The Miami Herald reports on a program called "Project Salute" in which students and faculty from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law provide free legal information and assistance on federal benefits issues to low-income veterans.
The Herald says, "the free service -- traveling non-government counsel to help veterans understand what they are entitled to through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs -- is one of a kind."
The law students say many veterans disabled by war may not know their rights to benefits.
''The most compelling thing I see are Marines from the Vietnam era toughing out mental illnesses,'' said Andrew Calcutt, 26, a second-year law student. "For Marines and for men of that era, they just have a tendency to tough it out. You have to pull it out of them and tell them, `Hey what you saw and did may have caused this.' ''
Friday, April 4, 2008
Blind runner attempts seven-continent marathons in seven days
Dave Heeley with his guide dog.
British runner, Dave Heeley, known as "Blind Dave," is gearing up to run in marathons on seven continents over seven days. Starting with Antarctica, he will begin his run there April 6 and complete his last marathon back in England by 3 p.m. April 13, after completing marathons in the USA, Australia, Dubai, Tunisian Republic and India.
According to The Express and Star, "if all goes to plan, he will be running his way into the record books when he crosses the line at 3 p.m. – as the first blind person to run seven marathons, on seven continents, in seven days."
Thanks to Ecuador, United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities will be ratified May 3
Reuters reported April 4 that the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities has been ratified by the necessary 20 countries and will go into effect May 3. Ecuador was the 20th country to ratify the convention, which gives equal rights to the world's 650 million disabled people in area such as work, education and social life.
A statement from U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called "the development -- 18 months after its adoption by the General Assembly, a short time by U.N. standards -- a 'historic moment,'" Reuters reported.
Ban said the ratification shows that the world wants to combat "the egregious neglect and dehumanizing practices that violate the human rights of persons with disabilities."
He calls the pact "a powerful tool to eradicate the obstacles faced by persons with disabilities: discrimination, segregation from society, economic marginalization, and lack of opportunities for participation in social, political and economic decision-making processes."
"The 32-page convention outlaws all forms of discrimination at work on the basis of disability, including in hiring, promotion and working conditions," Reuters says. "It requires equal pay for work of equal value. The pact stipulates that the disabled may not be excluded from mainstream education systems. It demands that states provide them with physical access to buildings, transportation, schools, housing, medical facilities and workplaces."
A statement from U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called "the development -- 18 months after its adoption by the General Assembly, a short time by U.N. standards -- a 'historic moment,'" Reuters reported.
Ban said the ratification shows that the world wants to combat "the egregious neglect and dehumanizing practices that violate the human rights of persons with disabilities."
He calls the pact "a powerful tool to eradicate the obstacles faced by persons with disabilities: discrimination, segregation from society, economic marginalization, and lack of opportunities for participation in social, political and economic decision-making processes."
"The 32-page convention outlaws all forms of discrimination at work on the basis of disability, including in hiring, promotion and working conditions," Reuters says. "It requires equal pay for work of equal value. The pact stipulates that the disabled may not be excluded from mainstream education systems. It demands that states provide them with physical access to buildings, transportation, schools, housing, medical facilities and workplaces."
British firm accused of swindling money meant for disability access
The Guardian in the UK reported April 3 that £37,000 in government money intended to assist deaf and disabled people to access to the workplace appear to be missing and are feared to have been stolen by an employer, an investigation alleges.
"Deaf and disabled employees of Corner (UK) Ltd told 'See Hear,' a BBC programme for deaf people, that they were pressured into signing Access to Work forms enabling their employer to claim allowances for sign language interpreters they did not receive," according to The Guardian.
One worker was registered with Access to Work as receiving 991 hours of support over 18 months but said he only had 18 hours of support. The investigation alleged that Corner claimed as much as £37,000 for interpreters never provided.
The Guardian reports that Access to Work receives £66.8 million annually from the Department for Work and Pensions "to remove barriers faced by deaf and disabled people in the workplace so employers don't have to cover support costs. Employers are responsible for filling in forms detailing the support their employees use, but they have to be signed by employees to verify they have been receiving the services."
As "See Hear" broke the story, you can watch its original report online. It's great to see disability media undertaking these kind of important investigations.
"Deaf and disabled employees of Corner (UK) Ltd told 'See Hear,' a BBC programme for deaf people, that they were pressured into signing Access to Work forms enabling their employer to claim allowances for sign language interpreters they did not receive," according to The Guardian.
One worker was registered with Access to Work as receiving 991 hours of support over 18 months but said he only had 18 hours of support. The investigation alleged that Corner claimed as much as £37,000 for interpreters never provided.
The Guardian reports that Access to Work receives £66.8 million annually from the Department for Work and Pensions "to remove barriers faced by deaf and disabled people in the workplace so employers don't have to cover support costs. Employers are responsible for filling in forms detailing the support their employees use, but they have to be signed by employees to verify they have been receiving the services."
As "See Hear" broke the story, you can watch its original report online. It's great to see disability media undertaking these kind of important investigations.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Reports about disabled Iraq vets, depression win Peabody awards
Three disability-related reports won prestigious Peabody awards April 2. The 67th year of the awards, they are given by the University of Georgia`s Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication to honor excellence in electronic media. The awards have no categories or set number; 35 total awards were given this year to distinguished achievement and meritorious public service by stations, networks, producing organizations and individuals.
Those honored who reported on disability topics were:
Those honored who reported on disability topics were:
- "Bob Woodruff Reporting: Wounds of War – The Long Road Home of Our Nation`s Veterans," ABC News -- Severely injured by a roadside bomb in Iraq, Woodruff made wounded veterans and their struggle with recovery and red tape his special focus and served them well with his sensitive, dogged reporting.
- "CBS News Sunday Morning: The Way Home," CBS News" -- Two unflinchingly candid women who lost limbs while serving in the military in Iraq were the centerpiece of this powerful, thought-provoking report by correspondent Kimberly Dozier, a recovering war casualty herself.
- "mtvU: Half of Us," mtvU -- Responding to studies that have shown that nearly half of all college students have experienced bouts of disabling depression, mtvU created an impressive, multi-platform campaign that includes public-service spots and a comprehensive web site where students can get information, advice, even upbeat music.
Dr. Dan Gottlieb to premiere new PBS TV show
Dr. Dan Gottlieb, longtime host of Philadelphia's WHYY-FM's "Voices in the Family" radio show, has developed a PBS TV show, “Learning from the Heart: Lessons on Living, Loving and Listening.” The show is scheduled to premiere nationally in June, according to New Mobility magazine.
Gottlieb, a family therapist who is a quadriplegic, is the author of the bestselling book Letters for Sam: A Grandfather's Lessons on Love, Loss, and the Gifts of Life, in which he wrote letters for his grandson, who has a form of autism. (Both are pictured above.)
Gottlieb, a family therapist who is a quadriplegic, is the author of the bestselling book Letters for Sam: A Grandfather's Lessons on Love, Loss, and the Gifts of Life, in which he wrote letters for his grandson, who has a form of autism. (Both are pictured above.)
According to The Times-Tribune in Scranton, Penn., the new TV show focuses on "modern dilemmas plaguing adults and children in a society obsessed with achievement at the expense of happiness. Pretaped segments feature guests including author, historian and speaker Gerda Weissman Klein, who is a Holocaust survivor; Andrea Collins Smith, who leads a full life while living with stage four breast cancer; and a group of teenagers who share the stresses and pressures they feel in their lives."
Gottlieb's companion book from the PBS show was released March 1 by Sterling Publishers. Publishers Weekly gave the book, which has the same name as the show, a starred review, saying: "You have to love a self-help book that extols doing nothing: The truth is, says Gottlieb, if we become comfortable with who we are rather than who we think we should be, then we will be less insecure."
Thanks to New Mobility for tipping me to the new show. The magazine profiled Gottlieb in 2003.
Art viewed from the deaf perspective
The Beaumont (Texas) Enterprise reports on an innovative art exhibit at Lamar University, "Deaf Artists in the Community & Schools," which showcases 40 pieces of artwork ranging from realistic to abstract. And the Deaf Education department at Lamar also hosted a bi-cultural analysis of the art, from the perspectives of both hearing and deaf students attending the exhibit.
"The art expresses values of deaf culture, including 'the beauty of sign language and its oppression, the joys of deaf bonding, communication breakdowns, the discovery of language, community, and the history of deaf people,'" Brenda Schertz, a deaf studies professor at the University of Southern Maine and a deaf art curator, said in The Enterprise story.
Lamar Deaf Education professor Jean Andrews and Lamar University Dishman Art Museum Director Lynne Lokensgard they are trying "to expand the reach of the deaf culture experience, but also encourage a greater focus on deaf art in deaf education."
"The deaf visual arts are a part of deaf culture," Andrews said. "Culture includes its history, literature, performing arts, dramatic arts. We want to teach our teachers how to incorporate deaf culture into the curriculum and what better way to do it than through deaf art?"
"The Art and Deaf Education departments will create an educational DVD about the artwork and artists for distribution to about 50 deaf schools nationwide, Andrews said. Students from both departments will interview the artists about their work."
You can see some of the artwork in a video on The Enterprise Web site.
"The art expresses values of deaf culture, including 'the beauty of sign language and its oppression, the joys of deaf bonding, communication breakdowns, the discovery of language, community, and the history of deaf people,'" Brenda Schertz, a deaf studies professor at the University of Southern Maine and a deaf art curator, said in The Enterprise story.
Lamar Deaf Education professor Jean Andrews and Lamar University Dishman Art Museum Director Lynne Lokensgard they are trying "to expand the reach of the deaf culture experience, but also encourage a greater focus on deaf art in deaf education."
"The deaf visual arts are a part of deaf culture," Andrews said. "Culture includes its history, literature, performing arts, dramatic arts. We want to teach our teachers how to incorporate deaf culture into the curriculum and what better way to do it than through deaf art?"
"The Art and Deaf Education departments will create an educational DVD about the artwork and artists for distribution to about 50 deaf schools nationwide, Andrews said. Students from both departments will interview the artists about their work."
You can see some of the artwork in a video on The Enterprise Web site.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
"Beautiful Son" documents alternative autism treatments
With World Autism Day April 2, some PBS stations around the USA are playing the 2007 documentary, "Beautiful Son," this week, about the journey of Hawaiian filmmakers Don and Julianne King after they learned their 3-year-old son, Beau, had an Autism Spectrum Disorder.
The film synopsis says: "In BEAUTIFUL SON, Don and Julianne take us on their journey through the landscape of this debilitating neurological disorder as they attempt to recover Beau from autism. Along the way, through their research and personal interaction with various medical professionals, Don and Julianne come to believe the establishment has little to offer apart from advice of 'good parenting' and behavioral therapy. Desperate to find help, they stumble upon a community of doctors and parents who are experimenting with alternative treatments and who are, they believe, successfully recovering some kids from autism.
BEAUTIFUL SON is the story of an illness reaching epidemic proportion, now affecting one in 150 children. And, it’s the story of a grass roots movement of parents and doctors who believe that vaccines, mercury and other toxins may be triggering some forms of autism and demanding research be done to help their children."
BEAUTIFUL SON is the story of an illness reaching epidemic proportion, now affecting one in 150 children. And, it’s the story of a grass roots movement of parents and doctors who believe that vaccines, mercury and other toxins may be triggering some forms of autism and demanding research be done to help their children."
Check here to see when Beautiful Son is being broadcast on your local PBS station.
Disabled Iraq vet appears in CSI:NY April 2
Iraq War veteran Bryan Anderson, a native of Rolling Meadows, Ill., will play an ex-Navy Seal, who may be a murder suspect as well, according to The Chicago Daily Herald. The CSI:NY episode, "DOA for a Day," will appear April 2.
Anderson, who is a triple amputee from his war injuries, had a cameo in HBO's recent fifth season of "The Wire," for a scene at Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington, D.C. The HBO documentary, "Alive Day Memories: Home From Iraq," also featured his story.
Anderson told The Daily Herald that his move into TV roles came from being on the January 2007 cover of Esquire magazine (pictured above). He also had a first person story in the June 2007 issue of the magazine. Esquire revisited Anderson in its February 2008 issue to see how he had rebuilt his life.
CNN covers autism stories all day
Lola Vartanian's autism was diagnosed two months
ago but her mother says she is doing well with therapy.
In honor of the United Nations-designated World Autism day, CNN has devoted much of its April 2 coverage to a package of stories called "Autism: Unraveling the mystery." Its Web site lists about 20 stories and videos, as well as links to blog, resources, and an audio slideshow, "Faces of autism."
It's wonderful to see CNN treat this topic with such depth and seriousness. I haven't critiqued the coverage because I haven't had time to watch it, but I admire CNN's effort to be comprehensive.
Here's the CNN Web site story list:
- Study: Extreme preemies face autism risk
- Life as an adult with autism
- Dr. Gupta: Autism and the next president
- CNNMoney: Tracing autism's roots
- Dr. Gupta: Living independently with autism
- Autism in China: A mother's journey
- Autism's mysteries remain as numbers grow
- iReport: Living with autism-- your stories
- Poet gives rare glimpse into mystery illness
- Getting help for a child with autism
- iReport: Fighting for autism awareness in Africa
- Asperger's: My life as an Earthbound alien
- iReport: 'Naughty Auties' use virtual interaction
- Autism assistance dog opens girl's world
- Vaccine case draws new attention to autism debate
- Pediatricians urge early autism screening
- Jenny McCarthy: The day I heard my son had autism
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
New poetry chapbook explores Helen Keller's life
A new poetry chapbook, Helen Takes The Stage: The Helen Keller Poems, by writer and poet Kathi Wolfe has just been published by Pudding House Press. Wolfe was a finalist in the 2007 Pudding House Press Chapbook competition.
I don't pretend to know much about poetry, but I do know Kathi Wolfe, who is visually impaired, and she has done excellent writing about Helen Keller and disability topics for years. Her work has appeared in Gargoyle, Potomac Review, Innisfree Poetry Journal, Beltway Poetry Quarterly, Not Just Air, Wordgathering, Breath & Shadow and other publications. She has received a Puffin Foundation Grant and awarded poetry residencies by Vermont Studio Center.
Wolfe has read at the Library of Congress Poetry at Noon series and appeared on "The Poet and the Poem," a public radio show distributed by NPR satellite. A freelance writer and columnist for a number of newspapers and magazines, she also writes a column on books for Scene4, a monthly international arts and media magazine.
Negative comments from the deaf community about "Cold Case" episode
Titled "Audism runs amok in Hollywood," the blogger for The Deaf Edge discusses some of the problems with the representation of cochlear implants in the show, and a good number of comments to the post also critique what they felt were the show's negative images of the deaf community.
And Mishka Zena's blog gave the "Cold Case" episode a "thumb down" and had 66 responses to the review that felt the show was disappointing and worthy of complaining to CBS about. To complain, you can post a message here.
I will definitely defer to the deaf community about the problems with the show. According to some of the comments on Mishka Zena's blog, CBS did not have a consultant for the show about deaf issues or the cochlear implant. If that's true, it was a huge oversight by CBS to think it could delve into complex issues without guidance from the deaf community.
And the cochlear implant storyline was definitely sensationalized. One thing CBS didn't realize is that cochlear implants are much less controversial, even in the deaf community, than they used to be. The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) wrote a detailed position paper on cochlear implants in 2000, which did not reject the technology but supported it because NAD says it "recognizes all technological advancements with the potential to foster, enhance, and improve the quality of life of all deaf and hard of hearing persons."
And Mishka Zena's blog gave the "Cold Case" episode a "thumb down" and had 66 responses to the review that felt the show was disappointing and worthy of complaining to CBS about. To complain, you can post a message here.
I will definitely defer to the deaf community about the problems with the show. According to some of the comments on Mishka Zena's blog, CBS did not have a consultant for the show about deaf issues or the cochlear implant. If that's true, it was a huge oversight by CBS to think it could delve into complex issues without guidance from the deaf community.
And the cochlear implant storyline was definitely sensationalized. One thing CBS didn't realize is that cochlear implants are much less controversial, even in the deaf community, than they used to be. The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) wrote a detailed position paper on cochlear implants in 2000, which did not reject the technology but supported it because NAD says it "recognizes all technological advancements with the potential to foster, enhance, and improve the quality of life of all deaf and hard of hearing persons."
New blog post from Marlee Matlin about DWTS, her work in Mexico
This came from Marlee Matlin's MySpace page March 30, but I was tipped to it by an L Word blog (Just to give credit where credit is due. :-)
"My apologies for not blogging for a while. This little show called 'Dancing With the Stars' has me bit occupied. :o)
Wow, I can’t believe all the letters and notes I’ve received here on MySpace from all of you. I’m very humbled and honored that you’ve been watching and voting. I’m also pleased to know that some of you have taken up sign language because you might have seen one of my movies or TV shows. All I can say is 'you go!' I’m so proud of all of you and hope that I can stay around long enough on the show to make you proud.
This week has been very tough, rehearsal-wise. On Tuesday night we got our music and our dance. It’s the Jive but it’s all I can say for now. (I’ll have Jack post the song we’re dancing to after tomorrow nights performance!). Instead of 3 weeks to learn 2 dances like I did with the Cha Cha and the Quick Step, I had only 4 days to learn the Jive! GAAA! It was rehearse, rehearse, rehearse for 3 days non stop it seemed until I learned the steps and then we started practicing to the music.
But all that rehearsal didn’t mean that my life stopped. On Friday, I joined up with one of my favorite people, Bill Austin, from the Starkey Foundation, and we flew LA to Guadalajara, Mexico to fit hundreds of children with their first hearing aids. Every year, Starkey sponsors hundreds of missions all over the world, giving out hearing aids to children and adults who might never had the opportunity to get hearing aids or who could never afford them. Their effort is called 'So The World May Hear,' and I was proud to have finally found the opportunity to join Bill on one of his missions.
And this time I took Fabian with me! Fabian was perfect because he’s fluent in Spanish and he was my interpreter with children and adults who didn’t speak English. We were both blown away from the smiles on the faces of the children and adults as they heard sounds for the first time. A lot of times, both of us were crying tears of joy along with some of the kids’ parents. It was an experience both of us will never forget and we vowed to each other that we would return soon.
Remember I said we had only four days to rehearse? As soon as we were done with the mission, Fabian and I snuck away to rehearse this week’s routine. It was awesome being able to find a stage and space in Guadalajara where we could dance and though we were a thousand miles away from home in a foreign country, the dancing made me feel as if I was home. That’s how much dancing has become a part of my life! Soon it was time to go home and we flew in just as Saturday turned to Sunday. We were tired but so happy to have been part of a very important day for hundreds of Mexican children and adults and both of us felt truly blessed we were able to lend a hand in some small way.
I can’t explain how excited (and anxious) I am for all of you to see our Jive tomorrow night. I hope we are deserving of your votes. Don’t forget the number is still the same. It’s 800 868 3412.
Ok, it’s back to rehearsal now!
Peace,
M"
"My apologies for not blogging for a while. This little show called 'Dancing With the Stars' has me bit occupied. :o)
Wow, I can’t believe all the letters and notes I’ve received here on MySpace from all of you. I’m very humbled and honored that you’ve been watching and voting. I’m also pleased to know that some of you have taken up sign language because you might have seen one of my movies or TV shows. All I can say is 'you go!' I’m so proud of all of you and hope that I can stay around long enough on the show to make you proud.
This week has been very tough, rehearsal-wise. On Tuesday night we got our music and our dance. It’s the Jive but it’s all I can say for now. (I’ll have Jack post the song we’re dancing to after tomorrow nights performance!). Instead of 3 weeks to learn 2 dances like I did with the Cha Cha and the Quick Step, I had only 4 days to learn the Jive! GAAA! It was rehearse, rehearse, rehearse for 3 days non stop it seemed until I learned the steps and then we started practicing to the music.
But all that rehearsal didn’t mean that my life stopped. On Friday, I joined up with one of my favorite people, Bill Austin, from the Starkey Foundation, and we flew LA to Guadalajara, Mexico to fit hundreds of children with their first hearing aids. Every year, Starkey sponsors hundreds of missions all over the world, giving out hearing aids to children and adults who might never had the opportunity to get hearing aids or who could never afford them. Their effort is called 'So The World May Hear,' and I was proud to have finally found the opportunity to join Bill on one of his missions.
And this time I took Fabian with me! Fabian was perfect because he’s fluent in Spanish and he was my interpreter with children and adults who didn’t speak English. We were both blown away from the smiles on the faces of the children and adults as they heard sounds for the first time. A lot of times, both of us were crying tears of joy along with some of the kids’ parents. It was an experience both of us will never forget and we vowed to each other that we would return soon.
Remember I said we had only four days to rehearse? As soon as we were done with the mission, Fabian and I snuck away to rehearse this week’s routine. It was awesome being able to find a stage and space in Guadalajara where we could dance and though we were a thousand miles away from home in a foreign country, the dancing made me feel as if I was home. That’s how much dancing has become a part of my life! Soon it was time to go home and we flew in just as Saturday turned to Sunday. We were tired but so happy to have been part of a very important day for hundreds of Mexican children and adults and both of us felt truly blessed we were able to lend a hand in some small way.
I can’t explain how excited (and anxious) I am for all of you to see our Jive tomorrow night. I hope we are deserving of your votes. Don’t forget the number is still the same. It’s 800 868 3412.
Ok, it’s back to rehearsal now!
Peace,
M"
Harvard student stages disabled woman's Faustian bargain with technology
The Denver Post profiled Colorado native Charlie Miller, 22, who is now a senior at Harvard University, and just completed an innovative senior thesis that combines his interest in disability and technology.
Titled "username: Faust," it explores a Faustian bargain with the devil from a disabled woman who want to be a YouTube celebrity. On The Post's story about Miller, his YouTube explanation of the performance is included.
Here's Miller's web site description: "username: FAUST tells the story of an isolated woman's attempt to gain popularity by remaking herself as an Internet celebrity. When a demonic tech support team jeopardizes her password-protected existence, she must overcome digital distortions to regain control of her life. This adaptation of the Faust legend will thrill everyone from opera fans to YouTube junkies. The production integrates live theatre and music with video, and features a talented ensemble of performers with a variety of disabilities. The 'usernameFAUST' YouTube channel complements the live performance."
"I'm interested in how technology and disabilities intersect," Miller says in The Denver Post article. "While all of our lives are affected by technology, a person in an electric wheelchair is far more dependent on it. Faust, in effect, sold his soul to technology. Now he's caught between two worlds — spirituality and hell."
In Miller's version, a disabled woman is stuck between worlds. Her bargain with the devil allows her to live inside a YouTube video, where she no longer has a disability. She uses a wheelchair in the physical world, but not in the virtual world. "So she's caught between the disabled and able-bodied worlds," Miller says.
Miller became interested in disability theater through his work with Denver's theater troupe that features actors with a variety of disabilities, PHAMALy. He used his experiences with PHAMALy to inform his project, and he hopes to change American theater for the better in the future with projects like "username: Faust," which includes people with disabilities ranging from blindness to bipolar disorder.
It sounds amazing, and if you are in the Cambridge, Mass., area, it will be playing there at Harvard's New College Theatre Studio April 9-13. For more information about Charlie Miller and his projects, visit his web site, http://www.charlieimiller.com/.
Towson U professor, students trying to make the Web more accessible for blind people
The Towson University student newspaper, The Towerlight, reported March 31 that computer science professor Jonathan Lazar and several of his students have been working over the past year to develop accessible CATCHAs (Completely Automated Public Turing test to Tell Computers and Humans Apart). I blogged about this accessibility issue last week.
The development came after undergrad student Jon Holman did focus groups with blind and visually impaired Internet users in spring 2007 and found out that CAPTCHAs were one of the biggest Internet accessibility problems they experienced.
Lazar says what they have developed is "an accessible CAPTCHA that is accessible to people with both visual and hearing impairment. It uses a combination of sounds and pictures, in a way that it is usable by both groups...and also is more secure than existing CAPTCHAs."
Towson University doctoral candidate Graig Sauer is also working on the accessible CAPTCHA prototype developed by Holman. The design will benefit not only blind uers, but deaf users as well.
"The program will be available for both blind and deaf users," according to The Towerlight. "Blind people use 'screen readers' to dictate what is on the screen. With an accessible CAPTCHA they will be instructed to identify a sound and type it in the space provided. Deaf users will be able to see images and identify them accordingly."
The development came after undergrad student Jon Holman did focus groups with blind and visually impaired Internet users in spring 2007 and found out that CAPTCHAs were one of the biggest Internet accessibility problems they experienced.
Lazar says what they have developed is "an accessible CAPTCHA that is accessible to people with both visual and hearing impairment. It uses a combination of sounds and pictures, in a way that it is usable by both groups...and also is more secure than existing CAPTCHAs."
Towson University doctoral candidate Graig Sauer is also working on the accessible CAPTCHA prototype developed by Holman. The design will benefit not only blind uers, but deaf users as well.
"The program will be available for both blind and deaf users," according to The Towerlight. "Blind people use 'screen readers' to dictate what is on the screen. With an accessible CAPTCHA they will be instructed to identify a sound and type it in the space provided. Deaf users will be able to see images and identify them accordingly."
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