AccessWorld -- An AFB Podcast on Digital Inclusion and Accessibility

Welcome back to another episode of AccessWorld, a podcast on digital inclusion and accessibility. As we prepare to celebrate Global Accessibility awareness day, we thought it would be great to look into the future of accessibility, welcoming our special guest to the podcast Gemini, Google's AI platform, whcih gives us a glimpse into the power AI has toward making the world around us more accessible.  Aaron and Tony take time to talk with Gemini on its latest update to provide image and real world description in real time (Editor's Note: the version used in this episode is still in beta, so some of the lag times were edited out for brevity). The conversation serves as a launch pad to discuss how AI is already tackling tasks that three years ago seemed like light years ago in a galaxy far, far, away. Aaron then offers a breakdown on apps like Suno, which creates AI generated music. You can check out more about its own accessibility for content enthusiasts in the Spring issue of AccessWorld. The conversation moves into ways that AI may continue to be rolled out in other ways, such as when will Aaron and Tony's guide dogs be able to take a well-deserved vacation in the Bahamas as the development of AI robots continue to flourish. Guide dog users don't fret, we're still quite a ways away from guide-bots. In the meantime, enjoy this special episode that dreams about the future ahead of us. The AccessWorld podcast is an extension of AccessWorld Magazine, a quarterly publication from the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB). Published each quarter, AccessWorld Magazine offers news and reviews encompassing digital inclusion and accessibility. AccessWorld celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, and we're excited to share all of our back issues online free for readers. Visit www.afb.org/aw for the latest issues and to access our archives online. Aaron Preece serves as editor-in-chief of AccessWorld, and Tony leads communications for AFB. Together, they enjoy meeting up each month to discuss the latest happenings around accessibility. Visit the AFB website to learn more about our exciting work like our groundbreaking research on the impact of AI for people with disabilities. And consider making a tax-deductible donation to help support this podcast and all of our work at AFB. Your support helps us create a world of endless possibilities for people who are blind or have low vision. This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

In this month's episode of the AccessWorld podcast, Aaron and Tony talk with Dr. Joshua Miele, who shares his life's journey and work making the world more accessible for people with disabilities. A MacArthur Fellow and design scholar, Dr. Miele has played a key role in designing some of the leading  breakthroughs in digital inclusion over the past three decades.  Last month, Dr. Miele published his memoir, Connecting Dots: A Blind Life. And in this episode, we learn how Dr. Miele's passion for science and exploration took him from the tree lined streets of his boyhood home in Brooklyn, to the leading technology labs of Berkley, California. It's a story that goes well beyond the world of accessible design, unleashing that problem solver that sits restlessly inside all of us. To learn more about Dr. Miele's book and his current work on digital accessibility, visit his site at: www.MieleLab.com. AccessWorld is a production of the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB). Published each month, it is a companion to AccessWorld magazine, now celebrating its 25th anniversary. Aaron Preece serves as the publication's editor-in-chief, and Tony Stephens leads communications for AFB. Together, they take time each month to speak with leading voices for digital inclusion and accessibility. Be sure to like and subscribe to AccessWorld, and visit www.afb.org/AW to  read the latest online issue of the magazine and browse through over 25 years of back issues, all completely free-of-charge. To learn more about AFB, visit us online at www.afb.org and consider making a tax-deductible donation to support our work as we create a world of endless possibilities for people who are blind or have low vision. This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Welcome back to another episode of AccessWorld, a podcast on digital inclusion and accessibility. In this episode, we welcome AFB's chief public policy and research officer Stephanie Enyart and director of research Dr. Arielle Silverman, who share the latest study from AFB's Public Policy and Research Institute on the pros and cons of AI for people with disabilities. The study drew consensus from experts spanning industry, government, and advocacy, who mapped out the key areas worthy of focus in this rapidly expanding technology. You can access the study at www.afb.org/AIResearch. AccessWorld is a monthly podcast from the American Foundation for the Blind. Aaron Preece is editor-in-chief of AccessWorld and Tony Stephens leads communications for AFB. Together, they take a deep dive into all things digital inclusion and accessibility. It's a companion to the quarterly e-zine AccessWorld, now in its 25th year of publication. To access the latest issue, or to browse all of our back-issues for free, visit www.afb.org/aw. To learn more about the American foundation for the blind or to support our work, visit us online at www.afb.org. Produced and edited by tony Stephens at the Pickle Factory in Baltimore, Maryland. Digital media support by Kelly Gasque and Breanna Kerr. Theme music is by CauseMonkey, compliments of ArtList.io. This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Welcome back to another episode of AccessWorld, a podcast on digital inclusion and accessibility. On this episode, we have a chance to connect with Ayelit Winer and Brianna Burrows from T-Mobile's accessibility team. Eyelet and Brianna share the strong growth of accessibility within the corporate culture of T-Mobile in recent years and their work launching Magenta A11y, an open source platform for mobile developers that is a one-stop shop for making sure mobile applications are accessible for all consumers.— not just T-Mobile customers, but for customers around the globe. They share what got them interested in digital inclusion and accessibility and give us a glimpse into what the future holds for accessible mobile communications. AccessWorld is a production of the American Foundation for the Blind. The podcast is a companion to AccessWorld magazine, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary. To check out the latest issue and browse through the archives, which are all completely free, visit www.afb.org/AW.  Check out Magenta A11y at: https://www.magentaa11y.com About the Hosts: Aaron Preece is the editor-in-chief of AccessWorld, and Tony Stephens leads communications for AFB. Together, they share their passion for digital inclusion and take time each month to engage on conversations at the intersection of technology and accessibility. For questions or comments about the show, email communications@afb.org. Check out our podcast page here. And be sure to like and subscribe from wherever you get your podcasts!  Produced and edited by Tony Stephens at the Pickle Factory in Baltimore, MD. Digital media support is by Breanna Kerr and Kelly Gasque. Music compliments of ArtList.IO and hosted on PineCast. About AFB: Founded in 1921, the American Foundation for the Blind creates equal opportunities and expands possibilities for people who are blind, deafblind, or have low vision through advocacy, thought leadership, and strategic partnerships. Since its inception, AFB has been a leading voice for access and independence through technological innovation. In addition to publishing AccessWorld and the Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness (JVIB), AFB is also the proud steward of the Helen Keller Archive, which is available on the AFB website at www.afb.org.  Consider making a tax deductible gift today to support this podcast. Your contribution helps us cover things like server costs and transcriptions. This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Happy New Year AccessWorld Fans, and HAPPY ANNIVERSARY to AccessWorld Magazine, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. In this special episode, Aaron and Tony put down their eggnog, stoke the fireplace, and reminisce on all the milestones that drove digital inclusion and accessibility in 2024.      AccessWorld is a podcast on digital inclusion and accessibility. A production of the American Foundation for the Blind, it drops each month. The podcast is a companion of AccessWorld Magazine. Check out the latest issue of Accessworld online, and be sure to visit the archives, which has 25 years of back -issues available completely free! Aaron Preece is editor-in chief of AccessWorld Magazine. Tony Stephens leads communications for AFB. Be sure to like and subscribe to the podcast, and even consider making a tax-deductible gift to help support our work and cover the cost for producing the podcast. You can visit the podcast page HERE, which posts transcripts shortly after each episode drops.  AccessWorld is produced by Tony Stephens at the Pickle Factory in Baltimore Maryland with digital media support from Kelly Gasque and Breanna Kerr. For questions or comments, email communications@afb.org. This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Thanks for checking out AccessWorld, a podcast on digital inclusion and accessibility. In this episode, we get ready for the season of giving with AccessWorld's annual gift giving guide. And we're excited that our guest sharing this year's guide is none other than AccessWorld founder Deborah Kendrick. Deborah gives us the gift of hearing first hand AccessWorld's origin story, and we get a sneak-peak into her annual gift giving guide. So, be sure to like and subscribe, and you can check out the podcast page for episode transcripts, which should be posted within a day or two after the podcast goes live. To check out the latest online edition of AccessWorld, or to access over 24 years of back issues for free, visit the online magazine's home. AccessWorld is a production of the American Foundation for the blind (AFB). To learn more about AFB, or to help support our work creating a world of endless possibilities for people who are blind or have low vision, visit www.afb.org. Aaron Preece is editor-in-chief of AccessWorld Magazine, and Tony Stephens leads communications for AFB. Together, they take a deep dive each month into the world of digital inclusion. For questions or comments relating to this podcast, email: communications @ afb.org. This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Welcome back to another episode of the AccessWorld podcast, a production of the American Foundation for the blind. We've been on break the past month taking care of some housekeeping. Some of that work was moving to a new podcast hosting platform. After hitting our one-year milestone for the podcast, we wanted to move to a new hosting platform that would allow us a bit more flexibility. AFB is now on PineCast, which we have also found to be significantly more accessible on the back end. So, stay tuned for more episodes and other features as we build out the pod in our second year. In this episode, AccessWorld's editor-and-chief Aaron Preece visits the exhibit hall at the 2024 AFB Leadership Conference held this past September in Minneapolis. In this episode, we hear from AIRA, Selvas BLV, and Vispero. There's lots of exciting projects on the horizonfor each of the exhibitors, and we hope you find this episode informative. The latest issue of AccessWorld Magazine dropped on Nov. 20th. Visit the AccessWorld page now for the latest issue and over 20 years of back-issues for free.. AccessWorld is an online magazine published each quarter, providing insight and news for those in the digital accessibility space. Transcripts of this episode are available on the AFB podcast page. This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

The rise of artificial intelligence has taken the world by storm over the past two years, and it has the potential to have an enormous impact for people who are blind or have low vision. In this episode of AccessWorld, after a quick detour on the Blind barbie project, our hosts Tony and Aaron offer a rundown on what's in the latest online issue of AccessWorld Magazine, which takes its own deep dive into several related A.I. areas, and they then dive even deeper into the AFB Leadership Conference, held Sept. 23rd - 25th in Minneapolis. This year's #AFBLC focuses on Leading in the Digital Age, and one of the tracks will unpack the rise of A.I. and measure its impact across our community. There's still time to register and be part of the big event. AccessWorld is a production of the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB). Tony Stephens leads communications for AFB, and Aaron Preece is the editor-in-chief of AccessWorld Magazine, an online publication that celebrates its 25th anniversary this year promoting digital inclusion and accessibility. Aaron Preece is editor-in-chief of AccessWorld, and Tony Stephens leads communications for AFB. ABOUT AFB Founded in 1921, the American Foundation for the Blind creates equal opportunities and expands possibilities for people who are blind, deafblind, or have low vision through advocacy, thought leadership, and strategic partnerships. In addition to publishing AccessWorld and the Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness (JVIB), AFB is also the proud steward of the Helen Keller Archive, which is available on the AFB website at www.afb.org. Consider making a contribution today and help sustain our mission to create endless possibilities for people who are blind or have low vision. And be sure to like and subscribe to our podcast. You can access past episodes and transcripts on the podcast page of our website.

Welcome back to another episode of AccessWorld., a podcast on digital inclusion and accessibility. In this episode, Aaron and Tony talk with AccessWorld contributor Janet Ingber on the latest updates with Apple. From  the recent announcement around Apple AI, to what is in the pipeline for Apple IOS 18, Janet helps break it all down. We also give a nod to AppleVis, the longtime Apple accessibility online resource blog that will be winding down. Then, Aaron offers an overview of Apple VoiceOver. The segment begins at 22:45, and it provides a useful tutorial for those who may be new to screen readers and want to get up and running on it. About AccessWorld AccessWorld is a podcast on digital inclusion and accessibility. A production of the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB), the podcast supports AccessWorld magazine, a quarterly online publication that has chronicled happenings in the access technology space for over 24 years. To check out the most recent version, and to access all of the magazine's back-issues, visit: www.afb.org/AW.  About  AFB Founded in 1921, the American Foundation for the Blind creates equal opportunities and expands possibilities for people who are blind, deafblind, or have low vision through advocacy, thought leadership, and strategic partnerships. In addition to publishing the Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness (JVIB), AFB is also the proud steward of the Helen Keller Archive, which is available on the AFB website at www.afb.org.

Welcome back to another episode of AccessWorld, a podcast on digital inclusion and accessibility. Marking our 10th episode, we thought it would be great to bring on our own President & CEO of the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB), the one and only Eric Bridges. Eric has long been engaged in fostering partnerships and adovcacy at the intersection of accessibility and technology. In this episode, he reflects on some of his past experiences, sharing how our rapidly changing and technologically dependent world has brought us both great opportunity and challenges. And along with co-hosts Tony and Aaron, they look into the future at what opportunities may exist just beyond the horizon.  About the Hosts: Aaron Preece is editor-in-chief of AccessWorld Magazine. AccessWorld is a quarterly online publication produced by the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB). Readers can access the latest issue along with over 20 years of back-issues for free at ⁠www.afb.org/AW⁠. Tony Stephens leads communications for AFB. When he's not geeking out on all things encompassing access tech, he's trying out new ways to use technology to master blind sailing on Chesapeake Bay. To check out Aaron's article breaking down NVDA even further in the most recent issue, ⁠click here⁠. About AFB: Founded in 1921, the American Foundation for the Blind creates equal opportunities and expands possibilities for people who are blind, deafblind, or have low vision through advocacy, thought leadership, and strategic partnerships. In addition to producing AccessWorld, AFB publishes the Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness (JVIB), AFB is also the proud steward of the Helen Keller Archive, which is available on the AFB website at ⁠www.afb.org⁠.

Welcome back to another episode of AccessWorld, a podcast on digital inclusion and accessibility. Apologies as we ran into technical issues with this month's episode but better late than never. This month's episode is an excellent resource for developers and those interested in learning more about the free text-to-speech engine NVDA. This application is a powerful tool to learn how text-to-speech works and to test out your own site. It's also a great solution for those looking to gain access on-the-go with a nimble application that can offer assistance through this access-tech application that has a wealth of add-ons to customize the users experience. Our co-host Aaron takes us on a deep dive of NVDA, providing a demo of how it responds to web content and breaks down some helpful extensions that make this free application a robust tool for blind and low-vision users. About the Hosts: Aaron Preece is editor-in-chief of AccessWorld Magazine. AccessWorld is a quarterly online publication produced by the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB). Readers can access the latest issue along with over 20 years of back-issues for free at www.afb.org/AW. Tony Stephens leads communications for AFB. When he's not geeking out on all things encompassing access tech, he's trying out new ways to use technology to master blind sailing on Chesapeake Bay. To check out Aaron's article breaking down NVDA even further in the most recent issue, click here. About AFB: Founded in 1921, the American Foundation for the Blind creates equal opportunities and expands possibilities for people who are blind, deafblind, or have low vision through advocacy, thought leadership, and strategic partnerships. In addition to producing AccessWorld, AFB publishes the Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness (JVIB), AFB is also the proud steward of the Helen Keller Archive, which is available on the AFB website at www.afb.org.

On this special edition of the AccessWorld podcast, we welcome AFB's Chief Public Policy & Research Officer Stephanie Enyart and Senior Advisor for Public Policy & Research Sarah Malaier. Together, our hosts Tony and Aaron discuss with our guests the U.S. Department of Justice's recently published final rule on website and mobile app accessibility for state and local governments. This rule is the culmination of decades of advocacy and rulemaking and marks a significant step in ensuring that the digital world is fully accessible to people who are blind, have low vision, or are deafblind. Learn more about the final rule on the AFB Blog: https://afb.org/blog/entry/final-rule-website-accessibility. AccessWorld is a podcast and online magazine on digital inclusion and accessibility produced by the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB). The podcast drops at the start of each month, and the online magazine is published quarterly. To learn more about AccessWorld, visit www.afb.org/AW. Aaron Preece is the editor-in-chief of AccessWorld, and Tony Stephens is the Assistant Vice President for Communications at AFB. Be sure to like and subscribe to the podcast, and you can also support our work by making a tax deductible  donation at www.afb.orgdonate. For past episodes and transcripts, visit the AFB AccessWorld Podcast page.

Welcome to another episode of AccessWorld, a podcast on digital inclusion and accessibility from the American Foundation for the Blind. In this episode, Aaron and Tony celebrate the power that audio description can have toward making media more inclusive for audiences who are blind or have low vision. They welcome Roy Samuelson, a leading audio description performer, producer, and advocate who continues to be a champion for inclusive media and entertainment. Roy shares his own professional journey, how a close friend sent him on a mission to bring quality in audio description to the masses, and how the team he assembled for AFB's documentary film “Possibilities” took the craft to a whole new level.  Want to learn more about those who work behind-the-scenes to make media more inclusive through audio description? Check out the Audio Description Network Alliance, where you can also find out more about your own favorite voices describing content for television and film. To learn more about AFB's documentary film Possibilities, visit www.afb.org/possibiliteis. About the Hosts: Tony Stephens is the Director of Communications for the American Foundation for the blind (AFB), and Aaron Preece is editor-in-chief of AccessWorld, a quarterly online publication produced by AFB encompassing all things digital inclusion and accessibility. To learn more about AccessWorld, and to gain access to over 20 years of back-issues free of charge, visit www.afb.org/aw.  Founded in 1921, the American Foundation for the Blind creates opportunity and expands possibilities through thought leadership, advocacy, and strategic partnerships. Learn more about AFB at www.afb.org and consider making a tax-deductible gift to support our work creating a future of endless possibilities for people who are blind or have low vision.

Welcome back to another episode of the AccessWorld Podcast, a production of the American Foundation for the Blind. In this episode, our hosts Tony and Aaron welcome Enzo Caruso from Haptic. Their new venture from HapticLabs is rethinking the way haptic navigation can be used for travelers with disabilities. Enzo shares what lead to the release of their HapticNav app for Apple and Android devices and ways the app is being integrated into existing navigation platforms. They'll be spotlighting the technology at SXSW this month as they prepare for integration in mainstream wearable devices. Users can download the HapticNav app for free on IOS devices.  Tony and Aaron also share exciting news for AFB's TalentLab, which announced on March 1st that applications are now being accepted for the Digital Accessibility Bootcamp, a paid summer internship experience that is perfect for students majoring in computer science or a related field and interested in strengthening their accessibility skillset for a competitive marketplace. Check out the AFB Talent Lab page for more info on the internship program. About Our Hosts Aaron Preece is the Editor-in-Chief for AccessWorld, a quarterly online publication from the American Foundation for the Blind encompassing digital inclusion and accessibility. Tony Stephens is the Director of Communications for the American Foundation for the Blind. Together, Aaron and Tony enjoy diving into all things digital accessibility. You can access the current issue of AccessWorld, along with over 20 years of our back-issues, for free at https://afb.org/AW. For questions or comments about this episode or the podcast, email us.

Welcome back to another episode of AccessWorld, a podcast on digital inclusion and accessibility. February is Low-Vision awareness Month, and we're excited to welcome Lee Huffman from the American Printing House for the Blind. Lee is a familiar voice for AccessWorld enthusiasts , having held down the helm for AccessWorld before joining APH. Lee, who also has low vision, shares his experiences and offers great insight into where we've been, and where we are going in regards to technology for low-vision consumers. Hosts Aaron and Tony along with Lee also share the challenges that often rise up when companies try to have a one-size-fits-all approach toward accessibility, not recognizing the vast spectrum that exists for users with varying conditions like low-vision. Read more about low-vision and assistive tech in the February issue of AFB's AccessWorld E-Zine, which can be delivered right to your inbox this Feb. 20th. Visit www.afb.org/aw and sign-up today. You can also access back issues for free! Listen to past episodes and access transcripts on AFB's podcast page. Transcripts are usually available within 48 hours after an episode drops. You can also check out other podcasts produced by AFB. And, while you're there, consider making a tax-deductible gift to the American Foundation for the Blind. Your gift helps us create a future of endless possibilities for people who are blind or have low vision.

Happy New Year and welcome back to another episode of AccessWorld, a podcast on digital inclusion and accessibility. In this episode, Tony and Aaron kick off 2024 by sharing their resolutions on improving their braille. Tony shares how he's an old dog still trying to master UEB. Aaron offers guidance in a previous article that breaks down the transition to UEB. We then take a deep dive into distinguishing the difference between accessibility and usability. While accessibility is a critical piece of making the internet accessible for all, usability takes us that extra step toward assuring we can be fully inclusive with our digital content. Check out this previous AFB Tech Notes post on the value of usability. Aaron also breaks down accessible gaming for the blind, sharing some insight taken from the most recent issue of AccessWorld. You can check out the latest issue, published each quarter, along with all the back-issues by visiting: www.afb.org/aw. AccessWorld is produced by the American Foundation for the blind (AFB. For questions or comments, email communications@afb.org. You can support our work by liking and subscribing to the podcast, and even consider making a donation today by visiting www.afb.org.

It's an AFB family gathering for this end-of-year episode of AccessWorld, a podcast on digital inclusion and accessibility. In this episode, co-hosts Aaron Preese and Tony Stephens welcome AFB's Breanna Kerr and Kelly Gasque, who lead AFB's digital communications. Kelly and Breanna offer up some helpful tips for making sure your social media posts and documents are accessible, just in time for all those end-of-year .pdf reports and holiday posts. Aaron, Breanna, Kelly , and Tony also breakdown 2023, sharing their favorite accessibility wins for the year, and Aaron shares what's new in the latest issue of AccessWorld. AccessWorld is a podcast from the American Foundation for the Blind. The podcast is an extension of AccessWorld magazine, a quarterly online publication that focuses on all-things digital inclusion and accessibility. Enjoy the podcast? Be sure to like and subscribe, and even consider making a donation. Transcripts are available on the AFB podcast page.

Welcome back to another episode of AccessWorld, a podcast on digital inclusion and accessibility. In this, our second episode, we take a deep dive into the latest update for Apple IOS 17. We're excited to have AccessWorld frequent contributors Janet Ingber and Judy Dixon, who break down the mainstream updates and new accessibility features for IOS-17 users. Check out their posts on the AFB blog for more information. We also wrap up National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), with a reminder that inclusion in the workplace continues to be something worth having on our radar year round. AccessWorld has a wealth of articles in back issues that spotlight employment in the tech field as well as in other careers. So, don't forget that you can access for free every issue of AccessWorld going back to the year 2000. We close out the episode with a sneak peak of what's in the upcoming issue of AccessWorld, which will drop later this month. About The Podcast: AccessWorld is a podcast produced by the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB). Since 1921, AFB has been expanding possibilities for people who are blind or have low vision. The podcast is an extension of the online publication AccessWorld, a quarterly e-zine that focuses on digital inclusion and accessibility.  Aaron Preece is the Editor-in-Chief for AccessWorld. His co-host Tony Stephens is the Director of Communications for AFB. Together, they enjoy taking deep dives into topics encompassing digital inclusion and equal access for people with disabilities. For questions, comments, or show suggestions, feel free to send us a note. And be sure to like and subscribe to the podcast to get new episodes on the 1st of each month. You can also subscribe to AccessWorld on the AFB subscriptions page to get the latest issue of the publication when it drops each quarter. Transcripts of each episode are released at the time or shortly after the posting of each podcast on the AFB podcast page.

Welcome to the first episode of the AccessWorld podcast, a new podcast from the American Foundation for the Blind. This episode is a cross-over with our Inform & Connect podcast. AccessWorld will be released the first of each month, and provides additional commentary and in-depth takes on all things relating to digital inclusion and accessibility. Please like and subscribe today wherever you get your podcasts. Questions and suggestions can be sent to communications@afb.org, and check out AccessWorld online at www.afb.org/AW. You can also learn more about AFB's programs, research, and advocacy at www.afb.org, and even consider making a tax-deductible contribution to support our work. AFB — Creating a world of no limits for people who are blind or have low vision.