♿️ The Week’s News in Access Information
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What It’s Really Like Going Completely Blind As A Mom Of 2 Under 5 | Molly Burke | YouTube.com | October 9, 2026
Sitting down with Joy Ross, Molly Burke examines how the longtime creator rebuilt her life and parenting routines after losing her remaining sight. Ross recounts the medical complications that led to total blindness, the challenges facing her young daughters, and her effort to preserve independence, identity, and joy through further health setbacks.
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1.) Top 5 Most Clicked News Articles From Last Week 📊️
A.) 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.
B.) 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.
C.) 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.
D.) 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.
E.) 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.
October 10, 2026 📅️
2.) AAO 2026: Optogenetic Gene Therapy Heads to Phase 2 Trial in Geographic Atrophy | OphthalmologyTimes.com | October 10, 2026
While FDA-approved geographic atrophy drugs slow lesion growth without restoring vision, Nanoscope Therapeutics plans a randomized phase 2 trial of sonpiretigene isteparvovec (son-vec). In an open-label Stargardt cohort, patients with macula-confined atrophy gained an average 12 ETDRS letters after one intravitreal injection.
3.) Counting the Visible, Missing the Invisible – The Limits of India’s Disability Rights System | ThePrint.in | October 10, 2026
UDID records through August 2026 show India’s disability registry remains concentrated in visible conditions: locomotor disability accounts for more than half of cards, while chronic neurological conditions account for 0.75%. Nipun Malhotra and Harshita Kumari say the skew, plus women holding only 33.90% of cards, exposes barriers to certification, disclosure and accommodation for invisible or fluctuating disabilities.
October 9, 2026 📅️
4.) Jackline Ndindi Mwangangi Shares Her Story | The Global Disability News Network | YouTube.com | October 9, 2026
Speaking with Jackline Ndindi Mwangangi, Jemimah Kutata chronicles her path from a spinal cord injury at 20 to rebuilding independence as a mother and small-business owner. Their conversation also details the accessibility obstacles that continue to shape daily life in rural Kenya.
5.) Mwanajuma Mupa Munga Shares Her Story | The Global Disability News Network | YouTube.com | October 9, 2026
Following Mwanajuma Mupa Munga’s account, Jemimah Kutata traces her path from childhood exclusion and street begging in Mombasa to greater independence through medical support and a wheelchair. Munga’s experience underscores how access to mobility aids and paid work can shift community perceptions of disability.
6.) What It’s Really Like Going Completely Blind As A Mom Of 2 Under 5 | Molly Burke | YouTube.com | October 9, 2026
Sitting down with Joy Ross, Molly Burke examines how the longtime creator rebuilt her life and parenting routines after losing her remaining sight. Ross recounts the medical complications that led to total blindness, the challenges facing her young daughters, and her effort to preserve independence, identity, and joy through further health setbacks.
7.) Alberta Takes a U-Turn on Changes to Disability Benefits, Citing Public Feedback | CTVNews.ca | October 9, 2026
Following public feedback, Alberta has reversed changes to disability benefits affecting some eligible couples transferred from AISH to ADAP. CTV News reports those couples will now receive the full disability-benefit amount, along with retroactive payments, reversing the earlier transfer terms.
8.) Major Review Calls for ‘Needs-Based’ Reform of Autism, ADHD and Mental Health Services | LearningDisabilityToday.co.uk | October 9, 2026
A government-commissioned review urges England to shift autism, ADHD and mental-health support from diagnosis-led access to earlier, needs-based care. At the end of 2025, more than 560,000 people were awaiting ADHD assessments and 254,000 autism assessments; it also calls for CQC regulation of all assessment clinics and stronger data on people with severe intellectual disabilities.
9.) Sky Media and Guinness Launch Sky Sports’ Biggest Expansion of Live Sports Accessibility to Date | WebWire.com | October 9, 2026
Sky Media and Guinness will add Live Subtitles to every front-channel Premier League match on Sky Sports from 10 October 2026, about 210 games a season. Live Descriptive Audio Commentary will cover roughly 109 matches and was tested with RNIB, accessibility specialists and visually impaired supporters.
10.) Texas Prison Offers Program for Incarcerated Women to Learn Braille Transcription | WBUR.org | October 9, 2026
At the Patrick O’Daniel Unit in Gatesville, Texas, incarcerated women can earn Library of Congress certification in braille transcription while translating textbooks for blind students. WBUR reports the program has operated for more than two decades, and many participants continue braille-transcription work after release, giving them a marketable credential despite criminal-record barriers.
11.) Trump Accounts Could Put SSI at Risk | DisabilityScoop.com | October 9, 2026
After Treasury automatically enrolled every child with a Social Security number in a Trump Account, disability advocates warn that balances can jeopardize SSI at age 18. Accounts claimed for children born from 2025 through 2028 receive $1,000, but funds count toward SSI’s $2,000 asset limit; an ABLE rollover is allowed only during the beneficiary’s 17th year.
12.) Women With Disabilities in Kenya Sharing Their Unique Challenges | GlobalDisabilityNews.org | October 9, 2026
In Kenya, Jackline Ndindi Mwangangi and Mwanajuma Mupa Munga describe how inaccessible transport, distant hospitals, stigma and poverty restrict disabled women’s independence. Mwangangi built a tailoring business after a spinal cord injury, while Munga used a donated tricycle to sell goods after years of begging; both call for accessible health care and inclusion.
October 8, 2026 📅️
13.) He Spent A Day With A Blind Guy… | Legally Blind No Limits | YouTube.com | October 8, 2026
Showcasing a day alongside Jay, Cory documents how friendship and independence work in ordinary, unscripted moments. Their outing covers navigating streets, getting food, and finding the beach while challenging the assumption that a visually impaired friend needs constant supervision.
14.) Ministers’ Decision to Slash Accessible Housing Targets Was ‘Unprincipled,’ but Timms Says They Were Right | DisabilityNewsService.com | October 8, 2026
While Disability Rights UK called the policy “unprincipled,” disability minister Sir Stephen Timms backed Labour’s decision to require only 40% of new homes to meet the M4(2) accessible and adaptable standard, instead of the Conservatives’ proposed 100%. The government set no national target for wheelchair-user housing. Inclusion London says an M4(2) home could avoid almost GBP27,000 in later adaptation costs.
15.) DWP Silent After Tory Member of PIP Review Publishes Report Demanding Child Disability Benefits Are Slashed | DisabilityNewsService.com | October 8, 2026
While the Timms Review nears its final report, steering-group member Jean-Andre Prager co-authored a Policy Exchange note urging tighter child DLA eligibility for three fast-growing mental health conditions. The note projects 11.9 billion pounds in savings over four years; DWP would not say whether Sir Stephen Timms knew about it or considered Prager’s role appropriate.
16.) WA Officials Consider Steep Cut to Developmental Disability Services | Columbian.com | October 8, 2026
Washington’s Department of Social and Health Services has proposed tightening eligibility for developmental-disability services, a move projected to save $13.3 million starting in fiscal 2029. The agency estimates 2,655 residents could lose Medicaid eligibility; advocates warn some people could also lose housing tied to those services.
17.) Level Boarding Pledge in Government Strategy Is Welcomed, but Railways Bill Amendments Are Still Vital | DisabilityNewsService.com | October 8, 2026
The government’s new rolling-stock strategy makes unassisted level boarding a baseline expectation for new Great British Railways trains where practicable. Campaigners including Tony Jennings and Transport for All say legislation still needs a funded timetable for platform upgrades, step-free access, and disabled people’s co-production of the programme.
18.) Whately Appears to Agree Social Security Spending Is Not Spiralling After All… As Tories Plan £36 Billion-a-Year Cuts | DisabilityNewsService.com | October 8, 2026
While Conservative leaders called social security spending “spiralling out of control”, OBR forecasts put it at 11.2% of GDP in both 2026-27 and 2030-31. Disability News Service reports the party’s conference plans cite £36.1 billion in annual welfare cuts by 2029-30, including £13.6 billion from sickness and disability benefit reforms.
19.) Access Failures at Tory Conference Leave Wheelchair-User Suspended in Mid-Air for More Than an Hour | DisabilityNewsService.com | October 8, 2026
Clive Gilbert, Policy Connect’s head of accessible transport, was stranded on an ICC platform lift for more than an hour after it shuddered to a halt at the Conservative conference. The venue apologized and said it would review the incident; Gilbert plans formal complaints against the ICC and Conservative party.
20.) Gene Therapy Brings Hearing to Children With Inherited Deafness | PRNewswire.com | October 8, 2026
Regeneron’s Otarmeni (lunsotogene parvec-cwha) restored meaningful hearing in 9 of 12 children with OTOF-related profound deafness in the CHORD trial, Cincinnati Children’s said. The one-time dual-AAV1 cochlear infusion delivered a working otoferlin gene; two siblings treated in 2025 showed improved hearing.
21.) Autism Diagnoses Rose – Then Researchers Found Something in 62,000 Children | Newsweek.com | October 8, 2026
A JAMA Pediatrics study tracking 62,081 South Korean children across 12 birth cohorts found autism incidence through age 7 stayed statistically stable, at 1.9% to 3.2%, despite rising recorded diagnoses. Lead author Young Shin Kim said improved clinical and educational identification narrowed the gap, while screening still disproportionately found undiagnosed girls.
22.) Genetically Engineered Treatment for Blindness Shows Early Promise in Small Study | MedPageToday.com | October 8, 2026
An optogenetic treatment paired with light-stimulating goggles improved light sensitivity in seven of 10 people with advanced retinitis pigmentosa, with six meeting a clinically meaningful threshold. The NEJM study used an AAV vector to deliver ChrimsonR to retinal ganglion cells; 34 ocular adverse events occurred in nine participants, mostly mild or moderate.
23.) ADHD Charity Threatens Legal Action Over “Unlawful” Two-Year Assessment Waits | LearningDisabilityToday.co.uk | October 8, 2026
ADHD UK says it will seek judicial review unless NHS West Yorkshire ICB reverses a two-year minimum wait for ADHD and autism assessments via independent providers. The charity alleges breaches of equalities law and Right to Choose rules, while the ICB says it is addressing unequal waits and reviewing the policy for 2027/28.
24.) De Novo Variants Help Untangle Autism’s Genetic Threads | TheTransmitter.org | October 8, 2026
New analyses of exome data from 62,429 autistic people raise the number of high-confidence autism-linked genes to 253, up from 72 in a 2022 study. Companion preprints group the genes by overlap with other conditions and estimate that de novo variants explain 3.4 percent of genetic susceptibility variation.
25.) New Definition Proposed for ‘Profound Autism’ | DisabilityScoop.com | October 8, 2026
More than 70 researchers, caregivers, individuals with autism and clinicians backed a proposed consensus definition of profound autism in Molecular Autism, with 76% voting in favor. The criteria would apply to people 8 or older with autism, adaptive functioning well below age level, adult-supervision needs, and either IQ below 50 or minimal verbal communication.
26.) Powerlifter Couple Redefines Disability | DisabilityScoop.com | October 8, 2026
Steve Alexy, who has cerebral palsy, and Arlyn Smith, who has cerebellar ataxia, have moved from gym training into open powerlifting competition, winning titles beyond para events. Smith set an International Powerlifting Coalition world deadlift record of 264.5 pounds at 123 pounds; Alexy set a 2024 US Powerlifting Coalition deadlift record of 227 pounds.
27.) Event: Celebrating Talent, Opening Doors: Disability Inclusion at Work | October 14, 2026 at 11AM PT | DrKirkAdams.com | October 8, 2026
Dr. Kirk Adams, executive director of the Institute for Sustainable Diversity and Inclusion (ISDI), has assembled a panel of leaders with disabilities for a public livestream from the Community Coalition for Sustainable Diversity and Inclusion, marking National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Moderator Mai Ling Chan leads Tanner Gers, LaMondre Pough, Nandita Gupta and Mitchell Hunter in a conversation about the barriers that keep talent from being recognized, hired and developed. Coalition membership is not required.
28.) “It Isn’t Fair That They Throw Us Out Onto the Streets” | DisabilityDebrief.org | October 8, 2026
Peter Torres Fremlin’s latest Disability Debrief opens in Spain, where attempts to evict María del Carmen Abascal, a disabled 87-year-old, from her home of 70 years sparked nationwide housing protests before her death. The edition also gathers new research on inclusive education, feminist fightback and the Judy Heumann biopic, among 93 hand-picked links from 30 countries.
29.) Handi-Link: Stream of Dreams Myositis Ability Ministry | Cam Wells | CJAM 99.1 FM | October 8, 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: Jason Morrison Ability Ministry. Rod Jansen: Myositis Canada. Krystal Brennan Stream of Dreams.
October 7, 2026 📅️
30.) ETIB Radio Podcast Hosted By Ariana Dewberry & Cazerny Bussey Featuring Mic Talented | Even Though I’m Blind | YouTube.com | October 7, 2026
Sitting down with Atlanta artist Mic Talented, Ariana Dewberry and Cazerny Bussey pull apart the influences and creative habits behind his music. The conversation also focuses on his approach to stage performance as a blind artist, from earning audience trust to finding motivation in even a single committed fan.
31.) Jennifer Cohen & Sean Callagy: Why Bold People Get What Everyone Else Wants | Sean Callagy | YouTube.com | October 7, 2026
Sitting down with Jennifer Cohen, Sean Callagy examines how making direct asks, absorbing rejection, and building real rapport can create outsized opportunities. Cohen recounts enlisting Keanu Reeves for an audition tape at 17 and outlines why empathy, authenticity, enthusiasm, and relationship capital matter as much as boldness.
32.) NCD Releases 2026 Progress Report | NCD.gov | October 7, 2026
NCD’s 2026 Progress Report records historic employment gains and strategic shifts in federal health research, while warning that regulatory delays, transportation barriers, and legal reinterpretations could weaken disability protections. The agency cites Medicaid changes, delayed web-accessibility rules, DOJ’s new Olmstead interpretation, and renewed bills that could weaken the ADA.
33.) The Federal Government Is Backing Away From a Decades-Old Disability Rights Promise | 19thNews.org | October 7, 2026
Trump’s DOJ said in June that it has no obligation to enforce Olmstead v. L.C., the 1999 Supreme Court ruling protecting disabled people’s right to community-based care. Its September settlement in Texas v. Kennedy invalidated 2024 Section 504 regulations that more precisely defined the ‘most integrated setting’ mandate.
34.) Ottawa to Indefinitely Extend MAID Exclusion for People Solely Suffering From Mental Illness | CBC.ca | October 7, 2026
Canada’s federal government will introduce legislation this fall to indefinitely bar MAID when mental illness is the sole underlying condition, Justice Minister Sean Fraser said. Fraser cited gaps in mental-health services and disagreement over incurability; the proposal would also address advance consent, while Conservative Bill C-218 failed 187-141.
35.) 5 Things Civil Rights Data Says About Public Schools | NPR.org | October 7, 2026
Federal civil rights data covering 49.7 million public-school students shows preschool enrollment rose 12% from 2021-22, while K-12 enrollment fell nearly 1%. The 2023-24 collection also logged 2.5 million students with out-of-school suspensions, a 75% white teacher workforce, and withheld nonbinary-student data.
36.) Proposed Settlement Reached in Major Class Action Lawsuit to Help Thousands of Older New Hampshire Residents and Those with Disabilities Stay in Their Homes | AARP.org | October 7, 2026
New Hampshire and plaintiffs in Fitzmorris v. New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services have asked a federal court to preliminarily approve a settlement requiring changes to the Medicaid-funded Choices for Independence program, which serves nearly 4,000 people. The agreement would target care gaps, provider shortages, and no-show caregivers for at least four years.
37.) How a Cop Drawing His Gun Led to Safeguards for Drivers With Disabilities | DisabilityScoop.com | October 7, 2026
Missouri’s newly signed Mason’s Law will let drivers register communication-affecting disabilities with the Department of Revenue, so officers can see an alert when they run a license plate. The measure followed a 2025 traffic stop in which Kansas City police drew a gun on Mason Ott, an autistic driver; the system is expected to launch in early 2027.
38.) Rankin, an Ally Within the Fashion Industry, Pushes for Diversity | GlobalDisabilityNews.org | October 7, 2026
British photographer and film director Rankin says fashion brands often resist casting disabled models, questioning choices even when a model is right for the campaign. He argues that fear and box-ticking drive tokenism, while sustained visibility and direct conversation can normalize disability and expand creative representation.
October 6, 2026 📅️
39.) Budget 2027: Social Welfare Rates to Rise by €10 a Week as Disability Supports Increase | IrishExaminer.com | October 6, 2026
Ireland’s Budget 2027 will raise all weekly social welfare rates by €10, affecting 1.6 million recipients including pensioners, carers, jobseekers, and people receiving disability payments. A new €500 Cost of Disability Payment and other increases will leave 180,000 people with disabilities €1,030 better off next year.
40.) Justices Debate Which Courts May Hear Constitutional Challenges to Laws on Veterans’ Benefits | SCOTUSBlog.com | October 6, 2026
The Supreme Court heard arguments in Johnson v. United States Congress over whether Section 511(a) of the Veterans’ Judicial Review Act bars federal district courts from hearing constitutional challenges to veterans’ benefits laws. Veteran Floyd Johnson contests a statute capping disability benefits after more than 60 days of incarceration; several justices appeared to lean toward the government’s view that the VJRA review path must apply.
41.) Lexie and Eargo Are Shutting Down: What Owners Should Do Now | MyHearingAidAdvisor.com | October 6, 2026
LXE Hearing, parent of Lexie and Eargo, entered an assignment for the benefit of creditors on July 15, ending U.S. support, warranty service, and cloud-connected apps in October. Lexie owners must update and sync version 9 by October 8; Eargo’s deadline is October 22, while claims close January 31, 2027.
42.) Vision Rehabilitation Must Be Part of Social Care Reform, RNIB Says | AOP.org.uk | October 6, 2026
RNIB head of policy Mike Wordingham says vision rehabilitation must be included in the UK’s planned national social care system, warning that the local-authority service is underfunded and unevenly available. RNIB’s 2023-2024 research found 85% of councils missed its 28-day assessment target, 38 did not always use qualified specialists, and 20% reported waits exceeding a year.
43.) The Night I Went Blind | UCLA.edu | October 6, 2026
After a second anterior ischemic optic neuropathy in July 2025 left UCLA Magazine writer John Harlow with limited vision, he details the accessibility tools and support helping him continue working. UCLA’s Jules Stein Eye Institute identified an optic stroke; the UC system is also enrolled in a federal program to develop eye transplants.
44.) AMC Theatres Agrees to Pay After Allegedly Pushing Out Employee With Cerebral Palsy | DisabilityScoop.com | October 6, 2026
AMC Theatres will pay $56,000 to settle an EEOC lawsuit alleging it forced out Marc Gillis, an employee with cerebral palsy who had worked at an Owings Mills, Maryland, location for 22 years. The agency said AMC will also revise accommodation and anti-discrimination procedures, train staff, and post an employee notice under the ADA.
45.) Nonprofit Launching College-Like Program for Adults With IDD | DisabilityScoop.com | October 6, 2026
Everyday Sunshine Thrift Store in Decatur, Alabama, will open Everyday Sunshine University, a college-like day program for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Classes run Tuesday through Friday, serve up to 24 students initially, and pair life-skills and job training with student-selected electives; weekly tuition is $188 for four days or $110 for two.
46.) Refugees, Other Noncitizens Lose Medicaid As New Law Takes Effect | DisabilityScoop.com | October 6, 2026
On Oct. 1, refugees, asylees and other lawfully present noncitizens lost Medicaid under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Minnesota says roughly 5,550 people are affected; most can shift to MinnesotaCare, but 200 to 250 recipients of Medicaid home- and community-based waivers could lose services such as personal care, transport and employment support.
October 5, 2026 📅️
47.) From YouTube Comedy To Hollywood: Steve Way’s Incredible Journey | Driven by Purpose | YouTube.com | October 5, 2026
Sitting down with Steve Way, Evan, Isaac, and Mike trace his path from public speaking and online comedy to acting, writing, and producing in Hollywood. Way also explains why meaningful disabled representation matters, and why expanding access and opportunity must extend beyond any one performer’s success.
48.) Envision to End Operations and Stop Product Development if It Can’t Find Partner | TheNationalNews.com | October 5, 2026
Envision says it will stop product development and wind down operations by year-end unless it finds a partner, after failing to build a profitable business. The Netherlands-based company sells $1,899-$3,499 smart glasses and an AI app that uses phone cameras to read signs, menus and books for blind and low-vision users.
49.) Employment Among Americans With Disabilities Reaches an All-Time High | NewsMedical.net | October 5, 2026
Employment among Americans with disabilities reached a record 40.3% in September, according to the National Trends in Disability Employment report from Kessler Foundation and the University of New Hampshire Institute on Disability. The employment-to-population ratio rose from 39.8% in August and 38.2% a year earlier, while labor-force participation hit 43.8%.
50.) Deaf Community Demands Sign Language Recognition | Namibian.com.na | October 5, 2026
Namibia’s deaf community is urging lawmakers to revive a 2023 motion to recognize Namibian Sign Language officially and provide interpreters in parliament. Martin Tjivera says roughly 27,000 deaf people remain shut out of live proceedings, while disability advocates cite shortages across public services.
51.) CDC Plans to Drop Disability Questions From Federal Health Survey | DisabilityScoop.com | October 5, 2026
The CDC’s proposed 2028 National Health Interview Survey would cut disability and functioning questions from 49 to 15, removing items designed to identify developmental disabilities. Advocates warn the redesign and shift from face-to-face interviews to paper or online responses could further undercount disabled Americans and distort health-trend data.
52.) How News and TV Shape the Way We See Disability With Dr. Beth Haller | GlobalDisabilityNews.org | October 5, 2026
Media scholar Beth Haller says disability-rights advocates lost control of the ADA narrative after stepping back from media engagement, allowing business critics to frame it as an “unfunded mandate.” In a guest-hosted podcast, Haller traces TV’s disability history, representation failures, and the work behind GADIM, Props No More, and Global Disability News Network.
Last Week 📅️
53.) Thoughts On Helping Blind People… | Legally Blind No Limits | YouTube.com | October 4, 2026
Cutting through assumptions about assisting blind pedestrians, Legally Blind No Limits examines how respectful offers of support should begin and end. The discussion follows Jay’s encounter with a blind stranger seeking a replacement white cane, using it to highlight consent, communication, and practical guidance in public spaces.
54.) Festival Of Talent Through Our Lens | Even Though I’m Blind | YouTube.com | October 4, 2026
Showcasing the Festival of Talent, Even Though I’m Blind captures the performances and speaks with the people who brought them to the stage. The feature pairs music with post-show conversations, preserving the stories and creative perspectives behind the event.
55.) Download Disability:IN’s 2026 Disability Employment Awareness Month Toolkit | DisabilityIN.org | October 3, 2026
Disability:IN has released its 2026 Disability Employment Awareness Month (DEAM) toolkit, built around the theme Disability, Innovation, and the Future of Business. The toolkit includes social media graphics, LinkedIn banners, meeting backgrounds, sample posts and employee engagement ideas, featuring artwork by artist Charlie French through ArtLifting. Organizations can download it after completing a short form with their name, work email and company.
56.) Getting Comfortable with a White Cane | HadleyHelps.org | October 2, 2026
Hadley’s encore Episode 166 traces why people with vision loss initially resist white canes and how use can support safer, more independent travel. Guests Larry Carlson and Dorrie Rush describe falls, stigma, and changing routines, while O&M specialist Elijah Haines says canes can help people with a wide range of remaining vision.
57.) Handi-Link: Sail Ability, Able2 ECC | Cam Wells | CJAM 99.1 FM | October 1, 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: Heather Lacey Able2. Brett Lyons Quinte Sail Ability. Hubert Van Niekerk Every Canadian Counts.
58.) Applications Now Open for Disability:IN’s 2027 NextGen Leaders Program | DisabilityIN.org | October 1, 2026
Disability:IN is accepting applications for its 2027 NextGen Leaders Program, a free six-month virtual program that pairs students, recent graduates and veterans with disabilities in North and South America with mentors from its corporate partners. Participants spend about four to six hours a month on mentorship, learning sessions and group discussions, and roughly 50 may be selected to attend the 2027 Disability:IN Global Conference & Expo.
Featured Events 📅️
👉 Submit your event for consideration within this section here.
October 7-13, 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 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 | Beyond the Basics: Navigate, Review, and Present More Effectively in PowerPoint Using JAWS | Vispero
9:00 AM PT, 10:00 AM MT, 11:00 AM CT, 12:00 PM ET, 4:00 PM GMT
Elizabeth Whitaker and Rachel Buchanan of Vispero demonstrate practical strategies for working more efficiently in PowerPoint with JAWS, from navigating slides, placeholders, objects and the different PowerPoint views to adding alt text to images and videos so slide content is accessible. The session also covers reviewing object placement, reading order, graphics and other visual information, and moving through Slide Show view with practical tips for presenting more effectively. ACVREP credits are available to those who attend the live webinar.
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 16, 2026 | Recognizing Elder Abuse: Signs, Resources, and Next Steps | NRTC on Blindness and Low Vision
12:00 PM PT, 1:00 PM MT, 2:00 PM CT, 3:00 PM ET, 7:00 PM GMT
Jennifer Spoeri, executive director of the National Adult Protective Services Association, explains how to recognize abuse, neglect, exploitation and self-neglect among older adults who are blind or have low vision, along with reporting responsibilities and available resources. One ACVREP credit is available.
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 | An Engine for Innovation and Opportunity | Disability:IN
9:00 AM PT, 10:00 AM MT, 11:00 AM CT, 12:00 PM ET, 4:00 PM GMT
Disability:IN hosts a LinkedIn Live conversation with disability-owned entrepreneurs Ryan Mayer of Ryan Mayer Coaching, Dr. Ann Nguyen-Chung of Hippotanicals and Mary Jayne McCullough of Global Wordsmiths. The panel covers understanding customers, communicating what makes a product different and building the relationships that help a business grow.
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 | Creating Accessible Coursework: From Content to Classroom | Allyant
11:00 AM PT, 12:00 PM MT, 1:00 PM CT, 2:00 PM ET, 6:00 PM GMT
Liz Franklin of Allyant and digital accessibility coordinator Pam Doran present a live webinar on accessibility requirements for educational materials, with a demonstration of CommonLook Edu, a customer’s approach to scaling accessible coursework, and tips on budgeting and collaboration. Attendees receive a free seven-day trial.
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 5, 2026 | 2026 Disability:IN EMEA Summit | Disability:IN
1:00 AM PT, 2:00 AM MT, 3:00 AM CT, 4:00 AM ET, 9:00 AM GMT
Disability:IN and Bloomberg bring senior leaders from Europe, the Middle East and Africa together in London to examine how companies are using neuroinclusion, accessibility, AI and data-driven insights to shape the future of work, technology and customer experience. The summit runs a full day on November 5 and a morning session on November 6 at Bloomberg in London, and attendance is by invitation request.
November 6, 2026 | 2026 Disability:IN EMEA Summit | Disability:IN
1:00 AM PT, 2:00 AM MT, 3:00 AM CT, 4:00 AM ET, 9:00 AM GMT
Disability:IN and Bloomberg bring senior leaders from Europe, the Middle East and Africa together in London to examine how companies are using neuroinclusion, accessibility, AI and data-driven insights to shape the future of work, technology and customer experience. The summit runs a full day on November 5 and a morning session on November 6 at Bloomberg in London, and attendance is by invitation request.
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.
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⬆︎ 11.) Sponsor: Institute for Sustainable Diversity & Inclusion (ISDI)
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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
👉️ Classified Advertisement: New Book: The Disability Dividend By Kirk Adams, PhD: What If Disability Inclusion Could Transform Not Only Lives — But Your Bottom Line? | Dr. Kirk Adams
A powerful new book by Kirk Adams on how disability inclusion can unlock talent, drive innovation, and strengthen business success.
Grab your copy on Amazon today. 📘
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H7KWG6NZ
🚀 Let’s start living.
#TheDisabilityDividend #DisabilityInclusion
#InclusiveLeadership #WorkplaceAccessibility
#DiversityEquityInclusion #FutureOfWork
#TalentWithoutLimits #BusinessGrowth
#InclusiveWorkplaces #AmazonKDPLaunch
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
👉️ Classified Advertisement: Barrier Free Canada And Donna J. Jodhan Announce The Launch Of The John D. Panarese Memorial Initiative To Bring Easier Learning For iDevices To Those Losing Their Vision And Those Newly Blinded
Barrier Free Canada and Donna J. Jodhan are proud to announce the launch of the John D. Panarese Memorial Initiative, a new program dedicated to empowering people who are losing their vision or are newly blind through accessible technology education.
Honouring John D. Panarese’s legacy of service and inclusion, this initiative will provide practical, easy-to-follow training on Apple iDevices, helping participants build the skills and confidence needed to communicate, stay connected, and live more independently. By making technology more accessible and less intimidating, the initiative aims to bridge the digital divide and ensure that vision loss is not a barrier to learning, opportunity, or full participation in today’s connected world.
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
👉️ Classified Advertisement: New NVDA Workshops at Hadley | Hadley
Learn the basics of NVDA. From getting started with the program to customizing the speech to learning helpful shortcuts, Hadley’s workshops have you covered.
Sponsor Since: September 18th 2023 📅️
Website: https://hadleyhelps.org/ 🌐️
Email: info@hadleyhelps.org 📧️
Phone: (800) 323-4238 📱️
Get Started: https://hadleyhelps.org/learn 🎓
What would you like to learn today?
Donate: https://hadleyhelps.org/donate/support-hadley ❤
A 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, Hadley relies on contributions from individuals, foundations, and corporations to fund its programs.
About: The mission of Hadley is to create personalized learning opportunities that empower adults with vision loss or blindness to thrive — at home, at work, and in their communities.
Founded in 1920 by William Hadley, an educator who lost his eyesight later in life, Hadley offers practical help, connection and support free of charge to anyone with a visual impairment, their families and professionals supporting them. With Hadley, you can discover new ways to do things that have become more difficult due to vision loss and connect with a network of peers who “get it.” And you don’t need to come to Hadley. Hadley’s help comes to you; online, on the phone or through the mail.
Since relaunching in July 2020, more than 70,000 people have signed up with Hadley, registering more than 200,000 workshop interactions. And our workshops have 98% satisfaction ratings. We reach all 50 states and more than 100 countries. And more people learn braille from Hadley than from any other organization worldwide.
Hadley is a proud partner of the National Eye Institute and the National Eye Health Education Program.
Hadley’s help conveniently meets learners where they are. Free of wait lists. Free of office visits. Free of charge.
Social: Facebook | X (Formerly Twitter) | YouTube
⬆︎ 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
👉️ Classified Advertisement: Introducing Remote Incident Manager’s Mobile Debut | Pneuma Solutions
This month, the world’s first fully accessible remote support software is celebrating far more than its fourth anniversary — we’re breaking new ground yet again!
Imagine being able to accessibly connect to your home computer with nothing but your phone.
Imagine being able to support clients, friends or family while out and about.
Imagine no longer — today, it’s a reality!
For the first time ever, fully accessible remote desktop can now be in the palm of your hand. We proudly present Remote Incident Manager for iOS!
To celebrate this milestone and as our way of saying thanks to everyone who supported us along the way, we’re offering free unlimited time for keyword sessions conducted via the mobile app.
Go get RIM from the App Store today! Controlling your computer with just a phone and a keyboard will be so frictionless you’ll wonder if you actually forgot to leave it back at home!
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.
⬆︎ 16.) 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.
⬆︎ 15.) 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.
⬆︎ 14.) Sponsor: Luna AI
👉️ Classified Advertisement: Luna AI: Learn Anything, Anytime, Anywhere | Luna AI
Luna AI is a free, voice-only AI tutor designed to make learning more accessible for people who are blind or have low vision.
There are no complicated visual interfaces and no expensive assistive technology required. Simply call Luna by phone 📱️ or WhatsApp and start learning through natural conversation.
Ask questions, learn a new language, explore a new subject, or practice something you already know. Luna can explain concepts, adapt to your level, and help you learn through conversation.
Luna is available 24/7, so you can learn what you want, when you want, from wherever you are.
It’s completely free to use. Call +1 (231) 879-5862 📱️ and start learning today!
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/.
⬆︎ 17.) Sponsor: Your Name Here
Sponsor Since: Today 📅️
Website: https://accessinformationnews.com/sponsorship-packages/ 🌐️
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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 49,000 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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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.
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In 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.
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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 49,000 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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