March 24, 2017 - The Wireless RERC submitted reply comments in response to the FCC’s Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking In the Matter of the Transition from TTY to Real-Time Text Technology [CG Docket No. 16-145]; Petition for Rulemaking to Update Commission’s Rules for Access to Support the transition from TTY to Real-Time Text Technology, and Petition for Waiver of Rules Requiring Support of TTY Technology [GN Docket No. 15-178].

The Center for Advanced Communications Policy (CACP) is seeking a self-motivated, critical thinker/problem solver, graduate or undergraduate student. The social impacts of advanced technologies is a focus of CACP with a particular emphasis on wireless and next-generation technologies’ impact on the lives of people with disabilities.

Salimah LaForce attended the Federal Communications Commission Disability Advisory Committee meeting in Washington, D.C., June 15-16, 2017.

CACP staff attended the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA) 2017 Annual Conference in New Orleans, LA, June 26-30, 2017, where they viewed interactive exhibits, attended workshops on best practices in assistive technology, and scientific research platforms and poster sessions. In conjunction with the RESNA Conference, Helena and Paul presented Wireless RERC Technology Transfer Plan at the review meeting for newly funded RERC's, while Nathan and Maureen attended the Board of Directors annual meeting.

Maureen Linden presented a presentation titled "BreakThru: Findings and Lessons from Using Virtual Worlds to Broaden Participation of Students with Disabilities in STEM Education" at the Virtual Worlds Education (VWE) Conference on June 5-8, 2017 at Florida Institute of Technology (Florida Tech) in Melbourne, Florida. Presenters presented outcomes of their implementation of virtual worlds in STEM courses, research concerning teaching and learning in virtual worlds, and best practices for designing these virtual worlds.

Nathan Moon attended the STEM Initiative Grantees meeting and USG STEM Summit in Macon, Georgia on May 16-18, 2017.

Nathan W. Moon, Ph.D., Senior Research Scientist at the Georgia Institute of Technology and the Associate Director for Research of the Center for Advanced Communications Policy (CACP) at Georgia Tech, delivered an invited presentation to the Board on Science Education (BOSE) of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, on June 6, 2017. This presentation was part of the Board's 27th Annual Meeting in Washington, DC. Moon discussed accessible and inclusive STEM education for students with disabilities.

Helena Mitchell was an invited participant at the Science and Information (SAI) International Conference in London, July 16-27, 2017. Helena moderated two panels in the “Technology Trends” and “Communications” tracks and chaired a demonstration session on “Personal Technology Devices”. In addition, she spoke at Amity University as a Visiting Professor and attended meetings with the Nominet Trust Foundation on possible collaborations. 

Paul M.A. Baker was on the “Dystopian future tech and gaming” panel at Dragon Con 2017, Saturday, September 2, 2017. Dragon Con is the largest multi-media and pop culture convention focused on science fiction and fantasy, gaming, comics, film, cosplay, and more.

Robert Todd (University System of Georgia), Nathan W. Moon, and Maureen Linden delivered a presentation on Monday, October 9, 2017, at the 33rd Annual Pacific Rim International Conference on Disability and Diversity (Pac-Rim Conference), in Honolulu, HI. The presentation "BreakThru: Findings & Lessons in Using Virtual Worlds to Broaden Participation of Students with Disabilities in STEM" discussed key findings from the National Science Foundation (NSF)-supported Georgia STEM Accessibility Alliance (GSAA) and its BreakThru project.