The Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA) draws thousands of assistive technology practitioners, teachers, parents, caregivers, and persons with disabilities to its annual conference in Orlando, Florida. The event mixes educational sessions led by industry experts with exhibitions that allow attendees to try new assistive technologies that can potentially transform lives.
Assistant Secretary Glenna Wright-Gallo from OSERS/Department of Education discussed the Department’s first-issued guidance on assistive technology in "Assistive Technology and IDEA: New Resources for Schools, Practitioners, and Parents."
Xander was delighted to participate in ATIA 2024, which featured over 500 speakers, 300+ education sessions, and 125 exhibitors. Nearly 3,000 people attended ATIA in person, and it seemed like most stopped by our booth to demo XanderGlasses.
Photo credit: The Blind Life, 2024.
ATIA has built a strong community of accessibility advocates, and Xander made connections with Assistive Tech Centers and educational programs from several states. The Blind Life reported on “the coolest things” in assistive tech that attendees could demo in the ATIA Exhibition Hall. Xander was flattered to be highlighted among other helpful interventions like including NOA by biped.ai, a revolutionary vest worn like a backpack that guides people with blindness and low vision in complement to canes & dogs; Color InkConnect, the latest innovation in tactile graphics by ViewPlus that allows the blind to feel color in art; and Clevy, mechanical keyboards designed to accommodate those with impaired vision or motor skills.
Watch The Blind Life’s highlights of ATIA 2024.