DBS Media Report
Friday, December 4, 2020
<https://triblive.com/news/wire-stories/how-two-blind-brothers-became-two-bl
ind-brothers-for-a-cause/> Trib Live: How 2 Blind Brothers Became Two Blind
Brothers For A Cause
Would you buy something you can't see? That's the question posed by two New
York brothers who've lost much of their vision to a rare degenerative eye
disorder and have dedicated their lives - and livelihoods - to raising money
for a cure. Bradford Manning, 35, and his 30-year-old brother, Bryan, are
the founders of the clothing brand Two Blind Brothers. They've hit on a
strategy that's helped raise more than $700,000 for the cause: selling
mystery boxes full of an assortment of their ultra-soft shirts, cozy socks,
knit beanies and sunglasses.
Accessibility
<https://blogs.microsoft.com/accessibility/un-idpd-2020/> Microsoft: UN
International Day Of Persons With Disabilities: Sharing Our Learnings To
Create A More Accessible World
December 3rd marks the United Nations International Day of Persons with
Disabilities (UN IDPD). This year's theme is "Building Back Better: toward a
disability-inclusive, accessible and sustainable post COVID-19 World", and I
couldn't think of a more appropriate and important focus given everything
that is happening in the world right now. The global pandemic has
disproportionately impacted people with disabilities and driven a widening
gap in societal inclusion. Labor force participation and unemployment for
people with disabilities in the US is at 20.6% and 11.1% respectively, and
technology plays a huge part in building back better. We're already seeing
this play out in real-time with significant increases in the usage of
accessibility features like Live captioning in Teams which saw a 30X
increase, and a 200% increase in the number of customers reaching out to the
Disability Answer Desk.
Eye Health
<https://metro.co.uk/2020/12/02/cure-for-blindness-on-the-horizon-scientists
-restore-vision-in-mice-13690009/> Metro: Cure For Blindness On The Horizon?
Scientists Restore Vision In Mice
Scientists achieved the feat by turning back the clocks of eye cells with a
cocktail of proteins. It is the first time complex tissue has been
'reprogrammed' to an earlier age. Clinical trials are planned within two
years. The groundbreaking technique is expected to work in humans and may
conquer other neuronal diseases - including dementia.
<https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/2020/12/winners-of-greenberg-pri
ze-to-end-blindness-announced/> National Geographic: These Scientists Set
Out To End Blindness. Their Innovations Just Won Them $3 Million.
"I believe that we are so much closer to achieving that goal," says
co-organizer Sanford Greenberg, chair of the board of governors for the
Johns Hopkins University's Wilmer Eye Institute. "It's quite extraordinary."
The prize is part of Greenberg's life-long mission to prevent people from
losing their sight. In February 1961, when he was a 20-year-old college
student, he suddenly went blind due to glaucoma that had been misdiagnosed.
The condition, which damages the eye's optic nerve, is one of the leading
causes of blindness worldwide.
<https://www.news-medical.net/news/20201203/Study-Global-public-health-servi
ces-fail-to-meet-targets-to-reduce-avoidable-sight-loss.aspx> News Medical
Life Sciences: Study: Global Public Health Services Fail To Meet Targets To
Reduce Avoidable Sight Loss
A new global study has found no significant reduction in the number of
people with treatable sight loss since 2010. Published in The Lancet Global
Health, it examined population-based surveys of eye disease worldwide from
1980 and found public health services across the world are failing to meet
targets to reduce avoidable sight loss. A second report, also published by
the same group in The Lancet Global Health, warns that global blindness and
severe vision impairment are set to dramatically increase by 2050.
Thursday, December 3, 2020
<https://www.allure.com/story/makeup-tips-blind-low-vision> Allure: Makeup
Tips for People Who Are Blind Or Have Low Vision
I stopped doing makeup on clients and myself for a full year. Soon after,
though, the Instagram beauty community took form and I found myself reaching
for makeup again. I was rusty, and the skills and techniques I had developed
before did not translate to my new low-vision life. It took me a lot longer
to complete a full face, and I knew that no client was going to sit through
an eight-hour session that I would have to restart four times due to
mistakes. But I had my face, the small collection of makeup I'd been using
for my artistry kit, and I had Instagram - everything I needed to match, if
not exceed, my skills when I was fully sighted. I've been visually impaired
for eight years now, and I've been doing makeup on Instagram for nearly as
long. These are some of my very best tips.
<https://www.heraldmailmedia.com/news/state/versant-health-celebrates-gift-o
f-sight-month-with-new-digital-resource-center/article_fe18f314-edb5-5492-98
a2-d5c99055fee6.html> Herald-Mail Media: Versant Health Celebrates Gift Of
Sight Month With New Digital Resource Center
Versant Health's Gift of Sight Month digital resource center advocates for
equal access to routine eye exams and eye wear to improve vision for people
across generations and socioeconomic status. The site includes infographics,
blog posts, videos, whitepapers and eBooks on supporting eye health for
yourself, your family, friends and loved ones, as you consider meaningful
and valuable holiday gifts. The resource center also includes opportunities
to join the #GiftOfSightMonth conversations on social media.
<http://forgetoday.com/2020/12/01/in-defence-of-audiobooks-dismantling-the-a
bleist-notion-that-audiobooks-are-not-reading/> Forge Today: In Defense Of
Audiobooks: Dismantling The Ableist Notion That Audiobooks are 'Not Reading'
Crucially as a starting point, the belief that reading is reserved only for
those who have the circumstances to sit down and read a book by eye,
excludes those with visual impairments. According to PBS, "Audiobooks first
emerged in 1932, with the establishment of a recording studio by The
American Foundation for the Blind, which created recordings of books on
vinyl records". So it is clear that the beginnings of audiobooks were about
making reading less exclusionary and ableist, and more accessible. The
belief that everyone should be able to enjoy literature, regardless of
whether they are non-disabled or not, is a central tenet of the foundational
concept of audiobooks.
Eye Health
<https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-to-avoid-eye-strain-during-virtual-l
earning/> How To Avoid Eye Strain During Virtual Learning
Every parent knows that they need to limit their kid's screen time. But in
the age of virtual learning (thanks, pandemic), many kids have to stare at
screens for hours. Virtual learning is not great for your child's eye
health. But these tips from pediatric optometrist Alexandra Williamson, OD,
can keep your child's eyes healthy - even when their computer is their
classroom.
Wednesday, December 2, 2020
Workforce Development
<https://www.shrm.org/resourcesandtools/hr-topics/organizational-and-employe
e-development/pages/biden-seeks-to-strengthen-registered-apprenticeship-prog
ram-modernize-workforce-training.aspx> SHRM: Biden Seeks To Strengthen
Registered Apprenticeship Program, Modernize Workforce Training
Investing in apprenticeships is on the to-do list of President-elect Joe
Biden, who has said he wants to put $50 billion into workforce training by
creating partnerships among community colleges; businesses; unions;
universities and high schools; and state, local and tribal governments.
These partnerships would identify knowledge and skills that are in demand,
plus develop or modernize training programs that "could be as short as a few
months or as long as two years" and lead to an industry-recognized
credential, Biden said on his campaign website. "These funds will also
exponentially increase the number of apprenticeships in this country through
strengthening the Registered Apprenticeship Program and partnering with
unions who oversee some of the best apprenticeship programs throughout our
nation."
Tuesday, December 1, 2020
<https://brailleworks.com/braille-calendars/?utm_content=147545108&utm_mediu
m=social&utm_source=twitter&hss_channel=tw-18197430> Braille Works: Uniquely
Attractive And Accessible Braille Calendars
2021 is right around the corner so now is the perfect time to get new
calendars. Try something new this year with our brilliantly designed print
and braille calendars. Whether you are someone who is blind, sighted, or
visually impaired; this is the ideal wall calendar for you. Each month
displays the year, month, weekdays, individual days, and holidays in both
braille and regular print while leaving plenty of extra space for
handwritten notes.
Accessibility
<https://www.aviationpros.com/airports/press-release/21164531/recite-me-orla
ndo-international-airport-provides-accessibility-support-to-29-million-passe
ngers> Aviation Pros: Orlando International Airport Provides Accessibility
Support To 29 Million Passengers
To provide accessible information online to over 29 million passengers every
year, Orlando International Airport now provides an inclusive experience on
the MCO website. Passengers with disabilities spend over 17.3 billion
dollars a year on travel and 34 percent say they would travel more if
impediments were eliminated. The importance of online accessibility is
greater than ever. Effective online communication is critical and being able
to provide personalized assistance online gives everyone the ability to
research and book travel arrangements in a way that works for them.
Eye Health
<https://www.optometrytimes.com/view/topical-presbyopia-management-threat-or
-opportunity-> Optometry Times: Topical Presbyopia Management: Threat Or
Opportunity?
While the ophthalmic world has been restructuring itself to address changes
in protocols and patient demand, the ophthalmic industry has been operating
full steam ahead with new technologies and solutions to age-old problems.
One of the most interesting that is coming to market is the pharmaceutical
approach to managing presbyopia.
<https://www.financialexpress.com/lifestyle/health/7-consumer-trends-that-ha
ve-given-shape-to-eye-care-during-the-pandemic/2139719/> Financial Express:
7 Consumer Trends That Have Given Shape To Eye Care During The Pandemic
While this development signals a lasting change in modern work practices, it
also causes several problems related to eye health. Especially for adults
who work from home, communicate with friends and family via video chat, talk
about streaming content from over-the-top (OTT) platforms, and finally for
children and students taking online courses. All this leads to interesting
new trends in how people deal with various eye-related topics.
Monday, November 30, 2020
<https://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/blind-boarders-repurpose-skatepar
k-for-youth-with-vision-loss?utm_content=146924585&utm_medium=social&utm_sou
rce=twitter&hss_channel=tw-18197430> Calgary Herald: Blind Boarders
Repurpose Skatepark For Youth With Vision Loss
Blind and visually impaired youth took to the half-pipes Saturday as a
Calgary skateboard park was repurposed with high-contrast markings and audio
cues. The group, who have given themselves the nickname "Skate Bats," spent
the afternoon enjoying visually accessible ramps at The Compound skatepark
in Ramsay.
<https://invisionmag.com/prevent-blindness-declares-december-as-give-the-gif
t-of-sight-month/> Invision Mag: Prevent Blindness Declares December As
'Give The Gift Of Sight Month'
Since 1908, Prevent Blindness, the nation's oldest not-for-profit voluntary
eye health organization, has worked to provide services and programs to
protect vision in the United States. Through the support of the American
public, Prevent Blindness has continued its mission to advocate, educate and
empower people to make healthy vision a priority. The group is declaring
December as "Give the Gift of Sight Month," asking the public to reflect on
the joys of healthy vision, and donate to Prevent Blindness.
Technology
<https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20201127/p2g/00m/0na/139000c>
Mainichi: Smartphone-Linked Traffic Lights Helping Guide Visually Impaired
In Japan
Special traffic lights with a system that notifies visually impaired people
what signal is currently being shown through auditory guidance on their
smartphones are gradually being set up across Japan. The National Police
Agency (NPA) aims to implement the system nationwide to reduce visually
impaired pedestrians' concerns. Their efforts to make travel across
intersections safer are gathering attention.
