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Access Information News. The Week's News in Access Information. Symbol: Revolving Blue Globe. Six square boxes of the same size stacked two over four show people with different abilities using access information to improve their life. In the background, forty-eight square boxes of the same size stacked in six rows of eight. Inside each box is a photo of a person with a disability using access information to improve their life.

Access Information News for Monday, May 8, 2023 - Volume 909

The Week's News in Access Information
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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:
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4) Sponsorship Package Updates

Are you an access-based business or organization whose products, services or message would benefit from reaching over 25,000 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:
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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:
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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


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.


Access Ready, Inc. logo.

➜ 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 Calendar icon.

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


APH ConnectCenter logo.

➜ 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 Calendar icon.

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.



Menus4ALL logo.

➜ 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 Calendar icon.

Website: https://www.menus4all.com/ 🌐️

Email: stephanie@menus4all.com 📧️

About: 750,000 Accessible Restaurant Menus. On your iPhone ® in the palm of your hand.

App Restaurant Menu, Search and Waiter Alert Screens.

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


WayAround logo.

➜ 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 Calendar icon.

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


Pneuma Solutions logo.

➜ 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 Calendar icon.

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


Total Tech Solutions, LLC logo.

Sponsor Since: April 4, 2023 Calendar icon.

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


NSITE.org logo.

➜ 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 Calendar icon.

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


Clusiv logo.

➜ 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 Calendar icon.

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.


Access Ready, Inc. logo.

➜ 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 Calendar icon.

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, Inc. logo.

➜ 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 Calendar icon.

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.)

Your logo here.

Sponsor Since: Today Calendar icon.

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 25,000 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.



Access Information News is the world's leading not-for-profit access information news publication that reaches over 25,000 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 24 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!

Spacer image. QR Code. Donate a one-time amount of your choosing to assist with the ongoing distribution of the Access Information News Publication.
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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:


Ornate Platinum Medallion.

Become an Access Information News Platinum Supporter today.

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

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

3.) Your name here.
Platinum Supporter since ...


Gold Supporters:


Ornate Gold Medallion.

Become an Access Information News Gold Supporter today.

1.) Your name here.
Gold Supporter since ...


Silver Supporters:


Ornate Silver Medallion.

Become an Access Information News Silver Supporter today.

1.) Your name here.
Silver Supporter since ...


Bronze Supporters:


Ornate Bronze Medallion.

Become an Access Information News Bronze Supporter today.

1.) Your name here.
Bronze Supporter since ...


➜ Access Information News Team


Publisher: Aaron Di Blasi (Volunteer)


Photo of Aaron Di Blasi.

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)


Photo of David Woodbridge.

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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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 is the world's leading not-for-profit access information news publication that reaches over 25,000 blind, low vision, deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind, neurodivergent and/or disabled professionals, educators and enthusiasts, all over the world, each week. Subscribe here. Review the archive here. Access Information News is a Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd. Publication. Publisher: Aaron Di Blasi. Contributing Editors: John Hanlin, Jenna Lang and David Woodbridge. Access Information News is a sponsor and reader supported publication.

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