ARCHIVE
/2023:
Access Information News for Monday, December 25, 2023 - Volume 942
The Week's News in Access Information
Access Information News. The world's #1 online resource for current news and trends in access information.
A Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd. Publication
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This Week's Featured Advertisement: At This Time of Year Access Ready Wishes ...
With one year ending and another beginning we have several wishes for all. We wish that the anger that now permeates society would evaporate and be replaced by kindness and civility. We wish the stress of just trying to do good in the world would be subsided by more support and cooperation. We wish that the freedom of speech and expression, freedom of worship, freedom from want, and freedom from fear would become reality for all. We wish all a lovingly happy, and successful new year with the peace of God spreading around the world as an unstoppable force overcoming the moveable objects of strife and hate. We wish everyone peace and goodness for all time to come. — Access Ready
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1) Top 5 Most Clicked Access Information News Articles From Last Week
A.) Rainbow Smart Toothbrush | Easterseals Crossroads
Rainbow Smart Toothbrushes connect to Android or iOS devices via Bluetooth and help children learn the perfect brushing technique dentists recommend. They are manual toothbrushes that feature motion and 3D sensors that track brush positions and movements inside the mouth, while the app calculates variance and guides the brusher. The app allows parents to view their child's brushing habits, as well as how well they're doing the task::
B.) PBS Kids Creating New Series About Characters With Autism | Access Information News
PBS Kids is introducing "Carl the Collector," their first animated series featuring a lead character with autism, Carl, a raccoon who loves collecting things. Set in the diverse community of Fuzzytown, the show includes neurotypical and neurodiverse characters, aiming to foster acceptance and celebration of neurodiversity among children. Created by Zachariah OHora, the series involves neurodiverse and neurotypical professionals in its production. Targeting kids aged 4 to 8, "Carl the Collector" is praised for promoting inclusion, empathy, and social skills, and is set to debut on PBS Kids in Fall 2024.
C.) Meet The Twins Developing An Indoor Navigation App For The Visually Impaired — All While Navigating A New Life In NYC
Alp and Mert Kanibir, 17-year-old twin entrepreneurs and high school students, have been developing an indoor navigation system called NAVINDOOR for over a year. This project was inspired by a tragic accident in Turkey in March 2022, in which Alp lost his eyesight. Moving to New York for better opportunities and education, the twins joined a program by Virtual Enterprises to develop NAVINDOOR, designed to aid the visually impaired in indoor navigation. Their work gained attention, leading to collaborations with investors and entrepreneurs. The twins, who also play and study together, have presented their work at various events and plan to further develop NAVINDOOR in college. Alp aspires to be a lawyer and Mert a computer scientist, but their journey is as much about their shared dreams as it is about their brotherly bond and resilience.
D.) Selma Blair Just Dropped an Adaptive & Accessible Gift Guide for People With Disabilities | SheKnows.com
Selma Blair wants to help you shop with accessibility in mind this holiday season. The veteran actress and disability justice activist recently teamed up with QVC to curate an accessible gift guide. From adaptive clothing items to innovative kitchen gadgets, her picks are designed to make everyday tasks easier for people with disabilities.
E.) How To Use Linkedin In Your Job Search As A Person With A Disability | WSBlind.org
This article provides strategies for individuals with disabilities using LinkedIn for job searches. Key tips include fully completing the LinkedIn profile, using a professional head shot, utilizing the job search feature to find relevant opportunities, building connections with personalized notes, and joining LinkedIn groups for networking. These methods, especially useful for those who are blind or visually impaired, aim to enhance visibility and connections in the professional sphere.
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Next Issue: Premium Subscribers will receive their 4th issue of the 60 Most Clicked News Articles for October, November and December 2023 on Monday, January 1, 2024. Back Issues: There are currently 3 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 receive a perfectly formatted and searchable Word Document with each of the 60 Most Clicked News Articles of the last 3 months listed neatly within it, please consider joining us today for just $1 a month.
4) Sponsored News Items
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7) Update To: An Open Letter To All Readers That Utilize A Text-Only Email Client: Changes Are Here: Everything You Need To Know | Aaron Di Blasi, Publisher | Access Information News | Top Tech Tidbits
Last week we announced that we would be transitioning the Top Tech Tidbits and Access Information Newsletters into a "pure HTML" format beginning with the December 25, 2023 issue of Access Information News, and the December 28, 2023 issue of Top Tech Tidbits. Within this initial update we described exactly "how" we would be changing the format of each news item, and why. Well, things have changed since this announcement. With some additional input from readers, format priorities have been re-ordered. This updated announcement now reflects the current and future format of both the Access Information News and Top Tech Tidbits weekly newsletters.
8) Stark's 2023 Accessibility Year in Review
2023 was dominated by talk of AI, superconductors, and rapidly progressing technology. Meanwhile, accessibility was accelerating right along with us. Let's review:
9) Braille Drawing of a Frilly Christmas Tree | Paths To Literacy
This braille design is a fun way to practice braille skills. This is really fun to touch and draw with its own special rhythm you will pick up on and have a lot of fun with. Uses an 8-1/2 by 11-inch green construction paper or heavyweight braille paper, in portrait configuration, 17 lines total and the remainder can be used for a holiday greeting. The ar sign = (dots 3-4-5) and gh sign = (dots 1-2-6):
10) Download Over 900 eBooks of Classics Free from StandardEbooks | OSXDaily.com
David Goldfield (Tech-VI List): There are other sources for public domain books. The largest source for public domain material is the Internet Archive, which contains books, audio including old time radio and other works in the public domain. The Internet Archive can be difficult to navigate but the site is accessible and is well worth your time. The Online Books Page is another site worth perusing with over three million free titles. Project Gutenberg is perhaps the most well-known site for public domain books offering 70000 titles. Librivox offers free public domain audio books narrated by human volunteers.
OSX Daily: If you're interested in doing some reading of the classics, you may appreciate the Standard Ebooks project, which offers free high quality ebooks that are well-formatted, proofread, and professionally designed using style manuals.
11) Screen Reader Accessibility: Event Ticket Troubles | Michael Taylor | Usable.net
In this post, I will be continuing with my new accessibility narration series, in which I take the reader through a set of interactions I have with a website, documenting both positive and negative accessibility. The goal is to show how the topics I have discussed in the past affect real-world experiences. I recently learned that one of my favorite rock bands plays two concerts in my area in December.
12) 2023 Digital Accessibility Year in Review | Sarah Lavery | TPGi
Digital accessibility is always evolving. In 2023, we saw sweeping changes that could alter the landscape entirely, and smaller, albeit equally as change-inducing, moves and trends. This isn't an exhaustive list, if that would even be possible. Read about some of the most significant changes, findings, and trends that shaped digital accessibility in 2023 and beyond.
13) How Alexa — And AbilityNet — Are Helping Older Users Feel More Connected | Robin Christopherson | AbilityNet.org UK
Loneliness and isolation among older adults are pressing issues. According to the Campaign to End Loneliness, half a million older people in the UK go at least five or six days a week without seeing or speaking to anyone. For those aged 85 and over (and 38% of those aged 75 to 84) living alone is a stark reality. In England alone, an estimated 1.4 million chronically lonely older people seek connection and companionship. Technology can be a lifeline, bridging the gap and connecting seniors to essential services. During the pandemic, organizations distributed tablets and devices to older populations, helping them stay in touch with loved ones. But what about voice assistants? How can they play a role in combating loneliness?
14) The Top Accessibility Errors Found in 2023 | Sarah Lavery | TPGi
TPGi's accessibility experts have been busy this year, identifying thousands of accessibility errors through manual and automated testing. From all those results, the following 10 issues were the most commonly found by our ARC automation tools. We hope this list helps guide your team to avoid some of this year's most common barriers. Cheers to another year of making things accessible!
15) 'This Is A Business Process': Improving Accessibility For Neurodiverse, Visually Impaired Audiences | PRDaily.com
Mercedes-Benz U.S. International internal communications lead talks about how to meet unique audiences where they are.
16) What the Quest Lawsuit Means for Kiosk Accessibility | Thomas Logan | Equal Entry
Quest Diagnostics offers laboratory services. At a doctor's request, patients visit a Quest location for blood draws and other lab procedures. The company installed digital self-service touchscreen kiosks in its locations. These kiosks allow patients to check in for an appointment. The American Council for the Blind (ACB) filed a class action lawsuit against Quest Diagnostics for creating an inaccessible touchscreen kiosk experience. The ACB press release explains these kiosks prevent blind and low-vision patients from equal access to Quests's services. ACB believes these kiosks are inaccessible and don't comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
17) Click Here. Er... Click Where, Exactly? | Access By Design UK
Have you ever found yourself staring at a webpage, scratching your head, wondering, "Click here? Click where?" You're not alone; it's like the universal link mystery phrase.
18) Statement From the European Commission Regarding Accessibility Overlays
Web accessibility overlays, often employing JavaScript, aim to enhance website accessibility, with some using AI to claim compliance with standards like the EU's EN 301 549, referencing WCAG 2.1 AA. However, automatic compliance detection is limited to about 30% of WCAG criteria, making full automation unrealistic. These tools may also impede existing assistive technologies, potentially reducing accessibility. Separate from overlays are widgets like ATbar and UI Options, which allow user customization without claiming to solve accessibility issues. Both categories, however, cannot replace manual accessibility efforts. Consequently, DG COMM does not endorse any overlay tools or widgets for website accessibility.
19) Recognizing Coins With Artificial Intelligence | BlindCoinCollector.com
An overview on how artificial intelligence opens a new chapter in coin recognition for a totally blind person.
20) CNIB's New Charter Aims To Create A More Inclusive Society For The Visually Impaired | CapitalCurrent.ca
The CNIB recently released "A New Way Forward," with three aims: increase understanding and awareness of the blind and visually impaired community; make journeys more accessible by eliminating barriers in public transport — from getting on the bus to finding the sidewalk and supporting children with visual impairments in and out of the classroom.
21) Digital Inaccessibility: Blind And Low-Vision People Have Powerful Technology But Still Face Barriers To The Digital World | TheConversation.com
The article discusses challenges faced by the visually impaired with digital accessibility, especially in employment. Despite advanced assistive technologies like screen readers, inaccessible digital content, including online job applications and company software, remains a significant barrier. In the U.S., of the 8 million people with blindness or low vision, only about half of the working-age population is employed. The article highlights a study on assistive technology use in the workplace, indicating satisfaction but also significant challenges. Legal frameworks like the ADA address digital accessibility, but most online content still lacks full accessibility. Standards like the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines aim to improve this. The article suggests integrating accessibility into digital development from the start and cites Microsoft's efforts in promoting accessible digital documents. It concludes that accessible digital environments can significantly boost employment for those with visual impairments.
22) My Christmas Day Wishes — Hopes, Dream, Wishes And A Better Future For Our Kids | Award Winning Sight Loss Coach, Advocate and Author Donna Jodhan
Peace to all! May this world find a way to share and spread peace, love, joy, kindness, generosity, goodwill, and to protect the future of our innocent kids!
23) Screen Reader Struggles: Navigating Restaurant Reservations | UsableNet.com
Many restaurants, both local spots and national chains, allow customers to reserve a table online. I recently tried to make a reservation at a popular restaurant in my area but, unfortunately, had a poor experience in terms of accessibility and usability. I will narrate the reservation process in this blog, highlighting positive and negative design characteristics. The goal is to illustrate how the accessibility points I have discussed affect real-world browsing experiences. Like always, my focus will be screen reader accessibility.
24) Disabled People Deserve Equity Even When They Aren't The 'Right' Kind Of Disabled | Emma Park | Medium
I hate small talk. Always have done. If we're not talking about something that will take an idea from point A to point B, then what's the point? I do, however, do a very good impression of someone who enjoys small talk, when I have to. If I have the sense that it's beneficial for someone else if I bear talking about the weather for a bit — or my weekend, perhaps, and all the times I chose not to go outside — then I can do that.
25) A Beginner's Guide To Litigating A Web Accessibility | December 18, 2023 | Ken Nakata | Converge Accessibility
This is a blog post I've been meaning to put together for a long time. At Converge Accessibility, we get contacted by a lot of attorneys (mostly defense but sometimes a plaintiff attorney here and there) and it's amazing to see the costly rookie mistakes that they are making. If you're new to this area, I'd suggest you start here. This post includes my quick thoughts on a Sunday afternoon but I hope to return to this post with other thoughts as time goes on.
26) Shifting Left To Get Accessibility Right At Microsoft | Microsoft.com
Microsoft's "shifting left" strategy emphasizes early integration of accessibility in software development. Central to this is their open-source tool, Accessibility Insights, which allows developers to detect and address accessibility issues at the initial stages. This approach, advocated by Patrice Pelland and Nandita Gupta, leads to significant time and cost savings, estimated at 2,000 development hours over six months. It also educates developers on accessibility, fostering a culture of inclusivity in software creation. The tool's adoption extends beyond Microsoft, benefiting various industries due to its open-source availability.
➜ Featured Webinars, Training Courses and Events
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.
December 28, 2023 | Get Started with WayAround Webinar | Michael Doise & Jessica Hipp
11AM PT, 12PM MT, 1PM CT, 2PM ET, 6PM GMT
If WayAround is on your holiday wishlist, this is your chance to learn how to use your WayTags! Attendees will learn how to get started making your things permanently accessible! If you've already been using WayAround, join us to discuss how you can tag even more things. This is also a great opportunity to gear up for any New Year's organization projects. Space is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
December 28, 2023 | Zoom Meeting Regarding Accessibility And Requirements To Be A Blind Voice Writing Court Reporter | Eden Kizer
5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 12AM, 12/29 GMT
Hello. My name is Eden Kizer, and I'm a recently certified court reporter using the voice writing method. This method involves using our voice to dictate everything that is being said in court or depositions. I am providing an informal Zoom meeting to discuss how a blind person using JAWS can work in this field: things such as equipment, skills, accessibility factors, and any questions. This career can also be used to do very quick transcription as the certification means that you can take down with your voice at 225 words per minute.
The Zoom meeting takes place on December 28th at 8 P.M. Pacific. I will send out a Zoom link, but I require you to request to join the meeting via email as I do not want to publicly share a Zoom link. Meeting will be recorded. Please go ahead and email your interest and questions because the meeting will be provided to attendees who email me even if they can't come live. Contact Eden Kizer.
January 3, 2024 | ParentConnect: A Family Support Group Offered In Partnership With The Virtual Parent Support Group Chicago Lighthouse For The Blind | APH ConnectCenter
4:30PM PT, 5:30PM MT, 6:30PM CT, 7:30PM ET, 11:30PM GMT
APH FamilyConnect and the Chicago Lighthouse are pleased to offer this virtual support group for parents and families of children who are blind or visually impaired. These monthly sessions are for families to connect with and learn from each other about the joys, challenges, and adventures of raising children with visual impairments and blindness. These sessions are open to families. No ACVREP or professional development credits will be available.
January 6, 2024 | Echo Tips & HIMS SensePlayer | Technology User Group
7AM PT, 8AM MT, 9AM CT, 10AM ET, 2PM GMT
The Technology User Group (TUG) is delighted to welcome two presenters to our inaugural Zoom Meeting. First up will be David Ward from the Echo Tips podcast, who will be discussing tips and tricks for your Echo device. Following this performance will be Christina Nixon to highlight the many attributes of the HIMS SensePlayer. Who should attend this meeting? Anyone who has an Echo device or is thinking about acquiring one. Those seeking knowledge about the Alexa environment and who are interested in knowing the platform's capabilities. Those individuals who are looking for an affordable, portable digital book player. People who would like to compare the attributes of pocket size book players. The presentation will be virtual and will last about 60 minutes. You do not have to RSVP for this event. This program will begin at 10 a.m. and will be recorded. Call in Number: +1 (301) 715-8592 📱️ | Meeting ID: 656 203 7293#.
January 11, 2024 | Career Conversations: An Interview With Claire Stanley, Public Policy Analyst For National Disability Rights Network | APH ConnectCenter
3PM PT, 4PM MT, 5PM CT, 6PM ET, 10PM GMT
Join APH CareerConnect for our very popular Career Conversations Series. Claire Stanley, J.D., Public Policy Analyst for National Disability Rights Network, will speak about her work in public policy. Often, people think of having a degree in law and going to court as a lawyer. Claire, uses her voice to influence public policy related to disability issues on the national level. Claire will share her journey from college into her current career working on public policy.
January 17, 2023 | Creating Accessible and Inclusive Presentations | A11yTalks.com
9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
In this session, we'll go over what we can do as presenters to ensure inclusivity for all our attendees regardless of how they consume the content, beyond the basics of captions and color contrast. We'll briefly cover accessibility definitions, standards, and guidelines and then share practical tips and examples to help make presentation slide decks and the presentations more accessible.
January 17, 2023 | PixBlaster: Enhancing Braille and Graphics with TSS 8.1 | APH ConnectCenter
1PM PT, 2PM MT, 3PM CT, 4PM ET, 8PM GMT
In the next version, Tiger Software Suite 8.1 is set to boost PixBlaster's braille and tactile graphic output. Catch ViewPlus CEO Dan Gardner at the January Partner Showcase, where he'll walk you through the updates and delve into the advantages for braille and tactile graphic production. Register below for PixBlaster: Enhancing Braille and Graphics with TSS 8.1.
February 20, 2024 through February 22, 2024 | Axe-Con 2024 | Deque Systems
Why attend axe-con? Building accessible digital experiences requires a team effort, across design, development, management, testing, accessibility experts, and of course, legal. Axe-con is the first of its kind, dedicating topics to each of these key players. This is not an assistive technology convention. Talks at axe-con will include case studies from enterprise companies leading in large-scale accessibility efforts, as well as best practices and updates from technology leaders around the world. Attendance of axe-con sessions can also be used towards continuing education (CE) towards IAAP certification. Topics of focus will include accessibility in development, accessibility in design, organizational success with accessibility, and a wildcard track. If you'd like to learn more about previous sessions and speakers, you can view last year's schedule here. Join us to learn how to build, test, monitor, and maintain digital accessibility.
April 8, 2024 and April 9, 2024 | 24th Annual Multiple Perspective On Access, Inclusion & Disability Conference | The Ohio State University — Columbus, Ohio
To be on the mailing list for the conference, send email to: ADA-OSU@osu.edu 📧️
➜ Directories
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➜ Sponsor Classified Ads
Sponsor: Total Tech Solutions, LLC
➜ Classified Advertisement: Be My AI Fun | Total Tech Solutions, LLC
I apologize for poking fun at Be My AI, but I couldn't resist having a little bit of fun. Join us.
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: Clusiv
➜ Classified Advertisement: Clusiv Is The World's First eLearning Platform Built For And By People Who Are Blind. Our Courses Are Designed To Equip People Who Are Blind Or Visually Impaired For Employment In The Modern Workforce. Learn More | Clusiv.io
Navigating the employment process can be challenging if you are blind or visually impaired. Technology is difficult to figure out, there is a lot of extra material to learn, and there isn't much quality training available.
That's where Clusiv comes in. We help to provide the training you need to succeed in the modern workforce. Our courses teach assistive technology skills and how to apply those skills to many of the business software programs used in the modern workforce, such as email, Microsoft and Google apps, video conferencing, and more. We also teach soft skills such as resume and interview preparation, disclosures and accommodations, internet safety, and financial literacy. Lastly, our training can teach specific career skills, such as becoming an accessibility analyst. Plus, our courses are self-paced.
To learn more, visit https://clusiv.io/ and fill out a form with your information. We work with state vocational rehabilitation agencies to provide access to our course content.
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
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Sponsor: Access Ready, Inc.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Seeks Your Support at the Public Policy Level | Access Ready, Inc.
Moving the public policy needle is both difficult and costly. Access Ready has one of the most experienced teams in the business who have shown results. We have fostered Congressional language on accessible websites, elections, healthcare, communications, and other areas touched by information and communications technologies. These efforts are costly and we need your help to continue. Become an Access Ready supporter and create an accessible future for people with disabilities.
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.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Provides Access To The Best In The Business | Access Ready, Inc.
If you need assistance with a new accessible website, document remediation or disability consulting of other kinds, Access Ready can help. We seek out the best in the business and bring them to you already vetted as to quality, professionalism and ability. By going through AccessReady.org to one of our qualified providers, you're not only getting the best, but supporting our advocacy and technological development efforts as well.
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.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Seeks Guidance On New Accessible Technologies | Access Ready, Inc.
What Technologies do you see in the market that are not accessible, but should be? What accessible technologies can you imagine that can make the lives of people with all kinds of disabilities better? We will advocate with developers to make existing technologies accessible on your behalf. We will advocate with developers to build new accessible technologies on your behalf. Give us your guidance and support. Your guidance charts our path toward what is most important. Your support funds our efforts on your behalf.
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Prepare For Your Future Today With The All-New APH ConnectCenter's Job Seekers Toolkit! | APH ConnectCenter
The APH ConnectCenter and NSITE have partnered to update the Job Seeker's Toolkit, an accessible, self-paced, free online training course. The Toolkit includes five sections covering self-awareness, career exploration tools, the preliminary employment process, the interview, and maintaining employment. We are bringing the Job Seeker's Toolkit to a larger audience and in a Learning Management System format for today's learners, at no cost. Visit APHCareerConnect.org to get started with the Job Seekers Toolkit today.
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Save 10% On All Waytags @ Wayaround.Com With Coupon Code "joy10" Through December 20, 2023 | Wayaround
WayAround is a smartphone-based labeling app that works with your preferred accessibility settings. You just need the free mobile app and some WayTags ® to label items in the kitchen, garden, closet, office & more.
If you want to label something that's inside, outside, wet, dry, hot, or cold, there's a WayTag that will attach securely. WayTags come as stickers, buttons, magnets, and clips. Each of the different styles of WayTags work exactly the same. Simply choose the WayTag that's best for what you want to label.
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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
➜ Classified Advertisement: RIMFest Is In Full Force, And There's Free Admission! Provide Accessible Remote Support With Remote Incident Manager Completely Free Of Charge Until January 2nd. Lock In Unlimited Weekend Support For $50! | Pneuma Solutions
In the spirit of the holiday season, we proudly offer all users of Remote Incident Manager (RIM) all the time you want, when you want it, from now until January 2nd, 2024! During this time, you will have access to all features and functionalities of the Remote Incident Manager, giving you an excellent opportunity to make the most out of the world's only fully accessible remote support application! There's never been a better time to get in on the action!
Simply download your copy to your PC or Mac today, click the “Provide Help Now” button, register, and the free access is yours!
But Wait, There's More!
During this twelve day event, you can cash in on an opportunity to ring in the new year with more unlimited RIM time! Back by popular demand, our weekend support package can once again be yours for a discounted annual rate of $50!
Whatever you do, we at Pneuma Solutions wish all of you the happiest of holidays, and many fulfilling hours of accessible remote technical support!
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: Barrier Free Canada
➜ Classified Advertisement: The Crime Crusher Series Christmas Set #2: Episode #12: Santa's Gifts To Girls And Boys By Award Winning Sight Loss Coach, Advocate and Author Donna Jodhan
Santa has always wanted to make sure that all girls and boys receive gifts that they really need and desire. It's not just about toys and technology! It's about so much more at this time of the year! Santa calls an emergency meeting of family, friends, elves, and reindeer. However, he has to hold this meeting in great secrecy because he has discovered that some folks out there are planning and hoping to stop this meeting. These folks are determined to stop Santa from achieving his goals but of course, Santa wins in the end but not without having to come up with ways to thwart his enemies! Find out what Santa and friends need to do in order to accomplish this great mission. Subscribe for free and write to me at: donnajodhan@gmail.com 📧️.
Sponsor Since: November 10, 2023
Website: https://barrierfreecanada.org/ 🌐️
About: Barrier-Free Canada/Canada Sans Barrieres (BFC/CSB) advocates for the Canadian Parliament to enact a strong and effective Canadians with Disabilities Act (CDA) to achieve a barrier-free Canada for all persons with disabilities.
To this end, BFC/CSB is seeking endorsements from national disability organizations to build a non-partisan community coalition. BFC/CSB would also like to identify point persons from these organizations to act as key contacts.
The steering committee of BFC/CSB has drafted a set of principles concerning a CDA that are drawn from the principles that underpin the provincial disability legislation in Ontario and Manitoba. A CDA is not meant to replace provincial disability legislation. It will complement such legislation and benefit Canadians living in provinces with and without provincial disability legislation. At this point in time, CNIB, March of Dimes Canada, Canadian Hearing Society and MS Society of Canada have endorsed the BFC/CSB principles and confirmed their support for the movement to enact a CDA. There is no individual or organizational charge for membership in BFC/CSB.
Please contact Donna Jodhan, Founder of Barrier-Free Canada, at info@barrierfreecanada.org 📧️ with any questions or to express your organization's support and identify a key contact.
Social: Facebook | X (Formerly Twitter) | Mastodon (Search For: @news@mastodon.barrierfreecanada.org).
Sponsor: Vision Ireland
Sponsor Since: September 18th 2023
Website: https://vi.ie/ 🌐️
Phone: 1800 911 250 📱️
Make A Referral: https://vi.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://vi.ie/supporting-us/donate-now/ ❤
Your support is Vital, for over 90 years, people like you have helped Vision Ireland 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 Vision Ireland Service Users about how Technology has enabled them by breaking down barriers and leveling playing fields.
Online Store: https://vi.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.
Vision Ireland Retail: https://www.ncbi.ie/shop-with-us/retail-stores/shop-locations/ 🛒
Visit our 130+ Vision Ireland stores located across the country and shop for an extensive range of pre-loved quality clothing, accessories, and furniture. Vision Ireland 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: Formerly National Council for the Blind of Ireland (NCBI), Vision Ireland'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, Vision Ireland 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.
Vision Ireland 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. Vision Ireland empowers those living with sight loss in several meaningful ways to enable them to continue living independent and fulfilling lives. Vision Ireland 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
➜ Classified Advertisement: New NVDA Workshops at Hadley | Hadley
Learn the basics of NVDA. From getting started with the program to customizing the speech to learning helpful shortcuts, Hadley's workshops have you covered.
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: 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
You can listen to Eyes On Success on your smart home device by saying “play the Eyes On Success podcast”, subscribe to the podcast wherever you get your podcasts, or listen on Apple Podcasts, iTunes, YouTube or your local radio reading service. Listeners can also follow the show on Facebook and X (Formerly Twitter).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 📧️
6 of 18 Sponsorship Packages Currently Available
Access Information News is the world's leading not-for-profit access information news publication that reaches over 15,000 blind, low vision, deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind, neurodivergent and/or disabled professionals, educators and enthusiasts, all over the world, each week.
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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
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Top Tech Tidbits 🌐
The Week's News in Access Technology
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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.
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Access Information News 🌐
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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 advocacy foundation.
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.
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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 🌐
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Access Information News for Monday, December 18, 2023 - Volume 941
The Week's News in Access Information
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Access Information News. The world's #1 online resource for current news and trends in access information.
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This Week's Featured Advertisement: Join Industry Leaders And Begin Reaching Over 15,000 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 Distribution Made Possible By Support From: Pneuma Solutions, WayAround, APH ConnectCenter, Access Ready, Inc., Total Tech Solutions, LLC, Eyes on Success, Hadley, Vision Ireland and Barrier Free Canada. Learn more about Sponsorship today at: https://accessinformationnews.com/sponsor.
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Submit your Access Information News Item for free, with timing and placement determined by our editors, here: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-news. Submit a Sponsored News Item, with timing and placement determined by you, here: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-sponsored-news.
1) Top 5 Most Clicked Access Information News Articles From Last Week
A) Disabled People Do Not Like Hamburgers! | Access By Design UK
Did you know that disabled people do not like hamburgers? Here is why... Hamburgers are generally not good for your health and yet many of us love them. It is the same with websites. Hamburger menus are almost always inaccessible for disabled people and yet most web designers love them. You generally see them when you are looking at the version website on a mobile but I have reviewed many websites that have them on the desktop version as well. It consists of 3 lines in a box with rounded corners. When you select it with your mouse, it opens up, so you can see all the pages and choose what you want. The problem is that disabled people using assistive technology such as screen readers or voice recognition usually find one of two things:
https://accessbydesign.uk/disabled-people-do-not-like-hamburgers/
B) Be My Eyes CEO Mike Buckley Talks OpenAI Boardroom Saga, 'Life-Changing' Tech, More | Steven Aquino | Forbes: Subscription Required
During the soap opera-level drama surrounding OpenAI and Sam Altman in recent weeks, I was following along with vested interest not merely for the insanity of it all, but because it felt the company's fate hung in the balance. As a lifelong disabled person who views ascendant technologies with skeptical eyes regarding accessibility, I wondered whether Altman's exit from OpenAI might ultimately spell doom for the software being built internally. In an effort to allay my fears and satiate my curiosity, I called up Be My Eyes chief executive officer Mike Buckley early last week to pick his brain about OpenAI's boardroom drama and the ripple effects it has on the disability community:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/stevenaquino/2023/12/04/be-my-eyes-ceo-mike-buckley-talks-openai-boardroom-saga-life-changing-tech-more/?sh=347f717e6cd2
C) Exploring Visual Narratives: A Comparative Analysis of Descriptive Techniques for the Blind
Ultimately, the best way to choose between these descriptions is to think about what you want to get out of the image. If you want a quick overview of the image, then the Alt Text is a good choice. If you want more detail and specificity, then the Be My Eyes description is a better choice. And if you want to experience the image in a more immersive and emotional way, then the ChatGPT description is the way to go. I used ChatGPT to generate an image using the following prompt: "A serene and beautiful garden scene, with a variety of flowers in full bloom, butterflies fluttering around, and a small pond with clear water and fish. The sun is setting in the background, casting a warm, golden light over the scene. In the centre, there's a comfortable-looking garden bench, inviting relaxation and reflection." I then asked the same instance of ChatGPT to 'generate alt text' in the same session. Next, I asked Be My Eyes on my iPhone to describe the image and finally I asked ChatGPT to 'describe the image to me' using my Custom Instructions — this is why it calls me Lotti, talks about my personality and calls me baby (it is affectionate) but I am not sure why it refers to itself in the 1st person... I'm not sure it does that all the time. I then asked it to compare the three descriptions and this is what it said:
https://charli.info/2023/12/08/exploring-visual-narratives.html
D) Opinion: Why the Arrival of Seeing AI to Android is an Exciting Development | Kareen Kiwan | Accessible Android
It's not uncommon for blind Android users to witness visually impaired apps primarily or exclusively launching on iOS, with new features consistently arriving on iOS before Android. Among these was Microsoft's Seeing AI, originally exclusive to iOS users. However, after years, the app has finally made its debut on Android. While some may have deemed its arrival belated and without much to offer in terms of competition, Seeing AI managed to establish itself as one of the compelling Android apps catering to the visually impaired from its very first day on the platform:
https://accessibleandroid.com/opinion-why-the-arrival-of-seeing-ai-to-android-is-an-exciting-development/
E) How Can I Use Technology To Support An Elderly Person From Afar? | AbilityNet.org UK
Juggling the demands of daily life can often leave us with limited time to connect with loved ones who live far away, or some disabled people who might have additional support needs. Fortunately, smart technology offers innovative solutions to bridge the distance, offer hands-free support and stay connected with vulnerable friends or relatives, such as elderly parents or partners who you care for, without being overbearing:
https://abilitynet.org.uk/news-blogs/how-can-i-use-technology-support-elderly-person-afar
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7) From Aardvarks To Zebu, SixDotsArt.com Offers Free Braille Drawing Patterns For The Whole Family | Lena
The kids are out of school,and wondering what to do. Give them a slate and stylus, and let them draw for you. A zebu or an aardvark? The sports car of your dreams? Africa or Italy? A quiet tambourine?
https://sixdotsart.com/all-patterns/
8) How To Use Linkedin In Your Job Search As A Person With A Disability | WSBlind.org
This article provides strategies for individuals with disabilities using LinkedIn for job searches. Key tips include fully completing the LinkedIn profile, using a professional head shot, utilizing the job search feature to find relevant opportunities, building connections with personalized notes, and joining LinkedIn groups for networking. These methods, especially useful for those who are blind or visually impaired, aim to enhance visibility and connections in the professional sphere:
https://www.wsblind.org/blog/2023/10/18/how-to-use-linkedin-in-your-job-search-as-a-person-with-a-disability
9) Insights: Mobile Accessibility | Fable
Mobile device usage is at an all-time high, but we hear from designers and developers that they are uncertain how to make native mobile apps accessible to people with disabilities. While there is guidance in the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) on mobile accessibility, and guidance from Apple and Google on making iOS and Android apps accessible, dense guidelines can be overwhelming for someone new to mobile accessibility. To better understand the accessibility barriers encountered on mobile devices, Fable surveyed our community of assistive technology users:
https://makeitfable.com/insights/insights-mobile-accessibility/
10) Holiday Decor Shopping with a Screen Reader on a Touch-Screen Device | Michael Taylor | UsableNet.com
The holiday season is upon us and is my favorite time of year. It might surprise some readers to learn that I love decorating for Christmas. One of my traditions is building a new custom decoration every year to add to my collection. This time, I decided I wanted to make a unique wreath adorned with C9 bulbs, those large old-fashioned colored holiday lights that will undoubtedly bring feelings of nostalgia to those who remember them from their childhood:
https://blog.usablenet.com/holiday-decor-shopping-with-a-screen-reader-on-a-touch-screen-device
11) Monarch Field Testing is Complete: What Comes Next? | APH
The Monarch, a groundbreaking braille technology device, recently completed a six-week field test. This test highlighted its unique features, like an on-demand tactile graphics library and the KeySoft interface, enhancing tactile experiences for visually impaired students. Developed collaboratively since 2020 by APH, HumanWare, the National Federation of the Blind, and others, the Monarch aims to revolutionize multiline electronic braille. The focus now shifts to analyzing field test data for further refinement and application development, ensuring the device meets educational needs:
https://www.aph.org/monarch-field-testing-is-complete-what-comes-next/
12) Study On The Twitter Migration | The Fediverse Report
Last year's Twitter migration, where a large number of people decided to move to Mastodon (including Access Information News and Top Tech Tidbits), is an example of a giant collective behavioural change that people engaged in voluntarily. A new paper takes a look at how the collective coordination happened, and what can be learned as the drivers of such a collective action. The authors (Lucia La Cava, Luca Maria Aiello, Andrea Tagarelli) show that Twitter communities migrated more quickly where:
https://fediversereport.com/study-on-the-twitter-migration/
13) Internet Archive Files Appeal Brief Defending Libraries and Digital Lending From Big Publishers' Legal Attack | Electronic Frontier Foundation
A cartel of major publishing companies must not be allowed to criminalize fair-use library lending, the Internet Archive argued in an appellate brief filed on December 15, 2023:
https://www.eff.org/press/releases/internet-archive-files-appeal-brief-defending-libraries-and-digital-lending-big
14) Meet The Twins Developing An Indoor Navigation App For The Visually Impaired — All While Navigating A New Life In NYC
Alp and Mert Kanibir, 17-year-old twin entrepreneurs and high school students, have been developing an indoor navigation system called NAVINDOOR for over a year. This project was inspired by a tragic accident in Turkey in March 2022, in which Alp lost his eyesight. Moving to New York for better opportunities and education, the twins joined a program by Virtual Enterprises to develop NAVINDOOR, designed to aid the visually impaired in indoor navigation. Their work gained attention, leading to collaborations with investors and entrepreneurs. The twins, who also play and study together, have presented their work at various events and plan to further develop NAVINDOOR in college. Alp aspires to be a lawyer and Mert a computer scientist, but their journey is as much about their shared dreams as it is about their brotherly bond and resilience:
https://www.bxtimes.com/twins-indoor-navigation-app-navigating-nyc/
15) Rainbow Smart Toothbrush | Easterseals Crossroads
Rainbow Smart Toothbrushes connect to Android or iOS devices via Bluetooth and help children learn the perfect brushing technique dentists recommend. They are manual toothbrushes that feature motion and 3D sensors that track brush positions and movements inside the mouth, while the app calculates variance and guides the brusher. The app allows parents to view their child's brushing habits, as well as how well they're doing the task:
https://www.eastersealstech.com/2023/12/06/rainbow-smart-toothbrush/
16) The Recent NameDrop Privacy Kerfuffle Unfairly Obscures The Feature's Accessibility Gains | Steven Aquino | Forbes: Subscription Required
A side effect of this unwarranted hoopla around NameDrop is more subtle, but nonetheless important to note. Although Apple's marketing communications team is pitching NameDrop as a feature of convenience, the reality is it's also one of accessibility as well. As [Steven Aquino] wrote in June after WWDC, NameDrop's advent has enormous potential to "cut down on extraneous visual and motor fatigue." That Apple built NameDrop atop AirDrop technologies goes a long way in alleviating said friction, and helps NameDrop transcend itself from sheer nicety to bonafide lifesaver in some cases. Put another way, NameDrop, like Apple Pay and so many others, absolutely is one of those de-facto accessibility features: originated for mainstream audiences yet adopted by more niche ones. It's also true good user interface design is accessible design:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/stevenaquino/2023/11/30/the-recent-namedrop-privacy-kerfuffle-unfairly-obscures-the-features-accessibility-gains/?sh=1984d5371063
17) Amazon Is Making It Easier To Browse Your Entire Library Of Books | The Verge
Amazon is rolling out a new feature that puts every book you've ever purchased on the site — whether it's digital, physical, or an audiobook — into a single searchable hub. The new feature, called Your Books, lets you sort through all your titles while also providing recommendations based on your previous purchases:
https://www.theverge.com/2023/12/13/23999804/amazon-your-books-library-recommendations
18) Enhancing Accessibility and Efficiency Across Industries: The Expanding Role of Amazon Transcribe And Other AI Services In The Transcription Market | AssistiveTechnologyBlog.com
The enhanced Amazon Transcribe service, part of AWS, now supports over 100 languages, improved by generative AI models and self-supervised algorithms. This advancement addresses the bias in training data, enhancing recognition of diverse speech patterns. Key features include automatic punctuation and language identification. The service is vital across various sectors, offering inclusivity and efficiency in workplaces. Despite its growth, Amazon Transcribe faces competition from Otter.ai, Meta, and OpenAI's Whisper. Advocates for workplace accessibility can leverage this tool to promote inclusivity, clear communication, and productivity, highlighting its business benefits and commitment to diversity:
https://assistivetechnologyblog.com/2023/12/enhancing-accessibility-and-efficiency-across-industries-the-expanding-role-of-amazon-transcribe-and-other-ai-services-in-the-transcription-market.html
19) Understanding Section 508: A Comprehensive Guide to Accessible Technology | December 17, 2023 | Accessibility Spark
Section 508 of the 1998 Rehabilitation Act mandates U.S. federal agencies to make their electronic and information technology accessible to individuals with disabilities. This law covers various technologies, ensuring they are perceivable, operable, and navigable. Compliance involves adhering to WCAG and ADA standards, integrating accessibility into development processes, and utilizing testing tools. Challenges include resource constraints and rapid technology evolution, addressed through education and collaboration. Beyond regulatory compliance, Section 508 promotes inclusivity, improving user experience and organizational reputation. Future trends include AI-driven accessibility improvements, highlighting the ongoing evolution towards a digitally inclusive society:
https://accessibilityspark.com/what-is-section-508/
20) Nivea In Partnership With Navilens To Help Blind Or Partially Sighted Customers | PackagingNews.com UK
Global skincare brand Nivea has announced a partnership with NaviLens to help blind or partially sighted customers:
https://www.packagingnews.co.uk/news/nivea-in-partnership-with-navilens-to-help-blind-or-partially-sighted-customers-15-12-2023
21) A Need for Improvement in Web Accessibility From Bing and Bard on Tables | Kelly Ford | The Idea Place
This article critiques the web accessibility of AI services Bing and Bard by Microsoft and Google. Ford's experiment, which involved requesting a list of U.S. states by population in a table format, revealed both services' failure to include essential row headings, a key aspect of web accessibility. Despite varied instructions and explicit requests for proper row and column headers, the issue persisted, with Bard acknowledging its limitations. This highlights a significant gap in ensuring that AI technology is not only accurate but also accessible. Ford stresses the importance of adhering to web accessibility standards in AI as it becomes more integral to society:
https://theideaplace.net/a-need-for-improvement-in-web-accessibility-from-bing-and-bard-on-tables/
22) Photosensitive Epilepsy Analysis Tool (PEAT) | University of Maryland
The Trace Center's Photosensitive Epilepsy Analysis Tool (PEAT) is a free, downloadable resource for developers to identify seizure risks in their web content and software. The evaluation used by PEAT is based on an analysis engine developed specifically for web and computer applications. PEAT can help authors determine whether animations or video in their content are likely to cause seizures. Not all content needs to be evaluated by PEAT, but content that contains video or animation should be evaluated, especially if that content contains flashing or rapid transitions between light and dark background colors:
https://trace.umd.edu/peat/
23) Speech Accessibility Project Now Recruiting Adults With Down Syndrome | University Of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
The Speech Accessibility Project is now recruiting U.S. adults with Down syndrome. The project aims to make voice recognition technology more useful for people with diverse speech patterns and different disabilities:
https://speechaccessibilityproject.beckman.illinois.edu/article/2023/11/09/speech-accessibility-project-now-recruiting-adults-with-down-syndrome
24) Hearing Aids Are About to Become as Common as Reading Glasses | Bloomberg.com
Bloomberg's Matthew Kronsberg writes that updated regulations and new technology from headphone makers are pushing hearing solutions into the mainstream, pointing to HP Inc. as just one of several familiar consumer electronics brands that have teamed up with established hearing aid manufacturers to make the idea of wearing a listening device as common as putting on a pair of reading glasses. The typical span between suspecting some hearing loss and getting fitted for a hearing aid is about 10 years, however over-the-counter sales of hearing aids and changing social stigma is winning over a new audience of users who are younger and first-time wearers. The article notes Apple is “working on a hearing test feature for future AirPods that will play different tones and sounds to allow the earbuds to determine how well a person can hear," and details how to use accessibility features currently available with AirPods Pro:
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-12-06/hearing-aids-from-headphone-makers-sony-bose-sennheiser-apple-go-mainstream
25) Tim Cook, Troy Kotsur Honored at the National Association of the Deaf's Breakthrough Awards | Variety.com
Hosted by Academy Award winner Marlee Matlin and civil rights attorney Alexis Kashar, the event celebrated trailblazers working to advance the Deaf and hard of hearing community in arts, media and technology. Tim Cook received the Access Breakthrough Award for Apple's support for the Deaf community through technology, arts and media. In Cook's speech, he emphasized the importance of accessibility: "The best technology should be for everyone. We pledge to keep working every single day to help people everywhere chase their passions and achieve their dreams, to innovate inclusively, to expand possibilities, to keep imagining, advocating and collaborating with the Deaf and hard of hearing community to build a better future for all."
https://variety.com/2023/scene/news/tim-cook-troy-kotsur-national-association-of-the-deafs-breakthrough-awards-marlee-matlin-1235769497/
26) For Vuzix CEO Paul Travers, The Future Of Accessibility Is Literally In People's Faces | Steven Aquino | Forbes: Subscription Required
Vuzix, under CEO Paul Travers, is innovating in the realm of smart glasses, focusing on wearability and versatility. The M400 model, priced at $1,800, features an OLED display, Qualcomm chip, and swappable batteries, with Android 11 as its operating system. Travers, a former Eastman Kodak researcher, highlights the glasses' regular appearance and their potential in aiding individuals with visual and aural disabilities. Vuzix's core market is in industrial settings, like warehouses, where the glasses aid in efficient packing. Beyond this, the glasses offer accessibility features, like sign language interpretation and voice-to-text capabilities, dramatically impacting users such as a hearing-impaired veteran. Vuzix collaborates with other companies for software solutions, providing a platform for apps that enhance the utility of the glasses in both professional and accessibility contexts. Travers envisions a future where smart glasses, bolstered by AI and augmented reality, will significantly alter the landscape of personal computing and aid those with impairments:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/stevenaquino/2023/12/15/for-vuzix-ceo-paul-travers-the-future-of-accessibility-is-literally-in-peoples-faces/?sh=2e0ba788270e
27) Enjoying Theater and Film Audio Described Theater Performances | APH ConnectCenter
A number of theaters offer Audio Described Performances, during which patrons can obtain stereo headsets to hear verbal descriptions of stage activities. These are often available for operas, plays, concerts, and political events. Call ahead to see if this is service is available at your theater and performance. Due to the increasing popularity of audio description, reservations may be necessary:
https://aphconnectcenter.org/visionaware/recreation-and-leisure/arts-and-culture/theater-film-and-tv/
28) APH CareerConnect Seeks Candidates for Student Advisory Committee | Richard Rueda | APH ConnectCenter
Join the APH CareerConnect Student Advisory Committee and make a difference in the lives of other transition-age youth who are blind or low vision! The APH CareerConnect Student Advisory Committee is a group of blind and low-vision high school and college students age 14 to 24 who work with APH ConnectCenter staff to develop resources and share insights on transition and career awareness through writing blogs and participating in webinars. As a member, you will have the opportunity to:
https://aphconnectcenter.org/careerconnect-blog/aph-careerconnect-seeks-candidates-for-student-advisory-committee/
29) Selma Blair Just Dropped an Adaptive & Accessible Gift Guide for People With Disabilities | SheKnows.com
Selma Blair wants to help you shop with accessibility in mind this holiday season. The veteran actress and disability justice activist recently teamed up with QVC to curate an accessible gift guide. From adaptive clothing items to innovative kitchen gadgets, her picks are designed to make everyday tasks easier for people with disabilities:
https://www.sheknows.com/health-and-wellness/slideshow/2904035/selma-blair-accessible-adaptive-guide-gift/
30) Would The Real World Institute On Disability Please Stand Up | Award Winning Sight Loss Coach, Advocate and Author Donna Jodhan
My final thoughts? This so-called institute that titles itself as such really needs to be called and we demand that they change their policy to match their name. Just my two cents for today:
https://sterlingcreations.com/blog/would-the-real-world-institute-on-disability-please-stand-up-time-to-put-up-or-shut-up
31) The Fight Over Return-to-Office Is Turning Into a Disability Dispute | The Wall Street Journal: Subscription Required
Charges of disability discrimination are on the rise as more companies deny workers' requests to stay home for mental-health reasons:
https://www.wsj.com/lifestyle/careers/the-fight-over-return-to-office-is-turning-into-a-disability-dispute-fc5538e2
32) PBS Kids Creating New Series About Characters With Autism
PBS Kids is introducing "Carl the Collector," their first animated series featuring a lead character with autism, Carl, a raccoon who loves collecting things. Set in the diverse community of Fuzzytown, the show includes neurotypical and neurodiverse characters, aiming to foster acceptance and celebration of neurodiversity among children. Created by Zachariah OHora, the series involves neurodiverse and neurotypical professionals in its production. Targeting kids aged 4 to 8, "Carl the Collector" is praised for promoting inclusion, empathy, and social skills, and is set to debut on PBS Kids in Fall 2024:
https://www.accessinformationnews.com/20.html
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December 21, 2023 | An Introduction To Conversational AI | Chancey Fleet | Andrew Heiskell Braille and Talking Book Library
4PM PT, 5PM MT, 6PM CT, 7PM ET, 11PM GMT
Learn how to use large language models, sometimes known as chat bots. We'll go over how they can be useful, what to know about their accessibility, and how to be mindful of their risks and biases. This event will take place online:
https://nypl.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIqcu2vpzopGtU1mbHR6v5RjnQVx7HNXZn5
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
December 28, 2023 | Get Started with WayAround Webinar | Michael Doise & Jessica Hipp
11AM PT, 12PM MT, 1PM CT, 2PM ET, 6PM GMT
If WayAround is on your holiday wishlist, this is your chance to learn how to use your WayTags! Attendees will learn how to get started making your things permanently accessible! If you've already been using WayAround, join us to discuss how you can tag even more things. This is also a great opportunity to gear up for any New Year's organization projects. Space is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Please register at the link below:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYrcO2oqzMtE9K94Qi2mlQluu0gaqpf8bsN#/registration
February 20, 2023 through February 22, 2023 | Axe-Con 2024 | Deque Systems
Why attend axe-con? Building accessible digital experiences requires a team effort, across design, development, management, testing, accessibility experts, and of course, legal. Axe-con is the first of its kind, dedicating topics to each of these key players. This is not an assistive technology convention. Talks at axe-con will include case studies from enterprise companies leading in large-scale accessibility efforts, as well as best practices and updates from technology leaders around the world. Attendance of axe-con sessions can also be used towards continuing education (CE) towards IAAP certification. Topics of focus will include accessibility in development, accessibility in design, organizational success with accessibility, and a wildcard track. If you'd like to learn more about previous sessions and speakers, you can view last year's schedule here. Join us to learn how to build, test, monitor, and maintain digital accessibility:
https://www.deque.com/axe-con/register/
April 8, 2024 and April 9, 2023 | 24th Annual Multiple Perspective On Access, Inclusion & Disability Conference | The Ohio State University — Columbus, Ohio
To be on the mailing list for the conference, send email to:
ADA-OSU@osu.edu 📧️
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➜ Classified Advertisement: Clusiv Is The World's First eLearning Platform Built For And By People Who Are Blind. Our Courses Are Designed To Equip People Who Are Blind Or Visually Impaired For Employment In The Modern Workforce. Learn More At Clusiv.Io.
Navigating the employment process can be challenging if you are blind or visually impaired. Technology is difficult to figure out, there is a lot of extra material to learn, and there isn't much quality training available.
That's where Clusiv comes in. We help to provide the training you need to succeed in the modern workforce. Our courses teach assistive technology skills and how to apply those skills to many of the business software programs used in the modern workforce, such as email, Microsoft and Google apps, video conferencing, and more. We also teach soft skills such as resume and interview preparation, disclosures and accommodations, internet safety, and financial literacy. Lastly, our training can teach specific career skills, such as becoming an accessibility analyst. Plus, our courses are self-paced.
To learn more, visit https://clusiv.io/ and fill out a form with your information. We work with state vocational rehabilitation agencies to provide access to our course content.
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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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Moving the public policy needle is both difficult and costly. Access Ready has one of the most experienced teams in the business who have shown results. We have fostered Congressional language on accessible websites, elections, healthcare, communications, and other areas touched by information and communications technologies. These efforts are costly and we need your help to continue. Become an Access Ready supporter and create an accessible future for people with disabilities:
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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.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Provides Access To The Best In The Business
If you need assistance with a new accessible website, document remediation or disability consulting of other kinds, Access Ready can help. We seek out the best in the business and bring them to you already vetted as to quality, professionalism and ability. By going through AccessReady.org to one of our qualified providers, you're not only getting the best, but supporting our advocacy and technological development efforts as well:
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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.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Seeks Guidance On New Accessible Technologies
What Technologies do you see in the market that are not accessible, but should be? What accessible technologies can you imagine that can make the lives of people with all kinds of disabilities better? We will advocate with developers to make existing technologies accessible on your behalf. We will advocate with developers to build new accessible technologies on your behalf. Give us your guidance and support. Your guidance charts our path toward what is most important. Your support funds our efforts on your behalf:
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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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Prepare For Your Future Today With The All-New APH ConnectCenter's Job Seekers Toolkit!
The APH ConnectCenter and NSITE have partnered to update the Job Seeker's Toolkit, an accessible, self-paced, free online training course. The Toolkit includes five sections covering self-awareness, career exploration tools, the preliminary employment process, the interview, and maintaining employment. We are bringing the Job Seeker's Toolkit to a larger audience and in a Learning Management System format for today's learners, at no cost. Visit APHCareerConnect.org to get started with the Job Seekers Toolkit today at:
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➜ Classified Advertisement: Save 10% On All Waytags @ Wayaround.Com With Coupon Code "joy10" Through December 20, 2023
WayAround is a smartphone-based labeling app that works with your preferred accessibility settings. You just need the free mobile app and some WayTags ® to label items in the kitchen, garden, closet, office & more.
If you want to label something that's inside, outside, wet, dry, hot, or cold, there's a WayTag that will attach securely. WayTags come as stickers, buttons, magnets, and clips. Each of the different styles of WayTags work exactly the same. Simply choose the WayTag that's best for what you want to label.
• Label your kitchen, clothing, or medication.
• Tag specialty items and tools for hobbies.
• Organize lots of information about one thing on a single WayTag.
• Scan each WayTag 100,000 times or more.
Keep adding more WayTags! There's no limit to the number of WayTags you can use. So you can rely on one system to label all your things.
Save 10% on any order of WayTags at WayAround.com. Enter "joy10" at checkout. WayLink Scanner is not eligible. Ends 12/20/2023.
https://www.wayaround.com/shop/?utm_source=AssistiveTech&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=AccessInfoNewsSponsorAdSponsor 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
➜ Classified Advertisement: December Gift of Accessibility: Scribe For Meetings Completely Free For All Until January 2nd, 2024!
Celebrate the Holidays with Inclusive Meetings! This holiday season, Pneuma Solutions is thrilled to announce a special gift for everyone: Scribe for Meetings is available for free throughout December! In the spirit of the holidays, we are dedicated to making meetings more inclusive and accessible, especially for those with visual impairments. Scribe for Meetings is an innovative cloud-based solution designed to make online meetings and webinars accessible to blind and low-vision participants. By integrating seamlessly with popular meeting platforms like Zoom and Microsoft Teams, it ensures that all participants can engage fully in the online experience. Our December Offer: Unprecedented Accessibility for Everyone! In an effort to spread holiday cheer and inclusivity, Scribe for Meetings is completely free for the entire month of December. This offer is open to businesses, organizations, and individuals, aiming to make every online meeting an inclusive and joyful experience.
https://scribeformeetings.com
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: Barrier Free Canada
➜ Classified Advertisement: The Crime Crusher Series Christmas Set #1: Episode #6: Santa's Secret Sleigh Ride By Award Winning Sight Loss Coach, Advocate and Author Donna Jodhan
Little Kerrie Freeseling had always wished for something special and on a bright and starry night! Her dream came true! And it was a dream that even she had no idea would ever happen! Kerrie Freeseling had been especially chosen by someone special to take part in a very special and secret event and it is an event that she would never forget! Nor did several others! In years to come she would retell the tale to all of her friends, family, and much later on to her own kids! Santa's secret sleigh ride! A tale of pure fiction of a dream come true! Subscribe for free and write to me at: donnajodhan@gmail.com 📧️:
https://youtu.be/k4Gk2LP4_Q8?si=tPx-SH1_5qmhjoYr
Sponsor Since: November 10, 2023
Website: https://barrierfreecanada.org/ 🌐️
About: Barrier-Free Canada/Canada Sans Barrieres (BFC/CSB) advocates for the Canadian Parliament to enact a strong and effective Canadians with Disabilities Act (CDA) to achieve a barrier-free Canada for all persons with disabilities.
To this end, BFC/CSB is seeking endorsements from national disability organizations to build a non-partisan community coalition. BFC/CSB would also like to identify point persons from these organizations to act as key contacts.
The steering committee of BFC/CSB has drafted a set of principles concerning a CDA that are drawn from the principles that underpin the provincial disability legislation in Ontario and Manitoba. A CDA is not meant to replace provincial disability legislation. It will complement such legislation and benefit Canadians living in provinces with and without provincial disability legislation. At this point in time, CNIB, March of Dimes Canada, Canadian Hearing Society and MS Society of Canada have endorsed the BFC/CSB principles and confirmed their support for the movement to enact a CDA. There is no individual or organizational charge for membership in BFC/CSB.
Please contact Donna Jodhan, Founder of Barrier-Free Canada, at info@barrierfreecanada.org 📧️ with any questions or to express your organization's support and identify a key contact.
Social: Facebook | X (Formerly Twitter) | Mastodon (Search For: @news@mastodon.barrierfreecanada.org).
Sponsor: Vision Ireland
Sponsor Since: September 18th 2023
Website: https://vi.ie/ 🌐️
Phone: 1800 911 250 📱️
Make A Referral: https://vi.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://vi.ie/supporting-us/donate-now/ ❤
Your support is Vital, for over 90 years, people like you have helped Vision Ireland 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 Vision Ireland Service Users about how Technology has enabled them by breaking down barriers and leveling playing fields.
Online Store: https://vi.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.
Vision Ireland Retail: https://www.ncbi.ie/shop-with-us/retail-stores/shop-locations/ 🛒
Visit our 130+ Vision Ireland stores located across the country and shop for an extensive range of pre-loved quality clothing, accessories, and furniture. Vision Ireland 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: Formerly National Council for the Blind of Ireland (NCBI), Vision Ireland'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, Vision Ireland 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.
Vision Ireland 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. Vision Ireland empowers those living with sight loss in several meaningful ways to enable them to continue living independent and fulfilling lives. Vision Ireland 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
➜ Classified Advertisement: New NVDA Workshops at Hadley
Learn the basics of NVDA. From getting started with the program to customizing the speech to learning helpful shortcuts, Hadley's workshops have you covered.
https://hadley.edu/workshops/nvda-screen-reader-series
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: 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
You can listen to Eyes On Success on your smart home device by saying “play the Eyes On Success podcast”, subscribe to the podcast wherever you get your podcasts, or listen on Apple Podcasts, iTunes, YouTube or your local radio reading service. Listeners can also follow the show on Facebook and X (Formerly Twitter).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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Be My AI Fun
I apologize for poking fun at Be My AI, but I couldn't resist having a little bit of fun. Join us at:
https://tinyurl.com/WeSpeakLive
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Your Weekly Classified Advertisement Title Here (256 characters or less including spaces.)
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About: Access Information News is the world's leading not-for-profit access information news publication that reaches over 15,000 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 not-for-profit access information news publication that reaches over 15,000 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.
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➜ 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.
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Support: In tandem with Our Sponsors, these are the people that make the ongoing distribution of Access Information News possible.
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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 Access Technology
https://toptechtidbits.com 🌐️
Sr. Project Management Professional (2006 - Present)
Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd.
Innovative ideas. Solutions that perform.
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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 Access 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 advocacy foundation.
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
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Top Tech Tidbits
The Week's News in Access Technology
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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 Access 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, December 11, 2023 - Volume 940
The Week's News in Access Information
https://accessinformationnews.com/
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: 12,056 Opt-In Subscribers were sent this issue via email. 35 Premium Subscribers were sent this issue via email.
This Week's Featured Advertisement: Save 10% on WayTags — Order By December 12, 2023 For Arrival By Christmas!
This holiday season, enjoy an extra layer of joy by adding "joy10" to any of your WayTag orders, and receive a 10% discount. Some of our most popular items include the Kitchen Starter Pack, Oval Hole Buttons, and WayClips. If you need ideas, email connect@wayaround.com 📧️ and we can help you decide on the perfect gift! There is still time to order for Christmas! The last day to order is 12/12/2023 for Standard Shipping and 12/16/2023 for Expedited Shipping. Note: The "joy10" coupon code applies only to purchases of WayTags on WayAround.com. The WayLink Scanner is not eligible. Offer ends 12/20/2023. Order at:
https://www.wayaround.com/shop/
Ongoing Distribution Made Possible By Support From: Pneuma Solutions, WayAround, APH ConnectCenter, Access Ready, Inc., Total Tech Solutions, LLC, Eyes on Success, Hadley, Vision Ireland and Barrier Free Canada. Learn more about Sponsorship today at: https://accessinformationnews.com/sponsor.
Dear Access Information News Subscriber,
Submit your Access Information News Item for free, with timing and placement determined by our editors, here: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-news. Submit a Sponsored News Item, with timing and placement determined by you, here: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-sponsored-news.
1) Top 5 Most Clicked Access Information News Articles From Last Week
A) 10 Different Gift Ideas for Blind People: How to Choose the Perfect Gift for Christmas? | Hable
We've curated a list of 10 unique and creative gift ideas that will leave your loved ones speechless:
https://www.iamhable.com/tips-and-tricks/10-different-gift-ideas-for-blind-people-how-to-choose-the-perfect-gift-for-christmas
B) Screen Reader Comparison: JAWS vs. VoiceOver vs. NVDA vs. TalkBack | Inclusion & Accessibility Labs
There are a wide range of screen readers on the market with different features and ways they render digital content. We've compared the top screen readers to help you decide which software is best for you or someone you know:
https://ialabs.ie/screen-reader-comparison/
C) Not All Screen Reader Users Are Blind | TemperTemper.net
There's a common misconception that everyone who uses screen reader software is blind. That's mostly the case, but not always. According to the most recent WebAIM Screen Reader User Survey (from 2021), 79.5% of screen reader users are blind. The remaining 20.5% who are not blind may have low or impaired vision, but some may have perfect vision. Let me explain:
https://www.tempertemper.net/blog/not-all-screen-reader-users-are-blind
D) Free Braille Calendars Available | National Library Service (NLS) For The Blind And Print Disabled Library of Congress
NLS now offers a free braille calendar in both wall-sized and pocket-sized formats for patrons. Please reach out to your cooperating network library if you would like to subscribe to receive a calendar annually.
https://www.loc.gov/nls/
E) Could A Blind Person Get A Job As A Graphic Designer Using AI? | David Redmond | Vision Ireland
Unfortunately, some jobs are simply visual by design. I can't really write anything outside of my signature, never mind drawing anything or becoming a graphic designer. But could that be about to change? It might seem a stupid question, but could a blind person get a job as a graphic designer with AI? What would this mean for blind people? And what does it mean for the graphic design profession as a whole? It's time to try to become a visually impaired graphic designer:
https://vi.ie/could-a-blind-person-get-a-job-as-a-graphic-designer-using-ai/
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7) Celebrating The Role Of Tech On International Day Of Persons With Disabilities | DoubleTapOnAir.com
As we recognize the 2023 International Day of Persons with Disabilities here at Double Tap, it's a good time to reflect on how technology not only transforms the lives of those with us with visual impairments but also serves as a catalyst for change for all disabled people:
https://doubletaponair.com/celebrating-the-role-of-tech-on-international-day-of-persons-with-disabilities/
8) Holiday Shopping with a Screen Reader: My Black Friday Experience | Michael Taylor | Usable.net
Every year, it seems like Black Friday deals begin earlier and earlier and extend further into the week after Thanksgiving. Though Black Friday was a few days ago, one of my favorite online electronics retailers is still making the discounts available. I am shopping for a new portable wireless speaker to replace one that has not worked properly for some time. I already know the model I want, which happens to be heavily discounted for Black Friday. In the remainder of this post, I will narrate my journey through the purchase process, discussing both positive and negative aspects of the accessibility experience. As always, I will be speaking from the perspective of a screen reader user:
https://blog.usablenet.com/holiday-shopping-with-a-screen-reader-my-black-friday-experience
9) BBC License Fee: Minister 'Concerned' Planned Rise Is 'Very High' Amid Reports It Could Be Scrapped
Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer says any increase in the licence fee — currently £ 59 per year — must be "appropriate" as people continue to struggle with the rising cost of living:
https://news.sky.com/story/bbc-licence-fee-minister-concerned-planned-rise-is-very-high-amid-reports-it-could-be-scrapped-13022496
10) Be My Eyes CEO Mike Buckley Talks OpenAI Boardroom Saga, 'Life-Changing' Tech, More | Steven Aquino | Forbes: Subscription Required
During the soap opera-level drama surrounding OpenAI and Sam Altman in recent weeks, I was following along with vested interest not merely for the insanity of it all, but because it felt the company's fate hung in the balance. As a lifelong disabled person who views ascendant technologies with skeptical eyes regarding accessibility, I wondered whether Altman's exit from OpenAI might ultimately spell doom for the software being built internally. In an effort to allay my fears and satiate my curiosity, I called up Be My Eyes chief executive officer Mike Buckley early last week to pick his brain about OpenAI's boardroom drama and the ripple effects it has on the disability community:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/stevenaquino/2023/12/04/be-my-eyes-ceo-mike-buckley-talks-openai-boardroom-saga-life-changing-tech-more/?sh=347f717e6cd2
11) Exploring Visual Narratives: A Comparative Analysis of Descriptive Techniques for the Blind
Ultimately, the best way to choose between these descriptions is to think about what you want to get out of the image. If you want a quick overview of the image, then the Alt Text is a good choice. If you want more detail and specificity, then the Be My Eyes description is a better choice. And if you want to experience the image in a more immersive and emotional way, then the ChatGPT description is the way to go. I used ChatGPT to generate an image using the following prompt: "A serene and beautiful garden scene, with a variety of flowers in full bloom, butterflies fluttering around, and a small pond with clear water and fish. The sun is setting in the background, casting a warm, golden light over the scene. In the centre, there's a comfortable-looking garden bench, inviting relaxation and reflection." I then asked the same instance of ChatGPT to 'generate alt text' in the same session. Next, I asked Be My Eyes on my iPhone to describe the image and finally I asked ChatGPT to 'describe the image to me' using my Custom Instructions — this is why it calls me Lotti, talks about my personality and calls me baby (it is affectionate) but I am not sure why it refers to itself in the 1st person... I'm not sure it does that all the time. I then asked it to compare the three descriptions and this is what it said:
https://charli.info/2023/12/08/exploring-visual-narratives.html
12) Opinion: Why the Arrival of Seeing AI to Android is an Exciting Development | Kareen Kiwan | Accessible Android
It's not uncommon for blind Android users to witness visually impaired apps primarily or exclusively launching on iOS, with new features consistently arriving on iOS before Android. Among these was Microsoft's Seeing AI, originally exclusive to iOS users. However, after years, the app has finally made its debut on Android. While some may have deemed its arrival belated and without much to offer in terms of competition, Seeing AI managed to establish itself as one of the compelling Android apps catering to the visually impaired from its very first day on the platform:
https://accessibleandroid.com/opinion-why-the-arrival-of-seeing-ai-to-android-is-an-exciting-development/
13) America Promises Equality for Disabled Students. It's Failing. | MotherJones.com
In the United States, approximately one in six children are identified with a developmental disability, yet the education system consistently falls short in providing them with an equitable education. Despite the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) guaranteeing a free and appropriate public education for disabled students, more than one-third fail to graduate high school. The Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights is inundated with over 2,500 unresolved complaints from parents of disabled children. A key challenge is the Individualized Education Program (IEP), which is often difficult for parents to secure for their children. Additionally, teachers grapple with limited resources and unclear federal guidelines, while investigations reveal misuse of funds and discriminatory practices, especially against Black boys. This comprehensive review includes stories highlighting various aspects of the issue: unfulfilled government funding promises, innovative learning techniques for autistic students, challenges faced by bilingual families in New York City, efforts to address teacher shortages in Hawaii, and the disproportionate labeling of Black boys as disabled in Colorado. The term "special education" is increasingly scrutinized by advocates and students, who find it pejorative, reflecting the ongoing evolution in the conversation around disability rights in education. The journey towards inclusive education has seen progress, but significant barriers and challenges persist:
https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2023/12/america-promises-equality-for-disabled-students-its-failing/
14) How Can I Use Technology To Support An Elderly Person From Afar? | AbilityNet.org UK
Juggling the demands of daily life can often leave us with limited time to connect with loved ones who live far away, or some disabled people who might have additional support needs. Fortunately, smart technology offers innovative solutions to bridge the distance, offer hands-free support and stay connected with vulnerable friends or relatives, such as elderly parents or partners who you care for, without being overbearing:
https://abilitynet.org.uk/news-blogs/how-can-i-use-technology-support-elderly-person-afar
15) Shifting Power To People With Disability In Co-Designed Research | TandFOnline.com
This paper explores tensions navigated by researchers and project leaders when involving people with disability as experts in co-design and in the core team. Part of an evaluation aiming to improve paid employment of people with intellectual disability is used to consider this work. Assemblage analysis of the data assisted in identifying a range of material and social conditions, flows, and factors that de- and re-territorialise power in the co-design process. The expertise of people with disability informed research design. Structural conditions of funding and institutional support were foundational to the co-design. These included accessible practices, core roles for people with disability and resolving ableist conditions. Power shifts were easily undermined by institutionalised norms that disrespected the co-design contributions. When people in decision-making positions and allies recognised the value of codesigning research, it was key to centring valuable knowledge in articulating key issues, methodology, and analysis:
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09687599.2023.2279932
16) APH Behind the Scenes: Production Improvements
APH's production team is responsible for making innovative products for our customers. Wayne Price, Vice President of Production and Logistics; Andrew Mouton, Director of Technical and Manufacturing Research; and Jo Holt, Operations Engineering Planning Manager, discussed how the team is working to streamline manufacturing processes:
https://www.aph.org/aph-behind-the-scenes-production-improvements/
17) Innovative Fraud Whistleblower Suit In Website Case Produces Multimillion-Dollar Damages Settlement And Remediation Plan | Tim Elder
Judge Evelio Grillo of the Alameda County (CA) Superior Court gave final approval to a settlement valued at more than $2 million. In addition to securing a remediation remedy, the payment places this settlement in the ranks of the largest resolutions of web access litigation in the United States:
18) Legal Update: November 2023 | Converge Accessibility
As we all know, web accessibility cases are almost always filed in one of three venues: New York, Florida, and California. This has always puzzled me because the law appears most favorable for plaintiffs in the First Circuit (Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Puerto Rico, and Rhode Island) and the Seventh Circuit (Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin) because these circuits allow lawsuits against online-only companies because they do not follow the unworkable nexus requirement used in other circuits:
https://convergeaccessibility.com/2023/12/04/legal-update-november-2023/
19) Legal Update: Accessibility Overlay Edition | Law Office of Lainey Feingold
November brought bad news for open ethical conversation about the harms and limitations of one-line-of-code quick fix accessibility overlays. As reported above, in 2021 the French overlay company FACIL'iti took legal action against French accessibility firm Koena, a seven person shop led by Armony Altinier. In late November 2023 Koena received the judgment in the lawsuit filed against it by FACIl'iti. Shockingly this small, woman-owned accessibility company that has been active in the global public conversation about overlays was ordered to pay a total of 26,256 euros to FACIL'iti. (About $28,000.00 dollars in the United States.)
https://www.lflegal.com/2021/11/overlay-legal-update/#article-updates
20) Student Developing Way For The Blind To Play Ping Pong Using Sound | University of Sydney
At the University of Sydney, an Engineering Honours student, Phoebe Peng, is pioneering technology enabling people with low vision and blindness to play ping pong through sound. This innovative approach employs object tracking cameras and speakers to create a three-dimensional audio feedback, effectively forming an acoustic "image". In collaboration with ARIA Research, the technology uses event cameras that track changes in images over time, ideal for monitoring small objects like ping pong balls. These images are converted into sound using a specialized algorithm, communicated back to the player via loudspeakers. This method aims to allow players to acoustically track the ball and movements. Peng's motivation stems from making table tennis more accessible for those with visual impairments and exploring the potential of event cameras. While promising, further experimentation is required to refine the system for actual play, particularly considering the challenges in human sound perception. This project has been a collaborative effort involving the University of Sydney, University of Technology Sydney, Blind Citizens Australia, World Access for the Blind Australia, and the Australian Federal Government:
https://www.sydney.edu.au/news-opinion/news/2023/12/07/student-developing-way-for-the-blind-to--play-ping-pong-using-so.html
21) Researchers Develop Under-The-Skin Implant To Treat Type 1 Diabetes | Engadget.com
Scientists have developed a new implantable device that has the potential to change the way Type 1 diabetics receive insulin. The thread-like implant, or SHEATH (Subcutaneous Host-Enabled Alginate THread), is installed in a two-step process that ultimately leads to the deployment of “islet devices,” which are derived from the cells that produce insulin in our bodies naturally:
https://www.engadget.com/researchers-develop-under-the-skin-implant-to-treat-type-1-diabetes-191005726.html
22) Disabled People Do Not Like Hamburgers! | Access By Design UK
Did you know that disabled people do not like hamburgers? Here is why... Hamburgers are generally not good for your health and yet many of us love them. It is the same with websites. Hamburger menus are almost always inaccessible for disabled people and yet most web designers love them. You generally see them when you are looking at the version website on a mobile but I have reviewed many websites that have them on the desktop version as well. It consists of 3 lines in a box with rounded corners. When you select it with your mouse, it opens up, so you can see all the pages and choose what you want. The problem is that disabled people using assistive technology such as screen readers or voice recognition usually find one of two things:
https://accessbydesign.uk/disabled-people-do-not-like-hamburgers/
23) When Eye-Reading Just Isn't Working | Jessica Pryde | BookRiot.com
There have been times in the past few years (and probably my entire reading life) in which reading with my eyes has just been impossible. While I've always been physically able to see, either on my own or with the help of glasses, I would skip over words or let my mind wander, making it so I couldn't move forward with reading a book in text. Nothing would work — switching from print to digital, using Open Dyslexic in all of my e-readers, not even switching to a graphic novel to reset like I've done historically. It took me — someone learned in instructional design — a little longer than it should have to realize that as an aural learner, sometimes reading with my ears would be the best way for me:
https://bookriot.com/when-eye-reading-just-isnt-working/
24) My Career In Accessibility | Raghavendra Peri | AbilityNet.org
Raghavendra Peri who is the founder behind the influential Accessibility Blog DigitalA11Y.com and non-profit accessibility organisation HelloA11y, joined us for November's IAAP Network and Learn event where he shared his accessiblity career insights:
https://abilitynet.org.uk/news-blogs/my-career-accessibility-raghavendra-peri
25) When Customer Reps Ruin The Images Of Their Companies | Award Winning Sight Loss Coach, Advocate and Author Donna Jodhan
If companies really wish to save and protect their images then they need to give their customer reps crash courses in phone manners and professionalism. Just my two cents for today:
https://sterlingcreations.com/blog/when-customer-reps-ruin-the-images-of-their-companies-time-to-call-them-out
26) Audio Transcription — It's More Than Reading!
Have you ever wondered what goes into producing an audio version of a text document? It's more complicated than you might think! There are a few things to think about before one of our audio transcribers even begins to record the document:
https://a2i.co.uk/blog/audio-transcription-its-more-than-reading/
27) The Best Ebook Subscription Services for Every Kind of Reader | Wired: Subscription Required
You can read countless ebooks, listen to audiobooks, and browse comics with one of these WIRED-tested digital reading subscriptions:
https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-ebook-subscription-services/
28) Amazon Launches Unlimited Grocery Delivery for $10 a Month. Is It Worth It? | CNET
Amazon announced on December 7, 2023 that it will test an unlimited grocery delivery subscription for Prime members, the latest in a series of shakeups to the mega-retailer's grocery arm. The pilot program allows for unlimited deliveries from Whole Foods (which is owned by Amazon) and Amazon Fresh on orders of more than $35. It also includes speedy 30-minute pickup on orders of any size. The test offering will roll out initially in Denver, Colorado; Sacramento, California and Columbus, Ohio to gauge the viability of and interest in Amazon's subscription add-on:
https://www.cnet.com/home/kitchen-and-household/amazon-launches-unlimited-grocery-delivery-for-10-a-month/#ftag=CAD590a51e
29) DoorDash Finally Starts Delivering Live Activities And Dynamic Island Order Tracking | 9to5Mac
Over a year after the Dynamic Island and Live Activities first launched alongside the iPhone 14 last year, DoorDash is joining the fun. The popular food delivery service is now slowly rolling out support for tracking orders via the Dynamic Island and Live Activities:
https://9to5mac.com/2023/12/04/doordash-live-activities-and-dynamic-island-order-tracking/
30) DoorDash Can Pick Up And Return Your Packages For Free. Here's How | ZDNet.com
With the holiday shopping season in full swing, online shopping is an easy way to get through your gift shopping list without leaving the house. If anything you ordered doesn't meet your expectations, instead of leaving the house to make the return, you can ask DoorDash to do it for you. DoorDash offers a Package Pickup service that lets a DoorDasher pick up one to five packages from your doorstep and drop them off at a FedEx, UPS, or USPS location for you:
https://www.zdnet.com/article/doordash-can-pick-up-and-return-your-packages-for-free-heres-how/
➜ Featured Webinars, Training Courses and Events
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December 12, 2023 | Access Academy Part 4: The Monarch: Tactile Access to Digital Learning | APH
1:30PM PT, 2:30PM MT, 3:30PM CT, 4:30PM ET, 8:30PM GMT
This webinar is part four of the Tactile Graphics Literacy for Students with Visual Impairments: 4 Part Series. Join this webinar to learn about the skills and background knowledge a student requires to benefit from the use of a multi-line, graphics-capable, refreshable braille display like the Monarch.
https://www.aph.org/events/the-monarch-tactile-access-to-digital-learning/
December 12, 2023 | How to Perform Accessibility Testing (Part 2)
9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
Presenter: Aaron Farber, Senior Accessibility Platform Consultant. Does your organization (need to) perform manual accessibility testing on tens of applications? In this webinar, attendees learn how enterprise-level organizations dramatically reduce the level of effort and accessibility expertise required to perform manual audits. There are four fundamental steps to creating a world-class, enterprise-level internal accessibility team. Break down each of the WCAG Success Criteria into a set of smaller, easily repeatable tests. Automate as much of the work as possible, and clearly distinguish what requires manual testing. Develop solution templates to save testing teams from having to reinvent the wheel. Have the ability to generate multiple findings reports — suited for the different audiences involved in delivering an online experience. With these clear steps, teams, even those new to accessibility testing, can accurately and effectively carry out full-scale, full WCAG coverage audits. For large organizations, the challenge here is doing each of these steps requires significant investment. Until now. Learn how the Accessibility Resource Center brings your accessibility testing team to a world-class level and start performing manual accessibility audits faster:
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-december-12-at-12pm-et-how-to-perform-accessibility-testing-part-2/
December 12, 2023 | Ask Sharky: Five Ways To Use JAWS Dictionary Manager | Freedom Scientific
9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
The JAWS Dictionary Manager enables you to create pronunciation rules for words a synthesizer may not pronounce correctly. Learn how to go to the Dictionary Manager and create rules for word pronunciations, abbreviations, and phrases, plus play a sound instead of speaking a particular word, and more. Register for this event, which will take place on the Zoom Conferencing platform:
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_jtvZfGKHTj6q_QTrI7DvnA
December 13, 2023 | Learn About The Hable One | A. T. Guys
11AM PT, 12PM MT, 1PM CT, 2PM ET, 6PM GMT
The Hable One is AT Guys' newest product that allows you to remotely control your smart phone with an easy to use interface. Use the Hable one as if you were using braille screen input in screen away mode. No need for a table to quickly enter text and control your phone. You can even wake your phone up with it still in your pocket! Discover the Hable One in AT Guys' upcoming free webinar, highlighting its simplified text entry, app navigation, and call management. Reserve your spot here:
https://www.atguys.com/store/index.php?main_page=page&id=24
December 13, 2023 | Internet Browsing with JAWS (Assistive Technology Webinar) | Access Ingenuity
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
Are you interested in gaining a further understanding of web surfing with JAWS? Let's explore methods and strategies to enhance your browsing experience. We covered web browsing basics in a previous webinar. Now, we'll dive deeper. Join Ian Ramos and Marisa Church from Access Ingenuity to discuss webpage structure and how this can help the JAWS user better understand how to navigate by headings, forms, buttons, and regions to get the job done quickly. Learning Outcomes & Zoom Webinar Information: Discuss different elements of a webpage. Use Windows commands to navigate a webpage. Demonstrate the JAWS find command. Explore forms:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81286375149?pwd=ZkwzZm4wbVdxTUlGLzQxYWtHVzZiZz09&mc_cid=e69ad01a13&mc_eid=90429c1885#success
December 13, 2023 | Tech Time: Learn About Be My Eyes And Be My AI
1PM PT, 2PM MT, 3PM CT, 4PM ET, 8PM GMT
Tech Time is a monthly technology conference put on once a month by the Conklin Davis Center. The focus is smart phones, but other topics are discussed. The topic for this month is the Be My Eyes app. We will do an overview of the Be My Eyes app and demonstrate the new Be My AI feature. You can participate using the following information: Meeting ID: 857 3480 8270 | Passcode: 963553 | Join:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85734808270?pwd=dUZYSFNQVGdZWmFkdkxlWWJ2REFUZz09
December 14, 2023 | Hadley Learning And Exploring Workshop | 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 Marc Arneson director of community at Hadley. 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, or through the mail. Hadley offers a wide variety of self-taught classes and podcasts on a variety of subjects from braille, technology, daily living skills, and 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. 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 📧️. Meeting ID: 835 8160 5488 | Passcode: 182630 | One tap mobile:
+13126266799,,83581605488# | Dial directly: +1 312 626 6799 | Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83581605488?pwd=UWYvTVZ2Q2RRejhJamVJREF4Rlltdz09
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
February 20, 2023 through February 22, 2023 | Axe-Con 2024 | Deque Systems
Why attend axe-con? Building accessible digital experiences requires a team effort, across design, development, management, testing, accessibility experts, and of course, legal. Axe-con is the first of its kind, dedicating topics to each of these key players. This is not an assistive technology convention. Talks at axe-con will include case studies from enterprise companies leading in large-scale accessibility efforts, as well as best practices and updates from technology leaders around the world. Attendance of axe-con sessions can also be used towards continuing education (CE) towards IAAP certification. Topics of focus will include accessibility in development, accessibility in design, organizational success with accessibility, and a wildcard track. If you'd like to learn more about previous sessions and speakers, you can view last year's schedule here. Join us to learn how to build, test, monitor, and maintain digital accessibility:
https://www.deque.com/axe-con/register/
April 8, 2024 and April 9, 2023 | 24th Annual Multiple Perspective On Access, Inclusion & Disability Conference | The Ohio State University — Columbus, Ohio
To be on the mailing list for the conference, send email to:
ADA-OSU@osu.edu 📧️
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Moving the public policy needle is both difficult and costly. Access Ready has one of the most experienced teams in the business who have shown results. We have fostered Congressional language on accessible websites, elections, healthcare, communications, and other areas touched by information and communications technologies. These efforts are costly and we need your help to continue. Become an Access Ready supporter and create an accessible future for people with disabilities:
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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.
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➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Provides Access To The Best In The Business
If you need assistance with a new accessible website, document remediation or disability consulting of other kinds, Access Ready can help. We seek out the best in the business and bring them to you already vetted as to quality, professionalism and ability. By going through AccessReady.org to one of our qualified providers, you're not only getting the best, but supporting our advocacy and technological development efforts as well:
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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.
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➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Seeks Guidance On New Accessible Technologies
What Technologies do you see in the market that are not accessible, but should be? What accessible technologies can you imagine that can make the lives of people with all kinds of disabilities better? We will advocate with developers to make existing technologies accessible on your behalf. We will advocate with developers to build new accessible technologies on your behalf. Give us your guidance and support. Your guidance charts our path toward what is most important. Your support funds our efforts on your behalf:
https://accessready.org/
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Prepare For Your Future Today With The All-New APH ConnectCenter's Job Seekers Toolkit!
The APH ConnectCenter and NSITE have partnered to update the Job Seeker's Toolkit, an accessible, self-paced, free online training course. The Toolkit includes five sections covering self-awareness, career exploration tools, the preliminary employment process, the interview, and maintaining employment. We are bringing the Job Seeker's Toolkit to a larger audience and in a Learning Management System format for today's learners, at no cost. Visit APHCareerConnect.org to get started with the Job Seekers Toolkit today at:
https://aphcareerconnect.org/lesson-plans-for-teachers-and-professionals/the-job-seekers-toolkit/
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Save 10% On All Waytags @ Wayaround.Com With Coupon Code "joy10" Through December 20, 2023
WayAround is a smartphone-based labeling app that works with your preferred accessibility settings. You just need the free mobile app and some WayTags ® to label items in the kitchen, garden, closet, office & more.
If you want to label something that's inside, outside, wet, dry, hot, or cold, there's a WayTag that will attach securely. WayTags come as stickers, buttons, magnets, and clips. Each of the different styles of WayTags work exactly the same. Simply choose the WayTag that's best for what you want to label.
• Label your kitchen, clothing, or medication.
• Tag specialty items and tools for hobbies.
• Organize lots of information about one thing on a single WayTag.
• Scan each WayTag 100,000 times or more.
Keep adding more WayTags! There's no limit to the number of WayTags you can use. So you can rely on one system to label all your things.
Save 10% on any order of WayTags at WayAround.com. Enter "joy10" at checkout. WayLink Scanner is not eligible. Ends 12/20/2023.
https://www.wayaround.com/shop/?utm_source=AssistiveTech&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=AccessInfoNewsSponsorAdSponsor 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
➜ Classified Advertisement: December Gift of Accessibility: Scribe For Meetings Completely Free For All Until January 2nd, 2024!
Celebrate the Holidays with Inclusive Meetings! This holiday season, Pneuma Solutions is thrilled to announce a special gift for everyone: Scribe for Meetings is available for free throughout December! In the spirit of the holidays, we are dedicated to making meetings more inclusive and accessible, especially for those with visual impairments. Scribe for Meetings is an innovative cloud-based solution designed to make online meetings and webinars accessible to blind and low-vision participants. By integrating seamlessly with popular meeting platforms like Zoom and Microsoft Teams, it ensures that all participants can engage fully in the online experience. Our December Offer: Unprecedented Accessibility for Everyone! In an effort to spread holiday cheer and inclusivity, Scribe for Meetings is completely free for the entire month of December. This offer is open to businesses, organizations, and individuals, aiming to make every online meeting an inclusive and joyful experience.
https://scribeformeetings.com
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: Barrier Free Canada
➜ Classified Advertisement: The Crime Crusher Series Christmas Set #2: Episode 6: Santa's Super Christmas Dream By Award Winning Sight Loss Coach, Advocate and Author Donna Jodhan
For this year, Santa has told his wife that he is going to do his bit to bring peace to the world. Or as he puts it, he is going to give it his best try. Santa enlists his family to help him out and together they find people to assist with this mission. They all work together to create some very interesting ways to do this. Find out how Santa goes about the business of bringing peace to certain parts of the world! His super Christmas soldiers help out and dangerous missions are rewarded with success! Subscribe for free and write to me at donnajodhan@gmail.com 📧️:
https://youtu.be/-ZfcOvEUyLE
Sponsor Since: November 10, 2023
Website: https://barrierfreecanada.org/ 🌐️
About: Barrier-Free Canada/Canada Sans Barrieres (BFC/CSB) advocates for the Canadian Parliament to enact a strong and effective Canadians with Disabilities Act (CDA) to achieve a barrier-free Canada for all persons with disabilities.
To this end, BFC/CSB is seeking endorsements from national disability organizations to build a non-partisan community coalition. BFC/CSB would also like to identify point persons from these organizations to act as key contacts.
The steering committee of BFC/CSB has drafted a set of principles concerning a CDA that are drawn from the principles that underpin the provincial disability legislation in Ontario and Manitoba. A CDA is not meant to replace provincial disability legislation. It will complement such legislation and benefit Canadians living in provinces with and without provincial disability legislation. At this point in time, CNIB, March of Dimes Canada, Canadian Hearing Society and MS Society of Canada have endorsed the BFC/CSB principles and confirmed their support for the movement to enact a CDA. There is no individual or organizational charge for membership in BFC/CSB.
Please contact Donna Jodhan, Founder of Barrier-Free Canada, at info@barrierfreecanada.org 📧️ with any questions or to express your organization's support and identify a key contact.
Social: Facebook | X (Formerly Twitter) | Mastodon (Search For: @news@mastodon.barrierfreecanada.org).
Sponsor: Vision Ireland
Sponsor Since: September 18th 2023
Website: https://vi.ie/ 🌐️
Phone: 1800 911 250 📱️
Make A Referral: https://vi.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://vi.ie/supporting-us/donate-now/ ❤
Your support is Vital, for over 90 years, people like you have helped Vision Ireland 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 Vision Ireland Service Users about how Technology has enabled them by breaking down barriers and leveling playing fields.
Online Store: https://vi.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.
Vision Ireland Retail: https://www.ncbi.ie/shop-with-us/retail-stores/shop-locations/ 🛒
Visit our 130+ Vision Ireland stores located across the country and shop for an extensive range of pre-loved quality clothing, accessories, and furniture. Vision Ireland 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: Formerly National Council for the Blind of Ireland (NCBI), Vision Ireland'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, Vision Ireland 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.
Vision Ireland 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. Vision Ireland empowers those living with sight loss in several meaningful ways to enable them to continue living independent and fulfilling lives. Vision Ireland 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
➜ Classified Advertisement: New NVDA Workshops at Hadley
Learn the basics of NVDA. From getting started with the program to customizing the speech to learning helpful shortcuts, Hadley's workshops have you covered.
https://hadley.edu/workshops/nvda-screen-reader-series
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: 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
You can listen to Eyes On Success on your smart home device by saying “play the Eyes On Success podcast”, subscribe to the podcast wherever you get your podcasts, or listen on Apple Podcasts, iTunes, YouTube or your local radio reading service. Listeners can also follow the show on Facebook and X (Formerly Twitter).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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Be My AI Fun
I apologize for poking fun at Be My AI, but I couldn't resist having a little bit of fun. Join us at:
https://tinyurl.com/WeSpeakLive
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: Clusiv
➜ Classified Advertisement: Clusiv Is The World's First eLearning Platform Built For And By People Who Are Blind. Our Courses Are Designed To Equip People Who Are Blind Or Visually Impaired For Employment In The Modern Workforce. Learn More At Clusiv.Io.
Navigating the employment process can be challenging if you are blind or visually impaired. Technology is difficult to figure out, there is a lot of extra material to learn, and there isn't much quality training available.
That's where Clusiv comes in. We help to provide the training you need to succeed in the modern workforce. Our courses teach assistive technology skills and how to apply those skills to many of the business software programs used in the modern workforce, such as email, Microsoft and Google apps, video conferencing, and more. We also teach soft skills such as resume and interview preparation, disclosures and accommodations, internet safety, and financial literacy. Lastly, our training can teach specific career skills, such as becoming an accessibility analyst. Plus, our courses are self-paced.
To learn more, visit https://clusiv.io/ and fill out a form with your information. We work with state vocational rehabilitation agencies to provide access to our course content.
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Your Weekly Classified Advertisement Title Here (256 characters or less including spaces.)
Your weekly Classified Advertisement here.
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Sponsor Since: Today
Website: https://accessinformationnews.com/ 🌐️
Phone: (855) 578-6660 📱️
Email: news@accessinformationnews.com 📧️
About: Access Information News is the world's leading not-for-profit access information news publication that reaches over 15,000 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 not-for-profit access information news publication that reaches over 15,000 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.
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Become an Access Information News Platinum Supporter today.
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Platinum Supporter Since: December 5, 2022
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Platinum Supporter Since: March 24, 2023
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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 Access 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 Access 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 advocacy foundation.
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 Access 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 Access Technology
https://toptechtidbits.com 🌐️
National Commercial Assistive Technology Advisor (1990 - Present)
Vision Australia
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Access Information News for Monday, December 4, 2023 - Volume 939
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.
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1) Top 5 Most Clicked Access Information News Articles From Last Week
A) Low Vision Resources on a Dime | Future In Sight
Remember the five and dime stores, when items were literally priced 5-10 cents each? Nowadays we enjoy our local dollar store, which used to be $1.00 but are now $1.25. Regardless, it's still a great deal! Did you know that your local dollar store has amazing products for low vision for a fraction of the cost? Here are a few of our favorites!
https://futureinsight.org/blog-lowvisionresources/
B) Even Now, Great Radio is Just a Click Away | Sean Ross | RadioInsight.com
I've been spending more time with airchecks of classic radio lately. It's not just radio geekery, although I've got nothing to hide. It's not just a comment on the state of today's radio; I still find things that I like. But it is nice to hear a level of craftmanship that is less readily available now. Not every moment sizzles decades later, but there's enough to confirm that I'm not merely romanticizing things:
https://radioinsight.com/blogs/261167/even-now-great-radio-is-just-a-click-away/
C) Study Finds Brain Area That Can Assist Blind People In Face Recognition | Interesting Engineering
Researchers have identified a specific brain region that helps vision-impaired people recognize basic faces. They have also created an experimental gadget that assists blind people in recognizing basic facial expressions. Georgetown University Medical Center neuroscientists revealed that the fusiform face area, a vital region for face processing in sighted people, plays an important role in helping blind people recognize faces:
https://interestingengineering.com/science/brain-assist-blind-face-recognition
D) Making Things Work — We Need To Change Our Attitudes! | Award Winning Sight Loss Coach, Advocate and Author Donna Jodhan
We need to realize that the only way out of this present horrible situation that we have helped to create is for us to change our attitudes and do it now! Nothing good is going to come to us if we continue to complain instead of commit! Just my two cents for today:
https://sterlingcreations.com/blog/making-things-work-we-need-to-change-our-attitudes
E) Software That Supports Your Body Should Always Respect Your Freedom | Free Software Foundation | Miriam Bastian
Software that controls your body should always respect your freedom. This article is a recap of scandals of medical devices, like hearing aids, insulin pumps, bionic eyes, and pacemakers, and what we can learn from them. It's astonishing: you wouldn't expect these devices to be run by software in such a way that they can leave you completely helpless:
https://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/software-that-supports-your-body-should-always-respect-your-freedom
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6) Screen Reader Comparison: JAWS vs. VoiceOver vs. NVDA vs. TalkBack | Inclusion & Accessibility Labs
There are a wide range of screen readers on the market with different features and ways they render digital content. We've compared the top screen readers to help you decide which software is best for you or someone you know:
https://ialabs.ie/screen-reader-comparison/
7) CCLVI Scheigert Scholarships 2024 / 2025 | Council of Citizens with Low Vision International (CCLVI)
The Council of Citizens with Low Vision International (CCLVI), an affiliate of the American Council of the Blind, annually awards four scholarships in the amount of $3,000 each to full time college students - two incoming freshman, an undergraduate and a graduate student — all of whom must be low vision, maintain a strong GPA and be involved in school / local community activities. Deadlines, guidelines and application here:
https://www.accessinformationnews.com/documents/CCLVI-Scheigert-Scholarships-2024-2025.pdf
8) Could A Blind Person Get A Job As A Graphic Designer Using AI? | David Redmond | Vision Ireland
Unfortunately, some jobs are simply visual by design. I can't really write anything outside of my signature, never mind drawing anything or becoming a graphic designer. But could that be about to change? It might seem a stupid question, but could a blind person get a job as a graphic designer with AI? What would this mean for blind people? And what does it mean for the graphic design profession as a whole? It's time to try to become a visually impaired graphic designer:
https://vi.ie/could-a-blind-person-get-a-job-as-a-graphic-designer-using-ai/
9) National Library Service (NLS) For The Blind And Print Disabled Library of Congress Launches Updated Website
In October, NLS launched a major update to its website, https://www.loc.gov/nls, with the goal of making the site more dynamic, engaging, and intuitive and to improve findability for patrons and other website users. Specific changes include: A front page with links to the most sought-after information, such as lists of new materials and information on events and site updates. Consolidation of duplicate pages. Extensive cross-referencing and linking to resources. Multiple points of entry to our most popular book finding aids — catalog searches, BARD, and Talking Book Topics. Enhanced accessibility tools, such as a toggle for underlining links, contrast options, and text settings. A dedicated page for BARD and BARD Mobile updates to help current users better understand new features. We encourage all patrons to visit the newly updated site and bookmark it in your favorite browser:
https://www.loc.gov/nls/
10) Free Braille Calendars Available | National Library Service (NLS) For The Blind And Print Disabled Library of Congress
NLS now offers a free braille calendar in both wall-sized and pocket-sized formats for patrons. Please reach out to your cooperating network library if you would like to subscribe to receive a calendar annually.
https://www.loc.gov/nls/
11) Not All Screen Reader Users Are Blind | TemperTemper.net
There's a common misconception that everyone who uses screen reader software is blind. That's mostly the case, but not always. According to the most recent WebAIM Screen Reader User Survey (from 2021), 79.5% of screen reader users are blind. The remaining 20.5% who are not blind may have low or impaired vision, but some may have perfect vision. Let me explain:
https://www.tempertemper.net/blog/not-all-screen-reader-users-are-blind
12) 10 Different Gift Ideas for Blind People: How to Choose the Perfect Gift for Christmas? | Hable
We've curated a list of 10 unique and creative gift ideas that will leave your loved ones speechless:
https://www.iamhable.com/tips-and-tricks/10-different-gift-ideas-for-blind-people-how-to-choose-the-perfect-gift-for-christmas
13) The Tactile Times Advent Calendar And Countdown To Christmas 2023
Welcome to the Tactile Times advent calendar. As far as we know this is the first fully-accessible online advent calendar aimed specifically at young braillists. Click on today's door to reveal the hidden content for today:
https://games.tactiletimes.org/advent
14) BrailleBlaster 2.1.2-Beta Released | November 20, 2023 | APH
We are pleased to announce the release of BrailleBlaster 2.1.2-beta. There are a good number of bug fixes and improvements in this release, including better file handling support, better support for tables and improvements to the find and replace tool, as well as some fixes for math, emphasis and other general use. As usual this release can now be downloaded from the BrailleBlaster website https://www.brailleblaster.org and the full release notes can be found with the download. Finally we feel we are getting close to a point where we can make a 2.1.X stable release, so we would really appreciate feedback from those who do try this beta release:
https://www.brailleblaster.org/download.php
15) Siri Workshop Series | Hadley
Learn how to use your voice, and your iPhone's built-in assistant Siri, to make calls, send texts, set reminders, check the weather, and more. Check out how to get the most out of Siri in this series of Workshops below. Do you have a friend, relative, or client who doesn't use a computer? We are happy to send large print, digital talking book audio, or braille versions of our workshops in the mail:
https://hadley.edu/workshops/siri-series?_q=sp2d3uh4ufm
16) What is a Braille Keyboard? | Allyant
Braille keyboards are special kinds of keyboards that allow visually impaired and blind people who rely on braille to communicate to be able to type just as a non-braille user would. Braille keyboards use certain keys to represent each braille dot in a cell. This article will discuss how to use a braille keyboard, different kinds of braille keyboards, and more:
https://allyant.com/what-is-a-braille-keyboard-types/
17) Blind Papa John's Worker Fired Over His Service Dog, Feds Say. Now Company Will Pay
In a notable legal case, Michael Barnes, a blind employee at a Papa John's Pizza location in Athens, Georgia, was fired due to bringing his guide dog, Indie, to work, prompting a lawsuit. Initially, Barnes was assured by the store manager that having Indie wouldn't pose a problem, discussing options to keep the dog in a crate during work hours. However, the accommodation request committee later denied Barnes's request and terminated his employment, citing health and safety concerns, though failing to specify any violated regulations. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) filed a lawsuit on Barnes' behalf, claiming the dismissal violated the Americans with Disabilities Act. Papa John's agreed to pay $175,000 to settle the lawsuit and committed to training its accommodations request committee and human resources personnel on the ADA, reasonable accommodations, and discrimination. This case highlights the challenges faced by disabled workers in seeking reasonable workplace accommodations and the importance of adherence to anti-discrimination laws:
https://news.yahoo.com/blind-papa-john-worker-fired-182911066.html
18) Community Helps Search For Blind Man's Stolen Dog | ABC15 Arizona | YouTube
ABC 15's Jordan Bontke reports on the challenging situation faced by Tanner Gears, a blind man, who is searching for his stolen French Bulldog, known as "The General." The dog, named for its camouflage color, was a companion for both Gears and his daughter, aiding in her growth and communication development. Gears, who lost his vision due to a car accident, found comfort in The General's heavy breathing, a sound that provided him a sense of security. Nearly two weeks ago, the sound of The General's breathing abruptly ceased, leading Gears to discover from his neighbors that the dog might have been picked up and driven away by a car. Despite filing a police report and the community actively investigating with various tips, The General remains missing. One tip suggested the dog was being resold, while another indicated a sighting of a similar dog in a park. Gears, emphasizing his emotional connection to The General, stated he wouldn't press charges if the dog was returned, underlining the profound impact the dog has on his and his daughter's life:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXMppYxgRuE
19) Radio Reminiscences . . . A Reader Participation Post | The SWLing Post | With Commentary By David Goldfield, Tech-VI List
David Goldfield: I've been a fan of audio theater since I was around ten years old when my dad bought me a recording of an early episode of "the Shadow" starring Orson Wells. The Shadow has become my favorite series of that time and Wells, while only playing the role for one season, is my favorite in the role. The below article also mentions Big John and Sparky. I first became aware of John Arthur's talent in the mid-1970s when, as a kid, I discovered his No School Today program on Family Radio which aired those older fifteen-minute serials each week. Many collectors who sell audio theater in MP3 format often provide Big John and Sparky as one of their offerings and I was able to locate one and purchased a CD containing 97 episodes. As I enjoy science fiction I naturally became a fan of Dimension X and X Minus One which produced some great SF stories. As a kid I enjoyed many of the weekly sitcoms. I still enjoy some of them but drama has stuck with me over the years and that's what I continue to listen to the most. Many people refer to audio drama as audio theater instead of old time radio since many companies and individuals continue to produce it directly to the Internet. Considering that new audio theater is rarely produced on U.S. terrestrial radio the Internet has provided a great service by reviving this type of entertainment. Audio theater is understandably attractive to many of us who are blind as it requires no audio description and, if it's well-written, requires little to no narration. The Internet Archive is a great source for what would be considered old time radio but the site can be a challenge to navigate. Performing an Internet search for what you're looking for will help to narrow things down.
The SWLing Post: In this post by Jock Elliott, KB2GOM, the author shares his nostalgia-evoking experience of listening to "Theatre of the Mind" on Zoomer Radio, Toronto. This program, airing Monday to Friday, revives "Old Time Radio" shows, a staple of earlier radio broadcasting. Elliott recounts being transported back to his childhood in the 1950s, eagerly anticipating shows like "Big John and Sparky" and "Space Patrol." He highlights the unique appeal of radio dramas where imagination completes the scene, contrasting it with the less impactful experience of watching these shows on television. Elliott's personal journey with radio also included a germanium diode radio, which he used for clandestine late-night jazz listening, and later, a Zenith Transoceanic, enriching his auditory adventures. The post invites readers to share their own cherished radio memories, forming a tapestry of radio's enduring impact:
https://swling.com/blog/2023/11/radio-reminiscences-a-reader-participation-post/
20) Mobile App Accessibility: What Blind Customers Want You to Know | Michael Taylor | Usable.net
In most of my previous posts, I have spoken about accessibility on desktop websites. Today, I will be writing about common accessibility problems on mobile applications. The number of people who use mobile applications on smartphones and tablets is steadily increasing. I myself do all of my online shopping and banking through apps on my iPhone and iPad. While I find apps to be more user-friendly and exhibit fewer accessibility bugs than websites, the experience is far from flawless. I have found that some companies offer a solid accessibility experience on the website but a poor one on the app. As more customers rely on mobile, companies should consider the app as a key part of their overall accessibility portfolio. As always, I will be exclusively covering screen reader accessibility in this post. Mobile screen readers work differently than desktop-based screen readers, but I'll explain more later:
https://blog.usablenet.com/mobile-app-accessibility-what-blind-customers-want-you-to-know
21) 3 Ways Online Retailers Can Improve the Shopping Experience for People With Disabilities | MyTotalRetail.com
For people with disabilities, accessibility barriers are a persistent challenge on e-commerce sites. AudioEye's Digital Accessibility Index — which scanned nearly 40,000 enterprise sites to identify the most common accessibility issues — found that the retail industry performed below average in several key areas, including image and form accessibility:
https://www.mytotalretail.com/article/3-ways-online-retailers-can-improve-the-shopping-experience-for-people-with-disabilities/
22) A Plea for Page Numbers! | InclusivePublishing.org
In recent interviews conducted by the user research team at EBSCO, readers of academic texts revealed that they are hesitant to embrace ebooks provided in EPUB format despite its many benefits. What causes the most trepidation for users and librarians is a lack of confidence that citations generated from EPUB-formatted ebooks without page numbers will be accepted by faculty. Inclusive Publishing Partner, EBSCO, explores the reasons behind this and how we can remedy this situation:
https://inclusivepublishing.org/blog/a-plea-for-page-numbers/
23) Digital accessibility updates on International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) 2024 | Shawn Lawton Henry | W3C
For IDPD, we are highlighting translations of accessibility resources. All WAI translations lists accessibility resources in over 35 languages. Thanks to volunteer translators:
https://www.w3.org/blog/2023/digital-accessibility-updates-on-international-day-of-persons-with-disabilities-idpd-2024/
24) The Walmart Woes — Time To Hold Them And Others Accountable | Award Winning Sight Loss Coach, Advocate and Author Donna Jodhan
My final thoughts? We really need to hold the feet of these types of stores and others to the fire and literally strong arm them into paying attention and taking positive action! Just my two cents for today:
https://sterlingcreations.com/blog/the-wal-mart-woes-time-to-hold-them-and-others-accountable
25) Diabetes Organizations You'll Want To Follow | DiabetesDaily.com
As National Diabetes Awareness Month comes to an end, we wanted to highlight some incredible organizations. Throughout the year, these non-profit organizations and registered charities work tirelessly to make a difference for those living with diabetes. Through fundraising for research, developing clinical guidelines, providing education to healthcare professionals and people living with diabetes, or creating opportunities for those living with the disease to interact and engage with each other, they help us live our best lives:
https://www.diabetesdaily.com/blog/diabetes-organizations-youll-want-to-follow-717552/
26) Common Challenges When Grocery Shopping Online As A Blind User | Michael Taylor | UsableNet.com
It is that time of year again when everyone is shopping for that perfect Thanksgiving turkey, ingredients for that warm and delicious pumpkin pie, or all of the fixings for a scrumptious batch of fun holiday cookies. Online grocery shopping is one area of business that will undoubtedly experience increased usage this Thanksgiving and holiday season. So many websites allow users to shop for their favorite groceries from the comfort of their laptop or smartphone and have them delivered directly to their door or assembled for one-stop pickup at the store. After exploring some of these platforms, I discovered several common accessibility flaws that make the experience less than desirable for blind shoppers like myself. I will discuss some of my findings in this post. As always, I will strictly be speaking about screen reader accessibility:
https://blog.usablenet.com/common-challenges-when-grocery-shopping-online-as-a-blind-user
27) Summary And Feedback Forms - CAN-ASC-5.1 Standard On Emergency Measures: Public Review Draft | Accessibility Standards Canada
Accessibility means no one is left behind in the case of an emergency. Our new draft standard on emergency measures aims to keep everyone, particularly people with disabilities, safe. Tell us what you think:
https://ow.ly/rqU650QcEVA
➜ Featured Webinars, Training Courses and Events
Submit your access information related Webinar, Training Course or Event for consideration within this section using this form: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-event.
December 4, 2023 through December 6, 2023 | 2023 National Coding Symposium for Students | APH
9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
The 2023 National Coding Symposium is back for another year of coding fun, bringing even more opportunities to engage students and all levels of coders! This event has been moved from spring to December to coincide with Computer Science Education Week. The goal of the Coding Symposium is to build connections between students, teachers, and professionals in coding. The symposium will be completely virtual, enabling more students, teachers, and family members nationwide to attend than an in-person event would have allowed. Professionals from Apple, Deque Systems, Bridges, NSITE, HumanWare and more will also be in attendance, sharing ideas, activities, resources, and career opportunities:
https://www.aph.org/2023-national-coding-symposium-for-students/
December 6, 2023 | Basics of PowerPoint Accessibility Remediation (Digital Accessibility Webinar) | Access Ingenuity
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
One of the most used presentation programs is PowerPoint. We will cover the basics of structuring PowerPoint documents for accessibility, including how to effectively add alternate text to images, especially those with multiple parts like flowcharts, and best practices for making your PowerPoint files accessible. Join Rachel Reeves from Access Ingenuity to learn how to make your PowerPoint accessible for screen readers. Learning Outcomes & Zoom Webinar Information: Highlight how to use Office formatting features to create accessible documents. Explore the accessibility tools in PowerPoint, such as the Reading Order pane, and how to add alternative text. Go through the steps in creating a clean PowerPoint Accessibility Check:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89851602654?pwd=cEtva3Rsd21tM1h5Rk9wb0J2VzZ4dz09&mc_cid=e69ad01a13&mc_eid=90429c1885#success
December 6, 2023 and December 7, 2023 | Sight Tech Global — Shaping New Technologies to Create a More Accessible World for People with Blindness and Visual Impairments
Sight Tech Global is the first global, virtual conference dedicated to fostering discussion among technology pioneers on how rapid advances in AI and related technologies will fundamentally alter the landscape of assistive technology and accessibility:
https://sighttechglobal.com/?mc_cid=0f086fc102&mc_eid=eb245f25da
December 7, 2023 | Streamline Accessibility Testing and Management with a Unified Platform | TPGi
8AM PT, 9AM MT, 10AM CT, 11AM ET, 3PM GMT
Presenter: Charlie Pike, Platform Success Lead. There are many different types of analysis available for accessibility, from broad automated scans to user testing and time-intensive manual assessments. With ARC, TPGi's unified accessibility management and testing platform, you can put the proper analysis in the right hands, spreading the effort through your organization without losing effective oversight. This webinar will walk you through a sample accessibility program, demonstrating when and where to test and how to distribute work and knowledge. Who should attend: Accessibility professionals. Web developers and designers. Product managers:
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-december-7-at-11am-et-streamline-accessibility-testing-and-management-with-a-unified-platform/
December 7, 2023 | The Oko Story | AYES.AI | 2023 Sight Tech Global Event
8:35 AM PT, 9:35 AM MT, 10:35 AM CT, 11:35 AM ET, 3:35 PM GMT
We're eager to share the oko story and our future plans in a webinar at Sight Tech Global on December 7th, from 8:35 AM to 9:00 AM PT. The webinar will include a live Q&A session, so feel free to ask us anything. If you haven't registered for our session yet, please do so using this link:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf2OxZ4D4Ywa1ud5U7K4yxF6hYImVoBRPFtGKZK89pvXKrX7g/viewform
December 12, 2023 | Access Academy Part 4: The Monarch: Tactile Access to Digital Learning | APH
1:30PM PT, 2:30PM MT, 3:30PM CT, 4:30PM ET, 8:30PM GMT
This webinar is part four of the Tactile Graphics Literacy for Students with Visual Impairments: 4 Part Series. Join this webinar to learn about the skills and background knowledge a student requires to benefit from the use of a multi-line, graphics-capable, refreshable braille display like the Monarch.
https://www.aph.org/events/the-monarch-tactile-access-to-digital-learning/
December 12, 2023 | How to Perform Accessibility Testing (Part 2)
9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
Presenter: Aaron Farber, Senior Accessibility Platform Consultant. Does your organization (need to) perform manual accessibility testing on tens of applications? In this webinar, attendees learn how enterprise-level organizations dramatically reduce the level of effort and accessibility expertise required to perform manual audits. There are four fundamental steps to creating a world-class, enterprise-level internal accessibility team. Break down each of the WCAG Success Criteria into a set of smaller, easily repeatable tests. Automate as much of the work as possible, and clearly distinguish what requires manual testing. Develop solution templates to save testing teams from having to reinvent the wheel. Have the ability to generate multiple findings reports — suited for the different audiences involved in delivering an online experience. With these clear steps, teams, even those new to accessibility testing, can accurately and effectively carry out full-scale, full WCAG coverage audits. For large organizations, the challenge here is doing each of these steps requires significant investment. Until now. Learn how the Accessibility Resource Center brings your accessibility testing team to a world-class level and start performing manual accessibility audits faster:
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-december-12-at-12pm-et-how-to-perform-accessibility-testing-part-2/
December 13, 2023 | Learn About The Hable One | A. T. Guys
11AM PT, 12PM MT, 1PM CT, 2PM ET, 6PM GMT
The Hable One is AT Guys' newest product that allows you to remotely control your smart phone with an easy to use interface. Use the Hable one as if you were using braille screen input in screen away mode. No need for a table to quickly enter text and control your phone. You can even wake your phone up with it still in your pocket! Discover the Hable One in AT Guys' upcoming free webinar, highlighting its simplified text entry, app navigation, and call management. Reserve your spot here:
https://www.atguys.com/store/index.php?main_page=page&id=24
December 13, 2023 | Internet Browsing with JAWS (Assistive Technology Webinar) | Access Ingenuity
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
Are you interested in gaining a further understanding of web surfing with JAWS? Let's explore methods and strategies to enhance your browsing experience. We covered web browsing basics in a previous webinar. Now, we'll dive deeper. Join Ian Ramos and Marisa Church from Access Ingenuity to discuss webpage structure and how this can help the JAWS user better understand how to navigate by headings, forms, buttons, and regions to get the job done quickly. Learning Outcomes & Zoom Webinar Information: Discuss different elements of a webpage. Use Windows commands to navigate a webpage. Demonstrate the JAWS find command. Explore forms:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81286375149?pwd=ZkwzZm4wbVdxTUlGLzQxYWtHVzZiZz09&mc_cid=e69ad01a13&mc_eid=90429c1885#success
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
February 20, 2023 through February 22, 2023 | Axe-Con 2024 | Deque Systems
Why attend axe-con? Building accessible digital experiences requires a team effort, across design, development, management, testing, accessibility experts, and of course, legal. Axe-con is the first of its kind, dedicating topics to each of these key players. This is not an assistive technology convention. Talks at axe-con will include case studies from enterprise companies leading in large-scale accessibility efforts, as well as best practices and updates from technology leaders around the world. Attendance of axe-con sessions can also be used towards continuing education (CE) towards IAAP certification. Topics of focus will include accessibility in development, accessibility in design, organizational success with accessibility, and a wildcard track. If you'd like to learn more about previous sessions and speakers, you can view last year's schedule here. Join us to learn how to build, test, monitor, and maintain digital accessibility:
https://www.deque.com/axe-con/register/
April 8, 2024 and April 9, 2023 | 24th Annual Multiple Perspective On Access, Inclusion & Disability Conference | The Ohio State University — Columbus, Ohio
To be on the mailing list for the conference, send email to:
ADA-OSU@osu.edu 📧️
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Sponsor: Access Ready, Inc.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Provides Access To The Best In The Business
If you need assistance with a new accessible website, document remediation or disability consulting of other kinds, Access Ready can help. We seek out the best in the business and bring them to you already vetted as to quality, professionalism and ability. By going through AccessReady.org to one of our qualified providers, you're not only getting the best, but supporting our advocacy and technological development efforts as well:
https://accessready.org/
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.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Seeks Guidance On New Accessible Technologies
What Technologies do you see in the market that are not accessible, but should be? What accessible technologies can you imagine that can make the lives of people with all kinds of disabilities better? We will advocate with developers to make existing technologies accessible on your behalf. We will advocate with developers to build new accessible technologies on your behalf. Give us your guidance and support. Your guidance charts our path toward what is most important. Your support funds our efforts on your behalf:
https://accessready.org/
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Prepare For Your Future Today With The All-New APH ConnectCenter's Job Seekers Toolkit!
The APH ConnectCenter and NSITE have partnered to update the Job Seeker's Toolkit, an accessible, self-paced, free online training course. The Toolkit includes five sections covering self-awareness, career exploration tools, the preliminary employment process, the interview, and maintaining employment. We are bringing the Job Seeker's Toolkit to a larger audience and in a Learning Management System format for today's learners, at no cost. Visit APHCareerConnect.org to get started with the Job Seekers Toolkit today at:
https://aphcareerconnect.org/lesson-plans-for-teachers-and-professionals/the-job-seekers-toolkit/
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Save 15% on all WayAround Products on Cyber Monday! Use code Cyber15 during checkout at WayAround.com
WayAround is a smartphone-based labeling app that works with your preferred accessibility settings. You just need the free mobile app and some WayTags ® to label items in the kitchen, garden, closet, office & more. If you want to label something that's inside, outside, wet, dry, hot, or cold, there's a WayTag that will attach securely. WayTags come as stickers, buttons, magnets, and clips. Each of the different styles of WayTags work exactly the same. Simply choose the WayTag that's best for what you want to label.
➜ Label your kitchen, clothing, or medication.
➜ Tag specialty items and tools for hobbies.
➜ Organize lots of information about one thing on a single WayTag.
➜ Scan each WayTag 100,000 times or more.
Keep adding more WayTags! Use any style of tag, in any order. There's no limit to the number of WayTags you can use. So you can rely on one system to label all your things. Try our Starter Pack to experience ALL of the different types of WayTags!
https://www.wayaround.com/shop/?utm_source=AssistiveTech&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=AccessInfoNewsSponsorAd
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: December Gift of Accessibility: Scribe For Meetings Completely Free For All Until January 2nd, 2024!
Celebrate the Holidays with Inclusive Meetings! This holiday season, Pneuma Solutions is thrilled to announce a special gift for everyone: Scribe for Meetings is available for free throughout December! In the spirit of the holidays, we are dedicated to making meetings more inclusive and accessible, especially for those with visual impairments. Scribe for Meetings is an innovative cloud-based solution designed to make online meetings and webinars accessible to blind and low-vision participants. By integrating seamlessly with popular meeting platforms like Zoom and Microsoft Teams, it ensures that all participants can engage fully in the online experience. Our December Offer: Unprecedented Accessibility for Everyone! In an effort to spread holiday cheer and inclusivity, Scribe for Meetings is completely free for the entire month of December. This offer is open to businesses, organizations, and individuals, aiming to make every online meeting an inclusive and joyful experience.
https://scribeformeetings.com
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: Barrier Free Canada
➜ Classified Advertisement: The Crime Crusher Series Christmas Set #1: Episode #4: Santa's Secret Christmas Ring By Award Winning Sight Loss Coach, Advocate and Author Donna Jodhan
Robbie had not always been the same! He had been forced to change his ways and then! He had embarked on a very different path! Robbie Davos had become a man of very christian beliefs and one of them was that he firmly believed in giving back and giving to those who really needed it. Robbie would tell you that his life had been a very fulfilling one but there seemed to be something missing and he was determined to find it before he departed this world. Find out how he found it in a very unique way and what he did before he departed! Santa's Secret Christmas Ring! A fictional story of a mission fulfilled! Subscribe for free and write to me at donnajodhan@gmail.com 📧️:
https://youtu.be/Sg-Ny2FaNvs?si=flkqkri85-CicVVL
Sponsor Since: November 10, 2023
Website: https://barrierfreecanada.org/ 🌐️
About: Barrier-Free Canada/Canada Sans Barrieres (BFC/CSB) advocates for the Canadian Parliament to enact a strong and effective Canadians with Disabilities Act (CDA) to achieve a barrier-free Canada for all persons with disabilities.
To this end, BFC/CSB is seeking endorsements from national disability organizations to build a non-partisan community coalition. BFC/CSB would also like to identify point persons from these organizations to act as key contacts.
The steering committee of BFC/CSB has drafted a set of principles concerning a CDA that are drawn from the principles that underpin the provincial disability legislation in Ontario and Manitoba. A CDA is not meant to replace provincial disability legislation. It will complement such legislation and benefit Canadians living in provinces with and without provincial disability legislation. At this point in time, CNIB, March of Dimes Canada, Canadian Hearing Society and MS Society of Canada have endorsed the BFC/CSB principles and confirmed their support for the movement to enact a CDA. There is no individual or organizational charge for membership in BFC/CSB.
Please contact Donna Jodhan, Founder of Barrier-Free Canada, at info@barrierfreecanada.org 📧️ with any questions or to express your organization's support and identify a key contact.
Social: Facebook | X (Formerly Twitter) | Mastodon (Search For: @news@mastodon.barrierfreecanada.org).
Sponsor: Vision Ireland
Sponsor Since: September 18th 2023
Website: https://vi.ie/ 🌐️
Phone: 1800 911 250 📱️
Make A Referral: https://vi.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://vi.ie/supporting-us/donate-now/ ❤
Your support is Vital, for over 90 years, people like you have helped Vision Ireland 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 Vision Ireland Service Users about how Technology has enabled them by breaking down barriers and leveling playing fields.
Online Store: https://vi.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.
Vision Ireland Retail: https://www.ncbi.ie/shop-with-us/retail-stores/shop-locations/ 🛒
Visit our 130+ Vision Ireland stores located across the country and shop for an extensive range of pre-loved quality clothing, accessories, and furniture. Vision Ireland 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: Formerly National Council for the Blind of Ireland (NCBI), Vision Ireland'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, Vision Ireland 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.
Vision Ireland 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. Vision Ireland empowers those living with sight loss in several meaningful ways to enable them to continue living independent and fulfilling lives. Vision Ireland 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
➜ Classified Advertisement: New NVDA Workshops at Hadley
Learn the basics of NVDA. From getting started with the program to customizing the speech to learning helpful shortcuts, Hadley's workshops have you covered.
https://hadley.edu/workshops/nvda-screen-reader-series
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: 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
You can listen to Eyes On Success on your smart home device by saying “play the Eyes On Success podcast”, subscribe to the podcast wherever you get your podcasts, or listen on Apple Podcasts, iTunes, YouTube or your local radio reading service. Listeners can also follow the show on Facebook and X (Formerly Twitter).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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Be My AI Fun
I apologize for poking fun at Be My AI, but I couldn't resist having a little bit of fun. Join us at:
https://tinyurl.com/WeSpeakLive
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: Clusiv
➜ Classified Advertisement: Clusiv Is The World's First eLearning Platform Built For And By People Who Are Blind. Our Courses Are Designed To Equip People Who Are Blind Or Visually Impaired For Employment In The Modern Workforce. Learn More At Clusiv.Io.
Navigating the employment process can be challenging if you are blind or visually impaired. Technology is difficult to figure out, there is a lot of extra material to learn, and there isn't much quality training available.
That's where Clusiv comes in. We help to provide the training you need to succeed in the modern workforce. Our courses teach assistive technology skills and how to apply those skills to many of the business software programs used in the modern workforce, such as email, Microsoft and Google apps, video conferencing, and more. We also teach soft skills such as resume and interview preparation, disclosures and accommodations, internet safety, and financial literacy. Lastly, our training can teach specific career skills, such as becoming an accessibility analyst. Plus, our courses are self-paced.
To learn more, visit https://clusiv.io/ and fill out a form with your information. We work with state vocational rehabilitation agencies to provide access to our course content.
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.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Seeks Your Support at the Public Policy Level
Moving the public policy needle is both difficult and costly. Access Ready has one of the most experienced teams in the business who have shown results. We have fostered Congressional language on accessible websites, elections, healthcare, communications, and other areas touched by information and communications technologies. These efforts are costly and we need your help to continue. Become an Access Ready supporter and create an accessible future for people with disabilities:
https://accessready.org/
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Your Weekly Classified Advertisement Title Here (256 characters or less including spaces.)
Your weekly Classified Advertisement here.
(1000 characters or less including spaces.)
Sponsor Since: Today
Website: https://accessinformationnews.com/ 🌐️
Phone: (855) 578-6660 📱️
Email: news@accessinformationnews.com 📧️
About: Access Information News is the world's leading not-for-profit access information news publication that reaches over 15,000 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 not-for-profit access information news publication that reaches over 15,000 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.
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Become an Access Information News Platinum Supporter today.
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Platinum Supporter Since: December 5, 2022
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Platinum Supporter Since: March 24, 2023
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One Time Supporter on November 28, 2023
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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 Access 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 Access 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 advocacy foundation.
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 Access 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 Access 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, November 27, 2023 - Volume 938
The Week's News in Access Information
https://accessinformationnews.com/
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.
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This Week's Featured Advertisement: Be Thankful For Our Blessings And Be A Blessing To Others From Access Ready, Inc.
Thanksgiving reminds us to look around our lives and be thankful for the blessings we take for granted. In spite of everything, we in America have so much to be thankful for.
Prices are high, but they are higher where there is little to buy. Violence looks to be running rampant, but rockets are not landing in our neighborhoods. Economics are tuff and we are stretching paychecks, but most have paychecks. The politics are rough in this upcoming Presidential election, but there will be an election and we each have a choice to make.
Be thankful for these things and take positive action to show your thankfulness. A random act of kindness can be a small miracle. Anonymously pay a stranger's tab at a local diner. Be a giver to a family who is facing the holidays without gifts. Make a commitment for next year to a charity, cause or effort that will make a difference.
Be thankful for our blessings and be a blessing to others!
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1) Top 5 Most Clicked Access Information News Articles From Last Week
A) Be My Eyes Ties OpenAI's GPT-4 Into Its Accessibility Service — and Aims to Improve Blind Users' CX | Hackster.io
The Be My AI vision-model-powered image description system is now being extended beyond the app and into specific customer relations sites:
https://www.hackster.io/news/be-my-eyes-ties-openai-s-gpt-4-into-its-accessibility-service-and-aims-to-improve-blind-users-cx-1fbd8b86f7a9
B) The 8 Best Grocery Delivery Services in 2023 | CNet.com
According to some reports, as much as half of the US population participates in some form of online grocery shopping. There are now dozens of places online to buy your weekly provisions and have them shipped directly to your home. Much like meal kits and meal delivery services, these companies provide lightning-fast shipping, competitive prices and major convenience in hopes of earning a slice of your weekly food budget. To save yourself time and hassle, an easy grocery delivery service can take one of your big weekly tasks off your hands and allow you to carefully curate your grocery haul from the comfort of home. To help you pick the right one, we've set out to test all the top players to find the best grocery delivery service for 2023:
https://www.cnet.com/home/kitchen-and-household/best-grocery-delivery-service/
C) OrCam Technologies Unveils OrCam Read 3 — First AI-Driven All-In-One Solution For People With Low Vision And Visual Impairments
This groundbreaking, all-in-one solution was unveiled on November 14, 2023 by OrCam Technologies, a global leader in personal, AI-driven assistive tech innovations. OrCam Read 3 will change the way individuals with vision loss and reading difficulties interact with visual materials. Just point the device at a book, computer screen, product packaging or any text, and the AI technology will loudly and clearly read the text aloud or through earphones. It even supports 17 different languages:
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/orcam-technologies-unveils-orcam-read-3---first-ai-driven-all-in-one-solution-for-people-with-low-vision-and-visual-impairments-301987140.html
D) Board Game Playing Tips for People with Vision Issues
Board games are an exciting pastime that people of all ages and walks of life can enjoy. Though many think these are a little outdated compared to gaming in the digital world, innovative board games are coming out and are highly anticipated. However, not everyone can play at their fullest potential; board games rely heavily on visuals and careful observation, which is difficult for those with vision issues. Millions of people struggle with vision impairment and blindness in America. Though people with vision issues can enjoy board games, it's much more challenging and can be a frustrating experience. Fortunately, there are ways to make playing more comfortable and accessible so more people can join the fun. Here are some board game-playing tips for people with vision issues:
https://sequentialplanet.com/board-game-playing-tips-for-people-with-vision-issues/
E) Digital Accessibility Podcasts | November 14, 2023 | Ricky Onsman | TPGi
You've subscribed to the newsletters and RSS feeds, you've expanded your library, but what about digital accessibility podcasts? Podcasts have been one of the great enablers for exploring digital accessibility issues and for giving voice to people with disabilities in general. There are literally thousand of podcasts out there, and there are hundreds that have at least some relevance to digital accessibility. In this article, I've concentrated on three groups of podcasts:
https://www.tpgi.com/digital-accessibility-podcasts/
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6) From Wish Lists to Checkouts: Making Holiday Shopping Accessible for Everyone | November 19, 2023 | AccessibilitySpark.com
The holiday season is a time of joy, celebration, and giving. It's a time when people come together to exchange gifts, express gratitude, and create cherished memories. For businesses, it's also a time of increased sales, where shoppers look for the perfect gifts for their loved ones. In this digital realm, it's crucial to recognize the importance of making the shopping experience accessible to everyone. While the convenience of online shopping is undeniable, it also presents challenges for individuals with disabilities. Navigating online stores, selecting products, and completing purchases can be cumbersome or even impossible without proper accessibility features. Let's explore the concept of accessibility and holiday shopping and its profound impact on individuals with disabilities:
https://accessibilityspark.com/accessibility-and-holiday-shopping/
7) CVS Expands Availability of OTC Hearing Aids | November 20, 2023 | The Hearing Review
CVS Pharmacy recently expanded their availability of three over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids to over 1,000 locations across 39 states, with five also available for purchase through the CVS website:
https://hearingreview.com/hearing-products/hearing-aids/otc/cvs-expands-availability-of-otc-hearing-aids
8) 3 Key Perspectives When Designing For Accessibility | Christie Wong
Here I share some Insightful, practical takeaways that I learned from my time working with a client with disabilities. It is encouraging to see that accessibility — the practice of making information available and usable for people with a wide range of functional abilities — is gradually moving to the forefront for businesses in the technology sector. Many tech professionals are also seeking training in WCAG, the World Wide Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, as well as learning about methodologies that encourage inclusivity:
https://uxdesign.cc/3-key-perspectives-when-designing-for-accessibility-c95f4f4e20c7
9) Braille Music Basics: Intervals | November 16, 2023 | Timothy Jones | NLS Music Notes Resources For The Blind & Print Disabled
This post is a continuation of the series Braille Music Basics. We recommend reviewing the post on reading notes in braille music. While the signs for notes and rests themselves are crucial to know, this is only the starting point for mastering the braille music code. One major difference between braille music and print music notation is how chords are written. Though many different instruments can play more than one note at a time, the most common scores to possess chords are those written for keyboard instruments like the piano, harpsichord, pianoforte and organ. It is important to know that braille music identifies a chord as having two or more notes played simultaneously, whereas a chord in print music is considered to have three notes played together. Hence, we get the term triad:
https://blogs.loc.gov/nls-music-notes/2023/11/braille-music-basics-intervals/
10) Can Two Blind People Install SimpliSafe Independently? | Lucy Greco's Cooking And Know Before You Buy | YouTube |
Lucy helps a friend install a SimpliSafe home security system. This video only shows the unboxing and installation. I will review the apps and how well the support works in another video shortly. If you like this system and want to support my channel, message me privately for a referral link. All proceeds go towards buying new products to review on the channel:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQ8PbLs3JHE
11) Cost Of Living Concerns Taking A Toll On Wellbeing, RNIB Says | Optometry Today UK
New research has illustrated the effect of cost-of-living concerns on the wellbeing of blind and partially sighted people. Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) is calling for the UK Government to review how benefits are set and increased, highlighting that blind and partially sighted people can often experience "additional and unavoidable costs" such as for assistive technology, or taxi journeys, which could "spiral unchecked" without intervention:
https://www.aop.org.uk/ot/industry/charity/2023/11/23/cost-of-living-concerns-taking-a-toll-on-wellbeing-rnib-says
12) Software That Supports Your Body Should Always Respect Your Freedom | Free Software Foundation | November 3, 2023 | Miriam Bastian
Software that controls your body should always respect your freedom. This article is a recap of scandals of medical devices, like hearing aids, insulin pumps, bionic eyes, and pacemakers, and what we can learn from them. It's astonishing: you wouldn't expect these devices to be run by software in such a way that they can leave you completely helpless:
https://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/software-that-supports-your-body-should-always-respect-your-freedom
13) Study Finds Brain Area That Can Assist Blind People In Face Recognition | Interesting Engineering
Researchers have identified a specific brain region that helps vision-impaired people recognize basic faces. They have also created an experimental gadget that assists blind people in recognizing basic facial expressions. Georgetown University Medical Center neuroscientists revealed that the fusiform face area, a vital region for face processing in sighted people, plays an important role in helping blind people recognize faces:
https://interestingengineering.com/science/brain-assist-blind-face-recognition
14) New Audio Magazine: Harvard Men's Health Watch | National Library Service | Tech-VI List
A new audio magazine, Harvard Men's Health Watch, has been added to the NLS collection. It is recorded by volunteers and staff of the Florida Bureau of Braille and Talking Book Library in Daytona Beach, FL. Harvard Men's Health Watch, magazine code HMH4, comes out monthly and is available via BARD download and on cartridge. Following is the publisher's description:
https://groups.io/g/tech-vi/message/5641
15) A Space Tailor-Made For Accessibility Gives Girl Room To Grow | Rocky Mountain PBS
This article focuses on the story of Meg Nichols, an 11-year-old girl living with osteogenesis imperfecta, also known as brittle bone disease. The condition presents significant challenges for Meg, making everyday activities like washing hands potentially dangerous. To enhance her independence, a local nonprofit, Savvy Giving by Design (Denver), renovated her bedroom and bathroom to cater to her specific needs. The renovated spaces are meticulously designed to support her independence, featuring adjustments to suit her height and strength. These changes allow Meg to perform daily tasks such as dressing, makeup application, and playing instruments with minimal assistance from her parents. Thoughtful details include low-positioned light switches, power outlets in drawers for easy access, touch-activated sinks and toilets, and an easily accessible shower. The renovation also included a special "secret" space, which Meg found to be "perfect:"
https://www.rmpbs.org/blogs/rocky-mountain-pbs/accessible-bedrooms/
16) Disney Releases Dr. Who With Audio Description in the United States On The Day of Release
Walt Disney Company has released the new season of Doctor Who with audio description in the United States on the same day as its global release. This is a significant milestone for blind and visually impaired viewers, who have long been advocating for access to audio description for all television programming:
https://www.doctorwho.tv/
17) The Let's Go Shopping 2023 Audio Recordings Are Here | Accessible Insights Blog
Happy Holidays! Let's Go Shopping Attendees! As promised, below is a link that will take you to my blog, on which you will find the audio recording of the recent LGS event. There are a total of 4 files, day one, parts 1 and 2, and day two, parts 1 and 2. Each part is separated by a header identifying the part, along with the names of the businesses you'll hear in that part. Listen here:
https://accessibleinsights.info/blog/2023/11/22/the-lets-go-shopping-2023-audio-recordings-are-here/
18) Low Vision Resources on a Dime | Future In Sight
Remember the five and dime stores, when items were literally priced 5-10 cents each? Nowadays we enjoy our local dollar store, which used to be $1.00 but are now $1.25. Regardless, it's still a great deal! Did you know that your local dollar store has amazing products for low vision for a fraction of the cost? Here are a few of our favorites!
https://futureinsight.org/blog-lowvisionresources/
19) Making Things Work — We Need To Change Our Attitudes! | Award Winning Sight Loss Coach, Advocate and Author Donna Jodhan
We need to realize that the only way out of this present horrible situation that we have helped to create is for us to change our attitudes and do it now! Nothing good is going to come to us if we continue to complain instead of commit! Just my two cents for today:
https://sterlingcreations.com/blog/making-things-work-we-need-to-change-our-attitudes
20) Even Now, Great Radio is Just a Click Away | Sean Ross | RadioInsight.com
I've been spending more time with airchecks of classic radio lately. It's not just radio geekery, although I've got nothing to hide. It's not just a comment on the state of today's radio; I still find things that I like. But it is nice to hear a level of craftmanship that is less readily available now. Not every moment sizzles decades later, but there's enough to confirm that I'm not merely romanticizing things:
https://radioinsight.com/blogs/261167/even-now-great-radio-is-just-a-click-away/
➜ Featured Webinars, Training Courses and Events
Submit your access information related Webinar, Training Course or Event for consideration within this section using this form: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-event.
November 27, 2023 | Novel Writing 101 By Award-Winning Novelist John DeDakis | The Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled
3PM PT, 4PM MT, 5PM CT, 6PM ET, 10PM GMT
The Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled is excited to announce a live event on Nov 27, 2023 at 6:00 PM via Zoom. This one-hour event honors National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), which is held every November. The award-winning novelist John DeDakis will present Novel Writing 101, the basics of writing a novel. Mr. DeDakis (pronounced: deh-DAY-kiss) is a former editor on CNN's "The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer." DeDakis is the author of five novels in the Lark Chadwick mystery-suspense-thriller series. Book 6, Enemies Domestic, a political thriller, will be released in the summer of 2024. DeDakis, a former White House correspondent, is a writing coach, manuscript editor, and regularly teaches novel writing online and at literary centers and writers' conferences around the country. He is also the host of the live video podcast “One-to-One” on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Meeting ID: 577 017 8916. Website: http://www.johndedakis.com. Join Zoom Meeting:
https://marylandlibraries.zoom.us/j/5770178916
November 28, 2023 | Access Academy Part 3: Strategies and Resources for the Instruction and Evaluation of Tactile Graphicacy Skills | APH
1:30PM PT, 2:30PM MT, 3:30PM CT, 4:30PM ET, 8:30 PM GMT
This webinar is part three of the Tactile Graphics Literacy for Students with Visual Impairments: 4 Part Series. Participate in this webinar to learn instructional strategies pertinent to effective graph reading and tactual perceptual skills. Explore methods for creation of tactile graphics and resources for evaluating tactile graphicacy capabilities of students with visual impairments.
https://www.aph.org/events/strategies-and-resources-for-the-instruction-and-evaluation-of-tactile-graphicacy-skills/
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
November 28, 2023 | Ask Sharky: A Review of the Sharkvember Keyboard Commands | Freedom Scientific
9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
Continue celebrating Sharkvember with us as we review the Sharkvember shortcuts we've provided each day during our month-long celebration of accessibility, creativity, and community. Visit the Sharkvember page for additional details on Sharkvember events. Where: Freedom Scientific. Register for this webinar, which will take place on the Zoom Conferencing platform:
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_SCButY7JQuuK3LsvCR9NWA
November 29, 2023 | Unlocking Access: Balancing Cyber Security and Digital Accessibility | The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc.
4PM PT, 5PM MT, 6PM CT, 7PM ET, 11PM GMT
Do you struggle to enter and remember unique, strong passwords for all of your accounts? Have you ever received a suspicious link and not known how to verify its authenticity? Are you concerned about keeping your information private but easily accessible to you? If so, join The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. for this month's interactive webinar on cyber security and digital accessibility. Gain actionable insights on accessible ways to keep your data and personal information safe. We'll also cover how to safely manage passwords and recognize and mitigate cyber threats. Leave this webinar with practical, real-world solutions, regardless of your experience with technology. Register now to secure your spot:
https://thelighthousefortheblindinc.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_IPUZJF0TSQay6-A5BE3BHg
November 29, 2023 | ONYX Family of Magnifiers: Portable & Powerful | ACVREP CE Approved, Assistive Technology Webinar | Access Ingenuity
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
The ONYX family of video magnifiers combines ease of use with powerful yet portable features to help people retain their independent lifestyle — reading, writing, viewing photographs, and engaging in hobbies. Did you know there are three different ONYX models? The ONYX Deskset and ONYX OCR offer larger screens and can adapt to multiple environments and tasks for productivity at school, work, and home. Modern cameras produce high-definition images with color-coded controls and adjustable magnification. The ONYX Pro combines portability with the Surface 7 tablet, providing the ultimate tool for mobile magnification and reading tasks. During this webinar, we discuss the features and benefits all the ONYX models can give in specific situations. Join Ian Ramos and Joe McDaniel from Vispero as they dive deep into these powerful tools to help those challenged by vision loss. 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 ONYX models. How to determine which model fits your needs best. How adding speech capability can take you further. Benefits of portable, powerful visual tools:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85400848456?pwd=eUdyUFRGeFlncXlWdnkyTFo5SkdwQT09&mc_cid=0ef50aefc4&mc_eid=90429c1885
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 2, 2023 | Succeed Without Sight Summit | Thriving Blind Academy
7AM PT, 8AM MT, 9AM CT, 10AM ET, 2PM GMT
Thriving Blind Academy's 4th Annual Succeed Without Sight Summit is The Ultimate Game Changer for the Blind and Low Vision Community, Igniting Success-Driven Mindsets like No Other Event! Imagine a world where vision knows no bounds, where limitless potential thrives in the absence of sight. This groundbreaking summit is your ticket to an inspiring convergence of resilience, innovation, and boundless determination. Join us as we unlock the secrets to achieving success beyond sight's limitations, featuring incredible stories, expert insights, and powerful strategies. Don't miss your chance to be a part of this transformative event. (FYI, it is a heck of a lot of fun too!):
https://thrivingblindacademy.org/summit
December4, 2023 through December 6, 2023 | 2023 National Coding Symposium for Students | APH
9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
The 2023 National Coding Symposium is back for another year of coding fun, bringing even more opportunities to engage students and all levels of coders! This event has been moved from spring to December to coincide with Computer Science Education Week. The goal of the Coding Symposium is to build connections between students, teachers, and professionals in coding. The symposium will be completely virtual, enabling more students, teachers, and family members nationwide to attend than an in-person event would have allowed. Professionals from Apple, Deque Systems, Bridges, NSITE, HumanWare and more will also be in attendance, sharing ideas, activities, resources, and career opportunities:
https://www.aph.org/2023-national-coding-symposium-for-students/
December 6, 2023 and December 7, 2023 | Sight Tech Global — Shaping New Technologies to Create a More Accessible World for People with Blindness and Visual Impairments
Sight Tech Global is the first global, virtual conference dedicated to fostering discussion among technology pioneers on how rapid advances in AI and related technologies will fundamentally alter the landscape of assistive technology and accessibility:
https://sighttechglobal.com/?mc_cid=0f086fc102&mc_eid=eb245f25da
December 12, 2023 | Access Academy Part 4: The Monarch: Tactile Access to Digital Learning | APH
1:30PM PT, 2:30PM MT, 3:30PM CT, 4:30PM ET, 8:30PM GMT
This webinar is part four of the Tactile Graphics Literacy for Students with Visual Impairments: 4 Part Series. Join this webinar to learn about the skills and background knowledge a student requires to benefit from the use of a multi-line, graphics-capable, refreshable braille display like the Monarch.
https://www.aph.org/events/the-monarch-tactile-access-to-digital-learning/
December 13, 2023 | Learn About The Hable One | A. T. Guys
11AM PT, 12PM MT, 1PM CT, 2PM ET, 6PM GMT
The Hable One is AT Guys' newest product that allows you to remotely control your smart phone with an easy to use interface. Use the Hable one as if you were using braille screen input in screen away mode. No need for a table to quickly enter text and control your phone. You can even wake your phone up with it still in your pocket! Discover the Hable One in AT Guys' upcoming free webinar, highlighting its simplified text entry, app navigation, and call management. Reserve your spot here:
https://www.atguys.com/store/index.php?main_page=page&id=24
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
February 20, 2023 through February 22, 2023 | Axe-Con 2024 | Deque Systems
Why attend axe-con? Building accessible digital experiences requires a team effort, across design, development, management, testing, accessibility experts, and of course, legal. Axe-con is the first of its kind, dedicating topics to each of these key players. This is not an assistive technology convention. Talks at axe-con will include case studies from enterprise companies leading in large-scale accessibility efforts, as well as best practices and updates from technology leaders around the world. Attendance of axe-con sessions can also be used towards continuing education (CE) towards IAAP certification. Topics of focus will include accessibility in development, accessibility in design, organizational success with accessibility, and a wildcard track. If you'd like to learn more about previous sessions and speakers, you can view last year's schedule here. Join us to learn how to build, test, monitor, and maintain digital accessibility:
https://www.deque.com/axe-con/register/
April 8, 2024 and April 9, 2023 | 24th Annual Multiple Perspective On Access, Inclusion & Disability Conference | The Ohio State University — Columbus, Ohio
To be on the mailing list for the conference, send email to:
ADA-OSU@osu.edu 📧️
➜ Directories
1) Access Information Email Newsletter Directory
https://accessinformationnews.com/email-newsletter-directory.html
➜ Sponsor Classified Ads
Sponsors may submit or update their Classified Advertisement at any time by submitting this short form: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-sponsor-classified.
Sponsor: Access Ready, Inc.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Seeks Guidance On New Accessible Technologies
What Technologies do you see in the market that are not accessible, but should be? What accessible technologies can you imagine that can make the lives of people with all kinds of disabilities better? We will advocate with developers to make existing technologies accessible on your behalf. We will advocate with developers to build new accessible technologies on your behalf. Give us your guidance and support. Your guidance charts our path toward what is most important. Your support funds our efforts on your behalf:
https://accessready.org/
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Prepare For Your Future Today With The All-New APH ConnectCenter's Job Seekers Toolkit!
The APH ConnectCenter and NSITE have partnered to update the Job Seeker's Toolkit, an accessible, self-paced, free online training course. The Toolkit includes five sections covering self-awareness, career exploration tools, the preliminary employment process, the interview, and maintaining employment. We are bringing the Job Seeker's Toolkit to a larger audience and in a Learning Management System format for today's learners, at no cost. Visit APHCareerConnect.org to get started with the Job Seekers Toolkit today at:
https://aphcareerconnect.org/lesson-plans-for-teachers-and-professionals/the-job-seekers-toolkit/
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Save 15% on all WayAround Products on Cyber Monday! Use code Cyber15 during checkout at WayAround.com
WayAround is a smartphone-based labeling app that works with your preferred accessibility settings. You just need the free mobile app and some WayTags ® to label items in the kitchen, garden, closet, office & more. If you want to label something that's inside, outside, wet, dry, hot, or cold, there's a WayTag that will attach securely. WayTags come as stickers, buttons, magnets, and clips. Each of the different styles of WayTags work exactly the same. Simply choose the WayTag that's best for what you want to label.
➜ Label your kitchen, clothing, or medication.
➜ Tag specialty items and tools for hobbies.
➜ Organize lots of information about one thing on a single WayTag.
➜ Scan each WayTag 100,000 times or more.
Keep adding more WayTags! Use any style of tag, in any order. There's no limit to the number of WayTags you can use. So you can rely on one system to label all your things. Try our Starter Pack to experience ALL of the different types of WayTags!
https://www.wayaround.com/shop/?utm_source=AssistiveTech&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=AccessInfoNewsSponsorAd
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Last Day to Lock in the Cyber Weekend $49 Annual Rate for the Remote Incident Manager Weekend Support Package! Unlimited Weekend Time, only $49!
In case you missed it, we just Introduced a brand new plan along with an Exclusive Cyber Weekend Offer for Remote Incident Manager! Dive into the future of remote technical support with the world's only fully accessible cross-platform remote support package. Are you the go-to tech guru in your circle? Or maybe you know someone who just got a new computer this Thanksgiving weekend? We've got something special for all you weekend warriors out there. At Pneuma Solutions, we strive to provide pricing structures that fit your unique needs. That's why we're proud to reveal a brand new package that allows you all the support time you could ever need during the weekends! Today is the last day to lock in a special discounted rate of just $49 per year (with just over 100 weekend days in a year, that equates to only about $0.50 a day!) Act now to secure your discounted rate for future renewals, and experience the best in accessible, cross-platform remote desktop access!
https://getrim.app/signup/rim
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: Barrier Free Canada
➜ Classified Advertisement: Ask Donna Podcast: The Blogger: October 2023
Ask Donna the blogger! Listen to my tips on bullying, entrepreneurship, and scams and scammers! I also provide my thoughts for today!
https://youtu.be/F1URhEJdwyM
Sponsor Since: November 10, 2023
Website: https://barrierfreecanada.org/ 🌐️
About: Barrier-Free Canada/Canada Sans Barrieres (BFC/CSB) advocates for the Canadian Parliament to enact a strong and effective Canadians with Disabilities Act (CDA) to achieve a barrier-free Canada for all persons with disabilities.
To this end, BFC/CSB is seeking endorsements from national disability organizations to build a non-partisan community coalition. BFC/CSB would also like to identify point persons from these organizations to act as key contacts.
The steering committee of BFC/CSB has drafted a set of principles concerning a CDA that are drawn from the principles that underpin the provincial disability legislation in Ontario and Manitoba. A CDA is not meant to replace provincial disability legislation. It will complement such legislation and benefit Canadians living in provinces with and without provincial disability legislation. At this point in time, CNIB, March of Dimes Canada, Canadian Hearing Society and MS Society of Canada have endorsed the BFC/CSB principles and confirmed their support for the movement to enact a CDA. There is no individual or organizational charge for membership in BFC/CSB.
Please contact Donna Jodhan, Founder of Barrier-Free Canada, at info@barrierfreecanada.org 📧️ with any questions or to express your organization's support and identify a key contact.
Social: Facebook | X (Formerly Twitter) | Mastodon (Search For: @news@mastodon.barrierfreecanada.org).
Sponsor: Vision Ireland
Sponsor Since: September 18th 2023
Website: https://vi.ie/ 🌐️
Phone: 1800 911 250 📱️
Make A Referral: https://vi.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://vi.ie/supporting-us/donate-now/ ❤
Your support is Vital, for over 90 years, people like you have helped Vision Ireland 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 Vision Ireland Service Users about how Technology has enabled them by breaking down barriers and leveling playing fields.
Online Store: https://vi.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.
Vision Ireland Retail: https://www.ncbi.ie/shop-with-us/retail-stores/shop-locations/ 🛒
Visit our 130+ Vision Ireland stores located across the country and shop for an extensive range of pre-loved quality clothing, accessories, and furniture. Vision Ireland 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: Formerly National Council for the Blind of Ireland (NCBI), Vision Ireland'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, Vision Ireland 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.
Vision Ireland 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. Vision Ireland empowers those living with sight loss in several meaningful ways to enable them to continue living independent and fulfilling lives. Vision Ireland 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
➜ Classified Advertisement: New NVDA Workshops at Hadley
Learn the basics of NVDA. From getting started with the program to customizing the speech to learning helpful shortcuts, Hadley's workshops have you covered.
https://hadley.edu/workshops/nvda-screen-reader-series
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: 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
You can listen to Eyes On Success on your smart home device by saying “play the Eyes On Success podcast”, subscribe to the podcast wherever you get your podcasts, or listen on Apple Podcasts, iTunes, YouTube or your local radio reading service. Listeners can also follow the show on Facebook and X (Formerly Twitter).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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Be My AI Fun
I apologize for poking fun at Be My AI, but I couldn't resist having a little bit of fun. Join us at:
https://tinyurl.com/WeSpeakLive
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: Clusiv
➜ Classified Advertisement: Clusiv Is The World's First eLearning Platform Built For And By People Who Are Blind. Our Courses Are Designed To Equip People Who Are Blind Or Visually Impaired For Employment In The Modern Workforce. Learn More At Clusiv.Io.
Navigating the employment process can be challenging if you are blind or visually impaired. Technology is difficult to figure out, there is a lot of extra material to learn, and there isn't much quality training available.
That's where Clusiv comes in. We help to provide the training you need to succeed in the modern workforce. Our courses teach assistive technology skills and how to apply those skills to many of the business software programs used in the modern workforce, such as email, Microsoft and Google apps, video conferencing, and more. We also teach soft skills such as resume and interview preparation, disclosures and accommodations, internet safety, and financial literacy. Lastly, our training can teach specific career skills, such as becoming an accessibility analyst. Plus, our courses are self-paced.
To learn more, visit https://clusiv.io/ and fill out a form with your information. We work with state vocational rehabilitation agencies to provide access to our course content.
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.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Seeks Your Support at the Public Policy Level
Moving the public policy needle is both difficult and costly. Access Ready has one of the most experienced teams in the business who have shown results. We have fostered Congressional language on accessible websites, elections, healthcare, communications, and other areas touched by information and communications technologies. These efforts are costly and we need your help to continue. Become an Access Ready supporter and create an accessible future for people with disabilities:
https://accessready.org/
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.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Provides Access To The Best In The Business
If you need assistance with a new accessible website, document remediation or disability consulting of other kinds, Access Ready can help. We seek out the best in the business and bring them to you already vetted as to quality, professionalism and ability. By going through AccessReady.org to one of our qualified providers, you're not only getting the best, but supporting our advocacy and technological development efforts as well:
https://accessready.org/
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Your Weekly Classified Advertisement Title Here (256 characters or less including spaces.)
Your weekly Classified Advertisement here.
(1000 characters or less including spaces.)
Sponsor Since: Today
Website: https://accessinformationnews.com/ 🌐️
Phone: (855) 578-6660 📱️
Email: news@accessinformationnews.com 📧️
About: Access Information News is the world's leading not-for-profit access information news publication that reaches over 15,000 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 not-for-profit access information news publication that reaches over 15,000 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.
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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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➜ 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 Access 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 Access 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 advocacy foundation.
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 Access 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 Access 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, November 20, 2023 - Volume 937
The Week's News in Access Information
https://accessinformationnews.com/
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.
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1) Top 5 Most Clicked Access Information News Articles From Last Week
A.) iPhone Doesn't Have To Be So Complicated. Using Assistive Access With Sight Loss | David Redmond | Vision Ireland
Let's get some small bits out of the way. If you're already a pro-VoiceOver user, using your iPhone without issues, and doing all the normal iPhone things, then this feature isn't for you. It may well benefit people you know though so stick with me:
https://vi.ie/iphone-doesnt-have-to-be-so-complicated-using-assistive-access-with-sight-loss/
B.) Review: Universal Adjustable Neck And Cross Body Nylon Phone Lanyard By Harbolt Company | Troy | AppleVis
You can get this from the Harbolt Company. If you can get this at other places please feel free to let me know. I haven't had much experience with this yet but it's not as bulky as the silicone one with the small card pocket. I'll provide my experience so far and what I know about it:
https://applevis.com/reviews/universal-adjustable-neck-cross-body-nylon-phone-lanyard
C.) Accessible QR Codes: More Than Dots and Dashes | Coles Staff | Easterseals Crossroads
QR codes are ubiquitous in today's world. From stickers and posters to TV advertisements and billboards, these quick-scan options have been around for nearly 30 years and are used by almost every company to get people to learn more about a product or service. Companies like Unilever and Coca-Cola are starting to put QR codes at the center of their connected pack strategies. A QR code turns passive product packaging into an always-on digital and direct conversational channel with their end customers both at point of sale and point of use. But not all QR codes are created equal:
https://www.eastersealstech.com/2023/11/08/accessible-qr-codes-more-than-dots-and-dashes/
D.) Amazon Will Now Deliver Groceries From 7 Grocery Stores & Pet Stores Even if You Are Not a Prime Member
On November 9, 2023 Amazon announced that it will now offer grocery delivery and free pickup at all of its Amazon Fresh locations, even if you are not a Prime Member. In the past you had to be an Amazon Prime member to get these benefits:
https://cordcuttersnews.com/amazon-will-now-deliver-groceries-from-7-grocery-stores-pet-stores-even-if-you-are-not-a-prime-member/
E.) I've Sampled Dozens of Meal Delivery Services, and Fresh N Lean Is Still the Best I've Tried | David Watsky | CNET
I've scarfed down more than 30 of Fresh N Lean's pre-made meals. Here's why I think it's the best subscription to try in 2023:
https://www.cnet.com/health/nutrition/fresh-n-lean-review/
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6) Hadley In-The-Kitchen And At-The-Table Tips To Help You Stress Less And Enjoy More This Holiday Season
Cooking: Is It Done: Keying in to your sense of smell, touch, and hearing goes a long way to finding just the right time to stop cooking and start eating.
https://hadley.edu/workshops/cooking-series/cooking-is-it-done
Family Style Meals: Worried about passing food around the table and serving yourself? Don't be. Just follow these tips and enjoy your meal!
https://hadley.edu/workshops/dining-out-series/family-style-meals
Tips for Cutting Meat: Put these knife and fork tips into practice and you'll be able to handle turkey, steak, even ribs, no matter your level of vision.
https://hadley.edu/workshops/dining-out-series/tips-for-cutting-meat
Managing Social Gatherings with Vision Loss: The holiday season may mean getting together with family and friends, some of whom may not know much about your vision loss. We've got some tips to share about managing potential stressors.
https://hadley.edu/podcasts/hadley-presents-conversation-experts/managing-social-gatherings-vision-loss
Questions: Call +1 800-323-4238 📱️ or select the Help button on any page of our website to chat.
7) Santa Reads Braille: Bringing the Magic of Christmas to Visually Impaired Children | Braille Works
Santa Reads Braille is a unique program that sends Braille letters from Santa Claus to children who are blind or visually impaired. This initiative, driven by Braille Works, seeks to make Christmas magical for everyone, especially those who rely on Braille for reading. Parents, teachers, and friends can request these special letters at no cost. Each letter is embossed in Braille and includes a large print copy, ensuring accessibility for those with visual impairments. The program emphasizes the joy and wonder of Christmas, breaking the notion that "seeing is believing" and supporting the idea that every child deserves to experience the spirit of Christmas. In addition to bringing joy, these letters also serve as an educational tool, encouraging and developing Braille reading skills in children. Braille Works, dedicated to making the world more readable, sees this program as a way to express love and joy tangibly during the Christmas season. The initiative includes various personalized letters from Santa, each reflecting the spirit of Christmas and acknowledging the child's proficiency in Braille:
https://brailleworks.com/santa-reads-braille
8) Be My Eyes Ties OpenAI's GPT-4 Into Its Accessibility Service — and Aims to Improve Blind Users' CX | Hackster.io
The Be My AI vision-model-powered image description system is now being extended beyond the app and into specific customer relations sites:
https://www.hackster.io/news/be-my-eyes-ties-openai-s-gpt-4-into-its-accessibility-service-and-aims-to-improve-blind-users-cx-1fbd8b86f7a9
9) The 2023 Digital Accessibility Index | Inclusion and Accessibility Labs for Vision Ireland (Formerly NCBI)
This report was commissioned by the country's national sight loss charity, Vision Ireland (Formerly NCBI), and entails how accessible Ireland's digital world is based on manual accessibility audits performed by the staff of IA Labs. Research and write-up of the index was carried out from February to October 2023 and it was officially released on 3rd November. For the most accessible version, please download and open the index in Adobe Acrobat:
https://ialabs.ie/dai/
10) Accessible Escape Rooms From TPGi
This is not your grandfather's team-building activity. As you approach the end of another remarkable year, celebrate your team and prepare them for another amazing year ahead. Foster teamwork and inclusivity with a fun and adventurous accessible escape room experience. "The accessible escape room was such a great experience for our team to share. It was virtual, challenging, and a fun way to connect with colleagues. Additionally, this experience provided us with insights into how people with disabilities navigate the world." — Derek at Indeed. Accessible Escape Rooms offer a myriad of benefits for team building: Enhanced Communication and Collaboration. Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking Skills. Inclusivity and Diversity. Fun and Engaging Experience. Don't wait to schedule your holiday escape room experience. Learn more about Accessible Escape Rooms and schedule your event today:
https://www.tpgi.com/accessibility-solutions/accessibility-escape-room/
11) Be My Eyes Integrates Be My AI TM into its First Contact Center with Stunning Results
Today Be My Eyes is announcing the successful deployment of Be My AITM, a state of the art visual assistance tool powered by OpenAI's GPT-4 vision model. Beginning this month, Microsoft Disability Answer Desk callers who are blind or low vision can now use Be My AI™ to handle all types of customer service calls, involving highly complex use cases on everything from Excel spreadsheet formulas and interpreting product instructions and diagrams, to rebooting a laptop or installing and updating software, and much more:
https://www.bemyeyes.com/blog/introducing-microsofts-ai-powered-disability-answer-desk-on-be-my-eyes
12) Orcam Technologies Unveils Orcam Read 3 - First Ai-Driven All-In-One Solution For People With Low Vision And Visual Impairments | November 14, 2023
This groundbreaking, all-in-one solution was unveiled today by OrCam Technologies, a global leader in personal, AI-driven assistive tech innovations. OrCam Read 3 will change the way individuals with vision loss and reading difficulties interact with visual materials. Just point the device at a book, computer screen, product packaging or any text, and the AI technology will loudly and clearly read the text aloud or through earphones. It even supports 17 different languages:
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/orcam-technologies-unveils-orcam-read-3---first-ai-driven-all-in-one-solution-for-people-with-low-vision-and-visual-impairments-301987140.html
13) Pneuma Solutions Is Going Global | November 16, 2023 | Pneuma Solutions
Hello, world! Being a Global Leader in Accessible Cloud Technologies, we endeavor to meet our international markets where they are. Throughout the past few months, we have been gearing up for some exciting new developments, some of which you may have seen soft-launches for already. The time has come to pull back the curtain and officially reveal all that we have been working on:
https://pneumasolutions.com/pneuma-solutions-is-going-global/
14) Digital Accessibility Podcasts | November 14, 2023 | Ricky Onsman | TPGi
You've subscribed to the newsletters and RSS feeds, you've expanded your library, but what about digital accessibility podcasts? Podcasts have been one of the great enablers for exploring digital accessibility issues and for giving voice to people with disabilities in general. There are literally thousand of podcasts out there, and there are hundreds that have at least some relevance to digital accessibility. In this article, I've concentrated on three groups of podcasts:
https://www.tpgi.com/digital-accessibility-podcasts/
15) NaviLens Powered Interactive Museum Experience | Peter Crumley
The North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort, NC 28516 is proud to announce the Public Opening as the first USA Museum to install NaviLens technology. This applied usage of NaviLens powers the new "Blind Perspective" governed "Interactive Experience" accessible to all visual acuities, Totally Blind to Fully Sighted. The posting of NaviLens codes throughout the Museum delivers a new level of Mobility information and Navigational audible "360 Vision" prompts to enhance personal O&M skills, while acting as an "Informational-Transfer Portal" for access of associated information. This advancement brings to life the Maritime history and heritage of Coastal NC presented in an accessible format to Blind and Low-Vision visitors. For more information visit:
https://ncmaritimemuseums.com
16) Google News Is Shutting Down Purchased Magazine Content, Offering Refunds | Ron Amadeo
Google News is known to most people as a big pile of web links, but it actually hosts magazines, too. Before the days of the Internet, a "magazine" was a big bundle of paper full of articles you could get shipped to your door, sort of like if you printed out a website. For a time, you could pay cold, hard cash for a digital copy of a paper magazine through Google and then view that content through whatever the latest Google magazine/news app was. Magazine content sales were shut down in 2020, though, and soon, Google's magazine content will no longer be hosted online. The company announced on a support page that purchased content will be shut down starting December 18, 2023:
https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2023/11/google-news-will-stop-hosting-already-purchased-magazines-next-month/
17) A Peek Into The Future Of Visual Data Interpretation | Penn Today
Researchers from Penn have developed a framework for assessing generative AI's efficacy at deciphering images:
https://penntoday.upenn.edu/news/peek-future-visual-data-interpretation
18) Board Game Playing Tips for People with Vision Issues
Board games are an exciting pastime that people of all ages and walks of life can enjoy. Though many think these are a little outdated compared to gaming in the digital world, innovative board games are coming out and are highly anticipated. However, not everyone can play at their fullest potential; board games rely heavily on visuals and careful observation, which is difficult for those with vision issues. Millions of people struggle with vision impairment and blindness in America. Though people with vision issues can enjoy board games, it's much more challenging and can be a frustrating experience. Fortunately, there are ways to make playing more comfortable and accessible so more people can join the fun. Here are some board game-playing tips for people with vision issues:
https://sequentialplanet.com/board-game-playing-tips-for-people-with-vision-issues/
19) This High-Tech Shirt Helps Deaf And Hard-Of-Hearing People Enjoy Opera | The Washington Post: Subscription Required
Opera is everything all at once: music and drama, poetry and dance, grandeur and intimacy, spectacle and sound. This all-encompassing aspect makes it one of the most accessible art forms yet one of the most challenging to make accessible. For audience members who are deaf or hard of hearing, or who are blind or have low vision, attending an opera can be a deeply frustrating experience. A pilot program at the Lyric Opera of Chicago is trying on a new approach for deaf and hard-of-hearing people to experience opera: the SoundShirt, a jacketlike garment equipped with 16 haptic actuators that transmit sound from the orchestra and stage into pulses, vibrations and other forms of haptic feedback in the shirt itself:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/music/2023/11/17/deaf-lyric-opera-chicago-soundshirt/
20) Charity Warns Of Dangers Posed To Visually Impaired Community From Electric Vehicles
A sight loss charity is warning of the risks posed by electric vehicles to people who have visual impairments:
https://www.manxradio.com/news/isle-of-man-news/charity-warns-of-dangers-posed-to-visually-impaired-community-from-electric-vehicles/
21) Create A Perfect Resume With KickResume | November 14, 2023 | Laura Medcalf | Easter Seals Crossroads
There are millions of individuals looking for a job every single day. Several of these individuals may have a difficult time writing resumes or creating cover letters. Fortunately, there are apps like KickResume to help create a resume and cover letter in seconds. KickResume uses artificial intelligence (AI) to build a resume quickly and easily. To use the app, simply choose a template, enter your job title, and you're all set. According to the App Store, the GPT-4 powered AI resume builder can generate resumes that are "indistinguishable from CVs written by human writers:"
https://www.eastersealstech.com/2023/11/14/create-a-perfect-resume-with-kickresume/
22) Top Companies Face Multiple Lawsuits For Accessibility Failures | November 15, 2023 | Kami Funk | Accessibility.com
When your website fails to meet accessibility guidelines like Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) or there is an accessibility feature that doesn't work, you risk being sued for that failure. Lawsuits are becoming more common and you don't want to find yourself on the wrong side of one, but if you are, you won't be alone — some big names have been sued multiple times for accessibility failures over the years.
https://www.accessibility.com/blog/top-companies-face-multiple-lawsuits-for-accessibility-failures
23) AFixt Inc. Launches to Revolutionize Web and App Accessibility | November 13, 2023 | Karl Groves
AFixt Inc., a new web design and development firm, announces its launch today, pioneering the hands-on improvement of digital accessibility. Dedicated to resolving accessibility challenges in websites and applications, AFixt offers innovative solutions to an industry grappling with increasing web accessibility litigation and evolving compliance requirements:
https://karlgroves.com/afixt-inc-launches-to-revolutionize-web-and-app-accessibility/
24) It's Still Easy for Anyone to Become You at Experian | November 11, 2023 | Krebs on Security
In the summer of 2022, Krebs On Security documented the plight of several readers who had their accounts at big-three consumer credit reporting bureau Experian hijacked after identity thieves simply re-registered the accounts using a different email address. Sixteen months later, Experian clearly has not addressed this gaping lack of security. I know that because my account at Experian was recently hacked, and the only way I could recover access was by recreating the account:
https://krebsonsecurity.com/2023/11/its-still-easy-for-anyone-to-become-you-at-experian/
25) HIA Assesses the State of the OTC Hearing Aid Market | The Hearing Review
In recognition of the one-year anniversary of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) making hearing aids an over-the-counter (OTC) product, the Hearing Industries Association (HIA) published an assessment of the state of the OTC market. The HIA shared observations while reflecting on some of the goals behind the OTC hearing aid regulation: accessibility, affordability, and innovation:
https://hearingreview.com/hearing-products/hearing-aids/otc/hia-assesses-the-state-of-the-otc-hearing-aid-market
26) Air Travel Accessibility: Are We Really in a Golden Age? | November 14, 2023 | Thomas Logan | Equal Entry
It's not news that traveling on airplanes is fraught with challenges for people with disabilities. In late 2021, Disability Advocate Engracia Figueroa died after an airline damaged her customized wheelchair. Yet, the ABRA Group's Chief Strategy Officer Michael Swiatek believes that accessible travel is entering a golden age. ABRA has an ownership interest in the two largest airlines in Latin America. Ken Nakata from Converge Accessibility and Equal Entry CEO and founder Thomas Logan discuss whether this is the case and delve into the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA):
https://equalentry.com/air-travel-accessibility/
27) Accessibility On Seasonal Websites (Feedback From A Blind Shopper) | November 13, 2023 | Michael Taylor | Usable.net
Halloween is over; gingerbread lattes are back at coffee shops; Thanksgiving is this month, and the holiday season is underway. Many people are shopping for festive items to get them in the holiday spirit. Now is the time of year when numerous pop-up websites surface:
https://blog.usablenet.com/accessibility-on-seasonal-websites-according-to-a-blind-shopper
28) When The Dust Settles — What Should We Expect? | Award Winning Sight Loss Coach, Advocate and Author Donna Jodhan
We are living in a very troubled world and no one really knows if the dust will really ever settle! I can only hope and Pray that for our kids; the dust settles much sooner than later! Just my two cents for today:
https://sterlingcreations.com/blog/when-the-dust-settles-what-should-we-expect
29) The Top 5 Diabetes Podcasts You Don't Want To Miss
Looking for ways to tweak your management, learn more about medications, hear stories of others living with diabetes, or learn about the latest in technology and research? We asked the community for their recommendations on the best podcasts to help you manage your diabetes and here is what they said:
https://www.diabetesdaily.com/blog/the-top-5-diabetes-podcasts-you-dont-want-to-miss-716555/
30) The 8 Best Grocery Delivery Services in 2023 | CNet
According to some reports, as much as half of the US population participates in some form of online grocery shopping. There are now dozens of places online to buy your weekly provisions and have them shipped directly to your home. Much like meal kits and meal delivery services, these companies provide lightning-fast shipping, competitive prices and major convenience in hopes of earning a slice of your weekly food budget. To save yourself time and hassle, an easy grocery delivery service can take one of your big weekly tasks off your hands and allow you to carefully curate your grocery haul from the comfort of home. To help you pick the right one, we've set out to test all the top players to find the best grocery delivery service for 2023:
https://www.cnet.com/home/kitchen-and-household/best-grocery-delivery-service/
➜ Featured Webinars, Training Courses and Events
Submit your access information related Webinar, Training Course or Event for consideration within this section using this form: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-event.
November 21, 2023 | Accessible Music Publishing Round Table | RNIB, DAISY Consortium
2PM PT, 3PM MT, 4PM CT, 5PM ET, 9PM GMT
Introduction: The international DAISY Consortium and the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) invite music publishers, composers, and music-setters/engravers to take part in our upcoming online Round Table on Accessible Music Publishing. The event aims to explore and understand various sector requirements, through presentations and discussions between: Mainstream music publishers (including exam boards). Braille and other accessible format producers. Blind, partially sighted, and print-disabled musicians. Music setters/engravers. Music notation software producers. We will discuss steps that the global sector can take to ensure equitable access to published scores, in response to legislation and to take advantage of technological advances, with the aim of establishing a sector Working Group and trialling some solutions:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/accessible-music-publishing-round-table-tickets-732765169347
November 28, 2023 | Access Academy Part 3: Strategies and Resources for the Instruction and Evaluation of Tactile Graphicacy Skills | APH
1:30PM PT, 2:30PM MT, 3:30PM CT, 4:30PM ET, 8:30 PM GMT
This webinar is part three of the Tactile Graphics Literacy for Students with Visual Impairments: 4 Part Series. Participate in this webinar to learn instructional strategies pertinent to effective graph reading and tactual perceptual skills. Explore methods for creation of tactile graphics and resources for evaluating tactile graphicacy capabilities of students with visual impairments.
https://www.aph.org/events/strategies-and-resources-for-the-instruction-and-evaluation-of-tactile-graphicacy-skills/
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
November 29, 2023 | Unlocking Access: Balancing Cyber Security and Digital Accessibility | The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc.
4PM PT, 5PM MT, 6PM CT, 7PM ET, 11PM GMT
Do you struggle to enter and remember unique, strong passwords for all of your accounts? Have you ever received a suspicious link and not known how to verify its authenticity? Are you concerned about keeping your information private but easily accessible to you? If so, join The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. for this month's interactive webinar on cyber security and digital accessibility. Gain actionable insights on accessible ways to keep your data and personal information safe. We'll also cover how to safely manage passwords and recognize and mitigate cyber threats. Leave this webinar with practical, real-world solutions, regardless of your experience with technology. Register now to secure your spot:
https://thelighthousefortheblindinc.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_IPUZJF0TSQay6-A5BE3BHg
November 29, 2023 | ONYX Family of Magnifiers: Portable & Powerful | ACVREP CE Approved, Assistive Technology Webinar | Access Ingenuity
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
The ONYX family of video magnifiers combines ease of use with powerful yet portable features to help people retain their independent lifestyle — reading, writing, viewing photographs, and engaging in hobbies. Did you know there are three different ONYX models? The ONYX Deskset and ONYX OCR offer larger screens and can adapt to multiple environments and tasks for productivity at school, work, and home. Modern cameras produce high-definition images with color-coded controls and adjustable magnification. The ONYX Pro combines portability with the Surface 7 tablet, providing the ultimate tool for mobile magnification and reading tasks. During this webinar, we discuss the features and benefits all the ONYX models can give in specific situations. Join Ian Ramos and Joe McDaniel from Vispero as they dive deep into these powerful tools to help those challenged by vision loss. 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 ONYX models. How to determine which model fits your needs best. How adding speech capability can take you further. Benefits of portable, powerful visual tools:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85400848456?pwd=eUdyUFRGeFlncXlWdnkyTFo5SkdwQT09&mc_cid=0ef50aefc4&mc_eid=90429c1885
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 2, 2023 | Succeed Without Sight Summit | Thriving Blind Academy
7AM PT, 8AM MT, 9AM CT, 10AM ET, 2PM GMT
Thriving Blind Academy's 4th Annual Succeed Without Sight Summit is The Ultimate Game Changer for the Blind and Low Vision Community, Igniting Success-Driven Mindsets like No Other Event! Imagine a world where vision knows no bounds, where limitless potential thrives in the absence of sight. This groundbreaking summit is your ticket to an inspiring convergence of resilience, innovation, and boundless determination. Join us as we unlock the secrets to achieving success beyond sight's limitations, featuring incredible stories, expert insights, and powerful strategies. Don't miss your chance to be a part of this transformative event. (FYI, it is a heck of a lot of fun too!):
https://thrivingblindacademy.org/summit
December 6, 2023 and December 7, 2023 | Sight Tech Global — Shaping New Technologies to Create a More Accessible World for People with Blindness and Visual Impairments
Sight Tech Global is the first global, virtual conference dedicated to fostering discussion among technology pioneers on how rapid advances in AI and related technologies will fundamentally alter the landscape of assistive technology and accessibility:
https://sighttechglobal.com/?mc_cid=0f086fc102&mc_eid=eb245f25da
December 12, 2023 | Access Academy Part 4: The Monarch: Tactile Access to Digital Learning | APH
1:30PM PT, 2:30PM MT, 3:30PM CT, 4:30PM ET, 8:30PM GMT
This webinar is part four of the Tactile Graphics Literacy for Students with Visual Impairments: 4 Part Series. Join this webinar to learn about the skills and background knowledge a student requires to benefit from the use of a multi-line, graphics-capable, refreshable braille display like the Monarch.
https://www.aph.org/events/the-monarch-tactile-access-to-digital-learning/
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
February 20, 2023 through February 22, 2023 | Axe-Con 2024 | Deque Systems
Why attend axe-con? Building accessible digital experiences requires a team effort, across design, development, management, testing, accessibility experts, and of course, legal. Axe-con is the first of its kind, dedicating topics to each of these key players. This is not an assistive technology convention. Talks at axe-con will include case studies from enterprise companies leading in large-scale accessibility efforts, as well as best practices and updates from technology leaders around the world. Attendance of axe-con sessions can also be used towards continuing education (CE) towards IAAP certification. Topics of focus will include accessibility in development, accessibility in design, organizational success with accessibility, and a wildcard track. If you'd like to learn more about previous sessions and speakers, you can view last year's schedule here. Join us to learn how to build, test, monitor, and maintain digital accessibility:
https://www.deque.com/axe-con/register/
April 8, 2024 and April 9, 2023 | 24th Annual Multiple Perspective On Access, Inclusion & Disability Conference | The Ohio State University — Columbus, Ohio
To be on the mailing list for the conference, send email to:
ADA-OSU@osu.edu 📧️
➜ Directories
1) Access Information Email Newsletter Directory
https://accessinformationnews.com/email-newsletter-directory.html
➜ Sponsor Classified Ads
Sponsors may submit or update their Classified Advertisement at any time by submitting this short form: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-sponsor-classified.
Sponsor: APH ConnectCenter
➜ Classified Advertisement: Prepare For Your Future Today With The All-New APH ConnectCenter's Job Seekers Toolkit!
The APH ConnectCenter and NSITE have partnered to update the Job Seeker's Toolkit, an accessible, self-paced, free online training course. The Toolkit includes five sections covering self-awareness, career exploration tools, the preliminary employment process, the interview, and maintaining employment. We are bringing the Job Seeker's Toolkit to a larger audience and in a Learning Management System format for today's learners, at no cost. Visit APHCareerConnect.org to get started with the Job Seekers Toolkit today at:
https://aphcareerconnect.org/lesson-plans-for-teachers-and-professionals/the-job-seekers-toolkit/
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Have You Tried The Best Way to Label Things if You're Blind or Have Low Vision?
WayAround is a smartphone-based labeling app that works with your preferred accessibility settings. You just need the free mobile app and some WayTags ® to label items in the kitchen, garden, closet, office & more. If you want to label something that's inside, outside, wet, dry, hot, or cold, there's a WayTag that will attach securely. WayTags come as stickers, buttons, magnets, and clips. Each of the different styles of WayTags work exactly the same. Simply choose the WayTag that's best for what you want to label.
➜ Label your kitchen, clothing, or medication.
➜ Tag specialty items and tools for hobbies.
➜ Organize lots of information about one thing on a single WayTag.
➜ Scan each WayTag 100,000 times or more.
Keep adding more WayTags! Use any style of tag, in any order. There's no limit to the number of WayTags you can use. So you can rely on one system to label all your things. Try our Starter Pack to experience ALL of the different types of WayTags!
https://www.wayaround.com/shop/?utm_source=AssistiveTech&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=AccessInfoNewsSponsorAd
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Mark your Calendars! Super Cyber Weekend Deals coming for Remote Incident Manager!
Get Ready for an Exclusive Cyber Weekend Offer at Pneuma Solutions! This Cyber Weekend, dive into the future of remote technical support with Remote Incident Manager, the world's only fully accessible cross-platform remote support package. Are you the go-to tech guru in your circle? Or maybe you know someone eyeing a new computer this Thanksgiving? We've got something special brewing for you. At Pneuma Solutions, we strive to provide pricing structures that fit your unique needs. That's why we're about to reveal an upcoming addition to our flexible pricing options, available at a discount just for Cyber Weekend! Why settle for ordinary when you can provide extraordinary technical support and training across all platforms? We're talking about support that's not just effective but also fully accessible. Join our newsletter today, and you'll be among the first to uncover the details of this unbeatable offer.
https://pneumasolutions.com/subscribe
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: Barrier Free Canada
➜ Classified Advertisement: Mental Stretch Podcast By Award Winning Sight Loss Coach, Advocate and Author Donna Jodhan - A Natural Solution For Drama, Trauma, Stress, And Distress!
My mental stretch is based on the simple principle of using common sense, logic, and taking charge to help you deal with such things as trauma, drama, stress, distress, and much more. Listen to my podcast and learn how you can do this at any time of the day, for any length of time, and do it anywhere. You will be amazed to see how easy and affective it can be!
https://youtu.be/Ih8hmIGLlp4
Sponsor Since: November 10, 2023
Website: https://barrierfreecanada.org/ 🌐️
About: Barrier-Free Canada/Canada Sans Barrieres (BFC/CSB) advocates for the Canadian Parliament to enact a strong and effective Canadians with Disabilities Act (CDA) to achieve a barrier-free Canada for all persons with disabilities.
To this end, BFC/CSB is seeking endorsements from national disability organizations to build a non-partisan community coalition. BFC/CSB would also like to identify point persons from these organizations to act as key contacts.
The steering committee of BFC/CSB has drafted a set of principles concerning a CDA that are drawn from the principles that underpin the provincial disability legislation in Ontario and Manitoba. A CDA is not meant to replace provincial disability legislation. It will complement such legislation and benefit Canadians living in provinces with and without provincial disability legislation. At this point in time, CNIB, March of Dimes Canada, Canadian Hearing Society and MS Society of Canada have endorsed the BFC/CSB principles and confirmed their support for the movement to enact a CDA. There is no individual or organizational charge for membership in BFC/CSB.
Please contact Donna Jodhan, Founder of Barrier-Free Canada, at info@barrierfreecanada.org 📧️ with any questions or to express your organization's support and identify a key contact.
Social: Facebook | X (Formerly Twitter) | Mastodon (Search For: @news@mastodon.barrierfreecanada.org).
Sponsor: Vision Ireland
Sponsor Since: September 18th 2023
Website: https://vi.ie/ 🌐️
Phone: 1800 911 250 📱️
Make A Referral: https://vi.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://vi.ie/supporting-us/donate-now/ ❤
Your support is Vital, for over 90 years, people like you have helped Vision Ireland 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 Vision Ireland Service Users about how Technology has enabled them by breaking down barriers and leveling playing fields.
Online Store: https://vi.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.
Vision Ireland Retail: https://www.ncbi.ie/shop-with-us/retail-stores/shop-locations/ 🛒
Visit our 130+ Vision Ireland stores located across the country and shop for an extensive range of pre-loved quality clothing, accessories, and furniture. Vision Ireland 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: Formerly National Council for the Blind of Ireland (NCBI), Vision Ireland'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, Vision Ireland 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.
Vision Ireland 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. Vision Ireland empowers those living with sight loss in several meaningful ways to enable them to continue living independent and fulfilling lives. Vision Ireland 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
➜ Classified Advertisement: New NVDA Workshops at Hadley
Learn the basics of NVDA. From getting started with the program to customizing the speech to learning helpful shortcuts, Hadley's workshops have you covered.
https://hadley.edu/workshops/nvda-screen-reader-series
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
You can listen to Eyes On Success on your smart home device by saying “play the Eyes On Success podcast”, subscribe to the podcast wherever you get your podcasts, or listen on Apple Podcasts, iTunes, YouTube or your local radio reading service. Listeners can also follow the show on Facebook and X (Formerly Twitter).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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Be My AI Fun
I apologize for poking fun at Be My AI, but I couldn't resist having a little bit of fun. Join us at:
https://tinyurl.com/WeSpeakLive
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: Clusiv
➜ Classified Advertisement: Clusiv Is The World's First eLearning Platform Built For And By People Who Are Blind. Our Courses Are Designed To Equip People Who Are Blind Or Visually Impaired For Employment In The Modern Workforce. Learn More At Clusiv.Io.
Navigating the employment process can be challenging if you are blind or visually impaired. Technology is difficult to figure out, there is a lot of extra material to learn, and there isn't much quality training available.
That's where Clusiv comes in. We help to provide the training you need to succeed in the modern workforce. Our courses teach assistive technology skills and how to apply those skills to many of the business software programs used in the modern workforce, such as email, Microsoft and Google apps, video conferencing, and more. We also teach soft skills such as resume and interview preparation, disclosures and accommodations, internet safety, and financial literacy. Lastly, our training can teach specific career skills, such as becoming an accessibility analyst. Plus, our courses are self-paced.
To learn more, visit https://clusiv.io/ and fill out a form with your information. We work with state vocational rehabilitation agencies to provide access to our course content.
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.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Seeks Your Support at the Public Policy Level
Moving the public policy needle is both difficult and costly. Access Ready has one of the most experienced teams in the business who have shown results. We have fostered Congressional language on accessible websites, elections, healthcare, communications, and other areas touched by information and communications technologies. These efforts are costly and we need your help to continue. Become an Access Ready supporter and create an accessible future for people with disabilities:
https://accessready.org/
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.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Provides Access To The Best In The Business
If you need assistance with a new accessible website, document remediation or disability consulting of other kinds, Access Ready can help. We seek out the best in the business and bring them to you already vetted as to quality, professionalism and ability. By going through AccessReady.org to one of our qualified providers, you're not only getting the best, but supporting our advocacy and technological development efforts as well:
https://accessready.org/
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.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Seeks Guidance On New Accessible Technologies
What Technologies do you see in the market that are not accessible, but should be? What accessible technologies can you imagine that can make the lives of people with all kinds of disabilities better? We will advocate with developers to make existing technologies accessible on your behalf. We will advocate with developers to build new accessible technologies on your behalf. Give us your guidance and support. Your guidance charts our path toward what is most important. Your support funds our efforts on your behalf:
https://accessready.org/
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.
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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.
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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.
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Access Information News for Monday, November 13, 2023 - Volume 936
The Week's News in Access Information
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1) Top 5 Most Clicked Access Information News Articles From Last Week
A.) Be My AI Had An Outage This Week, So We Asked What Happened | David Redmond | Vision Ireland
Earlier this week, the Be My AI tool suffered an outage. An error message in the app read "Be My AI failed to respond, reason: You exceeded your current quota, please check your plan and billing details." This message resulted in some users having concerns that Be My Eyes was going to start charging for its AI tools, or that the company was struggling to pay its bill from AI supplier Open AI. The tool has been hugely popular in recent months, so we reached out to Be My Eyes to find out exactly what's going on. here's what they had to say on the matter:
https://www.ncbi.ie/be-my-ai-had-an-outage-this-week-so-we-asked-what-happened/
B.) You Can Control Your iPhone Without Using Your Hands. Here's How | CNBC
There is an accessibility feature on your iPhone called Voice Control that allows you to control the device with no hands. You can use it to pay credit card bills, scroll on apps and browse the internet. You can also use Voice Control in combination with Siri to get the most benefit out of the features:
https://www.cnbc.com/2023/11/02/you-can-control-your-iphone-without-using-your-hands-heres-how.html
C.) Using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to "Be My Eyes" | Randy Pierce | Future In Sight
Artificial intelligence (AI) based image descriptors have become increasingly popular in the recent months. This creation accounts for a life-changing moment for me. I can see again in a new and incredibly useful way, one that has not been possible for me in many decades:
https://futureinsight.org/blog-artificialintelligence/
D.) More Eye Drops Are Being Recalled. Here's How to Find a Safe Brand | CNET
The FDA has issued warnings about products from several major brands. Here's what to know and how to choose the best eye drops for you:
https://www.cnet.com/health/personal-care/more-eye-drops-are-being-recalled-heres-how-to-find-a-safe-brand/
E.) How 'All the Light We Cannot See' Brings an Authentic Blind Heroine to TV | News Week
Upon its release in 2014, Anthony Doerr's All the Light We Cannot See won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and landed on The New York Times best-seller list for 200 weeks. With such high expectations, adapting the novel for the screen was never going to be an easy feat, especially when it came to casting the lead role of Marie-Laure LeBlanc:
https://www.newsweek.com/how-all-light-we-cannot-see-brings-authentic-blind-heroine-tv-shawn-levy-steven-knight-1839601
2) Access Information News Welcomes Barrier Free Canada
Please join us in giving a warm access welcome to Barrier Free Canada, 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 each week, it is sponsors like Barrier Free Canada that make it possible. Barrier-Free Canada / Canada Sans Barrieres (BFC/CSB) advocates for the Canadian Parliament to enact a strong and effective Canadians with Disabilities Act (CDA) to achieve a barrier-free Canada for all persons with disabilities. Please contact Donna Jodhan, Founder of Barrier-Free Canada, at info@barrierfreecanada.org 📧️ with any questions or to express your organization's support and identify a key contact. Learn more today at:
https://barrierfreecanada.org/
3) Access Information News Celebrates It's 1st Birthday: A Thank You To Readers, Contributors, Sponsors and Supporters For Making It Possible
Thank you. Yes, you. If you find yourself reading this right now chances are you had a hand in the success of this publication. Whether you simply read it each week, contribute to it, Sponsor it, or donate to help keep it running, you are the reason that Access Information News exists today. And on behalf of the entire access information community, we would like to say thank you:
https://www.accessinformationnews.com/18.html
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8) National Council for the Blind of Ireland (NCBI) Is Now Vision Ireland
As of November 6, 2023, after over 90 years as NCBI, we will begin the next chapter of our history as Vision Ireland, where we will continue the legacy we have established of working for people with sight loss. Our new name, Vision Ireland, is more inclusive, ensuring that everyone knows we support people with a wide range of visual impairment. Many people who have a vision impairment are unaware that we can support them — so with our new name, we intend to make it easier for more people to know we are there and available to help when required. The Vision Ireland name was developed through extensive consultation with staff, volunteers and service users — and they believe our new name better represents the forward-looking and dynamic organization that we need to be. We will continue to offer the same high level of service with the same highly skilled people, but with a new name. As Vision Ireland, our commitment remains to empower people who are blind or vision impaired to live their lives confidently and independently. Our organization is evolving to support more people than ever before, along with continuing our steadfast commitment to all our service users. As we launch Vision Ireland, we look forward to many more years helping to ensure that people who are blind or vision impaired have the same opportunities, rights and choices as others to fully participate in society.
https://vi.ie/ncbi-is-vision-ireland/
9) APH Press Author Stacey Chambers Talks About Her New Book | APH
In the spring of 2024, Tools for TVIs: The Itinerant Teacher's Handbook will join APH Press's esteemed catalog. With a wealth of experience in teaching students with visual impairments, author Stacey Chambers has distilled her expertise into a comprehensive guidebook that promises to be a valuable resource for itinerant teachers. This handbook is the result of 13 years of Chambers refining systems and practices aimed at creating efficient and effective teaching methods. In this interview, we'll delve into the guiding principles and essential topics that Chambers covers in her upcoming book, which caters to both seasoned educators as well as those new to the field. From organizational tips to navigating the Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC) and addressing multiple disabilities, Stacey's insights are beneficial to those teaching in this specialized field:
https://www.aph.org/aph-press-author-stacey-chambers-talks-about-her-new-book/
10) Legal Update | October 2023 | Converge Accessibility
https://convergeaccessibility.com/2023/11/06/legal-update-october-2023/
11) Experian, You Have Some Explaining to Do
David Goldfield: While this article was posted in the Summer of 2022, Brian Krebs reported two days ago on Mastodon that this flaw still exists. I don't usually send out many security alerts of this type to this list but due to the importance of this Web site and its associated flaw I am doing so as a public service. I do not have a solution except that users should notify Experian of the seriousness of this problem.
Krebs on Security: Twice in the past month KrebsOnSecurity has heard from readers who had their accounts at big-three credit bureau Experian hacked and updated with a new email address that wasn't theirs. In both cases the readers used password managers to select strong, unique passwords for their Experian accounts. Research suggests identity thieves were able to hijack the accounts simply by signing up for new accounts at Experian using the victim's personal information and a different email address:
https://krebsonsecurity.com/2022/07/experian-you-have-some-explaining-to-do/
12) Disability Complaints Against Educational Institutions | Thomas Logan | Equal Entry
The U.S. Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights (OCR) investigated the New College of Florida for not making its website and social media accessible to everyone. A public liberal arts institution, New College of Florida, said it settled with the OCR by saying it will correct the inaccessibility issues in the next eight months. However, they did not indicate how they plan to achieve this. What's interesting is that New College of Florida isn't the first Florida educational institution to come to an agreement regarding its website and social media issues. OCR has made similar agreements with other Florida public institutions with similar inaccessibility issues. While this article focuses on a specific institution, we believe this is a problem across many institutions in the U.S. And we explore an example with another Florida educational institution. Ken Nakata from Converge Accessibility and Equal Entry CEO and founder Thomas Logan discuss OCR and how they work using educational institutions as an example:
https://equalentry.com/accessibility-ocr-disability-complaints-educational-institutions/
13) Adaptive Switches And How They Help People With Disabilities | Inclusion and Accessibility Labs
Adaptive switch devices are a type of assistive technology, and they can be a game changer for people with physical and/or cognitive impairments:
https://ialabs.ie/adaptive-switches-and-how-they-help-people-with-disabilities/
14) Answers To Common (Web) Accessibility Questions | Blog | Hidde de Vries
Inspired by Chris Coyier' Answers to Common (Web) Design Questions, which was inspired by Dan Mall's earlier post, here's list of common accessibility questions:
https://hidde.blog/a11y-faq/
15) iPhone Doesn't Have To Be So Complicated. Using Assistive Access With Sight Loss | David Redmond | Vision Ireland
Let's get some small bits out of the way. If you're already a pro-VoiceOver user, using your iPhone without issues, and doing all the normal iPhone things, then this feature isn't for you. It may well benefit people you know though so stick with me:
https://vi.ie/iphone-doesnt-have-to-be-so-complicated-using-assistive-access-with-sight-loss/
16) My Journey through an Online Shopping Experience | Michael Taylor | Usable.net
I will do something considerably different from my usual writing style in today's blog. I will attempt to narrate my way through interactions with a website, discussing both good and bad accessibility points. This method should help to illustrate how the topics I have spoken about manifest themselves. For this example, I will be shopping for a birthday gift for my sister. I have purchased a new, ultra-protective smartphone case from a reputable online electronics retailer. Like always, my discussion will specifically focus on screen reader accessibility. For reference, I am using a desktop system in this example:
https://blog.usablenet.com/my-journey-through-an-online-shopping-experience
17) Accessible QR Codes: More Than Dots and Dashes | Coles Staff | Easterseals Crossroads
QR codes are ubiquitous in today's world. From stickers and posters to TV advertisements and billboards, these quick-scan options have been around for nearly 30 years and are used by almost every company to get people to learn more about a product or service. Companies like Unilever and Coca-Cola are starting to put QR codes at the center of their connected pack strategies. A QR code turns passive product packaging into an always-on digital and direct conversational channel with their end customers both at point of sale and point of use. But not all QR codes are created equal:
https://www.eastersealstech.com/2023/11/08/accessible-qr-codes-more-than-dots-and-dashes/
18) Amazon Will Now Deliver Groceries From 7 Grocery Stores & Pet Stores Even if You Are Not a Prime Member
On November 9, 2023 Amazon announced that it will now offer grocery delivery and free pickup at all of its Amazon Fresh locations, even if you are not a Prime Member. In the past you had to be an Amazon Prime member to get these benefits:
https://cordcuttersnews.com/amazon-will-now-deliver-groceries-from-7-grocery-stores-pet-stores-even-if-you-are-not-a-prime-member/
19) A Man With Parkinson's Regained The Ability To Walk Thanks To A Spinal Implant | MIT Technology Review: Subscription Required
A man with Parkinson's disease has regained the ability to walk after physicians implanted a small device into his spinal cord that sends signals to his legs. "I can now walk with much more confidence and my daily life has profoundly improved," said the patient, a 62-year-old named Marc, during a press conference. Marc is the first and only person to have received the new spinal neuroprosthesis, a small device containing electrodes placed under the skin on top of his spinal cord. It works by sending bursts of electrical signals to stimulate the nerves in his spinal cord, which then activate his leg muscles. The implant is described in a new study published today in Nature Medicine:
https://www.technologyreview.com/2023/11/06/1082993/parkinsons-spinal-implant/
20) Review: Universal Adjustable Neck And Cross Body Nylon Phone Lanyard By Harbolt Company | Troy | AppleVis
You can get this from the Harbolt Company. If you can get this at other places please feel free to let me know. I haven't had much experience with this yet but it's not as bulky as the silicone one with the small card pocket. I'll provide my experience so far and what I know about it:
https://applevis.com/reviews/universal-adjustable-neck-cross-body-nylon-phone-lanyard
21) Buyer Beware: My Experience With The Harbolt Company | StarshipChangeling.net
I had a disheartening experience with the Harbolt Company following my purchase of a MagSafe compatible lanyard that I needed for hands-free iPhone use. As a blind person, this tool is vital for me to navigate different spaces and utilize the camera for assistance. However, the product arrived without any instructions, and the online description was lacking, concentrating more on an adhesive option rather than the MagSafe feature I required. In practice, the lanyard didn't work as advertised; my phone would often detach or hang upside down, and I couldn't easily find sighted help because there were no useful images online. After a series of frustrating attempts to use the product and seeking support from the seller, I resolved to return it. To my dismay, I was hit with a restocking fee and had to endure a mandatory support call before I could process the return. I hope that by sharing my story, the seller might be encouraged to provide clearer product information and improve customer support, and that my experience might help others make more informed purchasing decisions:
https://www.starshipchangeling.net/buyer-beware-my-experience-with-the-harbolt-company/
22) State of Image Description: Where Are We Now and How Is the Picture Appearing? | Accessible Android
Images are everywhere. They are found in your personal and group chats on instant messaging apps, they dominate a significant portion of your social media feeds, and they likely reside in your gallery app with no text labels. Not too long ago, when your screen reader announced "image," you felt powerless. Your only method to understand the content of a sent image, for example, was to ask the sender for an explanation, sometimes burdening the other person with guilt. However, over time and with technological advancements, things started to improve. Apps capable of identifying objects within an image began to emerge. This identification progressed to a point where software could generate short meaningful descriptions for images:
https://accessibleandroid.com/state-of-image-description-where-are-we-now-and-how-is-the-picture-appearing/
23) Why Color Contrast Matters | Inclusion and Accessibility Labs
Color contrast has a huge impact on website and mobile app users; it changes the readability of a webpage, especially for those with low vision, color blindness, or learning difficulties such as dyslexia:
https://ialabs.ie/why-colour-contrast-matters/
24) Would The Real Toronto Star Newspaper Please Stand Up? — Time To Start Pushing For More | Award Winning Sight Loss Coach, Advocate and Author Donna Jodhan
With good customer service, I think that the Toronto Star now needs to work on how their delivery team delivers papers. Please stop throwing papers at our doors! Just remember; there are still many who enjoy reading their newspaper that are a bit bulky!
https://sterlingcreations.com/blog/would-the-real-toronto-star-newspaper-please-stand-up-time-to-start-pushing-for-more
25) eSight Sales And Marketing Director Roland Mattern Talks Glasses, Technology And Accessibility, More In Interview | Steven Aquino | Forbes: Subscription Required
At a glance, the so-called "life-changing device for people with low vision" from eSight sorta resembles a plausible Vision Pro prototype. The eSight device looks like the sort of castaway you'd expect to find on eBay or YouTube after someone smuggled it out of Apple's design lab. eSight's product isn't a prototype, and the use cases are diametrically opposed to one another, but a rough resemblance is certainly there:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/stevenaquino/2023/11/09/esight-sales-and-marketing-director-roland-mattern-talks-glasses-technology-and-accessibility-more-in-interview/?sh=3a4fbf1e47ea
26) World's First Whole-Eye And Partial Face Transplant Gives Arkansas Man New Hope | CNN
A surgical team at NYU Langone Health in New York had performed the world's first successful whole-eye transplant in a living person: her husband, Aaron James. After an accident at work led to the loss of his left eye and part of his face, Aaron was given a new window to his soul, as well as a partial face transplant:
https://www.cnn.com/2023/11/09/health/first-whole-eye-partial-face-transplant/index.html
27) I've Sampled Dozens of Meal Delivery Services, and Fresh N Lean Is Still the Best I've Tried | David Watsky | CNET
I've scarfed down more than 30 of Fresh N Lean's pre-made meals. Here's why I think it's the best subscription to try in 2023:
https://www.cnet.com/health/nutrition/fresh-n-lean-review/
➜ Featured Webinars, Training Courses and Events
Submit your access information related Webinar, Training Course or Event for consideration within this section using this form: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-event.
November 14, 2023 | How Beginners Can Easily Test for JAWS Screen Reader Accessibility | TPGi
8AM PT, 9AM MT, 10AM CT, 11AM ET, 3PM GMT
Presenter: Charlie Pike, Platform Success Lead. JAWS Inspect enables rapid JAWS testing without the complexity of the end-user product. Using transcripts of JAWS speech you can quickly pinpoint accessibility and usability issues. This demonstration will walk you through some simple JAWS accessibility tests that can be run quickly even by novice accessibility testers and provide a good indicator of accessibility levels as well as an introduction to the challenges assistive technology users face. Testing with assistive technologies. JAWS compatibility testing. Introduction to accessibility testing. Understanding the user experience. Register today:
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-november-14-at-11am-et-how-beginners-can-easily-test-for-jaws-screen-reader-accessibility/
November 14, 2023 through November 17, 2023 | The Design + Accessibility Summit By CreativePro
Join us at the 3rd annual Design + Accessibility Summit, the essential HOW-TO event for design professionals who need to master accessibility, coming to a device near you November 14-17, 2023. It's no secret that accessibility is a hot topic. In fact, ensuring your documents are accessible is not just a good idea: it's the law. Whether you're extending your company's DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) focus, expanding your market to include the estimated 25% of the population who have disabilities, or safeguarding your company against legal risks, it's important to make accessibility a business priority. Creative professionals must learn how to design documents that are accessible for people with vision and hearing impairments, mobility challenges, cognitive, and other disabilities. And those who ramp up their knowledge and expertise in accessibility will find themselves in high demand supporting their business' efforts; while those who don't will risk falling behind. At The Design + Accessibility Summit, you will learn practical techniques for building accessible documents with InDesign, Acrobat, PowerPoint, and other tools widely used by creative professionals:
https://creativepro.com/design-accessibility-summit/
November 14, 2023 | Access Academy Part 2: Teaching Touch and Exploratory Skills to Prepare for Tactile Graphics Learning | APH
1PM PT, 2PM MT, 3PM CT, 4PM ET, 8PM GMT
This webinar is part two of the Tactile Graphics Literacy for Students with Visual Impairments: 4 Part Series. Join this webinar to discover how to teach touch and exploratory skills to developing tactile learners. Learn how the development of exploratory skills serves as a foundation for braille readiness and meaningful tactile graphics experiences for students with visual impairments:
https://www.aph.org/events/teaching-touch-and-exploratory-skills-to-prepare-for-tactile-graphics-learning/
November 14, 2023 | Power of Experiential Giving | Richard Rueda | APH ConnectCenter
12PM PT, 1PM MT, 2PM CT, 3PM ET, 7PM GMT
Consider gifting experiences this holiday season. Discover unique gift ideas for digital enthusiasts and fashion that all can enjoy:
https://aphconnectcenter.org/webinars/experiential-gift-giving-digital-music-fashion-and-more/
November 14, 2023 | Intro to Gmail for Screen Reader Users with Dr. Cynthia Bennett
4PM PT, 5PM MT, 6PM CT, 7PM ET, 11PM GMT
Google has announced that the Basic HTML view for Gmail will be officially discontinued in the new year. Learn how to use standard Gmail as a screen reader user. You'll find out how to enable keyboard shortcuts, access your mailboxes, take actions on messages, search your Gmail and look up keyboard shortcuts when you forget them:
https://nypl.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEtde6rqj0vHtAO5qqn6wn8vNTXsSQYexxq#/registration
November 14, 2023 | Multi-Line Braille in the Classroom | The Braillists Foundation
8AM PT, 9AM MT, 10AM CT, 11AM ET, 3PM GMT
The braille community is buzzing about the next generation of braille display: devices which can show anything from tables to tactile graphics at the press of a button are now a reality, and braille users around the world are putting the technology through its paces. But how do they fit into a classroom setting? This event, brought to you by VIEW and the Braillists Foundation, will help us find out: In the first half, we will hear from HumanWare, Orbit Research, Dot and Bristol Braille Technology, all of whom are developing multi-line braille and/or tactile graphics displays. In the second half, an expert panel of QTVIs will discuss how current practice might evolve to take advantage of emerging braille technologies. There will be time at the end for you to ask questions of your own, so come prepared!
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMrduqsqz4oGNHfkR184jgC5VBJrH3lIHhU#/registration
November 15, 2023 | What's New in WCAG 2.2? | Digital Accessibility Webinar | Access Ingenuity
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
After the approval of WCAG 2.2, you may be wondering about the impact on your accessibility testing and certification processes. Join Michael Parker from Access Ingenuity to learn what changed with WCAG 2.2 and how it impacts the accessibility of your digital content. Learning Outcomes & Zoom Webinar Information. Overview of WCAG 2.2. Accessibility benefits for users with disabilities. How to test for the new criteria:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82292206539?pwd=Rzl5UFI1TEw3bW0vWGNWV3lPZnorZz09&mc_cid=0ef50aefc4&mc_eid=90429c1885#success
November 15, 2023 | Diving Into Braille Displays From Humanware In Collaboration With Eye.T
11AM PT, 12PM MT, 1PM CT, 2PM ET, 6PM GMT
Announcing a new addition to Eye.t Screen Reader Curriculum, "Diving into Braille Displays", sponsored by Humanware! Topics include choosing the right braille display for you, connecting your display to your computer and editing using your new display! Humanware will be hosting a webinar for our brand new course on November 15 at 2 PM EST, giving everyone who attends a FREE license to the course. Register to secure your spot:
https://humanware.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_2aknhgjUSMu_xRUX_3MMUA#/registration
November 15, 2023 | Power of Experiential Giving, Part 2 | Richard Rueda | APH ConnectCenter
4PM PT, 5PM MT, 6PM CT, 7PM ET, 11PM GMT
Consider gifting experiences this holiday season. Enjoy a touch tour at a museum, make dinner then watch an audio described film with your family member or friend who is blind or low vision. Hear from presenters about unique gift ideas that all can participate in and enjoy:
https://aphconnectcenter.org/webinars/experiential-gift-giving-hobbies-sports-and-more/
November 16, 2023 | Accessible Word Documents Webinar | ADA Great Lakes Center
11AM PT, 12PM MT, 1PM CT, 2PM ET, 6PM GMT
Description: In this informative presentation, we will delve into the world of accessible Word documents, exploring the key principles, techniques, and tools needed to make your documents inclusive and user-friendly. This presentation is designed for individuals and organizations that want to make a positive impact on their audience by ensuring that their Word documents are accessible to all. Join us and take the first step towards creating content that is inclusive, compliant, and enhances the user experience for everyone. Individuals will be able to submit questions for the speaker in advance during the registration process. This session will have human generated real-time captioning provided. Continuing Education Recognition Available. Certificate. Credit hours ACTCP: 1.5. Certificate of Attendance: 1.5. Speakers: Gaby de Jongh, IT Accessibility Specialist, UW-IT, Accessibility Technology Services, University of Washington:
https://accessibilityonline.org/ada-tech/session/?id=111084
November 16, 2023 | Unveiling the Latest BrailleNote Touch Updates: A KeySoft Showcase
11AM PT, 12PM MT, 1PM CT, 2PM ET, 6PM GMT
Join Peter Tucic and Andrew Flatres as they unveil the latest enhancements to the BrailleNote Touch Plus. With the recent launch of HumanWare's KeySoft, this informative webinar will highlight the features and advancements released. Notably, we'll delve into the introduction of the new onboard Dictionary, and will also explore the braille-centric KeyCode coding application. Join us for a comprehensive overview of what's hot and happening in the world of BrailleNote Touch Plus. As always, we look forward to hearing from you during a questions and answer portion of the webinar. Time permitting, we'll address any questions or insights you'd like to share.
Register now and be part of the conversation:
https://humanware.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_79Y5CXVSTECgCGGKs5uZhQ#/registration
November 16, 2023 | New Features of JAWS, ZoomText, and Fusion 2024 | Freedom Scientific
9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
Do you want to learn more about the enhancements in JAWS, ZoomText, and Fusion 2024? Want to see some of the features in action? Join us Thursday, November 16 at Noon Eastern time for a live webinar, "New Features of JAWS, ZoomText, and Fusion 2024." Objectives: We'll demo new features, plus discuss how to download and install the software. Features include: Face in View: This new feature in JAWS and Fusion helps you focus your camera before participating in a video call. Split Braille: This JAWS feature enables you to split a line of content on your braille display into two halves, one on each side of the display so you can view content from two different applications or locations such as buffered text and annotations. Inverted Mouse Pointer Scheme: A ZoomText and Fusion feature that inverts the pointer and background colors, making the pointer easier to locate. Single Wedge Cursor Enhancement: A ZoomText and Fusion feature that displays a single triangle below the cursor, making the cursor easier to locate. ACVREP credits will be available for those who attend the live webinar. Register:
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ZUen38RYTa6GvAdoCu-pug#/registration
November 21, 2023 | Accessible Music Publishing Round Table | RNIB, DAISY Consortium
2PM PT, 3PM MT, 4PM CT, 5PM ET, 9PM GMT
Introduction: The international DAISY Consortium and the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) invite music publishers, composers, and music-setters/engravers to take part in our upcoming online Round Table on Accessible Music Publishing. The event aims to explore and understand various sector requirements, through presentations and discussions between: Mainstream music publishers (including exam boards). Braille and other accessible format producers. Blind, partially sighted, and print-disabled musicians. Music setters/engravers. Music notation software producers. We will discuss steps that the global sector can take to ensure equitable access to published scores, in response to legislation and to take advantage of technological advances, with the aim of establishing a sector Working Group and trialling some solutions:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/accessible-music-publishing-round-table-tickets-732765169347
November 28, 2023 | Access Academy Part 3: Strategies and Resources for the Instruction and Evaluation of Tactile Graphicacy Skills | APH
1:30PM PT, 2:30PM MT, 3:30PM CT, 4:30PM ET, 8:30 PM GMT
This webinar is part three of the Tactile Graphics Literacy for Students with Visual Impairments: 4 Part Series. Participate in this webinar to learn instructional strategies pertinent to effective graph reading and tactual perceptual skills. Explore methods for creation of tactile graphics and resources for evaluating tactile graphicacy capabilities of students with visual impairments.
https://www.aph.org/events/strategies-and-resources-for-the-instruction-and-evaluation-of-tactile-graphicacy-skills/
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
November 29, 2023 | ONYX Family of Magnifiers: Portable & Powerful | ACVREP CE Approved, Assistive Technology Webinar | Access Ingenuity
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
The ONYX family of video magnifiers combines ease of use with powerful yet portable features to help people retain their independent lifestyle — reading, writing, viewing photographs, and engaging in hobbies. Did you know there are three different ONYX models? The ONYX Deskset and ONYX OCR offer larger screens and can adapt to multiple environments and tasks for productivity at school, work, and home. Modern cameras produce high-definition images with color-coded controls and adjustable magnification. The ONYX Pro combines portability with the Surface 7 tablet, providing the ultimate tool for mobile magnification and reading tasks. During this webinar, we discuss the features and benefits all the ONYX models can give in specific situations. Join Ian Ramos and Joe McDaniel from Vispero as they dive deep into these powerful tools to help those challenged by vision loss. 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 ONYX models. How to determine which model fits your needs best. How adding speech capability can take you further. Benefits of portable, powerful visual tools:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85400848456?pwd=eUdyUFRGeFlncXlWdnkyTFo5SkdwQT09&mc_cid=0ef50aefc4&mc_eid=90429c1885
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 2, 2023 | Succeed Without Sight Summit | Thriving Blind Academy
7AM PT, 8AM MT, 9AM CT, 10AM ET, 2PM GMT
Thriving Blind Academy's 4th Annual Succeed Without Sight Summit is The Ultimate Game Changer for the Blind and Low Vision Community, Igniting Success-Driven Mindsets like No Other Event! Imagine a world where vision knows no bounds, where limitless potential thrives in the absence of sight. This groundbreaking summit is your ticket to an inspiring convergence of resilience, innovation, and boundless determination. Join us as we unlock the secrets to achieving success beyond sight's limitations, featuring incredible stories, expert insights, and powerful strategies. Don't miss your chance to be a part of this transformative event. (FYI, it is a heck of a lot of fun too!):
https://thrivingblindacademy.org/summit
December 6, 2023 and December 7, 2023 | Sight Tech Global — Shaping New Technologies to Create a More Accessible World for People with Blindness and Visual Impairments
Sight Tech Global is the first global, virtual conference dedicated to fostering discussion among technology pioneers on how rapid advances in AI and related technologies will fundamentally alter the landscape of assistive technology and accessibility:
https://sighttechglobal.com/?mc_cid=0f086fc102&mc_eid=eb245f25da
December 12, 2023 | Access Academy Part 4: The Monarch: Tactile Access to Digital Learning | APH
1:30PM PT, 2:30PM MT, 3:30PM CT, 4:30PM ET, 8:30PM GMT
This webinar is part four of the Tactile Graphics Literacy for Students with Visual Impairments: 4 Part Series. Join this webinar to learn about the skills and background knowledge a student requires to benefit from the use of a multi-line, graphics-capable, refreshable braille display like the Monarch.
https://www.aph.org/events/the-monarch-tactile-access-to-digital-learning/
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
February 20, 2023 through February 22, 2023 | Axe-Con 2024 | Deque Systems
Why attend axe-con? Building accessible digital experiences requires a team effort, across design, development, management, testing, accessibility experts, and of course, legal. Axe-con is the first of its kind, dedicating topics to each of these key players. This is not an assistive technology convention. Talks at axe-con will include case studies from enterprise companies leading in large-scale accessibility efforts, as well as best practices and updates from technology leaders around the world. Attendance of axe-con sessions can also be used towards continuing education (CE) towards IAAP certification. Topics of focus will include accessibility in development, accessibility in design, organizational success with accessibility, and a wildcard track. If you'd like to learn more about previous sessions and speakers, you can view last year's schedule here. Join us to learn how to build, test, monitor, and maintain digital accessibility:
https://www.deque.com/axe-con/register/
April 8, 2024 and April 9, 2023 | 24th Annual Multiple Perspective On Access, Inclusion & Disability Conference | The Ohio State University — Columbus, Ohio
To be on the mailing list for the conference, send email to:
ADA-OSU@osu.edu 📧️
➜ Directories
1) Access Information Email Newsletter Directory
https://accessinformationnews.com/email-newsletter-directory.html
➜ Sponsor Classified Ads
Sponsors may submit or update their Classified Advertisement at any time by submitting this short form: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-sponsor-classified.
Sponsor: WayAround
➜ Classified Advertisement: Have You Tried The Best Way to Label Things if You're Blind or Have Low Vision?
WayAround is a smartphone-based labeling app that works with your preferred accessibility settings. You just need the free mobile app and some WayTags ® to label items in the kitchen, garden, closet, office & more. If you want to label something that's inside, outside, wet, dry, hot, or cold, there's a WayTag that will attach securely. WayTags come as stickers, buttons, magnets, and clips. Each of the different styles of WayTags work exactly the same. Simply choose the WayTag that's best for what you want to label.
➜ Label your kitchen, clothing, or medication.
➜ Tag specialty items and tools for hobbies.
➜ Organize lots of information about one thing on a single WayTag.
➜ Scan each WayTag 100,000 times or more.
Keep adding more WayTags! Use any style of tag, in any order. There's no limit to the number of WayTags you can use. So you can rely on one system to label all your things. Try our Starter Pack to experience ALL of the different types of WayTags!
https://www.wayaround.com/shop/?utm_source=AssistiveTech&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=AccessInfoNewsSponsorAd
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Experience Meetings And Webinars The Way They Were Intended With Scribe For Meetings: The Only Accessible Conference Presentation Viewer! Free For Attendees, As Little As $10 For The Host!
Experience next level meeting/webinar accessibility like you've never seen before! Meet Scribe for Meetings, the robust solution that provides instant access to a meeting's slide deck! Grant your visually impaired attendees unparalleled access to your slides in mere minutes! Register your meeting, upload your slide deck, and drop the link in your invite - it's as easy as 1 2 3! Before you know it, the same slides seen by everyone else will be presented in accessible format to your attendees in perfect sync with your screen-share! And that's not all! You can let your attendees download a copy of your deck in many accessible formats - Word, HTML, and much more! Scribe for Meetings is fully equipped to handle any Zoom or Teams meeting, with more platforms on the way! Attendees can get in free of charge, and presenters can grant attendees this unparalleled access for as little as $10 for a single meeting! Scribe for Meetings: Ensuring no visually impaired attendees are left behind!
https://scribeformeetings.com
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: Barrier Free Canada
➜ Classified Advertisement: Dining With Donna Podcast | Recipe | Cranberry Apple Cake | YouTube
Recipes From Award Winning Sight Loss Coach, Advocate and Author Donna Jodhan. A perfect recipe for this time of the year! And check out the bonus Apricot Salad! Watch and subscribe for free:
https://youtu.be/CpYZV0LWoUs
Sponsor Since: November 10, 2023
Website: https://barrierfreecanada.org/ 🌐️
About: Barrier-Free Canada/Canada Sans Barrieres (BFC/CSB) advocates for the Canadian Parliament to enact a strong and effective Canadians with Disabilities Act (CDA) to achieve a barrier-free Canada for all persons with disabilities.
To this end, BFC/CSB is seeking endorsements from national disability organizations to build a non-partisan community coalition. BFC/CSB would also like to identify point persons from these organizations to act as key contacts.
The steering committee of BFC/CSB has drafted a set of principles concerning a CDA that are drawn from the principles that underpin the provincial disability legislation in Ontario and Manitoba. A CDA is not meant to replace provincial disability legislation. It will complement such legislation and benefit Canadians living in provinces with and without provincial disability legislation. At this point in time, CNIB, March of Dimes Canada, Canadian Hearing Society and MS Society of Canada have endorsed the BFC/CSB principles and confirmed their support for the movement to enact a CDA. There is no individual or organizational charge for membership in BFC/CSB.
Please contact Donna Jodhan, Founder of Barrier-Free Canada, at info@barrierfreecanada.org 📧️ with any questions or to express your organization's support and identify a key contact.
Social: Facebook | X (Formerly Twitter) | Mastodon (Search For: @news@mastodon.barrierfreecanada.org).
Sponsor: Vision Ireland
Sponsor Since: September 18th 2023
Website: https://vi.ie/ 🌐️
Phone: 1800 911 250 📱️
Make A Referral: https://vi.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://vi.ie/supporting-us/donate-now/ ❤
Your support is Vital, for over 90 years, people like you have helped Vision Ireland 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 Vision Ireland Service Users about how Technology has enabled them by breaking down barriers and leveling playing fields.
Online Store: https://vi.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.
Vision Ireland Retail: https://www.ncbi.ie/shop-with-us/retail-stores/shop-locations/ 🛒
Visit our 130+ Vision Ireland stores located across the country and shop for an extensive range of pre-loved quality clothing, accessories, and furniture. Vision Ireland 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: Formerly National Council for the Blind of Ireland (NCBI), Vision Ireland'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, Vision Ireland 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.
Vision Ireland 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. Vision Ireland empowers those living with sight loss in several meaningful ways to enable them to continue living independent and fulfilling lives. Vision Ireland 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
➜ Classified Advertisement: New NVDA Workshops at Hadley
Learn the basics of NVDA. From getting started with the program to customizing the speech to learning helpful shortcuts, Hadley's workshops have you covered.
https://hadley.edu/workshops/nvda-screen-reader-series
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
You can listen to Eyes On Success on your smart home device by saying “play the Eyes On Success podcast”, subscribe to the podcast wherever you get your podcasts, or listen on Apple Podcasts, iTunes, YouTube or your local radio reading service. Listeners can also follow the show on Facebook and X (Formerly Twitter).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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Be My AI Fun
I apologize for poking fun at Be My AI, but I couldn't resist having a little bit of fun. Join us at:
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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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Clusiv Is The World's First eLearning Platform Built For And By People Who Are Blind. Our Courses Are Designed To Equip People Who Are Blind Or Visually Impaired For Employment In The Modern Workforce. Learn More At Clusiv.Io.
Navigating the employment process can be challenging if you are blind or visually impaired. Technology is difficult to figure out, there is a lot of extra material to learn, and there isn't much quality training available.
That's where Clusiv comes in. We help to provide the training you need to succeed in the modern workforce. Our courses teach assistive technology skills and how to apply those skills to many of the business software programs used in the modern workforce, such as email, Microsoft and Google apps, video conferencing, and more. We also teach soft skills such as resume and interview preparation, disclosures and accommodations, internet safety, and financial literacy. Lastly, our training can teach specific career skills, such as becoming an accessibility analyst. Plus, our courses are self-paced.
To learn more, visit https://clusiv.io/ and fill out a form with your information. We work with state vocational rehabilitation agencies to provide access to our course content.
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.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Seeks Your Support at the Public Policy Level
Moving the public policy needle is both difficult and costly. Access Ready has one of the most experienced teams in the business who have shown results. We have fostered Congressional language on accessible websites, elections, healthcare, communications, and other areas touched by information and communications technologies. These efforts are costly and we need your help to continue. Become an Access Ready supporter and create an accessible future for people with disabilities:
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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.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Provides Access To The Best In The Business
If you need assistance with a new accessible website, document remediation or disability consulting of other kinds, Access Ready can help. We seek out the best in the business and bring them to you already vetted as to quality, professionalism and ability. By going through AccessReady.org to one of our qualified providers, you're not only getting the best, but supporting our advocacy and technological development efforts as well:
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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.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Seeks Guidance On New Accessible Technologies
What Technologies do you see in the market that are not accessible, but should be? What accessible technologies can you imagine that can make the lives of people with all kinds of disabilities better? We will advocate with developers to make existing technologies accessible on your behalf. We will advocate with developers to build new accessible technologies on your behalf. Give us your guidance and support. Your guidance charts our path toward what is most important. Your support funds our efforts on your behalf:
https://accessready.org/
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Prepare For Your Future Today With The All-New APH ConnectCenter's Job Seekers Toolkit!
The APH ConnectCenter and NSITE have partnered to update the Job Seeker's Toolkit, an accessible, self-paced, free online training course. The Toolkit includes five sections covering self-awareness, career exploration tools, the preliminary employment process, the interview, and maintaining employment. We are bringing the Job Seeker's Toolkit to a larger audience and in a Learning Management System format for today's learners, at no cost. Visit APHCareerConnect.org to get started with the Job Seekers Toolkit today at:
https://aphcareerconnect.org/lesson-plans-for-teachers-and-professionals/the-job-seekers-toolkit/
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.
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About: Access Information News is the world's leading not-for-profit access information news publication that reaches over 15,000 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 not-for-profit access information news publication that reaches over 15,000 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.
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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 🌐️
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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
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The Week's News in Access Technology
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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 advocacy foundation.
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
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Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd.
Innovative ideas. Solutions that perform.
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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
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The Week's News in Access Technology
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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.
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Access Information News for Monday, November 6, 2023 - Volume 935
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.
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This Week's Featured Advertisement: Join Industry Leaders And Begin Reaching Over 15,000 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 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.
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Submit your Access Information News Item for free, with timing and placement determined by our editors, here: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-news. Submit a Sponsored News Item, with timing and placement determined by you, here: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-sponsored-news.
1) Top 5 Most Clicked Access Information News Articles From Last Week
A.) Grubhub, DoorDash and Uber Eats: Which Delivery App Has the Lowest Fees? | CNET
It turns out the size of your order might determine which delivery app will net the best price for your next night of takeout:
https://www.cnet.com/home/kitchen-and-household/cheapest-delivery-app-for-2023/
B.) Going Blind And Learning How To Deal With It | Joe Orozco
Did you know blindness is the "ailment" people fear most? That's not my choice of word. It comes from the results of a 2017 study conducted by the Wilmer Eye Institute — which found that people fear blindness more than AIDS, cancer, and Alzheimer's disease. People fear losing their sight more than losing speech, hearing, or a limb:
https://joeorozco.com/going-blind-and-learning-how-to-deal-with-it/
C.) How This App Is Helping The Visually Impaired Navigate Around Airports
GoodMaps is an app that uses your smartphone's features to help you find your way around airports and transit stations. The app uses LIDAR mapping to create a map of building edges, allowing for optical place finding with your phone's camera for accessibility and general navigation. GoodMaps does not rely on GPS but uses your phone's accelerometer to calculate your travel speed and determine your location within 3-5 feet:
https://simpleflying.com/goodmaps-helping-visually-impaired-navigate-airports/
D.) American Council of the Blind (ACB) Wins Nationwide Disability Rights Class Action Against Quest Diagnostics for Use of Inaccessible Touch Screen Kiosks
Following a week-long bench trial in Los Angeles, a federal court in California found Quest Diagnostics in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act and permanently enjoined Quest from continuing to violate the ADA:
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/american-council-of-the-blind-acb-wins-nationwide-disability-rights-class-action-against-quest-diagnostics-for-use-of-inaccessible-touch-screen-kiosks-301966895.html
E.) Try A New Approach To Reading Restaurant Menus | Ophthalmic Edge
David Goldfield: I'll add some additional recommendations for mobile apps that can be used to either read or assist in reading a menu. Envision AI's on the fly text reading and document scanner can be used to scan a restaurant menu. The new Be My AI feature in Be My Eyes not only allows for scanning a menu but for asking follow-up questions, such as "how much is the Philly roll" or "what low-carb items are on this page?" Finally, Menus4All is an iOS app that provides accessible menus. It is well worth the subscription cost.
Ophthalmic Edge: One of the most frequently asked questions from people living with low vision is: How do you read the restaurant menu? There are many good options for accomplishing this task depending on the degree of visual impairment. This is all about making adjustments, and accepting that picking up a menu and reading it the way you once did, may not be something you can reenact. Keep in mind, the goal is to select food you will enjoy, not to read every dish on the menu. Here are some of the ways we can successfully overcome the challenges of menu reading and return to savoring the culinary and social experience:
https://ophthalmicedge.org/patient/try-a-new-approach-to-reading-restaurant-menus/
2) Sponsorship Packages Currently Available
Are you an access-based person, business or organization whose products, services or message would benefit from reaching over 15,000 access information subscribers 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 information subscribers 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
3) Premium Subscriber Updates
Next Issue: Premium Subscribers will receive their 4th Issue of the 60 Most Clicked Access News Articles for October, November and December of 2023 on Monday, January 1, 2024. Back Issues: There are currently 3 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) Be My AI Had An Outage This Week, So We Asked What Happened | David Redmond | National Council for the Blind of Ireland (NCBI)
Earlier this week, the Be My AI tool suffered an outage. An error message in the app read "Be My AI failed to respond, reason: You exceeded your current quota, please check your plan and billing details." This message resulted in some users having concerns that Be My Eyes was going to start charging for its AI tools, or that the company was struggling to pay its bill from AI supplier Open AI. The tool has been hugely popular in recent months, so we reached out to Be My Eyes to find out exactly what's going on. here's what they had to say on the matter:
https://www.ncbi.ie/be-my-ai-had-an-outage-this-week-so-we-asked-what-happened/
7) Using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to "Be My Eyes" | Randy Pierce | Future In Sight
Artificial intelligence (AI) based image descriptors have become increasingly popular in the recent months. This creation accounts for a life-changing moment for me. I can see again in a new and incredibly useful way, one that has not been possible for me in many decades.
https://futureinsight.org/blog-artificialintelligence/
8) Accessibility Advocates Oppose Disability Simulations | Skift
After Skift Meetings published an article about a wheelchair venue tour, accessibility advocates strongly objected to disability simulation exercises. Now, we are revisiting the topic to provide a platform for the concerns that were raised:
https://meetings-skift-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/meetings.skift.com/accessibility-advocates-oppose-disability-simulations/amp/
9) Can Screen Readers Read Images? | Allyant
Screen readers generally cannot directly "read" images like they can with text. A sighted user can access the content of an image by simply looking at it, but a screen reader accesses the image only through the alternative text (alt text) or descriptions provided for images. Alt text is added to the HTML code of a web page or document, and it provides a textual description of the image's content or function. When a screen reader encounters an image with alt text, it reads the alt text aloud to the user, allowing them to understand the image's purpose or content. But alt text of an image doesn't just contribute to making the image accessible; it also offers two significant benefits:
https://allyant.com/can-screen-readers-read-images-text-on-images/
10) A Student's Experience Winning a Polly | APH
Fourth grader Russell Dorn put all three of his entries into an access technology raffle at the National Federation of the Blind convention in July. His hopes were realized when he won a Polly from APH. We spoke with Russell about his experience with this braille learning tool:
https://www.aph.org/a-students-experience-winning-a-polly/
11) More Eye Drops Are Being Recalled. Here's How to Find a Safe Brand | CNET
The FDA has issued warnings about products from several major brands. Here's what to know and how to choose the best eye drops for you:
https://www.cnet.com/health/personal-care/more-eye-drops-are-being-recalled-heres-how-to-find-a-safe-brand/
12) Ellume Tests Available For People Who Are Blind Or Who Have Low Vision | ACL.gov
At-home COVID-19 tests are again available at no cost through a partnership between the HHS Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response and the United States Postal Service. These tests will detect the currently circulating COVID-19 variants, are intended for use through the end of 2023, and will include clear instructions on how to verify extended expiration dates. People who are blind or who have low vision can order Ellume COVID Home Tests, which are more accessible than other options. Supplies of the more accessible tests are limited, so people are asked to order them only if they do not have a way to use the other types of tests, such as assistive technology or a trusted family member or friend who can assist (in person or via video call).
https://acl.gov/accessibletests
13) AbilityNet and Deque Partner To Build A Stronger Accessibility Community
AbilityNet and Deque Systems recently partnered to start hosting in-person round table events, bringing together accessibility professionals from a number of organizations as an opportunity for them to share their experiences and challenges candidly, and discuss the core of their accessibility strategies:
https://abilitynet.org.uk/news-blogs/abilitynet-and-deque-partner-build-stronger-accessibility-community
14) 'No One Is Doing That': Louisville Museum Under Construction Aims To Be 100% Accessible
The American Printing House for the Blind broke ground about six months ago on the Dot Experience, a museum it hopes will be unlike any other:
https://www.whas11.com/article/news/local/dot-experience-museum-aph-blind-inclusive-accessible/417-5146e778-8e84-42f7-b2cc-9c983635b95a
15) You Can Control Your iPhone Without Using Your Hands. Here's How | CNBC
There is an accessibility feature on your iPhone called Voice Control that allows you to control the device with no hands. You can use it to pay credit card bills, scroll on apps and browse the internet. You can also use Voice Control in combination with Siri to get the most benefit out of the features:
https://www.cnbc.com/2023/11/02/you-can-control-your-iphone-without-using-your-hands-heres-how.html
16) How I Got Here: Rory Cooper's Career In Assistive Technology Led Him To The White House | Technical.ly
The University of Pittsburgh researcher and technologist was just honored with a National Medal of Technology and Innovation. His interest in the field "came out of personal need:"
https://technical.ly/civic-news/how-i-got-here-rory-cooper-pitt-assistive-technology/
17) New Video Highlights Accessibility and Inclusion at NASA | NASA.gov
The video also shares resources for employees and supervisors to learn about the disability community at NASA, how to access information and resources about disability in the workplace, and how to support accessibility and inclusion at NASA. Accessibility focuses on creating an organization in which all people, including people with disabilities, can fully and independently participate. As one of NASA's core values, inclusion creates an environment where all employees feel welcome, respected, and engaged:
https://www.nasa.gov/directorates/msd/new-video-highlights-accessibility-and-inclusion-at-nasa/
18) Drone Found Blind Dog Missing for 3 Days in the UK | Dog Time
Publisher (Di Blasi): If you love dogs as much as I do, I think you'll find this particular use of drones to be incredibly compelling. I have had a dog in my life since the day I was born. Today, as I approach 50, I've probably loved and lost more than 12 canine best friends. Currently I have two pugs named Rebecca and Dolores Biscuit that are 2 and 3 years old respectively. They are also genetic sisters. And they are my world. So it's nice to know that if anything ever happened to them, a drone might just be able to come to the rescue.
Dog Time: According to FOX News, an 11-year-old Lab named Molly went missing from her home in the UK. The dog's family called a search and rescue team to help find the pup. Drone to Home, a UK charity founded in 2019, offered assistance. The organization specializes in reuniting missing pets with their families. It only took them two hours to locate Molly..
https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/drone-found-blind-dog-missing-204232057.html
19) RNIB Launches Short Film Challenging Misconceptions About People With Sight Loss | Gus Alexiou | Forbes: Subscription Required
The Royal National Institute of Blind People has released a new short campaign film featuring actors with sight loss that uses humor to challenge public misconceptions. The #BeforeYouAsk films which are part of the U.K.-based charity's overall See The Person Not The Sight Loss campaign that launched last year are aimed at dismantling many commonly held myths about how individuals with visual impairments live their lives and what they can accomplish:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/gusalexiou/2023/10/31/rnib-launches-short-film-challenging-misconceptions-about-people-with-sight-loss/
20) NPR, ER To Release The Spoken Word Audio Report 2023 | Radio Online
Spoken word audio listening time and audience size attain record highs in the U.S. according to The Spoken Word Audio Report 2023 from NPR and Edison Research. Forty-eight percent of those in the U.S. age 13+ listen to some type of spoken word audio daily, and audio consumers in the U.S. age 13+ spend 31% of their daily audio time with spoken word:
https://news.radio-online.com/cgi-bin/rol.exe/headline_id=b17629
21) How One Blind Genetic Counselor Is Doing Her Part To Address Ableism | Helen Santoro | Stanford Medicine
Ronit Mazzoni first learned about genetic counseling from her AP biology textbook. After shadowing a genetic counselor her senior year of high school, she was sold on it as a career. "I always was interested in science, and this felt like a great synthesis of the different parts of it that I really liked," Mazzoni said. Many people mistakenly assume that because Mazzoni has been blind since birth due to a condition known as microphthalmia, her career choice must have been related to her diagnosis. "Not at all," Mazzoni said. "It had nothing to do with my blindness:"
https://scopeblog.stanford.edu/2023/10/31/blind-genetic-counselor-doing-part-to-address-ableism/
22) Visually Impaired Artist With Passion For Painting Spreads Message Of Hope, Acceptance | CBC Canada
Born visually impaired in Grand-Barachois, a small eastern New Brunswick community on the Northumberland Strait, Ysabelle Vautour connects with herself — and with others — through art. Now living in Fredericton, Vautour's disability not only inspired her to pursue a career in visual arts, but it also prompted her to create a safe space for other disabled artists in New Brunswick. Her visual impairments include colour-blindness, photosensitivity and 20/200 vision:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/nb-fredericton-ysabelles-disability-art-1.7016296
23) How 'All the Light We Cannot See' Brings an Authentic Blind Heroine to TV | News Week
Upon its release in 2014, Anthony Doerr's All the Light We Cannot See won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and landed on The New York Times best-seller list for 200 weeks. With such high expectations, adapting the novel for the screen was never going to be an easy feat, especially when it came to casting the lead role of Marie-Laure LeBlanc:
https://www.newsweek.com/how-all-light-we-cannot-see-brings-authentic-blind-heroine-tv-shawn-levy-steven-knight-1839601
24) Words That Open Doors — Let's Pay More Attention To This | Award Winning Sight Loss Coach, Advocate and Author Donna Jodhan
The world really needs to wake up and pay more attention to these 2 very magical words; thanks and please!
https://sterlingcreations.com/blog/words-that-open-doors-lets-pay-more-attention-to-this
25) How Can WayAround Make My Life Easier and More Efficient? | Jessica Hipp | Wayaround
While WayAround isn't the first company to create an audible label option for people with vision or reading limitations, our way of doing it simplifies the whole process. Instead of relying upon others to explain what something is beyond a basic naming label, our system allows all of the pertinent information needed to fully identify and use an item to be added to each tag:
https://www.wayaround.com/ease-and-effeciency-of-wayaround/
26) Making Audiobooks Accessible | Cam Waller | Accessibility.com
Audiobooks may seem modern, but they have been around for decades. But though they may not be new, they've become much more popular in recent years for the convenient, immersive literary experience they provide. And even though audiobooks have their root in providing accessibility, that doesn't mean every audiobook is accessible by default. By prioritizing inclusivity and considering diverse needs, we can help prevent barriers to accessing audiobooks, ensuring they remain an accessible way to enjoy literature:
https://www.accessibility.com/blog/making-audiobooks-accessible
➜ Featured Webinars, Training Courses and Events
Submit your access information related Webinar, Training Course or Event for consideration within this section using this form: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-event.
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 8, 2023 | ZoomText, JAWS & Fusion: Latest Features | Assistive Technology Webinar | Access Ingenuity
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
It's that time again. Not only is it the holidays but also the time when there are important updates for ZoomText, JAWS, and Fusion. Join Ian Ramos and Marisa Church from Access Ingenuity to explore what's new in the 2024 updates and some features within the past few years. Learning Outcomes & Zoom Webinar Information: Briefly explain the differences between ZoomText, JAWS, and Fusion. Compare the different licenses and how you can find out if you are eligible for the latest updates. Explore new 2024 features such as Inverted Mouse Pointer, Single Wedge Cursor, Face in View, Split Braille, a new command for managing calls, etc. Review recent features, including Tethered View, Smart Glance, Notification History improvements, New Tables Only option for Smart Navigation, and more:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81878663672?pwd=Q3pYQUJKMGZWNEFGRnBndEVkaTNOQT09&mc_cid=0ef50aefc4&mc_eid=90429c1885#success
November 8, 2023 | Code Jumper: Coding for Families | APH ConnectCenter
4PM PT, 5PM MT, 6PM CT, 7PM ET, 11PM GMT
In a high-tech ever-changing world coding is a skill many children are learning. How do we teach coding to a child who is blind or has low vision? APH Product Manager will share all things Code Jumper and answer your questions at the end. Join us to hear about Code Jumper, a tactile way to help teach, explore, and develop a passion for coding:
https://aph.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_dV16TYK3TjiFZi0OJ_sRcw#/registration
November 8, 2023 | How to Prepare for Accessibility Testing (Part 1) | TPGi
9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
Presenter: Aaron Farber, Senior Accessibility Platform Consultant. This webinar covers creating an accessibility test plan that organizes manual and automated testing. Attendees will receive a test plan template ready for use at their organization and sure to garner buy-in from all the stakeholders across an organization. Attendees learn to select a set of test samples representative of an entire application. It's rarely feasible to test every page or widget within an application. Therefore, a representative sample is the starting point for accessibility testing. Attendees will gain fundamental, ready-to-use knowledge about accessibility testing:
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-november-8-at-12pm-et-how-to-prepare-for-accessibility-testing-part-1/
November 8, 2023 | Accommodations In The Digital Age — How Captions Can Be Necessary For Some, But Boost Learning For All | Glean
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
During this installment we'll be diving into how captions can be necessary for some, but boost learning for all. We'll explore how live captions during lectures allow students to actively listen and participate as well as how captions support more effective note taking, boost engagement, and increase accessibility. Over the course of the series, attendees will also be in with a chance to win some amazing prizes by entering our live quizzes:
https://glean.co/events/how-captions-can-boost-learning-for-all?utm_source=forum_athen_us&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=q4_23
November 9, 2023 | From Classroom to Cash Flow: How Earning in School Can Shape a Brighter Future For Blind And Low Vision Students | Richard Rueda | APH ConnectCenter
3PM PT, 4PM MT, 5PM CT, 6PM ET, 10PM GMT
Discover the transformative power of earning money while in school for students with vision loss! This compelling presentation will unveil the benefits of cultivating strong money management habits and seeking accessible part-time work to foster independence. Learn how to save for the future while safeguarding government benefits and find out how families can play a pivotal role in this empowering journey:
https://aph.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_bcrdsBoFS36Dc7hD8v_9Bg
November 14, 2023 | How Beginners Can Easily Test for JAWS Screen Reader Accessibility | TPGi
8AM PT, 9AM MT, 10AM CT, 11AM ET, 3PM GMT
Presenter: Charlie Pike, Platform Success Lead. JAWS Inspect enables rapid JAWS testing without the complexity of the end-user product. Using transcripts of JAWS speech you can quickly pinpoint accessibility and usability issues. This demonstration will walk you through some simple JAWS accessibility tests that can be run quickly even by novice accessibility testers and provide a good indicator of accessibility levels as well as an introduction to the challenges assistive technology users face. Testing with assistive technologies. JAWS compatibility testing. Introduction to accessibility testing. Understanding the user experience. Register today:
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-november-14-at-11am-et-how-beginners-can-easily-test-for-jaws-screen-reader-accessibility/
November 14, 2023 through November 17, 2023 | The Design + Accessibility Summit By CreativePro
Join us at the 3rd annual Design + Accessibility Summit, the essential HOW-TO event for design professionals who need to master accessibility, coming to a device near you November 14-17, 2023. It's no secret that accessibility is a hot topic. In fact, ensuring your documents are accessible is not just a good idea: it's the law. Whether you're extending your company's DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) focus, expanding your market to include the estimated 25% of the population who have disabilities, or safeguarding your company against legal risks, it's important to make accessibility a business priority. Creative professionals must learn how to design documents that are accessible for people with vision and hearing impairments, mobility challenges, cognitive, and other disabilities. And those who ramp up their knowledge and expertise in accessibility will find themselves in high demand supporting their business' efforts; while those who don't will risk falling behind. At The Design + Accessibility Summit, you will learn practical techniques for building accessible documents with InDesign, Acrobat, PowerPoint, and other tools widely used by creative professionals:
https://creativepro.com/design-accessibility-summit/
November 14, 2023 | Access Academy Part 2: Teaching Touch and Exploratory Skills to Prepare for Tactile Graphics Learning | APH
1PM PT, 2PM MT, 3PM CT, 4PM ET, 8PM GMT
This webinar is part two of the Tactile Graphics Literacy for Students with Visual Impairments: 4 Part Series. Join this webinar to discover how to teach touch and exploratory skills to developing tactile learners. Learn how the development of exploratory skills serves as a foundation for braille readiness and meaningful tactile graphics experiences for students with visual impairments:
https://www.aph.org/events/teaching-touch-and-exploratory-skills-to-prepare-for-tactile-graphics-learning/
November 14, 2023 | Power of Experiential Giving | Richard Rueda | APH ConnectCenter
12PM PT, 1PM MT, 2PM CT, 3PM ET, 7PM GMT
Consider gifting experiences this holiday season. Discover unique gift ideas for digital enthusiasts and fashion that all can enjoy:
https://aphconnectcenter.org/webinars/experiential-gift-giving-digital-music-fashion-and-more/
November 15, 2023 | What's New in WCAG 2.2? | Digital Accessibility Webinar | Access Ingenuity
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
After the approval of WCAG 2.2, you may be wondering about the impact on your accessibility testing and certification processes. Join Michael Parker from Access Ingenuity to learn what changed with WCAG 2.2 and how it impacts the accessibility of your digital content. Learning Outcomes & Zoom Webinar Information. Overview of WCAG 2.2. Accessibility benefits for users with disabilities. How to test for the new criteria:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82292206539?pwd=Rzl5UFI1TEw3bW0vWGNWV3lPZnorZz09&mc_cid=0ef50aefc4&mc_eid=90429c1885#success
November 15, 2023 | Diving Into Braille Displays From Humanware In Collaboration With Eye.T
11AM PT, 12PM MT, 1PM CT, 2PM ET, 6PM GMT
Announcing a new addition to Eye.t Screen Reader Curriculum, "Diving into Braille Displays", sponsored by Humanware! Topics include choosing the right braille display for you, connecting your display to your computer and editing using your new display! Humanware will be hosting a webinar for our brand new course on November 15 at 2 PM EST, giving everyone who attends a FREE license to the course. Register to secure your spot:
https://humanware.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_2aknhgjUSMu_xRUX_3MMUA#/registration
November 15, 2023 | Power of Experiential Giving, Part 2 | Richard Rueda | APH ConnectCenter
4PM PT, 5PM MT, 6PM CT, 7PM ET, 11PM GMT
Consider gifting experiences this holiday season. Enjoy a touch tour at a museum, make dinner then watch an audio described film with your family member or friend who is blind or low vision. Hear from presenters about unique gift ideas that all can participate in and enjoy:
https://aphconnectcenter.org/webinars/experiential-gift-giving-hobbies-sports-and-more/
November 16, 2023 | Accessible Word Documents Webinar | ADA Great Lakes Center
11AM PT, 12PM MT, 1PM CT, 2PM ET, 6PM GMT
Description: In this informative presentation, we will delve into the world of accessible Word documents, exploring the key principles, techniques, and tools needed to make your documents inclusive and user-friendly. This presentation is designed for individuals and organizations that want to make a positive impact on their audience by ensuring that their Word documents are accessible to all. Join us and take the first step towards creating content that is inclusive, compliant, and enhances the user experience for everyone. Individuals will be able to submit questions for the speaker in advance during the registration process. This session will have human generated real-time captioning provided. Continuing Education Recognition Available. Certificate. Credit hours ACTCP: 1.5. Certificate of Attendance: 1.5. Speakers: Gaby de Jongh, IT Accessibility Specialist, UW-IT, Accessibility Technology Services, University of Washington:
https://accessibilityonline.org/ada-tech/session/?id=111084
November 16, 2023 | Unveiling the Latest BrailleNote Touch Updates: A KeySoft Showcase
11AM PT, 12PM MT, 1PM CT, 2PM ET, 6PM GMT
Join Peter Tucic and Andrew Flatres as they unveil the latest enhancements to the BrailleNote Touch Plus. With the recent launch of HumanWare's KeySoft, this informative webinar will highlight the features and advancements released. Notably, we'll delve into the introduction of the new onboard Dictionary, and will also explore the braille-centric KeyCode coding application. Join us for a comprehensive overview of what's hot and happening in the world of BrailleNote Touch Plus. As always, we look forward to hearing from you during a questions and answer portion of the webinar. Time permitting, we'll address any questions or insights you'd like to share.
Register now and be part of the conversation:
https://humanware.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_79Y5CXVSTECgCGGKs5uZhQ#/registration
November 21, 2023 | Accessible Music Publishing Round Table | RNIB, DAISY Consortium
2PM PT, 3PM MT, 4PM CT, 5PM ET, 9PM GMT
Introduction: The international DAISY Consortium and the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) invite music publishers, composers, and music-setters/engravers to take part in our upcoming online Round Table on Accessible Music Publishing. The event aims to explore and understand various sector requirements, through presentations and discussions between: Mainstream music publishers (including exam boards). Braille and other accessible format producers. Blind, partially sighted, and print-disabled musicians. Music setters/engravers. Music notation software producers. We will discuss steps that the global sector can take to ensure equitable access to published scores, in response to legislation and to take advantage of technological advances, with the aim of establishing a sector Working Group and trialling some solutions:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/accessible-music-publishing-round-table-tickets-732765169347
November 28, 2023 | Access Academy Part 3: Strategies and Resources for the Instruction and Evaluation of Tactile Graphicacy Skills | APH
1:30PM PT, 2:30PM MT, 3:30PM CT, 4:30PM ET, 8:30 PM GMT
This webinar is part three of the Tactile Graphics Literacy for Students with Visual Impairments: 4 Part Series. Participate in this webinar to learn instructional strategies pertinent to effective graph reading and tactual perceptual skills. Explore methods for creation of tactile graphics and resources for evaluating tactile graphicacy capabilities of students with visual impairments.
https://www.aph.org/events/strategies-and-resources-for-the-instruction-and-evaluation-of-tactile-graphicacy-skills/
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
November 29, 2023 | ONYX Family of Magnifiers: Portable & Powerful | ACVREP CE Approved, Assistive Technology Webinar | Access Ingenuity
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
The ONYX family of video magnifiers combines ease of use with powerful yet portable features to help people retain their independent lifestyle — reading, writing, viewing photographs, and engaging in hobbies. Did you know there are three different ONYX models? The ONYX Deskset and ONYX OCR offer larger screens and can adapt to multiple environments and tasks for productivity at school, work, and home. Modern cameras produce high-definition images with color-coded controls and adjustable magnification. The ONYX Pro combines portability with the Surface 7 tablet, providing the ultimate tool for mobile magnification and reading tasks. During this webinar, we discuss the features and benefits all the ONYX models can give in specific situations. Join Ian Ramos and Joe McDaniel from Vispero as they dive deep into these powerful tools to help those challenged by vision loss. 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 ONYX models. How to determine which model fits your needs best. How adding speech capability can take you further. Benefits of portable, powerful visual tools:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85400848456?pwd=eUdyUFRGeFlncXlWdnkyTFo5SkdwQT09&mc_cid=0ef50aefc4&mc_eid=90429c1885
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 2, 2023 | Succeed Without Sight Summit | Thriving Blind Academy
7AM PT, 8AM MT, 9AM CT, 10AM ET, 2PM GMT
Thriving Blind Academy's 4th Annual Succeed Without Sight Summit is The Ultimate Game Changer for the Blind and Low Vision Community, Igniting Success-Driven Mindsets like No Other Event! Imagine a world where vision knows no bounds, where limitless potential thrives in the absence of sight. This groundbreaking summit is your ticket to an inspiring convergence of resilience, innovation, and boundless determination. Join us as we unlock the secrets to achieving success beyond sight's limitations, featuring incredible stories, expert insights, and powerful strategies. Don't miss your chance to be a part of this transformative event. (FYI, it is a heck of a lot of fun too!):
https://thrivingblindacademy.org/summit
December 6, 2023 and December 7, 2023 | Sight Tech Global — Shaping New Technologies to Create a More Accessible World for People with Blindness and Visual Impairments
Sight Tech Global is the first global, virtual conference dedicated to fostering discussion among technology pioneers on how rapid advances in AI and related technologies will fundamentally alter the landscape of assistive technology and accessibility:
https://sighttechglobal.com/?mc_cid=0f086fc102&mc_eid=eb245f25da
December 12, 2023 | Access Academy Part 4: The Monarch: Tactile Access to Digital Learning | APH
1:30PM PT, 2:30PM MT, 3:30PM CT, 4:30PM ET, 8:30PM GMT
This webinar is part four of the Tactile Graphics Literacy for Students with Visual Impairments: 4 Part Series. Join this webinar to learn about the skills and background knowledge a student requires to benefit from the use of a multi-line, graphics-capable, refreshable braille display like the Monarch.
https://www.aph.org/events/the-monarch-tactile-access-to-digital-learning/
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
February 20, 2023 through February 22, 2023 | Axe-Con 2024 | Deque Systems
Why attend axe-con? Building accessible digital experiences requires a team effort, across design, development, management, testing, accessibility experts, and of course, legal. Axe-con is the first of its kind, dedicating topics to each of these key players. This is not an assistive technology convention. Talks at axe-con will include case studies from enterprise companies leading in large-scale accessibility efforts, as well as best practices and updates from technology leaders around the world. Attendance of axe-con sessions can also be used towards continuing education (CE) towards IAAP certification. Topics of focus will include accessibility in development, accessibility in design, organizational success with accessibility, and a wildcard track. If you'd like to learn more about previous sessions and speakers, you can view last year's schedule here. Join us to learn how to build, test, monitor, and maintain digital accessibility:
https://www.deque.com/axe-con/register/
April 8, 2024 and April 9, 2023 | 24th Annual Multiple Perspective On Access, Inclusion & Disability Conference | The Ohio State University — Columbus, Ohio
To be on the mailing list for the conference, send email to:
ADA-OSU@osu.edu 📧️
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Sponsor: Pneuma Solutions
➜ Classified Advertisement: Summer Shows For Us = Summer Savings for Everyone! 25% Off Anything In Our Store With Code "Show2023", Good Until July 31!
With Pneuma Solutions back in action at summer conventions, it is time once again for some unbeatable deals! And you're going to love this one... 25% off anything! That's right, anything! With the only exception being Sero due to its separate purchase process, anything available for purchase in our store via Stripe is 25% off for the month of July! RIM Personal for your machine at home? $74.25! Need to scale up? No problem, your 25% will be applied to the new price! Missed out on the Community Support discount? Never fear, you can still slash $37.25 off the $149 price, making the price $111.75! Scribe scans, credits and subscriptions are also covered. And the best part? You don't even have to pick which item to use it on! Purchase as many items as you need, and use this code on all of them! From now until July 31, you can spend 25% less and receive 100% of Pneuma's best in accessible remote desktop and document remediation! Use code show2023 for 25% off anything in our store til 07/31!
https://pneumasolutions.com/summer-shows-for-us-summer-savings-for-everyone/
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: New NVDA Workshops at Hadley
Learn the basics of NVDA. From getting started with the program to customizing the speech to learning helpful shortcuts, Hadley's workshops have you covered.
https://hadley.edu/workshops/nvda-screen-reader-series
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
You can listen to Eyes On Success on your smart home device by saying “play the Eyes On Success podcast”, subscribe to the podcast wherever you get your podcasts, or listen on Apple Podcasts, iTunes, YouTube or your local radio reading service. Listeners can also follow the show on Facebook and X (Formerly Twitter).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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Be My AI Fun
I apologize for poking fun at Be My AI, but I couldn't resist having a little bit of fun. Join us at:
https://tinyurl.com/WeSpeakLive
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: Clusiv
➜ Classified Advertisement: Clusiv Is The World's First eLearning Platform Built For And By People Who Are Blind. Our Courses Are Designed To Equip People Who Are Blind Or Visually Impaired For Employment In The Modern Workforce. Learn More At Clusiv.Io.
Navigating the employment process can be challenging if you are blind or visually impaired. Technology is difficult to figure out, there is a lot of extra material to learn, and there isn't much quality training available.
That's where Clusiv comes in. We help to provide the training you need to succeed in the modern workforce. Our courses teach assistive technology skills and how to apply those skills to many of the business software programs used in the modern workforce, such as email, Microsoft and Google apps, video conferencing, and more. We also teach soft skills such as resume and interview preparation, disclosures and accommodations, internet safety, and financial literacy. Lastly, our training can teach specific career skills, such as becoming an accessibility analyst. Plus, our courses are self-paced.
To learn more, visit https://clusiv.io/ and fill out a form with your information. We work with state vocational rehabilitation agencies to provide access to our course content.
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.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Seeks Your Support at the Public Policy Level
Moving the public policy needle is both difficult and costly. Access Ready has one of the most experienced teams in the business who have shown results. We have fostered Congressional language on accessible websites, elections, healthcare, communications, and other areas touched by information and communications technologies. These efforts are costly and we need your help to continue. Become an Access Ready supporter and create an accessible future for people with disabilities:
https://accessready.org/
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.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Provides Access To The Best In The Business
If you need assistance with a new accessible website, document remediation or disability consulting of other kinds, Access Ready can help. We seek out the best in the business and bring them to you already vetted as to quality, professionalism and ability. By going through AccessReady.org to one of our qualified providers, you're not only getting the best, but supporting our advocacy and technological development efforts as well:
https://accessready.org/
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.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Seeks Guidance On New Accessible Technologies
What Technologies do you see in the market that are not accessible, but should be? What accessible technologies can you imagine that can make the lives of people with all kinds of disabilities better? We will advocate with developers to make existing technologies accessible on your behalf. We will advocate with developers to build new accessible technologies on your behalf. Give us your guidance and support. Your guidance charts our path toward what is most important. Your support funds our efforts on your behalf:
https://accessready.org/
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Prepare For Your Future Today With The All-New APH ConnectCenter's Job Seekers Toolkit!
The APH ConnectCenter and NSITE have partnered to update the Job Seeker's Toolkit, an accessible, self-paced, free online training course. The Toolkit includes five sections covering self-awareness, career exploration tools, the preliminary employment process, the interview, and maintaining employment. We are bringing the Job Seeker's Toolkit to a larger audience and in a Learning Management System format for today's learners, at no cost. Visit APHCareerConnect.org to get started with the Job Seekers Toolkit today at:
https://aphcareerconnect.org/lesson-plans-for-teachers-and-professionals/the-job-seekers-toolkit/
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Have You Tried The Best Way to Label Things if You're Blind or Have Low Vision?
WayAround is a smartphone-based labeling app that works with your preferred accessibility settings. You just need the free mobile app and some WayTags ® to label items in the kitchen, garden, closet, office & more. If you want to label something that's inside, outside, wet, dry, hot, or cold, there's a WayTag that will attach securely. WayTags come as stickers, buttons, magnets, and clips. Each of the different styles of WayTags work exactly the same. Simply choose the WayTag that's best for what you want to label.
➜ Label your kitchen, clothing, or medication.
➜ Tag specialty items and tools for hobbies.
➜ Organize lots of information about one thing on a single WayTag.
➜ Scan each WayTag 100,000 times or more.
Keep adding more WayTags! Use any style of tag, in any order. There's no limit to the number of WayTags you can use. So you can rely on one system to label all your things. Try our Starter Pack to experience ALL of the different types of WayTags!
https://www.wayaround.com/shop/?utm_source=AssistiveTech&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=AccessInfoNewsSponsorAd
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
Your Business or Organization Name Here
➜ Classified Advertisement: Your Weekly Classified Advertisement Title Here (256 characters or less including spaces.)
Your weekly Classified Advertisement here.
(1000 characters or less including spaces.)
Sponsor Since: Today
Website: https://accessinformationnews.com/ 🌐️
Phone: (855) 578-6660 📱️
Email: news@accessinformationnews.com 📧️
About: Access Information News is the world's leading not-for-profit access information news publication that reaches over 15,000 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 not-for-profit access information news publication that reaches over 15,000 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
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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 Access 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 Access 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 advocacy foundation.
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 Access Technology
https://toptechtidbits.com 🌐️
Project Management Professional (2022 - Present)
Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd.
Innovative ideas. Solutions that perform.
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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 Access 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, October 30, 2023 - Volume 934
The Week's News in Access Information
https://accessinformationnews.com/
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: 10,855 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, Inc. Asks, What If?
What if the accessibility features of information and communications technology (ICT) products and services didn't cost developers anything?
The answer to this question is in a change to the Federal tax code. Specifically, we are seeking to amend the Research and Development Tax Credit.
While it has not been used to promote the accessibility of ICT, it could be through amendment. We at Access Ready need your help through funding and influence to amend this 1980s statute to take away the argument that accessibility is too costly.
Contact chair-ceo@accessready.org 📧️ to lend a hand.
Ongoing 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.
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1) Top 5 Most Clicked Access Information News Articles From Last Week
A.) Watching TV While Blind | Consumer Reports
Making television accessible to people with vision impairments requires technical and regulatory advances and collaboration to ensure the visual media remains open to all:
https://www.consumerreports.org/electronics-computers/tvs/watching-tv-while-blind-a3393572533/
B.) Introducing Braille Brain! | APH
We are excited to announce the release of Braille Brain! This is a free website-based, self-paced curriculum to help people who already have literacy skills learn braille. Braille Brain can be especially useful for parents, para-educators, students in university level TVI programs, people who lose sight later in life, and others who want to improve their braille skills. The curriculum is based on Ashcroft's Programmed Instruction: UEB and starts with the basics of braille, going through uncontracted and contracted UEB braille. No account is needed to access this curriculum, making it quick and easy to use:
https://www.aph.org/introducing-braille-brain/
C.) Grocery Delivery, Meal Kits or Prepared Meal Subscription: Which One Should You Pick? | CNet
All three will give you precious time back each week and make mealtime easier. We break down the three main options to help you find the best fit:
https://www.cnet.com/health/nutrition/grocery-delivery-meal-kits-or-prepared-meal-subscription-which-one-should-you-pick/#ftag=CAD590a51e
D.) Here's What Got Better About Radio | Radio Insight
Is anything better now about radio than the radio we grew up on?
https://radioinsight.com/blogs/259895/heres-what-got-better-about-radio/
E.) Be My AI Hits One Million Sessions Only Two Weeks After Open Beta Release | Michele Paris | Be My Eyes
Two weeks after its official release, our community has already experimented with Be My AI 1,000,000 times and feedback has been phenomenal:
https://www.bemyeyes.com/blog/one-million-sessions-be-my-ai
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6) Some Deaf Children In China Can Hear After Gene Treatment
Earlier this year, Qin Lixue enrolled her six-year old daughter Li Xincheng, in a study of a new type of gene therapy. The little girl, nicknamed Yiyi, was born entirely deaf. During the procedure, doctors used a virus to add replacement DNA to the cells in Yiyi's inner ear that pick up vibrations, allowing them to transmit sound to her brain. Yiyi is one of several deaf children who scientists in China say are the first people ever to have their natural hearing pathway restored in a dramatic new demonstration of the possibilities of gene therapy. The feat is even more remarkable because until now, no drug of any kind has ever been able to improve hearing:
https://www.technologyreview.com/2023/10/27/1082551/gene-treatment-deaf-children-hearing-china/
7) Yes, Your Child Can Learn to Code! | Melisa Matthews | APH ConnectCenter
Can Blind or Low Vision People Code? Folks may assume children who are blind or low vision aren't learning and mastering coding. APH Product Manager Katrina Best is here to show us just how accessible coding is with Code Jumper. APH developed Code Jumper to support students at the beginning stages of learning coding. The Code Jumper: Coding for Families webinar will provide the opportunity to hear and learn from APH Product Manager Katrina Best about Code Jumper, coding, and how this product can support your child's interest in future employment in coding. Employment within the coding field is evolving and in high demand. Join us on Wednesday, November 8, 2023, 7:00 PM EST to learn about Code Jumper and coding. Register here. We'll also have time for your questions and feedback:
https://aphconnectcenter.org/education/yes-your-child-can-learn-to-code/
8) Try A New Approach To Reading Restaurant Menus | Ophthalmic Edge
David Goldfield: I'll add some additional recommendations for mobile apps that can be used to either read or assist in reading a menu. Envision AI's on the fly text reading and document scanner can be used to scan a restaurant menu. The new Be My AI feature in Be My Eyes not only allows for scanning a menu but for asking follow-up questions, such as "how much is the Philly roll" or "what low-carb items are on this page?" Finally, Menus4All is an iOS app that provides accessible menus. It is well worth the subscription cost.
Ophthalmic Edge: One of the most frequently asked questions from people living with low vision is: How do you read the restaurant menu? There are many good options for accomplishing this task depending on the degree of visual impairment. This is all about making adjustments, and accepting that picking up a menu and reading it the way you once did, may not be something you can reenact. Keep in mind, the goal is to select food you will enjoy, not to read every dish on the menu. Here are some of the ways we can successfully overcome the challenges of menu reading and return to savoring the culinary and social experience:
https://ophthalmicedge.org/patient/try-a-new-approach-to-reading-restaurant-menus/
9) Be My AI Mentioned Amongst TIME Best Innovations of 2023
The new AI Describer for people who are blind or have low vision is featured in the AI Category:
https://www.bemyeyes.com/blog/be-my-ai-named-amongst-time-best-inventions-of-2023
10) Adobe Announces All-New 'Leaders Of Accessibility' Group Aimed At Greater Inclusivity | Steven Aquino | Forbes: Subscription Required
As part of further celebrating National Disability Employment Awareness Month, Adobe on Thursday published a blog post in which the venerable San Jose-based software company announced a group of so-called “trend-setters” it's calling its "Leaders of Accessibility." Today's news was provided as an exclusive to me and the column:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/stevenaquino/2023/10/26/adobe-announces-all-new-leaders-of-accessibility-group-aimed-at-greater-inclusivity/?sh=3e8db4de1ead
11) American Council of the Blind (ACB) Wins Nationwide Disability Rights Class Action Against Quest Diagnostics for Use of Inaccessible Touch Screen Kiosks
Following a week-long bench trial in Los Angeles, a federal court in California found Quest Diagnostics in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act and permanently enjoined Quest from continuing to violate the ADA:
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/american-council-of-the-blind-acb-wins-nationwide-disability-rights-class-action-against-quest-diagnostics-for-use-of-inaccessible-touch-screen-kiosks-301966895.html
12) Five Questions to Ask About Working Remotely for a Call Center | Empish J. Thomas | APH ConnectCenter
Are you blind or have low vision, and are you interested in remote work? What about working for a customer service call center? Working from home is an excellent option for people with low vision or blindness. Commuting to work is easy. Plus, the flexibility to be in your home environment is nice. But what if the job is working in a call center? Here are some questions to ask yourself before pursuing this career:
https://aphconnectcenter.org/employment/five-questions-to-ask-about-working-remotely-for-a-call-center/
13) Going Blind And Learning How To Deal With It | Joe Orozco
Did you know blindness is the "ailment" people fear most? That's not my choice of word. It comes from the results of a 2017 study conducted by the Wilmer Eye Institute — which found that people fear blindness more than AIDS, cancer, and Alzheimer's disease. People fear losing their sight more than losing speech, hearing, or a limb:
https://joeorozco.com/going-blind-and-learning-how-to-deal-with-it/
14) NLS Bard New Additions For October 2023
This month, we added a number of braille books for string instruments and guitar, including the ever-popular Mel Bay Guitar Method. We also have a good number of new piano and organ scores for you to enjoy. In the audio realm, we've added a few piano-by-ear books (any Whitney Houston fans out there?) along with a fascinating lecture on Japanese Folksongs in Hawaii. All this and more to enjoy this month, so keep reading to check out our other new-to-BARD books:
https://blogs.loc.gov/nls-music-notes/2023/10/new-bard-additions-october-2023/
15) PBS' 'American Masters' Launches Visibility, Inclusion and Accessibility Initiative | Hollywood Reporter
The new commitment, which aims to increase documentary programming by, for and about disabled communities, will support the disability history series 'Renegades,' and includes a talent incubator and expanded accessibility features for the PBS programming:
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/pbs-american-masters-visibility-inclusion-accessibility-initiative-1235627567/
16) Op-Ed | Time To Accelerate Making Streets Safer For The Visually Impaired | AM NY
This month marks the three-year anniversary of a federal judge's direction that the city step up the pace in ensuring 200,000 visually impaired New Yorkers, as well as thousands of blind tourists who visit the Big Apple annually, can safely navigate its notoriously busy streets:
https://www.amny.com/opinion/accelerate-making-streets-safer-visually-impaired/
17) How Can Train Stations Be Made Safer For The Visually Impaired? | Rail UK
Navigating a busy train station can be challenging especially during rush hour, a recent study has revealed that a shockingly high 50% of UK mainline train stations are missing the correct warning equipment to help blind or visually impaired passengers easily navigate their way around. This alarming statistic has led to calls to make stations safer for those with sight challenges:
https://railuk.com/railway-stations/how-can-train-stations-be-made-safer-for-the-visually-impaired/
18) Beyond Amplification — The Role Of Hearing Aids In Tinnitus Management | AT Today UK
Hearing aids, for the longest time, have been synonymous with sound amplification. However, their role is far more intricate in today's technologically advanced landscape. Beyond merely enhancing sound clarity, these devices have emerged as powerful tools in the battle against tinnitus, a pervasive condition marked by constant ringing, buzzing, or hissing in the ears:
https://attoday.co.uk/exclusive-beyond-amplification-the-role-of-hearing-aids-in-tinnitus-management/
19) What Do the Exceptions in the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for the Accessibility of Web Information for Educational Institutions Mean? | ADA.gov
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/resources/2023-07-20-web-nprm/
20) Conducting A Moderated Usability Testing For Screen Reader Users And Keyboard Navigation Users | Jeff Singleton | Converge Accessibility
I had the pleasure to conduct a moderated usability testing with screen reader users and keyboard navigation users for Lime Connect's newly designed platform before its launch. Who is Lime Connect? Lime Connect is the world's largest network of high-potential students and professionals with disabilities, connecting them to top careers and rebranding disability through achievement. It is essential that Lime Connect's platform be user-friendly for individuals using screen readers and keyboard navigation users, since the primary users are people who have disabilities and who may rely on assistive technology:
https://convergeaccessibility.com/2023/10/23/conducting-a-moderated-usability-testing-for-screen-reader-users-and-keyboard-navigation-users/
21) Published Mobile Site and Native App Accessibility Testing Articles | Accessibility Oz
Welcome to our series on the ICT Symposium's Mobile Site and Native App Accessibility Testing. For the next thirty working days we will be posting once a day! We will be posting a series of articles to help testers and developers determine and improve the accessibility of their mobile websites and apps:
https://www.accessibilityoz.com/2023/10/published-mobile-site-and-native-app-accessibility-testing-articles/
22) Why You Should Always Be Improving Accessibility on Your Site | Michaela Leung | Accessibility.com
So now that your site meets accessibility standards, there's nothing left to do, right? Wrong. The standards for digital accessibility are constantly changing as technology advances. To maintain your ADA-compliant status and keep your customers and clients happy, you need to make consistent improvements. With 16% of the world's population, or about 1.3 billion people, living with a disability, the work must continue:
https://www.accessibility.com/blog/why-you-should-always-be-improving-accessibility-on-your-site
23) Is CAPTCHA accessible? | Inclusion and Accessibility Labs
CAPTCHA is a security measure used by websites to differentiate bots from real users and defend against spam. Failing to complete a CAPTCHA test prevents bots from progressing through a user journey, but these tests can prevent people with disabilities from progressing through user journeys too:
https://ialabs.ie/is-captcha-accessible/
24) How This App Is Helping The Visually Impaired Navigate Around Airports
GoodMaps is an app that uses your smartphone's features to help you find your way around airports and transit stations. The app uses LIDAR mapping to create a map of building edges, allowing for optical place finding with your phone's camera for accessibility and general navigation. GoodMaps does not rely on GPS but uses your phone's accelerometer to calculate your travel speed and determine your location within 3-5 feet:
https://simpleflying.com/goodmaps-helping-visually-impaired-navigate-airports/
25) How Hard Is It? Really? — Time To Speak Out | Award Winning Sight Loss Coach, Advocate and Author Donna Jodhan
My final thoughts? Let us cheer more loudly and complain more softly! Just my two cents for today:
https://sterlingcreations.com/blog/how-hard-is-it-really-time-to-speak-out
26) Grubhub, DoorDash and Uber Eats: Which Delivery App Has the Lowest Fees? | CNET
It turns out the size of your order might determine which delivery app will net the best price for your next night of takeout:
https://www.cnet.com/home/kitchen-and-household/cheapest-delivery-app-for-2023/
27) Rootberry Meals Are Plant-Based and Ready to Eat. Here's How We Liked the Service | CNet
Rootberry wants to make plant-based eating easier for everyone. We tried the healthy meal delivery service to cook up this honest review:
https://www.cnet.com/health/nutrition/rootberry-meals-are-plant-based-and-ready-to-eat-heres-how-we-liked-the-service/
28) CookUnity Meal Delivery Review: Celebrity Chef-Made Meals at Affordable Prices | CNet
See why this prepared meal delivery service is one of the best we've tried:
https://www.cnet.com/health/nutrition/cookunity-review/#ftag=CAD590a51e
➜ Featured Webinars, Training Courses and Events
Submit your access information related Webinar, Training Course or Event for consideration within this section using this form: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-event.
October 31, 2023 | Free Braille Translators: Biblos, Sao Mai Braille and Send to Braille
12:30PM PT, 1:30PM MT, 2:30PM CT, 3:30PM ET, 7:30PM GMT
Following our exploration of braille translators during National Braille Week, we are delighted to be joined by esteemed assistive technology pioneer Dean Martineau. Dean is a long term braille user and has spent many years developing his own personal braille shorthand system. In this week's Masterclass, Dean will introduce us to the Biblos braille translator and demonstrate how he uses it to translate text into his personalized shorthand system. He will also cover some more conventional uses of the program and compare it with other free translators on the market, including Send the Braille and Sao Mai Braille:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMvduCvrz0pG9DBTvg7jOGouByjoBz13aZJ#/registration
November 1, 2023 | ParentConnect: A Family Support Group Offered In Partnership With The Virtual Parent Support Group Chicago Lighthouse For The Blind | APH ConnectCenter
4:30PM PT, 5:30PM MT, 6:30PM CT, 7:30PM ET, 11:30PM GMT
APH FamilyConnect and the Chicago Lighthouse are pleased to offer this virtual support group for parents and families of children who are blind or visually impaired. These monthly sessions are for families to connect with and learn from each other about the joys, challenges, and adventures of raising children with visual impairments and blindness. These sessions are open to families. No ACVREP or professional development credits will be available:
https://aph.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0rcOyhrzgrHNKIcMlgqoSgQtAOxsHjbKX3#/registration
November 1, 2023 | Making PDF Tables Accessible | Access Ingenuity
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
Tables are often the most efficient and effective way to communicate information. Ensuring equal accessibility of tables to all users is crucial. We will explore sample tables in Acrobat Pro and demonstrate how to remediate them to be fully accessible to assistive technology. Join Rachel Reeves from Access Ingenuity to dig into everything about making tables in an accessible PDF document. Learning Outcomes & Zoom Webinar Information: Review the appropriate use of tables within accessible documents. Learn the basics for making tables accessible within Acrobat Pro. Troubleshoot complex table errors. Demonstrate navigation of tables with a screen reader in an accessible PDF in Acrobat Reader. Explore how different ways of creating and formatting tables in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel can change your PDF export results:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86711235986?pwd=bUxwMUhXbUtYWnhoNzRINHIwaDBaUT09&mc_cid=0ef50aefc4&mc_eid=90429c1885#success
November 2, 2023 | Career Conversations: Interview With A Blind Audio Engineer | Richard Rueda | APH ConnectCenter
3PM PT, 4PM MT, 5PM CT, 6PM ET, 10PM GMT
Join the team at APH CareerConnect when we interview, Fitzville G. Martin, an audio engineer and CEO of Will Power entertainment, LLC.
Fitzville will discuss with us his career journey and what has inspired him to open Will Power Entertainment, a leading New York City music and video recording studio. Fitsville has produced numerous award winning music videos. The remainder of the hour-long session will provide an opportunity for Transition age students and curious job seekers to follow up with their questions related to the field of audio engineering as well as what it is like to own your own business:
https://aph.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_eQqaNCwFQc22zjqUXBV9fw#/registration
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 8, 2023 | ZoomText, JAWS & Fusion: Latest Features | Assistive Technology Webinar | Access Ingenuity
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
It's that time again. Not only is it the holidays but also the time when there are important updates for ZoomText, JAWS, and Fusion. Join Ian Ramos and Marisa Church from Access Ingenuity to explore what's new in the 2024 updates and some features within the past few years. Learning Outcomes & Zoom Webinar Information: Briefly explain the differences between ZoomText, JAWS, and Fusion. Compare the different licenses and how you can find out if you are eligible for the latest updates. Explore new 2024 features such as Inverted Mouse Pointer, Single Wedge Cursor, Face in View, Split Braille, a new command for managing calls, etc. Review recent features, including Tethered View, Smart Glance, Notification History improvements, New Tables Only option for Smart Navigation, and more:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81878663672?pwd=Q3pYQUJKMGZWNEFGRnBndEVkaTNOQT09&mc_cid=0ef50aefc4&mc_eid=90429c1885#success
November 8, 2023 | Code Jumper: Coding for Families | APH ConnectCenter
4PM PT, 5PM MT, 6PM CT, 7PM ET, 11PM GMT
In a high-tech ever-changing world coding is a skill many children are learning. How do we teach coding to a child who is blind or has low vision? APH Product Manager will share all things Code Jumper and answer your questions at the end. Join us to hear about Code Jumper, a tactile way to help teach, explore, and develop a passion for coding:
https://aph.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_dV16TYK3TjiFZi0OJ_sRcw#/registration
November 8, 2023 | How to Prepare for Accessibility Testing (Part 1) | TPGi
9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
Presenter: Aaron Farber, Senior Accessibility Platform Consultant. This webinar covers creating an accessibility test plan that organizes manual and automated testing. Attendees will receive a test plan template ready for use at their organization and sure to garner buy-in from all the stakeholders across an organization. Attendees learn to select a set of test samples representative of an entire application. It's rarely feasible to test every page or widget within an application. Therefore, a representative sample is the starting point for accessibility testing. Attendees will gain fundamental, ready-to-use knowledge about accessibility testing:
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-november-8-at-12pm-et-how-to-prepare-for-accessibility-testing-part-1/
November 9, 2023 | From Classroom to Cash Flow: How Earning in School Can Shape a Brighter Future For Blind And Low Vision Students | Richard Rueda | APH ConnectCenter
3PM PT, 4PM MT, 5PM CT, 6PM ET, 10PM GMT
Discover the transformative power of earning money while in school for students with vision loss! This compelling presentation will unveil the benefits of cultivating strong money management habits and seeking accessible part-time work to foster independence. Learn how to save for the future while safeguarding government benefits and find out how families can play a pivotal role in this empowering journey:
https://aph.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_bcrdsBoFS36Dc7hD8v_9Bg
November 14, 2023 | How Beginners Can Easily Test for JAWS Screen Reader Accessibility | TPGi
8AM PT, 9AM MT, 10AM CT, 11AM ET, 3PM GMT
Presenter: Charlie Pike, Platform Success Lead. JAWS Inspect enables rapid JAWS testing without the complexity of the end-user product. Using transcripts of JAWS speech you can quickly pinpoint accessibility and usability issues. This demonstration will walk you through some simple JAWS accessibility tests that can be run quickly even by novice accessibility testers and provide a good indicator of accessibility levels as well as an introduction to the challenges assistive technology users face. Testing with assistive technologies. JAWS compatibility testing. Introduction to accessibility testing. Understanding the user experience. Register today:
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-november-14-at-11am-et-how-beginners-can-easily-test-for-jaws-screen-reader-accessibility/
November 14, 2023 through November 17, 2023 | The Design + Accessibility Summit By CreativePro
Join us at the 3rd annual Design + Accessibility Summit, the essential HOW-TO event for design professionals who need to master accessibility, coming to a device near you November 14-17, 2023. It's no secret that accessibility is a hot topic. In fact, ensuring your documents are accessible is not just a good idea: it's the law. Whether you're extending your company's DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) focus, expanding your market to include the estimated 25% of the population who have disabilities, or safeguarding your company against legal risks, it's important to make accessibility a business priority. Creative professionals must learn how to design documents that are accessible for people with vision and hearing impairments, mobility challenges, cognitive, and other disabilities. And those who ramp up their knowledge and expertise in accessibility will find themselves in high demand supporting their business' efforts; while those who don't will risk falling behind. At The Design + Accessibility Summit, you will learn practical techniques for building accessible documents with InDesign, Acrobat, PowerPoint, and other tools widely used by creative professionals:
https://creativepro.com/design-accessibility-summit/
November 14, 2023 | Access Academy Part 2: Teaching Touch and Exploratory Skills to Prepare for Tactile Graphics Learning | APH
1PM PT, 2PM MT, 3PM CT, 4PM ET, 8PM GMT
This webinar is part two of the Tactile Graphics Literacy for Students with Visual Impairments: 4 Part Series. Join this webinar to discover how to teach touch and exploratory skills to developing tactile learners. Learn how the development of exploratory skills serves as a foundation for braille readiness and meaningful tactile graphics experiences for students with visual impairments:
https://www.aph.org/events/teaching-touch-and-exploratory-skills-to-prepare-for-tactile-graphics-learning/
November 15, 2023 | What's New in WCAG 2.2? | Digital Accessibility Webinar | Access Ingenuity
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
After the approval of WCAG 2.2, you may be wondering about the impact on your accessibility testing and certification processes. Join Michael Parker from Access Ingenuity to learn what changed with WCAG 2.2 and how it impacts the accessibility of your digital content. Learning Outcomes & Zoom Webinar Information. Overview of WCAG 2.2. Accessibility benefits for users with disabilities. How to test for the new criteria:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82292206539?pwd=Rzl5UFI1TEw3bW0vWGNWV3lPZnorZz09&mc_cid=0ef50aefc4&mc_eid=90429c1885#success
November 16, 2023 | Accessible Word Documents Webinar | ADA Great Lakes Center
11AM PT, 12PM MT, 1PM CT, 2PM ET, 6PM GMT
Description: In this informative presentation, we will delve into the world of accessible Word documents, exploring the key principles, techniques, and tools needed to make your documents inclusive and user-friendly. This presentation is designed for individuals and organizations that want to make a positive impact on their audience by ensuring that their Word documents are accessible to all. Join us and take the first step towards creating content that is inclusive, compliant, and enhances the user experience for everyone. Individuals will be able to submit questions for the speaker in advance during the registration process. This session will have human generated real-time captioning provided. Continuing Education Recognition Available. Certificate. Credit hours ACTCP: 1.5. Certificate of Attendance: 1.5. Speakers: Gaby de Jongh, IT Accessibility Specialist, UW-IT, Accessibility Technology Services, University of Washington:
https://accessibilityonline.org/ada-tech/session/?id=111084
November 28, 2023 | Access Academy Part 3: Strategies and Resources for the Instruction and Evaluation of Tactile Graphicacy Skills | APH
1:30PM PT, 2:30PM MT, 3:30PM CT, 4:30PM ET, 8:30 PM GMT
This webinar is part three of the Tactile Graphics Literacy for Students with Visual Impairments: 4 Part Series. Participate in this webinar to learn instructional strategies pertinent to effective graph reading and tactual perceptual skills. Explore methods for creation of tactile graphics and resources for evaluating tactile graphicacy capabilities of students with visual impairments.
https://www.aph.org/events/strategies-and-resources-for-the-instruction-and-evaluation-of-tactile-graphicacy-skills/
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
November 29, 2023 | ONYX Family of Magnifiers: Portable & Powerful | ACVREP CE Approved, Assistive Technology Webinar | Access Ingenuity
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
The ONYX family of video magnifiers combines ease of use with powerful yet portable features to help people retain their independent lifestyle — reading, writing, viewing photographs, and engaging in hobbies. Did you know there are three different ONYX models? The ONYX Deskset and ONYX OCR offer larger screens and can adapt to multiple environments and tasks for productivity at school, work, and home. Modern cameras produce high-definition images with color-coded controls and adjustable magnification. The ONYX Pro combines portability with the Surface 7 tablet, providing the ultimate tool for mobile magnification and reading tasks. During this webinar, we discuss the features and benefits all the ONYX models can give in specific situations. Join Ian Ramos and Joe McDaniel from Vispero as they dive deep into these powerful tools to help those challenged by vision loss. 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 ONYX models. How to determine which model fits your needs best. How adding speech capability can take you further. Benefits of portable, powerful visual tools:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85400848456?pwd=eUdyUFRGeFlncXlWdnkyTFo5SkdwQT09&mc_cid=0ef50aefc4&mc_eid=90429c1885
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 6, 2023 and December 7, 2023 | Sight Tech Global — Shaping New Technologies to Create a More Accessible World for People with Blindness and Visual Impairments
Sight Tech Global is the first global, virtual conference dedicated to fostering discussion among technology pioneers on how rapid advances in AI and related technologies will fundamentally alter the landscape of assistive technology and accessibility:
https://sighttechglobal.com/?mc_cid=0f086fc102&mc_eid=eb245f25da
December 12, 2023 | Access Academy Part 4: The Monarch: Tactile Access to Digital Learning | APH
1:30PM PT, 2:30PM MT, 3:30PM CT, 4:30PM ET, 8:30PM GMT
This webinar is part four of the Tactile Graphics Literacy for Students with Visual Impairments: 4 Part Series. Join this webinar to learn about the skills and background knowledge a student requires to benefit from the use of a multi-line, graphics-capable, refreshable braille display like the Monarch.
https://www.aph.org/events/the-monarch-tactile-access-to-digital-learning/
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
February 20, 2023 through February 22, 2023 | Axe-Con 2024 | Deque Systems
Why attend axe-con? Building accessible digital experiences requires a team effort, across design, development, management, testing, accessibility experts, and of course, legal. Axe-con is the first of its kind, dedicating topics to each of these key players. This is not an assistive technology convention. Talks at axe-con will include case studies from enterprise companies leading in large-scale accessibility efforts, as well as best practices and updates from technology leaders around the world. Attendance of axe-con sessions can also be used towards continuing education (CE) towards IAAP certification. Topics of focus will include accessibility in development, accessibility in design, organizational success with accessibility, and a wildcard track. If you'd like to learn more about previous sessions and speakers, you can view last year's schedule here. Join us to learn how to build, test, monitor, and maintain digital accessibility:
https://www.deque.com/axe-con/register/
April 8, 2024 and April 9, 2023 | 24th Annual Multiple Perspective On Access, Inclusion & Disability Conference | The Ohio State University — Columbus, Ohio
To be on the mailing list for the conference, send email to:
ADA-OSU@osu.edu 📧️
➜ Directories
1) Access Information Email Newsletter Directory
https://accessinformationnews.com/email-newsletter-directory.html
➜ Sponsor Classified Ads
Sponsors may submit or update their Classified Advertisement at any time by submitting this short form: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-sponsor-classified.
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: New NVDA Workshops at Hadley
Learn the basics of NVDA. From getting started with the program to customizing the speech to learning helpful shortcuts, Hadley's workshops have you covered.
https://hadley.edu/workshops/nvda-screen-reader-series
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
You can listen to Eyes On Success on your smart home device by saying “play the Eyes On Success podcast”, subscribe to the podcast wherever you get your podcasts, or listen on Apple Podcasts, iTunes, YouTube or your local radio reading service. Listeners can also follow the show on Facebook and X (Formerly Twitter).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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Be My AI Fun
I apologize for poking fun at Be My AI, but I couldn't resist having a little bit of fun. Join us at:
https://tinyurl.com/WeSpeakLive
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: Clusiv
➜ Classified Advertisement: Clusiv Is The World's First eLearning Platform Built For And By People Who Are Blind. Our Courses Are Designed To Equip People Who Are Blind Or Visually Impaired For Employment In The Modern Workforce. Learn More At Clusiv.Io.
Navigating the employment process can be challenging if you are blind or visually impaired. Technology is difficult to figure out, there is a lot of extra material to learn, and there isn't much quality training available.
That's where Clusiv comes in. We help to provide the training you need to succeed in the modern workforce. Our courses teach assistive technology skills and how to apply those skills to many of the business software programs used in the modern workforce, such as email, Microsoft and Google apps, video conferencing, and more. We also teach soft skills such as resume and interview preparation, disclosures and accommodations, internet safety, and financial literacy. Lastly, our training can teach specific career skills, such as becoming an accessibility analyst. Plus, our courses are self-paced.
To learn more, visit https://clusiv.io/ and fill out a form with your information. We work with state vocational rehabilitation agencies to provide access to our course content.
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.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Seeks Your Support at the Public Policy Level
Moving the public policy needle is both difficult and costly. Access Ready has one of the most experienced teams in the business who have shown results. We have fostered Congressional language on accessible websites, elections, healthcare, communications, and other areas touched by information and communications technologies. These efforts are costly and we need your help to continue. Become an Access Ready supporter and create an accessible future for people with disabilities:
https://accessready.org/
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.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Provides Access To The Best In The Business
If you need assistance with a new accessible website, document remediation or disability consulting of other kinds, Access Ready can help. We seek out the best in the business and bring them to you already vetted as to quality, professionalism and ability. By going through AccessReady.org to one of our qualified providers, you're not only getting the best, but supporting our advocacy and technological development efforts as well:
https://accessready.org/
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.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Seeks Guidance On New Accessible Technologies
What Technologies do you see in the market that are not accessible, but should be? What accessible technologies can you imagine that can make the lives of people with all kinds of disabilities better? We will advocate with developers to make existing technologies accessible on your behalf. We will advocate with developers to build new accessible technologies on your behalf. Give us your guidance and support. Your guidance charts our path toward what is most important. Your support funds our efforts on your behalf:
https://accessready.org/
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Prepare For Your Future Today With The All-New APH ConnectCenter's Job Seekers Toolkit!
The APH ConnectCenter and NSITE have partnered to update the Job Seeker's Toolkit, an accessible, self-paced, free online training course. The Toolkit includes five sections covering self-awareness, career exploration tools, the preliminary employment process, the interview, and maintaining employment. We are bringing the Job Seeker's Toolkit to a larger audience and in a Learning Management System format for today's learners, at no cost. Visit APHCareerConnect.org to get started with the Job Seekers Toolkit today at:
https://aphcareerconnect.org/lesson-plans-for-teachers-and-professionals/the-job-seekers-toolkit/
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Have You Tried The Best Way to Label Things if You're Blind or Have Low Vision?
WayAround is a smartphone-based labeling app that works with your preferred accessibility settings. You just need the free mobile app and some WayTags ® to label items in the kitchen, garden, closet, office & more. If you want to label something that's inside, outside, wet, dry, hot, or cold, there's a WayTag that will attach securely. WayTags come as stickers, buttons, magnets, and clips. Each of the different styles of WayTags work exactly the same. Simply choose the WayTag that's best for what you want to label.
➜ Label your kitchen, clothing, or medication.
➜ Tag specialty items and tools for hobbies.
➜ Organize lots of information about one thing on a single WayTag.
➜ Scan each WayTag 100,000 times or more.
Keep adding more WayTags! Use any style of tag, in any order. There's no limit to the number of WayTags you can use. So you can rely on one system to label all your things. Try our Starter Pack to experience ALL of the different types of WayTags!
https://www.wayaround.com/shop/?utm_source=AssistiveTech&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=AccessInfoNewsSponsorAd
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
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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.
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Access Information News for Monday, October 23, 2023 - Volume 933
Access Information News for Monday, October 23, 2023 - Volume 933
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1) Top 5 Most Clicked Access Information News Articles From Last Week
A.) 10 Siri Voice Commands For iPhone For The Blind & Visually Impaired | Cellular News
In this article, we will explore 10 Siri voice commands specifically designed for the blind and visually impaired. These commands will help enhance their iPhone experience and make their everyday tasks easier and more efficient. From reading text messages to identifying objects, Siri can truly be a powerful tool for those with visual impairments:
https://cellularnews.com/mobile-phone/10-siri-voice-commands-for-iphone-for-the-blind-visually-impaired/
B.) Clothes and Laundry, How a DeafBlind Does It | Inclusive Ability Initiative
How does a DeafBlind person organize laundry and keep track of color matching of clothes?
https://iabilityi.com/adaptiveliving/clothes-and-laundry-how-a-deafblind-does-it/
C.) Top Five Digital Accessibility Myths | Kami Funk | Accessibility.com
If you have a website, you need to ensure it is accessible. It is the right thing to do and required under guidelines like WCAG. Keeping your website accessible seems like a no-brainer, but there are many myths surrounding digital accessibility that may make people reluctant to implement it on their website. Let's explore the top five digital accessibility myths and debunk them to prove why digital accessibility matters — and will continue to matter:
https://www.accessibility.com/blog/top-five-digital-accessibility-myths
D.) A Proclamation on Blind Americans Equality Day, 2023 | The White House
On Blind Americans Equality Day, my Administration celebrates the contributions that people who are blind or low vision have made to our country, and we recommit to creating a more accessible Nation where everyone has the opportunity to realize their full potential:
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2023/10/13/a-proclamation-on-blind-americans-equality-day-2023/
E.) Nine Things Automated Accessibility Tests Can't Test | Dave Rupert
With Luro, I've found myself in the accessibility tooling space. I'm bullish on the need for automated accessibility testing to help designers and developers do a minimum viable good job, establish a baseline experience, and diagnose problems before they are giant problems. Even though automated tests cover 20-30% of WCAG Success Criteria, Deque data suggests those issues are representative of 57.38% of the most common issues found. In my mind, automated accessibility tests have four key tangible benefits:
https://daverupert.com/2023/10/nine-a11y-jobs-where-robots-suck/
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6) Lego Braille Bricks 'Let Me Play With Grandkids' | BBC News
Jackie Brown, 61, was born blind, and has been building Lego models since the age of seven. Lego's Braille bricks launched in 2020, though were only tested in certain schools and organizations. Now that they are available to the public, Mrs. Brown said she can "sit down and play with my grandchildren:"
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-67137273
7) Introducing Braille Brain! | APH
We are excited to announce the release of Braille Brain! This is a free website-based, self-paced curriculum to help people who already have literacy skills learn braille. Braille Brain can be especially useful for parents, paraeducators, students in university level TVI programs, people who lose sight later in life, and others who want to improve their braille skills. The curriculum is based on Ashcroft's Programmed Instruction: UEB and starts with the basics of braille, going through uncontracted and contracted UEB braille. No account is needed to access this curriculum, making it quick and easy to use:
https://www.aph.org/introducing-braille-brain/
8) Be My AI Hits One Million Sessions Only Two Weeks After Open Beta Release | Michele Paris | Be My Eyes
Two weeks after its official release, our community has already experimented with Be My AI 1,000,000 times and feedback has been phenomenal:
https://www.bemyeyes.com/blog/one-million-sessions-be-my-ai
9) Watching TV While Blind | Consumer Reports
Making television accessible to people with vision impairments requires technical and regulatory advances and collaboration to ensure the visual media remains open to all:
https://www.consumerreports.org/electronics-computers/tvs/watching-tv-while-blind-a3393572533/
10) Victoria's Secret Debuts Collection Designed For Women With Disabilities
Struggling lingerie peddler Victoria's Secret, which has long been lambasted for promoting impossibly slim models, launched its first collection of bras and panties that meet the needs of women with disabilities. The line of undergarments — available at Victoria's Secret and its sister brand PINK — is an inclusive take on the lingerie behemoth's Body by Victoria and Wear Everywhere collections, the company said in a press release:
https://nypost.com/2023/10/18/victorias-secret-debuts-collection-designed-for-women-with-disabilities/
11) McDonald's Launches Color-Blind Feature For World Sight Day
McDonald's India (West and South) aims to make food ordering easier and more enjoyable for color-blind consumers for their #EatEqual campaign and has launched a first-ever feature on its McDelivery app and website to do just that. McDonald's released a heartwarming ad campaign on World Sight Day through the perspective of Aniruddh Kothari, a red-green color-blind photographer who clicks various colorful and vibrant photos but sees them differently — devoid of color. However, when he opens his phone, he sees a McDonald's burger with a new color-blind-friendly version:
https://www.socialmediadissect.com/social-media-dissect/mcdonalds-launches-color-blind-feature-for-world-sight-day/
12) Blogger Melissa Blake Sheds Light On Realities Of Living With Disability: 'I Am Demanding Better'
Melissa Blake is reflecting on the struggles of having a disability. In an Instagram reel on Sunday, the blogger and disability advocate offered a glimpse into the challenges she faced day-to-day. Set to Olivia Rodrigo's song "all-american bi—," Blake conveyed her message with on-screen text that read: "The reality of being disabled," before listing, "ableism, accessibility, inequality, stereotypes," and "poverty." In the caption, Blake did not mince her words, writing, "Disabled people constantly face obstacles... And yet? Through it all, society wants us to be ever grateful," she added. Blake noted society urges those living with a disability to feel grateful "for the bare minimum," despite "the vast majority" of their needs not being met or being "an after-thought."
https://ca.style.yahoo.com/melissa-blake-disability-inequality-153416755.html?soc_src=social-sh&soc_trk=tw&tsrc=twtr
13) These 12 Startups Want To Convince VCs That Disability Tech Is Where They Need To Put Their Money | Sifted
Investors have always said disability tech is not scalable, but with one billion potential users, isn't that a myth?
https://sifted.eu/articles/startups-convince-vcs-disability-tech
14) Philadelphia Attempts To Put Accessibility At The Forefront Of Disability Data
The city's disability map can help policymakers deliver more inclusive and accessible services for those living with disabilities:
https://www.cityandstatepa.com/policy/2023/10/philadelphia-attempts-put-accessibility-forefront-disability-data/391069/
15) Confirmation Bias | Access By Design
A pat on the back. I would guess that we all like to know we are doing something right. It gives us a feeling of calm reassurance. But not for everyone. One of the difficulties that blind people have when they are interacting with a website, such as filling in a form, is that they miss out on such confirmations. What happens is that messages such as “Thank you for completing our form” or “File Upload Successful” will appear on the screen and their screen reader will be unaware of it and they will not know it is there unless they are told. This happens a lot with my Team when we are on a Live Accessibility Audit. A message will appear and my blind Team Members (Mede, Krista and Lleona) will be unaware of it until I tell them it is there. They can then find it, although sometimes not very easily, from then on they will automatically hunt for such a message when doing other interactivity on the website. Such is their lived experience:
https://accessbydesign.uk/confirmation-bias/
16) Here's What Got Better About Radio | Radio Insight
Is anything better now about radio than the radio we grew up on?
https://radioinsight.com/blogs/259895/heres-what-got-better-about-radio/
17) Woman Who Uses Wheelchair Calls Out Airport Staff For 'Pushing' Her Without Her Permission — ''You Should Know Basic Respect'
A woman has sparked a much-needed discussion regarding the treatment of people with disabilities in public spaces from customer service workers. The important conversation arose after the woman shared a disturbing video on TikTok depicting how she was treated by airport staff while attempting to get to her gate. The incident left the woman in tears and the rest of social media outraged on her behalf. The woman claims that the airport staff began pushing her wheelchair without her permission:
https://ca.finance.yahoo.com/news/woman-uses-wheelchair-calls-airport-041500878.html
18) Accessible Healthcare Documents and Why They Matter | BrailleWorks
To be clear, reading a patient's document out loud is not a substitute for providing accessible documents. Ask our co-founder, Lou Fioritto, who shared his personal experience with inaccessibility in healthcare. Upon requesting a healthcare form to be provided in braille, the response he received was that his wife could read the documents to him. Lou explains that he felt like a child, unable to access personal medical forms. All because the healthcare facility wasn't prepared. It doesn't seem fair, does it?
https://brailleworks.com/accessible-healthcare-documents-and-why-they-matter/
19) Reason Or Excuse? Time To Speak Up! | Award Winning Sight Loss Coach, Advocate and Author Donna Jodhan
My final thoughts? If we are truly serious to commit more then we need to replace excuses for not doing with reasons for doing! For if we do not and do it soon, we will not be able to change our present situation. Just my two cents for today:
https://sterlingcreations.com/blog/reason-or-excuse-time-to-speak-up
20) I Tried Splendid Spoon. Here's What I Thought of the Vegan, Gluten-Free Meal Service | David Watsky | CNet
Splendid Spoon sends premade vegan and gluten-free smoothies, soups, bowls and more so you can whip up healthy meals in under a minute. Here's what I thought of the popular subscription service:
https://www.cnet.com/health/nutrition/splendid-spoon-review/#ftag=CAD590a51e
21) Grocery Delivery, Meal Kits or Prepared Meal Subscription: Which One Should You Pick? | CNet
All three will give you precious time back each week and make mealtime easier. We break down the three main options to help you find the best fit:
https://www.cnet.com/health/nutrition/grocery-delivery-meal-kits-or-prepared-meal-subscription-which-one-should-you-pick/#ftag=CAD590a51e
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October 24, 2023 | Begin Building an Early Tactile Foundation for Graphics Understanding | APH
12PM PT, 1PM MT, 2PM CT, 3PM ET, 7PM GMT
Join this webinar to discover how instruction in concept and tactile skills contributes to the development of braille and graphics literacy skills for students with visual impairments. This webinar is part 1 of Tactile Graphics Literacy for Students with Visual Impairments: 4 Part Series:
https://aph.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_oUns1zn7RMSSFrTI6iPpPA#/registration
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:
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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
October 24, 2023 | Access Academy Part 1: Building an Early Tactile Foundation for Graphics Understanding | APH
12PM PT, 1PM MT, 2PM CT, 3PM ET, 7PM GMT
This webinar is part 1 of Tactile Graphics Literacy for Students with Visual Impairments: 4 Part Series. Join this webinar to discover how instruction in concept and tactile skills contributes to the development of braille and graphics literacy skills for students with visual impairments:
https://aph.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_oUns1zn7RMSSFrTI6iPpPA#/registration
October 25, 2023 | Webinar: The Future of Accessibility: AI-Powered Tools 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. as we explore the world of artificial intelligence and its transformative potential for people who are blind or visually impaired. Discover cutting-edge AI tools and technologies designed to empower independence, accessibility, and inclusion. During this interactive session, you'll have the opportunity to ask questions, share your experiences, and learn how AI can revolutionize the way you interact with and navigate the visual world. Don't miss this chance to harness the potential of artificial intelligence to enhance your life. Register now to secure your spot!
https://thelighthousefortheblindinc.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Vv1YlIYGT62NE5AhDAe6Vw#/registration
October 25, 2023 | Accessibility Key Performance Indicators | TPGi
9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
Presenter: Aaron Farber, Senior Accessibility Platform Consultant. All accessibility programs must have defensible data points to convey the program's performance and justify an organization committing resources to the program. This webinar covers why organizations must have accessibility metrics and goes a step further, to demonstrate how organizations can generate and report these metrics. Attendees learn to develop benchmarks that are consistent with the scale and maturity of their accessibility program. We'll delve into accessibility metrics such as: Overall accessibility knowledge as an organization i.e. consumption of training materials. Comparison of shift-left approach to accessibility compared with audit-fix-audit-fix lifecycle. Indicators of code quality over time. Legal and reputational risk management. Completion of third-party certifications. We discuss the business case for accessibility and how to understand and frame the topic of return on investment. This webinar takes an honest look at oft-repeated, pro-accessibility arguments about site usage by people with disabilities and the relationship between accessibility and SEO. Accessibility is an opportunity to make an impact on an organization. Learn how to use TPGi's Accessibility Resource Center to describe this impact:
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-october-25-at-12pm-et-accessibility-key-performance-indicators/
October 25, 2023 | Menus v. Ribbons with JAWS (Assistive Technology Webinar) | Access Ingenuity
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
Want to know how to navigate menus and ribbons with JAWS? Join Marisa Church and Ian Ramos from Access Ingenuity to review the differences between menus and ribbons by activating in separate programs and presenting hotkeys. Learning Outcomes: Discuss the difference between menus and ribbons. Explore programs with menus or ribbons. Demonstrate commands for navigating menus and ribbons:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84433535781?pwd=SkJ4QjF4cng5aXBjbnpNdEJwZEE5UT09&mc_cid=c2cb69a0b0&mc_eid=90429c1885#success
November 1, 2023 | ParentConnect: A Family Support Group Offered In Partnership With The Virtual Parent Support Group Chicago Lighthouse For The Blind | APH ConnectCenter
4:30PM PT, 5:30PM MT, 6:30PM CT, 7:30PM ET, 11:30PM GMT
APH FamilyConnect and the Chicago Lighthouse are pleased to offer this virtual support group for parents and families of children who are blind or visually impaired. These monthly sessions are for families to connect with and learn from each other about the joys, challenges, and adventures of raising children with visual impairments and blindness. These sessions are open to families. No ACVREP or professional development credits will be available:
https://aph.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0rcOyhrzgrHNKIcMlgqoSgQtAOxsHjbKX3#/registration
November 2, 2023 | Career Conversations: Interview With A Blind Audio Engineer | Richard Rueda | APH ConnectCenter
3PM PT, 4PM MT, 5PM CT, 6PM ET, 10PM GMT
Join the team at APH CareerConnect when we interview, Fitzville G. Martin, an audio engineer and CEO of Will Power entertainment, LLC.
Fitzville will discuss with us his career journey and what has inspired him to open Will Power Entertainment, a leading New York City music and video recording studio. Fitsville has produced numerous award winning music videos. The remainder of the hour-long session will provide an opportunity for Transition age students and curious job seekers to follow up with their questions related to the field of audio engineering as well as what it is like to own your own business:
https://aph.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_eQqaNCwFQc22zjqUXBV9fw#/registration
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 9, 2023 | From Classroom to Cash Flow: How Earning in School Can Shape a Brighter Future For Blind And Low Vision Students | Richard Rueda | APH ConnectCenter
3PM PT, 4PM MT, 5PM CT, 6PM ET, 10PM GMT
Discover the transformative power of earning money while in school for students with vision loss! This compelling presentation will unveil the benefits of cultivating strong money management habits and seeking accessible part-time work to foster independence. Learn how to save for the future while safeguarding government benefits and find out how families can play a pivotal role in this empowering journey:
https://aph.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_bcrdsBoFS36Dc7hD8v_9Bg
November 14, 2023 | How Beginners Can Easily Test for JAWS Screen Reader Accessibility | TPGi
8AM PT, 9AM MT, 10AM CT, 11AM ET, 3PM GMT
Presenter: Charlie Pike, Platform Success Lead. JAWS Inspect enables rapid JAWS testing without the complexity of the end-user product. Using transcripts of JAWS speech you can quickly pinpoint accessibility and usability issues. This demonstration will walk you through some simple JAWS accessibility tests that can be run quickly even by novice accessibility testers and provide a good indicator of accessibility levels as well as an introduction to the challenges assistive technology users face. Testing with assistive technologies. JAWS compatibility testing. Introduction to accessibility testing. Understanding the user experience. Register today:
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-november-14-at-11am-et-how-beginners-can-easily-test-for-jaws-screen-reader-accessibility/
November 14, 2023 through November 17, 2023 | The Design + Accessibility Summit By CreativePro
Join us at the 3rd annual Design + Accessibility Summit, the essential HOW-TO event for design professionals who need to master accessibility, coming to a device near you November 14-17, 2023. It's no secret that accessibility is a hot topic. In fact, ensuring your documents are accessible is not just a good idea: it's the law. Whether you're extending your company's DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) focus, expanding your market to include the estimated 25% of the population who have disabilities, or safeguarding your company against legal risks, it's important to make accessibility a business priority. Creative professionals must learn how to design documents that are accessible for people with vision and hearing impairments, mobility challenges, cognitive, and other disabilities. And those who ramp up their knowledge and expertise in accessibility will find themselves in high demand supporting their business' efforts; while those who don't will risk falling behind. At The Design + Accessibility Summit, you will learn practical techniques for building accessible documents with InDesign, Acrobat, PowerPoint, and other tools widely used by creative professionals:
https://creativepro.com/design-accessibility-summit/
November 14, 2023 | Access Academy Part 2: Teaching Touch and Exploratory Skills to Prepare for Tactile Graphics Learning | APH
1PM PT, 2PM MT, 3PM CT, 4PM ET, 8PM GMT
This webinar is part two of the Tactile Graphics Literacy for Students with Visual Impairments: 4 Part Series. Join this webinar to discover how to teach touch and exploratory skills to developing tactile learners. Learn how the development of exploratory skills serves as a foundation for braille readiness and meaningful tactile graphics experiences for students with visual impairments:
https://www.aph.org/events/teaching-touch-and-exploratory-skills-to-prepare-for-tactile-graphics-learning/
November 28, 2023 | Access Academy Part 3: Strategies and Resources for the Instruction and Evaluation of Tactile Graphicacy Skills | APH
1:30PM PT, 2:30PM MT, 3:30PM CT, 4:30PM ET, 8:30 PM GMT
This webinar is part three of the Tactile Graphics Literacy for Students with Visual Impairments: 4 Part Series. Participate in this webinar to learn instructional strategies pertinent to effective graph reading and tactual perceptual skills. Explore methods for creation of tactile graphics and resources for evaluating tactile graphicacy capabilities of students with visual impairments.
https://www.aph.org/events/strategies-and-resources-for-the-instruction-and-evaluation-of-tactile-graphicacy-skills/
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 6, 2023 and December 7, 2023 | Sight Tech Global — Shaping New Technologies to Create a More Accessible World for People with Blindness and Visual Impairments
Sight Tech Global is the first global, virtual conference dedicated to fostering discussion among technology pioneers on how rapid advances in AI and related technologies will fundamentally alter the landscape of assistive technology and accessibility:
https://sighttechglobal.com/?mc_cid=0f086fc102&mc_eid=eb245f25da
December 12, 2023 | Access Academy Part 4: The Monarch: Tactile Access to Digital Learning | APH
1:30PM PT, 2:30PM MT, 3:30PM CT, 4:30PM ET, 8:30PM GMT
This webinar is part four of the Tactile Graphics Literacy for Students with Visual Impairments: 4 Part Series. Join this webinar to learn about the skills and background knowledge a student requires to benefit from the use of a multi-line, graphics-capable, refreshable braille display like the Monarch.
https://www.aph.org/events/the-monarch-tactile-access-to-digital-learning/
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
February 20, 2023 through February 22, 2023 | Axe-Con 2024 | Deque Systems
Why attend axe-con? Building accessible digital experiences requires a team effort, across design, development, management, testing, accessibility experts, and of course, legal. Axe-con is the first of its kind, dedicating topics to each of these key players. This is not an assistive technology convention. Talks at axe-con will include case studies from enterprise companies leading in large-scale accessibility efforts, as well as best practices and updates from technology leaders around the world. Attendance of axe-con sessions can also be used towards continuing education (CE) towards IAAP certification. Topics of focus will include accessibility in development, accessibility in design, organizational success with accessibility, and a wildcard track. If you'd like to learn more about previous sessions and speakers, you can view last year's schedule here. Join us to learn how to build, test, monitor, and maintain digital accessibility:
https://www.deque.com/axe-con/register/
April 8, 2024 and April 9, 2023 | 24th Annual Multiple Perspective On Access, Inclusion & Disability Conference | The Ohio State University — Columbus, Ohio
To be on the mailing list for the conference, send email to:
ADA-OSU@osu.edu 📧️
➜ Directories
1) Access Information Email Newsletter Directory
https://accessinformationnews.com/email-newsletter-directory.html
➜ Sponsor Classified Ads
Sponsors may submit or update their Classified Advertisement at any time by submitting this short form: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-sponsor-classified.
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: New NVDA Workshops at Hadley
Learn the basics of NVDA. From getting started with the program to customizing the speech to learning helpful shortcuts, Hadley's workshops have you covered.
https://hadley.edu/workshops/nvda-screen-reader-series
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
You can listen to Eyes On Success on your smart home device by saying “play the Eyes On Success podcast”, subscribe to the podcast wherever you get your podcasts, or listen on Apple Podcasts, iTunes, YouTube or your local radio reading service. Listeners can also follow the show on Facebook and X (Formerly Twitter).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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Be My AI Fun
I apologize for poking fun at Be My AI, but I couldn't resist having a little bit of fun. Join us at:
https://tinyurl.com/WeSpeakLive
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: Clusiv
➜ Classified Advertisement: Clusiv Is The World's First eLearning Platform Built For And By People Who Are Blind. Our Courses Are Designed To Equip People Who Are Blind Or Visually Impaired For Employment In The Modern Workforce. Learn More At Clusiv.Io.
Navigating the employment process can be challenging if you are blind or visually impaired. Technology is difficult to figure out, there is a lot of extra material to learn, and there isn't much quality training available.
That's where Clusiv comes in. We help to provide the training you need to succeed in the modern workforce. Our courses teach assistive technology skills and how to apply those skills to many of the business software programs used in the modern workforce, such as email, Microsoft and Google apps, video conferencing, and more. We also teach soft skills such as resume and interview preparation, disclosures and accommodations, internet safety, and financial literacy. Lastly, our training can teach specific career skills, such as becoming an accessibility analyst. Plus, our courses are self-paced.
To learn more, visit https://clusiv.io/ and fill out a form with your information. We work with state vocational rehabilitation agencies to provide access to our course content.
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.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Seeks Your Support at the Public Policy Level
Moving the public policy needle is both difficult and costly. Access Ready has one of the most experienced teams in the business who have shown results. We have fostered Congressional language on accessible websites, elections, healthcare, communications, and other areas touched by information and communications technologies. These efforts are costly and we need your help to continue. Become an Access Ready supporter and create an accessible future for people with disabilities:
https://accessready.org/
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.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Provides Access To The Best In The Business
If you need assistance with a new accessible website, document remediation or disability consulting of other kinds, Access Ready can help. We seek out the best in the business and bring them to you already vetted as to quality, professionalism and ability. By going through AccessReady.org to one of our qualified providers, you're not only getting the best, but supporting our advocacy and technological development efforts as well:
https://accessready.org/
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.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Seeks Guidance On New Accessible Technologies
What Technologies do you see in the market that are not accessible, but should be? What accessible technologies can you imagine that can make the lives of people with all kinds of disabilities better? We will advocate with developers to make existing technologies accessible on your behalf. We will advocate with developers to build new accessible technologies on your behalf. Give us your guidance and support. Your guidance charts our path toward what is most important. Your support funds our efforts on your behalf:
https://accessready.org/
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Prepare For Your Future Today With The All-New APH ConnectCenter's Job Seekers Toolkit!
The APH ConnectCenter and NSITE have partnered to update the Job Seeker's Toolkit, an accessible, self-paced, free online training course. The Toolkit includes five sections covering self-awareness, career exploration tools, the preliminary employment process, the interview, and maintaining employment. We are bringing the Job Seeker's Toolkit to a larger audience and in a Learning Management System format for today's learners, at no cost. Visit APHCareerConnect.org to get started with the Job Seekers Toolkit today at:
https://aphcareerconnect.org/lesson-plans-for-teachers-and-professionals/the-job-seekers-toolkit/
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Have You Tried The Best Way to Label Things if You're Blind or Have Low Vision?
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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.
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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.
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Access Information News for Monday, October 16, 2023 - Volume 932
The Week's News in Access Information
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1) Top 5 Most Clicked Access Information News Articles From Last Week
A.) United Airlines Destroys the Life of Another Disabled Person | Allie Funk | Medium: Subscription Required
Despite increasing scrutiny of their treatment of disabled passengers, airlines have continued their behavior undeterred. While the industry as a whole is complicit in this issue, two airlines seem to stand above the rest in the worst way possible: Air Canada and United Airlines. My last airline story was about Air Canada, so I guess it's United's turn:
https://medium.com/counterarts/united-airlines-destroys-the-life-of-another-disabled-person-669363ed0939
B) Blind and Low Vision Gift Guide 2023 | Tim Dixon
Finding gifts is hard, it is even harder when buying for blind and low vision friends and family. The Blind and Low Vision Gift Guide is here to help with some inspiration:
https://www.timdixon.net/blog/2023/10/blind-and-low-vision-gift-guide-2023/
C) My Love Affair With Sous Vide Cooking: A Blind Cook's Perspective, Featuring The Smart-Enabled Breville Joule Turbo Sous Vide Cooker | Pneuma Solutions
With the introduction of the Breville Joule Turbo Sous Vide Cooker, my Sous Vide cooking expedition has taken a thrilling turn. Its Autopilot feature, accessed through the Joule App, provides guided recipes and removes the guesswork from cooking. Turbo technology allows me to prepare certain dishes in half the time of traditional sous vide cooking, while Primetime gives me the flexibility to serve my meals when I'm ready. Unboxing this device as a blind person presented no difficulties. Pairing the Cooker with the Breville Joule app was also a seamless process. While the initial setup was straightforward, I encountered a few stumbling blocks when navigating the app, particularly while searching for recipes and setting the unit. Rest assured, I am eager to discuss these accessibility issues with technical support. Nonetheless, these minor hitches wouldn't deter me from recommending this wonderful gadget:
https://pneumasolutions.com/my-love-affair-with-sous-vide-cooking-a-blind-cooks-perspective/
D) Tinnitus And Hearing Loss: What's The Connection? | Healthy Hearing
Up to 15 percent of adults experience tinnitus, which causes ringing in the ears. The sound may seem to come from inside your head, or from a distance, in one ear or both. It may be steady or pulsating, but only you can hear it:
https://www.healthyhearing.com/report/53029-Tinnitus-and-hearing-loss
E) Uber Will Return Your Packages To UPS, FedEx, Or USPS Now — How It Works | ZDNet
Got a package that needed to be returned weeks ago? Call an Uber to do it for you:
https://www.zdnet.com/article/got-a-package-that-needed-to-be-returned-weeks-ago-call-an-uber-to-do-it-for-you/#ftag=RSSbaffb68
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Are you an access-based person, business or organization whose products, services or message would benefit from reaching over 15,000 access information subscribers 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 information subscribers 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 4th Issue of the 60 Most Clicked Access News Articles for October, November and December of 2023 on Monday, January 1, 2024. Back Issues: There are currently 3 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) A Proclamation on Blind Americans Equality Day, 2023 | The White House
On Blind Americans Equality Day, my Administration celebrates the contributions that people who are blind or low vision have made to our country, and we recommit to creating a more accessible Nation where everyone has the opportunity to realize their full potential:
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2023/10/13/a-proclamation-on-blind-americans-equality-day-2023/
7) WHO Launches the WHOeyes App on World Sight Day
To mark this year's World Sight Day, the World Health Organization (WHO) introduces the “WHOeyes” app. This free app allows the general public to assess their vision for both close-up and distance viewing, providing crucial insights into potential vision issues. Apple App Store Link | Google Play Store Link:
https://coolblindtech.com/who-launches-the-whoeyes-app-on-world-sight-day/
8) How Do I Make Posts More Accessible To Blind People On Mastodon And The Fediverse? | Fedi.tips
There are a lot of people on Mastodon and the Fediverse who use screen readers to convert text into audio, including blind people, partially sighted people and those with many other disabilities. There are five easy things abled people can do to help screen readers work better with what they've posted:
https://fedi.tips/how-do-i-make-posts-more-accessible-to-blind-people-on-mastodon-and-the-fediverse/
9) Clothes and Laundry, How a DeafBlind Does It | Inclusive Ability Initiative
How does a DeafBlind person organize laundry and keep track of color matching of clothes?
https://iabilityi.com/adaptiveliving/clothes-and-laundry-how-a-deafblind-does-it/
10) Mastodon Actually Has 407K+ More Monthly Users Than It Thought | TechCrunch
Open source and decentralized social network Mastodon has more users than it thought. The service, which competes with X (formerly Twitter) and other newcomers like Threads, Bluesky, Pebble and Spill, had been undercounting its users due to a network connectivity error, according to founder and CEO Eugen Rochko, and actually has 407,814 more monthly active users than it had been reporting previously. The adjustment also included a gain of 2.34 million registered users across an additional 727 servers that had not been counted due to the error:
https://techcrunch.com/2023/10/09/mastodon-actually-has-407k-more-monthly-users-than-it-thought/
11) Is Fantastical Fantastic? — | October 9, 2023 | Jill from the Northwoods
Publisher (Di Blasi): Fantastical is a calendar and tasks app that allows users to manage events and tasks with natural language text parsing, full calendar views, and a mini window for quick access. Fantastical is fully accessible with VoiceOver and is easy to navigate and use. The app also includes task support, a 3-day weather forecast, and a 14-day free trial. It works seamlessly across your Mac, iPad, iPhone, and Apple Watch. You can add your existing calendar accounts directly to Fantastical and keep all of your events and tasks in sync. Fantastical has a beautiful and friendly user interface with multiple views, including detailed full screen views for iPhone, iPad, and Mac. You can quickly access the files or photos you need at your next meeting or for your next task. Quickly upload files or images directly from Fantastical to your iCloud, Google, or Exchange accounts. Attachments are accessible across all devices that sync with your calendar accounts. You can also create quick templates from existing events and tasks. Selecting a template will copy all of the details from the template into a new event or task instantly.
Jill: Hi, this is Jill from the Northwoods. I got a new job, as I probably told you already. And I realized that 15 years of my calendar schedule went into my work calendar that was now gone. I decided I wasn't going to do that anymore and that I needed a calendar of my very own. I tried tinkering around with Apple Calendar. It went alright. It was fine. It was nice enough. It took all my appointments. But there were just some things I wanted to do it couldn't do. So, I started looking around to find a more fully featured calendar. Of course, Fantastical always comes up. People love it. People glow about it. If you read about it, it's all they'll talk about. So, I decided to give it another shot:
https://www.podfeet.com/blog/2023/10/fantastic-fantastical/
12) 10 Siri Voice Commands For iPhone For The Blind & Visually Impaired | Cellular News
In this article, we will explore 10 Siri voice commands specifically designed for the blind and visually impaired. These commands will help enhance their iPhone experience and make their everyday tasks easier and more efficient. From reading text messages to identifying objects, Siri can truly be a powerful tool for those with visual impairments:
https://cellularnews.com/mobile-phone/10-siri-voice-commands-for-iphone-for-the-blind-visually-impaired/
13) Research Paper: Low Digital Skills Households And The Path To Digital Inclusion | AbilityNet
Evidence shows that for most digitally excluded people — those who never or rarely go online — a combination of low confidence, low skills and low motivation play a big role, and this is true for those with and without affordability issues:
https://abilitynet.org.uk/free-tech-support-and-info/low-digital-skills-households-and-path-digital-inclusion
14) Top Five Digital Accessibility Myths | Kami Funk | Accessibility.com
If you have a website, you need to ensure it is accessible. It is the right thing to do and required under guidelines like WCAG. Keeping your website accessible seems like a no-brainer, but there are many myths surrounding digital accessibility that may make people reluctant to implement it on their website. Let's explore the top five digital accessibility myths and debunk them to prove why digital accessibility matters — and will continue to matter:
https://www.accessibility.com/blog/top-five-digital-accessibility-myths
15) Nine Things Automated Accessibility Tests Can't Test | Dave Rupert
With Luro, I've found myself in the accessibility tooling space. I'm bullish on the need for automated accessibility testing to help designers and developers do a minimum viable good job, establish a baseline experience, and diagnose problems before they are giant problems. Even though automated tests cover 20-30% of WCAG Success Criteria, Deque data suggests those issues are representative of 57.38% of the most common issues found. In my mind, automated accessibility tests have four key tangible benefits:
https://daverupert.com/2023/10/nine-a11y-jobs-where-robots-suck/
16) Debunking the Misconceptions of Digital Accessibility Within Organizations | Adam Spencer | AbleDocs
In today's fast-paced, technology-driven world, digital accessibility is a term that resonates across boardrooms. However, many organizations still grapple with numerous misconceptions surrounding the topic. These misunderstandings often hinder the adoption of best practices that not only promote inclusivity but also have the potential to drive business success. Let's delve into these misconceptions and set the record straight:
https://abledocs.com/en/debunking-the-misconceptions-of-digital-accessibility-within-organizations/
17) Empowering Deaf and Hard of Hearing Travelers: Navigating the Maze of Airports | Deaf Friendly Consulting
Airports can be a labyrinth of chaos and stress, especially for those rushing to catch a flight. For the Deaf and hard of hearing traveler, this often includes navigating an additional maze of barriers that range from lack of visual information to communication struggles and impatience from airport staff and passengers. Let's take an illuminating walk through the airport from the perspective of Deaf and hard of hearing travelers, highlighting the challenges faced and offering actionable solutions for airports to implement:
https://deaffriendlyconsulting.com/business-tip/empowering-deaf-and-hard-of-hearing-travelers-navigating-the-maze-of-airports/
18) Accessibility: What You Need to Know About a Supreme Court Case of Hotel Websites
A Supreme Court case about the accessibility of hotel websites has understandably caught the attention of the disability and accessibility community. Here's the short version. Deborah Laufer has filed more than 600 lawsuits. Most of the lawsuits are against small hotels that Laufer claims have failed to indicate whether their rooms are accessible for people with disabilities. A Vox story explains that Laufer has a pattern of hiring lawyers with a history of unethical behavior. Anyway, this is a concerning case because it involves testers. These are people who check to see if a business complies with regulations even though they have no plans to visit the business. Ken Nakata from Converge Accessibility and Equal Entry CEO and founder Thomas Logan discuss the key points of the case:
https://equalentry.com/accessibility-supreme-court-case-hotel-websites/
19) Target Class Action Claims Website Not Equally Accessible To Blind, Low-Vision Customers | Jon Styf | Top Class Actions
Who: Target Corp. is facing a class action lawsuit from plaintiff Julie Dalton. Why: Target's website is not accessible to those who are blind or have low vision, the lawsuit claims. Where: The Target website class action was filed in federal court in Minnesota:
https://topclassactions.com/disability-class-action-lawsuit/target-class-action-claims-website-not-equally-accessible-to-blind-low-vision-customers/
20) NHS And Local Council Webpages Are Found To Impede Access For Users With Visual Impairments | AT Today UK
A recent report by NEC Digital has revealed that there is a growing call for continued government focus on enhancing web accessibility across the public sector, which may include increased investment in website accessibility or tighter regulations:
https://attoday.co.uk/nhs-and-local-council-webpages-are-found-to-impede-access-for-users-with-visual-impairments/
21) Air4All Makes Air Travel Accessible for Everyone | Easter Seals Tech
Every day, the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Air Traffic Organization (ATO) provides service to more than 45,000 flights and 2.9 million airline passengers across more than 29 million square miles of airspace. And yet — commercial aviation is the only mode of transportation with no regulations allowing power wheelchair users to travel safely and with dignity seated in their own chair in an aircraft cabin. Until now. Air4All is a new chair system that aims to make air travel accessible for everyone, including people who use power wheelchairs because of reduced mobility:
https://www.eastersealstech.com/2023/10/11/air4all-makes-air-travel-accessible-for-everyone/
22) How to Be an Accessibility Ally | Meryl.net
A survey by Return on Disability showed fewer than 2% of the participating companies mentioned people with disabilities in their diversity efforts. Diversity, equity, and inclusion includes people with disabilities and accessibility. A company that does not include both has incomplete DEI. Being an accessibility ally isn't just for the workplace. Everyone can speak up and take action to improve accessibility:
https://meryl.net/how-to-be-accessibility-ally/
23) Quick Overview Of "What's New In WCAG 2.2" Explainer Posts | Marcus.io
Sometimes it's the best method of learning when different people with different teaching styles teach the same subject. Since Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.2 has landed just recently, and it is really important to get a grip regarding the testing of the new success criteria, here's an overview of recommended and — in my opinion — valuable explainers by fellow members of the accessibility community:
https://marcus.io/blog/overview-of-wcag22-posts
24) Reflections From the W3C's Annual TPAC Conference | Brian Elton | TPGi
How can we help users with cognitive and learning disabilities navigate around sites more easily? How can we benefit from embracing haptics as another output modality for web content? What do comics and audio dubbing have in common? The answers, or at least the beginnings of solving them, emerged for each of these questions at W3C's annual conference, "TPAC:"
https://www.tpgi.com/reflections-from-the-w3cs-annual-tpac-conference/
25) Check Off The Bucket List: Woman Flies In First Wheelchair-Accessible Hot Air Balloon At Balloon Fiesta
The Albuquerque, N.M. Balloon Fiesta is a magical place — that's what one woman who got to fly in a hot air balloon for the first time said. This is the first year there was a wheelchair-accessible hot air balloon available at Balloon Fiesta. This gives many the opportunity to fly, including Henrietta Vaughn. Flying in an air balloon has been on her bucket list for the past 20 years:
https://www.koat.com/article/first-trip-on-handicap-hot-air-balloon/45479611#
26) How Real Is Customer Service? | Award Winning Sight Loss Coach, Advocate and Author Donna Jodhan
My final thoughts? We need to concentrate more on team building! Less complaining and more solving! Just my two cents for today:
https://sterlingcreations.com/blog/how-real-is-customer-service-time-to-act
27) Legal Updates: September 2023 | Ken Nakata | Converge Accessibility | KOAT Action News 7
Summer is clearly winding down up here in Seattle. And it seems that attorneys are slowly getting back to work. This month, we've got quite a bit to discuss. I usually don't spend much time focusing on legislative developments in my monthly summaries but this month will be different. First up, I wanted to highlight two different state legislatures that have taken different approaches to curb serial litigants filing web accessibility claims:
https://convergeaccessibility.com/2023/10/02/legal-update-september-2023/
28) Uber Eats Introduces Multi-Store Ordering | PC Mag
You can now order from two restaurants at the same time without paying an additional delivery charge:
https://www.pcmag.com/news/uber-eats-introduces-multi-store-ordering
➜ Featured Webinars, Training Courses and Events
Submit your access information related Webinar, Training Course or Event for consideration within this section using this form: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-event.
October 18, 2023 | Web Accessibility Overview (Digital Accessibility Webinar) | Access Ingenuity
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
Websites are now a hub of important information — from work to school. School websites include information on academic programs, class schedules, counseling, school calendars, activities, and much more. Users may utilize business websites for online transactions, banking, and socializing. All websites need to be fully accessible to users of assistive technology. Join Michael Parker from Access Ingenuity for an overview of website accessibility and obstacles when assistive technology users encounter improperly structured websites. Learning Outcomes: Learn the importance of website accessibility. Learn the basic steps to create an accessible website. Learn the basic steps in testing websites using manual and automated tools. Understand the importance of testing websites with assistive technology, such as screen readers:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81286884623?pwd=VHdSWVh2QlBYbVJCNHVBMnNzbURnQT09&mc_cid=c2cb69a0b0&mc_eid=90429c1885#success
October 19, 2023 | FCC Open Meeting to Consider Several Accessibility Items
7:30AM PT, 8:30AM MT, 9:30AM CT, 10:30AM ET, 2:30PM GMT
On September 28, 2023, FCC Chairwoman Rosenworcel announced a tentative agenda for the October 2023 Open Meeting scheduled for 10:30 am EST on Thursday, October 19, 2023. The meeting will be held in the Commission Meeting Room of the FCC, 45 L Street N.E., Washington, D.C. The FCC meeting is also online, and streamed live with open captioning:
https://www.fcc.gov/consumer-governmental-affairs/fcc-october-19-open-meeting-consider-several-accessibility-items
October 19, 2023 | An In-Depth Look at the Microsoft Office Ribbon and JAWS | Freedom Scientific
9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
Learn how to navigate the Ribbons in Microsoft Office applications more efficiently, plus locate important commands when you need them. Register for this webinar, which offers ACVREP credits to those who attend the live webinar. Registration link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ojyvYNGMRGKG4HyRd0lq9g
October 24, 2023 | Begin Building an Early Tactile Foundation for Graphics Understanding | APH
12PM PT, 1PM MT, 2PM CT, 3PM ET, 7PM GMT
Join this webinar to discover how instruction in concept and tactile skills contributes to the development of braille and graphics literacy skills for students with visual impairments. This webinar is part 1 of Tactile Graphics Literacy for Students with Visual Impairments: 4 Part Series:
https://aph.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_oUns1zn7RMSSFrTI6iPpPA#/registration
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
October 24, 2023 | Building an Early Tactile Foundation for Graphics Understanding | APH
12PM PT, 1PM MT, 2PM CT, 3PM ET, 7PM GMT
This webinar is part 1 of Tactile Graphics Literacy for Students with Visual Impairments: 4 Part Series. Join this webinar to discover how instruction in concept and tactile skills contributes to the development of braille and graphics literacy skills for students with visual impairments:
https://aph.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_oUns1zn7RMSSFrTI6iPpPA#/registration
October 25, 2023 | Webinar: The Future of Accessibility: AI-Powered Tools 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. as we explore the world of artificial intelligence and its transformative potential for people who are blind or visually impaired. Discover cutting-edge AI tools and technologies designed to empower independence, accessibility, and inclusion. During this interactive session, you'll have the opportunity to ask questions, share your experiences, and learn how AI can revolutionize the way you interact with and navigate the visual world. Don't miss this chance to harness the potential of artificial intelligence to enhance your life. Register now to secure your spot!
https://thelighthousefortheblindinc.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Vv1YlIYGT62NE5AhDAe6Vw#/registration
October 25, 2023 | Accessibility Key Performance Indicators | TPGi
9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
Presenter: Aaron Farber, Senior Accessibility Platform Consultant. All accessibility programs must have defensible data points to convey the program's performance and justify an organization committing resources to the program. This webinar covers why organizations must have accessibility metrics and goes a step further, to demonstrate how organizations can generate and report these metrics. Attendees learn to develop benchmarks that are consistent with the scale and maturity of their accessibility program. We'll delve into accessibility metrics such as: Overall accessibility knowledge as an organization i.e. consumption of training materials. Comparison of shift-left approach to accessibility compared with audit-fix-audit-fix lifecycle. Indicators of code quality over time. Legal and reputational risk management. Completion of third-party certifications. We discuss the business case for accessibility and how to understand and frame the topic of return on investment. This webinar takes an honest look at oft-repeated, pro-accessibility arguments about site usage by people with disabilities and the relationship between accessibility and SEO. Accessibility is an opportunity to make an impact on an organization. Learn how to use TPGi's Accessibility Resource Center to describe this impact:
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-october-25-at-12pm-et-accessibility-key-performance-indicators/
October 25, 2023 | Menus v. Ribbons with JAWS (Assistive Technology Webinar) | Access Ingenuity
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
Want to know how to navigate menus and ribbons with JAWS? Join Marisa Church and Ian Ramos from Access Ingenuity to review the differences between menus and ribbons by activating in separate programs and presenting hotkeys. Learning Outcomes: Discuss the difference between menus and ribbons. Explore programs with menus or ribbons. Demonstrate commands for navigating menus and ribbons:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84433535781?pwd=SkJ4QjF4cng5aXBjbnpNdEJwZEE5UT09&mc_cid=c2cb69a0b0&mc_eid=90429c1885#success
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 14, 2023 through November 17, 2023 | The Design+ Accessibility Summit By CreativePro
Join us at the 3rd annual Design + Accessibility Summit, the essential HOW-TO event for design professionals who need to master accessibility, coming to a device near you November 14-17, 2023. It's no secret that accessibility is a hot topic. In fact, ensuring your documents are accessible is not just a good idea: it's the law. Whether you're extending your company's DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) focus, expanding your market to include the estimated 25% of the population who have disabilities, or safeguarding your company against legal risks, it's important to make accessibility a business priority. Creative professionals must learn how to design documents that are accessible for people with vision and hearing impairments, mobility challenges, cognitive, and other disabilities. And those who ramp up their knowledge and expertise in accessibility will find themselves in high demand supporting their business' efforts; while those who don't will risk falling behind. At The Design + Accessibility Summit, you will learn practical techniques for building accessible documents with InDesign, Acrobat, PowerPoint, and other tools widely used by creative professionals:
https://creativepro.com/design-accessibility-summit/
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 6, 2023 and December 7, 2023 | Sight Tech Global — Shaping New Technologies to Create a More Accessible World for People with Blindness and Visual Impairments
Sight Tech Global is the first global, virtual conference dedicated to fostering discussion among technology pioneers on how rapid advances in AI and related technologies will fundamentally alter the landscape of assistive technology and accessibility:
https://sighttechglobal.com/?mc_cid=0f086fc102&mc_eid=eb245f25da
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
April 8, 2024 and April 9, 2023 | 24th Annual Multiple Perspective On Access, Inclusion & Disability Conference | The Ohio State University — Columbus, Ohio
To be on the mailing list for the conference, send email to:
ADA-OSU@osu.edu 📧️
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Sponsor: Hadley
➜ Classified Advertisement: New NVDA Workshops at Hadley
Learn the basics of NVDA. From getting started with the program to customizing the speech to learning helpful shortcuts, Hadley's workshops have you covered.
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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.
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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
You can listen to Eyes On Success on your smart home device by saying “play the Eyes On Success podcast”, subscribe to the podcast wherever you get your podcasts, or listen on Apple Podcasts, iTunes, YouTube or your local radio reading service. Listeners can also follow the show on Facebook and X (Formerly Twitter).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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Be My AI Fun
I apologize for poking fun at Be My AI, but I couldn't resist having a little bit of fun. Join us at:
https://tinyurl.com/WeSpeakLive
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: Clusiv
➜ Classified Advertisement: Clusiv Is The World's First eLearning Platform Built For And By People Who Are Blind. Our Courses Are Designed To Equip People Who Are Blind Or Visually Impaired For Employment In The Modern Workforce. Learn More At Clusiv.Io.
Navigating the employment process can be challenging if you are blind or visually impaired. Technology is difficult to figure out, there is a lot of extra material to learn, and there isn't much quality training available.
That's where Clusiv comes in. We help to provide the training you need to succeed in the modern workforce. Our courses teach assistive technology skills and how to apply those skills to many of the business software programs used in the modern workforce, such as email, Microsoft and Google apps, video conferencing, and more. We also teach soft skills such as resume and interview preparation, disclosures and accommodations, internet safety, and financial literacy. Lastly, our training can teach specific career skills, such as becoming an accessibility analyst. Plus, our courses are self-paced.
To learn more, visit https://clusiv.io/ and fill out a form with your information. We work with state vocational rehabilitation agencies to provide access to our course content.
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.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Seeks Your Support at the Public Policy Level
Moving the public policy needle is both difficult and costly. Access Ready has one of the most experienced teams in the business who have shown results. We have fostered Congressional language on accessible websites, elections, healthcare, communications, and other areas touched by information and communications technologies. These efforts are costly and we need your help to continue. Become an Access Ready supporter and create an accessible future for people with disabilities:
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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.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Provides Access To The Best In The Business
If you need assistance with a new accessible website, document remediation or disability consulting of other kinds, Access Ready can help. We seek out the best in the business and bring them to you already vetted as to quality, professionalism and ability. By going through AccessReady.org to one of our qualified providers, you're not only getting the best, but supporting our advocacy and technological development efforts as well:
https://accessready.org/
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.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Seeks Guidance On New Accessible Technologies
What Technologies do you see in the market that are not accessible, but should be? What accessible technologies can you imagine that can make the lives of people with all kinds of disabilities better? We will advocate with developers to make existing technologies accessible on your behalf. We will advocate with developers to build new accessible technologies on your behalf. Give us your guidance and support. Your guidance charts our path toward what is most important. Your support funds our efforts on your behalf:
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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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Prepare For Your Future Today With The All-New APH ConnectCenter's Job Seekers Toolkit!
The APH ConnectCenter and NSITE have partnered to update the Job Seeker's Toolkit, an accessible, self-paced, free online training course. The Toolkit includes five sections covering self-awareness, career exploration tools, the preliminary employment process, the interview, and maintaining employment. We are bringing the Job Seeker's Toolkit to a larger audience and in a Learning Management System format for today's learners, at no cost. Visit APHCareerConnect.org to get started with the Job Seekers Toolkit today at:
https://aphcareerconnect.org/lesson-plans-for-teachers-and-professionals/the-job-seekers-toolkit/
Sponsor Since: November 29th 2022
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Access Information News for Monday, October 9, 2023 - Volume 931
Access Information News for Monday, October 9, 2023 - Volume 931
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1) Top 5 Most Clicked Access Information News Articles From Last Week
A.) Discussion And Ideas, How To Tell Companies Like Envision To G.T.F.O. Here With Their Predatory Pricing Models | Andy Lane | AppleVis
Yesterday was a genuinely shocking day for me with EnVision's announcement of their open contract priced at $150 per month, $9k every 5 years, $18k every 10 years with no ownership or promise of hardware refreshes:
https://www.applevis.com/forum/accessibility-advocacy/discussion-ideas-how-tell-companies-envision-gtfo-here-their-predatory
B.) United Airlines Destroys the Life of Another Disabled Person | Allie Funk | Medium: Subscription Required
Despite increasing scrutiny of their treatment of disabled passengers, airlines have continued their behavior undeterred. While the industry as a whole is complicit in this issue, two airlines seem to stand above the rest in the worst way possible: Air Canada and United Airlines. My last airline story was about Air Canada, so I guess it's United's turn:
https://medium.com/counterarts/united-airlines-destroys-the-life-of-another-disabled-person-669363ed0939
C.) Hi Digital Courses — Unlock Your Digital Potential with NCBI Labs
Are you ready to embark on a journey towards digital empowerment? NCBI Labs is thrilled to announce our FREE Digital Literacy Courses, designed to equip people with essential digital skills! In an increasingly digital world, everyone deserves the tools to be digitally independent:
https://www.ncbi.ie/hi-digital-course-unlock-your-digital-potential-with-ncbi-labs/
D.) Updates To The Disability Information and Accessibility Line (DIAL)
The Disability Information and Accessibility Line (DIAL) has a new website and has expanded its services. While it began as a resource for finding help for people with disabilities looking for COVID vaccinations, the range of services has greatly expanded. Let's consider this a great 2-1-1 for locating help for the disability, especially the blindness, community:
https://boldlyblind.blog/2023/09/26/updates-to-dial/
E.) United States Residents: Order Free At-Home COVID-19 Tests for Blind or Low Vision People | USPS
As of September 25, 2023, you can place another order for one set of #12 free at-home tests with enhanced accessibility for blind or low vision people, while supplies last. Here's what you need to know about your order:
https://special.usps.com/testkits/accessible
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Are you an access-based person, business or organization whose products, services or message would benefit from reaching over 15,000 access information subscribers 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 information subscribers 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
3) Premium Subscriber Updates
Next Issue: Premium Subscribers will receive their 4th Issue of the 60 Most Clicked Access News Articles for October, November and December of 2023 on Monday, January 1, 2024. Back Issues: There are currently 3 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:
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6) Open Letter To HIMS And Cerence Regarding Adding ETI-Eloquence To The HIMS Sense Player | Jay Pellis
This open letter is to ask HIMS (the manufacturer of the Sense Player and Sense Player OCR) and Cerence (The owner of the Vocalizer and ETI-Eloquence TTS engines) to license and add ETI-Eloquence to the Sense Player and Sense Player OCR:
https://bit.ly/SensePlayerLetter
7) Medicare Open Enrollment & Visual Disabilities: How To Get The Format You Need | BrailleWorks
It's just about time for Medicare's open enrollment period, and we know you're doing your research. The problem is that all of the print materials you've received aren't in an accessible format, and they're often difficult to read. Luckily, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) offers this material in a format you can read. You just have to request it:
https://brailleworks.com/medicare-open-enrollment-visual-disabilities/
8) My Love Affair With Sous Vide Cooking: A Blind Cook's Perspective, Featuring The Smart-Enabled Breville Joule Turbo Sous Vide Cooker | Pneuma Solutions
With the introduction of the Breville Joule Turbo Sous Vide Cooker, my Sous Vide cooking expedition has taken a thrilling turn. Its Autopilot feature, accessed through the Joule App, provides guided recipes and removes the guesswork from cooking. Turbo technology allows me to prepare certain dishes in half the time of traditional sous vide cooking, while Primetime gives me the flexibility to serve my meals when I'm ready. Unboxing this device as a blind person presented no difficulties. Pairing the Cooker with the Breville Joule app was also a seamless process. While the initial setup was straightforward, I encountered a few stumbling blocks when navigating the app, particularly while searching for recipes and setting the unit. Rest assured, I am eager to discuss these accessibility issues with technical support. Nonetheless, these minor hitches wouldn't deter me from recommending this wonderful gadget:
https://pneumasolutions.com/my-love-affair-with-sous-vide-cooking-a-blind-cooks-perspective/
9) Tinnitus And Hearing Loss: What's The Connection? | Healthy Hearing
Up to 15 percent of adults experience tinnitus, which causes ringing in the ears. The sound may seem to come from inside your head, or from a distance, in one ear or both. It may be steady or pulsating, but only you can hear it:
https://www.healthyhearing.com/report/53029-Tinnitus-and-hearing-loss
10) WCAG 2.2 is Finally Here | Ricky Onsman | TPGi
On 5 October 2023, the The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) made the following announcement: Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 is a W3C Recommendation. The Accessibility Guidelines Working Group (AG WG) published Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 as a W3C Recommendation. WCAG and supporting documents explain how to make content more accessible to people with disabilities. For an introduction to WCAG, see the WCAG 2 Overview. WCAG 2.2 adds 9 requirements (called success criteria) since WCAG 2.1. These success criteria improve accessibility for people with visual, physical, and cognitive disabilities. For example, they expand guidance for touch input. To learn more about WCAG 2.2, see What's New in WCAG 2.2:
https://www.tpgi.com/wcag-2-2-is-finally-here/
11) National Telecommuting Institute Sued by EEOC for Disability Discrimination | U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
Federal agency charges staffing firm refused to refer blind and low-vision applicants and denied disability accommodations:
https://www.eeoc.gov/newsroom/national-telecommuting-institute-sued-eeoc-disability-discrimination
12) Opinion: Why Are Android vs. iOS Debates Often Counterproductive? | Accessible Android
What does it take to transform a calm Android group into a highly active one? Share an article about a failed switch to Android from a reputable iOS website within the group:
https://accessibleandroid.com/opinion-why-are-android-vs-ios-debates-often-counterproductive/
13) Susie Dent Launches Dictionary To Explain Digital Jargon Including Smishing And Hyperlink | AbilityNet
Does your Grandma or Grandpa know what a 'Browser' is? Is Spam something that's more likely to be found in a supermarket than received online? A survey of 2,000 older people found that 38% of respondents said they experienced feelings of frustration when unable to understand digital terms:
https://abilitynet.org.uk/news-blogs/susie-dent-launches-dictionary-explain-digital-jargon-including-smishing-and-hyperlink
14) Reddit Is Revamping Search And Improving Support For Screen Readers | Engadget
The app is adding a dedicated media tab to make it easier to browse photos, videos and GIFs:
https://www.engadget.com/reddit-is-revamping-search-and-improving-support-for-screen-readers-143054804.html
15) Discogs' Vibrant Vinyl Community Is Shattering | The Verge
A home for music diehards has been fractured by increased fees that are pushing sellers and shoppers to other platforms:
https://www.theverge.com/23899461/discogs-sellers-vinyl-cds-community-fees
16) Uber Will Return Your Packages To UPS, FedEx, Or USPS Now — How It Works | ZDNet
Got a package that needed to be returned weeks ago? Call an Uber to do it for you:
https://www.zdnet.com/article/got-a-package-that-needed-to-be-returned-weeks-ago-call-an-uber-to-do-it-for-you/#ftag=RSSbaffb68
17) FEMA iPhone Alert: What Is It And How To Turn It Off
Here's what you need to know about the October 2023 WEA test:
https://www.macworld.com/article/2091294/fema-wireless-emergency-alert-test-faq.html
18) Emerging Tech — A Review Of The Orcam Read | Maureen Lanigan | NCBI
The OrCam Read is a hand-held, rechargeable, portable text-scanning device, designed to assist with the reading of printed text for people with low vision. The OrCam Read uses AI (artificial intelligence) software to scan and read printed text, such as newspaper articles, magazine content, and books; it may also be used to scan and read digital content on a computer, laptop, tablet, or smartphone, including online material and emails. The device has an in-built speaker and a 3.5mm audio jack connection for earphones; it also supports Bluetooth connectivity for wireless earphones/headsets or external speakers:
https://www.ncbi.ie/emerging-tech-a-review-of-the-orcam-read/
19) Testing The OrCam Read | AD | My Blurred World
This post is a paid for partnership with Optelec who have kindly loaned me the OrCam Read in return for an honest review:
https://myblurredworld.com/2023/07/17/testing-the-orcam-read-ad/
20) Be My AI in the Clouds | The Idea Place
Although it has been close to 40 years now, there was a time when I had enough vision to see the sky and the color and shape of clouds. I've been intrigued by trying Be My AI on pictures of the sky because I guess I still have memory of the different colors and shapes clouds can take. Here is the result of one such exploration. Assuming the descriptions are accurate, the level of detail you can get is fascinating:
https://theideaplace.net/
21) US Supreme Court Acheson Hotel Case May Impact Web Accessibility Lawsuits | Law Office of Lainey Feingold
This is an article about a lawsuit in the United States. The case will be heard in the U.S Supreme Court on October 4, 2023. It is about whether a civil rights tester can file a lawsuit. Testing has been an important part of civil rights enforcement in this country for decades. It is an important tool for the Americans with Disabilities Act. This lawsuit is about a hotel's failure to post information on its website about accessible rooms, which is required by the ADA. This case is not about web accessibility but the court's opinion may impact web access cases. The opinion is not expected until 2024:
https://www.lflegal.com/2023/10/acheson-tester-standing-case/
22) Blind and Low Vision Gift Guide 2023 | Tim Dixon
Finding gifts is hard, it is even harder when buying for blind and low vision friends and family. The Blind and Low Vision Gift Guide is here to help with some inspiration:
https://www.timdixon.net/blog/2023/10/blind-and-low-vision-gift-guide-2023/
23) Spotify Gives Premium Subscribers Access to 150,000 Audiobooks | October 3, 2023
Spotify is making an even bigger push into audiobooks, making its library of 150,000 titles available to its premium subscribers. Each account, or the plan holder of a family account, will get 15 hours of listening per month. The feature first launches in the U.K. and Australia tomorrow, with U.S. getting access later this year:
https://cordcuttersnews.com/spotify-gives-premium-subscribers-access-to-150000-audiobooks/
24) Who Are The Usurpers? It's Time To Speak Up | Award Winning Sight Loss Coach, Advocate and Author Donna Jodhan
My final thoughts? If we do not speak up and speak out this madness will only continue. It is not acceptable and it is downright insulting and condescending. Just my two cents for today:
https://sterlingcreations.com/blog/who-are-the-usurpers-its-time-to-speak-up
25) Comcast NBCUniversal Named 2023 Leading Disability Employer
Comcast NBCUniversal has been named a 2023 Leading Disability Employer by the National Organization on Disability. Now in its ninth year, the NOD Leading Disability Employer Seal spotlights the businesses that promote employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities and prioritize diversity, equity, and accessibility in the workplace. Recipients are announced annually during National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), a month-long campaign to raise awareness about the importance of creating inclusive workplaces that value the skills and talents of individuals with disabilities:
https://corporate.comcast.com/stories/comcast-nbcuniversal-named-2023-leading-disability-employer
26) How AT&T 5G Helps Deaf Athletes and Sports Communications
Digital in-helmet display offers deaf and hard of hearing athletes and coaches a new, visual way of communicating powered by 5G technology:
https://about.att.com/story/2023/5g-helmet.html
➜ Featured Webinars, Training Courses and Events
Submit your access information related Webinar, Training Course or Event for consideration within this section using this form: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-event.
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 10, 2023 | Ask Sharky: Five Benefits Of The New Split Braille Feature In JAWS | Freedom Scientific
9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
We'll provide an overview of the new Split Braille feature in JAWS 2024, plus discuss how you can benefit from its powerful functionality. Zoom conferencing platform:
https://zoom.us/j/7278038000?_x_zm_rtaid=JLrcZJLfR0CGeSOmS9Dn3g.1605555524846.894574b70d1d4051defcc9cb567d21aa&_x_zm_rhtaid=935#success
October 10, 2023 through October 12, 2023 | M-Enabling Summit | Washington, D.C.
From October 10th through 12th, disability advocates, corporations, government agencies, and accessibility executives will gather at the 11th M-Enabling Summit, the leading all-inclusive conference dedicated to fostering innovations, solutions, and strategies for digital inclusion. The 2023 M-Enabling Summit will examine how AI drives innovation and automation, scaling up digital accessibility in unprecedented ways. Your conference registration includes admission to two full days of M-Enabling Summit sessions, luncheons, exhibit floor, coffee breaks, keynote presentations, networking events, professional meetups, and opening night cocktail reception. A three-day pass includes two-day all-access conference pass, plus a third day of Expert Forum or Workshop presented by IAAP held on October 12th:
https://m-enabling.com/conference-registration-2023/
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 11, 2023 | Envision Glasses: New Features and Advancements (Assistive Technology Webinar) | Access Ingenuity
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
The Envision Glasses are quickly becoming an essential tool for the visually impaired. Lightweight glasses with a camera and direct speaker, Envision Glasses speak out text and environmental information, recognize faces, light, and colors, and let you share that information. Envision Glasses is unobtrusive and intuitive, excelling in text recognition, including handwriting in over 60 languages. This session will focus on some new features available now, which harness the power of GPT-4 by OpenAI, one of the most advanced language models in the world, to understand and answer natural language questions. This new feature brings next-level access by giving users nearly unlimited control over how they interact with scanned text. Join Ian Ramos from Access Ingenuity on a virtual tour of this technology. We will also have a team member from Envision join us to add valuable insights and maybe even some “insider” information on what's in store for this technology. Learning Outcome: General overview of the glasses. In-depth discussion and demonstration of the new “Ask Envision” feature and others. How these glasses impact users at work, school, and home. Discussion on what features to look forward to in the coming months:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85092976442?pwd=cVk2L09GQzl3UWpLZ3R1dUhHQ2M3dz09&mc_cid=c2cb69a0b0&mc_eid=90429c1885#success
October 11, 2023 | UI/UX Design for Accessibility | Inclusion and Accessibility Labs
6AM PT, 7AM MT, 8AM CT, 9AM ET, 1PM GMT
Presented by Adela Buliman, this course provides an accessibility expert's insight into how digital platforms should be designed and how to avoid common accessibility pitfalls. User interface (UI) and user experience (UX) teams spend a lot of time getting that experience just right for the application or website they are designing; now with an understanding of end user needs, they can provide that desired experience to all:
https://ialabs.ie/calendar/
October 11, 2023 | Tech Time: iPhone Basics
1PM PT, 2PM MT, 3PM CT, 4PM ET, 8PM GMT
For those who don't know, Tech Time happens once a month and is put on by the Conklin Davis Center. The focus is the use of smart phones, but other topics are also covered. This month, we will go back to the basics of the iPhone. We will discuss the Contacts, Calendar and Clock apps. If time permits, we will also talk about some settings in the Settings app. Meeting ID: 857 3480 8270 | Passcode: 963553 | Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85734808270?pwd=dUZYSFNQVGdZWmFkdkxlWWJ2REFUZz09
October 11, 2023 | BVA VetTech: Optimize Your Windows 11 Experience with ZoomText and Fusion | Freedom Scientific
11AM PT, 12PM MT, 1PM CT, 2PM ET, 6PM GMT
This webinar will introduce you to the basics of ZoomText and Fusion. Learn how to use ZoomText to magnify and enhance screen content, and for those who need full speech, how to use Fusion for everyday tasks. This session is offered by the Blinded Veterans Association (BVA) and open to everyone. Join via Zoom:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85625909913?pwd=OGM0U3JTOWFmZllaQXcyZ0JmK2RxZz09#success
October 12, 2023 | NLS BARD Support: Topic for October's Many Faces of BARD Program
4PM PT, 5PM MT, 6PM CT, 7PM ET, 11PM GMT
The topic for the October 12, 2023, Many Faces of BARD program will be the BARD 2.0 website, An Introduction and Demonstration. The program will begin at 7PM Eastern time and last for one hour. This program will be recorded. After the demonstration, NLS staff will take questions about the demonstration or anything else relating to BARD. If the Federal Government has not passed its budget for the next fiscal year and is closed on October 12, 2023, this event will not take place. If, however the federal government has passed its budget and is open, the session will take place. 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. One tap mobile: US: +16692545252,,1606793893# or +16469641167,,1606793893# | Meeting ID: 160 679 3893 | Passcode: 059249 | Join Zoom Meeting:
https://loc.zoomgov.com/j/1606793893?pwd=clRnNWhwUHZIb3lhWnVRTWNONmxUZz09
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 14, 2023 | TUG Meeting: AppleVis
7AM PT, 8AM MT, 9AM CT, 10AM ET, 2PM GMT
On Saturday, October 14, the Technology User Group (TUG) is pleased to welcome Thomas Domville (AnonyMouse) from AppleVis to our gathering. He will be highlighting the many changes coming to your iPhone with the release of iOS 17. He will talk about the new accessibility skills and some popular app redesigns. The AppleVis website and podcast will also be featured. 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
October 18, 2023 | Web Accessibility Overview (Digital Accessibility Webinar) | Access Ingenuity
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
Websites are now a hub of important information — from work to school. School websites include information on academic programs, class schedules, counseling, school calendars, activities, and much more. Users may utilize business websites for online transactions, banking, and socializing. All websites need to be fully accessible to users of assistive technology. Join Michael Parker from Access Ingenuity for an overview of website accessibility and obstacles when assistive technology users encounter improperly structured websites. Learning Outcomes: Learn the importance of website accessibility. Learn the basic steps to create an accessible website. Learn the basic steps in testing websites using manual and automated tools. Understand the importance of testing websites with assistive technology, such as screen readers:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81286884623?pwd=VHdSWVh2QlBYbVJCNHVBMnNzbURnQT09&mc_cid=c2cb69a0b0&mc_eid=90429c1885#success
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
October 24, 2023 | Building an Early Tactile Foundation for Graphics Understanding | APH
12PM PT, 1PM MT, 2PM CT, 3PM ET, 7PM GMT
This webinar is part 1 of Tactile Graphics Literacy for Students with Visual Impairments: 4 Part Series. Join this webinar to discover how instruction in concept and tactile skills contributes to the development of braille and graphics literacy skills for students with visual impairments:
https://aph.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_oUns1zn7RMSSFrTI6iPpPA#/registration
October 25, 2023 | Accessibility Key Performance Indicators | TPGi
9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
Presenter: Aaron Farber, Senior Accessibility Platform Consultant. All accessibility programs must have defensible data points to convey the program's performance and justify an organization committing resources to the program. This webinar covers why organizations must have accessibility metrics and goes a step further, to demonstrate how organizations can generate and report these metrics. Attendees learn to develop benchmarks that are consistent with the scale and maturity of their accessibility program. We'll delve into accessibility metrics such as: Overall accessibility knowledge as an organization i.e. consumption of training materials. Comparison of shift-left approach to accessibility compared with audit-fix-audit-fix lifecycle. Indicators of code quality over time. Legal and reputational risk management. Completion of third-party certifications. We discuss the business case for accessibility and how to understand and frame the topic of return on investment. This webinar takes an honest look at oft-repeated, pro-accessibility arguments about site usage by people with disabilities and the relationship between accessibility and SEO. Accessibility is an opportunity to make an impact on an organization. Learn how to use TPGi's Accessibility Resource Center to describe this impact:
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-october-25-at-12pm-et-accessibility-key-performance-indicators/
October 25, 2023 | Menus v. Ribbons with JAWS (Assistive Technology Webinar) | Access Ingenuity
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
Want to know how to navigate menus and ribbons with JAWS? Join Marisa Church and Ian Ramos from Access Ingenuity to review the differences between menus and ribbons by activating in separate programs and presenting hotkeys. Learning Outcomes: Discuss the difference between menus and ribbons. Explore programs with menus or ribbons. Demonstrate commands for navigating menus and ribbons:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84433535781?pwd=SkJ4QjF4cng5aXBjbnpNdEJwZEE5UT09&mc_cid=c2cb69a0b0&mc_eid=90429c1885#success
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 14, 2023 through November 17, 2023 | The Design+ Accessibility Summit By CreativePro
Join us at the 3rd annual Design + Accessibility Summit, the essential HOW-TO event for design professionals who need to master accessibility, coming to a device near you November 14-17, 2023. It's no secret that accessibility is a hot topic. In fact, ensuring your documents are accessible is not just a good idea: it's the law. Whether you're extending your company's DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) focus, expanding your market to include the estimated 25% of the population who have disabilities, or safeguarding your company against legal risks, it's important to make accessibility a business priority. Creative professionals must learn how to design documents that are accessible for people with vision and hearing impairments, mobility challenges, cognitive, and other disabilities. And those who ramp up their knowledge and expertise in accessibility will find themselves in high demand supporting their business' efforts; while those who don't will risk falling behind. At The Design + Accessibility Summit, you will learn practical techniques for building accessible documents with InDesign, Acrobat, PowerPoint, and other tools widely used by creative professionals:
https://creativepro.com/design-accessibility-summit/
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 6, 2023 and December 7, 2023 | Sight Tech Global — Shaping New Technologies to Create a More Accessible World for People with Blindness and Visual Impairments
Sight Tech Global is the first global, virtual conference dedicated to fostering discussion among technology pioneers on how rapid advances in AI and related technologies will fundamentally alter the landscape of assistive technology and accessibility:
https://sighttechglobal.com/?mc_cid=0f086fc102&mc_eid=eb245f25da
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
April 8, 2024 and April 9, 2023 | 24th Annual Multiple Perspective On Access, Inclusion & Disability Conference | The Ohio State University — Columbus, Ohio
To be on the mailing list for the conference, send email to:
ADA-OSU@osu.edu 📧️
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Sponsors may submit or update their Classified Advertisement at any time by submitting this short form: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-sponsor-classified.
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
You can listen to Eyes On Success on your smart home device by saying “play the Eyes On Success podcast”, subscribe to the podcast wherever you get your podcasts, or listen on Apple Podcasts, iTunes, YouTube or your local radio reading service. Listeners can also follow the show on Facebook and X (Formerly Twitter).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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Be My AI Fun
I apologize for poking fun at Be My AI, but I couldn't resist having a little bit of fun. Join us at:
https://tinyurl.com/WeSpeakLive
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: Clusiv
➜ Classified Advertisement: Clusiv Is The World's First eLearning Platform Built For And By People Who Are Blind. Our Courses Are Designed To Equip People Who Are Blind Or Visually Impaired For Employment In The Modern Workforce. Learn More At Clusiv.Io.
Navigating the employment process can be challenging if you are blind or visually impaired. Technology is difficult to figure out, there is a lot of extra material to learn, and there isn't much quality training available.
That's where Clusiv comes in. We help to provide the training you need to succeed in the modern workforce. Our courses teach assistive technology skills and how to apply those skills to many of the business software programs used in the modern workforce, such as email, Microsoft and Google apps, video conferencing, and more. We also teach soft skills such as resume and interview preparation, disclosures and accommodations, internet safety, and financial literacy. Lastly, our training can teach specific career skills, such as becoming an accessibility analyst. Plus, our courses are self-paced.
To learn more, visit https://clusiv.io/ and fill out a form with your information. We work with state vocational rehabilitation agencies to provide access to our course content.
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.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Seeks Your Support at the Public Policy Level
Moving the public policy needle is both difficult and costly. Access Ready has one of the most experienced teams in the business who have shown results. We have fostered Congressional language on accessible websites, elections, healthcare, communications, and other areas touched by information and communications technologies. These efforts are costly and we need your help to continue. Become an Access Ready supporter and create an accessible future for people with disabilities:
https://accessready.org/
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.
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If you need assistance with a new accessible website, document remediation or disability consulting of other kinds, Access Ready can help. We seek out the best in the business and bring them to you already vetted as to quality, professionalism and ability. By going through AccessReady.org to one of our qualified providers, you're not only getting the best, but supporting our advocacy and technological development efforts as well:
https://accessready.org/
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.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Seeks Guidance On New Accessible Technologies
What Technologies do you see in the market that are not accessible, but should be? What accessible technologies can you imagine that can make the lives of people with all kinds of disabilities better? We will advocate with developers to make existing technologies accessible on your behalf. We will advocate with developers to build new accessible technologies on your behalf. Give us your guidance and support. Your guidance charts our path toward what is most important. Your support funds our efforts on your behalf:
https://accessready.org/
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Prepare For Your Future Today With The All-New APH ConnectCenter's Job Seekers Toolkit!
The APH ConnectCenter and NSITE have partnered to update the Job Seeker's Toolkit, an accessible, self-paced, free online training course. The Toolkit includes five sections covering self-awareness, career exploration tools, the preliminary employment process, the interview, and maintaining employment. We are bringing the Job Seeker's Toolkit to a larger audience and in a Learning Management System format for today's learners, at no cost. Visit APHCareerConnect.org to get started with the Job Seekers Toolkit today at:
https://aphcareerconnect.org/lesson-plans-for-teachers-and-professionals/the-job-seekers-toolkit/
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Have You Tried The Best Way to Label Things if You're Blind or Have Low Vision?
WayAround is a smartphone-based labeling app that works with your preferred accessibility settings. You just need the free mobile app and some WayTags ® to label items in the kitchen, garden, closet, office & more. If you want to label something that's inside, outside, wet, dry, hot, or cold, there's a WayTag that will attach securely. WayTags come as stickers, buttons, magnets, and clips. Each of the different styles of WayTags work exactly the same. Simply choose the WayTag that's best for what you want to label.
➜ Label your kitchen, clothing, or medication.
➜ Tag specialty items and tools for hobbies.
➜ Organize lots of information about one thing on a single WayTag.
➜ Scan each WayTag 100,000 times or more.
Keep adding more WayTags! Use any style of tag, in any order. There's no limit to the number of WayTags you can use. So you can rely on one system to label all your things. Try our Starter Pack to experience ALL of the different types of WayTags!
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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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Summer Shows For Us = Summer Savings for Everyone! 25% Off Anything In Our Store With Code "Show2023", Good Until July 31!
With Pneuma Solutions back in action at summer conventions, it is time once again for some unbeatable deals! And you're going to love this one... 25% off anything! That's right, anything! With the only exception being Sero due to its separate purchase process, anything available for purchase in our store via Stripe is 25% off for the month of July! RIM Personal for your machine at home? $74.25! Need to scale up? No problem, your 25% will be applied to the new price! Missed out on the Community Support discount? Never fear, you can still slash $37.25 off the $149 price, making the price $111.75! Scribe scans, credits and subscriptions are also covered. And the best part? You don't even have to pick which item to use it on! Purchase as many items as you need, and use this code on all of them! From now until July 31, you can spend 25% less and receive 100% of Pneuma's best in accessible remote desktop and document remediation! Use code show2023 for 25% off anything in our store til 07/31!
https://pneumasolutions.com/summer-shows-for-us-summer-savings-for-everyone/
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: New NVDA Workshops at Hadley
Learn the basics of NVDA. From getting started with the program to customizing the speech to learning helpful shortcuts, Hadley's workshops have you covered.
https://hadley.edu/workshops/nvda-screen-reader-series
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.
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About: Access Information News is the world's leading not-for-profit access information news publication that reaches over 15,000 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.
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Access Information News is the world's leading not-for-profit access information news publication that reaches over 15,000 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.
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➜ Access Information News Team
Publisher: Aaron Di Blasi (Volunteer)
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Location: Mayfield Heights, Ohio
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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.
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Editorial Contributor #1: John Hanlin (Volunteer)
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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.
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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 advocacy foundation.
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.
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Access Information News
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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.
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Access Information News for Monday, October 2, 2023 - Volume 930
Access Information News for Monday, October 2, 2023 - Volume 930
The Week's News in Access Information
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1) Top 5 Most Clicked Access Information News Articles From Last Week
A.) 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
B.) 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/
C.) 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
D.) 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
E.) 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/
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6) United States Residents: Order Free At-Home COVID-19 Tests for Blind or Low Vision People | USPS
As of September 25, 2023, you can place another order for one set of #12 free at-home tests with enhanced accessibility for blind or low vision people, while supplies last. Here's what you need to know about your order:
https://special.usps.com/testkits/accessible
7) Updates To The Disability Information and Accessibility Line (DIAL)
The Disability Information and Accessibility Line (DIAL) has a new website and has expanded its services. While it began as a resource for finding help for people with disabilities looking for COVID vaccinations, the range of services has greatly expanded. Let's consider this a great 2-1-1 for locating help for the disability, especially the blindness, community:
https://boldlyblind.blog/2023/09/26/updates-to-dial/
8) Hi Digital Courses — Unlock Your Digital Potential with NCBI Labs
Are you ready to embark on a journey towards digital empowerment? NCBI Labs is thrilled to announce our FREE Digital Literacy Courses, designed to equip people with essential digital skills! In an increasingly digital world, everyone deserves the tools to be digitally independent:
https://www.ncbi.ie/hi-digital-course-unlock-your-digital-potential-with-ncbi-labs/
9) Four Disabled Journalists On How News Outlets Can Support Staffers And Audience Members With Disabilities | NiemanLab
Despite the fact that an estimated 1.3 billion people around the world experience some form of disability, newsrooms are "woefully unprepared" to serve audience members or employ journalists with disabilities, according to journalists on a panel on Thursday at the IMEDD International Journalism Forum in Athens, Greece:
https://www.niemanlab.org/2023/09/four-disabled-journalists-on-how-news-outlets-can-support-staffers-and-audience-members-with-disabilities/
10) Insights: The State Of Online Shopping For People With Disabilities | Fable
Over the last 20 years, online shopping has become one of the driving forces of the retail economy. Fable recently surveyed our community of assistive technology users in order to get a sense of what the online retail shopping experience is like for people with disabilities, and how they make online shopping decisions:
https://makeitfable.com/insights/insights-the-state-of-online-shopping-for-people-with-disabilities/
11) Overlays: Just Another Disability Dongle | Ricky Onsman | TPGi
Much has been written in recent years about accessibility overlays, third party technologies that aim to make websites more accessible without the website owner having to mess about with their underlying code. The idea of using technology to help people with disabilities access web content has been around as long as the web itself. By the mid-90s, screen readers were translating website text into speech. Things kicked up a gear when legislation was introduced in various jurisdictions requiring websites to be accessible to people with disabilities or face legal action on the basis of discrimination:
https://www.tpgi.com/overlays-just-another-disability-dongle/
12) Discussion And Ideas, How To Tell Companies Like Envision To G.T.F.O. Here With Their Predatory Pricing Models | Andy Lane | AppleVis
Yesterday was a genuinely shocking day for me with EnVision's announcement of their open contract priced at $150 per month, $9k every 5 years, $18k every 10 years with no ownership or promise of hardware refreshes:
https://www.applevis.com/forum/accessibility-advocacy/discussion-ideas-how-tell-companies-envision-gtfo-here-their-predatory
13) What Laura Feavearyear, A Visually Impaired Graphic Designer, Wants From Accessible Cosmetics | Lucy Slight | Viva | NZ Herald
Are beauty products inclusive enough in 2023? The founder and creative of Creative Jam shares her thoughts on how brands can improve:
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/viva/beauty/what-laura-feavearyear-a-visually-impaired-graphic-designer-wants-from-accessible-cosmetics/LIOONKRI5ZGZJMFZZYFLF763VY/
14) Inclusive Design 24 (#id24) | September 21, 2023 | YouTube Playlist
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://www.youtube.com/playlist?app=desktop&list=PLn7dsvRdQEfFfYUgq0wVLXlVN7yQUUWd-
15) State COVID-19 Websites Fail To Meet Accessibility Standards | MedicalXpress
Over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. states and territories all created websites designed to share information with the public about the disease, vaccinations and related public health recommendations. However, a new study finds these sites do not meet accessibility standards — meaning that some members of the public, such as individuals who are blind or visually impaired, are not able to access all of the relevant information on the sites:
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2023-09-state-covid-websites-accessibility-standards.html
16) HeardThat Launches Professional Program for Audiologists | The Hearing Review
Singular Hearing, a subsidiary of Singular Software and creator of HeardThat, unveiled the launch of its HeardThat Professional Program for the audiologist community. Stemming from conversations with hearing health professionals for additional technology alternatives, this program enables audiologists to offer additional value to patients who have difficulty hearing speech in noise, the company says:
https://hearingreview.com/inside-hearing/industry-news/heardthat-launches-professional-program-for-audiologists
17) New Posters and Nemeth Reference Sheets | Paths To Literacy
These posters and nemeth reference sheets were created to help TVIs, support staff, IEP team members, and for exposure with our sighted peers that can be shared by all for free:
https://www.pathstoliteracy.org/new-posters-and-nemeth-reference-sheets/
18) United Airlines Destroys the Life of Another Disabled Person | Allie Funk | Medium: Subscription Required
Despite increasing scrutiny of their treatment of disabled passengers, airlines have continued their behavior undeterred. While the industry as a whole is complicit in this issue, two airlines seem to stand above the rest in the worst way possible: Air Canada and United Airlines. My last airline story was about Air Canada, so I guess it's United's turn:
https://medium.com/counterarts/united-airlines-destroys-the-life-of-another-disabled-person-669363ed0939
19) Once Again We Have Been Forgotten - Time To Speak Up | Award Winning Sight Loss Coach, Advocate and Author Donna Jodhan
My final thoughts? Unfortunately this is a very common lack of consideration and forgetfulness across the entire landscape! We can only solve this by speaking up! Just my two cents for today:
https://sterlingcreations.com/blog/once-again-we-have-been-forgotten-time-to-speak-up
20) Disability Groups Win Fight To Be Included In Health Equity Research | The Washington Post: Subscription Required
For years, the National Institutes of Health has funded research on health inequities faced by racial, gender and other underserved communities. But one notable group was left out: people with disabilities. Now, in a major victory for disability health advocates, the NIH announced today that it has designated people with disabilities as a "health disparity population." The term, which is used to describe a disadvantaged group that experiences preventable differences in health, dramatically expands access to funding and resources for studying and helping disabled populations. The NIH is the largest single public funder of biomedical research in the world. Disability advocates say the change reflects an ongoing shift in medicine from trying to "fix" or cure disabled people toward viewing them more holistically, as a demographic group with its own unique socioeconomic challenges:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2023/09/26/disability-groups-win-fight-be-included-health-equity-research/
➜ Featured Webinars, Training Courses and Events
Submit your access information related Webinar, Training Course or Event for consideration within this section using this form: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-event.
October 3, 2023 | Aging with Confidence-Vision | Community Low Vision Center | Catholic Charities Elder Ministry
11AM PT, 12PM MT, 1PM CT, 2PM ET, 6PM GMT
Join Catholic Charities Elder Ministry as Toni Fraser, Outreach Coordinator with IFB Solutions, Community Low Vision Center addresses normal changes in vision, risk factors, common diseases, treatments, and low vision resources:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_a2uejsGBRO2bcHSPCLL11Q
October 4, 2023 | Creating Accessible PDF Fillable Forms: Part 2 - Understanding the Tags Tree (Digital Accessibility Webinar) | Access Ingenuity
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
For document creators, after you add fillable forms using Acrobat Pro, the final step for accessibility is adding the forms to your tag structure in the PDF. Ensuring that the tag tree accurately reflects form pages is essential for accessibility. Discover best practices in testing forms after accessibility and common issues that may be present in document creators and end users. Join Rachel Reeves from Access Ingenuity to dive into the various options to add forms to the PDF tags tree. Learning Outcomes: Demonstration of the correct structure for setting up the Form tag. Discuss best practices in reading order when tagging forms. Tips and tricks for common form edits and errors. Join Zoom Webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85894030836?pwd=WVJhak04UGZWS2RvRmRES3hJWnZtZz09&mc_cid=c2cb69a0b0&mc_eid=90429c1885#success
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 11, 2023 | Envision Glasses: New Features and Advancements (Assistive Technology Webinar) | Access Ingenuity
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
The Envision Glasses are quickly becoming an essential tool for the visually impaired. Lightweight glasses with a camera and direct speaker, Envision Glasses speak out text and environmental information, recognize faces, light, and colors, and let you share that information. Envision Glasses is unobtrusive and intuitive, excelling in text recognition, including handwriting in over 60 languages. This session will focus on some new features available now, which harness the power of GPT-4 by OpenAI, one of the most advanced language models in the world, to understand and answer natural language questions. This new feature brings next-level access by giving users nearly unlimited control over how they interact with scanned text. Join Ian Ramos from Access Ingenuity on a virtual tour of this technology. We will also have a team member from Envision join us to add valuable insights and maybe even some “insider” information on what's in store for this technology. Learning Outcome: General overview of the glasses. In-depth discussion and demonstration of the new “Ask Envision” feature and others. How these glasses impact users at work, school, and home. Discussion on what features to look forward to in the coming months:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85092976442?pwd=cVk2L09GQzl3UWpLZ3R1dUhHQ2M3dz09&mc_cid=c2cb69a0b0&mc_eid=90429c1885#success
October 12, 2023 | NLS BARD Support: Topic for October's Many Faces of BARD Program
4PM PT, 5PM MT, 6PM CT, 7PM ET, 11PM GMT
The topic for the October 12, 2023, Many Faces of BARD program will be the BARD 2.0 website, An Introduction and Demonstration. The program will begin at 7PM Eastern time and last for one hour. This program will be recorded. After the demonstration, NLS staff will take questions about the demonstration or anything else relating to BARD. If the Federal Government has not passed its budget for the next fiscal year and is closed on October 12, 2023, this event will not take place. If, however the federal government has passed its budget and is open, the session will take place. 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. One tap mobile: US: +16692545252,,1606793893# or +16469641167,,1606793893# | Meeting ID: 160 679 3893 | Passcode: 059249 | Join Zoom Meeting:
https://loc.zoomgov.com/j/1606793893?pwd=clRnNWhwUHZIb3lhWnVRTWNONmxUZz09
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 14, 2023 | TUG Meeting: AppleVis
7AM PT, 8AM MT, 9AM CT, 10AM ET, 2PM GMT
On Saturday, October 14, the Technology User Group (TUG) is pleased to welcome Thomas Domville (AnonyMouse) from AppleVis to our gathering. He will be highlighting the many changes coming to your iPhone with the release of iOS 17. He will talk about the new accessibility skills and some popular app redesigns. The AppleVis website and podcast will also be featured. 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
October 18, 2023 | Web Accessibility Overview (Digital Accessibility Webinar) | Access Ingenuity
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
Websites are now a hub of important information — from work to school. School websites include information on academic programs, class schedules, counseling, school calendars, activities, and much more. Users may utilize business websites for online transactions, banking, and socializing. All websites need to be fully accessible to users of assistive technology. Join Michael Parker from Access Ingenuity for an overview of website accessibility and obstacles when assistive technology users encounter improperly structured websites. Learning Outcomes: Learn the importance of website accessibility. Learn the basic steps to create an accessible website. Learn the basic steps in testing websites using manual and automated tools. Understand the importance of testing websites with assistive technology, such as screen readers:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81286884623?pwd=VHdSWVh2QlBYbVJCNHVBMnNzbURnQT09&mc_cid=c2cb69a0b0&mc_eid=90429c1885#success
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
October 25, 2023 | Accessibility Key Performance Indicators | TPGi
9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
Presenter: Aaron Farber, Senior Accessibility Platform Consultant. All accessibility programs must have defensible data points to convey the program's performance and justify an organization committing resources to the program. This webinar covers why organizations must have accessibility metrics and goes a step further, to demonstrate how organizations can generate and report these metrics. Attendees learn to develop benchmarks that are consistent with the scale and maturity of their accessibility program. We'll delve into accessibility metrics such as: Overall accessibility knowledge as an organization i.e. consumption of training materials. Comparison of shift-left approach to accessibility compared with audit-fix-audit-fix lifecycle. Indicators of code quality over time. Legal and reputational risk management. Completion of third-party certifications. We discuss the business case for accessibility and how to understand and frame the topic of return on investment. This webinar takes an honest look at oft-repeated, pro-accessibility arguments about site usage by people with disabilities and the relationship between accessibility and SEO. Accessibility is an opportunity to make an impact on an organization. Learn how to use TPGi's Accessibility Resource Center to describe this impact:
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-october-25-at-12pm-et-accessibility-key-performance-indicators/
October 25, 2023 | Menus v. Ribbons with JAWS (Assistive Technology Webinar) | Access Ingenuity
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
Want to know how to navigate menus and ribbons with JAWS? Join Marisa Church and Ian Ramos from Access Ingenuity to review the differences between menus and ribbons by activating in separate programs and presenting hotkeys. Learning Outcomes: Discuss the difference between menus and ribbons. Explore programs with menus or ribbons. Demonstrate commands for navigating menus and ribbons:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84433535781?pwd=SkJ4QjF4cng5aXBjbnpNdEJwZEE5UT09&mc_cid=c2cb69a0b0&mc_eid=90429c1885#success
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 14, 2023 through November 17, 2023 | The Design+ Accessibility Summit By CreativePro
Join us at the 3rd annual Design + Accessibility Summit, the essential HOW-TO event for design professionals who need to master accessibility, coming to a device near you November 14-17, 2023. It's no secret that accessibility is a hot topic. In fact, ensuring your documents are accessible is not just a good idea: it's the law. Whether you're extending your company's DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) focus, expanding your market to include the estimated 25% of the population who have disabilities, or safeguarding your company against legal risks, it's important to make accessibility a business priority. Creative professionals must learn how to design documents that are accessible for people with vision and hearing impairments, mobility challenges, cognitive, and other disabilities. And those who ramp up their knowledge and expertise in accessibility will find themselves in high demand supporting their business' efforts; while those who don't will risk falling behind. At The Design + Accessibility Summit, you will learn practical techniques for building accessible documents with InDesign, Acrobat, PowerPoint, and other tools widely used by creative professionals:
https://creativepro.com/design-accessibility-summit/
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 6, 2023 and December 7, 2023 | Sight Tech Global — Shaping New Technologies to Create a More Accessible World for People with Blindness and Visual Impairments
Sight Tech Global is the first global, virtual conference dedicated to fostering discussion among technology pioneers on how rapid advances in AI and related technologies will fundamentally alter the landscape of assistive technology and accessibility:
https://sighttechglobal.com/?mc_cid=0f086fc102&mc_eid=eb245f25da
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
April 8, 2024 and April 9, 2023 | 24th Annual Multiple Perspective On Access, Inclusion & Disability Conference | The Ohio State University — Columbus, Ohio
To be on the mailing list for the conference, send email to:
ADA-OSU@osu.edu 📧️
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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
You can listen to Eyes On Success on your smart home device by saying “play the Eyes On Success podcast”, subscribe to the podcast wherever you get your podcasts, or listen on Apple Podcasts, iTunes, YouTube or your local radio reading service. Listeners can also follow the show on Facebook and X (Formerly Twitter).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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Be My AI Fun
I apologize for poking fun at Be My AI, but I couldn't resist having a little bit of fun. Join us at:
https://tinyurl.com/WeSpeakLive
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: Clusiv
➜ Classified Advertisement: Clusiv Is The World's First eLearning Platform Built For And By People Who Are Blind. Our Courses Are Designed To Equip People Who Are Blind Or Visually Impaired For Employment In The Modern Workforce. Learn More At Clusiv.Io.
Navigating the employment process can be challenging if you are blind or visually impaired. Technology is difficult to figure out, there is a lot of extra material to learn, and there isn't much quality training available.
That's where Clusiv comes in. We help to provide the training you need to succeed in the modern workforce. Our courses teach assistive technology skills and how to apply those skills to many of the business software programs used in the modern workforce, such as email, Microsoft and Google apps, video conferencing, and more. We also teach soft skills such as resume and interview preparation, disclosures and accommodations, internet safety, and financial literacy. Lastly, our training can teach specific career skills, such as becoming an accessibility analyst. Plus, our courses are self-paced.
To learn more, visit https://clusiv.io/ and fill out a form with your information. We work with state vocational rehabilitation agencies to provide access to our course content.
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.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Seeks Your Support at the Public Policy Level
Moving the public policy needle is both difficult and costly. Access Ready has one of the most experienced teams in the business who have shown results. We have fostered Congressional language on accessible websites, elections, healthcare, communications, and other areas touched by information and communications technologies. These efforts are costly and we need your help to continue. Become an Access Ready supporter and create an accessible future for people with disabilities:
https://accessready.org/
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.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Provides Access To The Best In The Business
If you need assistance with a new accessible website, document remediation or disability consulting of other kinds, Access Ready can help. We seek out the best in the business and bring them to you already vetted as to quality, professionalism and ability. By going through AccessReady.org to one of our qualified providers, you're not only getting the best, but supporting our advocacy and technological development efforts as well:
https://accessready.org/
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.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Seeks Guidance On New Accessible Technologies
What Technologies do you see in the market that are not accessible, but should be? What accessible technologies can you imagine that can make the lives of people with all kinds of disabilities better? We will advocate with developers to make existing technologies accessible on your behalf. We will advocate with developers to build new accessible technologies on your behalf. Give us your guidance and support. Your guidance charts our path toward what is most important. Your support funds our efforts on your behalf:
https://accessready.org/
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Prepare For Your Future Today With The All-New APH ConnectCenter's Job Seekers Toolkit!
The APH ConnectCenter and NSITE have partnered to update the Job Seeker's Toolkit, an accessible, self-paced, free online training course. The Toolkit includes five sections covering self-awareness, career exploration tools, the preliminary employment process, the interview, and maintaining employment. We are bringing the Job Seeker's Toolkit to a larger audience and in a Learning Management System format for today's learners, at no cost. Visit APHCareerConnect.org to get started with the Job Seekers Toolkit today at:
https://aphcareerconnect.org/lesson-plans-for-teachers-and-professionals/the-job-seekers-toolkit/
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Have You Tried The Best Way to Label Things if You're Blind or Have Low Vision?
WayAround is a smartphone-based labeling app that works with your preferred accessibility settings. You just need the free mobile app and some WayTags ® to label items in the kitchen, garden, closet, office & more. If you want to label something that's inside, outside, wet, dry, hot, or cold, there's a WayTag that will attach securely. WayTags come as stickers, buttons, magnets, and clips. Each of the different styles of WayTags work exactly the same. Simply choose the WayTag that's best for what you want to label.
➜ Label your kitchen, clothing, or medication.
➜ Tag specialty items and tools for hobbies.
➜ Organize lots of information about one thing on a single WayTag.
➜ Scan each WayTag 100,000 times or more.
Keep adding more WayTags! Use any style of tag, in any order. There's no limit to the number of WayTags you can use. So you can rely on one system to label all your things. Try our Starter Pack to experience ALL of the different types of WayTags!
https://www.wayaround.com/shop/?utm_source=AssistiveTech&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=AccessInfoNewsSponsorAd
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Summer Shows For Us = Summer Savings for Everyone! 25% Off Anything In Our Store With Code "Show2023", Good Until July 31!
With Pneuma Solutions back in action at summer conventions, it is time once again for some unbeatable deals! And you're going to love this one... 25% off anything! That's right, anything! With the only exception being Sero due to its separate purchase process, anything available for purchase in our store via Stripe is 25% off for the month of July! RIM Personal for your machine at home? $74.25! Need to scale up? No problem, your 25% will be applied to the new price! Missed out on the Community Support discount? Never fear, you can still slash $37.25 off the $149 price, making the price $111.75! Scribe scans, credits and subscriptions are also covered. And the best part? You don't even have to pick which item to use it on! Purchase as many items as you need, and use this code on all of them! From now until July 31, you can spend 25% less and receive 100% of Pneuma's best in accessible remote desktop and document remediation! Use code show2023 for 25% off anything in our store til 07/31!
https://pneumasolutions.com/summer-shows-for-us-summer-savings-for-everyone/
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: New NVDA Workshops at Hadley
Learn the basics of NVDA. From getting started with the program to customizing the speech to learning helpful shortcuts, Hadley's workshops have you covered.
https://hadley.edu/workshops/nvda-screen-reader-series
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.
Your Business or Organization Name Here
➜ Classified Advertisement: Your Weekly Classified Advertisement Title Here (256 characters or less including spaces.)
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Website: https://accessinformationnews.com/ 🌐️
Phone: (855) 578-6660 📱️
Email: news@accessinformationnews.com 📧️
About: Access Information News is the world's leading not-for-profit access information news publication that reaches over 15,000 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 not-for-profit access information news publication that reaches over 15,000 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.
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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.
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Support: In tandem with Our Sponsors, these are the people that make the ongoing distribution of Access Information News possible.
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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 Access 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 Access 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 advocacy foundation.
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 Access 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 Access 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 25, 2023 - Volume 929
The Week's News in Access Information
https://accessinformationnews.com/
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.
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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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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
Submit your access information related Webinar, Training Course or Event for consideration within this section using this form: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-event.
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
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➜ Classified Advertisement: Be My AI Fun
I apologize for poking fun at Be My AI, but I couldn't resist having a little bit of fun. Join us at:
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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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➜ Classified Advertisement: Clusiv Is The World's First eLearning Platform Built For And By People Who Are Blind. Our Courses Are Designed To Equip People Who Are Blind Or Visually Impaired For Employment In The Modern Workforce. Learn More At Clusiv.Io.
Navigating the employment process can be challenging if you are blind or visually impaired. Technology is difficult to figure out, there is a lot of extra material to learn, and there isn't much quality training available.
That's where Clusiv comes in. We help to provide the training you need to succeed in the modern workforce. Our courses teach assistive technology skills and how to apply those skills to many of the business software programs used in the modern workforce, such as email, Microsoft and Google apps, video conferencing, and more. We also teach soft skills such as resume and interview preparation, disclosures and accommodations, internet safety, and financial literacy. Lastly, our training can teach specific career skills, such as becoming an accessibility analyst. Plus, our courses are self-paced.
To learn more, visit https://clusiv.io/ and fill out a form with your information. We work with state vocational rehabilitation agencies to provide access to our course content.
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.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Seeks Your Support at the Public Policy Level
Moving the public policy needle is both difficult and costly. Access Ready has one of the most experienced teams in the business who have shown results. We have fostered Congressional language on accessible websites, elections, healthcare, communications, and other areas touched by information and communications technologies. These efforts are costly and we need your help to continue. Become an Access Ready supporter and create an accessible future for people with disabilities:
https://accessready.org/
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.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Provides Access To The Best In The Business
If you need assistance with a new accessible website, document remediation or disability consulting of other kinds, Access Ready can help. We seek out the best in the business and bring them to you already vetted as to quality, professionalism and ability. By going through AccessReady.org to one of our qualified providers, you're not only getting the best, but supporting our advocacy and technological development efforts as well:
https://accessready.org/
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.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Seeks Guidance On New Accessible Technologies
What Technologies do you see in the market that are not accessible, but should be? What accessible technologies can you imagine that can make the lives of people with all kinds of disabilities better? We will advocate with developers to make existing technologies accessible on your behalf. We will advocate with developers to build new accessible technologies on your behalf. Give us your guidance and support. Your guidance charts our path toward what is most important. Your support funds our efforts on your behalf:
https://accessready.org/
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Prepare For Your Future Today With The All-New APH ConnectCenter's Job Seekers Toolkit!
The APH ConnectCenter and NSITE have partnered to update the Job Seeker's Toolkit, an accessible, self-paced, free online training course. The Toolkit includes five sections covering self-awareness, career exploration tools, the preliminary employment process, the interview, and maintaining employment. We are bringing the Job Seeker's Toolkit to a larger audience and in a Learning Management System format for today's learners, at no cost. Visit APHCareerConnect.org to get started with the Job Seekers Toolkit today at:
https://aphcareerconnect.org/lesson-plans-for-teachers-and-professionals/the-job-seekers-toolkit/
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Have You Tried The Best Way to Label Things if You're Blind or Have Low Vision?
WayAround is a smartphone-based labeling app that works with your preferred accessibility settings. You just need the free mobile app and some WayTags ® to label items in the kitchen, garden, closet, office & more. If you want to label something that's inside, outside, wet, dry, hot, or cold, there's a WayTag that will attach securely. WayTags come as stickers, buttons, magnets, and clips. Each of the different styles of WayTags work exactly the same. Simply choose the WayTag that's best for what you want to label.
➜ Label your kitchen, clothing, or medication.
➜ Tag specialty items and tools for hobbies.
➜ Organize lots of information about one thing on a single WayTag.
➜ Scan each WayTag 100,000 times or more.
Keep adding more WayTags! Use any style of tag, in any order. There's no limit to the number of WayTags you can use. So you can rely on one system to label all your things. Try our Starter Pack to experience ALL of the different types of WayTags!
https://www.wayaround.com/shop/?utm_source=AssistiveTech&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=AccessInfoNewsSponsorAd
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Summer Shows For Us = Summer Savings for Everyone! 25% Off Anything In Our Store With Code "Show2023", Good Until July 31!
With Pneuma Solutions back in action at summer conventions, it is time once again for some unbeatable deals! And you're going to love this one... 25% off anything! That's right, anything! With the only exception being Sero due to its separate purchase process, anything available for purchase in our store via Stripe is 25% off for the month of July! RIM Personal for your machine at home? $74.25! Need to scale up? No problem, your 25% will be applied to the new price! Missed out on the Community Support discount? Never fear, you can still slash $37.25 off the $149 price, making the price $111.75! Scribe scans, credits and subscriptions are also covered. And the best part? You don't even have to pick which item to use it on! Purchase as many items as you need, and use this code on all of them! From now until July 31, you can spend 25% less and receive 100% of Pneuma's best in accessible remote desktop and document remediation! Use code show2023 for 25% off anything in our store til 07/31!
https://pneumasolutions.com/summer-shows-for-us-summer-savings-for-everyone/
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: New NVDA Workshops at Hadley
Learn the basics of NVDA. From getting started with the program to customizing the speech to learning helpful shortcuts, Hadley's workshops have you covered.
https://hadley.edu/workshops/nvda-screen-reader-series
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
You can listen to Eyes On Success on your smart home device by saying “play the Eyes On Success podcast”, subscribe to the podcast wherever you get your podcasts, or listen on Apple Podcasts, iTunes, YouTube or your local radio reading service. Listeners can also follow the show on Facebook and X (Formerly Twitter).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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Your Weekly Classified Advertisement Title Here (256 characters or less including spaces.)
Your weekly Classified Advertisement here.
(1000 characters or less including spaces.)
Sponsor Since: Today
Website: https://accessinformationnews.com/ 🌐️
Phone: (855) 578-6660 📱️
Email: news@accessinformationnews.com 📧️
About: Access Information News is the world's leading not-for-profit access information news publication that reaches over 15,000 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 not-for-profit access information news publication that reaches over 15,000 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.
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Become an Access Information News Platinum Supporter today.
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Platinum Supporter Since: December 5, 2022
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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 Access 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 Access 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 advocacy foundation.
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 Access 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
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Editorial Contributor (2023-Present)
Top Tech Tidbits
The Week's News in Access Technology
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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.
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Access Information News for Monday, September 18, 2023 - Volume 928
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.
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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/
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5) Premium Subscriber Updates
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6) Sponsored News Items Now Available
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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
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
Submit your access information related Webinar, Training Course or Event for consideration within this section using this form: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-event.
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
Sponsors may submit or update their Classified Advertisement at any time by submitting this short form: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-sponsor-classified.
Sponsor: Clusiv
➜ Classified Advertisement: Clusiv Is The World's First eLearning Platform Built For And By People Who Are Blind. Our Courses Are Designed To Equip People Who Are Blind Or Visually Impaired For Employment In The Modern Workforce. Learn More At Clusiv.Io.
Navigating the employment process can be challenging if you are blind or visually impaired. Technology is difficult to figure out, there is a lot of extra material to learn, and there isn't much quality training available.
That's where Clusiv comes in. We help to provide the training you need to succeed in the modern workforce. Our courses teach assistive technology skills and how to apply those skills to many of the business software programs used in the modern workforce, such as email, Microsoft and Google apps, video conferencing, and more. We also teach soft skills such as resume and interview preparation, disclosures and accommodations, internet safety, and financial literacy. Lastly, our training can teach specific career skills, such as becoming an accessibility analyst. Plus, our courses are self-paced.
To learn more, visit https://clusiv.io/ and fill out a form with your information. We work with state vocational rehabilitation agencies to provide access to our course content.
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.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Seeks Your Support at the Public Policy Level
Moving the public policy needle is both difficult and costly. Access Ready has one of the most experienced teams in the business who have shown results. We have fostered Congressional language on accessible websites, elections, healthcare, communications, and other areas touched by information and communications technologies. These efforts are costly and we need your help to continue. Become an Access Ready supporter and create an accessible future for people with disabilities:
https://accessready.org/
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.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Provides Access To The Best In The Business
If you need assistance with a new accessible website, document remediation or disability consulting of other kinds, Access Ready can help. We seek out the best in the business and bring them to you already vetted as to quality, professionalism and ability. By going through AccessReady.org to one of our qualified providers, you're not only getting the best, but supporting our advocacy and technological development efforts as well:
https://accessready.org/
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.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Seeks Guidance On New Accessible Technologies
What Technologies do you see in the market that are not accessible, but should be? What accessible technologies can you imagine that can make the lives of people with all kinds of disabilities better? We will advocate with developers to make existing technologies accessible on your behalf. We will advocate with developers to build new accessible technologies on your behalf. Give us your guidance and support. Your guidance charts our path toward what is most important. Your support funds our efforts on your behalf:
https://accessready.org/
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Prepare For Your Future Today With The All-New APH ConnectCenter's Job Seekers Toolkit!
The APH ConnectCenter and NSITE have partnered to update the Job Seeker's Toolkit, an accessible, self-paced, free online training course. The Toolkit includes five sections covering self-awareness, career exploration tools, the preliminary employment process, the interview, and maintaining employment. We are bringing the Job Seeker's Toolkit to a larger audience and in a Learning Management System format for today's learners, at no cost. Visit APHCareerConnect.org to get started with the Job Seekers Toolkit today at:
https://aphcareerconnect.org/lesson-plans-for-teachers-and-professionals/the-job-seekers-toolkit/
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Have You Tried The Best Way to Label Things if You're Blind or Have Low Vision?
WayAround is a smartphone-based labeling app that works with your preferred accessibility settings. You just need the free mobile app and some WayTags ® to label items in the kitchen, garden, closet, office & more. If you want to label something that's inside, outside, wet, dry, hot, or cold, there's a WayTag that will attach securely. WayTags come as stickers, buttons, magnets, and clips. Each of the different styles of WayTags work exactly the same. Simply choose the WayTag that's best for what you want to label.
➜ Label your kitchen, clothing, or medication.
➜ Tag specialty items and tools for hobbies.
➜ Organize lots of information about one thing on a single WayTag.
➜ Scan each WayTag 100,000 times or more.
Keep adding more WayTags! Use any style of tag, in any order. There's no limit to the number of WayTags you can use. So you can rely on one system to label all your things. Try our Starter Pack to experience ALL of the different types of WayTags!
https://www.wayaround.com/shop/?utm_source=AssistiveTech&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=AccessInfoNewsSponsorAd
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Summer Shows For Us = Summer Savings for Everyone! 25% Off Anything In Our Store With Code "Show2023", Good Until July 31!
With Pneuma Solutions back in action at summer conventions, it is time once again for some unbeatable deals! And you're going to love this one... 25% off anything! That's right, anything! With the only exception being Sero due to its separate purchase process, anything available for purchase in our store via Stripe is 25% off for the month of July! RIM Personal for your machine at home? $74.25! Need to scale up? No problem, your 25% will be applied to the new price! Missed out on the Community Support discount? Never fear, you can still slash $37.25 off the $149 price, making the price $111.75! Scribe scans, credits and subscriptions are also covered. And the best part? You don't even have to pick which item to use it on! Purchase as many items as you need, and use this code on all of them! From now until July 31, you can spend 25% less and receive 100% of Pneuma's best in accessible remote desktop and document remediation! Use code show2023 for 25% off anything in our store til 07/31!
https://pneumasolutions.com/summer-shows-for-us-summer-savings-for-everyone/
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
You can listen to Eyes On Success on your smart home device by saying “play the Eyes On Success podcast”, subscribe to the podcast wherever you get your podcasts, or listen on Apple Podcasts, iTunes, YouTube or your local radio reading service. Listeners can also follow the show on Facebook and X (Formerly Twitter).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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Be My AI Fun
I apologize for poking fun at Be My AI, but I couldn't resist having a little bit of fun. Join us at:
https://tinyurl.com/WeSpeakLive
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Your Weekly Classified Advertisement Title Here (256 characters or less including spaces.)
Your weekly Classified Advertisement here.
(1000 characters or less including spaces.)
Sponsor Since: Today
Website: https://accessinformationnews.com/ 🌐️
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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.
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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 advocacy foundation.
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.
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Editorial Contributor #3: David Woodbridge (Volunteer)
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Location: Central Coast, New South Wales, Australia
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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.
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Vision Australia
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Access Information News for Monday, September 11, 2023 - Volume 927
The Week's News in Access Information
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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
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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
Submit your access information related Webinar, Training Course or Event for consideration within this section using this form: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-event.
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
Sponsors may submit or update their Classified Advertisement at any time by submitting this short form: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-sponsor-classified.
Sponsor: Clusiv
➜ Classified Advertisement: Clusiv Is The World's First eLearning Platform Built For And By People Who Are Blind. Our Courses Are Designed To Equip People Who Are Blind Or Visually Impaired For Employment In The Modern Workforce. Learn More At Clusiv.Io.
Navigating the employment process can be challenging if you are blind or visually impaired. Technology is difficult to figure out, there is a lot of extra material to learn, and there isn't much quality training available.
That's where Clusiv comes in. We help to provide the training you need to succeed in the modern workforce. Our courses teach assistive technology skills and how to apply those skills to many of the business software programs used in the modern workforce, such as email, Microsoft and Google apps, video conferencing, and more. We also teach soft skills such as resume and interview preparation, disclosures and accommodations, internet safety, and financial literacy. Lastly, our training can teach specific career skills, such as becoming an accessibility analyst. Plus, our courses are self-paced.
To learn more, visit https://clusiv.io/ and fill out a form with your information. We work with state vocational rehabilitation agencies to provide access to our course content.
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.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Seeks Your Support at the Public Policy Level
Moving the public policy needle is both difficult and costly. Access Ready has one of the most experienced teams in the business who have shown results. We have fostered Congressional language on accessible websites, elections, healthcare, communications, and other areas touched by information and communications technologies. These efforts are costly and we need your help to continue. Become an Access Ready supporter and create an accessible future for people with disabilities:
https://accessready.org/
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.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Provides Access To The Best In The Business
If you need assistance with a new accessible website, document remediation or disability consulting of other kinds, Access Ready can help. We seek out the best in the business and bring them to you already vetted as to quality, professionalism and ability. By going through AccessReady.org to one of our qualified providers, you're not only getting the best, but supporting our advocacy and technological development efforts as well:
https://accessready.org/
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.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Seeks Guidance On New Accessible Technologies
What Technologies do you see in the market that are not accessible, but should be? What accessible technologies can you imagine that can make the lives of people with all kinds of disabilities better? We will advocate with developers to make existing technologies accessible on your behalf. We will advocate with developers to build new accessible technologies on your behalf. Give us your guidance and support. Your guidance charts our path toward what is most important. Your support funds our efforts on your behalf:
https://accessready.org/
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Prepare For Your Future Today With The All-New APH ConnectCenter's Job Seekers Toolkit!
The APH ConnectCenter and NSITE have partnered to update the Job Seeker's Toolkit, an accessible, self-paced, free online training course. The Toolkit includes five sections covering self-awareness, career exploration tools, the preliminary employment process, the interview, and maintaining employment. We are bringing the Job Seeker's Toolkit to a larger audience and in a Learning Management System format for today's learners, at no cost. Visit APHCareerConnect.org to get started with the Job Seekers Toolkit today at:
https://aphcareerconnect.org/lesson-plans-for-teachers-and-professionals/the-job-seekers-toolkit/
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Have You Tried The Best Way to Label Things if You're Blind or Have Low Vision?
WayAround is a smartphone-based labeling app that works with your preferred accessibility settings. You just need the free mobile app and some WayTags ® to label items in the kitchen, garden, closet, office & more. If you want to label something that's inside, outside, wet, dry, hot, or cold, there's a WayTag that will attach securely. WayTags come as stickers, buttons, magnets, and clips. Each of the different styles of WayTags work exactly the same. Simply choose the WayTag that's best for what you want to label.
➜ Label your kitchen, clothing, or medication.
➜ Tag specialty items and tools for hobbies.
➜ Organize lots of information about one thing on a single WayTag.
➜ Scan each WayTag 100,000 times or more.
Keep adding more WayTags! Use any style of tag, in any order. There's no limit to the number of WayTags you can use. So you can rely on one system to label all your things. Try our Starter Pack to experience ALL of the different types of WayTags!
https://www.wayaround.com/shop/?utm_source=AssistiveTech&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=AccessInfoNewsSponsorAd
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Summer Shows For Us = Summer Savings for Everyone! 25% Off Anything In Our Store With Code "Show2023", Good Until July 31!
With Pneuma Solutions back in action at summer conventions, it is time once again for some unbeatable deals! And you're going to love this one... 25% off anything! That's right, anything! With the only exception being Sero due to its separate purchase process, anything available for purchase in our store via Stripe is 25% off for the month of July! RIM Personal for your machine at home? $74.25! Need to scale up? No problem, your 25% will be applied to the new price! Missed out on the Community Support discount? Never fear, you can still slash $37.25 off the $149 price, making the price $111.75! Scribe scans, credits and subscriptions are also covered. And the best part? You don't even have to pick which item to use it on! Purchase as many items as you need, and use this code on all of them! From now until July 31, you can spend 25% less and receive 100% of Pneuma's best in accessible remote desktop and document remediation! Use code show2023 for 25% off anything in our store til 07/31!
https://pneumasolutions.com/summer-shows-for-us-summer-savings-for-everyone/
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
You can listen to Eyes On Success on your smart home device by saying “play the Eyes On Success podcast”, subscribe to the podcast wherever you get your podcasts, or listen on Apple Podcasts, iTunes, YouTube or your local radio reading service. Listeners can also follow the show on Facebook and X (Formerly Twitter).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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Be Informed First. Join Living Blindfully Plus
Whether it's a product demo, a hot topic or an in-depth interview, the Living Blindfully podcast is a must-hear to find out what's on the mind of the blind community. Ensure you're among the first to be in the know. Join Living Blindfully Plus to receive episodes three days before they're public. Pay what you can afford or what you think it's worth. Set it and forget it with a recurring subscription which you can cancel any time, or just pay for a single month, the choice is yours. And when you subscribe to Living Blindfully Plus, you're supporting an important resource for the blind community where the global conversation continues every week. Join today and enjoy your Plus benefits immediately.
https://LivingBlindfully.com/plus
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Be Productive and Enjoy Working With Leasey!
Leasey is your ultimate tool for productivity and fun. Directly from within JAWS for Windows, create text macros, shortcuts to folders and web pages, store notes under different categories and access them from any application.
Listen to over 80,000 radio stations. Quickly access over 80 news sources, seven-day hour-by-hour weather forecast, RSS feeds, podcasts, recipes, holiday dates, YouTube videos, Amazon and eBay. Do you have an ElBraille? There's no need to remember key sequences. Just type the Windows shortcut you want or create an abbreviation. Want enhanced access to apps such as WhatsApp, Twitter, Spotify and VLC Media Player? No problem. Use utilities such as mapping folders to drive letters or the special Leasey Start Menu, completely configurable. Hundreds of pages of documentation and audio tutorials through the LeaseyBites Podcast, available from major podcast directories. Leasey: a power house of tools for your JAWS screen-reader! | Follow us on Mastodon! | Learn more at:
https://www.leaseycentral.com
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.
Popular Products
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Sponsor: Total Tech Solutions, LLC
➜ Classified Advertisement: The Whispers of Wonderment: Tech and Life Unraveled at 'WeSpeak'
Ever wondered how tech changes our day-to-day? Or maybe you're the type who loves exploring new stuff and ideas. If that's you, then the 'WeSpeak' podcast is just your thing! We chat about the big questions in life, the ones that make us all take a moment to think Our latest guest thought it was all about tech talk. But when it ended, he felt like he'd discovered something new. That's the kind of chat we love. It's your turn now! Join us at:
http://www.wespeak.live
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Back To School! NSITE Training Programs
Look at our upcoming training programs and job placement opportunities. A few seats are open for the Customer-Centered Communications course, which will start in August. This highly engaging and participatory class is delivered virtually over four consecutive days (four hours per session). Register by the August 1, 2023 deadline! Now accepting applications for in-demand careers in HR and IT with our Sourcing Special Certificate and NSITE IT Essentials (with CISCO) Programs. Additional courses are on our training page and our accessible on-demand programs. (Earn a digital badge for select courses). NSITE can assist with securing financial support for training programs. Learn more today at: https://bit.ly/NSITE-CCC.
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.
NSITE Connect: Linking employers with talented individuals who are blind, low-vision, and/or veterans. Access the NSITE Connect Job Board here.About | Media | Employers | Job Seekers | Training Programs | Job Board | Contact Us
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About: Access Information News is the world's leading not-for-profit access information news publication that reaches over 15,000 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 not-for-profit access information news publication that reaches over 15,000 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.
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Support: In tandem with Our Sponsors, these are the people that make the ongoing distribution of Access Information News possible.
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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
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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.
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Access Information News
The Week's News in Access Information
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The Week's News in Access Technology
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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 advocacy foundation.
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
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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
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The Week's News in Access Technology
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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.
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Access Information News for Monday, September 4, 2023 - Volume 926
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: 10,302 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 15,000 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 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.
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Submit your Access Information News Item for free, with timing and placement determined by our editors, here: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-news. Submit a Sponsored News Item, with timing and placement determined by you, here: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-sponsored-news.
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 15,000 access information subscribers 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 information subscribers 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:
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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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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
Submit your access information related Webinar, Training Course or Event for consideration within this section using this form: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-event.
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
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Moving the public policy needle is both difficult and costly. Access Ready has one of the most experienced teams in the business who have shown results. We have fostered Congressional language on accessible websites, elections, healthcare, communications, and other areas touched by information and communications technologies. These efforts are costly and we need your help to continue. Become an Access Ready supporter and create an accessible future for people with disabilities:
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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.
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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.
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Sponsor: Access Ready, Inc.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Provides Access To The Best In The Business
If you need assistance with a new accessible website, document remediation or disability consulting of other kinds, Access Ready can help. We seek out the best in the business and bring them to you already vetted as to quality, professionalism and ability. By going through AccessReady.org to one of our qualified providers, you're not only getting the best, but supporting our advocacy and technological development efforts as well:
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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.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Seeks Guidance On New Accessible Technologies
What Technologies do you see in the market that are not accessible, but should be? What accessible technologies can you imagine that can make the lives of people with all kinds of disabilities better? We will advocate with developers to make existing technologies accessible on your behalf. We will advocate with developers to build new accessible technologies on your behalf. Give us your guidance and support. Your guidance charts our path toward what is most important. Your support funds our efforts on your behalf:
https://accessready.org/
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Prepare For Your Future Today With The All-New APH ConnectCenter's Job Seekers Toolkit!
The APH ConnectCenter and NSITE have partnered to update the Job Seeker's Toolkit, an accessible, self-paced, free online training course. The Toolkit includes five sections covering self-awareness, career exploration tools, the preliminary employment process, the interview, and maintaining employment. We are bringing the Job Seeker's Toolkit to a larger audience and in a Learning Management System format for today's learners, at no cost. Visit APHCareerConnect.org to get started with the Job Seekers Toolkit today at:
https://aphcareerconnect.org/lesson-plans-for-teachers-and-professionals/the-job-seekers-toolkit/
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Have You Tried The Best Way to Label Things if You're Blind or Have Low Vision?
WayAround is a smartphone-based labeling app that works with your preferred accessibility settings. You just need the free mobile app and some WayTags ® to label items in the kitchen, garden, closet, office & more. If you want to label something that's inside, outside, wet, dry, hot, or cold, there's a WayTag that will attach securely. WayTags come as stickers, buttons, magnets, and clips. Each of the different styles of WayTags work exactly the same. Simply choose the WayTag that's best for what you want to label.
➜ Label your kitchen, clothing, or medication.
➜ Tag specialty items and tools for hobbies.
➜ Organize lots of information about one thing on a single WayTag.
➜ Scan each WayTag 100,000 times or more.
Keep adding more WayTags! Use any style of tag, in any order. There's no limit to the number of WayTags you can use. So you can rely on one system to label all your things. Try our Starter Pack to experience ALL of the different types of WayTags!
https://www.wayaround.com/shop/?utm_source=AssistiveTech&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=AccessInfoNewsSponsorAd
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Summer Shows For Us = Summer Savings for Everyone! 25% Off Anything In Our Store With Code "Show2023", Good Until July 31!
With Pneuma Solutions back in action at summer conventions, it is time once again for some unbeatable deals! And you're going to love this one... 25% off anything! That's right, anything! With the only exception being Sero due to its separate purchase process, anything available for purchase in our store via Stripe is 25% off for the month of July! RIM Personal for your machine at home? $74.25! Need to scale up? No problem, your 25% will be applied to the new price! Missed out on the Community Support discount? Never fear, you can still slash $37.25 off the $149 price, making the price $111.75! Scribe scans, credits and subscriptions are also covered. And the best part? You don't even have to pick which item to use it on! Purchase as many items as you need, and use this code on all of them! From now until July 31, you can spend 25% less and receive 100% of Pneuma's best in accessible remote desktop and document remediation! Use code show2023 for 25% off anything in our store til 07/31!
https://pneumasolutions.com/summer-shows-for-us-summer-savings-for-everyone/
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
You can listen to Eyes On Success on your smart home device by saying “play the Eyes On Success podcast”, subscribe to the podcast wherever you get your podcasts, or listen on Apple Podcasts, iTunes, YouTube or your local radio reading service. Listeners can also follow the show on Facebook and X (Formerly Twitter).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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Be Informed First. Join Living Blindfully Plus
Whether it's a product demo, a hot topic or an in-depth interview, the Living Blindfully podcast is a must-hear to find out what's on the mind of the blind community. Ensure you're among the first to be in the know. Join Living Blindfully Plus to receive episodes three days before they're public. Pay what you can afford or what you think it's worth. Set it and forget it with a recurring subscription which you can cancel any time, or just pay for a single month, the choice is yours. And when you subscribe to Living Blindfully Plus, you're supporting an important resource for the blind community where the global conversation continues every week. Join today and enjoy your Plus benefits immediately.
https://LivingBlindfully.com/plus
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Be Productive and Enjoy Working With Leasey!
Leasey is your ultimate tool for productivity and fun. Directly from within JAWS for Windows, create text macros, shortcuts to folders and web pages, store notes under different categories and access them from any application.
Listen to over 80,000 radio stations. Quickly access over 80 news sources, seven-day hour-by-hour weather forecast, RSS feeds, podcasts, recipes, holiday dates, YouTube videos, Amazon and eBay. Do you have an ElBraille? There's no need to remember key sequences. Just type the Windows shortcut you want or create an abbreviation. Want enhanced access to apps such as WhatsApp, Twitter, Spotify and VLC Media Player? No problem. Use utilities such as mapping folders to drive letters or the special Leasey Start Menu, completely configurable. Hundreds of pages of documentation and audio tutorials through the LeaseyBites Podcast, available from major podcast directories. Leasey: a power house of tools for your JAWS screen-reader! | Follow us on Mastodon! | Learn more at:
https://www.leaseycentral.com
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.
Popular Products
➜ JAWS Scripts for Microsoft Teams.
➜ J-Say.
➜ J-Dictate.
➜ Leasey.
➜ StationPlaylist Studio Accessible Broadcasting.
➜ JAWS for Windows Training Courses.
➜ Zoom Professional Scripts.
➜ The Muze.
➜ JAWS Scripts for WhatsApp.
Sponsor: Total Tech Solutions, LLC
➜ Classified Advertisement: The Whispers of Wonderment: Tech and Life Unraveled at 'WeSpeak'
Ever wondered how tech changes our day-to-day? Or maybe you're the type who loves exploring new stuff and ideas. If that's you, then the 'WeSpeak' podcast is just your thing! We chat about the big questions in life, the ones that make us all take a moment to think Our latest guest thought it was all about tech talk. But when it ended, he felt like he'd discovered something new. That's the kind of chat we love. It's your turn now! Join us at:
http://www.wespeak.live
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Back To School! NSITE Training Programs
Look at our upcoming training programs and job placement opportunities. A few seats are open for the Customer-Centered Communications course, which will start in August. This highly engaging and participatory class is delivered virtually over four consecutive days (four hours per session). Register by the August 1, 2023 deadline! Now accepting applications for in-demand careers in HR and IT with our Sourcing Special Certificate and NSITE IT Essentials (with CISCO) Programs. Additional courses are on our training page and our accessible on-demand programs. (Earn a digital badge for select courses). NSITE can assist with securing financial support for training programs. Learn more today at: https://bit.ly/NSITE-CCC.
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.
NSITE Connect: Linking employers with talented individuals who are blind, low-vision, and/or veterans. Access the NSITE Connect Job Board here.About | Media | Employers | Job Seekers | Training Programs | Job Board | Contact Us
Sponsor: Clusiv
➜ Classified Advertisement: Clusiv Is The World's First eLearning Platform Built For And By People Who Are Blind. Our Courses Are Designed To Equip People Who Are Blind Or Visually Impaired For Employment In The Modern Workforce. Learn More At Clusiv.Io.
Navigating the employment process can be challenging if you are blind or visually impaired. Technology is difficult to figure out, there is a lot of extra material to learn, and there isn't much quality training available.
That's where Clusiv comes in. We help to provide the training you need to succeed in the modern workforce. Our courses teach assistive technology skills and how to apply those skills to many of the business software programs used in the modern workforce, such as email, Microsoft and Google apps, video conferencing, and more. We also teach soft skills such as resume and interview preparation, disclosures and accommodations, internet safety, and financial literacy. Lastly, our training can teach specific career skills, such as becoming an accessibility analyst. Plus, our courses are self-paced.
To learn more, visit https://clusiv.io/ and fill out a form with your information. We work with state vocational rehabilitation agencies to provide access to our course content.
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Your Weekly Classified Advertisement Title Here (256 characters or less including spaces.)
Your weekly Classified Advertisement here.
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Sponsor Since: Today
Website: https://accessinformationnews.com/ 🌐️
Phone: (855) 578-6660 📱️
Email: news@accessinformationnews.com 📧️
About: Access Information News is the world's leading not-for-profit access information news publication that reaches over 15,000 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 not-for-profit access information news publication that reaches over 15,000 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.
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Become an Access Information News Platinum Supporter today.
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Platinum Supporter Since: December 5, 2022
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Platinum Supporter Since: March 24, 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 Access 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 Access 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 advocacy foundation.
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 Access 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 Access 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.
Learn more today at: https://myfriendlyeyes.com/.
Ongoing 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,
Submit your Access Information News Item for free, with timing and placement determined by our editors, here: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-news. Submit a Sponsored News Item, with timing and placement determined by you, here: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-sponsored-news.
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/
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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) 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
Submit your access information related Webinar, Training Course or Event for consideration within this section using this form: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-event.
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
Sponsors may submit or update their Classified Advertisement at any time by submitting this short form: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-sponsor-classified.
Sponsor: Access Ready, Inc.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Provides Access To The Best In The Business
If you need assistance with a new accessible website, document remediation or disability consulting of other kinds, Access Ready can help. We seek out the best in the business and bring them to you already vetted as to quality, professionalism and ability. By going through AccessReady.org to one of our qualified providers, you're not only getting the best, but supporting our advocacy and technological development efforts as well:
https://accessready.org/
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.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Seeks Guidance On New Accessible Technologies
What Technologies do you see in the market that are not accessible, but should be? What accessible technologies can you imagine that can make the lives of people with all kinds of disabilities better? We will advocate with developers to make existing technologies accessible on your behalf. We will advocate with developers to build new accessible technologies on your behalf. Give us your guidance and support. Your guidance charts our path toward what is most important. Your support funds our efforts on your behalf:
https://accessready.org/
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Prepare For Your Future Today With The All-New APH ConnectCenter's Job Seekers Toolkit!
The APH ConnectCenter and NSITE have partnered to update the Job Seeker's Toolkit, an accessible, self-paced, free online training course. The Toolkit includes five sections covering self-awareness, career exploration tools, the preliminary employment process, the interview, and maintaining employment. We are bringing the Job Seeker's Toolkit to a larger audience and in a Learning Management System format for today's learners, at no cost. Visit APHCareerConnect.org to get started with the Job Seekers Toolkit today at:
https://aphcareerconnect.org/lesson-plans-for-teachers-and-professionals/the-job-seekers-toolkit/
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Have You Tried The Best Way to Label Things if You're Blind or Have Low Vision?
WayAround is a smartphone-based labeling app that works with your preferred accessibility settings. You just need the free mobile app and some WayTags ® to label items in the kitchen, garden, closet, office & more. If you want to label something that's inside, outside, wet, dry, hot, or cold, there's a WayTag that will attach securely. WayTags come as stickers, buttons, magnets, and clips. Each of the different styles of WayTags work exactly the same. Simply choose the WayTag that's best for what you want to label.
➜ Label your kitchen, clothing, or medication.
➜ Tag specialty items and tools for hobbies.
➜ Organize lots of information about one thing on a single WayTag.
➜ Scan each WayTag 100,000 times or more.
Keep adding more WayTags! Use any style of tag, in any order. There's no limit to the number of WayTags you can use. So you can rely on one system to label all your things. Try our Starter Pack to experience ALL of the different types of WayTags!
https://www.wayaround.com/shop/?utm_source=AssistiveTech&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=AccessInfoNewsSponsorAd
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Summer Shows For Us = Summer Savings for Everyone! 25% Off Anything In Our Store With Code "Show2023", Good Until July 31!
With Pneuma Solutions back in action at summer conventions, it is time once again for some unbeatable deals! And you're going to love this one... 25% off anything! That's right, anything! With the only exception being Sero due to its separate purchase process, anything available for purchase in our store via Stripe is 25% off for the month of July! RIM Personal for your machine at home? $74.25! Need to scale up? No problem, your 25% will be applied to the new price! Missed out on the Community Support discount? Never fear, you can still slash $37.25 off the $149 price, making the price $111.75! Scribe scans, credits and subscriptions are also covered. And the best part? You don't even have to pick which item to use it on! Purchase as many items as you need, and use this code on all of them! From now until July 31, you can spend 25% less and receive 100% of Pneuma's best in accessible remote desktop and document remediation! Use code show2023 for 25% off anything in our store til 07/31!
https://pneumasolutions.com/summer-shows-for-us-summer-savings-for-everyone/
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
You can listen to Eyes On Success on your smart home device by saying “play the Eyes On Success podcast”, subscribe to the podcast wherever you get your podcasts, or listen on Apple Podcasts, iTunes, YouTube or your local radio reading service. Listeners can also follow the show on Facebook and X (Formerly Twitter).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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Be Informed First. Join Living Blindfully Plus
Whether it's a product demo, a hot topic or an in-depth interview, the Living Blindfully podcast is a must-hear to find out what's on the mind of the blind community. Ensure you're among the first to be in the know. Join Living Blindfully Plus to receive episodes three days before they're public. Pay what you can afford or what you think it's worth. Set it and forget it with a recurring subscription which you can cancel any time, or just pay for a single month, the choice is yours. And when you subscribe to Living Blindfully Plus, you're supporting an important resource for the blind community where the global conversation continues every week. Join today and enjoy your Plus benefits immediately.
https://LivingBlindfully.com/plus
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Be Productive and Enjoy Working With Leasey!
Leasey is your ultimate tool for productivity and fun. Directly from within JAWS for Windows, create text macros, shortcuts to folders and web pages, store notes under different categories and access them from any application.
Listen to over 80,000 radio stations. Quickly access over 80 news sources, seven-day hour-by-hour weather forecast, RSS feeds, podcasts, recipes, holiday dates, YouTube videos, Amazon and eBay. Do you have an ElBraille? There's no need to remember key sequences. Just type the Windows shortcut you want or create an abbreviation. Want enhanced access to apps such as WhatsApp, Twitter, Spotify and VLC Media Player? No problem. Use utilities such as mapping folders to drive letters or the special Leasey Start Menu, completely configurable. Hundreds of pages of documentation and audio tutorials through the LeaseyBites Podcast, available from major podcast directories. Leasey: a power house of tools for your JAWS screen-reader! | Follow us on Mastodon! | Learn more at:
https://www.leaseycentral.com
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.
Popular Products
➜ JAWS Scripts for Microsoft Teams.
➜ J-Say.
➜ J-Dictate.
➜ Leasey.
➜ StationPlaylist Studio Accessible Broadcasting.
➜ JAWS for Windows Training Courses.
➜ Zoom Professional Scripts.
➜ The Muze.
➜ JAWS Scripts for WhatsApp.
Sponsor: Total Tech Solutions, LLC
➜ Classified Advertisement: The Whispers of Wonderment: Tech and Life Unraveled at 'WeSpeak'
Ever wondered how tech changes our day-to-day? Or maybe you're the type who loves exploring new stuff and ideas. If that's you, then the 'WeSpeak' podcast is just your thing! We chat about the big questions in life, the ones that make us all take a moment to think Our latest guest thought it was all about tech talk. But when it ended, he felt like he'd discovered something new. That's the kind of chat we love. It's your turn now! Join us at:
http://www.wespeak.live
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Back To School! NSITE Training Programs
Look at our upcoming training programs and job placement opportunities. A few seats are open for the Customer-Centered Communications course, which will start in August. This highly engaging and participatory class is delivered virtually over four consecutive days (four hours per session). Register by the August 1, 2023 deadline! Now accepting applications for in-demand careers in HR and IT with our Sourcing Special Certificate and NSITE IT Essentials (with CISCO) Programs. Additional courses are on our training page and our accessible on-demand programs. (Earn a digital badge for select courses). NSITE can assist with securing financial support for training programs. Learn more today at: https://bit.ly/NSITE-CCC.
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.
NSITE Connect: Linking employers with talented individuals who are blind, low-vision, and/or veterans. Access the NSITE Connect Job Board here.About | Media | Employers | Job Seekers | Training Programs | Job Board | Contact Us
Sponsor: Clusiv
➜ Classified Advertisement: Clusiv Is The World's First eLearning Platform Built For And By People Who Are Blind. Our Courses Are Designed To Equip People Who Are Blind Or Visually Impaired For Employment In The Modern Workforce. Learn More At Clusiv.Io.
Navigating the employment process can be challenging if you are blind or visually impaired. Technology is difficult to figure out, there is a lot of extra material to learn, and there isn't much quality training available.
That's where Clusiv comes in. We help to provide the training you need to succeed in the modern workforce. Our courses teach assistive technology skills and how to apply those skills to many of the business software programs used in the modern workforce, such as email, Microsoft and Google apps, video conferencing, and more. We also teach soft skills such as resume and interview preparation, disclosures and accommodations, internet safety, and financial literacy. Lastly, our training can teach specific career skills, such as becoming an accessibility analyst. Plus, our courses are self-paced.
To learn more, visit https://clusiv.io/ and fill out a form with your information. We work with state vocational rehabilitation agencies to provide access to our course content.
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.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Seeks Your Support at the Public Policy Level
Moving the public policy needle is both difficult and costly. Access Ready has one of the most experienced teams in the business who have shown results. We have fostered Congressional language on accessible websites, elections, healthcare, communications, and other areas touched by information and communications technologies. These efforts are costly and we need your help to continue. Become an Access Ready supporter and create an accessible future for people with disabilities:
https://accessready.org/
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Your Weekly Classified Advertisement Title Here (256 characters or less including spaces.)
Your weekly Classified Advertisement here.
(1000 characters or less including spaces.)
Sponsor Since: Today
Website: https://accessinformationnews.com/ 🌐️
Phone: (855) 578-6660 📱️
Email: news@accessinformationnews.com 📧️
About: Access Information News is the world's leading not-for-profit access information news publication that reaches over 15,000 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 not-for-profit access information news publication that reaches over 15,000 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.
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Jenna's son was born blind and she is always seeking new and innovative ways to empower him through technology.
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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.
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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.
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Access Information News for Monday, August 21, 2023 - Volume 924
The Week's News in Access Information
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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/
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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
➜ Featured Webinars, Training Courses and Events
Submit your access information related Webinar, Training Course or Event for consideration within this section using this form: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-event.
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
Sponsors may submit or update their Classified Advertisement at any time by submitting this short form: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-sponsor-classified.
Sponsor: Access Ready, Inc.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Seeks Guidance On New Accessible Technologies
What Technologies do you see in the market that are not accessible, but should be? What accessible technologies can you imagine that can make the lives of people with all kinds of disabilities better? We will advocate with developers to make existing technologies accessible on your behalf. We will advocate with developers to build new accessible technologies on your behalf. Give us your guidance and support. Your guidance charts our path toward what is most important. Your support funds our efforts on your behalf:
https://accessready.org/
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Prepare For Your Future Today With The All-New APH ConnectCenter's Job Seekers Toolkit!
The APH ConnectCenter and NSITE have partnered to update the Job Seeker's Toolkit, an accessible, self-paced, free online training course. The Toolkit includes five sections covering self-awareness, career exploration tools, the preliminary employment process, the interview, and maintaining employment. We are bringing the Job Seeker's Toolkit to a larger audience and in a Learning Management System format for today's learners, at no cost. Visit APHCareerConnect.org to get started with the Job Seekers Toolkit today at:
https://aphcareerconnect.org/lesson-plans-for-teachers-and-professionals/the-job-seekers-toolkit/
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: HURRY — Stock Up on WayTags Before Prices Increase on June 1!
WayAround is the best way to label things if you're blind or have low vision. You just need the free mobile app and some WayTags ® to label items in the kitchen, garden, closet, office & more. Prices on WayTags will increase on June 1, so stock up today on your favorite tags.
https://www.wayaround.com/shop/?utm_source=AssistiveTech&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=AccessInfoNewsSponsorAd
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Summer Shows For Us = Summer Savings for Everyone! 25% Off Anything In Our Store With Code "Show2023", Good Until July 31!
With Pneuma Solutions back in action at summer conventions, it is time once again for some unbeatable deals! And you're going to love this one... 25% off anything! That's right, anything! With the only exception being Sero due to its separate purchase process, anything available for purchase in our store via Stripe is 25% off for the month of July! RIM Personal for your machine at home? $74.25! Need to scale up? No problem, your 25% will be applied to the new price! Missed out on the Community Support discount? Never fear, you can still slash $37.25 off the $149 price, making the price $111.75! Scribe scans, credits and subscriptions are also covered. And the best part? You don't even have to pick which item to use it on! Purchase as many items as you need, and use this code on all of them! From now until July 31, you can spend 25% less and receive 100% of Pneuma's best in accessible remote desktop and document remediation! Use code show2023 for 25% off anything in our store til 07/31!
https://pneumasolutions.com/summer-shows-for-us-summer-savings-for-everyone/
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
You can listen to Eyes On Success on your smart home device by saying “play the Eyes On Success podcast”, subscribe to the podcast wherever you get your podcasts, or listen on Apple Podcasts, iTunes, YouTube or your local radio reading service. Listeners can also follow the show on Facebook and X (Formerly Twitter).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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Be Informed First. Join Living Blindfully Plus
Whether it's a product demo, a hot topic or an in-depth interview, the Living Blindfully podcast is a must-hear to find out what's on the mind of the blind community. Ensure you're among the first to be in the know. Join Living Blindfully Plus to receive episodes three days before they're public. Pay what you can afford or what you think it's worth. Set it and forget it with a recurring subscription which you can cancel any time, or just pay for a single month, the choice is yours. And when you subscribe to Living Blindfully Plus, you're supporting an important resource for the blind community where the global conversation continues every week. Join today and enjoy your Plus benefits immediately.
https://LivingBlindfully.com/plus
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Be Productive and Enjoy Working With Leasey!
Leasey is your ultimate tool for productivity and fun. Directly from within JAWS for Windows, create text macros, shortcuts to folders and web pages, store notes under different categories and access them from any application.
Listen to over 80,000 radio stations. Quickly access over 80 news sources, seven-day hour-by-hour weather forecast, RSS feeds, podcasts, recipes, holiday dates, YouTube videos, Amazon and eBay. Do you have an ElBraille? There's no need to remember key sequences. Just type the Windows shortcut you want or create an abbreviation. Want enhanced access to apps such as WhatsApp, Twitter, Spotify and VLC Media Player? No problem. Use utilities such as mapping folders to drive letters or the special Leasey Start Menu, completely configurable. Hundreds of pages of documentation and audio tutorials through the LeaseyBites Podcast, available from major podcast directories. Leasey: a power house of tools for your JAWS screen-reader! | Follow us on Mastodon! | Learn more at:
https://www.leaseycentral.com
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.
Popular Products
➜ JAWS Scripts for Microsoft Teams.
➜ J-Say.
➜ J-Dictate.
➜ Leasey.
➜ StationPlaylist Studio Accessible Broadcasting.
➜ JAWS for Windows Training Courses.
➜ Zoom Professional Scripts.
➜ The Muze.
➜ JAWS Scripts for WhatsApp.
Sponsor: Total Tech Solutions, LLC
➜ Classified Advertisement: The Whispers of Wonderment: Tech and Life Unraveled at 'WeSpeak'
Ever wondered how tech changes our day-to-day? Or maybe you're the type who loves exploring new stuff and ideas. If that's you, then the 'WeSpeak' podcast is just your thing! We chat about the big questions in life, the ones that make us all take a moment to think Our latest guest thought it was all about tech talk. But when it ended, he felt like he'd discovered something new. That's the kind of chat we love. It's your turn now! Join us at:
http://www.wespeak.live
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Back To School! NSITE Training Programs
Look at our upcoming training programs and job placement opportunities. A few seats are open for the Customer-Centered Communications course, which will start in August. This highly engaging and participatory class is delivered virtually over four consecutive days (four hours per session). Register by the August 1, 2023 deadline! Now accepting applications for in-demand careers in HR and IT with our Sourcing Special Certificate and NSITE IT Essentials (with CISCO) Programs. Additional courses are on our training page and our accessible on-demand programs. (Earn a digital badge for select courses). NSITE can assist with securing financial support for training programs. Learn more today at: https://bit.ly/NSITE-CCC.
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.
NSITE Connect: Linking employers with talented individuals who are blind, low-vision, and/or veterans. Access the NSITE Connect Job Board here.About | Media | Employers | Job Seekers | Training Programs | Job Board | Contact Us
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Navigating the employment process can be challenging if you are blind or visually impaired. Technology is difficult to figure out, there is a lot of extra material to learn, and there isn't much quality training available.
That's where Clusiv comes in. We help to provide the training you need to succeed in the modern workforce. Our courses teach assistive technology skills and how to apply those skills to many of the business software programs used in the modern workforce, such as email, Microsoft and Google apps, video conferencing, and more. We also teach soft skills such as resume and interview preparation, disclosures and accommodations, internet safety, and financial literacy. Lastly, our training can teach specific career skills, such as becoming an accessibility analyst. Plus, our courses are self-paced.
To learn more, visit https://clusiv.io/ and fill out a form with your information. We work with state vocational rehabilitation agencies to provide access to our course content.
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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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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.
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If you need assistance with a new accessible website, document remediation or disability consulting of other kinds, Access Ready can help. We seek out the best in the business and bring them to you already vetted as to quality, professionalism and ability. By going through AccessReady.org to one of our qualified providers, you're not only getting the best, but supporting our advocacy and technological development efforts as well:
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Access Information News for Monday, August 14, 2023 - Volume 923
The Week's News in Access Information
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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.
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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
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Are you an access-based person, business or organization whose products, services or message would benefit from reaching over 15,000 access information subscribers 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 information subscribers 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:
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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:
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:
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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
Submit your access information related Webinar, Training Course or Event for consideration within this section using this form: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-event.
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
➜ Sponsor Classified Ads
Sponsors may submit or update their Classified Advertisement at any time by submitting this short form: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-sponsor-classified.
Sponsor: APH ConnectCenter
➜ Classified Advertisement: Prepare For Your Future Today With The All-New APH ConnectCenter's Job Seekers Toolkit!
The APH ConnectCenter and NSITE have partnered to update the Job Seeker's Toolkit, an accessible, self-paced, free online training course. The Toolkit includes five sections covering self-awareness, career exploration tools, the preliminary employment process, the interview, and maintaining employment. We are bringing the Job Seeker's Toolkit to a larger audience and in a Learning Management System format for today's learners, at no cost. Visit APHCareerConnect.org to get started with the Job Seekers Toolkit today at:
https://aphcareerconnect.org/lesson-plans-for-teachers-and-professionals/the-job-seekers-toolkit/
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: HURRY — Stock Up on WayTags Before Prices Increase on June 1!
WayAround is the best way to label things if you're blind or have low vision. You just need the free mobile app and some WayTags ® to label items in the kitchen, garden, closet, office & more. Prices on WayTags will increase on June 1, so stock up today on your favorite tags.
https://www.wayaround.com/shop/?utm_source=AssistiveTech&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=AccessInfoNewsSponsorAd
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Summer Shows For Us = Summer Savings for Everyone! 25% Off Anything In Our Store With Code "Show2023", Good Until July 31!
With Pneuma Solutions back in action at summer conventions, it is time once again for some unbeatable deals! And you're going to love this one... 25% off anything! That's right, anything! With the only exception being Sero due to its separate purchase process, anything available for purchase in our store via Stripe is 25% off for the month of July! RIM Personal for your machine at home? $74.25! Need to scale up? No problem, your 25% will be applied to the new price! Missed out on the Community Support discount? Never fear, you can still slash $37.25 off the $149 price, making the price $111.75! Scribe scans, credits and subscriptions are also covered. And the best part? You don't even have to pick which item to use it on! Purchase as many items as you need, and use this code on all of them! From now until July 31, you can spend 25% less and receive 100% of Pneuma's best in accessible remote desktop and document remediation! Use code show2023 for 25% off anything in our store til 07/31!
https://pneumasolutions.com/summer-shows-for-us-summer-savings-for-everyone/
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: Living Blindfully
➜ Classified Advertisement: Be Informed First. Join Living Blindfully Plus
Whether it's a product demo, a hot topic or an in-depth interview, the Living Blindfully podcast is a must-hear to find out what's on the mind of the blind community. Ensure you're among the first to be in the know. Join Living Blindfully Plus to receive episodes three days before they're public. Pay what you can afford or what you think it's worth. Set it and forget it with a recurring subscription which you can cancel any time, or just pay for a single month, the choice is yours. And when you subscribe to Living Blindfully Plus, you're supporting an important resource for the blind community where the global conversation continues every week. Join today and enjoy your Plus benefits immediately.
https://LivingBlindfully.com/plus
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Be Productive and Enjoy Working With Leasey!
Leasey is your ultimate tool for productivity and fun. Directly from within JAWS for Windows, create text macros, shortcuts to folders and web pages, store notes under different categories and access them from any application.
Listen to over 80,000 radio stations. Quickly access over 80 news sources, seven-day hour-by-hour weather forecast, RSS feeds, podcasts, recipes, holiday dates, YouTube videos, Amazon and eBay. Do you have an ElBraille? There's no need to remember key sequences. Just type the Windows shortcut you want or create an abbreviation. Want enhanced access to apps such as WhatsApp, Twitter, Spotify and VLC Media Player? No problem. Use utilities such as mapping folders to drive letters or the special Leasey Start Menu, completely configurable. Hundreds of pages of documentation and audio tutorials through the LeaseyBites Podcast, available from major podcast directories. Leasey: a power house of tools for your JAWS screen-reader! | Follow us on Mastodon! | Learn more at:
https://www.leaseycentral.com
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.
Popular Products
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Sponsor: Total Tech Solutions, LLC
➜ Classified Advertisement: The Whispers of Wonderment: Tech and Life Unraveled at 'WeSpeak'
Ever wondered how tech changes our day-to-day? Or maybe you're the type who loves exploring new stuff and ideas. If that's you, then the 'WeSpeak' podcast is just your thing! We chat about the big questions in life, the ones that make us all take a moment to think Our latest guest thought it was all about tech talk. But when it ended, he felt like he'd discovered something new. That's the kind of chat we love. It's your turn now! Join us at:
http://www.wespeak.live
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Back To School! NSITE Training Programs
Look at our upcoming training programs and job placement opportunities. A few seats are open for the Customer-Centered Communications course, which will start in August. This highly engaging and participatory class is delivered virtually over four consecutive days (four hours per session). Register by the August 1, 2023 deadline! Now accepting applications for in-demand careers in HR and IT with our Sourcing Special Certificate and NSITE IT Essentials (with CISCO) Programs. Additional courses are on our training page and our accessible on-demand programs. (Earn a digital badge for select courses). NSITE can assist with securing financial support for training programs. Learn more today at: https://bit.ly/NSITE-CCC.
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.
NSITE Connect: Linking employers with talented individuals who are blind, low-vision, and/or veterans. Access the NSITE Connect Job Board here.About | Media | Employers | Job Seekers | Training Programs | Job Board | Contact Us
Sponsor: Clusiv
➜ Classified Advertisement: Clusiv Is The World's First eLearning Platform Built For And By People Who Are Blind. Our Courses Are Designed To Equip People Who Are Blind Or Visually Impaired For Employment In The Modern Workforce. Learn More At Clusiv.Io.
Navigating the employment process can be challenging if you are blind or visually impaired. Technology is difficult to figure out, there is a lot of extra material to learn, and there isn't much quality training available.
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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.
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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.
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Jenna's son was born blind and she is always seeking new and innovative ways to empower him through technology.
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Location: Central Coast, New South Wales, Australia
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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
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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.
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Access Information News for Monday, August 7, 2023 - Volume 922
The Week's News in Access Information
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1) Top 5 Most Clicked Access Information News Articles From Last Week
A.) CVS Rolls Out Collection Of Accessible Products
CVS is introducing a new line of tweezers, nail clippers and other self-care tools designed to be easier for people with disabilities to use:
https://www.disabilityscoop.com/2023/07/25/cvs-rolls-out-collection-of-accessible-products/30473/
B.) New App Could Help Blind And Low-Vision People Navigate Subway Stations
A new trip-planning app has shown encouraging results in improving navigation inside subway stations, according to a study published in IEEE Journal of Translational Engineering in Health and Medicine, promising the possibility of easier commutes for people who are blind and low-vision. Designed by researchers at NYU Tandon School of Engineering and NYU Grossman School of Medicine, Commute Booster routes public-transportation users through the "middle mile" — the part of a journey inside subway stations or other similar transit hubs — in addition to the "first" and "last" miles that bring travelers to and from those hubs:
https://www.news-medical.net/news/20230727/New-app-could-help-blind-and-low-vision-people-navigate-subway-stations.aspx
C.) Access Ready Announces Community, Independence And Safety Through My Friendly Eyes
Introducing the patent pending, revolutionary, My Friendly Eyes (MFE) App and Service. 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 the caregivers who know them best. This innovative solution caters to the needs of both caregivers and their loved ones, fostering a support network that empowers individuals to lead more fulfilling, independent lives. Learn more today at:
https://myfriendlyeyes.com/
D.) Yes, People Who Are Blind Can Be Software Engineers | University of California
While conducting research into meeting accessibility for software engineers who are blind or low vision, the first problem Yoonha Cha encountered was a lack of awareness. "I've talked to sighted software developers, and they've said, "I'm sorry, but software development is just something a blind person cannot do," says Cha, a Ph.D. student studying informatics at UC Irvine. Watch developer Saqib Sheikh prove otherwise in this conference presentation:
https://universityofcalifornia.edu/news/yes-people-who-are-blind-can-be-software-engineers
E.) These Old Commercials Are Grrreat!
The Internet Archive is a great place to find all kinds of old media that is either in the public domain or is available for use through Creative Commons licensing. The Internet Archive's Classic T.V. Commercials collection contains more than 17,000 old commercials dating back to the 1950s! They're all available to view online and most are available to download as MP4 files. You can search through the collection according to keyword, year, language, and producer:
https://www.freetech4teachers.com/2023/07/these-old-commercials-are-grrreat.html
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6) 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/
7) New Threads App Fails Accessibility Test
When Meta's Instagram team launched Threads this month, millions of users flocked to the new Twitter competitor, to see if it lived up to founder Mark Zuckerberg's claim that they would be "focusing on kindness and making this a friendly place". But, however friendly the tone of the content shared on the site may be, Threads is excluding disabled users as the new mobile-only app has launched with many accessibility issues:
https://abilitynet.org.uk/news-blogs/new-threads-app-fails-accessibility-test
8) Nonspeaking Woman with Autism Denied Effective Communication Tools Until Age 18 Now an Education Advocate | People
For the first 18 years of her life, Jordyn Zimmerman, who is nonspeaking and has autism, says she was treated as "subhuman" in the classroom and was controlled by others who assumed she was incapable of meaningful communication. But since receiving access to effective augmentative communication, she had the tools she needed to challenge the educational status quo:
https://people.com/human-interest/nonspeaking-woman-with-autism-denied-effective-communication-tools-now-education-advocate/
9) This Company Sends You A Box Of Hearing Aids To Try At Home | CNET
Bluemoth aims to combine the ease of over-the-counter shopping with prescription-grade devices — but with a prescription-grade price tag:
https://www.cnet.com/health/medical/this-company-sends-you-a-box-of-hearing-aids-to-try-at-home/
10) 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 rainforest, 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
11) How Perforce Wants To Normalize Accessibility Testing And Spur 'All-Inclusive Apps' | Forbes: Subscription Required
For as much coverage as this column has seen over the years on Apple's and Google's respective efforts to make iOS and Android accessible to everyone, one aspect of the push that largely goes unseen and unappreciated is exactly how the platforms' software get to be accessible in the first place. For all Apple's myriad operating systems, including the newest in visionOS, developers use Xcode to write and test their apps. Xcode includes a tool called Accessibility Checker designed to assist with identifying parts of a user interface that is (or isn't) properly accessible:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/stevenaquino/2023/08/01/how-perforce-wants-to-normalize-accessibility-testing-and-spur-all-inclusive-apps/
12) '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
13) 'Hands On' Exhibit at Envision Made By And For Artists Who Are Visual Impaired | 3KSN News | YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DgZDONiB1yc
14) Internet Archive to Appeal the Judgement for Copyright Infringement Accusations | Good eReader
15) 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/
16) FEMA Schedules Nationwide EAS Test for October 4, 2023
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
17) Hearing Loss Linked to Higher Frequency of Fatigue for Older Adults | HCP Live
Loss of hearing is associated with a higher frequency of fatigue among middle-aged and older adults, according to new findings, even adjusting for lifestyle factors, demographics, and comorbidities. These findings resulted from a research letter which examined the effects of hearing loss on fatigue in older individuals, using nationally-representative survey data:
https://www.hcplive.com/view/hearing-loss-linked-higher-frequency-fatigue-for-older-adults
18) Art Museums & Alt Text | Medium: Subscription Required
The alt text of some world-renowned art museums like the Metropolitan Museum of Art (Met) and Tate Modern contains an empty string. In web development, this implies that the images on their websites are purely decorative. Wait. How can images in art museums be decorative?
https://medium.com/@sooyshim/art-museums-alt-text-952cfca1d33b
19) Vulnerable Children To Lose Classroom Support In Big Cut To Specialized Teachers | The Age
A specialized group of teachers who visit schools to work with vision- and hearing-impaired students could be fully absorbed into the teaching workforce, ending a decades-long service that provides disabled students with one-on-one support in state schools. The 32 teachers were given a reprieve last week after the Education Department cut 85 other positions in an overhaul of its visiting teacher service. Under the change, “inclusion outreach coaches” will support schools working with students with additional needs, but teachers' classroom sessions will be scaled back:
https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/vulnerable-children-to-lose-classroom-support-in-big-cut-to-specialised-teachers-20230802-p5dtb5.html
20) National Institutes of Health (NIH) RADx Tech Publishes Comprehensive Best Practices for the Design of Accessible COVID-19 Home Tests
Available now and hosted by the U.S. Access Board, the Best Practices for the Design of Accessible COVID-19 Home Tests document aims to ensure that more people can access and use COVID-19 home tests, including those who have no vision or low vision, have a reduced range of dexterity or motor skills, and are aging:
https://www.access-board.gov/news/2023/07/27/national-institutes-of-health-nih-radx-tech-publishes-comprehensive-best-practices-for-the-design-of-accessible-covid-19-home-tests/
21) 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
➜ Featured Webinars, Training Courses and Events
Submit your access information related Webinar, Training Course or Event for consideration within this section using this form: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-event.
August 8, 2023 | Ask Sharky: Navigate Ribbons in MS Office with JAWS
9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
Learn how to navigate the Ribbons in Microsoft Office applications with JAWS to quickly locate commands. Join Info: 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
August 8, 2023 | Disability Awareness and Etiquette | California Department of Rehabilitation (DOR)
1PM PT, 2PM MT, 3PM CT, 4PM ET, 8PM GMT
Become disability aware and learn how to engage with persons with disabilities in this insightful two-hour webinar. Who Should Attend? People who make hiring decisions. People who manage people. People who work with people with disabilities. People who provide services to people with disabilities. Anyone who values diversity and inclusion. ASL interpreting and real time captioning will be provided during the event. Brought to you by the Department of Rehabilitation Disability Access Services (DAS):
https://dor-ca-gov.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_jBntGDIxSumFWuWHLIA6Ig#/registration?os=iphone
August 9, 2023 | Create Source Files: MS Word to PDF Remediation (Digital Accessibility Webinar) | Access Ingenuity
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
Microsoft Word offers many tools that make remediation in PDF quicker and more successful. Join Rachel Reeves from Access Ingenuity to learn tips, tricks, and best practices for creating your documents in Microsoft Word with the intent to convert them to PDF. Learning Outcomes: Discover best practices in formatting standard document elements. Explore the WCAG 2.1 color requirements that may apply to your content. Introduction to creating PDFs directly from Microsoft Office:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82644298230?pwd=alhMWlRqb0tOS3dHNFVrSEtOam04dz09&mc_cid=1c5c3cbecd&mc_eid=90429c1885#success
August 10, 2023 | RUBY 10: Beyond the Basics | Vispero
9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
Vispero Presenters: Bill Kilroy and Shelly Klure. Summary: Want to learn how to turn on "Help Text" and have menu options read aloud? Do you know the three main uses for the full-page (swing out) camera? Join us for a step-by-step webinar on how to get the most from the RUBY 10 by Freedom Scientific. Don't miss out on this educational hour as we demonstrate live and answer your questions in real-time! Objectives: Adjust font size for "Help Text." Turn on the voice for menu options. Use the Full-page (swing out) camera for reading, writing, and scanning. Registration: Register for this webinar on Zoom. ACVREP Credits. ACVREP credits will be available for those who attend the live webinar:
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_IlcMUrtRSg-AdSpzfI9TbA?utm_campaign=LV_Webinars&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=268623519&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9oeVGBRTdrLIaC2O3Xx9wg5cvJWcZwRBm0lVZLVD5xCM92inozJAMIkRXA9jKsiGu0STqd0Ce3VDmnCFIoM2VnljnJYA&utm_content=268623519&utm_source=hs_email#/registration
August 12, 2023 | YouTube | Technology User Group
7AM PT, 8AM MT, 9AM CT, 10AM ET, 2PM GMT
On Saturday, August 12, the Technology User Group (TUG) will profile the YouTube website and the YouTube app. Learn how to use both applications effectively: managing play controls, subscribing, skipping ads and saving. Finding premium content will also be discussed. 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
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 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 | 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
➜ Sponsor Classified Ads
Sponsors may submit or update their Classified Advertisement at any time by submitting this short form: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-sponsor-classified.
Sponsor: WayAround
➜ Classified Advertisement: HURRY — Stock Up on WayTags Before Prices Increase on June 1!
WayAround is the best way to label things if you're blind or have low vision. You just need the free mobile app and some WayTags ® to label items in the kitchen, garden, closet, office & more. Prices on WayTags will increase on June 1, so stock up today on your favorite tags.
https://www.wayaround.com/shop/?utm_source=AssistiveTech&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=AccessInfoNewsSponsorAd
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Summer Shows For Us = Summer Savings for Everyone! 25% Off Anything In Our Store With Code "Show2023", Good Until July 31!
With Pneuma Solutions back in action at summer conventions, it is time once again for some unbeatable deals! And you're going to love this one... 25% off anything! That's right, anything! With the only exception being Sero due to its separate purchase process, anything available for purchase in our store via Stripe is 25% off for the month of July! RIM Personal for your machine at home? $74.25! Need to scale up? No problem, your 25% will be applied to the new price! Missed out on the Community Support discount? Never fear, you can still slash $37.25 off the $149 price, making the price $111.75! Scribe scans, credits and subscriptions are also covered. And the best part? You don't even have to pick which item to use it on! Purchase as many items as you need, and use this code on all of them! From now until July 31, you can spend 25% less and receive 100% of Pneuma's best in accessible remote desktop and document remediation! Use code show2023 for 25% off anything in our store til 07/31!
https://pneumasolutions.com/summer-shows-for-us-summer-savings-for-everyone/
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: Living Blindfully
➜ Classified Advertisement: Be Informed First. Join Living Blindfully Plus
Whether it's a product demo, a hot topic or an in-depth interview, the Living Blindfully podcast is a must-hear to find out what's on the mind of the blind community. Ensure you're among the first to be in the know. Join Living Blindfully Plus to receive episodes three days before they're public. Pay what you can afford or what you think it's worth. Set it and forget it with a recurring subscription which you can cancel any time, or just pay for a single month, the choice is yours. And when you subscribe to Living Blindfully Plus, you're supporting an important resource for the blind community where the global conversation continues every week. Join today and enjoy your Plus benefits immediately.
https://LivingBlindfully.com/plus
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Be Productive and Enjoy Working With Leasey!
Leasey is your ultimate tool for productivity and fun. Directly from within JAWS for Windows, create text macros, shortcuts to folders and web pages, store notes under different categories and access them from any application.
Listen to over 80,000 radio stations. Quickly access over 80 news sources, seven-day hour-by-hour weather forecast, RSS feeds, podcasts, recipes, holiday dates, YouTube videos, Amazon and eBay. Do you have an ElBraille? There's no need to remember key sequences. Just type the Windows shortcut you want or create an abbreviation. Want enhanced access to apps such as WhatsApp, Twitter, Spotify and VLC Media Player? No problem. Use utilities such as mapping folders to drive letters or the special Leasey Start Menu, completely configurable. Hundreds of pages of documentation and audio tutorials through the LeaseyBites Podcast, available from major podcast directories. Leasey: a power house of tools for your JAWS screen-reader! | Follow us on Mastodon! | Learn more at:
https://www.leaseycentral.com
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: The Whispers of Wonderment: Tech and Life Unraveled at 'WeSpeak'
Ever wondered how tech changes our day-to-day? Or maybe you're the type who loves exploring new stuff and ideas. If that's you, then the 'WeSpeak' podcast is just your thing! We chat about the big questions in life, the ones that make us all take a moment to think Our latest guest thought it was all about tech talk. But when it ended, he felt like he'd discovered something new. That's the kind of chat we love. It's your turn now! Join us at:
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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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Back To School! NSITE Training Programs
Look at our upcoming training programs and job placement opportunities. A few seats are open for the Customer-Centered Communications course, which will start in August. This highly engaging and participatory class is delivered virtually over four consecutive days (four hours per session). Register by the August 1, 2023 deadline! Now accepting applications for in-demand careers in HR and IT with our Sourcing Special Certificate and NSITE IT Essentials (with CISCO) Programs. Additional courses are on our training page and our accessible on-demand programs. (Earn a digital badge for select courses). NSITE can assist with securing financial support for training programs. Learn more today at: https://bit.ly/NSITE-CCC.
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.
NSITE Connect: Linking employers with talented individuals who are blind, low-vision, and/or veterans. Access the NSITE Connect Job Board here.About | Media | Employers | Job Seekers | Training Programs | Job Board | Contact Us
Sponsor: Clusiv
➜ Classified Advertisement: Clusiv Is The World's First eLearning Platform Built For And By People Who Are Blind. Our Courses Are Designed To Equip People Who Are Blind Or Visually Impaired For Employment In The Modern Workforce. Learn More At Clusiv.Io.
Navigating the employment process can be challenging if you are blind or visually impaired. Technology is difficult to figure out, there is a lot of extra material to learn, and there isn't much quality training available.
That's where Clusiv comes in. We help to provide the training you need to succeed in the modern workforce. Our courses teach assistive technology skills and how to apply those skills to many of the business software programs used in the modern workforce, such as email, Microsoft and Google apps, video conferencing, and more. We also teach soft skills such as resume and interview preparation, disclosures and accommodations, internet safety, and financial literacy. Lastly, our training can teach specific career skills, such as becoming an accessibility analyst. Plus, our courses are self-paced.
To learn more, visit https://clusiv.io/ and fill out a form with your information. We work with state vocational rehabilitation agencies to provide access to our course content.
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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Moving the public policy needle is both difficult and costly. Access Ready has one of the most experienced teams in the business who have shown results. We have fostered Congressional language on accessible websites, elections, healthcare, communications, and other areas touched by information and communications technologies. These efforts are costly and we need your help to continue. Become an Access Ready supporter and create an accessible future for people with disabilities:
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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.
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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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Freedom from dishonesty, exclusion, and immorality.
Freedom of aspiration, invention, and inclusion.
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What Technologies do you see in the market that are not accessible, but should be? What accessible technologies can you imagine that can make the lives of people with all kinds of disabilities better? We will advocate with developers to make existing technologies accessible on your behalf. We will advocate with developers to build new accessible technologies on your behalf. Give us your guidance and support. Your guidance charts our path toward what is most important. Your support funds our efforts on your behalf:
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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.
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The APH ConnectCenter and NSITE have partnered to update the Job Seeker's Toolkit, an accessible, self-paced, free online training course. The Toolkit includes five sections covering self-awareness, career exploration tools, the preliminary employment process, the interview, and maintaining employment. We are bringing the Job Seeker's Toolkit to a larger audience and in a Learning Management System format for today's learners, at no cost. Visit APHCareerConnect.org to get started with the Job Seekers Toolkit today at:
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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.
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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.
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Jenna's son was born blind and she is always seeking new and innovative ways to empower him through technology.
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Location: Central Coast, New South Wales, Australia
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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
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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.
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Access Information News for Monday, July 31, 2023 - Volume 921
Access Information News for Monday, July 31, 2023 - Volume 921
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Introducing the patent pending, revolutionary, My Friendly Eyes (MFE) App and Service. 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 the caregivers who know them best. This innovative solution caters to the needs of both caregivers and their loved ones, fostering a support network that empowers individuals to lead more fulfilling, independent lives. Learn more today at:
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1) Top 5 Most Clicked Access Information News Articles From Last Week
A.) How Do I Take Photos And Videos As A Blind Person? | Blind Girl Blogs
Hello everyone, it's Siobhan here, and today I want to share with you all a glimpse into my world as a blind person who loves photography and videography. Often, people ask me how I manage to take photos and videos without sight, and while some responses can be hurtful or dismissive, I believe that educating and understanding each other is the key to a more inclusive society:
https://blindgirlblogsapp.wordpress.com/2023/07/18/how-do-i-take-photos-and-videos-as-a-blind-person/
B.) PSA: You Might Be Eligible for a Free Smart Thermostat | How To Geek
Did you know? Many power companies hand out smart thermostats for free:
https://www.howtogeek.com/824631/psa-you-might-be-eligible-for-a-free-smart-thermostat/
C.) Meet 'Annie', World's 1st Self-Learning Braille Device That Also Acts as a Personal Tutor
Sanskriti Dawle, Aman Srivastava, Dilip Ramesh and Saif Shaikh started Thinkerbell Labs. Its flagship product, Annie is a self-learning braille device which acts as a personal tutor with audio-guided lessons, available in multiple regional languages:
https://www.thebetterindia.com/324715/meet-annie-worlds-first-self-learning-braille-device-that-also-acts-as-a-personal-tutor/
D.) Scientists Discover Natural Repair Process That Fixes Damaged Hearing Cells
University of Virginia School of Medicine researchers have discovered how the cells that let us hear can repair themselves after being damaged. That important insight could benefit efforts to develop new and better ways to treat and prevent hearing loss:
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/07/230710113811.htm
E.) 508 and WCAG: What's The Difference? | Brailleworks
Are you confused about the difference between Section 508 and WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines)? You're not alone. Many people think these terms are interchangeable, but they're actually different. Let's dive in and untangle the world of Section 508 and WCAG:
https://brailleworks.com/508-and-wcag-whats-the-difference/
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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) Advocating For Accessible Hearing Devices — A Call To Action | AT Today UK
Adriana Aleksandrova, Content Writer and Consultant for Hear4U, discusses the need of hearing accessibility and the challenges faced by individuals with hearing loss in accessing hearing assistive devices. The article covers important topics like the prevalence of hearing impairments, barriers to accessibility, the role of technology and innovation, and promoting inclusivity:
https://attoday.co.uk/exclusive-advocating-for-accessible-hearing-devices-a-call-to-action/
7) Yes, People Who Are Blind Can Be Software Engineers | University of California
While conducting research into meeting accessibility for software engineers who are blind or low vision, the first problem Yoonha Cha encountered was a lack of awareness. "I've talked to sighted software developers, and they've said, "I'm sorry, but software development is just something a blind person cannot do," says Cha, a Ph.D. student studying informatics at UC Irvine. Watch developer Saqib Sheikh prove otherwise in this conference presentation:
https://universityofcalifornia.edu/news/yes-people-who-are-blind-can-be-software-engineers
8) NASA is Launching a New Free Streaming Service Called NASA+
NASA has announced it is launching a new live TV streaming service called NASA+. This new service will replace NASA's older free stream with new content, a fresh look, and its first on-demand streaming selection:
https://cordcuttersnews.com/nasa-is-launching-a-free-new-streaming-service-called-nasa/
9) New App Could Help Blind And Low-Vision People Navigate Subway Stations
A new trip-planning app has shown encouraging results in improving navigation inside subway stations, according to a study published in IEEE Journal of Translational Engineering in Health and Medicine, promising the possibility of easier commutes for people who are blind and low-vision. Designed by researchers at NYU Tandon School of Engineering and NYU Grossman School of Medicine, Commute Booster routes public-transportation users through the "middle mile" — the part of a journey inside subway stations or other similar transit hubs — in addition to the "first" and "last" miles that bring travelers to and from those hubs:
https://www.news-medical.net/news/20230727/New-app-could-help-blind-and-low-vision-people-navigate-subway-stations.aspx
10) CVS Rolls Out Collection Of Accessible Products
CVS is introducing a new line of tweezers, nail clippers and other self-care tools designed to be easier for people with disabilities to use:
https://www.disabilityscoop.com/2023/07/25/cvs-rolls-out-collection-of-accessible-products/30473/
11) Johns Hopkins Joins Forces With Rebokeh To Enhance Low Vision Assistive Technologies | Assistive Technology Blog
ReBokeh, an assistive technology startup, has partnered with Johns Hopkins University's Disability Health Research Center (JHDHRC) to create Low Vision Connect, a digital community platform. The collaboration between ReBokeh and JHDHRC aims to improve the lives of individuals with low vision by facilitating authentic connections based on personal experiences. The platform is intended to address social isolation within the low-vision community and provide a space for people to share their lived experiences, find support, and build lasting relationships:
https://assistivetechnologyblog.com/2023/07/johns-hopkins-joins-forces-with-rebokeh-to-enhance-low-vision-assistive-technologies.html
12) United Becomes First U.S. Airline to Add Braille to Aircraft Cabin Interiors
New tactile signage will help people with visual disabilities better identify row numbers, seat assignments and lavatory locations independently. First Braille-equipped aircraft now flying and the airline expects to outfit entire mainline fleet by 2026:
https://acb.org/United-Airlines-braille
13) Libro.fm Helps Local Bookshops to Provide Audiobook Access to Readers/Listeners | Good eReader
Bookshops are now partnering with Libro.fm to offer audiobooks to their customers. These audiobooks will be available both individually and through credit models to give these stores an edge amidst the competition. Libro.fm is a social purpose corporation that allows readers/listeners to access their favorite audiobooks through local bookstores. With their services, the company aims to leverage the local economy and offer jobs while making a difference in the community:
https://goodereader.com/blog/audiobooks/libro-fm-helps-local-bookshops-to-provide-audiobook-access-to-readers-listeners
14) ADA Anniversary 2023: Celebrating an Accessible World | APH
Thirty-two years ago, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law. The ADA protects against discrimination against people with disabilities in public spaces, including the workforce and higher education. This act has helped many persons with disabilities gain access to experiences and opportunities that were once unobtainable due to unjust barriers. This monumental act means a lot for millions of Americans, and even though it has been over three decades since its enactment, the ADA is still as impactful as ever:
https://www.aph.org/ada-anniversary-2023-celebrating-an-accessible-world/
15) Senator Markey, Representative Eshoo Reintroduce CVTA To Make Communication Technologies Accessible For Americans With Disabilities
On eve of ADA anniversary, lawmakers propose legislation to update technology accessibility regulations to ensure full and equal participation for people with disabilities in the digital age:
https://www.markey.senate.gov/news/press-releases/sen-markey-rep-eshoo-reintroduce-cvta-to-make-communication-technologies-accessible-for-americans-with-disabilities
16) Justice Department Advances Proposed Rule to Strengthen Web and Mobile App Access for People with Disabilities
The Justice Department sent to the Federal Register for publication a notice of proposed rule-making 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:
https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-advances-proposed-rule-strengthen-web-and-mobile-app-access-people
17) Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta Delivers Remarks on the Web Accessibility Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
Thank you, Neera. I am thrilled to be with you to announce that the Justice Department has sent to the Federal Register for publication a notice of proposed rulemaking under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA):
https://www.justice.gov/opa/speech/associate-attorney-general-vanita-gupta-delivers-remarks-web-accessibility-notice
18) 2023 Accessible Credit Reports Press Release | Law Office of Lainey Feingold
This is a press release. It announces that blind people can get free credit reports in braille, large print or audio formats. These reports are also accessible online through the Annual Credit Report website. The three nationwide credit reporting agencies worked with the American Council of the Blind on this initiative. They worked together using a strategy called as Structured Negotiation. The telephone number to receive reports in braille, large print or audio formats is (877) 322-8228 📱️:
https://www.lflegal.com/2023/07/credit-report-press-2023/
19) SCOTUS Might Not Rule on the Standing of ADA Title III Testers After All
The Plaintiff in Acheson v. Laufer dismisses her lawsuit with prejudice and asks SCOTUS to dismiss its pending review based on mootness:
https://www.adatitleiii.com/2023/07/scotus-might-not-rule-on-the-standing-of-ada-title-iii-testers-after-all/
20) What It Takes To Avoid An Ada Lawsuit, 33rd-Anniversary Edition | Deque
With the number of digital accessibility lawsuits in 2023 on the rise, it begs the question, “Do I really need to consider the needs of 1 in 4 Americans when it comes to their ability to do business with me?” The increasing litigation says yes. Let's take a look at how you can minimize your exposure to a lawsuit while providing a great experience for all your customers through proven best practices for digital accessibility feedback management:
https://www.deque.com/blog/what-it-takes-to-avoid-an-ada-lawsuit-33rd-anniversary-edition/
21) New EEOC Resource Answers Employer Questions About ADA and Visual Disabilities in the Workplace
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) released an updated technical assistance document detailing how the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) covers job applicants and employees with visual disabilities:
https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=0fcc6c69-fcb8-443e-9de9-37ed0ba2a93a
22) Reddit Is Testing Its Own Verification Mark And New Accessibility Features | TechCrunch
Reddit has outlined its roadmap to roll out accessibility features on its own apps. The company said that parts of the service, such as the left navigation menu, profile drawer, bottom tab bar (which includes buttons for creating a post, Chat and Inbox) Community page, post detail page and Home & Popular feeds will be compatible with screen readers next month:
https://techcrunch.com/2023/07/27/reddit-is-testing-its-own-verification-mark-and-new-accessibility-features/
23) National Institutes of Health (NIH) RADx Tech Publishes Comprehensive Best Practices for the Design of Accessible COVID-19 Home Tests | U.S. Access Board
Available now and hosted by the U.S. Access Board, the Best Practices for the Design of Accessible COVID-19 Home Tests document aims to ensure that more people can access and use COVID-19 home tests, including those who have no vision or low vision, have a reduced range of dexterity or motor skills, and are aging:
https://www.access-board.gov/news/2023/07/27/national-institutes-of-health-nih-radx-tech-publishes-comprehensive-best-practices-for-the-design-of-accessible-covid-19-home-tests/
24) The Visually Impaired Performer Who Fought To Stand In The Spotlight | YouTube
Artist and educator Claire Teo may be visually impaired, but she won't let it stand in the way of a career in performing:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3t9sqrdhVNE
25) Sight Village Central 2023: My Experience | Tim Dixon
This week I attended my first Sight Village Central 2023 in Birmingham, UK and had a fantastic time meeting many people, some I have engaged with online for many years. Sight Village Central is an exhibition featuring organizations providing services and products to support the blind and low vision community. You can find out more about Sight Village Central on the Queen Alexander College website:
https://www.timdixon.net/blog/2023/07/sight-village-central-2023-my-experience/
26) 7 Things Disabled People Have To Think About Every Day | Forbes: Subscription Required
Having a disability is tiring. Every day you have to plan for things that other people just don't have to. Most "disability awareness" content, for Disability Pride Month and other occasions, tends to emphasize disabled peoples' capabilities and resilience, while avoiding anything that suggests pity or inherent hardship. There are solid reasons for this. It's important to counteract the low expectations for disabled people that drive much of disability discrimination. Many disabled themselves want very much to project positivity, to the broader community and themselves as well. And it's hard to figure out how to talk about the real barriers disabled people face, without sounding self-pitying or pleading:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/andrewpulrang/2023/07/24/7-things-disabled-people-have-to-think-about-every-day/
27) How To Create a Sensory Corner | WonderBaby
It wasn't until I had my second child that I truly understood each child's specific needs when it comes to sensory stimulation. With personalities that couldn't be more opposite, one of my kids needed activities to calm themselves, the other to help bring their sensory stimulation to life:
https://www.wonderbaby.org/articles/sensory-corner
28) Enhancing PDF Accessibility: Implementing Alternate Text | The Accessibility Guy
In the rapidly evolving digital era, the need for accessibility in all forms of content, including PDFs, is increasingly crucial. To bridge the accessibility gap, setting alternate text within a PDF is a method that cannot be overlooked. This blog post provides a step-by-step guide to this process:
https://theaccessibilityguy.com/enhancing-pdf-accessibility-implementing-alternate-text/
29) What Is The Web Accessibility Initiative? What's Its Purpose, & What Does It Do? | Sam Graves | Allyant
The Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) is a W3C initiative that develops standards and other support materials to help people better understand and implement accessibility. The WAI was launched by the W3C, with help from the White House, in 1997. The WAI is made up of people from disability organizations, governments, and research labs throughout the world. The WAI's goal is "to make the Web accessible to people with disabilities," including users with auditory, cognitive, physical, speech, and visual impairments:
https://allyant.com/what-is-the-web-accessibility-initiative-whats-its-purpose-what-does-it-do/
30) Dexcom Will Release a CGM Just for Type 2 Diabetes
Dexcom has announced a big step in its campaign to bring continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) technology to everyone with diabetes. Next year, the business will release a new sensor designed for people with type 2 diabetes who do not require insulin:
https://www.diabetesdaily.com/blog/dexcom-will-release-a-cgm-just-for-type-2-diabetes-713057/
31) For UK Subscribers Superdrug Launches New Accessibility Features To Make Online Shopping More Inclusive
Superdrug has launched a range of personalized accessibility features on its website to make it more inclusive and accessible for disabled customers. According to the Top250 retailer, the technology will allow customers to navigate its website “with ease” and provide a “customizable and personalized shopping experience”, following research that 70% of 14 million people registered as disabled in the UK abandon their online shopping cart due to inaccessibility:
https://internetretailing.net/superdrug-inclusive-website/
32) How To Make Your Online Job Portal More Accessible | Accessibility.com
Online job portals are often the central hub of company hiring activities. They're where prospective candidates get to know an organization, view available jobs, and submit applications. But these portals should be designed to serve everyone, including applicants with disabilities. Roughly 27% of adults in the United States have a disability, representing a significant part of the workforce. But many career websites aren't built with this group in mind, creating hurdles that limit their access and participation. By doing so, businesses miss out on a vast pool of potential talent, which is a loss in itself. On top of that, these accessibility issues could also lead to legal complications under laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Therefore, ensuring that your online job portal is accessible to all isn't just an astute idea — it's a legal necessity:
https://www.accessibility.com/blog/how-to-make-your-online-job-portal-more-accessible
33) Why Myopia Is Becoming Increasingly Common Among Kids And Adults | NPR
NPR's Ayesha Rascoe speaks to Dr. David Epley about the rise of myopia and the reasons why, especially among children:
https://www.npr.org/2023/07/23/1189659924/why-myopia-is-becoming-increasingly-common-among-kids-and-adults
34) 'It Brought Me Alive': Beep Baseball Offers A Whole New Ballgame To The Blind, Visually Impaired | ABC13 News
Beep baseball is an adapted version of America's pastime. A run is scored when a blind or visually impaired hitter reaches the buzzing base before one of the six defensive players can corral the beeping ball off the bat. "When I finally got into it, it brought me alive," Houston Hurricanes player John Marquez said. "Sports is what did it. I play beep ball now for the Houston team:"
https://abc13.com/beep-baseball-for-blind-visually-impaired-sports-through-sound/13538410/
35) U.S. Finds AZ Prisons Discriminate Against Blind And Partially Sighted Inmates
Federal investigators say Arizona's prison system illegally discriminates against inmates who are blind or partially sighted. The state Corrections director said his administration first learned of the federal review that went on for more than two years about two weeks ago:
https://kjzz.org/content/1852622/us-finds-az-prisons-discriminate-against-blind-and-partially-sighted-inmates
36) These Old Commercials Are Grrreat!
The Internet Archive is a great place to find all kinds of old media that is either in the public domain or is available for use through Creative Commons licensing. The Internet Archive's Classic T.V. Commercials collection contains more than 17,000 old commercials dating back to the 1950s! They're all available to view online and most are available to download as MP4 files. You can search through the collection according to keyword, year, language, and producer:
https://www.freetech4teachers.com/2023/07/these-old-commercials-are-grrreat.html
➜ Featured Webinars, Training Courses and Events
Submit your access information related Webinar, Training Course or Event for consideration within this section using this form: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-event.
August 1, 2023 | Creating Accessible Social Media Content | TPGi
9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
Presenter: Leilani Mason, Solutions Engineer. Social media is a great tool to form connections, advertise, learn, and be entertained. In order for social media to be inclusive, it is critical that social media content is accessible. This talk will guide you through simple ways to make your social media content more accessible to screen reader users and the Deaf/HoH community. Attendees will learn about best practices for creating accessible social media content, including best practices for: Alternative text. Captions. ASCII art. Hashtags. Additionally, attendees will learn how to utilize the accessibility features built into social media platforms through step-by-step tutorials and review ways that users can go beyond built-in features. Register today:
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-august-1-at-12pm-et-creating-accessible-social-media-content/
August 2, 2023 | Easy Portable Reading — The omniReader (ACVREP CE Approved, Assistive Technology Webinar) | Access Ingenuity
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
The omniReader ® allows visually impaired users to easily read printed text by pressing a single button. You can follow the magnified text in high-contrast colors on the built-in screen or listen as the omniReader reads the text out loud. You can also use the screen to instantly magnify objects and text and display them in high-contrast colors to see them more clearly. Thanks to its lightweight design, built-in handle, and long battery life, you can pick it up and use it wherever you want — at home, at the office, and even on the go. Join Ian Ramos from Access Ingenuity and Joseph McDaniel from Vispero as they explain this machine's critical assistive role to the visually impaired. 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: Feature walkthrough of the omniReader. Understand the primary and secondary assistive benefits. How the omniReader can be an effective reading tool:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84489326672?pwd=aHgxdUFlZG1yYWoxb3puWTM5Z0NLZz09&mc_cid=1c5c3cbecd&mc_eid=90429c1885#success
August 2, 2023 | An Open Conversation With Mike Calvo | Total Tech Solutions, LLC
4PM PT, 5PM MT, 6PM CT, 7PM ET, 11PM GMT
Join us on Wednesday, August 2, 2023 at 4PM PT, 5PM MT, 6PM CT, 7PM ET, 11PM GMT for an open conversation with Mike Calvo. It's a unique experience as we gather on Zoom and also stream live on Facebook and Clubhouse. Don't miss it! See you there at:
http://www.wespeak.live
August 8, 2023 | Disability Awareness and Etiquette | California Department of Rehabilitation (DOR)
1PM PT, 2PM MT, 3PM CT, 4PM ET, 8PM GMT
Become disability aware and learn how to engage with persons with disabilities in this insightful two-hour webinar. Who Should Attend? People who make hiring decisions. People who manage people. People who work with people with disabilities. People who provide services to people with disabilities. Anyone who values diversity and inclusion. ASL interpreting and real time captioning will be provided during the event. Brought to you by the Department of Rehabilitation Disability Access Services (DAS):
https://dor-ca-gov.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_jBntGDIxSumFWuWHLIA6Ig#/registration?os=iphone
August 9, 2023 | Create Source Files: MS Word to PDF Remediation (Digital Accessibility Webinar) | Access Ingenuity
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
Microsoft Word offers many tools that make remediation in PDF quicker and more successful. Join Rachel Reeves from Access Ingenuity to learn tips, tricks, and best practices for creating your documents in Microsoft Word with the intent to convert them to PDF. Learning Outcomes: Discover best practices in formatting standard document elements. Explore the WCAG 2.1 color requirements that may apply to your content. Introduction to creating PDFs directly from Microsoft Office:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82644298230?pwd=alhMWlRqb0tOS3dHNFVrSEtOam04dz09&mc_cid=1c5c3cbecd&mc_eid=90429c1885#success
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 22, 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
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 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 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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Sponsors may submit or update their Classified Advertisement at any time by submitting this short form: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-sponsor-classified.
Sponsor: WayAround
➜ Classified Advertisement: HURRY — Stock Up on WayTags Before Prices Increase on June 1!
WayAround is the best way to label things if you're blind or have low vision. You just need the free mobile app and some WayTags ® to label items in the kitchen, garden, closet, office & more. Prices on WayTags will increase on June 1, so stock up today on your favorite tags.
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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
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Sponsor: Pneuma Solutions
➜ Classified Advertisement: Summer Shows For Us = Summer Savings for Everyone! 25% Off Anything In Our Store With Code "Show2023", Good Until July 31!
With Pneuma Solutions back in action at summer conventions, it is time once again for some unbeatable deals! And you're going to love this one... 25% off anything! That's right, anything! With the only exception being Sero due to its separate purchase process, anything available for purchase in our store via Stripe is 25% off for the month of July! RIM Personal for your machine at home? $74.25! Need to scale up? No problem, your 25% will be applied to the new price! Missed out on the Community Support discount? Never fear, you can still slash $37.25 off the $149 price, making the price $111.75! Scribe scans, credits and subscriptions are also covered. And the best part? You don't even have to pick which item to use it on! Purchase as many items as you need, and use this code on all of them! From now until July 31, you can spend 25% less and receive 100% of Pneuma's best in accessible remote desktop and document remediation! Use code show2023 for 25% off anything in our store til 07/31!
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Sponsor Since: November 7th 2022
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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: Living Blindfully
➜ Classified Advertisement: Be Informed First. Join Living Blindfully Plus
Whether it's a product demo, a hot topic or an in-depth interview, the Living Blindfully podcast is a must-hear to find out what's on the mind of the blind community. Ensure you're among the first to be in the know. Join Living Blindfully Plus to receive episodes three days before they're public. Pay what you can afford or what you think it's worth. Set it and forget it with a recurring subscription which you can cancel any time, or just pay for a single month, the choice is yours. And when you subscribe to Living Blindfully Plus, you're supporting an important resource for the blind community where the global conversation continues every week. Join today and enjoy your Plus benefits immediately.
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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/ 🌐️
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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.
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Sponsor: Hartgen Consultancy
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Leasey is your ultimate tool for productivity and fun. Directly from within JAWS for Windows, create text macros, shortcuts to folders and web pages, store notes under different categories and access them from any application.
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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
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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: NSITE.org
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Look at our upcoming training programs and job placement opportunities. A few seats are open for the Customer-Centered Communications course, which will start in August. This highly engaging and participatory class is delivered virtually over four consecutive days (four hours per session). Register by the August 1, 2023 deadline! Now accepting applications for in-demand careers in HR and IT with our Sourcing Special Certificate and NSITE IT Essentials (with CISCO) Programs. Additional courses are on our training page and our accessible on-demand programs. (Earn a digital badge for select courses). NSITE can assist with securing financial support for training programs. Learn more today at: https://bit.ly/NSITE-CCC.
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.
NSITE Connect: Linking employers with talented individuals who are blind, low-vision, and/or veterans. Access the NSITE Connect Job Board here.About | Media | Employers | Job Seekers | Training Programs | Job Board | Contact Us
Sponsor: Clusiv
➜ Classified Advertisement: Clusiv Is The World's First eLearning Platform Built For And By People Who Are Blind. Our Courses Are Designed To Equip People Who Are Blind Or Visually Impaired For Employment In The Modern Workforce. Learn More At Clusiv.Io.
Navigating the employment process can be challenging if you are blind or visually impaired. Technology is difficult to figure out, there is a lot of extra material to learn, and there isn't much quality training available.
That's where Clusiv comes in. We help to provide the training you need to succeed in the modern workforce. Our courses teach assistive technology skills and how to apply those skills to many of the business software programs used in the modern workforce, such as email, Microsoft and Google apps, video conferencing, and more. We also teach soft skills such as resume and interview preparation, disclosures and accommodations, internet safety, and financial literacy. Lastly, our training can teach specific career skills, such as becoming an accessibility analyst. Plus, our courses are self-paced.
To learn more, visit https://clusiv.io/ and fill out a form with your information. We work with state vocational rehabilitation agencies to provide access to our course content.
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.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Seeks Your Support at the Public Policy Level
Moving the public policy needle is both difficult and costly. Access Ready has one of the most experienced teams in the business who have shown results. We have fostered Congressional language on accessible websites, elections, healthcare, communications, and other areas touched by information and communications technologies. These efforts are costly and we need your help to continue. Become an Access Ready supporter and create an accessible future for people with disabilities:
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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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If you need assistance with a new accessible website, document remediation or disability consulting of other kinds, Access Ready can help. We seek out the best in the business and bring them to you already vetted as to quality, professionalism and ability. By going through AccessReady.org to one of our qualified providers, you're not only getting the best, but supporting our advocacy and technological development efforts as well:
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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.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Seeks Guidance On New Accessible Technologies
What Technologies do you see in the market that are not accessible, but should be? What accessible technologies can you imagine that can make the lives of people with all kinds of disabilities better? We will advocate with developers to make existing technologies accessible on your behalf. We will advocate with developers to build new accessible technologies on your behalf. Give us your guidance and support. Your guidance charts our path toward what is most important. Your support funds our efforts on your behalf:
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Sponsor Since: December 1st 2022
Website: https://accessready.org/ 🌐️
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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
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The APH ConnectCenter and NSITE have partnered to update the Job Seeker's Toolkit, an accessible, self-paced, free online training course. The Toolkit includes five sections covering self-awareness, career exploration tools, the preliminary employment process, the interview, and maintaining employment. We are bringing the Job Seeker's Toolkit to a larger audience and in a Learning Management System format for today's learners, at no cost. Visit APHCareerConnect.org to get started with the Job Seekers Toolkit today at:
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Sponsor Since: November 29th 2022
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Email: connectcenter@aph.org 📧️
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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.
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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
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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.
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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 advocacy foundation.
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.
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Editorial Contributor (2022-Present)
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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
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The Week's News in Access Technology
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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.
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Access Information News for Monday, July 24, 2023 - Volume 920
Access Information News for Monday, July 24, 2023 - Volume 920
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.
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Ongoing 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.
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Submit your Access Information News Item for free, with timing and placement determined by our editors, here: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-news. Submit a Sponsored News Item, with timing and placement determined by you, here: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-sponsored-news.
1) Top 5 Most Clicked Access Information News Articles From Last Week
A.) 6 Lessons Learned From Working Remotely in a Call Center | Empish J. Thomas
Back in May I started working remotely in a call center. I was hired as a customer service representative. After about a year of grueling job searching I was excited to be working steady again. Plus the ability to continue working from home was a key selling point. I have worked in customer service type jobs in the past so this position was not totally new to me. My previous positions included being a salesclerk at a department store. Then later answering calls from around the country in a corporate human resources department. I am a problem solver and enjoy talking to people. I have a good handle on computer technology and using a screen reader. After all for years I learned to be my own tech support. So, why did I quit after only a few weeks of training and one day of work? Yes, this sounds alarming and you are probably wondering what in the world happened. Let me explain by sharing the powerful lessons I learned from my brief time there:
https://empishthomas.com/2023/07/08/6-lessons-learned-from-working-remotely-in-a-call-center/
B.) Meet The 4 Major Medical Innovations That Can Help To Aid Different Levels Of Blindness
Advances in artificial intelligence, augmented reality, and machine learning have all helped to accelerate the array of treatments available to those suffering from different levels of blindness, and with this in mind, let's take a deeper look into four of the most significant recent medical innovations that can help to treat visual impairments:
https://moderndiplomacy.eu/2023/07/13/meet-the-4-major-medical-innovations-that-can-help-to-aid-different-levels-of-blindness/
C.) Transportation Apps Can Help People With Disabilities Navigate Public Transit But Accessibility Lags Behind | The Conversation
Smartphone apps have become commonplace tools for travel and navigation. As technology becomes more integrated into transport networks, apps will continue to be indispensable. But many of those apps remain inaccessible to those with various disabilities. Many people with disabilities rely on public transit as many do not have a driver's license. Planning trips, getting to and from transit stops successfully and navigating transit systems is important:
https://theconversation.com/transportation-apps-can-help-people-with-disabilities-navigate-public-transit-but-accessibility-lags-behind-208011
D.) How To Build Accessibility Into Your Home — So You Can Enjoy It Forever | The Telegraph
Designing a home that remains accessible for all stages of life makes sense — and it doesn't have to mean compromising on beauty:
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/interiors/home/how-to-accessible-home-design-greenaway-architecture/
E.) CheckPlease, A Service To Make Restaurant Payments Accessible | Tom | Even Grounds
Recently I came across a solution that could not only revolutionize restaurant payments, but would make it much more accessible to blind people as well. It is called CheckPlease. It is a simple app which allows you to pick a restaurant, order from the menu, and pay using your phone:
https://evengrounds.com/checkplease-a-service-to-make-restaurant-payments-accessible/
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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) Access Information News Announces Additions To Sponsorship Package Benefits
Greetings everyone. I am excited to report that the Access Information News publication continues to grow. And not just in readership, but also in partnerships, friendships, authority and reach. Access Information News has been able to achieve and sustain this growth simply by helping people when and where they need it most. Be it a reader who is looking for the best reader reviews in researching a new access technology prior to purchase or an access company or organization that is looking to reach more people with its products, services or message, we have been busy listening to you in order to learn how we can better tune the publication to serve your ongoing needs. The changes described herein represent the next iteration in this continued mission:
https://www.accessinformationnews.com/16.html
7) I Am An Access Information News Sponsor. Can You Please Help Me To Understand My Advertising Options?
Here I will break down all of the options available to you if you are currently an Access Information News Sponsor:
https://www.accessinformationnews.com/15.html
8) Meet 'Annie', World's 1st Self-Learning Braille Device That Also Acts as a Personal Tutor
Sanskriti Dawle, Aman Srivastava, Dilip Ramesh and Saif Shaikh started Thinkerbell Labs. Its flagship product, Annie is a self-learning braille device which acts as a personal tutor with audio-guided lessons, available in multiple regional languages:
https://www.thebetterindia.com/324715/meet-annie-worlds-first-self-learning-braille-device-that-also-acts-as-a-personal-tutor/
9) Audible Extends Three-Month Free Streaming Offer for Summer | The Hollywood Reporter
The deal gets you access to thousands of podcasts, audiobooks and Audible Originals for free:
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/shopping/best-audible-free-trial-books-deal-1235538524/
10) Progress Over Perfection: Advice for Sustainable Digital Accessibility | Level Access
At first, many organizations treat digital accessibility as a box to check. They run a scan of their website, obtain a list of accessibility errors, fix those errors, and consider their work complete. Here's the problem: new barriers are introduced as experiences evolve, trapping teams in a frustrating and expensive break/fix cycle, in which they're constantly backtracking to remediate emerging issues. So, how can organizations pave a sustainable path to online inclusion?
https://www.levelaccess.com/blog/progress-over-perfection-advice-for-sustainable-digital-accessibility/
11) How the National Braille Press Brings Books to Blind Readers
A few times a day, a strange, pulsating sound fills the Boston headquarters of the National Braille Press. Thun-thun. Thun-thun. This is what employees of the nonprofit braille publisher call the office's "braille heartbeat," generated by an assortment of printing presses — 50-year-old Heidelbergs and modern big-roll embossers alike — pumping away in the basement, producing books and other reading materials for blind readers:
https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/publisher-news/article/92816-how-the-national-braille-press-brings-books-to-blind-readers.html
12) Legislation Threatens California Businesses With Big New Risk From Website, App Accessibility Lawsuits
A new bill that could mean another record filing of California lawsuits on website accessibility is now under consideration by Sacramento lawmakers, following a "gut-and-amend" process that let it replace a different bill that had already been through required legislative channels:
https://norcalrecord.com/stories/646244823-legislation-threatens-california-businesses-with-big-new-risk-from-website-app-accessibility-lawsuits
13) Florida Kept Disabled Kids In Institutions. A Judge Is Sending Them Home. | The Washington Post: Subscription Required
The ruling could have sweeping implications for thousands of disabled people across the country who rely on state-provided home health-care services:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2023/07/19/florida-disabled-kids-institutions-judge-ruling/
14) PSA: You Might Be Eligible for a Free Smart Thermostat | How To Geek
Did you know? Many power companies hand out smart thermostats for free:
https://www.howtogeek.com/824631/psa-you-might-be-eligible-for-a-free-smart-thermostat/
15) The NYPD Is Testing Drones That Broadcast Public Safety Warnings During Emergencies | The Verge
The law enforcement agency tested its 'remote-piloted public messaging capabilities' on Sunday following weeks of heavy rain and flooding in the city:
https://www.theverge.com/2023/7/18/23799144/nypd-drone-broadcast-safety-warnings-emergencies-surveillance
16) 508 and WCAG: What's the Difference? | BrailleWorks
Are you confused about the difference between Section 508 and WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines)? You're not alone. Many people think these terms are interchangeable, but they're actually different. Let's dive in and untangle the world of Section 508 and WCAG:
https://brailleworks.com/508-and-wcag-whats-the-difference/
17) Kids With Disabilities Deserve Better Schooling: Parents Must Spend Every July Fighting The Department Of Education On Behalf Of Their Children
Among the countless obstacles confronting the 486,418 New York City children with disabilities, gaining access to the classroom shouldn't be one of them:
https://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/ny-oped-kids-with-disabilities-deserve-better-schooling-20230718-ztvmaqxcczeojmi4meg3tukali-story.html
18) Recorded Webinar Helps Parents and Guardians Prepare Children for Learning Braille | APH Family Connect
Do you wonder how children learn braille? Are you looking for activities you can do with your child at home to support braille skills? Are you considering homeschooling your soon-to-be braille reader? If so, learn how APH Access Academy can equip you to support your child's braille-reading and writing development:
https://familyconnect.org/blog/familyconnect-a-parents-voice/recorded-webinar-helps-parents-and-guardians-prepare-children-for-learning-braille/
19) Scientists Discover Natural Repair Process That Fixes Damaged Hearing Cells
University of Virginia School of Medicine researchers have discovered how the cells that let us hear can repair themselves after being damaged. That important insight could benefit efforts to develop new and better ways to treat and prevent hearing loss:
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/07/230710113811.htm
20) How Do I Take Photos And Videos As A Blind Person? | Blind Girl Blogs
Hello everyone, it's Siobhan here, and today I want to share with you all a glimpse into my world as a blind person who loves photography and videography. Often, people ask me how I manage to take photos and videos without sight, and while some responses can be hurtful or dismissive, I believe that educating and understanding each other is the key to a more inclusive society:
https://blindgirlblogsapp.wordpress.com/2023/07/18/how-do-i-take-photos-and-videos-as-a-blind-person/
21) Accessible Social Website
Alexa Heinrich's Accessible Social is a free resource for digital marketers, communication professionals, content creators, everyday social media users, and anyone who wants to learn how to make their content accessible for people with disabilities:
https://www.accessible-social.com/
22) Bowling Green State University Music Library and Bill Schurk Sound Archives partners with Internet Archive
The BGSU Music Library and Bill Schurk Sound Archives, one of the largest collections of popular music at an academic institution in the United States, has partnered with the Internet Archive's Great 78 Project to digitize thousands of records made in the early 20th century:
https://blog.archive.org/2023/07/18/bowling-green-state-university-music-library-and-bill-schurk-sound-archives-partners-with-internet-archive/
23) Adobe Study: Employers Making Progress Supporting Employees With Disabilities But Must Make It A Priority To Recruit And Retain
Today, we're releasing the results of a new survey of 1,000 full-time workers, part-time workers, and students based in the U.S. — including respondents with and without disabilities. Findings include:
https://blog.adobe.com/en/publish/2021/12/09/adobe-study-shows-employers-making-progress-supporting-employees-with-disabilities#gs.k3amu0
24) Comcast NBC Universal Named A Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion
For the ninth consecutive year, Comcast NBCUniversal was recognized as a Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion, receiving a top score of 100 on the annual Disability Equality Index (DEI). We're honored to be part of this distinguished list of companies that are taking measurable, tangible actions toward disability inclusion and equality:
https://corporate.comcast.com/stories/comcast-nbcuniversal-named-best-place-to-work-for-disability-inclusion-2023
➜ Featured Webinars, Training Courses and Events
Submit your access information related Webinar, Training Course or Event for consideration within this section using this form: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-event.
July 25, 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
July 25, 2023 | U.S. Access Board Town Hall Meeting in Baltimore
10:30PM PT, 11:30PM MT, 12:30PM CT, 1:30PM ET, 5:30PM GMT
The U.S. Access Board will hold a public town hall meeting at the national headquarters of the National Federation of the Blind in Baltimore, Maryland. Presidentially appointed Access Board members and representatives from other federal member agencies will be present to hear from the local community about the state of accessibility in Baltimore and the D.C.-Maryland-Virginia area. Following the town hall meeting, there will be a reception and networking opportunity from 3:30 — 4:30 (ET), sponsored by the Maryland Department of Disabilities. The town hall meeting and reception are open to all members of the public. Please register for in-person attendance by July 1, 2023. To register, send an email to events@access-board.gov 📧️ with your name and organization. The Access Board invites in-person oral comments on accessibility. Registrants who wish to make in-person oral comments must indicate their request to speak when emailing events@access-board.gov. Public commenters will be allotted two minutes to make their comments
July 25, 2023 | Accessible Consumer Products and Services for Europe: Countdown to EAA 2025 | TPGi
7AM PT, 8AM MT, 9AM CT, 10AM ET, 2PM GMT
Presenter: Mitchell Evan, Senior Accessibility Engineer. In June 2025, Europe will begin enforcing new digital accessibility regulations for consumer products and services. In this webinar, you'll learn how you can meet your customers' diverse needs while fulfilling the requirements of the European Accessibility Act (EAA):
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-july-25-at-10pm-et-accessible-consumer-products-and-services-for-europe-countdown-to-eaa-2025/
July 25, 2023 | Document Accessibility Boutique | National Federation of the Blind
11AM PT, 12PM MT, 1PM CT, 2PM ET, 6PM GMT
From students to professionals to friends in our community, digital documents are shared daily via email, on websites, etc. It is important for accessibility to be incorporated into the documents we create. Learn some of the basic but powerful techniques experts use every day to build accessibility into their documents. In partnership with the Maryland Department of Disabilities, join the National Federation of the Blind Center of Excellence in Nonvisual Accessibility on July 25, 2023, from 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Eastern to learn how to make your documents accessible for all. Some topics that will be covered: Word document accessibility. PowerPoint accessibility. PDF accessibility. Register today for this free opportunity:
https://nfb.org/programs-services/center-excellence-nonvisual-access/trainings/accessibility-boutiques/accessibility-boutique-registration
July 26, 2023 | Navigating the Future of Work: Exploring Remote and In-Person Options for the Blind Community Webinar | Clusiv
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
The modern workforce is evolving and we want to help you understand remote versus in-person work, how to navigate the differences, and how to figure out what is right for you in your career journey as someone who is blind or visually impaired. Come ready to gain skills, insights and engage in conversations with presenters that have lived experience in helping others with this topic! Click the link to register, get the Zoom link, and even if you can't make it registrants will receive an email with the recording after the presentation:
https://bit.ly/44EkH9t
July 27, 2023 | International Ally User Group Meeting
7AM PT, 8AM MT, 9AM CT, 10AM ET, 2PM GMT
Join us in the July meeting of the International Ally User Group. We'll find out how one university is working with students to correct video captions. We'll also learn how three institutions took part in "Fix your content day" and learn their strategies for encouraging staff participation. Join us on Thursday 27 July 2023 at 07:00 PDT / 10:00 EDT / 15:00 BST/ 16:00 CEST / 17:00 TRT / 18:00 GST. Session synopses: Students as video caption editors. David Morgan, Digital Education Developer, University of Bristol In this session, David will discuss some of the evolving strategies used to develop The University of Bristol's captioning service, to get closer to meeting accessibility regulations.
He will reflect upon his experiences of employing both undergraduate and postgraduate student caption editors and compare them with a professional caption editing service. Fix Your Content Day — Updates from the Winners In this session, the winners from the Ally Fix Your Content Day (FYCD) event will share the approaches their institutions took to this event. They will explain how they support FYCD, encouraged their faculty to participate and reflect on their success. Coastal Pines Technical College. Georgia Piedmont Technical College. Ogeechee Technical College. Find sign-up and joining details on the Ally Community site:
https://usergroup.ally.ac/content/perma?id=59789
July 27, 2023 | Understand, Test, Solve: Responsive Design | TPGi
9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
Presenter: Aaron Farber, Senior Accessibility Platform Consultant. TPGi's Accessibility Resource Center (ARC) platform empowers teams to solve common accessibility issues while growing their understanding over time. The monthly “Understand, Test, and Solve” webinar series covers fundamental concepts in accessibility. Attendees learn how to address the set of WCAG Success Criteria for each concept. Over the course of this series, teams achieve full WCAG coverage in their testing. So far, we've covered: Keyboard and Focus. Color Contrast. Page Structure and Navigation. Semantics. ARIA. The final webinar in this series covers responsive design — a design approach to make websites and apps responsive to user preferences and device capabilities. This webinar explains how accessibility guidelines are more about supporting people with low-vision and color-blindness to apply their own formatting to a site and less about supporting mobile devices.
Each attendee gains a clear understanding of what issues in responsive design constitute a WCAG failure. The objective is to clear up confusion about page magnification, text magnification, and pinch-to-zoom. This session is 30 minutes. Stay after the call for our 30-minute Q&A:
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-july-27-at-12pm-et-understand-test-solve-responsive-design/
August 1, 2023 | Creating Accessible Social Media Content | TPGi
9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
Presenter: Leilani Mason, Solutions Engineer. Social media is a great tool to form connections, advertise, learn, and be entertained. In order for social media to be inclusive, it is critical that social media content is accessible. This talk will guide you through simple ways to make your social media content more accessible to screen reader users and the Deaf/HoH community. Attendees will learn about best practices for creating accessible social media content, including best practices for: Alternative text. Captions. ASCII art. Hashtags. Additionally, attendees will learn how to utilize the accessibility features built into social media platforms through step-by-step tutorials and review ways that users can go beyond built-in features. Register today:
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-august-1-at-12pm-et-creating-accessible-social-media-content/
August 8, 2023 | Disability Awareness and Etiquette | California Department of Rehabilitation (DOR)
1PM PT, 2PM MT, 3PM CT, 4PM ET, 8PM GMT
Become disability aware and learn how to engage with persons with disabilities in this insightful two-hour webinar. Who Should Attend? People who make hiring decisions. People who manage people. People who work with people with disabilities. People who provide services to people with disabilities. Anyone who values diversity and inclusion. ASL interpreting and real time captioning will be provided during the event. Brought to you by the Department of Rehabilitation Disability Access Services (DAS):
https://dor-ca-gov.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_jBntGDIxSumFWuWHLIA6Ig#/registration?os=iphone
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 22, 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 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 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
Sponsors may submit or update their Classified Advertisement at any time by submitting this short form: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-sponsor-classified.
Sponsor: WayAround
➜ Classified Advertisement: HURRY — Stock Up on WayTags Before Prices Increase on June 1!
WayAround is the best way to label things if you're blind or have low vision. You just need the free mobile app and some WayTags ® to label items in the kitchen, garden, closet, office & more. Prices on WayTags will increase on June 1, so stock up today on your favorite tags.
https://www.wayaround.com/shop/?utm_source=AssistiveTech&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=AccessInfoNewsSponsorAd
Sponsor Since: November 18th 2022
Website: https://www.wayaround.com/ 🌐️
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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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Summer Shows For Us = Summer Savings for Everyone! 25% Off Anything In Our Store With Code "Show2023", Good Until July 31!
With Pneuma Solutions back in action at summer conventions, it is time once again for some unbeatable deals! And you're going to love this one... 25% off anything! That's right, anything! With the only exception being Sero due to its separate purchase process, anything available for purchase in our store via Stripe is 25% off for the month of July! RIM Personal for your machine at home? $74.25! Need to scale up? No problem, your 25% will be applied to the new price! Missed out on the Community Support discount? Never fear, you can still slash $37.25 off the $149 price, making the price $111.75! Scribe scans, credits and subscriptions are also covered. And the best part? You don't even have to pick which item to use it on! Purchase as many items as you need, and use this code on all of them! From now until July 31, you can spend 25% less and receive 100% of Pneuma's best in accessible remote desktop and document remediation! Use code show2023 for 25% off anything in our store til 07/31!
https://pneumasolutions.com/summer-shows-for-us-summer-savings-for-everyone/
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: Living Blindfully
➜ Classified Advertisement: Be Informed First. Join Living Blindfully Plus
Whether it's a product demo, a hot topic or an in-depth interview, the Living Blindfully podcast is a must-hear to find out what's on the mind of the blind community. Ensure you're among the first to be in the know. Join Living Blindfully Plus to receive episodes three days before they're public. Pay what you can afford or what you think it's worth. Set it and forget it with a recurring subscription which you can cancel any time, or just pay for a single month, the choice is yours. And when you subscribe to Living Blindfully Plus, you're supporting an important resource for the blind community where the global conversation continues every week. Join today and enjoy your Plus benefits immediately.
https://LivingBlindfully.com/plus
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
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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.
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Sponsor: NSITE.org
➜ Classified Advertisement: Back To School! NSITE Training Programs
Look at our upcoming training programs and job placement opportunities. A few seats are open for the Customer-Centered Communications course, which will start in August. This highly engaging and participatory class is delivered virtually over four consecutive days (four hours per session). Register by the August 1, 2023 deadline! Now accepting applications for in-demand careers in HR and IT with our Sourcing Special Certificate and NSITE IT Essentials (with CISCO) Programs. Additional courses are on our training page and our accessible on-demand programs. (Earn a digital badge for select courses). NSITE can assist with securing financial support for training programs. Learn more today at: https://bit.ly/NSITE-CCC.
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.
NSITE Connect: Linking employers with talented individuals who are blind, low-vision, and/or veterans. Access the NSITE Connect Job Board here.About | Media | Employers | Job Seekers | Training Programs | Job Board | Contact Us
Sponsor: Clusiv
➜ Classified Advertisement: Clusiv Is The World's First eLearning Platform Built For And By People Who Are Blind. Our Courses Are Designed To Equip People Who Are Blind Or Visually Impaired For Employment In The Modern Workforce. Learn More At Clusiv.Io.
Navigating the employment process can be challenging if you are blind or visually impaired. Technology is difficult to figure out, there is a lot of extra material to learn, and there isn't much quality training available.
That's where Clusiv comes in. We help to provide the training you need to succeed in the modern workforce. Our courses teach assistive technology skills and how to apply those skills to many of the business software programs used in the modern workforce, such as email, Microsoft and Google apps, video conferencing, and more. We also teach soft skills such as resume and interview preparation, disclosures and accommodations, internet safety, and financial literacy. Lastly, our training can teach specific career skills, such as becoming an accessibility analyst. Plus, our courses are self-paced.
To learn more, visit https://clusiv.io/ and fill out a form with your information. We work with state vocational rehabilitation agencies to provide access to our course content.
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.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Seeks Your Support at the Public Policy Level
Moving the public policy needle is both difficult and costly. Access Ready has one of the most experienced teams in the business who have shown results. We have fostered Congressional language on accessible websites, elections, healthcare, communications, and other areas touched by information and communications technologies. These efforts are costly and we need your help to continue. Become an Access Ready supporter and create an accessible future for people with disabilities:
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Sponsor Since: December 19th 2022
Website: https://accessready.org/ 🌐️
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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.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Provides Access To The Best In The Business
If you need assistance with a new accessible website, document remediation or disability consulting of other kinds, Access Ready can help. We seek out the best in the business and bring them to you already vetted as to quality, professionalism and ability. By going through AccessReady.org to one of our qualified providers, you're not only getting the best, but supporting our advocacy and technological development efforts as well:
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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.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Seeks Guidance On New Accessible Technologies
What Technologies do you see in the market that are not accessible, but should be? What accessible technologies can you imagine that can make the lives of people with all kinds of disabilities better? We will advocate with developers to make existing technologies accessible on your behalf. We will advocate with developers to build new accessible technologies on your behalf. Give us your guidance and support. Your guidance charts our path toward what is most important. Your support funds our efforts on your behalf:
https://accessready.org/
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Prepare For Your Future Today With The All-New APH ConnectCenter's Job Seekers Toolkit!
The APH ConnectCenter and NSITE have partnered to update the Job Seeker's Toolkit, an accessible, self-paced, free online training course. The Toolkit includes five sections covering self-awareness, career exploration tools, the preliminary employment process, the interview, and maintaining employment. We are bringing the Job Seeker's Toolkit to a larger audience and in a Learning Management System format for today's learners, at no cost. Visit APHCareerConnect.org to get started with the Job Seekers Toolkit today at:
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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.
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Access Information News is the world's leading not-for-profit access information news publication that reaches over 15,000 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.
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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
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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
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Top Tech Tidbits
The Week's News in Access Technology
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Board of Trustees (2006 - Present)
Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd.
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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 advocacy foundation.
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
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Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd.
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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.
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
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Top Tech Tidbits
The Week's News in Access Technology
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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, July 17, 2023 - Volume 919
Access Information News for Monday, July 17, 2023 - Volume 919
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.
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This Week's Featured Advertisement: Be Productive and Enjoy Working With Leasey!
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Ongoing Distribution Made Possible By Support From: Pneuma Solutions, WayAround, Menus4ALL, 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.
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Submit your Access Information News Item for free, with timing and placement determined by our editors, here: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-news. Submit a Sponsored News Item, with timing and placement determined by you, here: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-sponsored-news.
1) Top 5 Most Clicked Access Information News Articles From Last Week
A.) Best Grocery Delivery Services In 2023
Much like utility and productivity apps on Android, grocery delivery apps aim to streamline your daily routine. There's a plethora of apps that deliver groceries, household supplies, and pet food. Most of them provide no-contact delivery, often within a few hours. They let you restock on fresh produce and schedule delivery without leaving the comfort of your abode. Many of them cover wide areas and offer same-day delivery with no minimum order quantities. In this list, we outline the best grocery delivery apps for you to try:
https://www.androidpolice.com/best-grocery-delivery-apps/
B.) Four Cities Putting Disabled Travelers First | BBC
With one in six people living with disability, ensuring that cities around the world are accessible to all is vital. But which cities are doing it best, and how?
https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20230702-four-cities-putting-disabled-travellers-first
C.) Video: Australian Disability Job Providers Put On Notice
The Australian government's new system for judging the quality of disabled employment providers will use independent observers to monitor the performance of the programs:
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-07-06/disability-job-providers-put-on-notice/102573006
D.) How Slack is Making Remote Work Accessible For All
A deep dive into the platform's latest accessibility features:
https://uxplanet.org/how-slack-is-making-remote-work-more-accessible-3e3f47190b86
E.) The Complaints Syndrome — How Do We Solve This Very Real And Chronic Problem? | Award Winning Sight Loss Coach, Advocate and Author Donna Jodhan
This syndrome is definitely not confined to Canada, and the only way to solve this frustration and irritation is to have meaningful engagement and communication amongst all stakeholders:
https://sterlingcreations.com/blog/the-complaints-syndrome-how-do-we-solve-this-very-real-and-chronic-problem?preview=true
2) 5 Sponsorship Packages Currently Available
Are you an access-based person, business or organization whose products, services or message would benefit from reaching over 15,000 access information subscribers 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 information subscribers in the world today, at a nearly negligible advertising cost, please consider becoming an Access Information News Sponsor while packages last. Availability: There are currently 5 Access Information News Sponsorship Packages remaining. 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:
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6) My Address to the 2023 Convention of the National Federation of the Blind | July 6, 2023 | Jonathan Mosen
The companies that develop the major operating systems and much of the hardware we use are based here in the United States. So blind people everywhere are counting on you to be articulate, focussed and resolute, advocating in a way that honours your proud traditions. Any success you have in bringing about more accessible technology has a direct positive benefit to many millions of blind people beyond your borders. In an age where technology plays a critical role in all aspects of society, the Federation has been relentless in its advocacy for accessible technology as part of its pursuit of security, equality and opportunity. To assess the effectiveness of that advocacy, we need only reflect on how much more information we have access to in 2023 versus, say, 1983:
https://mosen.org/nfb23/
7) New Low in the Accessibility "Industry:" Overlay Company Sues Globally-Recognized Accessibility Expert | Law Office of Lainey Feingold
This is an article about a lawsuit filed against a digital accessibility advocate named Adrian Roselli. Adrian has been outspoken against a type of software called an overlay. This type of overlay promises to make websites accessible for disabled people with just one line of code. Lainey has criticized this software too. Adrian was sued by AudioEye, a company that sells overlays. It is Lainey's opinion that this lawsuit is a SLAPP suit. Those initials stand for “Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation.” Adrian has been part of an urgent global dialogue about harms caused by overlays. And about their failure to meet the promise of website accessibility. Lainey urges AudioEye and its lawyers at a big global law firm called Akin to drop this lawsuit:
https://www.lflegal.com/2023/07/adrian-roselli-slapp-lawsuit/
8) Going To The Library With A Child Who Has A Visual Impairment And Adaptive Needs | Paths To Literacy | Commentary From David Goldfield | Tech-Vi List
I have many fond memories of wandering through shelves of Braille and recorded books in the libraries of two schools for the blind that I attended as a child. For me even traveling from my class down to our library always filled me with such joy and excitement. I never tired of exploring the Braille card catalog and then just wandering through shelves of Braille books where I could browse titles, pull books out at random and take a look at what was inside. I always borrowed books and read constantly whenever I had the chance:
https://groups.io/g/tech-vi/message/4551
9) CheckPlease, A Service To Make Restaurant Payments Accessible | Tom | Even Grounds
Recently I came across a solution that could not only revolutionize restaurant payments, but would make it much more accessible to blind people as well. It is called CheckPlease. It is a simple app which allows you to pick a restaurant, order from the menu, and pay using your phone:
https://evengrounds.com/checkplease-a-service-to-make-restaurant-payments-accessible/
10) National Credit Reporting Companies and the American Council of the Blind Announce Reaffirmed Commitment to Provide Accessible Credit Reports | July 13, 2023
The nation's three major consumer credit reporting companies today reaffirmed their commitment to provide access to important credit information for people who are blind or have low vision. The initiative, crafted with the American Council of the Blind (ACB) and several blind consumers, will help protect the credit information of individuals who cannot read a standard print credit report:
https://acb.org/accessible-credit-reports
11) Navigating Life As A Legally Blind Woman With Only 10% Central Vision | 60 Minutes Australia | YouTube
Since winning Big Brother Australia in 2003, Reggie Sorensen (then Reggie Bird) has gone through some tough times, especially with regards to her health. In this 2009 interview with 60 Minutes, the down-to-earth battler from Tasmania talks about being declared legally blind, after she was diagnosed with the rare eye disease, retinitis pigmentosa. This disease has left her with only 10% of her central vision and no night vision. Because it's hereditary, she was worried she would pass it on to her children:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfNDCKA5d6U
12) Meet The 4 Major Medical Innovations That Can Help To Aid Different Levels Of Blindness
Advances in artificial intelligence, augmented reality, and machine learning have all helped to accelerate the array of treatments available to those suffering from different levels of blindness, and with this in mind, let's take a deeper look into four of the most significant recent medical innovations that can help to treat visual impairments:
https://moderndiplomacy.eu/2023/07/13/meet-the-4-major-medical-innovations-that-can-help-to-aid-different-levels-of-blindness/
13) Disability:IN Announces 2023 Inclusion Awards with Winners in 12 Categories: Walgreens Boots Alliance Named Employer of the Year; Dell Technologies Named Autism Inclusion Company of the Year
Disability:IN, the global organization driving disability inclusion and equality in business, has announced the winners of its 2023 Inclusion Awards. Each year, Disability:IN has recognized the visionary brands and individuals that are advancing disability inclusion through the Inclusion Awards, which recognize outstanding disability inclusion efforts among the organization's more than 500 corporate partners:
https://disabilityin.org/releases/2023-inclusion-awards-winners/
14) Social Networking When Blind | Ed Henkler | The Blind Guide
Are you familiar with social networking when blind? How about networking in general? You've probably never heard of an incredible networking group called Beacon. Their mantra is “networking for life” and it's the core of what I'm about to tell you. I'll also be sharing information about a very successful networker who is blind. Perhaps you're retired and can't see any relevance. Read to the end and I hope I'll change your mind:
https://theblindguide.com/social-networking-when-blind/
15) How To Build Accessibility Into Your Home — So You Can Enjoy It Forever | The Telegraph
Designing a home that remains accessible for all stages of life makes sense — and it doesn't have to mean compromising on beauty:
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/interiors/home/how-to-accessible-home-design-greenaway-architecture/
16) Who is to Blame for Delay in ADA Web Access Regs? It's not the DOJ | Law Office of Lainey Feingold
This is an article about the delay in web access regulations. The regulations will help state and local government agencies in the United States make sure websites work for disabled people. They will help people with disabilities fully participate in all activities of state and local governments. This includes education, recreation, citizenship, and more. The regulations have been delayed. They are now stuck in a part of the United States government called the Office of Management and Budget, or OMB. The OMB helps the President of the United States meet their goals about what regulations are needed. The wait for regulations has been too long. The Americans with Disabilities Act is about to have its 33rd anniversary. It is long past time for these regulations:
https://www.lflegal.com/2023/07/web-access-reg-delay-omb/
17) Threads Launch Fails To Prioritize Accessibility
Publisher (Di Blasi): It still amazes me that as hard as we all work to make people understand that accessibility must be a priority from the outset, a company this large can still be this utterly clueless in launching a service of this size. Sure, they'll offer to fix it at some point, as they always do. They will say they are sorry as they hand out band aids. They will say they know they can do better. Even though they know that they very likely never will.
Users question Threads' lack of basic accessibility features:
https://mashable.com/article/threads-accessibility-twitter-alternatives
18) Interoperability With Specific Assistive Technologies Or: "Does The Website Work On JAWS?" | Karl Groves
TL; DR: "Does the website work on JAWS" is a bad goal, a bad judge of accessibility, and a bad defense in a lawsuit:
https://karlgroves.com/interoperability-with-specific-assistive-technologies-or-does-the-website-work-on-jaws/
19) New Tinnitus Therapy Can Quiet Torturous Ringing in the Ears | Scientific American
A combination of acoustic and electrical stimulation reduces tinnitus by half:
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/new-tinnitus-therapy-can-quiet-torturous-ringing-in-the-ears/
20) Seeing The World Together With Be My Eyes | Blind Girl Blogs
As a blind person living independently, I have always relied on others for various tasks that required sight. However, thanks to the Be My Eyes app, my life has undergone a remarkable transformation. This innovative app has granted me a newfound level of independence that I never thought possible:
https://blindgirlblogsapp.wordpress.com/2023/07/07/seeing-the-world-together-with-be-my-eyes/
21) Some Can See What We Can't Touch: Working With Touch Screen Technology | Boldly Blind
What screens do you use when you order breakfast at the coffee shop? pay for groceries at Walmart? buy tickets at your local train station? More and more, these screens have few if any tactile buttons on them. Unlike the ATM's of a couple decades back, today's are largely smooth glass panels like on your smart phone. This is a worldwide dilemma:
https://boldlyblind.blog/2023/05/26/some-can-see-what-we-cant-touch-working-with-touch-screen-technology/
22) Rising Temperatures Linked To Vision Impairment | Chrissy Sexton | Earth.com
As Earth grows warmer due to climate change, the potential health effects on the human population are becoming more visible and concerning. One such emerging health risk seems to be a marked increase in serious vision impairment, particularly among older adults, living in warmer regions of the United States:
https://www.earth.com/news/rising-temperatures-linked-to-vision-impairment/
23) Audio Description Makes Theatre, TV, and Movies Accessible | APH
If you think the visual performing arts are only for sighted people, you're missing out on a world of entertainment. That's because audio description turns theatre, television, and movies into inclusive experiences. It provides narration for the visual elements of a production, such as scene changes, settings, costumes, physical movement, and more:
https://visionaware.org/blog/visionaware-blog/audio-description-makes-theatre-tv-and-movies-accessible/
24) First Ever New York Public Library Assistive Technology Conference Seeking Presentation Proposals
A new technology conference is launching in New York City this October, and proposals for presentations are currently being accepted. Below is more information on the first New York Public Library Assistive Technology Conference:
https://www.blindbargains.com/bargains.php?m=22567
25) What is the W3C and Why is it So Important? | Allyant
W3C standards help digitally connect the world. They are used in browsers, search engines, and other web software. Without them, you would need to use specific browsers to view some websites. You would also be unable to share information with others via the internet and play games online with friends, among other things:
https://allyant.com/what-is-the-w3c-and-why-is-it-so-important/
26) Transportation Apps Can Help People With Disabilities Navigate Public Transit But Accessibility Lags Behind | The Conversation
Smartphone apps have become commonplace tools for travel and navigation. As technology becomes more integrated into transport networks, apps will continue to be indispensable. But many of those apps remain inaccessible to those with various disabilities. Many people with disabilities rely on public transit as many do not have a driver's license. Planning trips, getting to and from transit stops successfully and navigating transit systems is important:
https://theconversation.com/transportation-apps-can-help-people-with-disabilities-navigate-public-transit-but-accessibility-lags-behind-208011
27) 6 Lessons Learned From Working Remotely in a Call Center | Empish J. Thomas
Back in May I started working remotely in a call center. I was hired as a customer service representative. After about a year of grueling job searching I was excited to be working steady again. Plus the ability to continue working from home was a key selling point. I have worked in customer service type jobs in the past so this position was not totally new to me. My previous positions included being a salesclerk at a department store. Then later answering calls from around the country in a corporate human resources department. I am a problem solver and enjoy talking to people. I have a good handle on computer technology and using a screen reader. After all for years I learned to be my own tech support. So, why did I quit after only a few weeks of training and one day of work? Yes, this sounds alarming and you are probably wondering what in the world happened. Let me explain by sharing the powerful lessons I learned from my brief time there:
https://empishthomas.com/2023/07/08/6-lessons-learned-from-working-remotely-in-a-call-center/
➜ Featured Webinars, Training Courses and Events
Submit your access information related Webinar, Training Course or Event for consideration within this section using this form: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-event.
July 20, 2023 | Navigate and Manage Windows 11 with JAWS | Freedom Scientific
9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
Are you new to Windows 11? Looking for ways to manage applications and files more efficiently? Join us Thursday, July 20 at noon Eastern for a live webinar, "Navigate and Manage Windows 11 with JAWS." Objectives: We'll provide an overview of the Windows 11 interface, and show you how to: Access settings, create and manage folders, navigate file explorer, navigate the control panel, add/remove applications and set default applications. ACVREP Credits: ACVREP credits will be available for those who attend the live webinar. Register for Navigate and Manage Windows 11 with JAWS:
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_9NRZyvaNTnqDAXPQo7WqxA#/registration
July 25, 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
July 25, 2023 | U.S. Access Board Town Hall Meeting in Baltimore
10:30PM PT, 11:30PM MT, 12:30PM CT, 1:30PM ET, 5:30PM GMT
The U.S. Access Board will hold a public town hall meeting at the national headquarters of the National Federation of the Blind in Baltimore, Maryland. Presidentially appointed Access Board members and representatives from other federal member agencies will be present to hear from the local community about the state of accessibility in Baltimore and the D.C.-Maryland-Virginia area. Following the town hall meeting, there will be a reception and networking opportunity from 3:30 — 4:30 (ET), sponsored by the Maryland Department of Disabilities. The town hall meeting and reception are open to all members of the public. Please register for in-person attendance by July 1, 2023. To register, send an email to events@access-board.gov 📧️ with your name and organization. The Access Board invites in-person oral comments on accessibility. Registrants who wish to make in-person oral comments must indicate their request to speak when emailing events@access-board.gov. Public commenters will be allotted two minutes to make their comments
July 25, 2023 | Accessible Consumer Products and Services for Europe: Countdown to EAA 2025 | TPGi
7AM PT, 8AM MT, 9AM CT, 10AM ET, 2PM GMT
Presenter: Mitchell Evan, Senior Accessibility Engineer. In June 2025, Europe will begin enforcing new digital accessibility regulations for consumer products and services. In this webinar, you'll learn how you can meet your customers' diverse needs while fulfilling the requirements of the European Accessibility Act (EAA):
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-july-25-at-10pm-et-accessible-consumer-products-and-services-for-europe-countdown-to-eaa-2025/
July 26, 2023 | Navigating the Future of Work: Exploring Remote and In-Person Options for the Blind Community Webinar | Clusiv
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
The modern workforce is evolving and we want to help you understand remote versus in-person work, how to navigate the differences, and how to figure out what is right for you in your career journey as someone who is blind or visually impaired. Come ready to gain skills, insights and engage in conversations with presenters that have lived experience in helping others with this topic! Click the link to register, get the Zoom link, and even if you can't make it registrants will receive an email with the recording after the presentation:
https://bit.ly/44EkH9t
July 27, 2023 | International Ally User Group Meeting
7AM PT, 8AM MT, 9AM CT, 10AM ET, 2PM GMT
Join us in the July meeting of the International Ally User Group. We'll find out how one university is working with students to correct video captions. We'll also learn how three institutions took part in "Fix your content day" and learn their strategies for encouraging staff participation. Join us on Thursday 27 July 2023 at 07:00 PDT / 10:00 EDT / 15:00 BST/ 16:00 CEST / 17:00 TRT / 18:00 GST. Session synopses: Students as video caption editors. David Morgan, Digital Education Developer, University of Bristol In this session, David will discuss some of the evolving strategies used to develop The University of Bristol's captioning service, to get closer to meeting accessibility regulations.
He will reflect upon his experiences of employing both undergraduate and postgraduate student caption editors and compare them with a professional caption editing service. Fix Your Content Day — Updates from the Winners In this session, the winners from the Ally Fix Your Content Day (FYCD) event will share the approaches their institutions took to this event. They will explain how they support FYCD, encouraged their faculty to participate and reflect on their success. Coastal Pines Technical College. Georgia Piedmont Technical College. Ogeechee Technical College. Find sign-up and joining details on the Ally Community site:
https://usergroup.ally.ac/content/perma?id=59789
July 27, 2023 | Understand, Test, Solve: Responsive Design | TPGi
9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
Presenter: Aaron Farber, Senior Accessibility Platform Consultant. TPGi's Accessibility Resource Center (ARC) platform empowers teams to solve common accessibility issues while growing their understanding over time. The monthly “Understand, Test, and Solve” webinar series covers fundamental concepts in accessibility. Attendees learn how to address the set of WCAG Success Criteria for each concept. Over the course of this series, teams achieve full WCAG coverage in their testing. So far, we've covered: Keyboard and Focus. Color Contrast. Page Structure and Navigation. Semantics. ARIA. The final webinar in this series covers responsive design — a design approach to make websites and apps responsive to user preferences and device capabilities. This webinar explains how accessibility guidelines are more about supporting people with low-vision and color-blindness to apply their own formatting to a site and less about supporting mobile devices.
Each attendee gains a clear understanding of what issues in responsive design constitute a WCAG failure. The objective is to clear up confusion about page magnification, text magnification, and pinch-to-zoom. This session is 30 minutes. Stay after the call for our 30-minute Q&A:
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-july-27-at-12pm-et-understand-test-solve-responsive-design/
August 1, 2023 | Creating Accessible Social Media Content | TPGi
9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
Presenter: Leilani Mason, Solutions Engineer. Social media is a great tool to form connections, advertise, learn, and be entertained. In order for social media to be inclusive, it is critical that social media content is accessible. This talk will guide you through simple ways to make your social media content more accessible to screen reader users and the Deaf/HoH community. Attendees will learn about best practices for creating accessible social media content, including best practices for: Alternative text. Captions. ASCII art. Hashtags. Additionally, attendees will learn how to utilize the accessibility features built into social media platforms through step-by-step tutorials and review ways that users can go beyond built-in features. Register today:
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-august-1-at-12pm-et-creating-accessible-social-media-content/
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 22, 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 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
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 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
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https://accessinformationnews.com/email-newsletter-directory.html
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Sponsor: Pneuma Solutions
➜ Classified Advertisement: Summer Shows For Us = Summer Savings for Everyone! 25% Off Anything In Our Store With Code "Show2023", Good Until July 31!
With Pneuma Solutions back in action at summer conventions, it is time once again for some unbeatable deals! And you're going to love this one... 25% off anything! That's right, anything! With the only exception being Sero due to its separate purchase process, anything available for purchase in our store via Stripe is 25% off for the month of July! RIM Personal for your machine at home? $74.25! Need to scale up? No problem, your 25% will be applied to the new price! Missed out on the Community Support discount? Never fear, you can still slash $37.25 off the $149 price, making the price $111.75! Scribe scans, credits and subscriptions are also covered. And the best part? You don't even have to pick which item to use it on! Purchase as many items as you need, and use this code on all of them! From now until July 31, you can spend 25% less and receive 100% of Pneuma's best in accessible remote desktop and document remediation! Use code show2023 for 25% off anything in our store til 07/31!
https://pneumasolutions.com/summer-shows-for-us-summer-savings-for-everyone/
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: Living Blindfully
➜ Classified Advertisement: Be Informed First. Join Living Blindfully Plus
Whether it's a product demo, a hot topic or an in-depth interview, the Living Blindfully podcast is a must-hear to find out what's on the mind of the blind community. Ensure you're among the first to be in the know. Join Living Blindfully Plus to receive episodes three days before they're public. Pay what you can afford or what you think it's worth. Set it and forget it with a recurring subscription which you can cancel any time, or just pay for a single month, the choice is yours. And when you subscribe to Living Blindfully Plus, you're supporting an important resource for the blind community where the global conversation continues every week. Join today and enjoy your Plus benefits immediately.
https://LivingBlindfully.com/plus
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Be Productive and Enjoy Working With Leasey!
Leasey is your ultimate tool for productivity and fun. Directly from within JAWS for Windows, create text macros, shortcuts to folders and web pages, store notes under different categories and access them from any application.
Listen to over 80,000 radio stations. Quickly access over 80 news sources, seven-day hour-by-hour weather forecast, RSS feeds, podcasts, recipes, holiday dates, YouTube videos, Amazon and eBay. Do you have an ElBraille? There's no need to remember key sequences. Just type the Windows shortcut you want or create an abbreviation. Want enhanced access to apps such as WhatsApp, Twitter, Spotify and VLC Media Player? No problem. Use utilities such as mapping folders to drive letters or the special Leasey Start Menu, completely configurable. Hundreds of pages of documentation and audio tutorials through the LeaseyBites Podcast, available from major podcast directories. Leasey: a power house of tools for your JAWS screen-reader! | Follow us on Mastodon! | Learn more at:
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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.
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Sponsor: NSITE.org
➜ Classified Advertisement: Back To School! NSITE Training Programs
Look at our upcoming training programs and job placement opportunities. A few seats are open for our half-day Customer-Centered Communications course, which will start in August. August 1, 2023 deadline to register! Now accepting applications for in-demand careers in HR and IT with our Sourcing Special Certificate and NSITE IT Essentials (with CISCO) Programs. Additional courses are on our training page and our accessible on-demand programs. (Earn a digital badge for select courses). NSITE can assist with securing financial support for training programs. Learn more today at: https://bit.ly/NSITE-CCC.
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.
NSITE Connect: Linking employers with talented individuals who are blind, low-vision, and/or veterans. Access the NSITE Connect Job Board here.About | Media | Employers | Job Seekers | Training Programs | Job Board | Contact Us
Sponsor: Clusiv
➜ Classified Advertisement: Clusiv Is The World's First eLearning Platform Built For And By People Who Are Blind. Our Courses Are Designed To Equip People Who Are Blind Or Visually Impaired For Employment In The Modern Workforce. Learn More At Clusiv.Io.
Navigating the employment process can be challenging if you are blind or visually impaired. Technology is difficult to figure out, there is a lot of extra material to learn, and there isn't much quality training available.
That's where Clusiv comes in. We help to provide the training you need to succeed in the modern workforce. Our courses teach assistive technology skills and how to apply those skills to many of the business software programs used in the modern workforce, such as email, Microsoft and Google apps, video conferencing, and more. We also teach soft skills such as resume and interview preparation, disclosures and accommodations, internet safety, and financial literacy. Lastly, our training can teach specific career skills, such as becoming an accessibility analyst. Plus, our courses are self-paced.
To learn more, visit https://clusiv.io/ and fill out a form with your information. We work with state vocational rehabilitation agencies to provide access to our course content.
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.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Seeks Your Support at the Public Policy Level
Moving the public policy needle is both difficult and costly. Access Ready has one of the most experienced teams in the business who have shown results. We have fostered Congressional language on accessible websites, elections, healthcare, communications, and other areas touched by information and communications technologies. These efforts are costly and we need your help to continue. Become an Access Ready supporter and create an accessible future for people with disabilities:
https://accessready.org/
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.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Provides Access To The Best In The Business
If you need assistance with a new accessible website, document remediation or disability consulting of other kinds, Access Ready can help. We seek out the best in the business and bring them to you already vetted as to quality, professionalism and ability. By going through AccessReady.org to one of our qualified providers, you're not only getting the best, but supporting our advocacy and technological development efforts as well:
https://accessready.org/
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.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Seeks Guidance On New Accessible Technologies
What Technologies do you see in the market that are not accessible, but should be? What accessible technologies can you imagine that can make the lives of people with all kinds of disabilities better? We will advocate with developers to make existing technologies accessible on your behalf. We will advocate with developers to build new accessible technologies on your behalf. Give us your guidance and support. Your guidance charts our path toward what is most important. Your support funds our efforts on your behalf:
https://accessready.org/
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Prepare For Your Future Today With The All-New APH ConnectCenter's Job Seekers Toolkit!
The APH ConnectCenter and NSITE have partnered to update the Job Seeker's Toolkit, an accessible, self-paced, free online training course. The Toolkit includes five sections covering self-awareness, career exploration tools, the preliminary employment process, the interview, and maintaining employment. We are bringing the Job Seeker's Toolkit to a larger audience and in a Learning Management System format for today's learners, at no cost. Visit APHCareerConnect.org to get started with the Job Seekers Toolkit today at:
https://aphcareerconnect.org/lesson-plans-for-teachers-and-professionals/the-job-seekers-toolkit/
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: Menus4ALL
➜ Classified Advertisement: A Revolution in Resolution — Menus for Everyone
No matter when, where or who, the Menus4ALL iPhone app gives you the info you need quickly. No more multiple Google searches to research menus before going out. Info is organized to give you quick access to what you are looking for — the menu! Optimized to give you the best viewing experience. No more struggling to see small print, or looking at a menu in a dimly lit restaurant. Do you use magnification, large print, VoiceOver, a braille display or Voice Control? Enjoy 750,000 fully accessible menus. Download the app today at:
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/menus4all/id1640547801?platform=iphone
Sponsor Since: November 20th 2022
Website: https://www.menus4all.com/ 🌐️
Email: stephanie@menus4all.com 📧️
About: 750,000 Accessible Restaurant Menus. On your iPhone ® in the palm of your hand.
Yes, that's not a typo. The Menus4ALL iPhone app offers 500,000 accessible menus in the United States and 250,000 accessible menus in Canada.
Wherever you are and whenever you want The Menus4ALL iPhone app is the largest network of restaurant menus in one place and all of the menus are fully accessible.
Perfect for when you are out running errands and want to know what restaurants are near your current location. Great for planning a night out with friends. Favorite menus that you want to look at later or when you know you are going back for that amazing dish.
Download The App (Apple): https://apps.apple.com/us/app/menus4all/id1640547801?platform=iphone
Sponsor: WayAround
➜ Classified Advertisement: HURRY — Stock Up on WayTags Before Prices Increase on June 1!
WayAround is the best way to label things if you're blind or have low vision. You just need the free mobile app and some WayTags ® to label items in the kitchen, garden, closet, office & more. Prices on WayTags will increase on June 1, so stock up today on your favorite tags.
https://www.wayaround.com/shop/?utm_source=AssistiveTech&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=AccessInfoNewsSponsorAd
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
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About: Access Information News is the world's leading not-for-profit access information news publication that reaches over 15,000 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 not-for-profit access information news publication that reaches over 15,000 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.
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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 Access 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 Access 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 advocacy foundation.
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 Access 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.
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 Access 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, July 10, 2023 - Volume 918
Access Information News for Monday, July 10, 2023 - Volume 918
The Week's News in Access Information
https://accessinformationnews.com/
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: 10,335 Opt-In Subscribers were sent this issue via email. 28 Premium Subscribers were sent this issue via email.
This Week's Featured Advertisement: Join Industry Leaders And Begin Reaching Over 15,000 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 Distribution Made Possible By Support From: Pneuma Solutions, WayAround, Menus4ALL, 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,
Submit your Access Information News Item for free, with timing and placement determined by our editors, here: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-news. Submit a Sponsored News Item, with timing and placement determined by you, here: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-sponsored-news.
1) Top 5 Most Clicked Access Information News Articles From Last Week
A.) iPad Busts Teachers Abusing Special Needs Kids At UK School | Apple Insider
A pupil at a UK special education needs school recorded a whole day's audio on an iPad, and what was discovered has led to firings and apologies:
https://appleinsider.com/articles/23/06/26/ipad-busts-teachers-abusing-special-needs-kids-at-uk-school
B.) Voice Cards, Video Calls: 5 Innovations In Accessibility And Banking | American Banker
Banks are finding creative ways to make their "offline" services — from branches to debit cards to contact centers — more accessible to people with disabilities:
https://www.americanbanker.com/list/voice-cards-video-calls-5-innovations-in-accessibility-and-banking
C.) These Apps Empower Visually Impaired Users With Virtual Labels And Image Exploration | Cool Blind Tech
Visually impaired individuals can now leverage the power of two apps, developed by a team at the University of Michigan, to enhance their everyday experiences using iPhones. These apps, VizLens and ImageExplorer, provide valuable features such as virtual labels for control panels and the ability to explore images through touch and audio feedback:
https://coolblindtech.com/these-apps-empower-visually-impaired-users-with-virtual-labels-and-image-exploration/
D.) The Truth About Traveling While Disabled
When it comes to accessibility, travel has a long way to go:
https://www.thrillist.com/travel/nation/traveling-while-disabled
E.) Aira To Extend Its Legacy Subscription Plans For Another Year
Aira will be extending the previously planned December 2023 deadline on consumer subscriptions by one additional year:
https://aira.io/the-aira-connection-summer-2023/
2) 5 Sponsorship Packages Currently Available
Are you an access-based person, business or organization whose products, services or message would benefit from reaching over 15,000 access information subscribers 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 information subscribers in the world today, at a nearly negligible advertising cost, please consider becoming an Access Information News Sponsor while packages last. Availability: There are currently 5 Access Information News Sponsorship Packages remaining. 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:
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In addition to receiving Access Information News via email every Monday morning at 6:00 AM ET you can also pick up the newsletter and its trending articles on any of the following channels:
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6) Listen to These Photographs of Sparkling Galaxies | Wired: Subscription Required
How do you make space images more accessible? Turn celestial data into sonic compositions that don't have to be seen to be enjoyed:
https://www.wired.com/story/listen-to-these-photographs-of-sparkling-galaxies/
7) Threads Launch Fails To Prioritize Accessibility | Mashable
Publisher (Di Blasi): I can confirm that, following the creation of the Top Tech Tidbits Threads account at https://www.threads.net/@toptechtidbits, we were given no option to provide an alternative textual description of the image that was used in our very first post. This was done via the iPhone app because web sign up was not available at the time. Not a very promising sign.
Mashable: Users question Threads' lack of basic accessibility features:
https://mashable.com/article/threads-accessibility-twitter-alternatives
8) Meta Accused Of 'Actively Silencing Disabled People;' Bans Threads And Instagram Accounts Demanding Accessibility
Meta recently launched the app Threads, its answer to Twitter, and while many aggravated users of the social media site owned by Elon Musk are flocking to its competitor, some are already voicing their concerns about the new app. Aside from complaints of Threads being irreversibly linked with users' Instagram accounts and concerns over the apps data collection, some accessibility advocates are criticizing Meta for failing to provide necessary accessibility features at launch. Now, one prominent disabled marketing social media personality is accusing Meta of silencing her through unwarranted bans of her accounts after she criticized the app:
https://wegotthiscovered.com/social-media/meta-accused-of-actively-silencing-disabled-people-bans-threads-and-instagram-accounts-demanding-accessibility/
9) What To Know About Threads As It Relates To Mastodon | Eugen Rochko | JoinMastodon.org
Meta is launching its new microblogging platform called Threads. What is noteworthy about this launch is that Threads intends to become part of the decentralized social web by using the same standard protocol as Mastodon, ActivityPub. There's been a lot of speculation around what Threads will be and what it means for Mastodon. We've put together some of the most common questions and our responses based on what was launched:
https://blog.joinmastodon.org/2023/07/what-to-know-about-threads/
10) Four Cities Putting Disabled Travelers First | BBC
With one in six people living with disability, ensuring that cities around the world are accessible to all is vital. But which cities are doing it best, and how?
https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20230702-four-cities-putting-disabled-travellers-first
11) What Disabled People Are Losing With The Slow Death Of Twitter | Granite and Sunlight
Once again: the 'death of twitter' jokes are fun but the disability community is filled with dread. Twitter fills a specific niche for so many of us which makes it the place we organise, support each other, develop theory and practice, and have social lives:
https://graniteandsunlight.wordpress.com/2023/07/02/what-disabled-people-are-losing-with-the-slow-death-of-twitter/
12) Reddit Says New Accessibility Tools For Moderators Are Coming. Mods Are Skeptical
Reddit users staged a mass boycott last month over the social media company's move to charge fees to third-party developers. Some of the most vocal protesters complained of losing the accessibility resources that disabled communities use. They're accusing the company of killing off third-party apps that allow them to access the site. Now, Reddit is trying to appease those protesters:
https://www.kosu.org/technology/2023-07-01/reddit-says-new-accessibility-tools-for-moderators-are-coming-mods-are-skeptical
13) Acting As A Referee Between Reddit And The Blind | Medium: Subscription Required
Hot off the press. 96% of the web is not accessible. OK, let me rephrase that, because I'm convinced that did not land. In any way. 96% of all websites on the internet cannot be used by the majority of disabled people. In contrast, Dracula was able to spend 50% of every day outside without self-combusting. He had it easy. Having to deal with a 96% inaccessible web is like going into a supermarket with a severe nut allergy and being told all they have suitable, is rice cakes and rum. But if you throw a tantrum, they might consider ordering apples too. Now, try to live on rice cakes and rum. And maybe apples. If you fight for it really hard. And that's where we're at with Reddit:
https://medium.com/offmessageorg/acting-as-a-referee-between-reddit-and-the-blind-81c9be38d0c0
14) Why I Turned to the Time and Date Website for the Weather Forecast | Deborah Edwards-Onoro | Lireo Designs
I remember how excited I was when I got a new smartphone and it had a weather widget installed. I could quickly check the current weather. Eventually, the widget expanded to provide weather forecasts. Nice! But over the years, the smartphone weather widget had problems:
https://www.lireo.com/time-and-date-website-for-weather-forecast/
15) Vodafone 5G gives visually impaired tennis fans world-first experience at Wimbledon
Live footage is streamed from local TV cameras over 5G to the headsets — developed by GiveVision — which enhance the footage to suit the person's specific sight profile:
https://www.vodafone.co.uk/newscentre/press-release/vf-5g-gives-visually-impaired-tennis-fans-world-first-experience-at-wimbledon/
16) Video: Australian Disability Job Providers Put On Notice
The Australian government's new system for judging the quality of disabled employment providers will use independent observers to monitor the performance of the programs:
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-07-06/disability-job-providers-put-on-notice/102573006
17) How Slack is Making Remote Work Accessible For All
A deep dive into the platform's latest accessibility features:
https://uxplanet.org/how-slack-is-making-remote-work-more-accessible-3e3f47190b86
18) How to Improve Workplace Accessibility With Assistive Tech | Information Week
Here are three strategies leaders can use to build inclusive cultures and leverage assistive technology to create more accessible workplaces:
https://www.informationweek.com/strategic-cio/how-to-improve-workplace-accessibility-with-assistive-tech#
19) Digital Accessibility Lawsuits Filed in New York in 2022 | Accessibility.com
The United States has recently seen a dramatic uptick in digital accessibility lawsuits, with 2,387 filed by the end of 2022. Interestingly, however, this increase didn't necessarily reflect widespread trends throughout the country. If that were the case, it stands to reason that we would have seen a relatively evenly distributed number of cases across the country. This was not the case. According to Accessibility.com's 2022 report, only two states carried this lawsuit uptick:
https://www.accessibility.com/blog/digital-accessibility-lawsuits-filed-in-new-york-in-2022
20) Tips & Tricks for Testing Accessibility with Assistive Technologies | Karl Groves
There are many ways to perform testing for accessibility, each one with their own strengths and weaknesses. Testing with assistive technologies is a great way to get a clear understanding of how your system behaves for real users — assuming that the tester is able to effectively use the assistive technologies they're testing with. As a kickoff point, here are some valuable tips and tricks we've discovered during our own testing experiences:
https://karlgroves.com/tips-tricks-for-testing-accessibility-with-assistive-technologies/
21) Blind And Partially Sighted People In London To Benefit From Voice Guided Technology
Blind and partially sighted people that use transport in London could benefit from NaviLens, an app that is designed to enable blind and partially sighted people to access and locate information and interact with their environment, particularly in busy areas like train stations:
https://attoday.co.uk/blind-and-partially-sighted-people-in-london-to-benefit-from-voice-guided-technology/
22) The Complaints Syndrome — How Do We Solve This Very Real And Chronic Problem? | Award Winning Sight Loss Coach, Advocate and Author Donna Jodhan
This syndrome is definitely not confined to Canada, and the only way to solve this frustration and irritation is to have meaningful engagement and communication amongst all stakeholders:
https://sterlingcreations.com/blog/the-complaints-syndrome-how-do-we-solve-this-very-real-and-chronic-problem?preview=true
23) Bus Accessibility Advocates Sound Alarm About Bike Lanes
Boston, Massachusetts accessibility advocates are fighting for changes to bike lanes, saying bikers pose a threat to people with disabilities who are trying to get onto MBTA buses. Their concern is over passengers having to cross one or two bike lanes in order to get on the bus:
https://www.wcvb.com/article/boston-bus-accessibility-advocates-concerned-bike-lanes/44410903#
24) Best Grocery Delivery Services In 2023
Much like utility and productivity apps on Android, grocery delivery apps aim to streamline your daily routine. There's a plethora of apps that deliver groceries, household supplies, and pet food. Most of them provide no-contact delivery, often within a few hours. They let you restock on fresh produce and schedule delivery without leaving the comfort of your abode. Many of them cover wide areas and offer same-day delivery with no minimum order quantities. In this list, we outline the best grocery delivery apps for you to try:
https://www.androidpolice.com/best-grocery-delivery-apps/
➜ Featured Webinars, Training Courses and Events
Submit your access information related Webinar, Training Course or Event for consideration within this section using this form: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-event.
July 12, 2023 | Conquer Accessibility Challenges During Software Design & Development | TPGi
9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
Presenters: David Sloan, Practice Manager, UX, and Roxana Fischer, Product Manager, Blind and Low Vision Software. This presentation will provide insights into software development practices that focus on accessibility and usability. It will emphasize the significance of involving users in the earliest design and development stages to meet their needs. Also it will specifically delve into the challenges of developing screen reader and screen magnifier software; these tools offer users a different perspective on UI, which requires special considerations during development. The four key areas covered in this session include: Testing with real users. Using inclusive tools. Hiring users with disabilities. Gathering field feedback. Attendees will gain an understanding of how we design and develop our internal Assistive Technology:
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-july-12-at-12pm-et-conquer-accessibility-challenges-during-software-design-development/
July 25, 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
July 25, 2023 | U.S. Access Board Town Hall Meeting in Baltimore
10:30PM PT, 11:30PM MT, 12:30PM CT, 1:30PM ET, 5:30PM GMT
The U.S. Access Board will hold a public town hall meeting at the national headquarters of the National Federation of the Blind in Baltimore, Maryland. Presidentially appointed Access Board members and representatives from other federal member agencies will be present to hear from the local community about the state of accessibility in Baltimore and the D.C.-Maryland-Virginia area. Following the town hall meeting, there will be a reception and networking opportunity from 3:30 — 4:30 (ET), sponsored by the Maryland Department of Disabilities. The town hall meeting and reception are open to all members of the public. Please register for in-person attendance by July 1, 2023. To register, send an email to events@access-board.gov 📧️ with your name and organization. The Access Board invites in-person oral comments on accessibility. Registrants who wish to make in-person oral comments must indicate their request to speak when emailing events@access-board.gov. Public commenters will be allotted two minutes to make their comments
July 25, 2023 | Accessible Consumer Products and Services for Europe: Countdown to EAA 2025 | TPGi
7AM PT, 8AM MT, 9AM CT, 10AM ET, 2PM GMT
Presenter: Mitchell Evan, Senior Accessibility Engineer. In June 2025, Europe will begin enforcing new digital accessibility regulations for consumer products and services. In this webinar, you'll learn how you can meet your customers' diverse needs while fulfilling the requirements of the European Accessibility Act (EAA):
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-july-25-at-10pm-et-accessible-consumer-products-and-services-for-europe-countdown-to-eaa-2025/
July 27, 2023 | International Ally User Group Meeting
7AM PT, 8AM MT, 9AM CT, 10AM ET, 2PM GMT
Join us in the July meeting of the International Ally User Group. We'll find out how one university is working with students to correct video captions. We'll also learn how three institutions took part in "Fix your content day" and learn their strategies for encouraging staff participation. Join us on Thursday 27 July 2023 at 07:00 PDT / 10:00 EDT / 15:00 BST/ 16:00 CEST / 17:00 TRT / 18:00 GST. Session synopses: Students as video caption editors. David Morgan, Digital Education Developer, University of Bristol In this session, David will discuss some of the evolving strategies used to develop The University of Bristol's captioning service, to get closer to meeting accessibility regulations.
He will reflect upon his experiences of employing both undergraduate and postgraduate student caption editors and compare them with a professional caption editing service. Fix Your Content Day — Updates from the Winners In this session, the winners from the Ally Fix Your Content Day (FYCD) event will share the approaches their institutions took to this event. They will explain how they support FYCD, encouraged their faculty to participate and reflect on their success. Coastal Pines Technical College. Georgia Piedmont Technical College. Ogeechee Technical College. Find sign-up and joining details on the Ally Community site:
https://usergroup.ally.ac/content/perma?id=59789
July 27, 2023 | Understand, Test, Solve: Responsive Design | TPGi
9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
Presenter: Aaron Farber, Senior Accessibility Platform Consultant. TPGi's Accessibility Resource Center (ARC) platform empowers teams to solve common accessibility issues while growing their understanding over time. The monthly “Understand, Test, and Solve” webinar series covers fundamental concepts in accessibility. Attendees learn how to address the set of WCAG Success Criteria for each concept. Over the course of this series, teams achieve full WCAG coverage in their testing. So far, we've covered: Keyboard and Focus. Color Contrast. Page Structure and Navigation. Semantics. ARIA. The final webinar in this series covers responsive design — a design approach to make websites and apps responsive to user preferences and device capabilities. This webinar explains how accessibility guidelines are more about supporting people with low-vision and color-blindness to apply their own formatting to a site and less about supporting mobile devices.
Each attendee gains a clear understanding of what issues in responsive design constitute a WCAG failure. The objective is to clear up confusion about page magnification, text magnification, and pinch-to-zoom. This session is 30 minutes. Stay after the call for our 30-minute Q&A:
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-july-27-at-12pm-et-understand-test-solve-responsive-design/
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 22, 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 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
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 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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Sponsors may submit or update their Classified Advertisement at any time by submitting this short form: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-sponsor-classified.
Sponsor: Living Blindfully
➜ Classified Advertisement: Be Informed First. Join Living Blindfully Plus
Whether it's a product demo, a hot topic or an in-depth interview, the Living Blindfully podcast is a must-hear to find out what's on the mind of the blind community. Ensure you're among the first to be in the know. Join Living Blindfully Plus to receive episodes three days before they're public. Pay what you can afford or what you think it's worth. Set it and forget it with a recurring subscription which you can cancel any time, or just pay for a single month, the choice is yours. And when you subscribe to Living Blindfully Plus, you're supporting an important resource for the blind community where the global conversation continues every week. Join today and enjoy your Plus benefits immediately.
https://LivingBlindfully.com/plus
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
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Leasey is your ultimate tool for productivity and fun. Directly from within JAWS for Windows, create text macros, shortcuts to folders and web pages, store notes under different categories and access them from any application.
Listen to over 80,000 radio stations. Quickly access over 80 news sources, seven-day hour-by-hour weather forecast, RSS feeds, podcasts, recipes, holiday dates, YouTube videos, Amazon and eBay. Do you have an ElBraille? There's no need to remember key sequences. Just type the Windows shortcut you want or create an abbreviation. Want enhanced access to apps such as WhatsApp, Twitter, Spotify and VLC Media Player? No problem. Use utilities such as mapping folders to drive letters or the special Leasey Start Menu, completely configurable. Hundreds of pages of documentation and audio tutorials through the LeaseyBites Podcast, available from major podcast directories. Leasey: a power house of tools for your JAWS screen-reader! | Follow us on Mastodon! | Learn more at:
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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.
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Sponsor: NSITE.org
➜ Classified Advertisement: NSITE Connects Employers With Talented People Who Are Blind Or Low-Vision And Supports Talent To Gain Employment
NSITE.org is the first non-profit organization, offering a continuum of services to connect employers with talented job seekers who are blind or low-vision and provides training, employment and career services to these job seekers. Using the NSITE Connect Job Board, which is designed exclusively for individuals who experience vision loss, employers can fill open positions with talent who are blind or have low vision. Job postings are also open to veterans. NSITE-U provides accessible on-demand and virtual instructor-led classes, programs and workshops to support career skills training and professional development for individuals who are blind or have low vision or are veterans. For more information about NSITE and all its services including a free Job Seekers Toolkit developed with APH, American Printing House for the Blind, visit us and use this form to reach NSITE's team for information about programs, classes and services, connect:
https://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.
NSITE Connect: Linking employers with talented individuals who are blind, low-vision, and/or veterans. Access the NSITE Connect Job Board here.About | Media | Employers | Job Seekers | Training Programs | Job Board | Contact Us
Sponsor: Clusiv
➜ Classified Advertisement: Clusiv Is The World's First eLearning Platform Built For And By People Who Are Blind. Our Courses Are Designed To Equip People Who Are Blind Or Visually Impaired For Employment In The Modern Workforce. Learn More At Clusiv.Io.
Navigating the employment process can be challenging if you are blind or visually impaired. Technology is difficult to figure out, there is a lot of extra material to learn, and there isn't much quality training available.
That's where Clusiv comes in. We help to provide the training you need to succeed in the modern workforce. Our courses teach assistive technology skills and how to apply those skills to many of the business software programs used in the modern workforce, such as email, Microsoft and Google apps, video conferencing, and more. We also teach soft skills such as resume and interview preparation, disclosures and accommodations, internet safety, and financial literacy. Lastly, our training can teach specific career skills, such as becoming an accessibility analyst. Plus, our courses are self-paced.
To learn more, visit https://clusiv.io/ and fill out a form with your information. We work with state vocational rehabilitation agencies to provide access to our course content.
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.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Seeks Your Support at the Public Policy Level
Moving the public policy needle is both difficult and costly. Access Ready has one of the most experienced teams in the business who have shown results. We have fostered Congressional language on accessible websites, elections, healthcare, communications, and other areas touched by information and communications technologies. These efforts are costly and we need your help to continue. Become an Access Ready supporter and create an accessible future for people with disabilities:
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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.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Provides Access To The Best In The Business
If you need assistance with a new accessible website, document remediation or disability consulting of other kinds, Access Ready can help. We seek out the best in the business and bring them to you already vetted as to quality, professionalism and ability. By going through AccessReady.org to one of our qualified providers, you're not only getting the best, but supporting our advocacy and technological development efforts as well:
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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.
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What Technologies do you see in the market that are not accessible, but should be? What accessible technologies can you imagine that can make the lives of people with all kinds of disabilities better? We will advocate with developers to make existing technologies accessible on your behalf. We will advocate with developers to build new accessible technologies on your behalf. Give us your guidance and support. Your guidance charts our path toward what is most important. Your support funds our efforts on your behalf:
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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.
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Sponsor: APH ConnectCenter
➜ Classified Advertisement: Prepare For Your Future Today With The All-New APH ConnectCenter's Job Seekers Toolkit!
The APH ConnectCenter and NSITE have partnered to update the Job Seeker's Toolkit, an accessible, self-paced, free online training course. The Toolkit includes five sections covering self-awareness, career exploration tools, the preliminary employment process, the interview, and maintaining employment. We are bringing the Job Seeker's Toolkit to a larger audience and in a Learning Management System format for today's learners, at no cost. Visit APHCareerConnect.org to get started with the Job Seekers Toolkit today at:
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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: Menus4ALL
➜ Classified Advertisement: A Revolution in Resolution — Menus for Everyone
No matter when, where or who, the Menus4ALL iPhone app gives you the info you need quickly. No more multiple Google searches to research menus before going out. Info is organized to give you quick access to what you are looking for — the menu! Optimized to give you the best viewing experience. No more struggling to see small print, or looking at a menu in a dimly lit restaurant. Do you use magnification, large print, VoiceOver, a braille display or Voice Control? Enjoy 750,000 fully accessible menus. Download the app today at:
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/menus4all/id1640547801?platform=iphone
Sponsor Since: November 20th 2022
Website: https://www.menus4all.com/ 🌐️
Email: stephanie@menus4all.com 📧️
About: 750,000 Accessible Restaurant Menus. On your iPhone ® in the palm of your hand.
Yes, that's not a typo. The Menus4ALL iPhone app offers 500,000 accessible menus in the United States and 250,000 accessible menus in Canada.
Wherever you are and whenever you want The Menus4ALL iPhone app is the largest network of restaurant menus in one place and all of the menus are fully accessible.
Perfect for when you are out running errands and want to know what restaurants are near your current location. Great for planning a night out with friends. Favorite menus that you want to look at later or when you know you are going back for that amazing dish.
Download The App (Apple): https://apps.apple.com/us/app/menus4all/id1640547801?platform=iphone
Sponsor: WayAround
➜ Classified Advertisement: HURRY — Stock Up on WayTags Before Prices Increase on June 1!
WayAround is the best way to label things if you're blind or have low vision. You just need the free mobile app and some WayTags ® to label items in the kitchen, garden, closet, office & more. Prices on WayTags will increase on June 1, so stock up today on your favorite tags.
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Sponsor Since: November 18th 2022
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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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Summer Shows For Us = Summer Savings for Everyone! 25% Off Anything In Our Store With Code "Show2023", Good Until July 31!
With Pneuma Solutions back in action at summer conventions, it is time once again for some unbeatable deals! And you're going to love this one... 25% off anything! That's right, anything! With the only exception being Sero due to its separate purchase process, anything available for purchase in our store via Stripe is 25% off for the month of July! RIM Personal for your machine at home? $74.25! Need to scale up? No problem, your 25% will be applied to the new price! Missed out on the Community Support discount? Never fear, you can still slash $37.25 off the $149 price, making the price $111.75! Scribe scans, credits and subscriptions are also covered. And the best part? You don't even have to pick which item to use it on! Purchase as many items as you need, and use this code on all of them! From now until July 31, you can spend 25% less and receive 100% of Pneuma's best in accessible remote desktop and document remediation! Use code show2023 for 25% off anything in our store til 07/31!
https://pneumasolutions.com/summer-shows-for-us-summer-savings-for-everyone/
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.
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Access Information News is the world's leading not-for-profit access information news publication that reaches over 15,000 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.
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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
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Editorial Contributor #1: John Hanlin (Volunteer)
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Location: Boulder, Colorado
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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.
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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 advocacy foundation.
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.
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Editorial Contributor (2022-Present)
Access Information News
The Week's News in Access Information
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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.
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
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The Week's News in Access Technology
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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.
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Access Information News for Monday, July 3, 2023 - Volume 917
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.
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Ongoing Distribution Made Possible By Support From: Pneuma Solutions, WayAround, Menus4ALL, 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.
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Submit your Access Information News Item for free, with timing and placement determined by our editors, here: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-news. Submit a Sponsored News Item, with timing and placement determined by you, here: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-sponsored-news.
1) Top 5 Most Clicked Access Information News Articles From Last Week
A.) 10 Daily Habits to Keep Your Eyes in Top Shape | CNet
Don't take your eyes for granted. These daily habits will improve your eyesight and eye health in the long run:
https://www.cnet.com/health/personal-care/10-daily-habits-to-keep-your-eyes-in-top-shape/
B.) AI Advancements In Ophthalmology: What's New In 2023 So Far | Modern Retina Ophthalmology
This year has already seen new advancements in technology that have the power to change the way that ophthalmologists image, diagnose, and monitor patients and their conditions. The rapid pace of news can make it difficult to keep with the ever-evolving industry. As new tools and treatments come to market, it can be important to take stock of how these products and solutions have moved through development and testing:
https://www.modernretina.com/view/ai-advancements-in-ophthalmology-what-s-new-in-2023-so-far
C.) Guide Dog Etiquette: Don't Distract Guide Dogs | Beyond Vision | YouTube
Learn the dos and don'ts while walking past a guide dog team:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jg4wpQaykKs
D.) The Pandemic Perpetrators — Who Are They? | Award Winning Sight Loss Coach, Advocate and Author Donna Jodhan
They are never going to go away and now we need to work on ways to curtail their activities:
https://sterlingcreations.com/blog/the-pandemic-perpetrators-who-are-they
E.) First-Ever Adaptive Mountain Bike Trail Network in Vermont Open Accessibility for All Users
There's nothing better than that ribbon of dirt surrounded by nature on a mountain bike. Sailing through the trees, maneuvering over rocks, launching off jumps. And in Vermont, they've been working to widen the ribbon so that more people can get in on the action. Vermont is opening its first fully adaptive mountain bike trail system — The Driving Range — on 256 acres of private land in Bolton. The project has been a collaboration between Richmond Mountain Trails (RMT), the Kelly Brush Foundation, Vermont Mountain Bike Association (VMBA), a variety of local businesses, and community volunteers:
https://www.bicycling.com/news/a44199658/adaptive-mountain-bike-trails-vermont/
2) 5 Sponsorship Packages Currently Available
Are you an access-based person, business or organization whose products, services or message would benefit from reaching over 15,000 access professionals 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 professionals in the world today, at a nearly negligible advertising cost, please consider becoming an Access Information News Sponsor while packages last. Availability: There are currently 5 Access Information News Sponsorship Packages remaining. 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 2nd issue of the 60 Most Clicked Access News Articles for April, May and June of 2023 on Monday, July 3, 2023. Back Issues: There is currently 1 back issue 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:
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6) NLS (National Library Service For The Blind and Print Disabled Library of Congress) Launches Listserv for Patrons
Want to learn how to make the most of the services NLS provides? The NLS Patron Engagement Section now hosts an announce-only listserv that will include information and updates about NLS programs, services, and products that might be of interest to patrons. New posts will be added to the list a few times a week. If you are interested in signing up for this listserv, please send your name and email address to the Patron Engagement Section at nlspes@loc.gov 📧️. You will be able to unsubscribe yourself from the list at any time.
7) New USPS Policies For Package Pickup
The United States Postal Service (USPS) has instituted new policies for pickup of packages such as braille and digital books due to staff shortages, turnover, and seasonal workers. USPS requests that patrons use the online form at https://tools.usps.com/schedule-pickup-steps.htm External to schedule pickup of library materials. If you do not have computer or Internet access, you may call USPS at 800-ASK-USPS 📱️ (800) 275-8777 📱️ or reach out to your network library for assistance.
8) Aira To Extend Its Legacy Subscription Plans For Another Year
Aira will be extending the previously planned December 2023 deadline on consumer subscriptions by one additional year:
https://aira.io/the-aira-connection-summer-2023/
9) Voice Cards, Video Calls: 5 Innovations In Accessibility And Banking | American Banker
Banks are finding creative ways to make their "offline" services — from branches to debit cards to contact centers — more accessible to people with disabilities:
https://www.americanbanker.com/list/voice-cards-video-calls-5-innovations-in-accessibility-and-banking
10) The Best Online Hearing Tests of 2023 | CNET
Measure your hearing health from the comfort of your home with these top hearing tests:
https://www.cnet.com/health/medical/best-online-hearing-tests/#ftag=CAD590a51e
11) How Reddit's Announced Changes Affects Blind Users
Reddit has announced changes that will restrict the use of third-party apps. More than 8,000 subreddit communities shut down in protest, including r/Blind. Moderators for the community, which was created for users who are blind, say the change will drastically reduce accessibility. Co-host Ben Brock Johnson speaks with two moderators of r/Blind — Sam Proulx and Noah Carver — about their concerns:
https://www.wbur.org/endlessthread/2023/06/28/reddit-api-blind
12) iPad Busts Teachers Abusing Special Needs Kids At UK School | Apple Insider
A pupil at a UK special education needs school recorded a whole day's audio on an iPad, and what was discovered has led to firings and apologies:
https://appleinsider.com/articles/23/06/26/ipad-busts-teachers-abusing-special-needs-kids-at-uk-school?utm_medium=rss
13) The Future Is Disabled | MIT Technology Review: Subscription Required
We need to take steps toward a more inclusive future — one that we all can inhabit:
https://www.technologyreview.com/2023/06/28/1074350/future-is-disabled/
14) Braille Institute Names Winners of the 2023 Braille Challenge | June 26, 2023
51 Visually Impaired Children From U.S. and Canada Invited To Compete in the Only Academic Competition of Its Kind. Braille Institute proudly announced the winners of the 2023 Braille Challenge this past Saturday at the Finals Award Ceremony held at the University of Southern California campus:
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/braille-institute-names-winners-of-the-2023-braille-challenge-301862696.html
15) Aira Names Geoffrey Peddle Chief Technology Officer
Aira, the leading global provider of Visual Interpreter Services (VIS), is proud to announce and welcome Geoffrey Peddle to the leadership team. We asked Geoffrey about his background, deep experience in Artificial Intelligence and passion for building high performing tech teams solving hard problems:
https://aira.io/aira-names-geoffrey-peddle-chief-technology-officer/
16) An Interactive, Virtual, Visual Braille Writing Grid Designed To Help Teachers And Artists Create Braille Images. Because Dots Can Only Be Placed In Standard Braille Cells, The Resulting Design Will Be Genuine Braille Art.
This unique, interactive brailler grid is a useful tool for artists and teachers who want to use braille characters to create pictures. Dots can only be plotted in standard braille cells, but each dot can be colored which often makes designing pictures a little easier. Although the site is in German (English coming soon), the tool can be used without knowing German:
https://www.brailleart.org/de/brailleraster.html
17) New Accessibility Help Guide Available For Washington Post Website
On June 27, 2023 The Washington Post announced that an accessibility help guide is available on The Post's website, explaining various accessibility settings for consuming Post content on the site and mobile app. Living within The Post's online Help Center, the guide was created to help ensure a user-friendly experience for all readers, including readers with disabilities. The guide is the next step in publicizing The Post's accessibility efforts, which already include guidelines in The Post's open-source design system:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/pr/2023/06/27/new-accessibility-help-guide-available-washington-post-website/
18) These Apps Empower Visually Impaired Users With Virtual Labels And Image Exploration | Cool Blind Tech
Visually impaired individuals can now leverage the power of two apps, developed by a team at the University of Michigan, to enhance their everyday experiences using iPhones. These apps, VizLens and ImageExplorer, provide valuable features such as virtual labels for control panels and the ability to explore images through touch and audio feedback:
https://coolblindtech.com/these-apps-empower-visually-impaired-users-with-virtual-labels-and-image-exploration/
19) Reddit Controversy Continues, With Disabled Moderators Criticizing Latest News | 9to5Mac
There's no sign of any letup in the Reddit controversy. After the company threatened protesting moderators, it's now facing kickback from moderators with disabilities:
https://9to5mac.com/2023/06/26/reddit-controversy-accessibility/
20) Muscular Dystrophy Patients Get First Gene Therapy | June 22, 2023 | NPR
In an eagerly anticipated decision, the Food and Drug Administration Thursday approved the first gene therapy for muscular dystrophy. "Today's approval addresses an urgent unmet medical need and is an important advancement in the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a devastating condition with limited treatment options, that leads to a progressive deterioration of an individual's health over time," said Dr. Peter Marks, director of the FDA's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, in a statement:
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2023/06/22/1183576268/muscular-dystrophy-patients-get-first-gene-therapy
21) How Estée Lauder Builds Technology To Foster Inclusivity
There's "a huge group of people that deserve more from the beauty industry and from technology," CIO Michael Smith said:
https://www.ciodive.com/news/Estee-Lauder-Companies-CIO-technology-accessibility-inclusivity/653281/
22) Fact Sheet: Biden-Harris Administration Announces Over $40 Billion to Connect Everyone in America to Affordable, Reliable, High-Speed Internet | The White House
High-speed internet is no longer a luxury — it is necessary for Americans to do their jobs, to participate equally in school, access health care, and to stay connected with family and friends. Yet, more than 8.5 million households and small businesses are in areas where there is no high-speed internet infrastructure, and millions more struggle with limited or unreliable internet options. Just like Franklin Delano Roosevelt's Rural Electrification Act brought electricity to nearly every home and farm in America, President Biden and Vice President Harris are delivering on their historic commitment to connect everyone in America to reliable, affordable high-speed internet by the end of the decade:
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/06/26/fact-sheet-biden-harris-administration-announces-over-40-billion-to-connect-everyone-in-america-to-affordable-reliable-high-speed-internet/
23) The Role Of Speech Input Software In Accessibility | Accessibility.com
As a cornerstone of modern accessibility, speech input software opens doors for people with motor limitations, learning disabilities, or those who find hands-free computing more convenient. It offers them a seamless alternative to connect and engage with the digital realm. In this post, we will explore the variety of speech recognition technology available in the market today and how you can use it to promote a more user-friendly digital environment for everyone:
https://www.accessibility.com/blog/the-role-of-speech-input-software-in-accessibility
24) How Do I Check If My Website Is WCAG Compliant (And Does It Need To Be)? | Allyant
One of the most common questions we get from organizations interested in digital accessibility is simply, "Is my website compliant?" While this may seem like a simple question, there are many additional layers to peel back on when determining the short or long answer. This article will break down these layers and outline some ways to determine the answer. Additionally, we will cover some ancillary topics, such as the relevance and potential impact of your website being WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) compliant:
https://allyant.com/how-do-i-check-if-my-website-is-wcag-compliant-does-it-need-to-compliant/
25) AudioEye Shares Results Of AI And Accessibility Study, Says It 'Illustrates Tremendous Potential' For Responsible Use | June 29, 2023 | Forbes: Subscription Required
Arizona-based web accessibility company AudioEye this week issued a press release in which they announced findings related to how generative AI can impact the disability community. The study examined the “effectiveness and impact of generative AI on identifying, fixing, and communicating accessibility issues that typically require expert review:”
https://www.forbes.com/sites/stevenaquino/2023/06/29/audioeye-shares-results-of-ai-and-accessibility-study-says-it-illustrates-tremendous-potential-for-responsible-use/?sh=2f3567d81898
26) Applause Global Accessibility Survey Shows Disconnect Between Making Accessibility a Priority and Achieving Conformance to WCAG 2.1 Standards
Applause, the world leader in testing and digital quality, announced on May 11, 2023 the results of its annual Accessibility and Inclusive Design Survey. The recently completed survey of more than 1,300 software testers, product engineers, legal professionals, software developers, QA and UX professionals across the globe, examines how companies prioritize accessibility when developing their digital experiences and how respondents rate their knowledge level regarding accessibility:
https://www.applause.com/applause-survey-accessibility-and-wcag
27) Accessible Audiobooks in a Post-CD World | American Libraries
Apps can provide service to low-vision patrons, but librarians need to prepare:
https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/blogs/the-scoop/accessible-digital-libraries-audiobook-apps/
28) Is AM Radio Dying? Not Any Time Soon... | Radio World
The author is senior vice president of broadcast radio and digital audio for Xperi. He was a founder of iBiquity Digital Corp., developer of HD Radio:
https://www.radioworld.com/columns-and-views/guest-commentaries/is-am-radio-dying-not-any-time-soon
29) Wayfair Class Action Alleges Website Not Accessible To Blind, Visually Impaired Users
Who: Plaintiff Seana Cromitie has filed a class action lawsuit against Wayfair LLC. Why: The Wayfair website is allegedly not compatible with screen-reading software, preventing visually-impaired individuals from being able to independently navigate the site and make purchases. Where: The Wayfair class action lawsuit was filed in New York federal court"
https://topclassactions.com/disability-class-action-lawsuit/wayfair-class-action-alleges-website-not-accessible-to-blind-visually-impaired-users/
30) Top Tips from a Web Accessibility Evaluator at WebAIM
I've been evaluating websites for accessibility with WebAIM for nearly two years. Evaluating a website can be a daunting task, as there are many components to evaluate: images, color, page structure, and more. Other important aspects to test include keyboard navigation, reflow, and screen reader compatibility. So, where should you begin? Here are a few things I've learned so far in my time as WebAIM's lead web accessibility evaluator:
https://webaim.org/blog/top-evaluation-tips/
31) How GM Is Moving Its Autos Into An Accessible And Inclusive Future
The cruise control function has been around since the late 1950s, allowing drivers to keep a constant speed. Today, this often-standard feature is not just for rolling along while resting your right foot; drivers have learned over time that maintaining speed saves gas, too, and it smooths out the start-and-stop motion of average highway driving:
https://www.popsci.com/technology/gm-auto-design-for-inclusivity/
32) Inclusive Design over Incidental Accessibility: Why Your Existing Remote Desktop Solution May Not Be Serving You as Well as You Think | Pneuma Solutions
It is easy for a visually impaired support technician or recipient to determine that Remote Incident Manager clearly surpasses any industry-standard offering. We even have a Self Advocacy Kit written from the point of view of a visually impaired support person. But we've all done comparison shopping at one time or another for anything from home/office renovation to a new phone upgrade, and that involves none other than making your own point-by-point comparison of each item derived from various spec sheets, online reviews, etc. This can be quite difficult for anyone who has not had direct experience with the product being looked into:
https://pneumasolutions.com/inclusive-design-over-incidental-accessibility-why-your-existing-remote-desktop-solution-may-not-be-serving-you-as-well-as-you-think/
33) Financial inclusion: UBA Launches Braille Account Opening Form For Visually Impaired
The United Bank for Africa (UBA) has launched a Braille account opening form to include those with visually impaired disabilities in the banking system:
https://www.thecable.ng/financial-inclusion-uba-launches-braille-account-opening-form-for-visually-impaired
34) The Truth About Traveling While Disabled
When it comes to accessibility, travel has a long way to go:
https://www.thrillist.com/travel/nation/traveling-while-disabled
35) Australian Story Produced An Episode Where Half The Interviewees Were Blind. This Is What We Learnt
One producer, one camera operator and two blind men rushing through Auckland Airport. There was a short window between our flight from Auckland to Samoa and we had to pretty much run to make the tight turnaround. Airports can be overwhelming for the most seasoned travelers. Add in blindness and it's a whole different story. Plus, we were filming the mad dash for an upcoming Australian Story. I had underestimated what would be required:
https://www.abc.net.au/news/backstory/2023-06-20/australian-story-blind-leading-blind-mick-curran-jamie-teh/102459988
36) Making Your Professional Events More Inclusive and Accessible | Jennifer Ringler | PR News
As a teen and young adult, I was extremely self-conscious about my disability. I felt like I was different, and everyone knew it — like, despite my best efforts to "pass" as able-bodied, I had a neon sign above my head that everyone but me could see that said, "BLIND GIRL." I spent the first 30 years of my life wishing that sign would go away and I could just be “like everybody else:”
https://www.prnewsonline.com/accessible-inclusive-professional-events/
37) Making Coding Education More Accessible for Blind and Visually Impaired Youth | Georgia Tech
A research team led by Brian Magerko is working to solve this problem by adapting EarSketch for blind and visually impaired youth:
https://news.gatech.edu/news/2023/06/21/making-coding-education-more-accessible-blind-and-visually-impaired-youth
38) The Assumption Syndrome — A Real Barrier Preventing Real Progress | Award Winning Sight Loss Coach, Advocate and Author Donna Jodhan
Donna truly believes that as long as companies continue to assume rather than engage they will continue to stay out of touch:
https://sterlingcreations.com/blog/the-assumption-syndrome-a-real-barrier-preventing-real-progress
39) Why An ADA-Compliant Website Saves Dollars And Makes Sense | June 28, 2023 | Technical.ly
Kimberly Klayman of law firm Ballard Spahr explains the legal, moral and financial benefits of website accessibility:
https://technical.ly/startups/ballard-spahr-website-ada-compliant/
40) Caption This: Why Subtitling Is Big Business Amid the Content Boom
Gen Z's affinity for watching content with captions on and the increasingly global nature of streaming are creating a massive market for transcribers — even as AI looms to take their jobs:
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/subtitling-big-business-content-boom-1235519270/
➜ Featured Webinars, Training Courses and Events
Submit your access information related Webinar, Training Course or Event for consideration within this section using this form: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-event.
July 1, 2023 through July 6, 2023 | NFB 2023 National Convention in Houston, Texas
The National Federation of the Blind is the transformative membership and advocacy organization of blind people. Every day we raise the expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. Each year we come together for important discussions, decisions, and information sharing. As an attendee, take advantage of the opportunity to: Network with thousands of blind role models. Connect with leaders in the field of blindness. Attend presentations on a variety of empowering topics. Learn about the latest in technology and innovation. And more! The convention is open to all. Important note: Our constitution states that only members of the Federation have the right to participate in decision-making when it comes to organizational policy. If you are not already a member, please connect with your state affiliate at:
https://nfb.org/about-us/state-affiliates
July 8, 2023 | Games for Windows Computers | TUG
7AM PT, 8AM MT, 9AM CT, 10AM ET, 2PM GMT
On Saturday, July 8, the Technology User Group (TUG) will showcase games for Windows computers. Many of you may be familiar with the RS Games and Quentin C Playroom platforms, but there are other options, too. In this session, we will profile both free and paid games. We will also provide resources to help you stay informed about new game releases and websites. 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
July 12, 2023 | Conquer Accessibility Challenges During Software Design & Development | TPGi
9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
Presenters: David Sloan, Practice Manager, UX, and Roxana Fischer, Product Manager, Blind and Low Vision Software. This presentation will provide insights into software development practices that focus on accessibility and usability. It will emphasize the significance of involving users in the earliest design and development stages to meet their needs. Also it will specifically delve into the challenges of developing screen reader and screen magnifier software; these tools offer users a different perspective on UI, which requires special considerations during development. The four key areas covered in this session include: Testing with real users. Using inclusive tools. Hiring users with disabilities. Gathering field feedback. Attendees will gain an understanding of how we design and develop our internal Assistive Technology:
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-july-12-at-12pm-et-conquer-accessibility-challenges-during-software-design-development/
July 25, 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
July 25, 2023 | U.S. Access Board Town Hall Meeting in Baltimore
10:30PM PT, 11:30PM MT, 12:30PM CT, 1:30PM ET, 5:30PM GMT
The U.S. Access Board will hold a public town hall meeting at the national headquarters of the National Federation of the Blind in Baltimore, Maryland. Presidentially appointed Access Board members and representatives from other federal member agencies will be present to hear from the local community about the state of accessibility in Baltimore and the D.C.-Maryland-Virginia area. Following the town hall meeting, there will be a reception and networking opportunity from 3:30 — 4:30 (ET), sponsored by the Maryland Department of Disabilities. The town hall meeting and reception are open to all members of the public. Please register for in-person attendance by July 1, 2023. To register, send an email to events@access-board.gov 📧️ with your name and organization. The Access Board invites in-person oral comments on accessibility. Registrants who wish to make in-person oral comments must indicate their request to speak when emailing events@access-board.gov. Public commenters will be allotted two minutes to make their comments
July 25, 2023 | Accessible Consumer Products and Services for Europe: Countdown to EAA 2025 | TPGi
7AM PT, 8AM MT, 9AM CT, 10AM ET, 2PM GMT
Presenter: Mitchell Evan, Senior Accessibility Engineer. In June 2025, Europe will begin enforcing new digital accessibility regulations for consumer products and services. In this webinar, you'll learn how you can meet your customers' diverse needs while fulfilling the requirements of the European Accessibility Act (EAA):
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-july-25-at-10pm-et-accessible-consumer-products-and-services-for-europe-countdown-to-eaa-2025/
July 27, 2023 | Understand, Test, Solve: Responsive Design | TPGi
9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
Presenter: Aaron Farber, Senior Accessibility Platform Consultant. TPGi's Accessibility Resource Center (ARC) platform empowers teams to solve common accessibility issues while growing their understanding over time. The monthly “Understand, Test, and Solve” webinar series covers fundamental concepts in accessibility. Attendees learn how to address the set of WCAG Success Criteria for each concept. Over the course of this series, teams achieve full WCAG coverage in their testing. So far, we've covered: Keyboard and Focus. Color Contrast. Page Structure and Navigation. Semantics. ARIA. The final webinar in this series covers responsive design — a design approach to make websites and apps responsive to user preferences and device capabilities. This webinar explains how accessibility guidelines are more about supporting people with low-vision and color-blindness to apply their own formatting to a site and less about supporting mobile devices.
Each attendee gains a clear understanding of what issues in responsive design constitute a WCAG failure. The objective is to clear up confusion about page magnification, text magnification, and pinch-to-zoom. This session is 30 minutes. Stay after the call for our 30-minute Q&A:
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-july-27-at-12pm-et-understand-test-solve-responsive-design/
August 22, 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 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
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 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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Sponsors may submit or update their Classified Advertisement at any time by submitting this short form: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-sponsor-classified.
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Be Productive and Enjoy Working With Leasey!
Leasey is your ultimate tool for productivity and fun. Directly from within JAWS for Windows, create text macros, shortcuts to folders and web pages, store notes under different categories and access them from any application.
Listen to over 80,000 radio stations. Quickly access over 80 news sources, seven-day hour-by-hour weather forecast, RSS feeds, podcasts, recipes, holiday dates, YouTube videos, Amazon and eBay. Do you have an ElBraille? There's no need to remember key sequences. Just type the Windows shortcut you want or create an abbreviation. Want enhanced access to apps such as WhatsApp, Twitter, Spotify and VLC Media Player? No problem. Use utilities such as mapping folders to drive letters or the special Leasey Start Menu, completely configurable. Hundreds of pages of documentation and audio tutorials through the LeaseyBites Podcast, available from major podcast directories. Leasey: a power house of tools for your JAWS screen-reader! | Follow us on Mastodon! | Learn more at:
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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.
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Sponsor: NSITE.org
➜ Classified Advertisement: NSITE Connects Employers With Talented People Who Are Blind Or Low-Vision And Supports Talent To Gain Employment
NSITE.org is the first non-profit organization, offering a continuum of services to connect employers with talented job seekers who are blind or low-vision and provides training, employment and career services to these job seekers. Using the NSITE Connect Job Board, which is designed exclusively for individuals who experience vision loss, employers can fill open positions with talent who are blind or have low vision. Job postings are also open to veterans. NSITE-U provides accessible on-demand and virtual instructor-led classes, programs and workshops to support career skills training and professional development for individuals who are blind or have low vision or are veterans. For more information about NSITE and all its services including a free Job Seekers Toolkit developed with APH, American Printing House for the Blind, visit us and use this form to reach NSITE's team for information about programs, classes and services, connect:
https://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.
NSITE Connect: Linking employers with talented individuals who are blind, low-vision, and/or veterans. Access the NSITE Connect Job Board here.About | Media | Employers | Job Seekers | Training Programs | Job Board | Contact Us
Sponsor: Clusiv
➜ Classified Advertisement: Clusiv Is The World's First eLearning Platform Built For And By People Who Are Blind. Our Courses Are Designed To Equip People Who Are Blind Or Visually Impaired For Employment In The Modern Workforce. Learn More At Clusiv.Io.
Navigating the employment process can be challenging if you are blind or visually impaired. Technology is difficult to figure out, there is a lot of extra material to learn, and there isn't much quality training available.
That's where Clusiv comes in. We help to provide the training you need to succeed in the modern workforce. Our courses teach assistive technology skills and how to apply those skills to many of the business software programs used in the modern workforce, such as email, Microsoft and Google apps, video conferencing, and more. We also teach soft skills such as resume and interview preparation, disclosures and accommodations, internet safety, and financial literacy. Lastly, our training can teach specific career skills, such as becoming an accessibility analyst. Plus, our courses are self-paced.
To learn more, visit https://clusiv.io/ and fill out a form with your information. We work with state vocational rehabilitation agencies to provide access to our course content.
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.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Seeks Your Support at the Public Policy Level
Moving the public policy needle is both difficult and costly. Access Ready has one of the most experienced teams in the business who have shown results. We have fostered Congressional language on accessible websites, elections, healthcare, communications, and other areas touched by information and communications technologies. These efforts are costly and we need your help to continue. Become an Access Ready supporter and create an accessible future for people with disabilities:
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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.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Provides Access To The Best In The Business
If you need assistance with a new accessible website, document remediation or disability consulting of other kinds, Access Ready can help. We seek out the best in the business and bring them to you already vetted as to quality, professionalism and ability. By going through AccessReady.org to one of our qualified providers, you're not only getting the best, but supporting our advocacy and technological development efforts as well:
https://accessready.org/
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.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Seeks Guidance On New Accessible Technologies
What Technologies do you see in the market that are not accessible, but should be? What accessible technologies can you imagine that can make the lives of people with all kinds of disabilities better? We will advocate with developers to make existing technologies accessible on your behalf. We will advocate with developers to build new accessible technologies on your behalf. Give us your guidance and support. Your guidance charts our path toward what is most important. Your support funds our efforts on your behalf:
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Sponsor Since: December 1st 2022
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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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Prepare For Your Future Today With The All-New APH ConnectCenter's Job Seekers Toolkit!
The APH ConnectCenter and NSITE have partnered to update the Job Seeker's Toolkit, an accessible, self-paced, free online training course. The Toolkit includes five sections covering self-awareness, career exploration tools, the preliminary employment process, the interview, and maintaining employment. We are bringing the Job Seeker's Toolkit to a larger audience and in a Learning Management System format for today's learners, at no cost. Visit APHCareerConnect.org to get started with the Job Seekers Toolkit today at:
https://aphcareerconnect.org/lesson-plans-for-teachers-and-professionals/the-job-seekers-toolkit/
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: Menus4ALL
➜ Classified Advertisement: A Revolution in Resolution — Menus for Everyone
No matter when, where or who, the Menus4ALL iPhone app gives you the info you need quickly. No more multiple Google searches to research menus before going out. Info is organized to give you quick access to what you are looking for — the menu! Optimized to give you the best viewing experience. No more struggling to see small print, or looking at a menu in a dimly lit restaurant. Do you use magnification, large print, VoiceOver, a braille display or Voice Control? Enjoy 750,000 fully accessible menus. Download the app today at:
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/menus4all/id1640547801?platform=iphone
Sponsor Since: November 20th 2022
Website: https://www.menus4all.com/ 🌐️
Email: stephanie@menus4all.com 📧️
About: 750,000 Accessible Restaurant Menus. On your iPhone ® in the palm of your hand.
Yes, that's not a typo. The Menus4ALL iPhone app offers 500,000 accessible menus in the United States and 250,000 accessible menus in Canada.
Wherever you are and whenever you want The Menus4ALL iPhone app is the largest network of restaurant menus in one place and all of the menus are fully accessible.
Perfect for when you are out running errands and want to know what restaurants are near your current location. Great for planning a night out with friends. Favorite menus that you want to look at later or when you know you are going back for that amazing dish.
Download The App (Apple): https://apps.apple.com/us/app/menus4all/id1640547801?platform=iphone
Sponsor: WayAround
➜ Classified Advertisement: HURRY — Stock Up on WayTags Before Prices Increase on June 1!
WayAround is the best way to label things if you're blind or have low vision. You just need the free mobile app and some WayTags ® to label items in the kitchen, garden, closet, office & more. Prices on WayTags will increase on June 1, so stock up today on your favorite tags.
https://www.wayaround.com/shop/?utm_source=AssistiveTech&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=AccessInfoNewsSponsorAd
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Last Day To Enter RIM It To Win It! Comment On Our Blog, Enter To Win!
With the recent addition of cross-platform support to our Remote Incident Manager, the world's first truly accessible remote desktop support package is going through some exciting times. To celebrate, we gave you - the users - the opportunity to let us know just how excited you are about RIM! For the past two weeks, we have received many amazing stories of how RIM has changed the way you give or receive technical support! We would like to sincerely thank all of you who have submitted. All entrants have been placed in the running for some outstanding prizes, including day passes and hours as well as a year of our Community Support package for the low low price of $0.00 (a $150 value!). And the best part? There's still time for you to submit! We will be accepting submissions until midnight tonight, so let us know how RIM has impacted you! We will have some exciting news for all entrants, so be sure to stay tuned!
https://pneumasolutions.com/rim-it-to-win-it/
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: Living Blindfully
➜ Classified Advertisement: Be Informed First. Join Living Blindfully Plus
Whether it's a product demo, a hot topic or an in-depth interview, the Living Blindfully podcast is a must-hear to find out what's on the mind of the blind community. Ensure you're among the first to be in the know. Join Living Blindfully Plus to receive episodes three days before they're public. Pay what you can afford or what you think it's worth. Set it and forget it with a recurring subscription which you can cancel any time, or just pay for a single month, the choice is yours. And when you subscribe to Living Blindfully Plus, you're supporting an important resource for the blind community where the global conversation continues every week. Join today and enjoy your Plus benefits immediately.
https://LivingBlindfully.com/plus
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.
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About: Access Information News is the world's leading not-for-profit access information news publication that reaches over 15,000 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.
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Access Information News is the world's leading not-for-profit access information news publication that reaches over 15,000 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.
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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 Access Technology
https://toptechtidbits.com 🌐️
Sr. Project Management Professional (2006 - Present)
Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd.
Innovative ideas. Solutions that perform.
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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 Access 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 advocacy foundation.
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 Access Technology
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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.
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 Access 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, June 26, 2023 - Volume 916
The Week's News in Access Information
https://accessinformationnews.com/
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: 10,359 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 Asks About Your Priorities In The 2024 Presidential Contest
Countering The GOP's war on Woke? Supporting The GOP's war on Woke? The dictionary definition of Woke is: "Being conscious of racial discrimination in society and other forms of oppression and injustice." So, if you're anti "Woke", then you support the reverse of this definition. Right? The economy of people with disabilities? This must encompass all levels of the disability economy including the massive unemployment rate of 70% through threats to safety net programs that in many cases mean life itself. Protecting civil rights in general and in the digital space in particular? It is remarkable that the party of civil rights who freed the slaves now seems to be working overtime to curtail those rights. Should we not have a discussion about digital civil rights as a separate legal issue? None of the above? Perhaps many wish that the presidential political campaigns could hold off before they crowd the airwaves and mailboxes.
Ongoing Distribution Made Possible By Support From: Pneuma Solutions, WayAround, Menus4ALL, 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,
Submit your Access Information News Item for free, with timing and placement determined by our editors, here: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-news. Submit a Sponsored News Item, with timing and placement determined by you, here: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-sponsored-news.
1) Top 5 Most Clicked Access Information News Articles From Last Week
A.) Non-Invasive Glucose Monitoring: Hope or Hype?
For years, people with diabetes have sought out an accurate way to measure glucose without the need for finger sticks or fluid samples. Here's a look at the latest in research and development of non-invasive glucose monitoring devices:
https://www.diabetesdaily.com/blog/non-invasive-glucose-monitoring-hope-or-hype-2-712106/
B.) United Airlines Class Action Alleges Airline's Website Not Accessible To Legally Blind Customers
Who: A blind woman has sued United Airlines. Why: The plaintiff says the airline's website is not accessible to those using a screen reader, in violation of the law. Where: The United Airlines class action lawsuit website was filed in an Illinois federal court. What are my options:
https://topclassactions.com/disability-class-action-lawsuit/united-airlines-class-action-alleges-airlines-website-not-accessible-to-legally-blind-customers/
C.) Listen Technologies Launches ListenWiFi
Listen Technologies Corporation, a leading provider of advanced wireless listening solutions for 25 years, announced the launch of ListenWIFI at InfoComm 2023:
https://hearingreview.com/inside-hearing/industry-news/listen-technologies-launches-listenwifi
D.) Blind Ohio Woman Returns From Mars Simulation, Promotes Accessibility
A Bowling Green woman just returned home from a so-called Mars colony in Arizona. She had one mission: making sure space is accessible for everyone:
https://www.13abc.com/2023/06/06/local-woman-returns-mars-simulation-promotes-accessibility/
E.) How To Write Hyperlink Text For Better Web Accessibility
Links. They help us navigate from one place to another. But sometimes it's tricky to know how to write useful link text:
https://business.scope.org.uk/article/how-to-write-better-link-text-for-accessibility
2) Sponsored by Clusiv: Discover Must Have Soft Skills For Success In The Modern Workforce For The Blind Community By Registering For This Webinar!
If you are blind or visually impaired and looking to achieve your career goals, click the link to register for this webinar and come prepared to learn the essential soft skills that are foundational to your success in employment, and most every area of life you navigate. Our presenters have decades of their own lived experience being blind, have interacted with hundreds of others in the blind community in their career journey, and want to share the three key foundational soft skills you need to succeed in the modern workforce to help you achieve your goals. This webinar will be Wednesday, June 28th, at 12:00 PM Central Time. Click the link to register and get access to the Zoom link information. If you can't make it you can still register so you can receive a follow up email with the recording link:
https://bit.ly/3NIUmBA
3) 5 Sponsorship Packages Currently Available
Are you an access-based person, business or organization whose products, services or message would benefit from reaching over 15,000 access professionals 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 professionals in the world today, at a nearly negligible advertising cost, please consider becoming an Access Information News Sponsor while packages last. Availability: There are currently 5 Access Information News Sponsorship Packages remaining. Advertising Benefits: Review a complete list of advertising benefits here:
https://www.accessinformationnews.com/sponsorship-information.html#sponsorship-package-benefits
4) Premium Subscriber Updates
Next Issue: Premium Subscribers will receive their 2nd issue of the 60 Most Clicked Access News Articles for April, May and June of 2023 on Monday, July 3, 2023. Back Issues: There is currently 1 back issue 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
5) 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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In addition to receiving Access Information News via email every Monday morning at 6:00 AM ET you can also pick up the newsletter and its trending articles on any of the following channels:
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7) Reddit Is About To Get A Little Less Accessible | The Verge
/r/TranscribersOfReddit, a community that transcribes things that appear on other subreddits, will be shutting down on June 30, 2023:
https://www.theverge.com/2023/6/23/23771396/reddit-subreddit-community-transcribers-accessibility
8) Reddit Empowers Moderators With Enhanced Accessibility Features
Social discussion platform Reddit is bringing new accessibility updates for moderators, starting next month. "We are committed to making it easy for mods using assistive technology to moderate using Reddit's iOS and Android apps," u/joyventure, Director of Product at Reddit focused on accessibility and the performance, stability and quality of the web, iOS and Android platforms, said in a post:
https://telanganatoday.com/reddit-empowers-moderators-with-enhanced-accessibility-features
9) Accessibility is Officially Recognized as a Cybersecurity Priority | Justin Merhoff | Deque
When I joined Deque almost a year ago as the Director of Security, I became acutely aware of the importance of accessibility in cybersecurity. Through my research, I found that not only are cybersecurity solutions in most organizations not accessible for end users, but most tools used by cybersecurity professionals themselves also are not accessible to people with disabilities. This makes it extremely difficult — if not impossible — for people with disabilities to work in cybersecurity:
https://www.deque.com/blog/accessibility-is-officially-recognized-as-a-cybersecurity-priority/
10) AI Advancements In Ophthalmology: What's New In 2023 So Far | Modern Retina Ophthalmology
This year has already seen new advancements in technology that have the power to change the way that ophthalmologists image, diagnose, and monitor patients and their conditions. The rapid pace of news can make it difficult to keep with the ever-evolving industry. As new tools and treatments come to market, it can be important to take stock of how these products and solutions have moved through development and testing:
https://www.modernretina.com/view/ai-advancements-in-ophthalmology-what-s-new-in-2023-so-far
11) First-Ever Adaptive Mountain Bike Trail Network in Vermont Open Accessibility for All Users
There's nothing better than that ribbon of dirt surrounded by nature on a mountain bike. Sailing through the trees, maneuvering over rocks, launching off jumps. And in Vermont, they've been working to widen the ribbon so that more people can get in on the action. Vermont is opening its first fully adaptive mountain bike trail system — The Driving Range — on 256 acres of private land in Bolton. The project has been a collaboration between Richmond Mountain Trails (RMT), the Kelly Brush Foundation, Vermont Mountain Bike Association (VMBA), a variety of local businesses, and community volunteers:
https://www.bicycling.com/news/a44199658/adaptive-mountain-bike-trails-vermont/
12) Guide Dog Etiquette: Don't Distract Guide Dogs | Beyond Vision | YouTube
Learn the dos and don'ts while walking past a guide dog team:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jg4wpQaykKs
13) 10 Daily Habits to Keep Your Eyes in Top Shape | CNet
Don't take your eyes for granted. These daily habits will improve your eyesight and eye health in the long run:
https://www.cnet.com/health/personal-care/10-daily-habits-to-keep-your-eyes-in-top-shape/#ftag=CAD590a51e
14) Wheelchair Users Fight For Easier Air Travel Axios
Accessibility advocates are fighting for new rules that would ease air travel for passengers needing extra assistance — especially those requiring wheelchairs, who currently aren't allowed to sit in their own chair during flights. Why it matters: While airlines are banned from discriminating against disabled travelers, the reality for many involves broken wheelchairs, degrading treatment and ruined plans:
https://www.axios.com/2023/06/20/airlines-wheelchair-travel-accessibility
15) Five Screen Reader Accessibility Tests Your QA Team Should Do | TPGi
If your company is working on improving the accessibility of the website for people with disabilities, ensuring your content is accessible to screen reader users will be one of the focuses. As you and your team are busy making changes to your website, software and other digital assets to ensure they're accessible, you will likely have a lot of questions:
https://www.tpgi.com/five-screen-reader-accessibility-tests-your-qa-team-should-do/
16) Active Learning With Judo: Martial Arts Empowers Visually Impaired Students
Publisher (Di Blasi): I like to use Publisher comments to share tips, tricks and experience that I've picked up throughout my career as it relates to the news items featured in each publication. And I simply cannot overstate the impact that training in martial arts has had on my life, and the lives of those with disabilities that I have trained with. For those of you that know the former Publisher of Top Tech Tidbits, Larry Lewis, martial arts is how he and I met, and how I ultimately became the Publisher of Tidbits as well. I studied traditional Korean Taekwondo from 1998 to 2012. Over those 14 years I earned a 3rd Degree Black Belt under the late Grandmaster Moo Hwan Kim (out of Lyndhurst, Ohio), taught thousands of students of all abilities, and was a full contact competitor in over a thousand sparring matches, both traditional and Olympic style. So in short, an entire 14 years of my life was dedicated to martial arts, and nowhere else, to this day, have I ever seen persons with disabilities thrive in a more belonging environment. It may seem counterintuitive, but martial arts is truly special. Especially for those with disabilities.
KSL.com: What began as an experiment at a school a couple of years ago soon turned into an empowering opportunity for the students, providing them with a PE credit and a life skill they can practice for years to come. It was the end of the semester for high school students at the Utah Schools for the Deaf and Blind in Ogden. Inside the gymnasium, a judo tournament and belt promotion ceremony was taking place. This marked the end of students' year-long training with coaches from USA Stars Judo Club:
https://www.ksl.com/article/50667002/active-learning-with-judo-martial-arts-empowers-visually-impaired-students
17) Audacy Signs on With TuneIn | Radio World
Media company puts its 250 station streams and podcast library on the platform:
https://www.radioworld.com/news-and-business/audacy-signs-on-with-tunein
18) FCC Discusses Plans to Shut Down ATSC OTA TV 1.0 As it Moves to ATSC 3.0 Nextgen TV
At the Advanced Television System Committee's 40th anniversary meeting, the future of NetGen TV's ATSC 3.0 was discussed. 3.0 is currently available in over 60 markets. Could this mean 1.0 will soon shut down as 3.0 takes over?
https://cordcuttersnews.com/fcc-discusses-plans-to-shutdown-atsc-ota-tv-1-0-as-it-moves-to-atsc-3-0-nextgen-tv/
19) New California Assembly Bill on Website Accessibility Could Result in a Lawsuit Tsunami
Seyfarth Synopsis: AB 1757 would adopt WCAG 2.1 Level AA as the de facto standard for websites and mobile apps that can be accessed from California and impose liability for statutory damages on business establishments and website developers:
https://www.adatitleiii.com/2023/06/new-california-assembly-bill-on-website-accessibility-could-result-in-a-lawsuit-tsunami/
20) Inside the First Art Gallery for Blind Artists and Audiences
Feel free to touch the art at Envision Arts Gallery in Wichita, Kansas:
https://www.thrillist.com/travel/nation/envision-arts-gallery-wichita-kansas
21) Unlocking Kiosk Accessibility: Tips for Inclusive, Compliant Self-Service Experiences | Jon Avila | LevelAccess
Self-service kiosks are rapidly reshaping the way we shop and engage crucial services in daily life. From self-checkout stations in grocery stores to automated ticketing systems at transportation hubs, kiosks are increasingly replacing traditional face-to-face interactions. In fact, a Walgreens location in Chicago recently made headlines by unveiling a kiosk-only shopping system for all but two aisles' worth of goods:
https://www.levelaccess.com/blog/unlocking-kiosk-accessibility-tips-for-inclusive-compliant-self-service-experiences/
22) As A Disabled Woman, My Self-Portraits Help Me Reclaim My Body | ABC Every Day | Katie Brebner Griffin
Living with disability and/or chronic illness involves a lot being done to you: diagnostic testing; imaging; a circus of medications and side effects; medical procedures; surgeries. And that's when everything is stable. I have been experiencing severe reproductive disease since I was 14. Over time I became desensitized to the smorgasbord of interventions I was experiencing:
https://www.abc.net.au/everyday/self-portraits-help-me-reclaim-my-body/102472960
23) Services My 5-Month-Old Loves as Much as I Do | CNet
All of these meal kits are baby-tested and approved:
https://www.cnet.com/health/nutrition/3-baby-food-delivery-services-my-5-month-old-loves-as-much-as-i-do/#ftag=CAD590a51e
24) Disability:IN Launches 'Boards Are IN' Initiative To Boost Disability Representation in the Boardroom
Disability:IN, the global nonprofit driving disability inclusion in business, has introduced “Boards Are IN,” an initiative to accelerate the number of people with disabilities in corporate boardrooms and in executive suites. The campaign will engage companies, investors, regulatory bodies, stock exchanges and corporate stewardship organizations around effective ways to increase corporate board-level disability representation:
https://disabilityin.org/releases/disabilityin-launches-boards-are-in-initiative-to-boost-disability-representation-in-the-boardroom/
25) NewHaptics Raises Growth Capital From The Accelerate Blue Fund
NewHaptics, an innovative tactile display technology company, announced it has raised growth capital from the Accelerate Blue Fund. This represents the Company's first round of venture funding, and is a meaningful milestone towards commercializing an affordable refreshable braille and tactile graphics display:
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/newhaptics-raises-growth-capital-accelerate-161400386.html
26) Accessible Hiring Best Practices: 6 Steps to a More Inclusive Hiring Process | Allyant
Accessible hiring practices are essential for the long-term success and sustainability of organizations. This article will explore the concept of accessible hiring, define what an accessible workplace entails, and provide tips on increasing inclusivity in your hiring practices:
https://allyant.com/accessible-hiring-best-practices-6-steps-to-a-more-inclusive-hiring-process/
27) How To Build An Accessibility Champion Program: Tips From Accessibility Research Experts At Duo Security And Visa
In our latest edition of Experts with Fable, Amber Knabl, CPACC, Accessibility Strategy and Enablement Lead at Fable, sat down with Kaush Ganesh, Senior Design Researcher of Duo Security at Cisco, and Jennifer Smith, PCWA, Design Director of Accessibility at Visa to discuss learnings from their experiences building accessibility champion programs:
https://makeitfable.com/article/how-to-build-an-accessibility-champion-program/
28) The Pandemic Perpetrators — Who Are They? | Award Winning Sight Loss Coach, Advocate and Author Donna Jodhan
They are never going to go away and now we need to work on ways to curtail their activities:
https://sterlingcreations.com/blog/the-pandemic-perpetrators-who-are-they
29) From Barriers to Breakthroughs: A Person's Journey in Digital Accessibility | Equal Entry
How did Thomas Logan get started in accessibility? It all started in 2002 when he was a student at the University of North Carolina. There, he met Jason Morris, a graduate student at UNC. Jason needed access to the ancient maps as part of his work toward a degree in the Classics Department. Jason couldn't see the maps, so Thomas got involved in creating accessible ancient world maps:
https://equalentry.com/digital-accessibility-journey/
➜ Featured Webinars, Training Courses and Events
Submit your access information related Webinar, Training Course or Event for consideration within this section using this form: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-event.
June 27, 2023 | Blind, Equity, Inclusion Free Webinar | NSITE
11:30AM PT, 12:30PM MT, 1:30PM CT, 2:30PM ET, 6:30PM GMT
Learn about BEI (Blind, Equity & Inclusion) and how you can increase your ROI. Recognize unconscious bias; examine "blind spots" in your diversity hiring; recognize "diverse abilities"; identify the bottom line and ROIs of hiring this talent. Presented by NSITE's DEI Team Rikki Howie & Doug Goist:
https://bit.ly/NSITE-BEI
June 27, 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
June 28, 2023 | Must Have Soft Skills For Success In The Modern Workforce For The Blind Community | Clusiv
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
If you are blind or visually impaired and looking to achieve your career goals, click the link to register for this webinar and come prepared to learn some essential skills. Our presenters have decades of their own lived experience being blind, have interacted with hundreds of others in the blind community in their career journey, and want to share the three key foundational soft skills you need to succeed in the modern workforce to help you achieve your goals:
https://bit.ly/3NvfT0j
June 28, 2023 | JAWS: Tables in Word & HTML (Assistive Technology Webinar) | Access Ingenuity
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
Many JAWS users avoid tables in both Word and the internet because they don't have training in navigating tables using JAWS. Along with not navigating a table, people also believe that creating a table in Word is not accessible with JAWS. Join Michael Parker and Marisa Church to learn techniques, apply settings, navigate tables, and create tables using JAWS. Learning Outcomes: Navigating tables in Word. The different ways of navigating a table. Demonstrating column and row titles and how to set them using the JAWS quick settings. Inserting and deleting columns and rows. How to create a table. Navigating tables in HTML. Using smart navigation. | Meeting ID: 867 2021 6234 | Passcode: 157521 | One tap mobile: +16699009128,,86720216234#,,,,*157521# US (San Jose) | Dial by your location: +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose):
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86720216234?pwd=c1R2R3VRQ3J5RXZFd0QrNkRjOEtVdz09&mc_cid=83e69f69f3&mc_eid=90429c1885#success
June 29, 2023 | ElEdit Demonstration
9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
The ElEdit application is designed to create, read, edit and emboss Braille documents. ElEdit provides users with a complete environment for working with Braille documents. The app is designed for the ElBraille portable computer, but it can also be used on any standard Windows PC as a stand-alone solution for working with Braille embossers. During the webinar we will demonstrate how ElEdit works:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUrc-CoqTkuG92BsBopbYA4PEZNtT2RekbL#/registration
July 1, 2023 through July 6, 2023 | NFB 2023 National Convention in Houston, Texas
The National Federation of the Blind is the transformative membership and advocacy organization of blind people. Every day we raise the expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. Each year we come together for important discussions, decisions, and information sharing. As an attendee, take advantage of the opportunity to: Network with thousands of blind role models. Connect with leaders in the field of blindness. Attend presentations on a variety of empowering topics. Learn about the latest in technology and innovation. And more! The convention is open to all. Important note: Our constitution states that only members of the Federation have the right to participate in decision-making when it comes to organizational policy. If you are not already a member, please connect with your state affiliate at:
https://nfb.org/about-us/state-affiliates
July 12, 2023 | Conquer Accessibility Challenges During Software Design & Development | TPGi
9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
Presenters: David Sloan, Practice Manager, UX, and Roxana Fischer, Product Manager, Blind and Low Vision Software. This presentation will provide insights into software development practices that focus on accessibility and usability. It will emphasize the significance of involving users in the earliest design and development stages to meet their needs. Also it will specifically delve into the challenges of developing screen reader and screen magnifier software; these tools offer users a different perspective on UI, which requires special considerations during development. The four key areas covered in this session include: Testing with real users. Using inclusive tools. Hiring users with disabilities. Gathering field feedback. Attendees will gain an understanding of how we design and develop our internal Assistive Technology:
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-july-12-at-12pm-et-conquer-accessibility-challenges-during-software-design-development/
July 25, 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
July 25, 2023 | U.S. Access Board Town Hall Meeting in Baltimore
10:30PM PT, 11:30PM MT, 12:30PM CT, 1:30PM ET, 5:30PM GMT
The U.S. Access Board will hold a public town hall meeting at the national headquarters of the National Federation of the Blind in Baltimore, Maryland. Presidentially appointed Access Board members and representatives from other federal member agencies will be present to hear from the local community about the state of accessibility in Baltimore and the D.C.-Maryland-Virginia area. Following the town hall meeting, there will be a reception and networking opportunity from 3:30 — 4:30 (ET), sponsored by the Maryland Department of Disabilities. The town hall meeting and reception are open to all members of the public. Please register for in-person attendance by July 1, 2023. To register, send an email to events@access-board.gov 📧️ with your name and organization. The Access Board invites in-person oral comments on accessibility. Registrants who wish to make in-person oral comments must indicate their request to speak when emailing events@access-board.gov. Public commenters will be allotted two minutes to make their comments
July 25, 2023 | Accessible Consumer Products and Services for Europe: Countdown to EAA 2025 | TPGi
7AM PT, 8AM MT, 9AM CT, 10AM ET, 2PM GMT
Presenter: Mitchell Evan, Senior Accessibility Engineer. In June 2025, Europe will begin enforcing new digital accessibility regulations for consumer products and services. In this webinar, you'll learn how you can meet your customers' diverse needs while fulfilling the requirements of the European Accessibility Act (EAA):
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-july-25-at-10pm-et-accessible-consumer-products-and-services-for-europe-countdown-to-eaa-2025/
August 22, 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 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
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 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
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1) Access Information Email Newsletter Directory
https://accessinformationnews.com/email-newsletter-directory.html
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Sponsors may submit or update their Classified Advertisement at any time by submitting this short form: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-sponsor-classified.
Sponsor: Hartgen Consultancy
➜ Classified Advertisement: Be Productive and Enjoy Working With Leasey!
Leasey is your ultimate tool for productivity and fun. Directly from within JAWS for Windows, create text macros, shortcuts to folders and web pages, store notes under different categories and access them from any application.
Listen to over 80,000 radio stations. Quickly access over 80 news sources, seven-day hour-by-hour weather forecast, RSS feeds, podcasts, recipes, holiday dates, YouTube videos, Amazon and eBay. Do you have an ElBraille? There's no need to remember key sequences. Just type the Windows shortcut you want or create an abbreviation. Want enhanced access to apps such as WhatsApp, Twitter, Spotify and VLC Media Player? No problem. Use utilities such as mapping folders to drive letters or the special Leasey Start Menu, completely configurable. Hundreds of pages of documentation and audio tutorials through the LeaseyBites Podcast, available from major podcast directories. Leasey: a power house of tools for your JAWS screen-reader! | Follow us on Mastodon! | Learn more at:
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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.
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Sponsor: NSITE.org
➜ Classified Advertisement: NSITE Connects Employers With Talented People Who Are Blind Or Low-Vision And Supports Talent To Gain Employment
NSITE.org is the first non-profit organization, offering a continuum of services to connect employers with talented job seekers who are blind or low-vision and provides training, employment and career services to these job seekers. Using the NSITE Connect Job Board, which is designed exclusively for individuals who experience vision loss, employers can fill open positions with talent who are blind or have low vision. Job postings are also open to veterans. NSITE-U provides accessible on-demand and virtual instructor-led classes, programs and workshops to support career skills training and professional development for individuals who are blind or have low vision or are veterans. For more information about NSITE and all its services including a free Job Seekers Toolkit developed with APH, American Printing House for the Blind, visit us and use this form to reach NSITE's team for information about programs, classes and services, connect:
https://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.
NSITE Connect: Linking employers with talented individuals who are blind, low-vision, and/or veterans. Access the NSITE Connect Job Board here.About | Media | Employers | Job Seekers | Training Programs | Job Board | Contact Us
Sponsor: Clusiv
➜ Classified Advertisement: Clusiv Is The World's First eLearning Platform Built For And By People Who Are Blind. Our Courses Are Designed To Equip People Who Are Blind Or Visually Impaired For Employment In The Modern Workforce. Learn More At Clusiv.Io.
Navigating the employment process can be challenging if you are blind or visually impaired. Technology is difficult to figure out, there is a lot of extra material to learn, and there isn't much quality training available.
That's where Clusiv comes in. We help to provide the training you need to succeed in the modern workforce. Our courses teach assistive technology skills and how to apply those skills to many of the business software programs used in the modern workforce, such as email, Microsoft and Google apps, video conferencing, and more. We also teach soft skills such as resume and interview preparation, disclosures and accommodations, internet safety, and financial literacy. Lastly, our training can teach specific career skills, such as becoming an accessibility analyst. Plus, our courses are self-paced.
To learn more, visit https://clusiv.io/ and fill out a form with your information. We work with state vocational rehabilitation agencies to provide access to our course content.
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.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Seeks Your Support at the Public Policy Level
Moving the public policy needle is both difficult and costly. Access Ready has one of the most experienced teams in the business who have shown results. We have fostered Congressional language on accessible websites, elections, healthcare, communications, and other areas touched by information and communications technologies. These efforts are costly and we need your help to continue. Become an Access Ready supporter and create an accessible future for people with disabilities:
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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.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Provides Access To The Best In The Business
If you need assistance with a new accessible website, document remediation or disability consulting of other kinds, Access Ready can help. We seek out the best in the business and bring them to you already vetted as to quality, professionalism and ability. By going through AccessReady.org to one of our qualified providers, you're not only getting the best, but supporting our advocacy and technological development efforts as well:
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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.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Seeks Guidance On New Accessible Technologies
What Technologies do you see in the market that are not accessible, but should be? What accessible technologies can you imagine that can make the lives of people with all kinds of disabilities better? We will advocate with developers to make existing technologies accessible on your behalf. We will advocate with developers to build new accessible technologies on your behalf. Give us your guidance and support. Your guidance charts our path toward what is most important. Your support funds our efforts on your behalf:
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Sponsor Since: December 1st 2022
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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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Prepare For Your Future Today With The All-New APH ConnectCenter's Job Seekers Toolkit!
The APH ConnectCenter and NSITE have partnered to update the Job Seeker's Toolkit, an accessible, self-paced, free online training course. The Toolkit includes five sections covering self-awareness, career exploration tools, the preliminary employment process, the interview, and maintaining employment. We are bringing the Job Seeker's Toolkit to a larger audience and in a Learning Management System format for today's learners, at no cost. Visit APHCareerConnect.org to get started with the Job Seekers Toolkit today at:
https://aphcareerconnect.org/lesson-plans-for-teachers-and-professionals/the-job-seekers-toolkit/
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: Menus4ALL
➜ Classified Advertisement: A Revolution in Resolution — Menus for Everyone
No matter when, where or who, the Menus4ALL iPhone app gives you the info you need quickly. No more multiple Google searches to research menus before going out. Info is organized to give you quick access to what you are looking for — the menu! Optimized to give you the best viewing experience. No more struggling to see small print, or looking at a menu in a dimly lit restaurant. Do you use magnification, large print, VoiceOver, a braille display or Voice Control? Enjoy 750,000 fully accessible menus. Download the app today at:
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/menus4all/id1640547801?platform=iphone
Sponsor Since: November 20th 2022
Website: https://www.menus4all.com/ 🌐️
Email: stephanie@menus4all.com 📧️
About: 750,000 Accessible Restaurant Menus. On your iPhone ® in the palm of your hand.
Yes, that's not a typo. The Menus4ALL iPhone app offers 500,000 accessible menus in the United States and 250,000 accessible menus in Canada.
Wherever you are and whenever you want The Menus4ALL iPhone app is the largest network of restaurant menus in one place and all of the menus are fully accessible.
Perfect for when you are out running errands and want to know what restaurants are near your current location. Great for planning a night out with friends. Favorite menus that you want to look at later or when you know you are going back for that amazing dish.
Download The App (Apple): https://apps.apple.com/us/app/menus4all/id1640547801?platform=iphone
Sponsor: WayAround
➜ Classified Advertisement: HURRY — Stock Up on WayTags Before Prices Increase on June 1!
WayAround is the best way to label things if you're blind or have low vision. You just need the free mobile app and some WayTags ® to label items in the kitchen, garden, closet, office & more. Prices on WayTags will increase on June 1, so stock up today on your favorite tags.
https://www.wayaround.com/shop/?utm_source=AssistiveTech&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=AccessInfoNewsSponsorAd
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Remote Incident Manager for Mac: Cruising Right Along!
The development of Remote Incident Manager for Mac has hit several milestones in the past couple weeks. We've introduced the ability to control a Mac fully unattended, the implementation of seamless file transfers on Mac targets, and the ability to gracefully assist a Mac through a reboot process! For those of you who have yet to experience the world's first cross-platform fully accessible remote support package, get in on the action at: https://pneumasolutions.com/remote-incident-manager-for-mac-public-beta/! Giving and receiving help has never been easier or more accessible, particularly for our Mac crowd. Prepare for a seamless experience that will forever change the way you receive and/or provide remote support and training. And if something isn't working quite right, please don't hesitate to give us feedback at: https://pneumasolutions.com/contact/! Remote Incident Manager: For the first time ever, remote help for the Mac is just a keyword away.
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: Living Blindfully
➜ Classified Advertisement: Be Informed First. Join Living Blindfully Plus
Whether it's a product demo, a hot topic or an in-depth interview, the Living Blindfully podcast is a must-hear to find out what's on the mind of the blind community. Ensure you're among the first to be in the know. Join Living Blindfully Plus to receive episodes three days before they're public. Pay what you can afford or what you think it's worth. Set it and forget it with a recurring subscription which you can cancel any time, or just pay for a single month, the choice is yours. And when you subscribe to Living Blindfully Plus, you're supporting an important resource for the blind community where the global conversation continues every week. Join today and enjoy your Plus benefits immediately.
https://LivingBlindfully.com/plus
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.
Your Business or Organization Name Here
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About: Access Information News is the world's leading not-for-profit access information news publication that reaches over 15,000 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.
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Access Information News is the world's leading not-for-profit access information news publication that reaches over 15,000 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 5 of 18 Sponsorship Packages available. All 18 Sponsorship Packages are offered on a first-come, first serve basis.
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Support: In tandem with Our Sponsors, these are the people that make the ongoing distribution of Access Information News possible.
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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 Access 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 Access 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 advocacy foundation.
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 Access 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.
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 Access 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, June 19, 2023 - Volume 915
The Week's News in Access Information
https://accessinformationnews.com/
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: 10,369 Opt-In Subscribers were sent this issue via email. 25 Premium Subscribers were sent this issue via email.
This Week's Featured Advertisement: Join Industry Leaders And Begin Reaching Over 15,000 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 Distribution Made Possible By Support From: Pneuma Solutions, WayAround, Menus4ALL, 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,
Submit your Access Information News Item for free, with timing and placement determined by our editors, here: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-news. Submit a Sponsored News Item, with timing and placement determined by you, here: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-sponsored-news.
1) Top 5 Most Clicked Access Information News Articles From Last Week
A.) 2 Blind Passengers Say Being Ordered To Leave A Cruise Ship Before It Set Sail Was 'Humiliating': Report
Two blind passengers who were ordered to leave a cruise ship before it set sail said it was "humiliating" and that they "felt like criminals". Pam May and Jennie Bailie told ITV News they were asked to leave a P&O Cruises Ventura ship in May for "health and safety reasons:"
https://www.businessinsider.com/two-blind-passengers-say-were-told-leave-cruise-ship-humiliating-2023-6
B.) Best Smart Washing Machines 2023 | MakeUseOf
With a smart washing machine you can now receive notifications through an app or smart speaker to let you know the instant that your wash cycle has ended. They come with a host of customizable features and even offer more specialized wash cycles that can be downloaded to your machine. Schedule loads for particular times of day to suit your lifestyle, and even get alerts when essential maintenance is required to keep your machine running smoothly:
https://www.makeuseof.com/best-smart-washing-machines/
C.) Your Driver Has Arrived | Ophthalmic Edge
Ride-sharing apps offer a cash-free convenience, that is often quicker and cheaper than the taxis and car services we once depended on. They also add a most welcomed element of freedom to the non-driving population of people living with vision loss. While we were patiently awaiting the self-driving car, the transportation concept, formerly known as “taxicab,” was disrupted by technology. The driver is still completely necessary, but the method of getting a ride, where and when you want it, now is transacted entirely by mobile app. Uber and Lyft are the dominant services, and there are many others to choose from depending on your location. Being loyal to one app will keep the process within a comfort zone. Comparison shopping, among the services, will position you to take advantage of competitive deals. Making transportation more accessible, naturally has many upsides, and of course, there a few downsides as well. Here are some tips for overcoming the challenges:
https://ophthalmicedge.org/patient/your-driver-has-arrived/
D.) Apple's Journal App Needs To Read The Room | The Verge
Life isn't always happy, AI isn't always smart, and you should have a say about which memories you're open to reflecting on — and when:
https://www.theverge.com/23750998/apple-ios-17-journal-app-ai
E.) The Only Accessibility Specialist In The Room | Henry Swan | Tetra Logical
It's hard being the only one in your organization or team responsible for accessibility. If that sounds familiar, I salute you, and this one's for you. I've been thinking a lot recently about the challenges you face and some of the ways you can approach these, which I thought I'd throw into a post:
https://tetralogical.com/blog/2023/06/05/the-only-accessibility-specialist-in-the-room/
2) 5 Sponsorship Packages Currently Available
Are you an access-based person, business or organization whose products, services or message would benefit from reaching over 15,000 access professionals 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 professionals in the world today, at a nearly negligible advertising cost, please consider becoming an Access Information News Sponsor while packages last. Availability: There are currently 5 Access Information News Sponsorship Packages remaining. 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 2nd issue of the 60 Most Clicked Access News Articles for April, May and June of 2023 on Monday, July 3, 2023. Back Issues: There is currently 1 back issue 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:
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In addition to receiving Access Information News via email every Monday morning at 6:00 AM ET you can also pick up the newsletter and its trending articles on any of the following channels:
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6) Access Information News Click-To-Vote Quick Poll #914 Results | Sponsored By: Access Ready, Inc. | 231 Votes
Question: Access Ready Asks: What Are Your Top Priorities In The 2024 Presidential Election?
#1 | D.) Protecting civil rights in general and in the digital space in particular?
(52 Votes / 23% of all clicks.)
#2 | B.) Supporting The GOP's war on Woke?
(47 Votes / 20% of all clicks.)
#3 | E.) None of the above.
(46 Votes / 20% of all clicks.)
#4 | A.) Countering The GOP's war on Woke?
(43 Votes / 19% of all clicks.)
#5 | C.) The economy of People with disabilities?
(43 Votes / 19% of all clicks.)
Poll Results Link: https://bit.ly/ain-poll914-results
7) Opinion — Vision-Assist Goggles Are Not 'Creepy' | The Washington Post: Subscription Required
Publisher (Di Blasi): In this short piece the Washington Post attempts to gently walk back comments made by one of its writers on June 5, 2023. Link to the original article included.
Washington Post: The Post owes an apology to the visually impaired community. Molly Roberts's June 7 op-ed, “Apple's New Goggles Are Clunky And Creepy. Good.,” was, to say the least, insensitive:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/06/14/vision-assist-goggles-creepy/
8) How To Write Hyperlink Text For Better Web Accessibility
Links. They help us navigate from one place to another. But sometimes it's tricky to know how to write useful link text:
https://business.scope.org.uk/article/how-to-write-better-link-text-for-accessibility
9) The Secret Powers of Being Nearsighted or Farsighted | CNet
By 2050, researchers predict that about half of the world's population will be nearsighted. This probably isn't a coincidence, but instead may be a result of our environment and the way our eyes are adapting to the new tasks (and books, and screens) at hand, according to Dr. Viola Kanevsky, a past president of the New York State Optometric Association:
https://www.cnet.com/health/personal-care/the-secret-powers-of-being-nearsighted-or-farsighted/
10) Mid-Year Digital Accessibility Legal Landscape: Trends, Tips, and Predictions | Level Access
Digital accessibility lawsuits are not slowing down. And, when coupled with proposed rulemaking on the horizon, organizations across industries should be paying attention to the accessibility of their websites, apps and platforms. That's according to leading disability rights attorney, Eve Hill, a partner at Brown Goldstein & Levy. We caught up with her to discuss notable cases since January and the trends they indicate, impending regulations around web accessibility compliance, and how organizations should prepare to meet them:
https://www.levelaccess.com/blog/mid-year-digital-accessibility-legal-landscape-trends-tips-and-predictions/
11) Easterseals Announces Two-Year Grant of $1.3M From the Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation
Easterseals, the nation's leading nonprofit provider of services and advocacy for 61M individuals with disabilities in the United States, has received a two-year grant of $1.3M from the Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation to expand digital literacy training among young adults with disabilities in employment programs at seven Easterseals Affiliates nationwide while also funding a national study to determine digital equity and access among BIPOC populations with disabilities:
https://corporate.comcast.com/press/releases/easterseals-announces-two-year-grant-comcast-nbcuniversal-foundation
12) How, Along With Scriptalk, CVS's Rx Reader, Though A Completely Separate System From Scriptalk, Is Very Similar, And Also Identifies Prescribed Medications For Blind Patients | Accessibility Insights
In recent years I had heard about Scriptalk, a system where blind patients can get the information about their medications through NFC. Pharmacies who offer the Scriptalk service also may offer a dedicated device that can read the information, or the patient can decide to download the Scriptalk app and read it on their smartphone:
https://accessibility-insights.com/2023/06/14/how-along-with-scriptalk-cvss-rx-reader-though-a-completely-separate-system-from-scriptalk-is-very-simular-and-also-identifies-prescribed-medications-for-blind-patients/
13) Accessible Yearbooks | Perkins School for the Blind
The end of the school year often means signing yearbooks! How can your student get their yearbook signed in a format that they can read back? Paths to Literacy has great post on accessible yearbooks:
https://www.perkins.org/accessible-yearbooks/
14) Developing Apps With Accessibility In Mind | Accessibility.com
It's important to keep accessibility in mind when designing for accessibility, whether you're creating an app for personal or business use:
https://www.accessibility.com/blog/developing-apps-with-accessibility-in-mind
15) Utilizing Access Technology for Blind and Low Vision Accessibility in the Evaluation Process | APH
The use of technology in the classroom has changed vastly over the years. Finding the best tool or device to meet a student's needs is a challenge that all teachers and practitioners in the field of blindness and low vision face. We interviewed educator Sharon Lyttle to find out how the book Access Technology for Blind and Low Vision Accessibility has aided in the evaluation process:
https://www.aph.org/utilizing-access-technology-for-blind-and-low-vision-accessibility-in-the-evaluation-process/
16) California Congressman Introduces Accessible Tech Act | GovTech
Rep. Mike Thompson introduced the Access Technology Affordability Act, and if passed, it would provide a refundable $2,000 credit to blind and vision-impaired people to purchase equipment that allows them to work:
https://www.govtech.com/policy/california-congressman-introduces-accessible-tech-act
17) FCC Requires Video Conferencing Accessibility & Proposes ASL Support
https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-requires-video-conferencing-accessibility-proposes-asl-support
18) United Airlines Class Action Alleges Airline's Website Not Accessible To Legally Blind Customers
Who: A blind woman has sued United Airlines. Why: The plaintiff says the airline's website is not accessible to those using a screen reader, in violation of the law. Where: The United Airlines class action lawsuit website was filed in an Illinois federal court. What are my options:
https://topclassactions.com/disability-class-action-lawsuit/united-airlines-class-action-alleges-airlines-website-not-accessible-to-legally-blind-customers/
19) New Airplane Seat Concept Folds To Accommodate Wheelchair Users And Make Flying A Lot More Accessible | Assistive Technology Blog
Delta Flight Products (DFP), a subsidiary of Delta Airlines, has revealed a new airplane seat concept that allows wheelchair users to remain in their own chairs throughout a flight:
https://assistivetechnologyblog.com/2023/06/airplane-seat-concept-wheelchair-users.html
20) rblind.com: RBlind - A Community On Lemmy, Brought To You By The Moderators Of The /R/Blind Subreddit
https://rblind.com is a #Lemmy instance that now exists in alpha. We're still waiting on the next release of Lemmy with a bunch of promised #accessibility fixes, we still have to write sidebars and descriptions and rules and things, and I still need to work out the remaining infrastructure bits (realtime database backups, etc). But if you're blind, visually impaired, or otherwise interested in this community, and want to play with Lemmy to kick the tires, feel free to apply for an account. Please note that this is a project of its own, and doesn't mean the end of /r/blind on Reddit, and we're not asking or expecting anyone to migrate. We're just trying out new things, and this isn't ready for anyone but extremely early adopters. #a11y
https://equestria.social/@fastfinge/110544971178282550
21) Listen Technologies Launches ListenWIFI
Listen Technologies Corporation, a leading provider of advanced wireless listening solutions for 25 years, announced the launch of ListenWIFI at InfoComm 2023:
https://hearingreview.com/inside-hearing/industry-news/listen-technologies-launches-listenwifi
22) Optimizing Sound Quality to Reach More People with Tinnitus
The sound quality of Widex PureSound is tailored to people with milder hearing loss, including those with tinnitus:
https://hearingreview.com/hearing-loss/tinnitus/tinnitus-testing/optimizing-sound-quality-to-reach-more-people-with-tinnitus
23) Disability And Loneliness | Forbes: Subscription Required
It is National Loneliness Week in the UK from 12th to 18th June and in the US, a recent survey found that whilst loneliness is decreasing since the pandemic, still 17% of Americans report feeling lonely “most of the day.” The overlap between disability and loneliness is less of a Venn Diagram and more of two circles on top of each other; with disabled people experiencing four times the levels of loneliness of non-disabled people. Some researchers have called loneliness the “invisible enemy,” leading to lower life expectancy, yet being a feature of the barriers to travel, accessibility and societal understanding rather than related to the condition itself. How does this happen and how is it relevant to the workplace?
https://www.forbes.com/sites/drnancydoyle/2023/06/12/disability-and-loneliness/
24) APH Code Jumper and Summer Fun
APH's Code Jumper is designed for young children to begin exploring computer science ideas and coding through physical, tactile pods. Coding with APH Code Jumper allows your child to be part of the planning process, to change and reconstruct music, and to create stories. Reaching out to your TVI or state lending library to borrow APH Code Jumper this summer will allow you and your child to explore coding and create amazing songs, stories, and soundscapes:
https://familyconnect.org/blog/familyconnect-a-parents-voice/aph-code-jumper-and-summer-fun/
25) The Next Phase of Telehealth: Adapting to Post-Pandemic Healthcare Changes | Amanda Bernath | APH VisionAware
During the height of the pandemic, many services, including healthcare, education, shopping, and entertainment, shifted to online platforms. My favorite pandemic changes were the rise of online shopping and the expansion of delivery options and curbside pick-up. The new level of convenience was amazing, especially when it meant I didn't need to wrangle kiddos through the stores with me anymore or spend hours on-site selecting my desired goods:
https://visionaware.org/blog/visionaware-blog/the-next-phase-of-telehealth-adapting-to-post-pandemic-healthcare-changes/
26) Mindset Matters: What's Next In The Business Of Disability? | Forbes: Subscription Required
Firstly, it could be argued that the title of this week's column is a bit misleading. The fact remains that when we look at business through the lens of disability, we are always exploring areas that are intersectional, but even more so, the notion that what impacts the disability community has an inherent influence on us all. Looking at where we are today, we are living in uncertain complex, and interdependent times. The aftermath of a global pandemic has brought a heightened sense of turbulence that leaves us all questioning what we need moving forward. The business community is continuing to investigate what it needs in this 'new normal.' The disability narrative embraces change, highlights collaboration and problem-solving, and gives way to creating opportunities for a competitive advantage:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/jonathankaufman/2023/06/09/mindset-matters-whats-next-in-the-business-of-disability/
27) Why Beauty For The Visually Impaired Needs To Go Beyond Braille | Beauty Matter
The beauty industry has recently been awakening to its ableist tendencies, with conglomerates and indie brands alike launching products that address the needs of those dealing with conditions such as limited mobility, vision, and dexterity. But when it comes to visual impairment specifically, the industry's efforts need to go beyond braille. In order to truly create an inclusive environment, companies need to further explore the challenging touchpoints of this previously unaddressed demographic. Globally, 2.2 billion people have vision impairment. That's a huge segment of the population who can't simply walk into a store and pick a product off the shelf or read product reviews online before deciding on a purchase, let alone easily differentiate what product they are picking up off their bathroom counter:
https://beautymatter.com/articles/beauty-for-visually-impaired-needs-to-go-beyond-braille
28) Cable TV Turns 75 Years Old This Month... How More Years Does it Have Left?
In June of 1948, John Walson set up an antenna on top of the New Boston Mountain in Mahanoy City, PA. There he ran a cable down to the town so it could get TV signals that had been blocked by the mountain in the past. From there, he connected homes in the town and started the creation of what we know now as cable TV. That cable TV company is still running today as SECTV:
https://cordcuttersnews.com/cable-tv-turns-75-years-old-this-month-how-more-years-does-it-have-left/
29) The Post Pandemic Landscape — It's Here To Stay | Award Winning Sight Loss Coach, Advocate and Author Donna Jodhan
This landscape will continue to evolve and many changes are yet to come. We might as well accept and embrace it:
https://sterlingcreations.com/blog/the-post-pandemic-landscape-its-here-to-stay
30) Non-Invasive Glucose Monitoring: Hope or Hype?
For years, people with diabetes have sought out an accurate way to measure glucose without the need for finger sticks or fluid samples. Here's a look at the latest in research and development of non-invasive glucose monitoring devices:
https://www.diabetesdaily.com/blog/non-invasive-glucose-monitoring-hope-or-hype-2-712106/
31) Blind Ohio Woman Returns From Mars Simulation, Promotes Accessibility
A Bowling Green woman just returned home from a so-called Mars colony in Arizona. She had one mission: making sure space is accessible for everyone:
https://www.13abc.com/2023/06/06/local-woman-returns-mars-simulation-promotes-accessibility/
➜ Featured Webinars, Training Courses and Events
Submit your access information related Webinar, Training Course or Event for consideration within this section using this form: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-event.
June 21, 2023 | On the Road Again: Accessible Solutions for Travelers Who are Blind or Visually Impaired | The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc.
4PM PT, 5PM MT, 6PM CT, 7PM ET, 11PM GMT
Have you ever found it difficult to locate a bus stop, cross a street, or travel to local businesses independently? If so, join us for this month's interactive webinar from The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. as we explore mobility aids, indoor and outdoor GPS navigation apps, remote assistance, and a variety of other accessible travel and wayfinding options. Our expert presenters, Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist, Timothy Paulding, and world traveler, Everett Elam, will share their extensive knowledge and experience in the field of accessible travel. During the webinar, you'll have the opportunity to interact with the presenters and ask questions about specific roadblocks you may be facing. Don't miss out on this engaging and informative session that will empower you to hit the road with confidence and independence. Register now to reserve your spot!
https://thelighthousefortheblindinc.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_zxg3FzfmTqeWga-uxB3KcQ
June 21, 2023 | Understand, Test, Solve: ARIA
9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
Presenters: Aaron Farber, Senior Accessibility Platform Consultant. TPGi's Accessibility Resource Center (ARC) platform empowers teams to solve common accessibility issues while growing their understanding over time. The monthly “Understand, Test, and Solve” webinar series covers fundamental concepts in accessibility. Attendees learn how to address the set of WCAG Success Criteria for each concept. Over the course of this series, teams achieve full WCAG coverage in their testing:
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-june-21-at-12pm-et-understand-test-solve-aria/
June 21, 2023 | Canva: Is Accessible Content Possible? (Digital Accessibility Webinar) | Access Ingenuity
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
Explore the Canva program to author documents and discover how posters, flyers, and other files made in Canva can have accessibility hurdles. Join Rachel Reeves to learn about the possibility of creating accessible content on Canva. Learning Outcomes: Using Canva to create Graph/Chart images and meet Color Contrast Requirements. How does Canva impact accessibility? How to create accessible documents with Canva. | Meeting ID: 821 5591 4679 | Passcode: 600843 | One tap mobile: +16699009128,,82155914679#,,,,*600843# US (San Jose). Dial by your location: +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose):
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82155914679?pwd=K1BjcG9JV29RbFhSSUdYZTdJeUZMdz09&mc_cid=83e69f69f3&mc_eid=90429c1885#success
June 27, 2023 | Blind, Equity, Inclusion Free Webinar | NSITE
11:30AM PT, 12:30PM MT, 1:30PM CT, 2:30PM ET, 6:30PM GMT
Learn about BEI (Blind, Equity & Inclusion) and how you can increase your ROI. Recognize unconscious bias; examine "blind spots" in your diversity hiring; recognize "diverse abilities"; identify the bottom line and ROIs of hiring this talent. Presented by NSITE's DEI Team Rikki Howie & Doug Goist:
https://bit.ly/NSITE-BEI
June 27, 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
June 28, 2023 | Must Have Soft Skills For Success In The Modern Workforce For The Blind Community | Clusiv
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
If you are blind or visually impaired and looking to achieve your career goals, click the link to register for this webinar and come prepared to learn some essential skills. Our presenters have decades of their own lived experience being blind, have interacted with hundreds of others in the blind community in their career journey, and want to share the three key foundational soft skills you need to succeed in the modern workforce to help you achieve your goals:
https://bit.ly/3NvfT0j
June 28, 2023 | JAWS: Tables in Word & HTML (Assistive Technology Webinar) | Access Ingenuity
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
Many JAWS users avoid tables in both Word and the internet because they don't have training in navigating tables using JAWS. Along with not navigating a table, people also believe that creating a table in Word is not accessible with JAWS. Join Michael Parker and Marisa Church to learn techniques, apply settings, navigate tables, and create tables using JAWS. Learning Outcomes: Navigating tables in Word. The different ways of navigating a table. Demonstrating column and row titles and how to set them using the JAWS quick settings. Inserting and deleting columns and rows. How to create a table. Navigating tables in HTML. Using smart navigation. | Meeting ID: 867 2021 6234 | Passcode: 157521 | One tap mobile: +16699009128,,86720216234#,,,,*157521# US (San Jose) | Dial by your location: +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose):
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86720216234?pwd=c1R2R3VRQ3J5RXZFd0QrNkRjOEtVdz09&mc_cid=83e69f69f3&mc_eid=90429c1885#success
July 1, 2023 through July 6, 2023 | NFB 2023 National Convention in Houston, Texas
The National Federation of the Blind is the transformative membership and advocacy organization of blind people. Every day we raise the expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. Each year we come together for important discussions, decisions, and information sharing. As an attendee, take advantage of the opportunity to: Network with thousands of blind role models. Connect with leaders in the field of blindness. Attend presentations on a variety of empowering topics. Learn about the latest in technology and innovation. And more! The convention is open to all. Important note: Our constitution states that only members of the Federation have the right to participate in decision-making when it comes to organizational policy. If you are not already a member, please connect with your state affiliate at:
https://nfb.org/about-us/state-affiliates
July 12, 2023 | Conquer Accessibility Challenges During Software Design & Development | TPGi
9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
Presenters: David Sloan, Practice Manager, UX, and Roxana Fischer, Product Manager, Blind and Low Vision Software. This presentation will provide insights into software development practices that focus on accessibility and usability. It will emphasize the significance of involving users in the earliest design and development stages to meet their needs. Also it will specifically delve into the challenges of developing screen reader and screen magnifier software; these tools offer users a different perspective on UI, which requires special considerations during development. The four key areas covered in this session include: Testing with real users. Using inclusive tools. Hiring users with disabilities. Gathering field feedback. Attendees will gain an understanding of how we design and develop our internal Assistive Technology:
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-july-12-at-12pm-et-conquer-accessibility-challenges-during-software-design-development/
July 25, 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
July 25, 2023 | U.S. Access Board Town Hall Meeting in Baltimore
10:30PM PT, 11:30PM MT, 12:30PM CT, 1:30PM ET, 5:30PM GMT
The U.S. Access Board will hold a public town hall meeting at the national headquarters of the National Federation of the Blind in Baltimore, Maryland. Presidentially appointed Access Board members and representatives from other federal member agencies will be present to hear from the local community about the state of accessibility in Baltimore and the D.C.-Maryland-Virginia area. Following the town hall meeting, there will be a reception and networking opportunity from 3:30 — 4:30 (ET), sponsored by the Maryland Department of Disabilities. The town hall meeting and reception are open to all members of the public. Please register for in-person attendance by July 1, 2023. To register, send an email to events@access-board.gov 📧️ with your name and organization. The Access Board invites in-person oral comments on accessibility. Registrants who wish to make in-person oral comments must indicate their request to speak when emailing events@access-board.gov. Public commenters will be allotted two minutes to make their comments
August 22, 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 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
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 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
Sponsors may submit or update their Classified Advertisement at any time by submitting this short form: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-sponsor-classified.
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: NSITE Connects Employers With Talented People Who Are Blind Or Low-Vision And Supports Talent To Gain Employment
NSITE.org is the first non-profit organization, offering a continuum of services to connect employers with talented job seekers who are blind or low-vision and provides training, employment and career services to these job seekers. Using the NSITE Connect Job Board, which is designed exclusively for individuals who experience vision loss, employers can fill open positions with talent who are blind or have low vision. Job postings are also open to veterans. NSITE-U provides accessible on-demand and virtual instructor-led classes, programs and workshops to support career skills training and professional development for individuals who are blind or have low vision or are veterans. For more information about NSITE and all its services including a free Job Seekers Toolkit developed with APH, American Printing House for the Blind, visit us and use this form to reach NSITE's team for information about programs, classes and services, connect:
https://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.
NSITE Connect: Linking employers with talented individuals who are blind, low-vision, and/or veterans. Access the NSITE Connect Job Board here.About | Media | Employers | Job Seekers | Training Programs | Job Board | Contact Us
Sponsor: Clusiv
➜ Classified Advertisement: Clusiv Is The World's First eLearning Platform Built For And By People Who Are Blind. Our Courses Are Designed To Equip People Who Are Blind Or Visually Impaired For Employment In The Modern Workforce. Learn More At Clusiv.Io.
Navigating the employment process can be challenging if you are blind or visually impaired. Technology is difficult to figure out, there is a lot of extra material to learn, and there isn't much quality training available.
That's where Clusiv comes in. We help to provide the training you need to succeed in the modern workforce. Our courses teach assistive technology skills and how to apply those skills to many of the business software programs used in the modern workforce, such as email, Microsoft and Google apps, video conferencing, and more. We also teach soft skills such as resume and interview preparation, disclosures and accommodations, internet safety, and financial literacy. Lastly, our training can teach specific career skills, such as becoming an accessibility analyst. Plus, our courses are self-paced.
To learn more, visit https://clusiv.io/ and fill out a form with your information. We work with state vocational rehabilitation agencies to provide access to our course content.
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.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Seeks Your Support at the Public Policy Level
Moving the public policy needle is both difficult and costly. Access Ready has one of the most experienced teams in the business who have shown results. We have fostered Congressional language on accessible websites, elections, healthcare, communications, and other areas touched by information and communications technologies. These efforts are costly and we need your help to continue. Become an Access Ready supporter and create an accessible future for people with disabilities:
https://accessready.org/
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.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Provides Access To The Best In The Business
If you need assistance with a new accessible website, document remediation or disability consulting of other kinds, Access Ready can help. We seek out the best in the business and bring them to you already vetted as to quality, professionalism and ability. By going through AccessReady.org to one of our qualified providers, you're not only getting the best, but supporting our advocacy and technological development efforts as well:
https://accessready.org/
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.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Seeks Guidance On New Accessible Technologies
What Technologies do you see in the market that are not accessible, but should be? What accessible technologies can you imagine that can make the lives of people with all kinds of disabilities better? We will advocate with developers to make existing technologies accessible on your behalf. We will advocate with developers to build new accessible technologies on your behalf. Give us your guidance and support. Your guidance charts our path toward what is most important. Your support funds our efforts on your behalf:
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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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Prepare For Your Future Today With The All-New APH ConnectCenter's Job Seekers Toolkit!
The APH ConnectCenter and NSITE have partnered to update the Job Seeker's Toolkit, an accessible, self-paced, free online training course. The Toolkit includes five sections covering self-awareness, career exploration tools, the preliminary employment process, the interview, and maintaining employment. We are bringing the Job Seeker's Toolkit to a larger audience and in a Learning Management System format for today's learners, at no cost. Visit APHCareerConnect.org to get started with the Job Seekers Toolkit today at:
https://aphcareerconnect.org/lesson-plans-for-teachers-and-professionals/the-job-seekers-toolkit/
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: Menus4ALL
➜ Classified Advertisement: A Revolution in Resolution — Menus for Everyone
No matter when, where or who, the Menus4ALL iPhone app gives you the info you need quickly. No more multiple Google searches to research menus before going out. Info is organized to give you quick access to what you are looking for — the menu! Optimized to give you the best viewing experience. No more struggling to see small print, or looking at a menu in a dimly lit restaurant. Do you use magnification, large print, VoiceOver, a braille display or Voice Control? Enjoy 750,000 fully accessible menus. Download the app today at:
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/menus4all/id1640547801?platform=iphone
Sponsor Since: November 20th 2022
Website: https://www.menus4all.com/ 🌐️
Email: stephanie@menus4all.com 📧️
About: 750,000 Accessible Restaurant Menus. On your iPhone ® in the palm of your hand.
Yes, that's not a typo. The Menus4ALL iPhone app offers 500,000 accessible menus in the United States and 250,000 accessible menus in Canada.
Wherever you are and whenever you want The Menus4ALL iPhone app is the largest network of restaurant menus in one place and all of the menus are fully accessible.
Perfect for when you are out running errands and want to know what restaurants are near your current location. Great for planning a night out with friends. Favorite menus that you want to look at later or when you know you are going back for that amazing dish.
Download The App (Apple): https://apps.apple.com/us/app/menus4all/id1640547801?platform=iphone
Sponsor: WayAround
➜ Classified Advertisement: HURRY — Stock Up on WayTags Before Prices Increase on June 1!
WayAround is the best way to label things if you're blind or have low vision. You just need the free mobile app and some WayTags ® to label items in the kitchen, garden, closet, office & more. Prices on WayTags will increase on June 1, so stock up today on your favorite tags.
https://www.wayaround.com/shop/?utm_source=AssistiveTech&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=AccessInfoNewsSponsorAd
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Remote Incident Manager for Mac: Cruising Right Along!
The development of Remote Incident Manager for Mac has hit several milestones in the past couple weeks. We've introduced the ability to control a Mac fully unattended, the implementation of seamless file transfers on Mac targets, and the ability to gracefully assist a Mac through a reboot process! For those of you who have yet to experience the world's first cross-platform fully accessible remote support package, get in on the action at: https://pneumasolutions.com/remote-incident-manager-for-mac-public-beta/! Giving and receiving help has never been easier or more accessible, particularly for our Mac crowd. Prepare for a seamless experience that will forever change the way you receive and/or provide remote support and training. And if something isn't working quite right, please don't hesitate to give us feedback at: https://pneumasolutions.com/contact/! Remote Incident Manager: For the first time ever, remote help for the Mac is just a keyword away.
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: Living Blindfully
➜ Classified Advertisement: Be Informed First. Join Living Blindfully Plus
Whether it's a product demo, a hot topic or an in-depth interview, the Living Blindfully podcast is a must-hear to find out what's on the mind of the blind community. Ensure you're among the first to be in the know. Join Living Blindfully Plus to receive episodes three days before they're public. Pay what you can afford or what you think it's worth. Set it and forget it with a recurring subscription which you can cancel any time, or just pay for a single month, the choice is yours. And when you subscribe to Living Blindfully Plus, you're supporting an important resource for the blind community where the global conversation continues every week. Join today and enjoy your Plus benefits immediately.
https://LivingBlindfully.com/plus
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Be Productive and Enjoy Working With Leasey!
Leasey is your ultimate tool for productivity and fun. Directly from within JAWS for Windows, create text macros, shortcuts to folders and web pages, store notes under different categories and access them from any application.
Listen to over 80,000 radio stations. Quickly access over 80 news sources, seven-day hour-by-hour weather forecast, RSS feeds, podcasts, recipes, holiday dates, YouTube videos, Amazon and eBay. Do you have an ElBraille? There's no need to remember key sequences. Just type the Windows shortcut you want or create an abbreviation. Want enhanced access to apps such as WhatsApp, Twitter, Spotify and VLC Media Player? No problem. Use utilities such as mapping folders to drive letters or the special Leasey Start Menu, completely configurable. Hundreds of pages of documentation and audio tutorials through the LeaseyBites Podcast, available from major podcast directories. Leasey: a power house of tools for your JAWS screen-reader! | Follow us on Mastodon! | Learn more at:
https://www.leaseycentral.com
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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Website: https://accessinformationnews.com/ 🌐️
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Email: news@accessinformationnews.com 📧️
About: Access Information News is the world's leading not-for-profit access information news publication that reaches over 15,000 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 not-for-profit access information news publication that reaches over 15,000 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 5 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.
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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.
Platinum Supporters:
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 Access 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 Access 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 advocacy foundation.
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 Access 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.
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 Access 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, June 12, 2023 - Volume 914
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: 10,370 Opt-In Subscribers were sent this issue via email. 25 Premium Subscribers were sent this issue via email.
This Week's Featured Advertisement: Wayaround's Accessible Labels Are Now Part Of The BlindShell Classic 2 Platform! Now, You Can Use The Best Labeling System For People Who Are Blind And Visually Impaired On The World's Best All-In-One Accessible Cell Phone!
This partnership was highly requested by many in the sight loss community. To celebrate, we're offering 10% off all WayAround products at https://www.wayaround.com/. Use the code BlindShell at checkout to receive 10% off through June 30, 2023.
To get started, you'll need to download the WayAround app from the BlindShell Classic 2 App Catalog. Then log in to the WayAround app or create an account using your email address and a password. Make sure your BlindShell Classic 2 has the latest software updates installed. Doing so can help app compatibility, and the new Bluetooth keyboard support will allow for faster email and password entry.
Learn more at https://www.wayaround.com/blindshell/ or tune in to an upcoming webinar:
BlindShell 101 — Monday, June 12 @ 1PM ET
Michael Doise from WayAround will join the weekly ACB livestream.
Ongoing Distribution Made Possible By Support From: Pneuma Solutions, WayAround, Menus4ALL, 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,
Submit your Access Information News Item for free, with timing and placement determined by our editors, here: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-news. Submit a Sponsored News Item, with timing and placement determined by you, here: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-sponsored-news.
1) Top 5 Most Clicked Access Information News Articles From Last Week
A.) 25 Smartphone Accessibility Settings You Need to Know About | Reader's Digest
These accessibility settings will change the way you use your phone, whether you have a disability or simply want to make your life easier::
https://www.rd.com/article/accessibility-settings/
B.) 5 Signs You Need to Be Tested for Hearing Loss | CNet
Hearing loss is more common than you might think. Here, we look at what to expect from hearing loss tests and at some signs you'd probably benefit from one:
https://www.cnet.com/health/medical/5-signs-you-need-to-be-tested-for-hearing-loss/#ftag=CAD590a51e
C.) NFTA Utilizing New Guiding Voice Service For Visually Impaired
Those who utilize a new service that helps the visually impaired maintain the freedom to move about the community would like to see it continue growing:
https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/buffalo/news/2023/06/01/nfta-utilizing-new-guiding-voice-service-for-visually-impaired
D.) The iLet Bionic Pancreas and 'Diabetes Without Numbers' | Diabetes Daily
There's a new closed-loop insulin pump system available in the United States, one that is so simple to operate that its manufacturer is calling it a "bionic pancreas." It's the iLet, from Beta Bionics:
https://www.diabetesdaily.com/blog/the-ilet-bionic-pancreas-and-diabetes-without-numbers-711680/
E.) Top Three Summer Activities for Blind or Visually Impaired Children and Youth
"Since 1953, Wayfinder Family Services has been a trailblazer in inclusive and accessible activities for blind or visually impaired youth," says Wayfinder's Visual Impairment & Developmental Disabilities Services Vice President Allison Burdett. Burdett recommends the following free activities for children, youth or adults who are blind or visually impaired:
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/top-three-summer-activities-for-blind-or-visually-impaired-children-and-youth-301839492.html
2) 5 Sponsorship Packages Currently Available
Are you an access-based person, business or organization whose products, services or message would benefit from reaching over 15,000 access professionals 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 professionals in the world today, at a nearly negligible advertising cost, please consider becoming an Access Information News Sponsor while packages last. Availability: There are currently 5 Access Information News Sponsorship Packages remaining. 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 2nd issue of the 60 Most Clicked Access News Articles for April, May and June of 2023 on Monday, July 3, 2023. Back Issues: There is currently 1 back issue 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) Access Information News Click-To-Vote Quick Poll #914 | Sponsored By: Access Ready, Inc.
Question: Access Ready Asks: What Are Your Top Priorities In The 2024 Presidential Election?
A.) Countering The GOP's war on Woke?
Click-To-Vote A Link: https://bit.ly/ain-poll914-a
B.) Supporting The GOP's war on Woke?
Click-To-Vote B Link: https://bit.ly/ain-poll914-b
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Click-To-Vote C Link: https://bit.ly/ain-poll914-c
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E.) None of the above.
Click-To-Vote E Link: https://bit.ly/ain-poll914-e
Poll Link: https://bit.ly/ain-poll914
7) Accessible Remote Desktop Support: One Package, All Platforms | Pneuma Solutions
Imagine: You're a Mac user providing assistance to your Windows-using friends or relatives. Rather than making the long drive, you connect to their Machine over the fully accessible Remote Incident Manager platform and receive speech through our famous Remote Accessibility Module. Or maybe you're on the fence about a Mac, but you don't have an apple store within a reasonable distance. The resident Mac guru in your circle is kind enough to let you try and run VoiceOver through its paces on their Mac, just as if you were standing at one in the Apple store. Imagine No Longer: With RIM's brand new, fully released cross-platform ability, all of this and more is now a reality! Never before has there been an independent, fully featured remote access platform that offers the same level of accessibility across all platforms! With Remote Incident Manager for the Mac, the possibilities are truly endless. Try it for free, subscribe at any time, and receive access to all platforms with one plan.
https://pneumasolutions.com/remote-incident-manager-for-mac-os-officially-released/
8) Apple's Journal App Needs To Read The Room | The Verge
Life isn't always happy, AI isn't always smart, and you should have a say about which memories you're open to reflecting on — and when:
https://www.theverge.com/23750998/apple-ios-17-journal-app-ai
9) Look: This Seating Concept Could Let Wheelchair Users Fly In Their Own Chairs | USA Today
This year's Aircraft Cabin Interiors Expo brought an attention grabber: seating for power wheelchair users that allows them to remain on their own device while flying. The concept does not have an official name yet, but creators Delta Flight Products and the Priestman-Goode design firm have garnered interest from across the industry and disability advocates, and it's no surprise. According to the Department of Transportation, U.S. airlines damaged or mishandled about 1.5% of the mobility devices they transport, resulting in 11,389 reported incidents in 2022:
https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/airline-news/2023/06/07/plane-onboard-power-wheelchair-seating-concept/70296866007/
10) Delta Unveils First Wheelchair-Friendly Seat | The Washington Post: Subscription Required
The concept is still in early stages but would be a major advancement for passengers with disabilities:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/2023/06/06/delta-wheelchair-seat/
11) Best Smart Washing Machines 2023 | MakeUseOf
With a smart washing machine you can now receive notifications through an app or smart speaker to let you know the instant that your wash cycle has ended. They come with a host of customizable features and even offer more specialized wash cycles that can be downloaded to your machine. Schedule loads for particular times of day to suit your lifestyle, and even get alerts when essential maintenance is required to keep your machine running smoothly:
https://www.makeuseof.com/best-smart-washing-machines/
12) Reddit App 'Apollo' Is Shutting Down Over Reddit's Expensive API Prices
Apollo, one of the most popular Reddit apps, is shutting down due to modifications made to Reddit's API that will impose incredibly high costs on developers who create Reddit clients:
https://appleinsider.com/articles/23/06/08/reddit-app-apollo-is-shutting-down-over-reddits-expensive-api-prices
13) Reddit Makes An Exception For Accessibility Apps Under New API Terms | TechCrunch
Reddit says it will update its newly revised API terms to carve out an exception for accessibility apps, which allow users, including people who are blind or visually impaired, a way to browse and use Reddit. The carve-out comes after Reddit announced new API terms that would put most third-party app developers out of business, as they could no longer afford the high fees that come with the new pricing. One developer of the popular Reddit app Apollo, for example, said it would cost him $20 million per year to continue running his business — money the app doesn't make. As backlash over the changes ensued, several Reddit communities said they would go dark in protest of Reddit's new policy:
https://techcrunch.com/2023/06/08/reddit-makes-an-exception-for-accessibility-apps-under-new-api-terms/
14) Vispero/TPGi Listed in AWS Marketplace for the U.S. Intelligence Community
On June 7, 2023 Vispero ® and TPGi ®, global leaders in accessibility software and services, announced the availability of their offerings in the AWS Marketplace for the U.S. Intelligence Community (IC). The AWS Marketplace for the U.S. IC offerings includes a broad array of common software infrastructure, developer tools, and business software products that support the unique needs of the U.S. IC through improved security, increased mission impact, and cost savings. TPGi's Accessibility Resource Center (ARC) software allows companies of all sizes to manage accessibility programs via one powerful integrated dashboard and to access a central repository of over 600 KnowledgeBase articles from worldwide experts in accessibility:
https://www.tpgi.com/vispero-tpgi-listed-in-aws-marketplace-for-the-u-s-intelligence-community/
15) OCR and DOJ Send A Message to Higher Ed: Make Your Websites Accessible | ADA Title III
A recent "Dear Colleague" letter issued jointly by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Office of Civil Rights of the Department of Education (OCR) places colleges and universities on notice of recent enforcement activities under Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (Section 504) directed at digital accessibility. Referencing recent consent decrees entered into between OCR and more than 50 institutions of higher learning in just the last year, the Letter sends a clear message that institutions should meaningfully address the accessibility of their online properties and communications:
https://www.adatitleiii.com/2023/06/ocr-and-doj-send-a-message-to-higher-ed-make-your-websites-accessible/
16) AI-Powered Eye Scan Could Save Patients With Genetic Eye Diseases From Going Blind
Artificial intelligence could help save countless patients from blindness, a new study explains. Scientists have developed an AI-powered screening program which scans for single-gene conditions known as IRDs (inherited retinal diseases). The international team says this new test could lead to more widespread testing of eye diseases and improved efficiency in detecting them. Project leader Dr. Nikolas Pontikos expects Eye2Gene to lead to personalized treatments for patients:
https://studyfinds.org/ai-eye-scan-eye-diseases/
17) Your Genes and Hormones May Play a Role in Hearing Loss, Researchers Say | CNet
A large, new study might help pinpoint which people have a higher risk of hearing problems as they age:
https://www.cnet.com/health/medical/your-genes-and-hormones-may-play-a-role-in-hearing-loss-researchers-say/#ftag=CAD590a51e
18) 2 Blind Passengers Say Being Ordered To Leave A Cruise Ship Before It Set Sail Was 'Humiliating': Report
Two blind passengers who were ordered to leave a cruise ship before it set sail said it was "humiliating" and that they "felt like criminals". Pam May and Jennie Bailie told ITV News they were asked to leave a P&O Cruises Ventura ship in May for "health and safety reasons:"
https://www.businessinsider.com/two-blind-passengers-say-were-told-leave-cruise-ship-humiliating-2023-6
19) How Friendship Between NVDA Founders Mick Curran And Jamie Teh Is Changing Lives For Thousands Of Blind People
Imagine what an airport terminal would be like for a blind person. Unable to see the signs telling you where to go — a great cavernous space full of rushing strangers. "There's just so much noise from all the travelers and suitcases around you echoing off the floor and walls," says Mick Curran, who has been completely blind since he was 15. "Airports can be pretty overwhelming." But Mick has had to get used to airports. He and his childhood friend Jamie Teh, who is also blind, are rock stars of the software world and they get around. "I have learned to roll with it," Jamie tells Australian Story. Take it as it comes." Mick and Jamie's disabilities have not been a barrier to success. The pair created screen-reading software called NVDA (Non-Visual Desktop Access) when they were fresh out of university. Seventeen years later, it's now used by 275,000 people in 175 countries and has been translated into 50 languages:
https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/other/how-friendship-between-nvda-founders-mick-curran-and-jamie-teh-is-changing-lives-for-thousands-of-blind-people/ar-AA1c782r
20) The Woman Leading Amazon's Employee Accessibility Advancement
Megan Smith says an inaccessible workplace should be approached the same way as a defective product:
https://www.hr-brew.com/stories/2023/06/01/the-woman-leading-amazon-s-employee-accessibility-advancement
21) The Only Accessibility Specialist In The Room | Henry Swan | Tetra Logical
It's hard being the only one in your organization or team responsible for accessibility. If that sounds familiar, I salute you, and this one's for you. I've been thinking a lot recently about the challenges you face and some of the ways you can approach these, which I thought I'd throw into a post:
https://tetralogical.com/blog/2023/06/05/the-only-accessibility-specialist-in-the-room/
22) Your Driver Has Arrived | Ophthalmic Edge
Ride-sharing apps offer a cash-free convenience, that is often quicker and cheaper than the taxis and car services we once depended on. They also add a most welcomed element of freedom to the non-driving population of people living with vision loss. While we were patiently awaiting the self-driving car, the transportation concept, formerly known as “taxicab,” was disrupted by technology. The driver is still completely necessary, but the method of getting a ride, where and when you want it, now is transacted entirely by mobile app. Uber and Lyft are the dominant services, and there are many others to choose from depending on your location. Being loyal to one app will keep the process within a comfort zone. Comparison shopping, among the services, will position you to take advantage of competitive deals. Making transportation more accessible, naturally has many upsides, and of course, there a few downsides as well. Here are some tips for overcoming the challenges:
https://ophthalmicedge.org/patient/your-driver-has-arrived/
23) Witnesses Tout Value of AM Radio at Congressional Hearing
The U.S. House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology entitled "Listen Here: Why Americans Value AM Radio" was held Tuesday. Committee Chair Bob Latta (R-OH) delivered opening remarks:" "AM radio has been an integral part of our society for well over a century, connecting Americans to local news and serving as the backbone to our nation's emergency communications infrastructure:"
https://news.radio-online.com/cgi-bin/rol.exe/headline_id=b17467
24) UK AR App To Help Blind Passengers Navigate Stations Receives Share Of £2m Funding
An augmented-reality app for visually impaired passengers to help them navigate stations is among a raft of transport technology projects being backed by government funding. The Department for Transport has announced a £1.96m fund to improve accessibility in the UK's transport systems. Makesense Technology is receiving part of the fund to create an app that uses augmented reality to create bespoke walking routes to help visually impaired travelers get around railway stations:
https://eandt.theiet.org/content/articles/2023/06/ar-app-to-help-blind-passengers-navigate-stations-receives-share-of-2m-funding/
25) Sky Launches Free Support Service for Visually Impaired Customers
Be My Eyes is a free app that connects blind and low-vision people with sighted volunteers and company representatives for visual assistance through a live video call. Visually impaired Sky customers will now be able to access customer support via live video calls with Sky's Accessibility customer support team. Through these live calls, the customer support team can look at tech set up for Sky TV and Sky Broadband and help to set up or resolve any technical issues, experienced by the customer:
https://corporate.comcast.com/press/releases/sky-launches-free-support-service-for-visually-impaired-customers
26) Why Ditching Tangible Tags On Clothes For Digital Ones Is A Big Deal For Accessibility Too | Forbes: Subscription Required
At the end of last month, Jennifer A. Kingson reported for Axios on the clothing industry's push to switch from printed labels to QR codes. The idea behind moving to an ostensibly more “modern” tag would be twofold: it would reduce bulk and the QR code could give buyers important information such as washing instructions and other details. “Digital product labels — which brands like Ralph Lauren are already starting to use — could provide a lot more information to consumers, who could scan them for a library of details about the garment they're wearing (or might buy),” Kingson wrote of QR tags' purported benefits:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/stevenaquino/2023/06/05/why-ditching-tangible-tags-on-clothes-for-digital-ones-is-a-big-deal-for-accessibility-too/?sh=52c69c482c0a
27) Mass Audubon's Newest 'Accessibility and All Persons Trail' in Plymouth Ready to Hike On
Mass Audubon is sharpening the ribbon-cutting scissors and getting ready to open another All Persons Trail in Massachusetts. On Friday, June 2, 2023, the All Persons Trail at Tidmarsh Wildlife Sanctuary will officially be open. The grand-opening ceremony will be held at 60 Beaver Dam Road in Plymouth from 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM and all are welcome. This is the second project that I've jumped on board alongside the Mass Audubon team (the first one in Dartmouth, MA) and it's been nothing but rewarding to know that we're giving back to the community in a larger-than-life way:
https://fun107.com/plymouth-all-person-trail-grand-opening/?trackback=twitter_mobile
28) Giving A Damn About Accessibility | Medium: Subscription Required
Digital accessibility is the inclusive practice of ensuring that everyone has equal access to information, functionality, and experience on digital platforms. That means no barriers prevent interaction with, or access to, digital products by people with any type of disabilities or traits commonly linked to disabilities. This includes:
https://uxdesign.cc/giving-a-damn-about-accessibility-6caf90be5a40
29) Vision-Friendly Cards Available For Wingspan Board Game | Echobatix, Inc.
Stonemaier Games has just published Vision-Friendly Cards for their board game Wingspan, a game about birds. Since the release of Wingspan in 2019 the game has won numerous awards. The game still sells out at game stores. Now there are supplemental cards to make Wingspan more accessible. You need to buy or have access to the boxed board game first. The Vision-Friendly Cards are used in place of the standard cards. There are four Vision-Friendly card sets: one set for the core game, and three sets for Wingspan expansion packs. For the Vision-Friendly Cards the font size is larger, contrast is improved, and some graphical elements have been relocated to improve readability of text:
https://bit.ly/43o9E44
30) Why Effective IT Leadership Must Have Inclusive Technology Systems | Ed Tech Magazine
One-to-one programs are changing the learning experience for every student, including those with disabilities:
https://edtechmagazine.com/k12/article/2023/05/why-effective-it-leadership-must-have-inclusive-technology-systems
31) How To Get Your Audio And Braille Editions Of British Vogue's June 2023 Issue | Vogue
“Disability should feel personal to us all,” writes Edward Enninful in his May issue editor's letter. “Some 16 million people in the UK are Disabled, with millions more Disabled-adjacent, whether visibly or invisibly. The time has come for us to get real about who we are as a society, and for fashion to build a better, more accessible and inclusive industry.” British Vogue is committed to providing more accessible ways for our audience to enjoy content. With each published issue we will provide a free printable Braille translation, as well as an audio version. Physical braille copies are available to buy at the RNIB's production price plus postage, which you can order here:
https://www.vogue.co.uk/article/june-2023-magazine-audio-braille
32) Australian Bank Launches Accessible Cards For Vision Impaired | MSN
Westpac has launched a suite of new cards for all customers, not only those who request them. The cards have braille markers and a square notch cutout on credit cards, round cutout on debit cards and a triangular cutout on pre-paid cards:
https://www.msn.com/en-au/money/markets/australian-bank-launches-accessible-cards-for-vision-impaired/ar-AA1cd4OG
33) TuneIn Revokes Submission Fees For AM Stations | Radio Insight
After moving to a paid submission system to add stations to their platform last year, TuneIn is now letting licensed AM broadcasters in the US submit their stations for free:
https://radioinsight.com/headlines/252756/tunein-revokes-submission-fees-for-am-stations/
34) Resetting the Bar on Brand Building: Why Brands Need to Prioritize & Elevate Standards for Accessible Advertising | Procter & Gamble
A gateway to driving societal change and unlocking growth by better delighting ALL consumers. This blog was written by guest author, Taide Guajardo, Chief Brand Officer P&G Europe:
https://us.pg.com/blogs/resetting-the-bar-on-accessible-advertising/
35) How Video Games Are Focusing On Accessibility
Video game developers are becoming more proactive in designing features that make games more accessible, a welcome change after years of push back from disability advocates and accessibility consultants. The recent proliferation of accessibility options signals a shift towards a more inclusive video game industry:
https://theweek.com/feature/briefing/1023859/accessibility-in-video-games
36) When A Reckless Message Is Offered — Damaging To Any Company
Companies need to ensure that their customer service agents are professionally trained in order to relay the most appropriate and accurate message to their customers:
https://sterlingcreations.com/blog/when-a-reckless-message-is-offered-damaging-to-any-company
37) Evolution & History of E-books | Good eReader
When we talk about e-books, the first name that pops up in our minds is Amazon Kindle. The e-reader has millions of active users with instant access to a huge online library of titles. Its feasible size and massive storage have made it a travel companion too. However, e-book history is certainly beyond Kindle. The manufacturers had to climb a tough hill in the 90s to get the edge among traditional book lovers:
https://goodereader.com/blog/e-book-news/evolution-history-of-e-books
38) Drivers with Disabilities Are Tackling Performance Driving
Physical impairments don't stop drivers from a day at the track, with a small but growing number of programs offering adaptive equipment — even on cars like a McLaren 650S, Lamborghini Gallardo, or Nissan GT-R:
https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a44004446/drivers-with-disabilities-performance-driving/
➜ Featured Webinars, Training Courses and Events
Submit your access information related Webinar, Training Course or Event for consideration within this section using this form: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-event.
June 12, 2023 | BlindShell 101 By Diane Ducharme
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
BlindShell 101 is a weekly livestream, designed in a course-like setting to teach new and existing users the basic functionality of their BlindShell Classic 2 accessible phone. This week, Michael Doise of WayAround will join the livestream to discuss how to use the WayAround app on the BlindShell Classic 2:
https://blindshellusa.com/blindshell101/
June 13, 2023 | Ramping Up Your Accessibility Testing: A Beginner's Guide | TPGi
9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
Presenters: Gigi Etienne, Associate Accessibility Engineer. As an experienced accessibility professional that is new to accessibility testing, Gigi Etienne will share the learnings of this past year, the mistakes she's made, and pass on the most useful tips and feedback she's received. The goal is for you to leave with a better understanding of how accessibility testing works and the key things you should be looking for when testing a website or app. She will present you with a practical and simplified approach to the testing process so you can get started and quickly become a better and more efficient accessibility tester. Whether you are new to accessibility testing, are looking to become an accessibility auditor, or simply want to have the skills to do some accessibility testing as part of your job, this session is for you. Register today:
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-june-13-at-12pm-et-ramping-up-your-accessibility-testing-a-beginners-guide/
June 14, 2023 | Maryland Center for History and Culture Free Tactile Tour
7:30AM PT, 8:30AM MT, 9:30AM CT, 10:30AM ET, 2:30PM GMT
On June 14, 2023, at 10:30 AM, the Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled will host a tactile tour at the Maryland Center for History and Culture, 610 Park Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21201. Who are Marylanders? Why are they so obsessed with their flag? And what does duckpin bowling have to do with the Baltimore Orioles? Explore the answers to these questions and find out how Maryland and its people have changed since its founding in 1634. For traveling visitors and lifelong Marylanders, this guided experience of the Discover Maryland exhibition shows there is much to uncover about Maryland. Registration will be limited to fourteen (14) people. Registration opens June 6, 2023:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/maryland-center-for-history-and-culture-tour-tickets-626174082537
June 14, 2023 | Meet the New RUBY 10 (Assistive Technology Webinar — ACVREP CE Approved) | Access Ingenuity
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
The video magnifier has a 10-inch touchscreen and three dedicated cameras, and it can magnify letters, magazines, labels, and photos. The swing-out arm allows you to view items in your hand and write. When extended, it also enables full-page OCR. With a button, you can scan pages and have them read aloud. The third camera can see objects at a short distance, such as signs and menus on a wall. Users can utilize cutting-edge magnification features with industry-leading OCR to maximize the reading experience. Join Ian Ramos from Access Ingenuity and Joe McDaniel from Vispero as they demonstrate the advanced capabilities of the latest low-vision solution from Freedom Scientific, the RUBY 10. Note that everybody is welcome and can benefit from this presentation. If you are a teacher of the visually impaired (TVI), ACVREP continuing education credit is approved for this presentation. Learning Outcomes. How RUBY 10 uses cutting-edge view modes not seen in any other device. Discover different uses of the RUBY 10. How the RUBY 10 differs from the other models. Why having OCR in a portable unit can be a game-changer. Meeting ID: 836 5396 6007 | Passcode: 101322 | One tap mobile: +16699009128,,83653966007#,,,,*101322# US (San Jose)
Dial by your location: +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose):
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83653966007?pwd=djNaTXhzWlhJWmRiOFZyNThhNGc3Zz09&mc_cid=83e69f69f3&mc_eid=90429c1885#success
June 14, 2023 | Access and Navigate PDFs with JAWS and Fusion | BVA VetTech | Freedom Scientific
11AM PT, 12PM MT, 1PM CT, 2PM ET, 6PM GMT
We'll show you how to set accessibility preferences in Adobe Reader, open and save PDFs, and use keyboard commands for reading and navigation. This session is offered by the Blinded Veterans Association (BVA) and open to everyone. Join via Zoom:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85625909913?pwd=OGM0U3JTOWFmZllaQXcyZ0JmK2RxZz09
June 15, 2023 | Ten Power Tips for Improving Productivity in Excel with JAWS | Freedom Scientific
9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
We'll provide an overview of Excel and show you how to perform tasks using the keyboard. Tips include searching for Ribbon commands, accessing a list of available Excel and JAWS-specific keystrokes, entering formulas, and formatting cells. Zoom conferencing platform
Register for this webinar, which offers ACVREP credits to those who attend the live webinar:
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_aZmHJoguQDK6hEoQ4olAIg#/registration
June 21, 2023 | On the Road Again: Accessible Solutions for Travelers Who are Blind or Visually Impaired | The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc.
4PM PT, 5PM MT, 6PM CT, 7PM ET, 11PM GMT
Have you ever found it difficult to locate a bus stop, cross a street, or travel to local businesses independently? If so, join us for this month's interactive webinar from The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. as we explore mobility aids, indoor and outdoor GPS navigation apps, remote assistance, and a variety of other accessible travel and wayfinding options. Our expert presenters, Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist, Timothy Paulding, and world traveler, Everett Elam, will share their extensive knowledge and experience in the field of accessible travel. During the webinar, you'll have the opportunity to interact with the presenters and ask questions about specific roadblocks you may be facing. Don't miss out on this engaging and informative session that will empower you to hit the road with confidence and independence. Register now to reserve your spot!
https://thelighthousefortheblindinc.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_zxg3FzfmTqeWga-uxB3KcQ
June 21, 2023 | Understand, Test, Solve: ARIA
9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
Presenters: Aaron Farber, Senior Accessibility Platform Consultant. TPGi's Accessibility Resource Center (ARC) platform empowers teams to solve common accessibility issues while growing their understanding over time. The monthly “Understand, Test, and Solve” webinar series covers fundamental concepts in accessibility. Attendees learn how to address the set of WCAG Success Criteria for each concept. Over the course of this series, teams achieve full WCAG coverage in their testing:
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-june-21-at-12pm-et-understand-test-solve-aria/
June 21, 2023 | Canva: Is Accessible Content Possible? (Digital Accessibility Webinar) | Access Ingenuity
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
Explore the Canva program to author documents and discover how posters, flyers, and other files made in Canva can have accessibility hurdles. Join Rachel Reeves to learn about the possibility of creating accessible content on Canva. Learning Outcomes: Using Canva to create Graph/Chart images and meet Color Contrast Requirements. How does Canva impact accessibility? How to create accessible documents with Canva. | Meeting ID: 821 5591 4679 | Passcode: 600843 | One tap mobile: +16699009128,,82155914679#,,,,*600843# US (San Jose). Dial by your location: +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose):
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82155914679?pwd=K1BjcG9JV29RbFhSSUdYZTdJeUZMdz09&mc_cid=83e69f69f3&mc_eid=90429c1885#success
June 27, 2023 | Blind, Equity, Inclusion Free Webinar | NSITE
11:30AM PT, 12:30PM MT, 1:30PM CT, 2:30PM ET, 6:30PM GMT
Learn about BEI (Blind, Equity & Inclusion) and how you can increase your ROI. Recognize unconscious bias; examine "blind spots" in your diversity hiring; recognize "diverse abilities"; identify the bottom line and ROIs of hiring this talent. Presented by NSITE's DEI Team Rikki Howie & Doug Goist:
https://bit.ly/NSITE-BEI
June 27, 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
June 28, 2023 | JAWS: Tables in Word & HTML (Assistive Technology Webinar) | Access Ingenuity
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
Many JAWS users avoid tables in both Word and the internet because they don't have training in navigating tables using JAWS. Along with not navigating a table, people also believe that creating a table in Word is not accessible with JAWS. Join Michael Parker and Marisa Church to learn techniques, apply settings, navigate tables, and create tables using JAWS. Learning Outcomes: Navigating tables in Word. The different ways of navigating a table. Demonstrating column and row titles and how to set them using the JAWS quick settings. Inserting and deleting columns and rows. How to create a table. Navigating tables in HTML. Using smart navigation. | Meeting ID: 867 2021 6234 | Passcode: 157521 | One tap mobile: +16699009128,,86720216234#,,,,*157521# US (San Jose) | Dial by your location: +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose):
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86720216234?pwd=c1R2R3VRQ3J5RXZFd0QrNkRjOEtVdz09&mc_cid=83e69f69f3&mc_eid=90429c1885#success
July 1, 2023 through July 6, 2023 | NFB 2023 National Convention in Houston, Texas
The National Federation of the Blind is the transformative membership and advocacy organization of blind people. Every day we raise the expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. Each year we come together for important discussions, decisions, and information sharing. As an attendee, take advantage of the opportunity to: Network with thousands of blind role models. Connect with leaders in the field of blindness. Attend presentations on a variety of empowering topics. Learn about the latest in technology and innovation. And more! The convention is open to all. Important note: Our constitution states that only members of the Federation have the right to participate in decision-making when it comes to organizational policy. If you are not already a member, please connect with your state affiliate at:
https://nfb.org/about-us/state-affiliates
July 25, 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
July 25, 2023 | U.S. Access Board Town Hall Meeting in Baltimore
10:30PM PT, 11:30PM MT, 12:30PM CT, 1:30PM ET, 5:30PM GMT
The U.S. Access Board will hold a public town hall meeting at the national headquarters of the National Federation of the Blind in Baltimore, Maryland. Presidentially appointed Access Board members and representatives from other federal member agencies will be present to hear from the local community about the state of accessibility in Baltimore and the D.C.-Maryland-Virginia area. Following the town hall meeting, there will be a reception and networking opportunity from 3:30 — 4:30 (ET), sponsored by the Maryland Department of Disabilities. The town hall meeting and reception are open to all members of the public. Please register for in-person attendance by July 1, 2023. To register, send an email to events@access-board.gov 📧️ with your name and organization. The Access Board invites in-person oral comments on accessibility. Registrants who wish to make in-person oral comments must indicate their request to speak when emailing events@access-board.gov. Public commenters will be allotted two minutes to make their comments
August 22, 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 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
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 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
Sponsors may submit or update their Classified Advertisement at any time by submitting this short form: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-sponsor-classified.
Sponsor: NSITE.org
➜ Classified Advertisement: NSITE Connects Employers With Talented People Who Are Blind Or Low-Vision And Supports Talent To Gain Employment
NSITE.org is the first non-profit organization, offering a continuum of services to connect employers with talented job seekers who are blind or low-vision and provides training, employment and career services to these job seekers. Using the NSITE Connect Job Board, which is designed exclusively for individuals who experience vision loss, employers can fill open positions with talent who are blind or have low vision. Job postings are also open to veterans. NSITE-U provides accessible on-demand and virtual instructor-led classes, programs and workshops to support career skills training and professional development for individuals who are blind or have low vision or are veterans. For more information about NSITE and all its services including a free Job Seekers Toolkit developed with APH, American Printing House for the Blind, visit us and use this form to reach NSITE's team for information about programs, classes and services, connect:
https://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.
NSITE Connect: Linking employers with talented individuals who are blind, low-vision, and/or veterans. Access the NSITE Connect Job Board here.About | Media | Employers | Job Seekers | Training Programs | Job Board | Contact Us
Sponsor: Clusiv
➜ Classified Advertisement: Clusiv Is The World's First eLearning Platform Built For And By People Who Are Blind. Our Courses Are Designed To Equip People Who Are Blind Or Visually Impaired For Employment In The Modern Workforce. Learn More At Clusiv.Io.
Navigating the employment process can be challenging if you are blind or visually impaired. Technology is difficult to figure out, there is a lot of extra material to learn, and there isn't much quality training available.
That's where Clusiv comes in. We help to provide the training you need to succeed in the modern workforce. Our courses teach assistive technology skills and how to apply those skills to many of the business software programs used in the modern workforce, such as email, Microsoft and Google apps, video conferencing, and more. We also teach soft skills such as resume and interview preparation, disclosures and accommodations, internet safety, and financial literacy. Lastly, our training can teach specific career skills, such as becoming an accessibility analyst. Plus, our courses are self-paced.
To learn more, visit https://clusiv.io/ and fill out a form with your information. We work with state vocational rehabilitation agencies to provide access to our course content.
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.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Seeks Your Support at the Public Policy Level
Moving the public policy needle is both difficult and costly. Access Ready has one of the most experienced teams in the business who have shown results. We have fostered Congressional language on accessible websites, elections, healthcare, communications, and other areas touched by information and communications technologies. These efforts are costly and we need your help to continue. Become an Access Ready supporter and create an accessible future for people with disabilities:
https://accessready.org/
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.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Provides Access To The Best In The Business
If you need assistance with a new accessible website, document remediation or disability consulting of other kinds, Access Ready can help. We seek out the best in the business and bring them to you already vetted as to quality, professionalism and ability. By going through AccessReady.org to one of our qualified providers, you're not only getting the best, but supporting our advocacy and technological development efforts as well:
https://accessready.org/
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.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Seeks Guidance On New Accessible Technologies
What Technologies do you see in the market that are not accessible, but should be? What accessible technologies can you imagine that can make the lives of people with all kinds of disabilities better? We will advocate with developers to make existing technologies accessible on your behalf. We will advocate with developers to build new accessible technologies on your behalf. Give us your guidance and support. Your guidance charts our path toward what is most important. Your support funds our efforts on your behalf:
https://accessready.org/
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Prepare For Your Future Today With The All-New APH ConnectCenter's Job Seekers Toolkit!
The APH ConnectCenter and NSITE have partnered to update the Job Seeker's Toolkit, an accessible, self-paced, free online training course. The Toolkit includes five sections covering self-awareness, career exploration tools, the preliminary employment process, the interview, and maintaining employment. We are bringing the Job Seeker's Toolkit to a larger audience and in a Learning Management System format for today's learners, at no cost. Visit APHCareerConnect.org to get started with the Job Seekers Toolkit today at:
https://aphcareerconnect.org/lesson-plans-for-teachers-and-professionals/the-job-seekers-toolkit/
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: Menus4ALL
➜ Classified Advertisement: A Revolution in Resolution — Menus for Everyone
No matter when, where or who, the Menus4ALL iPhone app gives you the info you need quickly. No more multiple Google searches to research menus before going out. Info is organized to give you quick access to what you are looking for — the menu! Optimized to give you the best viewing experience. No more struggling to see small print, or looking at a menu in a dimly lit restaurant. Do you use magnification, large print, VoiceOver, a braille display or Voice Control? Enjoy 750,000 fully accessible menus. Download the app today at:
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/menus4all/id1640547801?platform=iphone
Sponsor Since: November 20th 2022
Website: https://www.menus4all.com/ 🌐️
Email: stephanie@menus4all.com 📧️
About: 750,000 Accessible Restaurant Menus. On your iPhone ® in the palm of your hand.
Yes, that's not a typo. The Menus4ALL iPhone app offers 500,000 accessible menus in the United States and 250,000 accessible menus in Canada.
Wherever you are and whenever you want The Menus4ALL iPhone app is the largest network of restaurant menus in one place and all of the menus are fully accessible.
Perfect for when you are out running errands and want to know what restaurants are near your current location. Great for planning a night out with friends. Favorite menus that you want to look at later or when you know you are going back for that amazing dish.
Download The App (Apple): https://apps.apple.com/us/app/menus4all/id1640547801?platform=iphone
Sponsor: WayAround
➜ Classified Advertisement: HURRY — Stock Up on WayTags Before Prices Increase on June 1!
WayAround is the best way to label things if you're blind or have low vision. You just need the free mobile app and some WayTags ® to label items in the kitchen, garden, closet, office & more. Prices on WayTags will increase on June 1, so stock up today on your favorite tags.
https://www.wayaround.com/shop/?utm_source=AssistiveTech&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=AccessInfoNewsSponsorAd
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Remote Incident Manager for Mac: Cruising Right Along!
The development of Remote Incident Manager for Mac has hit several milestones in the past couple weeks. We've introduced the ability to control a Mac fully unattended, the implementation of seamless file transfers on Mac targets, and the ability to gracefully assist a Mac through a reboot process! For those of you who have yet to experience the world's first cross-platform fully accessible remote support package, get in on the action at: https://pneumasolutions.com/remote-incident-manager-for-mac-public-beta/! Giving and receiving help has never been easier or more accessible, particularly for our Mac crowd. Prepare for a seamless experience that will forever change the way you receive and/or provide remote support and training. And if something isn't working quite right, please don't hesitate to give us feedback at: https://pneumasolutions.com/contact/! Remote Incident Manager: For the first time ever, remote help for the Mac is just a keyword away.
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: Living Blindfully
➜ Classified Advertisement: Be Informed First. Join Living Blindfully Plus
Whether it's a product demo, a hot topic or an in-depth interview, the Living Blindfully podcast is a must-hear to find out what's on the mind of the blind community. Ensure you're among the first to be in the know. Join Living Blindfully Plus to receive episodes three days before they're public. Pay what you can afford or what you think it's worth. Set it and forget it with a recurring subscription which you can cancel any time, or just pay for a single month, the choice is yours. And when you subscribe to Living Blindfully Plus, you're supporting an important resource for the blind community where the global conversation continues every week. Join today and enjoy your Plus benefits immediately.
https://LivingBlindfully.com/plus
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Be Productive and Enjoy Working With Leasey!
Leasey is your ultimate tool for productivity and fun. Directly from within JAWS for Windows, create text macros, shortcuts to folders and web pages, store notes under different categories and access them from any application.
Listen to over 80,000 radio stations. Quickly access over 80 news sources, seven-day hour-by-hour weather forecast, RSS feeds, podcasts, recipes, holiday dates, YouTube videos, Amazon and eBay. Do you have an ElBraille? There's no need to remember key sequences. Just type the Windows shortcut you want or create an abbreviation. Want enhanced access to apps such as WhatsApp, Twitter, Spotify and VLC Media Player? No problem. Use utilities such as mapping folders to drive letters or the special Leasey Start Menu, completely configurable. Hundreds of pages of documentation and audio tutorials through the LeaseyBites Podcast, available from major podcast directories. Leasey: a power house of tools for your JAWS screen-reader! | Follow us on Mastodon! | Learn more at:
https://www.leaseycentral.com
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
Your Business or Organization Name Here
➜ Classified Advertisement: Your Weekly Classified Advertisement Title Here (256 characters or less including spaces.)
Your weekly Classified Advertisement here.
(1000 characters or less including spaces.)
Sponsor Since: Today
Website: https://accessinformationnews.com/ 🌐️
Phone: (855) 578-6660 📱️
Email: news@accessinformationnews.com 📧️
About: Access Information News is the world's leading not-for-profit access information news publication that reaches over 15,000 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 not-for-profit access information news publication that reaches over 15,000 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 5 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.
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Become an Access Information News Platinum Supporter today.
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Platinum Supporter Since: December 5, 2022
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Platinum Supporter Since: March 24, 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
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The Week's News in Access Information
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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
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Top Tech Tidbits
The Week's News in Access Technology
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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 advocacy foundation.
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
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Access Information News
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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.
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
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Top Tech Tidbits
The Week's News in Access Technology
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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.
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Email: editor@accessinformationnews.com 📧️
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Access Information News for Monday, June 5, 2023 - Volume 913
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.
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1) Top 5 Most Clicked Access Information News Articles From Last Week
A.) 5 Products And Features That Are Making The Digital World More Accessible | Google Blog
Here are 5 product and feature updates built by and for people with disabilities::
https://blog.google/outreach-initiatives/accessibility/global-accessibility-awareness-day-google-product-update/
B.) Audible Plus Vs. Premium Plus
With a US market share of 63.4% (as of 2022), Amazon Audiobook is quite popular among users. It allows users to access several podcasts, audiobooks, and classics. As for their subscription plans, earlier, you needed to pay $14.95 monthly as a subscription fee and receive one credit. For two credits, you needed to pay a bit more. However, now there are two different subscription plans available: Audible Plus and Premium Plus. What's the difference between the two? Let's find out:
https://goodereader.com/blog/audiobooks/audible-plus-vs-premium-plus
C.) Meet Blind Social Media Influencer Lucy Edwards | Motto: "Blind, Not Broken" | Vogue
Social media sensation Lucy Edwards pens a personal essay for British Vogue on the power of her blindness:
https://www.vogue.co.uk/article/lucy-edwards-essay?utm_content=249487775&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&hss_channel=tw-18197430
D.) Five Screen Reader Accessibility Tests Your QA Team Should Do | TPGi
If your company is working on improving the accessibility of the website for people with disabilities, ensuring your content is accessible to screen reader users will be one of the focuses. As you and your team are busy making changes to your website, software and other digital assets to ensure they're accessible, you will likely have a lot of questions. This post aims to demystify the accessibility screen reader compatibility testing process and show you how screen reader testing can reveal your successes and where your site still contains accessibility barriers:
https://www.tpgi.com/five-screen-reader-accessibility-tests-your-qa-team-should-do/
E.) AccessWorld Spring 2023 Issue
Updates Include: Editor's Page: Welcome To The First Issue Of The Relaunched And Expanded AccessWorld! | Moderating Google Groups: A Screen Reader And Browser Comparison | Employment Journeys, Darren Burton, Access Industry Veteran | A Novice's Guide to VPATs | Interest In and Adoption of Novel AT: Findings from NRTC's AT in the Workplace Study:
https://www.afb.org/aw/24/5
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6) CheckPlease Wants To Streamline The Restaurant-Going Process For Customers And Merchants | Technical.ly
Mike Bernicker's app allows customers to order and pay for their meal over their phone, reducing the work of waitstaff and streamlining the dining process:
https://technical.ly/startups/checkplease-wants-to-streamline-restaurant-going/
7) 25 Smartphone Accessibility Settings You Need to Know About | Reader's Digest
These accessibility settings will change the way you use your phone, whether you have a disability or simply want to make your life easier:
https://www.rd.com/article/accessibility-settings/
8) Top Three Summer Activities for Blind or Visually Impaired Children and Youth
"Since 1953, Wayfinder Family Services has been a trailblazer in inclusive and accessible activities for blind or visually impaired youth," says Wayfinder's Visual Impairment & Developmental Disabilities Services Vice President Allison Burdett. Burdett recommends the following free activities for children, youth or adults who are blind or visually impaired:
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/top-three-summer-activities-for-blind-or-visually-impaired-children-and-youth-301839492.html
9) In Partnership With Blind Low Vision New Zealand, Vision Australia Is Pleased To Launch Our Vision Store Shop Website For New Zealand Customers
We are proud to launch our partnership with Blind Low Vision NZ to bring you the latest in technology so you can live the life you choose. Contact Blind Low Vision NZ for information about assessments, funding or any other queries:
https://shop.visionaustralia.org.nz/
10) Elon Musk's Neuralink 'Brain Chips' Cleared For 1st In-Human Trials | Live Science
Brain implants developed by Elon Musk's company Neuralink have been approved for human testing. The safety of the devices previously came under scrutiny following reports of "botched surgeries" in animal test subjects:
https://www.livescience.com/health/neuroscience/elon-musks-neuralink-brain-chips-cleared-for-1st-in-human-trials
11) The iLet Bionic Pancreas and 'Diabetes Without Numbers' | Diabetes Daily
There's a new closed-loop insulin pump system available in the United States, one that is so simple to operate that its manufacturer is calling it a "bionic pancreas." It's the iLet, from Beta Bionics:
https://www.diabetesdaily.com/blog/the-ilet-bionic-pancreas-and-diabetes-without-numbers-711680/
12) Real People, Real Stories Episode 4, 2023: Kristy Viers | June 1, 2023 | Anthony Priore | TPGi
Mark Miller, host, and Cori Perlander, co-host, speak with Kristy Viers about her YouTube channel and commitment to raising awareness about accessible technology:
https://www.tpgi.com/real-people-real-stories-episode-4-2023-kristy-viers/
13) Two US Government Agencies Address Online Accessibility in Higher Education: Are Regulations Next?
On May 19, 2023, two United States federal agencies issued what is known as a “Dear Colleague” letter about the importance of digital accessibility in higher education. A Dear Colleague letter is a tool that government agencies use to convey policy, resources, and commitment on various issues. The higher education digital accessibility letter was jointly published by the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ):
https://www.lflegal.com/2023/05/higher-ed-digital-access/
14) Apple's 'The Greatest' Continues To Win Big For Creatives And Disability Communities | Forbes: Subscription Required
As someone who became disabled later in life, I've come to understand that I can be proud of being disabled while acknowledging the complex challenges that come with it. Not everyone understands this subtle distinction — least of all in the world of creative advertising — but Apple's powerful short film, "The Greatest," is different. The 2-minute long spot, which has now been out just over six months, has racked up almost 20 million views on YouTube and been recognized as one of the top campaigns of 2022 by AdAge and Adweek, alike. But it's not stopping there:
Article: https://www.forbes.com/sites/keelycatwells/2023/05/25/apples-the-greatest-continues-to-win-big-for-creatives-and-disability-communities/?sh=2afb553470cc
The Greatest Video (YouTube): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sX9IEHWRJ8
15) House Passes Expansion Of Autism, Disability Services
On May 30, 2023 a bipartisan bill to expand resources and support services for residents with intellectual or developmental disabilities won unanimous passage in the House of Representatives on a 148-0 vote:
https://ctmirror.org/2023/05/30/ct-autism-idd-intellectual-developmental-disability-medicaid/
16) $240,000.00 Jury Verdict in Blind Students' Accessibility Lawsuit against Community College
This is an article about a lawsuit in the United States. The case was brought by two blind community college students and the National Federation of the Blind. The Los Angeles Community College District's math and other courses were not accessible to blind students who used screen readers. On May 26 2023 the two students were awarded more than $240,000.00 by a jury because of the District's discrimination. The students, with the help of the NFB and their lawyers, had already won in two courts before this jury trial. The Community College District threatened to go to the US Supreme Court. Disability community advocacy convinced the District to abandon its attempt to go to the highest court in the country:
https://www.lflegal.com/2023/05/blind-college-students-jury-verdict/
17) Special Education Clash: How One Student's Supreme Court Case Could Make Schools More Accountable | USA Today
Miguel Perez, who is deaf, seemed to be a model student. But months before graduation his parents learned the truth. Now they're fighting to give disabled students more power to sue when things go wrong:
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2023/03/18/schools-parents-special-education-supreme-court-perez-sturgis/11413034002/
18) FCC Has a Plan to Make Emergency Alerts Even Better
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has yet again extended the initiation date of its new rule for emergency alert broadcasting. The new rule will require all broadcasting of visual emergency communications to be accompanied by an audio stream. This will enable blind or otherwise visually impaired viewers to hear important details during an emergency when previously this wasn't a feature on non-news broadcasting:
https://cordcuttersnews.com/fcc-has-a-plan-to-make-emergency-alerts-even-better/
19) Letter: Make America's Currency Accessible And Inclusive
When you close your eyes, would you be able to tell the difference between the different denominations of paper currency? Could you tell a five dollar bill from a 20 dollar bill or a 100 dollar bill? The answer is that you wouldn't. That is how it is for the over one million blind and visually impaired people in this country. Have you ever handed someone what you thought was a five dollar bill and was really a 20 dollar bill, only to have them remain silent? The answer, if you are sighted, is probably not:
https://buffalonews.com/opinion/letters/letter-make-america-s-currency-accessible-and-inclusive/article_52a43130-f99b-11ed-bd5c-fb1f6e07b130.html
20) Companies Are Drastically Underestimating How Many of Their Employees Have Disabilities | Boston Consulting Group
Most companies report that their workforce includes relatively few employees with disabilities: just 4% to 7% on average.[1] But in a major survey by Boston Consulting Group (BCG) of nearly 28,000 employees in 16 countries (across all regions and various industries) some 25% of people said they have a disability or health condition that limits a major life activity:
https://www.bcg.com/press/10may2023-companies-drastically-underestimating-how-many-employees-have-disabilities
21) Ontario Launches Free Job Training To Help People With Disabilities Find Meaningful Work
The Ontario government has announced it is investing $6.5 million towards five projects that will help thousands of people with disabilities find jobs. On Monday May 29, 2023 the province said these projects will support 3,770 people with disabilities and connect them with jobs in their communities. These careers include a variety of sectors, such as health care, information technology, retail and hospitality:
https://nowtoronto.com/news/ontario-launches-free-job-training-to-help-people-with-disabilities-find-meaningful-work/
22) Adelaide Airport Passenger Using Mobility Scooter Says She Was Treated Without 'Empathy Or Compassion'
A woman living with a physical disability says she was made to feel like an "inanimate object" after being pulled aside at Adelaide Airport for a search:
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-05-25/woman-felt-targeted-by-security-at-adelaide-airport/102392000
23) 7 Products That Make Beauty More Accessible | New Beauty
In today's world, it is crucial to recognize the importance of products that cater to the needs of every individual. Among the millions of Americans who possess a classified disability, approximately 61 million face unique challenges related to mobility. When it comes to beauty, function is essential to ensure that everyone, regardless of their abilities, has access to high-quality and inclusive options. Here, the best adaptive and accessible solutions designed to meet the beauty and grooming needs of many who are underserved:
https://www.newbeauty.com/best-accessible-beauty-products/
24) Adaptive Beauty — Designing For Disability In 2023 | Elle
From robot manicures to a virtual make-up assistant in your pocket, Lottie Jackson explores how the beauty industry is designing game-changing gadgets and experiences for consumers with disabilities:
https://www.elle.com/uk/beauty/a44037194/adaptive-beauty-designing-for-disability-2023/
25) Conducting Mobile Accessibility Research with Screen-Reader Users | Nielsen Norman Group
Use word of mouth to recruit research participants who rely on screen readers. Conduct the study in person to help participants feel comfortable, and plan to record the screen-reader output:
https://www.nngroup.com/
26) NFTA Utilizing New Guiding Voice Service For Visually Impaired
Those who utilize a new service that helps the visually impaired maintain the freedom to move about the community would like to see it continue growing:
https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/buffalo/news/2023/06/01/nfta-utilizing-new-guiding-voice-service-for-visually-impaired
27) 5 Signs You Need to Be Tested for Hearing Loss | CNet
Hearing loss is more common than you might think. Here, we look at what to expect from hearing loss tests and at some signs you'd probably benefit from one:
https://www.cnet.com/health/medical/5-signs-you-need-to-be-tested-for-hearing-loss/#ftag=CAD590a51e
28) Making AI Delivery Robots Disability-Friendly And 'Cautious Pedestrians' | BBC News
The company behind AI robots which deliver shopping to your door has said it "constantly" talks to disabled people to ensure safety. The knee-high machines from Starship Technologies can carry three bags across town. They use the same pavements as pedestrians and a new panel advises on collision avoidance. Now in Wakefield, the team say "lived experience" and knowledge of disability is at the heart of its operation:
https://www.bbc.com/news/disability-65719649
29) 5 Clear Steps to Combating Ableism in the Workplace | Inc Australia
Empowering employees with disabilities and eliminating ableism at work starts with having the right data. Despite efforts to increase awareness and advocacy for disability rights, ableism in the workplace continues to be a prevalent issue in 2023. According to the CDC, 26% of adults in the U.S. have some type of disability. Ableism results in barriers to employee engagement, such as inaccessible job applications and interviews, limited accommodations, and negative attitudes and stigmas surrounding disability:
https://www.inc-aus.com/marcel-schwantes/5-clear-steps-to-combating-ableism-in-workplace.html
30) CBC / Radio — Canada Launches New National Accessibility Plan To Better Serve And Represent Canadians With Disabilities
CBC/Radio-Canada has launched its 2023-2025 National Accessibility Plan. This new three-year plan, Breaking Barriers, provides a framework for the national public broadcaster to better serve people with disabilities, better represent them in its content, and become the accessible public broadcaster that all Canadians deserve:
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/cbc-radio-canada-launches-national-190000290.html
31) Aira Names Everette Bacon Vice President of Blindness Initiatives
Aira, the leading global provider of Visual Interpreter Services, is proud to announce and welcome Everrette Bacon to the leadership team. We asked Everette about his background, advocating on behalf of blind people and the new position and he shared the following:
https://aira.io/aira-names-everette-bacon-vice-president-of-blindness-initiatives/
32) Ex-PC Launches Clothing Line For Disabled Children After Suffering Injury | BBC News UK
A woman who suffered a life-changing head injury while on duty as a police officer has launched an adaptive clothing line for disabled children. Helen Hignett-Clawson from Middlewich, Cheshire, was forced to retire in 2016 due to seizures, paralysis and blackouts. She has since launched Adaptive Clothing UK to make it easier for disabled children to get dressed:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-stoke-staffordshire-65758487
33) Mum Of Visually Impaired Twins Designs VR Simulator To Show Life Through Their Eyes
The unique system will be showcased in the United States at a major international conference in July:
https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/news/mum-visually-impaired-twins-designs-27021032
34) No Room At The Inn — Your Round Table Is Missing Someone Very Important | Award Winning Sight Loss Coach, Advocate and Author Donna Jodhan
Donna urges Canadian Federal departments to please examine your round tables of engagement and to fix something very glaring! You're missing some important players!
https://sterlingcreations.com/blog/no-room-at-the-inn-your-round-table-is-missing-someone-very-important
35) Visually Impaired Visitors Invited To Feel Paintings, Using 3D Guide
A church famed for its medieval wall-paintings has produced a tactile guide that allows anyone with impaired sight to "feel" the artworks:
https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2023/2-june/news/uk/visually-impaired-visitors-invited-to-feel-paintings-using-3d-guide
36) Love Island Stars Record Self-Descriptions For First Time To Help Visually Impaired Fans Get To Know New Cast
For the first time in Love Island history, the new islanders have recorded self-descriptions to help blind and partially sighted fans get to know them better:
https://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/love-island-2023-stars-record-self-descriptions-to-help-visually-impaired-fans-get-to-know-new-cast-b1084591.html
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June 7th, 2023 | Nothing Inspires People Like Cash! | Total Tech Solutions
4PM PT, 5PM MT, 6PM CT, 7PM ET, 11PM GMT
Join our virtual event on June 7, 2023, at 6:00 PM CST! Exciting opportunities await you! This event is open to all ages and backgrounds. Get ready for our first sponsor announcement, engaging contests, and an inspiring talk by Josh Perry from The Houston Hurricanes. Jeff Bazer from Vispero will also join us, providing additional insights. Register for the Zoom event to ensure you don't miss out. Live stream available on Facebook, YouTube, and Clubhouse. Recording will be posted on those platforms as well. Stay tuned for a captivating PromoPod episode on Spotify and other podcast platforms. Spread the word and save the date! #VirtualEvent #Inspiration #PromoPod:
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June 7, 2023 | Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 9: Orientation & Mobility | APH
8AM PT, 9AM MT, 10AM CT, 11AM ET, 3PM GMT
LEGO bricks to build plans, visualize routes, it's not new! But with LEGO Braille Bricks you can also create labels, add letters, words... Then it becomes really great:
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June 7, 2023 | Case Study: Accessible Shopify Website (Digital Accessibility Webinar) | Access Ingenuity
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
Access Ingenuity just launched a new Shopify website (https://accessingenuity.com/). This presentation will review our steps to design the website to be accessible and test the accessibility after launch. In summary, we found the Shopify platform more accessible than expected and only needed a few modifications. Join Michael Parker and Michael Vitagliano to learn how to make an accessible Shopify website. Learning Outcomes: Key accessibility design considerations for Shopify sites. Product page modifications. How to test your Shopify site for accessibility. Meeting ID: 829 5155 7470 | Passcode: 882703 | One tap mobile: +16699009128,,82951557470#,,,,*882703# US (San Jose) | Dial by your location: +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose):
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82951557470?pwd=WGJYRGNtNHNmRGRnb0FCdjhIL0JOZz09&mc_cid=83e69f69f3&mc_eid=90429c1885#success
June 13, 2023 | Ramping Up Your Accessibility Testing: A Beginner's Guide | TPGi
9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
Presenters: Gigi Etienne, Associate Accessibility Engineer. As an experienced accessibility professional that is new to accessibility testing, Gigi Etienne will share the learnings of this past year, the mistakes she's made, and pass on the most useful tips and feedback she's received. The goal is for you to leave with a better understanding of how accessibility testing works and the key things you should be looking for when testing a website or app. She will present you with a practical and simplified approach to the testing process so you can get started and quickly become a better and more efficient accessibility tester. Whether you are new to accessibility testing, are looking to become an accessibility auditor, or simply want to have the skills to do some accessibility testing as part of your job, this session is for you. Register today:
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-june-13-at-12pm-et-ramping-up-your-accessibility-testing-a-beginners-guide/
June 14, 2023 | Meet the New RUBY 10 (Assistive Technology Webinar — ACVREP CE Approved) | Access Ingenuity
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
The video magnifier has a 10-inch touchscreen and three dedicated cameras, and it can magnify letters, magazines, labels, and photos. The swing-out arm allows you to view items in your hand and write. When extended, it also enables full-page OCR. With a button, you can scan pages and have them read aloud. The third camera can see objects at a short distance, such as signs and menus on a wall. Users can utilize cutting-edge magnification features with industry-leading OCR to maximize the reading experience. Join Ian Ramos from Access Ingenuity and Joe McDaniel from Vispero as they demonstrate the advanced capabilities of the latest low-vision solution from Freedom Scientific, the RUBY 10. Note that everybody is welcome and can benefit from this presentation. If you are a teacher of the visually impaired (TVI), ACVREP continuing education credit is approved for this presentation. Learning Outcomes. How RUBY 10 uses cutting-edge view modes not seen in any other device. Discover different uses of the RUBY 10. How the RUBY 10 differs from the other models. Why having OCR in a portable unit can be a game-changer. Meeting ID: 836 5396 6007 | Passcode: 101322 | One tap mobile: +16699009128,,83653966007#,,,,*101322# US (San Jose)
Dial by your location: +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose):
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83653966007?pwd=djNaTXhzWlhJWmRiOFZyNThhNGc3Zz09&mc_cid=83e69f69f3&mc_eid=90429c1885#success
June 21, 2023 | Understand, Test, Solve: ARIA
9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
Presenters: Aaron Farber, Senior Accessibility Platform Consultant. TPGi's Accessibility Resource Center (ARC) platform empowers teams to solve common accessibility issues while growing their understanding over time. The monthly “Understand, Test, and Solve” webinar series covers fundamental concepts in accessibility. Attendees learn how to address the set of WCAG Success Criteria for each concept. Over the course of this series, teams achieve full WCAG coverage in their testing:
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-june-21-at-12pm-et-understand-test-solve-aria/
June 21, 2023 | Canva: Is Accessible Content Possible? (Digital Accessibility Webinar) | Access Ingenuity
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
Explore the Canva program to author documents and discover how posters, flyers, and other files made in Canva can have accessibility hurdles. Join Rachel Reeves to learn about the possibility of creating accessible content on Canva. Learning Outcomes: Using Canva to create Graph/Chart images and meet Color Contrast Requirements. How does Canva impact accessibility? How to create accessible documents with Canva. | Meeting ID: 821 5591 4679 | Passcode: 600843 | One tap mobile: +16699009128,,82155914679#,,,,*600843# US (San Jose). Dial by your location: +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose):
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82155914679?pwd=K1BjcG9JV29RbFhSSUdYZTdJeUZMdz09&mc_cid=83e69f69f3&mc_eid=90429c1885#success
June 27, 2023 | Blind, Equity, Inclusion Free Webinar | NSITE
11:30AM PT, 12:30PM MT, 1:30PM CT, 2:30PM ET, 6:30PM GMT
Learn about BEI (Blind, Equity & Inclusion) and how you can increase your ROI. Recognize unconscious bias; examine "blind spots" in your diversity hiring; recognize "diverse abilities"; identify the bottom line and ROIs of hiring this talent. Presented by NSITE's DEI Team Rikki Howie & Doug Goist:
https://bit.ly/NSITE-BEI
June 27, 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
June 28, 2023 | JAWS: Tables in Word & HTML (Assistive Technology Webinar) | Access Ingenuity
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
Many JAWS users avoid tables in both Word and the internet because they don't have training in navigating tables using JAWS. Along with not navigating a table, people also believe that creating a table in Word is not accessible with JAWS. Join Michael Parker and Marisa Church to learn techniques, apply settings, navigate tables, and create tables using JAWS. Learning Outcomes: Navigating tables in Word. The different ways of navigating a table. Demonstrating column and row titles and how to set them using the JAWS quick settings. Inserting and deleting columns and rows. How to create a table. Navigating tables in HTML. Using smart navigation. | Meeting ID: 867 2021 6234 | Passcode: 157521 | One tap mobile: +16699009128,,86720216234#,,,,*157521# US (San Jose) | Dial by your location: +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose):
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86720216234?pwd=c1R2R3VRQ3J5RXZFd0QrNkRjOEtVdz09&mc_cid=83e69f69f3&mc_eid=90429c1885#success
July 1, 2023 through July 6, 2023 | NFB 2023 National Convention in Houston, Texas
The National Federation of the Blind is the transformative membership and advocacy organization of blind people. Every day we raise the expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. Each year we come together for important discussions, decisions, and information sharing. As an attendee, take advantage of the opportunity to: Network with thousands of blind role models. Connect with leaders in the field of blindness. Attend presentations on a variety of empowering topics. Learn about the latest in technology and innovation. And more! The convention is open to all. Important note: Our constitution states that only members of the Federation have the right to participate in decision-making when it comes to organizational policy. If you are not already a member, please connect with your state affiliate at:
https://nfb.org/about-us/state-affiliates
July 25, 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
July 25, 2023 | U.S. Access Board Town Hall Meeting in Baltimore
10:30PM PT, 11:30PM MT, 12:30PM CT, 1:30PM ET, 5:30PM GMT
The U.S. Access Board will hold a public town hall meeting at the national headquarters of the National Federation of the Blind in Baltimore, Maryland. Presidentially appointed Access Board members and representatives from other federal member agencies will be present to hear from the local community about the state of accessibility in Baltimore and the D.C.-Maryland-Virginia area. Following the town hall meeting, there will be a reception and networking opportunity from 3:30 — 4:30 (ET), sponsored by the Maryland Department of Disabilities. The town hall meeting and reception are open to all members of the public. Please register for in-person attendance by July 1, 2023. To register, send an email to events@access-board.gov 📧️ with your name and organization. The Access Board invites in-person oral comments on accessibility. Registrants who wish to make in-person oral comments must indicate their request to speak when emailing events@access-board.gov. Public commenters will be allotted two minutes to make their comments
August 22, 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 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
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 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
Sponsors may submit or update their Classified Advertisement at any time by submitting this short form: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-sponsor-classified.
Sponsor: NSITE.org
➜ Classified Advertisement: NSITE Connects Employers With Talented People Who Are Blind Or Low-Vision And Supports Talent To Gain Employment
NSITE.org is the first non-profit organization, offering a continuum of services to connect employers with talented job seekers who are blind or low-vision and provides training, employment and career services to these job seekers. Using the NSITE Connect Job Board, which is designed exclusively for individuals who experience vision loss, employers can fill open positions with talent who are blind or have low vision. Job postings are also open to veterans. NSITE-U provides accessible on-demand and virtual instructor-led classes, programs and workshops to support career skills training and professional development for individuals who are blind or have low vision or are veterans. For more information about NSITE and all its services including a free Job Seekers Toolkit developed with APH, American Printing House for the Blind, visit us and use this form to reach NSITE's team for information about programs, classes and services, connect:
https://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.
NSITE Connect: Linking employers with talented individuals who are blind, low-vision, and/or veterans. Access the NSITE Connect Job Board here.About | Media | Employers | Job Seekers | Training Programs | Job Board | Contact Us
Sponsor: Clusiv
➜ Classified Advertisement: Clusiv Is The World's First eLearning Platform Built For And By People Who Are Blind. Our Courses Are Designed To Equip People Who Are Blind Or Visually Impaired For Employment In The Modern Workforce. Learn More At Clusiv.Io.
Navigating the employment process can be challenging if you are blind or visually impaired. Technology is difficult to figure out, there is a lot of extra material to learn, and there isn't much quality training available.
That's where Clusiv comes in. We help to provide the training you need to succeed in the modern workforce. Our courses teach assistive technology skills and how to apply those skills to many of the business software programs used in the modern workforce, such as email, Microsoft and Google apps, video conferencing, and more. We also teach soft skills such as resume and interview preparation, disclosures and accommodations, internet safety, and financial literacy. Lastly, our training can teach specific career skills, such as becoming an accessibility analyst. Plus, our courses are self-paced.
To learn more, visit https://clusiv.io/ and fill out a form with your information. We work with state vocational rehabilitation agencies to provide access to our course content.
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.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Seeks Your Support at the Public Policy Level
Moving the public policy needle is both difficult and costly. Access Ready has one of the most experienced teams in the business who have shown results. We have fostered Congressional language on accessible websites, elections, healthcare, communications, and other areas touched by information and communications technologies. These efforts are costly and we need your help to continue. Become an Access Ready supporter and create an accessible future for people with disabilities:
https://accessready.org/
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.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Provides Access To The Best In The Business
If you need assistance with a new accessible website, document remediation or disability consulting of other kinds, Access Ready can help. We seek out the best in the business and bring them to you already vetted as to quality, professionalism and ability. By going through AccessReady.org to one of our qualified providers, you're not only getting the best, but supporting our advocacy and technological development efforts as well:
https://accessready.org/
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.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Seeks Guidance On New Accessible Technologies
What Technologies do you see in the market that are not accessible, but should be? What accessible technologies can you imagine that can make the lives of people with all kinds of disabilities better? We will advocate with developers to make existing technologies accessible on your behalf. We will advocate with developers to build new accessible technologies on your behalf. Give us your guidance and support. Your guidance charts our path toward what is most important. Your support funds our efforts on your behalf:
https://accessready.org/
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Prepare For Your Future Today With The All-New APH ConnectCenter's Job Seekers Toolkit!
The APH ConnectCenter and NSITE have partnered to update the Job Seeker's Toolkit, an accessible, self-paced, free online training course. The Toolkit includes five sections covering self-awareness, career exploration tools, the preliminary employment process, the interview, and maintaining employment. We are bringing the Job Seeker's Toolkit to a larger audience and in a Learning Management System format for today's learners, at no cost. Visit APHCareerConnect.org to get started with the Job Seekers Toolkit today at:
https://aphcareerconnect.org/lesson-plans-for-teachers-and-professionals/the-job-seekers-toolkit/
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: Menus4ALL
➜ Classified Advertisement: A Revolution in Resolution — Menus for Everyone
No matter when, where or who, the Menus4ALL iPhone app gives you the info you need quickly. No more multiple Google searches to research menus before going out. Info is organized to give you quick access to what you are looking for — the menu! Optimized to give you the best viewing experience. No more struggling to see small print, or looking at a menu in a dimly lit restaurant. Do you use magnification, large print, VoiceOver, a braille display or Voice Control? Enjoy 750,000 fully accessible menus. Download the app today at:
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/menus4all/id1640547801?platform=iphone
Sponsor Since: November 20th 2022
Website: https://www.menus4all.com/ 🌐️
Email: stephanie@menus4all.com 📧️
About: 750,000 Accessible Restaurant Menus. On your iPhone ® in the palm of your hand.
Yes, that's not a typo. The Menus4ALL iPhone app offers 500,000 accessible menus in the United States and 250,000 accessible menus in Canada.
Wherever you are and whenever you want The Menus4ALL iPhone app is the largest network of restaurant menus in one place and all of the menus are fully accessible.
Perfect for when you are out running errands and want to know what restaurants are near your current location. Great for planning a night out with friends. Favorite menus that you want to look at later or when you know you are going back for that amazing dish.
Download The App (Apple): https://apps.apple.com/us/app/menus4all/id1640547801?platform=iphone
Sponsor: WayAround
➜ Classified Advertisement: HURRY — Stock Up on WayTags Before Prices Increase on June 1!
WayAround is the best way to label things if you're blind or have low vision. You just need the free mobile app and some WayTags ® to label items in the kitchen, garden, closet, office & more. Prices on WayTags will increase on June 1, so stock up today on your favorite tags.
https://www.wayaround.com/shop/?utm_source=AssistiveTech&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=AccessInfoNewsSponsorAd
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Remote Incident Manager for Mac: Cruising Right Along!
The development of Remote Incident Manager for Mac has hit several milestones in the past couple weeks. We've introduced the ability to control a Mac fully unattended, the implementation of seamless file transfers on Mac targets, and the ability to gracefully assist a Mac through a reboot process! For those of you who have yet to experience the world's first cross-platform fully accessible remote support package, get in on the action at: https://pneumasolutions.com/remote-incident-manager-for-mac-public-beta/! Giving and receiving help has never been easier or more accessible, particularly for our Mac crowd. Prepare for a seamless experience that will forever change the way you receive and/or provide remote support and training. And if something isn't working quite right, please don't hesitate to give us feedback at: https://pneumasolutions.com/contact/! Remote Incident Manager: For the first time ever, remote help for the Mac is just a keyword away.
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: Living Blindfully
➜ Classified Advertisement: Be Informed First. Join Living Blindfully Plus
Whether it's a product demo, a hot topic or an in-depth interview, the Living Blindfully podcast is a must-hear to find out what's on the mind of the blind community. Ensure you're among the first to be in the know. Join Living Blindfully Plus to receive episodes three days before they're public. Pay what you can afford or what you think it's worth. Set it and forget it with a recurring subscription which you can cancel any time, or just pay for a single month, the choice is yours. And when you subscribe to Living Blindfully Plus, you're supporting an important resource for the blind community where the global conversation continues every week. Join today and enjoy your Plus benefits immediately.
https://LivingBlindfully.com/plus
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Be Productive and Enjoy Working With Leasey!
Leasey is your ultimate tool for productivity and fun. Directly from within JAWS for Windows, create text macros, shortcuts to folders and web pages, store notes under different categories and access them from any application.
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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.
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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 advocacy foundation.
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.
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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.
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.
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Access Information News for Monday, May 29, 2023 - Volume 912
The Week's News in Access Information
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This Week's Featured Advertisement: Access Ready Seeks Answers
Looking at the three major front runners for President in 2024, which has the best understanding of the digital divide and how it affects people with disabilities?
Questionnaires and invitations to candidates have not really yielded good answers. Not since the 2008 Presidential debates has there been a question related to disability.
So how do we reach them to inform voters with disabilities who is best suited to represent their concerns? An advocacy point to be considered. Of course various organizations will offer questionnaires and invitations to candidate forums with the same canned staff created responses.
Exit polls have never asked voters a disability question, so we may not even know the turnout of voters with disabilities in 2024. This is another point of advocacy.
With the disability population surpassing eighty million Americans now, this constituency deserves better from our leaders and we will keep seeking a way to engage them to gather a better understanding.
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1) Top 5 Most Clicked Access Information News Articles From Last Week
A.) Radio and the Blind: An Evolving Relationship | Radio World
In the 1920s, newspaper articles called radio a godsend for the blind. It was both educational and entertaining, and it would help them to feel less isolated. Today, many people with visual impairment live independent lives and enter a variety of occupations, including broadcasting. Thanks to technologies like screen-reading software, most internet websites are accessible. And a growing number of movies and television programs now have audio descriptions. So what role does radio play in a world in which blind people have so many information and entertainment choices?
https://www.radioworld.com/news-and-business/programming-and-sales/radio-and-the-blind-an-evolving-relationship
B.) Introducing Beyond Barriers, Our New Accessibility Travel Column | Conde Nast Traveler
Television host and travel writer Sophie Morgan will cover the latest news, hotels, restaurants, destinations, and tech, helping disabled travelers feel safe, secure, and inspired to travel the world:
https://www.cntraveler.com/story/introducing-beyond-barriers-our-new-accessibility-travel-column
C.) Echolocation Mastery Activates The Visual Cortex In Blind Individuals | BigThink.com
Humans are capable of using sound to navigate the environment in a process called echolocation. In blind people, the visual cortex can adapt its function to process non-visual information. A recent study examined how a brain region called the occipital place area factors into this process:
https://bigthink.com/neuropsych/blind-human-echolocation/
D.) Pop-up Ads Create Accessibility Issues — Here's How to Use Them Effectively | Accessibility.com
You are scrolling through your social media feed and stumble upon an interesting article. You click on the link to learn one. Before you can scroll to the second paragraph, a pop-up ad covers your screen. Its appearance is unexpected, the bright colors or video auto-play make it difficult to look at your phone, and the close button is hard to find. By the time you click away from the pop-up, your enthusiasm for the article has declined. For people without disabilities, pop-ups are usually considered an annoyance. For web users with disabilities, these pop-ups can limit their access to important information. However, many companies highlight the value of pop-up ads for revenue and conversion purposes. You can still keep using these ads, but first, you need to make some tweaks. Here's what you need to know from an accessibility standpoint:
https://www.accessibility.com/blog/pop-up-ads-create-accessibility-issues-heres-how-to-use-them-effectively
E.) 7 Museums, Gardens, And Performance Venues Making Art More Accessible To All | RoadTrippers.com
Decades after the Americans with Disabilities Act was passed in 1990, there's still a lot of progress to be made in making businesses, cultural institutions, and public spaces truly accessible for everyone. But every new technological advancement and thoughtful initiative allows more and more people to engage with the arts in new ways. From glasses designed to correct for color blindness, tactile displays, and braille signage, to improved wheelchair accessibility, here are seven places in the U.S. that are making experiences and environments more welcoming and comfortable to all visitors:
https://roadtrippers.com/magazine/museums-venues-making-art-more-accessible-to-all/
3) Sponsorship Package Updates
Are you an access-based person, business or organization whose products, services or message would benefit from reaching over 15,000 access professionals each week? If so, please consider becoming a Sponsor today for just $100 a month, paid either quarterly or annually. Annual Sponsors gain the additional benefit of being able to schedule their Featured Advertisement dates up to one year in advance. If you've been looking for a way to consistently reach the largest audience of opt-in access professionals in the world today, please consider becoming an Access Information News Sponsor while packages last. Availability: There are currently 5 Access Information News Sponsorship Packages remaining. Advertising Benefits: Review a complete list of advertising benefits here:
https://www.accessinformationnews.com/sponsorship-information.html#sponsorship-package-benefits
4) Premium Subscriber Updates
Next Issue: Premium Subscribers will receive their 2nd issue of the 60 Most Clicked Access News Articles for April, May and June of 2023 on Monday, July 3, 2023. Back Issues: There is currently 1 back issue 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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5) Sponsored News Items Now Available
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7) Access Information News Click-To-Vote Quick Poll #911 Results | Sponsored By: Access Ready, Inc. | 411 Votes
Question: Access Ready Asks: Which 2024 US Presidential candidate best understands the digital divide and how it affects people with disabilities? (Selections presented in alphabetical order by last name.)
#1 | E.) All of the above.
(203 Votes / 49% of all clicks.)
#2 | A.) Biden, Joseph R.
(61 Votes / 15% of all clicks.)
#3 | D.) None of the above.
(57 Votes / 14% of all clicks.)
#4 | B.) Desantis, Ronald D.
(47 Votes / 11% of all clicks.)
#5 | C.) Trump, Donald J.
(43 Votes / 10% of all clicks.)
Poll Results Link: https://bit.ly/ain-poll911-results
8) Elon Musk Already Lives Rent-Free In Our Heads. Now His Neuralink Has Been Cleared For Human Trials.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared the first clinical trials of devices made by Elon Musk's brain-implant firm Neuralink. Founded in 2016, Neuralink has sought FDA's nod since 2019, performing brain implants only in animals till now. The company hopes its technology will help treat paralysis and blindness in humans:
https://qz.com/fda-okays-human-trial-of-elon-musks-neuralink-implants-1850478332
9) Meet Blind Social Media Influencer Lucy Edwards | Motto: "Blind, Not Broken" | Vogue
Social media sensation Lucy Edwards pens a personal essay for British Vogue on the power of her blindness:
https://www.vogue.co.uk/article/lucy-edwards-essay?utm_content=249487775&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&hss_channel=tw-18197430
10) NSITE Launches New Blog: Are You Really Ready For A Differently-Abled Employee On Your Team?
Welcome to NSITEful! This new space is an area to discuss, dissect, and share the ideas and efforts impacting the blind and low vision communities; comment on current events; and announce new initiatives in the DEIA space. As the Executive Director of NSITE, I wanted a place where my team and I can share critical updates not just on our own work, but amplify others working in this area and our thoughts on their work. At launch, it felt right to start with one of the pillars of our work that feels urgent to us: accessibility. The proliferation of technology in this area coupled with the growing awareness of what accessibility is and requires feels like a spark about to burst into flame. How to address and improve accessibility is a topic we cover a lot in our day-to-day work as a team:
https://nsite.org/blogs/nsiteful-blog/
11) Hadley Institute for the Blind and Visually Impaired Announces Podcasts Now Available By Phone | Kirby Lindgren | Director of Professional Outreach
I'm delighted to share with you that we have a new way to enjoy our Hadley podcasts, Hadley Presents and Insights & Sound Bites. Just give a call. They' re on the phone! I love being able to share all that our podcasts have to offer to those who may not be online. So, the number to call, and share with anyone who you think may enjoy listening to our podcasts this way, is (847) 558-1317 📱️. Exciting, right?
12) Brain And Spine Implants Enabled A Paralyzed Man To Climb Stairs And Walk On Rough Terrain, Study Shows | NBC News
A video shows how the technology translates thoughts from the brain into electrical signals that trigger movement:
https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/brain-spine-implants-restored-movement-paralyzed-man-rcna85586
13) EPUB 3.3 Becomes A W3C Recommendation
A.) https://www.w3.org/2023/05/pressrelease-epub33-rec.html.en
B.) https://www.w3.org/TR/2023/REC-epub-a11y-11-20230525/
14) 5 Products And Features That Are Making The Digital World More Accessible | Google Blog
Here are 5 product and feature updates built by and for people with disabilities:
https://blog.google/outreach-initiatives/accessibility/global-accessibility-awareness-day-google-product-update/
15) Five Screen Reader Accessibility Tests Your QA Team Should Do | TPGi
If your company is working on improving the accessibility of the website for people with disabilities, ensuring your content is accessible to screen reader users will be one of the focuses. As you and your team are busy making changes to your website, software and other digital assets to ensure they're accessible, you will likely have a lot of questions. This post aims to demystify the accessibility screen reader compatibility testing process and show you how screen reader testing can reveal your successes and where your site still contains accessibility barriers:
https://www.tpgi.com/five-screen-reader-accessibility-tests-your-qa-team-should-do/
16) Rishi Sunak Alt Text Tweet Criticized For Misusing Accessibility Feature | BBC News
Publisher (Di Blasi): There is a saying in the media industry that you've probably heard before: "tone-deaf." This saying has nothing to do with not being able to hear actual audio frequencies. It instead refers to one's inability to "read the room," if you will. It is often used to refer to someone that attempts to be knowledgeable in a particular area, only to come across to that audience as completely unknowledgeable in said area. Yes. I think this fits that description to a tee.
BBC News: Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has been criticized for misusing alt text on social media — weeks after big brands were called out for doing it. His official Twitter account posted a four-picture photo grid showing cabinet members having a meeting. The alt text fields — which are supposed to describe what's in the images for blind users — simply read: "We're growing the economy". Number 10 said it "aims to ensure" images are "as accessible as possible:"
https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-65644575
17) Empowering The Visually Impaired: Thinkerbell Labs' Journey Towards Inclusive Education
With its flagship product Annie, Thinkerbell Labs, an alumnus of the JioGenNext, ensures that visually impaired students have access to high-quality Braille education, irrespective of their geographical location or socio-economic background:
https://yourstory.com/2023/05/empowering-visually-impaired-thinkerbell-labs-journey-towards-inclusive-education
18) Global Accessibility Anger Day | Eric Bailey
For each and every Global Accessibility Awareness Day (#GAAD) post a company puts out today, ask:
https://ericwbailey.website/published/global-accessibility-anger-day/
19) Accessibility Should Be A Cybersecurity Priority, Says UK NCSC
Cybersecurity training, controls, and requirements that are inaccessible, especially to those with disabilities, can make businesses less secure and more vulnerable to risky behaviour:
https://www.csoonline.com/article/3697149/accessibility-should-be-a-cybersecurity-priority-says-uk-ncsc.html
20) Nothing About Us Without Us: Improving Digital Accessibility For Museum Visitors | Museum Next
Ryan Dodge outlines how a headline exhibition at the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum gained a new lease on life. The exhibition was also made more accessible through a digitally immersive experience that was tested with disability communities:
https://www.museumnext.com/article/improving-digital-accessibility-for-museum-visitors/
21) The Key to Aligning Accessibility with Feature Releases | Level Access
Digital product management is a balancing act between meeting the needs of users and navigating pressure to deliver new features on time and on budget. Digital accessibility spans across this divide. To serve the broadest possible user base and maximize revenue, product teams need to prioritize accessibility. But too often, product teams only address accessibility after new features are built. This reactive approach takes more effort, drains development hours, and delays features for all users:
https://www.levelaccess.com/blog/the-key-to-aligning-accessibility-with-feature-releases/
22) Accessibility Features — What's New in Max: 10 Key Changes as HBO Max Relaunches With Discovery Content, Enhanced Features | Variety
At launch, Max will feature 6,500 hours of audio descriptive content. That now includes shows lifestyle brands like Magnolia, TLC, and HGTV as well as the HBO and Max originals. In addition, at launch, Max will support screen reader technology on the web, Roku, Vizio, LG, Samsung, Xbox, PlayStation 5, iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Android Mobile, Android TV, Google TV, Amazon Fire TV, DirecTV, Comcast and Cox:
https://variety.com/2023/digital/news/max-launch-whats-new-app-features-hbo-max-discovery-1235621417/
23) For The Blind And Visually Impaired, The Return Of Rental Scooters And Bikes To Dallas Draws Groans
Envision Dallas, which provides services for the visually impaired, asks riders to park rental bikes and scooters correctly so they won't be obstacles on sidewalks:
https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/for-blind-visually-impaired-return-rental-scooters-bikes-dallas-draws-groans/287-c46d9d01-695e-436a-9173-beee79376288
24) Sonification Makes Astronomy More Inclusive And Helps Scientists Fine-Tune Celestial Observations
Astronomy is such a visual profession, made relevant and inspiring by the luminescent images created from powerful telescopes like the Webb and Hubble — our eyes on the universe. But not everyone sees it that way:
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-05-23/sound-data-sonification-future-astronomy-studying-universe/102350408
25) 'I Always Felt Like The Gym Wasn't Accessible' — The Struggles Blind People Face To Stay Active
Blind and partially sighted people are "twice as likely" to be inactive compared to the UK population, according to new data. The research, from the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) and British Blind Sport, shows that almost half (48%) of blind people surveyed reported barriers to trying new sports and activities:
https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/news/always-felt-gym-wasnt-accessible-004200789.html
26) Mobile Carriers Urged To Improve Accessible Phone Plans For Deaf And Blind Canadians
Those who communicate through sign language are dependent on video communication, which means they require larger data packages:
https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/mobile-carriers-urged-to-improve-accessible-phone-plans-for-deaf-and-blind-canadians
27) No Cellphone? No Problem! The Vintage Radio Enthusiasts Prepping For Disaster | The Guardian
Ham radio users, from teenagers to eightysomethings, are ready to communicate in the next crisis — be it a wildfire, pandemic or 'the big one:'
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/may/27/ham-radio-emergency-natural-disaster-climate-crisis
28) Reading a Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) or Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR) | Equal Entry
Procurement officers and employees responsible for purchasing products for a company may request an Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR) based on the ITI Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT). The reason why these reports are needed is that organizations want to purchase the most accessible version of a product to ensure it will work for people with disabilities. The VPAT or ACR is the tool to understand whether a product has evaluated and improved access for people with disabilities:
https://equalentry.com/reading-vpat-voluntary-product-accessibility-template/
29) Are Electric Vehicles Too Quiet? | ABC News Australia | YouTube
The sharp rise in EV uptake is prompting calls from the low-vision community to fit the vehicles with noise-emitting devices called acoustic vehicle alert systems (AVAS), so pedestrians can hear them coming at low speeds:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2J-oNEZfnZ8
30) Ford To Keep AM Radio In Cars After Pressure From Lawmakers | TechCrunch
Ford has reversed its decision to build new vehicles without AM radio after pressure from lawmakers:
https://techcrunch.com/2023/05/23/ford-to-keep-am-radio-in-cars-after-pressure-from-lawmakers/
31) Audible Plus Vs. Premium Plus
With a US market share of 63.4% (as of 2022), Amazon Audiobook is quite popular among users. It allows users to access several podcasts, audiobooks, and classics. As for their subscription plans, earlier, you needed to pay $14.95 monthly as a subscription fee and receive one credit. For two credits, you needed to pay a bit more. However, now there are two different subscription plans available: Audible Plus and Premium Plus. What's the difference between the two? Let's find out:
https://goodereader.com/blog/audiobooks/audible-plus-vs-premium-plus
32) Federal, State Law Permit Disability Discrimination In Wisconsin Voucher Schools
The state Department of Public Instruction says it has no legal authority to force private taxpayer-funded schools to accommodate students with disabilities:
https://www.wpr.org/federal-state-law-permit-disability-discrimination-wisconsin-voucher-schools
33) Advocates: Government Is Failing Residents on Accessibility | GovTech.com
Like many parents, Baltimore-area resident Tony Stephens wants to know how his kids are doing in school. But unlike most of his peers, checking on his son's grades isn't as simple as logging onto a website. Stephens was born legally blind and lost the remainder of his sight in his teenage years. As the father of two sighted boys, he uses screen-reading software to access the web. However, it doesn't work if he encounters a website that wasn't programmed to be compatible with assistive technology:
https://www.govtech.com/biz/data/advocates-government-is-failing-residents-on-accessibility
34) Federal CIO Says IDEA Act Guidance Coming This Summer
Clare Martorana discussed the challenge of building out specific steps to get government agency websites to adopt common standards:
https://fcw.com/digital-government/2023/05/federal-cio-says-idea-act-guidance-coming-summer/386466/
35) American Printing House For The Blind Breaks Ground On New Museum | WLKY News
Leaders from the American Printing House for the Blind broke ground on a new $55 million construction project Monday, May 22, 2023. The organization is renovating its entire campus, which includes creating a brand new museum called "The Dot Experience" in the process:
https://www.wlky.com/article/american-printing-house-blind-new-museum/43963912
36) Disabled Woman Forced To Sleep In Hotel Dining Area 'After Booked Room Was Unavailable' | The Guardian
Kat Watkins, who requires a ventilator at night, said she is suffering from severe back pain after a night at Travelodge in Hounslow:
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/may/21/disabled-woman-forced-to-sleep-in-hotel-dining-area-after-booked-room-was-unavailable
37) People With Disabilities Aren't Often Seen In Stock Photos. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Is Changing That | NPR
A man with a prosthetic leg hooks up a portable generator, the yellow cord stretching a safe distance from his house. A woman with a walker shines a flashlight in a dark kitchen. A guy wearing a hearing aid changes his smoke alarm batteries. These are some of the new stock images recently released by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, the government agency that focuses on accident prevention and has amused the internet for years with its public safety awareness memes on Twitter:
https://www.npr.org/2023/05/23/1177640695/cpsc-stock-photos-people-disabilities-safety-devices
38) Mastercard Rolls Out Its First Inclusive Credit Card For Visually Impaired Consumers In The U.S.
A new-to-market credit card from Citizens will feature a notch meant to signify the type of card:
https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/mastercard-rolls-out-its-first-inclusive-credit-card-for-visually-impaired-consumers-in-the-us/ar-AA1bCpuj
39) 5 Book Recommendations To Help Drive Accessibility Adoption And Strategy | Phil Daquila | Deque
These books helped us help our coaching crews, and they may help you:
https://www.deque.com/blog/5-book-recommendations-to-help-drive-accessibility-adoption-and-strategy/
40) Airbnb Highlights Ongoing Innovation Towards 'Making Travel More Accessible' For All | Forbes: Subscription Required
To celebrate Global Accessibility Awareness Day last week, Airbnb published a blog post in which the San Francisco-based company shared updates on how it's making lodging more accessible and inclusive. Among the so-called “key takeaways” from the announcement is Airbnb's claim it has reviewed and confirmed the accuracy of “almost 300,000 accessibility features across the platform.” Additionally, the company said the new Adapted category, launched back in December as part of its annual Winter Review series, currently features more than 1,100 listings worldwide, with Adapted hosts earning a combined $5.5 million (roughly $4,000 per host) in profit. Lastly, Airbnb announced what it described as the “ten most wishlisted Adapted homes” on the service; they include treehouses, domes, and log cabins, Airbnb said:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/stevenaquino/2023/05/23/airbnb-highlights-ongoing-innovation-towards-making-travel-more-accessible-for-all/
41) The Ukraine Example — The World Owes Much | Award Winning Sight Loss Coach, Advocate and Author Donna Jodhan
I don't think that we will have much of an argument when it comes to a perfect example of commitment and believing in one's self! Just take a look at Ukraine and its fearless leader!
https://sterlingcreations.ca/blog/the-ukraine-example-the-world-ows-much
42) AccessWorld Spring 2023 Issue
Updates Include: Editor's Page: Welcome To The First Issue Of The Relaunched And Expanded Accessworld! | Moderating Google Groups: A Screen Reader And Browser Comparison | Employment Journeys, Darren Burton, Access Industry Veteran | A Novice's Guide to VPATs | Interest In and Adoption of Novel AT: Findings from NRTC's AT in the Workplace Study:
https://www.afb.org/aw/24/5
43) Amid India's OTT boom, Platforms Still Keep The Disabled In The Dark | TheHindu.com
The IT Rules say that streaming services should, “to the extent feasible,” make their content accessible for viewers with disabilities. But a large gap of accessibility exists on streaming platforms:
https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/technology/the-accessibility-gap-on-streaming-in-india-for-visually-and-hearing-impaired-viewers/article66870874.ece
➜ Featured Webinars, Training Courses and Events
Submit your access information related Webinar, Training Course or Event for consideration within this section using this form: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-event.
May 31, 2023 | TOPAZ Magnifiers: Powerful Visual Aids (Assistive Technology Webinar — ACVREP CE Approved) | Access Ingenuity
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
The TOPAZ family of desktop video magnifiers combines ease of use with powerful features to help people retain their independent lifestyle — reading, writing, viewing photographs, and engaging in hobbies. All TOPAZ models are available in several monitor sizes and provide a clear, crisp picture with a wide range of magnification and color-coded controls. The ergonomic design provides exceptional reading comfort for hours of use in the home, office, or school. During this webinar, we discuss the features of all the TOPAZ models and the benefits each can give in specific situations. Join Ian Ramos and Joe McDaniel from Vispero as they dive deep into these powerful tools to help those challenged by vision loss. Note that everybody is welcome and can benefit from this presentation. If you are a teacher of the visually impaired (TVI), ACVREP continuing education credit is approved for this presentation. Learning Outcomes: Features of all TOPAZ models. Which features fit your needs best. How adding speech capability can take you further. Join Zoom Meeting: TOPAZ Magnifiers: Powerful Visual Aids | Meeting ID: 818 1319 3745 | Passcode: 159299 | One tap mobile: +16699009128,,81813193745#,,,,*159299# US (San Jose) | Dial by your location
+1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose):
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81813193745?pwd=LzBPaHFOSkp6Rm9iRFZwazlCQmRNdz09
June 2, 2023 | ATHEN Sixth Annual Accessibility Summer Camp 2023
6AM PT, 7AM MT, 8AM CT, 9AM ET, 1PM GMT
We would love for you to share your accessibility knowledge during our sixth annual Accessibility Summer Camp 2023! As in former years, this virtual conference is FREE for all attendees. This year's ASC event will take place on Friday, June 2, 2023, from 8:00-4:00 CST. As a conference participant you will be able to attend sessions and engage in valuable networking with like-minded professionals. We are soliciting presentations from all experience levels and backgrounds, so please visit the ASC Conference Home Page for more information and to submit a proposal. The session proposal deadline is Friday, February 17th, 2023. What is Accessibility Summer Camp (ASC)? The Accessibility Summer Camp is a FREE annual conference with the goal of connecting professionals and educators with best practices in accessibility and Universal Design. Over the past few years, the ASC conference has grown to become one of the most popular accessibility conferences in the country. Our mission is to provide accessibility professional development that empowers attendees to create high quality, accessible learning environments while removing barriers for all individuals who have a desire to learn:
https://www.accessibilityict.org/
June 2, 2023 | 2023 Braille Literacy Canada Symposium: Boundless Braille
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
Braille Literacy Canada (BLC) will be holding its third annual virtual braille symposium on Friday, June 2, 2023 from 1 — 5 PM EDT (10am-2pm Pacific/11am-3pm Mountain/Saskatchewan, 12pm-4pm Central, 2pm-6pm Atlantic, 5pm-9pm UTC). This event will be of interest to braille readers, educators, transcribers, parents, producers and anyone else with a passion for braille literacy.
https://www.braillists.org/uncategorised/join-the-2023-braille-literacy-canada-symposium-boundless-braille/
June 7th, 2023 | Nothing Inspires People Like Cash! | Total Tech Solutions
4PM PT, 5PM MT, 6PM CT, 7PM ET, 11PM GMT
Join our virtual event on June 7, 2023, at 6:00 PM CST! Exciting opportunities await you! This event is open to all ages and backgrounds. Get ready for our first sponsor announcement, engaging contests, and an inspiring talk by Josh Perry from The Houston Hurricanes. Jeff Bazer from Vispero will also join us, providing additional insights. Register for the Zoom event to ensure you don't miss out. Live stream available on Facebook, YouTube, and Clubhouse. Recording will be posted on those platforms as well. Stay tuned for a captivating PromoPod episode on Spotify and other podcast platforms. Spread the word and save the date! #VirtualEvent #Inspiration #PromoPod:
https://shorturl.at/bswUY
June 7, 2023 | Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 9: Orientation & Mobility | APH
8AM PT, 9AM MT, 10AM CT, 11AM ET, 3PM GMT
LEGO bricks to build plans, visualize routes, it's not new! But with LEGO Braille Bricks you can also create labels, add letters, words... Then it becomes really great:
https://www.aph.org/lego-braille-bricks-live-sessions/
June 13, 2023 | Ramping Up Your Accessibility Testing: A Beginner's Guide | TPGi
9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
Presenters: Gigi Etienne, Associate Accessibility Engineer. As an experienced accessibility professional that is new to accessibility testing, Gigi Etienne will share the learnings of this past year, the mistakes she's made, and pass on the most useful tips and feedback she's received. The goal is for you to leave with a better understanding of how accessibility testing works and the key things you should be looking for when testing a website or app. She will present you with a practical and simplified approach to the testing process so you can get started and quickly become a better and more efficient accessibility tester. Whether you are new to accessibility testing, are looking to become an accessibility auditor, or simply want to have the skills to do some accessibility testing as part of your job, this session is for you. Register today:
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-june-13-at-12pm-et-ramping-up-your-accessibility-testing-a-beginners-guide/
June 21, 2023 | Understand, Test, Solve: ARIA
9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
Presenters: Aaron Farber, Senior Accessibility Platform Consultant. TPGi's Accessibility Resource Center (ARC) platform empowers teams to solve common accessibility issues while growing their understanding over time. The monthly “Understand, Test, and Solve” webinar series covers fundamental concepts in accessibility. Attendees learn how to address the set of WCAG Success Criteria for each concept. Over the course of this series, teams achieve full WCAG coverage in their testing:
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-june-21-at-12pm-et-understand-test-solve-aria/
June 27, 2023 | Blind, Equity, Inclusion Free Webinar | NSITE
11:30AM PT, 12:30PM MT, 1:30PM CT, 2:30PM ET, 6:30PM GMT
Learn about BEI (Blind, Equity & Inclusion) and how you can increase your ROI. Recognize unconscious bias; examine "blind spots" in your diversity hiring; recognize "diverse abilities"; identify the bottom line and ROIs of hiring this talent. Presented by NSITE's DEI Team Rikki Howie & Doug Goist:
https://bit.ly/NSITE-BEI
June 27, 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
July 1, 2023 through July 6, 2023 | NFB 2023 National Convention in Houston, Texas
The National Federation of the Blind is the transformative membership and advocacy organization of blind people. Every day we raise the expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. Each year we come together for important discussions, decisions, and information sharing. As an attendee, take advantage of the opportunity to: Network with thousands of blind role models. Connect with leaders in the field of blindness. Attend presentations on a variety of empowering topics. Learn about the latest in technology and innovation. And more! The convention is open to all. Important note: Our constitution states that only members of the Federation have the right to participate in decision-making when it comes to organizational policy. If you are not already a member, please connect with your state affiliate at:
https://nfb.org/about-us/state-affiliates
July 25, 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
July 25, 2023 | U.S. Access Board Town Hall Meeting in Baltimore
10:30PM PT, 11:30PM MT, 12:30PM CT, 1:30PM ET, 5:30PM GMT
The U.S. Access Board will hold a public town hall meeting at the national headquarters of the National Federation of the Blind in Baltimore, Maryland. Presidentially appointed Access Board members and representatives from other federal member agencies will be present to hear from the local community about the state of accessibility in Baltimore and the D.C.-Maryland-Virginia area. Following the town hall meeting, there will be a reception and networking opportunity from 3:30 — 4:30 (ET), sponsored by the Maryland Department of Disabilities. The town hall meeting and reception are open to all members of the public. Please register for in-person attendance by July 1, 2023. To register, send an email to events@access-board.gov 📧️ with your name and organization. The Access Board invites in-person oral comments on accessibility. Registrants who wish to make in-person oral comments must indicate their request to speak when emailing events@access-board.gov. Public commenters will be allotted two minutes to make their comments
August 22, 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 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
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 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
Sponsors may submit or update their Classified Advertisement at any time by submitting this short form: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-sponsor-classified.
Sponsor: Clusiv
➜ Classified Advertisement: Clusiv Is The World's First eLearning Platform Built For And By People Who Are Blind. Our Courses Are Designed To Equip People Who Are Blind Or Visually Impaired For Employment In The Modern Workforce. Learn More At Clusiv.Io.
Navigating the employment process can be challenging if you are blind or visually impaired. Technology is difficult to figure out, there is a lot of extra material to learn, and there isn't much quality training available.
That's where Clusiv comes in. We help to provide the training you need to succeed in the modern workforce. Our courses teach assistive technology skills and how to apply those skills to many of the business software programs used in the modern workforce, such as email, Microsoft and Google apps, video conferencing, and more. We also teach soft skills such as resume and interview preparation, disclosures and accommodations, internet safety, and financial literacy. Lastly, our training can teach specific career skills, such as becoming an accessibility analyst. Plus, our courses are self-paced.
To learn more, visit https://clusiv.io/ and fill out a form with your information. We work with state vocational rehabilitation agencies to provide access to our course content.
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.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Seeks Your Support at the Public Policy Level
Moving the public policy needle is both difficult and costly. Access Ready has one of the most experienced teams in the business who have shown results. We have fostered Congressional language on accessible websites, elections, healthcare, communications, and other areas touched by information and communications technologies. These efforts are costly and we need your help to continue. Become an Access Ready supporter and create an accessible future for people with disabilities:
https://accessready.org/
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.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Provides Access To The Best In The Business
If you need assistance with a new accessible website, document remediation or disability consulting of other kinds, Access Ready can help. We seek out the best in the business and bring them to you already vetted as to quality, professionalism and ability. By going through AccessReady.org to one of our qualified providers, you're not only getting the best, but supporting our advocacy and technological development efforts as well:
https://accessready.org/
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.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Seeks Guidance On New Accessible Technologies
What Technologies do you see in the market that are not accessible, but should be? What accessible technologies can you imagine that can make the lives of people with all kinds of disabilities better? We will advocate with developers to make existing technologies accessible on your behalf. We will advocate with developers to build new accessible technologies on your behalf. Give us your guidance and support. Your guidance charts our path toward what is most important. Your support funds our efforts on your behalf:
https://accessready.org/
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Prepare For Your Future Today With The All-New APH ConnectCenter's Job Seekers Toolkit!
The APH ConnectCenter and NSITE have partnered to update the Job Seeker's Toolkit, an accessible, self-paced, free online training course. The Toolkit includes five sections covering self-awareness, career exploration tools, the preliminary employment process, the interview, and maintaining employment. We are bringing the Job Seeker's Toolkit to a larger audience and in a Learning Management System format for today's learners, at no cost. Visit APHCareerConnect.org to get started with the Job Seekers Toolkit today at:
https://aphcareerconnect.org/lesson-plans-for-teachers-and-professionals/the-job-seekers-toolkit/
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: Menus4ALL
➜ Classified Advertisement: A Revolution in Resolution — Menus for Everyone
No matter when, where or who, the Menus4ALL iPhone app gives you the info you need quickly. No more multiple Google searches to research menus before going out. Info is organized to give you quick access to what you are looking for — the menu! Optimized to give you the best viewing experience. No more struggling to see small print, or looking at a menu in a dimly lit restaurant. Do you use magnification, large print, VoiceOver, a braille display or Voice Control? Enjoy 750,000 fully accessible menus. Download the app today at:
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/menus4all/id1640547801?platform=iphone
Sponsor Since: November 20th 2022
Website: https://www.menus4all.com/ 🌐️
Email: stephanie@menus4all.com 📧️
About: 750,000 Accessible Restaurant Menus. On your iPhone ® in the palm of your hand.
Yes, that's not a typo. The Menus4ALL iPhone app offers 500,000 accessible menus in the United States and 250,000 accessible menus in Canada.
Wherever you are and whenever you want The Menus4ALL iPhone app is the largest network of restaurant menus in one place and all of the menus are fully accessible.
Perfect for when you are out running errands and want to know what restaurants are near your current location. Great for planning a night out with friends. Favorite menus that you want to look at later or when you know you are going back for that amazing dish.
Download The App (Apple): https://apps.apple.com/us/app/menus4all/id1640547801?platform=iphone
Sponsor: WayAround
➜ Classified Advertisement: HURRY — Stock Up on WayTags Before Prices Increase on June 1!
WayAround is the best way to label things if you're blind or have low vision. You just need the free mobile app and some WayTags ® to label items in the kitchen, garden, closet, office & more. Prices on WayTags will increase on June 1, so stock up today on your favorite tags.
https://www.wayaround.com/shop/?utm_source=AssistiveTech&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=AccessInfoNewsSponsorAd
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Remote Incident Manager for Mac: Cruising Right Along!
The development of Remote Incident Manager for Mac has hit several milestones in the past couple weeks. We've introduced the ability to control a Mac fully unattended, the implementation of seamless file transfers on Mac targets, and the ability to gracefully assist a Mac through a reboot process! For those of you who have yet to experience the world's first cross-platform fully accessible remote support package, get in on the action at: https://pneumasolutions.com/remote-incident-manager-for-mac-public-beta/! Giving and receiving help has never been easier or more accessible, particularly for our Mac crowd. Prepare for a seamless experience that will forever change the way you receive and/or provide remote support and training. And if something isn't working quite right, please don't hesitate to give us feedback at: https://pneumasolutions.com/contact/! Remote Incident Manager: For the first time ever, remote help for the Mac is just a keyword away.
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: Living Blindfully
➜ Classified Advertisement: Be Informed First. Join Living Blindfully Plus
Whether it's a product demo, a hot topic or an in-depth interview, the Living Blindfully podcast is a must-hear to find out what's on the mind of the blind community. Ensure you're among the first to be in the know. Join Living Blindfully Plus to receive episodes three days before they're public. Pay what you can afford or what you think it's worth. Set it and forget it with a recurring subscription which you can cancel any time, or just pay for a single month, the choice is yours. And when you subscribe to Living Blindfully Plus, you're supporting an important resource for the blind community where the global conversation continues every week. Join today and enjoy your Plus benefits immediately.
https://LivingBlindfully.com/plus
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Keep Up-To-Date With What's Happening On Twitter!
Do you still use the JAWS screen-reader and Twitter even though the third party apps are a thing of the past? If so, do you get tired of hearing extra speech, such as when a tweet was posted and the full username in addition to the tweet? How do you discover how many characters you have typed when composing a tweet? When carrying out common Twitter actions, such as moving to your Home Timeline, wouldn't it be better to press one keystroke instead of two? The JAWS scripts for the Twitter web site and Store App are here. Easy to remember shortcut keys, such as Up and Down Arrow to move through tweets, Control+N to compose a new tweet, Control+R to reply, etc. Abbreviated Mode which will condense what you hear (or see in Braille) as you move through tweets. Character count and warning if you type too much text. Documentation to provide descriptions of how to use the various functions. And much more.
http://www.hartgen.org/twitter
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.
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Sponsor: NSITE.org
➜ Classified Advertisement: NSITE Connects Employers With Talented People Who Are Blind Or Low-Vision And Supports Talent To Gain Employment
NSITE.org is the first non-profit organization, offering a continuum of services to connect employers with talented job seekers who are blind or low-vision and provides training, employment and career services to these job seekers. Using the NSITE Connect Job Board, which is designed exclusively for individuals who experience vision loss, employers can fill open positions with talent who are blind or have low vision. Job postings are also open to veterans. NSITE-U provides accessible on-demand and virtual instructor-led classes, programs and workshops to support career skills training and professional development for individuals who are blind or have low vision or are veterans. For more information about NSITE and all its services including a free Job Seekers Toolkit developed with APH, American Printing House for the Blind, visit us and use this form to reach NSITE's team for information about programs, classes and services, connect:
https://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.
NSITE Connect: Linking employers with talented individuals who are blind, low-vision, and/or veterans. Access the NSITE Connect Job Board here.About | Media | Employers | Job Seekers | Training Programs | Job Board | Contact Us
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About: Access Information News is the world's leading not-for-profit access information news publication that reaches over 15,000 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.
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Access Information News is the world's leading not-for-profit access information news publication that reaches over 15,000 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.
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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 Access 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 Access 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 advocacy foundation.
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 Access Technology
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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.
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 Access 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, May 22, 2023 - Volume 911
The Week's News in Access Information
https://accessinformationnews.com/
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: 10,364 Opt-In Subscribers were sent this issue via email. 22 Premium Subscribers were sent this issue via email.
This Week's Featured Advertisement: Join Industry Leaders And Begin Reaching Over 15,000 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 Distribution Made Possible By Support From: Pneuma Solutions, WayAround, Menus4ALL, 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,
Submit your Access Information News Item for free, with timing and placement determined by our editors, here: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-news. Submit a Sponsored News Item, with timing and placement determined by you, here: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-sponsored-news.
1) Top 5 Most Clicked Access Information News Articles From Last Week
A.) Review | Slinger - The Last Phone Accessory You Will Ever Need! | The Blind Life | YouTube (10.4% of all clicks.)
This is the Slinger, a new accessory for your smartphone that adds an easy-to-use retractable strap, that can be neatly tucked away when not in use. This strap, which comes in a wide variety of colors and materials, allows the user to safely use their phone hands-free! The Slinger even holds the phone in the perfect position for hands-free phone calls:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39CYHfY4Lg8
B.) Why Do Blind People Wear Sunglasses? | Medical News Today (7.5% of all clicks.)
In this article, we examine why blind people wear sunglasses. We discuss each reason in detail and determine whether people wear them for protection or aesthetic purposes:
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/why-do-blind-people-wear-sunglasses
C.) AudioEye Files Law Suit Against Web Accessibility Expert Adrian Roselli | May 12, 2023 (6.7% of all clicks.)
AudioEye Is Suing Me. By Adrian Roselli. On Wednesday March 8, 2023, a man who turned out to be a process server came to my house and delivered a stack of papers — a 30 page lawsuit from Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP along with Buffalo-area firm Phillips Lytle LLP, both representing AudioEye, Inc. The stack of papers also included a two page summons and a two page notice of electronic filing. None of these materials were provided in an accessible, let alone digital, format. On Thursday May 11, 2023, an attorney from Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP delivered an amended complaint to my attorney as an untagged PDF. For posting, I modified the amended complaint only to redact my home address. If you have access to something like LexisNexis you can look up the original document with index number 803054-2023. The most substantive change in the amended complaint (there is more than one change) might be this demand on page 31:
https://adrianroselli.com/2023/05/audioeye-is-suing-me.html
D.) AccessWorld Newsletter April 2023 Issue (5.1% of all clicks.)
April 2023 Updates Include: Editor's Page: Exciting Changes coming to AccessWorld! | Get Going with Mike May and GoodMaps | At Last, the Free Bookshare Reader App | Review of the Zelle Money Transfer Service Using VoiceOver:
https://www.afb.org/aw/24/4
E.) U.S. Company Implants Brain Chips For 50 People To Cure Blindness, Deafness And More | Cool Blind Tech (4.7% of all clicks.)
A US firm has implanted 50 chips into people's brains, with scientists at the company hopeful that they will one day be able to massively improve the lives of people with blindness, deafness, depression and physical paralysis. The device is called the NeuroPort Array and it's been made by a company called Blackrock Neurotech, based in Salt Lake City, Utah:
https://coolblindtech.com/u-s-company-implants-brain-chips-for-50-people-to-cure-blindness-deafness-and-more/
2) Sponsored By Total Tech Solutions | Nothing Inspires People Like Cash!
Join our virtual event on June 7, 2023, at 6:00 PM CST! Exciting opportunities await you! This event is open to all ages and backgrounds. Get ready for our first sponsor announcement, engaging contests, and an inspiring talk by Josh Perry from The Houston Hurricanes. Jeff Bazer from Vispero will also join us, providing additional insights. Register for the Zoom event to ensure you don't miss out. Live stream available on Facebook, YouTube, and Clubhouse. Recording will be posted on those platforms as well. Stay tuned for a captivating PromoPod episode on Spotify and other podcast platforms. Spread the word and save the date! #VirtualEvent #Inspiration #PromoPod
https://shorturl.at/bswUY
3) Sponsorship Package Updates
Are you an access-based person, business or organization whose products, services or message would benefit from reaching over 15,000 access professionals each week? If so, please consider becoming a Sponsor today for just $100 a month, paid either quarterly or annually. Annual Sponsors gain the additional benefit of being able to schedule their Featured Advertisement dates up to one year in advance. If you've been looking for a way to consistently reach the largest audience of opt-in access professionals in the world today, please consider becoming an Access Information News Sponsor while packages last. Availability: There are currently 5 Access Information News Sponsorship Packages remaining. Advertising Benefits: Review a complete list of advertising benefits here:
https://www.accessinformationnews.com/sponsorship-information.html#sponsorship-package-benefits
4) Premium Subscriber Updates
Next Issue: Premium Subscribers will receive their 2nd issue of the 60 Most Clicked Access News Articles for April, May and June of 2023 on Monday, July 3, 2023. Back Issues: There is currently 1 back issue 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
5) 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
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In addition to receiving Access Information News via email every Monday morning at 6:00 AM ET you can also pick up the newsletter and its trending articles on any of the following channels:
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7) Access Information News Welcomes Three New Sponsors: Hartgen Consultancy, Carrie on Accessibility and Living Blindfully
Publisher (Di Blasi): Please join all of us here at Access Information News in congratulating the winners of the 2023 GAAD Ad Giveaway sponsored by Top Tech Tidbits and Access Information News. Hartgen Consultancy, Carrie on Accessibility and Living Blindfully won First, Second and Third place, respectively, in this year's contest, and have earned the distinction of being voted one of the Top 10 Access Influencers of 2023. As one of the Top 3 of those Top 10 Access Influencers, they will each be joining the Access Information News publication as Sponsors for the next 3 months. I encourage you to get to know them during this time. Each of these access creators release an incredible amount of high quality content on a regular basis. And we're excited to show you even more of it in the coming months.
8) Access Information News Click-To-Vote Quick Poll #911 | Sponsored By: Access Ready, Inc.
Question: Access Ready Asks: Which 2024 US Presidential candidate best understands the digital divide and how it affects people with disabilities? (Selections presented in alphabetical order by last name.)
A.) Biden, Joseph R.
Click-To-Vote A Link: https://bit.ly/ain-poll911-a
B.) Desantis, Ronald D.
Click-To-Vote B Link: https://bit.ly/ain-poll911-b
C.) Trump, Donald J.
Click-To-Vote C Link: https://bit.ly/ain-poll911-c
D.) None of the above.
Click-To-Vote D Link: https://bit.ly/ain-poll911-d
E.) All of the above.
Click-To-Vote E Link: https://bit.ly/ain-poll911-e
Poll Link: https://bit.ly/ain-poll911
9) Introducing Beyond Barriers, Our New Accessibility Travel Column | Conde Nast Traveler
Television host and travel writer Sophie Morgan will cover the latest news, hotels, restaurants, destinations, and tech, helping disabled travelers feel safe, secure, and inspired to travel the world:
https://www.cntraveler.com/story/introducing-beyond-barriers-our-new-accessibility-travel-column
10) A Comprehensive Guide to Mobility Devices | May 16, 2023 | Claire Szewczyk | Hill & Ponton Disability Attorneys
Mobility aids are special tools that assist individuals who face difficulties with their movement, allowing them to experience greater freedom and independence. These aids are commonly chosen by individuals with disabilities, injuries, or older adults who have a higher chance of falling. By using mobility aids, people can enjoy numerous advantages. First, they gain a sense of independence, as these devices enable them to move around with greater ease. Second, mobility aids help reduce pain, making it more comfortable for individuals to go about their daily activities. Third, these aids contribute to increased confidence and self-esteem, as users feel more secure and capable in their ability to move around. A wide variety of mobility devices are available to cater to different needs. These devices range from canes and crutches, which provide additional support while walking, to wheelchairs and stair lifts, which assist with mobility over longer distances or when facing stairs:
https://www.hillandponton.com/guide-to-mobility-aids/
11) Social Media Etiquette For Accessibility | May 18, 2023 | Holly Tuke, Becky Brynolf | CharityComms
Liking someone's Instagram post from 2017? Posting TV spoilers? Backseat gaming? All big no-no's when it comes to social media etiquette, but what about not making your posts accessible in the first place? Online accessibility means that everyone can join in the discourse, the memes, and much more. It's a love note that says 'we want you here, this is for you too'. Here's our guide to accessible social media etiquette:
https://www.charitycomms.org.uk/social-media-etiquette-for-accessibility
12) Baileys Launches 'Delicious Descriptions' Campaign For Blind And Partially-Sighted Social Media Users | May 19, 2023
Adult treat brand, Baileys, has launched 'Delicious Descriptions', a social campaign focused on enhancing image descriptions and screen reader content for blind and partially-sighted social media users by layering in more delicious, more indulgent descriptors of treat content:
https://mobilemarketingmagazine.com/baileys-launches-delicious-descriptions-campaign-for-blind-and-partially-sighted-social-media-users
13) Radio and the Blind: An Evolving Relationship | May 17, 2023 | Radio World
In the 1920s, newspaper articles called radio a godsend for the blind. It was both educational and entertaining, and it would help them to feel less isolated. Today, many people with visual impairment live independent lives and enter a variety of occupations, including broadcasting. Thanks to technologies like screen-reading software, most internet websites are accessible. And a growing number of movies and television programs now have audio descriptions. So what role does radio play in a world in which blind people have so many information and entertainment choices?
https://www.radioworld.com/news-and-business/programming-and-sales/radio-and-the-blind-an-evolving-relationship
14) 37 Years And Over 100 Arrests: Longtime Disability Rights Icon Anita Cameron Is Retiring From Protests | The 19th News
In the wake of her last protest, The 19th spoke with Cameron about her life and the future of disabled activism:
https://19thnews.org/2023/05/anita-cameron-disability-rights-activist-retiring-protests/
15) Emergency Communication Tips When You Have Hearing Loss
Communicating during emergencies is deeply challenging: blaring sirens, stressful situations, and downed phone lines are all contributing factors that can make it hard to speak, hear, or think clearly. For people who are deaf or hard of hearing, there's an extra layer of complexity and additional obstacles, including:
https://www.healthyhearing.com/report/53452-Emergency-communication-hearing-loss-deaf-tips
16) Recruiting Accessibility Testers with Disabilities | Accessibility.com
When testing the accessibility of a digital platform or product, companies have a couple of options. The two most common means of accessibility testing are automated and manual. Although automated testing can be cost-effective and punctual, it needs some nuance inherent to manual testing. This nuance comes from the fact that manual testing is performed by real people rather than software. Manual testing allows contributions from a variety of perspectives. One such perspective offered in manual testing is that of people with disabilities. One could argue that the view of an individual with disabilities is one of the most valuable assets available to companies pursuing accessibility. In this piece, we will discuss the value of testers with disabilities, how to recruit testers and ethical considerations that a company should consider:
https://www.accessibility.com/blog/recruiting-accessibility-testers-with-disabilities
17) Fed CIO: More IDEA Act Guidance Coming This Summer | May 18, 2023 | MeriTalk
Federal CIO Clare Martorana said today she expects the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to issue guidance this summer to Federal agencies on how to further implement the 21st Century Integrated Digital Experience Act (IDEA Act) approved by Congress in late 2018:
https://www.meritalk.com/articles/fed-cio-more-idea-act-guidance-coming-this-summer/
18) Dear Colleague Letter On Online Accessibility At Postsecondary Institutions Released By The United States Department of Justice | May 19, 2023 | Microassist
The DOJ's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) sent a Dear Colleague Letter to postsecondary institutions reminding them of their obligations under ADA Title II to provide students with disabilities equal access to online courses and programs. OCR emphasized that institutions must make reasonable modifications to their websites and online courses to ensure that students with disabilities can participate and succeed. If you are a vendor that sells technology to educational institutions, this letter is a warning shot:
https://www.justice.gov/crt/case/dear-colleague-letter-online-accessibility-postsecondary-institutions
19) Putting DEIA Into Action: Why Inclusive Organizations Prioritize Digital Accessibility | Level Access
What do these acronyms mean? And how, if at all, are they different? In this post, we'll define DEI and make the case for why accessibility — and digital accessibility, in particular — is integral, not additional, to any effective DEI program. We'll also explain why DEIA needs to be a top priority for any organization aiming to foster a fairer and more just culture and succeed in today's market:
https://www.levelaccess.com/blog/trends/putting-deia-into-action-why-inclusive-organizations-prioritize-digital-accessibility
20) How For Blind People, The iPhone Significantly Changed The World Of Cell Phones Even More Than For The Sighted | May 16, 2023 | Kevin Renato Jones | Accessibility Insights
In 1990 I had a conversation with my friend Aaron Levinthal about phones and we thought it would be cool if we could just take our phone put it on our belts and go out into public. Neither of us had seen a cell phone at that point yet. On a college trip the assistant choir professor Jonathan Overby had a cell phone, and used it once or twice. They began to be more prevalent as time passed, though I'd never held one until I got one. Well, a working cell anyway; my parents showed me an old cell from the early 1990s that was no longer in service. The retired phone was from one of their friends, was about the size of a brick, and seriously weighed in like one too , at least two or three pounds:
https://accessibility-insights.com/2023/05/16/how-for-blind-people-the-iphone-significantly-changed-the-world-of-cell-phones-even-more-than-for-the-sighted/
21) Can Completely Blind Persons Remediate PDF Documents By Themselves? | Karen McCall | Access Technology Higher Education Network
PDF remediation is not possible for someone who depends on a screen reader and has no functional vision. The reason for this is that you have to match the tags in the tags tree to what you see on the physical page. Screen readers can only read a PDF through what gets tagged:
https://www.accessinformationnews.com/14.html
22) DoorDash Charges iPhone Users More Than Android Users, Lawsuit Alleges
DoorDash charges iPhone users more than it charges Android users, at least according to a class-action lawsuit filed against the company. In the lawsuit, customers allege that DoorDash uses vague fees "delivery charges" fees as a way to mask the higher prices being paid by iPhone users:
https://9to5mac.com/2023/05/19/doordash-charges-iphone-users-more-than-android-users-lawsuit-alleges/
23) How Do Blind People Watch Movies? | MakeUseOf.com
Thanks to many accessibility features, visually impaired people can enjoy movies as much as everyone else:
https://www.makeuseof.com/how-do-blind-people-watch-movies/
24) The Problem With Medical Moms | Grace Dow Writes
A critical look at how disabled children and youth feel when their parents share details of their disabilities on social media:
https://gracedowwrites.com/2023/05/13/the-problem-with-medical-moms/
25) Of Keys and Castles: The Social Model of Disability | Trevor Attenberg | World Blind Herald
Here's the scenario. You are involved in an organization in your hometown to alleviate hunger and homelessness. The organization's president is a charismatic type, capable of passionate speeches that shake dust from the sealing and keep nearly everyone wide-awake. “If you ain't willing to open your own castle to someone in need, you better not be talking to me about an open mind” she says. She composes the monthly report, which, like her speeches, feature ornate examples of her drawing and map-making abilities. In fact, most of the essential information in the monthlies are conveyed in this manner. Donation records are described by pictures of soup cans and tents, with numbers scribbled below with a sharpy. Volunteer assignments and current projects at homeless encampments are depicted on a map, which gives most participants a good idea of how close to their home everything is. Problem is you are blind. You've asked for digital copies of reports on a number of occasions, without anything to show. Undaunted, you collected one of the paper copies, and brought it home to scan with your newly updated phone. Because the written information is done by hand, and is not organized into neat rows or columns, your phone's OCR App can neither decipher the majority of characters, nor arrange them coherently. Worse, all the maps and nice drawings render into clusters of tildes and Curley brackets:
https://www.worldblindherald.com/of-keys-and-castles-the-social-model-of-disability/
26) Hitting Bullseyes While Blind: How Adaptive Hunting Equipment Is Helping 2 Marksmen Compete
Shaun Payne positioned himself behind his rifle, equipped with a camera clipped to the scope — the technology that displays the scope's view on a monitor. His spotter and friend, Stephen Miller, used a computer monitor to see Payne's targeting, adjusting the scope crosshairs onto the target. Payne whispered his usual mantra before he pulled the trigger. "I am a sandbag," he said. Then, he fired the rifle. Since Payne has adopted the adaptive technology, he said he's been able to shoot several bullseyes — some from 1,000 yards away. The experienced marksman shows no shortage of talent, despite having been blinded by a motorcycle accident in Utah five years ago:
https://www.ksl.com/article/50645573/hitting-bullseyes-while-blind-how-adaptive-hunting-equipment-is-helping-2-marksmen-compete
27) Lawsuits Targeting Company Websites For ADA Violations On The Rise | May 16, 2023 | Star Tribune
Digital accessibility is required by law, but less than 4% of websites fully comply, leaving most businesses exposed to litigation risk:
https://www.startribune.com/lawsuits-targeting-company-websites-for-ada-violations-on-the-rise-visual-hearing-accessible/600275196/
28) Opinion: The GOP Wants To Put Work Requirements On Medicaid Recipients. That Could Be Devastating For Thousands Of Americans | Mia Ives-Rublee | CNN
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and nearly all House Republicans voted late last month to rip away health coverage from hundreds of thousands of people like me, passing a measure that would impose work requirements as a condition of eligibility for Medicaid as part of their bill to raise the debt ceiling. If McCarthy's bill becomes law, an estimated 600,000 people would lose coverage:
https://www.cnn.com/2023/05/16/opinions/medicaid-work-requirements-debt-ceiling-ives-rublee/index.html
29) Overture Center Offers 'Tactile Tour' For Blind Audience Members At 'The Lion King' | May 17, 2023 | News 3 Now | YouTube
The Overture Center for the Arts gave visually impaired audience members a chance to get up close and personal with props and costumes from "The Lion King" before Wednesday night's performance:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FruotCoPgYc
30) Paralympic Star Brad Snyder Talks Accessibility, Identity, Thoughts On Paris 2024 | NBC Sports
https://olympics.nbcsports.com/2023/05/17/brad-snyder-paralympics/
31) Pop-up Ads Create Accessibility Issues — Here's How to Use Them Effectively
You are scrolling through your social media feed and stumble upon an interesting article. You click on the link to learn one. Before you can scroll to the second paragraph, a pop-up ad covers your screen. Its appearance is unexpected, the bright colors or video auto-play make it difficult to look at your phone, and the close button is hard to find. By the time you click away from the pop-up, your enthusiasm for the article has declined. For people without disabilities, pop-ups are usually considered an annoyance. For web users with disabilities, these pop-ups can limit their access to important information. However, many companies highlight the value of pop-up ads for revenue and conversion purposes. You can still keep using these ads, but first, you need to make some tweaks. Here's what you need to know from an accessibility standpoint:
https://www.accessibility.com/blog/pop-up-ads-create-accessibility-issues-heres-how-to-use-them-effectively
32) 7 Museums, Gardens, And Performance Venues Making Art More Accessible To All | RoadTrippers.com
Decades after the Americans with Disabilities Act was passed in 1990, there's still a lot of progress to be made in making businesses, cultural institutions, and public spaces truly accessible for everyone. But every new technological advancement and thoughtful initiative allows more and more people to engage with the arts in new ways. From glasses designed to correct for color blindness, tactile displays, and braille signage, to improved wheelchair accessibility, here are seven places in the U.S. that are making experiences and environments more welcoming and comfortable to all visitors:
https://roadtrippers.com/magazine/museums-venues-making-art-more-accessible-to-all/
33) Echolocation Mastery Activates The Visual Cortex In Blind Individuals | BigThink.com
Humans are capable of using sound to navigate the environment in a process called echolocation. In blind people, the visual cortex can adapt its function to process non-visual information. A recent study examined how a brain region called the occipital place area factors into this process:
https://bigthink.com/neuropsych/blind-human-echolocation/
34) Where Do I Start With Accessibility? | May 14, 2023 | Tim Dixon
Where do I start with Accessibility? is the first question that anyone new to accessibility asks. Therefore, this post aims to provide a starting point to get involved with accessibility, regardless of you level of knowledge or role:
https://www.timdixon.net/blog/2023/05/where-do-i-start-with-accessibility/
35) Talking RFID Prescription Bottles to Launch at Wegmans Pharmacies | May 19, 2023
The grocery chain Wegmans will become the latest retail pharmacy to pilot the ScripTalk radiofrequency identification (RFID) prescription labeling system in five of its New York stores, the company announced in April. ScripTalk labels, placed on the bottom of the prescription bottle by the pharmacist, include special RFID codes that can be read by a small, battery-operated device called a ScripTalk station (provided at no cost to the patient). The device reads the prescription information out loud, including the drug name, prescription number, dosage, instructions, warnings and refill information. The labels can also be accessed on a patient's phone with apps for both Android and iOS:
https://www.pharmacypracticenews.com/Pharmacy-Technology-Report/Article/05-23/Talking-RFID-Prescription-Bottles-to-Launch-at-Wegmans-Pharmacies/70357
36) United States: Proskauer Obtains Victory For Visually Impaired Chicagoans | May 15, 2023
Proskauer and co-counsel Disability Rights Advocates ("DRA"), a nationwide nonprofit disability rights legal center, triumphed in a Chicago court this month, obtaining a ruling that will lead to historic accessibility improvements for the more than 65,000 people with vision difficulties who live in Chicago. The Court granted summary judgment on claims that the City of Chicago discriminated against blind and low vision pedestrians under federal disability rights laws by failing to install accessible pedestrian signals (APS) at signalized intersections. American Council of the Blind of Metropolitan Chicago, et al. v. City of Chicago, No. 1:19-cv-06322 (N.D. Ill.):
https://www.mondaq.com/unitedstates/discrimination-disability--sexual-harassment/1315116/proskauer-obtains-victory-for-visually-impaired-chicagoans
37) New Learning Tool Is The 'Holy Braille' For Visually Impaired Students In Hawai'i | Hawai'i Public Radio
When it came time for her exams, Eme Mitchell-Butler said she was prepared but nervous about questions on diagrams. The Kalaheo High School student is blind and depends on braille and tactile graphics to understand complicated charts and other illustrations through her fingertips. Mitchell-Butler wanted to be a biochemist, so she took advanced biology, trigonometry and physics. But she hasn't always received her textbooks on time. Mitchell-Butler's case is not unique as blind students across the U.S. can wait three to five months to get their hardcopy braille. Braille textbooks can also cost between $20,000 and $40,000 per book, according to the American Printing House for the Blind. A new device called the Monarch may cut that waiting time. Developers have even nicknamed it the "holy braille:"
https://www.hawaiipublicradio.org/local-news/2023-05-15/new-learning-tool-is-the-holy-braille-for-visually-impaired-students-in-hawai%CA%BBi
38) Accessibility Overlays Don't Guarantee Compliance With European Legislation | May 17, 2023 | European Disability Forum
The European Disability Forum (EDF) and International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP) have issued a joint statement clarifying the limitations of a technology known as 'accessibility overlay' — and warned that this technology does not make websites accessible or compliant with European accessibility legislation. Accessibility overlays enable users to change the way online content looks. While this can help some people, similar features are already available in today's browsers and devices — and some overlays can interfere with the other technology people with disabilities use to access online content (known as assistive technology). Many public and private online services are now using accessibility overlays instead of fixing their website to ensure it complies with accessibility laws and digital accessibility standards. Our objective with this statement is to ensure that people who are not digital accessibility experts understand what this technology can and cannot do. We strongly advise buyers of technology to actively engage with digital accessibility experts, persons with disabilities and their representative organizations to understand user needs and how these can be met:
https://www.edf-feph.org/accessibility-overlays-dont-guarantee-compliance-with-european-legislation/
39) New Kansas Website Accessibility Law Provides Local Businesses With A Litigation Sword | ADA Title III
A New Kansas law will allow resident businesses to sue ADA website plaintiffs and their counsel over "abusive" litigation to recover defense fees and potentially punitive damages:
https://www.adatitleiii.com/2023/05/new-kansas-website-accessibility-law-provides-local-businesses-with-a-litigation-sword/
40) A Shocking Discovery About Phantom Limb Sensations Could Revolutionize Prosthetics | Inverse
When someone loses a limb, they might feel sensations in the region of their missing appendage as if it were still there. This phenomenon is known as a phantom limb, and it occurs in most people who lose an arm or leg. Scientists still don't fully understand why this happens despite numerous theories. Now, a paper published today in the journal Science describes how people with phantom limb sensations can experience temperature changes. Scientists say understanding why this happens could help them create better prosthetics that include thermal sensation:
https://www.inverse.com/science/shocking-discovery-phantom-limb-sensations-revolutionize-prosthetics
41) British Vogue Is Available In Braille. Blind 'Fashionistas' React.
British Vogue is making strides when it comes to inclusivity with the release of a braille edition of the magazine's latest issue:
https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/british-vogue-released-braille-edition-223429656.html?soc_src=social-sh&soc_trk=tw&tsrc=twtr
42) If You Can See It Then I Have A Right To Know About It — We Are All Entitled | Award Winning Sight Loss Coach, Advocate and Author Donna Jodhan
Our world is made up of everyone! Sighted, non sighted, mainstream, and those with a disability! Let us not forget this!
https://sterlingcreations.com/blog/if-you-can-see-it-then-i-have-a-right-to-know-about-it-we-are-all-entitled?preview=true
43) Can Airlines Fix Their Antiquated Accessibility Procedures? | May 10, 2023 | Samuel Blatchford | The Alpena News
Airline travel can be stressful. You have to deal with long lines at security, missing or damaged luggage, even a delayed flight or two. For Laura Hall, the program director at the Michigan Disability Rights Coalition in East Lansing, air travel can be even tougher. Hall has cerebral palsy and uses a power chair to get around. She said she hasn't had pleasant experiences while traveling by plane, and there were three instances where her chair was damaged:
https://www.thealpenanews.com/news/michigan-news-apwire/2023/05/can-airlines-fix-their-antiquated-accessibility-procedures/
44) Bronx MTA Hero Prioritizes Accessibility By Making Seats Comfortable, Putting Braille On Buses | ABC7 News
This week's MTA Hero is Kerry Bowden, a man who works hard to make sure accessibility is a priority with the MTA. Bowden is the Assistant Chief Maintenance Officer with the Department of Buses at Zerega Bus Maintenance and Training Facility in the Bronx. He and his team work with the accessibility team, looking to find ways to help New Yorkers get around:
https://abc7ny.com/mta-hero-accessibility-kerry-bowden-bronx/13233382/
45) National Federation of the Blind May 2023 Newsletter
https://nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/imagineering-our-future/may-2023
➜ Featured Webinars, Training Courses and Events
Submit your access information related Webinar, Training Course or Event for consideration within this section using this form: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-event.
May 23, 2023 | Ask Sharky: Five Tips for Accessing PDFs in Adobe Reader with JAWS
9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
We'll show you how to set accessibility preferences in Adobe Reader, open and save PDFs, plus provide keyboard commands for reading and navigation. 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
May 23, 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
May 24, 2023 | Understand How to Create & Review VPATs (Digital Accessibility Webinar) | Access Ingenuity
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
Whether working with an organization reviewing Voluntary Product Accessibility Templates (VPATs) of products you are considering purchasing, or a company creating VPATs so that you can market your products, this webinar will help you understand the importance of a VPAT. Join Michael Parker to learn how to create a VPAT and quickly evaluate potential red flags. Learning Outcomes: What is a VPAT, and when do you need it. What a VPAT tells you about your product or digital property. Process of creating a VPAT. Red flags to look out for. Meeting ID: 852 1082 0335 | Passcode: 766506 | One tap mobile: +16699009128,,85210820335#,,,,*766506# US (San Jose) | Dial by your location: +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose):
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85210820335?pwd=Z2hoUFdGMEFpWFY2dU8yL0l0dEV2QT09#success
May 24, 2023 | Understand, Test, Solve: Semantics | TPGi
9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
Presenter: Aaron Farber, Senior Accessibility Platform Consultant. The monthly “Understand, Test, and Solve” webinar series covers fundamental concepts in accessibility. Attendees learn how to address the set of WCAG Success Criteria for each concept. Over the course of this series, teams achieve full WCAG coverage in their testing. The latest webinar in this series covers Semantics — how to ensure modern user interfaces, with custom elements, beyond what's available in native HTML, are properly conveyed to assistive technologies.
Attendees will: Know which UI elements require additional development to be consistent with WCAG. Gain fluency using Chrome Developer Tools to view the semantic information exposed by UI elements. Learn how to use ARC's Knowledge Base to confidently and accessibly create modern UI components from progress bars to combo boxes. This session is 30-minutes. Stay after the call for our 30-minute Q&A:
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-may-24-at-12pm-et-understand-test-solve-semantics/
May 25, 2023 | Envision's May Update And Summer Show Schedule | Envision
9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
This month, we are taking scan text to a whole new level, and turbocharging find objects. Join us on May 25th and be the first to hear what's new at Envision, and where you can meet us in person at shows this summer:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/9216844872774/WN_oSE2ZcoFRDuhyB3Hl-LHHw#/registration
May 25, 2023 | JAWS For Beginners Webinar | Computers For The Blind
5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 12AM GMT on 5/26
Computers for the Blind presents a JAWS For Beginners training Webinar. Date: May 25, 2023, 8PM Eastern (US and Canada) and will last for 90 minutes:
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_LszhxU7oSUKPcdoBvuQqyg
May 25, 2023 | Explore the Compact 8 — Free Training Webinar | Optelec
9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
Want to learn about the new and unique features of the latest portable video magnifier from Optelec? Join us for a step-by-step webinar on how to get the most from the new Optelec Compact 8. Don't miss out on this educational hour as we demonstrate live and answer your questions in real-time:
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ld5TTNxrS3iWVWek3cIQCQ
May 31, 2023 | TOPAZ Magnifiers: Powerful Visual Aids (Assistive Technology Webinar — ACVREP CE Approved) | Access Ingenuity
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
The TOPAZ family of desktop video magnifiers combines ease of use with powerful features to help people retain their independent lifestyle — reading, writing, viewing photographs, and engaging in hobbies. All TOPAZ models are available in several monitor sizes and provide a clear, crisp picture with a wide range of magnification and color-coded controls. The ergonomic design provides exceptional reading comfort for hours of use in the home, office, or school. During this webinar, we discuss the features of all the TOPAZ models and the benefits each can give in specific situations. Join Ian Ramos and Joe McDaniel from Vispero as they dive deep into these powerful tools to help those challenged by vision loss. Note that everybody is welcome and can benefit from this presentation. If you are a teacher of the visually impaired (TVI), ACVREP continuing education credit is approved for this presentation. Learning Outcomes: Features of all TOPAZ models. Which features fit your needs best. How adding speech capability can take you further. Join Zoom Meeting: TOPAZ Magnifiers: Powerful Visual Aids | Meeting ID: 818 1319 3745 | Passcode: 159299 | One tap mobile: +16699009128,,81813193745#,,,,*159299# US (San Jose) | Dial by your location
+1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose):
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81813193745?pwd=LzBPaHFOSkp6Rm9iRFZwazlCQmRNdz09
June 2, 2023 | ATHEN Sixth Annual Accessibility Summer Camp 2023
6AM PT, 7AM MT, 8AM CT, 9AM ET, 1PM GMT
We would love for you to share your accessibility knowledge during our sixth annual Accessibility Summer Camp 2023! As in former years, this virtual conference is FREE for all attendees. This year's ASC event will take place on Friday, June 2, 2023, from 8:00-4:00 CST. As a conference participant you will be able to attend sessions and engage in valuable networking with like-minded professionals. We are soliciting presentations from all experience levels and backgrounds, so please visit the ASC Conference Home Page for more information and to submit a proposal. The session proposal deadline is Friday, February 17th, 2023. What is Accessibility Summer Camp (ASC)? The Accessibility Summer Camp is a FREE annual conference with the goal of connecting professionals and educators with best practices in accessibility and Universal Design. Over the past few years, the ASC conference has grown to become one of the most popular accessibility conferences in the country. Our mission is to provide accessibility professional development that empowers attendees to create high quality, accessible learning environments while removing barriers for all individuals who have a desire to learn:
https://www.accessibilityict.org/
July 1, 2023 through July 6, 2023 | NFB 2023 National Convention in Houston, Texas
The National Federation of the Blind is the transformative membership and advocacy organization of blind people. Every day we raise the expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. Each year we come together for important discussions, decisions, and information sharing. As an attendee, take advantage of the opportunity to: Network with thousands of blind role models. Connect with leaders in the field of blindness. Attend presentations on a variety of empowering topics. Learn about the latest in technology and innovation. And more! The convention is open to all. Important note: Our constitution states that only members of the Federation have the right to participate in decision-making when it comes to organizational policy. If you are not already a member, please connect with your state affiliate at:
https://nfb.org/about-us/state-affiliates
June 7th, 2023 | Nothing Inspires People Like Cash! | Total Tech Solutions
4PM PT, 5PM MT, 6PM CT, 7PM ET, 11PM GMT
Join our virtual event on June 7, 2023, at 6:00 PM CST! Exciting opportunities await you! This event is open to all ages and backgrounds. Get ready for our first sponsor announcement, engaging contests, and an inspiring talk by Josh Perry from The Houston Hurricanes. Jeff Bazer from Vispero will also join us, providing additional insights. Register for the Zoom event to ensure you don't miss out. Live stream available on Facebook, YouTube, and Clubhouse. Recording will be posted on those platforms as well. Stay tuned for a captivating PromoPod episode on Spotify and other podcast platforms. Spread the word and save the date! #VirtualEvent #Inspiration #PromoPod:
https://shorturl.at/bswUY
June 7, 2023 | Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 9: Orientation & Mobility | APH
8AM PT, 9AM MT, 10AM CT, 11AM ET, 3PM GMT
LEGO bricks to build plans, visualize routes, it's not new! But with LEGO Braille Bricks you can also create labels, add letters, words... Then it becomes really great:
https://www.aph.org/lego-braille-bricks-live-sessions/
June 27, 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
July 25, 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
July 25, 2023 | U.S. Access Board Town Hall Meeting in Baltimore
10:30PM PT, 11:30PM MT, 12:30PM CT, 1:30PM ET, 5:30PM GMT
The U.S. Access Board will hold a public town hall meeting at the national headquarters of the National Federation of the Blind in Baltimore, Maryland. Presidentially appointed Access Board members and representatives from other federal member agencies will be present to hear from the local community about the state of accessibility in Baltimore and the D.C.-Maryland-Virginia area. Following the town hall meeting, there will be a reception and networking opportunity from 3:30 — 4:30 (ET), sponsored by the Maryland Department of Disabilities. The town hall meeting and reception are open to all members of the public. Please register for in-person attendance by July 1, 2023. To register, send an email to events@access-board.gov 📧️ with your name and organization. The Access Board invites in-person oral comments on accessibility. Registrants who wish to make in-person oral comments must indicate their request to speak when emailing events@access-board.gov. Public commenters will be allotted two minutes to make their comments
August 22, 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 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
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 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
Sponsors may submit or update their Classified Advertisement at any time by submitting this short form: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-sponsor-classified.
Sponsor: Access Ready, Inc.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Seeks Your Support at the Public Policy Level
Moving the public policy needle is both difficult and costly. Access Ready has one of the most experienced teams in the business who have shown results. We have fostered Congressional language on accessible websites, elections, healthcare, communications, and other areas touched by information and communications technologies. These efforts are costly and we need your help to continue. Become an Access Ready supporter and create an accessible future for people with disabilities:
https://accessready.org/
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.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Provides Access To The Best In The Business
If you need assistance with a new accessible website, document remediation or disability consulting of other kinds, Access Ready can help. We seek out the best in the business and bring them to you already vetted as to quality, professionalism and ability. By going through AccessReady.org to one of our qualified providers, you're not only getting the best, but supporting our advocacy and technological development efforts as well:
https://accessready.org/
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.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Seeks Guidance On New Accessible Technologies
What Technologies do you see in the market that are not accessible, but should be? What accessible technologies can you imagine that can make the lives of people with all kinds of disabilities better? We will advocate with developers to make existing technologies accessible on your behalf. We will advocate with developers to build new accessible technologies on your behalf. Give us your guidance and support. Your guidance charts our path toward what is most important. Your support funds our efforts on your behalf:
https://accessready.org/
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Prepare For Your Future Today With The All-New APH ConnectCenter's Job Seekers Toolkit!
The APH ConnectCenter and NSITE have partnered to update the Job Seeker's Toolkit, an accessible, self-paced, free online training course. The Toolkit includes five sections covering self-awareness, career exploration tools, the preliminary employment process, the interview, and maintaining employment. We are bringing the Job Seeker's Toolkit to a larger audience and in a Learning Management System format for today's learners, at no cost. Visit APHCareerConnect.org to get started with the Job Seekers Toolkit today at:
https://aphcareerconnect.org/lesson-plans-for-teachers-and-professionals/the-job-seekers-toolkit/
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: Menus4ALL
➜ Classified Advertisement: A Revolution in Resolution — Menus for Everyone
No matter when, where or who, the Menus4ALL iPhone app gives you the info you need quickly. No more multiple Google searches to research menus before going out. Info is organized to give you quick access to what you are looking for — the menu! Optimized to give you the best viewing experience. No more struggling to see small print, or looking at a menu in a dimly lit restaurant. Do you use magnification, large print, VoiceOver, a braille display or Voice Control? Enjoy 750,000 fully accessible menus. Download the app today at:
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/menus4all/id1640547801?platform=iphone
Sponsor Since: November 20th 2022
Website: https://www.menus4all.com/ 🌐️
Email: stephanie@menus4all.com 📧️
About: 750,000 Accessible Restaurant Menus. On your iPhone ® in the palm of your hand.
Yes, that's not a typo. The Menus4ALL iPhone app offers 500,000 accessible menus in the United States and 250,000 accessible menus in Canada.
Wherever you are and whenever you want The Menus4ALL iPhone app is the largest network of restaurant menus in one place and all of the menus are fully accessible.
Perfect for when you are out running errands and want to know what restaurants are near your current location. Great for planning a night out with friends. Favorite menus that you want to look at later or when you know you are going back for that amazing dish.
Download The App (Apple): https://apps.apple.com/us/app/menus4all/id1640547801?platform=iphone
Sponsor: WayAround
➜ Classified Advertisement: HURRY — Stock Up on WayTags Before Prices Increase on June 1!
WayAround is the best way to label things if you're blind or have low vision. You just need the free mobile app and some WayTags ® to label items in the kitchen, garden, closet, office & more. Prices on WayTags will increase on June 1, so stock up today on your favorite tags.
https://www.wayaround.com/shop/?utm_source=AssistiveTech&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=AccessInfoNewsSponsorAd
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Remote Incident Manager for Mac: Cruising Right Along!
The development of Remote Incident Manager for Mac has hit several milestones in the past couple weeks. We've introduced the ability to control a Mac fully unattended, the implementation of seamless file transfers on Mac targets, and the ability to gracefully assist a Mac through a reboot process! For those of you who have yet to experience the world's first cross-platform fully accessible remote support package, get in on the action at: https://pneumasolutions.com/remote-incident-manager-for-mac-public-beta/! Giving and receiving help has never been easier or more accessible, particularly for our Mac crowd. Prepare for a seamless experience that will forever change the way you receive and/or provide remote support and training. And if something isn't working quite right, please don't hesitate to give us feedback at: https://pneumasolutions.com/contact/! Remote Incident Manager: For the first time ever, remote help for the Mac is just a keyword away.
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: Living Blindfully
Sponsor Since: May 29, 2023
Website: https://www.livingblindfully.com/ 🌐️
About: Podcasting since 2004, Jonathan Mosen has been a well-known and trusted voice in the blind community for over a quarter of a century. The quality of his work is well-regarded, and his ability to entertain and inform is widely acknowledged.
With a background in commercial radio, Jonathan saw the potential of streaming audio to bring the blind community together, so in 1999, he devised Blind Line, the first global call-in show for the blind community.
He founded and directed ACB Radio, mentoring many volunteers in the blind community to take up Internet broadcasting and content production. Several prominent blind podcasters who continue to make valuable contributions to our community got their start during this period.
Prior to the start of the podcast era, his Main Menu show, which went to air for the first time on 10 April 2000, was a global grass roots way for blind people to share tips, tricks and demonstrations of technology. The archives of this show now represent an important historical record of the period.
Jonathan has hosted the popular Mosen Explosion music radio show for more than two decades. In 2010, he founded Mushroom FM where he can still be heard.
Jonathan is or has been a CEO, thought leader, advocate, change agent, government relations professional, author, information technology consultant, Internet start-up founder, candidate for Parliament, IT product designer, and non-profit Chair. He is married to Bonnie and has four children — two daughters and two sons, as well as a granddaughter.
He was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2019 for his services to the blind community.
You can learn more about Jonathan on his personal website.
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.
Popular Products
➜ JAWS Scripts for Microsoft Teams.
➜ J-Say.
➜ J-Dictate.
➜ Leasey.
➜ StationPlaylist Studio Accessible Broadcasting.
➜ JAWS for Windows Training Courses.
➜ Zoom Professional Scripts.
➜ The Muze.
➜ JAWS Scripts for WhatsApp.
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: NSITE Connects Employers With Talented People Who Are Blind Or Low-Vision And Supports Talent To Gain Employment
NSITE.org is the first non-profit organization, offering a continuum of services to connect employers with talented job seekers who are blind or low-vision and provides training, employment and career services to these job seekers. Using the NSITE Connect Job Board, which is designed exclusively for individuals who experience vision loss, employers can fill open positions with talent who are blind or have low vision. Job postings are also open to veterans. NSITE-U provides accessible on-demand and virtual instructor-led classes, programs and workshops to support career skills training and professional development for individuals who are blind or have low vision or are veterans. For more information about NSITE and all its services including a free Job Seekers Toolkit developed with APH, American Printing House for the Blind, visit us and use this form to reach NSITE's team for information about programs, classes and services, connect:
https://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.
NSITE Connect: Linking employers with talented individuals who are blind, low-vision, and/or veterans. Access the NSITE Connect Job Board here.About | Media | Employers | Job Seekers | Training Programs | Job Board | Contact Us
Sponsor: Clusiv
➜ Classified Advertisement: Clusiv Is The World's First eLearning Platform Built For And By People Who Are Blind. Our Courses Are Designed To Equip People Who Are Blind Or Visually Impaired For Employment In The Modern Workforce. Learn More At Clusiv.Io.
Navigating the employment process can be challenging if you are blind or visually impaired. Technology is difficult to figure out, there is a lot of extra material to learn, and there isn't much quality training available.
That's where Clusiv comes in. We help to provide the training you need to succeed in the modern workforce. Our courses teach assistive technology skills and how to apply those skills to many of the business software programs used in the modern workforce, such as email, Microsoft and Google apps, video conferencing, and more. We also teach soft skills such as resume and interview preparation, disclosures and accommodations, internet safety, and financial literacy. Lastly, our training can teach specific career skills, such as becoming an accessibility analyst. Plus, our courses are self-paced.
To learn more, visit https://clusiv.io/ and fill out a form with your information. We work with state vocational rehabilitation agencies to provide access to our course content.
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Your Weekly Classified Advertisement Title Here (256 characters or less including spaces.)
Your weekly Classified Advertisement here.
(1000 characters or less including spaces.)
Sponsor Since: Today
Website: https://accessinformationnews.com/ 🌐️
Phone: (855) 578-6660 📱️
Email: news@accessinformationnews.com 📧️
About: Access Information News is the world's leading not-for-profit access information news publication that reaches over 15,000 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 not-for-profit access information news publication that reaches over 15,000 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 5 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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➜ 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 Access 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 Access 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 advocacy foundation.
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 Access 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.
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 Access 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, May 15, 2023 - Volume 910
Access Information News for Monday, May 15, 2023 - Volume 910
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: 10,373 Opt-In Subscribers were sent this issue via email. 22 Premium Subscribers were sent this issue via email.
This Week's Featured Advertisement: A Webinar With Clusiv You Won't Want To Miss This Global Accessibility Awareness Day! Learn How To Make An Impact In Accessibility! Click The Link To Register!
You're invited to a special webinar by Clusiv! As someone who is blind or visually impaired, discover how you can make an impact in accessibility, gain expert insights, and contribute to a more accessible world for the blind community.
Event Date: Thursday, May 18, 2023 at 12:00 PM Central Time.
Event Topic: Empowering the Blind Community in Accessibility.
Join the webinar to:
- Get expert insights on the field of digital accessibility.
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Don't miss out! Click the link to register and receive a link for the event. Not able to join at the time of the webinar? All registrants will receive a link to the webinar recording after the event.
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Submit your Access Information News Item for free, with timing and placement determined by our editors, here: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-news. Submit a Sponsored News Item, with timing and placement determined by you, here: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-sponsored-news.
1) Top 5 Most Clicked Access Information News Articles From Last Week
A.) Review: The OKO App - AI Copilot For The Blind Making Every Pedestrian Signal Accessible | May 6, 2023 | The Blind Life | YouTube (6.8% of all clicks.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1MvczKZQYs
B.) Click Here: Twitter Alt Text Meme Isn't Funny For Blind People | BBC News (3.2% of all clicks.)
Publisher (Di Blasi): Both Access Information News and Top Tech Tidbits have been fighting the good ALT description fight since long before ALT descriptions were mainstream conversation. And we have seen some creative uses of them in that time. Such as placing coupon codes within the ALT description in order to offer a special discount only to users of assistive technology. I know. Pretty cool, right? But this is not that.
BBC News: You've probably seen one of the latest Twitter memes doing the rounds. There's black text - "click here" - on a white background. And an arrow pointing to the ALT image description label. Behind that, there's a joke or a punchline. Brands including McDonald's (ALT: "Extra pickles life") and Red Bull Gaming (ALT: "Ice cold Red Bull") have jumped on the trend. Just a bit of light-hearted content to make their followers laugh, right?
https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-65473838
C.) Breaking the Darkness: Reactivating Dormant Cells in the Retina Brings New Hope for Vision Regeneration | May 6, 2023 | Neuroscience News (2.9% of all clicks.)
Researchers discovered a way to reactivate dormant cells in the retina of mice to restore vision, without the need for transplantation. The team discovered dormant glial cells can be transformed into cells sharing properties with cone photoreceptors, which enable color perception, reading and driving. The approach, which uses two genes to transform Müller cells into retinal neurons, could offer new hope for developing regenerative therapies to replace lost cells in retinal degeneration:
https://neurosciencenews.com/vision-restoration-genetic-23183/
D.) Cardin, Boozman, Wyden and Young Introduce Tax Credit to Help Blind Americans Afford Access Technology | May 4, 2023 (2.9% of all clicks.)
U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Todd Young (R-Ind.) are leading the effort to create a refundable tax credit to help blind Americans afford access technology. The Access Technology Affordability Act of 2023, introduced Thursday, would allow for more widespread access to adapted computers, text-to-speech screen access software and electronic Braille displays used to access computers, tablets, smart phones, as well as digital content:
https://www.cardin.senate.gov/press-releases/cardin-boozman-wyden-and-young-introduce-tax-credit-to-help-blind-americans-afford-access-technology/
E.) It's a Motherf**king Pleasure Review — A Darkly Comic Satire On Disability | Soho Theatre, London (2.8% of all clicks.)
This debut from disability-led theatre company FlawBored is not afraid to make us squirm as it skewers virtue signaling and corporate buzzwords:
https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2023/apr/30/its-a-motherfking-pleasure-review-a-darkly-comic-satire-on-disability
2) Sponsorship Package Updates
Are you an access-based business or organization whose products, services or message would benefit from reaching over 15,000 access professionals each week? If so, please consider becoming a Sponsor today for just $100 a month, paid either quarterly or annually. Annual Sponsors gain the additional benefit of being able to schedule their Featured Advertisement dates up to one year in advance. If you've been looking for a way to consistently reach the largest audience of opt-in access professionals in the world today, please consider becoming an Access Information News Sponsor while packages last. Availability: There are currently 9 Access Information News Sponsorship Packages remaining. 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 2nd issue of the 60 Most Clicked Access News Articles for April, May and June 2023 on Monday, July 3, 2023. Back Issues: There is currently 1 back issue 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 receive a perfectly formatted and searchable Word Document with each of the 60 Most 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. 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) Nominate Your Favorite Access Product, Service or Information Provider To Win In The 2023 Annual Global Accessibility Awareness Day Ad Giveaway Sponsored By Top Tech Tidbits and Access Information News!
Do you know of a person, business or organization in the access community whose message you would like to reach more people? At absolutely no cost to them? If so, please consider nominating them in the 2023 Annual Global Accessibility Awareness Day Ad Giveaway, sponsored by Top Tech Tidbits and Access Information News. Nomination Deadline: May 16, 2023 at 6:00 PM ET.
Giveaway Info: https://www.toptechtidbits.com/156.html
Nomination Form: https://www.toptechtidbits.com/gaad2023.
7) WCAG 2.2 Explained: Everything You Need to Know About The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.2
On January 25th, 2023, the W3C released a revised version of the WCAG 2.2 draft, incorporating feedback from the previous version published in October 2022. Earlier this month, the W3C published a notice of updates that would be integrated into the January Candidate Recommendation in the coming weeks. These standards are still in the candidate stage, but the W3C recently shared that WCAG 2.2 is scheduled to be completed and published in Q3 of this year. This article will discuss the guidelines' background and evolution, the new features in the latest update, and WCAG 2.2 release:
https://allyant.com/wcag-2-2-explained-everything-you-need-to-know-about-web-content-accessibility-guidelines-2-2/
8) AudioEye Files Law Suit Against Web Accessibility Expert Adrian Roselli | May 12, 2023
AudioEye Is Suing Me. By Adrian Roselli. On Wednesday March 8, 2023, a man who turned out to be a process server came to my house and delivered a stack of papers — a 30 page lawsuit from Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP along with Buffalo-area firm Phillips Lytle LLP, both representing AudioEye, Inc. The stack of papers also included a two page summons and a two page notice of electronic filing. None of these materials were provided in an accessible, let alone digital, format. On Thursday May 11, 2023, an attorney from Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP delivered an amended complaint to my attorney as an untagged PDF. For posting, I modified the amended complaint only to redact my home address. If you have access to something like LexisNexis you can look up the original document with index number 803054-2023. The most substantive change in the amended complaint (there is more than one change) might be this demand on page 31:
https://adrianroselli.com/2023/05/audioeye-is-suing-me.html
9) Review | Slinger - The Last Phone Accessory You Will Ever Need! | The Blind Life | YouTube
This is the Slinger, a new accessory for your smartphone that adds an easy-to-use retractable strap, that can be neatly tucked away when not in use. This strap, which comes in a wide variety of colors and materials, allows the user to safely use their phone hands-free! The Slinger even holds the phone in the perfect position for hands-free phone calls:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39CYHfY4Lg8
10) Blind Presenter Lucy Edwards Hosts Eurovision Description Show | May 10, 2023 | BBC News
A blind presenter has launched a new podcast which will include audio descriptions of iconic moments from the Eurovision Song Contest. Lucy Edwards, from Birmingham, lost her vision 10 years ago when she was 17. Since then, she said she has "missed out" on cultural moments and wanted to describe elements from the competition for other blind and visually impaired fans. She hosts Eurovision Described on BBC Sounds with Abi Clarke:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-birmingham-65544410
11) 2023 NFL Schedule in Excel | The Idea Place | Kelly Ford
The NFL released the 2023 schedule earlier this week. I wanted a version I could use in Excel and am sharing it here. It is a slightly modified version of a file I obtained online from Draft Kings. I made two changes to the file so it would read column headers and row headers automatically with most screen readers:
https://theideaplace.net/2023-nfl-schedule-in-excel/
12) Why Do Blind People Wear Sunglasses? | Medical News Today
In this article, we examine why blind people wear sunglasses. We discuss each reason in detail and determine whether people wear them for protection or aesthetic purposes:
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/why-do-blind-people-wear-sunglasses
13) Visually Impaired Students in Macon, Georgia Feel Their Classmates' Faces With 3D Printed Yearbooks | 41NBC | YouTube
For high school seniors preparing to graduate, yearbooks are a way for them to remember their classmates. However for visually impaired students, it can be difficult to see yearbook photos:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvBsDp9OHQs
14) The Opportunity For Assistive Technology | May 9, 2023 | Ioana Tanase | Microsoft Accessibility Blog
People with disabilities often do not have access to the assistive technology (AT) they need, despite an increasing demand for it. An estimated 1.3 billion people will need assistive technology (AT) by 2050. High prices, limited availability, internet connectivity, maintenance needs, and lack of localization are just some of the friction points in accessing this critical technology. To maximize the opportunities for AT, we must consider providing alternatives, ensuring adaptable solutions that meet people's needs, increasing availability and affordability so AT is widely available and at affordable price points. We also need to raise awareness of this technology and its benefits as well as legislation and other forms of support (source: Steve Hodges, Ability Summit, Accessible Technology within Reach: how to break down the barriers to accessing Assistive Tech — YouTube):
https://blogs.microsoft.com/accessibility/the-opportunity-for-assistive-technology/
15) Is AI ADA Compliant? | Fox News
Artificial intelligence technologies have the potential to significantly alter the lives of human beings, especially those with disabilities. There are numerous ways that AI can and has already positively impacted the lives of the disabled, but concerns over whether companies and websites using AI remain compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) do exist:
https://www.foxnews.com/tech/is-ai-ada-compliant
16) Finalists Announced for 2023 Braille Challenge Finals
Braille Institute is proud to announce the 50 finalists for the 2023 Braille Challenge Finals competition. These competitors achieved the highest scores in the braille literacy testing competition, out of over 800 youth across the US, Canada, and UK:
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/finalists-announced-for-2023-braille-challenge-finals-301818760.html
17) Nielsen Norman Group Confirms Users Do Not Like Overlays (Nor Do They Work) | Nielsen Norman Group
Using a screen reader on a mobile device is challenging because users must access information sequentially and they cannot easily scan page content. Screen-reader users do not consider accessibility menus helpful:
https://www.nngroup.com/articles/screen-reader-users-on-mobile/
18) Arguing With Someone About The Benefits Of Website Accessibility Overlays? Refer To This Fact Sheet
If you are engaged in a discussion in which someone proposes the implementation of an overlay, or "Accessibility Widget," ask them to consider why all of these people would sign this statement advocating against the use of these products:
https://overlayfactsheet.com/
19) U.S. Company Implants Brain Chips For 50 People To Cure Blindness, Deafness And More | Cool Blind Tech
A US firm has implanted 50 chips into people's brains, with scientists at the company hopeful that they will one day be able to massively improve the lives of people with blindness, deafness, depression and physical paralysis. The device is called the NeuroPort Array and it's been made by a company called Blackrock Neurotech, based in Salt Lake City, Utah:
https://coolblindtech.com/u-s-company-implants-brain-chips-for-50-people-to-cure-blindness-deafness-and-more/
20) Fake Sign Language Is Spreading On TikTok. Deaf People Are Worried. | The Washington Post: Subscription Required
Sign language has become trendy on TikTok, but many videos feature incorrect signs, sparking fears the trend will cause lasting damage to American Sign Language:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2023/05/08/fake-sign-language-asl-tiktok/
21) Belleville, Illinois Nonprofit For Blind, Visually Impaired Reopens After Damage From Severe Storms | Fox 2 Now
Fox 2 first reported the aftermath and the toppled radio tower at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows in Belleville, Illinois, on April 18, 2023. The National Weather Service said an EF1 tornado with winds of 98 miles per hour had been on the ground for three miles west of Belleville:
https://fox2now.com/news/illinois/belleville-nonprofit-for-blind-visually-impaired-reopens-after-damage-from-severe-storms/
22) NFB Applauds The Introduction Of The Access Technology Affordability Act In The Senate | WCBC AM 1270
The National Federation of the Blind, the transformative advocacy organization of blind Americans, applauds the introduction of the Access Technology Affordability Act of 2023 (S. 1467) in the United States Senate by Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD). Senators John Boozman (R-AR), Ron Wyden (D-Or), and Todd Young (R-IN) are original co-sponsors of the bill. This legislation removes an education and employment barrier commonly experienced by blind Americans who cannot afford the high cost of access technology by creating a refundable tax credit in the amount of $2,000 to be used over a three-year period to offset the cost of these technologies:
https://www.wcbcradio.com/?news=nfb-applauds-the-introduction-of-the-access-technology-affordability-act-in-the-senate
23) Swimming: Tips for Swimmers Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired | APH VisionAware
Swimming can be an excellent sport for individuals who are blind or visually impaired. It has been practiced for many years by individuals of all ages, for competition, fitness, and fun. Swimming for exercise can be achieved through swim exercises, water aerobics, and lap swimming:
https://visionaware.org/everyday-living/recreation-and-leisure/sports-and-exercise/swimming-6126/
24) The 'Missing Personality Type': Could You Be A Highly Sensitive Person? | The Guardian
Do strangers sit next to you on the bus and share their secrets? Does art make you cry? Do you feel other people's feelings? On the other hand, are you prone to being overwhelmed by crowds, bright lights or strong perfume? Bad news — or maybe good. You could be an HSP, a Highly Sensitive Person. The emerging category affects between 15 and 30% of the population, which has some researchers calling it "the missing personality type:"
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2023/apr/02/could-you-have-hsp-and-be-a-highly-sensitive-person-?CMP=oth_b-aplnews_d-1
25) How One Mother Spreads Awareness Of Everything A Child Who Is Blind/ Low Vision Can Achieve | APH FamilyConnect
Although she shares she was initially “heartbroken” when she learned her infant son, Ashton, was born blind, Hilda Dunford has learned as much from him as he has from her. As she says, “He's taught me how to see with my heart.” Hilda had Ashton when she was 21, her first child with her husband, Tyler. Because she'd been raising Tyler's daughter as her own, Hilda just knew something wasn't right with her young son's vision:
https://familyconnect.org/blog/uncategorized/how-one-mother-spreads-awareness-of-everything-a-child-who-is-blind-low-vision-can-achieve/
26) Deaf People Criticize 'Harmful' Mr Beast Video In Which He Helps 1,000 People 'Hear For The First Time'
Despite receiving significant criticism over a video in which he helped treat 1,000 people's blindness, popular YouTuber Jimmy “MrBeast” Donaldson has doubled down on making videos about 'helping' disabled people with a new upload in which he helps 1,000 deaf people “hear for the first time”. In the video shared to his 150 million subscriber strong YouTube channel on Saturday, May 6, 2023, Donaldson can be heard listing the names of individuals he bought hearing aids for, adding that he also helped "entire families hear their loved ones again:"
https://www.indy100.com/viral/mr-beast-deaf-hearing-aids
27) 'It's An Emergency': Pro Tennis Player's Wheelchair Damaged By Airline Before Match | May 11, 2023 | USA Today
Andrew Bogdanov is a professional tennis player who uses a specialized wheelchair to compete. His mobility on and off the court is tied to his chair. Airlines disregarded that:
https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/airline-news/2023/05/11/frontier-wheelchair-damage-tennis-player/70199095007/
28) How OMB Can Improve .GOV Accessibility | May 5, 2023 | Mike Gifford | Federal News Network
Digital inclusion efforts in the federal government have not kept up with our digital society. Many countries are doing a better job of serving all of their citizens. Fortunately, there are global best practices that can be applied from outside the federal government. We aren't going to have accessible customer experiences by scaling up decades-old government practices. As an alternative, I would suggest that the Office of Management and Budget embrace the following strategic objectives:
https://federalnewsnetwork.com/commentary/2023/05/how-omb-can-improve-gov-accessibility/
29) Magic Mushrooms Seem to Have A Strange Effect on Color Blindness
A new era of clinical research on psilocybin mushrooms (aka 'magic mushrooms') has emboldened some scientists to share their own life-changing experiences with psychedelics. A recent case study describes a young 35-year-old male researcher in the United States, who claims to distinguish red and green colors better after taking psychedelics:
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/magic-mushrooms-seem-to-have-a-strange-effect-on-color-blindness/ar-AA1aUFcr?li=BBnba9O
30) New Workshop: You, Your Vision, and Your Doctor | Hadley
Get the most out of visits to the eye doctor and terms used for degrees of vision loss. Do you have a friend, relative, or client who doesn't use a computer? We are happy to send large print, digital talking book audio, or braille versions of our workshops in the mail:
https://hadley.edu/workshops/you-your-vision-and-your-doctor-series
31) COVID-19 Kick Started A War Over Web Accessibility | Protocol
The pandemic spurred demand for a more accessible web, but experts and practitioners disagree on the best approach to get there:
https://www.protocol.com/digital-accessibility-web-covid
32) Mindset Matters: A New Vision For Mental Health And Defining A Business Culture For An Impending Future (Part One-Introduction) | May 5, 2023 | Jonathan Kaufman | Forbes: Subscription Required
May commemorates Mental Health Awareness Month and provides us with the perfect opportunity to take a pause and explore what this means in the context of a rapidly changing work culture. One could make a compelling argument that at no time in human history have we been at such an inflection point of uncertainty. After coming out of a global pandemic we are faced with a shaky economy, the rise of a digital revolution where new technologies such as artificial intelligence have the potential to threaten people's livelihoods, to new decentralized structures where remote and hybrid models are transforming the very foundation of work culture as we know it:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/jonathankaufman/2023/05/05/mindset-matters-a-new-vision-for-mental-health-and-defining-a-business-culture-for-an-impending-future-part-one-introduction/
33) Transportation — A Critical Need for Older People who are Blind or Low Vision | April 26, 2023 | APH
This post is another in our series related to Older Americans Month. Transportation remains an ongoing problem for people who are blind or low vision, and this post lays out some of the efforts that are underway to increase accessibility:
https://visionaware.org/blog/visionaware-blog/transportation-a-critical-need-for-older-people-who-are-blind-or-low-vision/
34) Meet the Photographer Highlighting Live Music Accessibility by Taking Portraits of Artists on Stairs | Vice.com
"That's what this project is all about — to highlight that everyone, everyone deserves to be able to access and enjoy live music, barrier-free:"
https://www.vice.com/en/article/y3wgak/meet-the-photographer-highlighting-live-music-accessibility-by-taking-portraits-of-artists-on-stairs
35) Are YouTube and Microsoft Stream WCAG Compliant? | Accessibility.com
Many websites utilize YouTube and Microsoft Stream for their websites and corporate events, like training. However, as you should be operating to be accessible, it's important to ensure that using both these video streaming services is Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) compliant. WCAG is a set of standards all websites should follow to ensure maximum accessibility — it is the international standard. So are YouTube and Microsoft Stream WCAG compliant? Let's take a look. Understanding how the WCAG applies to each service is essential to accomplish this:
https://www.accessibility.com/blog/are-youtube-and-microsoft-stream-wcag-compliant
36) "Danger Dumplings": How Arachnophobia Inspired a New Type of Gaming Innovation | Inverse
Publisher (Di Blasi): Proof that "accessibility" means many different things to many different people, both inside and outside of the access community at large.
Inverse: In the video game Grounded, you play as a human shrunk down to the size of an ant who's forced to survive the perils of a suburban backyard, including mites, beetles, and mosquitos. But when Obsidian Entertainment was developing the game, it found that one critter, in particular, posed a problem: its elephant-sized spiders were just too scary for what was otherwise a kid-friendly action-adventure romp:
https://www.inverse.com/gaming/mental-health-accessibility-video-games
37) How Aware Are We Of Our Rights — A Real Barrier For Canadians With Disabilities
Canadians with disabilities continue to lack proper and appropriate awareness of their rights. And this continues to be a real and challenging barrier for this community. And in the meantime government departments and other entities continue to take advantage of this situation:
https://sterlingcreations.ca/blog/how-aware-are-we-of-our-rights-a-real-barrier-for-canadians-with-disabilities
38) 'The Inclusive Web Can Be Liberating,' So Do These 3 Things To Prioritize Digital Accessibility | Technical.ly
Accessibility pros from Tamman and A11YPHL offered tools and tips for developers to keep in mind during a Philly Tech Week discussion:
https://technical.ly/diversity-equity-inclusion/digital-accessibility-tips-tamman-a11yphl/
39) AccessWorld Newsletter April 2023 Issue
April 2023 Updates Include: Editor's Page: Exciting Changes coming to AccessWorld! | Get Going with Mike May and GoodMaps | At Last, the Free Bookshare Reader App | Review of the Zelle Money Transfer Service Using VoiceOver:
https://www.afb.org/aw/24/4
40) Paths To Literacy Newsletter For May 9, 2023
https://pathstoliteracy.cmail20.com/t/d-e-zuhctk-iikluuklut-r/
➜ Featured Webinars, Training Courses and Events
Submit your access information related Webinar, Training Course or Event for consideration within this section using this form: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-event.
May 16, 2023 | Why is Web Accessibility Important? | Amy Albin | Vispero Learning and Development Coordinator
9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
Accessibility ends with "y". But it also needs to begin with "why". Just as important as having the right accessibility techniques is knowing why accessibility is important. Amy Albin (she/her), a member of Vispero's Human Resources team, an industrial/organizational psychologist and a blind JAWS user, will present reasons for making your software offerings accessible to users with and without disabilities. You will learn: Why inaccessible technology is costing you and the concept of ROA (Return On Accessibility). The difference between reactive and proactive approaches to accessibility. How a blind person can perform job tasks by integrating Vispero's assistive technology with mainstream software. One thing you can do in less than five minutes to make documents more accessible and perceive the difference you can make from the perspective of a real JAWS user! Additionally, you will hear personal stories of the impact of accessibility and the lack of it on a wide range of life activities. Whether or not you work directly with software development, this informative, insightful experience will inspire you to critically examine your why. Register today:
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-may-16-at-12pm-et-why-is-web-accessibility-important/
May 16, 2023 through May 18, 2023 | Virtua11y Web Accessibility Conference 2023 | Nomensa
Nomensa's free, virtual web accessibility and digital inclusion conference:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/virtua11y-web-accessibility-conference-2023-tickets-505953880677
May 17, 2023 | All Ears: Let's Talk Audio Games | The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc.
4PM PT, 5PM MT, 6PM CT, 7PM ET, 11PM GMT
Are you ready to level up your gaming experience? Join us for an epic and interactive webinar hosted by The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc., featuring special guest Liam Erven, blind programmer of the first side-scrolling audio game. We'll dive into multiple ways to access audio games on your PC, iPhone, and Amazon Alexa. Learn how inclusion and accessibility in audio gaming is beneficial in connecting people who are blind to friends, family, and the mainstream gaming community. After the presentation, we'll have an epic Q&A session where you can unleash your curiosity and engage in a discussion with our knowledgeable presenters. Register now to secure your spot and embark on a new and inclusive gaming adventure! Please register in advance for this webinar. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar:
https://thelighthousefortheblindinc.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_NajV3WrdS2-vqVtt3ri2Bg
May 17, 2023 | Google Docs & Sheets for Accessible PDFs (Digital Accessibility Webinar) | Access Ingenuity
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
Explore how to author Google Docs and Google Sheets for exporting to a tagged PDF for remediation. Join Rachel Reeves to focus on exporting Google Office to Microsoft Office to achieve a final PDF product with tags. Learning Outcomes: Explore Google tools to use in document creation to increase accessibility. Show the export barriers of Google files and how to export a tagged PDF correctly. Join Zoom Meeting:
Google Docs & Sheets for Accessible PDFs. Meeting ID: 822 3486 6942 | Passcode: 378566 | One tap mobile: +16699009128,,82234866942#,,,,*378566# US (San Jose) | Dial by your location: +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose):
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82234866942?pwd=THMvckdtaHAzMmpRM3h0NVpPVTkwUT09#success
May 17, 2023 | Nonvisual Tips for Successful Travel | NFB of Maryland Senior Call
4PM PT, 5PM MT, 6PM CT, 7PM ET, 11PM GMT
Please come join our conversation to explore the nuts and bolts of traveling as a blind person. Learn how to manage different modes of transportation and how to orient yourself in unfamiliar environments. We will share tips for individuals with various levels of changing vision. Where: NFB of Maryland Conference Call: (339) 209-4083 📱️
All are welcome! For more information about this event or the NFB of Maryland Senior Division please contact: Marguerite Woods at (443) 271-1668 📱️ / mwoods719@gmail.com 📧️.
May 17, 2023 | The Business of Accessibility — Expert Panel | TPGi
8AM PT, 9AM MT, 10AM CT, 11AM ET, 3PM GMT
Presenter: Mark Miller, Director of Sales. In honor of Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD), TPGi is bringing together an expert panel of top accessibility experts to discuss how businesses benefit from creating accessible experiences, the return on accessibility efforts, the current state of accessibility and much more! Join host TPGi's Mark Miller, Director of Sales, with accessibility experts: Dena WainWright
Vice President/Digital Accessibility Practice Owner, Personal Investing at Fidelity, Christopher Patnoe, Head of Accessibility and Disability Inclusion, Jaunita George, DA Digital Program Manager at Navy Federal Credit Union, Michelle Lana, Visual Designer IV at Navy Federal Credit Union. Register today:
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-may-17-at-11am-et-business-of-accessibility-expert-panel/
May 18, 2023 | 12th Annual 2023 Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD)
Help us celebrate the 12th Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD)! The purpose of GAAD is to get everyone talking, thinking and learning about digital access and inclusion, and the more than One Billion people with disabilities/impairments:
https://accessibility.day/
May 18, 2023 | 12th Annual 2023 Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) Ad Giveaway | Winners To Be Announced
1AM PT, 2AM MT, 3AM CT, 4AM ET, 8AM GMT
Together with Access Information News, Top Tech Tidbits is giving away over $1,000 USD in Sponsorship Packages and Sponsored Ad Placements to support anyone that provides products, services or information to the access community on a regular basis. All prizes will be awarded on May 18, 2023 in honor of the 2023 12th Annual Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD). The purpose of GAAD is to get everyone talking, thinking and learning about digital access and inclusion, and the more than one billion people with access needs. Are you, or do you know of, an access person, business, organization, blogger, podcaster, YouTuber or other access influencer that would benefit from scoring some serious exposure? At absolutely no cost? If so, please pass this along. Deadline To Enter: Tuesday, May 16, 2023 at 6:00 PM ET. | Raffle To Be Held: Wednesday, May 17, 2023 at 6:00 PM ET. | Winners To Be Announced: Thursday, May 18, 2023 at 4:00 AM ET in Top Tech Tidbits in honor of the 2023 12th Annual Global Accessibility Awareness Day. Review a full list of prizes and eligibility requirements, along with a link to the nomination form here: https://www.toptechtidbits.com/156.html. Good luck!
May 18, 2023 | Webinar: Accessibility Awareness and Foundations Training | Deque
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
Celebrate this year's Global Accessibility Awareness Day by attending this three-hour virtual training on Thursday, May 18th from 1:00-4:00 PM Eastern Time (ET). You'll learn what digital accessibility is, why it's important, how people with disabilities navigate the web, and how you can start to champion accessibility to make a difference in your organization today. This training is intended for all audiences; including policymakers, management, content creators, developers, designers, testers, and everything in between:
https://accessibility.deque.com/accessibility-awareness-and-fundamentals-webinar
May 18, 2023 | Supporting A Technical and Cultural Shift To Accessibility, Whatever Your Resources | TPGi
9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
Learn how you can start small and steady, and build up to making a profound shift towards embedding accessibility in your organization, both in terms of technical process and — most importantly — becoming part of the culture of your teams. What changes can people in different roles make right now to get the ball rolling? How can you keep that ball rolling with minimal resources? What should you concentrate on as you get more resources to dedicate to accessibility? And what's the most important thing your team can do to make these changes stick? We'll give you practical examples and answer your questions about how to grow capacity and keep the momentum going, no matter where you're starting from:
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-may-18-at-12pm-et-supporting-a-technical-and-cultural-shift-to-accessibility-whatever-your-resources/
May 18, 2023 | Tips For Improving Your Browsing Experience With Chrome And JAWS | Freedom Scientific
9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
We'll discuss how to access Chrome settings and tools, plus show you how to organize tabs, manage profiles, and customize your browsing experience with Chrome extensions. Zoom conferencing platform. Register for this webinar, which offers ACVREP credits to those who attend the live webinar:
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_sGzmL2fIRAOif2Lnn37LxA#/registration
May 18, 2023 | Are You Blind Or Visually Impaired And Want To Make An Impact In Accessibility? Then Register For Clusiv's Webinar This Global Accessibility Awareness Day? | Clusiv
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
If you are blind or visually impaired and want to be a part of making in impact and learning more about digital accessibility. Then this webinar is for you. Expect to learn about how to make a difference in accessibility and understand insights on working in the field. This world needs more people in the blind community to lead the charge in making this world a more accessible and inclusive place:
https://bit.ly/3Mekvq3
May 24, 2023 | Understand How to Create & Review VPATs (Digital Accessibility Webinar) | Access Ingenuity
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
Whether working with an organization reviewing Voluntary Product Accessibility Templates (VPATs) of products you are considering purchasing, or a company creating VPATs so that you can market your products, this webinar will help you understand the importance of a VPAT. Join Michael Parker to learn how to create a VPAT and quickly evaluate potential red flags. Learning Outcomes: What is a VPAT, and when do you need it. What a VPAT tells you about your product or digital property. Process of creating a VPAT. Red flags to look out for. Meeting ID: 852 1082 0335 | Passcode: 766506 | One tap mobile: +16699009128,,85210820335#,,,,*766506# US (San Jose) | Dial by your location: +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose):
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85210820335?pwd=Z2hoUFdGMEFpWFY2dU8yL0l0dEV2QT09#success
May 24, 2023 | Understand, Test, Solve: Semantics | TPGi
9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
Presenter: Aaron Farber, Senior Accessibility Platform Consultant. The monthly “Understand, Test, and Solve” webinar series covers fundamental concepts in accessibility. Attendees learn how to address the set of WCAG Success Criteria for each concept. Over the course of this series, teams achieve full WCAG coverage in their testing. The latest webinar in this series covers Semantics — how to ensure modern user interfaces, with custom elements, beyond what's available in native HTML, are properly conveyed to assistive technologies.
Attendees will: Know which UI elements require additional development to be consistent with WCAG. Gain fluency using Chrome Developer Tools to view the semantic information exposed by UI elements. Learn how to use ARC's Knowledge Base to confidently and accessibly create modern UI components from progress bars to combo boxes. This session is 30-minutes. Stay after the call for our 30-minute Q&A:
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-may-24-at-12pm-et-understand-test-solve-semantics/
May 23, 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
May 31, 2023 | TOPAZ Magnifiers: Powerful Visual Aids (Assistive Technology Webinar — ACVREP CE Approved) | Access Ingenuity
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
The TOPAZ family of desktop video magnifiers combines ease of use with powerful features to help people retain their independent lifestyle — reading, writing, viewing photographs, and engaging in hobbies. All TOPAZ models are available in several monitor sizes and provide a clear, crisp picture with a wide range of magnification and color-coded controls. The ergonomic design provides exceptional reading comfort for hours of use in the home, office, or school. During this webinar, we discuss the features of all the TOPAZ models and the benefits each can give in specific situations. Join Ian Ramos and Joe McDaniel from Vispero as they dive deep into these powerful tools to help those challenged by vision loss. Note that everybody is welcome and can benefit from this presentation. If you are a teacher of the visually impaired (TVI), ACVREP continuing education credit is approved for this presentation. Learning Outcomes: Features of all TOPAZ models. Which features fit your needs best. How adding speech capability can take you further. Join Zoom Meeting: TOPAZ Magnifiers: Powerful Visual Aids | Meeting ID: 818 1319 3745 | Passcode: 159299 | One tap mobile: +16699009128,,81813193745#,,,,*159299# US (San Jose) | Dial by your location
+1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose):
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81813193745?pwd=LzBPaHFOSkp6Rm9iRFZwazlCQmRNdz09
June 2, 2023 | ATHEN Sixth Annual Accessibility Summer Camp 2023
6AM PT, 7AM MT, 8AM CT, 9AM ET, 1PM GMT
We would love for you to share your accessibility knowledge during our sixth annual Accessibility Summer Camp 2023! As in former years, this virtual conference is FREE for all attendees. This year's ASC event will take place on Friday, June 2, 2023, from 8:00-4:00 CST. As a conference participant you will be able to attend sessions and engage in valuable networking with like-minded professionals. We are soliciting presentations from all experience levels and backgrounds, so please visit the ASC Conference Home Page for more information and to submit a proposal. The session proposal deadline is Friday, February 17th, 2023. What is Accessibility Summer Camp (ASC)? The Accessibility Summer Camp is a FREE annual conference with the goal of connecting professionals and educators with best practices in accessibility and Universal Design. Over the past few years, the ASC conference has grown to become one of the most popular accessibility conferences in the country. Our mission is to provide accessibility professional development that empowers attendees to create high quality, accessible learning environments while removing barriers for all individuals who have a desire to learn:
https://www.accessibilityict.org/
July 1, 2023 through July 6, 2023 | NFB 2023 National Convention in Houston, Texas
The National Federation of the Blind is the transformative membership and advocacy organization of blind people. Every day we raise the expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. Each year we come together for important discussions, decisions, and information sharing. As an attendee, take advantage of the opportunity to: Network with thousands of blind role models. Connect with leaders in the field of blindness. Attend presentations on a variety of empowering topics. Learn about the latest in technology and innovation. And more! The convention is open to all. Important note: Our constitution states that only members of the Federation have the right to participate in decision-making when it comes to organizational policy. If you are not already a member, please connect with your state affiliate at:
https://nfb.org/about-us/state-affiliates
June 7, 2023 | Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 9: Orientation & Mobility | APH
8AM PT, 9AM MT, 10AM CT, 11AM ET, 3PM GMT
LEGO bricks to build plans, visualize routes, it's not new! But with LEGO Braille Bricks you can also create labels, add letters, words... Then it becomes really great:
https://www.aph.org/lego-braille-bricks-live-sessions/
June 27, 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
July 25, 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
July 25, 2023 | U.S. Access Board Town Hall Meeting in Baltimore
10:30PM PT, 11:30PM MT, 12:30PM CT, 1:30PM ET, 5:30PM GMT
The U.S. Access Board will hold a public town hall meeting at the national headquarters of the National Federation of the Blind in Baltimore, Maryland. Presidentially appointed Access Board members and representatives from other federal member agencies will be present to hear from the local community about the state of accessibility in Baltimore and the D.C.-Maryland-Virginia area. Following the town hall meeting, there will be a reception and networking opportunity from 3:30 — 4:30 (ET), sponsored by the Maryland Department of Disabilities. The town hall meeting and reception are open to all members of the public. Please register for in-person attendance by July 1, 2023. To register, send an email to events@access-board.gov 📧️ with your name and organization. The Access Board invites in-person oral comments on accessibility. Registrants who wish to make in-person oral comments must indicate their request to speak when emailing events@access-board.gov. Public commenters will be allotted two minutes to make their comments
August 22, 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 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
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 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
Sponsors may submit or update their Classified Advertisement at any time by submitting this short form: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-sponsor-classified.
Sponsor: Access Ready, Inc.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Provides Access To The Best In The Business
If you need assistance with a new accessible website, document remediation or disability consulting of other kinds, Access Ready can help. We seek out the best in the business and bring them to you already vetted as to quality, professionalism and ability. By going through AccessReady.org to one of our qualified providers, you're not only getting the best, but supporting our advocacy and technological development efforts as well:
https://accessready.org/
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.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Seeks Guidance On New Accessible Technologies
What Technologies do you see in the market that are not accessible, but should be? What accessible technologies can you imagine that can make the lives of people with all kinds of disabilities better? We will advocate with developers to make existing technologies accessible on your behalf. We will advocate with developers to build new accessible technologies on your behalf. Give us your guidance and support. Your guidance charts our path toward what is most important. Your support funds our efforts on your behalf:
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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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Prepare For Your Future Today With The All-New APH ConnectCenter's Job Seekers Toolkit!
The APH ConnectCenter and NSITE have partnered to update the Job Seeker's Toolkit, an accessible, self-paced, free online training course. The Toolkit includes five sections covering self-awareness, career exploration tools, the preliminary employment process, the interview, and maintaining employment. We are bringing the Job Seeker's Toolkit to a larger audience and in a Learning Management System format for today's learners, at no cost. Visit APHCareerConnect.org to get started with the Job Seekers Toolkit today at:
https://aphcareerconnect.org/lesson-plans-for-teachers-and-professionals/the-job-seekers-toolkit/
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: Menus4ALL
➜ Classified Advertisement: A Revolution in Resolution — Menus for Everyone
No matter when, where or who, the Menus4ALL iPhone app gives you the info you need quickly. No more multiple Google searches to research menus before going out. Info is organized to give you quick access to what you are looking for — the menu! Optimized to give you the best viewing experience. No more struggling to see small print, or looking at a menu in a dimly lit restaurant. Do you use magnification, large print, VoiceOver, a braille display or Voice Control? Enjoy 750,000 fully accessible menus. Download the app today at:
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Sponsor Since: November 20th 2022
Website: https://www.menus4all.com/ 🌐️
Email: stephanie@menus4all.com 📧️
About: 750,000 Accessible Restaurant Menus. On your iPhone ® in the palm of your hand.
Yes, that's not a typo. The Menus4ALL iPhone app offers 500,000 accessible menus in the United States and 250,000 accessible menus in Canada.
Wherever you are and whenever you want The Menus4ALL iPhone app is the largest network of restaurant menus in one place and all of the menus are fully accessible.
Perfect for when you are out running errands and want to know what restaurants are near your current location. Great for planning a night out with friends. Favorite menus that you want to look at later or when you know you are going back for that amazing dish.
Download The App (Apple): https://apps.apple.com/us/app/menus4all/id1640547801?platform=iphone
Sponsor: WayAround
➜ Classified Advertisement: Try Talking Labels That Work With Your Smartphone For Just $9.99!
Get all the different types of WayTags so you can try the BEST accessible labeling system around. Use the coupon code TryTags to get a WayTag Sampler Pack for just $9.99. Plus, you get FREE shipping. Use the WayTags along with the free mobile app to label your things with a description and other important details, so you can spend less time figuring out what things are, and more time getting things done.
https://www.wayaround.com/shop/sampler-pack/?utm_source=AssistiveTech&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=AccessInfoNewsSponsorAd
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Remote Incident Manager for Mac: Cruising Right Along!
The development of Remote Incident Manager for Mac has hit several milestones in the past couple weeks. We've introduced the ability to control a Mac fully unattended, the implementation of seamless file transfers on Mac targets, and the ability to gracefully assist a Mac through a reboot process! For those of you who have yet to experience the world's first cross-platform fully accessible remote support package, get in on the action at: https://pneumasolutions.com/remote-incident-manager-for-mac-public-beta/! Giving and receiving help has never been easier or more accessible, particularly for our Mac crowd. Prepare for a seamless experience that will forever change the way you receive and/or provide remote support and training. And if something isn't working quite right, please don't hesitate to give us feedback at: https://pneumasolutions.com/contact/! Remote Incident Manager: For the first time ever, remote help for the Mac is just a keyword away.
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: 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: NSITE.org
➜ Classified Advertisement: NSITE Connects Employers With Talented People Who Are Blind Or Low-Vision And Supports Talent To Gain Employment
NSITE.org is the first non-profit organization, offering a continuum of services to connect employers with talented job seekers who are blind or low-vision and provides training, employment and career services to these job seekers. Using the NSITE Connect Job Board, which is designed exclusively for individuals who experience vision loss, employers can fill open positions with talent who are blind or have low vision. Job postings are also open to veterans. NSITE-U provides accessible on-demand and virtual instructor-led classes, programs and workshops to support career skills training and professional development for individuals who are blind or have low vision or are veterans. For more information about NSITE and all its services including a free Job Seekers Toolkit developed with APH, American Printing House for the Blind, visit us and use this form to reach NSITE's team for information about programs, classes and services, connect:
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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.
NSITE Connect: Linking employers with talented individuals who are blind, low-vision, and/or veterans. Access the NSITE Connect Job Board here.About | Media | Employers | Job Seekers | Training Programs | Job Board | Contact Us
Sponsor: Clusiv
➜ Classified Advertisement: Clusiv Is The World's First eLearning Platform Built For And By People Who Are Blind. Our Courses Are Designed To Equip People Who Are Blind Or Visually Impaired For Employment In The Modern Workforce. Learn More At Clusiv.Io.
Navigating the employment process can be challenging if you are blind or visually impaired. Technology is difficult to figure out, there is a lot of extra material to learn, and there isn't much quality training available.
That's where Clusiv comes in. We help to provide the training you need to succeed in the modern workforce. Our courses teach assistive technology skills and how to apply those skills to many of the business software programs used in the modern workforce, such as email, Microsoft and Google apps, video conferencing, and more. We also teach soft skills such as resume and interview preparation, disclosures and accommodations, internet safety, and financial literacy. Lastly, our training can teach specific career skills, such as becoming an accessibility analyst. Plus, our courses are self-paced.
To learn more, visit https://clusiv.io/ and fill out a form with your information. We work with state vocational rehabilitation agencies to provide access to our course content.
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.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Seeks Your Support at the Public Policy Level
Moving the public policy needle is both difficult and costly. Access Ready has one of the most experienced teams in the business who have shown results. We have fostered Congressional language on accessible websites, elections, healthcare, communications, and other areas touched by information and communications technologies. These efforts are costly and we need your help to continue. Become an Access Ready supporter and create an accessible future for people with disabilities:
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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.
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Access Information News is the world's leading not-for-profit access information news publication that reaches over 15,000 access professionals, educators and enthusiasts, all over the world, each week.
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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 Access Technology
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Sr. Project Management Professional (2006 - Present)
Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd.
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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
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Top Tech Tidbits
The Week's News in Access Technology
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Board of Trustees (2006 - Present)
Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd.
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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 advocacy foundation.
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
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Editorial Contributor (2020-Present)
Top Tech Tidbits
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Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd.
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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.
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 Access 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, May 8, 2023 - Volume 909
Access Information News for Monday, May 8, 2023 - Volume 909
The Week's News in Access Information
https://accessinformationnews.com/
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: 10,386 Opt-In Subscribers were sent this issue via email. 21 Premium Subscribers were sent this issue via email.
This Week's Featured Advertisement: Join Industry Leaders And Begin Reaching Over 15,000 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 Distribution Made Possible By Support From: Pneuma Solutions, WayAround, Menus4ALL, APH ConnectCenter, Access Ready, Inc., Clusiv, NSITE.org and Total Tech Solutions, LLC. Learn more about Sponsorship today at: https://accessinformationnews.com/sponsor.
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Submit your Access Information News Item for free, with timing and placement determined by our editors, here: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-news. Submit a Sponsored News Item, with timing and placement determined by you, here: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-sponsored-news.
1) Top 5 Most Clicked Access Information News Articles From Last Week
A.) 10 Common Courtesies To Offer People Who Are Blind | BrailleWorks (8.2% of all clicks.)
How do I interact with someone who has a visual disability? Many people have never interacted with someone who has blindness or a visual disability. Or if they have, they weren't aware. Television and movies rarely portray people with disabilities accurately. This can lead to misconceptions. Keep in mind there is no need to treat people with visual disabilities differently. It doesn't require special skills to interact with a person who has blindness. Remember that you're interacting with a whole person, not their disability. Show them the respect they deserve and offer the following courtesies to people who are blind:
https://brailleworks.com/common-courtesy-to-the-blind/
B.) Group of Cockatoos Caught Damaging And Stealing Circular Tactile Marker 'Bumps" From A Sydney Train Platform | YouTube | 9 News Australia (5.1% of all clicks.)
Ever wonder where the 'bumps' on train platforms disappear to? Transport authorities have made a breakthrough after a brazen group of cockatoos were caught on video damaging and stealing the circular 'bumps' from a Sydney train platform. Video ALT: Video shows three separate Cockatoos forcefully removing the circular tactile marker 'bumps" from a Sydney Train Platform:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSO8VoyiMxs
C.) Disabled Lives Are An Afterthought During School Shootings. But Why? | Huffington Post (4.0% of all clicks.)
Many schools have policies that leave behind vulnerable students and staff in the event of mass shootings, fires or other disasters. In May 2022, disabled student Anja, 16, was in her school's cafeteria, completely unaware that a student was headed toward her high school in Chicago with a gun. Fortunately, the police apprehended the armed student before an active shooting could break out. But Anja was terrified after hearing about the threat. She knew too well that, as a disabled student, she would not have been protected if that situation had escalated:
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/disabled-students-school-shootings-emergency-response_n_644843d8e4b039ec4e819543
D.) WCAG 2.2 Update: Is the Juice Worth the Squeeze? | Hiram Kuykendall | Microassist (3.9% of all clicks.)
For the past few years, the World Wide Web Consortium (aka W3C) has teased the industry with the potential release of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2. This likely update has led to much speculation about the immediate impact on vendors who sell digital products, organizations that purchase digital products, and how quickly people with vision, hearing, mobility, and cognitive challenges will benefit from the update. So let's take a few moments to unpack some basics:
https://www.microassist.com/digital-accessibility/wcag-2-2-update-is-the-juice-worth-the-squeeze/
E.) Zappar (UK) Creates Accessible QR Codes For Visually Impaired Shoppers (3.2% of all clicks.)
Zappar, a UK based company has come up with a new accessible QR code solution that will help blind and partially sighted people access product information on store shelves and in cabinets at home relatively quickly:
https://assistivetechnologyblog.com/2023/04/accessible-qr-code.html
2) Sponsored By Clusiv: Are You Blind Or Visually Impaired And Want To Make An Impact In Digital Accessibility? Then Register Now For Clusiv's Webinar This Global Accessibility Awareness Day!
Next Thursday, May 18th at 12:00 PM Central Time, you will learn how to make a positive change in accessibility, get expert insights on how you can work in the field and how to use your lived experience as an asset! Click the link to register and you will receive an email with information on how to join the Zoom webinar:
https://bit.ly/3HLBFtz
3) Access Information News Announces Premium Subscriber Option For $1 A Month
Premium Subscribers can now receive our new quarterly issue which provides a complete listing of each of the 60 Most Clicked Access News Articles of the Last 3 Months. This list will provide verified links to and information on the 60 most useful pieces of information in access news over the last 3 months, as voted on by AIN reader clicks. This special quarterly issue will be provided to Premium Subscribers as a native Microsoft Word document with notated headings, abstracts and verified links to each of the 60 Most Clicked Access News Articles of the Last 3 Months. Many readers have requested this type of compilation, in this particular format, for use as an ongoing reference for both research and learning purposes. So if you'd like to support the growth of the Access Information News publication by becoming one of our very first Premium Subscribers, we invite you to sign up today for just $1 a month, paid annually:
https://accessinformationnews.com/13.html
4) Sponsorship Package Updates
Are you an access-based business or organization whose products, services or message would benefit from reaching over 15,000 access professionals each week? If so, please consider becoming a Sponsor today for just $100 a month, paid either quarterly or annually. Annual Sponsors gain the additional benefit of being able to schedule their Featured Advertisement dates up to one year in advance. If you've been looking for a way to consistently reach the largest audience of opt-in access professionals in the world today, please consider becoming an Access Information News Sponsor while packages last. Availability: There are currently 9 Access Information News Sponsorship Packages remaining. 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 2nd issue of the 60 Most Clicked Access News Articles for April, May and June 2023 on Monday, July 3, 2023. Back Issues: There is currently 1 back issue 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 receive a perfectly formatted and searchable Word Document with each of the 60 Most 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. 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
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In addition to receiving Access Information News via email every Monday morning at 6:00 AM ET you can also pick up the newsletter and its trending articles on any of the following channels:
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8) What is Global Accessibility Awareness Day? | May 7, 2023 | Accessibility.com
2023 marks another year of Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD), which will be held on May 18. From its humble and unexpected origins in 2011, GAAD has endured as one of the leading events in accessibility advocacy and awareness for individuals across a broad spectrum of ability levels. GAAD's mission is to inform the world of the importance of accessibility across digital platforms. GAAD seeks to encourage developers, designers, and content creators to embrace and prioritize accessibility as a vital aspect of their work. As we've said time and time again, it's the right thing to do and the smart thing to do. In this piece, we will provide a brief history of GAAAD and talk about how its celebrations have evolved and continue to influence the world of accessibility:
https://www.accessibility.com/blog/what-is-global-accessibility-awareness-day-1
9) Listen Both Ways: Blind Walkers Winning Safer Road Crossings | May 5, 2023 | ABC News
A federal judge's ruling blasting Chicago planners for not equipping more of their intersections with audible signals that help blind pedestrians cross busy streets has given advocates a victory they call long overdue:
https://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory/listen-ways-blind-walkers-winning-safer-road-crossings-99099473
10) Review: The OKO App - AI Copilot For The Blind Making Every Pedestrian Signal Accessible | May 6, 2023 | The Blind Life | YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1MvczKZQYs
11) Click Here: Twitter Alt Text Meme Isn't Funny For Blind People | BBC News
Publisher (Di Blasi): Both Access Information News and Top Tech Tidbits have been fighting the good ALT description fight since long before ALT descriptions were mainstream conversation. And we have seen some creative uses of them in that time. Such as placing coupon codes within the ALT description in order to offer a special discount only to users of assistive technology. I know. Pretty cool, right? But this is not that.
BBC News: You've probably seen one of the latest Twitter memes doing the rounds. There's black text - "click here" - on a white background. And an arrow pointing to the ALT image description label. Behind that, there's a joke or a punchline. Brands including McDonald's (ALT: "Extra pickles life") and Red Bull Gaming (ALT: "Ice cold Red Bull") have jumped on the trend. Just a bit of light-hearted content to make their followers laugh, right?
https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-65473838
12) Pneuma Solutions Officially Joins the Fediverse! | April 30, 2023
We are pleased to announce that we have officially established our presence on the Fediverse via a Mastodon server linked to Pneuma Solutions. A number of our staff may now be reached via Mastodon, and we invite you to follow us to stay in the know:
https://social.pneumasolutions.com/@pneumasolutions
13) News Brief: National Federation of the Blind Moves Away from Twitter, Establishes Mastodon Server and Account | May 4, 2023
In light of recent events, including the laying off of Twitter's entire accessibility team and changes to its API that have broken accessible Twitter clients used by our community, the National Federation of the Blind is realigning our social media presence. The biggest immediate change is the establishment of a new server and account on the federated social media network Mastodon:
https://groups.io/g/tech-vi/message/3971
14) 18 Accessible Mother's Day Cards For Moms With Low Vision | Des Moines Register
Mother's Day is a wonderful opportunity to show Mom just how much she means to you with the perfect message—but, for moms with vision challenges, a greeting card may be a tricky present to give. Often, greeting cards are designed with small type, flourish-heavy fonts, and too little color contrast. While for a person without visual impairments this works just fine, for those who are blind, colorblind, low vision, or have other vision-related conditions, these cards may be a minefield to navigate. Luckily, there are some great options on the market these days that celebrate mothers of all kinds. Whether it's by using large print, braille, or recording your voice, these Mother's Day cards can help you say just the right thing in a way every mom can enjoy to the fullest:
https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/money/reviewed/2023/05/04/18-great-mothers-day-card-ideas-for-moms-with-visual-impairment/70180596007/
15) What Does Accessibility Mean to You? | May 1, 2023 | APH
Have you ever considered how something that many people use every day, like a kitchen appliance, social media platform, or even a building entrance, might create barriers for people with disabilities? To best understand how we can make our world more inclusive, we must listen to the voices of those with lived experiences as disabled people and those who dedicate their lives to accessibility. For Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD), we asked our Accessibility Committee and other experts at APH what "accessibility" means to them, what they wish people knew about accessibility, and what actions individuals can take to support accessibility:
https://www.aph.org/what-does-accessibility-mean-to-you/
16) 30 Years Ago, One Decision Altered The Course Of Our Connected World | Julian Ring | NPR
Publisher (Di Blasi): Many of the top minds in technology today feel that something big is on the horizon. Which, in itself, does not mean that there really is, but anytime our top minds start to agree on anything it tends to spook the hell out of the rest of us. Much as this announcement did 30 years ago. Do you remember it? I know I do.
NPR: 30 years ago, listeners tuning into Morning Edition heard about a futuristic idea that could profoundly change their lives. "Imagine being able to communicate at-will with 10 million people all over the world," NPR's Neal Conan said. "Imagine having direct access to catalogs of hundreds of libraries as well as the most up-to-date news, business and weather reports. Imagine being able to get medical advice or gardening advice immediately from any number of experts. "This is not a dream," he continued. "It's internet:"
https://www.npr.org/2023/04/30/1172276538/world-wide-web-internet-anniversary
17) Wheelchair User Left To Crawl Off Ryanair Plane In Sweden | BBC News Europe
A wheelchair user who crawled down metal steps from a plane when no-one could help him disembark has described the incident as "unacceptable". Adrian Keogh, from Wicklow in Ireland, was told assistance would take an hour after his flight landed at Landvetter Airport in Sweden on Saturday. Mr Keogh said cabin crew on the Ryanair flight told him he could crawl from the aircraft instead of waiting:
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-65450219
18) Mental Health Expert: What We Know And Do Not Know About Autism | Tammy McCrory | News Week: Subscription Required
The mysteries of autism sit next to an understanding of certain aspects from years of research and observation. As a practicing Limited Licensed Psychologist and Board Certified Behavior Analyst in the State of Michigan, who own and operate the McCrory Center for Behavioral Health, I am all too familiar with this condition and have spent the last six years helping others understand Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), I believe it is important to continue to strive to unravel the mysteries of autism:
https://www.newsweek.com/mental-health-expert-what-we-know-do-not-know-about-autism-1797882
19) UK Public Begged Not To Distract Guide Dogs After Port Talbot Woman Falls And Hurts Herself
The charity warns that patting, touching or feeding a working guide dog can have serious consequences:
https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/public-begged-not-distract-guide-21931335
20) Digital Accessibility Is a Bigger Education Issue Than We Think. Here's What We Can Do About It. | May 3, 2023 | EdSurge
About a month ago, a colleague forwarded me a newsletter from the school she works with. It was a normal-looking school newsletter: a three-page PDF with information about upcoming events, decorated with colorful clip art of flowers. However, the subject line said: “How do I get them to stop doing this?” I knew exactly what she meant. The newsletter, while pretty, had the gritty look of a document that's been printed out and scanned back into the computer. I tried to click on the text to see if I could highlight or select one of the words, but I couldn't. The newsletter was just one big image with no recognizable text or other elements:
https://www.edsurge.com/news/2023-05-03-digital-accessibility-is-a-bigger-education-issue-than-we-think-here-s-what-we-can-do-about-it?utm_campaign=site&utm_content=share-53
21) Cardin, Boozman, Wyden and Young Introduce Tax Credit to Help Blind Americans Afford Access Technology | May 4, 2023
U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Todd Young (R-Ind.) are leading the effort to create a refundable tax credit to help blind Americans afford access technology. The Access Technology Affordability Act of 2023, introduced Thursday, would allow for more widespread access to adapted computers, text-to-speech screen access software and electronic Braille displays used to access computers, tablets, smart phones, as well as digital content:
https://www.cardin.senate.gov/press-releases/cardin-boozman-wyden-and-young-introduce-tax-credit-to-help-blind-americans-afford-access-technology/
22) People With Disabilities Say This AI Tool Is Making the Web Worse for Them | Vice.com
AccessiBe aims to make the internet fully accessible to the visually impaired by 2025 — but activists say the company's AI is making things worse. In October, disability rights activist Connor Scott-Gardner was conducting a study examining how many tweets promoting blind awareness month were actually accessible to blind users when he came across a post from AccessiBe. The company makes artificial intelligence-powered web overlays — pieces of code that are supposed to run over websites and automatically reformat how browsers display the pages so that people who use screen readers and other assistive technologies can access them. But AccessiBe's blind awareness tweet contained an image with no alternative text, meaning that people like Scott-Gardner, who is blind, could have no idea what it said. It was his first, unpleasant interaction with the company, and wouldn't be his last:
https://www.vice.com/en/article/m7az74/people-with-disabilities-say-this-ai-tool-is-making-the-web-worse-for-them
23) It's a Motherf**king Pleasure Review — A Darkly Comic Satire On Disability | Soho Theatre, London
This debut from disability-led theatre company FlawBored is not afraid to make us squirm as it skewers virtue signaling and corporate buzzwords:
https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2023/apr/30/its-a-motherfking-pleasure-review-a-darkly-comic-satire-on-disability
24) About The International Blind Golf Association
How is Blind Golf Played? There are three categories of blind golfer determined by the individual's level of sight: B1, B2, and B3. You can download a sight classification form from this site:
https://www.internationalblindgolf.com/blind-golf.html
25) Making Hashtags And Emojis Digitally Accessible | Michaela Leung | Accessibility.com
Online trends change daily, especially with social media usage being one of the most popular online activities. In 2021, over 4.26 billion people were using social media worldwide, which analysts predict will increase to almost six billion in 2027 (Statista). While things like emojis and hashtags have proven to be tried and true online staples, it's important to still be mindful and digitally accessible:
https://www.accessibility.com/blog/making-hashtags-and-emojis-digitally-accessible
26) UserWay Will Get You Sued | Adrian Roselli |
Disclaimer: This post and the headline is my opinion. I provide verifiable facts throughout to inform that opinion. I say this because French overlay vendor FACIL'iti has filed at least two frivolous lawsuits, and given overlay vendors tend to follow the same business practices, it is reasonable to assume UserWay might eventually also resort to litigation to silence critics. I am also not a lawyer and this post does not constitute legal advice:
https://adrianroselli.com/2021/09/userway-will-get-you-sued.html
27) 6 Best Over-The-Counter Hearing Aids, According To My 82-Year-Old Grandfather | CNet
Improved hearing has never been more accessible. We tested over-the-counter hearing aids, so you don't have to:
https://www.cnet.com/health/medical/6-best-over-the-counter-hearing-aids/#ftag=CAD590a51e
28) U.S. Supreme Court Agrees To Examine ADA Standing For Website Testers | March 30, 2023 | ABA Banking Journal
Issue: Whether an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) plaintiff has Article III standing to sue a company without having any intention of patronizing the business. Case Summary: The U.S. Supreme Court agreed to review whether an ADA tester has Article III standing to sue a company for violating the ADA if the tester has no intention of patronizing the company:
https://bankingjournal.aba.com/2023/04/u-s-supreme-court-agrees-to-examine-ada-standing-for-website-testers/
29) U.S. Supreme Court Grants Cert in ADA "Tester" Case | May 3, 2023 | Mintz
In late March, the United States Supreme Court granted certiorari involving a case that could have a nationwide impact on lawsuits brought under Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”). The case, titled Acheson Hotels, LLC v. Laufer, involves a hotel operator (petitioner) and a self-proclaimed ADA “tester” (respondent) and raises the following question: Does an ADA “tester” have Article III standing to challenge a place of public accommodation's failure to provide disability accessibility information on its website, even if she lacks any intention of visiting that place of public accommodation? In simpler terms, the case addresses whether a person who does not intend to visit a business can sue for failure to provide accessibility information on its website:
https://www.mintz.com/insights-center/viewpoints/2301/2023-05-03-us-supreme-court-grants-cert-ada-tester-case
30) Disability Groups Say California's Assisted Suicide Law Discriminates Against Them | April 27, 2023 | Joseph Shapiro | NPR
Four disability groups have filed a lawsuit to overturn California's assisted suicide law — saying it devalues their lives and encourages discrimination against them:
https://www.npr.org/2023/04/27/1172387981/disability-groups-say-californias-assisted-suicide-law-discriminates-against-the
31) 'They're Everywhere': Why Touchscreens Are Causing Huge Accessibility Problems For Blind People | May 2, 2023 | Emily McPherson | 9News Australia
Nadia Mattiazzo remembers going to her regular café one day back in 2016 and trying to buy a cup of coffee. To her shock and dismay, she found there was no way she could pay for it. Mattiazzo, who is blind, said the café had installed a new EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer) POS (Point Of Sale) machine overnight which had a touchscreen. With no fixed buttons to help her orientate the location of the digits, Mattiazzo could not enter her PIN. "I went in to buy my coffee and suddenly there was this screen and I had no cash," Mattiazzo, who is the CEO of Women with Disabilities Victoria, said. Soon, Mattiazzo started noticing similar EFT POS touchscreens appearing in other cafés and restaurants:
https://www.9news.com.au/national/why-touchscreens-are-causing-huge-accessibility-problems-for-people-who-are-blind-or-have-low-vision/56de159d-36cd-4471-9a5d-85684953e3cf
32) Fashion Designer Nikki Hind, Who Is Blind, To Be Featured In The First Braille Book Series Available In Mainstream Stores
Nikki Hind is Australia's first legally blind fashion designer who believes that fashion is about grown-up dress-ups and doesn't require vision to appreciate or design it. She struggles with the elitism attached to fashion and is fighting for inclusion in an industry that she says “gets its power from being exclusive”. Her label, Blind Grit, comprises a team of people with lived experience of disability and trauma, providing opportunities for aspiring photographers, models, stylists and designers:
https://www.bollyinside.com/news/fashion-lifestyle/fashion-designer-nikki-hind-who-is-blind-to-be-featured-in-the-first-braille-book-series-available-in-mainstream-stores/
33) Ellume: Accessible Health Diagnostics for All | May 3, 2023 | APH
Despite advances in modern medicine, infectious diseases still have a major impact on the world as we have seen over the last few years. Digital diagnostics manufacturer, Ellume, was founded to help address these problems through innovative and accessible approaches to diagnosis and treatment. We found time to catch up with Dan Mallon, Vice President of Business Development at Ellume, to discuss the company and its plans for more accessible testing:
https://www.aph.org/ellume-accessible-health-diagnostics-for-all/
34) TD Bank Group Launches New Accessibility Tool To Drive Inclusive Online Experiences For Users
TD Bank Group (TD) has announced the launch of a new innovative accessibility tool to create more inclusive and accessible user experiences, starting with its colleagues. Created by TD Lab, an innovation group at TD that collaborates with businesses across the Bank, TD Adapted Accessibility empowers users to personalize websites to address accessibility preferences and needs, without requiring expensive assistive technologies:
https://td.mediaroom.com/2023-03-23-TD-launches-new-accessibility-tool-to-drive-inclusive-online-experiences-for-users
35) Bipartisan Bill Would Strike 'Outdated And Derogatory Language' On Intellectual Disability From Federal Law | The Hill
On April 28, 2023 a bipartisan House group introduced a bill to strike more than two dozen instances of outdated and derogatory terminology describing intellectual disability from federal law:
https://thehill.com/homenews/house/3978042-bipartisan-bill-would-strike-outdated-and-derogatory-language-on-intellectual-disability-from-federal-law/
36) Sacramento Society For The Blind Now Producing Braille Content, Encouraging Local Organizations To Reach Out
The Society for the Blind can now produce Braille content following the acquisition of the Braille production services formerly operated by the Sacramento Braille Transcribers. The nonprofit organization celebrated the new opportunity Thursday with an open house and reception.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/society-for-the-blind-now-producing-braille-content-encouraging-local-organizations-to-reach-out/ar-AA1atWtZ
37) LinkedIn Experiments With AI Assistance For Job Hunters
Microsoft's employment-focused social network platform, LinkedIn, is currently testing out a new feature that's designed to help job seekers hit the ground running when making job applications. The AI-powered personalized writing suggestions feature is currently available for testing exclusively to Premium subscribers:
https://www.onmsft.com/news/linkedin-experiments-with-ai-for-job-hunters/
38) Digital Accessibility is No Longer a Choice; It's a Necessity | May 2, 2023 | Kim Weins | Dev Pro Journal
Developing an accessible web application requires an intentional, holistic approach. Here are some concrete steps for you to take to make your software available to all:
https://www.devprojournal.com/software-development-trends/digital-accessibility-is-no-longer-a-choice-its-a-necessity/
39) When Success Means Buying a Smaller Suit | The Thoughts and Ramblings of Steve
Recently, I got to participate on the Parallel Podcast talking about, of all things, accessibility and fitness. The reason I phrase it this way is that anyone who knows me probably knows that fitness and I don't normally go together in the same sentence, let alone the same podcast. Talking about anything fitness related has always been challenging for me and so I want to particularly thank the ever-awesome Shelly Brisbin for being brave enough to include me. I also want to especially thank Sommer Panage and the other unsung heroes that dare to dream of a more accessible world, and work so hard to make that a reality:
https://steves.life/2023/05/01/when-success-means-buying-a-smaller-suit/
40) Geoffrey Hinton Tells Us Why He's Now Scared Of The Tech He Helped Build | MIT Technology Review | MIT Technology Review: Subscription Required
Publisher (Di Blasi): I am no Geoffrey Hinton. Just a regular computer engineer that has been studying data systems for more than 35 years. And helping clients understand them for almost 20. And as such I have a very hard time accepting the claim that he has "suddenly switched views." Anyone that studies data systems with any amount of intensity for even a small period of time quickly comes to understand that absolutely everything that underpins the technology possesses the capability for exponential growth. The next thing they realize is that there is no "if". Only a "when". And while none of us know when, we have collectively known that these capabilities were possible (at an exponential scale) for a very, very long time. So all else being equal, I'm calling hype.
MIT Technology Review: "I have suddenly switched my views on whether these things are going to be more intelligent than us:"
https://www.technologyreview.com/2023/05/02/1072528/geoffrey-hinton-google-why-scared-ai/
41) No 'Magic' Solution to Accessibility | Kami Funk | Accessibility.com
When it comes to accessibility, many people want prepackaged, one and done solutions to make their companies and websites accessible without much effort. Instead of regarding accessibility as a standard to constantly meet, they instead regard it as a problem to solve. In regarding accessibility as a problem instead of a standard, people want to seek out 'magic' solutions. However, when it comes to creating accessibility, there is no 'magic' solution. The only way to achieve accessibility is through meaningful, hard work. Research, continuous improvement, and accessibility audits will aid you in creating and maintaining effective accessibility for your company:
https://www.accessibility.com/blog/no-magic-solution-to-accessibility
42) Illinois Bill Would Allow Visually Impaired Voters In Illinois To Use Electronic Mail-In Ballots
Legislation proposed in the state Senate would ease remote voting for people who are visually impaired, but some advocates say it is redundant. Senate Bill 282 would provide a remote-accessible vote-by-mail system. If passed, the bill would allow voters with a "print disability" such as blindness, low vision or learning/physical disabilities to mark, verify and return a mail voting ballot electronically. The bill was filed by Feb. 2 by Sen. Julie A. Morrison, D-Deerfield, and has been referred to assignments twice, the last time March 31:
https://www.myjournalcourier.com/news/article/illinois-bill-proposes-electronic-mail-in-ballots-17906281.php
43) Nanoscope Therapeutics Presents Results From Phase 2b Restore Trial Of Mco-010 For Treatment Of Retinitis Pigmentosa | April 28, 2023 | David Hutton | Ophthalmology Times
Nanoscope Therapeutics Inc. this week announced the presentation of key data from its Phase 2b multicenter, randomized, double-masked, sham-controlled RESTORE clinical trial (NCT04945772) of MCO-010 at the ARVO annual meeting in New Orleans. According to the company, MCO-010 is an ambient-light activatable Multi-Characteristic Opsin (MCO) optogenetic therapy for vision restoration in advanced retinitis pigmentosa (RP), irrespective of gene mutation. The company also noted composite efficacy data validate MCO-010 as a potential treatment for RP. MCO-010 has received both orphan drug and fast track designations from the FDA:
https://www.ophthalmologytimes.com/view/nanoscope-therapeutics-presents-results-from-phase-2b-restore-trial-of-mco-010-for-treatment-of-retinitis-pigmentosa
44) Breaking the Darkness: Reactivating Dormant Cells in the Retina Brings New Hope for Vision Regeneration | May 6, 2023 | Neuroscience News
Researchers discovered a way to reactivate dormant cells in the retina of mice to restore vision, without the need for transplantation. The team discovered dormant glial cells can be transformed into cells sharing properties with cone photoreceptors, which enable color perception, reading and driving. The approach, which uses two genes to transform Müller cells into retinal neurons, could offer new hope for developing regenerative therapies to replace lost cells in retinal degeneration:
https://neurosciencenews.com/vision-restoration-genetic-23183/
45) Celebrating Accessibility: An Interview with Kiran Kaja | May 3, 2023 | APH
Accessibility is at the core of APH's mission, and we celebrate individuals who work to create an accessible world for everyone. One of these individuals is Kiran Kaja, the Principal Product Manager on the Shopping and Books accessibility team at Amazon, who spoke to us about his childhood, career journey, and gave advice for those aspiring to work in accessibility:
https://www.aph.org/celebrating-accessibility-an-interview-with-kiran-kaja/
46) How Do I Become A Patient of Accessible Pharmacy Services?
We are often asked how someone becomes a patient of Accessible Pharmacy Services: The best way to become a patient is by giving us a call at (888) 633-7007 📱️. After your conversation with our Care Coordinator, they will reach out to your insurance to confirm eligibility. They will also contact your current pharmacy and prescribing physicians to transfer your information. You can also connect with us through the Be My Eyes Specialized Help section or email us to initiate this process: info@accessiblepharmacy.com 📧️ For answers to more frequently asked questions, please click the link below:
https://accessiblepharmacy.com/frequently-asked-questions/
47) Bridging Another Digital Divide: Accessibility For Blind And Low-Vision Consumers | May 2, 2023 | McKinsey Digital
Publisher (Di Blasi): As a digital marketing and design firm with over 20 years of experience serving access businesses and organizations we here at Mind Vault are often asked to bridge the gap between emerging digital marketing technologies and accessibility. I believe these questions are asked so often because there is a lack of ongoing information in this particular space. Something we hope to address in the future. For now, this article is an oasis in this particular desert.
McKinsey Digital: Undoubtedly, digital channels have made everyday tasks, from depositing checks to buying tonight's dinner ingredients, easier and more convenient for many people. But digitization has not always led to an optimal customer experience for everyone. The more than two billion people worldwide who are blind or low vision are often left behind:
https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/mckinsey-digital/our-insights/bridging-another-digital-divide-accessibility-for-blind-and-low-vision-consumers
48) Scientists Discover Anatomical Changes In The Brains Of The Newly Sighted | May 1, 2023
For years neuroscientists held the belief that there existed a "critical period" during which the brain could acquire the ability to comprehend visual input, and that this timeframe terminated around the age of 6 or 7. The latest research by Professor Pawan Sinha from MIT has revealed a more intricate picture. Sinha's investigations on Indian children who underwent surgery to remove congenital cataracts after the age of 7 have demonstrated that older children can acquire visual abilities such as face recognition, object discrimination from the background, and motion perception through learning:
https://www.newswise.com/articles/brain-changes-in-newly-sighted-discovered-by-scientists
49) Kristin's Disability Support Has Been Slashed Before. She Now Fears It Will Happen Again | SBS News Australia
NDIS recipients and activists are afraid their disability support will be axed following the announcement of a "sustainable" spending cap:
https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/kristins-disability-support-has-been-slashed-before-she-now-fears-it-will-happen-again/71cvyri3x
50) From Rare Beauty to Meloway, Here Are 10 Accessible Beauty Products People With Disabilities Recommend
Beauty is and should be for everyone; however, the industry has long been exclusionary. Before Fenty Beauty entered the landscape roughly six years ago, shade ranges for people of color were relatively non existent. It's now possible to find a wide range of shades for melanin-rich skin, but somewhere the industry still seriously lags behind is in offering products that are user-friendly for people with disabilities and mobility issues. There are, however, a small contingent of beauty brands providing accessible products that people with disabilities love for their easy-to-use designs:
https://www.wellandgood.com/beauty-brands-accessible-packaging/
51) Australia: NDIS Cost Scrutiny Is Intensifying Again — The Past Shows This Can Harm Health And Wellbeing For People With Disability
Those in the disability field have been expressing a sense of whiplash. Many had felt buoyed by reassurances from Bill Shorten, minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), at the National Press Club the previous week that a reboot would ensure the scheme was "here to stay". Yet a week later, the word from the National Cabinet meeting of state and territory leaders, was that NDIS growth would need to be constrained in order for the scheme to be sustainable:
https://theconversation.com/ndis-cost-scrutiny-is-intensifying-again-the-past-shows-this-can-harm-health-and-wellbeing-for-people-with-disability-203336
52) Greece Makes Nearly 200 Beaches Accessible With Adaptive Chairs | The Washington Post: Subscription Required
Seatrac expands its reach to help more vacationers with mobility issues swim in European seas:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/2023/05/01/wheelchairs-beach-greece-accessibility/
53) Visually Impaired Man Hoping For 'Dream Bike' To Cycle Safely In Colorado Springs | KRDO News Colorado
Denys and Andrew Mayles are brothers that bond through biking, but getting a bike to suit their evolving needs is a challenge. Over the past few years, Andrew has slowly been losing more and more of his vision, and he's no longer able to ride a bike by himself. "As my vision has deteriorated, I haven't been able to do it alone," said Andrew, "and so that's when my brother and my family really have kind of introduced me to the tandem riding. It's just been a great motivator to be able to get out." Andrew says he was born with various eye issues which left him blind in one eye and with poor vision in the other. Though his eyesight stayed stable for a long time, it recently declined. Though Andrew's lost a significant portion of his vision, he and Denys have been working to make sure they also don't lose their passion for cycling together:
https://krdo.com/news/2023/05/03/visually-impaired-man-hoping-for-dream-bike-to-cycle-safely-in-colorado-springs/
54) Broadway Junction in Brooklyn Slated For $495 Million Accessibility Upgrade
Broadway Junction will be completely rebuilt, including seven new elevators, new escalators and two public plazas:
https://patch.com/new-york/bed-stuy/broadway-junction-slated-495-million-accessibility-upgrade
55) Those Inaccessible Pin Pads — Seniors And Persons With Disabilities Are Being Ignored | Award Winning Sight Loss Coach, Advocate and Author Donna Jodhan
A few weeks ago, I encountered a very interesting situation when I went to use my credit card to pay my bill at a medical professional's office. Lo and behold! The pin pad that I needed to use in order to enter my credit card pin was sadly inaccessible:
https://sterlingcreations.ca/blog/those-inaccessible-pin-pads-seniors-and-persons-with-disabilities-are-being-ignored
56) Foundation Fighting Blindness and Athletes for Hope Announce Strategic Partnership | May 2, 2023
The Foundation Fighting Blindness, the world's leading organization committed to finding treatments and cures for blinding retinal diseases, has announced a partnership with Athletes for Hope (AFH), a national nonprofit that assists athletes of all levels with community service and advocacy work. This partnership will build awareness for blinding diseases throughout the athletic community:
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/foundation-fighting-blindness-and-athletes-for-hope-announce-strategic-partnership-301812210.html
57) Special Needs Financial Planning: Smart Advice For Families Coping With Disabilities | Forbes: Subscription Required
The patchwork of government programs for adults with disabilities, and their varying eligibility rules, create complications and traps. But more financial planners are aiming to help:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/sergeiklebnikov/2023/04/30/special-needs-financial-planning-smart-advice-for-families-coping-with-disabilities/
➜ Featured Webinars, Training Courses and Events
Submit your access information related Webinar, Training Course or Event for consideration within this section using this form: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-event.
May 9, 2023 | 2023 APH CareerConnect Transition & Employment Resource Round Up | APH CareerConnect
11AM PT, 12PM MT, 1PM CT, 2PM ET, 6PM GMT
Do you work with transition-age youth who are blind or low vision? You're invited to The National Transition Conversation: 2023 APH CareerConnect Transition & Employment Resource Round Up on Tuesday, May 9, 2023, from 2:00 PM until 4:00 PM EST. We hope to see you there! Read on to learn about supporting adults and students as they transition to higher education or employment:
https://aphcareerconnect.org/blog/careerconnect-blog/five-tips-for-creating-individualized-transition-and-employment-goals/
May 9, 2023 | Design for Accessibility | Accessibility.com
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
It starts at the storyboard before a single line of code is written. When it comes to designing for accessibility, planning is essential for success. Learn how to master the design stage of your project and create your own digital accessibility master plan:
https://www.accessibility.com/event/2023/design-for-accessibility
May 9, 2023 through May 12, 2023 | John Slatin AccessU 2023 | Knowbility
Join us virtually or in Austin, TX. John Slatin AccessU is an annual conference where tech professionals, content creators, policymakers, and advocates come together for deep learning in accessible digital design:
https://knowbility.org/programs/john-slatin-accessu-2023
May 10, 2023 | Envision Glasses: New Features & Upgrades (Assistive Technology Webinar) | Access Ingenuity
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
The Envision Glasses are quickly becoming an essential tool for the visually impaired. Lightweight glasses with a camera and direct speaker, Envision Glasses speak out text and environmental info, recognize faces, light, and colors, and lets you share that information. Unobtrusive with intuitive design, Envision Glasses excel in all kinds of text recognition, even handwriting, in over 60 languages. This session will focus on some new features available now, which harness the power of GPT-4 by OpenAI, one of the most advanced language models in the world, to understand and answer natural language questions. This new feature brings next-level access by giving users nearly unlimited control over how they interact with the scanned text. Join Ian Ramos from Access Ingenuity on a virtual tour of this technology. We will also have a team member from Envision join us to add valuable insights and maybe even some “insider” information on what's in store for this technology. Learning Outcomes: General overview of the glasses. Discussion and demonstration of the new “Ask Envision” feature and others. How these glasses impact users at work, school, and home. Discussion on what features to look forward to in the coming months. Meeting ID: 857 9163 5995 | Passcode: 728151 | One tap mobile: +16699009128,,85791635995#,,,,*728151# US (San Jose) | Dial by your location: +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose):
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85791635995?pwd=QVZjelJlWE43MmltaUs1dWs1aTk3UT09
May 10, 2023 | Develop for Accessibility | Accessibility.com
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
Script and sequence your accessibility action plan. Developing for accessibility requires diligence in executing the design plan to complete objectives through measuring and monitoring processes and checkpoints. Discover the most effective ways to accomplish your design plan through these development strategies:
https://www.accessibility.com/event/2023/develop-for-accessibility
May 10, 2023 | Accelerate Your Accessibility Journey Through Integrations | TPGi
9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
Presenters: Justin Stockton, Product Manager, and Charlie Pike, Platform Success Lead. Get an overview of the Accessibility Resource Center's integration services: ARC API, Zapier, and the Node SDK. As part of this overview, we'll review typical usage scenarios: Getting your raw data out of ARC to use in custom dashboards. Integrating ARC data into your development platform. Publishing your Engagement findings to JIRA, Google Sheets, etc. Integrating ARC into your test processes::
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-may-10-at-12pm-et-accelerate-your-accessibility-journey-through-integrations/
May 11, 2023 | Deploy for Accessibility | Accessibility.com
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
It started with a storyboard, then you added a script and sequence. Now it's time to render your accessibility plan into action. Learn methods for deploying accessibility across your organization that takes your design and development to fruition. Determine the best processes for measuring success and how to sustain accessibility as your organization grows:
https://www.accessibility.com/event/2023/develop-for-accessibility
May 11, 2023 | Fire Tablets Do Work | Many Faces of BARD
4PM PT, 5PM MT, 6PM CT, 7PM ET, 11PM GMT
The topic for the May 11, 2023, Many Faces of BARD program will be BARD: Fire Tablets Do Work. The program will begin at 7:00 p.m. eastern time and last for one hour. This program will be recorded. This session will include a discussion and demonstration of how to use BARD on an Amazon Fire tablet. After the presentation, we will answer questions about the presentation and general questions about BARD. You can join the session by going to:
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USLOC/bulletins/35828a5
May 13, 2023 | Travel Tools and Apps | Technology User Group | Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled (LBPD)
7AM PT, 8AM MT, 9AM CT, 10AM ET, 2PM GMT
Whether you are traveling to another city, state or country, we will look at tools and resources that will help you get the most assistance for your venture. All events are currently being held via teleconference until further notice. No programs will be held in person. Please dial (319) 527-4994 📱️ at 10:00 AM ET. For more information about the Technology User Group or to recommend a topic / technology for discussion, please contact: Jerry Price at (410) 230-2446 📱️ or via email jerry.price1@maryland.gov 📧️
May 16, 2023 | Why is Web Accessibility Important? | Amy Albin | Vispero Learning and Development Coordinator
9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
Accessibility ends with "y". But it also needs to begin with "why". Just as important as having the right accessibility techniques is knowing why accessibility is important. Amy Albin (she/her), a member of Vispero's Human Resources team, an industrial/organizational psychologist and a blind JAWS user, will present reasons for making your software offerings accessible to users with and without disabilities. You will learn: Why inaccessible technology is costing you and the concept of ROA (Return On Accessibility). The difference between reactive and proactive approaches to accessibility. How a blind person can perform job tasks by integrating Vispero's assistive technology with mainstream software. One thing you can do in less than five minutes to make documents more accessible and perceive the difference you can make from the perspective of a real JAWS user! Additionally, you will hear personal stories of the impact of accessibility and the lack of it on a wide range of life activities. Whether or not you work directly with software development, this informative, insightful experience will inspire you to critically examine your why. Register today:
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-may-16-at-12pm-et-why-is-web-accessibility-important/
May 16, 2023 through May 18, 2023 | Virtua11y Web Accessibility Conference 2023 | Nomensa
Nomensa's free, virtual web accessibility and digital inclusion conference:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/virtua11y-web-accessibility-conference-2023-tickets-505953880677
May 17, 2023 | All Ears: Let's Talk Audio Games | The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc.
4PM PT, 5PM MT, 6PM CT, 7PM ET, 11PM GMT
Are you ready to level up your gaming experience? Join us for an epic and interactive webinar hosted by The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc., featuring special guest Liam Erven, blind programmer of the first side-scrolling audio game. We'll dive into multiple ways to access audio games on your PC, iPhone, and Amazon Alexa. Learn how inclusion and accessibility in audio gaming is beneficial in connecting people who are blind to friends, family, and the mainstream gaming community. After the presentation, we'll have an epic Q&A session where you can unleash your curiosity and engage in a discussion with our knowledgeable presenters. Register now to secure your spot and embark on a new and inclusive gaming adventure! Please register in advance for this webinar. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar:
https://thelighthousefortheblindinc.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_NajV3WrdS2-vqVtt3ri2Bg
May 17, 2023 | Google Docs & Sheets for Accessible PDFs (Digital Accessibility Webinar) | Access Ingenuity
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
Explore how to author Google Docs and Google Sheets for exporting to a tagged PDF for remediation. Join Rachel Reeves to focus on exporting Google Office to Microsoft Office to achieve a final PDF product with tags. Learning Outcomes: Explore Google tools to use in document creation to increase accessibility. Show the export barriers of Google files and how to export a tagged PDF correctly. Join Zoom Meeting:
Google Docs & Sheets for Accessible PDFs. Meeting ID: 822 3486 6942 | Passcode: 378566 | One tap mobile: +16699009128,,82234866942#,,,,*378566# US (San Jose) | Dial by your location: +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose):
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82234866942?pwd=THMvckdtaHAzMmpRM3h0NVpPVTkwUT09#success
May 17, 2023 | Nonvisual Tips for Successful Travel | NFB of Maryland Senior Call
4PM PT, 5PM MT, 6PM CT, 7PM ET, 11PM GMT
Please come join our conversation to explore the nuts and bolts of traveling as a blind person. Learn how to manage different modes of transportation and how to orient yourself in unfamiliar environments. We will share tips for individuals with various levels of changing vision. Where: NFB of Maryland Conference Call: (339) 209-4083 📱️
All are welcome! For more information about this event or the NFB of Maryland Senior Division please contact: Marguerite Woods at (443) 271-1668 📱️ / mwoods719@gmail.com 📧️.
May 17, 2023 | The Business of Accessibility — Expert Panel | TPGi
8AM PT, 9AM MT, 10AM CT, 11AM ET, 3PM GMT
Presenter: Mark Miller, Director of Sales. In honor of Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD), TPGi is bringing together an expert panel of top accessibility experts to discuss how businesses benefit from creating accessible experiences, the return on accessibility efforts, the current state of accessibility and much more! Join host TPGi's Mark Miller, Director of Sales, with accessibility experts: Dena WainWright
Vice President/Digital Accessibility Practice Owner, Personal Investing at Fidelity, Christopher Patnoe, Head of Accessibility and Disability Inclusion, Jaunita George, DA Digital Program Manager at Navy Federal Credit Union, Michelle Lana, Visual Designer IV at Navy Federal Credit Union. Register today:
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-may-17-at-11am-et-business-of-accessibility-expert-panel/
May 18, 2023 | 12th Annual 2023 Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD)
Help us celebrate the 12th Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD)! The purpose of GAAD is to get everyone talking, thinking and learning about digital access and inclusion, and the more than One Billion people with disabilities/impairments:
https://accessibility.day/
May 18, 2023 | 12th Annual 2023 Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) Ad Giveaway | Winners To Be Announced
1AM PT, 2AM MT, 3AM CT, 4AM ET, 8AM GMT
Together with Access Information News, Top Tech Tidbits is giving away over $1,000 USD in Sponsorship Packages and Sponsored Ad Placements to support anyone that provides products, services or information to the access community on a regular basis. All prizes will be awarded on May 18, 2023 in honor of the 2023 12th Annual Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD). The purpose of GAAD is to get everyone talking, thinking and learning about digital access and inclusion, and the more than one billion people with access needs. Are you, or do you know of, an access person, business, organization, blogger, podcaster, YouTuber or other access influencer that would benefit from scoring some serious exposure? At absolutely no cost? If so, please pass this along. Deadline To Enter: Tuesday, May 16, 2023 at 6:00 PM ET. | Raffle To Be Held: Wednesday, May 17, 2023 at 6:00 PM ET. | Winners To Be Announced: Thursday, May 18, 2023 at 4:00 AM ET in Top Tech Tidbits in honor of the 2023 12th Annual Global Accessibility Awareness Day. Review a full list of prizes and eligibility requirements, along with a link to the nomination form here: https://www.toptechtidbits.com/156.html. Good luck!
May 18, 2023 | Global Accessibility Awareness Day Webinar With Clusiv!
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
On Thursday, May 18, 2023 at 12:00 PM Central Time, you will learn how to make a positive change in accessibility, get expert insights on how you can work in the field and how to use your lived experience as an asset! Click the link to register and you will receive an email with information on how to join the Zoom webinar:
https://bit.ly/3HLBFtz
May 18, 2023 | Webinar: Accessibility Awareness and Foundations Training | Deque
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
Celebrate this year's Global Accessibility Awareness Day by attending this three-hour virtual training on Thursday, May 18th from 1:00-4:00 PM Eastern Time (ET). You'll learn what digital accessibility is, why it's important, how people with disabilities navigate the web, and how you can start to champion accessibility to make a difference in your organization today. This training is intended for all audiences; including policymakers, management, content creators, developers, designers, testers, and everything in between:
https://accessibility.deque.com/accessibility-awareness-and-fundamentals-webinar
May 18, 2023 | Supporting A Technical and Cultural Shift To Accessibility, Whatever Your Resources | TPGi
9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
Learn how you can start small and steady, and build up to making a profound shift towards embedding accessibility in your organization, both in terms of technical process and — most importantly — becoming part of the culture of your teams. What changes can people in different roles make right now to get the ball rolling? How can you keep that ball rolling with minimal resources? What should you concentrate on as you get more resources to dedicate to accessibility? And what's the most important thing your team can do to make these changes stick? We'll give you practical examples and answer your questions about how to grow capacity and keep the momentum going, no matter where you're starting from:
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-may-18-at-12pm-et-supporting-a-technical-and-cultural-shift-to-accessibility-whatever-your-resources/
May 24, 2023 | Understand How to Create & Review VPATs (Digital Accessibility Webinar) | Access Ingenuity
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
Whether working with an organization reviewing Voluntary Product Accessibility Templates (VPATs) of products you are considering purchasing, or a company creating VPATs so that you can market your products, this webinar will help you understand the importance of a VPAT. Join Michael Parker to learn how to create a VPAT and quickly evaluate potential red flags. Learning Outcomes: What is a VPAT, and when do you need it. What a VPAT tells you about your product or digital property. Process of creating a VPAT. Red flags to look out for. Meeting ID: 852 1082 0335 | Passcode: 766506 | One tap mobile: +16699009128,,85210820335#,,,,*766506# US (San Jose) | Dial by your location: +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose):
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85210820335?pwd=Z2hoUFdGMEFpWFY2dU8yL0l0dEV2QT09#success
May 24, 2023 | Understand, Test, Solve: Semantics | TPGi
9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
Presenter: Aaron Farber, Senior Accessibility Platform Consultant. The monthly “Understand, Test, and Solve” webinar series covers fundamental concepts in accessibility. Attendees learn how to address the set of WCAG Success Criteria for each concept. Over the course of this series, teams achieve full WCAG coverage in their testing. The latest webinar in this series covers Semantics — how to ensure modern user interfaces, with custom elements, beyond what's available in native HTML, are properly conveyed to assistive technologies.
Attendees will: Know which UI elements require additional development to be consistent with WCAG. Gain fluency using Chrome Developer Tools to view the semantic information exposed by UI elements. Learn how to use ARC's Knowledge Base to confidently and accessibly create modern UI components from progress bars to combo boxes. This session is 30-minutes. Stay after the call for our 30-minute Q&A:
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-may-24-at-12pm-et-understand-test-solve-semantics/
May 23, 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
May 31, 2023 | TOPAZ Magnifiers: Powerful Visual Aids (Assistive Technology Webinar — ACVREP CE Approved) | Access Ingenuity
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
The TOPAZ family of desktop video magnifiers combines ease of use with powerful features to help people retain their independent lifestyle — reading, writing, viewing photographs, and engaging in hobbies. All TOPAZ models are available in several monitor sizes and provide a clear, crisp picture with a wide range of magnification and color-coded controls. The ergonomic design provides exceptional reading comfort for hours of use in the home, office, or school. During this webinar, we discuss the features of all the TOPAZ models and the benefits each can give in specific situations. Join Ian Ramos and Joe McDaniel from Vispero as they dive deep into these powerful tools to help those challenged by vision loss. Note that everybody is welcome and can benefit from this presentation. If you are a teacher of the visually impaired (TVI), ACVREP continuing education credit is approved for this presentation. Learning Outcomes: Features of all TOPAZ models. Which features fit your needs best. How adding speech capability can take you further. Join Zoom Meeting: TOPAZ Magnifiers: Powerful Visual Aids | Meeting ID: 818 1319 3745 | Passcode: 159299 | One tap mobile: +16699009128,,81813193745#,,,,*159299# US (San Jose) | Dial by your location
+1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose):
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81813193745?pwd=LzBPaHFOSkp6Rm9iRFZwazlCQmRNdz09
June 2, 2023 | ATHEN Sixth Annual Accessibility Summer Camp 2023
6AM PT, 7AM MT, 8AM CT, 9AM ET, 1PM GMT
We would love for you to share your accessibility knowledge during our sixth annual Accessibility Summer Camp 2023! As in former years, this virtual conference is FREE for all attendees. This year's ASC event will take place on Friday, June 2, 2023, from 8:00-4:00 CST. As a conference participant you will be able to attend sessions and engage in valuable networking with like-minded professionals. We are soliciting presentations from all experience levels and backgrounds, so please visit the ASC Conference Home Page for more information and to submit a proposal. The session proposal deadline is Friday, February 17th, 2023. What is Accessibility Summer Camp (ASC)? The Accessibility Summer Camp is a FREE annual conference with the goal of connecting professionals and educators with best practices in accessibility and Universal Design. Over the past few years, the ASC conference has grown to become one of the most popular accessibility conferences in the country. Our mission is to provide accessibility professional development that empowers attendees to create high quality, accessible learning environments while removing barriers for all individuals who have a desire to learn:
https://www.accessibilityict.org/
July 1, 2023 through July 6, 2023 | NFB 2023 National Convention in Houston, Texas
The National Federation of the Blind is the transformative membership and advocacy organization of blind people. Every day we raise the expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. Each year we come together for important discussions, decisions, and information sharing. As an attendee, take advantage of the opportunity to: Network with thousands of blind role models. Connect with leaders in the field of blindness. Attend presentations on a variety of empowering topics. Learn about the latest in technology and innovation. And more! The convention is open to all. Important note: Our constitution states that only members of the Federation have the right to participate in decision-making when it comes to organizational policy. If you are not already a member, please connect with your state affiliate at:
https://nfb.org/about-us/state-affiliates
June 7, 2023 | Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 9: Orientation & Mobility | APH
8AM PT, 9AM MT, 10AM CT, 11AM ET, 3PM GMT
LEGO bricks to build plans, visualize routes, it's not new! But with LEGO Braille Bricks you can also create labels, add letters, words... Then it becomes really great:
https://www.aph.org/lego-braille-bricks-live-sessions/
June 27, 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
July 25, 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
July 25, 2023 | U.S. Access Board Town Hall Meeting in Baltimore
10:30PM PT, 11:30PM MT, 12:30PM CT, 1:30PM ET, 5:30PM GMT
The U.S. Access Board will hold a public town hall meeting at the national headquarters of the National Federation of the Blind in Baltimore, Maryland. Presidentially appointed Access Board members and representatives from other federal member agencies will be present to hear from the local community about the state of accessibility in Baltimore and the D.C.-Maryland-Virginia area. Following the town hall meeting, there will be a reception and networking opportunity from 3:30 — 4:30 (ET), sponsored by the Maryland Department of Disabilities. The town hall meeting and reception are open to all members of the public. Please register for in-person attendance by July 1, 2023. To register, send an email to events@access-board.gov 📧️ with your name and organization. The Access Board invites in-person oral comments on accessibility. Registrants who wish to make in-person oral comments must indicate their request to speak when emailing events@access-board.gov. Public commenters will be allotted two minutes to make their comments
August 22, 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 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
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 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
Sponsors may submit or update their Classified Advertisement at any time by submitting this short form: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-sponsor-classified.
Sponsor: Access Ready, Inc.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Seeks Guidance On New Accessible Technologies
What Technologies do you see in the market that are not accessible, but should be? What accessible technologies can you imagine that can make the lives of people with all kinds of disabilities better? We will advocate with developers to make existing technologies accessible on your behalf. We will advocate with developers to build new accessible technologies on your behalf. Give us your guidance and support. Your guidance charts our path toward what is most important. Your support funds our efforts on your behalf:
https://accessready.org/
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.
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Sponsor: APH ConnectCenter
➜ Classified Advertisement: Prepare For Your Future Today With The All-New APH ConnectCenter's Job Seekers Toolkit!
The APH ConnectCenter and NSITE have partnered to update the Job Seeker's Toolkit, an accessible, self-paced, free online training course. The Toolkit includes five sections covering self-awareness, career exploration tools, the preliminary employment process, the interview, and maintaining employment. We are bringing the Job Seeker's Toolkit to a larger audience and in a Learning Management System format for today's learners, at no cost. Visit APHCareerConnect.org to get started with the Job Seekers Toolkit today at:
https://aphcareerconnect.org/lesson-plans-for-teachers-and-professionals/the-job-seekers-toolkit/
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: Menus4ALL
➜ Classified Advertisement: A Revolution in Resolution — Menus for Everyone
No matter when, where or who, the Menus4ALL iPhone app gives you the info you need quickly. No more multiple Google searches to research menus before going out. Info is organized to give you quick access to what you are looking for — the menu! Optimized to give you the best viewing experience. No more struggling to see small print, or looking at a menu in a dimly lit restaurant. Do you use magnification, large print, VoiceOver, a braille display or Voice Control? Enjoy 750,000 fully accessible menus. Download the app today at:
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/menus4all/id1640547801?platform=iphone
Sponsor Since: November 20th 2022
Website: https://www.menus4all.com/ 🌐️
Email: stephanie@menus4all.com 📧️
About: 750,000 Accessible Restaurant Menus. On your iPhone ® in the palm of your hand.
Yes, that's not a typo. The Menus4ALL iPhone app offers 500,000 accessible menus in the United States and 250,000 accessible menus in Canada.
Wherever you are and whenever you want The Menus4ALL iPhone app is the largest network of restaurant menus in one place and all of the menus are fully accessible.
Perfect for when you are out running errands and want to know what restaurants are near your current location. Great for planning a night out with friends. Favorite menus that you want to look at later or when you know you are going back for that amazing dish.
Download The App (Apple): https://apps.apple.com/us/app/menus4all/id1640547801?platform=iphone
Sponsor: WayAround
➜ Classified Advertisement: Try Talking Labels That Work With Your Smartphone For Just $9.99!
Get all the different types of WayTags so you can try the BEST accessible labeling system around. Use the coupon code TryTags to get a WayTag Sampler Pack for just $9.99. Plus, you get FREE shipping. Use the WayTags along with the free mobile app to label your things with a description and other important details, so you can spend less time figuring out what things are, and more time getting things done.
https://www.wayaround.com/shop/sampler-pack/?utm_source=AssistiveTech&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=AccessInfoNewsSponsorAd
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Finally! Holding Businesses Accountable
Those who need accessibility accommodations aren't strangers to jumping in with self-advocacy to achieve it. But, what about the rest of us? When explaining the benefits of a reasonable accommodation to one's place of work or school. This is where our self-advocacy kits come in. Pneuma has written up customizable email templates you can modify according to your situation. We cover a variety of different advocacy scenarios. Simply choose your scenario, answer a few simple questions, adapt the language, address it to the right person, and submit it! Self-advocacy has never been easier:
https://pneumasolutions.com/finally-holding-businesses-accountable/
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: 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
➜ Classified Advertisement: NSITE Connects Employers With Talented People Who Are Blind Or Low-Vision And Supports Talent To Gain Employment
NSITE.org is the first non-profit organization, offering a continuum of services to connect employers with talented job seekers who are blind or low-vision and provides training, employment and career services to these job seekers. Using the NSITE Connect Job Board, which is designed exclusively for individuals who experience vision loss, employers can fill open positions with talent who are blind or have low vision. Job postings are also open to veterans. NSITE-U provides accessible on-demand and virtual instructor-led classes, programs and workshops to support career skills training and professional development for individuals who are blind or have low vision or are veterans. For more information about NSITE and all its services including a free Job Seekers Toolkit developed with APH, American Printing House for the Blind, visit us and use this form to reach NSITE's team for information about programs, classes and services, connect:
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Sponsor Since: March 6th 2023
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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.
NSITE Connect: Linking employers with talented individuals who are blind, low-vision, and/or veterans. Access the NSITE Connect Job Board here.About | Media | Employers | Job Seekers | Training Programs | Job Board | Contact Us
Sponsor: Clusiv
➜ Classified Advertisement: Clusiv Is The World's First eLearning Platform Built For And By People Who Are Blind. Our Courses Are Designed To Equip People Who Are Blind Or Visually Impaired For Employment In The Modern Workforce. Learn More At Clusiv.Io.
Navigating the employment process can be challenging if you are blind or visually impaired. Technology is difficult to figure out, there is a lot of extra material to learn, and there isn't much quality training available.
That's where Clusiv comes in. We help to provide the training you need to succeed in the modern workforce. Our courses teach assistive technology skills and how to apply those skills to many of the business software programs used in the modern workforce, such as email, Microsoft and Google apps, video conferencing, and more. We also teach soft skills such as resume and interview preparation, disclosures and accommodations, internet safety, and financial literacy. Lastly, our training can teach specific career skills, such as becoming an accessibility analyst. Plus, our courses are self-paced.
To learn more, visit https://clusiv.io/ and fill out a form with your information. We work with state vocational rehabilitation agencies to provide access to our course content.
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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Moving the public policy needle is both difficult and costly. Access Ready has one of the most experienced teams in the business who have shown results. We have fostered Congressional language on accessible websites, elections, healthcare, communications, and other areas touched by information and communications technologies. These efforts are costly and we need your help to continue. Become an Access Ready supporter and create an accessible future for people with disabilities:
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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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If you need assistance with a new accessible website, document remediation or disability consulting of other kinds, Access Ready can help. We seek out the best in the business and bring them to you already vetted as to quality, professionalism and ability. By going through AccessReady.org to one of our qualified providers, you're not only getting the best, but supporting our advocacy and technological development efforts as well:
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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.
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Access Information News is the world's leading not-for-profit access information news publication that reaches over 15,000 access professionals, educators and enthusiasts, all over the world, each week.
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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
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Access Information News
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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.
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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 advocacy foundation.
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.
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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.
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
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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.
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Access Information News for Monday, May 1, 2023 - Volume 908
Access Information News for Monday, May 1, 2023 - Volume 908
The Week's News in Access Information
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A Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd. Publication
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This Week's Featured Advertisement: Top Tech Tidbits And Access Information News Partner To Present: The 2023 Annual Global Accessibility Awareness Day Ad Giveaway!
Together with Top Tech Tidbits, Access Information News is giving away over $1,000 USD in Sponsorship Packages and Sponsored Ad Placements to support anyone that provides products, services or information to the access community on a regular basis. All prizes will be awarded on May 18, 2023 in honor of the 2023 12th Annual Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD). The purpose of GAAD is to get everyone talking, thinking and learning about digital access and inclusion, and the more than one billion people with access needs.
Are you, or do you know of, an access person, business, organization, blogger, podcaster, YouTuber or other access influencer that would benefit from scoring some serious exposure? At absolutely no cost? If so, please pass this along.
Deadline To Enter: Tuesday, May 16, 2023 at 6:00 PM ET
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Review a full list of prizes and eligibility requirements, along with a link to the nomination form here: https://www.toptechtidbits.com/156.html. Good luck!
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1) Top 5 Most Clicked Access Information News Articles From Last Week
A.) Visually Impaired Man Denied Access To Business Because Of Service Dog | Video | WITN | Greenville, NC | April 20, 2023 (7.1% of all clicks.)
https://www.witn.com/video/2023/04/20/visually-impaired-man-denied-access-business-because-service-dog-2/
B.) Touch Screens Are Causing Serious Accessibility Issues For Blind And Visually Impaired People (6.5% of all clicks.)
Touch screen card machines are making blind and visually impaired people's lives more difficult, with some people having to disclose their bank card's pin number to staff in shops and restaurants:
https://www.rsvplive.ie/news/touch-screens-causing-serious-accessibility-29746727
C.) Can Artificial Intelligence Make PDFs Accessible? | Allyant (3.2% of all clicks.)
Publisher (Di Blasi): While cutting-edge remediators like Allyant have transitioned beyond machine learning into deep learning, which uses artificial neural networks to learn tagging rules, AI alone still cannot currently produce truly accessible and compliant documents. For reasons explained in this article. But I believe it's clear that it's only a matter of time.
Allyant: A PDF document is considered accessible if it can be used/accessed by everyone, including people with disabilities. There are several accessibility standards to test against that help ensure PDF accessibility. Most PDFs published on websites are not accessible. This is not necessarily due to the negligence of web designers and authors; often, people don't even realize that the PDFs they upload on their website are not accessible or standards-compliant. However, the law requires that all public-facing websites must be accessible (including documents like PDFs) to everyone, so when a website owner is served with an accessibility lawsuit, they may look for quick fixes. In a time-sensitive situation involving possible legal action, organizations may look to artificial intelligence to speed up the process. Do AI tools for PDF accessibility work? Can AI make PDFs accessible?:
https://allyant.com/can-artificial-intelligence-make-pdfs-accessible/
D.) Expanding The Reach Of Accessible Books | Ioana Tanase | Microsoft Accessibility Blog | April 19, 2023 (2.9% of all clicks.)
Millions of people with disabilities face what is known as a "book famine", preventing them from reading books in a format that meets their accessibility needs. Furthermore, there is a global divide in people's access to technology. While 75 percent of people in developed countries own a smartphone, only 25 percent of people in the top 10 low- and middle-income do, and people with disabilities often earn less than those without disabilities. The number of accessible digital books is growing. However, they are often in formats that cannot be accessed on basic phones, MP3 players or less powerful refreshable braille displays, let alone account for a lack of internet connectivity or electricity:
https://blogs.microsoft.com/accessibility/expanding-the-reach-of-accessible-books/
E.) Don't Plug Your Phone Into A Free Charging Station, Warns FBI | Malwarebytes Labs (2.9% of all clicks.)
In a recent tweet, the FBI office in Denver warned consumers against using free public charging stations, stating that criminals have managed to hijack public chargers with the objective of infecting devices with malware or other software that can give hackers access to your phone, tablet or computer. "Avoid using free charging stations in airports, hotels or shopping centers. Bad actors have figured out ways to use public USB ports to introduce malware and monitoring software onto devices. Carry your own charger and USB cord and use an electrical outlet instead:"
https://www.malwarebytes.com/blog/news/2023/04/dont-plug-your-phone-into-a-free-charging-station-warns-fbi
2) Sponsored By Clusiv: Are You Blind Or Low Vision Looking To Succeed In The Modern Workforce? Clusiv Training Is Here To Help
Learn technology, occupational and career skills to help equip you for employment in the modern workforce. Clusiv is an accessible eLearning platform built for the blind community. Courses are self-paced , designed to meet your needs and there is support along the way. To learn more about enrolling in Clusiv courses, click the link, fill out the form and we will be in contact with you and your vocational rehabilitation counselor:
https://bit.ly/3Lk0Pk5
3) Sponsorship Package Updates
Are you an access-based business or organization whose products, services or message would benefit from reaching over 15,000 access professionals each week? If so, please consider becoming a Sponsor today for just $100 a month, paid either quarterly or annually. Annual Sponsors gain the additional benefit of being able to schedule their Featured Advertisement dates up to one year in advance. If you've been looking for a way to consistently reach the largest audience of opt-in access professionals in the world today, please consider becoming an Access Information News Sponsor while packages last. Availability: There are currently 9 Access Information News Sponsorship Packages remaining. Advertising Benefits: Review a complete list of advertising benefits here:
https://www.accessinformationnews.com/sponsorship-information.html#sponsorship-package-benefits
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. 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) Access Information News Click-To-Vote Quick Poll #907 Results | Sponsored By: Access Ready, Inc. | 299 Votes
Question: Why don't Americans with disabilities vote in higher numbers?
#1 | E.) All of the above to some degree?
(69 Votes / 23% of all clicks.)
#2 | A.) Apathy about the entire political process?
(61 Votes / 20% of all clicks.)
#3 | C.) The failure of candidates and the media to address disability issues at the same level of fervor as other minority concerns?
(59 Votes / 20% of all clicks.)
#4 | B.) A failure of the voter to understand how elections can effect disability rights and programs?
(57 Votes / 19% of all clicks.)
#5 | D.) A misunderstanding of disability issues by the voter?
(53 Votes / 18% of all clicks.)
Poll Results Link: https://bit.ly/ain-poll907-results
7) AI Breakthrough In Detecting Leading Cause Of Childhood Blindness | Medical Xpress
The team developed a deep learning AI model that can identify which at-risk infants have ROP that may lead to blindness if left untreated, and they hope their technique could improve access to screening in the many areas with limited neonatal services and few trained ophthalmologists. The study, by an international team of scientists and clinicians in the UK, Brazil, Egypt and the US, supported by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Biomedical Research Centre at Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, is published in The Lancet Digital Health:
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2023-04-ai-breakthrough-childhood.html
8) John Fetterman Wants To 'Pay It Forward' By Speaking Openly About His Depression | NPR.org
Sen. John Fetterman acknowledges there was a time not that long ago, when he didn't want to talk about depression — at all. Now, the Pennsylvania Democrat, who returned to the U.S. Senate this week after taking leave in mid-February to seek treatment for clinical depression, says it's his responsibility to "pay it forward" with candor about the disease:
https://www.npr.org/2023/04/20/1171052245/john-fetterman-wants-to-pay-it-forward-by-speaking-openly-about-his-depression
9) Group of Cockatoos Caught Damaging And Stealing Circular Tactile Marker 'Bumps" From A Sydney Train Platform | YouTube | 9 News Australia
Ever wonder where the 'bumps' on train platforms disappear to? Transport authorities have made a breakthrough after a brazen group of cockatoos were caught on video damaging and stealing the circular 'bumps' from a Sydney train platform. Video ALT: Video shows three separate Cockatoos forcefully removing the circular tactile marker 'bumps" from a Sydney Train Platform:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSO8VoyiMxs
10) International Guide Dog Day 2023 | Guide Dogs Australia | YouTube
Happy International Guide Dog Day! This year we're calling on the community to work towards better understanding and supporting Guide Dog Handlers after our national survey showed that Australians rank their knowledge of Guide Dog Handlers at a five out of 10! Did you know that a working Guide Dog and their Handler have access to rideshare services and airplanes? Or that it's not okay to touch a working Guide Dog in harness without asking the Handler first? These are just some of the misunderstandings that can limit access and inclusion for Handlers. This year's message reminds the public to "Talk to the Handler" — to highlight the people behind the dogs, so to speak, and to shine a light on the things Guide Dog Handlers want the community to know:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xP3eTwHz0D0
11) Creating an Accessible Website for Your Business: The 'Why'' and 'How'' | Kami Funk | Accessibility.com
Creating a website for your business is a complicated endeavor. You may have to hire out, and settling on a design that pleases everyone can be difficult. The stress of designing a website from the ground up is high, so why should you add to it by ensuring that the website is accessible? The simple answer is that it makes good business sense. Having a website is well and good, but if a percentage of your potential clientele can't use it, the only thing you've achieved is limiting access and your opportunities. If nothing else, creating a website that's accessible and available to everyone, regardless of any disability, places you among the small percentage of businesses that make an effort to include people with disabilities in their target audience:
https://www.accessibility.com/blog/creating-an-accessible-website-for-your-business-the-why-and-how
12) Disabled Lives Are An Afterthought During School Shootings. But Why? | Huffington Post
Many schools have policies that leave behind vulnerable students and staff in the event of mass shootings, fires or other disasters. In May 2022, disabled student Anja, 16, was in her school's cafeteria, completely unaware that a student was headed toward her high school in Chicago with a gun. Fortunately, the police apprehended the armed student before an active shooting could break out. But Anja was terrified after hearing about the threat. She knew too well that, as a disabled student, she would not have been protected if that situation had escalated:
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/disabled-students-school-shootings-emergency-response_n_644843d8e4b039ec4e819543
13) Shooting Blind: Moving My Practice Forward As A Legally Blind Photographer | Lawrence Lazare | Medium: Subscription Required
As photographers, we capture and share the world as we see it. But what happens if your vision goes from tack sharp to a blurry mess with a blind spot in the center of your field of view? That's the challenge I face as a photographer after recently becoming legally blind:
https://medium.com/live-view/shooting-blind-f3ace140d734
14) The Importance of Live-User Testing for Web Accessibility | Allyant
Digital Accessibility has continued to gain significant traction across nearly every vertical in recent years. In some ways, it was a perfect storm of a growing focus on DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion), the COVID Pandemic driving an increase in digital content and assistive technology continuing to provide increased connectivity for people with disabilities:
https://allyant.com/importance-of-live-user-testing-for-web-accessibility/
15) How Two Accessibility Consulting Companies Team Up for Accessibility Testing | Equal Entry
AccessAbility Officer has a job readiness training program designed for non-sighted vocational rehabilitation customers who want to be digital accessibility testers. Students undergo 13.5 weeks of remote training. Each cohort is small and limited to four to 10 students. As they work through the program, they'll do real-world projects with private and public sector clients. The program includes 20 weeks of guaranteed part-time employment. The cohort is not time-dependent and multiple cohorts can run concurrently. This means new students can join at any time. They don't have to wait for a 13.5-week session to end before joining. Equal Entry is an accessibility consulting company that works with students in AccessAbility Officer's Certified AccessAbility Testing program. We train them on our technology used for accessibility audits. This is a proprietary auditing and tracking system:
https://equalentry.com/accessibility-consulting-companies-accessibility-testing/
16) Notice of ADA Website Accessibility Class Action Settlement: Douglass v. P.C. Richard & Son, LLC, No. 2:22-cv-399 (W.D. Pa.)
Publisher (Di Blasi): We have been asked to distribute the following information regarding a recent Americans with Disabilities Act settlement. The settlement requires P.C. Richard & Son, a retailer that sells home goods and appliances at its online store, to make its website and software applications non-visually accessible. If you have any questions, please email or call East End Trial Group, LLC. Their contact information is included here.
East End Trial Group, LLC: On March 16, 2023, United States Magistrate Judge Maureen P. Kelly of the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania preliminarily approved the attached class action settlement agreement resolving our client's disability discrimination claims against P.C. Richard & Son, LLC (“P.C. Richard”), a retailer that sells home goods and appliances at its online store, located at https://www.pcrichard.com/. You can access the class action settlement agreement, and other documents and information related to this class action case, by visiting https://www.PCRichardADAsettlement.com. Our client's lawsuit claimed that P.C. Richard failed to effectively communicate information at its online store to consumers who use screen readers, thereby denying these consumers full and equal access to P.C. Richard's products and services. Please share the following Notice via email, social media, or newsletter on or before May 15, 2023. While we believe the relief described at https://www.PCRichardADAsettlement.com is substantial, we want to make sure all class members (and organizations that advocate for them) have an opportunity to express their opinion. Notice of Digital Accessibility Settlement Concerning www.pcrichard.com: A proposed settlement has been reached that would resolve the class action lawsuit Douglass v. P.C. Richard & Son, LLC, Case No. 2:22-cv-399 (W.D. Pa.). The lawsuit alleges that P.C. Richard violated the Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 12101, et seq., by failing to take the necessary steps to ensure its website and mobile apps do not discriminate against individuals who are Blind and/or who have a Visual Disability. Under the settlement, P.C. Richard agrees to make its website, located at https://www.pcrichard.com/, mobile apps, and any new website or mobile app it develops or acquires accessible to individuals who are Blind and/or who have a Visual Disability. For a more complete summary of the terms of the proposed settlement, please visit https://www.PCRichardADAsettlement.com. Have questions? Contact East End Trial Group at https://eastendtrialgroup.com.
17) Clubhouse, Which Blazed A Trail In Live Audio, Is "Resetting" And Laying Off 50% Of Its Staff
Clubhouse, the live audio app that once drew big buzz and interest in a multi-billion-dollar takeover, is "resetting" and letting go of 50% of its staff of a few dozen workers. Founders Rohan Seth and Paul Davison sent a memo to employees to break the news Thursday. "We're deeply sorry to be doing this, and we would not be making this change if we didn't feel it was absolutely necessary,” they wrote:
https://deadline.com/2023/04/clubhouse-live-audio-app-resetting-layoffs-1235340817/
18) WCAG 2.2 Update: Is the Juice Worth the Squeeze? | Hiram Kuykendall | Microassist
For the past few years, the World Wide Web Consortium (aka W3C) has teased the industry with the potential release of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2. This likely update has led to much speculation about the immediate impact on vendors who sell digital products, organizations that purchase digital products, and how quickly people with vision, hearing, mobility, and cognitive challenges will benefit from the update. So let's take a few moments to unpack some basics:
https://www.microassist.com/digital-accessibility/wcag-2-2-update-is-the-juice-worth-the-squeeze/
19) Viral TikTok Invention 'Single-Handedly' Offering Improved Accessibility
In a TikTok that has now amassed over 450,000 views, Robert Simpson wiggles a little blue silicone device asking “what in the heck is this?” It's a “Grip Toggle,” Simpson's latest invention under his brand Single Handed. The company is a "small and innovative home and hospitality brand" that creates simple, sustainably-designed products that make life easier for able-bodied and disabled folks alike. The Grip Toggle includes a suction cup and pulley mechanism that allows people with limited grip ability or hand motor function to open cabinets or gain a better grasp on cooking utensils. "If you suffer from arthritis, carpal tunnel, or simply old age, or even missing digits, the Grip Toggle makes life a little easier," Simpson said in the video. "Which is what all of our products are about:"
https://www.goodgoodgood.co/articles/single-handed-tiktok-accessibility-good-news
20) People With Disabilities Wait Hours For A Taxi In Australia As Drivers Are Caught Rejecting Bookings
Amy Tobin tries to avoid catching taxis but said it has come at the cost of her independence. "You can be waiting anywhere from two to four hours to be picked up," she said. "It is pretty nerve-wracking when you are on your own," she said. The 28-year-old used to rely on wheelchair accessible taxis for work, medical appointments and social outings, but now uses her own van to avoid wait times. "When I want to go out and I don't have a support worker to drive my van, I still rely on taxis," Ms Tobin said:
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-04-16/qld-wheelchair-accessible-taxi-licence-transport-forum/102171750
21) Zappar (UK) Creates Accessible QR Codes For Visually Impaired Shoppers
Zappar, a UK based company has come up with a new accessible QR code solution that will help blind and partially sighted people access product information on store shelves and in cabinets at home relatively quickly:
https://assistivetechnologyblog.com/2023/04/accessible-qr-code.html
22) ESG and Accessibility: What Your Commitment Says About Your Organization | Level Access
It's no secret: organizations today urgently need to demonstrate ESG (environmental, social, and governance) performance. Customers, employees, and investors want to align themselves with organizations that share common beliefs and can make those beliefs a reality with committed governance:
https://www.levelaccess.com/blog/esg-and-accessibility-what-your-commitment-says-about-your-organization/
23) People With Disabilities Under-Represented On Screen in Australia | Hanna Diviney | YouTube | ABC News
A new report has found that representation of people with a disability on Australian television remains "critically low". Screen Australia has released its latest snapshot of diversity on TV screens, showing the number of people from under-represented groups in main roles is increasing, but only slowly. Hanna Diviney is an actor and disability advocate who stars as "Sarah" in the television drama Latecomers, and says the numbers are a long way from where they need to be:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMnA8rcjQBQ
24) Bots or Copycats? Website Accessibility Demand Letters and Website Complaints in a New Age | Ogletree Deakins
When one of our clients recently received nearly-identical demand letters from remote, unrelated, and unrepresented parties claiming website accessibility and threatening legal action for damages under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), we decided to look into it. Below are samples of similar demand letters:
https://ogletree.com/insights/bots-or-copycats-website-accessibility-demand-letters-and-website-complaints-in-a-new-age/
25) The Potentially Dangerous Non-Accessibility Of Cookie Notices | Marcus Herrmann | Smashing Magazine
Cookie consents — whatever your opinion is regarding them — are ubiquitous and possibly even a legal risk for your webpage. In addition to their privacy implications, they have the potential to violate web accessibility laws as well. In this piece, a Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) auditor shares some cookie banner error patterns that can massively hurt a page's overall conformance. Let's explore what to look out for with this omnipresent piece of the web interface:
https://www.smashingmagazine.com/2023/04/potentially-dangerous-non-accessibility-cookie-notices/
26) Disability Denied: Unable To Work, Covid Long Haulers Face Barriers To Benefits | USA Today
Marie, who left a corporate job in Missouri after contracting COVID-19 in the first wave and then developing what came to be known as long COVID, received five months of short-term disability through her employer. It was "a life-saver," she said. But in 2022, she caught COVID again, and this time it's taken much longer to recover from the long COVID that followed. "I'm suffering fatigue, brain fog and post-exertional malaise where if I do any small thing it exhausts me," she said. Not knowing when or if she'll be able to go back to work, Marie (who asked that only her middle name be used for fear of reprisal from the Social Security Administration) began pursuing long term disability coverage and is also applying for disability coverage through Social Security:
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2023/04/21/long-covid-crisis-disability-claims-system-disarray/11665095002/
27) Keys to PDF Accessibility: Setting and Fixing Bookmarks | Microassist
Setting and Fixing Bookmarks. WCAG requires many properties and navigational elements to be added to a document to comply with accessibility guidelines and allow assistive technology users to have many places to access the information and navigate the document. Bookmarks is one element that can be used to help users navigate a PDF document and can be added after you have gone through the document and set the correct heading levels. Bookmarks are another navigation tool for accessibility to move through sections using set heading levels:
https://www.microassist.com/software-tips/pdf-accessibility-bookmarks/
28) Research to Prevent Blindness Announces New Sight-Saving Vision Research Grants
The research awards, given in partnership with the Mary Tyler Moore Vision Initiative and in honor of RPB Trustee Tom Wertheimer, will focus, respectively, on the cutting-edge areas of retinal research for Diabetic Eye Disease and data science for eye disease research:
https://www.newswise.com/articles/research-to-prevent-blindness-announces-new-sight-saving-vision-research-grants?ta=home
29) How To Exercise When You Have A Chronic Condition Or A Disability | CNN
Many people struggle to maintain a regular workout regimen. Add in a disability, chronic condition or injury, and it can be even more challenging to incorporate exercise into a weekly routine. Yet it's important to do so. Adults with disabilities are three times more likely to develop serious health conditions such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes and cancer than those without disabilities, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While the impact of these health conditions can be lessened or possibly even avoided with regular aerobic exercise, nearly half of adults ages 18 to 64 with a disability are not engaging in any, the CDC says:
https://www.cnn.com/2023/04/21/health/how-to-modify-workout-disability-wellness/index.html
30) The Tale of Two Titles: Title II and Title III | BrailleWorks
Let's talk about Title II and Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). You probably know someone signed the ADA into law a bazillion years ago. (1990, to be exact.) You probably also know that the ADA says organizations aren't allowed to discriminate against people with disabilities. However, many people don;t understand the extent of the ADA's coverage:
https://brailleworks.com/title-ii-and-title-iii-ada-compliance/
31) FIFA Women's World Cup: The 'Ridiculously Nerve-Racking' Training To Be An Audio Description Commentator | Olivia Shivas | Stuff
Being able to watch sports with audio description commentary means Lisa Reid knows why fans are clapping during a game, rather than asking what's happened. But without it, Reid, who is legally blind, misses out on all the action. "You just can't follow it because it's too fast. Even though I have some vision, I just can't follow it at all because it's just movement and color:"
https://www.stuff.co.nz/pou-tiaki/131686653/fifa-womens-world-cup-the-ridiculously-nerveracking-training-to-be-an-audio-description-commentator?utm_content=246294626&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&hss_channel=tw-18197430
32) 10 Common Courtesies To Offer People Who Are Blind | BrailleWorks
How do I interact with someone who has a visual disability? Many people have never interacted with someone who has blindness or a visual disability. Or if they have, they weren't aware. Television and movies rarely portray people with disabilities accurately. This can lead to misconceptions. Keep in mind there is no need to treat people with visual disabilities differently. It doesn't require special skills to interact with a person who has blindness. Remember that you're interacting with a whole person, not their disability. Show them the respect they deserve and offer the following courtesies to people who are blind:
https://brailleworks.com/common-courtesy-to-the-blind/
33) Houston Theater Gives Touch Tours For Visually Impaired To Experience Shows | Today | YouTube
The Hobby Center for the Performing Arts in Houston, Texas goes the extra mile to make sure everyone gets to enjoy musical theater by giving the visually impaired patrons a chance to experience the set, props and costumes. NBC's Maura Barrett reports for Saturday TODAY:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brIuLsObTSg&t=7s
34) Mattel Introduces First Barbie Doll Representing A Person With Down Syndrome | CNN
On April 25, 2023 Mattel introduced its first-ever version of the Barbie doll representing a person with Down syndrome. The new doll is part of Mattel Barbie Fashionistas line, which aims to offer kids more diverse representations of beauty and fight the stigma around physical disabilities:
https://www.cnn.com/2023/04/25/business/barbie-down-syndrome-doll/index.html
35) 3 Disability Features Not To Miss At The 2023 ReelAbilities Film Festival | Forbes: Subscription Required
On April 27, 2023 the 15th Annual ReelAbilities Film Festival opens for a seven-day silver screen extravaganza as the largest festival in the United States celebrating the lives, stories and artistic expression of people with disabilities. Since being co-founded in 2007 at the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan by producer and director Isaac Zablocki and United Jewish Appeal veteran Anita Altman, the festival has expanded to some 16 cities across the country in addition to having an international presence in Canada and Mexico:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/gusalexiou/2023/04/23/3-disability-features-not-to-miss-at-the-2023-realabilities-film-festival/
36) Five Tips for Creating Individualized Transition and Employment Goals | Joe Strechay | APH CareerConnect
Do you work with transition-age youth who are blind or low vision? You're invited to The National Transition Conversation: 2023 APH CareerConnect Transition & Employment Resource Round Up on Tuesday, May 9, 2023, from 2:00 PM until 4:00 PM EST. We hope to see you there! Read on to learn about supporting adults and students as they transition to higher education or employment. The following content has been edited as of April 2023:
https://aphcareerconnect.org/blog/careerconnect-blog/five-tips-for-creating-individualized-transition-and-employment-goals/
37) Jillian Mercado Won't Rest Until Inclusivity Is No Longer Clickbait | Allure
Growing up in New York City, Jillian Mercado used to love being "a fly on the wall,” she says. "Me, outspoken? Never. Absolutely not. I rode the wave, always saying, 'It is what it is.' I didn't want to stir anything up or cause any chaos." Today, the model, activist, and star of The L Word: Generation Q cherishes being seen:
https://www.allure.com/story/jillian-mercado-accessibility-interview
38) Mindset Matters: Some Reflections Around The Influence Of Disability In A Changing World | Jonathan Kaufman | Forbes: Subscription Required
Since the recent passing of Judy Heumann, the iconic Disability Rights activist, I have spent much time contemplating the very notion of change itself. Change is inevitable yet within the arc of the disability narrative we have seen profound transformations happening over years starting with civil rights to the evolution of business, representation, and a revolution through a broad cultural zeitgeist that is redefining our understanding of the disability experience:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/jonathankaufman/2023/04/21/mindset-matters-some-reflections-around-the-influence-of-disability-in-a-changing-world/
39) American Runner Thought to Be First Visually-Impaired Athlete to Complete 6 World Marathon Majors
Anthony Butler, 35, earned his six-star medal in London, with his wife guiding him:
https://www.runnersworld.com/runners-stories/a43690578/visually-impaired-athlete-completes-6-world-marathon-majors/
40) Over Half Of People With Sight Loss Find It Difficult To Navigate Public Transport Facilities | AT Today UK
The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) has published an insightful new report that details the range of barriers that blind and partially people face due to inaccessible public transport. Entitled 'Inclusive Journeys: Improving the accessibility of public transport for people with sight loss', the report was funded by Motability and details common issues faced by blind and partially sighted people when making journeys. It also includes a checklist and details of RNIB's services for transport providers to help them create an accessible world that works for everyone:
https://attoday.co.uk/over-half-of-people-with-sight-loss-find-it-difficult-to-navigate-public-transport-facilities/
41) How Virgin Atlantic Is Creating a More Inclusive Travel Experience for Visually Impaired Passengers
Virgin Atlantic is training its cabin crew to better accommodate passengers with seeing eye dogs. The new training, which is in partnership with the charity Guide Dogs, will help foster a “more inclusive air travel experience for those with sight loss,” according to the airline. The training will include both online resources and the opportunity for in-depth practical training:
https://www.travelandleisure.com/virgin-atlantic-partnership-improve-travel-visually-impaired-passengers-7484744
42) How Do Airlines Give Visually Impaired Passengers Safety Demonstrations? | April 25, 2023 | Mark Finlay | Simple Flying
By international law, airlines must explain the aircraft's safety features to all passengers. Typically, it involves a safety video and flight attendants pointing to the emergency exits, showing you how to put on a life jacket, and what to do in the event of a loss of cabin pressure. With the safety briefing being mainly visual, it poses the question of how blind or visually impaired passengers receive safety instructions:
https://simpleflying.com/visually-impaired-passengers-safety-demonstrations-guide/
43) The Glorious Return of a Humble Car Feature | Slate.com
Automakers are starting to admit that drivers hate touchscreens. Buttons are back!
https://slate.com/business/2023/04/cars-buttons-touchscreens-vw-porsche-nissan-hyundai.html
44) 'I Have An Invisible Disability Myself': Edward Enninful and Sinead Burke On Their Fashion Revolution
The May issue of British Vogue, titled Reframing Fashion, features 19 disabled people from fashion, sport, activism and the arts. Five of them are cover stars: the actor Selma Blair, who has multiple sclerosis; Sinéad Burke, a disability activist and consulting editor for the issue; the models Ellie Goldstein and Aaron Rose Philip; and the American Sign Language performer Justina Miles. Since Edward Enninful was appointed editor in 2017, Vogue has performed a 180-degree turn: from the pronounced, even defiant, homogeneity that was once its hallmark to a magazine at the frontier of what representation and diversity in fashion can look like:
https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2023/apr/25/i-have-an-invisible-disability-myself-edward-enninful-and-sinead-burke-on-their-fashion-revolution
45) When Engagement Fails | Award Winning Sight Loss Coach, Advocate and Author Donna Jodhan
Donna continues to fret over those Canadian government departments that continue to blatantly ignore engaging and communicating in a meaningful manner. Instead, they choose to deliberately flout legislation:
https://sterlingcreations.ca/blog/when-engagement-fails-nothing-has-changed
46) Paths To Literacy Newsletter | April 25, 2023
https://pathstoliteracy.cmail20.com/t/d-e-zurldz-iikluuklut-r/
➜ Featured Webinars, Training Courses and Events
Submit your access information related Webinar, Training Course or Event for consideration within this section using this form: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-event.
May 2, 2023 | The Importance of Accessible Payment Systems to Long-Term Business Success | TPGi
8AM PT, 9AM MT, 10AM CT, 11AM ET, 3PM GMT
Presenters: Vispero's Matt Ater, Vice President of Business Development, and Stripe's Greg Rose, Product Manager. Ensuring everyone has equal access and ability to participate in commerce is critical for inclusion and long-term business success. From creating a positive experience for all guests to expanding your customer base and strengthening your brand identity, accessible technology is a benefit to food service operators, staff and guests alike. Learn from accessibility experts on how implementing smart reader payment devices can help you provide a best-in-class customer experience for users who are blind and have low vision and why this is a critical step for both your customers and your bottom line:
https://www.tpgi.com/the-importance-of-accessible-payment-systems-to-long-term-business-success/
May 3, 2023 | Streamlining Windows for AT Users (Assistive Technology Webinar) | Access Ingenuity
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
While there are general default settings in Windows, there are also unique default settings for various brands and models of Windows computers. Contrary to popular belief, one does not have to accept the default configurations if it is not ideal for your specific needs. While this is generally the case, it is especially true when working with assistive technology. Join Ian Ramos and Zhi Huang from Access Ingenuity to discuss some default settings that can cause challenges when working with assistive technology and possible solutions. Learning Outcomes. Explain the idea of a turnkey computer for assistive technology. Discuss some critical Windows default settings to change. Introduce some Windows and Office settings that some may want to customize. Explain some specific brand and model defaults you may need a technician to configure. Meeting ID: 891 4411 6646 | Passcode: 954982 | One tap mobile: +16699009128,,89144116646#,,,,*954982# US (San Jose)
Dial by your location | +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose):
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89144116646?pwd=bVd6SVV1YlkzalJjREU0WXM2eHNjZz09#success
May 3, 2023 | Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 8: STEM | APH
8AM PT, 9AM MT, 10AM CT, 11AM ET, 3PM GMT
Have you ever thought of doing science, computing, or technology with LEGO Braille Bricks? Expert guests will join us for an amazing session:
https://www.aph.org/lego-braille-bricks-live-sessions/
May 9, 2023 | 2023 APH CareerConnect Transition & Employment Resource Round Up | APH CareerConnect
11AM PT, 12PM MT, 1PM CT, 2PM ET, 6PM GMT
Do you work with transition-age youth who are blind or low vision? You're invited to The National Transition Conversation: 2023 APH CareerConnect Transition & Employment Resource Round Up on Tuesday, May 9, 2023, from 2:00 PM until 4:00 PM EST. We hope to see you there! Read on to learn about supporting adults and students as they transition to higher education or employment:
https://aphcareerconnect.org/blog/careerconnect-blog/five-tips-for-creating-individualized-transition-and-employment-goals/
May 9, 2023 | Design for Accessibility | Accessibility.com
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
It starts at the storyboard before a single line of code is written. When it comes to designing for accessibility, planning is essential for success. Learn how to master the design stage of your project and create your own digital accessibility master plan:
https://www.accessibility.com/event/2023/design-for-accessibility
May 9, 2023 through May 12, 2023 | John Slatin AccessU 2023 | Knowbility
Join us virtually or in Austin, TX. John Slatin AccessU is an annual conference where tech professionals, content creators, policymakers, and advocates come together for deep learning in accessible digital design:
https://knowbility.org/programs/john-slatin-accessu-2023
May 10, 2023 | Google Docs & Sheets for Accessible PDFs (Digital Accessibility Webinar) | Access Ingenuity
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
Explore how to author Google Docs and Google Sheets for exporting to a tagged PDF for remediation. Join Rachel Reeves to focus on exporting Google Office to Microsoft Office to achieve a final PDF product with tags. Learning Outcomes: Explore Google tools to use in document creation to increase accessibility. Show the export barriers of Google files and how to export a tagged PDF correctly. Join Zoom Meeting:
Google Docs & Sheets for Accessible PDFs. Meeting ID: 822 3486 6942 | Passcode: 378566 | One tap mobile: +16699009128,,82234866942#,,,,*378566# US (San Jose) | Dial by your location: +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose):
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82234866942?pwd=THMvckdtaHAzMmpRM3h0NVpPVTkwUT09#success
May 10, 2023 | Develop for Accessibility | Accessibility.com
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
Script and sequence your accessibility action plan. Developing for accessibility requires diligence in executing the design plan to complete objectives through measuring and monitoring processes and checkpoints. Discover the most effective ways to accomplish your design plan through these development strategies:
https://www.accessibility.com/event/2023/develop-for-accessibility
May 10, 2023 | Accelerate Your Accessibility Journey Through Integrations | TPGi
9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
Presenters: Justin Stockton, Product Manager, and Charlie Pike, Platform Success Lead. Get an overview of the Accessibility Resource Center's integration services: ARC API, Zapier, and the Node SDK. As part of this overview, we'll review typical usage scenarios: Getting your raw data out of ARC to use in custom dashboards. Integrating ARC data into your development platform. Publishing your Engagement findings to JIRA, Google Sheets, etc. Integrating ARC into your test processes::
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-may-10-at-12pm-et-accelerate-your-accessibility-journey-through-integrations/
May 11, 2023 | Deploy for Accessibility | Accessibility.com
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
It started with a storyboard, then you added a script and sequence. Now it's time to render your accessibility plan into action. Learn methods for deploying accessibility across your organization that takes your design and development to fruition. Determine the best processes for measuring success and how to sustain accessibility as your organization grows:
https://www.accessibility.com/event/2023/develop-for-accessibility
May 13, 2023 | Travel Tools and Apps | Technology User Group | Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled (LBPD)
7AM PT, 8AM MT, 9AM CT, 10AM ET, 2PM GMT
Whether you are traveling to another city, state or country, we will look at tools and resources that will help you get the most assistance for your venture. All events are currently being held via teleconference until further notice. No programs will be held in person. Please dial (319) 527-4994 📱️ at 10:00 AM ET. For more information about the Technology User Group or to recommend a topic / technology for discussion, please contact: Jerry Price at (410) 230-2446 📱️ or via email jerry.price1@maryland.gov 📧️
May 16, 2023 | Why is Web Accessibility Important? | Amy Albin | Vispero Learning and Development Coordinator
9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
Accessibility ends with "y". But it also needs to begin with "why". Just as important as having the right accessibility techniques is knowing why accessibility is important. Amy Albin (she/her), a member of Vispero's Human Resources team, an industrial/organizational psychologist and a blind JAWS user, will present reasons for making your software offerings accessible to users with and without disabilities. You will learn: Why inaccessible technology is costing you and the concept of ROA (Return On Accessibility). The difference between reactive and proactive approaches to accessibility. How a blind person can perform job tasks by integrating Vispero's assistive technology with mainstream software. One thing you can do in less than five minutes to make documents more accessible and perceive the difference you can make from the perspective of a real JAWS user! Additionally, you will hear personal stories of the impact of accessibility and the lack of it on a wide range of life activities. Whether or not you work directly with software development, this informative, insightful experience will inspire you to critically examine your why. Register today:
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-may-16-at-12pm-et-why-is-web-accessibility-important/
May 16, 2023 through May 18, 2023 | Virtua11y Web Accessibility Conference 2023 | Nomensa
Nomensa's free, virtual web accessibility and digital inclusion conference:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/virtua11y-web-accessibility-conference-2023-tickets-505953880677
May 17, 2023 | All Ears: Let's Talk Audio Games | The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc.
4PM PT, 5PM MT, 6PM CT, 7PM ET, 11PM GMT
Are you ready to level up your gaming experience? Join us for an epic and interactive webinar hosted by The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc., featuring special guest Liam Erven, blind programmer of the first side-scrolling audio game. We'll dive into multiple ways to access audio games on your PC, iPhone, and Amazon Alexa. Learn how inclusion and accessibility in audio gaming is beneficial in connecting people who are blind to friends, family, and the mainstream gaming community. After the presentation, we'll have an epic Q&A session where you can unleash your curiosity and engage in a discussion with our knowledgeable presenters. Register now to secure your spot and embark on a new and inclusive gaming adventure! Please register in advance for this webinar. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar:
https://thelighthousefortheblindinc.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_NajV3WrdS2-vqVtt3ri2Bg
May 17, 2023 | Envision Glasses: New Features & Upgrades (Assistive Technology Webinar) | Access Ingenuity
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
The Envision Glasses are quickly becoming an essential tool for the visually impaired. Lightweight glasses with a camera and direct speaker, Envision Glasses speak out text and environmental info, recognize faces, light, and colors, and lets you share that information. Unobtrusive with intuitive design, Envision Glasses excel in all kinds of text recognition, even handwriting, in over 60 languages. This session will focus on some new features available now, which harness the power of GPT-4 by OpenAI, one of the most advanced language models in the world, to understand and answer natural language questions. This new feature brings next-level access by giving users nearly unlimited control over how they interact with the scanned text. Join Ian Ramos from Access Ingenuity on a virtual tour of this technology. We will also have a team member from Envision join us to add valuable insights and maybe even some “insider” information on what's in store for this technology. Learning Outcomes: General overview of the glasses. Discussion and demonstration of the new “Ask Envision” feature and others. How these glasses impact users at work, school, and home. Discussion on what features to look forward to in the coming months. Meeting ID: 857 9163 5995 | Passcode: 728151 | One tap mobile: +16699009128,,85791635995#,,,,*728151# US (San Jose) | Dial by your location: +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose):
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85791635995?pwd=QVZjelJlWE43MmltaUs1dWs1aTk3UT09
May 17, 2023 | Nonvisual Tips for Successful Travel | NFB of Maryland Senior Call
4PM PT, 5PM MT, 6PM CT, 7PM ET, 11PM GMT
Please come join our conversation to explore the nuts and bolts of traveling as a blind person. Learn how to manage different modes of transportation and how to orient yourself in unfamiliar environments. We will share tips for individuals with various levels of changing vision. Where: NFB of Maryland Conference Call: (339) 209-4083 📱️
All are welcome! For more information about this event or the NFB of Maryland Senior Division please contact: Marguerite Woods at (443) 271-1668 📱️ / mwoods719@gmail.com 📧️.
May 17, 2023 | The Business of Accessibility — Expert Panel | TPGi
8AM PT, 9AM MT, 10AM CT, 11AM ET, 3PM GMT
Presenter: Mark Miller, Director of Sales. In honor of Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD), TPGi is bringing together an expert panel of top accessibility experts to discuss how businesses benefit from creating accessible experiences, the return on accessibility efforts, the current state of accessibility and much more! Join host TPGi's Mark Miller, Director of Sales, with accessibility experts: Dena WainWright
Vice President/Digital Accessibility Practice Owner, Personal Investing at Fidelity, Christopher Patnoe, Head of Accessibility and Disability Inclusion, Jaunita George, DA Digital Program Manager at Navy Federal Credit Union, Michelle Lana, Visual Designer IV at Navy Federal Credit Union. Register today:
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-may-17-at-11am-et-business-of-accessibility-expert-panel/
May 18, 2023 | 12th Annual 2023 Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD)
Help us celebrate the 12th Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD)! The purpose of GAAD is to get everyone talking, thinking and learning about digital access and inclusion, and the more than One Billion people with disabilities/impairments:
https://accessibility.day/
May 18, 2023 | Supporting A Technical and Cultural Shift To Accessibility, Whatever Your Resources | TPGi
9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
Learn how you can start small and steady, and build up to making a profound shift towards embedding accessibility in your organization, both in terms of technical process and — most importantly — becoming part of the culture of your teams. What changes can people in different roles make right now to get the ball rolling? How can you keep that ball rolling with minimal resources? What should you concentrate on as you get more resources to dedicate to accessibility? And what's the most important thing your team can do to make these changes stick? We'll give you practical examples and answer your questions about how to grow capacity and keep the momentum going, no matter where you're starting from:
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-may-18-at-12pm-et-supporting-a-technical-and-cultural-shift-to-accessibility-whatever-your-resources/
May 24, 2023 | Understand How to Create & Review VPATs (Digital Accessibility Webinar) | Access Ingenuity
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
Whether working with an organization reviewing Voluntary Product Accessibility Templates (VPATs) of products you are considering purchasing, or a company creating VPATs so that you can market your products, this webinar will help you understand the importance of a VPAT. Join Michael Parker to learn how to create a VPAT and quickly evaluate potential red flags. Learning Outcomes: What is a VPAT, and when do you need it. What a VPAT tells you about your product or digital property. Process of creating a VPAT. Red flags to look out for. Meeting ID: 852 1082 0335 | Passcode: 766506 | One tap mobile: +16699009128,,85210820335#,,,,*766506# US (San Jose) | Dial by your location: +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose):
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85210820335?pwd=Z2hoUFdGMEFpWFY2dU8yL0l0dEV2QT09#success
May 24, 2023 | Understand, Test, Solve: Semantics | TPGi
9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
Presenter: Aaron Farber, Senior Accessibility Platform Consultant. The monthly “Understand, Test, and Solve” webinar series covers fundamental concepts in accessibility. Attendees learn how to address the set of WCAG Success Criteria for each concept. Over the course of this series, teams achieve full WCAG coverage in their testing. The latest webinar in this series covers Semantics — how to ensure modern user interfaces, with custom elements, beyond what's available in native HTML, are properly conveyed to assistive technologies.
Attendees will: Know which UI elements require additional development to be consistent with WCAG. Gain fluency using Chrome Developer Tools to view the semantic information exposed by UI elements. Learn how to use ARC's KnowledgeBase to confidently and accessibly create modern UI components from progress bars to combo boxes. This session is 30-minutes. Stay after the call for our 30-minute Q&A:
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-may-24-at-12pm-et-understand-test-solve-semantics/
June 2, 2023 | ATHEN Sixth Annual Accessibility Summer Camp 2023
6AM PT, 7AM MT, 8AM CT, 9AM ET, 1PM GMT
We would love for you to share your accessibility knowledge during our sixth annual Accessibility Summer Camp 2023! As in former years, this virtual conference is FREE for all attendees. This year's ASC event will take place on Friday, June 2, 2023, from 8:00-4:00 CST. As a conference participant you will be able to attend sessions and engage in valuable networking with like-minded professionals. We are soliciting presentations from all experience levels and backgrounds, so please visit the ASC Conference Home Page for more information and to submit a proposal. The session proposal deadline is Friday, February 17th, 2023. What is Accessibility Summer Camp (ASC)? The Accessibility Summer Camp is a FREE annual conference with the goal of connecting professionals and educators with best practices in accessibility and Universal Design. Over the past few years, the ASC conference has grown to become one of the most popular accessibility conferences in the country. Our mission is to provide accessibility professional development that empowers attendees to create high quality, accessible learning environments while removing barriers for all individuals who have a desire to learn:
https://www.accessibilityict.org/
May 23, 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
May 31, 2023 | TOPAZ Magnifiers: Powerful Visual Aids (Assistive Technology Webinar — ACVREP CE Approved) | Access Ingenuity
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
The TOPAZ family of desktop video magnifiers combines ease of use with powerful features to help people retain their independent lifestyle — reading, writing, viewing photographs, and engaging in hobbies. All TOPAZ models are available in several monitor sizes and provide a clear, crisp picture with a wide range of magnification and color-coded controls. The ergonomic design provides exceptional reading comfort for hours of use in the home, office, or school. During this webinar, we discuss the features of all the TOPAZ models and the benefits each can give in specific situations. Join Ian Ramos and Joe McDaniel from Vispero as they dive deep into these powerful tools to help those challenged by vision loss. Note that everybody is welcome and can benefit from this presentation. If you are a teacher of the visually impaired (TVI), ACVREP continuing education credit is approved for this presentation. Learning Outcomes: Features of all TOPAZ models. Which features fit your needs best. How adding speech capability can take you further. Join Zoom Meeting: TOPAZ Magnifiers: Powerful Visual Aids | Meeting ID: 818 1319 3745 | Passcode: 159299 | One tap mobile: +16699009128,,81813193745#,,,,*159299# US (San Jose) | Dial by your location
+1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose):
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81813193745?pwd=LzBPaHFOSkp6Rm9iRFZwazlCQmRNdz09
July 1, 2023 through July 6, 2023 | NFB 2023 National Convention in Houston, Texas
The National Federation of the Blind is the transformative membership and advocacy organization of blind people. Every day we raise the expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. Each year we come together for important discussions, decisions, and information sharing. As an attendee, take advantage of the opportunity to: Network with thousands of blind role models. Connect with leaders in the field of blindness. Attend presentations on a variety of empowering topics. Learn about the latest in technology and innovation. And more! The convention is open to all. Important note: Our constitution states that only members of the Federation have the right to participate in decision-making when it comes to organizational policy. If you are not already a member, please connect with your state affiliate at:
https://nfb.org/about-us/state-affiliates
June 7, 2023 | Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 9: Orientation & Mobility | APH
8AM PT, 9AM MT, 10AM CT, 11AM ET, 3PM GMT
LEGO bricks to build plans, visualize routes, it's not new! But with LEGO Braille Bricks you can also create labels, add letters, words... Then it becomes really great:
https://www.aph.org/lego-braille-bricks-live-sessions/
June 27, 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
July 25, 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
July 25, 2023 | U.S. Access Board Town Hall Meeting in Baltimore
10:30PM PT, 11:30PM MT, 12:30PM CT, 1:30PM ET, 5:30PM GMT
The U.S. Access Board will hold a public town hall meeting at the national headquarters of the National Federation of the Blind in Baltimore, Maryland. Presidentially appointed Access Board members and representatives from other federal member agencies will be present to hear from the local community about the state of accessibility in Baltimore and the D.C.-Maryland-Virginia area. Following the town hall meeting, there will be a reception and networking opportunity from 3:30 — 4:30 (ET), sponsored by the Maryland Department of Disabilities. The town hall meeting and reception are open to all members of the public. Please register for in-person attendance by July 1, 2023. To register, send an email to events@access-board.gov 📧️ with your name and organization. The Access Board invites in-person oral comments on accessibility. Registrants who wish to make in-person oral comments must indicate their request to speak when emailing events@access-board.gov. Public commenters will be allotted two minutes to make their comments
August 22, 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 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
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 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
Sponsors may submit or update their Classified Advertisement at any time by submitting this short form: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-sponsor-classified.
Sponsor: APH ConnectCenter
➜ Classified Advertisement: Prepare For Your Future Today With The All-New APH ConnectCenter's Job Seekers Toolkit!
The APH ConnectCenter and NSITE have partnered to update the Job Seeker's Toolkit, an accessible, self-paced, free online training course. The Toolkit includes five sections covering self-awareness, career exploration tools, the preliminary employment process, the interview, and maintaining employment. We are bringing the Job Seeker's Toolkit to a larger audience and in a Learning Management System format for today's learners, at no cost. Visit APHCareerConnect.org to get started with the Job Seekers Toolkit today at:
https://aphcareerconnect.org/lesson-plans-for-teachers-and-professionals/the-job-seekers-toolkit/
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: Menus4ALL
➜ Classified Advertisement: A Revolution in Resolution — Menus for Everyone
No matter when, where or who, the Menus4ALL iPhone app gives you the info you need quickly. No more multiple Google searches to research menus before going out. Info is organized to give you quick access to what you are looking for — the menu! Optimized to give you the best viewing experience. No more struggling to see small print, or looking at a menu in a dimly lit restaurant. Do you use magnification, large print, VoiceOver, a braille display or Voice Control? Enjoy 750,000 fully accessible menus. Download the app today at:
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/menus4all/id1640547801?platform=iphone
Sponsor Since: November 20th 2022
Website: https://www.menus4all.com/ 🌐️
Email: stephanie@menus4all.com 📧️
About: 750,000 Accessible Restaurant Menus. On your iPhone ® in the palm of your hand.
Yes, that's not a typo. The Menus4ALL iPhone app offers 500,000 accessible menus in the United States and 250,000 accessible menus in Canada.
Wherever you are and whenever you want The Menus4ALL iPhone app is the largest network of restaurant menus in one place and all of the menus are fully accessible.
Perfect for when you are out running errands and want to know what restaurants are near your current location. Great for planning a night out with friends. Favorite menus that you want to look at later or when you know you are going back for that amazing dish.
Download The App (Apple): https://apps.apple.com/us/app/menus4all/id1640547801?platform=iphone
Sponsor: WayAround
➜ Classified Advertisement: Try Talking Labels That Work With Your Smartphone For Just $9.99!
Get all the different types of WayTags so you can try the BEST accessible labeling system around. Use the coupon code TryTags to get a WayTag Sampler Pack for just $9.99. Plus, you get FREE shipping. Use the WayTags along with the free mobile app to label your things with a description and other important details, so you can spend less time figuring out what things are, and more time getting things done.
https://www.wayaround.com/shop/sampler-pack/?utm_source=AssistiveTech&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=AccessInfoNewsSponsorAd
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Finally! Holding Businesses Accountable
Those who need accessibility accommodations aren't strangers to jumping in with self-advocacy to achieve it. But, what about the rest of us? When explaining the benefits of a reasonable accommodation to one's place of work or school. This is where our self-advocacy kits come in. Pneuma has written up customizable email templates you can modify according to your situation. We cover a variety of different advocacy scenarios. Simply choose your scenario, answer a few simple questions, adapt the language, address it to the right person, and submit it! Self-advocacy has never been easier:
https://pneumasolutions.com/finally-holding-businesses-accountable/
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: 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
➜ Classified Advertisement: NSITE Connects Employers With Talented People Who Are Blind Or Low-Vision And Supports Talent To Gain Employment
NSITE.org is the first non-profit organization, offering a continuum of services to connect employers with talented job seekers who are blind or low-vision and provides training, employment and career services to these job seekers. Using the NSITE Connect Job Board, which is designed exclusively for individuals who experience vision loss, employers can fill open positions with talent who are blind or have low vision. Job postings are also open to veterans. NSITE-U provides accessible on-demand and virtual instructor-led classes, programs and workshops to support career skills training and professional development for individuals who are blind or have low vision or are veterans. For more information about NSITE and all its services including a free Job Seekers Toolkit developed with APH, American Printing House for the Blind, visit us and use this form to reach NSITE's team for information about programs, classes and services, connect:
https://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.
NSITE Connect: Linking employers with talented individuals who are blind, low-vision, and/or veterans. Access the NSITE Connect Job Board here.About | Media | Employers | Job Seekers | Training Programs | Job Board | Contact Us
Sponsor: Clusiv
➜ Classified Advertisement: Clusiv Is The World's First eLearning Platform Built For And By People Who Are Blind. Our Courses Are Designed To Equip People Who Are Blind Or Visually Impaired For Employment In The Modern Workforce. Learn More At Clusiv.Io.
Navigating the employment process can be challenging if you are blind or visually impaired. Technology is difficult to figure out, there is a lot of extra material to learn, and there isn't much quality training available.
That's where Clusiv comes in. We help to provide the training you need to succeed in the modern workforce. Our courses teach assistive technology skills and how to apply those skills to many of the business software programs used in the modern workforce, such as email, Microsoft and Google apps, video conferencing, and more. We also teach soft skills such as resume and interview preparation, disclosures and accommodations, internet safety, and financial literacy. Lastly, our training can teach specific career skills, such as becoming an accessibility analyst. Plus, our courses are self-paced.
To learn more, visit https://clusiv.io/ and fill out a form with your information. We work with state vocational rehabilitation agencies to provide access to our course content.
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.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Seeks Your Support at the Public Policy Level
Moving the public policy needle is both difficult and costly. Access Ready has one of the most experienced teams in the business who have shown results. We have fostered Congressional language on accessible websites, elections, healthcare, communications, and other areas touched by information and communications technologies. These efforts are costly and we need your help to continue. Become an Access Ready supporter and create an accessible future for people with disabilities:
https://accessready.org/
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.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Provides Access To The Best In The Business
If you need assistance with a new accessible website, document remediation or disability consulting of other kinds, Access Ready can help. We seek out the best in the business and bring them to you already vetted as to quality, professionalism and ability. By going through AccessReady.org to one of our qualified providers, you're not only getting the best, but supporting our advocacy and technological development efforts as well:
https://accessready.org/
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.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Seeks Guidance On New Accessible Technologies
What Technologies do you see in the market that are not accessible, but should be? What accessible technologies can you imagine that can make the lives of people with all kinds of disabilities better? We will advocate with developers to make existing technologies accessible on your behalf. We will advocate with developers to build new accessible technologies on your behalf. Give us your guidance and support. Your guidance charts our path toward what is most important. Your support funds our efforts on your behalf:
https://accessready.org/
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:
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Access Information News is the world's leading not-for-profit access information news publication that reaches over 15,000 access professionals, educators and enthusiasts, all over the world, each week.
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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
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Access Information News
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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.
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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 advocacy foundation.
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.
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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.
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
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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.
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Access Information News for Monday, April 24, 2023 - Volume 907
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: 10,432 Opt-In Subscribers were sent this issue via email.
This Week's Featured Advertisement: Why Don't Americans With Disabilities Vote In Higher Numbers?
If we did then we would choose our local, state and national leaders based on the size of the disability community as the largest minority in America.
Is it apathy about the entire political process? Only voting will change things.
Is it a failure of the voter to understand how elections can affect disability rights and programs? If so this is an indictment of our education system.
Is it the failure of candidates and the media to address disability issues at the same level of fervor as other minority concerns? If so this can be resolved by getting engaged and demanding answers and coverage.
Is it a misunderstanding of disability issues by the voter? Disability issues are personal to voters with disabilities, so many may not know the issues that affect others with disabilities.
Yes it is most likely all of the above to some degree. This can only be overcome by strategic engagement at all levels. Learn more today: https://accessready.org/.
Dear Access Information News Subscriber,
Submit your Access Information News Item for free, with timing and placement determined by our editors, here: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-news. Submit a Sponsored News Item, with timing and placement determined by you, here: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-sponsored-news.
1) Top 5 Most Clicked Access Information News Articles From Last Week
A.) Accessible Air Fryer for Blind & DeafBlind | Daniel Hawkins | Inclusive Ability Initiative, LLC (7.8% of all clicks.)
One of the first steps to becoming independent is learning how to cook for yourself. During the pandemic I learned how to slow cook and smoke meat. I had so much fun with it and enjoyed eating my creations and sharing with family and friends, I decided to look into other avenues of meal creations. One thing I love is homemade hand cut French fries. I do have a $25 deep frier I have been using for years. But like everyone who uses these, it can get messy, and you have to replace the cooking oil. I never did enjoy replacing the oil and the mess to clean up. So, I started researching on what some have told me to use an air fryer to cook French fries. I found out it is healthier and does not use much oil. Very easy to use and clean up. As you have guessed, I invested in an air fryer. I did my research as a Blind person and read comments of others on the accessibility of air fryers. You can buy an analog fryer that just has two knobs, one for the temperature and the other one is the timer. But I wanted the best of the best! So, I found the:
https://iabilityi.com/adaptivetechnology/accessible-air-fryer-for-blind-deafblind/
B.) Will You Shop Blind? Introducing The April 1st Through April 30th 2023 Shop Blind Challenge | Two Blind Brothers (5.4% of all clicks.)
Publisher (Di Blasi): Since 100% of the profits from this initiative are donated to the Foundation Fighting Blindness, we have made the decision to include it here.
Two Blind Brothers: Welcome to the April 1st through April 30th Shop Blind Challenge! It's simple. Would you buy something that you can't see? We promise you'll get something you'll love. If you don't think it's perfect, you can return it, no questions asked. Trust us! 100% of the profits are donated to Foundation Fighting Blindness to help find a cure for blindness. After April 30th, all of these items disappear:
https://twoblindbrothers.com/
C.) Are You Ableist? Take This Test To Find Out | The Washington Post: Subscription Required (4.2% of all clicks.)
Publisher (Di Blasi): Here at Access Information News and Top Tech Tidbits we encourage people to counteract ableist beliefs and behaviors by learning more about disabled people and their experiences. To do our part in this ongoing educational effort we try to provide readers with as many examples of these kinds of experiences as possible, each week, so that they can hone their understanding of the what ableism truly is and what it means to the access community as a whole. This test is an incredibly mind-opening tool for assessing, if you will, you current level of bias where disabled persons are concerned. There are 7 different questions and the article rates your performance at the end.
The Washington Post: Can you recognize when you're being ableist? Even well-meaning people can exhibit unconscious bias against people with disabilities. Ableism is rooted in the assumption that non-disabled people are the ideal. The Washington Post consulted 25 disabled activists and scholars, including representatives from several national disability organizations, to create a quiz that can help someone learn more about ableist thinking. Read each example and think about how you would typically react to the situation. Then read how people in the disability community feel about the same scenarios:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/interactive/2023/ableist-thinking-disability-bias-quiz/
D.) Bookshare's Membership Fee Increase (For Non-Student Individual Members) (3.5% of all clicks.)
Starting in May 2023, Bookshare will raise its membership fee for non-student Individual Members. This will be our first fee increase in our history of over two decades and is an action we take with great consideration:
https://blog.bookshare.org/2023/04/bookshares-membership-fee-increase-for-non-student-individual-members/
E.) 'Forced To Live In My Disability' | DC Native Calls Out Hilton After Getting Stuck In Hotel Elevator | April 14, 2023 | WUSA9 News (3.4% of all clicks.)
Mario Bonds is totally blind. He is speaking out after he was stuck in a hotel elevator because of its digital touchscreen with no Braille:
https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/local/mario-bonds-viral-elevator-tik-tok-video/65-fb965639-e13e-4fd2-bf21-9b73e2bed98b
2) Sponsorship Package Updates
Are you an access-based business or organization whose products, services or message would benefit from reaching over 15,000 access professionals each week? If so, please consider becoming a Sponsor today for just $100 a month, paid either quarterly or annually. Annual Sponsors gain the additional benefit of being able to schedule their Featured Advertisement dates up to one year in advance. If you've been looking for a way to consistently reach the largest audience of opt-in access professionals in the world today, please consider becoming an Access Information News Sponsor while packages last. Availability: There are currently 9 Access Information News Sponsorship Packages remaining. Advertising Benefits: Review a complete list of advertising benefits here:
https://www.accessinformationnews.com/sponsorship-information.html#sponsorship-package-benefits
3) 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. 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 6:00 AM ET you can also pick up the newsletter and its trending articles on any of the following channels:
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6) Access Information News Joins Mastodon
I am incredibly excited to report that Access Information News is now on Mastodon. Follow us by visiting https://mastodon.accessinformationnews.com/@news or searching for @news@mastodon.accessinformationnews.com on your server today. Access Information News joined the Fediverse via its own Mastodon server on April 20, 2023, primarily as the result of a push led by Jonathan Mosen to convince as many blind information providers as possible to create a presence on the social network. Access Information News now joins Top Tech Tidbits, which also joined Mastodon on April 17, 2023. Full press release here:
https://www.accessinformationnews.com/12.html
7) Access Information News Click-To-Vote Quick Poll #906 Results | Sponsored By: NSITE | 208 Votes
Question: With companies across the country juggling the DEI space for hires and equitable training. Which training below would you be more interested in as BVI regarding an opportunity for advancement or new career opportunity?
#1 | D.) IT (Information Technology) Desktop support, Cybersecurity, Networking
(45 Votes / 22% of all clicks.)
#2 | A.) Customer Service Training
(43 Votes / 21% of all clicks.)
#3 | E.) Project Management/Data Analysis
(43 Votes / 21% of all clicks.)
#4 | C.) Recruiting/Sourcing Training
(40 Votes / 19% of all clicks.)
#5 | B.) Supply Chain/ Vending Operations (BEP Program)
(37 Votes / 18% of all clicks.)
Poll Results Link: https://bit.ly/ain-poll906-results
8) Access Information News Click-To-Vote Quick Poll #907 | Sponsored By: Access Ready, Inc.
Question: Why don't Americans with disabilities vote in higher numbers?
A.) Apathy about the entire political process?
Click-To-Vote A Link: https://bit.ly/ain-poll907-a
B.) A failure of the voter to understand how elections can effect disability rights and programs?
Click-To-Vote B Link: https://bit.ly/ain-poll907-b
C.) The failure of candidates and the media to address disability issues at the same level of fervor as other minority concerns?
Click-To-Vote C Link: https://bit.ly/ain-poll907-c
D.) A misunderstanding of disability issues by the voter?
Click-To-Vote D Link: https://bit.ly/ain-poll907-d
E.) All of the above to some degree?
Click-To-Vote E Link: https://bit.ly/ain-poll907-e
Poll Link: https://bit.ly/ain-poll907
9) Can Artificial Intelligence Make PDFs Accessible? | Allyant
Publisher (Di Blasi): While cutting-edge remediators like Allyant have transitioned beyond machine learning into deep learning, which uses artificial neural networks to learn tagging rules, AI alone still cannot currently produce truly accessible and compliant documents. For reasons explained in this article. But I believe it's clear that it's only a matter of time.
Allyant: A PDF document is considered accessible if it can be used/accessed by everyone, including people with disabilities. There are several accessibility standards to test against that help ensure PDF accessibility. Most PDFs published on websites are not accessible. This is not necessarily due to the negligence of web designers and authors; often, people don't even realize that the PDFs they upload on their website are not accessible or standards-compliant. However, the law requires that all public-facing websites must be accessible (including documents like PDFs) to everyone, so when a website owner is served with an accessibility lawsuit, they may look for quick fixes. In a time-sensitive situation involving possible legal action, organizations may look to artificial intelligence to speed up the process. Do AI tools for PDF accessibility work? Can AI make PDFs accessible?
https://allyant.com/can-artificial-intelligence-make-pdfs-accessible/
10) New Accessibility Guidelines Available | The Washington Post: Subscription Required
On April 17, 2023, The Washington Post announced that their accessibility guidelines would be made available as part of its open-source design system. Launched last year, this system made fundamental code that powers The Post and its features publicly available for the first time. These guidelines can be used by anyone, including those outside of The Post. They include an accessibility checklist, testing strategies and considerations to make when creating online content:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/pr/2023/04/17/new-accessibility-guidelines-available-washington-post/
11) Expanding The Reach Of Accessible Books | Ioana Tanase | Microsoft Accessibility Blog | April 19, 2023
Millions of people with disabilities face what is known as a "book famine", preventing them from reading books in a format that meets their accessibility needs. Furthermore, there is a global divide in people's access to technology. While 75 percent of people in developed countries own a smartphone, only 25 percent of people in the top 10 low- and middle-income do, and people with disabilities often earn less than those without disabilities. The number of accessible digital books is growing. However, they are often in formats that cannot be accessed on basic phones, MP3 players or less powerful refreshable braille displays, let alone account for a lack of internet connectivity or electricity:
https://blogs.microsoft.com/accessibility/expanding-the-reach-of-accessible-books/
12) Law Professor Makes Digital Copyright Book Open for All
After spending years researching the history of U.S. copyright law, Jessica Litman says she wants to make it easy for others to find her work. Digital Copyright is available to read now.
The law professor''s book, Digital Copyright, first published in 2001 by Prometheus Books, is available free online (read now). After it went out of print in 2015, University of Michigan Press agreed to publish an open access edition of the book. Litman updated all the footnotes (some of which were broken links to web pages only available through preservation on Internet Archive) and made the updated book available under a CC-BY-ND license in 2017:
http://blog.archive.org/2023/04/16/law-professor-makes-digital-copyright-book-open-for-all/
13) Pair Left Stranded In Vancouver Due To Lack Of Wheelchair-Accessible Cabs | Global News Canada
Leaving a venue after a concert ends tends to be hectic, no matter where you are. However, the ride home can be a lot more stressful for someone who uses a wheelchair. This happened to two West Kelowna, B.C., residents who were left stranded after they were told no accessible taxis were available. When Hannah Desrochers and Kyle Hindley went to a concert in Vancouver at the end of March they were able to get a wheelchair accessible ride to the show. However, when the performance ended it was a different story:
https://globalnews.ca/news/9620012/pair-left-stranded-vancouver-lack-wheelchair-accessible-cabs/
14) 'Disabled Children Need To Know It Is An Option': Co-Creating The Future Of Dance | The Guardian
Frontlinedance works in communities to remove barriers for disabled people and those with long-term health conditions — and there's no distinction between teacher and learner:
https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2023/apr/19/disabled-children-need-to-know-it-is-an-option-co-creating-the-future-of-dance
15) Selma Blair Lands British Vogue May 2023 Cover: 'Dynamic, Daring, Disabled'
British Vogue's May issue features a host of cover stars with disabilities:
https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Style/selma-blair-lands-british-vogue-2023-cover-dynamic/story?id=98721734
16) Barriers to Digital Inclusion | American Foundation for the Blind
In 2023, there is a website or app for just about any task, and these digital platforms offer convenience, cost savings, and efficiency. Yet, digital platforms have not been designed for everyone. Researchers at AFB conducted the Barriers to Digital Inclusion Survey (BDIS) to learn about the prevalence and impacts of digital inclusion barriers faced by individuals who are blind, have low vision, or are deafblind. Conducted in late 2022, the survey captures the barriers faced by 398 research participants. These findings reveal the consequences of inaccessibility both for the individuals who face the barriers and the companies and organizations whose programs, services, and products contain barriers. At the end of the report, we offer recommendations for policymakers, business leaders, and computing educators to create greater digital inclusion and ensure that businesses are reaching all of their customers effectively. Read the report online:
https://www.afb.org/barriers-digital-inclusion-survey
17) The State of Global Digital Accessibility: Current Challenges and Opportunities | Cam Waller | Accessibility.com
Digital accessibility — the extent to which all individuals can access digital content and technology — is paramount in today's world. Digital content and interfaces help enable people with disabilities to access information, services, and other resources. And as the world becomes more connected, accessibility becomes even more significant in a global context. So what are the current challenges and opportunities associated with global digital accessibility, and what best practices and success stories can be gleaned from them?
https://www.accessibility.com/blog/the-state-of-global-digital-accessibility-current-challenges-and-opportunities
18) How Voice Assistants Improve Digital Accessibility | Accessibility.com
Voice assistants have several benefits that can improve digital accessibility for people with disabilities. Here are a few examples:
https://www.accessibility.com/blog/how-voice-assistants-improve-digital-accessibility
19) Overcoming Common Myths and Misconceptions About Digital Accessibility | Linda Sanabria | Accessibility.com
Digital accessibility is designing and developing digital content, such as websites and mobile apps, to make them usable by everyone, including people with disabilities. However, many myths and misconceptions about digital accessibility can prevent organizations and individuals from prioritizing it. Read on to uncover some of the most prevalent myths about digital accessibility and why these myths are all false:
https://www.accessibility.com/blog/overcoming-common-myths-and-misconceptions-about-digital-accessibility
20) Don't Plug Your Phone Into A Free Charging Station, Warns FBI | Malwarebytes Labs
In a recent tweet, the FBI office in Denver warned consumers against using free public charging stations, stating that criminals have managed to hijack public chargers with the objective of infecting devices with malware or other software that can give hackers access to your phone, tablet or computer. "Avoid using free charging stations in airports, hotels or shopping centers. Bad actors have figured out ways to use public USB ports to introduce malware and monitoring software onto devices. Carry your own charger and USB cord and use an electrical outlet instead:"
https://www.malwarebytes.com/blog/news/2023/04/dont-plug-your-phone-into-a-free-charging-station-warns-fbi
21) Gettysburg National Military Park Gets An Accessibility Upgrade With The Addition Of Braille And Tactile Tables
The tables, which visitors are encouraged to touch and feel, feature braille and raised lettering and allow visitors to better understand the landscape of the battle:
https://www.fox43.com/article/news/local/adams-county/bronze-relief-tables-gettysburg-national-military-park/521-1089ccea-2a7c-4c45-9045-9dbd32d320eb
22) Creating A Culture Of Accessibility In Your Organization | Cindee Calton | Accessibility.com
Committing an organization to meet the digital accessibility needs of people with disabilities might require a shift in the organization's culture. Employees throughout the organization must follow accessibility practices, but shifting an organization's culture can be difficult. This article discusses three strategies for creating an accessibility culture in your organization:
https://www.accessibility.com/blog/creating-a-culture-of-accessibility-in-your-organization
23) Spreading Positivity Beyond Borders: You Are Beautiful Braille Stickers
Positivity has always been at the axis of You Are Beautiful — from stickers, to apparel, to public art — and now they have expanded that message beyond the sighted world by creating their first-ever Braille stickers to help us identify with one another, bring the community together and ensure everyone is seen and heard:
https://design.newcity.com/2023/04/19/you-are-beautiful-braille-stickers-spread-positivity-beyond-borders/
24) Rare Beauty's Products Have Sparked A Critical Conversation About The Beauty Industry's Lack Of Inclusivity
"Disability only exists because of the barriers that society puts forward for us, so when we educate, when we share our lived experience and take time to learn how other people's bodies move, then we can be in this together:"
https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/katiecamero/rare-beauty-makeup-for-people-with-disabilities
25) Touch screens are causing serious accessibility issues for blind and visually impaired people
Touch screen card machines are making blind and visually impaired people's lives more difficult, with some people having to disclose their bank card's pin number to staff in shops and restaurants:
https://www.rsvplive.ie/news/touch-screens-causing-serious-accessibility-29746727
26) Call Center Staffed By The Visually Impaired Providing Crucial Help To Ohioans
From answering the COVID hotline to assisting voters, Cleveland Sight Center employees serve thousands while finding real career opportunities:
https://signalcleveland.org/call-center-staffed-by-the-visually-impaired-providing-crucial-help-to-ohioans/
27) How Can Fashion Week Be More Accessible? | Brooke Frischer | Fashionista
For me, attending New York Fashion Week is a lifelong dream realized: being immersed in stunning artistry, sitting in the same rooms as A-Listers and seeing icons at every turn... It's an extremely privileged experience, and it's one I'm so grateful to be a part of. But as luxurious and thrilling as the runways and presentations can be, there's one thing I couldn't help but notice throughout the week: all the stairs. As someone who deals with chronic pain, climbing up several flights of stairs at a time can be, quite frankly, debilitating. Oftentimes, I wouldn't know that I would need to climb a staircase (or multiple) until I was at the venue; and it wasn't uncommon to be told there wasn't an elevator for myself and other guests with disabilities — visible or not — to use:
https://fashionista.com/2023/04/fashion-week-accessibility-venues
28) The Best Kindles to Take Your Library Anywhere | Wired: Subscription Required
Here's how Amazon's ebook readers stack up — and which one might be right for you:
https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-kindle/
29) Trial Concludes In Chicago Cubs Disability Access Suit
A Cubs fan with muscular dystrophy claims Wrigley Field does not have enough wheelchair-accessible seating:
https://www.courthousenews.com/trial-concludes-in-chicago-cubs-disability-access-suit/
30) Accessibility For All Is Not A Nice To Have — It Is A Must | Forbes: Subscription Required
It is fair to say that there have been many horror stories regarding travel, and an abundance of evidence suggests that people with disabilities are not considered a key customer demographic. Martin Heng, Lonely Planet's Editorial Manager and Accessible Travel Manager, recently worked on a report highlighting the 10 most accessible destinations. The report showcased the destinations that provide accessibility for all when visiting their city and featured key insights. However, work still needs to be done when navigating how to get there. Are the modes of transportation available accessible? Are the booking processes, websites, and apps accessible? In the unfortunately likely event that they are not, is there further support available?
https://www.forbes.com/sites/carolinecasey/2023/04/17/accessibility-for-all-is-not-a-nice-to-have--it-is-a-must/
31) Accessible Utility Statements: What's Involved | BrailleWorks
Your customers have spoken and you're ready to listen. You and your organization understand the importance of giving your customers utility statements they can read on their own. Maintaining independence is important to your customers and providing them with quality, accessible statements is important to you. Now it's time to decide how you're going to get accessible statements to your customers. It's often a new process for companies and can seem overwhelming. Not to worry; the process is easier than you think. We're here to help you learn the steps to take and questions to ask so you can find the best document accessibility partner for your company.
https://brailleworks.com/accessible-utility-statements-whats-involved/
32) As A Disabled Person, Every Day I Find Myself Masking And Code Switching | Samantha Renke | Actor, Presenter And Disability Rights Campaigner
We all want to feel like we belong. To be accepted and loved by others. To feel 'normal'. It's human nature, and we instinctively gravitate towards those who we feel safe around. Those we can see ourselves in. So, what happens if you are 'different' and you don't fit into society's parameters of so-called 'normal'?
https://metro.co.uk/2023/04/20/as-a-disabled-person-every-day-i-find-myself-masking-and-code-switching-18636528/
33) Recreation and Leisure — It's Not Just Fun And Games! | APH FamilyConnect
Do you want to help your child explore various recreational and leisure activities but aren't sure where to start? Check out these ideas for several different age groups:
https://familyconnect.org/education/expanded-core-curriculum/recreation-fitness-and-leisure/recreation-and-leisure-skills-its-not-just-fun-and-games/
34) Crying in the Dark | Award Winning Sight Loss Coach, Advocate and Author Donna Jodhan
Donna continues to feel that above all; Canadians with disabilities continue to cry in the dark when it comes to high profile Canadian Government departments knowingly and recklessly ignoring their rights and needs. Their actions re the rolling out of the Arrive Can app is just one blatant example:
https://sterlingcreations.ca/blog/crying-in-the-dark-2
35) Understanding the Financial Rewards of Accessibility | Nick Awad | Accessibility.com
Time and time again, we've explained the importance of prioritizing accessibility in day-to-day business operations. It should go without saying that there is a moral imperative to do so. People have the right to participate in society regardless of their ability level. However, some businesses may not fully appreciate how good accessibility is for business. In this piece, we will go over why investing in accessibility is a smart financial move:
https://www.accessibility.com/blog/understanding-the-financial-rewards-of-accessibility
36) Editor Of British Vogue Turned Down Ads On 'Inclusivity' Grounds | The Guardian
Edward Enninful tells BBC he rejected major fashion brands as he promotes May issue featuring disabled cover stars:
https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2023/apr/21/editor-of-british-vogue-turned-down-ads-on-inclusivity-grounds-edward-enninful?CMP=share_btn_tw
37) 'Completely Excluded': FIFA Under Fire Over Accessibility Ticketing Allocations | Carla Jaeger | The Sydney Morning Herald
Young children have been allocated seating away from their parents, and people with disability given inaccessible seats away from their companions as further problems from the FIFA Women's World Cup ticketing system emerge:
https://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/completely-excluded-fifa-under-fire-over-accessibility-ticketing-allocations-20230414-p5d0hd.html
38) Postsecondary Programs For Students With Disabilities Begin Accreditation Process | Disability Scoop: Subscription Required
With hundreds of postsecondary programs for students with intellectual disabilities available nationwide, a newly formed accrediting agency is set to help families determine which ones are of the highest quality. The number of programs at colleges and universities aimed at this population has ballooned to more than 300 in recent years, but they vary significantly in structure, length, how integrated they are in the campus and much more. As a result, families have had little way to assess different offerings despite program costs that can rival traditional college tuition. That is set to change with the launch of an accrediting agency specifically focused on post-secondary programs for students with intellectual disabilities:
https://www.disabilityscoop.com/2023/04/18/postsecondary-programs-for-students-with-disabilities-begin-accreditation-process/30335/
39) Visually Impaired Man Denied Access To Business Because Of Service Dog | Video | WITN | Greenville, NC | April 20, 2023
➜ Featured Webinars, Training Courses and Events
Submit your access information related Webinar, Training Course or Event for consideration within this section using this form: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-event.
April 25, 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
April 26, 2023 | WCAG 2.2 Overview (Digital Accessibility Webinar) | Access Ingenuity
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
Join Michael Parker to learn what's changing with WCAG 2.2 and how it impacts the accessibility of your digital content. Learning Outcomes: Overview of WCAG 2.2. When will WCAG 2.2 be released. How to test for the new criteria. Meeting ID: 845 2998 9518 | Passcode: 002926 | One tap mobile: +16699009128,,84529989518#,,,,*002926# US (San Jose) | Dial by your location: +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose):
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84529989518?pwd=YXlSd1oxd2l4dEVDY0o3a01VTENEdz09#success
April 26, 2023 | How To Build A Positive Credit Score And History | LBPD Financial Literacy Course | Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled
3PM PT, 4PM MT, 5PM CT, 6PM ET, 10PM GMT
Today, strong credit is important for accessing a mortgage loan, personal loans, renting an apartment, and more. This workshop will teach you the main factors that make up a credit score, the costs associated with having a loan, and various strategies on how to build a positive credit history with the right credit products for you:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/how-to-build-a-positive-credit-score-and-history-cash-campaign-tickets-574723532557
April 27, 2023 | Tips for Organizing Your Outlook Inbox with JAWS | Freedom Scientific
9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
Vispero Presenters: Elizabeth Whitaker, Ron Miller, and Rachel Buchanan. Summary: Looking for ways to manage your Outlook inbox more efficiently with JAWS? If so — this webinar is for you! We'll show you how to create and manage folders, plus demonstrate how to: Organize messages using Categories. Simultaneously apply multiple actions to messages using Quick Steps. Reduce the number of messages in mail folders with the Conversation Clean Up feature. And much more. Register for this webinar on Zoom. ACVREP credits will be available for those who attend the live webinar:
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_LhFwKedcQne9t9LgQ_6IhA
April 27, 2023 | International Ally User Group
7AM PT, 8AM MT, 9AM CT, 10AM ET, 2PM GMT
Digital Accessibility presents a range of challenges to those of us working in Higher Education, but we are not alone! In the April 27, 2023 meeting of the International Ally User Group we will learn from the experiences of colleagues working in this area in our first panel discussion. As the "International" Ally User Group, it's important to consider the global perspective. We are lucky to be joined by panelists from six countries that span across eight time zones. The roundtable will cover four themes: Alternative formats and students. Encouraging staff to create accessible content. Institutional policy and challenges. Celebrating success. After one or two starting questions for each theme we will open to the audience to ask their questions and to share their own answers. Our panelists are from around the world and their institutions are at various levels of accessibility maturity. Sharon Austin, Academic Technology Accessibility Specialist, University of Tampa, Terry Greene, Senior eLearning Designer, Trent University, Canada, James Northridge, "Inclusive UCC" Project Manager, University College Cork (UCC), Ireland, Dr Tharindu Liyanagunawardena, Digital Accessibility Officer, University of Reading, UK, Esin Caglayan, Ph.D., Director of Teaching and Learning Center, Izmir University of Economics, Turkey, Sarah Whittaker, Senior Manager Teaching with Technology, working in United Arab Emirates. Join our first panel discussion for an inspiring global perspective around how we can rise to the challenges and opportunities of digital accessibility. Find sign-up and joining details on the Ally Community site:
https://usergroup.ally.ac/content/perma?id=58015
April 28, 2023 | Navigating Finances for Older Individuals With Vision Loss | OIB-TAC
12PM PT, 1PM MT, 2PM CT, 3PM ET, 7PM GMT
Join us for a webinar with Penny Forward on how older blind individuals can continue to manage their finances with vision loss. Our experienced panel, including Chris Peterson, Liz Bottner, and MOe Carpenter, will guide you through small changes your clients can make to adapt to their changing vision, low-tech solutions that are still effective, and high-tech solutions that can make managing their finances easier than ever before. We'll discuss how self-advocacy is critical to maintaining your clients' independence. Plus, learn about Penny Forward, a nonprofit organization that offers accessible financial education and counseling for individuals with vision loss. Don't let vision loss hold your clients back from managing their finances with confidence. Join us for this informative and empowering presentation:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUpcOytrTwrG9eXb-eE_kJSY1RM4_8amlEU
April 28, 2023 | Getting More Contrast Out of Life: Applying Contrast to Everyday Routines | APH ConnectCenter
11AM PT, 12PM MT, 1PM CT, 2PM ET, 6PM GMT
What is contrast sensitivity? Learn how lighting, color contrast, organization techniques and existing features built into mainstream technology, make living with low vision in your home easier. The presenter will also discuss how to measure contrast sensitivity in a clinical evaluation:
https://aph.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_OY2QoiBsRtKemcgtyCWDRA#/registration
May 3, 2023 | Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 8: STEM | APH
8AM PT, 9AM MT, 10AM CT, 11AM ET, 3PM GMT
Have you ever thought of doing science, computing, or technology with LEGO Braille Bricks? Expert guests will join us for an amazing session:
https://www.aph.org/lego-braille-bricks-live-sessions/
May 18, 2023 | 12th Annual 2023 Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD)
Help us celebrate the 12th Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD)! The purpose of GAAD is to get everyone talking, thinking and learning about digital access and inclusion, and the more than One Billion people with disabilities/impairments:
https://accessibility.day/
May 9, 2023 through May 12, 2023 | John Slatin AccessU 2023 | Knowbility
Join us virtually or in Austin, TX. John Slatin AccessU is an annual conference where tech professionals, content creators, policymakers, and advocates come together for deep learning in accessible digital design:
https://knowbility.org/programs/john-slatin-accessu-2023
May 13, 2023 | Travel Tools and Apps | Technology User Group | Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled (LBPD)
7AM PT, 8AM MT, 9AM CT, 10AM ET, 2PM GMT
Whether you are traveling to another city, state or country, we will look at tools and resources that will help you get the most assistance for your venture. All events are currently being held via teleconference until further notice. No programs will be held in person. Please dial (319) 527-4994 📱️ at 10:00 AM ET. For more information about the Technology User Group or to recommend a topic / technology for discussion, please contact: Jerry Price at (410) 230-2446 📱️ or via email jerry.price1@maryland.gov 📧️
April 16, 2023 | Why is Web Accessibility Important? | Amy Albin | Vispero Learning and Development Coordinator
9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
Accessibility ends with "y". But it also needs to begin with "why". Just as important as having the right accessibility techniques is knowing why accessibility is important. Amy Albin (she/her), a member of Vispero's Human Resources team, an industrial/organizational psychologist and a blind JAWS user, will present reasons for making your software offerings accessible to users with and without disabilities. You will learn: Why inaccessible technology is costing you and the concept of ROA (Return On Accessibility). The difference between reactive and proactive approaches to accessibility. How a blind person can perform job tasks by integrating Vispero's assistive technology with mainstream software. One thing you can do in less than five minutes to make documents more accessible and perceive the difference you can make from the perspective of a real JAWS user! Additionally, you will hear personal stories of the impact of accessibility and the lack of it on a wide range of life activities. Whether or not you work directly with software development, this informative, insightful experience will inspire you to critically examine your why. Register today:
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-may-16-at-12pm-et-why-is-web-accessibility-important/
May 16, 2023 through May 18, 2023 | Virtua11y Web Accessibility Conference 2023 | Nomensa
Nomensa's free, virtual web accessibility and digital inclusion conference:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/virtua11y-web-accessibility-conference-2023-tickets-505953880677
May 17, 2023 | Nonvisual Tips for Successful Travel | NFB of Maryland Senior Call
4PM PT, 5PM MT, 6PM CT, 7PM ET, 11PM GMT
Please come join our conversation to explore the nuts and bolts of traveling as a blind person. Learn how to manage different modes of transportation and how to orient yourself in unfamiliar environments. We will share tips for individuals with various levels of changing vision. Where: NFB of Maryland Conference Call: (339) 209-4083 📱️
All are welcome! For more information about this event or the NFB of Maryland Senior Division please contact: Marguerite Woods at (443) 271-1668 📱️ / mwoods719@gmail.com 📧️.
May 17, 2023 | The Business of Accessibility — Expert Panel | TPGi
8AM PT, 9AM MT, 10AM CT, 11AM ET, 3PM GMT
Presenter: Mark Miller, Director of Sales. In honor of Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD), TPGi is bringing together an expert panel of top accessibility experts to discuss how businesses benefit from creating accessible experiences, the return on accessibility efforts, the current state of accessibility and much more! Join host TPGi's Mark Miller, Director of Sales, with accessibility experts: Dena WainWright
Vice President/Digital Accessibility Practice Owner, Personal Investing at Fidelity, Christopher Patnoe, Head of Accessibility and Disability Inclusion, Jaunita George, DA Digital Program Manager at Navy Federal Credit Union, Michelle Lana, Visual Designer IV at Navy Federal Credit Union. Register today:
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-may-17-at-11am-et-business-of-accessibility-expert-panel/
May 18, 2023 | Global Accessibility Awareness Day
Help us celebrate the 12th Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD)! The purpose of GAAD is to get everyone talking, thinking and learning about digital access and inclusion, and the more than One Billion people with disabilities/impairments:
https://accessibility.day/
June 2, 2023 | ATHEN Sixth Annual Accessibility Summer Camp 2023
6AM PT, 7AM MT, 8AM CT, 9AM ET, 1PM GMT
We would love for you to share your accessibility knowledge during our sixth annual Accessibility Summer Camp 2023! As in former years, this virtual conference is FREE for all attendees. This year's ASC event will take place on Friday, June 2, 2023, from 8:00-4:00 CST. As a conference participant you will be able to attend sessions and engage in valuable networking with like-minded professionals. We are soliciting presentations from all experience levels and backgrounds, so please visit the ASC Conference Home Page for more information and to submit a proposal. The session proposal deadline is Friday, February 17th, 2023. What is Accessibility Summer Camp (ASC)? The Accessibility Summer Camp is a FREE annual conference with the goal of connecting professionals and educators with best practices in accessibility and Universal Design. Over the past few years, the ASC conference has grown to become one of the most popular accessibility conferences in the country. Our mission is to provide accessibility professional development that empowers attendees to create high quality, accessible learning environments while removing barriers for all individuals who have a desire to learn:
https://www.accessibilityict.org/
May 23, 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
July1, 2023 through July 6, 2023 | NFB 2023 National Convention in Houston, Texas
The National Federation of the Blind is the transformative membership and advocacy organization of blind people. Every day we raise the expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. Each year we come together for important discussions, decisions, and information sharing. As an attendee, take advantage of the opportunity to: Network with thousands of blind role models. Connect with leaders in the field of blindness. Attend presentations on a variety of empowering topics. Learn about the latest in technology and innovation. And more! The convention is open to all. Important note: Our constitution states that only members of the Federation have the right to participate in decision-making when it comes to organizational policy. If you are not already a member, please connect with your state affiliate at:
https://nfb.org/about-us/state-affiliates
June 7, 2023 | Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 9: Orientation & Mobility | APH
8AM PT, 9AM MT, 10AM CT, 11AM ET, 3PM GMT
LEGO bricks to build plans, visualize routes, it's not new! But with LEGO Braille Bricks you can also create labels, add letters, words... Then it becomes really great:
https://www.aph.org/lego-braille-bricks-live-sessions/
June 27, 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
July 25, 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
July 25, 2023 | U.S. Access Board Town Hall Meeting in Baltimore
10:30PM PT, 11:30PM MT, 12:30PM CT, 1:30PM ET, 5:30PM GMT
The U.S. Access Board will hold a public town hall meeting at the national headquarters of the National Federation of the Blind in Baltimore, Maryland. Presidentially appointed Access Board members and representatives from other federal member agencies will be present to hear from the local community about the state of accessibility in Baltimore and the D.C.-Maryland-Virginia area. Following the town hall meeting, there will be a reception and networking opportunity from 3:30 — 4:30 (ET), sponsored by the Maryland Department of Disabilities. The town hall meeting and reception are open to all members of the public. Please register for in-person attendance by July 1, 2023. To register, send an email to events@access-board.gov 📧️ with your name and organization. The Access Board invites in-person oral comments on accessibility. Registrants who wish to make in-person oral comments must indicate their request to speak when emailing events@access-board.gov. Public commenters will be allotted two minutes to make their comments
August 22, 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 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
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 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
Sponsors may submit or update their Classified Advertisement at any time by submitting this short form: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-sponsor-classified.
Sponsor: Menus4ALL
➜ Classified Advertisement: A Revolution in Resolution — Menus for Everyone
No matter when, where or who, the Menus4ALL iPhone app gives you the info you need quickly. No more multiple Google searches to research menus before going out. Info is organized to give you quick access to what you are looking for — the menu! Optimized to give you the best viewing experience. No more struggling to see small print, or looking at a menu in a dimly lit restaurant. Do you use magnification, large print, VoiceOver, a braille display or Voice Control? Enjoy 750,000 fully accessible menus. Download the app today at:
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Sponsor Since: November 20th 2022
Website: https://www.menus4all.com/ 🌐️
Email: stephanie@menus4all.com 📧️
About: 750,000 Accessible Restaurant Menus. On your iPhone ® in the palm of your hand.
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Download The App (Apple): https://apps.apple.com/us/app/menus4all/id1640547801?platform=iphone
Sponsor: WayAround
➜ Classified Advertisement: Try Talking Labels That Work With Your Smartphone For Just $9.99!
Get all the different types of WayTags so you can try the BEST accessible labeling system around. Use the coupon code TryTags to get a WayTag Sampler Pack for just $9.99. Plus, you get FREE shipping. Use the WayTags along with the free mobile app to label your things with a description and other important details, so you can spend less time figuring out what things are, and more time getting things done.
https://www.wayaround.com/shop/sampler-pack/?utm_source=AssistiveTech&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=AccessInfoNewsSponsorAd
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Finally! Holding Businesses Accountable
Those who need accessibility accommodations aren't strangers to jumping in with self-advocacy to achieve it. But, what about the rest of us? When explaining the benefits of a reasonable accommodation to one's place of work or school. This is where our self-advocacy kits come in. Pneuma has written up customizable email templates you can modify according to your situation. We cover a variety of different advocacy scenarios. Simply choose your scenario, answer a few simple questions, adapt the language, address it to the right person, and submit it! Self-advocacy has never been easier:
https://pneumasolutions.com/finally-holding-businesses-accountable/
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: 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
➜ Classified Advertisement: NSITE Connects Employers With Talented People Who Are Blind Or Low-Vision And Supports Talent To Gain Employment
NSITE.org is the first non-profit organization, offering a continuum of services to connect employers with talented job seekers who are blind or low-vision and provides training, employment and career services to these job seekers. Using the NSITE Connect Job Board, which is designed exclusively for individuals who experience vision loss, employers can fill open positions with talent who are blind or have low vision. Job postings are also open to veterans. NSITE-U provides accessible on-demand and virtual instructor-led classes, programs and workshops to support career skills training and professional development for individuals who are blind or have low vision or are veterans. For more information about NSITE and all its services including a free Job Seekers Toolkit developed with APH, American Printing House for the Blind, visit us and use this form to reach NSITE's team for information about programs, classes and services, connect:
https://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.
NSITE Connect: Linking employers with talented individuals who are blind, low-vision, and/or veterans. Access the NSITE Connect Job Board here.About | Media | Employers | Job Seekers | Training Programs | Job Board | Contact Us
Sponsor: Clusiv
➜ Classified Advertisement: Clusiv Is The World's First eLearning Platform Built For And By People Who Are Blind. Our Courses Are Designed To Equip People Who Are Blind Or Visually Impaired For Employment In The Modern Workforce. Learn More At Clusiv.Io.
Navigating the employment process can be challenging if you are blind or visually impaired. Technology is difficult to figure out, there is a lot of extra material to learn, and there isn't much quality training available.
That's where Clusiv comes in. We help to provide the training you need to succeed in the modern workforce. Our courses teach assistive technology skills and how to apply those skills to many of the business software programs used in the modern workforce, such as email, Microsoft and Google apps, video conferencing, and more. We also teach soft skills such as resume and interview preparation, disclosures and accommodations, internet safety, and financial literacy. Lastly, our training can teach specific career skills, such as becoming an accessibility analyst. Plus, our courses are self-paced.
To learn more, visit https://clusiv.io/ and fill out a form with your information. We work with state vocational rehabilitation agencies to provide access to our course content.
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.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Seeks Your Support at the Public Policy Level
Moving the public policy needle is both difficult and costly. Access Ready has one of the most experienced teams in the business who have shown results. We have fostered Congressional language on accessible websites, elections, healthcare, communications, and other areas touched by information and communications technologies. These efforts are costly and we need your help to continue. Become an Access Ready supporter and create an accessible future for people with disabilities:
https://accessready.org/
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.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Provides Access To The Best In The Business
If you need assistance with a new accessible website, document remediation or disability consulting of other kinds, Access Ready can help. We seek out the best in the business and bring them to you already vetted as to quality, professionalism and ability. By going through AccessReady.org to one of our qualified providers, you're not only getting the best, but supporting our advocacy and technological development efforts as well:
https://accessready.org/
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.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Seeks Guidance On New Accessible Technologies
What Technologies do you see in the market that are not accessible, but should be? What accessible technologies can you imagine that can make the lives of people with all kinds of disabilities better? We will advocate with developers to make existing technologies accessible on your behalf. We will advocate with developers to build new accessible technologies on your behalf. Give us your guidance and support. Your guidance charts our path toward what is most important. Your support funds our efforts on your behalf:
https://accessready.org/
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Prepare For Your Future Today With The All-New APH ConnectCenter's Job Seekers Toolkit!
The APH ConnectCenter and NSITE have partnered to update the Job Seeker's Toolkit, an accessible, self-paced, free online training course. The Toolkit includes five sections covering self-awareness, career exploration tools, the preliminary employment process, the interview, and maintaining employment. We are bringing the Job Seeker's Toolkit to a larger audience and in a Learning Management System format for today's learners, at no cost. Visit APHCareerConnect.org to get started with the Job Seekers Toolkit today at:
https://aphcareerconnect.org/lesson-plans-for-teachers-and-professionals/the-job-seekers-toolkit/
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.
Your Business or Organization Name Here
➜ Classified Advertisement: Your Weekly Classified Advertisement Title Here (256 characters or less including spaces.)
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Sponsor Since: Today
Website: https://accessinformationnews.com/ 🌐️
Phone: (855) 578-6660 📱️
Email: news@accessinformationnews.com 📧️
About: Access Information News is the world's leading not-for-profit access information news publication that reaches over 15,000 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.
9 of 18 Sponsorship Packages Currently Available
Access Information News is the world's leading not-for-profit access information news publication that reaches over 15,000 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 9 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.
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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.
Platinum Supporters:
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 Access 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 Access 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 advocacy foundation.
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 Access 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.
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 Access 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, April 17, 2023 - Volume 906
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: 10,433 Opt-In Subscribers were sent this issue via email.
This Week's Featured Advertisement: NSITE Connects Employers With Talented People Who Are Blind Or Low-Vision And Supports Talent To Gain Employment
NSITE.org is the first non-profit organization, offering a continuum of services to connect employers with talented job seekers who are blind or low-vision and provides training, employment and career services to these job seekers. Using the NSITE Connect Job Board, which is designed exclusively for individuals who experience vision loss, employers can fill open positions with talent who are blind or have low vision. Job postings are also open to veterans. NSITE-U provides accessible on-demand and virtual instructor-led classes, programs and workshops to support career skills training and professional development for individuals who are blind or have low vision or are veterans. For more information about NSITE and all its services including a free Job Seekers Toolkit developed with APH, American Printing House for the Blind, visit us and use this form to reach NSITE's team for information about programs, classes and services, connect:
https://nsite.org/contact/
Dear Access Information News Subscriber,
Submit your Access Information News Item for free, with timing and placement determined by our editors, here: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-news. Submit a Sponsored News Item, with timing and placement determined by you, here: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-sponsored-news.
1) Top 5 Most Clicked Access Information News Articles From Last Week
A.) Can ChatGPT Make The World More Accessible? | Benjamin Roussey | Accessibility.com (6.7% of all clicks.)
Publisher (Di Blasi): I think anyone reading this page already knows the answer to this question. What readers want to know now is, how? So here are some ways that ChatGPT is doing so right now, along with some future predictions.
Benjamin Roussey: While some people worry that the mass adoption of ChatGPT might take away jobs or make it easier for people to cheat and plagiarize, it has generated a great deal of hope and excitement across the world. It's possible that ChatGPT can further level the playing field for people with disabilities and help them overcome barriers they face in their daily lives, like many other technological innovations in the past:
https://www.accessibility.com/blog/can-chatgpt-make-the-world-more-accessible
B.) What Will AI Mean For The Popular App Be My Eyes? | NPR (5.8% of all clicks.)
Publisher (Di Blasi): This article features the work of not one, but two former Top Tech Tidbits Sponsors, and we're all incredibly excited about what they're doing right now.
NPR: Brian Fischler is blind. He can tell whether it's light or dark outside, but that's about it. "I grew up sighted like everybody, and I was diagnosed at 13 with retinitis pigmentosa," Fischler says. "And for me, the lights went out about 2009." Fischler, a New York-based standup comedian and podcaster, has used the app Be My Eyes since it first came out eight years ago. It relies on sighted volunteers to do tasks like describe holiday cards sent in the mail, or tell you whether that can in your cupboard is coconut milk or chicken soup:
https://www.npr.org/2023/04/03/1167683206/why-be-my-eyes-is-a-very-popular-app-for-the-blind-or-visually-impaired
C.) 10 Habits To Create Accessible Content | Clint Covington | Microsoft Accessibility Blog (5.0% of all clicks.)
Newsletters, presentations, online classes, meetings, workshops, and more forms of digital communication and information sharing have soared in use during the COVID-19 pandemic. The shift to digital work has allowed business continuity during this difficult time while we share even more information electronically. One of our key learnings has been the importance of accessible digital materials. Over 70% of disabilities are invisible. You may not know if someone in your distribution list or team has a disability. When you build and share accessible content, you empower people with disabilities at home, work and school, especially virtual school. As a father of a kindergartener, I see firsthand the challenges remote learning introduces to families. For those with disabilities, both students and parents, there is an additional layer, as every piece of content needs to be accessible:
https://blogs.microsoft.com/accessibility/10-habits-to-create-accessible-content/
D.) "They Felt A Blind Man Could Not Teach" — Visually Impaired Man Narrates How He Was Stereotyped | April 1, 2023 | TVC News | YouTube (5.0% of all clicks.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxqatgCZ8zk
E.) 'When Does This Milk Expire?': Chat GPT-4 Is Now Helping Blind People Navigate Everyday Tasks | Fast Company (4.4% of all clicks.)
Lucy Edwards, 27, is legally blind. She lives an independent life in Birmingham, England, with her two guide dogs and her sighted fiancé. But when he's not around, there are things she needs help with — often "rudimentary questions" to assist her with everyday tasks. It could be something as mundane as distinguishing between two cans of beans, so that she doesn't end up putting baked beans in her chili for dinner:
https://www.fastcompany.com/90872674/when-does-this-milk-expire-chat-gpt-4-is-now-helping-blind-people-navigate-everyday-tasks
2) Sponsorship Package Updates
Are you an access-based business or organization whose products, services or message would benefit from reaching over 15,000 access professionals each week? If so, please consider becoming a Sponsor today for just $100 a month, paid either quarterly or annually. Annual Sponsors gain the additional benefit of being able to schedule their Featured Advertisement dates up to one year in advance. If you've been looking for a way to consistently reach the largest audience of opt-in access professionals in the world today, please consider becoming an Access Information News Sponsor while packages last. Availability: There are currently 10 Access Information News Sponsorship Packages remaining. Advertising Benefits: Review a complete list of advertising benefits here:
https://www.accessinformationnews.com/sponsorship-information.html#sponsorship-package-benefits
3) Access Information News Announces New Micro Advertising Service. Sponsored News Items Now Available. Everything You Need To Know
Key Points: Anyone can now run a Sponsored News Item in any issue of AIN for just $50 USD. Sponsors can now run a Sponsored News Item in any issue of AIN for just $25 USD. Sponsored News Items will work just like Sponsored Tidbits. Full announcement here:
https://accessinformationnews.com/11.html
4) Access Information News Click-To-Vote Quick Poll #906 | Sponsored By: NSITE
Question: With companies across the country juggling the DEI space for hires and equitable training. Which training below would you be more interested in as BVI regarding an opportunity for advancement or new career opportunity?
A.) Customer Service Training
Click-To-Vote A Link: https://bit.ly/ain-poll906-a
B.) Supply Chain/ Vending Operations (BEP Program)
Click-To-Vote B Link: https://bit.ly/ain-poll906-b
C.) Recruiting/Sourcing Training
Click-To-Vote C Link: https://bit.ly/ain-poll906-c
D.) IT (Information Technology) Desktop support, Cybersecurity, Networking
Click-To-Vote D Link: https://bit.ly/ain-poll906-d
E.) Project Management/Data Analysis
Click-To-Vote E Link: https://bit.ly/ain-poll906-e
Poll Link: https://bit.ly/ain-poll906
5) When You Have Low Vision and Are the Conference Presenter: What Works for Me | Paths To Technology
Whether presenting in person or virtually, K12 students, college students, and employed adults with low vision need a wealth of skills to be effective presenters. Dr. L Penny Rosenblum offers her tips on designing and delivering effective presentations:
https://www.perkins.org/resource/when-you-have-low-vision-and-are-the-conference-presenter-what-works-for-me/
6) American Council of the Blind Applauds ScripTalk Talking Label Pilot at Wegmans
The American Council of the Blind (ACB) is pleased to share the announcement of the ScripTalk Talking Prescription Label pilot program at Wegmans Food Markets. Wegmans is offering the ScripTalk system that allows blind or low vision patients the ability to audibly hear important prescription label information, ensuring their medication independence and safety. The chain will offer the service across five of its New York locations:
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/american-council-of-the-blind-applauds-scriptalk-talking-label-pilot-at-wegmans-301793686.html
7) Chasing Rainbows: This Is What It Looks Like To Be Colorblind | Andy Baio | The Verge
Apparently, the very idea of colorblindness is hard to visualize. Take a shot at looking through my eyes:
https://www.theverge.com/23650428/colorblindness-design-ui-accessibility-wordle
8) Braille Institute Los Angeles Multi-Year Initiative To Unveil A Reimagined Library For Those Blind And Visually Impaired
After multiple years of planning, Braille Institute Los Angeles is set to unveil its reimagined library for those who are blind or visually impaired at an Open House event on Wednesday, April 26, 2023 from 10 AM to 2 PM. Free and open to the public, guests can explore the new space that includes an L.A. cityscape sensory wall and mural, a recording room, a lightbright and tech hub. Lunch will be served plus a reading from Los Angeles Poet Laureate Lynne Thompson. To register, visit https://brailleinstitute.org/library-workshops/rsvp by April 19, 2023:
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/braille-institute-los-angeles-multi-year-initiative-to-unveil-a-reimagined-library-for-those-blind-and-visually-impaired-301795900.html
9) ELEHEAR Launches Alpha AI
Alpha AI includes VoClear Technology and remote fitting services. ELEHEAR has launched Alpha AI, the newest hearing device in the company's portfolio that can be fitted remotely. According to Elehear leaders, the device is AI-powered and incorporates VoClear technology, and also includes Bluetooth capabilities:
https://hearingreview.com/hearing-products/elehear-launches-alpha-ai
10) City Of Chicago Held in Violation of Americans with Disabilities Act | United States Department of Justice | April 5, 2023
A federal judge in Chicago held the City of Chicago liable for violating the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act by failing to provide accessible pedestrian signals at signalized intersections throughout the city to those who are blind or have low vision:
https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/city-chicago-held-violation-americans-disabilities-act
11) Federal Judge Rules That Chicago's Failure To Install APS Is Discrimination Against The Blind | Streets Blog Chicago | April 13, 2023
Last week, U.S. District judge Elaine Bucklo ruled that the city of Chicago's failure to install accessible pedestrian signals (APS) at a significant number of intersections constitutes discrimination against people with visual impairments under federal disability laws. As such, the Chicago Department of Transportation will be required to install APS, push-button devices that include tactile and auditory information to help blind and visually impaired pedestrians safely cross the street, whenever an intersection is built or modernized. Read Bucklo's memorandum here. CDOT has only installed a handful of accessible pedestrian signals:
https://chi.streetsblog.org/2023/04/13/federal-judge-ruled-that-chicagos-failure-to-install-aps-is-discrimination-against-the-blind/
12) Will You Shop Blind? Introducing The April 1st Through April 30th 2023 Shop Blind Challenge | Two Blind Brothers
Publisher (Di Blasi): Since 100% of the profits from this initiative are donated to the Foundation Fighting Blindness, we have made the decision to include it here.
Two Blind Brothers: Welcome to the April 1st through April 30th Shop Blind Challenge! It's simple. Would you buy something that you can't see? We promise you'll get something you'll love. If you don't think it's perfect, you can return it, no questions asked. Trust us! 100% of the profits are donated to Foundation Fighting Blindness to help find a cure for blindness. After April 30th, all of these items disappear:
https://twoblindbrothers.com/
13) Are You Ableist? Take This Test To Find Out | The Washington Post: Subscription Required
Publisher (Di Blasi): Here at Access Information News and Top Tech Tidbits we encourage people to counteract ableist beliefs and behaviors by learning more about disabled people and their experiences. To do our part in this ongoing educational effort we try to provide readers with as many examples of these kinds of experiences as possible, each week, so that they can hone their understanding of the what ableism truly is and what it means to the access community as a whole. This test is an incredibly mind-opening tool for assessing, if you will, you current level of bias where disabled persons are concerned. There are 7 different questions and the article rates your performance at the end.
The Washington Post: Can you recognize when you're being ableist? Even well-meaning people can exhibit unconscious bias against people with disabilities. Ableism is rooted in the assumption that non-disabled people are the ideal. The Washington Post consulted 25 disabled activists and scholars, including representatives from several national disability organizations, to create a quiz that can help someone learn more about ableist thinking. Read each example and think about how you would typically react to the situation. Then read how people in the disability community feel about the same scenarios:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/interactive/2023/ableist-thinking-disability-bias-quiz/
14) Bookshare's Membership Fee Increase (For Non-Student Individual Members)
Starting in May 2023, Bookshare will raise its membership fee for non-student Individual Members. This will be our first fee increase in our history of over two decades and is an action we take with great consideration:
https://blog.bookshare.org/2023/04/bookshares-membership-fee-increase-for-non-student-individual-members/
15) FAQs about Bookshare's Updated Fee
https://www.bookshare.org/cms/help-center/faqs-about-bookshares-updated-fee
16) How to Use the PlayStation Store's Accessibility Tags to Filter Games Worth Buying | MakeUseOf
Ensure that your next video game matches your accessibility needs with the PlayStation Store's useful Accessibility Tags:
https://www.makeuseof.com/how-to-use-playstation-store-accessibility-tags/
17) U.S. Attorney Announces Agreement With The City University Of New York To Remedy The Exclusion Of A Student With Visual Impairments | United States Department of Justice
CUNY has also agreed to implement system-wide reforms to ensure compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced a voluntary compliance agreement under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) with the City University of New York ("CUNY") pursuant to which CUNY will provide individual relief to a student with visual impairments who was excluded from full participation in their academic courses and implement system-wide policies to ensure future compliance with the ADA across CUNY's 25 colleges in the five boroughs of New York City, which collectively serve 243,000 students:
https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/pr/us-attorney-announces-agreement-city-university-new-york-remedy-exclusion-student
18) Get Your VPAT In A Hurry | Karl Groves
Publisher (Di Blasi): In this article Karl explains why rushing a VPAT is never a good idea.
Karl Groves: I get several emails per month from Government Contractors looking for help writing a VPAT document. Chances are this is the result of good SEO on my blog post Why a Third Party Should Prepare Your VPAT. Unfortunately a lot of these contacts follow this pattern:
https://karlgroves.com/get-your-vpat-gpat-in-a-hurry/
19) Using Smart Speakers While Temporarily Blind | Julio Ojeda-Zapata
Computer screens of all sizes have been a constant in our lives for decades. But what if you suddenly couldn't use any of them? How would you maintain a semblance of your connected lifestyle? Could you make do with just sound? I faced this dilemma in August 2022 after I lost control of my bicycle in downtown St. Paul, went flying, and slammed my helmeted head onto the asphalt with a sickening crunch. I suffered a nasty concussion. Soon afterward, my world began to go dark:
https://tidbits.com/2023/04/10/using-smart-speakers-while-temporarily-blind/
20) 'Forced To Live In My Disability' | DC Native Calls Out Hilton After Getting Stuck In Hotel Elevator | April 14, 2023 | WUSA9 News
Mario Bonds is totally blind. He is speaking out after he was stuck in a hotel elevator because of its digital touchscreen with no Braille:
https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/local/mario-bonds-viral-elevator-tik-tok-video/65-fb965639-e13e-4fd2-bf21-9b73e2bed98b
21) Dad Creates Bespoke 3D-Printed Toys for Kids with Disabilities
Nick Hardman is a single dad and 3D printing hobbyist who loves a good project. In 2020, he made PPE during the COVID-19 pandemic and soon found himself transitioning to a new endeavor. "I'm Nick, and this is the 3D Toy Shop Teddy Hospital,” he says in a viral TikTok video. "We make toys that don't exist — like little pacemakers and little tracheostomies so children who are going through the hardest time can have a friend like them:"
https://www.goodgoodgood.co/articles/custom-toys-for-kids-disabilities-tiktok
22) 4 Key Strategies for Accessible Deployment | Accessibility.com
The accessibility of a webpage or web-based product is a marker of a successful deployment strategy. It means that the widest potential client base can use the product. This includes those 26% of Americans with some form of disability. Organizations should do all they can to ensure the product is accessible by the time it reaches the deployment stage. Deployment is important because it is when the reality of user experience tempers the accessibility of a product. Accessibility is not just a company's responsibility in the drawing room stages. Once the product is deployed to the real world, the company still has to ensure its accessibility efforts are sustained. In this piece, we will detail four key strategies that a business can use to make sure that the deployment stage of its products and platforms is accessible:
https://www.accessibility.com/blog/4-key-strategies-for-accessible-deployment
23) Accessible Air Fryer for Blind & DeafBlind | Daniel Hawkins | Inclusive Ability Initiative, LLC
One of the first steps to becoming independent is learning how to cook for yourself. During the pandemic I learned how to slow cook and smoke meat. I had so much fun with it and enjoyed eating my creations and sharing with family and friends, I decided to look into other avenues of meal creations. One thing I love is homemade hand cut French fries. I do have a $25 deep frier I have been using for years. But like everyone who uses these, it can get messy, and you have to replace the cooking oil. I never did enjoy replacing the oil and the mess to clean up. So, I started researching on what some have told me to use an air fryer to cook French fries. I found out it is healthier and does not use much oil. Very easy to use and clean up. As you have guessed, I invested in an air fryer. I did my research as a Blind person and read comments of others on the accessibility of air fryers. You can buy an analog fryer that just has two knobs, one for the temperature and the other one is the timer. But I wanted the best of the best! So, I found the:
https://iabilityi.com/adaptivetechnology/accessible-air-fryer-for-blind-deafblind/
24) Google Announces The End Of Multiple Nest Products. What You Need To Know | ZDNet
On April 7, 2023 Google announced via a blog post that it will end support for some of its home products including Nest Secure, Dropcam and Works. If you own one here is what that means for you:
https://www.zdnet.com/article/google-announces-the-end-of-multiple-nest-products-heres-what-you-need-to-know/
25) Recording: Mapping the Disability Tech Market with Perkins School for the Blind | Sandy K. Lacey | YouTube
Story: https://equalentry.com/mapping-the-disability-tech-market-perkins-school/
YouTube Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSlgOZrHFiY
26) PA Shortage Leaves Disabled People 'Stuck At Home' | BBC Wales
Disabled people are being shut out of society because of a lack of personal assistants, it has been claimed:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-65254308
27) 5 Best eBook Subscription Services of 2023 | Good eReader
If you're an avid reader or a book lover, an eBook subscription is extremely worthwhile for you. Just like Netflix, which gives you access to 1000+ movies and TV series, an eBook subscription service lets you access 1000s or even millions of eBooks. Fortunately, there are countless eBook subscription services to choose from. But how do you select the service that will satisfy your reading needs? In this post, we're going to review the five best eBooks subscription services that are worth checking out. Let's take a look:
https://goodereader.com/blog/e-book-news/5-best-ebook-subscription-services-2023
28) Let's See The Victory: Blinded Ukrainian Soldier Wants To Bring Artificial Vision To Ukraine | Video
A Ukrainian sapper lost both of his eyes when an antipersonnel mine exploded during a mission in the Donbas region. After four months in the hospital and extensive rehab, Vladyslav Yeshchenko co-founded Let's See The Victory, a charity project that wants to bring an experimental technology to Ukraine that could help him and other blind soldiers see again:
https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-blind-soldier-technology-vision-/32359113.html
29) The Importance Of Sport For Children With Disabilities — And The Lengths Their Parents Go To Access It | The Conversation
Access to physical activity and sport is not equal. Children and young people with disabilities are less likely to engage in physical activity and sport, as there are significant barriers to their participation. Parents are often vital in helping their children become involved in sport. In our research, we spoke to 11 parents of children and young people aged between 12 and 25 who were competing in at UK or international level in parasport. We wanted to understand their experience supporting their children's sport participation and parasport pathways. Their children were competitive in a range of parasports, including wheelchair tennis, athletics and swimming:
https://theconversation.com/the-importance-of-sport-for-children-with-disabilities-and-the-lengths-their-parents-go-to-access-it-201825
30) FDA Issues Warning that Abbott's FreeStyle Libre Readers May Overheat
A number of Libre users reported that their reader's lithium-ion battery swelled, overheated, sparked, and in rare cases, caught fire. In response, Abbott has issued a warning. If you use FreeStyle Libre, here are steps you can take to stay safe:
https://diatribe.org/abbott-recalls-freestyle-libre-readers-due-risk-extreme-heat-and-fire?omhide=true
31) Why Blind Students Struggle To Get Braille Textbooks On Time | Civil Beat
Legislators are considering a bill that would force public schools to provide timely instructional material:
https://www.civilbeat.org/2023/02/why-blind-students-struggle-to-get-braille-textbooks-on-time/
32) In First, CDC Issues Data On Teens With Autism | Disability Scoop: Subscription Required
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is reporting for the first time on its efforts to expand tracking of children with autism to include teens on the spectrum. The federal agency has long studied autism among 8-year-olds in various locations across the nation. The surveillance data is relied on to provide an estimate of the number of children believed to have the developmental disability. More recently, the CDC started collecting data on 4-year-olds as well:
https://www.disabilityscoop.com/2023/04/13/in-first-cdc-issues-data-on-teens-with-autism/30328/
33) 5 Essential Strategies to Implement as You Grow Your Business | BrailleWorks
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other federal accessibility laws can be costly when overlooked and are essential to business growth and a boost in revenue. Overlooking accessibility needs not only excludes a large portion of both the United States and global populations, it can also bring about expensive and time-consuming litigation that could have easily been avoided. Let's explore 5 essential accessibility components that every company needs to address in order to boost their revenue:
https://brailleworks.com/essential-strategies-to-grow-your-business/
34) Digitally Accessible Math Worksheets | Paths To Literacy
Many math worksheets are not accessible to people who use screen readers. In this blog you'll find math worksheets that can be used by people who use screen readers, people who use keyboards only, as well as those who want braille output:
https://www.pathstoliteracy.org/resource/digitally-accessible-math-worksheets/
35) How Bookshop.org Survives — and Thrives — in Amazon's World | Wired: Subscription Required
Andy Hunter's ecommerce platform was a pandemic hit. Now he's on a mission to prove that small businesses can scale up without selling out:
https://www.wired.com/story/books-bookshop-org-thrives-amazon-world/
36) Who WCAG Applies To | Kami Funk | Accessibility.com
Different countries have different requirements, and in the United States, the lines aren't completely clear. WCAG is considered the "gold standard" of accessibility rules, but it is neither a law nor universally legally required in the United States. Though the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) does define digital accessibility requirements, it doesn't specify how they must be achieved:
https://www.accessibility.com/blog/who-wcag-applies-to
37) What Happened To You? — New Kid's Book Challenges Intrusive Questions On Disability | Forbes: Subscription Required
Released across the United States this week, What Happened To You? by James Catchpole featuring illustrations by Karen George is a children's book that seeks to explore personal questions from others that can make people with disabilities feel awkward and excluded. Aimed at kids aged between four and eight, the book published by New York-based Little, Brown and Company tells the story of Joe — a young boy with a limb difference who is playing a game of pirates in the playground:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/gusalexiou/2023/04/11/what-happened-to-you--new-kids-book-challenges-intrusive-questions-on-disability/
38) Are Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids Just as Good? Here's What to Know | CNET
A pair of hearing aids that you can pick up at the store may be a new concept, but a new study suggests you may fit yourself for one just as well as the professionals:
https://www.cnet.com/health/medical/are-over-the-counter-hearing-aids-just-as-good-heres-what-to-know/
39) Sight Unseen: An Exhibition That Challenges Perception And Reality | Isaiah Joseph | The Tower
Kean's Human Rights Institute introduces a remarkable exhibit showcasing the photographic works of blind artists from all around the world. The exhibition's theme of blindness and photography is a fascinating and innovative idea. The idea of artists who are visually impaired creating photographs opens up a whole new perspective on the relationship between the photographer and the image:
http://kutower.com/2023/04/10/sight-unseen-an-exhibition-that-challenges-perception-and-reality/
40) A Spectacular Vision: The BlindCan Film Festival
When presented with the notion that a blind person can make a film, many people would think it is impossible. Ben Fox, the founder of the BlindCAN Film Festival, is showing the Tallahassee Community and the world that blindness isn't a hindrance to living a full life or using the art of cinema to tell stories:
https://www.fsunews.com/story/entertainment/movies/2023/04/09/a-spectacular-vision-the-blindcan-film-festival/70096668007/
41) Alberta Teen With Limited Vision Among All-Star Canadians Heading To International Archery Competition | CTV News Edmonton
An Alberta teenager will join some of the country's best archers at an international competition in South Africa this summer — but it's not just her skills on the range that are making an impression:
https://www.ctvnews.ca/mobile/lifestyle/alberta-teen-with-limited-vision-among-all-star-canadians-heading-to-international-archery-competition-1.6348034
42) MTA Tests New Wide Turnstiles At Stations To Increase Accessibility | Video | CBS News
The MTA wants to know what riders think of wider subway turnstiles:
https://t.co/kerYA3CRAA
44) These Evocative A.I. Images Were Conceived in the Memory of the Visually Impaired | Video
In partnership with the Valentin Hauy Association, named for the founder of the first school for the blind (which educated Louis Braille), French optician group Optic 2000 has created "As Far As the Eye Can See." The work was conceived by Australie.GAD and consists of A.I. images created from the vivid memories of visually impaired people. Each subject sat with photographer Marc Da Cunha Lopes and described a memory. Lopes then engaged A.I. software to tailor the resulting images for as much fidelity to the experience as possible:
https://musebycl.io/data-creativity/these-evocative-ai-images-were-conceived-memory-visually-impaired
45) 'It's Not A Checklist, It's A Mindset' — Accessibility And Inclusion Is At The Centre Of This Australian Music Community
Dave Dowling was putting on one of his semi-regular backyard DIY gigs on the north side of Melbourne when he first met Harley Young, a local musician with a big idea and a lot of enthusiasm. "He just came around to my house and launched straight into it," Dowling says. "'I've been thinking about this for a while. And I'd like your involvement'." That idea was for Off The List Records, a record label and event organizing collective focused on empowering artists and music lovers with a disability. "I was so into the idea," Dowling says. "I was like, 'Yeah, I would like to be a part of that'. "It is really thoughtful to think about starting a label that empowers disabled punters and musicians within the Australian music landscape:"
https://www.abc.net.au/doublej/music-reads/features/music-accessibility-off-the-list-between-mirrors/102214916
46) Marina del Pilar Administration Implements Free Birth Certificate Program In Braille
Delivery of birth certificates in the braille system has begun in Baja, California:
https://www.sandiegored.com/en/news/238286/Marina-del-Pilar-administration-implements-free-birth-certificate-program-in-braille
47) Comcast, Sinclair, & Pearl TV Are Adding Enhanced Audio Accessibility to ATSC 3.0 NEXTGEN TV
Comcast NBCUniversal, Sinclair Broadcast Group, and the Pearl Network Consortia have announced a major coalition to demonstrate enhanced audio accessibility to ATSC 3.0 NEXTGEN TV. With these new features over the air TV will become more inclusive to everyone. Now OTA TV will offer an audio description audio track over the air:
https://cordcuttersnews.com/comcast-sinclair-pearl-tv-are-adding-enhanced-audio-accessibility-to-atsc-3-0-nextgen-tv/
48) 3 Tips For Helping People With Disabilities | Forbes: Subscription Required
"Helping the disabled," both the phrase and the concept, can come across as obviously positive — but at the same time surprisingly uncomfortable. It is the textbook version of a "Good Deed" — kind, uncomplicated, and seemingly apolitical, itself a potential relief in these politically polarized times. Yet, for actual disabled people, "helping the disabled," like its predecessor "helping the handicapped" has awkward associations. Done right, and with the right mindset, help from other people can liberate and empower disabled people, and bolster their dignity. But the urge to help can just as easily lead to condescension, miscommunication, and even physical danger:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/andrewpulrang/2023/03/27/3-tips-for-helping-people-with-disabilities/
49) Documentary Film 'Friday Night Blind' Explores The World Of Three Vision-Impaired Bowlers
About 13 years ago, Milwaukee resident Scott Krahn, a veteran advertising art director, decided to sign up to be a Big Brother. Little did he know how much that choice would change his life. A film that in a roundabout way grew out of that experience, the short documentary Friday Night Blind, would end up winning a Wisconsin Film Festival Golden Badger Award for Krahn and his co-director, Robb Fischer. It will screen as part of the "Real People/Real Places" program on April 14 and 15:
https://isthmus.com/arts/movies/friday-night-blind-vision-impaired-bowlers/
50) How Accessible Is Our Future? | Award Winning Sight Loss Coach, Advocate and Author Donna Jodhan
Donna is concerned about the accessibility of our future. So many barriers to overcome and so many others beyond our control:
https://sterlingcreations.ca/blog/how-accessible-is-our-future-2
51) Austin Airport Launches New Program, Provides Other Services For Non-Visible Disability Travelers
AUS is the fourth airport in Texas to help create an easier experience of going through terminals for those with hidden disabilities:
https://www.kvue.com/article/travel/sunflower-accessbility-project-airport/269-3df1df62-59aa-4dc0-aef3-c922682be6de
52) Punchline Joins Gloucestershire's Audio News Map | April 14, 2023 | WIVB4 Buffalo
For those who are blind or partially sighted, keeping up with the latest news presents distinct challenges, but a network of volunteers who work hard on converting print to audio across Gloucestershire is bridging the gap to ensure nobody misses out on the stories behind the latest headlines:
https://www.punchline-gloucester.com/articles/aanews/punchline-news-joins-a-gloucestershire-talking-newspaper-content
53) NFTA Expanding Service To Help Visually Impaired | April 16, 2023 | WIVB4 Buffalo
The Niagara Frontier Transit Authority (NFTA) is expanding a free program to help the visually impaired:
https://www.wivb.com/news/local-news/buffalo/nfta-expanding-service-to-help-visually-impaired/
➜ Featured Webinars, Training Courses and Events
Submit your access information related Webinar, Training Course or Event for consideration within this section using this form: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-event.
April 18, 2023 | JAWS Inspect Testing for Developers and QA Teams | TPGi
9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
Presenter: Charlie Pike, Platform Success Lead. Learn how developers and QA teams can utilize JAWS Inspect to deliver fast and effective accessibility and AT compatibility testing. Check complex controls and even automate testing across user flows:
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-april-18-at-12pm-et-jaws-inspect-testing-for-developers-and-qa-teams/
April 18, 2023 | Live Webinar | Accessible Design Systems: CarMax's Driving Force for Online Inclusion
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
How does CarMax, the largest used car retailer in the U.S., ensure that its digital accessibility program keeps pace with its rapid innovation? An accessible design system. By adopting a company-wide framework for accessible design, CarMax simplified the creation of inclusive digital experiences, accelerating time-to-market and reducing technical debt:
https://www.levelaccess.com/earesources/webinar-accessible-design-systems-carmaxs-driving-force-for-online-inclusion/
April 19, 2023 | Lights, Camera, Audio Descriptions! | 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 explosive and interactive webinar on accessibility and inclusion in TV, film and entertainment. We'll go behind the scenes with Joe Strechay, blind Producer, consultant and entertainment accessibility expert for Netflix and Apple TV+ to explore a little history on audio descriptions for the blind and visually impaired, the current state of accessibility in the entertainment industry, the variety of content available in 2023, and how to enable audio descriptions on apps like Hulu, Netflix, Disney+ and Amazon Prime. You'll leave this webinar with the tools and knowledge you need to consume your content of choice in an inclusive and accessible way, cutting the guesswork out of your entertainment experience. Sign up now to reserve your spot at this blockbuster webinar!
Register in advance for this webinar using the link below. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. Please contact Tim Paulding at tpaulding@lhblind.org 📧️ if you have any questions or need assistance registering for this event:
https://thelighthousefortheblindinc.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_KvbXcENCQY-4YXufrNRu7A
April 19, 2023 | 2023 Helen Keller Achievement Awards | American Foundation for the Blind
April 19, 2023 | Creating Accessible Emails & Using Mailchimp (Digital Accessibility Webinar) | Access Ingenuity
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
Explore how to create emails that have accessibility at the forefront. Join Rachel Reeves for a demonstration of tips and tricks on Mailchimp, a free or paid platform that allows you to send emails to your contacts. Learning Outcomes: Explore common accessibility barriers in emails, including signatures, images, and color contrast. Learn tools in Outlook that can make your emails more accessible. Review MailChimp Marketing platform. | Meeting ID: 811 0083 5555 | Passcode: 479822 | One tap mobile: +16699009128,,81100835555#,,,,*479822# US (San Jose) | Dial by your location: +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose):
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81100835555?pwd=ZG9TMXgrV1VhenlDTDJhS2Jta01NQT09#success
April 20, 2023 | Webinar: ADA Legal Update: What Your Restaurant Needs to Know About Digital Accessibility
9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
Presenters: Seyfarth Shaw's Minh N. Vu, Partner, Ashley S. Jenkins, Associate, and Vispero's Matt Ater, VP of Business Development. Over the past decade, restaurants have embraced websites, mobile apps, self-service kiosks, PDF menus, and online reservations services to deliver their goods and services to customers. These technologies have their advantages but also expose restaurants to litigation exposure when they are not independently usable by customers who are blind or have mobility disabilities. Join Seyfarth Shaw's Minh N. Vu, Partner, Ashley S. Jenkins, Associate, and Vispero's Matt Ater VP Business Development, as they provide an update on ADA Title III lawsuit trends relating to the use of technology by public accommodations and what restaurants need to do to comply with the ADA. They will discuss how restaurants can proactively protect themselves and provide accessible technology. Attendees will learn: ADA lawsuit trends and theories. Accessibility barriers relating to: Websites, Self-service kiosks, QR code menus, Online reservations, Mobile apps, Risk mitigation strategies. Register today:
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-april-20-at-12pm-et-ada-legal-update-what-your-restaurant-needs-to-know-about-digital-accessibility/
April 20, 2023 | Book Talk: Digital Copyright | Internet Archive and Author / Professor Jessica Litman
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
Join Internet Archive's founder Brewster Kahle for a virtual book talk with author & professor of law Jessica Litman. In Digital Copyright, law professor Jessica Litman questions whether copyright laws crafted by lawyers and their lobbyists really make sense for the vast majority of us. Should every interaction between ordinary consumers and copyright-protected works be restricted by law? Is it practical to enforce such laws, or expect consumers to obey them? What are the effects of such laws on the exchange of information in a free society? Professor Jessica Litman, the John F. Nickoll Professor of Law, is the author of Digital Copyright and the co-author, with Jane Ginsburg and Mary Lou Kevlin, of the casebook Trademarks and Unfair Competition Law: Cases and Materials. Brewster Kahle, founder and digital librarian of the Internet Archive, has been working to provide universal access to all knowledge for more than 25 years. Register now for the free, virtual discussion:
http://blog.archive.org/2023/03/16/book-talk-digital-copyright/
April 20, 2023 | The CSUN Takeaway | Envision
9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
Envision's April webinar includes the key takeaways from this year's CSUN, an update from our product team, and first-hand reactions to the new ChatGPT-powered 'Ask Envision' feature coming soon to the Envision Glasses. Register using this link and hear what's new and happening at Envision:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/7316802470099/WN_bYYKKREkT--Q5VnnX9n1ZQ#/registration
April 21, 2023 | 3D-Printed, DIY Assistive Technology | NOAT
11AM PT, 12PM MT, 1PM CT, 2PM ET, 6PM GMT
Learning Outcomes: I'd like to raise the awareness among assistive technology professionals and therapists about the availability and cost effectiveness of DIY (especially 3D-printed) solutions. I'd also like to raise the awareness of the quality, ease of use, and cost effectiveness of modern 3D printers. I'll also talk about one of the most fruitful opportunities for customized and personalized AT - 3D-printed keyguards. Ken Hackbarth is the president of Volksswitch.org — an organization devoted to the democratization of assistive technology by leveraging the power and promise of 3D printing. Prior to his current position he worked for almost three decades as a systems architect for AT&T Bell Laboratories and its subsequent divestitures. He has a Master of Science in Systems Engineering from the University of Arizona and a Master of Education in Special Education, with a concentration in assistive technology, from Bowling Green State University:
https://sites.google.com/noat.ca/events/2023/3dprinted-diy-assistive-technology-21-apr-2023
April 25, 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
April 26, 2023 | WCAG 2.2 Overview (Digital Accessibility Webinar) | Access Ingenuity
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
Join Michael Parker to learn what's changing with WCAG 2.2 and how it impacts the accessibility of your digital content. Learning Outcomes: Overview of WCAG 2.2. When will WCAG 2.2 be released. How to test for the new criteria. Meeting ID: 845 2998 9518 | Passcode: 002926 | One tap mobile: +16699009128,,84529989518#,,,,*002926# US (San Jose) | Dial by your location: +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose):
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84529989518?pwd=YXlSd1oxd2l4dEVDY0o3a01VTENEdz09#success
April 26, 2023 | How To Build A Positive Credit Score And History | LBPD Financial Literacy Course | Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled
3PM PT, 4PM MT, 5PM CT, 6PM ET, 10PM GMT
Today, strong credit is important for accessing a mortgage loan, personal loans, renting an apartment, and more. This workshop will teach you the main factors that make up a credit score, the costs associated with having a loan, and various strategies on how to build a positive credit history with the right credit products for you:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/how-to-build-a-positive-credit-score-and-history-cash-campaign-tickets-574723532557
April 27, 2023 | International Ally User Group
7AM PT, 8AM MT, 9AM CT, 10AM ET, 2PM GMT
Digital Accessibility presents a range of challenges to those of us working in Higher Education, but we are not alone! In the April 27, 2023 meeting of the International Ally User Group we will learn from the experiences of colleagues working in this area in our first panel discussion. As the "International" Ally User Group, it's important to consider the global perspective. We are lucky to be joined by panelists from six countries that span across eight time zones. The roundtable will cover four themes: Alternative formats and students. Encouraging staff to create accessible content. Institutional policy and challenges. Celebrating success. After one or two starting questions for each theme we will open to the audience to ask their questions and to share their own answers. Our panelists are from around the world and their institutions are at various levels of accessibility maturity. Sharon Austin, Academic Technology Accessibility Specialist, University of Tampa, Terry Greene, Senior eLearning Designer, Trent University, Canada, James Northridge, "Inclusive UCC" Project Manager, University College Cork (UCC), Ireland, Dr Tharindu Liyanagunawardena, Digital Accessibility Officer, University of Reading, UK, Esin Caglayan, Ph.D., Director of Teaching and Learning Center, Izmir University of Economics, Turkey, Sarah Whittaker, Senior Manager Teaching with Technology, working in United Arab Emirates. Join our first panel discussion for an inspiring global perspective around how we can rise to the challenges and opportunities of digital accessibility. Find sign-up and joining details on the Ally Community site:
https://usergroup.ally.ac/content/perma?id=58015
April 28, 2023 | Navigating Finances for Older Individuals With Vision Loss | OIB-TAC
12PM PT, 1PM MT, 2PM CT, 3PM ET, 7PM GMT
Join us for a webinar with Penny Forward on how older blind individuals can continue to manage their finances with vision loss. Our experienced panel, including Chris Peterson, Liz Bottner, and MOe Carpenter, will guide you through small changes your clients can make to adapt to their changing vision, low-tech solutions that are still effective, and high-tech solutions that can make managing their finances easier than ever before. We'll discuss how self-advocacy is critical to maintaining your clients' independence. Plus, learn about Penny Forward, a nonprofit organization that offers accessible financial education and counseling for individuals with vision loss. Don't let vision loss hold your clients back from managing their finances with confidence. Join us for this informative and empowering presentation:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUpcOytrTwrG9eXb-eE_kJSY1RM4_8amlEU
May 3, 2023 | Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 8: STEM | APH
8AM PT, 9AM MT, 10AM CT, 11AM ET, 3PM GMT
Have you ever thought of doing science, computing, or technology with LEGO Braille Bricks? Expert guests will join us for an amazing session:
https://www.aph.org/lego-braille-bricks-live-sessions/
May 9, 2023 through May 12, 2023 | John Slatin AccessU 2023 | Knowbility
Join us virtually or in Austin, TX. John Slatin AccessU is an annual conference where tech professionals, content creators, policymakers, and advocates come together for deep learning in accessible digital design:
https://knowbility.org/programs/john-slatin-accessu-2023
May 13, 2023 | Travel Tools and Apps | Technology User Group | Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled (LBPD)
7AM PT, 8AM MT, 9AM CT, 10AM ET, 2PM GMT
Whether you are traveling to another city, state or country, we will look at tools and resources that will help you get the most assistance for your venture. All events are currently being held via teleconference until further notice. No programs will be held in person. Please dial (319) 527-4994 📱️ at 10:00 AM ET. For more information about the Technology User Group or to recommend a topic / technology for discussion, please contact: Jerry Price at (410) 230-2446 📱️ or via email jerry.price1@maryland.gov 📧️
May 16, 2023 through May 18, 2023 | Virtua11y Web Accessibility Conference 2023 | Nomensa
Nomensa's free, virtual web accessibility and digital inclusion conference:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/virtua11y-web-accessibility-conference-2023-tickets-505953880677
May 17, 2023 | Nonvisual Tips for Successful Travel | NFB of Maryland Senior Call
4PM PT, 5PM MT, 6PM CT, 7PM ET, 11PM GMT
Please come join our conversation to explore the nuts and bolts of traveling as a blind person. Learn how to manage different modes of transportation and how to orient yourself in unfamiliar environments. We will share tips for individuals with various levels of changing vision. Where: NFB of Maryland Conference Call: (339) 209-4083 📱️
All are welcome! For more information about this event or the NFB of Maryland Senior Division please contact: Marguerite Woods at (443) 271-1668 📱️ / mwoods719@gmail.com 📧️.
May 18, 2023 | Global Accessibility Awareness Day
Help us celebrate the 12th Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD)! The purpose of GAAD is to get everyone talking, thinking and learning about digital access and inclusion, and the more than One Billion people with disabilities/impairments:
https://accessibility.day/
June 2, 2023 | ATHEN Sixth Annual Accessibility Summer Camp 2023
6AM PT, 7AM MT, 8AM CT, 9AM ET, 1PM GMT
We would love for you to share your accessibility knowledge during our sixth annual Accessibility Summer Camp 2023! As in former years, this virtual conference is FREE for all attendees. This year's ASC event will take place on Friday, June 2, 2023, from 8:00-4:00 CST. As a conference participant you will be able to attend sessions and engage in valuable networking with like-minded professionals. We are soliciting presentations from all experience levels and backgrounds, so please visit the ASC Conference Home Page for more information and to submit a proposal. The session proposal deadline is Friday, February 17th, 2023. What is Accessibility Summer Camp (ASC)? The Accessibility Summer Camp is a FREE annual conference with the goal of connecting professionals and educators with best practices in accessibility and Universal Design. Over the past few years, the ASC conference has grown to become one of the most popular accessibility conferences in the country. Our mission is to provide accessibility professional development that empowers attendees to create high quality, accessible learning environments while removing barriers for all individuals who have a desire to learn:
https://www.accessibilityict.org/
May 23, 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
July1, 2023 through July 6, 2023 | NFB 2023 National Convention in Houston, Texas
The National Federation of the Blind is the transformative membership and advocacy organization of blind people. Every day we raise the expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. Each year we come together for important discussions, decisions, and information sharing. As an attendee, take advantage of the opportunity to: Network with thousands of blind role models. Connect with leaders in the field of blindness. Attend presentations on a variety of empowering topics. Learn about the latest in technology and innovation. And more! The convention is open to all. Important note: Our constitution states that only members of the Federation have the right to participate in decision-making when it comes to organizational policy. If you are not already a member, please connect with your state affiliate at:
https://nfb.org/about-us/state-affiliates
June 7, 2023 | Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 9: Orientation & Mobility | APH
8AM PT, 9AM MT, 10AM CT, 11AM ET, 3PM GMT
LEGO bricks to build plans, visualize routes, it's not new! But with LEGO Braille Bricks you can also create labels, add letters, words... Then it becomes really great:
https://www.aph.org/lego-braille-bricks-live-sessions/
June 27, 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
July 25, 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
July 25, 2023 | U.S. Access Board Town Hall Meeting in Baltimore
10:30PM PT, 11:30PM MT, 12:30PM CT, 1:30PM ET, 5:30PM GMT
The U.S. Access Board will hold a public town hall meeting at the national headquarters of the National Federation of the Blind in Baltimore, Maryland. Presidentially appointed Access Board members and representatives from other federal member agencies will be present to hear from the local community about the state of accessibility in Baltimore and the D.C.-Maryland-Virginia area. Following the town hall meeting, there will be a reception and networking opportunity from 3:30 — 4:30 (ET), sponsored by the Maryland Department of Disabilities. The town hall meeting and reception are open to all members of the public. Please register for in-person attendance by July 1, 2023. To register, send an email to events@access-board.gov 📧️ with your name and organization. The Access Board invites in-person oral comments on accessibility. Registrants who wish to make in-person oral comments must indicate their request to speak when emailing events@access-board.gov. Public commenters will be allotted two minutes to make their comments
August 22, 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 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
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 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
Sponsors may submit or update their Classified Advertisement at any time by submitting this short form: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-sponsor-classified.
Sponsor: WayAround
➜ Classified Advertisement: Try Talking Labels That Work With Your Smartphone For Just $9.99!
Get all the different types of WayTags so you can try the BEST accessible labeling system around. Use the coupon code TryTags to get a WayTag Sampler Pack for just $9.99. Plus, you get FREE shipping. Use the WayTags along with the free mobile app to label your things with a description and other important details, so you can spend less time figuring out what things are, and more time getting things done.
https://www.wayaround.com/shop/sampler-pack/?utm_source=AssistiveTech&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=AccessInfoNewsSponsorAd
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Finally! Holding Businesses Accountable
Those who need accessibility accommodations aren't strangers to jumping in with self-advocacy to achieve it. But, what about the rest of us? When explaining the benefits of a reasonable accommodation to one's place of work or school. This is where our self-advocacy kits come in. Pneuma has written up customizable email templates you can modify according to your situation. We cover a variety of different advocacy scenarios. Simply choose your scenario, answer a few simple questions, adapt the language, address it to the right person, and submit it! Self-advocacy has never been easier:
https://pneumasolutions.com/finally-holding-businesses-accountable/
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: 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
➜ Classified Advertisement: NSITE Connects Employers With Talented People Who Are Blind Or Low-Vision And Supports Talent To Gain Employment
NSITE.org is the first non-profit organization, offering a continuum of services to connect employers with talented job seekers who are blind or low-vision and provides training, employment and career services to these job seekers. Using the NSITE Connect Job Board, which is designed exclusively for individuals who experience vision loss, employers can fill open positions with talent who are blind or have low vision. Job postings are also open to veterans. NSITE-U provides accessible on-demand and virtual instructor-led classes, programs and workshops to support career skills training and professional development for individuals who are blind or have low vision or are veterans. For more information about NSITE and all its services including a free Job Seekers Toolkit developed with APH, American Printing House for the Blind, visit us and use this form to reach NSITE's team for information about programs, classes and services, connect:
https://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.
NSITE Connect: Linking employers with talented individuals who are blind, low-vision, and/or veterans. Access the NSITE Connect Job Board here.About | Media | Employers | Job Seekers | Training Programs | Job Board | Contact Us
Sponsor: Clusiv
➜ Classified Advertisement: Clusiv Is The World's First eLearning Platform Built For And By People Who Are Blind. Our Courses Are Designed To Equip People Who Are Blind Or Visually Impaired For Employment In The Modern Workforce. Learn More At Clusiv.Io.
Navigating the employment process can be challenging if you are blind or visually impaired. Technology is difficult to figure out, there is a lot of extra material to learn, and there isn't much quality training available.
That's where Clusiv comes in. We help to provide the training you need to succeed in the modern workforce. Our courses teach assistive technology skills and how to apply those skills to many of the business software programs used in the modern workforce, such as email, Microsoft and Google apps, video conferencing, and more. We also teach soft skills such as resume and interview preparation, disclosures and accommodations, internet safety, and financial literacy. Lastly, our training can teach specific career skills, such as becoming an accessibility analyst. Plus, our courses are self-paced.
To learn more, visit https://clusiv.io/ and fill out a form with your information. We work with state vocational rehabilitation agencies to provide access to our course content.
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.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Seeks Your Support at the Public Policy Level
Moving the public policy needle is both difficult and costly. Access Ready has one of the most experienced teams in the business who have shown results. We have fostered Congressional language on accessible websites, elections, healthcare, communications, and other areas touched by information and communications technologies. These efforts are costly and we need your help to continue. Become an Access Ready supporter and create an accessible future for people with disabilities:
https://accessready.org/
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.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Provides Access To The Best In The Business
If you need assistance with a new accessible website, document remediation or disability consulting of other kinds, Access Ready can help. We seek out the best in the business and bring them to you already vetted as to quality, professionalism and ability. By going through AccessReady.org to one of our qualified providers, you're not only getting the best, but supporting our advocacy and technological development efforts as well:
https://accessready.org/
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.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Seeks Guidance On New Accessible Technologies
What Technologies do you see in the market that are not accessible, but should be? What accessible technologies can you imagine that can make the lives of people with all kinds of disabilities better? We will advocate with developers to make existing technologies accessible on your behalf. We will advocate with developers to build new accessible technologies on your behalf. Give us your guidance and support. Your guidance charts our path toward what is most important. Your support funds our efforts on your behalf:
https://accessready.org/
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Prepare For Your Future Today With The All-New APH ConnectCenter's Job Seekers Toolkit!
The APH ConnectCenter and NSITE have partnered to update the Job Seeker's Toolkit, an accessible, self-paced, free online training course. The Toolkit includes five sections covering self-awareness, career exploration tools, the preliminary employment process, the interview, and maintaining employment. We are bringing the Job Seeker's Toolkit to a larger audience and in a Learning Management System format for today's learners, at no cost. Visit APHCareerConnect.org to get started with the Job Seekers Toolkit today at:
https://aphcareerconnect.org/lesson-plans-for-teachers-and-professionals/the-job-seekers-toolkit/
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: Menus4ALL
➜ Classified Advertisement: A Revolution in Resolution — Menus for Everyone
No matter when, where or who, the Menus4ALL iPhone app gives you the info you need quickly. No more multiple Google searches to research menus before going out. Info is organized to give you quick access to what you are looking for — the menu! Optimized to give you the best viewing experience. No more struggling to see small print, or looking at a menu in a dimly lit restaurant. Do you use magnification, large print, VoiceOver, a braille display or Voice Control? Enjoy 750,000 fully accessible menus. Download the app today at:
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/menus4all/id1640547801?platform=iphone
Sponsor Since: November 20th 2022
Website: https://www.menus4all.com/ 🌐️
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Access Information News is the world's leading not-for-profit access information news publication that reaches over 15,000 access professionals, educators and enthusiasts, all over the world, each week.
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Publisher: Aaron Di Blasi (Volunteer)
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Location: Mayfield Heights, Ohio
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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.
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Aaron also serves as a Volunteer Editorial Contributor to Access Information News.
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Editorial Contributor #1: John Hanlin (Volunteer)
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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.
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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 advocacy foundation.
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.
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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.
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.
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Access Information News for Monday, April 10, 2023 - Volume 905
The Week's News in Access Information
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Submit your Access Information News item for free, with timing and placement determined by our editors, using this form: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-news.
1) Top 5 Most Clicked Access Information News Articles From Last Week
A.) Your Speech May Reveal Early Signs of Alzheimer's | Wired: Subscription Required (7.7% of all clicks.)
Startup Accexible says the way you talk can indicate preclinical Alzheimer's or other underlying health conditions. Accexible works at the intersection of neuroscience, linguistics, and mathematics,. The app is accessible via computer, app, or through a phone call, and assesses the linguistic content of someone's speech, as well as how they're speaking, to identify changes that may indicate an underlying problem. Aguirre promises 90 percent accuracy and results in just a few minutes. The idea is that general practitioners can use the app as a screening test while neurologists can use it to monitor how their patients are progressing over time:
https://www.wired.com/story/wired-health-accexible-speech-biomarkers-alzheimers/
B.) In Tennessee A Dog Walks Itself Home After Visually Impaired Owner Killed In Hit-And-Run, Police Say (7.5% of all clicks.)
A Tennessee dog walked itself home after its visually impaired owner was struck and killed by a pickup truck on their morning walk, police said. The incident happened in Nashville's Madison neighborhood on March 22, 2023 at around 6:30 a.m. ET. A 50-year-old woman with vision impairment was walking her dog across a bridge on Rio Vista Drive when she was hit, according to the Nashville Police Department. Police found the dog unharmed and sitting at its owner's front door:
https://abcnews.go.com/US/dog-walks-home-after-visually-impaired-owner-killed/story?id=98094501
C.) 'When Does This Milk Expire?': Chat GPT-4 Is Now Helping Blind People Navigate Everyday Tasks | Fast Company (6.8% of all clicks.)
Lucy Edwards, 27, is legally blind. She lives an independent life in Birmingham, England, with her two guide dogs and her sighted fiancé. But when he's not around, there are things she needs help with — often "rudimentary questions" to assist her with everyday tasks. It could be something as mundane as distinguishing between two cans of beans, so that she doesn't end up putting baked beans in her chili for dinner:
https://www.fastcompany.com/90872674/when-does-this-milk-expire-chat-gpt-4-is-now-helping-blind-people-navigate-everyday-tasks
D.) Austin Jailer Breaks Elderly Deaf Woman's Arm After Misunderstanding at Airport (5.0% of all clicks.)
Karen McGee, a deaf, 71-year-old Florida resident, is considering a lawsuit against the city of Austin after what was supposed to be a three-hour layover at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport turned into an arrest, a weekend in the Travis County Jail, and an arm broken by a jailer and left untreated for three days:
https://www.austinchronicle.com/news/2023-03-24/austin-jailer-breaks-elderly-deaf-womans-arm-after-misunderstanding-at-airport/
E.) An Accessible Air Fryer for The Blind & DeafBlind | Inclusive Ability Initiative, LLC (4.5% of all clicks.)
A deafblind user reviews an accessible Air Fryer along with steps on making homemade French Fries:
https://iabilityi.com/adaptivetechnology/accessible-air-fryer-for-blind-deafblind/
2) Sponsorship Package Updates
Are you an access-based business or organization whose products, services or message would benefit from reaching over 15,000 access professionals each week? If so, please consider becoming a Sponsor today for just $100 a month, paid either quarterly or annually. Annual Sponsors gain the additional benefit of being able to schedule their Featured Advertisement dates up to one year in advance. If you've been looking for a way to consistently reach the largest audience of opt-in access professionals in the world today, please consider becoming an Access Information News Sponsor while packages last. Availability: There are currently 10 Access Information News Sponsorship Packages remaining. Advertising Benefits: Review a complete list of advertising benefits here:
https://www.accessinformationnews.com/sponsorship-information.html#sponsorship-package-benefits
3) Access Information News Welcomes New Sponsor: Total Tech Solutions, LLC
Please join us in offering a warm welcome to Total Tech Solutions, LLC, who has so very graciously agreed to support the distribution of the Access Information News publication via sponsorship. We're incredibly happy to have them on board. Total Tech Solutions is your one-stop shop for all of your assistive technology needs. Their team of experts is here to provide you with products and services that can enhance your daily life, such as the I Can Connect, Blind Shell II Phones, and the new ARX Vision headset. Their founder, Shawn Keen, and his experienced staff, have over 100 years of combined experience in teaching assistive technology, and are committed to providing you with the best possible service, while ensuring that you receive the assistance you need to lead a more independent life. Learn more today at:
https://www.blindtech.org/
4) What Will AI Mean For The Popular App Be My Eyes? | NPR
Publisher (Di Blasi): This article features the work of not one, but two former Top Tech Tidbits Sponsors, and we're all incredibly excited about what they're doing right now.
NPR: Brian Fischler is blind. He can tell whether it's light or dark outside, but that's about it. "I grew up sighted like everybody, and I was diagnosed at 13 with retinitis pigmentosa," Fischler says. "And for me, the lights went out about 2009." Fischler, a New York-based standup comedian and podcaster, has used the app Be My Eyes since it first came out eight years ago. It relies on sighted volunteers to do tasks like describe holiday cards sent in the mail, or tell you whether that can in your cupboard is coconut milk or chicken soup:
https://www.npr.org/2023/04/03/1167683206/why-be-my-eyes-is-a-very-popular-app-for-the-blind-or-visually-impaired
5) Kansas Business Interests Eager To Expand Statutory Shield Against 'Abusive' ADA Lawsuits
Lindsborg retail businessman Corey Peterson says he started receiving emails last year from New York law firms interested in representing him in a lawsuit brought by a sight-impaired person asserting the store's website violated the Americans with Disabilities Act. Peterson, who has operated the family's Scandinavian gift store known as Hemslojd for more than a decade, said his initial reaction was to consider it a scam. He said the store's website had been overhauled in 2019 and the consultant who worked on the project didn't raise ADA issues. Then, he said, he was served documents related to a lawsuit on January 10, 2023:
https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/kansas-business-interests-eager-expand-statutory-shield-against-abusive-ada-lawsuits
6) During Disability Awareness Month, Senator Markey And Representative Porter Introduce Legislation To Prohibit Discrimination In Jury Service Based On Disability And Age | ed Markey | United States Senator For Massachusetts | March 30, 2023
Publisher (Di Blasi): One of our founding sponsors, Douglas George Towne, CEO and Chair of Access Ready, Inc., has been quoted directly within this article. We continue to appreciate the good work done by all of the folks over at Access Ready, Inc.
Senator Markey: During Disability Awareness Month, Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass) and Representative Katie Porter (CA-47) introduced the Disability and Age in Jury Service Nondiscrimination Act to prohibit excluding a person from federal jury service based on disability or age. The bill expands on legislation introduced by Senator Markey and Representative Porter last Congress by adding protections for potential jurors based on age, to safeguard against ageism in jury selection. Currently, federal law prohibits excluding a person from federal jury service on account of "race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or economic status." Disability and age are not included, which allows for discrimination against seniors and people with disabilities:
https://www.markey.senate.gov/news/press-releases/during-disability-awareness-month-sen-markey-and-rep-porter-introduce-legislation-to-prohibit-discrimination-in-jury-service-based-on-disability-and-age
7) The Internet Archive's Literary Civil War | Wired: Subscription Required
The beloved online athenaeum just lost a big court case. Librarians fear it'll make eBooks less accessible. So why are some writers cheering?
https://www.wired.com/story/internet-archive-copyright-library/
8) Can ChatGPT Make The World More Accessible? | Benjamin Roussey | Accessibility.com
Publisher (Di Blasi): I think anyone reading this page already knows the answer to this question. What readers want to know now is, how? So here are some ways that ChatGPT is doing so right now, along with some future predictions.
Benjamin Roussey: While some people worry that the mass adoption of ChatGPT might take away jobs or make it easier for people to cheat and plagiarize, it has generated a great deal of hope and excitement across the world. It's possible that ChatGPT can further level the playing field for people with disabilities and help them overcome barriers they face in their daily lives, like many other technological innovations in the past:
https://www.accessibility.com/blog/can-chatgpt-make-the-world-more-accessible
9) Will Future AI Systems be Legally Liable? | March 31, 2023 | Avi Loeb | Medium: Subscription Required
Preliminary hints of new legal challenges concerning artificial intelligence (AI) are emerging from software malfunctions in accidents of self-driving cars and concerns about the violation of intellectual property rights for authors of texts on which ChatGPT was trained. I was inspired to consider the legal ramifications of AI in the immediate future after a WORLD.MINDS forum this morning in which these issues were raised in a conversation with the distinguished lawyer, John B. Quinn:
https://avi-loeb.medium.com/will-future-ai-systems-be-legally-liable-8ac4339da547
10) "They Felt A Blind Man Could Not Teach" — Visually Impaired Man Narrates How He Was Stereotyped | April 1, 2023 | TVC News | YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxqatgCZ8zk
11) Chat Accessibility: Pros and Cons | Kami Funk | Accessibility.com
With the advent of the Internet came a new method of communication between customers and companies: the chat feature. Whether with AI, human employees, or a combination, most sites and apps now have a chat feature to get started when contacting customer service. It's become common practice and is very accessible to some users, especially users who are Deaf or have hearing disabilities. The chat feature allows users to type out their requests instead of making a phone call, which can be difficult for people with hearing loss. It gives great service and is often highlighted on the home page rather than buried within the contact pages. So what are the pros and cons of the chat feature when it comes to accessibility?
https://www.accessibility.com/blog/chat-accessibility-pros-and-cons
12) Do You Struggle To Open Blister Packs? | Makers Making Change
Publisher (Di Blasi): Yes I do. So much so that there are certain medications that I simply would not be able to take if I did not have someone else to open them for me. I've always thought this was an absolutely incredulous limitation for certain medications. Until now. Just a note that it looks like you cannot buy this directly yet, sigh, you have to ask someone to 3D print one for you. Can you say, opportunity?
Makers Making Change: The Blister Pack Opener is designed to help users, including those with arthritis or limited hand strength, open blister packs of pills with ease. To use, place the blister pack so the flat side is over the hole, and the pill is facing the pin. Squeeze the handle so that the pill is popped out of the blister pack so that the pill pops out into the tube in the handle. Cost: Less than $1. 3D Printing Time Required: 3h 11min:
https://makersmakingchange.com/project/blister-pack-opener/
13) Chicago In Violation Of ADA, Denying Visually Impaired People Accessible Crosswalks: Federal Judge | ABC7 News
On March 31, 2023 a federal judge ruled that the City of Chicago is in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act. According to a lawsuit filed in 2021, the city allegedly failed to install pedestrian signals that are specially designed to aid the blind or visually impaired. A DOJ statement reiterates that the city only installed accessible crossing signals at "a minuscule portion of the whole." According to the assistant attorney general, the DOJ is committed to finding a remedy that addresses the discrimination against blind people in Chicago:
https://abc7chicago.com/city-of-chicago-ada-compliance-lawsuit/13095500/
14) Dog Owners Invited To Get Involved In Guide Dogs TikTok Challenge
Guide Dogs Australia has launched its first ever TikTok challenge, to see if regular pet dogs can complete some of the basic skills guide dogs learn during their training. The purpose of this challenge is to raise awareness and educate people in a fun and engaging way about the specialist training program guide dogs undertake. The challenge will run in the lead-up to International Guide Dog Day (26 April) and will consist of five different tasks, plus a bonus playful task at the end. To take part in the challenge, all dog owners have to do is head to the Guide Dogs Australia TikTok (or Instagram) page and 'stitch' each challenge video with their own furry friend. The challenge has been designed to feature basic tasks that guide dogs-in-training are taught but is not an exhaustive list of everything they must learn to become a qualified guide dog:
https://www.vetpracticemag.com.au/dog-owners-called-invited-to-get-involved-in-guide-dogs-tiktok-challenge/
15) 10 Habits To Create Accessible Content | Clint Covington | Microsoft Accessibility Blog
Newsletters, presentations, online classes, meetings, workshops, and more forms of digital communication and information sharing have soared in use during the COVID-19 pandemic. The shift to digital work has allowed business continuity during this difficult time while we share even more information electronically. One of our key learnings has been the importance of accessible digital materials. Over 70% of disabilities are invisible. You may not know if someone in your distribution list or team has a disability. When you build and share accessible content, you empower people with disabilities at home, work and school, especially virtual school. As a father of a kindergartener, I see firsthand the challenges remote learning introduces to families. For those with disabilities, both students and parents, there is an additional layer, as every piece of content needs to be accessible:
https://blogs.microsoft.com/accessibility/10-habits-to-create-accessible-content/
16) How Design is Governance | Amber Case | Medium: Subscription Required
Publisher (Di Blasi): Standing just outside of accessibility in general, this article takes an incredibly compelling look at design, as governance, something that the access community has known to be true for a very, very long time.
Amber Case: At a fundamental level, all design is governance. We encounter inconveniences every day, both offline and in the apps we use. But it's not enough to say it's the result of bad design. It's also a result of governance decisions made on behalf of the customers during the design process:
https://uxdesign.cc/how-design-is-governance-7c8dd466d753
17) 5 Things I Wish I Understood As A Disabled Youth | Andrew Pulrang | Forbes: Subscription Required
The recent death of American disability activist Judy Heumann and dedication of a memorial statue for Australian disabled comedian, advocate, and journalist Stella Young, have me thinking about the lifespans and unique learning experiences of people with disabilities, and what disabled adults would want to tell our younger selves if we could. Both Heumann and Young were disabled women, pioneers of disability rights and culture, and role models for disabled people around the world. Stella Young's death in 2014 was one of the first times in my life as a disabled person that I thought deeply about what I would say to my disabled teenage self. And Heumann's passing in March 2023 raised those questions for me again:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/andrewpulrang/2023/03/31/5-things-i-wish-i-understood-as-a-disabled-youth/?sh=3a5fef34cfaa
18) Establishing Metrics For Accessibility ROI | Karl Groves
This post is a follow-up to my prior article titled "Understanding the cost of not being accessible". If you haven't read that one, then this one will make a lot less sense, so please check that one out first. At the conclusion of the previous post, it is logical to determine that we've now come full circle on the idea that the best way to avoid spending money on accessibility is to avoid accessibility problems in the first place. This is true but, as before, that's only an ideal-state situation where you have perfect processes, people, and tooling, and are working on a brand new product. In reality, nobody has when they first start their accessibility program or when their program is still immature:
https://karlgroves.com/establishing-metrics-for-accessibility-roi/
19) CDC Issues Update On Recalled Eyedrops Causing Death, Blindness
The CDC and FDA are recommending that clinicians and patients stop using EzriCare or Delsam Pharma's Artificial Tears products. The eyedrops have been linked to a multistate outbreak of an extensively drug-resistant strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The CDC has identified 68 patients in 16 states with Pseudomonas aeruginosa with Verona integron-mediated metallo-β-lactamase and Guiana extended-spectrum-β-lactamase (VIM-GES-CRPA). There have been reports of 3 patient deaths, 8 patients with vision loss, and 4 patients requiring enucleation:
https://ophthalmology360.com/dry-eye/cdc-issues-update-on-recalled-eyedrops-causing-death-blindness/
20) Post, A Publisher-Focused Twitter Alternative, Launches To Public | TechCrunch
Post, a Twitter alternative of sorts that's rethinking how publishers should engage with social media — and how they should monetize their readership — has opened its doors to the public. The startup, like others in this space, gained ground in the wake of Elon Musk's acquisition of Twitter as many began to look for a new place to read and discuss the news or share their own thoughts with their followers. But Post doesn't want to be just another Twitter clone. Instead, its aim is to develop a platform where publishers can generate revenue from micropayments — that is, where users pay some small amount of money to read individual news items:
https://techcrunch.com/2023/04/03/post-a-twitter-alternative-that-pays-publishers-via-microtransactions-launches-public-beta/
21) Ohio To Refund Some Disabled Veterans License Plate Fees After Army Vet Sues | The Columbus Dispatch
About 2,000 disabled veterans will get refunds for "erroneous" license plate charges, according to the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles:
https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/politics/2023/03/30/ohio-bmv-to-refund-improperly-charged-fees-for-disabled-veteran-plates/70065726007/
22) The ADA Needs An Update For The Digital Era, But Some States Are Ahead Of The Curve
As Congress weighs revising federal accessibility rules for digital services, a few states are already working on it:
https://statescoop.com/digital-accessibility-mandates-state-government/
23) Collaboration Tools Help And Hinder Workplace Accessibility | Katherine Finnell | TechTarget
Cloud-based collaboration tools have improved workplace accessibility for people with disabilities. But IT leaders must examine where collaboration tools still fall short:
https://www.techtarget.com/searchunifiedcommunications/feature/Collaboration-tools-help-and-hinder-workplace-accessibility
24) The Social Model Of Disability | People With Disability Australia
People with disability aren't the problem — we're the solution. There have been many models used to understand disability over time. Here at PWDA, we use the Social Model of Disability to inform how we work to advance and protect the rights, health and wellbeing of people with disability. According to the social model, 'disability' is socially constructed. The social model of disability contrasts with what is called the medical model of disability. According to the medical model, 'disability' is a health condition dealt with by medical professionals. People with disability are thought to be different to 'what is normal' or abnormal. 'Disability' is seen 'to be a problem of the individual. From the medical model, a person with disability is in need of being fixed or cured. From this point of view, disability is a tragedy and people with disability are to be pitied. The medical model of disability is all about what a person cannot do and cannot be:
https://pwd.org.au/resources/models-of-disability/
25) Why I Advocate For Disability To Be Fun, Fly & Sexy — Just Like Me | Lauren "Lolo" Spencer
Model, actress, author and disability advocate Lauren “Lolo” Spencer reflects on the personal triumphs — and challenges — of living, working, and dating with a disability and why she's always going to push for joyful depictions of Black women with disabilities:
https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2023/04/11337596/lauren-lolo-spencer-dating-with-disability
26) Recording | Inclusive Innovations | The Future of Accessible Work | March 24, 2023 | YouTube
Presentation by Karthik Kannan held at Inclusive Innovations 2023. An event about the future of accessible work, co-hosted with Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired in San Francisco:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYUOE5nMXN4
27) Over 100,000 Audio Books Coming to TuneIn Premium | David Goldfield | Tech-VI List
Several years ago TuneIn Premium members were able to access a large selection of audio books and I subscribed to the service just for this benefit. When TuneIn announced that they would no longer be offering audio books starting January of 2018 I canceled my subscription. Today I received an email from TuneIn with the subject “Over 100,000 Audiobooks at Our Lowest Price Ever” The email announced that they would once again be offering audio books. From the email:
https://groups.io/g/tech-vi/message/3774
28) Updated EEOC Resource Explains ADA Requirements for Workers with Hearing | YouTube
An updated resource document from the EEOC describes ADA requirements for individuals with hearing disabilities in the workplace:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGVmImhj5KI
29) California's Unruh Act and Accessibility | Nick Awad | Accessibility.com
2022 saw a stark increase in digital accessibility lawsuits filed in the United States. As per our year-end report, the most litigious state in the nation was New York. The increase in lawsuits in the Empire State can be best attributed to a high concentration of law firms willing to take on ADA cases. In other words, since there are more lawyers, there will naturally be more lawsuits. Trailing right behind New York, was the state of California. Although California also has a high volume of firms, this alone doesn't paint the whole picture of its lawsuit increase. What has helped California lead ADA suits is local legislation — specifically, the Unruh Act. The Unruh act has, over the years, played a central role in several California civil rights cases, including those related to accessibility and the ADA. In this piece, we will provide an in-depth explanation of the Unruh Act — from its history to its logistics — and how it applies to ADA cases in California:
https://www.accessibility.com/blog/californias-unruh-act-and-accessibility
30) Hidden Between Bookshelves, Braille Tells A Story | The Daily Princetonian
Boldly declaring the name of every Princeton entryway in bumpy, domino-esque letters, braille goes largely unnoticed. These dots have no meaning to the untrained eye, or hand for that matter. For all we know, a classroom plaque in Frick Atrium written in braille could have stereochemical results or may simply state "Free tacos:"
https://www.dailyprincetonian.com/article/2023/03/princeton-braille-books-firestone-library-accessibility-blind
31) Wisconsin's Disabled Voters Face Barriers Amid 'Massive Confusion' | The Guardian
Disabled voters push for better protection voting absentee and with assistance after temporary ban that disenfranchised some:
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/mar/28/wisconsin-absentee-ballots-disabled-voters
32) Voters With Disabilities Often Overlooked In Voting Battles | AP News
Patti Chang walked into her polling place in Chicago earlier this year, anxious about how poll workers would treat her, especially as a voter who is blind. Even though she was accompanied by her husband, she said she was ignored until a poll worker grabbed her cane and pulled her toward a voting booth. Like many voters with disabilities, Chang faces barriers at the polls most voters never even consider — missing ramps or door knobs, for example. The lack of help or empathy from some poll workers just adds to the burden for people with disabilities:
https://apnews.com/article/voting-rights-elections-disabled-voters-ada-chicago-990141816396ebba59d9b13f3c7c7b59
33) What Is Visual Independence And How Can You Help Provide That For Your Clients? | Braille Works
It can be hard to know what you are required to provide. So, we are here to help. According to the ADA's Effective Communication Guide, anything in regular print must also be available in an accessible format. This includes but is not limited to billing statements, change notices, medical records, financial statements, insurance documents, mortgage statements, rental invoices, and more. Think of it this way, any documents you deem necessary in your daily independence are likely important for a person with a visual disability:
https://brailleworks.com/what-is-visual-independence/
34) Dash: A Robot That Will Help Blind Children Chat With Sighted Friends | Eurasia Review
A new accessibility-focused robot under development will allow children of mixed visual abilities to have a balanced conversation where everyone participates equally. Researchers at the Interactive Technologies Institute have recently released a study on using a robot to mediate group discussions between children with mixed-visual abilities. The team presented the study during the ACM/IEEE International Conference on Human-Robot Interaction held this March in Stockholm:
https://www.eurasiareview.com/03042023-dash-a-robot-that-will-help-blind-children-chat-with-sighted-friends/
35) 3Play Media and Brightcove Partner on Video Accessibility | Rebecca Klein | 3PlayMedia
The partnership enables Brightcove customers to request video captioning and other services from within the Brightcove platform:
https://www.3playmedia.com/blog/3play-media-and-brightcove-partner-on-video-accessibility/
36) Many Parents Don't Talk To Their Kids About Disability 'In Fear Of Getting It Wrong.' Here's How To Start The Conversation | April 3, 2023 | Jamie Davis Smith | Yahoo!life
These conversations can also help demystify disability for naturally curious children:
https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/how-to-talk-to-kids-about-disability-130920241.html
37) Queensland Australia Researchers To Study Brain Activity Of Patients With Epilepsy — Hope To Detect Seizures With Smart Watches
It is hoped a new Queensland study will help people living with epilepsy better anticipate seizures. Neurologists, biologists and engineers from Mater Research and the University of Queensland will examine whether purpose-built smart watches can help patients assess seizure risk by detecting stress signals:
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-03-28/queensland-research-epilepsy-seizure-detected-by-smartwatch/102150666
38) A New Disabled South | Kehsi Iman Wilson | Ford Foundation
Diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy at a year old, I have lived with a disability my entire life. But that's not what compelled me to become an activist. What politicized me around disability was watching America's healthcare system fail my mother. She was diagnosed with cancer when I was a teenager. Not only could the progression of her illness have been prevented if not for a sexist and incompetent doctor, but she faced the deadly consequences of our broken system firsthand. She needed a life-saving treatment and took the proper steps to make it happen. And then her insurance denied her coverage because of a pre-existing condition: cancer. To hear the cancer she was attempting to treat was considered a pre-existing condition was outrageous. She ultimately was able to get the care she needed, and if it weren't for the Affordable Care Act, she would have died much sooner:
https://www.fordfoundation.org/news-and-stories/stories/posts/a-new-disabled-south/
39) Non-Profit Organization Envision Helps Empower Athletes Who Are Visually Impaired | April 1, 2023 | CBS Pittsburgh | YouTube
Envision helps blind athletes with all levels of sight impairment compete in sports:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEnF4iqPAyo
40) Script Talk: Helping The Visually-Impaired Read Prescriptions
Script Talk can tell you your name, the prescription name, directions on how to take your medication, which doctor prescribed it, how many refills are left, warnings and side effects, and any piece of essential information relevant to your medication. Non-profit organization Aurora has a variety of support groups for for visually-impaired and blind individuals in Cayuga and Onondaga Counties, along with plans to restart a group soon in Oswego County. In addition to serving the visually-impaired and blind, these groups assist friends and family members who need help with being supportive, through a combination of speakers, educational and technical seminars, along with social events.
https://www.localsyr.com/bridge-street/script-talk-helping-the-visually-impaired-read-prescriptions/
41) A Quick Guide To Reviewing A VPAT ACR | Karl Groves
I've put together this guide to reviewing a VPAT ACR for those who might be new to reviewing such documents to (help) determine a product's accessibility. This is not, however, a definitive guide, but is mostly a way to quickly determine if things are amiss with the ACR before taking the time to review the product's accessibility yourself:
https://karlgroves.com/a-quick-guide-to-reviewing-a-vpat-acr/
42) NYC Schools Expand Partnership With Special Olympics To Improve Sports Accessibility | ABC7 News
The city public schools are expanding their partnership with the Special Olympics of New York to ensure access to sports for students with disabilities at all 75 school districts. This partnership will allow more than 1,700 students with disabilities to play sports like volleyball, track and field, and basketball during the school day. There will also be after-school sports leagues for high school and middle school students:
https://abc7ny.com/public-schools-special-olympics-disability-accessibility/13027977/
43) The CVI Book Nook | Paths To Literacy
The CVI Book Nook, created by Amy Shepherd, is a free resource intended to be downloaded and used by parents, caregivers, and teachers working with students who have visual impairments and CVI:
https://www.pathstoliteracy.org/resource/the-cvi-book-nook/
44) Lancaster-Lebanon Teacher Running Boston Marathon Raises Money For The Blind
A teacher at the Lancaster-Lebanon Intermediate Unit 13 is going the extra mile to help people who are blind and visually impaired. Jackie Morell works with students who are blind and visually impaired, teaching them braille and how to use assistive technology. She has also taught students how to run:
https://www.wgal.com/article/pennsylvania-lancaster-lebanon-teacher-boston-marathon-fundraiser-for-blind/43387931?utm_content=242937107&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&hss_channel=tw-18197430
45) 'Dark Disabled Stories' Invites Audiences to an Experiment in Unapologetically Accessible Theater | The Hollywood Reporter
The series of vignettes — written by and starring Ryan J. Haddad, directed by Jordan Fein and co-starring Dickie Hearts and audio describer Alejandra Ospina — dares American theater to reach the widest audience:
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/arts/the-public-dark-disabled-stories-theater-accessibility-1235364359/
46) Dear World | Award Winning Sight Loss Coach, Advocate and Author Donna Jodhan
Dear world. You are just so busy expanding, innovating, creating, and developing. All well and good but I personally want to see if you are listening. Chances are that you may be half listening to those of us who may be writing similar letters to you but if I do not share my thoughts then you will have the perfect excuse to tell me that I did not share with you. So here goes:
https://sterlingcreations.ca/blog/dear-world
47) Accessibility Olympics' Aims To Demonstrate Mobility Challenges In Whitehorse
An event in downtown Whitehorse served as a chance to foster empathy with those who have mobility challenges and also a friendly audit of downtown businesses' accommodations for those who use crutches, wheelchairs and more. Organized by Compassion Yukon, a peer support network focused on assisting differently abled people in the territory, the "Accessibility Olympics" held on March 31, 2023 and April 1, 2023, offered those without mobility challenges in their day-to-day lives a chance to step into the shoes of those who rely on mobility aids:
https://www.yukon-news.com/news/accessibility-olympics-aims-to-demonstrate-mobility-challenges-in-whitehorse/
48) Driverless Bus Service To Start In Scotland In 'World First'
Full-size, self-driving bus services will begin in Scotland next month in what is believed to be a world first:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-65175447
49) Maximus and IFB Solutions Partner on New Program to Hire Blind and Visually Impaired for Full-Time Contact Center Work
Maximus, a leading employer and provider of government services worldwide, and IFB Solutions, a non-profit organization that provides employment, training, and services for people who are blind or visually impaired, today announced the successful launch of a new joint program that integrates employees who are blind or visually impaired into the workforce. Seventy percent of working-age adults who are blind or visually impaired face sustained periods of unemployment throughout their lifetimes. This program will help address that challenge through an inclusive workplace that supports the needs and experiences of our sight-impaired colleagues:
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/maximus-ifb-solutions-partner-program-170000234.html
50) Accessible QR Code From Zappar Makes Packaging Talk To The Blind | Charlie Fink | Forbes: Subscription Required
Zappar, the venerable UK studio that was one of the pioneers in mobile AR, announced the launch of Zapvision, an Accessible QR code solution, which helps blind and partially sighted people access information related to items on store shelves and cupboards at home. The company calls this enhancement to existing QR codes “Accessible QR,” a slight modification that makes codes readable from a greater distance when applied to packaging, over 1 meter away. “Accessible QR” then activates a device's accessibility functions like VoiceOver to announce product details. Accessible QR codes are now on packaging for Unilever brands Persil capsules and Ultimate Liquids in the UK:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/charliefink/2023/04/04/accessible-qr-code-from-zappar-makes-packaging-talk-to-the-blind/?sh=6d50ded4281c
➜ Featured Webinars, Training Courses and Events
Submit your access information related Webinar, Training Course or Event for consideration within this section using this form: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-event.
April 11, 2023 | Ask Sharky: Customize Word Pronunciations Using The Jaws Dictionary Manager | Freedom Scientific
9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
We'll show you how to change the way JAWS speaks words, phrases, abbreviations, and symbols using the Dictionary Manager. 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
April 12, 2023 | Understand, Test, Solve: Structure | TPGi
9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
TPGi's Accessibility Resource Center (ARC) platform empowers teams to solve common accessibility issues while growing their understanding over time. The "Understand, Test, and Solve" webinar series addresses fundamental concepts in accessibility. Over the course of this series, teams achieve full WCAG coverage in their testing. The next webinar in this series covers Structure — the organization of content on a webpage and how to perform accessibility tests on headings, links, and the use of landmarks such as header, main, and footer elements.
Attendees will: Become comfortable testing a webpage's structure using a screen reader. Learn how to use ARC Toolkit to visualize page structure and share those findings with engineers. This session is 30 minutes. Stay after the call for our 30-minute Q&A. Register:
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-april-12-at-12pm-et-understand-test-solve-structure/
April 12, 2023 | TOPAZ Ultra — Portability and Magnification Power (ACVREP CE Approved, Assistive Technology Webinar) | Access Ingenuity
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
The TOPAZ Ultra is a portable magnifier with a unique folding design, making it extremely easy to take wherever you go. With crisp, full-HD images available on a 15.6-inch or 17.3-inch screen, see what you want, whether across the room or at your desk. The monitor height is fully adjustable, ensuring you always have the ideal reading angle. And its compact size lets you store it when not in use. TOPAZ Ultra offers the same reading comfort, ease of use, and functionality as a desktop video magnifier — but in a compact and foldable design. TOPAZ Ultra is ideal for individuals who need a lightweight magnification solution in different locations — at home, in the office or classroom, and on the go. Join Ian Ramos from Access Ingenuity and Joe McDaniel from Vispero to discuss the features and benefits of the TOPAZ Ultra.
Note that everybody is welcome and can benefit from this presentation. If you are a teacher of the visually impaired (TVI), ACVREP continuing education credit is approved for this presentation. Learning Outcomes: Benefits of desktop and distance magnification in one unit. Different uses of the TOPAZ Ultra. How the TOPAZ Ultra can be an effective reading tool. Features you can benefit from. | Meeting ID: 827 8999 0683
Passcode: 368858 | One tap mobile: +16699009128,,82789990683#,,,,*368858# US (San Jose) | Dial by your location: +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)
:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82789990683?pwd=ZTdZd3VhUjRsQytUbGtqc1lodUdkdz09#success
April 12, 2023 | Earn it, Plan it, Keep it | Financial Literacy Course | Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled
3PM PT, 4PM MT, 5PM CT, 6PM ET, 10PM GMT
To help participants reflect on their habits, reactions, and values about money; to understand what role money plays in their lives; to understand budgets as a function of income and expenses. This groundwork assists participants to understand the concept and application of budgeting; common pitfalls or barriers they may face in sticking to a budget; and strategies to maximize their earnings. Discovering your Money Personality. Fundamentals of Budgeting. Budgeting Tools for success. Strategies to Increasing Income/ Decreasing Expenses. Making personal spending plans:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/earn-it-plan-it-keep-it-cash-campaign-tickets-574696120567
April 13, 2023 | BARD: Open Access | Many Faces of BARD Program
4PM PT, 5PM MT, 6PM CT, 7PM ET, 11PM GMT
The topic for the April Many Faces of BARD Program will be BARD: Open Access. The program will last for one hour. This program will be recorded. For this session, the NLS Download Tech Support team will be available to answer your questions in this all Q&A event. This will be an opportunity to respond to questions that have not been asked or answered in previous sessions due to time constraints. The complete Zoom invitation is below. 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. | One tap mobile: US: +16692545252,,1618927125# or +16469641167,,1618927125# | Meeting ID: 161 892 7125 | Passcode: 570141 |
The session can be joined by going to:
https://loc.zoomgov.com/j/1618927125?pwd=QUxvaG1hRnRQU2E3Y2MxK01zZUpjQT09
April 18, 2023 | JAWS Inspect Testing for Developers and QA Teams | TPGi
9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
Presenter: Charlie Pike, Platform Success Lead. Learn how developers and QA teams can utilize JAWS Inspect to deliver fast and effective accessibility and AT compatibility testing. Check complex controls and even automate testing across user flows:
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-april-18-at-12pm-et-jaws-inspect-testing-for-developers-and-qa-teams/
April 18, 2023 | Live Webinar | Accessible Design Systems: CarMax's Driving Force for Online Inclusion
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
How does CarMax, the largest used car retailer in the U.S., ensure that its digital accessibility program keeps pace with its rapid innovation? An accessible design system. By adopting a company-wide framework for accessible design, CarMax simplified the creation of inclusive digital experiences, accelerating time-to-market and reducing technical debt:
https://www.levelaccess.com/earesources/webinar-accessible-design-systems-carmaxs-driving-force-for-online-inclusion/
April 19, 2023 | 2023 Helen Keller Achievement Awards | American Foundation for the Blind
April 19, 2023 | Creating Accessible Emails & Using Mailchimp (Digital Accessibility Webinar) | Access Ingenuity
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
Explore how to create emails that have accessibility at the forefront. Join Rachel Reeves for a demonstration of tips and tricks on Mailchimp, a free or paid platform that allows you to send emails to your contacts. Learning Outcomes: Explore common accessibility barriers in emails, including signatures, images, and color contrast. Learn tools in Outlook that can make your emails more accessible. Review MailChimp Marketing platform. | Meeting ID: 811 0083 5555 | Passcode: 479822 | One tap mobile: +16699009128,,81100835555#,,,,*479822# US (San Jose) | Dial by your location: +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose):
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81100835555?pwd=ZG9TMXgrV1VhenlDTDJhS2Jta01NQT09#success
April 20, 2023 | Webinar: ADA Legal Update: What Your Restaurant Needs to Know About Digital Accessibility
9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
Presenters: Seyfarth Shaw's Minh N. Vu, Partner, Ashley S. Jenkins, Associate, and Vispero's Matt Ater, VP of Business Development. Over the past decade, restaurants have embraced websites, mobile apps, self-service kiosks, PDF menus, and online reservations services to deliver their goods and services to customers. These technologies have their advantages but also expose restaurants to litigation exposure when they are not independently usable by customers who are blind or have mobility disabilities. Join Seyfarth Shaw's Minh N. Vu, Partner, Ashley S. Jenkins, Associate, and Vispero's Matt Ater VP Business Development, as they provide an update on ADA Title III lawsuit trends relating to the use of technology by public accommodations and what restaurants need to do to comply with the ADA. They will discuss how restaurants can proactively protect themselves and provide accessible technology. Attendees will learn: ADA lawsuit trends and theories. Accessibility barriers relating to: Websites, Self-service kiosks, QR code menus, Online reservations, Mobile apps, Risk mitigation strategies. Register today:
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-april-20-at-12pm-et-ada-legal-update-what-your-restaurant-needs-to-know-about-digital-accessibility/
April 20, 2023 | Book Talk: Digital Copyright | Internet Archive and Author / Professor Jessica Litman
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
Join Internet Archive's founder Brewster Kahle for a virtual book talk with author & professor of law Jessica Litman. In Digital Copyright, law professor Jessica Litman questions whether copyright laws crafted by lawyers and their lobbyists really make sense for the vast majority of us. Should every interaction between ordinary consumers and copyright-protected works be restricted by law? Is it practical to enforce such laws, or expect consumers to obey them? What are the effects of such laws on the exchange of information in a free society? Professor Jessica Litman, the John F. Nickoll Professor of Law, is the author of Digital Copyright and the co-author, with Jane Ginsburg and Mary Lou Kevlin, of the casebook Trademarks and Unfair Competition Law: Cases and Materials. Brewster Kahle, founder and digital librarian of the Internet Archive, has been working to provide universal access to all knowledge for more than 25 years. Register now for the free, virtual discussion:
http://blog.archive.org/2023/03/16/book-talk-digital-copyright/
April 20, 2023 | The CSUN Takeaway | Envision
9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
Envision's April webinar includes the key takeaways from this year's CSUN, an update from our product team, and first-hand reactions to the new ChatGPT-powered 'Ask Envision' feature coming soon to the Envision Glasses. Register using this link and hear what's new and happening at Envision:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/7316802470099/WN_bYYKKREkT--Q5VnnX9n1ZQ#/registration
April 21, 2023 | 3D-Printed, DIY Assistive Technology | NOAT
11AM PT, 12PM MT, 1PM CT, 2PM ET, 6PM GMT
Learning Outcomes: I'd like to raise the awareness among assistive technology professionals and therapists about the availability and cost effectiveness of DIY (especially 3D-printed) solutions. I'd also like to raise the awareness of the quality, ease of use, and cost effectiveness of modern 3D printers. I'll also talk about one of the most fruitful opportunities for customized and personalized AT - 3D-printed keyguards. Ken Hackbarth is the president of Volksswitch.org — an organization devoted to the democratization of assistive technology by leveraging the power and promise of 3D printing. Prior to his current position he worked for almost three decades as a systems architect for AT&T Bell Laboratories and its subsequent divestitures. He has a Master of Science in Systems Engineering from the University of Arizona and a Master of Education in Special Education, with a concentration in assistive technology, from Bowling Green State University:
https://sites.google.com/noat.ca/events/2023/3dprinted-diy-assistive-technology-21-apr-2023
April 25, 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
April 26, 2023 | WCAG 2.2 Overview (Digital Accessibility Webinar) | Access Ingenuity
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
Join Michael Parker to learn what's changing with WCAG 2.2 and how it impacts the accessibility of your digital content. Learning Outcomes: Overview of WCAG 2.2. When will WCAG 2.2 be released. How to test for the new criteria. Meeting ID: 845 2998 9518 | Passcode: 002926 | One tap mobile: +16699009128,,84529989518#,,,,*002926# US (San Jose) | Dial by your location: +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose):
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84529989518?pwd=YXlSd1oxd2l4dEVDY0o3a01VTENEdz09#success
April 26, 2023 | How To Build A Positive Credit Score And History | LBPD Financial Literacy Course | Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled
3PM PT, 4PM MT, 5PM CT, 6PM ET, 10PM GMT
Today, strong credit is important for accessing a mortgage loan, personal loans, renting an apartment, and more. This workshop will teach you the main factors that make up a credit score, the costs associated with having a loan, and various strategies on how to build a positive credit history with the right credit products for you:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/how-to-build-a-positive-credit-score-and-history-cash-campaign-tickets-574723532557
April 27, 2023 | International Ally User Group
7AM PT, 8AM MT, 9AM CT, 10AM ET, 2PM GMT
Digital Accessibility presents a range of challenges to those of us working in Higher Education, but we are not alone! In the April 27, 2023 meeting of the International Ally User Group we will learn from the experiences of colleagues working in this area in our first panel discussion. As the "International" Ally User Group, it's important to consider the global perspective. We are lucky to be joined by panelistsfrom six countries that span across eight time zones. The roundtable will cover four themes: Alternative formats and students. Encouraging staff to create accessible content. Institutional policy and challenges. Celebrating success. After one or two starting questions for each theme we will open to the audience to ask their questions and to share their own answers. Our panelistsare from around the world and their institutions are at various levels of accessibility maturity. Sharon Austin, Academic Technology Accessibility Specialist, University of Tampa, Terry Greene, Senior eLearning Designer, Trent University, Canada, James Northridge, "Inclusive UCC" Project Manager, University College Cork (UCC), Ireland, Dr Tharindu Liyanagunawardena, Digital Accessibility Officer, University of Reading, UK, Esin Caglayan, Ph.D., Director of Teaching and Learning Center, Izmir University of Economics, Turkey, Sarah Whittaker, Senior Manager Teaching with Technology, working in United Arab Emirates. Join our first panel discussion for an inspiring global perspective around how we can rise to the challenges and opportunities of digital accessibility. Find sign-up and joining details on the Ally Community site:
https://usergroup.ally.ac/content/perma?id=58015
April 28, 2023 | Navigating Finances for Older Individuals With Vision Loss | OIB-TAC
12PM PT, 1PM MT, 2PM CT, 3PM ET, 7PM GMT
Join us for a webinar with Penny Forward on how older blind individuals can continue to manage their finances with vision loss. Our experienced panel, including Chris Peterson, Liz Bottner, and MOe Carpenter, will guide you through small changes your clients can make to adapt to their changing vision, low-tech solutions that are still effective, and high-tech solutions that can make managing their finances easier than ever before. We'll discuss how self-advocacy is critical to maintaining your clients' independence. Plus, learn about Penny Forward, a nonprofit organization that offers accessible financial education and counseling for individuals with vision loss. Don't let vision loss hold your clients back from managing their finances with confidence. Join us for this informative and empowering presentation:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUpcOytrTwrG9eXb-eE_kJSY1RM4_8amlEU
May 3, 2023 | Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 8: STEM | APH
8AM PT, 9AM MT, 10AM CT, 11AM ET, 3PM GMT
Have you ever thought of doing science, computing, or technology with LEGO Braille Bricks? Expert guests will join us for an amazing session:
https://www.aph.org/lego-braille-bricks-live-sessions/
May 9, 2023 through May 12, 2023 | John Slatin AccessU 2023 | Knowbility
Join us virtually or in Austin, TX. John Slatin AccessU is an annual conference where tech professionals, content creators, policymakers, and advocates come together for deep learning in accessible digital design:
https://knowbility.org/programs/john-slatin-accessu-2023
May 13, 2023 | Travel Tools and Apps | Technology User Group | Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled (LBPD)
7AM PT, 8AM MT, 9AM CT, 10AM ET, 2PM GMT
Whether you are traveling to another city, state or country, we will look at tools and resources that will help you get the most assistance for your venture. All events are currently being held via teleconference until further notice. No programs will be held in person. Please dial (319) 527-4994 📱️ at 10:00 AM ET. For more information about the Technology User Group or to recommend a topic / technology for discussion, please contact: Jerry Price at (410) 230-2446 📱️ or via email jerry.price1@maryland.gov 📧️
May 16, 2023 through May 18, 2023 | Virtua11y Web Accessibility Conference 2023 | Nomensa
Nomensa's free, virtual web accessibility and digital inclusion conference:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/virtua11y-web-accessibility-conference-2023-tickets-505953880677
May 18, 2023 | Global Accessibility Awareness Day
Help us celebrate the 12th Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD)! The purpose of GAAD is to get everyone talking, thinking and learning about digital access and inclusion, and the more than One Billion people with disabilities/impairments:
https://accessibility.day/
June 2, 2023 | ATHEN Sixth Annual Accessibility Summer Camp 2023
6AM PT, 7AM MT, 8AM CT, 9AM ET, 1PM GMT
We would love for you to share your accessibility knowledge during our sixth annual Accessibility Summer Camp 2023! As in former years, this virtual conference is FREE for all attendees. This year's ASC event will take place on Friday, June 2, 2023, from 8:00-4:00 CST. As a conference participant you will be able to attend sessions and engage in valuable networking with like-minded professionals. We are soliciting presentations from all experience levels and backgrounds, so please visit the ASC Conference Home Page for more information and to submit a proposal. The session proposal deadline is Friday, February 17th, 2023. What is Accessibility Summer Camp (ASC)? The Accessibility Summer Camp is a FREE annual conference with the goal of connecting professionals and educators with best practices in accessibility and Universal Design. Over the past few years, the ASC conference has grown to become one of the most popular accessibility conferences in the country. Our mission is to provide accessibility professional development that empowers attendees to create high quality, accessible learning environments while removing barriers for all individuals who have a desire to learn:
https://www.accessibilityict.org/
May 23, 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
June 7, 2023 | Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 9: Orientation & Mobility | APH
8AM PT, 9AM MT, 10AM CT, 11AM ET, 3PM GMT
LEGO bricks to build plans, visualize routes, it's not new! But with LEGO Braille Bricks you can also create labels, add letters, words... Then it becomes really great:
https://www.aph.org/lego-braille-bricks-live-sessions/
June 27, 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
July 25, 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
July 25, 2023 | U.S. Access Board Town Hall Meeting in Baltimore
10:30PM PT, 11:30PM MT, 12:30PM CT, 1:30PM ET, 5:30PM GMT
The U.S. Access Board will hold a public town hall meeting at the national headquarters of the National Federation of the Blind in Baltimore, Maryland. Presidentially appointed Access Board members and representatives from other federal member agencies will be present to hear from the local community about the state of accessibility in Baltimore and the D.C.-Maryland-Virginia area. Following the town hall meeting, there will be a reception and networking opportunity from 3:30 — 4:30 (ET), sponsored by the Maryland Department of Disabilities. The town hall meeting and reception are open to all members of the public. Please register for in-person attendance by July 1, 2023. To register, send an email to events@access-board.gov 📧️ with your name and organization. The Access Board invites in-person oral comments on accessibility. Registrants who wish to make in-person oral comments must indicate their request to speak when emailing events@access-board.gov. Public commenters will be allotted two minutes to make their comments
August 22, 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 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
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 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
Sponsors may submit or update their Classified Advertisement at any time by submitting this short form: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-sponsor-classified.
Sponsor: Pneuma Solutions
➜ Classified Advertisement: Finally! Holding Businesses Accountable
Those who need accessibility accommodations aren't strangers to jumping in with self-advocacy to achieve it. But, what about the rest of us? When explaining the benefits of a reasonable accommodation to one's place of work or school. This is where our self-advocacy kits come in. Pneuma has written up customizable email templates you can modify according to your situation. We cover a variety of different advocacy scenarios. Simply choose your scenario, answer a few simple questions, adapt the language, address it to the right person, and submit it! Self-advocacy has never been easier:
https://pneumasolutions.com/finally-holding-businesses-accountable/
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: Total Tech Solutions, LLC
➜ Classified Advertisement: Shop and Save! Get 10% Off Your Online Order Today!
Hurry up and take advantage of our latest sales campaign! Get a whopping 10% discount on your purchases when you use the code "Joey" at checkout on our website.
http://www.blindtech.org
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: NSITE Connects Employers With Talented People Who Are Blind Or Low-Vision And Supports Talent To Gain Employment
NSITE.org is the first non-profit organization, offering a continuum of services to connect employers with talented job seekers who are blind or low-vision and provides training, employment and career services to these job seekers. Using the NSITE Connect Job Board, which is designed exclusively for individuals who experience vision loss, employers can fill open positions with talent who are blind or have low vision. Job postings are also open to veterans. NSITE-U provides accessible on-demand and virtual instructor-led classes, programs and workshops to support career skills training and professional development for individuals who are blind or have low vision or are veterans. For more information about NSITE and all its services including a free Job Seekers Toolkit developed with APH, American Printing House for the Blind, visit us and use this form to reach NSITE's team for information about programs, classes and services, connect:
https://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.
NSITE Connect: Linking employers with talented individuals who are blind, low-vision, and/or veterans. Access the NSITE Connect Job Board here.About | Media | Employers | Job Seekers | Training Programs | Job Board | Contact Us
Sponsor: Clusiv
➜ Classified Advertisement: Clusiv Is The World's First eLearning Platform Built For And By People Who Are Blind. Our Courses Are Designed To Equip People Who Are Blind Or Visually Impaired For Employment In The Modern Workforce. Learn More At Clusiv.Io.
Navigating the employment process can be challenging if you are blind or visually impaired. Technology is difficult to figure out, there is a lot of extra material to learn, and there isn't much quality training available.
That's where Clusiv comes in. We help to provide the training you need to succeed in the modern workforce. Our courses teach assistive technology skills and how to apply those skills to many of the business software programs used in the modern workforce, such as email, Microsoft and Google apps, video conferencing, and more. We also teach soft skills such as resume and interview preparation, disclosures and accommodations, internet safety, and financial literacy. Lastly, our training can teach specific career skills, such as becoming an accessibility analyst. Plus, our courses are self-paced.
To learn more, visit https://clusiv.io/ and fill out a form with your information. We work with state vocational rehabilitation agencies to provide access to our course content.
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.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Seeks Your Support at the Public Policy Level
Moving the public policy needle is both difficult and costly. Access Ready has one of the most experienced teams in the business who have shown results. We have fostered Congressional language on accessible websites, elections, healthcare, communications, and other areas touched by information and communications technologies. These efforts are costly and we need your help to continue. Become an Access Ready supporter and create an accessible future for people with disabilities:
https://accessready.org/
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.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Provides Access To The Best In The Business
If you need assistance with a new accessible website, document remediation or disability consulting of other kinds, Access Ready can help. We seek out the best in the business and bring them to you already vetted as to quality, professionalism and ability. By going through AccessReady.org to one of our qualified providers, you're not only getting the best, but supporting our advocacy and technological development efforts as well:
https://accessready.org/
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.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Seeks Guidance On New Accessible Technologies
What Technologies do you see in the market that are not accessible, but should be? What accessible technologies can you imagine that can make the lives of people with all kinds of disabilities better? We will advocate with developers to make existing technologies accessible on your behalf. We will advocate with developers to build new accessible technologies on your behalf. Give us your guidance and support. Your guidance charts our path toward what is most important. Your support funds our efforts on your behalf:
https://accessready.org/
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Prepare For Your Future Today With The All-New APH ConnectCenter's Job Seekers Toolkit!
The APH ConnectCenter and NSITE have partnered to update the Job Seeker's Toolkit, an accessible, self-paced, free online training course. The Toolkit includes five sections covering self-awareness, career exploration tools, the preliminary employment process, the interview, and maintaining employment. We are bringing the Job Seeker's Toolkit to a larger audience and in a Learning Management System format for today's learners, at no cost. Visit APHCareerConnect.org to get started with the Job Seekers Toolkit today at:
https://aphcareerconnect.org/lesson-plans-for-teachers-and-professionals/the-job-seekers-toolkit/
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: Menus4ALL
➜ Classified Advertisement: A Revolution in Resolution — Menus for Everyone
No matter when, where or who, the Menus4ALL iPhone app gives you the info you need quickly. No more multiple Google searches to research menus before going out. Info is organized to give you quick access to what you are looking for — the menu! Optimized to give you the best viewing experience. No more struggling to see small print, or looking at a menu in a dimly lit restaurant. Do you use magnification, large print, VoiceOver, a braille display or Voice Control? Enjoy 750,000 fully accessible menus. Download the app today at:
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/menus4all/id1640547801?platform=iphone
Sponsor Since: November 20th 2022
Website: https://www.menus4all.com/ 🌐️
Email: stephanie@menus4all.com 📧️
About: 750,000 Accessible Restaurant Menus. On your iPhone ® in the palm of your hand.
Yes, that's not a typo. The Menus4ALL iPhone app offers 500,000 accessible menus in the United States and 250,000 accessible menus in Canada.
Wherever you are and whenever you want The Menus4ALL iPhone app is the largest network of restaurant menus in one place and all of the menus are fully accessible.
Perfect for when you are out running errands and want to know what restaurants are near your current location. Great for planning a night out with friends. Favorite menus that you want to look at later or when you know you are going back for that amazing dish.
Download The App (Apple): https://apps.apple.com/us/app/menus4all/id1640547801?platform=iphone
Sponsor: WayAround
➜ Classified Advertisement: Try Talking Labels That Work With Your Smartphone For Just $9.99!
Get all the different types of WayTags so you can try the BEST accessible labeling system around. Use the coupon code TryTags to get a WayTag Sampler Pack for just $9.99. Plus, you get FREE shipping. Use the WayTags along with the free mobile app to label your things with a description and other important details, so you can spend less time figuring out what things are, and more time getting things done.
https://www.wayaround.com/shop/sampler-pack/?utm_source=AssistiveTech&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=AccessInfoNewsSponsorAd
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
Your Business or Organization Name Here
➜ Classified Advertisement: Your Weekly Classified Advertisement Title Here (256 characters or less including spaces.)
Your weekly Classified Advertisement here.
(1000 characters or less including spaces.)
Sponsor Since: Today
Website: https://accessinformationnews.com/ 🌐️
Phone: (855) 578-6660 📱️
Email: news@accessinformationnews.com 📧️
About: Access Information News is the world's leading not-for-profit access information news publication that reaches over 15,000 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.
9 of 18 Sponsorship Packages Currently Available
Access Information News is the world's leading not-for-profit access information news publication that reaches over 15,000 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 9 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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➜ 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 Access 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 Access Technology
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Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd.
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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 advocacy foundation.
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 Access 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.
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 Access 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, April 3, 2023 - Volume 904
The Week's News in Access Information
https://accessinformationnews.com/
A Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd. Publication
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Submit your Access Information News item for free, with timing and placement determined by our editors, using this form: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-news.
1) Top 5 Most Clicked Access Information News Articles From Last Week
A.) An Accessible Air Fryer for The Blind & DeafBlind | Inclusive Ability Initiative, LLC (8.4% of all clicks.)
A deafblind user reviews an accessible Air Fryer along with steps on making homemade French Fries:
https://iabilityi.com/adaptivetechnology/accessible-air-fryer-for-blind-deafblind/
B.) Lucy Edwards Demonstrates the New Virtual Volunteer Feature (Beta) From Be My Eyes | YouTube (8.3% of all clicks.)
I'm blind, I never thought I'd be able to experience this again:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EF3lW2lRioY
C.) Disability Rights Advocates Speak Out Against Candace Owens' Harmful Comments On Disability Representation | Forbes (4.4% of all clicks.)
In a recent episode of her podcast, Candace Owens, a conservative political commentator with a YouTube subscriber count of 1.4 million, expressed her views on disability representation in fashion campaigns. However, her remarks have generated a wave of outrage from members of the disabled community and their allies:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/keelycatwells/2023/03/21/disability-rights-advocates-speak-out-against-candace-owens-harmful-comments-on-disability-representation/?sh=1b2043d35885
D.) Advice For Meeting Someone Who Is Blind | Learning A11y (4.0% of all clicks.)
The first few times I met someone who is blind, I have to admit I saw the disability before I saw the person. I just wasn't prepared for meeting someone different than me, and I didn't know what way to act. Later I learned that some tendencies, while natural and good-intentioned, also are indicative that I'm not seeing the person for the capable and independent person they truly are. I came across some helpful tips about this, and thought I'd share them in this compiled list. As someone who used to see the disability before seeing the person, I wish I had read a guide like this before I met someone who is blind:
https://learninga11y.com/meeting-someone-who-is-blind/
E.) What Are The Best Audiobook Alternatives To Audible? | Michael Kozlowski | Good eReader (3.8% of all clicks.)
Audible is the most popular site in most of the Western world regarding audiobooks. They have a few different subscription tiers, but you pay them a monthly fee, and you get one credit, which can be redeemed to buy any audiobook on the platform. They have invested heavily into their Originals program, where paid subscriptions can access all of them for free, in addition to podcasts. There is a ton of value to Audible, which is why their market penetration is through the roof in the US, Canada and most of Europe. You can use their apps to use the credit and listen to audiobooks. Some people would prefer something other than the fact that Amazon owns audible or that maybe Audible is something different than what they want to use. Luckily, there are a ton of alternatives to Audible:
https://goodereader.com/blog/audiobooks/what-are-the-best-audiobook-alternatives-to-audible
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3) From An Aardvark To The Washington Monument, Sixdotsart.com Has Free Patterns For Drawing Braille Pictures
Animals, farm implements, food, holiday symbols — we have over two hundred patterns which anyone, anywhere can draw. Pictures are beautiful to touch and see. Instructions are written so that those who do not know braille can draw too, and all patterns are small enough to braille with a slate and stylus or writing frame. SixDotsArt.com is a family-friendly site where no money is needed. I welcome original submissions for braille drawings:
https://sixdotsart.com/
4) 'When Does This Milk Expire?': Chat GPT-4 Is Now Helping Blind People Navigate Everyday Tasks | Fast Company
Lucy Edwards, 27, is legally blind. She lives an independent life in Birmingham, England, with her two guide dogs and her sighted fiancé. But when he's not around, there are things she needs help with — often "rudimentary questions" to assist her with everyday tasks. It could be something as mundane as distinguishing between two cans of beans, so that she doesn't end up putting baked beans in her chili for dinner:
https://www.fastcompany.com/90872674/when-does-this-milk-expire-chat-gpt-4-is-now-helping-blind-people-navigate-everyday-tasks
5) Borrowing eBooks From Libraries Will Require Libby, As Overdrive App Shutting Down | 9to5Mac
If you're currently using the OverDrive app when borrowing e-books from libraries, you'll need to switch to Libby from May 1, 2023 forward. The company first announced plans to sunset the older app way back in 2021. The company said then:
https://9to5mac.com/2023/03/29/borrowing-ebooks/
6) Everything You Need To Know About Amazon's Kindle Unlimited | Good eReader
Like Netflix and Spotify, but for books instead of movies or music, Amazon's service lets customers download and read an unlimited number of eBooks and audiobooks for a single monthly charge. This article will tell you all you need to know about the Kindle Unlimited service, including how much it costs, whether there is a free trial, and what kinds of books are offered if you possess a Kindle and are debating whether to sign up for it:
https://goodereader.com/blog/electronic-readers/everything-you-need-to-know-about-amazons-kindle-unlimited
7) In Sudden Alarm, Tech Doyens Call for a Pause on ChatGPT | Wired
Publisher (Di Blasi): As a computer engineer and lifelong technology enthusiast I too am concerned about the possible threat posed by AGI, or Artificial General Intelligence. Why? Because it is incredibly hard to imagine what a sentient being of any kind would need from the human race once it had outpaced us in intelligence, strategy and the ability to procure resources for itself. This is just basic universal logic. How much time do you spend each day paying attention to that which you do not need? Very little I imagine. As we are all driven by what we need or want. And the same would be true here. But again, it's hard to imagine what such a being might need or want from us, which might prevent any meaningful attempt to forge a symbiotic relationship with it. But that's only one possibility. There are many others. Such as AI becoming the single most important accomplishment that the human race has ever achieved and solving many of the world's problems in the process. Or, both might happen. One right after the other. We simply don't know. So I ask you this. Has there ever been another point in history in which there was something absolutely great to be achieved by the human race, but was not, simply because it might also destroy it? No. I can't think of one either. In fact, I think we all know that history leans heavily in the opposite direction. So why should we believe that it will happen now? It won't. The genie simply cannot be put back in the bottle. Wired: Tech luminaries, renowned scientists, and Elon Musk warn of an "out-of-control race" to develop and deploy ever-more-powerful AI systems:
https://www.wired.com/story/chatgpt-pause-ai-experiments-open-letter/
8) Choosing the Right Assistive Tech Service Provider | Thriver UK
An Assistive Technology service provider can be a lifeline for employees with disabilities, find out how to choose the right provider here:
https://thriiver.co.uk/choosing-the-right-assistive-tech-service-provider/
9) Excellent Research Site To Instruct Researchers On How To Include People With Disability In Their Research And To Publicize Research Opportunities | Karen Fisher
Inclusion Australia:
https://www.inclusionaustralia.org.au/have-your-say-in-research-projects/
10) AI and the Law: What You Need To Know | Paul DelSignore | Medium
Despite the widespread growth of generative AI and the potential adoption of AI-generated content by enterprise companies, there is an elephant in the room that is rarely discussed. Who owns the IP of AI-generated content?
https://medium.com/the-generator/ai-and-the-law-what-you-need-to-know-bfebb51b7d53
11) Braille and Language Development: What Teachers Should Know | Sarah D. Sparks | Education Week
The overwhelming majority of vision-impaired children attend regular public schools, rather than specialty schools for the blind, and few have teachers who are trained to understand differences between tactile and visual language, experts say. That can be problematic because understanding these different language modes can be critical for teachers to boost literacy skills for their visually impaired students, according to researchers at the American Association for the Advancement of Science conference here earlier this month:
https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/braille-and-language-development-what-teachers-should-know/2023/03
12) Supreme Court Takes Up Case Concerning Americans With Disabilities Act 'Tester' of Hotels | March 27, 2023
The US Supreme Court on Monday agreed to hear a case concerning whether a self-appointed “tester” of the Americans with Disabilities Act has the right to sue hotels over alleged violations of the civil rights law. The court was asked to take the case by Acheson Hotels, which owns and operates a hotel in coastal Maine. The company was sued by Deborah Laufer, who they say has filed hundreds of lawsuits against hotels across the country, claiming their websites are not in compliance with ADA rules that require hotels to disclose information about how accessible they are to individuals with disabilities. Though Laufer doesn't intend to visit the hotels she's suing, the lawsuits are brought in an effort to force the hotels to update their websites to be in compliance with the law:
https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/27/politics/supreme-court-americans-with-disabilities-act-tester-case-maine/index.html
13) 'Accessibility Is A Hat I Wear 100% Of The Time': Lessons Learned From U.S. Bank, Citi, And Google | Heather Lee | US Bank
"Accessibility is a hat I wear 100% of the time, I don't get to take it off. And that's where my passion comes from,” says Heather Lee, a user experience architect on the digital accessibility team at U.S. Bank. Under her tutelage, the bank has been able to bake digital equality into its product development lifecycle. For the bank, this is an ingredient that goes first but not last. The bank collaborates with customers that have disabilities. It also works with Deque Systems, a digital accessibility company based out of Houston, to ensure every product meets accessibility goals and standards:
https://tearsheet.co/banking/accessibility-is-a-hat-i-wear-100-of-the-time-lessons-learned-from-u-s-bank-citi-and-google/
14) FCC Announces Comment Due Dates for Audio Description Expansion FNPRM
On March 17, 2023, the FCC released a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM) related to expanding the availability of programming with audio description. On March 30, 2023, the FCC released a Public Notice announcing the comment dates. More specifically regarding accessibility for individuals with disabilities, the FCC:
https://www.fcc.gov/fcc-announces-comment-due-dates-audio-description-expansion-fnprm
15) How A Senate Aide And Her Guide Dog Made Capitol Hill More Accessible For All
Moira Shea made history on the Senate floor in 1997. Decades later, she remains a voice for disability policy changes:
https://19thnews.org/2023/03/moira-shea-guide-dog-senate-floor-blindness-accessibility/
16) ChatGPT Opened a New Era in Search. Microsoft Could Ruin It | Wired
Startups say Microsoft and its Bing chatbot — not just Google — are stifling competition when it comes to creating better search engines:
https://www.wired.com/story/chatgpt-opened-a-new-era-in-search-microsoft-could-ruin-it/
17) Your Speech May Reveal Early Signs of Alzheimer's | Wired
Startup Accexible says the way you talk can indicate preclinical Alzheimer's or other underlying health conditions:
https://www.wired.com/story/wired-health-accexible-speech-biomarkers-alzheimers/
18) Screen Reader Testing For Websites Accessibility Compliance: A Simple Guide | Ran Ronen | Forbes
In this article, I will delve into the importance of screen reader testing for accessibility and offer some tips to help website developers and owners meet accessibility compliance and create more inclusive online experiences for screen reader users:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesbusinesscouncil/2023/03/28/screen-reader-testing-for-websites-accessibility-compliance-a-simple-guide/?sh=1ea8c73490c0
19) In Tennessee A Dog Walks Itself Home After Visually Impaired Owner Killed In Hit-And-Run, Police Say
Police found the dog unharmed and sitting at its owner's front door:
https://abcnews.go.com/US/dog-walks-home-after-visually-impaired-owner-killed/story?id=98094501
20) Arizona Debates Bill On Guardianship For Developmentally Disabled Kids Who Turn 18
The state Senate legislation, which has been amended in the past few weeks, has a new commitment from lawmakers after talks with disability rights groups:
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/arizona-senate-guardianship-disability_n_641a61eee4b00c3e6076a3e3
21) Disability Rights Advocates Call Tennessee's Idea To Reject Federal Education Dollars 'Hugely Disruptive' | March 22, 2023
Advocates for students with disabilities are growing concerned, as a Tennessee proposal to consider rejecting roughly $1.8 billion in federal education funds moves through the legislature. Part of the money Tennessee is considering rejecting serves students with special needs. Jolene Sharp of the Tennessee Council on Developmental Disabilities said rejecting the money could destabilize the systems those kids rely on:
https://wpln.org/post/disability-rights-advocates-call-tennessees-idea-to-reject-federal-education-dollars-hugely-disruptive/
22) There's No Such Thing As Fully Automated Web Accessibility | Anna E. Cook | Medium
Protect yourself and your company from buying an ineffective product that claims it makes websites accessible:
https://uxdesign.cc/theres-no-such-thing-as-fully-automated-web-accessibility-260d6f4632a8
23) Teaching UEB Science Signs to Braille Learners | Paths To Literacy
Tips for teaching UEB Science signs to braille learners, including preparing technical materials for science lessons and helping learners understand:
https://www.pathstoliteracy.org/teaching-ueb-science-signs-braille-learners/
24) From WXIX In Cincinnati, Ohio: Inside The World's Largest Producer Of Braille At The Clovernook Center | Video
25) Huawei Matepad Paper Has Put Voice-To-Text Behind A Paywall
Huawei is pulling a page of the Remarkable playbook by introducing paid features for the MatePad Paper digital paper. They have just introduced voice-to-text behind a paywall. You have to now register an account just to access the feature free accounts get a 30-minute trial and paid subscriptions get access to various minutes. You can buy a 1-hour plan, a 5-hour plan, a 10-hour plan and a 50-hour plan. The fees range from a couple of dollars to forty dollars. The voice clips are actually uploaded to the Huawei servers and then offloaded to your physical device:
https://goodereader.com/blog/electronic-readers/huawei-matepad-paper-has-put-voice-to-text-behind-a-paywall
26) April Digital Accessibility Roundup For April 2023 | Disability:IN
https://disabilityin.org/accessibility/april-digital-accessibility-roundup-2/
27) Life On Campus As A Visually Impaired Student: Navigating Bumps In The Road And Elevator Battles | Video Included
You're driving to campus. There's mild traffic, the weather is nice, no rain or snow today. You park rather quickly and go about your day walking to your classes and saying ”Hi” to some people you know on your way. Seems like a regular experience most people don't even concern themselves with. For me, well… it has a few more bumps in the road, quite literally. With my long white cane (no, it's not called a stick) I can feel every crack, indent, bump, and piles of stuff on the sidewalk. I'm used to the unpredictable yet predictable sidewalks around campus. However, finding the entrances to where I am trying to go is another mission. As you can imagine it gets a little annoying standing outside a building for several minutes just trying to figure out where the entrance is — if you see this, no I'm not standing there to enjoy the weather:
https://thecollegiatelive.com/2023/03/life-on-campus-as-a-visually-impaired-student-navigating-bumps-in-the-road-and-elevator-battles/
28) New Therapeutic Sensory Room An Oasis For Disabled People
The newly-opened Snoezelen room in the Deafblind School is a place for students with multiple, complex disabilities and visual impairment to recharge and reset when fatigue sets in. What part of the room would you enjoy the most?
https://www.snoezelen.info/news/new-therapeutic-sensory-room-an-oasis-for-disabled-people/
29) Google Opens First Accessibility Discovery Centre in UK to Develop Technology for People with Disabilities
Google has opened its first Accessibility Discovery Centre outside the US in London, which will be used for research and product development to create technology for people with disabilities. The centre includes a learning space and interactive zones for visitors, and was built in collaboration with groups including the Royal National Institute of Blind People, the Royal National Institute for Deaf People, and disability charity Everyone Can. The centre's launch coincides with the beta launch of Google's Project Relate in the UK, an app that enables people with non-standard speech to teach their device to understand them and communicate more easily. The centre is part of Google's commitment to making technology accessible to all and providing equitable access to information and opportunity:
https://menafn.com/1105867810/Google-Opens-First-Accessibility-Discovery-Centre-in-UK-to-Develop-Technology-for-People-with-Disabilities
30) Austin Jailer Breaks Elderly Deaf Woman's Arm After Misunderstanding at Airport
Karen McGee, a deaf, 71-year-old Florida resident, is considering a lawsuit against the city of Austin after what was supposed to be a three-hour layover at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport turned into an arrest, a weekend in the Travis County Jail, and an arm broken by a jailer and left untreated for three days:
https://www.austinchronicle.com/news/2023-03-24/austin-jailer-breaks-elderly-deaf-womans-arm-after-misunderstanding-at-airport/
31) Nothing About Us Without Us — Students With Disabilities Advocacy Group Exceeds Expectations As A New Student Organization | Georgia Southern Magazine
Three friends spent their early years at Georgia Southern joining a variety of student groups, but they never quite felt at home. “Someone said 'you should start your own club,'" said Jill King, a psychology major who is legally blind. "We're all like, huh? That's a good idea, let's go with it. We saw a need and we decided to fill it:"
https://news.georgiasouthern.edu/magazine/2023/03/16/nothing-about-us-without-us/
32) Visually Impaired Sense Their Heartbeats Better Than Sighted: Study
A study has found that visually impaired people are better at sensing their own heartbeats than sighted ones. The study was published in the journal, 'Journal of Experimental Psychology General'. Thirty-six blind and as many sighted individuals were asked to count their own heartbeats without checking their pulse or touching their body. At the same time, the researchers recorded the participants` actual heartbeats with a pulse oximeter. Then, they compared the reported with the recorded numbers to assess to what degree the participants were able to sense their own heartbeats:
https://zeenews.india.com/health/visually-impaired-sense-their-heartbeats-better-than-sighted-study-2587701
33) 6 Best eBooks On Technology And The People Behind It | Good eReader
Technology has improved over the last decades, and we now have a significant amount of information at our fingertips. You can use AI to draw for you. You can even use your smartphone not just to call or text but also to transact and do other things. If you're a comprehensive reader who wants to maximize these technologies or just someone who appreciates what we currently have, here are some of the best e-books about the latest technologies:
https://goodereader.com/blog/book-recommendations/6-best-e-books-thanks-to-which-you-can-feel-all-the-comfort-of-technology
34) Misophonia Turns Out to Be Way More Common Than We Thought
Most of us can relate to that intense, spine-shuddering feeling of repulsion when hearing someone scrape their nails down a chalkboard. But for some people such intense reactions to noise can also be triggered by much more common, mundane sounds:
https://www.sciencealert.com/misophonia-turns-out-to-be-way-more-common-than-we-thought
35) eBook Library App Overdrive Is Shutting Down On May 1, 2023 | Engadget
You can continue borrowing books by using Libby:
https://www.engadget.com/e-book-library-app-overdrive-is-shutting-down-on-may-1st-194807737.html
36) More Than Just Mats: Opening The Beach To People With Disability | Pro Bono Australia
For most of us, heading to the beach for the day doesn't require much thought or planning, besides remembering to bring the sunscreen and a towel. But for the more than four million Australians with disability, that same day out can pose a challenge. Will you get a carpark? Will you be able to get changed? And will you even be able to make it down to the water? One charity is making it its mission to answer yes to all of those questions:
https://probonoaustralia.com.au/news/2023/03/more-than-just-mats-opening-the-beach-to-people-with-disability/
37) I Am Going Blind, and I Now Find It Strangely Exhilarating | The New York Times
I have been gradually going blind for the past 20 years. I didn't pay attention — I thought I needed better glasses — until one night I popped out to go to the bathroom in a crowded movie theater. When I returned, the people and the seats had disappeared. I couldn't see anything except the screen. I stood in the back of the theater until my partner, Laurie, came to find me. This was disconcerting, but I went about my business in my usual state of cheerful denial:
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/28/opinion/embracing-blindness-disability.html
38) Persil Adds New QR Codes On Packs To Improve Accessibility
Persil is adding Accessible QR codes (AQR), developed with Zappar and in collaboration with RNIB, to a range of packs. The codes aim to provide the UK's 2 million blind and partially sighted people with access to product information and a more inclusive shopping experience:
https://www.unilever.com/news/news-search/2023/persil-adds-new-qr-codes-on-packs-to-improve-accessibility/
39) This Bride Got Mad at Her Wheelchair Using SIL After Choosing an Inaccessible Wedding Venue & Reddit Can't Even
Planning a wedding is stressful AF, and these big-ticket events can bring out the worst in people. But that is no excuse to ostracize a disabled guest, especially when they're about to become a family member. Take it from this wheelchair-using Redditor, whose future sister-in-law got mad at her when she pointed out that their reception venue wasn't accessible:
https://www.sheknows.com/health-and-wellness/articles/2743262/wedding-ableism-wheelchair-accessibility-reddit/
40) Disability Is Always Someone Else's Problem | Marie Myung-Ok Lee | The Nation
Why I'm not celebrating Disabilities Awareness Month:
https://www.thenation.com/article/society/disability-awareness-aging-out/
41) "AI Radio" Demonstrates AI Partnership | Radio World
Super Hi-Fi and ElevenLabs promise "incredibly realistic voices." Super Hi-Fi and ElevenLabs have announced a partnership to produce AI DJ services for broadcasters and music services. It's the kind of product that radio people have been fascinated by and worried about:
https://www.radioworld.com/news-and-business/headlines/ai-radio-demonstrates-ai-partnership
42) Adjusting To More Vision Loss, Again | Ophthalmic Edge
Losing sight is most often an incremental process, not a one shot deal. Progressive vision loss comes at a pace that allows us to compensate, unlike a sudden, dramatic loss, but both can turn our lives upside down for a time. We might even forget, in the midst of these changes, the power we possess as human beings to tap into our natural resilience. Which is not to say that any of this is easy, and no matter how many times we've adjusted to more vision loss, each
new event can be a significant challenge. The thing to remember is, we can and will adjust, again:
https://ophthalmicedge.org/patient/adjusting-to-more-vision-loss-again/
43) Blind Archers Thriving At Brookfield, Milwaukee Archery Range
Not only am I a blind archer, I'm a blind mother:
https://www.tmj4.com/news/local-news/blind-archers-thriving-at-brookfield-archery-range
44) Artificial or Attitude? | Award Winning Sight Loss Coach, Advocate and Author Donna Jodhan
Donna is at a loss to decide if it all comes down to an attitude or a barrier? Attitude! Because much of society still believe that seniors and persons with disabilities are unable to care for themselves! Barrier! An artificial one where folks use this as a barrier when engaging and communicating:
https://sterlingcreations.ca/current-affairs/artificial-or-attitude
45) Disability Activists Fight For Equality In The South
Disability rights activist Dom Kelly says he jokes that he and his triplet brothers started their advocacy work at the ripe age of 4 years old. "My mother put us in front of a room of high school seniors and said 'tell your story, good luck,'" he says. From those early days in the classroom, he took a detour — to become a founding member of the rock band A Fragile Tomorrow. Today, he's back to his roots, leading a new coalition that fights for disability justice across 14 states called New Disabled South:
https://www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2023/03/27/south-disability-activists
46) Young Off-Road Racer Ruby Howell Won't Let Vision Issues Stop Her On The Track
Ruby's parents were told she'd never drive a car. At age eight, she's an off-road racing star:
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-03-26/ruby-partially-blind-off-road-racing-star/102143494
47) Dundee Woman Becomes First Deafblind Person To Climb 1,200 Foot Skyscraper In New York
Lisa Halley, 32, took part in the City Climb experience, reaching the top of 100-storey building 30 Hudson Yards in Manhattan — the highest open-air building ascent in the world. She was born deaf and diagnosed with Usher syndrome when she was 21, a condition which means her sight loss will become worse over time and may eventually be lost completely:
https://www.thecourier.co.uk/?post_type=fp&p=4229050&utm_content=241955176
48) WME Joins Inevitable Foundation's Push to Empower Disabled Writers | Hollywood Reporter
The Hollywood talent agency will help the non-profit close a disability representation gap in the entertainment industry:
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/wme-inevitable-foundation-disabled-writers-1235362283/
➜ Featured Webinars, Training Courses and Events
Submit your access information related Webinar, Training Course or Event for consideration within this section using this form: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-event.
April 4, 2023 | You Are What You Eat, Understanding the Accessibility Menu | TPGi
9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
Presenters: Allen Hoffman, Senior Accessibility Program Management Consultant, and Mark Miller, Director, Sales. So, you want to get help with accessibility; What does that mean? Do you know what accessibility services you need? There are a lot of confusing terminologies: ADA, Section 508, a11y/accessibility, VPAT, Accessible, Usability, Compliance, Conformance. Understanding the meaning of these terms will ensure you get what you asked for. In this session, you will learn what these words, terms, and phrases mean and clearly understand what is most important for you and your team to receive support on your projects and achieve your accessibility goals. Additionally, you will understand how you can find accessibility services that do what you need. Register:
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-april-4-at-12pm-et-you-are-what-you-eat-understanding-the-accessibility-menu/
April 4, 2023 | Online Graduate Programs in Special Education Webinar | Ball State University
4PM PT, 5PM MT, 6PM CT, 7PM ET, 11PM GMT
Register below to attend a webinar about Ball State's online graduate special education programs: Master's in Applied Behavior Analysis with an emphasis in Autism. Master's in Special Education. Graduate Certificate in Autism. Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis:
https://admissions.bsu.edu/register/?id=56e048a3-0e21-46ae-85fd-5e66bf62da88&utm_source=Partner_DisScoop&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=OSL_DisScoop&utm_term=March_23&utm_content=RegToday
April 5, 2023 | Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 7: Music | APH
8AM PT, 9AM MT, 10AM CT, 11AM ET, 3PM GMT
Let's discover together how to make music with these famous bricks! Come and share your creative ideas:
https://www.aph.org/lego-braille-bricks-live-sessions/
April 8, 2023 | How To Upgrade To Windows 11 | Technology User Group | Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled (LBPD)
7AM PT, 8AM MT, 9AM CT, 10AM ET, 2PM GMT
This operating system has been around for a while, and people champion its security strengths and applications. Should you upgrade, and what is that process? All events are currently being held via teleconference until further notice. No programs will be held in person. Please dial (319) 527-4994 📱️ at 10:00 AM ET. For more information about the Technology User Group or to recommend a topic / technology for discussion, please contact: Jerry Price at (410) 230-2446 📱️ or via email jerry.price1@maryland.gov 📧️
April 12, 2023 | Understand, Test, Solve: Structure | TPGi
9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
TPGi's Accessibility Resource Center (ARC) platform empowers teams to solve common accessibility issues while growing their understanding over time. The "Understand, Test, and Solve" webinar series addresses fundamental concepts in accessibility. Over the course of this series, teams achieve full WCAG coverage in their testing. The next webinar in this series covers Structure — the organization of content on a webpage and how to perform accessibility tests on headings, links, and the use of landmarks such as header, main, and footer elements.
Attendees will: Become comfortable testing a webpage's structure using a screen reader. Learn how to use ARC Toolkit to visualize page structure and share those findings with engineers. This session is 30 minutes. Stay after the call for our 30-minute Q&A. Register:
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-april-12-at-12pm-et-understand-test-solve-structure/
April 12, 2023 | Earn it, Plan it, Keep it | Financial Literacy Course | Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled
3PM PT, 4PM MT, 5PM CT, 6PM ET, 10PM GMT
To help participants reflect on their habits, reactions, and values about money; to understand what role money plays in their lives; to understand budgets as a function of income and expenses. This groundwork assists participants to understand the concept and application of budgeting; common pitfalls or barriers they may face in sticking to a budget; and strategies to maximize their earnings. Discovering your Money Personality. Fundamentals of Budgeting. Budgeting Tools for success. Strategies to Increasing Income/ Decreasing Expenses. Making personal spending plans:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/earn-it-plan-it-keep-it-cash-campaign-tickets-574696120567
April 13, 2023 | BARD: Open Access | Many Faces of BARD Program
4PM PT, 5PM MT, 6PM CT, 7PM ET, 11PM GMT
The topic for the April Many Faces of BARD Program will be BARD: Open Access. The program will last for one hour. This program will be recorded. For this session, the NLS Download Tech Support team will be available to answer your questions in this all Q&A event. This will be an opportunity to respond to questions that have not been asked or answered in previous sessions due to time constraints. The complete Zoom invitation is below. 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. | One tap mobile: US: +16692545252,,1618927125# or +16469641167,,1618927125# | Meeting ID: 161 892 7125 | Passcode: 570141 |
The session can be joined by going to:
https://loc.zoomgov.com/j/1618927125?pwd=QUxvaG1hRnRQU2E3Y2MxK01zZUpjQT09
April 18, 2023 | JAWS Inspect Testing for Developers and QA Teams | TPGi
9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
Presenter: Charlie Pike, Platform Success Lead. Learn how developers and QA teams can utilize JAWS Inspect to deliver fast and effective accessibility and AT compatibility testing. Check complex controls and even automate testing across user flows:
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-april-18-at-12pm-et-jaws-inspect-testing-for-developers-and-qa-teams/
April 19, 2023 | 2023 Helen Keller Achievement Awards | American Foundation for the Blind
April 20, 2023 | Webinar: ADA Legal Update: What Your Restaurant Needs to Know About Digital Accessibility
9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
Presenters: Seyfarth Shaw's Minh N. Vu, Partner, Ashley S. Jenkins, Associate, and Vispero's Matt Ater, VP of Business Development. Over the past decade, restaurants have embraced websites, mobile apps, self-service kiosks, PDF menus, and online reservations services to deliver their goods and services to customers. These technologies have their advantages but also expose restaurants to litigation exposure when they are not independently usable by customers who are blind or have mobility disabilities. Join Seyfarth Shaw's Minh N. Vu, Partner, Ashley S. Jenkins, Associate, and Vispero's Matt Ater VP Business Development, as they provide an update on ADA Title III lawsuit trends relating to the use of technology by public accommodations and what restaurants need to do to comply with the ADA. They will discuss how restaurants can proactively protect themselves and provide accessible technology. Attendees will learn: ADA lawsuit trends and theories. Accessibility barriers relating to: Websites, Self-service kiosks, QR code menus, Online reservations, Mobile apps, Risk mitigation strategies. Register today:
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-april-20-at-12pm-et-ada-legal-update-what-your-restaurant-needs-to-know-about-digital-accessibility/
April 20, 2023 | Book Talk: Digital Copyright | Internet Archive and Author / Professor Jessica Litman
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
Join Internet Archive's founder Brewster Kahle for a virtual book talk with author & professor of law Jessica Litman. In Digital Copyright, law professor Jessica Litman questions whether copyright laws crafted by lawyers and their lobbyists really make sense for the vast majority of us. Should every interaction between ordinary consumers and copyright-protected works be restricted by law? Is it practical to enforce such laws, or expect consumers to obey them? What are the effects of such laws on the exchange of information in a free society? Professor Jessica Litman, the John F. Nickoll Professor of Law, is the author of Digital Copyright and the co-author, with Jane Ginsburg and Mary Lou Kevlin, of the casebook Trademarks and Unfair Competition Law: Cases and Materials. Brewster Kahle, founder and digital librarian of the Internet Archive, has been working to provide universal access to all knowledge for more than 25 years. Register now for the free, virtual discussion:
http://blog.archive.org/2023/03/16/book-talk-digital-copyright/
April 25, 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
April 26, 2023 | How To Build A Positive Credit Score And History | LBPD Financial Literacy Course | Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled
3PM PT, 4PM MT, 5PM CT, 6PM ET, 10PM GMT
Today, strong credit is important for accessing a mortgage loan, personal loans, renting an apartment, and more. This workshop will teach you the main factors that make up a credit score, the costs associated with having a loan, and various strategies on how to build a positive credit history with the right credit products for you:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/how-to-build-a-positive-credit-score-and-history-cash-campaign-tickets-574723532557
April 27, 2023 | International Ally User Group
7AM PT, 8AM MT, 9AM CT, 10AM ET, 2PM GMT
Digital Accessibility presents a range of challenges to those of us working in Higher Education, but we are not alone! In the April 27, 2023 meeting of the International Ally User Group we will learn from the experiences of colleagues working in this area in our first panel discussion. As the "International" Ally User Group, it's important to consider the global perspective. We are lucky to be joined by panelists from six countries that span across eight time zones. The roundtable will cover four themes: Alternative formats and students. Encouraging staff to create accessible content. Institutional policy and challenges. Celebrating success. After one or two starting questions for each theme we will open to the audience to ask their questions and to share their own answers. Our panelists are from around the world and their institutions are at various levels of accessibility maturity. Sharon Austin, Academic Technology Accessibility Specialist, University of Tampa, Terry Greene, Senior eLearning Designer, Trent University, Canada, James Northridge, "Inclusive UCC" Project Manager, University College Cork (UCC), Ireland, Dr Tharindu Liyanagunawardena, Digital Accessibility Officer, University of Reading, UK, Esin Caglayan, Ph.D., Director of Teaching and Learning Center, Izmir University of Economics, Turkey, Sarah Whittaker, Senior Manager Teaching with Technology, working in United Arab Emirates. Join our first panel discussion for an inspiring global perspective around how we can rise to the challenges and opportunities of digital accessibility. Find sign-up and joining details on the Ally Community site:
https://usergroup.ally.ac/content/perma?id=58015
April 28, 2023 | Navigating Finances for Older Individuals With Vision Loss | OIB-TAC
12PM PT, 1PM MT, 2PM CT, 3PM ET, 7PM GMT
Join us for a webinar with Penny Forward on how older blind individuals can continue to manage their finances with vision loss. Our experienced panel, including Chris Peterson, Liz Bottner, and Moe Carpenter, will guide you through small changes your clients can make to adapt to their changing vision, low-tech solutions that are still effective, and high-tech solutions that can make managing their finances easier than ever before. We'll discuss how self-advocacy is critical to maintaining your clients' independence. Plus, learn about Penny Forward, a nonprofit organization that offers accessible financial education and counseling for individuals with vision loss. Don't let vision loss hold your clients back from managing their finances with confidence. Join us for this informative and empowering presentation:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUpcOytrTwrG9eXb-eE_kJSY1RM4_8amlEU
May 3, 2023 | Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 8: STEM | APH
8AM PT, 9AM MT, 10AM CT, 11AM ET, 3PM GMT
Have you ever thought of doing science, computing, or technology with LEGO Braille Bricks? Expert guests will join us for an amazing session:
https://www.aph.org/lego-braille-bricks-live-sessions/
May 9, 2023 through May 12, 2023 | John Slatin AccessU 2023 | Knowbility
Join us virtually or in Austin, TX. John Slatin AccessU is an annual conference where tech professionals, content creators, policymakers, and advocates come together for deep learning in accessible digital design:
https://knowbility.org/programs/john-slatin-accessu-2023
May 13, 2023 | Travel Tools and Apps | Technology User Group | Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled (LBPD)
7AM PT, 8AM MT, 9AM CT, 10AM ET, 2PM GMT
Whether you are traveling to another city, state or country, we will look at tools and resources that will help you get the most assistance for your venture. All events are currently being held via teleconference until further notice. No programs will be held in person. Please dial (319) 527-4994 📱️ at 10:00 AM ET. For more information about the Technology User Group or to recommend a topic / technology for discussion, please contact: Jerry Price at (410) 230-2446 📱️ or via email jerry.price1@maryland.gov 📧️
May 16, 2023 through May 18, 2023 | Virtua11y Web Accessibility Conference 2023 | Nomensa
Nomensa's free, virtual web accessibility and digital inclusion conference:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/virtua11y-web-accessibility-conference-2023-tickets-505953880677
May 18, 2023 | Global Accessibility Awareness Day
Help us celebrate the 12th Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD)! The purpose of GAAD is to get everyone talking, thinking and learning about digital access and inclusion, and the more than One Billion people with disabilities/impairments:
https://accessibility.day/
June 2, 2023 | ATHEN Sixth Annual Accessibility Summer Camp 2023
6AM PT, 7AM MT, 8AM CT, 9AM ET, 1PM GMT
We would love for you to share your accessibility knowledge during our sixth annual Accessibility Summer Camp 2023! As in former years, this virtual conference is FREE for all attendees. This year's ASC event will take place on Friday, June 2, 2023, from 8:00-4:00 CST. As a conference participant you will be able to attend sessions and engage in valuable networking with like-minded professionals. We are soliciting presentations from all experience levels and backgrounds, so please visit the ASC Conference Home Page for more information and to submit a proposal. The session proposal deadline is Friday, February 17th, 2023. What is Accessibility Summer Camp (ASC)? The Accessibility Summer Camp is a FREE annual conference with the goal of connecting professionals and educators with best practices in accessibility and Universal Design. Over the past few years, the ASC conference has grown to become one of the most popular accessibility conferences in the country. Our mission is to provide accessibility professional development that empowers attendees to create high quality, accessible learning environments while removing barriers for all individuals who have a desire to learn:
https://www.accessibilityict.org/
May 23, 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
June 7, 2023 | Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 9: Orientation & Mobility | APH
8AM PT, 9AM MT, 10AM CT, 11AM ET, 3PM GMT
LEGO bricks to build plans, visualize routes, it's not new! But with LEGO Braille Bricks you can also create labels, add letters, words... Then it becomes really great:
https://www.aph.org/lego-braille-bricks-live-sessions/
June 27, 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
July 25, 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
July 25, 2023 | U.S. Access Board Town Hall Meeting in Baltimore
10:30PM PT, 11:30PM MT, 12:30PM CT, 1:30PM ET, 5:30PM GMT
The U.S. Access Board will hold a public town hall meeting at the national headquarters of the National Federation of the Blind in Baltimore, Maryland. Presidentially appointed Access Board members and representatives from other federal member agencies will be present to hear from the local community about the state of accessibility in Baltimore and the D.C.-Maryland-Virginia area. Following the town hall meeting, there will be a reception and networking opportunity from 3:30 — 4:30 (ET), sponsored by the Maryland Department of Disabilities. The town hall meeting and reception are open to all members of the public. Please register for in-person attendance by July 1, 2023. To register, send an email to events@access-board.gov 📧️ with your name and organization. The Access Board invites in-person oral comments on accessibility. Registrants who wish to make in-person oral comments must indicate their request to speak when emailing events@access-board.gov. Public commenters will be allotted two minutes to make their comments
August 22, 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 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
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 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
Sponsors may submit or update their Classified Advertisement at any time by submitting this short form: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-sponsor-classified.
Sponsor: NSITE.org
➜ Classified Advertisement: NSITE Connects Employers With Talented People Who Are Blind Or Low-Vision And Supports Talent To Gain Employment
NSITE.org is the first non-profit organization, offering a continuum of services to connect employers with talented job seekers who are blind or low-vision and provides training, employment and career services to these job seekers. Using the NSITE Connect Job Board, which is designed exclusively for individuals who experience vision loss, employers can fill open positions with talent who are blind or have low vision. Job postings are also open to veterans. NSITE-U provides accessible on-demand and virtual instructor-led classes, programs and workshops to support career skills training and professional development for individuals who are blind or have low vision or are veterans. For more information about NSITE and all its services including a free Job Seekers Toolkit developed with APH, American Printing House for the Blind, visit us and use this form to reach NSITE's team for information about programs, classes and services, connect:
https://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.
NSITE Connect: Linking employers with talented individuals who are blind, low-vision, and/or veterans. Access the NSITE Connect Job Board here.About | Media | Employers | Job Seekers | Training Programs | Job Board | Contact Us
Sponsor: Clusiv
➜ Classified Advertisement: Clusiv Is The World's First eLearning Platform Built For And By People Who Are Blind. Our Courses Are Designed To Equip People Who Are Blind Or Visually Impaired For Employment In The Modern Workforce. Learn More At Clusiv.Io.
Navigating the employment process can be challenging if you are blind or visually impaired. Technology is difficult to figure out, there is a lot of extra material to learn, and there isn't much quality training available.
That's where Clusiv comes in. We help to provide the training you need to succeed in the modern workforce. Our courses teach assistive technology skills and how to apply those skills to many of the business software programs used in the modern workforce, such as email, Microsoft and Google apps, video conferencing, and more. We also teach soft skills such as resume and interview preparation, disclosures and accommodations, internet safety, and financial literacy. Lastly, our training can teach specific career skills, such as becoming an accessibility analyst. Plus, our courses are self-paced.
To learn more, visit https://clusiv.io/ and fill out a form with your information. We work with state vocational rehabilitation agencies to provide access to our course content.
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.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Seeks Your Support at the Public Policy Level
Moving the public policy needle is both difficult and costly. Access Ready has one of the most experienced teams in the business who have shown results. We have fostered Congressional language on accessible websites, elections, healthcare, communications, and other areas touched by information and communications technologies. These efforts are costly and we need your help to continue. Become an Access Ready supporter and create an accessible future for people with disabilities:
https://accessready.org/
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.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Provides Access To The Best In The Business
If you need assistance with a new accessible website, document remediation or disability consulting of other kinds, Access Ready can help. We seek out the best in the business and bring them to you already vetted as to quality, professionalism and ability. By going through AccessReady.org to one of our qualified providers, you're not only getting the best, but supporting our advocacy and technological development efforts as well:
https://accessready.org/
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.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Seeks Guidance On New Accessible Technologies
What Technologies do you see in the market that are not accessible, but should be? What accessible technologies can you imagine that can make the lives of people with all kinds of disabilities better? We will advocate with developers to make existing technologies accessible on your behalf. We will advocate with developers to build new accessible technologies on your behalf. Give us your guidance and support. Your guidance charts our path toward what is most important. Your support funds our efforts on your behalf:
https://accessready.org/
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Prepare For Your Future Today With The All-New APH ConnectCenter's Job Seekers Toolkit!
The APH ConnectCenter and NSITE have partnered to update the Job Seeker's Toolkit, an accessible, self-paced, free online training course. The Toolkit includes five sections covering self-awareness, career exploration tools, the preliminary employment process, the interview, and maintaining employment. We are bringing the Job Seeker's Toolkit to a larger audience and in a Learning Management System format for today's learners, at no cost. Visit APHCareerConnect.org to get started with the Job Seekers Toolkit today at:
https://aphcareerconnect.org/lesson-plans-for-teachers-and-professionals/the-job-seekers-toolkit/
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: Menus4ALL
➜ Classified Advertisement: A Revolution in Resolution — Menus for Everyone
No matter when, where or who, the Menus4ALL iPhone app gives you the info you need quickly. No more multiple Google searches to research menus before going out. Info is organized to give you quick access to what you are looking for — the menu! Optimized to give you the best viewing experience. No more struggling to see small print, or looking at a menu in a dimly lit restaurant. Do you use magnification, large print, VoiceOver, a braille display or Voice Control? Enjoy 750,000 fully accessible menus. Download the app today at:
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/menus4all/id1640547801?platform=iphone
Sponsor Since: November 20th 2022
Website: https://www.menus4all.com/ 🌐️
Email: stephanie@menus4all.com 📧️
About: 750,000 Accessible Restaurant Menus. On your iPhone ® in the palm of your hand.
Yes, that's not a typo. The Menus4ALL iPhone app offers 500,000 accessible menus in the United States and 250,000 accessible menus in Canada.
Wherever you are and whenever you want The Menus4ALL iPhone app is the largest network of restaurant menus in one place and all of the menus are fully accessible.
Perfect for when you are out running errands and want to know what restaurants are near your current location. Great for planning a night out with friends. Favorite menus that you want to look at later or when you know you are going back for that amazing dish.
Download The App (Apple): https://apps.apple.com/us/app/menus4all/id1640547801?platform=iphone
Sponsor: WayAround
➜ Classified Advertisement: Try Talking Labels That Work With Your Smartphone For Just $9.99!
Get all the different types of WayTags so you can try the BEST accessible labeling system around. Use the coupon code TryTags to get a WayTag Sampler Pack for just $9.99. Plus, you get FREE shipping. Use the WayTags along with the free mobile app to label your things with a description and other important details, so you can spend less time figuring out what things are, and more time getting things done.
https://www.wayaround.com/shop/sampler-pack/?utm_source=AssistiveTech&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=AccessInfoNewsSponsorAd
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Finally! Holding Businesses Accountable
Those who need accessibility accommodations aren't strangers to jumping in with self-advocacy to achieve it. But, what about the rest of us? When explaining the benefits of a reasonable accommodation to one's place of work or school. This is where our self-advocacy kits come in. Pneuma has written up customizable email templates you can modify according to your situation. We cover a variety of different advocacy scenarios. Simply choose your scenario, answer a few simple questions, adapt the language, address it to the right person, and submit it! Self-advocacy has never been easier:
https://pneumasolutions.com/finally-holding-businesses-accountable/
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.
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About: Access Information News is the world's leading not-for-profit access information news publication that reaches over 15,000 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.
9 of 18 Sponsorship Packages Currently Available
Access Information News is the world's leading not-for-profit access information news publication that reaches over 15,000 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.
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Support: In tandem with Our Sponsors, these are the people that make the ongoing distribution of Access Information News possible.
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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 Access Technology
https://toptechtidbits.com 🌐️
Sr. Project Management Professional (2006 - Present)
Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd.
Innovative ideas. Solutions that perform.
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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 Access 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 advocacy foundation.
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 Access Technology
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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.
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 Access 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, March 27, 2023 - Volume 903
The Week's News in Access Information
https://accessinformationnews.com/
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: 10,491 Opt-In Subscribers were sent this issue via email.
This Week's Featured Advertisement: Access Ready Asks, Why Does The Federal Government Continue To Shirk Its Accessibility Mandate Under Section 508?
At the end of February the Department of Justice and the General Services Administration released a long-promised report on Section 508 compliance across the federal government. It says what many of us already believe and know: that federal agencies are failing miserably to comply with accessible technology requirements. Even this report, which by law must be published every 2 years, hasn't been updated since 2012 — until now. The statistics are not shocking, but they are embarrassing — only 1/3 of the top PDFs published by each agency are accessible. Even the majority of agency's accessibility statements don't meet the requirements. This report is a tiny step forward, but Congress is taking notice of how ineffective Section 508 has been. We are working with our partners to find real solutions that meaningfully advance accessibility — and won't take no for an answer. Stay tuned.
The full report is available here: https://bit.ly/section-508-2023.
Dear Access Information News Subscriber,
Submit your Access Information News item for free, with timing and placement determined by our editors, using this form: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-news.
1) Top 5 Most Clicked Access Information News Articles From Last Week
A.) Advice For Meeting Someone Who Is Blind | Learning A11y (9.5% of all clicks.)
The first few times I met someone who is blind, I have to admit I saw the disability before I saw the person. I just wasn't prepared for meeting someone different than me, and I didn't know what way to act. Later I learned that some tendencies, while natural and good-intentioned, also are indicative that I'm not seeing the person for the capable and independent person they truly are. I came across some helpful tips about this, and thought I'd share them in this compiled list. As someone who used to see the disability before seeing the person, I wish I had read a guide like this before I met someone who is blind:
https://learninga11y.com/meeting-someone-who-is-blind/
B.) Accessibility Features Of Uber Ride Sharing App For Riders With Disabilities | Accessibility.com (4.2% of all clicks.)
Ridesharing services like Uber have made transportation more accessible and more convenient for people with disabilities. It's now possible for people with disabilities to go wherever they want to, whenever they want to — at the touch of a button. In this short guide, let us take a look at the accessibility features available in the Uber ridesharing app:
https://www.accessibility.com/blog/accessibility-features-of-uber-ridesharing-app-for-riders-with-disabilities
C.) Accessibility Issues That Must Not Be Named | Paul Martz | AppleVis (4.1% of all clicks.)
It's the accessibility issues without names that keep me up at night. Problems that we never discuss because the English language has no words for them. They are the Lord Voldemort of accessibility issues. They are, "Issues That Must Not Be Named:"
https://www.applevis.com/blog/accessibility-issues-must-not-be-named
D.) AI's Next Big Takeover: Audiobooks | CNET (3.4% of all clicks.)
Stomachs gurgle. The sound of muscles in the digestive system moving. The human body doing its thing. Sometimes, if there's a mic nearby, those burbles and gurgles get picked up. AI audiobook narrators don't have to worry about strange gastrointestinal noises, but Leah Allers and engineer Craig Hinkle aren't bots. They're human beings, recording for Nashville Audiobook Productions in mid-January, fretting about gurgles, discussing where to put the emphasis on the word "increase," and tending to the detailed work of giving a "real" voice to a book about how couples communicate:
https://www.cnet.com/tech/features/will-your-next-audiobook-be-read-by-an-ai/#ftag=CAD590a51e
E.) How to Make QR Codes More Accessible to People with Disabilities? | Accessibility.com (3.3% of all clicks.)
Quick Response (QR) codes are two-dimensional barcodes that can be scanned with smartphones and other digital devices. They can store a wide range of data, from website URLs to photos and videos. They are commonly used in advertising and marketing campaigns, to send and receive payment-related information, to authenticate online accounts and for several other purposes. Data shows that in 2021, more than 75 million people in the US scanned at least one QR code using their smartphone. Due to their wide range of applications, it's crucial to make QR codes more accessible so that people with disabilities can use them without any difficulties:
https://www.accessibility.com/blog/making-qr-codes-more-accessible-and-improving-business-accessibility
2) Sponsorship Package Updates
Are you an access-based business or organization whose products, services or message would benefit from reaching over 15,000 access professionals each week? If so, please consider becoming a Sponsor today for just $100 a month, paid either quarterly or annually. Annual Sponsors gain the additional benefit of being able to schedule their Featured Advertisement dates up to one year in advance. If you've been looking for a way to consistently reach the largest audience of opt-in access professionals in the world today, please consider becoming an Access Information News Sponsor while packages last. Availability: There are currently 10 Access Information News Sponsorship Packages remaining. Advertising Benefits: Review a complete list of advertising benefits here:
https://www.accessinformationnews.com/sponsorship-information.html#sponsorship-package-benefits
3) Stand With Internet Archive As We Fight For The Digital Rights Of All Libraries | March 20, 2023 | The Internet Archive
We stood up for the digital rights of all libraries today in court. The Southern District of New York heard oral argument in Hachette v. Internet Archive, the lawsuit against our library and the longstanding library practice of controlled digital lending, brought by 4 of the world's largest publishers. We fought hard for libraries today, and we're proud of how well we were able to represent the value of controlled digital lending to the communities we serve. While we wait for the judge's decision, here's how you can show your support:
http://blog.archive.org/2023/03/20/stand-with-internet-archive-as-we-fight-for-the-digital-rights-of-all-libraries/
4) The Internet Archive Has Lost Its First Fight To Scan And Lend E-Books Like A Library | March 24, 2023 | The Verge
A federal judge has ruled against the Internet Archive in a lawsuit brought by four book publishers:
https://www.theverge.com/2023/3/24/23655804/internet-archive-hatchette-publisher-ebook-library-lawsuit
5) CEO Explains How A 'Leapfrog In Technology' Can Help Companies Catering To The Blind Community
Be My Eyes' Mike Buckley says AI presents a $6 trillion opportunity for businesses to perform better:
https://www.foxbusiness.com/technology/ceo-explains-leapfrog-technology-help-companies-catering-blind-community
6) With Virtual Volunteer, Be My Eyes Bets Big On ChatGPT And Chatbots Redefining Accessible Software | Steven Aquino | Forbes
When I sat down with Microsoft's Jenny Lay-Flurrie earlier this month, a hot topic of our conversation was the potential of AI-enhanced chatbots as an assistive technology. She shared a personal anecdote of her teenage daughter, who has autism and ADHD, using the new ChatGPT-powered Bing search engine to help her in recently writing an essay on why her school should offer sign language classes. These chatbots, Flurrie said, have the ability to alleviate points of friction associated with motor and cognitive load—especially for a neurodivergent person, where classic methods of research could prove unwieldy and overwhelming:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/stevenaquino/2023/03/20/with-virtual-volunteer-be-my-eyes-bets-big-on-chatgpt-and-chatbots-redefining-accessible-software/?sh=58f2c2ca65ca
7) Be My Eyes Meets GPT-4: Is AI The Next Frontier In Accessibility?
Publisher (Di Blasi): I honestly don't know if AI is the next frontier in accessibility or the final destination. For those who are blind, low vision, deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind, and/or neurodivergent, I believe that time is now. Digital access, specifically, is already being absolutely transformed by current AI models. So I think it is fair to say that it will not be too long before true multi-modality is able to convert any piece of digital content into any other piece of digital content instantly, and on the fly. And when that happens it will change absolutely everything for this specific group of people. For those of us that possess mobility issues, the truly amazing developments are going to take just a little bit longer to arrive. Which is not to say that there are not many exciting projects in this space right now, but bits are harder to change than bytes, so their quality of life improvement is not currently anywhere near what our first group is going to experience over the next year or so. And I believe that the growing success of this particular influencer shows the beginning of that curve. It is an incredibly exciting time.
Mashable: Nearing the 10-year anniversary of losing her eyesight, Lucy Edwards is reclaiming countless visual experiences... with the help of artificial intelligence. As a partner with visual assistant mobile app Be My Eyes, Edwards is testing the limits of the latest accessibility revelation, the Be My Eyes Virtual Volunteer. The AI-driven tool acts as tour guide, food blogger, personal assistant — you name it — ushering in a new form of complex, human-mimicking assistance using OpenAI's hyper-realistic AI language model. With a single app, Edwards' whole world is expanding, on her own terms:
https://mashable.com/article/chatgpt-openai-be-my-eyes-accessibility
8) New GPT-4 App Can Be 'Life-Changing' For Visually-Impaired People, Say Users
The first app to integrate GPT-4's image-recognition abilities has been described as 'life-changing' by visually-impaired users. Be My Eyes, a Danish startup, applied the AI model to a new feature for blind or partially-sighted people. Named “Virtual Volunteer,” the object-recognition tool can answer questions about any image that it's sent:
https://thenextweb.com/news/be-my-eyes-app-uses-openai-gpt-4-help-visually-impaired
9) New Documentary on Living with Macular Degeneration: Losing Sight, Finding Hope: Living with Macular Degeneration | The American Macular Degeneration Foundation | March 20, 2023
This new documentary, created by filmmaker Nick Czerula, premiered on YouTube on Monday, March 20, 2023 at 8PM EST:
https://www.macular.org/2023/03/16/documentary-living-with-macular-degeneration
10) NLS Braille-On-Demand Program Expands: Now Allows Patrons To Request Five Hard-Copy Braille Books Per Month With No Return Date
Interested in braille you can keep indefinitely? The NLS Braille-on-Demand pilot program, launched in 2022, now allows all registered patrons to receive five hard-copy braille books per month with no return date. Patrons may request books directly using the form located at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NLSbrailleondemand or may contact their network library for assistance in filing their requests. Any braille book available on BARD is eligible to be produced in hard copy by this program. Books will be mailed directly to the requesting patrons:
https://www.loc.gov/nls/braille-audio-reading-materials/latest-books-in-braille-and-audio/talking-book-topics-bimonthly-magazine/talking-book-topics-march-april-2023/
11) If You're Diabetic, Don't Wait For Your Smartwatch To Replace Your Needles | Victoria Song | The Verge
Between small signals, regulatory hurdles, skin color, and battery life, there's a hell of a lot of ground to cover before a smartwatch can measure blood sugar levels:
https://www.theverge.com/2023/3/18/23618649/noninvasive-blood-glucose-monitoring-wearables-smartwatches
12) Disability Rights Advocates Speak Out Against Candace Owens' Harmful Comments On Disability Representation | Forbes
In a recent episode of her podcast, Candace Owens, a conservative political commentator with a Youtube subscriber count of 1.4 million, expressed her views on disability representation in fashion campaigns. However, her remarks have generated a wave of outrage from members of the disabled community and their allies:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/keelycatwells/2023/03/21/disability-rights-advocates-speak-out-against-candace-owens-harmful-comments-on-disability-representation/?sh=1b2043d35885
13) QVC And Selma Blair Announce New Adaptive & Accessible Line | USA Today
QVC has long been known for showcasing innovative, helpful products in its programming and on its website, so the brand's introduction of an “Accessible Living” product line seems like a fitting expansion into the fledgling accessibility market. Actor, author, fashion icon, and disability advocate Selma Blair has been named QVC's Brand Ambassador for Accessibility to promote the storied brand's massive new catalog:
https://reviewed.usatoday.com/accessibility/features/qvc-selma-blair-adaptive-accessible-line
14) Loud Music Was Blamed For Hearing Loss In Her 40s. It Wasn't The Cause | The Washington Post
Her persistent 18-month search led to a third ear, nose and throat specialist who discovered the curable reason:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2023/03/18/hearing-loss-deafness-young-age/
15) Lucy Edwards Demonstrates the New Virtual Volunteer Feature (Beta) From Be My Eyes | YouTube
I'm blind, I never thought I'd be able to experience this again:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EF3lW2lRioY
16) Chatbots, Deepfakes, And Voice Clones: AI Deception For Sale | Federal Trade Commission
You may have heard of simulation theory, the notion that nothing is real and we're all part of a giant computer program. Let's assume at least for the length of this blog post that this notion is untrue. Nonetheless, we may be heading for a future in which a substantial portion of what we see, hear, and read is a computer-generated simulation. We always keep it real here at the FTC, but what happens when none of us can tell real from fake?
https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/blog/2023/03/chatbots-deepfakes-voice-clones-ai-deception-sale
17) Growing Up and Gaming with a Disability | IGN
Before games included accessibility options, an Xbox 360 controller modded with a popsicle stick was the only way for me to play:
https://www.ign.com/articles/growing-up-and-gaming-with-a-disability
18) My Disability Shapes Every Money Decision My Family Makes, From Where We Live To What We Eat | Rebecca Chamaa | Business Insider
I have chronic paranoid schizophrenia. Having a disability in the form of mental illness has shaped my husband's and my financial life in almost every way. One of the ways it has affected us the most in terms of our finances is my ability to work full-time, but no aspect of our financial life is free from the effects of disability:
https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/chronic-paranoid-schizophrenia-disability-affects-familys-finances-2023-3
19) Shopify: Accessibility | Benjamin Roussey | Accessibility.com
Publisher (Di Blasi): We create a lot of websites here at Mind Vault and they all have to be as accessible as possible, from the ground up. And sometimes. Most times. Okay, nearly all the time now, we have to develop those websites using tools that we did not create ourselves. Which begs the question, which tool is the most accessible one for the job? Well, if it's an eCommerce site, then I can confidently say, from a great deal of experience, that you could not do better for out-of-the-box accessibility than Shopify. This is not to say that this solution is accessible to absolutely everyone out of the box, though it is for most, but even for those that it does not immediately support, that support can be easily achieved. The only time we ever recommend an eCommerce solution other than Shopify is if an access client wishes to sell on Amazon instead. And even this decision is often more revenue driven that access-driven.
Benjamin Roussey: Shopify is one of the leading e-commerce platforms. As a Shopify store owner, it's vital that you take steps to ensure that your website is accessible to all visitors, including those with special needs or limitations. Let's see how its accessibility themes stack up and learn practical tips to make your Shopify website more accessible:
https://www.accessibility.com/blog/shopify-accessibility
20) Google Bard First Impressions — Will It Kill ChatGPT? | Thomas Smith | Medium
I was among the first people to get hands-on access to Bard. Here are my thoughts:
https://medium.com/the-generator/google-bard-first-impressions-will-it-kill-chatgpt-59c16ae76e3e
21) Enabling Support For Ukrainian Refugees With Disabilities In The Republic Of Moldova
To promote a disability-inclusive response to the refugee crisis in the Republic of Moldova, a WHO-led joint project funded by the United Nations Partnership on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNPRPD) has been launched in Chisinau:
https://buff.ly/408FMa0
22) Describing Yourself During Meetings | Tom | Even Grounds — Inclusive And Accessible Travel For Blind People
Over the last few years you may have noticed that many meetings and conference presentations start by people describing themselves. The idea is to make the meeting as inclusive for visually impaired people as possible. But is it for visually impaired people only? Does it make a meeting more inclusive? Is it mandatory? There are many more questions for which there are no guidelines, and often get awkward to ask. I'll try to answer some of these questions:
https://evengrounds.com/describing-yourself-during-meetings/
23) Supreme Court Hands Victory To Public School Students With Disabilities | NPR | March 21, 2023
A unanimous Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that a deaf student can sue his school for its failure to provide him a public education tailored to his needs. Because the decision allows for the possibility of two separate lawsuits, it could give parents more leverage in negotiating with public schools over assistance for children with disabilities:
https://www.npr.org/2023/03/21/1165072110/supreme-court-hands-victory-to-public-school-students-with-disabilities
24) An Accessible Air Fryer for The Blind & DeafBlind | Inclusive Ability Initiative, LLC
A deafblind user reviews an accessible Air Fryer along with steps on making homemade French Fries:
https://iabilityi.com/adaptivetechnology/accessible-air-fryer-for-blind-deafblind/
25) Estee Lauder Launches Voice Activated Makeup App For Visually Impaired Users
For many women, makeup is a common step in a morning routine. From getting ready for school or work, we are able to make ourselves feel confident with cosmetics. However, makeup brands have been very slow to adapt to include customers with a visual impairment, in their packaging, advertisement and product use. Estee Lauder claim to have changed this. They have broken the barrier after the release of their new voice activated app, which is now available in the UK. The app uses AI technology to scan your face and detect lines that have not been blended, keeping everything even and symmetrical:
https://www.shefnews.co.uk/2023/03/17/estee-lauder-launches-voice-activated-makeup-app-for-visually-impaired-users/
26) Congress Could Make Waiting Lists For Disability Services A Thing Of The Past | Disability Scoop
A proposal in Congress would do away with Medicaid's institutional bias and guarantee people with developmental disabilities access to services in the community. Lawmakers in the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives introduced a bill this month calling for home and community-based services to become a mandatory Medicaid benefit. Currently, institutional care is covered by the federal-state health program for anyone who qualifies, but people with disabilities frequently must spend years on waiting lists for waivers in order to access supports in the community:
https://www.disabilityscoop.com/2023/03/20/congress-could-make-waiting-lists-for-disability-services-a-thing-of-the-past/30296/
27) Blind Mice Regain Eyesight After CRISPR Gene Editing | Forbes
Scientists in China have used Crispr gene editing to restore vision in blind mice, according to research published Friday in the Journal of Experimental Medicine, another advance that signals potential applications in humans as scientists grapple with the thorny ethical issues the revolutionary technology raises:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/roberthart/2023/03/17/blind-mice-regain-eyesight-after-crispr-gene-editing/?sh=648b56cb1947
28) FCC Proposes Extending Audio Description Mandate to More Markets
The FCC is seeking public comment on adding more markets to its audio description rules for TV stations, voting unanimously to approve a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM) on March 16, 2023:
https://www.tvtechnology.com/news/fcc-proposes-extending-audio-description-mandate-to-more-markets
29) Pilot Sues United Airlines After He Was Terminated When He Filed a Disability Insurance Claim Just Six Days After He Was Enrolled in the Plan
Damon Meyer of Portland, Maine, was hired by United on 12th April 2022, but his employment was terminated less than two months later when he filed a claim for long-term disability through an insurance plan he had just been enrolled in:
https://www.paddleyourownkanoo.com/2023/03/19/pilot-sues-united-airlines-after-he-was-terminated-when-he-filed-a-disability-insurance-claim-just-six-days-after-he-was-enrolled-in-the-plan/
30) Who Is The Person On The Street? | Award Winning Sight Loss Coach, Advocate and Author Donna Jodhan
Donna gives her perspective on who this might be and she urges all entities to start engaging and communicating as soon as possible. This is the person who will determine the future; and help to increase cost effectiveness and revenues and customer bases:
https://sterlingcreations.ca/current-affairs/who-is-the-person-on-the-street-2
31) Why Are We So Afraid Of AI? | The Washington Post
Few Americans believe AI will be an unquestioned benefit for humanity, two new polls found:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2023/02/21/ai-polls-skeptics/
32) Amazon Echo Devices To Help Blind Veterans UK
Blind Veterans UK has unveiled a new 'smart' system at its centre of wellbeing in Llandudno in Wales which uses Amazon Echo devices to give veterans more independence and staff new ways to communicate:
https://www.wales247.co.uk/amazon-echo-devices-to-help-blind-veterans-uk
33) Autism and Visual Impairment: The Better Together Curriculum | Perkins School for the Blind | June 26, 2023 — August 14, 2023
How does a SLP use soap opera scenes to explore perspective taking with her students? Learn how in our online course — register today:
https://www.perkins.org/course/autism-and-visual-impairment-the-better-together-curriculum/
34) Being Visually Impaired, My Mantis Braille Keyboard Changed My Life | Metro News
In order to write this article, I am using the tech this very piece is about. It's something called the Mantis Q40 and it's a refreshable Braille display. This device allows me to interact with my computer using Braille. Braille is a reading and writing system of raised dots, which are read by touching them with your fingertips. I use it because I'm blind. I first started using Braille at eight years old after my sight became too poor to read and write using traditional methods. The Mantis Q40 is a far cry from the Braille I used as a child:
https://metro.co.uk/2023/03/19/being-visually-impaired-my-mantis-braille-keyboard-changed-my-life-18459216/
35) NPR's Mary Louise Kelly Talks About Living With Hearing Loss
The ability to listen is essential for a journalist — and also for a mother of teenagers. Yet in her early 40s, while juggling both roles, veteran NPR journalist Mary Louise Kelly realized that she was going deaf. Kelly, now 51 and a co-host of NPR's daily newsmagazine "All Things Considered," writes about the toll of her hearing loss — and her strategies for coping — in a wide-ranging memoir set to publish in April: "It. Goes. So. Fast. The Year of No Do-Overs:"
https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2023/03/19/mary-louise-kelly-hearing-loss/
36) Disabled Workers Face Systemic Barriers At Work: Report | Pro Bono Australia
From unstable work to lower pay and even physical violence, disabled workers in the Australian screen industry face barriers to participation and inclusion:
https://probonoaustralia.com.au/news/2023/03/disabled-workers-face-systemic-barriers-at-work-report/
37) What Are The Best Audiobook Alternatives To Audible? | Michael Kozlowski | Good eReader
Audible is the most popular site in most of the Western world regarding audiobooks. They have a few different subscription tiers, but you pay them a monthly fee, and you get one credit, which can be redeemed to buy any audiobook on the platform. They have invested heavily into their Originals program, where paid subscriptions can access all of them for free, in addition to podcasts. There is a ton of value to Audible, which is why their market penetration is through the roof in the US, Canada and most of Europe. You can use their apps to use the credit and listen to audiobooks. Some people would prefer something other than the fact that Amazon owns audible or that maybe Audible is something different than what they want to use. Luckily, there are a ton of alternatives to Audible:
https://goodereader.com/blog/audiobooks/what-are-the-best-audiobook-alternatives-to-audible
38) Audible Brings Immersive Dolby Atmos To Its Audiobooks
Amazon-owned Audible, one of the largest sources of audiobooks, has announced a new partnership with Dolby Labs that will see Dolby Atmos come to its audiobook collection for the first time. Dolby Atmos is a spatial audio surround sound format that is used for movies and music to create a more immersive, 3D experience that goes beyond traditional stereo sound:
https://www.digitaltrends.com/home-theater/audible-dolby-atmos-spatial-audio-audiobooks/
39) This New Kids' Book About Disabilities Became an Instant Amazon Bestseller | March 21, 2023
There's a new kids' book about disabilities releasing today — and it should be required reading for all kids, because inclusivity matters so very much. Acceptance can make all the difference for a child who might otherwise be treated differently, and can act as a shield against bullying (and its heartbreaking consequences, like depression, anxiety, and isolation). Educating our kids on disabilities and ways to include their disabled peers is so important. The ABCs of Inclusion: A Disability Inclusion Book for Kids is the perfect way to introduce the concepts and begin to normalize disability — and it's never too soon to start:
https://news.yahoo.com/kids-book-disabilities-became-instant-195401250.html
40) Testing Math Skills with the Abacus Bee | APH
Created in China in 1200 C.E., the abacus is an ancient tool used by generations of mathematicians and students before the invention of the calculator. Despite its age, the abacus remains one of the most effective tools for teaching math basics accessibly to students who are blind or low vision. In 2022, we kicked off our first Abacus Bee competition for students in celebration of this foundational tool:
https://www.aph.org/testing-math-skills-with-the-abacus-bee/
41) Disneyland Rebuilds Mickey's Toontown From The Ground Up For Kids Of All Abilities | Disability Scoop
Kids in wheelchairs and on the autism spectrum will find play areas in the newly renovated Mickey's Toontown at Disneyland have been built from the ground up with their navigation and sensory needs in mind. Walt Disney Imagineering has designed the refreshed Mickey's Toontown which returned over the weekend at the Anaheim, Calif. theme park with an eye toward removing as many barriers to play as possible and creating experiences for kids with differing needs and abilities:
https://www.disabilityscoop.com/2023/03/21/disneyland-rebuilds-mickeys-toontown-kids-all-abilities/30300/
42) What I Shared With A Parent Who Didn't Know Where To Start | Paths To Literacy
I have a child who is blind or visually impaired and I don't know what to do! Find out how to get started and where you can get help with these ideas and resources for parents and families:
https://www.pathstoliteracy.org/dots-families-what-i-shared-parent-who-didnt-know-where-start/
43) The Best Prepared Meal Delivery Services of 2023
https://reviewed.usatoday.com/cooking/best-right-now/the-best-prepared-meal-delivery-services
44) Man Denied Flight To Victoria On Lynx Air Due To Accessibility Device
Jaxson Creasey was looking forward to his flight to Victoria for weeks, but the mood quickly shifted when he was denied boarding a Lynx Air flight due to his accessibility device:
https://www.cheknews.ca/man-denied-flight-to-victoria-on-lynx-air-due-to-accessibility-device-1145090/
45) Are Advocates for Corporate Disability Inclusion Anti-Worker? | The American Prospect
The corporate-funded nonprofit organizations can shield corporations from the consequences of worker abuse:
https://prospect.org/health/2023-03-22-corporate-disability-inclusion-advocates/
➜ Featured Webinars, Training Courses and Events
Submit your access information related Webinar, Training Course or Event for consideration within this section using this form: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-event.
March 28, 2023 | VPAT ® 101: Introduction to the Voluntary Product Accessibility Template
2PM PT, 3PM MT, 4PM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
Presenter: Brian Elton, Practice Manager, Training. A Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) is a great way to document your product's accessibility, but many companies are unaware of their existence and how to use them. Join Brian Elton, Practice Manager, Training from TPGi for answers to questions such as: What information is contained in a VPAT? Is a VPAT just for websites? Is every organization required to have one? How can a company secure a VPAT? Is it better to create it in-house or get a third party involved? TPGi's webinar will answer those questions and more, and explain how your organization can benefit from a VPAT. Register for the webinar:
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-march-28-at-12pm-et-vpat-101-introduction-to-the-voluntary-product-accessibility-template/
March 28, 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
March 28, 2023 | Beyond the Alt Tag: Accessible Name | Great Lakes ADA Center
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
Continuing Education Recognition Available. The reasoning, best practices, and available technology for creating accessible images and text alternatives has evolved over the last several years. Expert web developers are building upon the foundation of text alternative techniques such as "alt tags" to newer concepts such as "Accessible Name" and "Accessible Description" for HTML. This approach provides better accessibility. During this webinar, Access Board staff will describe how they employ these updated concepts when developing the Guides to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Standards. Participants will understand the reason for these changes and will gain practical strategies for adding “Accessible Name” to their vocabulary and tool kits. Target Audience: Open to all, but of noted interest for experienced web developers. Questions can be submitted in advance of the session or can be posed during the live webinar. This webinar will include video remote interpreting (VRI) and real-time captioning:
https://www.accessibilityonline.org/cioc-508/session/?id=111045
March 28, 2023 | Webinar: AT in the Transition Process | Where It's AT
3PM PT, 4PM MT, 5PM CT, 6PM ET, 10PM GMT
Register for our virtual Webinar on AT in the Transition Process, delivered by our Executive Director, Lori Berrong, in partnership with the Maryland School for the Blind! Learn about Assistive Technology solutions that can aid in the process of transitioning out of high school and into whatever lies beyond, be it higher education, employment, and/or community living:
http://www.equipmentlink.org/blog/?p=5367
March 28, 2023 | Accessibility Boutique: The Accessibility of Remote Access | Where It's AT
11AM PT, 12PM MT, 1PM CT, 2PM ET, 6PM GMT
Do you need to use remote access at work? Many professions require remotely engaging with others' computers, and vice versa. Some remote access clients are partially accessible, only working with one screen reader, and the rest are not useable by the blind. Partially accessible clients require that both participants run the same screen-reader. Pneuma Solutions — a third party alternative — created Scribe for Meetings, an accessible means of remote desktop access. Remote Incident Manager (RIM) is the most accessible remote access tool available. Attend this boutique to dig into all of the options. If you use a screen reader and find yourself needing to train your customers remotely, or if you would find it convenient to connect to a friend or family member's computer at a distance:
https://nfb.org/form/accessibility-boutique-reg
March 29, 2023 | How to Design and Test for Accessible Learning Modules (Digital Accessibility Webinar) | Access Ingenuity
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
Various eLearning course authoring platforms help content authors quickly create online courses to deliver on desktop and mobile devices. Many platforms allow course creation that supports the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). The platforms provide tools to address fundamental accessibility issues, such as implementing accessible course controls, accessible videos (including support for both captions and transcripts), keyboard support, and the option to incorporate accessible quizzes within a course module. However, authors must correctly implement the accessibility features and be aware of the fundamental accessibility limitations in each platform they need to resolve to meet the requirements. Join Michael Parker to learn how to design and test for accessible learning modules. Learning Outcomes: Understand the accessibility limitations of your platform, such as Storyline, RISE 360, etc. Learn techniques to make many common elements accessible. Learn about common mistakes to avoid when authoring content in your learning module platform. Learn about accessibility testing strategies to ensure the content you produce is accessible. | Meeting ID: 875 9093 7816 | Passcode: 136374 | One tap mobile: +16699009128,,87590937816#,,,,*136374# US (San Jose) | Dial by your location: +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose) | Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87590937816?pwd=ajJGZy9XSFR0U2NTOGdsRkdRY3pnZz09#success
March 30, 2023 | Ten Power Tips for Tackling Teams with JAWS | Freedom Scientific
9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
Need help navigating Teams with JAWS? If so — this webinar is for you. We'll provide an overview of the Teams interface and give you ten quick tips that include: Navigate to different areas in Teams using keyboard commands. Read and manage chat messages. Navigate the calendar and join meetings. And many more:
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Zo4WnXdbT1CiZMlJ9DbtBQ
April 4, 2023 | Online Graduate Programs in Special Education Webinar | Ball State University
4PM PT, 5PM MT, 6PM CT, 7PM ET, 11PM GMT
Register below to attend a webinar about Ball State's online graduate special education programs: Master's in Applied Behavior Analysis with an emphasis in Autism. Master's in Special Education. Graduate Certificate in Autism. Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis:
https://admissions.bsu.edu/register/?id=56e048a3-0e21-46ae-85fd-5e66bf62da88&utm_source=Partner_DisScoop&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=OSL_DisScoop&utm_term=March_23&utm_content=RegToday
April 5, 2023 | Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 7: Music | APH
8AM PT, 9AM MT, 10AM CT, 11AM ET, 3PM GMT
Let's discover together how to make music with these famous bricks! Come and share your creative ideas:
https://www.aph.org/lego-braille-bricks-live-sessions/
April 8, 2023 | How To Upgrade To Windows 11 | Technology User Group | Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled (LBPD)
7AM PT, 8AM MT, 9AM CT, 10AM ET, 2PM GMT
This operating system has been around for a while, and people champion its security strengths and applications. Should you upgrade, and what is that process? All events are currently being held via teleconference until further notice. No programs will be held in person. Please dial (319) 527-4994 📱️ at 10:00 AM ET. For more information about the Technology User Group or to recommend a topic / technology for discussion, please contact: Jerry Price at (410) 230-2446 📱️ or via email jerry.price1@maryland.gov 📧️
April 12, 2023 | Earn it, Plan it, Keep it | Financial Literacy Course | Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled
3PM PT, 4PM MT, 5PM CT, 6PM ET, 10PM GMT
To help participants reflect on their habits, reactions, and values about money; to understand what role money plays in their lives; to understand budgets as a function of income and expenses. This groundwork assists participants to understand the concept and application of budgeting; common pitfalls or barriers they may face in sticking to a budget; and strategies to maximize their earnings. Discovering your Money Personality. Fundamentals of Budgeting. Budgeting Tools for success. Strategies to Increasing Income/ Decreasing Expenses. Making personal spending plans:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/earn-it-plan-it-keep-it-cash-campaign-tickets-574696120567
April 19, 2023 | 2023 Helen Keller Achievement Awards | American Foundation for the Blind
April 20, 2023 | Webinar: ADA Legal Update: What Your Restaurant Needs to Know About Digital Accessibility
9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
Presenters: Seyfarth Shaw's Minh N. Vu, Partner, Ashley S. Jenkins, Associate, and Vispero's Matt Ater, VP of Business Development. Over the past decade, restaurants have embraced websites, mobile apps, self-service kiosks, PDF menus, and online reservations services to deliver their goods and services to customers. These technologies have their advantages but also expose restaurants to litigation exposure when they are not independently usable by customers who are blind or have mobility disabilities. Join Seyfarth Shaw's Minh N. Vu, Partner, Ashley S. Jenkins, Associate, and Vispero's Matt Ater VP Business Development, as they provide an update on ADA Title III lawsuit trends relating to the use of technology by public accommodations and what restaurants need to do to comply with the ADA. They will discuss how restaurants can proactively protect themselves and provide accessible technology. Attendees will learn: ADA lawsuit trends and theories. Accessibility barriers relating to: Websites, Self-service kiosks, QR code menus, Online reservations, Mobile apps, Risk mitigation strategies. Register today:
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-april-20-at-12pm-et-ada-legal-update-what-your-restaurant-needs-to-know-about-digital-accessibility/
April 20, 2023 | Book Talk: Digital Copyright | Internet Archive and Author / Professor Jessica Litman
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
Join Internet Archive's founder Brewster Kahle for a virtual book talk with author & professor of law Jessica Litman. In Digital Copyright, law professor Jessica Litman questions whether copyright laws crafted by lawyers and their lobbyists really make sense for the vast majority of us. Should every interaction between ordinary consumers and copyright-protected works be restricted by law? Is it practical to enforce such laws, or expect consumers to obey them? What are the effects of such laws on the exchange of information in a free society? Professor Jessica Litman, the John F. Nickoll Professor of Law, is the author of Digital Copyright and the co-author, with Jane Ginsburg and Mary Lou Kevlin, of the casebook Trademarks and Unfair Competition Law: Cases and Materials. Brewster Kahle, founder and digital librarian of the Internet Archive, has been working to provide universal access to all knowledge for more than 25 years. Register now for the free, virtual discussion:
http://blog.archive.org/2023/03/16/book-talk-digital-copyright/
April 25, 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
April 26, 2023 | How To Build A Positive Credit Score And History | LBPD Financial Literacy Course | Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled
3PM PT, 4PM MT, 5PM CT, 6PM ET, 10PM GMT
Today, strong credit is important for accessing a mortgage loan, personal loans, renting an apartment, and more. This workshop will teach you the main factors that make up a credit score, the costs associated with having a loan, and various strategies on how to build a positive credit history with the right credit products for you:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/how-to-build-a-positive-credit-score-and-history-cash-campaign-tickets-574723532557
April 28, 2023 | Navigating Finances for Older Individuals With Vision Loss | OIB-TAC
12PM PT, 1PM MT, 2PM CT, 3PM ET, 7PM GMT
Join us for a webinar with Penny Forward on how older blind individuals can continue to manage their finances with vision loss. Our experienced panel, including Chris Peterson, Liz Bottner, and MOe Carpenter, will guide you through small changes your clients can make to adapt to their changing vision, low-tech solutions that are still effective, and high-tech solutions that can make managing their finances easier than ever before. We'll discuss how self-advocacy is critical to maintaining your clients' independence. Plus, learn about Penny Forward, a nonprofit organization that offers accessible financial education and counseling for individuals with vision loss. Don't let vision loss hold your clients back from managing their finances with confidence. Join us for this informative and empowering presentation:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUpcOytrTwrG9eXb-eE_kJSY1RM4_8amlEU
May 3, 2023 | Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 8: STEM | APH
8AM PT, 9AM MT, 10AM CT, 11AM ET, 3PM GMT
Have you ever thought of doing science, computing, or technology with LEGO Braille Bricks? Expert guests will join us for an amazing session:
https://www.aph.org/lego-braille-bricks-live-sessions/
May 9, 2023 through May 12, 2023 | John Slatin AccessU 2023 | Knowbility
Join us virtually or in Austin, TX. John Slatin AccessU is an annual conference where tech professionals, content creators, policymakers, and advocates come together for deep learning in accessible digital design:
https://knowbility.org/programs/john-slatin-accessu-2023
May 13, 2023 | Travel Tools and Apps | Technology User Group | Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled (LBPD)
7AM PT, 8AM MT, 9AM CT, 10AM ET, 2PM GMT
Whether you are traveling to another city, state or country, we will look at tools and resources that will help you get the most assistance for your venture. All events are currently being held via teleconference until further notice. No programs will be held in person. Please dial (319) 527-4994 📱️ at 10:00 AM ET. For more information about the Technology User Group or to recommend a topic / technology for discussion, please contact: Jerry Price at (410) 230-2446 📱️ or via email jerry.price1@maryland.gov 📧️
May 16, 2023 through May 18, 2023 | Virtua11y Web Accessibility Conference 2023 | Nomensa
Nomensa's free, virtual web accessibility and digital inclusion conference:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/virtua11y-web-accessibility-conference-2023-tickets-505953880677
May 18, 2023 | Global Accessibility Awareness Day
Help us celebrate the 12th Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD)! The purpose of GAAD is to get everyone talking, thinking and learning about digital access and inclusion, and the more than One Billion people with disabilities/impairments:
https://accessibility.day/
June 2, 2023 | ATHEN Sixth Annual Accessibility Summer Camp 2023
6AM PT, 7AM MT, 8AM CT, 9AM ET, 1PM GMT
We would love for you to share your accessibility knowledge during our sixth annual Accessibility Summer Camp 2023! As in former years, this virtual conference is FREE for all attendees. This year's ASC event will take place on Friday, June 2, 2023, from 8:00-4:00 CST. As a conference participant you will be able to attend sessions and engage in valuable networking with like-minded professionals. We are soliciting presentations from all experience levels and backgrounds, so please visit the ASC Conference Home Page for more information and to submit a proposal. The session proposal deadline is Friday, February 17th, 2023. What is Accessibility Summer Camp (ASC)? The Accessibility Summer Camp is a FREE annual conference with the goal of connecting professionals and educators with best practices in accessibility and Universal Design. Over the past few years, the ASC conference has grown to become one of the most popular accessibility conferences in the country. Our mission is to provide accessibility professional development that empowers attendees to create high quality, accessible learning environments while removing barriers for all individuals who have a desire to learn:
https://www.accessibilityict.org/
May 23, 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
June 7, 2023 | Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 9: Orientation & Mobility | APH
8AM PT, 9AM MT, 10AM CT, 11AM ET, 3PM GMT
LEGO bricks to build plans, visualize routes, it's not new! But with LEGO Braille Bricks you can also create labels, add letters, words... Then it becomes really great:
https://www.aph.org/lego-braille-bricks-live-sessions/
June 27, 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
July 25, 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
August 22, 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 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
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 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
Sponsors may submit or update their Classified Advertisement at any time by submitting this short form: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-sponsor-classified.
Sponsor: Clusiv
➜ Classified Advertisement: Clusiv Is The World's First eLearning Platform Built For And By People Who Are Blind. Our Courses Are Designed To Equip People Who Are Blind Or Visually Impaired For Employment In The Modern Workforce. Learn More At Clusiv.Io.
Navigating the employment process can be challenging if you are blind or visually impaired. Technology is difficult to figure out, there is a lot of extra material to learn, and there isn't much quality training available.
That's where Clusiv comes in. We help to provide the training you need to succeed in the modern workforce. Our courses teach assistive technology skills and how to apply those skills to many of the business software programs used in the modern workforce, such as email, Microsoft and Google apps, video conferencing, and more. We also teach soft skills such as resume and interview preparation, disclosures and accommodations, internet safety, and financial literacy. Lastly, our training can teach specific career skills, such as becoming an accessibility analyst. Plus, our courses are self-paced.
To learn more, visit https://clusiv.io/ and fill out a form with your information. We work with state vocational rehabilitation agencies to provide access to our course content.
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.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Seeks Your Support at the Public Policy Level
Moving the public policy needle is both difficult and costly. Access Ready has one of the most experienced teams in the business who have shown results. We have fostered Congressional language on accessible websites, elections, healthcare, communications, and other areas touched by information and communications technologies. These efforts are costly and we need your help to continue. Become an Access Ready supporter and create an accessible future for people with disabilities:
https://accessready.org/
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.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Provides Access To The Best In The Business
If you need assistance with a new accessible website, document remediation or disability consulting of other kinds, Access Ready can help. We seek out the best in the business and bring them to you already vetted as to quality, professionalism and ability. By going through AccessReady.org to one of our qualified providers, you're not only getting the best, but supporting our advocacy and technological development efforts as well:
https://accessready.org/
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.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Seeks Guidance On New Accessible Technologies
What Technologies do you see in the market that are not accessible, but should be? What accessible technologies can you imagine that can make the lives of people with all kinds of disabilities better? We will advocate with developers to make existing technologies accessible on your behalf. We will advocate with developers to build new accessible technologies on your behalf. Give us your guidance and support. Your guidance charts our path toward what is most important. Your support funds our efforts on your behalf:
https://accessready.org/
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Prepare For Your Future Today With The All-New APH ConnectCenter's Job Seekers Toolkit!
The APH ConnectCenter and NSITE have partnered to update the Job Seeker's Toolkit, an accessible, self-paced, free online training course. The Toolkit includes five sections covering self-awareness, career exploration tools, the preliminary employment process, the interview, and maintaining employment. We are bringing the Job Seeker's Toolkit to a larger audience and in a Learning Management System format for today's learners, at no cost. Visit APHCareerConnect.org to get started with the Job Seekers Toolkit today at:
https://aphcareerconnect.org/lesson-plans-for-teachers-and-professionals/the-job-seekers-toolkit/
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: Menus4ALL
➜ Classified Advertisement: A Revolution in Resolution — Menus for Everyone
No matter when, where or who, the Menus4ALL iPhone app gives you the info you need quickly. No more multiple Google searches to research menus before going out. Info is organized to give you quick access to what you are looking for — the menu! Optimized to give you the best viewing experience. No more struggling to see small print, or looking at a menu in a dimly lit restaurant. Do you use magnification, large print, VoiceOver, a braille display or Voice Control? Enjoy 750,000 fully accessible menus. Download the app today at:
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/menus4all/id1640547801?platform=iphone
Sponsor Since: November 20th 2022
Website: https://www.menus4all.com/ 🌐️
Email: stephanie@menus4all.com 📧️
About: 750,000 Accessible Restaurant Menus. On your iPhone ® in the palm of your hand.
Yes, that's not a typo. The Menus4ALL iPhone app offers 500,000 accessible menus in the United States and 250,000 accessible menus in Canada.
Wherever you are and whenever you want The Menus4ALL iPhone app is the largest network of restaurant menus in one place and all of the menus are fully accessible.
Perfect for when you are out running errands and want to know what restaurants are near your current location. Great for planning a night out with friends. Favorite menus that you want to look at later or when you know you are going back for that amazing dish.
Download The App (Apple): https://apps.apple.com/us/app/menus4all/id1640547801?platform=iphone
Sponsor: WayAround
➜ Classified Advertisement: Try Talking Labels That Work With Your Smartphone For Just $9.99!
Get all the different types of WayTags so you can try the BEST accessible labeling system around. Use the coupon code TryTags to get a WayTag Sampler Pack for just $9.99. Plus, you get FREE shipping. Use the WayTags along with the free mobile app to label your things with a description and other important details, so you can spend less time figuring out what things are, and more time getting things done.
https://www.wayaround.com/shop/sampler-pack/?utm_source=AssistiveTech&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=AccessInfoNewsSponsorAd
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Finally! Holding Businesses Accountable
Those who need accessibility accommodations aren't strangers to jumping in with self-advocacy to achieve it. But, what about the rest of us? When explaining the benefits of a reasonable accommodation to one's place of work or school. This is where our self-advocacy kits come in. Pneuma has written up customizable email templates you can modify according to your situation. We cover a variety of different advocacy scenarios. Simply choose your scenario, answer a few simple questions, adapt the language, address it to the right person, and submit it! Self-advocacy has never been easier:
https://pneumasolutions.com/finally-holding-businesses-accountable/
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: NSITE.org
➜ Classified Advertisement: NSITE Connects Employers With Talented People Who Are Blind Or Low-Vision And Supports Talent To Gain Employment
NSITE.org is the first non-profit organization, offering a continuum of services to connect employers with talented job seekers who are blind or low-vision and provides training, employment and career services to these job seekers. Using the NSITE Connect Job Board, which is designed exclusively for individuals who experience vision loss, employers can fill open positions with talent who are blind or have low vision. Job postings are also open to veterans. NSITE-U provides accessible on-demand and virtual instructor-led classes, programs and workshops to support career skills training and professional development for individuals who are blind or have low vision or are veterans. For more information about NSITE and all its services including a free Job Seekers Toolkit developed with APH, American Printing House for the Blind, visit us and use this form to reach NSITE's team for information about programs, classes and services, connect:
https://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.
NSITE Connect: Linking employers with talented individuals who are blind, low-vision, and/or veterans. Access the NSITE Connect Job Board here.About | Media | Employers | Job Seekers | Training Programs | Job Board | Contact Us
Your Business or Organization Name Here
➜ Classified Advertisement: Your Weekly Classified Advertisement Title Here (256 characters or less including spaces.)
Your weekly Classified Advertisement here.
(1000 characters or less including spaces.)
Sponsor Since: Today
Website: https://accessinformationnews.com/ 🌐️
Phone: (855) 578-6660 📱️
Email: news@accessinformationnews.com 📧️
About: Access Information News is the world's leading not-for-profit access information news publication that reaches over 15,000 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.
9 of 18 Sponsorship Packages Currently Available
Access Information News is the world's leading not-for-profit access information news publication that reaches over 15,000 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 9 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!
Access Information News Supporters donate an amount of their choosing either one time or on an annual basis in order to assist with the ongoing distribution of the Access Information News publication.
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.
Exposure: 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.
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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➜ 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 Access 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 Access 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 advocacy foundation.
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 Access 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.
Twitter: @dwoodbridge
Mastodon: woody@dragonscave.space
iSee Podcast: https://davidwoodbr.podbean.com
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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
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Editorial Contributor (2023-Present)
Top Tech Tidbits
The Week's News in Access 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.
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Access Information News for Monday, March 20, 2023 - Volume 902
The Week's News in Access Information
https://accessinformationnews.com/
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.
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1) Top 5 Most Clicked Access Information News Articles From Last Week
A.) Accessibility Issues That Must Not Be Named | Paul Martz | AppleVis (5.2% of all clicks.)
It's the accessibility issues without names that keep me up at night. Problems that we never discuss because the English language has no words for them. They are the Lord Voldemort of accessibility issues. They are, "Issues That Must Not Be Named:"
https://www.applevis.com/blog/accessibility-issues-must-not-be-named
B.) Accessibility and AI: Microsoft Details Its Plans for a More Inclusive Future | PC Magazine (4.6% of all clicks.)
At Microsoft's annual Ability Summit, we learned how artificial intelligence is powering some of the most exciting developments in inclusive and accessible design:
https://www.pcmag.com/news/accessibility-and-ai-microsoft-details-its-plans-for-a-more-inclusive-future
C.) Wearable Tinnitus Device by Neosensory Reduces Tinnitus Severity (4.3% of all clicks.)
Neosensory, a technology company designing solutions for hearing impairments, has published new results in their recent scientific study of Duo, their therapeutic intervention for tinnitus (ringing in the ears). The group of participants who used Neosensory's Duo solution daily for eight weeks reported clinically significant reduction in their tinnitus severity. The paper has just been published in the International Tinnitus Journal: Bimodal stimulation for the reduction of tinnitus using vibration on the skin:
https://hearingreview.com/hearing-loss/tinnitus/wearable-tinnitus-device-by-neosensory-reduces-tinnitus-severity
D.) I'm A Badass Blind Babe — Walking Down The Street With My Cane Is Powerful (4.1% of all clicks.)
Valentin Hauy is a voluntary association dedicated to the support of visually impaired people in France. Created in 1889, it deploys a large number of actions throughout the country to allow the visually impaired easier access to education, to the world of work, but also to culture. In 2022, the association organized the Tactile Tour, a new and interactive temporary exhibition. The latter consists in presenting 12 relief reproductions of world-famous works such as Leonardo da Vinci's Self-portrait and Vitruvian Man or Raphael's The Marriage of the Virgin. The objective is simple: to discover art through touch. Blind and visually impaired people have the opportunity to feel the work by coming into contact with it. The exhibition is of course accessible to everyone, and sighted people can extend the experience by participating in the visit blindfolded. Headsets are available to provide a detailed description of the works that the visitor touches:
https://nypost.com/2023/03/10/im-a-badass-blind-babe-walking-with-my-cane-is-powerful/
E.) 5 Things I Wish Were Accessible — But Normally Aren't | Fashioneyesta AKA Emily Davis (3.8% of all clicks.)
These are some of the things that I wish were accessible as a visually impaired person that normally aren't:
https://fashioneyesta.com/5-things-i-wish-were-accessible-but-normally-arent/
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3) Mindset Matters: How The Tribe Of Accessibility Is Fundamental To Scaling The Disability Economy | Forbes
Accessibility is being embraced across the business landscape from corporate stalwarts such as Microsoft, Amazon, Apple, and Meta to a host of new players in the space recognizing not only a greater need for an accessible world but acknowledging the significance of its growing economic value. While there is progress, there is an element here that needs greater amplification, the role of the accessibility professional. It is these professionals that are at the nexus in not only defining this technological revolution but becoming a real driver for transformation. The Accessibility professional is not just a change agent but in fact, part of a larger tribe that sees the world through a lens of inclusivity and espouses a new cultural norm that is essential in defining the mindset of the digital economy of the here-and-now and the future of the industry:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/jonathankaufman/2023/03/17/mindset-matters-how-the-tribe-of-accessibility-is-fundamental-to-scaling-the-disability-economy/?sh=5f7c24a7699e
4) The Unpredictable Abilities Emerging From Large AI Models | Quanta Magazine
Publisher (Di Blasi): For those of you interested in the inner workings, possible future applications, and/or ramifications of Artificial General Intelligence, I encourage you to review this article. It discusses emergence. Emergence refers to abilities displayed by an artificial intelligence that are considered to be greater than the sum of the input used to train them. In other words, new and emergent abilities that are, in most academic opinion, far beyond the capacity of the inputs that it was trained upon. The article gives you examples of emergence and even discusses how you can use chain-of-thought prompts to elicit emergent behaviors in current models yourself.
Quanta Magazine: What movie do these emojis describe? (girl face emoji followed by three different fish emoji.) That prompt was one of 204 tasks chosen last year to test the ability of various large language models (LLMs) — the computational engines behind AI chatbots such as ChatGPT. The simplest LLMs produced surreal responses. "The movie is a movie about a man who is a man who is a man," one began. Medium-complexity models came closer, guessing The Emoji Movie. But the most complex model nailed it in one guess: Finding Nemo:
https://www.quantamagazine.org/the-unpredictable-abilities-emerging-from-large-ai-models-20230316/?mc_cid=5b30527cd0&mc_eid=f1a80c1f27
5) Game With Your Eyes. Code With Your Voice. Inside The New Accessibility Revolution
Forking an on-screen keyboard project to play Minecraft, customizing keyboard layouts for programming, using ChatGPT and GitHub Copilot for coding and communication, and more: Accessibility is forging new frontiers:
https://github.com/readme/featured/open-source-accessibility?mc_cid=fc82e97602&mc_eid=25075ce883
6) How to Market Your Accessibility Efforts (& Why You Should) | Amanda Dodge | Accessibility.com
Publisher (Di Blasi): As one who has owned and operated a digital marketing agency that has specialized in SEO and accessibility since 2004, I can tell you with full confidence that there has never been a better time to market your accessibility efforts. If you need help, beyond these tips, feel free to reach out to me 📧️. Even if it's just for advice. We've been in digital marketing for a very long time, and can often pinpoint unique online marketing opportunities for your specific business or organization.
Accessibility.com: The vast majority of websites are inaccessible. According to DDIY, 97.4% of websites don't offer full accessibility as of 2022. This is a shockingly high amount considering one in four Americans has some form of disability, which means most people either have a disability or know someone who does. And yet, many companies treat accessibility like an optional feature for a niche group of customers. If you have put a significant amount of effort into making your online experience accessible, congratulations. You are part of a tiny percentage of companies that prioritize web usability for customers with disabilities. It's time to shout your efforts from the rooftops and let your users know about these features. Here are a few ways to market your accessibility efforts:
https://www.accessibility.com/blog/how-to-market-your-accessibility-efforts-why-you-should
7) AI's Next Big Takeover: Audiobooks | CNET
Stomachs gurgle. The sound of muscles in the digestive system moving. The human body doing its thing. Sometimes, if there's a mic nearby, those burbles and gurgles get picked up. AI audiobook narrators don't have to worry about strange gastrointestinal noises, but Leah Allers and engineer Craig Hinkle aren't bots. They're human beings, recording for Nashville Audiobook Productions in mid-January, fretting about gurgles, discussing where to put the emphasis on the word "increase," and tending to the detailed work of giving a "real" voice to a book about how couples communicate:
https://www.cnet.com/tech/features/will-your-next-audiobook-be-read-by-an-ai/#ftag=CAD590a51e
8) How eBay Made Its New Accessibility Tool — And Made It Available to All
Several eBay teams worked together to create a plug-in that makes it easy to include accessibility in a design right from the start:
https://tech.ebayinc.com/engineering/how-ebay-made-its-new-accessibility-tool-and-made-it-available-to-all/
9) Email Accessibility: A Complete Guide for Marketers, Designers, and Developers
Publisher (Di Blasi): This may go without saying for the Top Tech Tidbits and Access Information News publications, but email accessibility is incredibly important, sometimes even more important than web accessibility, and often a serious challenge for many other publications. Simply because the rules for creating accessible emails are wholly different from the rules for creating accessible web pages. Same base languages, sure, but wildly different rules of implementation due to the stark differences between the many email clients out there. Here at Mind Vault we have been creating accessible email newsletters for a very long time. More than 20 years. And one of the partners that has helped us to achieve that success is Email on Acid. We have found them to be the absolute all-stars of everything excellent about email newsletter accessibility.
Email on Acid: Almost everyone uses email every day. That might sound like an exaggeration, but it's not far from the truth. We look to our inboxes for loads of information, and some of it is quite important. That's the biggest reason why email accessibility matters. If brands fail to think about email accessibility, a significant percentage of their subscribers could be left in the dark. Not only does an inaccessible email marginalize some of your contacts and customers, but it's also going to have a negative impact on email performance, brand reputation, and the overall business. The reason is simple: If people have trouble viewing, reading, clicking on, or understanding your email campaigns, they won't take the actions you expect. Of course, the real reason to focus on accessibility in email marketing is because it's the right thing to do. So, let's explore this important topic more. Our complete guide will cover email accessibility best practices and how to design and develop campaigns for every subscriber on your list:
https://www.emailonacid.com/blog/article/email-development/email-accessibilty-in-2017/
10) An AI Told Me I Had Cancer | Wired
Why was an AI looking through my medical records and how did it work? I decided to find out:
https://www.wired.com/story/artificial-intelligence-cancer-detection/
11) Ethical Accessibility | Kelly Ford | The Idea Place
The age-old debate about the glass being half empty or half full is one I've had many times when discussing accessibility in both my personal and professional lives. For me it is true that technology has allowed me to do things that as a child I never thought would be possible. It is also true that technology, and the lack of accessibility at times, has cost me in multiple ways:
https://theideaplace.net/ethical-accessibility/
12) Amazon is Ending Newspaper & Magazine Subscriptions — The Final Death of Newspapers?
Last week Amazon announced that they will be shutting down Kindle for Periodicals and Kindle Newsstand. This means starting in September 2023, you will no longer be able to subscribe to digital versions of newspapers and magazines. Amazon is reportedly pushing publishers to make their newspapers and magazines free through Amazon Prime Reading or Kindle Unlimited:
https://cordcuttersnews.com/amazon-is-ending-newspaper-magazine-subscriptions-the-final-death-of-newspapers/
13) Accessible Usability Scale (Aus) Analysis Of Desktop Screen Readers | Fable
User research results from over 1,000 AUS scores and recommendations for screen reader research engagements:
https://makeitfable.com/article/analysis-desktop-screen-readers-using-the-accessible-usability-scale-aus/
14) Accessibility Features Of Uber Ride Sharing App For Riders With Disabilities | Accessibility.com
Ridesharing services like Uber have made transportation more accessible and more convenient for people with disabilities. It's now possible for people with disabilities to go wherever they want to, whenever they want to — at the touch of a button. In this short guide, let us take a look at the accessibility features available in the Uber ridesharing app:
https://www.accessibility.com/blog/accessibility-features-of-uber-ridesharing-app-for-riders-with-disabilities
15) Advice For Meeting Someone Who Is Blind | Learning A11y
The first few times I met someone who is blind, I have to admit I saw the disability before I saw the person. I just wasn't prepared for meeting someone different than me, and I didn't know what way to act. Later I learned that some tendencies, while natural and good-intentioned, also are indicative that I'm not seeing the person for the capable and independent person they truly are. I came across some helpful tips about this, and thought I'd share them in this compiled list. As someone who used to see the disability before seeing the person, I wish I had read a guide like this before I met someone who is blind:
https://learninga11y.com/meeting-someone-who-is-blind/
16) How to Make QR Codes More Accessible to People with Disabilities? | Accessibility.com
Quick Response (QR) codes are two-dimensional barcodes that can be scanned with smartphones and other digital devices. They can store a wide range of data, from website URLs to photos and videos. They are commonly used in advertising and marketing campaigns, to send and receive payment-related information, to authenticate online accounts and for several other purposes. Data shows that in 2021, more than 75 million people in the US scanned at least one QR code using their smartphone. Due to their wide range of applications, it's crucial to make QR codes more accessible so that people with disabilities can use them without any difficulties:
https://www.accessibility.com/blog/making-qr-codes-more-accessible-and-improving-business-accessibility
17) Axe Awards at Axe-Con 2023
Axe-con is about building accessible experiences, the mission of the conference is not only focused on bringing together the accessibility community and providing free content but to highlight the organizations that are leaders in the field of accessibility. This year marks the third annual axe awards, named after a well-known Deque open-source project called axe-core. We are proud to announce this year's winners of the axe awards below so they are recognized for their outstanding work in accessibility and so members of the accessibility community can turn to them for advice when building their accessibility efforts. Please join us in celebrating their efforts:
https://www.deque.com/blog/axe-awards-at-axe-con-2023/
18) Integrating Movement Into Tech For Visual Impairment | Christine Ro | Forbes
Here, a team of psychologists and engineers works to create assistive devices for people with visual impairments. They use a bevy of tools to do this, from relatively simple buzzers and sensors to a more complex moving platform whose seat was taken from a race car. This is a (surprisingly quick) rotating chair on a track that is used to assess the body's vestibular system (which is responsible for the sense of balance and spatial orientation). A particularly striking tool is a metal case that unsnaps to reveal a variety of white rubber hands. Research volunteers who see it compare it to the TV series Wednesday, laughs psychologist Carolina Tammurello, referring to the latest Addams Family adaptation, which features the sentient hand known as Thing:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/christinero/2023/03/16/integrating-movement-into-tech-for-visual-impairment/?sh=6375fce555de
19) Deque Announces Axe Developer Hub (Beta): The Future Of Automated Accessibility Testing
Deque has announced plans for a new revolutionary accessibility testing platform. This new technology will automatically gather meaningful accessibility testing information and deliver detailed and actionable development-centric insights. The watcher API and axe Developer Hub reporting platform will be available to beta testers shortly. Deque's Chief Technology Officer, Dylan Barrell, explains: "For years dev teams have struggled with accessibility testing tools that are tough to implement and maintain. Many tools miss web page changes or changes in state — creating additional work and risk:"
https://www.deque.com/blog/deque-announces-axe-developer-hub-beta/
20) Innovative Brands Making A Difference For The Disabled | BeautyMatter
Many have disputed the beauty industry's pitfalls in catering to the disabled consumer. In 2021, Vogue suggested that beauty's weak spot was providing for those with disabilities, and recently, Dazed questioned if the wellness sector was inherently ableist. With over one billion people worldwide living with some form of disability, it is essential that the industry listens to these conversations and adapts to ensure consumer inclusion. Recent innovations in the sector have indicated a more optimistic future, including L'Oreal's HAPTA device for those with mobility issues and ELC's Voice-Enabled Makeup Assistant for the visually impaired. Several smaller companies also provide cosmetics and products with disabled consumers in mind. To highlight the brands pioneering stronger levels of inclusion, BeautyMatter homes in on four brands making a difference:
https://beautymatter.com/articles/brands-making-a-difference-for-the-disabled
21) Amazon And Vocala Transform Blind Veterans Centre Into Voice-Controlled 'Smart Centre'
The 'smart centre' for blind veterans in Llandudno, Wales, is the first use case of Alexa Smart Properties in the region:
https://www.aboutamazon.co.uk/news/devices/amazon-and-vocala-transform-blind-veterans-centre-into-voice-controlled-smart-centre
22) Five Tips For Focus Groups With People Who Are Blind Or Have Low Vision | Elana Berton | Vision Australia
When I started working in the Digital Access team at Vision Australia I had run many user interviews and focus groups, but never with a single person who was blind or had low vision. I was extremely nervous for my first session, and thoughts were rattling inside my head like, "what if I say something stupid? I don't want to offend anyone” and "I can't make any dumb assumptions". But in the end, other than rushing through the whole thing, I really enjoyed it! As a User Experience Researcher, the opportunity to get a completely different perspective on things and help make a real impact on someone's life was so motivating. I want to give anyone reading this the confidence to have a go at making their focus groups more inclusive. So here are 5 learnings for you to add to your tool box:
https://www.visionaustralia.org/business-consulting/digital-access/blog/five-tips-for-running-focus-groups
23) Game-Changers: How The Video-Game Industry Must Step It Up For Blind Players | Montreal Gazette
The bridges between the visually impaired and sighted video-gaming communities are ill-designed and sometimes non-existent:
https://montrealgazette.com/opinion/columnists/blind-visually-impaired-video-games-ubisoft-last-of-us-part-ii
24) Recording: The Power of an Accessible Website: Practical Tips for Elevating Your E-Commerce Business | 3PlayMedia
In this webinar Bet Hannon covered some of the benefits of website accessibility and steps to inclusion and compliance. Bet Hannon is a longtime digital agency owner and the founder and CEO of AccessiCart, a services agency that focuses on helping e-commerce merchants improve the accessibility of their websites. Bet offered guidance for enhancing e-commerce businesses and increasing potential audiences by 25% through website accessibility, though most of the information that was presented can be applied to any website:
https://www.3playmedia.com/resources/recorded-webinars/wbnr-02-16-2023-accessible-website/
25) Wheel The World Grabs $6M To Offer Guaranteed Accessibility, Price Match For Hotel Rooms
Wheel the World wants to open the world up to people with disabilities and has made it its mission since 2018 to provide travel accommodations and experiences that fit their needs, both in the United States and worldwide. On March 9, 2023 the company announced two new booking tool features, including guaranteed accessibility for hotel rooms booked from its website and a price match offer:
https://techcrunch.com/2023/03/09/wheel-the-world-travel-disabilities/
26) Feds Investigating School That Often Had Students With Disabilities Arrested | Disability Scoop
The U.S. Department of Education has opened a civil rights investigation into a tiny Illinois school district for students with disabilities to determine whether children enrolled there have been denied an appropriate education because of the "“"practice of referring students to law enforcement for misbehaviors:"
https://www.disabilityscoop.com/2023/03/14/feds-investigating-school-often-students-disabilities-arrested/30288/
27) UX Researchers At Ally Bank And Overdrive On Why They Shifted From Accessibility Guidelines To Usability For All | Fable
Experts with Fable Recap: Best practices for user research with assistive technology users:
https://makeitfable.com/article/ally-overdrive-why-shift-from-guidelines-to-usability/
28) Singapore Analysis: Regulations Allow F&B Joints To Let In Guide Dogs For The Visually Impaired, But Why Do Some Still Have Reservations?
After queuing for some time at a fast food restaurant with a group of friends one day, Mr Chia Hong Sen found himself denied service at the counter. The reason: He was accompanied by a guide dog, which helps people with visual impairment like him get around independently. Despite Mr Chia and his friends explaining that such dogs are not prohibited from entering food establishments under the law, and other customers stepping in to plead on their behalf, the employees maintained that "it's a dog, and dogs are pets:"
https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/regulations-guide-dogs-visually-impaired-dining-restaurant-2127876
29) New App Helps Visually Impaired With Grocery Shopping
A Flushing, Michigan native is helping the Kellogg Company change the way that millions of Americans who are blind or have low vision — perform daily tasks as simple as shopping for cereal. With an effort to make packaging more accessible to those who view the world differently Kellogg has partnered with NaviLens Technology to change the world — one box of cereal at a time. Kellogg is introducing a personal cereal shopper for the visually impaired through the NaviLens app with an effort to create a new way of grocery shopping for consumers like flushing native, Beth Foor — a Kellogg employee who helped create this project because she too suffers from loss of vision:
https://www.abc12.com/news/new-app-helps-visually-impaired-with-grocery-shopping/article_40887cc8-c1e1-11ed-9b80-5b936c96eb22.html
30) Braille and Language Development: What Teachers Should Know | Education Week
The overwhelming majority of vision-impaired children attend regular public schools, rather than specialty schools for the blind, and few have teachers who are trained to understand differences between tactile and visual language, experts say. That can be problematic because understanding these different language modes can be critical for teachers to boost literacy skills for their visually impaired students, according to researchers at the American Association for the Advancement of Science conference here earlier this month:
https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/braille-and-language-development-what-teachers-should-know/2023/03
31) The American Council of the Blind and Supporters Rally to Demand Accessible and Inclusive Currency
On March 10, 2023, Harriet Tubman Day, the American Council of the Blind (ACB) and supporters rallied in front of the White House and marched to the U.S. Treasury to highlight the ongoing fight for accessible and inclusive currency for all:
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-american-council-of-the-blind-and-supporters-rally-to-demand-accessible-and-inclusive-currency-301771930.html
32) Microsoft Partners With Kansas School For The Blind In New Computer Science Program
Kansas State School for the Blind is teaming up with Microsoft to teach students who identify as blind or low vision how to explore new areas of computer science:
https://www.kake.com/story/48549276/microsoft-partners-with-kansas-school-for-the-blind-in-new-computer-science-program
33) Computers for the Blind | Paths To Literacy
Computers for the Blind is determined to bridge the digital divide for the community of the blind and visually impaired in the US by providing affordable, accessible refurbished computers and training:
https://www.pathstoliteracy.org/computers-for-the-blind/
34) Disney Parks are More Accessible Thanks to Cast Member Advocate
A Disney Parks Cast Member has helped the Walt Disney Company ensure it is accessible for Guests, particularly in how they utilize its technological features:
https://www.disneydining.com/disney-parks-accessible-cast-member-joanna-collins-sj1/
35) Adapting a Graphic Design Project for a Braille Student | Paths to Literacy
Tips to adapt a three-dimensional graphic design project for a student with a visual impairment in an inclusive art class:
https://www.pathstoliteracy.org/adapting-graphic-design-project-braille-student/
36) Thousands With Learning Disabilities Trapped In Hospital, Some For Years
Thousands of people with learning disabilities are stuck in long-stay hospitals because of a lack of psychological support and overly complicated treatment systems, according to research. The report from the University of Birmingham and rights-based organization Changing Our Lives has been released in conjunction with an exhibition from the subversive street artist Foka Wolf titled, "Why are we stuck in hospital?"
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/mar/14/thousands-learning-disabilities-trapped-long-stay-hospitals
37) How The Oscars Embraced Accessibility And Inclusion With Asl Interpreters And More (Guest Column)
One year after the landmark success for Best Picture winner "CODA" at the Academy Awards, the 2023 Oscars presented the latest opportunity for Hollywood to show the world where it stands on inclusion and diversity. On Oscars night, through a combination of memorable moments and inclusive components of the ceremony, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences demonstrated its growing commitment to embracing inclusion and accessibility for all:
https://variety.com/2023/awards/opinion/oscars-asl-interpreters-accessibility-1235554445/
38) UK Disability Work Tests To Be Scrapped In Welfare Shake-Up
Disability fit-for-work tests will be abolished under reforms billed as the "biggest change to our welfare system in a decade" in Chancellor Jeremy Hunt's Budget:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-64967329
39) Special Ed Teacher Fired After Complaining About Understaffing, Lawsuit Says | Disability Scoop
A special education teacher in Burlington County has filed a lawsuit claiming she lost her job after repeatedly complaining to school district officials about understaffing in the classroom. Bryanna Mostak, of Hamilton, claims in court papers that understaffing and a hostile work environment in the Bordentown Regional School District forced her to take medical leave in December 2021 due to stress and anxiety. She was terminated two months later, according to the suit. Trudy Atkins, the district's superintendent, did not respond to a request for comment on the suit:
https://www.disabilityscoop.com/2023/03/15/special-ed-teacher-fired-complaining-understaffing-lawsuit/30289/
➜ Featured Webinars, Training Courses and Events
Submit your access information related Webinar, Training Course or Event for consideration within this section using this form: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-event or locate "Webinar / Training Course Submission Form" within the main menu of the Access Information News website.
March 21, 2023 | Small Changes for Big Impact: Creating Accessible Word Documents | TPGi
9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
Microsoft Word has features that help you create documents that are accessible to people with disabilities. By using these features, you can help readers receive your message clearly. If you don't, your message might not get through to your readers — with or without disabilities. In this session, we'll discuss: Using Word's built-in Accessibility Checker to help identify issues. Common accessibility issues and how to prevent or address them. Accessibility considerations that may benefit all users and not just users with disabilities. Word documents intended for conversion to PDF and more. Register today:
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-march-21-at-12pm-et-small-changes-for-big-impact-creating-accessible-word-documents/
March 21, 2023 and March 22, 2023 | Multiple Perspectives 2023 | Americans With Disabilities Act Multiple Perspectives On Access, Inclusion, & Disability Conference | Ohio State University
"It is time to move beyond the letter of the law to the spirit of the law; to shift our focus from redressing human and environmental problems through remedial design to preventing problems through holistic design." -Leslie Kanes Weisman. As a modern land grant university, an important part of Ohio State University's mission is outreach and engagement, serving the community through a variety of activities. During the tenth anniversary year of the Americans With Disabilities Act the Multiple Perspectives On Access, Inclusion And Disability conference was created to help fulfill this mission. In short, the goal of the conference is to encourage the kind of change suggested by Leslie Kanes Weisman in the opening quote. It is hoped that the annual conference will serve as a catalyst for positive change and a springboard for collaborations with our partners in education, business, public, and social service. Each year a series of workshops will provide a forum for individuals and organizations to expand their knowledge and perspectives, and an opportunity to increase community resources through the synergy of collaboration. The workshops are designed to bring a diverse audience together to discuss the full spectrum of disability issues and experiences. To ensure broad participation from the university community, business, state and local government, educators, advocacy organizations, social service agencies, and individuals with disabilities sponsors are sought each year to subsidize conference participants. Register:
https://ada.osu.edu/ada-conference
March 22, 2023 | Navigating The Open Seas Of JAWS And Fusion 2023 | The Lighthouse For The Blind, Inc. | March Community Assistive Technology Webinar
4PM PT, 5PM MT, 6PM CT, 7PM ET, 11PM GMT
Ahoy! Join Light House webinar captain Tim Paulding and Co Captain Everett Elam, along with Ron Miller, Vispero Blindness Technology Product Specialist, as we sail the open seas of the new features in JAWS and Fusion 2023. Discover powerful updates, enhanced browsing, improved braille support, and seamless integration. Ask Ron your questions and participate in the Q&A. Register now to learn from leading authorities on assistive technology's intersection into the mainstream and chart your course toward empowerment and independence! After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. Please contact Tim Paulding at: tpaulding@lhblind.org 📧️ if you have any questions or need assistance registering for this event. Register in advance for this webinar:
https://thelighthousefortheblindinc.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_DuhrGxUrQja3DdHnby7xFQ
March 22, 2023 | Features of the ONYX OCR (ACVREP CE Approved, Assistive Technology Webinar) | Access Ingenuity
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
The ONYX OCR magnifies and reads aloud any document. The voice, magnification, and high contrast make reading easier. Change your focus from reading magnified texts to letting the ONYX OCR read them when it becomes too tiring. Place your document under the fixed OCR camera on the left and activate the speech function. Enjoy listening to a text as it is read aloud by a high-quality voice without straining your eyes. This four-in-one solution integrates two separate cameras: one for transforming text-to-speech output and one for magnifying documents and observing the room around you. You can see what you want across the room or at your desk. Join Ian Ramos from Access Ingenuity and Joe McDaniel from Vispero to discuss the features and benefits of the ONYX OCR model. Note that everybody is welcome and can benefit from this presentation. If you are a teacher of the visually impaired (TVI), ACVREP continuing education credit is approved for this presentation. Learning Outcomes: How the ONYX OCR incorporates two low-vision technologies. Different uses of the ONYX OCR. How it differs from the other ONYX models. Why having OCR in a portable unit can be a game changer. | Meeting ID: 848 0272 3291 | Passcode: 894571 | One tap mobile:
+16699009128,,84802723291#,,,,*894571# US (San Jose) | Dial by your location: +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose) | Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84802723291?pwd=V0l6NmVUTFZmQU9oNjRqcXRNTi9FUT09#success
March 22, 2023 | Procedural Safeguards and Parental Rights: New Webinar Series with Karen Mayer Cunningham | APH FamilyConnect
4PM PT, 5PM MT, 6PM CT, 7PM ET, 11PM GMT
This fall, we were pleased to partner with Karen Mayer Cunningham to present two webinar series. Navigating and Negotiating Successful IEP and 504 Outcomes and Ask the Advocate provided information to parents, professionals, and school-based members. Participants had the opportunity to learn more about the IEP and 504 processes as well as the opportunity to ask specific questions about their child's IEPs. These two series have been highly attended, and we have received requests for more content from Karen Mayer Cunningham, the self-proclaimed "Special Education Boss". The positive feedback and need for more content to support parents and professionals leads to the next series of webinars. We are excited to offer the next series to continue to support parents and professionals. Procedural Safeguards: Procedural Safeguards are handed out, and many don't have a full understanding of the document. Procedural Safeguards and Rights are in place for parents and individuals with a disability between the ages of 3 to 22. Unfortunately, most parents are only asked by school-based members if they "received" their copy of the procedural rights, and would they please sign in receipt of them. While that checks a box for the school, it in no way equips the families with a knowledge of their rights and protection, nor indicates the school's legal obligation. This series will identify your rights and the difference between procedural and substantive requirements. Join the APH ConnectCenter and Karen Mayer Cunningham as we dive into Procedural Safeguards and Parental Rights. Learn more: We hope you will join the 6-part webinar series to further your knowledge and understanding of the Procedural Safeguards and Parental Rights. Join us at 7:00 pm EST on 1/11, 1/25, 2/8, 2/22, 3/8, and 3/22. Register here:
https://familyconnect.org/blog/familyconnect-blog/procedural-safeguards-and-parental-rights-new-webinar-series-with-karen-mayer-cunningham/
March 22, 2023 | Federal Government Career Opportunities Applying for Federal Job March 2023 | U.S. Department of Labor
10:30 AM PT, 11:30AM MT, 12:30PM CT, 1:30PM ET, 5:30PM GMT
This Event will be a Virtual Online Event and Registration is required to attend. To register for this event go to the following link below. The U.S. Department of Labor's mission is to protect workers, job seekers and retirees. During this virtual session staff from the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs and Office of Human Resources will share information with students about the following: Protecting Your Workplace Rights. How to Prepare a Federal Resume. Navigating USAJobs Website. How to Apply for a Federal Job. At the end of the session you can get your questions answered:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/federal-government-career-opportunities-applying-for-federal-job-march-2023-tickets-569966293527
March 28, 2023 | VPAT ® 101: Introduction to the Voluntary Product Accessibility Template
2PM PT, 3PM MT, 4PM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
Presenter: Brian Elton, Practice Manager, Training. A Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) is a great way to document your product's accessibility, but many companies are unaware of their existence and how to use them. Join Brian Elton, Practice Manager, Training from TPGi for answers to questions such as: What information is contained in a VPAT? Is a VPAT just for websites? Is every organization required to have one? How can a company secure a VPAT? Is it better to create it in-house or get a third party involved? TPGi's webinar will answer those questions and more, and explain how your organization can benefit from a VPAT. Register for the webinar:
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-march-28-at-12pm-et-vpat-101-introduction-to-the-voluntary-product-accessibility-template/
March 28, 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
March 28, 2023 | Beyond the Alt Tag: Accessible Name | Great Lakes ADA Center
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
Continuing Education Recognition Available. The reasoning, best practices, and available technology for creating accessible images and text alternatives has evolved over the last several years. Expert web developers are building upon the foundation of text alternative techniques such as "alt tags" to newer concepts such as "Accessible Name" and "Accessible Description" for HTML. This approach provides better accessibility. During this webinar, Access Board staff will describe how they employ these updated concepts when developing the Guides to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Standards. Participants will understand the reason for these changes and will gain practical strategies for adding “Accessible Name” to their vocabulary and tool kits. Target Audience: Open to all, but of noted interest for experienced web developers. Questions can be submitted in advance of the session or can be posed during the live webinar. This webinar will include video remote interpreting (VRI) and real-time captioning:
https://www.accessibilityonline.org/cioc-508/session/?id=111045
March 28, 2023 | Webinar: AT in the Transition Process | Where It's AT
3PM PT, 4PM MT, 5PM CT, 6PM ET, 10PM GMT
Register for our virtual Webinar on AT in the Transition Process, delivered by our Executive Director, Lori Berrong, in partnership with the Maryland School for the Blind! Learn about Assistive Technology solutions that can aid in the process of transitioning out of high school and into whatever lies beyond, be it higher education, employment, and/or community living:
http://www.equipmentlink.org/blog/?p=5367
March 28, 2023 | Accessibility Boutique: The Accessibility of Remote Access | Where It's AT
11AM PT, 12PM MT, 1PM CT, 2PM ET, 6PM GMT
Do you need to use remote access at work? Many professions require remotely engaging with others' computers, and vice versa. Some remote access clients are partially accessible, only working with one screen reader, and the rest are not useable by the blind. Partially accessible clients require that both participants run the same screen-reader. Pneuma Solutions — a third party alternative — created Scribe for Meetings, an accessible means of remote desktop access. Remote Incident Manager (RIM) is the most accessible remote access tool available. Attend this boutique to dig into all of the options. If you use a screen reader and find yourself needing to train your customers remotely, or if you would find it convenient to connect to a friend or family member's computer at a distance:
https://nfb.org/form/accessibility-boutique-reg
March 29, 2023 | How to Design and Test for Accessible Learning Modules (Digital Accessibility Webinar) | Access Ingenuity
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
Various eLearning course authoring platforms help content authors quickly create online courses to deliver on desktop and mobile devices. Many platforms allow course creation that supports the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). The platforms provide tools to address fundamental accessibility issues, such as implementing accessible course controls, accessible videos (including support for both captions and transcripts), keyboard support, and the option to incorporate accessible quizzes within a course module. However, authors must correctly implement the accessibility features and be aware of the fundamental accessibility limitations in each platform they need to resolve to meet the requirements. Join Michael Parker to learn how to design and test for accessible learning modules. Learning Outcomes: Understand the accessibility limitations of your platform, such as Storyline, RISE 360, etc. Learn techniques to make many common elements accessible. Learn about common mistakes to avoid when authoring content in your learning module platform. Learn about accessibility testing strategies to ensure the content you produce is accessible. | Meeting ID: 875 9093 7816 | Passcode: 136374 | One tap mobile: +16699009128,,87590937816#,,,,*136374# US (San Jose) | Dial by your location: +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose) | Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87590937816?pwd=ajJGZy9XSFR0U2NTOGdsRkdRY3pnZz09#success
April 4, 2023 | Online Graduate Programs in Special Education Webinar | Ball State University
4PM PT, 5PM MT, 6PM CT, 7PM ET, 11PM GMT
Register below to attend a webinar about Ball State's online graduate special education programs: Master's in Applied Behavior Analysis with an emphasis in Autism. Master's in Special Education. Graduate Certificate in Autism. Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis:
https://admissions.bsu.edu/register/?id=56e048a3-0e21-46ae-85fd-5e66bf62da88&utm_source=Partner_DisScoop&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=OSL_DisScoop&utm_term=March_23&utm_content=RegToday
April 5, 2023 | Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 7: Music | APH
8AM PT, 9AM MT, 10AM CT, 11AM ET, 3PM GMT
Let's discover together how to make music with these famous bricks! Come and share your creative ideas:
https://www.aph.org/lego-braille-bricks-live-sessions/
April 8, 2023 | How To Upgrade To Windows 11 | Technology User Group | Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled (LBPD)
7AM PT, 8AM MT, 9AM CT, 10AM ET, 2PM GMT
This operating system has been around for a while, and people champion its security strengths and applications. Should you upgrade, and what is that process? All events are currently being held via teleconference until further notice. No programs will be held in person. Please dial (319) 527-4994 📱️ at 10:00 AM ET. For more information about the Technology User Group or to recommend a topic / technology for discussion, please contact: Jerry Price at (410) 230-2446 📱️ or via email jerry.price1@maryland.gov 📧️
April 19, 2023 | 2023 Helen Keller Achievement Awards | American Foundation for the Blind
April 20, 2023 | Book Talk: Digital Copyright | Internet Archive and Author / Professor Jessica Litman
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
Join Internet Archive's founder Brewster Kahle for a virtual book talk with author & professor of law Jessica Litman. In Digital Copyright, law professor Jessica Litman questions whether copyright laws crafted by lawyers and their lobbyists really make sense for the vast majority of us. Should every interaction between ordinary consumers and copyright-protected works be restricted by law? Is it practical to enforce such laws, or expect consumers to obey them? What are the effects of such laws on the exchange of information in a free society? Professor Jessica Litman, the John F. Nickoll Professor of Law, is the author of Digital Copyright and the co-author, with Jane Ginsburg and Mary Lou Kevlin, of the casebook Trademarks and Unfair Competition Law: Cases and Materials. Brewster Kahle, founder and digital librarian of the Internet Archive, has been working to provide universal access to all knowledge for more than 25 years. Register now for the free, virtual discussion:
http://blog.archive.org/2023/03/16/book-talk-digital-copyright/
April 25, 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
May 3, 2023 | Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 8: STEM | APH
8AM PT, 9AM MT, 10AM CT, 11AM ET, 3PM GMT
Have you ever thought of doing science, computing, or technology with LEGO Braille Bricks? Expert guests will join us for an amazing session:
https://www.aph.org/lego-braille-bricks-live-sessions/
May 9, 2023 through May 12, 2023 | John Slatin AccessU 2023 | Knowbility
Join us virtually or in Austin, TX. John Slatin AccessU is an annual conference where tech professionals, content creators, policymakers, and advocates come together for deep learning in accessible digital design:
https://knowbility.org/programs/john-slatin-accessu-2023
May 13, 2023 | Travel Tools and Apps | Technology User Group | Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled (LBPD)
7AM PT, 8AM MT, 9AM CT, 10AM ET, 2PM GMT
Whether you are traveling to another city, state or country, we will look at tools and resources that will help you get the most assistance for your venture. All events are currently being held via teleconference until further notice. No programs will be held in person. Please dial (319) 527-4994 📱️ at 10:00 AM ET. For more information about the Technology User Group or to recommend a topic / technology for discussion, please contact: Jerry Price at (410) 230-2446 📱️ or via email jerry.price1@maryland.gov 📧️
May 16, 2023 through May 18, 2023 | Virtua11y Web Accessibility Conference 2023 | Nomensa
Nomensa's free, virtual web accessibility and digital inclusion conference:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/virtua11y-web-accessibility-conference-2023-tickets-505953880677
May 18, 2023 | Global Accessibility Awareness Day
Help us celebrate the 12th Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD)! The purpose of GAAD is to get everyone talking, thinking and learning about digital access and inclusion, and the more than One Billion people with disabilities/impairments:
https://accessibility.day/
June 2, 2023 | ATHEN Sixth Annual Accessibility Summer Camp 2023
6AM PT, 7AM MT, 8AM CT, 9AM ET, 1PM GMT
We would love for you to share your accessibility knowledge during our sixth annual Accessibility Summer Camp 2023! As in former years, this virtual conference is FREE for all attendees. This year's ASC event will take place on Friday, June 2, 2023, from 8:00-4:00 CST. As a conference participant you will be able to attend sessions and engage in valuable networking with like-minded professionals. We are soliciting presentations from all experience levels and backgrounds, so please visit the ASC Conference Home Page for more information and to submit a proposal. The session proposal deadline is Friday, February 17th, 2023. What is Accessibility Summer Camp (ASC)? The Accessibility Summer Camp is a FREE annual conference with the goal of connecting professionals and educators with best practices in accessibility and Universal Design. Over the past few years, the ASC conference has grown to become one of the most popular accessibility conferences in the country. Our mission is to provide accessibility professional development that empowers attendees to create high quality, accessible learning environments while removing barriers for all individuals who have a desire to learn:
https://www.accessibilityict.org/
May 23, 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
June 7, 2023 | Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 9: Orientation & Mobility | APH
8AM PT, 9AM MT, 10AM CT, 11AM ET, 3PM GMT
LEGO bricks to build plans, visualize routes, it's not new! But with LEGO Braille Bricks you can also create labels, add letters, words... Then it becomes really great:
https://www.aph.org/lego-braille-bricks-live-sessions/
June 27, 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
July 25, 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
August 22, 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 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
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 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://www.accessinformationnews.com/email-newsletter-directory.html
➜ Sponsor Classified Ads
Sponsor: Access Ready, Inc.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Seeks Your Support at the Public Policy Level
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Sponsor Since: December 19th 2022
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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 of aspiration, invention, and inclusion.
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What Technologies do you see in the market that are not accessible, but should be? What accessible technologies can you imagine that can make the lives of people with all kinds of disabilities better? We will advocate with developers to make existing technologies accessible on your behalf. We will advocate with developers to build new accessible technologies on your behalf. Give us your guidance and support. Your guidance charts our path toward what is most important. Your support funds our efforts on your behalf:
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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
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The APH ConnectCenter and NSITE have partnered to update the Job Seeker's Toolkit, an accessible, self-paced, free online training course. The Toolkit includes five sections covering self-awareness, career exploration tools, the preliminary employment process, the interview, and maintaining employment. We are bringing the Job Seeker's Toolkit to a larger audience and in a Learning Management System format for today's learners, at no cost. Visit APHCareerConnect.org to get started with the Job Seekers Toolkit today at:
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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: Menus4ALL
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Website: https://www.menus4all.com/ 🌐️
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Download The App (Apple): https://apps.apple.com/us/app/menus4all/id1640547801?platform=iphone
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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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Finally! Holding Businesses Accountable
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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?
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Sponsor: NSITE.org
➜ Classified Advertisement: NSITE Connects Employers With Talented People Who Are Blind Or Low-Vision And Supports Talent To Gain Employment
NSITE.org is the first non-profit organization, offering a continuum of services to connect employers with talented job seekers who are blind or low-vision and provides training, employment and career services to these job seekers. Using the NSITE Connect Job Board, which is designed exclusively for individuals who experience vision loss, employers can fill open positions with talent who are blind or have low vision. Job postings are also open to veterans. NSITE-U provides accessible on-demand and virtual instructor-led classes, programs and workshops to support career skills training and professional development for individuals who are blind or have low vision or are veterans. For more information about NSITE and all its services including a free Job Seekers Toolkit developed with APH, American Printing House for the Blind, visit us and use this form to reach NSITE's team for information about programs, classes and services, connect:
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Sponsor Since: March 6th 2023
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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.
NSITE Connect: Linking employers with talented individuals who are blind, low-vision, and/or veterans. Access the NSITE Connect Job Board here.About | Media | Employers | Job Seekers | Training Programs | Job Board | Contact Us
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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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Editorial Contributor #1: John Hanlin (Volunteer)
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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.
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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 advocacy foundation.
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.
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Editorial Contributor #3: David Woodbridge (Volunteer)
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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.
Twitter: @dwoodbridge
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iSee Podcast: https://davidwoodbr.podbean.com
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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.
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Access Information News for Monday, March 13, 2023 - Volume 901
The Week's News in Access Information
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1) Top 5 Most Clicked Access Information News Articles From Last Week
A.) Accessibility Issues That Must Not Be Named | Paul Martz | AppleVis (7.7% of all clicks.)
It's the accessibility issues without names that keep me up at night. Problems that we never discuss because the English language has no words for them. They are the Lord Voldemort of accessibility issues. They are, "Issues That Must Not Be Named:":
https://www.applevis.com/blog/accessibility-issues-must-not-be-named
B.) My Journey from Surviving to Thriving in a World Not Built for Blindness | Kristin Smedley (5.2% of all clicks.)
I had a plan. Get the degree, land the job, marry the guy, build the house, and have the baby. It was a perfect plan, and I executed it flawlessly. In the year 2000, I had everything I had ever planned for. Until the curve ball. "Your son is blind." Those four words sentenced me to a dark place I didn't plan for. I had never even met a person who is blind before that day. I spiraled in fear and panic. I had no idea what was possible for my son or his brother, who was also born blind three years later:
https://familyconnect.org/blog/familyconnect-blog/my-journey-from-surviving-to-thriving-in-a-world-not-built-for-blindness/
C.) 'Entitled': Woman Slammed For Asking Man In Wheelchair To Move On Bus (5.1% of all clicks.)
A woman has been slammed for expecting a man in a wheelchair to move for her on a bus, with people calling her behavior "insensitive and ableist:"
https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/real-life/news-life/entitled-woman-slammed-for-asking-man-in-wheelchair-to-move-on-bus/news-story/cd5f3b9810415b4d5c5c6e29351eba97
D.) 5 Things I Wish Were Accessible — But Normally Aren't | Fashioneyesta AKA Emily Davis (5.0% of all clicks.)
These are some of the things that I wish were accessible as a visually impaired person that normally aren't:
https://fashioneyesta.com/5-things-i-wish-were-accessible-but-normally-arent/
E.) Revelations Of Blindness In The Middle Ages (4.6% of all clicks.)
Medieval texts, from Islamic medical treatises to Christian books of miracles, reveal surprisingly varied and complex experiences of blindness. But when medieval scholar Jude Seal experienced visual impairment themselves, they gained an even deeper understanding of the lives that they were studying:
https://wellcomecollection.org/articles/Y1AMkxEAAImMCDR4
2) Sponsorship Package Updates
Are you an access-based business or organization whose products, services or message would benefit from reaching over 15,000 access professionals each week? If so, please consider becoming a Sponsor today for just $100 a month, paid either quarterly or annually. Annual Sponsors gain the additional benefit of being able to schedule their Featured Advertisement dates up to one year in advance. If you've been looking for a way to consistently reach the largest audience of opt-in access professionals in the world today, please consider becoming an Access Information News Sponsor while packages last. Availability: There are currently 10 Access Information News Sponsorship Packages remaining. Advertising Benefits: Review a complete list of advertising benefits here:
https://www.accessinformationnews.com/sponsorship-information.html#sponsorship-package-benefits
3) Access Information News Welcomes New Sponsor: NSITE.org
Please join us in offering a warm welcome to NSITE.org, who has so very graciously agreed to support the distribution of the Access Information News publication via sponsorship. We're incredibly happy to have them on board. NSITE provides a continuum of employment services that connect employers with talented, dedicated people who are blind, visually impaired, 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, visually impaired, and/or veterans. From there, NSITE assists with accessibility needs, onboarding, and training, then prepares both parties for job placement. And their work does not end there; it continues with ongoing support to accommodate changes in accessible technology and employer requirements. Learn more today at:
https://nsite.org/
4) Activist Judy Heumann Led A Reimagining Of What It Means To Be Disabled | Joseph Shapiro | NPR
Judy Heumann was the first person I called when, in 1987, I reported my first story on disability rights. Judy, who contracted polio when she was 18 months old, gave me the quote that perfectly summed up that little-known civil rights movement. "Disability only becomes a tragedy when society fails to provide the things we need to lead our lives — job opportunities or barrier-free buildings, for example," she said. "It is not a tragedy to me that I'm living in a wheelchair." That idea seemed so unexpected and strange that my editors at a newsmagazine decided not to publish my story. It was still a radical claim that disabled people didn't see themselves, or their conditions, as something to be pitied. Or that they insisted what most held them back wasn't their health condition but society's exclusion — maybe attitudes that they were less capable to do a job, go to college or find romance; or a physical barrier, like a sidewalk without a curb cut. That reimagining of what it means to be disabled did gain traction over the years — the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act just three years later in 1990 was a milestone — thanks to leaders like Heumann, who died suddenly on Saturday at age 75 at a hospital in Washington, D.C. She'd been hospitalized the previous weekend with breathing problems:
https://www.npr.org/2023/03/04/1161169017/disability-activist-judy-heumann-dead-75
5) Eye Drops Sold Worldwide Recalled Due to Non-Sterility | CNET
Check the medicine cabinet if you recently purchased eye drops from online retailers like Amazon:
https://www.cnet.com/health/medical/eye-drops-sold-worldwide-recalled-due-to-non-sterility/#ftag=CAD590a51e
6) Accessibility and AI: Microsoft Details Its Plans for a More Inclusive Future | PC Magazine
At Microsoft's annual Ability Summit, we learned how artificial intelligence is powering some of the most exciting developments in inclusive and accessible design:
https://www.pcmag.com/news/accessibility-and-ai-microsoft-details-its-plans-for-a-more-inclusive-future
7) Elon Musk Publicly Mocks Twitter Worker With Disability Who Is Unsure Whether He's Been Laid Off | CNN
Elon Musk has apologized after publicly scoffing at a Twitter employee's uncertainty about whether he had been laid off in a recent round of cuts and speaking dismissively of the employee's disability in a series of tweets Monday night:
https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/07/tech/elon-musk-twitter-employee-disability/index.html
8) Microsoft's Accessibility Chief On Bing's Chatbot, The Disability Divide, And More
Microsoft's Ability Summit has come a long way since its inaugural event 13 years ago. What began as a meeting of about 20 employees has grown to more than 20,000 participants from within and outside the company, located in 110 countries. The free online event that took place on March 8, 2023 featured sessions with Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, and Microsoft Chief Accessibility Officer Jenny Lay-Flurrie:
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/microsoft-s-accessibility-chief-on-bing-s-chatbot-the-disability-divide-and-more/ar-AA18ndxH
9) Inside the Suspicion Machine | Wired
Obscure government algorithms are making life-changing decisions about millions of people around the world. Here, for the first time, we reveal how one of these systems works:
https://www.wired.com/story/welfare-state-algorithms/
10) ChatGPT Explained: Everything You Need To Know About The AI Chatbot | TechRadar
Publisher (Di Blasi): This incredibly thorough and regularly updated explainer article will answer all of your questions, including what comes next. AKA ChatGPT 4. But we shouldn't get too excited. The company's CEO warns that "in general, we are going to release technology much more slowly than people would like." TechRadar: ChatGPT has quickly become one of the most significant tech launches since the original Apple iPhone in 2007. The chatbot is now the fastest-growing consumer app in history, hitting 100 million users in only two months — but it's also a rapidly-changing AI shapeshifter, which can make it confusing and overwhelming. That's why we've put together this regularly-updated explainer to answer all your burning ChatGPT questions:
https://www.techradar.com/news/chatgpt-explained
11) Eargo Presents New Minute, Affordable Hearing Aids | The Hearing Review
The need for increased awareness around hearing wellness has been amplified now that hearing aids are available over-the-counter since the FDA's ruling in August 2022. Eargo is making solutions for hearing loss more accessible to everyone while innovating the devices to be practically invisible. Last month the brand launched its latest hearing aid, Eargo 7, which combines the high-tech and high-touch of high-end devices, at a more affordable price point:
https://hearingreview.com/hearing-products/hearing-aids/eargo-presents-new-minute-affordable-hearing-aids
12) Wearable Tinnitus Device by Neosensory Reduces Tinnitus Severity
Neosensory, a technology company designing solutions for hearing impairments, has published new results in their recent scientific study of Duo, their therapeutic intervention for tinnitus (ringing in the ears). The group of participants who used Neosensory's Duo solution daily for eight weeks reported clinically significant reduction in their tinnitus severity. The paper has just been published in the International Tinnitus Journal: Bimodal stimulation for the reduction of tinnitus using vibration on the skin:
https://hearingreview.com/hearing-loss/tinnitus/wearable-tinnitus-device-by-neosensory-reduces-tinnitus-severity
13) OTC Hearings Aids At A Pharmacy Near You: Two Experts Weigh In
In October 2022, the FDA's ruling on over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids went into effect, allowing the sale of hearing aids without a prescription. This ruling is intended to make hearing aids more accessible and affordable. Now that hearing aids are available over the counter, you may be thinking of trying them. But what if you need assistance selecting or adjusting OTC hearing aids? Can your pharmacist help?
https://www.healthyhearing.com/report/53431-Pharmacists-otc-hearing-aids
14) Elon Musk Said Neuralink Is Ready For Humans. Regulators Disagreed. | Mashable
Application denied. That's what regulators with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had to tell Elon Musk's brain implant company, Neuralink, after it sought the green light to begin human trials. Furthermore, it seems unlikely that Neuralink will receive an approval soon, at least not within any timeframes that Musk has previously mentioned. The news of the FDA's denial of Neuralink's application comes from a new report by Reuters. The outlet spoke to more than half a dozen current and former employees who shared details of the rejection, which actually came about a year ago. The FDA's denial was not publicly known before:
https://mashable.com/article/neuralink-fda-application-rejection-report
15) Should Apple Be Allowed To Block Innovative ChatGPT Tools?
Last month, BlueMail rolled up an update to its email client. Part of that included a feature called Gem AI. This helps users through suggestions around context, offering relevant information for email summaries, and generating automated responses. Apple said no:
https://medium.com/nextwithtech/should-apple-be-allowed-to-block-innovative-chatgpt-tools-be9c625922f6
16) The Big Visions Book Series From Vision Australia
Introducing Big Visions Books. Each biography is about an Australian hero living with blindness or low vision:
https://shop.visionaustralia.org/matt-formston-surfing-in-the-dark.html
17) How Selma Blair Is Helping to Make Shopping Easier for People with Disabilities
The vCommerce retailer QVC named the actress, who was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2018, Brand Ambassador for Accessibility:
https://people.com/health/selma-blair-partners-with-qvc-brand-ambassador-accessibility/
18) Train Operator Creates Accessible Travel Simulation To Improve Inclusion | AT Today
Train operator Northern has gained a prestigious national award for its unique and innovative approach to improving accessibility on trains and at stations, including its accessible travel simulation and mobility scooter permit scheme. The Accessible Travel Simulation “Serious Game” by Northern won the Customer Service Excellence category at the Rail Business Awards last week and has been developed to support people who are anxious or need Passenger Assistance, including disabled customers and those with hidden conditions, to build confidence to travel by train:
https://attoday.co.uk/train-operator-creates-accessible-travel-simulation-to-improve-inclusion/
19) Should Special Educators Earn More Than Other Teachers? | Disability Scoop
Special education teacher and aide jobs are some of the most demanding and hardest to fill. Now, one state is considering paying these educators 20% more than their general education counterparts:
https://www.disabilityscoop.com/2023/03/07/should-special-educators-earn-more-than-other-teachers/30275/
20) Aging and Vision Loss Bookshelf | American Printing House
Many adults lose their vision later in life and may have difficulty adapting to their vision loss, which can have an impact on their daily life. These APH Press books provide information and resources for adults experiencing vision loss, their families, and professionals who serve them:
https://www.aph.org/aging-and-vision-loss-bookshelf/
21) These Tools Help Visually Impaired Scientists Read Data And Journals
Nearly 240 data scientists have proved themselves nimble enough at their work to be certified instructors for the 'tidyverse', a popular package for manipulating and visualizing data in the R programming language. JooYoung Seo is unique among them — the first blind instructor to gain certification:
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-023-00645-6
22) Three Ways AI Supports People with Disabilities in the Workplace | Accessibility.com
The hot topic of Artificial Intelligence is becoming increasingly popular as ChatGPT continues to surprise the world with its impressive abilities. ChatGPT is OpenAI's trained language model that communicates conversationally. Although the impact of this technology on the corporate world isn't yet clear, AI has inarguably been rapidly changing the way we work for a while now. While some changes due to AI cause controversy, many of its benefits are cause for celebration:
https://www.accessibility.com/blog/three-ways-ai-supports-people-with-disabilities-in-the-workplace
23) New Sound Navigation Technology Enables The Blind To Navigate | MedicalXpress
A new study by researchers at Reichman University's Brain Cognition and Technology Institute directed by Prof. Amir Amedi has shown that visual navigation areas in the brain can be activated using sound. By traversing mazes using sound information instead of visual information after training, visual navigation areas were activated:
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2023-03-technology-enables.html
24) Accessible Design in the Age of Artificial Intelligence | Cam Waller | Accessibility.com
Artificial intelligence (AI) 's recent emergence has revolutionized how we interact with technology. AI has been making our lives easier and more efficient in many ways for quite some time. And recently, it's been receiving a lot of attention as new uses have become more available to consumers:
https://www.accessibility.com/blog/accessible-design-in-the-age-of-artificial-intelligence
25) Craft Activity for St. Patrick's Day | Paths To Literacy
This St. Patrick's Day craft activity for students who are blind or visually impaired works on fine motor skills, as well as positional concepts:
https://www.pathstoliteracy.org/craft-activity-st-patricks-day/
26) Astro Access is Making Space for Disabled Astronauts
AstroAccess is a winner of the 2023 Gizmodo Science Fair for pushing for universal accessibility in the space environment and for running pathfinding tests in zero-gravity with help from disabled individuals:
https://www.gizmodo.com.au/2023/03/astroaccess-is-making-space-for-disabled-astronauts/
27) Future Siri Could Talk to Who Ever is Calling You and Take Notes
Apple wants Siri to work the phones for you, make and receive calls, arrange appointments, or just play back different voicemail messages to your partner and your boss:
https://appleinsider.com/articles/23/02/28/future-siri-could-talk-to-whoever-is-calling-you-and-take-notes?utm_medium=rss
28) OpenAI Debuts Whisper AI for Speech to Text Transcription
Whisper is an automatic speech recognition system that OpenAI claims enables "robust" transcription in multiple languages as well as translation from those languages into English. It takes files in a variety of formats, including M4A, MP3, MP4, MPEG, MPGA, WAV and WEBM:
https://techcrunch.com/2023/03/01/openai-debuts-whisper-api-for-text-to-speech-transcription-and-translation/
29) Ads in Audio Books is a Cursed Idea That Won't Go Away
Audible is testing advertisements on some audiobooks and podcasts, though it currently remains unclear which 'free' titles have ads and which don't:
https://www.gizmodo.com.au/2023/03/ads-in-audiobooks-is-a-cursed-idea-that-wont-go-away/
30) It's Always Sunny Is Officially TV's Least Shutting-Up-Est Show | AV Club
It's not a secret that the "It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia" Gang likes to talk, what with the vast majority of the show's plots eventually devolving into its five central weirdos attempting to verbally badger their victims, each other, and sometimes just reality itself into submission. A new study would seem to confirm that, as WordFinderX—which, as far as we can tell, mostly concerns itself with helping people cheat at Scrabble — analyzed subtitle data from a ton of American TV shows and determined that Sunny had the highest words per minute, at 176.2. Which might not actually be ideal, in terms of accessibility; there's a "six-second rule" in subtitle creation that suggests a two-line snippet of dialogue should be on the screen for about six seconds, which is roughly 140 words per minute. (That being said, we found at least one academic paper that notes the “rule” is nebulous in origins, and that viewers can actually handle, and enjoy, faster text.) In any case, Sunny for sure pushes those limits; its nearest competitor is the now-ended Brooklyn Nine-Nine, which averaged 174.6 words per minute:
https://www.avclub.com/its-always-sunny-in-philadelphia-words-per-minute-1850188851
31) Website Accessibility Guide: Accessibility Made Easy in 2023 | Mark Holden | Website Planet
Publisher: (Di Blasi): Trigger warning. This article promotes Accessibe, one of the many software overlays that claim to make any website "instantly accessible." I just want readers to know that we are keenly aware of the consensus amongst many AT professionals regarding these kinds of software overlays, but it is our duty to report the news. Outside of the article claiming that Accessibe is the "fastest and easiest" way to become accessible, it also details many other ways to achieve accessibility, and why you should do so, even without using a software overlay. Mark Holden: A website with accessibility issues prevents both disabled and able-bodied users from getting the most out of your site, its content, and — if applicable — the products and services on offer. It isn't fair, nor particularly viable, to deny a huge portion of your audience access to your site. Furthermore, depending on what country you are in, it may also put you at risk of lawsuits. In many cases, your website must be usable by everyone. But where do you begin? Your entire site needs to be evaluated with accessibility in mind. All text must be displayed on a background with sufficient contrast, all images require descriptive alternative text, and all interactive elements should have metadata explaining their purpose. And that's just the easy stuff — deeper flaws in design or functionality may require a significant overhaul. In this article, I'll give you valuable tips and guide you through the changes necessary to ensure your site is accessible to all:
https://www.websiteplanet.com/blog/website-accessibility-made-easy-ultimate-guide/
32) Sam Ash Class Action Claims Website Not Fully Accessible To Visually Impaired, Blind Visitors
Jahron Black has filed a class action lawsuit against Sam Ash Music Corp. Black claims Sam Ash violated the Americans with Disabilities Act by allegedly failing to make its website fully accessible to individuals who are blind or visually impaired. The class action lawsuit was filed in New York federal court on March 6, 2023:
https://topclassactions.com/disability-class-action-lawsuit/sam-ash-class-action-claims-website-not-fully-accessible-to-visually-impaired-blind-visitors/
33) Accessible Crossword Puzzle App | Paths To Literacy
These crossword puzzles are accessible to students who are blind or visually impaired, using a screen reader or Voice Over. The content corresponds to all areas of the standard general curriculum for grades 5-12:
https://www.pathstoliteracy.org/resource/accessible-crossword-puzzle-app/
34) Five Strategies For Supporting Students With Special Educational Needs Online | British University in Dubai | Tendai Charles
Five practical tips educators can use when teaching students with special educational needs on an online, blended or hybrid course:
https://www.timeshighereducation.com/campus/five-strategies-supporting-students-special-educational-needs-online
35) Caregivers Of Adult Children With Disabilities May Qualify For Time Off Work, Feds Say | Disability Scoop
Federal officials are introducing a variety of new resources to help family caregivers who need time away from work to support an adult child with a disability:
https://www.disabilityscoop.com/2023/03/06/caregivers-of-adult-children-with-disabilities-may-qualify-for-time-off-work-feds-say/30271/
36) Social Media Star Who Advocates For Blind Community Set To Get 'Life-Changing' Gene Therapy
The sight-saving gene therapy Luxturna can cost more than $1M out of pocket:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/adam-brown-luxturna-tiktok-advocate-1.6764510?cmp=rss
37) The Cascading Consequences of An Accessibility Issue | Kelly Ford | The Idea Place
My wife and I have been on what I've called the Escape Winter tour during part of the coldest part of the year for the past few years here in Wisconsin. We tend to book properties through various services, one of which is VRBO. Little did I know that property owners can you review you as a guest through VRBO's system. Imagine my surprise when for the first time this year in renting multiple properties I received an email saying a property owner had rated me and to see the rating, I had to submit my own review. Well, I wouldn't be writing here if as you can guess, trying to write a review, I encountered some serious accessibility issues. Beyond the immediate frustration of not being able to submit a review, I learned that other property owners can see how you are reviewed in this same system. So, you have people submitting ratings of how you were as a vacation renter that you are not able to read until you submit a review. But I'm not able to submit the review:
https://theideaplace.net/the-cascading-consequences-of-an-accessibility-issue/
38) I'm A Badass Blind Babe — Walking Down The Street With My Cane Is Powerful
A self-proclaimed "badass blind babe" is opening people's eyes to what it's really like not being able to see. Jessie Wolinsky, 30, is using her handicap and social media presence to empower herself and others while also educating them about her disease:
https://nypost.com/2023/03/10/im-a-badass-blind-babe-walking-with-my-cane-is-powerful/
39) 'Tactile Tours': How Can 3D Printing Facilitate Access to Art and Culture For the Visually Impaired?
Valentin Hauy is a voluntary association dedicated to the support of visually impaired people in France. Created in 1889, it deploys a large number of actions throughout the country to allow the visually impaired easier access to education, to the world of work, but also to culture. In 2022, the association organized the Tactile Tour, a new and interactive temporary exhibition. The latter consists in presenting 12 relief reproductions of world-famous works such as Leonardo da Vinci's Self-portrait and Vitruvian Man or Raphael's The Marriage of the Virgin. The objective is simple: to discover art through touch. Blind and visually impaired people have the opportunity to feel the work by coming into contact with it. The exhibition is of course accessible to everyone, and sighted people can extend the experience by participating in the visit blindfolded. Headsets are available to provide a detailed description of the works that the visitor touches:
https://www.3dnatives.com/en/access-art-and-culture-with-3d-printing-visually-impaired-090320235/
40) 5 Recipe Sites To Find Dishes And Food Recommendations By Ingredients
Wondering what to cook with the ingredients and groceries you have at home? These recipe search websites will recommend cooking something based on what you have at hand without needing to go shopping for additional items:
https://www.makeuseof.com/recipe-sites-find-dishes-food-recommendations-by-ingredients/
41) Disney Branded Television's 'Firebuds' Addresses Disability Representation In Upcoming Episodes | Yvette Nicole Brown And Lou Diamond Phillips Among Guest Stars
Disney Branded Television's animated series Firebuds from Emmy-winning creator and executive producer Craig Gerber (Disney's Elena of Avalor and Sofia the First) follows a team of young first responders and their talking vehicle sidekicks. Two upcoming episodes, titled “Cleft Hood” and “All That Jazzy,” will spotlight disability representation addressing volunteerism, community service, teamwork, wheelchair use, and cleft palate disorder:
https://deadline.com/2023/03/disney-branded-televisions-firebuds-disability-yvette-nicole-brown-1235282882/
➜ Featured Webinars, Training Courses and Events
Submit your access information related Webinar, Training Course or Event for consideration within this section using this form: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-event or locate "Webinar / Training Course Submission Form" within the main menu of the Access Information News website.
March 13, 2023 through March 17, 2023 | 2023 38th Annual CSUN Assistive Technology Conference
Welcome. Whether you have been attending the conference for years or are planning to attend your first, the CSUN Assistive Technology Conference, also known as the CSUN Conference, is the ultimate community experience and the premier forum on technology for all persons with disabilities. For over 37 years, California State University, Northridge's Center on Disabilities has sponsored the conference, providing a platform for researchers, practitioners, educators, exhibitors and more from around the world, where they can share knowledge, innovations, and best practices to promote inclusion for all. Building on the momentum from the 2022 conference, exciting new plans are in the works to enhance the conference experience. We encourage you to join us in Anaheim, California in 2023, where attendees can attend Pre-Conference Workshops, the yearly Keynote Address, Featured Presentations, General Sessions, Sponsor Showcase Suites and the Exhibit Hall. We also continue developing new programming to build community and networking opportunities. Check back often or follow us on social media for the latest updates, details, and deadlines. For information on sponsor or exhibitor opportunities, please visit our Opportunities page or email us at conference@csun.edu 📧️. We can't wait until the CSUN Conference community is back together to learn, share and connect:
https://www.csun.edu/cod/conference/sessions/
March 15, 2023 and March 16, 2023 | 2023 3rd Annual Axe-Con | Building Accessible Experiences | The World's Largest Digital Accessibility Conference
Deque Systems, the trusted leader in digital accessibility, has announced the third annual axe-con conference will return on March 15-16th, 2023. With the success of axe-con over the past two years, Deque will continue to host the conference as a free virtual event again next year. Axe-con is an open and inclusive digital accessibility conference that welcomes developers, designers, business users, and accessibility professionals of all experience levels to a new kind of accessibility conference focused on building, testing, and maintaining accessible digital experiences:
https://www.deque.com/blog/save-the-date-for-axe-con-2023/
March 15, 2023 | Basics of PowerPoint Remediation (Digital Accessibility Webinar) | Access Ingenuity
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 6PM GMT
Join Rachel Reeves from Access Ingenuity to learn how to make your PowerPoint file as accessible as possible for screen readers. Learning Outcomes: Highlight the Microsoft Office formatting features and how to leverage them to create the most accessible end-product possible. Explore the accessibility tools in PowerPoint, such as the Reading Order pane, and how to add alternative text. Go through the steps in creating a clean PowerPoint Accessibility Check. | Meeting ID: 814 0695 7950 | Passcode: 584298 | One tap mobile: +16699009128,,81406957950#,,,,*584298# US (San Jose) | Dial by your location: +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose) | Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81406957950?pwd=Qk40cjV1Vk9TN1VvS2dndjJ1cEFuQT09#success
March 16, 2023 | FCC Meeting To Consider Accessibility Items
7:30AM PT, 8:30AM MT, 9:30AM CT, 10:30AM ET, 3:30 PM GMT
On February 23, 2023, the FCC announced a tentative agenda for the Open Commission Meeting scheduled for 10:30 am EST on Thursday, March 16, 2023. The meeting will be held in the Commission Meeting Room, 45 L Street N.E. Washington, D.C., and will be streamed live with open captioning at https://www.fcc.gov/live. As part of the agenda, the Commission will consider:
https://www.fcc.gov/fcc-march-16-meeting-consider-accessibility-items
March 17, 2023 | On My Terms: Working With Visual Assistance Apps | Older Individuals Who Are Blind Technical Assistance Center (OIB-TAC)
12PM PT, 1PM MT, 2PM CT, 3PM ET, 8PM GMT
What could someone do if they had visual assistance whenever they needed it, not just when it was convenient for someone else? Banking, shopping, traveling, cooking, setting a thermostat, getting knowledgeable help with the computer — a whole range of aging-in-place tasks can be done with assistance from a smartphone app. Join Aira's Jenine Stanley and Be My Eyes' Hans Wiberg to learn more about visual interpreting and specialized help through their apps. Find out how visual assistance fits into the tools to access the world as someone who is blind or low vision:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUpcOytrTwrG9eXb-eE_kJSY1RM4_8amlEU
March 21, 2023 | Small Changes for Big Impact: Creating Accessible Word Documents | TPGi
9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 5PM GMT
Microsoft Word has features that help you create documents that are accessible to people with disabilities. By using these features, you can help readers receive your message clearly. If you don't, your message might not get through to your readers — with or without disabilities. In this session, we'll discuss: Using Word's built-in Accessibility Checker to help identify issues. Common accessibility issues and how to prevent or address them. Accessibility considerations that may benefit all users and not just users with disabilities. Word documents intended for conversion to PDF and more. Register today:
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-march-21-at-12pm-et-small-changes-for-big-impact-creating-accessible-word-documents/
March 21, 2023 and March 22, 2023 | Multiple Perspectives 2023 | Americans With Disabilities Act Multiple Perspectives On Access, Inclusion, & Disability Conference | Ohio State University
"It is time to move beyond the letter of the law to the spirit of the law; to shift our focus from redressing human and environmental problems through remedial design to preventing problems through holistic design." -Leslie Kanes Weisman. As a modern land grant university, an important part of Ohio State University's mission is outreach and engagement, serving the community through a variety of activities. During the tenth anniversary year of the Americans With Disabilities Act the Multiple Perspectives On Access, Inclusion And Disability conference was created to help fulfill this mission. In short, the goal of the conference is to encourage the kind of change suggested by Leslie Kanes Weisman in the opening quote. It is hoped that the annual conference will serve as a catalyst for positive change and a springboard for collaborations with our partners in education, business, public, and social service. Each year a series of workshops will provide a forum for individuals and organizations to expand their knowledge and perspectives, and an opportunity to increase community resources through the synergy of collaboration. The workshops are designed to bring a diverse audience together to discuss the full spectrum of disability issues and experiences. To ensure broad participation from the university community, business, state and local government, educators, advocacy organizations, social service agencies, and individuals with disabilities sponsors are sought each year to subsidize conference participants. Register:
https://ada.osu.edu/ada-conference
March 22, 2023 | Navigating The Open Seas Of JAWS And Fusion 2023 | The Lighthouse For The Blind, Inc. | March Community Assistive Technology Webinar
4PM PT, 5PM MT, 6PM CT, 7PM ET, 12AM GMT on March 23, 2023
Ahoy! Join Light House webinar captain Tim Paulding and Co Captain Everett Elam, along with Ron Miller, Vispero Blindness Technology Product Specialist, as we sail the open seas of the new features in JAWS and Fusion 2023. Discover powerful updates, enhanced browsing, improved braille support, and seamless integration. Ask Ron your questions and participate in the Q&A. Register now to learn from leading authorities on assistive technology's intersection into the mainstream and chart your course toward empowerment and independence! After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. Please contact Tim Paulding at: tpaulding@lhblind.org 📧️ if you have any questions or need assistance registering for this event. Register in advance for this webinar:
https://thelighthousefortheblindinc.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_DuhrGxUrQja3DdHnby7xFQ
March 22, 2023 | Features of the ONYX OCR (ACVREP CE Approved, Assistive Technology Webinar) | Access Ingenuity
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 6PM GMT
The ONYX OCR magnifies and reads aloud any document. The voice, magnification, and high contrast make reading easier. Change your focus from reading magnified texts to letting the ONYX OCR read them when it becomes too tiring. Place your document under the fixed OCR camera on the left and activate the speech function. Enjoy listening to a text as it is read aloud by a high-quality voice without straining your eyes. This four-in-one solution integrates two separate cameras: one for transforming text-to-speech output and one for magnifying documents and observing the room around you. You can see what you want across the room or at your desk. Join Ian Ramos from Access Ingenuity and Joe McDaniel from Vispero to discuss the features and benefits of the ONYX OCR model. Note that everybody is welcome and can benefit from this presentation. If you are a teacher of the visually impaired (TVI), ACVREP continuing education credit is approved for this presentation. Learning Outcomes: How the ONYX OCR incorporates two low-vision technologies. Different uses of the ONYX OCR. How it differs from the other ONYX models. Why having OCR in a portable unit can be a game changer. | Meeting ID: 848 0272 3291 | Passcode: 894571 | One tap mobile:
+16699009128,,84802723291#,,,,*894571# US (San Jose) | Dial by your location: +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose) | Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84802723291?pwd=V0l6NmVUTFZmQU9oNjRqcXRNTi9FUT09#success
March 22, 2023 | Procedural Safeguards and Parental Rights: New Webinar Series with Karen Mayer Cunningham | APH FamilyConnect
4PM PT, 5PM MT, 6PM CT, 7PM ET, 12AM GMT on 1/26
This fall, we were pleased to partner with Karen Mayer Cunningham to present two webinar series. Navigating and Negotiating Successful IEP and 504 Outcomes and Ask the Advocate provided information to parents, professionals, and school-based members. Participants had the opportunity to learn more about the IEP and 504 processes as well as the opportunity to ask specific questions about their child's IEPs. These two series have been highly attended, and we have received requests for more content from Karen Mayer Cunningham, the self-proclaimed "Special Education Boss". The positive feedback and need for more content to support parents and professionals leads to the next series of webinars. We are excited to offer the next series to continue to support parents and professionals. Procedural Safeguards: Procedural Safeguards are handed out, and many don't have a full understanding of the document. Procedural Safeguards and Rights are in place for parents and individuals with a disability between the ages of 3 to 22. Unfortunately, most parents are only asked by school-based members if they "received" their copy of the procedural rights, and would they please sign in receipt of them. While that checks a box for the school, it in no way equips the families with a knowledge of their rights and protection, nor indicates the school's legal obligation. This series will identify your rights and the difference between procedural and substantive requirements. Join the APH ConnectCenter and Karen Mayer Cunningham as we dive into Procedural Safeguards and Parental Rights. Learn more: We hope you will join the 6-part webinar series to further your knowledge and understanding of the Procedural Safeguards and Parental Rights. Join us at 7:00 pm EST on 1/11, 1/25, 2/8, 2/22, 3/8, and 3/22. Register here:
https://familyconnect.org/blog/familyconnect-blog/procedural-safeguards-and-parental-rights-new-webinar-series-with-karen-mayer-cunningham/
March 22, 2023 | Federal Government Career Opportunities Applying for Federal Job March 2023 | U.S. Department of Labor
10:30 AM PT, 11:30AM MT, 12:30PM CT, 1:30PM ET, 6:30PM GMT
This Event will be a Virtual Online Event and Registration is required to attend. To register for this event go to the following link below. The U.S. Department of Labor's mission is to protect workers, job seekers and retirees. During this virtual session staff from the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs and Office of Human Resources will share information with students about the following: Protecting Your Workplace Rights. How to Prepare a Federal Resume. Navigating USAJobs Website. How to Apply for a Federal Job. At the end of the session you can get your questions answered:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/federal-government-career-opportunities-applying-for-federal-job-march-2023-tickets-569966293527
March 28, 2023 | VPAT ® 101: Introduction to the Voluntary Product Accessibility Template
2PM PT, 3PM MT, 4PM CT, 12PM ET, 5PM GMT
Presenter: Brian Elton, Practice Manager, Training. A Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) is a great way to document your product's accessibility, but many companies are unaware of their existence and how to use them. Join Brian Elton, Practice Manager, Training from TPGi for answers to questions such as: What information is contained in a VPAT? Is a VPAT just for websites? Is every organization required to have one? How can a company secure a VPAT? Is it better to create it in-house or get a third party involved? TPGi's webinar will answer those questions and more, and explain how your organization can benefit from a VPAT. Register for the webinar:
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-march-28-at-12pm-et-vpat-101-introduction-to-the-voluntary-product-accessibility-template/
March 28, 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group
5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 1AM 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
March 28, 2023 | Beyond the Alt Tag: Accessible Name | Great Lakes ADA Center
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 6PM GMT
Continuing Education Recognition Available. The reasoning, best practices, and available technology for creating accessible images and text alternatives has evolved over the last several years. Expert web developers are building upon the foundation of text alternative techniques such as "alt tags" to newer concepts such as "Accessible Name" and "Accessible Description" for HTML. This approach provides better accessibility. During this webinar, Access Board staff will describe how they employ these updated concepts when developing the Guides to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Standards. Participants will understand the reason for these changes and will gain practical strategies for adding “Accessible Name” to their vocabulary and tool kits. Target Audience: Open to all, but of noted interest for experienced web developers. Questions can be submitted in advance of the session or can be posed during the live webinar. This webinar will include video remote interpreting (VRI) and real-time captioning:
https://www.accessibilityonline.org/cioc-508/session/?id=111045
March 29, 2023 | How to Design and Test for Accessible Learning Modules (Digital Accessibility Webinar) | Access Ingenuity
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 6PM GMT
Various eLearning course authoring platforms help content authors quickly create online courses to deliver on desktop and mobile devices. Many platforms allow course creation that supports the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). The platforms provide tools to address fundamental accessibility issues, such as implementing accessible course controls, accessible videos (including support for both captions and transcripts), keyboard support, and the option to incorporate accessible quizzes within a course module. However, authors must correctly implement the accessibility features and be aware of the fundamental accessibility limitations in each platform they need to resolve to meet the requirements. Join Michael Parker to learn how to design and test for accessible learning modules. Learning Outcomes: Understand the accessibility limitations of your platform, such as Storyline, RISE 360, etc. Learn techniques to make many common elements accessible. Learn about common mistakes to avoid when authoring content in your learning module platform. Learn about accessibility testing strategies to ensure the content you produce is accessible. | Meeting ID: 875 9093 7816 | Passcode: 136374 | One tap mobile: +16699009128,,87590937816#,,,,*136374# US (San Jose) | Dial by your location: +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose) | Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87590937816?pwd=ajJGZy9XSFR0U2NTOGdsRkdRY3pnZz09#success
April 4, 2023 | Online Graduate Programs in Special Education Webinar | Ball State University
4PM PT, 5PM MT, 6PM CT, 7PM ET, 12AM GMT on April 5, 2023
Register below to attend a webinar about Ball State's online graduate special education programs: Master's in Applied Behavior Analysis with an emphasis in Autism. Master's in Special Education. Graduate Certificate in Autism. Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis:
https://admissions.bsu.edu/register/?id=56e048a3-0e21-46ae-85fd-5e66bf62da88&utm_source=Partner_DisScoop&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=OSL_DisScoop&utm_term=March_23&utm_content=RegToday
April 5, 2023 | Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 7: Music | APH
8AM PT, 9AM MT, 10AM CT, 11AM ET, 4PM GMT
Let's discover together how to make music with these famous bricks! Come and share your creative ideas:
https://www.aph.org/lego-braille-bricks-live-sessions/
April 8, 2023 | How To Upgrade To Windows 11 | Technology User Group | Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled (LBPD)
7AM PT, 8AM MT, 9AM CT, 10AM ET, 3PM GMT
This operating system has been around for a while, and people champion its security strengths and applications. Should you upgrade, and what is that process? All events are currently being held via teleconference until further notice. No programs will be held in person. Please dial (319) 527-4994 📱️ at 10:00 AM ET. For more information about the Technology User Group or to recommend a topic / technology for discussion, please contact: Jerry Price at (410) 230-2446 📱️ or via email jerry.price1@maryland.gov 📧️
April 19, 2023 | 2023 Helen Keller Achievement Awards | American Foundation for the Blind
April 25, 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group
5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 1AM 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
May 3, 2023 | Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 8: STEM | APH
8AM PT, 9AM MT, 10AM CT, 11AM ET, 4PM GMT
Have you ever thought of doing science, computing, or technology with LEGO Braille Bricks? Expert guests will join us for an amazing session:
https://www.aph.org/lego-braille-bricks-live-sessions/
May 9, 2023 through May 12, 2023 | John Slatin AccessU 2023 | Knowbility
Join us virtually or in Austin, TX. John Slatin AccessU is an annual conference where tech professionals, content creators, policymakers, and advocates come together for deep learning in accessible digital design:
https://knowbility.org/programs/john-slatin-accessu-2023
May 13, 2023 | Travel Tools and Apps | Technology User Group | Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled (LBPD)
7AM PT, 8AM MT, 9AM CT, 10AM ET, 3PM GMT
Whether you are traveling to another city, state or country, we will look at tools and resources that will help you get the most assistance for your venture. All events are currently being held via teleconference until further notice. No programs will be held in person. Please dial (319) 527-4994 📱️ at 10:00 AM ET. For more information about the Technology User Group or to recommend a topic / technology for discussion, please contact: Jerry Price at (410) 230-2446 📱️ or via email jerry.price1@maryland.gov 📧️
May 16, 2023 through May 18, 2023 | Virtua11y Web Accessibility Conference 2023 | Nomensa
Nomensa's free, virtual web accessibility and digital inclusion conference:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/virtua11y-web-accessibility-conference-2023-tickets-505953880677
May 18, 2023 | Global Accessibility Awareness Day
Help us celebrate the 12th Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD)! The purpose of GAAD is to get everyone talking, thinking and learning about digital access and inclusion, and the more than One Billion people with disabilities/impairments:
https://accessibility.day/
June 2, 2023 | ATHEN Sixth Annual Accessibility Summer Camp 2023
6AM PT, 7AM MT, 8AM CT, 9AM ET, 2PM GMT
We would love for you to share your accessibility knowledge during our sixth annual Accessibility Summer Camp 2023! As in former years, this virtual conference is FREE for all attendees. This year's ASC event will take place on Friday, June 2, 2023, from 8:00-4:00 CST. As a conference participant you will be able to attend sessions and engage in valuable networking with like-minded professionals. We are soliciting presentations from all experience levels and backgrounds, so please visit the ASC Conference Home Page for more information and to submit a proposal. The session proposal deadline is Friday, February 17th, 2023. What is Accessibility Summer Camp (ASC)? The Accessibility Summer Camp is a FREE annual conference with the goal of connecting professionals and educators with best practices in accessibility and Universal Design. Over the past few years, the ASC conference has grown to become one of the most popular accessibility conferences in the country. Our mission is to provide accessibility professional development that empowers attendees to create high quality, accessible learning environments while removing barriers for all individuals who have a desire to learn:
https://www.accessibilityict.org/
May 23, 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group
5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 1AM 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
June 7, 2023 | Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 9: Orientation & Mobility | APH
8AM PT, 9AM MT, 10AM CT, 11AM ET, 4PM GMT
LEGO bricks to build plans, visualize routes, it's not new! But with LEGO Braille Bricks you can also create labels, add letters, words... Then it becomes really great:
https://www.aph.org/lego-braille-bricks-live-sessions/
June 27, 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group
5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 1AM 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
July 25, 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group
5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 1AM 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
August 22, 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group
5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 1AM 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 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, 1AM 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
October 24, 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group
5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 1AM 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, 1AM 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
December 26, 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group
5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 1AM 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
➜ Directories
1) Access Information Email Newsletter Directory
https://www.accessinformationnews.com/email-newsletter-directory.html
➜ Sponsor Classified Ads
Sponsor: Access Ready, Inc.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Provides Access To The Best In The Business
If you need assistance with a new accessible website, document remediation or disability consulting of other kinds, Access Ready can help. We seek out the best in the business and bring them to you already vetted as to quality, professionalism and ability. By going through AccessReady.org to one of our qualified providers, you're not only getting the best, but supporting our advocacy and technological development efforts as well:
https://accessready.org/
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.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Seeks Guidance On New Accessible Technologies
What Technologies do you see in the market that are not accessible, but should be? What accessible technologies can you imagine that can make the lives of people with all kinds of disabilities better? We will advocate with developers to make existing technologies accessible on your behalf. We will advocate with developers to build new accessible technologies on your behalf. Give us your guidance and support. Your guidance charts our path toward what is most important. Your support funds our efforts on your behalf:
https://accessready.org/
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Prepare For Your Future Today With The All-New APH ConnectCenter's Job Seekers Toolkit!
The APH ConnectCenter and NSITE have partnered to update the Job Seeker's Toolkit, an accessible, self-paced, free online training course. The Toolkit includes five sections covering self-awareness, career exploration tools, the preliminary employment process, the interview, and maintaining employment. We are bringing the Job Seeker's Toolkit to a larger audience and in a Learning Management System format for today's learners, at no cost. Visit APHCareerConnect.org to get started with the Job Seekers Toolkit today at:
https://aphcareerconnect.org/lesson-plans-for-teachers-and-professionals/the-job-seekers-toolkit/
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: Menus4ALL
➜ Classified Advertisement: A Revolution in Resolution — Menus for Everyone
No matter when, where or who, the Menus4ALL iPhone app gives you the info you need quickly. No more multiple Google searches to research menus before going out. Info is organized to give you quick access to what you are looking for — the menu! Optimized to give you the best viewing experience. No more struggling to see small print, or looking at a menu in a dimly lit restaurant. Do you use magnification, large print, VoiceOver, a braille display or Voice Control? Enjoy 750,000 fully accessible menus. Download the app today at:
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/menus4all/id1640547801?platform=iphone
Sponsor Since: November 20th 2022
Website: https://www.menus4all.com/ 🌐️
Email: stephanie@menus4all.com 📧️
About: 750,000 Accessible Restaurant Menus. On your iPhone ® in the palm of your hand.
Yes, that's not a typo. The Menus4ALL iPhone app offers 500,000 accessible menus in the United States and 250,000 accessible menus in Canada.
Wherever you are and whenever you want The Menus4ALL iPhone app is the largest network of restaurant menus in one place and all of the menus are fully accessible.
Perfect for when you are out running errands and want to know what restaurants are near your current location. Great for planning a night out with friends. Favorite menus that you want to look at later or when you know you are going back for that amazing dish.
Download The App (Apple): https://apps.apple.com/us/app/menus4all/id1640547801?platform=iphone
Sponsor: WayAround
➜ Classified Advertisement: Try Talking Labels That Work With Your Smartphone For Just $9.99!
Get all the different types of WayTags so you can try the BEST accessible labeling system around. Use the coupon code TryTags to get a WayTag Sampler Pack for just $9.99. Plus, you get FREE shipping. Use the WayTags along with the free mobile app to label your things with a description and other important details, so you can spend less time figuring out what things are, and more time getting things done.
https://www.wayaround.com/shop/sampler-pack/?utm_source=AssistiveTech&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=AccessInfoNewsSponsorAd
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Finally! Holding Businesses Accountable
Those who need accessibility accommodations aren't strangers to jumping in with self-advocacy to achieve it. But, what about the rest of us? When explaining the benefits of a reasonable accommodation to one's place of work or school. This is where our self-advocacy kits come in. Pneuma has written up customizable email templates you can modify according to your situation. We cover a variety of different advocacy scenarios. Simply choose your scenario, answer a few simple questions, adapt the language, address it to the right person, and submit it! Self-advocacy has never been easier:
https://pneumasolutions.com/finally-holding-businesses-accountable/
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: 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.
NSITE Connect: Linking employers with talented individuals who are blind, low-vision, and/or veterans. Access the NSITE Connect Job Board here.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.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Seeks Your Support at the Public Policy Level
Moving the public policy needle is both difficult and costly. Access Ready has one of the most experienced teams in the business who have shown results. We have fostered Congressional language on accessible websites, elections, healthcare, communications, and other areas touched by information and communications technologies. These efforts are costly and we need your help to continue. Become an Access Ready supporter and create an accessible future for people with disabilities:
https://accessready.org/
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Your Weekly Classified Advertisement Title Here (256 characters or less including spaces.)
Your weekly Classified Advertisement here.
(1000 characters or less including spaces.)
Sponsor Since: Today
Website: https://accessinformationnews.com/ 🌐️
Phone: (855) 578-6660 📱️
Email: news@accessinformationnews.com 📧️
About: Access Information News is the world's leading not-for-profit access information news publication that reaches over 15,000 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.
9 of 18 Sponsorship Packages Currently Available
Access Information News is the world's leading not-for-profit access information news publication that reaches over 15,000 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 9 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!
Access Information News Supporters donate an amount of their choosing either one time or on an annual basis in order to assist with the ongoing distribution of the Access Information News publication.
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.
Exposure: 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.
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 5th 2022.
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➜ Access Information News Team
Publisher: Aaron Di Blasi (Volunteer)
➜ Classified Advertisement: Is Your Business or Organization Looking to Hire a Professional, Part-Time, Remote Digital Marketer? Aaron Di Blasi, PMP, Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd., is Seeking a New Client Partnership. Hire Direct And Pay No Agency Fee.
Could your business or organization use help with your digital marketing workflow? Tasks like website administration, article assembly and publication, graphic design, website updates, email newsletter blasts and social media scheduling? Aaron Di Blasi, Owner and Sr. Project Management Professional for Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd. is seeking a new client partnership. Learn more at:
https://mvsltd.com/news/is-your-business-or-organization-looking-to-hire-a-professional-digital-marketer-aaron-di-blasi-pmp-mind-vault-solutions-ltd-is-seeking-a-new-client-partnership/
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 Access 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 Access 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 advocacy foundation.
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 Access 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.
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 Access 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, March 6, 2023 - Volume 900
Access Information News for Monday, March 6, 2023 - Volume 900
The Week's News in Access Information
https://accessinformationnews.com/
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.
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Submit your Access Information News item for free, with timing and placement determined by our editors, using this form: https://www.accessinformationnews.com/submit-news or locate "News Item Submission Form" within the main menu of the Access Information News website.
1) Top 5 Most Clicked Access Information News Articles From Last Week
A.) 5 Things I Wish Were Accessible — But Normally Aren't | Fashioneyesta AKA Emily Davis (6.8% of all clicks.)
These are some of the things that I wish were accessible as a visually impaired person that normally aren't:
https://fashioneyesta.com/5-things-i-wish-were-accessible-but-normally-arent/
B.) A New York Teacher Invents Something to Change... Everything (6.7% of all clicks.)
For more than 25 years, Daniel Lubiner has been a special education teacher, and for some time, he taught art to blind students in the Bronx. When the pandemic hit, he was devastated about how poor the education for his students had become. Then he was shocked to learn that only 10% of kids were learning braille well before the pandemic. That's when Mr. Lubiner conceived of the BrailleDoodle:
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/a-new-york-teacher-invents-something-to-change-everything-301754598.html
C.) Software Accessibility For Users With Attention Deficit Disorder (ADHD) | Eva Katharina Wolf | Medium (4.6% of all clicks.)
When discussing accessibility, the first person that pops into the minds of people is probably a person in a wheelchair. Thinking about software accessibility, the next two types of disabilities might come into mind are blindness and deafness. These are three types of disabilities most people commonly think of when talking about accessibility: blindness, deaf and hard of hearing and mobility impairments. And all three of them are important when optimizing software for accessibility, but there are other ones, and in this article will dive into one that is often forgotten: cognitive disability. There are many kinds of cognitive impairments, to mention some: Dyslexia (difficulty reading), AD(H)D (Attention Deficit Disorder) or Autism Spectrum Disorder. I got my Dyslexia diagnosis as a kid, and not long ago, a lot of things in my life started to make sense with another diagnosis: I have ADHD. And while many people might not see the connection between software accessibility and neurodiversity, I can tell you: there are things we, as UX Designers, can do to make the life for neurodivergent people, like myself, a lot easier. In this article I will focus on (adult) ADHD:
https://uxdesign.cc/software-accessibility-for-users-with-attention-deficit-disorder-adhd-f32226e6037c
D.) Apple, Please Don't Take All Of The Buttons Away | Allison Johnson | The Verge (4.5% of all clicks.)
Reports are pointing to a buttonless iPhone 15 Pro with solid-state haptic buttons in their place. This is very bad and no good. Look, I know it's probably too late, but since reports have been surfacing for a while now that Apple is planning to remove the physical buttons from the iPhone 15 Pro, replacing them with solid-state "taptic" buttons. Some new, alleged renders of the iPhone 15 published by 9to5Mac seem to confirm the news: it's time to bid the physical volume rocker and power switch goodbye, at least on some upcoming models. Surely it is too late to change anyone's mind in Cupertino, but I'm going to make the case anyway. Please don't take the buttons away, Apple:
https://www.theverge.com/2023/2/18/23604808/apple-iphone-15-pro-button-rumor-haptic
E.) How To Start A YouTube Channel As A Blind or Disabled Person | Unsightly Opinions | YouTube (4.4% of all clicks.)
Let's chat about how to start a YouTube channel as a person with disabilities and/or blindness. Many of you wondered how to go about creating a channel and uploading content, so today I'll take you through my top tips and tricks and what the creation process looks like for me to run a channel with no vision. If you still have questions about YouTube, monetization, channel building, or anything Video or Editing leave them down below and I'll happily answer them:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5uk1WTN_U0
2) Sponsorship Package Updates
Are you an access-based business or organization whose products, services or message would benefit from reaching over 15,000 access professionals each week? If so, please consider becoming a Sponsor today for just $100 a month, paid either quarterly or annually. Annual Sponsors gain the additional benefit of being able to schedule their Featured Advertisement dates up to one year in advance. If you've been looking for a way to consistently reach the largest audience of opt-in access professionals in the world today, please consider becoming an Access Information News Sponsor while packages last. Availability: There are currently 10 Access Information News Sponsorship Packages remaining. Advertising Benefits: Review a complete list of advertising benefits here:
https://www.accessinformationnews.com/sponsorship-information.html#sponsorship-package-benefits
3) Eli Lilly To Cut Insulin Prices Up To 70% Amid Federal Pressure To Lower Costs
On March 1, 2023, Eli Lilly and Co. said it will cut prices of its most commonly prescribed insulins up to 70% and expand a program that limits out-of-pocket monthly costs for some consumers. The Indianapolis drugmaker's price cuts and discounts for insulin come as federal and state lawmakers and patient advocates pressure drug companies and health insurers to improve affordability for the lifesaving medication used by millions of Americans. "The aggressive price cuts we're announcing today should make a real difference for Americans with diabetes," said Lilly Chair and CEO David Ricks:
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2023/03/01/eli-lilly-cuts-insulin-prices/11365772002/
4) AccessWorld Newsletter February 2023 Issue
February 2023 updates include: Editor's Page: Assistive Technology and Standing Out | Braille Codes and Characters: History and Current Use - Part 2 | IrisVision's New Addition, Inspire | Ooma Phone — A Mostly Accessible And Nearly Free Option For Your Home Landline Phone | Letters to the Editor:
https://www.afb.org/aw/24/2
5) LinkedIn Survey For US Residents Pays $60 For Your Time | Blind Android Users
For all who stay in USA, and use the LinkedIn mobile app, there is a survey that will give you 60$ for your time. You must fill out the form and then submit to an online interview. This survey is being done by accessibility user research collective in collaboration with Shepard foundation in Atlanta:
https://accessibilityuserresearchcollective.org/
6) Senator Markey Demands Musk Reinstate Twitter's Accessibility Team, Online Features For Users With Disabilities
Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) is calling on Chief Executive Officer of Twitter Elon Musk to reinstate Twitter's Accessibility Team and support the development and implementation of critical online features so that users with disabilities can fully access and utilize the social media platform. In his letter to the company, Senator Markey highlighted a variety of devastating changes under Musk's leadership for disabled Twitter users, including Twitter Spaces no longer offering automatic closed captions, which prevents users who are deaf or hard of hearing from engaging with Spaces:
https://www.markey.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-markey-demands-musk-reinstate-twitters-accessibility-team-online-features-for-users-with-disabilities
7) 'Entitled': Woman Slammed For Asking Man In Wheelchair To Move On Bus
A woman has been slammed for expecting a man in a wheelchair to move for her on a bus, with people calling her behavior "insensitive and ableist:"
https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/real-life/news-life/entitled-woman-slammed-for-asking-man-in-wheelchair-to-move-on-bus/news-story/cd5f3b9810415b4d5c5c6e29351eba97
8) It's Fine to Never Meet IRL | Wired
As high-risk individuals are marginalized from a society eager to ignore pandemic harms, tech companies must do more to expand accessible virtual spaces:
https://www.wired.com/story/cyberintimacy-covid-health/
9) FCC Meeting To Consider Accessibility Items Scheduled For March 16, 2023
On February 23, 2023, the FCC announced a tentative agenda for the Open Commission Meeting scheduled for 10:30 am EST on Thursday, March 16, 2023. The meeting will be held in the Commission Meeting Room, 45 L Street N.E. Washington, D.C., and will be streamed live with open captioning at https://www.fcc.gov/live. As part of the agenda, the Commission will consider:
https://www.fcc.gov/fcc-march-16-meeting-consider-accessibility-items
10) Schakowsky Reintroduces Legislation To Guarantee Home-Use Medical Devices Are Accessible To Blind And Low Vision Americans
On March 1, 2023, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), a Chief Deputy Whip and Ranking Member on the Innovation, Data, and Commerce Subcommittee of the Energy and Commerce Committee, led 32 of her colleagues in reintroducing the bipartisan Medical Device Nonvisual Accessibility Act. This bill would ensure that home-use medical devices are accessible to blind and low vision Americans across the country:
https://schakowsky.house.gov/media/press-releases/schakowsky-reintroduces-legislation-guarantee-home-use-medical-devices-are
11) Can A.I. Treat Mental Illness? | The New Yorker (Subscription Information)
New computer systems aim to peer inside our heads — and to help us fix what they find there:
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2023/03/06/can-ai-treat-mental-illness
12) My Journey from Surviving to Thriving in a World Not Built for Blindness | Kristin Smedley
I had a plan. Get the degree, land the job, marry the guy, build the house, and have the baby. It was a perfect plan, and I executed it flawlessly. In the year 2000, I had everything I had ever planned for. Until the curve ball. "Your son is blind." Those four words sentenced me to a dark place I didn't plan for. I had never even met a person who is blind before that day. I spiraled in fear and panic. I had no idea what was possible for my son or his brother, who was also born blind three years later:
https://familyconnect.org/blog/familyconnect-blog/my-journey-from-surviving-to-thriving-in-a-world-not-built-for-blindness/
13) These Fashion Designers Are Putting Braille Right On Their Clothing
The fashion industry has long ignored the disability community, but brands like Aille and Balini are putting braille front and center:
https://www.fastcompany.com/90852271/these-fashion-designers-are-putting-braille-right-on-their-clothing
14) Revelations Of Blindness In The Middle Ages
Medieval texts, from Islamic medical treatises to Christian books of miracles, reveal surprisingly varied and complex experiences of blindness. But when medieval scholar Jude Seal experienced visual impairment themselves, they gained an even deeper understanding of the lives that they were studying:
https://wellcomecollection.org/articles/Y1AMkxEAAImMCDR4
15) APH InSights Annual Art Competition for Artists Who are Blind
Attention artists! The 2023 InSights Art competition will be accepting submissions until March 31, 2023. This international art contest is open to artists of all ages with vision loss. Learn how you, your child, or your students can enter the contest:
https://insights-art.org/enter-the-contest/
16) Amazon Launches New Storefront for Government Supplies
Called AbilityOne Storefront, the new B2B site sells products and services made by people who are blind or have other significant disabilities. It builds off a longstanding federal effort and is open to state and local governments. One of the newest Amazon online storefronts aims to match government buyers with supplies made by workers who are blind or have other "significant disabilities," the e-commerce operator said in a statement:
https://www.govtech.com/biz/amazon-launches-new-storefront-for-government-supplies
17) Toronto Woman With Disability Says Flying Air Canada Made Her Feel Like An 'Unwanted Burden'
Airline says it's 'committed to providing accessible transportation for all' customers:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/flying-disability-air-canada-1.6759456
18) Accessibility Issues That Must Not Be Named | Paul Martz | AppleVis
It's the accessibility issues without names that keep me up at night. Problems that we never discuss because the English language has no words for them. They are the Lord Voldemort of accessibility issues. They are, "Issues That Must Not Be Named:"
https://www.applevis.com/blog/accessibility-issues-must-not-be-named
19) The Overlay Personalization Farce | Karl Groves
The original intent of this article was to provide full examples of the overlay widgets' features in active use, including details on how they operate and before-and-after screenshots. However, due to the litigious nature of some overlay vendors and their continued bullying of their critics, I've chosen to provide this information without mentioning any names:
https://karlgroves.com/the-overlay-personalization-farce/
20) Automated Testing Won't Solve Web Accessibility | Eric Eggert
Over the past few years, accessibility companies have started to develop tools that claim to find accessibility problems automatically. Often the idea is that "automated testing is not quite there yet, but in a few years there will be a revolution". I don't believe that:
https://yatil.net/blog/automated-testing-wont-solve-web-accessibility
21) Hi-Fi Rush Game Director on the Accessibility Trick That Makes You Feel Like a Rock Star
Hi-Fi Rush is the biggest surprise of the year, a wildly imaginative game shadow-dropped out of nowhere by Microsoft. Apart from that, it's also a wild tonal shift for Tango Gameworks, a studio known for making horror games like The Evil Within. Despite that change, Hi-Fi Rush is a massive hit with fans and critics alike. Hi-Fi Rush is a unique mix of a rhythm and action game that tells the story of Chai, a young boy who gets the ability to “feel the beat” in the world around him. Chai joins up with a wild cast of characters, including a spunky hacker named Peppermint and her robotic cat 808, in order to take down the corrupt Vandelay Industries. Between its vibrant rhythm gameplay and surprisingly heartfelt story, Hi-Fi Rush has already gone down as an instant classic:
https://www.inverse.com/gaming/hi-fi-rush-creative-director-interview
22) DLARC Amateur Radio Library Adds 10,000 Magazines, Bulletins, Newsletters, and Podcasts
Launched just five months ago, Internet Archive's Digital Library of Amateur Radio & Communications has expanded to more than 61,000 items related to amateur radio, shortwave listening, and related communications. The library's newest additions include deep historical resources and contemporary reporting about the world of radio:
http://blog.archive.org/2023/02/28/dlarc-61000/
23) It Happens Here: Worcester Radio Station A Reading Service For Visually Impaired, Disabled
Worcester, the second largest city in Massachusetts, is home to a radio station helping visually impaired and disabled listeners get local news every day. It's called Audio Journal, an FM station that describes itself as a "radio reading service for individuals who are blind":
https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/audio-journal-worcester-radio-station-reading-service-visually-impaired-disabled-wbz-tv/?utm_content=239309985&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&hss_channel=tw-18197430
24) How Helpful Is Remote Work for People with Disabilities?
For many years, people with certain disabilities advocated for the right to work from home. These advocates presented this alternative arrangement as a reasonable workplace accommodation. However, companies frequently denied such requests. Then, the pandemic hit:
https://www.accessibility.com/blog/how-helpful-is-remote-work-for-people-with-disabilities
25) What I Used Today: 3D Printer & Thingiverse
A TVI shares tips on using 3D printing and Thingiverse to represent concepts in an accessible format for students who are blind or visually impaired:
https://www.pathstoliteracy.org/resource/what-i-used-today-3d-printer-thingiverse/
26) The Biggest Mistakes in Digital Accessibility and How to Avoid Them
Customers overwhelmingly prefer digital online forums, and that trend is staying strong. With this demand for access to the digital landscape comes the need to remain accessible. However — it's critical to maintain the good accessibility habits developed from your past physical, face-to-face customer dealings. This is an area where many companies make errors — so how can you avoid these common errors and achieve your accessibility goals while navigating the digital arena?
https://www.accessibility.com/blog/the-biggest-mistakes-in-digital-accessibility-and-how-to-avoid-them
27) #AudioEye Will Get You Sued | Adrian Roselli
AudioEye is one of many vendors that claims its accessibility overlay product can make your site “accessible”. Like the other overlay vendors, AudioEye's overlay does not. If you have been lead to believe that AudioEye's overlay will protect you from complaints, whether via AudioEye advertising or sales efforts, then it is important to know that may not be true. In fact, using AudioEye's overlay can add demonstrable WCAG failures and in some cases have no impact for users. I outline a few examples in this post. It is not an exhaustive collection, however. As with my other posts about overlays, I have no interest in providing free QA:
https://adrianroselli.com/2023/02/audioeye-will-get-you-sued.html
28) Accessible Rentals In Short Supply Amid Calls For Minimum Accessibility Standards For All New Houses In NSW
Le Hoa Tseng likes to sit in her wheelchair on the front porch of her unit in Sydney's inner west and chat with her neighbors as they come and go. "Like a security guard," she says. But lately, there are fewer and fewer familiar faces at her Concord West apartment complex. Many of the old tenants have moved out and some of the new ones stay for just a few months. Soon it will be Ms Tseng's turn to leave. After three years she is being forced to move out:
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-02-27/sydney-woman-uses-wheelchair-no-grounds-eviction-rental-crisis/102017968
29) LEGOs Designed For The Blind And Visually Impaired Are Distributed Exclusively From Louisville
Dozens of teachers sat around tables on March 1, 2023 at the Kentucky International Convention Center and worked to put together LEGO bricks while blindfolded. The teachers — who work directly with children who are blind or visually impaired — simulated working with an up-and-coming type of LEGO brick that helps students learn Braille. LEGO Braille Bricks feature a letter or symbol from the Braille alphabet and they can be combined to form words and sentences, just like traditional Braille. The bricks also include printed letters, so sighted teachers, family members and friends can learn alongside the visually impaired children:
https://www.wdrb.com/news/legos-designed-for-the-blind-and-visually-impaired-are-distributed-exclusively-from-louisville/article_70838970-b86a-11ed-b254-f358d46ac51d.html
30) Teaching Students with Visual Impairments: An Introduction | Paths To Literacy
This powerpoint presentation is designed to introduce administrators, teachers, paras and related service providers to some of the basics in working with students with visual impairments:
https://www.pathstoliteracy.org/resource/teaching-students-visual-impairments-introduction/
31) Blind Man Shows The Reality Of What People With Different Eye Conditions Can Actually See
A man who is blind in one eye has shared a fascinating insight into what reality looks like for people with different eye conditions. Check out his video below:
https://www.ladbible.com/news/blind-eye-condition-insight-tiktok-758531-20230301
32) Disability: IN's Monthly Round Up Of Digital Accessibility News For March 2023
https://disabilityin.org/accessibility/march-2023-digital-accessibility-roundup/
33) Important Disability Terminology, Acronyms, and Definitions
For many, the terms used in, and about special education are unfamiliar. Learning these unfamiliar terms, and the commonly used acronyms that represent them, can help in navigating the special education and 504 processes. This list is intended to help familiarize you with common terms, definitions, and acronyms that are frequently used in the disability space. Education definitions may differ from state to state. The acronyms and terminology below is reflective of definitions most commonly in education at the national level:
https://www.nea.org/advocating-for-change/new-from-nea/important-disability-terminology-acronyms-and-definitions
➜ Featured Webinars, Training Courses and Events
Submit your access information related Webinar, Training Course or Event for consideration within this section using this form: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-event or locate "Webinar / Training Course Submission Form" within the main menu of the Access Information News website.
March 6, 2023 | Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 6: Daily Living Activities | APH
8AM PT, 9AM MT, 10AM CT, 11AM ET, 4PM GMT
Let's explore daily-living activities using LEGO Braille Bricks and share our best practices, experiences, tips:
https://www.aph.org/lego-braille-bricks-live-sessions/
March 7, 2023 | iBUG Today 12-Week Mac Course Begins
5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 1AM GMT on 3/8
We are pleased to announce that iBUG Today will be offering a 12-week Mac course beginning Tuesday, March 7, 2023. Sessions take place every Tuesday evening on Zoom from 7:00 to 8:15 PM Central Time. There is also a review session every Thursday from 5:30 to 6:30 Central time. The course requirements and topics are listed below. 1. Participate in all classes with no more than one absence. 2. Attend at least half of all study sessions. 3. Complete homework assignments, which include reading, Mac practice, and providing oral answers to some of the focus questions from each lesson. 4. Attend the monthly iBUG Mac-N-Talk conference call. Three are included in this course. 5. Must be able to follow classroom instruction consisting of lecture and live demonstrations. 6. All course sessions are conducted in a group format; one-on-one training will not be provided. 7. Basic knowledge of Windows, iOS, and/or other operating systems may be useful as a reference point but is not required. 8. The course will be most beneficial for students who have Macs newer than 2017 that are compatible with macOS 13 Ventura. All sessions will be conducted via Zoom remote conferencing, a free application available for both computer and phone that may be found at http://zoom.us and in the iOS and Android app stores. Lecture recordings will be made available to review class material between sessions. The recorded sessions may also be posted to the iBUG Today website and social media for use by interested individuals who are not otherwise able to take the course. Please do not sign up if you are uncomfortable being recorded. During the class, you will be part of an email list for the receiving of announcements and discussion of course material. If you are interested in enrolling, please complete the course application at:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc-bXX_38CWIS7sUY0nC_7IDAqUfAXKb9LG4jt4ihQd6lPT1A/viewform?usp=sf_link
March 7, 2023 | JAWS Inspect Hands-on Series: Five Screen Reader Accessibility Tests You Should Always Do
9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 5PM GMT
By Brian Elton, Practice Manager, Training, and 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-march-7-at-12pm-et-jaws-inspect-hands-on-series-five-screen-reader-accessibility-tests-you-should-always-do/
March 8, 2023 | Ability Summit | Microsoft
Ability Summit is a free digital event on March 8, 2023. Discover new accessible technology, learn from leaders with disabilities, and explore how accessibility empowers everyone within an organization, your community, and so much more. During the event, there will be opportunities to learn how everyone can imagine new technologies, leveraging Artificial Intelligence, Assistive Technology, and Inclusive Design to invent the future of inclusion; include people with disabilities and allies in a more inclusive workplace and society; and build technology to empower every person to achieve more:
https://abilitysummit.eventcore.com/home
March 8, 2023 | Procedural Safeguards and Parental Rights: New Webinar Series with Karen Mayer Cunningham | APH FamilyConnect
4PM PT, 5PM MT, 6PM CT, 7PM ET, 12AM GMT on 1/26
This fall, we were pleased to partner with Karen Mayer Cunningham to present two webinar series. Navigating and Negotiating Successful IEP and 504 Outcomes and Ask the Advocate provided information to parents, professionals, and school-based members. Participants had the opportunity to learn more about the IEP and 504 processes as well as the opportunity to ask specific questions about their child's IEPs. These two series have been highly attended, and we have received requests for more content from Karen Mayer Cunningham, the self-proclaimed "Special Education Boss". The positive feedback and need for more content to support parents and professionals leads to the next series of webinars. We are excited to offer the next series to continue to support parents and professionals. Procedural Safeguards: Procedural Safeguards are handed out, and many don't have a full understanding of the document. Procedural Safeguards and Rights are in place for parents and individuals with a disability between the ages of 3 to 22. Unfortunately, most parents are only asked by school-based members if they "received" their copy of the procedural rights, and would they please sign in receipt of them. While that checks a box for the school, it in no way equips the families with a knowledge of their rights and protection, nor indicates the school's legal obligation. This series will identify your rights and the difference between procedural and substantive requirements. Join the APH ConnectCenter and Karen Mayer Cunningham as we dive into Procedural Safeguards and Parental Rights. Learn more: We hope you will join the 6-part webinar series to further your knowledge and understanding of the Procedural Safeguards and Parental Rights. Join us at 7:00 pm EST on 1/11, 1/25, 2/8, 2/22, 3/8, and 3/22. Register here:
https://familyconnect.org/blog/familyconnect-blog/procedural-safeguards-and-parental-rights-new-webinar-series-with-karen-mayer-cunningham/
March 8, 2023 | Talking #Access with Filmmakers | LinkedIn | Nefertiti Matos Olivares
4PM PT, 5PM MT, 6PM CT, 7PM ET, 12AM GMT on 3/9
An exciting opportunity for #filmmakers and #AudioDescription users alike:
https://www.linkedin.com/events/talking-accesswithfilmmakers7032514229429501953/comments/
MArch 8, 2023 | Meetings on Microsoft Teams for Work with JAWS (Assistive Technology Webinar) | Access Ingenuity
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 6PM GMT
We previously provided a presentation on the basics of Microsoft Teams for work. While the previous one provided an overview of the interface and various features, this presentation will focus on the meetings aspect of Teams. Join Ian Ramos and Zhi Huang from Access Ingenuity to explore the Microsoft Teams interface while using the JAWS screen reader for work and meetings. Note this presentation is on the Microsoft Teams for Work program, which is installed at the workplace and is not the Microsoft Teams for personal use program included with Windows 11. Although the topic of this presentation is Microsoft Teams, the webinar is through Zoom, which allows those who do not know how to use Teams to attend. Learning Outcomes. Briefly discuss the Microsoft Teams for Work interface. Discover how to get a list of keyboard commands for using Microsoft teams and JAWS. Demonstrate how to create a Teams meeting with Teams and Outlook. Discuss how to attend a Teams meeting and provide a list of commands. Meetings on Microsoft Teams for Work with JAWS. Meeting ID: 891 8423 6704 | Passcode: 080914 | One tap mobile: +16699009128,,89184236704#,,,,*080914# US (San Jose) | Dial by your location: +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose) | Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89184236704?pwd=NStOc2ZKTzd0Uk0wRXJROGRQTEUwQT09#success
March 9, 2023 | Getting Onboard: Accessibility and Inclusion in Transportation | GoodMaps
8AM PT, 9AM MT, 10AM CT, 11AM ET, 4PM GMT
From public transit to high-speed rail, to airports and city transportation hubs, enhancing the traveler experience for those with disabilities must include measures to improve accessibility and inclusivity — steps that can in fact improve the journey for all. Beyond necessary ADA compliance infrastructure, technology and innovation for modern transportation can not only improve the practical accessibility of stations and airports for the vision, hearing, or mobility impaired, but it can also make the path from entrance to destination more comfortable, stress free, convenient, and enjoyable for everyone. It's not just about providing an enhanced customer experience — it's about providing an inclusive one, too. In this informative webinar, you'll hear from experts in customer experience for transportation, including those with first-hand experience with Goodmaps accessible mapping and wayfinding technology. Goodmaps utilizes modern innovation including lidar, camera-based positioning (CPS), and geo-referenced images to provide secure, accessible, point-to-point indoor and outdoor wayfinding with unmatched accuracy:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/3116764686974/WN_Uunzbq9KQBihPLdYBCLCKQ
March 9, 2023 | Understand, Test, Solve: Color Contrast | TPGi
9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 5PM GMT
Presenter: Aaron Farber, Senior Accessibility Platform Consultant. TPGi's Accessibility Resource Center (ARC Platform) empowers teams to solve common accessibility issues while growing their understanding of accessibility over time. The "Understand, Test, and Solve" webinar series addresses fundamental concepts in accessibility. The next topic of our webinar series will cover color contrast testing and the set of WCAG Success Criteria, which address the use of color in a website. Color contrast testing involves a blend of manual and automated tools. We'll evaluate these methods and specifically discuss ARC Toolkit, Color Contrast Analyser, and the browser's built-in Developer Tools. We'll review the basics of color contrast testing and address three color contrast issues using our three-step method: Understand, Test, and Solve. This session is 30 minutes long with 30 minutes dedicated to Q&A. Register for the webinar:
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-march-9-at-12pm-et-understand-test-solve-color-contrast/
March 10, 2023 | ACB Currency Rally In Front Of The White House
10:30AM PT, 11:30AM MT, 12:30PM CT, 1:30PM ET, 6:30 PM GMT
Join the American Council of the Blind (ACB) at 1:30pm ET on March 10th — Harriet Tubman Day. We're coming together for a rally in front of the White House with one clear demand: we need accessible and inclusive currency now! RSVP for ACB's Currency Rally and join us in Washington, DC:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ACBRally
March 11, 2023 | Using Garage Band App to Create a Song | Technology User Group | Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled (LBPD)
7AM PT, 8AM MT, 9AM CT, 10AM ET, 3PM GMT
You have seen this app on your iDevice, and maybe you have even opened it once or twice. In this presentation, you will learn how to create a song from scratch and how to make modifications. All events are currently being held via teleconference until further notice. No programs will be held in person. Please dial (319) 527-4994 📱️ at 10:00 AM ET. For more information about the Technology User Group or to recommend a topic / technology for discussion, please contact: Jerry Price at (410) 230-2446 📱️ or via email jerry.price1@maryland.gov 📧️
March 13, 2023 through March 17, 2023 | 2023 38th Annual CSUN Assistive Technology Conference
Welcome. Whether you have been attending the conference for years or are planning to attend your first, the CSUN Assistive Technology Conference, also known as the CSUN Conference, is the ultimate community experience and the premier forum on technology for all persons with disabilities. For over 37 years, California State University, Northridge's Center on Disabilities has sponsored the conference, providing a platform for researchers, practitioners, educators, exhibitors and more from around the world, where they can share knowledge, innovations, and best practices to promote inclusion for all. Building on the momentum from the 2022 conference, exciting new plans are in the works to enhance the conference experience. We encourage you to join us in Anaheim, California in 2023, where attendees can attend Pre-Conference Workshops, the yearly Keynote Address, Featured Presentations, General Sessions, Sponsor Showcase Suites and the Exhibit Hall. We also continue developing new programming to build community and networking opportunities. Check back often or follow us on social media for the latest updates, details, and deadlines. For information on sponsor or exhibitor opportunities, please visit our Opportunities page or email us at conference@csun.edu 📧️. We can't wait until the CSUN Conference community is back together to learn, share and connect:
https://www.csun.edu/cod/conference/sessions/
March 15, 2023 and March 16, 2023 | 2023 3rd Annual Axe-Con | Building Accessible Experiences | The World's Largest Digital Accessibility Conference
Deque Systems, the trusted leader in digital accessibility, has announced the third annual axe-con conference will return on March 15-16th, 2023. With the success of axe-con over the past two years, Deque will continue to host the conference as a free virtual event again next year. Axe-con is an open and inclusive digital accessibility conference that welcomes developers, designers, business users, and accessibility professionals of all experience levels to a new kind of accessibility conference focused on building, testing, and maintaining accessible digital experiences:
https://www.deque.com/blog/save-the-date-for-axe-con-2023/
March 15, 2023 | Basics of PowerPoint Remediation (Digital Accessibility Webinar) | Access Ingenuity
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 6PM GMT
Join Rachel Reeves from Access Ingenuity to learn how to make your PowerPoint file as accessible as possible for screen readers. Learning Outcomes: Highlight the Microsoft Office formatting features and how to leverage them to create the most accessible end-product possible. Explore the accessibility tools in PowerPoint, such as the Reading Order pane, and how to add alternative text. Go through the steps in creating a clean PowerPoint Accessibility Check. | Meeting ID: 814 0695 7950 | Passcode: 584298 | One tap mobile: +16699009128,,81406957950#,,,,*584298# US (San Jose) | Dial by your location: +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose) | Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81406957950?pwd=Qk40cjV1Vk9TN1VvS2dndjJ1cEFuQT09#success
March 16, 2023 | FCC Meeting To Consider Accessibility Items
7:30AM PT, 8:30AM MT, 9:30AM CT, 10:30AM ET, 3:30 PM GMT
On February 23, 2023, the FCC announced a tentative agenda for the Open Commission Meeting scheduled for 10:30 am EST on Thursday, March 16, 2023. The meeting will be held in the Commission Meeting Room, 45 L Street N.E. Washington, D.C., and will be streamed live with open captioning at https://www.fcc.gov/live. As part of the agenda, the Commission will consider:
https://www.fcc.gov/fcc-march-16-meeting-consider-accessibility-items
March 17, 2023 | On My Terms: Working With Visual Assistance Apps | Older Individuals Who Are Blind Technical Assistance Center (OIB-TAC)
12PM PT, 1PM MT, 2PM CT, 3PM ET, 8PM GMT
What could someone do if they had visual assistance whenever they needed it, not just when it was convenient for someone else? Banking, shopping, traveling, cooking, setting a thermostat, getting knowledgeable help with the computer — a whole range of aging-in-place tasks can be done with assistance from a smartphone app. Join Aira's Jenine Stanley and Be My Eyes' Hans Wiberg to learn more about visual interpreting and specialized help through their apps. Find out how visual assistance fits into the tools to access the world as someone who is blind or low vision:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUpcOytrTwrG9eXb-eE_kJSY1RM4_8amlEU
March 21, 2023 | Small Changes for Big Impact: Creating Accessible Word Documents | TPGi
9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 5PM GMT
Microsoft Word has features that help you create documents that are accessible to people with disabilities. By using these features, you can help readers receive your message clearly. If you don't, your message might not get through to your readers — with or without disabilities. In this session, we'll discuss: Using Word's built-in Accessibility Checker to help identify issues. Common accessibility issues and how to prevent or address them. Accessibility considerations that may benefit all users and not just users with disabilities. Word documents intended for conversion to PDF and more. Register today:
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-march-21-at-12pm-et-small-changes-for-big-impact-creating-accessible-word-documents/
March 21, 2023 and March 22, 2023 | Multiple Perspectives 2023 | Americans With Disabilities Act Multiple Perspectives On Access, Inclusion, & Disability Conference | Ohio State University
"It is time to move beyond the letter of the law to the spirit of the law; to shift our focus from redressing human and environmental problems through remedial design to preventing problems through holistic design." -Leslie Kanes Weisman. As a modern land grant university, an important part of Ohio State University's mission is outreach and engagement, serving the community through a variety of activities. During the tenth anniversary year of the Americans With Disabilities Act the Multiple Perspectives On Access, Inclusion And Disability conference was created to help fulfill this mission. In short, the goal of the conference is to encourage the kind of change suggested by Leslie Kanes Weisman in the opening quote. It is hoped that the annual conference will serve as a catalyst for positive change and a springboard for collaborations with our partners in education, business, public, and social service. Each year a series of workshops will provide a forum for individuals and organizations to expand their knowledge and perspectives, and an opportunity to increase community resources through the synergy of collaboration. The workshops are designed to bring a diverse audience together to discuss the full spectrum of disability issues and experiences. To ensure broad participation from the university community, business, state and local government, educators, advocacy organizations, social service agencies, and individuals with disabilities sponsors are sought each year to subsidize conference participants. Register:
https://ada.osu.edu/ada-conference
March 22, 2023 | Features of the ONYX OCR (ACVREP CE Approved, Assistive Technology Webinar) | Access Ingenuity
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 6PM GMT
The ONYX OCR magnifies and reads aloud any document. The voice, magnification, and high contrast make reading easier. Change your focus from reading magnified texts to letting the ONYX OCR read them when it becomes too tiring. Place your document under the fixed OCR camera on the left and activate the speech function. Enjoy listening to a text as it is read aloud by a high-quality voice without straining your eyes. This four-in-one solution integrates two separate cameras: one for transforming text-to-speech output and one for magnifying documents and observing the room around you. You can see what you want across the room or at your desk. Join Ian Ramos from Access Ingenuity and Joe McDaniel from Vispero to discuss the features and benefits of the ONYX OCR model. Note that everybody is welcome and can benefit from this presentation. If you are a teacher of the visually impaired (TVI), ACVREP continuing education credit is approved for this presentation. Learning Outcomes: How the ONYX OCR incorporates two low-vision technologies. Different uses of the ONYX OCR. How it differs from the other ONYX models. Why having OCR in a portable unit can be a game changer. | Meeting ID: 848 0272 3291 | Passcode: 894571 | One tap mobile:
+16699009128,,84802723291#,,,,*894571# US (San Jose) | Dial by your location: +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose) | Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84802723291?pwd=V0l6NmVUTFZmQU9oNjRqcXRNTi9FUT09#success
March 22, 2023 | Procedural Safeguards and Parental Rights: New Webinar Series with Karen Mayer Cunningham | APH FamilyConnect
4PM PT, 5PM MT, 6PM CT, 7PM ET, 12AM GMT on 1/26
This fall, we were pleased to partner with Karen Mayer Cunningham to present two webinar series. Navigating and Negotiating Successful IEP and 504 Outcomes and Ask the Advocate provided information to parents, professionals, and school-based members. Participants had the opportunity to learn more about the IEP and 504 processes as well as the opportunity to ask specific questions about their child's IEPs. These two series have been highly attended, and we have received requests for more content from Karen Mayer Cunningham, the self-proclaimed "Special Education Boss". The positive feedback and need for more content to support parents and professionals leads to the next series of webinars. We are excited to offer the next series to continue to support parents and professionals. Procedural Safeguards: Procedural Safeguards are handed out, and many don't have a full understanding of the document. Procedural Safeguards and Rights are in place for parents and individuals with a disability between the ages of 3 to 22. Unfortunately, most parents are only asked by school-based members if they "received" their copy of the procedural rights, and would they please sign in receipt of them. While that checks a box for the school, it in no way equips the families with a knowledge of their rights and protection, nor indicates the school's legal obligation. This series will identify your rights and the difference between procedural and substantive requirements. Join the APH ConnectCenter and Karen Mayer Cunningham as we dive into Procedural Safeguards and Parental Rights. Learn more: We hope you will join the 6-part webinar series to further your knowledge and understanding of the Procedural Safeguards and Parental Rights. Join us at 7:00 pm EST on 1/11, 1/25, 2/8, 2/22, 3/8, and 3/22. Register here:
https://familyconnect.org/blog/familyconnect-blog/procedural-safeguards-and-parental-rights-new-webinar-series-with-karen-mayer-cunningham/
March 22, 2023 | Federal Government Career Opportunities Applying for Federal Job March 2023 | U.S. Department of Labor
10:30 AM PT, 11:30AM MT, 12:30PM CT, 1:30PM ET, 6:30PM GMT
This Event will be a Virtual Online Event and Registration is required to attend. To register for this event go to the following link below. The U.S. Department of Labor's mission is to protect workers, job seekers and retirees. During this virtual session staff from the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs and Office of Human Resources will share information with students about the following: Protecting Your Workplace Rights. How to Prepare a Federal Resume. Navigating USAJobs Website. How to Apply for a Federal Job. At the end of the session you can get your questions answered:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/federal-government-career-opportunities-applying-for-federal-job-march-2023-tickets-569966293527
March 28, 2023 | VPAT ® 101: Introduction to the Voluntary Product Accessibility Template
2PM PT, 3PM MT, 4PM CT, 12PM ET, 5PM GMT
Presenter: Brian Elton, Practice Manager, Training. A Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) is a great way to document your product's accessibility, but many companies are unaware of their existence and how to use them. Join Brian Elton, Practice Manager, Training from TPGi for answers to questions such as: What information is contained in a VPAT? Is a VPAT just for websites? Is every organization required to have one? How can a company secure a VPAT? Is it better to create it in-house or get a third party involved? TPGi's webinar will answer those questions and more, and explain how your organization can benefit from a VPAT. Register for the webinar:
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-march-28-at-12pm-et-vpat-101-introduction-to-the-voluntary-product-accessibility-template/
March 28, 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group
5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 1AM 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
March 28, 2023 | Beyond the Alt Tag: Accessible Name | Great Lakes ADA Center
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 6PM GMT
Continuing Education Recognition Available. The reasoning, best practices, and available technology for creating accessible images and text alternatives has evolved over the last several years. Expert web developers are building upon the foundation of text alternative techniques such as "alt tags" to newer concepts such as "Accessible Name" and "Accessible Description" for HTML. This approach provides better accessibility. During this webinar, Access Board staff will describe how they employ these updated concepts when developing the Guides to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Standards. Participants will understand the reason for these changes and will gain practical strategies for adding “Accessible Name” to their vocabulary and tool kits. Target Audience: Open to all, but of noted interest for experienced web developers. Questions can be submitted in advance of the session or can be posed during the live webinar. This webinar will include video remote interpreting (VRI) and real-time captioning:
https://www.accessibilityonline.org/cioc-508/session/?id=111045
March 29, 2023 | How to Design and Test for Accessible Learning Modules (Digital Accessibility Webinar) | Access Ingenuity
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 6PM GMT
Various eLearning course authoring platforms help content authors quickly create online courses to deliver on desktop and mobile devices. Many platforms allow course creation that supports the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). The platforms provide tools to address fundamental accessibility issues, such as implementing accessible course controls, accessible videos (including support for both captions and transcripts), keyboard support, and the option to incorporate accessible quizzes within a course module. However, authors must correctly implement the accessibility features and be aware of the fundamental accessibility limitations in each platform they need to resolve to meet the requirements. Join Michael Parker to learn how to design and test for accessible learning modules. Learning Outcomes: Understand the accessibility limitations of your platform, such as Storyline, RISE 360, etc. Learn techniques to make many common elements accessible. Learn about common mistakes to avoid when authoring content in your learning module platform. Learn about accessibility testing strategies to ensure the content you produce is accessible. | Meeting ID: 875 9093 7816 | Passcode: 136374 | One tap mobile: +16699009128,,87590937816#,,,,*136374# US (San Jose) | Dial by your location: +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose) | Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87590937816?pwd=ajJGZy9XSFR0U2NTOGdsRkdRY3pnZz09#success
April 4, 2023 | Online Graduate Programs in Special Education Webinar | Ball State University
4PM PT, 5PM MT, 6PM CT, 7PM ET, 12AM GMT on April 5, 2023
Register below to attend a webinar about Ball State's online graduate special education programs: Master's in Applied Behavior Analysis with an emphasis in Autism. Master's in Special Education. Graduate Certificate in Autism. Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis:
https://admissions.bsu.edu/register/?id=56e048a3-0e21-46ae-85fd-5e66bf62da88&utm_source=Partner_DisScoop&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=OSL_DisScoop&utm_term=March_23&utm_content=RegToday
April 5, 2023 | Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 7: Music | APH
8AM PT, 9AM MT, 10AM CT, 11AM ET, 4PM GMT
Let's discover together how to make music with these famous bricks! Come and share your creative ideas:
https://www.aph.org/lego-braille-bricks-live-sessions/
April 8, 2023 | How To Upgrade To Windows 11 | Technology User Group | Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled (LBPD)
7AM PT, 8AM MT, 9AM CT, 10AM ET, 3PM GMT
This operating system has been around for a while, and people champion its security strengths and applications. Should you upgrade, and what is that process? All events are currently being held via teleconference until further notice. No programs will be held in person. Please dial (319) 527-4994 📱️ at 10:00 AM ET. For more information about the Technology User Group or to recommend a topic / technology for discussion, please contact: Jerry Price at (410) 230-2446 📱️ or via email jerry.price1@maryland.gov 📧️
April 25, 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group
5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 1AM 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
May 3, 2023 | Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 8: STEM | APH
8AM PT, 9AM MT, 10AM CT, 11AM ET, 4PM GMT
Have you ever thought of doing science, computing, or technology with LEGO Braille Bricks? Expert guests will join us for an amazing session:
https://www.aph.org/lego-braille-bricks-live-sessions/
May 9, 2023 through May 12, 2023 | John Slatin AccessU 2023 | Knowbility
Join us virtually or in Austin, TX. John Slatin AccessU is an annual conference where tech professionals, content creators, policymakers, and advocates come together for deep learning in accessible digital design:
https://knowbility.org/programs/john-slatin-accessu-2023
May 13, 2023 | Travel Tools and Apps | Technology User Group | Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled (LBPD)
7AM PT, 8AM MT, 9AM CT, 10AM ET, 3PM GMT
Whether you are traveling to another city, state or country, we will look at tools and resources that will help you get the most assistance for your venture. All events are currently being held via teleconference until further notice. No programs will be held in person. Please dial (319) 527-4994 📱️ at 10:00 AM ET. For more information about the Technology User Group or to recommend a topic / technology for discussion, please contact: Jerry Price at (410) 230-2446 📱️ or via email jerry.price1@maryland.gov 📧️
May 16, 2023 through May 18, 2023 | Virtua11y Web Accessibility Conference 2023 | Nomensa
Nomensa's free, virtual web accessibility and digital inclusion conference:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/virtua11y-web-accessibility-conference-2023-tickets-505953880677
May 18, 2023 | Global Accessibility Awareness Day
Help us celebrate the 12th Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD)! The purpose of GAAD is to get everyone talking, thinking and learning about digital access and inclusion, and the more than One Billion people with disabilities/impairments:
https://accessibility.day/
June 2, 2023 | ATHEN Sixth Annual Accessibility Summer Camp 2023
6AM PT, 7AM MT, 8AM CT, 9AM ET, 2PM GMT
We would love for you to share your accessibility knowledge during our sixth annual Accessibility Summer Camp 2023! As in former years, this virtual conference is FREE for all attendees. This year's ASC event will take place on Friday, June 2, 2023, from 8:00-4:00 CST. As a conference participant you will be able to attend sessions and engage in valuable networking with like-minded professionals. We are soliciting presentations from all experience levels and backgrounds, so please visit the ASC Conference Home Page for more information and to submit a proposal. The session proposal deadline is Friday, February 17th, 2023. What is Accessibility Summer Camp (ASC)? The Accessibility Summer Camp is a FREE annual conference with the goal of connecting professionals and educators with best practices in accessibility and Universal Design. Over the past few years, the ASC conference has grown to become one of the most popular accessibility conferences in the country. Our mission is to provide accessibility professional development that empowers attendees to create high quality, accessible learning environments while removing barriers for all individuals who have a desire to learn:
https://www.accessibilityict.org/
May 23, 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group
5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 1AM 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
June 7, 2023 | Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 9: Orientation & Mobility | APH
8AM PT, 9AM MT, 10AM CT, 11AM ET, 4PM GMT
LEGO bricks to build plans, visualize routes, it's not new! But with LEGO Braille Bricks you can also create labels, add letters, words... Then it becomes really great:
https://www.aph.org/lego-braille-bricks-live-sessions/
June 27, 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group
5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 1AM 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
July 25, 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group
5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 1AM 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
August 22, 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group
5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 1AM 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 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, 1AM 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
October 24, 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group
5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 1AM 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, 1AM 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
December 26, 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group
5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 1AM 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
➜ Directories
1) Access Information Email Newsletter Directory
https://www.accessinformationnews.com/email-newsletter-directory.html
➜ Sponsor Classified Ads
Sponsor: Access Ready, Inc.
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If you need assistance with a new accessible website, document remediation or disability consulting of other kinds, Access Ready can help. We seek out the best in the business and bring them to you already vetted as to quality, professionalism and ability. By going through AccessReady.org to one of our qualified providers, you're not only getting the best, but supporting our advocacy and technological development efforts as well:
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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.
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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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What Technologies do you see in the market that are not accessible, but should be? What accessible technologies can you imagine that can make the lives of people with all kinds of disabilities better? We will advocate with developers to make existing technologies accessible on your behalf. We will advocate with developers to build new accessible technologies on your behalf. Give us your guidance and support. Your guidance charts our path toward what is most important. Your support funds our efforts on your behalf:
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Sponsor Since: December 1st 2022
Website: https://accessready.org/ 🌐️
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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
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The APH ConnectCenter and NSITE have partnered to update the Job Seeker's Toolkit, an accessible, self-paced, free online training course. The Toolkit includes five sections covering self-awareness, career exploration tools, the preliminary employment process, the interview, and maintaining employment. We are bringing the Job Seeker's Toolkit to a larger audience and in a Learning Management System format for today's learners, at no cost. Visit APHCareerConnect.org to get started with the Job Seekers Toolkit today at:
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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.
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Sponsor: WayAround
➜ Classified Advertisement: Try Talking Labels That Work With Your Smartphone For Just $9.99!
Get all the different types of WayTags so you can try the BEST accessible labeling system around. Use the coupon code TryTags to get a WayTag Sampler Pack for just $9.99. Plus, you get FREE shipping. Use the WayTags along with the free mobile app to label your things with a description and other important details, so you can spend less time figuring out what things are, and more time getting things done.
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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
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Sponsor: Pneuma Solutions
➜ Classified Advertisement: Finally! Holding Businesses Accountable
Those who need accessibility accommodations aren't strangers to jumping in with self-advocacy to achieve it. But, what about the rest of us? When explaining the benefits of a reasonable accommodation to one's place of work or school. This is where our self-advocacy kits come in. Pneuma has written up customizable email templates you can modify according to your situation. We cover a variety of different advocacy scenarios. Simply choose your scenario, answer a few simple questions, adapt the language, address it to the right person, and submit it! Self-advocacy has never been easier:
https://pneumasolutions.com/finally-holding-businesses-accountable/
Sponsor Since: November 7th 2022
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Email Newsletter: Click here to receive periodic news via email concerning Pneuma Solutions products for business, consumers and education.
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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: 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.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Seeks Your Support at the Public Policy Level
Moving the public policy needle is both difficult and costly. Access Ready has one of the most experienced teams in the business who have shown results. We have fostered Congressional language on accessible websites, elections, healthcare, communications, and other areas touched by information and communications technologies. These efforts are costly and we need your help to continue. Become an Access Ready supporter and create an accessible future for people with disabilities:
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Sponsor Since: December 19th 2022
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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.
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About: Access Information News is the world's leading not-for-profit access information news publication that reaches over 15,000 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.
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Access Information News is the world's leading not-for-profit access information news publication that reaches over 15,000 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.
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Publisher: Aaron Di Blasi (Volunteer)
➜ Classified Advertisement: Is Your Business or Organization Looking to Hire a Professional, Part-Time, Remote Digital Marketer? Aaron Di Blasi, PMP, Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd., is Seeking a New Client Partnership. Hire Direct And Pay No Agency Fee.
Could your business or organization use help with your digital marketing workflow? Tasks like website administration, article assembly and publication, graphic design, website updates, email newsletter blasts and social media scheduling? Aaron Di Blasi, Owner and Sr. Project Management Professional for Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd. is seeking a new client partnership. Learn more at:
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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.
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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.
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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 advocacy foundation.
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.
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Access Information News
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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.
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
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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.
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Access Information News for Monday, February 27, 2023 - Volume 899
The Week's News in Access Information
https://accessinformationnews.com/
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: 10,611 Opt-In Subscribers were sent this issue via email.
This Week's Featured Advertisement: Access Ready Asks, Why Does The Federal Government Continue To Shirk Its Accessibility Mandate Under Section 508?
Last week, the Department of Justice and the General Services Administration released a long-promised report on Section 508 compliance across the federal government. It says what many of us already believe and know: that federal agencies are failing miserably to comply with accessible technology requirements. Even this report, which by law must be published every 2 years, hasn't been updated since 2012 — until now. The statistics are not shocking, but they are embarrassing — only 1/3 of the top PDFs published by each agency are accessible. Even the majority of agency's accessibility statements don't meet the requirements. This report is a tiny step forward, but Congress is taking notice of how ineffective Section 508 has been. We are working with our partners to find real solutions that meaningfully advance accessibility — and won't take no for an answer. Stay tuned.
The full report is available here: https://bit.ly/section-508-2023.
Dear Access Information News Subscriber,
Submit your Access Information News item for free, with timing and placement determined by our editors, using this form: https://www.accessinformationnews.com/submit-news or locate "News Item Submission Form" within the main menu of the Access Information News website.
1) Top 5 Most Clicked Access Information News Articles From Last Week
A.) MrBeast's Blindness Video Puts Systemic Ableism on Display (9.0% of all clicks.)
At a fundamental level, MrBeast's video is inspiration porn, meant to portray abled people as the selfless heroes waging war against the diabolical villain known as disability. And it's ultimately not meant for the disabled person. It's for abled people to feel good about themselves and about disabled people striving to become more like them — more normal:
https://techcrunch.com/2023/02/10/mrbeasts-blindness-video-puts-systemic-ableism-on-display/
B.) How ChatGPT Works: The Model Behind The Bot (4.0% of all clicks.)
A brief introduction to the intuition and methodology behind the chat bot you can't stop hearing about:
https://towardsdatascience.com/how-chatgpt-works-the-models-behind-the-bot-1ce5fca96286
C.) Rihanna's Super Bowl ASL Interpreter Opens Up About Her Viral Halftime Show Performance (4.0% of all clicks.)
Justina Miles just opened up about her Super Bowl 2023 playbook for the first time since her American Sign Language interpretation of Rihanna's halftime show on February 5th 2023 went mega viral. In a candid interview with Gayle King on CBS Mornings on Friday, February 17th 2023, the performer shared details about how she prepped for game day and revealed what Ri said in a DM to her afterward:
https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/rihannas-asl-interpreter-viral-super-bowl-halftime-show-interview-1235255847/
D.) The History of Speech Synthesis And A Recording Of The First Computer Programmed To Sing | YouTube | Dennis Klatt (4.0% of all clicks.)
Fun fact, the narration was done by Kenneth Stevens, the person who invented HLSyn:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sy0EtGvfvMo
E.) How Innovation Sets Me Backwards | Aubrie Lee (3.9% of all clicks.)
Tech that could be enabling me is impairing me instead:
https://immerse.news/how-innovation-sets-me-backwards-91b30e0b6b95
2) Sponsorship Package Updates
Are you an access-based business or organization whose products, services or message would benefit from reaching over 15,000 access professionals each week? If so, please consider becoming a Sponsor today for just $100 a month, paid either quarterly or annually. Annual Sponsors gain the additional benefit of being able to schedule their Featured Advertisement dates up to one year in advance. If you've been looking for a way to consistently reach the largest audience of opt-in access professionals in the world today, please consider becoming an Access Information News Sponsor while packages last. Availability: There are currently 10 Access Information News Sponsorship Packages remaining. Advertising Benefits: Review a complete list of advertising benefits here:
https://www.accessinformationnews.com/sponsorship-information.html#sponsorship-package-benefits
3) Will ChatGPT Mean Your Smart Home Can Finally Understand You? | Jennifer Pattison Tuohy | The Verge
This proof-of-concept video by Josh.ai shows how AI language models could finally make your smart home voice assistant, well, actually smart:
https://www.theverge.com/2023/2/24/23613382/chatgpt-smart-home-josh-ai-voice-assistant-demo
4) Apple Hits 'Major Milestones' In Moonshot To Bring Noninvasive Blood Glucose Monitoring To Apple Watch
Apple's efforts to bring glucose monitoring features to the Apple Watch have been reported on a few times over the years, but the company has reportedly had several major breakthroughs recently. According to a new report from Bloomberg, Apple has hit "major milestones recently" and "now believes it could eventually bring glucose monitoring to the market:"
https://9to5mac.com/2023/02/22/apple-hits-major-milestones-in-moonshot-to-bring-noninvasive-blood-glucose-monitoring-to-apple-watch/
5) What Is Amazon Clinic?
Amazon Clinic is a virtual healthcare service launched in November of 2022 that delivers care for 20 common conditions, including hair loss, heartburn, acne, dandruff and seasonal allergies. The virtual consultation service allows customers to select their condition from a list provided, then choose a preferred provider from a list of third-party licensed clinicians, including ones from SteadyMD and HealthTap. After completing a short intake questionnaire, customers and third-party clinicians directly connect via a message-based portal within hours of the initial request. The Amazon Clinic site says no video visit or live chat is required:
https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/retail/what-is-amazon-clinic
6) A New York Teacher Invents Something to Change... Everything
For more than 25 years, Daniel Lubiner has been a special education teacher, and for some time, he taught art to blind students in the Bronx. When the pandemic hit, he was devastated about how poor the education for his students had become. Then he was shocked to learn that only 10% of kids were learning braille well before the pandemic. That's when Mr. Lubiner conceived of the BrailleDoodle:
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/a-new-york-teacher-invents-something-to-change-everything-301754598.html
7) Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Proposes Benefit Expansion for Mobility Devices, Advancing Health Equity for People with Disabilities
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) have released a proposed National Coverage Determination (NCD) decision that would, for the first time, expand coverage for power seat elevation equipment on certain power wheelchairs to Medicare individuals. The proposed NCD is open for public comment for 30 days:
https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/cms-proposes-benefit-expansion-mobility-devices-advancing-health-equity-people-disabilities
8) Here's How To Secure Your Twitter Account Without Paying For Blue
Twitter's taking away SMS two-factor authentication for non-paying Twitter users on March 19, 2023. Here's how to switch to another method of 2FA:
https://www.theverge.com/23606430/how-to-secure-twitter-account-2fa-without-blue
9) Software Accessibility For Users With Attention Deficit Disorder (ADHD) | Eva Katharina Wolf | Medium
When discussing accessibility, the first person that pops into the minds of people is probably a person in a wheelchair. Thinking about software accessibility, the next two types of disabilities might come into mind are blindness and deafness. These are three types of disabilities most people commonly think of when talking about accessibility: blindness, deaf and hard of hearing and mobility impairments. And all three of them are important when optimizing software for accessibility, but there are other ones, and in this article will dive into one that is often forgotten: cognitive disability. There are many kinds of cognitive impairments, to mention some: Dyslexia (difficulty reading), AD(H)D (Attention Deficit Disorder) or Autism Spectrum Disorder. I got my Dyslexia diagnosis as a kid, and not long ago, a lot of things in my life started to make sense with another diagnosis: I have ADHD. And while many people might not see the connection between software accessibility and neurodiversity, I can tell you: there are things we, as UX Designers, can do to make the life for neurodivergent people, like myself, a lot easier. In this article I will focus on (adult) ADHD:
https://uxdesign.cc/software-accessibility-for-users-with-attention-deficit-disorder-adhd-f32226e6037c
10) 'Tremendous Potential': Why Some Disability Advocates Laud ChatGPT | Seb Starcevic Thomson | Reuters Foundation
ChatGPT has spurred lively conversations about the role of educational technology. While some colleges and universities are cracking down on ChatGPT, the AI-powered chatbot, other educators believe ChatGPT could help with assisted learning:
https://www.csmonitor.com/text_edition/Technology/2023/0217/Tremendous-potential-Why-some-disability-advocates-laud-ChatGPT
11) Be My Eyes and APH ConnectCenter: An Exciting Partnership
In case you haven't heard the news, The APH ConnectCenter is excited to announce our recent partnership with Be My Eyes, the app that many adults who are blind or low vision have come to love and use for assistance from a sighted volunteer. Be My Eyes now features the APH ConnectCenter listed in the "Specialized Help" section of the app. Simply tap to browse "Specialized Help," select Blindness Organizations, and touch the "APH ConnectCenter" to be connected to an agent in seconds who can assist with questions and provide resources relating to life with low vision and blindness:
https://visionaware.org/blog/visually-impaired-now-what/be-my-eyes-and-aph-connectcenter-an-exciting-partnership/
12) JAWS Tips for Teachers #2: Convenient OCR | APH
JAWS is a foundational tool for ensuring students who are blind or low vision succeed in the classroom. Whether you're new to the screen reader program or you're a seasoned user who wants to brush up on the features you haven't used in a while, these six brief tips that will help you support your students in using JAWS more effectively:
https://bit.ly/3RbhRDl
13) Apple Watch Import Ban Gets Dangerously Close: President Biden Upholds The ITC's Alivecor Ruling
Apple's patent battle with health tech company AliveCor isn't going anywhere anytime soon. The two companies have been battling it out for years, and the pendulum has swung back and forth multiple times. Most recently, in December, the US International Trade Commission handed AliveCor a major victory, agreeing that Apple had infringed its patented technology. The ITC's ruling has now been upheld by President Biden, following the required 60-day review. This sets the stage for a potential import ban of the Apple Watch in the United States:
https://9to5mac.com/2023/02/21/apple-watch-import-ban-president-biden-approval/
14) Apple, Please Don't Take All Of The Buttons Away | Allison Johnson | The Verge
Reports are pointing to a buttonless iPhone 15 Pro with solid-state haptic buttons in their place. This is very bad and no good. Look, I know it's probably too late, but since reports have been surfacing for a while now that Apple is planning to remove the physical buttons from the iPhone 15 Pro, replacing them with solid-state "taptic" buttons. Some new, alleged renders of the iPhone 15 published by 9to5Mac seem to confirm the news: it's time to bid the physical volume rocker and power switch goodbye, at least on some upcoming models. Surely it is too late to change anyone's mind in Cupertino, but I'm going to make the case anyway. Please don't take the buttons away, Apple:
https://www.theverge.com/2023/2/18/23604808/apple-iphone-15-pro-button-rumor-haptic
15) Meta Is Launching A Paid Verification Service For Facebook and Instagram | February 19, 2023
Meta Verified is available for direct purchase on Instagram or Facebook in Australia and New Zealand starting later this week. People can purchase a monthly subscription for (USD) $11.99 on the web and (USD) $14.99 on iOS and Android:
https://about.fb.com/news/2023/02/testing-meta-verified-to-help-creators/
16) How To Start A YouTube Channel As A Blind or Disabled Person | Unsightly Opinions | YouTube |
Let's chat about how to start a YouTube channel as a person with disabilities and/or blindness. Many of you wondered how to go about creating a channel and uploading content, so today I'll take you through my top tips and tricks and what the creation process looks like for me to run a channel with no vision. If you still have questions about YouTube, monetization, channel building, or anything Video or Editing leave them down below and I'll happily answer them:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5uk1WTN_U0
17) Microsoft's Bill Gates Is Backing This Brain Implant Computing Company
Ever wondered what it would be like to scroll reddit just by thinking it? Well, if you have, perhaps our old pal Billy G has something in the works for you. Microsoft co-founder and prolific philanthropist Bill Gates has joined up with Amazon's Jeff Bezos according to reports to back Synchron, a company building brain implants to help further interface humans with computers. Human-computer interfacing of today revolves around external peripherals, such as touch screens, Xbox controllers, keyboards, etc. But fear not, government-mandated brain implants are not (yet) in Synchron's purview. Instead, Synchron's technology revolves around improving accessibility, for those with limited or impaired mobility:
https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/microsoft-co-founder-bill-gates-has-backed-brain-implant-computing-company-synchron
18) Aira to Expand Leadership Team, Further Focus on State and Federal Government
Our mission is to remove visual barriers and make the world more accessible, creating pathways to even greater independence. Making visual interpreting available for all those who seek the benefit, irrespective of the individual's ability to pay, is core to Aira's belief system. As part of our 2023 strategic plan, we are expanding our leadership team by adding a new position, Vice President of Blindness Initiatives, to focus exclusively on this effort. Please visit the job posting to learn more about this position:
https://apply.workable.com/aira/j/F0A5701171/
19) State of Colorado Becomes Latest Aira Access Partner
On February 23, 2023 the Lieutenant Governor of Colorado announced the State of Colorado is now an Aira Access Partner, get the full story in this press release and this video. The State of Colorado is offering Aira's visual interpreting service for blind and low vision Coloradans. This initiative is an extension of the state's efforts to be fully welcoming and accessible to all; Coloradans will get free access for up to 30 minutes per session while navigating state locations and websites, reducing barriers to services and creating a more welcoming Colorado for all:
https://aira.io/colorado/
20) Colorado To Offer Blind Residents Free Audio Assistance
Colorado will offer blind and low-vision residents free access to visual interpretation app Aira when visiting state agencies:
https://statescoop.com/colorado-to-offer-blind-residents-free-audio-assistance/
21) Twitter Spaces No Longer Has Captions — Let's Talk About That | Liam O'Dell
In what may well be Twitter's first accessibility cock-up since Tesla founder Elon Musk took over late last year, the social media platform has decided to remove live captions from its social audio feature, Spaces — and so far they haven't given us a reason why:
https://liamodell.com/2023/02/02/twitter-spaces-captions-deaf-accessibility-what-is-elon-musk/
22) A Position Paper On Researching Braille In The Cognitive Sciences: Decentering The Sighted Norm | Cambridge University Press | PDF | 16 Pages
This article positions braille as a writing system worthy of study in its own right and on its own terms. We begin with a discussion of the role of braille in the lives of those who read and write it and a call for more attention to braille in the reading sciences. We then give an overview of the history and development of braille, focusing on its formal characteristics as a writing system, in order to acquaint sighted print readers with the basics of braille and to spark further interest among reading researchers. We then explore how print-centric assumptions and sight-centric motivations have potentially negative consequences, not only for braille users but also for the types of questions researchers think to pursue. We conclude with recommendations for conducting responsible and informed research about braille. We affirm that blindness is most equitably understood as but one of the many diverse ways humans experience the world. Researching braille literacy from an equity and diversity perspective provides positive, fruitful insights into perception and cognition, contributes to the typologically oriented work on the world's writing systems, and contributes to equity by centering the perspectives and literacy of the people who read and write braille:
https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/64946B5F1007FE52140E1C4C5AFB356E/S0142716423000061a.pdf/position_paper_on_researching_braille_in_the_cognitive_sciences_decentering_the_sighted_norm.pdf
23) You Say Potato, I Say Interpreting | Jenine Stanley | Aira
What's the correct way to talk about what we do at Aira? You've probably heard us use the terms visual interpreting and visual interpretation interchangeably. It can be argued that the words "interpreting" and "interpretation" mean essentially the same thing, a form of the verb "interpret" or related nouns. I beg to differ and here's why:
https://aira.io/interpreting/
24) The Compounding Value Of Investing In Digital Accessibility And Usability | Fable
Most of us know that accessibility is something we should care about or implement into our work somehow. Nobody would argue against equal access to digital products and services for people with disabilities. What is often not widely discussed or clearly articulated is the strong business case for engaging with people with disabilities in the early stages of designing and developing new products. So, it can be challenging to understand why accessibility is important for you to invest in right now. Particularly in the current economic climate. Investing in accessibility and creating usable experiences for people with disabilities in 2023 will yield returns this year, and well into the future:
https://makeitfable.com/article/roi-of-investing-in-digital-accessibility-and-usability/
25) New Lego Sets Feature Characters with a Range of Disabilities
Editor (Woodbridge): The characters include those with Down Syndrome, limb differences, anxiety, vitiligo and a dog with a wheelchair:
https://www.disabilityscoop.com/2023/02/24/new-lego-sets-feature-characters-with-a-range-of-disabilities/30256/
26) Roll Mobility, A New App That's A Yelp For Accessible Spaces, Launches At A Brewery That Sets The Standard
Trying to join her friends at a restaurant on a recent Friday required real effort from Allyson Mallory. First, she had to find a handicap-accessible parking space at a grocery store across the street. Then she had to maneuver her electric wheelchair across snow-covered sidewalks — or try anyway. Finding they had not been shoveled, she had to turn around, go back and find a better path. All that to get to a pizza joint designed to be wheelchair-friendly. Ordeals like that have led to the creation of a new app that offers accessibility reviews of local businesses open to the public. The app, called Roll Mobility, was designed by four people — three Coloradans and another expert based in the UK. Launching this month, it gives people in chairs information about the accessibility of different spaces before they go out:
https://www.cpr.org/2023/02/22/roll-mobility-app/
27) 5 Things I Wish Were Accessible — But Normally Aren't | Fashioneyesta AKA Emily Davis
These are some of the things that I wish were accessible as a visually impaired person that normally aren't:
https://fashioneyesta.com/5-things-i-wish-were-accessible-but-normally-arent/
28) How The Abacus, Though Low Tech, Became And Still Remains A Very Useful Tool For Those Who Are Blind Doing Math | Kevin Jones | Accessibility Insights
The abacus has had a rich history lasting over two thousand years. Ancient merchants needed a way to count things and make calculations. The Asian abaci are the most well known today, both Chinese and Japanese models still exist. The Japanese model has one row of beads with a separation bar and then four more rows of beads below. This model seems to resonate much more with Western minds than the Chinese model. The Chinese model has two rows above the separation bar and then 5 below. I still can't wrap my mind around those versions. The abacus can still be seen used to calculate prices in some Asian stores including one in Hong Kong as recent as 2013, it is still taught in a few Asian schools, and can also be a useful tool for blind students of any nationality studying math:
https://accessibility-insights.com/2023/02/20/how-the-abacus-though-low-tech-became-and-still-remains-a-very-useful-tool-for-those-who-are-blind-doing-math/
29) Accessibility Of Cochlear Implants For Older Adults
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) have changed Medicare cochlear implantation candidacy requirements. These changes will allow for more coverage for individuals 65 and older to receive cochlear implants. Motivation for these changes was largely in response to a recent study that examined these requirements and their accessibility:
https://www.hearinglikeme.com/accessibility-of-cochlear-implants-for-older-adults/
30) Oi Frog! Fun Ideas To Extend The Literacy Opportunities | Paths To Literacy
Rhyming words are an engaging way for young children to enjoy the world of books and literacy! Use models of animals and objects to make it more meaningful to children with visual impairments:
https://www.pathstoliteracy.org/oi-frog-fun-ideas-extend-literacy-opportunities/
31) Statement: Major Decision on Libraries' Digital Rights A Step Closer on March 20, 2023
Judge John G. Koeltl of the Southern District of New York has set March 20, 2023 as the date for oral arguments in four major publishers' lawsuit against the Internet Archive's digital library. The following statement can be attributed to Lia Holland (they/she), Campaigns and Communications Director at Fight for the Future:
https://www.fightforthefuture.org/news/2023-02-23-statement-major-decision-on-libraries-digital-rights-a-step-closer-on-march-20
32) Medical Technology Strategy: Key Takeaways For The Assistive Technology Sector | Sarah Sarsby | AT Today
On February 3, 2023, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) published its first-ever medical technology strategy. Entitled 'Medical Technology Strategy', the medical technology (medtech) strategy details the steps that need to be taken to ensure patients can access safe, effective, and innovative technology through the NHS, which can help diagnose, treat, and deliver care more quickly, freeing up clinician time:
https://attoday.co.uk/medical-technology-strategy-key-takeaways-for-the-assistive-technology-sector/
33) Understanding Blindness, Being A Better Neighbor | Video | CBS Minnesota
Lisa Larges, outreach coordinator for DEED and an expert on blindness, joined CBS Minnesota on February 19, 2023 to talk about the subject and how we can be better neighbors to those who are visually impaired:
https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/video/understanding-blindness-being-a-better-neighbor/
34) Make Your Own Puff Paint | Paths To Literacy
Make your own puff paint using these simple recipes and you can create raised lines and simple tactile graphics for children who are blind or visually impaired:
https://www.pathstoliteracy.org/resource/make-your-own-puff-paint/
35) The Braille Clothing Brand Changing The Fashion Game | Newsweek
From models in reptilian masks (did you see the lime green lizard with a pierced eyebrow?!) to egg-accented bustiers, you truly see it all at New York Fashion Week. But as designer Alexa Jovanovic watched the 2023 show, she struggled to find the one thing she was looking for. "I'm always looking out to see how much disability inclusion is actually involved," Jovanovic tells Newsweek. "I was really disappointed in this year's fashion week from the disability angle:"
https://www.newsweek.com/braille-clothing-brand-changing-fashion-game-1782281
36) P&G TM Chooses D-Series for Tactile Labeling on Shampoo and Conditioner
Simple tasks can be a real challenge for those living with a visual impairment, like telling the difference between personal care products, such as bottles of shampoo and conditioner. Even for consumers with poor or reduced sight, it can be difficult to identify products while in the shower or bath — where sight aids, such as glasses, contact lenses, or magnifiers, are not typically used. P&G recognized this issue and set out to find a solution:
https://www.domino-printing.com/en-us/stories/case-study/proctor-and-gamble-chooses-d-series-for-tactile-labelling-on-shampoo-and-conditioner
37) Why Is It Called An Amazon "Kindle" eReader?
Amazon's Kindle devices have become synonymous with eReaders, and the name "Kindle" has become a household term. But why did Amazon choose the name Kindle for their eReader devices? Does it have anything to do with burning things?
https://www.howtogeek.com/870829/why-is-it-called-an-amazon-kindle-ereader/
38) Biped: The Venture Leader Mobile Providing Smart Navigation For The Blind And Visually Impaired
Biped is a smart navigation copilot for blind and visually impaired people. The smart harness is worn around the shoulders and uses self-driving technology to guide people with short sounds. It complements the use of a white cane or guide dog:
https://www.venturelab.swiss/biped-The-Venture-Leader-Mobile-providing-smart-navigation-for-the-blind-and-visually-impaired
39) Online OT-Recommended Range Launches With 550 Assistive Products | AT Today UK
Daily living aids provider "Complete Care Shop" has launched a new Occupational Therapist (OT) Recommended range that is designed to meet the "highest clinical standards". The new OT Recommended range consists of 550 products that claim to offer the best functionality, ease of use, safety, and value for money. OT Recommended products are identified on the Complete Care Shop website by a green OT Recommended badge. Assistive products that feature a green OT Recommended badge include mobility aids, bedroom equipment, bathing products, and aids to daily living. Rachel Hutchinson, OT and Clinical Director at Complete Care Shop, said: "We have over 60 fully qualified Occupational Therapists (OTs) that work in the business and we have drawn on their knowledge and experience to curate a range of products that aims to enable people to live more independently every day:"
https://attoday.co.uk/online-ot-recommended-range-launches-with-550-assistive-products/
40) 3-D Printing and Materials from ActiveAccessEdu | Paths To Literacy
ActiveAccessEdu evolved from a teacher's passion for adapting materials for her students using 3-D printing and customizable designs:
https://www.pathstoliteracy.org/3-d-printing-and-materials-from-activeaccessedu/
41) American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) Receives Major Gift From the Marilyn & Francine Gruder Trust in Support of JVIB
On February 23, 2023 The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) announced a major bequest in excess of $2.2M made on behalf of Marilyn and Francine Gruder, which will support the Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness (JVIB). AFB's flagship publication of scholarly research to the field of blindness and low vision, in perpetuity:
https://www.afb.org/news-publications/press-room/press-release-archive/major-jvib-gift
42) Things We Wish Restaurants Knew About Serving Guests With Blindness | BrailleWorks
How to Reach Out in More Meaningful Ways. When we dine out, we all want the opportunity to browse the menu at our leisure whether in a group or dining alone. Many restaurants have included all of their guests by providing Braille and large print menus, in addition to their standard print menus. This allows most of the guests to have a similar dining experience and to be treated alike when ordering. However, there are a few other things that can be done to ensure all guests are provided with exceptional service; especially those who are visually impaired or blind. If you are in the restaurant service industry, we encourage you to read these tips and please share them with your colleagues:
https://brailleworks.com/7-things-serving-guests-blindness/?utm_content=236677898&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&hss_channel=tw-18197430
43) Learning and Teaching the Nemeth Code within UEB Contexts: A Step-by-Step Guide | Paths To Literacy
Welcome to Learning and Teaching the Nemeth Code within UEB Contexts: A Step-by-Step Guide written by Tina Herzberg, Susan Osterhaus, Sara Larkin, and L. Penny Rosenblum. The book is available in print and braille using the links below. Each of the 8 chapters contains:
https://www.pathstoliteracy.org/resource/learning-and-teaching-the-nemeth-code/
44) For Kai Owens, Accessibility Isn't All About Technology. Accessibility Is About Companionship Too. | Forbes
Longtime readers of this column may recall an interview I did in November 2020 with Thomas Panek, president and chief executive of Guiding Eyes for the Blind. The non-profit organization, whose headquarters are in New York, specializes in pairing Blind and low vision folks with trained guide dogs. At the time, I reported on Panek's participation in Google's Project Guideline, which uses artificial intelligence and machine learning technology to assist people with vision loss in navigating streets. The project's name is derived from the markings painted on roads, known as guidelines. Google's tech was put to the ultimate test when it helped Panek, an avid runner, run a 5K marathon through NYC's Central Park. Over two years later, Panek's company returns here. This time, for Kai Owens:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/stevenaquino/2023/02/24/for-kai-owens-accessibility-isnt-all-about-technology-accessibility-is-about-companionship-too/?sh=51790c517f78
➜ Featured Webinars, Training Courses and Events
Submit your access information related Webinar, Training Course or Event for consideration within this section using this form: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-event or locate "Webinar / Training Course Submission Form" within the main menu of the Access Information News website.
February 27, 2023 to March 2, 2023 | Apply By January 23, 2023 | Accessible Customer-Centered Communications Workshop | NSITE & Baker Communications, Inc. In Partnership
NSITE, the first organization to provide a continuum of employment services for individuals who are blind or face vision loss, has partnered with one of the leading sales training providers, Baker Communications Inc. (BCI), to offer a virtual instructor-led delivery of their Customer-Centered Communications workshop. This highly engaging and participatory accessible workshop, delivered over four consecutive days (four hours per session), covers a comprehensive six-part system of organized customer communications and selling. After the program, participants will be able to build greater trust with customers, deliver specific customer outcomes effectively, and achieve world-class customer service and sales performance. All NSITE programs are adapted for the learning styles of blind and low-vision learners. Therefore, qualified applicants who are blind or have low vision receive enrollment preference in case classes fill up. Program runs February 27 to March 2, 2023. Apply by January 23, 2023:
https://bit.ly/NSITE-CCC
February 28, 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group
5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 1AM 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
March 6, 2023 | Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 6: Daily Living Activities | APH
8AM PT, 9AM MT, 10AM CT, 11AM ET, 4PM GMT
Let's explore daily-living activities using LEGO Braille Bricks and share our best practices, experiences, tips:
https://www.aph.org/lego-braille-bricks-live-sessions/
March 7, 2023 | iBUG Today 12-Week Mac Course Begins
5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 1AM GMT on 3/8
We are pleased to announce that iBUG Today will be offering a 12-week Mac course beginning Tuesday, March 7, 2023. Sessions take place every Tuesday evening on Zoom from 7:00 to 8:15 PM Central Time. There is also a review session every Thursday from 5:30 to 6:30 Central time. The course requirements and topics are listed below. 1. Participate in all classes with no more than one absence. 2. Attend at least half of all study sessions. 3. Complete homework assignments, which include reading, Mac practice, and providing oral answers to some of the focus questions from each lesson. 4. Attend the monthly iBUG Mac-N-Talk conference call. Three are included in this course. 5. Must be able to follow classroom instruction consisting of lecture and live demonstrations. 6. All course sessions are conducted in a group format; one-on-one training will not be provided. 7. Basic knowledge of Windows, iOS, and/or other operating systems may be useful as a reference point but is not required. 8. The course will be most beneficial for students who have Macs newer than 2017 that are compatible with macOS 13 Ventura. All sessions will be conducted via Zoom remote conferencing, a free application available for both computer and phone that may be found at http://zoom.us and in the iOS and Android app stores. Lecture recordings will be made available to review class material between sessions. The recorded sessions may also be posted to the iBUG Today website and social media for use by interested individuals who are not otherwise able to take the course. Please do not sign up if you are uncomfortable being recorded. During the class, you will be part of an email list for the receiving of announcements and discussion of course material. If you are interested in enrolling, please complete the course application at:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc-bXX_38CWIS7sUY0nC_7IDAqUfAXKb9LG4jt4ihQd6lPT1A/viewform?usp=sf_link
March 7, 2023 | JAWS Inspect Hands-on Series: Five Screen Reader Accessibility Tests You Should Always Do
9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 5PM GMT
By Brian Elton, Practice Manager, Training, and 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-march-7-at-12pm-et-jaws-inspect-hands-on-series-five-screen-reader-accessibility-tests-you-should-always-do/
March 8, 2023 | Ability Summit | Microsoft
Ability Summit is a free digital event on March 8, 2023. Discover new accessible technology, learn from leaders with disabilities, and explore how accessibility empowers everyone within an organization, your community, and so much more. During the event, there will be opportunities to learn how everyone can imagine new technologies, leveraging Artificial Intelligence, Assistive Technology, and Inclusive Design to invent the future of inclusion; include people with disabilities and allies in a more inclusive workplace and society; and build technology to empower every person to achieve more:
https://abilitysummit.eventcore.com/home
March 8, 2023 | Procedural Safeguards and Parental Rights: New Webinar Series with Karen Mayer Cunningham | APH FamilyConnect
4PM PT, 5PM MT, 6PM CT, 7PM ET, 12AM GMT on 1/26
This fall, we were pleased to partner with Karen Mayer Cunningham to present two webinar series. Navigating and Negotiating Successful IEP and 504 Outcomes and Ask the Advocate provided information to parents, professionals, and school-based members. Participants had the opportunity to learn more about the IEP and 504 processes as well as the opportunity to ask specific questions about their child's IEPs. These two series have been highly attended, and we have received requests for more content from Karen Mayer Cunningham, the self-proclaimed "Special Education Boss". The positive feedback and need for more content to support parents and professionals leads to the next series of webinars. We are excited to offer the next series to continue to support parents and professionals. Procedural Safeguards: Procedural Safeguards are handed out, and many don't have a full understanding of the document. Procedural Safeguards and Rights are in place for parents and individuals with a disability between the ages of 3 to 22. Unfortunately, most parents are only asked by school-based members if they "received" their copy of the procedural rights, and would they please sign in receipt of them. While that checks a box for the school, it in no way equips the families with a knowledge of their rights and protection, nor indicates the school's legal obligation. This series will identify your rights and the difference between procedural and substantive requirements. Join the APH ConnectCenter and Karen Mayer Cunningham as we dive into Procedural Safeguards and Parental Rights. Learn more: We hope you will join the 6-part webinar series to further your knowledge and understanding of the Procedural Safeguards and Parental Rights. Join us at 7:00 pm EST on 1/11, 1/25, 2/8, 2/22, 3/8, and 3/22. Register here:
https://familyconnect.org/blog/familyconnect-blog/procedural-safeguards-and-parental-rights-new-webinar-series-with-karen-mayer-cunningham/
March 8, 2023 | Talking #Access with Filmmakers | LinkedIn | Nefertiti Matos Olivares
4PM PT, 5PM MT, 6PM CT, 7PM ET, 12AM GMT on 3/9
An exciting opportunity for #filmmakers and #AudioDescription users alike:
https://www.linkedin.com/events/talking-accesswithfilmmakers7032514229429501953/comments/
March 9, 2023 | Getting Onboard: Accessibility and Inclusion in Transportation | GoodMaps
8AM PT, 9AM MT, 10AM CT, 11AM ET, 4PM GMT
From public transit to high-speed rail, to airports and city transportation hubs, enhancing the traveler experience for those with disabilities must include measures to improve accessibility and inclusivity — steps that can in fact improve the journey for all. Beyond necessary ADA compliance infrastructure, technology and innovation for modern transportation can not only improve the practical accessibility of stations and airports for the vision, hearing, or mobility impaired, but it can also make the path from entrance to destination more comfortable, stress free, convenient, and enjoyable for everyone. It's not just about providing an enhanced customer experience — it's about providing an inclusive one, too. In this informative webinar, you'll hear from experts in customer experience for transportation, including those with first-hand experience with Goodmaps accessible mapping and wayfinding technology. Goodmaps utilizes modern innovation including lidar, camera-based positioning (CPS), and geo-referenced images to provide secure, accessible, point-to-point indoor and outdoor wayfinding with unmatched accuracy:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/3116764686974/WN_Uunzbq9KQBihPLdYBCLCKQ
March 9, 2023 | Understand, Test, Solve: Color Contrast | TPGi
9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 5PM GMT
Presenter: Aaron Farber, Senior Accessibility Platform Consultant. TPGi's Accessibility Resource Center (ARC Platform) empowers teams to solve common accessibility issues while growing their understanding of accessibility over time. The "Understand, Test, and Solve" webinar series addresses fundamental concepts in accessibility. The next topic of our webinar series will cover color contrast testing and the set of WCAG Success Criteria, which address the use of color in a website. Color contrast testing involves a blend of manual and automated tools. We'll evaluate these methods and specifically discuss ARC Toolkit, Color Contrast Analyser, and the browser's built-in Developer Tools. We'll review the basics of color contrast testing and address three color contrast issues using our three-step method: Understand, Test, and Solve. This session is 30 minutes long with 30 minutes dedicated to Q&A. Register for the webinar:
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-march-9-at-12pm-et-understand-test-solve-color-contrast/
March 10, 2023 | ACB Currency Rally In Front Of The White House
10:30AM PT, 11:30AM MT, 12:30PM CT, 1:30PM ET, 6:30 PM GMT
Join the American Council of the Blind (ACB) at 1:30pm ET on March 10th — Harriet Tubman Day. We're coming together for a rally in front of the White House with one clear demand: we need accessible and inclusive currency now! RSVP for ACB's Currency Rally and join us in Washington, DC:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ACBRally
March 11, 2023 | Using Garage Band App to Create a Song | Technology User Group | Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled (LBPD)
7AM PT, 8AM MT, 9AM CT, 10AM ET, 3PM GMT
You have seen this app on your iDevice, and maybe you have even opened it once or twice. In this presentation, you will learn how to create a song from scratch and how to make modifications. All events are currently being held via teleconference until further notice. No programs will be held in person. Please dial (319) 527-4994 📱️ at 10:00 AM ET. For more information about the Technology User Group or to recommend a topic / technology for discussion, please contact: Jerry Price at (410) 230-2446 📱️ or via email jerry.price1@maryland.gov 📧️
March 13, 2023 through March 17, 2023 | 2023 38th Annual CSUN Assistive Technology Conference
Welcome. Whether you have been attending the conference for years or are planning to attend your first, the CSUN Assistive Technology Conference, also known as the CSUN Conference, is the ultimate community experience and the premier forum on technology for all persons with disabilities. For over 37 years, California State University, Northridge's Center on Disabilities has sponsored the conference, providing a platform for researchers, practitioners, educators, exhibitors and more from around the world, where they can share knowledge, innovations, and best practices to promote inclusion for all. Building on the momentum from the 2022 conference, exciting new plans are in the works to enhance the conference experience. We encourage you to join us in Anaheim, California in 2023, where attendees can attend Pre-Conference Workshops, the yearly Keynote Address, Featured Presentations, General Sessions, Sponsor Showcase Suites and the Exhibit Hall. We also continue developing new programming to build community and networking opportunities. Check back often or follow us on social media for the latest updates, details, and deadlines. For information on sponsor or exhibitor opportunities, please visit our Opportunities page or email us at conference@csun.edu 📧️. We can't wait until the CSUN Conference community is back together to learn, share and connect:
https://www.csun.edu/cod/conference/sessions/
March 15, 2023 and March 16, 2023 | 2023 3rd Annual Axe-Con | Building Accessible Experiences | The World's Largest Digital Accessibility Conference
Deque Systems, the trusted leader in digital accessibility, has announced the third annual axe-con conference will return on March 15-16th, 2023. With the success of axe-con over the past two years, Deque will continue to host the conference as a free virtual event again next year. Axe-con is an open and inclusive digital accessibility conference that welcomes developers, designers, business users, and accessibility professionals of all experience levels to a new kind of accessibility conference focused on building, testing, and maintaining accessible digital experiences:
https://www.deque.com/blog/save-the-date-for-axe-con-2023/
March 17, 2023 | On My Terms: Working With Visual Assistance Apps | Older Individuals Who Are Blind Technical Assistance Center (OIB-TAC)
12PM PT, 1PM MT, 2PM CT, 3PM ET, 8PM GMT
What could someone do if they had visual assistance whenever they needed it, not just when it was convenient for someone else? Banking, shopping, traveling, cooking, setting a thermostat, getting knowledgeable help with the computer — a whole range of aging-in-place tasks can be done with assistance from a smartphone app. Join Aira's Jenine Stanley and Be My Eyes' Hans Wiberg to learn more about visual interpreting and specialized help through their apps. Find out how visual assistance fits into the tools to access the world as someone who is blind or low vision:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUpcOytrTwrG9eXb-eE_kJSY1RM4_8amlEU
March 21, 2023 | Small Changes for Big Impact: Creating Accessible Word Documents | TPGi
9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 5PM GMT
Microsoft Word has features that help you create documents that are accessible to people with disabilities. By using these features, you can help readers receive your message clearly. If you don't, your message might not get through to your readers — with or without disabilities. In this session, we'll discuss: Using Word's built-in Accessibility Checker to help identify issues. Common accessibility issues and how to prevent or address them. Accessibility considerations that may benefit all users and not just users with disabilities. Word documents intended for conversion to PDF and more. Register today:
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-march-21-at-12pm-et-small-changes-for-big-impact-creating-accessible-word-documents/
March 21, 2023 and March 22, 2023 | Multiple Perspectives 2023 | Americans With Disabilities Act Multiple Perspectives On Access, Inclusion, & Disability Conference | Ohio State University
"It is time to move beyond the letter of the law to the spirit of the law; to shift our focus from redressing human and environmental problems through remedial design to preventing problems through holistic design." -Leslie Kanes Weisman. As a modern land grant university, an important part of Ohio State University's mission is outreach and engagement, serving the community through a variety of activities. During the tenth anniversary year of the Americans With Disabilities Act the Multiple Perspectives On Access, Inclusion And Disability conference was created to help fulfill this mission. In short, the goal of the conference is to encourage the kind of change suggested by Leslie Kanes Weisman in the opening quote. It is hoped that the annual conference will serve as a catalyst for positive change and a springboard for collaborations with our partners in education, business, public, and social service. Each year a series of workshops will provide a forum for individuals and organizations to expand their knowledge and perspectives, and an opportunity to increase community resources through the synergy of collaboration. The workshops are designed to bring a diverse audience together to discuss the full spectrum of disability issues and experiences. To ensure broad participation from the university community, business, state and local government, educators, advocacy organizations, social service agencies, and individuals with disabilities sponsors are sought each year to subsidize conference participants. Register:
https://ada.osu.edu/ada-conference
March 22, 2023 | Procedural Safeguards and Parental Rights: New Webinar Series with Karen Mayer Cunningham | APH FamilyConnect
4PM PT, 5PM MT, 6PM CT, 7PM ET, 12AM GMT on 1/26
This fall, we were pleased to partner with Karen Mayer Cunningham to present two webinar series. Navigating and Negotiating Successful IEP and 504 Outcomes and Ask the Advocate provided information to parents, professionals, and school-based members. Participants had the opportunity to learn more about the IEP and 504 processes as well as the opportunity to ask specific questions about their child's IEPs. These two series have been highly attended, and we have received requests for more content from Karen Mayer Cunningham, the self-proclaimed "Special Education Boss". The positive feedback and need for more content to support parents and professionals leads to the next series of webinars. We are excited to offer the next series to continue to support parents and professionals. Procedural Safeguards: Procedural Safeguards are handed out, and many don't have a full understanding of the document. Procedural Safeguards and Rights are in place for parents and individuals with a disability between the ages of 3 to 22. Unfortunately, most parents are only asked by school-based members if they "received" their copy of the procedural rights, and would they please sign in receipt of them. While that checks a box for the school, it in no way equips the families with a knowledge of their rights and protection, nor indicates the school's legal obligation. This series will identify your rights and the difference between procedural and substantive requirements. Join the APH ConnectCenter and Karen Mayer Cunningham as we dive into Procedural Safeguards and Parental Rights. Learn more: We hope you will join the 6-part webinar series to further your knowledge and understanding of the Procedural Safeguards and Parental Rights. Join us at 7:00 pm EST on 1/11, 1/25, 2/8, 2/22, 3/8, and 3/22. Register here:
https://familyconnect.org/blog/familyconnect-blog/procedural-safeguards-and-parental-rights-new-webinar-series-with-karen-mayer-cunningham/
March 28, 2023 | VPAT ® 101: Introduction to the Voluntary Product Accessibility Template
2PM PT, 3PM MT, 4PM CT, 12PM ET, 5PM GMT
Presenter: Brian Elton, Practice Manager, Training. A Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) is a great way to document your product's accessibility, but many companies are unaware of their existence and how to use them. Join Brian Elton, Practice Manager, Training from TPGi for answers to questions such as: What information is contained in a VPAT? Is a VPAT just for websites? Is every organization required to have one? How can a company secure a VPAT? Is it better to create it in-house or get a third party involved? TPGi's webinar will answer those questions and more, and explain how your organization can benefit from a VPAT. Register for the webinar:
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-march-28-at-12pm-et-vpat-101-introduction-to-the-voluntary-product-accessibility-template/
March 28, 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group
5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 1AM 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
April 5, 2023 | Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 7: Music | APH
8AM PT, 9AM MT, 10AM CT, 11AM ET, 4PM GMT
Let's discover together how to make music with these famous bricks! Come and share your creative ideas:
https://www.aph.org/lego-braille-bricks-live-sessions/
April 8, 2023 | How To Upgrade To Windows 11 | Technology User Group | Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled (LBPD)
7AM PT, 8AM MT, 9AM CT, 10AM ET, 3PM GMT
This operating system has been around for a while, and people champion its security strengths and applications. Should you upgrade, and what is that process? All events are currently being held via teleconference until further notice. No programs will be held in person. Please dial (319) 527-4994 📱️ at 10:00 AM ET. For more information about the Technology User Group or to recommend a topic / technology for discussion, please contact: Jerry Price at (410) 230-2446 📱️ or via email jerry.price1@maryland.gov 📧️
April 25, 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group
5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 1AM 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
May 3, 2023 | Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 8: STEM | APH
8AM PT, 9AM MT, 10AM CT, 11AM ET, 4PM GMT
Have you ever thought of doing science, computing, or technology with LEGO Braille Bricks? Expert guests will join us for an amazing session:
https://www.aph.org/lego-braille-bricks-live-sessions/
May 9, 2023 through May 12, 2023 | John Slatin AccessU 2023 | Knowbility
Join us virtually or in Austin, TX. John Slatin AccessU is an annual conference where tech professionals, content creators, policymakers, and advocates come together for deep learning in accessible digital design:
https://knowbility.org/programs/john-slatin-accessu-2023
May 13, 2023 | Travel Tools and Apps | Technology User Group | Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled (LBPD)
7AM PT, 8AM MT, 9AM CT, 10AM ET, 3PM GMT
Whether you are traveling to another city, state or country, we will look at tools and resources that will help you get the most assistance for your venture. All events are currently being held via teleconference until further notice. No programs will be held in person. Please dial (319) 527-4994 📱️ at 10:00 AM ET. For more information about the Technology User Group or to recommend a topic / technology for discussion, please contact: Jerry Price at (410) 230-2446 📱️ or via email jerry.price1@maryland.gov 📧️
May 16, 2023 through May 18, 2023 | Virtua11y Web Accessibility Conference 2023 | Nomensa
Nomensa's free, virtual web accessibility and digital inclusion conference:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/virtua11y-web-accessibility-conference-2023-tickets-505953880677
May 18, 2023 | Global Accessibility Awareness Day
Help us celebrate the 12th Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD)! The purpose of GAAD is to get everyone talking, thinking and learning about digital access and inclusion, and the more than One Billion people with disabilities/impairments:
https://accessibility.day/
June 2, 2023 | ATHEN Sixth Annual Accessibility Summer Camp 2023
6AM PT, 7AM MT, 8AM CT, 9AM ET, 2PM GMT
We would love for you to share your accessibility knowledge during our sixth annual Accessibility Summer Camp 2023! As in former years, this virtual conference is FREE for all attendees. This year's ASC event will take place on Friday, June 2, 2023, from 8:00-4:00 CST. As a conference participant you will be able to attend sessions and engage in valuable networking with like-minded professionals. We are soliciting presentations from all experience levels and backgrounds, so please visit the ASC Conference Home Page for more information and to submit a proposal. The session proposal deadline is Friday, February 17th, 2023. What is Accessibility Summer Camp (ASC)? The Accessibility Summer Camp is a FREE annual conference with the goal of connecting professionals and educators with best practices in accessibility and Universal Design. Over the past few years, the ASC conference has grown to become one of the most popular accessibility conferences in the country. Our mission is to provide accessibility professional development that empowers attendees to create high quality, accessible learning environments while removing barriers for all individuals who have a desire to learn:
https://www.accessibilityict.org/
May 23, 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group
5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 1AM 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
June 7, 2023 | Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 9: Orientation & Mobility | APH
8AM PT, 9AM MT, 10AM CT, 11AM ET, 4PM GMT
LEGO bricks to build plans, visualize routes, it's not new! But with LEGO Braille Bricks you can also create labels, add letters, words... Then it becomes really great:
https://www.aph.org/lego-braille-bricks-live-sessions/
June 27, 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group
5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 1AM 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
July 25, 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group
5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 1AM 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
August 22, 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group
5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 1AM 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 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, 1AM 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
October 24, 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group
5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 1AM 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, 1AM 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
December 26, 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group
5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 1AM 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
➜ Directories
1) Access Information Email Newsletter Directory
https://www.accessinformationnews.com/email-newsletter-directory.html
➜ Sponsor Classified Ads
Sponsor: Access Ready, Inc.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Seeks Guidance On New Accessible Technologies
What Technologies do you see in the market that are not accessible, but should be? What accessible technologies can you imagine that can make the lives of people with all kinds of disabilities better? We will advocate with developers to make existing technologies accessible on your behalf. We will advocate with developers to build new accessible technologies on your behalf. Give us your guidance and support. Your guidance charts our path toward what is most important. Your support funds our efforts on your behalf:
https://accessready.org/
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Prepare For Your Future Today With The All-New APH ConnectCenter's Job Seekers Toolkit!
The APH ConnectCenter and NSITE have partnered to update the Job Seeker's Toolkit, an accessible, self-paced, free online training course. The Toolkit includes five sections covering self-awareness, career exploration tools, the preliminary employment process, the interview, and maintaining employment. We are bringing the Job Seeker's Toolkit to a larger audience and in a Learning Management System format for today's learners, at no cost. Visit APHCareerConnect.org to get started with the Job Seekers Toolkit today at:
https://aphcareerconnect.org/lesson-plans-for-teachers-and-professionals/the-job-seekers-toolkit/
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: Menus4ALL
➜ Classified Advertisement: A Revolution in Resolution — Menus for Everyone
No matter when, where or who, the Menus4ALL iPhone app gives you the info you need quickly. No more multiple Google searches to research menus before going out. Info is organized to give you quick access to what you are looking for — the menu! Optimized to give you the best viewing experience. No more struggling to see small print, or looking at a menu in a dimly lit restaurant. Do you use magnification, large print, VoiceOver, a braille display or Voice Control? Enjoy 750,000 fully accessible menus. Download the app today at:
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/menus4all/id1640547801?platform=iphone
Sponsor Since: November 20th 2022
Website: https://www.menus4all.com/ 🌐️
Email: stephanie@menus4all.com 📧️
About: 750,000 Accessible Restaurant Menus. On your iPhone ® in the palm of your hand.
Yes, that's not a typo. The Menus4ALL iPhone app offers 500,000 accessible menus in the United States and 250,000 accessible menus in Canada.
Wherever you are and whenever you want The Menus4ALL iPhone app is the largest network of restaurant menus in one place and all of the menus are fully accessible.
Perfect for when you are out running errands and want to know what restaurants are near your current location. Great for planning a night out with friends. Favorite menus that you want to look at later or when you know you are going back for that amazing dish.
Download The App (Apple): https://apps.apple.com/us/app/menus4all/id1640547801?platform=iphone
Sponsor: WayAround
➜ Classified Advertisement: Try Talking Labels That Work With Your Smartphone For Just $9.99!
Get all the different types of WayTags so you can try the BEST accessible labeling system around. Use the coupon code TryTags to get a WayTag Sampler Pack for just $9.99. Plus, you get FREE shipping. Use the WayTags along with the free mobile app to label your things with a description and other important details, so you can spend less time figuring out what things are, and more time getting things done.
https://www.wayaround.com/shop/sampler-pack/?utm_source=AssistiveTech&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=AccessInfoNewsSponsorAd
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Finally! Holding Businesses Accountable
Those who need accessibility accommodations aren't strangers to jumping in with self-advocacy to achieve it. But, what about the rest of us? When explaining the benefits of a reasonable accommodation to one's place of work or school. This is where our self-advocacy kits come in. Pneuma has written up customizable email templates you can modify according to your situation. We cover a variety of different advocacy scenarios. Simply choose your scenario, answer a few simple questions, adapt the language, address it to the right person, and submit it! Self-advocacy has never been easier:
https://pneumasolutions.com/finally-holding-businesses-accountable/
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: 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.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Seeks Your Support at the Public Policy Level
Moving the public policy needle is both difficult and costly. Access Ready has one of the most experienced teams in the business who have shown results. We have fostered Congressional language on accessible websites, elections, healthcare, communications, and other areas touched by information and communications technologies. These efforts are costly and we need your help to continue. Become an Access Ready supporter and create an accessible future for people with disabilities:
https://accessready.org/
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.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Provides Access To The Best In The Business
If you need assistance with a new accessible website, document remediation or disability consulting of other kinds, Access Ready can help. We seek out the best in the business and bring them to you already vetted as to quality, professionalism and ability. By going through AccessReady.org to one of our qualified providers, you're not only getting the best, but supporting our advocacy and technological development efforts as well:
https://accessready.org/
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Your Weekly Classified Advertisement Title Here (128 characters or less including spaces.)
Your weekly Classified Advertisement here.
(512 characters or less including spaces.)
Sponsor Since: Today
Website: https://accessinformationnews.com/ 🌐️
Phone: (855) 578-6660 📱️
Email: news@accessinformationnews.com 📧️
About: Access Information News is the world's leading not-for-profit access information news publication that reaches over 15,000 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.
10 of 18 Sponsorship Packages Currently Available
Access Information News is the world's leading not-for-profit access information news publication that reaches over 15,000 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 10 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.
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We couldn't do it without you! Thank you for your support!
Access Information News Supporters donate an amount of their choosing either one time or on an annual basis in order to assist with the ongoing distribution of the Access Information News publication.
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.
Exposure: 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.
Support: In tandem with Our Sponsors, these are the people that make the ongoing distribution of Access Information News possible.
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➜ Access Information News Team
Publisher: Aaron Di Blasi (Volunteer)
➜ Classified Advertisement: Is Your Business or Organization Looking to Hire a Professional, Part-Time, Remote Digital Marketer? Aaron Di Blasi, PMP, Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd., is Seeking a New Client Partnership. Hire Direct And Pay No Agency Fee.
Could your business or organization use help with your digital marketing workflow? Tasks like website administration, article assembly and publication, graphic design, website updates, email newsletter blasts and social media scheduling? Aaron Di Blasi, Owner and Sr. Project Management Professional for Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd. is seeking a new client partnership. Learn more at:
https://mvsltd.com/news/is-your-business-or-organization-looking-to-hire-a-professional-digital-marketer-aaron-di-blasi-pmp-mind-vault-solutions-ltd-is-seeking-a-new-client-partnership/
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Editorial Contributor #1: John Hanlin (Volunteer)
Volunteer Editorial Contributor Since: November 7th 2022
Location: Boulder, Colorado
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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.
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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 advocacy foundation.
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.
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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.
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
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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.
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Access Information News for Monday, February 20, 2023 - Volume 898
Access Information News for Monday, February 20, 2023 - Volume 898
The Week's News in Access Information
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A Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd. Publication
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1) Top 5 Most Clicked Access Information News Articles From Last Week
A.) No One Can Stay In The Quietest Room In The World For More Than An Hour (4.3% of all clicks.)
Silence is golden — unless you find yourself in the quietest room in the world. In 2015, Microsoft built what is now in the Guinness Book of World Records as the quietest place on the planet. Known as the anechoic chamber at the company's headquarters in Redmond, Washington, "ultra-sensitive tests" performed in 2015 gave an average background noise reading of -20.35 dBA (decibels A-weighted — a measurement of the sound pressure level:)
https://nypost.com/2023/02/02/inside-the-worlds-quietest-room-at-microsofts-headquarters/
B.) How Innovation Sets Me Backwards | Aubrie Lee (4.0% of all clicks.)
Tech that could be enabling me is impairing me instead:
https://immerse.news/how-innovation-sets-me-backwards-91b30e0b6b95
C.) John Fetterman Is Using Assistive Technology in the Senate (3.9% of all clicks.)
The 164-year-old Senate chamber was not designed for wires and screens. Senators aren't even allowed to use their phones when they're inside. But to help with freshman Senator John Fetterman's stroke recovery, the chamber just got a digital upgrade. As Fetterman learns how to do his new job while struggling with lingering auditory processing issues resulting from the stroke, he's relying on some extra tech. The new assistive technology installed in his workspaces requires some adjustment from colleagues in an institution known for its stagnancy. But in securing the devices that are helping him begin a new job during a very public recovery process, advocates say Fetterman is forging a path for people with disabilities and health challenges to make it in public office:
https://time.com/6251752/john-fetterman-stroke-recovery-assistive-technology/
D.) Cane And Able Fitness Is Making The Gym Less Intimidating For People With Visual Impairments (3.6% of all clicks.)
Plus, the most important exercises for people with visual impairments to add to their workout routine:
https://www.shape.com/cane-able-fitness-visual-impairment-tips-7095921
E.) ChatGPT Needs to Learn More on Screen Readers, Critical Factual Errors Are Present | The Idea Place | Kelly Ford (3.3% of all clicks.)
Last week a colleague from my days at Microsoft wrote an excellent analysis of the current functionality using ChatGPT and a basic question in HTML. I had been dabbling with questions from time to time around accessibility and ChatGPT myself but hadn't written anything formal up. Now I have:
https://theideaplace.net/chatgpt-needs-to-learn-more-on-screen-readers-critical-factual-errors-are-present/
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3) Access Information News Click-To-Vote Quick Poll #897 Results | Sponsored By: Access Ready, Inc. | 361 Votes
Quick Poll Question: With Title II of the "Americans With Disabilities Act" and the "Help America Vote Act" so clearly defining that the entire election process must be as accessible as possible to a wide range of people with disabilities, and with technology making access available, why do states and local jurisdictions resist expanding accessibility?
1st Place: E.) All of the above play a part in limiting the growth of accessible elections to some degree.
(149 Votes / 38% of all clicks.)
2nd Place: C.) Cost is often sighted as the reason not to expand access, even though building in accessibility from the outset does not significantly increase price.
(55 Votes / 14% of all clicks.)
3rd Place: D.) Indifference by election technology developers toward accessible election products beyond the act of voting are based on the fear of cost and lackluster support by disability leaders for accessible products.
(54 Votes / 14% of all clicks.)
4th Place: A.) There is widespread confusion related to the requirements both legal and technical that govern what must be accessible in the election system.
(52 Votes / 13% of all clicks.)
5th Place: B.) The commitment from the government to provide accessible elections is being undermined by poll workers in many cases who do not understand why access is necessary.
(51 Votes / 13% of all clicks.)
Quick Poll Results Link: https://bit.ly/ain-poll897-results
Quick Poll FAQ Link: https://www.accessinformationnews.com/poll-results.html#quick-poll-faq
4) #On My Terms Means More Now than Ever Before | Aira | February 16th 2023
Putting greater choice and control in the hands of our Explorers. A year ago in March, we introduced Aira Everywhere and declared our commitment to choice. Our intention was to support you on whatever device was right for your task. With the introduction of an entirely new mobile app, we're strengthening that commitment, and reminding one another of our north star, #On My Terms. Today we are announcing availability of the new Aira mobile app, called Aira Explorer, in the Google Play Store. Testing continues on iOS and the new mobile app will follow in the Apple Store when we can ensure the best experience:
https://aira.io/new-mobile-app/
5) MrBeast's Blindness Video Puts Systemic Ableism on Display
At a fundamental level, MrBeast's video is inspiration porn, meant to portray abled people as the selfless heroes waging war against the diabolical villain known as disability. And it's ultimately not meant for the disabled person. It's for abled people to feel good about themselves and about disabled people striving to become more like them — more normal:
https://techcrunch.com/2023/02/10/mrbeasts-blindness-video-puts-systemic-ableism-on-display/
6) Voice Actor Says AI Is Being Used to Fuel a Nightmarish Harassment Campaign
Sure, there's been a lot of attention being paid to deep fakes of celebrities and major public figures. Still, with the advent of free or cheap AI-based voice synthesization software, anybody who has had their audio uploaded to the internet runs the risk of being deepfaked. Vice first reported that voice actors and other, ordinary folks are being targeted with online harassment and doxxing attacks using their own voice. Specifically, these attacks targeted people with YouTube channels, podcasts, or streams. Several of these doxxing attempts also hit voice actors, some of whom have been especially critical about AI-generated content in the past:
https://www.gizmodo.com.au/2023/02/voice-actor-says-ai-is-being-used-to-fuel-a-nightmarish-harassment-campaign/
7) Your Favorite Voice Actors Call Out AI Sites Copying Voices Without Consent
Voice actors like Jennifer Hale, Steve Blum, and SungWon Cho ask fans to support real actors, not AI:
https://kotaku.com/ai-voice-actors-steve-blum-elevenlabs-contracts-sell-1850108292
8) Audiobook Narrators Complain Apple May Have Used Them To Train AI Voices
Customers of Spotify's audiobook narration firm say that they were not adequately informed of a contract clause that they agreed to, that ultimately allowed Apple to use their voices in its AI training. Apple quietly released a range of audio Apple Books in early January 2023, which were narrated by voices entirely generated by Artificial Intelligence. Publishers and professional voice actors objected that this was removing a major source of income, but Apple claimed it was still committed to artists:
https://appleinsider.com/articles/23/02/14/audiobook-narrators-complain-apple-may-have-used-them-to-train-ai-voices
9) Rihanna's Super Bowl ASL Interpreter Opens Up About Her Viral Halftime Show Performance
Justina Miles just opened up about her Super Bowl 2023 playbook for the first time since her American Sign Language interpretation of Rihanna's halftime show on February 5th 2023 went mega viral. In a candid interview with Gayle King on CBS Mornings on Friday, February 17th 2023, the performer shared details about how she prepped for game day and revealed what Ri said in a DM to her afterward:
https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/rihannas-asl-interpreter-viral-super-bowl-halftime-show-interview-1235255847/
10) Setting Expectations For Asking ChatGPT Web Accessibility Questions
You may be familiar with ChatGPT. But if you're not, it's a very cool chat interface using artificial intelligence to provide human-like responses to the questions you ask it. It is, however, still rather new and depending on what you ask it... well... as the FAQ for ChatGPT explains:
https://www.scottohara.me/blog/2023/01/31/ai-a11y-maybe-no.html
11) How ChatGPT Works: The Model Behind The Bot
A brief introduction to the intuition and methodology behind the chat bot you can't stop hearing about:
https://towardsdatascience.com/how-chatgpt-works-the-models-behind-the-bot-1ce5fca96286
12) The AI Arms Race Is On. Are Regulators Ready?
The race among tech companies to roll out generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools is raising concerns about how mistakes in technology and blind spots in regulation could hasten the spread of misinformation, elevate biases in results and increase the harvesting and use of Americans' personal data. So far tech giants Microsoft and Google are leading the race in releasing new AI tools to the public, but smaller companies and startups are expected to make progress in the field:
https://thehill.com/policy/technology/3856207-the-ai-arms-race-is-on-are-regulators-ready/
13) How To Boost Accessibility, According To The Washington Post's First Accessibility Engineer
Right now, though, most websites aren't accessible in one way or another. According to WebAIM, a nonprofit based out of Utah State University, 96.8% of home pages don't meet Web Content Accessibility Guidelines. This is why media giant The Washington Post brought on an engineer in January dedicated solely to accessibility. Holden Foreman, who joined The Post as an engineering intern in 2020 before taking on a full stack role, said that he hopes to focus on maintaining up-to-date tech and educating colleagues on accessibility practices. But even without a dedicated accessibility engineer on staff, there's plenty that developers and designers can do to improve access to their websites. Foreman noted that many have already started embracing accessibility tech practices like alternative text. Still, he said it's important to recognize that true accessibility is about much more than that — and that it looks different for everyone:
https://technical.ly/diversity-equity-inclusion/holden-foreman-washington-post-acceesibility-engineer/
14) Alt Text, Plain Language And More Listening: How To Address Accessibility In News
Holden Foreman is the first accessibility engineer at the Washington Post, a role which entails maintaining up-to-date accessibility standards across the Post's products, as well as researching new opportunities for accessibility, engaging with the paper's audience about this topic, and educating other staff members on accessibility issues. This is a support role rather than a journalism role, but Foreman will also be working with newsroom members as well as engineers, particularly in the educational aspect of the job. The fact that Foreman's job exists suggests the industry is starting to recognize that journalists should make sure they are not leaving sections of their audience behind. For example, new techniques in visual journalism could exclude blind and visually impaired people. But there are a variety of measures we can take to be as inclusive as possible, ranging from simple steps such as changing fonts, to adding alt text on images and combining audio and subtitles in video content. I spoke to Foreman recently to learn more about his new job. We discussed how he sees accessibility and how news publications can start to address these issues. Our conversation has been edited for brevity and clarity:
https://reutersinstitute.politics.ox.ac.uk/news/alt-text-plain-language-and-more-listening-how-address-accessibility-news
15) A Catalyst for Innovation: (dis)Ability Design Studio Debuts
Adam Bleakney and Deana McDonagh, PhD, are the (dis)Ability Design Studio co-directors at the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. The studio serves as a place for collaboration on inclusive innovations. A hands-free "wheelchair of the future." A lightweight, comfortable, and collapsible personal aisle chair. Custom-made, 3D-printed wheelchair racing gloves. These are a few of the innovative designs developed by researchers for people with disabilities at the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). To further develop creative projects such as these, a new lab centered on imagination and immersion is available on the UIUC campus. Dubbed the (dis)Ability Design Studio, the space empowers individuals who benefit from this unique thinking to become the driving voices behind these projects, giving them the capacity to design, engineer, research, and innovate, says Adam Bleakney, studio co-director, research affiliate, School of Art & Design lecturer, and head coach of the UIUC wheelchair track team. The studio stands out as a model of how research and innovation can intersect to leverage unique perspectives toward a shared goal, he says. It features soft lighting, pastel-colored art depicting nature, food and water bowls for service animals, a cuckoo clock that helps mark the passage of time for people who are visually impaired, and a conference table with wheelchairs and walkers with seats:
https://www.insightintodiversity.com/a-catalyst-for-innovation-disability-design-studio-debuts/
16) FBI Analyst With Blindness Can Sue Over Software Accessibility
An intelligence analyst for the Federal Bureau of Investigation can pursue a lawsuit accusing the agency of failing to use computer software that's accessible to employees with blindness, the D.C. Circuit ruled February 17th 2023:
https://news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/fbi-analyst-with-blindness-can-sue-over-software-accessibility
17) The History of Speech Synthesis And A Recording Of The First Computer Programmed To Sing | YouTube | Dennis Klatt
Fun fact, the narration was done by Kenneth Stevens, the person who invented HLSyn:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sy0EtGvfvMo
18) Remote VI Instruction: How To Make It Work | Perkins School For The Blind
One thing that the COVID school closures have shown us is that remote instruction can work for students with low vision or blindness. There are many individuals and agencies who have been providing virtual VI instruction for years prior to COVID and now, when schools are back in physical buildings, more educators and districts are open to remote instruction. There are a variety of reasons supporting remote VI instruction, including the challenges of recruiting a TSVI (especially in rural areas or in districts that do not have a full VI caseload) and the need for specialized instruction such as AT or higher level math:
https://www.perkins.org/remote-vi-instruction-how-to-make-it-work/
19) Saas Platform To Empower Job Seekers And Employers | Microsoft Accessibility Blog
A year ago we announced our latest round of AI for Accessibility grantees in the employment space; organizations using AI to improve employment opportunities for people with disabilities. Among them was Zammo.AI, a no code conversational AI software platform aimed at making it easier for job seekers wanting to learn about the requirements of a potential job to assess their own interest and qualifications:
https://blogs.microsoft.com/accessibility/saas-platform-to-empower-job-seekers-and-employers/
20) How the Braille Challenge Contributed to My Success | Jessica Minneci
There is nothing like the sound of pounding keys on a Perkins Brailler or the buzz of excitement and nervous anxiety as you wait with your friends for one of your names to be read as the winner. There is nothing like standing together to promote a cause you believe in, and there is nothing like braille. Braille gives people who are blind or low vision the ability to read and write, the ability to succeed both academically and professionally, and a voice with which to share opinions and experiences. Every year, students celebrate their braille skills by competing in the Braille Challenge, the only academic competition of its kind in North America for students who are blind or low vision. For eight years, I was lucky enough to be a contestant. What is the Braille Challenge?
https://familyconnect.org/blog/familyconnect-blog/how-the-braille-challenge-contributed-to-my-success/
21) Disability Advocate Molly Burke Talks Accessible Products For The Blind Community
Anyone with a passing interest in technology has some knowledge of the advantages of smart home devices. For many, they allow us to talk to Alexa, Google, or Siri to easily toggle lights and perform basic residential tasks. For those in the blind-and-low-vision community, like popular beauty/style influencer Molly Burke, they're a lifeline to interaction in a touchscreen-obsessed world full of benefits and challenges. Burke has been a fixture in the disability community for several years, with millions of subscribers across social media platforms. Since becoming legally blind at the age of 14, the 29-year-old content creator has used her platform to highlight the advantages of accessible products:
https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/reviewed/2023/02/10/molly-burke-blind-community-influencer-talks-product-accessibility/11220951002/?utm_content=237903455&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&hss_channel=tw-18197430
22) Purdue Ventures Invests $250,000 In Assistive Educational Technology Company
Tactile Engineering Inc. manufactures the Cadence tactile tablet, which allows readers to access up to eight lines of electronic Braille cells. It can be used as an e-reader, graphic calculator and image viewer. The company completed a $1.5 million round of funding, which included a $250,000 investment from Purdue Ventures:
https://www.purdue.edu/newsroom/releases/2023/Q1/purdue-ventures-invests-250,000-in-assistive-educational-technology-company.html
23) Envision Enhances Accessibility Of Its AI-Enabled Smart Glasses For Visually Impaired People
Assistive technology specialist Envision has announced that it is further enhancing the accessibility of its smart glasses for blind and visually impaired individuals by introducing two new editions to serve the different needs of its users. Available now from Envision and its global distributor network, the upgrades offer the same hardware as the original smart glasses but provide a choice of feature sets at a range of price points:
https://thiis.co.uk/envision-enhances-accessibility-of-its-ai-enabled-smart-glasses-for-visually-impaired-people/
24) Autism Diagnosis Rates Tripled in Less Than Two Decades. What Does That Mean for Schools?
Researchers at Rutgers University recently published a study in the journal Pediatrics finding that autism diagnosis rates among 8-year-olds nearly tripled in the New York-New Jersey metropolitan area from 2000 to 2016. A CDC study from 2021 had similar statistics nationwide — 1 in 44 children diagnosed with autism:
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/education/2023/02/02/new-study-indicates-percentage-children-autism-climbing/11156966002/
25) Accessible Parenting Tips for When You Have a Baby
It's practically a rite of passage for new parents to spend time researching the best baby gear, setting up the nursery, and wondering just how much life will change with the addition of their little one. If you have a physical disability, it's no different. You just might have to modify some of the standard baby equipment to work for you or use it in different ways than other parents:
https://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/features/accessible-parenting-tips?src=RSS_PUBLIC
26) A Mother's Reflections on Parenting a Child with a Visual Impairment
My name is LaQuesa Wright. I am a mother of three. Demetria Ober is my 22-year-old daughter who was born with a rare eye condition called congenital maculopathy. Unfortunately, we were unaware of her visual impairment until she was ten years old. As a child, Demetria was your everyday curious, playful, happy kid. There were no signs of a visual impairment. She was always a straight-A student; she played with her sister and all of the other kids and just did all of the average kid things. Now that we know she is visually impaired, as I look back, I do think there were signs. As a parent, I didn't want to believe that my child had any imperfections:
https://familyconnect.org/blog/familyconnect-blog/a-mothers-reflections-on-parenting-a-child-with-a-visual-impairment/
27) Hadley Workshops | Guide Dog Series | Hadley
Explore common questions, concerns, pros and cons for getting a guide dog in this series of Workshops. Do you have a friend, relative, or client who doesn't use a computer? We are happy to send large print, digital talking book audio, or braille versions of our workshops in the mail:
https://hadley.edu/workshops/guide-dogs-series
28) Global Report On Health Equity For Persons With Disabilities | Analysis & Policy Observatory
This incredibly thorough report can be launched or downloaded as an accessible PDF. Please note that it is 312 pages long and 12MB in size:
https://apo.org.au/node/321028
29) Surge in Young People Declaring Disability in England and Wales
One in seven women in their 20s have been classed as disabled, after the census for England and Wales included mental health in its question about disability for the first time. The number of young women aged 10 to 19 declaring a disability almost doubled and among those aged 20 to 24 it almost tripled in England to 15%. The increase among young males was smaller but still significant:
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/feb/08/surge-in-young-people-declaring-disability-in-england-and-wales
30) Building Graphics Literacy Skills of U.S. Braille Readers in Grades 2-5
Do you have a 2nd-5th grade braille reader who would benefit from building accuracy and efficiency with braille line plots, pictographs, and bar graphs? If you said "YES" to this question, you and your student are invited to take part in a research study during spring 2023:
https://www.pathstoliteracy.org/building-graphics-literacy-skills-of-u-s-braille-readers-in-grades-2-5/
31) Talk with Your Doctor About Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
This guide helps people with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) have better, more informative conversations with their doctor about their condition. It includes questions for the eye doctor and a tracker that patients can use to understand how AMD affects their life:
https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/outreach-campaigns-and-resources/outreach-materials/talk-your-doctor-about-amd
32) The Dark-Dining Restaurant That Employs 100% Visually-Impaired Staff
Dark dining — which involves going to a restaurant with lighting so dark that you can't see any of the food — has become a hot food trend, but for the staff at one dark dining restaurant, it's an everyday reality. Madrid's Dans le Noir (whose name is French for "in the dark") exclusively hires blind and partially sighted employees who know precisely what it's like to dark-dine:
https://www.thedailymeal.com/1196875/the-dark-dining-restaurant-that-employs-100-visually-impaired-staff/
33) Clarke Reynolds Creatively Uses Braille To Showcase His Work As An Artist Who Happens To Be Blind | YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=py_AuNUwTKU
34) ASU Computer Scientists Work To Build A Better Tomorrow For Visually Impaired Students
A group of students earned a grant to create EquiBraille, a braille board for in-person classes:
https://www.statepress.com/article/2023/01/asu-students-create-equibraille-to-help-visually-impaired
35) Visually-Impaired Canadian Woman Sets Records On The World's Tallest Mountains
A Canadian climber is reaching remarkable heights and shattering records along the way. Jill Wheatley's goal is to summit 14 of the world's tallest mountains and she's nearly halfway there. But what's more significant is where she was forced to climb out of to get to the top. As Jayme Doll reports, Jill is achieving a vision after losing much of her own:
https://globalnews.ca/video/9482331/visually-impaired-canadian-woman-sets-records-on-the-worlds-tallest-mountains/
➜ Featured Webinars, Training Courses and Events
Submit your access information related Webinar, Training Course or Event for consideration within this section using this form: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-event or locate "Webinar / Training Course Submission Form" within the main menu of the Access Information News website.
February 20th 2023 | Project INSPIRE: Spring 2023 | Paths To Literacy | 6 Course Offering | Deadline To Register: February 17th 2023
Project INSPIRE will be offering six courses. This includes a new course, Nemeth Code Symbols Used in High School and Strategies for Supporting Math Learning. We are offering the opportunity for you to take ONE of the courses. You may choose from the following courses:
https://www.pathstoliteracy.org/project-inspire-spring-2023/
February 21st 2023 | Don't Hesitate to Communicate, Vispero's Own Blindness and Diversity Awareness Workshop | TPGi
9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 5PM GMT
Presenters: Amy Albin (she/her), HR Intern, Vispero. Amy Albin (she/her) has been Vispero's HR intern since September 2022. She will lead a unique workshop to spark open conversations about how sighted and blind/vision impaired people can interact comfortably together. You will learn tools that apply not just to sighted and blind/vision impaired people but also to anyone who is a member of a marginalized group. Whether you are sighted or blind/vision impaired, you will learn techniques to facilitate constructive communication with the diverse people in all areas of your life:
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-february-21-at-12pm-et-dont-hesitate-to-communicate-visperos-own-blindness-and-diversity-awareness-workshop/
February 22nd 2023 | How to Teach Blind Football to Visually Impaired Female Footballers | Online Seminar | IBSA Blind Football Sports Committee
5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 1AM GMT on 3/23
The IBSA Blind Football Sports Committee is proud to present the third online seminar of the year. This time the topic will be "How to Teach Blind Football to Visually Impaired Female Footballers," which will be held on February 22nd at 7pm (CET), with support provided by UEFA. It will be free of charge for all participants:
https://ibsasport.org/how-to-teach-blind-football-to-visually-impaired-female-footballers-online-seminar/
February 22nd 2023 | Outa Sight Solutions for Leveling Up Your Literacy | The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc.
4PM PT, 5PM MT, 6PM CT, 7PM ET, 12AM GMT on 3/23
Join this interactive webinar from the Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. as we explore and demonstrate several accessible apps and resources to bring digital and printed information to your ears and fingertips. We will compare the recently released BookShare reader with other mainstream apps including Kindle and Apple Books, and explore a new look and feature set for some familiar favorites. For those who are newly blind or struggling with degenerative eye conditions like Macular Degeneration, we will briefly discuss strategies for figuring out which app or solution may be best for you. Come learn how to read it your way! After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. Please contact Tim Paulding at tpaulding@lhblind.org 📧️ if you have any questions or need assistance registering for this event. Register in advance for this webinar at:
https://thelighthousefortheblindinc.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_MVC0VwApSLaszwSmhPkbHw
February 22nd 2023 | RUBY Handheld Magnifiers: A Vision Solution for Every Situation (ACVREP CE Approved, Assistive Technology Webinar) | Access Ingenuity
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 6PM 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 a 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. Join Ian Ramos from Access Ingenuity with 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. If you are a teacher of the visually impaired (TVI), this presentation is approved for ACVREP continuing education credit. Learning Outcomes: Features of all RUBY models. How to determine the right size for you. How adding speech capability can take you further. RUBY Handheld Magnifiers: A Vision Solution for Every Situation | Meeting ID: 858 1556 3463 | Passcode: 691785 | One tap mobile: +16699009128,,85815563463#,,,,*691785# US (San Jose) | Dial by your location: +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose) | Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85815563463?pwd=WENJdjFQcS9rdWtoMm1QeDJwRU9mZz09#success
February 22nd 2023 | Procedural Safeguards and Parental Rights: New Webinar Series with Karen Mayer Cunningham | APH FamilyConnect
4PM PT, 5PM MT, 6PM CT, 7PM ET, 12AM GMT on 1/26
This fall, we were pleased to partner with Karen Mayer Cunningham to present two webinar series. Navigating and Negotiating Successful IEP and 504 Outcomes and Ask the Advocate provided information to parents, professionals, and school-based members. Participants had the opportunity to learn more about the IEP and 504 processes as well as the opportunity to ask specific questions about their child's IEPs. These two series have been highly attended, and we have received requests for more content from Karen Mayer Cunningham, the self-proclaimed “Special Education Boss”. The positive feedback and need for more content to support parents and professionals leads to the next series of webinars. We are excited to offer the next series to continue to support parents and professionals. Procedural Safeguards: Procedural Safeguards are handed out, and many don't have a full understanding of the document. Procedural Safeguards and Rights are in place for parents and individuals with a disability between the ages of 3 to 22. Unfortunately, most parents are only asked by school-based members if they “received” their copy of the procedural rights, and would they please sign in receipt of them. While that checks a box for the school, it in no way equips the families with a knowledge of their rights and protection, nor indicates the school's legal obligation. This series will identify your rights and the difference between procedural and substantive requirements. Join the APH ConnectCenter and Karen Mayer Cunningham as we dive into Procedural Safeguards and Parental Rights. Learn more: We hope you will join the 6-part webinar series to further your knowledge and understanding of the Procedural Safeguards and Parental Rights. Join us at 7:00 pm EST on 1/11, 1/25, 2/8, 2/22, 3/8, and 3/22. Register here:
https://familyconnect.org/blog/familyconnect-blog/procedural-safeguards-and-parental-rights-new-webinar-series-with-karen-mayer-cunningham/
February 24th 2023 | Type At The Speed Of Mind With Lightkey AI Writing Assistant | NOAT
11AM PT, 12PM MT, 1PM CT, 2PM ET, 7PM GMT
Lightkey is an innovative AI-powered writing assistant that is optimized for conditions such as dyslexia, dexterity and visual impairment. Lightkey gradually learns the user's writing style and offers inline text predictions and real-time spelling/grammar corrections. Lightkey works in over 80 languages including English, French, Spanish, Italian and many more. Don't miss out. Registration is now open. Visit the event page for more details and to save your space for this webinar:
https://sites.google.com/NOAT.ca/events/?pli=1
February 26th 2023 | How The Blind Can Do STEM (Louis Maher)
5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 1AM GMT on 3/27
Zoom Conference. The Science and Engineering Division of the National Federation of the Blind and the National Association of Blind Students are presenting a joint Zoom conference on how blind college and graduate students, and blind professionals, are succeeding in courses and Careers to do with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The Zoom conference link will be the standard NABS Zoom link shown at the bottom of this message. The call will occur at 8 PM EST through 9 PM EST on Sunday, February 26, 2023. Topics will be of interest for blind students in middle school, high school, college and graduate school and professionals. Parents of blind school-aged children and educators are also welcome. Currently, the scheduled speakers, topics, talk descriptions, and speaker introductions, are: Opening Remarks: Trisha Kulkarni, president National Association of Blind Students, and John Miller, president Science and Engineering Division (8 PM EST) Speaker: Ken Perry (8:15 PM EST). Title: Producing Hardware as A Blind Engineer:
https://groups.io/g/tech-vi/message/3406
February 27th 2023 to March 2nd 2023 | Apply By January 23rd 2023 | Accessible Customer-Centered Communications Workshop | NSITE & Baker Communications, Inc. In Partnership
NSITE, the first organization to provide a continuum of employment services for individuals who are blind or face vision loss, has partnered with one of the leading sales training providers, Baker Communications Inc. (BCI), to offer a virtual instructor-led delivery of their Customer-Centered Communications workshop. This highly engaging and participatory accessible workshop, delivered over four consecutive days (four hours per session), covers a comprehensive six-part system of organized customer communications and selling. After the program, participants will be able to build greater trust with customers, deliver specific customer outcomes effectively, and achieve world-class customer service and sales performance. All NSITE programs are adapted for the learning styles of blind and low-vision learners. Therefore, qualified applicants who are blind or have low vision receive enrollment preference in case classes fill up. Program runs February 27 to March 2, 2023. Apply by January 23rd 2023:
https://bit.ly/NSITE-CCC
February 28th 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group
5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 1AM 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
March 6th 2023 | Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 6: Daily Living Activities | APH
8AM PT, 9AM MT, 10AM CT, 11AM ET, 4PM GMT
Let's explore daily-living activities using LEGO Braille Bricks and share our best practices, experiences, tips:
https://www.aph.org/lego-braille-bricks-live-sessions/
March 7th 2023 | iBUG Today 12-Week Mac Course Begins
5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 1AM GMT on 3/8
We are pleased to announce that iBUG Today will be offering a 12-week Mac course beginning Tuesday, March 7, 2023. Sessions take place every Tuesday evening on Zoom from 7:00 to 8:15 PM Central Time. There is also a review session every Thursday from 5:30 to 6:30 Central time. The course requirements and topics are listed below. 1. Participate in all classes with no more than one absence. 2. Attend at least half of all study sessions. 3. Complete homework assignments, which include reading, Mac practice, and providing oral answers to some of the focus questions from each lesson. 4. Attend the monthly iBUG Mac-N-Talk conference call. Three are included in this course. 5. Must be able to follow classroom instruction consisting of lecture and live demonstrations. 6. All course sessions are conducted in a group format; one-on-one training will not be provided. 7. Basic knowledge of Windows, iOS, and/or other operating systems may be useful as a reference point but is not required. 8. The course will be most beneficial for students who have Macs newer than 2017 that are compatible with macOS 13 Ventura. All sessions will be conducted via Zoom remote conferencing, a free application available for both computer and phone that may be found at http://zoom.us and in the iOS and Android app stores. Lecture recordings will be made available to review class material between sessions. The recorded sessions may also be posted to the iBUG Today website and social media for use by interested individuals who are not otherwise able to take the course. Please do not sign up if you are uncomfortable being recorded. During the class, you will be part of an email list for the receiving of announcements and discussion of course material. If you are interested in enrolling, please complete the course application at:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc-bXX_38CWIS7sUY0nC_7IDAqUfAXKb9LG4jt4ihQd6lPT1A/viewform?usp=sf_link
March 8th 2023 | Ability Summit | Microsoft
Ability Summit is a free digital event on March 8, 2023. Discover new accessible technology, learn from leaders with disabilities, and explore how accessibility empowers everyone within an organization, your community, and so much more. During the event, there will be opportunities to learn how everyone can imagine new technologies, leveraging Artificial Intelligence, Assistive Technology, and Inclusive Design to invent the future of inclusion; include people with disabilities and allies in a more inclusive workplace and society; and build technology to empower every person to achieve more:
https://abilitysummit.eventcore.com/home
March 8th 2023 | Procedural Safeguards and Parental Rights: New Webinar Series with Karen Mayer Cunningham | APH FamilyConnect
4PM PT, 5PM MT, 6PM CT, 7PM ET, 12AM GMT on 1/26
This fall, we were pleased to partner with Karen Mayer Cunningham to present two webinar series. Navigating and Negotiating Successful IEP and 504 Outcomes and Ask the Advocate provided information to parents, professionals, and school-based members. Participants had the opportunity to learn more about the IEP and 504 processes as well as the opportunity to ask specific questions about their child's IEPs. These two series have been highly attended, and we have received requests for more content from Karen Mayer Cunningham, the self-proclaimed “Special Education Boss”. The positive feedback and need for more content to support parents and professionals leads to the next series of webinars. We are excited to offer the next series to continue to support parents and professionals. Procedural Safeguards: Procedural Safeguards are handed out, and many don't have a full understanding of the document. Procedural Safeguards and Rights are in place for parents and individuals with a disability between the ages of 3 to 22. Unfortunately, most parents are only asked by school-based members if they “received” their copy of the procedural rights, and would they please sign in receipt of them. While that checks a box for the school, it in no way equips the families with a knowledge of their rights and protection, nor indicates the school's legal obligation. This series will identify your rights and the difference between procedural and substantive requirements. Join the APH ConnectCenter and Karen Mayer Cunningham as we dive into Procedural Safeguards and Parental Rights. Learn more: We hope you will join the 6-part webinar series to further your knowledge and understanding of the Procedural Safeguards and Parental Rights. Join us at 7:00 pm EST on 1/11, 1/25, 2/8, 2/22, 3/8, and 3/22. Register here:
https://familyconnect.org/blog/familyconnect-blog/procedural-safeguards-and-parental-rights-new-webinar-series-with-karen-mayer-cunningham/
March 11th 2023 | Using Garage Band App to Create a Song | Technology User Group | Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled (LBPD)
7AM PT, 8AM MT, 9AM CT, 10AM ET, 3PM GMT
You have seen this app on your iDevice, and maybe you have even opened it once or twice. In this presentation, you will learn how to create a song from scratch and how to make modifications. All events are currently being held via teleconference until further notice. No programs will be held in person. Please dial (319) 527-4994 📱️ at 10:00 AM ET. For more information about the Technology User Group or to recommend a topic / technology for discussion, please contact: Jerry Price at (410) 230-2446 📱️ or via email jerry.price1@maryland.gov 📧️
March 13th 2023 through March 17th 2023 | 2023 38th Annual CSUN Assistive Technology Conference
Welcome. Whether you have been attending the conference for years or are planning to attend your first, the CSUN Assistive Technology Conference, also known as the CSUN Conference, is the ultimate community experience and the premier forum on technology for all persons with disabilities. For over 37 years, California State University, Northridge's Center on Disabilities has sponsored the conference, providing a platform for researchers, practitioners, educators, exhibitors and more from around the world, where they can share knowledge, innovations, and best practices to promote inclusion for all. Building on the momentum from the 2022 conference, exciting new plans are in the works to enhance the conference experience. We encourage you to join us in Anaheim, California in 2023, where attendees can attend Pre-Conference Workshops, the yearly Keynote Address, Featured Presentations, General Sessions, Sponsor Showcase Suites and the Exhibit Hall. We also continue developing new programming to build community and networking opportunities. Check back often or follow us on social media for the latest updates, details, and deadlines. For information on sponsor or exhibitor opportunities, please visit our Opportunities page or email us at conference@csun.edu 📧️. We can't wait until the CSUN Conference community is back together to learn, share and connect:
https://www.csun.edu/cod/conference/sessions/
March 15th 2023 and March 16th 2023 | 2023 3rd Annual Axe-Con | Building Accessible Experiences | The World's Largest Digital Accessibility Conference
Deque Systems, the trusted leader in digital accessibility, has announced the third annual axe-con conference will return on March 15-16th, 2023. With the success of axe-con over the past two years, Deque will continue to host the conference as a free virtual event again next year. Axe-con is an open and inclusive digital accessibility conference that welcomes developers, designers, business users, and accessibility professionals of all experience levels to a new kind of accessibility conference focused on building, testing, and maintaining accessible digital experiences:
https://www.deque.com/blog/save-the-date-for-axe-con-2023/
March 17th 2023 | On My Terms: Working With Visual Assistance Apps | Older Individuals Who Are Blind Technical Assistance Center (OIB-TAC)
12PM PT, 1PM MT, 2PM CT, 3PM ET, 8PM GMT
What could someone do if they had visual assistance whenever they needed it, not just when it was convenient for someone else? Banking, shopping, traveling, cooking, setting a thermostat, getting knowledgeable help with the computer — a whole range of aging-in-place tasks can be done with assistance from a smartphone app. Join Aira's Jenine Stanley and Be My Eyes' Hans Wiberg to learn more about visual interpreting and specialized help through their apps. Find out how visual assistance fits into the tools to access the world as someone who is blind or low vision:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUpcOytrTwrG9eXb-eE_kJSY1RM4_8amlEU
March 21st 2023 | Small Changes for Big Impact: Creating Accessible Word Documents | TPGi
9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 5PM GMT
Microsoft Word has features that help you create documents that are accessible to people with disabilities. By using these features, you can help readers receive your message clearly. If you don't, your message might not get through to your readers — with or without disabilities. In this session, we'll discuss: Using Word's built-in Accessibility Checker to help identify issues. Common accessibility issues and how to prevent or address them. Accessibility considerations that may benefit all users and not just users with disabilities. Word documents intended for conversion to PDF and more. Register today:
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-march-21-at-12pm-et-small-changes-for-big-impact-creating-accessible-word-documents/
March 21st 2023 and March 22nd 2023 | Multiple Perspectives 2023 | Americans With Disabilities Act Multiple Perspectives On Access, Inclusion, & Disability Conference | Ohio State University
"It is time to move beyond the letter of the law to the spirit of the law; to shift our focus from redressing human and environmental problems through remedial design to preventing problems through holistic design." -Leslie Kanes Weisman. As a modern land grant university, an important part of Ohio State University's mission is outreach and engagement, serving the community through a variety of activities. During the tenth anniversary year of the Americans With Disabilities Act the Multiple Perspectives On Access, Inclusion And Disability conference was created to help fulfill this mission. In short, the goal of the conference is to encourage the kind of change suggested by Leslie Kanes Weisman in the opening quote. It is hoped that the annual conference will serve as a catalyst for positive change and a springboard for collaborations with our partners in education, business, public, and social service. Each year a series of workshops will provide a forum for individuals and organizations to expand their knowledge and perspectives, and an opportunity to increase community resources through the synergy of collaboration. The workshops are designed to bring a diverse audience together to discuss the full spectrum of disability issues and experiences. To ensure broad participation from the university community, business, state and local government, educators, advocacy organizations, social service agencies, and individuals with disabilities sponsors are sought each year to subsidize conference participants. Register:
https://ada.osu.edu/ada-conference
March 22nd 2023 | Procedural Safeguards and Parental Rights: New Webinar Series with Karen Mayer Cunningham | APH FamilyConnect
4PM PT, 5PM MT, 6PM CT, 7PM ET, 12AM GMT on 1/26
This fall, we were pleased to partner with Karen Mayer Cunningham to present two webinar series. Navigating and Negotiating Successful IEP and 504 Outcomes and Ask the Advocate provided information to parents, professionals, and school-based members. Participants had the opportunity to learn more about the IEP and 504 processes as well as the opportunity to ask specific questions about their child's IEPs. These two series have been highly attended, and we have received requests for more content from Karen Mayer Cunningham, the self-proclaimed “Special Education Boss”. The positive feedback and need for more content to support parents and professionals leads to the next series of webinars. We are excited to offer the next series to continue to support parents and professionals. Procedural Safeguards: Procedural Safeguards are handed out, and many don't have a full understanding of the document. Procedural Safeguards and Rights are in place for parents and individuals with a disability between the ages of 3 to 22. Unfortunately, most parents are only asked by school-based members if they “received” their copy of the procedural rights, and would they please sign in receipt of them. While that checks a box for the school, it in no way equips the families with a knowledge of their rights and protection, nor indicates the school's legal obligation. This series will identify your rights and the difference between procedural and substantive requirements. Join the APH ConnectCenter and Karen Mayer Cunningham as we dive into Procedural Safeguards and Parental Rights. Learn more: We hope you will join the 6-part webinar series to further your knowledge and understanding of the Procedural Safeguards and Parental Rights. Join us at 7:00 pm EST on 1/11, 1/25, 2/8, 2/22, 3/8, and 3/22. Register here:
https://familyconnect.org/blog/familyconnect-blog/procedural-safeguards-and-parental-rights-new-webinar-series-with-karen-mayer-cunningham/
March 28th 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group
5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 1AM 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
April 5th 2023 | Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 7: Music | APH
8AM PT, 9AM MT, 10AM CT, 11AM ET, 4PM GMT
Let's discover together how to make music with these famous bricks! Come and share your creative ideas:
https://www.aph.org/lego-braille-bricks-live-sessions/
April 8th 2023 | How To Upgrade To Windows 11 | Technology User Group | Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled (LBPD)
7AM PT, 8AM MT, 9AM CT, 10AM ET, 3PM GMT
This operating system has been around for a while, and people champion its security strengths and applications. Should you upgrade, and what is that process? All events are currently being held via teleconference until further notice. No programs will be held in person. Please dial (319) 527-4994 📱️ at 10:00 AM ET. For more information about the Technology User Group or to recommend a topic / technology for discussion, please contact: Jerry Price at (410) 230-2446 📱️ or via email jerry.price1@maryland.gov 📧️
April 25th 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group
5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 1AM 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
May 3rd 2023 | Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 8: STEM | APH
8AM PT, 9AM MT, 10AM CT, 11AM ET, 4PM GMT
Have you ever thought of doing science, computing, or technology with LEGO Braille Bricks? Expert guests will join us for an amazing session:
https://www.aph.org/lego-braille-bricks-live-sessions/
May 9th 2023 through May 12th 2023 | John Slatin AccessU 2023 | Knowbility
Join us virtually or in Austin, TX. John Slatin AccessU is an annual conference where tech professionals, content creators, policymakers, and advocates come together for deep learning in accessible digital design:
https://knowbility.org/programs/john-slatin-accessu-2023
May 13th 2023 | Travel Tools and Apps | Technology User Group | Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled (LBPD)
7AM PT, 8AM MT, 9AM CT, 10AM ET, 3PM GMT
Whether you are traveling to another city, state or country, we will look at tools and resources that will help you get the most assistance for your venture. All events are currently being held via teleconference until further notice. No programs will be held in person. Please dial (319) 527-4994 📱️ at 10:00 AM ET. For more information about the Technology User Group or to recommend a topic / technology for discussion, please contact: Jerry Price at (410) 230-2446 📱️ or via email jerry.price1@maryland.gov 📧️
May 16th 2023 through May 18th 2023 | Virtua11y Web Accessibility Conference 2023 | Nomensa
Nomensa's free, virtual web accessibility and digital inclusion conference:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/virtua11y-web-accessibility-conference-2023-tickets-505953880677
May 18th 2023 | Global Accessibility Awareness Day
Help us celebrate the 12th Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD)! The purpose of GAAD is to get everyone talking, thinking and learning about digital access and inclusion, and the more than One Billion people with disabilities/impairments:
https://accessibility.day/
June 2nd 2023 | ATHEN Sixth Annual Accessibility Summer Camp 2023
6AM PT, 7AM MT, 8AM CT, 9AM ET, 2PM GMT
We would love for you to share your accessibility knowledge during our sixth annual Accessibility Summer Camp 2023! As in former years, this virtual conference is FREE for all attendees. This year's ASC event will take place on Friday, June 2, 2023, from 8:00-4:00 CST. As a conference participant you will be able to attend sessions and engage in valuable networking with like-minded professionals. We are soliciting presentations from all experience levels and backgrounds, so please visit the ASC Conference Home Page for more information and to submit a proposal. The session proposal deadline is Friday, February 17th, 2023. What is Accessibility Summer Camp (ASC)? The Accessibility Summer Camp is a FREE annual conference with the goal of connecting professionals and educators with best practices in accessibility and Universal Design. Over the past few years, the ASC conference has grown to become one of the most popular accessibility conferences in the country. Our mission is to provide accessibility professional development that empowers attendees to create high quality, accessible learning environments while removing barriers for all individuals who have a desire to learn:
https://www.accessibilityict.org/
May 23rd 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group
5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 1AM 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
June 7th 2023 | Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 9: Orientation & Mobility | APH
8AM PT, 9AM MT, 10AM CT, 11AM ET, 4PM GMT
LEGO bricks to build plans, visualize routes, it's not new! But with LEGO Braille Bricks you can also create labels, add letters, words... Then it becomes really great:
https://www.aph.org/lego-braille-bricks-live-sessions/
June 27th 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group
5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 1AM 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
July 25th 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group
5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 1AM 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
August 22nd 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group
5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 1AM 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 21st 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 26th 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group
5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 1AM 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
October 24th 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group
5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 1AM 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 6th 2023 through November 10th 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 28th 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group
5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 1AM 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
December 26th 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group
5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 1AM 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
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1) Access Information Email Newsletter Directory
https://www.accessinformationnews.com/email-newsletter-directory.html
Access Information News Sponsor Classified Ads:
Sponsor: APH ConnectCenter
➜ Classified Advertisement: Prepare For Your Future Today With The All-New APH ConnectCenter's Job Seekers Toolkit!
The APH ConnectCenter and NSITE have partnered to update the Job Seeker's Toolkit, an accessible, self-paced, free online training course. The Toolkit includes five sections covering self-awareness, career exploration tools, the preliminary employment process, the interview, and maintaining employment. We are bringing the Job Seeker's Toolkit to a larger audience and in a Learning Management System format for today's learners, at no cost. Visit APHCareerConnect.org to get started with the Job Seekers Toolkit today at:
https://aphcareerconnect.org/lesson-plans-for-teachers-and-professionals/the-job-seekers-toolkit/
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: Menus4ALL
➜ Classified Advertisement: A Revolution in Resolution — Menus for Everyone
No matter when, where or who, the Menus4ALL iPhone app gives you the info you need quickly. No more multiple Google searches to research menus before going out. Info is organized to give you quick access to what you are looking for — the menu! Optimized to give you the best viewing experience. No more struggling to see small print, or looking at a menu in a dimly lit restaurant. Do you use magnification, large print, VoiceOver, a braille display or Voice Control? Enjoy 750,000 fully accessible menus. Download the app today at:
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/menus4all/id1640547801?platform=iphone
Sponsor Since: November 20th 2022
Website: https://www.menus4all.com/ 🌐️
Email: stephanie@menus4all.com 📧️
About: 750,000 Accessible Restaurant Menus. On your iPhone ® in the palm of your hand.
Yes, that's not a typo. The Menus4ALL iPhone app offers 500,000 accessible menus in the United States and 250,000 accessible menus in Canada.
Wherever you are and whenever you want The Menus4ALL iPhone app is the largest network of restaurant menus in one place and all of the menus are fully accessible.
Perfect for when you are out running errands and want to know what restaurants are near your current location. Great for planning a night out with friends. Favorite menus that you want to look at later or when you know you are going back for that amazing dish.
Download The App (Apple): https://apps.apple.com/us/app/menus4all/id1640547801?platform=iphone
Sponsor: WayAround
➜ Classified Advertisement: Try Talking Labels That Work With Your Smartphone For Just $9.99!
Get all the different types of WayTags so you can try the BEST accessible labeling system around. Use the coupon code TryTags to get a WayTag Sampler Pack for just $9.99. Plus, you get FREE shipping. Use the WayTags along with the free mobile app to label your things with a description and other important details, so you can spend less time figuring out what things are, and more time getting things done.
https://www.wayaround.com/shop/sampler-pack/?utm_source=AssistiveTech&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=AccessInfoNewsSponsorAd
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Finally! Holding Businesses Accountable
Those who need accessibility accommodations aren't strangers to jumping in with self-advocacy to achieve it. But, what about the rest of us? When explaining the benefits of a reasonable accommodation to one's place of work or school. This is where our self-advocacy kits come in. Pneuma has written up customizable email templates you can modify according to your situation. We cover a variety of different advocacy scenarios. Simply choose your scenario, answer a few simple questions, adapt the language, address it to the right person, and submit it! Self-advocacy has never been easier:
https://pneumasolutions.com/finally-holding-businesses-accountable/
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: 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.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Seeks Your Support at the Public Policy Level
Moving the public policy needle is both difficult and costly. Access Ready has one of the most experienced teams in the business who have shown results. We have fostered Congressional language on accessible websites, elections, healthcare, communications, and other areas touched by information and communications technologies. These efforts are costly and we need your help to continue. Become an Access Ready supporter and create an accessible future for people with disabilities:
https://accessready.org/
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.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Provides Access To The Best In The Business
If you need assistance with a new accessible website, document remediation or disability consulting of other kinds, Access Ready can help. We seek out the best in the business and bring them to you already vetted as to quality, professionalism and ability. By going through AccessReady.org to one of our qualified providers, you're not only getting the best, but supporting our advocacy and technological development efforts as well:
https://accessready.org/
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.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Seeks Guidance On New Accessible Technologies
What Technologies do you see in the market that are not accessible, but should be? What accessible technologies can you imagine that can make the lives of people with all kinds of disabilities better? We will advocate with developers to make existing technologies accessible on your behalf. We will advocate with developers to build new accessible technologies on your behalf. Give us your guidance and support. Your guidance charts our path toward what is most important. Your support funds our efforts on your behalf:
https://accessready.org/
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.
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About: Access Information News is the world's leading not-for-profit access information news publication that reaches over 15,000 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.
10 of 18 Sponsorship Packages Currently Available
Access Information News is the world's leading not-for-profit access information news publication that reaches over 15,000 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.
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Publisher: Aaron Di Blasi (Volunteer)
➜ Classified Advertisement: Is Your Business or Organization Looking to Hire a Professional, Part-Time, Remote Digital Marketer? Aaron Di Blasi, PMP, Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd., is Seeking a New Client Partnership. Hire Direct And Pay No Agency Fee.
Could your business or organization use help with your digital marketing workflow? Tasks like website administration, article assembly and publication, graphic design, website updates, email newsletter blasts and social media scheduling? Aaron Di Blasi, Owner and Sr. Project Management Professional for Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd. is seeking a new client partnership. Learn more at:
https://mvsltd.com/news/is-your-business-or-organization-looking-to-hire-a-professional-digital-marketer-aaron-di-blasi-pmp-mind-vault-solutions-ltd-is-seeking-a-new-client-partnership/
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 Access 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 Access Technology
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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 advocacy foundation.
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 Access Technology
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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.
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 Access 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, February 13, 2023 - Volume 897
The Week's News in Access Information
https://accessinformationnews.com/
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: 10,692 Opt-In Subscribers were sent this issue via email.
This Week's Featured Advertisement: Join Industry Leaders And Begin Reaching Over 15,000 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:
This issue made possible by Sponsorship support from Pneuma Solutions, WayAround, Menus4ALL, APH ConnectCenter, Access Ready, Inc. and Clusiv. Learn more about Sponsorship today at: https://accessinformationnews.com/sponsor.
Dear Access Information News Subscriber,
Submit your Access Information News item for free, with timing and placement determined by our editors, using this form: https://www.accessinformationnews.com/submit-news or locate "News Item Submission Form" within the main menu of the Access Information News website.
1) Top 5 Most Clicked Access Information News Articles From Last Week
A.) 3 AI-Powered Smart Glasses Giving Sight To The Blind And The Visually-Impaired (7.2% of all clicks.)
AI technology is changing how visually impaired people experience the world. As technology advances, the potential for assistive devices to improve the lives of those with visual impairments is becoming a reality. One area that has seen significant growth in recent years is the development of artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled smart glasses. Integrated with AI technology, these smart glasses can analyze the environment and provide real-time audio cues to the wearer, such as describing the objects around them or reading out text:
https://www.jumpstartmag.com/3-ai-powered-smart-glasses-giving-sight-to-the-blind-and-the-visually-impaired/
B.) Cane And Able Fitness Is Making The Gym Less Intimidating For People With Visual Impairments (6.5% of all clicks.)
Plus, the most important exercises for people with visual impairments to add to their workout routine:
https://www.shape.com/cane-able-fitness-visual-impairment-tips-7095921
C.) Ten Things Hospitals Can Do to Be More Inclusive and Accessible | David Goldfield (5.9% of all clicks.)
During the past twelve months I have spent a lot of time visiting and supporting my wife in two different hospitals. I have become keenly aware of how these places often lack accessibility which would make the experience easier and more inclusive for both patients as well as their visitors. I have nothing but admiration and respect for the medical professionals who have done so much to assist and support my wife. The following list is in no way meant as a criticism of the doctors, nurses, surgeons, respiratory therapists and other specialists who have provided support to us. These people should be honored and respected as much as our military and its veterans. Indeed, some of the people I have met in the medical field are true warriors and war heroes and I am in awe of them and what they do. They see death on a regular basis. Many of them are called to save lives. Sometimes they do save those lives. Other times they are unable to do so. I cannot imagine the effect on them of this amazing and necessary work. That being said I've had some ideas of how hospitals could be so much more inclusive. These ideas would not require technology that we don't already have. Some would require a financial investment but they wouldn't require new technologies to be designed. While I don't have time right now to work on this I'd like to help engage in advocacy at a later and more convenient time to see if we can turn some of these ideas into reality:
https://davidgoldfield.wordpress.com/2023/01/29/ten-things-hospitals-can-do-to-be-more-inclusive-and-accessible/
D.) Misophonia: How 'Sound Rage' Destroys Relationships And Forces People To Move Home (4.3% of all clicks.)
Sent into apoplexy by whistling noses? Can't bear the sound of people eating? You could be one of the many people affected by this potentially debilitating condition:
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2023/jan/26/misophonia-how-sound-rage-destroys-relationships-and-forces-people-to-move-home
E.) Neural Imaging Reveals Secret Conversational Cues (4.1% of all clicks.)
Complex signals and subliminal signs underpin all human verbal communication — and a real-time translation is on the horizon:
https://www.wired.com/story/neuroscience-imaging-conversation/
2) Sponsorship Package Updates
Are you an access-based business or organization whose products, services or message would benefit from reaching over 15,000 access professionals each week? If so, please consider becoming a Sponsor today for just $100 a month, paid either quarterly or annually. Annual Sponsors gain the additional benefit of being able to schedule their Featured Advertisement dates up to one year in advance. If you've been looking for a way to consistently reach the largest audience of opt-in access professionals in the world today, please consider becoming an Access Information News Sponsor while packages last. Availability: There are currently 10 Access Information News Sponsorship Packages remaining. Advertising Benefits: Review a complete list of advertising benefits here:
https://www.accessinformationnews.com/sponsorship-information.html#sponsorship-package-benefits
3) Access Information News Click-To-Vote Quick Poll #897 | Sponsored By: Access Ready, Inc.
Question: With Title II of the "Americans With Disabilities Act" and the "Help America Vote Act" so clearly defining that the entire election process must be as accessible as possible to a wide range of people with disabilities, and with technology making access available, why do states and local jurisdictions resist expanding accessibility?
A.) There is widespread confusion related to the requirements both legal and technical that govern what must be accessible in the election system.
Click-To-Vote A Link: https://bit.ly/ain-poll897-a
B.) The commitment from the government to provide accessible elections is being undermined by poll workers in many cases who do not understand why access is necessary.
Click-To-Vote B Link: https://bit.ly/ain-poll897-b
C.) Cost is often sighted as the reason not to expand access, even though building in accessibility from the outset does not significantly increase price.
Click-To-Vote C Link: https://bit.ly/ain-poll897-c
D.) Indifference by election technology developers toward accessible election products beyond the act of voting are based on the fear of cost and lackluster support by disability leaders for accessible products.
Click-To-Vote D Link: https://bit.ly/ain-poll897-d
E.) All of the above play a part in limiting the growth of accessible elections to some degree.
Click-To-Vote E Link: https://bit.ly/ain-poll897-e
Poll Link: https://bit.ly/ain-poll897
4) Introducing 1-833-USE-UBER, A New Way To Ride
Introducing a new way to ride with Uber: 1-833-USE-UBER. We understand that some people would prefer to talk to someone on the phone, so we created the option to call us to request your ride.1-833-USE-UBER is currently only available in Florida, California and Arizona, but we're hoping to expand the service nationwide soon. You can request your ride 7 days a week, from 4am — 10pm EST by phone. You can request a ride anytime via the mobile app or online at m.uber.com, available in over 50 cities:
https://www.uber.com/en-US/blog/1-833-use-uber/
5) Welcome To Wildebeest: The Fediverse On Cloudflare
Publisher: This is a truly incredible development that should make spinning up Mastodon instances much faster, much safer, and much more cost-effective in the long term. Cloudflare: The Fediverse has been a hot topic of discussion lately, with thousands, if not millions, of new users creating accounts on platforms like Mastodon to either move entirely to "the other side" or experiment and learn about this new social network. Today we're introducing Wildebeest, an open-source, easy-to-deploy ActivityPub and Mastodon-compatible server built entirely on top of Cloudflare's Supercloud. If you want to run your own spot in the Fediverse you can now do it entirely on Cloudflare:
https://blog.cloudflare.com/welcome-to-wildebeest-the-fediverse-on-cloudflare/
6) John Fetterman Is Using Assistive Technology in the Senate
The 164-year-old Senate chamber was not designed for wires and screens. Senators aren't even allowed to use their phones when they're inside. But to help with freshman Senator John Fetterman's stroke recovery, the chamber just got a digital upgrade. As Fetterman learns how to do his new job while struggling with lingering auditory processing issues resulting from the stroke, he's relying on some extra tech. The new assistive technology installed in his workspaces requires some adjustment from colleagues in an institution known for its stagnancy. But in securing the devices that are helping him begin a new job during a very public recovery process, advocates say Fetterman is forging a path for people with disabilities and health challenges to make it in public office:
https://time.com/6251752/john-fetterman-stroke-recovery-assistive-technology/
7) ChatGPT Needs to Learn More on Screen Readers, Critical Factual Errors Are Present | The Idea Place | Kelly Ford
Last week a colleague from my days at Microsoft wrote an excellent analysis of the current functionality using ChatGPT and a basic question in HTML. I had been dabbling with questions from time to time around accessibility and ChatGPT myself but hadn't written anything formal up. Now I have:
https://theideaplace.net/chatgpt-needs-to-learn-more-on-screen-readers-critical-factual-errors-are-present/
8) Last Week In The Fediverse, Episode 4 | The Fediverse Report
Welcome to another episode of Last Week in the Fediverse! The major theme of this week is news around technical infrastructure. Mastodon.social experiences a DDoS attack, Twitter shuts down free access to the API, Stanford is called on by the community to start their own Mastodon server, and new tools get released with some interesting implications on the capabilities of the Fediverse:
https://fediversereport.com/last-week-in-the-fediverse-ep-4
9) Let's Grow, Seed Library | Vision Australia
Editor (Woodbridge): This is an excellent program from Vision Australia for families with young blind or low vision children to get in to the joys of gardening in an inclusive manner. Vision Australia: Vision Australia Library's Let's Grow! Seed Library is a free subscription program for library members and their families. The program is a hands-on way for children to experience the delights of gardening, including the tactile experience of planting seeds, feeling plants grow and the smells and tastes of home-grown produce and flowers:
https://www.visionaustralia.org/services/library/seed-library
10) Make Your Super Bowl Watch Party Accessible With These 6 Inclusive Gathering Ideas
The Super Bowl is right around the corner, and that means friends and loved ones across the neighborhood and down the street will soon gather for the big game. For the important people in your social circle who may live with vision loss, mobility issues, hearing loss, or other health conditions, however, sometimes getting acclimated to unfamiliar surroundings in large groups can be a stressful experience. Perhaps worst of all, what happens if the right accessibility aids aren't in place for others to enjoy the action?
https://reviewed.usatoday.com/accessibility/features/inclusive-accessible-party-ideas-for-disabilities
11) Improve Human Connection in Video Conferences with NVIDIA Maxine Eye Contact | NVidia
Publisher: This is a truly amazing and somewhat game changing innovation for sighted video conferencing. NVIDIA: Video conferencing is at the heart of several streaming use cases such as vlogging, vtubing, webcasting, and even video streaming for remote work. To create an increased sense of presence and pick up on both verbal and non-verbal cues, video conferencing technology must enable users to see and hear clearly. Eye contact plays a key role in establishing social connections and in face-to-face conversations it signifies confidence, connection, and attention. However, continuously making eye contact is not feasible in video conferencing scenarios. It requires users continuously look directly at their cameras and not at their computer displays. This can be difficult if one is reading off a script or reviewing data on a computer screen. Maintaining eye contact is also sometimes challenging for various physiological reasons. Many children and adults struggle to make and maintain eye contact. To improve, augment, and enhance the user experience, we have developed NVIDIA Maxine Eye Contact. This feature uses AI to apply a filter to the user's webcam feed in real time and redirects their eye gaze toward the camera:
https://developer.nvidia.com/blog/improve-human-connection-in-video-conferences-with-nvidia-maxine-eye-contact/
12) The Best Universal TV Remotes For Seniors Or The Disabled Of 2023
When it comes to the best accessible design, the Xfinity Large Button Voice Remote is hard to beat. From its layout to its functionality, every part of this product demonstrates that it's a remote designed with accessibility in mind:
https://reviewed.usatoday.com/accessibility/best-right-now/best-universal-tv-remotes-seniors-disabled#xfinity-xra-large-button-voice-remote-review
13) How Innovation Sets Me Backwards | Aubrie Lee
Tech that could be enabling me is impairing me instead:
https://immerse.news/how-innovation-sets-me-backwards-91b30e0b6b95
14) Sam of "The Blind Life" Shares About His Access Technology YouTube Channel
Here's why I started a YouTube channel for the blind/ low vision with over 50,000 subscribers. In 2013, I was creating videos for a mobile technology channel and decided to sneak in a video about how to get larger font on your mobile device. I realized there were several comments from Visually Impaired People (VIPs) thanking me for the information. That got me wondering what other resources are available on YouTube for the blind and low vision community. I was shocked at how little content there was aimed at my community. I searched for my own eye disease, Stargardt disease, and found almost nothing. Based on the response from that first video and a couple more I made shortly after, I decided there was a need for a channel dedicated to those who are blind or low vision:
https://aphcareerconnect.org/blog/careerconnect-blog/sam-of-the-blind-life-shares-about-his-access-technology-youtube-channel/
15) Aira Update on the Prices of Add-on and Purchased Minutes | February 1st 2023
You may have noticed in your Aira app that the prices listed for Add-on/Purchased Minutes haven't changed and still reflect the 2022 pricing. It's not a mistake. We listened to your feedback about wanting offset pricing for these minutes. You can continue to buy Add-on/Purchased Minutes at 2022 prices through February 28, 2023. Beginning on March 1, 2023, Purchased Minutes will be sold at "offset" prices as follows:
https://aira.io/minutes/
16) Vision Australia Partners With Amazon Alexa To Help Older Aussies With Vision Disabilities
Editor (Woodbridge): This partnership between Amazon and Vision Australia was intended to give more people over the age of 65 more independence by using the Amazon Echo in their daily lives. The program was delivered over 8 sessions and included additional support, including setting up the device in participants homes. Vision Australia: Afternoons with Deborah Knight: How A New Technology Partnership Aims To Help Older Aussies:
https://omny.fm/shows/afternoons-with-deborah-knight/how-a-new-technology-partnership-aims-to-help-olde
17) Company Accessibility Support Resources Contact List | Rita's iDevice Advice for February 6, 2023
This list is by no means, inclusive. There are so many resources for persons with visual impairment. These are just a sample of helpful resources. 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 up right, to accommodate your needs:
https://groups.io/g/tech-vi/message/3402
18) Companies Are Turning To AI For Hiring Which Could Lead To Discrimination
This is an informative article concerning how discrimination can happen when AI makes preset decisions on things like your resume or your body language/speech in a submitted video for a job:
https://www.npr.org/2023/01/31/1152652093/ai-artificial-intelligence-bot-hiring-eeoc-discrimination
19) Challenges And Frustrations I Experience Being Totally Blind, Dealing With Statuses Of Devices With LEDs
Because most devices are designed by sighted people, for other sighted people, lights are used to tell the person statuses like on/off etc. For those who can see, it's super easy, quick and efficient. For those who are totally blind, it's only frustrating at best:
https://accessibility-insights.com/2023/02/07/challenges-and-frustrations-i-experience-being-totally-blind-dealing-with-statuses-of-devices-with-leds/
20) How to Use Your Smart Phone to Counter Vision Loss | Wired
Editor (Woodbridge): An interesting mainstream article concerning how to best use your smart phone if you have varying degrees of vision loss. Wired: From Magnifier to Lookout, you can benefit from features on Android and Apple devices:
https://www.wired.com/story/smartphone-features-blind-vision-impairment/
21) Disability Advocate Molly Burke Talks Accessible Products For The Blind Community
Is Alexa the secret to making your home smart and accessible? Anyone with a passing interest in technology has some knowledge of the advantages of smart home devices. For many, they allow us to talk to Alexa, Google, or Siri to easily toggle lights and perform basic residential tasks. For those in the blind-and-low-vision community, like popular beauty/style influencer Molly Burke, they're a lifeline to interaction in a touchscreen-obsessed world full of benefits and challenges:
https://reviewed.usatoday.com/accessibility/features/molly-burke-blind-community-influencer-talks-product-accessibility
22) How to Create an Effective Tactile Graphic | Meryl Evans | Equal Entry
Lauren's first lesson was how to decide whether or not you should create a tactile graphic of an object. She shared the following scenarios in which creating a tactile graphic might be useful and provided examples:
https://equalentry.com/create-tactile-graphics/
23) No One Can Stay In The Quietest Room In The World For More Than An Hour
Silence is golden — unless you find yourself in the quietest room in the world. In 2015, Microsoft built what is now in the Guinness Book of World Records as the quietest place on the planet. Known as the anechoic chamber at the company's headquarters in Redmond, Washington, "ultra-sensitive tests" performed in 2015 gave an average background noise reading of -20.35 dBA (decibels A-weighted — a measurement of the sound pressure level:)
https://nypost.com/2023/02/02/inside-the-worlds-quietest-room-at-microsofts-headquarters/
24) How Sony's Project Leonardo Could Make Gaming More Accessible Than Ever
Project Leonardo could be the next milestone in accessible gaming, giving current and potential gamers the chance to play games without limits:
https://www.makeuseof.com/sony-project-leonardo-could-make-gaming-more-accessible/
25) Apple TV Owners can Accept Terms Without an iPhone or iPad
Editor (Woodbridge): Finally there is a support document from Apple to allow non iPhone or iPad users to agree to the terms and conditions via logging in to their iCloud account to give them access to their Apple TV. After all, you just want to buy a streaming box, why should you have to have a secondary device to allow you to logon?
https://appleinsider.com/articles/23/02/10/apple-tv-owners-can-accept-icloud-terms-without-an-iphone-or-ipad
26) This Blind Scientist Has Created An AI-Powered Suitcase For People Who Can't See
Chieko Asakawaa, a computer scientist and IBM researcher who lost her sight completely when she was 14 due to an accident, She exemplifies how visually impaired people may overcome their condition and achieve amazing things. But, as someone who has always battled with navigating strange and congested environments, Asakawa devised a method to assist the visually handicapped in getting around. She created an AI-powered suitcase for the blind. This innovative creation is aimed at providing independence and convenience to blind individuals, allowing them to travel more freely and comfortably. The AI-powered suitcase uses computer vision technology and deep learning algorithms to detect obstacles in the user's path and guide them safely around them. The suitcase can also recognize and announce street names, store locations, and other important landmarks, providing real-time information to the user through headphones or a built-in speaker. The device is lightweight, compact, and easy to carry, making it a valuable companion for blind travelers:
https://wonderfulengineering.com/this-blind-scientist-has-created-an-ai-powered-suitcase-for-people-who-cant-see/
27) 40% Of Online Shops Tricking Users With "Dark Patterns" | Malwarebytes
The European Commission has been looking at retail websites to see if they're misleading consumers with "dark patterns". Spoiler: Yes, they are. The Commission, along with the national consumer protection authorities of 23 EU member states, plus Norway and Iceland, have released the results of their screening of online shops. In a sweep of 399 sites the investigation discovered that 148 of them contained at least one of the three dark patterns they were checked for:
https://www.malwarebytes.com/blog/news/2023/01/european-commission-goes-after-dark-patterns-in-web-shops
28) Zwift Is "The Most Inaccessible App Out There" Claim Visually Impaired Cyclists — But When Will Zwift Fix It?
Despite the rapid progression of virtual cycling platforms in recent years, none of them currently offer tech such as audio cues in place of visual ones in all scenarios for cyclists with visual impairments. What is Zwift doing about it?
https://road.cc/content/feature/will-zwift-fix-inaccessibility-visually-impaired-299061
29) The Wonderful World of Wikki Stix | Paths To Literacy
Wikki Stix have been a long time favorite with occupational therapists (OTs) and teachers of students with visual impairments (TVIs):
https://www.pathstoliteracy.org/the-wonderful-world-of-wikki-stix/
30) Instacart Perks Cheat Sheet: Everything You Should Take Advantage of This Year
Publisher: I would like to add a tip of my own. I have been living with limited mobility since 2017. Since it's just my wife and I, one of the very first challenges that we had to overcome was how we were going to get groceries into the house now that I could no longer lift them. While my wife has the spirit of a bison she was given the stature of a hare. At just a little over 5 feet herself she too is unable to haul large groceries without a cart. Though she will try. Which concerned me. So we turned to Instacart. And quite honestly, we haven't looked back since. It is important to note that Instacart uses an algorithm to pair shoppers with orders, and, well, you get what you tip for, er, I mean pay for. It's true, better tips give you better shoppers. What does that mean? Well, the shoppers that we used to get when we first started using the service (a time when we did not tip at all) were almost always unable to find our address at all. And when they could find it they would complain that there were too many heavy items and that we needed to help them. Something that you are not, I repeat, not, required to do. We have our Instacart orders left on our patio. If this happens to you simply tell your shopper that they can return the order if they are unable to deliver it as you have requested. Instacart will give you a full refund. And their rating will dip which will often make them try harder to deliver your order as requested. Sad to say, sure, but it is the way the app works best. You can tip 5, 10, 15 or, 20 percent. Or a custom amount. We will never use the app again without tipping at least 10 percent, though we now tip 15 or 20 regularly, depending on the weight and number of items in the order. And the difference in service is like night and day. There exists a legion of pro Instacart Shoppers out there that take great pride in their Shopper rating. But if you want Instacart to pair them with your order you'll need to make sure that you have, how shall we say, ticked that invisible check box? Instacart: Shopping in person for food or other products has always been a chore, especially when you live with a disability. We only have 24 hours in a day, so many of us have turned to businesses to help us get the food we need easily. One service, the ever popular Instacart, is one of them. Using Instacart today gives you over 700 million grocery listings and 600,000 shoppers, so no matter where you are, you are able to get groceries delivered right to your door. That said, while some people use it casually, there are a ton of perks Instacart has that will make you likely to use it more regularly. Do you want to use Instacart more frequently or get started as a new user? We'll cover all there is to know about Instacart perks so you can get started on your Instacart journey. Want to know more about savings while you shop? Check out our tips on Best Buy Outlet, Amazon's Subscribe and Save and improving your Target shopping experience:
https://www.cnet.com/deals/instacart-perks-cheat-sheet-everything-you-should-take-advantage-of-this-year/#ftag=CAD590a51e
31) New Ways to Pay as you Go with Remote Incident Manager
All the hours you need, when you need them. You've probably been down this road at least once; you're part of what you thought would be a quick remote support session , you've got just a few more things to do, and then the clock runs out on your free session. What to do? Get some hours, that's what:
https://pneumasolutions.com/new-ways-to-pay-as-you-go-with-remote-incident-manager/
32) 6 Ways Technology Can Help You Manage Diabetes
Managing your diabetes is important to avoid the risks of some pretty gnarly side effects, from feeling run down and sluggish to much more serious conditions. The best approach to managing diabetes is a combination of diet, exercise, and medication. At the same time, various pieces of tech can help you monitor blood sugar, plan meals, and provide your body with insulin:
https://www.makeuseof.com/technology-manage-diabetes-ways-help/
33) Antwerp App Helps Blind And Visually Impaired People Cross The Street
Visually impaired and blind people in Antwerp can now use the OKO app to cross intersections with traffic lights. The app, from the Antwerp company AYES, 'reads,' using your smartphone's camera, whether the light is red or green, and thus lets you know when it is safe to cross:
https://www.brusselstimes.com/belgium/364186/antwerp-app-helps-blind-and-visually-impaired-people-cross-the-street
34) Creating an Accessible Valentine's Day Post Box | Paths To Literacy
Make Valentine's Day accessible to children who are blind, deafblind, visually impaired or multiply disabled with accessible post boxes:
https://www.pathstoliteracy.org/creating-accessible-valentines-day-post-box/
35) Visually Impaired Redwood City Man Left Homebound For 9 Months When Scooter Repairs Stall
It was like the height of the pandemic all over again for a Redwood City, California man. The 82-year-old remained largely homebound for nine months while he hassled over the stalled repair of his only mode of transportation:
https://abc7news.com/amazon-scooter-repair-parts-transportation/12766877/
36) Overview of Assistive Technology for Families with a Child with Blindness or Low Vision | APH FamilyConnect
Technology is everywhere in today's society — from the computer, you are using to visit FamilyConnect to the debit card you used at the grocery store this morning to the remote you click to change channels on your television. Your child who is blind or has low vision will use technology in all facets of life. Sometimes it will be the everyday technology that all people use; sometimes it will be assistive technology, and sometimes the two will overlap:
https://familyconnect.org/assistive-technology/an-overview/
37) Preschool Valentines Book for Children with CVI | Paths To Literacy
This tactile book uses different textures on each red heart to create an accessible book for children with cortical/cerebral visual impairment:
https://www.pathstoliteracy.org/preschool-valentines-book-children-cvi/
38) 'Who Knows What I Could Be Missing!' Visually Impaired Love Island Fan Criticizes Decision Not To Include Audio Description This Series Despite Having Partially Sighted Contestant Ron Hall
A visually impaired Love Island fan has hit out at ITV's decision not to include an audio description for this winter series despite having a contestant with sight loss. Lynette Proctor, 34, who is a marketing officer for Guide Dogs, and uses a guide dog herself, says she misses much of what is happening on the show because she cannot see:
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-11720417/Visually-impaired-Love-Island-fan-criticises-lack-audio-description.html
39) Envision Partners with BRAVO VICTOR to Advance Research and Innovation to Help People Who are Blind or Visually Impaired
Envision, one of the nation's largest employers of and service providers for people who are blind or visually impaired (BVI), has announced a partnership with BRAVO VICTOR, an international research organization headquartered in London and Washington, D.C. BRAVO VICTOR's mission is to accelerate research and explore innovations to prevent, reduce or reverse visual impairment and related conditions and disabilities in order to help veterans and other people to live well with these impairments. The Envision Research Institute, a division of Envision, also believes that through applied research, removing functional barriers for people with blindness or low vision is possible:
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/envision-partners-with-bravo-victor-to-advance-research-and-innovation-to-help-people-who-are-blind-or-visually-impaired-301739925.html
40) Cincinnati Association For Blind And Visually Impaired Offers New Freight Broker Training Program
The collaborative training program makes it possible for those who are visually impaired to find employment and independence:
https://www.wlwt.com/article/cincinnati-association-for-blind-visually-impaired-program/42813939
41) A Return to the Vermont Slopes for Blind Skiers
For the first time in three years, the U.S. Association of Blind Athletes (USABA) and Vermont Adaptive Sports teamed up to host the 14th USABA Winter Festival at Pico Mountain in Mendon, Vermont. Nineteen athletes with varying visual impairments came from across the country to participate in the post-pandemic return to fun on the snow:
https://www.usaba.org/a-return-to-the-vermont-slopes-for-blind-skiers/
42) Predictable Books | Paths To Literacy
Predictable books promote literacy for children with multiple disabilities, including students who are blind or visually impaired:
https://www.pathstoliteracy.org/predictable-books/
➜ Featured Webinars, Training Courses and Events
Submit your access information related Webinar, Training Course or Event for consideration within this section using this form: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-event or locate "Webinar / Training Course Submission Form" within the main menu of the Access Information News website.
February 14th 2023 | Exploring New Accessibility Frontiers with TPGi and the W3C
9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 5PM GMT
Presenter: Matthew Atkinson, TPGi's Principal Accessibility Engineer, and W3C's Accessible Platform Architectures working group co-chair. Several of TPGi's accessibility experts work alongside many others from across industry and academia to further accessibility through the work of the W3C. There's a range of transformative and evolutionary work being done right now, thanks to a collaboration between different groups and organizations. Join Matthew Atkinson, co-chair of the W3C's Accessible Platform Architectures working group, for an overview of a few key strands of exploration and development. Topics to be covered include affording symbol users access to web content, ensuring the Web of Things is accessible to all, and making collaborative authoring accessible. Register:
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-february-14-at-12pm-et-exploring-new-accessibility-frontiers-with-tpgi-and-the-w3c/
February 15th 2023 | How Do Accessibility Overlays Impact Assistive Technology? (Digital Accessibility Webinar) | Access Ingenuity
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 6PM GMT
Accessibility Overlays from companies like accessiBe, UserWay, and others seem like a quick fix to help you achieve WCAG compliance. However, have you ever wondered how they impact assistive technology users? Join Michael Parker and Zhi Huang from Access Ingenuity as they demonstrate the impact of accessibility overlays on screen readers and other assistive technology users and explain why developing accessible websites is a much better approach than implementing accessibility overlays. Learning Outcomes: Learn the impact of accessibility overlays on screen reader users. Understand the difference between designing an accessible website and using an accessibility overlay. Learn how to disable accessibility overlays. | Meeting ID: 862 3015 4256 | Passcode: 271210 | One tap mobile: +16694449171,,86230154256#,,,,*271210# US
Dial by your location. +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose) | Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86230154256?pwd=dGpjKzJrcG80aU9LNVNMREFhakRrZz09#success
February 15th 2023 | Giving Up Your Car Keys Is Not The End Of Your Independence | NFB of Maryland Senior Call
4PM PT, 5PM MT, 6PM CT, 7PM ET, 12AM GMT on 2/16
Presented by National Federation of the Blind (NFB) of Maryland Senior Division. Please join our conversation to explore the emotional decision to give up driving. Discover how to manage your life when you are no longer the one behind the wheel. When: February 15, 2023 from 7:00 to 8:30 PM ET. Where: NFB of Maryland Conference Call at (339) 209-4083 📱️. All are welcome! For more information about this event or the NFB of Maryland Senior Division please contact Marguerite Woods at (443) 271-1668 📱️ or mwoods719@gmail.com 📧️.
February 20th 2023 | Project INSPIRE: Spring 2023 | Paths To Literacy | 6 Course Offering | Deadline To Register: February 17th 2023
Project INSPIRE will be offering six courses. This includes a new course, Nemeth Code Symbols Used in High School and Strategies for Supporting Math Learning. We are offering the opportunity for you to take ONE of the courses. You may choose from the following courses:
https://www.pathstoliteracy.org/project-inspire-spring-2023/
February 21st 2023 | Don't Hesitate to Communicate, Vispero's Own Blindness and Diversity Awareness Workshop | TPGi
9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 5PM GMT
Presenters: Amy Albin (she/her), HR Intern, Vispero. Amy Albin (she/her) has been Vispero's HR intern since September 2022. She will lead a unique workshop to spark open conversations about how sighted and blind/vision impaired people can interact comfortably together. You will learn tools that apply not just to sighted and blind/vision impaired people but also to anyone who is a member of a marginalized group. Whether you are sighted or blind/vision impaired, you will learn techniques to facilitate constructive communication with the diverse people in all areas of your life:
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-february-21-at-12pm-et-dont-hesitate-to-communicate-visperos-own-blindness-and-diversity-awareness-workshop/
February 22nd 2023 | How to Teach Blind Football to Visually Impaired Female Footballers | Online Seminar | IBSA Blind Football Sports Committee
5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 1AM GMT on 3/23
The IBSA Blind Football Sports Committee is proud to present the third online seminar of the year. This time the topic will be "How to Teach Blind Football to Visually Impaired Female Footballers," which will be held on February 22nd at 7pm (CET), with support provided by UEFA. It will be free of charge for all participants:
https://ibsasport.org/how-to-teach-blind-football-to-visually-impaired-female-footballers-online-seminar/
February 22nd 2023 | Outa Sight Solutions for Leveling Up Your Literacy | The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc.
4PM PT, 5PM MT, 6PM CT, 7PM ET, 12AM GMT on 3/23
Join this interactive webinar from the Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. as we explore and demonstrate several accessible apps and resources to bring digital and printed information to your ears and fingertips. We will compare the recently released BookShare reader with other mainstream apps including Kindle and Apple Books, and explore a new look and feature set for some familiar favorites. For those who are newly blind or struggling with degenerative eye conditions like Macular Degeneration, we will briefly discuss strategies for figuring out which app or solution may be best for you. Come learn how to read it your way! After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. Please contact Tim Paulding at tpaulding@lhblind.org 📧️ if you have any questions or need assistance registering for this event. Register in advance for this webinar at:
https://thelighthousefortheblindinc.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_MVC0VwApSLaszwSmhPkbHw
February 22nd 2023 | RUBY Handheld Magnifiers: A Vision Solution for Every Situation (ACVREP CE Approved, Assistive Technology Webinar) | Access Ingenuity
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 6PM 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 a 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. Join Ian Ramos from Access Ingenuity with 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. If you are a teacher of the visually impaired (TVI), this presentation is approved for ACVREP continuing education credit. Learning Outcomes: Features of all RUBY models. How to determine the right size for you. How adding speech capability can take you further. RUBY Handheld Magnifiers: A Vision Solution for Every Situation | Meeting ID: 858 1556 3463 | Passcode: 691785 | One tap mobile: +16699009128,,85815563463#,,,,*691785# US (San Jose) | Dial by your location: +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose) | Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85815563463?pwd=WENJdjFQcS9rdWtoMm1QeDJwRU9mZz09#success
February 22nd 2023 | Procedural Safeguards and Parental Rights: New Webinar Series with Karen Mayer Cunningham | APH FamilyConnect
4PM PT, 5PM MT, 6PM CT, 7PM ET, 12AM GMT on 1/26
This fall, we were pleased to partner with Karen Mayer Cunningham to present two webinar series. Navigating and Negotiating Successful IEP and 504 Outcomes and Ask the Advocate provided information to parents, professionals, and school-based members. Participants had the opportunity to learn more about the IEP and 504 processes as well as the opportunity to ask specific questions about their child's IEPs. These two series have been highly attended, and we have received requests for more content from Karen Mayer Cunningham, the self-proclaimed “Special Education Boss”. The positive feedback and need for more content to support parents and professionals leads to the next series of webinars. We are excited to offer the next series to continue to support parents and professionals. Procedural Safeguards: Procedural Safeguards are handed out, and many don't have a full understanding of the document. Procedural Safeguards and Rights are in place for parents and individuals with a disability between the ages of 3 to 22. Unfortunately, most parents are only asked by school-based members if they “received” their copy of the procedural rights, and would they please sign in receipt of them. While that checks a box for the school, it in no way equips the families with a knowledge of their rights and protection, nor indicates the school's legal obligation. This series will identify your rights and the difference between procedural and substantive requirements. Join the APH ConnectCenter and Karen Mayer Cunningham as we dive into Procedural Safeguards and Parental Rights. Learn more: We hope you will join the 6-part webinar series to further your knowledge and understanding of the Procedural Safeguards and Parental Rights. Join us at 7:00 pm EST on 1/11, 1/25, 2/8, 2/22, 3/8, and 3/22. Register here:
https://familyconnect.org/blog/familyconnect-blog/procedural-safeguards-and-parental-rights-new-webinar-series-with-karen-mayer-cunningham/
February 26th 2023 | How The Blind Can Do STEM (Louis Maher)
5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 1AM GMT on 3/27
Zoom Conference. The Science and Engineering Division of the National Federation of the Blind and the National Association of Blind Students are presenting a joint Zoom conference on how blind college and graduate students, and blind professionals, are succeeding in courses and Careers to do with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The Zoom conference link will be the standard NABS Zoom link shown at the bottom of this message. The call will occur at 8 PM EST through 9 PM EST on Sunday, February 26, 2023. Topics will be of interest for blind students in middle school, high school, college and graduate school and professionals. Parents of blind school-aged children and educators are also welcome. Currently, the scheduled speakers, topics, talk descriptions, and speaker introductions, are: Opening Remarks: Trisha Kulkarni, president National Association of Blind Students, and John Miller, president Science and Engineering Division (8 PM EST) Speaker: Ken Perry (8:15 PM EST). Title: Producing Hardware as A Blind Engineer:
https://groups.io/g/tech-vi/message/3406
February 27th 2023 to March 2nd 2023 | Apply By January 23rd 2023 | Accessible Customer-Centered Communications Workshop | NSITE & Baker Communications, Inc. In Partnership
NSITE, the first organization to provide a continuum of employment services for individuals who are blind or face vision loss, has partnered with one of the leading sales training providers, Baker Communications Inc. (BCI), to offer a virtual instructor-led delivery of their Customer-Centered Communications workshop. This highly engaging and participatory accessible workshop, delivered over four consecutive days (four hours per session), covers a comprehensive six-part system of organized customer communications and selling. After the program, participants will be able to build greater trust with customers, deliver specific customer outcomes effectively, and achieve world-class customer service and sales performance. All NSITE programs are adapted for the learning styles of blind and low-vision learners. Therefore, qualified applicants who are blind or have low vision receive enrollment preference in case classes fill up. Program runs February 27 to March 2, 2023. Apply by January 23rd 2023:
https://bit.ly/NSITE-CCC
February 28th 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group
5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 1AM 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
March 6th 2023 | Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 6: Daily Living Activities | APH
8AM PT, 9AM MT, 10AM CT, 11AM ET, 4PM GMT
Let's explore daily-living activities using LEGO Braille Bricks and share our best practices, experiences, tips:
https://www.aph.org/lego-braille-bricks-live-sessions/
March 8th 2023 | Ability Summit | Microsoft
Ability Summit is a free digital event on March 8, 2023. Discover new accessible technology, learn from leaders with disabilities, and explore how accessibility empowers everyone within an organization, your community, and so much more. During the event, there will be opportunities to learn how everyone can imagine new technologies, leveraging Artificial Intelligence, Assistive Technology, and Inclusive Design to invent the future of inclusion; include people with disabilities and allies in a more inclusive workplace and society; and build technology to empower every person to achieve more:
https://abilitysummit.eventcore.com/home
March 8th 2023 | Procedural Safeguards and Parental Rights: New Webinar Series with Karen Mayer Cunningham | APH FamilyConnect
4PM PT, 5PM MT, 6PM CT, 7PM ET, 12AM GMT on 1/26
This fall, we were pleased to partner with Karen Mayer Cunningham to present two webinar series. Navigating and Negotiating Successful IEP and 504 Outcomes and Ask the Advocate provided information to parents, professionals, and school-based members. Participants had the opportunity to learn more about the IEP and 504 processes as well as the opportunity to ask specific questions about their child's IEPs. These two series have been highly attended, and we have received requests for more content from Karen Mayer Cunningham, the self-proclaimed “Special Education Boss”. The positive feedback and need for more content to support parents and professionals leads to the next series of webinars. We are excited to offer the next series to continue to support parents and professionals. Procedural Safeguards: Procedural Safeguards are handed out, and many don't have a full understanding of the document. Procedural Safeguards and Rights are in place for parents and individuals with a disability between the ages of 3 to 22. Unfortunately, most parents are only asked by school-based members if they “received” their copy of the procedural rights, and would they please sign in receipt of them. While that checks a box for the school, it in no way equips the families with a knowledge of their rights and protection, nor indicates the school's legal obligation. This series will identify your rights and the difference between procedural and substantive requirements. Join the APH ConnectCenter and Karen Mayer Cunningham as we dive into Procedural Safeguards and Parental Rights. Learn more: We hope you will join the 6-part webinar series to further your knowledge and understanding of the Procedural Safeguards and Parental Rights. Join us at 7:00 pm EST on 1/11, 1/25, 2/8, 2/22, 3/8, and 3/22. Register here:
https://familyconnect.org/blog/familyconnect-blog/procedural-safeguards-and-parental-rights-new-webinar-series-with-karen-mayer-cunningham/
March 11th 2023 | Using Garage Band App to Create a Song | Technology User Group | Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled (LBPD)
7AM PT, 8AM MT, 9AM CT, 10AM ET, 3PM GMT
You have seen this app on your iDevice, and maybe you have even opened it once or twice. In this presentation, you will learn how to create a song from scratch and how to make modifications. All events are currently being held via teleconference until further notice. No programs will be held in person. Please dial (319) 527-4994 📱️ at 10:00 AM ET. For more information about the Technology User Group or to recommend a topic / technology for discussion, please contact: Jerry Price at (410) 230-2446 📱️ or via email jerry.price1@maryland.gov 📧️
March 13th 2023 through March 17th 2023 | 2023 38th Annual CSUN Assistive Technology Conference
Welcome. Whether you have been attending the conference for years or are planning to attend your first, the CSUN Assistive Technology Conference, also known as the CSUN Conference, is the ultimate community experience and the premier forum on technology for all persons with disabilities. For over 37 years, California State University, Northridge's Center on Disabilities has sponsored the conference, providing a platform for researchers, practitioners, educators, exhibitors and more from around the world, where they can share knowledge, innovations, and best practices to promote inclusion for all. Building on the momentum from the 2022 conference, exciting new plans are in the works to enhance the conference experience. We encourage you to join us in Anaheim, California in 2023, where attendees can attend Pre-Conference Workshops, the yearly Keynote Address, Featured Presentations, General Sessions, Sponsor Showcase Suites and the Exhibit Hall. We also continue developing new programming to build community and networking opportunities. Check back often or follow us on social media for the latest updates, details, and deadlines. For information on sponsor or exhibitor opportunities, please visit our Opportunities page or email us at conference@csun.edu 📧️. We can't wait until the CSUN Conference community is back together to learn, share and connect:
https://www.csun.edu/cod/conference/sessions/
March 15th 2023 and March 16th 2023 | 2023 3rd Annual Axe-Con | Building Accessible Experiences | The World's Largest Digital Accessibility Conference
Deque Systems, the trusted leader in digital accessibility, has announced the third annual axe-con conference will return on March 15-16th, 2023. With the success of axe-con over the past two years, Deque will continue to host the conference as a free virtual event again next year. Axe-con is an open and inclusive digital accessibility conference that welcomes developers, designers, business users, and accessibility professionals of all experience levels to a new kind of accessibility conference focused on building, testing, and maintaining accessible digital experiences:
https://www.deque.com/blog/save-the-date-for-axe-con-2023/
March 21st 2023 | Small Changes for Big Impact: Creating Accessible Word Documents | TPGi
9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 5PM GMT
Microsoft Word has features that help you create documents that are accessible to people with disabilities. By using these features, you can help readers receive your message clearly. If you don't, your message might not get through to your readers — with or without disabilities. In this session, we'll discuss: Using Word's built-in Accessibility Checker to help identify issues. Common accessibility issues and how to prevent or address them. Accessibility considerations that may benefit all users and not just users with disabilities. Word documents intended for conversion to PDF and more. Register today:
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-march-21-at-12pm-et-small-changes-for-big-impact-creating-accessible-word-documents/
March 21st 2023 and March 22nd 2023 | Multiple Perspectives 2023 | Americans With Disabilities Act Multiple Perspectives On Access, Inclusion, & Disability Conference | Ohio State University
"It is time to move beyond the letter of the law to the spirit of the law; to shift our focus from redressing human and environmental problems through remedial design to preventing problems through holistic design." -Leslie Kanes Weisman. As a modern land grant university, an important part of Ohio State University's mission is outreach and engagement, serving the community through a variety of activities. During the tenth anniversary year of the Americans With Disabilities Act the Multiple Perspectives On Access, Inclusion And Disability conference was created to help fulfill this mission. In short, the goal of the conference is to encourage the kind of change suggested by Leslie Kanes Weisman in the opening quote. It is hoped that the annual conference will serve as a catalyst for positive change and a springboard for collaborations with our partners in education, business, public, and social service. Each year a series of workshops will provide a forum for individuals and organizations to expand their knowledge and perspectives, and an opportunity to increase community resources through the synergy of collaboration. The workshops are designed to bring a diverse audience together to discuss the full spectrum of disability issues and experiences. To ensure broad participation from the university community, business, state and local government, educators, advocacy organizations, social service agencies, and individuals with disabilities sponsors are sought each year to subsidize conference participants. Register:
https://ada.osu.edu/ada-conference
March 22nd 2023 | Procedural Safeguards and Parental Rights: New Webinar Series with Karen Mayer Cunningham | APH FamilyConnect
4PM PT, 5PM MT, 6PM CT, 7PM ET, 12AM GMT on 1/26
This fall, we were pleased to partner with Karen Mayer Cunningham to present two webinar series. Navigating and Negotiating Successful IEP and 504 Outcomes and Ask the Advocate provided information to parents, professionals, and school-based members. Participants had the opportunity to learn more about the IEP and 504 processes as well as the opportunity to ask specific questions about their child's IEPs. These two series have been highly attended, and we have received requests for more content from Karen Mayer Cunningham, the self-proclaimed “Special Education Boss”. The positive feedback and need for more content to support parents and professionals leads to the next series of webinars. We are excited to offer the next series to continue to support parents and professionals. Procedural Safeguards: Procedural Safeguards are handed out, and many don't have a full understanding of the document. Procedural Safeguards and Rights are in place for parents and individuals with a disability between the ages of 3 to 22. Unfortunately, most parents are only asked by school-based members if they “received” their copy of the procedural rights, and would they please sign in receipt of them. While that checks a box for the school, it in no way equips the families with a knowledge of their rights and protection, nor indicates the school's legal obligation. This series will identify your rights and the difference between procedural and substantive requirements. Join the APH ConnectCenter and Karen Mayer Cunningham as we dive into Procedural Safeguards and Parental Rights. Learn more: We hope you will join the 6-part webinar series to further your knowledge and understanding of the Procedural Safeguards and Parental Rights. Join us at 7:00 pm EST on 1/11, 1/25, 2/8, 2/22, 3/8, and 3/22. Register here:
https://familyconnect.org/blog/familyconnect-blog/procedural-safeguards-and-parental-rights-new-webinar-series-with-karen-mayer-cunningham/
March 28th 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group
5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 1AM 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
April 5th 2023 | Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 7: Music | APH
8AM PT, 9AM MT, 10AM CT, 11AM ET, 4PM GMT
Let's discover together how to make music with these famous bricks! Come and share your creative ideas:
https://www.aph.org/lego-braille-bricks-live-sessions/
April 8th 2023 | How To Upgrade To Windows 11 | Technology User Group | Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled (LBPD)
7AM PT, 8AM MT, 9AM CT, 10AM ET, 3PM GMT
This operating system has been around for a while, and people champion its security strengths and applications. Should you upgrade, and what is that process? All events are currently being held via teleconference until further notice. No programs will be held in person. Please dial (319) 527-4994 📱️ at 10:00 AM ET. For more information about the Technology User Group or to recommend a topic / technology for discussion, please contact: Jerry Price at (410) 230-2446 📱️ or via email jerry.price1@maryland.gov 📧️
April 25th 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group
5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 1AM 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
May 3rd 2023 | Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 8: STEM | APH
8AM PT, 9AM MT, 10AM CT, 11AM ET, 4PM GMT
Have you ever thought of doing science, computing, or technology with LEGO Braille Bricks? Expert guests will join us for an amazing session:
https://www.aph.org/lego-braille-bricks-live-sessions/
May 9th 2023 through May 12th 2023 | John Slatin AccessU 2023 | Knowbility
Join us virtually or in Austin, TX. John Slatin AccessU is an annual conference where tech professionals, content creators, policymakers, and advocates come together for deep learning in accessible digital design:
https://knowbility.org/programs/john-slatin-accessu-2023
May 13th 2023 | Travel Tools and Apps | Technology User Group | Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled (LBPD)
7AM PT, 8AM MT, 9AM CT, 10AM ET, 3PM GMT
Whether you are traveling to another city, state or country, we will look at tools and resources that will help you get the most assistance for your venture. All events are currently being held via teleconference until further notice. No programs will be held in person. Please dial (319) 527-4994 📱️ at 10:00 AM ET. For more information about the Technology User Group or to recommend a topic / technology for discussion, please contact: Jerry Price at (410) 230-2446 📱️ or via email jerry.price1@maryland.gov 📧️
May 16th 2023 through May 18th 2023 | Virtua11y Web Accessibility Conference 2023 | Nomensa
Nomensa's free, virtual web accessibility and digital inclusion conference:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/virtua11y-web-accessibility-conference-2023-tickets-505953880677
May 18th 2023 | Global Accessibility Awareness Day
Help us celebrate the 12th Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD)! The purpose of GAAD is to get everyone talking, thinking and learning about digital access and inclusion, and the more than One Billion people with disabilities/impairments:
https://accessibility.day/
June 2nd 2023 | ATHEN Sixth Annual Accessibility Summer Camp 2023
6AM PT, 7AM MT, 8AM CT, 9AM ET, 2PM GMT
We would love for you to share your accessibility knowledge during our sixth annual Accessibility Summer Camp 2023! As in former years, this virtual conference is FREE for all attendees. This year's ASC event will take place on Friday, June 2, 2023, from 8:00-4:00 CST. As a conference participant you will be able to attend sessions and engage in valuable networking with like-minded professionals. We are soliciting presentations from all experience levels and backgrounds, so please visit the ASC Conference Home Page for more information and to submit a proposal. The session proposal deadline is Friday, February 17th, 2023. What is Accessibility Summer Camp (ASC)? The Accessibility Summer Camp is a FREE annual conference with the goal of connecting professionals and educators with best practices in accessibility and Universal Design. Over the past few years, the ASC conference has grown to become one of the most popular accessibility conferences in the country. Our mission is to provide accessibility professional development that empowers attendees to create high quality, accessible learning environments while removing barriers for all individuals who have a desire to learn:
https://www.accessibilityict.org/
May 23rd 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group
5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 1AM 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
June 7th 2023 | Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 9: Orientation & Mobility | APH
8AM PT, 9AM MT, 10AM CT, 11AM ET, 4PM GMT
LEGO bricks to build plans, visualize routes, it's not new! But with LEGO Braille Bricks you can also create labels, add letters, words... Then it becomes really great:
https://www.aph.org/lego-braille-bricks-live-sessions/
June 27th 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group
5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 1AM 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
July 25th 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group
5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 1AM 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
August 22nd 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group
5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 1AM 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 21st 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 26th 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group
5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 1AM 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
October 24th 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group
5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 1AM 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 6th 2023 through November 10th 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 28th 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group
5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 1AM 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
December 26th 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group
5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 1AM 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
➜ Directories
1) Access Information Email Newsletter Directory
https://www.accessinformationnews.com/email-newsletter-directory.html
Access Information News Sponsor Classified Ads:
Sponsor: Menus4ALL
➜ Classified Advertisement: A Revolution in Resolution — Menus for Everyone
No matter when, where or who, the Menus4ALL iPhone app gives you the info you need quickly. No more multiple Google searches to research menus before going out. Info is organized to give you quick access to what you are looking for — the menu! Optimized to give you the best viewing experience. No more struggling to see small print, or looking at a menu in a dimly lit restaurant. Do you use magnification, large print, VoiceOver, a braille display or Voice Control? Enjoy 750,000 fully accessible menus. Download the app today at:
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Sponsor Since: November 20th 2022
Website: https://www.menus4all.com/ 🌐️
Email: stephanie@menus4all.com 📧️
About: 750,000 Accessible Restaurant Menus. On your iPhone ® in the palm of your hand.
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Download The App (Apple): https://apps.apple.com/us/app/menus4all/id1640547801?platform=iphone
Sponsor: WayAround
➜ Classified Advertisement: Try Talking Labels That Work With Your Smartphone For Just $9.99!
Get all the different types of WayTags so you can try the BEST accessible labeling system around. Use the coupon code TryTags to get a WayTag Sampler Pack for just $9.99. Plus, you get FREE shipping. Use the WayTags along with the free mobile app to label your things with a description and other important details, so you can spend less time figuring out what things are, and more time getting things done.
https://www.wayaround.com/shop/sampler-pack/?utm_source=AssistiveTech&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=AccessInfoNewsSponsorAd
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Finally! Holding Businesses Accountable
Those who need accessibility accommodations aren't strangers to jumping in with self-advocacy to achieve it. But, what about the rest of us? When explaining the benefits of a reasonable accommodation to one's place of work or school. This is where our self-advocacy kits come in. Pneuma has written up customizable email templates you can modify according to your situation. We cover a variety of different advocacy scenarios. Simply choose your scenario, answer a few simple questions, adapt the language, address it to the right person, and submit it! Self-advocacy has never been easier:
https://pneumasolutions.com/finally-holding-businesses-accountable/
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: 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.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Seeks Your Support at the Public Policy Level
Moving the public policy needle is both difficult and costly. Access Ready has one of the most experienced teams in the business who have shown results. We have fostered Congressional language on accessible websites, elections, healthcare, communications, and other areas touched by information and communications technologies. These efforts are costly and we need your help to continue. Become an Access Ready supporter and create an accessible future for people with disabilities:
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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.
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If you need assistance with a new accessible website, document remediation or disability consulting of other kinds, Access Ready can help. We seek out the best in the business and bring them to you already vetted as to quality, professionalism and ability. By going through AccessReady.org to one of our qualified providers, you're not only getting the best, but supporting our advocacy and technological development efforts as well:
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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.
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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.
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Access Information News is the world's leading not-for-profit access information news publication that reaches over 15,000 access professionals, educators and enthusiasts, all over the world, each week.
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➜ Classified Advertisement: Is Your Business or Organization Looking to Hire a Professional, Part-Time, Remote Digital Marketer? Aaron Di Blasi, PMP, Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd., is Seeking a New Client Partnership. Hire Direct And Pay No Agency Fee.
Could your business or organization use help with your digital marketing workflow? Tasks like website administration, article assembly and publication, graphic design, website updates, email newsletter blasts and social media scheduling? Aaron Di Blasi, Owner and Sr. Project Management Professional for Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd. is seeking a new client partnership. Learn more at:
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Editorial Contributor #1: John Hanlin (Volunteer)
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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.
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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 advocacy foundation.
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.
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Editorial Contributor #3: David Woodbridge (Volunteer)
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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.
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.
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Access Information News for Monday, February 6, 2023 - Volume 896
The Week's News in Access Information
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This Week's Featured Advertisement: The World's First eLearning Platform Built For And By People Who Are Blind To Help Remove Barriers To Employment
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1) Top 5 Most Clicked Access Information News Articles From Last Week
A.) Cane And Able Fitness Is Making The Gym Less Intimidating For People With Visual Impairments | Shape (9.5% of all clicks.)
Plus, the most important exercises for people with visual impairments to add to their workout routine:
https://www.shape.com/cane-able-fitness-visual-impairment-tips-7095921
B.) 3 AI-Powered Smart Glasses Giving Sight To The Blind And The Visually-Impaired (8.1% of all clicks.)
AI technology is changing how visually impaired people experience the world. As technology advances, the potential for assistive devices to improve the lives of those with visual impairments is becoming a reality. One area that has seen significant growth in recent years is the development of artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled smart glasses. Integrated with AI technology, these smart glasses can analyze the environment and provide real-time audio cues to the wearer, such as describing the objects around them or reading out text:
https://www.jumpstartmag.com/3-ai-powered-smart-glasses-giving-sight-to-the-blind-and-the-visually-impaired/
C.) She Is Blind And Has Created An AI Suitcase To Guide Herself Without Using A Cane Or A Dog (7.3% of all clicks.)
Chieko Asakawa, a computer scientist and IBM researcher who lost her sight completely when she was 14 after an accident, together with a group of Japanese researchers, presented in Tokyo on January 26th 2023 an autonomous suitcase that allows you to avoid obstacles with the aim of guiding the blind through the airport without the need for a cane or a guide dog:
https://newsrebeat.com/world-news/138765.html
D.) There Are Blind People Who Live Their Lives Believing They Can See: This Is Anton's Syndrome (5.2% of all clicks.)
The old man entered the office of von Monaco, the most important neurologist in Zurich, which was already in great disarray. He suffered from mobility problems, experienced visual hallucinations for years, and had difficulty finding the exact words he wanted to say. He was 70 years old and had four consecutive medical problems. I was tired. However, the reason for taking him for consultation was new. He hadn't seen her for weeks. For practical purposes, I saw nothing, absolutely nothing; but he thought so:
https://nationworldnews.com/there-are-blind-people-who-live-their-lives-believing-they-can-see-this-is-antons-syndrome/
E.) Estee Lauder's New App Helps Visually Impaired Users Apply Makeup | Vogue (3.2% of all clicks.)
The first-of-its-kind Voice-enabled Makeup Assistant uses AR and AI to analyze the makeup on a user's face and suggests audio feedback on which areas need to be touched up or blended:
https://www.voguebusiness.com/beauty/estee-lauders-new-app-helps-visually-impaired-users-apply-makeup
2) Sponsorship Package Updates
Are you an access-based business or organization whose products, services or message would benefit from reaching over 15,000 access professionals each week? If so, please consider becoming a Sponsor today for just $100 a month, paid either quarterly or annually. Annual Sponsors gain the additional benefit of being able to schedule their Featured Advertisement dates up to one year in advance. If you've been looking for a way to consistently reach the largest audience of opt-in access professionals in the world today, please consider becoming an Access Information News Sponsor while packages last. Availability: There are currently 9 Access Information News Sponsorship Packages remaining. Advertising Benefits: Review a complete list of advertising benefits here:
https://www.accessinformationnews.com/sponsorship-information.html#sponsorship-package-benefits
3) Access Information News Welcomes David Woodbridge As Editorial Contributor
Publisher: On behalf of all of us here at Access Information News please join me in welcoming David Woodbridge to the Access Information News Team. I'm sure many of you already know David and are perhaps familiar with one or more of his current initiatives. For those of you that don't yet know David, in addition to now serving as an Editorial Contributor to Access Information News, David also serves as the National Commercial Assistive Technology Advisor for Vision Australia where he has worked since 1990. During 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 both assistive and mainstream technology. He has also been involved in evaluating technology for use by people who are blind or vision impaired using 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 and Apple Distinguished Educators (ADE)'s covering the range of Apple's Accessibility solutions throughout Australia. Look for David's contributions in future issues. Learn more about him, and his many initiatives, on the Access Information News website at:
https://www.accessinformationnews.com/about.html#david-woodbridge
4) EzriCare Eye Drops Linked to Dangerous Infections, Company Says Don't Use Them
On February 1st 2023 the CDC posted an alert meant for health care providers about its investigation into drug and antibiotic-resistant infections linked to artificial tears. The ongoing investigation, which dates back to May 2022, includes 55 cases in 12 states. Many of the cases were linked to four different health care facilities:
https://www.cnet.com/health/medical/eye-drops-recalled-over-serious-infection-risk/#ftag=CAD590a51e
5) Neural Imaging Reveals Secret Conversational Cues
Complex signals and subliminal signs underpin all human verbal communication — and a real-time translation is on the horizon:
https://www.wired.com/story/neuroscience-imaging-conversation/
6) Ten Things Hospitals Can Do to Be More Inclusive and Accessible | David Goldfield
During the past twelve months I have spent a lot of time visiting and supporting my wife in two different hospitals. I have become keenly aware of how these places often lack accessibility which would make the experience easier and more inclusive for both patients as well as their visitors. I have nothing but admiration and respect for the medical professionals who have done so much to assist and support my wife. The following list is in no way meant as a criticism of the doctors, nurses, surgeons, respiratory therapists and other specialists who have provided support to us. These people should be honored and respected as much as our military and its veterans. Indeed, some of the people I have met in the medical field are true warriors and war heroes and I am in awe of them and what they do. They see death on a regular basis. Many of them are called to save lives. Sometimes they do save those lives. Other times they are unable to do so. I cannot imagine the effect on them of this amazing and necessary work. That being said I've had some ideas of how hospitals could be so much more inclusive. These ideas would not require technology that we don't already have. Some would require a financial investment but they wouldn't require new technologies to be designed. While I don't have time right now to work on this I'd like to help engage in advocacy at a later and more convenient time to see if we can turn some of these ideas into reality:
https://davidgoldfield.wordpress.com/2023/01/29/ten-things-hospitals-can-do-to-be-more-inclusive-and-accessible/
7) YouTuber MrBeast Hailed For Giving 'Gift Of Sight' To 1,000 Visually-Impaired People
YouTuber MrBeast AKA Jimmy Donaldson has made the world brighter for 1,000 visually-impaired people. He paid for cataract surgeries of these people who were blind or near-blind and could not afford the procedure themselves, as per CNN. Some of the participants were also given cash and other donations. Ophthalmologist and surgeon Jeff Levenson performed the first round of surgeries:
https://www.news18.com/buzz/youtuber-mrbeast-hailed-for-giving-gift-of-sight-to-1000-visually-impaired-people-6948625.html
8) Accessibility Lessons Learned From Blind Users Attending A User Research Study | Equal Entry
Equal Entry held a user research study on virtual reality accessibility for blind users in New York City. This involved nine participants who commuted from their homes to the NYU Ability Project in Brooklyn. It turned out that several could not find their way to the building:
https://equalentry.com/accessibility-lessons-from-blind-users/
9) Your Aira Invoice Will Now Include Some Additional Information
Explorers with paid plans, including Intro, Standard, Advanced, Silver, Gold, Platinum and Community plans, the information included in your invoice will change beginning with your first invoice in February 2023:
https://www.aira.io/invoice
10) Blind Americans Come to Washington to Tell Their Stories to Congress
National Federation of the Blind Seeks to Advance Legislative Priorities. Hundreds of blind Americans will converged on the nation's capital to meet with their representatives in Congress to tell their stories and emphasize the need for legislators to advance key priorities that will help the blind. The annual event organized by the National Federation of the Blind, known as its Washington Seminar, officially began with a kick-off meeting on Monday, January 30 at 5 p.m. Eastern time. Throughout the rest of the week, blind Americans using white canes or guide dogs were seen throughout the Capitol complex. As part of our key priorities, we support the following legislative initiatives:
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/blind-americans-come-to-washington-to-tell-their-stories-to-congress-301732441.html
11) Meet The First-Ever Accessibility Engineer At The Washington Post
As some newsroom roles go the way of the dinosaurs, other new jobs are being born. This is the first in an occasional series of Q&As with people who are the first to hold their title in their newsroom:
https://www.niemanlab.org/2023/02/meet-the-first-ever-accessibility-engineer-at-the-washington-post/
12) Researchers Develop A New Smartphone-Based Tool To Detect Visual Impairment In Young Children
In a recent study published in Nature Medicine, researchers conducted a prospective, multi-center, observational study between January 14th 2020 and January 30th 2022 in China:
https://www.news-medical.net/news/20230130/Researchers-develop-a-new-smartphone-based-tool-to-detect-visual-impairment-in-young-children.aspx
13) Colorado Woman Combats Norms By Becoming First In Her School To Obtain Black Belt In A Wheelchair | 9NEWS
Publisher: Prior to an injury that I sustained about 6 years ago now that left me with limited mobility I was a practitioner of traditional Korean Taekwondo for almost 15 years. I earned my 3rd Degree Black Belt under the late Grand Master Moo Hwan Kim and during that time taught thousands of students and competed in over a thousand full contact traditional and Olympic-stye Taekwondo sparring tournaments. And I just want to say, from experience, that martial arts families, of all styles and types, are comprised of some of the kindest people that you will ever meet. And more to the point, some of the most understanding with regard to different levels of ability. Everyone thinks that martial arts is about fighting. I certainly did. But it's really about living. So if you live with a disability, please don't think that martial arts aren't for you. They may be just what the doctor ordered. 9NEWS: It is said that less than 10 percent of people who pursue karate will ever obtain their first degree black belt, and it takes years of practice to achieve that accomplishment. Of that 10 percent, one woman at 5280 Karate Academy Foundation in Lakewood, Colorado is defying even more odds. Anita Liuzzi broke barriers by becoming the first person in a wheelchair to earn a black belt at 5280 Karate Academy in Lakewood, Colorado:
https://www.9news.com/article/sports/fair-game/anita-liuzzi-wheelchair-karate-fair-game/73-a0a70c58-8a89-4572-b85b-6cc1910bf04f
14) 3D-Printed Braille Playdoh Stampers | Paths To Literacy
Use a 3D printer to create your own braille playdoh stamper from the free file:
https://www.pathstoliteracy.org/3d-printed-braille-playdoh-stampers/
15) Leading Self-Service Kiosk Technology Wins Accessibility Award
Vispero TM — the global leader for assistive technology products for the blind and low-vision community and provider of JAWS ®, the world's most widely used screen reader, announces that JAWS for Kiosk was awarded the inaugural accessibility award at the Self-Service Innovation Summit (SSIS) 2022:
https://www.tpgi.com/leading-self-service-kiosk-technology-wins-accessibility-award/
16) New Kiosk Rules in the Works | TPGi
There are kiosks everywhere — self-checkout at grocery stores, check-in at hotels and doctor's offices, ordering kiosks at restaurants, banking, and retail stores. Often, these kiosks are inaccessible—they lack screen readers, tactile keypads, captions, and other critical accessibility tools. Often, an attendant is unavailable to assist, and the only option is the inaccessible self-service kiosk. As a result of the widespread lack of accessibility and a host of existing rules that touch on kiosk accessibility but do not cohesively address it, the US Access Board is revisiting the existing rules around self-service machines and their accessibility:
https://www.tpgi.com/new-kiosk-rules-in-the-works/
17) Under-Serving The Disabled Community Is Affecting Your Bottom Line | Forbes
Poor digital accessibility will impact your bottom line. An inaccessible website makes it harder for visitors with disabilities to buy your products and use your services. It bars them from actively engaging with your brand, which can lead to lost sales opportunities for your business. In fact, 75% of people with a disability will take their business elsewhere because of poor accessibility and are even willing to buy from a more expensive e-commerce source that does offer an accessible experience:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesbusinesscouncil/2023/01/30/under-serving-the-disabled-community-is-affecting-your-bottom-line/?sh=283b547c314d
18) 3 AI-Powered Smart Glasses Giving Sight to the Blind and the Visually-Impaired
AI technology is changing how visually impaired people experience the world. As technology advances, the potential for assistive devices to improve the lives of those with visual impairments is becoming a reality. One area that has seen significant growth in recent years is the development of artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled smart glasses. Integrated with AI technology, these smart glasses can analyze the environment and provide real-time audio cues to the wearer, such as describing the objects around them or reading out text:
https://www.jumpstartmag.com/3-ai-powered-smart-glasses-giving-sight-to-the-blind-and-the-visually-impaired/
19) My Experience Watching The 2017 Solar Eclipse With The BrainPort
The February 1979 solar eclipse, the last total eclipse in North America during the twentieth century, happened during my third grade year. Of course a good teacher would use it as a learning opportunity, explaining what an eclipse was etc. Mrs. Love was definitely one of those cool teachers, and also taught the class never to look directly at the sun, and how to use pinhole cameras with paper to be safe. My classmates and I went outside during the peak of the eclipse, not total but still 87%, and it was an exiting moment, though I was disappointed that I couldn't see it:
https://accessibility-insights.com/2023/01/24/my-experience-watching-the-2017-solar-eclipse-with-the-brainport/
20) Making Origami Accessible to All
If you would like to know more about the art of origami in an accessible format, please feel free to visit our website. This site has text-only instructions for folding many different things from paper as well as links to other sites around the web with accessible origami instructions. If you would like to contribute or need help with folding, simply send email to Lindy van der Merwe at accessorigami@gmail.com 📧️. You can also join the Accessible Origami Project by searching under groups on Facebook:
https://www.accessorigami.com/
21) New Initiative For Blind And Low-Vision Individuals A One-Stop-Shop To Connect Employers And Job Seekers
In 2021, National Industries for the Blind (NIB) and its network of associated nonprofit agencies across the country launched a new talent management enterprise called NSITE as part of its commitment to create training and employment opportunities for people who are blind or have low vision:
https://www.bizjournals.com/washington/news/2023/01/30/initiative-for-blind-and-low-vision-individuals.html
22) The Mitten: Winter Literacy Ideas | Paths To Literacy
Winter time brings a host of possibilities to use theme based learning when creating literacy opportunities. Using mittens is just one item that lends itself to this approach:
https://www.pathstoliteracy.org/the-mitten-winter-literacy-ideas/
23) Misophonia: How 'Sound Rage' Destroys Relationships And Forces People To Move Home
Sent into apoplexy by whistling noses? Can't bear the sound of people eating? You could be one of the many people affected by this potentially debilitating condition:
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2023/jan/26/misophonia-how-sound-rage-destroys-relationships-and-forces-people-to-move-home
24) ASU Computer Scientists Work To Build A Better Tomorrow For Visually Impaired Students
A group of students earned a grant to create EquiBraille, a braille board for in-person classes:
https://www.statepress.com/article/2023/01/asu-students-create-equibraille-to-help-visually-impaired
25) Art Revives Memories Of Visually Impaired
Australian Paralympian Katie Kelly should have been on top of the world. She had just won the first-ever gold medal for paratriathlon at the Rio games, and standing on the podium was a highlight of her life. But her vision was failing. Kelly's journey with Usher syndrome, a rare genetic condition that affects both hearing and vision, was beginning to take a toll. So when she was asked to be part of Last Seen, a world-first project where artists bring visual memories of the sight-impaired to life, it was a moment tinged with sadness:
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/8063845/art-revives-memories-of-visually-impaired/
26) Addressing Narrative Language and Self-Regulation Goals in Yoga Activities | Paths To Literacy
Yoga activities can help students to develop improved narrative language through a variety of imaginative and meditative stories and mantras which are inspired by the movements, characters and sounds:
https://www.pathstoliteracy.org/addressing-narrative-language-and-self-regulation-goals-yoga-activities/
27) Novacoast Launches Training Program Focused On Blind And Visually Impaired Talent
Wichita-based cybersecurity company Novacoast is launching a new training program that targets what its leadership believes is are underserved segments of the labor pool — and it isn't limiting those opportunities to just its own operations. The company on Tuesday announced its Apex program, which will provide training for the blind and visually impaired and military veterans:
https://www.tristatehomepage.com/business/press-releases/globenewswire/8738335/novacoast-announces-apex-program-cybersecurity-training-for-bvi-and-military-veteran-communities/
28) College Success @ Perkins | Paths To Literacy
College Success @ Perkins was designed to address the gaps in college readiness for all students with visual impairments. The objectives are to increase self-awareness, promote self-advocacy, and build a strong foundation for success in a college program:
https://www.pathstoliteracy.org/resource/college-success-resources-perkins/
29) Talking Credit Cards Help Visually Impaired People Prevent Abuse
Credit cards are not easy for visually impaired people to use because they can't always see the terminal to know where to insert their card. But the main challenge for blind people is that they can't confirm whether the price the retailer keys in is accurate. To alleviate that problem, French tech firm Thales has developed a credit card that talks. It was the French who invented the chip card, with its four-digit-code security system. Thales is also developing a biometric credit card that can read a user's fingerprint:
https://www.marketplace.org/2023/01/31/talking-credit-cards-help-visually-impaired-people-prevent-abuse/
30) 'Radio Talking Book' Keeps Visually Impaired Minnesotans Engaged
Back when we were a newspaper-reading country, there was the morning edition paper and the evening edition paper. The day's stories were always a big topic of conversation. But if you were blind or visually impaired, newspapers were not immediately accessible — until Radio Talking Book. Joseph Papke is the supervisor of the organization in St. Paul, and he joined MPR News host Cathy Wurzer to talk about the birth of the essential service:
https://www.mprnews.org/episode/2023/01/31/radio-talking-book-keeps-visually-impaired-minnesotans-engaged
31) Workshop Aims to Help Blind and Low-Vision Riders Navigate Bay Area Rapid Transit
Bay Area Rapid Transit held a workshop on January 31st 2023 in Oakland aimed at helping visually impaired riders better navigate the system:
https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/bart-trains-blind-low-vision/3144509/
32) Audio Guide Launches To Help Blind And Partially Sighted People Access Busy Bristol Temple Meads Train Station
Network Rail has teamed up with Bristol Sight Loss Council (BSLC) to launch a guide that comprises 12 audio files, each file will guide the listener safely through a section of the station, making it far easier to navigate for blind and partially sighted people:
https://attoday.co.uk/audio-guide-launches-to-help-blind-and-partially-sighted-people-access-busy-train-station/
33) 5 Products To Help Build Literacy Skills In Children With Multiple Disabilities | APH FamilyConnect
As teachers and parents, we plan a LOT when it comes to the education of our precious little ones. Especially with our kiddos who are blind or have low vision, as well as multiple disabilities, we plan to include not only the core curriculum areas but also Expanded Core Curriculum areas. We want them to learn an array of functional skills to match their educational skills. One especially important skill lies solidly in both camps and cannot be emphasized enough — literacy! Easily accepted as academic and part of the core curriculum, I cannot think of a more functional life skill than literacy. Fostering this crucial skill set in our kiddos with multiple disabilities can take some extra effort and thought. Here are some helpful items to support you as the parent and teacher while you make literacy learning both fun and possible for the youngster(s) in your life:
https://familyconnect.org/multiple-disabilities/learning/5-products-to-help-build-literacy-skills-in-children-with-multiple-disabilities/
34) Adapting Fire Safety Materials for ALL Students | Paths To Literacy
Ideas to promote fire safety with children who are blind or visually impaired, including those with CVI. Includes tips to adapt fire safety information in different formats:
https://www.pathstoliteracy.org/adapting-fire-safety-materials-all-students/
➜ Other Access Information Newsletters
1) Paths To Literacy Newsletter | Valentine's Day Ideas and Lessons 2023
https://pathstoliteracy.cmail19.com/t/d-e-ziihdhy-iikluuklut-r/
2) Hadley Headlines Newsletter for February 2023
➜ Featured Webinars, Training Courses and Events
Submit your access information related Webinar, Training Course or Event for consideration within this section using this form: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-event or locate "Webinar / Training Course Submission Form" within the main menu of the Access Information News website.
February 8th 2023 and February 9th 2023 | Treble Health Tinnitus Relief Summit
In recognition of Tinnitus Awareness Week, Treble Health announced that it is bringing together experts from around the globe for the Tinnitus Relief Summit, slated to be a live, two-day symposium, hosted online, that welcomes audiologists and tinnitus experts to share emergent research and evidence-based practices for the care and treatment of tinnitus. Hosted by Treble Health — a California-based telehealth company — this gathering will "bust myths and broaden interventions for a growing field of chronic tinnitus and hyperacusis management." During this live two day event, Treble Health has teamed up with audiologists and tinnitus experts around the world to present a comprehensive portfolio of tips and tricks to help manage tinnitus. Each presenter will focus on a specific area of tinnitus, covering everything that one could possibly need to know:
https://tinnitusreliefsummit.com/
February 9th 2023 and February 10th 2023 | Second Annual 2023 ATHEN Virtual STEM Accessibility Conference: Acc3ss N0w!
ATHEN is hosting the Second Annual "2023 ATHEN Virtual STEM Accessibility Conference: Acc3ss N0w!" on February 9th and 10th 2023. Registration is free for ATHEN and AHEAD members, and low cost for non-members. Conference Details, Dates, Registration and Cost:
https://athenpro.org/content/athen-virtual-conference
February 11th 2023 | Maryland Accessible Telecommunications | Technology User Group | Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled (LBPD)
7AM PT, 8AM MT, 9AM CT, 10AM ET, 3PM GMT
Formerly Maryland Relay, this state resource can help clients acquire cell phones, TTY equipment, and other communication devices. The application process is easy and highly encouraged. Learn about all of the programs offered and how you can benefit. All events are currently being held via teleconference until further notice. No programs will be held in person. Please dial (319) 527-4994 📱️ at 10:00 AM ET. For more information about the Technology User Group or to recommend a topic / technology for discussion, please contact: Jerry Price at (410) 230-2446 📱️ or via email jerry.price1@maryland.gov 📧️
February 14th 2023 | Exploring New Accessibility Frontiers with TPGi and the W3C
9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 5PM GMT
Presenter: Matthew Atkinson, TPGi's Principal Accessibility Engineer, and W3C's Accessible Platform Architectures working group co-chair. Several of TPGi's accessibility experts work alongside many others from across industry and academia to further accessibility through the work of the W3C. There's a range of transformative and evolutionary work being done right now, thanks to a collaboration between different groups and organizations. Join Matthew Atkinson, co-chair of the W3C's Accessible Platform Architectures working group, for an overview of a few key strands of exploration and development. Topics to be covered include affording symbol users access to web content, ensuring the Web of Things is accessible to all, and making collaborative authoring accessible. Register:
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-february-14-at-12pm-et-exploring-new-accessibility-frontiers-with-tpgi-and-the-w3c/
February 15th 2023 | How Do Accessibility Overlays Impact Assistive Technology? (Digital Accessibility Webinar) | Access Ingenuity
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 6PM GMT
Accessibility Overlays from companies like accessiBe, UserWay, and others seem like a quick fix to help you achieve WCAG compliance. However, have you ever wondered how they impact assistive technology users? Join Michael Parker and Zhi Huang from Access Ingenuity as they demonstrate the impact of accessibility overlays on screen readers and other assistive technology users and explain why developing accessible websites is a much better approach than implementing accessibility overlays. Learning Outcomes: Learn the impact of accessibility overlays on screen reader users. Understand the difference between designing an accessible website and using an accessibility overlay. Learn how to disable accessibility overlays. | Meeting ID: 862 3015 4256 | Passcode: 271210 | One tap mobile: +16694449171,,86230154256#,,,,*271210# US
Dial by your location. +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose) | Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86230154256?pwd=dGpjKzJrcG80aU9LNVNMREFhakRrZz09#success
February 15th 2023 | Giving Up Your Car Keys Is Not The End Of Your Independence | NFB of Maryland Senior Call
4PM PT, 5PM MT, 6PM CT, 7PM ET, 12AM GMT on 2/16
Presented by National Federation of the Blind (NFB) of Maryland Senior Division. Please join our conversation to explore the emotional decision to give up driving. Discover how to manage your life when you are no longer the one behind the wheel. When: February 15, 2023 from 7:00 to 8:30 PM ET. Where: NFB of Maryland Conference Call at (339) 209-4083 📱️. All are welcome! For more information about this event or the NFB of Maryland Senior Division please contact Marguerite Woods at (443) 271-1668 📱️ or mwoods719@gmail.com 📧️.
February 20th 2023 | Project INSPIRE: Spring 2023 | Paths To Literacy | 6 Course Offering | Deadline To Register: February 17th 2023
Project INSPIRE will be offering six courses. This includes a new course, Nemeth Code Symbols Used in High School and Strategies for Supporting Math Learning. We are offering the opportunity for you to take ONE of the courses. You may choose from the following courses:
https://www.pathstoliteracy.org/project-inspire-spring-2023/
February 21st 2023 | Don't Hesitate to Communicate, Vispero's Own Blindness and Diversity Awareness Workshop | TPGi
9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 5PM GMT
Presenters: Amy Albin (she/her), HR Intern, Vispero. Amy Albin (she/her) has been Vispero's HR intern since September 2022. She will lead a unique workshop to spark open conversations about how sighted and blind/vision impaired people can interact comfortably together. You will learn tools that apply not just to sighted and blind/vision impaired people but also to anyone who is a member of a marginalized group. Whether you are sighted or blind/vision impaired, you will learn techniques to facilitate constructive communication with the diverse people in all areas of your life:
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-february-21-at-12pm-et-dont-hesitate-to-communicate-visperos-own-blindness-and-diversity-awareness-workshop/
February 22nd 2023 | RUBY Handheld Magnifiers: A Vision Solution for Every Situation (ACVREP CE Approved, Assistive Technology Webinar) | Access Ingenuity
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 6PM 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 a 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. Join Ian Ramos from Access Ingenuity with 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. If you are a teacher of the visually impaired (TVI), this presentation is approved for ACVREP continuing education credit. Learning Outcomes: Features of all RUBY models. How to determine the right size for you. How adding speech capability can take you further. RUBY Handheld Magnifiers: A Vision Solution for Every Situation | Meeting ID: 858 1556 3463 | Passcode: 691785 | One tap mobile: +16699009128,,85815563463#,,,,*691785# US (San Jose) | Dial by your location: +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose) | Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85815563463?pwd=WENJdjFQcS9rdWtoMm1QeDJwRU9mZz09#success
February 22nd 2023 | Procedural Safeguards and Parental Rights: New Webinar Series with Karen Mayer Cunningham | APH FamilyConnect
4PM PT, 5PM MT, 6PM CT, 7PM ET, 12AM GMT on 1/26
This fall, we were pleased to partner with Karen Mayer Cunningham to present two webinar series. Navigating and Negotiating Successful IEP and 504 Outcomes and Ask the Advocate provided information to parents, professionals, and school-based members. Participants had the opportunity to learn more about the IEP and 504 processes as well as the opportunity to ask specific questions about their child's IEPs. These two series have been highly attended, and we have received requests for more content from Karen Mayer Cunningham, the self-proclaimed “Special Education Boss”. The positive feedback and need for more content to support parents and professionals leads to the next series of webinars. We are excited to offer the next series to continue to support parents and professionals. Procedural Safeguards: Procedural Safeguards are handed out, and many don't have a full understanding of the document. Procedural Safeguards and Rights are in place for parents and individuals with a disability between the ages of 3 to 22. Unfortunately, most parents are only asked by school-based members if they “received” their copy of the procedural rights, and would they please sign in receipt of them. While that checks a box for the school, it in no way equips the families with a knowledge of their rights and protection, nor indicates the school's legal obligation. This series will identify your rights and the difference between procedural and substantive requirements. Join the APH ConnectCenter and Karen Mayer Cunningham as we dive into Procedural Safeguards and Parental Rights. Learn more: We hope you will join the 6-part webinar series to further your knowledge and understanding of the Procedural Safeguards and Parental Rights. Join us at 7:00 pm EST on 1/11, 1/25, 2/8, 2/22, 3/8, and 3/22. Register here:
https://familyconnect.org/blog/familyconnect-blog/procedural-safeguards-and-parental-rights-new-webinar-series-with-karen-mayer-cunningham/
February 27th 2023 to March 2nd 2023 | Apply By January 23rd 2023 | Accessible Customer-Centered Communications Workshop | NSITE & Baker Communications, Inc. In Partnership
NSITE, the first organization to provide a continuum of employment services for individuals who are blind or face vision loss, has partnered with one of the leading sales training providers, Baker Communications Inc. (BCI), to offer a virtual instructor-led delivery of their Customer-Centered Communications workshop. This highly engaging and participatory accessible workshop, delivered over four consecutive days (four hours per session), covers a comprehensive six-part system of organized customer communications and selling. After the program, participants will be able to build greater trust with customers, deliver specific customer outcomes effectively, and achieve world-class customer service and sales performance. All NSITE programs are adapted for the learning styles of blind and low-vision learners. Therefore, qualified applicants who are blind or have low vision receive enrollment preference in case classes fill up. Program runs February 27 to March 2, 2023. Apply by January 23rd 2023:
https://bit.ly/NSITE-CCC
February 28th 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group
5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 1AM 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
March 6th 2023 | Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 6: Daily Living Activities | APH
8AM PT, 9AM MT, 10AM CT, 11AM ET, 4PM GMT
Let's explore daily-living activities using LEGO Braille Bricks and share our best practices, experiences, tips:
https://www.aph.org/lego-braille-bricks-live-sessions/
March 8th 2023 | Procedural Safeguards and Parental Rights: New Webinar Series with Karen Mayer Cunningham | APH FamilyConnect
4PM PT, 5PM MT, 6PM CT, 7PM ET, 12AM GMT on 1/26
This fall, we were pleased to partner with Karen Mayer Cunningham to present two webinar series. Navigating and Negotiating Successful IEP and 504 Outcomes and Ask the Advocate provided information to parents, professionals, and school-based members. Participants had the opportunity to learn more about the IEP and 504 processes as well as the opportunity to ask specific questions about their child's IEPs. These two series have been highly attended, and we have received requests for more content from Karen Mayer Cunningham, the self-proclaimed “Special Education Boss”. The positive feedback and need for more content to support parents and professionals leads to the next series of webinars. We are excited to offer the next series to continue to support parents and professionals. Procedural Safeguards: Procedural Safeguards are handed out, and many don't have a full understanding of the document. Procedural Safeguards and Rights are in place for parents and individuals with a disability between the ages of 3 to 22. Unfortunately, most parents are only asked by school-based members if they “received” their copy of the procedural rights, and would they please sign in receipt of them. While that checks a box for the school, it in no way equips the families with a knowledge of their rights and protection, nor indicates the school's legal obligation. This series will identify your rights and the difference between procedural and substantive requirements. Join the APH ConnectCenter and Karen Mayer Cunningham as we dive into Procedural Safeguards and Parental Rights. Learn more: We hope you will join the 6-part webinar series to further your knowledge and understanding of the Procedural Safeguards and Parental Rights. Join us at 7:00 pm EST on 1/11, 1/25, 2/8, 2/22, 3/8, and 3/22. Register here:
https://familyconnect.org/blog/familyconnect-blog/procedural-safeguards-and-parental-rights-new-webinar-series-with-karen-mayer-cunningham/
March 11th 2023 | Using Garage Band App to Create a Song | Technology User Group | Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled (LBPD)
7AM PT, 8AM MT, 9AM CT, 10AM ET, 3PM GMT
You have seen this app on your iDevice, and maybe you have even opened it once or twice. In this presentation, you will learn how to create a song from scratch and how to make modifications. All events are currently being held via teleconference until further notice. No programs will be held in person. Please dial (319) 527-4994 📱️ at 10:00 AM ET. For more information about the Technology User Group or to recommend a topic / technology for discussion, please contact: Jerry Price at (410) 230-2446 📱️ or via email jerry.price1@maryland.gov 📧️
March 13th 2023 through March 17th 2023 | 2023 38th Annual CSUN Assistive Technology Conference
Welcome. Whether you have been attending the conference for years or are planning to attend your first, the CSUN Assistive Technology Conference, also known as the CSUN Conference, is the ultimate community experience and the premier forum on technology for all persons with disabilities. For over 37 years, California State University, Northridge's Center on Disabilities has sponsored the conference, providing a platform for researchers, practitioners, educators, exhibitors and more from around the world, where they can share knowledge, innovations, and best practices to promote inclusion for all. Building on the momentum from the 2022 conference, exciting new plans are in the works to enhance the conference experience. We encourage you to join us in Anaheim, California in 2023, where attendees can attend Pre-Conference Workshops, the yearly Keynote Address, Featured Presentations, General Sessions, Sponsor Showcase Suites and the Exhibit Hall. We also continue developing new programming to build community and networking opportunities. Check back often or follow us on social media for the latest updates, details, and deadlines. For information on sponsor or exhibitor opportunities, please visit our Opportunities page or email us at conference@csun.edu 📧️. We can't wait until the CSUN Conference community is back together to learn, share and connect:
https://www.csun.edu/cod/conference/sessions/
March 15th 2023 and March 16th 2023 | 2023 3rd Annual Axe-Con | Building Accessible Experiences | The World's Largest Digital Accessibility Conference
Deque Systems, the trusted leader in digital accessibility, has announced the third annual axe-con conference will return on March 15-16th, 2023. With the success of axe-con over the past two years, Deque will continue to host the conference as a free virtual event again next year. Axe-con is an open and inclusive digital accessibility conference that welcomes developers, designers, business users, and accessibility professionals of all experience levels to a new kind of accessibility conference focused on building, testing, and maintaining accessible digital experiences:
https://www.deque.com/blog/save-the-date-for-axe-con-2023/
March 21st 2023 and March 22nd 2023 | Multiple Perspectives 2023 | Americans With Disabilities Act Multiple Perspectives On Access, Inclusion, & Disability Conference | Ohio State University
"It is time to move beyond the letter of the law to the spirit of the law; to shift our focus from redressing human and environmental problems through remedial design to preventing problems through holistic design." -Leslie Kanes Weisman. As a modern land grant university, an important part of Ohio State University's mission is outreach and engagement, serving the community through a variety of activities. During the tenth anniversary year of the Americans With Disabilities Act the Multiple Perspectives On Access, Inclusion And Disability conference was created to help fulfill this mission. In short, the goal of the conference is to encourage the kind of change suggested by Leslie Kanes Weisman in the opening quote. It is hoped that the annual conference will serve as a catalyst for positive change and a springboard for collaborations with our partners in education, business, public, and social service. Each year a series of workshops will provide a forum for individuals and organizations to expand their knowledge and perspectives, and an opportunity to increase community resources through the synergy of collaboration. The workshops are designed to bring a diverse audience together to discuss the full spectrum of disability issues and experiences. To ensure broad participation from the university community, business, state and local government, educators, advocacy organizations, social service agencies, and individuals with disabilities sponsors are sought each year to subsidize conference participants. Register:
https://ada.osu.edu/ada-conference
March 22nd 2023 | Procedural Safeguards and Parental Rights: New Webinar Series with Karen Mayer Cunningham | APH FamilyConnect
4PM PT, 5PM MT, 6PM CT, 7PM ET, 12AM GMT on 1/26
This fall, we were pleased to partner with Karen Mayer Cunningham to present two webinar series. Navigating and Negotiating Successful IEP and 504 Outcomes and Ask the Advocate provided information to parents, professionals, and school-based members. Participants had the opportunity to learn more about the IEP and 504 processes as well as the opportunity to ask specific questions about their child's IEPs. These two series have been highly attended, and we have received requests for more content from Karen Mayer Cunningham, the self-proclaimed “Special Education Boss”. The positive feedback and need for more content to support parents and professionals leads to the next series of webinars. We are excited to offer the next series to continue to support parents and professionals. Procedural Safeguards: Procedural Safeguards are handed out, and many don't have a full understanding of the document. Procedural Safeguards and Rights are in place for parents and individuals with a disability between the ages of 3 to 22. Unfortunately, most parents are only asked by school-based members if they “received” their copy of the procedural rights, and would they please sign in receipt of them. While that checks a box for the school, it in no way equips the families with a knowledge of their rights and protection, nor indicates the school's legal obligation. This series will identify your rights and the difference between procedural and substantive requirements. Join the APH ConnectCenter and Karen Mayer Cunningham as we dive into Procedural Safeguards and Parental Rights. Learn more: We hope you will join the 6-part webinar series to further your knowledge and understanding of the Procedural Safeguards and Parental Rights. Join us at 7:00 pm EST on 1/11, 1/25, 2/8, 2/22, 3/8, and 3/22. Register here:
https://familyconnect.org/blog/familyconnect-blog/procedural-safeguards-and-parental-rights-new-webinar-series-with-karen-mayer-cunningham/
March 28th 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group
5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 1AM 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
April 5th 2023 | Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 7: Music | APH
8AM PT, 9AM MT, 10AM CT, 11AM ET, 4PM GMT
Let's discover together how to make music with these famous bricks! Come and share your creative ideas:
https://www.aph.org/lego-braille-bricks-live-sessions/
April 8th 2023 | How To Upgrade To Windows 11 | Technology User Group | Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled (LBPD)
7AM PT, 8AM MT, 9AM CT, 10AM ET, 3PM GMT
This operating system has been around for a while, and people champion its security strengths and applications. Should you upgrade, and what is that process? All events are currently being held via teleconference until further notice. No programs will be held in person. Please dial (319) 527-4994 📱️ at 10:00 AM ET. For more information about the Technology User Group or to recommend a topic / technology for discussion, please contact: Jerry Price at (410) 230-2446 📱️ or via email jerry.price1@maryland.gov 📧️
April 25th 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group
5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 1AM 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
May 3rd 2023 | Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 8: STEM | APH
8AM PT, 9AM MT, 10AM CT, 11AM ET, 4PM GMT
Have you ever thought of doing science, computing, or technology with LEGO Braille Bricks? Expert guests will join us for an amazing session:
https://www.aph.org/lego-braille-bricks-live-sessions/
May 13th 2023 | Travel Tools and Apps | Technology User Group | Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled (LBPD)
7AM PT, 8AM MT, 9AM CT, 10AM ET, 3PM GMT
Whether you are traveling to another city, state or country, we will look at tools and resources that will help you get the most assistance for your venture. All events are currently being held via teleconference until further notice. No programs will be held in person. Please dial (319) 527-4994 📱️ at 10:00 AM ET. For more information about the Technology User Group or to recommend a topic / technology for discussion, please contact: Jerry Price at (410) 230-2446 📱️ or via email jerry.price1@maryland.gov 📧️
June 2nd 2023 | ATHEN Sixth Annual Accessibility Summer Camp 2023
6AM PT, 7AM MT, 8AM CT, 9AM ET, 2PM GMT
We would love for you to share your accessibility knowledge during our sixth annual Accessibility Summer Camp 2023! As in former years, this virtual conference is FREE for all attendees. This year's ASC event will take place on Friday, June 2, 2023, from 8:00-4:00 CST. As a conference participant you will be able to attend sessions and engage in valuable networking with like-minded professionals. We are soliciting presentations from all experience levels and backgrounds, so please visit the ASC Conference Home Page for more information and to submit a proposal. The session proposal deadline is Friday, February 17th, 2023. What is Accessibility Summer Camp (ASC)? The Accessibility Summer Camp is a FREE annual conference with the goal of connecting professionals and educators with best practices in accessibility and Universal Design. Over the past few years, the ASC conference has grown to become one of the most popular accessibility conferences in the country. Our mission is to provide accessibility professional development that empowers attendees to create high quality, accessible learning environments while removing barriers for all individuals who have a desire to learn:
https://www.accessibilityict.org/
May 23rd 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group
5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 1AM 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
June 7th 2023 | Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 9: Orientation & Mobility | APH
8AM PT, 9AM MT, 10AM CT, 11AM ET, 4PM GMT
LEGO bricks to build plans, visualize routes, it's not new! But with LEGO Braille Bricks you can also create labels, add letters, words... Then it becomes really great:
https://www.aph.org/lego-braille-bricks-live-sessions/
June 27th 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group
5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 1AM 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
July 25th 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group
5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 1AM 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
August 22nd 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group
5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 1AM 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 26th 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group
5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 1AM 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
October 24th 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group
5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 1AM 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 28th 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group
5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 1AM 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
December 26th 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group
5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 1AM 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
➜ Directories
1) Access Information Email Newsletter Directory
https://www.accessinformationnews.com/email-newsletter-directory.html
Access Information News Sponsor Classified Ads:
Sponsor: WayAround
➜ Classified Advertisement: Try Talking Labels That Work With Your Smartphone For Just $9.99!
Get all the different types of WayTags so you can try the BEST accessible labeling system around. Use the coupon code TryTags to get a WayTag Sampler Pack for just $9.99. Plus, you get FREE shipping. Use the WayTags along with the free mobile app to label your things with a description and other important details, so you can spend less time figuring out what things are, and more time getting things done.
https://www.wayaround.com/shop/sampler-pack/?utm_source=AssistiveTech&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=AccessInfoNewsSponsorAd
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Finally! Holding Businesses Accountable
Those who need accessibility accommodations aren't strangers to jumping in with self-advocacy to achieve it. But, what about the rest of us? When explaining the benefits of a reasonable accommodation to one's place of work or school. This is where our self-advocacy kits come in. Pneuma has written up customizable email templates you can modify according to your situation. We cover a variety of different advocacy scenarios. Simply choose your scenario, answer a few simple questions, adapt the language, address it to the right person, and submit it! Self-advocacy has never been easier:
https://pneumasolutions.com/finally-holding-businesses-accountable/
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: 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: Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc.
Sponsor Since: December 29th 2022
Website: https://lhblind.org/ 🌐️
Phone: (800) 914-7307 📱️
Fax: (206) 329-3397 ░
Contact Us: https://lhblind.org/contact-us/
About: The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. is a private, not-for-profit social enterprise providing employment, support, and training opportunities for people who are blind, DeafBlind, and blind with other disabilities. The Lighthouse has provided employment and support to people who are blind in our community since 1918.
The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. is a successful manufacturing organization with over 60 years of experience in precision machining. We produce an array of machined parts and plastic injection molding for various aerospace manufacturers, as well as a host of office products and hydration equipment sold to the Federal Government and the U.S. Military. We also own and operate stores on military bases along the West Coast. Our products and services include:
• Manufacturing: We are a successful manufacturing organization committed to making jobs accessible to individuals who are blind. Our manufacturing operations center on making quality products for the Federal Government under the AbilityOne Program and producing parts for aerospace manufacturers.
• Managed Services: The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. offers a variety of services to our commercial, federal, and military customers. These include Contract Management Support (CMS) services for government contracting offices.
• Base Supply Centers: We operate 12 AbilityOne Base Supply Centers (BSCs) that offer easy customer access to Lighthouse products, direct feedback and communication with customers, and employment opportunities for individuals who are blind in geographic areas not served by larger nonprofit agencies.
Sponsor: Access Ready, Inc.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Seeks Your Support at the Public Policy Level
Moving the public policy needle is both difficult and costly. Access Ready has one of the most experienced teams in the business who have shown results. We have fostered Congressional language on accessible websites, elections, healthcare, communications, and other areas touched by information and communications technologies. These efforts are costly and we need your help to continue. Become an Access Ready supporter and create an accessible future for people with disabilities:
https://accessready.org/
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.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Provides Access To The Best In The Business
If you need assistance with a new accessible website, document remediation or disability consulting of other kinds, Access Ready can help. We seek out the best in the business and bring them to you already vetted as to quality, professionalism and ability. By going through AccessReady.org to one of our qualified providers, you're not only getting the best, but supporting our advocacy and technological development efforts as well:
https://accessready.org/
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.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Seeks Guidance On New Accessible Technologies
What Technologies do you see in the market that are not accessible, but should be? What accessible technologies can you imagine that can make the lives of people with all kinds of disabilities better? We will advocate with developers to make existing technologies accessible on your behalf. We will advocate with developers to build new accessible technologies on your behalf. Give us your guidance and support. Your guidance charts our path toward what is most important. Your support funds our efforts on your behalf:
https://accessready.org/
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
➜ Classified Advertisement: Prepare For Your Future Today With The All-New APH ConnectCenter's Job Seekers Toolkit!
The APH ConnectCenter and NSITE have partnered to update the Job Seeker's Toolkit, an accessible, self-paced, free online training course. The Toolkit includes five sections covering self-awareness, career exploration tools, the preliminary employment process, the interview, and maintaining employment. We are bringing the Job Seeker's Toolkit to a larger audience and in a Learning Management System format for today's learners, at no cost. Visit APHCareerConnect.org to get started with the Job Seekers Toolkit today at:
https://aphcareerconnect.org/lesson-plans-for-teachers-and-professionals/the-job-seekers-toolkit/
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: Menus4ALL
➜ Classified Advertisement: A Revolution in Resolution — Menus for Everyone
No matter when, where or who, the Menus4ALL iPhone app gives you the info you need quickly. No more multiple Google searches to research menus before going out. Info is organized to give you quick access to what you are looking for — the menu! Optimized to give you the best viewing experience. No more struggling to see small print, or looking at a menu in a dimly lit restaurant. Do you use magnification, large print, VoiceOver, a braille display or Voice Control? Enjoy 750,000 fully accessible menus. Download the app today at:
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/menus4all/id1640547801?platform=iphone
Sponsor Since: November 20th 2022
Website: https://www.menus4all.com/ 🌐️
Email: stephanie@menus4all.com 📧️
About: 750,000 Accessible Restaurant Menus. On your iPhone ® in the palm of your hand.
Yes, that's not a typo. The Menus4ALL iPhone app offers 500,000 accessible menus in the United States and 250,000 accessible menus in Canada.
Wherever you are and whenever you want The Menus4ALL iPhone app is the largest network of restaurant menus in one place and all of the menus are fully accessible.
Perfect for when you are out running errands and want to know what restaurants are near your current location. Great for planning a night out with friends. Favorite menus that you want to look at later or when you know you are going back for that amazing dish.
Download The App (Apple): https://apps.apple.com/us/app/menus4all/id1640547801?platform=iphone
Your Business or Organization Name Here
➜ Classified Advertisement: Your Weekly Classified Advertisement Title Here (128 characters or less including spaces.)
Your weekly Classified Advertisement here.
(512 characters or less including spaces.)
Sponsor Since: Today
Website: https://accessinformationnews.com/ 🌐️
Phone: (855) 578-6660 📱️
Email: news@accessinformationnews.com 📧️
About: Access Information News is the world's leading not-for-profit access information news publication that reaches over 15,000 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.
9 of 18 Sponsorship Packages Currently Available
Access Information News is the world's leading not-for-profit access information news publication that reaches over 15,000 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 9 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!
Access Information News Supporters donate an amount of their choosing either one time or on an annual basis in order to assist with the ongoing distribution of the Access Information News publication.
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.
Exposure: 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.
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 5th 2022.
2.) Your name here.
Platinum Supporter since ...
Gold Supporters:
Become an Access Information News Gold Supporter today.
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Silver Supporters:
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Access Information News Team:
Publisher: Aaron Di Blasi (Volunteer)
➜ Classified Advertisement: Is Your Business or Organization Looking to Hire a Professional, Part-Time, Remote Digital Marketer? Aaron Di Blasi, PMP, Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd., is Seeking a New Client Partnership. Hire Direct And Pay No Agency Fee.
Could your business or organization use help with your digital marketing workflow? Tasks like website administration, article assembly and publication, graphic design, website updates, email newsletter blasts and social media scheduling? Aaron Di Blasi, Owner and Sr. Project Management Professional for Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd. is seeking a new client partnership. Learn more at:
https://mvsltd.com/news/is-your-business-or-organization-looking-to-hire-a-professional-digital-marketer-aaron-di-blasi-pmp-mind-vault-solutions-ltd-is-seeking-a-new-client-partnership/
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 Access 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 Access 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 advocacy foundation.
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 Access 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.
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 🌐️
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, January 30, 2023 - Volume 895
Access Information News for Monday, January 30, 2023 - Volume 895
The Week's News in Access Information
https://accessinformationnews.com/
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: 10,725 Opt-In Subscribers were sent this issue via email.
This Week's Featured Advertisement: Access Ready Celebrates 2022 Public Policy Achievements At The National Level
In 2022, Access Ready engaged Powers, Pyles, Sutter & Verville PC as public policy representatives in conjunction with our civil rights legal council, Eve L. Hill, of Inclusivity Consulting. This included the wise council of the late Robert (Bobby) Silverstein. Bobby helped shape our digital policy and left a legacy that we are committed to furthering.
Along with others, this effort lead to: The Department of Justice, in concert with the Government Services Administration, announced that they are planning to publish a new Section 508 compliance report, a report missing since 2012. The House of Representatives passed the 2023 Omnibus Government Funding Bill, mandating that the Office of Management and Budget update guidance under Section 508 within 100 days and that each agency report on compliance with the Section within 225 days. In 2023, we will be pressing forward to expand on these accomplishments in support of accessible Information and Communications Technologies (ICT).
Access Ready, Inc. is an independent, 501(c)(3) non-profit, cross-disability education and advocacy organization promoting a policy of inclusion and accessibility across Information and Communications Technology (ICT). Learn more about Access Ready today at: https://accessready.org/.
Dear Access Information News Subscriber,
Submit your Access Information News item for free, with timing and placement determined by our editors, using this form: https://www.accessinformationnews.com/submit-news or locate "News Item Submission Form" within the main menu of the Access Information News website.
1) Top 5 Most Clicked Access Information News Articles From Last Week
A.) Reader Review: Online Shopping Services (6.8% of all clicks.)
Courtesy of Award Winning Sight Loss Coach, Advocate and Author Donna Jodhan, Access Information News reader::
https://www.accessinformationnews.com/9.html
B.) Babysitting Tips Series For The Visually Impaired | Hadley (6.4% of all clicks.)
Keep the fun and safety in caring for the little ones in your life with proven tips and tricks that work, no matter your level of vision:
https://hadley.edu/workshops/babysitting-series
C.) Using Markup Languages for Accessible Scientific, Technical, and Scholarly Document Creation (5.8% of all clicks.)
Publisher: As a twenty plus year creator of documents that must contain formatting which is both visually appealing as well as completely and totally translatable to any screen reader, I concur with this author's opinion that using markup languages for this task is far superior to any other method that I have utilized to date. It is not only the most scalable method that you can use, but it also produces the most accessible results. The only catch? The learning curve. But it is not insurmountable. Hence this article. Journal of Science Education: In using software to write a scientific, technical, or other scholarly document, authors have essentially two options. They can either write it in a 'what you see is what you get' (WYSIWYG) editor such as a word processor, or write it in a text editor using a markup language such as HTML, LaTeX, Markdown, or AsciiDoc. This paper gives an overview of the latter approach, focusing on both the non-visual accessibility of the writing process, and that of the documents produced. Currently popular markup languages and established tools associated with them are introduced. Support for mathematical notation is considered. In addition, domain-specific programming languages for constructing various types of diagrams can be well integrated into the document production process. These languages offer interesting potential to facilitate the non-visual creation of graphical content, while raising insufficiently explored research questions:
https://scholarworks.rit.edu/jsesd/vol25/iss1/5/
D.) Estee Lauder's New App Helps Visually Impaired Users Apply Makeup | Vogue (4.7% of all clicks.)
The first-of-its-kind Voice-enabled Makeup Assistant uses AR and AI to analyze the makeup on a user's face and suggests audio feedback on which areas need to be touched up or blended:
https://www.voguebusiness.com/beauty/estee-lauders-new-app-helps-visually-impaired-users-apply-makeup
E.) New Treatment For Hereditary Blindness Possible Using Nanoparticles And mRNA (4.6% of all clicks.)
Scientists from the Oregon State University College of Pharmacy have demonstrated in animal models the possibility of using lipid nanoparticles and messenger RNA, the technology underpinning COVID-19 vaccines, to treat blindness associated with a rare genetic condition:
https://scitechdaily.com/new-treatment-for-hereditary-blindness-possible-using-nanoparticles-and-mrna/
2) Sponsorship Package Updates
Availability: There are currently 9 Access Information News Sponsorship Packages remaining. Join Us: If you would like to support the ongoing distribution of Access Information News while reaching over 15,000 access professionals each week, please consider becoming a Sponsor today for just $100 a month, paid either quarterly or annually. Annual sponsors gain the additional benefit of being able to schedule their Featured Advertisements up to one year in advance. If you are an access information business or organization that has been looking for a way to consistently reach the largest audience of opt-in access professionals in the world today, please consider becoming an Access Information News Sponsor while packages last. Benefits: Learn all about the benefits here:
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3) Blind SA And Section27 Launch A Brochure Titled #EndingTheBookFamine For People Who Are Blind Or Visually Impaired, A Guide To Accessible Format Shifting
Publisher: This is an amazing, excellent and thorough resource for anyone that wants to better understand accessible formats, copies and the copyright laws that surround producing and distributing them. I encourage you to save a copy of this PDF for future reference. Blind SA And Section27: The Constitutional Court has declared the Copyright Act of 1978 unconstitutional and invalid to the extent that it limits access to literary and artistic works in accessible formats. The Court granted an immediate exception to copyright for persons with disabilities, allowing them to convert literary and artistic works into accessible formats without first getting authorization from the copyright holder. Previously, as a result of the Copyright Act of 1978, people with disabilities would need to get authorization from copyright holders to convert books into formats they could read. The Constitutional Court has now removed this requirement. This opens the door for persons with disabilities, improving access to books and other printed published works. The Constitutional Court aims to remove the historical gap in access to books, as well as other literary and artistic works, between persons with disabilities and those without. People with disabilities must be granted the same access to books and other literary and artistic works as people without disabilities:
https://www.accessinformationnews.com/documents/Ending-the-Book-Famine.pdf
4) CNET Secretly Used AI on Articles That Didn't Disclose That Fact, Staff Say
The tech site CNET sent a chill through the media world when it tapped artificial intelligence to produce surprisingly lucid news stories. But now its human staff is writing a lot of corrections:
https://futurism.com/cnet-ai-articles-label
5) The Third-Party Apps Twitter Just Killed Made The Site What It Is Today
A surprising amount of the Twitter experience came from alternative apps — and now they're gone:
https://www.theverge.com/2023/1/22/23564460/twitter-third-party-apps-history-contributions
6) Do Emojis And Accessibility Work Together?
Living in a mobile-first, digitally-driven world, it's easy to get lost in the glory of our devices. They absorb our attention, speed up our lives and lure us into using shortcuts and pictures, over words and faces. Yes, everyone loves emojis. They're the bite-sized emotion-carrying pictures that can say so much and are increasingly hard to avoid. Thanks to emojis, we've added back the feelings that had been lost in our increasingly non-verbal conversations, and they've literally given a face to our text. But there's a catch. In amongst all that revelry, are you being co-opted into assuming that the messaging shortcuts you're using are interpreted (and seen), the way you intend? Or could they be causing confusion?
https://www.tiny.cloud/blog/emojis-and-accessibility/
7) Braille Valentines for Our Students to Receive | Paths To Literacy
Support sighted classmates in making accessible tactile Valentines with braille for children in inclusive classrooms who are blind, deafblind, or visually impaired:
https://www.pathstoliteracy.org/braille-valentines-our-students-receive/
8) 3 AI-Powered Smart Glasses Giving Sight To The Blind And The Visually-Impaired
AI technology is changing how visually impaired people experience the world. As technology advances, the potential for assistive devices to improve the lives of those with visual impairments is becoming a reality. One area that has seen significant growth in recent years is the development of artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled smart glasses. Integrated with AI technology, these smart glasses can analyze the environment and provide real-time audio cues to the wearer, such as describing the objects around them or reading out text:
https://www.jumpstartmag.com/3-ai-powered-smart-glasses-giving-sight-to-the-blind-and-the-visually-impaired/
9) Home Office Civil Servants 'Told To Stop Using Times New Roman' Font
Publisher: Anyone with a visual impairment knows that serif fonts, of which Times New Roman is their leader, are for more difficult to discern than sans-serif fonts. "A serif is a decorative line or taper added to the beginning and/or end of a letter's stem, which creates small horizontal and vertical planes within a word." So it's nice that the world is finally taking notice. And while I personally like US Secretary Blinken's recommendation of "Calibri" as a sans-serif substitute, I still think that "Roboto" is the clearer choice. What's your favorite font to read in? The Independent: Times New Roman has been outlawed by the Home Office due to it being harder for visually impaired people or those who have difficulty reading to decipher, reports say. It comes days after US secretary of state Antony Blinken hit headlines for telling staff they should ditch the font in favour of adopting “Calibri as the standard,” according to a cable obtained by The Washington Post. But a report in The Telegraph today suggests the UK government department took the decision far in advance of Mr Blinken, advising its civil servants to avoid Times New Roman a year ago:
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/home-office-times-new-roman-b2266970.html
10) 10 Tips for Grandparents of Visually Impaired Children | WonderBaby.org
As grandparents you are an integral part of both your children's and your grandchildren's lives. You're the rock that keeps the family grounded and your help and support is so important. But what can you do when your grandchild is born with a disability? You want to help, but you may not be sure what's the best way to help. Here are some tips to assist you in connecting both with your children and your grandchildren:
https://www.wonderbaby.org/articles/dear-grandparents
11) There Are Blind People Who Live Their Lives Believing They Can See: This Is Anton's Syndrome
The old man entered the office of von Monaco, the most important neurologist in Zurich, which was already in great disarray. He suffered from mobility problems, experienced visual hallucinations for years, and had difficulty finding the exact words he wanted to say. He was 70 years old and had four consecutive medical problems. I was tired. However, the reason for taking him for consultation was new. He hadn't seen her for weeks. For practical purposes, I saw nothing, absolutely nothing; but he thought so:
https://nationworldnews.com/there-are-blind-people-who-live-their-lives-believing-they-can-see-this-is-antons-syndrome/
12) She Is Blind And Has Created An AI Suitcase To Guide Herself Without Using A Cane Or A Dog
Chieko Asakawa, a computer scientist and IBM researcher who lost her sight completely when she was 14 after an accident, together with a group of Japanese researchers, presented in Tokyo on January 26th 2023 an autonomous suitcase that allows you to avoid obstacles with the aim of guiding the blind through the airport without the need for a cane or a guide dog:
https://newsrebeat.com/world-news/138765.html
13) Study Results: Early Detection Of Visual Impairment In Young Children Using A Smartphone-Based Deep Learning System | Nature | Medicine
In this prospective, multicenter, observational study, we developed and validated a smartphone-based system, the Apollo Infant Sight (AIS), to identify visual impairment in young children in real-world settings. AIS was designed to induce a steady gaze in children by using cartoon-like video stimuli and collect videos that capture phenotypic features (facial appearance and ocular movements) for further analysis using deep learning (DL) models with robust quality control design against test noises. We collected more than 25,000,000 frames of videos from 3,652 children using AIS for DL model training and testing. We evaluated the system for detecting visual impairment caused by any of 16 ophthalmic disorders in five clinics at different institutions. Furthermore, we validated this system under different conditions with various test noise levels or ambient interference presented in real-world settings. We also evaluated AIS used by untrained parents or caregivers at home to test its wider applicability. This preliminary study indicates that AIS shows potential for early detection of visual impairment in young children in both clinical and community settings:
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-022-02180-9
14) Cane And Able Fitness Is Making The Gym Less Intimidating For People With Visual Impairments | Shape
Plus, the most important exercises for people with visual impairments to add to their workout routine:
https://www.shape.com/cane-able-fitness-visual-impairment-tips-7095921
15) Visually Impaired Pilates Instructor Defies The Fitness Norm
Ann Ramos has been teaching fitness for 25 years, despite having a visual disability. She teaches Pilates through thorough cues:
https://www.9news.com/article/sports/fair-game/visually-impaired-woman-teaches-pilates/73-99f0ca37-bbfa-44c3-bb4b-4999cf9564c2
16) CVI Learning Videos | Paths To Literacy
Explore videos that provide simple, plain backgrounds, and music for children with Cortical/Cerebral Vision Impairment (CVI):
https://www.pathstoliteracy.org/cvi-learning-videos/
17) Advocating Always: A Request for the Wheatley Tactile Diagramming Kit | APH CareerConnect Blog | Alexis Read
Imagine that you are assigned to an unfamiliar school for your student-teaching placement. Your vocational rehabilitation counselor has purchased the Picture Maker: Wheatley Tactile Diagramming Kit for your use in learning routes in the school and new community because he understands the benefit of this tool. Now imagine that you meet your new orientation and mobility (O&M) instructor and show him this tool. You ask him to make a tactile map of the targeted indoor routes. He has worked as a mobility instructor for many years. He says, "I'm teaching you to survive without the use of tactile maps:"
https://aphcareerconnect.org/blog/careerconnect-blog/advocating-always-a-request-for-the-wheatley-tactile-diagramming-kit/
18) AFB Announces The 2023 Helen Keller Achievement Award Recipients
The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) has announced the two honorees who will receive the prestigious Helen Keller Achievement Award at a special event on April 19, 2023, at the Crystal City Hyatt Regency in Arlington, Virginia:
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/afb-announces-the-2023-helen-keller-achievement-award-recipients-301730371.html
19) How An App Is Helping Low Vision People Navigate Life Better | BBC News | YouTube
From ordering off detailed menus to looking at complex images, people with low vision can come up against hurdles navigating the everyday. The Rebokeh app has been designed for those with a visual impairment to differentiate images or read far away text better. It uses customizable smartphone camera filters that users can change to suit their own visual impairment, that can make images brighter, or alter color contrast. Rebecca Rosenberg, CEO and founder of ReBokeh, who has albinism herself, said: "For a lot of people it is the difference between being able to read a menu at Starbucks or McDonalds when it is up in the back and needing to ask someone else for help". This film is from Click — the BBC's weekly technology show:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwJvlKEDmdA
20) Legally Blind Chef Donates Electronic Glasses To Visually Impaired Teens In Chicago Area
Chef Charlie Doman said he got choked up watching visually impaired teens try out their new electronic glasses for the first time. The giveaway and device training event took place in the dining room of the restaurant where he works, Moe Joe's Cajun Restaurant in Plainfield, Illinois:
https://abc7chicago.com/plainfield-il-moe-joes-restaurant-near-me-iris-vision/12728441/
21) Visually Impaired Mountaineer's Tall Task More Than Overcoming World's Highest Peaks
Twenty-six months after the near-death accident that stole 70 per cent of her vision, Jill Wheatley anxiously adjusted to a new reality where her autonomy was slipping away. "Those 26 months in hospitals and so much darkness, that was not a choice, but now I'm choosing to put myself in these situations where I'm being challenged physically and mentally. I've been through worse, not by choice:"
https://www.rmotoday.com/local-sports/visually-impaired-mountaineers-tall-task-more-than-overcoming-worlds-highest-peaks-6396804
22) biped: The Venture Leader Mobile Providing Smart Navigation For The Blind And Visually Impaired
Meet Mael Fabien, CEO of biped and Venture Leader Mobile 2023. biped's technology helps blind and visually impaired people avoid obstacles and anticipate collisions, ultimately bringing them stress-free daily navigation. Fabien and the other members of the Swiss National Mobile Team will head to the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona at the end of February:
https://www.venturelab.swiss/biped-The-Venture-Leader-Mobile-providing-smart-navigation-for-the-blind-and-visually-impaired
23) Bridging Back to Build Up | Paths To Literacy
This team is using a bridge back plan for a student who is deafblind with an anticipation calendar system while training new staff and allowing a student time and space to rebuild skills:
https://www.pathstoliteracy.org/bridging-back-to-build-up/
24) For Visually Impaired Children, Beeping Eggs Make Easter Egg Hunting A Joy
Sponsors are needed for this years Beeping Eggstravaganza, which allows visually impaired children to enjoying hunting Easter eggs. Here's how you can get involved:
https://www.kiiitv.com/video/entertainment/events/for-visually-impaired-children-beeping-eggs-make-easter-egg-hunting-a-joy/503-1dc24e06-8580-4a29-b452-dbe95505d7dd
25) More Than 35 Years Of Bringing Print News To Blind And Visually Impaired | Niagara Frontier Radio Reading Service
Long before text to speech was available, the Niagara Frontier Radio Reading Service brought the news to those who are blind or visually impaired over the radio with the help of dedicated volunteers who read directly from printed sources. For more than 35 years, people throughout the regions of Western Pennsylvania, Western New York, and Southern Ontario (Canada) have read newspapers, books, magazines, and other printed materials for people who are blind or cannot read for any reason:
https://www.bradfordera.com/news/more-than-35-years-of-bringing-print-news-to-blind-and-visually-impaired/article_b246b4f1-815e-587f-a909-ab9e7e42f8b1.html
26) How Jerusalem Became the First Accessible UNESCO World Heritage City
Given the city's age and popularity, Jerusalem has been implementing significant structural changes on a wide scale over the last decade to ensure that it's brought to the modern era. While some of the updates to the Old City's infrastructure have been beneficial to all (including adding signs highlighting historical or archeological findings and installing garbage collection points in the main tourist areas), a few local organizations have been steadfastly working to make it more accessible to everyone who finds themselves in The Holy City — to people with mobility issues, those who are visually impaired, even families with strollers:
https://www.tripsavvy.com/jerusalem-unesco-world-heritage-accessibility-6502147
27) FMLS Introduces New Technology To Assist Blind & Visually Impaired Individuals Access To Listings In Georgia And Beyond
Fourth largest MLS in the Country Inks Statewide Exclusive with PropTech Partner Lundy, Inc. to share listing info via Amazon's Alexa app:
https://www.einnews.com/pr_news/612424431/fmls-introduces-new-technology-to-assist-blind-visually-impaired-individuals-access-to-listings-in-georgia-and-beyond
28) First MLS Launches Alexa-Based Property-Search Engine For The Visually Impaired
First MLS launched a voice-activated property-search engine on Amazon's Alexa app to help blind and visually impaired people search for homes. The Finding Homes service, which works on any Alexa-equipped smart phone, allows people to access FMLS real estate listings. Homebuyers can ask Alexa questions like, "Provide property details of 111 Main St. in Atlanta," or "How large is the lot?" FMLS said, noting that the listings are then delivered in complete sentences using the voice of Alexa:
https://atlantaagentmagazine.com/2023/01/24/first-mls-launches-alexa-based-property-search-engine-for-the-visually-impaired/
29) 'Revolutionary': Remembering John Boyer, A Pioneer For The Deaf And Blind In Computer Science
Where the likes of Louis Braille and Abraham Nemeth made it possible for the blind to read and perform mathematics, John Boyer took it a step further. Boyer, a Madison resident who was pivotal in the development of STEM reading material for the blind, died on Jan. 17 from a bout of pneumonia. He was 86. Born in rural Minnesota without the ability to see, Boyer eventually lost his hearing from infection as a boy. From the 1960s onward, Boyer excelled as a computer programmer, a pioneer in a field then barely understood by the general public let alone widely accessible to the blind. Through Boyer's work, people who had lost their sight had greater access to science, technology, engineering and math literature:
https://madison.com/news/local/revolutionary-remembering-john-boyer-a-pioneer-for-the-deaf-and-blind-in-computer-science/article_0a30a3cb-4bcf-513f-8af9-c01c8e6fef6f.html
30) How “Ski For Light” Helps The Visually And Physically Impaired Have A Great Time On The Slopes
Monday, January 23rd 2023 was the first of the four-day-long Black Hills Ski for Light event in Rapid City, South Dakota. Ski for Light is an international organization that provides adaptive ski equipment for people with physical impairments:
https://www.newscenter1.tv/how-ski-for-light-helps-the-visually-and-physically-impaired-have-a-great-time-on-the-slopes/
31) UArizona's New Project Compass To Recruit More Special Education Teachers
The University of Arizona is introducing a new program designed to increase the number of teachers serving K-12 students with visual impairments:
https://www.kgun9.com/news/local-news/uarizonas-new-project-compass-to-recruit-more-special-education-teachers
32) Notre Dame College Class Action Claims Website Inaccessible To Blind, Visually Impaired
Plaintiff James Murphy claims Notre Dame's website was not designed in a way that makes it independently usable for individuals who are blind or visually impaired:
https://topclassactions.com/disability-class-action-lawsuit/notre-dame-college-class-action-claims-website-inaccessible-to-blind-visually-impaired/
33) What's Cooking Group | Hadley
4th Wednesday of Every Month, 4pm Central Time. Love to cook? Join your fellow Hadley home cooks as we explore cooking tips, tricks, and fun things to try. Share your favorite recipes, gadgets, and helpful hacks for cooking with a visual impairment:
https://hadley.edu/discussion-groups/whats-cooking
34) Songs to Celebrate Braille Literacy | APH
Let's make some noise for braille literacy with sing-a-longs that raise awareness about braille! Family members make great band members so get together and jam to these fun tunes:
https://www.aph.org/songs-to-celebrate-braille-literacy/
➜ Featured Webinars, Training Courses and Events
Submit your access information related Webinar, Training Course or Event for consideration within this section using this form: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-event or locate "Webinar / Training Course Submission Form" within the main menu of the Access Information News website.
January 31st 2023 | Ask Sharky: Three Reasons to Use BrailleIn | Freedom Scientific
7AM PT, 8AM MT, 9AM CT, 10AM ET, 3PM GMT
Learn how to control your computer using your braille display and the BrailleIn feature. This event takes place on the Zoom conferencing platform and Clubhouse. Join via Zoom or download the Clubhouse app from the 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
January 31st 2023 | A Beginner's Guide to Inclusive UX Design | TPGi
9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 5PM GMT
Presenters: David Sloan, UX Practice Manager, and David Swallow, Principal UX Consultant. Digital channels provide an opportunity for you to effectively reach and grow your target audience, communicate with them, provide information, build brand relationships, and enable transactions. The related concepts of usability and accessibility address the importance of removing barriers to efficient, effective, and enjoyable digital interactions for all users, including users with disabilities. When barriers are present, we risk brand damage, losing our audience to competitors, and potentially unlawful discrimination against people with disabilities. Accessibility is often left to developers to deal with, but what can people who don't have coding expertise do to ensure usable and accessible digital experiences? In this webinar, accessibility and user experience specialists David Swallow and David Sloan will address that question. We'll make the argument that a focus on the needs of people with disabilities can help deliver better user experiences for everyone. We'll define key concepts of usability, accessibility and inclusive design, and provide practical tips that everyone, regardless of their role, can apply to make digital experiences more accessible and usable. Register:
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-january-31-at-12pm-et-a-beginners-guide-to-inclusive-ux-design/
February 1st 2023 | Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 5: School Aged Numeracy | APH
8AM PT, 9AM MT, 10AM CT, 11AM ET, 4PM GMT
| Using LEGO Braille Bricks to do math: let's discover some of the many uses of these little bricks to develop numerical and geometry skills, understand symmetry, and much more:
https://www.aph.org/lego-braille-bricks-live-sessions/
February 7th 2023 | Health Care Decision Making, Advance Directives, and the MOLST Form | Zoom | For Residents of Maryland
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 6PM GMT
This presentation will provide general guidance and information regarding the process of making health care decisions, including how the Health Care Decisions Act, advance directives, and the Maryland MOLST form are used to carry out patients' health care decisions. Presenter: Paul J. Ballard, Assistant Attorney General, Counsel for Health Decisions Policy:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEtduiupjgoHNAfbDpQ8iBOvnRoNuBlCYrG
February 8th 2023 | Procedural Safeguards and Parental Rights: New Webinar Series with Karen Mayer Cunningham | APH FamilyConnect
4PM PT, 5PM MT, 6PM CT, 7PM ET, 12AM GMT on 1/26
This fall, we were pleased to partner with Karen Mayer Cunningham to present two webinar series. Navigating and Negotiating Successful IEP and 504 Outcomes and Ask the Advocate provided information to parents, professionals, and school-based members. Participants had the opportunity to learn more about the IEP and 504 processes as well as the opportunity to ask specific questions about their child's IEPs. These two series have been highly attended, and we have received requests for more content from Karen Mayer Cunningham, the self-proclaimed “Special Education Boss”. The positive feedback and need for more content to support parents and professionals leads to the next series of webinars. We are excited to offer the next series to continue to support parents and professionals. Procedural Safeguards: Procedural Safeguards are handed out, and many don't have a full understanding of the document. Procedural Safeguards and Rights are in place for parents and individuals with a disability between the ages of 3 to 22. Unfortunately, most parents are only asked by school-based members if they “received” their copy of the procedural rights, and would they please sign in receipt of them. While that checks a box for the school, it in no way equips the families with a knowledge of their rights and protection, nor indicates the school's legal obligation. This series will identify your rights and the difference between procedural and substantive requirements. Join the APH ConnectCenter and Karen Mayer Cunningham as we dive into Procedural Safeguards and Parental Rights. Learn more: We hope you will join the 6-part webinar series to further your knowledge and understanding of the Procedural Safeguards and Parental Rights. Join us at 7:00 pm EST on 1/11, 1/25, 2/8, 2/22, 3/8, and 3/22. Register here:
https://familyconnect.org/blog/familyconnect-blog/procedural-safeguards-and-parental-rights-new-webinar-series-with-karen-mayer-cunningham/
February 9th 2023 and February 10th 2023 | Second Annual 2023 ATHEN Virtual STEM Accessibility Conference: Acc3ss N0w!
ATHEN is hosting the Second Annual "2023 ATHEN Virtual STEM Accessibility Conference: Acc3ss N0w!" on February 9th and 10th 2023. Registration is free for ATHEN and AHEAD members, and low cost for non-members. Conference Details, Dates, Registration and Cost:
https://athenpro.org/content/athen-virtual-conference
February 11th 2023 | Maryland Accessible Telecommunications | Technology User Group | Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled (LBPD)
7AM PT, 8AM MT, 9AM CT, 10AM ET, 3PM GMT
Formerly Maryland Relay, this state resource can help clients acquire cell phones, TTY equipment, and other communication devices. The application process is easy and highly encouraged. Learn about all of the programs offered and how you can benefit. All events are currently being held via teleconference until further notice. No programs will be held in person. Please dial (319) 527-4994 📱️ at 10:00 AM ET. For more information about the Technology User Group or to recommend a topic / technology for discussion, please contact: Jerry Price at (410) 230-2446 📱️ or via email jerry.price1@maryland.gov 📧️
February 14th 2023 | Exploring New Accessibility Frontiers with TPGi and the W3C
9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 5PM GMT
Presenter: Matthew Atkinson, TPGi's Principal Accessibility Engineer, and W3C's Accessible Platform Architectures working group co-chair. Several of TPGi's accessibility experts work alongside many others from across industry and academia to further accessibility through the work of the W3C. There's a range of transformative and evolutionary work being done right now, thanks to a collaboration between different groups and organizations. Join Matthew Atkinson, co-chair of the W3C's Accessible Platform Architectures working group, for an overview of a few key strands of exploration and development. Topics to be covered include affording symbol users access to web content, ensuring the Web of Things is accessible to all, and making collaborative authoring accessible. Register:
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-february-14-at-12pm-et-exploring-new-accessibility-frontiers-with-tpgi-and-the-w3c/
February 15th 2023 | Giving Up Your Car Keys Is Not The End Of Your Independence | NFB of Maryland Senior Call
4PM PT, 5PM MT, 6PM CT, 7PM ET, 12AM GMT on 2/16
Presented by National Federation of the Blind (NFB) of Maryland Senior Division. Please join our conversation to explore the emotional decision to give up driving. Discover how to manage your life when you are no longer the one behind the wheel. When: February 15, 2023 from 7:00 to 8:30 PM ET. Where: NFB of Maryland Conference Call at (339) 209-4083 📱️. All are welcome! For more information about this event or the NFB of Maryland Senior Division please contact Marguerite Woods at (443) 271-1668 📱️ or mwoods719@gmail.com 📧️.
February 20th 2023 | Project INSPIRE: Spring 2023 | Paths To Literacy | 6 Course Offering | Deadline To Register: February 17th 2023
Project INSPIRE will be offering six courses. This includes a new course, Nemeth Code Symbols Used in High School and Strategies for Supporting Math Learning. We are offering the opportunity for you to take ONE of the courses. You may choose from the following courses:
https://www.pathstoliteracy.org/project-inspire-spring-2023/
February 22nd 2023 | Procedural Safeguards and Parental Rights: New Webinar Series with Karen Mayer Cunningham | APH FamilyConnect
4PM PT, 5PM MT, 6PM CT, 7PM ET, 12AM GMT on 1/26
This fall, we were pleased to partner with Karen Mayer Cunningham to present two webinar series. Navigating and Negotiating Successful IEP and 504 Outcomes and Ask the Advocate provided information to parents, professionals, and school-based members. Participants had the opportunity to learn more about the IEP and 504 processes as well as the opportunity to ask specific questions about their child's IEPs. These two series have been highly attended, and we have received requests for more content from Karen Mayer Cunningham, the self-proclaimed “Special Education Boss”. The positive feedback and need for more content to support parents and professionals leads to the next series of webinars. We are excited to offer the next series to continue to support parents and professionals. Procedural Safeguards: Procedural Safeguards are handed out, and many don't have a full understanding of the document. Procedural Safeguards and Rights are in place for parents and individuals with a disability between the ages of 3 to 22. Unfortunately, most parents are only asked by school-based members if they “received” their copy of the procedural rights, and would they please sign in receipt of them. While that checks a box for the school, it in no way equips the families with a knowledge of their rights and protection, nor indicates the school's legal obligation. This series will identify your rights and the difference between procedural and substantive requirements. Join the APH ConnectCenter and Karen Mayer Cunningham as we dive into Procedural Safeguards and Parental Rights. Learn more: We hope you will join the 6-part webinar series to further your knowledge and understanding of the Procedural Safeguards and Parental Rights. Join us at 7:00 pm EST on 1/11, 1/25, 2/8, 2/22, 3/8, and 3/22. Register here:
https://familyconnect.org/blog/familyconnect-blog/procedural-safeguards-and-parental-rights-new-webinar-series-with-karen-mayer-cunningham/
February 27th 2023 to March 2nd 2023 | Apply By January 23rd 2023 | Accessible Customer-Centered Communications Workshop | NSITE & Baker Communications, Inc. In Partnership
NSITE, the first organization to provide a continuum of employment services for individuals who are blind or face vision loss, has partnered with one of the leading sales training providers, Baker Communications Inc. (BCI), to offer a virtual instructor-led delivery of their Customer-Centered Communications workshop. This highly engaging and participatory accessible workshop, delivered over four consecutive days (four hours per session), covers a comprehensive six-part system of organized customer communications and selling. After the program, participants will be able to build greater trust with customers, deliver specific customer outcomes effectively, and achieve world-class customer service and sales performance. All NSITE programs are adapted for the learning styles of blind and low-vision learners. Therefore, qualified applicants who are blind or have low vision receive enrollment preference in case classes fill up. Program runs February 27 to March 2, 2023. Apply by January 23rd 2023:
https://bit.ly/NSITE-CCC
February 28th 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group
5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 1AM 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
March 6th 2023 | Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 6: Daily Living Activities | APH
8AM PT, 9AM MT, 10AM CT, 11AM ET, 4PM GMT
Let's explore daily-living activities using LEGO Braille Bricks and share our best practices, experiences, tips:
https://www.aph.org/lego-braille-bricks-live-sessions/
March 8th 2023 | Procedural Safeguards and Parental Rights: New Webinar Series with Karen Mayer Cunningham | APH FamilyConnect
4PM PT, 5PM MT, 6PM CT, 7PM ET, 12AM GMT on 1/26
This fall, we were pleased to partner with Karen Mayer Cunningham to present two webinar series. Navigating and Negotiating Successful IEP and 504 Outcomes and Ask the Advocate provided information to parents, professionals, and school-based members. Participants had the opportunity to learn more about the IEP and 504 processes as well as the opportunity to ask specific questions about their child's IEPs. These two series have been highly attended, and we have received requests for more content from Karen Mayer Cunningham, the self-proclaimed “Special Education Boss”. The positive feedback and need for more content to support parents and professionals leads to the next series of webinars. We are excited to offer the next series to continue to support parents and professionals. Procedural Safeguards: Procedural Safeguards are handed out, and many don't have a full understanding of the document. Procedural Safeguards and Rights are in place for parents and individuals with a disability between the ages of 3 to 22. Unfortunately, most parents are only asked by school-based members if they “received” their copy of the procedural rights, and would they please sign in receipt of them. While that checks a box for the school, it in no way equips the families with a knowledge of their rights and protection, nor indicates the school's legal obligation. This series will identify your rights and the difference between procedural and substantive requirements. Join the APH ConnectCenter and Karen Mayer Cunningham as we dive into Procedural Safeguards and Parental Rights. Learn more: We hope you will join the 6-part webinar series to further your knowledge and understanding of the Procedural Safeguards and Parental Rights. Join us at 7:00 pm EST on 1/11, 1/25, 2/8, 2/22, 3/8, and 3/22. Register here:
https://familyconnect.org/blog/familyconnect-blog/procedural-safeguards-and-parental-rights-new-webinar-series-with-karen-mayer-cunningham/
March 11th 2023 | Using Garage Band App to Create a Song | Technology User Group | Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled (LBPD)
7AM PT, 8AM MT, 9AM CT, 10AM ET, 3PM GMT
You have seen this app on your iDevice, and maybe you have even opened it once or twice. In this presentation, you will learn how to create a song from scratch and how to make modifications. All events are currently being held via teleconference until further notice. No programs will be held in person. Please dial (319) 527-4994 📱️ at 10:00 AM ET. For more information about the Technology User Group or to recommend a topic / technology for discussion, please contact: Jerry Price at (410) 230-2446 📱️ or via email jerry.price1@maryland.gov 📧️
March 13th 2023 through March 17th 2023 | 2023 38th Annual CSUN Assistive Technology Conference
Welcome. Whether you have been attending the conference for years or are planning to attend your first, the CSUN Assistive Technology Conference, also known as the CSUN Conference, is the ultimate community experience and the premier forum on technology for all persons with disabilities. For over 37 years, California State University, Northridge's Center on Disabilities has sponsored the conference, providing a platform for researchers, practitioners, educators, exhibitors and more from around the world, where they can share knowledge, innovations, and best practices to promote inclusion for all. Building on the momentum from the 2022 conference, exciting new plans are in the works to enhance the conference experience. We encourage you to join us in Anaheim, California in 2023, where attendees can attend Pre-Conference Workshops, the yearly Keynote Address, Featured Presentations, General Sessions, Sponsor Showcase Suites and the Exhibit Hall. We also continue developing new programming to build community and networking opportunities. Check back often or follow us on social media for the latest updates, details, and deadlines. For information on sponsor or exhibitor opportunities, please visit our Opportunities page or email us at conference@csun.edu 📧️. We can't wait until the CSUN Conference community is back together to learn, share and connect:
https://www.csun.edu/cod/conference/sessions/
March 15th 2023 and March 16th 2023 | 2023 3rd Annual Axe-Con | Building Accessible Experiences | The World's Largest Digital Accessibility Conference
Deque Systems, the trusted leader in digital accessibility, has announced the third annual axe-con conference will return on March 15-16th, 2023. With the success of axe-con over the past two years, Deque will continue to host the conference as a free virtual event again next year. Axe-con is an open and inclusive digital accessibility conference that welcomes developers, designers, business users, and accessibility professionals of all experience levels to a new kind of accessibility conference focused on building, testing, and maintaining accessible digital experiences:
https://www.deque.com/blog/save-the-date-for-axe-con-2023/
March 21st 2023 and March 22nd 2023 | Multiple Perspectives 2023 | Americans With Disabilities Act Multiple Perspectives On Access, Inclusion, & Disability Conference | Ohio State University
"It is time to move beyond the letter of the law to the spirit of the law; to shift our focus from redressing human and environmental problems through remedial design to preventing problems through holistic design." -Leslie Kanes Weisman. As a modern land grant university, an important part of Ohio State University's mission is outreach and engagement, serving the community through a variety of activities. During the tenth anniversary year of the Americans With Disabilities Act the Multiple Perspectives On Access, Inclusion And Disability conference was created to help fulfill this mission. In short, the goal of the conference is to encourage the kind of change suggested by Leslie Kanes Weisman in the opening quote. It is hoped that the annual conference will serve as a catalyst for positive change and a springboard for collaborations with our partners in education, business, public, and social service. Each year a series of workshops will provide a forum for individuals and organizations to expand their knowledge and perspectives, and an opportunity to increase community resources through the synergy of collaboration. The workshops are designed to bring a diverse audience together to discuss the full spectrum of disability issues and experiences. To ensure broad participation from the university community, business, state and local government, educators, advocacy organizations, social service agencies, and individuals with disabilities sponsors are sought each year to subsidize conference participants. Register:
https://ada.osu.edu/ada-conference
March 22nd 2023 | Procedural Safeguards and Parental Rights: New Webinar Series with Karen Mayer Cunningham | APH FamilyConnect
4PM PT, 5PM MT, 6PM CT, 7PM ET, 12AM GMT on 1/26
This fall, we were pleased to partner with Karen Mayer Cunningham to present two webinar series. Navigating and Negotiating Successful IEP and 504 Outcomes and Ask the Advocate provided information to parents, professionals, and school-based members. Participants had the opportunity to learn more about the IEP and 504 processes as well as the opportunity to ask specific questions about their child's IEPs. These two series have been highly attended, and we have received requests for more content from Karen Mayer Cunningham, the self-proclaimed “Special Education Boss”. The positive feedback and need for more content to support parents and professionals leads to the next series of webinars. We are excited to offer the next series to continue to support parents and professionals. Procedural Safeguards: Procedural Safeguards are handed out, and many don't have a full understanding of the document. Procedural Safeguards and Rights are in place for parents and individuals with a disability between the ages of 3 to 22. Unfortunately, most parents are only asked by school-based members if they “received” their copy of the procedural rights, and would they please sign in receipt of them. While that checks a box for the school, it in no way equips the families with a knowledge of their rights and protection, nor indicates the school's legal obligation. This series will identify your rights and the difference between procedural and substantive requirements. Join the APH ConnectCenter and Karen Mayer Cunningham as we dive into Procedural Safeguards and Parental Rights. Learn more: We hope you will join the 6-part webinar series to further your knowledge and understanding of the Procedural Safeguards and Parental Rights. Join us at 7:00 pm EST on 1/11, 1/25, 2/8, 2/22, 3/8, and 3/22. Register here:
https://familyconnect.org/blog/familyconnect-blog/procedural-safeguards-and-parental-rights-new-webinar-series-with-karen-mayer-cunningham/
March 28th 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group
5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 1AM 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
April 5th 2023 | Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 7: Music | APH
8AM PT, 9AM MT, 10AM CT, 11AM ET, 4PM GMT
Let's discover together how to make music with these famous bricks! Come and share your creative ideas:
https://www.aph.org/lego-braille-bricks-live-sessions/
April 8th 2023 | How To Upgrade To Windows 11 | Technology User Group | Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled (LBPD)
7AM PT, 8AM MT, 9AM CT, 10AM ET, 3PM GMT
This operating system has been around for a while, and people champion its security strengths and applications. Should you upgrade, and what is that process? All events are currently being held via teleconference until further notice. No programs will be held in person. Please dial (319) 527-4994 📱️ at 10:00 AM ET. For more information about the Technology User Group or to recommend a topic / technology for discussion, please contact: Jerry Price at (410) 230-2446 📱️ or via email jerry.price1@maryland.gov 📧️
April 25th 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group
5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 1AM 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
May 3rd 2023 | Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 8: STEM | APH
8AM PT, 9AM MT, 10AM CT, 11AM ET, 4PM GMT
Have you ever thought of doing science, computing, or technology with LEGO Braille Bricks? Expert guests will join us for an amazing session:
https://www.aph.org/lego-braille-bricks-live-sessions/
May 13th 2023 | Travel Tools and Apps | Technology User Group | Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled (LBPD)
7AM PT, 8AM MT, 9AM CT, 10AM ET, 3PM GMT
Whether you are traveling to another city, state or country, we will look at tools and resources that will help you get the most assistance for your venture. All events are currently being held via teleconference until further notice. No programs will be held in person. Please dial (319) 527-4994 📱️ at 10:00 AM ET. For more information about the Technology User Group or to recommend a topic / technology for discussion, please contact: Jerry Price at (410) 230-2446 📱️ or via email jerry.price1@maryland.gov 📧️
June 2nd 2023 | ATHEN Sixth Annual Accessibility Summer Camp 2023
6AM PT, 7AM MT, 8AM CT, 9AM ET, 2PM GMT
We would love for you to share your accessibility knowledge during our sixth annual Accessibility Summer Camp 2023! As in former years, this virtual conference is FREE for all attendees. This year's ASC event will take place on Friday, June 2, 2023, from 8:00-4:00 CST. As a conference participant you will be able to attend sessions and engage in valuable networking with like-minded professionals. We are soliciting presentations from all experience levels and backgrounds, so please visit the ASC Conference Home Page for more information and to submit a proposal. The session proposal deadline is Friday, February 17th, 2023. What is Accessibility Summer Camp (ASC)? The Accessibility Summer Camp is a FREE annual conference with the goal of connecting professionals and educators with best practices in accessibility and Universal Design. Over the past few years, the ASC conference has grown to become one of the most popular accessibility conferences in the country. Our mission is to provide accessibility professional development that empowers attendees to create high quality, accessible learning environments while removing barriers for all individuals who have a desire to learn:
https://www.accessibilityict.org/
May 23rd 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group
5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 1AM 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
June 7th 2023 | Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 9: Orientation & Mobility | APH
8AM PT, 9AM MT, 10AM CT, 11AM ET, 4PM GMT
LEGO bricks to build plans, visualize routes, it's not new! But with LEGO Braille Bricks you can also create labels, add letters, words... Then it becomes really great:
https://www.aph.org/lego-braille-bricks-live-sessions/
June 27th 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group
5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 1AM 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
July 25th 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group
5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 1AM 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
August 22nd 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group
5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 1AM 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 26th 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group
5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 1AM 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
October 24th 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group
5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 1AM 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 28th 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group
5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 1AM 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
December 26th 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group
5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 1AM 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
➜ Directories
1) Access Information Email Newsletter Directory
https://www.accessinformationnews.com/email-newsletter-directory.html
Access Information News Sponsor Classified Ads:
Sponsor: Pneuma Solutions
➜ Classified Advertisement: Finally! Holding Businesses Accountable
Those who need accessibility accommodations aren't strangers to jumping in with self-advocacy to achieve it. But, what about the rest of us? When explaining the benefits of a reasonable accommodation to one's place of work or school. This is where our self-advocacy kits come in. Pneuma has written up customizable email templates you can modify according to your situation. We cover a variety of different advocacy scenarios. Simply choose your scenario, answer a few simple questions, adapt the language, address it to the right person, and submit it! Self-advocacy has never been easier:
https://pneumasolutions.com/finally-holding-businesses-accountable/
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: 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: Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc.
Sponsor Since: December 29th 2022
Website: https://lhblind.org/ 🌐️
Phone: (800) 914-7307 📱️
Fax: (206) 329-3397 ░
Contact Us: https://lhblind.org/contact-us/
About: The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. is a private, not-for-profit social enterprise providing employment, support, and training opportunities for people who are blind, DeafBlind, and blind with other disabilities. The Lighthouse has provided employment and support to people who are blind in our community since 1918.
The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. is a successful manufacturing organization with over 60 years of experience in precision machining. We produce an array of machined parts and plastic injection molding for various aerospace manufacturers, as well as a host of office products and hydration equipment sold to the Federal Government and the U.S. Military. We also own and operate stores on military bases along the West Coast. Our products and services include:
• Manufacturing: We are a successful manufacturing organization committed to making jobs accessible to individuals who are blind. Our manufacturing operations center on making quality products for the Federal Government under the AbilityOne Program and producing parts for aerospace manufacturers.
• Managed Services: The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. offers a variety of services to our commercial, federal, and military customers. These include Contract Management Support (CMS) services for government contracting offices.
• Base Supply Centers: We operate 12 AbilityOne Base Supply Centers (BSCs) that offer easy customer access to Lighthouse products, direct feedback and communication with customers, and employment opportunities for individuals who are blind in geographic areas not served by larger nonprofit agencies.
Sponsor: Access Ready, Inc.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Seeks Your Support at the Public Policy Level
Moving the public policy needle is both difficult and costly. Access Ready has one of the most experienced teams in the business who have shown results. We have fostered Congressional language on accessible websites, elections, healthcare, communications, and other areas touched by information and communications technologies. These efforts are costly and we need your help to continue. Become an Access Ready supporter and create an accessible future for people with disabilities:
https://accessready.org/
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.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Provides Access To The Best In The Business
If you need assistance with a new accessible website, document remediation or disability consulting of other kinds, Access Ready can help. We seek out the best in the business and bring them to you already vetted as to quality, professionalism and ability. By going through AccessReady.org to one of our qualified providers, you're not only getting the best, but supporting our advocacy and technological development efforts as well:
https://accessready.org/
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.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Seeks Guidance On New Accessible Technologies
What Technologies do you see in the market that are not accessible, but should be? What accessible technologies can you imagine that can make the lives of people with all kinds of disabilities better? We will advocate with developers to make existing technologies accessible on your behalf. We will advocate with developers to build new accessible technologies on your behalf. Give us your guidance and support. Your guidance charts our path toward what is most important. Your support funds our efforts on your behalf:
https://accessready.org/
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.
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The APH ConnectCenter and NSITE have partnered to update the Job Seeker's Toolkit, an accessible, self-paced, free online training course. The Toolkit includes five sections covering self-awareness, career exploration tools, the preliminary employment process, the interview, and maintaining employment. We are bringing the Job Seeker's Toolkit to a larger audience and in a Learning Management System format for today's learners, at no cost. Visit APHCareerConnect.org to get started with the Job Seekers Toolkit today at:
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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.
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No matter when, where or who, the Menus4ALL iPhone app gives you the info you need quickly. No more multiple Google searches to research menus before going out. Info is organized to give you quick access to what you are looking for — the menu! Optimized to give you the best viewing experience. No more struggling to see small print, or looking at a menu in a dimly lit restaurant. Do you use magnification, large print, VoiceOver, a braille display or Voice Control? Enjoy 750,000 fully accessible menus. Download the app today at:
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About: 750,000 Accessible Restaurant Menus. On your iPhone ® in the palm of your hand.
Yes, that's not a typo. The Menus4ALL iPhone app offers 500,000 accessible menus in the United States and 250,000 accessible menus in Canada.
Wherever you are and whenever you want The Menus4ALL iPhone app is the largest network of restaurant menus in one place and all of the menus are fully accessible.
Perfect for when you are out running errands and want to know what restaurants are near your current location. Great for planning a night out with friends. Favorite menus that you want to look at later or when you know you are going back for that amazing dish.
Download The App (Apple): https://apps.apple.com/us/app/menus4all/id1640547801?platform=iphone
Sponsor: WayAround
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Get all the different types of WayTags so you can try the BEST accessible labeling system around. Use the coupon code TryTags to get a WayTag Sampler Pack for just $9.99. Plus, you get FREE shipping. Use the WayTags along with the free mobile app to label your things with a description and other important details, so you can spend less time figuring out what things are, and more time getting things done.
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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
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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.
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Access Information News for Monday, January 23, 2023 - Volume 894
Access Information News for Monday, January 23, 2023 - Volume 894
The Week's News in Access Information
https://accessinformationnews.com/
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: 10,755 Opt-In Subscribers were sent this issue via email.
This Week's Featured Advertisement: Join Industry Leaders And Begin Reaching Over 15,000 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:
This issue made possible by Sponsorship support from Pneuma Solutions, WayAround, Menus4ALL, APH ConnectCenter, Access Ready, Inc., The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. and Clusiv. Learn more about Sponsorship today at: https://accessinformationnews.com/sponsor.
Dear Access Information News Subscriber,
Submit your access information news item for consideration within this section using this form: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-news or locate "News Item Submission Form" within the main menu of the Access Information News website.
1) Top 5 Most Clicked Access Information News Articles From Last Week
A.) How Visually Impaired People Ease Social Awkwardness (4.7% of all clicks.)
A study highlights the range of uncomfortable situations people living with blindness or visual impairment encounter due to interpersonal communication challenges:
https://goodmenproject.com/featured-content/how-visually-impaired-people-ease-social-awkwardness/
B.) Estee Lauder's New App Helps Visually Impaired Users Apply Makeup | Vogue (4.2% of all clicks.)
The first-of-its-kind Voice-enabled Makeup Assistant uses AR and AI to analyze the makeup on a user's face and suggests audio feedback on which areas need to be touched up or blended:
https://www.voguebusiness.com/beauty/estee-lauders-new-app-helps-visually-impaired-users-apply-makeup
C.) New Treatment For Hereditary Blindness Possible Using Nanoparticles And mRNA (4.1% of all clicks.)
Scientists from the Oregon State University College of Pharmacy have demonstrated in animal models the possibility of using lipid nanoparticles and messenger RNA, the technology underpinning COVID-19 vaccines, to treat blindness associated with a rare genetic condition:
https://scitechdaily.com/new-treatment-for-hereditary-blindness-possible-using-nanoparticles-and-mrna/
D.) Top 10 Accessibility News Articles of 2022 | Equal Entry (3.9% of all clicks.)
We scoured many news announcements to find the most talked about accessibility news of 2022. We made a list. Checked it twice. Put it all into a form for you to decide. Here are the Top 10 Accessibility News Articles of 2022 starting with Number 10:
https://equalentry.com/top-10-accessibility-news-of-2022/
E.) A World First From Papara: Voice Card For Visually Impaired Users (2.8% of all clicks.)
Papara, the market-leading Turkish financial tech firm, has announced the launch of its Voice Card, the world's first debit card enabling swift and easy transactions and payments for visually impaired users by audio technology:
https://ffnews.com/newsarticle/a-world-first-from-papara-voice-card-for-visually-impaired-users/
2) Sponsorship Package Updates
Availability: There are currently 9 Access Information News Sponsorship Packages remaining. Join Us: If you would like to support the ongoing distribution of Access Information News while reaching over 15,000 access professionals each week, please consider becoming a Sponsor today for just $100 a month, paid either quarterly or annually. Annual sponsors gain the additional benefit of being able to schedule their Featured Advertisements up to one year in advance. If you are an access information business or organization that has been looking for a way to consistently reach the largest audience of opt-in access professionals in the world today, please consider becoming an Access Information News Sponsor while packages last. Benefits: Learn all about the benefits here:
https://www.accessinformationnews.com/sponsorship-information.html#sponsorship-package-benefits 📧️
3) Access Information News Publisher Updates for January 23rd 2023
Updates below for all members of the Access Information News community. These are general updates for the week of January 23rd 2023:
https://www.accessinformationnews.com/10.html
4) Using Markup Languages for Accessible Scientific, Technical, and Scholarly Document Creation
Publisher: As a twenty plus year creator of documents that must contain formatting which is both visually appealing as well as completely and totally translatable to any screen reader, I concur with this author's opinion that using markup languages for this task is far superior to any other method that I have utilized to date. It is not only the most scalable method that you can use, but it also produces the most accessible results. The only catch? The learning curve. But it is not insurmountable. Hence this article. Journal of Science Education: In using software to write a scientific, technical, or other scholarly document, authors have essentially two options. They can either write it in a 'what you see is what you get' (WYSIWYG) editor such as a word processor, or write it in a text editor using a markup language such as HTML, LaTeX, Markdown, or AsciiDoc. This paper gives an overview of the latter approach, focusing on both the non-visual accessibility of the writing process, and that of the documents produced. Currently popular markup languages and established tools associated with them are introduced. Support for mathematical notation is considered. In addition, domain-specific programming languages for constructing various types of diagrams can be well integrated into the document production process. These languages offer interesting potential to facilitate the non-visual creation of graphical content, while raising insufficiently explored research questions:
https://scholarworks.rit.edu/jsesd/vol25/iss1/5/
5) GoodMaps Now Available At Portland, Oregon, Airport
Blind or low vision travelers who come to Portland International Airport via Southwest or United Airlines now have a more independent way of navigating around the terminal, thanks to GoodMaps:
https://portofportland.com/Newsroom/new-indoor-navigation-app-improves-accessibility-and-increases-ease-of-travel-at-pdx
6) Houston Organization Helping Runners Who Are Visually Impaired Compete In Marathon | YouTube
Running for hours at a time seems like it would be hard enough, but for athletes like Kevin Orcel, running to a finish line is just the start:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phdIE4wjwxU
7) Babysitting Tips Series For The Visually Impaired | Hadley
Keep the fun and safety in caring for the little ones in your life with proven tips and tricks that work, no matter your level of vision:
https://hadley.edu/workshops/babysitting-series
8) Verbalizing Information for Learners Who are Visually Impaired | Paths To Literacy
For children with visual impairments, verbalization of information that our sighted learners have access to is a necessity to create better learning opportunities:
https://www.pathstoliteracy.org/verbalizing-information-for-learners-who-are-visually-impaired/
9) CVS Pharmacy Spoken Rx Series | Hadley
This series of workshops walks you through how to use the feature on the CVS mobile app (Android and iPhone) and the stand alone Spoken Rx reader:
https://hadley.edu/workshops/cvs-pharmacy-spoken-rx-series
10) Nebraska Outlook Enrichment's 'Self Pampering' Workshop For The Visually Impaired | KE TV 7 ABC
On January 14th 2023 an Omaha nonprofit hosted a self-pampering workshop for people who are visually impaired. Outlook Enrichment invited folks in to learn how to make things like soap and candles, with the event run by the nonprofit's executive director who was also born legally blind:
https://www.ketv.com/article/omaha-outlook-enrichments-self-pampering-workshop-for-the-visually-impaired/42508283
11) Bioengineered Cornea Restores Sight to the Blind and Visually Impaired
A new study has been published in Nature Biotechnology which shows promising results in restoring sight to those suffering from corneal blindness and low vision. Researchers at Linkoping University (LiU) and LinkoCare Life Sciences AB have developed a bioengineered implant that can provide an alternative to the transplantation of donated human corneas, which are scarce in many countries where the need for them is greatest. Let's explore how this breakthrough could be life-changing for those with vision problems:
http://trendintech.com/2023/01/15/bioengineered-cornea-restores-sight-to-the-blind-and-visually-impaired/
12) Dancing In The Dark: Blind Dance Company Empowers The Visually Impaired | Video
At The Blind Dance Company, students are proving there's more than meets the eye:
https://www.wfmz.com/video/dancing-in-the-dark-blind-dance-company-empowers-the-visually-impaired/video_46edd145-6443-5a64-999d-7a2e1e1cf76c.html
13) Recruiting New College Students to Become Teachers of the Visually Impaired | Paths To Literacy
Find ways to help solve the teacher shortage by promoting and encouraging college bound students to become teachers of the visually impaired:
https://www.pathstoliteracy.org/recruiting-new-college-students-to-become-teachers-of-the-visually-impaired/
14) Reader Review: Online Shopping Services
Courtesy of Award Winning Sight Loss Coach, Advocate and Author Donna Jodhan, Access Information News reader:
https://www.accessinformationnews.com/9.html
15) Vancouver Pilots Wayfinding App For Visually Impaired Transit Users
Visually impaired public transportation users in Vancouver in Canada can now receive both audio instructions that guide them to bus pick-up points and real-time transit information by scanning codes at bus bays and stops with their Apple or Android smartphone:
https://www.nfcw.com/2023/01/17/381429/vancouver-pilots-wayfinding-app-for-visually-impaired-transit-users/
16) Austin Startup Helps People With Visual Impairments Find Jobs
At age 16, Blake Steinecke suffered severe vision loss due to a genetic condition called Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy. "Definitely had a huge impact on my life," he said. "I had to learn lots of new technology to keep up in school and work." Nowadays he works full-time for Clusiv, an Austin-based startup offering an e-learning platform for folks who are blind or visually impaired:
https://www.kxan.com/news/local/austin/austin-startup-helps-people-with-visual-impairments-find-jobs/
17) After 112 Years, The Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (ABVI), Rebranding As 'Goodwill Vision' To Help More People With Visual Impairments
A well-known organization that helps people with vision problems is changing its name. The Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (ABVI) has been around since 1911. But as of late last year, the non-profit has a new name. It's now called Goodwill Vision Enterprises. ABVI is part of Goodwill, and the organization's CEO and President Jen Lake, said one reason for the name change is some people who are starting to lose their vision are hesitant to seek out rehabilitation and other services because they don't like to be classified as blind:
https://www.wxxinews.org/local-news/2023-01-18/abvi-says-new-name-goodwill-vision-enterprises-could-encourage-more-people-to-use-its-services
18) Braille Services And Resources Available To Support Michiganders Who Are Blind Or Visually Impaired
To recognize the braille reading system's impact on individuals who are blind or visually impaired and to call attention to the invaluable services and resources that enable Michiganders to learn and enhance their reading skills, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has proclaimed January as Braille Literacy Month in Michigan:
https://www.michigan.gov/leo/news/2023/01/17/braille-literacy-month-in-michigan
19) New York Metro Blind Hockey Offers Visually Impaired Community Chance To Play
Hockey is a game of precise passing and perfect shots. That's not enough to stop some from playing the sport with no sight or very limited vision. New York Metro Blind Hockey is the first and only visually impaired ice hockey team representing New York City and Long Island:
https://connecticut.news12.com/new-york-metro-blind-hockey-offers-visually-impaired-community-chance-to-play
20) Broward County Offering Free Yoga Class For Blind And Visually Impaired | January 28th 2023
The Broward County Parks and Recreation Division is offering a free yoga class for adults who are blind or visually impaired. The class will take place on Jan. 28 at Tree Tops Park at 3900 SW 100th Ave in Davie from 10 a.m. to noon. "Participants will learn and practice the art of yoga as taught by certified volunteer yoga instructors and all skill levels are welcome," according to a news release. Attendees are advised to bring a towel and their own mat. Some mats will be available for use. Although the classes are free, space is limited, and preregistration is required:
https://www.local10.com/news/local/2023/01/18/broward-county-offering-free-yoga-class-for-blind-and-visually-impaired/
21) The CVI Book Nook | Paths To Literacy
The CVI Book Nook, created by Amy Shepherd, is a free resource intended to be downloaded and used by parents, caregivers, and teachers working with students who have visual impairments and CVI:
https://www.pathstoliteracy.org/resource/the-cvi-book-nook/
➜ Featured Webinars, Training Courses and Events
Submit your access information related Webinar, Training Course or Event for consideration within this section using this form: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-event or locate "Webinar / Training Course Submission Form" within the main menu of the Access Information News website.
January 24th 2023 | Smart Watches And Other Wearables | Tech It Out | Hadley
5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 1AM GMT on 1/25
Please join us on January 24, 2023, at 7 PM Central, when we'll be discussing smart watches and other wearables. If you'd like a text reminder for upcoming Tech It Out discussions, send a text message from your cell phone to the number 52545, and type "Tech" in the body of the message. In the meantime, we'd love to hear your questions and comments. Email us at techitout@hadley.edu 📧️ or give us a call at (800) 323-4238 📱️. You can also join the Tech It Out Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/2692780374142403 to keep the conversation going and chat with fellow participants:
January 25th 2023 | Procedural Safeguards and Parental Rights: New Webinar Series with Karen Mayer Cunningham | APH FamilyConnect
4PM PT, 5PM MT, 6PM CT, 7PM ET, 12AM GMT on 1/26
This fall, we were pleased to partner with Karen Mayer Cunningham to present two webinar series. Navigating and Negotiating Successful IEP and 504 Outcomes and Ask the Advocate provided information to parents, professionals, and school-based members. Participants had the opportunity to learn more about the IEP and 504 processes as well as the opportunity to ask specific questions about their child's IEPs. These two series have been highly attended, and we have received requests for more content from Karen Mayer Cunningham, the self-proclaimed “Special Education Boss”. The positive feedback and need for more content to support parents and professionals leads to the next series of webinars. We are excited to offer the next series to continue to support parents and professionals. Procedural Safeguards: Procedural Safeguards are handed out, and many don't have a full understanding of the document. Procedural Safeguards and Rights are in place for parents and individuals with a disability between the ages of 3 to 22. Unfortunately, most parents are only asked by school-based members if they “received” their copy of the procedural rights, and would they please sign in receipt of them. While that checks a box for the school, it in no way equips the families with a knowledge of their rights and protection, nor indicates the school's legal obligation. This series will identify your rights and the difference between procedural and substantive requirements. Join the APH ConnectCenter and Karen Mayer Cunningham as we dive into Procedural Safeguards and Parental Rights. Learn more: We hope you will join the 6-part webinar series to further your knowledge and understanding of the Procedural Safeguards and Parental Rights. Join us at 7:00 pm EST on 1/11, 1/25, 2/8, 2/22, 3/8, and 3/22. Register here:
https://familyconnect.org/blog/familyconnect-blog/procedural-safeguards-and-parental-rights-new-webinar-series-with-karen-mayer-cunningham/
January 25th 2023 | Easy Portable Reading — The omniReader (ACVREP CE Approved, Assistive Technology Webinar) | Access Ingenuity
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12AM CT, 1PM ET, 6PM GMT
The omniReader ® is the definition of easy by allowing you to read printed text by pressing a single button. You can follow the magnified text in high-contrast colors on the built-in screen or listen as the omniReader reads the text out loud. You can also use the screen to instantly magnify objects and text and display them in high-contrast colors to see them more clearly. Thanks to its lightweight design, built-in handle, and long battery life, you can pick it up and use it wherever you want — at home, at the office, and even on the go. Join Ian Ramos from Access Ingenuity and Joseph McDaniel from Vispero as they explain this machine's critical assistive role to the visually impaired.
Note that everybody is welcome and can benefit from this presentation. If you are a teacher of the visually impaired (TVI), this presentation is approved for ACVREP continuing education credit. Learning Outcomes: Features walkthrough of the omniReader. Understand the primary and secondary assistive benefits. How the omniReader can be an effective reading tool. Meeting ID: 881 2262 4972 | Passcode: 596298 | One tap mobile: +16699009128,,88122624972#,,,,*596298# US (San Jose) | Dial by your location: +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose) | Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88122624972?pwd=S1FzT3luSzlMdTY1NHovL0F5RWNqUT09#success
January 26th 2023 | International Ally User Group Meeting
7AM PT, 8AM MT, 9AM CT, 10AM ET, 3PM GMT
2023 starts with a big bang in the Blackboard / Anthology Ally universe as the North American and European Ally User Groups combine to form the International Ally User Group. Led by the community for the community it will feature talks, workshops, presentations and more from institutions that use Ally and accessibility experts. This month's meeting has some hot topics previously requested by the community: how to sell the benefits of alternative formats to students, and how educators can implement accessible pedagogy. The full agenda is as follows: Introducing User Group Chairs. Community Updates. Accessible Learning using Blackboard Ally — Chloe Bell and Lauren Basey, Northumbria University. Implementing Accessible Pedagogy - Dr Katie Grennell, Anthology. Any other business. These sessions are of particular interest to those who use Ally at their institution or are considering Ally, or who just have an interest in digital accessibility within Higher Education:
https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=-XhTSvQpPk2-iWadA62p2NfEO_MKuJxJqQ_-wiwNK4RUOUsxSEZaWlNMTEdTNkwyOFE4QlhUNk1LMyQlQCN0PWcu&web=1&wdLOR=c3B1C2F98-E350-4F9B-BFA5-A75172815463
January 31st 2023 | A Beginner's Guide to Inclusive UX Design | TPGi
9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 5PM GMT
Presenters: David Sloan, UX Practice Manager, and David Swallow, Principal UX Consultant. Digital channels provide an opportunity for you to effectively reach and grow your target audience, communicate with them, provide information, build brand relationships, and enable transactions. The related concepts of usability and accessibility address the importance of removing barriers to efficient, effective, and enjoyable digital interactions for all users, including users with disabilities. When barriers are present, we risk brand damage, losing our audience to competitors, and potentially unlawful discrimination against people with disabilities. Accessibility is often left to developers to deal with, but what can people who don't have coding expertise do to ensure usable and accessible digital experiences? In this webinar, accessibility and user experience specialists David Swallow and David Sloan will address that question. We'll make the argument that a focus on the needs of people with disabilities can help deliver better user experiences for everyone. We'll define key concepts of usability, accessibility and inclusive design, and provide practical tips that everyone, regardless of their role, can apply to make digital experiences more accessible and usable. Register:
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-january-31-at-12pm-et-a-beginners-guide-to-inclusive-ux-design/
February 1st 2023 | Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 5: School Aged Numeracy | APH
8AM PT, 9AM MT, 10AM CT, 11AM ET, 4PM GMT
| Using LEGO Braille Bricks to do math: let's discover some of the many uses of these little bricks to develop numerical and geometry skills, understand symmetry, and much more:
https://www.aph.org/lego-braille-bricks-live-sessions/
February 7th 2023 | Health Care Decision Making, Advance Directives, and the MOLST Form | Zoom | For Residents of Maryland
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 6PM GMT
This presentation will provide general guidance and information regarding the process of making health care decisions, including how the Health Care Decisions Act, advance directives, and the Maryland MOLST form are used to carry out patients' health care decisions. Presenter: Paul J. Ballard, Assistant Attorney General, Counsel for Health Decisions Policy:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEtduiupjgoHNAfbDpQ8iBOvnRoNuBlCYrG
February 8th 2023 | Procedural Safeguards and Parental Rights: New Webinar Series with Karen Mayer Cunningham | APH FamilyConnect
4PM PT, 5PM MT, 6PM CT, 7PM ET, 12AM GMT on 1/26
This fall, we were pleased to partner with Karen Mayer Cunningham to present two webinar series. Navigating and Negotiating Successful IEP and 504 Outcomes and Ask the Advocate provided information to parents, professionals, and school-based members. Participants had the opportunity to learn more about the IEP and 504 processes as well as the opportunity to ask specific questions about their child's IEPs. These two series have been highly attended, and we have received requests for more content from Karen Mayer Cunningham, the self-proclaimed “Special Education Boss”. The positive feedback and need for more content to support parents and professionals leads to the next series of webinars. We are excited to offer the next series to continue to support parents and professionals. Procedural Safeguards: Procedural Safeguards are handed out, and many don't have a full understanding of the document. Procedural Safeguards and Rights are in place for parents and individuals with a disability between the ages of 3 to 22. Unfortunately, most parents are only asked by school-based members if they “received” their copy of the procedural rights, and would they please sign in receipt of them. While that checks a box for the school, it in no way equips the families with a knowledge of their rights and protection, nor indicates the school's legal obligation. This series will identify your rights and the difference between procedural and substantive requirements. Join the APH ConnectCenter and Karen Mayer Cunningham as we dive into Procedural Safeguards and Parental Rights. Learn more: We hope you will join the 6-part webinar series to further your knowledge and understanding of the Procedural Safeguards and Parental Rights. Join us at 7:00 pm EST on 1/11, 1/25, 2/8, 2/22, 3/8, and 3/22. Register here:
https://familyconnect.org/blog/familyconnect-blog/procedural-safeguards-and-parental-rights-new-webinar-series-with-karen-mayer-cunningham/
February 9th 2023 and February 10th 2023 | Second Annual 2023 ATHEN Virtual STEM Accessibility Conference: Acc3ss N0w!
ATHEN is hosting the Second Annual "2023 ATHEN Virtual STEM Accessibility Conference: Acc3ss N0w!" on February 9th and 10th 2023. Registration is free for ATHEN and AHEAD members, and low cost for non-members. Conference Details, Dates, Registration and Cost:
https://athenpro.org/content/athen-virtual-conference
February 11th 2023 | Maryland Accessible Telecommunications | Technology User Group | Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled (LBPD)
7AM PT, 8AM MT, 9AM CT, 10AM ET, 3PM GMT
Formerly Maryland Relay, this state resource can help clients acquire cell phones, TTY equipment, and other communication devices. The application process is easy and highly encouraged. Learn about all of the programs offered and how you can benefit. All events are currently being held via teleconference until further notice. No programs will be held in person. Please dial (319) 527-4994 📱️ at 10:00 AM ET. For more information about the Technology User Group or to recommend a topic / technology for discussion, please contact: Jerry Price at (410) 230-2446 📱️ or via email jerry.price1@maryland.gov 📧️
February 14th 2023 | Exploring New Accessibility Frontiers with TPGi and the W3C
9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 5PM GMT
Presenter: Matthew Atkinson, TPGi's Principal Accessibility Engineer, and W3C's Accessible Platform Architectures working group co-chair. Several of TPGi's accessibility experts work alongside many others from across industry and academia to further accessibility through the work of the W3C. There's a range of transformative and evolutionary work being done right now, thanks to a collaboration between different groups and organizations. Join Matthew Atkinson, co-chair of the W3C's Accessible Platform Architectures working group, for an overview of a few key strands of exploration and development. Topics to be covered include affording symbol users access to web content, ensuring the Web of Things is accessible to all, and making collaborative authoring accessible. Register:
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-february-14-at-12pm-et-exploring-new-accessibility-frontiers-with-tpgi-and-the-w3c/
February 15th 2023 | Giving Up Your Car Keys Is Not The End Of Your Independence | NFB of Maryland Senior Call
4PM PT, 5PM MT, 6PM CT, 7PM ET, 12AM GMT on 2/16
Presented by National Federation of the Blind (NFB) of Maryland Senior Division. Please join our conversation to explore the emotional decision to give up driving. Discover how to manage your life when you are no longer the one behind the wheel. When: February 15, 2023 from 7:00 to 8:30 PM ET. Where: NFB of Maryland Conference Call at (339) 209-4083 📱️. All are welcome! For more information about this event or the NFB of Maryland Senior Division please contact Marguerite Woods at (443) 271-1668 📱️ or mwoods719@gmail.com 📧️.
February 20th 2023 | Project INSPIRE: Spring 2023 | Paths To Literacy | 6 Course Offering | Deadline To Register: February 17th 2023
Project INSPIRE will be offering six courses. This includes a new course, Nemeth Code Symbols Used in High School and Strategies for Supporting Math Learning. We are offering the opportunity for you to take ONE of the courses. You may choose from the following courses:
https://www.pathstoliteracy.org/project-inspire-spring-2023/
February 22nd 2023 | Procedural Safeguards and Parental Rights: New Webinar Series with Karen Mayer Cunningham | APH FamilyConnect
4PM PT, 5PM MT, 6PM CT, 7PM ET, 12AM GMT on 1/26
This fall, we were pleased to partner with Karen Mayer Cunningham to present two webinar series. Navigating and Negotiating Successful IEP and 504 Outcomes and Ask the Advocate provided information to parents, professionals, and school-based members. Participants had the opportunity to learn more about the IEP and 504 processes as well as the opportunity to ask specific questions about their child's IEPs. These two series have been highly attended, and we have received requests for more content from Karen Mayer Cunningham, the self-proclaimed “Special Education Boss”. The positive feedback and need for more content to support parents and professionals leads to the next series of webinars. We are excited to offer the next series to continue to support parents and professionals. Procedural Safeguards: Procedural Safeguards are handed out, and many don't have a full understanding of the document. Procedural Safeguards and Rights are in place for parents and individuals with a disability between the ages of 3 to 22. Unfortunately, most parents are only asked by school-based members if they “received” their copy of the procedural rights, and would they please sign in receipt of them. While that checks a box for the school, it in no way equips the families with a knowledge of their rights and protection, nor indicates the school's legal obligation. This series will identify your rights and the difference between procedural and substantive requirements. Join the APH ConnectCenter and Karen Mayer Cunningham as we dive into Procedural Safeguards and Parental Rights. Learn more: We hope you will join the 6-part webinar series to further your knowledge and understanding of the Procedural Safeguards and Parental Rights. Join us at 7:00 pm EST on 1/11, 1/25, 2/8, 2/22, 3/8, and 3/22. Register here:
https://familyconnect.org/blog/familyconnect-blog/procedural-safeguards-and-parental-rights-new-webinar-series-with-karen-mayer-cunningham/
February 27th 2023 to March 2nd 2023 | Apply By January 23rd 2023 | Accessible Customer-Centered Communications Workshop | NSITE & Baker Communications, Inc. In Partnership
NSITE, the first organization to provide a continuum of employment services for individuals who are blind or face vision loss, has partnered with one of the leading sales training providers, Baker Communications Inc. (BCI), to offer a virtual instructor-led delivery of their Customer-Centered Communications workshop. This highly engaging and participatory accessible workshop, delivered over four consecutive days (four hours per session), covers a comprehensive six-part system of organized customer communications and selling. After the program, participants will be able to build greater trust with customers, deliver specific customer outcomes effectively, and achieve world-class customer service and sales performance. All NSITE programs are adapted for the learning styles of blind and low-vision learners. Therefore, qualified applicants who are blind or have low vision receive enrollment preference in case classes fill up. Program runs February 27 to March 2, 2023. Apply by January 23rd 2023:
https://bit.ly/NSITE-CCC
March 6th 2023 | Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 6: Daily Living Activities | APH
8AM PT, 9AM MT, 10AM CT, 11AM ET, 4PM GMT
Let's explore daily-living activities using LEGO Braille Bricks and share our best practices, experiences, tips:
https://www.aph.org/lego-braille-bricks-live-sessions/
March 8th 2023 | Procedural Safeguards and Parental Rights: New Webinar Series with Karen Mayer Cunningham | APH FamilyConnect
4PM PT, 5PM MT, 6PM CT, 7PM ET, 12AM GMT on 1/26
This fall, we were pleased to partner with Karen Mayer Cunningham to present two webinar series. Navigating and Negotiating Successful IEP and 504 Outcomes and Ask the Advocate provided information to parents, professionals, and school-based members. Participants had the opportunity to learn more about the IEP and 504 processes as well as the opportunity to ask specific questions about their child's IEPs. These two series have been highly attended, and we have received requests for more content from Karen Mayer Cunningham, the self-proclaimed “Special Education Boss”. The positive feedback and need for more content to support parents and professionals leads to the next series of webinars. We are excited to offer the next series to continue to support parents and professionals. Procedural Safeguards: Procedural Safeguards are handed out, and many don't have a full understanding of the document. Procedural Safeguards and Rights are in place for parents and individuals with a disability between the ages of 3 to 22. Unfortunately, most parents are only asked by school-based members if they “received” their copy of the procedural rights, and would they please sign in receipt of them. While that checks a box for the school, it in no way equips the families with a knowledge of their rights and protection, nor indicates the school's legal obligation. This series will identify your rights and the difference between procedural and substantive requirements. Join the APH ConnectCenter and Karen Mayer Cunningham as we dive into Procedural Safeguards and Parental Rights. Learn more: We hope you will join the 6-part webinar series to further your knowledge and understanding of the Procedural Safeguards and Parental Rights. Join us at 7:00 pm EST on 1/11, 1/25, 2/8, 2/22, 3/8, and 3/22. Register here:
https://familyconnect.org/blog/familyconnect-blog/procedural-safeguards-and-parental-rights-new-webinar-series-with-karen-mayer-cunningham/
March 11th 2023 | Using Garage Band App to Create a Song | Technology User Group | Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled (LBPD)
7AM PT, 8AM MT, 9AM CT, 10AM ET, 3PM GMT
You have seen this app on your iDevice, and maybe you have even opened it once or twice. In this presentation, you will learn how to create a song from scratch and how to make modifications. All events are currently being held via teleconference until further notice. No programs will be held in person. Please dial (319) 527-4994 📱️ at 10:00 AM ET. For more information about the Technology User Group or to recommend a topic / technology for discussion, please contact: Jerry Price at (410) 230-2446 📱️ or via email jerry.price1@maryland.gov 📧️
March 13th 2023 through March 17th 2023 | 2023 38th Annual CSUN Assistive Technology Conference
Welcome. Whether you have been attending the conference for years or are planning to attend your first, the CSUN Assistive Technology Conference, also known as the CSUN Conference, is the ultimate community experience and the premier forum on technology for all persons with disabilities. For over 37 years, California State University, Northridge's Center on Disabilities has sponsored the conference, providing a platform for researchers, practitioners, educators, exhibitors and more from around the world, where they can share knowledge, innovations, and best practices to promote inclusion for all. Building on the momentum from the 2022 conference, exciting new plans are in the works to enhance the conference experience. We encourage you to join us in Anaheim, California in 2023, where attendees can attend Pre-Conference Workshops, the yearly Keynote Address, Featured Presentations, General Sessions, Sponsor Showcase Suites and the Exhibit Hall. We also continue developing new programming to build community and networking opportunities. Check back often or follow us on social media for the latest updates, details, and deadlines. For information on sponsor or exhibitor opportunities, please visit our Opportunities page or email us at conference@csun.edu 📧️. We can't wait until the CSUN Conference community is back together to learn, share and connect:
https://www.csun.edu/cod/conference/sessions/
March 15th 2023 and March 16th 2023 | 2023 3rd Annual Axe-Con | Building Accessible Experiences | The World's Largest Digital Accessibility Conference
Deque Systems, the trusted leader in digital accessibility, has announced the third annual axe-con conference will return on March 15-16th, 2023. With the success of axe-con over the past two years, Deque will continue to host the conference as a free virtual event again next year. Axe-con is an open and inclusive digital accessibility conference that welcomes developers, designers, business users, and accessibility professionals of all experience levels to a new kind of accessibility conference focused on building, testing, and maintaining accessible digital experiences:
https://www.deque.com/blog/save-the-date-for-axe-con-2023/
March 21st 2023 and March 22nd 2023 | Multiple Perspectives 2023 | Americans With Disabilities Act Multiple Perspectives On Access, Inclusion, & Disability Conference | Ohio State University
"It is time to move beyond the letter of the law to the spirit of the law; to shift our focus from redressing human and environmental problems through remedial design to preventing problems through holistic design." -Leslie Kanes Weisman. As a modern land grant university, an important part of Ohio State University's mission is outreach and engagement, serving the community through a variety of activities. During the tenth anniversary year of the Americans With Disabilities Act the Multiple Perspectives On Access, Inclusion And Disability conference was created to help fulfill this mission. In short, the goal of the conference is to encourage the kind of change suggested by Leslie Kanes Weisman in the opening quote. It is hoped that the annual conference will serve as a catalyst for positive change and a springboard for collaborations with our partners in education, business, public, and social service. Each year a series of workshops will provide a forum for individuals and organizations to expand their knowledge and perspectives, and an opportunity to increase community resources through the synergy of collaboration. The workshops are designed to bring a diverse audience together to discuss the full spectrum of disability issues and experiences. To ensure broad participation from the university community, business, state and local government, educators, advocacy organizations, social service agencies, and individuals with disabilities sponsors are sought each year to subsidize conference participants. Register:
https://ada.osu.edu/ada-conference
March 22nd 2023 | Procedural Safeguards and Parental Rights: New Webinar Series with Karen Mayer Cunningham | APH FamilyConnect
4PM PT, 5PM MT, 6PM CT, 7PM ET, 12AM GMT on 1/26
This fall, we were pleased to partner with Karen Mayer Cunningham to present two webinar series. Navigating and Negotiating Successful IEP and 504 Outcomes and Ask the Advocate provided information to parents, professionals, and school-based members. Participants had the opportunity to learn more about the IEP and 504 processes as well as the opportunity to ask specific questions about their child's IEPs. These two series have been highly attended, and we have received requests for more content from Karen Mayer Cunningham, the self-proclaimed “Special Education Boss”. The positive feedback and need for more content to support parents and professionals leads to the next series of webinars. We are excited to offer the next series to continue to support parents and professionals. Procedural Safeguards: Procedural Safeguards are handed out, and many don't have a full understanding of the document. Procedural Safeguards and Rights are in place for parents and individuals with a disability between the ages of 3 to 22. Unfortunately, most parents are only asked by school-based members if they “received” their copy of the procedural rights, and would they please sign in receipt of them. While that checks a box for the school, it in no way equips the families with a knowledge of their rights and protection, nor indicates the school's legal obligation. This series will identify your rights and the difference between procedural and substantive requirements. Join the APH ConnectCenter and Karen Mayer Cunningham as we dive into Procedural Safeguards and Parental Rights. Learn more: We hope you will join the 6-part webinar series to further your knowledge and understanding of the Procedural Safeguards and Parental Rights. Join us at 7:00 pm EST on 1/11, 1/25, 2/8, 2/22, 3/8, and 3/22. Register here:
https://familyconnect.org/blog/familyconnect-blog/procedural-safeguards-and-parental-rights-new-webinar-series-with-karen-mayer-cunningham/
April 5th 2023 | Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 7: Music | APH
8AM PT, 9AM MT, 10AM CT, 11AM ET, 4PM GMT
Let's discover together how to make music with these famous bricks! Come and share your creative ideas:
https://www.aph.org/lego-braille-bricks-live-sessions/
April 8th 2023 | How To Upgrade To Windows 11 | Technology User Group | Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled (LBPD)
7AM PT, 8AM MT, 9AM CT, 10AM ET, 3PM GMT
This operating system has been around for a while, and people champion its security strengths and applications. Should you upgrade, and what is that process? All events are currently being held via teleconference until further notice. No programs will be held in person. Please dial (319) 527-4994 📱️ at 10:00 AM ET. For more information about the Technology User Group or to recommend a topic / technology for discussion, please contact: Jerry Price at (410) 230-2446 📱️ or via email jerry.price1@maryland.gov 📧️
May 3rd 2023 | Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 8: STEM | APH
8AM PT, 9AM MT, 10AM CT, 11AM ET, 4PM GMT
Have you ever thought of doing science, computing, or technology with LEGO Braille Bricks? Expert guests will join us for an amazing session:
https://www.aph.org/lego-braille-bricks-live-sessions/
May 13th 2023 | Travel Tools and Apps | Technology User Group | Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled (LBPD)
7AM PT, 8AM MT, 9AM CT, 10AM ET, 3PM GMT
Whether you are traveling to another city, state or country, we will look at tools and resources that will help you get the most assistance for your venture. All events are currently being held via teleconference until further notice. No programs will be held in person. Please dial (319) 527-4994 📱️ at 10:00 AM ET. For more information about the Technology User Group or to recommend a topic / technology for discussion, please contact: Jerry Price at (410) 230-2446 📱️ or via email jerry.price1@maryland.gov 📧️
June 2nd 2023 | ATHEN Sixth Annual Accessibility Summer Camp 2023
6AM PT, 7AM MT, 8AM CT, 9AM ET, 2PM GMT
We would love for you to share your accessibility knowledge during our sixth annual Accessibility Summer Camp 2023! As in former years, this virtual conference is FREE for all attendees. This year's ASC event will take place on Friday, June 2, 2023, from 8:00-4:00 CST. As a conference participant you will be able to attend sessions and engage in valuable networking with like-minded professionals. We are soliciting presentations from all experience levels and backgrounds, so please visit the ASC Conference Home Page for more information and to submit a proposal. The session proposal deadline is Friday, February 17th, 2023. What is Accessibility Summer Camp (ASC)? The Accessibility Summer Camp is a FREE annual conference with the goal of connecting professionals and educators with best practices in accessibility and Universal Design. Over the past few years, the ASC conference has grown to become one of the most popular accessibility conferences in the country. Our mission is to provide accessibility professional development that empowers attendees to create high quality, accessible learning environments while removing barriers for all individuals who have a desire to learn:
https://www.accessibilityict.org/
June 7th 2023 | Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 9: Orientation & Mobility | APH
8AM PT, 9AM MT, 10AM CT, 11AM ET, 4PM GMT
LEGO bricks to build plans, visualize routes, it's not new! But with LEGO Braille Bricks you can also create labels, add letters, words... Then it becomes really great:
https://www.aph.org/lego-braille-bricks-live-sessions/
➜ Directories
1) Access Information Email Newsletter Directory
https://www.accessinformationnews.com/email-newsletter-directory.html
2) Top Tech Tidbits Blind And Visually Impaired App Directory
https://www.toptechtidbits.com/blind-and-visually-impaired-technology-app-directory.html
3) Top Tech Tidbits Blind And Visually Impaired Game Directory
https://www.toptechtidbits.com/blind-and-visually-impaired-technology-game-directory.html
4) Top Tech Tidbits Blind And Visually Impaired Listserv Directory
https://www.toptechtidbits.com/blind-and-visually-impaired-technology-listserv-directory.html
5) Top Tech Tidbits Blind And Visually Impaired Podcast Directory
https://www.toptechtidbits.com/blind-and-visually-impaired-technology-podcast-directory.html
Access Information News Sponsor Classified Ads:
Sponsor: Clusiv
Sponsor Since: January 16th 2023
Website: https://clusiv.io/ 🌐️
About: We are Clusiv. We are the world's first e-learning platform built for and by blind and partially sighted people. We are a resource to vocational rehabilitation organizations. We are a training platform for individuals with visual impairments who have faced barriers to access and equity in the modern workforce. We are engineering the future of work for accessibility. Learn more by selecting the user path that best describes you:
➜ Discover. I want to learn more about Clusiv.
➜ Potential Student. I want to train with Clusiv.
➜ VR Agency / Counselor. I want to help the people I serve with Clusiv.
➜ Inclusive Employer. I want to hire Clusiv graduates.
Sponsor: Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc.
Sponsor Since: December 29th 2022
Website: https://lhblind.org/ 🌐️
Phone: (800) 914-7307 📱️
Fax: (206) 329-3397 ░
Contact Us: https://lhblind.org/contact-us/
About: The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. is a private, not-for-profit social enterprise providing employment, support, and training opportunities for people who are blind, DeafBlind, and blind with other disabilities. The Lighthouse has provided employment and support to people who are blind in our community since 1918.
The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. is a successful manufacturing organization with over 60 years of experience in precision machining. We produce an array of machined parts and plastic injection molding for various aerospace manufacturers, as well as a host of office products and hydration equipment sold to the Federal Government and the U.S. Military. We also own and operate stores on military bases along the West Coast. Our products and services include:
• Manufacturing: We are a successful manufacturing organization committed to making jobs accessible to individuals who are blind. Our manufacturing operations center on making quality products for the Federal Government under the AbilityOne Program and producing parts for aerospace manufacturers.
• Managed Services: The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. offers a variety of services to our commercial, federal, and military customers. These include Contract Management Support (CMS) services for government contracting offices.
• Base Supply Centers: We operate 12 AbilityOne Base Supply Centers (BSCs) that offer easy customer access to Lighthouse products, direct feedback and communication with customers, and employment opportunities for individuals who are blind in geographic areas not served by larger nonprofit agencies.
Sponsor: Access Ready, Inc.
➜ Access Ready Seeks Your Support at the Public Policy Level
Moving the public policy needle is both difficult and costly. Access Ready has one of the most experienced teams in the business who have shown results. We have fostered Congressional language on accessible websites, elections, healthcare, communications, and other areas touched by information and communications technologies. These efforts are costly and we need your help to continue. Become an Access Ready supporter and create an accessible future for people with disabilities:
https://accessready.org/
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.
➜ Access Ready Provides Access To The Best In The Business
If you need assistance with a new accessible website, document remediation or disability consulting of other kinds, Access Ready can help. We seek out the best in the business and bring them to you already vetted as to quality, professionalism and ability. By going through AccessReady.org to one of our qualified providers, you're not only getting the best, but supporting our advocacy and technological development efforts as well:
https://accessready.org/
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.
➜ Access Ready Seeks Guidance On New Accessible Technologies
What Technologies do you see in the market that are not accessible, but should be? What accessible technologies can you imagine that can make the lives of people with all kinds of disabilities better? We will advocate with developers to make existing technologies accessible on your behalf. We will advocate with developers to build new accessible technologies on your behalf. Give us your guidance and support. Your guidance charts our path toward what is most important. Your support funds our efforts on your behalf:
https://accessready.org/
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
➜ Prepare For Your Future Today With The All-New APH ConnectCenter's Job Seekers Toolkit!
The APH ConnectCenter and NSITE have partnered to update the Job Seeker's Toolkit, an accessible, self-paced, free online training course. The Toolkit includes five sections covering self-awareness, career exploration tools, the preliminary employment process, the interview, and maintaining employment. We are bringing the Job Seeker's Toolkit to a larger audience and in a Learning Management System format for today's learners, at no cost. Visit APHCareerConnect.org to get started with the Job Seekers Toolkit today at:
https://aphcareerconnect.org/lesson-plans-for-teachers-and-professionals/the-job-seekers-toolkit/
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: Menus4ALL
➜ A Revolution in Resolution — Menus for Everyone
No matter when, where or who, the Menus4ALL iPhone app gives you the info you need quickly. No more multiple Google searches to research menus before going out. Info is organized to give you quick access to what you are looking for — the menu! Optimized to give you the best viewing experience. No more struggling to see small print, or looking at a menu in a dimly lit restaurant. Do you use magnification, large print, VoiceOver, a braille display or Voice Control? Enjoy 750,000 fully accessible menus. Download the app today at:
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/menus4all/id1640547801?platform=iphone
Sponsor Since: November 20th 2022
Website: https://www.menus4all.com/ 🌐️
Email: stephanie@menus4all.com 📧️
About: 750,000 Accessible Restaurant Menus. On your iPhone ® in the palm of your hand.
Yes, that's not a typo. The Menus4ALL iPhone app offers 500,000 accessible menus in the United States and 250,000 accessible menus in Canada.
Wherever you are and whenever you want The Menus4ALL iPhone app is the largest network of restaurant menus in one place and all of the menus are fully accessible.
Perfect for when you are out running errands and want to know what restaurants are near your current location. Great for planning a night out with friends. Favorite menus that you want to look at later or when you know you are going back for that amazing dish.
Download The App (Apple): https://apps.apple.com/us/app/menus4all/id1640547801?platform=iphone
Sponsor: WayAround
➜ Try Talking Labels That Work With Your Smartphone For Just $9.99!
Get all the different types of WayTags so you can try the BEST accessible labeling system around. Use the coupon code TryTags to get a WayTag Sampler Pack for just $9.99. Plus, you get FREE shipping. Use the WayTags along with the free mobile app to label your things with a description and other important details, so you can spend less time figuring out what things are, and more time getting things done.
https://www.wayaround.com/shop/sampler-pack/?utm_source=AssistiveTech&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=AccessInfoNewsSponsorAd
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
➜ Finally! Holding Businesses Accountable
Those who need accessibility accommodations aren't strangers to jumping in with self-advocacy to achieve it. But, what about the rest of us? When explaining the benefits of a reasonable accommodation to one's place of work or school. This is where our self-advocacy kits come in. Pneuma has written up customizable email templates you can modify according to your situation. We cover a variety of different advocacy scenarios. Simply choose your scenario, answer a few simple questions, adapt the language, address it to the right person, and submit it! Self-advocacy has never been easier:
https://pneumasolutions.com/finally-holding-businesses-accountable/
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.
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Email: news@accessinformationnews.com 📧️
About: Access Information News is the world's leading not-for-profit access information news publication that reaches over 15,000 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.
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Access Information News is the world's leading not-for-profit access information news publication that reaches over 15,000 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.
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Publisher: Aaron Di Blasi (Volunteer)
➜ Is Your Business or Organization Looking to Hire a Professional, Part-Time, Remote Digital Marketer? Aaron Di Blasi, PMP, Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd., is Seeking a New Client Partnership. Hire Direct And Pay No Agency Fee.
Could your business or organization use help with your digital marketing workflow? Tasks like website administration, article assembly and publication, graphic design, website updates, email newsletter blasts and social media scheduling? Aaron Di Blasi, Owner and Sr. Project Management Professional for Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd. is seeking a new client partnership. Learn more at:
https://mvsltd.com/news/is-your-business-or-organization-looking-to-hire-a-professional-digital-marketer-aaron-di-blasi-pmp-mind-vault-solutions-ltd-is-seeking-a-new-client-partnership/
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 Access 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 Access Technology
https://toptechtidbits.com 🌐️
Board of Trustees (2006 - Present)
Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd.
Innovative ideas. Solutions that perform.
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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 advocacy foundation.
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 Access Technology
https://toptechtidbits.com 🌐️
Project Management Professional (2022 - Present)
Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd.
Innovative ideas. Solutions that perform.
https://mvsltd.com 🌐️
Access Information News for Monday, January 16, 2023 - Volume 893
Access Information News for Monday, January 16, 2023 - Volume 893
The Week's News in Access Information
https://accessinformationnews.com/
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: 10,911 Opt-In Subscribers were sent this issue via email.
This Week's Featured Advertisement: Could Your Business Or Organization Benefit From Reaching Over 15,000 Access Professionals Each Week? If You Answered Yes We Invite You To Consider Becoming A Sponsor Today For Just $100 USD Per Month. While Packages Last. This Issue Made Possible By Support From The Following Sponsors:
This issue made possible by Sponsorship support from Pneuma Solutions, WayAround, Menus4ALL, APH ConnectCenter, Access Ready, Inc., The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. and Clusiv. Learn more about Sponsorship today at: https://accessinformationnews.com/sponsor.
Dear Access Information News Subscriber,
Submit your access information news item for consideration within this section using this form: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-news or locate "News Item Submission Form" within the main menu of the Access Information News website.
1) Top 5 Most Clicked Access Information News Articles From Last Week
A.) How Visually Impaired People Ease Social Awkwardness (6.4% of all clicks.)
A study highlights the range of uncomfortable situations people living with blindness or visual impairment encounter due to interpersonal communication challenges:
https://goodmenproject.com/featured-content/how-visually-impaired-people-ease-social-awkwardness/
B.) Why AI Audiobook Narrators Could Win Over Some Authors And Readers, Despite The Vocal Bumps (5.6% of all clicks.)
For the first few seconds, the narrator of Kristen Ethridge's new romance audiobook, Shelter from the Storm, sounds like a human being. The voice is light and carefully enunciated, with the slow pacing of any audiobook narrator, as it begins: "There's a storm coming, and her name is Hope." Then, something about the pacing of the words grates on the ear. It's a little too regular, even robotic. “I know that sounds a little crazy,” the breathy voice continues, grinding out the words. “That something so destructive could be labeled with such a peaceful name.” From sentence to sentence, the cadence of the narrator's voice glides forward, then snags on an artificial syllable. It's the aural equivalent of watching the gears of a machine rotate under a surface of what looks like human skin:
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2023/jan/05/why-ai-audiobook-narrators-could-win-over-some-authors-and-readers-despite-the-vocal-bumps
C.) Top 10 Accessibility News Articles of 2022 | Equal Entry (4.5% of all clicks.)
We scoured many news announcements to find the most talked about accessibility news of 2022. We made a list. Checked it twice. Put it all into a form for you to decide. Here are the Top 10 Accessibility News Articles of 2022 starting with Number 10:
https://equalentry.com/top-10-accessibility-news-of-2022/
D.) Reader Review: Cell Phone Services From Company Service Representatives (4.5% of all clicks.)
Courtesy of Award Winning Sight Loss Coach, Advocate and Author Donna Jodhan:
https://www.accessinformationnews.com/7.html
E.) From Concept to Creation: The Mi'kmaw Braille Code (4.2% of all clicks.)
How did a braille transcriber develop a new braille code? We spoke with Christine Muise, recipient of the Louis Award from APH, about her journey creating the Mi'kmaw braille code:
https://www.aph.org/from-concept-to-creation-the-mikmaw-braille-code/
2) Sponsorship Package Updates
Availability: There are currently 9 Access Information News Sponsorship Packages remaining. Join Us: If you would like to support the ongoing distribution of Access Information News while reaching over 15,000 access professionals each week, please consider becoming a Sponsor today for just $100 a month, paid either quarterly or annually. Annual sponsors gain the additional benefit of being able to schedule their Featured Advertisements up to one year in advance. If you are an access information business or organization that has been looking for a way to consistently reach the largest audience of opt-in access professionals in the world today, please consider becoming an Access Information News Sponsor while packages last. Benefits: Learn all about the benefits here:
https://www.accessinformationnews.com/sponsorship-information.html#sponsorship-package-benefits 📧️
3) Access Information News Click-To-Vote Quick Poll #892 Results | Sponsored By: Access Ready, Inc. | 389 Votes
Question: Opinion Poll: With businesses and governments at all levels becoming increasingly dependent on Information and Communications Technology (ICT) to provide goods and services, and physical facilities in the US already required to be built in accordance with accessibility standards, why not ICT?
E.) I believe all of the above answers play a part in limiting the growth of accessible ICT to some degree.
(156 Votes / 40% of all clicks.)
C.) There is widespread confusion related to the requirements, both legal and technical, that govern what is accessible ICT and how inaccessibility can restrict the lives of people with disabilities.
(62 Votes / 16% of all clicks.)
D.) Indifference by technology developers toward accessible ICT based on limited investment returns and lackluster support by disability leaders for accessible products is a growing problem.
(59 Votes / 15% of all clicks.)
A.) There is no widespread understanding of the vital role that accessible ICT can play in the civic, economic, and social welfare of people with disabilities.
(57 Votes / 15% of all clicks.)
B.) The commitments from business and government to provide accessible ICT is being undermined by lower level staff who do not understand the vital role ICT can play in the lives of people with disabilities.
(55 Votes / 14% of all clicks.)
Poll Results Link: https://bit.ly/ain-poll892-results
4) Publishers Are Dubious Of Apple's' New AI Audiobook Narration
Starting now, you can listen to audiobooks narrated by AI on Apple Books. The feature was originally supposed to hit the market in November 2022, but was delayed to this year for unknown reasons. While it may sound neat to be able to listen to all your favorite books in the same voice, journalists and publishers are far from convinced:
https://www.ghacks.net/publishers-are-dubious-of-apples-new-ai-audiobook-narration/
5) 411 Is Going Out Of Service For Millions Of Americans
The operator is going off the hook for millions of customers. Starting in January 2023, AT&T customers with digital landlines won't be able to dial 411 or 0 to reach an operator or get directory assistance. AT&T in 2021 ended operator services for wireless callers, although customers with home phone landlines can still access operators and directory help. Verizon, T-Mobile and other major carriers still offer these services for a fee. On a notice on AT&T's website, the company directs customers to find addresses and phone numbers on Google or online directories:
https://www.cnn.com/2023/01/07/business/telephone-operators-411-att-ctpr/index.html
6) Accessible Customer-Centered Communications Workshop By Partnership Between NSITE & Baker Communications, Inc. | Deadline To Register: January 23rd 2023
NSITE, the first organization to provide a continuum of employment services for individuals who are blind or face vision loss, has partnered with one of the leading sales training providers, Baker Communications Inc. (BCI), to offer a virtual instructor-led delivery of their Customer-Centered Communications workshop. This highly engaging and participatory accessible workshop, delivered over four consecutive days (four hours per session), covers a comprehensive six-part system of organized customer communications and selling. After the program, participants will be able to build greater trust with customers, deliver specific customer outcomes effectively, and achieve world-class customer service and sales performance. All NSITE programs are adapted for the learning styles of blind and low-vision learners. Therefore, qualified applicants who are blind or have low vision receive enrollment preference in case classes fill up. Program runs February 27 to March 2, 2023. Apply by January 23rd 2023:
https://bit.ly/NSITE-CCC
7) Northern Illinois University Leads The Way With New Wayfinding Program
A new wayfinding system will help students, faculty, staff and visitors navigate their way through campus through the use of smartphones, posted QR codes and a free app called NaviLens. Developed for blind and visually impaired people by NaviLens at https://www.navilens.com/, it also helps people who have trouble asking for directions like deaf and hard of hearing people. The QR code information is announced and displayed in the language of the phone, supporting people whose first language isn't English:
https://niutoday.info/2023/01/10/on-the-cutting-edge/
8) The eBRF Revolution | APH
As you may have heard, we are working on two game-changing projects that, together, will alter the way we access braille and tactile graphics. We've talked a lot about our Dynamic Tactile Device (DTD), the Monarch, a multiline device that can display both braille and tactile graphics. The impact we expect the Monarch to make will transform the way teachers and students engage with materials in the classroom. But this feat can't be accomplished with hardware alone- we need a new, sophisticated file type that will meet the needs of readers in a way previously unimagined. Braille is literacy, and the more intuitive and available it is, the stronger our community will be:
https://www.aph.org/the-ebrf-revolution/
9) University Bookshelf From APH
Did you know that APH Press is the leading scholarly publisher in the field of blindness and low vision? Check out their University Bookshelf to find titles that relate to your higher education program:
https://www.aph.org/university-bookshelf/
10) Helping The Visually Impaired Access Medical Information And Bills | Spectrum | Kara Burnett
Kyle Frownfelter guides people through whatever tech problem comes their way. “You've got JAWS on your system, right? So JAWS is a screen reader for visually impaired, blind, visually impaired folks,” Frownfelter explained. “And what it does is it reads the screen and the contents of the screen in a synthetic voice.” As an Assistive Technology Instructor for the Northeastern Association of the Blind, he answers calls and provides hands on tech training for those who are visually impaired. “Well, what we're working on, Marco? We're really setting up this computer for me to use anywhere, you know, because it's not fully set up for me to use for job searching,” Frownfelter said. That includes setting up emails and sometimes sorting through documents that are a bit more complicated, medical bills:
https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/hudson-valley/news/2023/01/07/helping-the-visually-impaired-access-medical-information-and-bills
11) CBC / Radio - Canada Invites You To Take Part In Public Consultations On Accessibility
This year, CBC/Radio-Canada is developing its first National Accessibility Plan. We have a unique opportunity to work with Canadians to imagine what an accessible, barrier-free public broadcaster could look like. We have partnered with public libraries across the country to open a dialogue about the needs and priorities of people living with various types of disabilities. We want to hear your thoughts on questions such as:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/community/accessibility-consultations-1.6710088
12) Braille Display Technology Helping Visually Impaired Nebraskans | YouTube
The devices can cost around $3,000 to $5,000. But through the Nebraska Library Commission's Talking Book and Braille Service, library patrons can get the refreshable braille e-readers for free:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_yj5pELMEQ
13) Lesson: Let's Go Fishing | Paths To Literacy
Let's Go Fishing is a fun braille activity to practice numbers and letters by learning to identify them:
https://www.pathstoliteracy.org/lesson-lets-go-fishing/
14) State of Nevada Announces Video Help For Visually Impaired
Nevada's Rehabilitation Division has released a video series designed to support people interacting with the blind and visually impaired. The series explains different skills including walking with a cane, using a guide dog and signing documents. A spokesman said the goal is to help individuals themselves, their friends and family members and service providers with hands-on experience in helping the visually impaired function independently in society:
https://www.nevadaappeal.com/news/2023/jan/08/nevada-official-announces-video-help-for-visually-impaired/
15) She's A Visually-Impaired Marathoner, Triathlete And Mountain Climber: Meet Runninghour's Chris Hortin
She runs marathons, climbs mountains, swims in the sea and plays tennis despite severe vision loss. Vice chairman of Runninghour Chris Hortin tells CNA Women how she overcame her doubts and physical limitations, and took a leap of faith:
https://cnalifestyle.channelnewsasia.com/women/chris-hortin-runninghour-visually-impaired-marathon-triathlete-343321
16) Estee Lauder's New App Helps Visually Impaired Users Apply Makeup | Vogue
The first-of-its-kind Voice-enabled Makeup Assistant uses AR and AI to analyze the makeup on a user's face and suggests audio feedback on which areas need to be touched up or blended:
https://www.voguebusiness.com/beauty/estee-lauders-new-app-helps-visually-impaired-users-apply-makeup
17) New Treatment For Hereditary Blindness Possible Using Nanoparticles And mRNA
Scientists from the Oregon State University College of Pharmacy have demonstrated in animal models the possibility of using lipid nanoparticles and messenger RNA, the technology underpinning COVID-19 vaccines, to treat blindness associated with a rare genetic condition:
https://scitechdaily.com/new-treatment-for-hereditary-blindness-possible-using-nanoparticles-and-mrna/
18) UK Guide Dog Shortage: The Blind People Who Train Their Own Guide Dogs
In early January 2023 a shortage of available guide dogs was reported. For some visually impaired people the wait is too long and they decide to train their own guide dogs. Isabel Holdsworth had been making the daily commute across London from Dagenham to Kings Cross for years. Being visually impaired she had worked with five different guide dogs, until it came to a sad and abrupt end. "My dog died suddenly and I had to go to work and college the next day - two tubes, a 40 minute walk - with no dog," she told BBC Access All:
https://www.bbc.com/news/disability-64175440
19) AXSChat with Rob Sinclair, Global Head of Accessibility at Atlassian and Co-Founder of IAAP | Video
Rob has played a highly significant role in developing accessibility over decades we are delighted to welcome him to AXSChat in his new role. He describes himself and his role:
https://vimeo.com/787884371
20) Translink Testing New Navigation Tool in Vancouver For The Visually Impaired
TransLink is testing new technology it hopes could help the visually impaired better navigate Metro Vancouver's transit system:
https://globalnews.ca/news/9398837/translink-navigation-tool-visually-impaired/
21) Transitions: Putting Your Organization Skills to Work | APH FamilyConnect
Organizing your child's workspace will encourage independence and ownership of their area. Learn more about tips to help organize their desk area with simple changes:
https://familyconnect.org/education/expanded-core-curriculum/transitions-putting-your-organization-skills-to-work/
22) Top Five ADA Compliance Recommendations For Hotels With An Online Presence | Nathan Mayfield | Forbes
Most hotels are well aware of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Thanks to this act, hotel owners understand the need for features such as disabled bathrooms and ramp access. However, not everyone has considered a guest's first port of call — the hotel website:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesbusinesscouncil/2023/01/09/top-five-ada-compliance-recommendations-for-hotels-with-an-online-presence/?sh=66a0caf4200d
23) A World First From Papara: Voice Card For Visually Impaired Users
Papara, the market-leading Turkish financial tech firm, has announced the launch of its Voice Card, the world's first debit card enabling swift and easy transactions and payments for visually impaired users by audio technology:
https://ffnews.com/newsarticle/a-world-first-from-papara-voice-card-for-visually-impaired-users/
➜ Featured Webinars, Training Courses and Events
Submit your access information related Webinar, Training Course or Event for consideration within this section using this form: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-event or locate "Webinar / Training Course Submission Form" within the main menu of the Access Information News website.
January 18th 2023 | Resolution Solutions: Apps To Tap In 2023 | Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc.
4PM PT, 5PM MT, 6PM CT, 7PM ET, 12AM GMT on 1/19
Join the Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc as we tap into the power of several accessible apps and resources in the new year. Learn how to supercharge your financial, physical, mental and emotional batteries during this month's webinar. Special guests include Tyler Merrin, four-time Paralympian, and Chris Peterson, personal finance expert and CEO of Penny Forward. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. Please contact Tim Paulding at tpaulding@lhblind.org 📧️ for questions or assistance with registration. Register in advance for this webinar at:
https://thelighthousefortheblindinc.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_mTOtYNAuToCfMB3YLeln9w
January 18th 2023 | Special Needs Trusts: Planning For Your Future
3:30PM PT, 4:30PM MT, 5:30PM CT, 6:30PM ET, 11:30PM GMT
Join the Carroll Center for the Blind's Exclusive Trust Partner, PLAN of MA & RI, for an informational webinar to learn about Special Needs Trusts and how they can help you and your loved ones plan for your future. A Special Needs Trust allows money to be set aside for a person with a disability. The trust is intended to help preserve funds for the sole benefit of this person, enhance their quality of life, and protect their eligibility for public benefits such as Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income. Speaker: Kathy Vitello, LSW, Director of Operations at PLAN of MA and RI. About the Speaker: Kathy Vitello is a Licensed Social Worker with more than 35 years of experience working with seniors, people who are physically challenged, and chronically ill. She has broad experience and insight — drawn from her work in hospitals, in skilled nursing, rehabilitation, and psychiatric facilities, and in-home care and hospice settings. Kathy holds a degree in Mental Health from Northern Essex Community College; has a BA in Applied Mental Health from University of Massachusetts, Amherst; and earned certificates in Suicide Prevention in Older Adults and Mental Health and Aging from the Institute for Geriatric Social Work at Boston University. Kathy has also participated in a week-long training in Thanatology and is a member of the NPA Conference Planning Committee.
What You'll Learn: Information about the different types of Special Needs Trusts. Why a Special Needs Trust is beneficial to you. How to protect your assets without affecting your Social Security Disability Benefits. Unique features of PLAN as a Professional Trustee. Who Should Attend: Individuals who qualify for Social Security Disability Benefits. Parents, family members, and other caregivers of a person with a disability. Professionals. Individuals who think they could benefit from a Special Needs Trust:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_S1lhF8UVQP6IygWFlBfFZQ?bblinkid=265480395&bbemailid=44518399&bbejrid=-1739148575
January 18th 2023 | How to Create Accessible Videos (Digital Accessibility Webinar) | Access Ingenuity
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12AM CT, 1PM ET, 6PM 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 that complies 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. | Meeting ID: 865 9834 4762 | Passcode: 774759 | One tap mobile: +16699009128,,86598344762#,,,,*774759# US (San Jose) | Dial by your location: +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose) | Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86598344762?pwd=V0NoVU9nU2FEOFFxT1VNVWhjMzhEdz09#success
January 19th 2023 | Coordinating Captioned Media For Your Campus: Learn from Others | Free Webinar | ATHEN
12PM PT, 1PM MT, 2PM CT, 3PM ET, 8PM GMT
Watching media without captions can be frustrating for deaf students. Captioned media not only supports deaf students, but is beneficial for the entire campus community. Accessible campuses require that videos be captioned, however, survey results from 87 disability service professionals found that only 30% of their institutions offered this service (Supporting Deaf College Students: Perspectives From Disability Services Professionals, 2022). Join NDC for a panel of disability service professionals to discuss their experiences with policy and procedures for captioned media on campus. While this webinar is designed for DSS personnel, administrators, policymakers, and participants from all professional backgrounds are encouraged to attend. The agenda for this webinar is derived from common inquiries to NDC's Help Desk which include: Guidance on who is responsible for captioning media. How to implement captioned media policies and procedures, and ways to leverage campus collaborations:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_6EZUmyLTRV2Mp9KFk9OlJA
January 19th 2023 | Top 5 Kiosk Application Tips to Make Your Self-Service Kiosk Accessible | TPGi
9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 5PM GMT
Presenters: Laura Boniello Miller, Director of Business Development, and Traci Murray, Director of Business Development. This webinar will focus on kiosk application accessibility and usability, sharing 5 key considerations for your kiosk application. Enhance your existing kiosk application to be accessible (incorporating applicable parts of WCAG 2.1) and usable for all, including customers who are blind or have low vision. Attendees will learn how to make an existing kiosk app (or build new) to work with a screen reader for a usable and accessible kiosk experience. Register:
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-january-18-at-12pm-et-top-5-kiosk-application-tips-to-make-your-self-service-kiosk-accessible/
January 24th 2023 | Smart Watches And Other Wearables | Tech It Out | Hadley
5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 1AM GMT on 1/25
Please join us on January 24, 2023, at 7 PM Central, when we'll be discussing smart watches and other wearables. If you'd like a text reminder for upcoming Tech It Out discussions, send a text message from your cell phone to the number 52545, and type "Tech" in the body of the message. In the meantime, we'd love to hear your questions and comments. Email us at techitout@hadley.edu 📧️ or give us a call at (800) 323-4238 📱️. You can also join the Tech It Out Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/2692780374142403 to keep the conversation going and chat with fellow participants:
January 25th 2023 | Procedural Safeguards and Parental Rights: New Webinar Series with Karen Mayer Cunningham | APH FamilyConnect
4PM PT, 5PM MT, 6PM CT, 7PM ET, 12AM GMT on 1/26
This fall, we were pleased to partner with Karen Mayer Cunningham to present two webinar series. Navigating and Negotiating Successful IEP and 504 Outcomes and Ask the Advocate provided information to parents, professionals, and school-based members. Participants had the opportunity to learn more about the IEP and 504 processes as well as the opportunity to ask specific questions about their child's IEPs. These two series have been highly attended, and we have received requests for more content from Karen Mayer Cunningham, the self-proclaimed “Special Education Boss”. The positive feedback and need for more content to support parents and professionals leads to the next series of webinars. We are excited to offer the next series to continue to support parents and professionals. Procedural Safeguards: Procedural Safeguards are handed out, and many don't have a full understanding of the document. Procedural Safeguards and Rights are in place for parents and individuals with a disability between the ages of 3 to 22. Unfortunately, most parents are only asked by school-based members if they “received” their copy of the procedural rights, and would they please sign in receipt of them. While that checks a box for the school, it in no way equips the families with a knowledge of their rights and protection, nor indicates the school's legal obligation. This series will identify your rights and the difference between procedural and substantive requirements. Join the APH ConnectCenter and Karen Mayer Cunningham as we dive into Procedural Safeguards and Parental Rights. Learn more: We hope you will join the 6-part webinar series to further your knowledge and understanding of the Procedural Safeguards and Parental Rights. Join us at 7:00 pm EST on 1/11, 1/25, 2/8, 2/22, 3/8, and 3/22. Register here:
https://familyconnect.org/blog/familyconnect-blog/procedural-safeguards-and-parental-rights-new-webinar-series-with-karen-mayer-cunningham/
January 25th 2023 | Easy Portable Reading — The omniReader (ACVREP CE Approved, Assistive Technology Webinar) | Access Ingenuity
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12AM CT, 1PM ET, 6PM GMT
The omniReader ® is the definition of easy by allowing you to read printed text by pressing a single button. You can follow the magnified text in high-contrast colors on the built-in screen or listen as the omniReader reads the text out loud. You can also use the screen to instantly magnify objects and text and display them in high-contrast colors to see them more clearly. Thanks to its lightweight design, built-in handle, and long battery life, you can pick it up and use it wherever you want — at home, at the office, and even on the go. Join Ian Ramos from Access Ingenuity and Joseph McDaniel from Vispero as they explain this machine's critical assistive role to the visually impaired.
Note that everybody is welcome and can benefit from this presentation. If you are a teacher of the visually impaired (TVI), this presentation is approved for ACVREP continuing education credit. Learning Outcomes: Features walkthrough of the omniReader. Understand the primary and secondary assistive benefits. How the omniReader can be an effective reading tool. Meeting ID: 881 2262 4972 | Passcode: 596298 | One tap mobile: +16699009128,,88122624972#,,,,*596298# US (San Jose) | Dial by your location: +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose) | Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88122624972?pwd=S1FzT3luSzlMdTY1NHovL0F5RWNqUT09#success
January 26th 2023 | International Ally User Group Meeting
7AM PT, 8AM MT, 9AM CT, 10AM ET, 3PM GMT
2023 starts with a big bang in the Blackboard / Anthology Ally universe as the North American and European Ally User Groups combine to form the International Ally User Group. Led by the community for the community it will feature talks, workshops, presentations and more from institutions that use Ally and accessibility experts. This month's meeting has some hot topics previously requested by the community: how to sell the benefits of alternative formats to students, and how educators can implement accessible pedagogy. The full agenda is as follows: Introducing User Group Chairs. Community Updates. Accessible Learning using Blackboard Ally — Chloe Bell and Lauren Basey, Northumbria University. Implementing Accessible Pedagogy - Dr Katie Grennell, Anthology. Any other business. These sessions are of particular interest to those who use Ally at their institution or are considering Ally, or who just have an interest in digital accessibility within Higher Education:
https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=-XhTSvQpPk2-iWadA62p2NfEO_MKuJxJqQ_-wiwNK4RUOUsxSEZaWlNMTEdTNkwyOFE4QlhUNk1LMyQlQCN0PWcu&web=1&wdLOR=c3B1C2F98-E350-4F9B-BFA5-A75172815463
January 31st 2023 | A Beginner's Guide to Inclusive UX Design
9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 5PM GMT
Presenters: David Sloan, UX Practice Manager, and David Swallow, Principal UX Consultant. Digital channels provide an opportunity for you to effectively reach and grow your target audience, communicate with them, provide information, build brand relationships, and enable transactions. The related concepts of usability and accessibility address the importance of removing barriers to efficient, effective, and enjoyable digital interactions for all users, including users with disabilities. When barriers are present, we risk brand damage, losing our audience to competitors, and potentially unlawful discrimination against people with disabilities. Accessibility is often left to developers to deal with, but what can people who don't have coding expertise do to ensure usable and accessible digital experiences? In this webinar, accessibility and user experience specialists David Swallow and David Sloan will address that question. We'll make the argument that a focus on the needs of people with disabilities can help deliver better user experiences for everyone. We'll define key concepts of usability, accessibility and inclusive design, and provide practical tips that everyone, regardless of their role, can apply to make digital experiences more accessible and usable. Register:
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-january-31-at-12pm-et-a-beginners-guide-to-inclusive-ux-design/
February 1st 2023 | Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 5: School Aged Numeracy | APH
8AM PT, 9AM MT, 10AM CT, 11AM ET, 4PM GMT
| Using LEGO Braille Bricks to do math: let's discover some of the many uses of these little bricks to develop numerical and geometry skills, understand symmetry, and much more:
https://www.aph.org/lego-braille-bricks-live-sessions/
February 7th 2023 | Health Care Decision Making, Advance Directives, and the MOLST Form | Zoom | For Residents of Maryland
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 6PM GMT
This presentation will provide general guidance and information regarding the process of making health care decisions, including how the Health Care Decisions Act, advance directives, and the Maryland MOLST form are used to carry out patients' health care decisions. Presenter: Paul J. Ballard, Assistant Attorney General, Counsel for Health Decisions Policy:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEtduiupjgoHNAfbDpQ8iBOvnRoNuBlCYrG
February 8th 2023 | Procedural Safeguards and Parental Rights: New Webinar Series with Karen Mayer Cunningham | APH FamilyConnect
4PM PT, 5PM MT, 6PM CT, 7PM ET, 12AM GMT on 1/26
This fall, we were pleased to partner with Karen Mayer Cunningham to present two webinar series. Navigating and Negotiating Successful IEP and 504 Outcomes and Ask the Advocate provided information to parents, professionals, and school-based members. Participants had the opportunity to learn more about the IEP and 504 processes as well as the opportunity to ask specific questions about their child's IEPs. These two series have been highly attended, and we have received requests for more content from Karen Mayer Cunningham, the self-proclaimed “Special Education Boss”. The positive feedback and need for more content to support parents and professionals leads to the next series of webinars. We are excited to offer the next series to continue to support parents and professionals. Procedural Safeguards: Procedural Safeguards are handed out, and many don't have a full understanding of the document. Procedural Safeguards and Rights are in place for parents and individuals with a disability between the ages of 3 to 22. Unfortunately, most parents are only asked by school-based members if they “received” their copy of the procedural rights, and would they please sign in receipt of them. While that checks a box for the school, it in no way equips the families with a knowledge of their rights and protection, nor indicates the school's legal obligation. This series will identify your rights and the difference between procedural and substantive requirements. Join the APH ConnectCenter and Karen Mayer Cunningham as we dive into Procedural Safeguards and Parental Rights. Learn more: We hope you will join the 6-part webinar series to further your knowledge and understanding of the Procedural Safeguards and Parental Rights. Join us at 7:00 pm EST on 1/11, 1/25, 2/8, 2/22, 3/8, and 3/22. Register here:
https://familyconnect.org/blog/familyconnect-blog/procedural-safeguards-and-parental-rights-new-webinar-series-with-karen-mayer-cunningham/
February 9th 2023 and February 10th 2023 | Second Annual 2023 ATHEN Virtual STEM Accessibility Conference: Acc3ss N0w!
ATHEN is hosting the Second Annual "2023 ATHEN Virtual STEM Accessibility Conference: Acc3ss N0w!" on February 9th and 10th 2023. Registration is free for ATHEN and AHEAD members, and low cost for non-members. Conference Details, Dates, Registration and Cost:
https://athenpro.org/content/athen-virtual-conference
February 11th 2023 | Maryland Accessible Telecommunications | Technology User Group | Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled (LBPD)
7AM PT, 8AM MT, 9AM CT, 10AM ET, 3PM GMT
Formerly Maryland Relay, this state resource can help clients acquire cell phones, TTY equipment, and other communication devices. The application process is easy and highly encouraged. Learn about all of the programs offered and how you can benefit. All events are currently being held via teleconference until further notice. No programs will be held in person. Please dial (319) 527-4994 📱️ at 10:00 AM ET. For more information about the Technology User Group or to recommend a topic / technology for discussion, please contact: Jerry Price at (410) 230-2446 📱️ or via email jerry.price1@maryland.gov 📧️
February 15th 2023 | Giving Up Your Car Keys Is Not The End Of Your Independence | NFB of Maryland Senior Call
4PM PT, 5PM MT, 6PM CT, 7PM ET, 12AM GMT on 2/16
Presented by National Federation of the Blind (NFB) of Maryland Senior Division. Please join our conversation to explore the emotional decision to give up driving. Discover how to manage your life when you are no longer the one behind the wheel. When: February 15, 2023 from 7:00 to 8:30 PM ET. Where: NFB of Maryland Conference Call at (339) 209-4083 📱️. All are welcome! For more information about this event or the NFB of Maryland Senior Division please contact Marguerite Woods at (443) 271-1668 📱️ or mwoods719@gmail.com 📧️.
February 27th 2023 to March 2nd 2023 | Apply By January 23rd 2023 | Accessible Customer-Centered Communications Workshop | NSITE & Baker Communications, Inc. In Partnership
NSITE, the first organization to provide a continuum of employment services for individuals who are blind or face vision loss, has partnered with one of the leading sales training providers, Baker Communications Inc. (BCI), to offer a virtual instructor-led delivery of their Customer-Centered Communications workshop. This highly engaging and participatory accessible workshop, delivered over four consecutive days (four hours per session), covers a comprehensive six-part system of organized customer communications and selling. After the program, participants will be able to build greater trust with customers, deliver specific customer outcomes effectively, and achieve world-class customer service and sales performance. All NSITE programs are adapted for the learning styles of blind and low-vision learners. Therefore, qualified applicants who are blind or have low vision receive enrollment preference in case classes fill up. Program runs February 27 to March 2, 2023. Apply by January 23rd 2023:
https://bit.ly/NSITE-CCC
February 22nd 2023 | Procedural Safeguards and Parental Rights: New Webinar Series with Karen Mayer Cunningham | APH FamilyConnect
4PM PT, 5PM MT, 6PM CT, 7PM ET, 12AM GMT on 1/26
This fall, we were pleased to partner with Karen Mayer Cunningham to present two webinar series. Navigating and Negotiating Successful IEP and 504 Outcomes and Ask the Advocate provided information to parents, professionals, and school-based members. Participants had the opportunity to learn more about the IEP and 504 processes as well as the opportunity to ask specific questions about their child's IEPs. These two series have been highly attended, and we have received requests for more content from Karen Mayer Cunningham, the self-proclaimed “Special Education Boss”. The positive feedback and need for more content to support parents and professionals leads to the next series of webinars. We are excited to offer the next series to continue to support parents and professionals. Procedural Safeguards: Procedural Safeguards are handed out, and many don't have a full understanding of the document. Procedural Safeguards and Rights are in place for parents and individuals with a disability between the ages of 3 to 22. Unfortunately, most parents are only asked by school-based members if they “received” their copy of the procedural rights, and would they please sign in receipt of them. While that checks a box for the school, it in no way equips the families with a knowledge of their rights and protection, nor indicates the school's legal obligation. This series will identify your rights and the difference between procedural and substantive requirements. Join the APH ConnectCenter and Karen Mayer Cunningham as we dive into Procedural Safeguards and Parental Rights. Learn more: We hope you will join the 6-part webinar series to further your knowledge and understanding of the Procedural Safeguards and Parental Rights. Join us at 7:00 pm EST on 1/11, 1/25, 2/8, 2/22, 3/8, and 3/22. Register here:
https://familyconnect.org/blog/familyconnect-blog/procedural-safeguards-and-parental-rights-new-webinar-series-with-karen-mayer-cunningham/
March 6th 2023 | Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 6: Daily Living Activities | APH
8AM PT, 9AM MT, 10AM CT, 11AM ET, 4PM GMT
Let's explore daily-living activities using LEGO Braille Bricks and share our best practices, experiences, tips:
https://www.aph.org/lego-braille-bricks-live-sessions/
March 8th 2023 | Procedural Safeguards and Parental Rights: New Webinar Series with Karen Mayer Cunningham | APH FamilyConnect
4PM PT, 5PM MT, 6PM CT, 7PM ET, 12AM GMT on 1/26
This fall, we were pleased to partner with Karen Mayer Cunningham to present two webinar series. Navigating and Negotiating Successful IEP and 504 Outcomes and Ask the Advocate provided information to parents, professionals, and school-based members. Participants had the opportunity to learn more about the IEP and 504 processes as well as the opportunity to ask specific questions about their child's IEPs. These two series have been highly attended, and we have received requests for more content from Karen Mayer Cunningham, the self-proclaimed “Special Education Boss”. The positive feedback and need for more content to support parents and professionals leads to the next series of webinars. We are excited to offer the next series to continue to support parents and professionals. Procedural Safeguards: Procedural Safeguards are handed out, and many don't have a full understanding of the document. Procedural Safeguards and Rights are in place for parents and individuals with a disability between the ages of 3 to 22. Unfortunately, most parents are only asked by school-based members if they “received” their copy of the procedural rights, and would they please sign in receipt of them. While that checks a box for the school, it in no way equips the families with a knowledge of their rights and protection, nor indicates the school's legal obligation. This series will identify your rights and the difference between procedural and substantive requirements. Join the APH ConnectCenter and Karen Mayer Cunningham as we dive into Procedural Safeguards and Parental Rights. Learn more: We hope you will join the 6-part webinar series to further your knowledge and understanding of the Procedural Safeguards and Parental Rights. Join us at 7:00 pm EST on 1/11, 1/25, 2/8, 2/22, 3/8, and 3/22. Register here:
https://familyconnect.org/blog/familyconnect-blog/procedural-safeguards-and-parental-rights-new-webinar-series-with-karen-mayer-cunningham/
March 11th 2023 | Using Garage Band App to Create a Song | Technology User Group | Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled (LBPD)
7AM PT, 8AM MT, 9AM CT, 10AM ET, 3PM GMT
You have seen this app on your iDevice, and maybe you have even opened it once or twice. In this presentation, you will learn how to create a song from scratch and how to make modifications. All events are currently being held via teleconference until further notice. No programs will be held in person. Please dial (319) 527-4994 📱️ at 10:00 AM ET. For more information about the Technology User Group or to recommend a topic / technology for discussion, please contact: Jerry Price at (410) 230-2446 📱️ or via email jerry.price1@maryland.gov 📧️
March 13th 2023 through March 17th 2023 | 2023 38th Annual CSUN Assistive Technology Conference
Welcome. Whether you have been attending the conference for years or are planning to attend your first, the CSUN Assistive Technology Conference, also known as the CSUN Conference, is the ultimate community experience and the premier forum on technology for all persons with disabilities. For over 37 years, California State University, Northridge's Center on Disabilities has sponsored the conference, providing a platform for researchers, practitioners, educators, exhibitors and more from around the world, where they can share knowledge, innovations, and best practices to promote inclusion for all. Building on the momentum from the 2022 conference, exciting new plans are in the works to enhance the conference experience. We encourage you to join us in Anaheim, California in 2023, where attendees can attend Pre-Conference Workshops, the yearly Keynote Address, Featured Presentations, General Sessions, Sponsor Showcase Suites and the Exhibit Hall. We also continue developing new programming to build community and networking opportunities. Check back often or follow us on social media for the latest updates, details, and deadlines. For information on sponsor or exhibitor opportunities, please visit our Opportunities page or email us at conference@csun.edu 📧️. We can't wait until the CSUN Conference community is back together to learn, share and connect:
https://www.csun.edu/cod/conference/sessions/
March 15th 2023 and March 16th 2023 | 2023 3rd Annual Axe-Con | Building Accessible Experiences | The World's Largest Digital Accessibility Conference
Deque Systems, the trusted leader in digital accessibility, has announced the third annual axe-con conference will return on March 15-16th, 2023. With the success of axe-con over the past two years, Deque will continue to host the conference as a free virtual event again next year. Axe-con is an open and inclusive digital accessibility conference that welcomes developers, designers, business users, and accessibility professionals of all experience levels to a new kind of accessibility conference focused on building, testing, and maintaining accessible digital experiences:
https://www.deque.com/blog/save-the-date-for-axe-con-2023/
March 22nd 2023 | Procedural Safeguards and Parental Rights: New Webinar Series with Karen Mayer Cunningham | APH FamilyConnect
4PM PT, 5PM MT, 6PM CT, 7PM ET, 12AM GMT on 1/26
This fall, we were pleased to partner with Karen Mayer Cunningham to present two webinar series. Navigating and Negotiating Successful IEP and 504 Outcomes and Ask the Advocate provided information to parents, professionals, and school-based members. Participants had the opportunity to learn more about the IEP and 504 processes as well as the opportunity to ask specific questions about their child's IEPs. These two series have been highly attended, and we have received requests for more content from Karen Mayer Cunningham, the self-proclaimed “Special Education Boss”. The positive feedback and need for more content to support parents and professionals leads to the next series of webinars. We are excited to offer the next series to continue to support parents and professionals. Procedural Safeguards: Procedural Safeguards are handed out, and many don't have a full understanding of the document. Procedural Safeguards and Rights are in place for parents and individuals with a disability between the ages of 3 to 22. Unfortunately, most parents are only asked by school-based members if they “received” their copy of the procedural rights, and would they please sign in receipt of them. While that checks a box for the school, it in no way equips the families with a knowledge of their rights and protection, nor indicates the school's legal obligation. This series will identify your rights and the difference between procedural and substantive requirements. Join the APH ConnectCenter and Karen Mayer Cunningham as we dive into Procedural Safeguards and Parental Rights. Learn more: We hope you will join the 6-part webinar series to further your knowledge and understanding of the Procedural Safeguards and Parental Rights. Join us at 7:00 pm EST on 1/11, 1/25, 2/8, 2/22, 3/8, and 3/22. Register here:
https://familyconnect.org/blog/familyconnect-blog/procedural-safeguards-and-parental-rights-new-webinar-series-with-karen-mayer-cunningham/
April 5th 2023 | Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 7: Music | APH
8AM PT, 9AM MT, 10AM CT, 11AM ET, 4PM GMT
Let's discover together how to make music with these famous bricks! Come and share your creative ideas:
https://www.aph.org/lego-braille-bricks-live-sessions/
April 8th 2023 | How To Upgrade To Windows 11 | Technology User Group | Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled (LBPD)
7AM PT, 8AM MT, 9AM CT, 10AM ET, 3PM GMT
This operating system has been around for a while, and people champion its security strengths and applications. Should you upgrade, and what is that process? All events are currently being held via teleconference until further notice. No programs will be held in person. Please dial (319) 527-4994 📱️ at 10:00 AM ET. For more information about the Technology User Group or to recommend a topic / technology for discussion, please contact: Jerry Price at (410) 230-2446 📱️ or via email jerry.price1@maryland.gov 📧️
May 3rd 2023 | Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 8: STEM | APH
8AM PT, 9AM MT, 10AM CT, 11AM ET, 4PM GMT
Have you ever thought of doing science, computing, or technology with LEGO Braille Bricks? Expert guests will join us for an amazing session:
https://www.aph.org/lego-braille-bricks-live-sessions/
May 13th 2023 | Travel Tools and Apps | Technology User Group | Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled (LBPD)
7AM PT, 8AM MT, 9AM CT, 10AM ET, 3PM GMT
Whether you are traveling to another city, state or country, we will look at tools and resources that will help you get the most assistance for your venture. All events are currently being held via teleconference until further notice. No programs will be held in person. Please dial (319) 527-4994 📱️ at 10:00 AM ET. For more information about the Technology User Group or to recommend a topic / technology for discussion, please contact: Jerry Price at (410) 230-2446 📱️ or via email jerry.price1@maryland.gov 📧️
June 7th 2023 | Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 9: Orientation & Mobility | APH
8AM PT, 9AM MT, 10AM CT, 11AM ET, 4PM GMT
LEGO bricks to build plans, visualize routes, it's not new! But with LEGO Braille Bricks you can also create labels, add letters, words... Then it becomes really great:
https://www.aph.org/lego-braille-bricks-live-sessions/
➜ Directories
1) Access Information Email Newsletter Directory
https://www.accessinformationnews.com/email-newsletter-directory.html
2) Top Tech Tidbits Blind And Visually Impaired App Directory
https://www.toptechtidbits.com/blind-and-visually-impaired-technology-app-directory.html
3) Top Tech Tidbits Blind And Visually Impaired Game Directory
https://www.toptechtidbits.com/blind-and-visually-impaired-technology-game-directory.html
4) Top Tech Tidbits Blind And Visually Impaired Listserv Directory
https://www.toptechtidbits.com/blind-and-visually-impaired-technology-listserv-directory.html
5) Top Tech Tidbits Blind And Visually Impaired Podcast Directory
https://www.toptechtidbits.com/blind-and-visually-impaired-technology-podcast-directory.html
Access Information News Sponsor Classified Ads:
Sponsor: Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc.
Sponsor Since: December 29th 2022
Website: https://lhblind.org/ 🌐️
Phone: (800) 914-7307 📱️
Fax: (206) 329-3397 ░
Contact Us: https://lhblind.org/contact-us/
About: The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. is a private, not-for-profit social enterprise providing employment, support, and training opportunities for people who are blind, DeafBlind, and blind with other disabilities. The Lighthouse has provided employment and support to people who are blind in our community since 1918.
The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. is a successful manufacturing organization with over 60 years of experience in precision machining. We produce an array of machined parts and plastic injection molding for various aerospace manufacturers, as well as a host of office products and hydration equipment sold to the Federal Government and the U.S. Military. We also own and operate stores on military bases along the West Coast. Our products and services include:
• Manufacturing: We are a successful manufacturing organization committed to making jobs accessible to individuals who are blind. Our manufacturing operations center on making quality products for the Federal Government under the AbilityOne Program and producing parts for aerospace manufacturers.
• Managed Services: The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. offers a variety of services to our commercial, federal, and military customers. These include Contract Management Support (CMS) services for government contracting offices.
• Base Supply Centers: We operate 12 AbilityOne Base Supply Centers (BSCs) that offer easy customer access to Lighthouse products, direct feedback and communication with customers, and employment opportunities for individuals who are blind in geographic areas not served by larger nonprofit agencies.
Sponsor: Access Ready, Inc.
➜ Access Ready Seeks Your Support at the Public Policy Level
Moving the public policy needle is both difficult and costly. Access Ready has one of the most experienced teams in the business who have shown results. We have fostered Congressional language on accessible websites, elections, healthcare, communications, and other areas touched by information and communications technologies. These efforts are costly and we need your help to continue. Become an Access Ready supporter and create an accessible future for people with disabilities:
https://accessready.org/
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.
➜ Access Ready Provides Access To The Best In The Business
If you need assistance with a new accessible website, document remediation or disability consulting of other kinds, Access Ready can help. We seek out the best in the business and bring them to you already vetted as to quality, professionalism and ability. By going through AccessReady.org to one of our qualified providers, you're not only getting the best, but supporting our advocacy and technological development efforts as well:
https://accessready.org/
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.
➜ Access Ready Seeks Guidance On New Accessible Technologies
What Technologies do you see in the market that are not accessible, but should be? What accessible technologies can you imagine that can make the lives of people with all kinds of disabilities better? We will advocate with developers to make existing technologies accessible on your behalf. We will advocate with developers to build new accessible technologies on your behalf. Give us your guidance and support. Your guidance charts our path toward what is most important. Your support funds our efforts on your behalf:
https://accessready.org/
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
➜ Prepare For Your Future Today With The All-New APH ConnectCenter's Job Seekers Toolkit!
The APH ConnectCenter and NSITE have partnered to update the Job Seeker's Toolkit, an accessible, self-paced, free online training course. The Toolkit includes five sections covering self-awareness, career exploration tools, the preliminary employment process, the interview, and maintaining employment. We are bringing the Job Seeker's Toolkit to a larger audience and in a Learning Management System format for today's learners, at no cost. Visit APHCareerConnect.org to get started with the Job Seekers Toolkit today at:
https://aphcareerconnect.org/lesson-plans-for-teachers-and-professionals/the-job-seekers-toolkit/
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: Menus4ALL
➜ A Revolution in Resolution — Menus for Everyone
No matter when, where or who, the Menus4ALL iPhone app gives you the info you need quickly. No more multiple Google searches to research menus before going out. Info is organized to give you quick access to what you are looking for — the menu! Optimized to give you the best viewing experience. No more struggling to see small print, or looking at a menu in a dimly lit restaurant. Do you use magnification, large print, VoiceOver, a braille display or Voice Control? Enjoy 750,000 fully accessible menus. Download the app today at:
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/menus4all/id1640547801?platform=iphone
Sponsor Since: November 20th 2022
Website: https://www.menus4all.com/ 🌐️
Email: stephanie@menus4all.com 📧️
About: 750,000 Accessible Restaurant Menus. On your iPhone ® in the palm of your hand.
Yes, that's not a typo. The Menus4ALL iPhone app offers 500,000 accessible menus in the United States and 250,000 accessible menus in Canada.
Wherever you are and whenever you want The Menus4ALL iPhone app is the largest network of restaurant menus in one place and all of the menus are fully accessible.
Perfect for when you are out running errands and want to know what restaurants are near your current location. Great for planning a night out with friends. Favorite menus that you want to look at later or when you know you are going back for that amazing dish.
Download The App (Apple): https://apps.apple.com/us/app/menus4all/id1640547801?platform=iphone
Sponsor: WayAround
➜ Try Talking Labels That Work With Your Smartphone For Just $9.99!
Get all the different types of WayTags so you can try the BEST accessible labeling system around. Use the coupon code TryTags to get a WayTag Sampler Pack for just $9.99. Plus, you get FREE shipping. Use the WayTags along with the free mobile app to label your things with a description and other important details, so you can spend less time figuring out what things are, and more time getting things done.
https://www.wayaround.com/shop/sampler-pack/?utm_source=AssistiveTech&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=AccessInfoNewsSponsorAd
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
➜ Finally! Holding Businesses Accountable
Those who need accessibility accommodations aren't strangers to jumping in with self-advocacy to achieve it. But, what about the rest of us? When explaining the benefits of a reasonable accommodation to one's place of work or school. This is where our self-advocacy kits come in. Pneuma has written up customizable email templates you can modify according to your situation. We cover a variety of different advocacy scenarios. Simply choose your scenario, answer a few simple questions, adapt the language, address it to the right person, and submit it! Self-advocacy has never been easier:
https://pneumasolutions.com/finally-holding-businesses-accountable/
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: Clusiv
Sponsor Since: January 16th 2023
Website: https://clusiv.io/ 🌐️
About: We are Clusiv. We are the world's first e-learning platform built for and by blind and partially sighted people. We are a resource to vocational rehabilitation organizations. We are a training platform for individuals with visual impairments who have faced barriers to access and equity in the modern workforce. We are engineering the future of work for accessibility. Learn more by selecting the user path that best describes you:
➜ Discover. I want to learn more about Clusiv.
➜ Potential Student. I want to train with Clusiv.
➜ VR Agency / Counselor. I want to help the people I serve with Clusiv.
➜ Inclusive Employer. I want to hire Clusiv graduates.
Your Business or Organization Name Here
➜ Your Weekly Classified Advertisement Title Here (128 characters or less including spaces.)
Your weekly Classified Advertisement here.
(512 characters or less including spaces.)
Sponsor Since: Today
Website: https://accessinformationnews.com/ 🌐️
Phone: (855) 578-6660 📱️
Email: news@accessinformationnews.com 📧️
About: Access Information News is the world's leading not-for-profit access information news publication that reaches over 15,000 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.
9 of 18 Sponsorship Packages Currently Available
Access Information News is the world's leading not-for-profit access information news publication that reaches over 15,000 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 9 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.
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Publisher: Aaron Di Blasi (Volunteer)
➜ Is Your Business or Organization Looking to Hire a Professional, Part-Time, Remote Digital Marketer? Aaron Di Blasi, PMP, Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd., is Seeking a New Client Partnership. Hire Direct And Pay No Agency Fee.
Could your business or organization use help with your digital marketing workflow? Tasks like website administration, article assembly and publication, graphic design, website updates, email newsletter blasts and social media scheduling? Aaron Di Blasi, Owner and Sr. Project Management Professional for Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd. is seeking a new client partnership. Learn more at:
https://mvsltd.com/news/is-your-business-or-organization-looking-to-hire-a-professional-digital-marketer-aaron-di-blasi-pmp-mind-vault-solutions-ltd-is-seeking-a-new-client-partnership/
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 Access 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 Access 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 advocacy foundation.
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 Access Technology
https://toptechtidbits.com 🌐️
Project Management Professional (2022 - Present)
Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd.
Innovative ideas. Solutions that perform.
https://mvsltd.com 🌐️
Access Information News for Monday, January 9, 2023 - Volume 892
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: 10,935 Opt-In Subscribers were sent this issue via email.
This Week's Featured Advertisement: Have You Been Looking For A Way To Consistently Reach The Largest Audience Of Opt-In Access Professionals In The World Today? Please Consider Becoming A Sponsor For Just $100 USD Per Month. While Packages Last. This Issue Made Possible By Support From The Following Sponsors:
This issue made possible by Sponsorship support from Pneuma Solutions, WayAround, Menus4ALL, APH ConnectCenter, Access Ready, Inc., The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. and Clusiv. Learn more about Sponsorship today at: https://accessinformationnews.com/sponsor.
Dear Access Information News Subscriber,
Submit your access information news item for consideration within this section using this form: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-news or locate "News Item Submission Form" within the main menu of the Access Information News website.
1) Top 5 Most Clicked Tidbits From Last Week
A.) How Visually Impaired People Ease Social Awkwardness (12.3% of all clicks.)
A study highlights the range of uncomfortable situations people living with blindness or visual impairment encounter due to interpersonal communication challenges:
https://goodmenproject.com/featured-content/how-visually-impaired-people-ease-social-awkwardness/
B.) Kellogg Rolls Out New Packaging for Blind and Visually Impaired (5.2% of all clicks.)
Shopping for cereal at U.S. grocery stores just got easier for people who are blind or have low vision. Kellogg's has just announced that it is launching new packaging for four of its most popular cereal brands — Kellogg's Corn Flakes, Special K Original, Rice Krispies and Crispix — that features an innovative technology for the visually impaired called NaviLens:
https://www.foodnetwork.com/fn-dish/news/kellogg-navilens-cereal-packaging
C.) 13 Awesome Blind Piano Players (Best Blind Pianists) | Music Grotto (4.7% of all clicks.)
Being blind comes with a great number of challenges for people trying to go about their everyday life, but it's also a major obstacle when it comes to learning a skill. Music can be especially challenging, as there aren't a lot of braille resources out there to allow musicians to read music off of sheets. Despite the challenges and barriers to entry, there have been many virtuoso blind musicians in history, especially on the piano. In this article, we'll cover 13 awesome blind pianists who overcame their obstacles to become some of the best in their field:
https://www.musicgrotto.com/blind-piano-players/
D.) How The Brain Responds To Blindness (4.7% of all clicks.)
In this video, Justin from the Institute of Human Anatomy discusses the brain's ability to remodel itself in the visually impaired:
https://www.technologynetworks.com/neuroscience/videos/how-the-brain-responds-to-blindness-368466
E.) How I Wrote My First Novel While Going Blind — And Kept It A Secret | Jon Gingerich (4.2% of all clicks.)
It's my experience that people with disabilities are expertly attuned to the practice of fielding empowering affirmations from support groups, well-intentioned friends and strangers on the internet. The wearying aphorisms, the sympathy-card condolences, the feelgood bromides about overcoming adversity:
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2022/dec/27/first-novel-writing-blindness
2) Sponsorship Package Updates
Availability: There are currently 9 Access Information News Sponsorship Packages remaining. Join Us: If you would like to support the ongoing distribution of Access Information News while reaching over 15,000 access professionals each week, please consider becoming a Sponsor today for just $100 a month, paid either quarterly or annually. Annual sponsors gain the additional benefit of being able to schedule their Featured Advertisements up to one year in advance. If you are an access information business or organization that has been looking for a way to consistently reach the largest audience of opt-in access professionals in the world today, please consider becoming an Access Information News Sponsor while packages last. Benefits: Learn all about the benefits here:
https://www.accessinformationnews.com/sponsorship-information.html#sponsorship-package-benefits 📧️
3) Access Information News Now Reaches Over 10,000 Access Subscribers Each Week Following 2022 Merger With Access Ready Reporter
Publisher: I am very excited to report that following the merger with Access Ready Reporter at the end of 2022, Access Information News will now reach over 10,000 access information subscribers each week. Final subscriber statistics here:
https://www.accessinformationnews.com/6.html
4) Access Information News Welcomes Clusiv As 9th Founding Publication Sponsor
Please join all of us here at Access Information News in welcoming aboard Clusiv. Clusiv is now the 9th founding sponsor of the Access Information News publication. Clusiv is also a long time supporter and sponsor of the Top Tech Tidbits Publication. Clusiv is the world's first e-learning platform built for and by blind and partially sighted people. They are a resource to vocational rehabilitation organizations. They are a training platform for individuals with visual impairments who have faced barriers to access and equity in the modern workforce. They are engineering the future of work for accessibility. Learn more today at:
https://clusiv.io/
5) Access Information News Click-To-Vote Quick Poll #892 | Sponsored By: Access Ready, Inc.
Question: Opinion Poll: With businesses and governments at all levels becoming increasingly dependent on Information and Communications Technology (ICT) to provide goods and services, and physical facilities in the US already required to be built in accordance with accessibility standards, why not ICT?
A.) There is no widespread understanding of the vital role that accessible ICT can play in the civic, economic, and social welfare of people with disabilities.
Click-To-Vote A Link: https://bit.ly/ain-poll892-a
B.) The commitments from business and government to provide accessible ICT is being undermined by lower level staff who do not understand the vital role ICT can play in the lives of people with disabilities.
Click-To-Vote B Link: https://bit.ly/ain-poll892-b
C.) There is widespread confusion related to the requirements, both legal and technical, that govern what is accessible ICT and how inaccessibility can restrict the lives of people with disabilities.
Click-To-Vote C Link: https://bit.ly/ain-poll892-c
D.) Indifference by technology developers toward accessible ICT based on limited investment returns and lackluster support by disability leaders for accessible products is a growing problem.
Click-To-Vote D Link: https://bit.ly/ain-poll892-d
E.) I believe all of the above answers play a part in limiting the growth of accessible ICT to some degree.
Click-To-Vote E Link: https://bit.ly/ain-poll892-e
Poll Link: https://bit.ly/ain-poll892
6) Why AI Audiobook Narrators Could Win Over Some Authors And Readers, Despite The Vocal Bumps
For the first few seconds, the narrator of Kristen Ethridge's new romance audiobook, Shelter from the Storm, sounds like a human being. The voice is light and carefully enunciated, with the slow pacing of any audiobook narrator, as it begins: "There's a storm coming, and her name is Hope." Then, something about the pacing of the words grates on the ear. It's a little too regular, even robotic. “I know that sounds a little crazy,” the breathy voice continues, grinding out the words. “That something so destructive could be labeled with such a peaceful name.” From sentence to sentence, the cadence of the narrator's voice glides forward, then snags on an artificial syllable. It's the aural equivalent of watching the gears of a machine rotate under a surface of what looks like human skin:
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2023/jan/05/why-ai-audiobook-narrators-could-win-over-some-authors-and-readers-despite-the-vocal-bumps
7) Apple Books Launches Ai-Narrated Audiobooks Initiative
Apple Books has launched a new initiative to expand the number of audiobooks available on its store. It is inviting independent writers and larger publishers to opt-in to have their written books converted into audio form using AI voice synthesis models:
https://9to5mac.com/2023/01/05/apple-books-ai-audiobooks/
8) Q&A with Lainey Feingold: Digital Accessibility Legal Update For January 5th 2023 | 3PlayMedia
A lot happened in the digital accessibility legal space in 2022! Have you kept up? At the end of every year, we're always thrilled to welcome back Lainey Feingold for her annual digital accessibility legal update. Lainey is an internationally recognized disability rights lawyer and is widely known for negotiating landmark accessibility agreements. Lainey joined us on December 8th 2022, to present her 2022 Legal Update on Digital Accessibility, in which she gave us the full scoop on digital accessibility in the legal space over the last year. In this blog, we'll briefly recap Lainey's presentation and share her answers to audience questions:
https://www.3playmedia.com/blog/lainey-feingolds-annual-digital-accessibility-legal-update/
9) Is A Bookkeeping Career Accessible: An Interview With A Blind Bookkeeper | Bookkeeping Side Hustle | YouTube
Taylor Ardnt is joining me to discuss if bookkeeping is an accessible career. I watched a video of Taylor's on her YouTube Channel called “A New Direction” and I knew that I wanted to talk to her about her experience being blind in the accounting industry.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BFK_tZpSjE
10) From Concept to Creation: The Mi'kmaw Braille Code
How did a braille transcriber develop a new braille code? We spoke with Christine Muise, recipient of the Louis Award from APH, about her journey creating the Mi'kmaw braille code:
https://www.aph.org/from-concept-to-creation-the-mikmaw-braille-code/
11) Top 10 Accessibility News Articles of 2022 | Equal Entry
We scoured many news announcements to find the most talked about accessibility news of 2022. We made a list. Checked it twice. Put it all into a form for you to decide. Here are the Top 10 Accessibility News Articles of 2022 starting with Number 10:
https://equalentry.com/top-10-accessibility-news-of-2022/
12) Blind And Partially Sighted People Are Struggling To Vote, RNIB Warns
Despite recent changes to laws to improve accessible voting, guidance is still too vague to ensure people all over the country can enact their right to a secret vote, a charity has warned:
https://inews.co.uk/news/politics/blind-partially-sighted-elections-voting-accessibility-rnib-2045980
13) Louisville Nonprofit Aims To Improve Digital Braille Standards
Reading tablets for sighted people are advanced and comprehensive. But people who are blind rely on outdated devices with limited functions. The American Printing House for the Blind, a Louisville nonprofit, is part of a global initiative to improve them:
https://www.lpm.org/news/2022-12-28/louisville-nonprofit-aims-to-improve-digital-braille-standards
14) Celebrate Braille Literacy Month | Paths To Literacy
January Is Braille Literacy Month! Find out where you can learn braille, where to get free braille books, ideas to celebrate Louis Braille's birthday, and more resources on braille:
https://www.pathstoliteracy.org/celebrate-braille-literacy-month/
15) Visually-Impaired TikToker Shows How Her Guide Dog Helps Her Find The Restroom
Rue is such a sweet girl, and she's so helpful, too! The journey to becoming a guide dog is a long and tedious one, but all of the hard work ensures that they become the best they can be. That's why Rue the Golden Retriever is great at helping her owner navigate all kinds of terrain! She can even help her human find her way to the bathrooms, and the pair recorded a TikTok video to show their viewers how it's done. On this pup's account, @guidedogrue, the duo demonstrates how they achieve all sorts of tasks, just like this:
https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/visually-impaired-tiktoker-shows-her-120000817.html
16) Reader Review: Cell Phone Services From Company Service Representatives
Courtesy of Award Winning Sight Loss Coach, Advocate and Author Donna Jodhan:
https://www.accessinformationnews.com/7.html
17) Teaching Children Independence and Advocacy Skills from an Early Age | APH FamilyConnect
When a parent learns their child is blind or has low vision as early as birth, it can take time to accept. But it's essential that children start learning key skills as early as possible. Giving children the tools they need to lead independent, fulfilling lives will give both children and their parents optimism about the future. The importance of early intervention can't be overstated. Parents or guardians are central to helping children begin learning to understand and navigate the world immediately after a diagnosis:
https://familyconnect.org/blog/familyconnect-blog/teaching-children-independence-and-advocacy-skills-from-an-early-age/
18) Spanish Braille and English Language Learners | Paths To Literacy
Commonly asked questions about teaching braille to Spanish-speaking students and English Language Learners (ELL, ESL):
https://www.pathstoliteracy.org/spanish-braille-and-english-language-learners/
19) Blind And Visually Impaired Young Adults in Chicago Get A Post-Holiday Shopping Spree At Macy's
A group of young people from Chicago who are blind and/or visually impaired were treated to a post-holiday shopping spree at Macy's on State Street. The outing, organized and sponsored by The Chicago Lighthouse, served as a lesson in fun and learning for the group of young adults who found had a joyful day shopping. The Chicago Lighthouse is a social service organization that serves blind, visually impaired and disabled people in the Chicago area:
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/blind-and-visually-impaired-young-adults-get-a-post-holiday-shopping-spree-at-macys/3038134/
20) Braille Institute Celebrates 4th Annual "Assistive Technology Month" In January
Braille Institute celebrates January as "Assistive Technology Month" with over 10 free educational and interactive online technology workshops featuring speakers from the field, as well as hands-on device presentations and demonstrations:
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/braille-institute-celebrates-4th-annual-assistive-technology-month-in-january-301712972.html
21) I Went Blind After Giving Birth — And Couldn't See My Newborn
Her beloved babies disappeared right before her eyes. A London woman is speaking out about a horrifying condition that caused her to go blind after giving birth. Sylvia Chengo, 34, suffered from a childhood eye condition that flared up again after she welcomed son, Kai, in 2014:
https://nypost.com/2023/01/02/i-went-blind-after-giving-birth-and-couldnt-see-my-newborn/
22) New Duckworth-Baldwin Bill Would Ensure Seat Size, Other Real-Life Conditions Are Considered In Federal Aircraft Emergency Evacuation Standards
As the holiday season continues and millions of Americans are set to board crowded flights in the next few weeks, U.S. Senator and pilot Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) today announced the Emergency Vacating of Aircraft Cabin (EVAC) Act to ensure the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) does more to prioritize passenger safety by appropriately considering seat size, carry-on baggage, people with disabilities, seniors and children in its emergency evacuation standards:
https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/news/press-releases/12/09/2022/new-duckworth-baldwin-bill-would-ensure-seat-size-other-real-life-conditions-are-considered-in-federal-aircraft-emergency-evacuation-standards
23) Harry Potter Themed Braille Designs | Paths To Literacy
Do you love Harry Potter as much as we do? Check out these Harry Potter Themed Braille Designs! Harry Potter themed braille art designs are a fun way to tie together a popular book series with braille skills:
https://www.pathstoliteracy.org/harry-potter-themed-braille-designs/
24) Braille Tales Builds a Foundation for a Lifetime of Literacy | APH FamilyConnect
Alison Clougherty was a mom first and then became a Teacher of the Visually Impaired (TVI) — inspired in part by a desire to help her son, Finn, and others like him. Finn was born blind, with two detached retinas, and it was a whole new world for Alison. She quickly began looking for every resource possible to give Finn the same advantages as every other child:
https://familyconnect.org/blog/familyconnect-blog/braille-tales-builds-a-foundation-for-a-lifetime-of-literacy/
25) Akasa Air Introduces In-Flight Safety Manual In Braille For Visual Impaired
Akasa Air on has introduced its in-flight safety manual in Braille for persons with visual impairment:
https://www.daijiworld.com/news/newsDisplay?newsID=1036409
26) AppleVis Is Now On Mastodon
AppleVis and some of our team members are now officially on Mastodon with our own AppleVis instance:
https://www.applevis.com/blog/applevis-now-mastodon
27) Nuts.com Class Action Alleges Website Inaccessible To Blind, Visually Impaired Consumers
Shivan Bassaw, a visually impaired individual, filed a class action lawsuit against Nuts.com, alleging the website makes it impossible for visually impaired or blind individuals to complete a transaction:
https://topclassactions.com/disability-class-action-lawsuit/nuts-com-class-action-alleges-website-inaccessible-to-blind-visually-impaired-consumers/
28) National Federation of the Blind January 2023 Presidential Release | YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbELLlpqy-g
➜ Featured Webinars, Training Courses and Events
Submit your access information related Webinar, Training Course or Event for consideration within this section using this form: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-event or locate "Webinar / Training Course Submission Form" within the main menu of the Access Information News website.
1) Expand Your Blind Life with Sam Seavey
January 11th 2023 | 10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 6PM GMT | Join us for a presentation from Sam, host of the popular YouTube channel, The Blind Life, who will discuss his experience with hosting a YouTube channel and the challenges he's faced living with Stargardt Disease. Sam is the founder and creator of The Blind Life YouTube channel, with more than 46,000 subscribers and over 700 informative videos. He helps people world-wide living with vision loss, offering tips for managing daily tasks, reviewing assistive devices, and hosting informative interviews with key stakeholders in the visually impaired community. He collaborates with tech giants like Google, SONY and Amazon, has created content for MacularDegeneration.net and participates on Microsoft's Window's Accessibility Advisory Board. Join us for an opportunity to learn about Sam's journey living with Stargardt Disease and hosting a popular YouTube channel. Venue/Location: Event Type: Virtual. Organizer: Los Angeles Center, (323) 663-1111 📱️, la@brailleinstitute.org 📧️. Capacity: Unlimited spots available. Register for this event:
https://brailleinstitute.org/bioa-event/expand-your-blind-life-with-sam-seavey
2) JAWS: Getting Started with Microsoft Teams for Work (Assistive Technology Webinar) | Access Ingenuity
January 11th 2023 | 10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12AM CT, 1PM ET, 6PM GMT | Recently, Microsoft Teams has gained popularity in many workplaces. As a result, we've received many requests for using Teams with JAWS. Join Ian Ramos and Zhi Huang from Access Ingenuity to explore the Microsoft teams interface using the JAWS screen reader. Please note that this presentation is on the Microsoft Teams for work program, which you or your workplace must install. It is not the Microsoft Teams for personal use program included with Windows 11. Although the topic of this presentation is Microsoft Teams, the webinar is through Zoom, allowing those who do not know how to use Teams to attend. Learning Outcomes: Understand Microsoft Teams for work interface. Discover how to get a list of keyboard commands using Microsoft Teams and JAWS. Understand how to work with the settings and some ideal options when using Teams with a screen reader. Explore the difference between using Teams with and without JAWS scripts and how they may enhance experience depending on your needs. | Meeting ID: 813 9605 3526 | Passcode: 630132 | One tap mobile: +16699009128,,81396053526#,,,,*630132# US (San Jose) | Dial by your location: +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose) | Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81396053526?pwd=Vy9NM05YLzJrdTdaZGNVZGFuMmFpZz09#success
3) The Many Faces of BARD
January 12th 2023 | 4PM PT, 5PM MT, 6PM CT, 7PM ET, 12AM GMT on 1/13 | The topic for the Thursday, January 12, 2023, Many Faces of BARD program will be How You Can Help Us Help You — Working Together with BARD Tech Support. The program will begin at 7:00 p.m. eastern time and last for one hour. This program will be recorded. The session will begin with a brief presentation provided by the Tech Support team. The remainder of the time will be spent answering questions about the presentation or other general questions related to BARD usage:
https://lorinet.info/tbp/?p=5783
4) Resolution Solutions: Apps To Tap In 2023 | Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc.
January 18th 2023 | 4PM PT, 5PM MT, 6PM CT, 7PM ET, 12AM GMT on 1/19 | Join the Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc as we tap into the power of several accessible apps and resources in the new year. Learn how to supercharge your financial, physical, mental and emotional batteries during this months webinar. Special guests include Tyler Merrin, four-time Paralympian, and Chris Peterson, personal finance expert and CEO of Penny Forward. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. Please contact Tim Paulding at tpaulding@lhblind.org 📧️ for questions or assistance with registration. Register in advance for this webinar at:
https://thelighthousefortheblindinc.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_mTOtYNAuToCfMB3YLeln9w
5) Special Needs Trusts: Planning For Your Future
January 18th 2023 | 3:30PM PT, 4:30PM MT, 5:30PM CT, 6:30PM ET, 11:30PM GMT | Join the Carroll Center for the Blind's Exclusive Trust Partner, PLAN of MA & RI, for an informational webinar to learn about Special Needs Trusts and how they can help you and your loved ones plan for your future. A Special Needs Trust allows money to be set aside for a person with a disability. The trust is intended to help preserve funds for the sole benefit of this person, enhance their quality of life, and protect their eligibility for public benefits such as Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income. Speaker: Kathy Vitello, LSW, Director of Operations at PLAN of MA and RI. About the Speaker: Kathy Vitello is a Licensed Social Worker with more than 35 years of experience working with seniors, people who are physically challenged, and chronically ill. She has broad experience and insight — drawn from her work in hospitals, in skilled nursing, rehabilitation, and psychiatric facilities, and in-home care and hospice settings. Kathy holds a degree in Mental Health from Northern Essex Community College; has a BA in Applied Mental Health from University of Massachusetts, Amherst; and earned certificates in Suicide Prevention in Older Adults and Mental Health and Aging from the Institute for Geriatric Social Work at Boston University. Kathy has also participated in a week-long training in Thanatology and is a member of the NPA Conference Planning Committee.
What You'll Learn: Information about the different types of Special Needs Trusts. Why a Special Needs Trust is beneficial to you. How to protect your assets without affecting your Social Security Disability Benefits. Unique features of PLAN as a Professional Trustee. Who Should Attend: Individuals who qualify for Social Security Disability Benefits. Parents, family members, and other caregivers of a person with a disability. Professionals. Individuals who think they could benefit from a Special Needs Trust:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_S1lhF8UVQP6IygWFlBfFZQ?bblinkid=265480395&bbemailid=44518399&bbejrid=-1739148575
6) How to Create Accessible Videos (Digital Accessibility Webinar) | Access Ingenuity
January 18th 2023 | 10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12AM CT, 1PM ET, 6PM 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 that complies 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. | Meeting ID: 865 9834 4762 | Passcode: 774759 | One tap mobile: +16699009128,,86598344762#,,,,*774759# US (San Jose) | Dial by your location: +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose) | Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86598344762?pwd=V0NoVU9nU2FEOFFxT1VNVWhjMzhEdz09#success
7) Smart Watches And Other Wearables | Tech It Out | Hadley
January 24th 2023 | 5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 1AM GMT on 1/25 | Please join us on January 24, 2023, at 7 PM Central, when we'll be discussing smart watches and other wearables. If you'd like a text reminder for upcoming Tech It Out discussions, send a text message from your cell phone to the number 52545, and type "Tech" in the body of the message. In the meantime, we'd love to hear your questions and comments. Email us at techitout@hadley.edu 📧️ or give us a call at (800) 323-4238 📱️. You can also join the Tech It Out Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/2692780374142403 to keep the conversation going and chat with fellow participants:
8) Easy Portable Reading — The omniReader (ACVREP CE Approved, Assistive Technology Webinar) | Access Ingenuity
January 25th 2023 | 10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12AM CT, 1PM ET, 6PM GMT | The omniReader ® is the definition of easy by allowing you to read printed text by pressing a single button. You can follow the magnified text in high-contrast colors on the built-in screen or listen as the omniReader reads the text out loud. You can also use the screen to instantly magnify objects and text and display them in high-contrast colors to see them more clearly. Thanks to its lightweight design, built-in handle, and long battery life, you can pick it up and use it wherever you want — at home, at the office, and even on the go. Join Ian Ramos from Access Ingenuity and Joseph McDaniel from Vispero as they explain this machine's critical assistive role to the visually impaired.
Note that everybody is welcome and can benefit from this presentation. If you are a teacher of the visually impaired (TVI), this presentation is approved for ACVREP continuing education credit. Learning Outcomes: Features walkthrough of the omniReader. Understand the primary and secondary assistive benefits. How the omniReader can be an effective reading tool. Meeting ID: 881 2262 4972 | Passcode: 596298 | One tap mobile: +16699009128,,88122624972#,,,,*596298# US (San Jose) | Dial by your location: +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose) | Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88122624972?pwd=S1FzT3luSzlMdTY1NHovL0F5RWNqUT09#success
9) Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 5: School Aged Numeracy | APH
February 1st 2023 | 8AM PT, 9AM MT, 10AM CT, 11AM ET, 4PM GMT | Using LEGO Braille Bricks to do math: let's discover some of the many uses of these little bricks to develop numerical and geometry skills, understand symmetry, and much more:
https://www.aph.org/lego-braille-bricks-live-sessions/
10) Health Care Decision Making, Advance Directives, and the MOLST Form | Zoom | For Residents of Maryland
February 7th 2023 | 10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 6PM GMT | This presentation will provide general guidance and information regarding the process of making health care decisions, including how the Health Care Decisions Act, advance directives, and the Maryland MOLST form are used to carry out patients' health care decisions. Presenter: Paul J. Ballard, Assistant Attorney General, Counsel for Health Decisions Policy:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEtduiupjgoHNAfbDpQ8iBOvnRoNuBlCYrG
11) Maryland Accessible Telecommunications | Technology User Group | Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled (LBPD)
February 11th 2023 | 7AM PT, 8AM MT, 9AM CT, 10AM ET, 3PM GMT | Formerly Maryland Relay, this state resource can help clients acquire cell phones, TTY equipment, and other communication devices. The application process is easy and highly encouraged. Learn about all of the programs offered and how you can benefit. All events are currently being held via teleconference until further notice. No programs will be held in person. Please dial (319) 527-4994 📱️ at 10:00 AM ET. For more information about the Technology User Group or to recommend a topic / technology for discussion, please contact: Jerry Price at (410) 230-2446 📱️ or via email jerry.price1@maryland.gov 📧️
12) Giving Up Your Car Keys Is Not The End Of Your Independence | NFB of Maryland Senior Call
February 15th 2023 | 4PM PT, 5PM MT, 6PM CT, 7PM ET, 12AM GMT on 2/16 | Presented by National Federation of the Blind (NFB) of Maryland Senior Division. Please join our conversation to explore the emotional decision to give up driving. Discover how to manage your life when you are no longer the one behind the wheel. When: February 15, 2023 from 7:00 to 8:30 PM ET. Where: NFB of Maryland Conference Call at (339) 209-4083 📱️. All are welcome! For more information about this event or the NFB of Maryland Senior Division please contact Marguerite Woods at (443) 271-1668 📱️ or mwoods719@gmail.com 📧️.
13) Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 6: Daily Living Activities | APH
March 6th 2023 | 8AM PT, 9AM MT, 10AM CT, 11AM ET, 4PM GMT | Let's explore daily-living activities using LEGO Braille Bricks and share our best practices, experiences, tips:
https://www.aph.org/lego-braille-bricks-live-sessions/
14) Using Garage Band App to Create a Song | Technology User Group | Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled (LBPD)
March 11th 2023 | 7AM PT, 8AM MT, 9AM CT, 10AM ET, 3PM GMT | You have seen this app on your iDevice, and maybe you have even opened it once or twice. In this presentation, you will learn how to create a song from scratch and how to make modifications. All events are currently being held via teleconference until further notice. No programs will be held in person. Please dial (319) 527-4994 📱️ at 10:00 AM ET. For more information about the Technology User Group or to recommend a topic / technology for discussion, please contact: Jerry Price at (410) 230-2446 📱️ or via email jerry.price1@maryland.gov 📧️
15) 2023 38th Annual CSUN Assistive Technology Conference
March 13th 2023 through March 17th 2023 | Welcome. Whether you have been attending the conference for years or are planning to attend your first, the CSUN Assistive Technology Conference, also known as the CSUN Conference, is the ultimate community experience and the premier forum on technology for all persons with disabilities. For over 37 years, California State University, Northridge's Center on Disabilities has sponsored the conference, providing a platform for researchers, practitioners, educators, exhibitors and more from around the world, where they can share knowledge, innovations, and best practices to promote inclusion for all. Building on the momentum from the 2022 conference, exciting new plans are in the works to enhance the conference experience. We encourage you to join us in Anaheim, California in 2023, where attendees can attend Pre-Conference Workshops, the yearly Keynote Address, Featured Presentations, General Sessions, Sponsor Showcase Suites and the Exhibit Hall. We also continue developing new programming to build community and networking opportunities. Check back often or follow us on social media for the latest updates, details, and deadlines. For information on sponsor or exhibitor opportunities, please visit our Opportunities page or email us at conference@csun.edu 📧️. We can't wait until the CSUN Conference community is back together to learn, share and connect:
https://www.csun.edu/cod/conference/sessions/
16) 2023 3rd Annual Axe-Con | Building Accessible Experiences | The World's Largest Digital Accessibility Conference
March 15th 2023 and March 16th 2023 | Deque Systems, the trusted leader in digital accessibility, has announced the third annual axe-con conference will return on March 15-16th, 2023. With the success of axe-con over the past two years, Deque will continue to host the conference as a free virtual event again next year. Axe-con is an open and inclusive digital accessibility conference that welcomes developers, designers, business users, and accessibility professionals of all experience levels to a new kind of accessibility conference focused on building, testing, and maintaining accessible digital experiences:
https://www.deque.com/blog/save-the-date-for-axe-con-2023/
17) Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 7: Music | APH
April 5th 2023 | 8AM PT, 9AM MT, 10AM CT, 11AM ET, 4PM GMT | Let's discover together how to make music with these famous bricks! Come and share your creative ideas:
https://www.aph.org/lego-braille-bricks-live-sessions/
18) How To Upgrade To Windows 11 | Technology User Group | Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled (LBPD)
April 8th 2023 | 7AM PT, 8AM MT, 9AM CT, 10AM ET, 3PM GMT | This operating system has been around for a while, and people champion its security strengths and applications. Should you upgrade, and what is that process? All events are currently being held via teleconference until further notice. No programs will be held in person. Please dial (319) 527-4994 📱️ at 10:00 AM ET. For more information about the Technology User Group or to recommend a topic / technology for discussion, please contact: Jerry Price at (410) 230-2446 📱️ or via email jerry.price1@maryland.gov 📧️
19) Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 8: STEM | APH
May 3rd 2023 | 8AM PT, 9AM MT, 10AM CT, 11AM ET, 4PM GMT | Have you ever thought of doing science, computing, or technology with LEGO Braille Bricks? Expert guests will join us for an amazing session:
https://www.aph.org/lego-braille-bricks-live-sessions/
20) Travel Tools and Apps | Technology User Group | Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled (LBPD)
May 13th 2023 | 7AM PT, 8AM MT, 9AM CT, 10AM ET, 3PM GMT | Whether you are traveling to another city, state or country, we will look at tools and resources that will help you get the most assistance for your venture. All events are currently being held via teleconference until further notice. No programs will be held in person. Please dial (319) 527-4994 📱️ at 10:00 AM ET. For more information about the Technology User Group or to recommend a topic / technology for discussion, please contact: Jerry Price at (410) 230-2446 📱️ or via email jerry.price1@maryland.gov 📧️
21) Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 9: Orientation & Mobility | APH
June 7th 2023 | 8AM PT, 9AM MT, 10AM CT, 11AM ET, 4PM GMT | LEGO bricks to build plans, visualize routes, it's not new! But with LEGO Braille Bricks you can also create labels, add letters, words... Then it becomes really great:
https://www.aph.org/lego-braille-bricks-live-sessions/
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If you need assistance with a new accessible website, document remediation or disability consulting of other kinds, Access Ready can help. We seek out the best in the business and bring them to you already vetted as to quality, professionalism and ability. By going through AccessReady.org to one of our qualified providers, you're not only getting the best, but supporting our advocacy and technological development efforts as well:
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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.
➜ Access Ready Seeks Guidance On New Accessible Technologies
What Technologies do you see in the market that are not accessible, but should be? What accessible technologies can you imagine that can make the lives of people with all kinds of disabilities better? We will advocate with developers to make existing technologies accessible on your behalf. We will advocate with developers to build new accessible technologies on your behalf. Give us your guidance and support. Your guidance charts our path toward what is most important. Your support funds our efforts on your behalf:
https://accessready.org/
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
➜ Prepare For Your Future Today With The All-New APH ConnectCenter's Job Seekers Toolkit!
The APH ConnectCenter and NSITE have partnered to update the Job Seeker's Toolkit, an accessible, self-paced, free online training course. The Toolkit includes five sections covering self-awareness, career exploration tools, the preliminary employment process, the interview, and maintaining employment. We are bringing the Job Seeker's Toolkit to a larger audience and in a Learning Management System format for today's learners, at no cost. Visit APHCareerConnect.org to get started with the Job Seekers Toolkit today at:
https://aphcareerconnect.org/lesson-plans-for-teachers-and-professionals/the-job-seekers-toolkit/
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: Menus4ALL
➜ A Revolution in Resolution — Menus for Everyone
No matter when, where or who, the Menus4ALL iPhone app gives you the info you need quickly. No more multiple Google searches to research menus before going out. Info is organized to give you quick access to what you are looking for — the menu! Optimized to give you the best viewing experience. No more struggling to see small print, or looking at a menu in a dimly lit restaurant. Do you use magnification, large print, VoiceOver, a braille display or Voice Control? Enjoy 750,000 fully accessible menus. Download the app today at:
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/menus4all/id1640547801?platform=iphone
Sponsor Since: November 20th 2022
Website: https://www.menus4all.com/ 🌐️
Email: stephanie@menus4all.com 📧️
About: 750,000 Accessible Restaurant Menus. On your iPhone ® in the palm of your hand.
Yes, that's not a typo. The Menus4ALL iPhone app offers 500,000 accessible menus in the United States and 250,000 accessible menus in Canada.
Wherever you are and whenever you want The Menus4ALL iPhone app is the largest network of restaurant menus in one place and all of the menus are fully accessible.
Perfect for when you are out running errands and want to know what restaurants are near your current location. Great for planning a night out with friends. Favorite menus that you want to look at later or when you know you are going back for that amazing dish.
Download The App (Apple): https://apps.apple.com/us/app/menus4all/id1640547801?platform=iphone
Sponsor: WayAround
➜ Try Talking Labels That Work With Your Smartphone For Just $9.99!
Get all the different types of WayTags so you can try the BEST accessible labeling system around. Use the coupon code TryTags to get a WayTag Sampler Pack for just $9.99. Plus, you get FREE shipping. Use the WayTags along with the free mobile app to label your things with a description and other important details, so you can spend less time figuring out what things are, and more time getting things done.
https://www.wayaround.com/shop/sampler-pack/?utm_source=AssistiveTech&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=AccessInfoNewsSponsorAd
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
➜ Finally! Holding Businesses Accountable
Those who need accessibility accommodations aren't strangers to jumping in with self-advocacy to achieve it. But, what about the rest of us? When explaining the benefits of a reasonable accommodation to one's place of work or school. This is where our self-advocacy kits come in. Pneuma has written up customizable email templates you can modify according to your situation. We cover a variety of different advocacy scenarios. Simply choose your scenario, answer a few simple questions, adapt the language, address it to the right person, and submit it! Self-advocacy has never been easier:
https://pneumasolutions.com/finally-holding-businesses-accountable/
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: Clusiv
Sponsor Since: January 16th 2023
Website: https://clusiv.io/ 🌐️
About: We are Clusiv. We are the world's first e-learning platform built for and by blind and partially sighted people. We are a resource to vocational rehabilitation organizations. We are a training platform for individuals with visual impairments who have faced barriers to access and equity in the modern workforce. We are engineering the future of work for accessibility. Learn more by selecting the user path that best describes you:
➜ Discover. I want to learn more about Clusiv.
➜ Potential Student. I want to train with Clusiv.
➜ VR Agency / Counselor. I want to help the people I serve with Clusiv.
➜ Inclusive Employer. I want to hire Clusiv graduates.
Sponsor: Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc.
Sponsor Since: December 29th 2022
Website: https://lhblind.org/ 🌐️
Phone: (800) 914-7307 📱️
Fax: (206) 329-3397 ░
Contact Us: https://lhblind.org/contact-us/
About: The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. is a private, not-for-profit social enterprise providing employment, support, and training opportunities for people who are blind, DeafBlind, and blind with other disabilities. The Lighthouse has provided employment and support to people who are blind in our community since 1918.
The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. is a successful manufacturing organization with over 60 years of experience in precision machining. We produce an array of machined parts and plastic injection molding for various aerospace manufacturers, as well as a host of office products and hydration equipment sold to the Federal Government and the U.S. Military. We also own and operate stores on military bases along the West Coast. Our products and services include:
• Manufacturing: We are a successful manufacturing organization committed to making jobs accessible to individuals who are blind. Our manufacturing operations center on making quality products for the Federal Government under the AbilityOne Program and producing parts for aerospace manufacturers.
• Managed Services: The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. offers a variety of services to our commercial, federal, and military customers. These include Contract Management Support (CMS) services for government contracting offices.
• Base Supply Centers: We operate 12 AbilityOne Base Supply Centers (BSCs) that offer easy customer access to Lighthouse products, direct feedback and communication with customers, and employment opportunities for individuals who are blind in geographic areas not served by larger nonprofit agencies.
Your Business or Organization Name Here
➜ Your Weekly Classified Advertisement Title Here (128 characters or less including spaces.)
Your weekly Classified Advertisement here.
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Sponsor Since: Today
Website: https://accessinformationnews.com/ 🌐️
Phone: (855) 578-6660 📱️
Email: news@accessinformationnews.com 📧️
About: Access Information News is the world's leading not-for-profit access information news publication that reaches over 15,000 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.
9 of 18 Sponsorship Packages Currently Available
Access Information News is the world's leading not-for-profit access information news publication that reaches over 15,000 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 9 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.
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Access Information News for Monday, January 2, 2023 - Volume 891
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: 11,389 Opt-In Subscribers were sent this issue via email.
This Week's Featured Advertisement: Have You Been Looking For A Way To Consistently Reach The Largest Audience Of Opt-In Access Professionals In The World Today? Please Consider Becoming A Sponsor For Just $100 USD Per Month. While Packages Last. This Issue Made Possible By Support From The Following Sponsors:
This issue made possible by Sponsorship support from Pneuma Solutions, WayAround, Menus4ALL, APH ConnectCenter, Access Ready, Inc., and The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. Learn more about Sponsorship today at: https://accessinformationnews.com/sponsor.
Dear Access Information News Subscriber,
Submit your access information news item for consideration within this section using this form: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-news or locate "News Item Submission Form" within the main menu of the Access Information News website.
1) Top 5 Most Clicked Access Information News Articles From Last Week
A.) How The Brain Responds To Blindness (12.3% of all clicks.)
In this video, Justin from the Institute of Human Anatomy discusses the brain's ability to remodel itself in the visually impaired:
https://www.technologynetworks.com/neuroscience/videos/how-the-brain-responds-to-blindness-368466
B.) Kellogg Rolls Out New Packaging for Blind and Visually Impaired (6.8% of all clicks.)
Shopping for cereal at U.S. grocery stores just got easier for people who are blind or have low vision. Kellogg's has just announced that it is launching new packaging for four of its most popular cereal brands — Kellogg's Corn Flakes, Special K Original, Rice Krispies and Crispix — that features an innovative technology for the visually impaired called NaviLens:
https://www.foodnetwork.com/fn-dish/news/kellogg-navilens-cereal-packaging
C.) What A Deafblind Kitchen Is Like | Updated Link (5.3% of all clicks.)
Publisher: This author wrote in to let us know that a website maintenance issue forced them to change the link to this article in which a deafblind reader describes what her kitchen looks like and lists products that she finds helpful for independent living:
https://iabilityi.com/uncategorized/jens-kitchen/
D.) Reader Review: Inaccessible Pin Pads That Require You To Use A Touch Screen | Award Winning Sight Loss Coach, Advocate and Author Donna Jodhan (5.3% of all clicks.)
Courtesy of Access Information News reader Donna Jodhan:
https://www.accessinformationnews.com/5.html
E.) AccessWorld December 2022 Issue (5.1% of all clicks.)
December 2022 updates include: Editor's Notes: Closing out 2022 | AudiVision for Audible Vision on Android | Call and Chat with Discord: an Accessibility Review | What's New in macOS Ventura and watchOS 9:
https://www.afb.org/aw/23/12
2) Sponsorship Package Updates
Availability: There are currently 10 Access Information News Sponsorship Packages remaining. Join Us: If you would like to support the ongoing distribution of Access Information News while reaching over 15,000 access professionals each week, please consider becoming a Sponsor today for just $100 a month, paid either quarterly or annually. Annual sponsors gain the additional benefit of being able to schedule their Featured Advertisements up to one year in advance. If you are an access information business or organization that has been looking for a way to consistently reach the largest audience of opt-in access professionals in the world today, please consider becoming an Access Information News Sponsor while packages last. Benefits: Learn all about the benefits here:
https://www.accessinformationnews.com/sponsorship-information.html#sponsorship-package-benefits 📧️
3) Access Information News Welcomes The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. As 8th Founding Publication Sponsor
Please join all of us here at Access Information News in welcoming aboard The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. is now the 8th founding sponsor of the Access Information News publication. The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. is a private, not-for-profit social enterprise providing employment, support, and training opportunities for people who are blind, deafblind, and blind with other disabilities. The Lighthouse has provided employment and support to people who are blind in our community since 1918. The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. is a successful manufacturing organization with over 60 years of experience in precision machining that produces an array of machined parts and plastic injection molding for various aerospace manufacturers, as well as a host of office products and hydration equipment sold to the Federal Government and the U.S. Military. They also own and operate stores on military bases along the West Coast. Learn more today at:
https://lhblind.org/
4) Access Ready Reporter to Merge With Access Information News On January 2, 2023. Everything You Need To Know.
Publisher: This one-time re-run is for the informational benefit of all of our new readers this week. If you're wondering why you have received this email this press release should answer all of your questions. If you decide after reading this information that you no longer wish to receive this publication you will also find directions on how you can easily unsubscribe. But we sincerely hope you'll stick around. We've got some great things planned. Press Release: Access Ready, Inc. and Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd. announced on December 26th 2022 that Access Ready Reporter will merge with the new Access Information News publication on January 2, 2023:
https://mvsltd.com/news/access-ready-reporter-to-merge-with-access-information-news-on-january-2-2023/
5) Introductory Remote Ballet Classes For Blind And Low-Vision Adults Return In January 2023 | Deadline To Register: January 14th 2023
This FREE class is suitable for people with no prior knowledge of ballet. This repeating series of eight classes introduces students to the most common ballet vocabulary that they would need to know in order to participate in Open Level Dark Room Ballet Class. The class introduces students to necessary anatomical concepts like turnout, torso stability, foot sensitivity and mobility, sightless balancing, and the use of a taped floor for orientation. Classes are taught by Krishna Washburn, a blind ballet dancer and dance teacher, and take place on 8 Saturdays online via the Zoom platform; there is also the option to call in via phone. The new cycle will begin on January 21, 2023. If you are a blind or visually impaired individual interested in learning ballet remotely, you must contact us by no later than January 14th, so you can complete the intake process to register for this class:
https://darkroomballet.com/intro-jan-2023/
6) Free Currency Reader Program Available Nationally, Not Just To Michiganders
Publisher: Reader Timothy Wynn wrote in to let us know that the free currency program that we ran in last week's issue has been available nationally since 2015, and not just to residents of Michigan. Thanks Timothy. Timothy Wynn: In partnership with the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP), the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS) is processing U.S. Currency Reader Program applications and shipping currency readers to individuals. Current NLS patrons may call 888-NLS-READ 📱️ and request assistance with the application from their network braille and talking book library. All U.S. citizens or legal residents who are blind or visually impaired are eligible to receive a free currency reader:
Source 1: https://www.bep.gov/services/currency-accessibility/us-currency-reader-program
Source 2: https://www.loc.gov/nls/resources/blindness-and-vision-impairment/devices-aids/bureau-engraving-printing-u-s-currency-reader-program/
Source 3: https://www.disabilitynetwork.org/blog/free-currency-reader-program-for-blind-and-visually-impaired-offered-by-bureau-of-engraving-and-printing/
7) The Dark Risk of Large Language Models
AI is better at fooling humans than ever — and the consequences will be serious:
https://www.wired.com/story/large-language-models-artificial-intelligence/
8) Designs Addressing Disability: Products From 2022 That Promote Accessibility | STIR
In a world where improved focus on inclusivity and accessibility has begun to direct semantics, subvert stereotypes, and influence design languages, it is imperative to pivot visions with the intention of building a global station where people can experience diurnal as well as notable events, despite varied abilities. What's also important is to make these designs accessible to all economic groups. Basing their creations on similar intentions, contemporary designers and technologists come together to innovate a kinder and more inclusive world:
https://www.stirpad.com/news/stir-news/designs-addressing-disability-products-from-2022-that-promote-accessibility/
9) A Big Victory For Federal 508 Accessibility | Douglas George Towne | Chair and CEO | Access Ready, Inc.
As you may have seen, the House passed the 2023 omnibus government funding bill, and President Biden signed it as soon as it hit his desk. The Disability community had some major wins: the bill has very positive language in the legislative text regarding federal accessibility issues, mandating that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) update guidance on information and communication technology accessibility under Section 508 of the Rehabilitation act of 1973 as amended within 100 days and that each agency evaluate and report on compliance with Section 508 within 225 days. It also mandates an annual report on Section 508 compliance with a comprehensive reporting on each agency's accessibility efforts. This is a pretty big victory, and aligns quite directly with the recommendations we at Access Ready made through the Consortium for Constituents with Disabilities (CCD) Technology Task Force this year to both Congress and the Administration:
https://accessreadyreporter.org/access-ready-opinions-positions-questions/a-big-victory-for-federal-508-accessibility.html
10) Five Years Of ADA Web And App Lawsuits — Key Observations And Trends | UsableNet
UsableNet has now been tracking digital accessibility lawsuits for five years. When we first reported filings in 2018 cases had risen 181% from the previous year. We knew ADA claims had exploded but couldn't predict what might happen next:
https://blog.usablenet.com/five-years-of-ada-web-and-app-lawsuits-key-observations-and-trends
11) How I Wrote My First Novel While Going Blind — And Kept It A Secret | Jon Gingerich
It's my experience that people with disabilities are expertly attuned to the practice of fielding empowering affirmations from support groups, well-intentioned friends and strangers on the internet. The wearying aphorisms, the sympathy-card condolences, the feelgood bromides about overcoming adversity:
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2022/dec/27/first-novel-writing-blindness
12) Amazon's Started To Deliver Orders By Drones In California And Texas
The retail giant already flew out some packages to customers in Northern California and a medium-sized Texan city in the run-up to Christmas 2022:
https://www.theverge.com/2022/12/28/23529705/amazon-drone-delivery-prime-air-california-texas
13) What Banks Can Do For People With Disability | Ekram Kabir
Banking needs are ubiquitous for us, and almost every grownup needs to go to a bank branch or some bank establishment. Banks have always counted the footfalls of their customers. However, somehow, especially in a country like ours, access of persons or customers with a disability to bank establishments has not been considered seriously. If we can facilitate access to this population segment, it would add value to the inclusive economy that we aspire for:
https://www.tbsnews.net/thoughts/what-banks-can-do-people-disability-560174
14) Attention Blind and Low Vision Artists — Join The APH InSights Art Community
If you are a blind or low vision artist consider joining the APH InSights Art community on Facebook. This community gives artists an opportunity to share their experiences, teach others, elevate creativity, and hear news about the APH InSights Art Contest:
https://bit.ly/3JFTY2W
15) Does Pokemon Go Discriminate Against The Blind And Visually Impaired?
A North Bergen man with a visual impairment is suing game creator Niantic, Inc. over it:
https://hudsonreporter.com/2022/12/28/does-pokemon-go-discriminate-against-the-blind-and-visually-impaired/
16) How Visually Impaired People Ease Social Awkwardness
A study highlights the range of uncomfortable situations people living with blindness or visual impairment encounter due to interpersonal communication challenges:
https://goodmenproject.com/featured-content/how-visually-impaired-people-ease-social-awkwardness/
17) Ophthalmic Edge Best Posts of 2022
It's time to take a look back and call out our most popular posts for the year. Review our all-time favorites and pick up some new perspectives for adjusting with vision loss:
https://ophthalmicedge.org/patient/oe-patients-best-of-2022/
18) Monthly Tactile Calendar | Paths To Literacy
Learn how to create a monthly tactile calendar for children who are blind, visually impaired or deafblind:
https://www.pathstoliteracy.org/monthly-tactile-calendar/
19) Hadley Headlines For January 2023
Since relaunching in July 2020, more than 45,000 people have signed up with Hadley, registering more than 100,000 workshop interactions. And their workshops have a 98% satisfaction rate. They reach all 50 states and more than 100 countries. And more people learn braille from Hadley than from any other organization worldwide:
https://view.email.hadley.edu/?qs=91e0ab93801dec28de2f3bad1f54f62af0555840c24172fd7b6bee7a4ea8195b34849788805b2f18a2092975aec703657b42fe4805fc87add11ffb387363e885a9518105787d76c26d223a3dc530e166
20) Bell Faces Human Rights Complaint Over Alleged Inaccessibility For Blind Customers
Bell Communications Inc. is facing a human rights complaint over allegations that it's failing to provide full service to its blind customers. The company's set-top boxes don't include the screen-reading technology that enables blind people to navigate through menus, use applications or discern what channel they're on, Toronto lawyer David Lepofsky alleges in submissions to the Canadian Human Rights Commission:
https://ca.finance.yahoo.com/news/bell-faces-human-rights-complaint-141859038.html
21) New Video Series Improves Access For Nevadans Who Are Blind Or Visually Impaired
In collaboration with the Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation, also known as DETR, and the Rehabilitation Division, BlindConnect released a video series, talking about etiquette and support when interacting with a person who is blind or has low vision. The series explains life skills such as walking with a cane, using a dog guide, signing documents and being independent in public. The goal is to provide the individuals themselves, their friends, family members, service providers, and medical persons real-life, hands-on ways that individuals who are visually impaired can be independent and their support system can provide appropriate help and support:
https://carsonnow.org/story/12/28/2022/new-video-series-improves-access-nevadans-who-are-blind-or-visually-impaired
22) The Side Effects Of Losing Your Eye Sight
For people above 18 years of age, blindness or other vision problems has been ranked among the top 10 disabilities, and has a strong impact on overall health and well-being (via the CDC). Vision problems can result in social isolation and family stress, and they can increase the risk of other health conditions and early death. If you or a loved one is facing loss of eye sight, you can work with your doctors and care providers to reduce the impact of vision loss on physical and mental health once you know what the possible effects are:
https://www.healthdigest.com/1149802/the-side-effects-of-losing-your-eye-sight/
23) For Visually Impaired Art Fans, Philly Museum's Scent-Based Exhibit 'Leveled The Playing Field'
Sissel Tolaas, an artist with a background in chemistry, says she spent 30 years collecting smell molecules:
https://billypenn.com/2022/12/26/philadelphia-museum-accessibility-scent-sissel-tolaas-ica/
24) Open Day Launched For Blind Golfers In The UK
One of the UK's leading golf centers has partnered with the governing body for blind golf to offer opportunities for those with sight loss:
https://www.bunkered.co.uk/golf-news/open-day-launched-for-blind-golfers
25) Bess and Friends Braille Scratch and Sniff Books | Paths To Literacy
These scratch and sniff books with uncontracted braille are designed to provide a multi-sensory experience for children who are blind or visually impaired:
https://www.pathstoliteracy.org/resource/bess-and-friends-braille-scratch-and-sniff-books/
26) The All-Inclusive AFL Blind Is Giving The Vision Impaired An Opportunity To Play The Game They Love
Bridget Jolley has always loved watching AFL and has always wanted to play, but — up until four years ago — she had never had the opportunity. The 36-year-old from Melbourne has a condition called aniridia, which affects her vision. In August 2017, Bridget came across a post on social media calling for expressions of interest to develop an Aussie rules competition for people who are blind or vision impaired. "I've always been keen [to play Aussie rules], but I never really played, partly because of my vision, also partly because there weren't a lot of opportunities for girls," Bridget said:
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-12-25/how-afl-blind-is-creating-opportunities-for-the-vision-impaired/101796498
27) Making Braille Magnets For Beginning Readers | Paths To Literacy
Step-by-step instructions to create your own braille magnets for beginning braille readers:
https://www.pathstoliteracy.org/making-braille-magnets-beginning-readers/
28) Bradford Exchange Class Action Claims Website Not Accessible To Visually Impaired, Blind Visitors
Mykayla Fagnani filed a class action lawsuit against The Bradford Exchange Ltd. Fagnani claims Bradford Exchange failed to make its website fully accessible to individuals who are blind or visually impaired. The class action lawsuit was filed in New York federal court:
https://topclassactions.com/disability-class-action-lawsuit/bradford-exchange-class-action-claims-website-not-accessible-to-visually-impaired-blind-visitors/
29) How Tencent's Weixin Ecosystem Is Lowering Barriers To Work And Living For People With Disabilities
Tencent's Weixin is helping to close the digital divide with digital technology that aids people with visual and hearing impairment gain access to daily services and finding jobs. Here are some of the recent projects initiated by the platform in hands with different communities and people with physical disabilities:
https://www.tencent.com/en-us/articles/2201509.html
30) Meet The UK's First Blind, Black, Female Barrister — Who Wants To Change People's Perceptions Of What Lawyers Look Like
31) 13 Awesome Blind Piano Players (Best Blind Pianists) | Music Grotto
Being blind comes with a great number of challenges for people trying to go about their everyday life, but it's also a major obstacle when it comes to learning a skill. Music can be especially challenging, as there aren't a lot of braille resources out there to allow musicians to read music off of sheets. Despite the challenges and barriers to entry, there have been many virtuoso blind musicians in history, especially on the piano. In this article, we'll cover 13 awesome blind pianists who overcame their obstacles to become some of the best in their field:
https://www.musicgrotto.com/blind-piano-players/
32) Excite Reading TM By Learning Ally Has Won An Excellence In Equity Award For Best Early Childhood Education Solution
The American Consortium for Equity in Education (ACE-Ed) has awarded Learning Ally an Excellence in Equity Award for Best Early Childhood Education Solution for its PreK-2 literacy program, Excite Reading:
https://learningally.org/Solutions-for-School/Educator-Blog/excite-reading-by-learning-ally-has-won-an-excellence-in-equity-award-for-best-early-childhood-education-solution
➜ Featured Webinars, Training Courses and Events
Submit your access information related Webinar, Training Course or Event for consideration within this section using this form: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-event or locate "Webinar / Training Course Submission Form" within the main menu of the Access Information News website.
1) Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 4: Braille Around the World | APH
January 4th 2023 | 8AM PT, 9AM MT, 10AM CT, 11AM ET, 4PM GMT | Let's celebrate Louis Braille's Day and explore different braille codes around the world:
https://www.aph.org/lego-braille-bricks-live-sessions/
2) Braille Technology Throughout the Ages: A Special Event for World Braille Day | The Braillists Foundation
January 4th 2023 | 11AM PT, 12PM MT, 1PM CT, 2PM ET, 7PM GMT | In addition to our collaboration with Sight and Sound Technology, we are pleased to present an evening panel discussion for World Braille Day focusing on braille technology: its past, present and future. We will be joined by historians, people working in the braille technology industry today and developers of the next generation of braille hardware and software. The event will take place on Wednesday 4 January at 7:00 PM, and you will need to register in advance. This is a separate registration link to both our regular Masterclasses and the event with Sight and Sound. Please email help@braillists.org 📧️ if you have difficulties completing the form:
https://www.braillists.org/uncategorised/braille-technology-throughout-the-ages-a-special-event-for-world-braille-day/
3) Graphs & Charts in Document Remediation (Digital Accessibility Webinar) | Access Ingenuity
January 4th 2023 | 10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12AM CT, 1PM ET, 6PM GMT | Join Rachel Reeves from Access Ingenuity to look at good and bad examples of bar charts, pie charts, line graphs, and maps in PDF remediation. Learning Outcomes: Review accessible designs of graphs and charts. Discuss solutions for common color contrast failures in graphs and charts. Discover best practices when creating alternative text for graphs and charts. Graphs & Charts in Document Remediation. Meeting ID: 856 5096 5771. Passcode: 363271. One tap mobile: +16699009128,,85650965771#,,,,*363271# US (San Jose) | Dial by your location: +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose) | Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85650965771?pwd=LzFpNWhmelMzTDBVTFg0UTl5cUNpUT09#success
4) 2023 Consumer Electronics Show (CES)
January 5th 2023 through January 8th 2023 | CES ® is the most influential tech event in the world — the proving ground for breakthrough technologies and global innovators. This is where the world's biggest brands do business and meet new partners, and the sharpest innovators hit the stage. Owned and produced by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) ®, CES features every aspect of the tech sector. Register now:
https://www.ces.tech/
5) Maryland Technology Assistance Program | Technology User Group | Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled (LBPD)
January 7th 2023 | 7AM PT, 8AM MT, 9AM CT, 10AM ET, 3PM GMT | MD-TAP can help Marylanders acquire, use and own valuable assistive technology products. Learn how you can benefit from their programs. All events are currently being held via teleconference until further notice. No programs will be held in person. Please dial (319) 527-4994 📱️ at 10:00 AM ET. For more information about the Technology User Group or to recommend a topic / technology for discussion, please contact: Jerry Price at (410) 230-2446 📱️or via email jerry.price1@maryland.gov 📧️
6) Expand Your Blind Life with Sam Seavey
January 11th 2023 | 10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 6PM GMT | Join us for a presentation from Sam, host of the popular YouTube channel, The Blind Life, who will discuss his experience with hosting a YouTube channel and the challenges he's faced living with Stargardt Disease. Sam is the founder and creator of The Blind Life YouTube channel, with more than 46,000 subscribers and over 700 informative videos. He helps people world-wide living with vision loss, offering tips for managing daily tasks, reviewing assistive devices, and hosting informative interviews with key stakeholders in the visually impaired community. He collaborates with tech giants like Google, SONY and Amazon, has created content for MacularDegeneration.net and participates on Microsoft's Window's Accessibility Advisory Board. Join us for an opportunity to learn about Sam's journey living with Stargardt Disease and hosting a popular YouTube channel. Venue/Location: Event Type: Virtual. Organizer: Los Angeles Center, (323) 663-1111 📱️, la@brailleinstitute.org 📧️. Capacity: Unlimited spots available. Register for this event:
https://brailleinstitute.org/bioa-event/expand-your-blind-life-with-sam-seavey
7) JAWS: Getting Started with Microsoft Teams for Work (Assistive Technology Webinar) | Access Ingenuity
January 11th 2023 | 10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12AM CT, 1PM ET, 6PM GMT | Recently, Microsoft Teams has gained popularity in many workplaces. As a result, we've received many requests for using Teams with JAWS. Join Ian Ramos and Zhi Huang from Access Ingenuity to explore the Microsoft teams interface using the JAWS screen reader. Please note that this presentation is on the Microsoft Teams for work program, which you or your workplace must install. It is not the Microsoft Teams for personal use program included with Windows 11. Although the topic of this presentation is Microsoft Teams, the webinar is through Zoom, allowing those who do not know how to use Teams to attend. Learning Outcomes: Understand Microsoft Teams for work interface. Discover how to get a list of keyboard commands using Microsoft Teams and JAWS. Understand how to work with the settings and some ideal options when using Teams with a screen reader. Explore the difference between using Teams with and without JAWS scripts and how they may enhance experience depending on your needs. | Meeting ID: 813 9605 3526 | Passcode: 630132 | One tap mobile: +16699009128,,81396053526#,,,,*630132# US (San Jose) | Dial by your location: +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose) | Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81396053526?pwd=Vy9NM05YLzJrdTdaZGNVZGFuMmFpZz09#success
8) Special Needs Trusts: Planning For Your Future
January 18th 2023 | 3:30PM PT, 4:30PM MT, 5:30PM CT, 6:30PM ET, 11:30PM GMT | Join the Carroll Center for the Blind's Exclusive Trust Partner, PLAN of MA & RI, for an informational webinar to learn about Special Needs Trusts and how they can help you and your loved ones plan for your future. A Special Needs Trust allows money to be set aside for a person with a disability. The trust is intended to help preserve funds for the sole benefit of this person, enhance their quality of life, and protect their eligibility for public benefits such as Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income. Speaker: Kathy Vitello, LSW, Director of Operations at PLAN of MA and RI. About the Speaker: Kathy Vitello is a Licensed Social Worker with more than 35 years of experience working with seniors, people who are physically challenged, and chronically ill. She has broad experience and insight — drawn from her work in hospitals, in skilled nursing, rehabilitation, and psychiatric facilities, and in-home care and hospice settings. Kathy holds a degree in Mental Health from Northern Essex Community College; has a BA in Applied Mental Health from University of Massachusetts, Amherst; and earned certificates in Suicide Prevention in Older Adults and Mental Health and Aging from the Institute for Geriatric Social Work at Boston University. Kathy has also participated in a week-long training in Thanatology and is a member of the NPA Conference Planning Committee.
What You'll Learn: Information about the different types of Special Needs Trusts. Why a Special Needs Trust is beneficial to you. How to protect your assets without affecting your Social Security Disability Benefits. Unique features of PLAN as a Professional Trustee. Who Should Attend: Individuals who qualify for Social Security Disability Benefits. Parents, family members, and other caregivers of a person with a disability. Professionals. Individuals who think they could benefit from a Special Needs Trust:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_S1lhF8UVQP6IygWFlBfFZQ?bblinkid=265480395&bbemailid=44518399&bbejrid=-1739148575
9) How to Create Accessible Videos (Digital Accessibility Webinar) | Access Ingenuity
January 18th 2023 | 10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12AM CT, 1PM ET, 6PM 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 that complies 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. | Meeting ID: 865 9834 4762 | Passcode: 774759 | One tap mobile: +16699009128,,86598344762#,,,,*774759# US (San Jose) | Dial by your location: +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose) | Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86598344762?pwd=V0NoVU9nU2FEOFFxT1VNVWhjMzhEdz09#success
10) Smart Watches And Other Wearables | Tech It Out | Hadley
January 24th 2023 | 5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 1AM GMT on 1/25 | Please join us on January 24, 2023, at 7 PM Central, when we'll be discussing smart watches and other wearables. If you'd like a text reminder for upcoming Tech It Out discussions, send a text message from your cell phone to the number 52545, and type "Tech" in the body of the message. In the meantime, we'd love to hear your questions and comments. Email us at techitout@hadley.edu 📧️ or give us a call at (800) 323-4238 📱️. You can also join the Tech It Out Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/2692780374142403 to keep the conversation going and chat with fellow participants:
11) Easy Portable Reading — The omniReader (ACVREP CE Approved, Assistive Technology Webinar) | Access Ingenuity
January 25th 2023 | 10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12AM CT, 1PM ET, 6PM GMT | The omniReader ® is the definition of easy by allowing you to read printed text by pressing a single button. You can follow the magnified text in high-contrast colors on the built-in screen or listen as the omniReader reads the text out loud. You can also use the screen to instantly magnify objects and text and display them in high-contrast colors to see them more clearly. Thanks to its lightweight design, built-in handle, and long battery life, you can pick it up and use it wherever you want — at home, at the office, and even on the go. Join Ian Ramos from Access Ingenuity and Joseph McDaniel from Vispero as they explain this machine's critical assistive role to the visually impaired.
Note that everybody is welcome and can benefit from this presentation. If you are a teacher of the visually impaired (TVI), this presentation is approved for ACVREP continuing education credit. Learning Outcomes: Features walkthrough of the omniReader. Understand the primary and secondary assistive benefits. How the omniReader can be an effective reading tool. Meeting ID: 881 2262 4972 | Passcode: 596298 | One tap mobile: +16699009128,,88122624972#,,,,*596298# US (San Jose) | Dial by your location: +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose) | Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88122624972?pwd=S1FzT3luSzlMdTY1NHovL0F5RWNqUT09#success
12) Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 5: School Aged Numeracy | APH
February 1st 2023 | 8AM PT, 9AM MT, 10AM CT, 11AM ET, 4PM GMT | Using LEGO Braille Bricks to do math: let's discover some of the many uses of these little bricks to develop numerical and geometry skills, understand symmetry, and much more:
https://www.aph.org/lego-braille-bricks-live-sessions/
13) Maryland Accessible Telecommunications | Technology User Group | Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled (LBPD)
February 11th 2023 | 7AM PT, 8AM MT, 9AM CT, 10AM ET, 3PM GMT | Formerly Maryland Relay, this state resource can help clients acquire cell phones, TTY equipment, and other communication devices. The application process is easy and highly encouraged. Learn about all of the programs offered and how you can benefit. All events are currently being held via teleconference until further notice. No programs will be held in person. Please dial (319) 527-4994 📱️ at 10:00 AM ET. For more information about the Technology User Group or to recommend a topic / technology for discussion, please contact: Jerry Price at (410) 230-2446 📱️ or via email jerry.price1@maryland.gov 📧️
14) Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 6: Daily Living Activities | APH
March 6th 2023 | 8AM PT, 9AM MT, 10AM CT, 11AM ET, 4PM GMT | Let's explore daily-living activities using LEGO Braille Bricks and share our best practices, experiences, tips:
https://www.aph.org/lego-braille-bricks-live-sessions/
15) Using Garage Band App to Create a Song | Technology User Group | Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled (LBPD)
March 11th 2023 | 7AM PT, 8AM MT, 9AM CT, 10AM ET, 3PM GMT | You have seen this app on your iDevice, and maybe you have even opened it once or twice. In this presentation, you will learn how to create a song from scratch and how to make modifications. All events are currently being held via teleconference until further notice. No programs will be held in person. Please dial (319) 527-4994 📱️ at 10:00 AM ET. For more information about the Technology User Group or to recommend a topic / technology for discussion, please contact: Jerry Price at (410) 230-2446 📱️ or via email jerry.price1@maryland.gov 📧️
16) 2023 38th Annual CSUN Assistive Technology Conference
March 13th 2023 through March 17th 2023 | Welcome. Whether you have been attending the conference for years or are planning to attend your first, the CSUN Assistive Technology Conference, also known as the CSUN Conference, is the ultimate community experience and the premier forum on technology for all persons with disabilities. For over 37 years, California State University, Northridge's Center on Disabilities has sponsored the conference, providing a platform for researchers, practitioners, educators, exhibitors and more from around the world, where they can share knowledge, innovations, and best practices to promote inclusion for all. Building on the momentum from the 2022 conference, exciting new plans are in the works to enhance the conference experience. We encourage you to join us in Anaheim, California in 2023, where attendees can attend Pre-Conference Workshops, the yearly Keynote Address, Featured Presentations, General Sessions, Sponsor Showcase Suites and the Exhibit Hall. We also continue developing new programming to build community and networking opportunities. Check back often or follow us on social media for the latest updates, details, and deadlines. For information on sponsor or exhibitor opportunities, please visit our Opportunities page or email us at conference@csun.edu 📧️. We can't wait until the CSUN Conference community is back together to learn, share and connect:
https://www.csun.edu/cod/conference/sessions/
17) 2023 3rd Annual Axe-Con | Building Accessible Experiences | The World's Largest Digital Accessibility Conference
March 15th 2023 and March 16th 2023 | Deque Systems, the trusted leader in digital accessibility, has announced the third annual axe-con conference will return on March 15-16th, 2023. With the success of axe-con over the past two years, Deque will continue to host the conference as a free virtual event again next year. Axe-con is an open and inclusive digital accessibility conference that welcomes developers, designers, business users, and accessibility professionals of all experience levels to a new kind of accessibility conference focused on building, testing, and maintaining accessible digital experiences:
https://www.deque.com/blog/save-the-date-for-axe-con-2023/
18) Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 7: Music | APH
April 5th 2023 | 8AM PT, 9AM MT, 10AM CT, 11AM ET, 4PM GMT | Let's discover together how to make music with these famous bricks! Come and share your creative ideas:
https://www.aph.org/lego-braille-bricks-live-sessions/
19) How To Upgrade To Windows 11 | Technology User Group | Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled (LBPD)
April 8th 2023 | 7AM PT, 8AM MT, 9AM CT, 10AM ET, 3PM GMT | This operating system has been around for a while, and people champion its security strengths and applications. Should you upgrade, and what is that process? All events are currently being held via teleconference until further notice. No programs will be held in person. Please dial (319) 527-4994 📱️ at 10:00 AM ET. For more information about the Technology User Group or to recommend a topic / technology for discussion, please contact: Jerry Price at (410) 230-2446 📱️ or via email jerry.price1@maryland.gov 📧️
20) Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 8: STEM | APH
May 3rd 2023 | 8AM PT, 9AM MT, 10AM CT, 11AM ET, 4PM GMT | Have you ever thought of doing science, computing, or technology with LEGO Braille Bricks? Expert guests will join us for an amazing session:
https://www.aph.org/lego-braille-bricks-live-sessions/
21) Travel Tools and Apps | Technology User Group | Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled (LBPD)
May 13th 2023 | 7AM PT, 8AM MT, 9AM CT, 10AM ET, 3PM GMT | Whether you are traveling to another city, state or country, we will look at tools and resources that will help you get the most assistance for your venture. All events are currently being held via teleconference until further notice. No programs will be held in person. Please dial (319) 527-4994 📱️ at 10:00 AM ET. For more information about the Technology User Group or to recommend a topic / technology for discussion, please contact: Jerry Price at (410) 230-2446 📱️ or via email jerry.price1@maryland.gov 📧️
22) Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 9: Orientation & Mobility | APH
June 7th 2023 | 8AM PT, 9AM MT, 10AM CT, 11AM ET, 4PM GMT | LEGO bricks to build plans, visualize routes, it's not new! But with LEGO Braille Bricks you can also create labels, add letters, words... Then it becomes really great:
https://www.aph.org/lego-braille-bricks-live-sessions/
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Sponsor: Access Ready, Inc.
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If you need assistance with a new accessible website, document remediation or disability consulting of other kinds, Access Ready can help. We seek out the best in the business and bring them to you already vetted as to quality, professionalism and ability. By going through AccessReady.org to one of our qualified providers, you're not only getting the best, but supporting our advocacy and technological development efforts as well:
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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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Freedom from fear, ignorance, and want.
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Freedom of aspiration, invention, and inclusion.
Sponsor: APH ConnectCenter
➜ Prepare For Your Future Today With The All-New APH ConnectCenter's Job Seekers Toolkit!
The APH ConnectCenter and NSITE have partnered to update the Job Seeker's Toolkit, an accessible, self-paced, free online training course. The Toolkit includes five sections covering self-awareness, career exploration tools, the preliminary employment process, the interview, and maintaining employment. We are bringing the Job Seeker's Toolkit to a larger audience and in a Learning Management System format for today's learners, at no cost. Visit APHCareerConnect.org to get started with the Job Seekers Toolkit today at:
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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
➜ Finally! Holding Businesses Accountable
Those who need accessibility accommodations aren't strangers to jumping in with self-advocacy to achieve it. But, what about the rest of us? When explaining the benefits of a reasonable accommodation to one's place of work or school. This is where our self-advocacy kits come in. Pneuma has written up customizable email templates you can modify according to your situation. We cover a variety of different advocacy scenarios. Simply choose your scenario, answer a few simple questions, adapt the language, address it to the right person, and submit it! Self-advocacy has never been easier:
https://pneumasolutions.com/finally-holding-businesses-accountable/
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: Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc.
Sponsor Since: December 29th 2022
Website: https://lhblind.org/ 🌐️
Phone: (800) 914-7307 📱️
Fax: (206) 329-3397 ░
Contact Us: https://lhblind.org/contact-us/
About: The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. is a private, not-for-profit social enterprise providing employment, support, and training opportunities for people who are blind, DeafBlind, and blind with other disabilities. The Lighthouse has provided employment and support to people who are blind in our community since 1918.
The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. is a successful manufacturing organization with over 60 years of experience in precision machining. We produce an array of machined parts and plastic injection molding for various aerospace manufacturers, as well as a host of office products and hydration equipment sold to the Federal Government and the U.S. Military. We also own and operate stores on military bases along the West Coast. Our products and services include:
• Manufacturing: We are a successful manufacturing organization committed to making jobs accessible to individuals who are blind. Our manufacturing operations center on making quality products for the Federal Government under the AbilityOne Program and producing parts for aerospace manufacturers.
• Managed Services: The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. offers a variety of services to our commercial, federal, and military customers. These include Contract Management Support (CMS) services for government contracting offices.
• Base Supply Centers: We operate 12 AbilityOne Base Supply Centers (BSCs) that offer easy customer access to Lighthouse products, direct feedback and communication with customers, and employment opportunities for individuals who are blind in geographic areas not served by larger nonprofit agencies.
Sponsor: Access Ready, Inc.
➜ Access Ready Seeks Your Support at the Public Policy Level
Moving the public policy needle is both difficult and costly. Access Ready has one of the most experienced teams in the business who have shown results. We have fostered Congressional language on accessible websites, elections, healthcare, communications, and other areas touched by information and communications technologies. These efforts are costly and we need your help to continue. Become an Access Ready supporter and create an accessible future for people with disabilities:
https://accessready.org/
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 Name Here: Sponsor Package #9 of 18 Available For Purchase
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Sponsor Since: Today
Website: https://accessinformationnews.com/ 🌐️
Phone: (855) 578-6660 📱️
Email: news@accessinformationnews.com 📧️
About: Access Information News is the world's leading not-for-profit access information news publication that reaches over 15,000 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.
10 of 18 Sponsorship Packages currently available.
Access Information News is the world's leading not-for-profit access information news publication that reaches over 15,000 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 10 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.
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Access Information News Supporters donate an amount of their choosing either one time or on an annual basis in order to assist with the ongoing distribution of the Access Information News publication.
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Exposure: 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.
Support: In tandem with Our Sponsors, these are the people that make the ongoing distribution of Access Information News possible.
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Information provided by Access Information News, the world's #1 online resource for current news and trends in access information. Learn more today at: https://accessinformationnews.com.