Affiliations: [a] Institute of Computer Science, Foundation for Research and Technology - Hellas, Science and Technology Park of Crete, Heraklion, Crete, GR-71110, Greece. E-mail: cs@ics.forth.gr | [b] Institute of Research on Electromagnetic Waves ``Nello Carrara'' (IROE), National Research Council, Via Panciatichi 64, Firenze, I-50127, Italy. E-mail: ple@iroe.fi.cnr.it
Abstract: This paper addresses the critical issue of accessibility of interactive applications and services in the Information Society by disabled and elderly people, following two paths. Firstly, the paper develops an argumentation for proactive and generic strategies towards designing for the broadest possible end-user population, including disabled and elderly people, as opposed to reactive, adaptation-based approaches. To this end, the paper provides an overview of research and development work in the area of accessibility in Europe, and follows the evolution of research work from adaptation based solutions to the notion of universal access to the Information Society. The paper also reviews the current state of the art in the area of universal design, and elaborates on the contributions of the unified user interface development method towards the development of an accessible Information Society. Secondly, the paper discusses necessary steps to advance the available results beyond technological feasibility, towards the economic efficiency and efficacy needed in the long run. It concludes by pointing out the compelling need for international collaboration and discusses recent efforts in this direction.
Keywords: Information Society, accessibility of computer-based applications and services, adaptations, User Interfaces for All, Unified User Interface Development, technology transfer, non-market institutions
