In this video, Sam from The Blind Life walks you through the brand-new Detailed Responses feature for the Meta Ray-Ban Smart Glasses. This update, found in the Meta AI app accessibility settings, offers more descriptive, in-depth feedback about your surroundings, perfect for blind and visually impaired users who want richer detail than the standard brief summaries.
This Week's Featured Advertisement 🎯️
Five (5) Sponsorship Packages Currently Available. Support Free Access Technology News For Disabled Readers All Over The World While Increasing Traffic To Your Properties Each Week. Advertise in every issue.Or just one.
Join Top Tech Tidbits as a Sponsor today and begin reaching over 42,000 access technology subscribers each week, all while supporting the ongoing distribution of Top Tech Tidbits for those very same readers. Only $200 / month.
Steven and Shaun explore the transformative impact of Google Gemini and Alexa's new "Plus" mode on smart speakers, featuring insights from listeners John and David. The episode delves into the challenges of smart home integration, subscription frustrations, and the ethical concerns surrounding ever-listening devices, all from a tech-savvy perspective catered to blind and low-vision users.
Paul Martz shares his inspiring journey from vision loss to solving the Rubik's Cube, advocating for blind cubers through his innovative screen reader-friendly guide. Delve into the mechanics of tactile cubes and the cognitive benefits of cubing, while examining broader accessibility challenges in technology.
Matt Ater and Ryan Jones clarify the complexities surrounding JAWS license types and pricing adjustments, including the recent removal and reinstatement of the Home Annual subscription. They delve into the implications of price changes and discuss innovations planned for the software's 30th anniversary, along with valuable insights into how organizations select screen reader platforms.
The article reviews three leading text-to-speech AI models, emphasizing their capabilities in generating humanlike speech. It highlights the unique features and performance of ElevenLabs, Hume AI, and Descript, noting the variability in realism and expressiveness among the tools, which cater to different user needs and preferences.
Gregg Hayes presents Speakaboo, an innovative mobile app that utilizes AI to scan prescription pill bottles and audibly announce their contents. Designed for blind and senior users, this app operates offline and ensures reliable and private access to medication information without requiring special tags or hardware.
There are Five (5) Sponsorship Packages currently available. Would your product, service or message benefit from reaching over 42,000 access technology subscribers each week? For just $200 / month? If you're thinking yes, we invite you to try a Sponsorship Package with Top Tech Tidbits. The benefits are amazing and the traffic delivered to your properties each week is measurable. No obligation. Cancel anytime. When there are no Sponsorship Packages available, you can join the waiting list here.
One time advertisements are available to anyone, with or without a Sponsorship. Would your product, service or message benefit from reaching over 42,000 access technology subscribers? If you're thinking yes, we invite you to check out our one time advertising options. They are cost-effective, targeted and measurable. Scheduling is optional. Learn more today.
Next Issue: Premium Subscribers will receive their 14th issue of the Top 60 Most Clicked News Articles for April, May and June of 2025 on Monday, October 6, 2025. Back Issues: There are currently 13 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.
Use Sponsored Tidbits to reach the access technology community when you need to. Whether you are a current Sponsor or not. Drive traffic to your access product and service announcements, events, updates or fundraisers using this incredibly cost-effective and easy-to-use advertisement tool. Learn more today.
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.
With the Apple Watch Series 10, Ultra 2, and second-gen SE now available, potential buyers are overwhelmed with options. This guide analyzes key factors like durability, connectivity, and budget to help consumers select the best Apple Watch for their needs, alongside nuances in features across models.
James Warnken, a legally blind accessibility educator, shares his journey from digital marketing to advocating for accessibility. He emphasizes the importance of lived experience in accessibility design and explores how social media can be used to crowdsource insights from people with disabilities.
The Cleveland Clinic is collaborating with the startup Piramidal to create an AI model that analyzes EEG data to enhance patient monitoring in intensive care units. This model aims to swiftly identify abnormalities in brain activity, thereby improving response times and patient outcomes.
Meta has acquired WaveForms, an AI audio firm, to strengthen its AI division, Superintelligence Labs. This acquisition follows a trend of tech companies buying startups primarily for their talent and technology rather than current product success, reflecting an ongoing commitment to enhancing audio capabilities in their platforms.
An online discussion group for enthusiasts and professionals interested in smart glasses, offering a platform to share information, ideas, and developments in wearable technology.
AI systems and tools may inadvertently discriminate against individuals with disabilities, as they often rely on biased datasets that do not represent diverse user experiences. Employers are encouraged to audit and adapt their AI tools for inclusivity to prevent these biases, promoting accessible workplaces for all.
Tips, Tutorials, Guides, Reviews, Walk-Throughs and How-To's 📚️
In ZoomText, cursor enhancements make it easy to locate and follow the text cursor. Choose from several high visibility locators that mark the cursor position without obscuring the surrounding text.
Sam from The Blind Life highlights the newly launched Detailed Responses feature within the Meta AI app, designed to provide visually impaired users with richer, more descriptive feedback about their environment. This significant update enhances the usability of the Meta Ray-Ban Smart Glasses, offering an improved experience for those seeking comprehensive details beyond the existing brief summaries.
Soundscape makes its debut on Android through the efforts of the Scottish Tech Army, dedicated to enhancing accessibility in navigation. Join Steven Scott and Shaun Preece as they share insights on the groundbreaking DotPad X device and discuss critical updates around Dropbox Passwords and listener contributions regarding accessibility in technology.
Moving into a new home and community can present unique challenges for blind individuals. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey share tips and suggestions from listeners and talk about choosing accessible communities, mapping unfamiliar spaces, the importance of planning ahead and being organized, as well as about mobility techniques to ensure safety and independence.
PiccyBot, an app providing video and image descriptions for visually impaired users, now offers GPT5, GPT5-Mini, and GPT5-Nano as AI model options for Pro users. The latest iOS update also introduces copy/paste support for images, streamlining the process of obtaining descriptions without saving files or taking screenshots.
We hope you're enjoying the warm weather and the exciting activities that summer brings. As a leading provider of assistive technology solutions and accessibility services, we have some exciting updates to share with you.
NV Access has released version 2025.2 of NVDA, the free screen reader for Windows, with significant improvements in Windows 11, browse mode navigation, and Microsoft Word functionalities. This update addresses performance issues, adds support for various braille displays, and enhances language reporting features to aid users.
OneNote has introduced a long-requested feature allowing users to paste text without formatting using keyboard shortcuts. This adds convenience for users copying content from various sources, providing a streamlined method to keep text clean and consistent.
Real-time, AI-driven Braille communication has never existed in a truly portable format, until now. For DeafBlind individuals, the absence of such a tool has meant relying on expensive, tethered equipment or intermediaries to access the spoken world. BrailleGPT changes that equation. BrailleGPT is a working prototype of a standalone device that listens to live speech, processes it through an onboard AI model for context and clarity, and instantly delivers it as tactile Braille on a refreshable display. No phone, no computer, just direct, mobile access to conversations, announcements, and AI-powered information through touch. It's an ambitious leap toward a more independent, private, and inclusive future for DeafBlind communication. In this article, I'll explore why this matters, starting with the access gap that mainstream AI continues to leave wide open for the DeafBlind community. We'll break down how BrailleGPT works at a high level, why it stands apart from traditional or desk-bound devices, and introduce the young innovator behind it. You'll see where the project stands today, what's next on the road to pilot testing, and how you can get involved, whether through testing, mentorship, or partnerships that help bring this groundbreaking technology into more hands, faster.
Steven Scott and Shaun Preece engage in an insightful discussion addressing studio upgrades, the necessity of accessible Windows backup tools, and the intriguingly persistent existence of dial-up internet. They also tackle the recent backlash surrounding JAWS screen reader pricing in the UK, critiquing the implications for accessibility and exploring alternative options for home users.
Explore the advancements in home cleaning technology with Roborock's innovative vacuum that boasts a robotic arm for enhanced functionality, alongside InnoSearch's CoBrowse AI, designed to revolutionize online shopping for visually impaired users. The show features engaging discussions on accessibility, including firsthand experiences and insights from industry professionals.
Conversations with attendees at the National Federation of the Blind's Annual National Convention unveil unique insights into the diverse experiences offered. Attendees, ranging from novices to seasoned participants, recount both the exhilarating and challenging aspects of this significant event for the blind and visually impaired community.
Gail Lane, a 75-year-old woman from Victoria, B.C., regained her sight after undergoing a rare tooth-in-eye surgery, allowing her to see her partner and her service dog for the first time in ten years. The complex procedure, which replaces a patient's cornea with an implanted tooth and lens, was performed by Dr. Greg Moloney, marking a significant advancement in ophthalmic surgery in Canada.
Headquartered in South Burlington, Vermont, VABVI is the only private, nonprofit, statewide agency providing training, services and support to infants, children and adults throughout Vermont. VABVI has an annual operating budget of $4.1 million.
The successful candidate will possess a vision for the future and strive to fulfill a mission that encourages and assists blind and visually impaired people to achieve or maintain their independence and quality of life. Salary range is $120,000 to $150,000 depending on experience.
Complete details of the responsibilities and qualifications for this position, as well as the Application process are available at: https://vabvi.org/careers.
Microsoft is discontinuing its Lens scanning app, which has been popular for converting images to PDFs and other formats. The app will be officially retired on September 15, 2025, with support ending later that year, but existing scans will still be accessible as long as the app remains installed.
At Evo 2025, professional gamer BlindWarriorSven, who is visually impaired, had an emotional encounter with a cosplayer representing JP, the game's antagonist. The interaction allowed him to physically connect with the character through touch, transforming his understanding of the gameplay experience and highlighting the importance of accessibility in gaming.
Exploring the accessibility of AI-driven video description tools like Omnidescriber, Vidiscribe, and Pickybot, Steven and Shaun confront critical issues around braille literacy and technology costs. They share personal anecdotes while examining the effectiveness of screen readers versus braille technology in enhancing access for blind users.
Sound design plays a critical role in digital experiences, especially for visually impaired users who rely on auditory feedback for navigation and interaction. Thoughtful integration of meaningful sounds can enhance accessibility and provide essential information, contrasting with the common use of generic beeps that offer no context.
Have you ever wondered what it is like to lose all or a part of your vision? How can you manage your fear of losing your independence, and what adaptations will you need to make? When I was diagnosed with a degenerative retinal disease at age 47, a blind friend told me that I can still do everything that I previously did but that I may need to do it in a different way or with assistance. And audiobooks, of course, are a vital way for people with impaired vision to keep literature in their lives. The following six audiobook memoirs confirm that blind and visually impaired persons can lead full and productive lives.
A new assistive technology device has been developed to enable blind individuals to perceive facial expressions of others. This innovative device leverages sensors and algorithms to translate visual cues into haptic feedback, providing a new way for users to engage in social interactions.
The Release Candidate (RC) of NVDA 2025.2 is now ready for download and testing, encouraging user feedback for improvement. Key enhancements include improved support for Windows 11 and accessibility in Microsoft Word, alongside several other fixes and performance optimizations.
Hadley highlights five free, easy-to-use apps designed to assist individuals with vision loss in managing everyday tasks, offering a supportive starting point for those new to vision loss or smartphone use.
Making the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) easy to understand, one success criterion at a time. This is a beginner-friendly guide, not a replacement for the official WCAG.
HumanWare released a hotfix for Victor Reader Stream 3, addressing issues with exporting multiple podcasts, downloading braille books from BARD, user guide deletion, notes numbering, and Daisy 2 book text switching. The update also extends the Bookshare download timeout to one hour to accommodate larger books with images.
Amazon has rapidly disabled the new Assistive Reader feature for Kindle e-readers shortly after its release. This accessibility function, which utilized a text-to-speech feature with word highlighting, was removed due to potential issues, with users speculating that it may return after further development.
We're excited to share a major update to how you can buy and use JAWS, ZoomText, and Fusion: all three are now available through a flexible subscription model.
Andrew Flatres of HumanWare confirmed that the Monarch is fully screen reader-ready, now supporting NVDA and soon to have native JAWS compatibility through a partnership with Vispero. The latest update introduces the Wing-It iOS app for creating and sending tactile graphics in real time, and TactileView will soon launch Monarch Mode for greater flexibility in dynamic tactile display content creation.
Doug Lee released TeamTalk JAWS Script revision 462, featuring improvements to Insert+Up for SayLine, the [ C command for moving to the channel tree, and added documentation for Ctrl+F6 to toggle Question mode.
A groundbreaking Braille technology, the Dotpad, was introduced to members of the Sabah Society for the Blind by Joseph Stephen, a blind software engineer. This device features a full Braille screen, allowing users to see multiple lines of Braille characters at once, transforming accessibility for visually impaired individuals.
The Accessibility Alert Toggle extension for Visual Studio Code enables users to switch between quiet and normal accessibility alert modes using a hotkey. Ideal for screen reader users, it offers automatic management of accessibility settings and ensures seamless toggling of notification volumes.
This article explores how individuals with disabilities, including blind, deaf, and motor-impaired users, navigate the web and highlights the importance of accessibility in digital design. Understanding these experiences can lead to more inclusive web practices that enhance autonomy and equal access for all users.
Tech Freedom is an assistive technology platform designed for visually impaired individuals, providing features including video descriptions through artificial intelligence. This functionality allows users to access and understand video content independently by converting visuals into descriptive text.
This overview highlights common assistive technologies used by individuals with disabilities affecting vision, hearing, movement, and cognition, emphasizing how these tools and adaptive strategies enhance accessibility and inclusion. It underscores the importance of various assistive technologies in facilitating independence and participation in society.
This article provides a detailed guide on creating audio description VTT files without needing expensive tools. It outlines how to fix timings in the audio descriptions and how to use YouTube's subtitle editor to create and export these files effectively.
The BBC has launched a new audio service outside the UK, providing access to live radio stations and a vast library of podcasts. This change includes a transition from BBC Sounds, which will close for international users, while options for listening to BBC Radio 4 and BBC World Service remain accessible online and via the BBC app.
4:00 PM PT, 5:00 PM MT, 6:00 PM CT, 7:00 PM ET, 11:00 PM GMT
Join NLS for an in-depth look at updates to the BARD platform, including current features across all BARD platforms and upcoming developments. The session begins with a presentation followed by an open Q&A covering both the presentation and any other BARD-related topics.
10:00 AM PT, 11:00 AM MT, 12:00 PM CT, 1:00 PM ET, 5:00 PM GMT
In this four-hour, accessibility-focused training from Blind Information Technology Specialists, participants will learn to install, configure, and master Visual Studio Code from the ground up. The session covers everything from accessibility setup and file management to extensions, Markdown, and AI-assisted coding with GitHub Copilot, designed specifically for blind and low-vision users.
10:00 AM PT, 11:00 AM MT, 12:00 PM CT, 1:00 PM ET, 5:00 PM GMT
Fable presents a foundational session exploring the impact of accessibility testing with real users. Discover how assistive technology works in daily life, why human insight is crucial beyond automated tools, and how inclusive testing can be integrated into your workflow through small, actionable steps.
6:00 PM PT, 7:00 PM MT, 8:00 PM CT, 9:00 PM ET, 1:00 AM GMT
Innosearch wraps up the Game Nights series with a surprise finale challenge, rewarding top performers, most referrals, and consistent attendees with bonus credits and cash prizes. Full details here. Questions? Email us at support@innosearch.ai 📧️.
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!
10:00 AM PT, 11:00 AM MT, 12:00 PM CT, 1:00 PM ET, 5:00 PM GMT
Join Rachel Reeves to learn how to test PDF documents for accessibility using JAWS. This session outlines both automated and manual testing strategies aligned with WCAG requirements to ensure digital content meets accessibility standards.
9:00 AM PT, 10:00 AM MT, 11:00 AM CT, 12:00 PM ET, 4:00 PM GMT
In this free webinar, Brian Elton, Practice Manager of Training at TPGi, explains the purpose and benefits of the Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT), addressing what information it contains, whether it applies beyond websites, and how organizations can create or obtain one. Participants will gain clarity on best practices for documenting accessibility and determining whether to develop VPATs in-house or with third-party support.
9:00 AM PT, 10:00 AM MT, 11:00 AM CT, 12:00 PM ET, 4:00 PM GMT
In this live webinar from Freedom Scientific, presenters Elizabeth Whitaker and Rachel Buchanan share six strategies for accessing, reading, and interacting with PDFs more efficiently using JAWS. Learn how to optimize Adobe Acrobat Reader settings, improve navigation, and apply practical techniques for both school and workplace accessibility.
9:00 AM PT, 10:00 AM MT, 11:00 AM CT, 12:00 PM ET, 4:00 PM GMT
Learn how to improve your efficiency when working with Portable Document Format (PDF) files using JAWS in this webinar from Freedom Scientific. The session covers multiple methods to access, read, and interact with PDFs, along with tips for optimizing Adobe Acrobat Reader settings for smoother navigation in educational and workplace environments.
12:00 PM PT, 1:00 PM MT, 2:00 PM CT, 3:00 PM ET, 7:00 PM GMT
Join guest speaker Kevin Chao for a live Zoom session exploring Echo Vision Smart Glasses, the first AI-powered eyewear designed by and for the blind to provide real-time audio descriptions of the visual world. Learn about features such as live descriptive assistance, hands-free remote support, OCR book reading mode, open-ear Bluetooth, and AI-driven navigation tools. | Zoom Meeting ID: 835 8160 5488 | Passcode: 182630
5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 1AM GMT
Selvas BLV's Earle Harrison and Hims' Jenny Axler showcase the newest features of the BrailleSense 6 Android tablet and Braille eMotion smart display during this free, one-hour evening webinar.
9:00 AM PT, 10:00 AM MT, 11:00 AM CT, 12:00 PM ET, 4:00 PM GMT
David Sloan, Chief Accessibility Officer at Vispero, and Erik Ducker, Senior Director of Product Marketing at 3Play Media, share insights on ADA Title II compliance for public entities. This session offers a plain-language guide to understanding requirements, building an actionable compliance roadmap, and adopting tools and strategies to make digital content fully accessible.
10:00 AM PT, 11:00 AM MT, 12:00 PM CT, 1:00 PM ET, 5:00 PM GMT
Assistive Technology Specialists Mark Schaffer and Ian Ramos explain how to enhance email workflows using JAWS and Microsoft Outlook, covering custom rules, email management techniques, and creating professional signatures.
11AM PT, 12PM MT, 1PM CT, 2PM ET, 6PM GMT
In this live webinar, Dr. Kirk Adams and Paolo Gaudiano of Aleria demonstrate how data-driven tools like the Inclusion Impact Calculator can expose the hidden costs of exclusion and reveal measurable returns from disability inclusion, offering leaders clear, actionable steps to drive competitive advantage through evidence-based workplace equity.
3:00 PM PT, 4:00 PM MT, 5:00 PM CT, 6:00 PM ET, 10:00 PM GMT
Earle Harrison and Antonio Guimaraes provide an overview of SELVAS BLV's productivity tools, including Braille tablets, Braille displays, and multimedia devices designed for seamless use and accessibility.
6:00 AM PT, 7:00 AM MT, 8:00 AM CT, 9:00 AM ET, 1:00 PM GMT
In this two-day hybrid gathering, Gallaudet University's Technology Access Program showcases cutting-edge research on caption quality, hearing-technology accessibility and sign-language innovation, featuring keynotes, breakout discussions and student presentations aimed at advancing equitable communication tools for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community.
1:00 PM PT, 2:00 PM MT, 3:00 PM CT, 4:00 PM ET, 8:00 PM GMT
Disability advocate and civic leader Nico Meyering shares his lived experience with orphan disease and navigating inaccessible systems toward impactful leadership. Drawing from his work in reshaping civic institutions, Nico offers practical insights on building power, forging coalitions, and creating inclusive spaces where Disabled people lead, thrive, and belong.
9:00 AM PT, 10:00 AM MT, 11:00 AM CT, 12:00 PM ET, 4:00 PM GMT & 1:00 PM PT, 2:00 PM MT, 3:00 PM CT, 4:00 PM ET, 8:00 PM GMT
Nicole Demos shares her personal journey of trauma and healing in Finland, highlighting the importance of self-care, advocacy, and safe spaces. Later, Nancy Williams-Nettles examines how racism and ableism intersect, creating unique challenges for people of color with disabilities, and explores ways to foster inclusive, justice-driven approaches.
4:00 PM PT, 5:00 PM MT, 6:00 PM CT, 7:00 PM ET, 11:00 PM GMT
Panelists Nico Meyering, Nancy Williams-Nettles, and Jesse Schwartzman discuss practical ways to engage in community advocacy, both politically and non-politically. They share strategies for using personal experiences to drive change and highlight the power of active participation in shaping more inclusive communities.
1:00 PM PT, 2:00 PM MT, 3:00 PM CT, 4:00 PM ET, 8:00 PM GMT
Led by Dr. Joel Snyder, this five-day virtual training from the American Council of the Blind offers an in-depth introduction to the theory, techniques, and applications of audio description. Attendees will gain practical skills through lectures, discussions, and collaborative sessions, and receive a certificate of completion along with a training manual.
5:00 PM PT, 6:00 PM MT, 7:00 PM CT, 8:00 PM ET, 12:00 AM GMT
Nicole Demos guides participants through strategies for fostering belonging, equity, and empathy by using inclusive language and practicing genuine allyship. Attendees will explore how words and actions can work together to make accessibility and inclusivity an everyday reality.
5:00 PM PT, 6:00 PM MT, 7:00 PM CT, 8:00 PM ET, 12:00 AM GMT
Margaux Sorenson examines how violence disproportionately impacts people with disabilities, the systemic barriers to reporting, and the historical roots of ableism. The session highlights advocacy efforts centering disabled survivors and explores ways to promote safety, equity, and justice for all.
9:00 AM PT, 10:00 AM MT, 11:00 AM CT, 12:00 PM ET, 4:00 PM GMT
In this two-day, expert-led online program from WebAIM, participants will learn essential and advanced web accessibility practices to ensure compliance with international guidelines and legal requirements. Designed for developers, designers, and accessibility professionals, the training covers WCAG principles, assistive technology use, inclusive design for various disabilities, evaluation techniques, and offers a complimentary document accessibility course.
12:00 AM PT, 1:00 AM MT, 2:00 AM CT, 3:00 AM ET, 8:00 AM GMT
The International Neurology Conference 2025 is a flagship hybrid event hosted by PubScholars Group on November 15-16, 2025, at the Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Orlando (5800 Universal Blvd, Orlando, FL) and streamed online.
The conference explores "Mind-Brain Connection: Understanding Neuroscience through Mental Health," aiming to integrate cutting-edge science with clinical relevance. Who Should Attend: Neurologists, neurosurgeons, neuroscientists, psychologists, rehabilitation professionals, engineers, industry leaders, students, and allied health practitioners. Important Dates & times: Abstract Submission Deadline: September 15, 2025. Registration Deadline: September 30, 2025. Event Timing: November 15, 2025 (8 AM start) - November 16, 2025 (6 PM close). Format: Hybrid Event (In-person & Virtual. Contact Person: Richard A. Email: info@pubscholars.org 📧️. Phone: +91 7042134266 📱️. Venue: Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Orlando, 5800 Universal Blvd, Orlando, FL 32819, USA.
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.
Thank you for your interest in participating in our study on accessible data structure representations for blind and visually impaired (BVI) computer science learners. This short form will help us determine eligibility and schedule sessions. All information will be kept confidential. Participants will receive a $40 gift card after completing a 60-minute session. If you choose to participate in person, you may receive up to an additional $30 to help with transportation costs. You can read more details about the study in this document here. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Brianna Wimer at blwimer@uw.edu 📧️.
At NV Access we are always interested in understanding the satisfaction of our NVDA users. Plus we like to understand clearly what is important to you and also identify what we can do more effectively. We encourage you to complete the NVDA Satisfaction Survey 2025 to assist us with improving the NVDA user experience. It is a short, three question survey, which is anonymous and does not require signing in.
Monash University is conducting a study to explore how blind and low vision individuals use generative AI tools for travel planning and navigation, comparing their effectiveness with traditional orientation and mobility methods. Participants will complete a brief survey with the option to join a follow-up interview and enter a gift card draw.
As artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots and apps become more commonplace, we want to hear from you! We invite you to fill out our survey to tell us whether or not you've been using AI, what you use it for, what you think about AI, and any problems you have had with AI systems. We want to learn how AI experiences differ between people with and without disabilities. We'll use what we learn to inform AI companies and policymakers, so they can make AI as accessible as possible to everyone. Anyone in the United States who is at least 18 years old can fill out the survey. You do not have to have a disability to take the survey. The survey should take about 30-45 minutes to complete. You can take breaks while completing the survey. We invite people with any type of disability to take the survey. The survey is screen reader accessible. We offer a Certified Deaf Interpreter or a scribe who can record your spoken answers if you wish. You can also take the survey with your own ASL interpreter or communication assistant.
Listing Date: 8/14/2025 | Price: $2,850.00 USD | Condition: New | Description: Hello, for sale is a really new BrailleSense 6 32 from HIMS Selvas with its carrying case and charger etc. Still in its retail box. Asking only $2850 or best offer. Ask for Joe. Contact:js5lio021@gmail.com 📧️ or call / text +1 (949) 257-2670 📱️
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.
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.
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.
My latest post explains how to properly tag individual language sections in a multilingual PDF. Adobe Acrobat offers tools to assign language codes to specific sections, allowing screen readers to interpret and vocalize the content accurately.
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: 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.
Please join Earle Harrison from SELVAS BLV, the proud North America distributors of HIMS blindness and low vision products, and Jenny Axler from HIMS the manufacturer, as they share new and innovative developments as they relate to the BrailleSense 6 Android tablet and the Braille eMotion Smart Braille display.
The presentation will take place on Monday, August 25th from 8:00 until 9:00 PM Eastern time in the Pat Price Training Room found at:
You may also join Earle Harrison for a general webinar taking place Thursday, August 28th at 5PM-6PM Eastern Time as he shares new and innovative developments as they relate to the BrailleSense 6 Android tablet.
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.
When it comes to people's lives and their disabilities, access to information is not a privilege…It's a right. Pneuma Solutions believes organizations like yours have the right to provide the best tools for your consumers, students, employees, and citizens. We also believe, since you are here, that you're interested in joining us in making this a more inclusive world. The solutions we provide allow you or your organization to do just that. From near-perfect document remediation, to accessible realtime teleconference slides, to unparalleled remote desktop access, Pneuma Solutions is here to bring you the best in quality, reliability, and accessibility.
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.
About: Founded in 2004, Top Tech Tidbits is the world's leading not-for-profit access technology publication that reaches over 42,000 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.
Top Tech Tidbits Supporters 🤝️
We couldn't do it without you! Thank you for your support!
Why: Top Tech Tidbits Supporters donate an amount of their choosing either one time or annually in order to assist with the ongoing distribution of the Top Tech Tidbits publication.
Benefits: All Top Tech Tidbits Supporters receive a listing within the "Our Supporters" section of each weekly newsletter, as well as a listing within the "Our Supporters" section of the Top Tech Tidbits website.
One Time Donation: If you would like to become a Top Tech Tidbits Supporter by making a one time donation in an amount of your choosing to assist with the ongoing distribution of the Top Tech Tidbits publication, you may utilize this donate link, or scan the QR code to the right.
Annual Donation: If you would like to become a Top Tech Tidbits Supporter by making a small donation to assist with the ongoing distribution of the Top Tech Tidbits publication, we also offer the following options, all with our sincerest thanks, and most heartfelt gratitude for your ongoing support.
Support: In tandem with Our Sponsors, these are the people that make the ongoing distribution of Top Tech Tidbits possible.
Any time the Top Tech Tidbits Publication carries less than its Sponsor limit, Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd. donates the remaining dollars necessary to keep the publication running.
Please help us to support the ongoing distribution of this publication. Learn more about the benefits of Sponsorship today.
Time Zone: Eastern Standard Time (EST/EDT) (GMT-5/GMT-4)
In addition to serving as Publisher for Top Tech Tidbits Aaron also serves as Publisher for the Access Information News and AI-Weekly newsletters, PR-Director for the AT-Newswire Press Release News Distribution Service, and President and Senior Project Management Professional for Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd.
As Publisher Aaron oversees the weekly distribution of Top Tech Tidbits on behalf of Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd.
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 persons who are blind or low-vision.
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.
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 42,000 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.
RELEASE SCHEDULE 📅️
Top Tech Tidbits is released every Thursday morning at 6:00 AM ET.
SUBSCRIBE 📧️
Do you, a friend, or colleague wish to receive the Top Tech Tidbits newsletter? If so, please use or pass along our CAPTCHA-free sign-up link. You can also subscribe to receive the Top Tech Tidbits newsletter on the Top Tech Tidbits Website. Either of these methods will provide you with an accessibly friendly and secure medium through which you can subscribe to our mailing list. Just enter your email address, click send, and begin receiving the Top Tech Tidbits newsletter. It's that easy.
Only Top Tech Tidbits Premium Subscribers receive our special quarterly issue listing the Top 60 Most Clicked News Articles of the Last 3 Months. Just $12 USD per year. This special quarterly issue is provided to Premium Subscribers as a native Microsoft Word document with full headings, links and abstracts to all 60 articles. There are no restrictions placed on these documents. Complete list of all back issues available. Premium Subscribers are entitled to all back issues, anytime they sign up. Join us today and begin receiving this incredibly informative issue every 3 months.
SPONSOR 🏅️
If you would like to become 1 of only 24 Top Tech Tidbits Sponsors whose ongoing support makes the distribution of Top Tech Tidbits possible, we offer you the following advertising benefits, with our sincerest thanks, and most heartfelt gratitude for your ongoing support.
ADVERTISE 🎯️
Top Tech Tidbits offers a variety of one-time advertising options to both Sponsors and non-Sponsors alike. Here we offer a sample newsletter that provides a breakdown of exactly what those one-time advertising options are, where they appear, and what they cost per publication.
DONATE ❤️
If you would like to become a Top Tech Tidbits Supporter by making a small donation to assist with the ongoing distribution of the Top Tech Tidbits publication, we offer the following options, with our sincerest thanks, and most heartfelt gratitude for your support.
STORE 🛒️
Are you blind or do you live with low vision? Are you deaf, hard of hearing or deafblind? Do you require a wheelchair for mobility? Do you consider yourself to be neurodivergent or otherwise disabled? The Top Tech Tidbits Online Store For Digital Downloads specializes in information that can improve your quality of life. Learn more today.
FACEBOOK 💬️
Are you on Facebook? Follow Top Tech Tidbits on Facebook to begin receiving current news and trends in Access Information as part of your Facebook News Feed.
X (FORMERLY TWITTER) 💬️
Are you on X? Follow Top Tech Tidbits on X to begin receiving current news and trends in Access Information as part of your X News Feed.
MASTODON 💬️
Are you on Mastodon? Follow Top Tech Tidbits on Mastodon to begin receiving current news and trends in Access Information as part of your Mastodon News Feed or by searching for @news@mastodon.toptechtidbits.com on your server today.
LINKEDIN 💬️
Are you on LinkedIn? Follow Top Tech Tidbits on LinkedIn to begin receiving current news and trends in Access Information as part of your LinkedIn News Feed.
YOUTUBE ▶️
Are you on YouTube? Follow Top Tech Tidbits on YouTube to begin receiving current news and trends in Access Information as part of your YouTube Video Feed.
RSS 📡️
Do you prefer RSS? Follow Top Tech Tidbits via RSS today to begin receiving current news and trends in Access Information using your choice of news aggregator.
QUESTIONS ❓️
Tidbits are intentionally concise. As a result we know that some readers may not always understand all of the items listed because little explanation is given. If a particular Tidbit brings up a question in your mind, feel free to ask, and we will try to answer as time and knowledge permit.
