Building Natural Cross-Disability Access into Voting Systems
By Vanderheiden, Gregg, PhD; Proceedings of the RESNA 25th International Conference, Vol. 22, No. 1, pp. 2-4Publication Date: June/July 2002
Paper describing a design approach and prototype of an accessible electronic voting system. The approach used in the design is termed "natural accessibility," which features disability access modes. The voting system is pictured and diagrammed, and features a touch/pen screen, next page/page back buttons, wheel/arrow keys to move through screen choices, a stylus, magnifier button, volume control, audio jack, help key, end button, and "check vote" button. These features can accommodate users with a variety of functional limitations. For example, three-step zoom enlargement can accommodate users with low vision, while voice output can assist users who are blind. Voters who are hard of hearing can adjust the volume of the voice output, and individuals who are deaf can use the program by reading the screen. The arrow keys are easy to use, and can accommodate users with physical disabilities. Voters with cognitive or reading disabilities can benefit from the simplicity of the voting system.
Published by: Rehabilitation Engineering & Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA) (Website:http://www.resna.org)
ISBN: 00-932101-44-5
This publication is included in the library of the National Rehabilitation Information Center (NARIC), accession number O14460
