TI: Title Access to Information-Age Technologies: A Report on an Exploratory Project Examining the Issue of "Accessibility" for Handicapped and Older Persons to Emerging Information Technologies. AU: Author Bowe, Frank G AF: Author Affiliation Arkansas Univ., Fayetteville. Rehabilitation Research and Training Center. AG: Agency American Telephone and Telegraph Co., New York, N.Y.; National Inst. of Handicapped Research (ED), Washington, DC. AV: Availability EDRS Price - MF01/PC02 Plus Postage. SO: Source 39p. Jan 1984. NU: Other Numbers Clearinghouse: EC162187 AB: Abstract The project reviewed literature, surveyed manufacturers, and interviewed handicapped and elderly consumers of information-age technologies in an attempt to identify important accessibility issues with respect to emerging information technologies, particularly the personal computer. Results suggested that personal computers appear to be moving toward less rather than greater accessiblity for persons with hearing, vision, mobility and learning limitations, and that the two most critical considerations are redundancy and transparency. Redundancy, the provision of information both visually and auditorially, will prove to be a major benefit to deaf and hearing-imapired, blind and visually impaired, learning-disabled and retarded individuals. blind and visually impaired, learning-disabled and retarded individuals. Transparency refers to steps which make it impossible for the machine to "know" whether information is entered directly on its keyboard or through some other input mechanism; transparent technologies may be used by persons having difficulty manipulating keyboards, including many persons with arthritis and other physical limitations. Further work is necessary before formal standards for accessibility to information-age technologies may be formulated. A national conference of hardware and software manufacturers, disabled and elderly consumers and experts on accessibility was proposed. (Author/CL) LA: Language English PY: Publication Year Jan 1984 PT: Publication Type 142 Reports: Evaluative CO: Country of Origin U.S.; Arkansas DE: Descriptors *Accessibility (for Disabled); *Disabilities; *Electromechanical Aids; Information Services; *Microcomputers SF: Subfile ERIC, Resources in Education (RIE) AN: Accession Number ED243282