Cognitive Impairments

Wearable technology has the potential to usher in a new wave of assistive technology. Many wearable devices are already being used by people with disabilities as assistive technology. Here we discuss how designers might use design considerations and body maps to make sure that the wearable devices they are creating are accessible to everyone. The hope is that, with a thoughtful process, new wearable technology can also act seamlessly as assistive technology.

Though February is the shortest month in the year, it was not short on activity. The Notice of Renewal of the Disability Advisory Committee’s (DAC) Charter [DA 19-55] was published in the Federal Register, starting the third two-year term for the DAC. The Committee will address, among other things, hearing aid compatibility, advanced communications and equipment services, and 9-1-1 access. Related to the accessibility of advanced communications equipment, the...

In the regulatory space, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is seeking input from people with disabilities and other stakeholders about how best to facilitate the coordination of communications providers, power companies, and the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau to enable a robust and rapid response to emergencies. Specifically, the concern is keeping people...

A new research brief by CACP researchers Nathan W. Moon, Paul M.A. Baker, and Kenneth Goughnour, summarizes findings from focus groups which explored accessibility, social appropriateness, and cultural acceptability issues of wireless technology related use among individuals with disabilities. The research was conducted for the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Wireless Inclusive Technologies (Wireless RERC). A total of 41 individuals with disabilities who use smartphones,...

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has a statutory obligation to evaluate the impact of their regulations that implement the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CVAA). Every two-years the FCC submits a report to Congress on the state of industry compliance with the CVAA. In anticipation of the FCC’s call for stakeholder input to inform their 2018 CVAA Biennial Report, the Wireless RERC conducted a 2017 Mobile Phone Accessibility...

The file below is a PDF of the Wireless RERC's 12/31/2018 Re:Wireless Newsletter for consumers.  If you have trouble accessing the file or need it in an alternate accessible format, please contact Ben Lippincott at 678-992-9309 or ben@imtc.gatech.edu.

You can also view the newsletter at this web address:  https://conta.cc/2EWMDNf

The file below is a PDF of the Wireless RERC's 10/08/2018 Re:Wireless Newsletter for consumers.  If you have trouble accessing the file or need it in an alternate accessible format, please contact Ben Lippincott at 678-992-9309 or ben@imtc.gatech.edu.

You can also view the newsletter at this web address:  https://conta.cc/2yAqBex

The poster, "That Smart Pen Sounded Like it Could Be Pretty Helpful:” A Thematic Analysis on Using Wireless Technology in the Workplace, details research on Competitive Integrated Employment (ICE).  The research questions for this study were:

• Can the use of wireless or wearable technologies facilitate competitive integrated employment for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities?
...

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released a Public Notice announcing their call for nominations for the eighth annual Chairman’s Awards for Advancement in Accessibility (Chairman's AAA). Nominations are due by February 28, 2019, and can be made for various categories including accessible mainstream technologies, assistive technologies, technology standards, and best practices in delivering accessible solutions. Congruent with identifying best practices, but in the...