Difference between revisions of "Accessibility"

From Second Life Wiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
(35 intermediate revisions by 10 users not shown)
Line 3: Line 3:
{{vital-info|Info about available Resident-created tools to make Second Life easier for the disabled}}
{{vital-info|Info about available Resident-created tools to make Second Life easier for the disabled}}


This page was started to collect and share accessibility resources which make Second Life easier to use. If you spot something missing, please ''do'' add your knowledge so we can all benefit from connecting the pieces together.


== Background ==
==Background==
Over time, Linden Lab has added accessibility features to Second Life. Allowing menus to be keyboard-driven, adding keyboard shortcuts, and the [[Dazzle]] UI revamp have been valuable changes on their own, but combined, have made substantial improvements to the inworld experience. There's still a lot that needs to be done.


As of 2008-06-25, Linden Lab doesn't have a point person dedicated to accessibility & disability (who would likely work with our Resident Experience Team on usability matters), but as we've continued to hire key personnel for needed specialties and should this change, you'll find the role listed on the [http://lindenlab.com/employment/positions Employment Position Listings] page.
==Definitions==
 
'''Accessibility''' means the degree to which an object, function, service, or environment is available for use by as many people as possible.


In addition, we're reviewing better accessibility for our [http://secondlife.com/suport Support Portal]. Our internal project code is DEV-1458.
[[Image:Handicap.png]] This is an internationally recognized symbol for accessibility.


== Open source ==
In many countries accessibility is legislated and thus may be more clearly defined.
Second Life's viewer is [[Open_Source_Portal|open source]], which means Residents are able to improve upon it and add user interface functionality, such as different input devices which make it easier to get around. An actual example of this was the patch for the [[SpaceNavigator]] 3D mouse, which was actually integrated into Linden Lab's main viewer.


'''Are there any open source viewers focused on accessibility? Put them here.'''
'''Universal Design''' (UD) is an approach to creating structures, products, and environments that are accessible to all people.


[http://www.textsl.org TextSL] is an open source interface allowing visually impaired to access Second life using a screen reader.
'''Disability''' means a lack of one or more human abilities, which include physical, mental, emotional, sensory, and developmental abilities. The effects of chronic illnesses are often included as disabilities.


== Hearing-impaired ==
The term “disability” is often contrasted with the term “'''impairment''',” which indicates a characteristic of an individual.  
=== Event transcripts ===
Linden Lab provides text transcripts of events such as [[Podcast|our podcast interviews]] and even the [[SL5B#Event_Recordings|Second Life's 5th birthday keynotes]].


Residents seeking to do the same for their events can learn how to '''[[Voice recording|record voice chat]]'''. Then, if you don't have time to transcribe yourself, you can use the '''[http://mturk.com/ Amazon Mechanical Turk]''' to get an affordable transcription. If you find it confusing to set up tasks, there's also [http://castingwords.com CastingWords], which also uses MTurk as an intermediary.
'''Assistive technology''' (AT) includes all devices (whether assistive, adaptive, or rehabilitative) that help people accomplish tasks they can not do adequately or at all without the device.  


== Visually-impaired ==
“'''People first language'''” is one way of emphasizing the similarities among all people before recognizing differences.
=== Text size too small? ===
You can enlarge this in a few ways:


* Edit menu > Preferences > General tab and increase UI Size.
* Also in the General tab, uncheck "Small Avatar Names" (to the right of "Show Names").
* In Preferences > Text Chat tab, set Chat Font Size to Large.


You can also [http://blip.tv/file/975451/ watch a video tutorial].
LINKS:


=== Voice chat ===
'''[http://www.ada.gov Americans with Disability Act]'''
You may prefer to use voice chat if you find it difficult to continually read text chat. See these articles in our Knowledge Base:


* '''[http://support.secondlife.com/ics/support/default.asp?deptID=4417&task=knowledge&questionID=4536 Voice FAQ]'''
'''[http://www.section508.gov Section 508]'''
* '''[http://support.secondlife.com/ics/support/default.asp?deptID=4417&task=knowledge&questionID=4423 How to Use Voice]


We also have '''[[Video_Tutorials#VOICE_CHAT|VOICE CHAT video tutorials]]''' for your benefit.
'''[http://www.access-board.gov United States Access Board]'''


== Mobility-impaired ==
'''[http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/RightsAndObligations/DisabilityRights/DG_4001068 UK Disability Discrimination Act]'''
This is an inspiring video featuring a man using brainwaves to control Second Life:


<videoflash>d55CJYtHKAI</videoflash>
'''[http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/cth/consol_act/dda1992264/ Australian Disability Discrimination Act]'''


You can also [http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=YipEdFersgM see a similar video with Japanese text].
'''[http://laws.justice.gc.ca/eng/H-6/index.html Canadian Human Rights Act, Article 25]'''


=== Alternative input options ===
'''[http://www.unhcr.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/refworld/rwmain?docid=45f973632 United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities]'''
Depending on your specific needs, a standard keyboard + mouse may not be the best. If possible, try before you buy, or acquire it from a place with a hassle-free return policy. In addition to the numerous [http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url/?index=blended&field-keywords=ergonomic%20keyboard ergonomic keyboards] out there, You may consider:


* '''[http://www.3dconnexion.com/3dmouse/spacenavigator.php 3Dconnexion alternative mice]''' - Including the SpaceNavigator which has become popular with Second Life. By using a limited range of motion, you can use the 6 axes to move your avatar, camera, and more.
'''[http://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG20/ Web Content Accessibility Guidelines]'''


* '''[http://www.frogpad.com/ Frogpad]''' - A unique form of ergonomic keyboard useful for those who've lost mobility in one hand.
'''[http://www.design.ncsu.edu/cud/ Center for Universal Design at North Carolina Sate University]'''


* '''[http://www.wacom.com/index2.cfm Wacom tablet]''' - Uses a stylus as a mouse alternative and can be helpful for relieving wrist cramps/carpal tunnel problems. Wacom is among the more expensive graphics tablets, but also durable in quality.
'''[http://www.who.int/icidh/ World Health Organization International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health]'''


* '''[http://www.microsoft.com/enable/training/windowsxp/mousekeys.aspx MouseKeys]''' - "Control the Mouse Pointer Using the Numeric Keypad"
==Accessibility Issues with Second Life==


* '''[http://www.nuance.com/naturallyspeaking/ Dragon Naturally Speaking]''' - Talk-to-write program. Typing words and sentences can be done in secondlife by talking in a microphone. A reasonably fast computer is recommended for doing this since, because like Second Life, Dragon is resources-heavy. If your performance is slow, try lowering your Second Life graphics settings to the minimum to cope with a slower computer. In several countries you can get compensation for buying the program/computer if you are disabled.
==Solutions and Sources==


== Related resources ==
===Keyboard/Mouse Impairment Accessibility Issues===
* '''[http://www.google.com/coop/cse?cx=001010425210852223575%3Ajldmgpuier0 Second Life Educators Discussion list search]''' - Try searching the archives for keywords like "[http://www.google.com/cse?cx=001010425210852223575%3Ajldmgpuier0&ie=UTF-8&q=accessibility&sa=Search accessibility]".
Including inworld work-arounds, voice recognition software (built-in and purchased), alternative keyboards and other input options


* '''[http://healthinfoisland.blogspot.com/ Health & Medicine in Second Life]''' - Learn more about HealthInfo island and visit their inworld Accessibility Center.
===Hearing Impairment Accessibility Issues===
* '''[http://secondlifeaccessibility.edublogs.org/ Second Life Accessibility]''' - "All about accessibility and disability in Second Life virtual worlds."
Including V2T transcription, delayed transcription, captioning   
* '''[http://twinx45.wordpress.com/ Second Life Accessibility]''' (a different blog with the same name) - Hasn't been updated since Nov. 2007, but has a selection of useful links on the right-hand side.
* '''[http://www.blindsecondlife.blogspot.com/ Second Life for the Visually Impaired]''' - Gareth White is "Analysing the accessibility of Second Life with respect to visual impairment."
* '''[http://www.virtualability.org/index.html VirtualAbility - Second Life help for disabled people]''' - A community dedicated to helping disabled people in secondlife."
* '''[http://www.handsfree3d.com/ Handsfree 3D]''' - "Controlling Virtual Worlds Without a Mouse or Keyboard"
* '''[https://wiki.secondlife.com/w/index.php?title=User_talk:Capstan_Clift&redirect=no Advocacy Working Group]''' - "Should a working group be formed to address accessibility in Second Life?"
* '''[http://www.eelke.com/games/textsl.html TextSL]''' - The University of Nevada in Reno developed a text client for Second Life which allows blind users to access Second Life using a screen Reader.


=== Media mentions ===
===Print Impairment Accessibility Issues===
In reverse-chronological order.
Including adjusting UI size, Voice Chat, T2V transcription, text reader devices
* 2008-06-30 - '''"[http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080602/lf_afp/sciencelifestylejapantechnologyhealthinternet_080602161821 Paralysed man takes a walk in virtual world]"''' - Brainwaves used to control Second Life.
 
* 2008-03-15 - '''"[http://www.afb.org/afbpress/pub.asp?DocID=aw090207 Exploring Methods of Accessing Virtual Worlds]"''' - Techniques for enabling blind users in virtual worlds.
===Other Accessibility Issues===
* 2007-12-07 - '''"[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBlaiBV_yJs wheeling in Second Life]"''' - Video of "A person with cerebral palsy using second life with a headwand."
Including safety for adult-children 
* 2007-07-28 - '''"[http://secondedition.wordpress.com/2007/07/28/empowering-the-physically-challenged/ Empowering the physically challenged]"''' - Blog post from Second Edition. SL resident Simon Walsh operates his in-world nightclub Wheelies.
                     
* 2007-01-11 - '''"[http://www.it-analysis.com/blogs/Abrahams_Accessibility/2007/1/second_life_open_source_accessible_.html Second Life open source accessible client]"''' - Blog post from Abrahams Accessibility. Has ideas for open source devs to make SL more accessible.
==Discussions of Accessibility Issues==
* 2004-12-15 - '''"[http://secondlife.blogs.com/nwn/2004/12/the_nine_souls_.html The Nine Souls of Wilde Cunningham]"''' - Blog post from New World Notes. One of the classic stories of Second Life enabling self-expression for the disabled.
Transcripts and calendar of events
 
==Public Issue Tracker (JIRAs) Related to Accessibility Issues==
Including directions how to use it
 
==User-developed Projects To Develop Accessibility Tools==
Including the Max technologies, Restricted Viewer, Access Viewer, and Radegast
 
==Academic Research Projects Related to Accessibility==
 
==Related Resources==

Revision as of 20:41, 10 January 2011

This article or section is missing vital information. You can help the SL Wiki by editing it.

Info about available Resident-created tools to make Second Life easier for the disabled


Background

Definitions

Accessibility means the degree to which an object, function, service, or environment is available for use by as many people as possible.

Handicap.png This is an internationally recognized symbol for accessibility.

In many countries accessibility is legislated and thus may be more clearly defined.

Universal Design (UD) is an approach to creating structures, products, and environments that are accessible to all people.

Disability means a lack of one or more human abilities, which include physical, mental, emotional, sensory, and developmental abilities. The effects of chronic illnesses are often included as disabilities.

The term “disability” is often contrasted with the term “impairment,” which indicates a characteristic of an individual.

Assistive technology (AT) includes all devices (whether assistive, adaptive, or rehabilitative) that help people accomplish tasks they can not do adequately or at all without the device.

People first language” is one way of emphasizing the similarities among all people before recognizing differences.


LINKS:

Americans with Disability Act

Section 508

United States Access Board

UK Disability Discrimination Act

Australian Disability Discrimination Act

Canadian Human Rights Act, Article 25

United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

Web Content Accessibility Guidelines

Center for Universal Design at North Carolina Sate University

World Health Organization International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health

Accessibility Issues with Second Life

Solutions and Sources

Keyboard/Mouse Impairment Accessibility Issues

Including inworld work-arounds, voice recognition software (built-in and purchased), alternative keyboards and other input options

Hearing Impairment Accessibility Issues

Including V2T transcription, delayed transcription, captioning

Print Impairment Accessibility Issues

Including adjusting UI size, Voice Chat, T2V transcription, text reader devices

Other Accessibility Issues

Including safety for adult-children

Discussions of Accessibility Issues

Transcripts and calendar of events

Public Issue Tracker (JIRAs) Related to Accessibility Issues

Including directions how to use it

User-developed Projects To Develop Accessibility Tools

Including the Max technologies, Restricted Viewer, Access Viewer, and Radegast

Academic Research Projects Related to Accessibility

Related Resources