Re: Feature on IBM's Global Accessibility Program

John, this very good point.

It is a common problem with the way many companies and bodies percieve the use of ICT. Technology can be part of a persons communication strategy (AAC), part of their Life Skills work and possibly used to access their academic studies.

ICT and Assistive Technologies can not been seen descretely, but must been viewed from how it affect the users whole life. This is exemplified when you say have a communication device, a remote system for home, a remote system for school, a laptop for study and possibly a wheelchair control system all accessed by one switch access system - but generally can not be access at once. I.e. you can't answer the phone while say typing.  (I know this can all be made to work but its a huge effort). But the point is ICT should been seen not just as a tool to access Work or study!

Pete
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Jonathan Chetwynd 
  To: JMMAW@aol.com 
  Cc: w3c-wai-ig@w3.org 
  Sent: Saturday, May 10, 2003 8:20 AM
  Subject: Re: Feature on IBM's Global Accessibility Program 


  John,

  it takes guts to write this* but it would be even more useful if there were links to the relevant technologies.
  Are they open source? If so this will also speed development and thus adoption.

  my particular interests include:
  "technologies to interpret language and make it easier to learn and to comprehend." and reducing
  "hurdles to writing, reading and comprehension." 

  how about people who's learning difficulty excludes them from 'work'; Do IBMs tools contribute to their life skills development?

  thanks

  Jonathan Chetwynd
  http://www.peepo.com

  *In its March appearance at the California State University Northridge’s 18th Annual Technology for Persons with Disabilities, IBM showcased research technologies allowing people to access information in different ways, including: linguistic analysis software to assist people with either visual, mobility or cognitive disabilities. Also shown were products that optimize keyboard hand position, set accessibility parameters and adjust for hand tremor movements, and translate head movements to direct on screen cursor movements.

  Aware that tens of millions of people in the workplace are either dyslexic, learning disabled or have other cognitive disabilities, IBM developed technologies to interpret language and make it easier to learn and to comprehend.

  These work tools go along with IBM’s worldwide accessibility effort because they reduce hurdles to writing, reading and comprehension. They help employees perform better in their jobs with increased confidence in their communication.


  On Saturday, May 10, 2003, at 01:29 AM, JMMAW@aol.com wrote:



    Good day,
    (A)

                   IBM has a global accessibility strategy to ensure its hardware and software are accessible. It wants to change the IT world. What is this strategy? Will it work? What can the benefits be? Who gave the orders to implement it? Why is global accessibility so important to IBM?

                  I answer these questions in a feature located at www.at508.com. The address is http://www.at508.com/articles/jw_017.asp. Visit the site, read the column and give me your opinions.

                   John Williams