Assistive Technology

October 2014 – In recognition of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, the Obama Administration honored 10 Champions of Change recipients for their dedication to the employment of individuals with disabilities. Earlier this month in a Presidential Proclamation, President Obama pledged to combat employment discrimination and recognize those who demonstrate a commitment to diversity and accessibility in the American workforce. The areas of influence for each honoree are broad, ranging from entrepreneurship to workplace accessibility.

October 2014 – In research funded by the U. S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate, Georgia Tech is holding focus groups to discuss assistive technology features, mobile devices, and how people with disabilities respond and are alerted of emergencies. Because different disability types aren’t always considered in the design of alerting systems, this cycle of research is seeking feedback from individuals who are Deaf or hard-of-hearing.

October 2014 – The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) announced the launch of the PEAT Works web portal earlier this month, a website that connects employees, employers, and technology providers with accessible tools and resources for the workplace. Organized by ODEP's Partnership on Employment & Accessible Technology (PEAT), PEATworks.org includes educational articles and interactive tools to assist businesses and technology providers when adopting accessible technologies for employees.

October 2014 – The FCC posted two new videos this month that include American Sign Language (ASL) interpretations of information concerning emergency services and the FCC’s Advanced Video Communications Platform and in ASL Video. The original video that was posted in June 2014 provided information about the launch of an ASL Consumer Support Line that allows people who are deaf and hard of hearing to use the service via videophone.

September 2014 – IDEAL Group Apps4Android, the world’s largest developer of Android accessibility apps, released an update for the “IDEAL Currency Identifier” app this month. Created to enable non-visual identification of currency note amounts, the app’s new features allow users to identify currency more quickly and recognize the redesigned $100 note. Developed with support from the Wireless RERC’s App Factory and NIDRR, the app is free and available for download at the Google Play Store.