Events & Announcements

The Coleman Institute is thrilled to accounce the release of a request for proposals (RFP) for the Technology Translational Research & Development (TTRD) Awards. 

The purpose of this RFP is to catalyze unique and vibrant campus researchers and developers interested in technologies designed to support those living with cognitive impairments. The research funding is aimed at advancing ideas from concept to deliverables to create viable and marketable products or services benefiting people with cognitive disabilities. 

Applications must be submitted no later than 5:00 pm, December 15th, 2022.

For more information including application materials, see the Coleman Institute Funding page. 

The Executive Director of the Coleman Institute for Cognitive Disabilities, Cathy Bodine, PhD, was a distinguished presenter at the 2022 M-Enabling Summit. Held October 24-26 in Washington, DC, the M-Enabling Summit is the annual conference and showcase of the Global Initiative for Inclusive Information and Communication Technologies to promote accessible technologies and environments for persons with disabilities and older persons. It is a leading global conference and showcase for technological innovations that enable persons with disabilities and older persons to access digital content and services in new ways.

Dr. Bodine’s first panel, “Advocates’ Perspectives on Future Directions for Digital Accessibility Innovation”, discussed how living with a disability often brings invaluable insights regarding potential innovations and risks of technology design. The session brought diverse perspectives together to discuss the innovation opportunities and accessibility risks of emerging technology systems and practices. The panelists discussed what can be learned from decades of experience in advocating for digital accessibility and how the insights of “extreme users” can be empowered. Dr. Bodine was joined on the panel by: Matt Ater, Vice President, Vispero; Alana Beal, Sr. Manager, Segment Marketing, T-Mobile; and John Lee, Tech Access Initiative Group Member, United Spinal Association.

Dr. Bodine’s second panel, “Neurotechnologies, a New Frontier for Wearables in Gaming and Assistive Solutions”, explored how AI-enabled neurotechnologies are emerging as an entirely new field of innovation in assistive solutions that can transform the lives of persons with disabilities. New major players are entering the neuro-technology field, accelerating competition and research and development investments, opening the door to marketable solutions for mobile, wearable, and gaming platforms. Dr. Bodine was joined on the panel by: Darryl Adams, Director of Accessibility, Intel; and Alex Dunn, Founder, Enabled Play.

The M-Enabling Summit offered a unique gathering of leading executives and accessibility professionals to discuss the unprecedented accessibility challenges faced around the world and brainstorm opportunities and solutions using accessible technology.