Introduction

In the United States, more than 56 million people have been identified as having a disability, constituting nearly 20% of the total US population.  When the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center for Wireless Technologies (Wireless RERC) launched in 2001, wireless technology was on the cusp of a revolution. WiFi was a novelty and the “cloud” was still largely a dream. Rudimentary internet access was available on a limited number of “(not-so)-smart” mobile phones. Social media were limited to chat rooms, dating websites and instant messaging. To fully understand how people with disabilities use and could benefit from wireless devices, a Consumer Advisory Network (CAN) and Survey of User Needs (SUN) was created.  The first results of the SUN in 2004 revealed that 66% of people with disabilities owned a mobile/wireless device.  By 2013 the percentage had risen to 91%.  In the Deaf community wireless devices quickly became a fundamental communications platform. People who rely on Augmentative and Alternative Communications (AAC) increasingly were using tablets as an assistive technology.  Voice controls, speech-to-text, hands-free features and switch access have been major facilitators for people with a variety of disabilities.

Funded since 2001 by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR), the Wireless RERC is a recognized leader on issues and solutions related to the accessibility and usability of mobile wireless products and services by people with disabilities.  Our mission is to research, evaluate and develop innovative wireless technologies and products that meet the needs, enhance independence and improve the quality of life and community participation of individuals with disabilities.

The Wireless RERC team members have worked directly with consumers, industry, wireless carriers and device manufacturers and design students to increase their knowledge of the user experience of people with disabilities. We have helped regulators understand the needs of people with disabilities by participating in more than 50 rulemakings, especially rules that ensure access to emergency alerts and been cited more than 150 times, impacting the outcome of rules affecting people with disabilities. 

In short, the Wireless RERC research, engineering and policy work has had a significant impact on accessibility. Wireless RERC projects include:

• User Center Research: Consumer Advisory Network
  The purpose of this project is to enhance consumer participation in wireless research and development by expanding and refining the research “portal” into the needs of people with disabilities for wireless technologies. This portal is the Wireless RERC’s Consumer Advisory Network (CAN), the nationwide network of approximately 1,500 individuals with all types of disabilities. Additionally, through our Survey of User Needs (SUN) we track changes in use, usability, and needs and wants of people with disabilities by periodically re-surveying a representative national sample of previous SUN respondent. Another goal is to examine how wireless technology and social media promotes inclusion of youth with disabilities.

• Policy Approaches to Promote Access to Wireless Technologies
  This project provides substantive input into policymaking to help reduce barriers and accelerate adoption of accessible wireless products, services (including emergency alerts), and software applications.  This project conducted the preparatory research and policy analysis related to the needs of people with disabilities, accessibility, and migratory shifts from legacy, fixed technologies to higher-functionality next-generation wireless technologies that framed the theme and topics for the Summit. Additionally, our participation in the federal rulemaking process with evidence-based input, has helped to inform the development of wireless technology policy and regulations that are inclusive of the needs of people with disabilities.  Relevant technology policy findings have been provided to key stakeholders via the timely dissemination of information.  A key output of this project is the Technology and Disability Policy Highlights.

• App Factory
  The overall purpose of this project is to advance universal design in the wireless community. The objectives of this project are development, deployment, and adoption of software applications (“apps”) to enhance the utility and usability of wireless products and services for wireless customers with and without disabilities. App Factory output includes apps designed specifically to address barriers to wireless access and use by people with cognitive, physical, sensory, and/or speech disabilities.  Wherever practical, these apps incorporate features useful to all customers, with or without disabilities. A complementary objective of this project is development of a practical model for consumer participation in the process of app development. In 2011, the Wireless RERC pioneered the App Factory to fund innovative ideas that enhance the utility, usability and accessibility of wireless products and services.  Eleven mobile apps have been released and have accumulated over 500,000 downloads.

• Emergency Lifelines on Wireless Platforms
  This project’s development work provides alternative and accessible emergency lifelines over wireless platforms that assist people with disabilities in managing the transition from (a) legacy alerting systems (e.g. broadcasts over TV and radio) to (b) next-generation versions of the Emergency Alert System (EAS), Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) messages and next generation distribution systems for emergency alerts, such as social media platforms. Researchers explore and tests new capabilities that can be added to future versions of next-generation alerting systems; and demonstrates, testifies, and participates in working groups. Findings from development activities on accessible solutions to deliver emergency alerts and information are shared with government agencies, policymakers, wireless technology designers/developers, emergency management officials, and organizations serving people with disabilities.

• Promoting Awareness of Access and Usability Needs for Wireless Devices
  The purpose of this project is to advance awareness among industry and consumers on usability and accessibility issues, and available solutions, to improve use of wireless products and services by people with disabilities.   Training and technical assistance are provided to consumers in selecting and using wireless devices, services and applications; promoting knowledge translation and dissemination of App Factory deliverables; assisting industry in understanding and addressing the needs of their customers with disabilities; and serving as an industry liaison to coordinate procurement and allocation of resources received from industry across RERC projects (e.g., mobile devices, software development kits, technical expertise).  A key output of this project is the Wireless Independence Now! (WIN!) Workshops… an AT&T and Wireless RERC roadshow on mobile device accessibility for people with disabilities.

• Building Research Capacity in Wireless Accessibility and Usability
  This project provides opportunities for advanced-level research training on accessibility and usability of mobile wireless technologies. It includes four activities: 1) graduate research traineeships, 2) universal design curriculum development in design-related courses at Georgia Tech, 3) annual student design competitions focused on access and usability of mobile wireless technologies, and 4) training in accessible applications development for programmers with disabilities.  A key output of this project is the “Getting Wireless” student design completion.  Since 2010, the Wireless RERC has been offering industrial design (ID) students an opportunity to participate in a brief project to explore application of the Principles of Universal Design to mobile wireless technologies.  Faculty of the ID programs of Georgia Tech and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) have embraced the challenge and incorporated this project in their spring curricula.

• SoT Summit - Envisioning Inclusive Futures:  Migratory Trends in Technology
  The overall purpose of this project was to create a state of technology event which would disseminate research findings and develop strategies to ensure that people with disabilities have access to wireless technologies and services of tomorrow. The Summit addressed five broad areas related to trends in mobile wireless technologies and their real and potential impacts.  The macro topics include: 1) technology; 2) society/culture; 3) economics; 4) law/policy, and 5) health.