The Choice Group

Phil Swinford's house is full of tech that helps him live more independently, but he's betting it's also going to help him to walk again. (Phil Swinford plays music on his phone.Megan Wollerton/CNET) " OK Google , text Pamela ICE [in case of emergency]," says retired US Army Col. Phil Swinford from his home in the Virginia suburbs, roughly an hour's drive from Washington, DC. He's using Google Assistant on his Android phone to talk to his wife, Pam, who's working today at her consignment shop, the Copper Cricket, a few miles away. I'm listening in, which feels a little too invasive, but it's OK: This text is just for demo purposes. "Sure," Google's AI responds. "What's the message?" "Hey, babe. I love you," Phil says clearly and deliberately into his phone. "I got, 'Hey, babe. I love you,'" it speaks back to him. "Do you wanna send it or change it?" "Send i...

Many recent news articles are pointing toward the future of technology when it comes to making the world more accessible to those who have disabilities.  Lots of billion dollar corporations are spending large amounts of money on research and development in this arena.  That is great news!  At The Choice Group, we utilize all of the current technology we have available when it comes to assisting our clients such as training clients on apps that help them stay organized with their schedules, contacts, and transportation! Google Challenge Initiative: Disability, has awarded millions of dollars in grants to these 30 organizations to innovate a more accessible world.  From 3-D printed prosthetics to mapping accessible locations to interactive job interview training, many of these non-profits are looking to make a huge difference. Here's the latest article we've come across from DisabilityScoop.com (Photo from Google.org) Google Awards Millions For D...

Accessibility and inclusion are huge topics among the Tech community these days.  Technology has reached a point where it can truly impact how a person with a disability lives their lives on a daily basis.  Between apps and built-in features on smartphones, these hand held devices could mean more accessibility for more people everywhere.  This article from USA Today  by Edward C. Baig not only gives an example of an amazing smartphone user climbing mountains with an app that connects to his hearing aide, it tells us all about the features on both the iPhone and Android that can help its users be handi-capable. Don't Let a Disability Stop You from Using Your Smartphone By: Edward C. Baig NEW YORK — As an expert mountain climber who guides clients at night up Mount Rainier in Washington state, Win Whittaker knows how critical it is to be able to listen for falling rock. Only Whittaker is hard of hearing, having gradually lost his hearing through the years be...

     What is so amazing about this article and so any others that we’ve come across is exactly that, the quantity!  There are so many events that we hear about facilitating creativity and technology to help people with disabilities.  This article by Christina Farr is about finding solutions to everyday tasks that may prove challenging with the use of crutches or wheelchairs.  Technology can broaden the scope of ability and accessibility for people that rely on them, ultimately achieving more and more through innovation and colaboration.   Techies and People With Disabilities Team Up for ‘Makeathon’ Corbett O’Toole wants to disrupt the wheelchair. I met O’Toole, a disability rights advocate, last Friday at a bustling maker space in downtown San Francisco. TechShop, a do-it-yourself workshop crammed with tools and equipment, was hosting a 72-hour “makeathon” for teams to develop assistive technology alongside people with disabilities. ...