Barriers to Implementation of Universal Design

In November, 1994, the Center for Universal Design and Future Home sponsored a two-day working conference entitled "Emerging Technologies for Independent Living." The purpose of the conference was to identify potential applications of Home Automation and other technology to address the independent living needs of people with disabilities. The conference brought a number of "expert consumers" together with leading technology experts in the areas of robotics, home electronic controls, telecommunications, computers and voice recognition. Participants were asked to address the following objectives:

Discuss independent living needs of people with disabilities and determine applications of technology to address these needs;

Examine emerging technologies in relevant fields—robotics, home electronic controls, telecommunications, and voice recognition systems;

Identify possible technology applications and discuss their broader market appeal, i.e., their Universal Design features; and

Identify obstacles and opportunities to promote promising technology applications.

The participants at the conference identified several independent living needs amenable to technology solutions:

front door intercom accessible via a cordless phone

automated door and window locks

a navigation system (e.g. using global positioning satellites for people with vision impairments

automated kitchen storage that brings stored items to the user

automatic shutoff for appliances that are left on by mistake

a lockout system to childproof dangerous areas that permits easy access to other users

multi-sensory indicators for kitchen appliances (e.g., stove on, garbage disposal on, etc.)

perceptible feedback for membrane switches

feedback on status of operating systems (e.g., air conditioning, heating, etc.?)

user interface that is accessible by people who are blind.

Although all of these applications are technically feasible, they are not currently available for a number of reasons. The following obstacles to broader availability of these applications were identified:

Most home automation specialists are not aware of the needs of people with disabilities or how their services could be of benefit.

Likewise, most consumers do not know where or who to contact for assistance with home automation applications.

Product literature does not describe the possible applications of a given product to the needs of people with disabilities.

Product and appliance manufacturers may view many of the recommended applications or product refinements as "assistive technology" with limited mass market appeal.

There is no distribution or installation network for most home automation products and systems.

Some manufacturers and installers may fear a negative association with applications for people with disabilities.

Many consumers who could benefit from independent living applications may resist the technology as too "assistive."

Most consumers resist home automation applications as too "techie."

Few consumers will sacrifice aesthetics. The touch screen user interface doesn’t quite fit the Martha Stewart/Laura Ashley/Bob Timberlake look.

To address these obstacles, conference participants recommended a number of dissemination activities that could be undertaken immediately to encourage development of promising technology applications. In addition to demonstration sites, the following activities were suggested:

Develop an illustrated "cookbook" of Home Automation solutions for people with disabilities that could be installed by any "handyperson."

Compile a catalog of preferred Home Automation devices and manufacturers.

Develop a guide to Home Automation applications for specific types of functional impairments (e.g., home automation applications for people with visual impairments).

Make presentations to Home Automation specialists on applications for the independent living needs of people with disabilities.

Make presentations to manufacturers to encourage adoption of identified technology applications.

Conduct a series of "how to" short courses (for architects, Home Automation installers, etc.) on Home Automation for people with disabilities.

Establish a referral network of Home Automation specialists who can provide assistance to people with disabilities nationwide.

A number of the barriers identified through the Center on Universal Design’s conference were also addressed at the Special Interest Forum. Several additional issues were also raised and discussed.

From the perspective of universal design, it is clear that home automation will not, in itself, provide accessibility and usability for people with disabilities, the aged and others, without physical access as well. The architecture of the building must be accessible to start with. In particular, home automation demonstrations that seek to promote the idea of universal design must insure that their facilities are accessible.

An important barrier to improving the utilization of home automation is systems integration. Purchases made in the present can limit the integration of new features in the future. It is important that the industry and individual companies recognize and address this problem. Both expansion capability and "upward compatibility" for the future have to be provided to insure continued consumer interest and increased involvement.

The importance of service response when products fail is particularly critical for people with disabilities and anyone who is vulnerable to safety or security threats. For comprehensive, or critical systems, there should be a back-up system either through generators or uninterrupted power supply, to insure safety and security of the dwelling.

Marketing people believe that devices targeted for people with disabilities have limited appeal. Yet there has not really been an in-depth investigation of this belief among consumers. Home automation producers are currently not knowledgeable about disability issues and this belief may communicate stereotypical attitudes. Consumers who could benefit from such a device may be primarily concerned that the technology intrudes too much in their lives. This more general concern is really not associated with the stigma of disability and it could be overcome by appropriate design and marketing.

The consumer is not willing to sacrifice aesthetics for the sake of improved technology. High tech devices are often incompatible with both traditional and contemporary home decoration schemes. Thus it is important that attention be given to the appearance of home automation as well as systems design. Devices can be either invisible or come in a variety of different styles or be neutral and unobtrusive in their appearance.

One of the most serious barriers to using home automation for universal design is the lack of a single distribution and installation network. Currently the providers of home automation systems are diverse. They include integrated systems manufacturers and installers, electricians that are seeking more creative work, computer hardware and software experts, audio-video custom installers, telephone system installers and the security industry. It is estimated that twenty to twenty five percent of providers are hobbyists who have started their own business. This fragmentation is restricting wider applications because the consumer does not have a clear image of how their needs can best be served. Furthermore, with respect to people with disabilities, the various providers have little experience or training in meeting the needs of people with functional limitations, be they seriously disabled individuals or simply older people who would like more convenience in their lives.

The current state of the art in service delivery is focused primarily on expert providers. Most systems are not yet mass marketed. Many products are not available directly to homeowners or non-dealers. Mass marketing outlets like Home Depot do not have the expertise to sell these systems at the current time. The consumer, or another non-expert like a general contractor, can buy certain sub-systems in retail outlets and patch them together. However, this will not result in sophisticated applications. As the market matures, providing service will clearly become more critical. It will be necessary for service providers to hire experts in order to maintain their position in the market. A good example of the value placed on service is the personal computer industry where consumer affairs often take a back seat to selling more systems, to the detriment of the industry as a whole.

There are many attitudinal barriers that have retarded the development of the home automation business. People are unfamiliar with these products. They don’t know what is available nor what they can achieve in terms of real benefits in their lives. Consumers think that home automation is cost prohibitive and, in particular would be expensive to fix. Although the idea of home automation is improved convenience, many view the added complications of such systems as less convenience. They recognize that many things that can fail and feel that automation could actually handicap them rather than improve their functional ability. In general, the consumer feels that home automation is not yet feasible. Although it is an interesting futuristic fantasy, they believe it is probably not functional at this point in history.