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Access Information News for Monday, November 27, 2023 - Volume 938The Week's News in Access Information A Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd. Publication Access Information News. The world's #1 online resource for current news and trends in access information. Subscribers: 11,072 Opt-In Subscribers were sent this issue via email. 36 Premium Subscribers were sent this issue via email. This Week's Featured Advertisement: Be Thankful For Our Blessings And Be A Blessing To Others From Access Ready, Inc.
Thanksgiving reminds us to look around our lives and be thankful for the blessings we take for granted. In spite of everything, we in America have so much to be thankful for. Prices are high, but they are higher where there is little to buy. Violence looks to be running rampant, but rockets are not landing in our neighborhoods. Economics are tuff and we are stretching paychecks, but most have paychecks. The politics are rough in this upcoming Presidential election, but there will be an election and we each have a choice to make. Be thankful for these things and take positive action to show your thankfulness. A random act of kindness can be a small miracle. Anonymously pay a stranger's tab at a local diner. Be a giver to a family who is facing the holidays without gifts. Make a commitment for next year to a charity, cause or effort that will make a difference. Be thankful for our blessings and be a blessing to others! — Access Ready, Inc. Ongoing Distribution Made Possible By Support From: Pneuma Solutions, WayAround, APH ConnectCenter, Access Ready, Inc., Total Tech Solutions, LLC, Eyes on Success, Hadley, Vision Ireland and Barrier Free Canada. Learn more about Sponsorship today at: https://accessinformationnews.com/sponsor.Dear Access Information News Subscriber,Submit your Access Information News Item for free, with timing and placement determined by our editors, here: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-news. Submit a Sponsored News Item, with timing and placement determined by you, here: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-sponsored-news.1) Top 5 Most Clicked Access Information News Articles From Last WeekA) Be My Eyes Ties OpenAI's GPT-4 Into Its Accessibility Service — and Aims to Improve Blind Users' CX | Hackster.ioThe Be My AI vision-model-powered image description system is now being extended beyond the app and into specific customer relations sites: B) The 8 Best Grocery Delivery Services in 2023 | CNet.comAccording to some reports, as much as half of the US population participates in some form of online grocery shopping. There are now dozens of places online to buy your weekly provisions and have them shipped directly to your home. Much like meal kits and meal delivery services, these companies provide lightning-fast shipping, competitive prices and major convenience in hopes of earning a slice of your weekly food budget. To save yourself time and hassle, an easy grocery delivery service can take one of your big weekly tasks off your hands and allow you to carefully curate your grocery haul from the comfort of home. To help you pick the right one, we've set out to test all the top players to find the best grocery delivery service for 2023: C) OrCam Technologies Unveils OrCam Read 3 — First AI-Driven All-In-One Solution For People With Low Vision And Visual ImpairmentsThis groundbreaking, all-in-one solution was unveiled on November 14, 2023 by OrCam Technologies, a global leader in personal, AI-driven assistive tech innovations. OrCam Read 3 will change the way individuals with vision loss and reading difficulties interact with visual materials. Just point the device at a book, computer screen, product packaging or any text, and the AI technology will loudly and clearly read the text aloud or through earphones. It even supports 17 different languages: D) Board Game Playing Tips for People with Vision IssuesBoard games are an exciting pastime that people of all ages and walks of life can enjoy. Though many think these are a little outdated compared to gaming in the digital world, innovative board games are coming out and are highly anticipated. However, not everyone can play at their fullest potential; board games rely heavily on visuals and careful observation, which is difficult for those with vision issues. Millions of people struggle with vision impairment and blindness in America. Though people with vision issues can enjoy board games, it's much more challenging and can be a frustrating experience. Fortunately, there are ways to make playing more comfortable and accessible so more people can join the fun. Here are some board game-playing tips for people with vision issues: E) Digital Accessibility Podcasts | November 14, 2023 | Ricky Onsman | TPGiYou've subscribed to the newsletters and RSS feeds, you've expanded your library, but what about digital accessibility podcasts? Podcasts have been one of the great enablers for exploring digital accessibility issues and for giving voice to people with disabilities in general. There are literally thousand of podcasts out there, and there are hundreds that have at least some relevance to digital accessibility. In this article, I've concentrated on three groups of podcasts: 2) Sponsorship Packages Currently AvailableAre you an access-based person, business or organization whose products, services or message would benefit from reaching over 15,000 access information subscribers each week? If so, please consider becoming a Sponsor today for just $100 a month, paid either monthly, quarterly or annually. Monthly-paying Sponsors receive no Featured Advertisements. Quarterly-paying Sponsors receive one Featured Advertisement per quarter. Annual-paying Sponsors receive 5 Featured Advertisements per year and gain the additional benefit of being able to schedule their Featured Advertisements up to one year in advance. If you've been looking for a way to consistently reach the largest audience of opt-in access information subscribers in the world today, at a nearly negligible price point, please consider becoming an Access Information News Sponsor while packages last. Availability: There are currently 6 Access Information News Sponsorship Packages available: 3) Premium Subscriber UpdatesNext 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: 4) Sponsored News Items Now AvailableUse Sponsored News Items to reach the access community when you need to. Whether you are a current Sponsor or not. Current Weekly Subscriber Count: Over 10K. Drive traffic to your access product and service announcements, events, updates or fundraisers using this incredibly cost-effective and easy-to-use advertisement tool. Learn more today at: 5) Follow Access Information News On Your Preferred ChannelIn addition to receiving Access Information News via email every Monday morning at 6:00 AM ET you can also pick up the newsletter and its trending articles on any of the following channels: 6) From Wish Lists to Checkouts: Making Holiday Shopping Accessible for Everyone | November 19, 2023 | AccessibilitySpark.comThe holiday season is a time of joy, celebration, and giving. It's a time when people come together to exchange gifts, express gratitude, and create cherished memories. For businesses, it's also a time of increased sales, where shoppers look for the perfect gifts for their loved ones. In this digital realm, it's crucial to recognize the importance of making the shopping experience accessible to everyone. While the convenience of online shopping is undeniable, it also presents challenges for individuals with disabilities. Navigating online stores, selecting products, and completing purchases can be cumbersome or even impossible without proper accessibility features. Let's explore the concept of accessibility and holiday shopping and its profound impact on individuals with disabilities: 7) CVS Expands Availability of OTC Hearing Aids | November 20, 2023 | The Hearing ReviewCVS Pharmacy recently expanded their availability of three over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids to over 1,000 locations across 39 states, with five also available for purchase through the CVS website: 8) 3 Key Perspectives When Designing For Accessibility | Christie WongHere I share some Insightful, practical takeaways that I learned from my time working with a client with disabilities. It is encouraging to see that accessibility — the practice of making information available and usable for people with a wide range of functional abilities — is gradually moving to the forefront for businesses in the technology sector. Many tech professionals are also seeking training in WCAG, the World Wide Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, as well as learning about methodologies that encourage inclusivity: 9) Braille Music Basics: Intervals | November 16, 2023 | Timothy Jones | NLS Music Notes Resources For The Blind & Print DisabledThis post is a continuation of the series Braille Music Basics. We recommend reviewing the post on reading notes in braille music. While the signs for notes and rests themselves are crucial to know, this is only the starting point for mastering the braille music code. One major difference between braille music and print music notation is how chords are written. Though many different instruments can play more than one note at a time, the most common scores to possess chords are those written for keyboard instruments like the piano, harpsichord, pianoforte and organ. It is important to know that braille music identifies a chord as having two or more notes played simultaneously, whereas a chord in print music is considered to have three notes played together. Hence, we get the term triad: 10) Can Two Blind People Install SimpliSafe Independently? | Lucy Greco's Cooking And Know Before You Buy | YouTube |Lucy helps a friend install a SimpliSafe home security system. This video only shows the unboxing and installation. I will review the apps and how well the support works in another video shortly. If you like this system and want to support my channel, message me privately for a referral link. All proceeds go towards buying new products to review on the channel: 11) Cost Of Living Concerns Taking A Toll On Wellbeing, RNIB Says | Optometry Today UKNew research has illustrated the effect of cost-of-living concerns on the wellbeing of blind and partially sighted people. Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) is calling for the UK Government to review how benefits are set and increased, highlighting that blind and partially sighted people can often experience "additional and unavoidable costs" such as for assistive technology, or taxi journeys, which could "spiral unchecked" without intervention: 12) Software That Supports Your Body Should Always Respect Your Freedom | Free Software Foundation | November 3, 2023 | Miriam BastianSoftware that controls your body should always respect your freedom. This article is a recap of scandals of medical devices, like hearing aids, insulin pumps, bionic eyes, and pacemakers, and what we can learn from them. It's astonishing: you wouldn't expect these devices to be run by software in such a way that they can leave you completely helpless: 13) Study Finds Brain Area That Can Assist Blind People In Face Recognition | Interesting EngineeringResearchers have identified a specific brain region that helps vision-impaired people recognize basic faces. They have also created an experimental gadget that assists blind people in recognizing basic facial expressions. Georgetown University Medical Center neuroscientists revealed that the fusiform face area, a vital region for face processing in sighted people, plays an important role in helping blind people recognize faces: 14) New Audio Magazine: Harvard Men's Health Watch | National Library Service | Tech-VI ListA new audio magazine, Harvard Men's Health Watch, has been added to the NLS collection. It is recorded by volunteers and staff of the Florida Bureau of Braille and Talking Book Library in Daytona Beach, FL. Harvard Men's Health Watch, magazine code HMH4, comes out monthly and is available via BARD download and on cartridge. Following is the publisher's description: 15) A Space Tailor-Made For Accessibility Gives Girl Room To Grow | Rocky Mountain PBSThis article focuses on the story of Meg Nichols, an 11-year-old girl living with osteogenesis imperfecta, also known as brittle bone disease. The condition presents significant challenges for Meg, making everyday activities like washing hands potentially dangerous. To enhance her independence, a local nonprofit, Savvy Giving by Design (Denver), renovated her bedroom and bathroom to cater to her specific needs. The renovated spaces are meticulously designed to support her independence, featuring adjustments to suit her height and strength. These changes allow Meg to perform daily tasks such as dressing, makeup application, and playing instruments with minimal assistance from her parents. Thoughtful details include low-positioned light switches, power outlets in drawers for easy access, touch-activated sinks and toilets, and an easily accessible shower. The renovation also included a special "secret" space, which Meg found to be "perfect:" 16) Disney Releases Dr. Who With Audio Description in the United States On The Day of ReleaseWalt Disney Company has released the new season of Doctor Who with audio description in the United States on the same day as its global release. This is a significant milestone for blind and visually impaired viewers, who have long been advocating for access to audio description for all television programming: 17) The Let's Go Shopping 2023 Audio Recordings Are Here | Accessible Insights BlogHappy Holidays! Let's Go Shopping Attendees! As promised, below is a link that will take you to my blog, on which you will find the audio recording of the recent LGS event. There are a total of 4 files, day one, parts 1 and 2, and day two, parts 1 and 2. Each part is separated by a header identifying the part, along with the names of the businesses you'll hear in that part. Listen here: 18) Low Vision Resources on a Dime | Future In SightRemember the five and dime stores, when items were literally priced 5-10 cents each? Nowadays we enjoy our local dollar store, which used to be $1.00 but are now $1.25. Regardless, it's still a great deal! Did you know that your local dollar store has amazing products for low vision for a fraction of the cost? Here are a few of our favorites! 19) Making Things Work — We Need To Change Our Attitudes! | Award Winning Sight Loss Coach, Advocate and Author Donna JodhanWe need to realize that the only way out of this present horrible situation that we have helped to create is for us to change our attitudes and do it now! Nothing good is going to come to us if we continue to complain instead of commit! Just my two cents for today: 20) Even Now, Great Radio is Just a Click Away | Sean Ross | RadioInsight.comI've been spending more time with airchecks of classic radio lately. It's not just radio geekery, although I've got nothing to hide. It's not just a comment on the state of today's radio; I still find things that I like. But it is nice to hear a level of craftmanship that is less readily available now. Not every moment sizzles decades later, but there's enough to confirm that I'm not merely romanticizing things: ➜ Featured Webinars, Training Courses and EventsSubmit your access information related Webinar, Training Course or Event for consideration within this section using this form: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-event.November 27, 2023 | Novel Writing 101 By Award-Winning Novelist John DeDakis | The Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled3PM PT, 4PM MT, 5PM CT, 6PM ET, 10PM GMT November 28, 2023 | Access Academy Part 3: Strategies and Resources for the Instruction and Evaluation of Tactile Graphicacy Skills | APH1:30PM PT, 2:30PM MT, 3:30PM CT, 4:30PM ET, 8:30 PM GMT November 28, 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group11AM PT, 12PM MT, 1PM CT, 2PM ET, 6PM GMT November 28, 2023 | Ask Sharky: A Review of the Sharkvember Keyboard Commands | Freedom Scientific9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT November 29, 2023 | Unlocking Access: Balancing Cyber Security and Digital Accessibility | The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc.4PM PT, 5PM MT, 6PM CT, 7PM ET, 11PM GMT November 29, 2023 | ONYX Family of Magnifiers: Portable & Powerful | ACVREP CE Approved, Assistive Technology Webinar | Access Ingenuity10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT December 1, 2023 and December 2, 2023 | Blind Health Expo 2023 | Exhibitor and Attendee Registration Now OpenThe 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: December 2, 2023 | Succeed Without Sight Summit | Thriving Blind Academy7AM PT, 8AM MT, 9AM CT, 10AM ET, 2PM GMT December4, 2023 through December 6, 2023 | 2023 National Coding Symposium for Students | APH9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT 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
December 12, 2023 | Access Academy Part 4: The Monarch: Tactile Access to Digital Learning | APH1:30PM PT, 2:30PM MT, 3:30PM CT, 4:30PM ET, 8:30PM GMT December 13, 2023 | Learn About The Hable One | A. T. Guys11AM PT, 12PM MT, 1PM CT, 2PM ET, 6PM GMT December 26, 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group11AM PT, 12PM MT, 1PM CT, 2PM ET, 6PM GMT February 20, 2023 through February 22, 2023 | Axe-Con 2024 | Deque SystemsWhy attend axe-con? Building accessible digital experiences requires a team effort, across design, development, management, testing, accessibility experts, and of course, legal. Axe-con is the first of its kind, dedicating topics to each of these key players. This is not an assistive technology convention. Talks at axe-con will include case studies from enterprise companies leading in large-scale accessibility efforts, as well as best practices and updates from technology leaders around the world. Attendance of axe-con sessions can also be used towards continuing education (CE) towards IAAP certification. Topics of focus will include accessibility in development, accessibility in design, organizational success with accessibility, and a wildcard track. If you'd like to learn more about previous sessions and speakers, you can view last year's schedule here. Join us to learn how to build, test, monitor, and maintain digital accessibility: April 8, 2024 and April 9, 2023 | 24th Annual Multiple Perspective On Access, Inclusion & Disability Conference | The Ohio State University — Columbus, OhioTo be on the mailing list for the conference, send email to: ➜ Directories1) Access Information Email Newsletter Directoryhttps://accessinformationnews.com/email-newsletter-directory.html ➜ Sponsor Classified AdsSponsors may submit or update their Classified Advertisement at any time by submitting this short form: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-sponsor-classified.Sponsor: Access Ready, Inc.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Seeks Guidance On New Accessible TechnologiesWhat Technologies do you see in the market that are not accessible, but should be? What accessible technologies can you imagine that can make the lives of people with all kinds of disabilities better? We will advocate with developers to make existing technologies accessible on your behalf. We will advocate with developers to build new accessible technologies on your behalf. Give us your guidance and support. Your guidance charts our path toward what is most important. Your support funds our efforts on your behalf: Sponsor Since: December 1st 2022 Website: https://accessready.org/ 🌐️ Email: info@accessready.org 📧️ Phone: (727) 531-1000 📱️ About: Access Ready Inc. is a certified, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The mission of Access Ready Inc., a nonprofit cross-disability rights advocacy organization, is to promote a policy of accessibility benefiting all people regardless of ability across information and communications technology utilized for two way communications. The purpose of Access Ready Inc. is to educate the public and private sectors of the importance of accessible information and communications technology to the future of all people regardless of ability. To support this education by developing initiatives that promote policies that ensure the creation and maintenance of accessible technologies utilized for two way communications at all levels which allow for easy use by people with the widest range of abilities possible. To develop employment and business opportunities for people with disabilities that support its educational activities in the field of information and communications technology and related areas. To provide consulting and educational services to buyers, developers, and users of information and communications technology that promotes its highest and best use in society. To promote the concept of a technologically accessible society which fosters: Freedom of expression, speech, and worship. Sponsor: APH ConnectCenter
➜ Classified Advertisement: Prepare For Your Future Today With The All-New APH ConnectCenter's Job Seekers Toolkit!The APH ConnectCenter and NSITE have partnered to update the Job Seeker's Toolkit, an accessible, self-paced, free online training course. The Toolkit includes five sections covering self-awareness, career exploration tools, the preliminary employment process, the interview, and maintaining employment. We are bringing the Job Seeker's Toolkit to a larger audience and in a Learning Management System format for today's learners, at no cost. Visit APHCareerConnect.org to get started with the Job Seekers Toolkit today at: Sponsor Since: November 29th 2022 Website: https://aphconnectcenter.org/ 🌐️ Email: connectcenter@aph.org 📧️ APH ConnectCenter Information and Referral Line: Hours: Monday - Friday from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM ET Facebook (CareerConnect) | Facebook (FamilyConnect) | Facebook (VisionAware) | Twitter | YouTube About: The APH ConnectCenter offers curated advice and resources to assist children, parents, adults, and job seekers who are blind or visually impaired, and their associated professionals, leading to greater independence and success in their lives. Sponsor: WayAround
➜ Classified Advertisement: Save 15% on all WayAround Products on Cyber Monday! Use code Cyber15 during checkout at WayAround.comWayAround is a smartphone-based labeling app that works with your preferred accessibility settings. You just need the free mobile app and some WayTags ® to label items in the kitchen, garden, closet, office & more. If you want to label something that's inside, outside, wet, dry, hot, or cold, there's a WayTag that will attach securely. WayTags come as stickers, buttons, magnets, and clips. Each of the different styles of WayTags work exactly the same. Simply choose the WayTag that's best for what you want to label. ➜ Label your kitchen, clothing, or medication. Keep adding more WayTags! Use any style of tag, in any order. There's no limit to the number of WayTags you can use. So you can rely on one system to label all your things. Try our Starter Pack to experience ALL of the different types of WayTags! Sponsor Since: November 18th 2022 Website: https://www.wayaround.com/ 🌐️ General Sales & Support: (888) 898-4465 📱️ Business Sales & Support: (888) 898-4465 📱️ Email: connect@wayaround.com 📧️ About: WayAround is the app for your smart device that provides on-demand details about everyday things. The simple tag-and-scan approach lets you quickly and easily identify things around you. It also provides extra details, like how something works or when it expires. The result? Doing more of the things you want, with more confidence and more independence. All the information you want with just a tap of your phone. No more waiting around to ask someone. You need just two things to get started: The free mobile app for iOS or Android and some of our smart WayTags®. Accessible labels for the blind, deafblind, and anyone with vision loss. Your biggest problem isn't poor eyesight. It's that so much of the information in the world is visual. But you shouldn't have to wait around for someone else to get the information you need. Or carry around a bulky, outdated device. There is a better way to get accurate and complete information every time. So you can reduce stress and gain independence. Download The App (Apple): https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/wayaround-tag-and-scan/id1294361140?mt=8 Download The App (Android): https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.wayaround.wayaround Sponsor: Pneuma Solutions
➜ Classified Advertisement: Last Day to Lock in the Cyber Weekend $49 Annual Rate for the Remote Incident Manager Weekend Support Package! Unlimited Weekend Time, only $49!In case you missed it, we just Introduced a brand new plan along with an Exclusive Cyber Weekend Offer for Remote Incident Manager! Dive into the future of remote technical support with the world's only fully accessible cross-platform remote support package. Are you the go-to tech guru in your circle? Or maybe you know someone who just got a new computer this Thanksgiving weekend? We've got something special for all you weekend warriors out there. At Pneuma Solutions, we strive to provide pricing structures that fit your unique needs. That's why we're proud to reveal a brand new package that allows you all the support time you could ever need during the weekends! Today is the last day to lock in a special discounted rate of just $49 per year (with just over 100 weekend days in a year, that equates to only about $0.50 a day!) Act now to secure your discounted rate for future renewals, and experience the best in accessible, cross-platform remote desktop access! Sponsor Since: November 7th 2022 Website: https://pneumasolutions.com/ 🌐️ Email Newsletter: Click here to receive periodic news via email concerning Pneuma Solutions products for business, consumers and education. Sales: (866) 202-0520 📱️ Support: (650) 249-1000 📱️ About: Backed by two decades of creating award-winning accessible cloud technologies for people with visual impairments, Pneuma Solutions is the global leader in accessible cloud-based solutions. Pneuma Solutions was founded by long-time accessibility developers Mike Calvo and Matt Campbell. For more information on their individual profiles, click on their respective bio pages. We're proud to be the first company to develop cloud-based accessibility at the network level. Our tools provide organizations, like yours, a way to deliver secure, accessible information right from your network or from our secure servers. You can provide your print disabled consumers, students, employees, and citizens with a multitude of accessible options. Additionally, we offer a suite of cloud-based applications to blind and print disabled consumers directly from our website. Our consumer products are designed to make the day-to-day lives of blind and print disabled individuals more accessible and simpler to manage. Access to information is not a privilege, it's a right. It's also your right to obtain affordable, accessible cloud solutions to serve your end user. When organizations like yours implement our tools, together we help make it a more inclusive world for people with disabilities. Want to know more about how we can help you become more inclusive? Contact us here. We'll be happy to discuss how our tools can help with your accessibility needs. Sponsor: Barrier Free Canada
➜ Classified Advertisement: Ask Donna Podcast: The Blogger: October 2023Ask Donna the blogger! Listen to my tips on bullying, entrepreneurship, and scams and scammers! I also provide my thoughts for today! Sponsor Since: November 10, 2023 Website: https://barrierfreecanada.org/ 🌐️ About: Barrier-Free Canada/Canada Sans Barrieres (BFC/CSB) advocates for the Canadian Parliament to enact a strong and effective Canadians with Disabilities Act (CDA) to achieve a barrier-free Canada for all persons with disabilities. To this end, BFC/CSB is seeking endorsements from national disability organizations to build a non-partisan community coalition. BFC/CSB would also like to identify point persons from these organizations to act as key contacts. The steering committee of BFC/CSB has drafted a set of principles concerning a CDA that are drawn from the principles that underpin the provincial disability legislation in Ontario and Manitoba. A CDA is not meant to replace provincial disability legislation. It will complement such legislation and benefit Canadians living in provinces with and without provincial disability legislation. At this point in time, CNIB, March of Dimes Canada, Canadian Hearing Society and MS Society of Canada have endorsed the BFC/CSB principles and confirmed their support for the movement to enact a CDA. There is no individual or organizational charge for membership in BFC/CSB. Please contact Donna Jodhan, Founder of Barrier-Free Canada, at info@barrierfreecanada.org 📧️ with any questions or to express your organization's support and identify a key contact. Social: Facebook | X (Formerly Twitter) | Mastodon (Search For: @news@mastodon.barrierfreecanada.org). Sponsor: Vision Ireland
Sponsor Since: September 18th 2023 Website: https://vi.ie/ 🌐️ Phone: 1800 911 250 📱️ Make A Referral: https://vi.ie/supporting-you/make-a-referral/ We are happy to take referrals from anyone who is having significant challenges with their vision that cannot be improved with conventional correction glasses or medical treatment. Our online referral process provides a quick and easy way for you to request services, either for yourself, a family member, or a patient. We contact all new referrals to conduct an assessment. Donate: https://vi.ie/supporting-us/donate-now/ ❤ Your support is Vital, for over 90 years, people like you have helped Vision Ireland make Ireland a better place for those who are blind or vision impaired. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ncbilabs 📹 We regularly deliver Technology Podcasts on topics that support you. Show content ranges from chats and debates about the latest Inclusive Tech, Meet the Team interviews, interviews with developers about their latest innovations, Tech Tips, and Seeing it Your Way interviews where we speak to Vision Ireland Service Users about how Technology has enabled them by breaking down barriers and leveling playing fields. Online Store: https://vi.ie/shop-with-us/online-store/ 🛒 Shop Low Vision Aids. Our dedicated store supplies a range of household items, magnification aids, daily living aids, and technology devices all designed to assist you to live more independently. Check out our extensive range of low-vision aids, devices, and gadgets all designed to assist you in daily tasks. Vision Ireland Retail: https://www.ncbi.ie/shop-with-us/retail-stores/shop-locations/ 🛒 Visit our 130+ Vision Ireland stores located across the country and shop for an extensive range of pre-loved quality clothing, accessories, and furniture. Vision Ireland is proud to play a part in promoting environmentally friendly practices through reusing and recycling. We've got something for everyone, you can transform your home and wardrobe for less while helping to fund our vital work around Ireland with people living with sight loss. About: Formerly National Council for the Blind of Ireland (NCBI), Vision Ireland's mission is to enable people who are blind and vision impaired to overcome the barriers that impede their independence and participation in society. Inspired by the determination to overcome any obstacle, Vision Ireland transforms the lives of people who are blind or vision impaired to deliver tangible change to today's needs. We offer timely information and support, relevant technology and innovative programs to sustain those with a vision impairment in education, in the workplace, and in wider society. The National Council for the Blind of Ireland, the country's leading sight loss charity serving the approximate 55,000 people who are blind or vision impaired to live confidently and independently. Our suite of programs provides practical and emotional support, rehabilitation and opening pathways to education, employment, and full participation in community and public life. It means raising awareness to ensure children and adults with a significant sight loss have the same opportunities, rights, and choices as anyone else in society. Vision Ireland works every day across the country with people of all ages, from young babies through to older members of our community. We provide services to approximately 7,000 people each year. Often when a person learns that they or a loved one — a parent, child or partner — is losing their sight, they have a lot of questions and fears. They are faced with a new version of their life — one that initially seems limited and scary. Vision Ireland empowers those living with sight loss in several meaningful ways to enable them to continue living independent and fulfilling lives. Vision Ireland has a crucial role to play in creating a world without barriers for people with sight loss. We want to support, educate and change how people see sight loss in this country. Social: Facebook | X (Formerly Twitter) | YouTube | Instagram Sponsor: Hadley
➜ Classified Advertisement: New NVDA Workshops at HadleyLearn the basics of NVDA. From getting started with the program to customizing the speech to learning helpful shortcuts, Hadley's workshops have you covered. Sponsor Since: September 18th 2023 Website: https://hadleyhelps.org/ 🌐️ Email: info@hadleyhelps.org 📧️ Phone: (800) 323-4238 📱️ Get Started: https://hadleyhelps.org/learn 🎓 What would you like to learn today? Donate: https://hadleyhelps.org/donate/support-hadley ❤ A 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, Hadley relies on contributions from individuals, foundations, and corporations to fund its programs. About: The mission of Hadley is to create personalized learning opportunities that empower adults with vision loss or blindness to thrive — at home, at work, and in their communities. Founded in 1920 by William Hadley, an educator who lost his eyesight later in life, Hadley offers practical help, connection and support free of charge to anyone with a visual impairment, their families and professionals supporting them. With Hadley, you can discover new ways to do things that have become more difficult due to vision loss and connect with a network of peers who "get it." And you don't need to come to Hadley. Hadley's help comes to you; online, on the phone or through the mail. Since relaunching in July 2020, more than 70,000 people have signed up with Hadley, registering more than 200,000 workshop interactions. And our workshops have 98% satisfaction ratings. We reach all 50 states and more than 100 countries. And more people learn braille from Hadley than from any other organization worldwide. Hadley is a proud partner of the National Eye Institute and the National Eye Health Education Program. Hadley's help conveniently meets learners where they are. Free of wait lists. Free of office visits. Free of charge. Social: Facebook | X (Formerly Twitter) | YouTube Sponsor: Eyes on Success
Sponsor Since: August 21, 2023 Website: https://www.eyesonsuccess.net/ 🌐️ About: This half-hour weekly podcast and radio program discusses products, services and daily living tips for people with vision loss. It is available through radio reading services across North America, via several internet streaming services, and to everyone else as a podcast. To date, the show has been downloaded in all 50 states in the US and over 100 other countries on all the inhabited continents. Eyes On Success is hosted and produced by Peter Torpey and Nancy Goodman Torpey. Each episode is basically a success story. Some are human stories of visually impaired people's accomplishments in academics, employment, sports or pastimes. Others are descriptions of adaptive aids that enable visually impaired people to achieve things. These include screen readers, magnifiers, navigation aids, and others. In all cases, the focus is on success. Eyes On Success has been airing weekly since January 2011. Prior to January 2013 the name of the show was ViewPoints. Other than the name, nothing has changed. Listening To Eyes On Success You can listen to Eyes On Success on your smart home device by saying “play the Eyes On Success podcast”, subscribe to the podcast wherever you get your podcasts, or listen on Apple Podcasts, iTunes, YouTube or your local radio reading service. Listeners can also follow the show on Facebook and X (Formerly Twitter).Connecting with Eyes On Success Email: To contact us with questions, comments or suggestions for future shows send an e-mail to hosts@EyesOnSuccess.net 📧️. Weekly Announcements: If you would like to receive weekly announcements of upcoming episodes, you can join our low traffic "announcements only" list by sending an e-mail to: EyesOnSuccess+subscribe@GoogleGroups.com 📧️. Email Forum: If you would like to connect with other listeners and share your thoughts about what you've heard on the show, you can join our listener email forum by sending an email to: EOS_Discuss+Subscribe@GoogleGroups.com 📧️ Sponsor: Total Tech Solutions, LLC
➜ Classified Advertisement: Be My AI FunI apologize for poking fun at Be My AI, but I couldn't resist having a little bit of fun. Join us at: Sponsor Since: April 4, 2023 Website: https://blindtech.org/ 🌐️ About: TTS (Total Tech Solutions) is a startup technology company owned and operated in the Dallas Fort Worth area which specializes in offering services for the blind and visually impaired. While this is it's main focus, TTS also caters to the general public. Since its founding, TTS continues to make strides in demonstrating the countless ways blind and visually impaired individuals can contribute in all aspects of the workforce. This is one of the reasons why this company chooses to hire applicants who are visually impaired; to prove that there is a place in society for persons of any type of visual impairment, and to create a positive environment so one can thrive, live life to their fullest potential and to be a positive example to their communities and their families. Shop: BlindShell Classic | Shop: ARxWear | Shop: All Products | Services | Events | About | Contact Us Sponsor: Clusiv
➜ Classified Advertisement: Clusiv Is The World's First eLearning Platform Built For And By People Who Are Blind. Our Courses Are Designed To Equip People Who Are Blind Or Visually Impaired For Employment In The Modern Workforce. Learn More At Clusiv.Io.Navigating the employment process can be challenging if you are blind or visually impaired. Technology is difficult to figure out, there is a lot of extra material to learn, and there isn't much quality training available. That's where Clusiv comes in. We help to provide the training you need to succeed in the modern workforce. Our courses teach assistive technology skills and how to apply those skills to many of the business software programs used in the modern workforce, such as email, Microsoft and Google apps, video conferencing, and more. We also teach soft skills such as resume and interview preparation, disclosures and accommodations, internet safety, and financial literacy. Lastly, our training can teach specific career skills, such as becoming an accessibility analyst. Plus, our courses are self-paced. To learn more, visit https://clusiv.io/ and fill out a form with your information. We work with state vocational rehabilitation agencies to provide access to our course content. Sponsor Since: January 16th 2023 Website: https://clusiv.io/ 🌐️ About: As there are many challenges people in the blind community face in employment and education, Clusiv has built the world's first e-learning platform designed for the blind to provide the training, tools, and resources needed to remove barriers to the modern workforce. Our courses teach you occupational and technology skills you need towards employment. Plus, we are working to connect our graduates to internship and job opportunities. Our courses are remote, self-paced, and we provide support throughout your whole journey through our student success team, and even provide lifetime access to our courses so you can keep up to date as technology evolves. You can request Clusiv training through your vocational rehabilitation counselor and fill out the form in the link below on our website. If you are a counselor wanting to learn more about Clusiv for your clients, or an employer looking to hire Clusiv graduates, click the respective link below and fill out a form to get more info. ➜ Person Looking To Enroll In Clusiv Courses ➜ Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Looking To Learn More About Clusiv For Their Clients ➜ Employer Looking To Hire Clusiv Graduates Sponsor: Access Ready, Inc.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Seeks Your Support at the Public Policy LevelMoving the public policy needle is both difficult and costly. Access Ready has one of the most experienced teams in the business who have shown results. We have fostered Congressional language on accessible websites, elections, healthcare, communications, and other areas touched by information and communications technologies. These efforts are costly and we need your help to continue. Become an Access Ready supporter and create an accessible future for people with disabilities: Sponsor Since: December 19th 2022 Website: https://accessready.org/ 🌐️ Email: info@accessready.org 📧️ Phone: (727) 531-1000 📱️ About: Access Ready Inc. is a certified, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The mission of Access Ready Inc., a nonprofit cross-disability rights advocacy organization, is to promote a policy of accessibility benefiting all people regardless of ability across information and communications technology utilized for two way communications. The purpose of Access Ready Inc. is to educate the public and private sectors of the importance of accessible information and communications technology to the future of all people regardless of ability. To support this education by developing initiatives that promote policies that ensure the creation and maintenance of accessible technologies utilized for two way communications at all levels which allow for easy use by people with the widest range of abilities possible. To develop employment and business opportunities for people with disabilities that support its educational activities in the field of information and communications technology and related areas. To provide consulting and educational services to buyers, developers, and users of information and communications technology that promotes its highest and best use in society. To promote the concept of a technologically accessible society which fosters: Freedom of expression, speech, and worship. Sponsor: Access Ready, Inc.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Provides Access To The Best In The BusinessIf you need assistance with a new accessible website, document remediation or disability consulting of other kinds, Access Ready can help. We seek out the best in the business and bring them to you already vetted as to quality, professionalism and ability. By going through AccessReady.org to one of our qualified providers, you're not only getting the best, but supporting our advocacy and technological development efforts as well: Sponsor Since: December 13th 2022 Website: https://accessready.org/ 🌐️ Email: info@accessready.org 📧️ Phone: (727) 531-1000 📱️ About: Access Ready Inc. is a certified, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The mission of Access Ready Inc., a nonprofit cross-disability rights advocacy organization, is to promote a policy of accessibility benefiting all people regardless of ability across information and communications technology utilized for two way communications. The purpose of Access Ready Inc. is to educate the public and private sectors of the importance of accessible information and communications technology to the future of all people regardless of ability. To support this education by developing initiatives that promote policies that ensure the creation and maintenance of accessible technologies utilized for two way communications at all levels which allow for easy use by people with the widest range of abilities possible. To develop employment and business opportunities for people with disabilities that support its educational activities in the field of information and communications technology and related areas. To provide consulting and educational services to buyers, developers, and users of information and communications technology that promotes its highest and best use in society. To promote the concept of a technologically accessible society which fosters: Freedom of expression, speech, and worship. 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.
Sponsor Since: Today Website: https://accessinformationnews.com/ 🌐️ Phone: (855) 578-6660 📱️ Email: news@accessinformationnews.com 📧️ About: Access Information News is the world's leading not-for-profit access information news publication that reaches over 15,000 access professionals, educators and enthusiasts, all over the world, each week. Access Information refers to informational topics that directly affect the lives of people with disabilities. Access Information includes any and all information related to bettering the lives of people who are blind, low vision, deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind, neurodivergent and/or disabled. Access Information News is a Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd. Publication. Sponsorship Packages Currently AvailableAccess Information News is the world's leading not-for-profit access information news publication that reaches over 15,000 blind, low vision, deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind, neurodivergent and/or disabled professionals, educators and enthusiasts, all over the world, each week. Access Information refers to informational topics that directly affect the lives of people with disabilities. Access Information includes any and all information related to bettering the lives of people who are blind, low vision, deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind, neurodivergent and/or disabled. Access Information News offers a total of 18 Sponsorship Packages which are used to support the ongoing distribution of the publication. ➜ Availability: There are currently 6 of 18 Sponsorship Packages available. All 18 Sponsorship Packages are offered on a first-come, first serve basis. ➜ Waiting List: If you would like to become an Access Information News Sponsor but there are no sponsorship packages currently available, we encourage you to join our waiting list by sending an email to: sponsorships@accessinformationnews.com 📧️. Once you have joined our waiting list we will notify you the next time a current sponsor decides not to renew. You will then have 72 hours to secure your sponsorship before it is offered to the next sponsor on the list. ➜ Payment Options: When available you can secure one of these packages for just $100.00 USD per month, $300 USD per quarter or $1,200.00 USD per year. ➜ Payment Option Benefits: Monthly Sponsors receive Zero (0) Featured Advertisements. Quarterly Sponsors receive One (1) Featured Advertisement per quarter. Annual Sponsors receive Five (5) Featured Advertisements per year. All other benefits remain the same. ➜ Access Information News Supporters:We couldn't do it without you! Thank you for your support!
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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) Publisher (2020-Present) Sr. Project Management Professional (2006 - Present) 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) Editorial Contributor (2020-Present) Board of Trustees (2006 - Present) 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) Editorial Contributor (2020-Present) Project Management Professional (2022 - Present) 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 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) Editorial Contributor (2023-Present) National Commercial Assistive Technology Advisor (1990 - Present) Email: editor@accessinformationnews.com 📧️ ➜ Subscription InformationABOUT:Access Information News is the world's leading not-for-profit access information news publication that reaches over 15,000 blind, low vision, deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind, neurodivergent and/or disabled professionals, educators and enthusiasts, all over the world, each week. 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. RELEASE SCHEDULE:Access Information News is released every Monday morning at 6:00 AM ET. SUBSCRIBE:Do you, a friend, or colleague wish to receive the Access Information Newsletter? 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QUESTIONS:If you have questions regarding any of the material published in Access Information News please feel free to reach out to our Publisher at publisher@accessinformationnews.com 📧️ or our Editors at editors@accessinformationnews.com 📧️ and we will attempt to provide you with answers as time and knowledge permit. ARCHIVEVisit the Access Information News Archive at: https://accessinformationnews.com/archive.html where you can grab back issues. CONTENT CONTRIBUTORS:Any information for future issues of Access Information News may be submitted online via our Access Information News Item Submission Form at: https://accessinformationnews.com/submit-news or directed to our Editors at: editors@accessinformationnews.com 📧️. 
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