Transcript Database Management Systems

Health, Access, and the
Environment
Chapter 7
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Ergonomics
Ergonomics is the science of how to make
a computer workspace, hardware, and
environment fit the individual using it.
 Using an ergonomically correct workspace
and ergonomic hardware can help avoid or
lessen the pain associated with some
RSIs.
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Health Matters
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Repetitive stress injuries
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
Eyestrain & headaches
 Back & neck pains
 Electromagnetic fields
 Noise
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Ergonomics
Fitting the job
environment to the
worker
 Purpose – make
working conditions
and equipment safer
and more efficient
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Ergonomic Considerations
Chair
 Keyboard Height
 Wrist Rest
 Monitor Height
 Lighting
 Noise
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Ergonomics
Eye strain
 Radiation
 Glare
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Ergonomic Keyboard
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Recommendations
Maintain good posture
 Take rest breaks
 Do alternate tasks
 Use docking stations for notebooks
 Raise notebook to eye level
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Internet Addiction
Internet addiction refers to not being
able to stop using computers, the
Internet, or other technology.
 Most prominent in countries with high
levels of broadband Internet access.
 It can affect users of any age and is
treated similarly to other addictions.
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Quality of Life Issues
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The environment
Mental health
• Isolation
• Gambling
• Stress
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Quality-of-Life Issues

Information Technology misuse can result in
• Environmental problems
– Manufacturing computers and circuits can cause pollution
– Computer component manufacturing employees may be
exposed to toxic substances
– Used computers/monitors contain chromium, cadmium, lead,
mercury, PVC, and brominated flame retardants – all toxic
substances that must be disposed of properly
• Exacerbation of Mental-health problems
• Proliferation of pornography
• Workplace problems
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Quality-of-Life Issues

Information Technology misuse can result in
• Environmental problems
• Exacerbation of mental-health problems
– Isolation; computer gamers may substitute online games for
interpersonal interaction
– Online gambling can be addictive
– Many users find PCs stressful
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dN3v0drnTdQ
– Internet usage by children can expose them to online
predators
• Proliferation of pornography
• Workplace problems
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Quality-of-Life Issues

Information Technology misuse can result in
• Environmental problems
• Exacerbation of Mental-health problems
• Proliferation of pornography
– Online pornographers use pop-up ads and internet search
engines to troll for new customers
– This means that children may be exposed to porn when
involved in innocent online searches
– Parents may use online blocking software like Cybersitter,
Cyber Patrol, or Net Nanny to prevent this
• Workplace problems
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Quality of Life Issues cont.
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The workplace
• Misuse of technology
• Fussing with computers
• Information overload
– Bozo filters
– Intelligent agents
Are you Internet-dependent?
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Fussing with Computers
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Fussing with Computers
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Digital Divide
The digital divide refers to the gap
between those who have access to
computers and communications
technology and those who do not.
 Those without physical access to
technology
 Those who do not understand technology
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Environmental Issues
High energy use
 Massive amount of paper computer
users consume.
 Green computing refers to using
computers in an environmentally friendly
manner.
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Green Computing
Green computing refers to using
computers in an environmentally friendly
manner.
 It can include using environmentally
friendly hardware
 ENERGY STAR certification
 consolidating servers
 using power management features
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Environmentally Friendly
Computers
Environmentally friendly computers are
just starting to come on the market
 Alternate-powered hardware is
beginning to become available.
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Recycling
Working computer equipment may be
able to be donated and refurbished for
additional use
 Toner and ink cartridges can often be
refilled and reused.
 Hardware that cannot be reused should
be recycled if possible, or properly
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Security and Privacy

For security and privacy, storage media
should be wiped or shredded before
being reused or recycled.
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Web Accessibility
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Web Accessibility Overview

What is universal Web Accessibility?
• Accessible web design allows people with
disabilities access to electronic
communication and information technology
provided to everyone else
– Access to people with vision, hearing and
motor impairments
– Also includes those with color blindness,
cognitive and developmental limitations
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Web Accessibility Overview
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Why is it important?
• ensures Web information and services are
available to people with disabilities
• ensures Web information available to the
broadest audience
• legal requirement
– Changes to the Americans with Disabilities Act
and Section 508 of the Vocational Rehabilitation
Act require all campus Websites to be
accessible to people with disabilities.
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Web Accessibility Overview

Factors influencing need for accessible
college Websites
• College Web-based systems
• e-learning through online courses
• Vocational Rehabilitation Act, Section 508
accessibility standards by Federal government,
Dec. 2000
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Web Accessibility Overview
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Web accessibility problems
• Many current Web sites use design
techniques, scripts, images and graphics
in ways that make the content inaccessible
or difficult to use
– Images without alt tags
– Tables for layout
– Content presented as graphics without text
version
– Video and audio clips without text versions
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Types of Disabilities
Visual
 Auditory
 Physical
 Language
 Cognitive
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Aids for People with Disabilities
Screen Readers - Jaws
 Alternative input devices
 Text enlargers – Zoom Text
 Transcriptions
 Video captions
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Two sets of Standards

Legal Standards: Section 508
• emphasizes end results and enforceability
• Access Board has developed tips for
implementation
– http://www.access-board.gov/sec508/guide/1194.22.htm
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Implementation Standards: WAI
• The W3C’s Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI =
way)
– published guidelines, implementation methods, and
priority checkpoints under the WCAG.
– http://www.w3.org/TR/WAI-WEBCONTENT/
• No force of lawPlymouth State University
Legal Standards

Section 508
• emphasizes end results and enforceability
• Access Board has developed tips for
implementation
– http://www.access-board.gov/sec508/guide/1194.22.htm
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Section 508 Standards
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Alt Text Tags
Multimedia Presentations
Color
Readability (style sheets)
Tables
Frames
Flicker Rate
Text-Only Alternative
Time Delays
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Recommended Standards

Implementation Standards: WAI
• The W3C’s Web Accessibility Initiative
(WAI = way)
– published guidelines, implementation methods,
and priority checkpoints under the WCAG.
– http://www.w3.org/TR/WAI-WEBCONTENT/
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Alt. Text and Captions
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Adding alternative text for images is the
first principle of web accessibility.
Vision
 Hearing
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Captions and Transcripts
Video files have synchronized captions.
 Audio files have captions and/or
transcripts.
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Graphics and Charts
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Complex graphics (graphs, charts, etc.) are
accompanied by detailed text descriptions,
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Color
Color should not be used solely to
convey important information.
 Sufficient contrast is provided.
 Consider individuals with Red/Green
color blindness
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Tables
Data tables have the column and row
headers appropriately identified .
 Tables used strictly for layout purposes
do NOT have row or column headers.
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Flicker or Flashing
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No elements on the
page flicker at a rate
of 2 to 55 cycles per
second, thus reducing
the risk of opticallyinduced seizures.
*New*
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Forms

All form controls have text labels.
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Age-related Disabilities
Vision
 Hearing
 Slower reactions
 Understanding
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Injuries
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Assistive Technology
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Hardware and software that makes
conventional computer systems easier
for users with disabilities to use.
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Assistive Input Devices
Braille keyboards
 voice input systems
 foot-controlled mice
 Head pointing systems.
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Assistive Output Devices
Screen readers
 Braille displays
 Braille printers.
 Web pages need to use features, such as
alternative text descriptions for Web page
images and descriptive text-based
hyperlinks.
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Accessibility Issues
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kziXJX6a7E4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHBvqwRAduw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfLnSk0sPWI
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