While credibility perception on the Web is a well-researched topic across multiple disciplines, extant studies have not considered nonvisual modalities of Web access. This research explores how Web users who are blind or visually impaired perceive the credibility of online information and how the screen reader used by them to interact with the Web mediates the process. Credibility perception was studied in the context of the screen reader users’ everyday information practices, examining in depth the effect of Web accessibility on their online information interactions, information practices and credibility perception. Adopting an exploratory approach, a sequential multimethods research design was used. Between April and July 2008 data were collected from adult screen reader users residing in Ontario, Canada through an electronic questionnaire survey (N=60) to identify salient issues, which were then examined deeper through semi-structured interviews with a subsample (N=13) during June 2009. Hands-on online information activities (with participant observation and think-aloud protocol) were also conducted during the interview session. Primary findings emerged through qualitative content analysis of descriptive data, with quantitative results guiding and supplementing the analysis. Online information credibility perception is found to be a dynamic and social process. It is governed by users’ assumptions based on their past experiences, personal knowledge/beliefs and social inputs. Assumptions evolve over time and usage into personal heuristics. The credibility perception process spans three phases—prediction, evaluation and corroboration—permeating the information seeking, using and sharing practices of users. Evaluation of website and web content depends on users’ online interaction proficiency and is bounded by the interface affordances provided by the screen reader and the amount of meta-information provided by the websites for interpreting visual/spatial features. Community support scaffolds users towards more effective technology management and credibility perception. Therefore, promoting inclusion in the online participatory culture will enhance the information practices of screen reader users.

This bachelor thesis brings up a discussion about museums availability and access to thearchaeological display objects towards blind and visually impaired visitors. The study phasewill take start in analyzing four museums in south Sweden, all which have exhibitions aboutthe prehistory.Visually impaired and blind visitors don’t have a lot to go on at the current exhibitions aboutprehistory. This is because of the lack of access and availability when it comes to their specialneed. To raise awareness to this problem I took out a survey for the museums to answer. I alsovisited two of the exhibitions to make my own opinion of the museums public areas; such asthe entrance, hallway and the exhibition area. Things I looked out for were Braille, audioguides and objects to touch.The sense to touch is of most importance for visually impaired and blind to create an image ofan object. Because of this I discuss the ability for an exhibition where most of the objects areexposed to all visitors to be touched. An exposure of archaeological object to benefit needsfor visually impaired is an important discussion towards the management of thearchaeological display objects, which leads the study towards replicas and experimentalarchaeology.The conclusion was that it is quite possible to design and customize an archaeologicalexhibition for the visually impaired by factors like; reconstructed objects, route marker fororientation, Braille and audio guides with well rendered image descriptions.

Thesis (M. Arch.)--University of Hong Kong, 2000. / Includes bibliographical references.

Working collaboratively with the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (TSBVI) and Dr. Kara Hallmark's art education students at the University of Texas at Austin (UT), this qualitative case study documented how preservice art teachers' awareness of how to implement language as a teaching tool developed during a participatory observational experience in the segregated special needs art class at TSBVI. My research reveals how the field experience at TSBVI, which included hands-on interaction with pupils who are blind or visually impaired and the role modeling of an experienced special needs art educator, enhanced awareness for preservice teachers about how language can be used effectively in teaching art. This awareness is useful for all educators who include students experiencing vision impairment in the art classroom. / text

The purpose of this study was to examine instructional experiences of students with visual impairment in an guided inquiry-based science classroom. Drawing from social constructive perspectives about teaching and learning, I focused on the initial attempts of students to participate fully in an inquiry-based astronomy unit. The astronomy unit incorporated features of project-based science inquiry and aligned with national standards. This study described the opportunities provided to and challenges faced by students with visual impairment as they participated in the guided inquiry-based learning environment. Additionally, discursive practices of students including student-generated questions, student discussions, and students' science notebook writing were examined. Also, students' alternative conceptions about scientific phenomena and changes in students' thinking during the course of instruction, if any, were described. Methods of data collection included classroom observations, video records, pre- and post- curriculum assessments, attitudes toward science measurement, student interviews, and student artifacts (i.e., science notebook entries, student-constructed models). Findings showed that student learning was enhanced when the instructor-researcher guided students in accomplishing inquiry tasks and in making sense of their inquiry experiences. Additionally, the use of appropriate reflective prompts assisted students with visual impairment to fully participate in the writing tasks of the inquiry-based learning environment. Results suggested that the quantity and quality of student-generated questions increased with extended inquiry instruction. Also, students used questions to not only establish verbal communication, but to elaborate on their own thinking and expand or explain the thinking of others. Findings suggested also that students with visual impairment have similar alternative frameworks about scientific phenomena (i.e, causes of lunar phases, reason for the seasons) as do their peers with sight. This study contributes to the literature about inquiry-based instructional strategies for all students and initiates the conversation about best practice for science instruction with students with visual impairment.

<p>The focus of this paper is the right of the visually impaired to access tertiary education that is not unfairly discriminative and unequal. The study is intended to highlight the inadequacy in the current legislation on equality such as the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act 4 of 2000 and the Higher Education Act 101 of 1997 in properly promoting the ideals and purpose of constitution. Furthermore to analyse the constitutional court's approach to equality and non discrimination in order to provide solutions and recommendations for changes to existing legislation that is indeed to be effective.It also aim to define what it means to have equality for the visually impaired, more especially in tertiary education through the constitutional court's definition of equality...</p>

In the context of a society were the Web is present in many aspects, there is asignificant amount of visually impaired users whose experience is far from beingsatisfactory. There are technologies aiming this problem but still with no full suc-cess. The problem addressed in this project is the existing gap between the visuallyimpaired users and the solutions being offered to them. As a solution to this problem,a middleware prototype is developed. It acts as a web application so the user doesnot need to install anything. The middleware also offers different adaptations to theuser such as amplifying lens, text narrator, and others. The solution was tested byvisually impaired users and it received an overall positive result. Some features likethe amplifying lens received a good value and some of them need further improve-ment.

Diss. Stockholm : University, 2003.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Linköping : Univ., 2004. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Thesis (M.S.W.)--University of Hong Kong, 1997. / Includes bibliographical references (leaf 98-104).