Wireless Inclusive RERC| Georgia Institute of Technology | Atlanta, GA - Assistive Technology

Proceedings of the Wireless RERC 2021 State of Technology Forum

Mz22 — Thu, 30 Sep 2021 18:44:16 +0000

Publication Type:

The Wireless RERC convened the Virtual State of Technology (SoT) Forum 2020One on March 23-24, 2021. The 2021 virtual SoT was a focused, robust event, with a lively, informed, and diverse group of attendees representing the research community, people with disabilities, industry, technologists, advocates, policymakers, and disability service providers who explored the state of, and emerging trends in, inclusive wireless technologies and applications.

The Forum Proceedings is an interactive document with papers, presentations, videos, and bios from the two-day event. Further, it opens with a summation of the event and closes with a chapter on key activities to pursue to ensure inclusion is always at the forefront of wireless technology, design, development, and deployment.

Date of Publication:

Wednesday, September 22, 2021

Latest Eye-Tracking Device Claims Superior Functioning

dbright7@gatech.edu — Mon, 09 Aug 2021 12:49:49 +0000

July 19, 2021 – Two tech companies, Smartbox Assistive Technology and Smart Eye, collaborated to develop Lumin-i. This advanced eye-tracking product integrates with an augmentative and alternative communications (AAC) device. Lumin-I is the product of these two companies using what they consider the best of their respective technologies. Smart Eyes included their eye-tracking algorithm, which takes approximately 25 milliseconds to identify and respond to the user's gaze and translate the gaze into verbal communications. A unique aspect of Lumin-i is that it only requires a gaze recovery time of 17 milliseconds and can capture 60 frames per second. Lumin-i also has a large track box that measures a wider range of motion, specifically head motion, and ultimately grants users a reportedly more robust capability for communication and independence. Lumin-i was launched globally on July 19th and is available online at the Smartbox website. [Source: BusinessWire]

Leading AAC Provider Smartbox Launches Lumin-i: a New Eye Tracking Solution Developed in Collaboration With Smart Eye

Date of Publication:

Monday, July 19, 2021

AFB Shares Impact of COVID-19 on People with Vision Disabilities

Mz22 — Mon, 05 Oct 2020 20:14:39 +0000

September 2020 — The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) recently released a comprehensive report on the impact of COVID-19 on people with visual disabilities in the following subject areas: healthcare, employment, social experiences, education, transportation, voting, access to food, meals, and supplies. In this study of 1,921 U.S. participants, 92% of participants indicated that they had access to technology. However, many participants expressed that this access to technology did not mean access to information. Eighty-eight percent (88%) of participants shared that they were concerned that visual information about COVID-19 on television was not accessible to them. As a result of needing vital information relating to COVID-10, 80% of participants indicated that they have increased their use of assistive technology apps such as Aira and Be My Eyes.

Participants had varying levels of agreement to “increased use of apps designed to connect people with visual impairments with sighted assistance.” Seventeen percent (17%) of female participants strongly agreed or agreed with this statement compared to only 9% of males. The statement also received higher agreement levels from those who were blind (20%) compared to those with low vision (6%). COVID-19 has also altered how some participants utilize visual-interpreting services. Some respondents shared that they use visual-interpreting services to verify the location of items delivered to their home and to read and enter CAPTCHA information on websites [p. 24]. Technology was used differently to create social connections between people with visual impairments. 808 participants shared that they contacted other people with vision disabilities in their personal network for COVID-19 support while 785 did not reach out to any organized group for support or support for information. Some of AFB recommendations are provided below:

Any government agency distributing information about the coronavirus should provide equivalent levels of access to people who are visually impaired.
Information presented in graphical form, such as maps and bar graphs need provide text equivalents.
Product developers should incorporate digital accessibility into products as the products are initially being developed.
Provision should be made for visual interpreting services, such as Aira and Be My Eyes, to ensure that people with limited financial resources can take advantage of these services.

The report also shares the most up-to-date and salient findings on technology use, technology tools used, app/programs used, and other concerns. This report is comprehensive in the six major subject matters. The survey was distributed across a diverse demographic of people with visual disabilities. Seventy-five percent (75%) of the respondents were White, 7% were Hispanic/LatinX, 6.7% were Black, 3% were Asian. The report is publicly available as are the early releases of results of the analysis. [Source: AFB]

Flatten Inaccessibility

Date of Publication:

Monday, October 5, 2020

Video Game Increases Accessibility for People with Disabilities

dbright7@gatech.edu — Fri, 31 Jul 2020 15:19:59 +0000

June 2020 – The announcement of the upcoming video game release, The Last of Us Part II, garnered significant attention based on the over sixty accessibility features that were included. The video game company, Naughty Dog, asserts that this game is their most accessible game yet. This video game is PlayStation compatible and was set to release on June 19^th. The Last of Us Part II will include:

Accessibility Presets configure settings for players who are blind or have low vision, who have mobility disabilities, or who have hearing issues.
Alternate Controls that allow you to fully remap your outputs, which is impressive considering how many different controls are built into the game.
HUD scaling to help players change the size of HUD elements like text.
A colorblind mode, along with giving players the ability to change other colors.
Camera shake customization for those prone to motion sickness.
Navigation assistance, which faces the camera in the direction of where you need to go.
Enhanced Listen Mode, which allows you to scan for items while in Listen Mode.
Both a Skip Puzzle Option and Infinite Breath for breathing underwater.
Text-to-speech audio technology. The supported text-to-speech languages include: English, UK English, French, Italian, German, Danish, Turkish, Russian, Czech, Greek, Finnish, Swedish, Norwegian, Hungarian, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Croatian, LATAM Spanish
Combat accessibility options that make certain parts of combat easier, like reducing enemy perception and allowing you to be invisible while prone.

For the extensive list of (60+) accessibility features, please check the links below. [Source: Matthew Gallant at Naughty Dog via PlayStation Blog; Carli Velocci via Android Central]

Video Game Increases Accessibility for People with Disabilities

Date of Publication:

Friday, July 31, 2020

Customized Wheelchair Company Aims to Alter Perceptions

dbright7@gatech.edu — Fri, 31 Jul 2020 15:13:52 +0000

June 2020 – Neofly, the custom-fitted wheelchair produced by NeoMotion, aims to alter perceptions of mobility differences in India. The NeoMotion startup company is based out of the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (IIT-M). The NeoFly wheelchair's custom fit helps "promote right posture, good health, independence, and style." In contrast to the conventional wheelchair, Neofly can cover approximately 3 to 3.5 yards with a single push while the traditional wheelchair averages 1 to 1.5 yards. The NeoBolt is a feature on the NeoFly that can convert the wheelchair into a safe motor vehicle. The motor-powered-clip on the device allows the user to travel up to 18 miles with a single charge. The product designers wanted Indians with mobile disabilities to have the same custom fit as American and European chairs while keeping the cost reasonable. [Source: Newz Hook]

Custom-Fitted Wheelchair

Date of Publication:

Friday, July 31, 2020

Integrating Digital Accessibility Policy at Higher Education Institutions

dbright7@gatech.edu — Fri, 31 Jul 2020 15:11:26 +0000

June 2020 – The University of Pittsburgh’s Laurie Cochenour, executive director of online learning at their School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (SHRS), led the launch of the completely online master’s degree in Health Informatics for the Spring 2020 semester. COVID-19 beamed a light on the need for digitally accessible content and resources for people with disabilities to ensure compliance with the ADA and the academic obligation to foster different learning styles. At the University of Pittsburgh, the Electronic Information and Technology (EIT) Accessibility Policy is the latest governing document for accessibility standards that university staff members must comply with. Since its drafting and publishing recently, the University is in the implementation phase, though COVID-19 has altered the rollout timeline. Cynthia Golden, associate vice provost and director of the Teaching Center, said that “the University’s obligations—and the accessibility policy—are greater than just compliance. We have a moral and ethical obligation to do the best we can for our community” [Source: Will Entrekin via Pittwire].

Resources Abound to Assist Implementation of Digital Accessibility Policy

Date of Publication:

Friday, July 31, 2020

Virtual Expo Hosts a Myriad of Resources & Relevant Dialogues

dbright7@gatech.edu — Fri, 31 Jul 2020 15:09:31 +0000

June 2020 – The organization, Abilities, hosted a virtual expo event from June 19 – June 21, 2020. The expo had numerous free, on-demand workshops. Some of the fully captioned workshops explored topics such as Accessible Home Design: Outdoor Spaces by Mark Thompson; Creating a Sensory Room at home by Ericka Polanco Webb; Disability & Special Needs Planning Made Easy by Andre; Healthy Lifestyle: Connecting Mental Health to Overall Health by Tracy Williams; and Maintaining Health with Spinal Cord Injury by Nurse Linda, Ph.D. There were over a dozen more virtual expo workshops to attend and also focused on activities such as financial planning for families. The Abilities virtual expo also showcased the latest Tech & Disability Products and Adaptive Online Activities such as dance, yoga, service animals, and athletics & fitness. The Abilities virtual expo event was packed full of content for its attendees [Source: Abilities].

Abilities Expo Virtual Experience

Date of Publication:

Friday, July 31, 2020

New Wireless RERC Research Brief - Technology Use for Social Connectedness: Exploring the Experiences of People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, Family Members, and Professionals

Mz22 — Fri, 31 Jul 2020 11:35:42 +0000

Publication Type:

Reports

People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) have the potential to benefit from wireless technologies and social networking opportunities facilitated through these technologies. People with IDD, however, are often excluded from technology use and online environments. The aim of this research was to explore how wireless technology tools and software applications help people with IDD socially connect, and how people with IDD and those that support them perceive the usefulness of such tools within this population. To address this goal, a series of focus groups was conducted with adults with IDD, family members of adults with IDD, and professionals who work with people with IDD (e.g., vocational rehabilitation counselors, certified job coaches, transition coordinators in K-12 schools). Our research team coded and analyzed the focus group data following a qualitative descriptive approach. The six identified themes listed below are discussed in the research brief.

Theme 1: Hardware and Software

Theme 2: Accessibility Features

Theme 3: Reasons for Connecting Socially

Theme 4: Barriers to and Supports for Connectivity

Theme 5: Concerns or Fears About Connectivity

Theme 6: Outcomes from Social Connectedness

Date of Publication:

Friday, July 31, 2020

AT&T Sponsors Games for Change with an Inclusive Game Design Theme

Mz22 — Thu, 05 Mar 2020 17:16:23 +0000

AT&T has teamed up with Games for Change, a non-profit organization based in NYC that curates digital games to help students develop STEM skills. AT&T is a sponsor of the G4C 2019-2020 Game Design Student Challenge. This challenge invites students (middle school and high school) to create digital games around social issues impacting their communities and is supported by game jams, workshops, and mentorships held throughout the school year. As a theme-sponsor, AT&T has chosen to address accessibility in gaming to encourage the student gaming community to think about inclusive game design to create games for "ALL." We address barriers that can prevent people/players with disabilities from accessing and enjoying video games. The theme is consistent with AT&T's push to bring the awareness and opportunities to the game developer community of building inclusive ecosystems, and ties in with our recently launched Inclusive Innovation Playbook collaborated on by AT&T and G3ict.

AT&T will host a game jam event in Atlanta, inviting up to 75 students from Atlanta city schools. The game jam is a ½ day event (5-6 hours) on a Saturday that brings students together for a series of fun workshops focused on a social issue theme, basic computer coding, and game ideation and design, allowing students to create digital games on-site. The event is coordinated and facilitated by the G4C team. AT&T participates by hosting a 45-min workshop on the theme of accessibility in gaming with presenters from Warner Bros. Gaming and Adult Swim Games.

Atlanta Game Jam

Location: The Creative Circus| 812 Lambert Dr. | Atlanta, GA

Dates/Time: Saturday, March 14 @ 11am-4pm

Target Audience: Middle School and High School students

Registration: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/g4c-game-jam-inclusive-play-designing-games-for-all-registration-98096048923

AT&T Inclusive Play Website

Date of Publication:

Thursday, March 5, 2020

Wireless RERC @ the CSUN Assistive Technology Conference

Mz22 — Thu, 05 Mar 2020 14:23:02 +0000

The 35th CSUN Assistive Technology Conference (CSUN 2020) convenes March 9 through 13, 2020, in Anaheim, California and Wireless RERC researchers Paul Baker, Salimah LaForce, Nathan Moon, and Bruce Walker will be leading several sessions.

Come see us on Thursday, March 12, 2020:

8:00 AM PST - Survey of User Needs for Wireless Devices: Key Findings

We present survey findings on wireless device use by consumers with disabilities, including screen readers, screen magnifiers, real-time text, and intelligent personal assistants.

11:00 AM PDT - Chart Sonification for All: Accessible Multimodal Graphs

Georgia Institute of Technology and Highcharts have collaboratively developed and evaluated an accessible online multimodal graphing tool, combining sonification and advanced data visualization.

2:20 PM PST - The Accessibility Divide in the Mobile Phone Market

The research presented reveals an accessibility divide in the mobile phone market based on disability type, provider type, and phone type that inhibits access equity.

4:20 PM PDT - Digital Tech for Inclusive Aging: Usability/Design & Policy

This session offers a literature derived policy and design model for the development and deployment of effective, inclusive technologies in assisted

Date of Publication:

Thursday, March 5, 2020