AccessScope project: Independent microscope operation for students with mobility and visual impairments

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PROJECT SUMMARYIn this project an automated microscope workstation will be specifically designed forstudents with mobility and visual impairments to independently operate all features of lightmicroscopy. In a previous project an accessible microscopy workstation, called AccessScope,was developed to allow persons with mobility impairments to control a research light microscopewithout assistance through a personal computer, including loading slides. The PC became theuser interface for controlling the microscope hardware and for displaying slide images in a livepreview window via a video camera. Thus, the PC replaced the need to physically operate themicroscopy workstation and view through microscope eyepieces. The AccessScope projectdemonstrated that independent control of microscopy was possible and useful for students withdisabilities to actively participate in this laboratory technique.Intellectual MeritTechnical advancements can provide AccessScope with even greater functionality andthe capability to be independently operated by students with visual impairments. A standalonesoftware application to control AccessScope and view slides will be developed in this proposedproject. This new software application will provide features that other commercial applications,including the one used in the previous AccessScope project, do not offer. Better stage movement,theta rotation of slide images in real-time, and remote control of the AccessScope workstationthrough the internet will be available. Disabled students using a PC will be able to remotelycontrol a publicly shared research-level light microscope from virtually anywhere. The graphicaluser interface of the AccessScope application will be designed to accommodate users with lowvision and upper limb motor impairments. Design features of the user interface will include userdefinable shortcut keys, intuitive graphical buttons and analog controls, color filtering, and theability to alter the user interface's color, size, and contrast. The AccessScope application will becompliant with different assistive technology input devices for users with mobility impairmentsand screen enlargers, magnifiers, and readers for users with visual impairments. TheAccessScope application will be simple enough in design to be used by secondary andpostsecondary students with disabilities yet powerful enough to be valuable for scientists.Broad ImpactThe goal of the AccessScope project is to allow students with mobility impairments orlow vision to independently use a light microscope and be able to actively participate in the samelearning experiences as their able-bodied peers. Microscopy is an essential tool in many STEMfields. Not only does microscopy allow disabled students to participate in laboratory courses, butthe hands-on experience provides a greater understanding of the character of tissue specimens,how histology slides are created, and the physics of microscope optics including its limitations.Activity-based learning is critical for pursuing an undergraduate science education, graduatelevel research, and many careers in science and engineering.The AccessScope software program will allow students with disabilities to have completecontrol of commercially available microscope equipment. This program will be freely distributedto students and teachers in secondary and postsecondary institutions, thus decreasing the expenseof developing an AccessScope workstation. In addition, a demonstration version of theapplication will also be available to allow users to evaluate AccessScope without commitment.