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Access Information News for Monday, July 29, 2024 - Volume 973 ♿️
The Week's News in Access Information
Access Information News. The world's #1 online resource for current news and trends in access information.
A Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd. Publication
Subscribers: 20,477 🔢️ opt-in subscribers were sent this issue via email.
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Since the inception of information and communication technologies (ICT), the industry has struggled with what some believe are "unfunded mandates" requiring accessibility for individuals with disabilities. These needs often lead to costly legal battles, retrofitting expenses, and significant public relations challenges.
We have a strategic solution: the Tax Recovery Act (TRA).
The TRA proposes up to a 100% tax credit of funds spent on the inclusion of accessibility for developers who retrofit existing ICT and incorporate accessibility into new products. This involves amending the 1981 Research and Development Tax Credit Federal statute to include these provisions.
We are seeking your advocacy, financial support, and legislative assistance to make this initiative a reality.
Set up your tax-deductible contribution now.
News 📰️
1.) Top 5 Most Clicked News Articles From Last Week 📊️
The denial of the American Association of People with Disabilities wasn't political, but it highlights fault lines between disability organizing and conservatives.
I was recently chatting with my friend, Tom Babinski, about a question that I hear from time to time: What's the difference between a WayTag and an Airtag? Tom is an accessibility consultant who specializes in travel and writes the blog Even Grounds. He uses both WayTags and Airtags to make his own travel more accessible, and he offered to write a guest post for our blog to share his tips.
Dating with a Disability 101. Being in a relationship with someone who has a disability requires understanding, empathy, and a willingness to learn and adapt. Here's what to do.
Finding a way to adapt to a sport and building a community with other athletes can be a challenge. Many students who are blind or low vision live far from one another, and it's very common to be the only student with a visual impairment in a school district. Fortunately, a multitude of resources exist to ensure every player is not left behind.
The education platform offers the industry's first premium accessibility learning program for free, featuring self-guided courses led by certified experts
July 29, 2024 📅️
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Next Issue: Premium Subscribers will receive their 7th issue of the Top 60 Most Clicked News Articles for July, August and September of 2024 on Monday, October 7, 2024. Back Issues: There are currently 6 back issues available. Premium Subscribers are entitled to all back issues, anytime they sign up. All available back issues will be sent to you via email within 24 hours of purchasing your subscription. Please Join Us: If you would like to receive a perfectly formatted and searchable Word Document with each of the Top 60 Most Clicked News Articles of the last 3 months listed neatly within it, please consider joining us today for just $1 a month.
Use Sponsored News Articles to reach the access community when you need to. Whether you are a current Sponsor or not. Drive traffic to your access product and service announcements, events, updates or fundraisers using this incredibly cost-effective and easy-to-use advertisement tool. Learn more today.
This article will outline, step-by-step, how you can get free website traffic reporting on any link to your domain (AKA domain name, website or web address) that has been published by Access Information News since January 22, 2024, when we launched this feature.
Hello everyone. My name is Aaron Di Blasi and my company, Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd., specializes in funding, growing, sending and maintaining world-class, legally compliant email newsletters. As of this writing we publish three weekly newsletters, Top Tech Tidbits, founded in 2004, currently serves over 31,000 readers per week, Access Information News, founded in 2022, currently serves over 20,000 readers per week, and AI-Weekly, founded in 2024, currently serves over 31,000 readers per week. But how do you know that?
How do you know that we're not just plucking these numbers out of thin air purely for the benefit of sponsors and advertisers?
July 28, 2024 📅️
We want to learn from parents or guardians of children with disabilities. The County of Santa Clara Division of Equity and Social Justice (DESJ) is conducting a Survey of Families with Children with Disabilities through the Office of Disability Affairs (ODA) and in partnership with Parents Helping Parents (PHP). We ask: What types of disabilities your children have. Whether your children are receiving support services. How helpful are the services. Whether you want other services for your child. About other general needs you may have. We would like to hear both from parents born in the U.S. and from immigrant parents. The survey does not ask about specific immigration statuses. People taking the survey should be at least 18 years old and live in Santa Clara County. People taking the survey should have children with disabilities. The survey will remain open for two months; May 2024 to July 2024. Results are expected November 2024. Survey Completion Time: 20 minutes or less.
Urgent Action Needed: Access Ready and Clear2Connect Coalition call on stakeholders to address FCC's proposed IP CTS compensation rate cuts, threatening essential services for 600,000 Americans with hearing loss. These reductions risk the quality and viability of real-time captioned phone conversations, crucial for veterans and individuals with disabilities. Join the effort to advocate for sustainable compensation rates to maintain high-quality, accurate services. Support this initiative by raising awareness and engaging with FCC Commissioners and Congress members. For more details, contact Douglas George Towne or Allison Wohl.
July 27, 2024 📅️
Publisher (Di Blasi): Dearest David. I am so very sorry to hear about your health scare and the closing of AppleVis. I think I speak for many in the community when I say that we sincerely appreciate the many valuable contributions that you have made possible over the years, especially since we now know the true personal cost. A cost that I too am acutely aware of, and the very reason that we work so hard to make sure that each publication can ultimately fund itself. The personal cost of beloved endeavors can be incredibly significant without support. Thank you for doing that for us. For all of us. It is sincerely appreciated and I assure you will never be forgotten. If you are ultimately unable to come up with any viable solutions to keep the site running as it was, we would be willing to donate the annual hosting and services required to keep the site online, indefinitely, in read-only mode. In this way your contributions, and the many contributions of others, can live on and continue to help the community long after your departure. You can always reach me at publisher@accessinformationnews.com 📧️. Wishing you, and rest of the AppleVis Team, all the very best. We're here if you need us.
David Goodwin: It is with deep sadness and a heavy heart that after careful consideration I have made the difficult decision to step down from my responsibilities with AppleVis. As a direct result of my departure and following extensive deliberation, the editorial team has come to the painful conclusion that AppleVis will be closing. This decision was not made lightly, but it has become clear that continuing AppleVis without my involvement is not feasible.
Access Ready celebrates a milestone in advocacy as new Bill promises enhanced Federal tech accessibility.
Tuning into a bit of the Olympics this morning, within two minutes the reality of accessibility in 2024 is on display. Audio description for a channel showing multiple sports is impressive but the schedule view of the Olympics iOS app not so much. The progress is appreciated here but the gaps are still far too many.
July 26, 2024 📅️
The Helen Keller National Center (HKNC) a division of Helen Keller Services (HKS), is a national non-profit working with individuals who are DeafBlind and/or have combined hearing-vision loss to live, work and thrive, has appointed John Filek (M.Ed.), formerly HKNC's Regional Service Coordinator, as its new HKNC Executive Director, effective July 22, 2024.
July 25, 2024 📅️
Today, we celebrate the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), one of our Nation's most significant civil rights laws to protect people with disabilities from discrimination. For the more than 70 million Americans living with a disability, the ADA enshrines into law the idea that we all deserve opportunity, inclusion, respect, and dignity. I am proud to have co-sponsored this landmark legislation years ago, and I am honored to celebrate its lasting legacy today.
As a leader in working with disabled and non-disabled dancers for nearly four decades, Axis Dance Company is accustomed to having some of the same conversations over and over.
One of my big finds this year was the WayTags which let me label things around me, and I discovered how to enhance my travel with them. I had a few conversations with Jessica, and I was just amazed by the creativity people can use WayTags to make their lives easier. I was curious, how was such a great product born and all the ways it is used, so I asked Jessica for an interview, which you can read below.
My final thoughts? The struggle with apps — yes it is the present and the future but for whom? The present and the future for the technically abled? But is it the present and the future when access and accessibility continue to be a big concern?
S.9699A/A.10457 Permits the Access to Home and Access to Home for Heroes Programs to Cover Cost of Important Home Repairs for Accessibility Modifications. S.8903/A.9948 Expands Accessibility to Partial Real Property Tax Exemptions for People with Disabilities. S.1900A/A.2487A Makes it Easier for Individuals with Disabilities to Apply for Renewed Parking Permits.
The Disability Pride flag was raised outside of City Hall in honor of the 34th anniversary of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act on Thursday.
In March 2022, Youth on Record signed a co-ownership deal with Two Parts for the Underground Music Showcase. Part of the agreement included an accessibility audit.
U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-PA), Ron Wyden (D-OR), John Fetterman (D-PA), and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) have introduced the Section 508 Refresh Act. This new bill aims to ensure that federal agencies make their technology accessible to people with disabilities. This move seeks to address longstanding issues revealed by a 2022 Senate Aging Committee investigation, particularly within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
July 24, 2024 📅️
Braille, introduced by Louis Braille in Paris, France in 1829, has opened up the world of reading and writing for people who are blind or low vision. The system isn't perfect, however, and in its ordinary form, paper braille is bulky. Print documents need to be transcribed into the braille code, which can be time consuming and expensive. Enter the portable refreshable braille display on a device that can allow a user to store, read, and write documents. Braille users employ them today in many forms, but how did they get started? The first working display recorded in our files at The Dot Experience is a device developed first by James Bryce at International Business Machines (IBM), around 1950, and then later worked on by Arnold Grunwald at the Argonne National Laboratory. This device stored information on perforated paper tapes. It created raised braille characters on a plastic belt that moved under the reader's fingers at their chosen pace.
Laura Medcalf lived by her word. Diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy at the age of four, she spent her whole life pushing past limits, exceeding expectations and inspiring other people with disabilities.
U.S. Senators, including Bob Casey and John Fetterman, have introduced a bill to make federal technology more accessible for people with disabilities.
International Assistance Dog Week (IADW) begins on the first Sunday of August every year. The week aims to raise awareness of the wide range of roles that assistance dogs have and how disabled people rely on them for independence. These remarkable dogs provide essential support, fostering independence and enhancing the quality of life for their handlers. While the bond and assistance provided by these canine companions are irreplaceable, recent technological advancements are further augmenting their support capabilities. In this blog, we will explore the cutting-edge technologies enhancing the abilities of assistance dogs, showcasing the incredible synergy between traditional support and modern innovation.
NBCUniversal's coverage of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 will be more accessible than ever before, with enhanced closed captioning, expanded audio description, and improved digital content accessibility. Read below for a Q&A about accessibility for the 2024 Olympic Games.
A federal court struck down restrictions that make it harder for people with disabilities to vote. Previously, Ohio law allowed a select list of family members to assist with casting absentee ballots. Now, a court decision has changed that. "Voters with disabilities often face unique challenges," said Suzanne Musleh, Disability Rights Ohio legal advocacy director.
NTIA will soon announce the launch of the Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program.
Recent incidents involving the Abbot Public Library, Riptide restaurant and other local establishments have highlighted the complexities of ensuring full compliance with accessibility standards. While these challenges have raised concerns, they also present an opportunity for the town to reassess and improve its approach to creating an inclusive environment for all residents and visitors.
July 23, 2024 📅️
Access Information News, the world's leading, not-for-profit weekly newsletter dedicated to access information, is proud to announce that it now serves more than 31,000 weekly readers. This milestone highlights the publication's ongoing commitment to forging critical partnerships within the access community.
Jessica Slice and Caroline Cupp on swiping right, hooking up, and settling down.
Hosts Eamon McErlean and Joe Devon interview Mike Buckley, Chairman and CEO of Be My Eyes. Be My Eyes is a mobile app that assists people who are blind and visually impaired with identifying objects. They discuss how Be My Eyes was originally launched, the introduction of Be My AI and their partnership with OpenAI, and the importance of accessibility.
Aira has a long-standing history with AI, and we see its enormous potential to advance and offer more value to the blind and low vision community. Earlier this year, we launched Access AI, a free image chat experience that provides instant descriptions and the ability to request free, on-demand verification from our professional visual interpreters. We're continuing this commitment to pushing AI forward within our product with an exciting new initiative called Build AI.
On July 23, 2024, Mattel released Barbie Fashionista Doll 228, also known as "Blind Barbie," developed with guidance from the American Foundation for the Blind and the Royal National Institute of Blind People. As a cane user with low vision who loves wearing colorful outfits, I was excited to purchase a Barbie that can serve as a valuable introduction to learning about the spectrum of blindness/visual impairment in a fun way. Here is a list of ways that Blind Barbie showcases how to design for visual impairment and examples of assistive technology that she might use.
When traveling, many hotels, transportation systems, restaurants, and experiences such as amusement or theme parks require users to download an app to perform critical functions relevant to that experience. I was compelled to use one of these apps over a recent hotel stay. The app was used for tasks like checking in and requesting housekeeping services.
Mattel, Inc. announced today the addition of a blind Barbie doll and a Black Barbie doll with Down syndrome, created to allow even more children to find a doll that represents them and inspire all children to tell more stories through play.
Toymaker created the doll, which carries a cane, to create a 'sense of belonging' for children with vision impairment.
School buses, intended to provide safe and secure rides for all children, are largely failing kids with disabilities, prompting urgent calls for improvements.
July 22, 2024 📅️
This month marks 34 years since the Americans with Disabilities Act was signed into law, and Disability Pride Month was officially established nearly a decade ago. As one blind author and illustrator recently pointed out, disability exists on a spectrum. And the fight for community, inclusion and acceptance is still going strong today. In the U.S. in 2021, nearly 42.5 million people — or 13% of the population — had a disability, according to the American Community Survey, conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau. An estimated 1.3 billion people have a significant disability worldwide, according to the World Health Organization, which is 16% of the global population, or 1 in 6 people.
Despite the significant progress made in developing effective, safe, and cost-effective medicines that enhance the quality of life of individuals with neurological disorders, these medicines remain largely inaccessible.
Disability:IN, the global organization driving disability inclusion and equality in business, today announced the winners of its 2024 Inclusion Awards. The annual accolade recognizes outstanding disability inclusion efforts by visionary brands and individuals from among Disability:IN's more than 500 corporate partners.
As Illinois seeks to end federal court oversight of its disability services, an independent court monitor says the state continues to fall short of promises made 13 years ago to allow people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live outside of institutions.
Last Week 2024 📅️
The Ohio State Fair is meant to entertain people, and the fair and Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) are working to make sure that entertainment can be shared by as many people as possible.
When Jacob, a 10th grader with vision impairment, signed up for an AP class, it made him feel like a castaway.
Earlier this year the Georgia Department of Natural Resources announced its Outdoors Beyond Barriers initiative with a goal of increasing accessibility to Georgia's state parks, historic sites, and outdoor resources to the more than 2.2 million Georgians with disabilities.
Michigan education officials this month asked the U.S. Department of Education to dismiss all claims that the state violated the federal rights of students with disabilities during COVID-era school shutdowns.
A caregiver's plea for greater accessibility awareness and implementation.
The event had various components — a presentation on accessible voting, demonstrations of accessible ExpressVote ballot machines and two video kiosks.
The countdown is on for the highly anticipated 2024 Ohio State Fair, running from July 24 through August 4, 2024. As excitement builds, Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) and the Ohio State Fair are proud to announce their continued commitment to accessibility.
Lincoln City's first new park in 20 years isn't set to open until late fall, but Amy Farhat is already planning lunch dates for “Beach Buddies” eager for a taste of the outdoors too often out of reach to them. Even on the vast Oregon coast, access to the great outdoors can be difficult when you don't easily get around.
Wise Sons Deli, a cherished Bay Area-based restaurant group, is excited to announce a significant enhancement in accessibility at its locations through a partnership with RightHear. This initiative represents a commitment to improving accessibility for all, particularly for people who are blind or have low vision. By adopting the RightHear Accessibility system, Wise Sons Deli is taking proactive steps to make its restaurants as accessible as possible, promoting a more inclusive dining environment.
One thing society tends to do with disabled people is to underestimate us. Their assumptions and beliefs become our reality. It doesn't matter how hard we work or practice. If a hiring manager views me as incapable, then they won't hire me. I could've ended up in a low paying job that doesn't require much skill.
Flor Jimenez, a person who is legally blind, has filed a class action lawsuit in California against the Hyatt. The plaintiff alleges the hotel's website puts up barriers for people who use screen readers. The barriers prevent the plaintiff from enjoying full, equal access to the company's products and services. The complaint alleges that this violates the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and California's Unruh Civil Rights Act .
In short: Since launching in 2010, the federal government's $1.2 billion flagship disability employment program has been criticized for poor performance and focus on compliance.
But critics and defenders agree that "pockets of excellence" thrive in the sector. What's next? The government announced significant policy changes in the recent budget, increasing funding to $5.4 billion over five years and promising to put people and quality first.
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The APH ConnectCenter and NSITE have partnered to update the Job Seeker's Toolkit, an accessible, self-paced, free online training course. The Toolkit includes five sections covering self-awareness, career exploration tools, the preliminary employment process, the interview, and maintaining employment. We are bringing the Job Seeker's Toolkit to a larger audience and in a Learning Management System format for today's learners, at no cost. Visit APHCareerConnect.org to get started with the Job Seekers Toolkit today.
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.
Purchase a 25-pack of any style of WayTag and get a free Sampler Pack so you can try all seven different WayTags. Enter the coupon code SAMPLE at checkout and the Sampler Pack will automatically be added to your cart. This is a $14.99 value! Limit one Sample pack per order.
WayAround is a smartphone-based labeling app that works with your preferred accessibility settings. You just need the free mobile app and some WayTags ® to label items in the kitchen, garden, closet, office & more.
If you want to label something that's inside, outside, wet, dry, hot, or cold, there's a WayTag that will attach securely. WayTags come as stickers, buttons, magnets, and clips. Each of the different styles of WayTags work exactly the same. Simply choose the WayTag that's best for what you want to label.
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&hl=en_US&gl=US&pli=1
Aira, one of the world's leading remote visual interpretation services, has announced a landmark partnership that will make the process of receiving remote technical support even more accessible! Aira will be deploying our cross-platform, fully accessible Remote Incident Manager across its entire team of agents dedicated to providing top notch visual interpretation.
As an Aira explorer, help with inaccessible computer tasks has always been possible, however this has required the use of off-the-shelf remote support tools with varying degrees of inaccessibility. IN recent years, the inaccessibility has made the process of establishing a connection for the support recipient quite difficult. Remote Incident Manager (RIM), by contrast, has been especially designed by and for blind and visually impaired users, yet can be used just as effectively by anyone!
Download the free RIM application on your Windows or macOSmachine today, and experience the best in accessible remote assistance!
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 Since: July 22, 2024 📅️
Website: https://accessinformationnews.com/heart 🌐️
About: Hello, and welcome to the Heart of Influence With Dr. Kirk Adams Show.
I co-host this monthly, virtual, live-streamed event with Sean Callagy, founder of Unblinded Sales Mastery, a Certified Disability Owned Business Enterprise by Disability-In.
During my service as President and CEO of the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB), I recruited Sean to our board of trustees, where among other things, he was our largest individual donor for each of the three years he served.
My Heart of Influence show focuses on disability inclusion. I bring together 7 or 8 integrity-based leaders involved in disability owned business, corporate supplier diversity, disability advocacy, disabled entrepreneurship, or assistive technology innovation.
People that I believe should know one another and can very likely do business together.
Visionaries who believe a rising tide lifts all boats.
It's better than meeting for a cup of coffee!
— Dr. Kirk Adams, PhD
Are you struggling to showcase your accessibility services to the right audience? Look no further — you're in the right place! Barrier Free Canada is your gateway to reaching thousands of eager readers and potential clients actively searching for individuals with lived experience, expertise, and a passion for accessibility and inclusivity.
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 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.
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Learn the basics of NVDA. From getting started with the program to customizing the speech to learning helpful shortcuts, Hadley's workshops have you covered.
Sponsor Since: September 18th 2023 📅️
Website: https://hadleyhelps.org/ 🌐️
Email: info@hadleyhelps.org 📧️
Phone: (800) 323-4238 📱️
Get Started: https://hadleyhelps.org/learn 🎓
What would you like to learn today?
Donate: https://hadleyhelps.org/donate/support-hadley ❤
A 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, Hadley relies on contributions from individuals, foundations, and corporations to fund its programs.
About: The mission of Hadley is to create personalized learning opportunities that empower adults with vision loss or blindness to thrive — at home, at work, and in their communities.
Founded in 1920 by William Hadley, an educator who lost his eyesight later in life, Hadley offers practical help, connection and support free of charge to anyone with a visual impairment, their families and professionals supporting them. With Hadley, you can discover new ways to do things that have become more difficult due to vision loss and connect with a network of peers who "get it." And you don't need to come to Hadley. Hadley's help comes to you; online, on the phone or through the mail.
Since relaunching in July 2020, more than 70,000 people have signed up with Hadley, registering more than 200,000 workshop interactions. And our workshops have 98% satisfaction ratings. We reach all 50 states and more than 100 countries. And more people learn braille from Hadley than from any other organization worldwide.
Hadley is a proud partner of the National Eye Institute and the National Eye Health Education Program.
Hadley's help conveniently meets learners where they are. Free of wait lists. Free of office visits. Free of charge.
Social: Facebook | X (Formerly Twitter) | YouTube
Sponsor 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 📧️
Recent Supreme Court rulings have seriously impacted the disability community. Overturning Chevron allows ADA rules to be challenged, and criminalizing homelessness affects many with disabilities. You can help us fight these injustices! Become an Individual Advocate Power Player with Access Ready Inc. for just $21/month. Your donation directly supports our advocacy initiatives to protect and advance disability rights. Stay updated with our Chair-CEO's reports and access exclusive newsletters. Stand up for those who need it most. Visit Access Ready Inc. today at: https://accessready.org/donate/#power-player .
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.
Recent Supreme Court rulings have seriously impacted the disability community. Overturning Chevron allows ADA rules to be challenged, and criminalizing homelessness affects many with disabilities. You can help us fight these injustices! Become an Individual Advocate Power Player with Access Ready Inc. for just $21/month. Your donation directly supports our advocacy initiatives to protect and advance disability rights. Stay updated with our Chair-CEO's reports and access exclusive newsletters. Stand up for those who need it most. Visit Access Ready Inc. today at: https://accessready.org/donate/#power-player .
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.
Recent Supreme Court rulings have seriously impacted the disability community. Overturning Chevron allows ADA rules to be challenged, and criminalizing homelessness affects many with disabilities. You can help us fight these injustices! Become an Individual Advocate Power Player with Access Ready Inc. for just $21/month. Your donation directly supports our advocacy initiatives to protect and advance disability rights. Stay updated with our Chair-CEO's reports and access exclusive newsletters. Stand up for those who need it most. Visit Access Ready Inc. today at: https://accessready.org/donate/#power-player .
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 Since: Today 📅️
Website: https://accessinformationnews.com/dearsponsor 🌐️
Phone: (855) 578-6660 📱️
Email: news@accessinformationnews.com 📧️
About: Founded in 2022, Access Information News is the world's leading not-for-profit access information news publication that reaches over 31,000 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 most recent issues here.
➜ 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.
In addition, all Access Information News Supporters automatically become Premium Subscribers as well, and therefore enjoy all of the benefits that a Premium Subscription has to offer.
One Time Donation: If you would like to become a 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 a 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.
Become an Access Information News Platinum Supporter today.
1.) James Hulme
Platinum Supporter Since: December 5, 2022
2.) Donna Jodhan
Platinum Supporter Since: March 24, 2023
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One Time Supporters donate an amount of their choosing — one time to assist with the ongoing distribution of the Access Information News Publication.
Become an Access Information News One Time Supporter today.
1.) Sharyn Sobel
One Time Supporter on November 28, 2023
2.) Amanda Lee
One Time Supporter on July 31, 2023
3.) Gaylen Kapperman
One Time Supporter on June 4, 2024
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➜ Access Information News Team 🗞️
Distribution Since: 2022
As of November 7, 2022 the distribution of Access Information News is made possible by our Sponsors, our Supporters, our Advertisers and Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd., a leading international provider of professionally outsourced marketing administration and consultation services.
Any time the Access Information News Publication carries less than its Sponsor limit, Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd. donates the remaining dollars necessary to keep the publication running.
Please help us to support the ongoing distribution of this publication. Learn more about the benefits of Sponsorship today.
Publisher Since: November 7, 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 and AI-Weekly newsletters, PR-Director for the AT-Newswire Press Release News Distribution Service, and 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 Di Blasi, PMP
Email: publisher@accessinformationnews.com 📧️
Toll-Free: +1 (855) 578-6660 📱️
Aaron Di Blasi, PMP
Email: publisher@toptechtidbits.com 📧️
Toll Free: +1 (855) 578-6660 📱️
PR Director (2024-Present)
AT-Newswire 🌐
Access Technology's Digital Newswire
Publisher (2024-Present)
AI-Weekly 🌐
The Week's News in Artificial Intelligence
Publisher (2022-Present)
Access Information News 🌐
The Week's News in Access Information
Publisher (2020-Present)
Top Tech Tidbits 🌐
The Week's News in Access Technology
Sr. Project Management Professional (2006 - Present)
Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd. 🌐
Innovative ideas. Solutions that perform.
Certified:
Digital Marketing Associate
Meta Certified (2022 - Present)
Social Marketing Professional
Hootsuite Certified (2020 - Present)
Email Marketing Professional
Constant Contact Certified (2019 - Present)
Specializing in:
Digital Strategy and Content Marketing
Social Media Advertising
Online Fundraising
ADA, WCAG and Section 508 Compliance
Editor Since: November 7, 2022
Location: Boulder, Colorado
Time Zone: Mountain Standard Time (MST/MDT) (GMT-7/GMT-6)
In addition to serving as an Editor to Access Information News John also serves as an Editor to the Top Tech Tidbits and AI-Weekly newsletters 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.
Editor (2024-Present)
AI-Weekly 🌐
The Week's News in Artificial Intelligence
Editor (2022-Present)
Access Information News 🌐
The Week's News in Access Information
Editor (2020-Present)
Top Tech Tidbits 🌐
The Week's News in Access Technology
Board of Trustees (2006 - Present)
Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd. 🌐
Innovative ideas. Solutions that perform.
Editor Since: November 7, 2022
Location: Des Moines, Iowa
Time Zone: Central Standard Time (CST/CDT) (GMT-6/GMT-5)
In addition to serving as an Editor to Access Information News Jenna also serves as an Editor to the Top Tech Tidbits and AI-Weekly newsletters 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
Editor (2024-Present)
AI-Weekly 🌐
The Week's News in Artificial Intelligence
Editor (2022-Present)
Access Information News 🌐
The Week's News in Access Information
Project Management Professional (2022 - Present)
Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd. 🌐
Innovative ideas. Solutions that perform.
Editor (2020-Present)
Top Tech Tidbits 🌐
The Week's News in Access Technology
Editor Since: February 6, 2023
Location: Central Coast, New South Wales, Australia
Time Zone: Australia Eastern Standard Time (AEST/AEDT) (GMT+10)
In addition to serving as an Editor to Access Information News David also serves as an Editor to the Top Tech Tidbits publication and 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.
In addition to his weekly contributions to Access Information News and Top Tech Tidbits, 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
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
Editor (2023-Present)
Top Tech Tidbits 🌐
The Week's News in Access Technology
Editor (2023-Present)
Access Information News 🌐
The Week's News in Access Information
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.
Editor Since: January 9, 2024
Location: Benton City, WA
Time Zone: Pacific Standard Time (PST/PDT) (GMT-6/GMT-7)
IIn addition to serving as an Editor to Access Information News Vicki also serves as an Editor to the Top Tech Tidbits publication and works as a Web Accessibility Specialist / IT Quality Assurance Tester at Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges.
Vicki Walton
Editor (2024-Present)
Top Tech Tidbits 🌐
The Week's News in Access Technology
Editor (2024-Present)
Access Information News 🌐
The Week's News in Access Information
Web Accessibility Specialist / IT Quality Assurance Tester
Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges 🌐
Better Jobs, Brighter Futures, a Stronger Washington
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