Wobbrock, Jacob O.Kane, Shuan K.Gajos, KrzysztofHarada, SusumuFroehlich, Jon2012-05-062011Wobbrock, Jacob O., Shuan K. Kane, Krzysztof Z. Gajos, Susuma Harada, and Jon Froehlich. 2011. Ability-based design: Concept, principles and examples. ACM Transactions on Accessible Computing 3(3): 9.1936-72281936-7236http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:8667394Current approaches to accessible computing share a common goal of making technology accessible to users with disabilities. Perhaps because of this goal, they may also share a tendency to centralize disability rather than ability. We present a refinement to these approaches called ability-based design that consists of focusing on ability throughout the design process in an effort to create systems that leverage the full range of human potential. Just as user-centered design shifted the focus of interactive system design from systems to users, ability-based design attempts to shift the focus of accessible design from disability to ability. Although prior approaches to accessible computing may consider users’ abilities to some extent, ability-based design makes ability its central focus. We offer seven ability-based design principles and describe the projects that inspired their formulation. We also present a research agenda for ability-based design.en-USability-based designinclusive designuniversal designuniversal usabilitydesign for alluser interfaces for allcomputer accessassistive technologyadaptive user interfacesJournal Article2012-05-0610.1145/1952383.1952384