Feedback on Web of Things

To Shadi

I'm sending this response via e-mail and cc'ing it to the RQTF list as I have a knack of messing up the formatting of wikis when I try to edit them!  Hope this is okay.

Your document is looking great.  I've been spending some time doing some digging and researching references to see if there's anything else I could add.

In terms of the user case, there are a few additional things that may be worth considering:


1)    Emergency: failure of accessibility on general ICT devices may be an inconvenience, but failure of access to IoT may be hazardous.  For example, failure of web-connected security devices, failure of the ability to call an emergency number, failure of an IoT medical monitor.  A question worth asking is 'if the web fails, what happens and what safeguards are put in place to make sure people with disabilities remain safe if, for example, a home loses power?'  Perhaps some sort of categorisation as to the consequences of a device's importance should be considered and the device contain some safeguards if something goes wrong.

2)    Multiple interfaces:  Interoperability makes sense, but I also think one of the major benefits to IoT/WoT is that it provides yet another way to provide interaction.  For example, a Deaf person may want to interact with an IoT device using a smartphone app in a visual way while a blind person may prefer to use a digital assistant.  I think there's a risk that whenever solution becomes the 'flavour of the month', e.g. just a digital assistant, other disability groups may miss out if, say, the app solution is dropped because of it.  Multiple ways to interact would address this problem

3)    Physical fall back:  partly related to the first point.  Many parts of the world don't' have stable internet connections or power and if you can't get in or out of your house because the internet is down and your phone can't verify your identify with the lock, or your fridge won't let you open it, there's a problem - it may not be life-threatening like the first point, but IMHO these type of devices should have a physical fallback i.e. can still use a key for a door, can still flick a switch for a light, etc.

Also I did a bit of digging to see if there were any good references out there around Intenet of Things and disability.  The short answer is there's not much and what is there is quite limited.  That said, I've included what I could find below.

Hope this helps,

Scott.


Reference Type:  Generic
Record Number: 11
Year: 2015
Title: AT&T and Permobil Unveil the Connected Wheelchair Proof of Concept at CTIA
Companies Develop Innovative Solution to Help Empower People with Disabilities and Improve Quality of Life
Place Published: Coventry
Short Title: AT&T and Permobil Unveil the Connected Wheelchair Proof of Concept at CTIA
Companies Develop Innovative Solution to Help Empower People with Disabilities and Improve Quality of Life
Abstract:  LAS VEGAS - AT&T* and Permobil have developed a trailblazing proof of concept solution that wirelessly connects wheelchairs to increase user independence and freedom. The connected wheelchair concept uses AT&T's Internet of Things (IoT) technology so that the chair can be easily monitored for comfort, performance, maintenance requirements and location. The companies will unveil the connected wheelchair concept at tomorrow's CTIA Super Mobility 2015, in Las Vegas, NV. "Our 'Guiding Star,' when developing any product, comes directly from company founder, Dr. Per Udden, who has stated that every person with a disability has the right to have his or her handicap compensated as far as possible by aids with the same technical standard as those we all use in our everyday lives," said Olof Hedin, Permobil Chief Information Officer. "Permobil's collaboration with the AT&T Foundry is the epitome of how to bring today's technology into the complex rehabilitation arena to benefit users, clinicians and stakeholders." Since being founded in Sweden in 1967, Permobil has been committed to enhancing the lives of people with physical disabilities. Permobil has since become the global leader in manufacturing power wheelchairs, sold across 40 countries. In 2015 Permobil acquired The ROHO Group, Inc., the global leader in skin protection and positioning solutions for wheelchair users, marking the next important step in Permobil's strategy to become a leading healthcare company, providing innovative advanced rehabilitation solutions for people with disabilities. Focused on the complex rehab segment, every wheelchair is built to order and custom-fit to meet the unique medical needs of each individual. Permobil is headquartered in Timra, Sweden and has approximately 1,000 employees. For more information please visit http://www.permobil.com.





[Scott Hollier logo]Dr Scott Hollier
Digital Access Specialist
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