Originally Aired on ACB Media
Originally Aired on ACB Media
Participants explored Substack as an accessible, web-based platform for creative writing and reaching wider audiences. Three users shared their experiences with the platform.
Originally Aired on ACB Media
Originally Aired on ACB Media
Participants explored four low-cost braille devices. The Braille Doodle offered raised braille letters and a drawing method; the VersaSlate served as a paperless slate and stylus; the Hable provided braille input and connections to other devices; and Braille Legos offered a playful way to learn braille.
Presenters: Lucy Edmonds, retired – Michigan Braille and Talking Book Library, Lansing, MI; Audrey Schading, Braille Instructor – Lighthouse Guild of New York; Shanell Matos, Assistive technology program leadership – Lighthouse Guild, New York.
Originally Aired on ACB Media
Originally Aired on ACB Media
BITS and a panel of experts explored AI trends from blind and low vision perspectives. They examined how ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini, Claude, and accessibility agents were expanding access, creativity, and innovation. The session also considered how blind and low vision users were helping shape these technologies and their future development.
Presenters: Larry Watkinson, Technology Project Manager, Olympia, WA; Jeff Bishop, President, Blind Information Technology Solutions (BITS), Application Developer, Tucson, AZ; Kayla Bentas, Technology Project Coordinator, Peabody, MA
Originally Aired on ACB Media
Originally Aired on ACB Media
The session examined the benefits and challenges of driverless rideshare services for blind and low vision users. Without a driver, riders avoided driver-related discrimination but faced challenges such as locating the vehicle without someone to contact. Blind presenters shared tips and techniques for finding their driverless cars.
Presenters: Ron Brooks, Senior Director of Policy and Partnerships for UZURV and founder of Accessible Avenue, Mesa, AZ; Mike May, Accessibility Consultant, Reno, NV
Originally Aired on ACB Media
Originally Aired on ACB Media
The presentation demonstrated Microsoft Narrator as an alternative for Windows users whose ongoing vision loss had made magnification and mouse use less effective. The free, built-in screen reader provided spoken access to screen content, documents, email, webpages, and other information. Presenters showed ways to use Narrator to maintain independence during the transition from low vision to no vision.
Presenters: Brad Snyder, Assistive Technology Specialist, Dallas, TX; Myrna Votta, Instructor of Assistive Technology, New York Metropolitan Area
Originally Aired on ACB Media
Originally Aired on ACB Media
Participants learned about APH's Monarch multiline braille display, including tactile graphics, Monarch applications, and the Monarch RISE project.
Presenters: Katie Frederick, Digital Engagement and Accessibility Specialist, Monarch Projects, American Printing House for the Blind (APH), Worthington, OH; Jennifer Wenzel, Technology Product Specialist, American Printing House for the Blind, Louisville, KY
Originally Aired on ACB Media
Originally Aired on ACB Media
Industry experts and consumers discussed Next Generation broadcast television, which combined over-the-air broadcasting with internet technology. The session examined enhanced picture, sound, interactive capabilities, and accessibility, and explained what viewers needed to know to prepare.
Moderator: Carl Richardson, Co-Chair, ACB Audio Description Project, Brighton, MA
Panelists: Matt Kaplowitz, President, Bridge Multimedia, New York, NY; Renee Arrington-Johnson, ADP Steering Committee Member, Cleveland, OH; Louis Johnson IV, MBA, PMP, CPBE, Cleveland, OH; Timothy Wynn, ADP Media Subcommittee Member, Arlington, VA
Originally Aired on ACB Media
Originally Aired on ACB Media
Beginning and intermediate users explored accessible photography with smartphones and camera-equipped wearable devices. The session started with accessible photo-taking basics and introduced description tools and apps to help users understand their pictures. It focused on techniques for capturing and sharing moments with greater confidence.
Presenters: Kelly Ford, Software Developer, Madison, WI; Ann McKay-Bacon, Teacher Consultant for the Blind and Vision Impaired, Detroit, MI
Originally Aired on ACB Media
Originally Aired on ACB Media
John McCann discussed amateur digital communication modes and presented the SharkRF M1KE radioless digital hotspot.
Presenter: John McCann, ACBRA board member, Tucson, AZ
Originally Aired on ACB Media
Originally Aired on ACB Media
The presentation addressed appliance accessibility and the need for inclusive design in everyday life. Speakers highlighted the launch of the Appliance Portal, community connections through YouTube, and efforts to raise awareness among vendors, advocates, and consumers. They discussed sharing experiences, increasing visibility, and building a collective voice to advance accessibility and advocacy.
Presenters: Larry Watkinson, Technology Project Manager, Olympia, WA; Jeff Bishop, President, Blind Information Technology Solutions (BITS), Application Developer, Tucson, AZ; Lucia Greco, Accessibility Evangelist, Berkeley, CA