Voice of the Nation's Blind Blog

In the spring of 2015, I was a busy mom of three kids—two blind and one sighted. My husband, Mark, had recently been elected president of the National Federation of the Blind. Largely because of his new demands at work, we made the decision to move into a house within walking distance of NFB headquarters.

Introduction I’ve used Apple devices since 2010, first an iPod Touch, and then several iPhone models. Over the years I’ve played with Android several times and have always been disappointed and frustrated with the experience. Recent updates to Talkback and Android have changed things considerably.

Technology has fundamentally changed the way we think and learn. Fifty years ago, eBooks were non-existent, online learning was irrelevant, and the distribution of accessible materials was not a priority in the classroom. In 2016, the tables have turned one hundred eighty degrees.

For the last two elections held in Maryland I have used the accessible electronic ballot delivery system that is now available to Maryland voters with disabilities thanks to a lawsuit that was brought by the National Federation of the Blind against the Maryland State Board of Elections.

Mom:    “You have a college degree, a good job, a great husband, a beautiful home, that should be enough for you!” Me:        “I seriously doubt anyone ever questioned your decision to become a mother.  Just because I am blind, does not mean I do not have the same hopes, dreams and desires as any other woman.”

Expedia is known for getting people where they want to go. From business trips across the globe to cruises with friends and family, Expedia has changed the way the world travels over the past twenty years.

Today we are republishing President Riccobono’s post from last year’s anniversary of the Americans With Disabilities Act, because the issue he discusses is sadly still relevant a year later.

The BrailleNote Touch (Touch) from HumanWare has full access to the Google Play Store. Many third party apps are made available in a notetaking device for the first time. While this provides a lot of opportunity, there are also many chances for things to go wrong when developers haven't made their apps accessible.

The BrailleNote Touch is an impressive feat of hardware and software engineering. It is an Android tablet with full-fledged Braille support, a skinned and simplified interface running custom-built accessible programs, full visual display, and the option, but not requirement, of using an external Braille keyboard.

My journey to the National Federation of the Blind started with an idea, the idea of a national convention. In looking back at myself at the age of twenty, I marvel that I had the opportunity to attend the NFB convention. For me it was one of many firsts.