Why accessible technology matters… to all of us

In a recent article, Microsoft’s senior director of worldwide health, Bill Crounse, MD, provides thoughts, comments, news, and reflections about healthcare IT and how information technology can improve healthcare delivery and services around the world. As a long time champion of accessibility in healthcare, Dr. Bill Crounse reflects on the important role that accessibility continues to play in existing and emerging technologies in healthcare.

—

What does the word accessible mean to you? You may first think of the word available. Something that is accessible is available, or perhaps within reach for you to use. However, just because something is available doesn’t necessarily mean it is accessible. For instance, if you are hard of hearing or have poor vision, or have a neuromuscular or cognitive disability, some things around you may be available, but hard or impossible for you to use because they are not accessible. Furthermore, accessibility isn’t just for what you might traditionally think of as “people with disabilities”.  For a person who is aging, accessibility may be challenged by diminished physical stamina. Even for someone with excellent visual acuity, using a mobile phone outside in bright sunlight without automatic adjustment in screen contrast is difficult, as would not having voice controls when using a smartphone in your car.

You can read the full article at the Microsoft HealthBlog 

—