Factors Influencing Adoption of Wireless Technologies: Key Policy Issues, Barriers and Opportunities for People with Disabilities

Abstract

INTRODUCTION Mobile wireless information and communication technologies are rapidly emerging as an important medium to send and receive data, text, voice and video. Many routine daily activities--such as making doctor's appointments, calling home, obtaining directions and purchasing goods and services--already rely on existing telecommunication tools. New wireless technologies will permit cell phones, and portable or wearable computers to function as universal remote consoles for accessing information and services and controlling appliances and devices. For example, a personal digital assistant may be used to conduct financial transactions, program a VCR, set a home thermostat, check the coffee pot, or locate and schedule public transportation. In short, wireless devices are becoming an integral part of daily life, and without access to these technologies, with disabilities may find themselves increasingly excluded from many activities. Public policy plays an important if frequently overlooked role for with disabilities, in part because people with disabilities ... interface with so many different components of public policy systems, many of which are conflicting or inconsistent, such as employment goals and requirements for income assistance programs. The larger public policy context for disability and rehabilitation research reflects interlinking service delivery systems in which changes in one system often have a substantial impact on others. The dilemma for disability and rehabilitation policy is that the various systems are not mutually reinforcing. (NIDRR, 1999) Given the key role of the public sector in directly shaping, and indirectly influencing the deployment of and access to these technologies, research focused on assessment and development of policy frameworks needs to be undertaken with respect to the regulatory and legal environment A wide array of linked policy areas are included in the assessment: 1) wireless and other information and communication technologies, 2) Disability policy, including the changing paradigms in provision of services to with disability, 3) legal issues: professional licensure and liability, safety and standards; 4) privacy, security, and confidentiality; in that many technological approaches can come at the risk of loss of personal privacy; 5) device/user interfaces and capacity; and 6) applicability of policy initiatives to advance universal design to improving access to technology by with disabilities. The goal of this research project is to develop a framework and a process for evaluating, developing and initiating policies, rules and regulations that support increased access to wireless information and communication technologies by with disabilities. METHODOLOGY There are four phases to this project. The first phase, the baseline policy assessment reported on in this paper, involved the collection and analysis of existing, proposed, and developing wireless communication and information technologies, policies and practices as they impact on persons with disabilities. Key tasks include 1) reviewing Federal and state regulations and policies; 2) monitoring and analysis of policy and practices; and 3) developing policy options and recommendations that could increase access to these technologies for with disabilities. The research protocol includes interviews with key stakeholders, analysis of relevant project materials and related policy and regulatory documents, and participation in relevant state and national meetings. The results of the policy research thrust may be essential to establish a body of credible evidence for influencing policy decisions at the state and Federal (U.S.) levels. Some of the anticipated contextual variables influencing these policies include: location/geography (urban, suburban, inner city, rural & other variations); age; technological deployment, type of disability-related services needed and type of disability-related services available. …

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