1. Global Public Inclusive Infrastructure
Presentation to
the U-M Council on Disability Concerns
Jane Berliss-Vincent
November 2011

2. Background
• GPII is a project of Raising the Floor International
• Non-profit organization; HQ in Geneva
• Industry partners
• Adobe, IBM, Microsoft, Omnitor, Texthelp, Codefactory, …
• Universities
• Wisconsin, Colorado, OCAD (Toronto), Utah, Harvard
• Organizations
• Benetech, NCAM, CAST, DAISY, PCF/Universal Subtitles, AFB,
TDI, UCP
• Current funding (~$4M) from US, Canadian, EU sources
• Proposals under review total > $10M; >30 partners
• $10M in US 2012 budget (subject to review)

3. GPII Vision
• “Any person, Anywhere, Any time, Any device”
• Not a law or regulation, but a way for companies,
institutions, etc. to meet legal requirements
• Not an attack on existing AT
• Part of the ecosystem
• A new way for AT companies to distribute products
• Stakeholders are diverse
• People with disabilities – Schools & colleges – ICT companies –
AT companies – Employers – Publishers – Governments …
• To succeed, we must find out what each stakeholder needs and
cares about, and respond to it

4. Current GPII Projects
“In the Hopper”
1. Simplified interface for basic online functions
2. Wizard
3. Gadget for alternate input and accessibility
solutions
4. Contextual portals
l

5. 1. Standard Interface for
Gmail, Skype, Picasa

6. GPII Solution: EZ Access
Simplified Interface

7. 2. GPII Wizard
• As shown in the animation, the Wizard is an
engaging software experience that helps people
identify the features that would make technology
easier for them to use.
• That personal profile is stored in the cloud and
ready to be implemented on any device the person
is using.

8. 3. Dilemma of the “Scarce
Visitor”
• In public settings (retail, libraries, etc.) people with
disabilities may not identify themselves or may
even shy away from visiting
• Accessibility needs and solutions are diverse and
complex
• Staff time is tight
• Cannot become experts on disability and technology
• Budgets are tight
• Some accessibility solutions are expensive

9. GPII Solution to the
Dilemma: GPII “Gadget”
• Special (secure) touchpad that plugs into
computer and launches GPII login, accessibility
solution menu, Wizard, and portal
• Those who arrive with their GPII profiles can just
log in and get their set-up
• New users can go through Wizard or select a
specific solution (esp. OS features)
• Portal provides support for both user and staffer

10. 4. Contextual Portal
• Solves local problems with localized
information/resources
• Examples:
• Library: EZ Access, catalog of captioned and described movies,
how to register for getting a sign language interpreter at
upcoming municipal meetings
• Retail: CTIA/GARI product information; screen shots of high
contrast settings on settop box screens; access to video remote
interpreter for retail transaction; access to retail chain’s
accessibility home page

11. Current GPII Project
Status
Simplified interface for basic online functions
• Demo version already completed
Wizard
• Software under development at Univ. of Utah
Gadget for alternate input and accessibility solutions
• Prototype under development with touch pad, face recognition,
RFID
• American Library Association (ALA) actively interested in
supporting trials
Contextual portals
• ALA also interested in this
• Good extension to GARI/CTIA, other retail situations

12. GPII Fundraising
• Founding Sponsor Fundraising Program
– Tiered program of 3 year funding
– Honored at UN event December 2011
– Recognition on home page
http://raisingthefloor.org/content/founding-sponsor-levels
• Project participation
– Funding, staff, and in-kind donations
– Directed R&D with strategic overlap
– Roles on Advisory Boards

13. Other Issues
• Security/Privacy
• Funding Responsibility
• Support

14. Get Involved!
Sign up at
http://www.gpii.net/endorse-help.html

15. Thank You!
raisingthefloor.org
gpii.net