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Pitt uses grants to study barriers to computer access

The University of Pittsburgh School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences was awarded two research grants to help people with disabilities overcome access barriers to using computers and the Internet.

The first grant, awarded to the school's department of health information management, totals $1.5 million from the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research. In addition to evaluating computer access barriers, the money will be used to evaluate new and existing accommodations, which include assistive technology and training.

A second grant will fund the creation of a computer server that will make any Web site — regardless of its level of accessibility — available to those with visual impairments. This portion of the project will be funded through a $490,000 grant from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration.

"The development of this server is the backbone of this project. Of the 25 most-visited Web sites, none is accessible," said Bambang Parmanto, assistant professor and principal investigator of the project. When completed, the server will be free to both users and developers.

Under the project, researchers will maintain computer labs in three community-based locations: Pittsburgh Vision Services, Three Rivers Center for Independent Living and the Institute of Advanced Technology at the Community College of Allegheny County. At these labs, they will test the range of accommodation possibilities by matching the assistive device to the individual and providing coaching and mentoring.

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