Web Posted on: December 21, 1998

Future Technologies and Universal Design 1999 - 2001

Gregg C. Vanderheiden Ph.D.
Director, Trace R & D Center
University of Wisconsin - Madison

We are entering a wonderful period of marvelous possibilities and widespread confusion. Both specific legislation and the general mood of the country has been toward insuring that people with disabilities and people who are getting older will be able to access and operate the marvelous new technologies that are being created.

At the same time, there is a growing concern in industry as to exactly how much accessibility can be built directly into their products without destroying the functionality, appearance or marketability of their products. In short, what accessibility provisions are "readily achievable" and can be built into their products easily.

This workshop will explore the directions that technology is heading on the web, in computers, and in telecommunications. The workshop will explore current legislation as it relates to current and future technologies. Particular emphasis will be placed on strategies that are practical today and those that will be available tomorrow, -- what is readily achievable today and what we can expect in the future. The underlying technology development and driving forces will also be presented. See / hear the future of accessibility.