Personalization and Layering to Simplify Computer Accessibility

Access to digital interfaces is a growing concern due to its increasing role in all aspects of our lives. Those who cannot access and use digital technologies will not be able to participate in the society or even live independently in smart or non-smart homes as they are currently evolving. This includes many who face barriers due to their disability, literacy, or digital literacy. Solutions exist but are often not installed, buried, hard to find, and difficult to understand and use. A new extension to the operating system that combines auto-personalization, layering, enhanced discovery, and Install on Demand (IoD) seeks to make computers easier to use by those who have difficulty learning and understanding them, and also make it easier to set up and use assistive technologies. Key to its utility is the ability to have these features and capabilities appear on any computer they encounter and want to use at school, work, library, community center, etc. Pilot testing is being launched in libraries, job centers and a community college.