Global Public Inclusive Infrastructure

Presentation to the U-M Council on Disability ConcernsJane Berliss-VincentNovember 2011

Background

• GPII is a project of Raising the Floor International • Non-profit organization; HQ in Geneva

• Industry partners• Adobe, IBM, Microsoft, Omnitor, Texthelp, Codefactory, …

• Universities• Wisconsin, Colorado, OCAD (Toronto), Utah, Harvard

• Organizations• Benetech, NCAM, CAST, DAISY, PCF/Universal Subtitles, AFB,

TDI, UCP• Current funding (~$4M) from US, Canadian, EU sources

• Proposals under review total > $10M; >30 partners• $10M in US 2012 budget (subject to review) 

GPII Vision

• “Any person, Anywhere, Any time, Any device”• Not a law or regulation, but a way for companies,

institutions, etc. to meet legal requirements• Not an attack on existing AT

• Part of the ecosystem• A new way for AT companies to distribute products

• Stakeholders are diverse• People with disabilities – Schools & colleges – ICT companies –

AT companies – Employers – Publishers – Governments …• To succeed, we must find out what each stakeholder needs and

cares about, and respond to it

Current GPII Projects “In the Hopper”

1. Simplified interface for basic online functions2. Wizard3. Gadget for alternate input and accessibility

solutions4. Contextual portals

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1. Standard Interface for Gmail, Skype, Picasa

GPII Solution: EZ Access Simplified Interface

2. GPII Wizard

• As shown in the animation, the Wizard is an engaging software experience that helps people identify the features that would make technology easier for them to use.

• That personal profile is stored in the cloud and ready to be implemented on any device the person is using.

3. Dilemma of the “Scarce Visitor”

• In public settings (retail, libraries, etc.) people with disabilities may not identify themselves or may even shy away from visiting

• Accessibility needs and solutions are diverse and complex

• Staff time is tight• Cannot become experts on disability and technology

• Budgets are tight• Some accessibility solutions are expensive

GPII Solution to the Dilemma: GPII “Gadget”

• Special (secure) touchpad that plugs into computer and launches GPII login, accessibility solution menu, Wizard, and portal

• Those who arrive with their GPII profiles can just log in and get their set-up

• New users can go through Wizard or select a specific solution (esp. OS features)

• Portal provides support for both user and staffer

4. Contextual Portal

• Solves local problems with localized information/resources

• Examples:• Library: EZ Access, catalog of captioned and described movies,

how to register for getting a sign language interpreter at upcoming municipal meetings

• Retail: CTIA/GARI product information; screen shots of high contrast settings on settop box screens; access to video remote interpreter for retail transaction; access to retail chain’s accessibility home page

Current GPII Project Status

Simplified interface for basic online functions• Demo version already completed

Wizard• Software under development at Univ. of Utah

Gadget for alternate input and accessibility solutions• Prototype under development with touch pad, face recognition,

RFID• American Library Association (ALA) actively interested in

supporting trials

Contextual portals• ALA also interested in this• Good extension to GARI/CTIA, other retail situations

GPII Fundraising

• Founding Sponsor Fundraising Program– Tiered program of 3 year funding– Honored at UN event December 2011– Recognition on home pagehttp://raisingthefloor.org/content/founding-sponsor-levels

• Project participation– Funding, staff, and in-kind donations– Directed R&D with strategic overlap– Roles on Advisory Boards

Other Issues

• Security/Privacy

• Funding Responsibility

• Support

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Thank You!

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