Cox recently introduced a new feature that empowers people with disabilities to control their TV with their eyes and other assistive technology. The Accessible Web Remote for Contour gives those who have lost fine motor skills – whether from degenerative conditions or paralysis – the ability to browse the video guide with a glance.
For a short demonstration video, click here.
Specifically, a free web-based remote control (available at https://webremote.cox.com) is navigable using various assistive technologies owned by customers, including eye gaze hardware and software, switch controls, and sip-and-puff systems, which the user controls by gently blowing into a tube.
In Las Vegas, Cox has partnered with ALS Association Nevada Chapter to increase awareness of the free technology to people living with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease.
“First and foremost, our mission is to find treatments and a cure for ALS,” said April Mastroluca, executive director, ALS Association Nevada Chapter. “This disease affects people in various ways and this innovative technology gives people with disabilities an added level of independence. We want to empower people with ALS to engage with the world in the way they want and Cox’s Accessible Web Remote allows every customer to do something most people take for granted, like controlling their TV.”
According to the Bureau of Internet Accessibility, approximately 16% of people in the United States have difficulties with their physical functioning, making things like using a traditional TV remote either a challenge or impossible, depending on the condition. Eye-tracking technology gives people living with conditions like paraplegia, Parkinson’s disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) the same access to their TVs as customers with the latest edition of Contour.
Throughout the last three years, Cox has partnered with organizations including Team Gleason, founded by Steve Gleason, a former New Orleans Saints football player who has been living with ALS since 2011, to ensure accessible design and development of its products, increase awareness and education, and improve processes and procedures focusing on disability inclusion.
“Cox is committed to improving our products to creating solutions with accessibility built in to ensure all Cox customers can use our products,” said Cox Vice President and Las Vegas Market Leader Michael F. Bolognini.
Customers can now visit https://webremote.cox.com to sync their device and begin changing channels, set a recording, search for programming within the Contour guide, and access integrated streaming apps all with a glance of their eyes.
To learn more about accessibility, please visit cox.com/accessibility.