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Implications of Cloud Computing for People with Cognitive
Disabilities
Clayton LewisAHG ATIA
January 25, 2012
What is cloud computing?
past
future
Advantages
• Very low cost• Lower barriers to entry
– No need to maintain computer and software
• More services• Greater availability of useful data• More powerful services
– Speech recognition, machine translation, highlighting important information, …
Why Is Cloud Computing Important for People with Disabilities?
• Cloud technology can be used to make access to information and services much easier for people with disabilities.
• User profiles can allow computers to automatically personalize themselves.
• Ex: Any computer can offer a student reading and writing aids, configured for their personalized use (voice, color contrast, etc.)
GPII
• Global Public Inclusive Infrastructure initiative– GPII.org
• Improve the user experience for computer users with disabilities– Allow users to store needs and preferences online– Help users find appropriate applications and
services– Automatically configure applications and services
• Autopersonalization based on online profile
vision video at
GPII.org
How it Works
User profile in the cloud
Modified browser accesses user profile…
…customizes presentation of Web page to meet user’s individual needs
How it Works
User profile in the cloud
Matchmaker program helps user identify applications that can be configured to meet their needs
Some Example Applications in Higher Education
•from Accessing Higher Ground, November 16, 2011
•with Jim Tobias, Inclusive Technologies
Example #1: Autopersonalization• Student creates online profile specifying AT
configuration
• Configuration is applied automatically to any machine
• Enhanced browser reads profile o automatically tailors rendering of Web pages
Focus on Slimmed-down Presentation
• clutter is everywhere on the Web• it is an obstacle for some readers• GPII is working on technology to provide views
of material that suppress rarely-needed content
Example #2: OnlineCaptions• If the video is not captioned:
o Find a captioned version somewhere elseo Caption the video in real-timeo Caption the video offline and notify the user when the
captions are readyo Notify the video producer that captions have been requested
• If the video is captioned:o Display the captions according to your preferences, on the
device you are usingo Correct or comment on the captiono Translate the caption
Example #3: Cloud-Based Screen Reader
• WebAnywhere• Personalized settings• Adapts to content
Example #4: SpecialistInterpreter
• For classroom or distance learning• Interpreter who is familiar with the course content (at least the terminology) is located and connected to the session
Support for Software Providers
• GPII infrastructure enhancements aim to– Simplify the development of accessible
applications– Support online delivery of tools and services
• personalization for access• subscriber authentication
• These are benefits for mainstream as well as Assistive Tech providers
GPII Status• $11M European Commission project launched
November, 2022– Additional amounts likely in international matches– OCAD University a major participant, with Canadian
funding
• National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research leading US effort– 2012 budget request of $10m not appropriated– NIDRR to commit funds from existing budget for
partnership efforts with other federal agencies
Ideas from Coleman/Silicon Flatirons Roundtable (October,
2011)• Easier use of shared computers
– in any residential settin, public settings• Assistance on Demand:
– increase independence by supporting access to trusted helpers in the world
• Developing community networks– provide ability to locate and communicate with
known people in the community
Ideas from the Coleman/SF Roundtable (cont.)
• Open interfaces for applications allows applications to be adapted to needs of different users– for example people for whom neither keyboards nor
speech interfaces work well
• Open information architectures are needed to support flexible creation, management, and sharing of information individuals, families, and communities need
Ideas from the Coleman/SF Roundtable (cont)
• Not all issues are technical:– reimbursement for services in addition to devices
• more generally: funding structures that can evolve with the changing technology environment
– need for business case data to motivate making mainstream services accessible
– opportunity to get better data on need for, adoption of, use of, and abandonment of, technology
Findings from AHG Roundtable• accessibility support outside special labs is needed• payment arrangements must allow 3d party support• lowering captioning and interpretation costs is key• supporting transition from campus is a challenge• faculty struggle with creation of accessible content• support for students with learning disabilities is the
biggest demand
A Word of Caution
• cloud technology will not solve all of our problems
• there is a risk of exaggerated expectations and mistaken resource allocations– parallel: technology in the schools
• success with technology requires investment in people and their skills
• we need to grasp the real opportunities of the cloud, but with a sober sense of reality