This document summarizes a workshop on interoperability among assistive technologies (ATs) and mainstream information and communication technologies. The workshop covered basic concepts of interoperability, current mainstream technologies, issues with the current landscape, and visions for the future. Interoperability allows ATs and user devices to communicate and work together at both the application and operating system levels. Currently, there are problems with accessibility architecture, compatibility between versions, and semantic interpretation of applications. The workshop proposed a universal interoperability API to maximize compatibility and reduce costs by facilitating efficient use of AT and device functions. Long-term, ubiquitous ATs delivered as a cloud-based service was envisioned.

1. Assistive Technologies and Inclusive Solutions for AllInteroperability among ATs and mainstream ICTsMaría Elena Gómez Martínez - TechnositeFirst Workshop - Madrid, Spain14th and 15th March, 2011

2. Interoperability among ATs and mainstream ICTsFirst WorkshopContentsBasic conceptsMainstream TechnologiesUniversal InteroperabilityFuture EcosystemSummary

3. Interoperability among ATs and mainstream ICTsFirst WorkshopBasic conceptsInteroperabilityInteroperability is systems that work together.Syntactic  Data exchange.Semantic Metadata exchange.

4. Interoperability among ATs and mainstream ICTsFirst WorkshopBasic conceptsAssistive TechnologiesInteroperability is the communication between Assistive Software and user’s device.Application levelOperating system level

5. Interoperability among ATs and mainstream ICTsFirst WorkshopBasic conceptsMainstream TechnologiesAPIINTEROPERABILITY!

6. Interoperability among ATs and mainstream ICTsFirst WorkshopMainstream technologiesCurrent Situation???

7. Presentación de la Plataforma Accesibilidad UniversalInteroperability among ATs and mainstream ICTsFirst WorkshopMainstream technologiesCurrent Situation

8. Interoperability among ATs and mainstream ICTsFirst WorkshopMainstream technologiesCurrent SituationDetected Problems:Accessibility architecture.

9. Compatibility between current and previous versions.

10. Semantic of the applications.Interoperability among ATs and mainstream ICTsFirst WorkshopUniversal Interoperability APIUniversal interoperability api

11. Interoperability among ATs and mainstream ICTsFirst WorkshopUniversal Interoperability APIBenefitsMaximize number of users.Efficient use of functionalities of Assistive Technologies.Efficient use of functionalities of User’s Device.Compatibility.Reduce cost.

12. Interoperability among ATs and mainstream ICTsFirst WorkshopUniversal Interoperability API

13. Interoperability among ATs and mainstream ICTsFirst WorkshopFuture AT ecosystem

14. Interoperability among ATs and mainstream ICTsFirst WorkshopFuture AT ecosystemBenefitsMaximize computing capability.Scalability and efficiency.Always up-to-date.Anytime and anywhere available.Customized assistive solutions.Maximize compatibility between device and solutions.Reduce cost.

15. Interoperability among ATs and mainstream ICTsFirst WorkshopSummaryTechnical TrendsPresent Installation of ATs from different vendors (niche) in mainstream technologies (PCs, ATMs, etc.)Present Integration of ATs in OS or browsers (built-in/embedded accessibility)Short-term Usage of the same API for facilitating interaction of ATs with a specific system. Accessibility API independent of platform updates.Medium-term Interoperability of ATs in different systems by a Universal Accessibility API. (Specific examples of accessibility APIs: Microsoft's UIA, Java Accessibility API, GNOME accessibility API, IAccessible2, W3C's WAI-ARIA, , Macintosh Accessibility Framework.)Long-term Ubiquitous access to software ATs as a service. Cloud of ATs

16. Interoperability among ATs and mainstream ICTsFirst WorkshopSummaryPotential of a future AT ecosystemVertical AT companies are concentrated on survival due to market barriers. Diversification of AT industry with different kind of ATs and more market actors.Mainstream technologies evolve rapidly. General consensus on universal APIsDelivery is a key constraint. Cloud computing an ubiquitous ATs for software ATs as a service.More open market. Combination of Open and Proprietary source solutions to foster the participation of the public. Fastest progress.Disperse knowledge. Awareness activities and coordinated networks for interchange of good practices. Tools for developers.