Wireless RERC News

The Shepherd Center and the Wireless RERC have been awarded the Google Glass Accessibility Grant to develop an application to assist individuals who experience brain injury-related memory loss. The $15,000 award amount will go towards app development and testing on the Google Glass device.  The wearable computer technology will aid in helping users recognize people who do not regularly frequent their social circle, a common issue for those who have memory loss.

Featured in this month’s Special Needs App Review, the Smart Steps mobile app helps to support users with cognitive challenges through guided decision making and individualized feedback. Assisting individuals with autism, Down syndrome, and other developmental disabilities, the app helps users regain their independence in the community, classroom, and workplace by assisting in everyday decision-making. Some features include: 24/7 support options, decision trees, and the ability to personalize an account. The Smart Steps app is free of charge and can be found in the iTunes App Store.

July 2014 – Wireless RERC researcher Ben Lippincott, along with Timothy Creagan (U.S. Access Board) and Jamal Mazrui (FCC) will address wireless accessibility at a webinar on Section 508 Best Practices.  Sponsored by the Accessibility Committee of the Chief Information Officers Council (CIOC), the U.S. Access Board and eFedLink,  the event will convene Tuesday, July 29, 2014 at 1:00pm ET. This will be one webinar in a series that will address wireless technology accessibility barriers, accessibility resources, and 508 standards as they apply to wireless technology.

July 2014 – The Wireless RERC recently updated their consideration guide to help emergency response and preparedness communities plan for individuals with access and functional needs. The document highlights technology, policy, training and education concerns for making emergency communications more accessible. Some considerations include:

During the 2014 spring semester, 83 industrial design students at Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech participated in the Wireless RERC’s fifth annual “Getting Wireless” design challenge.