Recenly passed federal legislation has tried to guarantee that future computer hardware and software be accessible to all the physically disabled. However, there is no real mechanism to enforce this. Besides, voluntary awareness and cooperation by computer providers is a far better approach to the problem. Educom has established EASI to work within the academic community for software access, and it is having an important impact on voluntary compliance. Others believe that adaptive software and hardware can be produced which can adequately interpret graphic interfaces for the visually impaired.
Physical disabilities serve as an isolating factor in life.
They also create a tremendous sense of powerlessness. Computer communications, however, serves to bring the world into one's home and puts amazing power at one's fingertips. Not only can this empowerment liberate the handicapped to compete in society more equally, but the sense of power changes how one feels about oneself.