CTA Foundation Showcases Accessibility Innovations at CES 2025

The Consumer Technology Association (CTA) Foundation recently concluded an impactful week at CES 2025, a premier event where creativity meets technology. The Foundation focused on enhancing accessibility, channeling its efforts into bringing together innovators and advocates dedicated to making technology inclusive and beneficial for everyone.

A Week of Celebration and Collaboration

Stephen Ewell, the Executive Director of the CTA Foundation, expressed the sentiment shared by many attendees: “CES 2025 was a celebration of creativity, collaboration, and the incredible potential of technology to promote inclusion and accessibility.” He noted with pride the commitment to supporting innovators working tirelessly towards a more accessible future.

The week was packed with events aimed at showcasing groundbreaking technologies that aim to reshape accessibility in digital and everyday life, promising a more inclusive future. From competitive presentations to roundtable discussions, each segment played a vital role in highlighting the advancements in the field.

The Innovation Challenge

One of the week's standout events was the CTA Foundation Innovation Challenge. This challenge aimed to improve digital healthcare accessibility for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Among the four finalists—Eyedaptic, MapHabit, ONSCREEN, Inc., and VIF—ONSCREEN, Inc. emerged as the champion for its innovative solution that empowers individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to effectively manage their healthcare journeys. The event's success was bolstered through collaborations with organizations such as the WITH Foundation and Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation (MEAF).

Networking and Discussions

The week also hosted an Accessibility Roundtable that assembled over 120 participants, including industry leaders and disability advocates. This event focused on discussing advancements in assistive technologies, inclusive design, and accessible solutions, facilitated by a partnership between various departments within CTA and the newly formed Accessibility and AgeTech Working Group. The discussions, made richer through support from Amazon, MEAF, MITRE, Ricoh, Salesforce, and Verizon, were pivotal in laying out the roadmap for future innovations.

Recognizing Emerging Technologies

Moreover, the Accessibility AgeTech Reception provided an informal platform for networking. Here, industry professionals and advocates exchanged insights and explored collaborative avenues to enhance accessibility further.

The Eureka Park Startup Stage featured the CTA Foundation Pitch Competition, supported by the Next50 Foundation and Canon, showcasing nine finalists who presented AI technologies designed to enhance health and accessibility for diverse age groups and abilities. The Grand Prize was awarded to MakeSense Technology for its navigation device, 'The Vector,' which aids individuals with low vision in outdoor navigation. Other notable participants included Sign-Speak and Voinosis, recognized as runner-up and Audience Choice winners respectively.

The week also featured an Accessibility Media Tour, introducing journalists to winners of the Eureka Park Accessibility Contest, showcasing innovative technologies ranging from haptic navigation devices to real-time sign language translation. Furthermore, a Funders Tour provided sponsors insights into the latest accessibility technologies, reaffirming their commitment to support impactful innovations moving forward.

The CTA Foundation, an affiliate of the Consumer Technology Association, continues to drive its mission of enhancing the lives of older adults and individuals with disabilities through technology. With a strong focus on accessibility, the Foundation aims to create a world where everyone can take full advantage of modern technology. For more information on their initiatives, visit www.CTAFoundation.tech.