Gallaudet University to Host First CREST Fest to Advance Equity and Deaf Representation in the Field of Sign Language Technology
Summary
Other offerings will include discussion forums and a CREST Ambassador program for deaf and hard of hearing high school and college students. The tools include emerging technologies such as virtual human avatars, gesture recognition, machine learning, computer vision, and wearable sensors. Our hope is that CREST Fest and those supporting it can help to ensure a future where new technologies are designed and built with meaningful involvement from deaf sign language users.” Jenny Lay-Flurrie, Microsoft’s Chief Accessibility Officer and a member of the Gallaudet University Board of Trustees, will deliver the event’s featured keynote address. CREST Fest also will feature a “Hot Topics in Sign Language and Technology” community forum featuring several distinguished panelists: Mohamed Alwazer, KinTrans LLC; Joaquim Amado, World Deaf Tech; Catherine Bentley, KinTrans LLC; Dr. Danielle Bragg, Microsoft; Dr. Joseph Hill, Rochester Institute of Technology; Alfred Sonnenstrahl, Deaf Seniors of America; and Dr. Christian Vogler, Gallaudet University. Gallaudet University, federally chartered in 1864, is a bilingual, diverse, multicultural institution of higher education that ensures the intellectual and professional advancement of Deaf, hard of hearing and Deafblind individuals through American Sign Language and English.