In the innovative world of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), there is a continual flow of new information and experiences engaging individuals in the digital era. The use of ICT is increasing and proving to be of greater importance in people’s everyday lives, accessing services to fulfill basic human needs. However, this increase in use and importance of ICT raises concerns to whether these technologies are fully accessible for all people, especially to disabled and elderly people. Disability can take many forms and can cover a wide range of impairments—some people have sensory disabilities covering difficulties with hearing, speech and sight; others are physically disabled and have problems with mobility; some suffer from cognitive impairments such as dyslexia and learning difficulties and there are those who battle with the debilitating effects of diseases such as arthritis and multiple sclerosis. Millions of people have disabilities that affect their use of the ICT due to the accessibility barriers that make it difficult or impossible for many people with disabilities to use them. Designing products that can be used by people with a wide range of abilities and disabilities, is a requirement in the years to come. A paradigmatic change in the software industry is needed to focus on the benefits of universal design. In fact, there is an increasing recognition that ICT accessibility can be a tool for commercial growth and the promotion of anti-discrimination legislation. Access to technology by disabled and elderly people is a major issue in allowing their integration in society. The growing global proportion of disabled and elderly people signifies that the urgency of this issue will not decrease in the years to come. This special issue comes after the successful organization of the 4th International Conference on Software Development for Enhancing Accessibility and Fighting Info-exclusion—DSAI 2012, which was held in Douro Region, Portugal (http://dsai2012.utad.pt/). This UAIS special issue is focused on research related to interfaces and interaction, assistive technologies, case studies and aging, taking also into account the target audience of the UAIS Journal. As a result, six (6) papers describing methodologies, systems, case studies and literature reviews from the area of universal access comprise the special issue. Marcio Martins, Antonio Cunha and Leonel Morgado’s ‘‘Usability test of 3D connection 3D mice versus keyboard?mouse in Second Life undertaken by people with motor disabilities due to medullary lesions’’ evaluates the usability of 3D controllers to navigate in 3D virtual worlds. The usability test was performed by 10 participants with motor disabilities due to medullary lesions on C5-D11 vertebrae. The main conclusion is that the most challenging tasks in the keyboard?mouse combination become less challenging using 3D mice and the least stable mouse, SpaceNavigator, originated the best feedback, contrary to originally expected results. The contribution by Margaretha Izzo, entitled ‘‘Universal Design for Learning: Enhancing Achievement of J. Barroso (&) H. Paredes P. Martins INESC TEC, Porto, Portugal e-mail: jbarroso@utad.pt