Q&A: Alice Turner, Director of Community and Corporate Relations, Vista Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired

As our transportation systems evolve and we look towards the future of mobility, one of the most exciting aspects of self-driving cars is the freedom and independence this technology will be able to provide. Automated cars will bring a new level of mobility that can immensely enhance the lives of people with mobility issues that affect their daily lives, including individuals who are blind or visually impaired. According to the 2017 National Health Interview Survey, 26.9 million American adults 18 and older reported experiencing significant vision loss. This number is expected to increase dramatically in the years ahead as individuals are living longer and, therefore, are more likely to experience age-related eye diseases that impact vision, such as macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy.

This month we are spotlighting Alice Turner, Director of Community and Corporate Relations at Vista Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Vista Center is a non-profit organization empowering individuals living with vision loss to embrace life to the fullest through evaluation, counseling, education, and training. Headquartered in Palo Alto, California, Vista Center serves 3,400 individuals annually in Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, San Mateo, Alameda and San Benito counties.

Perceptive Automata has had the pleasure of working with Alice to understand how our technology may impact the community of individuals with whom she works. We are grateful, not only for the time Alice spent with us for this blog, but also for the time she spent presenting to our entire team about Vista Center and the needs of people living with vision loss.

Tell me about the Vista Center and the services it provides.
At Vista Center, we believe with the proper education, evaluation, training, and support that people who are blind or visually impaired can live full and independent lives. Our aim is to facilitate the very best life any given client might live by providing the support, encouragement, resources, and assistance required to bolster confidence and promote achievement.

Much of our work includes diagnostic services with low-vision evaluations and retooling services, which help people learn to successfully live with vision loss. We serve children, transition age youth, working age individuals, and seniors.

We meet people where they stand, in whichever stage they are, and help them to progress to where they want to be.

Can you tell me about your role as Director of Community and Corporate Relations?
Over the years, we have connected with companies interested in research or work on an existing or potential product that is usable, adaptable, and identifies the needs of those who are blind or visually impaired. I help educate these individuals and companies about the needs of people living with vision loss and connect them to the Blind and Visually Impaired Community, which often results in focus groups, beta testing, or reviews by subject matter experts.

When I can, I speak with the engineers and researchers and let them know about the potential impact of their research. They then return to work with a new and more refined product vision. Many times, I am educating companies on what products are already available; what is working and what isn’t working; and how they can use this information for their prototype.

Last year, Vista Center hosted its conference, Vista TEC, focused on developing and adopting assistive technologies that empower the blind and the visually impaired community. Can you talk about the Vista Center’s decision to include a panel on automated vehicles?
We have been hosting technology conferences for years, but our recent Vista Technology Education Conference was really a step up. We focused not only on products for people who are blind or visually impaired, but also on what was going on in the world of inclusion and how technology impacts an inclusive world.

There is a high amount of interest in the Blind and Visually Impaired Community for learning about AVs, finding out more about what the technology is, and when they might see an AV in their lifetime. We brought together a panel of experts who are representing different aspects of the AV journey. While you can read an article on AVs, it is different than speaking with people doing actual development. It was one of the highlights of the conference.

At Perceptive Automata, we are developing human intuition AI for autonomous vehicles so they can drive safely and smoothly around people. How do you feel Perceptive Automata’s software will bring benefit for individuals who are blind or visually impaired?
The education around your technology is profound. There is a lot of information out there on the hardware, the sensors, and how autonomous vehicles work; but there are a lot of questions about how AI is going to translate to be the same as someone behind the wheel. When talking about Perceptive Automata, I often use this example to explain your technology. A child standing at an intersection with a basketball versus a child standing at an intersection holding their parent’s hand. Drivers have the ability with one glance to understand that they need to be cautious around the child with the ball, as the ball might roll out into the road versus understanding that the child holding their parent’s hand will be less likely to enter the road. It is so fascinating that Perceptive Automata’s AI will allow AVs to understand awareness and intent of any pedestrians on the road.

What excites you most about the future of transportation and autonomous vehicles?
We work with people to help them be independent and independence is very much focused around transportation. One of the biggest losses for individuals, who have previously driven in their life and then are no longer able to drive because of vision loss, is that inability to jump in your car and go where you want to go. We can do counseling around that, as well as education on transportation options; but it takes some time for people to really adjust. Even in areas with the best public transportation, independence is still associated with jumping in your car.

For me it is approximately 22 miles between where I work and where I live. If I take an Uber, it is possible for me to get there in 30 minutes. If I am taking the best public transportation, it is an hour and 30 minutes. When I look at my calendar, I am not only looking at the appointments but also what I must do to get there, considering what will be the most efficient and what will be the most cost effective.

So if there is a possibility that I could take that factor out and use an autonomous vehicle, it will impact how much more time I have in my life and how much creative energy I could have for things that I want to do rather than mapping out public transportation. And it will also bring access to all the areas that do not have public transportation available. Right now, to visit areas outside of the Bay Area, I need to coordinate getting there either by an Uber or with friends who drive. Autonomous vehicles mean people having access to a job, education, and recreation.

Anything else you wish to add?
I would like to highlight that the work Perceptive Automata is doing is going to change the fabric of how people with disabilities will live their lives in the future. I would urge you to continue to reach out to nonprofits that serve those individuals. If you can partner together and collaboration can happen throughout the development process, everyone is going to be better served.

Vista Center frequently partners with a broad range of corporations, many located in Silicon Valley, and government entities and nonprofit agencies to support product development and testing. We are experts in facilitating dialogue about scientific advancements designed to enhance quality of life for all members of the Blind and Visually Impaired Community.

To contact Alice Turner, please email her at aturner@vistacenter.org.