Access on Main Street

Hooking up a usable world, one mainstream product at a time.

Thinking a head

Posted by Jane Berliss-Vincent 13 May 2008

Given that the Internet is the most powerful information tool ever devised, it’s good that someone would come up with a website to let you easily find…a local bathroom. Locations can be added and identified by whether a purchase is required, whether there are baby changing capabilities–and whether they’re wheelchair accessible!

Popgadget: MizPee helps you get back to basics

Watching pictures

Posted by Jane Berliss-Vincent 28 April 2008

Brookstone now has a photo watch that can display up to 60 pictures on a reasonably good-sized screen and has the option of superimposing the time in either analog or digital format. We could see a variety of uses for this as a cognitive aid–what if you brought up the picture of the place you’re going to or the person you’re meeting before you leave the house, so that you’ll remember when you get there? If it had an alarm option that you could tie to a specific picture, that would be even better.

Everything USB.com: Digital photo watch (great grandpa gift?)

Android deserves augmented reality

Posted by Jim Tobias 18 April 2008

Android, Google’s mobile development platform, has attracted a really useful app.  Enkin takes your location, camera input, and other info, and renders a customized meaningful overlay: where your car is in the lot, where the nearest noodle shop is, etc.  This kind of personal guidance would be tremendously valuable for those with cognitive disabilities, permitting independent living and travel.  Add audio output and you have a wayfinding device for blind users.

Enkin: digitized signage for your Android device - Engadget

Mama has a sneeze box

Posted by Jane Berliss-Vincent 8 April 2008

The Ah-Choo! box not only holds facial tissues, but when you approach it emits one of five sounds that mimic your upper respiratory system in full distress. Interesting model for auditory cuing; we could see it applied to other types of objects that would be harder to find and/or identify.

Ubergizmo: Ah-Choo! box

British graffiti

Posted by Jane Berliss-Vincent 6 April 2008

We hadn’t heard anything from our buddies Suck UK in ages, so we’re happy to report that they’ve now come up with a line of glow-in-the-dark spray paint. Originally designed for taggers, we can see it also being implemented for in-house (in-hotel, in-dorm…) use by anyone with low vision just trying to find their way to the bathroom in the middle of the night.

Gizmodo: Glow-in-the-dark graffiti makes street art ravetastic

Inflated hopes

Posted by Jim Tobias 24 March 2008

Designed for motorcycle riders, this wearable air bag system will protect against falls and other high impact events.  Many more people could continue to live independently if they felt safer moving around their homes and neighborhoods.  Just be sure to de-activate it before doin’ the Bump at the Senior Surgical Sock Hop.

Wearable air bag - Boing Boing

Hot wheels

Posted by Jane Berliss-Vincent 20 March 2008

The Hotdog Temperature Alert System figures out when a car overheats, and responds by opening windows, honking the horn, and sending a pager message. Designed for Fido and Fluffy, but could also be useful for quadriplegics who may not be able to tell when the weather is sizzling hot.

Nerd Approved: Hotdog Temperature Alert System Protects Your Pooch

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