A waste of money
Here’s the dark side of accessibility features in mainstream products: Insurance companies may refuse to pay for, say, a communication aid if it’s implemented as part of a standard computer or cell phone, or may insist that all features unrelated to the communication function be deactivated. Unfortunately, this isn’t news to anyone who’s ever provided direct service to clients, but this is the first time we’ve seen the issues laid out this clearly in the mainstream press.
Pill pager prompts Pop to pop
We’ve seen many medicine reminders, high and low tech. Now we’ve got one that does text messaging! This compact, attractive prototype pill dispenser can receive SMS (wireless text) messages that remind the user to take a pill. The message and timing are pre-programmed in the network (we’ve set ours to 4:20); the dispenser stores the time that the user opens it up so a pharmacist can check it later.
I’m Ghana make you see
Literacy Bridge, a Seattle non-profit, is piloting a $10 device that plays audio files, with initial dissemination in Ghana. One purpose is to spread information, so this will be a usable strategy for people with visual disabilities, especially since the primary control buttons should be easy to distinguish by touch. Another is to improve literacy, so some audio files will be redundant with textbooks, allowing individuals to accommodate their most effective learning style–visual, audio, or both simultaneously. If transcripts are also available for the informational audio, people with hearing disabilities will be accommodated as well. And if people can record their own files, this could even serve as a basic communication device. Given that the World Health Organization estimates a 10% rate of disability in Ghana, we applaud Literacy Bridge for this thoughtful design.
Slashgear: Literacy Bridge sub-$10 audio computer starts education trail
‘Word to your ‘puter
Passwords, by their nature, present a dilemma: the more secure they are, the more difficult they can be for the owner to remember. Add a plethora of different passwords for all your computer needs, and things get trickier; add a memory impairment and you near unmanageability. Atek has come up with a possible solution in the form of a small device that stores up to 200 passwords (user-specified or randomly generated) that can be automatically retrieved upon entry of a single master password. Besides passwords, the owner can store other personal information such as frequent flyer numbers or PIN codes. It’s not foolproof–you can’t reset the master password or retrieve it if you forget it–but it’s likely to improve life for many people, at a cost around $30.
TechNewsWorld: Portable Password Protector Locks Your Secrets Tight
Estonia and then they’ll say “good luck”
Starting in 2011, citizens of Estonia will be able to vote via any cell phone equipped with an ID chip. Will the interface follow WAI guidelines for designing for mobile devices? Will it be friendly for, say, both voice-output and voice-input users? Stay tuned.
Never let them see you sweat
Several Israeli firms are working on biometric screening systems for airport security, unobtrusively measuring factors such as heart rate and respiration. While we usually applaud biometrics that are based on universal capabilities, we’re worried about this one. How will it treat people with autism, panic disorders, or any number of legitimate conditions that may cause people to be stressed without intending to commit terrorism? For that matter, would it unfairly target people who have heart murmurs or breathing tubes?
You’re so square
We’ve been woefully remiss for the last several months in tracking the exploits of Art Lebedev, developer of the world’s most customizable keyboards. To make it up to him, we’ll note that he’s now turning his attention to building a better traffic light; his design uses extra-bright diodes and a square shape to provide a more visible signal. Given the increasing number of older drivers, this can only be a good thing.
Electronista: Art Lebedev shows Luxofor traffic light design