Universal Access: The Challenges Ahead

Abstract

It is approaching 20 years since the first issue of the International Journal on Universal Access was published and also that the first International Conference on Universal Access in Human-Computer Interaction was held. This paper reflects on how the field of Universal Access has evolved over the intervening period and proposes new areas of research challenges that have either emerged following recent advances in technology or still remain comparatively poorly addressed. The proposed challenges have been derived from a examining Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs along with technological development trends.