Call for More User-friendly Products

In an attempt to help the less privileged populations, large technology firms and disability charities are aiming at producing easier to use computer hardware and software applications.

An initiative named E-Inclusion Charter urges high-tech firms to give more importance to ‘usability’ right from the design phase of a product. The organizations that support the initiative include the Royal National Institute for the Deaf (RNID), Disabled Living Foundation, the Alliance for Digital Inclusion and Scientific Generics.

The charter does not want to limit its efforts to disabled people alone. Guido Gybels, director of new technologies at the RNID, says, “We are not talking about small groups of people with specialist needs.” According to him, the charter wants the companies to apply accessibility and usability to every product, regardless of the customer. Also, the initiative asks for a commitment that exceeds the basic obligations that legislate equal access.

Easy-to-use products are beneficial not only to people with a disability but to all users. In fact, according to some studies, application of the principles of usability to products and services has a positive effect on every business.

Heidi Lloyd, spokeswoman for the Alliance for Digital Inclusion (ADI) says, “We recognize that technology can be both a cause of and a solution to exclusion. Through this charter, we hope to maximize the potential that technology has to offer everyone.” Many corporate giants, including BT, Cisco, IBM and Microsoft, are among the members of ADI.

The charter and its supporters are trying to woo manufacturers of electronic and communication equipments to make their products more user-friendly and intelligible. “The charter is a starting point rather than an objective in itself. If you sign up to it, it’s not just a piece of paper, it’s an undertaking to bring about real change,” says Gybels.

According to Sally Lincoln, commercial director of accessibility firm Nomensa, not everyone in the industry is aware of the usability issues and adoption of best practice. “Fundamentally, there needs to be an attitude change amongst the industry. Brands, government services and agencies all need to realize that inclusivity does not mean compromising on creativity and innovation.”

Source: BBC