Category: About Project

A for Access-ibility

~ John Rochford

Open Access Technologies LogoA few months ago, I was interviewed for a new podcast series: A is for Access-ibility. Created by Open Access Technologies, the series spotlights accessibility experts making technology more inclusive for people with disabilities.

Watching the series is a wonderful way to learn about accessibility, and about how I think artificial intelligence will play an important part in its future.

Join me and host, Portland Helmich, for their third installment of A is for Access-bility.

I thank Howard Berke for inviting me to be interviewed.

MassCONNECT PI for EasyText.AI

~ John Rochford

I was accepted to a while ago to the MassCONNECT PI Startup Accelerator Program for my EasyText.AI startup (training AI to simplify web text for people with cognitive disabilities).

MassBio logo

MassCONNECT PI is a program of the Massachusetts Biotechnology Council (MassBio). It matches Principle Investigators with subject matter experts and key opinion-leaders from the MassCONNECT network.

The MassCONNECT PI Program helps me:

  • translate my academic research to the market; and
  • expedite the spin-out of that research.

Brian Mullen

Brian Mullen, my MassCONNECT PI Startup Accelerator Advisor, has been providing me with wonderful advice. I love learning from him. I could not ask for a better advisor.

 

 

Appreciation

  • Lucie Rochard, Former Liaison for Scientific & Entrepreneurial Initiatives | Senior Director of Innovation Services, Massachusetts Biotechnology Council.
  • Steven Munevar, Former Senior Business Development Manager for Biomedical Research, University of Massachusetts Medical School.

W3C & OGC Web Maps for Cognitive Accessibility

~ John Rochford

Maps for the Web LogoOn September 28, 2020, I presented at Maps for the Web. This was a workshop series created and hosted by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) and the Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC).

Workshops’ Overall Goals

Bring together experts in:

  • geographic standards and Web map data services,
  • Web mapping client tools and applications, and
  • Web platform standards and browser development

to explore the potential of maps for the Web.

Major Areas of Focus

  • improving the usability and accessibility of maps
  • encouraging the design of map-based experiences, and
  • building easier ways for researchers to share content.

I served as a panelist with fellow W3C Accessibility Guidelines Working Group members David Fazio, and John Kirkwood. Our workshop was Web Maps for Cognitive Accessibility (COGA).

Web Maps for COGA Background Info

Notes

W3C Logo

MassVX for EasyText.AI

""
~ John Rochford

I was accepted to a while ago to the MassVX Program for my EasyText.AI startup (training AI to simplify web text for people with cognitive disabilities).

MassVX is a program of the Massachusetts Technology Transfer Center (MTTC). It matches Academic Innovators with Entrepreneurial Champions.

The MassVX Program is helping me:

  • translate my academic research to the market; and
  • expedite the spin-out of that research.

John Ripple, my MassVX Entrepreneurial Champion, has been working with me every week for months. His industry knowledge and sage advice are integral to the successful launch of EasyText.AI. I could not have asked for a better mentor than John.

Appreciation

Suffolk U. for EasyText.AI

~ John Rochford

Suffolk University BostonThis is a message of appreciation for a Suffolk University team that has been helping me with my startup, EasyText.AI. It’s members include two smart, passionate, resourceful graduate students.

Barbara LaurentJackson Place
""""

The team also includes their wise professors with extensive startup knowledge and experience:

Ken MooneySteve Munevar
""""

The team has been helping me with research, pitch decks, business model canvases, market opportunities, and connections to potential investors.

I cannot thank this team enough!

 

MassCONNECT PI for EasyText.AI

Massachusetts Biotechnology Council
~ John Rochford

Massachusetts Biotechnology CouncilI was just accepted to the MassCONNECT PI program for my EasyText.AI startup (training AI to simplify web text for people with cognitive disabilities). I am excited!

MassCONNECT Pl is a program of the Massachusetts Biotechnology Council. It is for Principal Investigators in Life Sciences actively developing technology with industrial applications. 

The MassCONNECT Pl Program will help me:

  • validate my ideas;
  • obtain industry perspectives; and
  • determine a potential path with subject-matter experts and key opinion leaders.

Appreciation

  • For accepting me into the MassCONNECT Pl Program, I thank Lucie Rochard, Liaison for Scientific & Entrepreneurial Initiatives | Director of Innovation Services, Massachusetts Biotechnology Council.
  • For informing me about this wonderful program, and for guiding me in my startup journey, I thank Steven Munevar, Senior Business Development Manager/BRIDGE Fund, University of Massachusetts Medical School.

 

MIT I-Corps Customer Discovery Interviews

~ John Rochford

Please contact me! I would love to talk with you.New England Regional Innovation Node at MIT

I am conducting customer discovery interviews, which is the focus of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Innovation-Corps program for my EasyText.AI startup (training AI to simplify web text for people with cognitive disabilities).

See my related blog post, “MIT Innovation Corps for EasyText.AI.”

Please contact me! Thank you!

MIT Innovation-Corps for EasyText.AI

New England Regional Innovation Node at MIT
~ John Rochford ~ 1 Comment

New England Regional Innovation Node at MIT

I was just accepted to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Innovation-Corps program for my EasyText.AI startup (training AI to simplify web text for people with cognitive disabilities). I am excited!

The I-Corps Program will help me:

Notes

Two of my wonderful colleagues will join me.

I thank Philip Loew for accepting me into the I-Corps Program.

U.S. Federal Interagency Accessibility Forum

~ John Rochford

Federal Annual Interagency Accessibility Forum: Ensuring accessibility is a business imperative.
Today, I will be a panelist for the general session, Future Directions of Inclusive Technologies, at the United States Federal Interagency Accessibility Forum.

I will be speaking and answering questions about:

  • How can Artificial Intelligence (AI) help people understand what they read? (This relates to my EasyText.AI research.)
  • How can AI help people with disabilities live independently?
  • How can AI help people with disabilities gain and retain employment?
  • How we must not teach AI our biases.

Moderator

Betsy Sirk, Information Technology and Section 508 Program Manager, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Panelists