MEDIA ADVISORY

The Joshua Project Foundation is honored to be a part of actor David Caruso’s Art Gallery opening, featuring works by artist Cole Sternberg.

A portion of the proceeds from the artwork sold at this event will be donated to The Joshua Project Foundation, which will help us continue our quest of empowering the lives of the blind and visually impaired.

(Please click on the images to view the Press Release)

 

For more information about the Joshua Project Foundation, please visit our website: www.thejoshuaprojectfoundation.org

In the News 11.12.12

WHEN BLIND PEOPLE HALLUCINATE

There's a relatively obscure medical condition called Charles Bonnet Syndrome. It happens to people who are either losing their sight, or completely blind. Suddenly, one day they see vivid and detailed hallucinations. Click here to read more.  

ADVOCATES FOR THE BLIND ARGUE FOR MORE ACCOMMODATION AT AIRPORT CHECK-IN KIOSKS

 Advocates for the blind went toe-to-toe with United Airlines in the San Francisco 9th Circuit Court about what the airline could do to accommodate passengers unable to use check-in kiosks. Click here to read more.

MICROCHIP COULD GIVE SIGHT TO BLIND

New Technology is offering fresh hope to thousands of people who have lost their sight. Those left blind by an inherited eye condition now have the hope of some of their sight being restored. Click here to read more.

THE MIND'S EYE CAN LEARN TO SEE, EVEN IN THOSE BLIND SINCE BIRTH

People blind from birth can be taught to "see" images that are conveyed as sounds, says a new study that calls into question a longstanding belief about the limits to the human brain. Click here to read more.

ETHERVISION LAUNCHES BRAILLE PAD PRO AND BRAILLE WRITER PRO APPLICATIONS FOR IPAD AND MAC

Braille Pad Pro and Braille Writer Pro are the first iPad and Mac word processors to handle Grade 1 and Grade 2 (contracted) Braille complete with translation capability. Click here to read more.

CAMERA-TO-SOUND APP LETS BLIND PEOPLE 'SEE'

People who have lived in the dark from birth have now found they don't need their eyes to see. A new device developed by Amir Amedi from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in Israel and colleagues is giving congenitally blind adults the ability to interpret visual information from sound. Click here to read more. 

In the News 11.05.12

PEOPLE CAN LEARN TO "SEE" WITH FAKE WHISKERS ATTACHED TO THEIR HANDS

People can learn to "see" with plastic whiskers attached to their fingers, heralding the potential of a next generation of sight aids that could take advantage of the human ability to adapt to new kinds of sensory perception. Click here to read more.

BRAILLE ON BEAUTY PRODUCTS... GENIUS! CLEANLOGIC LAUNCHES NEW LINE

Can you imagine what it's like to shop for shampoo blind? To feel the bottles in the aisle, take your chances on one, and then later realize you've washed your hair with body lotion? Click here to read more.

DESIGN SPACE: BRAILLE PRINTER

Index Braille, a Swedish company making printers that produce tactile versions of text, wanted to introduce a new high-volume Braille printer for offices and libraries that could be used by visually impaired as well as sighted people. Click here to read more. 

ANDREA BOCELLI FINANCING TECHNOLOGY TO HELP THE BLIND

Blind opera star Andrea Bocelli is funding a project to help develop a personal radar system for the blind through his self-named foundation. Click here to read more.

In the News 10.29.12

FEDS CONSIDER RULE FOR ELECTRIC CAR NOISES TO ALERT BLIND PEDESTRIANS

 Federal regulator have proposed a rule to require electric and hybrid car manufacturers to add artificial noises that to alert pedestrians, in particular the blind, to slow-moving electric vehicles. Click here to read more.

RAY "SMARTPHONE FOR THE BLIND" FEATURES TACTILE & AUDIO INTERFACE

Qualcomm has partnered with Project RAY, a group devoted to improving the lives of blind and visually challenged people through technology, to create a smartphone specifically for those that can't see. Click here to read more. 

$2 MILLION PRIZE ANNOUNCED FOR CURE FOR BLINDNESS BY 2020 

Singer Art Garfunkel, a real estate magnate and an investor are putting $2 million in gold bullion on the line to inspire researchers to cure blindness by 2020, establishing through Johns Hopkins Medicine one of the world's largest prizes for a scientific development. Click here to read more. 

BLIND BOLIVIAN, 7 YEARS OLD, JAZZ PIANO PRODIGY

 The musician takes a seat on the piano bench and begins to play, his fingers finding the keys effortlessly. Jazz music fills the room and an audience sits enthralled, but no ordinary musician sits on the stage before them. Click here to read more.

Santa Barbara Mayor's Award

Whole Foods Santa Barbara and the Joshua Project Foundation accepted the 8th annual Mayor's award for their work in providing equal accessibility to their store including braille labeling for the visually impaired. This is the third Whole Foods Market to implement the Braille signage, next up is Tarzana, CA.

To see the story on Noozhawk, click here:

http://www.noozhawk.com/article/101912_mayors_awards_people_with_disabilities/

KCLU Interview

Josh met with Lance Orozco from local radio station, KCLU. Orozco spoke with board members of the Joshua Project Foundation including Bob Love, Evan and Christie Goldenberg, Ashley Eaton and Joshua. He aired his show Friday October 12 to coincide with the Santa Barbara Whole Foods award ceremony. 

To listen to the segment, please click here.

www.kclu.org/2012/10/12/supermarket-chain-adds-braille-to-grocery-aisles-thanks-to-effort-of-ventura-county-boy/

In the News 10.01.12

NEW TECHNOLOGY MAY BRING SIGHT BACK TO BLIND

On Friday, an FDA Panel recommended approval of a remarkable device that helps some blind people regain part of their sight. It's called the Argus 2 and it may allow those who have gone totally blind to regain some of their vision. Click here to read more. 

CINEMARK ANNOUNCES GREATER MOVIE THEATER ACCESSIBILITY FOR CUSTOMERS WHO ARE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED

Cinemark Holdings, Inc. one of the world's largest motion picture exhibitors, today announced that it is providing an audio description option for people who are blind or have visual impairments, in all of its first-run theaters. Cinemark is installing audio description systems on a rolling basis across it's circuit in conjunction with the chain's conversion to an all-digital format. Click here to read more.

GOING BLIND IN A DIGITAL WORLD: THE ROAD TO RECLAIMING MY WEB SITE

There's no better time to go blind than the present, with all the benefits that digital technology can offer. But a lifetime in tech should have warned me - the promise of IT rarely holds up to the experience of having to use it. Click here to read more.

BEAUTY TIPS BENEFIT VISUALLY IMPAIRED

Paola Espinosa smiled from ear to ear as she got her nails done in bright pink polish. She then applied pomegranate lip gloss straight from the applicator, and finally sat as her hair was softly braided and twirled. A sweep of nail color, a dab of lip gloss and a perfect coif. All are steps many women take for granted in their endless quest for beauty.  Click here to read more.

In the News 09.24.12

REGAL ENTERTAINMENT GROUP MAKES MOVIEGOING ACCESSIBLE TO ALL WITH ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY FROM SONY

Regal Entertainment Group, a leading motion picture exhibitor owning and operating the largest theatre circuit in the United States, announced a milestone with 200 theaters nationwide now offering the Sony Entertainment Access System at theaters across the country. Regal Entertainment Group is working exclusively with Sony for this cutting-edge technology to assist moviegoers who are deaf, hard of hearing, have low vision or are blind. Click here to read more.

NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND APPLAUDS RULING REQUIRING EQUAL PAY FOR DISABLED WORKERS

The National Federation of the Blind, the nation's leading advocate for fair wages for workers with disabilities, today applauded a recent ruling by the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa, Davenport Division, finding that a turkey processing service violated the Americans with Disabilities Act by paying its disabled employees less than federal and state minimum wages. Click here to read more.

VISIONS OF A BLIND PHOTOGRAPHER

Sometimes when she's taking pictures, Sonia Soberats forgets she cannot see. Until 1986, Ms. Soberats was like many single immigrant mothers - living in Queens, working two jobs and watching her two children grow into flourishing adults. Life began to crumble, though, when ovarian cancer was diagnosed for her only daughter. Click here to read more and to view photographs.

BEN SIMONS: BRAILLE TRANSCRIBER

Imagine being able to read by running your fingers over a series of bumps. When you see Braille at traffic lights, or as you ride an elevator, have you ever wondered how it works? And who makes it? Ben Simons is a Braille transcriber. Click here to listen.

Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/09/20/4839576/national-federation-of-the-blind.html#storylink=cpy

In the News 09.17.12

BLIND AND ONLINE: PROGRESS, NOT PERFECTION, FOR VISUALLY IMPAIRED TECH USERS

Gayle Yarnall of Amesbury, Mass. is blind. Consequently, photography is not a skill she ever anticipated mastering. "But the iPhone will tell you if the face in the viewfinder is centered, or if [the face] is small or large," notes Yarnal, who runs a lifestyle consulting firm called Gayle Connected. Click here to read more.

SEEING BRAILLE INTO 21ST CENTURY

A Lake Zurich company has played a key role in redesigning a 1950s-era Braille writer into a 'talking' LCD screen device intended to make it easier for people to learn Braille. Click here to read more.

ARE SMARTPHONES KILLING BRAILLE?

New gadgets equipped with screenreaders are increasingly letting blind people listen to text. Is this contributing to "Braille illiteracy"? Click here to read more.

UTILIZING THE BLIND - A VAST UNTAPPED RESOURCE

Over the last few years, we have seen the highest levels of unemployment since the great depression. However, the numbers that are reported only tell one part of the story. Click here to read more.

BLINDFOLDING EIGHT-YEAR-OLDS TO PLAY BLIND FOOTBALL

What is the legacy of the Paralympics? Damon Rose spoke to a primary school teacher in East Anglia who used the Games to inspire his pupils and get them thinking and working differently with each other. Click here to read more.

BLIND CHEF CHRISTINE HA CROWNED 'MASTERCHEF' IN FINALE

From the moment she took those first tentative steps onto the national stage, chef Christine Ha captured America's heart. During Monday night's season 3 "MasterChef" finale, Ha won the title, $250,000 grand prize and a cookbook deal, beating out Josh Marks and about 100 other chefs. But that's not what makes her so inspiring. Ha is bind - the first contestant on the show. Click here to read more.

In the News 09.10.12

BLIND ACTIVISTS BOYCOTT GOODWILL OVER SUBMINIMUM PAY

 The National Federation of the Blind (NFB) escalated its pay protests against Goodwill Industries with August 25 sidewalk pickets at some 90 retail locations around the country. The informational packets are aimed at publicizing the NFB call for a consumer boycott against Goodwill over its policy of paying subminimum wages to thousand of workers with disabilities. Click here to read more.

FLASHES OF LIGHT SEEN BY BLIND WOMAN SPUR BIONIC EYE HOPE

 An Australian woman blinded by an inherited retina-damaging disease experienced some vision after doctors in Melbourne implanted an electronic device they say may lead to a bionic eye by 2014. Click here to read more.

MAGIC GLASSES LET BLIND SEE

Yvonne Felix was just seven when she was diagnosed with Stargardt disease, an inherited condition that can cause major vision loss. In the 24 years since, her eyesight has become progressively worse, to the point where she was declared legally blind. For 40 minutes one day last April, the Hamilton, Ont., woman could see again. Click here to read more.

NATIONAL FEDERATION FOR THE BLIND COLLABORATES WITH ACCUWEATHER

The National Federation of the Blind (NFB), the oldest and largest nationwide organization of the blind in the United States, and its newspaper service for the blind, NFB-NEWSLINE, today announced a collaboration with AccuWeather, an online weather information service, to provide emergency weather alerts to blind and print-disabled subscribers throughout America. Click here to read more.

DANIEL KISH: A REAL-LIFE BATMAN

Daniel Kish has been blind since he was 13-months-old, but that hasn't stopped him living an incredibly active life that includes hiking and mountain-biking. To do this, he has perfected a form of human echolocation, using reflected sound waves to build a mental picture of his surroundings. When Daniel Kish clicks his tongue, the world answers back. Click here to read more. 

'MASTERCHEF' FINALIST CHRISTINE HA ON BEING BLIND, AND A FIGHTER

 Time and time again on this season of "MasterChef," chef Gordon Ramsay asked sight-impaired competitor Christine Ha: Am I being pranked? Are you really blind? Click here to read more.

In the News 08.27.12

COMPANY AIMS TO CURE BLINDNESS WITH OPTOGENETICS

One biotech startup wants to restore vision in blind patients with a gene therapy that gives light sensitivity to neurons that don't normally possess it. Click here to read more. 

APPS BEGIN TO GIVE BLIND ACCESS TO TOUCH SCREENS

While America's love affair with touch-screen payment devices continues to leave the blind and visually impaired in the dark, prospects for a hassle-free checkout in the near future are finally looking up. Click here to read more.

WHO'S AGAINST BLIND PEOPLE READING? NOBODY!

So, why is it so hard to get an international treaty to help people with disabilities that affect reading print? Welcome to the weird politics of intellectual property. Basically, we have approval of a policy, but are unable to implement that policy. Click here to read more.

BLIND STUDENTS PRESENTS 3-D TACTILE IMAGES TO NATIONAL MICROSCOPY CONFERENCE

While Ashleigh Gonzales is a typical, 20-year-old ASU senior, she is not your average student. Unlike other undergraduates studying life sciences, her decision to major in molecular biosciences and biotechnology created an unusual challenge - one few others are willing to tackle. Gonzales is blind. Yet she is pursuing a STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) degree that requires an understanding of many detailed, microscopic biological elements - something she finds fascinating and exciting. Click here to read more.

Gonzales is blind. Yet she is pursuing a STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) degree that requires an understanding of many detailed, microscopic biological elements – something she finds fascinating and exciting.

Read more at: http://phys.org/news/2012-08-student-d-tactile-images-national.html#jCp

While Ashleigh Gonzales is a typical, 20-year old ASU senior, she is not your average student. Unlike other undergraduates studying life sciences, her decision to major in molecular biosciences and biotechnology created an unusual challenge – one few others are willing to tackle.

Read more at: http://phys.org/news/2012-08-student-d-tactile-images-national.html#jCp

While Ashleigh Gonzales is a typical, 20-year old ASU senior, she is not your average student. Unlike other undergraduates studying life sciences, her decision to major in molecular biosciences and biotechnology created an unusual challenge – one few others are willing to tackle. Ads by Google Online University Program - Earn Your Degree Online at Walden. Request Information Now - WaldenUniversity.com Gonzales is blind. Yet she is pursuing a STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) degree that requires an understanding of many detailed, microscopic biological elements – something she finds fascinating and exciting.

Read more at: http://phys.org/news/2012-08-student-d-tactile-images-national.html#jCp

Enlarge ASU students present their poster, "Pictures Worth a Thousand Words," to a national microscopy conference. The poster details their research into 3-D tactile images which can help blind and visually impaired students succeed in STEM classes. Left to right: Debra Baluch, research scientist, School of Life Sciences (SOLS); Ashleigh Gonzales, ASU senior, SOLS; Leanne Harris, ASU senior, SOLS. Photo by: Tom Story (Phys.org)—While Ashleigh Gonzales is a typical, 20-year old ASU senior, she is not your average student. Unlike other undergraduates studying life sciences, her decision to major in molecular biosciences and biotechnology created an unusual challenge – one few others are willing to tackle.

Read more at: http://phys.org/news/2012-08-student-d-tactile-images-national.html#jCp

Enlarge ASU students present their poster, "Pictures Worth a Thousand Words," to a national microscopy conference. The poster details their research into 3-D tactile images which can help blind and visually impaired students succeed in STEM classes. Left to right: Debra Baluch, research scientist, School of Life Sciences (SOLS); Ashleigh Gonzales, ASU senior, SOLS; Leanne Harris, ASU senior, SOLS. Photo by: Tom Story (Phys.org)—While Ashleigh Gonzales is a typical, 20-year old ASU senior, she is not your average student. Unlike other undergraduates studying life sciences, her decision to major in molecular biosciences and biotechnology created an unusual challenge – one few others are willing to tackle.

Read more at: http://phys.org/news/2012-08-student-d-tactile-images-national.html#jCp

Enlarge ASU students present their poster, "Pictures Worth a Thousand Words," to a national microscopy conference. The poster details their research into 3-D tactile images which can help blind and visually impaired students succeed in STEM classes. Left to right: Debra Baluch, research scientist, School of Life Sciences (SOLS); Ashleigh Gonzales, ASU senior, SOLS; Leanne Harris, ASU senior, SOLS. Photo by: Tom Story (Phys.org)—While Ashleigh Gonzales is a typical, 20-year old ASU senior, she is not your average student. Unlike other undergraduates studying life sciences, her decision to major in molecular biosciences and biotechnology created an unusual challenge – one few others are willing to tackle.

Read more at: http://phys.org/news/2012-08-student-d-tactile-images-national.html#jCp

In the News 08.20.12

After a month of summer vacation, we are back with our weekly roundup of news articles relating to blind and braille!

RETINAL DEVICE RESTORES SIGHT TO BLIND MICE 

Researchers report they have developed in mice what they believe might one day become a breakthrough for humans: a retinal prosthesis that could restore near-normal sight to those who have lost their vision. Click here to read more.

DIGITAL BOOKS MAY NOT BE FOR EVERYONE. BUT FOR BLIND PEOPLE, THEY'RE A TRUE REVOLUTION

The book, not just a source of knowledge or entertainment, but as an intrinsically pleasing object, is a familiar theme. Indeed, it came up yet again in this newspaper's letters pages earlier this week. Click here to read more.

THIS DIGITAL AGE: WHY ISN'T IT A PARADISE FOR BRAILLE READERS?

I was reading this piece about how difficult it can be for Braille readers to get a wide selection of books to read and I was confused. For given that we're going all digital this should be the perfect time. Click here to read more.

23 SIGHTLESS TECH CONCEPTS

Even though I have 20/20 vision, I am still super excited by all of these sightless tech concepts. Designers have been hard at work redesigning tech like cellphones and e-readers to be more blind-friendly. Click here to read more. 

LEGALLY BLIND SOUTH KOREAN SETS ARCHERY WORLD RECORD

South Korean archer Im Dong-hyun sees only blurred colors and lines when he peers toward the target about 76 yards away, arrow at the ready. It doesn't stop the legally blind Olympian from hitting the grapefruit-sized yellow center - again and again and again. Click here to read more. 

It looks like people in other countries are also seeing the need for braille in grocery stores. Here is an article from Peterborough, England:

SUPERMARKET TO INTRODUCE BRAILLE HELP FOR BLIND GROCERY SHOPPERS
A store in Peterborough will become only the second supermarket in the country to be fitted with Braille signs to help blind shoppers. Sainsbury's in Oxney Road, Parnwell, will put Braille panels at the bottom of signs to help those with eyesight problems to use the shop. Click here to read more.

The Joshua Project is currently working on new and improved signs for the Whole Foods Thousand Oaks store and also adding to the Santa Barbara store. Thank you to Whole Foods for continuing this project with us. 

Above, Joshua is feeling a new sign being put up. The new signs are brighter and have a little more information.

Silpada Jewellery Fundraiser

Fundraiser at 32129 Lindero Canyon Rd, Suite 105 Westlake Village (Please find us across from Zin Restaurant facing the lake)  Featuring Silpada Designs Jewelry   Monday, August 20th Stop in any time between 11:00am to 5:00pm   A portion of all sales will go directly to The Joshua Project Foundation. Come by and meet Joshua Goldenberg of Simi Valley, an 8 year old boy born totally blind, who with his parents, Evan & Christie, recently started this non-profit (501c3) dedicated to putting Braille and assistive technology in grocery stores throughout the US to help the blind & visually impaired. For more information please go to: www.thejoshuaprojectfoundation.org **If you can not make it to the event, you can order the Silpada Designs online at www.mysilpada.com/mia.morgan Please be sure to select Joshua Fund as your hostess so that the money will go to this important cause.

In the News 07.23.12

OBAMA ADMINISTRATION BLOCKS INTERNATIONAL TREATY TO BENEFIT THE BLIND

 The Obama administration is blocking the creation of an international treaty designed to protect access to books and reading material for blind people in poor countries. Click here to read more.

GEORGIE APP FOR THE BLIND HELPS VISUALLY IMPAIRED ANDROID USERS NAVIGATE EVERYDAY LIFE

Whether it is getting off a bus or reading a menu, a new app aims to make life easier for the blind or visually impaired. Called Georgie, the app for Android devices enables people with little or no sight to accomplish daily activities that could be difficult for them. Click here to read more. 

NEW LEADING-EDGE TECH DEVICE HELPS PEOPLE WHO ARE BLIND LEARN BRAILLE
Product development leader PDT partners with Perkins Products to bring first-of-its-kind technology to the world's most widely used braille writer, improving quality of life for people who are blind. Click here to read more. 

 

NATIONAL INDUSTRIES FOR THE BLIND TO ENSURE ACCESSIBILITY OF BUILDIUM'S PROPERTY MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE

 National Industries for the Blind (NIB) secured its first commercial Section 508 Assurance Service contract with Buildium, a could-based property management software company based in Boston. Click here to read more. 

RESALE SYSTEM'S BLIND HIRING NETS ALLIANCE BOOST

The National Industries for the Blind announced today that it is joining the Coalition to Save Our Military Shopping Benefits. NIB made the move in recognition of the major job generation efforts of he resale programs in support of the blind. Click here to read more. 

RESEARCHERS EXPLORE SOLUTIONS TO SLEEP DISORDERS AMONG THE BLIND

The blind suffer sleep disorders just as sighted people do that are often caused by disruptions to their circadian rhythms. Among sighted people, these disruptions in the 24-hour cycle of waking and sleeping are generally traced to increased exposure to artificial light during hours that in the natural world are dark. Click here to read more.

WHERE WOULD YOU TAKE A BLIND PERSON IN LONDON?

Where would you take a blind person in London? Answer: It might not seem like it, but the capital is geared up to entertain those who are blind and partially sighted. Click here to read more.

SOPHIE TRIST, VISUALLY IMPAIRED TEEN, PROVIDES LOCAL RESTAURANTS WITH BRAILLE MENUS

Approximately 11 million Americans are visually impaired, but when was the last time you saw a Braille menu in a restaurant? This summer, 15-year-old Sophie Trist, who has been visually impaired since birth, is working to change that. Click here to read more.

In the News 07.09.12

NATIONAL FEDERATION FOR THE BLIND AWARDS $80,000

 Dallas, TX. Fifth Annual Dr. Jacob Bolotin Awards presented at 2012 Convention of The National Federation of the Blind (NFB) today presented $80,000 in cash awards to individuals and organizations that have made outstanding contributions toward achieving the full integration of the blind into society on a basis of equality. Click here to read more.

PERKINS SCHOOL: ACCESS TO DIGITAL BOOKS FOR ALL

The Boston Public Library (BPL) has launched a new service with the Perkins Braille and Talking Book Library to provide digitized copies of books to the visually impaired. Click here to read more.

FLEKSY: AN AMAZINGLY SMART IPHONE KEYBOARD APP FOR THE BLIND

Blind? Then you're most likely reading this post on an iOS device, because no other platform has quite the same level of accessibility options built-in. But that still doesn't help you when you want to write (unless using Voiceover to find the individual keys is your thing.) Click here to read more.

TWO BLIND BRITISH MEN HAVE ELECTRONIC RETINAS FITTED

Two British men who have been totally blind for many years have had part of their vision restored after surgery to fit pioneering eye implants. Click here to read more. 

OHIO GETS MORE FUNDS FOR BLIND

Ohio school districts and learning centers for students with disabilities are reporting more blind and visually impaired students - an increase driven by an effort to ensure all vision-impaired students get access to federally funded books and education materials. Click here to read more.  

HELPING THE BLIND 'SEE' WITH MUSIC

 Researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have developed a new device that converts images into music to help individuals without vision reach for objects in space. Click here to read more.

PAINTING IN THE DARK: BLIND PAINTER CREATES A VIBRANT WORLD

John Bramblitt has always been an artist, but it wasn't until he went blind that he truly found his artistic vision. Click here to read more.

FOR BLIND COMPETITORS, PARTNERS SHOW THE WAY

The toughest of the three legs of an Olympic triathlon, for a blind athlete, is generally the swim. A plunge into cold water can drown one's alternate sensory perception. Sudden seizing panic attacks can follow, like waves of paralyzing disorientation. Shivering fits. It is these rare nadirs when the blind may seek an encouraging tug. Click here to read more.

MISS FLORIDA USA CONTESTANT IS LEGALLY BLIND

When Connor Boss looks out into the crowd this Saturday as she competes in the Miss Florida USA pageant, she will see the audience members only as blur. Click here to read more. 

 

{braille flag can be purchased here}

Happy 4th of July from all of us at the Joshua Project Foundation!

In the News 07.02.12

NICT, FUJITSU DEVELOP INDOOR GUIDANCE TECHNOLOGY FOR THE BLIND USING ULTRA WIDE BAND POSITIONING, SMARTPHONES

Japan's National Institute of Information and Communication Technology (NICT) and Fujitsu today announced their joint development of an indoor support system for the blind that uses ultra wide band (UWB) technology and a smartphone. The system is able to provide real-time positioning data, even indoors where GPS cannot be used, and provide audio instructions on the distance and direction to a destination to help guide the blind. Click here to read more. 

BLIND PEOPLE: CUTS, COPING... AND RUDE BUS DRIVERS

In the age of austerity and funding cuts, a little awareness and sensitivity about the way blind people use services goes a long way, says a new report. Click here to read more.

DARK RESTAURANT IN NEW YORK ALLOWS BLIND STAFF TO GUIDE GUESTS

 New York. There is more to Dans Le Noir? than meets the eye. Beyond it's gimmicky premise, this restaurant has a vision: to raise awareness of the visually impaired, by staffing the restaurant with blind waiters or "guides." Click here to read more.

BLIND OLYMPIC TORCH BEARER RUNS UNGUIDED, ASSISTED ONLY BY SMARTPHONE

Chosen to be a torchbearer at the 2012 Summer Games, blind ultra-runner Simon Wheatcroft will carry the Olympic Flame running sole -- with only the guidance of his iPhone. Click here to read more.

In the News 06.25.12

NATION'S BRAILLE WHIZ KIDS COMPETE IN UNIQUE ACADEMIC COMPETITION

Los Angeles, CA. On Saturday, June 23, the top blind students from across the United States and Canada met in Los Angeles to put their knowledge of the braille code to the test in the only national academic competition for blind students across the country. Click here to read more.

LONDON BOUND: BLINDED WARRIOR TO REPRESENT U.S. AT 2012 PARALYMPICS

London is calling for Lt. Brad Snyder. The former Navy bomb defuser, who last September lost both eyes in an Afghan explosion, formally gained a roster spot Sunday on the U.S. Paralympic team bound for England, after swimming what he agreed was the race of his life. Click here to read more.

APP EASES PUBLIC TRANSIT WOES FOR BLIND AND DISABLED RIDERS

Researchers in Barcelona have created an app that may prove useful to riders of public transit who are blind, deaf or otherwise disabled. OnTheBus hooks into GPS and transit data and alerts the user where and when they need to board, signal and disembark. Click here to read more.

BLIND USING FACEBOOK? IT'S NOT COMPLICATED, THANKS TO SCHOOL

"We can teach you how to use Facebook even with your eyes shut." It is not an empty boast but a proven skill for the students of a special school which has shown for the last 18 years that computer know-how need not require 20/20 vision. Click here to read more.

GUATEMALA LAUNCHES CENTRAL AMERICA'S FIRST BRAILLE NEWSPAPER

Guatemala,  "You don't need  to see to be able to read" was the message Guatemala sent to the world last month when it launched Central America's first ever Braille newspaper. Click here to read more.

Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/06/23/4584039/nations-braille-whiz-kids-compete.html#storylink=cpy

 

Joshua is busy brailling new labels for Whole Foods in Santa Barbara. 

In the News - 06.18.12

MASS. SCHOOLS FOR BLIND GEAR UP FOR FENCING MATCH

Watertown, MASS. Cory Kadlik has never let being blind stop him from golfing, skating, learning martial arts or riding a dirt bike. He had his doubts when it came to fencing. Click here to read more.

NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND APPLAUDS NEW JERSEY RULING ON BRAILLE INSTRUCTION FOR BLIND CHILD

Oceanport, N.J. After a three-year administrative and legal battle against their local school board, the Oceanport Board of Education, Jeffrey and Holly Miller obtained a ruling from an adminitsrative law judge that their eleven-year-old son Henry "Hank" Miller was improperly denied instruction in Braille. Click here to read more.

YAKIMA GIRL WINS NATIONAL AWARD FOR READING 21,646 PAGES IN BRAILLE

Yakima, WA, They ran out of ribbons way before Maegan Weiler stopped reading. Click here to read more.

Memorial Day Fundraiser

Hosted at the home of Richard and Kim Moscarello, the Goldenberg's joined up with family and friends of the Project to celebrate their first fundraiser. The Memorial Day party began our first venture into not only raising capital for a necessary cause but also creating awareness for the need for Braille in the community both here in Southern California and across the United States. Funds will go directly to the foundation towards tools used to make Braille signage and blades in grocery stores. 

 

{Evan Goldenberg, President of the Joshua Project}

 

{Rae Van Seenus, Marketing Supervisor at Whole Foods Market}

 

{Sarah Fenner-Behzadi, The Joshua Project Foundation}

 

 

 

{Richard and Kim Moscarello with the band.}

 

{Kim Moscarello, the fabulous hostess.}

 

 

 

{Joshua Goldenberg, the star of the Joshua Project}

 

 

 

{Joshua Project Board Members}

 

A special thank you to Richard and Kim Moscarello for hosting such a fantastic event!

Article: How the Blind Are Reinventing the iPhone

 {Image via}

We loved this article in the Atlantic: How the Blind Are Reinventing the iPhone. The article discusses how blind people are using their iPhone applications to navigate, listen to audio books and even pick out matching clothes. This is all happening through a built-in voice-over feature on the iPhone. Apple has a long history of making their products accessible for people with disabilities, and the iPhone has become a revolutionary tool for the blind community.

Article: How do Blind People Dream?

Did you see this article on msnbc.com? How do blind people dream? The article discusses a video made by Tommy Edison about what it is like for him as a blind person to dream.

Have you ever wondered what it must be like for a blind person to dream?

The Joshua Project Foundation

At seven years old, Joshua Goldenberg questioned why there wasn't braille available for him to shop along side everyone else in his family. His immediate response was...

"I want to braille the entire universe... and Target too!"

And so, The Joshua Project began it's journey by placing braille labels on store shelves, with the goal that any blind person will have the ability to walk through a store and be able to shop independently.

The project first began in Thousand Oaks with the help of Whole Foods Market and its wonderful marketing team led by Ashley Eaton. It quickly gained the attention of the National Braille Press in Boston where Joshua traveled with his family to accept the prestigious "Hands on Award". While visiting Boston, the National Braille Press joined forces with Whole Foods in Newtonville to open up the same Braille initiative on the East coast. Only three months later, Whole Foods invited Joshua to "open" his third Whole Foods market by placing Braille on the aisles and produce throughout the store. With the support of local charities, friends, family and generous donations, the Foundation is looking forward to bringing the Braille labeling to not only three Whole Foods Markets, but many more in the future. We are now in the process of developing a "directory" for each store as well.

With the help of his family, (Sister Hannah, Mom Christie, and Dad Evan), Joshua has quickly brought attention to the need for Braille not only in grocery stores, but everywhere and has revisited the question, "Why hasn't anyone ever thought of this before?"

The foundation's long term goal is to help bring the awareness to the importance of Braille and provide Braille labeling wherever necessary. Eventually, leading back to the children in the schools where Braille literacy begins.

This blog will keep you informed about The Joshua Project Foundation, and will also serve as a resource in the blind community.