I. UPCOMING LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
Join The Upcoming Webinar Hosted By Continual Engine with Web Accessibility Specialist Sarah Stricker
Continual Engine is hosting an accessibility webinar with IAAP-certified Web Accessibility Specialist Sarah Stricker from ansrsource. This event will be a virtual webinar on February 16th, 2023.
In her role, Sarah closely partners with higher education institutions and organizations to develop courses and course components with a focus on accessibility. Prior to joining ansrsource, Sarah worked at UC Berkeley as an educational technology specialist and an instructional designer. She has also worked as an instructor at Colorado State University, where she taught courses in public speaking and rhetoric. She holds a master’s degree in Communication and Media Studies. Sarah leads a team of web developers and manages technical solutions for higher education clients. She is a certified International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP) Web Accessibility Specialist (WAS).
Join this event to learn briefly about WCAG that goes beyond a simple definition, who develops the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines and what do they contain? How are the guidelines relevant to content authors and designers? The event will also give you learnings about the current status of WCAG, and what the future of WCAG holds.
II. Latest In Accessibility
1. Equally AI Launches World’s First ChatGPT Powered Web Accessibility Platform For Developers and Website Owners
Equally AI, a tech provider of web accessibility solutions, has announced the launch of Flowy. Powered by ChatGPT, Flowy is a game changer for innovative developers looking to build web products that are accessible and for website owners globally to improve web accessibility for all in the content they serve online.
2. Electronic Arts Spotlights Accessibility Features In Motive’s All-New ‘Dead Space’ Revival
EA notes Motive has made Dead Space more accessible and inclusive by building in a number of “customization options with some fine-grained control.” Amongst many others, they include colorblind settings, control customization, and aim assistance. There’s also the ability to have screen reader-like narration of menus, as well as options to reduce motion effects, enable subtitles for dialogue, and display content warnings in anticipation of more gruesome moments.
3. Prioritizing Accessibility in Marketing
One of Apple’s latest ads shows how its tech can make a whole host of things easier: parenting, waking up in the morning, navigating somewhere, and so on. What makes the ad notable is the fact that it almost entirely features people with disabilities, a group that’s underrepresented in media and advertising.
4. Envision Upgrades Smart Glasses Range With More Accessibility Options For People With Vision Impairments
Today, assistive technology specialist Envision has announced that it is further enhancing the accessibility of its smart glasses for blind and visually impaired individuals by introducing two new editions to serve the different needs of its users. Available now from Envision and its global distributor network, the upgrades offer the same hardware as the original smart glasses but provide a choice of feature sets at a range of price points.
5. The Story Of How World’s First Self-Learning Braille Device ‘Annie’ Was Made
A conversation that started at a breakfast table between Aman Srivastava and three of his friends from BITS Pilani, Goa, soon took the shape of a research project. It eventually led to a prototype far from the friends’ realm to imagine. That’s how Bengaluru-based Tinkerbell Labs developed “Annie,” the world’s first self-learning device for teaching Braille to visually impaired kids.
6. Assistive Tech Pioneer FACIL’iti Launches MYdys App at CES 2023 To Help Adults and Children Living With Dyslexia
FACIL’iti, the assistive tech pioneer known for adapting websites for people with disabilities and seniors, has today launched MYdys, its new dyslexia solutions app, at CES Unveiled in Las Vegas. MYdys, an honoree for the CES 2023 Innovation Award, is a first of its kind, free dyslexia app that uses OCR (Optical Character Recognition) and augmented reality (AR) technologies to enable users to customize captured textual content from a variety of mediums and adapt it to suit their needs, creating an inclusive opportunity for the millions of adults and children who live with dyslexia.
7. eSight Announces Newest Generation of Assistive Device For The Legally Blind, eSight Go
Leading vision-enhancement platform, eSight, today announces the launch of its latest innovation in assistive technology, eSight Go. The wearable device sets a new standard for enhanced vision technology through its heightened visual clarity, lightweight design and expansive field of view, helping those with central vision loss gain independence in their everyday life. “We’ve spent the past year vastly improving the capacity and design of our digital eyewear, not only to help enhance vision for our visually impaired users, but so they can enjoy an enriched and fulfilling livelihood in the most seamless way possible,” said eSight Director of Product Marketing Roland Mattern.
III. STAR NEWS OF THE MONTH
1. Continual Engine is Listed in The Computer Vision Market Report
Continual Engine is happy to inform you that we are now listed in the Top Trending Key Players list in the Computer Vision Market report.
The market dynamics segment includes an analysis of the growth rate, trends, and key developments that are playing a substantial role in the market. This analytical report provides a clear picture of Industry dynamics, as well as covers different market growth drivers. It also tracks current market developments to help entrepreneurs & corporate leaders to make more profit.
You can read more about it here.
2. Continual Engine Shines As A Top Player In The Image Processing Systems Market
Continual Engine got listed as an emerging player in the Image Processing Systems Market. Inspiring us to continue to develop, improve and deliver our generative AI solutions and delight our customers
The Image Processing Systems Market size is expected to develop revenue and exponential market growth at a remarkable CAGR during the forecast period from 2022–2029.
The Image Processing Systems Market Report delivers an in-depth analysis of leading and emerging players in the market. The Report provides comprehensive lists of key companies which have been enlisted on the basis of type of products they are offering & other factors in Market. Among company profiling market analysis, the analysts who worked on the report gave the year of market entry for each mentioned player can be considered for the research analysis.
To read more, please visit here.
IV. PAST EVENTS
1. Continual Engine Has Co-Presented and Exhibited In The ATIA event With Virginia Tech
Continual Engine has co-presented with Virginia Tech at the Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA) 2023 Conference in January. The conference provided an opportunity to network and gain knowledge of the unique requirements of those who need assistive technology. The agenda of this conference was to provide insights about the collaboration between PREP and Virginia Tech to scale PDF remediation to promote accessible communications
Continual Engine’s Vice-President of Growth & Strategy, Vijayshree (VJ) Vethantham joined with Mark Nichols, Senior Director of Universal Design and Accessible Technologies, Virginia Tech at ATIA 2023 to explore trends and most effective practices in accessible communications.
The ATIA is the global leader in assistive technology (AT) education and research and the premier organization for AT manufacturers, sellers and providers. It is the premier organization for manufacturers, sellers and providers of assistive technology (AT)—products, equipment and systems that enhance learning, working and daily living for persons with disabilities.
If you would like to schedule a meeting with our Vice President, Growth & Strategy, Vijayshree (VJ) Vethantham, please email us at contact@continualengine.com.
V. NEWS ARTICLES
1. First-Ever Accessibility Engineer Named At The Washington Post
The Washington Post is furthering its commitment to accessibility, and the work employees are already doing to make our content more accessible, by naming its first-ever dedicated Accessibility Engineer.
2. EEOC Releases Updated Guidance On ADA Requirements For Individuals With Hearing Disabilities In The Workplace
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) released updated guidance on how the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) applies to job applicants and employees with hearing disabilities. The guidance provides information about hearing conditions as a disability under the ADA, outlines best practices for employers in dealing with confidential medical information, shares guidance on accommodations for applicants and employees, addresses employer concerns about safety, and details reporting procedures for employees.
3. ‘Disability Is Not A Tragedy’: The Remarkable Life Of Activist And Rebel Hale Zukas
Zooming around in an electric wheelchair controlled with a stick protruding from a white helmet strapped to his head, the renowned Berkeley, California, disability rights activist was an unforgettable force for breaking down barriers. His recent death prompted an outpouring of tributes and remembrances for a pioneer who helped lead a revolution that opened up public spaces, transportation and services to people with disabilities.
4. Bill To Expand Access To Assistive Technology For Seniors And People With Disabilities Signed Into Law
U.S. Senator Susan Collins announced that the 21st Century Assistive Technology Act, bipartisan legislation she introduced with Senators Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Bob Casey (D-PA), and Kevin Cramer (R-ND), was signed into law as part of the National Defense Authorization Act. The 21st Century Assistive Technology Act will expand access to affordable assistive technology for seniors and individuals with disabilities.
5. Seattle Celebrates World Braille Day
World Braille Day was celebrated Jan. 4 in the Washington Talking Book & Braille Library in Seattle. Library Director and regional Librarian Danielle Miller said braille is truly literacy for people who are blind. “To be able to read, write and communicate in their first language gives people the opportunity to be more competitive in school and the workforce.” said Miller.
6. Digital Accessibility Tools Market To See Massive Growth By 2028 | UserWay, Monsido, AudioEye
2022-2030 Report on Global Digital Accessibility Tools Market by Player, Region, Type, Application and Sales Channel is the latest research study released by HTF MI evaluating the market risk side analysis, highlighting opportunities, and leveraging with strategic and tactical decision-making support. The report provides information on market trends and development, growth drivers, technologies, and the changing investment structure of the Global Digital Accessibility Tools Market.
7. Will AI Tech Like ChatGPT Improve Inclusion For People With Communication Disability?
If it becomes accessible for everyone, AI of this type could do more than disrupt exams. It could help people with communication disability and others who struggle with text, and could also significantly enhance rate of communication. People using speech generating devices are often limited to laboriously entering a mere 10 words per minute with word prediction only increasing that to 12-18 words per minute.
