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Top Tech Tidbits for Thursday, September 12, 2024 - Volume 980 ♿️
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: 24,076 🔢️ opt-in subscribers were sent this issue via email.
Sponsors 🏅️
Ongoing Distribution Made Possible By:
This Week's Featured Advertisement 🎯️
Join the Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. on Tuesday September 17, 2024 at 4:00 PM PT for an engaging and informative Career webinar. Hear from Human Resources professionals as we learn to use AI tools to assist with creating a resume, explore different resume formats, and delve into writing a resume highlighting your unique skills, abilities and experiences that show employers who you are and what you can offer. Live ASL interpreters are available for this webinar. You won't want to miss this powerful and interactive session. Register now to secure your spot!.
Visit the Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. on YouTube.com to explore other powerful career and technology resources on aligning interests and skills for job success, naming and claiming your skills, technology for career enhancement, and much more. E-mail workforcedevelopment@lhblind.org 📧️ For more information on our workforce development program and other career related resources from the Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc., and visit https://lhblind.org/jobs/ to view our currently available positions.
Access Awareness: Metrics That Matter ♿️
" United States: An estimated 50.18 million adult Americans report having trouble seeing, even when wearing glasses or contact lenses, or are blind. " — The American Foundation for the Blind, January 2024
News 📰️
1.) Top 5 Most Clicked Tidbits From Last Week 📊️
AI-powered accessibility tools like Meta AI, Be My AI, and Access AI from Aira are significantly enhancing how visually impaired users interact with the world. Each of these tools has distinct approaches, features, and benefits. Below, we compare these solutions in detail, including Aira's new AI initiatives that are shaping the future of accessible technology.
Don't have a subscription to Aira? No problem: there are still plenty of ways Explorers can access free Aira minutes.
Word enables you to create different types of lists for organizing and presenting information. To create these lists using JAWS, follow these steps.
Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses combine style with advanced technology, offering unique benefits for blind and visually impaired users. These glasses are equipped with AI-driven features that provide hands-free accessibility, making daily tasks easier. However, it's important to understand their limitations and how they fit into your overall accessibility toolkit. In this guide, we'll explore the styles, key features, available commands, and important considerations when using these glasses.
Here, Aaron Di Blasi, Publisher for the AI-Weekly newsletter, offers a comprehensive guide on effective prompting techniques to help Large Language Models (LLMs) achieve professional results, whether you use an interface or an API. Below, Aaron outlines and describes in detail the Top 20 prompting techniques being used today to enhance LLM performance.
A rare opportunity to own a niche, established business serving the blind and visually impaired community. SpeedDots, a well-known brand providing high-quality tactile screen protectors for iPhones and iPads, is available for immediate purchase. Operating successfully for over 13 years, SpeedDots has built a strong reputation for its unique products that empower the blind and visually impaired community to navigate iOS devices with ease. What You'll Get: A fully operational, home-based business with a proven track record of profitability. Custom product templates, packaging, and a pre-made inventory ready for immediate sale. A comprehensive portfolio of digital assets including an established website, domain names, and a dedicated mailing list of loyal customers. Accessories and vendor relationships to support seamless operations. A business with consistent growth and potential for expansion. Why Choose SpeedDots? Loyal customer base with a strong demand for custom iOS screen protectors. A trusted brand in a specialized market, providing an excellent opportunity for further growth. Easy-to-manage operations with significant potential to scale. Inquiries: For serious inquiries only, please contact: info@speeddots.com 📧️. Visit us at: SpeedDots.com. Take the next step in owning a profitable business with a meaningful impact!
If you're not familiar with Top Tech Tidbits or Access Information News, you might want to learn more about these informative newsletters and websites. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Aaron Di Blasi, Senior Project Management Professional for Mine Vault Solutions, about how they have come to be important resources for the access community. | Show notes.
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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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9.) AI Updates 🤖️
Skip this Tidbit to skip all updates on AI.
Audible, Amazon's audiobook business, on Monday announced that it'll use AI trained on professional narrators' voices to generate new audiobook recordings.
10.) Apple Updates 🍎️
Skip this Tidbit to skip all updates on Apple.
Will Siri finally become useful? That's the promise Apple laid out today at its "Glowtime" event, where the company introduced its iPhone 16 lineup — its first new iPhones to ship with AI-powered functionality, courtesy of Apple Intelligence and, later, a partnership with ChatGPT maker OpenAI.
Today's Apple announcements, at an event entitled "It's Glowtime", were exactly what many of us expected: new iPhones, Apple Watches, and AirPods. We also got a release day for all the big software updates. watchOS, iOS, iPadOS, tvOS, and macOS will all get their big upgrades on Monday, September 16.
Tips, Tutorials, Guides, Reviews, Walk-Throughs and How-To's 📚️
Microsoft Word offers many ways to save time when creating or editing documents. From shortcuts and templates to AutoCorrect and add-ins, let's look at some tricks that can speed up your workflow when using Microsoft Word.
This video walks users through how to set the reading order of a PDF, using Foxit PDF Editor. By effectively managing the Tags panel, Content panel, and Order panel, you can create accessible and user-friendly PDFs.
In a new support page, Microsoft provides guidance on speeding up the Windows startup process.
News, Trends, Updates and Opinion Editorials 📰️
Andre Louis demonstrates starting a track using Fracture Sounds free product library, Blueprints. In this, his second video for Fracture Sounds, they wanted him to show off a few of his favourite Blueprint libraries and demonstrate how he uses a DAW, in this case Logic Pro. They also wanted to show the screen-reader, so you'll hear it in parts of the demo. He says "I absolutely love these on-the-fly-type videos, and being challenged to put the beginnings of a track down in a short time is just great fun. Of course all libraries mentioned run in Komplete Kontrol and specifically using the free Kontakt Player from Native Instruments."
The weather may be cooling down, but TPGi's September webinar content is heating up! We have two sessions to help you reach your accessibility goals, including one today with open spots! Regardless of where you are in your accessibility journey, we have the educational content to help. Join us for our upcoming accessibility webinars.
Beta3 of NVDA 2024.4 is now available for download and testing.
NV Access is pleased to announce that version 2024.3.1 of NVDA, the free screen reader for Microsoft Windows, is now available for download. We encourage all users to upgrade to this version.
Dear AppleVis Community, friends, and supporters. We are very excited to announce that the AppleVis website has fully reopened. Please read on for some important updates.
The new Outlook for Windows brings the latest features, intelligent assisted capabilities, and a new modern and simplified design to your Outlook app. You can tailor it to your style and do more with new Outlook for Windows. With accessibility and usability enhancements, Microsoft remains committed to providing the efficiency, productivity, and familiarity that all users can expect from Outlook to accomplish their daily workflows.
We expect iOS 18 to be released the week of 16 September. To give you an opportunity to absorb the information we're sharing about the latest iPhone operating system, we're releasing our iOS 18 show in good time. The show has around 2.5 hours of information about some of the things that are new. There'll be particular emphasis on accessibility features. There is quite a bit new in VoiceOver this year, as well as a very powerful new feature called vocal shortcuts which I think you'll like.
We've all heard the expression, There's more than one way to skin a cat. Now, my wife and my furry felines would not so appreciate that one, but the saying is true, especially when it comes to navigating technology for us who are blind.
James Baverstock is a Principal Accessibility Consultant at AbilityNet. Specialising in document accessibility, James contributes to AbilityNet's training programmes for Microsoft Office, PDF (Portable Document Format), and InDesign accessibility, as well as conducting accessibility audits for PDFs and Office documents. As a certified Accessible Document Specialist (ADS) from the International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP), he is well-versed in the field.
Electronic magnifiers have revolutionized the way individuals with visual impairments interact with the world. From simple optical devices to today's sophisticated digital tools, the evolution of electronic magnifiers showcases the power of technology in enhancing human capabilities. According to the World Health Organization (WHO, 2021), approximately 2.2 billion people globally have moderate to severe vision impairment, with a growing demand for electronic magnifiers among these populations. This article explores the fascinating journey of electronic magnifiers, tracing their development from early innovations to the cutting-edge technology that empowers users today.
CNET experts have compiled the ultimate list for getting the most out of your smart home.
Your Alexa smart speaker can be a handy device if you want to purchase a product from Amazon. If you want to play around with this feature you can say something like the following.
Students need a book reader to increase learning and a reliable GPS to aid them in Orientation and Mobility (O&M) class as they practice new routes. The VR Cardinal is an advanced, limited edition device that meets both these requirements and is a great alternative to a cell phone, which is often put away during the school day.
To convert a video lecture to an M4A audio file, launch Windows 11's built-in ClipChamp app, create a new project, import the video file, select the option to detach the audio, and find the audio file in the "Downloads" folder.
It is that time of year when Microsoft ships a new feature update for its operating system. Version 24H2 has spent quite a lot of time in the company's ovens and is now very close to its public release. It is not the biggest release the operating system has ever received, but there are still quite a few interesting changes and improvements.
Understanding digital accessibility challenges is easy if you know people with disabilities. But what if you've never seen a person who is blind use their computer or smartphone? We're here to help you understand a little bit about what it's like to use the internet if you have a disability.
Featured Events 📅️
Please join us for the 15th Annual ISLAND Conference on Disability and STEM. Attendance is offered both in-person or online in Princeton, New Jersey September 12 — 13. The conference showcases technical and methodological solutions on what is possible in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education for people with disabilities. Since its founding in 2010 the ISLAND conference has served as a forum for conference attendees to meet, network, and collaborate. It is intended for scholars, educators, and practitioners, and welcomes members of the public. Proceedings are published through the peer-reviewed Journal of Science Education for Students with Disabilities, which since 1998 has disseminated research and practice related to the education of students with disabilities in the science classroom and laboratory.
11AM PT, 12PM MT, 1PM CT, 2PM ET, 6PM GMT
Join us Thurs 9/19/24, 2-4PM for a free virtual workshop on the latest A.I. tech - the Glide! The world's first self-guided, A.I.-powered mobility aid designed to help people in the blind and low vision community. Meeting ID: 835 8160 5488. Passcode: 182630. By Phone: +1-312-626-6799. The Florida Outreach Center for the Blind is a nonprofit organization/training facility that is nationally accredited by the Association for Education & Rehabilitation of the Blind & Visually Impaired (AER). Classes/training are ALL FREE and available in English, Spanish, Creole and French.
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
In the evolving web accessibility landscape, WCAG 2.2 introduces significant updates that build on the foundation of WCAG 2.1. This version focuses on improving accessibility for individuals with cognitive or learning disabilities, low vision, and mobile devices. Importantly, WCAG 2.2 also introduces new criteria that directly impact the accessibility of electronic documents, shaping how digital content is created and made accessible. This webinar will explore these new guidelines, emphasizing the critical differences from WCAG 2.1 and their implications for electronic documents. Attendees will delve into the intricacies of WCAG 2.2's Success Criteria, explicitly focusing on their application to electronic documents. The session will provide practical compliance strategies, illustrated by real-world examples of successful implementations and common pitfalls to avoid. Whether you're an experienced accessibility professional or just starting, this session offers valuable insights for anyone dedicated to creating a more inclusive digital environment.
2PM PT, 3PM MT, 4PM CT, 5PM ET, 9PM GMT
Time to launch your dream career. Register for the National Federation of the Blind Virtual Career Fair. This is your chance to meet and network with employers from across the country. Registration is free for jobseekers.
10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
Join us 1-3PM on October 15, 2024 to celebrate the day and bring awareness to the public! FREE refreshments and raffles! City officials, the police department, and tons of visitors will be on hand to learn about the White Cane Law and FOCB's free programs, classes and workshops for the blind and visually impaired. Together we can make the streets safer and raise awareness of the law.
1PM PT, 2PM MT, 3PM CT, 4PM ET, 8PM GMT
The 16th Annual Dining in the Dark! Sunday Nov 17th, 2024 | 4PM-8PM. West Palm Beach Marriott, 1001 Okeechobee Blvd. Tickets $125 pp. Join us for an experience like no other! Come have dinner in complete darkness. •Delicious 3-course dinner served by the PBSO SWAT Team who will be wearing night-vision goggles. Inspiring guest speaker, music & entertainment, silent auction, cash bar. Dining in the Dark helps to raise funds for educational, therapeutic, vision and support services for individuals of all ages who are blind and visually impaired. These specialized services empower people with vision loss to lead active, independent and successful lives. FOCB. is a non-profit organization established in 2003 & provides FREE programs, services, and classes to more than 48,000 blind residents in Palm Beach County.
As a movement, digital accessibility has never been as powerful or impactful as it is today. We are at an amazing inflection point that will define the future of inclusion across the globe. All of us at Deque are so honored to be a part of this mission, and we are incredibly excited to announce that the fifth annual axe-con conference will return next year on February 25-27, 2025! Axe-con is the world's largest digital accessibility conference. Last year, over 30,000 people registered to attend, representing more than 12,000 organizations. We hosted over 75 expert presenters, and today, we're elated to announce our first 2025 keynote speaker, Alice Wong! Alice Wong is a disabled activist, writer, editor, and community organizer. She is the founder and director of the Disability Visibility Project, an online community dedicated to creating, sharing, and amplifying disability media and culture. Alice's activism has been celebrated by Time Magazine and Marie Claire, and her 2022 memoir was one of USA Today's “Must-Read” books. Alice is the recipient of multiple awards, was named a Disability Futures fellow by the Ford Foundation and the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, and was appointed by President Barack Obama to be a member of the National Council on Disability.
Featured Surveys 📋️
This survey is all about understanding how easy it is to access places you want to go, from planning in advance to the experience you have while you are there. We want to use the survey to highlight the issues people are facing and to see how AccessAbleUSA might expand our criteria and detailed accessibility guidance in the future. We use the phrase 'places to go' to describe venues you can visit as a member of the public, so pretty much anywhere excluding private homes (unless they are vacation rental homes). We would love to hear about your experiences of accessing places in your town or city and the places you have visited. We are really grateful for your time in completing the survey. If you would like to enter our prize drawing please fill in your details at the start of the survey and check the box, and you can also sign up to our newsletter if you would like us to keep you updated on our work. We promise not to share your personal information. Thank you! The AccessAble Team
Featured Podcast Episodes 🎙️
If you're not familiar with Top Tech Tidbits or Access Information News, you might want to learn more about these informative newsletters and websites. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Aaron Di Blasi, Senior Project Management Professional for Mind Vault Solutions, about how they have come to be important resources for the access community.
Directories 📝️
Buy, Sell or Trade 🛒️
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 🎯️
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.
It's hard to believe it's already been two years since we launched the new and improved Remote Incident Manager (RIM). The journey has been nothing short of amazing, with RIM making waves across the globe. We've seen incredible growth in features and impact, and the most rewarding part is knowing how many lives we've touched.
RIM has been involved in everything from Helping sighted family members with their computers without needing a screen reader, to Helping a friend try out macOS without even stepping into an Apple store, and everything in between!
RIM has seen tremendous growth with an impressive roster of new organizations adopting RIM into their workflow, including Blind Information Technology Specialists (BITS), Spanish National Organization for the Blind (onθe) and AIRA.
What's more, Thanks to our new localization support, RIM is now more popular than ever worldwide.
And more features are on the way! Here's to another great year of RIM!
Sponsor Since: 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 📱️.
For a limited time, when you purchase a Hable One, you'll receive a FREE OptiCoaster!
The Hable One is a powerful, pocket-sized keyboard that makes phone use easier and more accessible for blind and visually impaired users.
With your Hable One, you'll get the OptiCoaster, a high-contrast, glow-in-the-dark coaster with tactile features, perfect for easily locating and placing your cups on the table.
But hurry! Stock is running low, and we have only a few units left. Once they're gone, this offer ends! Don't miss out on this incredible deal.
Visit our website now to claim your free OptiCoaster before it's too late!
Sponsor Since: August 14, 2024 📅️
Website: https://www.iamhable.com/ 🌐️
About: At Hable we empower people with visual impairment in the digital world.
Inclusivity at the core and innovation at the fingertips.
Our keyboard for the blind has redefined cellphone and tablet experiences and accessibility for over 5,000 visually impaired people globally.
Hable is an external keyboard designed to make using a smartphone simpler and more convenient for those with visual impairments, allowing for easy operation and accessibility.
Order:
Ready to experience the convenience and accessibility of Hable for yourself? Order Hable today at:
Amazon in the USA: https://amzn.to/3MEvLN5 | Other Countries: https://bit.ly/3sq4kjz.
Website: Home | Tips and Tricks | Support | Order Hable
Social: Facebook | Instagram | X (Formerly Twitter) | YouTube | LinkedIn
Are you ready to advance your career in cybersecurity? The Apex Program offers a comprehensive 10-week training course designed to prepare you for the CompTIA Network+ and Security+ certification exams. Tailored for the blind, visually impaired, disabled, and veteran communities, our program combines informative lectures, video tutorials, hands-on labs, and quizzes, with expert instructor support every step of the way.
Get started today — Classes start on the first Monday of every month!
Upcoming Class Start Dates:
1. Monday, September 9th
2. Monday, October 7th
3. Monday, November 4th
Don't miss this opportunity to join a diverse and inclusive workforce in the cybersecurity sector. Visit TheApexProgram.com to learn more and secure your spot today!
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
Can all people use it? Can you use it?
If you're buying something, wouldn't it be inclusive if everyone knew in advance whether the thing is accessible? Are you considering a $5 app? Will it work for blind users? Are you considering a $500 home appliance? Will it work for someone with low vision?
As things are right now, nobody knows, because nobody has made an accessibility label.
We are nonprofit member organization creating the label, and all of the necessary details that go into making a reliable accessibility score.
Your support helps our standards development programs. Financial support helps us get there faster, and with a broader reach to more people.
If you would like to find this accessibility label when you are shopping for products and services, our supporting memberships start at $10 per month.
Find out more about this question. Can all people use this product?
Become a supporter member for $10/month (via Patreon)
Become a supporter member for $100/year
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.
Can all people use it? Can you use it?
If you're buying something, wouldn't it be inclusive if everyone knew in advance whether the thing is accessible? Are you considering a $5 app? Will it work for blind users? Are you considering a $500 home appliance? Will it work for someone with low vision?
As things are right now, nobody knows, because nobody has made an accessibility label.
We are nonprofit member organization creating the label, and all of the necessary details that go into making a reliable accessibility score.
Your support helps our standards development programs. Financial support helps us get there faster, and with a broader reach to more people.
If you would like to find this accessibility label when you are shopping for products and services, our supporting memberships start at $10 per month.
Find out more about this question. Can all people use this product?
Become a supporter member for $10/month (via Patreon)
Become a supporter member for $100/year
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.
Can all people use it? Can you use it?
If you're buying something, wouldn't it be inclusive if everyone knew in advance whether the thing is accessible? Are you considering a $5 app? Will it work for blind users? Are you considering a $500 home appliance? Will it work for someone with low vision?
As things are right now, nobody knows, because nobody has made an accessibility label.
We are nonprofit member organization creating the label, and all of the necessary details that go into making a reliable accessibility score.
Your support helps our standards development programs. Financial support helps us get there faster, and with a broader reach to more people.
If you would like to find this accessibility label when you are shopping for products and services, our supporting memberships start at $10 per month.
Find out more about this question. Can all people use this product?
Become a supporter member for $10/month (via Patreon)
Become a supporter member for $100/year
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.
Innosearch is an e-commerce platform built for the Blind and Visually Impaired user with millions of products focused on making online shopping easy and enjoyable, working seamlessly with NVDA, Apple Voiceover, and other popular screen readers.
Free shipping, free returns, no ads.
Simple shopping — what you need, straight to your door.
For a limited time, enjoy $5 OFF any order $15 or more with code OFF5.
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
Struggling with PDF accessibility? My latest post shows you how to set the reading order of a PDF using Foxit PDF Editor. By mastering the Tags and the Content and Order panels, you can create fully accessible, user-friendly PDFs that meet compliance standards. Join my digital accessibility community.
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 Lite 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 free Echobatix Lite app for iPhone offers text accessibility within reach. Read touch screens at your fingertip and read text on objects in your hand. This free app uses technology from the Echobatix subscription app already in the App Store.
We combine hand detection with optical character recognition so that you can interact quickly with text. No WiFi or cell connection is required. Our quick intro video for Echobatix Lite is on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/VswO3vB0oCQ.
If you have difficulty reading text, or if you find touch screens and product labels completely inaccessible, give the Echobatix Lite 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!
To download and try the free Echobatix Lite app, click this link: https://apple.co/47j1WLo.
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 📧️
About: Fable is an accessibility platform powered by people with disabilities, connecting them to accessibility managers, user researchers, designers, and developers to build accessible user experiences.
Opportunities:
➜ Accessibility Tester: Testers drive meaningful change in digital accessibility by sharing feedback on the websites and apps of the companies that care. As a Tester, earn a competitive tech industry wage, learn valuable transferrable skills, and grow your career. Fable is looking for assistive technology users in the US or Canada to work the hours that they want, completely from home. No experience or resume required.
➜ Survey Respondent: Survey Respondents enjoy a remote, low-commitment income opportunity, all while contributing to accessibility research. Surveys are typically sent out once a month, and you can earn $5 to $50 per survey. Apply today if you identify as having a disability and live in the US or Canada. You do not need to use assistive technology to apply.
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
Beginning now through September, Selvas BLV is offering a FREE Turtleback case with every SensePlayer or Braille eMotion purchased. Get yours today and enjoy the SensePlayer or Braille eMotion on the go, worry free!
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.
Join: Waiting List 📋️
Sponsor Since: Today 📅️
Website: https://toptechtidbits.com/sponsor 🌐️
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 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 🗞️
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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.
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Publisher Since: June 4, 2020
Location: Mayfield Heights, Ohio
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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.
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Email: publisher@toptechtidbits.com 📧️
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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.
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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)
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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)
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Access and Technology Advisor
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Editor Since: February 6, 2023
Location: Central Coast, New South Wales, Australia
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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)
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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
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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
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Web Accessibility Specialist / IT Quality Assurance Tester
Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges 🌐
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