What's Inside
- AI changing how blind people view the world.
- 2023 audio description award winners.
- Low vision students more likely to feel excluded than totally blind.
- ADA turns 33 years old.
- Is gender dysphoria a disability under ADA?
- An action packed sports section.
- And, about 60 articles about all things blindness from the entire world.
Editorial By Chris Hofstader
Welcome to edition 80 of Blindness Briefs. I find it hard to believe that we've published this every Tuesday for 80 consecutive weeks. We put a lot of work into this each week and we're happy that readers keep coming back to see it so often.
I want to start his week with a correction. Last week, I wrote an editorial about July 4 being my birthday and discussed the progress we blind people have enjoyed in technology over the time I've been observing its developments. In that editorial, I said that JAWS was the only commercial screen reader left standing. This is not actually true and a reader reminded me of such with a note sent through our contact form. In fact, the UK based Dolphin still sells its SuperNova product and I simply neglected to thoroughly check my facts when I made this mistake. While I worked at FS, I got to meet Mike Hill, Dolphin's lead technical person and he was a terrific guy, very smart and their team seemed very dedicated to making a high quality product. I suppose it was a bit of American chauvinism on my part that I only considered JAWS and Window-Eyes as major players and I apologize for not checking my work before publication.
This is a pretty big week in Blindness Briefs, there are more than 60 articles included and we hope very much that you find it interesting and keep returning to read every Tuesday.
How It's Organized
WBH Weekly Blind News Digest is a very simple page to read. The categories are at heading level 2 and the stories are links at heading level 3. So, navigation to the sections and stories you find interesting is quite simple.
Technology
AI Could Change How Blind People See the World
Assistive technology services are integrating OpenAI's GPT-4, using artificial intelligence to help describe objects and people. This story comes to us from: Wired.
Blind and partially sighted people in London to benefit from voice guided technology
Blind and partially sighted people that use transport in London could benefit from NaviLens, an app to help blind people access information. This story comes to us from: Assistive Technology.
Blind man uses self-driving bus across Forth to test mobility aid
A blind man has explored developments for those with sight loss by making a trip across the Forth. This story comes to us from: Dunfermline Press.
Robot Administers Drugs into the Posterior Eyeball with Greater Accuracy than Surgeons
However, researchers from the Korea Institute of Science and … hope for millions of people worldwide who are at risk of degenerative blindness. This story comes to us from: Bollyinside.
Blindness Organizations
2023 Audio Description Project Award Winners
The American Council of the Blind (ACB) announces the 2023 winners of the Audio Description Awards. This story comes to us from: Digital Journal.
Guide Dogs for the Blind criticises plan to shut train ticket kiosks
Plans to close ticket offices at smaller train stations have been met with criticism by a disability charity. This story comes to us from: BBC.
Christian charity donates N100m equipment to fight blindness in Jigawa
The Christian Blind Mission (CBM), an international charity catering to the visually impaired, has donated eye treatment equipment worth N100. This story comes to us from: Premium Times Nigeria.
Prevent Blindness announces July as Dry Eye Awareness Month, with exciting updates
Some risk factors for dry eye include: being more than 50 years old, environmental conditions such as allergies, wearing contact lenses. This story comes to us from: Optometry Times.
New director of social impact appointed at Fight for Sight/Vision Foundation
Southwood, who was born blind, is a former chair of the Royal National Institute of Blind People and is currently a Labour councillor for Queens. This story comes to us from: Association of Optometrists.
Education
Books: An examination of the history of blindness in the Western world
Life Unseen: A Story of Blindness. … Forced to beg or scratch a banal existence making baskets. This story comes to s from: The Herald.
Students with low vision may feel more socially excluded than blind or sighted peers
A study led by psychologists from the University of Birmingham examined the influences of social inclusion on self-esteem and academic inclusion – which encompasses both classroom participation and academic performance. This story comes to us from: University of Birmingham.
Vancouver woman shares vision with blind African students
After navigating an education system in Ethiopia without access to resources for people with blindness, Vancouver resident Abby Griffith wanted change. Not just for herself, but for students worldwide. This story comes to us from: The Columbian.
Visually Impaired High School Senior Aims to Become Teacher for Blind Students
He's my fourth-grade student,'” Biddle told El Paso Matters in an interview. Biddle, who was born blind. This story comes to us from: The 74.
Baltimore student named as a finalist in the 3M Young Scientist Challenge
"Blind people had a hard time navigating objects that are medium to far … blind people that use echolocation to help them navigate,” said Jiang. This story comes to us from: WMAR.
SELINA MILLS says losing her sight wasn't the 'desperate' situation people imagine
It's part memoir and part a history of blindness. This story comes to us from: The Daily Mail.
Rewind: Written words for Visually Impaired
Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan ensures that the education to persons who are blind is imparted in the most appropriate language, modes and means of communication. This story comes to us from: Telangana Today.
Orbis and FedEx Team Up To Train Eye Care Professionals in Vietnam
The first surgical project for the Orbis Flying Eye Hospital in three … causes of blindness and visual impairment in their own communities. This story comes to us from: CSRwire.
23-year-old becomes first blind graduate of Naval Academy
A Texas man who lost his sight while studying at the Naval Academy persevered and completed his degree. This story comes to us from: WYMT.
Employment
Blind lawyer, musician defies odds and inspires others with remarkable journey of success
Since he was a boy, Terry Tom has been blind to his limitations. As a teenager, he became an accomplished musician. This story comes to us from: KITV.
Work is like therapy': Visually impaired man glows like a star at Miami Goodwill warehouse
Blind man among those making American flags for veterans. This story comes to us from: WPLG Local 10.
Transportation
Docklands Light Railway trials app to help blind or partially-sighted
Docklands Light Railway is to carry out a six months trial of an app to test if it helps blind or partially-sighted people find their way around. This story comes to us from: RailAdvent.
Discrimination and Inaccessibility
I Don't Know How I'll Cope if They Disappear': The Fight to Save Ticket Offices
'We're a modern country going backwards, and it's disabled people paying the price for it,' says Sarah from the National Federation of the Blind [NFB]. This story comes to us from: Tribune.
Safety
Council bosses blasted after blind woman's fall in 'dangerous' Glasgow graveyard
A BLIND woman has been left badly injured after falling into a gaping pothole in a Glasgow cemetery. This story comes to us from: Yahoo News UK.
More ramps coming to Watertown street corners
… street corners in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. … warning" ramps — a bumpy surface that allows blind people to know they're at a crossing, etc. This story comes to us from: Yahoo News.
Dozens of shoppers injured tripping over 'hidden' kerb built for blind people
Dozens of shoppers have been hurt tripping over a 'hidden' kerb built for blind people. This story comes to us from: YouTube.
Crime
Blind man rapes 13-year-old girl
A visually impaired man, Francis Ugachukwu is to cool his heels in Kirikiri Correctional Centre. This story comes to us from: 21st Century Chronicle.
Scotland's Papers: Keys for the King and castle 'murder-suicide
A blind woman was hurt after falling in a "dangerous graveyard", reports the Glasgow Times. This story comes to us from: BBC.
Struggle to understand woman's murder of husband
A woman is awaiting sentence for murder after shooting her sleeping, blind husband through the eye. This story comes to us from: The Canberra Times.
My world is smaller': Daughter's struggle after mum shoots dad dead in his sleep
A woman whose mother fatally shot her legally blind husband in the eye as he slept has told a court she still loves her mother. This story comes to us from: 7NEWS.
Blind Greenock man says carer stole cash from his wallet
A VULNERABLE blind man has told the Telegraph that a carer stole money from him whilst attending to his needs at his Greenock home. This story comes to us from: Greenock Telegraph.
Blind cat mercilessly gunned down with air rifle and left to die in Rishton street
A blind cat who had been shot with an air rifle is recovering after a rescue volunteer saved him from the streets. This story comes to us from: Lancs Live.
Legal
Americans With Disabilities Act Celebrates 33 Years Of Service
Since its signing in 1990, the ADA has played a crucial role in improving the lives of individuals with disabilities. This story comes to us from: WGRT.
Is the ADA Tainted By Unconstitutional Animus?
The Americans with Disabilities Act was enacted in 1990. This landmark statute provided federal protection for a wide range of disabilities. This story comes to us from: Reason Magazine.
Court of Appeals orders new trial for man convicted based on the word of a blind and drunk neighbor
Calvin Hocutt spent four months in prison. His conviction was based on a statement from a blind man who was drunk at the time of the crime. This story comes to us from: NC Newsline.
Garmin class action alleges website not equally accessible to blind, visually impaired consumers
Garmin failed to make its website fully accessible to and independently usable by individuals who are blind or visually impaired, a new class action lawsuit alleges. Plaintiff Frank Senior, a legally blind man, claims Garmin has not designed its website so that it is fully compatible with screen-reading software used by individuals who are blind or visually impaired to access the internet. This story comes to us from: Top Class Actions.
Help was given to blind ex-embassy worker: ministry
The Foreign Affairs Ministry has countered a former embassy worker's claim she was made blind during her employment. This story comes to us from: The Bangkok Post.
Business
Age Related Vision Dysfunction Industry Worth to reach US$ 130 Billion by 2033
A recently published study by FMI expects the global Age Related Vision Dysfunction Market to augment at a 3.7% CAGR from 2023 to 2033. By the end of the said assessment period, a valuation of US$ 130 Billion is expected for the market. This story comes to us from: PharmiWeb.com.
Visual Impairment Market to Register Steady Expansion during 2023-2030
Visual impairment refers to any condition that affects a person's vision, ranging from mild to severe vision loss. This story comes to us from: Digital Journal.
Lifestyle
I was once seeing, but now I'm blind: How rare disease stole my eyesight
It was the year I finally accepted myself for who I truly was—a blind woman with an unyielding spirit and a burning desire to make a difference. This story comes to us from: Daily Nation (Kenya.
Inventor, blindness activist and former roommate of Art Garfunkel honored at Harvard
The musician inspired Sanford Greenberg to push on with his studies at Columbia after losing his sight. In turn, he helped inspire the classic anthem, ‘The Sound of Silence. This story comes to us from: The Times of Israel.
How to pack as a blind person
Lucy Edwards talks us through the products and packing techniques that help her travel efficiently when packing as a blind person. This story comes to us from: CN Traveller.
Blind Gateshead toddler with rare brain disorders who 'everyone falls in love with'
Leo McMurray was born blind and is battling on despite many difficulties, including a number of brain abnormalities. This story comes to us from: Chronicle Live.
Boy who is blind tries waterslide for the first time with his sister's encouragement
That's true for Ashton Dunford, who is blind. In a beautiful video posted on Instagram by his mom, Hilda. This story comes to us from: Upworthy.
Blind Air Force Veteran in Wintersville Care Center Receives Special Gift
A blind United States Air Force veteran was presented a radio by the Jefferson County Veterans Service Commission on Monday. This story comes to us from: The Intelligencer.
42 blind men and women performed Hajj this year with Kafeef
The National Association of the Blind (Kafeef) in Riyadh sponsored 42 visually challenged men and women, along with their companions. This story comes to us from: Saudi Gazette.
Blind man among those making American flags for veterans
Blind man among those making American flags for veterans … chance it may have been made right here in South Florida by some very special people. This story comes to us from: YouTube.
Art and Artists
Blind by birth, boundless by spirit: Hawaiian musician's remarkable journey to success
A Hawaiian man, who was born premature and ended up losing his sight as a baby, has had a remarkable life. This story comes to us from: ABC 6.
"Being a photographer who is practically blind, it's going to hurt people's brains"
Lots of amateur blind photographers say that I've inspired them to pick up a camera and have a go at photography. Why should we be limited by … This story comes to us from: Yahoo.
From out of darkness, a light: Part 2
Here blindness was no obstacle and soon Louis became a gifted organist. This story comes to us from: Austin Daily Herald.
Benodebehari Mukherjee: Blind Indian painter's forgotten scroll found after 100 years
A 44 foot-long Japanese style handscroll painted by a famous Indian blind artist nearly 100 years ago has resurfaced and gone on public display for the first time in the city of his birth, Kolkata. This story comes to us from: BBC.
Essex blind harpist inspires through music journey
Adelaide Jang, a blind non-binary person, is emerging as a beacon. This story comes to us from: Colchester Gazette.
He looks like Rema": Photographer captures handsome black boy walking with blind father on road
A video of a Nigerian boy and his father walking along the streets of Lagos has captured hearts on social media. This story comes to us from: Legit.ng.
Ohio State School for the Blind marching band headed to Boston for international parade
The Ohio State School for the Blind's Marching Band is heading to Boston on Thursday to participate in the Lions Club International Parade. This story comes to us from: The Columbus Dispatch.
HI: BLIND MUSICIAN'S INSPIRATIONAL LOVE STORY
A blind man became an attorney and musician despite his disability. This story comes to us from: wfmz.com.
Sports and Athletes
Tickets for IBSA World Games available
Around 1,250 blind and partially sighted athletes from 70 countries are competing in 10 sports. This story comes to us from: International Blind Sports Federation.
2 blind girl footballers make Bengal proud
Two blind girls from Bengal will be representing India at the prestigious IBSA Women's World Championship. This story comes to us from: The Statesman.
Blind man to complete the national three peaks challenge in three days to raise
Blind man to complete the national three peaks challenge in three days to raise money for Berkshire Vision, Guide Dogs for the Blind and MyVision. This story comes to us from: Newbury Today.
Blind Man Makes Quarterfinals of National Skateboarding Competition
Most people with cone-rod dystrophy become legally blind by their mid-adult life. This story comes to us from: The Messenger.
Hampshire man running marathon for blind veterans determined to lose 10 stone
He's running for Blind Veterans UK, the national charity for vision-impaired ex-Service men and women. This story comes to us from: ITVX.
In Memoriam
Remembering Zion Williams, the skateboarder who lost his sight but didn't let that stop him
NPR's Ayesha Rascoe speaks to Andrew "Ando" Caulfield about the death of his friend Zion Williams – a blind skateboarder from San Francisco. This story comes to us from: NPR.
Religion
"Even the pastor is blind": The story of a Nigerian church where every member is blind
Bethesda Home for the Blind founded and run by Mrs Chioma Ohakwe has an exciting church. This story comes to us from: Legit.ng.
Blind Girl Becca Believes She Will Get Her Sight Back
Blind girl Becca. During one Christian gathering, Becca, a young girl who is blind, stepped on stage to share a message of hope with everyone. This story comes to us from: GOD TV.