Welcome to the new website! Most blog posts will focus on access to audio via captions, but occasionally there will be blog posts about deafness and hearing loss in general, various technologies and communication types (such as hearing aids, cochlear implants, visual alerts, sign language, cued speech, interpreters, etc.) as well as about foreign language speakers and literacy issues - anything related to communication and information access that is based on universal design.

The reason the blog starts off with focusing on the economic model of disability is because many people think that universal access is something that benefits only people with disabilities. The more we learn about this model, the more we understand how it has evolved and why it benefits everyone, including businesses that find great solutions for customers with disabilities. It would also help businesses and individuals better understand why captioning is universal and benefits millions more people than just those who are deaf and hard of hearing.

As Michael Janger, the blog author, explains, this model "creates a powerful framework for business decisions." This model was introduced by Travability, a leader in inclusive tourism.

Since people with disabilities make the largest minority, it is too significant to be ignored because they:

If products and services are not accessible to people with disabilities, the businesses lose not only them as valuable customers, but also more customers such as their family members and friends who "represent an additional 2 billion people with a disposable income of $8 trillion."

Read the complete article here:

http://audio-accessibility.com/news/2012/01/economic-model-of-disability/