Assistant Professor of Computer Science Brian Rosmaita has been named the recipient of The Richardson Award for Faculty Innovation. Rosmaita intends to redesign a computer science course, Application, Implications and Issues, that will focus on Web design and implementation for visually impaired computer users. He developed the original course in 2004 as part of the Hewlett Pluralism and Unity grant and offered it this past semester.
The course combines computer science, disability studies and service learning. The service learning component of the class allows students to examine and audit Web sites of local nonprofit organizations for accessibility for visually impaired computer users.
Rosmaita intends to purchase screen-reading software necessary to determine a Web site's accessibility for the visually impaired. He also plans to develop a custom textbook as well as increase the technical content of the course.
The Richardson Award for Faculty Innovation was established in honor of Channing and Comfort Richardson in 2000. Channing Richardson was a member of the Hamilton faculty from 1953 until his retirement in 1983. Comfort Cary Richardson was coordinator of sports activities at Kirkland College from 1969 until the college combined with Hamilton in 1978, and in that last year she served as Kirkland's dean of student affairs. Thereafter she assisted in establishing the coeducational athletic program at Hamilton and retired in 1982 as assistant professor of physical education and associate director of athletics.
