User Experience
Invention and inclusion: a two-way approach
Patenting is my passion and inclusion is my responsibility as an inventor. We should always think about how we can include all of the population in the technology we create. Invention and inclusion work very well together, as they can work in both directions. Together, we can invent to improve lives and make this world […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
What I Learned about Accessibility During My Summer with IBM
Guest post from Cynthia Chen, a senior at Lexington High School in Lexington, MA I don’t think I quite realized the importance of accessibility until I started my summer study at IBM. It is amazing what technology can do for people with disabilities. It’s also quite easy to forget that real people use these same solutions […]
Transforming Transportation for the World’s Aging Population and People with Disabilities
The earned privilege of driving tethers us only as far as the road, fuel, and our physical and cognitive abilities can take us. And, we all know what waits for us on the horizon as we age – losing the freedom to safely operate a vehicle. By teaming with the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) Foundation […]
Creating Accessible Solutions in Healthcare
I recently participated in an accessibility event with the University of Southern California (USC) Center for Body Computing and the Special Hope Foundation, which promotes the establishment of comprehensive healthcare for adults with developmental disabilities. The Center for Body Computing has a rich history of creating technology that helps people with disabilities. Their goal was […]
The Future of Accessibility Shines Bright
Guest post from Richard Schwerdtfeger, IBM CTO of Accessibility Twenty-six years ago I walked into the IBM TJ Watson Research Center to help create the very first Graphical User Interface Screen Reader for the IBM PC. I did not know it but the impact of making the Graphical User Interface accessible on Windows and OS/2 […]