Cox Communications this month unveiled a new feature that empowers people with disabilities to control their TV with their eyes. The "Accessible Web Remote for Contour" functionality from Cox gives viewers who have lost fine motor skills – whether from degenerative conditions or paralysis – the ability to browse the video guide with a glance from their eyes.
Specifically, a free web-based remote control 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.
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 Cox's Contour.
"Innovative technology like this gives people with disabilities an added level of independence," commented Steve Gleason, founder of Team Gleason and former New Orleans Saints football player who has been living with ALS since 2011. "We appreciate that companies like Cox continue to empower their users by adopting products like the Accessible Web Remote, which allows every customer to do something most people take for granted, like controlling their TV."
As cited by Cox, 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. Throughout the last three years, Cox has partnered with organizations like Team Gleason to ensure accessible design and development of its products, increase awareness and education, and improve processes and procedures focusing on disability inclusion.
"Cox is grateful to partner with Team Gleason because we believe in its mission to improve life for people living with conditions such as ALS," said Pat Esser, president and chief executive officer of Cox Communications. "We are committed to improving our products to ensure all Cox customers can use our products, and will continue to create solutions with accessibility built in."
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, visit www.cox.com/accessibility.