The Blind Lifestyle Newsletter for September 15, 2022 - Issue 12The 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: 245 opt-in subscribers were sent this issue via email. Dear Blind Lifestyle Subscriber,1) CBS Commits to Better Disability Representation On TVCBS is committing to feature more actors with disabilities: 2) Eric Damery Reflects on the Impact of JAWS and Shares How Some of Your Favorite Features Came to BeAfter more than 28 years advocating for JAWS and other software, plus impacting the industry with countless contributions, Eric Damery has retired. Along with announcing the availability of Fusion Suite Public Beta and the approach of the 2023 release, we want to reflect on the impact of JAWS from Eric's perspective and discuss a few of its most significant features: 3) Microsoft Launches Call For Low-Cost Assistive Tech Innovations To Advance Access In Low-Income CountriesThe Microsoft AI for Accessibility program is calling for project proposals that advance equitable access to assistive technology in low- and middle-income countries, with the option to incorporate AI: 4) US Open to Unveil Action Audio in Semifinals For Impaired AudienceThe broadcast technology, geared toward those with vision or hearing impairments, will be implemented in matches starting September 8th 2022: 5) Why Alt Text Is Important and How to Write It ProperlyIf you run a website or post a lot on social media, you'll know that alt text is a very common feature now, solidifying the importance of accessibility across the digital landscape: 6) Artificial Intelligence's Impact On The Lives Of People With DisabilitiesThe 21st century has made many impossible things possible. It has taken us to a day where the physically impaired walk and the deaf hears and responds. It is not a miracle, but technology is making extraordinary changes: 7) If You Have Sleep Apnea and a Medical Device Implant, Check Your CPAP MaskSome sleep therapy masks made by Philips Respironics present a potential risk of serious injury for people with pacemakers or other metallic implants: 8) Britain's First 10k Race For Visually-Impaired Runners Returns To BristolGreat Bristol Run is staging the second annual official 10k race for blind and partially-sighted runners. On September 22nd 2022, runners will be taking on The Visually Impaired Runners 10k Challenge, the UK's only dedicated event for blind and partially-sighted runners: 9) How To Make Telemedicine Work For Visually Impaired PatientsTelemedicine came into its own during the COVID-19 pandemic. Under the CARES Act, physicians could bill the same amount for a telemedicine visit with Medicare patients as they could for an in-person visit. And many commercial healthcare insurers followed suit, relaxing restrictions for telemedicine for most patients. This "points to the fact that now that telehealth is mainstream, it is essential that no group be left behind if at all possible," Jonathan Weiner, a professor of health policy and management and health informatics at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, tells Fierce Healthcare. "This would include patients with disabilities that impact their use of telehealth as well as those facing technical or financial access barriers. And while telehealth rates may have decreased since the peak of the pandemic, we aren't going back to the pre-COVID era. This mode of care is here to stay, and we must view these barriers as an important potential cause of healthcare disparities:" 10) Telstra Unveils 5G Touch And Track Prototype: A New Way For Vision Impaired Australians To Experience Live AFLThis footy finals season Telstra is demonstrating how 5G technology and the power of their network can bring the magic of near real-time sporting action to Australia's vision impaired audience: 11) Improving Services to Taxpayers With Visual DisabilitiesMillions of U.S. taxpayers are visually impaired and unable to read print material in a standard font size. As a result of a settlement agreement between the IRS and the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) on July 10, 2020, the IRS agreed to develop a process for taxpayers to request post-filing tax notices in a variety of acceptable formats, including Braille and large print. (See IRS statement, July 15, 2020.) This settlement resolved a case brought forth by several blind taxpayers and NFB who alleged the IRS was in violation of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, which prohibits individuals with a disability from being excluded from the participation in, being denied the benefits of, or being subjected to discrimination under any executive agency: 12) Liberty Global and Nuance Expand Voice-Enabled TV Services to Provide Accessibility for Visually Impaired CustomersNew capabilities allow for UK customers to change channels and search guides simply using their voice, making access to programming and customer service requirements easier than ever: 13) Because Every Vote Counts: Making Elections More AccessibleAccording to data released earlier this month, an estimated 1.95 million people with disabilities had trouble voting in the 2020 election. Today marks the beginning of Disability Voting Rights Week 2022, an annual effort coordinated by the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) to make sure disabled voters in every community across the country are registered, ready to vote and have access to the ballot. Additionally, it's a day to engage with candidates and community leaders on issues impacting people with disabilities and to discuss better accessibility inclusion programs: 14) 30 Hikers Who Are Visually Impaired Focus On What's PossibleOn the trail there's a common thread among these hikers who have lost some or all their vision: We can do a lot more than people might think: 15) Apple Settles Lawsuit With Developer Over App Store Scam AppsApple has reached a settlement with Kosta Eleftheriou, a developer who sued the company over scams in the App Store and copycat keyboards: 16) Brian Hartgen To Be Guest Banquet Speaker at Pennsylvania Council of the Blind Annual Conference | Brian HartgenThe Pennsylvania Council of the Blind Conference is the most important meeting of the organization. It is during this weekend that the members decide the direction of the organization by voting on resolutions and board members and directors. It is a time for both members and those interested in the mission of the Pennsylvania Council of the Blind to learn about the latest issues concerning persons with vision loss. The conference features presentations on topics like adjustment to blindness, access technology and more. Both professional and social networking opportunities are offered throughout the weekend. I am both thrilled and delighted this year to be the guest banquet speaker at the event. I am also more honored than I can say that the organization are presenting me with an award in recognition of the contribution given to the productivity of individuals with vision loss: 17) August 2022 Updates To ADA, WCAG And Digital AccessibilityA collection of current articles on digital accessibility best practices, news, thought leadership, and insights: 18) The Salvation Army Aids Visually Impaired Community During Water CrisisMississippi Industries for the Blind is the leading employer of Mississippians who are blind. They strive to provide training and employment for individuals who are blind or visually impaired, to facilitate independence and self-reliance in all aspects of their lives. Lakenya Moore, Chief Financial Officer spoke on the struggles their employees have faced during the water crisis. "We have been trying for a month to get access to water. We spoke with The Salvation Army this morning, and here they are. They stepped up when no one else has:" 19) The Signs Of Hearing Loss You Shouldn't IgnoreThis article describes some of the lesser-known symptoms of early hearing loss: 20) Five Ways The Metaverse Could Be Revolutionary For People With DisabilitiesThis article describes how virtual reality is envisioned to be a benefit for persons with disabilities: 21) How Public Broadcasters Manage Accessibility and Streaming Tech UpgradesThe ways that public broadcasters manage accessibility and tech upgrades on their streaming platforms are heavily influenced by government regulations and funding. Ravi Singh, Director of Streaming Platforms, Knowledge Network, talks with Nadine Krefetz, Consultant, Reality Software, and Contributing Editor at Streaming Media about the unique challenges that public broadcasting streaming platforms face: 22) Study: Blind People Watch TV About as Much as Sighted PeopleNinety-six percent of visually impaired adults watch TV on a regular basis, according to Comcast and the American Foundation for the Blind: 23) Legally-Blind Alabama Woman Helped Make McDonald's Orders Easier For Visually ImpairedKrista Hamilton, who is legally blind, helped McDonald's improve its self-service kiosks to make them more accessible for the visually impaired: 24) Visually-Impaired Boy Lands Job at Microsoft by Learning Coding from YouTubeSuffering from congenital glaucoma, Yash lost his sight at age of 8 but not his dreams and grit to achieve big. After completing his engineering degree, he taught himself coding from YouTube and will now be joining Microsoft: 25) Hearing Dogs Give Deaf People a New Lease of Life!Hearing Dogs for Deaf People is a charity in Buckinghamshire England, that trains dogs to help deaf people live happy and fulfilling lives: 26) Apple AI Conference Keynote Concentrates On AccessibilityApple has given a rare speech at a global AI gathering, with vice president Ge Yue choosing to concentrate on Machine Learning in accessibility features: 27) New Funding Will Help Expand STEM Opportunities For The Visually ImpairedNew funding, a university's ingenuity, and a leading advocate's guidance could now result in sought-after jobs in coding for the blind and visually impaired. Even with a lot of developments in recent years, much of the internet isn't accessible for people with visual impairments. In 2020, a technology called CodeJumper was launched by Microsoft. It has knobs to turn and makes sounds as you connect parts of the chain: 28) When Do the Disabled Get the Respect and Services They Deserve?Those with physical disabilities aren't invisible, and yet we fail to adequately plan for their needs and ability to contribute to our society: 29) AudioSpot App At Disneyland Paris Increases Accessibility For The Visually ImpairedBlind and visually impaired guests at Disneyland Paris now have the ability to access audio description content via the AudioSpot mobile app to enhance their park-going experience: 30) Now, Visually Impaired Can 'Listen' To James Webb Telescope Images Of UniverseAlthough the main objective behind this project is to support visually impaired and low-vision listeners, its immersive experience captivates anyone who listens: 31) Mastercard and Ajman Bank Launch Payment Card For the Visually ImpairedMastercard and Ajman Bank have unveiled an accessible payment card that lets blind and partially sighted people facilitate payments and distinguish between their cards: 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. Support: publisher@toptechtidbits.com ✉ Partner: Blind AbilitiesPartner Since: May 26th 2022 Website: https://blindabilities.com/ 🌐 About: Blind Abilities podcasts cover the latest technology and developments that enhance quality of life for the Blind and Visually Impaired. 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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. 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Catch up with the Coach in September 2022. Insightful tips, shares, how-to's and other useful information from Award Winning Sight Loss Coach, Advocate and Author Donna Jodhan. This month I'd like to share with you the following tips ... |
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