Overview

The awareness of assistive technologies in society is still low, despite many examples of the life-changing benefits they can bring. To help more people access these solutions, general awareness of assistive technologies must increase. For example, if we consider just the augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) market, around 50 million individuals globally could benefit from communication aids to communicate and interact effectively, but only a small fraction of that number receives AAC devices - often due to low awareness. In this session, influential journalists and opinion leaders discuss ways to raise awareness about assistive technologies via earned media.

Learning Objectives

1. Describe two or more ways you can leverage earned media to convey a story that is important to you or your organization.
2. Describe two or more effective ways to shape assistive technology narratives and drive opinion for editorial consideration.
3. Discuss two or more methods for increasing the potential relevance or reach of a story pitch or byline article.

Strand(s)

Mainstream Accessible Technologies; Augmentative and Alternative Communication

Target Audience

Accessibility Professional; Administrators; AT Specialists; Communication Specialist; Educators; Faculty/Instructors - Higher Education; Media Specialist

Experience Level

Introductory

Primary Life Cycle Addressed

All

Session Delivery Format

In-person presentation with recording

Course Schedule

This course was given at the ATIA 2024 Conference on Saturday, January 27 from 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM (EST)

Continuing Education Credits

For Satisfactory Completion and Continuing Education information, please visit: ATIA Online Education CEUs

This course is offered for the following CE Provider Credits:
IACET
For: 0.10 CEU Units or 1.0 CEU Hours

Speaker/s:

Sarah Kovac

USA Today, Editor, Accessibility

Biography

Sarah is an award-winning author and accessibility editor for Reviewed. As a freelancer, she worked with a multitude of outlets such as Wirecutter, TIME, PCMag, Prevention, The Atlantic, Reviews.com, CNN, GOOD, Upworthy, Mom.me, and Woman's World. She has covered a broad range of topics -- from neuroscience to product reviews to parenting. But as a disabled journalist, disability issues are her passion.

Relevant Financial Relationship: Yes
Salary for employment and freelance work.

Relevant Non-Financial Relationship: No

David Ewalt

The Messenger, Science & Technology Editor

Biography

David M. Ewalt studies games and technology. He is author of the books Defying Reality: The Inside Story of the Virtual Reality Revolution and Of Dice and Men: The Story of Dungeons & Dragons and The People Who Play It. He works as the Science & Tech Editor of The Messenger, and previously worked for Gizmodo, The Wall Street Journal, Reuters and Forbes.

Relevant Financial Relationship: Yes
Salary for employment.

Relevant Non-Financial Relationship: No

Trina Trinh

Voice of America, Video Journalist

Biography

Tina Trinh is a video journalist for Voice of America. Her coverage includes consumer technology, tech policy and digital culture. A former producer and on-air contributor for ABC News, she is a 2022 National Press Foundation fellow, the recipient of two Edward R. Murrow Awards for Overall Excellence and shares a Peabody Award for Superstorm Sandy coverage. She is based in New York City.

Relevant Financial Relationship: Yes
Salary for employment.

Relevant Non-Financial Relationship: No

Steven Aquino

Freelance Tech Journalist

Biography

Steven is a freelance tech journalist covering accessibility and assistive technologies, and is based in San Francisco. His work has appeared in such places as The Verge, TechCrunch, and Macworld. He’s also appeared on podcasts, NPR, and television. Since his start in 2013, Steven has interviewed such people like Apple CEO Tim Cook and Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger, as well as celebrities such as Chris Evans and ARTHUR creator Marc Brown on the intersection of disability, technology, and Hollywood. He’s reviewed every iPhone since the 6 and 6 Plus came out in 2014 and is a regular attendee of Apple media events such as WWDC. Steven is a fluent in American Sign Language and is a CODA, as his parents were both fully deaf.

Relevant Financial Relationship: Yes
Consulting fee from independent contractor work.

Relevant Non-Financial Relationship: No

Moderator

David Dikter

Assistive Technology Industry Association, CEO

Biography

Mr. Dikter is the executive director of the Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA) and manages the overall mission of ATIA to bring assistive technology to people with disabilities. He is responsible for all aspects of the ATIA annual conference, public awareness, government education and work on national policy issues as it relates to assistive and accessible technologies. Mr. Dikter sits on the W3C-Web Accessibility Initiative Steering Council and works with diverse groups to promote AT and the needs of individuals with disabilities.

Relevant Financial Relationship: Yes
Salary through employment with ATIA

Relevant Non-Financial Relationship: Yes
Mr. Dikter sits on the W3C-Web Accessibility Initiative Steering Council and works with diverse groups to promote AT and the needs of individuals with disabilities.