SPEAKERS
Heather Dowdy, Senior Program Manager
AGENDA
19:30 - Webinar starts
21:00 - Webinar ends
SYNOPSIS
The future is not yet accessible. How could AI unlock new solutions in assistive technology and access to technology for over 1 billion people around the world living with disabilities?
Come - explore cutting-edge issues and ethical considerations around AI and disability.
SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES
With more than a decade of experience developing and demonstrating accessible technology in mobile, web and artificial intelligence, Heather Dowdy is passionate about using the design thinking process to create solutions that improve usability for everyone. She currently leads Partner Strategy for the Microsoft AI for Accessibility grant program. Heather is responsible for nurturing the growing number of global partnerships with startups, researchers, and NGOs and providing grantees with resources to scale the impact of technology for people with disabilities.
Before relocating to Redmond, she was the Senior Product Manager of Accessibility Engineering at Motorola Mobility in Chicago. Heather has served as Chair of the Accessibility Working Group (AWG) of the Mobile Manufacturers’ Forum (MMF) and Chair of the Board of Directors of the World Institute on Disability.
As the oldest daughter of Deaf parents, Heather is fluent in American Sign Language (ASL) and loves to connect the dots across disability, race and tech. A strong believer in empowering communities through education and benevolence, she is the co-founder of Microsoft Ninja Camp, providing STEM leadership training to high school students with disabilities. Heather also enjoys reading, journaling, and interacting with different cultures while traveling abroad.