AT&T Universal Design Announcement

Last October, the Coalition of Texans with Disabilities (CTD) met with AT&T execs to discuss cell phone accessibility. Cell phones are key tools for independent community living and CTD jumped at this opportunity. CTD members advised AT&T Mobility on the needs of people with disabilities for accessible/affordable cell phones and software. It was addressed how although people with disabilities are among the lowest income demographic the hardware and software that make devices such as cell phones accessible to them are expensive.
Almost five months later, AT&T contacted CTD with great news resulting from the roundtable discussion and advocacy. AT&T announced it will require Universal Design, which is a set of accessibility standards, for products they offer in their stores worldwide.
Most manufacturers will need time to meet these new standards, but this is a huge step forward for the industry and people with disabilities. There is an indirect advantage for everyone involved, because cell phones will be equally accessible to everyone, which will save users with disabilities huge amounts of money while making their lives easier and more productive. To view AT&T’s document on Universal Design, visit http://www.blogger.com/