Inside the Course called Inclusive Making at Northwestern University
In the realm of computer science, rarely do professors take the time to address accessibility as a part of the curriculum. Why? Because historically, there is very little incentive to teach such a niche subject as a part of a student’s education.
Accessibility for product designers and software companies have -- until recently -- been far from a priority. Companies saw no reason to cater to such a small subsection of the population. Thus, there was no reason for students studying engineering or computer science to be taught about the finer details of accessibility when employers didn’t demand it, creating a vicious cycle in which new perspectives about accessibility and disability advocacy were not nurtured in the classroom.
Professor Marcelo Worsley is trying to break the cycle through the introduction of a new course at Northwestern University. The interdisciplinary course, called Inclusive Making, is designed for upper-level students who want to be challenged to solve common accessibility problems. The class brings together several different disciplines to work towards an environment of creative ingenuity that challenges students to read, experiment, and design with accessible maker technology like 3D printers, laser cutters, and microcontrollers.
Students self-selected into the course due to a variety of passions -- from wanting to work with diverse set of students, a commitment to social justice, or simply having a disability themselves.
The outcome?
Students reported a new interest in accessibility technology, citing that witnessing members of the disability community interacting with accessible features in current technology, like the voice functions on an iPhone, were eye opening to them in realizing the extent accessibility features enhance daily life.
Students come to college wanting to make an impact in their fields, and furthering accessibility features in the realm of computer science has the potential to create the biggest impact for a community that rarely is priority in the design or function of technological improvements.
Want to read the original article written by Julie Deardorff for Northwestern’s Engineering News?
Check out https://www.mccormick.northwestern.edu/news/articles/2021/04/inclusive-making-helps-students-design-for-people-with-disabilities.html
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