The Consumer Technology Association (CTA) Foundation, a national organization with the mission to link seniors and people with disabilities with technologies to enhance their lives, Just announced accessibility-related programming and exhibits at CES® 2018. Owned and produced by CTA, CES is the global stage for innovation and will take place January 9-12 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The CTA Foundation is proud to host two new panels at CES 2018: Living Independently in Smart Homes, focusing on how smart home technologies are enabling greater independence for people regardless of age or ability; and Accessible Self Driving: Innovations for Independence, examining the benefits self-driving vehicles can provide the aging and disability community.
Also new for CES 2018: a pilot of the AccessibleOlli, the world’s most accessible self-driving vehicle, will be on display at Tech East in the Grand Lobby of the Las Vegas Convention Center. A crowd-sourcing initiative driven by the CTA Foundation, the AccessibleOlli prototype features cutting edge technologies produced by IBM and Local Motors.
“The CTA Foundation is proud to support companies working to help seniors and those with disabilities,” said Steve Ewell, executive director, CTA Foundation. “Whether it is in IoT, smart homes, robotics, health and fitness, vehicle tech, smart cities or any of the other innovative, breakthrough technologies at CES, we’re excited to see technology enabling independence for people of all ages and abilities across the show.”
Eureka Park, the home of startups during CES, will feature the five winners of the CTA Foundation Accessibility Contest: Blind Touch, Lili Smart, SignAll, SofiHub and Unaliwear. In partnership with Extreme Tech Challenge, the finalists were selected based upon their products’ potential to positively impact older adults and people with disabilities.
The Accessibility Marketplace will return to the second floor of the Sands Convention Center where companies exhibit technologies that help people of all ages and abilities live healthy, independent lives. Notable exhibitors include VFO and American Printing House for the Blind.
Additionally, advocates from prominent disability organizations will be at CES to engage with the industry around accessible technology. Organizations coming to CES 2018 include Hearing Loss Association of America, American Foundation for the Blind, Gallaudet University and World Institute on Disability.
The CTA Foundation, a public, national foundation affiliated with the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), was launched in 2012 with the mission to link seniors and people with disabilities with technologies to enhance their lives. The foundation strategically supports programs that affect these communities and facilitates dialog between industry, consumers, government, advocacy groups and other key stakeholders. For more information visit CTAFoundation.tech.
