Blog
Together Again - A Family Reunion In NOLA
by Liz Wisecarver
Finally, we were back together again for the National Convention of the National Federation of the Blind in New Orleans. There were over 2,500 participants in-person and over 1,000 joining in virtually! Many of us, myself included, dusted off our cane-travel skills and had to remember how to prepare for a week packed with exhilarating presentations, social outings, and opportunities to network with blind people from across the country. Thankfully, it was not too difficult to get back in the swing of things and enjoy everything national convention had to offer.
The Hable One: A Quality Braille Keyboard for Your Smartphone
By Karl Belanger
The Orbit Writer came on the market in 2020 as an inexpensive Braille input keyboard for use with smartphones and computers. The Hable One is another Braille input keyboard, designed specifically for smartphones. Unlike the Orbit Writer, the Hable has keys arranged to make it easier to hold and type. If you have used Braille input on your phone in the screen away mode, the keyboard closely mimics that arrangement. The Hable is a solid little device that works well for both typing in Braille and controlling the phone. At $350 it’s a bit on the expensive side, but it certainly feels sturdy and may certainly be worth it if you do a lot of Braille input on the go.
Reflecting on ADA Anniversary and Improving Digital Access
By Justin Young
I have been a member of the National Federation of the Blind since 2009 when I was involved in the New York Association of Blind Students. I have always had a passion for legislative and advocacy work. I have held several leadership roles in the New York affiliate since 2017, and I was excited to be asked to join the national staff as a government affairs specialist in late January 2022. Some of our legislative priorities that I work on include the Medical Device Nonvisual Accessibility Act and the Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act, which I gave a few updates on during the 2022 National Convention.
From Contributor to Editor: Monitoring a Movement
By Gary Wunder
When I came to the Federation, the Braille Monitor was the way folks across the nation talked. There was no live presidential release, no Voice of the Nation’s Blind, no Imagineering Our Future.
Physical Keys for Your Digital Life: A Review of the Yubico and Google Security Keys
By: Karl Belanger, Access Technology Specialist
