Comment It's being done. Now! (Score 1) 228
I won't get into discussions about the "nobility" of working to help our fellow man and I won't get into discussions about the "profitability" of developing for the disabled.
If you are wrapped up in "profitability" or "nobility", then you're looking at the wrong entity for this discussion and you'll most likely never understand why a person would do what layabout is asking. Note, I did not say you wouldn't, but it's more likely that you wont.
On the other hand, if you know someone who is disabled, in your family or not, then you may have a better understanding.
I fall into the later category and have a company who's sole purpose at this time is to develop systems which will allow people with disabilities to interact with computers and with other people. While it's not a highly profitable business at this time, we have some items in development that could be very beneficial to people whether they have a physical or cognitive disability, or no disability at all. Our current development cycle has the first two systems coming on the market before the end of this year.
The amazing thing is that if you think about it, building a system for the disabled is not much more difficult than a general purpose system. The only thing that makes it difficult is the way you think about it.
And for anyone who thinks the possibility of becoming disabled is remote, remember...you're only one head injury away.