Invitation to Universal Access Forum in Boston, Mass.

[paciello at shane.ENET.dec.com]

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INVITATION LETTER

FORUM ON UNIVERSAL DESIGN OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION SYSTEMS AT WGBH 

-  Create more usable products and services...
-  Open up untapped markets...
-  Get an edge on the future...

The Universal Access Project, in collaboration with NYNEX, the Massachusetts
Assistive Technology Partnership, Computer Professionals for Social
Responsibility, and CAST (Center for Applied Special Technology), is presenting
a free, informational program for select professionals working in product
design, engineering, marketing, human factors and others who wish to know more
about this emerging field.  The Boston Forum is one of three regional forums
being held by the Universal Access Project to introduce 

(The Universal Access Project is a Department of Commerce-funded grant to the
World Institute on Disability along with the Trace R&D Center of the University
of Wisconsin, and the CPB/WGBH National Center for Accessible Media (NCAM).)

Universal design of information systems and telecommunications means developing
systems flexible enough to accommodate the broadest possible range of users
regardless of age or disability.  The time has come to think creatively, to
move beyond the outmoded, clumsy and costly approach of retrofitting systems
with adaptive equipment to create access for many end users.  Universal design
calls for flexible interfaces to be built into the product at the blueprint
stage, producing systems more easily used by ev