Wireless Inclusive RERC| Georgia Institute of Technology | Atlanta, GA - Reports

2021 Nationwide WEA Test Survey Results

Mz22 — Thu, 12 Jan 2023 17:04:40 +0000

Date of Publication:

2022 September

This paper aims to examine Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) effectiveness in eliciting protective action responses from people with disabilities. We examine varying mechanisms including WEA signal notification type and demographic characteristics.

2021_nationwide_wea_test_survey_results.pdf

The Wireless Emergency Alerts Video Platform: Emergency Alerts in Many Formats Allow Access for All

Mz22 — Tue, 27 Sep 2022 19:33:42 +0000

Date of Publication:

2022 September

This research brief reports on developing a software app that demonstrates the technical feasibility of providing WEA messages in multiple formats, namely text-based messages, spoken messages, symbology, and ASL video with captions, to improve the accessibility of the messages for all receivers. The results of a usability study examining how people who are Deaf understand the emergency messages in multiple formats are also described.

research_brief-_the_wea_video_platform_002.docx

Battery Extension Tool: A study of smartphone battery demand and conservation modes

Mz22 — Fri, 16 Sep 2022 14:15:23 +0000

Date of Publication:

2022 September

The project surveyed power controls that currently exist within current mobile operating systems and evaluated the battery demand of wireless devices, comparing typical operation with optimal battery operation while various accessibility apps are in use. These data were analyzed to develop recommendations for best practices for battery charge extension of wireless devices. A proof-of-concept, customizable user interface prototype app, the Battery Extension Tool (BET), was developed to allow users with disabilities to implement these best practices while retaining access to their accessibility software.

research_brief_-_effects_of_active_accessibility_features_on_smartphone_battery_drain.pdf

Evaluating the Impact of WEA 2.0 Regulations (Final)

kp37 — Mon, 16 May 2022 21:20:49 +0000

Date of Publication:

2022 March

research_brief_-_evaluating_the_impact_of_wea_2.0_regulations_final.pdf

Survey of User Needs, SUNspot 1 Use of Mobile Phones by Individuals with Disabilities, 2019-2020

dbright7@gatech.edu — Sun, 11 Jul 2021 19:51:23 +0000

Date of Publication:

2021 July

This research brief presents findings from the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Wireless Inclusive Technologies’ (Wireless RERC) Survey of User Needs (SUN) for 2019-2020. We present key findings regarding mobile phone use and satisfaction by consumers with disabilities. A total of 219 respondents, or 98.3%, of users who responded indicated owning or using a wireless device such as a traditional cell phone, smartphone, tablet, or wearable device.

survey_of_user_needs_sunspot_1_use_of_mobile_phones_by_individuals_with_disabilities_2019-2020.docx

Survey of User Needs, SUNspot 2 Use of Wireless Technology Features and Wireless Device Activities by Individuals with Disabilities, 2019-2020

Mz22 — Thu, 08 Jul 2021 12:37:57 +0000

Date of Publication:

2021 July

This report presents findings from the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Wireless Inclusive Technologies’ (Wireless RERC) Survey of User Needs (SUN) for 2019-2020. In this report, we present key findings regarding the use of wireless technology features by SUN respondents, including real-time-text, intelligent assistants, and visual and audio display options. We also discuss the use of wireless devices by individuals with disabilities for a variety of activities. Whereas SUNspot 1 focused on the devices themselves, this report focuses primarily on the capabilities built into those devices and their relationship to users’ reported functional limitations and difficulties.

updated.sunspot2_2021-02_final_wireless_technology_features_used_by_individuals_with_disabilities_2020_1.pdf

The Federal Communication Commissions' Response to COVID-19: Implications for People with Disabilities

Mz22 — Wed, 30 Sep 2020 20:35:04 +0000

Date of Publication:

2020 September

The Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) policies and regulations in response to COVID-19 had the opportunity to profoundly shape digital experiences and social outcomes for Americans with disabilities. However, the FCC's response must be met with an equal effort by other stakeholders to fully realize the intended outcomes. This policy brief identifies and describes the FCC's response to the global health pandemic and the implications of the same for people with disabilities.

fcc_policy_brief_-_the_federal_communication_commissions_response_to_covid-19.pdf

Biennial analysis of mobile phone accessibility: Comparative analyses reveals pain points and progress

Mz22 — Wed, 30 Sep 2020 11:53:30 +0000

Date of Publication:

2020 September

The Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center for Wireless Inclusive Technologies (Wireless RERC) published its third Biennial Review of Mobile Phone Accessibility, quantifying accessibility levels of mobile phones available in the U.S. market as of February 2020. The study analyzed 141 phones from the Tier 1 wireless carriers (e.g., Verizon and Sprint), one prepaid carrier, and five Lifeline carriers. The Review assessed the presence of 35 features associated with device accessibility for people with disabilities. This report provides an analysis of mobile phone accessibility features across the sample, including disability type, and comparative analyses based on phone type (smartphone compared to non-smartphone), the data collection period (2017 compared to 2019/20), and carrier types (Tier 1 compared to Lifeline providers). Major findings include:

In the aggregate, there was growth in accessibility features for people with a wide range of disabilities. Upon disaggregating the data, except for some features for vision disabilities, the sampled mobile phones in 2019/20 outperformed the sampled phones in 2017 in the hearing, cognitive, mobility and dexterity disabilities categories.
There was an increase in the percentage of phones with features available for people with cognitive disabilities, including significant increases in the presence of text-to-speech, full access screen readers, and biometric log-in.
The growth of accessibility features between 2017 and 2019 shows a shift towards the integration of novel and more advanced technology.
Smartphones outperformed non-smartphones in the percentage of accessibility features present, pulling higher percentages for 26 of the 35 features examined, showing that smartphones not only have a greater variety of accessibility features, but they outperform non-smartphones in many categories of accessibility.
Compared to the hearing aid compatibility (HAC) ratings found in 2017, the percentage of phones that were HAC compliant noticeably improved. The ratings shifted from a majority of devices falling into the M3/T3 category in 2017, to a majority of the mobile phones landing into the M4/T3 rating in 2019/20.
Data indicated that having more than one disability (i.e., comorbidity) makes identifying an appropriate mobile device more complex, particularly if the concurrent disability has a fewer number of associated mobile device accessibility features.
Tier 1 provided mobile phones outperformed Lifeline provider phone models.
Despite Tier 1 phone models outperforming Lifeline-provided models on the presence of accessibility features, there is a more encouraging finding that shows 2019/2020 devices obtained from Lifeline providers have improved accessibility levels compared to 2017 data.
The data indicates that WEA-capable devices have more accessibility options than non-WEA-capable phone models and the percentage of WEA-capable phones increased from 35% in 2017 to 74% in 2019.

In response to these findings, we offer several recommendations. Foremost, as new features are developed, mobile phone manufacturers are encouraged to continue to incorporate users with disabilities into all stages of the design process so that accessibility, and consequential usability, is intentional within digital designs instead of a fortuitous byproduct of innovative technology. Also, with mobile phones of all types dominating how we communicate, manufacturers should continue expanding options that allow customizability of devices and services for individual user needs and preferences.

2020_analysis_of_mobile_phones_final.pdf

New Wireless RERC Research Brief - Technology Use for Social Connectedness: Exploring the Experiences of People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, Family Members, and Professionals

Mz22 — Fri, 31 Jul 2020 11:35:42 +0000

Publication Type:

Reports

People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) have the potential to benefit from wireless technologies and social networking opportunities facilitated through these technologies. People with IDD, however, are often excluded from technology use and online environments. The aim of this research was to explore how wireless technology tools and software applications help people with IDD socially connect, and how people with IDD and those that support them perceive the usefulness of such tools within this population. To address this goal, a series of focus groups was conducted with adults with IDD, family members of adults with IDD, and professionals who work with people with IDD (e.g., vocational rehabilitation counselors, certified job coaches, transition coordinators in K-12 schools). Our research team coded and analyzed the focus group data following a qualitative descriptive approach. The six identified themes listed below are discussed in the research brief.

Theme 1: Hardware and Software

Theme 2: Accessibility Features

Theme 3: Reasons for Connecting Socially

Theme 4: Barriers to and Supports for Connectivity

Theme 5: Concerns or Fears About Connectivity

Theme 6: Outcomes from Social Connectedness

Date of Publication:

Friday, July 31, 2020

Two New Survey of User Needs Research Briefs: SUNspots on Mobile Phone Use, Satisfaction, Features, and Activities

Mz22 — Thu, 23 May 2019 15:34:29 +0000

Publication Type:

Reports

We created SUNspots to share easily digestible data points from the Wireless RERC's cornerstone survey, the Survey of User Needs (SUN). The SUN tracks the use and usability of wireless technology by people with disabilities. Data collection for this version of the SUN started in 2017. And data collection ended in 2018. We are currently in the process of analyzing the data and will be sharing it periodically with you through these SUNspots, and via a larger report in the future.

The data collected from the SUN is used by RERC staff to inform R&D directions for our projects and outreach activities, to support our regulatory filings, and by industry to improve the accessibility of their products and services. We also made a commitment to members of our Consumer Advisory Network to share what we've learned from the SUN data. Please find links to the two new SUNspots below to see how wireless technology is being used by people with disabilities.

SUNspot 01: Use of Mobile Phones by Individuals with Disabilities (2017-2018) presents key findings regarding mobile phone use and satisfaction by consumers with disabilities.

SUNspot 02: Use of Wireless Technology Features and Wireless Device Activities by Individuals with Disabilities (2017-2018) presents key findings regarding the use of wireless technology features by SUN respondents, including real-time-text, intelligent assistants, and visual and audio display options. We also discuss the use of wireless devices by individuals with disabilities for a variety of activities. Whereas SUNspot 1 focused on the devices themselves, this report focuses primarily on the capabilities built into those devices and their relationship to users' reported functional limitations and difficulties.

Date of Publication:

Thursday, May 23, 2019