plymouth state university health, access, and the environment chapter 7

Plymouth State University

Health, Access, and the Environment

Chapter 7


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.


Health Matters

Repetitive stress injuries• Carpal tunnel syndrome

Eyestrain & headaches Back & neck pains Electromagnetic fields Noise


Ergonomics

Fitting the job environment to the worker

Purpose – make working conditions and equipment safer and more efficient


Ergonomic Considerations

Chair Keyboard Height Wrist Rest Monitor Height Lighting Noise


Ergonomics

Eye strain Radiation Glare


Ergonomic Keyboard


Recommendations

Maintain good posture Take rest breaks Do alternate tasks Use docking stations for notebooks Raise notebook to eye level


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

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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• 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 stressfulhttp://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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• 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.

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


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


Environmental Issues

High energy use Massive amount of paper computer

users consume. Green computing refers to using

computers in an environmentally friendly manner.


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


Environmentally Friendly Computers

Environmentally friendly computers are just starting to come on the market

Alternate-powered hardware is beginning to become available.


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


Security and Privacy

For security and privacy, storage media should be wiped or shredded before being reused or recycled.


Web Accessibility


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


Web Accessibility Overview 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.


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


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

Web Accessibility Overview


Types of Disabilities

Visual Auditory Physical Language Cognitive


Aids for People with Disabilities

Screen Readers - Jaws Alternative input devices Text enlargers – Zoom Text Transcriptions Video captions


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

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 law


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


Section 508 Standards

Alt Text Tags Multimedia Presentations Color Readability (style sheets) Tables Frames Flicker Rate Text-Only Alternative Time Delays


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/


Alt. Text and Captions

Adding alternative text for images is the first principle of web accessibility.

Vision Hearing


Captions and Transcripts

Video files have synchronized captions. Audio files have captions and/or

transcripts.


Graphics and Charts Complex graphics (graphs, charts, etc.) are

accompanied by detailed text descriptions,


Color

Color should not be used solely to convey important information.

Sufficient contrast is provided. Consider individuals with Red/Green

color blindness


Tables

Data tables have the column and row headers appropriately identified .

Tables used strictly for layout purposes do NOT have row or column headers.


Flicker or Flashing No elements on the

page flicker at a rate of 2 to 55 cycles per second, thus reducing the risk of optically-induced seizures.

*New*


Forms

All form controls have text labels.


Age-related Disabilities Vision Hearing Slower reactions Understanding


Injuries


Assistive Technology

Hardware and software that makes conventional computer systems easier for users with disabilities to use.


Assistive Input Devices

Braille keyboards voice input systems foot-controlled mice Head pointing systems.


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.


Accessibility Issues

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kziXJX6a7E4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHBvqwRAduw http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfLnSk0sPWI

plymouth state university health, access, and the environment chapter 7

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