The original message was not delivered because the PDF attachment was too big. Here is a link to the PDF instead: http://wiki.fluidproject.org/download/attachments/42009249/Forces-and-motion-01-jh.pdf?api=v2
I apologize if you receive duplicate messages. The original message follows: Hi everyone, I have created some early designs for keyboard interaction, and for non-visual interaction for the Net Force simulation under "Forces and Motion Basics" (link to Forces and Motion Basics at PhET <http://phet.colorado.edu/sims/html/forces-and-motion-basics/latest/forces-and-motion-basics_en.html> ). *Keyboard Interaction* Attached to this email is a PDF containing a visual walk through the Net Force simulation using a switch or keyboard only. Note: at this time the PDF is completely visual and lacks appropriate accessible text descriptions. *Non-Visual Interaction* In addition to the keyboard interaction, I have begun sketching out what a non-visual interaction for the same simulation. The results can be found on this wiki page: wiki.fluidproject.org/display/fluid/PhET+Forces+and+Motion+Simulation+Design In exploring non-visual interaction, two significant issues have come up: 1. Non-visual users will require an up-front description of the scene so the user understands their context. Currently the simulation does not have a description for this purpose. 2. Additional descriptions need to accompany non-interactive objects. For example, in the simulation the cart is never interacted with directly, but the cart contains crucial information to the understanding of the simulation: where is it located? has it moved, and in which direction? how fast is it going? how many people are pulling on it? what is the net force? A sighted user can discern this information from all the visual cues, and somehow this information needs to be conveyed to a non-sighted user. *"Braking" the Cart* A possible solution is to make the cart part of the tab order, and upon focusing, provide relevant information to the user. However, this breaks the established interaction pattern of the simulation where only interactive items can get tab focus. The cart lacks any interactive parts - so it may make sense to add some interactivity to the cart itself. One possible idea (and this may not be a good idea) is to remove the Play/Pause button that controls the simulation currently. Instead, we add a brake on the cart that controls its movement. So upon focusing the cart, a summary of the cart's status can be given to the user, and the user can apply / remove the brakes on the cart to stop and start the simulation. *What now?* The designs are in an early state and we're just beginning to uncover some issues we have not considered before. I would love some feedback from the community regarding the designs and the issues outlined in this email. Thanks in advance for any feedback. - Jon. -- *JONATHAN HUNG* INCLUSIVE DESIGNER, IDRC *T:* 416 977 6000 x3951 *F:* 416 977 9844 *E:* jh...@ocadu.ca *OCAD UNIVERSITY* Inclusive Design Research Centre 205 Richmond Street W, Toronto, ON, M5V 1V3 www.ocadu.ca www.idrc.ocad.ca
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