Unofficial 3D ADA Toolkit for Local Government

Executive Summary of the Project:

ADA Coordinator and General Communication Chapters The Unofficial 3D ADA Toolkit for Local Government project is an example of how standard government publications can be transformed from static, black and white, flat documents into immersive, engaging, and visually appealing environments that readers experience rather than just read. By putting the reader "into" the story using an OpenSimulator environment, we increase not only their ability to discover and learn the material, but also their desire to do so.

This occurs because a 3D format provides an actual space through which the reader moves and interacts. Visual cues offered throughout the space better illustrate ideas, and the reader's memories of the experience can increase retention and later recollection of the information provided.

This particular project is based upon the U.S. Department of Justice ADA Toolkit for Local Government. An informative and well developed, yet typical, government publication produced in a traditional format. The document is designed to provide guidance for local government staff about the requirements of the ADA and related law. So in addition to demonstrating another method for delivering government-related education, this project also provides another opportunity to increase knowledge about the ADA and compliance with the regulations.

And finally, the project is intended to inspire those who walk through it to look beyond the status quo. And perhaps the next time they read a government document, they will wonder, "What 3D experience could be created to better represent this information and engage the reader? And why aren't we creating it!?"

Instructions for Accessing the Toolkit

This project is designed to offer a choice to the participants to either experience it as an individual or with a group. There will be no facilitation of the learning experience.

There are also several options by which the toolkit can be accessed; some are designed only for individual access and some allow people to interact with others.

Option A - Individual or group access in the MOSES environment (Note: the ADA Toolkit is no longer available in MOSES)

This option involves creating an avatar or online digital representation of yourself in a virtual space or world. Then downloading and installing the software, or viewer, that allows you to enter this world. And finally logging into the world using the viewer and finding and traveling to the 3D Toolkit.

Curb Ramp Design Here are the steps in more detail:

1) Create an account on MOSES by visiting http://fvwc.army.mil/moses/ and clicking on the tab that says "Join." Then follow the instructions to create your account. Remember or write down the name and password you have chosen.

2) Download the viewer software used to access the virtual space. Go to http://fvwc.army.mil/moses/download/ and follow the instructions for downloading the software. Once the software is downloaded, install it on your computer.

3) Start up the viewer. Fill in your avatar name that you chose in Step 1 on the MOSES site, and then fill in your password. Then click the "Login" button.

4) After the viewer finishes logging you in, you should be standing somewhere in the MOSES. Click the button at the bottom of the screen labeled "Map." When the map window comes up, type in the words "muniGov_00" with no quotes in the window next to the "Search" button. Then click the "Search" button. This should move the map to show the MuniGov "sim." And the words "muniGov_00" should have shown up in the window below the "Search" button. Make sure those words are highlighted, and click the "Teleport" button at the bottom right of the map window. Your screen will go dark as the viewer teleports you to the Unofficial 3D ADA Toolkit for Local Government site.

5) Once you arrive, make sure you are at the starting point in the southwest corner of the sim (by clicking the Map button, you can see the references to north/south/east/west and your present location). There should be a welcome sign and a robot guide there to welcome you and give you further instructions.

6) The final step is to Have Fun and Learn!

Web Services

Option B - Individual or group access in the Kitely environment

If you already have a Facebook account, you can access the Unofficial 3D ADA Toolkit for Local Government through the Kitely environment by visiting the following link:

http://www.kitely.com/virtualworld/Pam-Broviak/Unofficial-3D-ADA-Toolkit-for-Local-Government

Option C - Individual access on your own computer

If you are familiar with an oar file and know what to do with it, then you can download the oar file for this project and access it on your own computer. (See link to oar file under the "Software" heading on this page.)

Software

To access the Unofficial 3D ADA Toolkit for Local Government, you will need the have the following software installed on your computer:

Moses Viewer

Imprudence Viewer

ADAin3D_PWG.oar -- only if using Option C above and understand what an oar file is and how to install it on your own computer

Hardware

To access the Unofficial 3D ADA Toolkit for Local Government, you will need to have hardware meeting the following minimum specifications:

Internet Connection: Cable or DSL

Operating System: Windows 7, Vista, XP (Mac OS X 10.5 or better)

Computer Processor: 1.5 GHz (XP), 2-GHz (Vista) 32-bit (x86) or better (2 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo or above for MAC)

Computer Memory: 1.0 GB or more

Screen Resolution: 1024x768 pixels or higher

Graphics Card: Emergency Management Section of the ADA Toolkit

NVIDIA Graphics cards
9000 Series:
9600, 9800
200 Series:
275 GTX, 295 GTX

ATI Graphics Cards
4000 Series:
4850, 4870, 4890
5000 Series:
5850, 5870, 5970

Additional Information about the Project:

The files and content in this project are meant to be shared to promote learning. Everything is offered through a Creative Commons Attribution License. Basically you are free to use the file and all the content as long as you keep all attributions in place and do not sell any of the content individually or as a whole.