Discussion of online distance learners with disabilities focuses on the essential components of a Web-based course, the learning advantages that arise from equal access Web formatting, and design strategies that lead to creating accessible, online materials. Highlights include legal mandates, including Americans with Disabilities Act; assistive…

Investigated how compliant physical activity facilities in western Oregon were with regard to the Americans with Disabilities Act's mandate regarding accessibility of public facilities for all people. Data from direct observations and physical measurements at 50 physical activity facilities indicated that no facility was 100-percent compliant. The…

Point and linear symbols that represent certain areas of building interiors are discussed in light of their reliability and discriminability if used on tactual maps. A set of "optimally sized" symbols were evaluated with 21 blind observers. (Author/DB)

Discusses the need for all facilities to be accessible for people with disabilities. Describes devices that have enabled them to move into the mainstream of society. Includes design briefs with objectives, challenges, evaluation, and a student quiz. (JOW)

Adult basic education providers in 9 states (n=555) identified barriers to providing accommodations for students with disabilities: inadequate number of agencies for assessment referrals, lack of training, inappropriate instructional materials, ineffective assessment tools, and limited budget/staff. The lack of screening and interventions for…

Provides an overview of universal Web design and discusses guidelines developed by the Web access initiative (WAI) that focus on the access needs of Web users with disabilities. Highlights include barriers for people with print disabilities or motor impairments; the role of libraries; and resources to assist Web designers. (LRW)

Discusses the challenges that the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) creates for designing school restrooms. The issues of mobility and circulation of users are addressed. Some of the dimension requirements required by the ADA are listed. (GR)

Describes how an innovative application of new technology, in a Graphics of Journalism course, not only accommodated a physically challenged student but empowered her to fully participate in the learning process, and allowed her discover and develop talents and skills that may lead to career opportunities not previously imagined. (SR)

Discusses the design and budgetary impact of new national guidelines requiring public school playgrounds to be accessible to all students. Areas discussed cover accessible surfacing and designs of ramps and transfer points. Concluding comments highlight planning alternatives. (GR)

Discusses the application of Universal Design, design of facilities to accommodate people with disabilities and others such as the elderly, children, and people with temporary disabilities, to higher education. Opinions of 13 faculty members about universal design provide helpful information for implementation. (SLD)

Six teenagers with visual impairments were given a guided tour of an historic site in Belgium and then questioned concerning their spatial representation of the site and remembered information. Analysis revealed that orally presented information did not compensate for visual cues. Findings led to development of a scale model of the site adapted…

In this study, a prototype web browser, called Web Trek, that utilizes multimedia to provide access for individuals with cognitive disabilities was developed and pilot-tested with 12 adults with mental retardation. The Web Trek browser provided greater independence in accessing the Internet compared to Internet Explorer. (Contains references.)…

Presents American's with Disabilities Act guidelines for building school toilet facilities that serve children with disabilities. Several dimension charts are provided showing min/max measurements. (GR)

Describes one university's efforts to make its services and facilities accessible to students with disabilities, giving considerable credit to the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Describes the law's effects on the campus as it enters into its second decade, noting attention to glaring deficiencies, highlighting problems that still exits,…

Contributes to the social theorization of physical access for people with disabilities by critically exploring how Ulrich Beck's "reflexive modernisation" thesis might be applied to the geographical understanding of disability. Demonstrates how Beck's theoretical framework can be used to enrich people's understanding of the genesis and mediation…