The Zig Improvement Report (ZIR):
A report to foster a disability map for the unmapped at UCLA Albert S. Kochaphum
Spring 2014 - Client: Patrick Burke, UCLA Disabilities and Computing Program - Advisor: Evelyn Blumenberg
The problem:
What the ZIR?
Have you ever wandered around a new part of the UCLA campus with no idea how to get to a particular classroom? Now, wonder how different the same situation might be for a person in a wheelchair or for someone who is unable to see.
Preliminary Survey Results
The Zig Improvement Report (ZIR) attempts to provide a suggested trajectory of application development based on information gathered by potential student users at UCLA.
Research Questions
Zig attempts to bridge the gap between technology and disabilities, by tying together geo-spatial information, webbased mapping, and civic engagement, to a mechanism for people with physical disabilities to learn about and give feed back about their surroundings. In short:
Zig = GIS + Web application + Crowd sourcing
Through adaptiv e technology
Not disabled
Other
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
Number of Respondents
7
8
0
2. Improvements for navigating campus Clearer signage
2
4
6
8
Number of Respondents
10
12
4. Interest in sharing information
Yes, frequently
Accessible entrances
ZIR Methodology
Not su re
Information No, not at all
Other
0
1
2
3
Number of Respondents
4
5
0
1
2
3
4
Number of Respondents
5
Preliminary Recommendations • The low survey responses from students with vision impairments illustrates potential outreach issues
Disability demographics
Low Visio n
Yes, occasionally
Students with physical disabilities have some difficulty getting around campus and the extent of these concerns can guide the development of the Zig app.
Application participation
Campus W eb browser
Clearer pathways
Hypothesis
Application preferences
Smart Phone
Blind
Mobility Im paired
How may various user groups respond to certain aspects of the Zig app?
Attitude about current conditions
3. Application platform preferences
Home W eb browser
How do students with physical disabilities feel about getting around UCLA campus?
The Zig:
1. Student demographics
Online Student Survey
• Zig should have ample details on accessible entrances and signage, as these were the most common improvements mentioned. Recommendations
• Zig should be fully accessible on smart phones alongside web browsers. • Crowd sourcing of Zig information is a key feature to include in the later development cycle
Special Thanks: Evelyn Blumenberg, Patrick Burke, Eileen Fowler, Yoh Kawano, Edward McCloskey, Loosine Vartani, and David Yamamoto
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