Innovations in AccessibilityImproving Communication for Digital Outcasts

What’s the answer?

What’s the question?

http://www.boingboing.net/2010/04/02/why-i-wont-buy-an-ipad-and-think-you-shouldnt-either.html

~ Glenda Watson HyattAuthor of “I’ll Do It Myself” blog

http://www.doitmyselfblog.com/2010/the-ipad-as-an-affordable-communicator-initial-review/

“I feel like technology is finally catching up with what I truly need.”

~ Gareth White, University of SussexAuthor of “Toward Accessible 3D Virtual Environments for the

Blind and Visually Impaired” Retrieved May 20, 2008 courtesy the authors from

http://blindsecondlife.blogspot.com/2008/09/paper-publication.html

““Digital Outcasts”Digital Outcasts”

"Human beings exist along continuums of competence. Success is based upon adapting oneself to the needs of the surrounding environment."

~ Thomas ArmstrongAuthor of “The New Field of Neurodiversity: Why

‘Disabilities’ Are Essential to the Human Ecosystem”Retrieved July 28, 2010 from http://www.alternet.org/story/

147107

Niche Construction

~ Thomas Armstrong, from the article The New Field of Neurodiversity: Why ‘Disabilities’ Are Essential to the Human Ecosystem

http://www.alternet.org/story/147107

Modifying one’s surroundings according toone’s uniqueneeds, in orderto ensuresuccess in life

http://articles.philly.com/2011-01-03/news/26356248_1_haptics-cane-immersion-corp

http://mobileasl.cs.washington.edu/

MobileASL

http://www.theage.com.au/digital-life/smartphone-apps/autism-

iphone-breakthrough-from-tantrums-to-appy-

days-20100416-sjjl.html

“My daughter is capable of a three- hour tantrum that leaves your ears ringing. With the phone showing exactly what she has requested, we see a huge reduction in (her) frustration."

~ Lisa DomicanCreator of the Grace app

for iPad and iPhonehttp://www.theage.com.au/digital-

life/smartphone-apps/autism-iphone-breakthrough-from-tantrums-to-appy-

days-20100416-sjjl.html

"Mia is cognitively alert but unable to communicate. [iComm] has given her a voice for the first time and allowed us to

understand her so much better."~ Martin Brooks

Creator of the iComm app for iPhonehttp://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article

-1276195/Father-creates-iPhone-app-gives-voice-severely-disabled-daughter.html

iPhone Money Reader

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvfDnGMPrkI

~ LookTel Productshttp://www.looktel.com/products

iPhone Money Reader

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvfDnGMPrkI

~ LookTel Productshttp://www.looktel.com/products

Texting for the Blind

DrawBraille Haptic Phone~ Shikun Sun

Sheffield Hallam Universityhttp://technabob.com/blog/2011/08/29/drawbraille-phone-concept/

Touchscreens for the Blind

Omnifer Braille iPad Case~ Jayson D’Allessandro

Auburn Universityhttp://www.tecca.com/news/2011/08/12/omnifer-braille-ipad-case/

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/more-news/ipad-becomes-the-apple-of-hollys-eye/story-fn7x8me2-1226083773188

“Holly’s enthusiasm to read has grown so much, and it’s definitely increased her independence.”

~ Fiona BlighMother of Holly Bligh, a 9-year old with

albino nystagmus

iPad and the Blind

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEDzitE2w_0

iPad and the Blind

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEDzitE2w_0

» “We’re living in a high-tech, low-touch society.”

~ Profiled occupational therapist, May 2010

5B

5B 2Bhttp://www.nahc.org/facts/homecareStudy.html

of home health patients returnto the hospital due to lackof risk assessmentMedicare Statistichttp://www.phd1.idaho.gov/homehealth/homehealthprofile.cfm

28%

~ Dr. Gustavo SaposnikDirector of the Stroke Outcomes Research Unit,

St. Michael’s Hospital at the University of Torontohttp://dailycontributor.com/playing-wii-can-help-stroke-

patients-recover-faster/13017/

30% improvement* Based on 20 patients recovering from stroke with average age of 61, undergoing eight 60-minute sessions over a period of two weeks

Kinect Therapy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCWYFo7HesA

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/23/science/23avatar.html?_r=1

~ Jeremy BailensonDirector of the Stanford University

Virtual Human Interaction Lab

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/23/science/23avatar.html?_r=1

“In a matter of minutes, people placed in front of the virtual mirror identify strongly with their ‘body’ and psychologically inhabit it.”

Virtual Pain Distraction

http://worlds.ruc.dk/archives/3033http://www.ampainsoc.org/pub/bulletin/spr05/inno1.htm

Virtual Pain Distraction

http://worlds.ruc.dk/archives/3033http://www.ampainsoc.org/pub/bulletin/spr05/inno1.htm

http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/discoblog/2009/01/15/when-technology-gets-creepy-giving-birth-in-second-life/

http://www.newswise.com/articles/people-with-disabilities-find-improved-quality-of-life-by-visiting-virtual-world-online-free-internet-site-used-by-millions-

for-entertainment-now-serves-disabled-individuals

http://scopeblog.stanford.edu/archives/2010/11/be-community.html

BE Community for adolescent

cancer patients

http://scopeblog.stanford.edu/archives/2010/11/be-community.html

“Patients feel empowered by support they find online and experience emotionally beneficial recognition from similar interactions.”

~ Mette Hoybye, PhDCenter on Stress and Health

Stanford University

“I’ve always wanted to be part of a group that understood what it’s like to be me.”

Autism + Avatars

http://www.wfaa.com/news/health/Dallas-center-uses-avatars-in-virtual-world-to-help-autistic-children-116899863.html

Autism + Avatars

http://www.wfaa.com/news/health/Dallas-center-uses-avatars-in-virtual-world-to-help-autistic-children-116899863.html

Empathy

Making allowances for attributes a person cannot readily change

Empathy

~ Richard Rubenstein and Harry Hersh, from the bookThe Human Factor: Designing Computer Systems for People

“In the absence of detailed information we all work from assumptions ... we tend to design for ourselves, not for other people.”

$175b

2006 U.S. Department of Labor. “Providing Quality Services to Customers with Disabilities.” www.dol.gov/odep/pubs/ek98/provide.htm

4x

~ Paul Farhi and Jennifer Frey. “Marketers Tune In to the Tween Set; New Media target a Rich Niche of Young Consumers” Washington Post. 23 May 2006.

www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/22/AR2006052201903.html

~ 2008 Information Solutions Group Surveyhttp://www.casualgaming.biz/news/27527/20-of-casual-gamers-are-disabled

20.5% total* players46% physical29% mental25% developmental

*13,296 players surveyed

Changes in wireless Internet use by demographic groups, 2009-2010

Less than $30,000$30,000-$49,999$50,000-$74,999

$75,000+

35536372

46556780

+11+2+4+8

April 2009 May 2010 Change

~ Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life ProjectApril 29-May 30 Tracking Survey

N=2,252 adults 18 and olderhttp://e-patients.net/archives/2010/07/mobile-social-health-at-the-

national-library-of-medicine.html

Changes in wireless Internet use by demographic groups, 2009-2010

Less than $30,000$30,000-$49,999$50,000-$74,999

$75,000+

35536372

46556780

+11+2+4+8

April 2009 May 2010 Change

~ Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life ProjectApril 29-May 30 Tracking Survey

N=2,252 adults 18 and olderhttp://e-patients.net/archives/2010/07/mobile-social-health-at-the-

national-library-of-medicine.html

Of adults living with a disabilityhave broadband Internet access41%

http://e-patients.net/archives/2010/07/mobile-social-health-at-the-national-library-of-medicine.html

http://e-patients.net/archives/2010/07/mobile-social-health-at-the-national-library-of-medicine.html

http://e-patients.net/archives/2010/07/mobile-social-health-at-the-national-library-of-medicine.html

15%http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2011/06/09/137084239/nearly-1-in-7-people-

on-earth-are-disabled-survey-finds?sc=fb&cc=fp/

15%We are all digital outcasts

http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2011/06/09/137084239/nearly-1-in-7-people-on-earth-are-disabled-survey-finds?sc=fb&cc=fp/

What’s the answer?

What’s the answer?You are.

Picture: http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/gadgets/other-gadgets/virtual-world.htm

One day …

~ Electrocorticographic (ECoG) Brain ImplantsWadsworth Center Lab Albany, NY

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/18/magazine/the-cyborg-in-us-all.html?_r=1&ref=technology

Computer TelepathyOne epilepsy patient moved a ball across a computer screen simply by imagining a sound.

~ Electrocorticographic (ECoG) Brain ImplantsWadsworth Center Lab Albany, NY

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/18/magazine/the-cyborg-in-us-all.html?_r=1&ref=technology

~ William GibsonScience Fiction Author (Idoru)

“The future has already arrived. It’s just not evenly

distributed yet.”

http://www.flickr.com/photos/fredarmitage/1057613629

Waterloo Labs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4j2kw5MJK24

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4j2kw5MJK24

Waterloo Labs

Thank youQuestions & Comments

Thank you@kelsmith@digitaloutcasts