CTA Foundation and Verizon Won FCC Accessibility Award
The organizations were honored for launching the first-ever Accessibility Stage at the CES 2026 tech conference.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Special Needs
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The CTA Foundation and Verizon have received an FCC Chairman's Award for Advancement in Accessibility. The honor recognizes the two organizations for hosting an innovative Accessibility Stage at CES 2026.
Why it matters
The award highlights industry efforts to prioritize inclusive technology and elevate the experience of people with disabilities. It acknowledges the effectiveness of the event's expert-led panels in fostering better accessibility solutions.
The FCC Chairman's Award for Advancement in Accessibility specifically honors initiatives that improve experiences for people with disabilities. The Accessibility Stage featured a series of expert-led panels to address technology gaps.
The players
CTA Foundation
This is a public, national foundation that links leaders in the industry to resources and programs that improve the lives of people with disabilities.
Verizon
This is a global telecommunications company that provides mobile and broadband services to millions of customers across the United States.
Steve Ewell
He is a central figure at the CTA Foundation who helped spearhead the organization's work in promoting inclusive technology.
Fred Moltz
He is an organizational representative who participated in the formal acceptance of the FCC recognition.
The details
Steve Ewell and Fred Moltz accepted the award on behalf of their respective organizations during an official FCC ceremony. The stage utilized moderated conversations to connect developers with the needs of the disability community.
Timeline
The CTA Foundation awarded its first grants in 2012.
The FCC award ceremony occurred on October 8, 2026.
The Accessibility Stage is scheduled for CES 2027 from January 6 to 9.
Culture Shift
The award reflects a broader move toward prioritizing inclusive design within the high-stakes tech trade show circuit. This shift positions accessibility not as a niche interest, but as a core requirement for modern consumer hardware and software.
Consumers with disabilities can expect a more robust showcase of assistive technology at major industry events moving forward. This makes it easier for users to research products that directly improve daily independence and accessibility.
The takeaway
Recognizing accessibility initiatives provides a clear incentive for tech firms to prioritize inclusivity in their product development cycles. Readers interested in these technologies should watch for future announcements regarding the exhibitors participating in the upcoming 2027 stage.
What happens next
The Accessibility Stage will return for the upcoming CES 2027 conference in Las Vegas from January 6 to 9, 2027.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments in this space in the Special Needs section.
More information
Find further event details and registration information on the CES event registration and information page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by EXHIBITOR Online.
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