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.