In this episode, Justin shares the importance of technology, innovation, and smart design in the creation of smart personal mobility devices and how these smart chairs can create autonomy and allow for new experiences. You’ll learn about what makes a smart wheelchair different than a traditional power wheelchair, and the different ways mobility devices can support a variety of users. Justin and Monica also discuss the importance of able-bodied people testing out the mobility device technology they work on, and the future of mobility aide technology in airports, hospitals, malls, and beyond.   “We’ll get random emails, of stories of how our device has changed their ability to get out, and be social, and have just a bit more of a fulfilling life being able to be more independent, and all kinds of stories.” - Justin Gagnon Timestamps  4:17 When Justin first realized the impact of his work on the disability community  5:34 What makes a wheelchair smart? 7:55 Whill’s adjustments to their products based on customer feedback 10:10 Possible upgrades for smart wheelchairs 11:24 Personal mobility devices versus wheelchairs 12:31 Insurance coverage for smart wheelchairs 13:43 Funding for Whill’s products 14:27 Business use for Whill’s products 16:24 Payment options for public/shared smart wheelchairs 17:07 Benefits of autonomous smart wheelchairs for airports 18:52 Benefits of autonomous smart wheelchairs for hospitals 20:07 Justin’s opinion on the ideal future for smart wheelchairs 21:45 Roadblocks to expanding smart wheelchair use 25:08 Reduced liability concerns for business 26:46 Physician acceptance of wheelchairs 28:59 Technology Justin would love to see in the future Takeaway Learnings  Smart mobility devices differ from traditional power wheelchairs for a variety of reasons. While both are run through electricity, smart wheelchairs are fit with a lot of other functionalities, like Bluetooth capability, easy disassembling, and an increased attention to design for ease of use. Every smart wheelchair is different with so many different features.  While it’s been standard for even supermarkets to have scooters or wheelchairs, some venues are beginning to embrace the use of smart wheelchairs in hopes of creating more autonomy and independence for people who need additional mobility support.  Using a mobility aide does not have to be a 24/7 way of getting around. Some people only use their mobility devices on days they feel they really need it or in a situation they would otherwise have to be on their feet too long. This allows for people who would otherwise have to opt out of activities, such as taking a long walk with a friend, a museum visit, or a shopping trip to be able to participate in a way that’s comfortable for them.  Actionable Tips  If you’re a transportation office, a changemaker, or a developer, reach out to smart wheelchair companies and see how you can make these mobility devices available in your venues and give them a test drive yourself. If you’re considering a mobility device for yourself, take a real honest assessment of your pain levels while moving. Remember, your wheelchair does not need to be something you use all of the time, but it might be really helpful to have on hand for those times where you need a little extra assistance.  Consider checking out Whill and other smart wheelchair companies. You will be so surprised by the amount of innovation that is happening in this space. To learn more, check out our show notes for additional information. About JustinJustin Gagnon is an MBA graduate from the Asper School of Business, University of Manitoba, and holds a Bachelor of Commerce, Honours in Business Administration with a Major in Marketing and Minor in Political Science from the University of Windsor. Justin has been working with WHILL for the past four years in various sales and marketing management positions now holding the title of Vice President of Sales for WHILL North America. WHILL Personal Electric Vehicles are bringing a fresh perspective to personal mobility with innovative design and state-of-the-art technology. In his role (based out of Winnipeg, Canada), Justin is responsible for the development and execution of WHILL’s North American sales strategies. Along with his team he is developing multiple sales channels and working closely with the marketing team on various campaigns/programs to bring WHILL’s new technology to the forefront in the North American market.   Previous to working with WHILL Justin was an Account Director for a full-service marketing agency headquartered in Winnipeg with offices in Toronto, Calgary and Portland, OR. He served as his client’s primary contact working with them to develop strategic marketing plans, marketing campaigns and execute tactical marketing projects to support larger initiatives.   Earlier in his career, Justin held the positions of Director of Marketing for a software development company, Manager of Investor Relations in the biotech industry and Business Development and Account Manager for a digital marketing agency. Justin, along with his wife Ashley, enjoys travelling, participating in many, sometimes extreme, outdoor activities and spending time with family and friends.    See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Monica speaks with John Samuel, co-Founder and CEO of Ablr360 – a Disability Inclusion and Digital Accessibility company that aims to remove barriers for all people with disabilities.     In this episode, John shares his story of losing his eyesight and the impact that had on his career. You’ll learn about the accessibility barriers that exist in physical and virtual workplaces, on the web at large, and in employment opportunities and training. John and Monica also discuss current and future solutions, including how to make your website accessible today right now and how we can encourage disabled professionals moving forward. “I always say ’Proximity Builds Empathy’- I don’t want people to think about accessibility as a line of code, but rather as a human experience.” – John SamuelTimestamps1:32 – When John first realized the impact of his work on the disability community 3:36 – Where there are gaps in the digital divide for accessibility 5:10 – Accessibility in education and voting 6:48 – Barriers to accessibility on websites 8:26 – Recommended adjustments to make your website more accessible 9:56 – Changes for accessibility that help the general population 10:57 – Setting disabled employees up for success 12:34 – Making the process of finding and hiring disabled employees easier 14:22 – How to build a more accessible environment for your employees 16:46 – Options to give blind employees autonomy and assistance navigating 18:06 – New technology that John is excited for in the future 18:52 – Extended Reality (XR), Virtual Reality (VR), and Augmented Reality (AR) and their benefits for the disability community 21:54 – Tools to find people with disabilities to hire and to help you test your products 23:17 – How John advocates for the disability community 24:33 – Technology John would love to see in the future Episode Takeaways Disability inclusion is an essential aspect of the modern-day workplace. Through removing barriers to reduce the digital divide, companies can expand their outreach of qualified and talented workers no matter their physical ability.Barriers to entry for employment goes beyond the workplace. Job training, applications, and contact forms need to be accessible to people of varying abilities as well.Proximity builds empathy. Accessibility is more than building codes and accommodating needs. It’s about lifting up the human experience.Actionable Tips Hire disabled workers. When creating increased methods of accessibility in your workplace, these workers can bring their perspective to ensure the problems that need to be solved are being prioritized.There are some things you can do to make your website and workplace more accessible right now, even without any coding experience. Add captions to your videos and video calls, create transcripts for audio content, and add a skip link to your site.Put an accessibility statement on your website, so that if someone has a challenge navigating, they can reach out for assistance.About John Samuel John Samuel is the Co-Founder and CEO of Ablr360 – a Disability Inclusion and Digital Accessibility company that aims to remove barriers for all people with disabilities. They do this by eliminating the digital divide, changing the mindsets of people and organizations, and creating pathways for employment. John’s passion for his work is very personal, as he is blind. He wants to make sure the obstacles he has faced are removed for others. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Technically Sick is a podcast that explores how technology can improve access to education, employment, transportation, and improve socialization for the disabled and chronic illness community. On this show, I'll be covering how to use and optimize the technology currently available as well as discussing the future of accessible tech on the horizon.  I’ll be interviewing technology experts, innovators, community advocates, and more.About Monica MichelleMonica Michelle is a Bay Area-based artist, writer, and creator of the Invisible Not Broken Network. She has developed an audience of 40K+ social media followers and newsletter subscribers through Invisible Not Broken.Monica’s work has been deeply informed by her chronic illnesses - Ehlers Danlos Type 3, Fibromyalgia, and POTS. Through her experiences, she has devoted herself to building communities focused on increasing empathy and educating the public about a variety of chronic illnesses and disabilities.She is deeply curious about how technological advancements can be made to increase accessibility for everyone.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.