The Blind Lifestyle Newsletter for August 1, 2022 - Issue 9The 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: 223 opt-in subscribers were sent this issue via email. Dear Blind Lifestyle Subscriber,1) The Unexpected Star Of NASA's Webb Images — The Alt Text DescriptionsA team in Baltimore was responsible for the words that made the stunning photos accessible to everyone: 2) Accessibility in AstronomyAs a follow up to "Making Astronomy Accessible For Blind And Visually Impaired Astronomers", one of the people interviewed has written in explaining their involvement and giving some more detail about the interview: 3) Am I an Idiot for Wanting a Dumber Phone?Wired's spiritual advice columnist offers counsel to a reader overwhelmed by apps, dings, and beeps: 4) Tactile Features Included In Currency For Visually Impaired Persons: Reserve Bank of IndiaThe Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Monday told the Bombay High Court it has included several tactile features in currency notes for the visually impaired: 5) Diving Into Android, A Journey Of Rediscovery | The Thoughts and Ramblings of SteveAs those of you who may have followed this blog for a while probably know, every few years or so, I generally switch my primary mobile operating system between iOS and Android: 6) Creative Options To Help Your Website Be More Accessible To Disabled IndividualsIn this fast-paced world we live in, people consume information in various ways. Whether it's by listening to the radio, watching YouTube videos or scrolling through pages online, there is one thing we know for sure — information must be made available to everybody regardless of where they are in life's journey: 7) 'Endless Potential': Ireland's First Dedicated Radio Station Launches For Visually Impaired ListenersIreland's first radio station for blind and vision-impaired listeners has launched this week — finally addressing a gap in broadcasting services that's stood for over a century: 8) How a Transit App for the Blind Could Revolutionize How Everyone RidesA groundbreaking new technology aimed at making every inch of the transit network accessible to people with visual impairments could also help dismantle one of the steepest barriers that many Americans face when they first try to use a shared mode: navigating the labyrinthine underground landscapes that GPS can't reach. And it's coming to U.S. transit networks: 9) She Fought On Behalf Of Her Blind Son. Now BUSD Will Make Online Learning Tools More AccessibleThe National Federation of the Blind hopes a settlement the mother reached with BUSD will become a blueprint for other school districts: 10) VR Is Here to Stay. It's Time to Make It AccessibleThe platform is relatively new — which means now is the opportunity to advocate for all players: 11) Steps To Improve Digital Accessibility At Your InstitutionWhy is this relevant to education institutions? A recent report by the Central Digital & Data Office (CDDO) on compliance with the digital accessibility regulations for public sector websites and mobile apps identified accessibility issues on nearly all the websites tested: 12) How an Adaptive Game Controller Helps My Family BondMultiplayer gaming was something we thought my son would never be able to do, but a special Xbox controller changed everything: 13) Morgan Stanley, Ally Financial Class Actions Claim Websites Not Accessible To Blind, Visually ImpairedWho: Alexandra Hobbs filed separate class action lawsuits against Ally Financial Inc. and Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC. Why: Hobbs claims Ally Financial and Morgan Stanley have failed to design, construct and maintain their websites in a way that would make them fully accessible to individuals who are blind or visually impaired: 14) As of July 16th 2022 The FCC (Federal Communications Commission) Mandates the Ability to Text the Suicide Line 988https://www.fcc.gov/988-suicide-and-crisis-lifeline 15) American Foundation for the Blind Announces Third Access and Engagement Report, Observing Impact of COVID-19 as Students with Visual Impairments Returned to In-Person EducationThe American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) has announced the release of the third Access and Engagement research report, which examines the continued negative impact of systemic and COVID-19-specific issues on the education of students who are blind or have low vision. The report is based on focus groups and short surveys with families of these students and the professionals who serve them as the 2020-2021 school year concluded: 16) Joshua Miele — Building Technology & Public Awareness For Better AccessibilityHere is an excellent interview with Dr. Joshua A. Miele. He was awarded the MacArthur Fellowship for his accessibility technology that assists blind and low-sighted people to navigate the physical and digital world. Dr. Miele currently is Amazon's principal accessibility researcher: 17) For Blind Internet Users, the Fix Can Be Worse Than the FlawsCompanies say their A.I.-powered tools are the best way to fix accessibility problems online, but many blind people find they make websites harder to use: 18) Misuse of Twitter's Alt Text Feature Draws Criticism From Accessibility AdvocatesTwitter is testing pop-ups that remind users to add appropriate image descriptions as misuse of the alt text feature prevails: 19) Blind Folks Live Full Lives TooBlindness is one of the most, if not the most, misunderstood type of disability. The general masses have their own pre-conceived notions about the blind people that they firmly believe to be true without even getting in touch with a blind person: 20) My Ideas For Improving Alt Text Features On Social Media | VeroniiiicaI was quoted in the Wall Street Journal talking about how I would improve existing alt text features on Twitter and other social media. While the actual quote is only a sentence long, I have many other thoughts on improving alt text features on social media, and today I will be sharing my extended thoughts on how alt text features can evolve to further benefit Blind and low vision users on social media: 21) Baylor Chemist Leads $1.3 Million Research Project to Make Chemistry Labs and Concepts Accessible to Blind and Low Vision StudentsNational Institutes of Health funds a first-of-its-kind effort, led by chemistry/biochemistry professor Bryan Shaw, to provide tools eliminating barriers that exclude students with blindness from pursuing chemistry education and experiences: 22) Golf Odyssey: Playing Four Holes With Blind Golfer William PeaseWilliam "Bill" Pease walked into the tee box and pushed his white peg into the ground, centering his ball almost perfectly between the stone tees. He stood up and stepped back: 23) The Hidden History Of Screen ReadersFor decades, blind programmers have been creating the tools their community needs: 24) Twitter To Soon Alert Users To Add Alt Texts To Images, Custom-Built TL Also In The WorksIn case you upload an image and forget to add alternative text or alt text to it, Twitter is going to alert you soon so as you add it: 25) Making Astronomy Accessible For Blind And Visually Impaired AstronomersToday's paper discusses an interview with four people (Dr. Nicolas Bonne, Dr. Cheryl Fogle-Hatch, Dr. Garry Foran, and Dr. Enrique Perez Montero) who are involved with increasing accessibility for people who are blind and visually impaired (BVI) in astronomy. Three of the people interviewed are astronomers or astrophysicists who are blind or visually impaired: 26) Envision's Dallas Location Begins Capital Campaign With $6M DonationThe gift is the largest in Envision's history, according to the company that specializes in training and putting to work those who are blind or visually impaired: 27) Uber Commits to Changes and Pays Millions to Resolve Justice Department Lawsuit for Overcharging People with DisabilitiesOn July 18th 2022 the Department of Justice filed in court a multi-million-dollar settlement agreement with Uber Technologies Inc. (Uber) to resolve a lawsuit alleging that Uber violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Under the agreement, Uber will offer several million dollars in compensation to more than 65,000 Uber users who were charged discriminatory fees due to disability: 28) Mohawk College's Reasons for Cancelling Its Much-Needed Accessible Media Production Program Don't Stand Up Under ScrutinyOn June 10, 2022, the AODA Alliance raised serious objections when it learned that Mohawk College, an Ontario Government-funded community college, cancelled its well-regarded Accessible Media Production (AMP) program. That graduate certificate program educates its students on how to create accessible documents, web sites, videos and like media. Ontario needs this one-of-a-kind program, given how far we are lagging in achieving digital accessibility: 29) For the Disabled, Consumer Electronics Aren't There YetIt's a new world for the differently abled thanks to software patches, but hardware needs to be designed from the beginning with accessibility in mind: 30) Phoenix Sky Harbor Launches Free App To Help Blind, Visually Impaired TravelersTravelers who are blind or visually impaired and are flying out of Phoenix Sky Harbor have a new app to help make their day a little easier: 31) Camp Abilities In Brockport Helping Visually Impaired Enjoy SportsThe adaptive sports camp opened on the SUNY Brockport campus in 1996. After two years of virtual camp because of the pandemic — this is the 25th year of in-person activities: Our PartnersPartner: Top Tech TidbitsPartner Since: January 1st 2022 Website: https://www.toptechtidbits.com/ 🌐 About: Top Tech Tidbits is the world's #1 online resource for current news and trends in adaptive technology. Founded in 2004, Top Tech Tidbits is a leading not-for-profit Adaptive Technology publication that reaches over 7,000 assistive technology professionals, educators and enthusiasts each week. Adaptive Technology refers to items that are specifically designed for people with disabilities. Adaptive Technology is a subset of Assistive Technology. Adaptive Technology often refers specifically to electronic and information technology access. Top Tech Tidbits is a Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd. Publication. Subscribe: Subscribe at: https://www.toptechtidbits.com/subscribe to receive the Top Tech Tidbits newsletter every Thursday morning at 4:00 AM ET. 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App Download: Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/blind-abilities/id1085849859 Google: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.blindabilities.android.blind&hl=en_US&gl=US Partner: EZ2See® ProductsPartner Since: June 1st 2022 Website: https://ez2seeproducts.com/ 🌐 Phone: (800) 234-8291 ☎ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EZ2SeeProducts About: Looking for a truly accessible large-print weekly planner / calendar? So was the low-vision senior who designed and in 2015, started a company to make exactly such a product. He did so only after not finding anything that met his low-vision needs. Annually, thousands of repeat and new customers appreciate its design features that include: • Each week is presented across two 8.5" x 11" heavy-weight pages. Also available on Amazon. Partner: Whose Blind Life is it Anyway NetworkPartner Since: June 1st 2022 YouTube: https://bit.ly/3PUsSI8 Facebook: https://bit.ly/3GIpSdH Twitter: http://twitter.com/blindwhose About: Our network has grown from a simple YouTube blog, to a network of shows that all can enjoy. Our network features cooking shows, interviews with blind individuals around the world and how they navigate through life as a blind or visually impaired individual, television and movie reviews, original content from Donna Jodhan, as well as the Blind Perspective, a show dealing with today's news and topic from a blind perspective, which anyone can participate on. The network has also acquired re-runs of the Blind Handyman and Blind Like Me shows, featuring Phil parr and his crew. Adults aren't left out of the mix, as our network also provides sexually explicit content in the form of the Saturday Night Adult Party (SNAP), where we talk about sex, sexuality and relationships from a blind perspective, as well as the Afternoon Radio Theater Sundae, broadcasting old-time radio features of yesteryear. Our network has something for all, but if you don't like YouTube or it's apps, you can catch us on our Facebook Page, or on Twitter, which we also broadcast to for your enjoyment. If you can't catch us live, you can always catch us on podcast on all your favourite podcast apps or players, from Apple to Google, To Spotify. You can also ask Alexa to play Whose Blind Life is it Anyway, and she'll provide you with all our shows. The network is also providing advertising space, free of charge to anyone interested, as well as blocks of show times for people who would like to produce their own content, or add their content to our network on a weekly basis, perhaps you'd like to have your own blog, but can't be bothered with all the technical nuances, or you would like to feature an infomercial, features products you sell, or services you provide. All of this is free of charge, with no hidden fees, you just have to provide the time and content, and we can provide the platform. Join our network, and enjoy the entertainment we provide on a daily basis. Anchor Podcast: https://anchor.fm/whose-blind-life-is-it-anyway Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3x6JULS Google Podcasts: https://bit.ly/3xbsKwM Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3NKUuxu Download: https://bit.ly/3aCdekA Partnership InformationYour Business or Organization Name, Logo, Contact Information and Advertisement HereThe Blind Lifestyle Newsletter is currently awarding partnerships to select individuals, businesses and organizations that have a proven track record of serving the blind and vision impaired community from anywhere in the world. A partnership currently provides you with a free profile in each issue of the Blind Lifestyle Newsletter. These partnerships are currently being awarded by Award Winning Sight Loss Coach, Advocate and Author Donna Jodhan, free of charge, in order to help grow the distribution list for the Blind Lifestyle Newsletter. If selected for a partnership your profile will remain free of charge until the Blind Lifestyle Newsletter reaches 1,000 susbcribers. Current Subscriber Count: 204. Once the 1,000 subscriber milestone has been reached, all current partners will be given the opportunity to convert their free partnership into a paid sponsorship for $1 per issue, per one thousand subscribers, or have their profile removed. It is necessary for us to transition from free partnerships to paid sponsorships at the 1,000 subscriber mark in order to eventually generate enough funding to maintain distribution of the newsletter itself. Please consider partnering with us today. Help us to grow the Blind Lifestyle Newsletter mailing list while we help you to spread the word about your product or service. It really is a win-win for everyone involved. Learn more today at: https://www.donnajodhan.com/the-blind-lifestyle-newsletter.html#partnership-information Give The Gift of Accessibility TodayPlease consider giving the gift of accessibility to disabled children and their families today by supporting one of Donna's many ongoing initiatives. Your support makes the difference in keeping our children connected, healthy and part of our community. You may donate one time, monthly, quarterly or annually. All donations, no matter how small, ensure that persons with disabilities, especially our kids with disabilities, are given every opportunity to be a part of our growing virtual world. Learn more today at: Sight Loss Coach And Author Donna JodhanDonna 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 InformationABOUT: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. RELEASE SCHEDULE:The Blind Lifestyle Newsletter is currently released via email and social media on the 1st day of each month at 6:00 AM ET. SUBSCRIBE:Do you, a friend, or colleague wish to receive The Blind Lifestyle Newsletter? If so, please use or pass along our CAPTCHA-free sign-up link, which is: https://donnajodhan.com/subscribe. You can also subscribe to receive The Blind Lifestyle Newsletter on the Award Winning Sight Loss Coach, Advocate and Author Donna Jodhan website at: https://donnajodhan.com or by (SMS) texting "BLINDLIFESTYLE" to 22828. Any 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 Blind Lifestyle Newsletter. It's that easy. 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