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<h1> Welcome to Class! </h1>
How can computing enable new solutions to accessibility, including both access to the world and access to computers? Similarly, how can a disability studies perspective guide us in developing empowering and relevant solutions to accessibility problems? This course explores both of those questions through a combination of discussions, reading, and building.
Access technology (AT) has the potential to increase autonomy, and improve millions of people’s ability to live independently. This potential is currently under-realized because the expertise needed to create the right AT is in short supply and the custom nature of AT makes it difficult to deliver inexpensively. Yet computers’ flexibility and exponentially increasing power have revolutionized and democratized access technologies. In addition, by studying access technology, we can gain valuable insights into the future of all user interface technology.
In this course we will focus on a combination of practical skills such as how to assess accessibility of documents, websites and apps and how to do disability based UX; advanced skills such as how to address accessibility in visualization, AR/VR and AI/ML; and forward looking topics such as intersectional concerns, accessible healthcare, and accessibility in disaster response. The largest project in the class will be an open ended opportunity to explore access technology in more depth.
For quick links to key things, check out the navigation bar above and the table of contents here:
* TOC
{:toc}
# Introductory Video
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1aFiJDHtRiY" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
# Class Times
See [Canvas]({{site.canvas}}) for all zoom meeting links for classes and office hours.
**Class Time:** Tuesday 5:30-8:20PM (PDT)
**Class Location:** Gates Center (CSE2) room G10 (map)
# Mailing Lists
**Staff** mailing list: [Mail](mailto:{{site.staff_email}})
**Class** mailing list: [Ed]({{site.discussion}})
# Course Staff
## Instructor
{:width="80px"} | [Jennifer Mankoff]({{site.author.url}}) (she/her) <br> Office Hours: 12:30-1:30 Fridays; 5:30-6:00 Mondays. See link on canvas.
## TA
{:class="ta-picture"} | [Kelly Mack](https://kmack3.github.io/) (she/her)<br/> Office hours: Wednesdays 12:00-1:00; Wednesdays 5:30-6:30
(More information on [Pronouns](https://www.mypronouns.org/))
# Should I take this class?
Yes! Everyone planning a career in interactive technology should understand access technology. Not only is it cutting edge and exciting, accessibility is a human rights issue and it is the law. Students of interactive technology should know how to build regular interfaces that are accessible as well as understanding the value of innovating new approaches to accessibility. Disability touches almost everyone either directly or indirectly at some point in life, temporarily or permanently. Let’s create a future we will also want to and be able to be part of.
This class will teach you
- How to make interfaces and interactions accessible.
- How to make documents accessible and conduct inclusive presentations and meetings
- What access technologies already exist. We will find examples, watch people talk about how they use them, and help with or shadow someone using AT (tentative).
- How to make advanced technologies, such as AR/VR, Machine learning systems, and visualizations accessible
- Opportunities to bring accessibility to applied settings such as healthcare, disaster response, and higher education.
Taking a class is a big commitment, and you will work hard in this class. So we want to help you make sure this is the right class for you. Below is some information about prerequisites and expectations.
# Prereqs and expectations
The only requirement for this class is that you are comfortable programming and picking up new languages and tools that you have not been exposed to before. You will have some control over this, however, basic web skills are likely to be useful. The primary programming project in this class is one you design yourself.
In addition, please familiarize yourself with the course [academic conduct]({{site.baseurl}}/academic-conduct.html) policy. We will grade on the assumption that you have read and understood it.
# Course Structure
Many of the goals in this class center around learning by doing. This
means that hands on time trying out everything from implementation to
evaluation is critical to learning. Active learning has been [shown to
increase student performance in STEM
subjects](https://www.pnas.org/content/111/23/8410).
Thus, class time will be used as much as possible for in **class
exercises and surveys, as well as discussion and review. You will be
graded on general participation in lecture** for understanding using a
variety of technologies. We also highly encourage questions in
lecture. Often many students share the same question and those
questions can help the instructor gauge student understanding.
Preparation outside of class and participation in class are both very
important and will improve your class experience. Preparation may
include online discussion, pre-class readings and videos, and post-lecture reflections in addition to homework. Participation in class will include discussion, question asking, and active engagement in learning exercises.
## Accessibility
Please ensure that assignments you hand in are accessible to the best of your capabilities. We will offer guidance on this in class, but given that the process of making content accessible heavily depends on the tools you use to author the content, it is practically impossible for us to offer exhaustive guidance. Here are a few resources to get started, but please reach out to us when in doubt.
- [Accessible PDF author guide](http://www.sigaccess.org/welcome-to-sigaccess/resources/accessible-pdf-author-guide/)
- [General guidelines to make your presentations accessible](http://www.sigaccess.org/welcome-to-sigaccess/resources/accessible-presentation-guide/).
- [A paper on making your talk accessible](https://homes.cs.washington.edu/~ladner/MakingYourTalkAccessible.pdf).
- Instructions to enable closed captions while presenting using [Google Slides](https://support.google.com/docs/answer/9109474?hl=en) and [Microsoft Powerpoint](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/present-with-real-time-automatic-captions-or-subtitles-in-powerpoint-68d20e49-aec3-456a-939d-34a79e8ddd5f)
# Class Coordination
We want you to succeed in this class, and an important way that you do that is by **asking questions and discussing course issues with your peers and teaching staff**. Some ways to do that include:
- We have a class discussion board on [Ed]({{site.discussion}}), where you can
make public posts that benefit the whole class, and are answered more
quickly because your fellow students can help the course staff by
responding also.
- This is the best way to ask questions about things like homework and programming
- Before posting, please search through the questions that have already been posted in case
someone has already asked the same question.
- We hold office hours (see above).
- If none of those times work for you, you can also discuss matters with us privately on the
[Ed]({{site.discussion}}) discussion board. Using Ed notifies the whole course staff at once and is usually faster than email.
- If none of these work for you you can send an [email](mailto:{{site.staff_email}}) asking to set up an appointment.
# Class Expectations
The class is a shared learning environment and it is important it is a welcoming environment for everyone, from all backgrounds. As instructors, we know that students in this class may need materials to be accessible by screen reader, or may need extra time on exams. You may observe religious holidays that overlap class times, or have work, childcare or appointments that have to be prioritized at specific times. As students we also ask you to remember that each person brings different priorities and experiences to class. We should all strive to treat everyone in the class with respect and understanding.
The Allen School seeks to create a more diverse, inclusive, and
equitable environment for our community and our field (see the [Allen
School’s Inclusiveness
Statement](https://www.cs.washington.edu/diversity)). Specific things
we will do to promote welcoming class environment include:
- **Accessibility**: If you have a temporary health condition or permanent disability (either mental health, learning,
or physical health related) that impacts your academic experience, please let us know how we can
accommodate you. You are NOT obligated to disclose any of these issues with the instructor, only specify
if there’s any accommodations required.
- If there is something we can do to make your experience better, please let us know. We have attempted
to make all the course materials accessible according to web standards but there are always things we
may not have thought of.
- If you need any additional support, we are always happy to work with you directly or through
[Disability Resources for Students (DRS)](http://depts.washington.edu/uwdrs/) to make
sure that the class meets your needs. If you need any adaptations for course materials (large font,
pacing, image description, closed captioning), just let the instructor know.
- If you have not yet established services through [Disability
Resources for Students (DRS)](http://depts.washington.edu/uwdrs/),
but have a temporary health condition or permanent disability that
requires accommodations (conditions include but not limited to;
mental health, attention-related, learning, vision, hearing,
physical or health impacts), contact DRS directly at uwdrs@uw.edu
to set up an Access Plan. DRS facilitates the interactive process
that establishes reasonable accommodations. DRS offers a wide
range of services for students with disabilities, mental health
concerns, and chronic illness, that are individually designed and
remove the need to reveal sensitive medical information to the
course staff, but it is important to start the process as soon as
possible to avoid delays.
- **Wellness**: It is very important to us that you take care of your mental health throughout the course.
Everyone on the course staff is available to chat, and you can always attend office hours for a
non-academic conversation if necessary. Beyond the course staff, the University of Washington provides
the following resources for mental health concerns. Your anonymity and privacy are protected.
- Please reach out to the [UW Counseling Center](http://www.washington.edu/counseling/) for any help and
concerns related to mental health (including increased stress), available to all UW students at no cost.
- If you are ever feeling uncomfortable and need to talk or are worried about someone close to you, it is
highly recommended to visit the [UW Heath and Wellness](http://depts.washington.edu/livewell/programs/)
programs. They offer resources to students that can help.
- If you're concerned for yourself or a friend, please call SafeCampus at (206) 685-7233.
- **Religious Accommodations** The UW’s policy, including more information about how to request an
accommodation, is available at [Religious Accommodations Policy](https://registrar.washington.edu/staffandfaculty/religious-accommodations-policy/).
Accommodations can be requested within the first two weeks of this course using the
[Religious Accommodations Request](https://registrar.washington.edu/students/religious-accommodations-request/)
form on UW's site.
- **Inclusivity**: Our goal is to make this classroom a welcoming environment for all. We are working toward
using a broad base of examples in our course material. Please let us know if you see an opportunity to
improve our course material to be more representative of our student population. Additionally, if you
experience interactions with anyone that are excluding or otherwise uncomfortable, please reach out
to the course staff so that we can address the situation. Should you feel uncomfortable bringing up an
issue with a staff member directly, there are a number of
[Community Feedback Mechanisms and Resources](https://www.cs.washington.edu/community-feedback)
including the [Anonymous Feedback](https://feedback.cs.washington.edu/) form, but understand we can not
respond to you directly if you use the latter. Responses, if possible, will be broadcast to the class as
a whole or systematic changes to the class when necessary.
- **Sexual Harassment**: University policy prohibits all forms of sexual harassment.
- If you feel you have been a victim of sexual harassment or if you feel you have been discriminated against, you may speak with your instructor, teaching assistant, the chair of the department
- You can also file a complaint with the UW Ombudsman's Office for Sexual Harassment. Their office is located at 339 HUB, (206)543-6028. There is a second office, the University Complaint Investigation and Resolution Office, who also investigate complaints. The UCIRO is located at 22 Gerberding Hall.
- **Working Together**: We will encourage students in this class working together, as long as you only turn
in code that you implemented.
# Participation
This is an in person class. As much as possible, we ask that you
attend in person. That said, we know that many individual concerns
may make this a barrier. We will do our best to support remote
participation when there is a need for this due to a family
obligation, disability, or other concern. If you participate
remotely, you may be expected to engage in additional work before,
after, or during lecture to ensure that you have the most similar
experience possible to students who are in person. Please contact
the instructor for instructions each week you are remote). For those
cases, class sessions **will be recorded** when possible (guest
lecturers may refuse this). Recordings will only be accessible to
students enrolled in the course to review materials.
The University and Zoom have FERPA-compliant agreements in place to
protect the security and privacy of UW Zoom accounts. Students who
connect by Zoom but do not wish to be recorded should:
- Change their Zoom screen name to a school appropriate screen name
that hides any personal identifying information such as their name or
UW Net ID
- Not share their computer audio or video during their Zoom sessions (please notify us first!).
# Grading
While grading is a necessary part of what we do at UW, I want to focus
this class on learning. The following policies are meant to encourage
that. **There will not be quizzes, or a midterm or final exam this
quarter**. Instead, your knowledge will be assessed via a combination
of peer feedback, course staff feedback, and your own reflections. In
addition, course staff will be looking for and marking down when you
achieve competency with basic requirements such as presenting
accessibly and turning in accessible documents.
## Grading Approach
We’ll be using competency based grading for most elements of this
class. We have a set of core learning goals in this class. If you
learn them all, and participate in the class, you get an A.
Many of these competencies are assessed repeatedly. I don't care if
you get them wrong at first, as long as you eventually learn them.
Some are assessed less frequently. For those, you have the opportunity
to request a regrade if you feel you've improved on them.
## Grading Breakdown (tentative)
Grades will be assigned approximately as follows:
### 80%: Competency in key skills.
The competencies needed for this course are listed on the [assignments page](assignments/index.html), and can all be found in canvas as well. There are three categories of skills: (1) Accessible Media and Documents (includes 5 possible competencies + a bonus); (2) Accessibility Compliance (includes 4 possible competencies); and (3) Disability Awareness and Justice (includes 3 possible competencies). Accessible videos is a "bonus" meaning it can add a competency, but won't count against you if you don't do it.
Your grade is based on the number of skills you achieve competence, and excellence in for each category. For example, if you achieve excellence in 4/5 skills and are above competence in all skills in the Accessible Media and Documents category, you would receive a 4.0 for that category.
Your grade will be calculated separately for each category and then averaged.
The correspondance between competencies and grades in each categories is shown in the table below. The columns in this table show the Max number of skills that can be below competence to get a certain grade (specifically, if even 1 skill in a category is below competence, the highest possible grade is 3.2 for all skill groups). Next is the minimum number of skills that must be competent to get a certain grade (for example, you have to be competent in at least 4 skills to get a 3.4 in accessible media and documents; at least 3 in the case of accessibility compliance; and at least 2 in the case of disability justice); and the minimum number of skills that must be excellent to get a certain grade.
| Outcome Category | Score | | 4 (A) | 3.8 (A-) | 3.4 (B+) | 3.2 (B) | 2.8 (B-) | 1.1 (D) | 0 (E) |
|---------------------|-----------|----|-------|----------|----------|---------|----------|---------|-------|
| Media/Docs | !Comp | <= | | | | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| (All = 5 ) | Excellent | >= | 4/5 | 3/5 | 2/5 | 1/5 | | | |
| Compliance | !Comp | <= | | | | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| (All = 4) | Excellent | >= | 4/4 | 3/4 | 2/4 | 1/4 | | | |
| Awareness / | !Comp | <= | | | | 1 | 2 | | 3 |
| Justice (All=3) | Excellent | >= | 3/3 | 2/3 | 1/3 | | | | |
| Bonus: Video Access | | | | | | | | | |
You can view your progress in each category on Canvas:
{:class="page-picture"}
### 10%: Assignment Completion
Assignment completion is 10% of your grade. This is listed as the "participation" competency for each assignment in canvas. The weight of each assignment is simply the number of weeks long it is, so a longer assignment would contribute more to your assignment completion grade than a shorter one.
### 10%: Effort
Your effort grade will reflect your participation in the class across multiple dimensions. Some of these we will track, others you will track. We will consider
- Whether you participated in discussions and exercises in class (self reported)
- Whether you participated in discussions outside of class (based on your submissions)
- Your grade will be calculated as a percentage of the maximum effort. For example, if you fully complete all homework assignments and participated in 80% of reading questions, we would calculate this as (100%+80%)/2=90 points.
Extra credit on this can also be earned by engaging in other ways, such as helping another student or suggesting improvements to an assignment tor class materials (self reported)
## Regrade Policy
Reflecting on feedback is one of the most valuable ways you can learn from your mistakes,
and we encourage you to do so. If you have a question about a grade you received or if you
feel the grade you received is incorrect, please **[email an instructor](mailto:{{site.staff_email}}) for an appointment to
discuss the assignment and your grade in detail**.
It is also possible for the graders to make mistakes. If that happens we certainly would like to
correct the error. Please note the following:
- Because this class is competency based, you don't necessarily need a regrade, you just need to show that you have learned this competency in this OR a future assignment. Most competencies show up in more than one place
- When you request a regrade, we may look at the entire assessment, homework or reflection. Therefore,
it is possible for to lose a competency as well as gain one in this process.
# Indigenous Land Acknowledgement
The University of Washington acknowledges the Coast Salish peoples of this land, the land which touches the shared waters of all tribes and bands within the Suquamish, Tulalip and Muckleshoot nations.