One of the most commonly asked question we get these days is simply one of logistics. Since almost 100% of our time is devoted to getting from one place to the next, touring different facilities, meeting people, and going to the bathroom, people often wonder how we find not only the time, but the technology to be able to keep our site updated for our audience to view. To be honest, I wonder the exact same thing.

Before this tour, I was what a tech junkie would call “grounded.” Wireless internet is a thing of the future, I always thought, and I have been perfectly content with plugging a cord in the wall. It wasn’t until this tour did I see for the first time in my life a card that all you need to do is insert in your laptop and get online. The card is similar to pagers, as it depends on satellites and there are areas where the card is rendered unusable. Even though accessibility is usually denied when we are in rural areas, the concept of being able to keep up with Rick Reilly’s latest article on SportsIllustrated.com while driving on the road was fascinating. I didn’t care if the upload speed was much slower than that of a 56k phone modem, or that the service costs $80 a month. This is innovative technology we’re talking about here! But after using the wireless cards for a while, we realized that the technology wasn’t consistent enough for us to put any trust in it. Uploading video is always an arduous task, because if our network signal were to waver even the slightest, the connection would be lost and the information would become clogged in cyberspace. Jed decided to get rid of our two air cards and focus on using Wi-Fi technology and hotspots.

I can still remember asking Jed for the first time, “Wi-Fi?” As it turns out, Wi-Fi actually stands for Wireless Fidelity. Sure, I don’t even know what the name’s supposed to mean other than the fact that it doesn’t have any wires, but the possibilities with the technology are limitless. All you need to do is buy a Wi-Fi card, which generally runs for about 30 to 80 dollars depending on brand and you can waltz in almost any Starbucks, Borders bookstore, Kinko’s, or any of the thousands of other locations that offer free Wi-Fi service and have an internet speed that parallels a cable connection. The coolest part about Wi-Fi is that the hotspots generally have a 300 foot radius so oftentimes we find ourselves parked outside of Starbucks for the night using their hotspot so we can keep our website updated.

Driving around the country however, we aren’t always able to find a Starbucks. How many ranchers in Wyoming do you think need their Venti Caramel Macchiato in the morning? What we can do, however, is drive around near a business park and more often than not, we are able to pick up a wireless signal from inside the business office. We have also learned that almost all Holiday Inn Expresses offer Wi-Fi services, in addition to a number of gas stations and small stores. While the Midwest still lacks many of these Wi-Fi locations, it is still relatively easy to find access anywhere else. Wi-Fi, I have learned these recent weeks, is the technology of the future. For the most part it’s free, it’s easily accessible, and it’s an affordable technology.

Technology has now almost evolved to the point where Deaf people will be capable of having video conferencing while on the go, with no hook ups while we’re driving down the interstate. It seems as if every time something new hits the market, it instantly becomes obsolete. It’s a great time to be Deaf, because the very reaches of technology are within our grasps. From clunky TTYs 41 years ago to Video Relay Services on the go, I can’t help but wonder that what will come. How far we have come these recent years in gaining more and more complete accessibility just boggles my mind.

Now if only the people could catch up.