AFB Blog

Since 2015, we celebrate Disability Pride Month each July in honor of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which was passed in 1990. For anyone unfamiliar with me, I'm Aaron Preece, editor of AFB's AccessWorld Technology and Digital Inclusion publication. I have severe low vision due to a degenerative retinal condition. For context, I primarily function as blind, e.g., using a screen reader and am not able to get any use out of magnification. When I was considering…

Since the onset of the pandemic, so much of our experience has been lived behind the mobile screen in our hands or the keyboard at our desks — from ordering groceries online to scheduling a medical appointment to making online banking transactions. However, in a country where as many as 30 million of us are blind or have low vision, an issue that negatively affects millions of people each day in the United States continues to be ignored. While the internet has connected us all in recent…

Today marks the 143rd birthday of Helen Keller, who remains one of the great icons of inspiration in American history. As we take time to remember Helen’s impact on the world, we want to draw attention to those who walked alongside her during her life. It’s in their stories that Helen’s greatness truly comes to light, and we’re reminded that we’re strongest when we’re not alone. 65th birthday celebration for Helen Keller at the Brooklyn Industrial Home for the Blind, Brooklyn, NY. Left to…

For many Americans, this long-weekend marks the beginning of summer, when families across the country dust off their coolers and unpack their beach chairs from winter storage. But, as families make their way to the shore or their local park, it’s important to pause and remind ourselves of the significance this holiday plays in our freedom and independence, particularly for those within the blindness field. At the American Foundation for the Blind, our own history is steeped in the sacrifices…

On Friday, May 19, the Department of Justice (DOJ) Civil Rights Division and the Department of Education Office for Civil Rights (OCR) issued a Joint Dear Colleague Letter on the participation of people with disabilities in online activities made available by colleges, universities, and other postsecondary institutions. The accessibility of online education has been a major focus for AFB’s Public Policy and Research Institute since the pandemic expedited the adoption of educational technologies…

Each year, the third Thursday of the month marks Global Accessibility Awareness Day. This year, on May 18th, the American Foundation for the Blind wanted to share some updates and actions we can all take to help make the world more inclusive online for people with disabilities. Since developer Joe Devon first posed the concept of a day dedicated to expanding awareness in late 2011, we have seen a continuous uptick in the participation #GAAD garners each year. Now in its 12th year, it’s been…

The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) celebrated on Tuesday, May 2nd, the completion of the third cohort of fellows in the Blind Leaders Development Program. The special evening event brought together participants, along with family and friends, who gathered together virtually from across the country. The third cohort of AFB Blind Leaders Fellows spent the past ten months immersed in The Leadership Challenge, an engaging professional development curriculum designed to bolster confidence…

The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) just released its Barriers to Digital Inclusion study, which identified the key areas where accessibility gaps still exist for online and mobile application content. And, as one would expect, education still rises to the top when it comes to accessibility hurdles. To close the gap, AFB wanted to share some valuable resources we have prepared for parents, students, and advocates over the past year. Three years ago, as the novel coronavirus pandemic…

(EDITOR’S NOTE: We wanted to share an important post from the National Disability Rights Network (NDRN), who is collecting valuable stories to assist in a national coalition to make the internet fully accessible. Your story can help make a real difference. Please take time to read and share widely.) As many website and application users with disabilities know, far too many websites are inaccessible for users with disabilities. This reality is disastrous for Americans with disabilities. We live…