A Challenge to Developers: Software to Help People with Disabilities
Wednesday, April 08, 2015
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- Xian Horn uses ski poles to move around the city. (The Connectability Challenge/The Connectability Challenge)
It's been nearly 25 years since President George H.W. Bush signed the Americans With Disabilities Act, bringing changes to our built environment, like ramps and guard rails. Now there's a new effort to help people with disabilities, using the devices many of us now feel we can't live without, like smartphones.
The Connect Ability Challenge, from NYU and AT&T, focuses specifically on software and wearable technology.
To encourage inventors, NYU and AT&T are making four “exemplars” with four different disabilities available as testers.
Xian Horn, an exemplar with cerebral palsy, is hoping to see hands-free technology. She relies on ski poles to help her move around.
“I had a conversation with one of my doormen, and he said he regularly sees people walking into poles. So I think hands-free doesn’t just benefit me or other people with disabilities.”
The top prize in the competition is $100,000.
The winners will be announced 26th, the same day the ADA became law.
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ILYA MARRITZ
Ilya Marritz covers business for WNYC.
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