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Homework answers / question archive / A business case is a necessary tool for organizations when planning for various initiatives

A business case is a necessary tool for organizations when planning for various initiatives

Health Science

A business case is a necessary tool for organizations when planning for various initiatives. Whether an organization is commercial, educational, non-profit, or governmental, most require justification for dedicating resources such as money or effort in support of a specific organizational policy or goal. Businesses that integrate accessibility are more likely to be innovative, inclusive enterprises that reach more people with positive brand messaging that meets emerging global legal requirements.

Integrating accessibility removes architectural, digital, and social barriers that can get in the way of innovation, for example:

  • Accessible design thinking provides varied and flexible ways for users to interact with websites and applications, options that are useful for people with and without disabilities.
  • Design of user interaction considers experiences other than screens when accessibility is a consideration. The result is the interaction that is more human-centered, natural, and contextual.
  • Accessibility is closely related to general usability – both aim to define and deliver a more intuitive user experience.
  • Innovations like the typewriter, telephone, punch cards, text to speech, email, and voice controls were initially meant to include those with a disability, and all have found a much broader application.
  • Driverless cars, so promising for the independence of blind people, are projected to also help solve traffic fatalities and congestion.
  • Research and development of the artificial retina project to help restore sight for participants who are blind may also help future robots with real-time image-processing systems, effectively enabling them to "see."

Apple engineers have been innovators in the accessibility space since the inception of the company, both willing to listen and work with outside constituents. Google's investment in accessibility provides the company with an innovation edge in a broad array of products and services.

List 2-3 examples for Apple and 2-3 examples for Google - that demonstrate how they have integrated disability needs into product development. (Describe each example with at least 3 sentences)

 

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Accessibility

Accessibility is an important part of modern business today, and is a major concern and requirement among consumers today due to the increased awareness, and desire to cater for the most vulnerable and the disabled in society. Companies have had to incorporate accessibility not only in their end product but make it part of their design and development process for those products. Companies in the tech industry which serve a huge and diverse market of consumers have been at the forefront of the drive towards greater accessibility. Some of the steps taken by the forerunners in accessibility design and development, Apple Inc. and Google are outlined in this paper.

Apple Inc.

Apple has developed various technologies centered on enhancing and supporting accessibility, with much of their focus being on enhancing their software to support and provide accessibility for the disabled. These technologies include;

AssitiveTouch: Apple’s smartwatches offer AssistiveTouch to support users with limited mobility (Apple, 2021). The technology allows users with upper body limb differences to use the full capabilities of their Apple Watches without having to touch the device’s displays or controls. The technology ensures those with limb differences can access the same services as others without relying on touch and is an example of Apple’s move towards accessibility.

SignTime: SignTime is a new software that allows Apple users to communicate with Apple customer care providers using sign language (Apple, 2021). The technology means those with speech and speaking challenges can access customer care services using sign language. SignTime is a move towards accommodating those with speaking challenges.

Support For Third-Party Eye-Tracking Hardware, And Bi-Directional Hearing Aids: Apple has also enhanced its devices, smartphones in particular, to support third-party accessibility hardware (Apple, 2021). The support for eye-tracking hardware, and bi-directional hearing aids aims to serve those with visual and hearing challenges. The technology provides a platform for third-party developers to develop and supply their accessibility technology through Apple.

Google

Google like Apple has taken major steps in incorporating accessibility in the design and development of its consumer technologies. These include;

Google Maps: Google Maps has a feature that shows wheelchair accessible locations (D’Onfro, 2018). The application also shows places with accessibility infrastructure for the disabled beyond just wheelchair accessibility. This technology supports disabled users that rely on Google Maps for directions and finding a place fit for them.

Google LookOut App: The LookOut App is a software by Google meant for visually challenged persons (D’Onfro, 2018). The technology allows them to receive descriptions of pictures and the real-world in real-time. It ensures that the visually impaired can have an awareness of the world around them.

Google Accessibility Guidelines for Third-Party App Developers: Google’s Accessibility Team, a department dedicated towards developing and designing accessible technologies and informing Google’s accessibility policy, outlines accessibility guidelines for its third-party App developers and providers. These guidelines ensure that the Apps available on Google App Store have features to accommodate the disabled. The requirement encourages and drives the development of accessible mobile applications.

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