There’s a new Swedish site that has collected hundreds of simple, mostly low-tech tips for independent living, arranged by category and degree of disability. Go visit and suggest your own!
Spinalstips - Tips och ideas for people with spinal cord injuries (SCI)
SubPLY promises to caption your YouTube videos for free. Leaving aside the sustainability of that business model, their willingness to step into this void is much appreciated. FCC regulations require captioning for broadcast video, but leave Internet video alone (for now). This has created a growing gap as online video becomes more ubiquitous, useful and unique.
Although some regulation of online distribution will probably arrive sometime, it’ll probably only cover large-market, for-profit content that’s similar to what’s broadcast now. It’s unlikely that you’ll ever be forced to caption the funny things your kids say at family reunions.
Jared’s Global Microbrand » Blog Archive » SubPLY offering free captioning of YouTube video clips
A new password security utility hides what the user enters with an on-screen keyboard that redraws itself too frequently for “keylogging” programs to grab. But there are 2 problems: the on-screen keyboard flashes in a way that might cause seizures, and there seems to be no keyboard alternative, excluding most blind and some dexterity impaired users. Both of these features would currently fail Section 508, the regulations for federal ICT procurement.
As with biometrics, security and accessibility collide here.
Keyloggers beaten by new crypto utility | InfoWorld | News | 2008-09-15 | By John E. Dunn, Techworld
AOL’s AIM is one of the most popular text messaging media. Its latest version, 6.8, offers a new feature. Instead of typing an entire message and hitting “Enter” to send it, every character you type is sent immediately. This makes AIM look like a TTY: more interactive, and better support for emergencies. Real-time text is a long-standing request from the deaf community; seeing a mainstream company respond this way is a great step forward that should soon be implemented on other platforms, including mobile messaging.
AOL — Real-time text
University of Washington researchers have developed a technique that uses different vocal sounds to move a cursor on a screen in different directions. The longer and louder the sound, the further and faster the movement. This analog input system may be more efficient than discrete recognition of words for the same navigational purpose; very innovative!
Vocal Joystick for accessibility - Boing Boing
Update: here’s a video.
This phone, to be offered by LG, not only performs a glucose test, but can send the results to a pe-programmed number (probably your doctor, not your confectionist). Another step forward for personal telemedicine!
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.
Some lucky Rogers customers can use their camera-equipped cell phones to place 2-way video calls. Great for sign language, if you can sign one-handed. Europeans have had this feature for a few years now, and deaf users over there are pleased with it. Next stop, USA?
picturephoning.com: Rogers launches video calling service that turns cellphones into webcams
3D printers take designs directly from 3D drawing programs and deliver accurate parts, usually made of plastic, by depositing one thin layer after another. These systems are starting to succeed in reliability, features, and most of all, price: this model beats $40K. That means that an average shop could consider getting one, and we may see them at Kinko’s soon. Imagine how effective they would be at fabricating all kinds of customized, small volume parts for the AT and rehab market.
Z Corp - 3D Printers for Rapid Prototyping
Simi Linton, one of the most insightful and energetic leaders of accessibility cultural studies has started a blog called “Disability Culture Watch”. This definitely deserves space in your feed reading diet!
Disability Culture Watch