Crawford Technologies makes significant investment into accessibility to improve the experience of video media for people with disabilities
TORONTO, ON (June 21, 2023) — Crawford Technologies, provider of innovative document solutions that streamline, improve and manage customer communications, announces the development of sophisticated software that makes it possible to create and display sign language and captions to facilitate both the viewing and authoring of video media, whether manually created or through the use of AI. The software, designed to improve the viewing experience of video media for people who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind or visually challenged, makes it possible for all types of video media, both live and recorded, to be more immersive and accessible.
To market this solution that breaks new ground in assistive technology, Crawford Technologies co-founded a start-up company, Enable Interactive Technologies, with Howard Berke, cofounder of 18 start-up companies, including three digital accessibility firms. Berke will serve as president and CEO of the new company. Crawford Technologies is a major shareholder in Enable Interactive Technologies and Ernie Crawford, president and CEO of Crawford Technologies, serves as its board director.
“Making the world more accessible through the use of assistive technology benefits us all,” said Berke. “Until now, software that adds sign language to recorded videos has been virtually nonexistent. We are very excited that Enable Interactive Technologies is bringing video accessibility into the 21st century with solutions that make it easier for people with disabilities to access video content.”
Enable Interactive Technologies’ enterprise-focused solutions help organizations meet the ever-increasing global standards of accessibility compliance for people with disabilities. The software enables video interpreting in a variety of sign languages, including American Sign Language (ASL) and British Sign Language (BSL), in addition to providing audio description and closed captioning. The original video does not have to be modified and video interpreting production ranges from desktop to studio quality. Additionally, Enable Interactive Technologies offers a team of subject matter experts that specialize in all types of STEM language, as well as specialized language for the performing arts.
“The culture at Crawford Technologies centers around developing solutions that make it easier for businesses to communicate with people in a way that is best for the individual. Our new video media technology is a testament to that dedication,” said Crawford. “I have no doubt that the services offered by Enable Interactive Technologies will be a game changer in the accessibility community by making it possible for people with disabilities to navigate and enjoy all types of video media independently.”
About Crawford Technologies
Crawford Technologies develops solutions that help enterprises optimize and improve the secure and accessible delivery, storage and presentment of their customer communications. As an award-winning, global provider of products and services with over 1,800 customers on six continents, Crawford Technologies enables some of the world’s largest banks, insurers, healthcare providers, utilities and print services companies to reduce costs, simplify processes and streamline mission-critical communications across all channels and in all formats. For more information visit www.crawfordtech.com or LinkedIn, X or Facebook.
About Enable Interactive Technologies
Enable Interactive Technologies (EIT) offers innovative interpreting services and advanced captioning software that improves the viewing experience of video media for all people with disabilities, specifically those who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind or visually challenged. With AI assisted technologies and our own universal viewer, EIT facilitates both the viewing and authoring of captioned and interpreted video that can be personalized for the individual end user. For more information visit www.enableinteractivetech.com.
