RDE DEI: Opening Chemical Engineering Design for Visually Impaired

-----这个项目旨在为学习化学工程的有视觉障碍的学生提供更多的机会。这项工作的总体目标是理解和实施化学工程中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习中测试所开发的技术来确定它们是否有用。化学工程教学与实习将从以下几个方面进行探讨。调整现有的工程设计软件，以允许有视觉障碍的工程师使用。确定规避图形用户界面（gui）的自适应技术（AT）的效用和局限性。当有视觉障碍的工程师在场时，在设计团队中制定平衡视觉和口头对话的具体策略。根据学生在公司的实习经历来评估前两个目标。传播目标发现。智力上的优点：通过添加更多的编程例程，AT可以在课堂和工业环境中与基于gui的软件结合使用。这样一项研究将有助于在其他机构和工程公司试行这种努力。这项工作的另一个方面包括让设计团队中视力正常的成员做好准备，以一种技术方式有效地沟通，减少对视觉线索的依赖。更广泛的影响本研究将说明，通过使用适当设计的AT，视障人士将能够展示化学工程的熟练程度，重点是设计。传播通过一系列机制开发的材料和技术无疑将帮助其他人调整化学工程课程和工业环境，以适应视力受损的人。

-----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.