San Francisco International Airport Unveils Mobile App for Passengers with Visual Impairments
Airport demonstrates prototype phone application that can guide passengers through terminal.
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) recently unveiled a prototype version of a smartphone application that can help passengers with visual impairments navigate through an airport terminal. The app—developed through San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee's Entrepreneur-in-Residence Program, which paired SFO with Indoors, a leader in indoor navigation technology—was developed in a relatively short span of 16 weeks.
"This groundbreaking new innovation offers visually-impaired passengers something remarkable…the ability to navigate through SFO independently without assistance," said Airport Director John L. Martin. "I appreciate the collaboration with Indoors and the Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired, made possible by Mayor Ed Lee's Entrepreneur-in-Residence Program. This program demonstrates Mayor Lee's commitment to innovation."
The prototype app works in conjunction with approximately 500 beacons located throughout the terminal to audibly call out various points of interest, including gate boarding areas, restaurants, and even power outlets. The prototype version will undergo additional testing and refinement before being released for use by the traveling public.
More information is available at www.sfgov.org/mod and http://www.flysfo.com/services-amenities/accessibility.
Freedom Scientific Announces Membership in the Consumer Electronics Association
Freedom Scientific recognizes the value of collaborating with CEA and its membership community to work towards a common goal of providing equal access to consumers who are blind or have low vision.
"Technology will continue to play an increasingly important role in the development of solutions for our customers, and we intend to be engaged and conversant as the leader in our industry," said John Blake, President and CEO of Freedom Scientific. "We recognize the value of collaborating with this association and its many offerings."
The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) is most commonly known for producing the annual International CES in Las Vegas, the global gathering place for all who thrive on the business of consumer technology.
"We are happy to welcome Freedom Scientific to CEA and look forward to facilitating their participation in a variety of CEA member opportunities, from industry promotions and division initiatives to our industry events like our upcoming Innovate and 2015 CES," said Ellen Savage, senior director of membership, CEA. "Freedom Scientific's mission aligns closely with that of the CEA Foundation and we look forward to their input there as well as across many CEA member-focused programs."
Freedom Scientific looks forward to this new relationship and supports the CEA and its mission to make technology accessible to all consumers.
US Business Leadership Network Career Link Mentoring Program is Surveying Individuals with Disabilities
The college students from the US Business Leadership Network Career Link Mentoring Program are reaching out to college students with disabilities, employed adults with disabilities, and job seekers with disabilities to gather input for a handout that they are designing for employers. Take this quick survey and help to create a better atmosphere for the disclosure process in the workplace.
