Curb undercut
Presented as a reminder that accessible voting–among other things–needs to be thought out holistically; not much good to be able to vote outside if you have to go inside to let ‘em know you’re there. Reminds us of a towel dispenser labeled “ADA Compliant” that we once saw mounted at a height that we couldn’t reach from a standing position, never mind its availability to a chair user.
Mirror my tag to thee
Violet, the French maker of Nabaztag, is unveiling Mirror, its new “intelligent object”. Anything with an RFID tag placed atop Mirror’s platter can trigger an attached computer to display a picture, launch a program, play a video, or just about anything else. These intelligent objects are great for youngsters and others not up to regular computer interfaces, including those with cognitive disabilities.
Nabaztag’s Violet debuts “Mirror” general-purpose home RFID reader - Engadget
Overlay the overpass in overdrive
Blaupunkt’s new car navigation device sports a road-facing video camera, and it ain’t there for laughs. The Travel Pilot N700 superimposes arrows, speed limits, and other navigational assistance on top of the live video, so you can watch the road and get directions at the same time, supplemented by voice. This gadget is doing some elementary video recognition, and delivering information in a cognitively friendly manner. You don’t have to flick your eyeballs back and forth, or decipher hideous LCD road ribbons. What’s next, hitchhiker background checks? Roadside fruit stand ripeness reports? Whatever happened to the good old days of getting lost? If we could find our way, we’d go back there.
Navigation: Blaupunkt Travel Pilot N700 Overlays Directions on Live Video, Reads Street Signs
User interfist
Another take on gesture control: Toshiba’s got a camera system that sits atop your screen facing the viewer. Just make a fist (the angry-at-pundit jokes write themselves) and move it around to summon up all the functions you normally have on a remote. Plus, when was the last time you lost your fist among the cushions?
We love the basic idea of gesture interfaces, because they’re generally less demanding of hand function. But we’ve gotta ask the Toshibanistas — how tight a fist? How large and smooth does the movement have to be? It’s all about the flexibility and personalization, right?
They’ve also got a cue card function: hold up an image and the TV knows what to do. Maybe too dexterity demanding, but probably great for viewers with cognitive disabilities (more jokes writing themselves, dammit). Speech recognition, too.
Toshiba’s Cambridge Research Lab shows off gesture-controlled TVs, image recognition - Engadget
Stupid is as stupid does
Two browser plugins–one now available, one under development–are designed to detect ungrammatical phrases and poor writing styles in blog comments, such as improper use of capitalization and punctuation. Do these have the ability to provide polite feedback to authors, including those with writing-related disabilities, along with suggestions for improvement? Well, given the plugin nomenclature, we’re guessing NOT.
Ergo Fido
We were getting rusty on our current knowledge of ACT (assistive canine technology), so we were pleased to encounter the Hugx Ergonomic Dog Bowl, scientifically designed–by Mercedes engineers, no less–to position food at the ergonomically correct height for pooches; also comes in kitty size and with optional diamond bling. Take the ears and tongue off the bowl and make the stand adjustable, and we could see this being useful dining ware for people with some types of dexterity disabilities; using the top of the bowl as a surface to push food against would make it easier to pick up.
Kindle Kaptures Kollege Kash?
Kindle, Amazon’s e-book reader, is poised for a make-over for the education market. It may re-appear in late 2008, full-page size with an improved interface. Duking it out with Apple’s iPod/iTunes (”Axis of Easy”?) will be tough; the textbook market may seem mild, but it’s fiercely competitive. Every university we know of is sensitized to accessibility, so how about both Amazon and Apple give a little more thought about that stuff? Compatibility with DAISY and cooperation with Bookshare might be a good start.
(By the way, here’s an excellent review of Kindle’s accessibility.)
Arstechnica: Amazon may enter college textbook market with new Kindle