Access Information News for Monday, July 20, 2026 – Volume 1076

3 Disabled Women Tried To Walk 3 Blocks… It Was 45 Minutes Of CHAOS! | Molly Burke | YouTube.com | July 14, 2026

In this revealing episode, Molly Burke shares a candid account of an ordinary night out that spiraled into forty-five minutes of unpredictable hurdles for three disabled friends. By spotlighting the barriers faced by a blind host, a deaf companion, and a wheelchair user navigating city streets, Burke highlights the urgent consequences of inaccessible infrastructure and poor design on real lives.

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1.) Top 5 Most Clicked News Articles From Last Week 📊️

A.) Are Retailers Doing Enough To Serve the Needs and Desires of Shoppers Facing Disabilities? | RetailWire.com | July 7, 2026

A research report from Disability:IN and the American Institutes for Research estimates the U.S. disability consumer market at $675 billion, with Americans with disabilities holding $107 billion in annual discretionary income. Experts like AIR’s Kathleen Murphy and Adaptation Ventures’ Brittany Palmer argue that retailers remain slow to invest in accessibility, even as features like audiobooks and closed-captioning benefit broad markets via the curb cut effect. The study underscores gaps in equity, noting only 1 in 10 working-age adults with disabilities have discretionary income after essentials.

B.) Podcast: Driven By Purpose | She’s 10 Years Old and Already Planning Her Career | Sydney’s Person-Centered Planning Story | Isaac Shapiro of Cleanlogic and The Inspiration Foundation | July 13, 2026

When do you start planning for your child’s future? For most parents, that conversation happens somewhere around high school. But if your child has severe disabilities, waiting that long is not an option. In this episode of Driven By Purpose, hosts Evan Rosenblum, Mike Ghesser, and Isaac Shapiro get personal. Evan shares that his 10-year-old daughter Sydney, who has severe cerebral palsy and is nonverbal, is about to participate in a person-centered planning meeting at her school. The goal is to start building a real vision for her post-high school career now, while there is still time to develop the skills she will need. What unfolds is an honest, heartfelt, and important conversation about belief, preparation, and what it truly means to set a child up for independence.

C.) Making the World Cup Accessible — From the Inside | SVVoice.com | July 8, 2026

FIFA has implemented sign language commentary in English and LSM and launched sensory rooms at all World Cup venues, including Levi’s Stadium, in a comprehensive effort to improve accessibility for disabled fans. Natalie Gross, FIFA’s Accessibility Coordinator and blind advocate, leads these initiatives, aiming for industry-wide adoption. Levi’s will add ADA seating with a $1.5 million investment.

D.) The Disability Dividend, Audited | By Aaron Di Blasi, Publisher, Access Information News | July 13, 2026

Here, Aaron Di Blasi, a lifetime engineer and Publisher of the Access Information News weekly newsletter, reviews The Disability Dividend, the new 2026 book by Dr. Kirk Adams, the former President and CEO of the American Foundation for the Blind. Rather than hand a colleague a glowing blurb, Di Blasi does something rarer, and discloses exactly why up front: because Adams is a Top Tech Tidbits editor, an Access Information News sponsor, and his own co-founder in the PWD Media Distribution Co-op, he doesn’t endorse the book, he audits it. Reading all 182 pages as three people at once, the computer engineer who wants to see the math, the publisher who reaches more than 89,000 disabled professionals every week, and the advocate whose company exists to make information accessible, he puts Adams’s central claim, that hiring people with disabilities isn’t charity but a measurable competitive advantage, on the bench and pulls it apart.

E.) Podcasts by Dr. Kirk Adams: Interview With Brandy Schantz, Author, Living Chronic | DrKirkAdams.com | July 7, 2026

Brandy Schantz, a former US Army intelligence officer, shares how chronic illness led to her upcoming book “Living Chronic: Conversations That Changed Me, Lessons That Saved Me” (Koehler Books, August 24, 2026) on Dr. Kirk Adams’ podcast. Schantz details navigating Crohn’s disease, drug-induced lupus, and generalized dysautonomia, and discusses caregiving, self-advocacy, diagnostic challenges, and her
journey back to running the Marine Corps Marathon despite lasting health impacts.

July 20, 2026 📅️

2.) Podcast: Driven By Purpose: She Didn’t Know How to Cook. Then She Lost Her Vision. Then She Opened a Business | Isaac Shapiro of Cleanlogic and The Inspiration Foundation | July 20, 2026

In this episode of Driven By Purpose, Isaac Shapiro, Mike Ghesser, and Evan Rosenblum sit down with Chef Deborah Erickson, executive chef and founder of The Blind Kitchen. Deborah’s story is one of the most unexpected and inspiring on the show. After losing her vision to retinitis pigmentosa, she enrolled at the Oregon Commission for the Blind, discovered a love for cooking she never knew she had, went to culinary school as the only blind student in her class, and eventually took a leap of faith to launch The Blind Kitchen, a business dedicated to teaching blind and visually impaired people how to cook safely and confidently. She did all of this while learning what it truly means to solve problems with creativity instead of sight.

July 18, 2026 📅️

3.) The Cooking Without Looking TV Show Blind V. Blind Cook-Off #2 | Cooking Without Looking | YouTube.com | July 18, 2026

In this breaking episode, L Anne Ogden and Nellie Cardenas face off in a spirited cook-off on Cooking Without Looking TV, hosted by Florence Virginia Walsh. With a surprise ingredient and only 20 minutes on the clock, the stakes are high as the winner claims a premium Anyday Gourmet Microwave Cookware set valued at $168.

July 17, 2026 📅️

4.) I Needed to Share With People That I Trusted | HadleyHelps.org | July 17, 2026

Carolyn, from the Kansas City area, describes the challenges of advanced macular degeneration and the difficulty maintaining social connections as facial recognition became impossible. Speaking candidly on Hadley’s Insights & Sound Bites podcast, she outlines how sharing her needs with trusted people fostered understanding and built confidence through vulnerability.

5.) Well-Known Accessibility Advocate Donna J. Jodhan Talks About Shooting Each Other in the Foot | BarrierFreeCanada.org | July 17, 2026

Donna J. Jodhan, a leading accessibility advocate, calls for unity within disability communities, warning that internal conflicts weaken collective advocacy and benefit policymakers and corporations. She urges a focus on shared goals such as accessible transportation, inclusive education, and equitable healthcare to strengthen collective influence and drive meaningful change.

6.) How To Navigate the Long Entry-Exit System Queues if You Have a Disability | Independent.co.uk | July 17, 2026

The EU’s new Entry-Exit System (EES) is causing hours-long queues at major airports, raising accessibility challenges for travelers with disabilities or reduced mobility. Amsterdam Schiphol and Spanish airports report dedicated assistance and manual processing lanes, while the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights urges non-discriminatory, accessible implementation and adaptive processing for those unable to provide biometrics.

7.) ‘Made Our Hearts All Melt’: Bike Camp Helps Kids With Developmental Disabilities Learn How to Ride | Ketv.com | July 17, 2026

Omaha’s iCan Bike Camp partners with nonprofits to help kids with developmental disabilities progress from roller bikes to standard two-wheelers using specialized methods. Danielle Thiessen of the Pediatric Therapy Center says early success reduces falls and builds confidence. Parents report life-changing results as children achieve new independence.

8.) Darline Graham’s Career Centered Disability. Now She Could Help Shape National Policy. | 19ThNews.org | July 17, 2026

Darline Graham, appointed to fill the remainder of her late brother Lindsey Graham’s US Senate term, brings decades of experience in South Carolina disability services. Advocates including Kimberly Tissot and David Houck cite her expertise in ending subminimum wage for people with disabilities and supporting employment programs. Her political priorities as senator remain uncertain.

9.) How to Create Accessible OSCE Exams for Learners With Disabilities | ASMEPublications.OnlineLibrary.Wiley.com | July 17, 2026

A team led by Lisa M. Meeks presents a detailed framework for making Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs) more accessible to learners with disabilities. The article outlines how universal design and individualized adjustments can address barriers without compromising assessment validity, providing concrete strategies for pre-encounter, encounter, and post-encounter exam phases in medical education.

10.) Colleges Likely Serving More Students With Autism Than They Realize | DisabilityScoop.com | July 17, 2026

New research in Autism in Adulthood estimates that between 135,400 and 286,254 college students in the US are on the autism spectrum, far exceeding prior figures. Study leader Brad Cox of Michigan State University notes that nearly half of high school students with autism attend college, often without disclosing their disability or seeking accommodations. The authors call for better data and tailored support strategies.

11.) Meta Accused Of Using AI To Target Workers With Disabilities For Layoff | DisabilityScoop.com | July 17, 2026

Former Meta employees have filed a federal lawsuit alleging the company used AI-powered tools like Metamate to target workers with disabilities for layoffs, citing tracking of productivity metrics such as keystrokes and internet usage. Meta’s recent layoffs numbered 8,000 company-wide, with significant impacts in California, New York, and other states. Meta denies the claims, insisting human decisions drove workforce cuts.

12.) She Got A Cochlear Implant As An Adult To Please Her Family – What It’s Really Like | Molly Burke | YouTube.com | July 17, 2026

Analytically unpacking family dynamics and identity, Molly Burke sits down with Chrissy Marshall for a revealing conversation on navigating Deaf culture and the complexities of cochlear implants. Burke surfaces how expectations, communication barriers, and personal autonomy shape lived experiences within hearing families. This candid discussion exposes the emotional stakes and deep-seated perceptions that influence choices around disability and technology.

13.) Reading The Most Unhinged Comments About Me | Jessica Kellgren-Fozard | YouTube.com | July 17, 2026

Cutting through the noise around online commentary, Jessica Kellgren-Fozard examines the wildest, most personal remarks left on her content and what their intensity reveals about digital culture. She highlights the intersection of feminism, homophobia, and internet discourse, offering a candid glimpse at both the vitriol and the support communities experience online.

July 16, 2026 📅️

14.) We Can’t Wait for Someone Else to Build the Future | DrKirkAdams.com | July 16, 2026

Facing national setbacks for diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and belonging, Dr. Kirk Adams and the Institute for Sustainable Diversity & Inclusion are launching the Community Coalition for Sustainable Diversity & Inclusion. Their initiative seeks $20,000 to build a digital platform for DEIAB practitioners, with Adams and Board Chair Dr. Joseph Marth contributing the first $1,000.

15.) Twenty Years After DOJ Settlement, Durham’s West Point on the Eno Gets Accessibility Improvements | IndyWeek.com | July 16, 2026

Durham has launched a $5 million construction project to make West Point on the Eno park accessible, two decades after a DOJ finding that it violated ADA requirements. Upgrades include paved parking, accessible restrooms, and new paths. Most of the park will remain closed until January 2027, with city officials citing funding delays as the primary reason for the long gap since the DOJ settlement.

16.) REM’s Lack of ‘Real’ Accessible Parking Among Frustrations for People With Disabilities | MontrealGazette.com | July 16, 2026

Paul-Claude Berube, director general of COPHAN, criticizes Montreal’s REM transit network for failing to provide genuinely accessible parking and infrastructure, noting that spaces are too narrow for many adapted vans and some stations lack any close accessible parking. Although the REM complies with outdated regulations, Berube reports gaps in elevator reliability and winter accessibility that pose risks for people with limited mobility.

17.) People in Prison Saw My Wheelchair Before They Saw Me | PrisonJournalismProject.org | July 16, 2026

After being denied jobs in prison due to her wheelchair, Lisa Lesyshen launched “inmate.com,” a TV interview show on the Colorado Department of Corrections station. Despite skepticism from prison management about her abilities, she created a platform featuring interviews with leaders and incarcerated people, addressing topics like COVID-19, state pay, and transgender rights.

18.) Uber Reverses ‘Disability Tax’ After Outcry | ABC.net.au | July 16, 2026

Uber has dropped a $5 surcharge for its Assist service, reversing a move criticized as a “disability tax” by advocates and service providers. After meetings with key disability groups, Uber Australia managing director Emma Foley said the company would instead form an Accessibility Advisory Group to address service concerns. Tamara Searant of Guide Dogs Australia called the initial surcharge unacceptable and lacking consultation with stakeholders.

19.) Chasing Truth: A Conversation With Lachi | BMI.com | July 16, 2026

Recording artist and disability advocate Lachi discusses her album “Magnificent,” released July 10, which features over 70 collaborators and promotes disability inclusion for all ages. Named a 2024 USA Today Woman of the Year, Lachi describes how her music, book “I Identify As Blind,” and her leadership at RAMPD foreground empowerment, inclusion, and authentic representation in the music industry.

20.) White House Wants To Make It Harder For People With Disabilities To Sue Federal Agencies | DisabilityScoop.com | July 16, 2026

The Trump administration is appealing a court order requiring reinstatement of ASL interpreters at White House briefings by arguing that people with disabilities cannot sue federal agencies under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Disability advocates warn this could bar millions from legal recourse against discrimination in federal programs spanning veterans’ hospitals to national parks.

21.) Stuck in the Reasonable Accommodation Backlog? Delays May Violate Your Rights | FedWeek.com | July 16, 2026

Eric Pines of Pines Federal Employment Attorneys notes that unreasonable delays in federal agencies’ processing of reasonable accommodation requests may themselves constitute legal violations under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Backlogs at agencies like Treasury and HHS now total over 15,000 open requests, placing employees’ rights and deadlines at risk. Federal employees generally have only 45 days to contact an EEO counselor after a delay.

22.) Why People With Visible Disability Still Have To “Come Out” | PsychologyToday.com | July 16, 2026

A study led by Kathleen Bogart, Ph.D., finds that people with visible disabilities frequently experience pressure to explain the causes and implications of their conditions, challenging the assumption that visibility removes the need for disclosure. Context and perceived autonomy over disclosure decisions were shown to strongly impact well-being.

23.) Paralyzed Man Feels Sensation Again With Brain Stimulation Device | TheScientist.com | July 16, 2026

A neuroprosthetic system using a double neural bypass enabled Keith Thomas, paralyzed since 2020, to regain hand strength, dexterity, and his sense of touch. Researchers implanted five microelectrode arrays in his brain and used electrical stimulation patches, with some functional gains persisting even after the device was switched off. The study, led by Chad Bouton, was published in Nature Medicine.

24.) Vermont Not Making the Grade on Educating Students With Disabilities, Feds Say | VermontPublic.org | July 16, 2026

Vermont is one of only four states labeled as “needs intervention” by the US Department of Education after failing to meet federal standards under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. The state risks losing up to $2.4 million annually if it does not improve outcomes for the nearly 20% of students with specialized learning plans, who show proficiency levels as low as 4% in math and 11% in English.

25.) Google Rebrands NotebookLM as Gemini Notebook, Focusing on Ecosystem and Accessibility | SiliconAngle.com | July 16, 2026

Google has rebranded its AI-powered research assistant, NotebookLM, as Gemini Notebook and expanded its ecosystem integration. The new version leverages the Gemini 3.5 model and introduces secure cloud computers, over 100 software skills, and agentic capabilities. Ultra users and Workspace enterprise customers are first to receive access, with broader rollout to follow.

26.) Accessibility-Focused Smart Glasses | TrendHunter.com | July 16, 2026

The American Council of the Blind, Meta, and the Blinded Veterans Association will distribute Ray-Ban Meta AI glasses to eligible blind veterans at a July 27 event in St. Louis. Meta aims to donate these AI-enabled, hands-free glasses to 130,000 visually impaired veterans globally, with recipients receiving device training to maximize practical use and independence.

27.) What Makes for an Enjoyable Telecast by World-Renowned Accessibility Advocate Donna J. Jodhan | SterlingCreations.ca | July 16, 2026

Donna J. Jodhan, an award-winning sight loss coach and advocate, calls for television broadcasters like CTV to prioritize clarity and accessibility over rapid delivery and flashy visuals. She emphasizes that fast-paced speech and poor diction exclude viewers with vision loss, hearing impairments, or cognitive challenges. Jodhan urges networks to adopt inclusive, measured communication to ensure all audiences can fully participate in televised content.

28.) Detroit’s New Greenway Will Boost Mobility and Investment. Will It Bring Displacement, Too? | NextCity.org | July 16, 2026

Detroit’s $300 million Joe Louis Greenway aims to enhance mobility and economic opportunity, connecting neighborhoods across Detroit, Hamtramck, Highland Park, and Dearborn. While local officials anticipate revitalization, residents express concern about rising home prices, displacement, and loss of community identity. Comparisons to Atlanta’s Beltline highlight both the benefits and risks of large-scale urban greenways.

29.) Breaking Down Barriers: How to Make the Most of Accessible Travel | TravelIndustryToday.com | July 16, 2026

New strategies and practices are emerging to improve accessible travel for people with disabilities. The piece reviews challenges faced by travelers, highlights key accessibility initiatives in the tourism industry, and points to the importance of inclusive design in accommodations and transportation. Recommendations for travel providers and agencies are also outlined.

July 15, 2026 📅️

30.) How Masabilities Brings Accessible Carnival to Toronto | NowToronto.com | July 15, 2026

Masabilities, founded by social worker Marty Lampkin, is an annual sold-out Carnival-inspired event in Toronto that centers disabled and neurodivergent Afro-Caribbean communities. The July 25 event offers adaptive dance, sensory-friendly spaces, accessible costumes, ASL interpretation, and mobility supports. Lampkin aims to challenge cultural stigma around disability and advocates for greater accessibility at Toronto Carnival in the future.

31.) These Disabled Workers Lost Their Jobs. They Say AI Targeted Them | USAToday.com | July 15, 2026

A lawsuit alleges Meta used AI-assisted systems to guide May 2026 layoffs, unfairly targeting employees with disabilities or those on medical leave. Meta denied that AI decided job cuts, asserting decisions were made by people. Legal experts warn that employers face mounting risks if AI penalizes protected categories without adequate human oversight.

32.) Comprehensive Accessibility Airport Resources | TrendHunter.com | July 15, 2026

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport expands accessibility for Disability Pride Month with wheelchair assistance, discreet Compassion Cacti lanyards, sensory rooms, and vision support apps like Aira and ReBokeh. The airport also offers dementia-friendly certification, caregiver workshops, and free Navigator Support Guides to enhance travel for passengers with a range of disabilities.

33.) I Took a 10-Year Career Break to Care for My Daughter. I Learned Important Lessons About Bouncing Back. | BusinessInsider.com | July 15, 2026

Nicki Schroeder, a London-based media lawyer, took a 10-year career break to care for her autistic daughter. Schroeder credits her return to a senior legal role to transferable skills, strong professional networks, and quality childcare. She emphasizes not apologizing for career gaps, noting her decade-long break rarely comes up during job interviews years later.

34.) Down Syndrome Self-Advocacy Program To Expand Nationwide | DisabilityScoop.com | July 15, 2026

A self-advocacy curriculum developed by Sara Gudiel in partnership with GiGi’s Playhouse Las Vegas will be rolled out to 62 GiGi’s Playhouse locations across the US and Mexico. The six-week Empower program targets transitional skills like self-care, leisure, and personal hygiene for individuals with Down syndrome. Site manager Justine Chevalier reports significant benefits as adults gain confidence and independence.

July 14, 2026 📅️

35.) Guest Commentary: Philadelphia Needs Our Disabled Leaders | ThePhiladelphiaCitizen.org | July 14, 2026

Nico Meyering, chairman of the Mayor’s Commission on People with Disabilities, calls out a stark leadership gap: while 17% of Philadelphia adults have a disability, only 10% of nonprofit CEOs report having one, and that number drops to 3% at large organizations. Meyering argues that making civic leadership roles accessible is crucial for retention and sustainable governance, urging data collection and structural support for disabled leaders.

36.) Kendal Mum’s Bid To Halt ‘Quiet’ Disability Discrimination | BBC.com | July 14, 2026

Zoe Mason, a mother from Kendal, has launched the Izzy’s Way campaign to collect accounts of disability-related “quiet discrimination” across Cumbria, inspired by experiences raising her daughter Izzy, who has cerebral palsy. Mason highlights how inaccessible policies often quietly exclude disabled people and seeks to inform change at councils and businesses.

37.) Windsor City Council Temporarily Extends Lifespan of 5 Accessible Cabs | CBC.ca | July 14, 2026

Windsor City Council unanimously approved a one-year exemption allowing 31 aging taxicabs, including five accessible vans owned by Canadian Checker Cabs, to operate beyond legal lifecycles. The renewal fee for accessible cab plates dropped from $520 to $25. Advocates warn the move does not address underlying gaps in accessible transportation or systemic funding challenges in Windsor.

38.) Inclusive and Accessible Cities Start With Well-Maintained Sidewalks | WBUR.org | July 14, 2026

Despite Cambridge investing in bike and bus lanes, resident Barbara Thimm notes sidewalk neglect creates major barriers for people with disabilities and the elderly. Decades-old sidewalks with cracks, obstructions, and tree root damage persist, while hundreds of complaints remain unresolved in the city’s 311 system, revealing an ongoing accessibility issue beyond a single neighborhood.

39.) Apple Readies Movie About Prominent Disability Rights Activist | DisabilityScoop.com | July 14, 2026

Apple Original Films will premiere “Being Heumann,” a biopic about disability rights leader Judy Heumann, as the opening night film at the Toronto International Film Festival. Adapted and directed by Siân Heder, the film stars Ruth Madeley as Heumann and is based on the activist’s pivotal 1977 sit-in for Section 504 enforcement. The movie debuts September 10 in Toronto.

40.) Napa Wine Label To Support Jobs for Adults With IDD | DisabilityScoop.com | July 14, 2026

Cana Ranch, founded by Tyler and Kelly Mullman, will debut its first Cabernet Sauvignon with a portion of each sale supporting employment and job training for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Partnering with WineBev in Napa Valley, the initiative aims to involve workers with IDD in every aspect of the wine business, with $10 from each $200 donation bottle going directly to these programs.

41.) Website Accessibility Lawsuits Don’t Create Lasting Change, Advocates Say | DisabilityScoop.com | July 14, 2026

Multiple lawsuits filed by Judith Pelaez against companies for inaccessible websites highlight ongoing barriers faced by people with impaired vision, but disability rights advocates argue that such cases mainly lead to confidential settlements without systemic improvement. The National Federation of the Blind’s Chris Danielsen warns that repeated lawsuits risk prompting tougher legislation and rarely result in lasting digital accessibility.

42.) 3 Disabled Women Tried To Walk 3 Blocks… It Was 45 Minutes Of CHAOS! | Molly Burke | YouTube.com | July 14, 2026

In this revealing episode, Molly Burke shares a candid account of an ordinary night out that spiraled into forty-five minutes of unpredictable hurdles for three disabled friends. By spotlighting the barriers faced by a blind host, a deaf companion, and a wheelchair user navigating city streets, Burke highlights the urgent consequences of inaccessible infrastructure and poor design on real lives.

43.) He Cheated With Good Vision. I Still Won! | Legally Blind No Limits | YouTube.com | July 14, 2026

Showcasing a uniquely competitive edge, Cory takes on his nephew Kayden in a spirited blind basketball challenge despite having less than 10 degrees of vision. The matchup not only spotlights Cory’s relentless adaptation but also sets the stage for a fresh look at turning adversity into performance.

44.) France Made Me A Knight, And My Mission Is Braille! | Haben Girma | YouTube.com | July 14, 2026

Sitting down with the news of her knighthood, Haben Girma spotlights the global stakes of Braille advocacy in an era of digital transformation. As she recounts her ceremony and the ongoing debate over Braille’s value, Girma draws a sharp contrast between technological priorities and the lived realities of disabled creators.

July 13, 2026 📅️

45.) Come One, Come All: How DMV-Area Community Theaters Approach Accessibility and Diverse Audiences | DCTheaterArts.org | July 13, 2026

Community theaters across Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia are implementing accessible options like ASL interpretation, sensory-friendly performances, large-print programs, and Pay-What-You-Will nights. Leaders such as Lauren Riley Sayles of 2nd Star Productions and Jeff McDermott of Rockville Little Theatre detail strategies that address financial, sensory, and physical barriers to attendance, with creative use of grants, digital captioning, and DIY air filtration solutions.

46.) Ready to Roll | EnableMagazine.co.uk | July 13, 2026

Disabled war veteran Nick Wilson has launched the 50 at 50 challenge, aiming to raise 150,000 pounds to fund and donate eight all-terrain Quantum Outback powerchairs to outdoor UK venues. Wilson, who became an ambulant wheelchair user in 2023, leverages his experiences to advocate for advanced EV battery adoption in mobility tech, seeking to break both logistical and financial barriers to outdoor accessibility.

47.) “We Support a Renewed Focus on Accessibility” – SCIE Responds to Timms Review of PIP | CareHomeProfessional.com | July 13, 2026

The Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) backs the Timms Review of Personal Independence Payment, which concludes the system is no longer fit for purpose. Based on 38,000 responses, the report found PIP remains vital but fails to meet the current needs of disabled people, with Gerard Crofton-Martin of SCIE calling for meaningful reforms focused on accessibility and lived experience.

48.) Robots Are Hitting the Streets of Hoboken, N.J., to Improve Accessibility for Pedestrians | CBSNews.com | July 13, 2026

Hoboken, New Jersey is deploying Daxbot robots equipped with lasers and GPS to survey sidewalks and assess ADA accessibility. Funded by a federal grant, these robots will collect data on curb ramps, crosswalks, and pathways as part of the city’s Vision Zero initiative. Mayor Emily Jabbour states the findings will guide improvements to pedestrian infrastructure through July.

49.) How Businesses Can Improve Service Animal Access and ADA Compliance | CrainsGrandRapids.com | July 13, 2026

Service dogs are generally permitted in all areas where the public has access, including restaurants, retail stores, hotels, and medical offices, in accordance with ADA guidelines. The overview emphasizes the responsibilities businesses have to enable access for individuals accompanied by service animals and clarifies typical compliance requirements.

50.) Killeen City Council To Vote on ADA Transition Plan Aimed at Improving Accessibility Across the Community | KXXV.com | July 13, 2026

Killeen City Council will vote on adopting a 20-year, $6 million ADA transition plan to upgrade sidewalks, parks, bathrooms, and city facilities, following a 2021 settlement with the DOJ. Community advocates like Michele Lammers of the Texas All Abilities Network and local families highlight the daily challenges faced due to current inaccessibility.

51.) As Federal Disability Oversight Shifts, Advocates Warn History Is Being Ignored | SmartBrief.com | July 13, 2026

Disability rights advocates warn that shifting federal special education oversight from the Department of Education toward health-focused agencies threatens decades of civil rights progress. Andrew Marcum, director at CUNY, argues that education-based enforcement is crucial for protecting students’ legal rights and avoiding administrative fragmentation that could disrupt vital services for families.

52.) American Airlines to Expand Employee Disability Protections in New York | WBNG.com | July 13, 2026

American Airlines Group and affiliates will update policies for thousands of New York employees to align with the broader disability definition in New York State Human Rights Law, after an agreement with the state. The move follows an investigation into ‘point-based’ attendance policies that allegedly penalized employees for medically necessary absences protected under state law.

53.) Connecticut Lawmakers, Officials Recognize Accessible Parking Awareness Day | WTNH.com | July 13, 2026

Connecticut state lawmakers, local officials, and disability advocates marked Accessible Parking Awareness Day during a Department of Motor Vehicles event in Guilford. State Sen. Christine Cohen and House Republican Leader Vincent Candelora noted ongoing efforts to address accessible parking access and enforcement, with initiatives driven in part by the non-profit Peace, Love, & Accessibility.

54.) Top Tips to Help People Making a New Claim for Devolved Disability Benefits | DailyRecord.co.uk | July 13, 2026

Social Security Scotland has released a new checklist to support applicants for Adult, Child, or Pension Age Disability Payments, outlining key steps for providing detailed personal information and supporting documents. Standard rates for Adult Disability Payment start at 76.70 GBP weekly, with fast-track options for terminally ill claimants. Free application help is available from official advisors and partner organizations including Citizens Advice Scotland.

55.) GBR Anglia Colleagues Come Together to Mark Disability Pride | RailUK.com | July 13, 2026

Greater Anglia, c2c, and Network Rail Anglia staff united for Disability Pride Month to share neurodiversity experiences and develop strategies for accessible workplaces. Keynote speaker Ellen Jones addressed the intersection of neurodiversity and LGBTQIA+ identities. Rob Mullen and Rose Merchant highlighted ongoing challenges and the importance of building inclusive railway culture.

56.) How an Army of Digital Sleuths Are Using AI to Fix America’s Crumbling Sidewalks | FastCompany.com | July 13, 2026

Project Sidewalk, launched in 2012, leverages crowdsourcing and AI to identify and catalog sidewalk issues like broken ramps and faded crosswalks using Google Maps Street View. Cofounder Jon Froehlich says while AI is improving, local volunteers remain crucial for assessing true accessibility challenges in US cities and enabling grassroots action.

57.) Safety, Job Losses, and Accessibility Among the Concerns DC Considers Autonomous Vehicles AVs | WUSA9.com | July 13, 2026

A Washington, DC review of autonomous vehicles has raised concerns over safety, potential job losses, and accessibility. Local officials and community members are weighing infrastructure readiness and regulatory frameworks as they consider next steps for AV deployment in the city.

58.) Rail News – TransLink Begins Accessibility Upgrades to SkyTrain Stations | ProgressiveRailroading.com | July 13, 2026

TransLink has announced scheduled elevator and escalator closures for accessibility upgrades at Vancouver SkyTrain stations. Work begins in July at Burrard and Royal Oak stations on the Expo Line and at Gilmore and Production Way–University stations on the Millennium Line, advancing a program that will modernize 21 elevators and 24 escalators across the system through 2029.

59.) Ed Department Details Plans To Outsource Special Education, Relocate Staff | DisabilityScoop.com | July 13, 2026

Federal officials at the Department of Education detailed plans to shift many Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services responsibilities to the Department of Health and Human Services. Kelly Rogers, acting assistant secretary, emphasized IDEA will remain under ED, but staff relocations and oversight logistics have fueled continued concerns from advocates including Jacqueline Rodriguez of the National Council for Learning Disabilities.

60.) How To Date With A Disability | Squirmy and Grubs | YouTube.com | July 13, 2026

In this conversational episode, Shane Burcaw responds directly to a teen’s question about navigating dating while living with a disability. He offers practical advice, then shares the surprising and uplifting events that followed from a memorable Q&A session.

61.) She’s 10, Nonverbal, And Already Has A Career Plan | Driven by Purpose | YouTube.com | July 13, 2026

Sitting down with guests to reflect on an emotional breakthrough, Evan Rosenblum unpacks how one ten-year-old’s person-centered planning session transformed not only her future but the way her community sees her. The conversation offers a rare inside look at how including classmates, teachers, and family in the process can reveal hidden dreams and unexpected allies, cementing the school’s commitment to turning those ambitions into reality.

Last Week 📅️

62.) Cabinet Grants VIA Rail Accessibility Exemption Despite Disability Complaints | WesternStandard.news | July 12, 2026

Canada’s federal cabinet has granted VIA Rail an exemption from certain accessibility requirements, triggering complaints from disability advocacy groups. Despite objections citing the Accessible Canada Act, the exemption allows VIA Rail to operate without fully meeting new accessibility standards, highlighting ongoing tensions between operational constraints and disability rights.

63.) Op-Ed | The ADA Gave Us Access. This Next Chapter Is Belonging. | AmNY.com | July 11, 2026

Marking the 36th anniversary of the ADA, MTA Chief Accessibility Officer Quemuel Arroyo and Chief Customer Officer Shanifah Rieara argue that accessibility in New York transit now goes beyond just infrastructure. Recent MTA efforts such as OMNY payments, NaviLens wayfinding, real-time sign language support, and the Open Stroller Program shift the focus from basic access to genuine belonging for all riders.

64.) Slew of Lawsuits Over Disability Access Frustrates US Cafe and Shop Owners | TheGuardian.com | July 11, 2026

Small business owners in New York, including Rodrigo Nogueira of No More Cafe, say they are facing costly legal challenges from serial ADA litigants citing accessibility violations. Legal fees for mounting a defense or settling can reach $20,000 or more, pushing some owners to settle quickly. Disability advocates like Michelle Uzeta argue that such lawsuits remain a vital tool for civil rights enforcement, countering calls for a legal “cure period.”

65.) City Considers an Accessible Taxi Grant Program | YellowKnifer.com | July 10, 2026

Yellowknife city council is weighing a one-time grant program to increase the number of wheelchair-accessible taxis, potentially allocating up to $220,000 from the 2026 accessibility implementation fund. City director Kerry Thistle notes that residents with disabilities often struggle to find reliable 24/7 accessible transport. Final guidelines and eligibility criteria will be discussed at the July 22 council meeting.

66.) Remarkable World Commentary Episode #99: Ask Advocate Donna | DonnaJodhan.com | July 2, 2026

Donna J. Jodhan answers listener questions in this “Ask Advocate Donna” podcast episode, focusing on scenarios where everyday advocacy is necessary for people with disabilities. Jodhan distinguishes between passion and compassion in advocacy, and breaks down practical responses to discrimination in restaurants, social events, and long-term care settings. Listeners are encouraged to submit their own questions and stories.

67.) Remarkable World Commentary Episode #98: How Accessible Is Learning Online? | DonnaJodhan.com | July 1, 2026

Donna J. Jodhan, award-winning sight loss coach and advocate, argues that while online learning platforms have advanced, significant accessibility gaps remain, especially for blind, visually impaired, and cognitively challenged users. She cites ongoing issues with registration forms, learning management systems, and exam interfaces, particularly where tools like screen readers and ZoomText are incompatible or instructors lack proper training.

68.) Durango Given Accessibility Verified Tourism Status | DurangoHerald.com | June 1, 2026

Durango has earned Accessibility Verified status from the Colorado Tourism Office and Wheel the World, following expert mapping of over 20 local businesses and attractions for accessibility metrics. The assessment identified accessible hotels, activities, and restaurants supporting visitors who use mobility aids. City officials noted plans for further Americans with Disabilities Act improvements downtown and on North Main Avenue.

👉 Submit your event for consideration within this section here.

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July 22, 2026 | Making Accessible Excel Spreadsheets: Accessible Design And Table Settings (Digital Accessibility Webinar) | Access Ingenuity

10:00 AM PT, 11:00 AM MT, 12:00 PM CT, 1:00 PM ET, 5:00 PM GMT
Join Rachel Reeves from Access Ingenuity to learn how to design Excel spreadsheets that are accessible to all users. The session covers table structure, formatting techniques, named ranges, and writing meaningful descriptions for charts and data.

July 28, 2026 | Tech It Out | Hadley

11:00 AM PT, 12:00 PM MT, 1:00 PM CT, 2:00 PM ET, 7:00 PM GMT
Learn a few tips about everyday technology from a technology expert, ask your questions, and share your experiences.

July 29, 2026 | Topaz Desktop Magnifier: Getting The Most From Your Low Vision Workstation (Acvrep Ce Approved, Assistive Technology Webinar) | Access Ingenuity

10:00 AM PT, 11:00 AM MT, 12:00 PM CT, 1:00 PM ET, 5:00 PM GMT
Join Ian Ramos from Access Ingenuity and Joe McDaniel from Vispero for an in-depth look at the TOPAZ desktop magnifier and its capabilities. They explore features such as magnification, contrast modes, and camera positioning to help optimize a low vision workstation for productivity and comfort.

August 8, 2026 | Creative AI Tools | Technology User Group At The Maryland State Library For The Blind And Print Disabled

7:00 AM PT, 8:00 AM MT, 9:00 AM CT, 10:00 AM ET, 2:00 PM GMT
The Technology User Group (TUG) will be showcasing a plethora of creative AI tools: think of it as a digital playground where imagination takes center stage. Artificial Intelligence (AI) may be all over the headlines, but it doesn’t have to be intimidating. In fact, you’ll see just how surprisingly fun and easy it can be to experiment with these tools yourself. During our presentation, we’ll spotlight a variety of technologies that spark creativity, inspire new ideas, and help you express your own talents in fresh ways. Whether you’re curious, cautious, or already dabbling, this session will entertain, surprise, and maybe even ignite a new hobby.

August 14, 2026 | EnAble Learning Office Hours | National Organization on Disability

10:00 AM PT, 11:00 AM MT, 12:00 PM CT, 1:00 PM ET
NOD’s EnAble Learning Office Hours give HR, talent development, and DEI leaders a 45-minute walkthrough of the on-demand disability training platform. In-house experts cover Disability 101 content, accommodations, ADA frameworks, neurodiversity and mental-health modules, and how the platform supports manager effectiveness, retention, and workplace culture.

August 20, 2026 | Member-Only Event: Everyday Accessibility Mistakes | National Organization on Disability

10:00 AM PT, 11:00 AM MT, 12:00 PM CT, 1:00 PM ET
A 25-minute virtual session for NOD Leadership Council members covering the most common accessibility missteps organizations make and how to avoid them. Access is restricted to Council members; non-members can join the Leadership Council to attend this and similar exclusive briefings on accessible practice.

August 25, 2026 | Tech It Out | Hadley

11:00 AM PT, 12:00 PM MT, 1:00 PM CT, 2:00 PM ET, 7:00 PM GMT
Learn a few tips about everyday technology from a technology expert, ask your questions, and share your experiences.

September 14, 2026 | Leadership Council Open House | National Organization on Disability

10:00 AM PT, 11:00 AM MT, 12:00 PM CT, 1:00 PM ET
A 45-minute virtual open house introducing the NOD Leadership Council, a community of companies including JP Morgan Chase, L’Oreal USA, and Toyota North America that work to advance disability inclusion in the workplace. Senior HR leaders meet NOD’s Disability Inclusion Specialists, hear about 2026 membership benefits, and learn how to scale inclusion efforts.

September 15, 2026 | Leadership Insights: Disability Inclusion Dialogues | National Organization on Disability

9:00 AM PT, 10:00 AM MT, 11:00 AM CT, 12:00 PM ET
A 90-minute virtual peer-focused discussion for senior-level NOD Leadership Council members on disability inclusion and workforce retention. The session features insights from Candee Chambers, Director of the Office of Public Liaison at the U.S. Department of Labor, who joins industry leaders to address strategic retention challenges.

September 22, 2026 | Tech It Out | Hadley

11:00 AM PT, 12:00 PM MT, 1:00 PM CT, 2:00 PM ET, 7:00 PM GMT
Learn a few tips about everyday technology from a technology expert, ask your questions, and share your experiences.

October 1, 2026 | Technology and the Disability Experience | National Organization on Disability

NOD’s annual in-person event in New York City brings together business, technology, and advocacy leaders to explore how AI, extended reality, and smart devices are reshaping accessibility and workforce inclusion. The evening at the Times Center features a tech showcase, panel discussions, an award ceremony, and live entertainment.

October 9, 2026 | EnAble Learning Office Hours | National Organization on Disability

10:00 AM PT, 11:00 AM MT, 12:00 PM CT, 1:00 PM ET
NOD’s EnAble Learning Office Hours give HR, talent development, and DEI leaders a 45-minute walkthrough of the on-demand disability training platform. In-house experts cover Disability 101 content, accommodations, ADA frameworks, neurodiversity and mental-health modules, and how the platform supports manager effectiveness, retention, and workplace culture.

October 27, 2026 | Tech It Out | Hadley

11:00 AM PT, 12:00 PM MT, 1:00 PM CT, 2:00 PM ET, 7:00 PM GMT
Learn a few tips about everyday technology from a technology expert, ask your questions, and share your experiences.

November 19, 2026 | Member-Only Event: Practices for Accessible Virtual Meetings | National Organization on Disability

10:00 AM PT, 11:00 AM MT, 12:00 PM CT, 1:00 PM ET
A 25-minute virtual session for NOD Leadership Council members focused on practical, hands-on strategies for making virtual meetings more inclusive and accessible to all participants. The full briefing is restricted to Council members; non-members can join the Leadership Council to attend this and similar exclusive members-only sessions.

November 24, 2026 | Tech It Out | Hadley

11:00 AM PT, 12:00 PM MT, 1:00 PM CT, 2:00 PM ET, 7:00 PM GMT
Learn a few tips about everyday technology from a technology expert, ask your questions, and share your experiences.

December 17, 2026 | CEO Office Hours: Looking Back/Looking Forward | National Organization on Disability

10:00 AM PT, 11:00 AM MT, 12:00 PM CT, 1:00 PM ET
NOD President and CEO Beth Sirull hosts a 45-minute virtual CEO Office Hours for a year-end reflection on disability inclusion milestones and a preview of the strategies shaping the coming year. The informal session invites participants to connect directly with Sirull and discuss what will drive greater impact in 2027.

December 22, 2026 | Tech It Out | Hadley

11:00 AM PT, 12:00 PM MT, 1:00 PM CT, 2:00 PM ET, 7:00 PM GMT
Learn a few tips about everyday technology from a technology expert, ask your questions, and share your experiences.

⬆︎ 2.) Sponsor: 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 📧️

⬆︎ 1.) Sponsor: Pneuma Solutions

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.

⬆︎ 13.) Sponsor: Blind Professionals Network (BPN)

Sponsor Since: April 13, 2026 📅️

Website: https://blindpronet.org/ 🌐️

Email: BPN@BlindProNet.org 📧️

Phone: +1 (800) 699-8238 📱️

About: Blind Professionals Network (BPN) is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to advancing the professional success of individuals who are blind or visually impaired. Fully staffed by BVI professionals, BPN’s wealth of education, passion, and lived experience leads the efforts in bridging the employment gap between talent and opportunity. Through our no cost professional development trainings, mentorship, and a dynamic network routed in our core values of the acronym “SUCCESS”, , we equip our members with the skills, confidence, and resources needed to thrive in today’s workforce. Complementing these premier services, our BPN Workplace Solutions division partners with employers to deliver custom Jaws training, accessibility testing, and professional development training to enhance inclusive hiring, training, and retention strategies. Together, these two focus areas Unite to break barriers and achieve professional success.

BPN Workplace Solutions | Facebook | LinkedIn | Club House

⬆︎ 12.) Sponsor: Institute for Sustainable Diversity & Inclusion (ISDI)

Sponsor Since: January 24, 2026 📅️

Website: https://i4sdi.org/ 🌐️

About: The Institute for Sustainable Diversity & Inclusion (ISDI) is a Washington-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2015 to help individuals and organizations build the capability to create workplaces, and communities, where diversity, equity, and inclusion are real, practical, and sustainable. ISDI’s work is grounded in evidence-based approaches and a long-term, systems-change mindset that goes beyond one-off trainings or performative efforts.

ISDI is best known for stewarding the Northwest Diversity Learning Series (NWDLS), a respected DEI education program with more than 27 years of impact, offering virtual, interactive workshops led by thought leaders and subject matter experts from across the country and Canada. ISDI also offers special events, small learning cohorts, and professional development sessions that equip leaders, HR/DEI practitioners, and employees with actionable skills for inclusive leadership and healthy dialogue across difference. In addition, ISDI provides consulting and curated resources to help organizations strengthen strategy, leadership accountability, and measurable progress toward more inclusive and equitable cultures.

About Us | Coalition | Contact Us | Consulting Services | Diversity Learning Series | Donate | News | Registration | Resources

BlueSky | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram

⬆︎ 11.) Sponsor: The Blind Kitchen

Sponsor Since: January 15, 2026 📅️

Website: https://theblindkitchen.com/ 🌐️

About: The Blind Kitchen is an accessibility-driven culinary brand founded by legally blind chef and educator Debra Erickson. Built to help people with vision loss cook safely and confidently, The Blind Kitchen curates adaptive kitchen tools alongside clear, practical instruction, showing that losing sight doesn’t mean losing your place in the kitchen.

Through an intentionally accessible online experience and a growing library of step-by-step demos, tips, and strategies, The Blind Kitchen empowers blind and low-vision cooks (and the people who support them) to reclaim independence, creativity, and joy around food, because independence belongs in every kitchen.

Kitchen | Store | About the Chef | FAQs | Library | Recipes | Contact

Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | YouTube

⬆︎ 10.) Sponsor: The Cooking Without Looking TV Show

Sponsor Since: January 12, 2026 📅️

Website: https://cookingwithoutlookingtv.wordpress.com/ 🌐️

About: The Cooking Without Looking TV Show is an award-worthy, barrier-breaking TV show and podcast created and executive produced by Renée Rentmeester to change the way we see blindness, by showing blind and low-vision cooks doing what they love: preparing delicious meals with confidence, creativity, and humor. Originally launched on public television, the series has grown into a multi-platform experience that features talented hosts and guest cooks who share real-life kitchen strategies, adaptive techniques, and the kind of practical know-how that makes cooking feel possible, enjoyable, and empowering for everyone.

Designed with accessibility at its core, Cooking Without Looking goes beyond what’s on the screen. Episodes emphasize clear, descriptive instruction and sensory cues, sound, texture, aroma, and timing, so viewers and listeners can truly follow along, and recipes are shared in ways that support independence. Produced through the Vision World Foundation, the show also connects audiences with resources and community, proving week after week that great cooking isn’t about eyesight, it’s about skill, curiosity, and the joy of making something wonderful.

Home | Recipes & Tips | Contact | YouTube

⬆︎ 9.) Sponsor: Driven By Purpose Podcast

Sponsor Since: November 3, 2025 📅️

Website: https://thedrivenbypurposepodcast.com 🌐️

About: We’re building more than a media company — we’re cultivating a global movement where purpose drives progress.

What began as a mission to create employment for the 1 in 4 Americans living with disabilities has grown into a dynamic platform at the intersection of advocacy, entrepreneurship, and innovation. Our goal is simple: to amplify the voices, solutions, and stories that are driven by purpose.

At Driven by Purpose, we spotlight purpose-led businesses, breakthrough technologies, and human stories that challenge limits and redefine what’s possible. From adaptive innovations to inspiring leaders, we explore how purpose fuels progress and unlocks potential.

But this isn’t just about raising awareness — it’s about taking action. Through powerful content, strategic partnerships, and accessible platforms, we’re building bridges between those who need solutions and those creating them.

⬆︎ 8.) Sponsor: The Blind Guide, LLC

Sponsor Since: October 6, 2025 📅️

Website: https://theblindguide.com 🌐️

About: The Blind Guide is passionate about helping people thrive with vision loss. My website includes many resources for people losing their vision and their caregivers. Register for my weekly blog post or read one or more of my eBook series, which cover the initial vision loss journey through education, entertainment, and home modifications.

Assistive technology is a key enabler of thriving with blindness. I’ve worked with emerging technologies to make everyday life more accessible and enjoyable, enabling independent travel, better access to sporting events, your inner musician, and so much more.

My ecosystem also includes resources for jobseekers and employers. The list of jobs someone who is blind cannot do is much shorter than the list of jobs they can do. Ask me about employment programs from cybersecurity to talent sourcing.

For employers, I can connect you with a hidden market of exceptional, resilient talent: people who are blind plus veterans and military spouses.

⬆︎ 7.) Sponsor: Able News at The Viscardi Center

Sponsor Since: July 4, 2025 📅️

Website: https://ablenews.com 🌐️

Email: ablenews@viscardicenter.org 📧️

About: Able News at The Viscardi Center is a monthly periodical for, by, and about people with disabilities. It amplifies the perspective of a diverse disability community and reports on news, technology, sports, health and wellness, culture, travel, advocacy and opportunities to learn and connect. It is a valuable resource and brings readers disability news like no other source.

Read Able News

⬆︎ 6.) Sponsor: Aira

Sponsor Since: September 9, 2024 📅️

Website: https://aira.io/ 🌐️

Download the App: Apple App Store | Google Play Store

Plans and Pricing: https://aira.io/pricing/

Phone: NA: +1.800.835.1934 📱️ | AU: +1.800.765.096 📱️ | UK: +0.800.046.5668 📱️ | NZ: +1.800.425.451 📱️

Text Message: NA: +1.858.242.4457 📱️ | AU: +61.488.839.767 📱️ | UK: +44.149.320.2474 📱️

Email: support@aira.io 📧️

Social: Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn | YouTube | Instagram

About: Aira’s mission is to remove barriers and make the world more accessible with visual interpreting.

We provide a live, human-to-human professional assistance service, an accommodation or productivity tool, that enhances independence by delivering on-demand, skilled and reliable visual interpreting for just about any task. Using the powerful combination of a camera and the Aira app on someone’s device of ‘choice’, a professionally-trained agent will assist by visually interpreting what is in the camera’s view or on screen, from describing to reading, from explaining to navigating – just about anything, safely and securely. Aira supports a growing range of devices including smart and tactile button phones, desktop computers and soon, wearables.

Whether you are involved in the work of business, the work of school or the work of life, Aira enhances everyday efficiency, engagement, and independence. Used by employees and customers of hundreds of organizations including airports, banks, the largest software companies, financial firms, retailers and universities, we invite you to join the community, access the Aira app today and try it for free.
https://aira.io/download-and-try-it/

Step One: Subscribe and Download. Pick the plan that lets you explore on your terms and on your time, sign up in a few minutes, and download the Aira app to your smartphone. Plans shown are for the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. Add or cancel at any time.

Step Two: Connect with an Aira Agent. On the first call, connect with one of our certified, specially-trained Agents and learn how everything works.

Step Three: Real-time Assistance. At the touch of a button, Aira delivers instant access to visual information, when and where you want it.

⬆︎ 5.) Sponsor: Dr. Kirk Adams

Sponsor Since: July 22, 2024 📅️

Website: https://drkirkadams.com 🌐️

About: Dr. Kirk Adams is a visionary leader, transformative speaker, and lifelong advocate for disability inclusion. With over three decades of experience in advancing accessibility and creating opportunities for individuals who are blind or low-vision, Dr. Adams has become a powerful force for change in the areas of leadership, accessibility, and inclusion. His journey — from navigating vision loss as a young child to becoming a recognized thought leader in disability empowerment — uniquely equips him to help organizations understand, integrate, and champion inclusive practices that benefit all.

Dr. Adams is a highly sought-after speaker, known for his engaging and thought-provoking keynotes on disability inclusion, accessible leadership, and the power of resilience. He has spoken at numerous national and international conferences, including corporate seminars, public policy forums, and industry events, where his personal story and professional insights have inspired leaders to rethink their approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion. His passion lies in empowering organizations to create environments where every individual — regardless of ability — can thrive.

As a speaker, Dr. Adams brings authenticity, warmth, and a depth of experience that resonates with audiences from all backgrounds. He understands that true leadership is about more than just policy; it’s about creating cultural shifts that value each person’s unique contributions. Whether he is addressing a Fortune 500 company, a non-profit, or a community group, Dr. Adams’ message is clear: inclusion benefits everyone, and together we can build a world where opportunity is accessible to all.

Dr. Adams currently resides in Seattle, Washington, where he continues his advocacy work, builds strategic partnerships, and enjoys life with his family. He is proud to be a part of the movement towards a more inclusive future — one conversation at a time.

⬆︎ 4.) Sponsor: Barrier Free Canada

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).

⬆︎ 3.) Sponsor: Hadley

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

⬆︎ 15.) Sponsor: Your Name Here

Sponsor Since: Today 📅️

Website: https://accessinformationnews.com/dearsponsor 🌐️

Phone: +1 (855) 578-6660 📱️

Email: news@accessinformationnews.com 📧️

About: Founded in 2022, Access Information News is the world’s leading not-for-profit access information news publication that reaches over 45,000 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.

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.

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As of November 7, 2022 the distribution of Access Information News is made possible by our Sponsors, our Supporters, our Advertisers and Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd., a leading international provider of professionally outsourced marketing administration and consultation services.

Any time the Access Information News Publication carries less than its Sponsor limit, Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd. donates the remaining dollars necessary to keep the publication running.

Please help us to support the ongoing distribution of this publication. Learn more about the benefits of Sponsorship today.

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Publisher: Aaron Di Blasi

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Publisher Since: November 7, 2022

Location: Cleveland, 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 and AI-Weekly newsletters, PR-Director for the AT-Newswire Press Release News Distribution Service, and President and Senior Project Management Professional for Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd.

As Publisher Aaron oversees the weekly distribution of Access Information News on behalf of Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd.

Aaron Di Blasi, PMP
Email: publisher@accessinformationnews.com 📧️
Toll-Free: +1 (855) 578-6660 📱️

Aaron Di Blasi, PMP

Email: publisher@toptechtidbits.com 📧️
Toll Free: +1 (855) 578-6660 📱️

PR Director (2024-Present)
AT-Newswire 🌐
Access Technology’s Digital Newswire

Publisher (2024-Present)
AI-Weekly 🌐
The Week’s News in Artificial Intelligence

Publisher (2022-Present)
Access Information News 🌐
The Week’s News in Access Information

Publisher (2020-Present)
Top Tech Tidbits 🌐
The Week’s News in Access Technology

Sr. Project Management Professional (2006 – Present)
Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd. 🌐
Innovative ideas. Solutions that perform.

Certified:

Digital Marketing Associate
Meta Certified (2022 – Present)

Social Marketing Professional
Hootsuite Certified (2020 – Present)

Email Marketing Professional
Constant Contact Certified (2019 – Present)

Specializing in:

Digital Strategy and Content Marketing
Social Media Advertising
Online Fundraising
ADA, WCAG and Section 508 Compliance

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Editor: John Hanlin

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Editor Since: November 7, 2022

Location: Boulder, Colorado

Time Zone: Mountain Standard Time (MST/MDT) (GMT-7/GMT-6)

In addition to serving as an Editor to Access Information News John also serves as an Editor to the Top Tech Tidbits and AI-Weekly newsletters and is also an attorney-at-law specializing in long-term disability claims for blind and low-vision persons.

John is also a long-time contractor and member of the Board of Trustees at Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd.

John Hanlin, Esq.

Editor (2024-Present)
AI-Weekly 🌐
The Week’s News in Artificial Intelligence

Editor (2022-Present)
Access Information News 🌐
The Week’s News in Access Information

Editor (2020-Present)
Top Tech Tidbits 🌐
The Week’s News in Access Technology

Board of Trustees (2006 – Present)
Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd. 🌐
Innovative ideas. Solutions that perform.

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Editor: Jenna Lang

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Editor Since: November 7, 2022

Location: Des Moines, Iowa

Time Zone: Central Standard Time (CST/CDT) (GMT-6/GMT-5)

In addition to serving as an Editor to Access Information News Jenna also serves as an Editor to the Top Tech Tidbits and AI-Weekly newsletters and runs her own advocacy foundation.

Jenna also serves as a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) for Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd.

Jenna’s son was born blind and she is always seeking new and innovative ways to empower him through technology.

Jenna Lang, PMP

Editor (2024-Present)
AI-Weekly 🌐
The Week’s News in Artificial Intelligence

Editor (2022-Present)
Access Information News 🌐
The Week’s News in Access Information

Project Management Professional (2022 – Present)
Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd. 🌐
Innovative ideas. Solutions that perform.

Editor (2020-Present)
Top Tech Tidbits 🌐
The Week’s News in Access Technology

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Editor: David Woodbridge

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Editor Since: February 6, 2023

Location: Central Coast, New South Wales, Australia

Time Zone: Australia Eastern Standard Time (AEST/AEDT) (GMT+10)

In addition to serving as an Editor to Access Information News David also serves as an Editor to the Top Tech Tidbits publication and is also the National Commercial Assistive Technology Advisor for Vision Australia where he has worked since 1990. Over this time he has assisted people who are blind or vision impaired in their home, education, and work settings to take advantage of the benefits of using assistive and main stream technology.

In the last seventeen years, he has also been involved with evaluating technology for use by people who are blind or vision impaired covering both low and high tech equipment (including Microsoft, Samsung, Google, Amazon, and Apple). David is also one of the key spokespersons for Vision Australia relating to technology.

He has been an Apple Ambassador for Apple Australia since 2009 with a group of other Ambassadors / Apple Distinguished Educators (ADE)‘s covering the range of Apple’s Accessibility solutions throughout Australia.

David produces a range of podcasts (since 2011) covering Apple and other technologies which are distributed on his own podcast (http://davidwoodbr.podbean.com). In addition, he also has a regular Talking Tech program (since 2013) which can be heard every Tuesday at 4:30 Eastern Summer Time on Vision Australia Radio Melbourne (available online) or via https://omny.fm/shows/talking-tech-vision-australia-radio

David also runs a weekly Tech Monday where people can chat about assistive and main stream technology, share information, and any tips and tricks.

David lost his sight when he was 8 years old and had to learn Braille. Since then, he completed high school, went to Sydney University receiving a Social Work degree, spent 4 years drug and alcohol counselling, and then moved into his current job.

As a person who is blind, David believes that as a user of the technology that he recommends to others, that he is well situated to look at the strengths and shortcomings of the assistive technology that he comes across in both his professional and personal life, in particular, mainstream technology that is accessible.

In addition to his weekly contributions to Access Information News and Top Tech Tidbits, David’s regularly occurring activities are his weekly tech radio show, bi-monthly exploring tech webinars for Vision Australia, his iSee podcast when something of note grabs his attention, and the weekly Tech Monday chat sessions.

David Woodbridge

X (Formerly Twitter): @dwoodbridge
Mastodon: woody@dragonscave.space
iSee Podcast: https://davidwoodbr.podbean.com
Vision Australia Radio Talking Tech: https://omny.fm/shows/talking-tech-vision-australia-radio

Editor (2023-Present)
Top Tech Tidbits 🌐
The Week’s News in Access Technology

Editor (2023-Present)
Access Information News 🌐
The Week’s News in Access Information

National Commercial Assistive Technology Advisor
(1990 – Present)
Vision Australia 🌐
Live the life you choose. We’re here to support all Australians who are blind or have low vision.

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Editor: Vicki Walton

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Editor Since: January 9, 2024

Location: Benton City, WA

Time Zone: Pacific Standard Time (PST/PDT) (GMT-6/GMT-7)

IIn addition to serving as an Editor to Access Information News Vicki also serves as an Editor to the Top Tech Tidbits publication and works as a Web Accessibility Specialist / IT Quality Assurance Tester at Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges.

Vicki Walton

Editor (2024-Present)
Top Tech Tidbits 🌐
The Week’s News in Access Technology

Editor (2024-Present)
Access Information News 🌐
The Week’s News in Access Information

Web Accessibility Specialist / IT Quality Assurance Tester
Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges 🌐
Better Jobs, Brighter Futures, a Stronger Washington

Subscription Information 📰️

ABOUT ♿️

Founded in 2022, Access Information News is the world’s leading not-for-profit access information news publication that reaches over 45,000 blind, low vision, deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind, neurodivergent and/or disabled professionals, educators and enthusiasts, all over the world, each week, along with the caregivers, companies and organizations that serve and support them. 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. Editors: John Hanlin, Jenna Lang, David Woodbridge and Vicki Walton. Access Information News is a sponsor, reader and advertiser supported publication.

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