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Site updated 3/2009 |
"Assistive technology," when applied to electronic devices, describes a variety of low- and high-tech products and strategies that modify or
replace standard displays, keyboards, cursor control devices, and content. These can
make life easier not just for people with
disabilities, but also for anyone who finds standard product design inefficient or uncomfortable.
Creative implementation of assistive technology, particularly in mainstream products, has far-reaching positive implications. For example:
- Manufacturers often include assistive features in products without realizing it. These range from unique implementations, such as breath-controlled cameras, to whole design categories such as gesture-based interfaces. Awareness of these features can help companies repurpose or expand their market for underperforming products.
- While elders and Boomers may experience increased comfort and efficiency when using features such as larger text, they may be highly resistant to products that they associate with being "disabled" or "old." Presentation of assistive features that is consistent with research on marketing to this audience can help bypass the resistance. This is particularly critical since current economic realities may require many individuals to remain competitive in the workplace well beyond the traditional age of retirement.
- Technology itself is becoming a serious cause of disability--there are documented cases of repetitive strain injuries in children as young as eight, and MP3 players causing hearing loss by the teen years. Awareness of alternative design options may not only reduce the likelihood of lawsuits, but also increase the competitive edge by providing features that the target market will find attractive.
As a passionate and experienced consultant, researcher, trainer, writer, and direct service provider in the assistive technology field, I can help you with these and many other issues around assistive technology .
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