Accessible Mainstream Products

AT Act Projects

April 29, 2010Jim Tobias, Inclusive Technologies

Outline

A few examples What’s the big idea? More examples, in categories Resources Crowd-sourcing experiment

Examples

Cell phone alarm

Waterproof, flexible keyboard

Touchless soap dispenser

What’s the big idea?

Accessibility is about features rather than products (or how they’re named)

Mainstream productsare profusehave diverse featuresoften inexpensiveare “normal” and fun

Categories

“Basic Interaction”

Digital picture frames

Recordable greeting cards

Nabaztag

“Internet of Things”

Timing & Scheduling

GameDr.

Study ball

DaysAgo

Getting around ... and back!

GPS keychain

“Chaperone”

Information & communication

technology (ICT) access

Keyboards

Wii TV controller

Gesture recognition

Object recognition

Mobile devices

Many accessibility featuresPicture IDBluetooth (input & output)GPSspeech in & out

Software (“App Store”) lively, low cost marketunique to each brand, platform, or model

Summing up the technological options

Ups & downs of “AMPs” Advantages

anywhere & everywhere less expensive “normal” engaging

Disadvantages hunting down “the right one” adapting them funding here today, gone tomorrow

Resources

Information

We’re all “shoppers with a special eye” look for “easy to use”, “ergonomic”, “convenient”,

“freedom”, “comfort”

PhoneScoop - Finder Radio Shack etc. Coolest Gadgets Ricability Access on Main Street

Technological assistance

Do you really need help? confidence peer networks

Developers and marketers are very approachable and looking for new applications

Local talent “Maker” and “hacker” cultures

Crowd-sourcing Experiment