ATOB Volume 17 Call for Manuscripts: April 1, 2022 – July 1, 2022
Projected Publication Date: Winter 2023
Volume 17 Theme: Best Practices for the Design and Development of AT Products
For many decades members of the industrial, university, and non-profit sectors have participated in diverse paradigms to design, develop, and commercialize assistive technology (AT) products. These paradigms have evolved to meet the complex and divergent needs and expectations of persons comprising niche disability markets, across diverse societal and physical contexts, while often tightly constrained by available resources, funding, and market potential. Paradigms used for product design and development continue to assimilate concepts and tools, to integrate emergent technologies, and to build upon the capacities of ubiquitous information, telecommunication, and other infrastructures.
Four concepts broadly relevant to these paradigms are usable design (UD), participatory design (PD), localization (LO), and sustainable development (SD). In UD, designers and developers consider the extent to which “a product can be used by specified users to achieve specific goals with effectiveness, efficiency, and satisfaction in a specified context of use” (International Organization for Standardization [ISO/TS], 2018). In PD, product users work collaboratively with designers and developers at all stages to clarify needs and abilities, anticipate tasks and task flows, identify contextual and environmental factors, and operationalize usability concepts. In LO, product design, development, production, and distribution are optimized to fit localized individual, contextual, social, and economic needs, constraints and resources. Finally, the ISO defines SD as meeting “the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” (ISO, 2010). SD is about “integrating the goals of a high quality of life, health and prosperity with social justice while maintaining the earth’s capacity to support life in all its diversity” (ISO, 2010). Finally, some individuals with disabilities can benefit from usable mainstream products or product systems. Successful paradigms pertaining to the design, development, provision, and use of ‘non-AT products’ to such individuals is also a topic of interest.
This volume of ATOB invites authors representing Voices from Academia, Voices from Industry, and Voices from the Field to submit manuscripts pertaining to the design and development of hardware, software, or hybrid products benefiting individuals with disability. Research articles from academia, case studies from the industry, as well as experiences from AT Makers are all welcome to contribute to Volume 17.
This issue also includes articles from the broad scope of assistive technology research as part of ATOB’s mission to bring together the latest research in assistive technology in its annual issue.
Manuscripts should be up to 25 pages (double spaced) including title page, abstract, references, but excluding tables/figures, and prepared in accordance with the ATOB Manuscript Guidelines.
For any questions, please contact ATOB Editor-in-Chief at: atobeditor@atia.org
References
International Standardization Organization. (2018). Ergonomics of human-system interaction — Part 11: Usability: Definitions and concepts (ISO 9241-11:2018, §3.1.1). Retrieved from https://www.iso.org/obp/ui/#iso:std:iso:9241:-11:ed-2:v1:en
International Standardization Organization. (2010). Guidance on social responsibility (ISO 26000-2:2010, §2.23). Retrieved from https://www.iso.org/obp/ui/#iso:std:iso:26000:ed-1:v1:en
Guest Editor: Stephen Bauer
Stephen Bauer, PhD is a former research scientist at the State University of New York at Buffalo and program officer at the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research. In the context of disability and assistive technology, his interests span the intersections of design and development, models and classifications, services and products, technology transfer, and public policy.
For general information about ATOB’s Editorial Policy and Manuscript Preparation Guidelines for Authors, please review:
ATOB’s Editorial Policy and Manuscript Author Guidelines
ATOB Manuscript Submission Form & Author Agreement
ATOB Manuscript Submission Form & Author Agreement