Event demonstrated technology designed to easily and affordably make work accessible for people who are blind
ALEXANDRIA, Va., Nov. 5, 2024—National Industries for the Blind added a new component to its annual conference this year: AccessTech, an accessible technology showcase and smart office featuring the latest accessible technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI). The conference and expo, “Empower,” focuses on expanding employment opportunities for people who are blind, low vision, or visually impaired. This year’s conference was held at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City.
“We were delighted to be able to feature so many new assistive technologies, including the latest offerings that use artificial intelligence,” said Doug Goist, a recognized leader in the field of accessible technology and the program manager of workforce development for NSITE, NIB’s talent management enterprise. “As the nation’s largest employment resource for people who are blind, NIB and its associated nonprofit agencies are the experts in how easy and affordable it is to make almost any job accessible. This opportunity allowed attendees to experience how technology has leveled the playing field.”
Employment numbers for people who are blind lag considerably behind those who are sighted, in spite of the large numbers of people who are blind and have college and secondary degrees. NIB and its talent management enterprise, NSITE, work diligently to educate employers on the benefits of hiring people who are blind, low vision or visually impaired. Many are ready, willing and highly qualified to work.
Some of the top technology in the world was showcased and/or beta tested at the conference, and the many attendees were excited to try out new and existing technologies.
Envision, a company dedicated to developing technology that is innovative and inclusive, demonstrated its new personal AI assistant ally as a companion to its Envision Glasses. Ally (also available as a mobile app) is an innovative tool designed to support people of all ages and abilities. Envision Glasses are an AI-powered, lightweight, hands-free tool that reads text, describes surroundings, recognizes objects and people and contacts connections on the go. Envision demonstrated this new technology for the first time in the U.S. at AccessTech and made it part of the showcase so attendees could try it.
The accessible technology showcase included a wide variety of tools, from tactile maps to new braille technology to a self-guided, AI-powered mobility aid. Demonstrations of apps and software that use AI technology included the Meta View app with Ray-Ban smart glasses and Be My Eyes/Be My AI on iPhone and iPad. Visitors tried products such as the Freedom Scientific PEARL, which grants users instant portable access to printed materials with an array of human-sounding voices, and more.
The smart office display featured workstations outfitted with technology designed with accessibility in mind. This included handheld video magnifiers that have built-in LEDs and a desktop video magnifier that is compact and foldable. JAWS (Job Access With Speech), Fusion and OpenBook scanning and reading software were demonstrated with the PEARL. Freedom Scientific’s Focus 40 Blue was also available in the Smart Office. It is a lightweight braille display with a user-friendly keyboard, convenient control panels and retooled Braille pins, making for smooth and quiet operation.
“There is so much new technology, and AccessTech provided a unique opportunity to see and experience all of it in one location,” explained Goist. “We were excited to see conference attendees and the public engage with these new technologies and learn more about our community.”
For more information on National Industries for the Blind, visit www.nib.org.
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About National Industries for the Blind
Incorporated in 1938, NIB is the nation’s largest employment resource for people who are blind, and through its network of associated nonprofit agencies, the largest employer of people who are blind in the U.S. NIB creates opportunities for people who are blind to become wage earners and taxpayers, reducing their reliance on government support and increasing engagement in their communities. The organization offers career training and assists employers and employees in developing mutually beneficial workplaces. NIB’s vision is that blindness is not a barrier to employment. In 2021, NIB launched a national talent management enterprise known as NSITE. NSITE provides a continuum of employment services that connect employers with talented, dedicated people who are blind, low vision, or visually impaired, including veterans. For more information, visit www.nib.org or www.nsite.org.