a blog about accessible services, products, and issues in tourism, travel, and education. « Page 3
Going Up: Keen Featured in Inc. Magazine’s Elevator Pitch Column
Dec 9th, 2010
This week, we are proud to have been featured in Inc. Magazine’s Elevator Pitch column! Check out the column, and see if you agree with the investors weighing in. Whatever your opinion, we think you’ll agree: it’s exciting to see a top business magazine looking at social entrepreneurs and how they’ll carefully balance their missions with their business models to successfully accomplish both.
The US Government is Committed to Accessibility – Part II
Dec 1st, 2010
This is a second part to my overview of two events I recently attended that highlights how the U.S. Government expresses commitment to accessibility through technology & innovation. In the first post, I spoke about the the White House Town Hall Event at local start-up, HelloWallet, with US CTO Aneesh Chopra and Steve Case, Founder of AOL and co-chair of the National Advisory Council on Innovation and Entrepreneurship. This post overviews celebrations following a significant landmark law.
Giving Thanks to “Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act” – Nov. 30, 2010The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) joined by the Coalition of Organizations for Accessible Technologies (COAT) More >
The US Government is Committed to Accessibility – Part I
Dec 1st, 2010
In the past few weeks, I attended several events relating to accessibility and entrepreneurship in Washington, D.C. The prevalent theme from these speakers (legislators, government & industry leaders) was a commitment to accessibility and innovation in technology. In this “Part One” I’ll overview the White House Town Hall event and the conversation about innovation in accessibility & technology. Part Two covers the celebration for the “Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act.”
National Entrepreneurs’ Day – November 19, 2010Keen Guides had the great honor of being invited to the National Entrepreneurs’ Day Town Hall meeting hosted by a local start-up, HelloWallet. U.S. Chief More >
Planes, Trains, and Automobiles: Accessible Tips & Tricks
Nov 24th, 2010
On the Road?
According to AAA, 42.2 Million Americans are expected to travel between today and Sunday for the 2010 Thanksgiving holiday. If you’re one of those Americans traveling greater than 50-miles from your home, you’re most likely traveling by plane, train, or car. And if you happen to be a person with a sensory disability, travel can be even more daunting. The frustration of missing a flight because you didn’t hear a gate change would be enough to ruin anyone’s holiday. So with no further ado, here are a few tips and tricks for accessible holiday travel.
1. Stay Organized, More >
Theater Captioning: Back to the Future
Nov 17th, 2010
How I became a Foreign Film Buff:
In 1994, my dad ambitiously told me that captioning was coming to our movie theater in Winston-Salem, NC. I don’t know where he heard that, but for two years, I habitually asked theatre managers if captioning was available, only to find out that it was not. When we assumed that it would be a long time coming for captions, we decided to try foreign films because of the English subtitles, and it was a great experience that we continue to enjoy today with my visits back home.
2010 Digital Captioning SymposiumFast forward sixteen years later. More >
Beyond the Ramp: Expert Offers Hints for Museum Accessibility
Nov 11th, 2010
I had a chance to chat with Claudia Ocello, who is President & CEO of Museum Partners Consulting, LLC about accessibility in museums today. With her 20 years’ experience consulting with museums, I thought I’d ask her a few questions about the museum accessibility landscape. Great insights!
Catharine McNally: “What do you see as the main obstacle from museums making accessibility a priority?”Claudia Ocello: “I think museums right now are working on sustainability overall– i.e. how are we going to keep the doors open and prove our worth to the community – that accessibility may get lowered on the priority scale. However, becoming More >
AARP Interview: How a gadget suddenly made accessibility easier.
Nov 1st, 2010
The 140-character conversation:
The “tweet” below was the start to a conversation that I had with AARP regarding accessible technology. This Twitter question (or shall I say, twestion?) regarded technology that we love, and I couldn’t help but chime in with the response that “technology designed with accessibility in mind” is the best one out there. From there, Beth Carpenter at AARP wanted to find out more, and interviewed me for their blog in the “The ShAARP Session.”
The spark of an idea: the Video iPod
Beth asked me to discuss how technology changed accessibility, and some cool technologies that work for More >
“iPad a Therapeutic Marvel for People with Disabilities” – New York Times
Nov 1st, 2010
In my “Masters of the Univers(al)” post, I broadly outlined how some of our everyday technologies also significantly benefits people with disabilities. Since writing this, a New York Times article came out citing the iPad as a therapeutic tool for people with disabilities, and I just had to add this to the list.
Apple, you’re doing great. Keep up the good work! As Representative Ed. Markey (D-MA) remarks in this NYT article, “Apple is an outlier when it comes to devices that are accessible out of the box.” Hopefully Apple can continue to do great work in this area, and that More >
Hearing Technology: The Cochlear Implant
Oct 22nd, 2010
A Technology Pioneer
I’ve been a gadget head since I was 3 years old. Literally. I got a cochlear implant, a small, complex electronic device that can provide a sense of sound to a person who is profoundly deaf or hard-of-hearing. This experience marked the beginning of my personal vision for universal design in accessibility through technology. I get a lot of questions about this experience and how it’s relevant to developing Keen Guides, a company committed to universal design and accessibility to engage with the arts and culture around us. If you’re interested, I’ve included insights on what it was More >
Masters of the Univers(al)
Oct 14th, 2010
Do you:
• use text messaging? • talk with a friend or relative in another city through video chat? • follow audio turn-by-turn directions on your GPS? or • tell your phone to “call home” through voice commands?
If you said “yes” to one of the above, I’d like to thank you.
Why the gratitude, you may ask? Well, because you’re supporting universal technology design. So when you’re using these applications, you’re encouraging Apple, Google, Microsoft, etc., to continue making these applications better. And better doesn’t just mean faster speeds and more features. Besides being great for calling your family or getting directions, More >