BLOOMINGTON, Ind.—Indiana University is one of three global finalists for the Citrix Innovation Award for Customers, the software firm announced today. IU earned the recognition for two accessibility tech projects that help students with disabilities: IUanyWare AT Desktop for Accessible Applications and a virtual desktop for speech and hearing sciences.
IUanyWare is IU’s award-winning cloud software service that makes it easy for students, faculty, and staff to use a web browser or mobile app to run IU-licensed software applications without having to install them on their computer or mobile device. This is a process known as virtualization, and Citrix is IU’s virtualization vendor. Every year, Citrix selects three customers it believes are using its technology in innovative ways to reimagine IT, drive business growth, and create new ways for working.
The IUanyWare AT Desktop is a prime example of the way IU is constantly striving to educate all learners, and we are delighted to have this work recognized by tech industry leaders.
Brad Wheeler, Indiana University chief information officer and vice president for information technology
IU is a finalist alongside Schroders, a global asset manager based in the United Kingdom, and ZF, a global tech company based in Germany. One winner will be determined by popular vote and input from a judge’s panel of IT industry professionals at the Citrix Synergy conference, May 21-23, in Atlanta, Georgia.
Beginning Monday, May 13, Citrix will post videos detailing each customer’s story to the Citrix blog, as well as on its Innovation Award website. Visitors will be able to vote on which finalist is most deserving of the Citrix Innovation Award for 2019.
IUanyWare works alongside UITS Assistive Technology and Accessibility Centers to provide the best and most accessible software through these virtual desktops to students, faculty, and staff with disabilities.
“I think universities are particularly important places, where societies evolve, where we want to include everyone, and where we know it’s a perpetually unfinished journey but the work is most valuable to do,” said Brad Wheeler, Indiana University chief information officer and vice president for information technology. “The IUanyWare AT Desktop is a prime example of the way IU is constantly striving to educate all learners, and we are delighted to have this work recognized by tech industry leaders.”
Stephanie Cox, manager of IU virtualization services, echoed Wheeler’s sentiments. “The AT Desktop was designed to promote independence, giving students with visual impairments the same access to information as their peers,” Cox said. “The team took it one step further by virtualizing the computer to give students independence and confidence before entering the workforce,” she said. “Being in the Citrix Innovation Award top three is a great honor, but being selected for the desktops built for accessible use is an even greater honor.”
“A challenge with assistive technology is getting it to where students need it,” says Brian Richwine, manager, IU Assistive Technology & Accessibility Centers. “We’re really happy that Citrix provided tools that helps increase the reach of IU’s software to all learners, and we’re excited that Citrix thinks so too.”
