Intuitive Design Applied Research Institute founder Dr. Brad Fain has more than two decades researching human factors engineering and design. From ease-of-access evaluation and universal design studies to ethnographic research and consumer product design, Fain has pioneered the accessibility testing of products for groups like the Arthritis Association and others, across the globe.

His research has spanned projects from Department of Defense partners to manufacturers, all with underlying goals of human-systems integration. He established Accessibility Evaluation Facility at Georgia Tech, as well as the Institute’s HomeLab, a home-based consumer products testing initiative that recruits everyday individuals to build a virtual test-bed.

Experience

• Developed and published a report on the Accessibility Evaluation Methodology (AEM), which has led to more than 200 accessibility evaluations on greater than 100 projects for national and international customers
• Spearheaded evaluation efforts for the Arthritis Foundation’s Ease of Use commendation program and Healthshare NSW (New South Wales) nutrition evaluation program
• Led the National Council on Disability’s universal design research program, to determine the impact of Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act on design and procurement of electronic and information technologies
• Conceived of and led development of an information portal as a resource for his work with the NCD
• Led the technical portion of the Election Assistance Commission’s Military Heroes Initiative to allow wounded soldiers to place private and secure votes, as well as served as the technical director of the commission’s Accessible Voting Technology Initiative to develop technologies that would facilitate accessible voting for the general population
• Led the U.S. Army Rapid Equipping Force’s (REF) blast data analysis program to evaluate soldiers’ injuries in the theater of operations

Selected Published Papers

1.     Fain, W. B., "Why Every Usability Professional Should Consider Becoming an Accessibility Professional or at Least Be Good Friends with One." UX Magazine, July, 2010.

2.     Fain, W. B., “Assessment of Workplace Product Accessibility: A human factors perspective,” Work: A Journal of Prevention, Assessment, and Rehabilitation, 27(4), 371-379, 2006.

3.     Jacko, J. A., Barreto, A. B., Scott, I. U., Chu, J. Y. M., Vitense, H. S.,Conway, F. T., & Fain, W. B., “Macular Degeneration and visual icon use: Deriving guidelines for improved access,” Universal Access in the Information Society, 1(3), 197-206, 2002. 

4.     Walker, N., Fain, W. B., Fisk, A. & McGuire, C, “Aging and decision making: Driving-related problem solving,” Human Factors, 39, 438-444.