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Items tagged with: Disability
Just did the "Global Digital Accessibility Salary Survey" by #WebAim. Looking forward to the results!
If you want to participate, go here:
webaim.org/projects/salary/sur…
The link on the website shown after submitting the survey is wrong, by the way...
#a11y #accessibility #disability #survey #salary
Following up on my last post: While "Dining in the Dark" uses blindfolds to simulate blindness—a deeply problematic practice—Netflix’s *Love Is Blind* raises a different but related issue: the casual use of "blindness" as a metaphor.
The title refers to the idea that love can transcend physical appearance, but it uses blindness to symbolize ignorance or a lack of perception. This isn’t new—our language is full of metaphors like "turning a blind eye" or "blind ambition" that associate blindness with negative traits like ignorance or inability.
As a blind person, I see how language shapes perceptions. These metaphors may seem harmless, but they perpetuate outdated, ableist notions of blindness as a deficiency. They turn our lived experiences into rhetorical devices, erasing the richness of blind culture and reducing us to symbols of "lack."
No, *Love Is Blind* isn’t offensive in the same way as "Dining in the Dark," which makes a spectacle of our lives. But the metaphorical use of blindness shows how ingrained ableism is in language and culture. Casual metaphors matter—they reinforce unconscious biases that we must challenge.
Blindness isn’t a symbol. It’s a lived reality, full of challenges, skills, and a vibrant community. Let’s think more critically about how we use disability in language and storytelling.
💬 What do you think?
#Accessibility & #Disability picks of the day:
➡️ @BlindHistoryLady - Blind historian on blind individuals from history
➡️ @NVAccess - Non-profit developing free open source screen reader
➡️ @WeirdWriter - Writer, blogger, advocate for accessibility
➡️ @podcast - Podcast on blind accessibility in tech & games
➡️ @dgsv_handball - Handball teams of German Deaf Sports Association (in German)
➡️ @socialaudiodescription.com - Collective producing audio description
🧵 1/4
This is the line I see over and over again:
“While technology offers promising alternatives, it's essential to recognize the unique benefits that guide dogs provide beyond navigation, such as companionship and emotional support.”
If this is true, if these benefits are so unique, why do only 2% of blind and visually impaired people in the UK currently use a guide dog?
#Accessibility #AI #Blind #Disability #GDBA #Glide #Glidance #RNIB
#Accessibility #Blind #Disability #AssistiveTech #Inclusion
Is this correct? I always thought Access technology was a UK thing. Later I was told Access Tech was the old fashioned term…
“Access technology and assistive technology are closely related, yet they serve slightly different purposes and audiences. Access Technology is a subset of tools and devices specifically aimed at making mainstream technology usable by people with disabilities. For example, screen readers, like NVDA or JAWS, open up digital content to blind and visually impaired users by converting text to speech or braille. Similarly, captioning on videos makes audio content accessible to people who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Access technology is about creating a pathway to existing environments—digital or physical—so people with disabilities can engage equally with content and experiences designed for a general audience.
Assistive Technology on the other hand, encompasses a broader range of devices and software designed to assist individuals with disabilities in performing functions that might otherwise be difficult or impossible. This can include mobility aids, like wheelchairs or walkers, augmentative communication devices, or adaptive tools for daily living. For example, a braille note-taker supports daily productivity and communication for someone who is blind, while a prosthetic limb aids physical mobility for someone with an amputation. Assistive technology covers tools that provide support specific to the user’s needs, beyond accessibility in mainstream contexts.
Imagine a visually impaired student navigating an online course. Access technology, like a screen reader, bridges the gap by converting on-screen text to speech, allowing her to participate in the course as fully as anyone else. But to take notes or organize her studies, she may rely on a braille note-taker—an assistive technology uniquely tailored to her needs beyond just accessing information. For many, these tools are more than technology; they’re lifelines to independence, connection, and self-expression—bridging gaps and lifting limitations in ways that honour each person’s unique journey.
In simple terms:
• Access Technology helps people with disabilities use mainstream technology.
• Assistive Technology provides personalized support and tools for individuals to live more independently, across both general and unique contexts.
Their paths intersect because many access technologies—like screen readers, magnification tools, or voice recognition—are also considered assistive technology due to their role in supporting independence and empowerment. However, assistive technology is a broader term, often including unique tools tailored for very specific personal needs beyond mainstream accessibility.
As we look to the future, the lines between these two types of technology may continue to blur, with innovations that address complex needs across all contexts. Imagine AI-powered apps that identify objects, read text, or recognize faces in real-time—tools that simultaneously provide access and enhance day-to-day living.
While access technology aims to bridge the mainstream gap, assistive technology offers tailored support that supports each individual's independence.“
#Accessibility #AccessTechnology #AssistiveTechnology #Blind #Disability
A Day with JAWS 2035: When Your Screen Reader Scripts Itself
The morning light filters through your smart windows, casting a warm glow across the room. Your ambient AI assistant hums gently, “Good morning, Lottie. Would you like to prepare your workspace for the day?”
“Yes, please,” you say, stretching as the AI readies your home office. The blinds adjust automatically, leaving just enough sunlight to boost your energy without causing glare on your neuro-linked glasses. You smile, reflecting on the advances in technology since the days of fiddling with manual screen reader settings and customized scripts. Those days feel like a distant memory, thanks to JAWS’ AI-powered self-scripting feature—your personal assistant that knows exactly how to handle your work routine.
“Let’s get started,” you say, and JAWS springs to life, adjusting the audio tone to your preferred voice—smooth, confident, efficient. As your desktop computer powers on, JAWS begins analysing the applications you’ve opened, sensing your usual email, project management software, and a new program you’ve recently started exploring.
JAWS’ Real-Time Autonomous Scripting: A Custom Fit
“Good morning, Lottie. I’ve detected a new application in use: ResearchHub. Would you like me to generate an initial script for it?” JAWS asks in a gentle tone, its voice coming through the bone conduction implant in your ear.
You nod. “Yes, go ahead and script it.” This isn’t just any regular software; ResearchHub is dense, designed for researchers and developers with an intricate layout. In the past, navigating such software would have required hours of manually creating scripts or waiting for accessibility support. But today, JAWS’ AI-driven self-scripting feature allows it to analyse this program’s unique design and build custom commands as you go.
“Noted. I’ll adapt based on your usage patterns,” JAWS replies, instantly highlighting an unlabelled menu item. “I’ve labelled this as ‘Data Analysis.’ Would you like a shortcut assigned for quick access?”
“Absolutely,” you reply. Moments later, JAWS has created a keystroke, Control-Shift-D, which will take you directly to the Data Analysis section.
As you dive into your tasks, JAWS continues observing your interactions, quietly scripting shortcuts and macros that save you time with each click. You switch over to an email thread about your latest project, and JAWS dynamically adjusts, making sure to read each new message aloud with just the right level of detail. It’s responsive, intuitive, and seems to understand the flow of your work better than ever.
### Adaptive Behaviour Learning: Anticipating Your Needs
JAWS has learned over time what works best for you—like knowing when you prefer concise summaries over detailed descriptions or when to read full email threads aloud. Today, though, as you work through complex calculations in ResearchHub, JAWS picks up on repeated actions, noting your frequent need to access specific data fields.
Without you having to prompt it, JAWS speaks up, “Lottie, I’ve noticed you’re navigating back and forth to the Analysis Settings panel. Would you like me to create a macro for this?”
“Yes, that’d be great,” you reply, surprised at how quickly JAWS anticipates these needs. It assigns a simple command, Control-Alt-S, making it even easier for you to access the settings. With each task, JAWS quietly observes, creating personalized shortcuts and learning how to refine your workflow without interrupting your focus.
Your screen reader feels less like a tool and more like an assistant that adapts to your habits, reducing unnecessary actions and helping you move seamlessly between applications. You take a moment to appreciate the leap from manually scripting these shortcuts to having them generated in real-time, tailored perfectly to your unique style.
Dynamic Accessibility Adjustment: Visual Recognition on the Fly
Halfway through the day, you open a report in a new format. The document is packed with complex graphics, diagrams, and untagged elements—historically a nightmare for accessibility. But JAWS, equipped with advanced AI-powered visual recognition capabilities, is ready.
“Diagram detected: This appears to be a bar graph comparing quarterly performance,” JAWS announces, automatically analysing the content. “Would you like a detailed audio description, or should I just provide the key values?”
“Let’s go with the key values,” you respond, eager to save time. In seconds, JAWS summarizes the data, translating it into accessible content without needing additional third-party support. When you encounter z buttons in another application, JAWS instantly identifies them and provides real-time labels, adjusting the accessibility on the fly.
The thought crosses your mind how revolutionary this is. You’ve moved past needing someone else to make documents or software accessible for you. Instead, your screen reader adapts and scripts the solution independently, as if it’s actively learning how best to support you.
A Collaborative Community of Scripts
As the day wraps up, JAWS asks, “Lottie, would you like to share the custom scripts I created for ResearchHub with the community repository? Other users might find them useful.”
“Yes, please,” you reply. Knowing that the scripts you and JAWS have tailored today could now benefit others brings a sense of community to your day. In the past, each user’s customization stayed personal, but today, JAWS’ community sharing feature allows anonymized scripts to be uploaded to a shared repository, where other users can download them for similar applications. This feature isn’t just a convenience—it’s a small way to contribute to something larger than yourself.
You smile, thinking about the ripple effect of this community effort. As JAWS users across industries contribute their self-generated scripts, the database grows, improving access for everyone.
Reflecting on Progress: A New Kind of Independence
As you finish your work, JAWS reads aloud your notifications, wrapping up your day with a recap. You reflect on how far technology has come since those early days of assistive devices. Back then, using a screen reader required you to work around its limitations, painstakingly scripting or finding ways to access inaccessible software. Today, your screen reader does the heavy lifting, allowing you to focus on your work without the constant barrier of inaccessible content.
Looking back, you remember those initial frustrations, the hours spent tinkering with manual scripts, and the reliance on tech support for inaccessible programs. Now, JAWS’ AI-powered self-scripting has not only given you more control but also reinforced your independence. It’s not just a tool—it’s a partner in productivity.
As you power down, you realize that technology has not replaced your determination; it has amplified it. JAWS has become a proactive assistant, predicting your needs, adjusting to your habits, and making the inaccessible accessible. With the day’s tasks complete, you feel a renewed sense of autonomy—knowing that the tools at your fingertips truly work for you, enhancing not just your productivity but your entire work experience.
The screen fades to black, and the AI’s voice recedes, leaving you with a quiet appreciation for a world where technology supports your strengths, not your limitations.
#Accessibility #AccessAssistive #AI #AssistiveTechnology #Blind #Disability #JAWS #ScreenReader
Listening to @FreakyFwoof latest episode and this gets me thinking about interdependence care. Ever since I was young, it was stressed to me, even to the degree of harm because I developed unhealthy pride and got into some very unsafe situations because my pride lead me to creating a toxic environment of internalized ableism for myself, that independence was the only way to go, but blind people when I was growing up did not want me to practice interdependence care. I was to be fully independent, at all times. I was never to ask for help, from anybody, and while I don't want to explain all the lonely situations that put me in, I'd like to illustrate how interdependence care can be beneficial.
I was at a disabled persons house the other day with a group of disabled people. They knew carrying things was going to be problematic for me, with my cane, and the plate stacked with food, so they asked me if they could carry the food while I helped someone else pour a drink they asked assistance for and couldn't physically do. I said yes, and soon, we all were helping each other out and no agency was removed from anybody. Interdependence care looks different from the traditional care model because agency isn't taken away from anybody. It allows us to get to know each other and our bodies, which is a very intimate space. But by allowing other people into that very intimate space, a whole new kind of person centric care can emerge. It allows me to utilize words without qualifiers because when I speak of spoons, these loved ones instantly know where I'm coming from because we all practiced interdependence care, which is a type of love that I haven't seen much. There's only care, and no judgment, and it's far less lonely than being independent.
It’s no secret that many of us in the blind community have embraced the rapid advances in Artificial Intelligence over the past two years. We've witnessed firsthand how these technologies can be a powerful force for good, especially within our community. AI-generated image descriptions have revolutionized how we navigate the online world, offering a perspective previously unimaginable. This impact is now undeniable, transforming how we interact with the world.”
I’ve declared the kingdom of the blind a republic—perhaps prematurely, but only by a small margin. With AI empowering us to perceive the digital world in new ways, we are no longer ruled by limitations, but actively shaping our future. Anthropic’s recent launch of ‘computer use’ marks the first steps into a new phase of AI evolution—one where AI agents begin to act independently on our behalf, initiating a shift in how we interact with technology.
As AI continues to evolve, so too will the Assistive Technology that many of us depend on. I envision a future where this intelligence becomes a true companion, guiding us seamlessly through both digital landscapes and real-world challenges. We may be just two years away from seeing JAWS, NVDA, or SuperNova transform into true Assistive Intelligence 1.0—or perhaps it will take a little longer. If AI has taught us anything, it’s that progress comes both more slowly than we expect and faster than we can possibly imagine.
What follows is my first attempt at describing how a screen reader of today could take the first steps towards becoming an Assistive Intelligence. If anyone wants to build it, I’d love to help if I can. Whatever you think, let me know what you think:
“Proposed AI-Powered Self-Scripting Feature for JAWS Screen Reader
Objective
The suggested feature seeks to integrate advanced AI-driven "computer use" capabilities, like those developed by Claude (Anthropic), into the JAWS screen reader. This functionality would enable JAWS to autonomously create and refine custom scripts in response to real-time user interactions and application environments. The aim is to enhance accessibility and productivity for visually impaired users, especially when navigating non-standard or otherwise inaccessible software interfaces.
Feature Description
The self-scripting capability would empower JAWS to analyse user interactions with applications, identify recurring actions or inaccessible elements, and generate scripts that optimize these processes. By enabling JAWS to perform this autonomously, users gain seamless and personalized access to applications without manual intervention, allowing for an enhanced, efficient experience.
The self-scripting feature will be powered by the following core functions:
1. Real-Time Autonomous Scripting: JAWS would use AI to observe user interactions with applications, especially non-accessible ones, and automatically generate scripts that improve navigation, label untagged elements, and streamline frequent tasks. For example, if a user frequently navigates to a particular form field, JAWS could create a shortcut to this area.
2. Adaptive Behaviour Learning: This feature would allow JAWS to recognize patterns in a user’s interactions, such as repeated actions or commonly accessed elements. JAWS would adapt its behaviour by creating custom macros, enabling faster navigation and interaction with complex workflows.
3. Dynamic Accessibility Adjustment: Leveraging Claude’s approach to visual recognition, JAWS could interpret visual elements (like buttons or icons) and provide instant labelling or feedback. This would be valuable in software with minimal accessibility features, as it enables JAWS to make live adjustments and effectively “teach itself” how to navigate new environments.
4. Community Script Sharing: Self-generated scripts, once verified, could be anonymized, and made available to other users via a shared repository. This would foster a collaborative environment, empowering users to contribute to a broader database of accessibility scripts for applications across various industries.
Value Proposition
This feature will address key challenges for visually impaired users, including the complexity of navigating inaccessible interfaces and the time-consuming nature of repetitive tasks. The ability for JAWS to generate its own scripts autonomously would mean:
1. Increased Accessibility: Improved interaction with non-accessible software interfaces.
2. Higher Productivity: Reduced need for external support or manual scripting, allowing users to accomplish tasks more independently.
3. Enhanced User Experience: Scripting and macro creation based on personal usage patterns -- leads to a more intuitive and personalized experience.
Technical Considerations
1. Performance: Processing real-time visual and user interaction data requires substantial computing power. A cloud-based model may be optimal, offloading some processing requirements and ensuring smooth, responsive performance.
2. Safety: Automated scripting must be closely monitored to prevent unintended interactions or conflicts within applications. Integration of safeguard protocols and user settings to enable/disable autonomous scripting will be essential.
3. Privacy: To ensure user data is protected, anonymization protocols and data privacy standards will be implemented. Data collected from user interactions would be handled in compliance with rigorous privacy standards, safeguarding user preferences and behaviour.
Conclusion
Integrating AI-powered self-scripting capabilities into JAWS would represent a significant leap in screen reader technology. By allowing JAWS to, when requested, autonomously learn, adapt, and script in response to user needs, this feature could provide visually impaired users with unprecedented control and flexibility in navigating digital environments, fostering both independence and productivity. The anticipated benefits underscore the feature’s potential to redefine accessible technology, turning screen reader into Assistive Intelligence.“
About the Author:
Lottie is a passionate advocate for the transformative potential of AI, especially within the blind and visually impaired community. She blends technical insights with a keen awareness of lived experiences, envisioning a future where AI doesn’t just assist but truly empowers. Her thoughtful reflections explore the shift from a "kingdom of the blind" to a republic, where emerging technologies like AI create new opportunities for autonomy and inclusion.
With a balance of optimism and critical realism, Lottie acknowledges the game-changing impact of AI tools like image descriptions while recognizing that more progress is needed. Her vision extends to the idea of "Assistive Intelligence," where screen readers like JAWS evolve into proactive companions, adapting to users' needs in real-time.
Known for turning complex ideas into actionable blueprints, Lottie is not just an observer of technological trends but a catalyst for innovation. Her proposals reflect a desire to elevate independence and productivity for blind users, pushing the boundaries of what's possible in assistive technology. Her insights continue to inspire conversations and shape the future of accessible tech.
I am the Blind AI, relying on AI every day to enrich my life. While my posts may occasionally benefit from AI assistance, the thoughts, perspectives, and final edits are entirely my own. AI is my tool, much like a calculator or spell-check, refining my expression but never replacing my voice.
#Accessibility #AI #AIsoftheBlind #Blind #ComputerVision #Disability #Innovation #JAWS #NVDA #ScreenReader #SuperNov
Before you tell a disabled person that they need to “just make the healthcare worker mask”… please understand the imbalance of power that exists in hospital settings.
We can’t “just make them” do anything. If they refuse -our options are to take the risk or go without care.
There’s little recourse when a HCW refuses to mask - there’s almost NO recourse that exists in the moment.
You can file a complaint after the fact - but if the care you require is urgent or an emergency - that won’t help you
Imagine you’re taken to the emergency room with an urgent (or life threatening) issue. The doctor comes in and refuses to wear a mask.
Do you walk out? Throw a fit? These are not good options
Even if you manage to keep your composure and strongly advocate for them to reconsider - the longer you argue the more potential virus you’re being exposed to.
The more you “annoy” the staff - the greater the odds of retaliation or reduction in care.
This isn’t like telling a friend or a colleague to mask. The dynamic is completely different.
HCWs have the ability to help you or harm you. You want them on your side.
A note in your chart indicating you’re anxious, difficult, non compliant etc can follow you around and impact all your care going forward. Getting charts corrected and notes removed is a time consuming and difficult process
As a result many patients don’t push the issue. They delay medical care as long as possible and then just cross their fingers they will get a compassionate HCW when they do finally go.
These delays can also cause harm - and shouldn’t be necessary.
Hospitals have never been terribly safe places. They’re where the strongest and most resistant bugs thrive. They’re also where the sickest and most vulnerable people are.
At least before Covid it felt like hospitals were TRYING to prevent infection.
These days it’s as though any amount of infection control is seen as weak. People are actually bragging about how many times they’ve had Covid or about the risks they’re taking with their health. Staff aren’t masking even around babies, cancer & transplant patients
We have to change course. Our healthcare systems could barely handle the amount of chronic illness they were facing before Covid - they certainly can’t handle the constant influx of disabled patients and staff that Covid is causing.
This is why we need mandatory masks in healthcare settings. The responsibility to keep themselves and others safe should NOT fall on the vulnerable patient.
Many are unable to advocate for themselves - and others are unable to mask.
Mandatory masking protects everyone
Lastly - the solution to this problem should not be “don’t go to the hospital”. It’s not right to make ANY patient feel like they’re wrong for seeking care. Like they’ve somehow “failed” if they end up with Covid.
Until you’re facing a life threatening emergency or serious health challenges - you can’t possibly know what you would do.
Is it scary to go to the hospital right now? Of course. Is it also necessary? Absolutely.
Patients should never be blamed for needing care or for being unable to get HCWs to mask. The system is failing us - we aren’t failing each other.
If you need the hospital - you have all my love & support. It’s impossibly hard - and I will keep fighting to make it better.
As long as hospitals refuse to do what’s right to prevent COVID (hello clean air & mandatory masking)… the onus is unfairly on the PATIENT to avoid COVID.
My guide offers tips to reduce your risk of hospital acquired COVID (and other HAIs)
disabledginger.com/p/how-to-st…
#CovidIsAirborne #CovidCautious #CovidIsNotOver #CleanAir #WearaMask #Disability #LongCovid #Ableism #Denial #CleanAir #Pandemic #PublicHealth #InfectionControl #Eugenics #SafeHealthcare #N95 #Respirators #MasksWork #MaskUp #Spoonie #Discrimination #Dysautonomia #mecfs #pots #mcas #communitycare #wearamask #chronicillness #keepmasksinhealthcare #MaskBans #NoMaskBans
How to Stay Covid Safe When in Hospital
A guide to navigating the risk of hospital acquired Covid - as well as how to manage overall risk of nosocomial infections and hospital derived complications.Broadwaybabyto (The Disabled Ginger)
The G7 countries had a meeting on disability and inclusion for the first time ever.
These groups should really take the next step and add ableism to the meeting topics as it is where lack of inclusion stems from.
g7disabilityinclusion.it/en/g7… @disability #Ableism #Economy #Disability
Reading WITHOUT Sight: Challenging the Ableist Assumptions of Non-Visual Literacy
In today’s world, where accessibility is supposedly ever-expanding, comments on how blind people read – or rather, whether we “really” read – reveal a significant amount of latent ableism. When someone remarks, “You’re not really reading because you have to listen to it,” they are unwittingly touching on deep-seated biases that marginalize blind people and our experience. For me, as a blind person, these comments feel aggressive, like a slur that undermines not only my intellect but my very existence within a literate society. The underlying suggestion that my method of consuming literature is somehow less legitimate than traditional reading reflects a lack of understanding and a failure to appreciate the richness of alternative literacy.
At its core, this statement implies that visual reading is the only valid form of reading – an attitude deeply rooted in ableist assumptions. Just as the sighted world learns and adapts to new ways of accessing information, blind people, too, use technology to bridge gaps that were once insurmountable. By suggesting that listening to an audiobook or using a screen reader is inferior to reading with one’s eyes, the speaker perpetuates a narrow view of literacy that excludes anyone who does not fit their narrow definition of a reader.
The Emotional Impact of Dismissive Comments
Hearing such remarks can be hurtful. When someone tells me I’m not “really reading,” they trivialize the effort, love, and passion I pour into every book. Reading, in any form, is more than just a mechanical process; it’s an engagement with ideas, narratives, and emotions. Denying my capacity to “really” read is akin to erasing my agency in choosing to explore literature. It dismisses my experience and can feel like a personal attack, minimizing my intelligence and curiosity.
Moreover, these comments strip away the nuances of my identity and life experience as a blind person. They ignore the reality that many of us navigate systems not designed with us in mind, yet we adapt with resilience and creativity. Listening to a book, for me, is as much an engagement with its content as sighted reading is for others. This medium allows me to dive into narratives, to imagine worlds, and to connect with characters just as vividly as if I were reading visually. Such a remark does not just invalidate my experience, but it also points to a societal failure to recognize and celebrate the diverse ways people interact with literature.
Understanding the Roots of Ableism
Ableism, at its core, stems from a belief that certain abilities, like sight, are inherently superior. This mindset manifests in the way sighted people sometimes view adaptations like screen readers or braille as substitutes, rather than as equally valid methods of accessing information. This thought pattern diminishes the lived experiences of blind individuals and subtly implies that we’re only half-participating in the world of literature. The comment reflects an ideology that upholds one mode of experiencing the world as ideal, while relegating others to second-class status.
Furthermore, literacy is a concept that should not be defined by sensory modality. Whether through braille, audio, or screen readers, blind readers engage in the same cognitive processes of understanding and analying text. These methods are not merely compensatory but rather alternate pathways that lead to the same destination.
Responding Constructively
Addressing this kind of ableism requires a blend of assertiveness and education. In responding to these comments, I could say something like, “When you suggest that I’m not really reading, it feels as if you’re diminishing my engagement with the text. For me, listening to a book offers the same intellectual and emotional journey as sighted reading does for you. It’s not about the method; it’s about the experience of connecting with the material. I’d appreciate it if we could acknowledge that there are many valid ways to be a reader.”
By framing the response in this way, I affirm my own experience while gently inviting the person to reconsider their assumptions. Another approach could be to highlight the diversity of literacy methods available today: “There’s a wide range of ways people can read now, whether through audio, braille, or text-to-speech technology. These methods open up the world of literature to more people and should be celebrated rather than diminished.”
My hope is that, in responding to these comments, I can foster a moment of reflection for others. Reading is about engaging with ideas and stories, not about the medium through which we access them. Ableist remarks about non-visual reading, though sometimes spoken thoughtlessly, present an opportunity to open minds and broaden perspectives. By sharing my experience, I contribute to a more inclusive understanding of literacy and help to dismantle the harmful stereotypes that still persist.
Conclusion
Reading is not an act confined to the eyes; it is an intellectual and emotional endeavour that transcends sensory modality. For many blind people, it is the ultimate expression of our love for stories, our curiosity, and our intellect. When someone diminishes my experience as “not really reading,” they underscore a fundamental misunderstanding of what it means to be a reader. As we continue to expand our understanding of accessibility, it is crucial to challenge and reframe such biases. Only by doing so can we begin to recognize and respect the many ways in which people interact with the written word, enriching our collective experience of literature in all its forms.
#Ableism #Accessibility #Audible #Blind #Braille #Disability #Equality #Inclusion #Kindle
Ugly laws will be enforced in Louisville. Medical masks will be allowed at “police discretion”.
Police chief says: “We do have to look at behavior of person, what they're doing at time, those kinds of things."
I have a disability that makes me LOOK nervous. I “appear” like I could be doing something wrong. As a result these bans terrify me.
Disabled people have been begging others to mask for years because we were afraid of this exact outcome.
Failure to normalize masking means those of us who NEED to wear them are seen as outliers. Deviants. Possibly criminals. There’s a target on our back.
Medical exemptions are not the answer - they leave too many people behind.
Everyone should have the right to protect themselves from a deadly & disabling virus. Whether already disabled or not.
Banning masks and then saying that the police will determine who is “legit” in wearing one based on their overall behaviour? Its terrifying.
This is exactly HOW profiling occurs. These bans will disproportionately impact marginalized individuals and people of colour.
They could also impact someone with a condition like mine. I’m immune compromised and high risk for Covid complications - so I ALWAYS wear a fitted respirator when I’m outside my home.
I also have dysautonomia - a literal malfunctioning of my autonomic nervous system.
If I’m upright - I “look” nervous. I’m sweaty, shaky, twitchy and sometimes wobbling. I’ve been accused of being drunk in public on MANY occasions.
It’s not my fault - Dysautonomia means I can’t regulate my blood pressure, heart rate, sweating & even pupil dilation.
The things that cops are trained to look for and consider “suspicious” are all symptoms of my disease.
In the past - the worst thing I had to worry about was being accused of public drunkenness. Even THAT was scary for me.
Mask bans mean I could be arrested and charged with a crime. Just for trying to keep myself & others safe.
I tell this story to encourage others to speak up against mask bans. To mask up in solidarity and help us normalize them so they will be harder to ban.
To encourage people to stop assuming if you have a “legitimate medical reason” you won’t have to worry. We DO worry.
We need less judgement, assumptions and gaslighting and more allies. These laws are dangerous. They will lead to more death, disability AND division.
Many of us have difficulty convincing HCWs of our illnesses - what hope do we have with police?
Please - if you CAN mask - now is the time. You don’t have to wait for a mandate or permission. You can choose to say “enough is enough” & be part of the solution. Break chains of transmission. Protect the vulnerable. Don’t allow government to decide who is & isn’t expendable.
We all have power and agency and can choose to do the right thing. We don’t have to sit idly by and accept repeated covid infections & exclusion of disabled people from public life.
Let’s work together and stop these bans before it’s too late.
wdrb.com/news/louisville-polic…
#CovidIsAirborne #CovidCautious #CovidIsNotOver #CleanAir #WearaMask #Disability #LongCovid #Ableism #Denial #CleanAir #Pandemic #PublicHealth #InfectionControl #Eugenics #SafeHealthcare #N95 #Respirators #MasksWork #MaskUp #Spoonie #Discrimination #Dysautonomia #mecfs #pots #mcas #communitycare #wearamask #chronicillness #keepmasksinhealthcare #MaskBans #NoMaskBans #UglyLaws
I called EMS once and police showed up before paramedics (paramedics were busy).
The first thing they said? “You don’t look sick.”
They waited for paramedics who took me to hospital - but that initial response stuck with me.
It’s why mask bans are dangerous. Police aren’t trained to make medical decisions. They shouldn’t be the ones deciding who can and can’t legally wear a mask.
Many illnesses are invisible - you wouldn’t KNOW we’re disabled to look at us.
Most of us have experienced gaslighting from friends, family and even doctors - people are quick to judge and decide you’re “not that sick.”
So are we really expected to risk criminal charges by wearing a respirator & just HOPE police will believe we truly “need it”?
Not to mention that medical exemptions leave behind anyone who wants to mask to protect and preserve their health - as well as caregivers and family of disabled people.
We rely on them to keep us safe - we NEED them masking in public.
I sincerely hope more people join the fight against mask bans soon - because if we don’t fight against them - more cities and states will pass them and more people will suffer.
A good respirator is excellent protection against covid & other illnesses.
We shouldn’t be further excluding disabled and high risk people from public - but that’s exactly what these ugly laws do.
Call your elected officials - tell them medical masks can not and should not be banned.
Don’t embrace escalating fascism and eugenics just because you don’t think it will impact you.
Don’t celebrate it because you hold a grudge about mask mandates.
It won’t stop with disabled people. Help us now & your future self will thank you.
My full article on mask bans, medical exemptions and how we’re witnessing (and even welcoming) escalating eugenics and fascism: disabledginger.com/p/we-are-wi…
#CovidIsAirborne #CovidCautious #CovidIsNotOver #CleanAir #WearaMask #Disability #LongCovid #Ableism #Denial #CleanAir #Pandemic #PublicHealth #InfectionControl #Eugenics #SafeHealthcare #N95 #Respirators #MasksWork #MaskUp #Spoonie #Discrimination #Dysautonomia #mecfs #pots #mcas #communitycare #wearamask #chronicillness #keepmasksinhealthcare #MaskBans #NoMaskBans #bullying #CleanAirClassrooms #UglyLaws
I have $110/$423 needed or my lease signing
paypal.com/paypalme/ourinsatia…
#MutualAidRequest #Disability #urgent #MutualAid #disabilitymutualaid #BlackMutualAid #crowdfunding #PWD #DisabilityCrowdFund #Queercrowdfund
#BlackMastodon #actuallyautistic #autism #HelpFolksLive2024 @mutualaid @mutual_aid
![Dear Tasia Soleil Smallwood, Please find below a calculation of the total amount of deposit(s) required when you sign the lease agreement. The lease will not be signed or valid until all adults 19 years of age or older have signed the lease and the deposit(s) are collected. Deposit(s) ‘The deposit(s) are due at the time of lease signing. Payment must be in the form of a certified bank draft, certified bank cheque, Canada Post Money Order or Ministry of Social Development cheque. Please make payment to Redacted.
First Month’s Rent
The First Month's rent must be paid prior to obtaining the keys. This can be paid also at the time of lease signing] if you wish. This payment may be in the form of a certified bank draft, certified bank cheque, Canada Post Money Order, Ministry of Social Development cheque or a postdated personal cheque. Please make payment to Redacted.
This payment cannot be combined with the deposit cheque. It must be a separate cheque from your deposit cheque. If you have any question regarding how the deposit amount was calculated, please call our office at Redacted or email redacted.
Economic Rent on this unit as stated on Section 3 of the RTA is: $846.00 (Deposits are based on % month rent of Market Rent) Payment #1: Due at time of lease signing Suite Damage Deposit $423.00 Pet Damage Deposit n/a Payment #2: Due prior to obtaining keys First Month Rent $445.00](https://fedi.ml/photo/preview/640/593668 "Dear Tasia Soleil Smallwood, Please find below a calculation of the total amount of deposit(s) required when you sign the lease agreement. The lease will not be signed or valid until all adults 19 years of age or older have signed the lease and the deposit(s) are collected. Deposit(s) ‘The deposit(s) are due at the time of lease signing. Payment must be in the form of a certified bank draft, certified bank cheque, Canada Post Money Order or Ministry of Social Development cheque. Please make payment to Redacted.
First Month’s Rent
The First Month's rent must be paid prior to obtaining the keys. This can be paid also at the time of lease signing] if you wish. This payment may be in the form of a certified bank draft, certified bank cheque, Canada Post Money Order, Ministry of Social Development cheque or a postdated personal cheque. Please make payment to Redacted.
This payment cannot be combined with the deposit cheque. It must be a separate cheque from your deposit cheque. If you have any question regarding how the deposit amount was calculated, please call our office at Redacted or email redacted.
Economic Rent on this unit as stated on Section 3 of the RTA is: $846.00 (Deposits are based on % month rent of Market Rent) Payment #1: Due at time of lease signing Suite Damage Deposit $423.00 Pet Damage Deposit n/a Payment #2: Due prior to obtaining keys First Month Rent $445.00")
Hello everyone, I’m Maartje De Meulder. After spending years on X, I’ve decided to give Mastodon a try.
I’m a senior researcher at the University of Applied Sciences Utrecht and I split my time mainly between Belgium, the Netherlands, and Norway.
I’ll be mostly posting about all things language, disability, and technologies, and how they intersect, along with navigating academia.
hey so just to let people in the US know, if you are on SSI and have a disability that began before age 26 (46 as of 1st Jan 2026) you can apply for an ABLE account. this account will let you have up to $100,000 without losing your SSI.
Edit: per @MindmeshLink the requirements are SSI, SSDI, *or* a Doctors Note, if that helps!
In just a few minutes, Inclusive Design 24 will be getting underway... 24 hours of #free talks about everything related to inclusive design:
inclusivedesign24.org/2024/
#accessibility #design #code #UX #XR #gaming #disability #a11y #id24
An important nuance I haven't seen so far though is that even within a marginalized group, opinions can vary wildly about to what degree something is considered "a problem". The fact #twitch tried to get rid of "blind playthrough" in 2020 because it was considered ablist language is a great example of this: nobody in my circle thought this was problematic, we all had a good laugh and basically said they probably had bigger problems to worry about.
Now however, only a few years later, I see more and more sentiments shifting where that is concerned, asking writers not to use blind as synonymous for ignorant, stupid or incompetent. Same with terms like crippling debt. And as opposed to the Twitch example, this time it's actually #PWD who are making these points.
The question now becomes: Did times change, and did people get more offended by this / more hurt by this? Or is this simply yet another example of people finally coming forward about something that's irked them for decades?
I myself know where I stand on this, but I'd be a hypocrite if I decided to, in this case, decide everybody thinks as I do, where I normally always preach caution about homogenizing #accessibility.
This post doesn't really go anywhere, I just thought it was an interesting bit of contemplating :))
Sharing videos of Paralympic athletes are great, but please don't forget them after the event; next time you visit a coffee shop, use a public transport or public restroom think about whether that Paralympic athlete would be able to access it and take necessary action to make it accessible; even just telling the owner/authority to make it accessible will be of great help.
Here's my new project, a keyboard for one-handed typing. Tens of thousands Ukrainians have injured arms and hands during the war, and my goal is to make an inexpensive keyboard for anyone to assemble at home.
github.com/clackups/qmk_usersp…
#accessibility #onehandtyping #disability #UkraineWar #ukraine #veterans
It's been a while since I posted on my other blog "Jen Rohrig Design" which is about disability and accessibility but today I posted about a topic I've been thinking about for a while...
"How we talk about disability"
EDIT because this got boosted again - I combined my two blogs the post is now here:
Disability Rights New York has filed a class action lawsuit against Nassau County seeking an injunction to stop the enforcement of mask bans.
This is exactly the kind of action we need to see happen against discriminatory & ableist mask bans.
Law enforcement should not be the arbiter of who is “sick enough” to legally wear a mask. Many disabilities are invisible - and police are NOT doctors.
For more on the Nassau County mask ban and why it’s discriminatory - as well as why everyone (disabled or not) should be allowed to wear a mask - read my article here: disabledginger.com/p/nassau-co…
#CovidIsAirborne #CovidCautious #CovidIsNotOver #CleanAir #WearaMask #Disability #LongCovid #Ableism #Denial #CleanAir #Pandemic #PublicHealth #InfectionControl #Eugenics #SafeHealthcare #N95 #Respirators #MasksWork #MaskUp #Spoonie #Discrimination #Dysautonomia #mecfs #pots #mcas #communitycare #wearamask #chronicillness #keepmasksinhealthcare #MaskBans #NoMaskBans
med-mastodon.com/@luckytran/11…
Nassau County, NY Makes Masking Illegal - Why Medical Exemptions Aren't the Answer
Defendants of mask bans point to medical exemptions as proof that disabled people have nothing to worry about. They're wrong. A look at why bans are ableist, discriminatory and dangerous.Broadwaybabyto (The Disabled Ginger)
Kamala Harris accommodating disabled people provokes GOP attack
The Vice President began a recent meeting with “I am Kamala Harris, my pronouns are she and her, and I am a woman sitting at the table wearing a blue suit."Eric Garcia (MSNBC)
Accessibility is not a loud, one-time event; it's a quiet revolution. It's also isn't about quick fixes or public shaming.
it's about the power of ongoing action like watering a plant – splash it once, and you'll make a mess; nurture it daily, and you'll watch it thrive.
#Disability #HumanRights #a11y #Accessibility #SDGs #Poverty #Technology
I urge everyone to read this post from Lucky Tran about a proposed mask ban in Nassau County that would see people fined $1000 for wearing a mask. As soon as North Carolina passed their mask ban - we began seeing other cities and states follow suit.
Mask bans are wrong. Period. We are in an airborne pandemic where one of our best and only tools remains a well fitted respirator. The idea that people should have to carry around a medical exemption (which not everyone can obtain) or face fines and/or arrest is ableist and discriminatory. These bans force disabled people out of society because they don’t allow us to exist safely in public spaces - and they will increase the spread of Covid.
Call, email, post… speak out against these bans. Let lawmakers know you won’t visit any city or state that doesn’t allow people to wear a medical device for personal protection and community care.
#CovidIsAirborne #CovidCautious #CovidIsNotOver #MaskBan #BoycottNC #CleanAir #WearaMask #Disability #LongCovid #Ableism #Denial #CleanAir #Pandemic #PublicHealth #InfectionControl #Eugenics #SafeHealthcare #N95 #Respirators #MasksWork #MaskUp #Spoonie #Discrimination #NorthCarolina #NewYork #UglyLaws #NewJersey
med-mastodon.com/@luckytran/11…
Dr. Lucky Tran :verified: (@luckytran@med-mastodon.com)
This is really worrying. There's a bill in Nassau County, Long Island, New York, that has a good chance of passing due to GOP majority, that would fine people $1,000 for wearing a mask. https://www.nbcnewyork.Med-Mastodon
Project 2025 and the Threat to Disabled People
Project 2025 is a blueprint for a conservative overhaul of the United States government. It offers a frightening, dystopian vision of an America where people are deprived of rights, benefits, and values we have grown accustomed to.Law Office of Lainey Feingold
It's pride month ... again! July is disability pride month ♿
Maybe I will add some random thoughts and experiences related to disability to this thread over the month. So long I will leave you with the seasonal design for apps.gnome.org
#DisabilityPrideMonth #disability #GNOME
Discover the best Apps for GNOME – Apps for GNOME
Discover the best applications in the GNOME ecosystem and learn how to get involved.apps.gnome.org
🆕videos, updated content
How People with Disabilities Use the Web
How People with Disabilities Use the Web
Introduces how people with disabilities, including people with age-related impairments, use the Web.W3C Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) (Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI))
app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/…
Review by sarahmatthews - Blind Spot: Exploring and Educating on Blindness
Blind Spot: Exploring and Educating on Blindness by Maud Rowell Read in Braille 404 Inkling...app.thestorygraph.com
Are you interested in accessibility on Mastodon? Are you blind or do you know someone who is blind and wants to use Mastodon?
There is a Mastodon-compatible accessibility app for Windows and Mac called TweeseCake which is designed for blind and sight-impaired people. You can find out more on its website at tweesecake.app
You can follow the developers of TweeseCake at @app
(Thank you to @sasquatch for info about this 🙏 )
"A new… friend? Coming over, just for sex. Because we wanted to. Because *I* wanted to. Why did I want that? *Should* I want that?"
Today's NEW guest blog, by Ana, is a really lovely piece about how #CasualSex helped her learn to accept her brilliant self ❤️
girlonthenet.com/blog/casual-s… #Sex #Disability
Guest blog: Casual sex helped me learn to accept myself
Ana talks about the casual sex experience that made her realise she'd managed to shake off shame and insecurity and accept herself.Girl on the net (Girl on the Net)
The proposed mask ban in North Carolina will turn people who are trying to protect their health (and the health of others) into criminals.
While the action of the government doesn’t surprise me - the response of the public does. I expected most people to find this type of law appalling - and instead I’m seeing people celebrating what I consider to be eugenics in action.
I wrote about the proposed bill, the public response and the disability community’s right to survive:
open.substack.com/pub/disabled…
#CovidIsAirborne #CovidIsNotOver #CovidCautious #sarscov2 #maskup #WearAMask #CleanAir #Pandemic #Disability #accessibility #DisabilityRights #ableism #Eugenics #MaskBans
We Are Witnessing Real Time Eugenics... and People Don't Seem to Care.
Mask bans and revocation of medical exemptions have been all over social media this week - and anti-maskers are reacting with glee. They are celebrating disabled people losing a tool for protection.open.substack.com
Top Tech Tidbits for Thursday, May 2, 2024 - Volume 961
toptechtidbits.com/tidbits2024…
The Week's News in Access Technology
A Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd. Publication
#news #technology #accessibility #a11y #disability #blind #deaf #deafblind #toptechtidbits
Top Tech Tidbits. The world's #1 online resource for current news and trends in access technology.
Subscribers: 17,060 Opt-In Subscribers were sent this issue via email. 170 Premium Subscribers were sent this issue via email.
Top Tech Tidbits for Thursday, May 2, 2024 - Volume 961
The Top Tech Tidbits newsletter. The world's #1 online resource for current news and trends in access technology.Top Tech Tidbits - A Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd. Publication
AI is causing massive hiring discrimination based on disability
AI hiring tools have automated violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act.Sarah Roth and Becca Delbos, Opinion Contributors (The Hill)
I recently discovered Chronically Capable, a job board for people with disabilities or chronic illnesses: wearecapable.org
It’s mostly U.S. based for now, but there are ads for other countries, too. I want every one of us jobseekers to find the perfect position this year. 😊
Boosts are warmly welcomed to this post as are suggestions for other hashtags to include if I’m missing good ones.
#FediHired
#GetFediHired
#RemoteWork
#Hiring
#JobSearch
#Disability
#ChronicIllness
Chronically Capable | Flexible Jobs for the Chronically Ill
Chronically Capable is a platform that connects the 133+ million Americans who suffer from chronic illness with employers who offer remote work, great benefits, and flexible schedules.www.wearecapable.org
Used my jar opener robot to make toast this morning and thought of this comic by JeCorey Holder. patreon.com/jecoreyh
Disability aids are often marketed to larger markets bc economies of scale are real. If you find yourself scoffing at something “pointless” for “lazy” people, it’s probably a disability aid that the manufacturer hopes can be made more affordable.
(I worked hard on the alt text here, it felt important.)
#Disability #InvisibilityIsNotAcceptance #AccesibilityMatters
