As I stepped outside my front door today, I
knew where I would rather be. San Diego! When the snow whipped through Southern
and Central Alberta last night and early this morning, it appeared that the
optimism of my last post was definitely premature. However, there was another
reason for thinking specifically of San Diego.
In the past few days, San Diego has been
the site for the annual CSUN Conference. From grass roots beginnings at the
California State University some 27 years ago, the conference has skyrocketed
to become the largest of its kind in the world. To quote its website, the
conference is a place where “researchers, practitioners, exhibitors, users,
speakers and other participants share knowledge and best practices in the field
of assistive technology. The conference is a forum that showcases cutting edge
technology and practical solutions that can be utilized to remove the barriers
that prevent full participation of persons with disabilities in educational,
workplace and social settings.”
When Lyle and I visited San Diego last year
I remember being impressed with the proactive stance that the city had taken
towards accessibility issues. Perhaps some of the innovations might result from
suggestions made through the CSUN Conference. What better place then for Humanware to
announce the celebration of its 25 anniversary.
Humanware is a company that promotes and
delivers innovations in assistive technology. Its logo is See Things
Differently. In its most recent newsletter, Gilles Pepin, CEO of Humanware,
is quoted as saying, “From the very beginning in 1988, our goal has always been
to help people with visual impairment and learning disabilities by giving them
the independence to participate effectively in the sighted world. Our
technology has always maintained its human touch.”
I met Gilles Pepin in Drummonville, site of
the company headquarters, when Lyle and I were on the White Cane Connections
walk last summer. I found Gilles to be a man of passion and vision. The company also exemplifies these qualities.
Humanware has numerous assistive devices in
its catalogue. Personally I use the Trekker Breeze and the Victor Stream and I
recommend both technologies. You can check these devices and many others out by
going to the Humanware website.
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