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Access Information News for Monday, September 16, 2024 - Volume 980 ♿️
The Week's News in Access Information
Access Information News. The world's #1 online resource for current news and trends in access information.
A Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd. Publication
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News 📰️
1.) Top 5 Most Clicked News Articles From Last Week 📊️
Here's how to get your full grocery order delivered for free.
The National Federation of the Blind is excited to announce that we have engaged Jonathan Mosen to help advance our strategic priorities in technology, accessibility, and communications to build further capacity within the organized blind movement. Jonathan Mosen has been a well-known and trusted voice in the blind community for over a quarter of a century — his most recent work includes the Living Blindfully podcast and the internet radio station Mushroom FM. Along with podcasting and commercial radio experience, Jonathan is or has been a CEO, thought leader, advocate, change agent, government relations professional, author, information technology consultant, internet start-up founder, candidate for Parliament, IT product designer, and non-profit chair.
They do not work in isolation but increasingly are intertwined.
The U.S. Department of Justice and Washington State Parks reached a settlement over ADA violations at several state parks, including Paradise Point. The complaint highlighted non-conforming conditions at campsites meant for disabled visitors, prompting the state to commit to accessibility improvements.
B1 5-a-side soccer is one of the breakout sports of the 2024 Paralympics. The biggest rule for fans: Be quiet.
September 16, 2024 📅️
Please join me in giving a warm access welcome to Aira, who has so very graciously agreed to support the ongoing distribution of Access Information News via Sponsorship. If you enjoy reading Access Information News for free each week, it is Sponsors like Aira that make it possible. And as I always say, these are the folks that deserve your business most. Aira is an app that connects people who are blind or low vision to professional visual interpreters for secure access to visual information, anytime, anywhere. Organizations who value accessibility and inclusivity partner with Aira to offer the app for free to their employees, students, and customers. Learn more today.
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5.) Premium Subscribers | AccessInformationNews.com | September 16, 2024
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.
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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.
September 14, 2024 📅️
My final thoughts? Canada: Disability Complaints Account For Majority Of Human Rights Claims In NWT: Report | NNSL.com | August 10, 2024. An example of a system that desperately needs fixing!
September 13, 2024 📅️
Walmart will roll out Caroline's Carts — shopping caddies designed to help those caring for people with disabilities or limited mobility — in stores across the country by early 2025. The carts' seat holds 35 to 250 pounds; Walmart will equip each Supercenter with two carts and each Neighborhood Market with at least one. Walmart's order for approximately 8,000 carts is greater than all Caroline's Cart orders combined since the company began manufacturing in 2012.
In a world that often overlooks the strengths of disabled individuals, Sara Minkara is a reminder that true inclusion means creating spaces where everyone, regardless of their abilities, can contribute and lead.
September 12, 2024 📅️
In essence, accessibility is about inclusivity. It ensures that people with disabilities can participate fully in society, whether navigating a city, using a website or accessing information. Disabilities can range from physical impairments, such as mobility or vision, to cognitive, auditory and neurological conditions. According to the World Health Organization, over a billion people, about 15% of the global population, live with some form of disability. This statistic highlights the sheer number of people who benefit from accessible design.
Kevin Chao, testing Meta's Ray-Ban smart glasses in Oakland, California, explores how AI technologies can enhance accessibility. Using the glasses' built-in camera, an AI assistant describes visual scenes, demonstrating how such innovations could revolutionize accessibility for individuals with visual impairments.
Michael Swiatek, recently appointed chief strategy and accessibility officer at Abra Group, shares his journey with blindness and how it informs his work in the aviation sector. Swiatek's role involves ensuring that airlines GOL, Avianca, and Wamos Air provide inclusive services to passengers with disabilities, an ongoing challenge in the industry.
A settlement was reached between the National Federation of the Blind and the California Department of Insurance (CDI) over the accessibility of licensing exams for blind individuals. The agreement requires CDI and its vendor, PSI Services LLC, to improve the accessibility of the exams for those using screen readers.
The U.S. Department of Transportation is moving forward with adopting the Accessibility Guidelines for Pedestrian Facilities in the Public Right-of-Way (PROWAG). These guidelines, long-awaited since their proposal by the U.S. Access Board, aim to ensure that pedestrians, including those using wheelchairs or pushing strollers, have equal access to public pathways.
September 11, 2024 📅️
It becomes very daunting and discouraging having to go through the cumbersome legal procedures on your own, especially when disabled for a long time. Securing the benefits you deserve requires finding the right legal partner to guide you through every step of your claim. A law firm like Gertsoyg & Company can provide the expertise and support needed to protect your rights and handle your claim carefully. But how does one select the right legal partner to cater to one's needs? This guide will discuss what you should look for when finding the right law firm to assist you in filing for long-term disability.
The Te Tai Tokerau Regional Accessibility Strategy, developed by four local authorities in Northland, New Zealand, aims to improve accessibility in a region with the second-highest rate of disabilities in the country. Only 17% of respondents in a 2020 survey felt their district was accessible, highlighting the importance of this new strategy.
Florida is making strides in accessibility, with a focus on travel offerings for people with disabilities. According to Visit Florida, 40% of adult Americans will have some form of disability within the next decade. The state's efforts include accessible travel options, guided by input from disabled content creators, to serve this growing market.
U.S. Bank Stadium, home of the Minnesota Vikings, is known for its vibrant game-day atmosphere, but some families, like Jillian Nelson's, avoid attending due to a lack of effective sensory spaces. Nelson, who has two family members with autism, highlights the importance of such spaces for full inclusion and participation in the game-day experience.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel's office invoked the Supreme Court's recent Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo ruling in a legal filing, challenging the U.S. Department of Education's authority. This ruling, which diminishes judicial deference to administrative agencies, was cited in a civil rights case involving the interpretation of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.
September 10, 2024 📅️
Visitors to Paradise Point State Park in Washington have raised concerns over accessibility issues at campsites designated as ADA-compliant. Deb Hodge and James Evans reported uneven surfaces and poor access to restrooms, with Evans, a person with a disability, experiencing a fall that required medical attention. The state plans to address these violations.
In an address to the disability community, Biden summed up his work on both legislation and regulation, including co-sponsoring the Americans with Disabilities Act as a young senator.
Disability Voting Rights Week, celebrated in the second week of September, focuses on advocating for greater accessibility in voting for Pennsylvanians with disabilities. Over 2.9 million Pennsylvanians are living with disabilities, and this annual event encourages voter education and outreach, including hosting registration events and forums on disability issues.
September 9, 2024 📅️
People with disabilities face heightened risks during emergencies due to systemic failures in preparedness and response. Examples include the recent Georgia school shooting, the 2018 Paradise fire, and the 2015 Bataclan theater attack. This article explores how society must address these vulnerabilities to ensure equity in emergency situations.
The Justice Department has sued the State of Maine for violating the ADA by unnecessarily segregating children with behavioral health disabilities in hospitals and juvenile detention facilities. The lawsuit follows a 2022 civil rights violation finding, and the department is seeking to ensure Maine complies with federal disability law.
New federal rules, effective January 1, 2024, will make mental health and substance abuse treatment more accessible for Americans with private health insurance. Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su announced that the new rules are aimed at ensuring better access to vital mental health care services, which are essential for the well-being of American workers.
Victoria Clark's recent experience highlights the significant barriers disabled individuals face in the workplace. After applying for a position at Toby Carvery, Clark, who is disabled, was immediately rejected due to her disability. This incident, covered by the BBC and other outlets, underscores the importance of accessibility in shaping employment opportunities for disabled individuals.
The World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) released the 'Implementation Toolkit for Accessible Telehealth Services' to guide governments, health service providers, and other stakeholders in integrating accessibility features into telehealth services. This comes as telehealth services rapidly expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic, revealing the need for inclusive healthcare solutions.
With the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act compliance deadline approaching, disability advocates are raising concerns over Toronto's 'Family of Services' program. The initiative, which combines paratransit services with conventional transit, is criticized for being inefficient, and advocates are urging the TTC to rework or abandon the program in favor of better solutions.
Transportation and disability advocates are calling for the installation of an elevator at 23rd Street and Sixth Avenue in Chelsea, Manhattan. With only one accessible station in the area, the lack of elevators has left Chelsea as an 'accessibility desert,' and advocates are urging the MTA to take immediate action.
Coral Hoh, a linguist and CEO of Dysolve, a New York-based company, is leveraging generative AI to address dyslexia, a learning disability affecting between 5% and 20% of children. Hoh describes dyslexia as a 'computational problem' in the brain, and her company aims to simplify diagnosis and treatment through AI-based programs.
A 2021 Colorado law aimed at improving accessibility for individuals with hearing and vision impairments has led to unexpected outcomes, as some agencies removed public records from their websites to avoid non-compliance. House Bill 21-1110 requires government agencies to implement accessibility plans by July 2024 or face fines, leading to this unintended removal of information.
Last Week 📅️
Joe Stone, an adaptive trail rider, demonstrated the difficulties and timing challenges of navigating a Bureau of Land Management trail system gate near Lander. Stone's experience highlighted the physical obstacles disabled recreators face, taking nearly a minute to complete an action that would be simple for able-bodied individuals.
Transit advocates, including Riders Alliance and organizations such as the Center for Independence of the Disabled New York, protested against Gov. Kathy Hochul's decision to pause congestion pricing. The pause has delayed essential accessibility projects, like installing elevators, that the program was meant to fund. Advocates canvassed at 23 stations to highlight the need for immediate upgrades.
British equestrian Natasha Baker, who won her 10th Paralympics medal, praised the accessibility of the Palace of Versailles during the Paralympic Games. Baker noted that the ramps and facilities, including accessible stables, made the venue easy to navigate for disabled riders, though she humorously pointed out the need for more baby-changing stations.
Disability rights activists, including members of the Philadelphia Freedom Band, rallied at Love Park for the 12th annual Disability Pride Philadelphia event. The activists emphasized the importance of accessible housing, healthcare, and public buildings for people with disabilities, calling for greater action and inclusion in the city.
In a documentary that premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, Andrea Bocelli reflects on the soccer accident that left him blind. Bocelli, who had been living with glaucoma as a child, describes how the accident was a pivotal moment in his life, altering his vision forever, despite having clear memories of his earlier sight.
A woman with disabilities in York County is dealing with major issues after a contractor left her home in an unfinished state. Laurie Johnson, who relies on a wheelchair, shared with the CBS13 I-Team that the renovations intended to make her home more accessible, including widening hallways, were left incomplete, leaving her home in disarray.
At the Nissan plant in Sunderland, England, a group of autoworkers is learning British Sign Language (BSL) to better communicate with their deaf colleague, Michael Connolly. Connolly, who has worked at the plant for years, expressed his delight in the efforts, saying it helps him feel more included in daily conversations with his teammates.
While Team Canada looked sharp in white jeans at the Tokyo Paralympics, some Paralympians like Alison Levine found the outfits impractical. Levine, a boccia player, noted that the jeans were uncomfortable and hard to wear for those in wheelchairs. This example highlights the slow shift in the fashion industry toward more inclusive designs for disabled people.
New Zealand Opera has launched a groundbreaking accessibility initiative by offering braille surtitles for its production of *Le Comte Ory*. This move, introduced in June, is a first in the opera world, allowing blind or visually impaired audiences to experience real-time translation, expanding accessibility in the arts.
➜ Featured Events 📅️
11AM PT, 12PM MT, 1PM CT, 2PM ET, 6PM GMT
Join us Thurs 9/19/24, 2-4PM for a free virtual workshop on the latest A.I. tech - the Glide! The world's first self-guided, A.I.-powered mobility aid designed to help people in the blind and low vision community. Meeting ID: 835 8160 5488. Passcode: 182630. By Phone: +1-312-626-6799. The Florida Outreach Center for the Blind is a nonprofit organization/training facility that is nationally accredited by the Association for Education & Rehabilitation of the Blind & Visually Impaired (AER). Classes/training are ALL FREE and available in English, Spanish, Creole and French.
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
In the evolving web accessibility landscape, WCAG 2.2 introduces significant updates that build on the foundation of WCAG 2.1. This version focuses on improving accessibility for individuals with cognitive or learning disabilities, low vision, and mobile devices. Importantly, WCAG 2.2 also introduces new criteria that directly impact the accessibility of electronic documents, shaping how digital content is created and made accessible. This webinar will explore these new guidelines, emphasizing the critical differences from WCAG 2.1 and their implications for electronic documents. Attendees will delve into the intricacies of WCAG 2.2's Success Criteria, explicitly focusing on their application to electronic documents. The session will provide practical compliance strategies, illustrated by real-world examples of successful implementations and common pitfalls to avoid. Whether you're an experienced accessibility professional or just starting, this session offers valuable insights for anyone dedicated to creating a more inclusive digital environment.
2PM PT, 3PM MT, 4PM CT, 5PM ET, 9PM GMT
Time to launch your dream career. Register for the National Federation of the Blind Virtual Career Fair. This is your chance to meet and network with employers from across the country. Registration is free for jobseekers.
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
Join us 1-3PM on October 15, 2024 to celebrate the day and bring awareness to the public! FREE refreshments and raffles! City officials, the police department, and tons of visitors will be on hand to learn about the White Cane Law and FOCB's free programs, classes and workshops for the blind and visually impaired. Together we can make the streets safer and raise awareness of the law.
1PM PT, 2PM MT, 3PM CT, 4PM ET, 8PM GMT
The 16th Annual Dining in the Dark! Sunday Nov 17th, 2024 | 4PM-8PM. West Palm Beach Marriott, 1001 Okeechobee Blvd. Tickets $125 pp. Join us for an experience like no other! Come have dinner in complete darkness. •Delicious 3-course dinner served by the PBSO SWAT Team who will be wearing night-vision goggles. Inspiring guest speaker, music & entertainment, silent auction, cash bar. Dining in the Dark helps to raise funds for educational, therapeutic, vision and support services for individuals of all ages who are blind and visually impaired. These specialized services empower people with vision loss to lead active, independent and successful lives. FOCB. is a non-profit organization established in 2003 & provides FREE programs, services, and classes to more than 48,000 blind residents in Palm Beach County.
As a movement, digital accessibility has never been as powerful or impactful as it is today. We are at an amazing inflection point that will define the future of inclusion across the globe. All of us at Deque are so honored to be a part of this mission, and we are incredibly excited to announce that the fifth annual axe-con conference will return next year on February 25-27, 2025! Axe-con is the world's largest digital accessibility conference. Last year, over 30,000 people registered to attend, representing more than 12,000 organizations. We hosted over 75 expert presenters, and today, we're elated to announce our first 2025 keynote speaker, Alice Wong! Alice Wong is a disabled activist, writer, editor, and community organizer. She is the founder and director of the Disability Visibility Project, an online community dedicated to creating, sharing, and amplifying disability media and culture. Alice's activism has been celebrated by Time Magazine and Marie Claire, and her 2022 memoir was one of USA Today's “Must-Read” books. Alice is the recipient of multiple awards, was named a Disability Futures fellow by the Ford Foundation and the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, and was appointed by President Barack Obama to be a member of the National Council on Disability.
➜ Directories 📝️
➜ Sponsor Classified Ads 🎯️
See how Donna J. Jodhan inspires you to create and innovate but above all to show you how to give back to kids with disabilities through the camps for blind and vision impaired kids. Donna is showing kids how to transition to the adult world and proceeds from her sales will all be going into furthering her initiatives.
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.
Social: Facebook | X (Formerly Twitter) | YouTube | Instagram
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 📧️
The Supreme Court's recent rulings have put disability rights at risk. Overturning Chevron undermines the ADA and criminalizing homelessness targets those with disabilities. We need your help to fight back! For $21/month, you can become an Individual Advocate Power Player with Access Ready Inc. Your donation supports vital advocacy work at local, state and federal levels. Stay informed with updates from our Chair-CEO and exclusive newsletters. Stand with us against these discriminatory rulings.
info@accessready.org 📧️
+1 (727) 531-1000 📱️
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.
The Supreme Court's recent rulings have put disability rights at risk. Overturning Chevron undermines the ADA and criminalizing homelessness targets those with disabilities. We need your help to fight back! For $21/month, you can become an Individual Advocate Power Player with Access Ready Inc. Your donation supports vital advocacy work at local, state and federal levels. Stay informed with updates from our Chair-CEO and exclusive newsletters. Stand with us against these discriminatory rulings.
info@accessready.org 📧️
+1 (727) 531-1000 📱️
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.
The Supreme Court's recent rulings have put disability rights at risk. Overturning Chevron undermines the ADA and criminalizing homelessness targets those with disabilities. We need your help to fight back! For $21/month, you can become an Individual Advocate Power Player with Access Ready Inc. Your donation supports vital advocacy work at local, state and federal levels. Stay informed with updates from our Chair-CEO and exclusive newsletters. Stand with us against these discriminatory rulings.
info@accessready.org 📧️
+1 (727) 531-1000 📱️
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.
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
It's hard to believe it's already been two years since we launched the new and improved Remote Incident Manager (RIM). The journey has been nothing short of amazing, with RIM making waves across the globe. We've seen incredible growth in features and impact, and the most rewarding part is knowing how many lives we've touched. RIM has been involved in everything from Helping sighted family members with their computers without needing a screen reader, to Helping a friend try out macOS without even stepping into an Apple store, and everything in between! Rim has seen tremendous growth with an impressive roster of new organizations adopting RIM into their workflow, including Blind Information Technology Specialists (BITS), Spanish National Organization for the Blind (onθe) and AIRA. What's more, Thanks to our new localization support, RIM is now more popular than ever worldwide. And more features are on the way! Here's to another great year of RIM!
Sponsor Since: November 7th 2022 📅️
Website: https://pneumasolutions.com/ 🌐️
Email Newsletter: Click here to receive periodic news via email concerning Pneuma Solutions products for business, consumers and education.
Sales: (866) 202-0520 📱️
Support: (650) 249-1000 📱️
About: Backed by two decades of creating award-winning accessible cloud technologies for people with visual impairments, Pneuma Solutions is the global leader in accessible cloud-based solutions. Pneuma Solutions was founded by long-time accessibility developers Mike Calvo and Matt Campbell. For more information on their individual profiles, click on their respective bio pages. We're proud to be the first company to develop cloud-based accessibility at the network level. Our tools provide organizations, like yours, a way to deliver secure, accessible information right from your network or from our secure servers. You can provide your print disabled consumers, students, employees, and citizens with a multitude of accessible options. Additionally, we offer a suite of cloud-based applications to blind and print disabled consumers directly from our website. Our consumer products are designed to make the day-to-day lives of blind and print disabled individuals more accessible and simpler to manage. Access to information is not a privilege, it's a right. It's also your right to obtain affordable, accessible cloud solutions to serve your end user. When organizations like yours implement our tools, together we help make it a more inclusive world for people with disabilities. Want to know more about how we can help you become more inclusive?
Contact us here. We'll be happy to discuss how our tools can help with your accessibility needs.
Sponsor Since: September 9, 2024 📅️
Website: https://aira.io/ 🌐️
Download the App: Apple App Store | Google Play Store
Plans and Pricing: https://aira.io/pricing/
Phone: NA: +1.800.835.1934 📱️ | AU: +1.800.765.096 📱️ | UK: +0.800.046.5668 📱️ | NZ: +1.800.425.451 📱️
Text Message: NA: +1.858.242.4457 📱️ | AU: +61.488.839.767 📱️ | UK: +44.149.320.2474 📱️
Email: support@aira.io 📧️
Social: Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn | YouTube | Instagram
About: Aira's mission is to remove barriers and make the world more accessible with visual interpreting.
We provide a live, human-to-human professional assistance service, an accommodation or productivity tool, that enhances independence by delivering on-demand, skilled and reliable visual interpreting for just about any task. Using the powerful combination of a camera and the Aira app on someone's device of 'choice', a professionally-trained agent will assist by visually interpreting what is in the camera's view or on screen, from describing to reading, from explaining to navigating - just about anything, safely and securely. Aira supports a growing range of devices including smart and tactile button phones, desktop computers and soon, wearables.
Whether you are involved in the work of business, the work of school or the work of life, Aira enhances everyday efficiency, engagement, and independence. Used by employees and customers of hundreds of organizations including airports, banks, the largest software companies, financial firms, retailers and universities, we invite you to join the community, access the Aira app today and try it for free.
https://aira.io/download-and-try-it/
Step One: Subscribe and Download. Pick the plan that lets you explore on your terms and on your time, sign up in a few minutes, and download the Aira app to your smartphone. Plans shown are for the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. Add or cancel at any time.
Step Two: Connect with an Aira Agent. On the first call, connect with one of our certified, specially-trained Agents and learn how everything works.
Step Three: Real-time Assistance. At the touch of a button, Aira delivers instant access to visual information, when and where you want it.
Join us for another inspiring episode of the Heart of Influence With Dr. Kirk Adams Show!
📅️ Date: September 5, 2024
🕛️ Time: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM PT
📍️ Where: Live Stream Virtual Event
Don't miss this opportunity to hear from integrity-based leaders in:
👉️ Disability-Owned Businesses
👉️ Corporate Supplier Diversity
👉️ Disability Advocacy
👉️ Disabled Entrepreneurship
👉️ Assistive Technology Innovation
Dr. Kirk Adams, former CEO of the American Foundation for the Blind, and Sean Callagy, founder of Unblinded Sales Mastery, will host an engaging discussion on disability inclusion and innovative business practices.
This monthly event brings together visionaries who believe in creating collaborative solutions and advancing opportunities for people with disabilities.
Tune in to expand your network, gain valuable insights, and be part of the conversation shaping a more inclusive future!
To watch the show visit: https://accessinformationnews.com/heart. We post each show here shortly after it airs live.
To attend this, or a future show, please send your request for information to: heart@accessinformationnews.com 📧️.
#DisabilityInclusion #HeartOfInfluence #Accessibility #Innovation
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
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 25,000 blind, low vision, deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind, neurodivergent and/or disabled professionals, educators and enthusiasts, all over the world, each week. Subscribe here. Review the 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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Become an Access Information News Gold Supporter today.
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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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