Locked Out

We’ve all been there; the moment you realize that you are locked out of your home or car. There is the instant of alarm, and then the fleeting thoughts of the chaos this disruption is creating. Your mind quickly shifts into high gear, and you try to focus on how to solve the problem of getting in and managing the disruption in your day. We all know this is not a pleasant experience to be kept from a destination, yet if we are lucky we manage this situation with a bit of humor and strategy. I often find myself in this situation, though not locked out of physical spaces. Ten years ago, I left my first profession in part because the electronic record keeping systems that were being put in place by organizations were not accessible to me as a person with a visual disability. No one within my organization had any idea about how the system could be made accessible, the company peddling their product had no clue, and no one in the adaptive technology field had ever heard of the system. Just like the person locked out of their home, I panicked at first, but then I decided that my best bet would be to further my education. It was a big financial risk, but one I thought would be worth it. Here I am on the cusp of completing my 4th degree, and I am finding myself locked out again. About three years ago, one of the techno giants acquired a commonly used software package, and while it was pretty accessible at the time, the company has now made changes that make it completely useless to me. Sadly, people in the adaptive technology field know little about this software, so I’m at the mercy of this company or another like it. I’ve seen this company pronounce its commitment to accessibility, now if they would actually do something beyond their public relations division. Maybe one of the other companies with a similar product will step up, and I’ll be able to afford an alternative solution. Books that I need to further my knowledge in my field are not available in alternative formats. Publishers, even though they market their books to educators and libraries, don’t have to make their books accessible. From what I understand, publishers are afraid that people will copy their books illegally if accessible electronic versions are available. Clearly they haven’t heard of scanners and copiers; somehow I don’t think their biggest threat is from those with a visual impairment. Information and technology are moving very quickly, and I’d like to keep up. Sadly people are continuing to insure that I remain locked out, and I am not the only one.

Losses mount from scams targeting older Americans - Boston.com

Losses mount from scams targeting older Americans - Boston.com

David Grary from AP does a wonderful job in this article of describing the growing problem of financial abuse and scams. He provides famous, and not so famous, examples of victims throughout the U.S. He also notes the need for appropriations for the federal Elder Justice Act to help law enforcement prevent financial scams and catch and prosecute perpetrators. If you liked my post "Financial Liberty and Protection," then you will not want to miss this article in the Boston Globe.

The Possibilities of iRobot

Did you see the story in the New York Times about the robot Ava that is being developed? You can find the article by Christopher Drew here: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/03/technology/for-irobot-the-future-is-getting-closer.html. The technology being developed by iRobot Corporation and other robotics companies are really amazing. According to the article, Mr. Colin Angle Of iRobot hopes that robots may one day be more actively used within healthcare for remote forms of care and personal assistance and by businessmen for remote meetings and office functions. Personally, I would love it if iRobot were successful, and not because I own stock in their company. Similar to others who grew up watching The Jetsons, I envision using robots one day. My dream is to have a robotic navigational system powered by solar and rechargeable battery that can help me navigate. I would love to be able to program a robot about where I needed to go, and have it help me by insuring I could find the right train or bus, sidewalk, and entrance. The robot would be able to scan to read signs, bus numbers, product labels, price tags and building directories. The robot would walk along with me insuring that I found my way and devising an alternative route if construction or other obstacles got in my way. Imagine the power of a guide, reader, and GPS for a pedestrian and person using public transportation, all combined into a single robot. The best part is this technology could be used for those with visual impairments, but also for those developing cognitive limitations. It could be used to supplement the work of orientation and mobility specialists, physical and occupational therapists, and by those in the hospitality industry. Of course I would like to use a robot at work to perform office functions and to give remote presentations. I would really be happy if a robot could do my laundry complete with ironing and folding, and who wouldn’t want a robot that could mix a favorite cocktail or get that morning cup of coffee… I sure hope iRobot thinks about people of all ages and abilities using these robots and not just being served by them. I want a woman caring for her husband with Alzheimer’s disease to be able to setup one of these robots, even if her computer knowledge is minimal. I use screen reader assistive technology that reads some of what is on a computer screen to me, and I want to program one of these robots. I would like to work with it, not simply be served by a robot someone else has to control. Perhaps an example would help. Microsoft has always thought of accessibility as a secondary concern, and historically has counted on third parties to make their operating system and software accessible. Sadly, because millions of users are an afterthought, many mainstream products have serious limitations, even today. For example, I can read a Power Point presentation someone else creates with a screen reader, but I can’t create my own using screen reader assistive technology. Adobe is no better with their presentation software, Adobe Connect, used for webinars. Adobe made some of the features for the participant accessible, but I can’t create the presentation. Microsoft and Adobe make the same shortsighted assumption that a person using a screen reader will be in the audience, not the person creating and giving the presentation. And this outdated view of technological development is leaving many people with disabilities and people born before the tech boom behind. I hope iRobot becomes a leader in accessibility and inclusion at all levels of their product design. Millions of potential robot users in business and health care settings have a disability or aren’t extremely comfortable with technology. Plus, iRobot is going to be marketing their products to government agencies and health care providers who are required to comply with the ADA. These public entities and healthcare organizations will have to be thinking about accessibility for those they serve and their employees. If robots are truly going to become our personal and professional helpers in the future, I sure hope everyone will be able to work with them.

Action Plan

Recently, people have begun to talk about the potential market power of people with a limitation in their physical, sensory, communication, or cognitive functioning. Check out this article by Michael Janger http://www.brandchannel.com/features_effect.asp and this link from Diversity World http://www.diversityworld.com/Disability/customers.htm. It’s true; having a product designed with all users in mind can gain a company popular press and sales. The most obvious example is Apple. Wonderful, we know what works: demand for usability and universal design. The question is how do we get steering committees, company board members, and engineers among other product designers, to change? This isn’t an easy question to answer because people with any need for an alternative way of getting things done are vastly underrepresented in these powerful roles. Fortunately, there is so much that can be done that there is a task for everyone. I. Inform the company and let your social network know about a product you like because of its design features. Companies need this feedback whether they are creating something for a specific market or for wider use. If you are a member of any groups or participate in any use of social media make sure you use these outlets to promote the product. Keep in mind that there is nothing wrong with the traditional phone call or letter if that is more your style. If you are to ill or busy, or lack the confidence to do this yourself, keep it in mind for the next person who offers to help. II. Get the word out about a poorly designed product or line of products that do not meet your need. The “user experience” is important. Make sure you let the company responsible for the product know, and when you do, let them know you are sharing this information with your social network. Try to be clear about the problem, and if you can think of any, offer solutions. Don’t forget that most design elements that are not functional for all people are made because people lack knowledge and information. The ability to place oneself in another’s shoes isn’t universal, and often exists more in people with less power. III. Look for opportunities to use your purchasing power to support companies that use universal design principles, increase accessibility, and employ and promote people with limitations in their physical, sensory, communication, or cognitive functioning. If you belong to any groups, look for ways to promote those companies, use their products, and make sure your group contacts the company with this information. Maybe they’ll even pay to include you in an advertising campaign or ask you to be involved in product testing. IV. Expand your thinking about diversity to include people of varying abilities and look for ways to promote this idea within your company or in your civic group. I am not suggesting that racial and ethnic diversity are less important; I am simply saying that diversity should not merely be assessed through an individual’s complexion or country of origin. When different perspectives get brought to the table, acceptance and innovation tend to follow. People who have to seek out alternative ways of navigating through life and getting things done can bring fresh ideas and different perspectives to your community organization or company. In order to be a market force people desiring universal design features or seeking alternative solutions for interacting with their environment must be willing to be vocal and counted. It is only through these actions that change will be forth coming and people on those steering committees, board of directors, and product design teams will begin to see the return on their investment in universal and alternative design.