ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY

1975: Development of Optacon by John Linvill

1976: Kurzweil Reading Machine for the Blind developed; first demo at A.A.A.S. Annual Meeting, Boston, F.C.C.: Line 21 (Closed Captioning)

1977: Desk-model T.T.Y. (first T.T.Y. call in 1964), TransBus: first wheelchair accessible bus

1979: “Quickie” lightweight folding wheelchair

1980: Titanium based applications for prosthesis, Carbon fiber material for wheelchairs, Synthesized speech: Voice Output Computers, T.V. Closed Captioning Decoders on sale

1981: I.B.M. Personal Computer

1982: Voice activated Computers

1984: Apple Macintosh Easy Access feature

1985: Internet spread via N.S.F., F.M. amplification systems

1988: Statewide T.T.Y. relay, Laptop Computers

1989: Payphone T.T.Y.

1991: World Wide Web (W.W.W.), Nationwide T.T.Y. Relay

1992: First Johns Hopkins National Search for Computing Applications to Assist Persons with Disabilities

1993: Widespread Email use

1994: Real time captioning for classes and meetings

1995: Voice Controlled switches for environmental controls, Speech Output devices for the Blind: pagers, calculators, watches

1996: Web Accessibility Initiative (W.A.I.) established

1997: Audio A.T.M.s at banks, Cochlear Implants for children, Descriptive video for blind community

1998: Wireless Electronic Pagers for Deaf, Two way paging, Stage theater captioning

1999: W.G.B.H. develops Mopix: Rear Window captioning for movie theaters, Residential broadband internet access

2001: Ibot: Stair-climbing wheelchair (Segway spun off), Internet and Video relay, Remote real time captioning

2004: Wireless relay

2006: Radio Relay

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