Bluetooth handsfree speakerphone
This mobile speakerphone, with simple, large controls and good audio input and output, is designed for use in cars. But it may be just what’s needed for wheelchair users or folks with impaired dexterity. It can connect wirelessly with a mobile phone, of course, but also works with desktop telecom applications.
BlueAnt Supertooth Light Bluetooth handsfree speakerphone - Engadget Mobile
An iPod accessory with heart
The Thinklabs Stethoscope Recording Package interfaces an iPod, a stethoscope, and a recorder. The result is a stethoscope that provides amplification (great for doctors with hearing impairments) and that can be used to record notes during exams (that presumably could be transcribed using the iListen plugin for the iPod). Rumor has it that it may even allow MDs to listen to music.
A sound stethoscope
The Noise-Immune Stethoscope was designed for doctors on battlefields and other ultra-loud situations. It should also be a boon for doctors with hearing impairments.
Noise-Immune Stethoscope helps medics hear vital signs in loud environments
The identifier currently known as prints
We’ve reported on fingerprint biometrics before, but Privaris’ keychain-sized device performs multiple functions–it can be used to open doors, verify computer users’ identities, etc., reducing the number of devices that a single user might have to carry around. Very cool.
Privaris Fingerprint Device Provides All-In-One Security
Consumer products infiltrate “serious” IT
Stand by for reverse flow! Instead of corporate software drifting into the home, we now see consumer-style products and services like IM, Google, mp3 flowing into enterprise systems. Desktop apps are becoming cuter, more stylish, and more entertaining. This may mean good news on accessibility, as consumer products are directed at the widest possible audiences, and seek simplicity. But the other edge of the sword — all that eye candy and glamorous interfaces — is worrisome.
Gartner Says to Enterprises: Don’t Be Afraid of Consumer-Oriented Technologies
Keep it simple, nerd boy
Yet another strong usability and simplicity argument. Executives at major info tech companies are beginning to understand that users — even business users — are entranced by the interfaces of iPods and other stripped down, attractive gadgets. They will not put up with unwieldy, musclebound business software much longer. Good news for us: increased usability ans simplicity almost always mean better accessibility.
Talk is fairly cheap
Speech-Over Studio is an add-on for PowerPoint that can be used to incorporate good quality voice output into slides. As the slide is viewed, the audio output is generated automatically. The spoken text appears redundantly at the bottom of the screen. Great for access to archived presentations by people with visual disabilities or non-readers, might be used to provide slide narration by people with speech disabilities, and could have a variety of other applications as well. Speech-Over is $199.