This new monitor automatically adjusts the colors so that red-green colorblind users can more easily distinguish the content. There’s been a software utility for this purpose for a while.
Eizo FlexScan Monitor for the Colorblind - Boing Boing Gadgets
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.
We’ve been seeing a raft of small touchscreen devices patterned after the iPhone — no keys, only a sensitive surface. Nokia has patented “lids” to place over touchscreens with cutout areas for specific applications. That is, a circular cutout could permit blind users to control a device like an iPod; a grid of cutouts could be a keyboard, etc. The lids may be integrated into the device so that they slide easily into place.
Nokia patent app envisions touchscreen input lids - Engadget Mobile
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!
What kid wants a medical-looking wheelchair? Well, now UK kids have another option: an attractively designed junior jalopy that goes anywhere, and even has a trailer hitch!
All-terrain Whizzybug enables mobility for handicapped UK kids - Engadget
A new cell phone includes a camera (of course) with “special” software that will augment the image in brightness, contrast, and color saturation. One setting will provide help to people who are colorblind. This builds on the trend of using inexpensive, mainstream products equipped with customized software tools to provide interesting accommodations. It’s a software world out there, folks!
textually.org: Technology addressing night vision and color blindness to be applied to cell phones