MSU Adapted Sports Festival 2005
Photo by
(Fong) Tsao-Fang Bristor
Strong people make strong communities. As the premier land-grant institution, Michigan State University has long taken seriously the responsibility of public universities to the society they serve. By engaging people from all backgrounds, through elements as diverse as MSU Extension and the Office of Outreach & Engagement, we can work to understand and meet the needs of individuals and their communities.
Jim Renuk, IM Sports coordinator at World Usability Day - MSU Student Union, 2005.
Photo by Kurt Stepnitz, University Relations
At MSU, advancements in accessibility are making it easier for persons with disabilities to take part in everyday tasks with the help of customized technologies such as talking washing machines for the blind and voice box computers.
A consulting service helps companies recognize accessibility barriers in design. The service also addresses disabilities associated with aging, such as diminished vision, hearing, mobility, and fine-motor coordination.
The Usability and Accessibility Center is bringing a new dimension to MSU by evaluating the degree to which new interface technologies are useful, usable, accessible and appealing to a broad audience.
The Artificial Language Laboratory helps clients who have difficulty speaking or are unable to speak by using computers developed in the lab that “speak” for them. The technology is used throughout the world and in many languages.
Jim Renuk, a sports coordinator for MSU's intramural sports, who has cerebral palsy, and cannot speak, and has limited use of his arms and feet, uses technology developed at the lab. He points to words on a word board to form sentences or uses a joystick to type messages on a screen attached to his motorized wheelchair or the computer on his desk. He is able to activate the computer's voice box, giving voice to his words.
Learn More
Usability and Accessibility Center at MSU
MSU Resource Center for Person's With Disabilities
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