EITAAC - Function Subcommittee

["Arthur R. Murphy" <arthur.murphy@arch.gatech.edu>]

Initial definition of Function Categories: (Release 0.5)

An early summary, (fallible memory and slight reordering), of the 
Function definitions and a suggestion as to how they might relate to 
the Family definitions given by David Bolnick.  (With a quick 
informal definition of electronic information technology.)

The most inclusive definition of "electronic information technology" 
implies text, images, sounds, and movies, which are created, stored, 
transmitted, and re-presented.  Consequently, each phase of this 
process should be designed to accommodate media equivalents and 
transformations.

1. Generation / Production
The overarching design consideration for the creation of media 
encompasses two aspects of accessible media: equivalent 
representation of content where reasonable (i.e. textual 
descriptions of images); separation of content from structure (i.e. 
relationship between segments of text document, styles of 
presentation).
Consequently, we assume that tools and facilities used to create 
accessible information will support both affordances for the 
development of all media.  In productions with synchronized 
media, (e.g. sound and image), provision should be made for an 
ancillary augmentation overlay when the media are not redundant.
1.1. Authoring of text
1.2. Generation of images
1.3. Composition of sound
1.4. Production of movies

2. Storage and Serving
Storage of complex documents may involve the integration of 
structure tags, interaction modalities, and content.  Such 
documents should be stored in a manner that minimizes the 
dependencies of format specific presentations and facilitates 
equivalent substitutions.  Creation of textual descriptions for non-
text items will facilitate searching of documents stored within 
databases.
2.1. Storage
2.1.1. Text 
2.1.2. Images
2.1.3. Sound
2.1.4. Movies
2.2. Conversion Utilities
2.2.1. Automatic creation of equivalence (Rosetta stone).
2.2.2. Automatic prevention of media destruction.

3. Transmission (Pipeline and Infrastructure)
This area of the specification addresses internal transmission by 
local, wide area network, and Internet.  
3.1. TCP/IP
3.2. Switching Protocols
3.3. Compression (compression vs. embedded augmentation)

4. Presentation of Information
The function of alternate presentation of information assumes that 
media have been created with equivalent representation of 
content; content has been separated from structure.  Where 
necessary, complete meta-structure descriptions have been 
provided to assist in presentation.
We assume that tools were used to create accessible media; 
consequently, presentations will support multiple output 
modalities.
4.1. Text (styles rendered by descriptions external to primary text)
4.2. Visual
4.3. Auditory
4.4. Tactile

5. Control
The function of alternate control of interaction assumes that media 
have been created with equivalent functional input modes; content 
has been separated from specific hardware devices.  Or, operating 
system extensions have been implemented to allow alternate 
control of the I/O channels.
We assume that appropriate tools were used to create accessible 
interactions; consequently, presentations will support multiple 
input and output modalities.
5.1. Select
5.2. Alter
5.3. Interact (Drag and Drop)


Notes:

Perhaps we can create a matrix of Functions by Family.  At each 
Function - Family intersection, (e.g. Presentation of text by a FAX 
Control panel), we clarify additional minimum design standards, 
define quantifiable performance standards, and provide examples of 
current best practice.  The X-axis of such a matrix could represent 
specific machines and specific accommodation recommendations: 
what has been adapted, what is adaptable.  Although it seems 
impossible to define fully such a matrix by April 15, we may be able to 
create a model that can be extended by guidelines established by the 
Access Board. 

A major defect of this scheme is the lack of definition for systems 
integration concerns.  A separate appendix that addressed conversion 
/ bridge strategies might begin to address this enigmatic issue.  


Arthur

P.S. Do we have an Archive of our Postings for people who would
like to review our efforts without joining this list?




______________
Arthur R. Murphy
Center for Rehabilitation Technology, Georgia Tech              
arthur.murphy@arch.gatech.edu     [ 404.894.0562 ]