Inclusive Workforce
Reflections from a Brief Detour
About a month ago, I was “temporarily disabled” – I could not move without severe abdominal pain. I was diagnosed with appendicitis and had to undergo emergency surgery to remove the offending organ because it had enlarged to roughly threefold the average size. During the recovery, I was bedridden and under the constant care of […]
Reflections from a Brief Detour
About a month ago, I was “temporarily disabled” – I could not move without severe abdominal pain. I was diagnosed with appendicitis and had to undergo emergency surgery to remove the offending organ because it had enlarged to roughly threefold the average size. During the recovery, I was bedridden and under the constant care of […]
NDEAM: Recognizing Progress and Potential
(Image Description: Erich addresses participants at the AI Fairness for People with Disabilities workshop on Oct 4th in Cambridge, MA) Before October gets away from me, I wanted to recognize and appreciate IBM’s rich history & culture of real inclusion. When a company implements small-but-meaningful practices, rather than just tracking the general diversity numbers of […]
A look back on my summer internship with the IBM Accessibility team
After spending my sophomore and junior years working on assistive technology projects with Northwestern University’s Inclusive Technology Lab, the opportunity to explore accessibility research at IBM was an exciting introduction into the industry. I worked on everything from server configuration to front-end development to design research interviews. This broad range of experience made for a […]
Reflection During National Disability Employment Awareness Month
National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) is nearing its halfway point, and we would like to reflect on its theme of “America’s Workforce: Empowering All.” For more than 100 years, IBM has embodied that theme by practicing disability inclusion. While there is (always) still work to be done, we are excited and awed by what […]
Advancing the design of NavCog
Every day, over 2.5 million people travel in and out of airports[1]. While air traveling has become an integral part of our lives and despite efforts to provide entertainment, comfort, and assistance, airports cause stress and anxiety. In fact, a recent study found that about 80% of people feel tense when traveling through the airport[2]. […]
Puzzle Solving with Computer Vision and Watson Services
Who doesn’t love the challenge of solving a puzzle? Jigsaw puzzles are a popular hobby for all ages and have been an important tool in a child’s physical, cognitive and emotional development. Children can develop physical skills such as better hand/eye coordination; cognitive skills such as shape recognition, memory, and problem solving; and emotional skills […]
Call for Code Brings Unique Opportunities for Inclusive Innovations
These are exciting times at IBM, following CEO Ginni Rometty’s May 24th announcement about Call for Code. As Laurent Sauveur of the United Nations Human Rights office points out, Call for Code is an excellent opportunity to explore how technology can play a role in addressing the needs of the most vulnerable populations. IBMer Daniel […]
Erich Manser Inducted into The Carroll Society
Today IBM Accessibility evangelist Erich Manser was inducted into The Carroll Center for the Blind’s Carroll Society. Each year the Carroll Center for the Blind and the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind recognize blind and visually impaired professionals who have made significant contributions to the companies for which they work. Established in 1936, The Carroll Center […]
Free Accessibility Tools and Technology Pay It Forward
May 17 marks the seventh anniversary of Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD). GAAD was introduced to spark a conversation around digital accessibility to get people thinking and learning about accessibility. While the conversation is important, we must remember this is not a theoretical exercise. These are real challenges affecting people daily, but tackling these challenges […]