Michelle F. Eble and Tracy Ann Morse, East Carolina University, “Rethinking Accessibility: Applying Disability Studies to Professional/Technical Writing”
About eighteen attendees.
Research developed out of Eble's frustration with accessibility of health information and Morse's background in universal design. Presenters indicated that literature for this intersection of TC and disability was relatively limited; the materials that do exist, they said, were important and useful.
Brief coverage of popular representations, images, and advertisements regarding obesity, weight, and gastric surgery. Eble offers overview of Eastern Carolina's history related to health care and gastric surgery. Apparently there is a specific type of surgery labeled the "Greenville Gastric Bypass."
Morse reviews some key priniciples of universal design (UD) and how they can be integrated in the creation of content instead of retrofitting texts. Morse presents key, relevant concepts and quotes related to universal design. This feels like a mini-lit review that works to connect you to the concepts and then drive
Speakers ran analysis of sites about weight loss surgery like Web MD, NIH, and May Clinic. Analysis was based on UD principles.
Findings from their research (this is an abbreviated listing of their many findings):
WebSites are soft-of accessible--no captions, no alternative texts, some sites have transcripts.
Simple and intuitive use--too many choices on one site while two other sites were easier to navigate; one site offered content in Spanish and Arabic; some ads looked like legitimate health information on one site.
Used the Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool (http://wave.webaim.org/) when they evaluated the site. Presenters encourage audience to use WAVE in their courses with students as a teaching tool.
Conclusions (only a partial listing--speakers presented more)
More attention to using more accessible language.
Audio information should be captioned or transcribed.
Default information should be the most simple and the language most accessible.
Implications (only a partial listing--speakers presented more)
UD should be used at invention and arrangement stage.
Simplicity in design.
Other Notes
Many references in the presentation to Meloncon's forthcoming book Rhetorical AccessAbility.
Speakers shared a handout of the resources and principles. Is this handout available online?
Takeaway: AccessAbility can result from blending universal design principles and technical communication principles.
Do you think the presentation should be turned into an article?
What did I miss?
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