Tag: technology
Google I/O and awesome accessibility features coming
Along with all the fun travel and destination reviews I do here on blindtravels, I love to talk about technology, especially when it relates to travel. This year’s Google I/O conference, a gathering of the minds which allows Google to show off all the cool new software and hardware theyRead More …
Do blind people use Instagram?
Visual impairment is not black and white, there are many levels between fully functional vision and being completely blind. Hearing impairment, and mobility impairment also have many varying levels, but in the case of mobility impairment, those differences are more clearly visible – or at least you might think theyRead More …
The importance of real time audio descriptions for the news
I have been thinking about something for a while now, and I finally sat down to write an article about it. Why don’t television stations offer real time audio descriptions for blind and visually impaired viewers during live broadcasts like they do real time subtitles for those who are hearingRead More …
IBM creates app to help blind people socially distance
When the COVID-19 pandemic first hit, many things changed very quickly and accessibility was not considered into many of the new guidelines and rules put into place. Stores places sighs on the floor marking aisles for one-way traffic and there were a million signs put up instructing patrons to stayRead More …
InnoMake smart shoe warns blind and visually impaired people of obstacles
Just like the cane Microsoft is sponsoring, these smart shoes offer sensors that can warn the user of potential obstacles in their path. The manufacturer says they connect to your smartphone and have a battery life that can last up to a week. For those of us who still haveRead More …
Why is adaptive technology so expensive?
If you are visually impaired or know someone who is, then undoubtable you have experienced the shock and horror or how expensive adaptive technology can be. I remember looking at JAWS right after my car accident (that caused me to lose my sight) and thinking that $1200 for a oneRead More …
Facebook improving AI to detect contents of images
Facebook has increased the usefulness/capabilities of their AI which powers the detection of image contents, improving the experience for blind and visually impaired users. I use this feature often and have seen a marked improvement in the quality of the way Facebook detects people, objects, and locations in posted photos. Read More …
Accessibility of gift cards court cases
I have to say that I am pretty happy with the direction of society in terms of money (other than that, things are pretty bonkers). I don’t miss the days of having to carry and keep track of a wallet full of bills. For the most part, I use myRead More …
2020, what an interesting year.
As 2020 comes to a close, I’d like to take a moment to reflect on the year that was. Things started out normal enough for me. I was only a couple of months into the highest-profile photography show to date when things got weird. Photography In January 2020, I openedRead More …
iOS 14 great new feature for the visually impaired
I’m an iPhone user and have been since the iPhone 5. I have always been happy with their accessibility features and I know the operating system inside and out, so I stay with iPhones because I’m comfortable with them and can easily navigate. Because of the maturity of the platform,Read More …