WASHINGTON, D.C. — On September 22, Partners for Automated Vehicle Education (PAVE) will partner with the U.S. Department of Transportation to host a virtual seminar entitled “AVs for All: Inspiring Solutions for Accessible Design.” The panelists will discuss the potential for automated vehicle technology to provide people with disabilities with new transportation options to access jobs, healthcare, and other essential services.
The virtual conversations will help to highlight the U.S. DOT’s Inclusive Design Challenge, which seeks innovative solutions to improve passenger vehicle accessibility. Submissions for the contest are due by October 30, 2020.
“New vehicle technologies offer great promise in providing autonomy to people who are poorly served by our current transportation system,” said Tara Andringa, Executive Director of PAVE. “We are excited to partner with USDOT in highlighting their Inclusive Design Challenge, which inspires teams to tackle the challenge of accessible design and find ways to provide independence and greater mobility to millions of Americans.”
The Federal Highway Administration found that 25.5 million Americans have travel-limiting disabilities, which can greatly reduce access to essential life services. DOT’s Inclusive Design Challenge encourages design teams across academic institutions, the business sector, and technology firms to devise ideas to help break down access barriers.
PAVE is a nonprofit coalition of advocacy groups, private sector companies, academics, and public sector entities that seeks to engage with the public about automated vehicles and the potential they offer.
Registration is free and available here.
DETAILS FOLLOW:
WHAT: USDOT, PAVE present virtual seminar: “AVs for All: Inspiring Solutions for Accessible Design”
WHEN: Tuesday, September 22, 2020
WHEN: 2:00 – 3:30pm EST
AGENDA:
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- Welcome from PAVE
- Conversation with USDOT: Introducing the Inclusive Design Challenge
- Accessibility Technologies for Autonomous Vehicles: The State of the Art, and Areas of Need
- Dr. Rory A. Cooper, University of Pittsburgh
- Robert Sheehan, USDOT Intelligent Transportation Systems Joint Program Office
- Principles of Universal Design and Autonomous Vehicles
- Dr. Susana Costa, University of Minho
- Carol Tyson, DREDF (Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund)
- Practical Advice on Inclusive and Accessible Design
- Dr. Shani Jayant, Inclusive Mobility Initiative at Volkswagen Group of America
- Dr. Clive D’Souza, University of Michigan
- Closing remarks