#zdenek

I enjoyed the readings on accessibility and design, but I didn’t expect to learn much I didn’t already know—in retrospect, a deeply arrogant thought. I want to start by recording NC State University’s Principles For Universal Design (that is, design in which accessibility is an important part of the process, not an afterthought or a grudging addition:

“Equitable Use: The design is useful and marketable to people with diverse abilities.

Flexibility in Use: The design accommodates a wide range of individual preferences and abilities.

Simple and Intuitive Use: Use of the design is easy to understand, regardless of the user's experience, knowledge, language skills, or current concentration level.

Perceptible Information: The design communicates necessary information effectively to the user, regardless of ambient conditions or the user's sensory abilities.

Tolerance for Error: The design minimizes hazards and the adverse consequences of accidental or unintended actions.

Low Physical Effort: The design can be used efficiently and comfortably and with a minimum of fatigue.

Size and Space for Approach and Use: Appropriate size and space is provided for approach, reach, manipulation, and use regardless of user's body size, posture, or mobility (qtd. Dolmadge 13).”

To these, Jay Dolmadge adds an emphasis on assuming ability, demonstrating respect, and negotiating with the disabled people who will use your spaces to respond to their needs (14). These are all things I found self-evident, though appreciated. And yet, I initially dismissed our readings on caption design out of hand. Sure, it’s a neat thought experiment, but why would anyone want captions that did anything but convey information and get out of the way, allowing them to focus on the show (what a mentor of mine used to call writing for looking ‘through’, not looking ‘at’)? Certainly that’s what I want out of my captions, which I use frequently due to auditory processing issues.

Saturnin is a classic Czech comedy from the 1940s that is delightfully easy to read has something to say and is genuinely funny at parts. It was great to re-read it, I'd still recommend it today if you want to try something different and relaxing.

Zdenek Zeman returns to Pescara with great panache

In a time of struggle the Delfini have brought back the Czech-Italian maestro as coach and the beautiful game is back in Abruzzo in remarkable style. Crisis does not quite sum up the situation at Pescara prior to the return of former tactician Zdenek Zeman last Friday. Under the coaching of Massimo Oddo, the Delfini had only won one Serie A match in the 2016-17 and that was only because Sassuolo…

Zemanlandia: The story of Zdenek Zeman

Zdenek Zeman, a man that forged the past 25 years in Italian football like very few others, is back on the bench at Pescara. Zemanlandia has defined a way of being, a romance in Serie A and Italian football generally. Zeman has become a symbol of spectacular football and controversial quotes, aimed at the most powerful men in the game. Starting off in Foggia in the 1990s, Zeman today will try to…

Zemanlandia: The story of Zdenek Zeman

Zdenek Zeman, a man that forged the past 25 years in Italian football like very few others, is back on the bench at Pescara. Zemanlandia has defined a way of being, a romance in Serie A and Italian football generally. Zeman has become a symbol of spectacular football and controversial quotes, aimed at the most powerful men in the game. Starting off in Foggia in the 1990s, Zeman today will try to…