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As I wrote in the introduction to edition 20 of this digest, I'm slowly in the process of converting this site from being strictly the blog of Gonz Blinko to being more of a full service news of the blind publication. I publish the digest that you are now reading every Tuesday morning and, on occasion (as we did last week with Pranav Lal's article about sensory substitution), we will publish long form feature articles about a specific topic and, for fans of my blogs, I will be sneaking in the occasional article that you will likely enjoy.
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Editorial By Chris Hofstader
Editing this digest has been an interesting project for me over the past 22 weeks. As I wrote in the first edition, I started this because I missed Leon Gilbert's old Blind News mailing list. The rewards for me, however, have been much greater.
Every day, I get up in the morning, eat my breakfast, take my exercise walk with the dog and then sit down to process articles about blindness and blind people all over the world. I knew we were not a homogeneous community but reading dozens of articles every week truly demonstrates our diversity which, in many ways, is our strength.
This edition has fewer articles than did the past few. This one has just over 60 while the past few weeks had more than 75. This is not my choice, we just got fewer hits in our GoogleAlerts this week than we have been getting in other weeks recently. One of our early editions only had 33 articles so the mainstream press is a bit fickle when covering stories related to blindness.
How It's Organized
Gonz Blinko's Blind News Digest is a very simple page to read. The categories are at heading level 2 and the stories are links at heading level 3. So, navigation to the sections and stories you find interesting is quite simple.
Technology
The benefits of accessible mobile games for the blind and visually impaired community
Dr Dan Brennan explains that video games have several cognitive and mental therapeutic benefits. Video games require strategic problem solving, building social connections through online gaming, creating a sense of purpose and accomplishment as the player completes the game or obtains achievements, teaching players self-reliance as they learn to overcome failure by trying again and providing a distraction from everyday worries and psychological traumas. The associated burdens related to severe vision loss can be directly paired with the advantages of playing video games. Unfortunately, of the millions of games that are available, only a mere fraction are accessible to the blind community. This story came to us from: Pocket Gamer.
How RightHear Leverages Innovation to Enhance Inclusiveness of Visually Impaired People
Acknowledging the paramount need to address these challenges, RightHear emerges as an innovative enterprise that aims to make public settings accessible to blind and visually impaired individuals. RightHear delivers real-time audio explanations to enable visually impaired individuals to perceive and comprehend their immediate environment. For this pursuit, they offer a free app for iOS and Android, more than 2,000 accessible places globally, and a community of users. This story came to us from: Tech Times.
IIT Kanpur develops haptic smartwatch for the blind and the visually impaired
We've had accessible watches for longer than I've been alive, why don't these researchers try to work on a problem that hasn't been solved about a dozen different ways already?
IIT Kanpur researchers have developed a novel touch-sensitive smartwatch which can be a boon for the visually impaired and blind persons. This story came to us from: India Today.
Science and Medicine
Scientists Believe FDA-Approved Gene Therapy May Hold Key to Curing Blindness
The first FDA approval for gene therapy as a blindness treatment was granted in 2017. In 2022, is there a timeline for a cure? This story came to us from: NewsBreak Original.
Atsena Therapeutics’ gene therapy takes aim at childhood blindness
Developing novel treatments for inherited forms of blindness, with an ongoing Phase I/II clinical trial evaluating a potential therapy for patients with Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA). This story came to us from: science board.
[Effects of pregnancy on your vision: Here is how you can manage them][51]
Do you know that women have a higher burden of visual impairment and blindness than men, primarily due to social and cultural factors? This story came to us from: Free Press Journal.
Blindness Organizations
Leeds woman leaves 'wonderful' £450,000 legacy to Royal National Institute of Blind People's Talking Books service
Almost half a million pounds has been donated to a flagship service for blind people as part of the legacy of a Leeds woman. This story came to us from: Yorkshire Evening Post.
For this Kerala woman, there are no 'blind' sides
This fighter from Mookkannoor is now the state vice-president of the National Federation of the Blind. This story came to us from: The New Indian Express.
Lions Club donates to nonprofit that serves the blind
Members of the Sun City Midweek Lions Club presented a $500 donation to Pat Centner, development director at Recorded Recreational Reading for the Blind. This story came to us from: YourValley.net.
Two find vision in the reality of their blindness
This one was a difficult story to categorize as it could have gone into a number of them. I don't have a category for schools for the blind, maybe I'll add one in the future.
In the case of Adams, she was briefly exposed to primary education at the Byera Anglican School. That short-lived encounter later meant that she often found herself at home alone while others attended school. Subsequently placed at the Lewis Punnett Home, it was the intervention of the St Vincent Jaycees that led to Adams attending the School for the Blind in Trinidad around age 12 where she was exposed to a whole new way of life. This story came to us from: Searchlight.
Royer-Greaver School for Blind gets $1 million mystery gift
PAOLI — Royer-Greaves School for Blind has received the single largest donation in its 100-year history from the late Barbara A. Bochey. This story comes to us from: – Daily Local.
Education
UofL, Kentucky School for Blind team up for archaeological dig Project
Students and researchers from the University of Louisville are helping with an archaeological dig at a site of the former segregated school on the Louisville campus of the Kentucky School for the Blind. This story comes to us from: UofL News.
Retired Professor Uses Blindness for Ministry
A servant heart, along with an Amazon Alexa, has provided a retired, blind professor all he needs to serve the sight-impaired community. This story came to us from: Cedarville University.
Accessible literature for blind and visually impaired people
Leipzig University Library, in cooperation with the URZ, supports blind and visually impaired students and staff of the Leipzig University by research, procurement and providing accessible literature. This story came to us from: Universitätsbibliothek Leipzig.
Employment
Blind man in Odisha defies 'god's cruelty', stands strong to earn livelihood
Such is the story of a 50-year-old blind man from Kendrapada, who is also suffering pain from a growing tumour in his stomach. This story came to us from: OdishaTV.
Transportation
New navigation app aims to empower Metro riders with blindness, low vision
This story was a really hard one to categorize, it's about a blind entrepreneur, a wayfinding technology and the DC transit system. I chose transportation as that is the application of this technology discussed in this article but I could have easily put it elsewhere.
"When I lost my sight, I lost the ability to explore the world around me,” said Tom Pey, the CEO and president of Waymap. He lost his sight when he was 39 years old. Now, he said, people who are blind or visually impaired don’t have to be limited on the places they go. Waymap is a navigation app that works indoors and out, and has been installed at three Metro stations in the D.C. area: Braddock Road, Brookland and Silver Spring. This story came to us from: WTOP.
Discrimination and Inaccessibility
Blind girl 'became a recluse' after discrimination by school
A blind teenager has become a recluse, her mum says, after her school was found to have discriminated against her by not supporting her needs. Kimberley Swales said her daughter Phoebe-Lee, 13, now receives little education. This story came to us from: – Wales Online.
Safety
How will legalising e-scooters affect the blind people in our borough?
Peckham man Alun Parker, who has been mostly blind for over a decade, said one of the biggest problems was e-scooters riding on the pavement, which is illegal.
“You can’t hear them, they come whizzing past you and they cut you up, it makes you jumpy and you’re not expecting it." This story came to us from: Southwark News.
NYPD officers reunited with blind man they rescued from subway tracks, honored with commendation
Two NYPD officers were reunited with a blind man they pulled to safety after he stumbled off a subway platform. This story came to us from: ABC7 New York.
Crime
Full, inside story of how blind man thought he was going mad when money kept vanishing from his safe
An elderly blind man has spoken out about his devastation after discovering his good friend had been stealing from him. This story came to us from: Daily Mail.
Blind man's theft case ends in dropped charges
The court case of a legally blind man who made national news after being accused of shoplifting from Walmart ended last week with charges being dropped after he successfully completed a “diversion agreement." This story came to us from: Conway Daily Sun.
Deli mob' enforcer charged £10,000 to blind people
A thug who carried out acid attacks and shootings on behalf of an underworld boss left a dad-of-three with temporary blindness. Kirkdale man Jonathan Gordon charged £6,000 to commit an acid attack and £10,000 to blind someone. Gordon, linked to the notorious 'Deli Mob' gang, carried out contract violence for an underworld boss. This story came to us from: Liverpool Echo.
Guide Dogs
Blind student 'shaken' after being turned away from restaurant because of guide dog
I wonder why so many stories about blind people with guide dogs being turned away by businesses happen in UK? I don't think I've run a single story about such happening here in the states. Uk is a signatory of the UN Convention On Human Rights And Dignity For People With Disabilities; the US is not.
Kelsey Trevett, who has "no sight at all" after losing both of their eyes to a genetic cancer when they were a child, said they had gone inside the restaurant to ask for an outdoor table anyway. This story came to us from: The Mirror.
Legal
The DOJ's “New” ADA Guidance on Website Accessibility: Much Ado About Nothing
I included a similar story in the digest a few weeks ago. The ADA Restoration Act which added the Internet and some other things that were too modern for the original ADA was passed in 2008 and signed immediately by President George W. Bush. This legislation passed both the house and the senate by overwhelming margins. President Obama's DOJ could have published these guidelines at any point in his two terms but his Attorneys General obviously didn't care about enforcing this law. President Trump had four years to have his DOJ publish the rules but they seemed to ignore it entirely. Now, the DOJ has finally published said guidelines and lawyers across America are complaining that they are too vague. If I was in charge, the guidelines would be less than a single sentence, "WCAG 2.x AA, no exceptions" but government types don't like being direct.
On March 18, 2022, the Department of Justice (“DOJ” or “Department”) published guidance on web accessibility and the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”). The guidance addresses how state and local governments (covered by Title II of the ADA) and businesses that are open to the public (otherwise known as “places of public accommodation,” covered by Title III of the ADA) can ensure their websites are compliant with the ADA. This story came to us from: JD Supra.
Four Seasons ADA Class Action Claims Website Not Accessible To Blind, Visually Impaired
A legally blind woman is suing the Four Seasons Hotels chain, saying its website is not accessible to blind and visually impaired people using a screen reader. This story came to us from: Top Class Actions.
EA Receives ADA Complaint Over Website Inaccessibility
According to a lawsuit filed on Wednesday in the Southern District of New York, a Bronx, New York, resident asserts that video game company Electronic Arts Inc. (EA) does not maintain its website in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), as a result, the website is purportedly inaccessible to the plaintiff. This story came to us from: Tech – Law Street Media.
HSN Class Action Alleges Website Inaccessible To Blind, Visually Impaired
HSN failed to design and maintain its website in a way that would make it fully accessible for blind and visually impaired individuals. Plaintiff Christopher Loadholt, a legally blind man, claims HSN is in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act by denying blind and visually impaired consumers “full and equal access” to its website. This story came to us from: Top Class Actions.
Etsy Class Action Alleges Website Inaccessible To Blind, Visually Impaired
The company's website is inaccessible to visually-impaired and legally blind people, thus violating the Americans with Disabilities Act. This story came to us from: Top Class Actions.
Business
Belite Bio to speed up development of its incurable blindness treatment following NASDAQ listing
Belite Bio Inc's Tom Lin speaks with Proactive's Andrew Scott soon after its NASDAQ listing. This story came to us from: Proactive Investors.
Braille Label Market – Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast
Make informed decisions for business growth. With the help of the market tactics and strategies covered here, it becomes easy for business players to maintain their position in the market. Market study plays an important role to gain an improved outlook as well as an understanding of the market scenario and goal market. It also allows business participants to stay ahead of the competition. It reduces venture risk and helps businesses make calculated decisions. It also helps with strategic planning. This market analysis report kind it easy to spot new leanings. This Braille Label market research report describes various techniques that can be used to identify development trends.
The Braille Label market is expected to record a CAGR of around 2.4%, over the forecast period from 2022 to 2028. This story comes to us from: The Daily vale.
Screen Reader Market is in Huge Demand | IBM, Microsoft, Apple
AMA introduce new research on Global Screen Reader covering micro level of analysis by competitors and key business segments (2021-2027). The Global Screen Reader explores comprehensive study on various segments like opportunities, size, development, innovation, sales and overall growth of major players. The research is carried out on primary and secondary statistics sources and it consists both qualitative and quantitative detailing. This story came to us from: Farmer and Miner.
Screen Reader Market 2022 to Register Incredible Developments – Amedia Corporation, Ezhermatic SA
The latest business trends as well as corporate data on the number of enterprises operating in the global area are covered in the Screen Reader industry report. The study assists in gaining a thorough understanding of industries as well as the economic situation of the Screen Reader market. The global Screen Reader market is anticipated based on revenue trends during the forecast period. Furthermore, the yearly market report is a valuable source of information for business growth strategies. This study includes a market overview, historical and future revenue, growth analysis, cost, supply, and demand information, and more. The global Screen Reader market research report contains in-depth market analysis, appraisal, and assumptions compiled from a variety of sources. This story came to us from: the daily vale.
Screen Reader Market Size And Forecast | Freedom Scientific, Microsoft, Apple, Amedia Corporation
I get a lot of these market reports and include them in the digest because I find such data interesting. They come from different sources but I'm uncertain how distinct these articles are from each other. If these seem like duplicates to you, please write to me and I'll include fewer such articles in the future.
The Verified Market Reports released the latest competent intelligence market research report on the Screen Reader Market, The report aims to provide a thorough and accurate analysis of the Screen Reader market, taking into account market forecast, competitive intelligence, technical risks, innovations, and other pertinent data. Its meticulously prepared market intelligence enables market players to comprehend the most important trends in the market that affect their business. Readers will learn about significant opportunities in the worldwide Screen Reader market, as well as major factors driving and inhibiting growth. This story came to us from: manufacture link.
Braille Tablets Market Past Research, Deep Analysis and Present Data With 4WB, Power
Braille Tablets Market research is an intelligence report with meticulous efforts undertaken to study the right and valuable information. The data which has been looked upon is done considering both, the existing top players and the upcoming competitors. Business strategies of the key players and the new entering market industries are studied in detail. Well explained SWOT analysis, revenue share and contact information are shared in this report analysis. It also provides market information in terms of development and its capacities. This story came to us from: the daily vale.
Inherited Retinal Diseases Market Growth Factors, Opportunities, Ongoing Trends and Key Players 2028
The latest research documentation titled “ Inherited Retinal Diseases Market” is a recently Published on business market insights that covers every aspect of Inherited Retinal Diseases along with an in-detailed analysis of growth elements, trends, Forecast, size, Share, demand, and distribution. Business strategies of the key players and the new entering market industries are studied in detail. Well explained SWOT analysis, revenue share and contact information are shared in this report analysis. It also provides market information in terms of development and its capacities. The scope of various segments and applications that could potentially affect the Inherited Retinal Diseases market in the future has been further analyzed in the report. Getting well-versed about the trends and opportunities in the industry is fairly time consuming process. The report also provides a 360-degree overview of the competitive landscape of the industry. SWOT analysis was used to understand the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats in front of the business. It helps businesses understand the threats and challenges that lie ahead. The market is growing steadily and the CAGR is expected to improve over the forecast period. This story came to us from: The Daily vale.
Preventing Blindness
Lenses protecting against blindness among diabetics developed by Korean researchers
A research team from the Pohang University of Science and Technology research team led by Sei Kwang Hahn has created wearables that prevent diabetic retinopathy, treating it in its early stages by irradiating the retina with LED light. This story came to us from: Tech in Asia.
Ghanaian scientists identify two germs that cause eye infections
Globally, eye infections caused by bacteria are one of the causes of blindness, and the bacteria which causes these infections vary across regions. This story came to us from: MyJoyOnline.com.
How to detect and treat disease that can lead to blindness
The study was published in the international journal Scientific Reports Give temper naturenow in April. Who is in the glaucoma risk group? This story came to us from: Lodi Valley News.Com.
USPSTF statement on screening for primary open-angle glaucoma
Bottom Line: The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) concludes that the current evidence is insufficient to make a recommendation about screening for primary open-angle glaucoma in adults, the most common form of glaucoma. Glaucoma affects an estimated 2.7 million people in the United States and is the second-leading cause of irreversible blindness in the U.S. and the leading cause of blindness in Black and Hispanic/Latino individuals. This story came to us from: EurekAlert.
Mission for Vision Inaugurates its 100th Vision Centre to Eradicate Avoidable Blindness
The Vision Centres aim to enable access to quality and affordable eye care for vulnerable communities in remote, rural and semi-urban pockets of India. This story came to us from: Business Wire India.
Lifestyle
Meet Thibault Trancart: A True Accessibility Champion at P&G
Thibault Trancart was born sighted. Although cancer led to his loss of sight, he wouldn’t change his life. “It was the most beautiful thing that happened to me,” says Thibault. “A chain of events brought me here…I would have never become an Alpine skiing racer or gone to Canada to study. When I put all that side by side, I could say I would not go back to sight,” says Thibault (pronounced Tebo). This story came to us from: CSRWire.
A Slight Change of Plans A Blind Cook Becomes a Master Chef
When a rare neurological condition left Christine legally blind by age 24, she worried she might never be able to cook again. This story came to us from: pushkin.fm.
THIS NEAR-BLIND MAN NEEDS SOMEONE TO HELP ADOPT HIS 18 DOGS, BEFORE HIS TENANCY EXPIRES
A little while ago, we were reached out to by SOS Kuching who told us about a guy in Kuching who’s been actively rescuing and caring for dogs, but now needs help because he’s been left with only 10% of his vision and he might also be losing his home. This story came to us from: CILISOS
Blind St Catherine man happy for assistance to complete house
Samuel Benson says Labour Day 2022 means a lot to him as persons came together to help him complete his home. This story came to us from: Jamaica Gleaner.
Southampton blind man calls on council to reinstall bench in Freemantle Lake Park
A BLIND man has voiced his frustration after the council stripped away a park bench without any warning. This story came to us from: Daily Echo.
Art and Artists
Teenage blind opera singer has no barriers
He said his love of opera comes from the emotional effect it has on people, and he was inspired by singers like Andrea Bocelli, who is also blind. This story came to us from: BBC.
Vietnam veteran produces audiobook for the blind
Stan Adams, Vietnam veteran and author of “Mokane to Mole City,” turned his memoir into an audiobook for the blind. This story came to us from: KRCG.
Legally Blind Artist Continues To Paint, Hosting Gallery This Weekend
Steve Childers paints in an abstract style applying dots of color and will have a gallery showing in June. This story came to us from: News 9.
New vision: Fishers artist chronicles recovery from blindness through artwork
The 60-year-old painter and former Hamilton Southeastern Schools art teacher has been a diabetic for 20 years. But he never had significant health issues until his diabetic retinopathy diagnosis. This story came to us from: Current Publishing.
For the first time, a visually impaired cast performs 'The Braille Legacy' musical
Chism wrote and will perform this song, “Sounds of My Cane,” for “The Braille Legacy,” a new production at Inglewood’s Miracle Theater premiering June 24. Written by French author Sébastien Lancrenon, the musical tracks the story of Louis Braille, the inventor of the alphabet for the blind. This story came to us from: Los Angeles Times.
Sports
Disabled and blind Liverpool fans tear-gassed by French police at Champions League final
Some of our young disabled and blind supporters were tear-gassed and kettled. There were people sobbing. It was just horrendous. This story came to us from: The Telegraph.
Program helps blind tour Rio on bicycles
Rio de Janeiro, one of the most bike-friendly cities in Latin America, offers bike tours for the blind. This story came to us from: – YouTube.
Visually challenged Irish woman triumphs Everest Base Camp challenge, calls feat 'amazing
A visually challenged Buncrana woman is being lauded as brave and inspirational for ascending to the Mount Everest base camp with Letterkenny mountaineer Jason Black, the first person from the county to reach the summit. Visually impaired since birth, Jennifer Doherty aced the mountaineering feat that involved 330km of walking and 8,700 metres of climbing, completing the challenging journey despite being an individual with special needs. This story came to us from: Republic World.
Philadelphia blind bowlers to compete at nationals
Karolyn Foster bowls at least a 100, though she used to hit 150. All told, it’s a pretty good average for someone who’s 82 years old and visually impaired due to albinism. For reference, an average of 175 is considered impressive, with pro bowlers hovering around 200. This story came to us from: On top of Philly news.
Playing by the Ear: The Indian Blind Football Team Appeals for Visibility
The Indian Blind FootballTeam ranks five in Asia and 25 in the world. They aspire to be number one in Asia. This story came to us from: YouTube.
Blind runner inspiring those around him with positivity, perseverance
Alex France has enjoyed a decorated collegiate career as a long distance runner, despite being legally blind. This story came to us from: NewsNation.
Utah Schools for the Deaf and Blind will try Seventy48 boat race again
A year ago, Ashton Hintze attacked the Seventy48 full throttle. She was the only teenage girl on the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind Yacht Club crew and she was highly motivated for the challenge of paddling a boat 70 miles across the Puget Sound in 48 hours. This story came to us from: Deseret News.
'I had to go blind before I could see': Stratford man hit rock bottom before making history at Paraclimbing World Cup
Chaz Misuraca had finished a game of shinny with other visually impaired players when he was lamenting his life in the dressing room. This story came to us from: The Stratford Beacon Herald.
Natasha Mead admits playing for England women's blind team is 'still sinking in'
Being part of the new England women’s blind team is something which is “still sinking in” for Natasha Mead, who hopes it will lead to another chance of fulfilling the “dream” of competing at a Paralympics. This story came to us from: Glasgow Times.
Kaitlyn Clark: 'Wearing the kit puts it all into perspective
England Women's blind player Kaitlyn Clark on her Para Lions pride. This story came to us from: England Football.
The Blind Quarterback: How I became a KC Chiefs fan
New AA contributing writer Cameron Black writes about his blindness and his journey to becoming a passionate KC Chiefs fan. This story came to us from: Arrowhead Addict.
Love and courage in China: near-blind dad cycles 2500km to cheer for son
A 52-year-old man who is nearly blind rode his bicycle 2,520km to cheer on his son who was about to take the zhongkao, a secondary school entrance exam. This story came to us from: South China Morning Post.
About The Digest
Welcome to Edition 22 of Gonz Blinko's Blind News Digest. This edition has 62 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 21 of the news digest at Gonz Blinko's Blind News Digest – Edition 21. We'll include links to the previous edition in this section of each week's version.
–End
[51]: Do you know that women have a higher burden of visual impairment and blindness than men, primarily due to social and cultural factors?
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