Internet pioneer, tech maven join forces to support CHS Benefit

Vinton Cerf and Amber Mac announced as speakers at Get CONNECTED: The Social Interactive Event

TORONTO, July 23, 2015 /CNW/ - The Canadian Hearing Society (CHS) is thrilled to announce Vinton G. Cerf, known as one of the "Fathers of the Internet," as the featured speaker and Amber Mac, a Canadian TV personality, as the emcee at Get CONNECTED: The Social Interactive Event at Muzik Nightclub in Toronto on Sept. 24. The fully-accessible event will celebrate the technological advancements that have broken down barriers for people with disabilities.

"Email has been an important tool for me since 1971, hearing aids since 1956," said Cerf, Vice-President and Chief Internet Evangelist for Google. "CHS and other organizations like it can help promote new and emerging technologies for people who are Deaf and hard of hearing in many ways."

Cerf earned his moniker as one of the "Fathers of the Internet" as co-designer of Internet protocols TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) and the architecture of the Internet. At Google, Cerf contributes to global policy development, standardization and the continued spread of the Internet. As a lifelong advocate and innovator, Cerf has been instrumental in the development of many technologies that have improved accessibility for people with disabilities.

MacArthur is an established digital marketing and social media speaker, author, host, producer, and consultant based out of Toronto. Author of the best-selling business book, Power Friending, MacArthur co-hosts App Central on CTV, a program which features the latest developments in mobile technology. Amber appears regularly as a technology and social media strategist on networks such as CNN, CTV and CBS.

"I'm thrilled to be part of Get CONNECTED: The Social Interactive Event to celebrate how technology has improved accessibility," said MacArthur. "Social media and new communication technology has changed the way people connect and interact and has given access to people who otherwise wouldn't have the opportunity to engage with the world around them."

Connecting people
Get CONNECTED: The Social Interactive Event, benefitting CHS, will encourage guests to join the conversation on social media by live-tweeting, sharing and posting using the hashtag #GetConnectedEvent. The event will also highlight technological advances that have helped break down communication barriers and re-connect people who are Deaf and hard of hearing with the world around them. Advances such as the Internet, email, live speech-to-text captioning, texting, social media, smartphones, webcams, video communication, FaceTime and other software applications make communication, customer service and everyday conveniences accessible for people with disabilities. Today, many people use technology to order groceries, bank online, or book a ride; all of which eliminate barriers to communication or mobility. Get CONNECTED: The Social Interactive Event will highlight these and other technologies that have changed the world.

The event will feature Vinton Cerf, as well as special guests, who will discuss technology and its impact on society, interactive technology lounges with social feeds projected on large screens, live entertainment, a silent auction, cocktails and food stations from some of Toronto's top restaurants.

The inaugural benefit Get CONNECTED: The Social Interactive Event coincides with the 75^th anniversary of CHS and the 10^th anniversary of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Proceeds from the event will help CHS establish a client assistance fund so people who are Deaf and hard of hearing can "get connected" to technology that can help them live their lives fully, regardless of their financial ability. Visit www.GetConnectedEvent.ca for more information.

About the Canadian Hearing Society
CHS is celebrating 75 years of providing services, products, and information to culturally Deaf, oral deaf, deafened, and hard of hearing people, and educating the hearing public. CHS is governed by a board of directors, the majority of whom are Deaf or hard of hearing. CHS is a charitable organization funded by government, grants, membership and generous donors. For more information or to find your regional office, visit www.chs.ca.

SOURCE The Canadian Hearing Society

Media Contact:
Marie-Lauren Gregoire
Communications Manager
Canadian Hearing Society
Email: [email protected]
Phone: [phone] ext. 272