In a new guide published by the World Institute on Disability (WID), author Anthony Tusler explains how today's technology companies are largely ignoring a huge, untapped global market of millions of people with disabilities. In the US alone, there are over 54 million people with disabilities - a market that is expected to nearly double in the next 15 years.

The new publication, "How to Create Disability Access to Technology: Best Practices in Electronic and Information Technology Companies" is designed to help corporations profit from the increasing demands of a powerful and growing disability market.

The guide reveals how technology manufacturers gain not only corporate social responsibility goals, but also bottom-line profits by producing accessible products for people with disabilities. "This is the first guide to show exactly how the design of common technology products - such as cell phones and computers - benefits from including people with disabilities in design, testing and marketing. The book also explains how companies can avoid costly mistakes," said Tusler.

In the publication, technology industry experts reveal how they created accessibility in their companies and how making their products more accessible to the disabled has increased demand from this vital segment.

There are five easy-to-read "How To" chapters offering insights and examples, including a case-study of AOL that shows how AOL's strategic commitment to accessibility averted a costly Americans with Disabilities Act verdict. Other chapters look at the future of accessibility and provide resources for companies and suggestions for disability advocates.

ISBN: 0-942799-01-1

Anthony Tusler is the former Director of Disability Access at Sonoma State University in California. He is currently a corporate disability access consultant and the Technology Policy Division Coordinator at WID. He is also the host and editor of the online disability resource, www.aboutdisability.com/bib.html.