Cognitive Impairments

People with disabilities have benefited from the use of assistive technologies that compensate for, or augment functioning.  Socially assistive robots (SAR) both assist with functioning, and engage users socially, often as service, co- robots and companions.  Trends in networked learning communities suggest that membership and rules of exchange will define function, engagement and experiences.  Future communities will likely be...

Advancements in wireless technology (e.g. cell phones and tablets) have opened new communication opportunities and environments for individuals with severe communication disabilities. The advancement of these technologies poses challenges to ensuring that these individuals enjoy equal access to this increasingly essential technology. However, a paucity of research exists.   These wireless devices offer substantial benefits and opportunities to individuals with disabilities who rely on...

This article describes a flexible and effective approach to research and development in an era of rapid technological advancement. The approach relies on secondary dispersal of grant funds to commercial developers through a competitive selection process. This “App Factory” model balances the practical reliance on multi-year funding needed to sustain a rehabilitation engineering research center (RERC), with the need for agility and adaptability of development efforts undertaken in a rapidly-...

This spring, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) moved the needle forward on several large communications issues that impact access by people with disabilities.  In April, the FCC Order concerning the Lifeline and Linkup programs [WC Docket No.11-42] took a variety of actions to create an affordable Lifeline broadband program.  The Order discusses the minimum service standards for Lifeline Services, asserting that functional Internet access is...

In November, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) took several actions to improve communications access for people with disabilities. Regarding emergency communications, in efforts to implement the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010 (CVAA), they announced that beginning November 30, 2015, video programming distributors must provide emergency information television text crawls to people with vision loss by sounding an aural tone...

In October, the FCC released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to update Hearing Aid Compatibility Rules for wireline, wireless and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telecommunications equipment. Among other things, the proposed amendments address concerns and request stakeholder input on developing an industry standard for wireline handsets and their volume controls, and extending volume control standards to Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) equipment and wireless handsets. ...

In September, there was a lot of activity to gear up for National Disability Employment Awareness Month. To kick off this year’s Disability Employment Awareness Month, on September 30, 2015, President Obama issued a Presidential Proclamation marking October 2015 as National Disability Employment Awareness Month.  The President called for the nation to promote inclusion in the workplace by tearing down barriers for Americans with disabilities to acquire the stable jobs they deserve....

In August, The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced the development of a communications platform to establish interoperability standards for all two-way video communications providers. An FCC news release regarding the platform indicated that it will enable people who are deaf, hard of hearing and deaf-blind to converse with businesses and government agencies using American Sign Language (ASL).  The beta version will be available in late 2015, and final version, in spring...

his Spring 2015, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) addressed accessibility in a variety of ways.  In March, service providers and equipment manufacturers were reminded by the FCC that they are required to maintain records of their efforts to provide accessible services and equipment to individuals with disabilities, in accordance with the Communications Act. Recordkeeping enables the FCC to evaluate the impact of their...

This June, the Broadband Adoption Act of 2015 [S. 1472] was introduced with the goal of reforming and modernizing the Universal Service Fund (USF) Lifeline Assistance Program. If passed, the legislation would require the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) to 1) establish a national database to determine consumer eligibility for Lifeline and to prevent duplication, and (2...