Wireless RERC - cloud computing

The Accessibility of Cloud Computing

mz22 — Thu, 28 Aug 2014 17:24:13 +0000

The Accessibility of Cloud Computing: Current and Future Trends

August 2014 - Media Access Australia, Australia’s only non-profit organization devoted to media accessibility for individuals with disabilities, released a report discussing the uses, benefits, and accessibility challenges of cloud computing for individuals with disabilities. Some of the benefits highlighted in The Accessibility of Cloud Computing: Current and Future Trends include the ability for people with disabilities to use their personal assistive technologies, the constant availability of cloud storage through cloud profiles, and the ability to synchronize cloud accessibility preferences in recent Windows technologies.

The report also acknowledged that cloud-based services have challenges as a result of platform variations. Because app and web solutions offer different cloud accessibility features depending on which ecosystem consumers choose, the report advocates for industry compliance with the W3C Web Accessibility Standards when creating cloud access. Specifying the need for inclusive accessibility design for cloud platforms; the report calls for industry, consumer, and government collaboration, as well. Click the link belwo for access to a full copy of The Accessibility of Cloud Computing: Current and Future Trends.

NIDRR Awards Funding for Cloud Computing Research

mz22 — Wed, 04 Dec 2013 16:40:06 +0000

cloud computing

Web Accessibility

Carnegie Mellon Press Release

November 2013 — The U.S. Department of Education National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) has awarded $3.7 million to Carnegie Mellon University to conduct a Disability Rehabilitation Research Project (DRRP) on Inclusive Cloud and Web Computing. The project is a collaboration between Carnegie Mellon, Syracuse University and The University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC). Project team director, Aaron Steinfeld, noted, “There has been great progress over the years on Web accessibility standards and systems, but there is still a lot of work left to do.” The five-year project will focus on enhancing web accessibility including the accessibility of web interfaces, the “presentation of information on the web,” and “ways to dynamically change pointing and clicking actions on web pages.” More information on the project can be found at http://inclusiveweb.org/.

New NIDRR Award Applications

mz22 — Wed, 08 May 2013 16:53:58 +0000

National Institute on Disability Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR)

Disability Rehabilitation Research Projects (DRRPs)

cloud computing

employment

NIDRR Priority [FR Doc No: 2013-10823]

NIDRR Award Application [FR Doc No: 2013-10824]

NIDRR Priority [FR Doc No: 2013-10829]

NIDRR Award Application [FR Doc No: 2013-10830]

May 7, 2013 — The National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) has announced final priorities and award applications for Disability Rehabilitation Research Projects (DRRPs) in the following areas:

Community Living and Participation of Individuals with Disabilities
Health and Function of Individuals with Disabilities
Employment of Individuals with Disabilities
Inclusive Cloud and Web Computing

The research priorities are an effort to “improve outcomes for people with disabilities,” through focusing “research attention on areas of national need.” Estimated available award funds range from $750,000 to $950,000 depending on the research priority. Applications for awards are available beginning May 7, 2013, and the deadline for notice of intent to apply is June 11, 2013. The final deadline for applications is July 8, 2013.

NIDRR To Address Cloud Computing & Technology Transfer

mz22 — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 21:23:15 +0000

Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects (DRRP)

National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR)

cloud computing

Technology Transfer

Cloud and Web Computing Priority [FR Doc No: 2013-00577]

Center on Knowledge Translation for Technology Transfer Priority [FR Doc No: 2013-00580]

January 15, 2013 — Two new National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) priorities were proposed in January. The first recommends a Disability and Rehabilitation Research Project (DRRP) on the development of inclusive Cloud and Web computing infrastructure that incorporates accessibility features and allows individuals with disabilities to easily operate, interact with, and understand the software [FR Doc No: 2013-00577]. The second proposes a DRRP to function as the Center on Knowledge Translation for Technology Transfer, which would be responsible for the “research, development, technical assistance, dissemination, and utilization activities” to assist with the “successful technology transfer of rehabilitation technology products and devices developed by NIDRR-funded technology grantees” priority [FR Doc No: 2013-00580]. Comments are invited on both proposed priorities on or before February 14, 2013.

House of Representatives Passes Research and Development Legislation

blippincott4 — Tue, 01 May 2012 18:37:35 +0000

research

information technology

cloud computing

Advancing America's Networking and Information Technology Research and Development Act of 2012 [H.R. 3834]

04.27.12 – The U.S. House of Representatives has passed the Advancing America’s Networking and Information Technology Research and Development Act of 2012 [H.R. 3834], legislation that will amend the High-Performance Computing Act of 1991 [P.L. 102-194] as amended. The proposed legislation revises current federal funding policies for research and development within network and information technology. Primarily, the proposed legislation encourages interdisciplinary research and development activities and especially encourages collaboration among researchers in higher education, federal entities, and industry. In addition, all funded agencies would be required to develop 5-year strategic plans describing near and long term objectives as well as how proposed activities would create new technology that is beneficial to society, encourages interdisciplinary research, enhances network and information technology education, and increases the number of “women and under-represented minorities [who] pursue postsecondary degrees in networking and information technology.” The proposed legislation also calls for a task force to examine methods for employing collaborative research and development activities for cyber-physical systems as well as an interagency group to explore the research and development activities needed to enhance the use of cloud computing and determine the potential use of cloud computing for such activities.

[Source: U.S. Government Printing Office]