For the American Expert Speaker Program of the U.S. Department of State, I will give 3 presentations and participate in roundtable discussions in Tokyo, Fukuoka, and Beppu, Japan, from September 7 through September 23, 2019.

For two of them, I will focus on Artificial Intelligence (AI) empowerment and fairness for people with disabilities, especially how AI empowers companies to hire a more diverse workforce. This will include the work of my colleague, Frances West, author of Authentic Inclusion^TM: Drives Disruptive Innovation.

For one of them, I will focus on the functions and activities of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center and its INDEX Program, which I direct, as part of a larger discussion about independent living, the Internet of Things, and AI for people with disabilities. This will include my EasyText.AI research.

These activities are arranged and sponsored by the:

• U.S. Department of State
• U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Japan
• NPO Center for Independent Living Support Oita
• Fukuoka Mirai Hospital & SOUSEIKAI Medical Group

I am greatly honored that my presentations will be introduced by and/or the discussions will be moderated by the esteemed:

• Ms. Kelsey De Rinaldis, Program Development Officer, Public Affairs Section, U.S. Embassy Tokyo
  • Audience: 5 to 10 NPO representatives, chief staff members of business entities, and researchers who work promoting using AI for accessibility.
• Dr. Ken’ichiro Takashiba, Director of the Joint Surgery Center, Fukuoka Mirai Hospital / Vice-Chairperson, Fukuoka Triathlon 2019
  • Audience: about 60 rehabilitation and medical staff and doctors.
• Mr. Hidekazu Goto, Chairperson of the Board of Directors, NPO Center for Independent Living Support Oita / International Visitor Leadership Program in 2018 on Accessibility and Inclusion
  • Audience: about 30 support staff, persons with disabilities, local government officials and the general public.

I am indebted to the following people for arranging all of this for me, and/or who will be assisting me.

• Aaron Steers-Smith, Foreign Affairs Officer, U.S. Department of State
• Kelsey De Rinaldis, Program Development Officer, Public Affairs Section, U.S. Embassy Tokyo
• Yuki Kondo-Shah, Public Affairs Officer at the U.S. Consulate Fukuoka
• Kenji Miyaishi, Public Affairs Program Assistant
• Kana (Miyamoto) Mori, Public Affairs Program Assistant
• Mayumi Abiko, Public Affairs Program Assistant
• Japanese interpreters

I am excited to learn from Japanese experts including people with disabilities living independently in Japan.