Three Wireless RERC Papers Win Best of CSUN 2014

February 2015 – The Wireless RERC and the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center (RERC) on Universal Interface and Information Technology Access were selected among Best Papers at last year’s 29th International Technology and Persons with Disabilities Conference, or CSUN 2014. Both NIDRR-funded RERCs, three papers from the Wireless RERC were named among the best to appear in the latest issue of the Journal on Technology and Persons with Disabilities, with one from the RERC on Universal Interface and IT Access.

The three papers from the Wireless RERC include:

• Futures of Disabilities: Is Technology Failing Us? , James White, Salimah LaForce, Braeden Benson, page 119

This paper examines possible reasons why technology may not be living up to its promise for some people with disabilities (including poor policy implementation, low accessibility, cost, disinterest, lack of awareness, prejudice) and describes preliminary results from the first round of a futures-oriented Delphi survey.

• Hearing Aid Compatibility of Cellphones: Results from a National Survey , John Morris, James L. Mueller, Michael L. Jones, page 13

This paper presents findings from a national survey research project conducted in 2013 by the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center for Wireless Technologies (Wireless RERC) to understand the current experiences of users of hearing aids and cochlear implants with regard to compatibility of their mobile wireless phones with their hearing technology. Data are analyzed for all respondents who use hearing aid or cochlear implant technology, as well as by age and type of aids (behind-ear, in-ear, bone-anchored, cochlear implant).

• Wireless Technology Uses and Activities by People with Disabilities , John Morris, James L. Mueller, Michael L. Jones, page 29

This paper presents findings from the Survey of User Needs (SUN), a national survey on use and usability of mainstream wireless technology by people with disabilities. Data from the most recent SUN conducted in 2012-2013 will be presented, focusing on the wireless activities of people with disabilities. Data on the following uses will be analyzed: accessing the internet, text messaging, emailing, downloading and using mobile apps, social networking, using GPS and location based services. Results show that as a group, people with disabilities and use wireless services at rates similar to the general population. However, substantial variation exists in use of some services between disability types, mainly those with hearing, speech or vision loss.

The paper from the RERC on Universal Interface and IT Access is selected below:

• Computerized Decision Support for People with Disabilities: Review and Outlook , Yao Ding, Gregg C. Vanderheiden, page 134

People with disabilities often need professional support and advice in daily life decisions such as choosing a job, a health care plan, or an access product that best fits their needs. However many people face barriers to professional support due a large part to lack of funding and lack of adequately trained providers. Recent years have seen many applications of computerized decision support, showing great potential to aid decision-making with populations as diverse as people with disabilities. In this paper, we review the state of the art technology and research on decision support systems for people with disabilities, and point out problems, potentials, and research needs.

These and all of the articles from this issue are available free. To access the full text Journal on Technology and Persons with Disabilities, please click the link below.