Tag: accessibility
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Universal Design: Inclusion From the Ground Up
Have you ever listened to an audiobook? Dictated a note into your smartphone? Ridden an elevator because your luggage was just too awkward for the escalator? If so, you’ve been the beneficiary of “universal design”. Also known as design for all, inclusive design and barrier free design, this means that a product, service or technology…
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The Myth of Independence
There is more to independence for the blind than being able to carry out everyday tasks unaided. Imagine waking up one day and not being able to see. Suddenly, you couldn’t read, drive, or find something in the fridge. But as terrifying as your new reality is, the loss of agency over your own life…
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Accessibility: More Than An Elevator
Digital accessibility is key to allow the full participation of those with disabilities in the workplace, the classroom, and society at large. Your phone chimes softly, and you pick it up and read the screen without a thought. A restaurant server brings you a menu on an electronic tablet, and you scan down the list…
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Are We There Yet?
Missoulian George Kerscher talks about his role in the development of Reading published materials using text to speech technology for those with print disabilities and obstacles to full inclusion that remain unresolved. One of the most important technologies for blind and low vision persons is text to speech (TTS). Being able to hear the contents…
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Assistive Technology
Technology such as screen readers and smart devices can dramatically improve the ability of those with sight loss to navigate their world. In our last article, we provided some insight into how somebody who is visually impaired navigates the world with their disability. Here, we will take a look at some of the ways technology…
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Daily Life With Vision Loss
Living with vision loss can be challenging, but you can still do most things you want to do. You just need to do them differently. We live in a visual world. But suppose a routine visit to the eye doctor revealed a progressive, incurable condition that would leave you legally blind. You will still have…
National Federation of the Blind of Missoula, Montana 