Through the theoretical adaptation of biometric technologies to people of variable abilities

Proclamation of Problem

The first element of the threefold problem is the lack of an international assistive technology interface standard(s) that are based on universal design philosophies, the second element is the cultural barriers that have been created by the mindset of the international society, and the final (third) resulting element is that the first two has created a shortage of qualified personnel in the workplace.

There also exist a theoretical assistive technology resolution that could feasibly be adapted to the environments of schools, businesses, and the international society at large. Biometric technologies could be fused with other technologies both existing and emerging to play a significant role in the eradication of the threefold problem.

The critical shortage of qualified personnel in the workplace is partly related to the change of societies from that of an industrial based workforce to a knowledge based workforce, partly because the baby boomers have only had about half as many children as their parents, and partly due to medical advances (Schaie & Schooler, 1998). As a result the number of 20 to 24 year olds entering the workforce continues to fall (NCD, 2001).

This critical shortage has forced employers to rethink their recruitment strategies and look towards targeting chronological mature people, and people with disabilities (variable abilities) (NCD, 2001). It is important to recognize that people with disabilities are the largest minority group, they cross all ethnic, racial, gender, chronological groups, and number at around 54 million Americans and growing (U.S. Department of Labor [USDOL], 2002). Out of the 29 million working age adults with variable abilities in the U.S., about two thirds are unemployed and nearly 80 percent of that two thirds would like to work but have not had the opportunity to do so (USDOL, 2002).

While people with variable abilities may have the desire to work, they still may have to overcome the formidable attributes of the cultural barrier or innate characteristics of a disenabling mental, physical, or emotional barrier. Cultural barriers embody numerous complex, dynamic, and diverse challenges to be overcome. These challenges are related to but are not limited to organizational, management, and worker cultures. In plain terms, it is discrimination (Hagner & DiLeo, 1993). To overcome the disenabling effects of mental, physical, or emotional barriers, society at large has looked towards the properties rewards of assistive technologies for reinforcements.

Assistive technologies persists to grow at a break neck pace, society has not evolved rapidly enough to maintain pace with the necessities of a universally conceived access and control solution. With respect to the threefold problem, the adaptation or fusion of biometric technologies and smart card technologies to facilitate access and control is one technique that can be employed to accomplish such a daunting chore.

Even in the technologically advanced environment of today, the derivational technologies of biometrics are still considered to be in the category of emerging technologies. Typically, an emerging technology inhabits what is referred to as the development stage and is thereby fundamentally proprietary in nature. Therefore, national or international adaptation and implementation standards are traditionally not established until it is financially worthwhile to do so or until a profound episode demonstrates the necessity for a particular technological solution.

The necessity for a particular technology is typically directly related to the desires of the human psyche (élan vital). Factors surrounding those desires may possibly be demonstrated in the form of protection (such as self-protection, self-preservation, self-defense, security, freedom, financial markets…) or public perception (such as conceit, complacency, personal privacy, happiness, identity fraud, safety, loss of control, governmental conspiracy…). Even though an emerging technology may demonstrate the capacity to be financially rewarding and/or fulfill a profound need a solution may still not be established, because the technology does not apply to a large enough demographic. For instance, the marketing strategy may not have included disabled individuals (a routinely overlooked demographic). It is not until such a technology is applicable or needed by the public at large that an implementation standard is established.

Since biometric technologies do not currently meet the perceived needs of the public at large, a standardized implementation plan has not been conceived. I would however contend that public perception as related to the cultural paradigm is the greatest challenge facing businesses, managers, and society.

Foundation of the Study

This study examines the theoretical feasibility of enhancing assistive technologies through the adaptation and implementation of biometric technologies. Biometric technologies could theoretical be applied to all areas of our earthly environment and may just become the standard identification interface between man and machine.

The information gathered from this study can be absolutely applied to assistive technologies and in turn can be a powerful tool to aid in the expansion of knowledge and the creation of opportunities for all individuals worldwide.

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