Banca de DEFESA: ISMAEL RODRIGUES DOS SANTOS

Uma banca de DEFESA de DOUTORADO foi cadastrada pelo programa.
STUDENT : ISMAEL RODRIGUES DOS SANTOS
DATE: 29/04/2024
TIME: 09:00
LOCAL: Online
TITLE:

DIGITAL ACCESSIBILITY FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH TOTAL OR PARTIAL VISION LOSS: A STUDY IN UNIVERSITIES AFFILIATED WITH THE BRAZILIAN NETWORK OF ADAPTED STUDIES AND CONTENT

KEY WORDS:

Digital accessibility. Informational Accessibility. Web Accessibility. Disabled person. Assistive Technologies.

PAGES: 178
BIG AREA: Ciências Sociais Aplicadas
AREA: Ciência da Informação
SUMMARY:

This study aimed to analyze the promotion of digital accessibility in universities affiliated with the Brazilian Network of Adapted Studies and Content (REBEKA), with a specific focus on students experiencing total or partial vision loss. The research is classified as both bibliographical and documentary, with the objective of describing and analyzing qualitative and quantitative aspects. Data were collected through an online questionnaire administered to visually impaired students and professionals responsible for creating accessible materials across five higher education institutions within the REBEKA network. Additionally, a tool was employed to validate the accessibility of digital environments within these institutions. The results were evaluated and discussed through content analysis, informed by a comprehensive review of relevant literature and documentary sources. Based on the obtained results, an overview emerged regarding how participating higher education institutions are working to promote digital accessibility. Among the critical points identified concerning accessibility, communication challenges between universities and visually impaired students were prominent. Many visually impaired students reported a lack of awareness about available services or expressed complete ignorance of any dedicated accessibility department within their university. Another critical issue highlighted was the insufficient support provided by some universities to their accessibility centers or secretariats in carrying out their activities effectively. Accessibility problems were also identified in the digital environments used by these institutions for academic purposes, as confirmed by results obtained from accessibility validators and the testimonies of visually impaired students who participated in the research. It is worth noting that some universities were unaware of the number of visually impaired students within their context, which can hinder faculty preparedness for teaching such students. With advance information, instructors could better prepare accessible lessons and materials, leveraging support from the library and the Accessibility Center. Based on the identified challenges and observed opportunities, a list of best practices has been proposed in terms of technologies, instructional material production, and the promotion of information access. These practices are intended to guide educational institutions in providing a more inclusive academic experience for visually impaired students during their period of study.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Interno - 2826584 - ANTONIO DE SOUZA SILVA JUNIOR
Externa à Instituição - IZABEL FRANÇA DE LIMA - PUC-CHILE
Externo à Instituição - MARCKSON ROBERTO FERREIRA DE SOUSA - UFPB
Interno - 1673028 - MURILO ARTUR ARAUJO DA SILVEIRA
Presidente - 2226674 - SANDRA DE ALBUQUERQUE SIEBRA