The National Task Force on Technology and Disability (NTFTD or Task Force) is a blue ribbon panel comprised of nationally recognized leaders from industry, academia, government, and the advocacy community of people with disabilities.¹ Unique to this Task Force is its unprecedented endeavor to bring together a group of national experts from different disciplines to work toward a common goal.

The Task Force’s goal is to develop an agenda that will foster long-lasting partnerships that support effective public policy, are good for business, and most importantly, advance the use of universal design (UD) and assistive technology (AT). The Task Force encourages the design and manufacture of products to be usable by people with the widest range of abilities possible, in a manner that is both technically possible and economically feasible. These products hold the greatest promise to more fully engage all citizens in the workforce, educational institutions, marketplace and society. The practice or process of trying to design products in this fashion is known as “universal design,” “UD” or “design for all.”

The Work of the Task Force

The Task Force envisions a nation that provides opportunities in which all of its citizens can participate. In the face of the compelling economic benefits of UD and next generation AT, the NTFTD was formed to examine why these practices are not more widespread and what can be done to facilitate their advancement.

To realize our vision, we propose a series of steps that could collectively be taken by government, industry, non-government agencies and academia. We are well aware that we must use the most suitable tools to ensure the most appropriate changes. In our recommendations, we have attempted to identify the kind of intervention that will be most effective for each problem: industry initiatives, academic initiatives, tax policy, new federal programs, or a combination of strategies.

We strongly believe that the accessible nation we envision is “within our each.” Being able to achieve what we have set out to do rests on the shoulders of champions and others who are willing to reach out and embrace the possibilities and opportunities presented in this report. By working together, we can assure that individuals with disabilities will fully achieve success in today’s highly competitive and complex world.

Task Force Facilitation and Administration

• The Disability Network
   
• Mike Zelley, President/CEO of The Disability Network
   
• Vicki Sacharski, Executive Assistant, The Disability Network
   
• Luke Zelley, Marketing and Mentor Project Coordinator
   
• Michelle Walker, HAB Coordinator

The Disability Network provided invaluable administrative, planning and coordination support to the Task Force as well as meeting facilitation. Ongoing in-kind professional staffing and infrastructural support was vital to continuing the Task Force’s work over a two-year process.

Public Policy & Technology Consultants

Frank G. Bowe, Ph.D., LL.D.

While Frank Bowe was an active member of the Task Force, he also boldly took on additional responsibility for synthesizing the rich and bountiful findings that resulted from Task Force meetings and deliberations over a two-year period. With his scholarship on the subject matter, diplomacy and perseverance, he artfully overcame the challenge of bringing so many voices together in unison.
 

Katie Wolf, President/CEO, Wolf Communications, Inc.

Providing strategic leadership, public policy and communications expertise, and insight for guiding the deliberations and documenting the findings, Katie Wolf and her staff at Wolf Communications, Inc. were highly committed to advancing the Task Force’s mission and attaining its goals.
 

Kelly Carnes, President/CEO, TechVision

Drawing upon her legal, government and technology policy expertise, Kelly Carnes was key to guiding the Task Force’s interactions in Washington, DC and providing research, analysis and input on the findings and recommendations.
 

Ed Hoort, Attorney

Provided legal review of the report and ongoing guidance throughout the documentation process.
 

Karen Peltz Strauss, Attorney

Generously provided insights on TTY services and relays.
 

Joshua P. Liebman

assisted Frank Bowe in developing the Web page and navigation features for the Task Force to review and comment on early drafts of the report.