RDE DEI: Opening Chemical Engineering Design for Visually Impaired

-该项目旨在为学习化学工程的视力障碍学生扩大机会。拟议工作的总体目标是理解和实施化学工程视觉障碍学生的教学要求，并通过在化学工程设计背景下的实践中测试所开发的技术来确定所开发的技术是否有用。从以下几个方面对化学工程的教学与实践进行了探索。调整当前的工程设计软件，以允许视力有障碍的工程师使用。确定绕过图形用户界面(GUI)的自适应技术(AT)的实用性和局限性。当有视力障碍的工程师在场时，制定具体的策略来平衡设计团队中的视觉和语言对话。根据学生在公司实习的经历，评估前两个目标。传播目标发现。智力价值证明，通过添加更多的编程例程，AT可以在课堂和行业环境中与基于图形用户界面的软件结合使用。这样的研究将有助于在其他机构和工程公司进行此类努力的试点。这项工作的另一个方面包括培养设计团队中有视力的成员，使他们能够以技术的方式进行有效的沟通，减少对视觉提示的依赖。广泛的影响这项研究将说明，通过使用适当设计的AT，视力受损的人将能够展示出熟练的化学工程，重点是设计。通过一系列机制开发的材料和技术的传播无疑将有助于其他人为视力障碍者调整化学工程课程和工业环境。

-----This project seeks to expand opportunities for students with visual impairments who study chemical engineering. The overall goals of the proposed work are to understand and implement the pedagogical requirements for students with visual impairments in chemical engineering, and to determine if techniques developed are useful by testing them during practicum within the context of chemical engineering design. Chemical engineering pedagogy and practicum will be explored via the following.1. Adapt current engineering design software to permit use by an engineer with a visual impairment.2. Determine the utility and limitations of adaptive technology (AT) that circumvents graphical user interfaces (GUIs).3. Develop specific strategies to balance visual and verbal dialog within a design team when an engineer with a visual impairment is present.4. Assess the first two goals within the context of student internship experiences with a firm.5. Disseminate goal findings.Intellectual MeritTo demonstrate that with the addition of further programming routines AT can be used in conjunction with GUI-based software in both the classroom and industry contexts. Such a study will serve to pilot such efforts at other institutions and engineering firms. An added dimension of the work includes preparing the sighted members of a design team to effectively communicate in a technical fashion with less reliance on visual cues.Broader ImpactThis study will illustrate that through the use of properly designed AT, an individual who is visually impaired will be able to demonstrate proficiency in chemical engineering, with an emphasis on design. Dissemination of the material and techniques developed via a range of mechanisms will no doubt aid others to adapt chemical engineering curriculum and industrial settings for people with visual impairments.