Cloud Computing:
A New Opportunity for People
with Disabilities
Clayton Lewis, NIDRR Consultant
Coleman Institute
March 13, 2012
What is cloud computing?
future
past
Advantages
• Very low cost for services we already have
• Much easier to develop and deploy new
services
•A new world of useful services, at very
low cost, available everywhere to everyone
Why Is Cloud Computing Important for
People with Disabilities?
• Cloud technology can be used to make access
to information and services much easier for
people with disabilities.
• User profiles in the cloud can allow computers
to automatically personalize themselves to
meet the needs of individual users
GPII
• Global Public Inclusive Infrastructure initiative
– GPII.org
– Led by Gregg Vanderheiden (U Wisconsin), with
NIDRR support
• International effort to improve the user
experience for computer users with
disabilities…
• … and promote the development of more and
better access technology.
How it Works
User
profile in
the cloud
Enhanced browser
accesses user
profile…
…customizes
presentation of Web
page to meet user’s
individual needs
How it Works
User
profile in
the cloud
Matchmaker
program helps user
identify content
and applications
that can be
configured to meet
their needs
Application Scenarios
• Automatic setup of public computer in library
or shared computer at home
• In school, children get the presentations they
need… and they can access them at home, too
• Automatic setup of workplace
accommodations
• More in vision video at GPII.org
Support for Software Providers
• GPII infrastructure enhancements aim to
– Simplify the development of accessible
applications
– Support online delivery of tools and services
• personalization for access
• subscriber authentication
• New and better services will result
GPII Status
• Cloud4All
– $11M European Commission project to
implement key aspects of GPII
– Launched Nov 2, 2011
– Additional amounts in international matches
• NIDRR committed to the development of this
potential in the USA
NIDRR’s Cloud Initiative
• Pilot implementations in partnership with
other agencies
– Health care, education, voting
• Development work to complement
international efforts
• Cooperation on strategic research
A Word of Caution
• cloud technology will not solve all of our
problems
• there is a risk of exaggerated expectations and
mistaken resource allocations
– parallel: technology in the schools
• success with technology requires investment
in people and their skills
• we need to grasp the opportunities of the
cloud, but with a sober sense of reality!
Discussion
• Questions or comments?
• Follow up:
clayton.lewis@ed.gov,
The Cloud Opportunity
• Use the capabilities of the cloud…
• …to make it easier for people with disabilities
to access the programs and services available
in the cloud, and
• …to make it easier for service developers to
provide access for users with disabilities