Design Meets Disability

Big (D)esign 2011Sharron Rush

July 15

Good design is accessible design ~ Dr. John Slatin

Knowbility

• 501(c)3 nonprofit organization• Based in Austin Texas• Advocacy, training, and consulting for

accessible technology since 1998

AccessiblePeople with disabilities

…can acquire the same information…participate in the same activities

…be active producers

Why advocate for inclusive design?

Legal Technical

Market

Humanitarian Visionary

Legal Mandates

• International – UN Declaration on Rights of People with Disabilities

• Global requirements based on WCAG2• US Federal standards, Section 508• Other national laws• State and local laws

Demographic Forces• Number of people with disabilities is

growing• 55 million Americans / 1 billion

worldwide• Fortune: “$1 trillion annual market” in

US• $200 billion in discretionary spending• More as population ages

Improved technical performance

• Harmonize with global standards• Internationalization• Demonstrated ROI

How to advocate?

Depends on where you and company are…

• Develop policy with practices that support it• Assess legal risks in your industry• Form interest group• Hold information/demo sessions• Include people with disabilities• Participate in AIR (or start one)• Be honest

Steps to IT Accessibility

• Convene wide group of stakeholders

• Make commitment - adopt explicit policy

• Provide support, including training and internal resources

• Develop implementation plan

• Test, verify, repair – and use feedback loops

• Integrate into purchasing process

• Include people with disabilities

• Maintain timetable to evaluate and revise

Because we can!

• The Italian romanticPelligrino Turri

• Blind Countess that he loved Carolina Fantoni da Fivizzono

Typewriter

Telephone

• Alexander Graham Bell

• Mother and wife were deaf

Punch Card

• Non-text method for capturing data • An IBM founder• Herman Hollerith was learning

disabled

Design meets

disability today

Braingate research uses brain waves as UI controlWatch the subject control computer screen and prosthetic arm

LifeHand Project allows brain control of robotic armPierpaolo Petruzziello's amputated arm was connected to a robotic limb, allowing him to feel sensations and control the arm with his thoughts.

Mainstream Uses• Tan Le, cofounder• Emotiv neuro tech interface

Universal design

• Allows access by widest array of UI• Designing to standards allows

innovation• www.w3.org/WAI

A few examples…

• Austin Independent School District• Ticket Sales

• Southern California Edison• Financial Services

• University of California

Surprise! …the accessible iPhoneApple accessibility came late, but is changing the paradigm of disability and tech

Screenshot of Knowbility AccessWorks signup page

Let’s Talk

Image of phone made of tin cans

Please stay in touch…

www.Knowbility.orgsrush@knowbility.org512 305-0310Twitter: @knowbilityFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/knowbility

Thank you!