To what extent do visual communication designers and educators consider the visually-impaired audience, How do we reasonably effectively engage them through an inclusive design? Your thoughts, proposals and insights are welcome.
I think technology has been a great aid to the visually impaired. Zoom, type size and contrast settings make content more accessible. There are not as many options in terms of print (besides the obvious, large, high-conrast type).
One possible print solution could be QR codes on everything, linking to digital, accessible versions or voice-overs.
Four years ago I taught 'Lighting design' to drama undergraduate students and one of them was visually-impaired. The module was divided into three sections (history, applications in contemporary productions and practices). I used metaphors to deliver the theoretical content, but could not help much in the hands-on sections as I had a small amount of equipment and the group was big. One positive outcome of the practice section was asking the student to try to feel the 'heat' of theatrical lights. This notion is important for actors to locate themselves onstage.
A Uni staff with experience of working with visually-impaired people joined the classes and adapted written material. I also had conversations before or after the class with the student to check her progress and learn how I could help her more. It was a rich experience and I learned a lot from her.
I believe exercising empathy is a really good tool to engage with people.
One of my students' projects this year was to create a (fake) company and design its communication supports. One team chose to "commercialise" a connected stick that could increase the autonomy of viually impaired people.
One of the solution they came up with to adapt their communication was audio files. They had imagined (but nor coded though since those were not IT studets) a website that would obey vocal commands and "read" the texts for the customers.
So maybe, yes, QR codes might do part of the trick as they could be linked to audio files instead of text. I think it could be used for education as most students have earphones and smartphones with them. and this could also help dyslexic students and slow readers.
My university has just advertised this MOOC (starting Monday 14 May and lasting 5 weeks), which I thought could positively add food for our thoughts; hope it will bee of any help :)
https://www.fun-mooc.fr/courses/course-v1:inria+41012+session03/about
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