Trace Research & Development Center

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The Trace Center began in 1971 as an undergraduate student group and soon became a leader in the field of augmentative and assistive communication (AAC) technology. Click on the photo to read more about this work.
The Trace Center is a leader in the development and large-scale pilot implementation of the Global Public Inclusive Infrastructure (GPII), to simplify access to information and communication technology by people with disability, literacy, digital literacy and aging related barriers.

What's New

Updated Post Office Kiosks Use Trace EZ Access Keypad

February 14, 2019

The new version of the United States Postal Service's popular Automated Postal Center includes the updated EZ Access keypad developed by the Trace Center. The keypad, along with software techniques developed by Trace, makes it possible for people with low vision, blindness, physical and cognitive disabilities to use touchscreen-based public systems. The original APC, which included an earlier verson of EZ Access, won the 2004 Kiosk Award as "Best Retail Application." Over 2,800 of the APC kiosks are deployed in post offices throughout the US.

The Trace Center appoints Dr. Jonathan Lazar as Associate Director

February 11, 2019

“We are excited to welcome Dr. Jonathan Lazar to the University of Maryland, and to his new position as Associate Director of the Trace Center. His arrival comes just as the Trace Center begins a new and exciting Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center (RERC) focused on inclusive information and communication technology, which Dr. Lazar helped plan,” said Dr. Gregg Vanderheiden, Trace Center Director.

$4.625 million R&D Grant on Inclusive Information & Communication Technology Awarded to Trace Center

October 1, 2018

The Trace Research & Development Center is the recipient of a $4.625 million, five-year Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center (RERC) grant from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR), part of the Administration for Community Living, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Who Are We?

The Trace Center has been a leader in research and development in the field of technology and disability since 1971.

The current focus of our work is everyday information and communication technologies. Our purpose is to prevent barriers and capitalize on opportunities presented by standard and emerging technology, in order to create a world that is as accessible and usable as possible, for as many people as possible.

Some major accomplishments:

Accessibility features built into Windows, Mac, and Linux computer operating systems;
Web content accessibility guidelines (first and latest);
EZ Access techniques and hardware for cross-disability access to touchscreen kiosks.

Read our Success Stories

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