  
What is Accessibility?
'Accessibility' of computer technology has been recognised as an issue for
the disabled user, but it is more appropriate to view users as 'differently-abled',
with any individual at any time experiencing a range of limitations affecting
access.
Emerging technologies bring with them new opportunities for communication and
education - they also bring new barriers to accessibility, particularly for visually
and physically disabled users.
Opportunities include:
- increased independence of learner with less reliance on helpers
- expense and difficulty of obtaining physical access to teachers and resources
are reduced or eliminated
- communications mechanisms such as discussion forums and email promote equality
of participation
Barriers include:
- text-based based learning materials disadvantage visually impaired learners
- students with mobility problems, limited motor control or vision impairment
may not be able to use a keyboard or mouse
- use of multimedia can be a barrier to those who cannot see or hear audio,
video, animations etc.
- growing numbers of students may not be fluent in the language of instruction.
Barriers of distance, economics and culture may also represent a 'disability'
in the context of accessing online education. Many of these issues may not be
under the direct control of education developers, however it is important to be
aware of the broader issues, and to be able to advise administrators appropriately.
Digital Divide Network addresses the gap between those people and communities
who can make effective use of information technology and those who cannot: http://www.digitaldividenetwork.org/content/sections/index.cfm
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Activity:
Have a look at these issues of economic,
social, technological
and physical accessibility, and consider
the following situations:
- An unemployed young man lives in a desert-based aboriginal community where
there is very limited public access to computers and the internet.
- A newly arrived migrant with young children would like to study English at
home to improve her work opportunities.
- A senior executive is constantly travelling and needs to access work-based
training while interstate or overseas.
- A research student completing a PhD is involved in a serious car accident
and has limited use of his arms for several months.
What are the issues, and the possible solutions, for access to web-based learning
for these people?
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