Designing for all: emphasizing ability

Information and communication technologies (ICTs) can enhance the lives of individuals with a disability. For the information technology (IT) industry, there is an incredible potential to do more to adapt to this global market of more than 500 million people. The kinds of technologies that are useful to people with a disability are also beneficial to society as a whole. Designing for all kinds of people, whether able-bodied or disabled, is simply good design. To create this change in perception, we need to work with positive images of individuals with a physical or sensory impairment and to influence the attitudes of everyone working in the IT industry. Applying the scope of current legislation and working inside our professional associations can also help.