Inclusive Technologies

Stockholm now has a navigational aid for blind cell phone users.  It can help you find your way by announcing upcoming turns you should take.  But there real news here is not gee-whiz special tech, but the use of underlying mainstream technologies: regular Nokia phone, regular GPS unit, regular Bluetooth connection between the two, and all the geographical data comes from the city’s municipal infrastructure map, used for traffic control, etc.  Also, the users can enter their own information, warning others of sidewalks under repair, for example.
Cell Phones Now Helping to Guide the Blind

The crafty folks at MAKE magazine have pictures and descriptions of throw pillows with embedded TV remotes.  You can make different ones for power, channels, volume, etc.  This isn’t a commercial product, but an interesting way to address the inaccessibility of most remote controls for anyone with impaired dexterity.

MAKE: Blog: Pillows as remote controls