Annual Report 2004
1. Aims of the Unit
To influence and encourage external research and development of future benefit to blind and partially sighted persons.
To influence the design of equipment and systems for the general public such that they are accessible to blind and partially sighted persons.
To influence the development of relevant standards.
2. Staff
Current staffing of the Unit is:
John Gill Chief Scientist
Sylvie Perera Human Factors Scientist
Linda Newson Research and Information Officer
3. Smart Cards and Biometrics
This year has seen an increasing interest in smart cards and biometric systems, at the same time as an increasing awareness of the need for accessibility (partly as a result of Part 3 of the Disability Discrimination Act). The Unit has been working on disseminating information about accessibility issues, and revising a number of standards in this area.
4. Information and Communication Technologies
The Unit is involved in projects on the design of non-visual user interfaces and accessibility of transport systems; both projects are funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council. The Unit has been actively involved in COST 219ter (Accessibility for All to Services and Terminals for Next Generation Networks) and PhoneAbility.
The Unit is a partner in a large European project is Ask-It which is developing an extended ambient intelligence space for the integration of functions and services for elderly and disabled people across various environments (car, bus, airplane, home, work, leisure and sport).
5. Stimulation of Research
The Unit has maintained its web site including data on ongoing research and devices already developed, and has added a number of new sections on subjects like voice over broadband and biometrics.
6. Publications and Reports
Gill J M Developments in Smart Card Systems. New Beacon, Vol 88, No 1027, February 2004, pp 28-31. Also at www.tiresias.org/reports/dev_smart_card_systems.htm
Gill J M Smart Cards: Accessibility and Social Inclusion. National Smart Card Project, March 2004, 37 pp. Also at www.tiresias.org/reports/national_smart_card_project.htm
Gill J M The Use of Wireless Technologies by People with Disabilities: A European Perspective. Proceedings of State of Technology Conference on Mobile Wireless Technologies for Persons with Disabilities, Atlanta, May 2004. Also at www.tiresias.org/reports/atlanta.htm
Gill J M Access-Ability: Making Technology More Useable by People with Disabilities. ISBN 1 86048 030 6, May 2004, 40 pp. Also at www.tiresias.org/guidelines/access-ability
Gill J M Developments in Biometrics. June 2004. Also at
www.tiresias.org/reports/dev_biometrics.htm
Gill J M Accessibility of ICT Systems and Services. Government IT, July 2004.
Gill J M Developments in Wayfinding for Blind Pedestrians. July 2004. Also at
www.tiresias.org/reports/dev_wayfinding.htm
Gill J M Braille Labelling of Medicines: Meeting Directive 2004/27/EC.
September 2004. Also at
www.tiresias.org/reports/braille_labelling_medicines.htm
Gill J M Developments in Voice over Broadband. October 2004. Also at
www.tiresias.org/reports/dev_voice_over_broadband.htm
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