Welcome to the September edition of Continual Engine’s monthly newsletter. This edition brings together a diverse range of important news articles and insightful updates, with the goal of sharing relevant information on the most recent advancements and trends in the fields of accessibility and education:
- A comprehensive overview of upcoming events that Continual Engine will be hosting or attending, providing opportunities for networking and active participation.
- Inspiring Stories: First Deaf Contestant on Bake Off and 11-Year-Old Scarborough Kickboxer Break Barriers
- Recap: Continual Engine's Involvement in the Zero Project India Conference 2023
- Highlighting Key News Articles: Canada's Investment in Disability Employment, STEM Inclusivity For Scientists With Disabilities, Disability Benefits, AI Research, 3D Printing, Climate Change Mitigation, Advancing Disability Inclusion in the Workplace and Canada's Path to Improvement.
We hope that you will find this edition to be both engaging and packed with information. Please feel free to reach out to us with any feedback or questions you may have.
Continual Engine
I. Upcoming Learning Opportunities
1. Continual Engine with Vision Empower will Conduct a Workshop and Exhibit at the Upcoming Empower 2023 Assistive Technology Conference
Continual Engine will be hosting a workshop along with Vision Empower and exhibiting at the upcoming Empower 2023 Assistive Technology Conference.
Mark your calendars for October 5th, 2023, as the workshop will take place at the IIT Madras Research Park in Taramani, Chennai, from 02 – 03 pm IST. Our workshop is centered around the vital theme of “Digital Content Accessibility for Persons with Visual Impairment”. Our Continual Engine team will dive into the specific topic of “Transforming Learning: Advancing Accessibility Through AI in STEM and Management Subjects.”
In addition to the workshop, we will also be exhibiting at the conference from October 5th to 7th, 2023, where we look forward to engaging with you.
We invite you to unite with us as we strive to forge a more inclusive and equitable future. We will look forward to your participation at the conference.
2. Continual Engine's Participation at the 2023 M-Enabling Summit
We would like to announce that Continual Engine is confirmed to attend the M-Enabling Summit 2023! This year’s conference is scheduled from October 10th to 12th, 2023, and it will be held in the city of Washington, DC.
The M-Enabling Summit is an annual conference hosted by the Global Initiative for Inclusive Information and Communication Technologies (G3ict), dedicated to advancing accessible technologies and environments for both individuals with disabilities and older adults. Continual Engine is happy to contribute to this event, championing accessibility and offering insights into our range of accessibility solutions, which includes:
- Automated Image Alt Text (Invicta™)
- Document Remediation (PREP)
- Automated PowerPoint Accessibility
- Automated Video Closed Captions & Audio Descriptions
- Online Course Accessibility
If you’re attending the 2023 M-Enabling Summit and wish to learn more about our accessibility solutions, please don’t hesitate to contact@continualengine.com to arrange a meeting with our Senior Vice President of Growth & Strategy, Vijayshree (VJ) Vethantham. We look forward to seeing you at the event.
3. Continual Engine's Presence at the Upcoming 26th Annual Accessing Higher Ground Conference 2023
Continual Engine is going to attend and exhibit at the in-person 26th Annual Accessing Higher Ground: Accessible Media, Web & Technology Conference 2023. Join us at the Hilton Denver City Center in Denver, Colorado, from November 6th to November 10th, 2023.
Our contribution to the event includes an informative session titled ‘AI for Extended Audio Descriptions and Closed Captions: Why Does It Matter?’. We’ll explore how the synergy between artificial intelligence (AI) and human intervention is transforming video accessibility, fostering inclusivity, and enhancing user experiences for all users, including those with disabilities.
For AHG conference attendees who are eager to discover our suite of accessibility solutions, feel free to reach out to us at contact@continualengine.com to arrange a meeting with our Senior Vice President of Growth & Strategy, Vijayshree (VJ) Vethantham. We look forward to seeing you at the conference.
II. Empowering Stories In The News
A woman from Bristol has been named as The Great British Bake Off’s first deaf contestant. Participation officer Tasha Stones, 27, will be one of 12 people competing on the Channel 4 show when it returns in September. She will be accompanied by a British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter.
An 11-year-old champion kickboxer has proved deafness is no barrier to sporting success after punching her way to several world title wins. Limerick Goodwin, who is bilaterally deaf, is fast becoming a rising star, according to coach Kris Crump. The Scarborough schoolgirl uses a special radio aid to communicate with her coach when training and competing.
III. PAST EVENTS
1. Continual Engine Participated in the Zero Project India Conference 2023
Continual Engine was part of the Zero Project India Conference 2023, which took place from September 19th to 20th at the Le Meridien Hotel in New Delhi, India.
The “Zero Project India Conference,” with the support of Omidyar Network India, illuminated the Indian disability landscape during its two-day run. Their commitment aimed to promote inclusivity, eliminate barriers, and open up a world of opportunities for everyone.
Our team had showcased Continual Engine’s innovative accessible solutions, PREP and Invicta™. These solutions had a profound impact on the world by helping educational institutions, publishers, and organizations create inclusive learning environments.
If you want to learn more about our solutions, feel free to reach out to us at contact@continualengine.com.
V. News Articles On Accessibility
Building on the government of Canada’s commitment to improve inclusion and financial security of Canadians with disabilities, today, the Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities, Kamal Khera, announced nearly $73 million in funding under the Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities (OF) to support 31 projects that organizations across Canada will launch this year.
According to a 2019 National Science Foundation report, only 10 percent of employed scientists and engineers self-identify as having at least one disability, despite the fact that almost 20 percent of all undergraduates self-report the same, with disabled undergraduates enrolling in STEM programs at roughly the same rate as those without.
The cost of some disability benefits could “soar” unless action is taken to improve the health of people about to retire, research suggests. The annual bill for pensioners claiming Personal Independence Payment (PIP) benefits could jump by 75% to £10.5 billion by 2033, say pension consultants LCP. A rise would be driven by increases in heart disease, back pain, mental illness and other health problems.
The Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Accessibility Research Symposium 2023 Report provides summaries, transcripts, and videos of the international symposium exploring the positive and negative impacts of artificial intelligence (AI) in digital accessibility.
ANZAGG is in the process of creating guidelines for 3D printing for touch readers. This work was conducted in collaboration with an ARC Linkage Project led by Monash University to investigate 3D printing for access to graphics for people who are blind or have low vision. Thanks are extended to members of the ANZAGG 3D printing group for their contributions to the guidelines.
Governments globally continue to introduce new regulations in an effort to motivate companies to decarbonize their supply chains. In 2019, the UK became the first G7 economy to pass legislation in support of reaching net zero emissions by 2050, and in January of this year, the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directives (CSRD) came into force, ushering in ambitious sustainability strategies and increased transparency.
Approximately 30 percent of Canadian adults are living with some form of disability. In 2019, the Canadian Government put in place the Accessible Canada Act, setting itself the ambitious goal of becoming a barrier-free society by 2040. Given the reality that many of us will experience disability at some point – either through becoming the caretaker of a relative or individually – implementation of the Government’s plan is crucial.
According to the World Health Organization, around 16 percent of the world’s population, just over one billion people, are living with a disability. In Canada, research shows that up to 30 percent of Canadians are living with a disability. That includes people with mental health conditions, mobility issues, or visual and hearing loss. It also includes people who may not fall under traditional definitions of disability, such as those with auto-immune or other chronic conditions.
