Skills for Access

Author

Claire Allam, Producer, Learning Development and Media Unit

Key technology

Macromedia Director; 3D graphics; video.

Specific Issues/Key Terms

Using media to enhance text; supporting users with dyslexia; text readability; design consistency.

Introduction

This case study features an interview by the multimedia producer, but also has comments by a dyslexic student, Natasha. It describes how dyslexia-friendly features were incorporated into an architectural drawing CD-ROM, and the impact of these features on someone with dyslexia.

Project Aim

In Clip 1, Claire describes a number of accessibility features which were incoporated into the design of the CD-ROM and why these were felt to be necessary...

Technology Used

The learning package was authored in Director and delivered via CD-ROM.

Project success

In Clip 2, Claire asked Natasha, a dyslexic student, to comment on the accessibility of the package. First, Natasha talks about the layout...

In the next clip, Clip 3, Natasha describes how clear presentation of text, including the use of bullet points, helps her understanding of the content...

Natasha comments on the navigation and structure of the package in Clip 4...

In the next clip, Clip 5, Natasha comments on the use of thumbnails...

In Clip 6 Natasha comments on the use of 3-dimensional models...

Reflections

Having listened to Natasha's comments, Claire addressed some of the problems that had been highlighted by Natasha regarding the navigation and layout and improved on these aspects of the CD-Rom (Clip 7).

Claire highlighted the importance of early user testing with the intended user group during the development of this case study, and in this final clip, Clip 8, Claire reflects on the benefits of accessible design for all users.