Molly Burke shares her experiences navigating relationships and the misconceptions surrounding her bond with her boyfriend. She delves into societal perceptions and the importance of understanding and support in romantic partnerships.
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Despite a federal exemption for workers with disabilities, some employees report being forced back to offices under the Trump administration's new return-to-office policy. Advocates warn the move undermines legal protections for workplace accommodations.
This guide presents an overview of U.S. accessibility laws and standards relevant to individuals with vision impairments, focusing on the ADA and Section 508. It emphasizes the importance of creating accessible digital experiences to ensure equitable access to information and services for blind and low-vision users, highlighting compliance benefits and operational advantages.
Vision loss can make getting and staying organized tricky. Tune in to hear tips from the Hadley team. Learn the routines and habits they've developed to stay organized, less stressed, and safe in their homes.
Grocery delivery services are becoming increasingly popular with a projected growth in online grocery purchases. However, customers should be aware that delivery often costs more than shopping in-store, and it's crucial to set clear delivery instructions and plan for potential item replacements.
In this episode of Driven by Purpose, Evan, Isaac, and Mike are joined by Jason Frazier, former ESPN producer, CEO of MindsEye Radio, and beat baseball coach, to spotlight one of the most incredible adaptive sports in the world: Beep Baseball. Designed for athletes with visual impairments, beep ball is baseball reimagined, with blindfolds, buzzing bases, and players who hit and sprint without sight. But this isn't just about sport. It's about identity, community, and purpose.
Please join me in giving a warm access welcome to The Blind Kitchen (TBK), 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 The Blind Kitchen that make it possible. Debra Erickson is a legally blind chef, educator, and the founder of The Blind Kitchen (TBK), an accessibility-first cooking resource created to help blind and low-vision people cook safely, confidently, and independently. Inspired by her own experience living with vision loss and her work teaching adaptive cooking skills, Debra built TBK into an intentionally accessible online hub that combines curated adaptive kitchen tools with practical, step-by-step instruction and demos designed for real home kitchens. Through its growing library of strategies, product guidance, and community-driven encouragement, The Blind Kitchen is helping people return to the joy and identity that cooking can bring, proving that vision loss doesn't end your love of food, and that independence belongs in every kitchen. Learn more today. Subscribe to their YouTube Channel to receive a notification each time a new episode is released.
This article explores the significance of handshakes as a form of nonverbal communication, analyzing how different types of shakes convey various feelings, intentions, and social dynamics. It highlights specific gestures such as firm, limp, or two-handed shakes and their implications in contexts of confidence, respect, and cultural norms.
Here, Dr. Kirk Adams, Executive Director for the ISDI, reflects on the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. ahead of MLK Day on January 19, 2026, and connects King's call for courageous, collective struggle to ISDI's decade of work advancing equity, dignity, and belonging. He highlights ISDI's long-standing Northwest Diversity Learning Series as a space where leaders confront hard truths, build practical skills, and sustain the uncomfortable but necessary work of naming inequity and turning values into action.
The Manitoba Museum has launched Aira Explorer, a free visual interpreting service for all visitors, which connects blind or low-vision users with professional visual interpreters. Implemented to enhance accessibility within the museum, the service allows users to better engage with exhibits and navigate the museum independently.
Colorado-based photographers Ted and Carrie Tahquechi are pioneering tactile photography, using their experience with vision loss to make art that can be experienced through touch as well as sight.
A Florida mother says her family was wrongfully ejected from Universal's Epic Universe park after her autistic daughter was accused of shoplifting a keychain. The incident, which led to a temporary ban, stemmed from a misunderstanding as the parents attempted to prevent a meltdown in a crowded store.
Connecticut's Department of Transportation temporarily locked the door to a new bus ticket outlet after criticism over its inaccessibility, prompting plans to make the elevated storefront fully compliant with accessibility standards.
MassDOT has introduced redesigned disability placards featuring enhanced security, durability, and bilingual instructions. The update aims to reduce fraud and speed up delivery times by improving production efficiency.
After a difficult financial year for nonprofits, advocates in Rochester are focusing on supporting families and caregivers of children with disabilities, exploring new ways to sustain programs amid growing demand for services.
A Florida woman with a disability has sued the state over a new law permitting pregnant women to use temporary disabled parking permits, arguing it undermines accessibility for people with permanent disabilities.
Former lawmakers Cathy McMorris Rodgers and Tony Coelho urged Congress to reject health care rationing systems that devalue the lives of people with disabilities, older adults, and infants, calling for bipartisan respect in policy decisions.
Disability advocates in New York rallied at the Capitol, urging lawmakers to advance long-delayed reforms in housing and community care, emphasizing their call for 'our homes, not nursing homes' as the legislative session begins.
Disability campaigners have condemned claims that Motability users choose 'luxury' vehicles, following government plans to tax advance payments. They argue that higher-end cars are often selected for accessibility reasons, not extravagance.
Lesley, a visually impaired woman from East Grinstead, experienced a challenging week without essential services due to Storm Goretti, including extended outages of water, power, and internet. She expressed frustration at the situation, highlighting the need for better infrastructure investment by South East Water and other utility providers.
Katrina Olvera, known as the Blind Blanket Fairy, is a legally blind artist from Tyler, Texas, promoting awareness of the blind community through her crochet art. She recently constructed a seven-foot-long illuminated crochet Christmas tree, aiming to inspire others with vision impairments to pursue their creative passions.
Vision loss can make getting and staying organized tricky. Tune in to hear tips from the Hadley team. Learn the routines and habits they've developed to stay organized, less stressed, and safe in their homes.
The Accessible Canada Act aims to eliminate barriers for persons with disabilities by 2040, implementing specific digital accessibility requirements starting in 2025. Organizations under federal jurisdiction must comply with new standards for web content, mobile applications, and digital documents, with key deadlines set for December 2027 and December 2028.
Are you part of an underserved community? That could include people with disabilities, especially blindness. How about being paid to offer your perspective or “voice”? Read to the end to learn how to be paid for your opinion. And also influence the development of drugs and other healthcare services. Essentially you'd be providing a voice of the patient. Every company should probably collect voice of the customer occasionally. But it becomes truly important with newer products and services. If you're reading my blog, you are probably someone who has been affected by vision loss. Either as the individual losing their sight. Or their caregiver.
Angela Frederick's book 'Disabled Power' examines how the 2021 Texas winter storm exposed systemic gaps in emergency preparedness for people with disabilities and highlights their resilience during the crisis.
A new USA TODAY project tracks U.S. airline accessibility, revealing that 1.26% of mobility devices transported in 2024 were damaged or destroyed, showing slight progress but underscoring the ongoing challenges disabled travelers face.
A Quebec Superior Court rejected a class action lawsuit from disability advocates claiming Montreal's public transit system is inaccessible. The case, led by RAPLIQ, focused on the absence of elevators and other accommodations for people with mobility and visual impairments.
Molly Burke shares her experiences navigating relationships and the misconceptions surrounding her bond with her boyfriend. She delves into societal perceptions and the importance of understanding and support in romantic partnerships.
Cassie Kozyrkov, former Chief Decision Scientist at Google, shares insights on the relationship between AI, decision-making, and ethical responsibility. This engaging conversation emphasizes the importance of human choice in the age of technology, urging leaders to cultivate better decision-making skills as they navigate the complexities of an AI-enhanced future.
Here, Dr. Kirk Adams announces that Innovative Impact, LLC has joined the Good Business Network of Washington and frames the decision as a practical commitment to making inclusion a measurable, local economic advantage, not a compliance exercise. He ties the network's mission of helping people buy, produce, and invest locally to his central thesis that inclusion is a strategic advantage, arguing that the same ingredient powers both: strong relationships across businesses, municipalities, community organizations, and residents.
Colorado is expanding its Aira ASL translation app pilot, providing deaf and hard-of-hearing visitors at the State Capitol with free, 30-minute access to live interpreters through their phones.
Walmart will pay $60,000 to settle EEOC claims that it unlawfully revoked a disabled worker's accommodations and fired her for insubordination after management changes disrupted her long-standing work routine.
A new commentary highlights how political science academia continues to marginalize disabled people. Despite efforts to improve diversity, a lack of representation among students and researchers perpetuates exclusion and weakens academic engagement with disability issues.
Isaac, Evan, and Mike engage in an insightful dialogue on creating purpose-led businesses that align values and vision with action. Their reflections provide valuable perspectives on navigating the complexities of profit and purpose, inclusive hiring practices, and effective storytelling in today's impactful brand landscape.
Shane and Hannah embark on their journey of trying for kids again after healing from past infertility struggles. Join them as they share the emotional and hopeful beginnings of their renewed IVF process.
Passengers have raised concerns over Heineken's temporary London Underground rebranding, which replaced station names with '0.0' versions to promote non-alcoholic beer. Critics say the altered signage could confuse travellers, particularly those with accessibility needs.
A Nottinghamshire mother's campaign led to the installation of inclusive playground equipment, allowing her seven-year-old son, who uses a wheelchair, to play with his brothers for the first time. The upgraded park now supports children with disabilities.
Doug was filled with uncertainty after realizing that the vision he lost was unlikely to be restored. His anxiety grew as the silver bullet he hoped for never materialized. But he did find things that helped him manage and continue to live his life with purpose.
Mathew McCollough, director of Washington, D.C.'s Office of Disability Rights, has passed away. Known for his compassion and leadership, he was praised for advancing dignity and opportunity for people with disabilities.
Mattel has introduced its first autistic Barbie doll, designed to help children see themselves represented and promote understanding of neurodiversity following its earlier release of a doll with type 1 diabetes.
The EEOC has filed a lawsuit against Wendy's International LLC, alleging the company unlawfully refused to reinstate a disabled employee cleared by his doctor to return to work and then terminated him because of his age and disability.
The show 'Cooking Without Looking' has celebrated 25 years, offering a platform for visually impaired individuals to share their stories and challenge stereotypes about blindness. Founded by Ren'ee Rentmeester, the program aims to educate, inform, and entertain audiences globally while empowering those with visual impairments.
The Overture Center for the Arts has introduced tactile tours that let visually impaired guests experience Broadway productions through touch, allowing participants to explore props, costumes, and set designs up close.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani pledged to address housing and affordability issues, but members of the disability community expressed concern over being omitted from his inaugural address, urging him to back his promises with inclusive action.
2:30 PM PT, 3:30 PM MT, 4:30 PM CT, 5:30 PM ET, 10:30 PM GMT
Join the Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled and Blind Industries and Services of Maryland for an interactive evening celebrating Braille as a powerful tool for learning, organization, and independence. The event features hands-on activities, demonstrations of modern Braille technology, and discussions on how Braille supports education, employment, and daily life.
9:00 AM PT, 10:00 AM MT, 11:00 AM CT, 12:00 PM ET, 5:00 PM GMT
Vispero and Dot Inc. are excited to present an exclusive webinar highlighting Dot Pad X and JAWS, a powerful combination that puts multiline Braille at your fingertips. Discover how this portable, versatile multiline braille display works seamlessly with JAWS to support efficient navigation and productivity. We'll demonstrate JAWS braille modes, including wrapped and cropped views, along with working in documents, tables, and spreadsheets, using the status line, Split Braille, and more. Join us to see how JAWS and Dot Pad X together are transforming braille access and expanding opportunities for education, work, and independence.
10:00 AM PT, 11:00 AM MT, 12:00 PM CT, 1:00 PM ET, 6:00 PM GMT
Join Rachel Reeves for our upcoming Digital Accessibility Webinar on meeting Title II accessibility requirements through effective PDF remediation. We'll cover the essential fixes that make PDFs truly accessible, from proper tagging and reading order to alternative text and form fields. Learn which remediation techniques have the greatest impact on usability for people with disabilities. This practical session will help you prioritize your PDF accessibility efforts and comply with ADA Title II standards.
Bett brings together global educators, policymakers, and technology providers in London to explore the future of learning. The event highlights the latest in educational technology and innovations driving accessible and inclusive education.
1:00 PM PT, 2:00 PM MT, 3:00 PM CT, 4:00 PM ET, 9:00 PM GMT
Join the Conklin Davis Center for this month's Tech Time session, featuring a hands-on look at using the Outlook app for email and calendar management on iOS. Participants will see how Outlook's layout compares to Apple's calendar and learn tips for organizing email and schedules. If time allows, the session will also include a demonstration on file management using the Files app.
3:00 PM PT, 4:00 PM MT, 5:00 PM CT, 6:00 PM ET, 11:00 PM GMT
In this collaborative webinar hosted by the Alliance for Equality of Blind Canadians (AEBC) and partner organizations, presenters explore the latest braille features on iOS and Android mobile devices. Participants will learn how to improve typing speed, practice braille writing skills, and take advantage of tools like braille screen input to enhance accessibility and productivity on their devices.
7:30 AM PT, 8:30 AM MT, 9:30 AM CT, 10:30 AM ET, 3:30 PM GMT
Join World Trade Center Seattle for this in-person breakfast conversation featuring Dr. Kirk Adams alongside Brittany and Rich Palmer of Adaptation Ventures. The discussion, titled "Don't Leave $18T on the Table," explores the massive $18 trillion global disability economy and how accessibility, neurodivergence, and aging represent the next frontier for innovation and investment. Attendees will gain insights into disability-driven markets, inclusive technology, and strategies for integrating accessibility as a core business advantage.
5:00 PM PT, 6:00 PM MT, 7:00 PM CT, 8:00 PM ET, 1:00 AM GMT
Join TTJ Tech Services for The Ultimate Technology Showdown, a live, debate-style discussion where leading assistive technology experts go head-to-head over platforms like Windows, macOS, iPadOS, Android, and iOS. Streamed live on Zoom, YouTube, and TwitchTV, this high-energy session promises expert insights, lively debate, and audience-driven questions exploring which tech ecosystem truly reigns supreme.
Hosted by the Assistive Technology Industry Association, ATIA 2026 offers a premier space for professionals and educators to explore hands-on AT demonstrations, attend expert-led sessions, and connect with leaders in the accessibility community.
7:00 AM PT, 8:00 AM MT, 9:00 AM CT, 10:00 AM ET, 3:00 PM GMT
Join the NOAT Conference for NOAT 2026: educATe and integrATe, a three-day virtual event dedicated to advancing assistive technology education and integration. Held online via Zoom, this interactive experience includes live presentations, vendor demonstrations, and 1:1 networking opportunities designed to empower participants with innovative tools and strategies for inclusion.
4:00 PM PT, 5:00 PM MT, 6:00 PM CT, 7:00 PM ET, 12:00 AM GMT
Join Guide Dogs for the Blind and APH ConnectCenter for an informational webinar about Careers & Canine Connections, a weeklong program designed for blind and low-vision young adults ages 18 to 26 to explore career opportunities and the guide dog lifestyle.
7:00 AM PT, 8:00 AM MT, 9:00 AM CT, 10:00 AM ET, 3:00 PM GMT
TUG is proud to welcome Elizabeth Whitaker of Freedom Scientific for an in depth presentation you will not want to miss. This is a rare opportunity to hear directly from one of the leading voices behind the tools so many rely on every day. Elizabeth will walk us through the newest updates to JAWS and ZoomText, including: The redesigned login process that streamlines access and improves security. Page Explorer, a powerful feature that enhances navigation and efficiency and training resources and podcasts that are available to all users, offering ongoing learning and support. This session promises practical insights, expert guidance, and a firsthand look at features that can make a real difference in daily technology use. This is your opportunity to experience cutting-edge tools, ask questions, and connect with others passionate about technology and its impact.
The Illinois AER Conference gathers professionals supporting individuals who are blind or visually impaired. Attendees will engage in workshops, presentations, and discussions focused on education, advocacy, and accessibility best practices.
12:00 PM PT, 1:00 PM MT, 2:00 PM CT, 3:00 PM ET, 8:00 PM GMT
In this engaging webinar from the American Printing House, educators will discover the best math learning tools for students who are blind or low vision, explore how these resources align with national standards, and learn how to design targeted instructional plans to maximize student success and Federal Quota resources.
Organized by the Arizona Technology Access Program, the AzTAP Conference delivers in-depth training and showcases innovation in assistive technology. It's an essential gathering for educators, service providers, and specialists seeking to expand their expertise.
The CSUN Assistive Technology Conference in Anaheim gathers accessibility professionals, researchers, and advocates from around the world. It offers cutting-edge presentations, product showcases, and insights into inclusive technology solutions.
9:00 AM PT, 10:00 AM MT, 11:00 AM CT, 12:00 PM ET, 5:00 PM GMT
Hosted by Professor Samuel J. Levine, this two-day hybrid conference from Touro Law brings together judges, lawyers, advocates, scholars, and community leaders to explore how disability rights and inclusion intersect with law, culture, faith, and policy. Attendees can participate in person or online to engage in sessions on employment, education, justice, neurodiversity, and accessibility, with up to 13.5 CLE credits available for full participation.
9:00 AM PT, 10:00 AM MT, 11:00 AM CT, 12:00 PM ET, 5:00 PM GMT
Hosted by Professor Samuel J. Levine, this two-day hybrid conference from Touro Law brings together judges, lawyers, advocates, scholars, and community leaders to explore how disability rights and inclusion intersect with law, culture, faith, and policy. Attendees can participate in person or online to engage in sessions on employment, education, justice, neurodiversity, and accessibility, with up to 13.5 CLE credits available for full participation.
12:00 AM PT, 1:00 AM MT, 2:00 AM CT, 3:00 AM ET, 8:00 AM GMT
Hosted by The Ohio State University, the 26th Annual Multiple Perspective Conference explores infrastructures for accessibility, emphasizing access as essential to design, innovation, and civic engagement. This year's program invites presentations on policies and practices that advance inclusion and uphold the spirit of the ADA, with a focus on structures that enable full participation across society.
12:00 AM PT, 1:00 AM MT, 2:00 AM CT, 3:00 AM ET, 8:00 AM GMT
Hosted by The Ohio State University, the 26th Annual Multiple Perspective Conference explores infrastructures for accessibility, emphasizing access as essential to design, innovation, and civic engagement. This year's program invites presentations on policies and practices that advance inclusion and uphold the spirit of the ADA, with a focus on structures that enable full participation across society.
Join Birdability for the Blind Birder Bird-A-Thon, a free, two-day, community-driven birding experience designed by and for blind and visually impaired birders. Participants are encouraged to explore their surroundings through sound, celebrating access, inclusion, and belonging in birding by ear from anywhere birds sing.
Join Birdability for the Blind Birder Bird-A-Thon, a free, two-day, community-driven birding experience designed by and for blind and visually impaired birders. Participants are encouraged to explore their surroundings through sound, celebrating access, inclusion, and belonging in birding by ear from anywhere birds sing.
Join The GAAD Foundation on May 21, 2026, for the 15th Global Accessibility Awareness Day, a worldwide initiative designed to raise awareness about digital access and inclusion for more than one billion people with disabilities. The day encourages individuals, organizations, and developers to explore how technology can be designed and built to be accessible for all.
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.
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.
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 📧️
Happy New Year from all of us at Pneuma Solutions!
Welcome back to all returning readers, and if you're a first timer, a special welcome to you!
If this is your first time hearing about us, why not take a look at our product offerings, all especially designed by the visually impaired and with their needs in mind.
Have a hard-to-read inaccessible document? Let Scribe for Documents convert it into several accessible formats in seconds!
How about accessible meeting slides viewable in real-time? Scribe for Meetings is the way!
And Remote Incident Manager is always here to aid in providing the world's most accessible remote support to your Windows and Mac.
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.
About: The Blind Kitchen is an accessibility-driven culinary brand founded by legally blind chef and educator Debra Erickson. Built to help people with vision loss cook safely and confidently, The Blind Kitchen curates adaptive kitchen tools alongside clear, practical instruction, showing that losing sight doesn't mean losing your place in the kitchen.
Through an intentionally accessible online experience and a growing library of step-by-step demos, tips, and strategies, The Blind Kitchen empowers blind and low-vision cooks (and the people who support them) to reclaim independence, creativity, and joy around food, because independence belongs in every kitchen.
Designed with accessibility at its core, Cooking Without Looking goes beyond what's on the screen. Episodes emphasize clear, descriptive instruction and sensory cues, sound, texture, aroma, and timing, so viewers and listeners can truly follow along, and recipes are shared in ways that support independence. Produced through the Vision World Foundation, the show also connects audiences with resources and community, proving week after week that great cooking isn't about eyesight, it's about skill, curiosity, and the joy of making something wonderful.
At 17, my life changed in an instant. A spinal cord injury left me paralyzed, but it didn't take away my purpose. For over 43 years, I've lived, learned, and served within the disability community. I hold both my Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Social Work, and my life's work has been centered on helping people navigate crisis, change, disability, and the deeply human questions that follow.
If you'd like to walk, or roll, with me, I'll be sharing short reflections on life, faith, disability, and purpose, drawn from my own journey and the lessons I continue to learn along the way.
This won't be noise or constant posting, just thoughtful encouragement as we navigate life together.
If this speaks to you, I'd love for you to join me here:
About:Hector Del Valle, MSW, is a bilingual speaker, author, advocate, and certified charitable gifting real estate specialist who has turned more than four decades of life with a spinal cord injury into a mission of hope and empowerment. Paralyzed at 17 and having faced addiction, heartbreak, and cancer multiple times, Hector now uses his story, and his faith, to uplift people with disabilities, especially those who are newly injured, in major life transitions, or feeling stuck. Through his book 'Beyond the Chair: Thriving Through the Transition with God' and related resources, he helps individuals reclaim their purpose, build resilience, and see that their pain can become a powerful part of their calling.
HDV Speaks is Hector's speaking, coaching, and training platform where "faith meets action" to help individuals, organizations, and communities thrive through life's transitions. The organization offers a six-week Thriving Through the Transition course, one-on-one and group coaching, support-group memberships, faith-based workshops (including on disability, relationships, and advocacy), keynote speaking, and collaborative projects such as customized trainings and publishing or podcast partnerships.
You can engage with Hector by visiting HDVSpeaks.org to explore books, courses, services, and packages, or by using the site's contact form or phone number +1 (407) 907-3547 📱️ to inquire about coaching, workshops, speaking engagements, or strategic collaborations.
About: We're building more than a media company — we're cultivating a global movement where purpose drives progress.
What began as a mission to create employment for the 1 in 4 Americans living with disabilities has grown into a dynamic platform at the intersection of advocacy, entrepreneurship, and innovation. Our goal is simple: to amplify the voices, solutions, and stories that are driven by purpose.
At Driven by Purpose, we spotlight purpose-led businesses, breakthrough technologies, and human stories that challenge limits and redefine what's possible. From adaptive innovations to inspiring leaders, we explore how purpose fuels progress and unlocks potential.
But this isn't just about raising awareness — it's about taking action. Through powerful content, strategic partnerships, and accessible platforms, we're building bridges between those who need solutions and those creating them.
In the US, approximately one million people are blind and eight million are visually impaired. Significant numbers but doesn't really sound like the world's largest unmet disability, does it?
Globally, at least 2.2 billion people have a near or distance vision impairment. Do you know the most staggering part of this statistic? For at least 1 billion of these individuals, their vision loss could have been prevented or has yet to be treated. Now those are some big numbers. And they qualify as the world's largest unmet disability.
Read to the end of the post to learn how to donate to this very worthy cause and reduce the incidence of treatable blindness.
About: The Blind Guide is passionate about helping people thrive with vision loss. My website includes many resources for people losing their vision and their caregivers. Register for my weekly blog post or read one or more of my eBook series, which cover the initial vision loss journey through education, entertainment, and home modifications.
Assistive technology is a key enabler of thriving with blindness. I've worked with emerging technologies to make everyday life more accessible and enjoyable, enabling independent travel, better access to sporting events, your inner musician, and so much more.
My ecosystem also includes resources for jobseekers and employers. The list of jobs someone who is blind cannot do is much shorter than the list of jobs they can do. Ask me about employment programs from cybersecurity to talent sourcing.
For employers, I can connect you with a hidden market of exceptional, resilient talent: people who are blind plus veterans and military spouses.
Able News at The Viscardi Center is a monthly periodical for, by, and about people with disabilities. It amplifies the perspective of a diverse disability community and reports on news, technology, sports, health and wellness, culture, travel, advocacy and opportunities to learn and connect. Visit Ablenews.com to sign up to receive Able News in your inbox monthly. Advertising opportunities in the digital edition and on the website are also available.
About:Able News at The Viscardi Center is a monthly periodical for, by, and about people with disabilities. It amplifies the perspective of a diverse disability community and reports on news, technology, sports, health and wellness, culture, travel, advocacy and opportunities to learn and connect. It is a valuable resource and brings readers disability news like no other source.
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.
About:Dr. Kirk Adams is a visionary leader, transformative speaker, and lifelong advocate for disability inclusion. With over three decades of experience in advancing accessibility and creating opportunities for individuals who are blind or low-vision, Dr. Adams has become a powerful force for change in the areas of leadership, accessibility, and inclusion. His journey — from navigating vision loss as a young child to becoming a recognized thought leader in disability empowerment — uniquely equips him to help organizations understand, integrate, and champion inclusive practices that benefit all.
Dr. Adams is a highly sought-after speaker, known for his engaging and thought-provoking keynotes on disability inclusion, accessible leadership, and the power of resilience. He has spoken at numerous national and international conferences, including corporate seminars, public policy forums, and industry events, where his personal story and professional insights have inspired leaders to rethink their approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion. His passion lies in empowering organizations to create environments where every individual — regardless of ability — can thrive.
As a speaker, Dr. Adams brings authenticity, warmth, and a depth of experience that resonates with audiences from all backgrounds. He understands that true leadership is about more than just policy; it's about creating cultural shifts that value each person's unique contributions. Whether he is addressing a Fortune 500 company, a non-profit, or a community group, Dr. Adams' message is clear: inclusion benefits everyone, and together we can build a world where opportunity is accessible to all.
Dr. Adams currently resides in Seattle, Washington, where he continues his advocacy work, builds strategic partnerships, and enjoys life with his family. He is proud to be a part of the movement towards a more inclusive future — one conversation at a time.
Barrier Free Canada is proud to announce the launch of disability legal support services led by renowned accessibility advocate Donna J. Jodhan.
Donna J. Jodhan brings decades of leadership and hands-on experience in accessibility and disability rights. Her work is uniquely enriched by lived experience and a proven record of success, including landmark achievements against the Canadian Government and several high-profile organizations.
With a deep understanding of legal, technical, and human dimensions of accessibility, Donna offers practical, credible, and authoritative support to lawyers seeking to strengthen their cases, mitigate risk, and advance inclusion. This new service reflects Barrier Free Canada's ongoing commitment to advancing equality, accessibility, and justice for all.
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.
About: Founded in 2022, Access Information News is the world's leading not-for-profit access information news publication that reaches over 42,000 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.
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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.
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 low-vision persons.
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.
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.
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.
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
Founded in 2022, Access Information News is the world's leading not-for-profit access information news publication that reaches over 42,000 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 refers to informational topics that directly affect the lives of people with disabilities. Access Information includes any and all information related to bettering the lives of people who are blind, low vision, deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind, neurodivergent and/or disabled. Access Information News is a Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd. Publication. Publisher: Aaron Di Blasi. Editors: John Hanlin, Jenna Lang, David Woodbridge and Vicki Walton. Access Information News is a sponsor, reader and advertiser supported publication.
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Article abstracts are intentionally concise. As a result we know that some readers may not always understand all of the items listed because little explanation is given. If a particular article brings up a question in your mind, feel free to ask, and we will try to answer as time and knowledge permit.
