With a measure of discomfort around discussion of disabilities, many in our society resort to talking in platitudes.  Alan Brightman, the 2008 NCTI Conference’s day 2 keynote speaker, puts forth the idea that as an inclusive society we must forthrightly recognize challenges that affect all individuals, whatever their ability or disability.   As talk leads to action in the form of policies, practices and tools we all use, our perceptions about disability and ability influences how we meet needs of all participants in our society.

When product developers focus only on the realm of users they know, as opposed to the range of individuals  (e.g., those with disabilities), usability suffers.  He related a story about how the Apple engineering team discovered accessibility issues in first version of the Mac.  When asked to operate their invention with hands in their pockets and a pencil in their mouth, many accessibility challenges became clearer, with improvements following quickly.

Brightman noted that when tools and technologies do not meet the needs of users, disabled users for example, they often create their own that do.  We often hear the old adage that necessity is the mother of invention as an inspiration for innovation.  Brightman  illustrated the point using the story of a 20 year old severely injured jazz musician who, losing his ability to play conventional instruments, invented an innovative way to practice his art — using an Apple Computer.  If a young non-engineer can create such a compelling device, why wouldn’t experienced engineers be able to factor the operational needs of a diverse audience into conventional products right from the start?

Brightman’s call for vision is well summed up by a series of memorable quotations including the following gem:

First I dream my painting, then I paint my dream.  – Van Gough

In a sense we are all disabled, bound by a set of limitations imposed by our eyes, ears, hands, feet and minds.  Technology has always been designed to help humanity do things it has not been able to do before, given the way we are made, to achieve our dreams and potential.  Why not design it to meet the diversity of needs of all who contribute in our society?