ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY PRESENTAT

From: MAIL.AXSLIBL5 (RASMUSSE@mail.loc.gov)
Date: Thu Sep 16 1993 - 04:26:11 PDT


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AUTHOR: MAIL.AXSLIBL5
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Well...there I go again. (Many smiles enclosed here)
  
I have been asked (and to be quite frank, very honored too) to give a
presentation at the 69th Annual Fall Conference of the Electronics Industry
Association on October 19 in Chicago. The audience will primarily consist of
consumer electronics manufacturers. Dr. Larry Scadden gave this presentation
last year.
  
I have three primary objectives/goals. Rather simple objectives:
  
1) To show manfacturers how many consumer electronic products are NOT
accessible.
  
2) To demonstrate how to make them accessible via simple product design.
  
3) To help them market products that include the features geared toward the
   physically challenged.
  
  
Let me bounce a few things off of you electronics guru's and get your feedback.
First, would it be inappropriate for me to invite three physically challenged
persons (probably visually impaired, deaf, and mobility disabled) to the
presentation and second, include them as part of the presentation. That is, to
actually develop a demonstration where each is required to use a consumer
electronics product. Thus producing a "live" version of the challenges
presented due to inefficient product design.
  
Finally, as part of the same demo, have the invitees demonstrate the use of
products that include accessible features.
  
I'm thinking of "recruiting" a young boy or girl who has a mobility disability
and plays Nintendo or Sega (both companies have created products for the
disabled). Then I'd also recruit a husband and/or wife to use some household
electronics product. Finally, I'll include someone that is older and gear it to
the older market segment (and fastest growing).
  
How can you help? If you can answer any of the questions that follow, you'll be
doing me a big favor. Thanks, Mike Paciello, VIIS Program Manager, Digital
Equipment Corporation.
  
Qustions:
  
1) What electronics products are most difficult for you to use? (no matter what
   the your disability is)
  
2) Why are they so difficult?
  
3) What could reasonably be done to remedy the design feature?
  
4) Is there anyone living in the Chicago area (like Loyola) who would like to
   volunteer to help? If so, please contact me asap.
  
I have made arrangements to get you into the conference free. In addition to
having an opportunity to meeting members of the Assistive Devices Division of
the EIA, you'll have an opportunity to meet manufacturers who are concerned
about accessibility issues.
  
Thanks for everyone's help. Naturally, I'll be sure to post the trip summary.
  
  
  
Michael G. Paciello
Digital Equipment Corporation
Program Manager
Vision Impaired Information Services (VIIS)
110 Spit Brook Road
Nashua, NH. USA 03062
Phone: (603) 881-1831
Internet: Paciello@Shane.Enet.Dec.Com
  



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