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!