Cognitive & Learning Disabilities Need (CC)
People with cognitive or learning disabilities, such as dyslexia and short-term memory deficit, need more general web accessibility solutions, which include providing a consistent design and using simplified language. For example, by using a template, a Web developer can reuse the same layout and design for each page, so a person with a cognitive disability can more easily navigate through a Web site. People with cognitive or learning disabilities can also benefit from redundant input, such as providing both an audio file and a transcript of a video. By simultaneously viewing the text and hearing it read aloud, they can take advantage of both auditory and visual skills to comprehend the material better.
DigitalChalk, Hunter College and IBM completed a Federal Government Department of Education, National Institute for Disabilities and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) grant to automate translation of audio/video speech to text for web based learning. This project used the speech to text software from IBM Research and the DigitalChalk learning platform to deliver closed captioning to the hard of hearing and cognitive learning disabled. This project was a technical success, according to Dr. David Vandergoot of Hunter College. Business issues remain a sticking point in bringing this technology to market. Hopefully, this solution will be brought to market soon.