IBM unveils app to help visually impaired users maintain distance in lines
IBM
Smart Suitcase Could Help Blind and Visually Impaired Travelers
A group of Japanese companies is developing a suitcase-shaped robot that uses AI to help blind and visually impaired people to travel independently.
Local Motors Wants to Expand Olli’s Routes
Local Motors are a ground mobility company with a distinct focus on futurism and inclusion. That’s why they conceived Olli — the 3D printed shuttle made accessible for people with disabilities.
IBM’s Buddy for the Blind Solution Helps the Blind Swim.
If you are visually impaired, you know what a challenge it can be to swim freely without any assistance. First point, the wall is not your friend. If your swimming at top speed, and you can’t see that you are approaching the wall, it isn’t going to turnout well for you. Also, it can be a challenge to stay in your swimming lane and out of the way of other swimmers.
IBM took on this challenge by developing a system of Bluetooth beacons and haptic devices to help the blind swimmers. Sense Bluetooth doesn’t work under water, they placed Bluetooth beacons on a steel wire that runs 4 to 5 feet above the water along the center of the lane. The swimmers ware a device on their heads beneath their swimming caps that vibrate more intensely as they stay centered. So far, the tests have yielded very positive results, and the blinds swimmers feel a sense of freedom that they haven’t felt before.
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Workplace Accommodation Case Management App Is Bridging the Gap
IBM and West Virginia’s University’s Center for Disability Inclusion have developed a Mobile workplace accommodation case management app. The Mobile Accommodation Solution is designed to help employers create a more inclusive workplace environment for employees with disabilities. As of March 2017, only 20.4% of people with disabilities were employed, while 68.7% of people without a disability were employed. There are many reasons for this disparity, but one of the reasons is that employer’s do not know what accommodations are necessary for a person with a disability, and they also don’t know how to request those accommodation’s. Employees also often don’t know how to request accommodations. The app provides an accessible environment on iOS or Android for employers and employees to fill out the appropriate forms and get them to the correct people to handle the requests. The MAS app will also leverage the deep knowledge and tools of the Job Accommodation Network, a leading source of free and expert guidance on workplace accommodations and disability employment issues. Even if an employer has met the accommodation needs of an employee, things change over time. An employee who has never needed workplace accommodations, or a different employee who has had accommodation need met, may later find that they need additional or different workplace accommodations. This app intends to tackle those issues as well.
The iOS version of the app is expected later this year, and the Android version will be available in 2018.
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Spotlight Interview with Andrew Lahart: Head of Accessibility, Enablement, and Competency at IBM
In this exciting Spotlight Interview, James Oates sits down with Andrew Lahart, the head of accessibility, enablement, and competency at IBM, to talk about:
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