Breaking Barriers: Salimah Laforce's Quest For Inclusive Communication
Salimah LaForce is on a mission to revolutionize how digital systems cater to individuals with disabilities. At the Center for Advanced Communications Policy at Georgia Tech, her work ensures no one is left behind in the realms of safety, health, and opportunity.
Many digital platforms, from emergency alerts to job portals, are not designed with accessibility in mind, posing challenges for people with disabilities. LaForce is addressing these issues by enhancing policy and tool designs to make sure technology serves everyone equally.
“Technology works best when it works for everyone,” LaForce emphasizes. Her research spans various aspects of accessibility, such as improving mobile alerts, analyzing job outcomes for those with disabilities, and creating virtual reality (VR) tools to aid older adults during disasters.
LaForce’s journey is as unique as her work. Growing up in a family deeply rooted in the Civil Rights Movement, her initial passion for the humanities led her to major in English. However, a chance opportunity at Georgia Tech connected her back to the tech world, where she found her calling in disability access research.
Her contributions go beyond academic research. LaForce played a crucial role in a project aimed at improving American Sign Language (ASL)-accessible diabetes education, demonstrating that delivering health information in a person's first language can significantly improve health behaviors.
“People who rely on ASL are often excluded from information the rest of us take for granted,” LaForce notes. Despite funding challenges, she’s committed to pushing forward with this vital research.
LaForce’s efforts are not just about science; they are about social justice. Her work aligns with her family's legacy of fighting for equality and access. At Georgia Tech, she collaborates with experts to drive innovations that make inclusivity the norm, not the exception.
By improving accessibility in crisis response and everyday communication, LaForce is helping build a world where everyone benefits from technological advancements. Her dedication ensures that digital spaces are welcoming and functional for all, paving the way for a more inclusive future.