Access Information News for Monday, October 5, 2026 – Volume 1087

Can Shane Feel Our Baby Kick? | Squirmy and Grubs | YouTube.com | September 30, 2026

Preparing for a 2.5-week road trip, Shane and Hannah Burcaw share a quiet milestone as they see whether Shane can feel their baby kicking. The couple balances late-second-trimester packing with the everyday anticipation surrounding their growing family.

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

A.) From Isolation to Connection: Building a Community Where We Can Connect, Learn, and Act Together | DrKirkAdams.com | September 25, 2026

Dr. Kirk Adams positions Relational-Cultural Theory as a framework for disability inclusion, arguing that inaccessible workplaces and exclusion can produce “condemned isolation” rather than merely individual loneliness. He is building the Community Coalition for Sustainable Diversity and Inclusion around shared learning, power, repair, and collective action, and will join Ileya Grosman’s group on November 13.

B.) Welcome, National Organization on Disability: A Sponsor Worth Forwarding to Your Employer | Aaron Di Blasi, Publisher | September 28, 2026

Here, Aaron Di Blasi, Publisher for the Access Information News weekly newsletter, welcomes National Organization on Disability as the publication’s newest Sponsor, effective Monday, September 28, 2026, and argues that this one is a genuinely different kind of Sponsor. Nearly every Sponsor comes to reach the newsletter’s blind, low vision, deaf, deafblind, neurodivergent and disabled readership directly. NOD does not. Founded in 1982 by Alan A. Reich out of the United Nations International Year of Disabled Persons, and led since May 2024 by President and CEO Beth Sirull, the Washington, DC nonprofit sells to corporate human resources departments and works what Sirull calls the demand side of disability employment, changing how companies hire, onboard, accommodate and promote disabled workers. Rather than paper over that distinction, Di Blasi names it plainly: there are hundreds of organizations working on making you ready for the job, and very few working on making the job ready for you.

C.) Film Shows Intimate Look at Caregiving, Disabilities | DisabilityScoop.com | September 23, 2026

Filmmaker Liz Sargent’s “Take Me Home” stars her 37-year-old sister, Anna Sargent, who has cognitive disabilities, in a fictionalized family story about caregiving, grief and a father’s memory loss. The feature grew from a 2023 Sundance short, won Sargent a Sundance screenwriting award, and opens in New York City Wednesday and Los Angeles Sept. 30.

D.) How One Dad Turned Trauma Into Purpose, He Rode 4,000 Miles To Give Back | Driven by Purpose | YouTube.com | September 21, 2026

Sitting down with One Dad’s Mission founder Jeff Bekos, Isaac Shapiro, Evan Rosenblum, and Mike Ghesser trace how a family medical crisis became a long-term commitment to service. Bekos recounts his daughter’s 261-day hospitalization and the 4,100-mile bike ride that raised support for Ronald McDonald Houses helping families facing similar emergencies.

E.) Is Meta Using Disabled People to Promote Its Glasses? | MotherJones.com | September 17, 2026

Meta says it will issue $2 million in grants to 30 groups testing AI glasses for uses including Blind-user workshops and employment support, while promoting distribution to Blind veterans. Disability advocates say useful captioning and scene-description features coexist with surveillance risks, especially in health care and other sensitive settings.

October 2, 2026 📅️

2.) What It’s Really Like Becoming A Quadriplegic, Then Surviving Cancer | Molly Burke | YouTube.com | October 2, 2026

Sitting down with Steph Aiello, Molly Burke examines how a car crash at 20 reshaped Aiello’s life, work, and path through a later cancer diagnosis. Aiello details adapting makeup techniques for limited hand and arm movement while addressing disability representation, accessible design, and the pressure to meet others’ expectations.

3.) No More Boring White Canes! (Custom Cane Giveaway!) | Legally Blind No Limits | YouTube.com | October 2, 2026

Showcasing personalized mobility tools, Cory announces a Blindness Awareness Month giveaway for three custom white canes from Ambutech. Entries are tied to live Tuesday streams on October 6, 13, and 20, with winners set to be revealed October 27.

4.) Remarkable World Commentary Episode #115: Ask Advocate Donna | DonnaJodhan.com | October 2, 2026

Donna J. Jodhan’s October Ask Advocate Donna episode frames disability advocacy through three listener scenarios: a parent falsely claiming vision impairment for a discount, an Uber rider fined after traveling with a service dog, and a lab assistant refusing to help a vision-impaired patient undress. Jodhan recommends escalating complaints through company, medical, legal, and social-media channels.

5.) Under Pressure, FEMA to Restore Emergency Response Training Focused on Disabilities | DisabilityScoop.com | October 2, 2026

After a GAO report warned that FEMA’s state and local partners risk being unable to effectively assist people with disabilities, the agency said it will restore training removed from its curriculum in 2025. FEMA expects to redesign and strengthen the program before deciding how to make it available again by next September.

6.) Wrigley Field Becomes MLB’s First Certified Autism Center | DisabilityScoop.com | October 2, 2026

Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs, has become Major League Baseball’s first Certified Autism Center after 80% of fan-facing employees completed autism and sensory-awareness training through IBCCES. The ballpark also offers KultureCity sensory bags and a sensory room with calming, interactive installations.

October 1, 2026 📅️

7.) Shane Is Going Back To School NOW?! | Squirmy and Grubs | YouTube.com | October 1, 2026

Announcing a major change, Shane Burcaw shares plans to return to school as he and Hannah begin a two-and-a-half-week road trip. The update arrives alongside a look at the couple’s next stretch of travel and the timing behind Shane’s decision.

8.) Not All Hearing Loss Is the Same. Here’s What Can Help. | WashingtonPost.com | October 1, 2026

Hearing loss can range from a medical emergency to a potentially simple issue such as earwax buildup, making its cause important. Alison Hodgins notes it may surface as missed words in meetings, trouble following conversations in busy restaurants, or an inability to hear children whisper.

9.) Podcasts by Dr. Kirk Adams: Interview With Zhou Fang, Founder and Principal Practitioner, Intersectional Group | DrKirkAdams.com | October 1, 2026

Zhou Fang, founder and principal practitioner of Intersectional Group, says intersectionality can help leaders become more empathetic and effective communicators through a “yes, and” approach. Fang also frames abundance as access to time, rest, space and the ability to imagine alternatives, rather than solely financial wealth.

10.) Remarkable World Commentary Episode #114: Left out or Left Behind | DonnaJodhan.com | October 1, 2026

Donna J. Jodhan says inaccessible online forms at Apex, InnoSearch, Pearson VUE and ServiceOntario have blocked or complicated access to certification, banking and business-registration services for people with disabilities. The blind advocate also cites inaccessible elevators and building entrances, then outlines a sensory ‘mental stretch’ program set for a January refresh with a music-therapy co-host.

11.) Accessibility Adviser Talks Importance of Service Dogs, Answers Community Questions | DailyNorthwestern.com | October 1, 2026

At Evanston’s Prieto Community Center, accessibility adviser Alice Eakes explained that service animals are trained for disability-related tasks and protected by the ADA, unlike emotional support animals. Eakes said her nearly nine-year-old dog Windy assists with navigation, locating doors, elevators, chairs, steps and escalators.

12.) How MLB Is Making Ballparks More Accessible for Fans With Disabilities | MLB.com | October 1, 2026

MLB says all 30 clubs offer sensory resources, including kits, quiet spaces, social storybooks and accessibility maps, while nearly all provide closed captioning in ballparks or through the Ballpark app. Arizona debuted OneCourt devices for blind and low-vision fans, and Cincinnati added free Aira visual and ASL interpreting services in 2026.

13.) Worries Grow That Disability Services Could Become ‘Impossible to Access’ | DisabilityScoop.com | October 1, 2026

A survey of 524 disability service providers found 85% faced moderate or severe staffing shortages in the past year, prompting 55% to decline new referrals. ANCOR says looming Medicaid cuts, immigration enforcement and payment delays could further restrict home-based, residential and day services.

14.) October 2026 Newsletter | Adaptation.vc | October 1, 2026

Meta began distributing free Ray-Ban Meta AI glasses promised to roughly 130,000 legally blind U.S. veterans, while Vision Ireland started a 15,000-pair rollout. The newsletter also tracks Meta’s developer toolkit and $149.99 FDA-cleared hearing add-on, Precision Neuroscience’s $250 million Series D, and Hanger’s planned acquisition of Numotion.

September 30, 2026 📅️

15.) Can Shane Feel Our Baby Kick? | Squirmy and Grubs | YouTube.com | September 30, 2026

Preparing for a 2.5-week road trip, Shane and Hannah Burcaw share a quiet milestone as they see whether Shane can feel their baby kicking. The couple balances late-second-trimester packing with the everyday anticipation surrounding their growing family.

16.) Exclusion By Design – Michele A. Williams (A11yTalks – Sep 2026) | Accessibility Talks | YouTube.com | September 30, 2026

Cutting through the assumption that accessibility can be added later, Michele A. Williams examines how exclusion is embedded in technology, workplaces, and urban planning from the outset. Williams argues for putting disabled people in positions to shape research, product decisions, and team priorities rather than treating access as a final compliance step.

17.) Losing Sight, Finding My Voice With Sayyida Victoria Hillard | EvenThoughImBlind.com | September 30, 2026

Sayyida Victoria Hillard, who lost her sight at 30 while raising four children, recounts adapting to blindness and building a more confident life on the Even Though I’m Blind Experience podcast. In 2019, she founded the Blind Professionals Network, which grew into free workshops, training, and peer support for blind professionals.

18.) What Do Disability Rights Mean to You? | DisabilityDebrief.org | September 30, 2026

On the 20th anniversary of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Disability Debrief has opened a call for up to 500-word reflections on how disability rights have shaped people’s lives. Selected submissions, due November 2, will be published and paid 100 pounds each.

19.) It’s Mind-Boggling: Accessibility Advocate Praises Finished Result of Mulock Park | NewmarketToday.ca | September 30, 2026

Newmarket’s Mulock Park opened Sept. 18 with accessible ramps, an elevator and a balcony route added to the historic Mulock House. Accessibility advisory committee chair Steve Foglia praised the project, while noting tight corridors and elevator congestion; he said the house is about 99 per cent accessible.

20.) To Fill Special Ed Staffing Gaps, Nonprofit Looks to Parents Already in School Buildings | DisabilityScoop.com | September 30, 2026

Illinois nonprofit Ladders of Opportunity has licensed more than 1,100 parents as paraprofessionals since 2023, including 373 for Chicago Public Schools. Backed by a $25 million state grant, it recruits parents with 100 volunteer hours and provides exam prep, coaching, childcare and fee reimbursement.

21.) Man Completes 360-Mile Erie Canalway Journey to Promote Trail Accessibility | WGRZ.com | September 30, 2026

Ian Mackay, who is paralyzed from the neck down, completed a more than 360-mile ride along New York’s Erie Canalway Trail from Albany to Buffalo in his power wheelchair, having set out September 20. The founder of the nonprofit Ian’s Ride used the journey to highlight the need for accessible trails and outdoor spaces, with backing from the New York State Canal Corporation, ahead of the premiere of Good Moment, a documentary about his world-record ride in a mouth-controlled power wheelchair.

September 29, 2026 📅️

22.) Blind Girl Tries To Describe What Common Zoo Animals Look Like! | Molly Burke | YouTube.com | September 29, 2026

Showcasing the way familiar animals are understood without sight, Molly Burke describes common zoo species through her own sensory perspective. The conversation highlights how touch, sound, scale, and cultural references can shape an image of animals such as lions, giraffes, and elephants.

23.) Why Women Have Always Been Cancelled | Jessica Kellgren-Fozard | YouTube.com | September 29, 2026

Tracing a long history of public shaming, Jessica Kellgren-Fozard examines why women who fall from favor so often face uniquely punishing consequences. From Anne Boleyn and Marie Antoinette to Yoko Ono, The Chicks, and Sinead O’Connor, she connects misogyny and respectability politics to the impossible standards imposed on women in public life.

24.) Laird Hamilton: The Mindset That Changed Surfing Forever | Sean Callagy | YouTube.com | September 29, 2026

Sitting down with Laird Hamilton, Sean Callagy examines the mindset behind a career spent challenging surfing’s accepted limits. Hamilton recounts the development of tow-in surfing, the role of preparation in confronting fear, and the trust required when extreme conditions leave little margin for error.

25.) Websites ‘in Jeopardy’ Amid U.S. Web Design System Takeover, Coalition Tells GSA | FedScoop.com | September 29, 2026

Dozens of developers and former government employees urged the GSA to reverse changes to the U.S. Web Design System, saying leadership shifts, removed GitHub contributors, deleted public comments and new AI programs have put the platform at risk. The coalition wants maintainers restored and manual accessibility testing preserved.

26.) Federal Court Allows Lawsuit Challenging Exclusion of Blind Jurors in New York | NYDailyRecord.com | September 29, 2026

A federal judge in the Eastern District of New York largely allowed Albert Elia’s disability-access suit to proceed, finding he plausibly alleged ADA and Rehabilitation Act violations after his removal from a Kings County grand jury. Elia says the court barred assistive technology and verbal descriptions of visual evidence.

27.) As Federal Deadlines Shift, Officials Say Digital Accessibility Still Matters for State Governments Despite Gaps in Funding, Leadership | StateScoop.com | September 29, 2026

Despite the DOJ pushing its Title II digital-accessibility compliance deadline to April 26, 2027, state officials at NASCIO said the work remains a high-risk civil-rights and service-delivery issue. NASCIO found that 46% of states lack a chief accessibility officer and 67% have no dedicated accessibility funding.

28.) What Trump’s New Hiring Rules Mean for Disabled Workers | USAToday.com | September 29, 2026

The Labor Department’s final rule eliminates the 7% disability-workforce benchmark and disability demographic tracking for federal contractors, which officials say removes an illegal quota and could save contractors more than $80 million annually. Disability advocates warn that losing the targets and data will weaken accountability and hiring efforts.

29.) Ranking Weighs Nation's Best Cities for People With Disabilities | DisabilityScoop.com | September 29, 2026

WalletHub ranked St. Louis first among 182 U.S. cities for people with disabilities, assessing 33 measures across economy, quality of life and healthcare. The annual index gives extra weight to disability employment, provider availability and other factors; Juneau, Alaska, finished last.

30.) Universal Changing Table Helps Children ‘Advocate With Dignity’ | DisabilityScoop.com | September 29, 2026

After families repeatedly struggled to change older children at Oregon’s Capitol, the building added a $10,500 motorized, wall-mounted universal changing table during its nearly $600 million renovation. Advocate Calli Ross said the facility lets people with severe disabilities visit lawmakers and ‘advocate with dignity,’ after caregivers had resorted to offices and a hallway.

31.) New Irish Language Tool Makes School More Accessible for Autistic Children | Phys.org | September 29, 2026

Trinity College Dublin has released Geabaire, a free symbol-based AAC tool that lets non-speaking or minimally speaking children generate Irish words and sentences with synthetic voices. Timed with the opening of 24 autism classes in Irish-medium primary schools, it is designed around Irish grammar and regional dialects.

September 28, 2026 📅️

32.) Maternity Shopping And Unexpected Road Block | Squirmy and Grubs | YouTube.com | September 28, 2026

During a maternity shopping outing, Shane and Hannah Burcaw document their plans and navigate an unexpected roadblock. The vlog also features their jewelry selections through a partnership with Mejuri.

33.) When An Accessible Van Gets Hit: The Challenges No One Thinks About | Driven by Purpose | YouTube.com | September 28, 2026

Following a rear-end collision, Evan Rosenblum recounts the urgent challenge of getting his daughter Sydney safely out of their damaged wheelchair-accessible van. The episode traces how a crash can disrupt school, medical care, and daily routines when replacement accessible transportation is scarce, costly, and difficult to arrange.

34.) Early Retirement Might Not Be Best for the Brain, Study Suggests | StudyFinds.com | September 28, 2026

A study of 2,418 older Americans linked early retirement and long periods outside the workforce to lower later-life cognitive scores, particularly among women. Published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia, the observational analysis found that persistent perceived job insecurity did not show the same pattern, but cannot establish that employment changes caused cognitive decline.

35.) Disability Advocacy Group Calls on Winnipeg Council Candidates to Focus on Accessibility | CBC.ca | September 28, 2026

Ahead of Winnipeg’s Oct. 28 civic election, the Manitoba League of Persons with Disabilities’ Accessible City Vote campaign sent mayoral and council candidates voter priorities and implementation questions. Jennifer Breddam said 20 candidates, including three of 12 mayoral hopefuls, had responded, often without specifics.

36.) Trump Administration Gets OK to Scale Back Disability Protections | DisabilityScoop.com | September 28, 2026

A federal settlement approved by U.S. District Judge James W. Hendrix will remove “most integrated setting” language from HHS’s 2024 Section 504 regulations. The deal with Texas, Alaska, Florida, Louisiana and Montana leaves the statutes intact, but advocates warn it could foster confusion over community-based services.

37.) Most Disabled Passengers Say Rail Replacement Services Are Not Fully Accessible | Independent.co.uk | September 28, 2026

Fewer than 3 percent of 145 disabled UK rail users surveyed by Great British Rail Replacement said rail replacement services are fully accessible, while 30 percent reported having no viable alternative during disruption. The Office of Rail and Road says 97 percent of replacement vehicles meet DVSA accessibility standards, but passengers still need better information and support.

38.) Ministry of Digital Transformation and UNDP Train 169 Public Servants in Digital Accessibility | UNDP.org | September 28, 2026

Ukraine’s Ministry of Digital Transformation and UNDP trained 169 public servants from Kyiv, Odesa, and Ternopil in digital accessibility between July and September 2026. The Sweden-backed program covered alt text, semantic web structures, accessible video, testing, and web-development requirements; more than 5,300 officials have now completed the wider training series.

39.) From Techno-Ableism to True Autonomy: The Disabled Innovators Redefining Rehacare | GlobalDisabilityNews.org | September 28, 2026

Karina Sturm reports from Rehacare 2026 in Düsseldorf, where disabled entrepreneurs and activists are pushing back against paternalistic, over-engineered assistive technology. She profiles wooden wheelchairs, four-zipper “banana boots,” wheelchair skating and a bladder-monitoring sensor developed with disabled users, and cites a report finding that two-thirds of Germans with disabilities feel overwhelmed by the paperwork of getting mobility devices covered.

Last Week 📅️

40.) iPhone 18 – What’s ACTUALLY New? (Visually Impaired Reaction) | Legally Blind No Limits | YouTube.com | September 27, 2026

Cutting through the hype around the iPhone 18, Legally Blind No Limits examines Apple’s latest flagship from a visually impaired perspective, weighing its hardware upgrades, AI features, and accessibility claims. The discussion covers VoiceOver, eye tracking, iOS navigation, privacy, and the Candle for CHM app’s effort to make choroideremia research easier to follow.

41.) Wheelchair Users Hit by Shortage of Accessible Taxis in Dumfries and Galloway | BBC.com | September 27, 2026

Only three wheelchair-accessible taxis serve Dumfries and Galloway, a region of about 150,000 people, leaving residents such as Janice Johnstone to reserve trips days ahead. The council says the vehicles make up less than 2% of the fleet, versus Transport Scotland’s 20% recommendation, and has approved licensing changes and reduced fees to spur supply.

42.) This Bar’s Renovations Could Be Blueprint for Disability-Friendly Venues | ABC.net.au | September 26, 2026

After a NSW government-funded renovation, Sydney’s Club 77 has added a ramp, wheelchair lift, accessible bathrooms, a lowered bar and a sensory area. The Darlinghurst venue also installed an adjustable DJ booth and haptic vests, following consultation with disabled people and electronic-music communities.

43.) Local Gov’t Improves Accessibility for Visually Impaired Individuals | BastillePost.com | September 26, 2026

Beijing’s 12345 public-complaint hotline prompted repairs along visually impaired resident Wang Zhigang’s 1.7-kilometer daily route, including tactile paving, uneven surfaces and audible crossing signals. The city says it has processed about 180 million complaints since 2019, with resolution and satisfaction rates above 97 percent.

44.) Nagoya’s Universal Environment Enables Disabled Mobility Daily | Chosun.com | September 26, 2026

Covering the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, reporter Park Seong-won describes staff at Nagoya Meieki Station deploying a portable ramp to help a wheelchair user off a train, and a bus driver stopping to install a ramp and secure a passenger’s wheelchair. He also found tactile paving running unbroken along sidewalks, crosswalks and even construction sites, a universal environment he says makes everyday travel possible for disabled people.

45.) NJ Groups Partner on Accessibility Guide for Art Classes | TheDailyJournal.com | September 26, 2026

New Jersey organizations Arts Ed NJ, All In for Inclusive Education and NJPSA released the Inclusion Guide for Arts Education on Sept. 24, aiming to keep students with IEPs in art classes rather than pulling them for support. Free online sessions are scheduled for Nov. 12 at 3-4 p.m. and 5:30-6:30 p.m.

46.) A Trump Team Wants to Automate U.S. Web Design System Accessibility Testing. Experts Are Worried. | FedScoop.com | September 25, 2026

After taking control of the U.S. Web Design System repository, a Trump-aligned team says it wants to automate as much accessibility testing as possible. Former USWDS engineering lead Matt Henry says only about 30% of accessibility testing can be reliably automated, while contributors cite removed comments and AI-generated code concerns.

47.) This Toronto Creator Calls Out GO Train and TTC for Inaccessibility | NowToronto.com | September 25, 2026

During TIFF, creator Lil Gabi D. said simultaneous elevator outages on the TTC and GO Train left her unable to make key Line 1-to-Line 2 connections or reach Danforth GO without a major detour. TTC says all but two stations should be elevator-accessible by year-end; GO says concurrent work shortens disruption.

48.) What Civil Rights Enforcement Cuts Mean for Students With Disabilities – Fewer Staff, Closed Offices, Longer Waits | TheConversation.com | September 25, 2026

After the Education Department cut 299 of 575 Office for Civil Rights positions in March 2025 and closed seven regional branches, complaint handling deteriorated, advocates say. GAO found that about 90% of more than 7,000 OCR complaints categorized as resolved from March through September 2025 were dismissed, leaving families seeking disability protections with fewer federal options.

49.) NBA Star Steph Curry on His Game-Changing Eye Disease Diagnosis | Healthline.com | September 25, 2026

After Bob Myers noticed Curry squinting during a 2018 game, the Warriors guard was diagnosed at 29 with keratoconus, a progressive corneal disorder that can blur or distort vision. Curry now uses corrective lenses and receives eye screenings twice a year; he is partnering with Glaukos to promote awareness and annual exams.

50.) Publishing Conference Looked to Support Book Accessibility | Printweek.com | September 25, 2026

CPI and the Royal National Institute of Blind People convened the Accessible Publishing Conference to push for books to be born accessible for blind, partially sighted, and print-disabled readers. Speakers from RNIB, Bloomsbury, and other groups covered braille, audio, large print, accessible digital files, and commercial viability.

51.) Profile: Accessibility and Safe Streets Advocate Juliette Rizzo | RailsToTrails.org | September 25, 2026

Juliette Rizzo, a Rails to Trails Conservancy board member and accessibility advocate, says rail-trails can remove mobility barriers common on other routes. After Rizzo visited a 40-foot stairway blocking Oregon’s Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail, the state legislature set aside $400,000 for an engineering and remediation study.

52.) The New Hadley Helps Mobile App | HadleyHelps.org | September 25, 2026

The new Hadley Helps app offers practical solutions, emotional support, and community connections right from your phone or tablet. Text APP to 52545 to download. Message and data rates may apply.

53.) Blind Rider Calls for Safer, Accessible Port Arthur Transit Bus Stops | Fox4Beaumont.com | September 24, 2026

Melissa Jackson, a blind Port Arthur Transit rider, says inaccessible stops can leave her without a clear path, seating, shelter or protection from weather. Councilman Donald Frank said only 28% of stops are ADA accessible, while the city pursues grants for systemwide upgrades and added benches, lighting and shade.

54.) NEET With a Disability: What’s Holding Back Visually Impaired Young People Who Want to Work | TheConversation.com | September 24, 2026

A longitudinal study of 80 young people with vision impairment tracked over 11 years found that many who entered school optimistic about careers reached ages 25-27 without paid work. Researcher Rachel Hewett cites inaccessible online recruitment tests, uneven local support and Access to Work processing times exceeding 100 days; one participant faced barriers in roughly a third of 50 graduate-scheme applications.

55.) Texas V. Kennedy Abandons Federal Commitment to Community Integration | AAPD.com | September 24, 2026

A federal judge approved a DOJ/HHS agreement with Texas, Florida, Alaska, Louisiana, and Montana that removes the 2024 HHS Section 504 rule’s community-integration provisions nationwide. AAPD says Section 504, the ADA, and Olmstead remain intact, but states lose clear federal guidance favoring community-based services.

56.) Accessibility: Europe’s Hidden Growth Engine | Politico.eu | September 24, 2026

Fundacion ONCE says accessibility is an underused competitiveness lever for the EU’s 90 million residents with disabilities, citing wider markets, better usability and lower retrofit costs. It says semantic, accessible digital content can cut AI processing work by 70% to 99%, while the European Accessibility Act’s common requirements have applied since June 2025.

57.) We Need to Change the Way We Talk About Digital Accessibility | RouteFifty.com | September 24, 2026

Marin County Deputy County Executive Crosby Burns says accessibility programs should prioritize whether residents can use services, not merely whether systems meet standards. After shifting to high-impact service pages, the county says it completed 90% of its goals in 90 days during its second Digital Accelerator.

58.) Handi-Link: SCAGO, Cosmos, Blind Sailing | Cam Wells | CJAM 99.1 FM | September 24, 2026

This program focuses on disability issues. Host Cam Wells will explore all sides of this comparing and contrasting with able bodied life. This week Featuring: Becky Breconnier Cosmos, Chris Jonas Blind Sailing and Lanre Tunji Ajayi: SCAGO.

59.) Skilling Up, Accessibility Down: The Contradiction at the Heart of Budget 2026’s Disability Agenda | CounterCurrents.org | September 23, 2026

India’s Budget 2026-27 allocates Rs 200 crore to the Divyangjan Kaushal Yojana and Rs 100 crore to Divyang Sahara, pairing job training with assistive technology. But funding for SIPDA, which supports ramps, accessible transit and barrier-free buildings, falls 37.5% to Rs 125 crore, undercutting the infrastructure needed to reach work.

60.) One of One: How Paralyzed Veterans of America Has Shaped the Nation for 80 Years — and Continues to Today | RollingStone.com | September 23, 2026

Paralyzed Veterans of America says its 80-year campaign for disability access helped secure the 1968 Architectural Barriers Act and a 1972 court win that pushed the DC Metro toward accessible travel. The group says its research and education foundations have invested more than $66.5 million since 1975 and 1986, while it continues to press for accessible mammography equipment and air travel.

61.) Two Students Go Above and Beyond for National Accessibility Week Project | UGDSB.ca | September 23, 2026

Elora Public School Grade 8 students Owen E. and Rayyan S. built and coded a robotic car that connects with classmate Scarlett D.’s Tobii Dynavox eye-gaze speech-generating device, allowing her to control its camera view with her eyes. The National Accessibility Week assignment expanded over the summer after testing, with staff Jennifer Morris and Britni Scott supporting the project.

62.) CITAD Pushes Accessible Government Websites for Nigerians With Disabilities | StreamlineFeed.co.ke | September 22, 2026

CITAD’s assessment of about 150 Nigerian government websites and portals found screen-reader incompatibility, weak colour contrast and text-presentation barriers that can block people with disabilities from online public services. Coordinator Hamza Aminu said the group will take findings to MDAs, while a validation process precedes publication of its full report.

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October 5, 2026 | Connect with Vispero at the 2026 M-Enabling Summit | Vispero

The M-Enabling Summit runs October 5 through 7, 2026 at the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington, Virginia, and Vispero takes the stage for three sessions: a kickoff leadership conversation between Matt Ater and Consumer Technology Association president Kinsey Fabrizio, a fireside chat on designing AI agent interfaces with Ryan Jones alongside Salesforce and Georgia Tech’s CIDI, and a review of United States digital accessibility lawsuit data from chief accessibility officer David Sloan with Ashley S. Jenkins of Seyfarth Shaw. The landing page carries the full session descriptions, summit registration, and a form to book a meeting with the Vispero team.

October 6, 2026 | Lighting Tips for Everyday Life | Vision Support America

11:00 AM PT, 12:00 PM MT, 1:00 PM CT, 2:00 PM ET, 6:00 PM GMT
In this free session, Vision Support America covers practical ways to make a home easier to see and move through, using contrast, better lighting and reduced glare. It is aimed at people with low or changing vision.

October 6, 2026 | Make Your iPhone Work for You | Vision Support America

1:00 PM PT, 2:00 PM MT, 3:00 PM CT, 4:00 PM ET, 8:00 PM GMT
Vision Support America walks step by step through the ways an iPhone can be adjusted to work better for changing eyesight, at a pace built to feel comfortable and doable. The session is free.

October 6, 2026 | Happy Hour at the 2026 M-Enabling Summit | Vispero, Aira and Everway

4:00 PM PT, 5:00 PM MT, 6:00 PM CT, 7:00 PM ET, 11:00 PM GMT
Vispero is co-hosting an evening happy hour with Aira and Everway during the 2026 M-Enabling Summit in Arlington, Virginia – a relaxed chance to meet other accessibility professionals, compare notes, and build relationships with the people driving change in the field. Space is limited and advance RSVP is required; the location is shared with registrants after they RSVP.

October 6, 2026 | Teaching and Typing Math | BITS

5:00 PM PT, 6:00 PM MT, 7:00 PM CT, 8:00 PM ET, 12:00 AM GMT
The BITS Education Team presents Teaching and Typing Math, a Tuesday evening course led by Professor Betsey Doane with Rebecca Skipper for assistive technology instructors and others who work with math. It covers navigating math in Word and on the web, Nemeth braille in the JAWS Braille Math Editor, math input by speech, and graphing with Desmos, and registrants must check each course date when signing up.

October 7, 2026 | Brailled It at the Chagrin Documentary Film Festival | Chagrin Documentary Film Festival

8:30 AM PT, 9:30 AM MT, 10:30 AM CT, 11:30 AM ET, 3:30 PM GMT
The Chagrin Documentary Film Festival screens Brailled It, the 73-minute documentary filmed by blind and low-vision competitors at the Braille Challenge, at the Chagrin Valley Little Theatre in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. After the film, nine-year-old local competitor Owen Schoff talks about his experiences and demonstrates the new Monarch braille device, joined by his teacher Sheree Ricketts. The screening is sponsored by Think Media Studios, and the film is also part of the festival’s On Demand program from October 12 through 18. Ticketed in-person event.

October 7, 2026 | Part 1 – Web Accessibility Testing Basics: Manual Testing – Color Contrast, Keyboard Access, and Reflow | Access Ingenuity

10:00 AM PT, 11:00 AM MT, 12:00 PM CT, 1:00 PM ET, 5:00 PM GMT
Michael Parker from Access Ingenuity opens a two-part series on manual web accessibility testing, covering the checks automated tools miss. Attendees learn to evaluate color contrast against WCAG 2.2 Level AA, navigate a site by keyboard alone to find focus and tab order problems, and test reflow at 400% zoom, along with how to document what they find.

October 7, 2026 | Brailled It: Free At-Home Movie Viewing | Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled

The Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled, the Friends of Maryland LBPD and Artifact Studios offer free at-home viewing of Brailled It, the documentary in which blind and low-vision competitors at the Braille Challenge film the event themselves. The film is designed with audio description at its core, and viewers can follow it in real time in braille through the All4Access app. Viewing runs October 7 through 13, ahead of the national filmmaker discussion on October 13. Free; registration opens October 7 and is required.

October 8, 2026 | Keep Reading Alive | Vision Support America

1:00 PM PT, 2:00 PM MT, 3:00 PM CT, 4:00 PM ET, 8:00 PM GMT
Vision Support America explores the different ways of keeping reading in your life as vision changes, in whatever format works best now. The session is free and open to anyone adjusting to vision loss.

October 8, 2026 | Many Faces of BARD: Advanced Navigation on BARD Mobile | NLS BARD

4:00 PM PT, 5:00 PM MT, 6:00 PM CT, 7:00 PM ET, 11:00 PM GMT
The National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled’s Many Faces of BARD program covers advanced navigation in BARD Mobile, followed by an open question-and-answer session on all things BARD. The one-hour session on ZoomGov will be recorded.

October 8, 2026 | Brailled It at the Broadway Theater | Salt Lake Film Society

6:00 PM PT, 7:00 PM MT, 8:00 PM CT, 9:00 PM ET, 1:00 AM GMT
The Salt Lake Film Society screens Brailled It at the Broadway Theater in Salt Lake City, Utah. The documentary puts the cameras in the hands of blind and low-vision students competing at the Braille Challenge in Los Angeles, and it was designed with audio description and binaural sound at its core. Ticketed in-person event.

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, 5:00 PM GMT
In this free session, the National Organization on Disability walks employers through its EnAble Learning on-demand training and fields questions on building disability confidence, improving retention, and creating more inclusive, productive teams.

October 9, 2026 | Home Organization and Labeling | Vision Support America

10:00 AM PT, 11:00 AM MT, 12:00 PM CT, 1:00 PM ET, 5:00 PM GMT
Vision Support America hosts a supportive conversation on simple ways to organize and label a home so that it feels easier, calmer and more predictable to move around. The session is free and aimed at people adjusting to changing vision.

October 12, 2026 | Make Your Android Work for You | Vision Support America

10:30 AM PT, 11:30 AM MT, 12:30 PM CT, 1:30 PM ET, 5:30 PM GMT
In this free session, Vision Support America introduces the accessibility settings built into Android phones, working through small changes that build confidence one step at a time. It is aimed at people with low or changing vision who want their phone to be easier to use.

October 13, 2026 | Patron Corner: Celebrating 20 Years of BARD, Part Two | NLS

4:00 PM PT, 5:00 PM MT, 6:00 PM CT, 7:00 PM ET, 11:00 PM GMT
The NLS Patron Engagement Section hosts a Patron Corner on Zoom featuring NLS staff and patrons who took part in the 2006 BARD beta test and were among its first users, with time for audience members to share what BARD has meant to them. The session will be recorded.

October 13, 2026 | Brailled It: National Discussion | Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled

4:00 PM PT, 5:00 PM MT, 6:00 PM CT, 7:00 PM ET, 11:00 PM GMT
The Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled hosts a live, moderated national discussion of Brailled It with the Friends of Maryland LBPD, the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS), Hadley and Artifact Studios. Filmmakers David Grabias and Christopher Morgan and Impact Producer Conchita Hernandez Legorreta explore the film’s themes, the importance of braille literacy and the impact of programs like the Braille Challenge. Online; registration is required, and the event link is sent by email.

October 13, 2026 | Teaching and Typing Math | BITS

5:00 PM PT, 6:00 PM MT, 7:00 PM CT, 8:00 PM ET, 12:00 AM GMT
The BITS Education Team presents Teaching and Typing Math, a Tuesday evening course led by Professor Betsey Doane with Rebecca Skipper for assistive technology instructors and others who work with math. It covers navigating math in Word and on the web, Nemeth braille in the JAWS Braille Math Editor, math input by speech, and graphing with Desmos, and registrants must check each course date when signing up.

October 14, 2026 | ONYX Family of Magnifiers: Finding the Right Fit for Work, School, and Home | Access Ingenuity

10:00 AM PT, 11:00 AM MT, 12:00 PM CT, 1:00 PM ET, 5:00 PM GMT
Ian Ramos from Access Ingenuity and Joe McDaniel from Vispero walk through the three ONYX video magnifiers, including the ONYX Deskset and ONYX OCR, and help attendees work out which model fits their needs at school, work, or home. Everyone is welcome, and ACVREP continuing education credit is approved for teachers of the visually impaired.

October 14, 2026 | 6th Annual National Disability Employment Awareness Month Webinar | Helen Keller National Center and Helen Keller Services for the Blind

11:00 AM PT, 12:00 PM MT, 1:00 PM CT, 2:00 PM ET, 6:00 PM GMT
Helen Keller National Center and Helen Keller Services for the Blind mark National Disability Employment Awareness Month under the Department of Labor’s 2026 theme, Celebrating Value and Talent, with a new format built on spotlight conversations – focused 10 to 15 minute sessions with each panelist covering their professional story, the current state of employment for people with disabilities, and where the field is headed. Panelists are Dina Grilo, deputy head of the Office of Disability Affairs at JPMorganChase; Kirk Adams, executive director of the Institute for Sustainable Diversity and Inclusion; Kathy West-Evans of Abilities United Consulting; and Michael MacKillop, executive director of the Washington State Department of Services for the Blind. The webinar closes with live audience Q&A. Free; ASL interpretation, spoken English interpretation, live captions, audio description, accessible presentation materials and transcripts are provided, with additional accommodation requests to Jennifer Falls at jfalls@helenkeller.org by October 1, 2026.

October 14, 2026 | Cooking Tips for Changing Vision | Vision Support America

1:00 PM PT, 2:00 PM MT, 3:00 PM CT, 4:00 PM ET, 8:00 PM GMT
This free Vision Support America session is a supportive conversation about working in the kitchen with changing vision, taking small practical steps toward feeling confident there again.

October 15, 2026 | Preventing Falls and Using Stairs Safely | Vision Support America

10:00 AM PT, 11:00 AM MT, 12:00 PM CT, 1:00 PM ET, 5:00 PM GMT
This free Vision Support America session covers simple techniques for moving safely and confidently around the home and beyond, with particular attention to stairs and to preventing falls. It is aimed at people with low or changing vision.

October 15, 2026 | Confident Movement and Open Conversations | Vision Support America

1:00 PM PT, 2:00 PM MT, 3:00 PM CT, 4:00 PM ET, 8:00 PM GMT
Vision Support America looks at moving through the world safely and confidently with changing vision, and at how to ask for help in ways that feel comfortable and respectful. The session is free and open to anyone adjusting to vision loss.

October 19, 2026 | Virtual Birding With the Birdability Community on Instagram Live | Birdability

7:00 AM PT, 8:00 AM MT, 9:00 AM CT, 10:00 AM ET, 2:00 PM GMT
Birdability goes live on Instagram at @birdability every morning of Birdability Week, through October 25, for virtual birding from backyards, parks and favorite accessible birding spots around the country. The week opens with Tammah Watts and her Mindfulness Mondays, and later stops include backyard birding in North Carolina, Central Park with That Quirky Bird Girl, a field trip with ASL, Jenn Lodi-Smith of The Spark Bird Project, and Everybody Birding Club in Ohio. Stay for the whole program or drop in for a minute or two. Free.

October 19, 2026 | Birdability Week 2026: Bird Where You Are | Birdability

Birdability Week returns October 19 through 25, 2026, with the theme Bird Where You Are – an invitation to notice birds in whatever way works best for you, whether that is from a window, a wheelchair, a car, a hospital room, a kayak or a favorite park bench. The week is a celebration of birders with disabilities and other health concerns, and includes a full schedule of free virtual events, the Offbeat Photo and Video Contest, and accessible outings hosted around the country. All virtual events include captions and ASL interpretation.

October 19, 2026 | Finding Balance: Self-Care While Birding – A Birdability Week 2026 Discussion | Birdability

4:00 PM PT, 5:00 PM MT, 6:00 PM CT, 7:00 PM ET
Birdability Captains Eric Clow and Jayme Boucher co-facilitate an open community roundtable on the many ways disabled birders care for themselves while spending time with birds – from birding while floating in a pool, to adaptive equipment that reduces fatigue, to choosing places where birds can be enjoyed without walking. Bring your own tips and hear practical ideas from others. Free. Virtual (Zoom). Captions and ASL interpretation provided; note additional access requests in your registration.

October 20, 2026 | Lighting Tips for Everyday Life | Vision Support America

11:00 AM PT, 12:00 PM MT, 1:00 PM CT, 2:00 PM ET, 6:00 PM GMT
In this free session, Vision Support America covers practical ways to make a home easier to see and move through, using contrast, better lighting and reduced glare. It is aimed at people with low or changing vision.

October 20, 2026 | Navigating Performance Discussions and the Accommodation Process Effectively | Accessibility Online

11:00 AM PT, 12:00 PM MT, 1:00 PM CT, 2:00 PM ET, 6:00 PM GMT
This Job Accommodation Network training gives supervisors and managers practical strategies for handling performance conversations and for responding when a disability disclosure leads to a request for reasonable accommodation. It covers what to say and how to explore accommodation solutions collaboratively when performance is part of the picture. Real-time captioning is provided.

October 20, 2026 | Make Your iPhone Work for You | Vision Support America

1:00 PM PT, 2:00 PM MT, 3:00 PM CT, 4:00 PM ET, 8:00 PM GMT
Vision Support America walks step by step through the ways an iPhone can be adjusted to work better for changing eyesight, at a pace built to feel comfortable and doable. The session is free.

October 20, 2026 | Pathways to Disability Empowerment: Learn from the Success of Blind and DeafBlind Professionals | The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc.

2:00 PM PT, 3:00 PM MT, 4:00 PM CT, 5:00 PM ET, 9:00 PM GMT
The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. hosts a panel of blind and DeafBlind professionals who share how they found work, the accommodations they use to complete forms and attend meetings, and how they take part in everyday workplace life. Presenters are Eben Frisbie of Bank of America, author and retired human resources executive Sara Freeman Smith, and Paul DuCharme of The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. The webinar is aimed at job seekers who are blind, low vision, DeafBlind, or blind with other disabilities, and attendees are invited to bring their own job search questions. Virtual (Zoom); ASL interpreters will be available.

October 20, 2026 | Birding While d/Deaf or Hard of Hearing Panel | Birdability

4:00 PM PT, 5:00 PM MT, 6:00 PM CT, 7:00 PM ET
Birdability Captains, community members and past Accessible Birding Interns who identify as Deaf, deaf, hard of hearing and late-deafened share their birding journeys, the barriers they have encountered and the accommodations that have helped. The panel explores the distinction between Deaf as a cultural and linguistic identity and deaf as a term for hearing loss, the many ways people connect with birds beyond sound, and practical ideas for making bird walks, clubs and festivals more welcoming. Free. Virtual (Zoom). Captions and ASL interpretation provided; note additional access requests in your registration.

October 20, 2026 | Teaching and Typing Math | BITS

5:00 PM PT, 6:00 PM MT, 7:00 PM CT, 8:00 PM ET, 12:00 AM GMT
The BITS Education Team presents Teaching and Typing Math, a Tuesday evening course led by Professor Betsey Doane with Rebecca Skipper for assistive technology instructors and others who work with math. It covers navigating math in Word and on the web, Nemeth braille in the JAWS Braille Math Editor, math input by speech, and graphing with Desmos, and registrants must check each course date when signing up.

October 21, 2026 | Inclusive Nature Panel | Birdability

10:00 AM PT, 11:00 AM MT, 12:00 PM CT, 1:00 PM ET
Author and editor Lauren Pharr moderates a conversation with contributors to the upcoming book Inclusive Nature about creating outdoor spaces, conservation organizations and birding communities where more people truly belong. Drawing on lived experience and professional work, panelists explore how race, disability, gender and culture have shaped who has had access to nature, and identify actions individuals and organizations can take. Free. Virtual (Zoom). Captions and ASL interpretation provided; note additional access requests in your registration.

October 21, 2026 | Part 2 – Web Accessibility Basics: Manual Screen Reader Testing | Access Ingenuity

10:00 AM PT, 11:00 AM MT, 12:00 PM CT, 1:00 PM ET, 5:00 PM GMT
Michael Parker from Access Ingenuity completes his two-part series with a session on manual screen reader testing of websites using JAWS. Attendees learn to spot missing or incorrect landmarks, poorly labeled controls, inaccessible dynamic content, and weak alt text, and to document findings against specific WCAG criteria.

October 21, 2026 | Community Coalition In-Person Launch & Celebration | Institute for Sustainable Diversity and Inclusion

5:30 PM PT, 6:30 PM MT, 7:30 PM CT, 8:30 PM ET, 12:30 AM GMT
The Institute for Sustainable Diversity and Inclusion marks the launch of its Community Coalition for Sustainable Diversity and Inclusion with an in-person evening at the Parkview Event Space at Seattle Unity, 200 8th Avenue North, Seattle. Attendees see a live demonstration of the Coalition’s new online home on Circle, with Apple and Android apps, meet local DEI practitioners, have new books by three ISDI leaders signed, and share a light meal with music. Founding Member sign-up at reduced, locked-in rates is open at the event and runs through December 31, 2026. Tickets are $75, $35 or a contribution of the buyer’s choosing; the venue offers accessible garage parking, a van-accessible loading zone, elevator access and wheelchair-accessible restrooms, and accommodation requests are due by October 1.

October 22, 2026 | Disability Innovation Forum | Enable Ventures & SmartJob

6:00 AM PT, 7:00 AM MT, 8:00 AM CT, 9:00 AM ET, 1:00 PM GMT
Enable Ventures and SmartJob host a full-day, in-person conference at the Grand Hyatt Washington in Washington, DC, on disability-led innovation in work, learning, design and investing. Sessions include a showcase of ten early-stage companies, a keynote from bionic pop artist Viktoria Modesta, a fireside chat with Axios co-founder Roy Schwartz, and eight panels.

October 22, 2026 | Keep Reading Alive | Vision Support America

1:00 PM PT, 2:00 PM MT, 3:00 PM CT, 4:00 PM ET, 8:00 PM GMT
Vision Support America explores the different ways of keeping reading in your life as vision changes, in whatever format works best now. The session is free and open to anyone adjusting to vision loss.

October 22, 2026 | Birding at the Intersections | Birdability

4:00 PM PT, 5:00 PM MT, 6:00 PM CT, 7:00 PM ET
Birdability Captains and community members with intersecting identities discuss how race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, culture and neurodivergence shape people’s experiences of birding and time in nature. Panelists explore how barriers to participation overlap and reinforce one another, and how belonging is created when communities recognize the whole person rather than a single aspect of identity. Free. Virtual (Zoom). Captions and ASL interpretation provided; note additional access requests in your registration.

October 23, 2026 | Home Organization and Labeling | Vision Support America

10:00 AM PT, 11:00 AM MT, 12:00 PM CT, 1:00 PM ET, 5:00 PM GMT
Vision Support America hosts a supportive conversation on simple ways to organize and label a home so that it feels easier, calmer and more predictable to move around. The session is free and aimed at people adjusting to changing vision.

October 23, 2026 | Birding With an Energy-Limiting Condition Panel | Birdability

4:00 PM PT, 5:00 PM MT, 6:00 PM CT, 7:00 PM ET
Many birders live with conditions that affect energy, stamina, pain, fatigue or post-exertional recovery. Birdability Captains share how they have adapted their birding to fit changing bodies and lives – birding closer to home, pacing themselves, and embracing rest, mobility aids and technology. They talk honestly about the emotional side of adjusting expectations and letting go of the idea that there is only one right way to be a birder. Free. Virtual (Zoom). Captions and ASL interpretation provided; note additional access requests in your registration.

October 24, 2026 | Birds and Brains: A Keynote Conversation About Traumatic Brain Injury and Healing With Birds | Birdability

1:00 PM PT, 2:00 PM MT, 3:00 PM CT, 4:00 PM ET
Birdability Week keynote speaker Day Scott (@TheWildernessGoddess) and Birdability Captain Emily Nichols talk about living with and recovering from traumatic brain injury, and the unexpected ways birds became part of the healing process. Drawing on lived experience and emerging science about the brain’s capacity to adapt and change, they reflect on how paying attention to birds can support healing, emotional well-being and a renewed sense of possibility. Free. Virtual (Zoom). Captions and ASL interpretation provided; note additional access requests in your registration.

October 25, 2026 | Birdability Week Wrap-Up Social and Photo and Video Contest Winners Announced | Birdability

1:00 PM PT, 2:00 PM MT, 3:00 PM CT, 4:00 PM ET
Birdability Week 2026 closes with a community celebration and the announcement of the winners of the 2026 Offbeat Photo and Video Contest. See this year’s finalist photos and videos, hear the stories behind them, celebrate the photographers and videographers, and share your own favorite Birdability Week memory. Free. Virtual (Zoom). Captions and ASL interpretation provided; note additional access requests in your registration.

October 25, 2026 | FilmNorth and Artifact Studios Present Brailled It | FilmNorth

3:00 PM PT, 4:00 PM MT, 5:00 PM CT, 6:00 PM ET, 10:00 PM GMT
FilmNorth and Artifact Studios present Brailled It at FilmNorth, 2441 University Avenue West in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The evening opens with a filmmaking workshop for blind and low-vision students ages 16 to 25, followed at 6:30 PM Central by a screening of the film and a Q&A. Free; RSVP required.

October 26, 2026 | Make Your Android Work for You | Vision Support America

10:30 AM PT, 11:30 AM MT, 12:30 PM CT, 1:30 PM ET, 5:30 PM GMT
In this free session, Vision Support America introduces the accessibility settings built into Android phones, working through small changes that build confidence one step at a time. It is aimed at people with low or changing vision who want their phone to be easier to use.

October 27, 2026 | Tech It Out | Hadley

11:00 AM PT, 12:00 PM MT, 1:00 PM CT, 2:00 PM ET, 6:00 PM GMT
Learn a few tips about everyday technology from a technology expert, ask your questions, and share your experiences.

October 28, 2026 | JAWS Essentials: Navigating PowerPoint with JAWS | Access Ingenuity

10:00 AM PT, 11:00 AM MT, 12:00 PM CT, 1:00 PM ET, 5:00 PM GMT
Marisa Church from Access Ingenuity covers the core JAWS commands for PowerPoint, including moving between slides, reading slide content and speaker notes, and working with images, charts, and tables. The session also explains how a presentation’s structure affects what JAWS reads, in both editing mode and slideshow view.

October 28, 2026 | Cooking Tips for Changing Vision | Vision Support America

1:00 PM PT, 2:00 PM MT, 3:00 PM CT, 4:00 PM ET, 8:00 PM GMT
This free Vision Support America session is a supportive conversation about working in the kitchen with changing vision, taking small practical steps toward feeling confident there again.

October 29, 2026 | Preventing Falls and Using Stairs Safely | Vision Support America

10:00 AM PT, 11:00 AM MT, 12:00 PM CT, 1:00 PM ET, 5:00 PM GMT
This free Vision Support America session covers simple techniques for moving safely and confidently around the home and beyond, with particular attention to stairs and to preventing falls. It is aimed at people with low or changing vision.

October 29, 2026 | Confident Movement and Open Conversations | Vision Support America

1:00 PM PT, 2:00 PM MT, 3:00 PM CT, 4:00 PM ET, 8:00 PM GMT
Vision Support America looks at moving through the world safely and confidently with changing vision, and at how to ask for help in ways that feel comfortable and respectful. The session is free and open to anyone adjusting to vision loss.

November 8, 2026 | 18th Annual Dining In The Dark Fundraiser To Benefit The Blind | Florida Outreach Center For The Blind

1:00 PM PT, 2:00 PM MT, 3:00 PM CT, 4:00 PM ET, 9:00 PM GMT
Experience an unforgettable evening at the 18th Annual Dining in the Dark, where guests enjoy a three-course meal served in complete darkness by the PBSO SWAT Team using night-vision goggles. The night also features live entertainment, an inspiring guest speaker, and a silent auction supporting programs for the blind community in Palm Beach County.

November 17, 2026 | Carter Kits: Supporting Positive Interactions for Neurodivergent Patients During Emergency Encounters | Accessibility Online

11:00 AM PT, 12:00 PM MT, 1:00 PM CT, 2:00 PM ET, 7:00 PM GMT
Carter Kits co-founder Justin Severs and training and grants manager Andie describe the sensory bags their organization supplies to first responders, emergency department staff and community partners for encounters with autistic and neurodivergent patients, where a lack of tools and training still produces worse health outcomes. Dr. Sam Wrobleski of the Michigan EMS for Children Program also explains how that partnership works and how others might build one in their own state. Real-time captioning is provided.

November 18, 2026 | Birdability Book Club: Birdsong by the Seasons by Donald Kroodsma | Birdability

4:00 PM PT, 5:00 PM MT, 6:00 PM CT, 7:00 PM ET
The Birdability Book Club closes out 2026 with Birdsong by the Seasons: A Year of Listening to Birds by Donald Kroodsma, a lyrical guide to a year of sound. The book was chosen so readers could follow along month by month through the year and then gather in November to share reflections from twelve months of attentive listening. Free; registration required.

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, 6:00 PM GMT
In a free, year-end CEO Office Hours led by Beth Sirull, the National Organization on Disability reflects on milestones in disability inclusion and looks ahead to the strategies that will shape the coming year.

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.

⬆︎ 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 rooted 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

⬆︎ 2.) Sponsor: Eyes on Success

Sponsor Since: August 21, 2023 📅️

Website: https://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.

⬆︎ 17.) Sponsor: National Organization on Disability

Sponsor Since: September 21, 2026 📅️

Website: https://nod.org/ 🌐️

About: National Organization on Disability (NOD) is a nonprofit that works with large employers to increase the hiring, retention and advancement of people with disabilities. It was founded in 1982, growing out of the United Nations International Year of Disabled Persons, by Alan A. Reich, the first person to address the UN General Assembly from a wheelchair. In the four decades since, it has moved from broad public-awareness work toward a business-to-business focus, presenting disability inclusion as a question of business performance rather than charity. That posture is captured in the organization’s own line, “Unlocking human potential. Enhancing business performance.” Headquartered in Washington, D.C. and led by President and Chief Executive Officer Beth Sirull, National Organization on Disability earns most of its support from the employers it serves rather than from individual donors.

Its employer work runs on four connected programs. The Leadership Council is a paid corporate membership network, currently listing 35 member organizations, offering access to disability-inclusion specialists, talent-acquisition support, peer networking and public recognition. EnAble Learning — with memberships available for individuals as well as corporate packages — is an on-demand training platform whose self-paced courses cover disability fundamentals, neurodiversity at work, managing teams through rising mental-health challenges, and accessibility in artificial intelligence and emerging technology. The Disability Inclusion Network is a professional membership for individuals seeking disability inclusion insights, peer connections, and actionable tools to positively impact their workplaces. A Speakers Bureau books disability advocates, athletes, creators and staff for corporate events and employee resource group meetings. NOD also conducts federal policy advocacy and research, the latter increasingly through a federally funded university consortium studying disability employment policy. In support of every organization’s unique goals, NOD offers à la carte services and creates packages that fit your needs. Offerings include employee workshops, talent acquisition process audits, and executive search strategy sessions. Employers can contact NOD at development@nod.org for more information.

⬆︎ 16.) Sponsor: The Inspiration Foundation

Sponsor Since: August 26, 2026 📅️

Website: https://www.inspirationfoundation.org/ 🌐️

Email: jgrandstaff@inspirationfoundation.org 📧️

About: The Inspiration Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity working to increase the employment rate of people with disabilities. It was founded in 2006 by Isaac Shapiro and Mike Ghesser, the co-founders of the bath and body care brand Cleanlogic, and named for Isaac’s mother, Beatriz “Bea” Shapiro, who lost her sight to retinitis pigmentosa at about seven years old. Bea went on to become a long-distance runner, to found a technology training center for blind and visually impaired people, and to work as a vocational rehabilitation counselor for the State of Arizona. Her frustration was a practical one: the assistive technology disabled jobseekers were being trained on was too often out of date before they ever reached an interview. For its first two decades the Foundation answered that directly, awarding grants to nonprofit organizations serving blind and low-vision people so they could put current screen readers and Braille displays in front of the people who need them, including a dedicated fund for VisionServe Alliance member organizations.

In 2026 the Foundation appointed Jeremy Grandstaff as its first Executive Director. Grandstaff is blind, holds degrees in management information systems and organization development from Bowling Green State University, and brings two decades of organizational development and change management experience to the role. Under his leadership the Foundation has set a goal of increasing employment for people with disabilities by ten percent over the next five years, pursued through two pipelines running at once: a stronger pipeline of candidates, supported by the technology grant program, and a pipeline of employers who are actively hiring, promoting and retaining people with disabilities. The employer side of that work is being formalized into a certification called the Inspiration Seal, currently in pilot while its criteria are developed. Organizations interested in the technology grant program can reach Jeremy Grandstaff directly at jgrandstaff@inspirationfoundation.org.

⬆︎ 15.) Sponsor: Luna AI

Sponsor Since: August 16, 2026 📅️

Website: https://trylunaai.com/ 🌐️

Study Line: +1 (231) 879-5862 📱️

WhatsApp: +1 (231) 879-5862 📱️

About: Luna AI is a voice-first AI tutor you reach the same way you would reach a friend, by picking up the phone and calling. There is no app to download, no account to create, and no screen to navigate. You dial, you say what you would like to learn, and Luna teaches you out loud. What makes it more than a talking search engine is the method behind it. Luna works through active recall, which means it asks the questions and listens to your answers rather than simply reading material at you. Testing yourself, and explaining an idea in your own words, is one of the most reliably effective study techniques in learning science, and a spoken conversation is the most natural way there is to do it. Founded in 2026 by Derek Fine, Luna AI is built for people who want to learn without a screen, including blind and low-vision students who want to work through their material independently from start to finish.

In practice, that means you can practise conversation, pronunciation and vocabulary in a new language, walk through a practical how-to step by step while your hands are busy, or turn a commute, a walk or a session at the gym into real study time. Subscribers can go further and build a Study Library from their own coursework, lecture notes, PDFs, transcripts and Quizlet sets, which Luna turns into spoken review sessions that quiz you until the material sticks. Topic-based study sessions are free, so there is nothing to install and nothing to sign up for before you try it: just call +1 (231) 879-5862 📱️ from any phone, anywhere in the world, at any hour, or reach Luna the same way on WhatsApp. Learn more at https://trylunaai.com/.

⬆︎ 14.) Sponsor: Even Though I’m Blind (ETIB)

Sponsor Since: August 10, 2026 📅️

Website: https://eventhoughimblind.com/ 🌐️

About: Even Though I’m Blind, Inc. (ETIB) is a blind-led media and advocacy organization founded by Cazerny Bussey, a Brooklyn-born recording artist, author, entrepreneur, speaker, and father of five who lost his eyesight at fifteen. The organization takes its name from a track on Bussey’s 2021 album Cfly 728, one of three records he has released since 2012. ETIB’s stated mission is to uplift blind and visually impaired people by creating platforms and experiences that inform, inspire, connect, and open doors — and it does so through a working set of properties rather than a single channel.

Those include the ETIB Experience, an interview podcast featuring blind entrepreneurs, artists, advocates and pageant titleholders; ETIB Radio, an internet stream that gives independent blind and visually impaired musicians genuine airplay; the Community Connect Directory, a staff-verified listing of businesses that are blind-owned, visually-impaired-owned, or that specifically serve blind and low vision people; Seen Through Sound, a community project collecting short recorded messages of encouragement; plus a blog and an events calendar. Bussey founded ETIB, in his words, to help people feel “visible, connected, informed, and empowered without using pity as the message.”

Home | About | Podcast | Radio | Blog | Directory | Events | Join ETIB | AI Chat | Donate

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Sponsor Since: Today 📅️

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About: Founded in 2022, Access Information News is the world’s leading not-for-profit access information news publication that reaches over 48,000 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.

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Founded in 2022, Access Information News is the world’s leading not-for-profit access information news publication that reaches over 48,000 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 and Vicki Walton. Access Information News is a sponsor, reader and advertiser supported publication.

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