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Access Ratings for Buildings Project
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Download the WUWM interview with primary investigator Roger O. Smith about the Access Ratings for Buildings project!

Overview

The Access Ratings for Buildings (AR-B) Project, funded by the National Institute of Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR), is developing a mobile and web-based system for providing up-to-date accessibility information about public buildings for people with disabilities, their families and friends, and building owners. The AR-B system combines both ADA information and user experience ratings within one platform, so that users have access to the most useful information for their particular needs.

The Goal: Accessibility Information About Public Buildings

A man looks at his smartphone outside of a building entrance.

AR-B users first create a profile, allowing the system to personalize the display of building information that is most related to the individual's specific accessibility needs. Users may choose to view summary reports or navigate through the details, with information provided from other people with disabilities and building visitors who have shared personal accessibility testimonials and ratings for particular buildings.

Building data is populated by building visitors with accessibility needs as well as trained accessibility evaluators. Users share comments and rate as many (or as few) of the building's accessibility features (or lack thereof) as they like. Trained building evaluators perform a comprehensive assessment of the building's publicly visited areas, collecting a significant number of objective measurements.

Overall User Interaction with the AR-B System

Diagram showing flow of data from data collectors, through report generation in the cloud, to data users.

In the above figure, Data Collectors use mobile platforms to input building accessibility data into the Report Generator cloud. As not all users have mobile devices, we have expanded our plan to include data collection via desktop computers. Personal Profiles created by users are used to filter building accessibility data and generated personalized UD-4-Me reports for each user. Expert-created profiles for common impairments are used to filter the building accessibility for general UD-4-All reports, which summarize the building's accessiblity for a range of impairments. The reports are made available to Data Users through multiple platforms, including smartphones, tablets, laptops and desktop workstations. This figure does not clearly illustrate the significant overlap we expect between Data Collectors and Data Users.

If you are interested in assisting us with any of the development or testing, please contact us at contact@accessratings.org. Please include your contact information and indicate if you are located in the Milwaukee, WI area.

Contents

Background

The Problem: Unexpected Barriers

Illustration of a person with a mobility impairment in a wheelchair encountering stairs, a person who is blind unable to find signage for the restroom, and a person with a congnitive impairment attempting to understand poor signage indicating the location of the restroom.

In spite of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, people with disabilities continue to be challenged in the community by buildings with accessibility barriers. While progress has been made, a substantial percentage of buildings remain inaccessible or only partially accessible due to various physical, sensory, and cognitive barriers. Many buildings also still fail to meet ADA building standards due to age or protected building status. Statistically, it is estimated that more than 50 million people with a wide range of disabilities encounter design problems with facilities. Yet, no postings of building accessibility information are readily available or required. Consequently, people with disabilities may not have information about barriers until they encounter them, which ultimately affects their level of participation in the community. It is immensely beneficial for all people, especially people with accessibility needs, to know what to expect ahead of time before they attempt to navigate a building. Armed with relevant accessibility information, people can determine which establishment will best serve their needs, plan alternatives, bring assistance, or even avoid particular barriers. Furthermore, people who are responsible for the design and operation of buildings should be aware of the details about their building’s accessibility. A simple and portable evaluation and reporting tool would enable building assessors to improve their analyses, building owners to plan building improvements and market accessible buildings to their advantage, and advocates to use the evidence-base to document the need for policy change.

Current Work

The AR-B team has developed a preliminary taxonomy specific to restaurants that is being expanded to address public buildings in general. This taxonomy includes user demographics, building types, general building elements, detailed ADAAG requirements and additional functional building elements related to accessibility, a subjective experience rating domain, and individual subjective building element prioritization. These data are organized and structurally integrated to create both data collection and reporting interfaces for three major user groups:

  1. building users (targeting people with disabilities, friends or relatives)
  2. building evaluators (including advocates and building assessors)
  3. building overseers (such as owners, managers, and policy makers)

Pilot data have been collected from building users with plans to conduct more extensive focus groups. A second round of mock-up software interfaces are being developed that include an important new design concept. The software will include, not only the different user groups, data collection and reports, but also the design of the user prioritization and filtering for the personalized UD-4-Me concept.

The initial data collection platform is designed as an accessible mobile smartphone application. Building scores are stored in a central interactive database or "cloud" so that individual users do not have to worry about where the data are stored. Instead, users can obtain free building accessibility reports from anywhere the Internet is available. Reports can be retrieved via both a traditional web page and a mobile application. The accessibility of the AR-B interface is critically important given the intended users of this product. It is intended that users be able to use the system sight free or audio free, with optional cognitive levels of complexity and minimal physical control requirements.

Mobile and Web-based System Development

Abstract

Access Ratings for Buildings (AR-B) aims to develop a mobile and web-based system that will provide up-to-date accessibility information about public buildings for people with disabilities, their families and friends, and building owners. This system is divided into five components: Access Slope, Access Light, Access Sound, Access Tools, and Access Place Mobile and Web.

Background

People with disabilities face accessibility challenges due to various physical, sensory, and cognitive obstacles both while entering and maneuvering within community buildings. People with disabilities may not know about these barriers until they encounter them, which ultimately affects their level of participation in the community. These apps allow people to determine which establishments will best serve their needs, plan alternatives, bring assistance, or avoid particular barriers. AR-B is a collection of simple, portable evaluation and reporting tools that will enable building assessors to broadcast details about any building's accessibility.

Description

Access Slope

Access Slope (Figs. 1-4) is an app that allows users to measure the degrees, percent increase, and vertical:horizontal ratio of any ramp. There are four measurement options comprised of the run slope and cross slope of both the ramp and landing. (Fig. 1) The run slope follows the path of the ramp and the cross slope measures the slope along the width of the ramp. The device must be physically placed flat on the ramp for the measurements to be taken. Access Slope only requires three seconds to record each measurement. The results are ranked on a good access/poor access scale, taken from Americans with Disabilities Act (1990) requirements, which indicates the level of accessibility of the ramp. Users may add a location and description to each measurement. The app can store up to 50 measurements and at any point can be exported to a spread sheet, through email (Fig. 4).

Access Light

Access Light (Figs. 5-8) is an app that measures the light of any environment and indicates the accessibility of the brightness level. There are three light options to choose from: task light, ambient light, and accent light (Fig. 5). For example: task light could be a desk lamp, ambient light could be a general well-lit room, and accent light could be a spotlight. Once a type of lighting is selected, a Post-it® note is used to cover the front facing camera of the device to allow for the most accurate results to be recorded. The sticky one-third of a Post-it® can be torn off and used to cover the camera. Simply place the device face up on a steady surface while the measurement is being recorded. Results are presented in two different graphs. The first graph is an x-y bar graph that shows the lux values recorded over the fifteen samples taken during the measurement (Fig. 6). The next results page shows the median lux as compared to lux standards of brightness (Fig. 7). A location and description can be added to each measurement. Access Light can hold up to 50 measurements and at any time these can be exported to a spread sheet, through email.

Access Sound

Access Sound (Figs. 9-12) is an app that measures the decibel (dB) level in any room and provides the accessibility information for the recorded level. There are three sound levels to choose from: quiet activity, moderate activity, and loud activity (Fig. 9). Quiet activity represents a library type environment, moderate activity is the tone of a normal conversation, and loud activity is similar to the tone of a concert or mowing the grass. The measurement is taken on a steady surface to avoid interference. Results are presented in two different graphs. An x-y bar graph illustrates the dB levels recorded over the fifteen samples taken throughout the sample time. The second graph shows the median, maximum, and minimum dB levels taken during the measurement, in comparison to common environmental sounds, in order to indicate the noise level. It is possible to assign each measurement a location and description (Fig. 11). Access Sound can store up to 50 measurements and at any point these can be exported into a spread sheet, through email (Fig. 12).

Access Tools

Access Tools (Figs. 13-16) incorporates twelve AUDITs into one mobile application so the accessibility features of entire buildings can be assessed. The features of buildings that can be evaluated are doorways, elevators, floor and ground, handrails, parking, ramps, restaurants, restrooms, routes, seating, signage, and stairs (Fig. 13). Users record details concerning each of these areas while out, or afterwards. Answers are presented in a trichotomous manner: yes, no, maybe, and not applicable (Fig. 14). The answer chosen for one question determines which question is presented next. For instance, if a certain standard is not met in one area, more specific questions are posed, however, if the area meets the standards, the app will skip subsequent questions. The results are recorded in spread sheet format which the user can share via email (Fig. 16).

Access Place

Access Place (Figs. 17-18) is a multi-platform mobile and web application designed for end-users to communicate and obtain Personalized Accessibility Information (PAI) tailored to the individual's functional impairments. The user creates a profile (Functional Impairment Profile, Fig. 17) that allows the system to personalize the display of building information that is most relevant to their specific accessibility needs. The user may also view information provided by other people with disabilities and building visitors concerning the accessibility of various businesses. Reviews written by users with comparable profiles are sorted toward the top of the search list, and their ratings are given greater weight in correspondence to their level of similarity. This allows users to better prepare for environmental challenges they may face in a particular settings.

Acknowledgments

The Access Ratings for Buildings Project is supported in part by the Department of Education, National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR), grant number H133G100211. The opinions contained in this presentation do not necessarily represent the policy of the Department of Education or ACL/HHS, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.

Outputs

Review of Assessments

In the course of an extensive review of existing building accessibility assessments we discovered significant limitations in current approaches. Please send us a note at contact@accessratings.org if we missed an assessment.

Download assessment review (XLS)

References

Refereed Publications and Proceedings

Tomashek, D., Spaeth, N., Latzig, N., Pelkey, A., Smith, R.O. (2018) Validation of the AccessPlace Personal Accessibility Information Review Sorting. Platform given at the Rehabilitation Engineering Assistive Technology Society of North America Conference (RESNA), Arlington, VA. Retrieved from https://www.resna.org/sites/default/files/conference/2018/jea/Tomashek.html

Tomashek, D., Smith, R.O, Spaeth, N., Schuh, C. (2017, July). Access Ratings For Buildings: Use As A Learning Tool For Building Assessment Instruction. Poster Presentation. 40th Annual Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America Conference, New Orleans, LA. Retrieved from https://www.resna.org/sites/default/files/conference/2017/pdf_versions/public_policy/Thomasheck.pdf

Williams, D., Johnson, N., Saha, A.K., Spaeth, N., Tomashek, D., Ahamed, S.I., Smith, R.O. (2016, July) Access Ruler: An Accessible Measurement Application for Determining Accessibility In The Built Environment. Paper. 39th Annual Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America Conference, Washington, D.C. Retrieved from http://www.resna.org/sites/default/files/conference/2016/Cac/williams.html

Johnson, N, Saxena,P, Williams, D, Bangole, O.C., Hasan, K, Ahamed, S.I., Smith, R.O., & Tomashek, D. (2015). Smartphone-based light and sound intensity calculation application for accessibility measurement. Poster session at the RESNA 38th International Conference on Technology and Disability: Research, Design, Practice and Policy. Denver, CO. Retrieved from http://www.resna.org/sites/default/files/conference/2015/cac/johnson.html

Spaeth, N.L., Tomashek, D., & Smith, R.O. (2015). AccessPlace: Personalized accessibility information for buildings. Platform session at the RESNA 38th International Conference on Technology and Disability: Research, Design, Practice and Policy. Denver, CO. Retrieved from http://www.resna.org/sites/default/files/conference/2015/cac/spaeth.html

Tomashek, D., Baumann, R., & Smith, R.O. (2015). Dining experiences and the impact of accessibility information for people with disabilities: A pilot study. Platform session at the RESNA 38th International Conference on Technology and Disability: Research, Design, Practice and Policy. Denver, CO. Retrieved from https://www.resna.org/sites/default/files/conference/2015/cac/tomashek.html

White, K. & Smith, R.O. (2015). Determining accessibility for iOS applications: A checklist for practitioners. Platform session at the RESNA 38th International Conference on Technology and Disability: Research, Design, Practice and Policy. Denver, CO. Retrieved from http://www.resna.org/sites/default/files/conference/2015/cac/white.html

Williams, D, Johnson, N, Bangole, O.C., Hasan, K, Tomashek, D, Ahamed, S.I. & Smith, R.O. (2015). Access Tools: Developing a Usable Smartphone-Based Tool for Determining Building Accessibility. Platform session at the RESNA 38th International Conference on Technology and Disability: Research, Design, Practice and Policy. Denver, CO. Retrieved from http://www.resna.org/sites/default/files/conference/2015/cac/williams.html

Baumann, R., Schwartz, J., & Smith, R. O. (2014, June). Creating accessible mobile applications: A case study of lessons and challenges. Proceedings of the RESNA 37th International Conference on Technology and Disability: Research, Design, Practice and Policy, Indianapolis, IN. Retrieved from http://www.resna.org/sites/default/files/conference/2014/CAC/Baumann.html

Tomashek, D., Smith, R. O., Schwartz, J., & Ahamed, S. I. (2014, June). Development, concurrent validity, and instrument reliability of the Access Slope Mini-Tool mobile app. Proceedings of the RESNA 37th International Conference on Technology and Disability: Research, Design, Practice and Policy, Indianapolis, IN. Retrieved from http://www.resna.org/sites/default/files/conference/2014/JEA/Tomashek.html

Negar, N., Williams, D., Schwartz, J., Ahamed, S. I., & Smith, R. O. (2014). Smartphone-based light intensity calculation application for accessibility measurement. Proceedings of the RESNA 37th International Conference on Technology and Disability: Research, Design, Practice, & Policy, Indianapolis, IN. Retrieved from http://www.resna.org/sites/default/files/conference/2014/CAC/Negar.html

Smith, R. O., Schwartz, J., & Ahamed, S. I. (2014). Access rating for buildings: A smartphone based system promoting community accessibility. Proceedings of the RESNA 37th International Conference on Technology and Disability: Research, Design, Practice, & Policy, Indianapolis, IN. Retrieved from http://www.resna.org/sites/default/files/conference/2014/JEA/Smith.html

Anson, D. Schwartz, J. K. Smith, R.O. (2013). Environmental accessibility assessment: Alternative approaches for alternate users. Proceedings of the RESNA 36th International Conference on Technology and Disability: Research, Design, Practice, & Policy, Bellevue, WA. Retrieved from http://www.resna.org/sites/default/files/legacy/conference/proceedings/2013/JEA/Anson.html

Gani, O., O'Brien, C., Ahamed, S., & Smith, R. O. (2013). RSSI based indoor localization for smartphone using fixed and mobile wireless node. IEEE 37th Annual Computer Software and Applications Conference (COMPSAC), 110-117. doi: 10.1109/COMPSAC.2013.18

Jahangir, A. K. M., Majumder, A., Zerin, I., Uddin, M., Ahamed, S., & Smith, R. O. (2013). SmartPrediction: A real-time smartphone-based fall risk prediction and prevention system. ACM- Research in Adaptive and Convergent Systems, 434-439.

Edyburn, K. D., Schwartz, J. K., Smith, R. O. (2013). A case study: Development of access ratings for buildings "consumer" mobile app. Proceedings of the RESNA 36th International Conference on Technology and Disability: Research, Design, Practice, & Policy. Bellevue, WA. Retrieved from http://www.resna.org/sites/default/files/legacy/conference/proceedings/2013/CAC/Edyburn.html

Jahangir, A. K. M., Majumder, A., Ahamed, S. I., & Smith, R. O. (2013). iDistanceM: A real-time smartphone-based distance measurement for the Americans with Disabilities Act Compliance Assessment Tool. Proceedings of the RESNA 36th Annual Conference on Technology and Disability: Research, Design, Practice, & Policy, Bellevue, WA. Retrieved from http://www.resna.org/sites/default/files/legacy/conference/proceedings/2013/JEA/Majumder.html

Rahman, F., O'Brien, C., Ostberg, C., Negar, N., Duc, D., Ahamed, S. I., et al. (2013). Measuring font signage with a smartphone application for ADAAG compliance assessment. Proceedings of the RESNA 36th Annual Conference on Technology and Disability: Research, Design, Practice, & Policy, Bellevue, WA. Retrieved from http://www.resna.org/sites/default/files/legacy/conference/proceedings/2013/Outcomes/Ahamed2.html

Schwartz, J. K. O'Brien, C. Edyburn, K. Ahamed, S.I. Smith, R.O. (2013). Smartphone based solutions to measure the built environment and enable participation. Proceedings of the RESNA 36th Annual Conference on Technology and Disability: Research, Design, Practice, & Policy, Bellevue, WA. Retrieved from http://www.resna.org/sites/default/files/legacy/conference/proceedings/2013/CAC/Schwartz.html

Refereed Presentations

Tomashek, D. Smith, R.O., Spaeth, N. (2017, June) Access Ratings for Buildings: Use as a Learning Tool for Building Assessment Instruction. Platform and Poster Presentations at the 40th Annual Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America Conference, New Orleans, LA.

Tomashek, D., Smith, R.O. (2017, January) AccessTools: A Multitool App for Assessing the Built Environment. Session at the Spring 2017 Assistive Technology Industry Association Conference, Orlando, FL.

Domke, H., Smith, R.O., Tomashek, D. (2017, April). Appy Hour: Home and Public Building Accessibility Evaluation Apps. Tech Day Presentation at the 97th Annual American Occupational Therapy Association Conference, Philadelphia, PA.

Smith, R.O., Domke, H., Tomashek, D. (2017, April). The AccessTool App: Measuring Accessibility of the Built Environment. Tech Day Presentation at the 97th Annual American Occupational Association Conference, Philadelphia, PA.

Smith, R.O. (2017, April). Keynote: Measuring Community Building Accessibility: The AccessTools Apps. Invited presentation at 2017 International Conference on Biomechanics, Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology, National Penghu University of Science and Technology, Magong City, Penghu County, Taiwan.

Smith, R.O. (2016, November). Keynote: Using the Cloud for People with Disabilities: the Example of Access Ratings for Buildings. Invited Plenary Presentation at the RESKO (Rehabilitation Engineering and Assisted Technology Society of Korea), Seoul, South Korea.

Williams, D., Johnson, N., Saha, A.K., Spaeth, N., Tomashek, D., Ahamed, S.I., Smith, R.O. (2016, July) Access Ruler: An Accessible Measurement Application for Determining Accessibility In The Built Environment. Paper. 39th Annual Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America Conference, Washington, D.C.

Smith, R.O., Tomashek, D., & Domke, H. (2016, April). AccessPlace: Personalized Accessibility Information for Buildings. Tech Day session at the 96th Annual American Occupational Therapy Association Conference, Chicago, IL.

Smith, R.O., Pickens, N., Burns, S., Mendonca, R., Tomashek, D., & Domke, H. (2016, April). Home and Public Building Accessibility Evaluation Apps. Tech Day session at the 96th Annual American Occupational Therapy Association Conference, Chicago, IL.

Smith, R.O., Tomashek, D., & Domke, H. (2016, April). AccessRuler: Instant Documentation and Upload of Distance Measurements into the AccessTools App Suite. Tech Day session at the 96th Annual American Occupational Therapy Association Conference, Chicago, IL.

Proffitt, R., Morris, J., Wallace, T., Schwartz, J., Smith, R. O., & Finestone, H. (2015). Developing, testing, and implementing technologies and video games into clinical practice. Presentation at the ACRM 92nd Annual Conference, Progress in Rehabilitation Research (PIRR), Dallas, TX.

Schwartz, J. K., Proffitt, R., Foreman, M, and Smith, R. O. (2015). The role of an occupational therapist in the development of apps, games, and other software: An emerging practice area. Poster at the 95th Annual American Occupational Therapy Association Conference, Nashville, TN.

Smith, R.O. & Schwartz, J. K. (2015). Access ratings for buildings: A novel smartphone based evaluation & intervention for community accessibility. Poster at the American Occupational Therapy 95th Annual Conference and Exposition, Nashville, TN.

Tomashek, D. & Smith, R.O. (2015). AccessTools for measuring the accessibility of buildings. Tech Day session at the 95th Annual American Occupational Therapy Association Conference, Nashville, TN.

Smith, R.O. & Tomashek, D. (2015). Apps for rating the accessibility of buildings. Presentation at the 15th Annual Assistive Technology Industry Association Conference, Orlando, FL.

Tomashek, D. & Smith, R.O. (2015). Development of assessment apps: Unique development & testing requirements. Presentation at the 15th Annual Assistive Technology Industry Association Conference, Orlando, FL.

Baumann, R., Schwartz, J., & Smith, R. O. (2014). Creating accessible mobile applications: A case study of lessons and challenges. Paper presented at the RESNA 37th International Conference on Technology and Disability: Research, Design, Practice & Policy, Indianapolis, IN.

Smith, R. O., Schwartz, J., & Anson, D. (2014). Smart tools for evaluating the built environment. Presentation at the 94th Annual American Occupational Therapy Association Conference and Expo, Baltimore, MD.

Smith, R. O., & Schwartz, J. (2014). Access rating for buildings: A smartphone based system for accessibility. Presentation at the 94th Annual American Occupational Therapy Association Conference, Baltimore, MD.

Smith, R. O., & Schwartz, J. K. (2014). So you want to make an app?: A case study of app development for OT evaluation and intervention. Presentation at the 94th Annual American Occupational Therapy Association Conference and Expo, Baltimore, MD.

Smith, R. O., & Schwartz, J. (2014). The development of access rating for buildings: Apps for community access. Paper presented at the 3rd Annual Occupational Science Summit, Philadelphia, PA.

Schwartz, J., & Smith, R. O. (2014). Development of an app based evaluation of the community environment. Paper at the 94th Annual American Occupational Therapy Association Conference, Baltimore, MD.

Tomashek, D., Smith, R. O., Schwartz, J., & Ahamed, S. I. (2014). Development, concurrent validity, and instrument reliability of the access slope mini-tool mobile app. Paper at the RESNA 37th International Conference on Technology and Disability: Research, Design, Practice, & Policy, Indianapolis, IN.

Edyburn, K., Schwartz, J., Smith, R.O., (2013). A case study: Development of Access Ratings for Buildings "Consumer" mobile app. Paper at the RESNA 36th International Conference on Technology and Disability: Research, Design, Practice, & Policy, Indianapolis, IN.

Mendonca, R., Smith, R. O., Pickens, N., Struckmeyer, L., Anson, D., & Schwartz, J. K. (2013). Evaluating accessibility in the world around you: Assessment tools and approaches for public spaces, home residences, products, information, and educational materials. Paper presented at the 93rd Annual American Occupational Therapy Association Conference and Expo, San Diego, CA.

Schwartz, J. K., & Smith, R. O. (2013). Access Ratings for Buildings: Measuring building accessibility in the community environment. Paper presented at the Second Annual Occupational Therapy Summit of Scholars, Chicago, IL.

Park, M. & Smith, R.O. (2011). Preliminary Validation of the Restaurant Accessibility and Task Evaluation Information Tool (RATE-IT): Content and Construct Validity. Paper presented at American Occupational Therapy Association, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (PA).

Park, M., Smith, R.O. & Liegl, K. (2011). Preliminary Validation of the Restaurant Accessibility and Task Evaluation Information Tool (RATE-IT): Content and Construct Validity, Presented at Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of America (RESNA), Toronto, Canada.

Liegl, K.P., Lemke, M.R., Park, M., Erfurth, A., & Smith, R.O. (2011). Differences between Architecture and Occupational Therapy Student Perceptions of Restaurant Accessibility using the RATE-IT Evaluation Tool. Presented at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research, Ithaca, New York (NY).

Liegl, K.P., & Lemke, M.R. (2011). Student Perceptions of the RATE-IT evaluation tool and usefulness of RATE-IT scores for people with disabilities. Presented at the 11th Annual University of Wisconsin System Symposium for Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity, Parkside, Wisconsin (WI).

Video/Audio Productions

Smith, R.O., Access Ratings for Buildings (ARB) Team members. (2015). Video demonstrations for AccessPlace. 12 videos. University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, Rehabilitation Research Design and Disability Center.

Theses

Williams, D. (2018) Developing Accessible Collection and Presentation Methods for Observational Data. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Mathematics, Statistics, and Computer Science. Marquette University.

Baumann, R. (2014). Effect of accessibility information on restaurant selection of consumers with disabilities. UWM Library: University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee.

Park, M (2011). Preliminary Validation of the Restaurant Accessibility and Task Evaluation Information Tool (RATE-IT): Content and Construct Validity. UWM Library: University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee.

Erfurth, A (2011). Measurement of restaurant accessibility by people with disabilities: Preliminary consequential and construct validity of a restaurant universal design assessment. UWM Library: University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee.

Software

Rehabilitation Research Design & Disability Center. (2014-2016) AccessFont (Alpha Research Version Build 4.1(1.0)). [Mobile Application Software]. University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Rehabilitation Research Design & Disability Center. (2014-2016) AccessLight (Beta Research Version Build 6.0(42)). [Mobile Application Software]. University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Rehabilitation Research Design & Disability Center. (2014-current) AccessPlace Web and Mobile (Alpha Research Version). [Mobile Application Software]. University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Rehabilitation Research Design & Disability Center. (2014-current) AccessSlope (Beta Research Version Build 0.2(22)). [Mobile Application Software]. University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Rehabilitation Research Design & Disability Center. (2015) AccessRuler (Alpha Research Version Build 2.0(22)). [Mobile Application Software]. University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Rehabilitation Research Design & Disability Center. (2014-current) AccessSound (Beta Research Version Build 2.7(3.8)). [Mobile Application Software]. University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Rehabilitation Research Design & Disability Center. (2014-current) AccessTools (Alpha Research Version Build 3.1(8)). [Mobile Application Software]. University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Rehabilitation Research Design & Disability Center. (2014-current) Restaurant Accessibility and Task Evaluation Information Tool (RATE-IT) (Alpha Research Version). [Mobile Application Software]. University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee.

Workshops

Mendonca, R. J., Smith, R. O., Pickens, N., Anson, D. K., Struckmeyer, L., & Schwartz, J. (2013, April). Evaluating accessibility in the world around you: Assessment tools and approaches for public spaces, home residences, products, information, and educational materials. 93rd Annual American Occupational Therapy Association Conference and Expo, San Diego. CA. (Pre-conference institute)

Hirschman, A., Tomashek, D., Begeman, P., & Smith, R. O. (2012, November). Evaluating accessibility in the world around you: Measurement tools and assessment approaches for public spaces, home residences, products, information sources, and educational materials. 2 day workshop. 2012 Wisconsin Occupational Therapy Association conference, Middleton, WI.

Lemke, M. R., Smith, R. O., & Anson, D. (2011, June). Full day course. Evaluating Accessibility in the World Around You: Measurement Tools and Assessment Approaches for Public Spaces, Home Residences, Products, Information Sources, and Educational Materials. RESNA Conference, FICCDAT Conference, Toronto, Canada

Contact Us

For more information, or if you are interested in assisting with any of the development or testing of the AR-B system, please contact us at contact@accessratings.org. Please include your contact information and indicate if you are located in the Milwaukee, WI area.