Internet Accessibility: People with Disabilities Are Still Underrepresented

**_DH: After all is said and done, ADA and all, do people with disability have the same access to the internet as everybody else?_**

_**DH:** An article in public radio's Marketplace attempts to quantify the issue. [Click Here for link][1]._

_The Marketplace piece is based on a Pew Project _

_Quoting:_

_"…_

* - 2 percent of American adults say they have a disability or illness that makes it harder or impossible for them to use the Internet.
* - 54 percent of adults living with a disability use the Internet, compared with 81 percent of adults who report none of the disabilities listed in the survey.
* - 41 percent of adults living with a disability have broadband at home, compared with 69 percent of those without a disability…."

_Typically for a Public Radio outlet, the article conclude on putting the accent on the income disparity that hinders the disabled to have access to broadband. No question about that, but is it the whole story? First of all one has to distinguish between the various disabilities._

1. _Physical disability, such as people with SCI (Spinal Cord Injury) due to an accident_

2. _Developmental disability, such as Down syndrome, at various severity levels of severity_

3. _Mixed Physical/Developmental , such people affected by Cerebral Palsy, at various severity levels of severity_

_Can anybody argue that broadband access is the main hindrance of a person with a severe case of cerebral palsy to access the internet?_

_For many help would come more readily from access to **Assistive Technology Devices**.** Microsoft** has an excellent article on what is available. [Click Here for link][2]. From alternative keyboards, to sip-and-puff systems…._

_Granted, these also come at a price, but there is substantial assistance. Below is a sample list._

* _[Click Here for a link to the factsheet of the blind readers.][3]info (not a .org)_

* _[Click Here for a link to AbleData][3]_

* _[Click Here for Link to the DMPA ][4]of Pensylvania, a good description of what is available. Most, or similar  is applicable to your state _

_[ CONTACT US ][5]for your reactions…_

[1]: http://marketplace.publicradio.org/display/web/2011/01/24/tech-report-barriers-to-the-internet/?refid=0
[2]: http://www.microsoft.com/enable/at/types.aspx
[3]: http://blindreaders.info/finance.html
[4]: http://drnpa.org/File/publications/assistive-technology---how-to-pay-for-the-device-or-service-that-you-need.pdf
[5]: http://www.disahealth.com/?page_id=154

URL: http://www.disahealth.com/2011/01/25/internet-accessibility-people-with-disabilities-are-still-underrepresented/