I work with accessible and assistive technology every day, and I have learned that putting a device in someone’s hands is only the beginning. 

Emergencies can happen with little warning. Wildfires, earthquakes, severe storms, power outages, and other unexpected events can quickly disrupt everyday life. During these situations, receiving timely alerts and maintaining communication can make all the difference. 

July 2026 marks the 36th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a landmark civil rights law signed on July 26, 1990. President George H.W. Bush Signed the ADA into law on July 26, 1990. 

There is no doubt technology is changing how we communicate every day. Earlier this month, I visited a vendor that is patiently waiting for the convergence of several pieces of technology to happen. This convergence of technologies would make their product even more useful to the public, especially for members of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities where artificial intelligence (AI) could offer new possibilities for video communication and real-time connection with American Sign Language (ASL).