research-article

Computers and People with Disabilities

Authors:

Ephraim P. Glinert,

Bryant W. YorkAuthors Info & Claims

ACM Transactions on Accessible Computing (TACCESS), Volume 1, Issue 2

Article No.: 7, Pages 1 - 7

https://doi.org/10.1145/1408760.1408761

Published: 01 October 2008 Publication History

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Abstract

Editors' comments: “Computers and People with Disabilities” is a reprint of an article originally published in Communications of the ACM in 1992. In this article, Glinert and York issued a “call-to-arms” for research and development on technologies for people with disabilities. Specifically, they highlighted that human-computer interfaces at the time generally failed to take into account the needs of disabled users. Their challenge was to change computing culture to address this need. Their article remains timely today in its consideration of government, industry, and private foundations working with researchers to achieve accessible technology. With the recent launch of Transactions on Accessible Computing, this seems an appropriate time to consider progress in the field since, as well as current research trends.

The reprinting of this article is followed by four commentaries by leaders in accessibility research. Each was cited in the 1992 article and each now gives their view on how the field has progressed since that time. In their commentaries, some themes emerge and new technologies are discussed. In short, their commentaries point to both a great deal of progress and a lack of progress. All four of the commentators note areas where computing continues to present barriers rather than assist users with disabilities.

Alistair Edwards sets the stage with a look back at interfaces and input technologies popular in 1992, with attention paid to access problems related to graphical user interfaces (GUIs) that have consumed much research energy since 1992. Alan Newell highlights disability concerns that were not given large research consideration in 1992, but which have now become significant due, in large part, to changes in global demographics. Specifically, he brings visibility to research on older adults and cognitively disabled users.

A number of advances in technology and methodology since 1992 are discussed by the commentators. The ubiquity of computing and its critical adoption in the world today are highlighted. The commentators reflect, for example, on technologies produced by research for disabled users that have now impacted mainstream offerings on standards for accessibility that have emerged worldwide and their impact and on assistive technologies that have been developed. Critically, the proliferation of the World Wide Web was not foreseen in 1992 and its use by people with disabilities is discussed. Gregg Vanderheiden considers the opportunity afforded by the Web to provide widespread availability of accessible software.

Glinert and York discussed the need for design for disability. While research relevant to users with disabilities is gaining momentum, the commentators indicate that users with disabilities still struggle with much of today's IT. The commentators note current trends toward designs that take into account disabled users. Notably, Richard Ladner ends his commentary by mentioning the issue of empowerment. Users with disabilities have moved beyond simply needing the protections of regulation that were emerging in 1992, to being active participants in designing solutions to allow full participation in the current social, political, and economic environments.

Together, these articles provide a great deal of food for thought on technology advances and new considerations of accessible technology. Has the change in computing culture envisioned by Glinert and York taken hold?

Vicki L. Hanson and Andrew Sears

Co-Editors in Chief

References

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Cited By

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Omar KFakhouri HZraqou JMarx Gómez J(2024)Usability Heuristics for MetaverseComputers10.3390/computers1309022213:9(222)Online publication date: 6-Sep-2024
https://doi.org/10.3390/computers13090222
Sarsenbayeva ZVan Berkel NVelloso EGoncalves JKostakos V(2022)Methodological Standards in Accessibility Research on Motor Impairments: A SurveyACM Computing Surveys10.1145/354350955:7(1-35)Online publication date: 15-Dec-2022
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3543509
Jeon MNazneen NAkanser OAyala-Acevedo AWalker BKonstan JChi EHöök K(2012)"Listen2dRoom"CHI '12 Extended Abstracts on Human Factors in Computing Systems10.1145/2212776.2223675(1577-1582)Online publication date: 5-May-2012
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/2212776.2223675
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Index Terms

Computers and People with Disabilities
1. Social and professional topics
  1. Professional topics
    1. Computing profession
      1. Assistive technologies
    2. History of computing
      1. History of software
  2. User characteristics
    1. People with disabilities

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Published In

cover image ACM Transactions on Accessible Computing

ACM Transactions on Accessible Computing Volume 1, Issue 2

October 2008

65 pages

ISSN:1936-7228

EISSN:1936-7236

DOI:10.1145/1408760

Issue’s Table of Contents

Permission to make digital or hard copies of all or part of this work for personal or classroom use is granted without fee provided that copies are not made or distributed for profit or commercial advantage and that copies bear this notice and the full citation on the first page. Copyrights for components of this work owned by others than ACM must be honored. Abstracting with credit is permitted. To copy otherwise, or republish, to post on servers or to redistribute to lists, requires prior specific permission and/or a fee. Request permissions from [email protected]

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Association for Computing Machinery

New York, NY, United States

Publication History

Published: 01 October 2008

Published in TACCESS Volume 1, Issue 2

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Cited By

View all

Omar KFakhouri HZraqou JMarx Gómez J(2024)Usability Heuristics for MetaverseComputers10.3390/computers1309022213:9(222)Online publication date: 6-Sep-2024
https://doi.org/10.3390/computers13090222
Sarsenbayeva ZVan Berkel NVelloso EGoncalves JKostakos V(2022)Methodological Standards in Accessibility Research on Motor Impairments: A SurveyACM Computing Surveys10.1145/354350955:7(1-35)Online publication date: 15-Dec-2022
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3543509
Jeon MNazneen NAkanser OAyala-Acevedo AWalker BKonstan JChi EHöök K(2012)"Listen2dRoom"CHI '12 Extended Abstracts on Human Factors in Computing Systems10.1145/2212776.2223675(1577-1582)Online publication date: 5-May-2012
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/2212776.2223675
Tuset-Peiró P(2011)Modeling individuals with learning disabilities to personalize a pictogram-based instant messaging serviceProceedings of the 19th international conference on User modeling, adaption, and personalization10.5555/2021855.2021909(454-457)Online publication date: 11-Jul-2011
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.5555/2021855.2021909
Jeon MWalker B(2011)Spindex (Speech Index) Improves Auditory Menu Acceptance and Navigation PerformanceACM Transactions on Accessible Computing10.1145/1952383.19523853:3(1-26)Online publication date: 1-Apr-2011
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/1952383.1952385
Tuset-Peiró P(2011)Modeling Individuals with Learning Disabilities to Personalize a Pictogram-Based Instant Messaging ServiceUser Modeling, Adaption and Personalization10.1007/978-3-642-22362-4_50(454-457)Online publication date: 2011
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-22362-4_50
Tuset PLópez JBarberán PJaner LCervelló-Pastor C(2011)Designing Messenger Visual, an Instant Messaging Service for Individuals with Cognitive DisabilityAmbient Assisted Living10.1007/978-3-642-21303-8_8(57-64)Online publication date: 2011
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-21303-8_8
Jeon MGupta SDavison BWalker BMynatt ESchoner DFitzpatrick GHudson SEdwards KRodden T(2010)Auditory menus are not just spoken visual menusCHI '10 Extended Abstracts on Human Factors in Computing Systems10.1145/1753846.1753978(3319-3324)Online publication date: 9-Apr-2010
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Schindler KDygert RNagler ETrewin SMcCoy K(2009)A reconfigurable augmentative communication deviceProceedings of the 11th international ACM SIGACCESS conference on Computers and accessibility10.1145/1639642.1639683(217-218)Online publication date: 25-Oct-2009
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/1639642.1639683

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