Graduate Profile - Esmond Walshe
Monday 22 August 2005

Esmond Walshe

Esmond is currently completing his thesis on Internet Access for people with disabilities in particular designing a better interface for blind people to examine web-based documents. The Internet is an invaluable tool for sourcing information, however, many sites remain inaccessible to people who are blind.

This can be due to poor design or use of software that restricts the translation of text into speech. With text to speech technology, the user is limited to viewing only one small segment of a document at any given time.

Thus, it is often difficult to navigate to the important sections of a web page, without having to read through the entire text. The importance of such elements is often signified to the sighted user through The use of visual cues, such as changes in font size or by alternative colours. A quick glance at the page content can often allow the sighted user isolate the important items for reading purposes. However, this is not possible with text to speech technology. In his current work, Esmond is attempting to devise alternative strategies that a blind user could employ to increase the efficiency in which information can be navigated to and assimilated whilst using such technology.

Esmond uses software called JAWS - which is specialist speech synthesis software - to access the Internet. Speaking to Jamie Smyth (Irish Times Business Section, 22/11/02) Esmond stated, "One of the biggest problems is that software cannot detect images used to convey information. Often it will just give a filename or an image, rather than interpret what the image means". As a result of his experiences Esmond joined a research team, the EAccess group in DCU, concerned with the extent to which Irish websites conformed to accessibility guidelines established by the World Wide Web Consortium. The work of the research group will help to raise awareness and inform web designers of the access needs of all users and help disabled people to exploit internet technologies more effectively.

Dublin City University - Disability Service - what we offer to students.

DCU Disability Service offers a range of supports for students. Starting college can be daunting for all students and we are here to make sure your needs are met. This can include providing you with a tour of campus to familiarize yourself with facilities to taking lecture notes, provision during exams or other academic and personal requirements you may have.

We have designated staff provide you with assistance in terms of physical access, allocating funding, assistive technology, ICT and alternative format support and academic resources including tutor assistance and examination support. We work with each student on an individual basis to identify, address and meet your needs. In addition we have a designated Careers Advisor and a Sports Development Officer for Students with disabilities on campus who can help you to get the best out of your time in DCU in terms of accessing the sports facilities, joining clubs and societies and planning your career.

Whether you are a student with a disability who is already studying in DCU or are a student planning on coming to DCU this year we encourage you to come into the Disability Service (located beside the main reception area in DCU) and meet with the Disability Officer Fiona to have a chat about any supports you may require and we will do our best to put these supports in place for you.

For further information visit DCU Disability Service.