Access to GUI -- II: The Impact on Employment Vallombrosa Conference Center Menlo Park, California May 23 - May 26, 1995 Conference Announcement This is a three-day working conference to evaluate options for providing access to Graphical User Interfaces for blind and visually impaired computer users in employment situations. The conference is hosted by Project Archimedes at Stanford University, the Western Blind Rehabilitation Center at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Palo Alto, and Sensory Access Foundation, Palo Alto. Partial funding for the conference has been provided by a grant from NEC Foundation of America. The special focus of the second conference in this series on Access to GUI is the impact of Graphical User Interfaces on the employment of blind and visually impaired computer users. Presentations will include an analysis of several types of job situations incorporating GUI systems such as IBM's OS/2, Unix workstations, MS Windows and Macintosh computers. The GUI conference has three major purposes: - To review the state of the art in access technology for persons who are blind and visually impaired. - To consolidate ideas on the research and development necessary to provide long-term comprehensive solutions to the GUI access problem as recommended at the "Access to GUI" conference held at Asilomar in 1993. - To develop collaborations for ongoing research and development, manufacture, and delivery of solutions to the GUI problems. Topics to be covered: - An overview of existing solutions to GUI access for blind computer users. - Access to GUIs in employment situations - Suggestions on how hardware and software manufacturers could minimize GUI access problems. - Options for input and output strategies and innovative technologies which would assist blind and visually impaired computer users. - Research that would support continued development of products and improvements in GUI access systems. - Follow-up on recommendations from the first Access to GUI conference. This conference brings together a cross-section of people interested in finding solutions to problems due to the growing use of GUIs in the workplace. Participants will be drawn from: blind and visually impaired computer users, employers, computer industry representatives, computer access product developers, manufacturers and vendors, researchers from a variety of related disciplines, and people from agencies which provide services for blind and visually impaired computer users. We have two themes for this conference: 1) Access to the Graphical User Interface in Employment Situations--Successes and Limitations; and 2) Strategies for Implementing Universally Accessible Technology. The program is designed to be informative about the current state of GUI access for visually impaired computer users, give people information about what has been successful in making inroads toward increased accessibility, and to continue to work toward positive change. We are also creating the opportunity to provide input into development of functional performance specifications for GUI accessibility for blind and visually impaired computer users. Since this conference was conceived significant developments in access to GUIs for blind and visually impaired computer users have occurred. The first Access to GUI conference prepared a document with recommendations to support long term access for everyone using computers regardless of the form of presentation. Two of the recommendations suggest that a vendor-neutral organization should be involved in specifications to support special access technologies and define and widely disseminate "Principles of Accessible Interface Design." Representatives from the National Software Testing Laboratory which is developing their performance benchmarks for Graphical User Interfaces this summer. They will share the performance benchmarking program they have in place with the Canadian government. The conference will be a timely opportunity for exchange on this activity. We are arranging presentations by a number of people including: John Perry and Neil Scott of the Project Archimedes, Stanford University, Margy Kahn, Editor Technology Update, Sensory Access Foundation, and Harris Rosensweig, Sensory Access Foundation will be talking about current GUI access, job accommodation and employment issues, Computer Access Training Section, Western Blind Rehabilitation Center, who will be presenting the latest information from a survey of visually impaired computer users. Doug Engelbart of Bootstrap, Inc., inventor of the mouse and windows will discuss developing high performance human/tool systems, Ed McLaughlin of the National Software Testing Laboratory, on developing functional performance standards Stephen F. MacDonald, Special Projects Office, Human Resources Development Canada, who will present on improving service to seniors/disabled through partnering, Susan Brummel, General Services Administration, Doug Wakefield, General Services Administration, Gregg Vanderheiden, Director, Trace Research and development Center, Mike Paciello, Digital Equipment Corporation, who will talk about his experience with the Electronic Industry Association, Rich Schwerdtfeger, IBM Special Services, Peter Korn, Berkeley Systems, Steve Clark, TeleSensory,Betty Lindsay-Carter and Bruce Armstrong, Word Perfect, will discuss user-centered design, Tommy Craig, Papenmier Braille display, Nelson Hinman, Access Technology Specialist, Rob Turner, Angelica Angermann, Rose Resnick Lighthouse, Paul Hendrichsen, Adaptive Technologies. Preliminary program: Monday, May 22 Those coming for the pre-conference sessions may make special arrangements for overnight accommodations. Preconference Activities: Preconference training sessions will be held on Tuesday, May 23, to enable participants to learn about topics that may be new to them. Tuesday, May 23 9:00 am - Noon Pre-conference session I: "An Overview of Graphical User Interfaces" Presented by Computer Training programs at the Western Blind Rehabilitation Center and the Rose Resnick Lighthouse. This presentation is directed toward training visually impaired computer users in the concepts of GUI. The training is for both visually impaired computer users who have requested such an overview, and instructors who teach computer usage to visually impaired individuals. Noon - 1:00 pm Lunch provided 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm Pre-conference session II: "Current Options for Accessing Graphical User Interfaces" Presented by Sensory Access Foundation. This session is an overview of GUI access currently available, concentrating on an evaluation of three Microsoft Windows access products and OS/2 Screenreader/2. 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm Registration for conference. Orientation to the grounds available for interested participants. 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm Dinner 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm Keynote presentation: Dr. Rahda, Chair, High Performance Computing and Communications Council on natural environment workstations. Wednesday, May 24 8:00 am - 9:00 am Breakfast 9:00 am - Noon Introduction and Overview. Employment Issues. User survey. Employment Situations involving GUI access. Universal Design of Products. Noon - 1:00 pm Lunch 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Strategies for ensuring universal access. 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm Access product developer presentations. 4:45 pm - 6:00 pm Hands on product demonstrations. 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm Dinner 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm Hands on product demonstrations continued Thursday, May 25 8:00 am - 9:00 am Breakfast 9:00 am - Noon Access Issues in Employment situations, Leveraging Buying Power Through Performance Benchmarking, Functional Performance Specifications for GUI Accessibility, Small group working sessions. Noon - 1:00 pm Lunch 1:00 pm - 4:30 pm Functional Performance Specifications for GUI Accessibility and small group working sessions 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm Dinner 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm Informal music and socializing. Bring instruments if you wish. Friday, May 26 8:00 am - 9:00 am Breakfast 9:00 am - Noon What next?, Completion of conference work on functional performance specifications, Wrap-up. Noon - 1:00 pm Lunch Information About the Conference Sponsors: The Archimedes Project: The Archimedes Project is part of the Center for the Study of Language and Information (CSLI), an interdisciplinary research institute at Stanford University. CSLI has pioneered the integration of theoretical and practical expertise in a number of areas related to language and information. The mission of the Archimedes Project is to improve access to information for individuals with disabilities through a two-fold approach. First, basic research about information and communications is being applied to the design of access equipment. Second, influencing the design of future technology by involving Stanford students and faculty in access projects. Western Blind Rehabilitation Center: The Western Blind Rehabilitation Center (WBRC), a comprehensive residential facility of the Department of Veteran's Affairs, serves legally blind veterans in the western region of the United States. Approximately 200 men and women of all ages, participate in the Center's program each year. In addition to the regular rehabilitation program for blind and visually impaired veterans, WBRC provides computer training and evaluation of computer access products. WBRC was one of the first facilities within the VA to offer computer training to blind and visually impaired veterans, beginning in 1980. WBRC also has a very active research program which addresses issues such as the development of new access technologies and studying how blind people use technology. Sensory Access Foundation: Sensory Access Foundation is a private, non-profit organization whose mission is to assist persons who are visually impaired to achieve their greatest potential for independent and productive education and employment through the application of special access technology. To meet these ends, Sensory Access Foundation provides job placement, technical evaluation, and consumer information services for blind and partially sighted individuals. Technology update, a bimonthly consumers guide to technology for people who are blind and visually impaired, is a publication of Sensory Access Foundation. NEC Foundation of America: NEC Foundation of America has provided a grant for partial support of this conference. NEC Foundation of America was established in 1991 and endowed at $10 million by NEC and its United States subsidiaries. The NEC Foundation of America supports programs with national reach and impact in the combined areas of science, and technology education, principally at the secondary level, and efforts to apply technology to assist people with disabilities. Conference registrations: Space is limited for this conference. If you would like to participate, please register by March 30, 1995. There will be a late fee after this date. We still have some conference registrations available. If you are interested in attending, please contact Deborah Dowling, conference coordinator at 415/ 723-1616, or email ddowling@arch.stanford.edu. Partial scholarships are available to participants who need financial support. The deadline for scholarship applications is February 28, 1995. Please submit a letter supporting your request. We are keeping this a small conference. Our facilities will handle a maximum of 80 participants. We have received a lot of response and have been able to offer partial scholarships to a number of individuals. We encourage anyone interested in attending to register as soon as possible. Conference Site: The conference is being held at Vallombrosa Conference Center in Menlo Park. We have arranged accommodations and meals on the grounds. Airport transportation is available from either San Francisco or San Jose airports. The conference grounds are also near the Menlo Park Train Station. Public phones are available on the grounds, but not in the rooms. We are negotiating cellular phones which may be used at the conference. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Registration Form: Yes, I would like to attend the Access to GUI Conference at Vallombrosa, Menlo Park, California, May 23 - May 26, 1995. Name: Title: Organization: Street Address: City: State: Zip: Home Phone: Work Phone: E-mail address: Disability: Accommodation: Shared and single rooms are available. All rooms are non smoking. The conference fee includes shared accommodation and meals. - I want a single room: - I want a shared room: Name of person to share room: Share with male: Share with female: Meals: No special needs: Vegetarian: Special diet requested (Vallombrosa will try to accommodate special diets) Airport Transportation: Shuttle services are available from San Francisco International airport and San Jose International airport. Registration Fee: shared accommodation $350.00 Single accommodation $425.00 Late registration fee after March 30, 1995, $50.00 Preconference sessions, May 23, 1995 An overview of GUI $75.00 Options for using GUI $75.00 Daily rates: Wednesday, May 24 $95.00 Thursday, May 25 $95.00 Friday, May 26 (Half day) $50.00 Total Fees paid: _____________________ Please make checks payable to Stanford University. Cancellation policy: Until April 22, 1995, full refund minus $25. After April 22, 1995, refund depends on someone else taking your place. Please return this form to: Jan McKinley VA Medical Center Western Blind Rehabilitation Center 3801 Miranda Ave., Mail Stop 124 Palo Alto, CA 94304 For more information call: 415/493-5000, extension 4379 FAX: 415/852-3472 email: mckinley@arch.stanford.edu Debbie Barley: 415/723-1616