Top Tech Tidbits for Thursday, June 6, 2024 - Volume 966
The Week's News in Access Technology
Top Tech Tidbits. The world's #1 online resource for current news and trends in access technology.
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Dear Tidbits Subscriber,
1.) Top 5 Most Clicked Tidbits From Last Week
Unleash lesser-known Microsoft Word features now!
While tech advances, SFSU plays catch-up in the race against AI to help the disabled community.
Discover the enhanced Picture Smart AI feature in JAWS 2024. The latest update integrates advanced AI technology to provide detailed image descriptions and allows follow-up prompts for additional details. Learn more about these exciting features and see them in action on the JAWS What's New page.
Copilot was designed with special accessibility features from the beginning, reshaping human-computer interaction to be more inclusive.
Here are ten tips for learning and using the TalkBack software.
Please join me in giving a warm Tidbits welcome to Dan and Anthony of the Four Bad Eyes Podcast, who have so very graciously agreed to support Top Tech Tidbits via sponsorship. If you enjoy reading Top Tech Tidbits each week, it is sponsors like the Four Bad Eyes Podcast that make it possible. In the Four Bad Eyes Podcast two blind dudes collide to bring you an entirely different perspective on life. Dan Mancina, a Professional Blind Skateboarder who lost his vision at age 22, and Anthony Ferraro, a Paralympic hopeful on the Road to Paris 2024, who was born blind, team up to bring you the backbone of the Four Bad Eyes podcast. Accompanied by hilarious short-form videos the podcast brings new life and perspective to anyone searching for hope or just a simple laugh. Check them out as they enter their second year of podcasting. They've generated quite a following on social media, with over 133K subscribers on TikTok alone. New episodes every Sunday night. Learn more today.
Orland School District 135, located in the Chicago area, is seeking a qualified Vision Itinerant Teacher to provide direct and consultative services to visually impaired students from Early Childhood through 8th grade. The ideal candidate will hold certification as a Teacher of the Visually Impaired and have experience working with visually impaired students. This role involves collaborating with classroom teachers, special education staff, and families to support student needs, conducting assessments, and developing individualized education plans (IEPs). Interested applicants can apply online here or send a resume and cover letter to Suzanne Owens, Director of Human Resources, at sowens@orland135.org 📧️.
Eventably is an innovative, cloud-based event management platform designed to enhance inclusivity and accessibility. It offers comprehensive tools for planning, ticketing, execution, and analysis of events, ensuring accessibility compliance and user-friendly features. Eventably addresses the accessibility gaps in competing systems, providing a seamless experience for both organizers and attendees, including features for venue accessibility management, flexible payment options, robust marketing tools, and compliance with legal standards. Led by an experienced team, Eventably aims to raise funds for product development, with stretch goals for further enhancements, making it the first truly accessible events management and ticketing platform.
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Next Issue: Premium Subscribers will receive their 9th issue of the Top 60 Most Clicked Tidbits for April, May and June of 2024 on Monday, July 1, 2024. Back Issues: There are currently 8 back issues available. Premium Subscribers are entitled to all back issues, anytime they sign up. All available back issues will be sent to you via email within 24 hours of purchasing your subscription. Please Join Us: If you would like to receive a perfectly formatted and searchable Word Document with each of the Top 60 Most Clicked Tidbits of the last 3 months listed neatly within it, please consider joining us today for just $1 a month.
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This article will outline, step-by-step, how you can get free website traffic reporting on any link to your domain (AKA domain name, website or web address) that has been published by Top Tech Tidbits since January 18, 2024, when we launched this feature.
Publisher (Di Blasi): This year Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd. has donated one Annual Sponsorship Package with Top Tech Tidbits ($1200 USD) and one Annual Sponsorship Package with Access Information News ($1200 USD) to the Seeing Eye's 2024 95th Anniversary Gala and Online Auction. Win a free year of weekly access-specific website traffic, permanent SEO benefits and global brand recognition. If you are a pillar of the access community we encourage you to donate what you can. Let's work together to make this year's event special. The Seeing Eye, Inc. is a 501(c)3 Nonprofit Organization: Federal ID: 22-1539721. For additional information or to donate item(s) please contact call +1 (973) 525-1088 📱️ or email auction@seeingeye.org 📧️.
SeeingEye.org: Proceeds from this annual event go directly toward fulfilling our mission to nurture the partnership between specially trained Seeing Eye ® dogs and people with vision loss. The online auction is made possible by generous individuals and businesses who donate items for bidding. Not only will you be supporting our mission, but you will also be showcasing your products and services to thousands of our supporters! The online bidding runs from May 30 through June 11, 2024, and when the auction is live it will be hosted at https://seeingeye.org/auction. Each item listing will include a detailed description, photographs, your company's logo, and a direct link to your webpage. Auction items range from jewelry, gift cards, dog toys, sports tickets, vacation stays and more! For additional information or to donate item(s), please contact us at +1 (973) 525-1088 📱️ or auction@seeingeye.org 📧️.
11.) AI Updates
Skip this Tidbit to skip all updates on AI.
Earn $22 per hour by evaluating and providing short feedback on AI-generated responses. Work from home at your preferred time; no experience required. Join Project Aralia as a Response Evaluator and start building your career in AI today! Limited slots available.
It seems like every piece of modern software now comes with AI to provide its customers with features of questionable quality, practicality, and security. Mozilla and its Firefox browser are not immune to this widespread use of AI, and the company wants to implement AI for better accessibility.
A security researcher is concerned about Windows 11's new Recall feature after testing it.
Malicious actors are abusing generative AI music tools to create homophobic, racist, and propagandistic songs — and publishing guides instructing others how to do so as well.
Imagine navigating a world where you can't see the obstacles in your way, the traffic lights at a crossing, or even the faces of people around you. For millions of visually impaired individuals, this is a daily reality. Traditional guide dogs have been a crucial support system for those who are blind, helping them move around safely. Unfortunately, training a guide dog is incredibly time-consuming and expensive, meaning there are far fewer guide dogs available than people who need them.
Text to Sound is here. Our newest AI Audio model can generate sound effects, short instrumental tracks, soundscapes, and a wide variety of character voices, all from a text prompt. Available now for all users. All of the sounds you hear in this video were generated by ElevenLabs.
Maximizing the potential of your online business hinges on ensuring accessibility for all users, including those with disabilities.
Imagine a world where the visually impaired navigate public spaces with ease, their steps guided not by a furry friend, but by a chatty robotic companion. This is a reality that could soon be possible with the help of experts at the University of Glasgow, who are working on the RoboGuide project.
The implant uses a form of AI to turn the man's brain activity into sentences, allowing him to participate in a bilingual conversation and "switch between languages."
I am 25. These next three years might be the last few years that I work. I am not ill, nor am I becoming a stay-at-home mom, nor have I been so financially fortunate to be on the brink of voluntary retirement. I stand at the edge of a technological development that seems likely, should it arrive, to end employment as I know it.
12.) Apple Updates
Skip this Tidbit to skip all updates on Apple.
Apple's virtual assistant has its work cut out for it to catch up to competitors. Here's how Siri could evolve in a world with flashy AI-powered chatbots.
The feature will be at the heart of renewed Apple push into AI. The idea is to operate features within individual apps using voice.
At WWDC, Apple will unveil its AI strategy as part of iOS 18 and its other operating system announcements. As previously reported by Bloomberg and others, the company plans to exploit a combination of on-device and server processing.
Apple Watch tips and tricks are the best way to get the most out of Apple's iconic wearables line. Whether you are a Watch beginner or a timekeeping expert, there are tips and tricks out there to make your little device just a tad more efficient. WatchOS 10 made a significant amount of changes to the formatting of the software, how some buttons work, and a few shortcuts so now is the perfect time to brush up on your knowledge once you have upgraded to watchOS 10. The thing about Apple Watches is they are such impressive devices that some of their best features can be spotted without a good eye. If you want to get a little more out of it, here are Apple Watch tips and tricks you should know.
Tips, Tutorials, Guides, Reviews, Walk-Throughs and How-To's
Looking for a new place to host your hangouts? Here's how you can use Discord to text, play, video chat, and more.
Android devices come with location services. Some apps need access to location services to function properly. However, there may be reasons why you don't want your device to be located, often because you don't want to be found and the device is always with you. Depending on who you are trying to hide your location from, there are several levels of hiding your location.
Editor (Walton): Still great advice today.
Gareth Ford Williams: Typefaces are the foundation of accessible visual reading experiences, so choosing a performant typeface that enhances legibility and readability for people with poor vision, learning disabilities, aphasia, dyslexia or low adult literacy is of paramount importance if you want your written information to be as accessible as possible.
News, Trends, Updates and Opinion Editorials
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra was released on January 31, 2024, and, as a flagship, represents the best of what Samsung has in store for users: Qualcomm SM8650-AC Snapdragon 8 gen 3 chipset, 7 years of software updates, titanium frame (grade 2), fully flat and less reflective display, glass front and glass back (Corning Gorilla Armor), etc. Even this year's colors are different: Titanium Black, Titanium Gray, Titanium Violet, Titanium Yellow, Titanium Blue, Titanium Green, Titanium Orange.
I compared a bunch of glasses with AI and AI features.
You could fill a stadium or two with all the cheap headphones out there. We tested a ton to help you pick the right pair.
As technological advancements become more accessible, they can help workers who have disabilities overcome physical and/or mental barriers improving their workplace performance. Devices specifically designed to help the disabled community often can help bridge the gap between abilities and task requirements enabling workers to contribute to and participate in the workforce with greater success.
Less than one year after its iOS launch, French startup ten ten has gone viral with a walkie-talkie app that allows teens to send voice messages to their close friends — even when their phone is locked.
As soon as I arrive at the clinic I look at the schedule to see which clients are coming in so I can set up the Hybrid Assistive Limb (HAL) exoskeletons for the day. The exoskeleton is a wearable, neuro-controlled device used in therapy. We fit the client into it, and it can assist with walking goals or walking rehabilitation.
Join Sam from The Blind Life as he explores the latest Be My Eyes app for Windows, featuring the powerful Be My AI. Learn how to install, use its tools, and enhance your accessibility. Perfect for the blind community.
Publisher (Di Blasi): This is, in a word, amazing. Just imagine the applications for blind and low vision persons specifically. Today it just takes photos, but it makes one wonder if the future of access assistance might just be a tiny drone that follows you everywhere, constantly feeding your phone data about where you are in real time to help you navigate.
The Blind Life: Meet the Hover Air X1, the flying selfie camera that's a game-changer for accessibility. Fully autonomous, it captures stunning videos and photos effortlessly. With voice-guided modes and just two buttons, it's perfect for everyone, from solo content creators to vacationers. The Hover Air X1 features a 2.7K camera, enclosed propellers for safety, and a compact design that folds like a book. Its accessible companion app allows easy control and settings customization, making it the most user-friendly drone out there. Watch the demo and see why the Hover Air X1 is a must-have.
Soup up your sound with these active and passive speakers. We have picks for every budget.
The idea of designing an accessible stock ticker came up when Amar Jain, a blind lawyer called up BarrierBreak to share the challenges that he faces while trading in stocks and understand if anything can be done here. So BarrierBreak decided to support and work on accessible solutions that will help people with visual impairments trade in stocks independently.
In this listener contribution sent in December 2023, we find out about a discovery made by Matthew Horspool relating to Braille screen input on Apple devices. Matthew explains that historically, correcting mistakes while using Braille screen input has been inconvenient, often resulting in users resorting to the on-screen keyboard instead. However, he recently discovered a much easier way to edit within Braille screen input, and he demonstrates this on his iPhone 14 Pro running iOS 16.
The Freedom Scientific training team offers ongoing opportunities for you to join us in live training sessions and advance your skills. We're excited to announce our jam-packed June training schedule, where you're sure to find something that will help you at work, school, or play.
Be My AI is now available for Windows 10 and 11 via Microsoft Store. It helps visually impaired users by providing descriptions of screen content and images. But, the Windows version lacks features like live video support and community stories available on the mobile app.
A gene that only makes an RNA is linked to neurodevelopmental problems.
This is a study group for individuals who would like support and community as they learn web accessibility topics. The group follows a study guide outlining topics from web accessibility fundamentals to Javascript ARIA widgets. Here is the YouTube Video of the live info session going over all the information found in this repo.
Many of us like to create simple household budget sheets to keep track of the pennies and pounds as they inevitably pass out of the home to cover the expenses for services, we deem essential or even discretionary. Microsoft's Excel program is quite a popular tool that is favoured by many people to complete this task. Now, above I may have alluded that this is 'simple,' but it often is not, particularly to those who only have a fleeting interest in Excel, yours truly is no different.
Now that we have the baseline established in Part 1 of this series, we can start talking about how tabs work in React Native. If you haven't read Part 1 of this series, I highly recommend checking it out since some of the logic for creating tab controls in React Native relies on prior knowledge of how they work natively.
$1,900 doesn't seem too high a price for a niche laptop that swaps out a real display for a virtual one.
Sightful's augmented reality computer now has a pimped design and better specs — and it's finally available for pre-order.
Visible Wireless is a prepaid carrier in the USA that operates on the Verizon network. Last week, my best friend tried to use the hot spot feature on more than one device, which is supposed to be included in the $45 plan, but it didn't work. After spending 10 hours in chat without resolution, Visible eventually admitted it was an issue on their end, but only after escalating the problem to tier two support the following day. Besides this technical issue, Visible's lack of commitment to accessibility is even more concerning. Unlike other companies like Cricket Wireless, which offer accessible chat features and support, Visible has failed to meet accessibility standards, particularly for blind users. Their chat system lacks sound notifications, and their app is not fully accessible with VoiceOver, making it difficult for users to independently upgrade plans or shop. Despite a year of complaints, Visible has shown little priority in fixing these significant accessibility issues.
After a decade, with my vision gradually worsening, I decided it was time to upgrade our TV to a larger model. Despite researching intermittently over a couple of years, determining which TV and sound system would offer an accessible TV setup proved challenging.
Once enabled, this feature could alleviate eyestrain triggered by using your iPhone too much.
In today's fast-paced world, technology is advancing at an unbelievable rate, opening up new opportunities for everyone, including visually impaired individuals. Two exciting technologies making headlines are metaverse reality and augmented reality (AR). These innovations have the potential to transform how visually impaired people interact with the world, offering greater independence and accessibility. Let's dive into how these technologies can help and the challenges they might face.
Discover Feeldom's latest bag with me! From tech pouches to cool cane holders, Feeldom's adaptive gear is a game-changer for the disabled community. In this video, I chat with Adrian about their new Techno Plus RFID Wallet Pouch and explore its unique features. Don't miss out — watch now and learn how these innovative bags can enhance your life!
This Envision App update levels up scene description and AI assistance.
Other News Sources
Welcome to the May 2024 edition of AppleVis Unlimited, your monthly digest of the latest and most notable content on the AppleVis website. This edition features a curated selection of community-submitted updates, including new app entries, updates, news, and podcasts.
The May 2024 edition of access news from Accessibility.com.
➜ Featured Surveys
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.
NSITE is assisting a team of young inventors from Aquinas American School in Madrid, Spain. These high school students are developing an innovative indoor and outdoor wayfinding app specifically designed for blind and visually impaired users. Insight: utilizes LiDAR technology, which employs pulsed laser beams to precisely measure distances and create a detailed map of the user's surroundings. This information is then translated into clear and concise audio instructions, guiding users safely and efficiently through their environment. The team is aiming to finalize their prototype by June 2024 and is currently seeking design feedback from individuals who are blind or visually impaired. Your insights will be invaluable in shaping the app's functionality and user experience. How You Can Help: If you are blind or visually impaired and interested in participating, please complete this brief survey.
APH is recruiting field evaluators for the VR Cardinal, a GPS and book player in one device. We are looking for teachers and VI professionals with students/clients middle-school aged through adult with availability to field test during July. If you are interested in field testing this product, please complete this application by June 24, 2024. Selected field evaluators will receive a monetary incentive for successfully completing the field test by the August 2, 2024 deadline.
Whether you're providing technical support, training, or managing devices remotely, your feedback as a RIM user is crucial to us. We invite you to share your thoughts through our customer feedback survey open to both our free and paid users. Your insights will help us improve and understand how RIM supports your needs.
To thank you for your time, we'll send you a $20 coupon redeemable on any individual purchase from our store.
➜ Featured Podcast Episodes
Listen Later transforms articles, websites, and written content into podcasts that you can listen to in your favorite podcast app. Simply e-mail a link or attachment and hear it read out loud in a natural voice! Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with founder Yalim Gerger to explore how Listen Later can change the way you consume information.
For many years now, Sight Scotland have championed National Braille Week, an opportunity to celebrate braille usage and raise awareness of the importance and value of braille. It runs in the second week of October, to coincide with World Sight Day. In 2023, we celebrated National Braille Week at the Braillists by running five Masterclasses, one each day, following the journey āFrom Print to Brailleā. These episodes are the recordings of these Masterclasses. This week: The Duxbury Braille Translator is used in braille production facilities all over the world. We will explore how templates can be used to produce braille according to virtually any international standard, and how styles and codes can be used to control the finer points of the braille output. The presenter is James Bowden.
Android Basics: We continue our exploration of the Settings section of Samsung One UI6.x, with this week's focusing on the "General Management" section where we discuss the three items found in "Languages." App Of The Week: In this week's "app of the week" segment, we take a look at "Voice Reader reads texts aloud." Jieshuo (CSR) Kareen brings us another entry in the Jieshuo series as she reviews the "Customization of symbols."
In this episode, Shaun Preece discusses the process of finding files, folders, and websites on a Windows computer using a screen reader, as well as navigating File Explorer and creating shortcuts.
The Council of Citizens with Low Vision International (CCLVI) is an affiliate program of the American Council of the Blind. Their mission is to connect low vision individuals to share information, experiences, and fun. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey speak with members Christine Chaikin and Tom Frank about the group and the resources they offer.
In this episode of the Nation's Blind Podcast, Anil Lewis and Chris Danielsen are joined by Sanho Steele-Louchart, an attorney and the legal program coordinator for the National Federation of the Blind. They discuss strategies we employ to address issues faced by blind individuals in ways that make systemic change. They also describe some current cases and explain how the program can help with self-advocacy skills and resources.
For many years now, Sight Scotland have championed National Braille Week, an opportunity to celebrate braille usage and raise awareness of the importance and value of braille. It runs in the second week of October, to coincide with World Sight Day. In 2023, we celebrated National Braille Week at the Braillists by running five Masterclasses, one each day, following the journey "From Print to Braille". These episodes are the recordings of these Masterclasses. This week: Microsoft Word knows about typography and layout, but it doesn't know about braille contractions. That's why we need a braille translation package. There are a number of packages on the market to suit a variety of budgets and complexities, and we'll help you decide which one is the right one for you, in conversation with Christo de Klerk.
On today's episode we're talking about listening vs. reading, Is learning braille necessary? I'm talking to experts in the field and a young adult on their experiences and thoughts on this topic.
➜ Featured Events
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
This week, on the RightHear Weekly Online MeetUp, we have a real treat with guest speaker, Mike Hess, who will be talking to us about employment opportunities for people who are visually impaired. You won't want to miss this MeetUp, Mike is a brilliant speaker and has a great deal of experience in this field! We look forward to chatting with all of you on Friday, and please feel free to share the Meeting Link with your friends and wider network.
7AM PT, 8AM MT, 9AM CT, 10AM ET, 2PM GMT
On Saturday, June 8th, the Technology User Group (TUG) is pleased to welcome Dr. Amy Bower, who will showcase her research with ocean currents. Dr. Bower is a senior scientist studying physical oceanography at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in Massachusetts. She has been chasing ocean currents in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans for over 25 years, primarily by releasing acoustically tracked floats far below the sea surface. Legally blind since her mid-20s, Dr. Bower uses adaptive technology to continue her research.
Proceeds from this annual event go directly toward fulfilling our mission to nurture the partnership between specially trained Seeing Eye ® dogs and people with vision loss. The online auction is made possible by generous individuals and businesses who donate items for bidding. Not only will you be supporting our mission, but you will also be showcasing your products and services to thousands of our supporters! The online bidding runs from May 30, 2024 through June 11, 2024, and when the auction is live it will be hosted at https://seeingeye.org/auction. Each item listing will include a detailed description, photographs, your company's logo, and a direct link to your webpage. Auction items range from jewelry, gift cards, dog toys, sports tickets, vacation stays and more! For additional information or to donate item(s), please contact us at (973) 525-1088 📱️ or auction@seeingeye.org 📧️. Item donations should be received no later than April 12, 2024 and should be addressed to: The Seeing Eye Auction Team, 1 Seeing Eye Way, Morristown, NJ 07960. Thank you for your consideration.
4PM PT, 5PM MT, 6PM CT, 7PM ET, 11PM GMT
Technology opens the world and broadens options. Today a person with a disability can use technology to look for a job, apply for a position and retain a job. This webinar highlights assistive technologies which allow a person with a disability to better direct and manage their career exploration and development. Learn about the assistive technologies which can be used to write and format a resume, submit a job application online, develop questions for an interview and much more. Join two managers from the Lighthouse as they share information about assistive technologies used in looking for work. ASL Interpreters will be available. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. Please reach out to WorkForceDevelopment@lhblind.org 📧️ if you have questions.
9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
Join us for the first annual Blindness and Mental Health Summit! The Summit is the largest online gathering of organizations and consumers sharing information, resources, and services focusing on mental health in the blindness, low vision, and disability communities. It is 100% virtual and will have ASL interpreters. Providers will also be able to earn CE credit.
9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
Presenter: Leilani Mason, Solutions Engineer. Older adults are a growing demographic of technology users. As society shifts more online, the need for older adults to use technology is increasing rapidly. When designing products, it is important to design with accessibility in mind but also design with different age groups in mind.
➜ Directories
➜ Buy, Sell or Trade
Listing Date: 6/6/2024 | Price: $550.00 Each | Condition: Gently Used | Description: I have two of these and I'm asking $550 per device. Both are in excellent cosmetic and working condition but do not include the AC power adapter; only the USB cable. Also includes carry case and SD card. I can receive Zelle, Apple Pay, Venmo, or Cash App. | Contact: wolfm3813@gmail.com 📧️.|
Listing Date: 5/30/2024 | Price: $1,200.00 | Condition: Gently Used | Description: The Merlin ultra offer full HD color and contrast, resulting in sharp crystal clear images. We have upgraded to a newer machine. This desktop reader (22" screen) is in excellent, but used condition. User manual included. Pick-up only in The Villages, Florida (Postal code 32162). Available for inspection during afternoon and evening hours. | Contact: Steve via email at: buymyreader_villages@rushpost.com 📧️.|
Listing Date: 5/23/2024 | Price: $1,600.00 | Condition: Gently Used | Description: My son briefly used this device, but due to his deteriorating vision, it's no longer beneficial for him. In excellent condition, complete with its original packaging. The device appears brand new, and its battery life remains as good as new. | Contact: Steve via email at: steve.sullivan119@gmail.com 📧️.|
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 USD.
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About: The Echobatix app for iPhone offers text accessibility for touch screens at your fingertip and for text on objects in your hand. We combine hand detection with optical character recognition so that you can interact quickly with text. No WiFi or cell connection is required.
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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.
WayAround is a smartphone-based labeling app that works with your preferred accessibility settings. You just need the free mobile app and some WayTags ® to label items in the kitchen, garden, closet, office & more.
If you want to label something that's inside, outside, wet, dry, hot, or cold, there's a WayTag that will attach securely. WayTags come as stickers, buttons, magnets, and clips. Each of the different styles of WayTags work exactly the same. Simply choose the WayTag that's best for what you want to label.
Purchase a 25-pack of any style of WayTag and get a free Sampler Pack so you can try all seven different WayTags. Enter the coupon code SAMPLE at checkout and the Sampler Pack will automatically be added to your cart. This is a $14.99 value! Limit one Sample pack per order.
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 Since: August 4, 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.
Everyone deserves equal access to the internet which is why Fable works with people with disabilities who use assistive technologies like switch controls to improve the accessibility of websites and apps. Fable Pathways, a free, accessible, and on-demand skill-building program, is an extension of Fable's mission. Fable Pathways provides new opportunities for people with disabilities to gain the skills they need, from experts like Judy Heumann and Kelly Ford, to contribute to improving digital accessibility.
Sponsor Since: June 30, 2022 📅️
Website: https://makeitfable.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://makeitfable.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://makeitfable.com/community/.
Sponsor Since: December 23, 2021 📅️
Website: https://accesstechlive.com/ 🌐️
Email: feedback@accesstechlive.com 📧️
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@accesstechlive 🎥️
Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/3BQmUTl
About: Formerly Double Tap TV, Access Tech Live is a weekly tech show on AMI-TV, (also available on CBC Gem in Canada and YouTube).
Join hosts Steven Scott (@blindguytech) and Marc Aflalo (@marcaflalo) each week as they help viewers better understand how technology can assist them in their everyday lives.
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.
Facebook: https://facebook.com/accesstechlive
X (Formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/accesstechlive
Instagram: https://instagram.com/accesstechlive
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/accesstechlive
HIMS, Inc. has officially changed their "Doing Business As" (DBA) name to Selvas BLV (Blind and Low Vision). You can find us at www.selvasBLV.com. Please note that all of our products are still the same and our business will be run as usual, the only reason for the name change is to separate us from another HIMS company that is in pharmaceuticals. We appreciate your support and look forward to continuing to build our relationship and giving you the best possible blind and low-vision products!
Sponsor Since: September 30, 2021 📅️
Website: https://selvasblv.com/ 🌐️
Shop All Products: https://selvasblv.com/shop-all-products/ 🛒️
Phone: (512) 837-2000 📱️
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5R9NjA1nfWo
Sales: sales@selvasblv.com 📧️
Support: support@selvasblv.com 📧️
About: SelvasBLV is a global manufacturer and distributor that has provided braille, magnification and accessible healthcare devices since 1999.
Launch your career in the digital accessibility field! The Carroll Center for the Blind's new 7-week intensive Screen Reader User Tester Training program allows participants to learn and grow their ability to professionally explore, test, and report findings regarding the accessibility of websites, mobile applications, and digital document files using screen readers. Want to learn more? Start your journey to becoming a Screen Reader User Tester today.
Sponsor Since: August 5, 2021 📅️
Website: https://carroll.org/ 🌐️
Phone: (617) 969-6200 📱️
Fax: (617) 969-6204 ░️
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.
The world's first accessible cross-platform remote support package is now more affordable than ever! Remote Incident Manager proudly serves a number of use cases, from the support recipient to the full-time technician. But what if you only have occasional tech support gigs? What if you've been brought on to a training initiative in your state's blindness organization, and you're only providing the training for two weeks? Here's where our Pro passes come in handy. These passes allow you to leverage all of RIM's pro features, including unattended targets, without the need for a subscription. For as little as $35, you can store an entire week of Pro in your account, to be activated exactly when you need the service. $60 gets you two weeks, and $120 gets you a month pass! You can accumulate several of these passes if desired, and if you configure any unattended targets during the duration of one of your passes, they will still be present when you activate your next pass! Sign up today!
Sponsor Since: June 3, 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.
Our world-class refreshable Braille displays deliver efficient Braille input and outstanding output for your PC or mobile device. The robust Bluetooth® connectivity provides seamless use with Windows®, Mac®, iPhones®, iPads®, and Android TM smartphones and tablets. Ergonomic navigation features allow quick, natural hand movements for greater productivity. When used with JAWS® screen reading software, they support our popular Braille Study Mode, an interactive tool for teaching and learning Braille. Learn more today.
Sponsor Since: April 15, 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.
The wait is over! A redefined family of Brailliant refreshable Braille displays has arrived! The NEW Brailliant BI X Series will help you stay connected, download books from many participating online libraries and share information easily with your peers. You will enjoy the intuitive, seamless user experience of KeySoft Lite, the HumanWare flagship accessibility suite designed to make you more productive. Including the Brailliant BI 40X and the Brailliant BI 20X, this is the Brailliant idea you need!
Sponsor Since: February 4, 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.
We have the lowest prices on Victor Stream 3 and the SensePlayers from SelvasBLV in the United States. Why can we say that at GuideLights with such certainty? Because our Stream 3 bundle is $509, which includes the Stream 3, our own leather case, and your choice of either an open ear / bone conduction pair of headphones or a 256GB media card. Our SensePlayer OCR bundle is $729; the non-OCR bundle is $599, and that also includes the case and your choice of either card or headphones. Shipping is a flat fee, usually around $12. Only good in the U.S. We also have several new hands free pouches. Call or email Barry at: (617) 969-7500 📱️ or barry.scheur@gmail.com 📧️. Call or email Kae at: (781) 286-1696 📱️; or guidelightdogs@gmail.com 📧️.
Director, http://www.GuideLightsAndGadgets.us
Sponsor Since: June 25, 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!
If you're like me, you probably have more things to plug into your computer than available ports. That's why we've now added the Pluggable USB-C 7-in-1 Hub. Plug it into your laptop and you will get 3 USB ports, SD and Micro SD card slots, a USBC charging port, and an HDMI video port. It's available now for just $29.95.
Sponsor Since: June 11, 2020 📅️
Website: https://www.atguys.com/ 🌐️
Phone: (269) 216-4798 📱️
Email: support@atguys.com 📧️
Skype: atguys 💬️
X (Formerly 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 Since: May 30,2024 📅️
Website: https://www.fourbadeyes.com/ 🌐️
Email: podcast@fourbadeyes.com 📧️
About: Two blind dudes collide to bring you an entirely different perspective on life. Dan Mancina, a Professional Blind Skateboarder who lost his vision at age 22, and Anthony Ferraro, a Paralympic hopeful on the Road to Paris 2024 who was born blind team up to bring you the backbone of the Four Bad Eyes podcast. Accompanied by hilarious short-form videos the podcast brings new life and perspective to anyone searching for hope or just a simple laugh. Join us as we enter our second year of podcasting. New episodes every Sunday late late night. Keep pushing and one love!
Donate: Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/anthony-ferraro65/support.
TikTok (133.4K): https://www.tiktok.com/@fourbadeyes
YouTube (4.28K): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZrlpwAc7W68j68iP0dQraA
Instagram (103K): https://www.instagram.com/fourbadeyes/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6uredZcxfMba2S84G38mob
RSS: https://anchor.fm/s/db16ff7c/podcast/rss
Mobility can be tricky. Ultrasound obstacle detectors to detect upper body obstacles, handheld GPS for turn-by-turn navigation, smart glasses to read building numbers or get scene descriptions... What if all of that was done by a single device? biped is the world's first all-in-one mobility harness. It's worn on the shoulders, has cameras on the left side of the chest, a small AI computer on the right side, and batteries behind the neck. The device can detect obstacles (head or ground level, including holes), provide GPS navigation with turn-by-turn instructions, and upon the press of the "AI button" on the right side of the chest, generate descriptions of your surroundings. biped was developed in Switzerland, with 250 beta-testers, O&M trainers, and autonomous driving researchers.
Sponsor Since: January 25, 2024 📅️
Website: https://biped.ai/ 🌐️
Email: hello@biped.ai 📧️
Get Your Biped: European and US orders (including Switzerland) can already be dispatched (usual production and shipping time is 9 weeks). Biped is only available in Europe and in the US for now, but we are expanding the list of supporting countries quickly.
Check Out The Demo: Check out the Biped.ai video demo here.
About: Biped.ai is an innovative company that specializes in creating advanced mobility aids for people with vision loss. Their flagship product is the biped smart harness, a groundbreaking device designed to aid visually impaired individuals in navigating their surroundings with greater ease and safety.
Company Overview: Biped.ai operates under the umbrella of Fusion Lab Technologies SĆ rl, a company based in Switzerland. The company was established with a commitment to enhancing mobility and independence for those with vision impairments. Biped.ai has made significant strides in this field by leveraging cutting-edge technology and artificial intelligence.
Product Description: The biped smart harness is a lightweight (900 grams) and wearable device designed to be worn on the shoulders. It's equipped with three cameras positioned on the left side of the chest, a battery located behind the neck, and a small computer on the right side of the chest. These components work in tandem to provide a self-driving car-like experience for pedestrians.
The harness is capable of detecting a wide range of obstacles, including holes, branches, traffic signs, pedestrians, bicycles, and electric scooters. It utilizes artificial intelligence to predict collision risks and provides auditory warnings through Bluetooth headphones. These warnings are issued as short "beeps" to alert the user of potential dangers. Additionally, the device is equipped with GPS functionality to offer turn-by-turn navigation instructions, which are also relayed through the headphones.
Features and Functionality:
Obstacle Detection: The harness uses its cameras to scan a 170-degree field of view, functioning effectively both day and night. It can identify various obstacles and provides auditory warnings to the user.
GPS Navigation: The device integrates GPS to deliver navigation instructions and is capable of detecting crosswalks and traffic lights for enhanced navigation support.
Design: Weighing just 900 grams, the biped is designed for comfort and ease of use. It is worn on the shoulders, with strategically placed components for optimal functionality.
Are your PDFs actually accessible?
There's a lack of regulation in this industry. Without a governing body ensuring PDF remediation companies are remediating correctly, anyone can claim to know what they're doing!
Too many PDF remediation companies rely solely on automation. But, full accessibility requires manual testing.
Braille Works will review the accessibility of your PDF free of charge.
If your PDF is not accessible, we'll tell you where it falls short. If it is accessible, we'll celebrate with you!
Upload your PDF today and know for sure if it's accessible and compliant.
Sponsor Since: November 17, 2023 📅️
Website: https://brailleworks.com/ 🌐️
Email: info@brailleworks.com 📧️
Phone: +1 (813) 654-4050 📱️
About: Dedicated to making the world a more readable place, Braille Works is one of the nation's leading providers of reading materials for people who are blind, visually impaired, or reading impaired. Making The World A More Readable Placeā¢ has been our mission from day one. We are creative and innovative because our customers expect it.
Your projects are given careful consideration to make every page easy to read and handle. This gives your blind and visually impaired customers the respect and independence they rightly deserve. At Braille Works, attention to detail drives everything we do. From the layout of your braille document to the format of a large print document, the scripting of an audio document, or the full compliance and accessibility of your PDF, we seek to exceed the expectations of your customers.
Products and Services: 508 Compliance | Audio | Braille | Large Print
Industries We Serve: Government Agencies | Banking & Financial | Translation Agencies | Healthcare & Insurance | Restaurants | Utilities
Request A Quote: Contact Braille Works today to discuss your project. We welcome the opportunity to discuss your specific needs and the quality solutions we provide. Click here to get started or call us today at +1 (813) 654-4050 📱️.
Social: Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram | X (Formerly Twitter) | YouTube
Sponsor Since: Today 📅️
Website: https://toptechtidbits.com/dearsponsor 🌐️
Phone: (855) 578-6660 📱️
Email: enews@toptechtidbits.com 📧️
About: Founded in 2004, Top Tech Tidbits is the world's leading not-for-profit access technology publication that reaches over 30,000 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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➜ Top Tech Tidbits News Team
Distribution Since: 2004
As of June 4, 2020 the distribution of Top Tech Tidbits is made possible by our Sponsors, our Supporters and Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd., a leading international provider of professionally outsourced marketing administration and consultation services.
Any time the Top Tech Tidbits Publication carries less than its Sponsor limit, Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd. donates the remaining dollars necessary to keep the publication running.
Please help us to support the ongoing distribution of this publication. Learn more about the benefits of Sponsorship today.
Publisher Since: June 4, 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 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 Top Tech Tidbits on behalf of Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd.
Aaron Di Blasi, PMP
Email: publisher@toptechtidbits.com 📧️
Toll Free: +1 (855) 578-6660 📱️
Publisher (2024-Present)
AI-Weekly 🌐
The Week's News in Artificial Intelligence
PR Director (2024-Present)
AT-Newswire 🌐
Access Technology's Digital Newswire
Publisher (2022-Present)
Access Information News 🌐
The Week's News in Access Information
Publisher (2020-Present)
Top Tech Tidbits 🌐
The Week's News in Access Technology
Sr. Project Management Professional (2006 - Present)
Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd. 🌐
Innovative ideas. Solutions that perform.
Certified:
Digital Marketing Associate
Meta Certified (2022 - Present)
Social Marketing Professional
Hootsuite Certified (2020 - Present)
Email Marketing Professional
Constant Contact Certified (2019 - Present)
Specializing in:
Digital Strategy and Content Marketing
Social Media Advertising
Online Fundraising
ADA, WCAG and Section 508 Compliance
Editor Since: June 4, 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 and AI-Weekly newsletters and is also an attorney-at-law specializing in long-term disability claims for blind and visually impaired persons.
John is also a long-time contractor and member of the Board of Trustees at Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd.
John Hanlin, Esq.
Editor (2024-Present)
AI-Weekly 🌐
The Week's News in Artificial Intelligence
Editor (2022-Present)
Access Information News 🌐
The Week's News in Access Information
Editor (2020-Present)
Top Tech Tidbits 🌐
The Week's News in Access Technology
Board of Trustees (2006 - Present)
Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd. 🌐
Innovative ideas. Solutions that perform.
Editor Since: June 4, 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 and AI-Weekly newsletters and runs her own advocacy foundation.
Jenna also serves as a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) for Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd.
Jenna's son was born blind and she is always seeking new and innovative ways to empower him through technology.
Jenna Lang, PMP
Editor (2024-Present)
AI-Weekly 🌐
The Week's News in Artificial Intelligence
Editor (2022-Present)
Access Information News 🌐
The Week's News in Access Information
Project Management Professional (2022 - Present)
Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd. 🌐
Innovative ideas. Solutions that perform.
Editor (2020-Present)
Top Tech Tidbits 🌐
The Week's News in Access Technology
Editor Since: October 7, 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 the 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
Accessible Technology Coordinator
California State University, Dominguez Hills 🌐
Editor Since: January 1, 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
Access and Technology Advisor
Guide Dogs, New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory (NSW/ACT) 🌐
Editor Since: February 6, 2023
Location: Central Coast, New South Wales, Australia
Time Zone: Australia Eastern Standard Time (AEST/AEDT) (GMT+10)
In addition to serving as an Editor to 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.
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
X (Formerly Twitter): @dwoodbridge
Mastodon: woody@dragonscave.space
iSee Podcast: https://davidwoodbr.podbean.com
Vision Australia Radio Talking Tech: https://omny.fm/shows/talking-tech-vision-australia-radio
Editor (2023-Present)
Top Tech Tidbits 🌐
The Week's News in Access Technology
Editor (2023-Present)
Access Information News 🌐
The Week's News in Access Information
National Commercial Assistive Technology Advisor (1990 - Present)
Vision Australia 🌐
Live the life you choose. We're here to support all Australians who are blind or have low vision.
Editor Since: January 9, 2024
Location: Benton City, WA
Time Zone: Pacific Standard Time (PST/PDT) (GMT-6/GMT-7)
IIn addition to serving as an Editor to Top Tech Tidbits Vicki also serves as an Editor to the Access Information News publication and works as a Web Accessibility Specialist / IT Quality Assurance Tester at Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges.
Vicki Walton
Editor (2024-Present)
Top Tech Tidbits 🌐
The Week's News in Access Technology
Editor (2024-Present)
Access Information News 🌐
The Week's News in Access Information
Web Accessibility Specialist / IT Quality Assurance Tester
Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges 🌐
Better Jobs, Brighter Futures, a Stronger Washington
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