DISABILITY AND TECHNOLOGY:

Among the Disabled is a very special population of the Computer Enabled. Who are experiencing a new, and very different, relationship between Man- And- Machine. These are the computer Enhanced, the computer Assisted, the computer Adapted, and the computer Dependent. To technology they are a "Human Factor".

AFFORD - ABILITY AND TECHNOLOGY.

Many are being left behind. Up- grades they can not afford to pay. Adaptive Computer Systems can cost thousands, and upgrades cost hundreds. Consumerism's Corporate Market Game they can't afford to play. Disability usually restricts both physically, as well as income and ability- to- pay.

RISK AND THE TECHNO - JUMP.

Risking the old tried- and- true; all to chance something new. To invest again, and have the nerve. To venture once more upon the learning curve. All while less access, means loss- of- function, each and every day.

More than money, the cost can be profound. When expectations are high and learning slows down. Answers are hard to find, when solutions can't be found.

Little wonder, those disabled who depend most upon the assistance of adapted computer technology, are the least likely to chance a change. They will elect to stay within their experience of the old tried- and- true that is familiar. Rather than risk their support, lifestyle and lively hood, against anything new, unknown or unfamiliar. Even when their computer, or program support, faces virtual and eventual obsolescence. In technology this is "The Human Factor".

FOR SOME, DOS STILL EXISTS !

So too, does 386 and 486 Computers, Amiga and OS2. Along with writing "Batch Files", slower modems, smaller hard- drives, and dual speed CD-Roms. Even MS Windows 3.1 and MS Windows For Workgroups 3.11. Each Computer Adapted to carry applications to their Disabled Users. Many will stay the course until all are gone; or there is nowhere else to go. Although slower, their enemy is not their ability or functionality. Eventually their compatibility to work with newer systems and applications will make them obsolete. Retired, but still Adapted, PC's, AT's 286, XT's 8086; and Commador 64's. Still to be used, as stand- alone Adapted word processors and applications.

COMPUTING THE - FIX.

Corporate- interest and Industry- development are slowly coming to recognize the Market Potential of Adaptive Applications for the General Population. Speech input and output is quickly catching up- and- catching on. This is a hopeful indication. As popularity increases, "speech- recognition" prices drop.

Market Forces move to pave- the- way, industry will absorb and carry Adaptive Applications item- by- item. Incorporating the full scope and potential of Adaptive Computing into normal operations. Marketed to the general public as New and Innovative. Given time, Media should be "MULTI" ... User- Friendly and Compatible. Access- Able and Afford- Able, as well as Proportional and Dimensional.

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01-07-98