Universal Access and Assistive Technology

There is an ever-increasing need for designers to create products that are genuinely inclusive of members of society with special needs. The population is growing older and legislative demands on industry to provide equal access for all are growing ever more stringent. Several research disciplines are working to find solutions to the problem of how to develop more inclusive products and the aim of Universal Access and Assistive Technology is to bring experiences from these different perspectives into a single reference. This book contains the proceedings of the first Cambridge Workshop on Universal Access and Assistive Technology (CWUAAT), incorporating the fourth Cambridge Workshop on Rehabilitation Robotics, held in Cambridge, England in March 2002. This book contains contributions from an international group of leading researchers in the fields of Universal Access and Assistive Technology. Contributions include papers on design, robotics and computer access, as well as the experiences of industry. It is composed of three parts containing material on: design issues for universal access and assistive technology; enabling computer access and new technologies; assistive technology and rehabilitation robotics. Reflecting the spirit of recent moves to extend rights to universal accessibility, this series of workshops and accompanying books is aimed at a broad range of interests, with a general focus on the development of products and solutions. Numerous case studies are used to raise awareness of the challenges faced in developing truly inclusive products, along with examples of good practice.