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IT Accessibility Review
Volume 1, Number 3
Accessibility Resources
NCD Announces New Report on Universal Design in the Marketplace
In a new report released October 28, 2004, the National Council on Disability (NCD) called on the designers and manufacturers of electronic and information technology (E&IT) to incorporate universal design processes when developing their E&IT products. The report demonstrates how designing with accessibility in mind can significantly increase the size of targeted markets for E&IT.
- More about Universal Design in the Marketplace
Mainstream Technology Contest
IDEAL Group would like to establish and maintain a free comprehensive listing of mainstream technologies (technologies that are purchasable at consumer electronics, hardware, appliance, or hobby retail stores) that are being used in creative ways to enhance the independence and quality-of-life of consumers who have a cognitive, hearing, speech, visual, or mobility disability.
To enter, document a mainstream technology, how it is being used creatively, and what categories of consumers. What follows are a few examples of the types of technologies and uses we are seeking. Please do not submit these as your entries.
- Smartphones that enable people to associate pictures of people with phone numbers being dialed (cognition)
- Blackberry and Sidekick messaging services (people who are deaf and hard-of-hearing)
- Cell phones that enable the user to voice dial a number (people with dexterity impairments)
- RFID tags to help people who are blind navigate through a building
- Fluorescent lights used as a transmitter to help visually impaired individuals navigate hallways
- Talking medical, jewelry, and consumer products (blind and low-vision)
- Sidekicks, Blackberrys, Treos, and RIM pagers being used to place Relay calls (deaf)
Submit your entry to contest@ideal-group.org. The deadline for submissions is December 31, 2004. IDEAL Group will select ten winning entries. Each of the ten winning entrants will receive a check for $50. If there are duplicate winning entries, the entry with the earliest submission date will be selected.
IDEAL Group will compile a list of the mainstream "technology uses" submitted and post it to http://www.ideal-group.org/contest.htm by January 15, 2005. The names of the ten contest winners will also be posted. Winners will be notified by January 10, 2005.
IDEAL Group also has a news-feed on technology that is generated by Moreover news service. It scans breaking technological news from 7,000 highly ranked news sources.
The IDEAL Group news-feed is located at:
http://ideal-group.org/latest_news/.
