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Access Information News for Monday, January 1, 2024 - Volume 943The Week's News in Access InformationAccess Information News. The world's #1 online resource for current news and trends in access information. A Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd. Publication Share: Share this volume of Access Information News on Facebook. Subscribers: 13,110 Opt-In Subscribers were sent this issue via email. 31 Premium Subscribers were sent this issue via email. This Week's Featured Advertisement: Join Industry Leaders And Begin Reaching Over 15,000 Access Professionals, Educators and Enthusiasts, All Over The World, Each Week. All While Supporting The Ongoing Distribution of This Publication For Those Very Same Readers. Only $100 USD Per Month. While Packages Last.This Issue Made Possible By Support From The Following Sponsors:
Ongoing Distribution Made Possible By Support From: Pneuma Solutions, WayAround, APH ConnectCenter, Access Ready, Inc., Total Tech Solutions, LLC, Eyes on Success, Hadley, Vision Ireland and Barrier Free Canada. Learn more about Sponsorship today.Dear Access Information News Subscriber,Submit your Access Information News Item for free here, with timing and placement determined by our editors. Submit a Sponsored News Item here, with timing and placement determined by you.1) Top 5 Most Clicked Access Information News Articles From Last WeekA) 'This Is A Business Process': Improving Accessibility For Neurodiverse, Visually Impaired Audiences | PRDaily.comMercedes-Benz U.S. International internal communications lead talks about how to meet unique audiences where they are. B) CNIB's New Charter Aims To Create A More Inclusive Society For The Visually Impaired | CapitalCurrent.caThe CNIB recently released "A New Way Forward," with three aims: increase understanding and awareness of the blind and visually impaired community; make journeys more accessible by eliminating barriers in public transport — from getting on the bus to finding the sidewalk and supporting children with visual impairments in and out of the classroom. C) A Beginner's Guide To Litigating A Web Accessibility | December 18, 2023 | Ken Nakata | Converge AccessibilityThis is a blog post I've been meaning to put together for a long time. At Converge Accessibility, we get contacted by a lot of attorneys (mostly defense but sometimes a plaintiff attorney here and there) and it's amazing to see the costly rookie mistakes that they are making. If you're new to this area, I'd suggest you start here. This post includes my quick thoughts on a Sunday afternoon but I hope to return to this post with other thoughts as time goes on. D) Download Over 900 eBooks of Classics Free from StandardEbooks | OSXDaily.comDavid Goldfield (Tech-VI List): There are other sources for public domain books. The largest source for public domain material is the Internet Archive, which contains books, audio including old time radio and other works in the public domain. The Internet Archive can be difficult to navigate but the site is accessible and is well worth your time. The Online Books Page is another site worth perusing with over three million free titles. Project Gutenberg is perhaps the most well-known site for public domain books offering 70000 titles. Librivox offers free public domain audio books narrated by human volunteers. E) Recognizing Coins With Artificial Intelligence | BlindCoinCollector.comAn overview on how artificial intelligence opens a new chapter in coin recognition for a totally blind person. 2) Sponsorship PackagesAre you an access-based person, business or organization whose products, services or message would benefit from reaching over 15,000 access subscribers each week? If so, please consider becoming a Sponsor today for just $100 a month, paid either monthly, quarterly or annually. If you've been looking for a way to consistently reach the largest audience of opt-in access buyers in the world today, at a nearly negligible price point, please consider becoming an Access Information News Sponsor while packages last. 3) Premium SubscribersNext Issue: Premium Subscribers will receive their 4th issue of the 60 Most Clicked News Articles for October, November and December 2023 on Monday, January 1, 2024. Back Issues: There are currently 3 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 60 Most Clicked News Articles of the last 3 months listed neatly within it, please consider joining us today for just $1 a month. 4) Sponsored News ItemsUse Sponsored News Items to reach the access information 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. 5) Follow Access Information News On Your Preferred ChannelIn addition to receiving Access Information News via email every Monday morning at 6:00 AM ET you can also pick up the newsletter and its trending articles on any of the following channels: 6) Looking For AT-Related Sales? Deals? Promotions? And Discounts?Be sure to shop the weekly Access Information News Classified Ads section located at the very bottom of every Access Information News weekly newsletter. Here you will find sales, deals, promotions and discounts on a wide variety of access information products and services offered by Access Information News Sponsors. 7) UserWay Agrees to be Acquired by Digital Accessibility Leader Level Access | BusinessWire.comUserWay (TASE: UWAY) to become a privately held company, continuing to operate under its name and brand. The transaction has been approved by UserWay's Board of Directors and is subject to shareholder approval; Transaction values UserWay at approximately US $98.7 million; UserWay shareholders to receive US $21.06 (approximately 76 ILS) per share, a premium of 22% over the Company's last thirty-day average fully diluted share price. 8) My Perspective: Digital Accessibility and Overlays | Timothy Springer, CEO, Level Access | LinkedInToday, our company, Level Access announced that we have entered a definitive agreement to acquire UserWay.org, a digital accessibility solution provider. UserWay is a public company, and the transaction hasn't closed, so I can't discuss specifics about UserWay as a company, its products, or our agreement today. That noted, UserWay has been grouped with companies providing "overlays." Accordingly, I think it's appropriate to share my perspective on overlays, in general, and how they fit into the greater picture of digital accessibility. 9) Live Audio Description of The 135th Tournament of Roses Parade | Audio Eyes TV | YouTube8AM PT, 9AM MT, 10AM CT, 11AM ET, 4PM GMT 10) The Biggest Assistive Technology And Accessibility Triumphs Of 2023 | Mashable.comFrom AI volunteers to upgraded iPhones, tech advancements are expanding accessibility. 11) Using An iPhone's Camera Without Sight | Video | @ijustine | XA new video demonstrates the effective use of an iPhone's camera for individuals experiencing sight loss. This educational piece offers a profound insight into the adaptability and resilience required in the face of visual impairment. In particular, it highlights the positive impact of technological accessibility, contrasting the often negative perceptions associated with sight simulation. This video serves as an inspiring testament to the potential of technology in enhancing the lives of those with sight loss. The efforts made in this video are commendable for their contribution to raising awareness and offering practical solutions. 12) Asking for Help and Turning It Down Too | Video with Transcript | Hadley WorkshopPart of the Adjusting to Vision Loss Series. 13) Get a Free Government Tablet: Your Complete Guide | James Patterson | iLounge.comIn an age where digital connectivity is pivotal, the digital divide remains a stark reality for many. Recognizing this, various government programs are stepping up to offer free or highly subsidized tablets. 14) Mobile Accessibility: A Positive Online Grocery Experience | Michael Taylor | UsableNet.comOne of my favorite aspects of the holiday season is the variety of sweets and treats my family enjoys during the festivities. When I discovered that my mother was planning to make her delicious peanut butter bars for Christmas but did not have the key ingredient, I immediately turned to the internet in search of the needed item: peanut butter baking chips. I fortunately found them at a local grocery retailer that offers product delivery directly from the store. I placed an order before the chips went out of stock because supply seems low this year. In the remainder of this blog, I will bring the reader through the order process, pointing out both good and bad accessibility. The experience was very good, one of my best recently. 15) BBC Sounds reports two billion plays of audio in 2023 | RadioToday.co UKTwo billion plays of radio, music and podcasts were made on BBC Sounds in 2023 according to the corporation. Podcast listening saw an uplift of 34% compared to the same period of January to November last year: 16) CAPTCHA Successor Privacy Pass Has No Easy Answers For Online Abuse | Mozilla.orgAs much as the Web continues to inspire us, we know that sites put up with an awful lot of abuse in order to stay online. Denial of service attacks, fraud and other flavors of abusive behavior are a constant pressure on website operators. One way that sites protect themselves is to find some way to sort “good” visitors from "bad." CAPTCHAs are a widely loathed and unreliable means of distinguishing human visitors from automated solvers. Even worse, beneath this sometimes infuriating facade is a system that depends extensively on invasive tracking and profiling. 17) Practical New Year Guide: How to Shop with Low Vision? | Zoomax.comShopping for bargains has become part of the holiday celebrations, for some of us, it can even be the best part. However, shopping with low vision takes planning, and that is especially so at this time of year, when the stores are busier, and people tend to be paying less attention to those around them. People with 20/200 vision can be put off by it all as a result, but our New Year shipping guide for low vision individuals will show you how you can get some retail therapy, safely and confidently. You can grab a bargain and enjoy the experience too, here is how. 18) Sebastião Salgado's "Amazônia Touch" Brings Tactile Photography To The Visually Impaired | Assistive Technology BlogSebastião Salgado, born in Brazil in 1944, is a renowned photojournalist and documentary photographer known for his deep respect for nature and commitment to documenting socio-economic conditions affecting human beings. His photographic journey began in the 1970s, following a career shift from economics to photography. Salgado's work, characterized by its empathy and formal beauty, has earned him numerous accolades, including the Eugene Smith Award for Humanitarian Photography and two ICP Infinity Awards for Journalism. 19) Online College Library Resources For Digital Access | Veroniiiica.comI mentioned in my other post about college libraries that I only checked out a single book from my college library while living on campus for four years. Even though I can count the amount of physical materials I borrowed on one hand (or rather one finger), I have used countless online college library resources, especially in my online graduate school program where I access digital content from libraries pretty much every day. Here are my favorite online college library resources for digital access, which are fantastic for students with print disabilities that benefit from accessible materials. 20) Tactile Marks On Currencies | BlindCoinCollector.comThis post is primarily created to help blind people who travel to a different country and would like a quick reference on how to recognize the local currencies. There is of course currency recognition apps which one can use, here I will only concentrate on currencies, which do have tactile features. I will explain how to interpret those features. 21) Crypto Clarity: Navigating the World of Digital Currencies with Accessibility in Mind | TechFreedom.inLet's explore the world of crypto investing and figure out why everyone's talking about it. We'll break down the basics of digital money, understand why it matters, and see how it's making space for everyone. Join us on this journey to make sense of the excitement around cryptocurrency in a way that's easy to understand. 22) What Did I Learn For 2023 — No Shocker And No Shaker | Donna Jodhan, Founder, Barrier Free CanadaMy final thoughts? Not much has changed! Continued heartaches and breaks but there is a glimmer of hope and some silver linings! We must continue to try and make it better than possible. Just my two cents for today. ➜ Featured Webinars, Training Courses and EventsJanuary 3, 2024 | ParentConnect: A Family Support Group Offered In Partnership With The Virtual Parent Support Group Chicago Lighthouse For The Blind | APH ConnectCenter4:30PM PT, 5:30PM MT, 6:30PM CT, 7:30PM ET, 12:30AM GMT, 1/4 January 4, 2024 | Braille and Breakfast from Sight and Sound Technology Ltd. | The Braillists Foundation1:30AM PT, 2:30AM MT, 3:30AM CT, 4:30AM ET, 9:30AM GMT January 4, 2024 | Braille Matters International Extravaganza from the Braille Revival League | The Braillists Foundation10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 6PM GMT January 6, 2024 | Echo Tips & HIMS SensePlayer | Technology User Group7AM PT, 8AM MT, 9AM CT, 10AM ET, 3PM GMT January 9, 2024 through January 12, 2024 | CES 2024CES ® Is the Global Stage for Innovation. CES ® is the most powerful tech event in the world — the proving ground for breakthrough technologies and global innovators. This is where brands get business done, meet new partners and where the industry's sharpest minds take the stage to unveil their latest releases and boldest breakthroughs. Owned and produced by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) ®, CES is the only trade show that showcases the entire tech landscape at one event. January 9, 2024 | Technology for Children | Braille Institute4PM PT, 5PM MT, 6PM CT, 7PM ET, 12AM GMT, 1/10 January 10, 2024 | Humanware Update | Braille Institute1PM PT, 2PM MT, 3PM CT, 4PM ET, 9PM GMT January 11, 2024 | Career Conversations: An Interview With Claire Stanley, Public Policy Analyst For National Disability Rights Network | APH ConnectCenter3PM PT, 4PM MT, 5PM CT, 6PM ET, 11PM GMT January 11, 2024 | Blind Gaming with Ross Minor | Braille Institute10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 6PM GMT January 11, 2024 | A Comprehensive Guide to ARC Toolkit | TPGi9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 5PM GMT January 11, 2024 | Many Faces of BARD: An Open Forum With the NLS Download Technical Support Team | NLS Bard4PM PT, 5PM MT, 6PM CT, 7PM ET, 12AM GMT, 1/12 January 12, 2024 | Getting Started with BARD Mobile | Braille Institute2PM PT, 3PM MT, 4PM CT, 5PM ET, 10PM GMT January 12, 2024 | Getting Started with BARD Mobile Workshop | Braille Institute2PM PT, 3PM MT, 4PM CT, 5PM ET, 10PM GMT January 16, 2024 | Using Screen Reader Testing Tools to Evaluate the Accessibility of a User Journey — Part 1 | TPGi8AM PT, 9AM MT, 10AM CT, 11AM ET, 4PM GMT January 17, 2024 | Creating Accessible and Inclusive Presentations | A11yTalks.com9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 5PM GMT January 17, 2024 | PixBlaster: Enhancing Braille and Graphics with TSS 8.1 | APH ConnectCenter1PM PT, 2PM MT, 3PM CT, 4PM ET, 9PM GMT February 20, 2024 through February 22, 2024 | Axe-Con 2024 | Deque SystemsWhy attend axe-con? Building accessible digital experiences requires a team effort, across design, development, management, testing, accessibility experts, and of course, legal. Axe-con is the first of its kind, dedicating topics to each of these key players. This is not an assistive technology convention. Talks at axe-con will include case studies from enterprise companies leading in large-scale accessibility efforts, as well as best practices and updates from technology leaders around the world. Attendance of axe-con sessions can also be used towards continuing education (CE) towards IAAP certification. Topics of focus will include accessibility in development, accessibility in design, organizational success with accessibility, and a wildcard track. If you'd like to learn more about previous sessions and speakers, you can view last year's schedule here. Join us to learn how to build, test, monitor, and maintain digital accessibility. April 8, 2024 and April 9, 2024 | 24th Annual Multiple Perspective On Access, Inclusion & Disability Conference | The Ohio State University — Columbus, OhioTo be on the mailing list for the conference, send email to: ADA-OSU@osu.edu 📧️ ➜ Directories1) Access Information Email Newsletter Directory➜ Sponsor Classified AdsSponsor: Eyes on Success
Sponsor Since: August 21, 2023 Website: https://www.eyesonsuccess.net/ 🌐️ About: This half-hour weekly podcast and radio program discusses products, services and daily living tips for people with vision loss. It is available through radio reading services across North America, via several internet streaming services, and to everyone else as a podcast. To date, the show has been downloaded in all 50 states in the US and over 100 other countries on all the inhabited continents. Eyes On Success is hosted and produced by Peter Torpey and Nancy Goodman Torpey. Each episode is basically a success story. Some are human stories of visually impaired people's accomplishments in academics, employment, sports or pastimes. Others are descriptions of adaptive aids that enable visually impaired people to achieve things. These include screen readers, magnifiers, navigation aids, and others. In all cases, the focus is on success. Eyes On Success has been airing weekly since January 2011. Prior to January 2013 the name of the show was ViewPoints. Other than the name, nothing has changed. Listening To Eyes On Success You can listen to Eyes On Success on your smart home device by saying “play the Eyes On Success podcast”, subscribe to the podcast wherever you get your podcasts, or listen on Apple Podcasts, iTunes, YouTube or your local radio reading service. Listeners can also follow the show on Facebook and X (Formerly Twitter).Connecting with Eyes On Success Email: To contact us with questions, comments or suggestions for future shows send an e-mail to hosts@EyesOnSuccess.net 📧️. Weekly Announcements: If you would like to receive weekly announcements of upcoming episodes, you can join our low traffic "announcements only" list by sending an e-mail to: EyesOnSuccess+subscribe@GoogleGroups.com 📧️. Email Forum: If you would like to connect with other listeners and share your thoughts about what you've heard on the show, you can join our listener email forum by sending an email to: EOS_Discuss+Subscribe@GoogleGroups.com 📧️ Sponsor: Total Tech Solutions, LLC
➜ Classified Advertisement: Be My AI Fun | Total Tech Solutions, LLCI apologize for poking fun at Be My AI, but I couldn't resist having a little bit of fun. Join us. Sponsor Since: April 4, 2023 Website: https://blindtech.org/ 🌐️ About: TTS (Total Tech Solutions) is a startup technology company owned and operated in the Dallas Fort Worth area which specializes in offering services for the blind and visually impaired. While this is it's main focus, TTS also caters to the general public. Since its founding, TTS continues to make strides in demonstrating the countless ways blind and visually impaired individuals can contribute in all aspects of the workforce. This is one of the reasons why this company chooses to hire applicants who are visually impaired; to prove that there is a place in society for persons of any type of visual impairment, and to create a positive environment so one can thrive, live life to their fullest potential and to be a positive example to their communities and their families. Shop: BlindShell Classic | Shop: ARxWear | Shop: All Products | Services | Events | About | Contact Us Sponsor: Clusiv
➜ Classified Advertisement: Clusiv Is The World's First eLearning Platform Built For And By People Who Are Blind. Our Courses Are Designed To Equip People Who Are Blind Or Visually Impaired For Employment In The Modern Workforce. Learn More | Clusiv.ioNavigating the employment process can be challenging if you are blind or visually impaired. Technology is difficult to figure out, there is a lot of extra material to learn, and there isn't much quality training available. That's where Clusiv comes in. We help to provide the training you need to succeed in the modern workforce. Our courses teach assistive technology skills and how to apply those skills to many of the business software programs used in the modern workforce, such as email, Microsoft and Google apps, video conferencing, and more. We also teach soft skills such as resume and interview preparation, disclosures and accommodations, internet safety, and financial literacy. Lastly, our training can teach specific career skills, such as becoming an accessibility analyst. Plus, our courses are self-paced. To learn more, visit https://clusiv.io/ and fill out a form with your information. We work with state vocational rehabilitation agencies to provide access to our course content. Sponsor Since: January 16th 2023 Website: https://clusiv.io/ 🌐️ About: As there are many challenges people in the blind community face in employment and education, Clusiv has built the world's first e-learning platform designed for the blind to provide the training, tools, and resources needed to remove barriers to the modern workforce. Our courses teach you occupational and technology skills you need towards employment. Plus, we are working to connect our graduates to internship and job opportunities. Our courses are remote, self-paced, and we provide support throughout your whole journey through our student success team, and even provide lifetime access to our courses so you can keep up to date as technology evolves. You can request Clusiv training through your vocational rehabilitation counselor and fill out the form in the link below on our website. If you are a counselor wanting to learn more about Clusiv for your clients, or an employer looking to hire Clusiv graduates, click the respective link below and fill out a form to get more info. ➜ Person Looking To Enroll In Clusiv Courses ➜ Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Looking To Learn More About Clusiv For Their Clients ➜ Employer Looking To Hire Clusiv Graduates Sponsor: Access Ready, Inc.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Seeks Your Support at the Public Policy Level | Access Ready, Inc.Moving the public policy needle is both difficult and costly. Access Ready has one of the most experienced teams in the business who have shown results. We have fostered Congressional language on accessible websites, elections, healthcare, communications, and other areas touched by information and communications technologies. These efforts are costly and we need your help to continue. Become an Access Ready supporter and create an accessible future for people with disabilities. Sponsor Since: December 19th 2022 Website: https://accessready.org/ 🌐️ Email: info@accessready.org 📧️ Phone: (727) 531-1000 📱️ About: Access Ready Inc. is a certified, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The mission of Access Ready Inc., a nonprofit cross-disability rights advocacy organization, is to promote a policy of accessibility benefiting all people regardless of ability across information and communications technology utilized for two way communications. The purpose of Access Ready Inc. is to educate the public and private sectors of the importance of accessible information and communications technology to the future of all people regardless of ability. To support this education by developing initiatives that promote policies that ensure the creation and maintenance of accessible technologies utilized for two way communications at all levels which allow for easy use by people with the widest range of abilities possible. To develop employment and business opportunities for people with disabilities that support its educational activities in the field of information and communications technology and related areas. To provide consulting and educational services to buyers, developers, and users of information and communications technology that promotes its highest and best use in society. To promote the concept of a technologically accessible society which fosters: Freedom of expression, speech, and worship. Sponsor: Access Ready, Inc.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Provides Access To The Best In The Business | Access Ready, Inc.If you need assistance with a new accessible website, document remediation or disability consulting of other kinds, Access Ready can help. We seek out the best in the business and bring them to you already vetted as to quality, professionalism and ability. By going through AccessReady.org to one of our qualified providers, you're not only getting the best, but supporting our advocacy and technological development efforts as well. Sponsor Since: December 13th 2022 Website: https://accessready.org/ 🌐️ Email: info@accessready.org 📧️ Phone: (727) 531-1000 📱️ About: Access Ready Inc. is a certified, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The mission of Access Ready Inc., a nonprofit cross-disability rights advocacy organization, is to promote a policy of accessibility benefiting all people regardless of ability across information and communications technology utilized for two way communications. The purpose of Access Ready Inc. is to educate the public and private sectors of the importance of accessible information and communications technology to the future of all people regardless of ability. To support this education by developing initiatives that promote policies that ensure the creation and maintenance of accessible technologies utilized for two way communications at all levels which allow for easy use by people with the widest range of abilities possible. To develop employment and business opportunities for people with disabilities that support its educational activities in the field of information and communications technology and related areas. To provide consulting and educational services to buyers, developers, and users of information and communications technology that promotes its highest and best use in society. To promote the concept of a technologically accessible society which fosters: Freedom of expression, speech, and worship. Sponsor: Access Ready, Inc.
➜ Classified Advertisement: Access Ready Seeks Guidance On New Accessible Technologies | Access Ready, Inc.What Technologies do you see in the market that are not accessible, but should be? What accessible technologies can you imagine that can make the lives of people with all kinds of disabilities better? We will advocate with developers to make existing technologies accessible on your behalf. We will advocate with developers to build new accessible technologies on your behalf. Give us your guidance and support. Your guidance charts our path toward what is most important. Your support funds our efforts on your behalf. Sponsor Since: December 1st 2022 Website: https://accessready.org/ 🌐️ Email: info@accessready.org 📧️ Phone: (727) 531-1000 📱️ About: Access Ready Inc. is a certified, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The mission of Access Ready Inc., a nonprofit cross-disability rights advocacy organization, is to promote a policy of accessibility benefiting all people regardless of ability across information and communications technology utilized for two way communications. The purpose of Access Ready Inc. is to educate the public and private sectors of the importance of accessible information and communications technology to the future of all people regardless of ability. To support this education by developing initiatives that promote policies that ensure the creation and maintenance of accessible technologies utilized for two way communications at all levels which allow for easy use by people with the widest range of abilities possible. To develop employment and business opportunities for people with disabilities that support its educational activities in the field of information and communications technology and related areas. To provide consulting and educational services to buyers, developers, and users of information and communications technology that promotes its highest and best use in society. To promote the concept of a technologically accessible society which fosters: Freedom of expression, speech, and worship. Sponsor: APH ConnectCenter
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➜ Classified Advertisement: Save 10% On All Waytags @ Wayaround.Com With Coupon Code "joy10" Through December 20, 2023 | WayaroundWayAround 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. • Label your kitchen, clothing, or medication. Keep adding more WayTags! There's no limit to the number of WayTags you can use. So you can rely on one system to label all your things. Save 10% on any order of WayTags at WayAround.com. Enter "joy10" at checkout. WayLink Scanner is not eligible. Ends 12/20/2023. Sponsor Since: November 18th 2022 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&hl=en_US&gl=US&pli=1 Sponsor: Pneuma Solutions
➜ Classified Advertisement: RIMFest Is In Full Force, And There's Free Admission! Provide Accessible Remote Support With Remote Incident Manager Completely Free Of Charge Until January 2nd. Lock In Unlimited Weekend Support For $50! | Pneuma SolutionsIn the spirit of the holiday season, we proudly offer all users of Remote Incident Manager (RIM) all the time you want, when you want it, from now until January 2nd, 2024! During this time, you will have access to all features and functionalities of the Remote Incident Manager, giving you an excellent opportunity to make the most out of the world's only fully accessible remote support application! There's never been a better time to get in on the action! Simply download your copy to your PC or Mac today, click the “Provide Help Now” button, register, and the free access is yours! But Wait, There's More! During this twelve day event, you can cash in on an opportunity to ring in the new year with more unlimited RIM time! Back by popular demand, our weekend support package can once again be yours for a discounted annual rate of $50! Whatever you do, we at Pneuma Solutions wish all of you the happiest of holidays, and many fulfilling hours of accessible remote technical support! Sponsor Since: November 7th 2022 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. Sponsor: Barrier Free Canada
➜ Classified Advertisement: Barrier Free Canada — Make Your Voices Heard — An Invitation From Barrier Free Canada | Donna Jodhan, FounderNow you can choose how you would like to be heard! Through you and with you! Sponsor Since: November 10, 2023 Website: https://barrierfreecanada.org/ 🌐️ About: Barrier-Free Canada/Canada Sans Barrieres (BFC/CSB) advocates for the Canadian Parliament to enact a strong and effective Canadians with Disabilities Act (CDA) to achieve a barrier-free Canada for all persons with disabilities. To this end, BFC/CSB is seeking endorsements from national disability organizations to build a non-partisan community coalition. BFC/CSB would also like to identify point persons from these organizations to act as key contacts. The steering committee of BFC/CSB has drafted a set of principles concerning a CDA that are drawn from the principles that underpin the provincial disability legislation in Ontario and Manitoba. A CDA is not meant to replace provincial disability legislation. It will complement such legislation and benefit Canadians living in provinces with and without provincial disability legislation. At this point in time, CNIB, March of Dimes Canada, Canadian Hearing Society and MS Society of Canada have endorsed the BFC/CSB principles and confirmed their support for the movement to enact a CDA. There is no individual or organizational charge for membership in BFC/CSB. Please contact Donna Jodhan, Founder of Barrier-Free Canada, at info@barrierfreecanada.org 📧️ with any questions or to express your organization's support and identify a key contact. Social: Facebook | X (Formerly Twitter) | Mastodon (Search For: @news@mastodon.barrierfreecanada.org). Sponsor: Vision Ireland
Sponsor Since: September 18th 2023 Website: https://vi.ie/ 🌐️ Phone: 1800 911 250 📱️ Make A Referral: https://vi.ie/supporting-you/make-a-referral/ We are happy to take referrals from anyone who is having significant challenges with their vision that cannot be improved with conventional correction glasses or medical treatment. Our online referral process provides a quick and easy way for you to request services, either for yourself, a family member, or a patient. We contact all new referrals to conduct an assessment. Donate: https://vi.ie/supporting-us/donate-now/ ❤ Your support is Vital, for over 90 years, people like you have helped Vision Ireland make Ireland a better place for those who are blind or vision impaired. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ncbilabs 📹 We regularly deliver Technology Podcasts on topics that support you. Show content ranges from chats and debates about the latest Inclusive Tech, Meet the Team interviews, interviews with developers about their latest innovations, Tech Tips, and Seeing it Your Way interviews where we speak to Vision Ireland Service Users about how Technology has enabled them by breaking down barriers and leveling playing fields. Online Store: https://vi.ie/shop-with-us/online-store/ 🛒 Shop Low Vision Aids. Our dedicated store supplies a range of household items, magnification aids, daily living aids, and technology devices all designed to assist you to live more independently. Check out our extensive range of low-vision aids, devices, and gadgets all designed to assist you in daily tasks. Vision Ireland Retail: https://www.ncbi.ie/shop-with-us/retail-stores/shop-locations/ 🛒 Visit our 130+ Vision Ireland stores located across the country and shop for an extensive range of pre-loved quality clothing, accessories, and furniture. Vision Ireland is proud to play a part in promoting environmentally friendly practices through reusing and recycling. We've got something for everyone, you can transform your home and wardrobe for less while helping to fund our vital work around Ireland with people living with sight loss. About: Formerly National Council for the Blind of Ireland (NCBI), Vision Ireland's mission is to enable people who are blind and vision impaired to overcome the barriers that impede their independence and participation in society. Inspired by the determination to overcome any obstacle, Vision Ireland transforms the lives of people who are blind or vision impaired to deliver tangible change to today's needs. We offer timely information and support, relevant technology and innovative programs to sustain those with a vision impairment in education, in the workplace, and in wider society. The National Council for the Blind of Ireland, the country's leading sight loss charity serving the approximate 55,000 people who are blind or vision impaired to live confidently and independently. Our suite of programs provides practical and emotional support, rehabilitation and opening pathways to education, employment, and full participation in community and public life. It means raising awareness to ensure children and adults with a significant sight loss have the same opportunities, rights, and choices as anyone else in society. Vision Ireland works every day across the country with people of all ages, from young babies through to older members of our community. We provide services to approximately 7,000 people each year. Often when a person learns that they or a loved one — a parent, child or partner — is losing their sight, they have a lot of questions and fears. They are faced with a new version of their life — one that initially seems limited and scary. Vision Ireland empowers those living with sight loss in several meaningful ways to enable them to continue living independent and fulfilling lives. Vision Ireland has a crucial role to play in creating a world without barriers for people with sight loss. We want to support, educate and change how people see sight loss in this country. Social: Facebook | X (Formerly Twitter) | YouTube | Instagram Sponsor: Hadley
➜ Classified Advertisement: New NVDA Workshops at Hadley | HadleyLearn the basics of NVDA. From getting started with the program to customizing the speech to learning helpful shortcuts, Hadley's workshops have you covered. Sponsor Since: September 18th 2023 Website: https://hadleyhelps.org/ 🌐️ Email: info@hadleyhelps.org 📧️ Phone: (800) 323-4238 📱️ Get Started: https://hadleyhelps.org/learn 🎓 What would you like to learn today? Donate: https://hadleyhelps.org/donate/support-hadley ❤ A 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, Hadley relies on contributions from individuals, foundations, and corporations to fund its programs. About: The mission of Hadley is to create personalized learning opportunities that empower adults with vision loss or blindness to thrive — at home, at work, and in their communities. Founded in 1920 by William Hadley, an educator who lost his eyesight later in life, Hadley offers practical help, connection and support free of charge to anyone with a visual impairment, their families and professionals supporting them. With Hadley, you can discover new ways to do things that have become more difficult due to vision loss and connect with a network of peers who "get it." And you don't need to come to Hadley. Hadley's help comes to you; online, on the phone or through the mail. Since relaunching in July 2020, more than 70,000 people have signed up with Hadley, registering more than 200,000 workshop interactions. And our workshops have 98% satisfaction ratings. We reach all 50 states and more than 100 countries. And more people learn braille from Hadley than from any other organization worldwide. Hadley is a proud partner of the National Eye Institute and the National Eye Health Education Program. Hadley's help conveniently meets learners where they are. Free of wait lists. Free of office visits. Free of charge. Social: Facebook | X (Formerly Twitter) | YouTube 6 of 18 Sponsorship Packages Currently AvailableAccess Information News is the world's leading not-for-profit access information news publication that reaches over 15,000 blind, low vision, deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind, neurodivergent and/or disabled professionals, educators and enthusiasts, all over the world, each week. Access Information refers to informational topics that directly affect the lives of people with disabilities. Access Information includes any and all information related to bettering the lives of people who are blind, low vision, deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind, neurodivergent and/or disabled. Access Information News offers a total of 18 Sponsorship Packages which are used to support the ongoing distribution of the publication. ➜ Waiting List: If you would like to become an Access Information News Sponsor but there are no sponsorship packages currently available, we encourage you to join our waiting list by sending an email to: sponsorships@accessinformationnews.com 📧️. Once you have joined our waiting list we will notify you the next time a current sponsor decides not to renew. You will then have 72 hours to secure your sponsorship before it is offered to the next sponsor on the list. ➜ Payment Options: When available you can secure one of these packages for just $100.00 USD per month, $300 USD per quarter or $1,200.00 USD per year. ➜ Payment Option Benefits: Monthly Sponsors receive Zero (0) Featured Advertisements. Quarterly Sponsors receive One (1) Featured Advertisement per quarter. Annual Sponsors receive Five (5) Featured Advertisements per year. All other benefits remain the same. ➜ Access Information News Supporters:We couldn't do it without you! Thank you for your support!
Why: Access Information News Supporters donate an amount of their choosing either one time or annually in order to assist with the ongoing distribution of the Access Information News publication. Benefits: All Access Information News 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 Access Information News website. One Time Donation: If you would like to become an Access Information News Supporter by making a one time donation in an amount of your choosing to assist with the ongoing distribution of the Access Information News publication, you may utilize this donate link, or scan the QR code to the right. Annual Donation: If you would like to become an Access Information News Supporter by making a small annual donation to assist with the ongoing distribution of the Access Information News 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 Access Information News possible. Platinum Supporters:Become an Access Information News Platinum Supporter today. 1.) James Hulme 2.) Donna Jodhan 3.) Your name here. Gold Supporters:Become an Access Information News Gold Supporter today. 1.) Your name here. Silver Supporters:Become an Access Information News Silver Supporter today. 1.) Your name here. Bronze Supporters:Become an Access Information News Bronze Supporter today. 1.) Your name here. One Time Supporters:One Time Supporters donate an amount of their choosing — one time to assist with the ongoing distribution of the Access Information News Publication. Become an Access Information News One Time Supporter today. 1.) Sharyn Sobel 2.) Amanda Lee 3.) Your name here. ➜ Access Information News TeamPublisher: Aaron Di Blasi (Volunteer)
Volunteer Publisher Since: November 7th 2022 Location: Mayfield Heights, Ohio Time Zone: Eastern Standard Time (EST/EDT) (GMT-5/GMT-4) In addition to serving as Publisher for Access Information News Aaron also serves as Publisher for the Top Tech Tidbits Publication and is also the President and Senior Project Management Professional for Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd. As Publisher Aaron oversees the weekly distribution of Access Information News on behalf of Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd. Aaron also serves as a Volunteer Editorial Contributor to Access Information News. Aaron Di Blasi, PMP Publisher (2022-Present) Publisher (2020-Present) Sr. Project Management Professional (2006 - Present) Website | Email | Subscribe (Free) | Subscribe (Premium) | Donate | Sponsor | Facebook | X (Formerly Twitter) | Mastodon | LinkedIn | YouTube | RSS | Search | Archive | Publisher Editorial Contributor #1: John Hanlin (Volunteer)Volunteer Editorial Contributor Since: November 7th 2022 Location: Boulder, Colorado Time Zone: Mountain Standard Time (MST/MDT) (GMT-7/GMT-6) In addition to serving as an Editorial Contributor to Access Information News, John also serves as an Editorial Contributor to the Top Tech Tidbits Publication and is also an attorney-at-law specializing in long-term disability claims for blind and visually impaired persons. John is also a long-time contractor and member of the Board of Trustees at Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd. John Hanlin, Esq. Editorial Contributor (2022-Present) Editorial Contributor (2020-Present) Board of Trustees (2006 - Present) Website | Email | Subscribe (Free) | Subscribe (Premium) | Donate | Sponsor | Facebook | X (Formerly Twitter) | Mastodon | LinkedIn | YouTube | RSS | Search | Archive | Publisher Editorial Contributor #2: Jenna Lang (Volunteer)Volunteer Editorial Contributor Since: November 7th 2022 Location: Des Moines, Iowa Time Zone: Central Standard Time (CST/CDT) (GMT-6/GMT-5) In addition to serving as an Editorial Contributor to Access Information News, Jenna also serves as an Editorial Contributor to the Top Tech Tidbits Publication 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 Editorial Contributor (2022-Present) Editorial Contributor (2020-Present) Project Management Professional (2022 - Present) Website | Email | Subscribe (Free) | Subscribe (Premium) | Donate | Sponsor | Facebook | X (Formerly Twitter) | Mastodon | LinkedIn | YouTube | RSS | Search | Archive | Publisher Editorial Contributor #3: David Woodbridge (Volunteer)
Volunteer Editorial Contributor Since: February 6th 2023 Location: Central Coast, New South Wales, Australia Time Zone: Australia Eastern Standard Time (AEST/AEDT) (GMT+10) In addition to serving as an Editorial Contributor to Access Information News, David 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. X (Formerly Twitter): @dwoodbridge In addition to his weekly contributions to 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 Editorial Contributor (2023-Present) Editorial Contributor (2023-Present) National Commercial Assistive Technology Advisor (1990 - Present) Website | Email | Subscribe (Free) | Subscribe (Premium) | Donate | Sponsor | Facebook | X (Formerly Twitter) | Mastodon | LinkedIn | YouTube | RSS | Search | Archive | Publisher ➜ Subscription InformationABOUT:Founded in 2022, Access Information News is the world's leading not-for-profit access information news publication that reaches over 15,000 blind, low vision, deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind, neurodivergent and/or disabled professionals, educators and enthusiasts, all over the world, each week. Subscribe here. Review the most recent issues here. Access Information refers to informational topics that directly affect the lives of people with disabilities. Access Information includes any and all information related to bettering the lives of people who are blind, low vision, deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind, neurodivergent and/or disabled. Access Information News is a Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd. Publication. Publisher: Aaron Di Blasi. Contributing Editors: John Hanlin, Jenna Lang and David Woodbridge. Access Information News is a sponsor and reader supported publication. RELEASE SCHEDULE:Access Information News is released every Monday morning at 6:00 AM ET. SUBSCRIBE:Do you, a friend, or colleague wish to receive the Access Information Newsletter? If so, please use or pass along our CAPTCHA-free sign-up link. You can also subscribe to receive the Access Information Newsletter on the Access Information News Website. Either of these methods will provide you with an accessibly friendly and secure medium through which you can subscribe to our mailing list. 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Follow Access Information News on YouTube to begin receiving current news and trends in Access Information as part of your YouTube Video Feed. RSS:Do you prefer RSS? Follow Access Information News via RSS today to begin receiving current news and trends in Access Information using your choice of news aggregator. QUESTIONS:News article abstracts are intentionally concise. As a result we know that some readers may not always understand all of the items listed because little explanation is given. If a particular news article brings up a question in your mind, feel free to ask, and we will try to answer as time and knowledge permit. ARCHIVERead the most recently released issues of Access Information News online here. Visit the Access Information News Archive online here, where you can grab back issues. CONTENT CONTRIBUTORS:Any information for future issues of Access Information News may be submitted online via our News Item Submission Form or directed to our Editors via email. 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