Meta’s Post

How Meta is Working to Provide Safe, Age-Appropriate Experiences for Teens. Over the past several years, we've developed more than 30 tools to support teens and families on our apps. Last month, we held our first Meta Summit focused on Youth safety and Well-Being to discuss this work. Safety advocates, mental health experts, educators, think tank researchers, policy writers and parents - many of who helped inform the development of the tools - gathered in Washington D.C. to discuss challenges face in the digital age and explore opportunities to better serve teens and families. #safety #mentalhealth #digital

During our recent visit to the Google Accessibility Discovery Center, we at Bridge the Gap were deeply inspired by a crucial shift in perspective that resonates with our core beliefs: the immense power of technology lies not in correcting perceived deficits but in empowering individuals to navigate the world on their own terms. This insight brought to life the principles of empowerment and the social model of disability, driving home the importance of creating an inclusive society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Empowerment, in this context, is about enabling individuals with disabilities to control their lives, make their own decisions, and fully participate in society. It’s about providing the necessary tools, resources, and support to ensure that everyone, regardless of physical or cognitive challenges, can reach their potential. This philosophy is intertwined with the social model of disability, which shifts the focus from an individual's impairment to the societal barriers that limit participation. Unlike the medical model that views disability as a problem to be fixed, the social model sees the environment and societal attitudes as the main obstacles to inclusion. It advocates for societal changes—improving accessibility, eliminating physical barriers, and fostering acceptance—to empower people with disabilities to live independently and contribute meaningfully to their communities. Our time at the Google Accessibility Discovery Center highlighted how technology can embody this philosophy. We witnessed firsthand innovations such as Google's 'Live Transcribe' and 'Live Captioning', and technologies from other companies like Apple's 'Lost Voice' app and Tobii's eye tracking system. These aren't just tools; they're gateways to independence, participation, and empowerment, demonstrating how technology, when guided by the principles of the social model, can dismantle barriers and transform lives. The experience has left us more motivated than ever to continue our mission at Bridge the Gap, pushing for accessible technology. It’s a reminder that at the core of every device, application, and system should be the aim of empowering individuals, fostering a society that celebrates diversity, and ensuring that technology serves as a bridge to a more inclusive world. As we look towards the future, we’re excited by the possibilities of using technology not only to change individual lives but to reshape society into one where every person, regardless of disability, has the opportunity to live a full and dignified life. #BridgeTheGap #Accessibility #Empowerment #Inclusion #TechForGood #SocialModelOfDisability #AccessibleTech #GoogleAccessibility #InnovateForInclusion #DigitalInclusion

Visualfy, a start-up we invest and believe in, on TechCrunch to show how accessibility tech for disabilities has been overlooked for too long, but in 2022 $4 billion was invested in early-stage disability tech companies. And now what? AI to help people with hearing loss, while prioritizing inclusivity? Check ✔️ Read the whole article here: https://lnkd.in/dW36Gpuq

Check out these awesome updates from Google! 🌟 They're all about making the world more accessible for everyone. 🌍 Here's what's new: 🗺️ Google Maps now has wheelchair-accessible walking routes! 📱 Lens, an AI and AR feature, helps people with vision impairments. 🏢 Businesses owned by individuals with disabilities can now show it on Google profiles. 📸 Pixel cameras get more accessible. 📲 Android users with disabilities can customize their home screens better. Read more here: 👉 https://lnkd.in/gR5kUrBh #GoogleForAll #AccessibilityMatters #Inclusion #TechInnovation

To kick off Low Vision Awareness Month, we're talking about a trend that is going to benefit the vision impairment (and other disability communities) in strides! Historically, big tech has treated accessibility as an afterthought. Recently though, major players like Apple and Google have started to shift gears - releasing a stream of features for their headline products that are aimed at making the consumer tech experience more accessible for those with disabilities. As these industry trend-setters wake up to the importance of accessibility - as both a right for disabled consumers, and a largely untapped business opportunity - it’s crucial that they take steps to ensure that their accessibility efforts truly move the needle for disabled consumers. I wrote about what real disabled inclusion means for big tech - and the importance of acknowledging diversity within the disabled community - in my latest piece on Medium, offering a roadmap for how Apple, Google, and big tech as a whole can make accessibility an expectation in the future of consumer tech. #LowVisionAwarenessMonth #DisabilityInclusion #AssistiveTechnology

Thanks Global Toy News for shining a light on the Toy Industry and potential for (and lack of!!) neurodiverse talent in our industry! We have A LOT of work to do to create jobs, representation, equity, inclusion and products for people with visible and invisible, physical and mental disabilities. Three cheers for Empowering #WorkforceDevelopment events like last month’s Autism In Entertainment conference where GennComm, LLC, Disney, Paramount and others connected with bright neurodiverse talent to attract them to the entertainment-driven industry and GennComm, LLC was there talking about the toy and licensing industries. I met TONS of people and actually hired a bright talented designer and writer there, who heard me speaking about the Toy Industry on Marlene Sharp’s Gaming Panel - thank you again Marlene for creating space to talk about working in toys and the #GeniusofPlay! Emmet N., you’re amazing - Welcome to GennComm! Sometimes I feel like a lone toy soldier and the little engine that could, but know that together we can create real change! Please reach out to join me and be part of the Disability Framework I’m compiling with mission-aligned partners. 85%+ underemployment in the disabled community. 1 in 4 Americans has a disability. TONS of jobs in the toy industry they are perfect for! I can not think of ONE person with a visible physical disability who works in Toys and Licensing - Can you!? Diverse Executive Teams outperform 4 to 1. Let’s evolve people! Thank you Marlene Sharp (마를린) ♥️ #WeInspireTogether #DisabilityInclusion #Equity #SIS #SocialImpact #Equity

On Friday night, I did something! Not sure where the time is coming from but I created a free Facebook group called 'Mixing Business with... Invisible Disabilities'. Now you might be thinking surely this is a conflict to InclUSion but it's not. The Facebook group won't have events, it's more about providing a space on Facebook for people with invisible disabilities to get together and talk openly. In InclUSion, there's the very occasional chat about health but not that often. I see the Facebook group as an alternative option for people. It's all about embracing life, overcoming challenges, and making businesses thrive while living with invisible disabilities, including chronic health conditions and neurodiversity. In many ways, InclUSion will be the parent group, the place away from social media that offers more hands-on support from me. Whereas the FB group is about coming together with people who get it. Keen to find out more? Join now and say "hello". https://lnkd.in/eWfKztWm #IngeniousCorner #FacebookGroup

This is a brilliant way that Microsoft has shown that they are guiding their LLM/AI tool to respect disability. Thanks to Meg O'Connell, PHR for running MSFT's Bing AI through some of the paces. p.s. Follow Meg for more great disability inclusion insights. #disability #Bing #AI #LLM

Empowering voices for a more inclusive world! Over 1.3 billion people, or 16% of the global population, face significant disability challenges. Those with disabilities often face shortened lifespans, heightened vulnerability to various health conditions, and greater limitations in daily functioning compared to the general population. Indian Angel Network portfolio company Arcatron Mobility Private Limited is at the forefront of developing the next generation of devices aimed at improving the quality of life for individuals with limited mobility and elderly care requirements. The name “Arcatron”, which draws inspiration from the concept of “accelerating wheels,” reflects the company's commitment to advancing global standards of assisted living and making it dignified and safer. Let's strive for a world where inclusivity knows no bounds, where everyone can access equal opportunities, and where diversity is celebrated. Today, we urge you to take a step to raise awareness and make a difference where inclusion matters. If you’re a startup innovating in the disability space, let’s discuss how we can help people with disabilities better navigate daily life. Get in touch with us at www.bioangels.vc/contact/. #InclusionMatters #EqualOpportunities #IDPD2023 #PeoplewithDisability