One in seven Americans now has hearing loss. While new technologies can help people with hearing loss more successfully communicate, live and work, everyday products and services often are developed without the valuable input of these consumers and an understanding of their hearing accessibility needs. ICAAT – the Industry-Consumer Alliance for Accessible Technology – is the first to bring together industry and consumers with hearing loss.
ICAAT provides an easy, structured way for consumers and industry to connect, work together for mutual benefit and inspire better technology from the ground up. Industry representatives can enlist consumers with hearing loss in product research and testing activities and talk directly with consumers to learn when technology meets their needs and when it doesn’t. Consumers can engage in discussion groups and research and testing opportunities, as well as share user stories about technology experiences.
We hope you will join this first-of-its-kind online community of consumers with hearing loss and industry. You can access ICAAT at www.allianceforaccess.org or by clicking “Explore ICAAT.”
A Message from HLAA Executive Director, Barbara Kelley
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FAQs
What is the benefit of joining ICAAT?
Joining ICAAT allows you to have access to all elements of the website, including the Tech Forum, where you can participate in discussions, share resources and find event announcements, and Co-Design Connect, where tech developers can post research and testing opportunities for consumer engagement.
I am a person with hearing loss, or I am deaf. How can I contribute and collaborate?
As someone who has hearing loss or is deaf, joining ICAAT will allow you to have access to all the site’s unique benefits including:
- The Tech Forum “Community” where you and others can discuss topics of interest and learn more about hearing assistive and other technologies.
- Interesting and useful postings you and others can share in the Tech Forum under “Resources” and “Events”.
- Co-Design Connect, a platform that will allow you to learn about research and testing activities conducted by technology developers to better understand and meet the needs of people with hearing loss and deaf people.
I am a Technology Developer. How can I contribute and collaborate?
Tech Developers who join ICAAT will have access to all the site’s unique benefits including:
- The Tech Forum “Community” where you can share topics of interest to you, ask questions and learn more that will inform your ability to design quality technologies that will benefit for people with hearing loss and deaf individuals.
- Interesting and useful information in the Tech Forum under “Resources” and “Events” postings.
- Co-Design Connect, a platform that will connect you to people with hearing loss and deaf people for research and testing activities to inform and assist you in market research, design and development of your technology as it moves forward to market.
Can I share this site with family, friends and other contacts?
Absolutely. We want to engage a broad community of people and industries to identify and achieve the most relevant technological needs for people with hearing loss and deaf individuals.
What is planned next for ICAAT?
ICAAT will continue to:
- Expand and foster our network of engaged groups of technology users and technology developers.
- Create, curate and provide information.
- Monitor use of the site to keep it relevant and user-friendly.
I have a question. Who can I contact?
If you have more questions or are interested in learning more, you can reach out to the ICAAT Team by using the Contact Us form on the ICAAT website. We look forward to hearing from you!
Partners
ICAAT is funded by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR grant number 90REGE0013). NIDILRR is a Center within the Administration for Community Living (ACL), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).