ARCHIVE / 2023:

Access Information News for Monday, September 25, 2023 - Volume 929

The Week's News in Access Information
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A Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd. Publication
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Access Information News. The world's #1 online resource for current news and trends in access information.

Subscribers: 10,289 Opt-In Subscribers were sent this issue via email. 35 Premium Subscribers were sent this issue via email.

This Week's Featured Advertisement: Access Ready Asks What If?

The accessibility features of information and communications technology (ICT), products and services, didn't cost developers anything? Maintaining the accessibility of ICT didn't cost developers anything? Developers could get paid for including the accessibility of ICT, so it ended up costing nothing? People with disabilities were employed to verify accessibility while costing developers nothing? Accessibility experts got paid while costing developers nothing? The cost of upgrading ICT systems at the retail level cost nothing. The excuse that accessibility costs too much simply went away. Talk to Access Ready to find out how:
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Ongoing Weekly Distribution Made Possible By Support From: Pneuma Solutions, WayAround, APH ConnectCenter, Access Ready, Inc., Total Tech Solutions, LLC, Eyes on Success, Empish J. Thomas, Hadley and the National Council for the Blind of Ireland (NCBI). Learn more about Sponsorship today at: https://accessinformationnews.com/sponsor.

Dear Access Information News Subscriber,

1) Top 5 Most Clicked Access Information News Articles From Last Week

A.) Accessibility Support Phone Lines You Should Know | Ophthalmic Edge

With a welcomed emphasis on accessibility and inclusion, numerous companies now offer specialized support services for customers with vision loss. They are there to help you get the most out of their products and to ensure your devices are set right to accommodate your needs. This is an effort we greatly appreciate and are delighted to spread the word:
https://ophthalmicedge.org/patient/accessibility-support-phone-lines-you-should-know/

B.) The Best And Weirdest Gadgets Coming To Homes Soon | Tim Biggs | The Sydney Morning Herald

From robot helpers to smart home sensors, all the latest connected tech was present last week at IFA, the world's largest consumer electronics show in Berlin. We sat through the livestreams and pored through the press releases, and here are some of the smartest and weirdest innovations potentially coming soon to a home near you:
https://www.smh.com.au/technology/the-best-and-weirdest-gadgets-coming-to-homes-soon-20230907-p5e2st.html

C.) Lego Braille Bricks Review | Tim Dixon

The Lego Group started shipping their Lego Braille Bricks (40656) to consumers on the 1st of September 2023 amidst widespread excitement. My set has arrived, and I wanted to provide a short Lego Braille Bricks review:
https://www.timdixon.net/blog/2023/09/lego-braille-bricks-review/

D.) Signia Introduces Hearing Aid Tech for Noisy Group Conversations

Hearing aid provider Signia, part of WS Audiology, launched a new technology called Integrated Xperience that enables hearing aid wearers to hear all speakers in noisy group conversations clearly. Even when speakers move or the wearer turns their head, the hearing aids ensure improved speech understanding:
https://hearingreview.com/hearing-products/hearing-aids/psap/signia-introduces-hearing-aids-tech-for-noisy-group-conversations

E.) 7 Things I've Learned As A Sighted Social Media Manager Of Blind Team Members | Life of a Blind Girl

As a sighted Project Manager serving blind team members all over the world for almost 20 years now, I concur with the views expressed in this article.
Life of a Blind Girl: Working as a blind social media professional has its challenges at times. It's also incredibly rewarding. I wouldn't change my job for the world. It's not lost on me that I couldn't do my job without the support of my incredible team. They don't bat an eyelid when we have to find a workaround for a visual task, or when I ask for support. Most importantly, they see what I can do, not what I can't do. One of those incredible team members is my wonderful colleague Becky. From the day she joined our team, I knew that we shared the same values. We both want to see more blind and partially sighted people working in communications, and we want the social media world to be accessible for everyone:
https://lifeofablindgirl.com/2023/09/10/7-things-ive-learned-as-a-sighted-social-media-manager-of-blind-team-members/

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Are you an access-based person, business or organization whose products, services or message would benefit from reaching over 10,000 access buyers each week? If so, please consider becoming a Sponsor today for just $100 a month, paid either monthly, quarterly or annually. Annual Paying Sponsors receive 5 Featured Advertisements for the year, rather than 4, and gain the additional benefit of being able to schedule their Featured Advertisements up to one year in advance. If you've been looking for a way to consistently reach the largest audience of opt-in access buyers in the world today, at a nearly negligible price point, please consider becoming an Access Information News Sponsor while packages last. Availability: There are currently 6 Access Information News Sponsorship Packages available:
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3) Premium Subscriber Updates

Next Issue: Premium Subscribers will receive their 3rd Issue of the 60 Most Clicked Access News Articles for July, August and September of 2023 on Monday, October 2, 2023. Back Issues: There are currently 2 back issues available. Premium Subscribers are entitled to all back issues, anytime they sign up. All available back issues will be sent to you via email within 24 hours of purchasing your subscription. Please Join Us: If you would like to support the ongoing weekly distribution of free and unbiased access news while receiving a perfectly formatted and searchable Word Document with each of the 60 Most Clicked Access News Articles of the last 3 months listed neatly within it, please consider joining us today for just $1 a month:
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6) Nearly Half Of Women With Disabilities Report Experiencing Sexual Harassment Or Assault At Work, Poll Finds | Sara Luterman | The 19th News

A new 19th / SurveyMonkey Poll is among the first to shed light on sexual violence faced by women with disabilities in the workplace:
https://19thnews.org/2023/09/poll-disability-sexual-violence-workplace/

7) This Face Looks Redacted: The Be My Eyes Faces Controversy Explained | David Redmond | National Council for the Blind of Ireland (NCBI)

Last week in one of our work meetings we were talking about the incredible new AI feature from Be My Eyes. Out of the blue, my colleague Mairead mentioned that she'd had trouble getting the app to describe a photo in her photo library the night before. "That can't be right," we said in unison, Be My Eyes could never fail. But it did! My colleague Joe tried it without success, and then I attempted it too, and had issues. Something was seriously wrong. We soon realized that the app had gone from simply blurring faces to outright blocking any image with a face, effectively rendering this game-changing tech useless in many situations.
https://www.ncbi.ie/this-face-looks-redacted-the-be-my-eyes-faces-controversy-explained/

8) Federal Lawsuits Allege 'Systemic Discrimination' Of Disabled Kids In Alabama Facilities

Six federal lawsuits were filed on September 20, 2023 against Alabama Department of Human Resources Commissioner Nancy Buckner and State Superintendent Eric Mackey for their agencies' roles in committing alleged "flagrant violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act:"
https://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/story/news/2023/09/21/federal-lawsuits-allege-systematic-discrimination-of-disabled-kids-in-alabama-facilities/70919213007/

9) Project Gutenberg Releases 5,000 Free Audiobooks Using Neural Text-To-Speech Technology

Audiobooks have gained popularity in recent years due to their accessibility, but recording them can be difficult and expensive. Researchers recently demonstrated an automated method using synthetic text-to-speech that solves numerous problems facing the technology and could enable ordinary users to generate audiobooks:
https://www.techspot.com/news/100211-project-gutenberg-releases-5000-free-audiobooks-using-neural.html

10) Step-By-Step Guidance For Visually Impaired Travelers Now Available At Honolulu Airport | Hawai'i Public Radio

A free, step-by-step call service that helps the blind and visually impaired is now available at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport. The Hawai'i Association of the Blind is sponsoring a one-year program that makes the professional call service Aira available to anyone at the airport. Customers can call agents with Aira, who can direct customers to check-in counters, gates and other areas of the airport. The Aira app can be installed on users' phones:
https://www.hawaiipublicradio.org/local-news/2023-09-20/step-by-step-guidance-for-visually-impaired-travelers-now-available-at-honolulu-airport

11) Exploring Envision Glasses in Mystery Shopping: A Case Study | Envision

Putting the Envision Glasses to use, Vicky, our very own community manager, illuminates the transformative potential of Envision Glasses through her mystery shopping assignments. Harnessing the innovative features of these smart glasses, Vicky embarks on tasks that were once perceived as challenging for people who are blind or have low vision:
https://www.letsenvision.com/blog/exploring-envision-glasses-in-mystery-shopping-a-case-study

12) Explore Museums at Your Own Pace with Audio Description | APH ConnectCenter

If you're blind or have low vision, there's no reason you shouldn't be able to enjoy the visual arts — such as paintings, sculptures, and other artifacts in various museums. Some people go to museums with friends or family who describe the art to them, but some museums offer audio descriptions so you can wander through a museum at your own pace. Sheila Young, the Chair of the American Council of the Blind (ACB) Audio Description Project (ADP) subcommittee on Performing Arts, Museums and Parks, says they're working to get more museums to include audio description in their offerings:
https://aphconnectcenter.org/arts-leisure/explore-museums-at-your-own-pace-with-audio-description/

13) Robots Could Replace Guide Dogs For The Blind | The Sun | YouTube

Could this four-legged 'Robodog' eventually replace guide dogs? Its Swiss developers are testing its ability to navigate the real world — and keep a blind or visually impaired person safe. And they say it could have applications even beyond that. The team at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology say they've put together a commercially available robotic dog — and their own sensors and software. Researcher Davide Plozza explains how it works:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_2_r76PdpU

14) Be My Eyes And AI: Transforming Lives Through A Camera Lens | Siobhan Meade | Blind Girl Blogs

In a world where technology is rapidly advancing, AI, or artificial intelligence, has become a topic of discussion across various online platforms and social media channels. As someone who has been using Be My Eyes for many years, I've personally experienced the incredible capabilities of the app and more recently AI and the profound impact it has on the lives of people who are blind or vision impaired:
https://blindgirlblogsapp.wordpress.com/2023/09/22/bee-my-eyes-and-ai-transforming-lives-through-a-camera-lens/

15) Social Security Overpays Billions to People, Many on Disability. Then It Demands the Money Back. | KFF Health News

Justina Worrell, 47, works part time as a kitchen helper in an Ohio nursing home. She has cerebral palsy, an intellectual disability, and a cardiac condition that required she get an artificial heart valve at age 20. A year ago, she was earning $862 a month and receiving about $1,065 in monthly Social Security disability benefits when a letter arrived from the federal government. The Social Security Administration had been overpaying her, the letter said, and wanted money back. Within 30 days, it said, she should mail the government a check or money order. For $60,175.90:
https://kffhealthnews.org/news/article/social-security-overpayments-investigation/

16) New Project To Make Data Curation Accessible

JooYoung Seo, assistant professor in the School of Information Sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, has been awarded a $649,921 Early Career Development grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS grant RE-254891-OLS-23), under the Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program, which supports "developing a diverse workforce of librarians to better meet the changing learning and information needs of the American public by enhancing the training and professional development of librarians, developing faculty and library leaders, and recruiting and educating the next generation of librarians:"
https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1000265

17) Choosing The Right Assistive Tech Service Provider | Thriver

This guide will explain how to choose assistive technologies and what to look for in a great assistive technology service provider:
https://thriiver.co.uk/2023/03/choosing-the-right-assistive-tech-service-provider/

18) Unlocking Opportunities: Making The World More Accessible Through DisabilityTech | Perkins School For The Blind

DisabilityTech is a field of technology focused on adaptable, assistive, and inclusive solutions for people with disabilities:
https://www.perkins.org/unlocking-opportunities-making-the-world-more-accessible-through-disabilitytech/

19) 6 Reasons Why a Kindle Unlimited Subscription Is Worth It

Reading books can be an expensive hobby. Luckily, there are services like Kindle Unlimited to get the best bang for your buck:
https://www.makeuseof.com/reasons-why-kindle-unlimited-subscription-is-worth-it/

20) Why Do Drive-Through ATMs Have Braille? | Even Grounds

Drive-through ATMs with Braille buttons have long perplexed many, giving rise to questions, jokes, and urban legends. After all, blind individuals don't drive, so why would there be Braille on machines explicitly designed for drivers? As it turns out, the presence of Braille is based on a combination of practical, legal, and manufacturing reasons. This article delves into the explanations behind this seemingly contradictory design choice:
https://evengrounds.com/why-do-drive-through-atms-have-braille/

21) What An Economist Article Says About Website Accessibility And Lawsuits | Thomas Logan | Equal Entry

When a major worldwide publication writes about accessible websites, we take notice. That's exactly what happened when the Economist published Lawsuits over disabled Americans' access to websites have surged. This article focuses on the large increase in lawsuits related to websites not complying with the ADA. It targets litigants who bring in many lawsuits on behalf of a few plaintiffs:
https://equalentry.com/economist-website-accessibility-lawsuits/

22) Bookshare Summer Symposium 2023 Highlights: Giving Our Students Choice and Voice

Enjoy our rundown of this year's Bookshare Summer Symposium, highlighting the experts, educators, and students who shared at July's event:
https://blog.bookshare.org/2023/09/bookshare-summer-symposium-2023-highlights-giving-our-students-choice-and-voice/

23) Access Living Sues White Sox For Ticket Sales Discrimination

A new legal battle involving the team at 35th and Shields has emerged. Access Living, a leading force in the disability community, has announced a lawsuit against the Chicago White Sox for discriminatory ticket sales practices. Below is a copy of the obtained press release in its entirety:
https://www.soxon35th.com/access-living-sues-white-sox-for-ticket-sales-discrimination/

24) Is Delta's New Wheelchair Seat the Solution to Accessible Air Travel? | Medium: Subscription Required

The pros and cons of Delta's newest innovation:
https://medium.com/counterarts/is-deltas-new-wheelchair-seat-the-solution-to-accessible-air-travel-54cda50c643d

25) How Serious Are We When It Comes To Accessibility? Time To Put Up Or Shut Up! | Award Winning Sight Loss Coach, Advocate and Author Donna Jodhan

We need to get out of the bad habit of just being content to talk the walk and to replace this with walk the talk. Too many of us are just content to sit back and wait for something to happen! Well! It is not going to happen for as long as we allow entities to get away with a lack of accountability and transparency! Just my two cents for today:
https://sterlingcreations.com/blog/how-serious-are-we-when-it-comes-to-accessibility-time-to-put-up-or-shut-up

26) A Federal Agency Wants To Give Safety Tips To Young Adults. So It's Dropping An Album | NPR

The federal agency responsible for promoting the safety of consumer products has employed plenty of tactics over the years, from recalls to regulations to PSAs. Now, the Consumer Product Safety Commission is trying a new — and catchier — approach: It's released an album:
https://www.npr.org/2023/09/20/1199192682/consumer-product-safety-commission-music-album

➜ Featured Webinars, Training Courses and Events

September 26, 2023 | White House Forum on Disability Rights

10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
On September 26, the White House is hosting a forum on Disability Rights for the 50th Anniversary of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The virtual event is open to the public. The event will take place from 1:00 - 4:30 PM ET. ASL and CART will be provided:
https://www.dol.gov/agencies/odep/publications/news-brief

September 26, 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group

11AM PT, 12PM MT, 1PM CT, 2PM ET, 6PM GMT
4th Tuesday of every month at 7:00 PM CT. Learn a few tips about everyday technology from a technology expert, ask your questions, and share your experiences.
https://hadley.edu/discussion-groups/tech-it-out

September 26, 2023 | Web Accessibility - DOJ Listening Session: Notice of Proposed Rulemaking Title II Website/App Accessibility

12PM PT, 1PM MT, 2PM CT, 3PM ET, 7PM GMT
An opportunity to learn more about proposed web accessibility regulations and how to comment on them. The Great Lakes ADA Center is pleased to announce that we will be hosting a "Listening Session" with representatives from the Disability Rights Section of the U.S. Department of Justice regarding their Notice Of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) regarding the Accessibility of Web Information and Services for State and Local Government (Title II entities). DOJ issued the NPRM on July 25th with public comments due no later than October 3, 2023. Individuals have a variety of options for submitting comments including electronically and in writing. This session provides individuals an opportunity to give verbal comments to DOJ via the Listening Session format. Registration deadline is 9/25/2023 or until maximum registration is reached. Individuals must establish an account on our website in order to register. Method: Via Zoom. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) issued a "Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Accessibility of Web Information and Services of State and Local Government Entities" (NPRM) on July 25, 2023. This NPRM proposes a specific technical standard that state and local governments would have to follow to meet their existing obligations under Title II of the ADA for web and mobile app accessibility. The NPRM asks the public for comments about this proposal. To this end, the Great Lakes ADA Center in collaboration with the ADA National Network are hosting a "Listening Session" with representatives from the Disability Rights Section, U.S. Department of Justice regarding the proposed rule Individuals are invited to join this session and share your thoughts in support or against any or all of these proposed regulations. This is not a Q&A session. The Department of Justice will not discuss or be able to respond to any questions during this session. The intent is for DOJ to hear from interested persons and entities. This session will not be recorded and there are no continuing education recognition credits available for this session. Participants are encouraged to review the NPRM in advance of the session as well as the Fact Sheet on the NPRM prepared by DOJ in order to be prepared to comment. This session will have Real-Time Captioning and Sign Language Interpreters Available. Contact (877) 232-1990 ☎ or email webinars@adaconferences.org ✉ with questions. Register at:
https://www.accessibilityonline.org/ada-tech/session/?id=111080

September 26, 2023 | Ask Sharky: Five JAWS Power Tips for Online Shopping

9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
We'll discuss common challenges of shopping online, plus offer five power tips for overcoming them. Zoom conferencing platform and Clubhouse Join via Zoom or download the Clubhouse app from iOS App Store or Google Play to participate on your mobile device. Zoom link:
https://zoom.us/j/7278038000?_x_zm_rtaid=JLrcZJLfR0CGeSOmS9Dn3g.1605555524846.894574b70d1d4051defcc9cb567d21aa&_x_zm_rhtaid=935#success

September 27, 2023 | Basic Internet Browsing with JAWS (Assistive Technology Webinar) | Access Ingenuity

10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
Are you apprehensive about surfing the internet with JAWS, or do you want to understand the basics of web browsing with JAWS? Join Marisa Church and Ian Ramos from Access Ingenuity as we discuss some basic terminology, demonstrate great techniques, and explore helpful tools to lay the foundation for effectively navigating web pages. Learning Outcomes & Zoom Webinar Information. Explain the layout of a browser window with basic terms. Present basic navigating commands. Activate some JAWS tools to enhance the browsing experience:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88231843911?pwd=SnRYU0ZnUks0WlVzdWx4azAwdmw0dz09&mc_cid=ce73907c70&mc_eid=90429c1885#success

September 27, 2023 | How to Write an Accessibility Statement | TPGi

9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
We'll cover the various purposes for and key information to include in a website accessibility statement. Plus, we'll evaluate real-world examples of accessibility statements. Each attendee gains a template format to publish their own website accessibility statement. This webinar evaluates real-world examples of accessibility statements and answers frequently asked questions such as: Who at an organization should write an accessibility statement? Should the statement be written by an attorney? Should the statement explicitly acknowledge the parts of the website or application which do not conform to accessibility guidelines? Should the statement offer phone support or alternative options if a user finds the website to be inaccessible? The objective is for each attendee to come away with a clear approach for their own organization, whether it's a small business or a global brand. Join us for a lively discussion of website accessibility statements:
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-september-27-at-12pm-et-how-to-write-an-accessibility-statement/

September 29, 2023 | Blindness and Mental Health Webinar | Accessible Pharmacy

9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
Please join us as we discuss mental health in the blind and low vision community. Expert presenters will discuss: Psychology and therapy for the blind community. Medications and genomic testing. Peer and community support resources. 988 Mental Health Hotline information:
https://accessiblepharmacy.com/blindness-and-mental-health-webinar/

October 4, 2023 | FEMA Nationwide EAS Test

11:20AM PT, 12:20PM MT, 1:20PM CT, 2:20PM ET, 6:20PM GMT
FEMA, in coordination with the FCC, will conduct a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) this fall. The national test will consist of two portions, testing WEA and EAS capabilities. Both tests are scheduled to begin at 2:20pm ET on Wednesday, October 4. The EAS portion of the test will be sent to radios and televisions. This will be the seventh nationwide EAS test:
https://news.radio-online.com/cgi-bin/rol.exe/headline_id=b17534

October 10, 2023 | Modernizing the Patient Experience with Self Check-in

9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
Self-Service kiosks are becoming more ubiquitous in healthcare with the intentions of improving the patient check-in experience. Providing patients with disabilities full access to self-check-in kiosks increases adoption rates and elevates the overall efficiency of your facilities. Join KIOSK and TPGi to learn about the importance of digital accessibility and considerations to facilitate ADA compliance in your self-check-in kiosks. Register today:
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-october-10-at-12pm-et-modernizing-the-patient-experience-with-self-check-in/

October 11, 2023 | Five Screen Reader Accessibility Tests You Should Always Do | TPGi

9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
Presenter: Charlie Pike, Platform Success Lead. In this practical, hands-on session, we will show you five screen reader checks everyone should be doing on their websites and applications. Thanks to TPGi's screen reader testing tool, the tests require little knowledge of accessibility. JAWS Inspect makes screen reader compatibility testing easy regardless of your role in your organization. Register today:
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-october-11-at-12pm-et-five-screen-reader-accessibility-tests-you-should-always-do/

October 13, 2023 | Blindness and Clinical Trials Webinar | Accessible Pharmacy

9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
Please join us as we discuss clinical trials for the blind and low vision community with these expert presenters: Ben Shaberman, VP Science Communications Foundation Fighting Blindness. Marin Allen, former Deputy Director of Communications, National Institute of Health. Maggie Cashion, Clinical Research Manager, Prism Vision Group:
https://accessiblepharmacy.com/blindness-and-clinical-trials-webinar/

October 24, 2023 | Creating a Sustainable Digital Accessibility Business Plan | Accessibility.com

10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
Every business needs a digital accessibility plan. Learn how to craft one for your business, no matter the size, that is sustainable as your business grows:
https://www.accessibility.com/event/2023/creating-a-sustainable-digital-accessibility-business-plan

October 24, 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group

11AM PT, 12PM MT, 1PM CT, 2PM ET, 6PM GMT
4th Tuesday of every month at 7:00 PM CT. Learn a few tips about everyday technology from a technology expert, ask your questions, and share your experiences.
https://hadley.edu/discussion-groups/tech-it-out

November 6, 2023 through November 10, 2023 | Accessing Higher Ground | Association on Higher Education And Disability (AHEAD)

Accessible Media, Web and Technology Conference. Hilton Denver City Center, Denver, Colorado:
https://accessinghigherground.org/

November 28, 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group

11AM PT, 12PM MT, 1PM CT, 2PM ET, 6PM GMT
4th Tuesday of every month at 7:00 PM CT. Learn a few tips about everyday technology from a technology expert, ask your questions, and share your experiences.
https://hadley.edu/discussion-groups/tech-it-out

December 1, 2023 and December 2, 2023 | Blind Health Expo 2023 | Exhibitor and Attendee Registration Now Open

The Blind Health Expo is the largest virtual event of healthcare information, products, services, and medication for individuals in the blind, low vision, and disability communities. Exhibitors can: Register for free. Interact with thousands of attendees. Showcase their products and services:
https://accessiblepharmacy.com/blind-health-expo-2023/

December 26, 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group

11AM PT, 12PM MT, 1PM CT, 2PM ET, 6PM GMT
4th Tuesday of every month at 7:00 PM CT. Learn a few tips about everyday technology from a technology expert, ask your questions, and share your experiences.
https://hadley.edu/discussion-groups/tech-it-out

➜ Directories

1) Access Information Email Newsletter Directory

https://accessinformationnews.com/email-newsletter-directory.html

➜ Sponsor Classified Ads

Sponsor: Total Tech Solutions, LLC

Sponsor Since: April 4, 2023

Website: https://blindtech.org/ 🌐

About: TTS (Total Tech Solutions) is a startup technology company owned and operated in the Dallas Fort Worth area which specializes in offering services for the blind and visually impaired. While this is it's main focus, TTS also caters to the general public. Since its founding, TTS continues to make strides in demonstrating the countless ways blind and visually impaired individuals can contribute in all aspects of the workforce. This is one of the reasons why this company chooses to hire applicants who are visually impaired; to prove that there is a place in society for persons of any type of visual impairment, and to create a positive environment so one can thrive, live life to their fullest potential and to be a positive example to their communities and their families.

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Sponsor: Clusiv

Sponsor Since: January 16th 2023

Website: https://clusiv.io/ 🌐

About: As there are many challenges people in the blind community face in employment and education, Clusiv has built the world's first e-learning platform designed for the blind to provide the training, tools, and resources needed to remove barriers to the modern workforce. Our courses teach you occupational and technology skills you need towards employment. Plus, we are working to connect our graduates to internship and job opportunities. Our courses are remote, self-paced, and we provide support throughout your whole journey through our student success team, and even provide lifetime access to our courses so you can keep up to date as technology evolves. You can request Clusiv training through your vocational rehabilitation counselor and fill out the form in the link below on our website. If you are a counselor wanting to learn more about Clusiv for your clients, or an employer looking to hire Clusiv graduates, click the respective link below and fill out a form to get more info.

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Sponsor: Access Ready, Inc.

Sponsor Since: December 19th 2022

Website: https://accessready.org/ 🌐

Email: info@accessready.org ✉

Phone: (727) 531-1000 ☎

About: Access Ready Inc. is a certified, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The mission of Access Ready Inc., a nonprofit cross-disability rights advocacy organization, is to promote a policy of accessibility benefiting all people regardless of ability across information and communications technology utilized for two way communications.

The purpose of Access Ready Inc. is to educate the public and private sectors of the importance of accessible information and communications technology to the future of all people regardless of ability.

To support this education by developing initiatives that promote policies that ensure the creation and maintenance of accessible technologies utilized for two way communications at all levels which allow for easy use by people with the widest range of abilities possible.

To develop employment and business opportunities for people with disabilities that support its educational activities in the field of information and communications technology and related areas.

To provide consulting and educational services to buyers, developers, and users of information and communications technology that promotes its highest and best use in society.

To promote the concept of a technologically accessible society which fosters:

Freedom of expression, speech, and worship.
Freedom from fear, ignorance, and want.
Freedom from dishonesty, exclusion, and immorality.
Freedom of aspiration, invention, and inclusion.

Sponsor: Access Ready, Inc.

Sponsor Since: December 13th 2022

Website: https://accessready.org/ 🌐

Email: info@accessready.org ✉

Phone: (727) 531-1000 ☎

About: Access Ready Inc. is a certified, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The mission of Access Ready Inc., a nonprofit cross-disability rights advocacy organization, is to promote a policy of accessibility benefiting all people regardless of ability across information and communications technology utilized for two way communications.

The purpose of Access Ready Inc. is to educate the public and private sectors of the importance of accessible information and communications technology to the future of all people regardless of ability.

To support this education by developing initiatives that promote policies that ensure the creation and maintenance of accessible technologies utilized for two way communications at all levels which allow for easy use by people with the widest range of abilities possible.

To develop employment and business opportunities for people with disabilities that support its educational activities in the field of information and communications technology and related areas.

To provide consulting and educational services to buyers, developers, and users of information and communications technology that promotes its highest and best use in society.

To promote the concept of a technologically accessible society which fosters:

Freedom of expression, speech, and worship.
Freedom from fear, ignorance, and want.
Freedom from dishonesty, exclusion, and immorality.
Freedom of aspiration, invention, and inclusion.

Sponsor: Access Ready, Inc.

Sponsor Since: December 1st 2022

Website: https://accessready.org/ 🌐

Email: info@accessready.org ✉

Phone: (727) 531-1000 ☎

About: Access Ready Inc. is a certified, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The mission of Access Ready Inc., a nonprofit cross-disability rights advocacy organization, is to promote a policy of accessibility benefiting all people regardless of ability across information and communications technology utilized for two way communications.

The purpose of Access Ready Inc. is to educate the public and private sectors of the importance of accessible information and communications technology to the future of all people regardless of ability.

To support this education by developing initiatives that promote policies that ensure the creation and maintenance of accessible technologies utilized for two way communications at all levels which allow for easy use by people with the widest range of abilities possible.

To develop employment and business opportunities for people with disabilities that support its educational activities in the field of information and communications technology and related areas.

To provide consulting and educational services to buyers, developers, and users of information and communications technology that promotes its highest and best use in society.

To promote the concept of a technologically accessible society which fosters:

Freedom of expression, speech, and worship.
Freedom from fear, ignorance, and want.
Freedom from dishonesty, exclusion, and immorality.
Freedom of aspiration, invention, and inclusion.

Sponsor: APH ConnectCenter

Sponsor Since: November 29th 2022

Website: https://aphconnectcenter.org/ 🌐

Email: connectcenter@aph.org ✉

APH ConnectCenter Information and Referral Line:
(800) 232-5463 ☎

Hours: Monday - Friday from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM ET

Facebook (CareerConnect) | Facebook (FamilyConnect) | Facebook (VisionAware) | Twitter | YouTube

About: The APH ConnectCenter offers curated advice and resources to assist children, parents, adults, and job seekers who are blind or visually impaired, and their associated professionals, leading to greater independence and success in their lives.

Sponsor: WayAround

Sponsor Since: November 18th 2022

Website: https://www.wayaround.com/ 🌐

General Sales & Support: (888) 898-4465 ☎

Business Sales & Support: (888) 898-4465 ☎

Email: connect@wayaround.com ✉

About: WayAround is the app for your smart device that provides on-demand details about everyday things. The simple tag-and-scan approach lets you quickly and easily identify things around you. It also provides extra details, like how something works or when it expires. The result? Doing more of the things you want, with more confidence and more independence.

All the information you want with just a tap of your phone. No more waiting around to ask someone. You need just two things to get started: The free mobile app for iOS or Android and some of our smart WayTags^®.

Accessible labels for the blind, deafblind, and anyone with vision loss. Your biggest problem isn't poor eyesight. It's that so much of the information in the world is visual. But you shouldn't have to wait around for someone else to get the information you need. Or carry around a bulky, outdated device. There is a better way to get accurate and complete information every time. So you can reduce stress and gain independence.

Download The App (Apple): https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/wayaround-tag-and-scan/id1294361140?mt=8

Download The App (Android): https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.wayaround.wayaround

Sponsor: Pneuma Solutions

Sponsor Since: November 7th 2022

Website: https://pneumasolutions.com/ 🌐

Email Newsletter: Click here to receive periodic news via email concerning Pneuma Solutions products for business, consumers and education.

Sales: (866) 202-0520 ☎

Support: (650) 249-1000 ☎

About: Backed by two decades of creating award-winning accessible cloud technologies for people with visual impairments, Pneuma Solutions is the global leader in accessible cloud-based solutions. Pneuma Solutions was founded by long-time accessibility developers Mike Calvo and Matt Campbell. For more information on their individual profiles, click on their respective bio pages. We're proud to be the first company to develop cloud-based accessibility at the network level. Our tools provide organizations, like yours, a way to deliver secure, accessible information right from your network or from our secure servers. You can provide your print disabled consumers, students, employees, and citizens with a multitude of accessible options. Additionally, we offer a suite of cloud-based applications to blind and print disabled consumers directly from our website. Our consumer products are designed to make the day-to-day lives of blind and print disabled individuals more accessible and simpler to manage. Access to information is not a privilege, it's a right. It's also your right to obtain affordable, accessible cloud solutions to serve your end user. When organizations like yours implement our tools, together we help make it a more inclusive world for people with disabilities. Want to know more about how we can help you become more inclusive?

Contact us here. We'll be happy to discuss how our tools can help with your accessibility needs.

Sponsor: National Council for the Blind of Ireland (NCBI)

Sponsor Since: September 18th 2023

Website: https://www.ncbi.ie/ 🌐

Phone: 1800 911 250 ☎

Make A Referral: https://www.ncbi.ie/supporting-you/make-a-referral/

We are happy to take referrals from anyone who is having significant challenges with their vision that cannot be improved with conventional correction glasses or medical treatment. Our online referral process provides a quick and easy way for you to request services, either for yourself, a family member, or a patient. We contact all new referrals to conduct an assessment.

Donate: https://www.ncbi.ie/supporting-us/donate-now/ ❤

Your support is Vital, for over 90 years, people like you have helped NCBI make Ireland a better place for those who are blind or vision impaired.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ncbilabs 📹

We regularly deliver Technology Podcasts on topics that support you. Show content ranges from chats and debates about the latest Inclusive Tech, Meet the Team interviews, interviews with developers about their latest innovations, Tech Tips, and Seeing it Your Way interviews where we speak to NCBI Service Users about how Technology has enabled them by breaking down barriers and leveling playing fields.

Online Store: https://www.ncbi.ie/shop-with-us/online-store/ 🛒

Shop Low Vision Aids. Our dedicated store supplies a range of household items, magnification aids, daily living aids, and technology devices all designed to assist you to live more independently. Check out our extensive range of low-vision aids, devices, and gadgets all designed to assist you in daily tasks.

NCBI Retail: https://www.ncbi.ie/shop-with-us/retail-stores/shop-locations/ 🛒

Visit our 130+ NCBI stores located across the country and shop for an extensive range of pre-loved quality clothing, accessories, and furniture. NCBI is proud to play a part in promoting environmentally friendly practices through reusing and recycling. We've got something for everyone, you can transform your home and wardrobe for less while helping to fund our vital work around Ireland with people living with sight loss.

About: NCBI's mission is to enable people who are blind and vision impaired to overcome the barriers that impede their independence and participation in society.

Inspired by the determination to overcome any obstacle, NCBI transforms the lives of people who are blind or vision impaired to deliver tangible change to today's needs. We offer timely information and support, relevant technology and innovative programs to sustain those with a vision impairment in education, in the workplace, and in wider society.

The National Council for the Blind of Ireland, the country's leading sight loss charity serving the approximate 55,000 people who are blind or vision impaired to live confidently and independently.

Our suite of programs provides practical and emotional support, rehabilitation and opening pathways to education, employment, and full participation in community and public life. It means raising awareness to ensure children and adults with a significant sight loss have the same opportunities, rights, and choices as anyone else in society.

NCBI works every day across the country with people of all ages, from young babies through to older members of our community. We provide services to approximately 7,000 people each year.

Often when a person learns that they or a loved one — a parent, child or partner — is losing their sight, they have a lot of questions and fears. They are faced with a new version of their life — one that initially seems limited and scary. NCBI empowers those living with sight loss in several meaningful ways to enable them to continue living independent and fulfilling lives. NCBI has a crucial role to play in creating a world without barriers for people with sight loss. We want to support, educate and change how people see sight loss in this country.

Social: Facebook | X (Formerly Twitter) | YouTube | Instagram

Sponsor: Hadley

Sponsor Since: September 18th 2023

Website: https://hadleyhelps.org/ 🌐

Email: info@hadleyhelps.org ✉

Phone: (800) 323-4238 ☎

Get Started: https://hadleyhelps.org/learn 🎓

What would you like to learn today?

Donate: https://hadleyhelps.org/donate/support-hadley ❤

A 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, Hadley relies on contributions from individuals, foundations, and corporations to fund its programs.

About: The mission of Hadley is to create personalized learning opportunities that empower adults with vision loss or blindness to thrive — at home, at work, and in their communities.

Founded in 1920 by William Hadley, an educator who lost his eyesight later in life, Hadley offers practical help, connection and support free of charge to anyone with a visual impairment, their families and professionals supporting them. With Hadley, you can discover new ways to do things that have become more difficult due to vision loss and connect with a network of peers who "get it." And you don't need to come to Hadley. Hadley's help comes to you; online, on the phone or through the mail.

Since relaunching in July 2020, more than 70,000 people have signed up with Hadley, registering more than 200,000 workshop interactions. And our workshops have 98% satisfaction ratings. We reach all 50 states and more than 100 countries. And more people learn braille from Hadley than from any other organization worldwide.

Hadley is a proud partner of the National Eye Institute and the National Eye Health Education Program.

Hadley's help conveniently meets learners where they are. Free of wait lists. Free of office visits. Free of charge.

Social: Facebook | X (Formerly Twitter) | YouTube

Sponsor: Empish J. Thomas

Sponsor Since: August 21, 2023

Website: https://www.empishthomas.com/ 🌐

About: Hello. I'm so glad you're here. I'm Empish, a freelance writer and blogger specializing in vision loss and disability. I have a deep passion for the disability community and enjoy using my writing skills to bring awareness. Ever since I was a small child I have always been intrigued by the written word. Checking out children's books at my local library to reading the newspaper out loud to my parents, words have always moved and compelled me. Now, fast forward to my adult life. I had a journalism degree with a promising career. But six months after graduation I developed severe headaches and sensitivity to light prompting me to go see an eye doctor for the first time in my life. I was diagnosed with Uveitis in its most aggressive form and within a few years I was totally blind.

Despite this diagnosis my love for the written word did not diminish. I had noticed the negative and sometimes incorrect portrayal of the disabled in the news media. I wanted to be proactive in changing that image. Language is powerful and that people with disabilities must tell their own story.

This is why I love the Nigerian proverb “Don't let the lion tell the giraffe's story,” because it speaks to my career as a journalist and disability advocate. As we know, the lion is the king of the jungle and rules the animal kingdom. His voice is heard the strongest and the loudest the majority of the time.

But there are also other animals too. Ones like the giraffe that have a voice and a story to tell. Their voices are just as important. Just as powerful. Just as valuable. As you review and read my work my goal is to give the giraffe that voice.

Topics That Spark Joy

As a freelance writer and blogger, I use this site to talk about my life as a disabled person. Like Marie Kondo, you will find blog posts on the things that spark joy. I love reading audiobooks and watching audio described movies. I also love talking about accessibility and how it impacts my life. I include my daily routine. You know those mundane things we all do like grocery shopping, exercising, paying bills, voting and anything else I find interesting.

Let Me Write For You

Now that you know a little about me, are you looking for a freelance writer? One who can write a captivating story. ONE WITH excellent writing and organizational skills. One who understands the importance of deadlines. Let's chat. Shoot me an email from my Contact Page and let's discuss how I can meet your writing needs.

Sponsor: Eyes on Success

Sponsor Since: August 21, 2023

Website: https://www.eyesonsuccess.net/ 🌐

About: This half-hour weekly podcast and radio program discusses products, services and daily living tips for people with vision loss. It is available through radio reading services across North America, via several internet streaming services, and to everyone else as a podcast. To date, the show has been downloaded in all 50 states in the US and over 100 other countries on all the inhabited continents. Eyes On Success is hosted and produced by Peter Torpey and Nancy Goodman Torpey.

Each episode is basically a success story. Some are human stories of visually impaired people's accomplishments in academics, employment, sports or pastimes. Others are descriptions of adaptive aids that enable visually impaired people to achieve things. These include screen readers, magnifiers, navigation aids, and others. In all cases, the focus is on success.

Eyes On Success has been airing weekly since January 2011. Prior to January 2013 the name of the show was ViewPoints. Other than the name, nothing has changed.

Listening To Eyes On Success

Connecting with Eyes On Success

Email: To contact us with questions, comments or suggestions for future shows send an e-mail to hosts@EyesOnSuccess.net ✉.

Weekly Announcements: If you would like to receive weekly announcements of upcoming episodes, you can join our low traffic "announcements only" list by sending an e-mail to: EyesOnSuccess+subscribe@GoogleGroups.com ✉.

Email Forum: If you would like to connect with other listeners and share your thoughts about what you've heard on the show, you can join our listener email forum by sending an email to: EOS_Discuss+Subscribe@GoogleGroups.com ✉

Your Business or Organization Name Here

Sponsor Since: Today

Website: https://accessinformationnews.com/ 🌐

Phone: (855) 578-6660 ☎

Email: news@accessinformationnews.com ✉

About: Access Information News is the world's leading access information news publication that reaches over 10,000 access professionals, educators and enthusiasts, all over the world, each week. Access Information refers to informational topics that directly affect the lives of people with disabilities. Access Information includes any and all information related to bettering the lives of people who are blind, low vision, deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind, neurodivergent and/or disabled. Access Information News is a Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd. Publication.

Sponsorship Packages Currently Available

Access Information News is the world's leading access information news publication that reaches over 10,000 blind, low vision, deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind, neurodivergent and/or disabled professionals, educators and enthusiasts, all over the world, each week.

Access Information refers to informational topics that directly affect the lives of people with disabilities. Access Information includes any and all information related to bettering the lives of people who are blind, low vision, deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind, neurodivergent and/or disabled.

Access Information News offers a total of 18 Sponsorship Packages which are used to support the ongoing distribution of the publication.

➜ Availability: There are currently  6  of  18  Sponsorship Packages available. All 18 Sponsorship Packages are offered on a first-come, first serve basis.

➜ Waiting List: If you would like to become an Access Information News Sponsor but there are no sponsorship packages currently available, we encourage you to join our waiting list by sending an email to: sponsorships@accessinformationnews.com ✉. Once you have joined our waiting list we will notify you the next time a current sponsor decides not to renew. You will then have 72 hours to secure your sponsorship before it is offered to the next sponsor on the list.

➜ Payment Options: When available you can secure one of these packages for just $100.00 USD per month, $300 USD per quarter or $1,200.00 USD per year.

➜ Payment Option Benefits: Monthly Sponsors receive Zero (0) Featured Advertisements. Quarterly Sponsors receive One (1) Featured Advertisement per quarter. Annual Sponsors receive Five (5) Featured Advertisements per year. All other benefits remain the same.

➜ Access Information News Supporters:

We couldn't do it without you! Thank you for your support!

Why: Access Information News Supporters donate an amount of their choosing either one time or annually in order to assist with the ongoing distribution of the Access Information News publication.

Benefits: All Access Information News Supporters receive a listing within the "Our Supporters" section of each weekly newsletter, as well as a listing within the "Our Supporters" section of the Access Information News website.

One Time Donation: If you would like to become an Access Information News Supporter by making a one time donation in an amount of your choosing to assist with the ongoing distribution of the Access Information News publication, you may utilize this donate link, or scan the QR code to the right.

Annual Donation: If you would like to become an Access Information News Supporter by making a small annual donation to assist with the ongoing distribution of the Access Information News publication, we also offer the following options, all with our sincerest thanks, and most heartfelt gratitude for your ongoing support.

Support: In tandem with Our Sponsors, these are the people that make the ongoing distribution of Access Information News possible.

Platinum Supporters:

Become an Access Information News Platinum Supporter today.

1.) James Hulme
Platinum Supporter Since: December 5, 2022

2.) Donna Jodhan
Platinum Supporter Since: March 24, 2023

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Become an Access Information News Gold Supporter today.

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One Time Supporters:

One Time Supporters donate an amount of their choosing — one time to assist with the ongoing distribution of the Access Information News Publication.

Become an Access Information News One Time Supporter today.

1.) Amanda Lee
One Time Supporter on July 31, 2023

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➜ Access Information News Team

Publisher: Aaron Di Blasi (Volunteer)

Volunteer Publisher Since: November 7th 2022

Location: Mayfield Heights, Ohio

Time Zone: Eastern Standard Time (EST/EDT) (GMT-5/GMT-4)

In addition to serving as Publisher for Access Information News Aaron also serves as Publisher for the Top Tech Tidbits Publication and is also the President and Senior Project Management Professional for Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd.

As Publisher Aaron oversees the weekly distribution of Access Information News on behalf of Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd.

Aaron also serves as a Volunteer Editorial Contributor to Access Information News.

Aaron Di Blasi, PMP

Publisher (2022-Present)
Access Information News
The Week's News in Access Information
https://accessinformationnews.com 🌐

Publisher (2020-Present)
Top Tech Tidbits
The Week's News in Adaptive Technology
https://toptechtidbits.com 🌐

Sr. Project Management Professional (2006 - Present)
Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd.
Innovative ideas. Solutions that perform.
https://mvsltd.com 🌐

Editorial Contributor #1: John Hanlin (Volunteer)

Volunteer Editorial Contributor Since: November 7th 2022

Location: Boulder, Colorado

Time Zone: Mountain Standard Time (MST/MDT) (GMT-7/GMT-6)

In addition to serving as an Editorial Contributor to Access Information News, John also serves as an Editorial Contributor to the Top Tech Tidbits Publication and is also an attorney-at-law specializing in long-term disability claims for blind and visually impaired persons.

John is also a long-time contractor and member of the Board of Trustees at Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd.

John Hanlin, Esq.

Editorial Contributor (2022-Present)
Access Information News
The Week's News in Access Information
https://accessinformationnews.com 🌐

Editorial Contributor (2020-Present)
Top Tech Tidbits
The Week's News in Adaptive Technology
https://toptechtidbits.com 🌐

Board of Trustees (2006 - Present)
Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd.
Innovative ideas. Solutions that perform.
https://mvsltd.com 🌐

Editorial Contributor #2: Jenna Lang (Volunteer)

Volunteer Editorial Contributor Since: November 7th 2022

Location: Des Moines, Iowa

Time Zone: Central Standard Time (CST/CDT) (GMT-6/GMT-5)

In addition to serving as an Editorial Contributor to Access Information News, Jenna also serves as an Editorial Contributor to the Top Tech Tidbits Publication and runs her own Digital Marketing Firm.

Jenna also serves as a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) for Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd.

Jenna's son was born blind and she is always seeking new and innovative ways to empower him through technology.

Jenna Lang, PMP

Editorial Contributor (2022-Present)
Access Information News
The Week's News in Access Information
https://accessinformationnews.com 🌐

Editorial Contributor (2020-Present)
Top Tech Tidbits
The Week's News in Adaptive Technology
https://toptechtidbits.com 🌐

Project Management Professional (2022 - Present)
Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd.
Innovative ideas. Solutions that perform.
https://mvsltd.com 🌐

Editorial Contributor #3: David Woodbridge (Volunteer)

Volunteer Editorial Contributor Since: February 6th 2023

Location: Central Coast, New South Wales, Australia

Time Zone: Australia Eastern Standard Time (AEST/AEDT) (GMT+10)

In addition to serving as an Editorial Contributor to Access Information News, David is also the National Commercial Assistive Technology Advisor for Vision Australia where he has worked since 1990. Over this time he has assisted people who are blind or vision impaired in their home, education, and work settings to take advantage of the benefits of using assistive and main stream technology.

In the last seventeen years, he has also been involved with evaluating technology for use by people who are blind or vision impaired covering both low and high tech equipment (including Microsoft, Samsung, Google, Amazon, and Apple). David is also one of the key spokespersons for Vision Australia relating to technology.

He has been an Apple Ambassador for Apple Australia since 2009 with a group of other Ambassadors / Apple Distinguished Educators (ADE)'s covering the range of Apple's Accessibility solutions throughout Australia.

David produces a range of podcasts (since 2011) covering Apple and other technologies which are distributed on his own podcast (http://davidwoodbr.podbean.com). In addition, he also has a regular Talking Tech program (since 2013) which can be heard every Tuesday at 4:30 Eastern Summer Time on Vision Australia Radio Melbourne (available online) or via https://omny.fm/shows/talking-tech-vision-australia-radio

David also runs a weekly Tech Monday where people can chat about assistive and main stream technology, share information, and any tips and tricks.

David lost his sight when he was 8 years old and had to learn Braille. Since then, he completed high school, went to Sydney University receiving a Social Work degree, spent 4 years drug and alcohol counselling, and then moved into his current job.

As a person who is blind, David believes that as a user of the technology that he recommends to others, that he is well situated to look at the strengths and shortcomings of the assistive technology that he comes across in both his professional and personal life, in particular, mainstream technology that is accessible.

X (Formerly Twitter): @dwoodbridge
Mastodon: woody@dragonscave.space
iSee Podcast: https://davidwoodbr.podbean.com
Vision Australia Radio Talking Tech: https://omny.fm/shows/talking-tech-vision-australia-radio

In addition to his weekly contributions to Access Information News, David's regularly occurring activities are his weekly tech radio show, bi-monthly exploring tech webinars for Vision Australia, his iSee podcast when something of note grabs his attention, and the weekly Tech Monday chat sessions.

David Woodbridge

Editorial Contributor (2023-Present)
Access Information News
The Week's News in Access Information
https://accessinformationnews.com 🌐

Editorial Contributor (2023-Present)
Top Tech Tidbits
The Week's News in Adaptive Technology
https://toptechtidbits.com 🌐

National Commercial Assistive Technology Advisor (1990 - Present)
Vision Australia
Live the life you choose. We're here to support all Australians who are blind or have low vision.
https://www.visionaustralia.org/ 🌐

Email: editor@accessinformationnews.com ✉
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A Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd. Publication: https://toptechtidbits.com

Access Information News for Monday, September 18, 2023 - Volume 928

The Week's News in Access Information
https://accessinformationnews.com/

A Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd. Publication
https://mvsltd.com/

Access Information News. The world's #1 online resource for current news and trends in access information.

Subscribers: 10,295 Opt-In Subscribers were sent this issue via email. 35 Premium Subscribers were sent this issue via email.

This Week's Featured Advertisement: Join Industry Leaders And Begin Reaching Over 10,000 Access Professionals, Educators and Enthusiasts, All Over The World, Each Week. All While Supporting The Ongoing Distribution of This Publication For Those Very Same Readers. Only $100 USD Per Month. While Packages Last. This Issue Made Possible By Support From The Following Sponsors:

Ongoing Weekly Distribution Made Possible By Support From: Pneuma Solutions, WayAround, APH ConnectCenter, Access Ready, Inc., Total Tech Solutions, LLC, Eyes on Success, Empish J. Thomas, Hadley and the National Council for the Blind of Ireland (NCBI). Learn more about Sponsorship today at: https://accessinformationnews.com/sponsor.

Dear Access Information News Subscriber,

1) Top 5 Most Clicked Access Information News Articles From Last Week

A.) The Secret 'Language' Only Blind People Can Understand — And It's Not Braille | Emily McPherson | 9News AU

Publisher (Di Blasi): Quick disclaimer regarding this article's title. There is no actual secret language involved. The language in question is always the speaker's native language. It is just sped up to a point that non-trained ears can no longer understand it. I am sighted and have been practicing speed reading via both sight and sound for more than 10 years now. The very best that I can do with sound at this point is about 500-600 words per minute. With 500 being relatively comfortable for me and 600 requiring my undivided attention. Now, contrast that with blind friends that can effortlessly understand words at a rate of 800 to 900 per minute. While it may not be a secret language, it's still a very real super power if you ask me.
9News AU: "What language is that speaking?" It's a question Brisbane software engineer Jamie Teh often fields from people who happen to hear the strange sounds coming out of his computer. "Sometimes I'll get things like, 'What's that noise?' Or, 'Is that water?' It's actually pretty funny to see some of the reactions," Teh said. To the ordinary ear, the sounds are usually an unintelligible form of gobbledygook. Most people are shocked when they're told it's actually English - just sped up to approximately 4-6 times the average speed of human speech. Can you catch any words? Listen to the audio below to hear the first page of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, read at 900 words per minute, and test your skills:
https://www.9news.com.au/national/the-secret-language-only-blind-people-can-understand--and-its-not-braille/667eca67-a032-497e-a8fe-2bfd0d57e1c7

B.) Innovative Technology Empowers Blind and Partially Sighted Shoppers with Audible Product Information | Cool Blind Tech

Europe is home to an estimated 30 million blind and partially sighted individuals, with approximately one in 30 Europeans experiencing some form of sight loss, primarily linked to aging. As the population ages, these numbers are expected to increase. Some promising solutions are emerging:
https://coolblindtech.com/innovative-technology-empowers-blind-and-partially-sighted-shoppers-with-audible-product-information/

C.) Standard Ebooks

Standard Ebooks is a volunteer-driven effort to produce a collection of high quality, carefully formatted, accessible, open source, and free public domain ebooks that meet or exceed the quality of commercially produced ebooks. The text and cover art in our ebooks is already believed to be in the U.S. public domain, and Standard Ebooks dedicates its own work to the public domain, thus releasing the entirety of each ebook file into the public domain. All the ebooks we produce are distributed free of cost and free of U.S. copyright restrictions. Standard Ebooks is organized as a “low-profit L.L.C.,” or “L3C,” a kind of legal entity that blends the charitable focus of a traditional not-for-profit with the ease of organization and maintenance of a regular LLC:
https://standardebooks.org/

D.) A Post From Jonathan Mosen To The ACB Conversation Discussion List: Why Mastodon Is So Important, And Exercising My Right of Reply | Tech-VI List

10 months ago, Twitter's entire accessibility team was fired by its new owner, Elon Musk. Shortly after, the third-party apps on which many blind people rely were no longer permitted to access the platform. The accessibility team weren't the only ones to go. Twitter's safety team has been decimated. It is now a much more unsafe place for disabled people, and the publication of profoundly objectionable and illegal material has increased without subsequent remedial action:
https://groups.io/g/tech-vi/message/4982

E.) American Streets May Soon Get Their First Accessible Design Standards from the Feds

The ADA has been the law for 33 years. Why has it taken this long to write strong guidelines to implement it on U.S. streets?
https://usa.streetsblog.org/2023/09/06/american-streets-may-soon-get-their-first-accessible-design-standards-from-the-feds

2) Access Information News Welcomes Hadley

Please join us in giving a warm access welcome to Hadley, who has so very graciously agreed to support the Access Information News Publication via Sponsorship. On behalf of all of us here at Access Information News, readers included, we thank you for your ongoing support. If you enjoy reading Access Information News every week, it is sponsors like Hadley that make it possible. Please be sure to check them out. Hadley creates personalized learning opportunities that empower adults with vision loss or blindness to thrive — at home, at work, and in their communities. Founded in 1920 by William Hadley, an educator who lost his eyesight later in life, Hadley offers practical help, connection and support free of charge to anyone with a visual impairment, their families and professionals supporting them. With Hadley, you can discover new ways to do things that have become more difficult due to vision loss and connect with a network of peers who "get it." And you don't need to come to Hadley. Hadley's help comes to you; online, on the phone or through the mail. Learn more today at:
https://hadleyhelps.org/

3) Access Information News Welcomes National Council for the Blind of Ireland (NCBI)

Please join us in giving a warm access welcome to the National Council for the Blind of Ireland (NCBI), who has so very graciously agreed to support the Access Information News Publication via Sponsorship. On behalf of all of us here at Access Information News, readers included, we thank you for your ongoing support. If you enjoy reading Access Information News every week, it is sponsors like NCBI that make it possible. Please be sure to check them out. NCBI's mission is to enable people who are blind and vision impaired to overcome the barriers that impede their independence and participation in society. The National Council for the Blind of Ireland is the country's leading sight loss charity serving the approximately 55,000 people who are blind or vision impaired while helping them to live confidently and independently. Their suite of programs provide practical and emotional support, rehabilitation and opening pathways to education, employment, and full participation in community and public life. They work to raise awareness to ensure children and adults with significant sight loss have the same opportunities, rights, and choices as anyone else in society. Learn more today at:
https://ncbi.ie/

4) Sponsorship Packages Currently Available

Are you an access-based person, business or organization whose products, services or message would benefit from reaching over 10,000 access buyers each week? If so, please consider becoming a Sponsor today for just $100 a month, paid either monthly, quarterly or annually. Annual Paying Sponsors receive 5 Featured Advertisements for the year, rather than 4, and gain the additional benefit of being able to schedule their Featured Advertisements up to one year in advance. If you've been looking for a way to consistently reach the largest audience of opt-in access buyers in the world today, at a nearly negligible price point, please consider becoming an Access Information News Sponsor while packages last. Availability: There are currently 6 Access Information News Sponsorship Packages available:
https://www.accessinformationnews.com/sponsorship-information.html#purchase

5) Premium Subscriber Updates

Next Issue: Premium Subscribers will receive their 3rd Issue of the 60 Most Clicked Access News Articles for July, August and September of 2023 on Monday, October 2, 2023. Back Issues: There are currently 2 back issues available. Premium Subscribers are entitled to all back issues, anytime they sign up. All available back issues will be sent to you via email within 24 hours of purchasing your subscription. Please Join Us: If you would like to support the ongoing weekly distribution of free and unbiased access news while receiving a perfectly formatted and searchable Word Document with each of the 60 Most Clicked Access News Articles of the last 3 months listed neatly within it, please consider joining us today for just $1 a month:
https://www.accessinformationnews.com/premium-subscribers.html

6) Sponsored News Items Now Available

Use Sponsored News Items to reach the access community when you need to. Whether you are a current Sponsor or not. Current Weekly Subscriber Count: Over 10K. Drive traffic to your access product and service announcements, events, updates or fundraisers using this incredibly cost-effective and easy-to-use advertisement tool. Learn more today at:
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7) Follow Access Information News On Your Preferred Channel

In addition to receiving Access Information News via email every Monday morning at 4:00 AM ET you can also pick up the newsletter and its trending articles on any of the following channels:
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8) Educational Website for Students with CVI and Complex Needs | APH ConnectCenter

Guest blogger Adele Smolansky is the founder and CEO of AI-Learners, an educational website for students with CVI and other complex needs. Adele is a recent graduate from Cornell University (Computer Science) and is pursuing a PhD at Stanford University in AI for special education. Adele has previously worked at Google Inc. as a software engineer:
https://aphconnectcenter.org/technology/educational-website-for-students-with-cvi-and-complex-needs/

9) Accessibility Support Phone Lines You Should Know | Ophthalmic Edge

With a welcomed emphasis on accessibility and inclusion, numerous companies now offer specialized support services for customers with vision loss. They are there to help you get the most out of their products and to ensure your devices are set right to accommodate your needs. This is an effort we greatly appreciate and are delighted to spread the word:
https://ophthalmicedge.org/patient/accessibility-support-phone-lines-you-should-know/

10) Lego Braille Bricks Review | Tim Dixon

The Lego Group started shipping their Lego Braille Bricks (40656) to consumers on the 1st of September 2023 amidst widespread excitement. My set has arrived, and I wanted to provide a short Lego Braille Bricks review:
https://www.timdixon.net/blog/2023/09/lego-braille-bricks-review/

11) Information Sciences Professor Developing Tool To Make Data Visualizations Accessible To Blind Researchers, Students | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

JooYoung Seo, a professor of information sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, is developing a data visualization tool that will help make visual representations of statistical data accessible to researchers and students who are blind or visually impaired. The multimodal representation tool is aimed at the accessibility of statistical graphs, such as bar plots, box plots, scatter plots and heat maps:
https://news.illinois.edu/view/6367/107909242

12) DLARC Amateur Radio Library Tops 90,000 Items

Internet Archive's Digital Library of Amateur Radio & Communications has grown to more than 90,000 resources related to amateur radio, shortwave listening, amateur television, and related topics. The newest additions to the free online library include ham radio magazines and newsletters from around the world, podcasts, and discussion forums:
https://blog.archive.org/2023/09/12/dlarc-90000/

13) New Ideas and Unique Solutions from Figma on Accessibility | September 12, 2023 | Equal Entry

This article is based on a talk David Winslow, software engineer at Figma, gave at A11yNYC. For those who aren't familiar with it, Figma is a tool that allows people to share and collaborate on designs for digital products and experiences. Changes are propagated in real time. Think of it as Google Docs for designers. There are two products. There is Figma, the design platform. And there is FigJam, which is more focused on meetings, brainstorming, and more creative, less structured content creation — a whiteboard-type product. Dylan Field and Evan Wallace started Figma while they were at Brown together. They landed on the idea for Figma, something that brought design onto the web and made it multiplayer. What's interesting is that two-thirds of Figma's users are users who do not identify as designers. Why accessibility matters to David and others:
https://equalentry.com/accessibility-figma/

14) Enhance Your News Listening Experience On Your Smart Speaker With Noa's Human Narration | Joe Lonergan | National Council for the Blind of Ireland (NCBI)

Do you like listening to news narrated by a professional reader? Well, Alexa has a skill for that, and it's called Noa! Noa stands for News Over Audio. The Noa Alexa skill allows you to listen to narrated articles of your favorite journalists, publishers, and categories. It claims to have content from over 1,500 journalists and publications and all articles are human narrated. So, if you are into the Irish Times or the New York Times you should find something to suit your taste:
https://www.ncbi.ie/enhance-your-news-listening-experience-on-your-smart-speaker-with-noas-human-narration/

15) The Best And Weirdest Gadgets Coming To Homes Soon | Tim Biggs | The Sydney Morning Herald

From robot helpers to smart home sensors, all the latest connected tech was present last week at IFA, the world's largest consumer electronics show in Berlin. We sat through the livestreams and pored through the press releases, and here are some of the smartest and weirdest innovations potentially coming soon to a home near you:
https://www.smh.com.au/technology/the-best-and-weirdest-gadgets-coming-to-homes-soon-20230907-p5e2st.html

16) Internet Archive Files Appeal in Publishers' Lawsuit Against Libraries

https://blog.archive.org/2023/09/11/internet-archive-files-appeal-in-publishers-lawsuit-against-libraries/

17) 7 Things I've Learned As A Sighted Social Media Manager Of Blind Team Members | Life of a Blind Girl

Publisher (Di Blasi): As a sighted Project Manager serving blind team members all over the world for almost 20 years now, I concur with the views expressed in this article.
Life of a Blind Girl: Working as a blind social media professional has its challenges at times. It's also incredibly rewarding. I wouldn't change my job for the world. It's not lost on me that I couldn't do my job without the support of my incredible team. They don't bat an eyelid when we have to find a workaround for a visual task, or when I ask for support. Most importantly, they see what I can do, not what I can't do. One of those incredible team members is my wonderful colleague Becky. From the day she joined our team, I knew that we shared the same values. We both want to see more blind and partially sighted people working in communications, and we want the social media world to be accessible for everyone:
https://lifeofablindgirl.com/2023/09/10/7-things-ive-learned-as-a-sighted-social-media-manager-of-blind-team-members/

18) Why Microsoft's Satya Nadella And Lowe's CEO Marvin Ellison Care About Disability Inclusion | September 11, 2023 | Stephanie Mehta | Fast Company

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has talked about how his late son's cerebral palsy shaped his commitment to a workplace and products that are accessible to people with disabilities. Lowe's CEO Marvin Ellison has said the challenge of making his elderly father's home more accessible inspired the creation of the retailer's Livable Home initiative, a one-stop shop for age-friendly products such as ramps and safety accessories that also support the disability community.
https://www.fastcompany.com/90949665/microsoft-satya-nadella-lowes-marvin-ellison-disability-inclusion

19) Section 508, ADA, Section 508, ADA, WCAG, 2.0, 2.1, AA, AAA, Digital Accessibility... What Does It All Mean? | BrailleWorks

Ever found yourself lost in a labyrinth of tech-speak, desperately seeking a guide to decode the confusing terms that seem to be multiplying like virtual rabbits? Us too. Thankfully, it doesn't have to be so confusing. Simply put, these terms all revolve around one central idea: ensuring that everyone can access your digital content regardless of their abilities. Let's dive deeper into what these terms mean, why they're a good thing, and what you can do to make your organization more accessible:
https://brailleworks.com/what-does-it-all-mean/

20) Walmart Class Action Alleges Website Not Equally Accessible To Blind, Visually Impaired Consumers

Who: Ali Abdulhadi filed a class action lawsuit against Walmart Inc. Why: Abdulhadi claims Walmart is violating the Americans with Disabilities Act by allegedly failing to make its website fully accessible to and independently usable by individuals who are blind or visually impaired. Where: The class action lawsuit was filed in California federal court:
https://topclassactions.com/disability-class-action-lawsuit/walmart-class-action-alleges-website-not-equally-accessible-to-blind-visually-impaired-consumers/

21) Estee Lauder Applies AI, AR For Cosmetics Accessibility

The cosmetics giant has released its Voice-enabled Makeup Assistant, which leverages artificial intelligence and augmented reality to help visually impaired people use cosmetics:
https://www.cio.com/article/650908/estee-lauder-applies-ai-ar-for-cosmetics-accessibility.html

22) Gaming for the Visually Impaired: Innovations and Inclusivity | Janette Beckman | Game Is Hard

Video games have long been a popular form of entertainment, captivating players with their immersive worlds and engaging gameplay. However, for individuals with visual impairments, the joy of gaming has often been out of reach. Fortunately, advancements in technology have paved the way for innovative solutions that make gaming more accessible and inclusive for the visually impaired:
https://gameishard.gg/news/gaming-for-the-visually-impaired-innovations-and-inclusivity/127621/

23) Signia Introduces Hearing Aid Tech for Noisy Group Conversations

Hearing aid provider Signia, part of WS Audiology, launched a new technology called Integrated Xperience that enables hearing aid wearers to hear all speakers in noisy group conversations clearly. Even when speakers move or the wearer turns their head, the hearing aids ensure improved speech understanding:
https://hearingreview.com/hearing-products/hearing-aids/psap/signia-introduces-hearing-aids-tech-for-noisy-group-conversations

24) Read Books to Relieve the Stress of Vision Loss

Reading is one of life's great pleasures, whether you are learning something new or being transported into a fictional world, it has an ability to expand your life in so many ways. There have always been challenges for low vision people to read books and other written materials, but with the availability of assistive technology for the visually impaired, most can be overcome today. There are many reasons why encouraging low vision people to read is good for them, so before we offer some tips for reading, we can look at the benefits of reading books, and why it really is worth the effort for everyone:
https://www.zoomax.com/low-vision-information/read-books-to-relieve-the-stress-of-vision-loss/

25) Is This The Forbidden Fruit? — It Is Time To Hold Apple More Accountable And Transparent! | Award Winning Sight Loss Coach, Advocate and Author Donna Jodhan

My final thoughts? I can sit back and give in to Apple's unhealthy actions or I can work to encourage others to work to convince Apple that their policies and strategies need to be changed from those of protectionism to those of better engagement and affirmative communication. Just my two cents for today:
https://sterlingcreations.com/blog/is-this-the-forbidden-fruit-it-is-time-to-hold-apple-more-accountable-and-transparent

➜ Featured Webinars, Training Courses and Events

September 19, 2023 | The Accessible Forms Checklist | TPGi

9:30AM PT, 10:30AM MT, 11:30AM CT, 12:30PM ET, 4:30PM GMT
Forms are one of the most important features in websites. They are a critical method of communication between people and companies. Yet far too often this communication is difficult or impossible due to poor accessibility. Accessible forms are easy to understand, complete, and submit. Instructions, cues, and requirements must be clearly identified to users. It must be simple to recover from errors. In this session, you will learn how to find accessibility errors in forms by using our high-level checklist. Our goal is to help build your knowledge around the WCAG success criteria related to forms. We will cover many topics, including: Using labels and groups to identify elements. Exposing the required and invalid attributes. Having clear errors and instructions. Robust, accessible names for controls:
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-september-19-at-1230pm-et-the-accessible-forms-checklist/

September 20, 2023 | Back To School With The Lighthouse For The Blind, Inc. | Accessible Apps For Education And Beyond

4PM PT, 5PM MT, 6PM CT, 7PM ET, 11PM GMT
Join The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. for an interactive webinar on assistive technology in and out of the classroom. We'll explore the Google Suite of products to show how these essential home and classroom tools have been designed with accessibility in mind. We'll also dive into the Voice Dream apps for scanning and reading at home or in the classroom. Whether you're a student seeking academic excellence, a parent supporting your child's educational path, an educator committed to inclusive classrooms, or a passionate advocate for accessibility, you won't want to miss this interactive and informative session. Register now to reserve your spot:
https://thelighthousefortheblindinc.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_vuWNLKBNRQSa__nY27vHzA

September 20, 2023 | Creating Accessible PDF Fillable Forms (Digital Accessibility Webinar) | Access Ingenuity

10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
Did you know that creating fillable PDF forms is crucial in meeting WCAG compliance? If you have a website form that is not a fillable PDF and requires a user to print it out to submit, users of assistive technology will face an accessibility barrier. In this webinar, we explore the different types of forms available in Acrobat, discuss best practices in formatting with accessibility in mind, and review the tag structure for fillable forms in PDF remediation to make them accessible for users. Join Rachel Reeves from Access Ingenuity for the basics of form creation in Acrobat Pro. Learning Outcomes & Zoom Webinar Information. Briefly review the best way to format MS Word documents when converted to PDF Fillable Forms. Discuss best practices for setting up form fields in your document. Showcase the form types available in Acrobat Pro and the settings needed for accessibility. Demonstrate how to tag form fields to make them accessible in your PDF:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88577101449?pwd=dkdkb2JBVE4xM05vbVR5MHYxazRDUT09&mc_cid=ce73907c70&mc_eid=90429c1885#success

September 21, 2023 | Inclusive Design 24

Inclusive Design 24 (#id24) is a free 24-hour online event for the global community. It celebrates inclusive design and shares knowledge and ideas from analogue to digital, from design to development, from planners to practitioners, and everything and everyone in between:
https://inclusivedesign24.org/2023/

September 21, 2023 | An Introduction to Google Slides with JAWS | Freedom Scientific

9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
Are you new to Google Slides? Want to read, edit, and create presentations more effectively with JAWS? Join us Thursday, September 21 at noon Eastern time for a live webinar, “An Introduction to Google Slides with JAWS.” Objectives: We'll provide an overview of navigating Google Slides with JAWS, plus show you how to: Turn on accessibility settings and explore the Accessibility menu. Open and navigate a presentation - Create and save a new presentation. Insert and delete slides. Add content to a slide. Edit and format content on a slide. Access Google Slides keyboard commands. Freedom Scientific Presenters: Elizabeth Whitaker and Rachel Buchanan. ACVREP Credits: ACVREP credits will be available for those who attend the live webinar:
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_EIJfbB8tT8-xzRyb56_1qg#/registration

September 21, 2023 | Guidelights and Gadgets Workshop | The Florida Outreach Center for The Blind

10:30AM PT, 11:30AM MT, 12:30PM CT, 1:30PM ET, 5:30PM GMT
Please join the Florida Outreach Center for the Blind for our next workshop. We are proud to have back with us Barry Scheur from Guidelights and Gadgets. Barry sells a wide range of leather goods including purses, shoulder bags, neck pouches, backpacks, and protective cases for Braille displays! Furthermore, electronic accessories for many popular products such as the Non-Collapsing Telescopic Aluminum Canes, Medical Grade Non-Contact Talking thermometer, Portable Bluetooth Speakers: and so much more. A door prize will be given out to one lucky winner at the conclusion of the presentation, but you must be present to win! This event will be held over Zoom on Thursday September 21, 2023, at 1:30 p.m. (eastern). If you have any questions please call The Florida Outreach Center for The Blind at: (561) 642-0005 ☎. Or email us at: Info_focb@bellsouth.net ✉. One tap mobile: +13126266799,,83581605488# | Dial directly: +1 (312) 626 6799 ☎. Meeting ID: 835 8160 5488 | Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83581605488?pwd=UWYvTVZ2Q2RRejhJamVJREF4Rlltdz09

September 26, 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group

5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 12AM GMT Next Day
4th Tuesday of every month at 7:00 PM CT. Learn a few tips about everyday technology from a technology expert, ask your questions, and share your experiences.
https://hadley.edu/discussion-groups/tech-it-out

September 26, 2023 | Web Accessibility - DOJ Listening Session: Notice of Proposed Rulemaking Title II Website/App Accessibility

12PM PT, 1PM MT, 2PM CT, 3PM ET, 7PM GMT
An opportunity to learn more about proposed web accessibility regulations and how to comment on them. The Great Lakes ADA Center is pleased to announce that we will be hosting a "Listening Session" with representatives from the Disability Rights Section of the U.S. Department of Justice regarding their Notice Of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) regarding the Accessibility of Web Information and Services for State and Local Government (Title II entities). DOJ issued the NPRM on July 25th with public comments due no later than October 3, 2023. Individuals have a variety of options for submitting comments including electronically and in writing. This session provides individuals an opportunity to give verbal comments to DOJ via the Listening Session format. Registration deadline is 9/25/2023 or until maximum registration is reached. Individuals must establish an account on our website in order to register. Method: Via Zoom. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) issued a "Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Accessibility of Web Information and Services of State and Local Government Entities" (NPRM) on July 25, 2023. This NPRM proposes a specific technical standard that state and local governments would have to follow to meet their existing obligations under Title II of the ADA for web and mobile app accessibility. The NPRM asks the public for comments about this proposal. To this end, the Great Lakes ADA Center in collaboration with the ADA National Network are hosting a "Listening Session" with representatives from the Disability Rights Section, U.S. Department of Justice regarding the proposed rule Individuals are invited to join this session and share your thoughts in support or against any or all of these proposed regulations. This is not a Q&A session. The Department of Justice will not discuss or be able to respond to any questions during this session. The intent is for DOJ to hear from interested persons and entities. This session will not be recorded and there are no continuing education recognition credits available for this session. Participants are encouraged to review the NPRM in advance of the session as well as the Fact Sheet on the NPRM prepared by DOJ in order to be prepared to comment. This session will have Real-Time Captioning and Sign Language Interpreters Available. Contact (877) 232-1990 ☎ or email webinars@adaconferences.org ✉ with questions. Register at:
https://www.accessibilityonline.org/ada-tech/session/?id=111080

September 27, 2023 | Basic Internet Browsing with JAWS (Assistive Technology Webinar) | Access Ingenuity

10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
Are you apprehensive about surfing the internet with JAWS, or do you want to understand the basics of web browsing with JAWS? Join Marisa Church and Ian Ramos from Access Ingenuity as we discuss some basic terminology, demonstrate great techniques, and explore helpful tools to lay the foundation for effectively navigating web pages. Learning Outcomes & Zoom Webinar Information. Explain the layout of a browser window with basic terms. Present basic navigating commands. Activate some JAWS tools to enhance the browsing experience:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88231843911?pwd=SnRYU0ZnUks0WlVzdWx4azAwdmw0dz09&mc_cid=ce73907c70&mc_eid=90429c1885#success

September 27, 2023 | How to Write an Accessibility Statement | TPGi

9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
We'll cover the various purposes for and key information to include in a website accessibility statement. Plus, we'll evaluate real-world examples of accessibility statements. Each attendee gains a template format to publish their own website accessibility statement. This webinar evaluates real-world examples of accessibility statements and answers frequently asked questions such as: Who at an organization should write an accessibility statement? Should the statement be written by an attorney? Should the statement explicitly acknowledge the parts of the website or application which do not conform to accessibility guidelines? Should the statement offer phone support or alternative options if a user finds the website to be inaccessible? The objective is for each attendee to come away with a clear approach for their own organization, whether it's a small business or a global brand. Join us for a lively discussion of website accessibility statements:
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-september-27-at-12pm-et-how-to-write-an-accessibility-statement/

September 29, 2023 | Blindness and Mental Health Webinar | Accessible Pharmacy

9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
Please join us as we discuss mental health in the blind and low vision community. Expert presenters will discuss: Psychology and therapy for the blind community. Medications and genomic testing. Peer and community support resources. 988 Mental Health Hotline information:
https://accessiblepharmacy.com/blindness-and-mental-health-webinar/

October 4, 2023 | FEMA Nationwide EAS Test

11:20AM PT, 12:20PM MT, 1:20PM CT, 2:20PM ET, 6:20PM GMT
FEMA, in coordination with the FCC, will conduct a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) this fall. The national test will consist of two portions, testing WEA and EAS capabilities. Both tests are scheduled to begin at 2:20pm ET on Wednesday, October 4. The EAS portion of the test will be sent to radios and televisions. This will be the seventh nationwide EAS test:
https://news.radio-online.com/cgi-bin/rol.exe/headline_id=b17534

October 10, 2023 | Modernizing the Patient Experience with Self Check-in

9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
Self-Service kiosks are becoming more ubiquitous in healthcare with the intentions of improving the patient check-in experience. Providing patients with disabilities full access to self-check-in kiosks increases adoption rates and elevates the overall efficiency of your facilities. Join KIOSK and TPGi to learn about the importance of digital accessibility and considerations to facilitate ADA compliance in your self-check-in kiosks. Register today:
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-october-10-at-12pm-et-modernizing-the-patient-experience-with-self-check-in/

October 13, 2023 | Blindness and Clinical Trials Webinar | Accessible Pharmacy

9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
Please join us as we discuss clinical trials for the blind and low vision community with these expert presenters: Ben Shaberman, VP Science Communications Foundation Fighting Blindness. Marin Allen, former Deputy Director of Communications, National Institute of Health. Maggie Cashion, Clinical Research Manager, Prism Vision Group:
https://accessiblepharmacy.com/blindness-and-clinical-trials-webinar/

October 24, 2023 | Creating a Sustainable Digital Accessibility Business Plan | Accessibility.com

10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
Every business needs a digital accessibility plan. Learn how to craft one for your business, no matter the size, that is sustainable as your business grows:
https://www.accessibility.com/event/2023/creating-a-sustainable-digital-accessibility-business-plan

October 24, 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group

5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 12AM GMT Next Day
4th Tuesday of every month at 7:00 PM CT. Learn a few tips about everyday technology from a technology expert, ask your questions, and share your experiences.
https://hadley.edu/discussion-groups/tech-it-out

November 6, 2023 through November 10, 2023 | Accessing Higher Ground | Association on Higher Education And Disability (AHEAD)

Accessible Media, Web and Technology Conference. Hilton Denver City Center, Denver, Colorado:
https://accessinghigherground.org/

November 28, 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group

5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 11PM GMT
4th Tuesday of every month at 7:00 PM CT. Learn a few tips about everyday technology from a technology expert, ask your questions, and share your experiences.
https://hadley.edu/discussion-groups/tech-it-out

December 1, 2023 and December 2, 2023 | Blind Health Expo 2023 | Exhibitor and Attendee Registration Now Open

The Blind Health Expo is the largest virtual event of healthcare information, products, services, and medication for individuals in the blind, low vision, and disability communities. Exhibitors can: Register for free. Interact with thousands of attendees. Showcase their products and services:
https://accessiblepharmacy.com/blind-health-expo-2023/

December 26, 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group

5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 11PM GMT
4th Tuesday of every month at 7:00 PM CT. Learn a few tips about everyday technology from a technology expert, ask your questions, and share your experiences.
https://hadley.edu/discussion-groups/tech-it-out

➜ Directories

1) Access Information Email Newsletter Directory

https://accessinformationnews.com/email-newsletter-directory.html

➜ Sponsor Classified Ads

Sponsor: Clusiv

Sponsor Since: January 16th 2023

Website: https://clusiv.io/ 🌐

About: As there are many challenges people in the blind community face in employment and education, Clusiv has built the world's first e-learning platform designed for the blind to provide the training, tools, and resources needed to remove barriers to the modern workforce. Our courses teach you occupational and technology skills you need towards employment. Plus, we are working to connect our graduates to internship and job opportunities. Our courses are remote, self-paced, and we provide support throughout your whole journey through our student success team, and even provide lifetime access to our courses so you can keep up to date as technology evolves. You can request Clusiv training through your vocational rehabilitation counselor and fill out the form in the link below on our website. If you are a counselor wanting to learn more about Clusiv for your clients, or an employer looking to hire Clusiv graduates, click the respective link below and fill out a form to get more info.

➜ Person Looking To Enroll In Clusiv Courses

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Sponsor: Access Ready, Inc.

Sponsor Since: December 19th 2022

Website: https://accessready.org/ 🌐

Email: info@accessready.org ✉

Phone: (727) 531-1000 ☎

About: Access Ready Inc. is a certified, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The mission of Access Ready Inc., a nonprofit cross-disability rights advocacy organization, is to promote a policy of accessibility benefiting all people regardless of ability across information and communications technology utilized for two way communications.

The purpose of Access Ready Inc. is to educate the public and private sectors of the importance of accessible information and communications technology to the future of all people regardless of ability.

To support this education by developing initiatives that promote policies that ensure the creation and maintenance of accessible technologies utilized for two way communications at all levels which allow for easy use by people with the widest range of abilities possible.

To develop employment and business opportunities for people with disabilities that support its educational activities in the field of information and communications technology and related areas.

To provide consulting and educational services to buyers, developers, and users of information and communications technology that promotes its highest and best use in society.

To promote the concept of a technologically accessible society which fosters:

Freedom of expression, speech, and worship.
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Freedom from dishonesty, exclusion, and immorality.
Freedom of aspiration, invention, and inclusion.

Sponsor: Access Ready, Inc.

Sponsor Since: December 13th 2022

Website: https://accessready.org/ 🌐

Email: info@accessready.org ✉

Phone: (727) 531-1000 ☎

About: Access Ready Inc. is a certified, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The mission of Access Ready Inc., a nonprofit cross-disability rights advocacy organization, is to promote a policy of accessibility benefiting all people regardless of ability across information and communications technology utilized for two way communications.

The purpose of Access Ready Inc. is to educate the public and private sectors of the importance of accessible information and communications technology to the future of all people regardless of ability.

To support this education by developing initiatives that promote policies that ensure the creation and maintenance of accessible technologies utilized for two way communications at all levels which allow for easy use by people with the widest range of abilities possible.

To develop employment and business opportunities for people with disabilities that support its educational activities in the field of information and communications technology and related areas.

To provide consulting and educational services to buyers, developers, and users of information and communications technology that promotes its highest and best use in society.

To promote the concept of a technologically accessible society which fosters:

Freedom of expression, speech, and worship.
Freedom from fear, ignorance, and want.
Freedom from dishonesty, exclusion, and immorality.
Freedom of aspiration, invention, and inclusion.

Sponsor: Access Ready, Inc.

Sponsor Since: December 1st 2022

Website: https://accessready.org/ 🌐

Email: info@accessready.org ✉

Phone: (727) 531-1000 ☎

About: Access Ready Inc. is a certified, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The mission of Access Ready Inc., a nonprofit cross-disability rights advocacy organization, is to promote a policy of accessibility benefiting all people regardless of ability across information and communications technology utilized for two way communications.

The purpose of Access Ready Inc. is to educate the public and private sectors of the importance of accessible information and communications technology to the future of all people regardless of ability.

To support this education by developing initiatives that promote policies that ensure the creation and maintenance of accessible technologies utilized for two way communications at all levels which allow for easy use by people with the widest range of abilities possible.

To develop employment and business opportunities for people with disabilities that support its educational activities in the field of information and communications technology and related areas.

To provide consulting and educational services to buyers, developers, and users of information and communications technology that promotes its highest and best use in society.

To promote the concept of a technologically accessible society which fosters:

Freedom of expression, speech, and worship.
Freedom from fear, ignorance, and want.
Freedom from dishonesty, exclusion, and immorality.
Freedom of aspiration, invention, and inclusion.

Sponsor: APH ConnectCenter

Sponsor Since: November 29th 2022

Website: https://aphconnectcenter.org/ 🌐

Email: connectcenter@aph.org ✉

APH ConnectCenter Information and Referral Line:
(800) 232-5463 ☎

Hours: Monday - Friday from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM ET

Facebook (CareerConnect) | Facebook (FamilyConnect) | Facebook (VisionAware) | Twitter | YouTube

About: The APH ConnectCenter offers curated advice and resources to assist children, parents, adults, and job seekers who are blind or visually impaired, and their associated professionals, leading to greater independence and success in their lives.

Sponsor: WayAround

Sponsor Since: November 18th 2022

Website: https://www.wayaround.com/ 🌐

General Sales & Support: (888) 898-4465 ☎

Business Sales & Support: (888) 898-4465 ☎

Email: connect@wayaround.com ✉

About: WayAround is the app for your smart device that provides on-demand details about everyday things. The simple tag-and-scan approach lets you quickly and easily identify things around you. It also provides extra details, like how something works or when it expires. The result? Doing more of the things you want, with more confidence and more independence.

All the information you want with just a tap of your phone. No more waiting around to ask someone. You need just two things to get started: The free mobile app for iOS or Android and some of our smart WayTags^®.

Accessible labels for the blind, deafblind, and anyone with vision loss. Your biggest problem isn't poor eyesight. It's that so much of the information in the world is visual. But you shouldn't have to wait around for someone else to get the information you need. Or carry around a bulky, outdated device. There is a better way to get accurate and complete information every time. So you can reduce stress and gain independence.

Download The App (Apple): https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/wayaround-tag-and-scan/id1294361140?mt=8

Download The App (Android): https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.wayaround.wayaround

Sponsor: Pneuma Solutions

Sponsor Since: November 7th 2022

Website: https://pneumasolutions.com/ 🌐

Email Newsletter: Click here to receive periodic news via email concerning Pneuma Solutions products for business, consumers and education.

Sales: (866) 202-0520 ☎

Support: (650) 249-1000 ☎

About: Backed by two decades of creating award-winning accessible cloud technologies for people with visual impairments, Pneuma Solutions is the global leader in accessible cloud-based solutions. Pneuma Solutions was founded by long-time accessibility developers Mike Calvo and Matt Campbell. For more information on their individual profiles, click on their respective bio pages. We're proud to be the first company to develop cloud-based accessibility at the network level. Our tools provide organizations, like yours, a way to deliver secure, accessible information right from your network or from our secure servers. You can provide your print disabled consumers, students, employees, and citizens with a multitude of accessible options. Additionally, we offer a suite of cloud-based applications to blind and print disabled consumers directly from our website. Our consumer products are designed to make the day-to-day lives of blind and print disabled individuals more accessible and simpler to manage. Access to information is not a privilege, it's a right. It's also your right to obtain affordable, accessible cloud solutions to serve your end user. When organizations like yours implement our tools, together we help make it a more inclusive world for people with disabilities. Want to know more about how we can help you become more inclusive?

Contact us here. We'll be happy to discuss how our tools can help with your accessibility needs.

Sponsor: National Council for the Blind of Ireland (NCBI)

Sponsor Since: September 18th 2023

Website: https://www.ncbi.ie/ 🌐

Phone: 1800 911 250 ☎

Make A Referral: https://www.ncbi.ie/supporting-you/make-a-referral/

We are happy to take referrals from anyone who is having significant challenges with their vision that cannot be improved with conventional correction glasses or medical treatment. Our online referral process provides a quick and easy way for you to request services, either for yourself, a family member, or a patient. We contact all new referrals to conduct an assessment.

Donate: https://www.ncbi.ie/supporting-us/donate-now/ ❤

Your support is Vital, for over 90 years, people like you have helped NCBI make Ireland a better place for those who are blind or vision impaired.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ncbilabs 📹

We regularly deliver Technology Podcasts on topics that support you. Show content ranges from chats and debates about the latest Inclusive Tech, Meet the Team interviews, interviews with developers about their latest innovations, Tech Tips, and Seeing it Your Way interviews where we speak to NCBI Service Users about how Technology has enabled them by breaking down barriers and leveling playing fields.

Online Store: https://www.ncbi.ie/shop-with-us/online-store/ 🛒

Shop Low Vision Aids. Our dedicated store supplies a range of household items, magnification aids, daily living aids, and technology devices all designed to assist you to live more independently. Check out our extensive range of low-vision aids, devices, and gadgets all designed to assist you in daily tasks.

NCBI Retail: https://www.ncbi.ie/shop-with-us/retail-stores/shop-locations/ 🛒

Visit our 130+ NCBI stores located across the country and shop for an extensive range of pre-loved quality clothing, accessories, and furniture. NCBI is proud to play a part in promoting environmentally friendly practices through reusing and recycling. We've got something for everyone, you can transform your home and wardrobe for less while helping to fund our vital work around Ireland with people living with sight loss.

About: NCBI's mission is to enable people who are blind and vision impaired to overcome the barriers that impede their independence and participation in society.

Inspired by the determination to overcome any obstacle, NCBI transforms the lives of people who are blind or vision impaired to deliver tangible change to today's needs. We offer timely information and support, relevant technology and innovative programs to sustain those with a vision impairment in education, in the workplace, and in wider society.

The National Council for the Blind of Ireland, the country's leading sight loss charity serving the approximate 55,000 people who are blind or vision impaired to live confidently and independently.

Our suite of programs provides practical and emotional support, rehabilitation and opening pathways to education, employment, and full participation in community and public life. It means raising awareness to ensure children and adults with a significant sight loss have the same opportunities, rights, and choices as anyone else in society.

NCBI works every day across the country with people of all ages, from young babies through to older members of our community. We provide services to approximately 7,000 people each year.

Often when a person learns that they or a loved one — a parent, child or partner — is losing their sight, they have a lot of questions and fears. They are faced with a new version of their life — one that initially seems limited and scary. NCBI empowers those living with sight loss in several meaningful ways to enable them to continue living independent and fulfilling lives. NCBI has a crucial role to play in creating a world without barriers for people with sight loss. We want to support, educate and change how people see sight loss in this country.

Social: Facebook | X (Formerly Twitter) | YouTube | Instagram

Sponsor: Hadley

Sponsor Since: September 18th 2023

Website: https://hadley.edu/ 🌐

Email: info@hadley.edu ✉

Phone: (800) 323-4238 ☎

Get Started: https://hadley.edu/learn 🎓

What would you like to learn today?

Donate: https://hadley.edu/donate/support-hadley ❤

A 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, Hadley relies on contributions from individuals, foundations, and corporations to fund its programs.

About: The mission of Hadley is to create personalized learning opportunities that empower adults with vision loss or blindness to thrive — at home, at work, and in their communities.

Founded in 1920 by William Hadley, an educator who lost his eyesight later in life, Hadley offers practical help, connection and support free of charge to anyone with a visual impairment, their families and professionals supporting them. With Hadley, you can discover new ways to do things that have become more difficult due to vision loss and connect with a network of peers who "get it." And you don't need to come to Hadley. Hadley's help comes to you; online, on the phone or through the mail.

Since relaunching in July 2020, more than 70,000 people have signed up with Hadley, registering more than 200,000 workshop interactions. And our workshops have 98% satisfaction ratings. We reach all 50 states and more than 100 countries. And more people learn braille from Hadley than from any other organization worldwide.

Hadley is a proud partner of the National Eye Institute and the National Eye Health Education Program.

Hadley's help conveniently meets learners where they are. Free of wait lists. Free of office visits. Free of charge.

Social: Facebook | X (Formerly Twitter) | YouTube

Sponsor: Empish J. Thomas

Sponsor Since: August 21, 2023

Website: https://www.empishthomas.com/ 🌐

About: Hello. I'm so glad you're here. I'm Empish, a freelance writer and blogger specializing in vision loss and disability. I have a deep passion for the disability community and enjoy using my writing skills to bring awareness. Ever since I was a small child I have always been intrigued by the written word. Checking out children's books at my local library to reading the newspaper out loud to my parents, words have always moved and compelled me. Now, fast forward to my adult life. I had a journalism degree with a promising career. But six months after graduation I developed severe headaches and sensitivity to light prompting me to go see an eye doctor for the first time in my life. I was diagnosed with Uveitis in its most aggressive form and within a few years I was totally blind.

Despite this diagnosis my love for the written word did not diminish. I had noticed the negative and sometimes incorrect portrayal of the disabled in the news media. I wanted to be proactive in changing that image. Language is powerful and that people with disabilities must tell their own story.

This is why I love the Nigerian proverb “Don't let the lion tell the giraffe's story,” because it speaks to my career as a journalist and disability advocate. As we know, the lion is the king of the jungle and rules the animal kingdom. His voice is heard the strongest and the loudest the majority of the time.

But there are also other animals too. Ones like the giraffe that have a voice and a story to tell. Their voices are just as important. Just as powerful. Just as valuable. As you review and read my work my goal is to give the giraffe that voice.

Topics That Spark Joy

As a freelance writer and blogger, I use this site to talk about my life as a disabled person. Like Marie Kondo, you will find blog posts on the things that spark joy. I love reading audiobooks and watching audio described movies. I also love talking about accessibility and how it impacts my life. I include my daily routine. You know those mundane things we all do like grocery shopping, exercising, paying bills, voting and anything else I find interesting.

Let Me Write For You

Now that you know a little about me, are you looking for a freelance writer? One who can write a captivating story. ONE WITH excellent writing and organizational skills. One who understands the importance of deadlines. Let's chat. Shoot me an email from my Contact Page and let's discuss how I can meet your writing needs.

Sponsor: Eyes on Success

Sponsor Since: August 21, 2023

Website: https://www.eyesonsuccess.net/ 🌐

About: This half-hour weekly podcast and radio program discusses products, services and daily living tips for people with vision loss. It is available through radio reading services across North America, via several internet streaming services, and to everyone else as a podcast. To date, the show has been downloaded in all 50 states in the US and over 100 other countries on all the inhabited continents. Eyes On Success is hosted and produced by Peter Torpey and Nancy Goodman Torpey.

Each episode is basically a success story. Some are human stories of visually impaired people's accomplishments in academics, employment, sports or pastimes. Others are descriptions of adaptive aids that enable visually impaired people to achieve things. These include screen readers, magnifiers, navigation aids, and others. In all cases, the focus is on success.

Eyes On Success has been airing weekly since January 2011. Prior to January 2013 the name of the show was ViewPoints. Other than the name, nothing has changed.

Listening To Eyes On Success

Connecting with Eyes On Success

Email: To contact us with questions, comments or suggestions for future shows send an e-mail to hosts@EyesOnSuccess.net ✉.

Weekly Announcements: If you would like to receive weekly announcements of upcoming episodes, you can join our low traffic "announcements only" list by sending an e-mail to: EyesOnSuccess+subscribe@GoogleGroups.com ✉.

Email Forum: If you would like to connect with other listeners and share your thoughts about what you've heard on the show, you can join our listener email forum by sending an email to: EOS_Discuss+Subscribe@GoogleGroups.com ✉

Sponsor: Total Tech Solutions, LLC

Sponsor Since: April 4, 2023

Website: https://blindtech.org/ 🌐

About: TTS (Total Tech Solutions) is a startup technology company owned and operated in the Dallas Fort Worth area which specializes in offering services for the blind and visually impaired. While this is it's main focus, TTS also caters to the general public. Since its founding, TTS continues to make strides in demonstrating the countless ways blind and visually impaired individuals can contribute in all aspects of the workforce. This is one of the reasons why this company chooses to hire applicants who are visually impaired; to prove that there is a place in society for persons of any type of visual impairment, and to create a positive environment so one can thrive, live life to their fullest potential and to be a positive example to their communities and their families.

Shop: BlindShell Classic | Shop: ARxWear | Shop: All Products | Services | Events | About | Contact Us

Your Business or Organization Name Here

Sponsor Since: Today

Website: https://accessinformationnews.com/ 🌐

Phone: (855) 578-6660 ☎

Email: news@accessinformationnews.com ✉

About: Access Information News is the world's leading access information news publication that reaches over 10,000 access professionals, educators and enthusiasts, all over the world, each week. Access Information refers to informational topics that directly affect the lives of people with disabilities. Access Information includes any and all information related to bettering the lives of people who are blind, low vision, deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind, neurodivergent and/or disabled. Access Information News is a Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd. Publication.

Sponsorship Packages Currently Available

Access Information News is the world's leading access information news publication that reaches over 10,000 blind, low vision, deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind, neurodivergent and/or disabled professionals, educators and enthusiasts, all over the world, each week.

Access Information refers to informational topics that directly affect the lives of people with disabilities. Access Information includes any and all information related to bettering the lives of people who are blind, low vision, deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind, neurodivergent and/or disabled.

Access Information News offers a total of 18 Sponsorship Packages which are used to support the ongoing distribution of the publication.

➜ Availability: There are currently  6  of  18  Sponsorship Packages available. All 18 Sponsorship Packages are offered on a first-come, first serve basis.

➜ Waiting List: If you would like to become an Access Information News Sponsor but there are no sponsorship packages currently available, we encourage you to join our waiting list by sending an email to: sponsorships@accessinformationnews.com ✉. Once you have joined our waiting list we will notify you the next time a current sponsor decides not to renew. You will then have 72 hours to secure your sponsorship before it is offered to the next sponsor on the list.

➜ Payment Options: When available you can secure one of these packages for just $100.00 USD per month, $300 USD per quarter or $1,200.00 USD per year.

➜ Payment Option Benefits: Monthly Sponsors receive Zero (0) Featured Advertisements. Quarterly Sponsors receive One (1) Featured Advertisement per quarter. Annual Sponsors receive Five (5) Featured Advertisements per year. All other benefits remain the same.

➜ Access Information News Supporters:

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Why: Access Information News Supporters donate an amount of their choosing either one time or annually in order to assist with the ongoing distribution of the Access Information News publication.

Benefits: All Access Information News Supporters receive a listing within the "Our Supporters" section of each weekly newsletter, as well as a listing within the "Our Supporters" section of the Access Information News website.

One Time Donation: If you would like to become an Access Information News Supporter by making a one time donation in an amount of your choosing to assist with the ongoing distribution of the Access Information News publication, you may utilize this donate link, or scan the QR code to the right.

Annual Donation: If you would like to become an Access Information News Supporter by making a small annual donation to assist with the ongoing distribution of the Access Information News publication, we also offer the following options, all with our sincerest thanks, and most heartfelt gratitude for your ongoing support.

Support: In tandem with Our Sponsors, these are the people that make the ongoing distribution of Access Information News possible.

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Become an Access Information News Platinum Supporter today.

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➜ Access Information News Team

Publisher: Aaron Di Blasi (Volunteer)

Volunteer Publisher Since: November 7th 2022

Location: Mayfield Heights, Ohio

Time Zone: Eastern Standard Time (EST/EDT) (GMT-5/GMT-4)

In addition to serving as Publisher for Access Information News Aaron also serves as Publisher for the Top Tech Tidbits Publication and is also the President and Senior Project Management Professional for Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd.

As Publisher Aaron oversees the weekly distribution of Access Information News on behalf of Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd.

Aaron also serves as a Volunteer Editorial Contributor to Access Information News.

Aaron Di Blasi, PMP

Publisher (2022-Present)
Access Information News
The Week's News in Access Information
https://accessinformationnews.com 🌐

Publisher (2020-Present)
Top Tech Tidbits
The Week's News in Adaptive Technology
https://toptechtidbits.com 🌐

Sr. Project Management Professional (2006 - Present)
Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd.
Innovative ideas. Solutions that perform.
https://mvsltd.com 🌐

Editorial Contributor #1: John Hanlin (Volunteer)

Volunteer Editorial Contributor Since: November 7th 2022

Location: Boulder, Colorado

Time Zone: Mountain Standard Time (MST/MDT) (GMT-7/GMT-6)

In addition to serving as an Editorial Contributor to Access Information News, John also serves as an Editorial Contributor to the Top Tech Tidbits Publication and is also an attorney-at-law specializing in long-term disability claims for blind and visually impaired persons.

John is also a long-time contractor and member of the Board of Trustees at Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd.

John Hanlin, Esq.

Editorial Contributor (2022-Present)
Access Information News
The Week's News in Access Information
https://accessinformationnews.com 🌐

Editorial Contributor (2020-Present)
Top Tech Tidbits
The Week's News in Adaptive Technology
https://toptechtidbits.com 🌐

Board of Trustees (2006 - Present)
Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd.
Innovative ideas. Solutions that perform.
https://mvsltd.com 🌐

Editorial Contributor #2: Jenna Lang (Volunteer)

Volunteer Editorial Contributor Since: November 7th 2022

Location: Des Moines, Iowa

Time Zone: Central Standard Time (CST/CDT) (GMT-6/GMT-5)

In addition to serving as an Editorial Contributor to Access Information News, Jenna also serves as an Editorial Contributor to the Top Tech Tidbits Publication and runs her own Digital Marketing Firm.

Jenna also serves as a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) for Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd.

Jenna's son was born blind and she is always seeking new and innovative ways to empower him through technology.

Jenna Lang, PMP

Editorial Contributor (2022-Present)
Access Information News
The Week's News in Access Information
https://accessinformationnews.com 🌐

Editorial Contributor (2020-Present)
Top Tech Tidbits
The Week's News in Adaptive Technology
https://toptechtidbits.com 🌐

Project Management Professional (2022 - Present)
Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd.
Innovative ideas. Solutions that perform.
https://mvsltd.com 🌐

Editorial Contributor #3: David Woodbridge (Volunteer)

Volunteer Editorial Contributor Since: February 6th 2023

Location: Central Coast, New South Wales, Australia

Time Zone: Australia Eastern Standard Time (AEST/AEDT) (GMT+10)

In addition to serving as an Editorial Contributor to Access Information News, David is also the National Commercial Assistive Technology Advisor for Vision Australia where he has worked since 1990. Over this time he has assisted people who are blind or vision impaired in their home, education, and work settings to take advantage of the benefits of using assistive and main stream technology.

In the last seventeen years, he has also been involved with evaluating technology for use by people who are blind or vision impaired covering both low and high tech equipment (including Microsoft, Samsung, Google, Amazon, and Apple). David is also one of the key spokespersons for Vision Australia relating to technology.

He has been an Apple Ambassador for Apple Australia since 2009 with a group of other Ambassadors / Apple Distinguished Educators (ADE)'s covering the range of Apple's Accessibility solutions throughout Australia.

David produces a range of podcasts (since 2011) covering Apple and other technologies which are distributed on his own podcast (http://davidwoodbr.podbean.com). In addition, he also has a regular Talking Tech program (since 2013) which can be heard every Tuesday at 4:30 Eastern Summer Time on Vision Australia Radio Melbourne (available online) or via https://omny.fm/shows/talking-tech-vision-australia-radio

David also runs a weekly Tech Monday where people can chat about assistive and main stream technology, share information, and any tips and tricks.

David lost his sight when he was 8 years old and had to learn Braille. Since then, he completed high school, went to Sydney University receiving a Social Work degree, spent 4 years drug and alcohol counselling, and then moved into his current job.

As a person who is blind, David believes that as a user of the technology that he recommends to others, that he is well situated to look at the strengths and shortcomings of the assistive technology that he comes across in both his professional and personal life, in particular, mainstream technology that is accessible.

X (Formerly Twitter): @dwoodbridge
Mastodon: woody@dragonscave.space
iSee Podcast: https://davidwoodbr.podbean.com
Vision Australia Radio Talking Tech: https://omny.fm/shows/talking-tech-vision-australia-radio

In addition to his weekly contributions to Access Information News, David's regularly occurring activities are his weekly tech radio show, bi-monthly exploring tech webinars for Vision Australia, his iSee podcast when something of note grabs his attention, and the weekly Tech Monday chat sessions.

David Woodbridge

Editorial Contributor (2023-Present)
Access Information News
The Week's News in Access Information
https://accessinformationnews.com 🌐

Editorial Contributor (2023-Present)
Top Tech Tidbits
The Week's News in Adaptive Technology
https://toptechtidbits.com 🌐

National Commercial Assistive Technology Advisor (1990 - Present)
Vision Australia
Live the life you choose. We're here to support all Australians who are blind or have low vision.
https://www.visionaustralia.org/ 🌐

Email: editor@accessinformationnews.com ✉
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Access Information News for Monday, September 11, 2023 - Volume 927

The Week's News in Access Information
https://accessinformationnews.com/

A Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd. Publication
https://mvsltd.com/

Access Information News. The world's #1 online resource for current news and trends in access information.

Subscribers: 10,302 Opt-In Subscribers were sent this issue via email. 26 Premium Subscribers were sent this issue via email.

This Week's Featured Advertisement: Join Industry Leaders And Begin Reaching Over 10,000 Access Professionals, Educators and Enthusiasts, All Over The World, Each Week. All While Supporting The Ongoing Distribution of This Publication For Those Very Same Readers. Only $100 USD Per Month. While Packages Last. This Issue Made Possible By Support From The Following Sponsors:

Ongoing Weekly Distribution Made Possible By Support From: Pneuma Solutions, WayAround, APH ConnectCenter, Access Ready, Inc., Total Tech Solutions, LLC, Eyes on Success and Empish J. Thomas. Learn more about Sponsorship today at: https://accessinformationnews.com/sponsor.

Dear Access Information News Subscriber,

1) Top 5 Most Clicked Access Information News Articles From Last Week

A.) Sight Loss Tip: How Do You Read to Kids When Blind? | Tim Dixon

Reading to your kids is one of the parenting pleasures parents take for granted. So, how do you read to kids when you are blind?
https://www.timdixon.net/blog/2023/08/sight-loss-tip-how-do-you-read-to-kids-when-blind/

B.) A Lightweight Wearable Device Helps Users Navigate With A Tap On The Wrist | Science Daily

Scientists have developed a fabric-based wearable device that 'taps' a user's wrist with pressurized air, silently helping them navigate to their destination. The study demonstrated that users correctly interpreted which direction the device was telling them to go an average of 87% of the time. Since the wearable embeds most of its control system within the fabric itself, using air instead of electronics, it can be built lighter and more compact than existing designs:
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/08/230829130037.htm

C.) DoorDash Adds An AI-Powered Voice Ordering Phone Service

DoorDash is branching out from app-only ordering by adding an artificial intelligence voice that will take your order:
https://cordcuttersnews.com/doordash-adds-an-ai-powered-voice-ordering-phone-service/

D.) What's Up With Smart Glasses? | Ophthalmic Edge

By now we expected smart glasses to be all the rage. They'd be on lots of faces, in the same way smartphones are in (just about) every hand. Actually, they were predicted to replace the smartphone, providing the wearer with voice access to information and apps. And, of course, they'd be accessible to visually impaired or blind users, because smartphones are. It would be wonderfully inclusive and normalizing, glasses that made information accessible, whether you could see the screen or not:
https://ophthalmicedge.org/patient/whats-up-with-smart-glasses/

E.) Can Reading E-Books Get You in Trouble? Protect Yourself From Digital Threats | Good eReader

Reading is one of life's greatest gifts & pleasures. It lets you experience the lives of countless others or elevate your own by accumulating knowledge. Better yet, the digital age allows us access to millions of books without having to lug any of them around. E-books might be convenient, but are they safe? In this article, we explore how E-books themselves or acquiring them can affect your devices. We also offer practical tips on handling E-books safely & responsibly:
https://goodereader.com/blog/e-book-news/can-reading-e-books-get-you-in-trouble-protect-yourself-from-digital-threats

2) Sponsorship Packages Currently Available

Are you an access-based person, business or organization whose products, services or message would benefit from reaching over 10,000 access buyers each week? If so, please consider becoming a Sponsor today for just $100 a month, paid either monthly, quarterly or annually. Annual Paying Sponsors receive 5 Featured Advertisements for the year, rather than 4, and gain the additional benefit of being able to schedule their Featured Advertisements up to one year in advance. If you've been looking for a way to consistently reach the largest audience of opt-in access buyers in the world today, at a nearly negligible price point, please consider becoming an Access Information News Sponsor while packages last. Availability: There are currently 8 Access Information News Sponsorship Packages available:
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6) The Secret 'Language' Only Blind People Can Understand — And It's Not Braille | Emily McPherson | 9News AU

Publisher (Di Blasi): Quick disclaimer regarding this article's title. There is no actual secret language involved. The language in question is always the speaker's native language. It is just sped up to a point that non-trained ears can no longer understand it. I am sighted and have been practicing speed reading via both sight and sound for more than 10 years now. The very best that I can do with sound at this point is about 500-600 words per minute. With 500 being relatively comfortable for me and 600 requiring my undivided attention. Now, contrast that with blind friends that can effortlessly understand words at a rate of 800 to 900 per minute. While it may not be a secret language, it's still a very real super power if you ask me.
9News AU: "What language is that speaking?" It's a question Brisbane software engineer Jamie Teh often fields from people who happen to hear the strange sounds coming out of his computer. "Sometimes I'll get things like, 'What's that noise?' Or, 'Is that water?' It's actually pretty funny to see some of the reactions," Teh said. To the ordinary ear, the sounds are usually an unintelligible form of gobbledygook. Most people are shocked when they're told it's actually English - just sped up to approximately 4-6 times the average speed of human speech. Can you catch any words? Listen to the audio below to hear the first page of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, read at 900 words per minute, and test your skills:
https://www.9news.com.au/national/the-secret-language-only-blind-people-can-understand--and-its-not-braille/667eca67-a032-497e-a8fe-2bfd0d57e1c7

7) Accessible Content Basics For Social Media And Pr Pros | PR Daily

Reach more people and ensure inclusivity with these tips from Alexa Heinrich:
https://www.prdaily.com/accessible-content-basics-for-social-media-and-pr-pros/

8) Audiobook or Reading? Science Shows There Is No Difference To Your Brain | Good eReader

Life can be busy and finding the time to sit and read isn't easy — but that doesn't mean you have to go without. Now a day's many of us enjoy our stories in a variety of different ways; books, eBooks, audiobooks or on our cell phones. A great option is to pop in the ear buds, pop on an audiobook, and carry on cooking dinner, exercising, or puttering around the house. However, it raises the question whether or not a listener is getting the same experience as a reader when it comes to engaging with a novel?
https://goodereader.com/blog/electronic-readers/audio-book-or-reading-science-shows-there-is-no-difference-to-your-brain

9) Bringing Braille Fun Home: LEGO^® Braille Bricks on Sale for the First Time | Darren Dizon

When I was young, I loved playing with Legos, but in a fun and unique way! NOW, there are LEGO^® Braille Bricks which have changed the way we teach sighted people about Braille. Come along for the ride, and explore the potential of Lego Bricks:
https://visionaccessibility.com/blog/bringing-braille-fun-home-lego-braille-bricks-on-sale-for-the-fi

10) Amazon Has Ended Its Periodicals Program, And Independent Publishers Are Panicking | The Verge

Since Kindle Periodicals was dropped, many pubs are scrambling to find a way to stay alive:
https://www.theverge.com/23861370/amazon-kindle-periodicals-unlimited-ended

11) A Post From Jonathan Mosen To The ACB Conversation Discussion List: Why Mastodon Is So Important, And Exercising My Right of Reply | Tech-VI List

10 months ago, Twitter's entire accessibility team was fired by its new owner, Elon Musk. Shortly after, the third-party apps on which many blind people rely were no longer permitted to access the platform. The accessibility team weren't the only ones to go. Twitter's safety team has been decimated. It is now a much more unsafe place for disabled people, and the publication of profoundly objectionable and illegal material has increased without subsequent remedial action:
https://groups.io/g/tech-vi/message/4982

12) Legal Update: August 2023 | Converge Accessibility

There has been a real slowdown in my Lexis feed this month. Are the courts are issuing fewer opinions? Does Lexis have fewer people collecting and entering opinions? Are both factors at work because it's summer and even the nerdiest attorneys would rather be outside enjoying the day with a cool drink instead of working indoors?
https://convergeaccessibility.com/2023/09/05/legal-update-august-2023/

13) American Streets May Soon Get Their First Accessible Design Standards from the Feds

The ADA has been the law for 33 years. Why has it taken this long to write strong guidelines to implement it on U.S. streets?
https://usa.streetsblog.org/2023/09/06/american-streets-may-soon-get-their-first-accessible-design-standards-from-the-feds

14) Fable's Digital Accessibility Solutions | Accessibility.com

In today's digital age, the importance of inclusivity and accessibility cannot be overstated. As the online landscape continues to evolve, businesses face the challenge of making their products and services accessible to everyone, including individuals with disabilities. This is where Fable, an innovative online platform based in Toronto, steps in:
https://www.accessibility.com/blog/fables-digital-accessibility-solutions

15) Web Accessibility for People with Hearing Disabilities | Allyant

Website accessibility ensures everyone — including people with disabilities — can read, understand, navigate, and interact with a website. You may be familiar with how accessible websites accommodate people with visual impairments by allowing them to easily use a screen reader to read the web page's content aloud to them. People with hearing impairments also need accommodations to experience a website the way that was intended:
https://allyant.com/web-accessibility-for-people-with-hearing-disabilities/

16) An Introduction To Accessibility Advocacy: An Interview With Steve Sawczyn, Digital Accessibility Lead at HealthPartners | Steve Kelley | APH

Steve Sawczyn, Digital Accessibility Lead at HealthPartners, is no stranger to accessibility. Steve played a critical role in helping retail giant Target make its way to web accessibility after a lawsuit brought their attention to the inaccessibility of their website. And before that, in a grassroots effort in his home state of Maine, Sawczyn was at the forefront of negotiating with Apple on restoring a workable screen reader to their Mac computer before they were distributed throughout Maine schools as the computer of choice. In addition to Target and Apple, Steve's resume also includes Deque, and United Healthcare, before his recent leadership role at HealthPartners:
https://www.afb.org/aw/24/6/18363

17) Innovative Technology Empowers Blind and Partially Sighted Shoppers with Audible Product Information | Cool Blind Tech

Europe is home to an estimated 30 million blind and partially sighted individuals, with approximately one in 30 Europeans experiencing some form of sight loss, primarily linked to aging. As the population ages, these numbers are expected to increase. Some promising solutions are emerging:
https://coolblindtech.com/innovative-technology-empowers-blind-and-partially-sighted-shoppers-with-audible-product-information/

18) Standard Ebooks

Standard Ebooks is a volunteer-driven effort to produce a collection of high quality, carefully formatted, accessible, open source, and free public domain ebooks that meet or exceed the quality of commercially produced ebooks. The text and cover art in our ebooks is already believed to be in the U.S. public domain, and Standard Ebooks dedicates its own work to the public domain, thus releasing the entirety of each ebook file into the public domain. All the ebooks we produce are distributed free of cost and free of U.S. copyright restrictions. Standard Ebooks is organized as a “low-profit L.L.C.,” or “L3C,” a kind of legal entity that blends the charitable focus of a traditional not-for-profit with the ease of organization and maintenance of a regular LLC:
https://standardebooks.org/

19) The Gift of Time | Justin Gardner | APH

Early in 1943, the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) started a program to help soldiers blinded in World War II. Often the first item a hospitalized GI requested, braille watches were presented to each blinded serviceman referred to AFB by the military or the Veterans Administration (VA). Once a referral was received, the veteran's name, rank, and serial number were engraved on the back of a pocket or wristwatch, and it was sent to the veteran as quickly as possible. By December of 1945, 1,048 braille watches had been delivered. Five watches were even sent to American soldiers in German POW camps by the YMCA:
https://www.aph.org/the-gift-of-time/

20) Equivalent Experience Can Cut Both Ways | Eric Bailey

I've been taking screen reader lessons. I found someone who is kind enough to offer their time and expertise (and grace in answering the occasional ignorant question) in exchange for payment. The goal here is to uncover assumptions I carry with me when using assistive technology, in order to make my work better. It is my hope that this can translate to experiences that people who use assistive technology consider intuitive and pleasurable to use:
https://ericwbailey.website/published/equivalent-experience-can-cut-both-ways/

21) Walmart's Commitment to Accessibility Empowers People with Disabilities | Cool Blind Tech

Walmart is making a new push to better serve people with disabilities with a slew of adaptive products ranging from clothing to technology. Walmart recently introduced an adaptive channel on its website with a curated collection of items all created to be accessible. The selection includes adaptive utensils and tableware, assistive devices, sensory-friendly toys, backpacks designed to work with wheelchairs, hearing aids, adaptive clothing and much more:
https://coolblindtech.com/walmarts-commitment-to-accessibility-empowers-people-with-disabilities/

22) By The Numbers — Companies Still Not Considering The Real Consumer Markets | Award Winning Sight Loss Coach, Advocate and Author Donna Jodhan

My final thought? Somehow, we need to change the attitudes here! This is not healthy and extremely callous and inhumane! Profits are not the only thing that should matter! Just my two cents for today:

➜ Featured Webinars, Training Courses and Events

September 12, 2023 | Ask Sharky: Get the Most Out of Message Center | Freedom Scientific

9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
Learn the ins and outs of the new Message Center in JAWS, ZoomText, and Fusion, including how to access and navigate messages, plus specify message settings. Zoom conferencing platform and Clubhouse. Join via Zoom or download the Clubhouse app from iOS App Store or Google Play to participate on your mobile device:
https://zoom.us/j/7278038000?_x_zm_rtaid=JLrcZJLfR0CGeSOmS9Dn3g.1605555524846.894574b70d1d4051defcc9cb567d21aa&_x_zm_rhtaid=935#success

September 12, 2023 | Case Study: Creating Accessible Cultural Experiences | TPGi

9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
Museums, art galleries, and cultural spaces increasingly rely on digital technologies to engage visitors with their collections. It is vital that such experiences are accessible to people with disabilities. This presentation describes how accessibility was integrated into the design and development of a free mobile app featuring digital guides to cultural institutions around the world. TPGi partnered with Bloomberg Connects to improve accessibility features of the app, which now provides the means for people with disabilities to engage with cultural institutions and experience their content in an accessible and inclusive way. The presentation will cover the way key accessibility barriers were identified and addressed, reflect on how the results of usability testing with people with disabilities helped verify the quality of the app's user experience, and consider future developments:
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-september-12-at-12pm-et-case-study-creating-accessible-cultural-experiences/

September 13, 2023 | Celebration of The 10th Anniversary of the Signing of the Marrakesh Treaty | National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled

10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
Friends — NLS is pleased to announce that on Wednesday, September 13, from 1 to 2 p.m. EDT, the Library of Congress will hold a virtual event to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the signing of the Marrakesh Treaty to Facilitate Access to Published Works for Persons Who are Blind, Visually Impaired, or Otherwise Print Disabled. We invite you to register for the event. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the event. NLS is excited to join its colleagues at the US Copyright Office in celebrating the Marrakesh Treaty and its successful implementation here in the United States. NLS marked a milestone this summer with patrons' 100,000th download of audio and braille materials acquired under the treaty. Since 2020, when the treaty was fully implemented in the US, NLS has added more than 5,700 works in more than 25 languages — including English — from treaty members. NLS has also uploaded more than 197,000 items to the Accessible Books Consortium Global Book Service, making them digitally available to other Marrakesh Treaty members. We hope you will tune in — and please share the information and link with all your friends and supporters of Marrakesh!
https://www.copyright.gov/events/marrakesh-treaty-tenth-anniversary/

September 13, 2023 | Connect 12's New Dictionary Powered By Oxford Languages HumanWare

9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
In collaboration with Oxford Languages, a part of Oxford University Press, this partner webinar will focus on leveraging the all-new Dictionary app to enhance reading comprehension support for your students. Be sure to participate in the interactive Q&A session at the end:
https://humanware.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_2Pf2AFa7QsCBvnaR1D3QBQ#/registration

September 13, 2023 | RUBY Handheld Magnifiers: The Portable Vision Solution (Assistive Technology Webinar) | Access Ingenuity

10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
Did you know there are five RUBY models to help with your low vision needs? RUBY handheld video magnifiers provide the help that many people with low vision need to read text and see details. All RUBY models have a crisp, sharp image, high-contrast modes, and built-in LEDs. The streamlined design means RUBY can go with you anywhere, giving you easy access to photos, letters, prescriptions, packaging labels, and menus, even in a dark restaurant. With its broad range of adjustable, undistorted magnification, a RUBY video magnifier outperforms a drawerful of traditional magnifiers. There is even a model that is capable of full-page OCR. With a button, you can scan pages and have them read aloud. Join Ian Ramos from Access Ingenuity and Joe McDaniel from Vispero to discuss the features and benefits of all the RUBY models and the assistance each can give in specific situations. Note that everybody is welcome and can benefit from this presentation. Teachers of the visually impaired (TVI) can earn ACVREP continuing education credit by attending this approved presentation. Learning Outcomes & Zoom Webinar Information. Features of all RUBY models. How to determine the right size for you. How adding speech capability can take you further:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82276472195?pwd=bWVaMVVtaWRQZnJkck1vNlJDRVBFZz09&mc_cid=ce73907c70&mc_eid=90429c1885#success

September 14, 2023 | TOPAZ OCR: Empowering Independence and Maximizing Productivity | Vispero

9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
Vispero Presenters: Bill Kilroy and Shelly Klure. Summary: The TOPAZ desktop video magnifiers have been a Freedom Scientific key product for more than a decade. Join us for a step-by-step webinar to find out how the TOPAZ OCR can help you or your clients become more independent and productive across a variety of everyday activities. Don't miss out on this educational hour as we demonstrate live and answer your questions in real-time! Objectives: Scan full page documents and have them read aloud. Magnify text on mail, food packaging, and more. Fill out forms and manage personal finances. ACVREP credits will be available for those who attend the live webinar. Register for this webinar on Zoom:
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_0sL9TTsBQieLk2q4k5XQyw

September 14, 2023 | The Many Faces of BARD: Using Your Braille Display to Read Braille BARD Books on Your iPhone

4PM PT, 5PM MT, 6PM CT, 7PM ET, 11PM GMT
The topic for the September 14, 2023, Many Faces of BARD program will be Using Your Braille Display to Read Braille BARD Books on Your iPhone. The program will begin at 7:00 p.m. eastern time and last for one hour. This program will be recorded. For this session, Judy Dixon will demonstrate how to access BARD braille books located on your iPhone and read them with your braille display. Note that information in this session will apply to any braille display including the NLS Braille eReaders. After the demonstration, Judy and the rest of the NLS staff will take questions about the demonstration or anything else relating to BARD. Remember that the meeting is recorded. Do not speak if you do not wish to be on the recording. If you wish to speak, you may request to do so by raising your hand. On a PC, press Alt Y to toggle raising and lowering your hand; on a Mac, press Option Y; and if dialing in via telephone, press Star 9. To mute or unmute yourself on a PC, press Alt A; on a Mac, press Command-Shift A; and on a telephone, press Star 6. If you choose to dial in to the call, use the telephone numbers provided below. The Zoom.gov ID will not work with standard Zoom.us. The session can be joined by going to:
https://loc.zoomgov.com/j/1609390773?pwd=bWtTcmhyNlplcm9ndnRrd0xOZFFRQT09

September 14, 2023 | Using Your Braille Display to Read Braille BARD Books on Your iPhone | The Braillists Foundation

4PM PT, 5PM MT, 6PM CT, 7PM ET, 11PM GMT
The topic for the September 14, 2023, Many Faces of BARD program will be Using Your Braille Display to Read Braille BARD Books on Your iPhone. The program will begin at 7:00 p.m. eastern time and last for one hour. This program will be recorded. For this session, Judy Dixon will demonstrate how to access BARD braille books located on your iPhone and read them with your braille display. Note that information in this session will apply to any braille display including the NLS Braille eReader. After the demonstration, Judy and the rest of the NLS staff will take questions about the demonstration or anything else relating to BARD:
https://www.braillists.org/uncategorised/using-your-braille-display-to-read-braille-bard-books-on-your-iphone-thursday-14-september-at-700-pm-eastern/

September 19, 2023 | The Accessible Forms Checklist | TPGi

9:30AM PT, 10:30AM MT, 11:30AM CT, 12:30PM ET, 4:30PM GMT
Forms are one of the most important features in websites. They are a critical method of communication between people and companies. Yet far too often this communication is difficult or impossible due to poor accessibility. Accessible forms are easy to understand, complete, and submit. Instructions, cues, and requirements must be clearly identified to users. It must be simple to recover from errors. In this session, you will learn how to find accessibility errors in forms by using our high-level checklist. Our goal is to help build your knowledge around the WCAG success criteria related to forms. We will cover many topics, including: Using labels and groups to identify elements. Exposing the required and invalid attributes. Having clear errors and instructions. Robust, accessible names for controls:
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-september-19-at-1230pm-et-the-accessible-forms-checklist/

September 20, 2023 | Back To School With The Lighthouse For The Blind, Inc. | Accessible Apps For Education And Beyond

4PM PT, 5PM MT, 6PM CT, 7PM ET, 11PM GMT
Join The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. for an interactive webinar on assistive technology in and out of the classroom. We'll explore the Google Suite of products to show how these essential home and classroom tools have been designed with accessibility in mind. We'll also dive into the Voice Dream apps for scanning and reading at home or in the classroom. Whether you're a student seeking academic excellence, a parent supporting your child's educational path, an educator committed to inclusive classrooms, or a passionate advocate for accessibility, you won't want to miss this interactive and informative session. Register now to reserve your spot:
https://thelighthousefortheblindinc.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_vuWNLKBNRQSa__nY27vHzA

September 20, 2023 | Creating Accessible PDF Fillable Forms (Digital Accessibility Webinar) | Access Ingenuity

10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
Did you know that creating fillable PDF forms is crucial in meeting WCAG compliance? If you have a website form that is not a fillable PDF and requires a user to print it out to submit, users of assistive technology will face an accessibility barrier. In this webinar, we explore the different types of forms available in Acrobat, discuss best practices in formatting with accessibility in mind, and review the tag structure for fillable forms in PDF remediation to make them accessible for users. Join Rachel Reeves from Access Ingenuity for the basics of form creation in Acrobat Pro. Learning Outcomes & Zoom Webinar Information. Briefly review the best way to format MS Word documents when converted to PDF Fillable Forms. Discuss best practices for setting up form fields in your document. Showcase the form types available in Acrobat Pro and the settings needed for accessibility. Demonstrate how to tag form fields to make them accessible in your PDF:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88577101449?pwd=dkdkb2JBVE4xM05vbVR5MHYxazRDUT09&mc_cid=ce73907c70&mc_eid=90429c1885#success

September 21, 2023 | Inclusive Design 24

Inclusive Design 24 (#id24) is a free 24-hour online event for the global community. It celebrates inclusive design and shares knowledge and ideas from analogue to digital, from design to development, from planners to practitioners, and everything and everyone in between:
https://inclusivedesign24.org/2023/

September 26, 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group

5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 12AM GMT Next Day
4th Tuesday of every month at 7:00 PM CT. Learn a few tips about everyday technology from a technology expert, ask your questions, and share your experiences.
https://hadley.edu/discussion-groups/tech-it-out

September 26, 2023 | Web Accessibility - DOJ Listening Session: Notice of Proposed Rulemaking Title II Website/App Accessibility

12PM PT, 1PM MT, 2PM CT, 3PM ET, 7PM GMT
An opportunity to learn more about proposed web accessibility regulations and how to comment on them. The Great Lakes ADA Center is pleased to announce that we will be hosting a "Listening Session" with representatives from the Disability Rights Section of the U.S. Department of Justice regarding their Notice Of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) regarding the Accessibility of Web Information and Services for State and Local Government (Title II entities). DOJ issued the NPRM on July 25th with public comments due no later than October 3, 2023. Individuals have a variety of options for submitting comments including electronically and in writing. This session provides individuals an opportunity to give verbal comments to DOJ via the Listening Session format. Registration deadline is 9/25/2023 or until maximum registration is reached. Individuals must establish an account on our website in order to register. Method: Via Zoom. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) issued a "Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Accessibility of Web Information and Services of State and Local Government Entities" (NPRM) on July 25, 2023. This NPRM proposes a specific technical standard that state and local governments would have to follow to meet their existing obligations under Title II of the ADA for web and mobile app accessibility. The NPRM asks the public for comments about this proposal. To this end, the Great Lakes ADA Center in collaboration with the ADA National Network are hosting a "Listening Session" with representatives from the Disability Rights Section, U.S. Department of Justice regarding the proposed rule Individuals are invited to join this session and share your thoughts in support or against any or all of these proposed regulations. This is not a Q&A session. The Department of Justice will not discuss or be able to respond to any questions during this session. The intent is for DOJ to hear from interested persons and entities. This session will not be recorded and there are no continuing education recognition credits available for this session. Participants are encouraged to review the NPRM in advance of the session as well as the Fact Sheet on the NPRM prepared by DOJ in order to be prepared to comment. This session will have Real-Time Captioning and Sign Language Interpreters Available. Contact (877) 232-1990 ☎ or email webinars@adaconferences.org ✉ with questions. Register at:
https://www.accessibilityonline.org/ada-tech/session/?id=111080

September 27, 2023 | Basic Internet Browsing with JAWS (Assistive Technology Webinar) | Access Ingenuity

10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
Are you apprehensive about surfing the internet with JAWS, or do you want to understand the basics of web browsing with JAWS? Join Marisa Church and Ian Ramos from Access Ingenuity as we discuss some basic terminology, demonstrate great techniques, and explore helpful tools to lay the foundation for effectively navigating web pages. Learning Outcomes & Zoom Webinar Information. Explain the layout of a browser window with basic terms. Present basic navigating commands. Activate some JAWS tools to enhance the browsing experience:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88231843911?pwd=SnRYU0ZnUks0WlVzdWx4azAwdmw0dz09&mc_cid=ce73907c70&mc_eid=90429c1885#success

September 27, 2023 | How to Write an Accessibility Statement | TPGi

9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
We'll cover the various purposes for and key information to include in a website accessibility statement. Plus, we'll evaluate real-world examples of accessibility statements. Each attendee gains a template format to publish their own website accessibility statement. This webinar evaluates real-world examples of accessibility statements and answers frequently asked questions such as: Who at an organization should write an accessibility statement? Should the statement be written by an attorney? Should the statement explicitly acknowledge the parts of the website or application which do not conform to accessibility guidelines? Should the statement offer phone support or alternative options if a user finds the website to be inaccessible? The objective is for each attendee to come away with a clear approach for their own organization, whether it's a small business or a global brand. Join us for a lively discussion of website accessibility statements:
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-september-27-at-12pm-et-how-to-write-an-accessibility-statement/

September 29, 2023 | Blindness and Mental Health Webinar | Accessible Pharmacy

9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
Please join us as we discuss mental health in the blind and low vision community. Expert presenters will discuss: Psychology and therapy for the blind community. Medications and genomic testing. Peer and community support resources. 988 Mental Health Hotline information:
https://accessiblepharmacy.com/blindness-and-mental-health-webinar/

October 4, 2023 | FEMA Nationwide EAS Test

11:20AM PT, 12:20PM MT, 1:20PM CT, 2:20PM ET, 6:20PM GMT
FEMA, in coordination with the FCC, will conduct a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) this fall. The national test will consist of two portions, testing WEA and EAS capabilities. Both tests are scheduled to begin at 2:20pm ET on Wednesday, October 4. The EAS portion of the test will be sent to radios and televisions. This will be the seventh nationwide EAS test:
https://news.radio-online.com/cgi-bin/rol.exe/headline_id=b17534

October 13, 2023 | Blindness and Clinical Trials Webinar | Accessible Pharmacy

9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
Please join us as we discuss clinical trials for the blind and low vision community with these expert presenters: Ben Shaberman, VP Science Communications Foundation Fighting Blindness. Marin Allen, former Deputy Director of Communications, National Institute of Health. Maggie Cashion, Clinical Research Manager, Prism Vision Group:
https://accessiblepharmacy.com/blindness-and-clinical-trials-webinar/

October 24, 2023 | Creating a Sustainable Digital Accessibility Business Plan | Accessibility.com

10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
Every business needs a digital accessibility plan. Learn how to craft one for your business, no matter the size, that is sustainable as your business grows:
https://www.accessibility.com/event/2023/creating-a-sustainable-digital-accessibility-business-plan

October 24, 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group

5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 12AM GMT Next Day
4th Tuesday of every month at 7:00 PM CT. Learn a few tips about everyday technology from a technology expert, ask your questions, and share your experiences.
https://hadley.edu/discussion-groups/tech-it-out

November 6, 2023 through November 10, 2023 | Accessing Higher Ground | Association on Higher Education And Disability (AHEAD)

Accessible Media, Web and Technology Conference. Hilton Denver City Center, Denver, Colorado:
https://accessinghigherground.org/

November 28, 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group

5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 11PM GMT
4th Tuesday of every month at 7:00 PM CT. Learn a few tips about everyday technology from a technology expert, ask your questions, and share your experiences.
https://hadley.edu/discussion-groups/tech-it-out

December 1, 2023 and December 2, 2023 | Blind Health Expo 2023 | Exhibitor and Attendee Registration Now Open

The Blind Health Expo is the largest virtual event of healthcare information, products, services, and medication for individuals in the blind, low vision, and disability communities. Exhibitors can: Register for free. Interact with thousands of attendees. Showcase their products and services:
https://accessiblepharmacy.com/blind-health-expo-2023/

December 26, 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group

5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 11PM GMT
4th Tuesday of every month at 7:00 PM CT. Learn a few tips about everyday technology from a technology expert, ask your questions, and share your experiences.
https://hadley.edu/discussion-groups/tech-it-out

➜ Directories

1) Access Information Email Newsletter Directory

https://accessinformationnews.com/email-newsletter-directory.html

➜ Sponsor Classified Ads

Sponsor: Clusiv

Sponsor Since: January 16th 2023

Website: https://clusiv.io/ 🌐

About: As there are many challenges people in the blind community face in employment and education, Clusiv has built the world's first e-learning platform designed for the blind to provide the training, tools, and resources needed to remove barriers to the modern workforce. Our courses teach you occupational and technology skills you need towards employment. Plus, we are working to connect our graduates to internship and job opportunities. Our courses are remote, self-paced, and we provide support throughout your whole journey through our student success team, and even provide lifetime access to our courses so you can keep up to date as technology evolves. You can request Clusiv training through your vocational rehabilitation counselor and fill out the form in the link below on our website. If you are a counselor wanting to learn more about Clusiv for your clients, or an employer looking to hire Clusiv graduates, click the respective link below and fill out a form to get more info.

➜ Person Looking To Enroll In Clusiv Courses

➜ Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Looking To Learn More About Clusiv For Their Clients

➜ Employer Looking To Hire Clusiv Graduates

Sponsor: Access Ready, Inc.

Sponsor Since: December 19th 2022

Website: https://accessready.org/ 🌐

Email: info@accessready.org ✉

Phone: (727) 531-1000 ☎

About: Access Ready Inc. is a certified, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The mission of Access Ready Inc., a nonprofit cross-disability rights advocacy organization, is to promote a policy of accessibility benefiting all people regardless of ability across information and communications technology utilized for two way communications.

The purpose of Access Ready Inc. is to educate the public and private sectors of the importance of accessible information and communications technology to the future of all people regardless of ability.

To support this education by developing initiatives that promote policies that ensure the creation and maintenance of accessible technologies utilized for two way communications at all levels which allow for easy use by people with the widest range of abilities possible.

To develop employment and business opportunities for people with disabilities that support its educational activities in the field of information and communications technology and related areas.

To provide consulting and educational services to buyers, developers, and users of information and communications technology that promotes its highest and best use in society.

To promote the concept of a technologically accessible society which fosters:

Freedom of expression, speech, and worship.
Freedom from fear, ignorance, and want.
Freedom from dishonesty, exclusion, and immorality.
Freedom of aspiration, invention, and inclusion.

Sponsor: Access Ready, Inc.

Sponsor Since: December 13th 2022

Website: https://accessready.org/ 🌐

Email: info@accessready.org ✉

Phone: (727) 531-1000 ☎

About: Access Ready Inc. is a certified, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The mission of Access Ready Inc., a nonprofit cross-disability rights advocacy organization, is to promote a policy of accessibility benefiting all people regardless of ability across information and communications technology utilized for two way communications.

The purpose of Access Ready Inc. is to educate the public and private sectors of the importance of accessible information and communications technology to the future of all people regardless of ability.

To support this education by developing initiatives that promote policies that ensure the creation and maintenance of accessible technologies utilized for two way communications at all levels which allow for easy use by people with the widest range of abilities possible.

To develop employment and business opportunities for people with disabilities that support its educational activities in the field of information and communications technology and related areas.

To provide consulting and educational services to buyers, developers, and users of information and communications technology that promotes its highest and best use in society.

To promote the concept of a technologically accessible society which fosters:

Freedom of expression, speech, and worship.
Freedom from fear, ignorance, and want.
Freedom from dishonesty, exclusion, and immorality.
Freedom of aspiration, invention, and inclusion.

Sponsor: Access Ready, Inc.

Sponsor Since: December 1st 2022

Website: https://accessready.org/ 🌐

Email: info@accessready.org ✉

Phone: (727) 531-1000 ☎

About: Access Ready Inc. is a certified, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The mission of Access Ready Inc., a nonprofit cross-disability rights advocacy organization, is to promote a policy of accessibility benefiting all people regardless of ability across information and communications technology utilized for two way communications.

The purpose of Access Ready Inc. is to educate the public and private sectors of the importance of accessible information and communications technology to the future of all people regardless of ability.

To support this education by developing initiatives that promote policies that ensure the creation and maintenance of accessible technologies utilized for two way communications at all levels which allow for easy use by people with the widest range of abilities possible.

To develop employment and business opportunities for people with disabilities that support its educational activities in the field of information and communications technology and related areas.

To provide consulting and educational services to buyers, developers, and users of information and communications technology that promotes its highest and best use in society.

To promote the concept of a technologically accessible society which fosters:

Freedom of expression, speech, and worship.
Freedom from fear, ignorance, and want.
Freedom from dishonesty, exclusion, and immorality.
Freedom of aspiration, invention, and inclusion.

Sponsor: APH ConnectCenter

Sponsor Since: November 29th 2022

Website: https://aphconnectcenter.org/ 🌐

Email: connectcenter@aph.org ✉

APH ConnectCenter Information and Referral Line:
(800) 232-5463 ☎

Hours: Monday - Friday from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM ET

Facebook (CareerConnect) | Facebook (FamilyConnect) | Facebook (VisionAware) | Twitter | YouTube

About: The APH ConnectCenter offers curated advice and resources to assist children, parents, adults, and job seekers who are blind or visually impaired, and their associated professionals, leading to greater independence and success in their lives.

Sponsor: WayAround

Sponsor Since: November 18th 2022

Website: https://www.wayaround.com/ 🌐

General Sales & Support: (888) 898-4465 ☎

Business Sales & Support: (888) 898-4465 ☎

Email: connect@wayaround.com ✉

About: WayAround is the app for your smart device that provides on-demand details about everyday things. The simple tag-and-scan approach lets you quickly and easily identify things around you. It also provides extra details, like how something works or when it expires. The result? Doing more of the things you want, with more confidence and more independence.

All the information you want with just a tap of your phone. No more waiting around to ask someone. You need just two things to get started: The free mobile app for iOS or Android and some of our smart WayTags^®.

Accessible labels for the blind, deafblind, and anyone with vision loss. Your biggest problem isn't poor eyesight. It's that so much of the information in the world is visual. But you shouldn't have to wait around for someone else to get the information you need. Or carry around a bulky, outdated device. There is a better way to get accurate and complete information every time. So you can reduce stress and gain independence.

Download The App (Apple): https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/wayaround-tag-and-scan/id1294361140?mt=8

Download The App (Android): https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.wayaround.wayaround

Sponsor: Pneuma Solutions

Sponsor Since: November 7th 2022

Website: https://pneumasolutions.com/ 🌐

Email Newsletter: Click here to receive periodic news via email concerning Pneuma Solutions products for business, consumers and education.

Sales: (866) 202-0520 ☎

Support: (650) 249-1000 ☎

About: Backed by two decades of creating award-winning accessible cloud technologies for people with visual impairments, Pneuma Solutions is the global leader in accessible cloud-based solutions. Pneuma Solutions was founded by long-time accessibility developers Mike Calvo and Matt Campbell. For more information on their individual profiles, click on their respective bio pages. We're proud to be the first company to develop cloud-based accessibility at the network level. Our tools provide organizations, like yours, a way to deliver secure, accessible information right from your network or from our secure servers. You can provide your print disabled consumers, students, employees, and citizens with a multitude of accessible options. Additionally, we offer a suite of cloud-based applications to blind and print disabled consumers directly from our website. Our consumer products are designed to make the day-to-day lives of blind and print disabled individuals more accessible and simpler to manage. Access to information is not a privilege, it's a right. It's also your right to obtain affordable, accessible cloud solutions to serve your end user. When organizations like yours implement our tools, together we help make it a more inclusive world for people with disabilities. Want to know more about how we can help you become more inclusive?

Contact us here. We'll be happy to discuss how our tools can help with your accessibility needs.

Sponsor: Empish J. Thomas

Sponsor Since: August 21, 2023

Website: https://www.empishthomas.com/ 🌐

About: Hello. I'm so glad you're here. I'm Empish, a freelance writer and blogger specializing in vision loss and disability. I have a deep passion for the disability community and enjoy using my writing skills to bring awareness. Ever since I was a small child I have always been intrigued by the written word. Checking out children's books at my local library to reading the newspaper out loud to my parents, words have always moved and compelled me. Now, fast forward to my adult life. I had a journalism degree with a promising career. But six months after graduation I developed severe headaches and sensitivity to light prompting me to go see an eye doctor for the first time in my life. I was diagnosed with Uveitis in its most aggressive form and within a few years I was totally blind.

Despite this diagnosis my love for the written word did not diminish. I had noticed the negative and sometimes incorrect portrayal of the disabled in the news media. I wanted to be proactive in changing that image. Language is powerful and that people with disabilities must tell their own story.

This is why I love the Nigerian proverb “Don't let the lion tell the giraffe's story,” because it speaks to my career as a journalist and disability advocate. As we know, the lion is the king of the jungle and rules the animal kingdom. His voice is heard the strongest and the loudest the majority of the time.

But there are also other animals too. Ones like the giraffe that have a voice and a story to tell. Their voices are just as important. Just as powerful. Just as valuable. As you review and read my work my goal is to give the giraffe that voice.

Topics That Spark Joy

As a freelance writer and blogger, I use this site to talk about my life as a disabled person. Like Marie Kondo, you will find blog posts on the things that spark joy. I love reading audiobooks and watching audio described movies. I also love talking about accessibility and how it impacts my life. I include my daily routine. You know those mundane things we all do like grocery shopping, exercising, paying bills, voting and anything else I find interesting.

Let Me Write For You

Now that you know a little about me, are you looking for a freelance writer? One who can write a captivating story. ONE WITH excellent writing and organizational skills. One who understands the importance of deadlines. Let's chat. Shoot me an email from my Contact Page and let's discuss how I can meet your writing needs.

Sponsor: Eyes on Success

Sponsor Since: August 21, 2023

Website: https://www.eyesonsuccess.net/ 🌐

About: This half-hour weekly podcast and radio program discusses products, services and daily living tips for people with vision loss. It is available through radio reading services across North America, via several internet streaming services, and to everyone else as a podcast. To date, the show has been downloaded in all 50 states in the US and over 100 other countries on all the inhabited continents. Eyes On Success is hosted and produced by Peter Torpey and Nancy Goodman Torpey.

Each episode is basically a success story. Some are human stories of visually impaired people's accomplishments in academics, employment, sports or pastimes. Others are descriptions of adaptive aids that enable visually impaired people to achieve things. These include screen readers, magnifiers, navigation aids, and others. In all cases, the focus is on success.

Eyes On Success has been airing weekly since January 2011. Prior to January 2013 the name of the show was ViewPoints. Other than the name, nothing has changed.

Listening To Eyes On Success

Connecting with Eyes On Success

Email: To contact us with questions, comments or suggestions for future shows send an e-mail to hosts@EyesOnSuccess.net ✉.

Weekly Announcements: If you would like to receive weekly announcements of upcoming episodes, you can join our low traffic "announcements only" list by sending an e-mail to: EyesOnSuccess+subscribe@GoogleGroups.com ✉.

Email Forum: If you would like to connect with other listeners and share your thoughts about what you've heard on the show, you can join our listener email forum by sending an email to: EOS_Discuss+Subscribe@GoogleGroups.com ✉

Sponsor: Living Blindfully

Sponsor Since: May 29, 2023

Website: https://www.livingblindfully.com/ 🌐

About: Living Blindfully is the podcast devoted to helping you live your best life with blindness or low vision. Sight is a highly dominant sense. If you have it, naturally you'll use it for a lot of things. But if you don't have it, or you don't have as much sight as you used to, it's still possible to live a rich, full life. This podcast is all about how it's done.

We discuss tips and tricks, but we frankly discuss the barriers too, ranging from attitudinal barriers to accessibility barriers and more.

You'll hear plenty about technology on Living Blindfully, because when blind people have the skills to use it and when the tech is behaving itself, it's key to functional and economic independence. Whether it's a tech question from our community, a handy tip about getting the most from your screen reader, a demonstration of a cool new app for your smartphone, or discussion about a serious accessibility issue that is causing problems, you'll learn about it on Living Blindfully. We geek out sometimes, but we always make a point of bringing people along for the ride and making sense of it all.

But technology is simply a tool to help us live blindfully, so our podcast discusses much more. The topics on each episode vary a lot, but it's not uncommon to hear discussion about travel, cooking, relationships, self-care, sleep, history and even politics. After all, blind people have as diverse a mix of interests and opinions as anyone else.

While we welcome sighted allies and family members who have an interest in what blind people are thinking and talking about, Living Blindfully is unapologetically for blind people, by blind people. There are other great places to go to learn about how blind people do what we do. But there are few places that proudly cater to the blind community. So, if you're not blind but you're interested in an unfiltered discussion about what's occupying the blind community, you've come to the right place and you're very welcome.

Jonathan Mosen is the host and facilitator of Living Blindfully, and often conducts interviews and produces product demonstrations. But you'll also hear from our engaged community of listeners who share their thoughts in writing and in audio. You're very welcome to contribute on anything you hear during the show, or something new that's on your mind.

Sponsor: Carrie on Accessibility

Sponsor Since: May 29, 2023

Website: https://carrieonaccessibility.com/ 🌐

Email: email@carrieonaccessibility.com ✉

About: Carrie's mission with Carrie on Accessibility (CoA) is to promote accessibility and to empower those, like herself, who are blind and visually impaired. Through her YouTube channel and other social media platforms, she shares videos exploring accessibility and assistive technology, along with other resources and encouragement that can benefit the community.

Carrie on Accessibility emphasizes accessibility, which is the path forward to equal access for those with disabilities. Designing with accessibility in mind is incredibly important. WCAG compliance is necessary and right, but compliance does not always equal accessibility. End user testing is the ultimate test. Through Carrie on Accessibility's Accessibility Review, businesses can evaluate the real world usability and functionality of their products and services.

Whether you're a content creator, small business owner, startup, organization, or corporation, Carrie on Accessibility can help you push beyond the limits to provide and promote accessibility.

Sponsor: Hartgen Consultancy

Sponsor Since: May 29, 2023

Website: https://www.hartgenconsultancy.com/ 🌐

About: Hartgen Consultancy was established with a mission to provide accessible training and usable software tools to individuals with vision loss and to the deaf Blind community. Product offerings have and continue to significantly contribute to the employability and productivity of these communities. Our vision of inclusiveness and accessibility; a vision that informs every training module, all adaptive products, and excellent customer service, embodies the commitment to the core values of the company.

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Sponsor: Total Tech Solutions, LLC

Sponsor Since: April 4, 2023

Website: https://blindtech.org/ 🌐

About: TTS (Total Tech Solutions) is a startup technology company owned and operated in the Dallas Fort Worth area which specializes in offering services for the blind and visually impaired. While this is it's main focus, TTS also caters to the general public. Since its founding, TTS continues to make strides in demonstrating the countless ways blind and visually impaired individuals can contribute in all aspects of the workforce. This is one of the reasons why this company chooses to hire applicants who are visually impaired; to prove that there is a place in society for persons of any type of visual impairment, and to create a positive environment so one can thrive, live life to their fullest potential and to be a positive example to their communities and their families.

Shop: BlindShell Classic | Shop: ARxWear | Shop: All Products | Services | Events | About | Contact Us

Sponsor: NSITE.org

Sponsor Since: March 6th 2023

Website: https://nsite.org/ 🌐

About: NSITE provides a continuum of employment services that connect employers with talented, dedicated people who are blind, low-vision, and/or veterans to meet their workforce needs. As you move through the hiring process, NSITE is with you every step of the way to ensure that finding the right employee-employer match is as smooth and seamless as possible.

NSITE works with employers to identify potential candidates who are blind, low-vision, and/or veterans. From there, NSITE assists with accessibility needs, onboarding, and training, then prepares both parties for job placement. Our work does not end there; it continues with ongoing support to accommodate changes in accessible technology and employer requirements.

About | Media | Employers | Job Seekers | Training Programs | Job Board | Contact Us

Your Business or Organization Name Here

Sponsor Since: Today

Website: https://accessinformationnews.com/ 🌐

Phone: (855) 578-6660 ☎

Email: news@accessinformationnews.com ✉

About: Access Information News is the world's leading access information news publication that reaches over 10,000 access professionals, educators and enthusiasts, all over the world, each week. Access Information refers to informational topics that directly affect the lives of people with disabilities. Access Information includes any and all information related to bettering the lives of people who are blind, low vision, deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind, neurodivergent and/or disabled. Access Information News is a Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd. Publication.

7 of 18 Sponsorship Packages Currently Available

Access Information News is the world's leading access information news publication that reaches over 10,000 blind, low vision, deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind, neurodivergent and/or disabled professionals, educators and enthusiasts, all over the world, each week.

Access Information refers to informational topics that directly affect the lives of people with disabilities. Access Information includes any and all information related to bettering the lives of people who are blind, low vision, deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind, neurodivergent and/or disabled.

Access Information News offers a total of 18 Sponsorship Packages which are used to support the ongoing distribution of the publication.

➜ Availability: There are currently  7  of  18  Sponsorship Packages available. All 18 Sponsorship Packages are offered on a first-come, first serve basis.

➜ Waiting List: If you would like to become an Access Information News Sponsor but there are no sponsorship packages currently available, we encourage you to join our waiting list by sending an email to: sponsorships@accessinformationnews.com ✉. Once you have joined our waiting list we will notify you the next time a current sponsor decides not to renew. You will then have 72 hours to secure your sponsorship before it is offered to the next sponsor on the list.

➜ Payment Options: When available you can secure one of these packages for just $100.00 USD per month, $300 USD per quarter or $1,200.00 USD per year.

➜ Payment Option Benefits: Monthly Sponsors receive Zero (0) Featured Advertisements. Quarterly Sponsors receive One (1) Featured Advertisement per quarter. Annual Sponsors receive Five (5) Featured Advertisements per year. All other benefits remain the same.

➜ Access Information News Supporters:

We couldn't do it without you! Thank you for your support!

Why: Access Information News Supporters donate an amount of their choosing either one time or annually in order to assist with the ongoing distribution of the Access Information News publication.

Benefits: All Access Information News Supporters receive a listing within the "Our Supporters" section of each weekly newsletter, as well as a listing within the "Our Supporters" section of the Access Information News website.

One Time Donation: If you would like to become an Access Information News Supporter by making a one time donation in an amount of your choosing to assist with the ongoing distribution of the Access Information News publication, you may utilize this donate link, or scan the QR code to the right.

Annual Donation: If you would like to become an Access Information News Supporter by making a small annual donation to assist with the ongoing distribution of the Access Information News publication, we also offer the following options, all with our sincerest thanks, and most heartfelt gratitude for your ongoing support.

Support: In tandem with Our Sponsors, these are the people that make the ongoing distribution of Access Information News possible.

Platinum Supporters:

Become an Access Information News Platinum Supporter today.

1.) James Hulme
Platinum Supporter Since: December 5, 2022

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Platinum Supporter Since: March 24, 2023

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One Time Supporters donate an amount of their choosing — one time to assist with the ongoing distribution of the Access Information News Publication.

Become an Access Information News One Time Supporter today.

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One Time Supporter on July 31, 2023

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➜ Access Information News Team

Publisher: Aaron Di Blasi (Volunteer)

Volunteer Publisher Since: November 7th 2022

Location: Mayfield Heights, Ohio

Time Zone: Eastern Standard Time (EST/EDT) (GMT-5/GMT-4)

In addition to serving as Publisher for Access Information News Aaron also serves as Publisher for the Top Tech Tidbits Publication and is also the President and Senior Project Management Professional for Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd.

As Publisher Aaron oversees the weekly distribution of Access Information News on behalf of Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd.

Aaron also serves as a Volunteer Editorial Contributor to Access Information News.

Aaron Di Blasi, PMP

Publisher (2022-Present)
Access Information News
The Week's News in Access Information
https://accessinformationnews.com 🌐

Publisher (2020-Present)
Top Tech Tidbits
The Week's News in Adaptive Technology
https://toptechtidbits.com 🌐

Sr. Project Management Professional (2006 - Present)
Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd.
Innovative ideas. Solutions that perform.
https://mvsltd.com 🌐

Editorial Contributor #1: John Hanlin (Volunteer)

Volunteer Editorial Contributor Since: November 7th 2022

Location: Boulder, Colorado

Time Zone: Mountain Standard Time (MST/MDT) (GMT-7/GMT-6)

In addition to serving as an Editorial Contributor to Access Information News, John also serves as an Editorial Contributor to the Top Tech Tidbits Publication and is also an attorney-at-law specializing in long-term disability claims for blind and visually impaired persons.

John is also a long-time contractor and member of the Board of Trustees at Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd.

John Hanlin, Esq.

Editorial Contributor (2022-Present)
Access Information News
The Week's News in Access Information
https://accessinformationnews.com 🌐

Editorial Contributor (2020-Present)
Top Tech Tidbits
The Week's News in Adaptive Technology
https://toptechtidbits.com 🌐

Board of Trustees (2006 - Present)
Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd.
Innovative ideas. Solutions that perform.
https://mvsltd.com 🌐

Editorial Contributor #2: Jenna Lang (Volunteer)

Volunteer Editorial Contributor Since: November 7th 2022

Location: Des Moines, Iowa

Time Zone: Central Standard Time (CST/CDT) (GMT-6/GMT-5)

In addition to serving as an Editorial Contributor to Access Information News, Jenna also serves as an Editorial Contributor to the Top Tech Tidbits Publication and runs her own Digital Marketing Firm.

Jenna also serves as a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) for Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd.

Jenna's son was born blind and she is always seeking new and innovative ways to empower him through technology.

Jenna Lang, PMP

Editorial Contributor (2022-Present)
Access Information News
The Week's News in Access Information
https://accessinformationnews.com 🌐

Editorial Contributor (2020-Present)
Top Tech Tidbits
The Week's News in Adaptive Technology
https://toptechtidbits.com 🌐

Project Management Professional (2022 - Present)
Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd.
Innovative ideas. Solutions that perform.
https://mvsltd.com 🌐

Editorial Contributor #3: David Woodbridge (Volunteer)

Volunteer Editorial Contributor Since: February 6th 2023

Location: Central Coast, New South Wales, Australia

Time Zone: Australia Eastern Standard Time (AEST/AEDT) (GMT+10)

In addition to serving as an Editorial Contributor to Access Information News, David is also the National Commercial Assistive Technology Advisor for Vision Australia where he has worked since 1990. Over this time he has assisted people who are blind or vision impaired in their home, education, and work settings to take advantage of the benefits of using assistive and main stream technology.

In the last seventeen years, he has also been involved with evaluating technology for use by people who are blind or vision impaired covering both low and high tech equipment (including Microsoft, Samsung, Google, Amazon, and Apple). David is also one of the key spokespersons for Vision Australia relating to technology.

He has been an Apple Ambassador for Apple Australia since 2009 with a group of other Ambassadors / Apple Distinguished Educators (ADE)'s covering the range of Apple's Accessibility solutions throughout Australia.

David produces a range of podcasts (since 2011) covering Apple and other technologies which are distributed on his own podcast (http://davidwoodbr.podbean.com). In addition, he also has a regular Talking Tech program (since 2013) which can be heard every Tuesday at 4:30 Eastern Summer Time on Vision Australia Radio Melbourne (available online) or via https://omny.fm/shows/talking-tech-vision-australia-radio

David also runs a weekly Tech Monday where people can chat about assistive and main stream technology, share information, and any tips and tricks.

David lost his sight when he was 8 years old and had to learn Braille. Since then, he completed high school, went to Sydney University receiving a Social Work degree, spent 4 years drug and alcohol counselling, and then moved into his current job.

As a person who is blind, David believes that as a user of the technology that he recommends to others, that he is well situated to look at the strengths and shortcomings of the assistive technology that he comes across in both his professional and personal life, in particular, mainstream technology that is accessible.

X (Formerly Twitter): @dwoodbridge
Mastodon: woody@dragonscave.space
iSee Podcast: https://davidwoodbr.podbean.com
Vision Australia Radio Talking Tech: https://omny.fm/shows/talking-tech-vision-australia-radio

In addition to his weekly contributions to Access Information News, David's regularly occurring activities are his weekly tech radio show, bi-monthly exploring tech webinars for Vision Australia, his iSee podcast when something of note grabs his attention, and the weekly Tech Monday chat sessions.

David Woodbridge

Editorial Contributor (2023-Present)
Access Information News
The Week's News in Access Information
https://accessinformationnews.com 🌐

Editorial Contributor (2023-Present)
Top Tech Tidbits
The Week's News in Adaptive Technology
https://toptechtidbits.com 🌐

National Commercial Assistive Technology Advisor (1990 - Present)
Vision Australia
Live the life you choose. We're here to support all Australians who are blind or have low vision.
https://www.visionaustralia.org/ 🌐

Email: editor@accessinformationnews.com ✉
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Access Information News for Monday, September 4, 2023 - Volume 926

The Week's News in Access Information
https://accessinformationnews.com/

A Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd. Publication
https://mvsltd.com/

Access Information News. The world's #1 online resource for current news and trends in access information.

Subscribers: 10,302 Opt-In Subscribers were sent this issue via email. 26 Premium Subscribers were sent this issue via email.

This Week's Featured Advertisement: Join Industry Leaders And Begin Reaching Over 10,000 Access Professionals, Educators and Enthusiasts, All Over The World, Each Week. All While Supporting The Ongoing Distribution of This Publication For Those Very Same Readers. Only $100 USD Per Month. While Packages Last. This Issue Made Possible By Support From The Following Sponsors:

Ongoing Weekly Distribution Made Possible By Support From: Pneuma Solutions, WayAround, APH ConnectCenter, Access Ready, Inc., Clusiv, NSITE.org, Total Tech Solutions, LLC, Eyes on Success and Empish J. Thomas. Learn more about Sponsorship today at: https://accessinformationnews.com/sponsor.

Dear Access Information News Subscriber,

1) Top 5 Most Clicked Access Information News Articles From Last Week

A.) Top 10 Picks Best Bathroom Scale For Visually Impaired For 2023

The following is a comprehensive guide to buying bathroom scale for visually impaired. If you are uncertain where to start your research, do not worry; we have you covered. The sheer number of options out there makes going through thousands of reviews extremely frustrating. Look over the reviews, then make an informed purchasing decision based on this ultimate guide:
https://factschronicle.com/best-bathroom-scale-for-visually-impaired-68024.html

B.) Adventures with BeMyAI | Leonie

Today I was given early access to the BeMyAI beta, a feature that's being added to the BeMyEyes iOS app using ChatGPT4:
https://tink.uk/adventures-with-bemyai/

C.) Adobe Acrobat's New Accessibility Features | The Accessibility Guy

Adobe Acrobat has launched its latest version, packed with innovative features, especially in the accessibility department. The changes start with the menu items, which have been relocated. For example, the tags panel and other essential accessibility elements are now on the far right side of the screen:
https://theaccessibilityguy.com/adobe-acrobats-new-accessibility-features/

D.) The Cost of Living With a Disability in America | Esquire

Thirty+ years after G.H.W. Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act, four Americans with disabilities reflect on the struggle to secure a financial future:
https://www.esquire.com/lifestyle/a44817643/cost-of-living-with-disability-american-healthcare-system/

E.) OrCam: An Introduction To Amazing Assistive Technology | Douglas Rudolph | Accessibility On The Go

What is the OrCam? Well, let me tell you. The OrCam is an innovative piece of assistive technology that has seriously been a game changing device for many. Not only is this device amazing for the blind or partially sighted, but it is perfect for those with a number of print based disabilities as well! That being said, I can only speak to its use case for blindness. To make it a little bit more unfortunate, I have only got the experience with the model from I think 2014. That being said, everything I thought then, I still think now!
https://www.accessibilityotg.com/post/orcam-an-introduction-to-amazing-assistive-technology

2) Sponsored By Pneuma Solutions: Happy RIMiversary! Celebrating a Highly Successful Year for the World's First Cross-Platform Accessible Remote Support Solution

It has been a year since our Remote Incident Manager solution was overhauled into the world's first all-inclusive, fully accessible remote desktop package around. Time flies when you're breaking barriers, and it's been a monumental year for RIM. Among the many additions RIM has gained throughout this year, there exist such historic milestones as Mac OS support, fully customized instant installers, an extremely efficient management dashboard, and extremely affordable purchasing options starting from $10.00! If you haven't yet tried RIM, there's never been a better time than now! Visit http://getrim.app and get started completely free of charge! Here's to another year of innovation and accessibility!
https://pneumasolutions.com/happy-rimiversary/

3) Access Information News Announces New $100 Per Month Payment Option For Sponsors

You asked. We listened. Prior to this announcement Access Information News Sponsors had only two payment options. We never considered offering lower payment options in the past because the primary Sponsor benefit, Featured Advertisements, were allocated quarterly. This meant that if a Sponsor signed on at $100 per month, they would not receive a Featured Advertisement. Something that we thought would be unacceptable to Sponsors. But it has come to our attention that many potential Sponsors would be happy to trade a single Featured Advertisement for the flexibility of being able to pay monthly. So as of this announcement, we are now providing that flexibility:
https://www.accessinformationnews.com/17.html

4) Sponsorship Packages Currently Available

Are you an access-based person, business or organization whose products, services or message would benefit from reaching over 10,000 access buyers each week? If so, please consider becoming a Sponsor today for just $100 a month, paid either quarterly or annually. Annual Sponsors receive 5 Featured Advertisements for the year, as opposed to 4, and gain the additional benefit of being able to schedule their Featured Advertisements up to one year in advance. If you've been looking for a way to consistently reach the largest audience of opt-in access buyers in the world today, at a nearly negligible price point, please consider becoming an Access Information News Sponsor while packages last. Availability: There are currently 4 Access Information News Sponsorship Packages available. Advertising Benefits: Review a complete list of advertising benefits here:
https://www.accessinformationnews.com/sponsorship-information.html#sponsorship-package-benefits

5) Premium Subscriber Updates

Next Issue: Premium Subscribers will receive their 3rd Issue of the 60 Most Clicked Access News Articles for July, August and September of 2023 on Monday, October 2, 2023. Back Issues: There are currently 2 back issues available. Premium Subscribers are entitled to all back issues, anytime they sign up. All available back issues will be sent to you via email within 24 hours of purchasing your subscription. Please Join Us: If you would like to support the ongoing weekly distribution of free and unbiased access news while receiving a perfectly formatted and searchable Word Document with each of the 60 Most Clicked Access News Articles of the last 3 months listed neatly within it, please consider joining us today for just $1 a month:
https://www.accessinformationnews.com/premium-subscribers.html

6) Sponsored News Items Now Available

Use Sponsored News Items to reach the access community when you need to. Whether you are a current Sponsor or not. Current Weekly Subscriber Count: Over 10K. Drive traffic to your access product and service announcements, events, updates or fundraisers using this incredibly cost-effective and easy-to-use advertisement tool. Learn more today at:
https://www.accessinformationnews.com/sponsored-news-items.html

7) Follow Access Information News On Your Preferred Channel

In addition to receiving Access Information News via email every Monday morning at 4:00 AM ET you can also pick up the newsletter and its trending articles on any of the following channels:
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8) Be My Eyes And The Lego Group Partner To Bring Inclusive Play Experiences To Blind And Low Vision Lego Fans

People who are blind or have low vision can now reach out to a LEGO representative to get real time video assistance with LEGO^® products and services:
https://www.bemyeyes.com/blog/be-my-eyes-and-the-lego-group-partnership

9) It's Not Just Your Ears — Streaming Audio is Getting Worse

Are you having trouble hearing dialogue on your television? You're not alone, and it's likely not an issue with your ears. Films with a theatrical release are created to be played with the big screen sound in mind, finely tuned to sound crisp and clear on an abundance of high-quality speakers. As much as you spend on your home theater setup, it doesn't compare to the speaker quality and quantity differences, according to an in-depth look by The New York Times earlier this month:
https://cordcuttersnews.com/its-not-just-your-ears-streaming-audio-is-getting-worse/

10) Sight Loss Tip: How Do You Read to Kids When Blind? | Tim Dixon

Reading to your kids is one of the parenting pleasures parents take for granted. So, how do you read to kids when you are blind?
https://www.timdixon.net/blog/2023/08/sight-loss-tip-how-do-you-read-to-kids-when-blind/

11) Alexa, Read My Book | Ophthalmic Edge

While researching Amazon's Accessibility, we discovered just how desirable it can be to have Alexa read to us. Amazon's well known, much loved, voice assistant will read Kindle e-books with her voice or play Audible audiobooks, all you have to do is ask:
https://ophthalmicedge.org/patient/alexa-read-my-book/

12) How I'm Using My eReader To Support Virtual Learning | Perkins School For The Blind

How and why to use an eReader to help support virtual learning and combat eye strain:
https://www.perkins.org/how-i-m-using-my-ereader-to-support-virtual-learning/

13) Can Reading E-Books Get You in Trouble? Protect Yourself From Digital Threats | Good eReader

Reading is one of life's greatest gifts & pleasures. It lets you experience the lives of countless others or elevate your own by accumulating knowledge. Better yet, the digital age allows us access to millions of books without having to lug any of them around. E-books might be convenient, but are they safe? In this article, we explore how E-books themselves or acquiring them can affect your devices. We also offer practical tips on handling E-books safely & responsibly:
https://goodereader.com/blog/e-book-news/can-reading-e-books-get-you-in-trouble-protect-yourself-from-digital-threats

14) Amazon Kindle For Mac Is Being Discontinued In October 2023 | Good eReader

Amazon has just announced that they are discontinuing the current Kindle for Mac software, and it will be shuttered entirely sometime this October. It will be removed from the Mac Store completely. Amazon is replacing the current Kindle for Mac with an improved app, including an enhanced book reading and library management experience. The new Kindle for Mac will be available to download from the Mac App Store sometime this month:
https://goodereader.com/blog/kindle/amazon-kindle-for-mac-is-being-discontinued-in-october-2023

15) Mastodon and Me | TemperTemper

Just like App.net over a decade ago, Mastodon appeared on the social media scene a few years back as a challenger to Twitter, but it never really took off. In the years that followed, Twitter went from could-definitely-be-improved-upon to pretty toxic. In order to keep my stress levels down and still get value from the platform, I set up countless mute filters Tweetbot, my Twitter client/app of choice:
https://www.tempertemper.net/blog/mastodon-and-me

16) Inside The Veterans Administration's Commitment To Providing Accessible Technology To Everyone | Steven Aquino | Forbes: Subscription Required

Earlier this week, I posted a story about the Lockly Dementia-Proof Secure Plus Smart Lock. The device is designed with an eye towards helping seniors (and their caregivers) safe by having a removable thumbturn, so as to prevent someone with Alzheimer's or dementia from opening the door and wandering off into potentially dangerous situations. Beyond the specifics of the technology itself, the story is a good illustration of how elderly care — and caregiving — intersect with disability and assistive technology. Most people overlook this community as needing accessibility, but invisible conditions like dementia are as disabling as any obvious physical condition:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/stevenaquino/2023/08/31/inside-the-veterans-administrations-commitment-to-providing-accessible-technology-to-everyone/

17) DoorDash Adds An AI-Powered Voice Ordering Phone Service

DoorDash is branching out from app-only ordering by adding an artificial intelligence voice that will take your order:
https://cordcuttersnews.com/doordash-adds-an-ai-powered-voice-ordering-phone-service/

18) Airlines Tried To Stop Fake Service Animals. It Kept Blind People Off Flights. | The Washington Post: Subscription Required

New Department of Transportation rules have made flying more difficult, and at times, inaccessible to blind passengers:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2023/08/28/airline-regulations-service-animals/

19) Startup Develops a Smart Headband to Assist Blind Swimmers | Cool Blind Tech

EyeCan, an Israeli startup, has developed a smart headband to assist blind swimmers in navigating obstacles while swimming. This innovative device utilizes vibrations and bone conduction technology to provide real-time alerts and enhance the safety and confidence of visually impaired individuals in the pool:
https://coolblindtech.com/startup-develops-a-smart-headband-to-assist-blind-swimmers/

20) Internet Archive Responds to Recording Industry Lawsuit Targeting Obsolete Media | August 14, 2023

Late Friday, some of the world's largest record labels, including Sony and Universal Music Group, filed a lawsuit against the Internet Archive and others for the Great 78 Project, a community effort for the preservation, research and discovery of 78 rpm records that are 70 to 120 years old. As a non-profit library, we take this matter seriously and are currently reviewing the lawsuit with our legal counsel:
https://blog.archive.org/2023/08/14/internet-archive-responds-to-recording-industry-lawsuit-targeting-obsolete-media/

21) A Lightweight Wearable Device Helps Users Navigate With A Tap On The Wrist | Science Daily

Scientists have developed a fabric-based wearable device that 'taps' a user's wrist with pressurized air, silently helping them navigate to their destination. The study demonstrated that users correctly interpreted which direction the device was telling them to go an average of 87% of the time. Since the wearable embeds most of its control system within the fabric itself, using air instead of electronics, it can be built lighter and more compact than existing designs:
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/08/230829130037.htm

22) Don't Let Tech Ruin You | Ophthalmic Edge

Technology overwhelms most of us to some degree. A visual impairment and an aging brain can most certainly compound the problem. The endless stream of messages, notifications, alerts, sounds and haptics disrupt focus and elevate angst. But the upside, so far, still outweighs the downside, and life without technology presents many other difficulties. There are ways to meet it in the middle while maintaining a sense of control:
https://ophthalmicedge.org/patient/dont-let-tech-run-you/

23) How My Love For Meteorology Has Let Me See Technology Change In Many Ways Over The Years, And How A Blind Meteorologist May Be Very Possible In The Near Future | Accessibility Insights

In spring of my eighth grade year, my parents and I visited my aunt, Sister. Olivia. She had a radio with 9 bands on it, more than I'd ever seen before and it totally captivated me. I got to play with it and discovered the weather Channel. I didn't know that existed. That a radio station broadcasted the weather 24/7 was very interesting to me. Later that year, when Sister visited us, she gave me the radio to keep. Besides the weather channel, it picked up a lot of shortwave stations, and also VHF and UHF frequencies including ham radio repeaters; I happily used that radio for more than thirty years:
https://accessibility-insights.com/2023/09/02/how-my-love-for-meteorology-has-let-me-see-technology-change-in-many-ways-over-the-years-and-how-a-blind-meteorologist-may-be-very-possible-in-the-near-future/

24) Game, Set, Notch: Inclusive Design Makes All The Difference For This Low-Vision Tennis Player

Courtney Webeck has a simple motto: "Chase your dreams and don't stop:"
https://www.mastercard.com/news/perspectives/2023/game-set-notch-inclusive-design-makes-all-the-difference-for-this-low-vision-tennis-player/

25) What's Up With Smart Glasses? | Ophthalmic Edge

By now we expected smart glasses to be all the rage. They'd be on lots of faces, in the same way smartphones are in (just about) every hand. Actually, they were predicted to replace the smartphone, providing the wearer with voice access to information and apps. And, of course, they'd be accessible to visually impaired or blind users, because smartphones are. It would be wonderfully inclusive and normalizing, glasses that made information accessible, whether you could see the screen or not:
https://ophthalmicedge.org/patient/whats-up-with-smart-glasses/

26) Nationwide Emergency Alert Test Coming to Your Phones and TVs in October 2023 | CNET

Phones, TVs and radios will all get an emergency alert next month as part of a nationwide test. The US Federal Emergency Management Agency and Federal Communications Commission are partnering to test their alert systems together on October 4, 2023. The two agencies are testing Wireless Emergency Alerts, or WEA, on phones, as well as the the Emergency Alert System, or EAS, for TVs and radios:
https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/nationwide-emergency-alert-test-coming-to-your-phones-and-tvs-in-october/

27) The Mobile App Dilemma - Time To Speak Up | Award Winning Sight Loss Coach, Advocate and Author Donna Jodhan

Each time that a mobile app is not accessible for a person who is either a senior or one with a vision impairment or any other person with a disability, it means that our independence,, privacy, and confidentiality are all being deprived:
https://sterlingcreations.com/blog/the-mobile-app-dilemma-time-to-speak-up

28) USAJOBS: Creating a USAJOBS Profile (Audio Description) | YouTube

This video is a summary of how to create a USAJOBS profile in order to apply to jobs, save searches and save jobs:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRte0u-2bXA

➜ Featured Webinars, Training Courses and Events

September 6, 2023 | WeSpeak AI with Special Guest: Peter Tucic from Humanware Inc.

4PM PT, 5PM MT, 6PM CT, 7PM ET, 11PM GMT
Save the Date: WeSpeak Live Event on September 6, 2023, at 6:00 PM Central Time! Mark your calendar for the WeSpeak Live event happening on September 6, 2023, at 6:00 PM Central Time. To join in via Zoom, visit http://www.wespeak.live to sign up. Plus, you can catch the live stream on Facebook and Clubhouse. Meet Our Special Guests: Mathieu Paquette and Peter Tucic from Humanware Inc. This time, we're excited to have Mathieu Paquette and Peter Tucic from Humanware Inc. as our special guests. They'll be joining Shawn Will and Kevin for an engaging discussion. Don't worry if you're not familiar with them; you'll get to know more about them during the event. Let's chat about tech and dive into some exciting AI topics. What specific tech or AI subjects are you curious about today?
http://www.wespeak.live

September 6, 2023 | Accessibility Testing with WCAG 2.2 | TPGi

9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
The publication of WCAG 2.2 brings a range of new requirements for web accessibility testing. This presentation takes a detailed look at each of them, including those at AAA, and describes testing methods that can be used to assess web content against the new requirements: Step-by-step manual testing. Accessibility limitations for testers. Potential for automated testing. Attendees will learn how to test applicable content, how to identify exceptions and caveats, and gain insight into how the new Success Criteria can be integrated into existing testing procedures:
https://www.tpgi.com/accessibility-testing-with-wcag-2-2/

September 6, 2023 | Alternative Text Creation (Digital Accessibility Webinar) | Access Ingenuity

10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
Creating alternate text for images in documents and websites is critical to the digital accessibility puzzle. Alternate text should be concise and provide meaningful image context. Overly descriptive image descriptions can make the document harder to read and understand. Join Rachel Reeves from Access Ingenuity and learn more about creating alternative text for images used in documents and web pages. Learning Outcomes & Zoom Webinar Information. Learn why creating alternative text is essential and when it's needed. Discuss best practices when using images in document creation. Explore the best ways to describe images using alternative text:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83663078780?pwd=ckNKbFpJKzJxaFM2ZkM1dmY4YmhuQT09&mc_cid=ce73907c70&mc_eid=90429c1885#success

September 7, 2023 | Using JAWS Inspect and JAWS Connect for Testing | TPGi

9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
Presenter: Charlie Pike, Platform Success Lead. Using transcripts of JAWS speech, you can quickly pinpoint accessibility and usability issues. This demonstration will walk you through some simple tests using both JAWS Inspect and JAWS Connect, explaining how these tools can be integrated into your test processes. Register today:
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-september-7-at-12pm-et-using-jaws-inspect-and-jaws-connect-for-testing/

September 7, 2023 | Zoom Basics Using JAWS | Computers For The Blind | Marci Duty and Stephen Guerra

4:30PM PT, 5:30PM MT, 6:30PM CT, 7:30 PM ET, 11:30PM GMT
Learn Zoom Basics with the JAWS screen Reader:
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_MtPGcLuzS02nfaGMk-Bd_A

September 7, 2023 | Leveraging Your Disability to Find a Job: How to Make Your blindness or Low Vision a Strength When Job Seeking | National Research & Training Center on Blindness & Low Vision (NRTC)

12PM PT, 1PM MT, 2PM CT, 3PM ET, 7PM GMT
Individuals who are blind or have low vision often face many employment-related barriers. In recent years, several organizations that provide services to job seekers and employers have formed that not only work to address barriers to employment but provide an employment advantage for blind and low-vision individuals. Hear from Jonathan Lucus with NSITE, Ross Barchacky with inclusively, and Kristin Smedley, author of Thriving Blind: Stories Real People Succeeding Without Sight. Jonathan and Ross will share information about their organizations' services. Kristin will talk about emphasizing strengths, such as problem-solving skills and adaptability, that you gained from living with a visual impairment. Learn how to leverage your disability and market yourself to potential employers to obtain employment:
https://www.ntac.blind.msstate.edu/consumers/webinars-podcasts

September 9, 2023 | The Low Vision Shop | TUG Meeting

7AM PT, 8AM MT, 9AM CT, 10AM ET, 2PM GMT
On Saturday, September 9, the Technology User Group (TUG) welcomes The Low Vision Shop. This company offers the BlindShell mobile phone, the All-Terrain Cane, and a wide array of other low vision and blindness products. In addition, they offer training, a podcast, a support group and so much more. You do not have to RSVP for this event. The presentation will begin at 10 AM and last about 60 minutes. Call in Number: (319) 527-4994 ☎. Webcast:
https://join.freeconferencecall.com/mdlbpd

September 12, 2023 | Case Study: Creating Accessible Cultural Experiences | TPGi

9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
Museums, art galleries, and cultural spaces increasingly rely on digital technologies to engage visitors with their collections. It is vital that such experiences are accessible to people with disabilities. This presentation describes how accessibility was integrated into the design and development of a free mobile app featuring digital guides to cultural institutions around the world. TPGi partnered with Bloomberg Connects to improve accessibility features of the app, which now provides the means for people with disabilities to engage with cultural institutions and experience their content in an accessible and inclusive way. The presentation will cover the way key accessibility barriers were identified and addressed, reflect on how the results of usability testing with people with disabilities helped verify the quality of the app's user experience, and consider future developments:
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-september-12-at-12pm-et-case-study-creating-accessible-cultural-experiences/

September 13, 2023 | Connect 12's New Dictionary Powered By Oxford Languages HumanWare

9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
In collaboration with Oxford Languages, a part of Oxford University Press, this partner webinar will focus on leveraging the all-new Dictionary app to enhance reading comprehension support for your students. Be sure to participate in the interactive Q&A session at the end:
https://humanware.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_2Pf2AFa7QsCBvnaR1D3QBQ#/registration

September 13, 2023 | RUBY Handheld Magnifiers: The Portable Vision Solution (Assistive Technology Webinar) | Access Ingenuity

10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
Did you know there are five RUBY models to help with your low vision needs? RUBY handheld video magnifiers provide the help that many people with low vision need to read text and see details. All RUBY models have a crisp, sharp image, high-contrast modes, and built-in LEDs. The streamlined design means RUBY can go with you anywhere, giving you easy access to photos, letters, prescriptions, packaging labels, and menus, even in a dark restaurant. With its broad range of adjustable, undistorted magnification, a RUBY video magnifier outperforms a drawerful of traditional magnifiers. There is even a model that is capable of full-page OCR. With a button, you can scan pages and have them read aloud. Join Ian Ramos from Access Ingenuity and Joe McDaniel from Vispero to discuss the features and benefits of all the RUBY models and the assistance each can give in specific situations. Note that everybody is welcome and can benefit from this presentation. Teachers of the visually impaired (TVI) can earn ACVREP continuing education credit by attending this approved presentation. Learning Outcomes & Zoom Webinar Information. Features of all RUBY models. How to determine the right size for you. How adding speech capability can take you further:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82276472195?pwd=bWVaMVVtaWRQZnJkck1vNlJDRVBFZz09&mc_cid=ce73907c70&mc_eid=90429c1885#success

September 14, 2023 | The Many Faces of BARD: Using Your Braille Display to Read Braille BARD Books on Your iPhone

4PM PT, 5PM MT, 6PM CT, 7PM ET, 11PM GMT
The topic for the September 14, 2023, Many Faces of BARD program will be Using Your Braille Display to Read Braille BARD Books on Your iPhone. The program will begin at 7:00 p.m. eastern time and last for one hour. This program will be recorded. For this session, Judy Dixon will demonstrate how to access BARD braille books located on your iPhone and read them with your braille display. Note that information in this session will apply to any braille display including the NLS Braille eReaders. After the demonstration, Judy and the rest of the NLS staff will take questions about the demonstration or anything else relating to BARD. Remember that the meeting is recorded. Do not speak if you do not wish to be on the recording. If you wish to speak, you may request to do so by raising your hand. On a PC, press Alt Y to toggle raising and lowering your hand; on a Mac, press Option Y; and if dialing in via telephone, press Star 9. To mute or unmute yourself on a PC, press Alt A; on a Mac, press Command-Shift A; and on a telephone, press Star 6. If you choose to dial in to the call, use the telephone numbers provided below. The Zoom.gov ID will not work with standard Zoom.us. The session can be joined by going to:
https://loc.zoomgov.com/j/1609390773?pwd=bWtTcmhyNlplcm9ndnRrd0xOZFFRQT09

September 19, 2023 | The Accessible Forms Checklist | TPGi

9:30AM PT, 10:30AM MT, 11:30AM CT, 12:30PM ET, 4:30PM GMT
Forms are one of the most important features in websites. They are a critical method of communication between people and companies. Yet far too often this communication is difficult or impossible due to poor accessibility. Accessible forms are easy to understand, complete, and submit. Instructions, cues, and requirements must be clearly identified to users. It must be simple to recover from errors. In this session, you will learn how to find accessibility errors in forms by using our high-level checklist. Our goal is to help build your knowledge around the WCAG success criteria related to forms. We will cover many topics, including: Using labels and groups to identify elements. Exposing the required and invalid attributes. Having clear errors and instructions. Robust, accessible names for controls:
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-september-19-at-1230pm-et-the-accessible-forms-checklist/

September 20, 2023 | Creating Accessible PDF Fillable Forms (Digital Accessibility Webinar) | Access Ingenuity

10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
Did you know that creating fillable PDF forms is crucial in meeting WCAG compliance? If you have a website form that is not a fillable PDF and requires a user to print it out to submit, users of assistive technology will face an accessibility barrier. In this webinar, we explore the different types of forms available in Acrobat, discuss best practices in formatting with accessibility in mind, and review the tag structure for fillable forms in PDF remediation to make them accessible for users. Join Rachel Reeves from Access Ingenuity for the basics of form creation in Acrobat Pro. Learning Outcomes & Zoom Webinar Information. Briefly review the best way to format MS Word documents when converted to PDF Fillable Forms. Discuss best practices for setting up form fields in your document. Showcase the form types available in Acrobat Pro and the settings needed for accessibility. Demonstrate how to tag form fields to make them accessible in your PDF:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88577101449?pwd=dkdkb2JBVE4xM05vbVR5MHYxazRDUT09&mc_cid=ce73907c70&mc_eid=90429c1885#success

September 21, 2023 | Inclusive Design 24

Inclusive Design 24 (#id24) is a free 24-hour online event for the global community. It celebrates inclusive design and shares knowledge and ideas from analogue to digital, from design to development, from planners to practitioners, and everything and everyone in between:
https://inclusivedesign24.org/2023/

September 26, 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group

5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 12AM GMT Next Day
4th Tuesday of every month at 7:00 PM CT. Learn a few tips about everyday technology from a technology expert, ask your questions, and share your experiences.
https://hadley.edu/discussion-groups/tech-it-out

September 27, 2023 | Basic Internet Browsing with JAWS (Assistive Technology Webinar) | Access Ingenuity

10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
Are you apprehensive about surfing the internet with JAWS, or do you want to understand the basics of web browsing with JAWS? Join Marisa Church and Ian Ramos from Access Ingenuity as we discuss some basic terminology, demonstrate great techniques, and explore helpful tools to lay the foundation for effectively navigating web pages. Learning Outcomes & Zoom Webinar Information. Explain the layout of a browser window with basic terms. Present basic navigating commands. Activate some JAWS tools to enhance the browsing experience:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88231843911?pwd=SnRYU0ZnUks0WlVzdWx4azAwdmw0dz09&mc_cid=ce73907c70&mc_eid=90429c1885#success

September 27, 2023 | How to Write an Accessibility Statement | TPGi

9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
We'll cover the various purposes for and key information to include in a website accessibility statement. Plus, we'll evaluate real-world examples of accessibility statements. Each attendee gains a template format to publish their own website accessibility statement. This webinar evaluates real-world examples of accessibility statements and answers frequently asked questions such as: Who at an organization should write an accessibility statement? Should the statement be written by an attorney? Should the statement explicitly acknowledge the parts of the website or application which do not conform to accessibility guidelines? Should the statement offer phone support or alternative options if a user finds the website to be inaccessible? The objective is for each attendee to come away with a clear approach for their own organization, whether it's a small business or a global brand. Join us for a lively discussion of website accessibility statements:
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-september-27-at-12pm-et-how-to-write-an-accessibility-statement/

September 29, 2023 | Blindness and Mental Health Webinar | Accessible Pharmacy

9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
Please join us as we discuss mental health in the blind and low vision community. Expert presenters will discuss: Psychology and therapy for the blind community. Medications and genomic testing. Peer and community support resources. 988 Mental Health Hotline information:
https://accessiblepharmacy.com/blindness-and-mental-health-webinar/

October 4, 2023 | FEMA Nationwide EAS Test

11:20AM PT, 12:20PM MT, 1:20PM CT, 2:20PM ET, 6:20PM GMT
FEMA, in coordination with the FCC, will conduct a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) this fall. The national test will consist of two portions, testing WEA and EAS capabilities. Both tests are scheduled to begin at 2:20pm ET on Wednesday, October 4. The EAS portion of the test will be sent to radios and televisions. This will be the seventh nationwide EAS test:
https://news.radio-online.com/cgi-bin/rol.exe/headline_id=b17534

October 13, 2023 | Blindness and Clinical Trials Webinar | Accessible Pharmacy

9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
Please join us as we discuss clinical trials for the blind and low vision community with these expert presenters: Ben Shaberman, VP Science Communications Foundation Fighting Blindness. Marin Allen, former Deputy Director of Communications, National Institute of Health. Maggie Cashion, Clinical Research Manager, Prism Vision Group:
https://accessiblepharmacy.com/blindness-and-clinical-trials-webinar/

October 24, 2023 | Creating a Sustainable Digital Accessibility Business Plan | Accessibility.com

10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
Every business needs a digital accessibility plan. Learn how to craft one for your business, no matter the size, that is sustainable as your business grows:
https://www.accessibility.com/event/2023/creating-a-sustainable-digital-accessibility-business-plan

October 24, 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group

5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 12AM GMT Next Day
4th Tuesday of every month at 7:00 PM CT. Learn a few tips about everyday technology from a technology expert, ask your questions, and share your experiences.
https://hadley.edu/discussion-groups/tech-it-out

November 6, 2023 through November 10, 2023 | Accessing Higher Ground | Association on Higher Education And Disability (AHEAD)

Accessible Media, Web and Technology Conference. Hilton Denver City Center, Denver, Colorado:
https://accessinghigherground.org/

November 28, 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group

5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 11PM GMT
4th Tuesday of every month at 7:00 PM CT. Learn a few tips about everyday technology from a technology expert, ask your questions, and share your experiences.
https://hadley.edu/discussion-groups/tech-it-out

December 1, 2023 and December 2, 2023 | Blind Health Expo 2023 | Exhibitor and Attendee Registration Now Open

The Blind Health Expo is the largest virtual event of healthcare information, products, services, and medication for individuals in the blind, low vision, and disability communities. Exhibitors can: Register for free. Interact with thousands of attendees. Showcase their products and services:
https://accessiblepharmacy.com/blind-health-expo-2023/

December 26, 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group

5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 11PM GMT
4th Tuesday of every month at 7:00 PM CT. Learn a few tips about everyday technology from a technology expert, ask your questions, and share your experiences.
https://hadley.edu/discussion-groups/tech-it-out

➜ Directories

1) Access Information Email Newsletter Directory

https://accessinformationnews.com/email-newsletter-directory.html

➜ Sponsor Classified Ads

Sponsor: Access Ready, Inc.

Sponsor Since: December 19th 2022

Website: https://accessready.org/ 🌐

Email: info@accessready.org ✉

Phone: (727) 531-1000 ☎

About: Access Ready Inc. is a certified, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The mission of Access Ready Inc., a nonprofit cross-disability rights advocacy organization, is to promote a policy of accessibility benefiting all people regardless of ability across information and communications technology utilized for two way communications.

The purpose of Access Ready Inc. is to educate the public and private sectors of the importance of accessible information and communications technology to the future of all people regardless of ability.

To support this education by developing initiatives that promote policies that ensure the creation and maintenance of accessible technologies utilized for two way communications at all levels which allow for easy use by people with the widest range of abilities possible.

To develop employment and business opportunities for people with disabilities that support its educational activities in the field of information and communications technology and related areas.

To provide consulting and educational services to buyers, developers, and users of information and communications technology that promotes its highest and best use in society.

To promote the concept of a technologically accessible society which fosters:

Freedom of expression, speech, and worship.
Freedom from fear, ignorance, and want.
Freedom from dishonesty, exclusion, and immorality.
Freedom of aspiration, invention, and inclusion.

Sponsor: Access Ready, Inc.

Sponsor Since: December 13th 2022

Website: https://accessready.org/ 🌐

Email: info@accessready.org ✉

Phone: (727) 531-1000 ☎

About: Access Ready Inc. is a certified, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The mission of Access Ready Inc., a nonprofit cross-disability rights advocacy organization, is to promote a policy of accessibility benefiting all people regardless of ability across information and communications technology utilized for two way communications.

The purpose of Access Ready Inc. is to educate the public and private sectors of the importance of accessible information and communications technology to the future of all people regardless of ability.

To support this education by developing initiatives that promote policies that ensure the creation and maintenance of accessible technologies utilized for two way communications at all levels which allow for easy use by people with the widest range of abilities possible.

To develop employment and business opportunities for people with disabilities that support its educational activities in the field of information and communications technology and related areas.

To provide consulting and educational services to buyers, developers, and users of information and communications technology that promotes its highest and best use in society.

To promote the concept of a technologically accessible society which fosters:

Freedom of expression, speech, and worship.
Freedom from fear, ignorance, and want.
Freedom from dishonesty, exclusion, and immorality.
Freedom of aspiration, invention, and inclusion.

Sponsor: Access Ready, Inc.

Sponsor Since: December 1st 2022

Website: https://accessready.org/ 🌐

Email: info@accessready.org ✉

Phone: (727) 531-1000 ☎

About: Access Ready Inc. is a certified, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The mission of Access Ready Inc., a nonprofit cross-disability rights advocacy organization, is to promote a policy of accessibility benefiting all people regardless of ability across information and communications technology utilized for two way communications.

The purpose of Access Ready Inc. is to educate the public and private sectors of the importance of accessible information and communications technology to the future of all people regardless of ability.

To support this education by developing initiatives that promote policies that ensure the creation and maintenance of accessible technologies utilized for two way communications at all levels which allow for easy use by people with the widest range of abilities possible.

To develop employment and business opportunities for people with disabilities that support its educational activities in the field of information and communications technology and related areas.

To provide consulting and educational services to buyers, developers, and users of information and communications technology that promotes its highest and best use in society.

To promote the concept of a technologically accessible society which fosters:

Freedom of expression, speech, and worship.
Freedom from fear, ignorance, and want.
Freedom from dishonesty, exclusion, and immorality.
Freedom of aspiration, invention, and inclusion.

Sponsor: APH ConnectCenter

Sponsor Since: November 29th 2022

Website: https://aphconnectcenter.org/ 🌐

Email: connectcenter@aph.org ✉

APH ConnectCenter Information and Referral Line:
(800) 232-5463 ☎

Hours: Monday - Friday from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM ET

Facebook (CareerConnect) | Facebook (FamilyConnect) | Facebook (VisionAware) | Twitter | YouTube

About: The APH ConnectCenter offers curated advice and resources to assist children, parents, adults, and job seekers who are blind or visually impaired, and their associated professionals, leading to greater independence and success in their lives.

Sponsor: WayAround

Sponsor Since: November 18th 2022

Website: https://www.wayaround.com/ 🌐

General Sales & Support: (888) 898-4465 ☎

Business Sales & Support: (888) 898-4465 ☎

Email: connect@wayaround.com ✉

About: WayAround is the app for your smart device that provides on-demand details about everyday things. The simple tag-and-scan approach lets you quickly and easily identify things around you. It also provides extra details, like how something works or when it expires. The result? Doing more of the things you want, with more confidence and more independence.

All the information you want with just a tap of your phone. No more waiting around to ask someone. You need just two things to get started: The free mobile app for iOS or Android and some of our smart WayTags^®.

Accessible labels for the blind, deafblind, and anyone with vision loss. Your biggest problem isn't poor eyesight. It's that so much of the information in the world is visual. But you shouldn't have to wait around for someone else to get the information you need. Or carry around a bulky, outdated device. There is a better way to get accurate and complete information every time. So you can reduce stress and gain independence.

Download The App (Apple): https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/wayaround-tag-and-scan/id1294361140?mt=8

Download The App (Android): https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.wayaround.wayaround

Sponsor: Pneuma Solutions

Sponsor Since: November 7th 2022

Website: https://pneumasolutions.com/ 🌐

Email Newsletter: Click here to receive periodic news via email concerning Pneuma Solutions products for business, consumers and education.

Sales: (866) 202-0520 ☎

Support: (650) 249-1000 ☎

About: Backed by two decades of creating award-winning accessible cloud technologies for people with visual impairments, Pneuma Solutions is the global leader in accessible cloud-based solutions. Pneuma Solutions was founded by long-time accessibility developers Mike Calvo and Matt Campbell. For more information on their individual profiles, click on their respective bio pages. We're proud to be the first company to develop cloud-based accessibility at the network level. Our tools provide organizations, like yours, a way to deliver secure, accessible information right from your network or from our secure servers. You can provide your print disabled consumers, students, employees, and citizens with a multitude of accessible options. Additionally, we offer a suite of cloud-based applications to blind and print disabled consumers directly from our website. Our consumer products are designed to make the day-to-day lives of blind and print disabled individuals more accessible and simpler to manage. Access to information is not a privilege, it's a right. It's also your right to obtain affordable, accessible cloud solutions to serve your end user. When organizations like yours implement our tools, together we help make it a more inclusive world for people with disabilities. Want to know more about how we can help you become more inclusive?

Contact us here. We'll be happy to discuss how our tools can help with your accessibility needs.

Sponsor: Empish J. Thomas

Sponsor Since: August 21, 2023

Website: https://www.empishthomas.com/ 🌐

About: Hello. I'm so glad you're here. I'm Empish, a freelance writer and blogger specializing in vision loss and disability. I have a deep passion for the disability community and enjoy using my writing skills to bring awareness. Ever since I was a small child I have always been intrigued by the written word. Checking out children's books at my local library to reading the newspaper out loud to my parents, words have always moved and compelled me. Now, fast forward to my adult life. I had a journalism degree with a promising career. But six months after graduation I developed severe headaches and sensitivity to light prompting me to go see an eye doctor for the first time in my life. I was diagnosed with Uveitis in its most aggressive form and within a few years I was totally blind.

Despite this diagnosis my love for the written word did not diminish. I had noticed the negative and sometimes incorrect portrayal of the disabled in the news media. I wanted to be proactive in changing that image. Language is powerful and that people with disabilities must tell their own story.

This is why I love the Nigerian proverb “Don't let the lion tell the giraffe's story,” because it speaks to my career as a journalist and disability advocate. As we know, the lion is the king of the jungle and rules the animal kingdom. His voice is heard the strongest and the loudest the majority of the time.

But there are also other animals too. Ones like the giraffe that have a voice and a story to tell. Their voices are just as important. Just as powerful. Just as valuable. As you review and read my work my goal is to give the giraffe that voice.

Topics That Spark Joy

As a freelance writer and blogger, I use this site to talk about my life as a disabled person. Like Marie Kondo, you will find blog posts on the things that spark joy. I love reading audiobooks and watching audio described movies. I also love talking about accessibility and how it impacts my life. I include my daily routine. You know those mundane things we all do like grocery shopping, exercising, paying bills, voting and anything else I find interesting.

Let Me Write For You

Now that you know a little about me, are you looking for a freelance writer? One who can write a captivating story. ONE WITH excellent writing and organizational skills. One who understands the importance of deadlines. Let's chat. Shoot me an email from my Contact Page and let's discuss how I can meet your writing needs.

Sponsor: Eyes on Success

Sponsor Since: August 21, 2023

Website: https://www.eyesonsuccess.net/ 🌐

About: This half-hour weekly podcast and radio program discusses products, services and daily living tips for people with vision loss. It is available through radio reading services across North America, via several internet streaming services, and to everyone else as a podcast. To date, the show has been downloaded in all 50 states in the US and over 100 other countries on all the inhabited continents. Eyes On Success is hosted and produced by Peter Torpey and Nancy Goodman Torpey.

Each episode is basically a success story. Some are human stories of visually impaired people's accomplishments in academics, employment, sports or pastimes. Others are descriptions of adaptive aids that enable visually impaired people to achieve things. These include screen readers, magnifiers, navigation aids, and others. In all cases, the focus is on success.

Eyes On Success has been airing weekly since January 2011. Prior to January 2013 the name of the show was ViewPoints. Other than the name, nothing has changed.

Listening To Eyes On Success

Connecting with Eyes On Success

Email: To contact us with questions, comments or suggestions for future shows send an e-mail to hosts@EyesOnSuccess.net ✉.

Weekly Announcements: If you would like to receive weekly announcements of upcoming episodes, you can join our low traffic "announcements only" list by sending an e-mail to: EyesOnSuccess+subscribe@GoogleGroups.com ✉.

Email Forum: If you would like to connect with other listeners and share your thoughts about what you've heard on the show, you can join our listener email forum by sending an email to: EOS_Discuss+Subscribe@GoogleGroups.com ✉

Sponsor: Living Blindfully

Sponsor Since: May 29, 2023

Website: https://www.livingblindfully.com/ 🌐

About: Living Blindfully is the podcast devoted to helping you live your best life with blindness or low vision. Sight is a highly dominant sense. If you have it, naturally you'll use it for a lot of things. But if you don't have it, or you don't have as much sight as you used to, it's still possible to live a rich, full life. This podcast is all about how it's done.

We discuss tips and tricks, but we frankly discuss the barriers too, ranging from attitudinal barriers to accessibility barriers and more.

You'll hear plenty about technology on Living Blindfully, because when blind people have the skills to use it and when the tech is behaving itself, it's key to functional and economic independence. Whether it's a tech question from our community, a handy tip about getting the most from your screen reader, a demonstration of a cool new app for your smartphone, or discussion about a serious accessibility issue that is causing problems, you'll learn about it on Living Blindfully. We geek out sometimes, but we always make a point of bringing people along for the ride and making sense of it all.

But technology is simply a tool to help us live blindfully, so our podcast discusses much more. The topics on each episode vary a lot, but it's not uncommon to hear discussion about travel, cooking, relationships, self-care, sleep, history and even politics. After all, blind people have as diverse a mix of interests and opinions as anyone else.

While we welcome sighted allies and family members who have an interest in what blind people are thinking and talking about, Living Blindfully is unapologetically for blind people, by blind people. There are other great places to go to learn about how blind people do what we do. But there are few places that proudly cater to the blind community. So, if you're not blind but you're interested in an unfiltered discussion about what's occupying the blind community, you've come to the right place and you're very welcome.

Jonathan Mosen is the host and facilitator of Living Blindfully, and often conducts interviews and produces product demonstrations. But you'll also hear from our engaged community of listeners who share their thoughts in writing and in audio. You're very welcome to contribute on anything you hear during the show, or something new that's on your mind.

Sponsor: Carrie on Accessibility

Sponsor Since: May 29, 2023

Website: https://carrieonaccessibility.com/ 🌐

Email: email@carrieonaccessibility.com ✉

About: Carrie's mission with Carrie on Accessibility (CoA) is to promote accessibility and to empower those, like herself, who are blind and visually impaired. Through her YouTube channel and other social media platforms, she shares videos exploring accessibility and assistive technology, along with other resources and encouragement that can benefit the community.

Carrie on Accessibility emphasizes accessibility, which is the path forward to equal access for those with disabilities. Designing with accessibility in mind is incredibly important. WCAG compliance is necessary and right, but compliance does not always equal accessibility. End user testing is the ultimate test. Through Carrie on Accessibility's Accessibility Review, businesses can evaluate the real world usability and functionality of their products and services.

Whether you're a content creator, small business owner, startup, organization, or corporation, Carrie on Accessibility can help you push beyond the limits to provide and promote accessibility.

Sponsor: Hartgen Consultancy

Sponsor Since: May 29, 2023

Website: https://www.hartgenconsultancy.com/ 🌐

About: Hartgen Consultancy was established with a mission to provide accessible training and usable software tools to individuals with vision loss and to the deaf Blind community. Product offerings have and continue to significantly contribute to the employability and productivity of these communities. Our vision of inclusiveness and accessibility; a vision that informs every training module, all adaptive products, and excellent customer service, embodies the commitment to the core values of the company.

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Sponsor: Total Tech Solutions, LLC

Sponsor Since: April 4, 2023

Website: https://blindtech.org/ 🌐

About: TTS (Total Tech Solutions) is a startup technology company owned and operated in the Dallas Fort Worth area which specializes in offering services for the blind and visually impaired. While this is it's main focus, TTS also caters to the general public. Since its founding, TTS continues to make strides in demonstrating the countless ways blind and visually impaired individuals can contribute in all aspects of the workforce. This is one of the reasons why this company chooses to hire applicants who are visually impaired; to prove that there is a place in society for persons of any type of visual impairment, and to create a positive environment so one can thrive, live life to their fullest potential and to be a positive example to their communities and their families.

Shop: BlindShell Classic | Shop: ARxWear | Shop: All Products | Services | Events | About | Contact Us

Sponsor: NSITE.org

Sponsor Since: March 6th 2023

Website: https://nsite.org/ 🌐

About: NSITE provides a continuum of employment services that connect employers with talented, dedicated people who are blind, low-vision, and/or veterans to meet their workforce needs. As you move through the hiring process, NSITE is with you every step of the way to ensure that finding the right employee-employer match is as smooth and seamless as possible.

NSITE works with employers to identify potential candidates who are blind, low-vision, and/or veterans. From there, NSITE assists with accessibility needs, onboarding, and training, then prepares both parties for job placement. Our work does not end there; it continues with ongoing support to accommodate changes in accessible technology and employer requirements.

About | Media | Employers | Job Seekers | Training Programs | Job Board | Contact Us

Sponsor: Clusiv

Sponsor Since: January 16th 2023

Website: https://clusiv.io/ 🌐

About: As there are many challenges people in the blind community face in employment and education, Clusiv has built the world's first e-learning platform designed for the blind to provide the training, tools, and resources needed to remove barriers to the modern workforce. Our courses teach you occupational and technology skills you need towards employment. Plus, we are working to connect our graduates to internship and job opportunities. Our courses are remote, self-paced, and we provide support throughout your whole journey through our student success team, and even provide lifetime access to our courses so you can keep up to date as technology evolves. You can request Clusiv training through your vocational rehabilitation counselor and fill out the form in the link below on our website. If you are a counselor wanting to learn more about Clusiv for your clients, or an employer looking to hire Clusiv graduates, click the respective link below and fill out a form to get more info.

➜ Person Looking To Enroll In Clusiv Courses

➜ Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Looking To Learn More About Clusiv For Their Clients

➜ Employer Looking To Hire Clusiv Graduates

Your Business or Organization Name Here

Sponsor Since: Today

Website: https://accessinformationnews.com/ 🌐

Phone: (855) 578-6660 ☎

Email: news@accessinformationnews.com ✉

About: Access Information News is the world's leading access information news publication that reaches over 10,000 access professionals, educators and enthusiasts, all over the world, each week. Access Information refers to informational topics that directly affect the lives of people with disabilities. Access Information includes any and all information related to bettering the lives of people who are blind, low vision, deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind, neurodivergent and/or disabled. Access Information News is a Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd. Publication.

7 of 18 Sponsorship Packages Currently Available

Access Information News is the world's leading access information news publication that reaches over 10,000 blind, low vision, deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind, neurodivergent and/or disabled professionals, educators and enthusiasts, all over the world, each week.

Access Information refers to informational topics that directly affect the lives of people with disabilities. Access Information includes any and all information related to bettering the lives of people who are blind, low vision, deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind, neurodivergent and/or disabled.

Access Information News offers a total of 18 Sponsorship Packages which are used to support the ongoing distribution of the publication.

➜ Availability: There are currently  7  of  18  Sponsorship Packages available. All 18 Sponsorship Packages are offered on a first-come, first serve basis.

➜ Waiting List: If you would like to become an Access Information News Sponsor but there are no sponsorship packages currently available, we encourage you to join our waiting list by sending an email to: sponsorships@accessinformationnews.com ✉. Once you have joined our waiting list we will notify you the next time a current sponsor decides not to renew. You will then have 72 hours to secure your sponsorship before it is offered to the next sponsor on the list.

➜ Payment Options: When available you can secure one of these packages for just $100.00 USD per month, $300 USD per quarter or $1,200.00 USD per year.

➜ Payment Option Benefits: Monthly Sponsors receive Zero (0) Featured Advertisements. Quarterly Sponsors receive One (1) Featured Advertisement per quarter. Annual Sponsors receive Five (5) Featured Advertisements per year. All other benefits remain the same.

➜ Access Information News Supporters:

We couldn't do it without you! Thank you for your support!

Why: Access Information News Supporters donate an amount of their choosing either one time or annually in order to assist with the ongoing distribution of the Access Information News publication.

Benefits: All Access Information News Supporters receive a listing within the "Our Supporters" section of each weekly newsletter, as well as a listing within the "Our Supporters" section of the Access Information News website.

One Time Donation: If you would like to become an Access Information News Supporter by making a one time donation in an amount of your choosing to assist with the ongoing distribution of the Access Information News publication, you may utilize this donate link, or scan the QR code to the right.

Annual Donation: If you would like to become an Access Information News Supporter by making a small annual donation to assist with the ongoing distribution of the Access Information News publication, we also offer the following options, all with our sincerest thanks, and most heartfelt gratitude for your ongoing support.

Support: In tandem with Our Sponsors, these are the people that make the ongoing distribution of Access Information News possible.

Platinum Supporters:

Become an Access Information News Platinum Supporter today.

1.) James Hulme
Platinum Supporter Since: December 5, 2022

2.) Donna Jodhan
Platinum Supporter Since: March 24, 2023

3.) Your name here.
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Gold Supporters:

Become an Access Information News Gold Supporter today.

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One Time Supporters:

One Time Supporters donate an amount of their choosing — one time to assist with the ongoing distribution of the Access Information News Publication.

Become an Access Information News One Time Supporter today.

1.) Amanda Lee
One Time Supporter on July 31, 2023

2.) Your name here.
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➜ Access Information News Team

Publisher: Aaron Di Blasi (Volunteer)

Volunteer Publisher Since: November 7th 2022

Location: Mayfield Heights, Ohio

Time Zone: Eastern Standard Time (EST/EDT) (GMT-5/GMT-4)

In addition to serving as Publisher for Access Information News Aaron also serves as Publisher for the Top Tech Tidbits Publication and is also the President and Senior Project Management Professional for Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd.

As Publisher Aaron oversees the weekly distribution of Access Information News on behalf of Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd.

Aaron also serves as a Volunteer Editorial Contributor to Access Information News.

Aaron Di Blasi, PMP

Publisher (2022-Present)
Access Information News
The Week's News in Access Information
https://accessinformationnews.com 🌐

Publisher (2020-Present)
Top Tech Tidbits
The Week's News in Adaptive Technology
https://toptechtidbits.com 🌐

Sr. Project Management Professional (2006 - Present)
Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd.
Innovative ideas. Solutions that perform.
https://mvsltd.com 🌐

Editorial Contributor #1: John Hanlin (Volunteer)

Volunteer Editorial Contributor Since: November 7th 2022

Location: Boulder, Colorado

Time Zone: Mountain Standard Time (MST/MDT) (GMT-7/GMT-6)

In addition to serving as an Editorial Contributor to Access Information News, John also serves as an Editorial Contributor to the Top Tech Tidbits Publication and is also an attorney-at-law specializing in long-term disability claims for blind and visually impaired persons.

John is also a long-time contractor and member of the Board of Trustees at Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd.

John Hanlin, Esq.

Editorial Contributor (2022-Present)
Access Information News
The Week's News in Access Information
https://accessinformationnews.com 🌐

Editorial Contributor (2020-Present)
Top Tech Tidbits
The Week's News in Adaptive Technology
https://toptechtidbits.com 🌐

Board of Trustees (2006 - Present)
Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd.
Innovative ideas. Solutions that perform.
https://mvsltd.com 🌐

Editorial Contributor #2: Jenna Lang (Volunteer)

Volunteer Editorial Contributor Since: November 7th 2022

Location: Des Moines, Iowa

Time Zone: Central Standard Time (CST/CDT) (GMT-6/GMT-5)

In addition to serving as an Editorial Contributor to Access Information News, Jenna also serves as an Editorial Contributor to the Top Tech Tidbits Publication and runs her own Digital Marketing Firm.

Jenna also serves as a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) for Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd.

Jenna's son was born blind and she is always seeking new and innovative ways to empower him through technology.

Jenna Lang, PMP

Editorial Contributor (2022-Present)
Access Information News
The Week's News in Access Information
https://accessinformationnews.com 🌐

Editorial Contributor (2020-Present)
Top Tech Tidbits
The Week's News in Adaptive Technology
https://toptechtidbits.com 🌐

Project Management Professional (2022 - Present)
Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd.
Innovative ideas. Solutions that perform.
https://mvsltd.com 🌐

Editorial Contributor #3: David Woodbridge (Volunteer)

Volunteer Editorial Contributor Since: February 6th 2023

Location: Central Coast, New South Wales, Australia

Time Zone: Australia Eastern Standard Time (AEST/AEDT) (GMT+10)

In addition to serving as an Editorial Contributor to Access Information News, David is also the National Commercial Assistive Technology Advisor for Vision Australia where he has worked since 1990. Over this time he has assisted people who are blind or vision impaired in their home, education, and work settings to take advantage of the benefits of using assistive and main stream technology.

In the last seventeen years, he has also been involved with evaluating technology for use by people who are blind or vision impaired covering both low and high tech equipment (including Microsoft, Samsung, Google, Amazon, and Apple). David is also one of the key spokespersons for Vision Australia relating to technology.

He has been an Apple Ambassador for Apple Australia since 2009 with a group of other Ambassadors / Apple Distinguished Educators (ADE)'s covering the range of Apple's Accessibility solutions throughout Australia.

David produces a range of podcasts (since 2011) covering Apple and other technologies which are distributed on his own podcast (http://davidwoodbr.podbean.com). In addition, he also has a regular Talking Tech program (since 2013) which can be heard every Tuesday at 4:30 Eastern Summer Time on Vision Australia Radio Melbourne (available online) or via https://omny.fm/shows/talking-tech-vision-australia-radio

David also runs a weekly Tech Monday where people can chat about assistive and main stream technology, share information, and any tips and tricks.

David lost his sight when he was 8 years old and had to learn Braille. Since then, he completed high school, went to Sydney University receiving a Social Work degree, spent 4 years drug and alcohol counselling, and then moved into his current job.

As a person who is blind, David believes that as a user of the technology that he recommends to others, that he is well situated to look at the strengths and shortcomings of the assistive technology that he comes across in both his professional and personal life, in particular, mainstream technology that is accessible.

X (Formerly Twitter): @dwoodbridge
Mastodon: woody@dragonscave.space
iSee Podcast: https://davidwoodbr.podbean.com
Vision Australia Radio Talking Tech: https://omny.fm/shows/talking-tech-vision-australia-radio

In addition to his weekly contributions to Access Information News, David's regularly occurring activities are his weekly tech radio show, bi-monthly exploring tech webinars for Vision Australia, his iSee podcast when something of note grabs his attention, and the weekly Tech Monday chat sessions.

David Woodbridge

Editorial Contributor (2023-Present)
Access Information News
The Week's News in Access Information
https://accessinformationnews.com 🌐

Editorial Contributor (2023-Present)
Top Tech Tidbits
The Week's News in Adaptive Technology
https://toptechtidbits.com 🌐

National Commercial Assistive Technology Advisor (1990 - Present)
Vision Australia
Live the life you choose. We're here to support all Australians who are blind or have low vision.
https://www.visionaustralia.org/ 🌐

Email: editor@accessinformationnews.com ✉
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Access Information News for Monday, August 28, 2023 - Volume 925

The Week's News in Access Information
https://accessinformationnews.com/

A Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd. Publication
https://mvsltd.com/

Access Information News. The world's #1 online resource for current news and trends in access information.

Subscribers: 10,297 Opt-In Subscribers were sent this issue via email. 26 Premium Subscribers were sent this issue via email.

This Week's Featured Advertisement: Access Ready, Inc. Presents "My Friendly Eyes" At 2023 NACDD Conference And Receives Glowing Reviews

At this year's National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD) Conference, held July 26-28 in Orlando, Florida, the Patent Pending breakthrough technology called "My Friendly Eyes" was presented.

This largest gathering of NACDD advocates and professionals enthusiastically welcomed this new turn of events aimed at promoting community, independence and safety within the intellectual and developmental disability cohort. Many signed up to provide input into its further expansion as Beta Testers.

"The involvement of this group is only fitting since the need was highlighted by them at last year's conference”, said Doug Towne, Chair of Access Ready.

MFE is the personal assistance smartphone application designed to provide community, safety, and independence for individuals with intellectual, developmental, and sensory disabilities. MFE transcends the capabilities of traditional mobile assistance software by focusing on the unique bond between those who need assistance and those caregivers who know them best.

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Ongoing Weekly Distribution Made Possible By Support From: Pneuma Solutions, WayAround, APH ConnectCenter, Access Ready, Inc., Clusiv, NSITE.org, Total Tech Solutions, LLC, Hartgen Consultancy, Carrie on Accessibility, Living Blindfully, Eyes on Success and Empish J. Thomas. Learn more about Sponsorship today at: https://accessinformationnews.com/sponsor.

Dear Access Information News Subscriber,

1) Top 5 Most Clicked Access Information News Articles From Last Week

A.) Exploring the Reality of Autonomous Driving for the Visually Impaired | Ed Worrell | OverHere Consulting

Imagine sitting behind the wheel of a car and setting off on a journey all by yourself — sounds pretty amazing, right? As someone who can't rely on sight, the notion of autonomous vehicles holds a lot of promise. But before we start planning our road trips, there are a few important factors to consider:
https://overhereconsulting.net/2023/08/15/exploring-the-reality-of-autonomous-driving-for-the-visually-impaired/

B.) Are The Envision Glasses Any Good? | David Redmond | National Council Of Blind Ireland

Before I write this article, I want to make something very clear. As you'll read, I had a very mixed experience with the Envision glasses, but that's no reflection of Envision more generally. Their app is in my view an under-appreciated rival to seeing AI, and others may well have a much better experience with the Envision glasses compared to me, in fact I know some have. This review is simply my opinion of the product, based on my experience using it at a specific point in time. The product may improve significantly down the road, but for now, this is my experience:
https://www.ncbi.ie/are-the-envision-glasses-any-good/

C.) The Accessibility Features Of DocuSign And How To Make Them More Accessible | Benjamin Roussey | Accessibility.com

With digitization transforming how we communicate, collaborate, and conduct business, ensuring everyone can seamlessly access and use digital tools has never been more essential. DocuSign, a leading e-signature and document management platform, has revolutionized how we handle agreements, contracts, and other vital documents in the digital age. While the platform has made these processes more efficient, they must also be accessible to everyone, including individuals with disabilities. In this article, we'll delve into the accessibility features of DocuSign and how to make it even more inclusive and user-friendly for all:
https://www.accessibility.com/blog/accessibility-features-of-docusign-and-how-to-make-them-more-accessible

D.) 11 Self-Editing Tips for Blind and Sighted Writers | Empish J. Thomas | Freelance Writer, Disability Blogger and Accessibility Consultant

Last week I attended a writing discussion group for blind and low vision writers and authors. The Hadley Institute for the Blind and Print Impaired hosted this monthly meeting. We shared self-editing tips. When crafting an article, blog post, essay, poem or even a book, editing is critical. Self-editing even more so. I want to present my very best work before I submit to and editor or hit that publish button on a blog post. I am a perfectionist and comb over a piece with nick picking precision. To avoid this I have shortened my self-editing time with the tips below:
https://empishthomas.com/2023/08/17/11-self-editing-tips-for-blind-and-sighted-writers/

E.) 10 Things To Know About iPhone Accessibility | Ophthalmic Edge

The iPhone is quite possibly the most adopted device ever, for people with vision loss. This is because it is accessible out-of-the-box, even if you can't see the screen at all. If there is one good reason to use an iPhone, there are a hundred good reasons. Here are the top 10:
https://ophthalmicedge.org/patient/10-things-know-iphone-accessibility/

2) Sponsorship Packages Currently Available

Are you an access-based person, business or organization whose products, services or message would benefit from reaching over 10,000 access buyers each week? If so, please consider becoming a Sponsor today for just $100 a month, paid either quarterly or annually. Annual Sponsors receive 5 Featured Advertisements for the year, as opposed to 4, and gain the additional benefit of being able to schedule their Featured Advertisements up to one year in advance. If you've been looking for a way to consistently reach the largest audience of opt-in access buyers in the world today, at a nearly negligible price point, please consider becoming an Access Information News Sponsor while packages last. Availability: There are currently 4 Access Information News Sponsorship Packages available. Advertising Benefits: Review a complete list of advertising benefits here:
https://www.accessinformationnews.com/sponsorship-information.html#sponsorship-package-benefits

3) Premium Subscriber Updates

Next Issue: Premium Subscribers will receive their 3rd Issue of the 60 Most Clicked Access News Articles for July, August and September of 2023 on Monday, October 2, 2023. Back Issues: There are currently 2 back issues available. Premium Subscribers are entitled to all back issues, anytime they sign up. All available back issues will be sent to you via email within 24 hours of purchasing your subscription. Please Join Us: If you would like to support the ongoing weekly distribution of free and unbiased access news while receiving a perfectly formatted and searchable Word Document with each of the 60 Most Clicked Access News Articles of the last 3 months listed neatly within it, please consider joining us today for just $1 a month:
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4) Sponsored News Items Now Available

Use Sponsored News Items to reach the access community when you need to. Whether you are a current Sponsor or not. Current Weekly Subscriber Count: Over 10K. Drive traffic to your access product and service announcements, events, updates or fundraisers using this incredibly cost-effective and easy-to-use advertisement tool. Learn more today at:
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6) The Cost of Living With a Disability in America | Esquire

Thirty+ years after G.H.W. Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act, four Americans with disabilities reflect on the struggle to secure a financial future:
https://www.esquire.com/lifestyle/a44817643/cost-of-living-with-disability-american-healthcare-system/

7) The Wheelie Peeps: Disability Advocates Protest Illegal Use Of Accessible Parking

The Wheelie Peeps, disability advocates who were featured in the docuseries PUSH, hosted a peaceful protest in Edmonton on Tuesday to bring awareness and call for municipal authorities to do more when it comes to enforcing who is allowed to park in accessible parking spots:
https://globalnews.ca/news/9911359/disability-advocates-protest-illegal-use-accessible-parking/

8) The World Is Going Blind. Taiwan Offers a Warning, and a Cure | Wired: Subscription Required

So many people are nearsighted on the island nation that they have already glimpsed what could be coming for the rest of us:
https://www.wired.com/story/taiwan-epicenter-of-world-myopia-epidemic/

9) Adventures with BeMyAI | Leonie | August 17, 2023

Today I was given early access to the BeMyAI beta, a feature that's being added to the BeMyEyes iOS app using ChatGPT4:
https://tink.uk/adventures-with-bemyai/

10) Brain Implants Could One Day Restore Communication For People With Paralysis | The Verge

Two separate studies show that brain-to-computer interfaces could help decode brain signals into speech faster and more accurately than current tech:
https://www.theverge.com/2023/8/23/23842109/brain-implants-speech-paralysis

11) Adobe Acrobat's New Accessibility Features | The Accessibility Guy

Adobe Acrobat has launched its latest version, packed with innovative features, especially in the accessibility department. The changes start with the menu items, which have been relocated. For example, the tags panel and other essential accessibility elements are now on the far right side of the screen:
https://theaccessibilityguy.com/adobe-acrobats-new-accessibility-features/

12) How Hello Sunshine and Making Space Media's Unscripted First-Look Deal Could Change Hollywood's Disability Narratives | The Hollywood Reporter

Making Space co-founders Sophie Morgan and Keely Cat-Wells discuss why they teamed with Reese Witherspoon's production company, the kinds of content they want their new deal to produce as well as how unscripted is key to reframing — and mainstreaming — disability onscreen:
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/making-space-media-hello-sunshine-first-look-deal-1235569931/

13) The Controversy Over Unlimited Digital Lending Is Anything But Simple | Dan Moren | SixColors.com

The National Emergency Library, in which the Internet Archive made the titles it had scanned into electronic form essentially without limits, was highly contentious. Publishers, obviously, viewed it as piracy that cut into their bottom line. Authors were heavily divided. Part of what makes it tricky, as this piece does a great job explaining, is that there's a disparity between how the rules are and how people think they should be. The law, as it stands now, is largely against the Internet Archive. That's just the way it is. Whether that law should be changed is a different matter — one that's not going to be solved in the courts, as my good friend and colleague Glenn Fleishman wrote:
https://sixcolors.com/link/2023/08/the-controversy-over-unlimited-digital-lending-is-anything-but-simple/

14) Take Advantage of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) for Low-Income Internet Users | PCs for People

In an era where digital access is necessary, the lack of affordable internet connectivity can create a significant barrier for low-income individuals and families. Recognizing this challenge, PCs for People is proud to be an approved provider for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), a federal initiative to narrow the digital divide and provide equitable access to the online world. Take advantage of this opportunity to stay connected and save money:
https://www.pcsforpeople.org/low-cost-internet/take-advantage-of-the-affordable-connectivity-program-acp-for-low-income-internet-users/

15) Fundamental Things To Keep In Mind When Developing An Accessible Website | Accessibility.com

Doing work on the backend can save you time in the long run, especially when creating an accessible online presence. By doing the work to facilitate a user-friendly and accessible experience, you keep your audience engaged while avoiding pricey lawsuits. Hosting an accessible website broadens your potential customer base while staying in accordance with ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) regulations:
https://www.accessibility.com/blog/fundamental-things-to-keep-in-mind-when-developing-an-accessible-website

16) OrCam: An Introduction To Amazing Assistive Technology | Douglas Rudolph | Accessibility On The Go

What is the OrCam? Well, let me tell you. The OrCam is an innovative piece of assistive technology that has seriously been a game changing device for many. Not only is this device amazing for the blind or partially sighted, but it is perfect for those with a number of print based disabilities as well! That being said, I can only speak to its use case for blindness. To make it a little bit more unfortunate, I have only got the experience with the model from I think 2014. That being said, everything I thought then, I still think now!
https://www.accessibilityotg.com/post/orcam-an-introduction-to-amazing-assistive-technology

17) The Kids Who Cannot Advocate For Themselves — Voices In The Wilderness | Award Winning Sight Loss Coach, Advocate and Author Donna Jodhan

They are our present and our future and we must protect them at all costs! For if we don't? we are nowhere!
https://sterlingcreations.com/blog/the-kids-who-cannot-advocate-for-themselves-voicers-in-the-wilderness

18) Top 10 Picks Best Bathroom Scale For Visually Impaired For 2023

The following is a comprehensive guide to buying bathroom scale for visually impaired. If you are uncertain where to start your research, do not worry; we have you covered. The sheer number of options out there makes going through thousands of reviews extremely frustrating. Look over the reviews, then make an informed purchasing decision based on this ultimate guide:
https://factschronicle.com/best-bathroom-scale-for-visually-impaired-68024.html

➜ Featured Webinars, Training Courses and Events

August 29, 2023 — August 30, 2023 | Web Accessibility in Mind Conference

The second annual Web Accessibility in Mind Conference is presented by WebAIM in partnership with Pope Tech. This virtual conference will provide conference participants with content that will help them mature their practice in digital accessibility. Our goals include: Provide a diverse range of perspectives from a diverse group of speakers. Share solutions to accessibility challenges. Give advice and guidance that helps our participants to actively contribute to providing more accessible digital spaces. Bring together a cross section of public and private sector technology professionals from organizations large and small. The Web Accessibility in Mind Conference will be held online on August 29-30, 2023 from 12pm-5:10pm US Eastern Time (with a one-hour break at 2:10pm) each day. Register:
https://conference.webaim.org/register

August 30, 2023 | JAWS: Testing for Website Accessibility (Assistive Technology Webinar) | Access Ingenuity

10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
An essential part of ensuring that a website is accessible is to test the site with a screen reader. Join Michael Parker (Web Accessibility Specialist and DHS Trusted Tester) and Marisa Church (Assistive Technology Specialist and Expert Screen Reader) as they demonstrate how to test a website with the JAWS screen reader. Learning Outcomes: Understand the importance of testing websites with a screen reader. Learn how to test a website with a screen reader. Learn the difference between using the Say All command and Tab to navigate a webpage. Learn about basic JAWS settings required for testing. How to use the Virtual HTML Features and Text Viewer in JAWS for quicker testing:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88477062027?pwd=c0lPNVdYSmtJakxLUUVpekZjZzd6UT09&mc_cid=1c5c3cbecd&mc_eid=90429c1885

August 31, 2023 | FSOpenline | Freedom Scientific

5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 12AM GMT on 9/1
FSOpenline is hosted on the Zoom conferencing platform and the Clubhouse audio chat app. Join via Zoom, or download the Clubhouse app from the iOS App Store or Google Play to participate in this live event:
https://zoom.us/j/7278038000?_x_zm_rtaid=JLrcZJLfR0CGeSOmS9Dn3g.1605555524846.894574b70d1d4051defcc9cb567d21aa&_x_zm_rhtaid=935#success

September 6, 2023 | WeSpeak AI with Special Guest: Peter Tucic from Humanware Inc.

4PM PT, 5PM MT, 6PM CT, 7PM ET, 11PM GMT
Save the Date: WeSpeak Live Event on September 6, 2023, at 6:00 PM Central Time! Mark your calendar for the WeSpeak Live event happening on September 6, 2023, at 6:00 PM Central Time. To join in via Zoom, visit http://www.wespeak.live to sign up. Plus, you can catch the live stream on Facebook and Clubhouse. Meet Our Special Guests: Mathieu Paquette and Peter Tucic from Humanware Inc. This time, we're excited to have Mathieu Paquette and Peter Tucic from Humanware Inc. as our special guests. They'll be joining Shawn Will and Kevin for an engaging discussion. Don't worry if you're not familiar with them; you'll get to know more about them during the event. Let's chat about tech and dive into some exciting AI topics. What specific tech or AI subjects are you curious about today?
http://www.wespeak.live

September 6, 2023 | Accessibility Testing with WCAG 2.2 | TPGi

9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
The publication of WCAG 2.2 brings a range of new requirements for web accessibility testing. This presentation takes a detailed look at each of them, including those at AAA, and describes testing methods that can be used to assess web content against the new requirements: Step-by-step manual testing. Accessibility limitations for testers. Potential for automated testing. Attendees will learn how to test applicable content, how to identify exceptions and caveats, and gain insight into how the new Success Criteria can be integrated into existing testing procedures:
https://www.tpgi.com/accessibility-testing-with-wcag-2-2/

September 7, 2023 | Using JAWS Inspect and JAWS Connect for Testing | TPGi

9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
Presenter: Charlie Pike, Platform Success Lead. Using transcripts of JAWS speech, you can quickly pinpoint accessibility and usability issues. This demonstration will walk you through some simple tests using both JAWS Inspect and JAWS Connect, explaining how these tools can be integrated into your test processes. Register today:
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-september-7-at-12pm-et-using-jaws-inspect-and-jaws-connect-for-testing/

September 7, 2023 | Zoom Basics Using JAWS | Computers For The Blind | Marci Duty and Stephen Guerra

4:30PM PT, 5:30PM MT, 6:30PM CT, 7:30 PM ET, 11:30PM GMT
Learn Zoom Basics with the JAWS screen Reader:
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_MtPGcLuzS02nfaGMk-Bd_A

September 12, 2023 | Case Study: Creating Accessible Cultural Experiences | TPGi

9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
Museums, art galleries, and cultural spaces increasingly rely on digital technologies to engage visitors with their collections. It is vital that such experiences are accessible to people with disabilities. This presentation describes how accessibility was integrated into the design and development of a free mobile app featuring digital guides to cultural institutions around the world. TPGi partnered with Bloomberg Connects to improve accessibility features of the app, which now provides the means for people with disabilities to engage with cultural institutions and experience their content in an accessible and inclusive way. The presentation will cover the way key accessibility barriers were identified and addressed, reflect on how the results of usability testing with people with disabilities helped verify the quality of the app's user experience, and consider future developments:
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-september-12-at-12pm-et-case-study-creating-accessible-cultural-experiences/

September 13, 2023 | Connect 12's New Dictionary Powered By Oxford Languages HumanWare

9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
In collaboration with Oxford Languages, a part of Oxford University Press, this partner webinar will focus on leveraging the all-new Dictionary app to enhance reading comprehension support for your students. Be sure to participate in the interactive Q&A session at the end:
https://humanware.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_2Pf2AFa7QsCBvnaR1D3QBQ#/registration

September 14, 2023 | The Many Faces of BARD: Using Your Braille Display to Read Braille BARD Books on Your iPhone

4PM PT, 5PM MT, 6PM CT, 7PM ET, 11PM GMT
The topic for the September 14, 2023, Many Faces of BARD program will be Using Your Braille Display to Read Braille BARD Books on Your iPhone. The program will begin at 7:00 p.m. eastern time and last for one hour. This program will be recorded. For this session, Judy Dixon will demonstrate how to access BARD braille books located on your iPhone and read them with your braille display. Note that information in this session will apply to any braille display including the NLS Braille eReaders. After the demonstration, Judy and the rest of the NLS staff will take questions about the demonstration or anything else relating to BARD. Remember that the meeting is recorded. Do not speak if you do not wish to be on the recording. If you wish to speak, you may request to do so by raising your hand. On a PC, press Alt Y to toggle raising and lowering your hand; on a Mac, press Option Y; and if dialing in via telephone, press Star 9. To mute or unmute yourself on a PC, press Alt A; on a Mac, press Command-Shift A; and on a telephone, press Star 6. If you choose to dial in to the call, use the telephone numbers provided below. The Zoom.gov ID will not work with standard Zoom.us. The session can be joined by going to:
https://loc.zoomgov.com/j/1609390773?pwd=bWtTcmhyNlplcm9ndnRrd0xOZFFRQT09

September 19, 2023 | The Accessible Forms Checklist | TPGi

9:30AM PT, 10:30AM MT, 11:30AM CT, 12:30PM ET, 4:30PM GMT
Forms are one of the most important features in websites. They are a critical method of communication between people and companies. Yet far too often this communication is difficult or impossible due to poor accessibility. Accessible forms are easy to understand, complete, and submit. Instructions, cues, and requirements must be clearly identified to users. It must be simple to recover from errors. In this session, you will learn how to find accessibility errors in forms by using our high-level checklist. Our goal is to help build your knowledge around the WCAG success criteria related to forms. We will cover many topics, including: Using labels and groups to identify elements. Exposing the required and invalid attributes. Having clear errors and instructions. Robust, accessible names for controls:
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-september-19-at-1230pm-et-the-accessible-forms-checklist/

September 21, 2023 | Inclusive Design 24

Inclusive Design 24 (#id24) is a free 24-hour online event for the global community. It celebrates inclusive design and shares knowledge and ideas from analogue to digital, from design to development, from planners to practitioners, and everything and everyone in between:
https://inclusivedesign24.org/2023/

September 26, 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group

5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 12AM GMT Next Day
4th Tuesday of every month at 7:00 PM CT. Learn a few tips about everyday technology from a technology expert, ask your questions, and share your experiences.
https://hadley.edu/discussion-groups/tech-it-out

September 27, 2023 | How to Write an Accessibility Statement | TPGi

9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
We'll cover the various purposes for and key information to include in a website accessibility statement. Plus, we'll evaluate real-world examples of accessibility statements. Each attendee gains a template format to publish their own website accessibility statement. This webinar evaluates real-world examples of accessibility statements and answers frequently asked questions such as: Who at an organization should write an accessibility statement? Should the statement be written by an attorney? Should the statement explicitly acknowledge the parts of the website or application which do not conform to accessibility guidelines? Should the statement offer phone support or alternative options if a user finds the website to be inaccessible? The objective is for each attendee to come away with a clear approach for their own organization, whether it's a small business or a global brand. Join us for a lively discussion of website accessibility statements:
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-september-27-at-12pm-et-how-to-write-an-accessibility-statement/

September 29, 2023 | Blindness and Mental Health Webinar | Accessible Pharmacy

9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
Please join us as we discuss mental health in the blind and low vision community. Expert presenters will discuss: Psychology and therapy for the blind community. Medications and genomic testing. Peer and community support resources. 988 Mental Health Hotline information:
https://accessiblepharmacy.com/blindness-and-mental-health-webinar/

October 4, 2023 | FEMA Nationwide EAS Test

11:20AM PT, 12:20PM MT, 1:20PM CT, 2:20PM ET, 6:20PM GMT
FEMA, in coordination with the FCC, will conduct a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) this fall. The national test will consist of two portions, testing WEA and EAS capabilities. Both tests are scheduled to begin at 2:20pm ET on Wednesday, October 4. The EAS portion of the test will be sent to radios and televisions. This will be the seventh nationwide EAS test:
https://news.radio-online.com/cgi-bin/rol.exe/headline_id=b17534

October 13, 2023 | Blindness and Clinical Trials Webinar | Accessible Pharmacy

9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
Please join us as we discuss clinical trials for the blind and low vision community with these expert presenters: Ben Shaberman, VP Science Communications Foundation Fighting Blindness. Marin Allen, former Deputy Director of Communications, National Institute of Health. Maggie Cashion, Clinical Research Manager, Prism Vision Group:
https://accessiblepharmacy.com/blindness-and-clinical-trials-webinar/

October 24, 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group

5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 12AM GMT Next Day
4th Tuesday of every month at 7:00 PM CT. Learn a few tips about everyday technology from a technology expert, ask your questions, and share your experiences.
https://hadley.edu/discussion-groups/tech-it-out

November 6, 2023 through November 10, 2023 | Accessing Higher Ground | Association on Higher Education And Disability (AHEAD)

Accessible Media, Web and Technology Conference. Hilton Denver City Center, Denver, Colorado:
https://accessinghigherground.org/

November 28, 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group

5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 11PM GMT
4th Tuesday of every month at 7:00 PM CT. Learn a few tips about everyday technology from a technology expert, ask your questions, and share your experiences.
https://hadley.edu/discussion-groups/tech-it-out

December 1, 2023 and December 2, 2023 | Blind Health Expo 2023 | Exhibitor and Attendee Registration Now Open

The Blind Health Expo is the largest virtual event of healthcare information, products, services, and medication for individuals in the blind, low vision, and disability communities. Exhibitors can: Register for free. Interact with thousands of attendees. Showcase their products and services:
https://accessiblepharmacy.com/blind-health-expo-2023/

December 26, 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group

5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 11PM GMT
4th Tuesday of every month at 7:00 PM CT. Learn a few tips about everyday technology from a technology expert, ask your questions, and share your experiences.
https://hadley.edu/discussion-groups/tech-it-out

➜ Directories

1) Access Information Email Newsletter Directory

https://accessinformationnews.com/email-newsletter-directory.html

➜ Sponsor Classified Ads

Sponsor: Access Ready, Inc.

Sponsor Since: December 13th 2022

Website: https://accessready.org/ 🌐

Email: info@accessready.org ✉

Phone: (727) 531-1000 ☎

About: Access Ready Inc. is a certified, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The mission of Access Ready Inc., a nonprofit cross-disability rights advocacy organization, is to promote a policy of accessibility benefiting all people regardless of ability across information and communications technology utilized for two way communications.

The purpose of Access Ready Inc. is to educate the public and private sectors of the importance of accessible information and communications technology to the future of all people regardless of ability.

To support this education by developing initiatives that promote policies that ensure the creation and maintenance of accessible technologies utilized for two way communications at all levels which allow for easy use by people with the widest range of abilities possible.

To develop employment and business opportunities for people with disabilities that support its educational activities in the field of information and communications technology and related areas.

To provide consulting and educational services to buyers, developers, and users of information and communications technology that promotes its highest and best use in society.

To promote the concept of a technologically accessible society which fosters:

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Sponsor: Access Ready, Inc.

Sponsor Since: December 1st 2022

Website: https://accessready.org/ 🌐

Email: info@accessready.org ✉

Phone: (727) 531-1000 ☎

About: Access Ready Inc. is a certified, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The mission of Access Ready Inc., a nonprofit cross-disability rights advocacy organization, is to promote a policy of accessibility benefiting all people regardless of ability across information and communications technology utilized for two way communications.

The purpose of Access Ready Inc. is to educate the public and private sectors of the importance of accessible information and communications technology to the future of all people regardless of ability.

To support this education by developing initiatives that promote policies that ensure the creation and maintenance of accessible technologies utilized for two way communications at all levels which allow for easy use by people with the widest range of abilities possible.

To develop employment and business opportunities for people with disabilities that support its educational activities in the field of information and communications technology and related areas.

To provide consulting and educational services to buyers, developers, and users of information and communications technology that promotes its highest and best use in society.

To promote the concept of a technologically accessible society which fosters:

Freedom of expression, speech, and worship.
Freedom from fear, ignorance, and want.
Freedom from dishonesty, exclusion, and immorality.
Freedom of aspiration, invention, and inclusion.

Sponsor: APH ConnectCenter

Sponsor Since: November 29th 2022

Website: https://aphconnectcenter.org/ 🌐

Email: connectcenter@aph.org ✉

APH ConnectCenter Information and Referral Line:
(800) 232-5463 ☎

Hours: Monday - Friday from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM ET

Facebook (CareerConnect) | Facebook (FamilyConnect) | Facebook (VisionAware) | Twitter | YouTube

About: The APH ConnectCenter offers curated advice and resources to assist children, parents, adults, and job seekers who are blind or visually impaired, and their associated professionals, leading to greater independence and success in their lives.

Sponsor: WayAround

Sponsor Since: November 18th 2022

Website: https://www.wayaround.com/ 🌐

General Sales & Support: (888) 898-4465 ☎

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About: WayAround is the app for your smart device that provides on-demand details about everyday things. The simple tag-and-scan approach lets you quickly and easily identify things around you. It also provides extra details, like how something works or when it expires. The result? Doing more of the things you want, with more confidence and more independence.

All the information you want with just a tap of your phone. No more waiting around to ask someone. You need just two things to get started: The free mobile app for iOS or Android and some of our smart WayTags^®.

Accessible labels for the blind, deafblind, and anyone with vision loss. Your biggest problem isn't poor eyesight. It's that so much of the information in the world is visual. But you shouldn't have to wait around for someone else to get the information you need. Or carry around a bulky, outdated device. There is a better way to get accurate and complete information every time. So you can reduce stress and gain independence.

Download The App (Apple): https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/wayaround-tag-and-scan/id1294361140?mt=8

Download The App (Android): https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.wayaround.wayaround

Sponsor: Pneuma Solutions

Sponsor Since: November 7th 2022

Website: https://pneumasolutions.com/ 🌐

Email Newsletter: Click here to receive periodic news via email concerning Pneuma Solutions products for business, consumers and education.

Sales: (866) 202-0520 ☎

Support: (650) 249-1000 ☎

About: Backed by two decades of creating award-winning accessible cloud technologies for people with visual impairments, Pneuma Solutions is the global leader in accessible cloud-based solutions. Pneuma Solutions was founded by long-time accessibility developers Mike Calvo and Matt Campbell. For more information on their individual profiles, click on their respective bio pages. We're proud to be the first company to develop cloud-based accessibility at the network level. Our tools provide organizations, like yours, a way to deliver secure, accessible information right from your network or from our secure servers. You can provide your print disabled consumers, students, employees, and citizens with a multitude of accessible options. Additionally, we offer a suite of cloud-based applications to blind and print disabled consumers directly from our website. Our consumer products are designed to make the day-to-day lives of blind and print disabled individuals more accessible and simpler to manage. Access to information is not a privilege, it's a right. It's also your right to obtain affordable, accessible cloud solutions to serve your end user. When organizations like yours implement our tools, together we help make it a more inclusive world for people with disabilities. Want to know more about how we can help you become more inclusive?

Contact us here. We'll be happy to discuss how our tools can help with your accessibility needs.

Sponsor: Empish J. Thomas

Sponsor Since: August 21, 2023

Website: https://www.empishthomas.com/ 🌐

About: Hello. I'm so glad you're here. I'm Empish, a freelance writer and blogger specializing in vision loss and disability. I have a deep passion for the disability community and enjoy using my writing skills to bring awareness. Ever since I was a small child I have always been intrigued by the written word. Checking out children's books at my local library to reading the newspaper out loud to my parents, words have always moved and compelled me. Now, fast forward to my adult life. I had a journalism degree with a promising career. But six months after graduation I developed severe headaches and sensitivity to light prompting me to go see an eye doctor for the first time in my life. I was diagnosed with Uveitis in its most aggressive form and within a few years I was totally blind.

Despite this diagnosis my love for the written word did not diminish. I had noticed the negative and sometimes incorrect portrayal of the disabled in the news media. I wanted to be proactive in changing that image. Language is powerful and that people with disabilities must tell their own story.

This is why I love the Nigerian proverb “Don't let the lion tell the giraffe's story,” because it speaks to my career as a journalist and disability advocate. As we know, the lion is the king of the jungle and rules the animal kingdom. His voice is heard the strongest and the loudest the majority of the time.

But there are also other animals too. Ones like the giraffe that have a voice and a story to tell. Their voices are just as important. Just as powerful. Just as valuable. As you review and read my work my goal is to give the giraffe that voice.

Topics That Spark Joy

As a freelance writer and blogger, I use this site to talk about my life as a disabled person. Like Marie Kondo, you will find blog posts on the things that spark joy. I love reading audiobooks and watching audio described movies. I also love talking about accessibility and how it impacts my life. I include my daily routine. You know those mundane things we all do like grocery shopping, exercising, paying bills, voting and anything else I find interesting.

Let Me Write For You

Now that you know a little about me, are you looking for a freelance writer? One who can write a captivating story. ONE WITH excellent writing and organizational skills. One who understands the importance of deadlines. Let's chat. Shoot me an email from my Contact Page and let's discuss how I can meet your writing needs.

Sponsor: Eyes on Success

Sponsor Since: August 21, 2023

Website: https://www.eyesonsuccess.net/ 🌐

About: This half-hour weekly podcast and radio program discusses products, services and daily living tips for people with vision loss. It is available through radio reading services across North America, via several internet streaming services, and to everyone else as a podcast. To date, the show has been downloaded in all 50 states in the US and over 100 other countries on all the inhabited continents. Eyes On Success is hosted and produced by Peter Torpey and Nancy Goodman Torpey.

Each episode is basically a success story. Some are human stories of visually impaired people's accomplishments in academics, employment, sports or pastimes. Others are descriptions of adaptive aids that enable visually impaired people to achieve things. These include screen readers, magnifiers, navigation aids, and others. In all cases, the focus is on success.

Eyes On Success has been airing weekly since January 2011. Prior to January 2013 the name of the show was ViewPoints. Other than the name, nothing has changed.

Listening To Eyes On Success

Connecting with Eyes On Success

Email: To contact us with questions, comments or suggestions for future shows send an e-mail to hosts@EyesOnSuccess.net ✉.

Weekly Announcements: If you would like to receive weekly announcements of upcoming episodes, you can join our low traffic "announcements only" list by sending an e-mail to: EyesOnSuccess+subscribe@GoogleGroups.com ✉.

Email Forum: If you would like to connect with other listeners and share your thoughts about what you've heard on the show, you can join our listener email forum by sending an email to: EOS_Discuss+Subscribe@GoogleGroups.com ✉

Sponsor: Living Blindfully

Sponsor Since: May 29, 2023

Website: https://www.livingblindfully.com/ 🌐

About: Living Blindfully is the podcast devoted to helping you live your best life with blindness or low vision. Sight is a highly dominant sense. If you have it, naturally you'll use it for a lot of things. But if you don't have it, or you don't have as much sight as you used to, it's still possible to live a rich, full life. This podcast is all about how it's done.

We discuss tips and tricks, but we frankly discuss the barriers too, ranging from attitudinal barriers to accessibility barriers and more.

You'll hear plenty about technology on Living Blindfully, because when blind people have the skills to use it and when the tech is behaving itself, it's key to functional and economic independence. Whether it's a tech question from our community, a handy tip about getting the most from your screen reader, a demonstration of a cool new app for your smartphone, or discussion about a serious accessibility issue that is causing problems, you'll learn about it on Living Blindfully. We geek out sometimes, but we always make a point of bringing people along for the ride and making sense of it all.

But technology is simply a tool to help us live blindfully, so our podcast discusses much more. The topics on each episode vary a lot, but it's not uncommon to hear discussion about travel, cooking, relationships, self-care, sleep, history and even politics. After all, blind people have as diverse a mix of interests and opinions as anyone else.

While we welcome sighted allies and family members who have an interest in what blind people are thinking and talking about, Living Blindfully is unapologetically for blind people, by blind people. There are other great places to go to learn about how blind people do what we do. But there are few places that proudly cater to the blind community. So, if you're not blind but you're interested in an unfiltered discussion about what's occupying the blind community, you've come to the right place and you're very welcome.

Jonathan Mosen is the host and facilitator of Living Blindfully, and often conducts interviews and produces product demonstrations. But you'll also hear from our engaged community of listeners who share their thoughts in writing and in audio. You're very welcome to contribute on anything you hear during the show, or something new that's on your mind.

Sponsor: Carrie on Accessibility

Sponsor Since: May 29, 2023

Website: https://carrieonaccessibility.com/ 🌐

Email: email@carrieonaccessibility.com ✉

About: Carrie's mission with Carrie on Accessibility (CoA) is to promote accessibility and to empower those, like herself, who are blind and visually impaired. Through her YouTube channel and other social media platforms, she shares videos exploring accessibility and assistive technology, along with other resources and encouragement that can benefit the community.

Carrie on Accessibility emphasizes accessibility, which is the path forward to equal access for those with disabilities. Designing with accessibility in mind is incredibly important. WCAG compliance is necessary and right, but compliance does not always equal accessibility. End user testing is the ultimate test. Through Carrie on Accessibility's Accessibility Review, businesses can evaluate the real world usability and functionality of their products and services.

Whether you're a content creator, small business owner, startup, organization, or corporation, Carrie on Accessibility can help you push beyond the limits to provide and promote accessibility.

Sponsor: Hartgen Consultancy

Sponsor Since: May 29, 2023

Website: https://www.hartgenconsultancy.com/ 🌐

About: Hartgen Consultancy was established with a mission to provide accessible training and usable software tools to individuals with vision loss and to the deaf Blind community. Product offerings have and continue to significantly contribute to the employability and productivity of these communities. Our vision of inclusiveness and accessibility; a vision that informs every training module, all adaptive products, and excellent customer service, embodies the commitment to the core values of the company.

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Sponsor: Total Tech Solutions, LLC

Sponsor Since: April 4, 2023

Website: https://blindtech.org/ 🌐

About: TTS (Total Tech Solutions) is a startup technology company owned and operated in the Dallas Fort Worth area which specializes in offering services for the blind and visually impaired. While this is it's main focus, TTS also caters to the general public. Since its founding, TTS continues to make strides in demonstrating the countless ways blind and visually impaired individuals can contribute in all aspects of the workforce. This is one of the reasons why this company chooses to hire applicants who are visually impaired; to prove that there is a place in society for persons of any type of visual impairment, and to create a positive environment so one can thrive, live life to their fullest potential and to be a positive example to their communities and their families.

Shop: BlindShell Classic | Shop: ARxWear | Shop: All Products | Services | Events | About | Contact Us

Sponsor: NSITE.org

Sponsor Since: March 6th 2023

Website: https://nsite.org/ 🌐

About: NSITE provides a continuum of employment services that connect employers with talented, dedicated people who are blind, low-vision, and/or veterans to meet their workforce needs. As you move through the hiring process, NSITE is with you every step of the way to ensure that finding the right employee-employer match is as smooth and seamless as possible.

NSITE works with employers to identify potential candidates who are blind, low-vision, and/or veterans. From there, NSITE assists with accessibility needs, onboarding, and training, then prepares both parties for job placement. Our work does not end there; it continues with ongoing support to accommodate changes in accessible technology and employer requirements.

About | Media | Employers | Job Seekers | Training Programs | Job Board | Contact Us

Sponsor: Clusiv

Sponsor Since: January 16th 2023

Website: https://clusiv.io/ 🌐

About: As there are many challenges people in the blind community face in employment and education, Clusiv has built the world's first e-learning platform designed for the blind to provide the training, tools, and resources needed to remove barriers to the modern workforce. Our courses teach you occupational and technology skills you need towards employment. Plus, we are working to connect our graduates to internship and job opportunities. Our courses are remote, self-paced, and we provide support throughout your whole journey through our student success team, and even provide lifetime access to our courses so you can keep up to date as technology evolves. You can request Clusiv training through your vocational rehabilitation counselor and fill out the form in the link below on our website. If you are a counselor wanting to learn more about Clusiv for your clients, or an employer looking to hire Clusiv graduates, click the respective link below and fill out a form to get more info.

➜ Person Looking To Enroll In Clusiv Courses

➜ Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Looking To Learn More About Clusiv For Their Clients

➜ Employer Looking To Hire Clusiv Graduates

Sponsor: Access Ready, Inc.

Sponsor Since: December 19th 2022

Website: https://accessready.org/ 🌐

Email: info@accessready.org ✉

Phone: (727) 531-1000 ☎

About: Access Ready Inc. is a certified, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The mission of Access Ready Inc., a nonprofit cross-disability rights advocacy organization, is to promote a policy of accessibility benefiting all people regardless of ability across information and communications technology utilized for two way communications.

The purpose of Access Ready Inc. is to educate the public and private sectors of the importance of accessible information and communications technology to the future of all people regardless of ability.

To support this education by developing initiatives that promote policies that ensure the creation and maintenance of accessible technologies utilized for two way communications at all levels which allow for easy use by people with the widest range of abilities possible.

To develop employment and business opportunities for people with disabilities that support its educational activities in the field of information and communications technology and related areas.

To provide consulting and educational services to buyers, developers, and users of information and communications technology that promotes its highest and best use in society.

To promote the concept of a technologically accessible society which fosters:

Freedom of expression, speech, and worship.
Freedom from fear, ignorance, and want.
Freedom from dishonesty, exclusion, and immorality.
Freedom of aspiration, invention, and inclusion.

Your Business or Organization Name Here

Sponsor Since: Today

Website: https://accessinformationnews.com/ 🌐

Phone: (855) 578-6660 ☎

Email: news@accessinformationnews.com ✉

About: Access Information News is the world's leading access information news publication that reaches over 10,000 access professionals, educators and enthusiasts, all over the world, each week. Access Information refers to informational topics that directly affect the lives of people with disabilities. Access Information includes any and all information related to bettering the lives of people who are blind, low vision, deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind, neurodivergent and/or disabled. Access Information News is a Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd. Publication.

4 of 18 Sponsorship Packages Currently Available

Access Information News is the world's leading access information news publication that reaches over 10,000 access professionals, educators and enthusiasts, all over the world, each week.

Access Information refers to informational topics that directly affect the lives of people with disabilities. Access Information includes any and all information related to bettering the lives of people who are blind, low vision, deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind, neurodivergent and/or disabled.

Access Information News offers a total of 18 Sponsorship Packages which are used to support the ongoing distribution of the publication.

➜ Availability: There are currently  4  of  18  Sponsorship Packages available. All 18 Sponsorship Packages are offered on a first-come, first serve basis.

➜ Waiting List: If you would like to become an Access Information News Sponsor but there are no sponsorship packages currently available, we encourage you to join our waiting list by sending an email to: sponsorships@accessinformationnews.com ✉. Once you have joined our waiting list we will notify you the next time a current sponsor decides not to renew. You will then have 72 hours to secure your sponsorship before it is offered to the next sponsor on the list.

➜ Pricing Options: When available you can secure one of these packages for just $300.00 USD for the next 3 months, or $1,200.00 USD for the next year. Annual sponsors gain the ability to schedule all 4 of their Featured Advertisement dates up to one year in advance.

➜ Access Information News Supporters:

We couldn't do it without you! Thank you for your support!

Why: Access Information News Supporters donate an amount of their choosing either one time or annually in order to assist with the ongoing distribution of the Access Information News publication.

Benefits: All Access Information News Supporters receive a listing within the "Our Supporters" section of each weekly newsletter, as well as a listing within the "Our Supporters" section of the Access Information News website.

One Time Donation: If you would like to become an Access Information News Supporter by making a one time donation in an amount of your choosing to assist with the ongoing distribution of the Access Information News publication, you may utilize this donate link, or scan the QR code to the right.

Annual Donation: If you would like to become an Access Information News Supporter by making a small annual donation to assist with the ongoing distribution of the Access Information News publication, we also offer the following options, all with our sincerest thanks, and most heartfelt gratitude for your ongoing support.

Support: In tandem with Our Sponsors, these are the people that make the ongoing distribution of Access Information News possible.

Platinum Supporters:

Become an Access Information News Platinum Supporter today.

1.) James Hulme
Platinum Supporter Since: December 5, 2022

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Platinum Supporter Since: March 24, 2023

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One Time Supporters donate an amount of their choosing — one time to assist with the ongoing distribution of the Access Information News Publication.

Become an Access Information News One Time Supporter today.

1.) Amanda Lee
One Time Supporter on July 31, 2023

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➜ Access Information News Team

Publisher: Aaron Di Blasi (Volunteer)

Volunteer Publisher Since: November 7th 2022

Location: Mayfield Heights, Ohio

Time Zone: Eastern Standard Time (EST/EDT) (GMT-5/GMT-4)

In addition to serving as Publisher for Access Information News Aaron also serves as Publisher for the Top Tech Tidbits Publication and is also the President and Senior Project Management Professional for Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd.

As Publisher Aaron oversees the weekly distribution of Access Information News on behalf of Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd.

Aaron also serves as a Volunteer Editorial Contributor to Access Information News.

Aaron Di Blasi, PMP

Publisher (2022-Present)
Access Information News
The Week's News in Access Information
https://accessinformationnews.com 🌐

Publisher (2020-Present)
Top Tech Tidbits
The Week's News in Adaptive Technology
https://toptechtidbits.com 🌐

Sr. Project Management Professional (2006 - Present)
Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd.
Innovative ideas. Solutions that perform.
https://mvsltd.com 🌐

Editorial Contributor #1: John Hanlin (Volunteer)

Volunteer Editorial Contributor Since: November 7th 2022

Location: Boulder, Colorado

Time Zone: Mountain Standard Time (MST/MDT) (GMT-7/GMT-6)

In addition to serving as an Editorial Contributor to Access Information News, John also serves as an Editorial Contributor to the Top Tech Tidbits Publication and is also an attorney-at-law specializing in long-term disability claims for blind and visually impaired persons.

John is also a long-time contractor and member of the Board of Trustees at Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd.

John Hanlin, Esq.

Editorial Contributor (2022-Present)
Access Information News
The Week's News in Access Information
https://accessinformationnews.com 🌐

Editorial Contributor (2020-Present)
Top Tech Tidbits
The Week's News in Adaptive Technology
https://toptechtidbits.com 🌐

Board of Trustees (2006 - Present)
Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd.
Innovative ideas. Solutions that perform.
https://mvsltd.com 🌐

Editorial Contributor #2: Jenna Lang (Volunteer)

Volunteer Editorial Contributor Since: November 7th 2022

Location: Des Moines, Iowa

Time Zone: Central Standard Time (CST/CDT) (GMT-6/GMT-5)

In addition to serving as an Editorial Contributor to Access Information News, Jenna also serves as an Editorial Contributor to the Top Tech Tidbits Publication and runs her own Digital Marketing Firm.

Jenna also serves as a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) for Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd.

Jenna's son was born blind and she is always seeking new and innovative ways to empower him through technology.

Jenna Lang, PMP

Editorial Contributor (2022-Present)
Access Information News
The Week's News in Access Information
https://accessinformationnews.com 🌐

Editorial Contributor (2020-Present)
Top Tech Tidbits
The Week's News in Adaptive Technology
https://toptechtidbits.com 🌐

Project Management Professional (2022 - Present)
Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd.
Innovative ideas. Solutions that perform.
https://mvsltd.com 🌐

Editorial Contributor #3: David Woodbridge (Volunteer)

Volunteer Editorial Contributor Since: February 6th 2023

Location: Central Coast, New South Wales, Australia

Time Zone: Australia Eastern Standard Time (AEST/AEDT) (GMT+10)

In addition to serving as an Editorial Contributor to Access Information News, David is also the National Commercial Assistive Technology Advisor for Vision Australia where he has worked since 1990. Over this time he has assisted people who are blind or vision impaired in their home, education, and work settings to take advantage of the benefits of using assistive and main stream technology.

In the last seventeen years, he has also been involved with evaluating technology for use by people who are blind or vision impaired covering both low and high tech equipment (including Microsoft, Samsung, Google, Amazon, and Apple). David is also one of the key spokespersons for Vision Australia relating to technology.

He has been an Apple Ambassador for Apple Australia since 2009 with a group of other Ambassadors / Apple Distinguished Educators (ADE)'s covering the range of Apple's Accessibility solutions throughout Australia.

David produces a range of podcasts (since 2011) covering Apple and other technologies which are distributed on his own podcast (http://davidwoodbr.podbean.com). In addition, he also has a regular Talking Tech program (since 2013) which can be heard every Tuesday at 4:30 Eastern Summer Time on Vision Australia Radio Melbourne (available online) or via https://omny.fm/shows/talking-tech-vision-australia-radio

David also runs a weekly Tech Monday where people can chat about assistive and main stream technology, share information, and any tips and tricks.

David lost his sight when he was 8 years old and had to learn Braille. Since then, he completed high school, went to Sydney University receiving a Social Work degree, spent 4 years drug and alcohol counselling, and then moved into his current job.

As a person who is blind, David believes that as a user of the technology that he recommends to others, that he is well situated to look at the strengths and shortcomings of the assistive technology that he comes across in both his professional and personal life, in particular, mainstream technology that is accessible.

X (Formerly Twitter): @dwoodbridge
Mastodon: woody@dragonscave.space
iSee Podcast: https://davidwoodbr.podbean.com
Vision Australia Radio Talking Tech: https://omny.fm/shows/talking-tech-vision-australia-radio

In addition to his weekly contributions to Access Information News, David's regularly occurring activities are his weekly tech radio show, bi-monthly exploring tech webinars for Vision Australia, his iSee podcast when something of note grabs his attention, and the weekly Tech Monday chat sessions.

David Woodbridge

Editorial Contributor (2023-Present)
Access Information News
The Week's News in Access Information
https://accessinformationnews.com 🌐

Editorial Contributor (2023-Present)
Top Tech Tidbits
The Week's News in Adaptive Technology
https://toptechtidbits.com 🌐

National Commercial Assistive Technology Advisor (1990 - Present)
Vision Australia
Live the life you choose. We're here to support all Australians who are blind or have low vision.
https://www.visionaustralia.org/ 🌐

Email: editor@accessinformationnews.com ✉
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Access Information News for Monday, August 21, 2023 - Volume 924

The Week's News in Access Information
https://accessinformationnews.com/

A Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd. Publication
https://mvsltd.com/

Access Information News. The world's #1 online resource for current news and trends in access information.

Subscribers: 10,300 Opt-In Subscribers were sent this issue via email. 26 Premium Subscribers were sent this issue via email.

This Week's Featured Advertisement: Join Industry Leaders And Begin Reaching Over 10,000 Access Professionals, Educators and Enthusiasts, All Over The World, Each Week. All While Supporting The Ongoing Distribution of This Publication For Those Very Same Readers. Only $100 USD Per Month. While Packages Last. This Issue Made Possible By Support From The Following Sponsors:

Ongoing Weekly Distribution Made Possible By Support From: Pneuma Solutions, WayAround, APH ConnectCenter, Access Ready, Inc., Clusiv, NSITE.org, Total Tech Solutions, LLC, Hartgen Consultancy, Carrie on Accessibility, Living Blindfully, Eyes on Success and Empish J. Thomas. Learn more about Sponsorship today at: https://accessinformationnews.com/sponsor.

Dear Access Information News Subscriber,

1) Top 5 Most Clicked Access Information News Articles From Last Week

A.) Everyday Accessibility: Products For Those Living With A Visual Impairment | Accessibility.com

Here is a list of assistive technology products that can help those with visual impairments develop a deeper sense of independence:
https://www.accessibility.com/blog/everyday-accessibility-products-for-those-living-with-a-visual-impairment

B.) AudioEye Versus Adrian Roselli: The SLAPP Heard Around the World

The web accessibility community is in an uproar about the AudioEye lawsuit against 30-year accessibility champion Adrian Roselli for his criticism of their overlay product:
https://creative-boost.com/audioeye-vs-adrian-roselli/

C.) [Interview] How Samsung TVs and RNIB Are Setting a New Benchmark for Accessible Technology

Traditional televisions can present challenges for those living with visual disabilities. Samsung and RNIB, however, have worked collaboratively to address this for nearly a decade, leveraging the power of technology to create a more inclusive viewing experience:
https://news.samsung.com/global/interview-how-samsung-tvs-and-rnib-are-setting-a-new-benchmark-for-accessible-technology

D.) Do RoboTaxis Benefit People With Disabilities? San Francisco Activists Are Split | The San Francisco Standard

The rise of robotaxis has divided San Francisco, and people living with disabilities are no exception. Whereas many envision a new world of mobility, others fret about how regulators should proceed:
https://sfstandard.com/2023/08/09/robotaxis-divides-san-francisco-residents-living-with-disabilities/

E.) How Internet Of Things (IoT) Devices Can Improve Accessibility | Accessibility.com

Wearable IoT devices can make it easier for people with disabilities to communicate with others, improve their mobility, and help them overcome accessibility-related obstacles they commonly face at home, school, work, and other places. Data shows that the pandemic significantly accelerated the growth of IoT devices (exceptionally internet-connected medical devices). IoT devices are projected to number 41 billion worldwide by 2027 if we don't bankrupt ourselves first - just saying. Below is a list of innovative IoT devices that can improve accessibility for people with disabilities:
https://www.accessibility.com/blog/how-internet-of-things-iot-devices-can-improve-accessibility

2) Access Information News Welcomes Eyes on Success

Please join us in giving a warm access welcome to Eyes on Success, who has so very graciously agreed to support the Access Information News Publication via Sponsorship. On behalf of all of us here at Access Information News, readers included, we thank you for your ongoing support. If you enjoy reading Access Information News every week, it is sponsors like Eyes on Success that make it possible. Please be sure to check them out. Peter Torpey and Nancy Goodman Torpey both have PhD's in Physics and are retired from Xerox Corporation after over 25 years in corporate research. Nancy is sighted and Pete is blind, and they've been learning together for many years. Their half-hour weekly podcast and radio program, Eyes on Success, discusses products, services and daily living tips for people with vision loss. It is available through radio reading services across North America, via several internet streaming services, and to everyone else as a podcast. To date, the show has been downloaded in all 50 states in the US and over 100 other countries on all of the inhabited continents. Each episode is basically a success story. Some are human stories of visually impaired people's accomplishments in academics, employment, sports or other pastimes. Others are descriptions of adaptive aids that enable visually impaired people to achieve things. These include screen readers, magnifiers, navigation aids, and others. In all cases, the focus is on success. Eyes On Success has been airing weekly since January 2011. Prior to January 2013 the name of the show was ViewPoints. Learn more today at:
https://eyesonsuccess.net/

3) Access Information News Welcomes Empish J. Thomas

Please join us in giving a warm access welcome to Empish J. Thomas, who has so very graciously agreed to support the Access Information News Publication via Sponsorship. On behalf of all of us here at Access Information News, readers included, we thank you for your ongoing support. If you enjoy reading Access Information News every week, it is sponsors like Empish that make it possible. Please be sure to check out what she does. In addition to her articles being selected quite often for inclusion in both Access Information News and Top Tech Tidbits, Empish is a totally blind freelance writer and blogger specializing in vision loss and disability. She has a deep passion for the disability community and enjoys using her writing skills to increase awareness. Her love for the written word is apparent. She noticed the negative and sometimes incorrect portrayal of the disabled in the news media. And she wanted to be proactive in changing that image. She has over 20 years of experience as a writer and blogger. She has written lifestyle, human interest and feature stories. She has written email marketing campaigns, newsletter content, magazine columns, newspaper articles and entries in 2 published anthologies. If you're looking for a freelance writer with excellent writing and organizational skills who can write a captivating story and understands the importance of deadlines, learn more about her today at:
https://empishthomas.com/

4) Four Sponsorship Packages Currently Available

Are you an access-based person, business or organization whose products, services or message would benefit from reaching over 10,000 access buyers each week? If so, please consider becoming a Sponsor today for just $100 a month, paid either quarterly or annually. Annual Sponsors receive 5 Featured Advertisements for the year, as opposed to 4, and gain the additional benefit of being able to schedule their Featured Advertisements up to one year in advance. If you've been looking for a way to consistently reach the largest audience of opt-in access buyers in the world today, at a nearly negligible price point, please consider becoming an Access Information News Sponsor while packages last. Availability: There are currently 4 Access Information News Sponsorship Packages available. Advertising Benefits: Review a complete list of advertising benefits here:
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5) Premium Subscriber Updates

Next Issue: Premium Subscribers will receive their 3rd Issue of the 60 Most Clicked Access News Articles for July, August and September of 2023 on Monday, October 2, 2023.Back Issues: There are currently 2 back issues available. Premium Subscribers are entitled to all back issues, anytime they sign up. All available back issues will be sent to you via email within 24 hours of purchasing your subscription. Please Join Us: If you would like to support the ongoing weekly distribution of free and unbiased access news while receiving a perfectly formatted and searchable Word Document with each of the 60 Most Clicked Access News Articles of the last 3 months listed neatly within it, please consider joining us today for just $1 a month:
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Use Sponsored News Items to reach the access community when you need to. Whether you are a current Sponsor or not. Current Weekly Subscriber Count: Over 10K. Drive traffic to your access product and service announcements, events, updates or fundraisers using this incredibly cost-effective and easy-to-use advertisement tool. Learn more today at:
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In addition to receiving Access Information News via email every Monday morning at 4:00 AM ET you can also pick up the newsletter and its trending articles on any of the following channels:
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8) AI Is Coming For Your Audiobooks. You're Right To Be Worried. | The Washington Post: Subscription Required

Apple and Google want 'Madison' and 'Archie' to read to you. Major publishers are hiring A-list celebs for the same job. Who will win? Something creepy this way comes — and its name is digital narration. Having invaded practically every other sphere of our lives, artificial intelligence (AI) has come for literary listeners. You can now listen to audiobooks voiced by computer-generated versions of professional narrators' voices. You're right to feel repulsed:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/books/2023/08/17/audiobooks-artificial-intelligence/

9) Are You A Dictator? | Ophthalmic Edge

There is something magical about dictation. Spoken words are rapidly turned to text. The instantaneous nature is pretty amazing, but the best thing is dictation takes the place of typing. Whether you have a visual impairment, or not, typing on a tiny touchscreen keyboard is a tedious task. That is why more and more people are becoming dictators:
https://ophthalmicedge.org/patient/are-you-a-dictator/

10) Lost Voices, Ignored Words: Apple's Speech Recognition Needs Urgent Reform | The Register

As someone who relies on Apple's Voice Control application to dictate, navigate, and interact with my iPhone and Mac via my voice due to a severe physical disability, I can't help but feel both grateful for its existence and frustrated by its shortcomings. Apple has made commendable progress this year with accessibility updates generally across iOS 17 and macOS Sonoma, introducing features like the new Personal Voice app, Siri improvements, and Live Speech. They are features I am trying in beta testing now which are set to launch in the autumn:
https://www.theregister.com/2023/08/16/opinion_column/

11) Starting Your Journey As A Blogger Or Vlogger: My Tips As A Blind Content Creator | Blind Girl Blogs

Starting on the path to becoming a blogger or vlogger can seem like a daunting adventure, full of uncertainties and questions. I remember when I started, the flood of thoughts about what to share, how to connect, and what message I wanted to convey was overwhelming. Little did I know that this journey would be both a challenge and an incredible opportunity for self-expression and growth:
https://blindgirlblogsapp.wordpress.com/2023/08/18/starting-your-journey-as-a-blogger-or-vlogger-my-tips-as-a-blind-content-creator/

12) The Accessibility Features Of DocuSign And How To Make Them More Accessible | Benjamin Roussey | Accessibility.com

With digitization transforming how we communicate, collaborate, and conduct business, ensuring everyone can seamlessly access and use digital tools has never been more essential. DocuSign, a leading e-signature and document management platform, has revolutionized how we handle agreements, contracts, and other vital documents in the digital age. While the platform has made these processes more efficient, they must also be accessible to everyone, including individuals with disabilities. In this article, we'll delve into the accessibility features of DocuSign and how to make it even more inclusive and user-friendly for all:
https://www.accessibility.com/blog/accessibility-features-of-docusign-and-how-to-make-them-more-accessible

13) Should I Add Braille To My Business Card? | Even Grounds — Inclusive And Accessible Travel For Blind People

Publisher (Di Blasi): In placing braille on our business cards we are hoping to make it easier to share our contact information with persons who are blind and can read braille. But does it do that? Does it really make it easier for a blind person to read our contact information? "Well of course it does," you might say. And you would of course be right. But there may now be an even better way. Better as in, even easier to share and retain your contact information than providing braille. What could that be? Why a simple QR Code. One tap of their phone on the QR Code and your contact information is immediately transferred into their contacts. Now, and for all time. As a blind person how would you prefer to receive new contact information?
Even Grounds: In an increasingly inclusive business landscape, the question of whether to add braille to business cards has become relevant for many professionals. While a significant portion of the global population won't directly benefit from braille business cards, their importance extends beyond the visually impaired community. As businesses strive to stand out, resonate more deeply with their audience, and showcase corporate responsibility, braille cards serve as a symbol of commitment to inclusivity. But for those who read braille, it is not just a useful tool, but a lasting impression on you and your company:
https://evengrounds.com/should-i-add-braille-to-my-business-card/

14) 10 Things To Know About iPhone Accessibility | Ophthalmic Edge

The iPhone is quite possibly the most adopted device ever, for people with vision loss. This is because it is accessible out-of-the-box, even if you can't see the screen at all. If there is one good reason to use an iPhone, there are a hundred good reasons. Here are the top 10:
https://ophthalmicedge.org/patient/10-things-know-iphone-accessibility/

15) 11 Self-Editing Tips for Blind and Sighted Writers | Empish J. Thomas | Freelance Writer, Disability Blogger and Accessibility Consultant

Last week I attended a writing discussion group for blind and low vision writers and authors. The Hadley Institute for the Blind and Print Impaired hosted this monthly meeting. We shared self-editing tips. When crafting an article, blog post, essay, poem or even a book, editing is critical. Self-editing even more so. I want to present my very best work before I submit to and editor or hit that publish button on a blog post. I am a perfectionist and comb over a piece with nick picking precision. To avoid this I have shortened my self-editing time with the tips below:
https://empishthomas.com/2023/08/17/11-self-editing-tips-for-blind-and-sighted-writers/

16) Exploring the Reality of Autonomous Driving for the Visually Impaired | Ed Worrell | OverHere Consulting

Imagine sitting behind the wheel of a car and setting off on a journey all by yourself -sounds pretty amazing, right? As someone who can't rely on sight, the notion of autonomous vehicles holds a lot of promise. But before we start planning our road trips, there are a few important factors to consider:
https://overhereconsulting.net/2023/08/15/exploring-the-reality-of-autonomous-driving-for-the-visually-impaired/

17) Audicus Announces New Hearing Aid Line, Monthly Program for Upgrades | CNET

Over-the-counter hearing aids are starting to resemble a traditional consumer tech model with upgrades and new features:
https://www.cnet.com/health/medical/audicus-announces-new-hearing-aid-line-monthly-program-for-upgrades/#ftag=CAD590a51e

18) Ways To Develop Accessible And Inclusive Online Advertising Campaigns | Accessibility.com

Publisher (Di Blasi): As the leading provider of the most inclusive and accessible advertising in the world today, be it via Access Information News or Top Tech Tidbits, we have been invested in the improvement of disability advertising for more than 15 years now. For both readers and advertisers alike. And we are all so very happy to see this topic finally getting the attention that it deserves. Advertising does not need to be evil. Implemented thoughtfully and accessibly it can benefit both parties equally. Providing readers with a free and much-needed resource in the process.
Accessibility.com: Whether it's getting more traffic to your site, more customers in the door, or promoting services, advertising aims to expand your company's reach. The best way to influence potential customers is through advertising, a growing and bustling industry. The sector predicts that U.S. ad industry revenue will grow by 2.6% this year, reaching a record-high $352 billion. Even with this in mind, some businesses still miss the mark by not being inclusive and accessible in their advertisements. By excluding certain demographics, you limit your audience, which is counterproductive to the overall mission:
https://www.accessibility.com/blog/ways-to-develop-accessible-and-inclusive-online-advertising-campaigns

19) Fact Sheet: Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Accessibility of Web Information and Services of State and Local Government Entities

The Department of Justice (Department) is publishing a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) explaining how we propose updating the regulations for Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to add more specific requirements about web and mobile application (app) accessibility:
https://www.ada.gov/notices/2023/07/20/web-nprm/

20) Department of Justice Seeks Public Comment on Proposed Rule to Strengthen Web and Mobile App Access for People with Disabilities

On August 15, 2023 The Department of Justice (DOJ) issued a notice of proposed rulemaking under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) that aims to improve web and mobile applications (apps) access for people with disabilities and clarify how public entities, primarily state and local governments, can meet their existing ADA obligations as many of their activities shift online. Public comments are due by October 4, 2023:
https://www.access-board.gov/news/2023/08/15/department-of-justice-seeks-public-comment-on-proposed-rule-to-strengthen-web-and-mobile-app-access-for-people-with-disabilities/

21) Do You Read Or Listen to Audiobooks? I'm a Reader and Here's Why | Empish J. Thomas, Freelance Writer, Disability Blogger and Accessibility Consultant

August 9 was National Book Lovers Day and it got me to thinking. Am I listening to an audio book or reading it? My answer is reading it. Since I am blind I read audiobooks. We have been reading books in audio format for decades. Around 1934 talking books were included in the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled. However, today audiobooks are readily available to anyone regardless of disability. You can find them at your local library and also through apps like Audible.com and Audiobooks.com:
https://empishthomas.com/2023/08/10/do-you-read-or-listen-to-audiobooks-im-a-reader-and-heres-why/

22) Second Sight's Implant Technology Gets a Second Chance | IEEE Spectrum

Publisher (Di Blasi): You may recall that Top Tech Tidbits posted a review of the Argus II Artificial Retinal Implant by reader Ross A. Doerr on January 19, 2023. In case you missed it, you can review that article here.
IEEE Spectrum: When California biotech company Second Sight ran out of money in 2020, the future looked dim for hundreds of blind users around the world relying on its Argus II retinal implant, or its next-generation Orion brain implant, for some approximation of vision. Although Second Sight had ceased virtually all operations, there was a glimmer of light with the prospect of a merger with biotech startup Nano Precision Medical, which was developing its own implant for drug delivery. That merger was completed last August, and Second Sight's technologies are now set to be spun out into their own company once more, this time called Cortigent:
https://spectrum.ieee.org/bionic-eye

23) Are The Envision Glasses Any Good? | David Redmond | National Council Of Blind Ireland

Before I write this article, I want to make something very clear. As you'll read, I had a very mixed experience with the Envision glasses, but that's no reflection of Envision more generally. Their app is in my view an under-appreciated rival to seeing AI, and others may well have a much better experience with the Envision glasses compared to me, in fact I know some have. This review is simply my opinion of the product, based on my experience using it at a specific point in time. The product may improve significantly down the road, but for now, this is my experience:
https://www.ncbi.ie/are-the-envision-glasses-any-good/

24) Government Failing Disabled People, Human Rights Watchdog Warns | BBC News

The UK government has been accused by a human rights watchdog of making "slow progress" in improving the lives of disabled people:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-66529440

25) The Kid Who Told Me About Hate — Lesson Learned | Award Winning Sight Loss Coach, Advocate and Author Donna Jodhan

I believe that there is more than just a glimmer of hope for saving our future. For after all! Tyler has a message to pass on:
https://sterlingcreations.com/blog/the-kid-who-told-me-about-hate-lesson-learned

26) Music Labels Sue Internet Archive Over Digitized Record Collection | Reuters | August 11, 2023

Universal Music Group (UMG.AS), Sony Music Entertainment (6758.T) and other record labels have sued the nonprofit Internet Archive for copyright infringement over its streaming collection of digitized music from vintage records:
https://www.reuters.com/legal/music-labels-sue-internet-archive-over-digitized-record-collection-2023-08-12/

27) The Internet Archive And Leading Book Publishers Find Common Ground In Legal Battle | Good eReader | August 13, 2023

In a development that may mark a turning point in their legal dispute, the Internet Archive and a consortium of prominent book publishers have jointly informed a Manhattan federal court about their progress in resolving key aspects of their ongoing conflict concerning the Archive's digital lending of scanned books, Reuters reported:
https://goodereader.com/blog/digital-library-news/the-internet-archive-and-leading-book-publishers-find-common-ground-in-legal-battle

28) Internet Archive Responds to Recording Industry Lawsuit Targeting Obsolete Media | August 14, 2023

Late Friday, some of the world's largest record labels, including Sony and Universal Music Group, filed a lawsuit against the Internet Archive and others for the Great 78 Project, a community effort for the preservation, research and discovery of 78 rpm records that are 70 to 120 years old. As a non-profit library, we take this matter seriously and are currently reviewing the lawsuit with our legal counsel:
https://blog.archive.org/2023/08/14/internet-archive-responds-to-recording-industry-lawsuit-targeting-obsolete-media/

29) What The Hachette V. Internet Archive Decision Means For Our Library

Our library is still strong, growing, and serving millions of patrons. But the publishers' attack on basic library practices continues:
https://blog.archive.org/2023/08/17/what-the-hachette-v-internet-archive-decision-means-for-our-library/

30) 'It's Brilliant The Industry Has Stepped Up': The Technology Allowing Partially Sighted Shoppers To 'Hear' What's On A Product Label

Partially sighted consumers are a growing demographic. Solutions are coming aimed at allowing these shoppers to more easily access key on-pack product information and nutritional details:
https://www.foodnavigator.com/article/2023/08/16/tech-allowing-partially-sighted-shoppers-to-hear-what-s-on-a-product-label

31) How I Was Afraid Of Fireworks As A Totally Blind Child, But How I Have Also Grown To Have Some Appreciation For Them As An Adult | Accessibility Insights

As many young blind children still are today, I was afraid of any noise that my 5 year old brain thought was loud. Thunder, sirens, and fireworks were at the top of the list; at least I didn't hide under the bed like our dog. As I got older, I grew to tolerate loud sounds, and fireworks eventually didn't scare me any more. Well, if someone shot one off right outside my window without telling, I'd probably get a shot of adrenaline and wonder what was up. My parents did enjoy the visual effects of fireworks, so when i was little they would drive out to a hill where they could see them. They were not audible from there, good when I was little, boring as I got older:
https://accessibility-insights.com/2023/08/13/how-i-was-afraid-of-fireworks-as-a-totally-blind-child-but-how-i-have-also-grown-to-have-some-appreciation-for-them-as-an-adult/

32) Paths To Literacy Back to School 2023 Edition

https://bit.ly/47EAw2c

➜ Featured Webinars, Training Courses and Events

August 22, 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group

11AM PT, 12PM MT, 1PM CT, 2PM ET, 6PM GMT
4th Tuesday of every month at 7:00 PM CT. Learn a few tips about everyday technology from a technology expert, ask your questions, and share your experiences.
https://hadley.edu/discussion-groups/tech-it-out

August 22, 2023 | The Current State of Accessibility: An ARC Evaluation of the Top Websites | TPGi

9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
This webinar reports on the most common accessibility errors, providing insight into the current makeup of web content and, more than that, how websites are built today. Gain the next-level ability to understand your site's web accessibility in the context of the larger web. The results are stratified across industries and by estimated web traffic, business size, and more. Backed by real data, attendees gain the ability to report on their website's accessibility in a new way — by rank rather than in purely technical terms. Most importantly, this systemic accessibility evaluation provides a picture of the current user experience for people with disabilities in the online world. Join us to learn where your website ranks in this evaluation. Together, we consider the question: what is a "good" accessibility score? This webinar is 30 minutes. Stay after the call for our 30-minute Q and A:
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-august-22-current-state-of-accessibility-arc-evaluation/

August 22, 2023 | Ask Sharky: Use ChatGPT with JAWS

9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
We'll show you how to interact with ChatGPT on the web using JAWS. Zoom conferencing platform and Clubhouse. Join via Zoom or download the Clubhouse app from iOS App Store or Google Play to participate on your mobile device. Zoom link:
https://zoom.us/j/7278038000?_x_zm_rtaid=JLrcZJLfR0CGeSOmS9Dn3g.1605555524846.894574b70d1d4051defcc9cb567d21aa&_x_zm_rhtaid=935#success

August 23, 2023 | Webinar: Equip Your Home And Empower Your Health: Exploring Accessible Home Health Aids For People Who Are Blind Or Visually Impaired | The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc.

4PM PT, 5PM MT, 6PM CT, 7PM ET, 11PM GMT
Join The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. for an interactive webinar on inclusive and accessible healthcare solutions. We'll take a virtual trip to the pharmacy to explore accessible prescriptions, home health tests, blood pressure monitors, talking thermometers, and much more. We'll even explore an accessible way to fill out healthcare forms and review lab results from your doctor's office. Take greater control of your health and join us for this engaging and interactive session. You won't want to miss it!
https://thelighthousefortheblindinc.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN__mHoW19cQLqNMiTZHBOeCg#/registration

August 23, 2023 | How to Create Accessible Videos (Digital Accessibility Webinar) | Access Ingenuity

10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
Do you create videos for YouTube or other platforms? This presentation will review the components of accessible videos and how to make them. Join Michael Parker from Access Ingenuity to learn about creating accessible videos, including captions, audio descriptions, and descriptive text transcripts. Learning Outcomes: Learn the main elements of an accessible video to comply with WCAG 2.1 Guidelines. Learn how to edit captions on YouTube. Learn how to design videos so that they meet audio description requirements. Learn the basics of creating descriptive text transcripts:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85965137306?pwd=R3dDeUJZaEp3Q2xJbmpmRkxUVTNKUT09&mc_cid=1c5c3cbecd&mc_eid=90429c1885#success

August 29, 2023 — August 30, 2023 | Web Accessibility in Mind Conference

The second annual Web Accessibility in Mind Conference is presented by WebAIM in partnership with Pope Tech. This virtual conference will provide conference participants with content that will help them mature their practice in digital accessibility. Our goals include: Provide a diverse range of perspectives from a diverse group of speakers. Share solutions to accessibility challenges. Give advice and guidance that helps our participants to actively contribute to providing more accessible digital spaces. Bring together a cross section of public and private sector technology professionals from organizations large and small. The Web Accessibility in Mind Conference will be held online on August 29-30, 2023 from 12pm-5:10pm US Eastern Time (with a one-hour break at 2:10pm) each day. Register:
https://conference.webaim.org/register

August 30, 2023 | JAWS: Testing for Website Accessibility (Assistive Technology Webinar) | Access Ingenuity

10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
An essential part of ensuring that a website is accessible is to test the site with a screen reader. Join Michael Parker (Web Accessibility Specialist and DHS Trusted Tester) and Marisa Church (Assistive Technology Specialist and Expert Screen Reader) as they demonstrate how to test a website with the JAWS screen reader. Learning Outcomes: Understand the importance of testing websites with a screen reader. Learn how to test a website with a screen reader. Learn the difference between using the Say All command and Tab to navigate a webpage. Learn about basic JAWS settings required for testing. How to use the Virtual HTML Features and Text Viewer in JAWS for quicker testing:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88477062027?pwd=c0lPNVdYSmtJakxLUUVpekZjZzd6UT09&mc_cid=1c5c3cbecd&mc_eid=90429c1885

September 13, 2023 | Connect 12's New Dictionary Powered By Oxford Languages HumanWare

9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
In collaboration with Oxford Languages, a part of Oxford University Press, this partner webinar will focus on leveraging the all-new Dictionary app to enhance reading comprehension support for your students. Be sure to participate in the interactive Q&A session at the end:
https://humanware.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_2Pf2AFa7QsCBvnaR1D3QBQ#/registration

September 21, 2023 | Inclusive Design 24

Inclusive Design 24 (#id24) is a free 24-hour online event for the global community. It celebrates inclusive design and shares knowledge and ideas from analogue to digital, from design to development, from planners to practitioners, and everything and everyone in between:
https://inclusivedesign24.org/2023/

September 26, 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group

5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 12AM GMT Next Day
4th Tuesday of every month at 7:00 PM CT. Learn a few tips about everyday technology from a technology expert, ask your questions, and share your experiences.
https://hadley.edu/discussion-groups/tech-it-out

September 29, 2023 | Blindness and Mental Health Webinar | Accessible Pharmacy

9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
Please join us as we discuss mental health in the blind and low vision community. Expert presenters will discuss: Psychology and therapy for the blind community. Medications and genomic testing. Peer and community support resources. 988 Mental Health Hotline information:
https://accessiblepharmacy.com/blindness-and-mental-health-webinar/

October 4, 2023 | FEMA Nationwide EAS Test

11:20AM PT, 12:20PM MT, 1:20PM CT, 2:20PM ET, 6:20PM GMT
FEMA, in coordination with the FCC, will conduct a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) this fall. The national test will consist of two portions, testing WEA and EAS capabilities. Both tests are scheduled to begin at 2:20pm ET on Wednesday, October 4. The EAS portion of the test will be sent to radios and televisions. This will be the seventh nationwide EAS test:
https://news.radio-online.com/cgi-bin/rol.exe/headline_id=b17534

October 13, 2023 | Blindness and Clinical Trials Webinar | Accessible Pharmacy

9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
Please join us as we discuss clinical trials for the blind and low vision community with these expert presenters: Ben Shaberman, VP Science Communications Foundation Fighting Blindness. Marin Allen, former Deputy Director of Communications, National Institute of Health. Maggie Cashion, Clinical Research Manager, Prism Vision Group:
https://accessiblepharmacy.com/blindness-and-clinical-trials-webinar/

October 24, 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group

5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 12AM GMT Next Day
4th Tuesday of every month at 7:00 PM CT. Learn a few tips about everyday technology from a technology expert, ask your questions, and share your experiences.
https://hadley.edu/discussion-groups/tech-it-out

November 6, 2023 through November 10, 2023 | Accessing Higher Ground | Association on Higher Education And Disability (AHEAD)

Accessible Media, Web and Technology Conference. Hilton Denver City Center, Denver, Colorado:
https://accessinghigherground.org/

November 28, 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group

5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 11PM GMT
4th Tuesday of every month at 7:00 PM CT. Learn a few tips about everyday technology from a technology expert, ask your questions, and share your experiences.
https://hadley.edu/discussion-groups/tech-it-out

December 1, 2023 and December 2, 2023 | Blind Health Expo 2023 | Exhibitor and Attendee Registration Now Open

The Blind Health Expo is the largest virtual event of healthcare information, products, services, and medication for individuals in the blind, low vision, and disability communities. Exhibitors can: Register for free. Interact with thousands of attendees. Showcase their products and services:
https://accessiblepharmacy.com/blind-health-expo-2023/

December 26, 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group

5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 11PM GMT
4th Tuesday of every month at 7:00 PM CT. Learn a few tips about everyday technology from a technology expert, ask your questions, and share your experiences.
https://hadley.edu/discussion-groups/tech-it-out

➜ Directories

1) Access Information Email Newsletter Directory

https://accessinformationnews.com/email-newsletter-directory.html

➜ Sponsor Classified Ads

Sponsor: Access Ready, Inc.

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Email Newsletter: Click here to receive periodic news via email concerning Pneuma Solutions products for business, consumers and education.

Sales: (866) 202-0520 ☎

Support: (650) 249-1000 ☎

About: Backed by two decades of creating award-winning accessible cloud technologies for people with visual impairments, Pneuma Solutions is the global leader in accessible cloud-based solutions. Pneuma Solutions was founded by long-time accessibility developers Mike Calvo and Matt Campbell. For more information on their individual profiles, click on their respective bio pages. We're proud to be the first company to develop cloud-based accessibility at the network level. Our tools provide organizations, like yours, a way to deliver secure, accessible information right from your network or from our secure servers. You can provide your print disabled consumers, students, employees, and citizens with a multitude of accessible options. Additionally, we offer a suite of cloud-based applications to blind and print disabled consumers directly from our website. Our consumer products are designed to make the day-to-day lives of blind and print disabled individuals more accessible and simpler to manage. Access to information is not a privilege, it's a right. It's also your right to obtain affordable, accessible cloud solutions to serve your end user. When organizations like yours implement our tools, together we help make it a more inclusive world for people with disabilities. Want to know more about how we can help you become more inclusive?

Contact us here. We'll be happy to discuss how our tools can help with your accessibility needs.

Sponsor: Empish J. Thomas

Sponsor Since: August 21, 2023

Website: https://www.empishthomas.com/ 🌐

About: Hello. I'm so glad you're here. I'm Empish, a freelance writer and blogger specializing in vision loss and disability. I have a deep passion for the disability community and enjoy using my writing skills to bring awareness. Ever since I was a small child I have always been intrigued by the written word. Checking out children's books at my local library to reading the newspaper out loud to my parents, words have always moved and compelled me. Now, fast forward to my adult life. I had a journalism degree with a promising career. But six months after graduation I developed severe headaches and sensitivity to light prompting me to go see an eye doctor for the first time in my life. I was diagnosed with Uveitis in its most aggressive form and within a few years I was totally blind.

Despite this diagnosis my love for the written word did not diminish. I had noticed the negative and sometimes incorrect portrayal of the disabled in the news media. I wanted to be proactive in changing that image. Language is powerful and that people with disabilities must tell their own story.

This is why I love the Nigerian proverb “Don't let the lion tell the giraffe's story,” because it speaks to my career as a journalist and disability advocate. As we know, the lion is the king of the jungle and rules the animal kingdom. His voice is heard the strongest and the loudest the majority of the time.

But there are also other animals too. Ones like the giraffe that have a voice and a story to tell. Their voices are just as important. Just as powerful. Just as valuable. As you review and read my work my goal is to give the giraffe that voice.

Topics That Spark Joy

As a freelance writer and blogger, I use this site to talk about my life as a disabled person. Like Marie Kondo, you will find blog posts on the things that spark joy. I love reading audiobooks and watching audio described movies. I also love talking about accessibility and how it impacts my life. I include my daily routine. You know those mundane things we all do like grocery shopping, exercising, paying bills, voting and anything else I find interesting.

Let Me Write For You

Now that you know a little about me, are you looking for a freelance writer? One who can write a captivating story. ONE WITH excellent writing and organizational skills. One who understands the importance of deadlines. Let's chat. Shoot me an email from my Contact Page and let's discuss how I can meet your writing needs.

Sponsor: Eyes on Success

Sponsor Since: August 21, 2023

Website: https://www.eyesonsuccess.net/ 🌐

About: This half-hour weekly podcast and radio program discusses products, services and daily living tips for people with vision loss. It is available through radio reading services across North America, via several internet streaming services, and to everyone else as a podcast. To date, the show has been downloaded in all 50 states in the US and over 100 other countries on all the inhabited continents. Eyes On Success is hosted and produced by Peter Torpey and Nancy Goodman Torpey.

Each episode is basically a success story. Some are human stories of visually impaired people's accomplishments in academics, employment, sports or pastimes. Others are descriptions of adaptive aids that enable visually impaired people to achieve things. These include screen readers, magnifiers, navigation aids, and others. In all cases, the focus is on success.

Eyes On Success has been airing weekly since January 2011. Prior to January 2013 the name of the show was ViewPoints. Other than the name, nothing has changed.

Listening To Eyes On Success

Connecting with Eyes On Success

Email: To contact us with questions, comments or suggestions for future shows send an e-mail to hosts@EyesOnSuccess.net ✉.

Weekly Announcements: If you would like to receive weekly announcements of upcoming episodes, you can join our low traffic "announcements only" list by sending an e-mail to: EyesOnSuccess+subscribe@GoogleGroups.com ✉.

Email Forum: If you would like to connect with other listeners and share your thoughts about what you've heard on the show, you can join our listener email forum by sending an email to: EOS_Discuss+Subscribe@GoogleGroups.com ✉

Sponsor: Living Blindfully

Sponsor Since: May 29, 2023

Website: https://www.livingblindfully.com/ 🌐

About: Living Blindfully is the podcast devoted to helping you live your best life with blindness or low vision. Sight is a highly dominant sense. If you have it, naturally you'll use it for a lot of things. But if you don't have it, or you don't have as much sight as you used to, it's still possible to live a rich, full life. This podcast is all about how it's done.

We discuss tips and tricks, but we frankly discuss the barriers too, ranging from attitudinal barriers to accessibility barriers and more.

You'll hear plenty about technology on Living Blindfully, because when blind people have the skills to use it and when the tech is behaving itself, it's key to functional and economic independence. Whether it's a tech question from our community, a handy tip about getting the most from your screen reader, a demonstration of a cool new app for your smartphone, or discussion about a serious accessibility issue that is causing problems, you'll learn about it on Living Blindfully. We geek out sometimes, but we always make a point of bringing people along for the ride and making sense of it all.

But technology is simply a tool to help us live blindfully, so our podcast discusses much more. The topics on each episode vary a lot, but it's not uncommon to hear discussion about travel, cooking, relationships, self-care, sleep, history and even politics. After all, blind people have as diverse a mix of interests and opinions as anyone else.

While we welcome sighted allies and family members who have an interest in what blind people are thinking and talking about, Living Blindfully is unapologetically for blind people, by blind people. There are other great places to go to learn about how blind people do what we do. But there are few places that proudly cater to the blind community. So, if you're not blind but you're interested in an unfiltered discussion about what's occupying the blind community, you've come to the right place and you're very welcome.

Jonathan Mosen is the host and facilitator of Living Blindfully, and often conducts interviews and produces product demonstrations. But you'll also hear from our engaged community of listeners who share their thoughts in writing and in audio. You're very welcome to contribute on anything you hear during the show, or something new that's on your mind.

Sponsor: Carrie on Accessibility

Sponsor Since: May 29, 2023

Website: https://carrieonaccessibility.com/ 🌐

Email: email@carrieonaccessibility.com ✉

About: Carrie's mission with Carrie on Accessibility (CoA) is to promote accessibility and to empower those, like herself, who are blind and visually impaired. Through her YouTube channel and other social media platforms, she shares videos exploring accessibility and assistive technology, along with other resources and encouragement that can benefit the community.

Carrie on Accessibility emphasizes accessibility, which is the path forward to equal access for those with disabilities. Designing with accessibility in mind is incredibly important. WCAG compliance is necessary and right, but compliance does not always equal accessibility. End user testing is the ultimate test. Through Carrie on Accessibility's Accessibility Review, businesses can evaluate the real world usability and functionality of their products and services.

Whether you're a content creator, small business owner, startup, organization, or corporation, Carrie on Accessibility can help you push beyond the limits to provide and promote accessibility.

Sponsor: Hartgen Consultancy

Sponsor Since: May 29, 2023

Website: https://www.hartgenconsultancy.com/ 🌐

About: Hartgen Consultancy was established with a mission to provide accessible training and usable software tools to individuals with vision loss and to the deaf Blind community. Product offerings have and continue to significantly contribute to the employability and productivity of these communities. Our vision of inclusiveness and accessibility; a vision that informs every training module, all adaptive products, and excellent customer service, embodies the commitment to the core values of the company.

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Sponsor: Total Tech Solutions, LLC

Sponsor Since: April 4, 2023

Website: https://blindtech.org/ 🌐

About: TTS (Total Tech Solutions) is a startup technology company owned and operated in the Dallas Fort Worth area which specializes in offering services for the blind and visually impaired. While this is it's main focus, TTS also caters to the general public. Since its founding, TTS continues to make strides in demonstrating the countless ways blind and visually impaired individuals can contribute in all aspects of the workforce. This is one of the reasons why this company chooses to hire applicants who are visually impaired; to prove that there is a place in society for persons of any type of visual impairment, and to create a positive environment so one can thrive, live life to their fullest potential and to be a positive example to their communities and their families.

Shop: BlindShell Classic | Shop: ARxWear | Shop: All Products | Services | Events | About | Contact Us

Sponsor: NSITE.org

Sponsor Since: March 6th 2023

Website: https://nsite.org/ 🌐

About: NSITE provides a continuum of employment services that connect employers with talented, dedicated people who are blind, low-vision, and/or veterans to meet their workforce needs. As you move through the hiring process, NSITE is with you every step of the way to ensure that finding the right employee-employer match is as smooth and seamless as possible.

NSITE works with employers to identify potential candidates who are blind, low-vision, and/or veterans. From there, NSITE assists with accessibility needs, onboarding, and training, then prepares both parties for job placement. Our work does not end there; it continues with ongoing support to accommodate changes in accessible technology and employer requirements.

About | Media | Employers | Job Seekers | Training Programs | Job Board | Contact Us

Sponsor: Clusiv

Sponsor Since: January 16th 2023

Website: https://clusiv.io/ 🌐

About: As there are many challenges people in the blind community face in employment and education, Clusiv has built the world's first e-learning platform designed for the blind to provide the training, tools, and resources needed to remove barriers to the modern workforce. Our courses teach you occupational and technology skills you need towards employment. Plus, we are working to connect our graduates to internship and job opportunities. Our courses are remote, self-paced, and we provide support throughout your whole journey through our student success team, and even provide lifetime access to our courses so you can keep up to date as technology evolves. You can request Clusiv training through your vocational rehabilitation counselor and fill out the form in the link below on our website. If you are a counselor wanting to learn more about Clusiv for your clients, or an employer looking to hire Clusiv graduates, click the respective link below and fill out a form to get more info.

➜ Person Looking To Enroll In Clusiv Courses

➜ Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Looking To Learn More About Clusiv For Their Clients

➜ Employer Looking To Hire Clusiv Graduates

Sponsor: Access Ready, Inc.

Sponsor Since: December 19th 2022

Website: https://accessready.org/ 🌐

Email: info@accessready.org ✉

Phone: (727) 531-1000 ☎

About: Access Ready Inc. is a certified, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The mission of Access Ready Inc., a nonprofit cross-disability rights advocacy organization, is to promote a policy of accessibility benefiting all people regardless of ability across information and communications technology utilized for two way communications.

The purpose of Access Ready Inc. is to educate the public and private sectors of the importance of accessible information and communications technology to the future of all people regardless of ability.

To support this education by developing initiatives that promote policies that ensure the creation and maintenance of accessible technologies utilized for two way communications at all levels which allow for easy use by people with the widest range of abilities possible.

To develop employment and business opportunities for people with disabilities that support its educational activities in the field of information and communications technology and related areas.

To provide consulting and educational services to buyers, developers, and users of information and communications technology that promotes its highest and best use in society.

To promote the concept of a technologically accessible society which fosters:

Freedom of expression, speech, and worship.
Freedom from fear, ignorance, and want.
Freedom from dishonesty, exclusion, and immorality.
Freedom of aspiration, invention, and inclusion.

Sponsor: Access Ready, Inc.

Sponsor Since: December 13th 2022

Website: https://accessready.org/ 🌐

Email: info@accessready.org ✉

Phone: (727) 531-1000 ☎

About: Access Ready Inc. is a certified, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The mission of Access Ready Inc., a nonprofit cross-disability rights advocacy organization, is to promote a policy of accessibility benefiting all people regardless of ability across information and communications technology utilized for two way communications.

The purpose of Access Ready Inc. is to educate the public and private sectors of the importance of accessible information and communications technology to the future of all people regardless of ability.

To support this education by developing initiatives that promote policies that ensure the creation and maintenance of accessible technologies utilized for two way communications at all levels which allow for easy use by people with the widest range of abilities possible.

To develop employment and business opportunities for people with disabilities that support its educational activities in the field of information and communications technology and related areas.

To provide consulting and educational services to buyers, developers, and users of information and communications technology that promotes its highest and best use in society.

To promote the concept of a technologically accessible society which fosters:

Freedom of expression, speech, and worship.
Freedom from fear, ignorance, and want.
Freedom from dishonesty, exclusion, and immorality.
Freedom of aspiration, invention, and inclusion.

Your Business or Organization Name Here

Sponsor Since: Today

Website: https://accessinformationnews.com/ 🌐

Phone: (855) 578-6660 ☎

Email: news@accessinformationnews.com ✉

About: Access Information News is the world's leading access information news publication that reaches over 10,000 access professionals, educators and enthusiasts, all over the world, each week. Access Information refers to informational topics that directly affect the lives of people with disabilities. Access Information includes any and all information related to bettering the lives of people who are blind, low vision, deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind, neurodivergent and/or disabled. Access Information News is a Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd. Publication.

5 of 18 Sponsorship Packages Currently Available

Access Information News is the world's leading access information news publication that reaches over 10,000 access professionals, educators and enthusiasts, all over the world, each week.

Access Information refers to informational topics that directly affect the lives of people with disabilities. Access Information includes any and all information related to bettering the lives of people who are blind, low vision, deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind, neurodivergent and/or disabled.

Access Information News offers a total of 18 Sponsorship Packages which are used to support the ongoing distribution of the publication.

➜ Availability: There are currently  4  of  18  Sponsorship Packages available. All 18 Sponsorship Packages are offered on a first-come, first serve basis.

➜ Waiting List: If you would like to become an Access Information News Sponsor but there are no sponsorship packages currently available, we encourage you to join our waiting list by sending an email to: sponsorships@accessinformationnews.com ✉. Once you have joined our waiting list we will notify you the next time a current sponsor decides not to renew. You will then have 72 hours to secure your sponsorship before it is offered to the next sponsor on the list.

➜ Pricing Options: When available you can secure one of these packages for just $300.00 USD for the next 3 months, or $1,200.00 USD for the next year. Annual sponsors gain the ability to schedule all 4 of their Featured Advertisement dates up to one year in advance.

➜ Access Information News Supporters:

We couldn't do it without you! Thank you for your support!

Why: Access Information News Supporters donate an amount of their choosing either one time or annually in order to assist with the ongoing distribution of the Access Information News publication.

Benefits: All Access Information News Supporters receive a listing within the "Our Supporters" section of each weekly newsletter, as well as a listing within the "Our Supporters" section of the Access Information News website.

One Time Donation: If you would like to become an Access Information News Supporter by making a one time donation in an amount of your choosing to assist with the ongoing distribution of the Access Information News publication, you may utilize this donate link, or scan the QR code to the right.

Annual Donation: If you would like to become an Access Information News Supporter by making a small annual donation to assist with the ongoing distribution of the Access Information News publication, we also offer the following options, all with our sincerest thanks, and most heartfelt gratitude for your ongoing support.

Support: In tandem with Our Sponsors, these are the people that make the ongoing distribution of Access Information News possible.

Platinum Supporters:

Become an Access Information News Platinum Supporter today.

1.) James Hulme
Platinum Supporter Since: December 5, 2022

2.) Donna Jodhan
Platinum Supporter Since: March 24, 2023

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One Time Supporters donate an amount of their choosing — one time to assist with the ongoing distribution of the Access Information News Publication.

Become an Access Information News One Time Supporter today.

1.) Amanda Lee
One Time Supporter on July 31, 2023

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➜ Access Information News Team

Publisher: Aaron Di Blasi (Volunteer)

Volunteer Publisher Since: November 7th 2022

Location: Mayfield Heights, Ohio

Time Zone: Eastern Standard Time (EST/EDT) (GMT-5/GMT-4)

In addition to serving as Publisher for Access Information News Aaron also serves as Publisher for the Top Tech Tidbits Publication and is also the President and Senior Project Management Professional for Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd.

As Publisher Aaron oversees the weekly distribution of Access Information News on behalf of Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd.

Aaron also serves as a Volunteer Editorial Contributor to Access Information News.

Aaron Di Blasi, PMP

Publisher (2022-Present)
Access Information News
The Week's News in Access Information
https://accessinformationnews.com 🌐

Publisher (2020-Present)
Top Tech Tidbits
The Week's News in Adaptive Technology
https://toptechtidbits.com 🌐

Sr. Project Management Professional (2006 - Present)
Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd.
Innovative ideas. Solutions that perform.
https://mvsltd.com 🌐

Editorial Contributor #1: John Hanlin (Volunteer)

Volunteer Editorial Contributor Since: November 7th 2022

Location: Boulder, Colorado

Time Zone: Mountain Standard Time (MST/MDT) (GMT-7/GMT-6)

In addition to serving as an Editorial Contributor to Access Information News, John also serves as an Editorial Contributor to the Top Tech Tidbits Publication and is also an attorney-at-law specializing in long-term disability claims for blind and visually impaired persons.

John is also a long-time contractor and member of the Board of Trustees at Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd.

John Hanlin, Esq.

Editorial Contributor (2022-Present)
Access Information News
The Week's News in Access Information
https://accessinformationnews.com 🌐

Editorial Contributor (2020-Present)
Top Tech Tidbits
The Week's News in Adaptive Technology
https://toptechtidbits.com 🌐

Board of Trustees (2006 - Present)
Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd.
Innovative ideas. Solutions that perform.
https://mvsltd.com 🌐

Editorial Contributor #2: Jenna Lang (Volunteer)

Volunteer Editorial Contributor Since: November 7th 2022

Location: Des Moines, Iowa

Time Zone: Central Standard Time (CST/CDT) (GMT-6/GMT-5)

In addition to serving as an Editorial Contributor to Access Information News, Jenna also serves as an Editorial Contributor to the Top Tech Tidbits Publication and runs her own Digital Marketing Firm.

Jenna also serves as a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) for Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd.

Jenna's son was born blind and she is always seeking new and innovative ways to empower him through technology.

Jenna Lang, PMP

Editorial Contributor (2022-Present)
Access Information News
The Week's News in Access Information
https://accessinformationnews.com 🌐

Editorial Contributor (2020-Present)
Top Tech Tidbits
The Week's News in Adaptive Technology
https://toptechtidbits.com 🌐

Project Management Professional (2022 - Present)
Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd.
Innovative ideas. Solutions that perform.
https://mvsltd.com 🌐

Editorial Contributor #3: David Woodbridge (Volunteer)

Volunteer Editorial Contributor Since: February 6th 2023

Location: Central Coast, New South Wales, Australia

Time Zone: Australia Eastern Standard Time (AEST/AEDT) (GMT+10)

In addition to serving as an Editorial Contributor to Access Information News, David is also the National Commercial Assistive Technology Advisor for Vision Australia where he has worked since 1990. Over this time he has assisted people who are blind or vision impaired in their home, education, and work settings to take advantage of the benefits of using assistive and main stream technology.

In the last seventeen years, he has also been involved with evaluating technology for use by people who are blind or vision impaired covering both low and high tech equipment (including Microsoft, Samsung, Google, Amazon, and Apple). David is also one of the key spokespersons for Vision Australia relating to technology.

He has been an Apple Ambassador for Apple Australia since 2009 with a group of other Ambassadors / Apple Distinguished Educators (ADE)'s covering the range of Apple's Accessibility solutions throughout Australia.

David produces a range of podcasts (since 2011) covering Apple and other technologies which are distributed on his own podcast (http://davidwoodbr.podbean.com). In addition, he also has a regular Talking Tech program (since 2013) which can be heard every Tuesday at 4:30 Eastern Summer Time on Vision Australia Radio Melbourne (available online) or via https://omny.fm/shows/talking-tech-vision-australia-radio

David also runs a weekly Tech Monday where people can chat about assistive and main stream technology, share information, and any tips and tricks.

David lost his sight when he was 8 years old and had to learn Braille. Since then, he completed high school, went to Sydney University receiving a Social Work degree, spent 4 years drug and alcohol counselling, and then moved into his current job.

As a person who is blind, David believes that as a user of the technology that he recommends to others, that he is well situated to look at the strengths and shortcomings of the assistive technology that he comes across in both his professional and personal life, in particular, mainstream technology that is accessible.

X (Formerly Twitter): @dwoodbridge
Mastodon: woody@dragonscave.space
iSee Podcast: https://davidwoodbr.podbean.com
Vision Australia Radio Talking Tech: https://omny.fm/shows/talking-tech-vision-australia-radio

In addition to his weekly contributions to Access Information News, David's regularly occurring activities are his weekly tech radio show, bi-monthly exploring tech webinars for Vision Australia, his iSee podcast when something of note grabs his attention, and the weekly Tech Monday chat sessions.

David Woodbridge

Editorial Contributor (2023-Present)
Access Information News
The Week's News in Access Information
https://accessinformationnews.com 🌐

Editorial Contributor (2023-Present)
Top Tech Tidbits
The Week's News in Adaptive Technology
https://toptechtidbits.com 🌐

National Commercial Assistive Technology Advisor (1990 - Present)
Vision Australia
Live the life you choose. We're here to support all Australians who are blind or have low vision.
https://www.visionaustralia.org/ 🌐

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Access Information News for Monday, August 14, 2023 - Volume 923

The Week's News in Access Information
https://accessinformationnews.com/

A Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd. Publication
https://mvsltd.com/

Access Information News. The world's #1 online resource for current news and trends in access information.

Subscribers: 10,313 Opt-In Subscribers were sent this issue via email. 28 Premium Subscribers were sent this issue via email.

This Week's Featured Advertisement: APH ConnectCenter Celebrates 5 Years With The Unveiling Of A New Website!

The sites you have grown to know and love, APH CareerConnect, VisionAware, and FamilyConnect are now all under one new and improved website: https://APHConnectCenter.org. With a sleeker and more accessible layout, the site is easier to read, and simplifies your searches and navigation. Take advantage of our accredited webinar offerings for professionals and families alike. You can also contact our Information and Referral line at 1-800-232-5463 ☎ and speak to one of our specialists to find answers on questions from healthcare and housing, to employment and education. You can also email us at connectcenter@aph.org ✉ with your questions and comments. Visit us and immerse yourself in our life changing resources.

Ongoing Weekly Distribution Made Possible By Support From: Pneuma Solutions, WayAround, APH ConnectCenter, Access Ready, Inc., Clusiv, NSITE.org, Total Tech Solutions, LLC, Hartgen Consultancy, Carrie on Accessibility and Living Blindfully. Learn more about Sponsorship today at: https://accessinformationnews.com/sponsor.

Dear Access Information News Subscriber,

1) Top 5 Most Clicked Access Information News Articles From Last Week

A.) 'I Cried With Anger': The Trials And Torment When Traveling With Blindness | The Guardian

'Help' ranges from being accused of faking it to being offered a wheelchair. That's why society needs to be educated about the nuances of sight loss:
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/aug/05/i-cried-with-anger-the-trials-and-torment-when-travelling-with-blindness

B.) The FCC Will Now Offer $75 Off Your Home Internet If You Qualify

On August 3, 2023 the FCC announced a measure to offer $75 a month off of home internet services for qualifying customers in high-cost areas through the Affordable Connectivity Program as directed by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Infrastructure Act):
https://cordcuttersnews.com/the-fcc-will-now-offer-75-off-your-home-internet-if-you-qualify/

C.) Know Your Rights: What to Do if You Have a Disability and Are Questioned by Police | Innocence Project

Understanding and asserting the rights of people with disabilities during police interrogations is paramount to ensuring their fair treatment and safeguarding their well-being:
https://innocenceproject.org/news/know-your-rights-disability-police-interrogation/

D.) 10 Brilliant Facts About Braille | Mental Floss

Invented by Louis Braille, the braille system has helped blind people read and write for nearly 200 years:
https://www.mentalfloss.com/posts/braille-facts

E.) How Extended Reality Tech Could Help Visually Impaired People | The Parliament

Extended reality (XR) technology largely revolves around offering immersive experiences through rich visuals and audio. Put on a headset and you're suddenly transported into a lush rain forest, soaring through the skies paragliding, or diving into an exclusively imaginary world. But this technology could also be used in other ways. As the Nuremberg Institute of Technology in Germany found out, advanced tactile representation of virtual objects, terrains and alerts, as well as making rooms and other virtual spaces sound realistic, could significantly enhance the usefulness of XR solutions for those who are blind or visually impaired:
https://www.theparliamentmagazine.eu/news/article/virtual-reality-technology-visually-impaired-people-help

2) Sponsorship Packages Currently Available

Are you an access-based person, business or organization whose products, services or message would benefit from reaching over 10,000 access buyers each week? If so, please consider becoming a Sponsor today for just $100 a month, paid either quarterly or annually. Annual Sponsors receive 5 Featured Advertisements for the year, as opposed to 4, and gain the additional benefit of being able to schedule their Featured Advertisements up to one year in advance. If you've been looking for a way to consistently reach the largest audience of opt-in access buyers in the world today, at a nearly negligible price point, please consider becoming an Access Information News Sponsor while packages last. Availability: There are currently 6 Access Information News Sponsorship Packages available. Advertising Benefits: Review a complete list of advertising benefits here:
https://www.accessinformationnews.com/sponsorship-information.html#sponsorship-package-benefits

3) Premium Subscriber Updates

Next Issue: Premium Subscribers will receive their 3rd Issue of the 60 Most Clicked Access News Articles for July, August and September of 2023 on Monday, October 2, 2023.Back Issues: There are currently 2 back issues available. Premium Subscribers are entitled to all back issues, anytime they sign up. All available back issues will be sent to you via email within 24 hours of purchasing your subscription. Please Join Us: If you would like to support the ongoing weekly distribution of free and unbiased access news while receiving a perfectly formatted and searchable Word Document with each of the 60 Most Clicked Access News Articles of the last 3 months listed neatly within it, please consider joining us today for just $1 a month:
https://www.accessinformationnews.com/premium-subscribers.html

4) Sponsored News Items Now Available

Use Sponsored News Items to reach the access community when you need to. Whether you are a current Sponsor or not. Current Weekly Subscriber Count: Over 10K. Drive traffic to your access product and service announcements, events, updates or fundraisers using this incredibly cost-effective and easy-to-use advertisement tool. Learn more today at:
https://www.accessinformationnews.com/sponsored-news-items.html

5) Follow Access Information News On Your Preferred Channel

In addition to receiving Access Information News via email every Monday morning at 4:00 AM ET you can also pick up the newsletter and its trending articles on any of the following channels:
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6) AudioEye Versus Adrian Roselli: The SLAPP Heard Around the World

The web accessibility community is in an uproar about the AudioEye lawsuit against 30-year accessibility champion Adrian Roselli for his criticism of their overlay product:
https://creative-boost.com/audioeye-vs-adrian-roselli/

7) Embracing Accessibility: Empowering My Diabetes Journey With Technology | Ed Worrell | OverHere Consulting

Welcome to my personal journey of accessible diabetes management, where innovation and technology have transformed my life as a type 1 diabetic for 35 years. In this article, I will share my experience transitioning from multiple daily injections (MDIs) to the game-changing OmniPod 5 insulin pump, coupled with the Samsung smartphone, Google Talkback, and the invaluable Glooko app:
https://overhereconsulting.net/2023/08/07/embracing-accessibility-empowering-my-diabetes-journey-with-technology/

8) Do Robotaxis Benefit People With Disabilities? San Francisco Activists Are Split | The San Francisco Standard

The rise of robotaxis has divided San Francisco, and people living with disabilities are no exception. Whereas many envision a new world of mobility, others fret about how regulators should proceed:
https://sfstandard.com/2023/08/09/robotaxis-divides-san-francisco-residents-living-with-disabilities/

9) Slack's New Redesign Illustrates Its 'Non-Negotiable' Commitment To Building Accessible Tools For Work | Forbes: Subscription Required

Popular workplace communication tool Slack this week announced a major revamp of its software. In a blog post, the Salesforce-owned company described the reimagined user interface as being “built for focus” by using what it calls “better organization and [a] more intuitive layout.” The new interface, which began rolling out on Thursday, will continue to propagate over the coming months, according to Slack:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/stevenaquino/2023/08/11/slacks-new-redesign-illustrates-its-non-negotiable-commitment-to-building-accessible-tools-for-work/

10) How Internet Of Things (IoT) Devices Can Improve Accessibility | Accessibility.com

Wearable IoT devices can make it easier for people with disabilities to communicate with others, improve their mobility, and help them overcome accessibility-related obstacles they commonly face at home, school, work, and other places. Data shows that the pandemic significantly accelerated the growth of IoT devices (exceptionally internet-connected medical devices). IoT devices are projected to number 41 billion worldwide by 2027 if we don't bankrupt ourselves first - just saying. Below is a list of innovative IoT devices that can improve accessibility for people with disabilities:
https://www.accessibility.com/blog/how-internet-of-things-iot-devices-can-improve-accessibility

11) [Interview] How Samsung TVs and RNIB Are Setting a New Benchmark for Accessible Technology

Traditional televisions can present challenges for those living with visual disabilities. Samsung and RNIB, however, have worked collaboratively to address this for nearly a decade, leveraging the power of technology to create a more inclusive viewing experience:
https://news.samsung.com/global/interview-how-samsung-tvs-and-rnib-are-setting-a-new-benchmark-for-accessible-technology

12) Guide to DRM-Free Living: Literature

Welcome to the guide to living DRM-free. We recommend that you always read ebooks using Calibre or some other free software e-reader to avoid software surveillance and remote kill switches in proprietary e-readers. Also be sure to get your ebooks and literature not only without DRM, but also in a free format, preferably EPUB. While PDF is also free, it is less ideal for ebook viewing, reflowing, and editing. The sites listed provide files unencumbered, but it's important to be mindful that both of these can still contain DRM elsewhere:
https://www.defectivebydesign.org/guide/ebooks

13) Everyday Accessibility: Products For Those Living With A Visual Impairment | Accessibility.com

Here is a list of assistive technology products that can help those with visual impairments develop a deeper sense of independence:
https://www.accessibility.com/blog/everyday-accessibility-products-for-those-living-with-a-visual-impairment

14) U.S. Access Board Issues Final Rule on Public Right-of-Way Accessibility Guidelines | August 8, 2023

Pedestrians with disabilities throughout the United States continue to face major challenges in travel because many sidewalks, crosswalks, and other pedestrian facilities are inaccessible. Today, the U.S. Access Board addressed this inequity by issuing a final rule on accessibility guidelines for pedestrian facilities in the public right-of-way. These guidelines inform federal, state, and local government agencies on how to make their pedestrian facilities, such as sidewalks, crosswalks, shared use paths, and on-street parking, accessible to people with disabilities:
https://www.access-board.gov/news/2023/08/08/u-s-access-board-issues-final-rule-on-public-right-of-way-accessibility-guidelines/

15) Public Comment Sought on Proposed New Video Conferencing Accessibility Rules Proposed by the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) | Law Office of Lainey Feingold | Structured Negotiation | Disability Rights

This is an article about a proposed accessibility rule in the United States. The rule is proposed by the Federal Communications Commission, known as the FCC. If it becomes final, the rule will make it easier for disabled people to participate in video conferences. The rule will affect video conferences on Zoom, Teams, and other platforms. The public can comment on the proposed rule until September 6, 2023. The best form to make comments is here. People who are deaf, deafblind, or hard of hearing may want to comment about captions, transcripts, or sign language interpreters. People who are deafblind, blind, or visually impaired may want to comment about how video conferencing could be easier and about specific barriers. The FCC also wants to hear about what is working:
https://www.lflegal.com/2023/08/fcc-video-conferencing-access/

16) Legal Update For July 2023 | Converge Accessibility

July was a busy month for the courts and serial ADA web accessibility plaintiffs:
https://convergeaccessibility.com/2023/07/31/legal-update-july-2023/

17) The BBC On Mastodon: Experimenting With Distributed And Decentralized Social Media

As the social media landscape ebbs and flows, the team at BBC Research & Development are researching social technologies and exploring possibilities for the BBC. One part of our work is to establish a BBC presence in the distributed collection of social networks known as the Fediverse, a collection of social media applications all linked together by common protocols. The most common software used in this area is Mastodon, a Twitter-like social networking service with around 2 million active monthly users. We are now running an experimental BBC Mastodon server at https://social.bbc where you can follow some of the BBC's social media accounts, including BBC R&D, Radio 4 and 5 Live. We hope to be able to add more accounts from other areas of the BBC at some point:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/blog/2023-07-mastodon-distributed-decentralised-fediverse-activitypub

18) Online Grocery Shopping Improved Since Beginning of Pandemic | Empish J. Thomas | Freelance Writer, Disability Blogger and Accessibility Consultant

In April 2020, I wrote a post about my struggles with online grocery shopping. How I was mostly having problems with product availability. This was the very beginning of the pandemic where many people were jumping onboard the online grocery shopping train. Here's the issue. I was pushed out. See, I had already been riding that train for a year or two. When this option was introduced in my community I signed up. Things were going great. I was getting all my items with a few substitutes. The drivers were friendly and on time. The prices were reasonable. It was wonderful! Then COVID struck and it all went to pot:
https://empishthomas.com/2023/08/05/online-grocery-shopping-improved-since-beginning-of-pandemic/

19) Understanding The DOJ's Proposed ADA Regulation Updates for Websites and Mobile Apps | Allyant

On August 4, 2023 the Department of Justice (DOJ) released a notice of proposed rulemaking, which could substantially affect the ADA's applicability to websites and mobile applications. Specifically, these would be a revised set of regulations related to Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), establishing specific requirements for making web and mobile apps accessible:
https://allyant.com/understanding-the-dojs-proposed-ada-regulation-updates-for-websites-and-mobile-apps/

20) The Incomplete Picture — Guess What's Missing? | Award Winning Sight Loss Coach, Advocate and Author Donna Jodhan

If you're looking for someone or some entity to make accuntable for this incomplete picture then may I suggest that you take a long hard look at the Canadian Human Rights Commission:
https://sterlingcreations.com/blog/the-incomplete-picture-some-important-things-to-fill-in

21) As A Writer Slowly Loses His Sight, He Embraces Other Kinds Of Perception | NPR

This is FRESH AIR. I'm Terry Gross. My guest, Andrew Leland, is a writer whose recent subject has been the world of the blind. He's slowly been going blind for the past 20 years as a result of a progressive eye disease called retinitis pigmentosa, or RP. In the state of Massachusetts, where he lives, he is now considered legally blind. His new memoir, "The Country Of The Blind," is about the experience of slowly losing his vision and preparing for blindness and how it's affected his identity, how the world sees him, his marriage, his relationship with his young son and his ability to continue writing and reading. He also reports on the experience of attending the largest convention of blind people and about spending two weeks at a radical training center for people preparing to go blind:
https://www.npr.org/transcripts/1192488173

22) Applying Accessibility Standards to Self-Service Kiosks

Understanding and implementing the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards in self-service kiosks is an issue of growing importance. The rise of self-service technologies in numerous sectors such as retail, banking, healthcare, hospitality, and mass transit has provided customers with convenience and autonomy. However, it's vital that these advances in technology are made accessible to all users, including those with disabilities. Proper adherence to ADA guidelines ensures that self-service kiosks are not a barrier but an advantage for individuals with disabilities:
https://www.olea.com/news/applying-accessibility-standards-to-self-service-kiosks/

23) Web Compliance, A Real Waiting Pattern | Boldly Blind

We advocates get as excited as anyone else in the blindness community when new rulings or judgments come out in our favor. How soon will the accommodations take effect? — We want to know. How soon will it be until even the basic computer user will be able to detect an improvement in accessing the web?
https://boldlyblind.blog/2023/08/10/web-compliance-a-real-waiting-pattern/

➜ Featured Webinars, Training Courses and Events

August 14, 2023 | SensePlayer Version 2.0 | HIMS, Inc.

2PM PT, 3PM MT, 4PM CT, 5PM ET, 9PM GMT
HIMS Inc. is excited to announce that the highly anticipated, new SensePlayer firmware version 2.0 is now available! Please save the date Monday, August 14, 2023 to participate in a live and interactive webinar with HIMS staff when we will demonstrate and discuss what some are calling the “Swiss Army Knife” of portable accessible book readers and multimedia recorders, followed by a live Q &A. This update brings fixes and enhancements that are sure to delight users of the popular accessible multimedia powerhouse such as: The inclusion of the new mobile screen reader that now allows for easy installation of relevant Android apps known to work well with the SensePlayer such as Apple Music, NLS BARD, Audible and more. Improvements to the unique Smart Connect function that allows you to control your smart phone with the use of physical buttons. Improved Bluetooth functionality. New features in the media player, podcast player, and web radio. Updates to the document reader:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_g703vtjzTcapGyo4fiVcCg

August 14, 2023 through August 18, 2023 | 22nd Audio Description Institute | Audio Description Associates, LLC | Audio Description Project of the American Council of the Blind

10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
The American Council of the Blind's Audio Description Project announces its twenty-second Audio Description Institute, August 14-18, 2023 (Monday through Friday) from 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM Eastern each day. All Virtual. Audio Description (AD) makes visual images accessible for people who are blind or have low vision. Using words that are succinct, vivid, and imaginative, media describers convey the visual image from television and film that is not fully accessible to a significant segment of the population (more than 32 million Americans experience significant vision loss). The interactive sessions are designed to provide immediate feedback and "give and take," allowing for adaptation according to a sense of participants' grasp of the material. In addition, experienced users of description are a part of the Institute's faculty, providing an important perspective throughout the sessions:
https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E144393&id=86

August 16, 2023 | JAWS: Getting Help & Accessing Training Materials (Assistive Technology Webinar) | Access Ingenuity

10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
Get to know the various tools, help menu options, and free training materials that already exist with JAWS. Join Ian Ramos and Marisa Church from Access Ingenuity to discover ways to get assistance with concepts, commands, exercises, additional web resources, and more. Learning Outcomes: Help tools of JAWS, including Keyboard Help and Screen Sensitive Help. Additional help from the help menu includes the manual, web resources, and free training. Free training web resources include the Freedom Scientific Training YouTube channel, Free Webinars Training page, Surf's Up Training website, etc:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86019597044?pwd=aFdFUzhQWWFDTkRMOTdCUXRGRVZJQT09&mc_cid=1c5c3cbecd&mc_eid=90429c1885

August 17, 2023 | Manage Google Calendar with JAWS | Freedom Scientific

9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
Software Webinar: Manage Google Calendar with JAWS. We'll provide an overview of navigating Google Calendar with JAWS, plus show you how to create events, access settings, and change views. Zoom conferencing platform. Register for this webinar, which offers ACVREP credits to those who attend the live webinar. Registration link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_PPfT8CpnRf-PxRGoPbpL7w

August 22, 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group

11AM PT, 12PM MT, 1PM CT, 2PM ET, 6PM GMT
4th Tuesday of every month at 7:00 PM CT. Learn a few tips about everyday technology from a technology expert, ask your questions, and share your experiences.
https://hadley.edu/discussion-groups/tech-it-out

August 22, 2023 | The Current State of Accessibility: An ARC Evaluation of the Top Websites | TPGi

9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
This webinar reports on the most common accessibility errors, providing insight into the current makeup of web content and, more than that, how websites are built today. Gain the next-level ability to understand your site's web accessibility in the context of the larger web. The results are stratified across industries and by estimated web traffic, business size, and more. Backed by real data, attendees gain the ability to report on their website's accessibility in a new way — by rank rather than in purely technical terms. Most importantly, this systemic accessibility evaluation provides a picture of the current user experience for people with disabilities in the online world. Join us to learn where your website ranks in this evaluation. Together, we consider the question: what is a "good" accessibility score? This webinar is 30 minutes. Stay after the call for our 30-minute Q and A:
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-august-22-current-state-of-accessibility-arc-evaluation/

August 23, 2023 | Webinar: Equip Your Home And Empower Your Health: Exploring Accessible Home Health Aids For People Who Are Blind Or Visually Impaired | The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc.

4PM PT, 5PM MT, 6PM CT, 7PM ET, 11PM GMT
Join The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. for an interactive webinar on inclusive and accessible healthcare solutions. We'll take a virtual trip to the pharmacy to explore accessible prescriptions, home health tests, blood pressure monitors, talking thermometers, and much more. We'll even explore an accessible way to fill out healthcare forms and review lab results from your doctor's office. Take greater control of your health and join us for this engaging and interactive session. You won't want to miss it!
https://thelighthousefortheblindinc.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN__mHoW19cQLqNMiTZHBOeCg#/registration

August 23, 2023 | How to Create Accessible Videos (Digital Accessibility Webinar) | Access Ingenuity

10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
Do you create videos for YouTube or other platforms? This presentation will review the components of accessible videos and how to make them. Join Michael Parker from Access Ingenuity to learn about creating accessible videos, including captions, audio descriptions, and descriptive text transcripts. Learning Outcomes: Learn the main elements of an accessible video to comply with WCAG 2.1 Guidelines. Learn how to edit captions on YouTube. Learn how to design videos so that they meet audio description requirements. Learn the basics of creating descriptive text transcripts:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85965137306?pwd=R3dDeUJZaEp3Q2xJbmpmRkxUVTNKUT09&mc_cid=1c5c3cbecd&mc_eid=90429c1885#success

August 29, 2023 — August 30, 2023 | Web Accessibility in Mind Conference

The second annual Web Accessibility in Mind Conference is presented by WebAIM in partnership with Pope Tech. This virtual conference will provide conference participants with content that will help them mature their practice in digital accessibility. Our goals include: Provide a diverse range of perspectives from a diverse group of speakers. Share solutions to accessibility challenges. Give advice and guidance that helps our participants to actively contribute to providing more accessible digital spaces. Bring together a cross section of public and private sector technology professionals from organizations large and small. The Web Accessibility in Mind Conference will be held online on August 29-30, 2023 from 12pm-5:10pm US Eastern Time (with a one-hour break at 2:10pm) each day. Register:
https://conference.webaim.org/register

August 30, 2023 | JAWS: Testing for Website Accessibility (Assistive Technology Webinar) | Access Ingenuity

10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
An essential part of ensuring that a website is accessible is to test the site with a screen reader. Join Michael Parker (Web Accessibility Specialist and DHS Trusted Tester) and Marisa Church (Assistive Technology Specialist and Expert Screen Reader) as they demonstrate how to test a website with the JAWS screen reader. Learning Outcomes: Understand the importance of testing websites with a screen reader. Learn how to test a website with a screen reader. Learn the difference between using the Say All command and Tab to navigate a webpage. Learn about basic JAWS settings required for testing. How to use the Virtual HTML Features and Text Viewer in JAWS for quicker testing:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88477062027?pwd=c0lPNVdYSmtJakxLUUVpekZjZzd6UT09&mc_cid=1c5c3cbecd&mc_eid=90429c1885

September 21, 2023 | Inclusive Design 24

Inclusive Design 24 (#id24) is a free 24-hour online event for the global community. It celebrates inclusive design and shares knowledge and ideas from analogue to digital, from design to development, from planners to practitioners, and everything and everyone in between:
https://inclusivedesign24.org/2023/

September 26, 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group

5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 12AM GMT Next Day
4th Tuesday of every month at 7:00 PM CT. Learn a few tips about everyday technology from a technology expert, ask your questions, and share your experiences.
https://hadley.edu/discussion-groups/tech-it-out

September 29, 2023 | Blindness and Mental Health Webinar | Accessible Pharmacy

9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
Please join us as we discuss mental health in the blind and low vision community. Expert presenters will discuss: Psychology and therapy for the blind community. Medications and genomic testing. Peer and community support resources. 988 Mental Health Hotline information:
https://accessiblepharmacy.com/blindness-and-mental-health-webinar/

October 4, 2023 | FEMA Nationwide EAS Test

11:20AM PT, 12:20PM MT, 1:20PM CT, 2:20PM ET, 6:20PM GMT
FEMA, in coordination with the FCC, will conduct a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) this fall. The national test will consist of two portions, testing WEA and EAS capabilities. Both tests are scheduled to begin at 2:20pm ET on Wednesday, October 4. The EAS portion of the test will be sent to radios and televisions. This will be the seventh nationwide EAS test:
https://news.radio-online.com/cgi-bin/rol.exe/headline_id=b17534

October 13, 2023 | Blindness and Clinical Trials Webinar | Accessible Pharmacy

9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
Please join us as we discuss clinical trials for the blind and low vision community with these expert presenters: Ben Shaberman, VP Science Communications Foundation Fighting Blindness. Marin Allen, former Deputy Director of Communications, National Institute of Health. Maggie Cashion, Clinical Research Manager, Prism Vision Group:
https://accessiblepharmacy.com/blindness-and-clinical-trials-webinar/

October 24, 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group

5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 12AM GMT Next Day
4th Tuesday of every month at 7:00 PM CT. Learn a few tips about everyday technology from a technology expert, ask your questions, and share your experiences.
https://hadley.edu/discussion-groups/tech-it-out

November 6, 2023 through November 10, 2023 | Accessing Higher Ground | Association on Higher Education And Disability (AHEAD)

Accessible Media, Web and Technology Conference. Hilton Denver City Center, Denver, Colorado:
https://accessinghigherground.org/

November 28, 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group

5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 11PM GMT
4th Tuesday of every month at 7:00 PM CT. Learn a few tips about everyday technology from a technology expert, ask your questions, and share your experiences.
https://hadley.edu/discussion-groups/tech-it-out

December 1, 2023 and December 2, 2023 | Blind Health Expo 2023 | Exhibitor and Attendee Registration Now Open

The Blind Health Expo is the largest virtual event of healthcare information, products, services, and medication for individuals in the blind, low vision, and disability communities. Exhibitors can: Register for free. Interact with thousands of attendees. Showcase their products and services:
https://accessiblepharmacy.com/blind-health-expo-2023/

December 26, 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group

5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 11PM GMT
4th Tuesday of every month at 7:00 PM CT. Learn a few tips about everyday technology from a technology expert, ask your questions, and share your experiences.
https://hadley.edu/discussion-groups/tech-it-out

➜ Directories

1) Access Information Email Newsletter Directory

https://accessinformationnews.com/email-newsletter-directory.html

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