Watching TV Blind: A Love-Hate Relationship

I have a longstanding love-hate relationship with television. And, for 20 years now, video description has hung like a shadow over this relationship. I grew up on the great classic comedies of the 1970s: "All in the Family," "The Mary Tyler Moore Show," and "M.A.S.H." I spent far too many summer vacation hours lazily watching programs from "Love Boat" to gameshows. I later adopted sitcoms like "Cheers" and "The Cosby Show," along with a sprinkling of a few medical and legal dramas. In other…

Accessible Drug Label Bill Passes in House; on Course for President's Signature

On Wednesday, June 20, the U.S. House of Representatives passed comprehensive legislation, the Food and Drug Administration Safety and Innovation Act. Advocates will recall that companion legislation had previously passed the Senate including provisions that would establish national best practices for retail and other pharmacies to use in providing accessible prescription drug labeling to their customers with vision loss. Once these best practices are promulgated, a Government Accountability…
Author Mark Richert
Blog Topics Public Policy

How to Order Walmart Talking Prescription Containers

Following up on the recent press release from Walmart, please read below to learn how to order Talking Prescription Containers. On June 8, Walmart announced that it is now providing ScripTalk Talking Prescription Containers free of charge to people with vision loss as part of a pilot program. The ScripTalk Talking Prescription program is being offered to customers across the country through Walmart mail order, and also at three Walmart stores. To listen to the talking label provided by…

Christine Ha Cooking Her Way to Being Next MasterChef

Have you heard about Christine Ha? She's a contestant — who’s blind — on MasterChef, the FOX Network Primetime reality television cooking competition starring Gordon Ramsay, Joe Bastianich, and Graham Elliot. These star chefs and food critic judge aspiring cooks from around the country on their culinary skills. Christine is a University of Houston graduate student and a food blogger who shows off her skills in many ways. "You have an excellent palate!" said Chef Gordon Ramsay about Christine…

MasterChef Cooks Up Positive Portrayal of Blind Cook

I was catching up on some television recently when I caught the season premiere of MasterChef, starring Gordon Ramsay, Graham Elliot, and Joe Bastianich. My wife said to me, "Wait, I think I just saw a white cane." She rewound the recording and there was definitely a woman using a white cane. "Oh no," I said, "how are they going to portray her on this show?" We continued watching, and they teased it a little bit. They had her as the last person to compete for a spot on the episode.…

Senate Passes Accessible Drug Label Bill

On May 24, by a vote of 96 to 1, the U.S. Senate passed a massive package of policy updates known as the Food and Drug Administration Safety and Innovation Act. Read more about the legislation at: http://www.help.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/?id=e1bfeed3-75b8-4945-81bd-af83bdaec2d3&groups=Chair The Senate-passed version of this bill includes provisions that would establish national best practices for retail and other pharmacies to use in providing accessible prescription drug…
Author Mark Richert
Blog Topics Public Policy

The AFB Leadership Conference with FAER: Sunburned, Well-Fed, and Educated

...And maybe add "A Few Fruity Drinks!" to that title. I am just getting back in the swing of things after a great AFB Leadership Conference with Florida AER in St. Pete Beach, FL. I can tell you that it was hard to get back behind my desk after returning from our beautiful location at the Tradewinds Island Resort. I would prefer to set up my desk on the white sand beach with the clear blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico in front of me. Still, I was glad to have the opportunity to connect with…
Author Joe Strechay
Blog Topics Conference Recaps

Time to Pack! The 2012 AFB Leadership Conference is this week!

Wow, the AFB Leadership Conference and Preconference with the Florida Association for the Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind or Visually Impaired is just about here! Which means, it's almost time to head to St. Pete Beach, Florida, to see some great sessions presented by some of the top speakers from around the country. All of the partners have pitched in to create a great event. I am looking forward to seeing my friends from around the nation and from Florida. I have lived and worked…
Author Joe Strechay
Blog Topics

Be Kind, Rewind: How Your First Job Affects Your Entire Career

I often have the opportunity to give presentations or workshops to professionals, adults or teens who are blind or visually impaired. I speak about the employment process, resources, and the route to a career or successful employment. It always brings me back, thinking about my very first job. It was at a video rental store that also provided photo processing and enlargements. I started working there when I was14 years old, through a bit of a fluke. I'd decided I wanted a job, so I…
Author Joe Strechay
Blog Topics Employment

Wanted: Your Input for Upcoming AccessWorld Article

[Editor's note: the following post comes from Deborah Kendrick, Senior Features Editor for AccessWorld.] It's the dreaded call we all have to make at some point: contacting technical support for a mainstream commercial company, where we know we'll talk to a technician who has no clue how people who or blind or have low vision use a computer. My own experience has run the gamut. There was the guy for my internet service provider, talking to me all the way from India, who kept saying upon…
Author AFB Staff
Blog Topics Accessibility, General