Accessibility, Universal Design, & Technology

As most people know by now all products produced by Apple / Macintosh are accessible for people with disabilities right out of the box. Apple understands the concept of Universal Design (UD) and has included accessibility in the design of all software and devices. Just as new buildings and public facilities are equipped with wider doorways, accessible bathrooms, ramps, and curb cuts from day one, Mac computers, iphones, ipods, and ipads are equipped with screen magnification, voice over, text to speech, and other accessibility features FROM DAY ONE. No extra charge for these features that enable people with low vision or blindness, motor impairments, or other disabilities to access the Apple products. This is only fair and extremely liberating for those of us who are tired of paying extra just because we happen to have a disability.

Yes, Apple understands UD. The question is when will companies that make adaptive software and devices get the picture? Adaptive Technology (AT) companies have to target such a specialized market (sometimes less than one or two percent of the overall population) that the prices of their products are ridiculously high. Basic economics, supply and demand, we get it! But this is a huge problem for consumers with disabilities who, as a group, typically experience much higher unemployment rates and have less overall income than their nondisabled peers.

The standard response to this issue (the high price of adaptive technology) is that people with disabilities can get the adaptive technology they need through Vocational Rehabilitation Services, local schools, or grants. In some cases this is true. In fact, without these government programs and the legal requirements placed on local public school systems, I'm not sure that AT companies could survive. However, this argument does not address the equal opportunity issue and leaves several important questions unanswered. What about those who don't qualify for any services? Why should this burden be placed on the shoulders of people with disabilities and taxpayers? The American's with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other civil rights legislation requir places of business, education, newly built structures, transit systems, and other facilities or entities targeting the general public to be accessible. Why not electronic products and services that target the general public? The technology is available!

This issue will eventually have to be legislated and the companies that recognize this and become proactive now will be much better off in the long run. Apple / Macintosh is a large company making mainstream devices and began designing accessibility features into their products in an attempt to meet the needs of as many consumers as possible. I challenge one of the companies making adaptive technology to follow Apple's lead from the other side of the spectrum. One of these AT companies could take their best package of adaptations and put them into an appealing mainstream device that targets all consumers with a lower more reasonable price. The AT company that comes out with what the Japanese call "common use devices" first, will run way ahead of the competition.