As we mark the 30th anniversary of JAWS (Job Access With Speech), we’re often asked: What is JAWS?
JAWS is a screen reader that enables individuals who are blind or visually impaired to use a computer independently. It provides speech output and works with keyboard commands or a Braille display, making it possible to browse the web, write emails, work with documents and spreadsheets, and more.
Learn more: https://www.freedomscientific.com/products/software/jaws/
Dr. Rua M. Williams is recruiting robotics researchers at all levels for participation in a virtual learning series on disability-centered research design in human-robot interaction.
Participants will be enrolled in a 6-month course (approx. 3 hours of work per month) on disability issues in research design and will be supported by a growing community of researchers interested in transformation of the field.
In the summer of 2026, up to 15 participants will receive funding to attend an on-site robotics workshop at Purdue University working directly with disabled youth to co-design novel human-robot interactions.
Class begins in late August. Submit your application here: https://tinyurl.com/counterHRI
(Applications are approved after verification of current enrollment or employment as a robotics student or researcher. Summer session travel support may be limited to researchers living in the United States.)
This research is filed under Purdue IRB NUMBER: IRB-2025-340
This research is funded by NSF SES 2444900.
Aira Access at Kansas City International Airport 
"True accessibility means every traveler should feel welcomed and empowered when they walk through our airport doors," said Mayor Quinton Lucas.
Now, all KCI guests can enjoy complimentary Aira access during their travels. Navigate terminals, locate gates, operate kiosks, and explore dining and shopping with greater independence.
The Innovative Impact Newsletter By Dr. Kirk Adams for Monday, August 4, 2025 - Issue 105
https://drkirkadams.com/newsletter-08-04-2025/
Practical Strategies for Workplace Inclusion and Leadership
A Dr. Kirk Adams Publication
#InclusiveLeadership #WorkplaceInclusion #DisabilityEmployment #DiversityEquityInclusion #AccessibilityMatters #AssistiveTechnology #HRBestPractices #InclusiveWorkforce #LeadershipDevelopment #FutureOfWork
Subscribers: 3,531 
️ subscribers were sent this issue via email.
The Innovative Impact Newsletter By Dr. Kirk Adams for Monday, August 4, 2025 - Issue 105
https://drkirkadams.com/newsletter-08-04-2025/
Practical Strategies for Workplace Inclusion and Leadership
A Dr. Kirk Adams Publication
#InclusiveLeadership #WorkplaceInclusion #DisabilityEmployment #DiversityEquityInclusion #AccessibilityMatters #AssistiveTechnology #HRBestPractices #InclusiveWorkforce #LeadershipDevelopment #FutureOfWork
Subscribers: 3,531 ️ subscribers were sent this issue via email.
@Edent - Really interested to read #AssistiveTechnology users' perspective on this.
Throws up some really interesting questions from a morphology perspective - at what point does an acronym (such as TV) form into a word in it's own right. 
Share Your Convention Feedback!
This convention season, we’ve been dedicated to supporting your experience, from navigating diverse venues to exploring exhibit halls. Your feedback from last year directly shaped improvements to our training and Visual Interpreter resources, and we hope it made a difference!
What Explorers are Saying:
"This was my first ACB — Aira made finding sessions stress-free."
"Visual Interpreters knew the convention layout better than some staff at the hotel."
"I couldn’t have navigated the exhibit hall without Aira — it felt effortless."
Help us continue improving our services by sharing your input from this year’s conventions. Take 5 minutes to complete our survey by August 14th. All participants will be entered into a drawing to win one of three $50 gift cards! Winners will be announced on August 15th.
Take the survey: https://forms.gle/uXiKaWXEiysDrCVe9
#Development #Overviews
Assistive technologies and adaptive strategies · How people with disabilities navigate interfaces https://ilo.im/165p93
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#Inclusion #Accessibility #AssistiveTechnology #Design #ProductDesign #UiDesign #WebDesign #WebDev #Frontend
July is #DisabilityPrideMonth!
Disability Pride Month is a time to honor the history, achievements, and experiences of people with disabilities. It is also a time to spread awareness about disability rights, equity, and share resources, like this post!
Explore books about disabled experiences, such as those found in Bookshare's 2025 Disability Special Collection: https://ow.ly/ACj250Wrxty
Happy Disability Pride Month!
#Development #Analyses
Can we have ARIA Notify? · Why we can’t rely only on ARIA live regions https://ilo.im/165aci
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#Accessibility #Notifications #AssistiveTechnology #ScreenReader #ARIA #API #Browsers #WebDev #Frontend
Another one of my posts. This one on the topic of AI tools as assistive technology, what's working, what isn't and why, all without the hype that too many people tend to lean into when discussing this technology:
When Independence Meets Uncertainty: My Journey with AI-Powered Vision
A blind user's candid assessment of the promises and pitfalls of current AI accessibility tools
https://open.substack.com/pub/kaylielfox/p/when-independence-meets-uncertainty?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
The Innovative Impact Newsletter By Dr. Kirk Adams for Monday, July 7, 2025 - Issue 104
https://drkirkadams.com/newsletter-07-07-2025/
Practical Strategies for Workplace Inclusion and Leadership
A Dr. Kirk Adams Publication
#InclusiveLeadership #WorkplaceInclusion #DisabilityEmployment #DiversityEquityInclusion #AccessibilityMatters #AssistiveTechnology #HRBestPractices #InclusiveWorkforce #LeadershipDevelopment #FutureOfWork
Subscribers: 3,237 ️ subscribers were sent this issue via email.
The Innovative Impact Newsletter By Dr. Kirk Adams for Monday, July 7, 2025 - Issue 104
https://drkirkadams.com/newsletter-07-07-2025/
Practical Strategies for Workplace Inclusion and Leadership
A Dr. Kirk Adams Publication
#InclusiveLeadership #WorkplaceInclusion #DisabilityEmployment #DiversityEquityInclusion #AccessibilityMatters #AssistiveTechnology #HRBestPractices #InclusiveWorkforce #LeadershipDevelopment #FutureOfWork
Subscribers: 3,237 ️ subscribers were sent this issue via email.
I just read this article. It describes GenieTalk (Generating Expression through Narrative in Everyday Talk), an input device for augmentative and alternative communication (AAC).
It sounds interesting, even for user who wouldn't need special assistance!
‘What I Think about When I Type about Talking’: Reflections on Text-Entry Acceleration Interfaces – Communications of the ACM
https://cacm.acm.org/research/what-i-think-about-when-i-type-about-talking-reflections-on-text-entry-acceleration-interfaces/
vision loss is not the end. hear bryan from @the.blind.pov page on how ally helps him in various aspects of his life. ally is the most accessible ai assistant that understands you, provides helpful answers and is here when you need it. download the free ally app today or go to ally.me #Accessibility #LetsEnvision #PerceivePossibility #AI #AI4Good #AssistiveTechnology #AllyEverywhere #A11Y
At work I've been making sure our client's site works correctly with JAWS. I learned that JAWS can be very expensive and that there are OTHER screen readers.
People who USE screen readers: Is JAWS worth the money and worth being on #Windows for?
Is Orca decent?
What about the "multiplatform" System Access To Go? Does it do the job decently enough?
#AssistiveTechnology #ScreenReaders #JAWS #Orca #VoiceOver #SystemAccessToGo #508
#Poll are you #Vegan, #Vegetarian, and use #AssistiveTechnology to "read" #Mastodon ? #AltText
I thought that some of you might find this interesting, since so many in the Fediverse genuinely care about accessibility.
Note: The description was taken from the Top Tech Tidbits newsletter. The second link is to the article itself.
https://www.toptechtidbits.com/tidbits2025/06192025/index.html
"This article provides an updated guide for enhancing the accessibility of social media posts, focusing on critical elements like alt text, fonts, hashtags, and content warnings. It emphasizes practical tips to create inclusive content that can be navigated by individuals using screen readers and other assistive technologies."
#FreeBSD provides the Ports Collection, a convenient way to install applications. Some ports allow users to configure options before building and installing. By default, this configuration is done through an interactive menu in the terminal.
To improve readability and #Accessibility especially for users with low vision or color blindness, it's important to offer simple and customizable color options. These features have recently been implemented and documented in the preview version of the FreeBSD Accessibility Handbook:
https://freebsd-accessibility-9d667f.gitlab.io/en/books/accessibility/colors/index.html#colors-ports
The next step is to extend these features to all terminal-based graphical components.
I'd love to hear from you:
Do you use any accessibility features in the terminal?
Which color-related assistive technologies make the biggest difference in your daily workflow?
Together, we can make FreeBSD more accessible for everyone. #ThePowerForEveryone #FreeBSD #Accessibility #OpenSource #LowVision #ColorBlindness #AssistiveTechnology #AccessibilityMatters
#Development #Guidelines
What I wish I knew when learning ARIA · How to approach an often neglected part of web interfaces https://ilo.im/164p3o
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#ARIA #AssistiveTechnology #Accessibility #Interactivity #Browser #WebDesign #WebDev #Frontend #HTML #CSS
