Conclusion

1

Accessibility must be built in, not added on. Universal design will benefit all users, not merely those with disabilities. The government's role has yet to be defined in encouraging (perhaps mandating) universal design and in setting standards.

2

As technology becomes more important, accessibility becomes more important. The national information infrastructure must not be off-limits to people with disabilities.

3

Technology has the potential to make education vastly more inclusive through individualized curricula, supported communication with classmates, "schools without walls," and other innovations.

4

Accessible technology has implications beyond education: for health care reform, telemedicine will bring doctors to geographically isolated people; for welfare reform, telecommuting and other innovations will reduce chronic unemployment and underemployment among people with disabilities.

5

Additional dialogue and research are needed on emerging technological accessibility problems, not only for people with disabilities, but for all underrepresented individuals in society-- the poor, the isolated, and the vulnerable.