Universal Design: Is It Really About Design?
By Tobias, Jim; Information Technology and Disabilities, Vol. 9, No. 2Publication Date: December 2003
Article discusses evidence that suggests that informational issues are the principal barriers to broader market success for universal design. The author contends that consumers, clinicians, and caregivers are not sufficiently aware of the benefits of products that incorporate universal design principles. Three examples are provided as evidence to support the author's claim: (1) the accessibility utilities built into a common computer operating system are found to be used by less than 25 percent of the people who could benefit from them; (2) a company that marketed a voice-output caller identification device to people who are blind or have low vision found that less than five percent were interested; and (3) programs that distribute free telecommunication devices for the deaf to people who cannot otherwise use the telephone found that as many as 80 percent of the devices were returned. Accessible technology experts and policy makers are urged to work to resolve technological and non-technological issues in order to reach their product dissemination goals.
Published by: EASI - Equal Access to Software & Information (Website:http://www.rit.edu/~easi/)
Link to text: http://www.rit.edu/~easi/itd/itdv09n2/tobias.htm
