CTA Foundation Announces Accessibility Award Winners, Exhibitors, Programming at CES 2018

ARLINGTON, Va.--()--The Consumer Technology Association (CTA) Foundation, a national organization with the mission to link seniors and people with disabilities with technologies to enhance their lives, announced today accessibility-related programming and exhibits at CES® 2018. Owned and produced by CTA, CES is the global stage for innovation and will take place January 9-12 in Las Vegas, Nev.

The CTA Foundation is proud to host two new panels at CES 2018: Living Independently in Smart Homes, focusing on how smart home technologies are enabling greater independence for people regardless of age or ability; and Accessible Self Driving: Innovations for Independence, examining the benefits self-driving vehicles can provide the aging and disability community.

Also new for CES 2018: a pilot of the AccessibleOlli, the world’s most accessible self-driving vehicle, will be on display at Tech East in the Grand Lobby of the Las Vegas Convention Center. A crowd-sourcing initiative driven by the CTA Foundation, the AccessibleOlli prototype features cutting edge technologies produced by IBM and Local Motors.

“The CTA Foundation is proud to support companies working to help seniors and those with disabilities,” said Steve Ewell, executive director, CTA Foundation. “Whether it is in IoT, smart homes, robotics, health and fitness, vehicle tech, smart cities or any of the other innovative, breakthrough technologies at CES, we’re excited to see technology enabling independence for people of all ages and abilities across the show.”

Eureka Park, the home of startups during CES, will feature the five winners of the CTA Foundation Accessibility Contest: Blind Touch, Lili Smart, SignAll, SofiHub and Unaliwear. In partnership with Extreme Tech Challenge, the finalists were selected based upon their products’ potential to positively impact older adults and people with disabilities.

The Accessibility Marketplace will return to the second floor of the Sands Convention Center where companies exhibit technologies that help people of all ages and abilities live healthy, independent lives. Notable exhibitors include VFO and American Printing House for the Blind.

Additionally, advocates from prominent disability organizations will be at CES to engage with the industry around accessible technology. Organizations coming to CES 2018 include Hearing Loss Association of America, American Foundation for the Blind, Gallaudet University and World Institute on Disability.

To learn more visit CTAFoundation.tech.

About the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) Foundation:

The CTA Foundation, a public, national foundation affiliated with the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), was launched in 2012 with the mission to link seniors and people with disabilities with technologies to enhance their lives. The foundation strategically supports programs that affect these communities and facilitates dialog between industry, consumers, government, advocacy groups and other key stakeholders. For more information visit CTAFoundation.tech.

About CES:

CES® is the world's gathering place for all who thrive on the business of consumer technologies. It has served as the proving ground for innovators and breakthrough technologies for 50 years-the global stage where next-generation innovations are introduced to the marketplace. As the largest hands-on event of its kind, CES features all aspects of the industry. Owned and produced by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA)TM, it attracts the world's business leaders and pioneering thinkers. Check out CES video highlights. Follow CES online at CES.tech and on social.

About Consumer Technology Association:

Consumer Technology Association (CTA)™ is the trade association representing the $321 billion U.S. consumer technology industry, which supports more than 15 million U.S. jobs. More than 2,200 companies – 80 percent are small businesses and startups; others are among the world’s best known brands – enjoy the benefits of CTA membership including policy advocacy, market research, technical education, industry promotion, standards development and the fostering of business and strategic relationships. CTA also owns and produces CES® – the world’s gathering place for all who thrive on the business of consumer technologies. Profits from CES are reinvested into CTA’s industry services.

Contacts

Consumer Technology Association
Danielle Cassagnol, 703-907-5253
dcassagnol@CTA.tech
www.CTA.tech
or
Elliot Grimm, 703-907-5240
egrimm@CTA.tech

Contacts

Consumer Technology Association
Danielle Cassagnol, 703-907-5253
dcassagnol@CTA.tech
www.CTA.tech
or
Elliot Grimm, 703-907-5240
egrimm@CTA.tech