Top Tech Tidbits for Thursday, September 17, 2026 – Volume 1085

Observo App On The BlindShell Classic 3: AI For The Blind | The Blind Life | YouTube.com | September 13, 2026

Showcasing Observo on the BlindShell Classic 3, Sam walks viewers through how the built-in AI assistant handles practical visual tasks. The demonstration covers reading printed and handwritten text, recognizing colors, and describing surroundings, illustrating how the feature can support greater day-to-day independence.

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1.) Top 5 Most Clicked Tidbits From Last Week 📊️

A.) She Lost Her Sight. Her Billionaire Father Bet on a Daring New Treatment. | WashingtonPost.com | September 6, 2026

Bill Ackman’s 26-year-old daughter lost her ability to move, speak and see after collapsing in her Brooklyn apartment with a brain hemorrhage in February. In a first, cell parts were transferred from her leg to her eyes in an effort to help restore her vision.

B.) JAWS Power Tip: How To Disable the New Adobe Acrobat Reader Experience | Freedom Scientific via TopTechTidbits.com | September 10, 2026

The “new” Adobe Acrobat Reader experience is a redesigned interface that is enabled by default when you first start Adobe Acrobat Reader. Some users, especially those using screen readers like JAWS, may find the new interface less accessible or missing certain features available in the legacy interface. Disabling it can help ensure better compatibility and access to all features.

C.) Navigating Sight Loss: Workplace Delays, Acceptance, And Tech Solutions | Double Tap | YouTube.com | September 4, 2026

In this insightful breakdown, Steven Scott and Shaun Preece unpack how delayed workplace accommodations and employer bureaucracy can derail employment for blind and partially sighted people. Listener accounts trace the emotional adjustment to sight loss alongside practical tools including JAWS, Orion, and Speaking Access, underscoring the value of autonomy and responsive support.

D.) Why Blind-Built Software Works Better, With Mike Calvo | Double Tap | YouTube.com | September 5, 2026

Sitting down with Mike Calvo, Steven Scott examines how blind-led product development is reshaping remote computing and document accessibility. Calvo details how Remote Incident Manager turns an iPhone into a controller for Windows PCs and Macs, while Pneuma’s locally run AI models aim to remove per-page remediation costs for organisations facing inaccessible document backlogs.

E.) Maps, Location, And Accessibility A Practical Guide | The Accessibility Guy | YouTube.com | September 9, 2026

Showcasing accessible map workflows, The Accessibility Guy walks viewers through how to make static maps in reports, PDFs, and Word documents usable for people with disabilities. The guide covers the role of alternate text, document tagging, and access to underlying map data, while distinguishing document-based maps from interactive web experiences.

September 17, 2026 📅️

2.) ZoomText / Fusion Power Tip: How To Lock Your Mouse Pointer Size in ZoomText | Freedom Scientific via TopTechTidbits.com | September 17, 2026

When using ZoomText, the mouse pointer shrinks and enlarges as you increase or decrease magnification. This can make it difficult to locate. You can lock it to a fixed size so it is easier to track.

September 16, 2026 📅️

3.) Introducing Double Tap Live | Double Tap | YouTube.com | September 16, 2026

Marking Double Tap’s tenth anniversary, Steven Scott and Shaun Preece announce Double Tap Live, a 24/7 audio channel centered on accessibility, assistive technology, and disability inclusion. The service launches with a two-hour call-in celebration featuring an AMA with Lumin founder and CEO Sriram Ganesh, before expanding into a lineup of 18 shows, interviews, conference coverage, and monthly live broadcasts.

4.) Local AI PCs, Home Networks And The Launch Of Double Tap Live | Double Tap | YouTube.com | September 16, 2026

Cutting through the hype around Microsoft’s local AI PC push, Steven Scott and Shaun Preece examine what a rumored Surface Laptop Ultra could mean for performance, build quality and accessibility. They also cover Tailscale exit nodes, Pi-hole on a Raspberry Pi 5, eero port forwarding and the upcoming launch of Double Tap Live.

5.) Genio Notes | Overview Of Capabilities | The Accessibility Guy | YouTube.com | September 16, 2026

Showcasing Genio Notes, Shawn Jordison walks viewers through how the app combines recordings, slides, notes, annotations, and tasks inside a single Event workspace. The overview also covers study features including quiz generation from Collections, timestamped recording markers, the Scribble tool, and course-level organization.

6.) These Folding Mobility Canes Look Like Lightsabers! This Is What You’ve Been Waiting For! | The Blind Life | YouTube.com | September 16, 2026

Showcasing lightsaber-inspired folding mobility canes, Sam examines how their illuminated handles, color options, sound effects, and film quotes translate a familiar sci-fi design into an assistive device. The feature also highlights the practical folding format and the accessories available for carrying a cane.

7.) For Owners of VarioUltra Braille Displays: Fall Specials for Cleaning, Repair and Batteries | Tiffany Pearson | September 16, 2026

A United States VarioUltra service and repair technician is running fall pricing on ultrasonic cleaning, flat-rate repairs and replacement batteries. Cleaning for the VarioUltra 40 drops from $400 to $300 and for the VarioUltra 20 from $200 to $100, the flat repair fee falls from $150 to $100, and batteries are $15 off at $130.

8.) Podcast: Eyes on Success Episode 2637: Apple Intelligence Brings Enhanced Accessibility in iOS 27 | September 16, 2026

Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey sit down with an unusual guest this week – ChatGPT role-playing an expert from Apple’s accessibility team – to unpack everything new in iOS 27 for blind and low vision users. The takeaway: the biggest shift in accessibility this year isn’t a single feature, it’s a mindset – ask your phone instead of hunting through apps.

September 15, 2026 📅️

9.) Listener Emails On Meta Glasses, Luna AI, Runa TTS And Braille Pricing | Double Tap | YouTube.com | September 15, 2026

Cutting through the uncertainty around iOS 27, Steven Scott and Shaun Preece explain why VoiceOver users may want to delay upgrading while early bugs are assessed. Listener mail also brings Meta glasses reading problems, Luna AI and Siri dictation into focus, while the hosts examine Runa TTS quirks and the financial barriers facing Braille display buyers.

10.) Podcasts by Dr. Kirk Adams: Interview With Rachel Antoine, Senior Director of International Operations, Braille Institute | DrKirkAdams.com | September 15, 2026

Braille Institute’s Rachel Antoine says Braille Challenge has expanded from a single Southern California regional in 2000 to more than 80 worldwide, serving about 2,200 students annually. She details a 2026 Kenya launch involving 1,000-plus students and plans for an East Africa model, while the film Brailled It follows 2024 finalists.

11.) RNIB Emphasises Importance of Audio Descriptions as Part of TV Production Process | AOP.org.uk | September 15, 2026

RNIB is urging broadcasters to build audio description into production after Ipsos research found 42% of UK adults aged 18-65 were interested in screen-free television drama after hearing samples. In a 1,202-person online survey, 58% said descriptions improved understanding; RNIB is seeking partners for full-episode tests.

12.) UK Charity Launches Free 3D Printed Tactile Ultrasounds for Blind Parents | 3DPrintingIndustry.com | September 15, 2026

Guide Dogs has launched First Hello, a UK pilot offering up to 50 free 3D-printed tactile replicas of 20-week ultrasound scans to visually impaired expectant parents. Families upload a JPG or PNG under 10MB; Hope and Glory converts it into a 3D render and ships the print, typically within a week, while processing the submitted scan and address.

13.) Healthy Aging Month: Braille Institute Expands National Effort to Help Older Adults Navigate Vision Loss | Morningstar.com | September 15, 2026

In recognition of Healthy Aging Month, Braille Institute has launched Vision Support America, a national initiative offering free low vision support to the more than 7 million Americans living with vision loss. Resources include live online workshops, practical videos, a toll-free helpline on 1-800-577-7743, educational guides and referrals to local services, with book chats and support groups to follow. CEO Dimitri Kales frames it as part of the Mission Magnified strategy to serve 200,000 people a year by 2030.

14.) Newsletter | September 2026 | InclusiveImagination.co | September 15, 2026

Access Calculator, a free iOS and Android app due in October 2026, will let users enable or disable calculator operations to simplify navigation with adaptive switches or gesture commands. Inclusive Imagination also plans an October Access Arcade update with streamlined dice rollers, added customization, and a digital Chasing Rainbows ICG.

15.) Introducing NVDA Document Settings, an Experimental Add-on for Document Formatting Settings | GitHub.com | September 15, 2026

An experimental NVDA add-on that replaces the built-in Document Formatting settings panel with a category tree covering font, document information, pages and spacing, table information and elements, paired with a compact options area using checklists, combo boxes and spin controls. It reads and writes NVDA’s existing document formatting configuration rather than creating its own, and requires NVDA 2026.1 or later. The developer is asking for testing feedback.

16.) NVDA Satisfaction Survey 2026 | NVAccess.org | September 15, 2026

NV Access has opened its annual NVDA satisfaction survey. The survey is anonymous, asks users what matters most to them and where the screen reader could be more effective, and includes space for comments and an optional email address for follow-up.

17.) 2027 Round Table Conference: Call for Abstracts | Round Table Conference | September 15, 2026

The call for abstracts is open for the 2027 Round Table on Information Access for People with Print Disabilities Conference, to be held in Sydney in May 2027. This year’s theme, Access in Action: Digital, Tactile, Connected, looks at how technology, tactile formats and collaboration are shaping accessible information. Submissions close Monday, November 9, 2026.

18.) Stay Updated With NLS Updates, Events, And Latest News With The Patron Announce | Zhi | September 15, 2026

Patron Announce is a NLS email announce listserv that includes information about NLS programs, services & product updates. To subscribe to the Patron-Announce listserv, send an e-mail to: LISTSERV@listserv.loc.gov. Leave the subject of the message blank. In the body of the message, put the following text: subscribe nls-patronannounce FirstName LastName (Replace FirstName and LastName with your first and last name). Within a few minutes, you will receive a “Command confirmation request” e-mail with a request confirmation link. Activate this link to complete your subscription request. If you do not get the confirmation request email, check your junk or spam folder. Once your subscription request is completed, it will be forwarded to the list moderator for manual approval. You will receive an automated e-mail message once your subscription request has been approved.

September 14, 2026 📅️

19.) Is AI Really That Dangerous? Will Guyatt Joins, Plus First Thoughts On Siri AI | Double Tap | YouTube.com | September 14, 2026

Cutting through the hype around AI risk, Steven Scott and Shaun Preece speak with Will Guyatt about whether recent calls to slow development reflect genuine alarm, geopolitics, or financial pressure. The discussion also brings early iOS 27 Siri AI impressions, beta-testing cautions for accessibility users, screen-reader preferences across Windows and Mac, and an experiment in giving Claude a webcam.

20.) Closed Captioning In Google Drive | The Accessibility Guy | YouTube.com | September 14, 2026

Showcasing Google Drive’s caption-track tools, The Accessibility Guy walks viewers through adding captions directly to an MP4 file. The workflow highlights a practical way to make hosted footage more accessible without moving files into a separate editing platform.

21.) Braille Picture Book Emphasizes Tactile Embellishment Characteristics | WhatTheyThink.com | September 14, 2026

Picture Books Plus, ADC Nederland and Scodix produced a braille edition of Mies van Hout’s Kleine Aap, using raised outlines, patterned fills and transparent braille dots. Printed on an HP Indigo 18K and finished on a Scodix Ultra 2500 SHD Pro, the book won FSEA Gold and Best of Show-Digital Embellishments.

22.) This AI-Powered Game Controller Could Make Any Video Game Accessible to Players With Low Vision | FastCompany.com | September 14, 2026

Waypoint, an Innovation by Design 2026 student-category winner developed by four Royal College of Art and Imperial College London master’s students, uses a camera dock and custom AI model to turn a game’s on-screen activity into audio and haptic cues. A physical rear compass called Pointer aids navigation; Juwon Jung says pilots with the Royal Society for Blind Children succeeded and the team is considering open-sourcing it.

23.) Visually Impaired Man’s Highland Cow Design to Be Made Into Official Lego Set | AOP.org.uk | September 14, 2026

After a public vote, Lego selected Edinburgh designer Stewart Lamb Cromar’s Highland Hike as the 2026 Lego Ideas Rebuilding Outdoor Adventures winner, putting his Flora the Highland cow concept on track to become an official set. Cromar, who has permanent sight loss in one eye after a 2020 retinal detachment, said the tactile hobby helped him adapt.

24.) iOS 27 and iPadOS 27: A Summary of VoiceOver and Braille Issues and Improvements | AppleVis.com | September 14, 2026

The AppleVis Editorial Team summarizes the VoiceOver and Braille bugs and fixes it independently validated in iOS 27 and iPadOS 27 across the June to September beta period, with a severity rating on each issue. Reported problems include a significantly flatter VoiceOver audio profile, a per-voice equalizer and pronunciation dictionary that do not work, and no spoken feedback in Diagnostics Mode in the new Recovery Menu.

25.) Allyant Strengthens Accessible Communications Portfolio With Acquisition of Braille Works | Allyant.com | September 14, 2026

Allyant has acquired Braille Works, a provider of accessible alternative format communications including braille, large print, audio and accessible PDFs. The company says the deal more than doubles its alternative format production capability and expands its specialized expertise. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

26.) Glen Gordon Rejoins Vispero as a Software Fellow | Freedom Scientific | September 14, 2026

Vispero has announced that Glen Gordon is returning to the company as a Software Fellow. Gordon spent more than three decades developing JAWS and has been central to the screen reader’s direction over that period.

27.) NVDA 2026.3beta2 Available for Testing | NVAccess.org | September 14, 2026

NV Access has released the second beta of NVDA 2026.3 for testing. The release reduces lag in controls such as combo boxes and File Explorer, stops NVDA from crashing other applications when it exits or restarts, adds context menus and keyboard shortcuts to the Configuration Profiles, Input Gestures and Speech Dictionaries dialogs, and expands touch input with sequential two-flick and screen-edge gestures. New braille tables and eSpeak NG languages are also included.

September 13, 2026 📅️

28.) Observo App On The BlindShell Classic 3: AI For The Blind | The Blind Life | YouTube.com | September 13, 2026

Showcasing Observo on the BlindShell Classic 3, Sam walks viewers through how the built-in AI assistant handles practical visual tasks. The demonstration covers reading printed and handwritten text, recognizing colors, and describing surroundings, illustrating how the feature can support greater day-to-day independence.

29.) Mainstream: Marc Aflalo’s Take On Apple’s ‘Surprise And Shine’ Event | Double Tap | YouTube.com | September 13, 2026

Reacting to Apple’s Surprise and Shine event, Steven Scott and Marc Aflalo assess the practical appeal of the foldable iPhone Duo, AirPods 5, and Apple Watch Ultra 4. Their discussion weighs Live Rewind privacy concerns, VoiceOver performance, and whether the Duo’s 7.6-inch display could replace an iPad for frequent travelers.

30.) What’s New in Accessibility in iOS 27 for Blind and DeafBlind Users | AppleVis.com | September 13, 2026

Scott Davert’s fifteenth annual accessibility review covers what iOS 27 changes for blind and DeafBlind users. Highlights include a substantial overhaul of Image Recognition, a setting to import and share VoiceOver pronunciation dictionaries, control over whether the VoiceOver cursor is visible, and new paragraph, line and sentence options for Explore by Touch.

31.) Experimental NVDA Add-on: eSpeak Voice Designer 0.2.43 | Manolo | September 13, 2026

An experimental NVDA add-on for creating and editing eSpeak voice variants interactively. Formants, pitch, voicing, consonants, echo, breath and a range of Klatt parameters can be changed while NVDA runs, with the result heard immediately, and personal variants can be saved, reopened later and installed into NVDA’s eSpeak variant directory. The interface is available in English, Italian, Spanish and French.

32.) Introduction to Braille Music for Beginners | DancingDots.com | September 13, 2026

Dancing Dots is offering a ten-hour online course covering every concept and sign in Part I of Richard Taesch’s braille music curriculum, including note and rest values, the octave sign, melodic intervals, key and time signatures, accidentals, slurs and braille repeats. The course costs $499 and includes the Lesson Exercises in print or braille. Classes are scheduled on a rolling basis and require a minimum of three students.

33.) TG Imprint, for Writing Tagged PDF Files | TGStudios.app | September 13, 2026

TG Imprint is a free, MIT-licensed Windows application that writes only tagged PDFs, with real headings, lists, link text and table header cells, and requires a description or a decorative marker on every image before it will insert one. It can also present a PDF form’s fields as a list, add real fields to forms that have none, and rebuild someone else’s PDF as an editable document. The current release is an open beta at version 0.2.1.

34.) New From National Braille Press: Abacus (With Optional Instruction Booklet) | National Braille Press | September 13, 2026

National Braille Press is selling a 15-digit soroban abacus with a one-to-four bead layout, with orange plastic beads set on a black velvet backing that holds them in place, supplied in a plastic case for $12. A companion booklet, How to Use an Abacus, covers counting, addition, subtraction, multiplication and division and is available in braille or BRF for $10.

35.) Recording: Webinar Wednesday From Sight and Sound Technology: Meet the BrailleSense 7 | Sight and Sound Technology | September 13, 2026

A recording of Sight and Sound Technology’s Webinar Wednesday session introducing the BrailleSense 7 notetaker is now available to watch on YouTube.

36.) TheSage Dictionary and Thesaurus: Version 7.76.2828 Has Been Released | SequencePublishing.com | September 13, 2026

Sequence Publishing has released version 7.76.2828 of TheSage, its English dictionary and thesaurus for Windows. The update refreshes the dictionary engine, the one-click word capture library and the internal browser, fixes an intermittent problem displaying the program after a mouse text capture, restores hotkey text capture along with its activation delay option, and adds roughly 165,000 words across etymologies, transcriptions, definitions, examples and thesaurus entries. Registered installations update themselves.

September 12, 2026 📅️

37.) Weekend Classic: Honda Cynic | Double Tap | YouTube.com | September 12, 2026

Cutting through the hype around AI-powered scenic narration, Steven Scott and Shaun Preece examine Honda Scenic Audio and whether poetic descriptions of passing landscapes meet a real accessibility need. Revisiting their 2024 conversation, they weigh feedback from blind and low-vision testers against the rapid progress of tools including Be My Eyes and Google Lookout.

38.) Bookshare Update for Selvas Products | Selvas BLV | September 12, 2026

Selvas BLV has fixed a disruption to Bookshare access affecting the BrailleSense 6 and MINI, eMotion, and SensePlayer EZ and ET. Users must install the updated Bookshare app from Optional Add-Ons on BrailleSense devices, or from the Optional Services section of the Library menu on eMotion and SensePlayer. A BrailleSense 7 firmware update carrying the fix is due shortly.

39.) Experimental NVDA Add-on: Audio Processor 1.0.60 | Manolo | September 12, 2026

A new experimental build of the Audio Processor add-on, which applies reverb, chorus, delay, compression, equalization and other effects to NVDA’s speech output. Version 1.0.60 rewrites the signal processing code to cut Python overhead, separates the add-on into distinct modules, and introduces a dedicated FIFO speech mixer that processes intercepted speech in roughly 20-millisecond blocks so a large buffer no longer has to be handled in one pass.

40.) Smart Glasses: The Language Needs to Change | OpenFrequency.us | September 12, 2026

Aaron Linson argues that the cruise lines now banning AI smart glasses from public areas have aimed at the wrong target, since the concern is the conduct of bad actors rather than the devices, which carry a recording indicator. He writes that a blanket ban with no disability exception withdraws independence that visual interpretation services and wearable cameras have only recently made possible, and that operators should pursue the individuals who misuse the technology instead.

September 11, 2026 📅️

41.) Audio Description For Sighted People, Clipman Updates, And The AI Extinction Story | Double Tap | YouTube.com | September 11, 2026

Cutting through the assumptions around audio description, Steven Scott and Shaun Preece examine whether the format could find a broader audience beyond blind and partially sighted viewers. They also assess Clipman’s new self-hosted clipboard syncing, warn against upgrading to Audacity 4 or Apple’s latest releases too quickly, and weigh the implications of Jacob Coxon’s departure from Anthropic.

42.) It’s Not Just Happening to Me | HadleyHelps.org | September 11, 2026

Hadley’s 100th Insights & Sound Bites episode features Patricia Gunter, a Valencia, California, resident with retinitis pigmentosa who is preparing for cataract surgery. Gunter describes losing the ability to recognize faces and feeling isolated, then finding reassurance and peer support through Hadley’s vision-loss groups.

43.) Introducing Remote Incident Manager’s Mobile Debut | PneumaSolutions.com | September 11, 2026

Pneuma Solutions has released Remote Incident Manager for iOS, turning an iPhone or iPad into an accessible remote control for any PC or Mac running Remote Incident Manager, with voice conversation built in. To mark the product’s fourth anniversary the company is offering unlimited free time for keyword sessions conducted through the mobile app.

September 10, 2026 📅️

44.) Was Apple’s “Surprise And Shine” Event Worth It For Blind Users? | Double Tap | YouTube.com | September 10, 2026

Cutting through the hype around Apple’s September launch, Steven Scott, Shaun Preece, and Michael Babcock assess whether the iPhone Duo, iPhone 18 Pro, AirPods 5, and Apple Watch Series 12 offer meaningful accessibility gains. They weigh the foldable’s enlarged workspace for low-vision users against its steep price, while examining the Watch’s new audio recap tools, health data push, and Apple’s notable Siri, HomePod, and Apple TV omissions.

45.) Surprise and Shine: News and Updates From AppleVis | AppleVis.com | September 10, 2026

AppleVis recaps Apple’s September 9 media event, including the foldable iPhone Duo with its 7.6-inch inner display and the return of Touch ID, along with the iPhone 18 Pro, AirPods 5 and Apple Watch Series 12. The newsletter confirms September 14 as the public release date for version 27 of Apple’s operating systems and announces a free AppleVis app for iOS arriving in beta this fall.

46.) How I Shop an Unfamiliar Website With a Screen Reader | UsableNet.com | September 10, 2026

A blind screen reader user walks through a recent purchase on an unfamiliar retail site, from homepage to checkout. The piece explains how heading navigation is used to learn a site’s structure, when the VoiceOver rotor is switched to manual element navigation, and how moving by link alone makes a badly structured product listing usable.

47.) Pocket TTS Comes to iPhone: ToBe SAID Offline AI Voices for iOS | SpeechCentral.net | September 10, 2026

The ToBe SAID app now brings the Pocket TTS offline neural voice engine to iPhone and iPad as a system voice. Apple’s memory limits on third-party speech engines forced a more heavily compressed model than the Mac and Android versions use, so the voices do not match Mac quality, but the review still rates them above Apple’s built-in voices and singles out low latency as the advantage that matters most for VoiceOver.

Last Week 📅️

48.) An Easy-Bake Oven for Adults | EasterSealsTech.com | September 9, 2026

Easter Seals Crossroads looks at the Tovala Smart Oven, which steams, bakes, broils, air fries and toasts, and sets its cooking program from a QR code on a meal card or a barcode on a grocery item. The oven plays a tone when food is ready, and the companion app offers guided recipes, screen reader support and item-specific buttons.

49.) Monarch Update 2.0 Expands Accessible Learning Opportunities | APH.org | September 9, 2026

APH has released Monarch software update 2.0. The update adds an Exam Mode that lets teachers control which apps are available during testing, file sharing and document permissions in KeyDrive, a redesigned graph viewer in KeyMath with braille function and axis labels, and SVG support, nine PDF zoom levels and a Describe with AI shortcut in TactileViewer. KeyWord now uses MathCAT for Nemeth and UEB translation.

50.) Talking Flight Monitor 9.0.0 Release Notes | TalkingFlightMonitor.com | September 4, 2026

Version 9.0.0 restores Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 support for pilots flying the PMDG 777 without FSUIPC, which previously left the add-on unable to identify the simulator and with no airport data at all. The release also draws location, ILS callouts and destination from the simulator actually in use when both are installed, fixes jumping to a gate or runway, and corrects PMDG 737 position and ILS distance reporting.

51.) A Guide to AI Prompting From a Blindness Perspective | Sam’s Stuff | September 4, 2026

A blind writer sets out how he prompts AI models to describe images, covering which model suits which kind of image, why a small optical character recognition model often beats a large general one on text-heavy pictures, and the prompt techniques that improve accuracy. He argues that human-written alt text is always better, and that unreviewed AI descriptions can be worse than no alt text at all because readers may not know to distrust them.

52.) 10 AI Lessons From Driving 200+ Million Fully Autonomous Miles | Waymo.com | August 26, 2026

Waymo says 200+ million fully autonomous miles have shaped 10 AI principles for its L4 Driver, including multimodal camera-lidar-radar sensing, HD maps, larger foundation models and an independent validation layer. The company also points to closed-loop simulation, an AI Critic, Gemini-trained vision-language models, safety governance and a data flywheel as requirements for scaling.

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September 17, 2026 | Beyond the Basics: Working More Effectively with PDF Documents and JAWS | Freedom Scientific

9:00 AM PT, 10:00 AM MT, 11:00 AM CT, 12:00 PM ET, 4:00 PM GMT
Elizabeth Whitaker and Rachel Buchanan of Vispero walk through practical ways to work with PDF documents more efficiently using JAWS, from opening them in Adobe Acrobat Reader, a web browser or other available options, to adjusting the settings that improve the reading experience and navigating quickly to the information you need. The session also covers completing and submitting PDF forms with greater confidence, why reading order and tab order matter to accessibility, and how to create a PDF from a Microsoft Word document while preserving its structure. ACVREP credits are available to those who attend the live webinar.

September 17, 2026 | Preventing Falls and Using Stairs Safely | Vision Support America

10:00 AM PT, 11:00 AM MT, 12:00 PM CT, 1:00 PM ET, 5:00 PM GMT
In this free session, Vision Support America shares simple techniques to help people with changing vision move safely and confidently around the home and beyond.

September 17, 2026 | Effective Tools for Making Your STEM Content Accessible | Accessibility Online

11:00 AM PT, 12:00 PM MT, 1:00 PM CT, 2:00 PM ET, 6:00 PM GMT
Accessibility guidance often stops at alt text, but a quadratic equation, a scatter plot, a chemical structure and a geographic map each fail disabled users differently and each needs its own fix. This session pairs the barriers most common in science, technology, engineering and math content with the tools that address them, including MathML and MathJax for notation, charting libraries such as Highcharts, and Audiom for maps, with the ADA Title II deadline of April 26, 2027 in view for public entities serving 50,000 or more people. Real-time captioning is provided.

September 18, 2026 | Home Organization and Labeling | Vision Support America

10:00 AM PT, 11:00 AM MT, 12:00 PM CT, 1:00 PM ET, 5:00 PM GMT
In this free session, Vision Support America explores easy ways to organize and label a home so it feels calmer, easier, and more predictable to navigate with changing vision.

September 20, 2026 | Birdability Week Offbeat Photo and Video Contest Closes | Birdability

Final day to enter Birdability’s Offbeat Photo and Video Contest, which celebrates the awkward, funny and unexpected side of birds. Six categories span photography and feeder-camera video: Wing and a Prayer (and Poop!), Autofocus Gone Wrong, Birds Doing Bird Stuff, Birds with Disabilities, BIRB, and Not BIRB. Free to enter and open worldwide, with one entry per category and no special equipment required – phones, point-and-shoots, adaptive technology and feeder cameras all welcome. Winners are announced at the Birdability Week closing social on October 25.

September 21, 2026 | Lighting Tips for Everyday Life | Vision Support America

11:00 AM PT, 12:00 PM MT, 1:00 PM CT, 2:00 PM ET, 6:00 PM GMT
In this free session, Vision Support America shows how contrast, better lighting, and less glare can make a home easier to see and move through.

September 22, 2026 | US Digital Accessibility Laws and Resources: Follow-Up Q&A | Accessibility Online

10:00 AM PT, 11:00 AM MT, 12:00 PM CT, 1:00 PM ET, 5:00 PM GMT
Presenters from July’s webinar on US digital accessibility return to answer the questions there was no time for, focusing on Section 508 and the ADA Title II requirements for web and mobile applications. Attendees can submit questions in advance when they register. Real-time captioning and sign language interpretation are provided.

September 22, 2026 | Tech It Out | Hadley

11:00 AM PT, 12:00 PM MT, 1:00 PM CT, 2:00 PM ET, 7:00 PM GMT
Learn a few tips about everyday technology from a technology expert, ask your questions, and share your experiences.

September 22, 2026 | Make Your iPhone Work for You | Vision Support America

1:00 PM PT, 2:00 PM MT, 3:00 PM CT, 4:00 PM ET, 8:00 PM GMT
In this free, step-by-step session, Vision Support America walks through simple ways to make an iPhone work better for changing vision, at a comfortable pace.

September 22, 2026 | Road to the National Coding Symposium: BT Code | American Printing House for the Blind

12:00 PM PT, 1:00 PM MT, 2:00 PM CT, 3:00 PM ET, 7:00 PM GMT
APH opens its Road to the National Coding Symposium series with a look at BT Code, the built-in Python learning and development environment for BT Speak and BT Braille. The session covers guided lessons, games, and audio-based activities with an AI coding assistant, a braille-first development environment for building real Python projects, and the Code Store for sharing work with other blind coders.

September 23, 2026 | Cooking Tips for Changing Vision | Vision Support America

1:00 PM PT, 2:00 PM MT, 3:00 PM CT, 4:00 PM ET, 8:00 PM GMT
In this free session, Vision Support America leads a supportive conversation on small, practical steps toward feeling comfortable and confident in the kitchen again with changing vision.

September 23, 2026 | Making Learning Modules and Online Courses Accessible: Quick Testing Essentials | Access Ingenuity

10:00 AM PT, 11:00 AM MT, 12:00 PM CT, 1:00 PM ET, 5:00 PM GMT
Michael Parker and Lauren from Access Ingenuity walk through quick ways to test whether a learning module or online course is genuinely accessible – keyboard navigation, screen reader compatibility, caption quality, and how interactive elements such as drag and drop, timed responses and pop-up feedback hold up with assistive technology. They also cover the failures that turn up most often in eLearning content, including inaccessible quizzes, unlabeled buttons and poorly structured multimedia, and how to rank fixes by their effect on the learner.

September 23, 2026 | Leading Without Bias: Unleashing Creativity and Innovation Inclusively | Institute for Sustainable Diversity and Inclusion

9:00 AM PT, 10:00 AM MT, 11:00 AM CT, 12:00 PM ET, 4:00 PM GMT
Shari Dunn, founder and CEO of ITBOM LLC and author of Qualified: How Competency Checking and Race Collide at Work, leads this Northwest Diversity Learning Series workshop on how bias enters everyday leadership decisions and quietly suppresses the creativity and innovation organizations say they want. Working from her Applied Equity frame, participants examine one decision or process they personally own, such as a hiring loop, promotion cycle, project assignment or performance review template, and leave with at least one non-shaming way to interrupt bias in a live conversation. The two-hour virtual session on Zoom includes dialogue, a live poll and a breakout, and carries 2.0 HR general recertification credit hours through HRCI and SHRM professional development credits. ASL interpretation by certified interpreters is available on request with at least two weeks notice.

September 24, 2026 | Keep Reading Alive | Vision Support America

1:00 PM PT, 2:00 PM MT, 3:00 PM CT, 4:00 PM ET, 8:00 PM GMT
In this free session, Vision Support America explores different ways to keep reading a part of everyday life, in whatever form works best now.

September 28, 2026 | Make Your Android Work for You | Vision Support America

10:30 AM PT, 11:30 AM MT, 12:30 PM CT, 1:30 PM ET, 5:30 PM GMT
In this free session, Vision Support America introduces simple, confidence-building ways to make an Android phone more accessible.

September 29, 2026 | Confident Movement and Open Conversations | Vision Support America

10:00 AM PT, 11:00 AM MT, 12:00 PM CT, 1:00 PM ET, 5:00 PM GMT
Vision Support America looks at moving through the world safely and confidently with changing vision, and at how to ask for help in ways that feel comfortable and respectful. The session is free and open to anyone adjusting to vision loss.

September 30, 2026 | Learning Spanish Accessibly: Using JAWS and a Braille Display | Access Ingenuity

10:00 AM PT, 11:00 AM MT, 12:00 PM CT, 1:00 PM ET, 5:00 PM GMT
Marisa Church from Access Ingenuity explores the language features in JAWS, showing how students can read and write Spanish using one of the enhanced JAWS voices on the web and in Microsoft Word, and how Spanish text can be read on a braille display.

October 1, 2026 | Preventing Falls and Using Stairs Safely | Vision Support America

10:00 AM PT, 11:00 AM MT, 12:00 PM CT, 1:00 PM ET, 5:00 PM GMT
This free Vision Support America session covers simple techniques for moving safely and confidently around the home and beyond, with particular attention to stairs and to preventing falls. It is aimed at people with low or changing vision.

October 1, 2026 | Accessible Detention and Correctional Facilities | Accessibility Online

11:30 AM PT, 12:30 PM MT, 1:30 PM CT, 2:30 PM ET, 6:30 PM GMT
Accessibility Online examines the scoping and technical requirements in the ADA and Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility Standards as they apply to detention and correctional facilities, covering holding and housing cells with mobility and communication features, visiting areas and medical care areas. The presenter also highlights the additional requirements the ADA Title II regulations place on these facilities. Video remote interpreting and real-time captioning are provided.

October 1, 2026 | The Aiming High Foundation First Annual Homecoming Gala | Aiming High Foundation

3:00 PM PT, 4:00 PM MT, 5:00 PM CT, 6:00 PM ET, 10:00 PM GMT
The Aiming High Foundation holds its first annual Homecoming Gala at The Grove in Cedar Grove, New Jersey, bringing together recovery advocates, community allies and supporters for an evening of keynote speakers and live entertainment. The foundation works to remove the financial barriers to addiction treatment, and the gala raises money for that work. This is a ticketed in-person event, with refunds available up to seven days beforehand.

October 1, 2026 | Technology and the Disability Experience | National Organization on Disability

The National Organization on Disability convenes leaders from business, technology, and advocacy at its Times Center gathering in New York to explore how emerging technologies—including AI, extended reality, and smart devices—are reshaping accessibility and the future of disability inclusion in the workforce.

October 6, 2026 | Lighting Tips for Everyday Life | Vision Support America

11:00 AM PT, 12:00 PM MT, 1:00 PM CT, 2:00 PM ET, 6:00 PM GMT
In this free session, Vision Support America covers practical ways to make a home easier to see and move through, using contrast, better lighting and reduced glare. It is aimed at people with low or changing vision.

October 6, 2026 | Make Your iPhone Work for You | Vision Support America

1:00 PM PT, 2:00 PM MT, 3:00 PM CT, 4:00 PM ET, 8:00 PM GMT
Vision Support America walks step by step through the ways an iPhone can be adjusted to work better for changing eyesight, at a pace built to feel comfortable and doable. The session is free.

October 8, 2026 | Keep Reading Alive | Vision Support America

1:00 PM PT, 2:00 PM MT, 3:00 PM CT, 4:00 PM ET, 8:00 PM GMT
Vision Support America explores the different ways of keeping reading in your life as vision changes, in whatever format works best now. The session is free and open to anyone adjusting to vision loss.

October 9, 2026 | EnAble Learning Office Hours | National Organization on Disability

10:00 AM PT, 11:00 AM MT, 12:00 PM CT, 1:00 PM ET, 5:00 PM GMT
In this free session, the National Organization on Disability walks employers through its EnAble Learning on-demand training and fields questions on building disability confidence, improving retention, and creating more inclusive, productive teams.

October 9, 2026 | Home Organization and Labeling | Vision Support America

10:00 AM PT, 11:00 AM MT, 12:00 PM CT, 1:00 PM ET, 5:00 PM GMT
Vision Support America hosts a supportive conversation on simple ways to organize and label a home so that it feels easier, calmer and more predictable to move around. The session is free and aimed at people adjusting to changing vision.

October 12, 2026 | Make Your Android Work for You | Vision Support America

10:30 AM PT, 11:30 AM MT, 12:30 PM CT, 1:30 PM ET, 5:30 PM GMT
In this free session, Vision Support America introduces the accessibility settings built into Android phones, working through small changes that build confidence one step at a time. It is aimed at people with low or changing vision who want their phone to be easier to use.

October 14, 2026 | Cooking Tips for Changing Vision | Vision Support America

1:00 PM PT, 2:00 PM MT, 3:00 PM CT, 4:00 PM ET, 8:00 PM GMT
This free Vision Support America session is a supportive conversation about working in the kitchen with changing vision, taking small practical steps toward feeling confident there again.

October 15, 2026 | Preventing Falls and Using Stairs Safely | Vision Support America

10:00 AM PT, 11:00 AM MT, 12:00 PM CT, 1:00 PM ET, 5:00 PM GMT
This free Vision Support America session covers simple techniques for moving safely and confidently around the home and beyond, with particular attention to stairs and to preventing falls. It is aimed at people with low or changing vision.

October 15, 2026 | Confident Movement and Open Conversations | Vision Support America

1:00 PM PT, 2:00 PM MT, 3:00 PM CT, 4:00 PM ET, 8:00 PM GMT
Vision Support America looks at moving through the world safely and confidently with changing vision, and at how to ask for help in ways that feel comfortable and respectful. The session is free and open to anyone adjusting to vision loss.

October 19, 2026 | Birdability Week 2026: Bird Where You Are | Birdability

Birdability Week returns October 19 through 25, 2026, with the theme Bird Where You Are – an invitation to notice birds in whatever way works best for you, whether that is from a window, a wheelchair, a car, a hospital room, a kayak or a favorite park bench. The week is a celebration of birders with disabilities and other health concerns, and includes a full schedule of free virtual events, the Offbeat Photo and Video Contest, and accessible outings hosted around the country. All virtual events include captions and ASL interpretation.

October 19, 2026 | Finding Balance: Self-Care While Birding – A Birdability Week 2026 Discussion | Birdability

4:00 PM PT, 5:00 PM MT, 6:00 PM CT, 7:00 PM ET
Birdability Captains Eric Clow and Jayme Boucher co-facilitate an open community roundtable on the many ways disabled birders care for themselves while spending time with birds – from birding while floating in a pool, to adaptive equipment that reduces fatigue, to choosing places where birds can be enjoyed without walking. Bring your own tips and hear practical ideas from others. Free. Virtual (Zoom). Captions and ASL interpretation provided; note additional access requests in your registration.

October 20, 2026 | Lighting Tips for Everyday Life | Vision Support America

11:00 AM PT, 12:00 PM MT, 1:00 PM CT, 2:00 PM ET, 6:00 PM GMT
In this free session, Vision Support America covers practical ways to make a home easier to see and move through, using contrast, better lighting and reduced glare. It is aimed at people with low or changing vision.

October 20, 2026 | Navigating Performance Discussions and the Accommodation Process Effectively | Accessibility Online

11:00 AM PT, 12:00 PM MT, 1:00 PM CT, 2:00 PM ET, 6:00 PM GMT
This Job Accommodation Network training gives supervisors and managers practical strategies for handling performance conversations and for responding when a disability disclosure leads to a request for reasonable accommodation. It covers what to say and how to explore accommodation solutions collaboratively when performance is part of the picture. Real-time captioning is provided.

October 20, 2026 | Make Your iPhone Work for You | Vision Support America

1:00 PM PT, 2:00 PM MT, 3:00 PM CT, 4:00 PM ET, 8:00 PM GMT
Vision Support America walks step by step through the ways an iPhone can be adjusted to work better for changing eyesight, at a pace built to feel comfortable and doable. The session is free.

October 20, 2026 | Birding While d/Deaf or Hard of Hearing Panel | Birdability

4:00 PM PT, 5:00 PM MT, 6:00 PM CT, 7:00 PM ET
Birdability Captains, community members and past Accessible Birding Interns who identify as Deaf, deaf, hard of hearing and late-deafened share their birding journeys, the barriers they have encountered and the accommodations that have helped. The panel explores the distinction between Deaf as a cultural and linguistic identity and deaf as a term for hearing loss, the many ways people connect with birds beyond sound, and practical ideas for making bird walks, clubs and festivals more welcoming. Free. Virtual (Zoom). Captions and ASL interpretation provided; note additional access requests in your registration.

October 21, 2026 | Inclusive Nature Panel | Birdability

10:00 AM PT, 11:00 AM MT, 12:00 PM CT, 1:00 PM ET
Author and editor Lauren Pharr moderates a conversation with contributors to the upcoming book Inclusive Nature about creating outdoor spaces, conservation organizations and birding communities where more people truly belong. Drawing on lived experience and professional work, panelists explore how race, disability, gender and culture have shaped who has had access to nature, and identify actions individuals and organizations can take. Free. Virtual (Zoom). Captions and ASL interpretation provided; note additional access requests in your registration.

October 22, 2026 | Disability Innovation Forum | Enable Ventures & SmartJob

6:00 AM PT, 7:00 AM MT, 8:00 AM CT, 9:00 AM ET, 1:00 PM GMT
Enable Ventures and SmartJob host a full-day, in-person conference at the Grand Hyatt Washington in Washington, DC, on disability-led innovation in work, learning, design and investing. Sessions include a showcase of ten early-stage companies, a keynote from bionic pop artist Viktoria Modesta, a fireside chat with Axios co-founder Roy Schwartz, and eight panels. Early bird pricing runs through September 15.

October 22, 2026 | Keep Reading Alive | Vision Support America

1:00 PM PT, 2:00 PM MT, 3:00 PM CT, 4:00 PM ET, 8:00 PM GMT
Vision Support America explores the different ways of keeping reading in your life as vision changes, in whatever format works best now. The session is free and open to anyone adjusting to vision loss.

October 22, 2026 | Birding at the Intersections | Birdability

4:00 PM PT, 5:00 PM MT, 6:00 PM CT, 7:00 PM ET
Birdability Captains and community members with intersecting identities discuss how race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, culture and neurodivergence shape people’s experiences of birding and time in nature. Panelists explore how barriers to participation overlap and reinforce one another, and how belonging is created when communities recognize the whole person rather than a single aspect of identity. Free. Virtual (Zoom). Captions and ASL interpretation provided; note additional access requests in your registration.

October 23, 2026 | Home Organization and Labeling | Vision Support America

10:00 AM PT, 11:00 AM MT, 12:00 PM CT, 1:00 PM ET, 5:00 PM GMT
Vision Support America hosts a supportive conversation on simple ways to organize and label a home so that it feels easier, calmer and more predictable to move around. The session is free and aimed at people adjusting to changing vision.

October 23, 2026 | Birding With an Energy-Limiting Condition Panel | Birdability

4:00 PM PT, 5:00 PM MT, 6:00 PM CT, 7:00 PM ET
Many birders live with conditions that affect energy, stamina, pain, fatigue or post-exertional recovery. Birdability Captains share how they have adapted their birding to fit changing bodies and lives – birding closer to home, pacing themselves, and embracing rest, mobility aids and technology. They talk honestly about the emotional side of adjusting expectations and letting go of the idea that there is only one right way to be a birder. Free. Virtual (Zoom). Captions and ASL interpretation provided; note additional access requests in your registration.

October 24, 2026 | Birds and Brains: A Keynote Conversation About Traumatic Brain Injury and Healing With Birds | Birdability

1:00 PM PT, 2:00 PM MT, 3:00 PM CT, 4:00 PM ET
Birdability Week keynote speaker Day Scott (@TheWildernessGoddess) and Birdability Captain Emily Nichols talk about living with and recovering from traumatic brain injury, and the unexpected ways birds became part of the healing process. Drawing on lived experience and emerging science about the brain’s capacity to adapt and change, they reflect on how paying attention to birds can support healing, emotional well-being and a renewed sense of possibility. Free. Virtual (Zoom). Captions and ASL interpretation provided; note additional access requests in your registration.

October 25, 2026 | Birdability Week Wrap-Up Social and Photo and Video Contest Winners Announced | Birdability

1:00 PM PT, 2:00 PM MT, 3:00 PM CT, 4:00 PM ET
Birdability Week 2026 closes with a community celebration and the announcement of the winners of the 2026 Offbeat Photo and Video Contest. See this year’s finalist photos and videos, hear the stories behind them, celebrate the photographers and videographers, and share your own favorite Birdability Week memory. Free. Virtual (Zoom). Captions and ASL interpretation provided; note additional access requests in your registration.

October 26, 2026 | Make Your Android Work for You | Vision Support America

10:30 AM PT, 11:30 AM MT, 12:30 PM CT, 1:30 PM ET, 5:30 PM GMT
In this free session, Vision Support America introduces the accessibility settings built into Android phones, working through small changes that build confidence one step at a time. It is aimed at people with low or changing vision who want their phone to be easier to use.

October 27, 2026 | Tech It Out | Hadley

11:00 AM PT, 12:00 PM MT, 1:00 PM CT, 2:00 PM ET, 7:00 PM GMT
Learn a few tips about everyday technology from a technology expert, ask your questions, and share your experiences.

October 28, 2026 | Cooking Tips for Changing Vision | Vision Support America

1:00 PM PT, 2:00 PM MT, 3:00 PM CT, 4:00 PM ET, 8:00 PM GMT
This free Vision Support America session is a supportive conversation about working in the kitchen with changing vision, taking small practical steps toward feeling confident there again.

October 29, 2026 | Preventing Falls and Using Stairs Safely | Vision Support America

10:00 AM PT, 11:00 AM MT, 12:00 PM CT, 1:00 PM ET, 5:00 PM GMT
This free Vision Support America session covers simple techniques for moving safely and confidently around the home and beyond, with particular attention to stairs and to preventing falls. It is aimed at people with low or changing vision.

October 29, 2026 | Confident Movement and Open Conversations | Vision Support America

1:00 PM PT, 2:00 PM MT, 3:00 PM CT, 4:00 PM ET, 8:00 PM GMT
Vision Support America looks at moving through the world safely and confidently with changing vision, and at how to ask for help in ways that feel comfortable and respectful. The session is free and open to anyone adjusting to vision loss.

November 8, 2026 | 18th Annual Dining In The Dark Fundraiser To Benefit The Blind | Florida Outreach Center For The Blind

1:00 PM PT, 2:00 PM MT, 3:00 PM CT, 4:00 PM ET, 9:00 PM GMT
Experience an unforgettable evening at the 18th Annual Dining in the Dark, where guests enjoy a three-course meal served in complete darkness by the PBSO SWAT Team using night-vision goggles. The night also features live entertainment, an inspiring guest speaker, and a silent auction supporting programs for the blind community in Palm Beach County.

November 17, 2026 | Carter Kits: Supporting Positive Interactions for Neurodivergent Patients During Emergency Encounters | Accessibility Online

11:00 AM PT, 12:00 PM MT, 1:00 PM CT, 2:00 PM ET, 7:00 PM GMT
Carter Kits co-founder Justin Severs and training and grants manager Andie describe the sensory bags their organization supplies to first responders, emergency department staff and community partners for encounters with autistic and neurodivergent patients, where a lack of tools and training still produces worse health outcomes. Dr. Sam Wrobleski of the Michigan EMS for Children Program also explains how that partnership works and how others might build one in their own state. Real-time captioning is provided.

November 18, 2026 | Birdability Book Club: Birdsong by the Seasons by Donald Kroodsma | Birdability

4:00 PM PT, 5:00 PM MT, 6:00 PM CT, 7:00 PM ET
The Birdability Book Club closes out 2026 with Birdsong by the Seasons: A Year of Listening to Birds by Donald Kroodsma, a lyrical guide to a year of sound. The book was chosen so readers could follow along month by month through the year and then gather in November to share reflections from twelve months of attentive listening. Free; registration required.

November 19, 2026 | Member-Only Event: Practices for Accessible Virtual Meetings | National Organization on Disability

10:00 AM PT, 11:00 AM MT, 12:00 PM CT, 1:00 PM ET
A 25-minute virtual session for NOD Leadership Council members focused on practical, hands-on strategies for making virtual meetings more inclusive and accessible to all participants. The full briefing is restricted to Council members; non-members can join the Leadership Council to attend this and similar exclusive members-only sessions.

November 24, 2026 | Tech It Out | Hadley

11:00 AM PT, 12:00 PM MT, 1:00 PM CT, 2:00 PM ET, 7:00 PM GMT
Learn a few tips about everyday technology from a technology expert, ask your questions, and share your experiences.

December 17, 2026 | CEO Office Hours: Looking Back/Looking Forward | National Organization on Disability

10:00 AM PT, 11:00 AM MT, 12:00 PM CT, 1:00 PM ET, 6:00 PM GMT
In a free, year-end CEO Office Hours led by Beth Sirull, the National Organization on Disability reflects on milestones in disability inclusion and looks ahead to the strategies that will shape the coming year.

December 22, 2026 | Tech It Out | Hadley

11:00 AM PT, 12:00 PM MT, 1:00 PM CT, 2:00 PM ET, 7:00 PM GMT
Learn a few tips about everyday technology from a technology expert, ask your questions, and share your experiences.

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