Adaptive techniques for universal access

This paper discusses the contribution of adaptive techniques to Universal A ccess in Human-Computer Interaction. To this effect, the paper revisits the concept of Universal Access, briefly reviews relevant work on adaptive tec hniques, and follows their application in efforts to provide accessibility of interactive systems, from the early, product- and environment-level adap tation-based approaches, to more generic solutions oriented towards Univers al Access. Finally, the paper highlights some of the research challenges ah ead. The normative perspective of the paper is that adaptive techniques in the context of Universal Access have the potential to facilitate both acces sibility and high quality interaction, for the broadest possible end-user p opulation. This implies the design of systems that undertake context-sensit ive processing so as to manifest their functional core in alternative inter active embodiments suitable for different users, usage patterns and context s of use. Such a capability needs to be built into the system from the earl y phases of conception and design, and subsequently validated throughout it s life cycle.