Explore the future of assistive technology in an interview with Davide Ferraro and Lorenzo Caggioni.
At Google, innovation meets inclusion. The Accessibility Discovery Center (ADC), opened in November 2024 within the Google office in Milan. Designed to showcase the latest in assistive technologies, the ADC is a hub for hands-on exploration and meaningful collaboration.
Today we’re surfing with Davide Ferraro, Engagement Manager at Google, and Lorenzo Caggioni, Head of Data & AI Architects EMEA at Google.
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What is the Accessibility Discovery Center? And what is its main goal?
The Accessibility Discovery Center (ADC) is a dedicated space, hosted within the Google office in Milan, designed to showcase and explore the potential of assistive technologies.
Opened in November 2024 to all visitors, it serves as a hub for learning about accessibility solutions and how they empower individuals with disabilities.
The primary goal of the ADC is to raise awareness and foster deeper understanding of accessibility challenges and opportunities. We aim to facilitate conversations, share knowledge, and demonstrate how technology can create a more inclusive experience for everyone.
The ADC is also a vital resource for gathering feedback from the community, enabling us to collaboratively improve and develop more effective accessibility solutions.
What are the hands-on experiences offered at the Center?
The ADC provides a wide range of interactive experiences designed to showcase the practical applications of assistive technology.
Visitors can play video games using adaptive controllers, such as controlling a rally car with eye-tracking technology or experiencing a variety of games using accessible controllers from Sony and Microsoft. These demonstrations highlight how accessibility features can open up the world of gaming to a much wider audience.
We also showcase a variety of assistive technologies, both from Google and third-party developers, covering a wide spectrum of needs related to vision, hearing, dexterity, and cognition. Visitors can try out Google products and features like Live Transcribe and Guided Frame, experiencing their benefits firsthand.
Additionally, the ADC features exhibits of non-digital assistive technologies. These "simpler" tools, while not technology-driven in the same way, offer valuable insights into the diverse range of needs and demonstrate how even seemingly basic tools can make a significant positive impact.
Experiencing these non-digital assistive technologies helps to broaden understanding of the large spectrum of different needs and reinforces the idea that accessibility solutions can come in many forms.
How does technology bridge gaps for those with disabilities?
Technology has the remarkable ability to empower individuals with disabilities by providing tools and resources that address specific needs and challenges.
Assistive technologies can facilitate communication, enhance learning and entertainment experiences, enable greater independence in daily tasks, and open up new avenues for personal and professional development.
A compelling example of this is Action Blocks, which began as a prototype to address a single specific need but has evolved into a widely adopted application with over a million downloads, helping a broad range of users. This demonstrates how a solution designed for a particular challenge can often have far-reaching benefits, addressing a variety of use cases and significantly improving the lives of many.
For other examples, Live Caption can make audio content accessible to individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing, while Guided Frame simplifies the process of taking photos for those with low vision.
The ADC aims to highlight these transformative impacts of technology in creating a more equitable and inclusive society, showcasing how innovative solutions can address a spectrum of needs and empower individuals to live more fulfilling lives.
How does Google collaborate with the community in accessibility projects?
Collaboration with the disability community is fundamental to our approach to accessibility.
We believe that the most effective solutions arise from direct engagement and partnership with the individuals who will benefit from these technologies. We actively solicit feedback, partner with non-profits and research institutes, and engage in user testing throughout the product development lifecycle.
Since the opening of the ADC in Milan, we've welcomed numerous non-profit organizations and research institutions to initiate conversations on how to build more accessible technologies and expand their reach to a broader audience.
These collaborations allow us to gather diverse perspectives, learn from lived experiences, and ensure that our efforts are aligned with the real-world needs of the community.
The ADC serves as a focal point for these collaborations, offering a space for ongoing dialogue, shared learning, and collaborative innovation. Our goal is not just to build for the community, but to build with them, creating solutions that genuinely empower and improve lives.
What is “Pathway Companion,” and how does it support special education needs?
"Pathway Companion" is an innovative project funded by Google.org and developed in collaboration with Fondazione Mondo Digitale, designed to provide personalized support for students with special educational needs.
This intelligent tutoring platform empowers educators, caregivers, and students with tools and resources tailored to individual learning styles and requirements.
By offering adaptive learning experiences and intelligent tutoring, Pathway Companion aims to create more engaging and accessible educational opportunities. The platform incorporates features like personalized learning paths, progress tracking, and support for various learning modalities, catering to diverse needs and promoting inclusive education.
We believe that technology has the power to transform learning for all individuals, and "Pathway Companion" exemplifies our commitment to creating accessible and engaging educational resources. The platform will be featured at the ADC as a prime example of how technology can break down education barriers.
Davide Ferraro is an Engagement Manager at Google, gTech Ads, delivering cutting-edge marketing technology, architecture, and AI solutions for key partners. As a senior technological consultant, Davide leads strategic joint partnerships that drive client success. Deeply committed to accessibility and disability inclusion, Davide is the interim EMEA regional lead for Disability Alliance, a Google Employee Resource Group focused on disability and neurodivergency.
Lorenzo Caggioni leads Data & AI Architects for EMEA at Google, driving innovation and strategic implementations since 2010. A multi-certified expert in Google Cloud architecture, data engineering, and digital rights, he blends technical prowess with a deep commitment to accessibility. As the Accessibility & Disability Inclusion Lead, he champions impactful initiatives, including Project DIVA, which revolutionized Google Assistant accessibility and inspired the creation of Action Blocks.