Introduction
Welcome to Edition 18 of Gonz Blinko's Blind News Digest. This edition has 79 stories about blind people and blindness from all over the world. This is our largest digest to date and 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. Leon was especially helpful with this edition as he sent us quite a number of stories that we included in this edition.
Last Edition
If you missed it, you can read edition 17 of the news digest at Gonz Blinko's Blind News Digest – Edition 17. 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.
Editorial By Chris Hofstader
This is our largest edition of the digest to date and our friend Leon Gilbert helped by sending us a number of stories to include. There are so many articles in this edition that I am having trouble coming up with anything resembling a common theme.
Some of the stories are heart warming while others are tragic. Some show blind people achieving great success in sports and other pursuits while other stories talk about avoidable ways blind people have been hurt.
There's a lot here and I hope you find a lot of it interesting.
Braille
St. Mary's author's series picked to be printed in braille
Recently, more than 4,000 copies of three of Cooper’s books — “Bluebell Skinks Wheelchair Kid,” “Mitzi Mufflin Principal for a Day” and “Morris Flip Sound Machine” — were printed in braille. This story came to us from: SoMdNews.com.
Annie: The world's first Braille literacy solution gets recognition from the Indian Government and is invited to the Raisina Dialogue
Annie, the world's first tech-enabled braille literacy solution by Thinkerbell Labs, has received many accolades and recognition post its Shark Tank success. The start-up was recently invited to be a part of The Raisina Dialogue, hosted by Observer Research Foundation in partnership with the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. This story came to us from: anI.
Technology
Making Accessible Websites – The Fundamental Considerations
Considering the internet’s global reach, it is important that websites are accessible to all users. The term web accessibility refers to making websites as inclusive as possible to as many users as possible, whether they have disabilities or not. This story came to us from: QR Code Press.
Remote sighted assistance technology may benefit from human-AI collaboration
Remote sighted assistance (RSA) technology -; which connects visually impaired individuals with human agents through a live video call on their smartphones; helps people with low or no vision navigate tasks that require sight. But what happens when existing computer vision technology doesn't fully support an agent in fulfilling certain requests, such as reading instructions on a medicine bottle or recognizing flight information on an airport's digital screen? This story comes to us from: news-medical.Net.
Extra help for Lancashire blind people at rail stations
This is the first access technology story involving toilets I've ever read.
Toilets across the North have been fitted with a new electronic device to help blind and visually impaired people when it comes to navigating the facilities. This story came to us from: Lancaster Guardian.
[Adaptive equipment for the blind to be demonstrated at Switzer Library tomorrow, April 30][64]
I guess this story is a couple of days late but I thought some people might find it interesting anyway.
Demonstrations of adaptive equipment for people with blindness or low vision will take place at the Switzer Library in Marietta tomorrow. This story comes to us from: Cobb County Courier.
Motherwell man tests pioneering new app to guide blind people
A Motherwell man who is registered blind made a return visit to the Dundee V&A design museum recently to try out again a new app that can guide people around the exhibits and explain what they are. This story came to us from: GlasgowWorld.
Empathetic design is redefining accessibility for people with disabilities and special needs—and a growing number of major companies are adopting it
In 2019, he was approached by a member of the company's finance team to create a card specifically for people who are blind. This story came to us from: Fortune.
Science and Medicine
Blind people remember language better than sighted people do
Blind people can remember speech better than sighted people, but a person's ability to see makes no difference in how they remember sound effects, found a new study by Johns Hopkins University and the University of California, Irvine. This story came to us from: JHU Hub – Johns Hopkins University.
Communicating Visual Information to the Vision Impaired
This story has some interesting things to say about tactile graphics in education – editor.
An estimated 1.5 million Canadians identify as having vision loss, according to the CNIB Foundation. Those affected still need to be able to use products such as documents, forms, books and messages in the course of their everyday lives. This story came to us from: Carleton Newsroom.
Classification method for cataract blindness offers positive visual acuity outcomes
A new surgical classification method for cataract blindness resulted in positive visual acuity outcomes and low complication rates, according to a speaker here. “Phacoemulsification of these advanced blinded cataracts poses distinct surgical challenges,” Katherine S. Peters, MD, said at the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery meeting. This story came to us from: healio.com.
Impaired Vision an Overlooked Dementia Risk Factor
Impaired vision in older adults is an under-recognized and modifiable dementia risk factor, new research suggests. This story came to us from: Medscape.
Medical Marijuana and MS: Can It Help With the Pain?
Learn if and how medical marijuana can help you with the pain and MS symptoms. … Memory problems, pain, and blindness. This story comes to us from: Very well Health.
Looking through gifted eyes
"Think when you leave your journey last, your possessions, your breath deserting you fast.
So before you cross the seven skies, pledge that you will donate your eyes.”
These are the words of Mr Harbaksh Singh, a blind who knows what vision is ! Like. This story came to us from: Daily Excelsior.
Ray Therapeutics Receives $4M in Funding From the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM)
Ray Therapeutics, a biotechnology company developing optogenetic gene therapies for patients with retinal degenerative conditions, announced today that the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) has awarded the company a $4M grant to support development of Ray-001, an optogenetic therapy for the treatment of retinitis pigmentosa and other inherited retinal diseases. This story came to us from: BioSpace.
Diverse Innovators in Medicine Shine at New Exhibit
Working as an ophthalmologist, Dr. Bath spent her time operating on blind patients for free and supporting worldwide initiatives to prevent blindness. This story came to us from: Health Hive.
Blindness Organizations
Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind superintendent resigns, board of trustees accepts
Nancy Benham has resigned as superintendent of the Colorado School For the Deaf and the Blind, and the school board of trustees accepted her resignation in a special meeting Thursday. In a pair of unanimous votes among the six members, the board accepted Benham's resignation and named Tera Wilkins, the former director of curriculum, instruction and assessment, as interim superintendent. This story came to us from: Colorado Springs Gazette.
Dancing With The Anchors Raise Money For The Anchor Center For Blind Children
CBS4 Anchor Michelle Greigo and First Alert Meteorologist Dave Aguilera hit the dance floor for a good cause. This story came to us from: YouTube.
National Industries for the Blind Recognizes 10 Years of its Advocates Program
The nation's largest employment resource for people who are blind, is recognizing the 10th anniversary of its Advocates for Leadership and Employment (Advocates) program in 2022. This story came to us from: PR Newswire.
Maryland School for the Blind opens its doors for 1st annual "See Beyond Festival
The Maryland School for the Blind, on Taylor Avenue in northeast Baltimore, has long been shattering stereotypes and defying expectations. It created the nation's first-ever soccer team for blind youth several years ago, and competed with other teams for the first time in 2019. This story came to us from: WMAR.
See Beyond Festival' Draws Attention To Blind Sports, Accessibility Issues
More than 1,000 people attended the Maryland School for the Blind’s annual See Beyond Festival to learn more about how others cope with vision impairment on Saturday, according to school staff. This story came to us from: CBS Baltimore.
American Foundation for the Blind to Present Its Highest Honors at Annual Conference
At the 2022 AFB Leadership Conference, the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) will recognize individuals who have made superb contributions to improving the lives of people who are blind or visually impaired with the presentations of the Migel Medal, the Llura Gund Leadership Award, and the Corinne Kirchner Research Award. This story came to us from: PR Newswire.
Visually impaired children from San Angelo receive life-changing gift
Sight Savers America partnered up with low vision optometrists and local school systems to provide vision aids to children. This story came to us from: My Fox Zone.
Ukrainian War
Trey Yingst Finds Blind Ukrainian Man He Met Early in War
Fox News correspondent Trey Yingst has been reunited with a blind Ukrainian man he'd interviewed in Irpin early in the Russian invasion. This story came to us from: Mediaite.
Employment
PROGRAM FOR THE BLIND WINS $811K CONTRACT FOR FRESNO COUNTY CALL CENTER
Fresno-based Valley Center for the Blind has been awarded a five-year, $811,000 contract to provide call center services for Fresno County. This story came to us from: The Business Journal.
Discrimination and Inaccessibility
Blind man claims rideshares deny him service
A Nashville man, who is blind, says ride share companies often deny him rides because of his service dog. This story came to us from: WKRN News 2.
Deafblind man refused entry to a Renfe bus to Lorca because he was traveling with his guide dog
A 40-year-old deaf-blind man in Murcia was barred from entering one of the Renfe coaches that are replacing commuter trains because he was traveling with his guide dog. This story came to us from: Murcia Today.
Safety
Blind Buxton woman highlights the hazards she faces on the town's pavements
A blind Buxton woman has highlighted the struggles and hazards she faces every day after taking the High Peak's MP on a walk around the town's center. This story came to us from: Buxton Advertiser.
How to help visually impaired Kentuckians prepare for emergencies
Preparing for severe weather emergencies can be stressful for anyone. That’s especially true for those with a disability. “Even if you have low vision, legally blind or even totally blind you can still have a very fulfilling life,” said Executive Director of the Bluegrass Council of the Blind Theresa Thomas. However, severe weather and other emergencies can pose special problems for people who are visually impaired or physically disabled. This story came to us from: Fox 56 News.
Blind Redmond man recovering after being hit by car
Questions of accessibility arise after blind man struck by car in Redmond. This story came to us from: Q13 FOX.
Blind mother of 5 identified as Kansas City woman killed by truck in hit-and-run
Latoya Griffin was killed when a driver struck her outside a Kansas City grocery store and fled, police said. The victim was blind. This story came to us from: The Kansas City Star.
Blind woman fatally struck by train at crossing in west Japan
A blind woman was fatally struck by a train at a railroad level crossing in this western Japan city on April 25. This story came to us from: The Mainichi.
Eden Park: Blind man rescue delayed amid live track fear, hears jury
A blind man hit by a train lay untreated for 10 minutes over fears tracks were still live. This story came to us from: BBC.
Poverty
Blind San Antonio man averts homelessness, hopes new housing bond helps others in need
The $150 million affordable housing bond would lead to creation of more rental units, maintaining of aging property and create permanent-supportive housing. This story came to us from: YouTube.
Crime
Police searching for man suspected of sexually assaulting woman in San Jose earlier this month
The Santa Clara County Sheriff is asking for help in identifying a man who followed and sexually assaulted a legally blind woman in Cupertino. This story came to us from: ABC7 San Francisco.
Ogden couple accused of exploiting elderly blind woman; man denies charges
Two people are facing felony charges in the alleged exploitation of an elderly blind woman to obtain funds for a land deal, a late-model pickup truck and a cabin home. This story came to us from: Standard-Examiner.
Thugs attack young blind man in Bradford and steal his new puppy
A YOUNG blind man has spoken of his devastation after he was attacked and had his beloved puppy stolen. This story came to us from: Bradford Telegraph & Argus.
Homeless man accused of assaulting blind autistic woman in NW Portland
A homeless man is accused of trying to sexually assault a blind woman in northwest Portland on Tuesday. This story came to us from: KATU.
Guide Dogs
Guide dog Gouda helps legally blind woman navigate the art world
This story could have also gone into the Art and Artists category but it's also a guide dog story so I put it here.
Writer, artist, wife, entrepreneur, mom and successful business owner are just a few words that describe Myrna Hayutin. When you first meet Hayutin, you wouldn’t know that she’s legally blind, even though her guide dog, Gouda, gives you a clue. This story came to us from: UCHealth.
Program pairs vision-impaired kids with a pet to help prepare them for service animal ownership
Lancaster-based organization VisionCorps is teaming up with Guiding Eyes for the Blind to run the PAWSitive Pals Partnership Program. This story comes to us from: Fox 43.
Blind woman celebrates 60 years owning guide dogs and raising £700000 for charity
Today marks International Guide Dog Day and almost 60 years since Eva Rich, 79, stepped outside with her very first guide dog.
In 1962, Labrador retriever Parkie introduced Eva to a whole new way of life and began a lifelong commitment with guide dogs. Six decades later, Eva reflects on the seven canines who have been by her side. This story comes to us from: The Mirror.
North Carolina veteran with vision impairment is searching for his missing guide dog
A North Carolina veteran, who has vision impairment, is searching for his missing guide dog. This story came to us from: WXII.
Guiding Eyes for the Blind” Dogs Trained in the Finger Lakes (VIDEO
They might look cute and cuddly, but they are the future working dogs of the Finger Lakes. Let Finger Lakes News Radio’s Rebecca Swift introduce you to one energetic puppy. This story came to us from: Finger Lakes Daily News.
Cause for paws: How to effectively manage animals in the workplace
This was another story difficult to categorize so I put the animals all together.
What is your company’s policy on pets in the workplace? What about emotional support pets? Employers are increasingly receiving requests from employees with disabilities—ranging from physical limitations to psychological or emotional disorders—for the presence of an animal as an accommodation. Businesses would be wise to understand their obligations. This story came to us from: Seacoastonline.com.
Innerleithen: Guide dog helps Gwen regain independence
A TWEEDDALE woman who was too frightened to leave her home after she lost her sight has found “a reason to get up” each morning. Gwen Stein, 85, from Innerleithen suffered from loneliness and became scared to go out when she became blind following her retirement. This story came to us from: Peeblesshire News.
Legal
SCOTUS Rules 6-3 Against Deaf and Blind Woman Seeking Damages for Disability Discrimination ; Dissenting Breyer Says Ruling Leaves Victims ‘No Remedy at All
The Supreme Court of the United States ruled 6-3 on Thursday that Jane Cummings, a deaf and blind woman, is not entitled to damages for emotional distress based on being denied an American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreter by her physical therapy practice. This story came to us from: Law & Crime.
Blind Man Sues Magic Press Nails Website For Being Inaccessible
Luigi Abreu, a self-described blind person, has sued Dashing Diva Franchise Corp. for having an inaccessible website. This story came to us from: Inner City Press.
Legal team seeks clemency for blind, mentally ill Arizona man scheduled for execution
66-year-old Clarence Dixon is scheduled to be executed on May 11 for the rape, stabbing and strangulation of 21-year-old Deana Bowdoin in 1978. This story comes to us from: Yahoo News.
Business
Inherited Retinal Diseases Market Statistics, Development and Growth 2022
A newly published report titled “Inherited Retinal Diseases Market” by Data Bridge Market Research throws light on the industry dynamics and current and future trends that play a key role in determining the business expansion. The report also highlights the key driving factors and restraints that are impacting the growth. This story came to us from: themobility.club.
Bionic Eye Market Benefit and Volume 2022 with Status and Prospect to 2028
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. This story came to us from: themobility.club.
Tactile Printing Market Innovative Strategy by 2030
Tactile Printing Market is expected to grow at a significant pace, reports JC Market Research. Its latest research report, titled [Global Tactile Printing Market Insights, Forecast to 2030], offers a unique point of view about the global market. Analysts believe that the changing consumption patterns are expected to have a great influence on the overall market. For a brief overview of the global Tactile Printing market, the research report provides an executive summary. It explains the various factors that form an important element of the market. It includes the definition and the scope of the market with a detailed explanation of the market drivers, opportunities, restraints, and threats. This story came to us from: buckeyes101.com.
Geometric Progression To Be The Epicenter Of Self Adhesive Label Market
Manufactures across numerous verticals are likely to continue to find effective ways so as to save costs, and adopting significant labelling has become an attractive modus to accomplish this objective. While selecting best-suited adhesive techniques, self-adhesive techniques secure higher advantages and competency. These are quality products with low costs compared to other type of labels and are compelled to the limits of the label design. Resistance to icy water and direct sunlight enhance the operating efficiency of these self-adhesive labels to 15% and more. This story came to us from: lakeshoregazette.com.
Politics
NI election 2022: Blind people able to cast first private vote
When the polls open for the assembly election on Thursday, most voters will put their mark on a ballot paper in the privacy of a booth. It is considered a cornerstone of democracy, but for many blind and partially-sighted people the right to vote in secret is something that has often been impossible. This story came to us from: – BBC News.
Proposed Medicare cut threatens to blind 47,000 Australians
As we head into a federal election, a proposed Medicare rebate cut that will lead to an estimated 47000 vulnerable Australians going blind. This story came to us from: Daily Telegraph.
Preventing Blindness
Woman warned she could go blind unless she lost weight sheds 'life-changing' five stone
Weight management program helped her to understand relationship with food and how it was linked to her own childhood trauma. This story came to us from: Stoke Sentinel.
Eat regularly. An orange every day protects you from serious illness
In addition. The study, published in the scientific journal The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, found that eating one orange a day reduced the risk of blindness by almost 60 percent. This story came to us from: Dubai Week.
Prevent Blindness and Regeneron Unite to Help Save Eyesight through the “Diabetes and the Eyes” Program
Prevent Blindness expands the "Diabetes and the Eyes” program, with support of Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., to educate the public on diabetes and the impact on vision. This story came to us from: prweb.com.
Lineage Announces a Fifth Cell Therapy Program: Allogeneic Photoreceptor Transplants for the Treatment of Diseases Which May Lead to Blindness
Dynamic Culturing Process Developed by Lineage Offers Path to Clinical- and Industrial-Scale Production of Photoreceptors. This story came to us from: Business Wire.
'Teleophthalmic service can prevent blindness due to diabetes
A study has found that teleophthalmology services in diabetes care centres can prevent late detection of eye complications. This story came to us from: The Hindu.
Noor Dubai Foundation provided eye treatment to 33 million people worldwide
Noor Dubai Foundation, which is one of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, was able to benefit almost 33 million individuals all over the world through its treatment, preventive and awareness programmes that are specialised in the prevention of blindness. This story came to us from: Periodical Today.
Lifestyle
Blind mum visits Edinburgh Zoo and ends up 'in tears' after incredible encounter
The woman, who's real name is Claire Sisk, started off the video by saying: "I've literally had the best day at Edinburgh Zoo today. This story came to us from: Edinburgh Live.
Blind French nun claims world-oldest person title at age 118 after death of Japanese woman Age 119
An 118-year old blind French nun has been announced the world's oldest person; Sister Andre, born in 1904, enjoys traditional port-and-chocolate. This story came to us from: Daily Mail.
Terminally ill girl, 5, makes dying wish to spend day with family at theme park
The parents of Bella-Rosa Taylor, who is blind and deaf, say she wants to 'feel the wind' on her face and spend what time she has left creating 'more precious moments. This story came to us from: Daily Record.
Visually impaired brothers become hope for sorrow-stricken family
They believe that living respectful life is a hundred times better than begging or being dependent on someone else as most of the blind people do. This story came to us from: Rising Kashmir.
First Blind contestant and Winner of “MasterChef” Featured on Bloom with Gayle Guyardo
Christine Ha the first blind contestant and winner of “Masterchef” and neurologist Dr. Mitzoi Joi Williams join Gayle Guyardo the host of the nationally syndicated health and wellness show Bloom about how Christine won the cooking show with a rare eye disease. This story came to us from: WFLA.
Art and Artists
What is it Like to Be a Blind Writer Writing for Sighted Readers?
What is it like to be blind in an industry overwhelmingly dominated by sighted individuals? Jessica Powers, founder and publisher at Catalyst Press, spoke to George Mendoza and Kristen Witucki about crafting stories for sighted readers, finding community and release in fiction, and battling ableism in traditional publishing and publicity. This story came to us from: Literary Hub.
Getting to Yes, And… | Deana Criess – Improv for the Visually Impaired
Kelly talks to Deana Criess whose work at the Perkins School for the Blind has her teaching improvisation to the visually impaired. This story came to us from: WGN.
Blind artists provide gift ideas just in time for Mother's Day
Gifted Back 'Spring Collection' will be showcased on Saturday at Mingei International Museum. This story came to us from: CBS8.
Ripples of inspiration reach Florida School for the Deaf and Blind after CODA's historic night at the Oscars
Lucabella Bonanno White is a deaf student at the school. She says CODA has inspired belief in her that she can achieve her dreams of being an interior decorator. This story came to us from: First Coast News.
Sports
Overcoming obstacles: Radford University student finds fishing success despite being blind
As I really enjoy fishing, I enjoyed this one a lot.
Some stories just make you feel good. They’re supposed to. They usually involve heroes or overcoming obstacles, or people just being good to one another. This story has all of those elements. Oh, and it has some big fish, too. This story came to us from: WFXR.
Blind senior gets wish to see Maple Leafs play with help of special glasses
The glasses allow people with low vision and who are legally blind to see with 20/20 vision. This story came to us from: CTV News Toronto.
Countdown started in Birmingham for IBSA World Games 2023
478 days to IBSA World Games 2023 in Birmingham!”, told Councillor Ian Ward, Leader of Birmingham City Council and Chairman of the Games Stakeholder Board, in the presentation event for the competition. The countdown started this morning at The University of Birmingham’s iconic Bramall Building, where it took place the launch. This story came to us from: ibsasport.org.
Blindness is no obstacle on the track for runners at The Maryland School for the Blind
A Baltimore school is proving blindness may be a challenge, but not an obstacle when it comes to sports. This story came to us from: WBFF.
OHS To Host Blind Volleyball
Get your blindfolds ready for Blind Volleyball Tournament hosted by the Oskaloosa High School Student Council! Just kidding about the blindfolds. This story came to us from: Oskaloosa News.
Biographer to walk in OKC Memorial Marathon to honor blind bombing hero
Princella Smith will walk in the marathon in honor of Raymond Washburn, who owned a snack bar inside the Murrah Building. This story came to us from: KOCO.
Paralympic Blind Soccer
Blind soccer has been part of the Paralympic Games since 2004, but the U.S. has never fielded a team. That will all change in 2028. This story came to us from: United States Association of Blind Athletes.
Coral Springs man represents USA in goalball
Tyler Merren, of Coral Springs, has been a team captain and member of the U.S. National Goalball Team. The four-time Paralympian (2004, 2008, 2016, 2020) is a two-time Paralympic medalist – silver, bronze. This story came to us from: Sun Sentinel.
Weirdness
Woman reveals she has spent $6750 on fang implants to continue her 'dragon girl' transformation
A woman who temporarily went blind as a result of her obsession with becoming a 'dragon girl' has revealed that she has since shaved down her teeth to get crystal fang implants. Amber Luke, 26, from New South Wales, Australia, has spent over $120,000 (£68,000) on extreme body modifications – including over 600 tattoos, a tongue split, breast augmentation, cheek and lip fillers, pointed implants placed in her ears and a Brazilian butt lift. This story came to us from: Daily Mail.
–End
[64]: Demonstrations of adaptive equipment for people with blindness or low vision will take place at the Switzer Library in Marietta tomorrow
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