The Blind Lifestyle Newsletter for February 1, 2022 - Issue 2The Blind Lifestyle Newsletter is the newsletter by and for the blind and visually impaired by Award Winning Sight Loss Coach, Advocate and Author Donna Jodhan. Content curation sponsored by Top Tech Tidbits. The Blind Lifestyle Newsletter focuses on current lifestyle news and trends for the blind, deaf, deafblind and disabled. Subscribers: 158 opt-in subscribers were sent this issue via email. Dear Blind Lifestyle Subscriber,1) The Access Technology Affordability ActChris Hofstader shares his opinions on this bill in a blog post: 2) Open Letter To IAAP Against Overlay ProvidersAn open letter to voice opposition to an overlay company being a member of the International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP), and opposing IAAP publicizing overlay companies material: 3) Music Professionals With Disabilities Have New Champion in Advocacy Organization RAMPDCo-founded by artists Lachi and Gaelynn Lea, the coalition is focused on promoting "disability culture" and inclusion in the music industry: 4) Cisco Introduces Digital Accessibility Features For WebexCisco aims the latest features at making Webex friendlier to disabled people, an essential step as digital accessibility lawsuits rise and the fight for talent intensifies: 5) Why Many Blind People Can't Take An At-Home COVID-19 TestThe US government began taking orders for free, at-home COVID-19 tests this week, making it likely that more people will be able to take a test soon, if they wish. But for those who are blind or visually impaired, having a test and being able to use it are not the same. That's because taking an at-home COVID-19 test requires vision, and the ability to complete the process without touching the test strip: 6) Envision Opens First-Of-Its-Kind National Gallery Exhibiting Art for and by Artists and Audiences Who are Blind or Visually ImpairedEnvision, a leading non-profit employing and furthering possibilities for those who are blind or have low vision, has opened a first-of-its-kind national permanent gallery that gives artists who are visually impaired a stage to showcase their work. Located in Wichita, Kansas, the Envision Arts Gallery and Community Engagement Center defies the obstacles faced by marginalized artists who are blind or visually impaired (BVI) and gives those with Intellectual and Development Disabilities (IDD), as well as sighted and neurotypical audiences, a chance to experience art through multiple senses: 7) ADP Settlement Offers Framework for Future Digital-Accessibility AgreementsWhen a lawsuit alleged that human-resources software company Automatic Data Processing Inc. had failed to make its products accessible for people who are blind or have low vision, the case joined a growing body of litigation over accessibility in the digital world. But its recent settlement, and the path that the opposing parties took to get there, could do more for digital accessibility than many of the cases that came before it, some advocates say. The sides used so-called structured negotiations — a strategy in which parties agree to cooperate with one another, usually without a lawsuit on file — that resulted in a settlement without further litigation in court. They also made public the details of their agreement, including a commitment by ADP not to rely entirely on automation to make its products accessible: 8) Why Many Blind People Can't Take An At-Home COVID-19 TestTaking a test and reading the results requires vision, or the assistance of a sighted friend. Blind people say they want to take medical tests independently and privately: 9) Temporary Disability Changed the Way I Look at My EnvironmentNow, the challenge is to never forget the lessons I learned: 10) Local Colorado Non-Profit Adapts A Classic Children's Book For Kids With DisabilitiesColorado-based nonprofit, Imagination Videobooks, that produces accessible videos of children's books for those who are hearing or visually impaired, or have learning disabilities recently turned the classic Winnie-the-Pooh book into an audiobook series (and soon the video version) that all kids can enjoy, no matter their ability: 11) 'Serious Concerns' Over NSW Ivote Suspension For Blind VotersVision Australia calls for upgrades to be fast-tracked: 12) Good News To Patients With Corneal Blindness: MIOK Keratoprosthesis, The World's First Artificial Cornea Of 100% Non-Biological Materials Has Been Approved For Listing In ChinaOn December 7, 2021, MIOK Keratoprosthesis was approved for listing by NMPA, the Chinese agency for regulating drugs and medical devices. MIOK Keratoprosthesis is the world's first ever approved artificial cornea that requires no co-implantation of donor corneas, and is of great significance across the 60 million patients with corneal blindness worldwide, as MIOK Keratoprosthesis makes it no longer impossible to restore sight to patients with corneal blindness, and ease the burden on their families: 13) The Colombian Who Translates Sports For The Blind In The United States14) Comcast and Team Gleason Partner to Revolutionize TV Control and More for People with Physical and Speech DisabilitiesTogether, Comcast and Team Gleason are actively engaging with people with ALS (pALS) and caregivers, as well as preeminent clinicians, technologists and assistive technology partners to define and develop accessible, empowering experiences - from TV control to smart home solutions and beyond: 15) 'This Is Us': Is the Actor Who Plays Jack Damon Visually Impaired in Real Life?This Is Us reintroduced viewers to the character of Jack Damon, played by Blake Stadnik, during "Four Fathers," the third episode in the series final season. In the future, Toby and Kate's son appears to have achieved extraordinary professional success as a musician. He is also happily married to Lucy (Auden Thornton). On the show, the character is visually impaired. Is Stadnik visually impaired as well? 16) Tabletop RPG Rule Books Can Be Beautiful and Accessible | WiredRole-playing rule books are being designed to be more experimental and unique. Here's how they can be designed for accessibility, too: 17) I'm Going Blind. Somebody's Got to Help Me.Julia Lefelar didn't know what else to do. She had been taking antibiotics for a sinus infection, but seemed to be getting sicker. Her eyes hurt, her vision was dimming by the hour, and she had been unable to snag an appointment with her ear, nose and throat specialist. So Lefelar drove to the office of the ophthalmologist she had seen several years earlier for routine care and pleaded with the startled receptionist: 'I'm going blind. Somebody's got to help me:' 18) Bionic Eyes Will Allow The Blind To See
The Phoenix99 Bionic Eye is an implantable system designed to restore a form of vision to patients living with severe vision impairment and blindness: 19) How The Australian Open Is Being Made Accessible For The BlindAction Audio was developed by Tennis Australia, Monash University and the design and innovation company AKQA. The tool takes visual, spatial data from the tennis court and converts it into audio. Taking their cue from blind tennis, in which a tennis ball often contains beads to make it rattle or jingle, Action Audio uses different sounds to represent different elements of the game: 20) Can A New Online Learning Platform Improve Employment For Those With Visual Impairment?Despite being capable of working a variety of jobs, people who are blind or visually impaired tend to have low job placement rates, low salaries and an unusually high underemployment rate. But some advocates say that more-accessible tech platforms could be a key to changing that: 21) How AI Is Being Used To Improve Disability EmploymentSammy was diagnosed with Autism at a young age. I first met him through his Microsoft internship application and followed him on his path to becoming a full-time employee. Sammy is not his real name, but his experience is very real. Like many people with a disability, he has felt excluded from society at times, first at school when he wanted to help fellow students with autism, but the administration discouraged him from doing so because of his disability. As he grew up, he worried these imposed limitations would carry over into employment, so he learned to mask his disability to avoid the stigma he might encounter in job interviews: 22) California's Disability Community Doesn't Need More Tech. We Need Less DiscriminationI'm frequently asked about the latest disability technology being covered in the media. People expect me, as a blind person, to share their excitement about such innovations. Most find my frustration and lack of enthusiasm perplexing. They don't understand that in the excitement that accompanies supposed technological solutions for the disability community, the true problem — ableism — is often overlooked: 23) Covid-19 Home Tests Pose Accessibility Problems for People With DisabilitiesWhen Chancey Fleet, a blind technology educator, opened an at-home Covid-19 testing kit earlier this winter, she realized it would require vision to use the product correctly. Ms. Fleet completed the test with the help of her husband, who is sighted, and said she initially brushed off the experience as a personal inconvenience. But she changed her thinking when she thought of the many people who are blind and lack access to a sighted person who can help them. Her critique of Covid-19 tests' accessibility on Twitter went viral: 24) How Technology Is Changing Being Blind In The Digital AgeJanuary is National Braille Literacy Month. The New York State Commission for the Blind says braille literacy is decreasing because of fewer trained instructors, and with more school age students being educated in their own communities instead of schools specifically for the blind. Educators from the nonprofit Visually Impaired Advancement say technology also plays a bigger role in the lives of those who are visually impaired: 25) Moovit Powers Public-Transport Independence For The BlindPartnership with WeWALK enables vision-impaired Moovit app users anywhere to get real-time bus and train information, navigation guidance: 26) Local Puppy Raisers Help Train Dogs To Make Life Easier For Visually Impaired | Fox8A plane full of pups. Admit it, when you read that sentence, it instantly brought a smile to your face. Even though it may look like one of them is flying the plane, they're not that smart. But given some time, they will do something even better than looking adorable in the cockpit. They'll give a person who is sight impaired a chance to be mobile again: 27) Matt Mrazik '20: Concentrating on Game DesignMatt's game for visually impaired individuals highlights a novel approach to accessibility in game development: 28) Blind Community Reveals Challenges With At-Home Testing, Calls For Changes | YouTube | WJZThe National Federation of the Blind, a Baltimore-based nonprofit, wants to see improved accessibility in at-home COVID-19 testing: 29) Motherwell Teenager With Sight Loss Hails Braille Over TechnologyA Motherwell teenager who has sight loss has championed Braille on the occasion that marks the birth of its inventor: 30) How A Miami School Helps Kids With A Visual Impairment See Better And Improve SkillsUnlike other visual impairments, CVI isn't caused by damage to the eyes, but rather an injury to the part of the brain that processes vision. Kids with CVI can have difficulties recognizing and understanding what they're seeing: Partnership Package InformationYour Business or Organization Name and Information HereThe Blind Lifestyle Newsletter is currently accepting partnerships from select individuals, businesses and organizations that have a record of serving the blind and vision impaired community from anywhere in the world. Partnerships are paid positions that help to support the distribution of the newsletter and offer you your very own space within each issue of the Blind Lifestyle Newsletter. Learn more here: Sight Loss Coach And Author Donna JodhanCatching Up With The Coach | February 2022Catch up with the Coach in February 2022. Insightful tips, shares, how-to's and other useful information from Award Winning Sight Loss Coach, Advocate and Author Donna Jodhan: Ask The Coach | February 2022Award Winning Sight Loss Coach, Advocate and Author Donna Jodhan answers 3 different questions posed by readers new to sight loss: Donna Jodhan's Sight Loss CoachingDonna Jodhan has been coaching persons with sight loss since 2000. She is a high profile Apple Certified Trainer and Consultant and a world-renowned Author. She has written and produced and continues to write as a blogger, editorialist, podcast commentator, writer, and fiction author. She produces meaningful and up to date info designed to assist the reader and listener to become more confident when dealing with sight loss. As a person with sight loss herself, Donna recognizes and knows only too well how the colossal challenges of COVID-19 have changed the lives of us all; especially so for those living with sight loss. At the best of times, it is difficult enough to cope when sight loss sets in for anyone but when the world is unexpectedly and practically turned on its head and we are all now forced to find new ways to cope, the challenges of sight loss becomes even more acute. AboutAs a coach, Donna will use her vast knowledge and life experience as an advocate, author, and entrepreneur to successfully assist you in navigating through life and learning how to live with vision loss. Donna will teach you how to navigate the fast moving and complicated world of technology and show you how to conquer bullying and scams. You will learn how to cope with sight loss in your home, garden, places of employment, and your home office. There is nothing better than having someone beside you who can provide personal and customized services to meet and accommodate your needs upon request. ServicesCoaching is available via Telephone, Email, Facetime, Skype, and Zoom. PricingYour Initial Consultation is free of charge. You can expect this assessment to last anywhere between one hour to one and a half hours and we would be pleased to contact you at our expense thus avoiding you having to incur any long distance charges. We believe that our payment structure is affordable and will be able to meet your budgets and expectations. You may pay as you go at $50 / hour or purchase hours in blocks of 5, 10 or 15 at $40 / hour. Pricing Packages5 Hour Package - $200 ContactTo learn more please visit: https://www.donnajodhan.com/. Subscription Information:ABOUT:The Blind Lifestyle Newsletter is the newsletter by and for the blind and visually impaired by Award Winning Sight Loss Coach, Advocate and Author Donna Jodhan. Content curation sponsored by Top Tech Tidbits. The Blind Lifestyle Newsletter focuses on current lifestyle news and trends for the blind, deaf, deafblind and disabled. 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