Accessibility Built Into the Experience
Technology should adapt to the person.
The GMA MyCompass System can bring together supported accessibility capabilities, communication tools, connected technology, personalized safeguards, and ongoing human support around how the person communicates, understands, interacts, and participates in daily life.
One person-centered experience. Many possible ways to access it.
Example: a young woman in a wheelchair, wearing headphones, smiles as she uses a tablet at home. Her screen shows one everyday goal, a reminder to take her medication. The experience adapts in four ways. Communicate: the reminder is also spoken aloud. Understand: it becomes larger, higher contrast, and one clear next step. Control: she can answer by touch, switch, or eye gaze. Participate: the kitchen light turns on. The goal stays the same, and the outcome is the same: reminder confirmed.
A Person-Centered Approach
Accessibility is not one feature, one application, or one device.
The right approach may involve supported device accessibility, MyCompass capabilities, communication tools, assistive applications, adaptive equipment, connected technology, personalized safeguards, professional guidance, or a coordinated combination.
GMA begins by understanding the person rather than selecting from a predetermined package.
Representative touchpoints are shown below. Available capabilities vary according to the person, device, operating system, platform, configuration, authorization, integration, and implementation.
Reading the colors on this page
Color marks a way of interacting, not a person, a diagnosis, or a category of disability. Each pathway also has its own shape and line style, so nothing on this page depends on color alone.
- Touch and the core system
- Voice, speech, and language
- Visual presentation
- Alternative control and physical interaction
- Guidance and sequence
- Environment and participation
- Shared outcome and human support
Communication, Speech & Expression 01
Support shaped around how the person communicates.
MyCompass may support communication through speech, text, captions, symbols, video, alternative and augmentative methods, visual supports, translation, or a coordinated combination based on the person and configuration.
Why it matters: communication should not depend on one method or require every person to use the same interface.
Representative touchpoints: Communication, Speech and Expression
- Communication-device and symbol-based support
- Speech-to-text and text-to-speech
- Real-time text communication and live captioning
- Voice, text, and video communication
- Translation and multilingual support
- Communication with authorized supporters
Vision, Reading & Interpretation 02
Make information and surroundings easier to access and understand.
Supported capabilities and applications may help the person read, navigate, understand images, identify objects, interpret surroundings, and access visual information in alternative ways.
Why it matters: access to information can extend beyond what appears on the device screen.
Representative touchpoints: Vision, Reading and Interpretation
- Spoken screen content and reading support
- Magnification, zoom, and display adjustment
- Contrast and color accommodations
- Document and text recognition
- Object and environmental interpretation where configured
Hearing, Sound & Awareness 03
Important information should not depend on hearing alone.
Communication, alerts, and environmental information may be delivered through captions, text, visual cues, haptics, sound recognition, authorized notifications, or other supported pathways.
Why it matters: the person should have more than one way to receive information that may affect communication, participation, or safety.
Representative touchpoints: Hearing, Sound and Awareness
- Live captioning and real-time text
- Speech transcription
- Visual and haptic notifications
- Sound recognition and environmental awareness
- Supported hearing-device experiences
Physical, Motor & Device Interaction 04
The experience can adapt to how the person controls technology.
Supported device controls, adaptive accessories, voice interaction, alternative gestures, and personalized shortcuts may reduce unnecessary physical barriers.
Why it matters: technology should offer multiple ways to navigate, select, communicate, and ask for help.
Representative touchpoints: Physical, Motor and Device Interaction
- Voice-based device control
- Switch-based and adaptive access
- Alternative touch and gesture settings
- Dwell, pointer, and adaptive controls
- Personalized shortcuts and accessible help actions
Cognitive, Learning & Daily Guidance 05
Reduce complexity and make everyday steps easier to understand.
MyCompass may help organize routines, present information more clearly, guide tasks, reduce unnecessary choices, and provide predictable support throughout the day.
Why it matters: support should make daily life clearer without taking choice or control away from the person.
Representative touchpoints: Cognitive, Learning and Daily Guidance
- Simplified, distraction-reduced interfaces
- Personalized routines and schedules
- Reminders and visual guidance
- Step-by-step tutorials and task sequencing
- Voice or text companion support where configured
Environment, Participation & Daily Living 06
Accessibility should extend beyond the screen.
Depending on the person and implementation, accessibility may include connected technology, adaptive equipment, daily-living guidance, environmental interaction, communication, and participation at home and in the community.
Why it matters: the right accessibility approach should support participation in real environments, not only interaction with a device.
Representative touchpoints: Environment, Participation and Daily Living
- Accessible activities and schedules
- Connected-home and environmental control
- Daily-living guidance and adaptive equipment
- Accessible communication and help requests
- Supported wearable and environmental technology
Illustration: the view starts close on her tablet, then pulls back to show her home and community. Four kinds of support surround her: technology, equipment, her environment, and human support.
- Technology
- Equipment
- Environment
- Human support
Accessibility does not end at the edge of the screen.
A Broader Accessibility Ecosystem
The right support may come from more than one place.
Depending on the person and implementation, GMA may bring together supported accessibility capabilities, MyCompass functions, assistive applications, communication tools, adaptive technology, equipment, personalized safeguards, and ongoing human support.
Technology
- Supported Device Accessibility
- Accessibility capabilities available through compatible devices and operating systems.
- MyCompass Capabilities
- Personalized routines, communication, guidance, companion support, accessibility, and approved help pathways.
- Assistive Applications
- Supported applications for reading, communication, and environmental interpretation where configured.
Equipment
- Equipment & Daily-Living Aids
- Adaptive equipment, mobility support, communication tools, and daily-living solutions where appropriate.
Environment
- Connected & Adaptive Technology
- Connected devices, environmental controls, accessibility-compatible accessories, and adaptive interfaces.
Human Support
- Ongoing human support
- Configuration, onboarding, education, caregiver training, implementation, troubleshooting, and continued refinement.
A supported visual-interpretation application is one example of an assistive application that may be available where configured. Availability and supported functionality vary by device, platform, configuration, authorization, and implementation.
Accessibility Shaped Around the Person
No two accessibility configurations need to look the same.
GMA begins by understanding how the person communicates, processes information, interacts with technology, completes routines, responds to sensory input, receives assistance, and participates in daily life. We then help determine which capabilities, applications, devices, safeguards, equipment, and services may be appropriate.
The goal is not to enable the most features. The goal is to create the right experience for the person.
Access Preferences
How the person interacts, communicates, and navigates.
- Voice control
- Larger display
- Eye gaze or switch access
- Spoken screen content
Daily Environment
Technology, equipment, routines, and connected supports.
- Routines and reminders
- Connected-home control
- Adaptive equipment
- Communication with supporters
Personalized Digital Safety
Appropriate digital safeguards configured according to the person’s needs, role, authorization, and support plan. Content filtering may be one part of that configuration.
- Content filtering
- Approved applications and contacts
- Managed-device safeguards
- Permission-based visibility
Conceptual examples only. Configurations are shaped by the person, not by a diagnosis or label. Each combination of colors stands for ways of interacting, so no single color describes a person.
The person determines the experience.
Accessibility & Protection
Access should not require giving up protection.
Accessibility configurations may work alongside protected communication, managed-device safeguards, personalized digital protections, approved applications and contacts, role-based visibility, and accessible help pathways.
- Touch Input
- Voice Input
- Alternative control Input
- Spoken or simplified presentation Output
Same authorization boundary
One appropriately governed MyCompass environment
Consent, in plain words
Asked first. Explained clearly. Their choice.
Before MyCompass keeps an eye on anything, the person is asked for permission, one step at a time, in plain words that can be read aloud. They can say no, change their mind later, or ask someone they trust to go through it with them first.
Step 1 of 4What is sharedExplained in plain words, and read aloud if the person wants. Step 2 of 4Who can see itWho can see the information is made clear before anything is shared. Step 3 of 4Their choiceThey can say yes, say not right now, or ask someone they trust to go through it with them first. Step 4 of 4One permission at a timeEach permission is asked for on its own, rather than all at once.
Simplified illustration of the consent approach, not an actual screen.
Protected Communication
Communication pathways designed for authorized participants and appropriate use.
Approved Applications & Contacts
Applications, services, and communication relationships can be configured around the person and support plan.
Granular Content Filtering
Digital content protections may be shaped according to individual needs, preferences, sensitivities, and authorized requirements.
Managed-Device Safeguards
Device settings, applications, connectivity, and supported protections may be managed to improve reliability and reduce avoidable risk.
Accessible Help Pathways
Support and communication controls should remain clear and usable when the person needs assistance.
Permission-Based Visibility
Information and available actions depend on role, permission, authorization, purpose, configuration, and need.
Different ways of interacting enter the same protected environment. Accessibility is not an exception to security.
Explore MyCompass Security →Configured Over Time
Understand. Configure. Teach. Refine.
01 · Understand
Learn how the person communicates, interacts, learns, and moves through daily life.
02 · Configure
Select and configure appropriate capabilities, applications, devices, safeguards, equipment, and communication pathways.
03 · Teach & Onboard
Help the person and authorized supporters understand how to use the experience.
04 · Refine
Adjust the configuration as goals, routines, devices, environments, or support needs change.
Refine returns to understanding. Accessibility is not a one-time setup.
Continuing to Expand What Is Possible
Accessibility continues to evolve. So do we.
GMA continues to evaluate emerging accessibility, communication, sensory, mobility, adaptive, and assistive technologies. Capabilities in research, evaluation, or development are not represented as currently available until they have completed appropriate technical, accessibility, privacy, security, operational, and implementation review.
- Evaluate
- Technical validation
- Accessibility review
- Privacy & security review
- Operational & implementation readiness
- Available
Current capabilities, supported integrations, limited deployments, research initiatives, and planned functionality remain clearly distinguished. A capability is not presented as available simply because it is technically possible.
Accessibility Begins With the Person
- Communicate
- Understand
- Interact
Let’s begin with how the person communicates, understands, and interacts.
You do not need to identify every feature, application, or technology before contacting GMA. Tell us about the person, their goals, routines, environment, challenges, and support needs. Our team can help identify meaningful opportunities and determine what may be appropriate.
For individuals, families, caregivers, and support teams beginning the discovery process.
For case managers, providers, schools, agencies, healthcare teams, and organizations exploring implementation.
No predetermined package. We begin by listening.
Person-centered technology, equipment, services, and ongoing support. Every recommendation begins with the person.
Office: 122 S. Main St., St. Charles, MO 63301
Mailing: 119 S. Main St., St. Charles, MO 63301
314-266-2678
info@graymattersalliance.com
