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Monday, July 29, 2013

CEA Foundation Supports American Foundation for the Blind Study

Visual display study to help make screens easier to read for people with vision loss

The CEA Foundation, a charitable foundation affiliated with the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)®, announced its support of the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) with a grant towards a study of small visual displays. This study will build on previous AFB work to assist the consumer electronics industry in improving the accessibility of mobile communications technology for people with vision loss.

The CEA Foundation’s mission is to link seniors and people with disabilities with technologies to enhance their lives. Since 1921, the AFB has served to remove barriers, create solutions and expand possibilities so people with vision loss can achieve their full potential. They stand at the forefront of technology while championing access and equality for more than 20 million Americans living with vision loss.

“The CEA Foundation is delighted to support the AFB and its small visual display study,” said John Shalam, chairman of the CEA Foundation. This study will provide important information to our industry to aid in the design of products that are easily usable by people with vision loss.”

The study by AFB will enable them to develop a rating system for displays in order to create a common method to scientifically characterize display readability. This common language, along with the relationships formed, will help to further improve the design of small screens on consumer electronics devices.

“We are pleased to build on our excellent working relationship with CEA and we look forward to continuing to provide information and guidance regarding accessibility to its member companies,” said Paul Schroeder, vice president of programs and policy at the American Foundation for the Blind. Steve Ewell, executive director of the CEA Foundation said, “Millions of Americans with vision loss use consumer electronics devices. This study builds on our solid relationship with AFB to continue to improve the usability of these devices.”

About CEA Foundation:
The CEA Foundation is a public, national foundation affiliated with the Consumer Electronics Association. It was established with the mission to link seniors and people with disabilities with technologies to enhance their lives. The Foundation is focused on strategic support of programs to impact these communities and has launched its first series of grants in 2012. It also serves to facilitate dialog between industry, consumers, government, advocacy groups and other key stakeholders around important issues. For more information on the CEA Foundation please visitCEAFoundation.org.

About the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB):
The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) is a national nonprofit that expands possibilities for people with vision loss. AFB's priorities include broadening access to technology; elevating the quality of information and tools for the professionals who serve people with vision loss; and promoting independent and healthy living for people with vision loss by providing them and their families with relevant and timely resources. Headquartered in New York, AFB is proud to house the Helen Keller Archives and honor the more than 40 years that Helen Keller worked tirelessly with AFB.

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