Presented at 11:15am in Gov Square 14 (Lab) on Thursday, November 18, 2021.
#34076Speaker(s)
- Caroline Hart, Undergraduate Student, University at Buffalo (SUNY)
Session Details
- Length of Session: 1-hr
- Format: Lecture
- Expertise Level: Beginner
- Type of session: General Conference
Summary
Accessibility should be part of an Undergraduate's education within the field of Computer Science. Students who hold negative views about adding accessibility to the curriculum tend to hold ableist views on why accessibility is required. Students are extremely unlikely to learn these skills on their own without any formal education.
Abstract
Equitable access is a concept essential to the way people with disabilities interact with technology. Undergraduate students enrolled in the University at Buffalo's (UB) Department of Computer Science and Engineering (CSE department) were surveyed for their opinions on whether accessibility should be integrated into the department's curriculum. The study yielded positive views on accessibility, as well as concerning opinions regarding the necessity for accessibility. The research was conducted to collect information regarding student understanding of accessible design when not instructed on accessibility topics. Results show students tend to believe designing for disability is not their burden, even in cases where they are encouraged to consider inclusion. The lack of accessible mainstream technologies available to disabled users verifies this. The Undergraduate CSE department must establish instruction on accessibility topics as part of its curriculum.
Keypoints
- Promoting inclusion and diversity is not sufficient for creating accessible designs.
- Informing students of how to account for disabled & non-disabled users alike leads to more mainstream designs.
- Universities have a legal obligation to provide fully accessible materials.
Disability Areas
All Areas
Topic Areas
Accessible Course Design, Accessible Educational Materials, Teaching about Accessibility in Curriculum, Uncategorized, Web/Media/App Access
Speaker Bio(s)
Caroline Hart
Pronouns: they/them/theirs || she/her/hers
I am an undergraduate student at the University at Buffalo, currently studying Computer Engineering. I've personally observed many ableist perspectives within the field of Computer Science and Engineering, and I am passionate about teaching my undergraduate peers the importance of accessible design.