LinkNYC Accessibility

LinkNYC is a first-of-its-kind communications network replacing over 7,500 pay phones across the five boroughs with new structures called Links. Each Link provides superfast, free public Wi-Fi, phone calls, device charging and a tablet for access to city services, maps and directions. LinkNYC strives to be a beloved part of all of the communities we serve. Come learn about the accessible features implemented on this first of its kind product.

Never visited a Link before? There are 2 located right outside the Thoughtbot entrance that you can visit before or after the meetup:
38th and Broadway (Northwest Corner)
37th and Broadway (Northwest Corner)

Presenter Bios:

Ruth Fasoldt serves as the Director of External Affairs for Link, the most comprehensive, free public Wi-Fi network in the world. Ruth manages Intersection's public-private partnership with both the City of New York for LinkNYC and Philadelphia for LinkPHL, in addition to overseeing all community outreach and timely local partnerships to help make Link a welcome part of the community.

Ruth has spent the past eight years advocating for the importance of stakeholders input and understanding. Prior to joining Intersection, Ruth was the Business Development Manager for ACCA USA, the US headquarters of the world's largest accounting accreditation. Ruth was also the Director of Membership and Special Events for the Association for a Better New York (ABNY). Ruth holds a B.A. in History from Union College, and Masters degrees in History and Archives Management from Simmons College.

------

Kevin Green is a Product Manager at Intersection, focusing on LinkNYC. He is responsible for bringing Link’s end-user facing products to the street. Kevin relies on his knowledge of lean UX design, user research and a/b testing to produce features that span the global Link Network. He manages Link's mobile products, lead the partnership with Aunt Bertha, a social services provider application on the tablet, the redesign of Link’s tablet experience, and several dynamic content campaigns (news, weather forecasts, transit updates, etc.).

------

Emily Pease is the Senior Program Manager for our Link deployments in NYC and UK. This means she works with all of the teams across the Link program to ensure we're delivering on the promise of Link as a valuable contribution to our cities. Additionally, she serves as the Accessibility Coordinator for LinkNYC and through that role supports the implementation of accessible features, coordinates trainings for our team, and meets with groups to better understand needs of all communities.

She's started working at Intersection in 2015 as we prepared to launch LinkNYC. Prior to working at Intersection, she worked for a strategy and innovation consulting firm called the Medici Group, where she coached fortune 500 companies on developing new products or services based on the principle that Diversity Drives Innovation. She also has a background working in State Government where she worked in South Carolina Governor's office for 2 years. Emily has a masters degree in International Relations and Diplomacy from Seton Hall University and a Bachelors Degree in International Studies from the University of South Carolina.