Introduction
Welcome to Edition 14 of Gonz Blinko's Blind News Digest. This edition has 54 stories about blind people and blindness from all over the world. We're certain you will find articles that you think are interesting, informative and, in some cases, funny.
As we do in every edition of the digest, we'd like to acknowledge our friend in the UK, Leon Gilbert. He practically invented blind news and he has a terrific Twitter feed which you can follow at @leongilbert.
Last Edition
If you missed it, you can read edition 12 of the news digest at Gonz Blinko's Blind News Digest – Edition 12. We'll include links to the previous edition in the Introduction section of each week's version.
Never Miss An Issue
If you're enjoying Gonz Blinko's Blind News Digest, you can subscribe by email to this blog and you'll never miss an issue. At this time, we do not have a way to subscribe to the news digest without also receiving my other blog articles which are about a single topic at a time. I never publish more than one blog article in any given week. If you subscribe and enjoy my articles, then you'll be receiving them more conveniently; if you subscribe and don't care for my articles, it's only a single keystroke to delete them.
A Community Project
We would like to see this digest grow into a community project. Some of this has already started as some readers have sent us stories that we should include in the next edition of the digest. We also invite you to write a piece that we can use as a featured story in an upcoming version of the digest. You can write about anything related to blindness whatsoever and, unless it contains truly offensive material, we'll publish it.
Editorial By Chris Hofstader
This one of the largest versions of the digest with 54 articles about all aspects of blindness from all over the world.
This edition is interesting in that it has fewer science and medicine articles and a lot more in the Lifestyle section. There is also a fair amount of stories in the Blindness Organizations section and we have market data on various aspects of the AT industry in the Business section.
We wanted to bring our readers as broad a view of the news of the blind worldwide and I think we're doing a pretty good job of it. You can help by posting links to the digest on your social media feeds and by telling your friends about it.
Science and Medicine
[Eye pressure caused by glaucoma is eased by smoking marijuana][
Marijuana can provide some relief for those with glaucoma but it is not the most well recommended intervention. This story came to us from: Florida Today.
A new medicine to treat blindness
Dr. Suner shares about treatments for wet AMD and DME, including a new option available to patients. Sponsored By: Genentech. This story came to us from: CBS 46.
Racial disparities in diabetic eye care require greater solutions, study suggests
Black and Hispanic patients with diabetes have fewer eye exams and higher rates of eye complications. This story came to us from: PhillyVoice.
Burden of Uncorrected Myopia on APAC Healthcare
The World Health Organization (WHO) recently flagged myopia as a global public health issue, estimating annual global costs of productivity losses associated with vision impairment from uncorrected myopia at $244 billion in 2015. This story came to us from: BioSpectrum Asia.
Novartis : announces European Commission approval of Beovu® for people living with diabetic macular edema
Approval is based on year one data from the Phase III KESTREL and KITE trials. This story comes to us from: MarketScreener.
New study seeks to expand eye screenings for rural diabetic patients throughout the United States
More patients in rural areas across the nation could have increased access to vision-saving eye screenings through a new clinical trial led by researchers at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. This story comes to us from: University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health.
The Link Between Elmiron and Loss of Consortium
Elmiron is a drug prescribed to patients suffering from chronic kidney disease and uremia as it helps control the loss of protein in the urine. However, there have been reports of people who have experienced severe side effects while on the drug. In addition, the drug has been discovered to cause severe damage to the retinas in the eye. This story came to us from: Legal Reader.
Choi awarded $1.6M NIH grant to develop protein biomarkers for delayed cerebral ischemia
A three-year, $1.6 million grant to identify patients at risk for a serious secondary neurological complication that can arise after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) has been awarded to UTHealth Houston researcher H. Alex Choi, MD, by the National Institutes of Health. This story comes to us from: EurekAlert.
UW Health Teleophthalmology program receives $4.4 M grant to help prevent diabetic eye disease
The CDC says nearly 40 million Americans have diabetes, and one in four them will develop some form of blindness. This story came to us from: wkow.com.
Technology
‘The Holy Braille’: American Printing House for the Blind shows off new device
As a former educator, Dr. Craig Meador knows the challenges blind and visually impaired students are facing in the classroom, especially when it comes to subjects like math and science. This story comes to us from: bizjournals.com.
Google Docs improves usability for Markdown and braille users
Chalk this up as a win for accessibility services. This story comes to us from: androidpolice.com.
TWC Debuts New Accessibility Technology for Customers, Providing On-Demand Access to Visual Information
The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) has announced the availability of on-demand visual interpreting services at TWC locations, including Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) offices and the Criss Cole Rehabilitation Center. This story comes to us from: EIN News.
Is Your Website ADA Compliant?
I was uncertain where to put this article, it could have gone under "Legal" or "Technology." I chose the latter.
The DOJ explains that: People with disabilities navigate the web in a variety of ways. This story came to us from: Nevada Business Magazine.
Scientists creating universal e-scooter sound to help pedestrians detect them
UK project in conjunction with blindness charity aims to help people hear the near-silent vehicles. This story came to us from: The Guardian.
Ukraine War
Blind woman from North Texas bringing Braille displays, laptops to Ukrainian refugees
When Laurel Wheeler got word that blind people fleeing the war in Ukraine needed white canes, laptop computers and smart phones, she marshaled volunteers to help gather donations and equipment and flew to Poland on short notice. This story came to us from: Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
Blindness Organizations
Camp Courage: A Helen Keller Experience welcomes deaf and blind campers
Every year, students from all over travel to Tuscumbia for a special weekend. Camp Courage: A Helen Keller Experience is a weekend-long camp for 4th – 6th graders with hearing and/or visual impairments. This story came to us from: WAFF.
The Vision of Children Foundation to host 'Springtime, Tea Time' to benefit critical vision research
The Vision of Children Foundation will be hosting a spring tea on Wednesday, May 25 at Morgan Run Club & Resort. This story came to us from: Rancho Santa Fe Review.
Restoring Sight, Keeping the Lions Legacy
In a bid to keep with Lions Club International’s legacy of fighting blindness and vision loss as well as assisting those who are blind or visually impaired get back their sight, the International Association of Lions Club, Lagos Mainland Legacy Lions Club, District 404B2, Nigeria, recently held one of her legacy projects, which basically dwelled on restoring sights to those with eye impediment. This story came to us from: THIS DAY LIVE.
National Federation of the Blind of Wisconsin meet in Onalaska for annual convention
Blind people are discussing current issues, sharing knowledge, and planning legislative and outreach campaigns. This story comes to us from: WKBT.
Advocate for blind citizens to speak at SCSU convocation
Callaway returned to the D.C. area and received blindness training at the Workforce Technology Center in Baltimore. This story comes to us from: The Times and Democrat.
3 Degree Guarantee for April: South Central Kentucky Council of the Blind
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (WBKO) – April 2022′s 3 Degree Guarantee non-profit is South Central Kentucky Council of the Blind. The non-profit will receive $25 for each correct forecast high temperature within 3 degrees through the week on AM Kentucky up to $500. This story comes to us from: WBKO.
Blind woman thankful for the help after bed bugs invade home
A blind woman is grateful to the Federation of the Blind for helping her after she was threatened with eviction. This story came to us from: WATE.
Prevent Blindness Declares April as Women's Eye Health and Safety Month
Women are at higher risk for vision impairment and blindness than men, yet are less likely to receive treatment. This story came to us from: prweb.com.
Education
‘Where the bats hung out’: How a basement hideaway at UC Berkeley nurtured a generation of blind
If, in the fall of 1987, you found yourself at the University of California, Berkeley, and you made your way through the sloping, verdant campus to Moffitt Library, you could walk through the doors and take two flights of stairs down to the basement.
Turn right and you would find a door tucked in the corner — room 224, though the placard isn’t written in braille. After unlocking the door using a key with a ridged top, you’d walk through a small lobby with tables, chairs, and a “sofa” made of seats pulled from a van. The smell of lived-in-ness, a mix of takeout and coffee and books, permeates the cramped space and makes the tip of your nose perk up. This story comes to us from: statnews.com.
Engineering school enhancing STEM education for blind students
Louisville engineering students use computer-aided design and 3D printing to create educational models for visually impaired K-12 students. This story came to us from: Kentucky Today.
Blind Judge Visits South Florida Students
Michigan Supreme Court justice Richard Bernstein, who is blind, spoke to special education students. This story came to us from: NBC 6 South Florida.
Employment
He's a Genius: Blind Nigerian Man Who Can Repair Generator Stuns Many, Shares How He Does the Magic in Video
Chimezie Uwaoma is a talented Nigerian who repairs generators. He wasn't born blind but lost his sight in 2017. This story comes to us from: Legit.ng.
Texas' Blind Girl Designs: How losing your sight doesn't mean losing your vision
Blind Girl Designs is a clothing brand based in Houston. She hand designs and produces clothing like sweatshirts, dresses and hoodies. This story came to us from: KAGS.
Business
Global Electronic Braille Displays Market to 2028 by Application, End-user and Geography
MarketsandResearch.biz released a study on Global Electronic Braille Displays Market from 2022 to 2028. It offers valuable insights including market growth opportunities, challenges, and restraints, along with the market size estimation and forecast for all the segments covered under the scope. The report also furnishes information on the country/regional level that help in understanding the fastest and largest country/region in Electronic Braille Displays market. This story came to us from: businessmerseyside.co.uk.
Bionic Eye Market : Industry Analysis and Forecast 2022-2031
Global Bionic Eye Market is valued at approximately USD 183.5 million in 2019 and is anticipated to grow with a healthy growth rate of more than 12.7% over the forecast period . Bionic eye, also referred to as visual prosthesis, is an experimental visual device used to restore the visual function of the patient experiencing partial or complete blindness. This story came to us from: ChattTenn Sports.
Screen Reader Market Size, Growth Drivers And Forecast
This Screen Reader Market report provides a comprehensive overview of important aspects that will drive market growth such as Market drivers, restraints, prospects, opportunities, restraints, current trends, and technical and industrial advancements. This story came to us from: fortbendnow.com.
Inaccessibility and Discrimination
You can do anything if you try' isn't helpful to people with disabilities
Community Editorial Board writer Shermeen Khan differentiates between well-meaning statements, and strategies that actually help people. This story came to us from: TheRecord.com.
issues in Charlotte pose challenging risks for those living with disabilities
For Bradley Blair, a blind man, navigating Charlotte can be challenging – sometimes impossible. This story came to us from: WBTV.
Bahrain: Human rights defender at risk of blindness due to denial of medical care
“This is the latest show of cruelty by the Bahraini authorities who have a track record of medical neglect of prisoners. Healthcare in Bahrain’s prison system is marred by regular instances of denial of medical care, delay, and arbitrary exercise of authority, which in specific cases rise to the level of intentional ill-treatment. This story comes to us from: Amnesty International.
Legal
DOJ Releases Guidance on Website Accessibility
The US Department of Justice (“DOJ“) recently published its Guidance on website accessibility under the Americans with Disabilities Act (the “Guidance). The Guidance is designed to explain how state and local governments and businesses open to the public (collectively, “Covered Entities“) can ensure that their websites are accessible to people with disabilities in accordance with the requirements set forth under the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA“). Until now, website accessibility requirements have been unclear, in light of the fact that the ADA, which was signed into law in 1990, does not specifically address the accessibility of modern digital properties, such as websites. This story came to us from: Lexology.
SENATOR MARKEY AND REP. PORTER INTRODUCE DISABLED JURORS NONDISCRIMINATION ACT
Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass) and Congresswoman Katie Porter (CA-45) today introduced The Disabled Jurors Nondiscrimination Act, legislation that prohibits excluding a person from federal jury service on account of disability. Currently, federal law prohibits excluding an individual from jury service on account of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or economic status. The new legislation adds the word “disability” alongside those protected characteristics. This story came to us from: markey.senate.gov.
ADA suit against Twin Cities transit agency reinstated
A federal appeals court on Friday reversed a lower court ruling and reinstated an Americans with Disabilities Act lawsuit against a Twin Cities transit agency filed by a deaf and blind man who complained bus drivers frequently failed to stop at designated stops. This story came to us from: Business Insurance.
Blind DJ Sues Crown Alley Under ADA Now Must Move for Default Or Face Dismissal
Josef Volman, a disabled DJ, sued Crown Alley for violating the Americans with Disabilities Act. This story came to us from: Inner City Press.
Guide Dogs
Guide Dogs for the Blind celebrates 80 years
San Rafael resident Ken Tarrant was in his 30s when he began to lose his vision. His mother, who was blind, had a guide dog in the 1970s. This story came to us from: Independent Journal.
Lifestyle
Sensory nature walks launched by Westonbirt Arboretum
Walks designed by blind guides are encouraging people to enjoy nature using all of their senses. This story came to us from: BBC News.
Quebec family on a quest to travel the world before children lose their vision
Edith Lemay and Sebastien Pelletier touched down in Africa last week with a few goals in mind: over the next year of travel, the couple hope to introduce their children to new cultures, teach them about resilience, and strengthen their bond as a family.
But most of all, they want to give their kids as many "visual memories" as possible — memories they can cherish long after losing their eyesight. This story came to us from: CTV News Montreal.
'A place to come together': Tulsa woman opens home to deaf-blind people
Deaf-blind residents of Jeri's House will learn Braille, sign language and other important skills to help them gain independence. This story came to us from: Tulsa World.
You should be following more disability activists Here's where you can begin
Edward is known for her "How does a blind girl" TikTok series, … comedic and informative content about being a deaf woman on the internet. This story comes to us from: Mashable.
Woman who lost sight in her 20s says being blind isn't a barrier
When hairdresser Brittnee Watson first noticed a black "blob" across her vision, she thought it was stray mascara. This story came to us from: 9News.
Overcoming obstacles as a visually impaired man in Buffalo
Oscars: A homeless teen meets a deaf-blind man who changes his life forever. This story came to us from: YouTube.
Art and Artists
['CODA' Oscars win should mark the end of actors being rewarded for 'cripping up'][
Far too often, people use ableist cliches such as “falling on deaf ears” or “turning a blind eye.” But that's inaccurate and offensive. This story came to us from: MSNBC News.
Meet young blind author who is truly a 'miracle' and defying the odds
Meagan Collins was born weighing less than a pound. She was diagnosed with retinopathy of prematurity, which means her retina was detached. After over 30 surgeries, and no success, Collins was left totally blind. But she’s gone on to persevere and has released her first book, Vengeful Assassin. Don’t miss her inspiring story. This story came to us from: CW39 Houston.
'The Miracle Worker' comes to a local stage
Editor's note: "The Miracle Worker" tells the story of the young Helen Keller entirely from the perspective of Ann Sullivan, her teacher. This play says nothing about Helen Keller herself who would do amazing things after graduating college, become a member of America's intellectual elite and a leader in the social justice movement of the day all while Ann Sullivan was taking Helen's money, something for which Helen had to fight hard in Massachusetts courts to regain control as an adult. Ann Sullivan earned a lot of money from "The Miracle Worker," Helen didn't get a penny.
City Theatre’s production of “The Miracle Worker” opened Friday at the Sermon Center and runs this weekend and next weekend. The Tony-winning play tells the famous late 19th-century story of freshly graduated Annie Sullivan trying to teach the young child Helen Keller, left blind and deaf and consequently mute. This story came to us from: The Examiner.
Sports
Blind race car driver aims to break world record at Spaceport America
Dan Parker has been racing all of his life, even after the crash ten years ago that made him blind. This story comes to us from: KOB 4.
Baxley: Blind golfer, son play Pinehurst No. 6 to celebrate creation of U.S. Adaptive Open
This man's son is his eyes on the golf course. This story came to us from: The Fayetteville Observer.
Blind woman inspiring others as she prepares to fly across the country
I'm not sure if flying is a sport but we don't have any other category under which this story would fit.
Blind woman inspiring others as she prepares to fly across the country. This story came to us from: KRDO.
Blind war vet fights off golf balls landing in his Wickliffe yard
Gregory McGregor is used to fighting for our country in places like Iraq. Now, he’s fighting a new battle against golfers. McGregor lives behind a golf course located near Pine Ridge Country Club in Wickliffe. For months, McGregor has found dozens of golf balls in his yard after they slammed into his house. This story came to us from: Cleveland 19 News.
Cricketer Pankaj bags bronze in 100m sprint at National Para Athletics Championship
Son of a tractor driver from Bargarh district, Pankaj was born with visual impairment in both eyes (partial vision loss in one and totally blind in another). He got selected for the state cricket team for visually challenged players in 2006 and made his international debut in 2011. This story came to us from: The New Indian Express.
Blind Columbus man sets Guinness World Record at Spaceport America
“I am not a blind man trying to race; I am a racer that went blind," says Parker. This story came to us from: Ledger-Enquirer.
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