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The paper by iSchool PhD student Alisha Pradhan, iSchool assistant professor Dr. Amanda Lazar, and University of Washington’s Dr. Leah Findlater explores the potential for and challenges of this technology for older adults who use digital technology infrequently. Intelligent voice assistants like Alexa and Siri have become ubiquitous — in our homes, cars, and pockets. […]

Trace Center researchers present an overview of the first 50 years and a look forward at current and future work at the University of Maryland Disability Summit.                   The 2021 Disability Summit hosted by the University of Maryland President’s Commission on Disability Issues and the Trace R&D […]

Trace faculty and students contribute work and play key leadership roles at ASSETS 2021, which marks landmark 50th anniversaries for both the Trace R&D Center and SIGACCESS. The 23rd International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility – ASSETS 2021 – wrapped up last week with a record-breaking 424 registrants, including 34 members of the […]

The Trace Research & Development Center at the UMD iSchool leads new initiatives to address accessibility barriers heightened due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic has thrown into stark relief the critical importance of digital accessibility and the particularly high stakes for people with disabilities. With stay-at-home orders, extended periods of quarantine and many […]

The UMD iSchool celebrates the Trace Center’s 50th Anniversary highlighting some of its most influential technologies and industry standards developed to create a more accessible world for all. Since 1971, the Trace Research & Development Center has helped millions of people interact with the world using common everyday devices, like telephones and computers. Originally formed […]

Developing innovative technologies, co-designing with seniors, and advocating for accessibility rights.   The University of Maryland College of Information Studies (UMD iSchool), home of the renowned Trace Research and Development Center, is a leader in accessible information technology, systems, and research. Strengthening resilience, self-sufficiency, and quality of life among seniors and older Americans with disabilities […]

As a leader in the development of and advocacy for accessible information technology, systems, and research – the UMD iSchool is represented broadly in this year’s event. The 2020 International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility, known as the ASSETS Conference, taking place October 26-28, is the premier forum for presenting innovative research on the […]

Research experts from the UMD iSchool and School of Nursing discuss the use of and access to technology among older adults. Computers and smartphones have become important tools for everyday life, and the use of this technology continues to rise among those of all ages. However, there are still a significant number of older adults […]

Choe, Kacorri, and A. Lazar aim to examine how older adults can personalize activity trackers through teachable interfaces to capture meaningful daily activities. University of Maryland College of Information Studies (UMD iSchool) researchers, in collaboration with Penn State researchers, have been awarded a four-year $1.2 million grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to fund […]

Dr. Eun Kyoung Choe to work with UMass research team on project awarded $2.4 million NIH grant. AMHERST, Mass. – A University of Massachusetts Amherst health informatician is developing a mobile health (mHealth) system, leveraging a wearable sensor that slips on a finger like a ring, to monitor and encourage movement and activity in the […]

Dr. Jonathan Lazar was named the winner of the 2020 ACM SIGACCESS Award (Special Interest Groups on Accessible Computing) for Outstanding Contributions to Computing and Accessibility. It is the highest award given by ACM SIGACCESS. Jonathan Lazar, PhD, LLM is a professor in the College of Information Studies (iSchool) at the University of Maryland, and core faculty in the Human-Computer Interaction Lab (HCIL). […]

Gregg Vanderheiden proposes an alternate approach to accessibility and extended usability for next-next generation UI/UX. Gregg Vanderheiden, Professor and Director of the Trace R&D Center at the University of Maryland’s iSchool, delivered the keynote address at the 22nd International Conference on Human-Computer Interaction. He highlighted a growing gap between current UI and UX design and people […]

Working with industry, community, and LIS partners to create hands-on learning opportunities for students and revolutionize curriculum. Since its founding more than 50 years ago, the University of Maryland College of Information Studies (UMD iSchool) Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) program has produced library and information professionals who are experts and innovators in utilizing […]

Dr. Paul Jaeger describes how 30 years after its passing, the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) has opened many doors for students and faculty with disabilities at UMD. In the Maryland Today article, “Pushing for Access” by Chris Carroll, Carroll interviews Professor at the University of Maryland College of Information Studies (UMD iSchool) Paul Jaeger about the […]

The UMD iSchool Trace Research and Development Center is taking up the challenge of accessibility work during the pandemic. In the face of COVID-19 and the nearly overnight shift to mandatory online and virtual interactions, the topic of digital accessibility for people with disabilities has a greatly increased importance. Companies,organizations, government agencies, universities, and schools […]