Google debuts 'eyes-free' touchscreen controls

I'm not really sure why. But for the longest time, accessibility issues have always been at the forefront of my mind when it comes to software design. I think it has a lot to do with the fact that I spent a couple years as the chair of the student body legislature (Speaker of Forum) at the University of Minnesota. While I was there, I got to know a lot of the representatives to the body, especially those from the cultural centers. The one that really sticks in my mind is John Lukanen on the Disabled Student Cultural Center (DSCC). John had a visual handicap. But he was still one of the smartest people in the room and could generally recognize my voice, or at least pretend well enough to make me believe that he could. :-)

I liked John. Always made sure I said 'Hi' when I saw him. And his work with us made sure I kept accessibility in mind, especially when I was making changes to the student government's website.

Maybe that's why this is so cool. The problem with the newest trend in technology, touchscreens, is that they form a huge accessibility/usability problem for those with visual handicaps. And I don't know why nobody thought of this before.

Google shows off their newest idea for allowing touchscreens to be used even by those who can't necessarily see the screen. By opening the dialing controls wherever the user first touches, you can dial without looking. Which would actually be useful for anyone, not sure those who CAN'T see, but also in times where it would be more convenient to be able to dial without looking.

I really hope this kind of thing catches on. And even if it doesn't catch on as a feature for ALL dialing, I at least hope it becomes an essential OPTION for those who can't see.

Bravo, Google!