Driving from a wheelchair

Sweden's "Vision Zero" program has used a comprehensive approach to infrastructure and regulation to drastically reduce traffic-related deaths, making Swedish roads the safest in the world.

MoGo, a bike-sharing program in Detroit, listened to user feedback and launched an adaptive bicycle pilot program. Though only 13 bikes are part of the program, they will make urban biking accessible to people with limited mobility. If the pilot is deemed a success, Detroit will be a leader in the inclusive bike space in Michigan.

Prompted by parents concerned about chemicals in car seats a Massachusetts company created an infant seat that is naturally flame-resistant. It's something that most manufacturers have said they cannot do and still comply with federal regulations. Advocates and manufacturers say that for such solutions to become more widespread there must be changes in regulations and federal officials are conducting a study to evaluate potential improvements to the flammability standard for car seats.  

Companies like Good Karma allow people with autism to use apps to communicate through pictures and icons. Yet, the apps require users to do a lot of complicated movements, some of who may not have that mobility. However, brain interference technology, could be the answer. Through the technology “a mere thought can get a computer to speak a word or phrase .”

Using audio descriptions of a movie’s action, the XL Cinema app increases the accessibility of movies to a vision impaired audience. The free app has been used thousands of times and production studios are interested in working with XL Cinema to expand its offerings.

The intensive, alert care low weight infants need is often complicated by overstressed parents and overstretched hospital workers. A bracelet that monitors an infants temperature--and gives an alert when the temperature falls to unsafe levels--provides valuable support to ensuring the safety of these vulnerable young lives.

U.S. Highway 97 is one of the highest travelled roads through Washington, but it is also one of the most dangerous due to wildlife crossings. Taking note of successful initiatives in other states and countries, Washington is making moves to implement underpasses which will reduce the rate of accidents and cut down on medical and vehicular collision costs.

As our loved ones age, their driving skills can change. Through expert opinions from the Area Agency on Aging and the Alzheimer's Association, several measures can improve this transition for caregivers and their loved ones. These steps include how to approach them and where to find educational driving materials. Moreover, the necessity of having a plan in place is emphasized to ensure seniors have a means of transportation in order to prevent depression and other ailments.

With little progress made on a successful treatment for Alzheimer's and prices for monitored care and medications rising, several technology companies are focusing on better ways to manage care. Through tactics such as virtual reality, robotic animals and facial analyzation, these companies are trying to both better serve the patient as well as support the families.

An app called Visis translates text and photos to speech to help Nigerian people with visual impairments to live their lives independently.