>>
Great link: in part, it was just this question that prompted Jodi Mattes'
work on accessibility. In the late 1990s, the British Museum was designing
and installing touch screens with onscreen keyboards for accessing COMPASS
in the Reading Room. Jodi worked on accessible alternatives. I think she
may have mentioned this in her paper to the CIDOC/MDA conference at Imperial
College (in 1999/2000?). Her paper was published in 'MDA Information' in
July 2001.
>>
That sounds interesting, but I can't find a copy of Jodi's CIDOC
paper online anywhere. Can someone help out?
My gut feeling is that there's a lot more you can do in a "resource
centre" situation as opposed to a random touchscreen in a gallery
which runs a 4 minute interactive. A resource centre is much more of
a "destination" which visually impaired people can ask for. It's more
likely to be quiet and headphones stand more of a chance of not being
broken. As the length of interaction is longer its more likely to be
worth your while learning how to access the information and there's
more chance of someone being around to help. Out on the gallery, laws
of diminishing returns start to apply when visitors have very poor
sight. I'd be interested to know if other people agree with this or
have evidence to the contrary.
Cheers
Joe
Joe Cutting
Digital exhibits and installations
www.joecutting.com
35 Hospital Fields Road, York, YO10 4DZ
01904 624681
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