Research

[List] 2011 Web Accessibility Seminars, Events & Conferences in the UK

| Makayla Lewis

a11yLDN attendees in main presentation room

On 3rd February a twitter question was asked by @webconscious:

Know of any Internet related accessibility events/exhibitions in UK 2011? (see original tweet: http://twitter.com/#!/webconscious/status/33204117027426304)

This tweet was subsequently circulated to a few #a11y people including @peskypeople who in turn asked me if I knew of any other events besides a11yLDN. At the time I was about to start my BSL class I was rather distracted and I couldn’t think of any. However, I returned to the conversation the next day were it appeared to conclude that there were only one UK based accessibility event occurring this year (as illustrated by a tweet by @peskypeople http://twitter.com/#!/peskypeople/status/33579158160277504). Feeling rather concerned by this I carried out some research, and so far I’ve found the following seminars, events and conferences*:

*please contact organisers for availability and fees

As of today the list is rather small, so I plan to update this post throughout 2011 with UK accessibility seminars, events and conferences as I come across them. However if any of my readers know of any other seminars, events or conferences please leave details in the comment section below.

[Mini Blog] 2010 in Review

| Makayla Lewis

With 2011 now underway I thought I would briefly summarise 2010. It was a busy yet creative year were I predominately focused on my PhD research, this seemingly ENDLESS task will likely consume much of my time this year. I achieved a lot: completion of 2 studies: interviews and observations including research ethnic’s (and we all know how lengthy this can be), MPhil to PhD transfer examination, countless paper submissions which led to a major conference acceptance, and constant academic reading among other items. 2010 was also a year for sharing my research and reaching out to charities and disability and accessibility community via presentations and seminars, HCID CP Day, demo session and most surprisingly an unconference. These opportunities enabled me to meet and work alongside fantastic people whom had different experiences and insights of which I highly value. 2010 also presented the opportunity to regularly volunteer at user-led organizations directed at young adults with disabilities, learn British Sign Language (BSL) and par take in charity running e.g. Sports Relief 3 Mile run, Race for Life 5k and British 10K run. Furthermore, personally 2010 allowed me to expand on some of my ‘odd’ interests mainly concerning all-things Apple, Wii gaming, Star Wars, Vampires (books, films and TV shows etc.) and most importantly Guinea Pigs. I can now officially state that most, if not all, of my social media friends are aware of these ‘interests’ and are likely frustrated with my constant chatter; but having obtained a overshare badge on foursquare, this is unlikely to change – sorry :). But 2010 also presented challenges e.g. constant Crohn’s disease flare ups, a family bereavement, a distressing motorbike accident, being a carer with limited support etc., such challenges did not prevent me from pushing forward but provided strength and persistence – these acquired attributes are highly valued and will be undoubtably drawn on in the coming year. I hope that 2011 will bring exciting web accessibility research and technology,  new apple products 🙂 and most importantly happiness and success. I will end this mini blog by wishing all those who read this a prosperous 2011.

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Experiencing online social networks with #cerebralpalsy at #ASSETS10

| Makayla Lewis

After a highly enjoyable, yet lengthy, process of collecting interview data that investigated computer, internet and online communication use among adults, age 18 and above, with cerebral palsy (2009/10). I began the publication process (central to all PhDer’s) consisting of countless presentations, seminars, talks, round table discussions etc. however an “academic” conference paper was proving illusive. Until July, when I was presently surprised that my work on motor disabilities concerning accessible social media appeared to intrigue #ASSETS10 (The 12th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility). I was awarded an ACM SIGACCESS Scholarship to attend the conference and my poster paper “cerebral palsy and online social networks” was accepted. This coming Monday (25 October 2010) during poster session 1, I will be presenting a poster concerning my 2009/10 study, were I will discuss:

… the experiences and challenges faced when people with cerebral palsy use online social networks (OSNs). Fourteen interviews were carried out consisting of participants with different types of cerebral palsy. The study identified the reasons for use and non-use and also discovered key themes together with challenges that affected their experiences. For example abrupt and frequently changing online social networks were reported to slow down or prevent use… In spite of this, participants reported that OSNs were a vital way to communicate, and even though these themes and challenges are occurring, they indicated the technology would continue to play a vital role within their lives. To read more about my work please go to: http://portal.acm.org/citation.cfm?id=1878803.1878852

ASSETS10 Cerebral Palsy and Online Social Networks Poster
#ASSETS10 Cerebral Palsy and Online Social Networks Poster

As #ASSETS10 appears to promote itself as a forum concerning “computing and information technologies to help persons with disabilities and older adults” I look forward to engaging with said community through discussions, innovative demonstrations and hopefully “engaging” presentations.

A follow-up blog to follow, watch this space.

iPad, can it benefit the cerebral palsy community? (@cityuni_hcid Demo Session)

| Makayla Lewis
Centre HCID using iPad
@cityuni_hcid researchers trying out Tap Tap Radiation

With a To-Do list that increases daily,  I often demote tasks that aren’t directly related to my PhD, unfortunately this has been one of those tasks. I was asked to write a blog about a demo session I ran at @cityuni_hcid on 8th June 2010, better later than never I guess.

— On May 28th 2010 I brought my iPad to @cityuni_hcid were it sparked considerable interest, I suspect it was because at the time it was one of the very few within @CityUniLondon. For the next week I found myself answering the same questions: what do you use it for? what sort of apps are available? is it worth spending £427+?. As a result, I decided to run a small demo session inviting @cityuni_hcid researchers to try the iPad and ask questions all in one go.

To ensure the session was interesting, esp. for researchers waiting to use the device,  the following was asked: iPad, can it benefit the cerebral palsy community?. It’s purpose was to enable the researchers to identify potential apps and or areas the iPad could be used to benefit users with cerebral palsy. To stimulate discussion I carried out an impromptu study that observed 2 iPad users with cerebral palsy. Photos and video clips were recorded via my iPhone 3GS and littered throughout the @cinterationlab. Unsurprisingly, the video clips appeared to encourage discussion more so than the photo’s, so I thought I would share it with you…

(Right) Photo's of the 2 iPad users with cerebral palsy using various apps and iPad accessories. (Left) A list of some of the discussed benefits.

Some of the benefits identified included: rehabilitation e.g. PocketPond app increased dexterity over the course of the observation; eLearning e.g. iBooks app and Memory Cards app provided independent learning; independent input especially when shopping (inbuilt Safari) and communicating was discussed by both participants as key to their iPad use; arts e.g. Granimator app  provided creativity and obviously entertainment e.g. Need for Speed Shift app.

There are many other benefits discussed and considerably a lot more that I can think of now, but it would be interesting to know what you think: iPad, can it benefit the cerebral palsy community?. Please feel free to leave a comment.

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Incorporating your research when charity fundraising

| Makayla Lewis

Today I received an email from Waitrose Clerkenwell informing me that @helenasustar and I had received 30% of a £1000 pot from their Community Matters scheme for Scope Charity, raising our fundraising total to over £550. My response was simply “WOW”. Since receiving the email I have been thinking back at our fundraising journey. So, for my 1st blog I thought I would share the experience.

It started with a tweet in January from @ScopeEvents asking for Asics British 10k runners. I tweeted back “I’m up for it” without hesitation, I suppose it was because Scope is a charity that’s always pulled on the strings of my heart i.e. being a care giver to a parent with cerebral palsy. I generally believe that running for a marathon, 10k or 1k is often enjoyed as a shared experience and so challenged @helenasustar to run with me. Our only challenge other than training for the run was to raise at least £100 each. We started on the obvious routes: asking friends and family for sponsorship and setting up Virgin Money Giving webpages. However, we were struggling to reach our goal, this was primarily contributed to our busy schedules and the demanding nature of our respective PhD’s. During mid-February our worrying began to set in with questions like “what are we going to do?” “is this actually possible?”. The answer was simple: link the fundraising to my PhD and have an event that would bring together City University London students, researchers and staff within a fundraising environment to raise awareness of the requirements of people with cerebral palsy when using web technology (hmm… maybe it wasn’t so simple). To add pressure to this, I decided to link the event to my MPhil to PhD transfer examination. In reflection I was just adding fuel to the already burning fire – 1st lesson learnt: Don’t over complicate things. This was promptly removed, thanks to the Ash Cloud leaving my examiners stranded in US . The fundraising event, now known as the “HCID Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day” planning went underway and the stress gradually built up and on 23rd April was happily washed away. I personally feel the day was a hit, so much so I forgotten the stress that came to produce it, or maybe I am choosing not to remember it.

Anyway, I feel the event was rather different, we asked the ‘end-users’ to tell the story and use my research to enhance it. It began with awareness posters being displayed alongside an art exhibition by Zoe Kumaramangalam (a then unknown graphic artist with cerebral palsy who used photoshop alongside assistive devices such as pointers and screen readers, to create inspiring works of art). Her message to visitors was simply: “I have cerebral palsy and I am independent”.

Collection of Art
Centre for HCI Design has never looked so colourful
Posters providing visitors with information about the motor disability

Visitors were also given the opportunity to view posters, outlining my research findings, that littered the walls and talk to web end users (from Action Disability Kensington and Chelsea) about their technology needs and the barriers they face. The day ended with us selling more than 200 raffle tickets totally £264.80. On hearing the success of the event Waitrose contacted me and offered to further support the fundraising by including us in the Community Matters scheme, now taking our total to £569.80.

User profiles posters
Extracts from my research incl User Profiles / User Personas.

Now reflecting, I must say incorporating one’s research alongside a related charity can generate research interest and sponsorship; and so I recommend others to follow suit especially when such charities help researchers to obtain participants. It’s a nice way to say thank you.

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