[NFB-Seniors] DBS Media Reports January 8 - 22, 2021

Sat Jan 23 16:16:39 UTC 2021

There's some pretty cool info in here. Hope you enjoy!

DBS Media Report

Friday, January 22, 2021

Eye Health

Self: 6 Weird Reasons Your Vision Is Blurry
<https://www.self.com/story/blurry-vision-causes?utm_source=nl&utm_brand=sel
f&utm_mailing=SLF_Daily_011921&utm_campaign=aud-dev&utm_medium=email&bxid=5c
92d73724c17c329bf8ac3c&cndid=40427391&hasha=39a5a71dd6fe9ff2d5e0ba43a203b7f2
&hashb=94d0150fd45f30427d44dc36e18361f99fb380b6&hashc=3eb1b5ebb7ff9fa103b189
90bad2e3c9081997b0f47b68434f1e8818846bc0d0&esrc=slf_swps_Wanderlust&utm_cont
ent=B&utm_term=SLF_Daily_GenericOpens&utm_campaign=01-19-21+-+Issues+with+yo
u&utm_source=Message&utm_medium=Twitter> 

Some things should be blurry, like a hummingbird's wings as it flits through
the air. Others, like your eyesight, should not. Having blurry vision can
range from being slightly inconvenient to pretty panic-inducing. No matter
how you feel about it, seeing your eye doctor should climb to the top spot
on your to-do list. "There [is] a whole host of things that cause blurry
vision, and a comprehensive eye exam can help figure things out," Phillip
Yuhas, O.D., an optometrist and faculty member at The Ohio State University
College of Optometry, tells SELF.

Thursday, January 21, 2021

Eye Health

PR Newswire: A New Source Of Cells For Treating Blindness
<https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/a-new-source-of-cells-for-treating
-blindness-301210352.html> 

Dr. Steven R. Goodman, Editor-in-Chief of Experimental Biology & Medicine,
said, "Dr. Feng and colleagues have taken a major step towards a cell-based
therapy for photoreceptor degeneration that leads to blindness, in being
able to convert primary adult human retinal pigmented epithelium (hRPE) into
post mitotic neurons with several properties of photoreceptors. Future
studies will focus creating photoreceptors with all components required for
light sensitivity."

Technology

Newswise:
<https://www.newswise.com/articles/training-the-brain-is-topic-of-latest-epi
sode-of-lighthouse-guild-podcast-on-tech-vision-with-dr-cal-roberts-explorin
g-big-ideas-in-technology-for-people-with-visual-impairment> Training The
Brain Is Topic Of Latest Episode Of Lighthouse Guild Podcast "On Tech &
Vision With Dr. Cal Roberts" Exploring Big Ideas In Technology For People
With Visual Impairment

Dr. Grant discusses BrainPort, which uses sensory substitution, in this case
nerve fibers in the tongue, to send information to the brain instead of the
optic nerve. Dr. Rizzo discusses his work developing a device to be called
the Sensory Halo, which is supported by sensory augmentation. Both guests
share what is being learned about sensory substitution and augmentation
through these technologies and how this understanding will help perfect
future devices to enable people with vision impairment to see better.

Wednesday, January 20, 2021

Buzz Feed News: 18 #OwnVoices Books About Disability And Chronic Illness
<https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/margaretkingsbury/ownvoices-books-disa
bility-chronic-illness>   

Memoirs and essays that celebrate disabled bodies, combat ableism, call for
disability justice, and describe the myriad ways disabled folk live in and
contribute to this world.

Technology 

Gizmodo: The 6 Best iOS 14 Accessibility Features
<https://www.gizmodo.com.au/2021/01/the-6-best-ios-14-accessibility-features
/> 

LiDAR uses light to measure the distance between things, and pairing that
with the machine learning on board the iPad Pro and iPhone 12 Pro line makes
it an incredibly powerful tool. And this is not just for AR, but for blind
and vision impaired people. Once you've set up the shortcut, with Voice Over
turned on, you can triple press the lock button on your device (or Back
Tap), and it will tell you how far away the closest person to you is, or
whether it detects any people at all.

Facebook: Using AI To Improve Photo Descriptions For People Who Are Blind
And Visually Impaired
<https://www.mypanhandle.com/news/news-13-this-morning/continuing-education-
programs-open-for-registration/> 

The latest iteration of AAT represents multiple technological advances that
improve the photo experience for our users. First and foremost, we've
expanded the number of concepts that AAT can reliably detect and identify in
a photo by more than 10x, which in turn means fewer photos without a
description. Descriptions are also more detailed, with the ability to
identify activities, landmarks, types of animals, and so forth - for
example, "May be a selfie of 2 people, outdoors, the Leaning Tower of Pisa."

Tuesday, January 19, 2021

Forbes: Disability,
<https://www.forbes.com/sites/andrewpulrang/2021/01/17/disability-no-true-sc
otsman-and-zero-sum-thinking/> "No True Scotsman," And "Zero Sum Thinking"

One bizarre example is the recent social media trend of "debunking" the
accomplishments of well-known deaf and blind activist Hellen Keller. The
core argument seems to be that Keller's accomplishments were not her own,
but instead engineered by others. It's an idea based on a mix of unmoored
skepticism and pure ableism. Since it seems so amazing that Helen Keller did
so much, (or so the argument goes), maybe common sense tells us that she
really didn't after all. What exactly we are supposed to think from there is
a bit of a mystery. This sudden impulse to "go after" an almost universally
admired figure in disability history is perhaps easy to dismiss, like belief
in a "Flat Earth." However, recent events suggest that we ignore this kind
of thing at our peril, including when it comes from or affects the
disability community.

Education

Education Week: What Biden's Pick for Ed. Secretary Discussed With
Disability Rights Advocates
<https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/what-bidens-pick-for-ed-secretary-
discussed-with-disability-rights-advocates/2021/01>  

Advocates for students with disabilities met with President-elect Joe
Biden's pick for education secretary this week to voice concerns about
issues ranging from school discipline to the effects of the COVID-19
pandemic on special education services. If confirmed by the Senate to the
cabinet role, current Connecticut Education Commissioner Miguel Cardona
could play a significant role in special education at a time when advocates
fear that many students with disabilities have been left behind during
rolling school closures and remote instruction.

Friday, January 15, 2021

Accessibility 

IRS: <https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/accessible-irs-tax-products>
Accessible Forms & Publications

The Internal Revenue Service offers content in a variety of file formats to
accommodate people who use assistive technology such as screen reading
software, refreshable Braille displays, and voice recognition software. We
have prepared hundreds of tax forms and publications that can be downloaded
or viewed online in text-only, Braille ready files, browser-friendly HTML,
accessible PDF, and large print. Our PDF tax forms comply with Section 508
of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Web Content Accessibility
Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1; however, the IRS does not advise filling out forms on
mobile devices.

Yahoo Finance: Billions Spent In Response To Website Accessibility Demand
Letters Inspires New Offering From The Bureau Of Internet Accessibility

Citing a hefty inaccessibility price tag of up to $6 billion, the Bureau of
Internet Accessibility today announces the introduction of its Verification
of Accessibility EngagementTM, which clients can use to demonstrate that
they have committed to accessibility and engaged the company's services. New
estimates, which are driving the new offering, suggest that website
accessibility demand letters cost U.S. businesses between $1.3 billion and
$6.6 billion to defend last year. The digital accessibility company believes
clients' attorneys can use this offering to quickly communicate and help
defend against lawsuits. "A company's best efforts and sometimes an
already-existing commitment to accessibility compliance aren't necessarily
enough 

Eye Health

Sci-Tech Daily: Cure For Blindness In Sight: Retinal Stem Cell Transplant
Clears Experimental Hurdle
<https://scitechdaily.com/cure-for-blindness-in-sight-retinal-stem-cell-tran
splant-clears-experimental-hurdle/> 

Altogether, this demonstrates the feasibility of using adult retinal stem
cell-derived RPE transplants to replace defective RPE as a possible
treatment for macular degeneration. However, further experiments need to be
conducted. This includes evidence to demonstrate adult retinal stem
cell-derived RPE can restore vision in diseased non-human primate models,
and eventually in regulatory human clinical trials. Nonetheless, this
proof-of-principle study is an important early step in validating this
approach, which is part of as international collaboration between the Icahn
School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (New York), Institute of Molecular Cell
Biology (A*STAR), Singapore Eye Research, National University of Singapore,
and Eye Clinic Sulzbach (Germany).

Thursday, January 14, 2021

FLDOE: DBS Rehabilitation Center For The Blind Client Recognized With The
Commissioner
<http://www.fldoe.org/newsroom/blogs/dbs-rehabilitation-center-for-the-blind
-client-recognized-with-the-commissioners-leadership-award.stml> 's
Leadership Award

Shamara McCall, a former Division of Blind Services (DBS) Rehabilitation
Center client who now works at the Center helping others the way she was
helped, was recognized at the Florida State Board of Education meeting this
morning. When Shamara moved to Florida from Virginia in 2013, and was
diagnosed with Diabetic Retinopathy as a young adult, which resulted in a
profound visional impairment.  Additionally, Shamara needed dialysis due to
inadequate kidney functioning. 

Eye Health

Very Well Health: What Causes Eye Floaters?
<https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-causes-eye-floaters-5094901> 

Eye floaters, the small dark shapes that appear in the eye, are generally
caused by age-related changes in the eyes. They can appear as spots, lines,
and webs. Eye floaters are often harmless and don't require treatment. In
some cases, however, eye floaters can be caused by a serious condition such
as retinal detachment that may require surgery. 

Wric:
<https://www.wric.com/news/local-news/chesterfield-county/could-your-tattoo-
blind-you-the-link-between-ink-and-a-rare-eye-condition/> Could Your Tattoo
Blind You? The Link Between Ink And A Rare Eye Condition

"One morning I woke up and didn't have any vision so mama had to rush me to
the emergency room," Wilson said. "It was really scary, I was panicking."
The furthest thing from her mind was a connection between her eye troubles
and her body art. Yet that's what an area eye specialist concluded. "They
told us it was an allergic reaction to the black ink," Abbott said. The
optometrist diagnosed Wilson with "tattoo-associated uveitis." "That
actually is very, very rare," explained Doctor Jenny Alsop. 

Ophthalmology Times: Investigators Research Ocular Health After Space Flight
<https://www.ophthalmologytimes.com/view/investigators-research-ocular-healt
h-after-space-flight> 

Ophthalmology continues to play a major role in the characterization and
mitigation of one of the highest-priority risks for astronauts during
extended spaceflights --- spaceflight-associated neuro-ocular syndrome
(SANS). SANS represents the collective neuro-ophthalmic changes found in
astronauts who have been exposed to extended periods of microgravity during
long-duration spaceflights (LDSFs). 

Workforce Development

Florida Politics: Lawmakers File Bills Elevating Apprenticeship Programs To
Students
<https://floridapolitics.com/archives/393953-lawmakers-file-bills-elevating-
apprenticeship-programs-to-students> 

Legislation filed last week would connect high school and middle school
students to job training programs, helping provide youth a pathway to the
workforce that doesn't go through college. Sen. Jeff Brandes and Rep. Jason
Shoaf's bills (SB 508/HB 175), titled Apprenticeship and Preapprenticeship
Programs, would require the Department of Education to alert students in
grades 6 through 12 to apprenticeship and career opportunities. DOE would
also have to develop a detailed process for education agencies to create
training programs with private apprenticeship groups.

Wednesday, January 13, 2021

Forbes: An Employer
<https://www.forbes.com/sites/paulamorgan/2020/12/22/an-employers-guide-to-i
mplementing-disability-accommodations-in-2021/?sh=366bfb115b43> 's Guide To
Implementing Disability Accommodations in 2021

The arrival of a Covid vaccine brings hope to many that life will return
back to normal. But for individuals with disabilities, a return to any
semblance of normal isn't good enough. In order to improve working
conditions for the disabled community, employers must begin 2021 with a plan
for improving and creating more diverse and accessible workplaces. 

The Virginian-Pilot: Book Review:
<https://www.pilotonline.com/entertainment/books/vp-bc-brary-haben-0117-2021
0111-3w5vgo5u4vebvp6wanxrv242cm-story.html> 'Haben: The Deafblind Woman'
Debunks Disability Stereotypes

As Girma's story progresses, she discusses difficulties she faces when
requesting accommodations as well as false perceptions and assumptions
thrust upon people with disabilities. Such challenges include learning the
importance of self-advocacy through trial and error when teachers don't
fully understand how to meet her needs, gaining independence from her
overprotective parents, and advocating for an accessible menu in her college
cafeteria. Although frustrating and often infuriating, each experience
shapes her into the person she becomes, propelling her to debunk disability
stereotypes of incompetence, ignorance and inferiority.

Accessibility

Bloomberg Law: Banana Republic, Kohl
<https://news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/banana-republic-kohls-to-argue-br
aille-gift-cards-not-required> 's To Argue Braille Gift Cards Not Required

Banana Republic, Kohl's Department Stores Inc., and other retailers are
slated to tell the Second Circuit Wednesday that the Americans with
Disabilities Act covers access, not goods, and doesn't require them to issue
Braille gift cards to visually impaired customers.

Technology

PC Mag: Sony
<https://www.pcmag.com/news/sonys-new-lip-reading-technology-could-boost-acc
essibility-or-invade-privacy> 's New Lip-Reading Technology Could Boost
Accessibility - Or Invade Privacy

Facial-recognition software can identify faces in a crowd, but how about
picking up conversations without the help of nearby microphones? Sony's
Visual Speech Enablement does just that, using camera sensors and AI for
augmented lip reading in any environment.

Tuesday, January 12, 2021

Accessibility 

Tech Crunch: Imagine Being Blind And Trying To Attend A Virtual Event. Try
That Next Time You Stage One.
<https://techcrunch.com/2020/12/30/imagine-being-blind-and-trying-to-attend-
a-virtual-event-try-that-next-time-you-stage-one/?guccounter=1&guce_referrer
=aHR0cHM6Ly90LmNvLw&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAHpXLqI9tW_LcDqSwj56H0yp5Pwk3DFQ48
8JvfTNogK9HkSs8jFRbXndKtEUh81Q9S0udgvrKhBO5aQaCOLEYoGTkO5VbHwj7XBr5ogqLJFiqB
QVcl-ge1D_1zYBYLwEKCexHHEa-fs9TjQFYROp1wmijm-h8kJqHOlVREnueZRX> 

How do you make a virtual event accessible for people who are blind or
visually impaired? When I started work on Sight Tech Global back in June
this year, I was confident that we would find the answer to that question
pretty quickly. With so many virtual event platforms and online ticketing
options available to virtual event organizers, we were sure at least one
would meet a reasonable standard of accessibility for people who use screen
readers or other devices to navigate the Web.

Monday, January 11, 2021

Invision Mag: Prevent Blindness Issues Call For Nominations For 2021
National Awards
<https://invisionmag.com/prevent-blindness-issues-call-for-nominations-for-2
021-national-awards/> 

Prevent Blindness, has issued the call for nominations for the "2021 Jenny
Pomeroy Award for Excellence in Vision and Public Health," and the second
annual "Rising Visionary Award."Both the awards will be formally presented
at the Tenth Annual Prevent Blindness Focus on Eye Health National Summit,
to be held virtually, on July 14-15, 2021. The Jenny Pomeroy Award for
Excellence in Vision and Public Health recognizes an individual, team, or
organization that has made significant contributions to the advancement of
public health related to vision and eye health at the community, state,
national, and/or international level. The award serves as a living memorial
to Jenny Pomeroy, who was the CEO of Prevent Blindness Georgia from 1996
until 2013, and brought a passionate understanding of public health to her
work and the Prevent Blindness mission.

Education

Paths To Literacy: Braille Writing Song
<https://www.pathstoliteracy.org/strategies/braille-writing-song> 

This is a song that I've used with several students over the years. I wrote
the words to the tune of Three Blind Mice. It is for teaching students to
write first individual dots on the brailler then letters. 

Technology

At Today:
<http://attoday.co.uk/stylish-electric-shower-to-help-people-with-vision-imp
airments-and-limited-dexterity/> Stylish Electric Shower To Help People With
Vision Impairments And Limited Dexterity

This new BEAB CARE certified electric shower comes with an easy-to-use lever
handle. Designed for people with vision impairments and reduced mobility,
AKW says its new shower can be quickly and seamlessly retrofitted, without
any re-tiling required. With a simple and user-friendly design, a large
centrally located lever contains a prominent 'on-off' switch and the lever
can be easily grasped and turned to control the shower's temperature.

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