Important Innovations

Fun Braille Learning Game Source:  LEGO Braille Bricks Humanitarian Innovation This is inspiring innovation.  The LEGO Braille Bricks Project.  Braille Bricks is a game, a play tool to help visually impaired and blind children learn braille, while having some fun, just playing a game. This is important because it's fun for kids and many visually impaired people are migrating to audiobooks, which don't include the full library of books that braille does for users.  As a journalist who donated many hours of narrating news and books for the blind, I think this is important news. LEGO The Braille Bricks include all studs used in Braille.  It's still compatible with standard LEGO systems.  Each brick has a printed character or letter to let sighted members of the family and friends know what's happening and play with the visually impaired child.  This new LEGO will be available to select institutions in  2020. Inspiration for This Innovation This i

Very High Tech, Digital Eyewear Source:  ICI Vision Israel's ICI Vision  ICI Vision of Tel Avis has developed very high tech eyewear for those with vision disabilities.  Their Enhanced Vision Engine (EVE) is a fusion of hardware and software systems that combine AI, computer vision, mini HD cameras and proprietary eye tracking algorithms to bring sight to the virtually blind. Digital Eyewear Platform with AI and HD Cameras The technology in the glasses fills in the gaps in the individual's eyesight and projects images to healthy areas of the retina.  The company calls it the first of its kind, individually optimized digital eyewear platform.  The glasses are designed to help the visually impaired better navigate and help to correct blind spots.

World History Made at the New York City Half Marathon Thomas Panek and Gus at NYC Marathon Blind Runner Completes Race with his Guide Dog Gus Thomas Panek became the first runner to complete the NYC Half Marathon with no sight.  He crossed the finish line with his long time guide dog Gus.  Panek lost his sight 25 years ago but he never lost his love of running. At first frightened to run, he started running again being guided by human volunteers.  But, being tied to another person eliminated the independence of running for him.  So, he tried an innovative approach - running with his guide dog.  He made history at the NYC Half Marathon, finishing the race with his long time guide dog Gus with no human assistance. CEO/Entrepreneur Panek and His Team of 3 Labs The athlete is CEO of Guiding Eyes for the Blind, a nonprofit that provides "superbly bred and trained dogs for blind and visually impaired, free of charge.  For the NYC race, Mr. Panek actually used his trio