Integration of signage information into the web environment

Abstract

This paper outlines an ongoing initiative in broadening accessibility issues of the "deaf community" into the web environment. From a brief overview of the deaf culture this paper goes on to support the viewpoint of cultural interchange rather than "disability". In addition this paper puts forward that there are many aspects arising from signage parsing and display that have direct applications in generic multi-representational user interfaces, such as in multiple language or limited-language-skills interfaces. The paper outlines a current research initiative that is exploring the use of appropriate XML/SMIL-based "wrapping" methodologies to incorporate "intermediate" signage objects such as gesture, speech action, facial emotion (and others) along with other objects such as text, audio, video and "style". © Springer-Verlag 2004.