CSC207 Ethics

Software designers often
assume

their user is like themselves or a member of majority

What is flawed about software designers assumptions 

if assume user is like themselves or a member of majority

Can exclude people 

Material Harm

real, tangible damage that affects something important, like finances, safety, property, loss of happiness, health, freedom, oppotunites

It’s like a cracked phone screen that stops it from working properly—real damage you can see and feel

Language is a typical way to communcation what are other things that communicate 

artifacts 

actions 

decisions 

Some kinds of communcation do more than ___ infomration 

convey 

Speech acts

action performed through speaking or writing, not just conveying information

apologies, promisses, offical declarations

Relation equality

the quality of relationships between people rather than just outcomes like wealth or resources

Democratic equality 

equal participation and rights in political and social decision-making

Some design decisions that _____ people are speech acts

exclude

Some design decisions that exclude people are speech acts

What does this represent 

express people are less than equal 

have power to demote those people’s status 

(could be in/unintentional)

Relational Harms

affect the quality of social relationships, such as disrespect, exclusion, or domination

like a friendship being strained by constant gossip—the harm isn’t material, but it damages the bond

Material Harms

physical or tangible injuries or losses, such as property damage, financial loss, or bodily injury

dropping your phone and cracking the screen—the damage is real and measurable

factors that may contribute to relational harms

1) Person making decision have authority

2) Subject matter of exlcusion, closely connected to personal dignity or more trival 

3) Who is being excluded, do they belong to a senstive group

Disability 

physical or mental impairment that is associated with a persnal or social limitation on the acitivies 

cause defintion (medical)

another specific event that occurred before it 

background conditions (medical)

other factors, reqruired for the event to happen, but not part of cause 

(medical)  Physical or mental impairment CAUSES ______

personal/social limitation

social model

Envirnoment CAUSES ____

personal / social limitation

causes by something in or soemthing absent from the environment

Impairment is background condition

Medical model (Disability)

easier/better to reduce the impairent if possible

impairment causes limitation in wide variety of environments

Social Model (Disability)

easier/better to change environment if possible

Impariment cause sthe limitation in a smaller variety of environments

Limtation only arises because of assumpation about “normalness”

Medical model intervention reduces the impairment 

“closer” to the impairment 

Designed with a particular impairment in mind 

Can work for one person without working for everyone 

Social Model, intervention prevents impairment from causing limitations

“further” from the impairment

Applies to everyone; cannot apply to just one person

Reqquires little work for hte person with impairment to “install” or “trigger”

7 principles of univerisal design

1. Equitable Use

2. Flexiability in use 

3. Simple and Intuitive Use

4. Perceptible information

5. Tolerance for Error

6. Low Physical Effort 

7. Size and Space for Approach and Use 

Equitable Use 

Design is useful and marketable to people with diverse abilities 

Avoid segregating or stigmatizing any users 

Flexability in Use

accommodates a wide range of individual preferences and abilities

Provide choice in methods of use

Simple and Intuitive Use

easy to understand, regardless of user’s expereince knowledge, language skills or current concentation level

Eliminate unnecessary complexity

Perceptible information

communicates necessary information effectively to the user, regardless of ambient conditions or user’s sensory abilities

Provide adequate contrast between essential information and its surroundings 

Tolerance for Error

minimizies hazards and adverse consequences of accidental or unintened actions

Provide warnings of hazards and errors

Low Physical Effort 

Used efficiently and comfortably and with a minimum of fatigue 

Minimize repetitive actions 

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 

Make reach to all components comfortable for any seated or standing user 

Universial Design

Universal design is the practice of creating products, environments, or systems that are usable by everyone, regardless of ability or age.

It’s like a ramp at a building entrance—helpful for wheelchair users, parents with strollers, and anyone carrying heavy bags.