At the Web Accessibility Day Conference held on at the National Federation of the Blind on September 19, I had the good fortune of meeting Paula Tucker and Dr. Christian Vogler from the “other” TAP – the Technology Access Program of Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C.
While we share the same name and interest in assistive technology, MD TAP and TAP at Gallaudet have different missions and program goals. Dr. Vogler, the program’s director, was kind enough to send along the following information about his
program:
“The Technology Access Program (TAP) conducts research related to communication technologies and services, with the goal of producing knowledge useful to industry, government, and deaf and hard of hearing consumers in the quest for equality in communications. More information can be found at http://tap.gallaudet.edu/.”
“TAP is well-known for its work, and is regularly asked for and provides advice and comments to disability organizations and regulatory bodies in its core research areas, with a direct effect on technologies, practices, policies and standards.”
TAP of Gallaudet collaborates with partners around the world on a number of projects. Currently, it is very involved in activities that promote accessibility in telecommunications, including ensuring access to emergency (9-1-1) services, hearing aid compatibility for wireless telephones, real-time texting, video relay services, and the adoption of accessibility features in cell phones for deaf and hard of hearing users.
