‘A whole new world of freedom’: Sailors with Disabilities Compete at an Elite Level
On the water, it's a level playing field for sailors of all abilities to compete. BY WILL LINENDOLL (VIA GOOD MORNING AMERICA) Pauline Dowell may never be able to drive a car, but she can sail a boat around the world. Pauline Dowell. a sailor who is visually impaired, competes in competitions around the world. [...]
Fostering Independence in Students with Visual Impairments
Educators can leverage sophisticated advancements in technology to help students with visual impairments develop new skills. BY CHARLES F.D. WARREN (VIA eSCHOOL NEWS) Technological innovation provides students with visual impairments new tools to support independent living. The significant rise in the sophistication and popularity of smartphones and tablets creates opportunities to enhance learning and increase [...]
Cape Conversations: Empowering People with Vision Loss
If you're dealing with vision loss, there are many resources available to you. We joined Melissa Gallant of Sandwich Community Television's Cape Conversations to chat about what you can do. BY SANDWICH COMMUNITY TELEVISION Vision loss can be challenging. But there are many resources available that can help including services provided by the Carroll Center [...]
Researchers Are Making Memes Accessible to the Blind
Everyone loves a good meme. If you're blind or visually impaired though, most internet memes are not accessible. Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University are trying to change that. BY CHRIS STOKEL-WALKER (VIA ONEZERO) For the 1 million Americans who are legally blind, an increasingly large part of the internet is cut off to them. A young [...]
‘To feel the wind’: Blind sailors take the helm in Boston Harbor
Limits were made for breaking – just ask sailors with vision loss. “There is a stereotype that if you’re blind, you can’t do anything,” says Katherine Kern, who has raced in world championships. BY NOAH ROBERTSON (VIA THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR) Katherine Kern, who first learned to sail in the SailBlind program, smiles on a [...]
How Fencing Helps Students Who Are Blind Navigate The World
WGBH News showcases how learning to fence can help visually impaired teenagers become more independent travelers with improved confidence. BY GABRIELLE EMMANUEL (VIA WGBH NEWS) Like many competitive sports, fencing requires quick reflexes and physical grace — but it does not necessarily require the ability to see. Fencing helps people who are blind and visually [...]
Why Inclusive Cities Start with Safe Streets
Universal design aids in making inclusive cities for people with disabilities. New design guidelines from the American Society of Landscape Architects show us how to build them. BY DIANA BUDDS (VIA CURBED) The fight for more equitable cities is taking to the streets—literally. New street design guidelines from the American Society for Landscape Architecture (ASLA) [...]
Lego Just Released Audio and Braille Instructions
The Lego Foundation has created both audio and braille instructions to build their Lego blocks for people who are blind or visually impaired. BY HANNAH NATANSON (Via THE WASHINGTON POST) Matthew Shifrin first discovered Legos when he thrust his hands deep inside a crate crammed full of the tiny brick toys. His babysitter, Lilya Finkel, [...]
Carroll Center Assistive Technology Instructor Featured on FSCast Podcast to Discuss Work, Formatting Documents
David Kingsbury, Assistive Technology Instructor at the Carroll Center for the Blind, talks formatting Word documents on FSCast Podcast BY FSCAST (FREEDOM SCIENTIFIC'S OFFICIAL PODCAST) For blind or visually impaired students headed to college, being able to format Word documents professionally is a crucial skill to have in your pocket. The visual appearance of the [...]
Burger King in Brazil Breaks New Ground With Spot Featuring Blind Customer
In Brazil, Burger King takes steps toward inclusion airing ad with audio description that features a customer who is blind. BY MITCH REAMES (Via ADWEEK) It's the first ad that makes audio descriptions and SAP primary features. The goal of many food commercials is to trigger physical sensations like taste and smell by using the [...]
