![]() ![]() Personal computers, in turn, remained partially accessible for many years, just as their importance and widespread use was growing exponentially (Goodrich, Citation1984) Yet again, as blind-access to PCs was at last becoming routine, the emergence of graphical user interfaces (GUIs), on those same devices rendered the latest software unusable in the early 1990s (Times, Citation1991). In fact, access to these machines became possible just as microcomputers, or personal computers (PCs), started taking the technological and market lead (Cooke, Citation2004). Yet, this accelerated rate of change is not inherently positive for those with disabilities.įor example, among persons who are blind, access to computer interfaces was not possible for many years when mainframes and minicomputers were dominant. The potential of electronic technologies to offer new opportunities for persons with disabilities has been recognized since the early days of digital computers.(HLisaStevens, Citation2008) In addition to the capabilities of this technology, its extremely rapid development in the last few decades has motivated much excitement in the general public. Our attention to the processes, structures, and values, that most closely affect accessibility, stems from an understanding that the effectiveness and longevity of any initiative to improve this human right, will naturally greatly depend on our skill at taking these factors into account.Ĭycles – constantly changing, intermittently accessible These trade-offs are codified into patents, copyright, and consumer protection laws, and these in turn are shaped by the values of our societies. Finally, a process being shaped by physical and virtual structures involves trade-offs, with inevitable social, economic, and technical consequences. The digital equivalent of architectural standards for ramps, walls, and steps, are technical standards, involving both software and hardware choices. Looking at technology as a process, we will describe what digital, physical, legal, economic, and social structures make-up the environment where we need accessible design. Accessibility is therefore better thought of as an on-going and dynamic process rather than a state. Even calling the current state of digital accessibility a “situation” is inadequate, as evidence demonstrates accessibility to be intricately tied to technological cycles. This of course, is not an unreasonable perspective, but it is hopelessly simplistic for stakeholders interested in meaningful improvements to the existing situation. ![]() ![]() Training, hardware design, software development, content production, and standards definition processes, must be pursued taking accessibility and affordability into account.Īccessibility to digital technology is often seen as a technical challenge. Even if each of these examples is fixed, the accessibility may be short lived if the production process behind that hardware or software was not corrected, as the digital world is constantly being updated. For example, smartphones can be incompatible with hearing aids required by the deaf, touch screens too sensitive for those with motor impairments, and web pages often lack the text labels needed by screen reading software used by the blind. Unfortunately, accessibility for persons with disabilities is neither certain nor constant, and in fact, a conscious and systemic effort is required to ensure that the potential of digital technologies for inclusion is realized.ĭigital accessibility is best understood as a chain of dependencies where training, hardware, software, content, and standards must work together harmoniously, and each of these elements must be understood as a dynamic process. ![]() The capabilities of digital devices have been improving so impressively for so long, that the assumption that in parallel the same is happening with accessibility is common. The potential of digital technology to assist persons with disabilities has always been known. ![]()
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