Gregg Vanderheiden, Ph.D.

University of Maryland

Dr. Vanderheiden is a Professor and the Director of Trace R&D Center at University of Maryland - College Park. He worked in technology and disability for over 45 years. Dr. Vanderheiden is a pioneer in Augmentative Communication (term taken from his writings) and in cross-disability access to ICT. Most of the initial access features in both Microsoft Windows and Apple Mac operating systems came/licensed royalty free from his Center.  His work is  also found in computers, phones, Automated Postal Stations, Amtrak ticket machines and airport terminals. Dr. Vanderheiden co-chaired both WCAG 1.0 and 2.0 working groups. He has worked with over 50 companies and numerous government advisory committees including for FCC, NSF, NIH, the US Access Board and White House. He has received over 30 awards for his work. Dr. Vanderheiden’s current work is helping create a Global Public Inclusive Infrastructure (GPII).