Tech Expert Discussing Technology with Andrew Cohen 

Intro 

You’re listening to Dumbed Down Tech, where we break down tech concepts and we go back to the basics. I am a tech expert based out of Las Vegas. 

Host 

I am here today with Andrew Cohen. Why don’t you tell us a little bit about yourself? 

Guest 

Hi, my name is Andrew Cohen. I’m signing to an interpreter named Kelly Brittingham. I want to thank you for your time and willingness to volunteer and interpret for me today, so we really appreciate it, Kelly. Me, myself, I’m a software engineer for an investment company, and I am DeafBlind. Let me emphasize, I’m legally DeafBlind. That does not mean that I’m completely blind, but I’m legally DeafBlind. 

Host 

That’s an interesting background. Now, obviously, technology plays a big role in your life, as a tech expert I can relate. Can you tell us a bit more about what that looks like for you? 

Guest 

That’s a good question. The first time I was exposed to technology, it was around five years old. My father bought me this huge computer that literally took over half the basement. It was huge. And when I sat down with my father on his lap and I could say, “Oh, what is this?” “What is that? I got excited, and I realized how much I can interact with technology. And I thought, well, in the future, Wow. How is it going to look in the world and how am I going to be able to interact with these people, the input and the output? And I realized at that point that the world was going to change in the future because of technology. That was my first time, I guess, when the bug bit me, basically, with technology; and little by little over the years, I kept feeding that desire, or more of that passion in technology. And I decided to make that my career path. And the rest is history, basically, as they say. 

Host 

So, were you always interested in technology as a career path? Seems like being a tech expert would be disability friendly. 

Guest 

Ironically, originally, when I was a child, I wanted to become an actor. But as I got older, I had to grow up a little bit and I guess basically smell the roses. The biggest reason I chose technology, and being a tech expert, as a career path is because I enjoyed problem solving—using logic, science, etc. And with computers, it makes it easier to work; the communication is easier. Technology makes the world around me more accessible. If I’m able to make a difference in one aspect, I can make a difference in other aspects as well because of technology. 

Host 

So how does technology help you communicate with other people? 

Guest 

That’s a great question. One thing I love about technology, it’s continually evolving over the years. Not only has it become better, but it has also become easier to use for people who aren’t a tech expert. It’s more integrated into our daily lives; it’s constantly changing. Maybe the best thing, I guess the thing I love the most about technology, is it gives me several ways to communicate. I use technology to set up video relay service (VRS). That is a similar concept to using FaceTime or Zoom, where I can see the interpreter and the interpreter sees me, as well as the person on the other end that I am talking to. It’s basically a triangle. 

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