mercieca

Improving Deaf People Accessibility and Communication Through Automatic Sign Language Recognition Using

Novel Technologies . . . 497 Luis Quesada, Gustavo López and Luis Guerrero

Analysis of Interaction Patterns in the Use of High-Tech

Prompting Technologies by People with Intellectual Disabilities . . . 509 Jeannie Roux, Dany Lussier-Desrochers, Yves Lachapelle,

Bruno Bouchard and Julie Bouchard

Accessibility of MOOCs for Blind People in Developing

Non-English Speaking Countries . . . 519 Mexhid Ferati, Njomza Mripa and Ridvan Bunjaku

An Eye Tracking Experiment on Strategies to Minimize the Redundancy and Split Attention Effects in Scientific

Graphs and Diagrams. . . 529 Azam Majooni, Mona Masood and Amir Akhavan

Evaluation of Health Services Received by People with Autism

Spectrum Disorders by Means of an Adapted iPad® Questionnaire . . . . 541

Dany Lussier-Desrochers, Nancy Milette, Valérie Godin-Tremblay, Jeannie Roux and Yves Lachapelle

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Part XI Dissing the Dis—The Swedish Concept

A Design Research Lab—An Integrated Model to Identify

Conscious and Unconscious Behavior in the Design Process . . . 553 Morteza Abdipour, Lena Lorentzen and Håkan Olin

(In)spectors—Presentation of Education, Training and Professional

Practice of Professional Test Persons . . . 565 Lena Lorentzen and Klas Tviksta

How the Swedish Rheumatism Association Uses the Design

for All Tests to Approve Easy to Handle Packages and Products . . . 573 Lena Lorentzen and Johan Eklund

How to Categorize Users from a Design Point of View? . . . 585 Lena Lorentzen

Vital Minutes—Cardiac Arrest and the Essence of Time . . . 599 Lise Johansson, Ana Popa, Hanif Bahari, Muzammil Aslam

and Sanna Amjadian

Part XII Design for Inclusion in the Living Environment and Ageing Population

CampUS: How the Co-design Approach Can Support

the Social Innovation in Urban Context . . . 609 Davide Fassi, Laura Galluzzo and Annalinda De Rosa

The Digital Crystal Ball: A Service Recommendation System

for Designing Social Participation Experiences Among the Elderly . . . . 623 Koji Kitamura, Yoshihisa Shirato, Mikiko Oono, Yoshihumi Nishida

and Hiroshi Mizoguchi

Handrail-Shaped IoT Sensor for Long-Term Monitoring

of the Mobility in Elderly People . . . 631 Yoshihumi Nishida, Yusuke Takahashi, Koji Kitamura

and Hiroshi Mizoguchi

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Improving Learning Technologies

and Social Inclusion Through Human

Centred Design and Universal Design

Approaches: Novel Designing Scenarios

Alessia Brischetto and Francesca Tosi

Abstract In contemporary society, technology is increasingly the main tool for producing and promoting information and well-being. With special regards to the framework of ICT for learning, assistive and adaptive technologies as well as e-learning and m-learning platforms, are usually employed to provide equal access to knowledge regardless of any impairment or disabilities. However, due to several limitations of technology, people can be socially excluded. In the present work, to deeply understand such limitation, the most relevant learning theories in the cre-ation of instructional environments were investigated. On the basis of this pre-liminary research, the work was aimed at analyzing the inclusive potential of current ICT and related standards of web accessibility, platforms and content format in order to assess what may be the contribution of Ergonomics for design and Universal Design for improving learning environments and social inclusion for the widest number of person.

Keywords Universal design

!

Human centered design

!

ICT

!

Social inclusion

!

Web accessibility

!

Learning

1 Introduction

Within a based-knowledge society, personal devices, social networks and most widely, all the emerging web technologies may be increasingly considered as the main tools for producing and promoting information and well-being. Consequently, the accessibility to technologies becomes the basic requirement in the way of living, working and sharing experiences. To date, the Information and Communication

A. Brischetto (&) ! F. Tosi

Department of Architecture, Laboratory of Ergonomics and Design, Via Sandro Pertini 93, 50041 Calenzano, Firenze, Italy

e-mail: alessia.brischetto@unifi.it F. Tosi

e-mail: francesca.tosi@unifi.it

©Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2016

G. Di Bucchianico and P. Kercher (eds.), Advances in Design for Inclusion, Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing 500,

DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-41962-6_4

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Technology (ICT), commonly in use every day in routine activities, play a primary role in improving and speeding up the above described processes, since they are seen suitable and powerful means able to enhance also the residual skills of the weakest people, especially elderly and most in general, all the disabled carriers [1]. Within the framework of ICT for learning, the assistive and adaptive technologies, which include a broad range of devices (hardware, furniture, com-puter screens, software and so on), are usually employed to enable anyone to interact with more easily and effectively, regardless of any impairment or disabil-ities. Similarly, e-learning and m-learning platforms, born as electronic educational technologies, are largely used nowadays as networking environments to promote the integration and guide learning through flexible architectures based on current standards of web accessibility, platforms and content format [2]. However, due to several limitations, mainly ascribed to the lacking of accessibility, people with different types of impairments may not have easy access to information and hence, very often, are socially excluded.

At the same time, it is worth to note that the free market laws are mostly oriented towards groups of users considered “normal,” thus excluding all those persons who have special needs and that hardly manage the technology. Facing with the development of so-called “digital highways,” it should be avoided also that the continuous spread of technologies is dictated by methods purely economics, not only for reasons of social equity but also to avoid of having high social and economic costs to sustain. It is therefore clear the need to implement specific politics based on a strong sense of social responsibility and targeted mainly to enable people with disabilities to live independently in all aspects of life [3]. In this respect, for instance, the European Community policies, through the i2020 initiative related to the Lisbon Strategy, are actively engaged towards the creation of a unique information space. In particular, with the aim of building up an inclusive information-based society (e-inclusion, e-accessibility, European Action Plan, the diffusion of ICT policies), several funds in research and development of the ICT’s sector have been planned [4–6].

Besides, the UN convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, whose the main purpose is to promote, defend and reinforce the human rights of all persons with disabilities, highlights the importance of sustaining the research and development in this field through dedicated projects including the Universal design (UD). The latter is clearly defined as the design of products, environments, programs and services to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design. Additionally, UD shall not exclude assistive devices for par-ticular groups of persons with disabilities where this is needed and underlines the importance of adopting a human-centered design approach in this field [7]. Thus, UD becomes an indispensable element by which, in a systematic and proactive way, can be provided accessible solutions to all persons in a perspective, therefore, inclusive. In this scenario, the present work is mainly aimed at analyzing the inclusive potential of current ICT and assessing what may be the contribution of Ergonomics for design and UD in improving learning environments and social inclusion for the widest number of persons.

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2 Methodological Approach

On the basis of the abovementioned framework, the work was focused in the first stage to examining the accessibility features that ICTs have in contemporary society. This was carried out by analyzing the major European strategies and Italian national policies1 aimed at the development and integration of inclusive learning

practices. To get a complete picture of European policies, reference to the Eurydice database was done [8]. In the mentioned database recommendations regarding the use of ICT for promoting equity in educational environments are described.

For understanding the psychological and cognitive aspects involved in human-machine interaction and related learning practices mediated by technologies, be-haviorism, cognitivism and constructivism theories along with their respective learning models (i.e. transmission model, learner-centered model, participatory model) were explored and analyzed. The latter were developed during the evolution of the so-called “learning machines” and belong nowadays to Educational Technology field. These principles, even if theorized in the second mid of 20th century, are the focus of the international debate and still used for designing the most advanced technological solutions. In particular, these three models, moving the main focus from teaching to learning, allowed to develop new educational models and learning practices. The most recent theory of connectivism was also taken into account [9].

On the basis of such models, the types of technologies developed until now in the field of interest, including application examples, were also analyzed. Aspects related to the effectiveness and inclusive potential of these technologies were subsequently investigated for assessing the contribution of a combined approach between UD and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and how and when assistive technologies (AT) should be used. At the same time, the existing web accessibility standards (WCAG) and standards ISO2 were analyzed and possible integrations

with UD-UDL approach evaluated.

1The main projects and initiative promoted are the EU “Action Plan e-Learning” and Scuola Digitale—Cl@ssi 2.0, Nuove Tecnologie e Disabilità (NTD) on Italian scale.

2ISO 9241-171:2008 provides ergonomics guidance and specifications for the design of accessible software for use at work, in the home, in education and in public places. It covers issues associated with designing accessible software for people with the widest range of physical, sensory and cognitive abilities, including those who are temporarily disabled, and the elderly. It addresses software considerations for accessibility that complement general design for usability (see also ISO 9241-110, ISO 9241-11 to ISO 9241-17, ISO 14915 and ISO 13407). Regarding AT: ISO/IEC TR 13066-3:2012 Information technology—Interoperability with assistive technology (AT)—Part 3: accessibility application programming interface (API).

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3 Results and Discussion

3.1 ICT and Web Accessibility Standards

To define the factors that can promote social inclusion through the use of ICT, it is strictly necessary to overcome both the vision of computer as a set of hardware and software and the information technologies for the disabled as functional prostheses to allow its use [10]. The access to ICT is the result of the combination of a plurality of aspects not only physical, but also social and relational. With respect to the problems of persons with disabilities, it is possible to identify four different sim-plified visions of the computer science, which correspond to different ways of thinking about new technologies. They are summarized in the following as follows [7].

• calculator as a physical machine—the hardware; • calculator as a virtual machine—the software;

• calculator as an information dissemination system—the Web; • calculator as a two-way communication—Web 2.0.

The first 2 points include AT such as keyboards, braille printers, screen readers, screen magnifiers, special devices (pointers, expanded or reduced keyboards etc.), speech synthesis programs and speech recognition. They are therefore means allowing access to the computer merely as a tool. On the contrary, in step 3, all those systems useful for the dissemination of accessible information, as web sites, are included. The latter have become the main resource to access information and the network can enable disability carriers to break down the mobility constraints, allowing them to use the services not only through the physical way, but also through the virtual one. Web 2.0, associated to point 4, is the new frontier of communication exchanges in the network. Web 2.0 comprises the services based on directional communication “one to many” and provides the fruition and sharing of information through circular interaction between users and platforms, and among user groups [11].

In parallel to the evolution of software and hardware components, and more generally of ICT, grew up gradually issues concerning the use of such technologies, mainly related to accessibility of the information content, to interaction with sys-tem, as well as to access interfaces, systems and services for communication between people [12].

As regards the information content, guidelines for how the Web pages of information presentation to be built, were developed by the W3C-WAI [13]. Presented in a first version (WCAG 1.0) in 1999, the WAI guidelines were refined and republished in 2008 as WCAG 2.0 [14]. In this version they were accepted as an ISO standard and supported also by the European Commission. WCAG, although developed with specific reference to the accessibility of Web pages contents, have a sufficient general form as to be applicable also in different appli-cation environments.

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Concerning with the interaction with the system and API, there are guidelines for the creation and implementation of browsers [15]. Current operating systems make also available, directly or through third parties, the support and functionalities to access the system and to manipulate it in appropriate ways for different types of users.

In the case of access to information, the use of the guidelines, although designed to provide the usability of information, is often not completely followed. An additional constraint is related to the fact that the guidelines require computer skills and are therefore directed mainly to professionals. In the Web 2.0 era, it is assumed that the production of information and publishing on the network is no longer just an asset in the hands of experts, but to all connected individuals who typically do not know and are not able to apply these guidelines. Thus, the use of guidelines such as those WAI can be limiting.

3.2 Learning Models Mediated by ICT

The use of ICT for disability carriers in educational environments simultaneously affects educational-methodological and technical issues regarding the selection of devices to be used. ICT, for its characteristics, would seem to have strength for at least three aspects including “motivation, strictness, adaptability.” The use of computer, thanks to its flexibility, allows the customization of specific training processes, playing a key role on learning styles and abilities of each individual. The educational and training potential of using technologies as information transmission systems are a vast field of research and widely debated. For this reason, it was considered necessary to revise the theoretical foundations that have addressed the issue of cognitive development related to the use of technology, especially com-puter. Through the analysis of learning theories (behaviorism, cognitivism, and constructivism) and their respective models, which are transmission model, learner-centered model and the participatory model, specific hardware and software technologies (see LOGO-MicroWorlds, V2: E-learning platform for primary schools, Vle Platform, Tabula Fabula) have been individuated.

Briefly, the computer systems CAI (Computer Assisted Instruction) and CBT (Computer Based Training) refer to the transmission model, while the ICAI (Intelligent Computer Assisted Instruction), ITS (Intelligent Tutoring System), MCL (Multimedia Computer Assisted Learning) and CACT (Computer Assisted Cognitive Training), defined as “Intelligent Software” exploiting the capacity of systems to formulate hypotheses and propose routes, to the learner-centered models. To the third model belong CSCL (Computer Supported Collaborative Learning) environments and the so-called web 2.0 tools including e-learning and mobile-learning.

It is precisely to the latter systems, based on the participatory models, which are attributed the ability to generate inclusive condition through the collaborative learning (Activy Theory, Situated action models, Distributed knowledge).

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The latter has the potential to provide added value compared to the process of learning developed individually, especially for people with disabilities who are often disadvantaged and excluded in the individual learning practices [2]. In fact, with respect to specific disabilities, within educational contexts are traditionally used compensatory and dispensatory technologies that result in part ineffective, since they generate conditions of inequality.

The learning and development of each individual originates in everyday social practices, where the mediation of cultural artifacts plays a decisive role. On the other hand, it was demonstrated that the learning process stimulates the zone of proximal development (ZPD),3 by activating a variety of evolutionary pathways which can only operate when the subject interacts and cooperates with his peers and with others present in the environment [16].

Systems that are based on the participatory model, typically turn their attention to learning processes involving scaffolding and tutoring. The learner is motivated through participatory practices to produce something on his own, sharing the project and making practice in problem solving [17, 18]. In this model, the com-puter is seen both as mean and learning environment where the learner may develop knowledge in an open and cooperative way. In doing so, the knowledge results well distributed and shared with other peers, thus stimulating different ways of thinking and supporting different learning modes. Within this framework, hypertext and multimedia play a very important role, as they allow to rethink and reorganize knowledge and the learner, throughout them, is able to produce new meanings [19].

3.3 UD and Access to Knowledge

Considering the participatory model and web 2.0 tools as able to generate and foster inclusive learning processes, the work was focused at this stage to assess what can be the contribution of Universal Design (UD) in education.

As known, the Universal Design philosophy is based on the idea of a design oriented to satisfy the widest possible range of end user requirements (abilities, disabilities, and other characteristics-such as age, reading ability, learning style, language, culture, and others) during the entire development cycle of a product or service. The UD approach has been adopted in different sectors with the common goal of making fair the access and the fruition towards products, environments and services [20]. In the field of instructional design and related areas (educational sciences, neuroscience, cognitive psychology), UD was applied using the same approach. In particular, within the teaching-learning contexts, where UD is used for the development of teaching practices mediated by technology, it is properly called

3ZPD has been defined as: “the distance between the actual developmental level as determined by independent problem solving and the level of potential development as determined through problem solving under adult guidance, or in collaboration with more capable peers” [17].

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Universal Design for Learning (UDL). This educational framework was born in the United States around the years two thousand thanks to the Center for Applied Special Technology (CAST), a research and development center which since 1984 operates in the field of assistive technologies for learning. The researchers’ work of CAST has focused from the beginning on the accessibility of the text and reading books holders, realizing in advance that the instruments made available by IT companies (i.e. GUI text-to-speech systems, management media), would be useful to make transversal the use of teaching materials. Since that time, it was demon-strated that the technology could meet the needs of all, and that the difficulties of each individual should be read as access barriers to learning. Accordingly, AT are not replaced, but exploited as a means to reduce the barriers to learning. To express the coexistence between UDL and AT a pyramid-based sketch is shown in Fig. 1. Starting from the base are respectively shown UDL interventions involving a larger number of subjects, UDL intervention supported by AT when needed, and in the top level, interventions with the exclusive use of AT [21].

The UDL by unifying the principles of inclusive design derived from UD along with research in neuroscience about learning sector outlines the following principles:

• To support learning recognition, provide multiple, flexible methods of presentation;

• To support strategic learning, provide multiple, flexible methods of expression and apprenticeship;

• To support affective learning, provide multiple, flexible options for engagement. Specifically, flexible curriculum, shows how the inclusive universal design provides accessibility and flexibility of the learning paths. To enable effective use of the content, in line with the learning styles of each learner, means using tools (Multiple Means of Presentation) that support different languages and communi-cation methods (Simple and Intuitive Instruction). Main objective of these princi-ples is to break down the barriers of access to learning through the use of diversified and flexible teaching strategies. This is not to offer special educational solutions,

Fig. 1 Pyramid-based approach of universal design for learning

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but teaching practices employing diversified ways and media to represent the contents, in order to make them accessible and usable to all students. The main features that technologies have (thanks to binary encoding), and which are best suited to the application of UDL principles are4: variability, transcoding, conver-gence, multimedia and hypertext. These are shown below:

• Variability: the information on digital media are treated to never stand as definitive, they are changeable over time. At educational level, they allow customization of modes of presentation and use of materials;

• Transcoding: ability to convert one format to another (e.g. to translate the analog to digital etc.), to have the ability to manage and transmit information through diversified codes;

• Convergence: the digital allows you to transfer on a single support, information from different media. For us, to make convergent more media, it means having in hand different languages, integrated so as to involve the largest number of recipients;

• Multimedia: using different channels and media can enhance learning and diversify ways of content delivery;

• Hypertext. in addition to offering non-sequential reading experiences, it allows to organize the content to levels of depth and, therefore, of difficulty.

In conclusion, significant examples of web platforms (platforms UDL Editions, Learning Landscape and UDIO: The Universal Literacy Network) adopting the UDL principles for defining the design and procedural requirements useful for the development of inclusive solutions were evaluated. The main features are displayed in the Fig.2.

Within this initiative, prototypes of online environments for making easy reading and the information more accessible to a wider number of users as possible were developed. The platform is structured as a series of functions to guide learning (Fig. 3) through a support function to build reading strategies and help readers understand the content of a “Texthelp” toolbar to promote accessibility and the search for language functions in the text, multimedia glossaries and enrichment activities of the specific context and multimedia resources.

Numerous scientific studies have shown that this model can also be transferred to higher levels of education and applied to any information environment (on-line newspapers, Wiki, etc.). An example, it is represented by the research presented in 2010 at the 71ST IDA Annual Conference.5 Later, it was developed a digital version of the article “2020s Learning Landscape: A Retrospective on Dyslexia”, where they were incorporated inside the supports of the UDL for learning devel-oped by CAST.

4To make more solid the UDL approach, CAST developed, according to the three above described principles, further indications articulated in guidelines and operating checkpoints UDL Guidelines (http://www.udlcenter.org/aboutudl/udlguidelines).

5It refers to the following publication: Rose, David, Ge Vue, “2020s Learning landscape: a retrospective on dyslexia,” (http://www.cast.org/w/page/2020learning/l3).

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It should be noted in conclusion that the UDL guidelines do not enter into the merits of the design of online activities, nor are intended as standards for the design of systems. They have to be understood rather as guidelines to make inclusive learning practices in specific contexts, through the diversified use of multimedia languages thanks to the digital medium. Ultimately, they provide an interesting perspective and a solid foundation allowing to state that it is possible to pass from the concept of “special adaptation” focused on disability to universal design (for all), by valorizing individual differences and taking advantage of the potential of inclusive technologies.

Fig. 2 Synthesis of requirements for the definition of an UDL platform

Fig. 3 Schematic representation of an UDL web platform

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Identified in the UDL a viable base of operations to define strategies for planning and structuring learning in accessible way, the similarities and potential synergies between UD, UDL, WCAG 2.0 and the quality attributes of Usability (ISO 9241-11) are listed herein in Table 1.

Although in Table 1are evidenced similarities between the different approaches and standards of accessibility, their integration looks like as an interesting future perspective but not easy to apply. It is noteworthy that WCAG and UDL have in common the attention to customize how to display the information, the availability of alternatives to the audio and visual content through the use of different media (even in support of understanding), the readability and comprehensibility of texts and compatibility with assistive technologies.

4 Conclusion

In this work, an overview on the inclusive potential of current ICT and related standards of web accessibility, platforms and content format is reported. Within the frame-work of ICT for learning, the UDL approach, if supported by human-centered design philosophy and the use of accessible ICTs, provides an interesting perspective and a solid basis, either theoretical and practical, to valorize individual differences.

In addition, the parameters and standards for accessibility provide valuable indications, but it is necessary to adopt a broader perspective and consider the standards as a starting point and not an end one. Finally, it is noteworthy that the

Table 1 Comparative assessment between accessibility standards and UD-UDL guidelines Quality attributes of

usabilitya UD principles

b UDL principlesc WCAG 2.0d

Effective Principle 3: simple and

intuitive use Multiple means ofpresentation Perceivable Principle 4: perceptible

information Multiple means ofpresentation Efficiency Principle 2: flexibility in

use Flexible curriculum Understandable

Satisfaction Principle 1: equitable use Equitable curriculum Robust Principle 6: low physical

effort Appropriate level ofstudent effort Learnability Principle 3: simple and

intuitive use Simple and intuitiveinstruction Memorability Principle 3: simple and

intuitive use Simple and intuitiveinstruction Errors Principle 5: tolerance for

error Success orientedcurriculum Operable aRef. [22],bRef. [23],cRef. [24],dRef. [14]

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research conducted in recent years related to the Educational Technology sector can significantly contribute to implement the existing standards, in terms of accessibility and usability, thus enhancing design practices.

References

1. Mishra, M.P., Sharma, V.K., Tripathi, R.C.: ICT as a tool for teaching and learning in respect of learner with disability (2015)

2. Seale, J., Cooper, M.: E-learning and accessibility: An exploration of the potential role of generic pedagogical tools. Comput. Educ. 54, 1107–1116 (2010)

3. Kozma, R.B.: National policies that connect ICT-based education reform to economic and social development. Hum. Technol. 1, 117–156 (2005)

4. European Commission. (2011). Europe 2020—Europe’s growth strategy,http://ec.europa.eu/ erope2020/index_en.htm

5. Jarke, J.: “Networking” a European Community: the case of a European Commission Egovernment initiative, pp. 1–15. In: Proceedings of the 23rd European Conference on Information Systems (ECIS 2015) (2015)

6. Drigas, A.S., Ioannidou, R.E.: Special education and ICTs. Int. J. Emerg. Technol. Learn. 8, 41–47 (2013)

7. Lazzari, M.: La Convenzione delle Nazioni Unite sui diritti delle persone con disabilità e le tecnologie telematiche. O. Osio, P. Braibanti (A cura di), Dirit. ai diritti, Milano Fr. pp. 75–82 (2012)

8. EACEA—Eurydice portal, Modernisation of Higher Education in Europe: Access, Retention and Employability,http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/education/Eurydice/documents/thematic_reports/ 165EN.pdf

9. Page, H.: Connectivism : a learning theory for the digital age 2, 1–9 (2012)

10. Morini, A., Scotti, F.: Assistive Ttechnology. Tecnologie di supporto per una vita indipendente. Maggioli Ed. pp. 209–229 (2005)

11. Kelly, B., Sloan, D., Brown, S., Seale, J., Petrie, H., Lauke, P., Ball, S.: Accessibility 2.0: people, policies and processes, pp. 138–147. In: Proceedings of the 2007 International Cross-Disciplinary Conference on Web accessibility (W4A), ACM (2007)

12. Roe, P.R.W.: Towards an inclusive future: impact and wider potential of information and communication technologies. Presented at the (2007)

13. Web Accessibility Initiative,http://www.w3.org/WAI

14. W3C provides ‘Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0’,http://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG 15. WAI-User Agent Accessibility Guidelines –UAAG, www. w3.org/TR/UAAG10

16. Boscolo, P.: Psicologia dell’apprendimento scolastico: Aspetti cognitivi e motivazionali. (2006)

17. Bruner, J.S.: Vygotskij: Una prospettiva storica e culturale. Stud. di Psicol. dell’Educazione. 5, 81–94 (1986)

18. Benigno, V., Tavella, M.: Inclusive learning plans using ict: the Aessedi project. TD Tecnol. Didatt. 19, 12–18 (2011)

19. Vygotskij, L.S.: Storia dello sviluppo delle funzioni psichiche superiori. Giunti Editore (2010) 20. Preiser, W.: Toward universal design evaluation. In: Preiser W.F.E., Ostroff, E. (eds.)

Universal Design Handbook (2001)

21. Basham, J.D., Israel, M., Graden, J., Poth, R., Winston, M.: A comprehensive approach to RTI: Embedding universal design for learning and technology. Learn. Disabil. Q. 33, 243–255 (2010)

22. ISO 9241-11: Ergonomic requirements for office work with visual display terminals (VDTs)— part 11 Guidance on usability

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23. North Carolina State University.: 7 principles and 29 guidelines of universal design. Centre for Universal Design, USA, https://www.ncsu.edu/ncsu/design/cud/about_ud/udprinciplestext. htm(1997)

24. CAST—UDL Guidelines,http://www.udlcenter.org/aboutudl/udlguidelines

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