Why Go It Alone? The Use of Public Resources to Enhance Computer Accessibility for Individuals with Cognitive Disabilities

Individuals with cognitive disabilities represent one of the fastest growing disability groups in the U. S. The potential for computer technology to increase social integration for this population is well-documented. However, cognitive and financial barriers frequently preclude the acquisition and maintenance of personal computer hardware, software programs, and Internet service. The Personal Access Computer Key (PACK) is a USB drive that circumvents these barriers by providing a portable computing environment. The PACK is designed to accommodate adapted software that can be launched on publicly accessible, updated computers maintained by on-site staff. The project employs an incremental design process to evaluate the feasibility of the PACK to launch an adapted email program ("CogLink") on publicly accessible computers.