TravelAbility Insider

The Intersection of Travel and Disability

Technology

3 Digital Experience Whizzes Deliberate the Future of Inclusive Design

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Wheelchair user at desk using computer to communicate with someone.

We live in a digital world, and a lack of accessibility in the websites, apps and digital products we use can cause many people to be left out.

A recent discussion hosted by digital design company InVision can help us all understand what designing for accessibility looks like in the digital world and why it is important for companies to do so in the future. Participants in this InVision Talk include Jake Abma (accessibility lead at ING, UN Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities ambassador, and Accessibility Guidelines Working Group member), Tom Smith (design lead at Aviva), and Soren Hamby (InVision’s design advocate, who is completing their masters in UX with a focus on diversity, inclusion, and accessibility).

To watch the talk and learn more about digital accessibility and design, click here.

Genius Bus App Shows Wheelchair Space Availability

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a smartphone with a pink and blue app that shows where spaces are free and how many

Advisory Board Member John Morris of Wheelchair Travel is always ahead of the news when it comes to accessible travel. His most recent find? An app that shows where wheelchair spots are available on local buses. While it’s still only in Europe, we see a groundswell of accessible technology solutions coming to the states soon. 

OUR TAKE: Advancing accessible transportation— what better way to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Americans With Disabilities Act? Learn more, here.

MUST WATCH! When Audio Transcription Fails (Hilariously)

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photo: illustration of a keyboard with hands; screen copy says audio transcription with a page, headphone and text icon

You might think that YouTube can capture the exact words from your video. But their transcription tool has more than few loopholes. The only thing funny about it is these two tech guys who show you just how bad audio transcription can bungle your copy. The example here is a Jamaica tour video. Watch it on YouTube, here.  

OUR TAKE: From a marketing point of view, this video makes clear that humor, truthiness, and great information make people sit up and pay attention to your message. Don’t be nervous to even make fun of yourself (and of course fix the problem). After watching it, you’ll really get why creating winning videos requires more than visual storytelling. All the moving parts need to be in place and double-checked before it will make a good impression.

The Latest in Mobility For Zoomers (you know, Boomers who will. not. stop.)

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The iLivingV8 is a blue scooter that has pedals and looks like a scooter
Looks like a kids scooter, rides like a Zoomer’s dream. photo: iliving

I’ve been going to CES for many years and based on my experience, here is the evolution of the accessibility section. About 10 years ago the health arena began to appear featuring exercise machines that became smarter with technology.  The next phase was focused on the concept of healing and how technology was being useful in measuring the process of pain elimination and healing.  The next development was IoT, the Internet of Things, where everything in daily life became connected through an ever-faster 4G and now 5G network.  A couple of years ago AI was introduced, basically, the age of machine learning and 2020 CES was the year that AI became mainstream. This means there are now customized solutions because machines are smarter and can be personalized to the needs of the user. —Laszlo Horvath CEO, Active Media.

Here, the three products you’ll see soon on the streets—and why:

  1. Zooming into the future…that’s how you feel when you test the new Segway S-Pod, a self-balancing wheelchair (also referred to by the company as a scooter or “an egg-shaped wheelchair”). Ok, so the design is a little wonky but it’s a hell of a ride, say people who tried it at 2020 CES.
  2. It’s a GPS. It’s a guide. It’s an alert system. It’s the… SEED Cane, a smart cane designed for blind people that gives the user and a guardian the location and any obstacles in their way as they walk. The cane, which was an honoree at the 2020 CES Innovation Awards, is independently powered, uses infrared signals and vibrations and syncs with smartphones.  
  3. We predict the iLiving V8 will soon achieve icon status among the senior set. The foldable mobility scooter was an honoree at 2020 CES in the accessibility category. The scooter’s sticker price is $4K and its target market is on-the-go seniors who can stash the compact design in the car. It’s lightweight and there are no tools needed so you won’t be needing to send mom and pops links to YouTube for instructions.

Free Advice on How to Make Your Website Accessible

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hands pointing to a laptop

“Creating an accessible website is not just about ADA compliance,” writes Ann Smarty of ConvinceandConvert.com. “It’s about creating an opportunity for a huge part of your potential customer base to purchase from you or to join your community.” Smarty (pants, sorry we couldn’t resist the pun) also implores: “Ignore this cohort and you fail to serve one-fifth of the U.S. population.” Her plan includes both short- and long-term goals, some do-able in a matter of hours or days. The basics:

  • use clear language
  • large buttons
  • accessible forms and
  • detailed alternative text and titles.

OUR TAKE: People with disabilities do much of their buying online—if and when the website they attempt to use is accessible. Let’s be honest—by leaving your website unaltered you’re basically sending a middle finger to the disability community. We feel so strongly about accessibility the TravelAbility Summit featured three different website developers, each with a different approach as well as defense and plaintiff to address the issue.