UD2014

In this presentation we describe an inclusive tourist application, The
TimeMachine, that guides a person along an outdoor trail. The TimeMachine
enhances the real environment with a virtual soundscape, and presents
information (visual and auditory) at key locations. We report the
application design and results from evaluations in different outdoor
environments. Results indicate that the Time Machine is fun, stimulating
and usable for a wide range of users. The TimeMachine is currently being
commercialized together with Skånes Hembygdsförbund and the app
developers Do-Fi, and a number of nature and museum trails are already
available in Skåne.

How is universal design evolving? Join The Delta Centre’s workshop and discuss!

Background: After having hosted UD2012 in Norway The Delta Centre had a large material from lectures, workshops, roundtables etc. And we asked ourselves: Where is Universal design evolving seen through the lenses of the conference in 2012? Are there any trends to spot? Is the broad participation worldwide pointing in any directions?

Three main trends were identified and presented in the publication “Trends in Universal Design”.

• from regulation to innovation
• from accessibility to inclusion
• from barriers to sustainability

Now we want to discuss these findings with you! Are the trends relevant for your work? Are they real or just wishful thinking? Are the contributions in UD2014 showing other trends or tendencies? Come join us and discuss the trends together with some of the authors of the publication and keynote speakers at UD2014! The publication is available at http://www.bufetat.no/bufdir/deltasenteret/Veiledere/Trends-in-Universal-Design/. Hard copies are available on the workshop.

An exhibit which invites conference attendees to try out and play with the range of on street games and props I have created to engage people who live, work and play in an area to get involved in shaping change in that area. This will be a demonstration of the possibilities and challenges of user involvement in urban design schemes but will also encourage people to share their thoughts and learning around this subject.

This work is undertaken through an organisation I founded and lead called make:good.

Background
Studies show that people with hearing and visual impairments often do not participate in cultural life, or have a tendency to withdraw themselves. Cinema and theatre performances are designed to engage all senses, therefore any impairment in this area presents a big challenge. Audio and visual support systems for cinemas and theatres are generally costly and often impractical for the industry and visitors alike. Solutions which appeal to a wider audience and use innovative technology can create significant economic opportunities. This holistic approach is the basis for a successful implementation of Design for All, benefitting users with and without disabilities.

Cinema operators need a cost neutral and attractive way to make the alternative content (audio descriptions, hearing assistance, subtitles and foreign language versions) accessible. As a result of the digitalisation of content, digital copies of films can have additional tracks. The MDASCinema solution shows how to present these track on the individual smartphones of the movieaudience in an attractive and highly accessible way.

Presentation at UD 2014, Lund
MDASCinema is a streaming server that alows after installing an accessible and voice-over capable App to present alternative content on various smartphones (iOS or Android). Alternatively it is possible to use a preinstaled iPod.
The innovative solution allows the audience to experience the streamed audio without latency – nearly lip-sync.
The demonstration will consists of a silver screen, a projektor (beamer with laptop) and the MDASCinema-streamer. This device sents alternative content like the audio description, hearing assistance or the original sound to the participants attending UD2014. They either download the MDASCinema-App or use the provided iPods. As well headsets, are kept at hand for guests, who like to join the demonstration.
The audience will experience a new way of enjoying cinema entertainment: Every individual receives the content necessary to his or her personal demand.

This short paper describes a collaborative and event-based installation at the Universal Design conference 2014 and issues an invitation to participate. By creatively mapping the ties between people, groups, organisations and nations, the installation will illuminate the local and global networks through which Universal Design is shaped and transported. It forms part of an ongoing research project investigating the role and relevance of Universal Design around the world today.

If you need to know more about the physical design of an area or a building. Rogaland County Council and user organizations have developed the web-site: www.tilgjengelighet.no. The idea behind this site is to make information about accessibility available also for persons with special needs. At the present it gives information about buildings and outdoors area, but we have the ambition to include public transport in the future.
The web-site was officially opened in 2010. Since then there has been several improvements and the present version was published in September 2013. The main foundation of www.tilgjengelighet.no is two registration forms specially developed for this purpose and based on the formal rules for accessibility in Norway (TEK-10)

The objective of this paper is to emphasise the importance of accessibility in Malaysian Mosques. In general, Mosque is known as the spiritual sanctuary for Muslims, acting as a centre for worship, religious activity centre, teaching and learning of Al-Quran, Hadith and Sunnah as well as organizing public events and seminars such as talks and weddings. Muslims are encouraged to attend congregational prayers at all five praying times and to participate in communal activities as well as intellectual discourses conducted at mosques. Existing Mosques in Malaysia varies in design concepts, design requirement, design guidelines, scale and also function but it is according to the architects in implementing good design practice. There are mosques that offer other complementary functions such as nursery/day care, religious school (madrasah) and bazaar (souq) for business purposes. Therefore, a mosque must be universally designed to cater all kinds of users, including the PwDs, the elderly and children. The importance of providing accessibility is to give the PwDs an equal opportunity for them to perform congregational prayers together with other devoted Muslims in the prayer hall. The lack of access creates physical barriers that burden the PwDs which eventually discourage them to visit mosques especially at parking area, the entrance, ablution area, toilets and prayer hall. Other issues related are hygienic considerations of using wheelchair into the prayer hall, management and maintenance issues. The methodology considers conducting access audit at case studies, observations, interviews and design recommendation on the analysed data with reference to Malaysian Standards and related Acts/By-Laws. Recommendation on good universal design practices for refurbishment is the main aspect to be considered to improve Mosque’s facilities. In conclusion, accessibility is important to be provided for all Muslim regardless of ability or disability to pray at Mosque comfortably.

Is there a conflict between accessibility and preservation of historically valuable sites?

The goal of the book is to show that they can be compatible. The book is a collection of good practices to improve accessibility in culturally and historically valuable sites. It includes numerous examples of successful solutions and tells about processes behind them. The book is suitable as a guide to accessibility solutions for designers, developers and public authorities, as well as a source of inspiration for all those interested in the old buildings and accessibility.

The book is available in Finnish and Swedish. Also as a PDF file.

We present 3 posters highlighting the importance of e-accessibility in the tourism sector, addressing the following themes:
1. Accessibility of tourism websites – things to remember when designing your website
2. Providing content about accessibility of destinations, activities and services as part of your tourism offer
3. Access requirements for mobile apps, electronic tour guides, ATMs, ticketing machines and other smart devices.

The posters were produced in 2013 by the ENAT team in connection with the European Thematic Network project www.eaccessplus.eu This website leads to a “Hub” (portal) with many resources on all aspects of e-accessibility.

This is the first time the posters are shown in Scandinavia.
Poster images in accessible PDF format will be provided before the Conference.