Summary

This chapter is concerned with the design of human computer interfaces for people with disabilities, but, before any reader decides whether or not to investigate this chapter further, we would like them to contemplate why they have decided to turn to this particular chapter, or why they have stopped at it during their browse through the book. The main purpose of this chapter is not to tell the reader exactly how to cope with the peculiar demands of people with disabilities, but to examine the question of why human computer interface engineers should seriously consider the problems posed by people with disabilities. We believe that this will lead to a more widespread understanding of the true nature and scope of human computer interface engineering in general. This will be followed by some pointers which we hope will assist the readers to improve their methodologies and to gain more under-standing of the particular problems presented by people with disabilities.