Summary
The metaverse, virtual reality, Web 3.0, distributed infrastructure, the Internet of Things, wearable computing, and AI: all these things are going to change the face of accessibility over the next 10 years. In this talk, Samuel Proulx, Fable’s Accessibility Evangelist, will give you an overview of what the current landscape looks like at the frontier of accessibility and assistive technology. Where’s the research taking us? What might be coming down the pipe?
Key Insights
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Early computing’s purely text-based interfaces naturally aligned with accessibility via braille and text interception.
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Assistive technology once cost several times the price of personal computers, limiting access.
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The shift from command-line to graphical interfaces complicated accessibility but spurred product consolidation.
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Apple’s VoiceOver and rich accessibility APIs made the iPhone’s touchscreen truly accessible, revolutionizing mobile accessibility.
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Accessibility has transitioned from a niche ‘hack’ to an essential built-in feature provided by OS and browsers.
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The gaming industry represents a new frontier where accessibility is still rudimentary and mostly third-party add-ons.
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Emerging technologies like XR, AI, cloud computing, and blockchain pose new accessibility challenges that no player yet dominates.
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Creating accessible experiences unlocks broader innovation and improved usability for all users, beyond those with disabilities.
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The cycle of repeating accessibility challenges shows that history can inform better future solutions in tech evolution.
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Customizable, flexible accessibility solutions integrated into products are becoming crucial as software shifts to cloud and distributed models.
Notable Quotes
"Those who don't understand history are doomed to repeat it."
"My father worked at IBM for over 30 years, and I grew up surrounded by the leading edge of accessibility."
"Early computing was text-based, making it naturally accessible through braille or text interception."
"Apple solved the challenge of making touchscreens accessible with VoiceOver and rich APIs."
"Accessibility is no longer an unusual hack but a responsibility of all of us creating products."
"The first to solve accessibility for new modalities will be market leaders for decades to come."
"Gaming is today where graphical user interfaces once were—a frontier with minimal built-in accessibility."
"Artificial intelligence promises new independence for people with disabilities if we can prevent bias and preserve dignity."
"When we solve challenges in blockchain accessibility, we'll bring crypto mainstream for everyone."
"Accessibility is a journey and a process, not a one-time thing."
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