Designing for Accessibility
CS 377Q/ME214: Designing for Accessibility: Spring 2024
This project-based class introduces concepts and perspectives in how to approach designing accessible user experiences. Students apply what they've learned in a group design project aimed at enabling accessibility for a user population with a disability. The design project will focus on doing formative need finding interviews and user studies with people who have a disability. This year, projects will focus on using AI for Accessibility. Enrollment will be limited to 30 students; class application will be available during the first day of class.
Tuesdays/Thursdays: 4:30-5:50pm Pacific time, Bldg. 160-B40
Lecturer: John Tang, Microsoft Research
johntang@microsoft.com
Office Hours: Wednesdays, Fridays, 3:00-5:00pm Pacific (by appointment: https://calendly.com/johntang)
Zoom: John's Zoom room
CA: Aya Mouallem
mouallem@stanford.edu
Office Hours: Mondays 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm Pacific; Fridays 9 am - 10 am Pacific; (sign up on Calendly or email for other options: https://calendly.com/mouallem-lh34/30min)
Zoom: Aya's Zoom room
Syllabus
Note: Updates to this syllabus may occur throughout the quarter.
Class sessions highlighted are mandatory to attend as they involve significant graded component, or otherwise critical activity. Please contact the teaching team ASAP if you cannot attend any of these.
We strongly encourage you to submit to us feedback at any point in the quarter about anything (likes, areas to improve, music recommendations, etc.) using this anonymous feedback form.
We would love to hear from you!
| Week | Date | Title | Assignment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
2-Apr
|
Introduction: What is designing for accessibility? Disability demographics |
Due A0: https://tinyurl.com/CS377QApp |
| Assign A1: Social Acceptability of Accessibility (4 Points) | |||
| 4-Apr |
Intro to assistive technologies for BLV Sensory substitution Screen readers Alt text for accessibility |
Due A1 | |
|
Assign A2: Making media accessible (9 points) |
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| 2 | 9-Apr |
Impact of disabilities online |
Due A2 |
|
Assign A3: Experiencing accessibility issues online (10 points) |
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| 11-Apr |
Neurodiversity, Deaf/hard of hearing, Down Syndrome
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| 3 | 16-Apr |
Review + Brainstorming project ideas Web Content Accessibility Guidelines |
Due A3 |
|
Assign A4: Individual brainstorming (4 points) |
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| 18-Apr |
|
Due A4 |
|
| Assign A5: AI and Accessibility (8 points) | |||
| 4 | 23-Apr |
Need finding for accessibility Project intro, Group Formation |
Due A5 |
|
Assign P0: Forming project teams Assign P1, Part A and Part B: Need finding in project teams(10 points) |
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| 25-Apr |
Terminology AI and accessibility |
Due P1A: By 4/28 have scheduled interview, developed questions
|
|
| 5 | 30-Apr |
AI and accessibility research |
|
| 2-May |
Need finding Presentations (4min/team) |
Due P1B: Need finding presentations Assign P2: Project Proposal (8 points) |
|
| 6 | 7-May |
Project Proposal Presentations |
Due P2: Project proposal Assign P3: Experience prototype (9 points) |
| 9-May |
AI and society |
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| 7 | 14-May | Experience prototype demo (time slot signup) |
Due P3 Assign P4: Implement prototype (8 points) |
| 16-May |
Accessibility and User Studies |
Assign P5: Design user study (4 points) | |
| 8 | 21-May (time slot signup) |
User Study Pilot/Prototype demo |
Due P4 & P5 Assign P6: Part A, B, and C: Conduct User Study (10 points) |
| 23-May |
|
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| 9 | 28-May |
Accessibility in Industry panel |
Due P6A: Data Collection |
| 30-May |
User Study Presentations (5 min/team) |
Due P6B-C: Analysis & Presentation | |
|
Assign P7: Project Fair (6 points) |
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| 10 |
4-Jun |
|
Assign A6: Team Feedback Form |
|
4-Jun |
Project Fair Packard 101 and Atrium |
Due P7 | |
| 5-Jun | Due A6: Team Feedback Form |
Course Logistics
Grading breakdown
35% Individual Assignments
55% Group Project
10% Class Participation
No Final
Late work subject to 10% penalty--let us know in advance if something will be late.
Attendance Policy
Must attend class when grading occurs in class (highlighted dates in syllabus)
Let us know in advance if there are any expected absences in the class to work out how to manage that. More than 2 absences or any unexplained absences detracts from class participation grade
Honor Code
We expect you to adhere to the Stanford Honor Code:
https://communitystandards.stanford.edu/policies-and-guidance/honor-code
We will be collecting info about individual contribution to team projects.
Accessibility
Beyond the standard university statement (which follows below), we commit to making the course accessible to enrolled students--please contact the teaching team for any questions.
Students with Documented Disabilities: Students who may need an academic accommodation based on the impact of a disability must initiate the request with the Office of Accessible Education (OAE). Professional staff will evaluate the request with required documentation, recommend reasonable accommodations, and prepare an Accommodation Letter for faculty. Unless the student has a temporary disability, Accommodation letters are issued for the entire academic year. Students should contact the OAE as soon as possible since timely notice is needed to coordinate accommodations. The OAE is located at 563 Salvatierra Walk (phone: 723-1066, URL: https://oae.stanford.edu/
Wellness Resources
Many world events at the moment can create an extremely stressful time for us all. These concerning events may impact our performance in our outside of class. We are committed to advancing the mental health and well-being of CS377Q students. If you (or someone you know in class) are feeling overwhelmed, anxious, depressed, and/or in need of support, services are available. You can learn more at https://vaden.stanford.edu/caps/mental-health-care-options-students/caps-clinical-services.