A roundtable discussion featuring Steven Scott, Shaun Preece, Shelly Brisbin, and Carrie Morales delves into Apple's WWDC 2025 announcements. The team provides critical insights on updates across iOS, macOS, and watchOS, while emphasizing accessibility challenges arising from new features, including the innovative "liquid glass" design and the capabilities of Apple Intelligence.
What happens when the world's most relentless blind change-maker joins a trusted news engine traveling at 40,000 AT subscribers per week? You get a seriously turbo-charged Tidbits. Today I'm thrilled to welcome Dr. Kirk Adams, PhD leader, lifelong cane traveler, and unapologetic inclusion evangelist, as our newest volunteer Editor. His four decades of lived, led, and rigorously researched AT experience aren't just résumé glitter; they're kinetic energy aimed straight at your inbox.
Discover the groundbreaking Observo app, designed for the BlindShell Classic 3, empowering visually impaired users through advanced AI object recognition. This innovative tool identifies everyday objects, enhancing independence and confidence when navigating various environments.
In this AppleVis Extra episode, David Nason and Thomas Domville (AnonyMouse) interview Sarah Herrlinger, senior director of Global Accessibility Policy and Initiatives at Apple. They explore Apple's ongoing dedication to accessibility, spotlighting exciting new features designed to better support users with disabilities. The conversation covers several highlights, including Accessibility Nutrition Labels, Braille Access Mode, Magnifier for Mac, and the role of AI in accessibility enhancements.
Apple announced innovative accessibility features set to debut later this year, including Accessibility Nutrition Labels on the App Store, a new Magnifier app for Mac, and Braille Access for users. These updates emphasize Apple's commitment to enhance accessibility across its devices and services, ensuring inclusivity for all users.
This tutorial by TAG demonstrates how to upload, caption, edit, and share videos using Canvas Studio, providing a step-by-step guide for enhancing video accessibility.
Steven Scott and Shaun Preece engage with the Double Tap audience to address crucial discussions surrounding mental health, blind identity, and the need for better accessibility in technology. Listener experiences and insights shed light on the importance of funding for mental health services specifically for the blind community, highlighting both challenges and recent achievements in tech accessibility.
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This article outlines, 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.
At WWDC 2025, Apple introduced several new features while notably neglecting significant updates for Siri, a cornerstone of its AI offerings. Despite promises of a more personal assistant, many previously announced features remain delayed, raising concerns over Apple's competitiveness in the rapidly advancing AI landscape.
iOS 26 introduces a plethora of hidden features that may have been overlooked during Apple's WWDC 2025 keynote. Notable additions include custom snooze lengths for alarms, enhanced dialogue in Apple Podcasts, and the ability to select partial text in Messages, greatly improving user experience.
Apple's WWDC 2025 introduced significant advancements, notably in AI with Apple Intelligence, emphasizing user privacy. Key updates include a radical redesign of iOS 26 with Liquid Glass, smarter CarPlay features, and enhanced communication tools across devices.
One of the most powerful ways an iPhone has changed my life is through making books accessible and portable. This month's lecture is all about how to acquire and read eBooks and audiobooks using your iPhone. Accessible digital libraries, small publishers, and large outlets such as Apple and Amazon make books available in digital form. Apps on your iPhone like Kindle, Audible, Voice Dream Reader, and others let you take full advantage of these books. While it's impossible to cover everything, I'll attempt to give you an idea how things work and give you an idea of the lay of the land. Just in time for a Summer of portable and accessible reading.
Here APH.org introduces the Cosmic Number Lines App, an accessible iOS game designed for early elementary students who are blind or low vision, offering eight structured levels that develop number line concepts through interactive space-themed adventures, enhanced by features like the split tap gesture and full VoiceOver support to promote spatial awareness and inclusive classroom collaboration.
Carter has released version 2025.06.05 of the AI Content Describer add-on for NVDA, introducing zero-config GPT-4 setup, unlimited follow-ups, and a leaner codebase, with future support planned for Gemini 2.5 Pro, Grok3, and O1.
Photosymbols has launched EasyMaker, an AI-powered tool co-designed with users with learning disabilities, that transforms complex content into easy-read formats — combining simplified language and tailored visuals into PDFs, audio, Plain English, mobile and web formats. The tool's custom image generator and user-informed language model aim to make accessible communication a default, particularly in health, education and public services.
Here Inclusivepublishing.org presents insights from a webinar exploring the integration of AI in accessible publishing, featuring discussions on tools like Impelsys' MONK platform for alt text generation, Highcharts' AI-assisted data visualization, and Microsoft's Seeing AI app, emphasizing the necessity of human oversight to ensure accuracy and context in accessibility solutions.
An evaluation of recent local large language models (LLMs) for generating accurate alt-text concludes that while some, like Qwen 2.5 VL and Gemma 3, have improved, they still cannot fully match the accuracy of cloud-based models like GPT-4 and Claude 3.5 for large-scale use.
This article explores the importance of providing accessible alternatives for synchronized media to accommodate individuals with vision and hearing impairments. It highlights various testing methods, including automated, AI-based, and manual testing approaches, discussing their advantages and limitations in evaluating transcript effectiveness and completeness.
Tips, Tutorials, Guides, Reviews, Walk-Throughs and How-To's 📚️
With a blend of humor and insight, hosts Steven Scott and Shaun Preece explore Apple's latest WWDC 2025 announcements, offering fresh perspectives on Siri's potential and the evolving landscape of voice assistants. Listener feedback adds depth, addressing challenges with accessibility technologies and the importance of meaningful user engagement in tech development.
Here Dexter Thomas profiles Ross Minor, a blind gamer and advocate who consults on major titles and uses streaming platforms to push for accessibility standards in game development. Shot in the head by his father as a young boy, Ross Minor lost his eyesight at 8 years old. Today, he's a hardcore gamer who runs YouTube and Twitch channels and consults for big studios. This is not — necessarily — an inspirational story.
How can visually impaired individuals access meaningful careers in digital accessibility? Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Tanner Gers, CEO of AccessAbility Officer, about their training program that certifies blind professionals, providing them with real-world skills, apprenticeships, and employment opportunities in digital accessibility testing.
HumanWare has released version 1.5 of its Victor Stream 3 software, introducing features like note renaming, extended recording limits for mp3 and flac formats, Bookshare API 2.0 support, bookmark alerts, improved internet radio search, and enhanced Bluetooth volume control functionality.
Blazie Technologies has released a major June 2025 update for the BT Speak, introducing a redesigned, easier-to-navigate menu system and significant enhancements to Braille support, including updated translation tables, improved back translation accuracy, and a more intuitive user experience for Wi-Fi and language settings.
Blazie Technologies has released the third edition of the BT Speak users' manual, featuring updates for the streamlined menu system and expanded content on using the editor and file browser, now accessible from the device and downloadable as a markdown file from their website.
A roundtable discussion featuring Steven Scott, Shaun Preece, Shelly Brisbin, and Carrie Morales delves into Apple's WWDC 2025 announcements. The team provides critical insights on updates across iOS, macOS, and watchOS, while emphasizing accessibility challenges arising from new features, including the innovative "liquid glass" design and the capabilities of Apple Intelligence.
In a transformative announcement, leaders from InnoSearch.ai and the National Federation of the Blind unveil a partnership dedicated to enhancing digital accessibility for blind and low-vision users. This collaboration not only aims to create more intuitive online shopping experiences with AI innovation but also reinforces the advocacy efforts to support the rights of blind individuals.
The Case for Vision is a Kickstarter campaign designed to make assistive technology more accessible and affordable for individuals with vision loss. It transforms smartphones into powerful, hands-free magnifiers and aims to bridge the accessibility gap in assistive tech.
The Release Candidate of NVDA 2025.1 has been released for testing, with users encouraged to provide feedback. This version includes new features like NVDA Remote Access and improvements in speech technology, as well as new braille translation capabilities.
Jackie Brown shares her experience of using the Monarch, a multiline Braille display that allows readers to access text and tactile diagrams. Despite some initial technical issues, she emphasizes the device's potential to enhance educational opportunities for blind students through tactile interaction with complex data and images.
Steven Scott and Shaun Preece continue their impactful coverage from the Inclusive Africa Conference 2025, featuring discussions on global accessibility standards, digital inclusion, and efforts to empower youth with disabilities. Notable insights come from advocacy leaders addressing societal challenges, the importance of representation, and innovative training programs aimed at combating poverty and crime through technology.
Explore the capabilities of the Tandem app on the BlindShell Classic 3, designed to provide remote support for the blind and visually impaired. The app enables trusted assistants to guide users through troubleshooting, menu navigation, and feature exploration, ensuring independence and real-time assistance in a user-friendly manner.
I've been a user of Mastodon for around two and a half years and, for several reasons, it's my favorite social media platform. While it's true that many blind people have embraced Mastodon, I want to offer what I hope is a balanced perspective on this topic. Mastodon started in 2016. It was and is known as a decentralized platform. This is different from sites like X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, etc., which are centralized, meaning that there's just one central place where you go to set up an account and to interact with others who use the service. As an example, if you want to interact with others on Facebook, you do this by opening facebook.com in your Web browser of choice. With Mastodon, there isn't just one Web site that you visit to set up your Mastodon account. Instead, there are various servers that you can visit, with each server being operated independently by the owner of the server and hosting his or her own unique community. By the way, servers are often referred to as instances.
Publisher (Di Blasi): We love RSS too. Here are the RSS links for each publication. Top Tech Tidbits RSS Feed: https://www.toptechtidbits.com/rss.xml | Access Information News RSS Feed: https://www.accessinformationnews.com/rss.xml | AI-Weekly RSS Feed: https://ai-weekly.ai/feed/ | Title II Today: https://title2.info/feed/. HowToGeek.com: RSS provides a modern alternative to traditional news sources and social media, offering a straightforward way to stay updated on various topics without distractions. This article highlights the simplicity and advantages of RSS over other news delivery methods, emphasizing personalized content access and convenience.
Apple has unveiled significant new accessibility features for iOS, macOS, iPadOS, watchOS, and VisionOS, aimed at enhancing the experience for users with visual impairments, hearing loss, and other disabilities. Key developments include accessibility nutrition labels, Live Captions on Apple Watch, and notable improvements for the Apple Vision Pro.
Brian Fischler demonstrates how to effectively label photos with image descriptions on iOS, offering a reliable method that avoids the usual frustrations of disappearing annotations.
Hadley team members offer insights, practical tools, and favorite apps aimed at simplifying the shopping experience for individuals with vision loss, drawing from Hadley's resources and workshops.
Steven and Shaun bring insights from the Inclusive Africa Conference in Nairobi, featuring motivational speaker Palesa Mosiea, who shares her journey advocating for disabled talent. Maxine Williams from Meta discusses blind users' engagement with smart glasses, while Christopher Patnoe from Google explores the role of AI tools in enhancing accessibility across Africa.
Alvarita Benedito, a talented artist and disability rights advocate, addresses the stigma surrounding disabilities in Namibia while sharing her journey through art and advocacy. She highlights the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities and emphasizes the need for systemic change in education and infrastructure to promote inclusivity.
Julius Mbura reveals the transformative potential of youth-led disability innovation in Kenya through inABLE, as he articulates the significance of assistive tech labs and advocates for inclusive education. Highlighting the forthcoming Disability Act of 2025, he underscores the strategic role of AI in bridging accessibility gaps and fostering entrepreneurial opportunities for the disabled community.
Refiloehape Sesinyi, also known as Fifi, addresses critical issues facing students with disabilities in Lesotho, including limited school resources and exclusionary policies. She shares her personal journey of overcoming these challenges and emphasizes the vital roles of technology, mentorship, and support systems in fostering inclusive education and leadership among youth.
WHO/Europe has launched a free guide that offers a practical framework to help countries and stakeholders improve access to assistive technology (AT), through better understanding of AT markets and targeted interventions to address market shortcomings. Released with funding from ATscale, the Global Partnership for Assistive Technology, the new 'Guide For Assistive Technology Market Assessment And Shaping' is designed for all stakeholders working to scale up access to assistive products and services.
Here The Document Foundation highlights the release of LibreOffice 25.2.4, a maintenance update for the 25.2 family across Windows, macOS, and Linux, delivering dozens of fixes and enhancements to performance, reliability, and file format interoperability ahead of LibreOffice 24.8's end-of-life.
BT Speak users can now access over 56,000 radio stations through the device's tuner by simply refreshing the station database, eliminating the need for a software update.
The Inclusive Africa Conference 2025 in Nairobi features impactful dialogues on assistive technology, educational access, and the future of disability inclusion across Africa. Key voices like Julius Mbura and Alvarita Benedito share insights on advocacy and the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities in the region.
Liblouis 3.34.0 introduces major enhancements to braille translation tables, including support for three Classical/Biblical Hebrew standards, a new Thai Grade 2 contracted braille table, and significant updates to Lithuanian, Hungarian, Dutch, Norwegian, and Turkish braille tables, alongside technical improvements like macOS universal binary support and streamlined documentation packaging.
Envision demonstrates how its AI assistant Ally can interpret and describe internet memes, making them fully accessible to blind and low vision users who previously struggled to engage with this pervasive form of digital culture.
NV Access has released NVDA 2025.1beta10, introducing features like Remote Access, enhanced speech responsiveness for SAPI voices, improved braille display support including native selection in Chrome and Edge, and a revamped Add-on Store update system, while noting that this version breaks compatibility with add-ons made for NVDA 2024.4.2 and earlier.
This article addresses the complexities of translating web content that supports multiple languages, particularly in terms of accessibility. It outlines key HTML and ARIA attributes that must be translated, provides examples of hidden text that requires localization, and emphasizes best practices for ensuring assistive technologies can properly interpret translated elements.
Here the Internet Archive and Authors Alliance launch “Future Knowledge,” a podcast hosted by Chris Freeland and Dave Hansen, featuring conversations with authors, librarians, policymakers, technologists, and artists. Episodes dive into pressing topics like copyright history, AI's global role, and intellectual property in the digital era.
Uber has launched new features tailored for older adults, including senior accounts managed by family members and a simplified app interface, aiming to improve mobility and independence for aging users.
Here APH.org highlights the APH Tactile Graphic Image Library (TGIL), a free resource offering over 2,500 embosser-ready templates spanning subjects from math and science to pop culture, aimed at bridging the information gap for blind and visually impaired individuals by promoting tactile image literacy and enhancing access to visual content.
Here Tavip.org.uk features Stuart Lawler from Sight and Sound Technology discussing the latest AI-driven accessibility tools, including Picture Smart in JAWS, the Ally app from Envision, and updates on WeWalk 2 and NOA by Biped, alongside reflections on his personal journey with assistive technology.
Here Tavip.org.uk features Steve Nutt from Computer Room Services leading a masterclass on Android accessibility, offering insights into the platform's features and apps designed to assist visually impaired users.
Here Accessibleandroid.com evaluates the Motorola Razr Plus 2024's accessibility features, noting its strong performance with TalkBack and the benefits of its foldable design, while also highlighting areas where accessibility could be improved.
Help Tech has released firmware version 2.2 for the Activator Braille display, re-enabling screen reader control via the 5-way button during Braille-HID connections, optimizing internal power supply for USB-C SmartDock compatibility, and improving file transfer stability over USB using TFTP.
Kai Wong and Asha Sachdeva delivered an engaging talk on championing digital accessibility, emphasizing the importance of advocacy, tailored training, and embedding accessibility into team cultures. They stressed the role of empathy, communication, and community building in driving effective change towards more inclusive digital spaces.
This article shares best practices for building accessible applications using Next.js, emphasizing the importance of integrating accessibility into the development process from the start. It provides practical approaches such as using semantic HTML, ensuring keyboard accessibility, leveraging ARIA roles, and incorporating localization to create inclusive web experiences.
The blog post expresses concerns about the Trump Administration's potential rollback of crucial digital accessibility regulations, particularly those pertaining to the new Title II web accessibility rule. It highlights the implications of recent actions taken against disability rights and calls for public comments to oppose these changes.
The U.S. Department of Energy is proposing significant changes to accessibility regulations that have been in place for over forty years, which could impact how new buildings are constructed for disability access. This rollback threatens basic civil rights for disabled individuals and highlights the broader implications for digital accessibility as well.
Documentary filmmakers are highlighting innovations at the crossroads of disability and technology, showcasing tools like brain — computer interfaces and redesigned wheelchairs that transform lives.
This article emphasizes the importance of cognitive accessibility in user experience, highlighting that user interfaces should cater to diverse cognitive patterns and reduce mental strain for all users. A senior accessibility engineer provides insights and practical tips that align COGA objectives with WCAG 2.2 guidelines, aiming to improve the usability of digital products for individuals with cognitive disabilities and beyond.
This article highlights emerging ARIA attributes and roles that enhance web accessibility, including aria-errormessage and aria-description, as well as their support status across various screen readers. It emphasizes the importance of staying updated with these features as browser compatibility evolves.
This article critiques the <col> and <colgroup> elements in HTML, discussing their complexities, potential for causing accessibility issues, and the confusing nature of their implementation. It suggests that simpler table structures with straightforward headers are more effective for communication, especially for users relying on screen readers.
Here Accessibleandroid.com provides an early assessment of One UI 8.0 Beta 1 on Galaxy S25 devices, highlighting enhancements in Samsung TalkBack 16, including improved gesture navigation and braille display support, while noting areas needing refinement in the accessibility experience.
9:00 AM PT, 10:00 AM MT, 11:00 AM CT, 12:00 PM ET, 4:00 PM GMT
Join Vispero for a one-hour webinar highlighting 50 years of Optelec innovation in assistive technology, featuring a live demonstration of the ClearView C Speech desktop video magnifier. Presenters Joseph McDaniel, Shelly Klure, and guest speaker Cory Hanosh will explore how this technology boosts independence and productivity for individuals with visual impairments.
Join the 8th Annual Accessibility Summer Camp, a one-day digital conference dedicated to advancing accessibility in education and professional spaces. Experts will lead sessions on digital accessibility, inclusive teaching practices, software tutorials, and creating a culture of accessibility. Live captions and ASL interpretation will be available, ensuring an inclusive experience for all attendees. Registration is now open, with a $15 attendance fee.
10:00 AM PT, 11:00 AM MT, 12:00 PM CT, 1:00 PM ET, 5:00 PM GMT
Join Braille Literacy Canada for the 5th Annual Braille Symposium featuring five insightful presentations, including accessible astronomy with tactile images, a French-language session on Paris's Valentin Haüy Museum, updates on the Marrakesh Treaty, a celebration of the Braille Challenge, and a global look at eBraille initiatives.
7:00 AM PT, 8:00 AM MT, 9:00 AM CT, 10:00 AM ET, 2:00 PM GMT
ReBokeh CEO Rebecca Rosenberg introduces the See Your World app, which enhances real-time visual experiences for low vision users via smartphone cameras, followed by HumanWare's Michael Battista discussing Prodigi software for Windows, offering magnification, text-to-speech, and contrast adjustments.
2:00 AM PT, 3:00 AM MT, 4:00 AM CT, 5:00 AM ET, 9:00 AM GMT
In this webinar hosted by Enviter, Madis Päev of 7Sense introduces the SuperBrain telehaptic device, which enables blind users to perceive their environment through touch. The session explores how haptic feedback can convey spatial information like motion, speed, and distance, enhancing interaction with both people and surroundings in daily life.
10:00 AM PT, 11:00 AM MT, 12:00 PM CT, 1:00 PM ET, 5:00 PM GMT
Join Ian Ramos for a virtual tour of Envision Glasses, a lightweight, camera-equipped assistive device that reads text, recognizes faces, and conveys environmental information to visually impaired users in over 60 languages.
10:00 AM PT, 11:00 AM MT, 12:00 PM CT, 1:00 PM ET, 5:00 PM GMT
Rachel Reeves covers foundational techniques for building accessible Word documents that convert more cleanly to PDFs, including structure, headings, lists, and styles.
The National Federation of the Blind hosts its 2025 National Convention from July 8 — 13 in New Orleans, offering a week of networking, informative sessions, and advocacy. In-person and virtual registration options are available, with programming that includes a career fair, childcare, and volunteer opportunities such as ambassador and support service provider roles.
10:00 AM PT, 11:00 AM MT, 12:00 PM CT, 1:00 PM ET, 5:00 PM GMT
Ian Ramos leads a virtual tour of the newest Envision Glasses capabilities, including GPT-4-powered features designed for natural-language interaction.
10:00 AM PT, 11:00 AM MT, 12:00 PM CT, 1:00 PM ET, 5:00 PM GMT
Rachel Reeves details the steps for converting accessible Word files into fully accessible PDFs, including manual tag cleanup and final fixes in Adobe Acrobat.
11:00 AM PT, 12:00 AM MT, 1:00 PM CT, 2:00 PM ET, 5:00 PM GMT
Discover how ChatGPT Advanced Voice Mode empowers blind and low-vision users with real-time emotional AI, voice interaction, and visual grounding. Join Dr. Kirk Adams and Aaron Di Blasi for a groundbreaking demo and learn how this cutting-edge tech enhances accessibility, productivity, and inclusion.
Guide Dogs for the Blind and APH Career Connect present a weeklong immersive experience designed for transition-age young adults who are blind or have low vision. Hosted at the Hull Foundation & Learning Center in Sandy, Oregon, this free program explores career options, networking, mobility strategies, vocational resources, and hands-on experiences with guide dogs. Participants will engage in engaging learning opportunities while making new connections and enjoying the scenic Pacific Northwest. Applications are DUE on or before March 31, 2025. Applications received after this date will be put on a waitlist. We recommend you apply early as summer programs are popular and fill up quickly.
10:00 AM PT, 11:00 AM MT, 12:00 PM CT, 1:00 PM ET, 5:00 PM GMT
Marisa Church and Ian Ramos walk through essential file-management tasks using JAWS, including navigating File Explorer and accessing cloud storage services like OneDrive, SharePoint, and Google Drive.
2:00 PM PT, 3:00 PM MT, 4:00 PM CT, 5:00 PM ET, 9:00 PM GMT
Think AI is just hype? Think again — it's already shaping disability access, often without your voice. Join Mai Ling Chan, CCC-SLP, for a candid, interactive 1-hour session that will challenge what you think you know about AI and disability advocacy. Discover where AI is getting it wrong, how biased data and inaccessible tools are creeping into hiring, healthcare, and education, and — most importantly — how you can take back control. You'll learn practical ways to influence AI, protect yourself and your clients, and stop being sidelined by systems built without your input. Perfect for disability professionals, educators, content creators, and advocates ready to lead, not follow. Don't let AI create a future without you — step up, get informed, and be part of the solution. Reserve your spot now — and be a part of this epic event!
3:00 PM PT, 4:00 PM MT, 5:00 PM CT, 6:00 PM ET, 11:00 PM GMT
In this in-person showcase hosted by Helen Keller Services, assistive technology vendors, innovators, and users come together for a day of interactive demonstrations, in-depth discussions, and community connection focused on advancing access and independence for the blind, DeafBlind, and low vision communities.
We find ourselves navigating an era where advocacy itself seems vulnerable, caught between political pressures and financial realities. Nonprofits facing scrutiny and potential funding consequences, grapple with maintaining both their mission integrity and their financial stability. But I firmly believe these pressures should not and cannot compromise our unwavering commitment to disability rights and equality.
Strategic confidential collaborations between nonprofit organizations and industry leaders are not just possible, they are absolutely essential. By working together, quietly yet powerfully, we can safeguard our advocacy efforts and advance accessibility and disability rights without risking organizational credibility or financial security.
If we wish to preserve the progress we've made, we cannot retreat into caution or silence; extraordinary times require equally extraordinary courage and innovation.
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.
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.
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.
We find ourselves navigating an era where advocacy itself seems vulnerable, caught between political pressures and financial realities. Nonprofits facing scrutiny and potential funding consequences, grapple with maintaining both their mission integrity and their financial stability. But I firmly believe these pressures should not and cannot compromise our unwavering commitment to disability rights and equality.
Strategic confidential collaborations between nonprofit organizations and industry leaders are not just possible, they are absolutely essential. By working together, quietly yet powerfully, we can safeguard our advocacy efforts and advance accessibility and disability rights without risking organizational credibility or financial security.
If we wish to preserve the progress we've made, we cannot retreat into caution or silence; extraordinary times require equally extraordinary courage and innovation.
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.
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.
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.
We find ourselves navigating an era where advocacy itself seems vulnerable, caught between political pressures and financial realities. Nonprofits facing scrutiny and potential funding consequences, grapple with maintaining both their mission integrity and their financial stability. But I firmly believe these pressures should not and cannot compromise our unwavering commitment to disability rights and equality.
Strategic confidential collaborations between nonprofit organizations and industry leaders are not just possible, they are absolutely essential. By working together, quietly yet powerfully, we can safeguard our advocacy efforts and advance accessibility and disability rights without risking organizational credibility or financial security.
If we wish to preserve the progress we've made, we cannot retreat into caution or silence; extraordinary times require equally extraordinary courage and innovation.
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.
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.
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.
Shopping online can be hard if you're blind, visually impaired, or not tech-savvy. That's why Innosearch AI created Shop by Phone — a 100% free, voice-only service.
Just call and say what you need:
👉 “Find me a phone charger.”
👉 “Add it to my cart.”
👉 “Check out.”
No apps, no websites — just easy, hands-free shopping from over 500,000 stores.
✔ Free to use
✔ Works anywhere, anytime
✔ Perfect for seniors, blind, and low-vision users
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.
One quick win? Set the print area and hide unused rows and columns. This helps screen readers focus only on the relevant content, improving both usability and clarity.
But that's just the beginning. From using descriptive field labels to applying data validation and locking cells strategically, there's a lot you can do to make your spreadsheets inclusive and professional.
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.
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.
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.
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.
About: At Aira, we believe access to information is a human right. Aira breaks down accessibility barriers by providing on-demand video remote interpreting for both the blind and low-vision community, and the Deaf Community. People can download the Aira Explorer app or the Aira ASL app, and be instantly connected to a professional interpreter. Available 24/7/365, interpreters work with callers to facilitate more efficient communication and accomplish tasks together. Aira is proud to lead the way in delivering secure, on-demand, inclusive services that transform lives and open doors to new opportunities for all.
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.
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.
Come visit Selvas BLV at two upcoming conferences in June!
First, we will be at the Choroideremia Research Foundation (CRF) Conference June 25-28. This will take place at the Radisson Blue Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota.
Then, you can find us at the Braille N'Tech Showroom June 26-28! This will take place at USC in Los Angeles.
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.
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.
We are proud to introduce the New and Improved #ScribeForDocuments! We've given Scribe's engine quite the tune-up. The result? Remediation speed like you've never seen before, with no compromises on accuracy! Gone are the days of waiting several minutes to read your document. Upload your material to Scribe, and within a mere instant, it will be ready to read! While you read, Scribe continues plugging away at your document until it's fully remediated, at which point you can produce your very own, offline copy of the document in our wide variety of conversion formats. Never before has document accessibility been this instant! We've also given Scribe its very own browser extension, natural multilingual voices and a host of under-the-hood updates! Give it a try today at https://scribeit.io.
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.
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.
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.
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 📱️.
About: Founded in 2017 as “Double Tap Canada” on AMI-audio, Double Tap has grown into a weekday podcast, radio show and YouTube series whose tagline proudly declares it "The Podcast Where Blind People Talk Tech." Its Glasgow-based creator Steven Scott, Manchester-based producer-co-host Shaun Preece and Canadian executive producer Marc Aflalo now helm more than 600 episodes that drop every weekday at noon ET, alongside written articles and video clips on DoubleTapOnAir.com.
Each episode blends mainstream gadget news with deep dives into assistive tools, all filtered through the lived experience of blind hosts. Listener emails, voicemails and WhatsApp messages are woven into the conversation, while spin-offs such as Shaun of the Shed (beginner tutorials) and past TV projects like Access Tech Live extend the brand across platforms in partnership with Accessible Media Inc. The result is a vibrant, multi-platform ecosystem that reaches audiences via AMI-audio, every major podcast app, YouTube and even specialist players like the Victor Reader Stream.
The community's enthusiasm shows: Double Tap recently surpassed one million cumulative downloads and, in March 2025 alone, attracted nearly 27K listeners generating 38K downloads; Apple Podcasts users rate it around 4.8 / 5. Authentic insights, daily consistency and professional production continue to position Double Tap as an essential, trusted voice at the intersection of mainstream tech and accessibility.
Our Inclusive Dice Series features braille and high-contrast print side-by-side enabling blind, low-vision, and sighted players to roll together seamlessly. Available in standard or jumbo size bundles or even in a polyhedral boxed set, these dice are more than game pieces — they promote education, inclusivity, and community. Level up your game night and bring inclusive gaming to your table.
About: Inclusive Imagination engineers and manufactures universal design tabletop games and accessories that bring people together. We believe that game night should be a shared experience for everyone — especially those with sensory and physical disabilities or who are neurodivergent. By integrating access technology and universal design from the very beginning, we create games where all players can engage fully and equally — playing the same game, at the same table, together.
Designed with feedback from gamers who are blind, low vision, and sighted, this deck combines universal design with premium quality to make game night more fun — and more accessible — for all. This premium deck features our signature Colored UV Braille — tactile, vibrant, and easy to read — paired with high-contrast large print and a jumbo-sized card layout (3x5″) for easy handling and visibility. Available in Black, Blue, or Red Card back.
Bring accessible fun to every game night with Inclusive Imagination's Dice Bundles! Whether you choose the 2-Player Standard Dice Bundle or the 1-Player Jumbo Dice Bundle, you'll receive everything you need — including snappable dice trays and colorful, tactile, and high-contrast dice designed for all ages and abilities.
Our universal version of the quest-building, power-bestowing, and spell-bending polyhedral dice set. Whether delving dungeons or casting fireballs, this set brings inclusion and accessibility to the forefront of every battle in a brilliant, galactic colorway! Each set includes 8 pieces ranging from our crystal shard D4 to the behemoth D20 in a premium felt-lined box to keep your dice rolling for even the longest quests!
In addition to our physical games and tools, Inclusive Imagination offers free digital resources designed for accessibility. Our web-based gaming apps are built with adaptive switch users and screen reader users in mind, making it easy for everyone to join the fun — no downloads or logins required. It's just one more way we're working to make play truly inclusive for all.
About: Awarewolf Gear is built on innovation, resilience, and a passion for adventure — especially for those in the blind and low vision community.
Awarewolf Gear is dedicated to redefining mobility through high-performance, thoughtfully engineered canes.
With the core belief that everyone deserves to explore confidently, our mission is encapsulated in our tagline, "Power for Life's Adventure."
Our product line, community initiatives, and inspirational storytelling all work in tandem to empower users to navigate diverse terrains with ease and independence.
Design & Purpose: The All Terrain Cane was originally engineered for the rugged trails of Sedona, Arizona. Made from durable titanium alloy, it is built to handle everything from sandy beaches to rocky mountain paths. Its adjustable 16-inch handle and high-performance roller ball tip provide stability and versatility across varied surfaces.
Innovation & Versatility: Merging the rugged design of the ATC with enhancements for urban mobility, the Urban Xplorer Cane features an adjustable handle and a specially designed "Dome" cane tip. Available in multiple sizes (small, medium, large and extra-large), this lightweight, robust cane is ideal for navigating busy city streets as well as more challenging environments.
Customization & Performance: Awarewolf Gear's Cane Tips are designed to elevate your mobility experience by ensuring smooth, reliable navigation across all terrains. Crafted for both durability and style, these premium replacement tips allow users to personalize their canes while enhancing performance.
Customization & Expression: Beyond canes, Awarewolf Gear offers a range of accessories — such as colorful replacement cane tips designed for visibility and personal expression — and apparel that carry the brand's adventurous spirit.
About: At Case For Vision, we design and manufacture assistive devices, for visually impaired people or those who suffer age-related vision loss.
Purpose: Leveraging technology with precision engineering and optics. We want to return the purchasing power to people, and disrupt the existing practice by replacing expensive proprietary devices or components with ubiquitous, mass-produced, powerful smartphones, tablets, and computers.
Case For Vision ( CFV ): The first device that we have launched is built for the iPhone. Find out how Case For Vision can aid you in everyday life.
The Case For Vision is an innovative iPhone-based optical mechanical case that functions as a hands-free local or distance high-quality magnifier when used with the Case For Vision 2.0 specialized software application. Designed to resemble a standard smartphone protective case, it is a powerful magnification tool for people with vision loss.
Case for Vision comes with a Lifetime Warranty and a Free Upgrade if you get a new phone.
About: Vision Tech Academy is a website, platform and online directory dedicated to empowering blind and low-vision individuals by connecting them with trusted assistive technology educators for free.
Inspired by the legacy of John Panarese, the Academy website serves as a hub for accessible learning, offering a free directory of access educators, live and recorded courses, and resources to foster learning independence and success.
With an ongoing mission to provide high-quality, trusted, personalized training on tools like VoiceOver, JAWS, NVDA and Braille technology, Vision Tech Academy bridges the gap between technology and accessibility, ensuring inclusive and accessible education for all.
Going somewhere? Bring along our Clever travel accessories that will keep you organized and fashionable wherever your journeys take you. Our 3-piece Travel Ready Jewelry Case and Care set includes a mini zip-around jewelry box, polishing cloths, and anti-tarnish tabs to keep your jewelry sparkling all vacation long. The many colorful choices in our 3-piece makeup bag, lipstick case, and coin purse set will help you find your smaller items quickly in a tote or handbag. Headed to the NFB convention? Carry our special keytag that features a carabiner clip, a split ring for keys, a USA shaped charm braille-embossed with 2025 and a steel dog tag with the NFB motto "live the life you want" embossed in grade 2 braille. Finally, whether you'll be exhibiting, presenting, or networking, keep your calling cards, ID, or credit cards in one of our classy metal business card cases. Call +1 (702) 605-1265 or shop online at https://elegantinsightsjewelry.com. Bon voyage!
About: Elegant Insights Braille Creations, founded by Laura Legendary, offers a distinctive collection of handcrafted jewelry and accessories embossed with crisp, readable braille.
Inspired by a personal experience, Laura, who is blind, established the brand to merge style with accessibility, providing beautiful and inclusive products. Each piece is made in the USA and can often be personalized or custom-designed to meet individual preferences.
Beyond her work with Elegant Insights, Laura co-founded The Fashionability Channel podcast, which provides beauty, fashion, and lifestyle information for people with disabilities. She also maintains two blogs: the Accessible Insights Blog, offering information on products and services for individuals with low or no vision, and the Sparkle On Blog, which provides jewelry education, design trends, and style information.
Laura's dedication to accessibility and advocacy extends to her role as a speaker, author, and educator specializing in these areas. Her multifaceted efforts aim to empower individuals with disabilities, ensuring they have access to stylish, functional, and meaningful products and information.
About: Florida Vision Technology is officially celebrating its 20th anniversary. When I started in February 2000, the assistive technology industry was young, and there were just a handful of manufacturers.
Opening the business felt right, and I was ready to jump in. The biggest challenge, in the beginning, was getting a used bulky desk into the shed in my backyard, which my daughters named "Lesa Berg Kretschmer World Headquarters."
Three years later, in June of 2003, we moved into our first offsite location and opened a low vision superstore!
My pottery pieces are designed to inspire your creativity and imagination! Each piece is crafted with care, offering a unique touch to your home and dining experience. Whether you're looking for elegant dinnerware, functional art, or custom pieces, I can help you bring your vision to life. From rustic charm to modern elegance, I specialize in creating pottery that fits your personal style and elevates your dining table. Let me customize a one-of-a-kind creation that reflects your taste and enhances your space, adding beauty and warmth to every meal.
And check out the highlight of the month.
About: Access Park is your premier destination for accessible shopping.
At Access Park, we offer a curated selection of products aimed at enhancing the daily lives of persons with disabilities.
Whether you're looking for accessible tech gadgets, specialty assistive devices, or just everyday essentials, you'll find them here.
Access Park provides a shopping experience that prioritizes keyboard navigability, screen reader compatibility, and high-contrast visuals for those with visual impairments, in addition to other enhancements that provide an elevated shopping experience to users of various assistive technologies.
Access Park. Where inclusivity is always in stock. (TM)
Are you ready to advance your career in cybersecurity? The Apex Program offers a comprehensive 12-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, and quizzes, with expert instructor support every step of the way.
Get started today — Classes start on the first Monday of every month!
Don't miss this opportunity to join a diverse and inclusive workforce in the cybersecurity sector. Visit https://TheApexProgram.com to learn more and secure your spot today!
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.
About: Founded in 2004, Top Tech Tidbits is the world's leading not-for-profit access technology publication that reaches over 40,000 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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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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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 persons who are blind or low-vision.
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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.
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
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.
National Commercial Assistive Technology Advisor (1990 - Present) Vision Australia 🌐
Live the life you choose. We're here to support all Australians who are blind or have low vision.
Time Zone: Pacific Standard Time (PST/PDT) (GMT-6/GMT-7)
IIn addition to serving as an Editor to 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
Founded in 2004, Top Tech Tidbits is the world's leading not-for-profit access technology publication that reaches over 40,000 blind, low vision, deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind, neurodivergent and/or disabled professionals, educators and enthusiasts, all over the world, each week. Subscribe here.Review the most recent issues here. Access Technology broadly encompasses technologies that enable access to information and communication systems for persons with disabilities. Adaptive Technology is a subset of Access Technology designed to assist individuals in performing tasks that might otherwise be challenging due to their particular disabilities. Assistive Technology includes any device, software, or equipment that helps people work around their challenges. Top Tech Tidbits is a Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd. Publication. Publisher: Aaron Di Blasi. Editors: John Hanlin, Jenna Lang, Stephen (Alex) Marositz, Ben Moxey, David Woodbridge and Vicki Walton. Top Tech Tidbits is a sponsor, reader and advertiser supported publication.
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