Steve Ewell is the executive director of the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) Foundation, a charitable foundation with the mission of linking seniors and people with disabilities with technology that can enhance their lives. He joined the CTA Foundation in January 2012 and is the first person to hold this position. We also interview Walter Alcorn, VP Environmental Affairs and Industry Sustainability about their good work.

Prior to joining the CTA Foundation he served in other nonprofit leadership roles. He was managing director of the InfraGard National Members Alliance (INMA), a public private partnership with the FBI focused on promoting and developing critical infrastructure protection, with 86 chapters and more than 40,000 members.

While at Business Executives for National Security (BENS), Steve served as the director of the Metro Washington, DC region where he built the membership in DC, Maryland and Virginia into one of the largest and most active regions in the organization through a wide variety of policy engagements and programs.

Steve graduated cum laude from Drew University with a Bachelors of Arts and earned his MBA and Masters in information and telecommunications systems from Johns Hopkins University’s Carey Business School. He serves on the Board of Directors of Grantmakers in Aging and the Washington Cyber Roundtable. In 2014 he was selected by Dealerscope Magazine as one of their Top 40 under 40. He lives with his wife, Kelly, in Leesburg, VA.

Investing in Las Vegas: Consumer Technology Association Announces Sustainability, Education Partnerships with CES Host Community
Sustainability grants for Green our Planet, Touro University; EverFi partnership will benefit Clark County schools

Las Vegas, NV, January 5th, 2016 – The Consumer Technology Association (CTA) – formerly the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)® – today announced its continued support of the Las Vegas community through a new partnership with education technology company EverFi, and donations for sustainability projects in Las Vegas and the surrounding community. This marks the eighth consecutive year that CTA – owner and producer of CES®, the world’s gathering place for all who thrive on the business of consumer technologies – has given sustainability grants to the greater Las Vegas community.

“Las Vegas has been an amazing and gracious host to CES for nearly four decades. In turn, our commitment to the local community remains strong,” said Gary Shapiro, president and CEO, Consumer Technology Association. “In addition to our grants that help advance clean energy and greener living in the area, our exciting new partnership with EverFi will build an educational platform on which we can further invest in the home city of CES and hopefully inspire and support the community’s future innovators and entrepreneurs.”

“The city’s partnership with CES continues to be an amazing benefit to the community,” said Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn G. Goodman. “The annual CES show is so exciting and having it in fabulous Las Vegas only heightens that excitement. We look forward to many more years or working together to build the Las Vegas community and to put on the world’s top electronics show.”

CTA announced the following grants to benefit Las Vegas area organizations, schools and students:

• EverFi’s “Future Innovators” program in Clark County schools ($76,000): The program teaches high school students important business skills and inspires their entrepreneurial spirits. Students develop their own personalized plans for business, along with a roadmap for academic and career success.

• Green Our Planet’s Outdoor Garden Classroom ($14,000): This signature program integrates school gardens into the education curriculum and helps students raise test scores, learn about healthy eating and lifestyles, combat obesity and foster a greater respect for nature and the environment. CTA’s 2015 grant to Green Our Planet led to the installation of 14 outdoor garden classrooms, reaching over 10,000 local students.

• Touro University Nevada’s electric vehicle (EV) charging system ($10,000): This grant will help fund one EV charging station for the school’s Las Vegas campus. Last year, CTA provided Touro University with a grant to upgrade the exterior lighting fixtures on campus from fluorescent bulbs to energy-saving LED lights.

EverFi is an education technology company that helps students develop critical career skills through an on-the-ground education network in over 12,000 K-12 schools. CTA’s newly announced “Future Innovators” program, powered by EverFi’s digital learning course Venture – Entrepreneurial ExpeditionTM, provides an interactive learning experience to help guide Clark County school district students through their personal journey to become entrepreneurs. The course is designed to inspire the next generation of business leaders and expose students to important entrepreneurial skills that encourage future success in any career.

“Now more than ever, students need to be exposed to important entrepreneurial skills like innovative thinking, problem solving and real-world experiences that can encourage success in any career,” said Tom Davidson, CEO and co-founder, EverFi. “We are thrilled to partner with CTA to help build the next generation of business leaders in Las Vegas and beyond.”

“Touro University Nevada is pleased to receive support again this year from CTA,” said former Nevada Congresswoman and Touro CEO and Senior Provost Shelley Berkley. “Touro is committed to green initiatives that improve our services to students while also positively lowering our carbon footprint. The support from CTA will enable us to further this commitment to our students, faculty, staff and the community through the installation of an EV charging station on campus.”

“We are both honored and delighted to be the recipient for the second time of a CTA sustainability grant,” said Kim MacQuarrie, Co-CEO of Green Our Planet. “CTA has been a real force in helping us carry out our mission of building Outdoor Garden Classrooms in K-12 schools so that students can learn about STEM, conservation, and nutrition subjects more effectively.”

CTA has for years supported sustainability efforts in the Las Vegas community through various green grants. Previous fund recipients have included the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, for their DesertSol project, Green Chips for installing a solar energy system at Opportunity Village’s Magical Forest and the Las Vegas Convention Center for an electric vehicle charging station. Also, CTA helped fund a solar power system for the famous “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign.

In addition to financial donations, the Consumer Technology Association works with the show’s general contractor and vendors to make the production of CES more sustainable. In 2015, CES general contractor Freeman recycled nearly half a million square feet of carpet while reusing the rest, and over 20,000 square feet of magnetic banners were recycled to produce new magnetic materials. Additionally, all CES Press Rooms operate with paperless press kits, saving an estimated 2.5 million pages of printed paper.

CES represents the entire technology ecosystem, bringing together all major industries from around the globe and providing an opportunity to conduct business under one roof. CES attendees travel from 150 countries, and collectively avoid more than 3.5 million miles in business trips that they otherwise would have to take if not for the show. In 2015, CES attendees participated in an average of 33 meetings while at the show. On average, 80 percent of those meetings would not have occurred otherwise.

For more information on CES’s sustainability practices and programs supportive to the Las Vegas community please visit CESweb.org/green.

About Consumer Technology Association:
Consumer Technology Association (CTA)TM, formerly Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)®, is the trade association representing the $287 billion U.S. consumer technology industry. 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 technology. Profits from CES are reinvested into CTA’s industry services.

About CES:
CES is the world’s gathering place for all who thrive on the business of consumer technology. It has served as the proving ground for innovators and breakthrough technologies for almost 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. And because it is owned and produced by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA)TM – formerly the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)® – the technology trade association representing the $285 billion U.S. consumer technology industry, it attracts the world’s business leaders and pioneering thinkers to a forum where the industry’s most relevant issues are addressed. Check out CES video highlights. Follow CES online at www.CESweb.org and on social.

UPCOMING EVENTS

• CES 2016 – Register
January 6-9, Las Vegas, NV
• Winter Break
March 21-24, Park City, UT
• Technology & Standards Spring Forum
April 4-8, San Diego, CA
• CES on the Hill
April 19, Washington, DC

• Digital Patriots Dinner
April 20, Washington, DC
• CES Asia 2016
May 11-13, Shanghai, China
• CEO Summit
June 21-24, Tel Aviv, Israel
• Innovate!
September 20-22, San Jose, CA
• CES 2017
January 5-8, Las Vegas, NV

#aarp #ces #consumer #technology #association #ibm #internet #frances #west #chief #accessibility #steve #ewell #executive #director #cta #foundation #disabilities #ginni #rometty #chairman #ceo #future #cognitive #operate #power #terry #bradwell #robin #raskin #walter #alcorn #environmental #affairs #sustainability #industry

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With over 25 years of domestic and international experience in information technology development, delivery and management, he has held a number of senior leadership positions. As AARP’s Chief Information Officer, he transformed the IT organization from a “cost center” to a “value center,” running IT like a business and stimulating innovation across the enterprise and closing the gap in digital literacy for the 50+.
Prior to joining AARP, he worked as a principal for IBM’s Media and Entertainment practice, with a primary focus of turning around troubled IT projects and corporate change management initiatives. Previously, he served as solution delivery executive for Gaming-Technologies Corporation (G-Tech), leading the implementation of Online Lottery Systems (OLS) in 5 states, as well as national lotteries in the Netherlands, United Kingdom, Chile, Brazil, Australia, Taiwan and Finland. Prior to G-Tech, he resided in Amsterdam and served as Intergraph Corporation’s technology liaison for their European sales and manufacturing operations.

He holds a BS degree in computer information systems from Florida A&M University that he earned while on a full athletic scholarship. His primary residence is in Miami. He is an accomplished musician, composer and music producer. He performs with and develops talented musicians in the Miami area.
http://www.aarp.org/about-aarp/executive-team/hollis-terry-bradwell/

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#aarp #ces #consumer #technology #association #ibm #internet #frances #west #chief #accessibility #steve #ewell #executive #director #cta #foundation #disabilities #ginni #rometty #chairman #ceo #future #cognitive #operate #power #terry #bradwell #robin #raskin

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Shapiro opened IBM’s keynote by announcing a research partnership between the CTA Foundation and IBM to study how cognitive computing will transform our lives as we age and transform the lives of those living with disabilities.

We hear from Frances West, Chief Accessibility Officer, IBM
In this role, Frances works to establish IT accessibility standards, shape government policies, and develop human-centric technology and industry solutions that not only create an inclusive workplace environment but are designed to personalize the user experience so that all people reach their highest potential in work and life.
In addition to advising clients on best practices in accessibility, Frances ensures IBM is placing accessibility at the center of design and development to improve everyone’s information consumption patterns, including people with disabilities, the aging population, novice technology users, people with language, learning and literacy challenges, or any individual facing situational challenges while using a device.
Since joining IBM Research to lead the IBM Human Ability and Accessibility Center, Frances has become a globally-recognized expert in enabling human ability through accessible information and communications technology (ICT). She has worked to reshape the perception, definition, and value proposition of accessibility to be relevant to all people, all situations and at all times. She has served on the Board of Directors for numerous advocacy organizations, including the American Association of People with Disabilities, the Assistive Technology Industry Association and the U.S. Business Leadership Network. She currently sits on the Board of Directors of the World Institute on Disability, is the board advisor to the National Business & Disability Council, and is a Founding Member and Program Co-Chair of G3ict, an advocacy initiative launched by the United Nations Global Alliance for ICT and development in 2006.
Frances has become a sought-after authority on the topic of global ICT accessibility trends and enablement. In 2010, she delivered remarks at policy forums hosted by the United Nation’s Global Initiative for Inclusive Information and Communications Technologies; a U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Disability Employment Policy roundtable; and an international forum hosted by the São Paulo State Secretariat for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Brazil. She has also testified on behalf of the IT industry to the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations in support of the ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Since joining IBM, Frances has held numerous management positions across the IBM sales and marketing organizations, including the Business Unit Executive of the Banking, Financial Services, Securities and Insurance Unit for the IBM Greater China Group, and the Director of Financial Services Sector Solutions for IBM Global Services, where she managed investment funding and executed financial services solution plans for banking, insurance and financial markets. Frances was also director of Channels, Alliances and Business Development for IBM Lotus Software, where she recruited and managed IBM’s global network of Business Partners specializing in Lotus software.
Frances attended the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Washington & Lee University in Virginia and graduated with a marketing degree from the University of Kentucky. In 2011, she received an Honorary Doctor of Science degree from the University of Massachusetts Boston.

#aarp #ces #consumer #technology #association #ibm #internet #frances #west #chief #accessibility #steve #ewell #executive #director #cta #foundation #disabilities #ginni #rometty #chairman #ceo #future #cognitive #operate #power #terry #bradwell #robin #raskin

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ARLINGTON, Va., – June 6, 2013 – LG Electronics and Sprint today announced the upcoming availability of the LG Optimus F3 smartphone offering features designed to make the device more accessible for people with vision loss or other disabilities. The LG Optimus F3 offers access to the Sprint 4G LTE1 network, a 1.2GHz dual-core processor, a long-lasting 2,460mAh battery, a vivid IPS display, and premium features that allow customers to connect and share with ease.

At just $29.99 (excluding taxes) with a new line or eligible upgrade, two-year service agreement and $50 mail-in rebate via reward card2, this device will be the most affordable 4G LTE smartphone from Sprint at launch. Available in two colors – silver and purple – the LG Optimus F3 can be purchased beginning June 14 at www.sprint.com or by calling 1-800-SPRINT1. It will be available in all Sprint retail channels later this summer.

The LG Optimus F3 is the first phone to come preloaded with TalkBack, which is accessible when users take the phone out of the box and power it on. Talkback is a text-to-speech accessibility feature from Google that helps blind and vision-impaired users interact with their devices more easily. With the TalkBack feature “on” from the get-go, customers will benefit from voice guidance as they go through the activation and setup process on their device.

“Sprint is committed to providing technology that meets the needs of all of our customers,” said Dan Hesse, Sprint CEO, who announced the device today at the M-Enabling Summit in Arlington, Va. “The LG Optimus F3 offers a robust list of features for any customer, and it is uniquely empowering for people with disabilities.”

“Combining intelligent features with the user-friendly LG interface, the LG Optimus F3 allows users to easily collaborate and communicate while handling a variety of tasks or enjoying entertainment content,” said Wayne Park, president and CEO of LG Electronics USA. “This device exemplifies LG’s commitment to delivering compelling accessibility features.”

The LG Optimus F3 is Sprint ID-enabled, allowing users to download the new Accessible Education ID pack. This ID pack makes it easy for millions of K-12 students with print disabilities – individuals who cannot effectively read print because of visual, physical, perceptual, developmental, cognitive or learning disabilities – to access Web-based educational resources on their smartphone. The Accessible Education ID pack is a package of applications and mobile Web services available in a single download.

The Accessible Education ID pack features customized mobile Web services that are designed to eliminate clutter and display only the parts of Web pages of interest to the user. It also provides students who do not have computers or Internet connections at home with mobile-friendly interfaces and Web-based educational resources.

Applications within the Accessible Education ID pack, developed by Apps4Android, include:
• Six applications that simplify access to WebMATH, a free website hosted by Discovery Education that helps students learn how to solve math problems. Solutions to all problems are presented in a real-time, step-by-step, manner.
• KhAndroid: a fully accessible Android application that enables its users to view Khan Academy’s library of more than 2,200 micro lectures via video tutorials. Topics covered include math, history, finance, physics, chemistry, biology, astronomy and economics.
• IDEAL Equation Finder: a speech recognition-based application, designed to take advantage of EqsQuest’s semantic search technology for math and science. Semantic search technology seeks to improve search accuracy by understanding a searcher’s intent and the contextual meaning of terms as they appear in searchable data spaces.

With nearly 90 Sprint ID packs available today, Sprint ID allows consumers, on select Android-powered devices from Sprint, including the LG Optimus F3, to download “ID packs” – a bundle of content that delivers a complete mobile experience in a few simple clicks. ID packs include applications, widgets, ringtones and wallpapers. Whether they are an environmentalist, sports lover, music enthusiast, fitness fanatic, gamer or an individual with disabilities, Sprint ID makes it easy for customers to personalize their smartphone by allowing them to download ID packs with content to fit their lifestyle.

In addition, the unique LED indicator on the LG Optimus F3’s home button offers a rainbow of color options that can assist those with hearing impairment, such as green for a phone call or red for a text message. Specified colored and patterned light provides charging status and notifications, such as alarms, calendar reminders, new messages and missed events.

Built with a 5-megapixel rear-facing camera and convenient front-facing camera, the LG Optimus F3 is packed with nifty camera features that allow users to enhance special moments and photos. With Beauty Shot, users can snap photos that enhance their friends’ and their own appearances. Cheese Shot lets users take a voice-activated photo by simply saying “cheese” while Panorama Shot helps users to capture the entire scene in a single photo.

Additional features include:
• VuTalk3 allows users to send handwritten messages, photos or drawings back and forth in real time to visually share ideas and collaborate.
• QSlide 2.0 allows users to overlay up to two application windows on an existing open application, adjusting size and transparency as needed for greater multitasking functionality.
• QuickMemo lets users add their own creative commentary to pictures or screenshots with the swipe of a finger then share it via social media, email or SMS.
• QTranslator allows users to translate words and phrases from 44 different languages into 64 native languages.
• Android 4.1.2, Jelly Bean
• Vivid 4-inch IPS display with super strong Corning® Gorilla® Glass 2
• 1,080p full-HD video capture
• Multilanguage support with 53 keyboard input languages
• SmartShare – share media wirelessly to DLNA® enabled devices
• Wi-Fi Direct file sharing
• Android Beam to share content via Near Field Communication (NFC) and Bluetooth® technology
• LG Tag+ – preset, individual phone profiles activated using NFC technology tags
• Quiet Mode – specify times to disable notifications for calls and messages
• ULE Platinum Certified – the highest level of environmental performance recognized by sustainable requirements established by UL Environment and Sprint

Sprint now offers 4G LTE service in 88 markets nationwide, including Los Angeles, Charlotte, Boston and Dallas. Many Sprint customers are discovering Sprint 4G LTE in cities that haven’t yet officially been announced, including Washington, D.C., New York and San Francisco. Sprint has announced more than 170 additional markets where LTE will be available in the coming months. For the most current maps, please visit www.sprint.com/4GLTE.

To learn more about what Sprint is doing to empower customers with disabilities, please visit www.sprint.com/accessibility.

About LG Electronics USA
LG Electronics USA, Inc., based in Englewood Cliffs, N.J., is the North American subsidiary of LG Electronics, Inc., a $45 billion global force and technology leader in consumer electronics, home appliances and mobile communications. In the United States, LG Electronics sells a range of stylish and innovative mobile phones, home entertainment products, home appliances, and air conditioning systems and energy solutions, all under LG’s “Life’s Good” marketing theme. LG Electronics is a 2013 ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year. For more information, please visit www.lg.com.

About Sprint Nextel
Sprint Nextel offers a comprehensive range of wireless and wireline communications services bringing the freedom of mobility to consumers, businesses and government users. Sprint Nextel served more than 55 million customers at the end of the first quarter of 2013 and is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying innovative technologies, including the first wireless 4G service from a national carrier in the United States; offering industry-leading mobile data services, leading prepaid brands including Virgin Mobile USA, Boost Mobile, and Assurance Wireless; instant national and international push-to-talk capabilities; and a global Tier 1 Internet backbone. The American Customer Satisfaction Index rated Sprint most improved, across all 47 industries, during the last five years. Newsweek ranked Sprint No. 3 in both its 2011 and 2012 Green Rankings, listing it as one of the nation’s greenest companies, the highest of any telecommunications company. You can learn more and visit Sprint at www.sprint.com or www.facebook.com/sprint and www.twitter.com/sprint.

14G LTE not available everywhere
2The American Express Prepaid Reward Card (“Card”) provided in connection with this Rebate offer is a prepaid Card that is usable at U.S. merchants that accept American Express Card. Some limitations apply. The Card is not redeemable for cash (except where required by law) and does not provide ATM access. Use of Card constitutes acknowledgement that it is given as a reward and no consideration, value, or money has been paid by the holder to American Express in exchange for this Card. USE OF CARD IS SUBJECT TO THE CARDHOLDER AGREEMENT. SUBJECT TO APPLICABLE LAW, A $3.00 MONTHLY FEE WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST CARD BALANCE, STARTING SIX MONTHS AFTER CARD ISSUANCE, UNLESS FUNDS ARE EARLIER DEPLETED. For BALANCE, customer service and Cardholder Agreement, visit americanexpress.com/sprint or call 1-866-608-3756. Card issued by American Express Prepaid Card Management Corporation.
3 Must initially be established with a contact over a voice call

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Clinical Pharmacist talks about ways seniors with cognitive disabilities can avoid medication errors

Seniors who take multiple medications are seven times more likely to require hospitalization because of an adverse drug event, say experts at the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) and the ASHP Research and Education Foundation. During National Patient Safety Awareness Week (March 3-19), the pharmacist groups want the public to know that pharmacists are crucial resources for managing medications correctly and avoiding problems, and they are sharing important tips that can help family caregivers protect their elderly loved ones from dangerous medication errors.

The risk of a medication error increases when cognitive disabilities, such as dementia, are involved. The Alzheimer’s Foundation estimates that as many as 5.1 million Americans may have Alzheimer’s disease and that about a half million Americans younger than age 65 have some form of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease. According to the National Alliance for Caregiving, more than 65 million people (29 percent of the U.S. population) provide care for a chronically ill, disabled or aged family member or friend during any given year. Fifteen million Americans provide unpaid care for a person with Alzheimer’s or other dementias.

“These patients are at greater risk for having medication safety problems at home after hospital discharge,” says Dr. Allison Paquin, a clinical pharmacist at VA Boston Healthcare System in Massachusetts, who works regularly with older patients with cognitive difficulties. “They often have more complex medication regimens and a decreased ability to follow those regimens. It is important for caregivers to know how to help them use their medicines safely.”

Dr. Paquin and a multidisciplinary team at VA Boston Healthcare System were responsible for an initiative that helped seniors with cognitive disabilities manage their medications, greatly reducing the rate of hospital readmissions and emergency department visits. This initiative, The PILL Service, earned the VA Boston Healthcare System the ASHP Foundation’s 2012 Award for Excellence in Medication-Use Safety. The award is sponsored by a grant from the Cardinal Health Foundation.

This interview is sponsored by the ASHP Foundation and ASHP.

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