Email is a crucial tool for workplace communication and collaboration; however, current email clients present accessibility barriers for people with cognitive disabilities. For example, Jon, our Subject Matter Expert (SME), is unable to use email independently. Any job related communication, such as changes to his work schedule, must be emailed to his job coach or his mother who handle the logistics of his employment. AbleMail features a visually simple interface so Jon can (1) comprehend, (2) respond, and (3) compose emails independently. Since Jon struggles with a slow reading rate, text-to-speech capability converts the text of an email into audible words to improve email comprehension. AbleMail provides large and colorful icons that allow Jon to respond to emails with customized pre-written responses. Under AbleMail settings, icons and written responses can easily be changed and new ones added. Lastly, AbleMail allows Jon to compose emails through dictation and to attach an audio clip of his recorded response. AbleMail empowers Jon to communicate with his employer by email, thereby increasing his independence, ownership of his work, privacy, and self-esteem.

AbleMail was a winner of the Congressional App Challenge!