Assistive Technology: A Love Story

Todd Stabelfeldt and Karen Stabelfeldt

Tecla user’s love story comes true with the help of assistive technology

TORONTO, January 31, 2017 – In a world where most communication now occurs via text instead of in person, one out of five cell phone owners report feeling closer to their spouse or partner because of exchanges they’ve had via text message and eighty percent report that they’ve “sexted” within the past year. But what if you couldn’t enjoy the intimacy of private texting due to limited mobility? You might say that Tecla — which allows individuals with limited upper body mobility to use their mobile devices hands-free — is a dating game-changer.

For Tecla-user Todd Stabelfeldt, who lives with a C4 spinal cord injury, the device was integral to his love story. Prior to becoming a Tecla user, Stabelfeldt met the woman who would become his wife and began flirting with her via text. Without Tecla, all of those messages had to be sent through his assistant. “One day I said something that was a little bit dirty and it hit me that my assistant was reading the text. It made me go, oh wow, I’m doing this with someone else” says Stabelfeldt. “That’s why it was so dope when I got Tecla. Being able to text on my own allowed me the freedom, and the right, to be a lover, to be romantic.”

Made by Komodo OpenLab, Tecla is for anyone who can’t easily use a smartphone, tablet or computer, including those with limited upper-body mobility resulting from spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, ALS, muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, brain injuries, or stroke. Tecla connects to accessibility switches (buttons, sip and puff) and allows an individual to then wirelessly interact with their computer, iOS or Android devices hands-free, making technology (and love ) accessible to everyone.

“The beauty of Tecla is not only the actual act of being able to access technology, but also the experiences that come along with that access,” says the company’s co-founder, Mauricio Meza. “Everyone deserves the right to text, send an email and yes — to have the intimacy to woo their loved-one or flirt in private!”

To learn more about Todd Stabelfeldt’s love story and Tecla, a short video can be viewed here.

About Tecla

Tecla by Komodo OpenLab Inc., a B corporation, creates assistive technology to improve the lives of people with disabilities. As a B corporation, Tecla hopes to inspire all businesses to not only be the best in the world, but to be the best for the world. They are committed to providing a life-changing product for a reasonable price using only high-quality technology and materials.

Tecla is an official partner of Bell Mobility, this partnership aims to bring mobile devices and products to Canadians with physical disabilities as seen in a recent commercial featured during the Paralympics Games coverage.

Take a closer look at how Tecla is helping people with limited mobility access technology, experiences, and even #AccessLove.

Feeling inspired? Share this video to help spread the word!

Learn more at: http://www.GetTecla.com

Thanks to: Todd Stabelfeldt and Karen Stabelfeldt

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