Accessibility Innovations Exceed Expectations at 2014 M-Enabling Summit
Accessibility: A Driver for Mobile Innovation was the key theme of the 3rd annual M-Enabling Summit held in Washington, DC June 9-10, 2014. The two day event offered a robust conference program and networking events focused on the pace of innovation in accessible technology solutions.
BETHESDA, Maryland (June 23, 2014) —
Assembling the most successful edition to date with over a 10% increase in participation, the M-Enabling Summit set a unique stage to form new collaborations and outreach strategies, particularly among stakeholders who do not usually work together. The Summit brought together a variety of participants such as policy makers, application developers, mobile service provides, operating system vendors, organizations of seniors and persons with disabilities, device manufacturers and academics, large corporations, rehabilitation and special education professionals, as well and
industry experts from around the world.
Keynotes Senator Tom Harkin and Tom Wheeler, Chairman, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) addressed over 500 top-level attendees from around the world to the only mobile industry conference dedicated to promoting and implementing accessible mobile communications and services for senior citizens and persons with disabilities.
“The potential of broadband-enabled technology to improve the lives of Americans living with disabilities is almost limitless – but only if that technology is accessible,” stated Tom Wheeler, Chairman, Federal Communications Commission (FCC). As the global consumer technology continues to soar, accessibility is becoming a key factor in competition among IT vendors and service providers, directly benefiting the one billion users who live with disabilities.
The Summit saw a surge of support from top industry executives and community advocates. Mobile carriers and mobile device manufacturers introduced a striking display of accessible products and services. Sprint, AT&T, HP, Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), Microsoft, Verizon, EZ-Fire, Wells Fargo, Comcast, Disney, T-Mobile, IBM, Deque Systems, LinkedIn, and CTIA were among the 150 speakers and 35 high caliber showcase participants who presented their products and perspectives on the latest mobile accessibility technology breakthroughs.
As the mobile market continues to expand at a rapid pace, the need for accessible solutions continues to climb. Accessibility has become a key factor in ICT innovation, offering new growth opportunities.
The next M-Enabling Summit will be held June 1-2, 2015 in Washington, DC. For additional information on the M-Enabling Summit please visit: www.m-enabling.com
Follow us on Twitter: @mEnablingSummit and search for hashtag #menabling14 and #ChairmansAAA.
About G3ict
G3ict – the Global Initiative for Inclusive Information and Communication Technologies – is an advocacy initiative launched in December 2006 by the United Nations Global Alliance for ICT and Development, in cooperation with the Secretariat for the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities at UNDESA. Its mission is to facilitate and support the implementation of the dispositions of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) promoting digital accessibility and Assistive Technologies. Participating organizations include industry, academia, the public sector and organizations representing persons with disabilities. G3ict organizes or contributes to awareness-raising and capacity building programs for policy makers in cooperation with international organizations, such as the ITU, ILO, UNESCO, UNITAR, UNESCAP, UN Global Compact and the World Bank. G3ict produces jointly with ITU the e-Accessibility Policy Toolkit for Persons with Disabilities (http://www.e-accessibilitytoolkit.org), as well as specialized reports which are widely used around the world by policy makers involved in the implementation of the CRPD. For additional information on G3ict, visit www.g3ict.org.
About E.J. Krause & Associates
For more than 25 years, E.J. Krause & Associates, Inc. (EJK) has been a worldwide leader in exhibition and conference management. EJK is one of the largest privately held exhibition management companies in the world, with offices on four continents. EJK produces a growing portfolio of over 40 events, serving 14 different industries. We excel in creating global brand leading events, bringing companies together to network and generate business. For more information please visit www.ejkrause.com.
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