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Top Tech Tidbits for Thursday, July 18, 2024 - Volume 972 ♿️
The Week's News in Access Technology
Top Tech Tidbits. The world's #1 online resource for current news and trends in access technology.
A Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd. Publication
Subscribers: 20,596 🔢️ opt-in subscribers were sent this issue via email.
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This Week's Featured Advertisement 🎯️
Access Ready Strategic has been working with VOTEC Corporation for eight years to bring independent voter check-in to the polls.
VOTEC prototypes have been very well reviewed by accessibility advocates and potential users.
VOTEC has been looking forward to the government advocating more forcefully for what the ADA and the Help America Vote Act require.
The Election Assistance Commission (EAC) stated a year ago that they would be prioritizing accessibility for ePoll Books as they are often called.
Unfortunately, the EAC refused to speak with vendors to learn the state of the art. They have written ePoll Book requirements that are a decade out of date.
Please read on to see what the EAC did poorly and our suggestion for an email that you could send to the EAC.
Correcting the EAC's understanding could be a very visible win for the disability community. Please carve out a few minutes.
Still have questions? Contact Douglas George Towne 📧️, Chair-CEO, Access Ready, Inc. for further discussion.
News 📰️
1.) Top 5 Most Clicked Tidbits From Last Week 📊️
I have both AIRA Explorer and Be My Eyes. I use both for AI-generated image descriptions, I don't have a preference, not yet. Earlier today, I saw a Toot on Mastodon with an image with no Alt Text, so I sent it to AIRA's Access AI. This is what it said.
I have some thrilling news to share with all of you Aple tech enthusiasts and advocates for Apple's assistive technology. The ARx AI wearable talking camera, a state-of-the-art device designed to enhance real-world interactions for individuals with visual impairments, will soon be available for the Apple platform.
Siri can write, send, receive, read, and search emails for you with a few simple commands. This guide shows you how to get started.
In the July update of JAWS 2024, we added a new keystroke to describe an image based on your current application or context. This eliminates the need to remember which keystroke to use when you need a description of a control or application window.
From the right backup battery to a radio when the internet is gone, here are tech tips for your emergency kit.
Publisher (Di Blasi): If there is anything at all that I, Top Tech Tidbits or Access Information News can do to assist any of your during this time, please don't hesitate to reach out. You can always reach me directly at publisher@toptechtidbits.com 📧️. We're happy to provide you with anything you might need at no charge. Outside of Top Tech Tidbits and Access Information News we are a certified digital marketing agency (Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd.). If you require honest, unbiased intel about anything related to the AppleVis website, or marketing properties, or just free promotion to let the community know about future updates, we're here for you. Wishing David a full and complete recovery.
Michael Hansen: At his request, I wanted to provide you an update on AppleVis' Founder and Editor-in-Chief, David Goodwin; as well as the future of AppleVis. Early last week, David was hospitalized in the ICU due to a very serious and life-threatening medical issue. David was unresponsive for 8 days and almost died. We are relieved to share that he is now getting better, though he still has a long road to recovery ahead.
Please join me in giving a warm Tidbits welcome to Novacoast, who has so very graciously agreed to support the ongoing distribution of Top Tech Tidbits via Sponsorship. If you enjoy reading Top Tech Tidbits for free each week, it is Sponsors like Novacoast that make it possible. Novacoast is a cybersecurity and IT services company that helps organizations enhance their security posture. They offer a range of services, including cybersecurity advisory, security engineering, identity and access management, development and integration, penetration testing, managed security services, and incident response. They were most recently in the news with an article titled, "How Novacoast Is Equipping Those Who Are Blind Or Visually Impaired For Cybersecurity Roles." Yes. You read that right. If you are a blind or low vision person with a passion for technology this might just be the opportunity you've been looking for. Novacoast is here to help readers that wish to learn more about careers in cybersecurity. Learn more today.
Hello everyone. If you are reading this right now I invite you to take a bow. Or just a small moment of silence over the perfect sip of coffee if you prefer, but please, by all means, celebrate with us. Because this doesn't happen very often.
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Next Issue: Premium Subscribers will receive their 10th issue of the Top 60 Most Clicked News Articles for July, August and September of 2024 on Monday, October 7, 2024. Back Issues: There are currently 9 back issues available. Premium Subscribers are entitled to all back issues, anytime they sign up. All available back issues will be sent to you via email within 24 hours of purchasing your subscription. Please Join Us: If you would like to receive a perfectly formatted and searchable Word Document with each of the Top 60 Most Clicked News Articles of the last 3 months listed neatly within it, please consider joining us today for just $1 a month.
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This article will outline, step-by-step, how you can get free website traffic reporting on any link to your domain (AKA domain name, website or web address) that has been published by Top Tech Tidbits since January 18, 2024, when we launched this feature.
10.) AI Updates 🤖️
Skip this Tidbit to skip all updates on AI.
ChatGPT maker OpenAI is working on a novel approach to its artificial intelligence models in a project code-named "Strawberry" according to a person familiar with the matter and internal documentation reviewed by Reuters. The project, details of which have not been previously reported, comes as the Microsoft-backed startup races to show that the types of models it offers are capable of delivering advanced reasoning capabilities.
Researchers have developed Vision-Braille, an AI-powered tool that translates Chinese Braille images into text, significantly improving educational accessibility for visually impaired students in China. This innovative system leverages the mT5 model and RetinaNet for high-accuracy translation, aiming to bridge the educational resource gap and support students' academic aspirations.
As I mentioned a little while ago when discussing the ElevenLabs API, reading with the voices you save on your account makes the best of this API. Another difference and valuable option that Tech Freedom doesn't have with its ElevenLabs voices implementation is these three settings: similarity, variability, and style exaggeration. Finally, ElevenLabs Reader is now available in Alpha, an answer to our prayers.
On July 4, 2024 Aira announced that our free Access AI image chat feature is available to all Explorers! Access AI allows Explorers to take a photo or upload one from their camera roll, and receive an instant description. There is also the option to verify the description with a human visual interpreter. Anything included within an Access AI chat session is secure and private, and no information is shared with third-parties. Access AI was rolled out for limited access in March, but is now being expanded to include all Explorers, whether they are subscribers or have a free account. Both Access AI and Aira Verify are free for all Explorers, to ensure as many people as possible can benefit from these tools. If a call is initiated from Access AI, the Explorer will be charged minutes. Along with this expanded access, our team has incorporated Explorer feedback into several new Access AI updates.
Publisher (Di Blasi): You say potayto, I say potahto. What does it mean to "see" in the context of information? There is the obvious, literal definition of human eyesight, and there is the less obvious, scientific and philosophical definitions that describe many other ways to "see." For instance, science can now "see" cancer, narcotics and explosives, up close and at a distance, with 100% accuracy (you read that right), using a new quantum technology called BMR. This is a brand new kind of "sight" that no human being has ever had access to before. And then there are our own personal intuitions and philosophies that allow us to "see" in other ways. In short, eyesight is not all sight. And it never was. But perhaps now is as good a time as any to expand that definition.
TechCrunch: The latest round of language models, like GPT-4o and Gemini 1.5 Pro, are touted as “multimodal,” able to understand images and audio as well as text. But a new study makes clear that they don't really see the way you might expect. In fact, they may not see at all.
Japanese eSports gamer Mashiro is blind and often relies on a companion to get around Tokyo—but he hopes that artificial intelligence, hailed as a promising tool for people with disabilities, can help him travel alone. The 26-year-old "Street Fighter" player put the latest version of AI chatbot ChatGPT to the test on his way to a stadium for a recent Para eSports meet-up.
Google's Ray Kurzweil says in his new book, 'The Singularity is Nearer', that we are "about to enter the 'fifth epoch' of intelligence, where man merges with machines — triggered by the arrival of human-level AI and brain chips like Elon Musk's Neuralink." Kurzweil predicts that in a decade, human intelligence will multiply millions of times over by human beings connecting directly to machines. With this in mind, the people most likely to be assisted and benefited by AI could be those who are blind and visually impaired.
Microsoft's VALL-E 2 can convincingly recreate human voices using just a few seconds of audio, its creators claim.
The National Association of State Chief Information Officers published a new paper with four recommendations for state leaders seeking to aid disabled users.
We have reached a moment of reckoning about what artificial intelligence means for the human experience. This is a moment of reckoning, too, for higher education. It's not enough for colleges merely to transfer knowledge and skills to AI's future programmers and stewards. Colleges have a pivotal role to play in preparing all students for life with AI, and advancing human well-being in a digital world.
11.) Apple Updates 🍎️
Skip this Tidbit to skip all updates on Apple.
I've been using the betas since WWDC. It's packed with ways to customize your iPhone, like the home screen, as well as updates to the Photos and Messages apps.
iOS 18. Coming soon to an iPhone near you.
The iOS 18 public beta is now rolling out for download. This means anyone can now try out iOS 18 and all of its new features. The update includes a broad range of new features for iPhone users, such as new customization options, upgrades to Messages, a completely redesigned Photos app, and much more.
Calling All Blind and Low Vision Users! Exciting news! I've reached out to Apple Accessibility, and they're on board to collaborate with us. They've asked me to put together a team so we can work directly with their team and engineers.
Apple's HomePod is being credited for saving a family in Colorado, alerting them to a house fire that was accidentally set by the family dog.
Tips, Tutorials, Guides, Reviews, Walk-Throughs and How-To's 📚️
Use Mouse Mode in Picture Smart AI to select a specific area of a picture for analysis. Picture Smart AI describes only that area instead of describing the entire picture or screen. For a Fusion user, using the mouse to select items on the screen can be faster than using keyboard commands. The mouse also offers greater control when selecting specific parts of a picture.
Will you be able to open today's Word docs in 20 years? Probably not, unless you take some necessary steps to give those digital files an extra-long shelf life.
There are a number of options if you want to use Mastodon on a computer.
Make the most of your meeting time with these five Zoom settings.
Navigating File Explorer folders is a popular way to locate a file you created before. But sometimes we may want to know a little more information about the particular file that you spend lots of time and hard work on. In particular, we may want to know the size of the file before we attempt to attach it to an email because many email providers limit the file size of attachments to 25 MB (Gmail) or even less with other email providers.
Can't figure out what's wrong with your laptop's audio? Here's how to fix those sound problems.
X is a micro-blogging service which can be used to exchange quick frequent messages. Particularly in recent months at the time of writing, X has undergone many changes to the extent that there are now two levels of X access available. The standard usage is a free X account allowing you to compose messages of up to 280 characters in length. The second is X Premium allowing messages of up to 25 thousand characters and other features for subscribers.
Get work done more quickly by using keyboard shortcuts in the Microsoft Excel desktop app for Windows or macOS.
News, Trends, Updates and Opinion Editorials 📰️
Technological advancements have revolutionized career opportunities for individuals with disabilities in recent years, removing many traditional barriers. We're living in a transformative era where digital tools offer equal footing and the empowerment to pursue goals without stress or physical safety concerns. In this guest post presented by Top Tech Tidbits, Author Sharon Wagner of SeniorFriendly.info, will go over a few of the best tools and strategies for professionals living with disabilities.
Today, on the tenth anniversary of Overcast 1.0, I'm happy to launch a complete rewrite and redesign of most of the iOS app, built to carry Overcast into the next decade — and hopefully beyond.
This update includes a possible fix for the occasional loss of speech that could happen after powering on your BT Speak. It also includes additional clock settings and the ability to install and remove text to speech engines.
Turn your iPhone into a BlackBerry.
The Hartgen Consultancy presentation, AI in the Workplace, delivered for the BITS organisation, gives the reader a gentle introduction to this subject. Many questions arose from it and the presentation only gives brief details of what could be achieved. The new training course, AI Like That, provides the following.
Beta3 of NVDA 2024.3 is now available for download and testing.
This version introduces new features that I hope will prove useful.
HumanWare is excited to announce the release of their latest firmware update for the Brailliant BI X and Mantis braille displays. This update brings several enhancements to the Braille Editor, introduces new customization options for command keys, welcomes ODT file support and adds dynamic menus for a better online DAISY library experience. These improvements are designed to enhance your productivity, provide a more personalized reading experience, and ensure you have the tools to manage your braille documents effectively. Here's what's new.
Today, we're diving into the incredible benefits of standing desks for the low vision community, featuring the powerful FlexiSpot E6 dual motor standing desk. Whether for working, crafting, or daily tasks, raising your workspace can transform your ease of access.
We are thrilled to release Sao Mai Braille 24.7, featuring exciting new updates, improvements, and bug fixes, especially for math and music. SMB is not just a free Braille translation software solution but also a tool that enhances the learning and working experiences of blind individuals.
A more screen reader agnostic version will be sent to WinAccess forum: Recently, we had messages on NVDA users list about using the new Outlook (launching later this year). One of the most confusing aspects of the new Outlook is the interface — it's not using a traditional looking interface, nor provides dedicated commands for advanced features. Why is that? That is what I will teach you.
On behalf of the entire team, the Thunderbird Council, and our global community of contributors, I'm excited to announce the initial release of Thunderbird 128 “Nebula.” This annual Extended Support Release (ESR) builds on the solid foundation established by Supernova last year. Nebula ushers in significant improvements to Thunderbird's code, stability, overall user experience, and the speed at which we can deliver new features to you.
Advances in hardware and software technologies have led to the development of assistive technology devices that may help people with vision loss achieve their goals, including reading and performing activities of daily living. Head-mounted displays are among the newest assisted technology devices, providing a real-time view of the physical world, as captured by an onboard video camera that can be digitally enhanced. A recent study published by a research team from Lighthouse Guild in the Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics, the Journal of the College of Optometrists, explores the performance, acceptance, and usability of head-mounted display devices.
Four Digits Away From Handing Over My Credit Card Information! In this conversation, Steven Scott and Marc Aflalo discuss various topics including the Samsung Galaxy devices, Apple's security guidance, and Google's immersive maps feature. Marc expresses his interest in the form factor of the Samsung Galaxy Flip and the sleep apnea detection feature of the Galaxy Watch Ultra. Marc also shares a personal story about a fraudulent phone call posing as his bank and emphasizes the importance of being cautious with personal information. The conversation concludes with a discussion about Google's immersive maps feature and the accessibility features of Android devices.
The charity Guide Dogs has launched the new Tech Selector on its website, which is an innovative tool that is designed to empower people with vision impairments by delivering personalized recommendations for assistive technology products and services tailored precisely to their needs. The Tech Selector's aim is to reduce the need for human assistance, giving more independence and freedom to navigate technology suited to them. Guide Dogs says it created the online tool to tackle the issue of people with sight loss struggling to identify the right assistive technologies that is relevant for them, such as smart home devices, AI solutions, mobility aids, and orientation apps.
Elena Galluzzo, a young Canadian coding prodigy, developed an app called Care Capsule that uses AI to help people with disabilities navigate everyday challenges. The app assists with tasks such as setting up medication schedules, keeping track of reminders and tasks, and providing mental health resources. Elena developed the app for a Swift programming competition and was inspired by her personal experiences living with her grandparents. She found coding to be fun and rewarding, and she plans to continue developing Care Capsule and other apps in the future.
Experience the Next Level of Tech: Keyboards, and AI Innovations! In this episode of Access Tech Live, hosts Marc Aflalo and Steven Scott dive into various keyboards and their unique features. They kick off with the Rabbit R1 AI device, critiquing its lack of accessibility. Next, they review portable keyboards like the Logitech Pebble Keys-To-Go and Keys-To-Go 2, highlighting their compact design and connectivity. The discussion continues with the Logitech Wave ergonomic keyboard and Kensington ProFit Ergo, comparing their ergonomic benefits and pricing. The episode wraps up with a poll on impactful wearable devices, engaging the audience in the tech conversation.
In a livestreamed update on X, Elon Musk and Neuralink executives gave an update on the company's next study participant — and its next-generation brain implant.
Traditional learning methods fall short of meeting the breakneck pace of today's competitive climate. The widespread access to information afforded by the internet has allowed us to implement new forms of learning, facilitated by visual and auditory elements, for a deeper understanding of the subject matter. However, more complex learning materials also require accessibility in educational videos. This is especially true for people with learning disabilities or those who feel limited by a narrow selection of learning styles. In this blog, we will explore how captions and audio descriptions enhance accessibility in educational videos, helping widen productive access to inclusive learning.
Web.dev is a site from Google Chrome developer relations that provides content both to evangelize Chrome and to more broadly support the web platform. Rachel Andrew's monthly “new to the platform” posts are effectively required reading to try to stay abreast of the browser support landscape. However, the accessibility content in many of Web.dev's articles and posts is problematic.
Drag-and-drop is a highly interactive and visual interface. We often use drag-and-drop to perform tasks like uploading files, reordering browser bookmarks, or even moving a card in solitaire.
Allison interviews Chris Toth, CTO and Co-Founder of XR Navigation. His company provides the Audiom digital map service that is accessible to people who are blind or visually impaired. Audiom pulls GeoJSON map data from standard digital maps and renders the information into 3D audio. This audio can be used to navigate to a desired destination or explore the map's covered area with audio feedback cues. Audiom use cases include digital maps for university campuses, corporate campuses, and healthcare facilities. Audiom maps are fully WCAG section 508, 504, and ADA-compliant. They give blind and sighted users the freedom to equally access geographic relationships inherent to a map.
Any help to make native mobile application accessibility clearer is welcome. We really need to know more to make apps more accessible.
Publisher (Di Blasi): This is a really great and often overlooked tip. Many readers have written in about experiencing issues with online PDFs that were designed to be "fully accessible." The culprit was always the web browser's native PDF reader. Learn how to modify your reader application settings to ensure that PDFs are always opened in the most accessible way possible.
Ricky Onsman: I've been working lately on providing guidance to TPGi accessibility engineers and our clients on PDF accessibility. It probably won't astonish anyone that this has thrown up a few surprises, quirks, quibbles and tips. In this article, I'm going to focus on PDF forms and I'll be writing more about other aspects of PDF accessibility in future articles.
Everybody knows that we must not use aria-hidden on interactive elements. But why is that a problem? I decided to check for myself, so that I can explain it better the next time I will be asked.
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.
NV Access is pleased to invite you to participate in the NVDA Satisfaction Survey 2024. At NV Access we are always interested in understanding the satisfaction of our NVDA users. Plus, we like to understand clearly what is important to you, and also identify what we can do more effectively. As in previous years, it is a simple, 3-question survey. It is open to NVDA users and testers around the world. We encourage everyone to complete the NVDA Satisfaction Survey 2024. As with last year, the survey is on Google Forms however you do not need to have a Google account to submit the form. Completing the survey questions will assist us with improving the NVDA user experience. Please do participate, and share with others, thank you!
Featured Podcast Episodes 🎙️
Do you struggle to read prescription labels? If so, you should know that En-Vision America partners with many pharmacies to provide talking prescription labels as well as labels in braille or large print at no additional cost to you. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Jenna Reed, marketing director at En-Vision America, about the service and how it works.
Sonification and other multisensorial approaches offer powerful tools to analyze data, help visually impaired researchers, communicate science, and create science-inspired art.
Featured Events 📅️
11AM PT, 12PM MT, 1PM CT, 2PM ET, 6PM GMT
Learn about the latest programs, news, and services from Computers for The Blind. Join us for the next workshop from the Florida Outreach Center for the Blind to learn about services and products from Computers for The Blind. We will have Erika Engler who will be providing information regarding their company, the services that they offer, and how you can obtain a computer of your own. All the computers that they ship include Intel Core i3 Processors or higher. 8GB Memory. 250GB Solid State Drive. 12″-14″ Screen Size. Internal WIFI, Speakers, and Webcam. In addition, our computers ship with a Home Annual license of JAWS screen reader OR ZoomText Magnifier, available through our partnership with Vispero. Zoom Meeting ID: 835 8160 5488 | Passcode: 182630 | Zoom By Phone: +1 (312) 626-6799 📱️. For more information on the workshop, and FOCB's free classes, training and more, contact FOCB at: +1 (561) 642-0005 📱️.
Directories 📝️
Buy, Sell or Trade 🛒️
Listing Date: 7/4/2024 | Price: $1499.00 | Condition: Gently Used | Description: Gently used Braille Sense U2. This device has the original charger and leather case. Contact: lgnadolskis@gmail.com 📧️ or +1 (786) 329-2797 📱️.
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.
Sponsor Classified Ads 🎯️
Sponsor Since: June 27, 2024 📅️
Website: https://accessready.org 🌐️
Email: info@accessready.org 📧️
Phone: +1 (727) 531-1000 📱️
About: Access Ready, Inc. is a nonprofit advocacy organization founded on October 17, 2018, dedicated to ensuring the accessibility of information and communications technologies (ICT) for all individuals, regardless of ability. The organization aims to integrate ICT accessibility as a fundamental aspect of society.
Mission: Promote policies that ensure ICT accessibility.
Vision: Create a society where ICT is inherently accessible to everyone.
Core Values: Integrity, Planning, Consideration, Opportunity
Key Milestones: 2018: Established Articles of Incorporation and ByLaws. 2020: Received 501(c)(3) status. 2019: Formed the Access Ready Strategic Social Purpose Corporation to develop accessible technologies.
Initiatives: Developed inclusion guidance documents with legal and policy experts and proposed the Tax Recovery Act to provide tax credits for developers making ICT accessible.
Leadership: Douglas George Towne, Chair and CEO. Access Ready, Inc. is supported by various notable individuals and organizations.
Contact: Douglas George Towne, Chari-CEO, Access Ready, Inc., chair-ceo@accessready.org 📧️.
Access Ready, Inc. strives to make ICT accessible through policy advocacy, strategic guidance, and innovative solutions, fostering a more inclusive society for individuals with disabilities.
Sponsor Since: June 27, 2024 📅️
Website: https://accessready.org 🌐️
Email: info@accessready.org 📧️
Phone: +1 (727) 531-1000 📱️
About: Access Ready, Inc. is a nonprofit advocacy organization founded on October 17, 2018, dedicated to ensuring the accessibility of information and communications technologies (ICT) for all individuals, regardless of ability. The organization aims to integrate ICT accessibility as a fundamental aspect of society.
Mission: Promote policies that ensure ICT accessibility.
Vision: Create a society where ICT is inherently accessible to everyone.
Core Values: Integrity, Planning, Consideration, Opportunity
Key Milestones: 2018: Established Articles of Incorporation and ByLaws. 2020: Received 501(c)(3) status. 2019: Formed the Access Ready Strategic Social Purpose Corporation to develop accessible technologies.
Initiatives: Developed inclusion guidance documents with legal and policy experts and proposed the Tax Recovery Act to provide tax credits for developers making ICT accessible.
Leadership: Douglas George Towne, Chair and CEO. Access Ready, Inc. is supported by various notable individuals and organizations.
Contact: Douglas George Towne, Chari-CEO, Access Ready, Inc., chair-ceo@accessready.org 📧️.
Access Ready, Inc. strives to make ICT accessible through policy advocacy, strategic guidance, and innovative solutions, fostering a more inclusive society for individuals with disabilities.
Welcome to a new era of inclusive shopping where you never have to leave our site. Our marketplace is designed to offer an all-in-one shopping experience tailored for the blind and visually impaired community.
Here's what makes us stand out:
➜︎ Comprehensive Shopping Experience: Everything you need in one place. From groceries to gadgets, clothing to cosmetics, explore our extensive range of products without ever navigating away from our user-friendly site.
➜︎ AI-Powered Customer Service: Have a question or need clarification on a product description? Our advanced AI customer service is here to assist you 24/7. Get instant answers, detailed explanations, and personalized recommendations with ease.
➜︎ Unbeatable Deals and Quality: Find the best deals on the highest quality products. We offer competitive prices and exceptional value, ensuring you get the best shopping experience on the net.
Sponsor Since: June 7, 2024 📅️
Website: https://www.innosearch.ai 🌐️
Email: info@innosearch.ai 📧️
About: Innosearch is an all-in-one shopping platform augmented with a cutting-edge AI-powered shopping assistant. This innovative feature mimics the experience of shopping in real life by allowing you to interact with the assistant using natural language. It aggregates millions of products from top US online retailers, bringing them directly to you. With this advanced generative AI, Innosearch offers personalized product recommendations, highlights the best deals, and provides comprehensive information including reviews, total prices, shipping options, and more. Innosearch delivers a seamless end-to-end shopping experience, eliminating the need to search and browse in multiple tabs across retailers.
Key Features: Key Features of the Innosearch All-in-One AI Shopping Platform include:
➜ Research Products: Easily compare products across retailers, or weigh pros and cons of similar products to make informed decisions.
➜ Uncover the Best Deals: Never miss a door buster, coupon, or clearance sale again. Get notified about the best prices and offers.
➜ AI Summarized Trusted Reviews: See what others are saying and make confident purchases.
➜ All in One: Innosearch brings millions of products from top online retailers directly to you, allowing you to shop the best deals with easy checkout and personalized AI assistance.
➜ Shop with Confidence: Rest assured, Innosearch has you covered with free shipping and returns on every purchase.
➜ Know Before You Buy: Innosearch equips you with expert buying guides, empowering you to make well-informed decisions.
How To Shop: Simply create a free account and start shopping today!
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 Sàrl, 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 Place™ 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
Unlock the power of inclusivity with our specialized document accessibility remediation services. With over 100,000 documents transformed and compliant with standards such as Section 508, WCAG 2.1 AA, HHS, AODA, and PDF/UA, we are your go-to accessibility experts. No document is too complex!
What To Expect:
Screen Reader Testing: We test all documents with industry-leading tools like JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, CommonLook Validator, and PAC3.
Turnaround Time: Our standard time is 5 business days. Expedited options are available.
Forms Handling: We specialize in making static PDFs accessible to screen readers.
Languages Supported: Offering remediation in over 50 languages.
File Types Supported: Word, PDF, PowerPoint.
Custom Reports: Available for an additional fee.
Sponsor Since: August 3, 2023 📅️
Website: https://theaccessibilityguy.com/ 🌐️
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@TheAccessibilityGuy 📹
About: My name is Shawn Jordison and I love helping others learn the ins and outs of digital accessibility.
I have made over 100 thousand documents accessible, provided hundreds of trainings in the areas of accessibility and document remediation, and reviewed many websites and mobile applications for accessibility.
I have developed and reviewed VPATs, LMS courses, and other pieces of training. I am the accessibility Swiss army knife. Let me be your personal accessibility expert.
➜ Over 13 years of experience in the field of accessibility.
➜ Passionate about providing equal access to information for everyone.
➜ Wide range of project experience, including document accessibility, training, and more.
➜ Expertise in captioning, assistive technology, and accessibility best practices. I'm here to help you create a more accessible world.
The Blog: This blog covers topics like making Word, PDF & PowerPoint files accessible, Closed Captioning, assistive technology, and other important accessibility topics.
Training and Consulting: Offering customized training and consulting for implementing accessibility best practices.
Accessible Document Service: Providing top-tier document remediation services for all types of files, ensuring compliance with WCAG, 508, and PDF UA standards.
Sponsor Since: July 20, 2023 📅️
Website: https://glidance.io/ 🌐️
About: Fun and easy, you'll just love going out. You walk with confidence, and Glide will simply guide you where you want to go.
Just Grab Your Glide And Walk With Confidence
Glide will guide you to your destination or just keep you to a safe path and leave it to you to steer the way, giving you full autonomy and independence.
Portable, Light And Versatile
Glide uses advanced technology to help you safely and smoothly weave your way among obstacles and people, and make your way to a near by door, steps or a park bench.
Easy To Use
Smart technology for effortless mobility.
Affordable
No fancy back flips, just what you need to get back out there.
Quick To Learn
Our friendly design means you'll be up and running in no time.
Feel Confident
Without hesitation, anxiety, or getting lost.
Get started with Glide today at: https://glidance.io/.
Sponsor Since: July 20, 2023 📅️
Website: https://echobatix.com/ 🌐️
App: Download the Echobatix App from the Apple App Store here.
App Training Videos: https://www.echobatix.com/training/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@echobatix.inc/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@echobatix
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.
If you have difficulty reading text, or if you find touch screens and product labels completely inaccessible, give the Echobatix app a try. The app supports large fonts and VoiceOver. You can provide feedback from within the app itself. We'd love to read your suggestions.
The Echobatix app offers monthly and yearly subscriptions with a one-week free trial. When you first start the app you'll be prompted to select a subscription, but the first week is free, and you can cancel at any time.
To download and try the Echobatix app, click this link: https://apple.co/3NZC3GZ
Sponsor Since: December 29, 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.
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
We are delighted to announce that Selvas BLV will be attending the AER International Conference. This global conference is celebrated for its role in building connections, exchanging knowledge, and presenting cutting-edge assistive technology solutions. We cordially invite you to visit our booth and experience our cutting-edge products firsthand. Our team will be available to answer your questions, provide live demonstrations, and deliver products ordered right to you. Come by our booth to check out the new 40-cell Braille eMotion, SensePlayer device as well as BrailleSense 6, BrailleSense6 Mini, and QBraille XL.
Event/Booth Details:
AER International Conference: July 25-28th, Charlotte, NC, Booth #610
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.
Aira, one of the world's leading remote visual interpretation services, has announced a landmark partnership that will make the process of receiving remote technical support even more accessible! Aira will be deploying our cross-platform, fully accessible Remote Incident Manager across its entire team of agents dedicated to providing top notch visual interpretation.
As an Aira explorer, help with inaccessible computer tasks has always been possible, however this has required the use of off-the-shelf remote support tools with varying degrees of inaccessibility. IN recent years, the inaccessibility has made the process of establishing a connection for the support recipient quite difficult. Remote Incident Manager (RIM), by contrast, has been especially designed by and for blind and visually impaired users, yet can be used just as effectively by anyone! Download the free RIM application on your Windows or macOS machine today, and experience the best in accessible remote assistance!
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.
GuideLights Will be at ACB, although we don't have an exhibit booth. We have something better; a room on the 4th floor right in the middle of everything. We will be in Main Street 2 Sun. Mon. and Tue. We are calling it the "GuideLights window down" sale with lots of special bargains. Backpacks, 20 cell Braille display cases, and a good selection of headphones will be discounted 30 percent. Come join the fun with Barry; there will be an Orbit Speak given away to a person who registers with us. There will also be a number of "spot" promotions during the convention. I am doing this by myself this year, as Kae is still recovering from some of her surgeries. Looking forward to being with our many customers and friends. For more info, call or email Barry at: (617) 969-7500 📱️ or barry.scheur@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: July 16, 2024 📅️
Website: https://theapexprogram.com 🌐️
About: Unlocking Abilities, Securing Futures. Founded on the principles of inclusivity and opportunity, the Apex Program is a pioneering educational initiative in cybersecurity, tailored for the blind, visually impaired, disabled, and veteran communities. Created by a Novacoast employee and inspired by his own journey from disability to Security Operations Center manager, the curriculum is designed to create a strong foundation of IT security knowledge, while instilling confidence and ensuring competence in the IT talent pool. Our ten-week program culminates in industry-recognized CompTIA certifications and a guaranteed pathway to employment, courtesy of Novacoast's dedicated IT Staffing division. At Apex, we don't just teach cybersecurity; we transform lives by unlocking potential and advocating for diversity in the IT security workforce.
Mission: The Apex Program is committed to bridging the gap in cybersecurity talent by empowering the blind, visually impaired, disabled, and veteran communities through inclusive, accessible, and comprehensive training. Our mission is to nurture a diverse workforce equipped with the necessary IT security skills and certifications to thrive in the cybersecurity sector. In partnership with Novacoast, we ensure a solid educational foundation and job placement in the industry, further fostering a future where every individual can focus their distinct abilities on building a more secure digital world.
Novacoast: Novacoast is a cybersecurity and IT services company that helps organizations enhance their security posture. They offer a range of services, including cybersecurity advisory, security engineering, identity and access management, development and integration, penetration testing, managed security services, and incident response. Their managed services include co-managed SIEM, DLP, EDR, vulnerability and patch management, phishing monitoring, and threat operations. Novacoast also provides specialized services for different industries such as finance, healthcare, and gaming. Additionally, they offer staffing solutions and training programs. Learn more today.
Home | A Division of Novacoast | Novacoast Federal | The Program | About Us | Partnerships | Media | Contact
Sponsor Since: June 27, 2024 📅️
Website: https://accessready.org 🌐️
Email: info@accessready.org 📧️
Phone: +1 (727) 531-1000 📱️
About: Access Ready, Inc. is a nonprofit advocacy organization founded on October 17, 2018, dedicated to ensuring the accessibility of information and communications technologies (ICT) for all individuals, regardless of ability. The organization aims to integrate ICT accessibility as a fundamental aspect of society.
Mission: Promote policies that ensure ICT accessibility.
Vision: Create a society where ICT is inherently accessible to everyone.
Core Values: Integrity, Planning, Consideration, Opportunity
Key Milestones: 2018: Established Articles of Incorporation and ByLaws. 2020: Received 501(c)(3) status. 2019: Formed the Access Ready Strategic Social Purpose Corporation to develop accessible technologies.
Initiatives: Developed inclusion guidance documents with legal and policy experts and proposed the Tax Recovery Act to provide tax credits for developers making ICT accessible.
Leadership: Douglas George Towne, Chair and CEO. Access Ready, Inc. is supported by various notable individuals and organizations.
Contact: Douglas George Towne, Chari-CEO, Access Ready, Inc., chair-ceo@accessready.org 📧️.
Access Ready, Inc. strives to make ICT accessible through policy advocacy, strategic guidance, and innovative solutions, fostering a more inclusive society for individuals with disabilities.
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About: Founded in 2004, Top Tech Tidbits is the world's leading not-for-profit access technology publication that reaches over 27,000 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, our Advertisers 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 📱️
PR Director (2024-Present)
AT-Newswire 🌐
Access Technology's Digital Newswire
Publisher (2024-Present)
AI-Weekly 🌐
The Week's News in Artificial Intelligence
Publisher (2022-Present)
Access Information News 🌐
The Week's News in Access Information
Publisher (2020-Present)
Top Tech Tidbits 🌐
The Week's News in Access Technology
Sr. Project Management Professional (2006 - Present)
Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd. 🌐
Innovative ideas. Solutions that perform.
Certified:
Digital Marketing Associate
Meta Certified (2022 - Present)
Social Marketing Professional
Hootsuite Certified (2020 - Present)
Email Marketing Professional
Constant Contact Certified (2019 - Present)
Specializing in:
Digital Strategy and Content Marketing
Social Media Advertising
Online Fundraising
ADA, WCAG and Section 508 Compliance
Editor Since: 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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