Archive for June, 2011

Contributing to #BBCOuch! Talk Show #72: Social Media [Audio]

Posted: June 29, 2011 in Accessibility, Blog, Cerebral Palsy, Disability, Online Social Networks, Research
0

Last month I contributed to a podcast by BBC Ouch! a talk show that discussed how disabled people (including my research population: cerebral palsy) use social media:

How are disabled people using social media? we’re joined by uber tweeter, Facebooker and campaigning blogger Lisa Egan; startup internet businessman Martin Sibley; and PhD student Makayla Lewis who is researching accessibility of social media for people with cerebral palsy. - http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/ouch/2011/06/ouch_talk_show_72_social_media.html

Recording at BBC Broadcasting House was an enjoyable and insightful experience, and I hope you find the podcast useful:

Note: 37.43min podcast also includes other BBC Ouch! items

Download: .mp3 at http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/radio/ouch/ouch_20110628-0915a.mp3 or .rtf transcript at  http://www.bbc.co.uk/ouch/podcast/transcripts_2011/ouch_talk_show_transcript_ep72.rtf

p.s. as you listen to/read this blog I have still not listened to it, too nervous :)  

Spotted @ #Interactivism

Posted: June 29, 2011 in Accessibility, Blog, Disability, Other Activities, Volunteering
Tags: , , ,
1
Group picture

Spotted - winner of the Gransnet prize. Photo taken by @sunfirejazz - http://flic.kr/p/9UKVyX

On 17-18 June 2011 seven people came together at a 2 day accessibility hack event to work on “Spotted” an android app directed at the older population. The team consisted of Lucy (Gransnet member), @sunfirejazz (Google Developer), @maccymacx, Joe,  @francisclarke  and the idea owners Denise from @EnabledBy and Alison from @PeskyPeople. The project was culmination of two ideas On the go and Accessify Place that were concerned with how a wide range of people experience difficulties accessing everyday goods, services & venues. The motivation for the app was centred around our aging population (2033 23% of the UK will be aged 65+ and 5% will be 85+ additionally there are currently 10 million disabled people and 5million are over 65+ and 40% of which have experienced access difficulties in the last 12 months*). Spotted provides a solution by allowing older people and people living with disabilities to share public examples of good/bad design/access of goods, services and venues through the use of photos and or text descriptions. These are then categorized as Love, Hate and Spotted and then sent to Enabled By Design (for products) and GoGenie (for services and venues). The idea also identified carers, friends and family of older people, people living with disabilities and people with an interest in inclusive design as secondary contributors.

Proof of Concept hand drawn of flipchart

Proof of concept and UI design

During the two-day hack the team produced a Proof of concept (photo above), Interactive Mockup (video above) and a working prototype (video below), all of which was tested by our GransNet member Lucy.

At the end of the hack Denise and @sunfirejazz presented Spotted to Interactivism attendees (see slides below) and as a result we WON the Interactivism Granset Prize :)

*All stats offered was gathered by Denise from @EnabledBy.