Designing Hardware for Accessibility, Usability, and Flexibility

To interact effectively with the world, people need affordable access to controls, tools, communication devices, and other equipment. People with disabilities and older users have the same needs for interacting with their environment as everyone else. Effective design of mechanisms, controls and displays is critical for maximizing abilities. To operate devices that are not appropriately designed, people with disabilities and older users become dependent on others, invent ways around the barriers, or simply do not use the device.

During this hands-on workshop, you will learn strategies for designing devices that can be used by almost everybody. Course objectives:

1. You will review key concepts of hardware design for users with functional limitations.
2. You will know basic techniques for assessing hardware accessibility.
3. You will conduct basic accessibility audits of your company's products.
4. You will be able to apply the Accessibility Standards mandated by Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act.