CACP produces and hosts events in Atlanta, as well as traveling nationally and internationally to present the research outputs of the faculty and staff.
Helena Mitchell appointed to GT President’s Committee on Disabilities and Access
Helena has been appointed by Dr. Bud Peterson, President of Georgia Tech to serve on the committee which is charged with broad oversight responsibilities to ensure that GT meets its responsibilities and obligations under the ADA and related laws. The appointment is for two years.
Helena Mitchell Presented at NENA 2013 Conference & Expo
The National Emergency Number Association (NENA) will hold its annual Conference and Expo on June 5-20, 2013 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Wireless RERC Principal Investigator and CACP Executive Director, Helena Mitchell, PhD, will present Current 9-1-1 & Alerting Trends for People with Disabilities, reporting data on how people with disabilities receive public alerts and their preferences and practices for contacting emergency services. NENA’s educational tracks, among other things, will address NG911, accessibility, text-to-911, public outreach, and Geographical Information Systems (GIS). By attending NENA 2013 you will join thousands of public safety professionals, telecommunications specialists, and federal, state, and local policymakers for a week aimed at developing an understanding the near and long-term issues facing public safety and the skills needed to address challenges.
Conference Website:
http://www.nena.org/?page=NENA2013
Federal Budget Presentation for FY2014
The Georgia Tech Office of Government and Community Relations and Policy@Tech cordially invite you to join them at the Clough Commons, Room 144, on Thursday, May 30, at 2:00 p.m. for a presentation about the proposed federal budget for FY2014. Mr. Robert Knotts, Director of Federal Relations at Georgia Tech, will provide an overview of the budget and discuss how it could impact the Georgia Tech community. He also will be able to answer any relevant questions about the federal budget and its implications for Tech.
This discussion is open to all faculty, staff, and students at Georgia Tech. Light refreshments will be served. Please RSVP to nathan.moon@gatech.edu.
CACP is a partner center of Policy@Tech (http://policy.gatech.edu).
Who: Mr. Robert Knotts, Director of Federal Relations
What: FY2014 Federal Budget Presentation
Where: Clough Undergraduate Learning Commons, Rm. 144 (Auditorium)
When: Thursday, May 30, 2013 at 2:00 p.m.
Join us at HEAL on April 23rd
The annual Georgia Tech Healthy Environments & Active Lifestyles (HEAL) Open House event will be held April 23, 2013 from 5pm – 8:30pm, featuring demonstrations of student class projects and research from several Georgia Tech organizations, including: The Aware Home Research Initiative, The Center for Assistive Technology and Environmental Access (CATEA), the Wireless RERC (Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center), Design and Technology for Healthy Aging, and others.
These organizations have come together around a common theme: to showcase the great work being done at Georgia Tech related to independence through better design of environments and application of design and technology to improve the lives of people of all abilities. Georgia Tech students and faculty will be available in an open house setting to share their projects and research with you and hear your constructive feedback.
Please RSVP if you plan to attend (http://www.healatgt.gatech.edu/content/RSVP)
Scholarship of STEM Teaching and Learning Conference
Nathan W. Moon recently delivered two presentations at the 2nd Annual Scholarship of STEM Teaching and Learning Conference at Georgia Southern University in Statesboro. The poster presentation, “Formative Evaluation of the USG STEM II Initiative,” shared key findings from CACP’s evaluation of the University System of Georgia’s STEM Initiative, which seeks to improve student success in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) in Georgia’s colleges and universities. The interactive session, “Improving Accessibility and Inclusion in STEM,” discussed the importance of making STEM instruction accessible for students with disabilities. The presentation showcased several Georgia Tech projects that provide teachers and faculty with practical resources to meet the needs of students with disabilities.
View PresentationView the poster presentation
Salimah LaForce Secures Funding for Local Public School’s STEM Lab
Salimah LaForce, CACP Research Analyst and Chair of Bolton Academy PTA’s Grant Writing Committee has secured a grant to fund a Science Education & Active Learning (SEAL) Lab for grades 2 – 5 to enhance project based, hands on learning of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The SEAL Lab mission is to enrich the students’ science education experience and advance their understanding of themselves, the planet and the universe; with a near-term goal of positively impacting academic achievement and the long-term goal of preparing them to succeed in the 21st century workplace. This grant was awarded by the Lowe’s Charitable Educational Foundation on January 10th, 2013. Since the inception of the award, Lowe's has helped more than 1,000 schools across America to implement projects that help improve and strengthen their schools and communities. CACP is honored to participate in this initiative, which will further enhance and support the Common Core Georgia Performance Standards and STEM education.
Policy @ Tech Speakers Series
The CACP and The Policy@Tech Speakers Series co-sponsored a presentation by Dr. Michael Marcus on October 22, 2012 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Centergy building, room 5126. His commentary was on The FCC as Seen from the Inside…
The Federal Communications Commission has a major impact on the telecommunications industry in both technical and nontechnical regulation. This talk from a retired FCC insider will examine the nature of FCC in today's industry as it struggles to keep up with a growing and dynamic industry under a basic 1934 law with a few amendments and the 1946 Administrative Procedures Act for procedural guidance. How does the FCC cope with these demands in an increasing polarized Washington? By contrast, its UK counterpart, Ofcom, is a somewhat parallel organization with respect to jurisdiction but was created a few years ago with a very different structure. He compared the productivity of the two.
Nathan Moon Panelist @ APA-NSF
Nathan W. Moon served as a panel respondent at the American Psychological Association-National Science Foundation meeting on Women with Disabilities in STEM Education, October 15-17, 2012. The meeting was held at Gallaudet University in Washington, DC.
CACP appointment to RESNA committee
Nathan W. Moon was recently appointed chair of the Government Affairs Committee for RESNA, the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America, for the 2012-2013 year. RESNA is the premier professional organization dedicated to promoting the health and well-being of people with disabilities through increasing access to technology solutions.
See press release for more information
Helena Mitchell respondent at Broadband Policy Experts' Workshop
Helena Mitchell served as respondent during the three day experts' workshop "Evaluating and Assessing Broadband Policy". The workshop brought together about twenty American and international experts as part of a series focused on making policy research accessible. The workshop was held in Washington, DC on September 19-21, 2012.
37th Annual Natural Hazards Research and Applications Workshop
DeeDee Bennett participated in a panel discussion entitled “Evidence-Based Best Practices for Disability Issues” at the 37th Annual Natural Hazards Research and Applications Workshop. The topics from the panel included the state of research on disabilities and disasters and how this evidence is being translated (or not translated) into best practices. Additionally, Ms. Bennett was a recorder for other sessions during this workshop. The workshop was held in Broomfield, Colorado on July 14-17, 2012. Some topics included: GIS, healthcare research, National Disaster Recovery Framework, and recovery best practices.
CACP awarded NCD grant
The Center for Advanced Communications Policy (CACP) at the Georgia Institute of Technology has been awarded a grant from the National Council on Disability to conduct a study on effective communication for people with disabilities before, during, and after emergencies. Dr. James D. White, Director of Communications Studies in the CACP is the PI for this project.
Winning! SERG wins Poster Competition!
The Southeast Regional Group (SERG) of BCS – The Charted Institute for IT won the BCSWomen poster competition! We are proud to know that our poster will be reproduced and used in schools to inspire young girls and young women to consider careers in IT and computing. The poster will also be used to encourage girls to participate in the Young Rewired State Festival at Bletchley Park in the United Kingdom. Feel free to print and display the winning submission poster. Help spread the word – IT’s for you too!
(Back)CACP Awarded Contract for Evaluation of USG STEM Initiative
The Center for Advanced Communications Policy has received a contract from the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia (USG) for FY 2013. Led by Dr. Nathan W. Moon (PI), CACP will continue its external evaluation of the USG STEM Initiative, a program to improve student success in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) throughout Georgia’s colleges and universities.
Public Policy Luncheon Series: 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010
On Monday, May 21, 2012, the CACP and FCBA co-sponsored a luncheon entitled: “The Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010″(CVAA). Under the leadership of Dr. James White, Director of Communications Studies at the CACP, the annual Public Policy Luncheon Series brings together local, state and federal government leaders, industry representatives and a diverse set of stakeholders to address the public policy issues facing the telecommunications industry, particularly pertaining to accessibility for persons with disabilities.
More information about the luncheon.
End of the Phone System Workshop
Helena Mitchell
presented “Great Expectations: Keeping People with
Disabilities Connected in a Wireless Future” at The End of the Phone System workshop. Her
presentation discussed how academia, through
evidence based research, is forming the
development of wireless technology policy and
pushing to make accessibility a key component of
federal rulemakings. The workshop was held at
the Wharton Business School at the University of
Pennsylvania on May 16-18, 2012. Some topics
included: Impacts on universal service, disability
access, emergency services (911), and public safety,
as well as implications for the National Broadband
Plan.
Wireless RERC Accessibility Summit @ CTIA Show
CTIA, The Wireless Association hosted its annual conference from May 8 – 10, 2012 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Wireless RERC held an Accessibility Summit entitled, “Ready, Set, Go!: Near and Long-term Strategies to implement New Federal Accessibility Requirements,” on May 9, 2012. The Summit included a two-part moderated discussion with representatives from the FCC, wireless industry, consumer advocacy, and academia on what the wireless industry needs to do now and in the future to be compliant with the 21st Century Video and Accessibility Act (CVAA) and take advantage of new market opportunities.
Panelists include: • Rosaline Crawford – FCC – [view presentation] • Adrienne Biddings - Google • Susan Mazrui - AT&T • Paul Schroeder - American Foundation for the Blind • Andrew Phillips - National Association of the Deaf • John Morris - Wireless Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center
Additional Information: 2012 International CTIA Wireless
James White Presents at UCP 2012 in Washington D.C.
Dr. James White's presentation Employment Prospects in a Digital World on April 27, 2012 during the annual United Cerebral Palsy conference in Washington, DC, outlined the promise that the networked economy holds to change the employment situation for people with disabilities. It concluded with recommendations to change the way the world of work operates and provide many more avenues for employment, especially for youth with disabilities.
View presentation
Turing @ Tech, a series of events to commemorate the centenary of mathematician and computing pioneer Alan Turing’s birth, was a great success. Sponsored by the Southeast Regional Group of BCS: The Chartered Institute for IT and CACP, the celebration included a film showing and a symposium and luncheon. Turing @ Tech kicked off with a viewing of Breaking the Code on Thursday, April 19, 2012. Faculty and students from Georgia Tech and Emory University turned out to view this film adaptation of Hugh Whitemore’s award-winning play about Alan Turing’s years at Bletchley Park during World War II.
On Friday, April 20, 2012, Turing @ Tech culminated with a symposium and luncheon that drew attendees from Georgia Tech, Furman University in South Carolina, as well as the Atlanta area. The panel discussion was moderated by Georgia Tech doctoral candidate Irina Nikiforova, and it included Prof. Kevin Treu from Furman University, Mr. Neil Kimber from Fiserv and Fellow of BCS, Prof. Ian Bogost from Georgia Tech, and Emory University graduate student Alan Gould. Each panelist discussed Alan Turing’s legacy and his influence on their body of work, as well as his impact on mathematics, computer science, cryptography, robotics, and developmental biology.
Panelists agreed that Turing remains underappreciated although his influence remains quite strong. Prof. Treu drew upon his own course on Alan Turing to explain why college freshmen should study his life and work, while Mr. Kimber related his personal experiences of learning about Turing’s contributions as a young computer programmer. A little known fact is that Turing authored the first chess program even before a computer existed to run it. The discussion then shifted to discuss more specific topics, such as artificial intelligence. Prof. Bogost discussed the relevance of Turing’s ideas for videogames, while Mr. Gould related how Turing’s ideas can reach beyond computing to address more philosophical concerns. For more details, please contact nathan.moon@cacp.gatech.edu.
Breaking the Code
Georgia Tech Student Center Theatre, Atlanta, GA April 19, 2012
6:00 PM-9:00 PM
2012 is the Centenary of the birth of Alan Turing, one of the founders of computing as a scientific and engineering discipline. A viewing of the biographical film, "Breaking the Code" was featured.
James White to present at ISA
James White presented at the 2012 International Studies Association Conference in San Diego, CA from April 1-4, 2012.(Back)
STEM Teaching and
Learning Conference
Presenting for Dr. Nathan W. Moon (who was unable to attend due to an emergency), Dr. Kamau I. Bobb delivered two presentations at the Scholarship of STEM Teaching and Learning Conference at Georgia Southern University, in Statesboro, on Friday, March 9, 2012:
"USG STEM Initiative: Overview and
Lessons Learned" presents key findings from the
evaluation of the University System of Georgia (USG)
STEM Initiative. It also
discusses how the STEM I Initiative (2007-2011) was
revised and re-competed as the STEM II Initiative
(2011-present).
View
USG STEM Initiative [PowerPoint]
"STEM Enhancement Programs: The
National Context" presents initial findings from a
literature review and online survey of state-level
STEM enhancement initiatives throughout the United
States. Our research finds that
42 states have developed such initiatives, with 30
of them focusing on improvements to STEM education
at the postsecondary level. Our
research examines initiative missions, demographics,
programmatic components, and outcomes.
View STEM Enhancement Program [PowerPoint]
(Back)
TV, Radio, Mobile Alerting for
Weather Emergencies: And the Winner is…
Frank Lucia presented “TV,
Radio, Mobile Alerting for Weather Emergencies: And
the Winner is…” at the
66th Interdepartmental Hurricane
Conference in Charleston, SC, March 5-8, 2012.
The presentation highlighted results from the
Wireless RERC’s survey and focus groups on the
accessibility of the national EAS test.
Abstract [PDF]
Handouts [PowerPoint]
(Back)
CSUN 2012
James White, Ph.D. presented "Employment Prospects in a Digital World" at the CSUN Conference held in San Diego, CA, February 27 - March 3, 2012.
(Back)
Wireless RERC Testifies
Before U.S. Access Board
Helena Mitchell
presented the testimony of the Wireless RERC
regarding the U.S. Access Board’s Second
Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (2nd
ANPRM) [Docket No. 2011-07 or RIN No. 3014-AA37]
at the 27th Annual CSUN Conference. The
ANPRM asked for comments addressing
information and communication technology (ICT)
accessibility standards issued under Section 508 of
the Rehabilitation Act and additional guidelines
issued under Section 255 of the Telecommunications
Act of 1996. The proposed guidelines and
requirements include various accessibility aspects
of Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
including functional performance, technical
requirements, hardware and audio output
functionality, real time simultaneous conversation
via audio, text, and video, and product support and
services. The Wireless RERC testimony
presented a number of recommendations including that
the Access Board explicitly include the World Wide
Web Consortium’s Mobile Web Best Practices guide as
a resource for making mobile content accessible;
that the guidelines include speech input as a user
control for ICT; and that in addition to Braille
instructions, voice recognition be included to
initiate speech mode for ICT. The Wireless RERC also
recommended that ICT should not be subject to
“equivalent facilitation,” but instead the
guidelines should ensure that people with
disabilities are included in research and
development of ICT to ensure accessibility and
universal design is built into the device,
suggesting that this inclusion would alleviate the
need for retrofitting and aftermarket add-ons to
achieve accessibility.
[Source: U.S. Access Board,
Wireless RERC]
Wireless RERC Testimony
The Brunch &
Learn, IT’s for you too: the
female dynamic in information technology
education and careers held on
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 was a great
success with the attendance of students,
professors, faculty, staff, and
professionals. The event was co-hosted
by the
Southeast Regional Group of BCS –
The Charted Institute for IT
and the
Center for the Study of Women,
Science and Technology
at the Georgia Institute of Technology.
Our three guest speakers, Rénu Kulkarni,
Dr. Cheryl Leggon, and Elle Creel
provided a basis for a lively
discussion. Dr. Cheryl Leggon, a
prominent leader in research of minority
women in science and engineering,
discussed the dichotomy of female
underrepresentation in the technology
industry despite the fact that “tech
companies with more women managers have
a 34% higher return on investment.”
Renu Kulkarni, the Founder and Executive
Director of FutureMediaSM
celebrated female role models in IT such
as Sheryl Sandberg, COO Facebook, and
Padmasree Warrior, CTO Cisco. Though
there is less participation in the IT
workforce compared to males, as a group,
women still receive half of all given
awards and honors. Elle Creel, the
undergraduate student body president at
the Georgia Institute of Technology,
wrapped up the talks nicely with her own
experience as a young woman in a male
dominant institute. She ended with
advice on taking up not just female
mentors, but male mentors as well, in
order to maintain a balanced perspective
of the scientific workforce and benefit
from both points of view. The attendees
left with resources and confidence to
further advance their careers. With
diverse speakers and attendees, the
discussion heated with excitement and
passion about increasing the female
presence in science, technology and
engineering. We’re looking forward to
future events. To get on the list send
an e-mail to
Salimah@cacp.gatech.edu.
View pictures of the
event and the speakers’ presentations:
Cheryl Leggon
Presentation [PDF]
Rénu Kulkarni
Presentation [PDF]
(Back)
