'IM starving' - The Boston Globe

This article on students using IM to order ahead at local eateries caught my eye not just because it speaks of using low-level everyday technology in a new way, and not because it focuses on BU students (although it is interesting to see one of my favorite lunch spots mentioned), but more because I was able to quickly determine the positive implications for individuals with disabilities. IM is most often spotlighted as a tool used by the Deaf community. But here we can imagine how it can be used by students with other issues. For example -

• A student with a mobility impairment. Rather than standing in line to order food they can IM their order ahead of time and head straight to the pick-up counter.


• A student with ADHD who has difficulties focusing on over-the counter menus or making up their mind in a crowded and noisy eatery. Using a take-out menu (hard copy or web based) they can take their time choosing what to order from outside the restaurant.


• A student who is blind can use their screenreading software to read the menu off the web and order accordingly. Consider this - if the eatery has Wi-Fi and the student can use their PDA with speech to have the menu read to them while standing in line to order.

Individuals with disabilities being able to use portable technology to communicate with service personnel in realtime -- now that is what I call Universal Design!

Braille in the Beer Hall? Prost to That! - AFB's Blog

I know this blog has been largely ignored for a while -- sorry about that dear reader (or readers if there are actually more than one). I've been busily working on a research proposal and some other items. I have an incredible backlog of 'drafts' for this blog and now that my schedule has become unstuck a bit I will get started on them soon enough. Just a reminder to ATHEN member - if you are reading this and would like to post to thos blog - just let me know.

To get the ball rolling is this tidbit from the AFB Blog:

German beermaker, Uerige, is releasing a line of 0.33 liter bottles with braille labels. Uerige is known to be one of the world's best "Alt" beer makers and it's encouraging to hear that such a successful company makes efforts to ensure that its products are accessible to all of its customers.