The document discusses the history of innovation in accessibility technologies from the 19th century to today. It describes many important early innovations including the Braille writing system, the telephone, radio, and assistive devices that led to technologies like headphones, speech recognition software, and screen readers. The document argues that accommodating disabilities has often spurred innovations that became mainstream technologies widely used by all.

1. February 2010 Accessibility and Disability A History of Innovation Joint WIPO-ITU Accessibility Workshop

8. The Office of Today

9. Keyboard

12. Printer

14. Scanner

16. Telephone

20. Radio

23. CPU

25. Microphone

28. Headphones

32. Applications

36. The Office of the Future Accessibility and Disability The Future of Innovation

37. “ The origins of such technological staples as public address systems, text messaging and even the Internet itself can be traced to innovative accommodations to people with disabilities. This phenomenon is the basis for a growing awareness among engineers, architects and product developers of the significance of universal design in our physical and electronic environments.” - Deborah Kendrick, Cincinnati Inquirer