Michael Wald’s scientific contributions

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Publications (7)


AI and global AAC symbol communication
  • Article

September 2020

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45 Reads

Michael Wald

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Chaohai Ding

Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications are usually built on large trained data models that can recognize and label images, provide speech output from text, process natural language for translation, and be of assistance to many individuals via the internet. For those who are non-verbal or have complex speech and language difficulties, AI has the potential to offer enhanced access to the wider world of communication that can be personalized to suit user needs. Examples include pictographic symbols to augment or provide an alternative to spoken language. However, when using AI models, data related to the use of freely available symbol sets is scarce. Moreover, the manipulation of the data available is difficult with limited annotation, making semantic and syntactic predictions and classification a challenge in multilingual situations. Harmonization between symbol sets has been hard to achieve; this paper aims to illustrate how AI can be used to improve the situation. The goal is to provide an improved automated mapping system between various symbol sets, with the potential to enhance access to more culturally sensitive multilingual symbols. Ultimately, it is hoped that the results can be used for better context sensitive symbol to text or text to symbol translations for speech generating devices and web content.


AccessKB: linked open data for accessible travel

September 2020

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13 Reads

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1 Citation

Recent developments in Information Communication Technologies and digital map services have empowered aspects of digital inclusion, which can benefit people with disabilities with an increasingly wider range of information regarding accessible travel. However, accessibility data collection and management is one of the grand challenges in the area of accessible map information and accessible travel research. Most research projects in this area are still in the early stages of development, leading to difficulties in the provision of sufficient data about the barriers encountered by people with disabilities. This results in time-consuming searches for physical accessibility data. This paper presents an approach for accessibility data management and accessibility modelling, by introducing the AccessKB, a Linked Data-driven knowledge base designed for barrier-free or accessible travel.


Can a web accessibility checker be enhanced by the use of AI?

September 2020

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56 Reads

There has been a proliferation of automatic web accessibility checkers over the years designed to make it easier to assess the barriers faced by those with disabilities when using online interfaces and content. The checkers are often based on tests that can be made on the underlying website code to see whether it complies with the W3C Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). However, as the type of code needed for the development of sophisticated interactive web services and online applications becomes more complex, so the guidelines have had to be updated with the adoption of new success criteria or additional revisions to older criteria. In some instances, this has led to questions being raised about the reliability of the automatic accessibility checks and whether the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) could be helpful. This paper explores the need to find new ways of addressing the requirements embodied in the WCAG success criteria, so that those reviewing websites can feel reassured that their advice (regarding some of the ways to reduce barriers to access) is helpful and overcomes issues around false positive or negatives. The methods used include image recognition and natural language processing working alongside a visual appraisal system, built into a web accessibility checker and reviewing process that takes a functional approach.


Democratisation of AAC symbol choices using technology

May 2017

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20 Reads

The use of an online voting system has been developed to enable democratic choices of newly designed symbols to support speech, language and literacy skills in a localisation situation. The system works for those using and supporting Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) symbols on electronic systems by the provision of simplified scales of acceptance and adapted grids. The methodology and results highlighted the importance of user participation at the outset and concrete examples of symbol adaptations that were found necessary to ensure higher levels of user satisfaction. Design changes included appropriate local dress codes, linguistic nuances, social settings, the built environment and religious sensitivities.


Comparing accessibility auditing methods for ebooks: crowdsourced, functionality-led versus web content methodologies

January 2017

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11 Reads

Accessibility guidance for the development of web-apps for users with cognitive disabilities is sorely lacking despite the availability of extensive web content accessibility standards. This paper examines additional requirements suggested by specialists in the field, in order to further aid developers looking to create accessible interactive web experiences for all.


Designing Web-Apps for all: how do we include those with cognitive disabilities?
  • Conference Paper
  • Full-text available

January 2017

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517 Reads

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8 Citations

Accessibility guidance for the development of web-apps for users with cognitive disabilities is sorely lacking despite the availability of extensive web content accessibility standards. This paper examines additional requirements suggested by specialists in the field, in order to further aid developers looking to create accessible interactive web experiences for all.

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Classic accessibility checks fail e-readers

August 2014

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4 Reads

Evaluations undertaken for digital materials and technologies that consider accessibility and ease of use for the type of resource – device, software or digital content – tend to be assessed in isolation. In doing so they exclude the importance of the interrelated aspects of accessing eBooks, failing to support the needs of those with print disabilities: such as visual impairment; dyslexia; and/or physical difficulties. Each individual embarking on the process of reading digital texts must: choose an eReading device or application; navigate and access the eBook market-place; decide on or by choice of device or software, accept a type of format; and then interact with the eContent. This paper aims to illustrate how we, by combining a group of accessibility standards, guidelines and criteria, evaluate these facets of eText accessibility using a single review method. The combination of evaluation scores with descriptions has the potential to help users, those supporting the users and those providing or developing content to gain an understanding of accessibility issues that may arise. Since no accessibility guidelines exist specifically for mobile eReader applications, this paper identifies a framework for user-centred accessibility criteria, incorporating all aspects of eReading that could enhance existing guidelines.

Citations (1)


... While accessibility standards presented in, for example, International Organization for Standardization Technical Specification 82304-2 [20], the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines [21], and xCertia Guidelines [22] can serve as valuable foundations for inclusive design, "understanding user diversity and applying this in the development process" [23], their use during the development of DHTs and evaluation is currently limited [24]. In addition, these standards and guidelines may not comprehensively address the complex, unique, and multifaceted needs of vulnerable populations, such as people living with dementia or other cognitive and physical impairments [24][25][26]. Ensuring the accessibility and usability of DHTs for such vulnerable user groups necessitates the implementation of additional context-related and detailed design specifications, something often missing in traditional guidelines and principles [24]. Therefore, in previous research, we developed literature-based design principles, or DEMIGNED principles, to be considered when developing DHTs for this population [27,28]. ...

Reference:

Capturing Usability Problems for People Living With Dementia by Applying the DEMIGNED Principles in Usability Evaluation Methods: Mixed Methods Study
Designing Web-Apps for all: how do we include those with cognitive disabilities?