Advancements in expanded telecommunications infrastructure has created a fertile landscape for greater inclusion and opportunity in society, particularly for people who are blind or have low vision. In this panel, we learn what happens when industry and innovators come together in concert with advocates in the field to take access to the next level, backed by smart policy choices supporting the licensed spectrum needed to take accessibility to the next level.
Dr. Pey and Mr. Bastian have worked closely together with voices from the field on finding solutions that enhance access and mobility, driven by access to licensed spectrum. At the same time, Dr. Ferrari has elevated our understanding of UX design to a higher level with an emphasis on usability. Together, their experiences spotlight how collaboration and inclusion can be a catalyst for creating a more accessible world. Case studies and methods will be shared on how inclusive design research and market research can assure that accessibility is incorporated in the early stages of product development.
Presenters
Zachary Bastian
Sr. Manager for Strategic Alliances, Verizon
Zachary Bastian leads disability, consumer, and senior partnerships for Verizon. In 2019, he received CTA’s Technology and Standards Achievement Award. Zachary serves on the FCC’s Disability Advisory Committee and numerous non-profit boards. He received a JD from George Washington University Law School in 2012.
Dr. Claire Ferrari
Principal Accessible UX Researcher, Verizon
Claire Ferrari holds a Ph.D. in Rehabilitation Sciences & Human-Computer Interaction and a master’s in interactive telecommunications.
As Principal UX Researcher at Verizon, Claire leads the company’s Inclusive Research practice. Her work is dedicated to empowering others to include people with disabilities in product design - pushing practices beyond compliance and improving experiences for all.
Dr. Tom Pey
CEO & Founder, WayMap
Having lost his sight at the age of 39, Dr Tom Pey moved from a career in international banking to the charity sector. Over the next 20 years, Tom earned a reputation for being a person who used his considerable energy to campaign for improvements to the lives of the blindness community. As Group CEO of the Royal Society for Blind Children, Tom transformed the charity from being a local organization providing education to 150 blind children to a national charity supporting over 4,000 vision-impaired young people and their families across the UK.
Tom was the founding Chairman of Wayfindr.org. With the support of Google.org, ustwo, Transport for London, and working with blind people across the world, Wayfindr led the development of the UN’s worldwide standard for audio-based navigation (ITU: F921). Working with colleagues in the USA and the CTA, Tom supported the development of the US standard (CTA 2076).
Tom is a co-founder of Waymap, an award-winning technology company that delivers a highly accurate, CTA standard-compliant indoor wayfinding and navigation solution for disabled and other users via their smartphones.
In 2019, Tom, alongside Zach Bastian from Verizon, received the CTA Award for Technology and Standards.
Moderator
Tony Stephens
AVP for Communications, AFB
