Kel Smith - Digital outcasts: moving technology forward without leaving people behind

Many people dont get it. They seem to think: heres the device, people with disabilities can communicate and everything is all fixed now. Its not that simple; this book is refreshingly insightful in showing that the nuances are not equal in all situations.

Glenda Watson Hyatt
Motivational Speaker,

Kel Smith has drawn upon his considerable experience and expertise to provide a much needed, convenient and comprehensive conceptual overview of the topic of accessibility in the digital world that goes beyond the Web and beyond visually impaired users. He makes a compelling case that addressing accessibility should be a major agenda of any digital product vendor because making products more accessible to people with cognitive and motor challenges inevitably makes them more accessible to people without such challenges, while at the same time increasing market size. Both these factors will benefit the bottom-line. His discussion goes beyond current examples of accessibility and envisions future trends and technologies. The book is packed with useful statistics, examples and case studies and written in an engaging and persuasive style. This book should be on the shelf of every user experience professional and digital product designer.

Deborah J. Mayhew, Dr.
Deborah J. Mayhew & Associates

With this book, Kel Smith brilliantly distills the needs and insights of populations left behind by todays technologies. His future-facing approach to universal designof inclusivity, accessibility and innovationis one we must consider as we strive to create products that are useful and usable for all. Neither preachy nor sentimental, Digital Outcasts presents a new way of thinking that all of us in the digital space need to adopt to ensure our products truly meet the needs of the people we serve. A must-read.

Debra Gelman
Author, Design for Kids

In my 20 years of working in technology design, I have rarely encountered books that offer practical guidance combined with compelling, interesting and unique case studies. In Digital Outcasts, Kel Smith artfully weaves together valuable guidance for design teams with powerful examples of innovation drawn from such diverse sources as: assistive technologies, fine art, music, pop culture, healthcare, and histories of computing. I recommend that all user experience or product designers or anyone interested in technology-based innovation or social responsibility read this book and implement inclusive design techniques in their product development processes.

Bill Curtis-Davidson
Prominent Digital Inclusion & Accessible Technology Expert

We cant get enough of inclusion topics! We need to show the world why it is vital, so every quality book on the topic counts. One with the awesome Kel Smith as author is a must-have.

Karen Mardahl
Technical Writer, SimCorp, Denmark & Manager,
AccessAbility SIG at stc.org

If you are seeking a current snap-shot of the power of technology in the lives of people with different disabilities, or you are forward-thinking enough to see the community of people with disabilities as an untapped market, then Digital Outcasts: Moving Technology Forward Without Leaving People Behind is required reading. Rather than preaching, Kel masterfully weaves story-telling and facts to paint both a dynamic and positive picture of mainstream and assistive technologys potential for everyone today and into the future. Audiences from the classroom, the factory floor, the boardroom, consumers with disabilities, designers, and technology decision-makers alike will find information throughout this book, invaluable. Whether the world of accessibility and inclusive/universal design of technology is new to you, or you are someone like me, who works, lives and breathes this every day, this book is a must read!

Jennison Asuncion
Digital Accessibility Professional & Co-Director,
Adaptech Research Network

Kel is extremely knowledgeable and well-versed in this subject area. Hes passionate about the topic, has immersed and aligned himself with people that have provided him with even more insight into the challenges of accessibility, and his viewpoints are well-formed and thought-provoking. This book demonstrates knowledge of the most recent research and trends in this field. I would absolutely recommend this book as a reference and resource.