Top Tech Tidbits for Thursday, March 9, 2023 - Volume 901

The Week's News in Access Technology
https://toptechtidbits.com/

A Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd. Publication
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Top Tech Tidbits. The world's #1 online resource for current news and trends in access technology.

Subscribers: 8,952 Opt-In Subscribers were sent this issue via email. 161 Premium Subscribers were sent this issue via email.

This Week's Featured Advertisement: No Sponsorship Packages Currently Available. Please Consider Joining Our Waiting List Today! This Issue Made Possible By Support From The Following Sponsors:

Ongoing Distribution Made Possible By Support From: A. T. Guys, GuideLights And Gadgets, American Printing House, LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired Adaptations Online Store, HumanWare, Freedom Scientific, Pneuma Solutions, Carroll Center for the Blind, HIMS, Inc., Double Tap TV, Clusiv, Fable, Blind in Mind, The Braille Superstore, Aira, WayAround, The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc., and Sterling Adaptives, LLC.

Dear Tidbits Subscriber,

Submit a Tidbit for free, with timing and placement determined by our editors, here: https://toptechtidbits.com/submit-news. Submit a Sponsored Tidbit, with timing and placement determined by you, here: https://toptechtidbits.com/submit-sponsored-news.

1) Top 5 Most Clicked Tidbits From Last Week

A.) The Next Big Windows 11 Feature Drop Is Imminent, Here's Everything That's New (7.2% of all clicks.)
Windows 11's 'Moment 2' feature drop is coming in March 2023. Here's what you need to know:
https://www.windowscentral.com/software-apps/windows-11/windows-11-22h2-moment-2-feature-drop-march-2023-update

B.) How to Unlock Your iPhone With a Security Key | Wired (6.0% of all clicks.)
Pass codes are out. Apple continues to tighten iOS security, and iOS 16.3 (and iPadOS 16.3, and macOS Ventura 13.2) includes support for physical security keys. In other words, a physical device can verify your Apple ID login in place of a passcode. It's a great way to boost your security, and here's how it works:
https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-unlock-iphone-physical-security-key/

C.) Speak And Type At The Same Time On iOS and iPadOS (5.8% of all clicks.)
Editor (Woodbridge): Dictate and use the keyboard at the same time. You can use the keyboard while dictating text to type, edit, and insert QuickType suggestions. Learn more at:
https://apple.co/3IqQ9yD

D.) How To Scan A QR Code With The Camera App | Cool Blind Tech (4.9% of all clicks.)
QR codes give you quick access to websites without having to type or remember a web address. You can use the Camera app to scan a QR code a for links to websites, apps, tickets, and more:
https://coolblindtech.com/how-to-scan-a-qr-code-with-the-camera-app/

E.) Pre-Orders Open For The Canute Console | The Braillists Foundation (4.6% of all clicks.)
After four months of touring the prototypes, we are very excited to announce the release of our new product: The Canute Console:
https://www.braillists.org/uncategorised/pre-orders-open-for-the-canute-console/

2) Sponsored By: Clusiv | Master Outlook With JAWS With The Clusiv Mobile App For iOS And Get Practical, Accessible, And Free Workforce Training

Learning JAWS can be challenging, especially when it comes to things like email. With the Clusiv mobile app, you can access free training to help you master Outlook with JAWS, from account setup to important shortcuts, and beyond. Click the link to download the app on the iOS App Store or search for Clusiv on the App Store (spelled C-l-u-s-i-v). Clusiv is here to provide training to remove barriers to employment. To learn more about our full courses, you can request full access within the app:
http://bit.ly/3F87xr8

3) Sponsorship Package Updates

Availability: There are no Top Tech Tidbits Sponsorship Packages currently available. Waiting List: If you would like to support Top Tech Tidbits by becoming a Sponsor in the future please add your name to our waiting list today. We will add your name to the list, let you know what position you currently hold within it, and then notify you the moment a package becomes available. Waiting List Position: There is currently ONE future Sponsor on the waiting list. List Addition: Just send an email to our Publisher at:
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4) Premium Subscriber Updates

Next Issue: Premium Subscribers will receive their 4th issue of the 60 Most Clicked Tidbits for January, February and March 2023 on Monday, April 3, 2023. Back Issues: There are currently 3 back issues available. Premium Subscribers are entitled to all back issues, anytime they sign up. All available back issues will be sent to you via email within 24 hours of purchasing your subscription. Please Join Us: If you would like to receive a perfectly formatted and searchable Word Document with each of the 60 Most Clicked Tidbits of the last 3 months listed neatly within it, please consider joining us today for just $1 a month:
https://www.toptechtidbits.com/premium-subscribers.html

5) Sponsored Tidbits Now Available

Use Sponsored Tidbits to reach the access community when you need to. Whether you are a current Sponsor or not. Drive traffic to your access product and service announcements, events, updates or fundraisers using this incredibly cost-effective and easy-to-use advertisement tool. Learn more today at: https://www.toptechtidbits.com/sponsored-tidbits.html.

6) Top Tech Tidbits Welcomes A New Sponsor: Sterling Adaptives, LLC

Please join us in offering a warm Tidbits welcome to Sterling Adaptives, LLC, who has so very graciously agreed to support the distribution of the Top Tech Tidbits publication via sponsorship. We're incredibly happy to have them on board after spending some time on our waiting list. Based in the North Bay, Sterling Adaptives supplies the most technologically advanced equipment and software currently available. They serve those who are blind or have visual impairment and also others with disabilities. They have a showroom in Montgomery Village in Santa Rosa, CA and can meet with you there or provide demonstrations in the comfort of your home. They supply a full range of computer hardware and software, peripherals and assistive technology products. They can support these products with free demonstrations, installations, full hardware and software troubleshooting, and ongoing product training. They work in unison with private individuals, non-profit agencies, private organizations, educational establishments, and commercial enterprises. They help customers to fully realize their potential. They are well known for providing both customers and clients with the standards of service that you demand and that result in the right product at the right time with the right back up service. Learn more today at:
https://sterlingadaptives.com/

7) Introducing ChatGPT and Whisper APIs | OpenAI

Publisher (Di Blasi): Up to now, everything regarding ChatGPT has been reserved for the playground. But with the debut of the API comes both power and scale. And possibly, just possibly, the avalanche of change that so many have been predicting. With an API software can now talk to ChatGPT hundreds, or even thousands of times per minute, which will unleash the full power of that which software is best at: tasks at scale. Why do I think this is a big deal? Because in the end, it all comes down to cost, and this is where OpenAI has come out swinging. In the past two years, hundreds of companies and thousands of apps have launched using the OpenAI GPT-3 model as their back-end model, from chat-based guides to content marketing companies like CopyAI, JasperAI, etc. However, GPT-3's pricing was relatively high. At $0.02 USD per thousand tokens. OpenAI defines a token as a single word, so this Tidbit would rack up about 600 tokens, which would cost less than a penny. Which is fine for small use, but just imagine the costs to scale to thousands of users. And yet, many companies have done so successfully and have built large content marketing operations on the older model. Which is what made OpenAI's new pricing on the GPT-3.5-Turbo model that powers ChatGPT all the more surprising. Generally speaking, a premier product comes with a premier price tag. Right? But the price of GPT-3.5-Turbo is now $0.002 USD per thousand tokens. Yes. That's 1/10th the cost of the earlier premier model. So every company built on GPT-3 just got a 90% price break AND a better piece of software. Every entrepreneur that was thinking about how to build a business model on the GPT-3 family of models now has the opportunity to do so at 1/10th the cost that it would have been just a few days ago. OpenAI: Developers can now integrate ChatGPT and Whisper models into their apps and products through our API:
https://openai.com/blog/introducing-chatgpt-and-whisper-apis

8) ChatGPT's API Is Here. Let the AI Gold Rush Begin | Wired

Businesses can now get paid for services built on the large language model, meaning chatbots are going to start appearing everywhere:
https://www.wired.com/story/chatgpt-api-ai-gold-rush/

9) DuckDuckGo Releases Its Own ChatGPT-Powered Search Engine, DuckAssist

The new DuckAssist tool will source answers from Wikipedia for quick, conversational responses to some questions:
https://gizmodo.com/chat-gpt-ai-duckduckgo-duckassist-search-engine-1850199552

10) CSUN 2023 Conference Materials Now Available In HTML, ePub, And DAISY | DAISY Consortium

The DAISY Consortium is delighted to once again support the CSUN Assistive Technology Conference by creating accessible digital versions of the conference materials, and offering them for download in HTML, DAISY 2.02 and EPUB formats. Thanks to the CSUN Conference Team for making the information available in advance to facilitate conversion. This page contains a complete list of downloadable files:
https://daisy.org/news-events/articles/csun-conference-2023-files/

11) How to Stream Audio to Hearing Aids and Cochlear Implants | Wired

This tech for hearing aids can help folks with hearing loss enjoy music, games, TV, and movies without missing anything:
https://www.wired.com/story/audio-streaming-for-hearing-aids/

12) How To Write A Radio Script In Fountain | Robert Kingett

Fountain is a light weight markup language for screenplays but it can also be utilized to write radio drama scripts for fiction podcasts. This blog post explains how to write scripts in fountain and convert to other formats using accessible tools:
https://blindjournalist.wordpress.com/2023/02/26/how-to-write-a-radio-script-in-fountain/

13) Freedom Scientific March 2023 Training Events

https://blog.freedomscientific.com/join-us-for-our-march-2023-training-events/

14) Libreoffice 7.5.1 Community Available For Download

https://blog.documentfoundation.org/blog/2023/03/02/libreoffice-7-5-1-community/

15) A Review of the Active Braille 40 2021 | Scott Davert, Coordinator | Technology, Research and Innovation Center, Helen Keller National Center for DeafBlind Youths and Adults

There are a large number of braille displays on the market which vary in functions and price points. It is my experience that consumers often choose devices based on one specific feature that they find most suitable to their situation. Positioning and type of keyboard, feel of the braille cells, positioning of scrolling keys, availability of direct download book services and/or other online capabilities, price and many other factors may go into the braille user's choice of display. Another line of products presents itself with the unique ability to sense when the braille reader is at the end of the line of text which will then trigger the braille display to pan forward. This feature is known as Automatic Tactile Control and is available on several devices being produced by a company called HelpTech. Along with Active Tactile Control, these devices also present with some unique abilities concerning audio. This review concerns the 40-cell model known as the Active Braille 40:
https://www.helenkeller.org/a-review-of-the-active-braille-40-2021/

16) News About The New AIRA Explorer App for Android

As of March 2, 2023 our original Aira app, called Aira Legacy, has been removed from the Google Play store. You can still use the legacy app but you will no longer be able to download it. We encourage you to download our new mobile app, Aira Explorer in the Google Play store and coming soon to iOS. Want to learn more? Go to:
https://aira.io/app

17) WordPress 6.2 Accessibility Improvements

https://make.wordpress.org/core/2023/03/02/wordpress-6-2-accessibility-improvements/

18) WhatsApp 'Highly Accessible' For Persons With Disabilities; How Other Apps Rank | Hindustan Times

WhatsApp has been ranked India's most accessible app for persons with disabilities, according to a recent report titled 'Making the Digital Ecosystem Disabled Friendly,' which evaluated the popular apps across categories like messaging, online payments, transport, e-commerce and food delivery:
https://www.hindustantimes.com/technology/whatsapp-highly-accessible-for-persons-with-disabilities-how-other-apps-rank-101677687827622.html

19) Windows 11 Is Finally Getting A Much Better Volume Mixer And Sound Settings Menu

You'll soon be able to control individual app volume from Quick Settings:
https://www.windowscentral.com/software-apps/windows-11/windows-11-is-finally-getting-a-much-better-sound-output-quick-settings-menu

20) Dictate 'Speech To Text' On OneNote For Mac

Look on the far-right of the Home tab for the Dictate button. Click on it to make the Dictation toolbar appear:
https://office-watch.com/2023/dictate-speech-to-text-on-onenote-for-mac/

21) Recording | Webinar | The SensePlayer From HIMS | Sight and Sound Technology | March 1, 2023 | YouTube

The SensePlayer is a digital media player and portable OCR device designed by the HIMS division of SELVAS Healthcare. It is a small, lightweight device which can play digital books, music files, document files, DAISY content, FM radio, and can scan and recognize printed text and text image files with the built-in 13 megapixel camera and OCR software:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCDpSb3xqqM

22) Google Says Chrome Won't Drain Your MacBook Battery: As Much

Google said that it is rolling out under-the-hood improvements to the latest version of Chrome that makes it less of a battery hog on MacBooks. The company said that version 110, which is rolling out to all users this week, will provide a performance boost on both new Macs with Apple processors and even older models:
https://techcrunch.com/2023/02/28/google-says-chrome-wont-drain-your-macbook-battery-as-much/

23) Radio.net | App Review | AppleVis

Get all radio stations and podcasts in a single app — completely free of charge. Listen to WFAN, WCBS 880 or La Rancherita del Aire — whenever and wherever you want — and never miss an episode of the Smartless, The Ben Shapiro Show or This American Life podcasts:
https://www.applevis.com/apps/ios/music/radionet

24) How to Quit All Apps Apps at Once in Mac OS Ventura

To switch quickly between apps on a Mac, you can hold down the Command key and repeatedly tap Tab. Each time you press Tab, you move through a list of apps, but you can also tap the Q key when any one of them is highlighted to quit that app:
https://appleinsider.com/inside/macos-ventura/tips/how-to-quit-all-mac-apps-at-once-in-macos-ventura?utm_medium=rss

25) 4 Windows 11 Accessibility Features That Make It Easier For Everyone To Use | Aaron Leong | Digital Trends

Windows 11 features some big updates for Microsoft's storied operating system visually, but it has made big strides in accessibility as well. Live Captions, updates to the Narrator, and even full voice access might make Windows 11 the most accessible OS Microsoft has ever released:
https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/best-windows-11-accessibility-features/

26) Microsoft Makes Outlook For Mac Free To Use

Consumers can now use Outlook free of charge on macOS. You no longer need a Microsoft 365 subscription or Office license:
https://www.theverge.com/2023/3/6/23626922/microsoft-outlook-mac-free-app

27) How To Schedule Emails On iOS 16 | Cool Blind Tech

Apple understands that there may be times when you want to compose an email hours, days, or even weeks in advance before it's actually sent, which is why it has introduced the ability to send an email later based on a custom schedule:
https://coolblindtech.com/how-to-schedule-emails-on-ios-16/

28) Getting Started With Talkback On Android | Cooper Hollmaier | The A11Y Project

TalkBack is assistive technology that helps users with visual disabilities access native mobile applications and the web by providing audible and haptic responses to touchscreen gestures. It is the default screen reader software included on Google touchscreen devices running the Android operating system:
https://www.a11yproject.com/posts/getting-started-talkback/

29) Why the Floppy Disk Just Won't Die | Wired

A surprising number of industries, from embroidery to aviation, still use floppy disks. But the supply is finally running out:
https://www.wired.com/story/why-the-floppy-disk-just-wont-die/

➜ Featured Surveys

✍ Submit your adaptive technology-related survey for consideration within this section using this form: https://www.toptechtidbits.com/submit-survey or locate "Survey Submission Form" within the Forms section of the Top Tech Tidbits website.

Closing: Ongoing | Surveys From APH

Surveys help inform APH of the greatest needs in the community so they can gear their efforts toward making sure those needs are met. Ongoing APH surveys can be found here:
https://www.aph.org/rd/get-involved/surveys/

Closing: April 24, 2023 | Survey on Technology Used by Visually Impaired Translators and Interpreters

A visually impaired student in Translation Studies conducting a research for her dissertation would appreciate if blind or visually impaired translators and/or interpreters would fill in this survey about the technology they use to fulfill their translation-related tasks. She is especially interested in the types of technology used and their influence on the translators' and interpreters' productivity:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScY7Es_ZHbfz-crZ6wjwwoUFeyMnjZR7rgnhAgJNv-dWRwcrw/viewform?usp=sf_link

Closing: March 24, 2023 | Google Survey For US Residents in Mountain View or San Francisco Bay Area

If you live in the US, use any camera doorbell, are low vision or totally visually challenged, and can do an in-person survey by going to the Google office in Mountain View or San Francisco Bay Area, just fill out this form first to receive a $200 gift card:
https://forms.gle/LQDDuFSj7ZScjuqV8

Closing: March 31, 2023 | Google Survey For US Residents in Mountain View or San Francisco Bay Area

If you live in the US, are an Android user who has or has not used Lookout OCR, and can do an in-person survey by going to the Google office in Mountain View or San Francisco Bay Area, just fill out this form first to receive a $240 gift card:
https://forms.gle/LQDDuFSj7ZScjuqV8

➜ Featured Podcast Episodes

✍ Submit your adaptive technology-related Podcast Episode for consideration within this section using this form: https://www.toptechtidbits.com/submit-podcast-episode or locate "Podcast Episode Submission Form" within the Forms section of the Top Tech Tidbits website.

March 4, 2023 | Mosen at Large Episode 217: A Demo Of The New Bing Powered By Chat Gpt, Tips For Editing Video In Windows Accessibly, And The New Victor Reader Stream Is Arriving For Early Adopters

https://mosenatlarge.pinecast.co/episode/2cef1c4d/a-demo-of-the-new-bing-powered-by-chat-gpt-tips-for-editing-video-in-windows-accessibly-and-the-new-victor-reader-stream-is-arriving-for-early-adopters

March 4, 2023 | Blind Android Users Podcast Episode 117: BAU Podcast Crew Reflects on MWC2023 And More

We first thank listeners for donating to us. We then talk about changes to our website and more about partnering with AccessibleAndroid. We tell listeners about the 2 Google surveys. Then we reflect on all things MWC (Mobile World Congress) 2023. We answer a listener question about the fingerprint reader. This episode can be found at:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5iI0uwraRqrX6VK3cVD09a7Ff67_ZXSH

March 8, 2023 | Eyes on Success Episode 2310: The Blind Kitchen

Debra Erickson is the executive chef and founder of The Blind Kitchen where adaptive tools, helpful strategies, and specialized knowledge are provided to blind and vision-impaired people who want to cook safely, confidently, and independently. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Debra who shares tips and tools that make working in the kitchen safer and easier:
http://www.eyesonsuccess.net/show_notes_2310.htm

➜ Featured Webinars, Training Courses and Events

✍ Submit your adaptive technology-related Webinar, Training Course or Event for consideration within this section using this form: https://www.toptechtidbits.com/submit-event or locate "Webinar / Training Course Submission Form" within the Forms section of the Top Tech Tidbits website.

March 9, 2023 | Getting Onboard: Accessibility and Inclusion in Transportation | GoodMaps

8AM PT, 9AM MT, 10AM CT, 11AM ET, 4PM GMT
From public transit to high-speed rail, to airports and city transportation hubs, enhancing the traveler experience for those with disabilities must include measures to improve accessibility and inclusivity — steps that can in fact improve the journey for all. Beyond necessary ADA compliance infrastructure, technology and innovation for modern transportation can not only improve the practical accessibility of stations and airports for the vision, hearing, or mobility impaired, but it can also make the path from entrance to destination more comfortable, stress free, convenient, and enjoyable for everyone. It's not just about providing an enhanced customer experience — it's about providing an inclusive one, too. In this informative webinar, you'll hear from experts in customer experience for transportation, including those with first-hand experience with Goodmaps accessible mapping and wayfinding technology. Goodmaps utilizes modern innovation including lidar, camera-based positioning (CPS), and geo-referenced images to provide secure, accessible, point-to-point indoor and outdoor wayfinding with unmatched accuracy:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/3116764686974/WN_Uunzbq9KQBihPLdYBCLCKQ

March 9, 2023 | Understand, Test, Solve: Color Contrast | TPGi

9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 5PM GMT
Presenter: Aaron Farber, Senior Accessibility Platform Consultant. TPGi's Accessibility Resource Center (ARC Platform) empowers teams to solve common accessibility issues while growing their understanding of accessibility over time. The "Understand, Test, and Solve" webinar series addresses fundamental concepts in accessibility. The next topic of our webinar series will cover color contrast testing and the set of WCAG Success Criteria, which address the use of color in a website. Color contrast testing involves a blend of manual and automated tools. We'll evaluate these methods and specifically discuss ARC Toolkit, Color Contrast Analyser, and the browser's built-in Developer Tools. We'll review the basics of color contrast testing and address three color contrast issues using our three-step method: Understand, Test, and Solve. This session is 30 minutes long with 30 minutes dedicated to Q&A. Register for the webinar:
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-march-9-at-12pm-et-understand-test-solve-color-contrast/

March 10, 2023 | ACB Currency Rally In Front Of The White House

10:30AM PT, 11:30AM MT, 12:30PM CT, 1:30PM ET, 6:30 PM GMT
Join the American Council of the Blind (ACB) at 1:30pm ET on March 10th — Harriet Tubman Day. We're coming together for a rally in front of the White House with one clear demand: we need accessible and inclusive currency now! RSVP for ACB's Currency Rally and join us in Washington, DC:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ACBRally

March 11, 2023 | Using Garage Band App to Create a Song | Technology User Group | Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled (LBPD)

7AM PT, 8AM MT, 9AM CT, 10AM ET, 3PM GMT
You have seen this app on your iDevice, and maybe you have even opened it once or twice. In this presentation, you will learn how to create a song from scratch and how to make modifications. All events are currently being held via teleconference until further notice. No programs will be held in person. Please dial (319) 527-4994 📱️ at 10:00 AM ET. For more information about the Technology User Group or to recommend a topic / technology for discussion, please contact: Jerry Price at (410) 230-2446 📱️ or via email jerry.price1@maryland.gov 📧️

March 13, 2023 through March 17, 2023 | 2023 38th Annual CSUN Assistive Technology Conference

Welcome. Whether you have been attending the conference for years or are planning to attend your first, the CSUN Assistive Technology Conference, also known as the CSUN Conference, is the ultimate community experience and the premier forum on technology for all persons with disabilities. For over 37 years, California State University, Northridge's Center on Disabilities has sponsored the conference, providing a platform for researchers, practitioners, educators, exhibitors and more from around the world, where they can share knowledge, innovations, and best practices to promote inclusion for all. Building on the momentum from the 2022 conference, exciting new plans are in the works to enhance the conference experience. We encourage you to join us in Anaheim, California in 2023, where attendees can attend Pre-Conference Workshops, the yearly Keynote Address, Featured Presentations, General Sessions, Sponsor Showcase Suites and the Exhibit Hall. We also continue developing new programming to build community and networking opportunities. Check back often or follow us on social media for the latest updates, details, and deadlines. For information on sponsor or exhibitor opportunities, please visit our Opportunities page or email us at conference@csun.edu 📧️. We can't wait until the CSUN Conference community is back together to learn, share and connect:
https://www.csun.edu/cod/conference/sessions/

March 15, 2023 and March 16, 2023 | 2023 3rd Annual Axe-Con | Building Accessible Experiences | The World's Largest Digital Accessibility Conference

Deque Systems, the trusted leader in digital accessibility, has announced the third annual axe-con conference will return on March 15-16th, 2023. With the success of axe-con over the past two years, Deque will continue to host the conference as a free virtual event again next year. Axe-con is an open and inclusive digital accessibility conference that welcomes developers, designers, business users, and accessibility professionals of all experience levels to a new kind of accessibility conference focused on building, testing, and maintaining accessible digital experiences:
https://www.deque.com/blog/save-the-date-for-axe-con-2023/

March 15, 2023 | Basics of PowerPoint Remediation (Digital Accessibility Webinar) | Access Ingenuity

10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 6PM GMT
Join Rachel Reeves from Access Ingenuity to learn how to make your PowerPoint file as accessible as possible for screen readers. Learning Outcomes: Highlight the Microsoft Office formatting features and how to leverage them to create the most accessible end-product possible. Explore the accessibility tools in PowerPoint, such as the Reading Order pane, and how to add alternative text. Go through the steps in creating a clean PowerPoint Accessibility Check. | Meeting ID: 814 0695 7950 | Passcode: 584298 | One tap mobile: +16699009128,,81406957950#,,,,*584298# US (San Jose) | Dial by your location: +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose) | Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81406957950?pwd=Qk40cjV1Vk9TN1VvS2dndjJ1cEFuQT09#success

March 16, 2023 | FCC Meeting To Consider Accessibility Items

7:30AM PT, 8:30AM MT, 9:30AM CT, 10:30AM ET, 3:30 PM GMT
On February 23, 2023, the FCC announced a tentative agenda for the Open Commission Meeting scheduled for 10:30 am EST on Thursday, March 16, 2023. The meeting will be held in the Commission Meeting Room, 45 L Street N.E. Washington, D.C., and will be streamed live with open captioning at https://www.fcc.gov/live. As part of the agenda, the Commission will consider:
https://www.fcc.gov/fcc-march-16-meeting-consider-accessibility-items

March 17, 2023 | On My Terms: Working With Visual Assistance Apps | Older Individuals Who Are Blind Technical Assistance Center (OIB-TAC)

12PM PT, 1PM MT, 2PM CT, 3PM ET, 8PM GMT
What could someone do if they had visual assistance whenever they needed it, not just when it was convenient for someone else? Banking, shopping, traveling, cooking, setting a thermostat, getting knowledgeable help with the computer — a whole range of aging-in-place tasks can be done with assistance from a smartphone app. Join Aira's Jenine Stanley and Be My Eyes' Hans Wiberg to learn more about visual interpreting and specialized help through their apps. Find out how visual assistance fits into the tools to access the world as someone who is blind or low vision:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUpcOytrTwrG9eXb-eE_kJSY1RM4_8amlEU

March 21, 2023 | Small Changes for Big Impact: Creating Accessible Word Documents | TPGi

9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 5PM GMT
Microsoft Word has features that help you create documents that are accessible to people with disabilities. By using these features, you can help readers receive your message clearly. If you don't, your message might not get through to your readers — with or without disabilities. In this session, we'll discuss: Using Word's built-in Accessibility Checker to help identify issues. Common accessibility issues and how to prevent or address them. Accessibility considerations that may benefit all users and not just users with disabilities. Word documents intended for conversion to PDF and more. Register today:
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-march-21-at-12pm-et-small-changes-for-big-impact-creating-accessible-word-documents/

March 21, 2023 and March 22, 2023 | Multiple Perspectives 2023 | Americans With Disabilities Act Multiple Perspectives On Access, Inclusion, & Disability Conference | Ohio State University

"It is time to move beyond the letter of the law to the spirit of the law; to shift our focus from redressing human and environmental problems through remedial design to preventing problems through holistic design." -Leslie Kanes Weisman. As a modern land grant university, an important part of Ohio State University's mission is outreach and engagement, serving the community through a variety of activities. During the tenth anniversary year of the Americans With Disabilities Act the Multiple Perspectives On Access, Inclusion And Disability conference was created to help fulfill this mission. In short, the goal of the conference is to encourage the kind of change suggested by Leslie Kanes Weisman in the opening quote. It is hoped that the annual conference will serve as a catalyst for positive change and a springboard for collaborations with our partners in education, business, public, and social service. Each year a series of workshops will provide a forum for individuals and organizations to expand their knowledge and perspectives, and an opportunity to increase community resources through the synergy of collaboration. The workshops are designed to bring a diverse audience together to discuss the full spectrum of disability issues and experiences. To ensure broad participation from the university community, business, state and local government, educators, advocacy organizations, social service agencies, and individuals with disabilities sponsors are sought each year to subsidize conference participants. Register:
https://ada.osu.edu/ada-conference

March 22, 2023 | Navigating The Open Seas Of JAWS And Fusion 2023 | The Lighthouse For The Blind, Inc. | March Community Assistive Technology Webinar

4PM PT, 5PM MT, 6PM CT, 7PM ET, 12AM GMT on March 23, 2023
Ahoy! Join Light House webinar captain Tim Paulding and Co Captain Everett Elam, along with Ron Miller, Vispero Blindness Technology Product Specialist, as we sail the open seas of the new features in JAWS and Fusion 2023. Discover powerful updates, enhanced browsing, improved braille support, and seamless integration. Ask Ron your questions and participate in the Q&A. Register now to learn from leading authorities on assistive technology's intersection into the mainstream and chart your course toward empowerment and independence! After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. Please contact Tim Paulding at: tpaulding@lhblind.org 📧️ if you have any questions or need assistance registering for this event. Register in advance for this webinar:
https://thelighthousefortheblindinc.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_DuhrGxUrQja3DdHnby7xFQ

March 22, 2023 | Features of the ONYX OCR (ACVREP CE Approved, Assistive Technology Webinar) | Access Ingenuity

10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 6PM GMT
The ONYX OCR magnifies and reads aloud any document. The voice, magnification, and high contrast make reading easier. Change your focus from reading magnified texts to letting the ONYX OCR read them when it becomes too tiring. Place your document under the fixed OCR camera on the left and activate the speech function. Enjoy listening to a text as it is read aloud by a high-quality voice without straining your eyes. This four-in-one solution integrates two separate cameras: one for transforming text-to-speech output and one for magnifying documents and observing the room around you. You can see what you want across the room or at your desk. Join Ian Ramos from Access Ingenuity and Joe McDaniel from Vispero to discuss the features and benefits of the ONYX OCR model. Note that everybody is welcome and can benefit from this presentation. If you are a teacher of the visually impaired (TVI), ACVREP continuing education credit is approved for this presentation. Learning Outcomes: How the ONYX OCR incorporates two low-vision technologies. Different uses of the ONYX OCR. How it differs from the other ONYX models. Why having OCR in a portable unit can be a game changer. | Meeting ID: 848 0272 3291 | Passcode: 894571 | One tap mobile: +16699009128,,84802723291#,,,,*894571# US (San Jose) | Dial by your location: +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose) | Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84802723291?pwd=V0l6NmVUTFZmQU9oNjRqcXRNTi9FUT09#success

March 22, 2023 | Procedural Safeguards and Parental Rights: New Webinar Series with Karen Mayer Cunningham | APH FamilyConnect

4PM PT, 5PM MT, 6PM CT, 7PM ET, 12AM GMT on 1/26
This fall, we were pleased to partner with Karen Mayer Cunningham to present two webinar series. Navigating and Negotiating Successful IEP and 504 Outcomes and Ask the Advocate provided information to parents, professionals, and school-based members. Participants had the opportunity to learn more about the IEP and 504 processes as well as the opportunity to ask specific questions about their child's IEPs. These two series have been highly attended, and we have received requests for more content from Karen Mayer Cunningham, the self-proclaimed "Special Education Boss". The positive feedback and need for more content to support parents and professionals leads to the next series of webinars. We are excited to offer the next series to continue to support parents and professionals. Procedural Safeguards: Procedural Safeguards are handed out, and many don't have a full understanding of the document. Procedural Safeguards and Rights are in place for parents and individuals with a disability between the ages of 3 to 22. Unfortunately, most parents are only asked by school-based members if they "received" their copy of the procedural rights, and would they please sign in receipt of them. While that checks a box for the school, it in no way equips the families with a knowledge of their rights and protection, nor indicates the school's legal obligation. This series will identify your rights and the difference between procedural and substantive requirements. Join the APH ConnectCenter and Karen Mayer Cunningham as we dive into Procedural Safeguards and Parental Rights. Learn more: We hope you will join the 6-part webinar series to further your knowledge and understanding of the Procedural Safeguards and Parental Rights. Join us at 7:00 pm EST on 1/11, 1/25, 2/8, 2/22, 3/8, and 3/22. Register here:
https://familyconnect.org/blog/familyconnect-blog/procedural-safeguards-and-parental-rights-new-webinar-series-with-karen-mayer-cunningham/

March 22, 2023 | Federal Government Career Opportunities Applying for Federal Job March 2023 | U.S. Department of Labor

10:30 AM PT, 11:30AM MT, 12:30PM CT, 1:30PM ET, 6:30PM GMT
This Event will be a Virtual Online Event and Registration is required to attend. To register for this event go to the following link below. The U.S. Department of Labor's mission is to protect workers, job seekers and retirees. During this virtual session staff from the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs and Office of Human Resources will share information with students about the following: Protecting Your Workplace Rights. How to Prepare a Federal Resume. Navigating USAJobs Website. How to Apply for a Federal Job. At the end of the session you can get your questions answered:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/federal-government-career-opportunities-applying-for-federal-job-march-2023-tickets-569966293527

March 28, 2023 | VPAT ^® 101: Introduction to the Voluntary Product Accessibility Template

2PM PT, 3PM MT, 4PM CT, 12PM ET, 5PM GMT
Presenter: Brian Elton, Practice Manager, Training. A Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) is a great way to document your product's accessibility, but many companies are unaware of their existence and how to use them. Join Brian Elton, Practice Manager, Training from TPGi for answers to questions such as: What information is contained in a VPAT? Is a VPAT just for websites? Is every organization required to have one? How can a company secure a VPAT? Is it better to create it in-house or get a third party involved? TPGi's webinar will answer those questions and more, and explain how your organization can benefit from a VPAT. Register for the webinar:
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-march-28-at-12pm-et-vpat-101-introduction-to-the-voluntary-product-accessibility-template/

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

5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 1AM GMT Next Day
4th Tuesday of every month at 7:00 PM CT. Learn a few tips about everyday technology from a technology expert, ask your questions, and share your experiences.
https://hadley.edu/discussion-groups/tech-it-out

March 28, 2023 | Beyond the Alt Tag: Accessible Name | Great Lakes ADA Center

10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 6PM GMT
Continuing Education Recognition Available. The reasoning, best practices, and available technology for creating accessible images and text alternatives has evolved over the last several years. Expert web developers are building upon the foundation of text alternative techniques such as "alt tags" to newer concepts such as "Accessible Name" and "Accessible Description" for HTML. This approach provides better accessibility. During this webinar, Access Board staff will describe how they employ these updated concepts when developing the Guides to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Standards. Participants will understand the reason for these changes and will gain practical strategies for adding “Accessible Name” to their vocabulary and tool kits. Target Audience: Open to all, but of noted interest for experienced web developers. Questions can be submitted in advance of the session or can be posed during the live webinar. This webinar will include video remote interpreting (VRI) and real-time captioning:
https://www.accessibilityonline.org/cioc-508/session/?id=111045

March 29, 2023 | How to Design and Test for Accessible Learning Modules (Digital Accessibility Webinar) | Access Ingenuity

10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 6PM GMT
Various eLearning course authoring platforms help content authors quickly create online courses to deliver on desktop and mobile devices. Many platforms allow course creation that supports the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). The platforms provide tools to address fundamental accessibility issues, such as implementing accessible course controls, accessible videos (including support for both captions and transcripts), keyboard support, and the option to incorporate accessible quizzes within a course module. However, authors must correctly implement the accessibility features and be aware of the fundamental accessibility limitations in each platform they need to resolve to meet the requirements. Join Michael Parker to learn how to design and test for accessible learning modules. Learning Outcomes: Understand the accessibility limitations of your platform, such as Storyline, RISE 360, etc. Learn techniques to make many common elements accessible. Learn about common mistakes to avoid when authoring content in your learning module platform. Learn about accessibility testing strategies to ensure the content you produce is accessible. | Meeting ID: 875 9093 7816 | Passcode: 136374 | One tap mobile: +16699009128,,87590937816#,,,,*136374# US (San Jose) | Dial by your location: +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose) | Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87590937816?pwd=ajJGZy9XSFR0U2NTOGdsRkdRY3pnZz09#success

April 4, 2023 | Online Graduate Programs in Special Education Webinar | Ball State University

4PM PT, 5PM MT, 6PM CT, 7PM ET, 12AM GMT on April 5, 2023
Register below to attend a webinar about Ball State's online graduate special education programs: Master's in Applied Behavior Analysis with an emphasis in Autism. Master's in Special Education. Graduate Certificate in Autism. Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis:
https://admissions.bsu.edu/register/?id=56e048a3-0e21-46ae-85fd-5e66bf62da88&utm_source=Partner_DisScoop&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=OSL_DisScoop&utm_term=March_23&utm_content=RegToday

April 5, 2023 | Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 7: Music | APH

8AM PT, 9AM MT, 10AM CT, 11AM ET, 4PM GMT
Let's discover together how to make music with these famous bricks! Come and share your creative ideas:
https://www.aph.org/lego-braille-bricks-live-sessions/

April 8, 2023 | How To Upgrade To Windows 11 | Technology User Group | Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled (LBPD)

7AM PT, 8AM MT, 9AM CT, 10AM ET, 3PM GMT
This operating system has been around for a while, and people champion its security strengths and applications. Should you upgrade, and what is that process? All events are currently being held via teleconference until further notice. No programs will be held in person. Please dial (319) 527-4994 📱️ at 10:00 AM ET. For more information about the Technology User Group or to recommend a topic / technology for discussion, please contact: Jerry Price at (410) 230-2446 📱️ or via email jerry.price1@maryland.gov 📧️

April 19, 2023 | 2023 Helen Keller Achievement Awards | American Foundation for the Blind

http://bit.ly/3YsScrX

April 25, 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group

5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 1AM GMT Next Day
4th Tuesday of every month at 7:00 PM CT. Learn a few tips about everyday technology from a technology expert, ask your questions, and share your experiences.
https://hadley.edu/discussion-groups/tech-it-out

May 3, 2023 | Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 8: STEM | APH

8AM PT, 9AM MT, 10AM CT, 11AM ET, 4PM GMT
Have you ever thought of doing science, computing, or technology with LEGO Braille Bricks? Expert guests will join us for an amazing session:
https://www.aph.org/lego-braille-bricks-live-sessions/

May 9, 2023 through May 12, 2023 | John Slatin AccessU 2023 | Knowbility

Join us virtually or in Austin, TX. John Slatin AccessU is an annual conference where tech professionals, content creators, policymakers, and advocates come together for deep learning in accessible digital design:
https://knowbility.org/programs/john-slatin-accessu-2023

May 13, 2023 | Travel Tools and Apps | Technology User Group | Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled (LBPD)

7AM PT, 8AM MT, 9AM CT, 10AM ET, 3PM GMT
Whether you are traveling to another city, state or country, we will look at tools and resources that will help you get the most assistance for your venture. All events are currently being held via teleconference until further notice. No programs will be held in person. Please dial (319) 527-4994 📱️ at 10:00 AM ET. For more information about the Technology User Group or to recommend a topic / technology for discussion, please contact: Jerry Price at (410) 230-2446 📱️ or via email jerry.price1@maryland.gov 📧️

May 16, 2023 through May 18, 2023 | Virtua11y Web Accessibility Conference 2023 | Nomensa

Nomensa's free, virtual web accessibility and digital inclusion conference:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/virtua11y-web-accessibility-conference-2023-tickets-505953880677

May 18, 2023 | Global Accessibility Awareness Day

Help us celebrate the 12th Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD)! The purpose of GAAD is to get everyone talking, thinking and learning about digital access and inclusion, and the more than One Billion people with disabilities/impairments:
https://accessibility.day/

June 2, 2023 | ATHEN Sixth Annual Accessibility Summer Camp 2023

6AM PT, 7AM MT, 8AM CT, 9AM ET, 2PM GMT
We would love for you to share your accessibility knowledge during our sixth annual Accessibility Summer Camp 2023! As in former years, this virtual conference is FREE for all attendees. This year's ASC event will take place on Friday, June 2, 2023, from 8:00-4:00 CST. As a conference participant you will be able to attend sessions and engage in valuable networking with like-minded professionals. We are soliciting presentations from all experience levels and backgrounds, so please visit the ASC Conference Home Page for more information and to submit a proposal. The session proposal deadline is Friday, February 17th, 2023. What is Accessibility Summer Camp (ASC)? The Accessibility Summer Camp is a FREE annual conference with the goal of connecting professionals and educators with best practices in accessibility and Universal Design. Over the past few years, the ASC conference has grown to become one of the most popular accessibility conferences in the country. Our mission is to provide accessibility professional development that empowers attendees to create high quality, accessible learning environments while removing barriers for all individuals who have a desire to learn:
https://www.accessibilityict.org/

May 23, 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group

5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 1AM GMT Next Day
4th Tuesday of every month at 7:00 PM CT. Learn a few tips about everyday technology from a technology expert, ask your questions, and share your experiences.
https://hadley.edu/discussion-groups/tech-it-out

June 7, 2023 | Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 9: Orientation & Mobility | APH

8AM PT, 9AM MT, 10AM CT, 11AM ET, 4PM GMT
LEGO bricks to build plans, visualize routes, it's not new! But with LEGO Braille Bricks you can also create labels, add letters, words... Then it becomes really great:
https://www.aph.org/lego-braille-bricks-live-sessions/

June 27, 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group

5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 1AM GMT Next Day
4th Tuesday of every month at 7:00 PM CT. Learn a few tips about everyday technology from a technology expert, ask your questions, and share your experiences.
https://hadley.edu/discussion-groups/tech-it-out

July 25, 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group

5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 1AM GMT Next Day
4th Tuesday of every month at 7:00 PM CT. Learn a few tips about everyday technology from a technology expert, ask your questions, and share your experiences.
https://hadley.edu/discussion-groups/tech-it-out

August 22, 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group

5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 1AM GMT Next Day
4th Tuesday of every month at 7:00 PM CT. Learn a few tips about everyday technology from a technology expert, ask your questions, and share your experiences.
https://hadley.edu/discussion-groups/tech-it-out

September 21, 2023 | Inclusive Design 24

Inclusive Design 24 (#id24) is a free 24-hour online event for the global community. It celebrates inclusive design and shares knowledge and ideas from analogue to digital, from design to development, from planners to practitioners, and everything and everyone in between:
https://inclusivedesign24.org/2023/

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

5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 1AM GMT Next Day
4th Tuesday of every month at 7:00 PM CT. Learn a few tips about everyday technology from a technology expert, ask your questions, and share your experiences.
https://hadley.edu/discussion-groups/tech-it-out

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

5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 1AM GMT Next Day
4th Tuesday of every month at 7:00 PM CT. Learn a few tips about everyday technology from a technology expert, ask your questions, and share your experiences.
https://hadley.edu/discussion-groups/tech-it-out

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

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

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

5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 1AM GMT Next Day
4th Tuesday of every month at 7:00 PM CT. Learn a few tips about everyday technology from a technology expert, ask your questions, and share your experiences.
https://hadley.edu/discussion-groups/tech-it-out

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

5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 1AM GMT Next Day
4th Tuesday of every month at 7:00 PM CT. Learn a few tips about everyday technology from a technology expert, ask your questions, and share your experiences.
https://hadley.edu/discussion-groups/tech-it-out

➜ Directories

1) Top Tech Tidbits Blind And Visually Impaired App Directory

https://www.toptechtidbits.com/blind-and-visually-impaired-technology-app-directory.html

2) Top Tech Tidbits Blind And Visually Impaired Game Directory

https://www.toptechtidbits.com/blind-and-visually-impaired-technology-game-directory.html

3) Top Tech Tidbits Blind And Visually Impaired Listserv Directory

https://www.toptechtidbits.com/blind-and-visually-impaired-technology-listserv-directory.html

4) Top Tech Tidbits Blind And Visually Impaired Podcast Directory

https://www.toptechtidbits.com/blind-and-visually-impaired-technology-podcast-directory.html

➜ Buy, Sell or Trade

✍ List your new, gently-used or refurbished item in FOUR (4) consecutive issues of Top Tech Tidbits for just $5.00 USD. Fill out this short form to secure your Buy, Sell or Trade Classified Advertisement today: https://toptechtidbits.com/submit-buy-sell-trade or learn more on the Top Tech Tidbits website.

1) FOR SALE: One Buy, Sell or Trade Classified Ad (Just like this one.)

Price: $5.00 USD | Description: List your new, gently-used or refurbished item in FOUR (4) consecutive issues of Top Tech Tidbits for just $5.00 USD. | Buy an Ad: Fill out this short 10-step form ✔ to secure your Buy, Sell or Trade Classified Advertisement today. | Learn more at: https://www.toptechtidbits.com/buy-sell-trade.html 🌐 |

➜ Sponsor Classified Ads

Sponsor: The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc.

Sponsor Since: December 29th 2022

Website: https://lhblind.org/ 🌐

Phone: (800) 914-7307 📱️

Fax: (206) 329-3397 ░

Contact Us: https://lhblind.org/contact-us/

About: The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. is a private, not-for-profit social enterprise providing employment, support, and training opportunities for people who are blind, DeafBlind, and blind with other disabilities. The Lighthouse has provided employment and support to people who are blind in our community since 1918.

The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. is a successful manufacturing organization with over 60 years of experience in precision machining. We produce an array of machined parts and plastic injection molding for various aerospace manufacturers, as well as a host of office products and hydration equipment sold to the Federal Government and the U.S. Military. We also own and operate stores on military bases along the West Coast. Our products and services include:

• Manufacturing: We are a successful manufacturing organization committed to making jobs accessible to individuals who are blind. Our manufacturing operations center on making quality products for the Federal Government under the AbilityOne Program and producing parts for aerospace manufacturers.

• Managed Services: The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. offers a variety of services to our commercial, federal, and military customers. These include Contract Management Support (CMS) services for government contracting offices.

• Base Supply Centers: We operate 12 AbilityOne Base Supply Centers (BSCs) that offer easy customer access to Lighthouse products, direct feedback and communication with customers, and employment opportunities for individuals who are blind in geographic areas not served by larger nonprofit agencies.

Sponsor: WayAround

Sponsor Since: January 5, 2023

Website: https://www.wayaround.com/ 🌐

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

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

Email: connect@wayaround.com 📧️

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

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

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

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

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

Sponsor: Aira

Sponsor Since: August 4th 2022

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.

Sponsor: Blind in Mind, The Braille Superstore

Sponsor Since: June 30th 2022

Website: http://www.braillebookstore.com/ 🌐

Phone (Toll Free): (800) 987-1231 📱️

Fax (Toll Free): (800) 985-1231 ░

Email: Sales@BrailleBookstore.com 📧️

Hours: 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Monday through Friday, Pacific Standard Time.

About: Welcome to Blind in Mind, The Braille Superstore. We have been supplying products to blind people and their families since 1999. We offer thousands of Braille books, toys, games, kitchen aids, and talking products. We have unbeatable prices, fast, free shipping, and great customer service! We have tons of Braille books and cool products to choose from; so grab a cup of coffee, relax, and we'll give you a quick tour:

Products:

➜ Timekeeping
➜ Housewares
➜ On The Go
➜ Low Vision Products
➜ Toys and Games
➜ Gift Shop
➜ Braille Workshop
➜ Braille Bookstore
➜ Greeting Cards
➜ Copy Center
➜ Computer Lab
➜ Popular Products
➜ New Products

If you need some fresh ideas or have questions, you can also check out our Shopping Guides.

Sponsor: Fable

Sponsor Since: June 30th 2022

Website: https://fablepathways.com/ 🌐

Email: community@makeitfable.com 📧️

Phone: (888) 212-3532 📱️ Extension 810

About: Just like curb cuts help everyone get on and off sidewalks, designing digital products with accessibility in mind helps make the internet more accessible for everyone. Fable is an accessibility platform powered by people with disabilities. Fable connects people with disabilities to accessibility managers, user researchers, designers, and developers to build incredible and accessible user experiences.

Opportunities:

➜ Fable Pathways: Fable Pathways is a free skill development program for people with disabilities interested in working in the tech sector. Sign up to take your career to the next level. Courses include "Getting started in web development" taught by Kelly Ford, a screen reader user, and Senior Program Manager at Microsoft, and "Becoming a manager" taught by Fable's Head of Accessibility Innovation, Kate Kalcevich. Instructors are subject matter experts in their fields and have lived experience with disability. Pathways courses are free, self-paced and assistive-technology-friendly. Sign up now at https://fablepathways.com/.

➜ Fable's Community of Accessibility Testers: Work from home to contribute to real changes in digital accessibility and make the internet a more accessible place for everyone. Ever leave a website because it was too hard to navigate? Because it was missing button labels? Because it didn't respond to voice commands? Us too. Our community of testers who use assistive technologies work from home and contribute to real changes in digital accessibility with recognizable brands. Earn money to share your feedback on websites and apps of your favorite brands and work with companies that care. No experience required and no resume required. Fable is looking for assistive technology users in the USA and Canada to work the hours that they want, from the comfort of their own homes. Learn more at https://fablepathways.com/community/.

Sponsor: Clusiv

Sponsor Since: June 9th 2022

Website: https://clusiv.io/ 🌐

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

➜ Person Looking To Enroll In Clusiv Courses

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

➜ Employer Looking To Hire Clusiv Graduates

Sponsor: Double Tap TV

Sponsor Since: December 23rd 2021

Email: feedback@doubletap.online 📧️

Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/3BQmUTl

About: Double Tap TV is a weekly tech show on AMI-tv, (also available on CBC Gem in Canada and YouTube). Each week join hosts Steven Scott (@blindguytech) and Marc Aflalo (@marcaflalo) as they help viewers better understand how technology can assist in everyday life. Its tech from an accessible point of view! The show features interviews with some of the biggest names in consumer tech and features up and coming companies and services.

Sponsor: HIMS, Inc.

Sponsor Since: September 30th 2021

Website: https://hims-inc.com/ 🌐

Shop All Products: https://hims-inc.com/shop-all-products/ 🛒

Phone: (512) 837-2000 📱️

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5R9NjA1nfWo

Sales Email: sales@hims-inc.com 📧️
Support Email: support@hims-inc.com 📧️

About: HIMS, Inc. is a global manufacturer and distributor that has provided braille, magnification and accessible healthcare devices since 1999.

Sponsor: Carroll Center for the Blind

Sponsor Since: August 5th 2021

Website: https://carroll.org/ 🌐

Phone: (617) 969-6200 📱️

Shop: https://carroll.org/store/ 🛒

Donate: https://carroll.org/donate ❤

Social: Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | LinkedIn | Instagram

About: The Carroll Center for the Blind is the foremost leader in vision rehabilitation services for individuals confronted by the challenges of vision loss. Our mission is to empower those who are blind or visually impaired to achieve independence and to lead a fulfilling life. Established in 1936, the renowned Carroll Center for the Blind has been serving those with vision impairment for over eight decades; we are known nationally as a premier Vision Rehabilitation Center. Located just outside of Boston on a sprawling campus in Newton, Massachusetts, we proudly serve ALL ages and ALL stages of vision loss. With the ongoing promise of improving the lives of people with vision-related problems, The Carroll Center for the Blind has pioneered many innovative services allowing people who are blind or have low vision to learn the skills to be independent in their homes, in class settings, and in their work places. Our services include vision rehabilitation, vocational and transition programs, assistive technology training, educational support, and recreation opportunities for individuals who are visually impaired of all ages. For over 80 years, the expertise of Carroll Center staff has provided help for thousands of blind and visually impaired persons with diverse opportunities for success and independent living.

Sponsor: Pneuma Solutions

Sponsor Since: June 3rd 2021

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: Freedom Scientific

Sponsor Since: April 15th 2021

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

Email: info@vispero.com 📧️

Phone: (800) 444-4443 📱️

Facebook | Twitter | YouTube (Training)

About: Freedom Scientific, a Vispero brand, is a leading worldwide brand of assistive technology products for those with vision impairments. We offer products designed to promote independence, allowing blind and low vision individuals the same access to information as their sighted peers. World-renowned JAWS (Job Access With Speech) screen reading software and ZoomText screen magnification software provide users the independence and ability to seek education and obtain or maintain a career after vision loss. Our expansive product line includes both low vision and blindness technology for all aspects of daily living. The wide range of RUBY, TOPAZ, and ONYX desktop and portable video magnifiers are designed for their ease of use and assist with daily activities. Our impressive line of blindness hardware products include refreshable Braille displays and scanning and reading devices, offering many options tailored to fit individual needs.

Sponsor: Humanware

Sponsor Since: February 4th 2021

Website: http://humanware.com/ 🌐

Phone (Asia): +61 2 9686 2600 📱️
Phone (Australia): +61 2 9686 2600 📱️
Phone (Canada): +1 888 723-7273 📱️
Phone (Europe): +44 1933 415 800 📱️
Phone (International): +44 1933 415 800 📱️
Phone (Ireland): +01 8307033 📱️
Phone (New Zealand): +027 700 1674 📱️
Phone (United Kingdom): +01933 415800 📱️
Phone (United States): +1 800 722-3393 📱️

YouTube Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRWVYiggn-w 🎥

About: HumanWare is the global leader in assistive technology for people who are blind or have low vision. HumanWare offers a wide range of innovative products, including the BrailleNote Touch, first Google certified braille tablet, the iOS compatible Brailliant braille displays, Victor Reader^®, the world's leading family of digital audiobook players, the unique Prodigi^® family of desktop and portable vision and reading systems, and the ultra-portable explore line of electronic handheld magnifier.

Sponsor: LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired Adaptations Online Store

Sponsor Since: October 1, 2020

Website: https://adaptations.org/ 🌐

Toll Free: (888) 400-8933 📱️

Local: (415) 694-7301 📱️

About: Founded in 1902, San Francisco's LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired promotes the independence, equality and self-reliance of people who are blind or have low vision. Adaptations is your online go-to for tools, technology, and accessible solutions for blind and visually impaired people.

Sponsor: American Printing House (APH)

Sponsor Since: July 2nd 2020

Website: https://www.aph.org/ 🌐

Toll Free and Customer Support: (800) 223-1839 📱️

Phone: (512) 895-2405 📱️

Fax: (512) 899-2284 ░

YouTube Video: https://youtu.be/WENRlCNDsxQ 🎥

Free Apps & Actions from APH: https://www.aph.org/free-apps-from-aph/ 📱

About: Since 1858, the American Printing House for the Blind has operated in Louisville, Kentucky as the world's largest nonprofit organization, creating accessible learning experiences through educational, workplace, and independent living products and services for people who are blind and visually impaired. APH believes that the future belongs to everyone. By offering innovative products and services, APH opens up a door of opportunities for lifelong independence and success.

Sponsor: GuideLights and Gadgets

Director, http://www.GuideLightsAndGadgets.us

Sponsor Since: June 25th 2020

Website: http://www.guidelightsandgadgets.us/ 🌐

For Gadgets and Leather Contact Barry at:
Phone: (617) 969-7500 📱️
Email: bscheur.gadgetsandtech@gmail.com 📧️

For All Things Dog Contact Kae at:
Phone: (781) 286-1696 📱️
Email: guidelightdogs@gmail.com 📧️

About: Our Scope of Products: We specialize in 3 lines of products, all intended to assist in access to adaptive electronics, enhance experiences for guide dog teams, and offer practical solutions for organization and travel with a variety of leather bags, pouches, and backpacks. Then there are the random products that are included, just for fun! We enjoy working with our customers 1-on-1 to their money is well spent and not wasted on something they may not use. In thinking about our customers and whether we will carry a product our guiding motto is that it must be: practical, affordable, simple, tested, and accessible (the pasta principle) and it seems to work very well.

What We Do: We bring our business either via zoom, phone, or to your conference or convention, to give each customer a chance for questions and where possible, "hands on" evaluation of the merchandise. Kae and I test and use each product as blind users before we put it in our catalog. In the case of products for guide and service dogs, our own three guides, Thor, Debra and Melody, are engaged in the process of evaluating the usefulness, durability, and/or fun of the product. We want each of our products to be useful, accessible, affordable, and, whenever possible, fun! Our inventory is constantly changing, so a visit to us is never the same experience twice!

Sponsor: A. T. Guys

Sponsor Since: June 11th 2020

Website: https://www.atguys.com/ 🌐

Phone: (269) 216-4798 📱️

Email: support@atguys.com 📧️

Skype: atguys ✆

Twitter: https://twitter.com/atguys (@atguys) ✍

Facebook: https://facebook.com/atguys ✍

About: ATGuys.com. Your access technology experts, home for cool gadgets, accessories, and more. Our products are all tested to work great for blind and visually impaired users but also work just as well for anyone. If there's an item you're looking for, or if you have a question, please don't hesitate to send us a message or call (269) 216-4798 📱️.

Sponsor: Sterling Adaptives, LLC

Sponsor Since: March 9th 2023

Website: https://sterlingadaptives.com/ 🌐

Shop: https://sterlingadaptives.com/collections/vision-products

Phone: (415) 878-2922 📱️

Email: info@sterlingadaptives.com 📧️

Hours: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday, Pacific Standard Time

Social: Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Instagram

About: Based in California, Sterling Adaptives supplies the most technologically advanced equipment and software currently available. We serve those who are blind or have visual impairment and also others with disabilities.

We have a showroom in Santa Rosa and can also meet in the comfort of your home. We supply a full range of computer hardware, software, peripherals, and assistive technology products. We are able to provide demonstrations, installations, troubleshooting, and ongoing product training.

We work with private individuals, non-profit agencies, private organizations, educational establishments, and commercial enterprises. We help our customers fully realize their potential.

We are known for providing you and your clients with the standards of service that you demand and that result in the right product at the right time and with the right backup service.

We look forward to hearing from you and being afforded the opportunity to show you just how Sterling our service is!

Your Name Here
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➜ Top Tech Tidbits News Team

Publisher: Aaron Di Blasi (Volunteer)

Volunteer Publisher Since: June 4th 2020

Location: Mayfield Heights, Ohio

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

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

As Publisher Aaron oversees the weekly distribution of Top Tech Tidbits as a not-for-profit project on behalf of Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd.

Aaron also serves as a Volunteer Editor to Top Tech Tidbits.

Aaron Di Blasi, PMP

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

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

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

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Editorial Contributor: John Hanlin (Volunteer)

Volunteer Editor Since: June 4th 2020

Location: Boulder, Colorado

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

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

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

John Hanlin, Esq.

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

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

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

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Editorial Contributor: Jenna Lang (Volunteer)

Volunteer Editor Since: June 4th 2020

Location: Des Moines, Iowa

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

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

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

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

Jenna Lang, PMP

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

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

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

Email: editors@toptechtidbits.com 📧️
Subscribe: https://toptechtidbits.com/subscribe
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Editorial Contributor: Stephen (Alex) Marositz (Volunteer)

Editor Since: October 7th 2021

Location: Los Angeles, California

Time Zone: Pacific Standard Time (PST/PDT) (GMT-6/GMT-7)

In addition to serving as an Editor to Top Tech Tidbits, Alex is also an Accessible Technology Coordinator for California State University, Dominguez Hills. He has worked in accessibility in higher education since 2005, is certified by the International Association of Accessibility Professionals, and in his spare time plays for the San Gabriel Valley Panthers Beep Baseball Team. He can be reached on twitter at: @samarositz.

Stephen (Alex) Marositz

Editor (2021-Present)
Top Tech Tidbits
The Week's News in Access Technology
https://toptechtidbits.com 🌐

Accessible Technology Coordinator
California State University, Dominguez Hills
https://csudh.edu 🌐

Email: editors@toptechtidbits.com 📧️
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Editorial Contributor: Ben Moxey (Volunteer)

Editor Since: January 1st 2022

Location: Newcastle, Australia

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

In addition to serving as an Editor to Top Tech Tidbits, Ben is also an Access and Technology Advisor for Guide Dogs, New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory (NSW/ACT).

Hi, Tidbits readers, my name's Ben Moxey and I'm based in Newcastle, Australia. I'm really happy to be part of the Tidbits Team and look forward to supporting this valuable publication.

A bit about me and how I came to work in the BVI area. I grew up with very low vision in one eye due to retinal issues and relied on magnification and speech throughout school. They also tried to teach me Braille, but let's just say that I wasn't the best student! I was determined to use my remaining vision, no matter how impractical it was becoming.

When I was 20, the other retina came off and I've now been totally blind for about 21 years. This is when my love for assistive technology, and technology in general, really kicked in. I'll be honest, I was a bit of a computer nerd anyway, but I could quickly see how technology was my key to enhanced independence and lifestyle. I embraced screen readers, early smart phones and mobility aids. I even finally realised the huge value of Braille and finished off the course, though I'm still pretty slow!

Long story short (not one of my strong points), I've worked in the BVI area for 12 years with much of that spent reviewing, recommending and teaching assistive technology that suits the individual. I'm currently a proud employee of Guide Dogs NSW/ACT where I was the Practice Lead for the assistive technology service, and I've now moved into an Access and Technology Advisor role. Basically, this involves a strong focus on accessibility and technology innovation.

Feel free to look me up on LinkedIn, but I'll warn you in advance that I haven't given my profile the recommended attention!

All the best and happy reading!

Ben Moxey

Editor (2022-Present)
Top Tech Tidbits
The Week's News in Access Technology
https://toptechtidbits.com 🌐

Access and Technology Advisor
Guide Dogs, New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory (NSW/ACT)
https://nsw.guidedogs.com.au 🌐

Email: editors@toptechtidbits.com 📧️
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Editorial Contributor: David Woodbridge (Volunteer)

Volunteer Editorial Contributor 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 Top Tech Tidbits, David also serves as an Editor to the Access Information News 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.

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

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

David Woodbridge

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

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

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

Email: editor@toptechtidbits.com 📧️
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