Microcomputers and disabled people

✍ Scribed by Phil Odor

• Book ID: 104139802
• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• Year: 1982
• Weight: 516 KB
• Volume: 17
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0020-7373
• DOI: 10.1016/s0020-7373(82)80007-2

✦ Synopsis

Rapid growth in available technology has increased opportunities for its use both in specialized communication aids for handicapped individuals, and also in specialized computer aided learning packages. Each of these areas of development is wide, and needs comprehensive support services while, in general, the individual programs and aids each have only a limited potential number of consumers. Reasons why this is likely to be a persistent phenomenon are discussed, giving examples of current aids and computer-based teaching methods. It is argued that, to provide appropriate levels of research, development, supply and support, a different view of the development cycle and product market has to be adopted than for conventional consumer products, and a model is offered which illustrates the need for more local development initiative and centres with good inter-centre communication links.