Comcast (Nasdaq: CMCSA) said it recruited former AOL (NYSE: AOL) executive Thomas Wlodkowski for a new position focused on delivering its services to subscribers with disabilities.
Wlodkowski, who was named VP of accessibility, said that he will help Comcast develop new products and make it easier for subscribers with disabilities to use second-screen applications Comcast has already built for Apple (Nasdaq: AAPL) iOS devices such as Xfinity Connect, Xfinity TV and Xfinity Home. Adding voice-enabled menus to Comcast’s mobile apps and interactive program guides could help all subscribers.
“A lot of what we’ll do for accessibility is going to benefit existing consumers, and open up Comcast to consumers with disabilities that have had some challenges in navigating menus,” Wlodkowski told FierceCable. Wlodkowski, who is blind, noted that one-third of U.S. households have at least one family member with some disabilities, and cited market research that has found people with disabilities have $220 billion in discretionary income.
As part of the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act, the FCC recently implemented video description rules which require cable systems with more than 50,000 subscribers to pass through audio narrated descriptions of TV programming from major cable and broadcast networks. Wlodkowski will help Comcast comply with those rules.
Wlodkowski helped AOL launch its AIM Relay product, which allows people who are deaf, hard of hearing or speech disabled to place phone calls through telecommunication relay services. Wlodkowski, who served previously on the FCC Consumer Advisory Committee and the Board of Trustees for the National Braille Press, sits on the board of trustees for the American Foundation for the Blind. He will report to Comcast SVP of product design and development Charlie Herrin.
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