What's Inside
- Reebok releases product for low vision.
- A mountain of lawsuits is not making the web more accessible.
- Helen Keller on being happy.
- Airlines crack down on fake service animals.
- Robots could replace guide dogs.
- An action packed sports section.
- And, about 60 articles about blindness and blind people from all over the world.
Editorial By Chris Hofstader
We're nearly complete in bringing you the backlog of stories we gathered as I recovered from my shoulder injury. We will be a bit inconsistent over the next couple of weeks as I'm going on a vacation to England to attend the QED conference in Manchester and won't even bring a laptop with me.
So, we should be back to the one post per week schedule in a week or two and we've a lot of exciting new ideas for World Blind Herald starting in October.
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
Kafr El Sheikh University Students Invent The Smart Light Glasses For The Visually Impaired
This innovative project has the potential to revolutionize the way blind people interact with their surroundings and enhance their overall quality … This story comes to us from: The Scoop Empire.
Forget Bulky Headsets And Clunky Glasses. ReBokeh’s App Helps The Millions With Low Vision See The World They Want To See
Based in Baltimore, MD, the startup has developed a smartphone app that allows users to adjust the appearance of the world around them according to their specific vision needs. This story comes to us from: Forbes.
An explosion of lawsuits is not making websites more accessible
The government largely relies on private citizens and their obliging lawyers to enforce the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This story comes to us from: The Economist.
New project to make data curation accessible
Through the initial work, Seo has been developing computer tools that augment visual charts with touchable (braille), readable (text), and audible (sound) representations, to make them more accessible for the visually impaired. This story comes to us from: EurekAlert!
Science and Medicine
Israeli teen saved from blindness at Sourasky
This is a congenital, non-hereditary disease, with a prevalence of one in 10,000, and usually the damage will be in one eye only." This story comes to us from: The Jerusalem Post.
Atsena Therapeutics begins patient dosing in phase I/II trial of ATSN-201 to treat X-linked …
… power of genetic medicine to reverse or prevent blindness, … said Kenji Fujita, MD, chief medical officer of Atsena Therapeutics. This story comes to us from: Pharmabiz.
Blindness Organizations
Interest in Pathfinder books high at Federation of Blind convention
Josefina Otero At National Federation of the Blind convention July 2, Pathfinder volunteer Gale Shangold, right, spoke with, from left, … This story comes to us from: The Militant.
Vocational training centre for visually challenged persons opened in Coimbatore
It is located at the premises of the National Federation of the Blind (Tamil Nadu Western unit), which provides specialised UPSC preparation … This story comes to us from: The Hindu.
Education
FYI: Sumter High School Class of 1973 to hold reunion
The Sumter High School Class of 1973 will hold its 50-year reunion Sept. 1-3. This story comes to us from: The Sumter Item.
Helen Keller's Five Keys to Being Happy
Helen Keller, “'The Simplest Way to Be Happy' as Published in Home Magazine (February 1933),” This story comes to us from: The Objective Standard.
Going back to learning helps Ali envisage a bright future
A group of UNICEF- supported volunteers met him and his mother in the town and Ali was invited to join the UNICEF- supported local education centre, the Association for the Care of the Blind, in Ar Rastan. This story comes to us from: UNICEF Syrian Arab Republic.
YUVA Unstoppable Hosts Student Interaction with Chief Guest Shri Hardeep Singh Puri
… The Blind Relief Association, Andhra Education Society Senior … ensuring a digital tool to make teaching and learning more engaging and fun. This story comes to us from: India Education Diary.
[Mom Writes Letter To Parents About Her Blind Son Starting Middle School
The mom emphasized how crucial it is for other parents to have conversations about disability awareness with their own children. This story comes to us from: YourTango.
Transportation
Airlines tried to stop fake service animals. It kept blind people off flights.
Organizations including the American Council of the Blind, Guide Dog Users Inc., the National Federation of the Blind and the National Association … This story comes to us from: The Washington Post.
DDOT interim executive director speaks on improving paratransit in Detroit
“Transdev-trained drivers [are] leaving blind people at wrong addresses, wrong places, different sides of the city with no further assistance,” National Federation of the Blind’s Richard Clay said at the time. “Not tying wheelchairs down properly for wheelchair riders.” This story comes to us from: WDET 101.9 FM.
Discrimination and Inaccessibility
Blind TV fan’s Netflix plea
Tiana, a blind Queensland woman, is taking on Netflix, urging the entertainment giant to add audio descriptions to more of its films and shows. This story comes to us from: Yahoo News.
Safety
I Became Blind After Using Drugs & Receiving Treatment For Malaria For 7 Days
I am a visually impaired person who attended Owo High School, Owo, in Ondo State, before I proceeded to the Federal College of Education (Special). This story comes to us from: Opera News.
Female student goes partially blind after slap by Nkwatia Presby SHS headmaster (video)
Calls on the Ghana Education Service to take action against the Headmaster of Academics at Nkwatia Presby Senior High School have heightened after … This story comes to us from: Pulse Ghana.
Blind women explain how tough it is to navigate walking outside
Two blind women have spoken out against parked cars, overhanging branches and dog fouling on footpaths, saying they are really dangerous. This story comes to us from: RSVP.
Blind Yeovil woman forced to live in mouldy home for three yeare
The complaints of the woman, who also suffered from a heart condition, were repeatedly ignored. This story comes to us from: Somerset Live.
'Please don't hit me': Visually impaired woman faces dangers crossing Charlottetown street
She has a rare, incurable eye disease called retinitis pigmentosa, causing night blindness and limited side vision. This story comes to us from: SaltWire.
Poverty
Pune: Gravittus Foundation Donates Sanitary Napkin Incinerator To Blind School
They have already reached out to 14 thousand girls with disabilities, providing education about menstruation and sanitary pad usage. This story comes to us from: Free Press Journal.
Crime
"I still get joy from my life": Former inmate reflects on life after Boulder jail settlement
He is on medication to treat his schizophrenia and is seeing a local care team. However he will likely remain blind for the rest of his life. This story comes to us from: Boulder Daily Camera.
Brisbane man jailed for sexual assault of legally blind mother
Sensing someone was nearby, a legally blind 79-year-old mother asked what was happening before a hand guided her into the bathroom. This story comes to us from: 1News.
Guide Dogs
Robots could replace guide dogs for the blind
Its Swiss developers are testing its ability to navigate the real world – and keep a blind or visually impaired person safe. This story comes to us from: YouTube.
Premiering Soon: Hallmark Movie Influenced By Guide Dogs of America
Grossbard quickly realized that Drew needed to be introduced to people in the blindness and guide dog community to perform her role. This story comes to us from: International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers.
Legal
Coroner's inquest into death of teen at Ontario school for blind children to begin
A coroner's inquest into the death of a disabled teen who was in the care of an Ontario school for blind children is set to begin today. This story comes to us from: Toronto Star.
Mom of student at Ontario school for blind recalls events leading to teen's death as inquest begins
Samuel Brown, who attended W. Ross Macdonald School for the Blind in Brantford, died in 2018. This story comes to us from: CBC.
Ombudsman orders over £9000 compensation after Abri left residents in damp and …
Two separate compensations ordered, one for leaving a blind woman in damp and mould for three years. This story comes to us from: Housing Ombudsman.
Man found guilty in Sparks shooting that left victim blind, partially paralyzed
RENO, Nev. (News 4 & Fox 11) — A jury has found a 19-year-old man guilty on all counts after a shooting in Sparks last summer left a victim blind … This story comes to us from: KRXI.
Suit blames dialysis center for fall that led to blind relative's brain death
The family of a blind man who suffered a blow to the head at a dialysis center is suing the center for negligence after the man fell while he was … This story comes to us from: Southeast Texas Record.
Michael Kors, class action alleges website not accessible to blind, visually impaired customers
Michael Kors 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. This story comes to us from: Top Class Actions.
Business
Blind boy's lemonade stand goes viral on TikTok
A nine-year-old boy who's blind captured the hearts of Los Angeles royalty with his "limitless lemonade" stand. This story comes to us from: WRAL.com.
Preventing Blindness
Eye atlas could guide targeted therapies in blindness prevention
… Harvard scientists have completed a detailed analysis that could not only light the way to better, more targeted gene therapies for blindness, … This story comes to us from: The Harvard Gazette – Harvard University.
Dean Mc Gee Eye Institute now has cutting edge treatment to reverse blindness in children
The new treatment is significant in that it is a milestone in the battle against Leber Congenital Amaurosis, a leading cause of inherited blindness. This story comes to us from: city-sentinel.com.
Atsena Therapeutics Announces First Patient Dosed in Phase
… I/II Clinical Trial of ATSN-201 for the Treatment of X-linked Retinoschisis … power of genetic medicine to reverse or prevent blindness, … This story comes to us from: GlobeNewswire.
'Many patients are dying blind': South Africa's struggle to save eyesight
In a race to prevent blindness, a small team in the remote Northern Cape do their best … “Many patients are dying blind while on the waiting list,” says Dr Jonathan Pons, who runs an eye clinic in neighbouring Eswatini, … This story comes to us from the: The Guardian.
Restoring sight to the blind with cutting-edge brain implants
European researchers are striving to improve the technology that could one day help blind people see again. This story comes to us from: Cyprus Mail.
Glaucoma Management: 5 Things To Do Today To Prevent Vision Loss From This Blinding disease
A series of eye diseases known as glaucoma can harm the optic nerve and, if untreated, result in blindness or visual loss. This story comes to us from: TheHealthSite.
New Data from Prevent Blindness Shows More than 32,000 Sports-related Eye Injuries …
According to Keck Medicine of USC, athletes may also be at risk for a Radiation Eye Injury by prolonged exposure to the ultraviolet rays of the sun. This story comes to us from: PRWeb.
Northern Virginia resident awarded Prevent Blindness Ohio Vision Research Fellowship
Jeong, from Case Western Reserve School of Medicine, is studying preventative therapies against the complications of diabetic retinopathy. This story comes to us from: The Highland County Press.
Radical new approach to managing type 2 diabetes receives $3.5 million from NIH
University of Virginia School of Medicine researcher Daniel J. Cox, PhD, … blindness and a host of other serious medical conditions. This story comes to us from: EurekAlert!
Dehradun News Blind People can now avail Cornea Transplant Surgery in Doon Medical College
Dehradun News Doon Medical College organized the eye donation campaign. This story comes to us from: DNP India
Lifestyle
Dog Realizing Rescue Puppy Is Blind Melts Hearts: 'Precious'
Fortunately, Sherman in the video can rely on the older dog but some blind dogs are the only pets in their household. This story comes to us from: Newsweek.
Development and validation of a white cane use perceived advantages and disadvantages …
The blind and visually impaired people are encountered with many challenges in their lives, including education, employment, … This story comes to us from: BMC Psychology – BioMed Central.
This is BC: Sheldon Guy defying obstacles of blindness
We first introduced you to Sheldon Guy, the popular basketball coach struck with blindness in 2021. This story comes to us from: Global News.
The Minnesota State Fair is crowds and chaos by design. Try navigating it with a disability.
Paivy Ballayan, a 40-year-old Roseville man who is blind, went to the fair several days this year. This story comes to us from: Star Tribune.
Without sight, other senses guide these fairgoers
A group of staff and students from BLIND Inc. navigated the Minnesota State Fair by planning ahead and using environmental cues. This story comes to us from: The Star Tribune.
Art and Artists
The Blind Boys of Alabama: Echoes of the South review – rich and moving gospel set
The Boys, from the Alabama Institute for the Negro Deaf and Blind, modelled themselves on black groups such as the Golden Gate Quartet, … This story comes to us from: The Guardian.
Blind Girl Stuns 'AGT' Judges with Her Performance & Receives Golden Buzzer from Simon Cowell
A 17-year-old girl who was born blind stunned the judges with her magical voice on "America's Got Talent." This story comes to us from: AmoMama.
Dream team: Legally blind cabaret singer, students with disabilities to take stage in benefit concert
For vocalist, cabaret artist and disabilities advocate Marleena Barber — born legally blind due to a genetic condition called albinism that affects pigmentation and causes sensitivity to sunlight — music played a vital role on her personal journey toward self-acceptance; and in “A Million Dreams,” a Sept. 8 performance at Segerstrom Center for the Arts’ Samueli Theater in Costa Mesa, Barber will bring her personal story to life in a song and spoken word concert benefiting the arts nonprofit’s. This story comes to us from: Los Angeles Times.
Sports and Athletes
'It gives me hope': Blind, retired veteran finishes his first 10-mile Crim race
To the average person, the distance might seem daunting, but the blind veteran was determined to be among the more than 8,000 people who participated. This story comes to us from: MLive.com.
Pakistan men's team defeat India to win gold in world blind cricket – Sport
LONDON: Pakistan men's team beat India to win the gold medal in the cricket International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) World Games in Birmingham … This story comes to us from: Dawn.com.
Indian women's blind cricket team wins historic gold at IBSA World Games.
Chasing a paltry target of 42 runs, India came all guns blazing on Australia bowlers. This story comes to us from: Big News Network.com.
President Murmu congratulates Indian women's blind cricket team for clinching gold in IBSA …
Droupadi Murmu on Sunday extended heartfelt wishes to India's Blind Women's cricket team, which defeated Australia to clinch the gold medal. This story comes to us from: Telangana Today.
International Blind Sports Federation World Games-trying out blind sports – Birmingham Live
As someone blessed with the sense of sight, I decided to try and understand how blind athletes compete in mainstream sports. This story comes to us from: Birmingham Live.
'India Beams with Pride': PM Modi Hails Indian Women's Blind Cricket Team's for …
PM Narendra Modi took to social media to congratulate the women in blue for their historic achievement at the IBSA World Games. This story comes to us from: News18.
ASR girl in blind cricket world championship
Ravani of Hukumpeta of ASR district was part of the Indian woman blind … Women Cricket team that won the championship defeating Australia, … This story comes to us from: Deccan Chronicle.
Lighthouse Guild announces New York City blind baseball team
An adaptive version of the sport is opening opportunities for the blind and visually impaired. This story comes to us from: CBS News.
Smriti Irani felicitates gold medal-winning Indian women's blind cricket team
After the arrival, the Indian women’s blind cricket team met Smriti Irani where the entire contingent was felicitated by the Union Minister for winning the gold medal for the country. This story comes to us from: The Statesman.
Cristiano Ronaldo's Touching Gesture Towards Blind Girl Leaves Fans Impressed- Watch
Legend Cristiano Ronaldo meets a blind girl who expresses her admiration for him. A picture with a million meanings of legend.: … This story comes to us from: Mashable India.
Blind football and goalball teams book tickets to Paris 2024
With one year to go until Paris 2024, Japan and China booked tickets in the men’s and women’s goalball tournaments, respectively. This story comes to us from: The International Paralympic Committee.
Focal Point: A blind soccer star who guides others
Antoine Craig may be on top of the world now, but it took time to navigate the world without sight. This story comes to us from: VPM.
Weirdness
Woman In China Temporarily Goes Blind In Right Eye Due To Excessive Use Of Mobile Phone
A woman in China went temporarily blind in her right eye due to a habit of lying down on her side and using her mobile phone excessively. This story comes to us from: Must Share News.
Ireland's Upper Sea
In this story, a group of monks is sailing to Rome, accompanied by a young blind man. This story comes to us from: JSTOR Daily.
Rescue Dog Prone to 'Aggression' Falls in Love With Blind Pup in Sweet Clip
A video about a blind American bulldog "falling in love" with a puppy is melting hearts across the internet. This story comes to us from: Newsweek.