About The Presenter
Mika Pyyhkala
is an accomplished consultant in information technology, assistive technology, and on matters related to blindness. Pyyhkala is currently vice president of the
Association Of Blind Citizens where he leads the organizations efforts in accessibility evangelism, and other ongoing operations. Pyyhkala serves as ABC’s representative in disability working groups concentrating on civil rights in the areas of air travel, information technology, and the overall civil rights of the blind in society with a keen focus on areas which are often overlooked by the field. As part of a working group at the
U.S. Department Of Transportation, Pyyhkala submitted written information that was subsequently adopted as part of a written model training program offered to the airlines by DOT.
Pyyhkala is also active in other civil rights groups in the blind community including
The National Federation of the Blind where he serves as the Massachusetts affiliate secretary and webmaster. Pyyhkala focuses on technology, event planning, and operations with in NFBM. Working with both local and national NFB leadership, Pyyhkala exposed an issue where the U.S.
Navy Can’t See An Injustice. In this incident, Pyyhkala took action when the Navy denied tours open to the public to persons who are blind. In fact, that incident was unravvling just as Pyyhkala traveled to attend CSUN 2007 as a participant. Subsequently Pyyhkala was invited too, and attended NFB national leadership training personally provided by Dr. Mark Maurer which explored much of the history of the blind civil rights movement from the 1940’s to present day issues.
Pyyhkala works in the information technology field in Boston, and is available as an AT consultant and trainer worldwide.
Pyyhkala studied at
Boston College before pursuing his dual career in both assistive and information technology.
Besides his career and organizational involvement, Pyyhkala actively uses blogs, social networks, podcasting, and other new media tools on a regular basis both for personal and professional endeavors. In this arena, Pyyhkala leads an open forum in Washington, DC called
DC Night Out
which is open to the public, and is a podcast largely discussing ongoing topics of interest in the blind community, along with a focus on travel, general consumer services and technology trends, and current events. In 2005, DC Night Out and ABC hosted an internet program called CSUN Direct which provided a live stream from Los Angeles each evening of the goings on at the conference to those unable to attend. The programs were also made available via podcasts. “What started out as a couple of guys getting together for a few beers grew in to DC Night Out,” said Pyyhkala. “The idea was to have a much more informal and less pretencious forum where we could discuss access technology and other topics, and really tell it like it is, and not be bound to predefined boiler plate presentation styles, where you have to say evrything is great” he continued. Pyyhkala also chronicles his travel and jetsetting adventures using the podcast and other social media tools. Jamal Mazrui is also a frequent contributor at DC Night Out, and Pyyhkala, Mazrui, and others collaborated to present a Dueling Operating Systems presentation at CSUN 2008.
Contact Details
Mika Pyyhkala
pyyhkala@gmail.com
Skype: pyyhkala
Mobile/SMS: (617) 308-1114
