Pervasive computing & disability: designing for independence?

In order to introduce disabled users to the ideas underpinning pervasive technologies, three filmed scenarios were created to illustrate near-future interactions in health, commerce and e-voting domains. These filmed scenarios were used in a focus group session with fourteen participants who had either a visual or auditory impairment. Participants were asked to comment on the scenarios and reflect on the costs and benefits of such technologies. The resultant data was coded in terms of general and disability-specific concerns. Particular issues were raised about the need for disabled individuals to delegate certain tasks to trusted others.