ESF is committed to making a difference in our campers’ lives and in our communities. We take great pride in giving back through our foundations, one of which is Acting Without Boundaries (AWB). This fall, AWB will honor Comcast’s Vice President of Accessibility Thomas Wlodkowski, as the 2020 recipient of the AWB Hero Award. This year marks the 5th anniversary of the event, which celebrates individuals with physical disabilities and recognizes a community member who displays remarkable efforts to overcome adversity, enhance awareness, reduce stigma and increase community access for the disabled. 

Throughout his career, Tom has been a pioneer in the accessibility field. Blind himself, he has been a champion for people with disabilities, working to improve the usability of mainstream Internet, mobile, broadcast and cable television technology. He believes when you make a product more inclusive, you create a better experience for everyone.

Under Tom’s guidance, Comcast launched eye-control for the television, so Xfinity X1 customers with physical disabilities can use their eyes to change the channel, set a recording or search for a show. With support from Tom’s team, Comcast launched Voice Guidance on the Xfinity X1 Operating System, the industry’s first talking guide that provides people who are blind or visually impaired with independent access to the X1 set-top box user interface including TV listings, the ability to manage their DVR, access to Video On Demand and Settings.

He and his team also opened a dedicated support center for customers with disabilities and created an accessibility lab to drive research and development. The lab provides an interactive atmosphere where employees can experience the accessibility features of Comcast’s current and future products and assistive technologies used by people with disabilities.

Tom previously served as Director of Accessibility at AOL and in various roles at WGBH, Boston Public Radio.

If you’re interested in attending the 5th Annual AWB Hero Award honoring Tom Wlodkowski at Water Works in Philadelphia, tickets are available for purchase at http://bit.ly/heroaward2020 or call: 610.922.8240.