Assistive Technology

January 2014 — The Wells Foundation in partnership with Ohio State University and Columbus Speech and Hearing Center released a new communication app for children and adults with language impairments.  Based on a successful prototype using a common, standard database of picture elements, Citra networks and shares communication boards, schedule maker, and notes between multiple people providing services to the same child.

October 2013 — The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released a Public Notice [DA 13-2097] inviting interested parties to submit applications to become certified “to distribute equipment under the National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program (NDBEDP) to qualifying residents in Mississippi.” In accordance with Section 105 of the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010 (CVAA), NDBEDP began as a two-year pilot program in 2012 that enables low-income individuals who are deaf-blind to have access to the Internet and advanced communications thr

The RERC's App Factory is holding open its 2013-14 Call for Proposals until October 8. Interested app developers can view the PDF below for proposal requirements or view the App Factory RFP webpage.

This November, UCP Life Labs and Enabled by Design will partner to host the 2013 Enabled by Design-athon in Washington, D.C.  Previously, the two-day event has included presentations from designers in addition to “the Design-athon, which offered participants time and space to devise solutions for problems faced by people with disabilities.”  Those interested in supporting, participating in or attending the conference are encouraged to monitor “Life Lab’s new website for updates.”

August 2013 — The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released a Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM) in the Matter of Misuse of Internet Protocol (IP) Captioned Telephone Service and Telecommunications Relay Services and Speech-to-Speech Services for Individuals with Hearing and Speech Disabilities [CG Docket No. 13-24 and 03-123].