|
Top Tech Tidbits for Thursday, November 20, 2025 - Volume 1042
♿️ The Week's News in Access Technology
Top Tech Tidbits. The world's #1 online resource for current news and trends in access technology.
A Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd. Publication
Subscribers: 42,661 🔢️ opt-in subscribers were sent this issue via email.
Social Media: 193,327 🔢️ readers were sent this issue via social media. Courtesy of the PWD Media Co-op.
Access Awareness: Updates That Matter ♿️
Steven Scott and Shaun Preece explore the quirks of modern technology, from ineffective humanoid robots to the challenges faced by the blind community. They share listener experiences, discuss the importance of self-advocacy, and reflect on the need for accessible tech in an increasingly AI-driven world.
This Week's Featured Advertisement 🎯️
Join 4,000+ attendees from 70 countries for the premier virtual conference exploring how AI and emerging technologies are transforming accessibility. December 9-10, 2025.
This isn't just another tech conference. Sight Tech Global brings together innovations that matter most to the blind and low vision community - featuring speakers from Google DeepMind, Microsoft, Meta Reality Labs, Salesforce, Waymo, Aira, and accessibility-focused startups changing lives today.
Experience groundbreaking sessions on Project Astra's revolutionary visual assistance technology, autonomous vehicle accessibility with Waymo, AI-powered smart glasses from Meta, building accessibility at enterprise scale with Salesforce, and assistive technology innovation from Microsoft and emerging companies.
For the blind and low vision community, by the blind and low vision community.
Completely FREE to attend. Fully accessible. Global community.
✏️ Register now at SightTechGlobal.com.
📅 December 9-10, 2025 | 8:00 AM Pacific Time
News 📰️
1.) Top 5 Most Clicked Tidbits From Last Week 📊️
For people who are blind or visually impaired, and their families or professionals, a TV isn't just for watching pictures, it's for listening, enjoying stories, connecting with others. A standard TV without accessible features can lead to frustration: menus you cannot hear, audio-description tracks you cannot find, remote controls you cannot feel. But when you choose a TV with inclusive design you open up entertainment, social time and independence.
Glen Gordon discusses his 32-year career at Vispero and his significant contributions to the development of JAWS for Windows. Sharing personal stories and industry insights, he highlights the evolution of assistive technology, the challenges faced in enhancing accessibility, and the future of tech for blind users.
Dearest Top Tech Tidbits Readers, Supporters, Sponsors and Advertisers. I am writing today to inform you that both the Top Tech Tidbits website and newsletter will be offline from December 1, 2025 to January 1, 2026. During this time we will be porting the TopTechTidbits.com domain and archive of articles and newsletters over to their new home on WordPress.com. I very much wanted to avoid this kind of downtime, but we have come to realize that it will provide a much better experience for everyone if we pause publication during the migration of the site.
Perspective Studio is a local AI application that allows users to interact with AI models directly on their computer without requiring an internet connection, subscriptions, or sign-ins. Designed for ease of use, it offers various AI models and modes to accommodate both beginners and experienced users, maintaining complete privacy and control over data.
Hadley explores the various speaking and listening features available on smartphones, from Siri and Google Assistant to VoiceOver and TalkBack. The post clarifies how each tool works, what tasks they excel at, and provides guidance on where to find setup and learning resources.
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.
7.) AI Updates 🤖️
Skip this Tidbit to skip all updates on AI.
Grant Harvey explores how voice is emerging as the dominant user interface of the future, driven by advances in speech recognition, ubiquitous microphone-equipped devices, and smarter large language models. The piece examines major developments like Google's Gemini 3.0, Microsoft's voice-enabled Copilot, and the growing ecosystem of wearables and voice-first gadgets shaping a conversational computing era.
Apple has launched a new feature allowing U.S. passports to be added to Apple Wallet, enhancing the convenience of carrying identification. This feature will initially be available at over 250 TSA checkpoints for identity verification, improving accessibility for users, particularly those with disabilities.
A detailed comparison between the Oakley Vanguard and Ray-Ban Meta Gen 2 smart glasses highlights their unique strengths and trade-offs based on lifestyle needs. The Ray-Ban focuses on style and versatility, while Oakley emphasizes durability and performance for sports activities, allowing users to make an informed decision based on their priorities.
Tips, Tutorials, Guides, Reviews, Walk-Throughs and How-To's 📚️
You can verbalize column And row titles to hear them spoken as you navigate. For example, in a personal budget worksheet, column titles may include rent, transportation, and groceries, while row titles can include January, February, March, etc. This enables you to keep up with where you are in the spreadsheet and is extremely important when you are navigating through long sheets.
Discover the new "Outline Text" feature in the latest Android update, designed to enhance visibility for users with low vision. The tutorial highlights how to activate this accessibility setting and assesses its advantages and drawbacks for everyday use.
Learn how to effectively insert hyperlinks in Microsoft Word while ensuring they are accessible, clear, and inclusive. This tutorial provides key techniques to enhance the usability of your documents for all users.
Effective math communication requires intentionality and the right resources. By prioritizing accessibility, educators can truly engage all learners in STEM fields, ensuring that no student is left behind. Join the Math Accessibility Unraveled course to discover vital strategies and tools for making math inclusive and effective for every learner.
News, Trends, Updates and Opinion Editorials 📰️
This episode shines a light-hearted spotlight on the everyday challenges faced by individuals with low vision, specifically the comedic yet relatable struggle of identifying body wash in the shower. Join in for a humorous take on the quirks of living with vision loss.
This episode delves into cutting-edge assistive technologies unveiled at Sight Village, featuring insights on Seva AI glasses and the modular Optima Braille laptop. Experts share hands-on demonstrations of mobility tools, multi-line Braille displays, and innovative products aimed at enhancing accessibility for blind and low-vision users.
The PocLink Ultra is a dual-mode communication device that operates both over cellular networks and off-grid via traditional radio frequencies. The provided form seeks input from blind and low-vision users on their interest in an accessible version of the device, which could influence future development decisions.
Jeff Thompson talks with Jeff Bishop, president of BITS, Blind Information Technology Specialists, an all-volunteer organization empowering blind and low-vision individuals through accessible technology, community, and hands-on learning. Bishop outlines BITS' rapid growth, affordable memberships, and expanding reach across platforms. BITS offers high-impact training, including Python programming, Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, NVDA, and AI immersion courses, all with strong completion rates. Their partnerships with APH, Bookshare, NLS, Microsoft, and others ensure meaningful industry feedback opportunities, including paid participation in Microsoft's Project Empower. With free Remote Incident Manager (RIM) support, active mentoring, and a welcoming culture, BITS serves beginners and experts alike. As the group considers rebranding the "S" in BITS to Solutions, the mission remains clear: meeting people where they are and helping them thrive in their digital lives.
Innosearch AI is quickly expanding its suite of accessible services for blind users. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with co-founder and CEO Patrick Long about new tools like voice-based shopping, travel booking, the CoBrowse AI agent, and Accessible Storefronts - all part of a fast-moving effort to make online platforms easier to use for everyone.
When we think of Microsoft, we may think “big legacy tech company”, but in accessibility, their journey is bold, experimental, and deeply human-centered, full of surprising moves that go beyond compliance.
Explore breakthroughs in accessible technology featured at Sight Village, including the revolutionary AI-driven KapX navigation headset and intuitive smart devices such as the Synapptic smart watch and Cobolt's talking air fryer. Industry leaders share insights into how these innovations enhance safety and independence for blind and visually impaired individuals.
Dive into the latest offerings in accessible technology featuring exclusive deals from Sight and Sound Technology and Aspire Consultancy. Key highlights include innovative products like lightweight Savosky canes, Orbit Braille displays, and special promotions leading up to Sight Village London.
Vispero has begun rolling out user accounts for JAWS, ZoomText, and Fusion 2026, marking a major shift in how users will access updates and personalized features. The new accounts aim to improve communication, enhance privacy and compliance, and prepare for future AI-powered innovations within the Vispero software ecosystem.
The Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled shares updates in its November/December 2025 newsletter, highlighting upcoming Technology User Group sessions, youth programs like Poetry Out Loud, and new eReader software updates. The issue also features magazine recommendations, book highlights for fall, and information on the temporary suspension of the 'My Talking Books' Alexa skill.
Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses have launched compatibility with the BlindShell Classic 3, providing significant advancements in accessibility for the blind and visually impaired community. A demonstration of Meta AI on the device highlights the features and potential benefits, while users are reminded that compatibility with third-party apps can evolve over time.
Whether you use assistive technology to read Top Tech Tidbits or not, I encourage you to review this chain of posts on Mastodon, as well as my full-on rant, included below for your reading pleasure. On November 14, 2025, one Erica Cole wrote: "I've just taken a look at Top Tech Tidbits for the first time in months and it's completely changed. The whole thing has moved online and my iPhone with VoiceOver is struggling to navigate the page! I'll try to read the word document version, but if that doesn't work I'll be unsubscribing. At this point it feels like what used to be a powerhouse of useful, top quality access technology news has fallen on its face and broken all its bones. What a crying shame."
The only crying shame that I encountered in this thread was the complete lack of understanding around how mass email works and why we were forced to make these changes. I did my very best to address everyone's concerns. The big takeaways were these. (1) NO ONE makes money on TTT or AIN. Mind Vault still donates in excess of $10K USD per year to keep both publications running. (2) Ads are easily skippable if you understand how to navigate by heading. (3) All news is chosen by humans from humans who actually create BLV / PWD specific content each week. (4) We steward these publications PURELY because we CARE about BLV and PWD persons, and their ability to receive high-quality human-curated news each week.
Incoming Rant (Publisher: Di Blasi): Why do we seek to destroy before we seek to understand? And why on earth would anyone with a disability themself choose to openly attack a known, 20+ year-old not-for-profit project that works to provide free news to more than 40K BLV and PWD readers, all over the world, each week? Even if that publication were 'inaccesible' as they claimed, which it was NOT, I wonder what, exactly, these dissatisfied readers really intended to achieve?
What I think saddened me the most about this was that in addition to the entire rest of the world trying to dismantle benefits for BLV and PWD persons right now, here we have a group of our very own attempting to do the same thing, from the inside out. And while these were primarily former readers who were uninformed about these choices purely because (insert irony here) they had stopped reading Top Tech Tidbits, I was incredibly surprised to find one Brian Hartgen, of Hartgen Consultancy, fanning the flames. If you are one of the hundreds of BLV / PWD creators who provide news to the community each week through Top Tech Tidbits, hoping to get your news into the Top 5, Brian would like for you to know that "no one gives a pair of dingo's kidneys about your content". That is a verbatim quote from Mr. Hartgen. Though you'll now have to take my word for it, as he has since deleted his response. He was however kind enough to reach out to me one last time, prior to blocking me on Mastodon, to tell me that I had "no right" to challenge his views on Mastodon. How dare I confront his complete falsities? Online! In front of everyone else!
I dare for one reason and one reason alone. I'm sick and tired of people who make their money from BLV and PWD persons refusing to support the services that those persons need in return. Or worse, attempting to sabotage those projects simply because they do not fit into their current revenue model. We think Brian is upset that we stopped carrying his news. And why would we do that? As an open and fair publication? Because we're "evil"? No. Not quite. We did that because reader security is our top priority, and Brian's website began throwing an SSL certificate error about a year ago. Check the certificate yourself if you know how. It still isn't fixed as of this writing. We test all of the links that we include in TTT for security. We are required to do this in order to remain compliant. When we discovered the issue we sent Brian an email explaining the issue and that we would not be able to carry his content again until it was fixed. No response. Maybe he didn't receive the email? The irony. I know. But what else can we do? Put 40K readers at risk of malware or phishing attempts simply because we "know you?" I'm afraid not.
To make matters worse, Brian was the recipient of a free quarterly sponsorship with AIN from May 29, 2023 to August 29, 2023. He did not pay for it. He won it as part of one of our community contests. (Readers, AKA you, voted for him.) So, it appears that Brian has no problem making his money from BLV and PWD persons, while accepting free advertising with the very publications that he claims no one cares about, and then bashing those publications and the people who rely on them to distribute their news each week when it no longer serves his interests. I don't think so.
No longer will we allow anyone to lie openly (and then try to hide those lies by deleting their responses) purely to further their own financial interests or agendas. Blind or sighted. Disabled or not. We will challenge you. Openly. We are fighting for the rights of more than 40,000 BLV and PWD persons all over the world, to receive news that they rely on each week. For free. We have a hard enough time trying to get people within the community to understand the importance of supporting these publications themselves. We will not stand idly by and allow anyone to publish lies about Top Tech Tidbits or the community of more than 40K readers that it has built over the last 20 years. If you're on Mastodon, I invite you to stop by and add your voice to this conversation.
Steven Scott and Shaun Preece explore the quirks of modern technology, from ineffective humanoid robots to the challenges faced by the blind community. They share listener experiences, discuss the importance of self-advocacy, and reflect on the need for accessible tech in an increasingly AI-driven world.
Suno is inviting users to join its exclusive Early Access Program, offering early access to new features, direct feedback opportunities, and paid user sessions. Participants in select cities may also be invited to in-person User Nights, while others can engage remotely with the development team.
The National Library Service has released BARD Mobile for Fire OS version 2.5.6, featuring integration with the new BARD login system, enhanced BARD 2.0 performance, and improvements to accessibility and navigation for VoiceView users. The update also streamlines app upgrades, refines error messaging, and introduces automatic updates through the Amazon Appstore.
Steven Scott and Shaun Preece explore the effectiveness of smart vacuums and headsets for blind and partially sighted users. They share personal experiences with various models, discuss app accessibility, and consider the implications of cloud-dependency on these innovative technologies.
The National Library Service's Patron Engagement Section will resume regular online programming in December, with the final BARD 2.0 Office Hours scheduled for November 18. This informal session will assist patrons in learning the new BARD 2.0 website, offering live guidance and demonstrations through ZoomGov.
Evaluating Be My AI's ability to describe and narrate a comic book page from ElfQuest, this installment analyzes the accuracy of AI in capturing visuals and dialogue while exploring its potential for enhancing accessibility for blind readers. Discover if AI can effectively bring the magic of fantasy storytelling to life or if it still has room for improvement.
Lainey Feingold, Reginé Gilbert, and Chancey Fleet bring together 36 authors from 10 countries to explore the ethics of digital accessibility in their upcoming book, 'Digital Accessibility Ethics'. Featuring the first-ever Digital Accessibility Ethics Framework, the book aims to guide organizations toward more inclusive design practices and reduce global patterns of disability exclusion.
TuneIn, an internet radio service, has been acquired by Stingray Group for $175 million, significantly lower than its previous valuation of around $500 million. Founded in 2002, TuneIn specialized in streaming traditional radio content and attempted to monetize its services through paid subscriptions, but struggled to compete in a market increasingly dominated by on-demand subscription services like Spotify and Apple Music.
Leaving interactive elements open after a user navigates away creates accessibility issues such as focus confusion, keyboard traps, and loss of trust. It is essential for interfaces to programmatically reset these elements to maintain a coherent user experience, especially for those using assistive technologies.
Utilizing aria-labels in web applications can inadvertently expose sensitive data to tracking software. While aiming to enhance accessibility, unique labels may reveal personal identifiable information, creating potential privacy issues when subjected to tracking mechanisms.
The article highlights the importance of using semantic HTML elements, particularly the <button> element, over non-semantic alternatives like <div>. It explains various advantages of <button>, such as built-in accessibility features and keyboard support, compared to the additional work required to replicate these functionalities with a <div>.
Editor (Walton): I came across an article this morning that highlights an important consideration which I realized I have sometimes overlooked in my own testing.
Elle Smith: You ran your contrast check and got the green check, nice work! Checking contrast ratios is one part of color accessibility. The other part is that color can't be the only way information is conveyed. This means that the next step is grayscale testing: removing color by desaturating your website to see if form states, charts, infographics, and links still make sense without color distinctions.
The W3C recently published the Accessibility Maturity Model, an incredible project that has been five years in the works. Check out this fun blog post for a simple breakdown and understanding of the model, and how it can work to improve organizational Accessibility.
Featured Events 📅️
8:00 AM PT, 9:00 AM MT, 10:00 AM CT, 11:00 AM ET, 4:00 PM GMT
Experts discuss the evolving intersection of AI and accessibility, sharing practical uses of AI for alt text, the influence of agentic AI, and strategies for visibility in AI-driven search.
2:00 PM PT, 3:00 PM MT, 4:00 PM CT, 5:00 PM ET, 10:00 PM GMT
Join the Florida Outreach Center for the Blind for a free Zoom workshop featuring Jason Meddaugh, owner and accessibility consultant of AT Guys. He'll demonstrate top-selling accessible technology products designed for adults who are blind or have low vision, showcasing tools that enhance independence, confidence, and access to work, learning, and entertainment.
1:00 AM PT, 2:00 AM MT, 3:00 AM CT, 4:00 AM ET, 9:00 AM GMT
This inclusive full-day conference at Google Brussels features two tracks and welcomes top global speakers to share expertise across technologies, promoting knowledge sharing for all developers.
11:00 AM PT, 12:00 PM MT, 1:00 PM CT, 2:00 PM ET, 7:00 PM GMT
We're going to dig into emerging technologies with the disability tax as a lens. Are these emerging technologies accelerating the existing inequalities that people with disabilities already experience? While AI is touted as a time-saver, is it actually increasing the time and money people with disabilities have to use to keep up? What about other new technologies? Join us after the Thanksgiving break on December 4, 2025, at 2 PM EST for a short free webinar to discuss: Subscription models and assistive technologies. Are the WCAG enough to avoid user stratification when using new technologies? Avoiding pitfalls of AI. Being thoughtful in the implementation of new tech.
Sight Tech Global returns for its sixth year as a free, virtual conference spotlighting how AI and emerging technologies are reshaping assistive tech and accessibility worldwide. Featuring expert panels, demos, and discussions with leaders from Google, Meta, and Microsoft, the conference explores innovations that empower independence and drive digital equity.
7:00 AM PT, 8:00 AM MT, 9:00 AM CT, 10:00 AM ET, 3:00 PM GMT
TUG is diving into the cutting-edge development of wearable technology in a dynamic Zoom session that promises to inform, inspire, and spark conversation. From smart glasses to safety-enhancing wearables, we'll explore: What's out there right now, and what's coming next. How these devices support information access, mobility, and personal safety. Whether wearable devices are budget-friendly or tend towards breaking the bank.
11:00 AM PT, 12:00 PM MT, 1:00 PM CT, 2:00 PM ET, 7:00 PM GMT
Design inclusive spaces for every brain! We're exploring various Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) criteria that support neurodiversity. Together, let's learn how conforming to WCAG helps support people who are neurodivergent navigate and understand your site or platform. Join us on December 18, 2025, at 2 PM EST for our last webinar of 2025: Plain and unambiguous language. Captioning. Setting expectations. Creation of low-stimulation digital environments. Flexible tools and settings. We hope to see you there to explore this topic, share your own personal experiences, and ask any accessibility questions.
12:00 AM PT, 1:00 AM MT, 2:00 AM CT, 3:00 AM ET, 8:00 AM GMT
Hosted by The Ohio State University, the 26th Annual Multiple Perspective Conference explores infrastructures for accessibility, emphasizing access as essential to design, innovation, and civic engagement. This year's program invites presentations on policies and practices that advance inclusion and uphold the spirit of the ADA, with a focus on structures that enable full participation across society.
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.
Directories 📝️
Buy, Sell or Trade 📝️
Listing Date: 11/20/2025 | Price: $1,870.00 USD | Condition: New | Description: Big Discount. I can sell to a good home for only $1870 or best offer. It is new in its box with its carrying case and chaarger and user guide and data cable. Just email Joe at js5lio021@gmail.com or call/text/voicemail at +1 (949) 257-2670 📱️ anytime. The Mantis has the easiest to use regular comfortable laptop keyboard and is very thin and light. It has plenty of onboard memory for notes, calculator, and the best BARD and NLS book-reading, experience out there, along with a full sized SD-card slot (can use a simple adapter with micro sd as well) , and two USB ports as well. It has a user-removeable battery, so that makes things really easy and cheap to take care of and ensures it will last forever. Easily lasts all day on battery. Can easily also connect wirelessly or by USB to your computer or phone using Jaws or NVDA or Voiceover or Talkback. It also works independently with your other device as a comfortable bluetooth keyboard. Contact: js5lio021@gmail.com 📧️ or +1 (949) 257-2670 📱️.
Listing Date: 11/13/2025 | Price: $500.00 USD | Condition: Gently Used | Description: 7.2 cu ft. White, front load. 6 months old. Contact: wnbeck@verizon.net 📧️ or +1 (626) 423-3339 📱️.
Price: $5.00 USD | Description: List your new, gently-used or refurbished item in FOUR (4) consecutive issues of Top Tech Tidbits for just $5 USD.
Sponsor Classified Ads 🎯️
From sparkling adornments to holiday ornaments, Elegant Insights offers a distinctive collection of jewelry, gifts, and accessories for a braille reader,puppy raiser, mobility instructor, social justice warrior, or your favorite fashionista! Discover dazzling designs from sentimental to stylish, from practical to personal, from simple to sensational. Check out the featured items on our home page, or select "shop the boutique" to find collections to suit every occasion, and everyone on your gift list. Have a custom design in mind?Call Laura at +1 (702) 605-1265 📱️ and shop at https://elegantinsightsjewelry.com/. We bring out the beauty of braille. Happy holidays, and thank you for shopping with Elegant Insights!
Sponsor Since: November 22, 2024 📅️
Website: https://elegantinsightsjewelry.com/ 🌐️
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.
Home | About Elegant Insights | Ordering, Shipping and FAQs | My Account | Checkout | Cart | Shop The Boutique | Wish List | Testimonials | Subscribe
x (Formerly Twitter) | Facebook | Instagram
Sponsor Since: October 13, 2024 📅️
Website: https://floridareading.com/ 🌐️
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!
Home | Shop | Blogs | About Us | Contact Us
Donna is delighted to announce an exciting and land shaping partnership with Innosearch! See how this new partnership is destined to become a mover and shaker! A store front with passion and motivation! Just in time for the holiday season!
Sponsor Since: September 20, 2024 📅️
Website: https://donnajodhan.com/bb/ 🌐️
About: Welcome to Blindly Brilliant, the inclusive pottery studio of advocate and artist Donna J. Jodhan. Formerly on Etsy, the shop is now hosted by Innosearch to deliver a faster, cleaner, and more accessible experience from first click to checkout. Every product page follows accessible patterns for screen reader users, with clear headings, rich alt text, high-contrast visuals, and keyboard-first navigation.
Need a hand while you browse? CoBrowse AI is available to all BLV and PWD customers for real-time, side-by-side assistance. Get help comparing sizes and finishes, hearing image descriptions, or moving through checkout with confidence.
Explore functional kitchenware and decorative pieces that put touch at the center. Each collection reflects Donna's belief that art and resilience go hand in hand, and invites everyone to enjoy beautiful, usable design.
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!
Sponsor Since: July 16, 2024 📅️
Website: https://theapexprogram.com 🌐️
About: Unlocking Abilities, Securing Futures. Founded on the principles of inclusivity and opportunity, the Apex Program is a pioneering educational initiative in cybersecurity, tailored for the blind, visually impaired, disabled, and veteran communities. Created by a Novacoast employee and inspired by his own journey from disability to Security Operations Center manager, the curriculum is designed to create a strong foundation of IT security knowledge, while instilling confidence and ensuring competence in the IT talent pool. Our ten-week program culminates in industry-recognized CompTIA certifications and a guaranteed pathway to employment, courtesy of Novacoast's dedicated IT Staffing division. At Apex, we don't just teach cybersecurity; we transform lives by unlocking potential and advocating for diversity in the IT security workforce.
Mission: The Apex Program is committed to bridging the gap in cybersecurity talent by empowering the blind, visually impaired, disabled, and veteran communities through inclusive, accessible, and comprehensive training. Our mission is to nurture a diverse workforce equipped with the necessary IT security skills and certifications to thrive in the cybersecurity sector. In partnership with Novacoast, we ensure a solid educational foundation and job placement in the industry, further fostering a future where every individual can focus their distinct abilities on building a more secure digital world.
Novacoast: Novacoast is a cybersecurity and IT services company that helps organizations enhance their security posture. They offer a range of services, including cybersecurity advisory, security engineering, identity and access management, development and integration, penetration testing, managed security services, and incident response. Their managed services include co-managed SIEM, DLP, EDR, vulnerability and patch management, phishing monitoring, and threat operations. Novacoast also provides specialized services for different industries such as finance, healthcare, and gaming. Additionally, they offer staffing solutions and training programs. Learn more today.
Home | A Division of Novacoast | Novacoast Federal | The Program | About Us | Partnerships | Media | Contact
Call 1-855-SHOP-GPT (1-855-746-7478)
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
Available in:
Call now and shop with ease!
Sponsor Since: June 7, 2024 📅️
Website: https://www.innosearch.ai 🌐️
Email: info@innosearch.ai 📧️
About: Innosearch is an all-in-one shopping platform augmented with a cutting-edge AI-powered shopping assistant. This innovative feature mimics the experience of shopping in real life by allowing you to interact with the assistant using natural language. It aggregates millions of products from top US online retailers, bringing them directly to you. With this advanced generative AI, Innosearch offers personalized product recommendations, highlights the best deals, and provides comprehensive information including reviews, total prices, shipping options, and more. Innosearch delivers a seamless end-to-end shopping experience, eliminating the need to search and browse in multiple tabs across retailers.
YouTube Review By Sam Seavey: https://youtube.com/watch?v=-rjL-HAwaZY.
Key Features: Key Features of the Innosearch All-in-One AI Shopping Platform include:
➜ Research Products: Easily compare products across retailers, or weigh pros and cons of similar products to make informed decisions.
➜ Uncover the Best Deals: Never miss a door buster, coupon, or clearance sale again. Get notified about the best prices and offers.
➜ AI Summarized Trusted Reviews: See what others are saying and make confident purchases.
➜ All in One: Innosearch brings millions of products from top online retailers directly to you, allowing you to shop the best deals with easy checkout and personalized AI assistance.
➜ Shop with Confidence: Rest assured, Innosearch has you covered with free shipping and returns on every purchase.
➜ Know Before You Buy: Innosearch equips you with expert buying guides, empowering you to make well-informed decisions.
How To Shop: Simply create a free account and start shopping today!
Sponsor Since: December 29, 2022 📅️
Website: https://lhblind.org/ 🌐️
Phone: (800) 914-7307 📱️
Fax: (206) 329-3397 ░
Contact Us: https://lhblind.org/contact-us/
About: The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. is a private, not-for-profit social enterprise providing employment, support, and training opportunities for people who are blind, deafblind, and blind with other disabilities. The Lighthouse has provided employment and support to people who are blind in our community since 1918.
The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. is a successful manufacturing organization with over 60 years of experience in precision machining. We produce an array of machined parts and plastic injection molding for various aerospace manufacturers, as well as a host of office products and hydration equipment sold to the Federal Government and the U.S. Military. We also own and operate stores on military bases along the West Coast. Our products and services include:
• Manufacturing: We are a successful manufacturing organization committed to making jobs accessible to individuals who are blind. Our manufacturing operations center on making quality products for the Federal Government under the AbilityOne Program and producing parts for aerospace manufacturers.
• Managed Services: The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. offers a variety of services to our commercial, federal, and military customers. These include Contract Management Support (CMS) services for government contracting offices.
• Base Supply Centers: We operate 12 AbilityOne Base Supply Centers (BSCs) that offer easy customer access to Lighthouse products, direct feedback and communication with customers, and employment opportunities for individuals who are blind in geographic areas not served by larger nonprofit agencies.
WayAround is a smartphone-based labeling app that works with your preferred accessibility settings. You just need the free mobile app and some WayTags ® to label items in the kitchen, garden, closet, office & more.
If you want to label something that's inside, outside, wet, dry, hot, or cold, there's a WayTag that will attach securely. WayTags come as stickers, buttons, magnets, and clips. Each of the different styles of WayTags work exactly the same. Simply choose the WayTag that's best for what you want to label.
Purchase a 25-pack of any style of WayTag and get a free Sampler Pack so you can try all seven different WayTags. Enter the coupon code SAMPLE at checkout and the Sampler Pack will automatically be added to your cart. This is a $14.99 value! Limit one Sample pack per order.
Sponsor Since: January 5, 2023 📅️
Website: https://www.wayaround.com/ 🌐️
General Sales & Support: (888) 898-4465 📱️
Business Sales & Support: (888) 898-4465 📱️
Email: connect@wayaround.com 📧️
About: WayAround is the app for your smart device that provides on-demand details about everyday things. The simple tag-and-scan approach lets you quickly and easily identify things around you. It also provides extra details, like how something works or when it expires. The result? Doing more of the things you want, with more confidence and more independence.
All the information you want with just a tap of your phone. No more waiting around to ask someone. You need just two things to get started: The free mobile app for iOS or Android and some of our smart WayTags®.
Accessible labels for the blind, deafblind, and anyone with vision loss. Your biggest problem isn't poor eyesight. It's that so much of the information in the world is visual. But you shouldn't have to wait around for someone else to get the information you need. Or carry around a bulky, outdated device. There is a better way to get accurate and complete information every time. So you can reduce stress and gain independence.
Download The App (Apple): https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/wayaround-tag-and-scan/id1294361140?mt=8
Download The App (Android): https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.wayaround.wayaround
Sponsor Since: August 4, 2022 📅️
Website: https://aira.io/ 🌐️
Download the App: Apple App Store | Google Play Store
Plans and Pricing: https://aira.io/pricing/
Phone: NA: +1.800.835.1934 📱️ | AU: +1.800.765.096 📱️ | UK: +0.800.046.5668 📱️ | NZ: +1.800.425.451 📱️
Text Message: NA: +1.858.242.4457 📱️ | AU: +61.488.839.767 📱️ | UK: +44.149.320.2474 📱️
Email: support@aira.io 📧️
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.
Contact Us | Access Partners | Plans and Pricing
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.
Social: Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn | YouTube | Instagram
Everyone deserves equal access to the internet which is why Fable works with people with disabilities who use assistive technologies like switch controls to improve the accessibility of websites and apps. Fable Pathways, a free, accessible, and on-demand skill-building program, is an extension of Fable's mission. Fable Pathways provides new opportunities for people with disabilities to gain the skills they need, from experts like Judy Heumann and Kelly Ford, to contribute to improving digital accessibility.
Sponsor Since: June 30, 2022 📅️
Website: https://makeitfable.com/ 🌐️
Email: community@makeitfable.com 📧️
About: Fable is an accessibility platform powered by people with disabilities, connecting them to accessibility managers, user researchers, designers, and developers to build accessible user experiences.
Opportunities:
➜ Accessibility Tester: Testers drive meaningful change in digital accessibility by sharing feedback on the websites and apps of the companies that care. As a Tester, earn a competitive tech industry wage, learn valuable transferrable skills, and grow your career. Fable is looking for assistive technology users in the US or Canada to work the hours that they want, completely from home. No experience or resume required.
➜ Survey Respondent: Survey Respondents enjoy a remote, low-commitment income opportunity, all while contributing to accessibility research. Surveys are typically sent out once a month, and you can earn $5 to $50 per survey. Apply today if you identify as having a disability and live in the US or Canada. You do not need to use assistive technology to apply.
SELVAS BLV is thrilled to bring Dot Pad X — the groundbreaking multi-line and graphics Braille display — to customers across the United States!
To celebrate this partnership, we are glad to announce a special promotion price:
$500 off of MSRP $5,900 plus shipping, purchase from today until 11:59 PM on December 25th!
In addition to the Dot Pad X promotion, all of our flagship products are also on sale for the holiday season! Save up to $700 on your favorite SELVAS BLV Devices, from the BrailleSense 6 tablet, to the Braille eMotion smart braille display, to the SensePlayer OCR media player, and more!
Visit us online to grab your promotion today!
Sponsor Since: September 30, 2021 📅️
Website: https://selvasblv.com/ 🌐️
Shop All Products: https://selvasblv.com/shop-all-products/ 🛒️
Phone: (512) 837-2000 📱️
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5R9NjA1nfWo
Sales: sales@selvasblv.com 📧️
Support: support@selvasblv.com 📧️
About: SelvasBLV is a global manufacturer and distributor that has provided braille, magnification and accessible healthcare devices since 1999.
Launch your career in the digital accessibility field! The Carroll Center for the Blind's new 7-week intensive Screen Reader User Tester Training program allows participants to learn and grow their ability to professionally explore, test, and report findings regarding the accessibility of websites, mobile applications, and digital document files using screen readers. Want to learn more? Start your journey to becoming a Screen Reader User Tester today.
Sponsor Since: August 5, 2021 📅️
Website: https://carroll.org/ 🌐️
Phone: (617) 969-6200 📱️
Fax: (617) 969-6204 ░️
Shop: https://carroll.org/store/ 🛒️
Donate: https://carroll.org/donate ❤️
Social: Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | LinkedIn | Instagram
About: The Carroll Center for the Blind is the foremost leader in vision rehabilitation services for individuals confronted by the challenges of vision loss. Our mission is to empower those who are blind or visually impaired to achieve independence and to lead a fulfilling life. Established in 1936, the renowned Carroll Center for the Blind has been serving those with vision impairment for over eight decades; we are known nationally as a premier Vision Rehabilitation Center. Located just outside of Boston on a sprawling campus in Newton, Massachusetts, we proudly serve ALL ages and ALL stages of vision loss. With the ongoing promise of improving the lives of people with vision-related problems, The Carroll Center for the Blind has pioneered many innovative services allowing people who are blind or have low vision to learn the skills to be independent in their homes, in class settings, and in their work places. Our services include vision rehabilitation, vocational and transition programs, assistive technology training, educational support, and recreation opportunities for individuals who are visually impaired of all ages. For over 80 years, the expertise of Carroll Center staff has provided help for thousands of blind and visually impaired persons with diverse opportunities for success and independent living.
Organizations with large digital libraries, such as universities, government agencies, publishers, museums, and corporations, are under increasing pressure to provide accessible versions of their content to meet global disability and inclusion laws. But full-scale remediation of millions of documents is rarely practical or budget-friendly.
The Accessible Archive offers a scalable, just-in-time approach to document accessibility. Instead of converting every document in advance, this system makes archived content instantly available in accessible formats only when requested. The result is lower costs, faster deployment, and compliant, user-friendly output across a range of needs, including for blind, low-vision, and other print-impaired users. The Accessible Archive is designed to handle the scale and complexity of institutional digital libraries without requiring full pre-processing or re-engineering.
Sponsor Since: June 3, 2021 📅️
Website: https://pneumasolutions.com/ 🌐️
Email Newsletter: Click here to receive periodic news via email concerning Pneuma Solutions products for business, consumers and education.
Sales: (866) 202-0520 📱️
Support: (650) 249-1000 📱️
About: Backed by two decades of creating award-winning accessible cloud technologies for people with visual impairments, Pneuma Solutions is the global leader in accessible cloud-based solutions. Pneuma Solutions was founded by long-time accessibility developers Mike Calvo and Matt Campbell. For more information on their individual profiles, click on their respective bio pages. We're proud to be the first company to develop cloud-based accessibility at the network level. Our tools provide organizations, like yours, a way to deliver secure, accessible information right from your network or from our secure servers. You can provide your print disabled consumers, students, employees, and citizens with a multitude of accessible options. Additionally, we offer a suite of cloud-based applications to blind and print disabled consumers directly from our website. Our consumer products are designed to make the day-to-day lives of blind and print disabled individuals more accessible and simpler to manage. Access to information is not a privilege, it's a right. It's also your right to obtain affordable, accessible cloud solutions to serve your end user. When organizations like yours implement our tools, together we help make it a more inclusive world for people with disabilities. Want to know more about how we can help you become more inclusive?
Contact us here. We'll be happy to discuss how our tools can help with your accessibility needs.
Our world-class refreshable Braille displays deliver efficient Braille input and outstanding output for your PC or mobile device. The robust Bluetooth® connectivity provides seamless use with Windows®, Mac®, iPhones®, iPads®, and Android TM smartphones and tablets. Ergonomic navigation features allow quick, natural hand movements for greater productivity. When used with JAWS® screen reading software, they support our popular Braille Study Mode, an interactive tool for teaching and learning Braille. Learn more today.
Sponsor Since: April 15, 2021 📅️
Website: https://www.freedomscientific.com/ 🌐️
Email: info@vispero.com 📧️
Phone: (800) 444-4443 📱️
Facebook | Twitter | YouTube (Training)
About: Freedom Scientific, a Vispero brand, is a leading worldwide brand of assistive technology products for those with vision impairments. We offer products designed to promote independence, allowing blind and low vision individuals the same access to information as their sighted peers. World-renowned JAWS (Job Access With Speech) screen reading software and ZoomText screen magnification software provide users the independence and ability to seek education and obtain or maintain a career after vision loss. Our expansive product line includes both low vision and blindness technology for all aspects of daily living. The wide range of RUBY, TOPAZ, and ONYX desktop and portable video magnifiers are designed for their ease of use and assist with daily activities. Our impressive line of blindness hardware products include refreshable Braille displays and scanning and reading devices, offering many options tailored to fit individual needs.
If you're like me, you probably have more things to plug into your computer than available ports. That's why we've now added the Pluggable USB-C 7-in-1 Hub. Plug it into your laptop and you will get 3 USB ports, SD and Micro SD card slots, a USBC charging port, and an HDMI video port. It's available now for just $29.95.
Sponsor Since: June 11, 2020 📅️
Website: https://www.atguys.com/ 🌐️
Phone: (269) 216-4798 📱️
Email: support@atguys.com 📧️
Skype: atguys 💬️
X (Formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/atguys (@atguys) 💬️
Facebook: https://facebook.com/atguys 💬️
About: ATGuys.com. Your access technology experts, home for cool gadgets, accessories, and more. Our products are all tested to work great for blind and visually impaired users but also work just as well for anyone. If there's an item you're looking for, or if you have a question, please don't hesitate to send us a message or call (269) 216-4798 📱️.
Connect Alt brings together accessible events, programs, and resources for the blind and low vision community — all in one place. Discover what's happening and be part of it.
Subscribe for updates on events, programs, and opportunities you can join.
Sponsor Since: September 25, 2025 📅️
Website: https://connectalt.com/ 🌐️
About: ConnectAlt is a free, accessible hub that centralizes events, programs, and resources for the blind and low-vision (BLV) community. Built by creator/co-founder Lucie Courtois (who is blind) with Carol Trapani and Ella Deshautreaux, ConnectAlt solves the discovery problem by making it easy to find what's happening by date, topic, organization, and location including virtual offerings. The team is active across BLV networks and national convenings (e.g., exhibitor at NFB 2025) and partners with nonprofits, service providers, and assistive-tech leaders to help people quickly connect with opportunities that improve daily life, education, mobility, and employment.
Sponsoring ConnectAlt aligns your brand with tangible access and inclusion while reaching an engaged audience of BLV individuals and families, educators, VR counselors, nonprofits, employers, and assistive-tech users. Packages can include high-visibility placement alongside relevant listings and resources, partner spotlights, community giveaways, and event activations around key gatherings such as the Blind Travel Summit (Austin, Nov 13-14, 2025) — all while keeping the core platform free to users. Let's tailor a sponsorship that advances your goals and measurably expands access for the BLV community.
Social: Follow us on Instagram.
Sponsor Since: March 15, 2025 📅️
Website: https://doubletaponair.com/ 🌐️
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.
Newsletter (Double Tap Digest) | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTok | X (Formerly Twitter) | YouTube
Sponsor Since: February 28, 2025 📅️
Website: https://awarewolfgear.com/ 🌐️
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.
Product Line
⚫️ All Terrain Cane (ATC)
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.
⚫️ Urban Xplorer Cane (UX)
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.
⚫️ Cane Tips
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.
⚫️ Accessories and Apparel
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.
Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn | YouTube
Sponsor Since: January 15, 2025 📅️
Website: https://visiontechacademy.com/ 🌐️
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.
Vision Tech Academy is the home of the free, access-technology specific, Online Directory of Educators (ODE).
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.
📖️ Free Directory for Students
📖️ Free General Profiles for All Access Educators
🏅️ Premium Profiles for Access Educators Who Want More Reach
Purchase: Sponsorship Package 💸️ (Packages currently available.)
Join: Waiting List 📋️ (When there are no sponsorship packages available.)
Sponsor Since: Today 📅️
Website: https://toptechtidbits.com/sponsor 🌐️
Phone: (855) 578-6660 📱️
Email: enews@toptechtidbits.com 📧️
About: Founded in 2004, Top Tech Tidbits is the world's leading not-for-profit access technology publication that reaches over 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.
In addition, all Top Tech Tidbits Supporters automatically become Premium Subscribers as well, and therefore enjoy all of the benefits that a Premium Subscription has to offer.
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.
Become a Top Tech Tidbits Platinum Supporter today.
1.) Gary Lee
Platinum Supporter since June 25, 2020
2.) Anonymous Donation
Platinum Supporter since July 9, 2020
3.) Pshon Barrett
Platinum Supporter since January 28, 2021
4.) Robin Millar
Platinum Supporter since April 6, 2023
Become a Top Tech Tidbits Gold Supporter today.
1.) Howard Goldstein
Gold Supporter since June 4, 2020
2.) David Goldstein
Gold Supporter since June 12, 2020
3.) Katherine Crohan
Gold Supporter since January 14, 2021
4.) Neil Jarvis
Gold Supporter since April 28, 2022
Become a Top Tech Tidbits Silver Supporter today.
1.) Timothy Gorbold
Silver Supporter since July 19, 2023
2.) Vojtech Polasek
Silver Supporter since December 29, 2023
Become a Top Tech Tidbits Bronze Supporter today.
1.) Steven Wettlaufer
Bronze Supporter since July 16, 2020
2.) Lions Clubs International
Bronze Supporter since July 13, 2020
One Time Supporters donate an amount of their choosing — one time to assist with the ongoing distribution of the Top Tech Tidbits Publication.
Become a Top Tech Tidbits One Time Supporter today.
1.) Dane Trethowan
One Time Supporter on September 25, 2025
2.) Beth Wright
One Time Supporter on November 28, 2023
3.) Your name here.
One Time Supporter on ...
Top Tech Tidbits News Team 🗞️
Distribution Since: 2004
As of June 4, 2020 the distribution of Top Tech Tidbits is made possible by our Sponsors, our Supporters, our Advertisers and Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd., a leading international provider of professionally outsourced marketing administration and consultation services.
Any time the Top Tech Tidbits Publication carries less than its Sponsor limit, Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd. donates the remaining dollars necessary to keep the publication running.
Please help us to support the ongoing distribution of this publication. Learn more about the benefits of Sponsorship today.
Publisher Since: June 4, 2020
Location: Cleveland, Ohio
Time Zone: Eastern Standard Time (EST/EDT) (GMT-5/GMT-4)
In addition to serving as Publisher for Top Tech Tidbits Aaron also serves as Publisher for the Access Information News and AI-Weekly newsletters, PR-Director for the AT-Newswire Press Release News Distribution Service, and President and Senior Project Management Professional for Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd.
As Publisher Aaron oversees the weekly distribution of Top Tech Tidbits on behalf of Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd.
Aaron Di Blasi, PMP
Email: publisher@toptechtidbits.com 📧️
Toll Free: +1 (855) 578-6660 📱️
PR Director (2024-Present)
AT-Newswire 🌐
Access Technology's Digital Newswire
Publisher (2024-Present)
AI-Weekly 🌐
The Week's News in Artificial Intelligence
Publisher (2022-Present)
Access Information News 🌐
The Week's News in Access Information
Publisher (2020-Present)
Top Tech Tidbits 🌐
The Week's News in Access Technology
Sr. Project Management Professional (2006 - Present)
Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd. 🌐
Innovative ideas. Solutions that perform.
Certified:
Digital Marketing Associate
Meta Certified (2022 - Present)
Social Marketing Professional
Hootsuite Certified (2020 - Present)
Email Marketing Professional
Constant Contact Certified (2019 - Present)
Specializing in:
Digital Strategy and Content Marketing
Social Media Advertising
Online Fundraising
ADA, WCAG and Section 508 Compliance
Editor Since: June 4, 2020
Location: Boulder, Colorado
Time Zone: Mountain Standard Time (MST/MDT) (GMT-7/GMT-6)
In addition to serving as an Editor to Top Tech Tidbits John also serves as an Editor to the Access Information News and AI-Weekly newsletters and is also an attorney-at-law specializing in long-term disability claims for persons who are blind or low-vision.
John is also a long-time contractor and member of the Board of Trustees at Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd.
John Hanlin, Esq.
Editor (2024-Present)
AI-Weekly 🌐
The Week's News in Artificial Intelligence
Editor (2022-Present)
Access Information News 🌐
The Week's News in Access Information
Editor (2020-Present)
Top Tech Tidbits 🌐
The Week's News in Access Technology
Board of Trustees (2006 - Present)
Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd. 🌐
Innovative ideas. Solutions that perform.
Editor Since: June 4, 2020
Location: Des Moines, Iowa
Time Zone: Central Standard Time (CST/CDT) (GMT-6/GMT-5)
In addition to serving as an Editor to Top Tech Tidbits Jenna also serves as an Editor to the Access Information News and AI-Weekly newsletters and runs her own advocacy foundation.
Jenna also serves as a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) for Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd.
Jenna's son was born blind and she is always seeking new and innovative ways to empower him through technology.
Jenna Lang, PMP
Editor (2024-Present)
AI-Weekly 🌐
The Week's News in Artificial Intelligence
Editor (2022-Present)
Access Information News 🌐
The Week's News in Access Information
Project Management Professional (2022 - Present)
Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd. 🌐
Innovative ideas. Solutions that perform.
Editor (2020-Present)
Top Tech Tidbits 🌐
The Week's News in Access Technology
Editor Since: October 7, 2021
Location: Los Angeles, California
Time Zone: Pacific Standard Time (PST/PDT) (GMT-6/GMT-7)
In addition to serving as an Editor to Top Tech Tidbits Alex is also the Accessible Technology Coordinator for California State University, Dominguez Hills. He has worked in accessibility in higher education since 2005, is certified by the International Association of Accessibility Professionals, and in his spare time plays for the San Gabriel Valley Panthers Beep Baseball Team. He can be reached on twitter at: @samarositz.
Stephen (Alex) Marositz
Editor (2021-Present)
Top Tech Tidbits 🌐
The Week's News in Access Technology
Accessible Technology Coordinator
California State University, Dominguez Hills 🌐
Editor Since: January 1, 2022
Location: Newcastle, Australia
Time Zone: Australia Eastern Standard Time (AEST/AEDT) (GMT+10)
In addition to serving as an Editor to Top Tech Tidbits Ben is also an Access and Technology Advisor for Guide Dogs, New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory (NSW/ACT).
Hi, Tidbits readers, my name's Ben Moxey and I'm based in Newcastle, Australia. I'm really happy to be part of the Tidbits Team and look forward to supporting this valuable publication.
A bit about me and how I came to work in the BVI area. I grew up with very low vision in one eye due to retinal issues and relied on magnification and speech throughout school. They also tried to teach me Braille, but let's just say that I wasn't the best student! I was determined to use my remaining vision, no matter how impractical it was becoming.
When I was 20, the other retina came off and I've now been totally blind for about 21 years. This is when my love for assistive technology, and technology in general, really kicked in. I'll be honest, I was a bit of a computer nerd anyway, but I could quickly see how technology was my key to enhanced independence and lifestyle. I embraced screen readers, early smart phones and mobility aids. I even finally realised the huge value of Braille and finished off the course, though I'm still pretty slow!
Long story short (not one of my strong points), I've worked in the BVI area for 12 years with much of that spent reviewing, recommending and teaching assistive technology that suits the individual. I'm currently a proud employee of Guide Dogs NSW/ACT where I was the Practice Lead for the assistive technology service, and I've now moved into an Access and Technology Advisor role. Basically, this involves a strong focus on accessibility and technology innovation.
Feel free to look me up on LinkedIn, but I'll warn you in advance that I haven't given my profile the recommended attention!
All the best and happy reading!
Ben Moxey
Editor (2022-Present)
Top Tech Tidbits 🌐
The Week's News in Access Technology
Access and Technology Advisor
Guide Dogs, New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory (NSW/ACT) 🌐
Editor Since: February 6, 2023
Location: Central Coast, New South Wales, Australia
Time Zone: Australia Eastern Standard Time (AEST/AEDT) (GMT+10)
In addition to serving as an Editor to Top Tech Tidbits David also serves as an Editor to the Access Information News publication and is also the National Commercial Assistive Technology Advisor for Vision Australia where he has worked since 1990. Over this time he has assisted people who are blind or vision impaired in their home, education, and work settings to take advantage of the benefits of using assistive and main stream technology.
In the last seventeen years, he has also been involved with evaluating technology for use by people who are blind or vision impaired covering both low and high tech equipment (including Microsoft, Samsung, Google, Amazon, and Apple). David is also one of the key spokespersons for Vision Australia relating to technology.
He has been an Apple Ambassador for Apple Australia since 2009 with a group of other Ambassadors / Apple Distinguished Educators (ADE)'s covering the range of Apple's Accessibility solutions throughout Australia.
David produces a range of podcasts (since 2011) covering Apple and other technologies which are distributed on his own podcast (http://davidwoodbr.podbean.com). In addition, he also has a regular Talking Tech program (since 2013) which can be heard every Tuesday at 4:30 Eastern Summer Time on Vision Australia Radio Melbourne (available online) or via https://omny.fm/shows/talking-tech-vision-australia-radio
David also runs a weekly Tech Monday where people can chat about assistive and main stream technology, share information, and any tips and tricks.
David lost his sight when he was 8 years old and had to learn Braille. Since then, he completed high school, went to Sydney University receiving a Social Work degree, spent 4 years drug and alcohol counselling, and then moved into his current job.
As a person who is blind, David believes that as a user of the technology that he recommends to others, that he is well situated to look at the strengths and shortcomings of the assistive technology that he comes across in both his professional and personal life, in particular, mainstream technology that is accessible.
In addition to his weekly contributions to Top Tech Tidbits and Access Information News, David's regularly occurring activities are his weekly tech radio show, bi-monthly exploring tech webinars for Vision Australia, his iSee podcast when something of note grabs his attention, and the weekly Tech Monday chat sessions.
David Woodbridge
X (Formerly Twitter): @dwoodbridge
Mastodon: woody@dragonscave.space
iSee Podcast: https://davidwoodbr.podbean.com
Vision Australia Radio Talking Tech: https://omny.fm/shows/talking-tech-vision-australia-radio
Editor (2023-Present)
Top Tech Tidbits 🌐
The Week's News in Access Technology
Editor (2023-Present)
Access Information News 🌐
The Week's News in Access Information
National Commercial Assistive Technology Advisor
(1990 - Present)
Vision Australia 🌐
Live the life you choose. We're here to support all Australians who are blind or have low vision.
Editor Since: January 9, 2024
Location: Benton City, WA
Time Zone: Pacific Standard Time (PST/PDT) (GMT-6/GMT-7)
IIn addition to serving as an Editor to Top Tech Tidbits Vicki also serves as an Editor to the Access Information News publication and works as a Web Accessibility Specialist / IT Quality Assurance Tester at Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges.
Vicki Walton
Editor (2024-Present)
Top Tech Tidbits 🌐
The Week's News in Access Technology
Editor (2024-Present)
Access Information News 🌐
The Week's News in Access Information
Web Accessibility Specialist / IT Quality Assurance Tester
Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges 🌐
Better Jobs, Brighter Futures, a Stronger Washington
|
