Access Information News for Monday, October 16, 2023 - Volume 932

The Week's News in Access Information
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Dear Access Information News Subscriber,

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

A.) United Airlines Destroys the Life of Another Disabled Person | Allie Funk | Medium: Subscription Required

Despite increasing scrutiny of their treatment of disabled passengers, airlines have continued their behavior undeterred. While the industry as a whole is complicit in this issue, two airlines seem to stand above the rest in the worst way possible: Air Canada and United Airlines. My last airline story was about Air Canada, so I guess it's United's turn:
https://medium.com/counterarts/united-airlines-destroys-the-life-of-another-disabled-person-669363ed0939

B) Blind and Low Vision Gift Guide 2023 | Tim Dixon

Finding gifts is hard, it is even harder when buying for blind and low vision friends and family. The Blind and Low Vision Gift Guide is here to help with some inspiration:
https://www.timdixon.net/blog/2023/10/blind-and-low-vision-gift-guide-2023/

C) My Love Affair With Sous Vide Cooking: A Blind Cook's Perspective, Featuring The Smart-Enabled Breville Joule Turbo Sous Vide Cooker | Pneuma Solutions

With the introduction of the Breville Joule Turbo Sous Vide Cooker, my Sous Vide cooking expedition has taken a thrilling turn. Its Autopilot feature, accessed through the Joule App, provides guided recipes and removes the guesswork from cooking. Turbo technology allows me to prepare certain dishes in half the time of traditional sous vide cooking, while Primetime gives me the flexibility to serve my meals when I'm ready. Unboxing this device as a blind person presented no difficulties. Pairing the Cooker with the Breville Joule app was also a seamless process. While the initial setup was straightforward, I encountered a few stumbling blocks when navigating the app, particularly while searching for recipes and setting the unit. Rest assured, I am eager to discuss these accessibility issues with technical support. Nonetheless, these minor hitches wouldn't deter me from recommending this wonderful gadget:
https://pneumasolutions.com/my-love-affair-with-sous-vide-cooking-a-blind-cooks-perspective/

D) Tinnitus And Hearing Loss: What's The Connection? | Healthy Hearing

Up to 15 percent of adults experience tinnitus, which causes ringing in the ears. The sound may seem to come from inside your head, or from a distance, in one ear or both. It may be steady or pulsating, but only you can hear it:
https://www.healthyhearing.com/report/53029-Tinnitus-and-hearing-loss

E) Uber Will Return Your Packages To UPS, FedEx, Or USPS Now — How It Works | ZDNet

Got a package that needed to be returned weeks ago? Call an Uber to do it for you:
https://www.zdnet.com/article/got-a-package-that-needed-to-be-returned-weeks-ago-call-an-uber-to-do-it-for-you/#ftag=RSSbaffb68

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Next Issue: Premium Subscribers will receive their 4th Issue of the 60 Most Clicked Access News Articles for October, November and December of 2023 on Monday, January 1, 2024. Back Issues: There are currently 3 back issues available. Premium Subscribers are entitled to all back issues, anytime they sign up. All available back issues will be sent to you via email within 24 hours of purchasing your subscription. Please Join Us: If you would like to support the ongoing weekly distribution of free and unbiased access news while receiving a perfectly formatted and searchable Word Document with each of the 60 Most Clicked Access News Articles of the last 3 months listed neatly within it, please consider joining us today for just $1 a month:
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6) A Proclamation on Blind Americans Equality Day, 2023 | The White House

On Blind Americans Equality Day, my Administration celebrates the contributions that people who are blind or low vision have made to our country, and we recommit to creating a more accessible Nation where everyone has the opportunity to realize their full potential:
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2023/10/13/a-proclamation-on-blind-americans-equality-day-2023/

7) WHO Launches the WHOeyes App on World Sight Day

To mark this year's World Sight Day, the World Health Organization (WHO) introduces the “WHOeyes” app. This free app allows the general public to assess their vision for both close-up and distance viewing, providing crucial insights into potential vision issues. Apple App Store Link | Google Play Store Link:
https://coolblindtech.com/who-launches-the-whoeyes-app-on-world-sight-day/

8) How Do I Make Posts More Accessible To Blind People On Mastodon And The Fediverse? | Fedi.tips

There are a lot of people on Mastodon and the Fediverse who use screen readers to convert text into audio, including blind people, partially sighted people and those with many other disabilities. There are five easy things abled people can do to help screen readers work better with what they've posted:
https://fedi.tips/how-do-i-make-posts-more-accessible-to-blind-people-on-mastodon-and-the-fediverse/

9) Clothes and Laundry, How a DeafBlind Does It | Inclusive Ability Initiative

How does a DeafBlind person organize laundry and keep track of color matching of clothes?
https://iabilityi.com/adaptiveliving/clothes-and-laundry-how-a-deafblind-does-it/

10) Mastodon Actually Has 407K+ More Monthly Users Than It Thought | TechCrunch

Open source and decentralized social network Mastodon has more users than it thought. The service, which competes with X (formerly Twitter) and other newcomers like Threads, Bluesky, Pebble and Spill, had been undercounting its users due to a network connectivity error, according to founder and CEO Eugen Rochko, and actually has 407,814 more monthly active users than it had been reporting previously. The adjustment also included a gain of 2.34 million registered users across an additional 727 servers that had not been counted due to the error:
https://techcrunch.com/2023/10/09/mastodon-actually-has-407k-more-monthly-users-than-it-thought/

11) Is Fantastical Fantastic? — | October 9, 2023 | Jill from the Northwoods

Publisher (Di Blasi): Fantastical is a calendar and tasks app that allows users to manage events and tasks with natural language text parsing, full calendar views, and a mini window for quick access. Fantastical is fully accessible with VoiceOver and is easy to navigate and use. The app also includes task support, a 3-day weather forecast, and a 14-day free trial. It works seamlessly across your Mac, iPad, iPhone, and Apple Watch. You can add your existing calendar accounts directly to Fantastical and keep all of your events and tasks in sync. Fantastical has a beautiful and friendly user interface with multiple views, including detailed full screen views for iPhone, iPad, and Mac. You can quickly access the files or photos you need at your next meeting or for your next task. Quickly upload files or images directly from Fantastical to your iCloud, Google, or Exchange accounts. Attachments are accessible across all devices that sync with your calendar accounts. You can also create quick templates from existing events and tasks. Selecting a template will copy all of the details from the template into a new event or task instantly.
Jill: Hi, this is Jill from the Northwoods. I got a new job, as I probably told you already. And I realized that 15 years of my calendar schedule went into my work calendar that was now gone. I decided I wasn't going to do that anymore and that I needed a calendar of my very own. I tried tinkering around with Apple Calendar. It went alright. It was fine. It was nice enough. It took all my appointments. But there were just some things I wanted to do it couldn't do. So, I started looking around to find a more fully featured calendar. Of course, Fantastical always comes up. People love it. People glow about it. If you read about it, it's all they'll talk about. So, I decided to give it another shot:
https://www.podfeet.com/blog/2023/10/fantastic-fantastical/

12) 10 Siri Voice Commands For iPhone For The Blind & Visually Impaired | Cellular News

In this article, we will explore 10 Siri voice commands specifically designed for the blind and visually impaired. These commands will help enhance their iPhone experience and make their everyday tasks easier and more efficient. From reading text messages to identifying objects, Siri can truly be a powerful tool for those with visual impairments:
https://cellularnews.com/mobile-phone/10-siri-voice-commands-for-iphone-for-the-blind-visually-impaired/

13) Research Paper: Low Digital Skills Households And The Path To Digital Inclusion | AbilityNet

Evidence shows that for most digitally excluded people — those who never or rarely go online — a combination of low confidence, low skills and low motivation play a big role, and this is true for those with and without affordability issues:
https://abilitynet.org.uk/free-tech-support-and-info/low-digital-skills-households-and-path-digital-inclusion

14) Top Five Digital Accessibility Myths | Kami Funk | Accessibility.com

If you have a website, you need to ensure it is accessible. It is the right thing to do and required under guidelines like WCAG. Keeping your website accessible seems like a no-brainer, but there are many myths surrounding digital accessibility that may make people reluctant to implement it on their website. Let's explore the top five digital accessibility myths and debunk them to prove why digital accessibility matters — and will continue to matter:
https://www.accessibility.com/blog/top-five-digital-accessibility-myths

15) Nine Things Automated Accessibility Tests Can't Test | Dave Rupert

With Luro, I've found myself in the accessibility tooling space. I'm bullish on the need for automated accessibility testing to help designers and developers do a minimum viable good job, establish a baseline experience, and diagnose problems before they are giant problems. Even though automated tests cover 20-30% of WCAG Success Criteria, Deque data suggests those issues are representative of 57.38% of the most common issues found. In my mind, automated accessibility tests have four key tangible benefits:
https://daverupert.com/2023/10/nine-a11y-jobs-where-robots-suck/

16) Debunking the Misconceptions of Digital Accessibility Within Organizations | Adam Spencer | AbleDocs

In today's fast-paced, technology-driven world, digital accessibility is a term that resonates across boardrooms. However, many organizations still grapple with numerous misconceptions surrounding the topic. These misunderstandings often hinder the adoption of best practices that not only promote inclusivity but also have the potential to drive business success. Let's delve into these misconceptions and set the record straight:
https://abledocs.com/en/debunking-the-misconceptions-of-digital-accessibility-within-organizations/

17) Empowering Deaf and Hard of Hearing Travelers: Navigating the Maze of Airports | Deaf Friendly Consulting

Airports can be a labyrinth of chaos and stress, especially for those rushing to catch a flight. For the Deaf and hard of hearing traveler, this often includes navigating an additional maze of barriers that range from lack of visual information to communication struggles and impatience from airport staff and passengers. Let's take an illuminating walk through the airport from the perspective of Deaf and hard of hearing travelers, highlighting the challenges faced and offering actionable solutions for airports to implement:
https://deaffriendlyconsulting.com/business-tip/empowering-deaf-and-hard-of-hearing-travelers-navigating-the-maze-of-airports/

18) Accessibility: What You Need to Know About a Supreme Court Case of Hotel Websites

A Supreme Court case about the accessibility of hotel websites has understandably caught the attention of the disability and accessibility community. Here's the short version. Deborah Laufer has filed more than 600 lawsuits. Most of the lawsuits are against small hotels that Laufer claims have failed to indicate whether their rooms are accessible for people with disabilities. A Vox story explains that Laufer has a pattern of hiring lawyers with a history of unethical behavior. Anyway, this is a concerning case because it involves testers. These are people who check to see if a business complies with regulations even though they have no plans to visit the business. Ken Nakata from Converge Accessibility and Equal Entry CEO and founder Thomas Logan discuss the key points of the case:
https://equalentry.com/accessibility-supreme-court-case-hotel-websites/

19) Target Class Action Claims Website Not Equally Accessible To Blind, Low-Vision Customers | Jon Styf | Top Class Actions

Who: Target Corp. is facing a class action lawsuit from plaintiff Julie Dalton. Why: Target's website is not accessible to those who are blind or have low vision, the lawsuit claims. Where: The Target website class action was filed in federal court in Minnesota:
https://topclassactions.com/disability-class-action-lawsuit/target-class-action-claims-website-not-equally-accessible-to-blind-low-vision-customers/

20) NHS And Local Council Webpages Are Found To Impede Access For Users With Visual Impairments | AT Today UK

A recent report by NEC Digital has revealed that there is a growing call for continued government focus on enhancing web accessibility across the public sector, which may include increased investment in website accessibility or tighter regulations:
https://attoday.co.uk/nhs-and-local-council-webpages-are-found-to-impede-access-for-users-with-visual-impairments/

21) Air4All Makes Air Travel Accessible for Everyone | Easter Seals Tech

Every day, the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Air Traffic Organization (ATO) provides service to more than 45,000 flights and 2.9 million airline passengers across more than 29 million square miles of airspace. And yet — commercial aviation is the only mode of transportation with no regulations allowing power wheelchair users to travel safely and with dignity seated in their own chair in an aircraft cabin. Until now. Air4All is a new chair system that aims to make air travel accessible for everyone, including people who use power wheelchairs because of reduced mobility:
https://www.eastersealstech.com/2023/10/11/air4all-makes-air-travel-accessible-for-everyone/

22) How to Be an Accessibility Ally | Meryl.net

A survey by Return on Disability showed fewer than 2% of the participating companies mentioned people with disabilities in their diversity efforts. Diversity, equity, and inclusion includes people with disabilities and accessibility. A company that does not include both has incomplete DEI. Being an accessibility ally isn't just for the workplace. Everyone can speak up and take action to improve accessibility:
https://meryl.net/how-to-be-accessibility-ally/

23) Quick Overview Of "What's New In WCAG 2.2" Explainer Posts | Marcus.io

Sometimes it's the best method of learning when different people with different teaching styles teach the same subject. Since Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.2 has landed just recently, and it is really important to get a grip regarding the testing of the new success criteria, here's an overview of recommended and — in my opinion — valuable explainers by fellow members of the accessibility community:
https://marcus.io/blog/overview-of-wcag22-posts

24) Reflections From the W3C's Annual TPAC Conference | Brian Elton | TPGi

How can we help users with cognitive and learning disabilities navigate around sites more easily? How can we benefit from embracing haptics as another output modality for web content? What do comics and audio dubbing have in common? The answers, or at least the beginnings of solving them, emerged for each of these questions at W3C's annual conference, "TPAC:"
https://www.tpgi.com/reflections-from-the-w3cs-annual-tpac-conference/

25) Check Off The Bucket List: Woman Flies In First Wheelchair-Accessible Hot Air Balloon At Balloon Fiesta

The Albuquerque, N.M. Balloon Fiesta is a magical place — that's what one woman who got to fly in a hot air balloon for the first time said. This is the first year there was a wheelchair-accessible hot air balloon available at Balloon Fiesta. This gives many the opportunity to fly, including Henrietta Vaughn. Flying in an air balloon has been on her bucket list for the past 20 years:
https://www.koat.com/article/first-trip-on-handicap-hot-air-balloon/45479611#

26) How Real Is Customer Service? | Award Winning Sight Loss Coach, Advocate and Author Donna Jodhan

My final thoughts? We need to concentrate more on team building! Less complaining and more solving! Just my two cents for today:
https://sterlingcreations.com/blog/how-real-is-customer-service-time-to-act

27) Legal Updates: September 2023 | Ken Nakata | Converge Accessibility | KOAT Action News 7

Summer is clearly winding down up here in Seattle. And it seems that attorneys are slowly getting back to work. This month, we've got quite a bit to discuss. I usually don't spend much time focusing on legislative developments in my monthly summaries but this month will be different. First up, I wanted to highlight two different state legislatures that have taken different approaches to curb serial litigants filing web accessibility claims:
https://convergeaccessibility.com/2023/10/02/legal-update-september-2023/

28) Uber Eats Introduces Multi-Store Ordering | PC Mag

You can now order from two restaurants at the same time without paying an additional delivery charge:
https://www.pcmag.com/news/uber-eats-introduces-multi-store-ordering

➜ Featured Webinars, Training Courses and Events

October 18, 2023 | Web Accessibility Overview (Digital Accessibility Webinar) | Access Ingenuity

10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
Websites are now a hub of important information — from work to school. School websites include information on academic programs, class schedules, counseling, school calendars, activities, and much more. Users may utilize business websites for online transactions, banking, and socializing. All websites need to be fully accessible to users of assistive technology. Join Michael Parker from Access Ingenuity for an overview of website accessibility and obstacles when assistive technology users encounter improperly structured websites. Learning Outcomes: Learn the importance of website accessibility. Learn the basic steps to create an accessible website. Learn the basic steps in testing websites using manual and automated tools. Understand the importance of testing websites with assistive technology, such as screen readers:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81286884623?pwd=VHdSWVh2QlBYbVJCNHVBMnNzbURnQT09&mc_cid=c2cb69a0b0&mc_eid=90429c1885#success

October 19, 2023 | FCC Open Meeting to Consider Several Accessibility Items

7:30AM PT, 8:30AM MT, 9:30AM CT, 10:30AM ET, 2:30PM GMT
On September 28, 2023, FCC Chairwoman Rosenworcel announced a tentative agenda for the October 2023 Open Meeting scheduled for 10:30 am EST on Thursday, October 19, 2023. The meeting will be held in the Commission Meeting Room of the FCC, 45 L Street N.E., Washington, D.C. The FCC meeting is also online, and streamed live with open captioning:
https://www.fcc.gov/consumer-governmental-affairs/fcc-october-19-open-meeting-consider-several-accessibility-items

October 19, 2023 | An In-Depth Look at the Microsoft Office Ribbon and JAWS | Freedom Scientific

9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
Learn how to navigate the Ribbons in Microsoft Office applications more efficiently, plus locate important commands when you need them. Register for this webinar, which offers ACVREP credits to those who attend the live webinar. Registration link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ojyvYNGMRGKG4HyRd0lq9g

October 24, 2023 | Begin Building an Early Tactile Foundation for Graphics Understanding | APH

12PM PT, 1PM MT, 2PM CT, 3PM ET, 7PM GMT
Join this webinar to discover how instruction in concept and tactile skills contributes to the development of braille and graphics literacy skills for students with visual impairments. This webinar is part 1 of Tactile Graphics Literacy for Students with Visual Impairments: 4 Part Series:
https://aph.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_oUns1zn7RMSSFrTI6iPpPA#/registration

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

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

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

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

October 24, 2023 | Building an Early Tactile Foundation for Graphics Understanding | APH

12PM PT, 1PM MT, 2PM CT, 3PM ET, 7PM GMT
This webinar is part 1 of Tactile Graphics Literacy for Students with Visual Impairments: 4 Part Series. Join this webinar to discover how instruction in concept and tactile skills contributes to the development of braille and graphics literacy skills for students with visual impairments:
https://aph.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_oUns1zn7RMSSFrTI6iPpPA#/registration

October 25, 2023 | Webinar: The Future of Accessibility: AI-Powered Tools for People Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired | The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc.

4PM PT, 5PM MT, 6PM CT, 7PM ET, 11PM GMT
Join The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. as we explore the world of artificial intelligence and its transformative potential for people who are blind or visually impaired. Discover cutting-edge AI tools and technologies designed to empower independence, accessibility, and inclusion. During this interactive session, you'll have the opportunity to ask questions, share your experiences, and learn how AI can revolutionize the way you interact with and navigate the visual world. Don't miss this chance to harness the potential of artificial intelligence to enhance your life. Register now to secure your spot!
https://thelighthousefortheblindinc.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Vv1YlIYGT62NE5AhDAe6Vw#/registration

October 25, 2023 | Accessibility Key Performance Indicators | TPGi

9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
Presenter: Aaron Farber, Senior Accessibility Platform Consultant. All accessibility programs must have defensible data points to convey the program's performance and justify an organization committing resources to the program. This webinar covers why organizations must have accessibility metrics and goes a step further, to demonstrate how organizations can generate and report these metrics. Attendees learn to develop benchmarks that are consistent with the scale and maturity of their accessibility program. We'll delve into accessibility metrics such as: Overall accessibility knowledge as an organization i.e. consumption of training materials. Comparison of shift-left approach to accessibility compared with audit-fix-audit-fix lifecycle. Indicators of code quality over time. Legal and reputational risk management. Completion of third-party certifications. We discuss the business case for accessibility and how to understand and frame the topic of return on investment. This webinar takes an honest look at oft-repeated, pro-accessibility arguments about site usage by people with disabilities and the relationship between accessibility and SEO. Accessibility is an opportunity to make an impact on an organization. Learn how to use TPGi's Accessibility Resource Center to describe this impact:
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-october-25-at-12pm-et-accessibility-key-performance-indicators/

October 25, 2023 | Menus v. Ribbons with JAWS (Assistive Technology Webinar) | Access Ingenuity

10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
Want to know how to navigate menus and ribbons with JAWS? Join Marisa Church and Ian Ramos from Access Ingenuity to review the differences between menus and ribbons by activating in separate programs and presenting hotkeys. Learning Outcomes: Discuss the difference between menus and ribbons. Explore programs with menus or ribbons. Demonstrate commands for navigating menus and ribbons:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84433535781?pwd=SkJ4QjF4cng5aXBjbnpNdEJwZEE5UT09&mc_cid=c2cb69a0b0&mc_eid=90429c1885#success

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

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

November 14, 2023 through November 17, 2023 | The Design+ Accessibility Summit By CreativePro

Join us at the 3rd annual Design + Accessibility Summit, the essential HOW-TO event for design professionals who need to master accessibility, coming to a device near you November 14-17, 2023. It's no secret that accessibility is a hot topic. In fact, ensuring your documents are accessible is not just a good idea: it's the law. Whether you're extending your company's DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) focus, expanding your market to include the estimated 25% of the population who have disabilities, or safeguarding your company against legal risks, it's important to make accessibility a business priority. Creative professionals must learn how to design documents that are accessible for people with vision and hearing impairments, mobility challenges, cognitive, and other disabilities. And those who ramp up their knowledge and expertise in accessibility will find themselves in high demand supporting their business' efforts; while those who don't will risk falling behind. At The Design + Accessibility Summit, you will learn practical techniques for building accessible documents with InDesign, Acrobat, PowerPoint, and other tools widely used by creative professionals:
https://creativepro.com/design-accessibility-summit/

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

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

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

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

December 6, 2023 and December 7, 2023 | Sight Tech Global — Shaping New Technologies to Create a More Accessible World for People with Blindness and Visual Impairments

Sight Tech Global is the first global, virtual conference dedicated to fostering discussion among technology pioneers on how rapid advances in AI and related technologies will fundamentally alter the landscape of assistive technology and accessibility:
https://sighttechglobal.com/?mc_cid=0f086fc102&mc_eid=eb245f25da

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

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

April 8, 2024 and April 9, 2023 | 24th Annual Multiple Perspective On Access, Inclusion & Disability Conference | The Ohio State University — Columbus, Ohio

To be on the mailing list for the conference, send email to:
ADA-OSU@osu.edu 📧️

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

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Sponsor Since: August 21, 2023

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

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

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

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

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

Topics That Spark Joy

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

Let Me Write For You

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

Sponsor: Eyes on Success

Sponsor Since: August 21, 2023

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

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

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

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

Listening To Eyes On Success

Connecting with Eyes On Success

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

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

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

Sponsor: Total Tech Solutions, LLC

Sponsor Since: April 4, 2023

Website: https://blindtech.org/ 🌐️

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

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

Sponsor: Clusiv

Sponsor Since: January 16th 2023

Website: https://clusiv.io/ 🌐️

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

➜ Person Looking To Enroll In Clusiv Courses

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

➜ Employer Looking To Hire Clusiv Graduates

Sponsor: Access Ready, Inc.

Sponsor Since: December 19th 2022

Website: https://accessready.org/ 🌐️

Email: info@accessready.org 📧️

Phone: (727) 531-1000 📱️

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sponsor: Access Ready, Inc.

Sponsor Since: December 13th 2022

Website: https://accessready.org/ 🌐️

Email: info@accessready.org 📧️

Phone: (727) 531-1000 📱️

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sponsor: Access Ready, Inc.

Sponsor Since: December 1st 2022

Website: https://accessready.org/ 🌐️

Email: info@accessready.org 📧️

Phone: (727) 531-1000 📱️

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sponsor: APH ConnectCenter

Sponsor Since: November 29th 2022

Website: https://aphconnectcenter.org/ 🌐️

Email: connectcenter@aph.org 📧️

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

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

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

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

Sponsor: WayAround

Sponsor Since: November 18th 2022

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

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

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

Email: connect@wayaround.com 📧️

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

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

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

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

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

Sponsor: Pneuma Solutions

Sponsor Since: November 7th 2022

Website: https://pneumasolutions.com/ 🌐️

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

Sales: (866) 202-0520 📱️

Support: (650) 249-1000 📱️

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

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

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

Sponsor Since: September 18th 2023

Website: https://www.ncbi.ie/ 🌐️

Phone: 1800 911 250 📱️

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Your Business or Organization Name Here

Sponsor Since: Today

Website: https://accessinformationnews.com/ 🌐️

Phone: (855) 578-6660 📱️

Email: news@accessinformationnews.com 📧️

About: Access Information News is the world's leading not-for-profit access information news publication that reaches over 29,000 access professionals, educators and enthusiasts, all over the world, each week. Access Information refers to informational topics that directly affect the lives of people with disabilities. Access Information includes any and all information related to bettering the lives of people who are blind, low vision, deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind, neurodivergent and/or disabled. Access Information News is a Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd. Publication.

Sponsorship Packages Currently Available

Access Information News is the world's leading not-for-profit access information news publication that reaches over 29,000 blind, low vision, deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind, neurodivergent and/or disabled professionals, educators and enthusiasts, all over the world, each week.

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

Access Information News offers a total of 24 Sponsorship Packages which are used to support the ongoing distribution of the publication.

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

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

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

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

➜ Access Information News Supporters:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Platinum Supporters:

Become an Access Information News Platinum Supporter today.

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➜ Access Information News Team

Publisher: Aaron Di Blasi (Volunteer)

Volunteer Publisher Since: November 7th 2022

Location: Mayfield Heights, Ohio

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

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

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

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

Aaron Di Blasi, PMP

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

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

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

Editorial Contributor #1: John Hanlin (Volunteer)

Volunteer Editorial Contributor Since: November 7th 2022

Location: Boulder, Colorado

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

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

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

John Hanlin, Esq.

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

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

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

Editorial Contributor #2: Jenna Lang (Volunteer)

Volunteer Editorial Contributor Since: November 7th 2022

Location: Des Moines, Iowa

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

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

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

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

Jenna Lang, PMP

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

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

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

Editorial Contributor #3: David Woodbridge (Volunteer)

Volunteer Editorial Contributor Since: February 6th 2023

Location: Central Coast, New South Wales, Australia

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

David Woodbridge

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

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

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

Email: editor@accessinformationnews.com 📧️
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ABOUT:

Access Information News is the world's leading not-for-profit access information news publication that reaches over 29,000 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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