Linda Tauscher, M. Sc.

Calgary, Alberta, Canada
tauscher[at]netstart.com
Work Experience
Post-Secondary Education
Publications
Professional Development
Related Work Experience
Memberships & Activities

Work Experience

Director

1994-2022

NetStart Consulting

Calgary
Assistive Technology (AT), Accessibility Auditing, User Interface Design/Evaluation and IT Consulting

Digital Accessibility and Access Consultant

 
  • Providing computer and assistive technology services for disabled users including needs analysis, research, technology selection, installation, training and maintenance
  • Performed job accommodation assessments for visually impaired employees of large Canadian companies on behalf of the Canadian Council on Rehabilitation and Work
  • For low vision user, performed computer and AT assessment, hardware and software selection, installation, configuration and training (Dell PC, Windows 10, ZoomText, JAWS)
  • For blind user, performed computer and AT assessment, hardware and software selection (Lenovo laptop, Windows 10, NVDA, Microsoft Office 365)
  • Tutored visually-impaired computer users in using devices (e.g. Victor Reader Stream) and the JAWS screen reader with a wide variety of software applications and web sites
  • For the CNIB, trained visually-impaired computer users in use of various Windows applications (Windows XP, Internet Explorer, Outlook Express, Word, Excel, Outlook, Windows Media Player, Adobe Reader) with JAWS screen reader and ZoomText screen magnification software
  • Assisted quadriplegic user with voice recognition software selection, installation and training (Dragon Naturally Speaking 11.5 Premium Wireless)

Digital Accessibility and Access Volunteer

 
  • At Bethany Care Centres, tutor residents with dementia in use of technology devices such as iPads and Windows laptops
  • At the University of Calgary (U of C) Disability Resource Centre (DRC), researched and devised the methodology for a study to evaluate voice note-taking technologies using the Dragon Naturally Speaking voice recognition software, Sylencer handheld microphone and digital voice recorders; wrote report and presented preliminary findings of evaluation
  • At the U of C DRC, researched and performed a preliminary evaluation of Ginger, an online spelling and grammar checker, with learning disabled / ESL students; wrote report and presented findings of Ginger's effectiveness and usability
  • At the U of C DRC, provided demoes of the Livescribe Echo Smartpen to students with physical or learning disabilities, for note-taking purposes
  • At the U of C DRC, assisted quadriplegic students in being more efficient and effective with their technology including: installing software (Dragon Naturally Speaking, Windows, iTunes, Micrsoft Office); tutoring (Kurzweil 11, Dragon Naturally Speaking, document navigation); assisting with purchase, customization and use of an iPhone; evaluating iPad
  • At the Calgary Public Library, tutored users in the use of the adaptive technology workstation

Technology Volunteer

 
  • At a local non-profit organization: created and administered a Facebook Page; evaluated event registration software including Eventbrite and Google Forms; evaluated survey software including SurveyMonkey and Google Forms; evaluated remote meeting participation software including Google Hangouts; created email campaigns using Campaign Monitor HTML Templates and custom subscriber lists; promoted Google Apps for file sharing (Google Drive) and collaboration including commenting (Google Docs).

User Interface Specialist

 
  • Conducted a usability study for an adaptive training system using think-aloud protocol at the Alberta Research Council (SWIFT by Gemini Learning Systems)
  • Summarized latest research about Web visualization techniques for WWW history plug-in software (Overdrive by Navinet Inc.); recommended software modifications to provide easier access to browser history
  • Performed a usability evaluation (heuristic and think-aloud protocol) of Autodesk's MapGuide Author software; conducted user interviews to develop user profile description

Information Architect

 
  • Gathered requirements for the Calgary Fire Department (CFD) Internet and Intranet Web sites via interviews and focus groups. Developed and tested information architecture for the CFD Internet Web site with representative users (category grouping, identification, description; wireframe prototype).

Software / Web Programmer / Designer / Administrator

 
  • Developed a Java application/applet to schematically display water infrastructure data for the City of Calgary Engineering/Waterworks department (JDK 1.4.2, Java2D, Oracle 8.1.7, NetBeans 4.0, JBuilder 3.5, JavaHelp, MonarchCharts, Java Web Start, Java Plug-in, digital code-signing certificate)
  • Developed a Java application/applet to query Waterworks data for the City of Calgary Engineering/Waterworks department; the queries can be plotted, viewed in table format, or displayed in Excel (JDK 1.3.1, Oracle 8.1.7, Jakarta-Tomcat 3.2.2, Apache 1.3.19/IIS 5, JBuilder 3.5, MonarchCharts, Java Web Start, Java Plug-in, digital code-signing certificate)
  • Developed a content management Web application to maintain and display information about proposed capital projects for the City of Calgary Engineering/Waterworks department (JDK 1.3.1, Oracle 8.1.7, Java Server Pages, Apache Struts, Jakarta-Tomcat 3.2.2, Apache 1.3.19/IIS 5)
  • Designed and implemented SQL database (JDBC with MySQL) for artist Web site; programmed site content management system using JDK 1.02 and Java 1.1 servlets
  • Developed program architecture for a multi-media art site using JavaBeans, applets, servlets, and a SQL database
  • Developed plan for designing and implementing a new media/technology subject information gateway
  • Programmed interactive artistic Web sites using CGI, Perl, Javascript and Java
  • Programmed Java-based multi-user chat client and server for artist Web site
  • Programmed content management systems using CGI, Perl, Java applets and Javascript for artist Web sites
  • Designed site architecture, authored WWW pages, and programmed CGI scripts using Perl for Brent Friedenberg Associates (BFA) Web site including automated, customized Subscriber Area
  • Designed Java-based prototype for BFA's Web-based Datacentre
  • Maintained Media and Visual Arts Web site at The Banff Centre for the Arts

Instructor

 
  • Performed task analysis for Web-based Java Programming course to be delivered by SAIT
  • Developed and delivered Introduction to Internet courses
  • Developed and delivered Internet course focused on environmental resources

 

2013-2015

TELUS Business Transformation

Calgary
Business Process Orchestration Team

Appian Developer, Business Analyst, Interaction Designer

 
  • Designed and implemented AgilIT Control Panel (CP), a TELUS product offering that provides a simplified bilingual interface to VMware for managing virtual machines (VMs), VM groups, firewall rulesets and users (Appian 6.5 - 7.5, Tempo, CDTs, News Feed, User/Group Smart Services, Oracle 11g, WebLogic 12)
  • Designed data model and application architecture to support standard Appian 7 workflow pattern of: request, approve, implement, survey. Developed prototype components using Appian SAIL to validate architecture and as a training tool including request workflow process model, Requests and Tasks record views.
  • Developed Appian 7 best practices for: Oracle table design, CDTs / XSD annotations, form design, translation, optimistic locking strategies
  • Developed shared Appian components to support Appian 7 applications e.g. grids, boolean checkbox, Appian Task ID update
  • Mentored BPO Team in use of Appian 7 application architecture and best practices
  • Analyzed existing server/system monitoring requests for reimplementation in Appian 7; documented user stories and tasks in Jira; developed prototype record views for Monitored Items and Requests based upon data model implemented in Oracle
  • Implemented Appian 7 web services to query data and automate processes; included failover and retry logic
  • Used Agile techniques to deliver the AgilIT CP as a Minimally Viable Product including defining features and user stories, creating models during iteration 0 (data, messaging, UI), completing tasks through iterations, testing according to documented test cases, attending daily scrum meetings, facilitating product and code reviews
  • Performed Appian administration including basic installation, configuring custom.properties and Oracle data sources, installing plugins, restarting app and WebLogic app server
  • Performed Appian support rotations; worked to resolve root cause of problem, otherwise documented workaround for common issues and/or logged defects in tracking tool

 

2008-2009

TELUS Managed IT Solutions

Calgary
Business Process Orchestration Team

Appian Developer, Business Analyst, Interaction Designer

 
  • Designed and developed Appian process models to request provisioning of server monitoring and correction of server data via integrating automated processes and manual workflow assignments (Appian 5.7, JavaScript, Query DB nodes)
  • Refactored existing Server RFC Appian 5.7 application to improve maintainability e.g. parameterized subprocesses
  • Designed and developed prototype for phase 2 of NetBackup Appian 5.7 application to demonstrate how to increase functionality and robustness via integrating with external systems

 

2004-2005

Inter@ctivate

San Diego
Online marketing agency

Web Programmer

 
  • Programmed data-driven Web pages for Keller Homes that display information about new and available homes in Colorado Springs neighborhoods (JDK 1.4, Java Server Pages, MS SQL Server, JDBC, Jakarta-Tomcat, NetBeans 4.0, Ant)
  • Programmed a generic application that synchronizes a client's mailing list database with an internal email campaign management application (JDK 1.4, mySQL, JDBC, NetBeans 4.0, Apache Digester XML Parser)

 

2001

NewGuard

Boulder
Builds and hosts Web sites and Intranets

Web Programmer / Designer

 
  • Performed interaction design and implemented a stable game for the 127th Kentucky Derby (CGI/Perl5) including selection of horses, and calculation of scores. Also designed and implemented a backend HTML form interface to allow the Commissioner to enter races and race results.
  • Developed a weekly programming grid for International Channel, including search interface, and program types maintenance interface (JDK 1.3.1, Java Server Pages, Apache Struts, MS SQL Server 7.0, Jakarta-Tomcat 3.2.1, IIS 5, JBuilder 3.5)
  • Developed an HTML forms-based interface to allow Twin Spires Club members to login, display their points total, and create/modify their PIN (JDK 1.3.1, MS SQL Server 7.0, Java Server Pages, Jakarta-Tomcat 3.2.3, Apache 1.3.19, Apache Struts, JavaMail, JDBC Pool, MS SQL Server Database Driver, JBuilder 3.5)

 

1998-2000

XOR Internet Technologies

Boulder
Builds and hosts Web sites and Intranets

Web Programmer / Designer

 
  • Designed and developed a web publishing system to support the update of the KMGH-TV Denver and RE/MAX International web sites (CGI/Perl5, MS SQL Server, IIS 4)
  • Developed CGI/Perl5 scripts for a range of functionality e.g. surveys, page rotation, self-publishing systems (e.g. press releases, Q & A), structured search, member dropbox/preview area, mailing list subscribe/unsubscribe form
  • Performed interaction design and implemented a stable game for the 125th and 126th Kentucky Derby (CGI/Perl5) including selection of horses, and calculation of scores. Also designed and implemented a backend HTML form interface to allow the Commissioner to enter races and race results.
  • Wrote MS Access interface to maintain fish data for Salt Water Sportsman, and fish and game data for Field and Stream; Wrote CGI/Perl5 scripts to generate Web pages from this data, search data, link to related pages
  • Wrote Java applets to scroll text from a data file
  • Revised XML recipe DTD for WholeFoods.com; wrote StoryServer template to generate HTML from recipe XML files; wrote StoryServer templates for product page and product specials pages
  • Wrote a high-level test plan for the WholeFoods.com web site
  • Wrote test cases for the Vitamins.com web site

 

1996-1997

Nortel Technology

Calgary
Corporate Design Group, Telephony Consumer Products

User Interface Specialist

 
  • As part of a team, performed interaction design for Java-enabled ½ VGA smart phone graphical user interface
  • Performed usability studies for telephony products

Web Administrator

 
  • Installed Apache Web server on SGI Personal Iris under Irix 5.3
  • Authored HTML pages and programmed CGI scripts for department Intranet site
  • Performed basic SGI system administration

 

1995

National Research Council

Ottawa

Summer Intern

 
  • Conducted a feasibility study about the application of electronic networking tools to the National Building and Fire Codes revision process (CSCW research, requirements definition, collaborative task analysis)
  • Installed a WWW server, mailing list software, CGI scripts, and search engine for the Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes (CCBFC) and the Canadian Codes Centre; designed prototype WWW site
  • Performed basic system administration for Sun Solaris
  • Developed a list of requirements for CCBFC committee Internet access and surveyed Internet providers

 

1994

Alberta Research Council

Calgary
Government research and technology transfer institution

User Interface Specialist

 
  • Evaluated a predictive maintenance management system using think-aloud protocol, questionnaires, and user interface guidelines; guided re-design of user interface (Clarion, DOS-based)
  • Developed methodology and evaluated the usability of a graphical software tool to supervise and manage large control networks (Intelligent Zoom, PRECARN Intelligent Graphics Interface project)
  • Performed literature review of collaborative authoring software

 

1993-1995

University Of Calgary

Calgary
Department of Computer Science

Teaching / Research Assistant

 
  • Served two terms as a teaching assistant for the undergraduate Human-Computer Interaction class
  • Ran subjects for a controlled experiment studying sound in interfaces

Volunteer

 
  • Implemented/compiled Unix software for graduate students
  • Delivered seminars to the U of C women's community (Lynx, Netscape, WWW Search Strategies, HTML authoring)
  • Authored WWW pages for U of C Women in Science and Engineering site

 

1990-1992

Northern Telecom

Calgary
Telecommunications manufacturing facility

Project Manager

 
  • Managed a team of end users and systems personnel in the development of an Information Systems Enterprise Architecture Plan over a one-year period
  • Managed a team of systems personnel in the implementation of divisional applications for the Wireless product line
  • Supervised co-op students

Analyst / Programmer

 
  • Supported end users of Invoicing, Purchasing, Stockroom and Asset Management systems; implemented enhancements (PowerHouse, COBOL)
  • Formed and lead user groups to resolve system issues
  • Designed fitness assessment system; implemented user interface (Paradox)

 

1989

DeVry Institute Of Technology

Calgary
Computer science, business, electronics college

Instructor

 
  • Prepared and delivered lectures on systems design, statistics, and programming (Pascal, COBOL)
  • Prepared exams and laboratory manuals
  • Counseled and evaluated student's progress

 

1988-1989

DMR Group Inc.

Calgary
Information systems consulting firm

Systems Analyst

 
  • Provided consulting, analysed user requirements, and developed a reporting system for manufacturing and financial software (PowerHouse)
  • Analysed user requirements, developed recommendations, a solution design, and a testing and implementation plan for the automation of a benefits reconciliation process
  • Documented user requirements for a government defense agency

Records Analyst

 
  • Developed records management user manual and portions of a subject classification guide
  • Assisted in evaluation of current records management program and development of three year plan

 

1985-1988

Procter & Gamble (Cellulose)

Grande Prairie
Bleached kraft pulpmill and sawmill

Project Manager

 
  • Led a team of end users and systems personnel in the installation of a divisional Maintenance/Purchasing/Inventory system
  • Prepared, managed and controlled expense budget for IS department

Systems Analyst

 
  • Designed, programmed and implemented the divisional Maintenance/ Purchasing/Inventory system data conversion and interfaces (PowerHouse)
  • Designed, programmed and implemented the Capital Expenditure Accounting System data conversion and interfaces (HP Transact)
  • Analysed user requirements, designed, programmed and implemented an Engineering Drawing Management system (HP Transact)
  • Conducted feasibility studies for the purchase of various software tools

Instructor

 
  • Trained Accounts Payable department in use of flowcharting to analyse work processes
  • Trained systems personnel in structured analysis
  • Trained end users in database theory for report writing

Post-Secondary Education

M.Sc. in Computer Science

1994-1996

University of Calgary

Calgary

Specialization: Human-Computer Interaction

Thesis title: Evaluating History Mechanisms: An Empirical Study of Reuse Patterns in WWW Navigation

Courses: Human Factors; Research Methodologies in HCI; Machine Learning; Research Methodology for Computer Science; Human Error (non-credit); Real-time Groupware (non-credit)

Achievements: Governor General's Award nominee for Computer Science

B.A After Degree Psych. (partial)

1991-1993

Athabasca University

Athabasca / Calgary

Part-time; incomplete due to Master's admittance

B. Sc in Computer Science

1982-1985

University of Alberta

Edmonton

Minor: Business Applications

Achievements: First Class Standing; Samuel J. McCoppen Bursary; J.P.L. Bursary; Province of Alberta Scholarships

Activities: Undergraduate Computer Society; Graduating Class President

B. Comm. (partial)

1981-1982

University of Alberta

Edmonton

Achieved credit for completion of two years of the four year program

Dental Hygiene Diploma

1979-1981

University of Alberta

Edmonton

Achievements:Alberta Dental Association Prize in Dental Hygiene

Publications

Tauscher, L.

1999

Summary of WWW8 Developer's Day Track - Accessibility: Software and Design. Internetworking. 2(2), Internet Technical Group.

Tauscher, L. and Greenberg, S.

1997

How People Revisit Web Pages: Empirical Findings and Implications for the Design of History Systems. International Journal of Human-Machine Studies, Special issue on World Wide Web Usability. 47(1), p97-138. Academic Press.

Tauscher, L. and Greenberg, S.

1997

Revisitation Patterns in World Wide Web Navigation. ACM SIGCHI'97 Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems. Atlanta, Georgia, March 22-27, ACM Press.

Tauscher, L. and Greenberg, S.

1996

Design Guidelines for Effective WWW History Mechanisms. Microsoft Workshop, Designing for the Web: Empirical Studies. Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, WA.

Professional Development

Training

2016-2022

Easter Seals Crossroads

Online

Web Accessibility for Developers, AT 101, AT for Individuals who are Blind or Visually Impaired, AT and Autism, AT for Individuals who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing, AT and Aging, AT for Students Transitioning from High School to College, Job Accommodation Boot Camp, Innovative Assistive Technology

Training

2019, 2021

Foothills Academy

Online

Inside Learning Disabilities for Families, Inside ADHD for Families

Training

2020

Pluralsight

Online

Meeting Web Accessibility Guidelines (Section 508/ WCAG 2.1), Introduction to Developing Custom Components with ARIA

Training

2020

edX

Online

W3C Introduction to Web Accessibility

Certification

2019

Vispero (formerly Freedom Scientific)

Online

JAWS (Screen Reader) Certified Individual, ZoomText (Screen Magnifier) Certified Individual

Training

2018

Ryerson University, The Chang School of Continuing Education

Online

Web Accessibility for Developers

Training

2018

University of Southampton

Online

Digital Accessibility: Enabling Participation in the Information Society

Training

2017

Ryerson University, The Chang School of Continuing Education

Online

Professional Web Accessibility Auditing Made Easy

Training

2017

Georgia Tech edX

Online

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Accessibility

Training

2014

Appian Corp.

Online

Advanced Process Data Design, Interface Design

Training

2008

Appian Corp.

Onsite (TELUS)

Appian Enterprise Process Design and Administration

Training

2008

SkillSoft

Online (pd.acm.org)

Analyzing Requirements Using Models

Training

2008

The Hadley School For The Blind

Online (Hadley.edu)

Blindness Basics

Training

2006

Teacher Assistant Professional Development

University of Calgary

Overview of Assistive Technology for the Visually Impaired

Training

2006

SAIT

Calgary

Introduction to Libraries

Conference

1999

World Wide Web 8

Toronto

Synchronized Multimedia Integration Language; Java Based User Interface Design; Accessibility: Software and Design; Program Committee Member

Workshop

1998

EM MEDIA

Calgary

Introduction to Sensor Programming

Workshop

1997

The Banff Centre For The Arts

Banff

Java Authoring; Introduction to VRML

Conference

1997

ACM Human Factors In Computing Systems

Atlanta

Conference

1996

Usability Professionals Association

Copper Mountain

From Task Flow to GUI: A Participatory, Data-Centred Approach; Birds of a Feather session: WWW Site Usability

Conference

1996

ACM Human Factors In Computing Systems

Vancouver

Requirements, Models, and Prototypes for HCI Design; Workshop participant: HCI Issues of the World Wide Web

Conference

1994

ACM Human Factors In Computing Systems

Boston

User Modeling, Intelligent Multimedia Interfaces, Global User Interface Design, Interface Issues in Information Retrieval Systems

Workshop

1991

Canadian Information Processing Society

Calgary

Quality Management

Training

1991

Information Planning Technologies, Inc.

Calgary

Enterprise Architecture Planning

Workshop

1989

DeVry Institute Of Technology

Calgary

Inserting Humor and Spontaneity Into Your Lectures; Lesson Planning & Delivery for Adults; Learning Styles

Seminar

1988

DMR Group Inc.

Calgary

DMR Project Manager's Seminar

Seminar

1988

Association For Systems Management

Edmonton

CASE Technologies and Use

Training

1987

Computron

Edmonton

Introduction to PowerHouse

Seminar

1987

Blessing/White Inc.

Cincinnati

Managing Career Growth

Training

1987

Info Systems Inc.

California

Information Analysis

Training

1987

Human Resources Consulting Group

Cincinnati

Project Management

Inservice Training

1985-1987

Procter & Gamble

Grande Prairie

HP Personal Computer; Structured Analysis; Implementing Total Systems Quality; Leader Effectiveness Training; Memo Writing

Convention

1987

Toastmasters International

Saskatoon

Leadership Skills; Effective Presentations; Social Styles

Training

1985

Hewlett Packard

Edmonton

HP software training: Image database, forms, Transact language

Teaching Assistant

1984-1985 (part-time)

University Of Alberta

Edmonton
Departments of Computing Science and Statistics

 
  • Prepared and delivered lectures, tutored students, graded assignments

Assistant to Controller

1984 (summer)

Labatt's Alberta Brewery

Edmonton

 
  • Prepared month-end cash and inventory statements, and statistical reports

Partner

1984

Creative Software

Edmonton
Student business

 
  • Provided computer programming, software design, and consulting to mainframe and microcomputer users

Memberships & Activities

Volunteer

2004-2022

CNIB Calgary

Member

1993-2022

Association for Computing Machinery

Member

2014-2022

Calgary Agile Methods User Group

Board Member

2016-2017

CARP Calgary

Member

2010-2013

Taoist Tai Chi Society of Canada

Calgary

Member

1993-1996

U of C Women in Science & Engineering

Calgary

Leader: Computer Science Connections Group (1993-1994)

Member

1988-1992

Canadian Information Processing Society

Member

1985-1988

Kakwa Toastmasters

Grande Prairie

Executive: Past President, Secretary

Achievements: Competent Toastmaster Certificate

Member

1985-1988

Wapiti Nordic Ski Club

Grande Prairie

Activities: Director, Jackrabbit Leader, Payroll Administrator

Workshop

1985

YMCA

Edmonton

Achievements: Fitness Leadership Certification