Dedicated to Improving the Lives of Blind and Visually Impaired People

January Online Events: Technology Topics, AI for People with Disabilities, Art, Smart Accessibility at Home, and Poetry

Technology and Culture Workshops Throughout the Month and Beyond

The Andrew Heiskell Braille and Talking Book Library of The New York Public Library (NYPL) offers a wide range of online workshops, including several series of weekly, time-limited programs. A few coming up in January are:

The Zoom about Zoom on January 7, 2025 from 1 to 2:30 pm ET will cover using this modality efficiently with a screen reader or magnification software, including on mobile devices and computers; how to manage mute and video; and more. Register for this program here.

JAWS: Beyond the Basics: Tuesdays from January 7 through January 28, 2025 from 5 to 7 pm ET, for those who know the basics of using this screen reader and wish to learn more, will cover such topics as proofreading strategies, sound schemes, and AI features. Register for the JAWS series here.

Intro to NVDA, Wednesdays January 8 through February 26, 2025 from 5 to 7 pm ET, for those who already know how to type and would like to use Windows with a free  screen reader, will go over file management, working with documents, searching the web, and more. Register for the NVDA series here.

Nonvisual Drawing Club: January 11 and March 8, 2025 from 2 to 3:30 pm will explore drawing with tools that are affordable and accessible and don’t require sight. Register for the January program here and the March program here.

For a complete list of upcoming events, check out the NYPL calendar listings for the Andrew Heiskell Braille and Talking Book Library.

ChatGPT for the PC: January 8, 2025

Participants in this Future In Sight (FIS) workshop will learn how ChatGPT can become their “digital assistant” to streamline everything on their computers. This workshop for adults will be held on January 8, 2025 from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm. It will focus on how the practical applications of this AI (Artificial Intelligence) language model can “enhance productivity and independence” in everyday life, covering such topics as how to find JAWS commands quickly, custom speech options in NVDA, and more. For additional details and a registration link, visit the webpage for FIS Tech: ChatGPT for the PC.

New Date: Presenting Preliminary Findings on AI for People with Disabilities and Practitioners on January 14, 2025

As announced in a previous issue of this Bulletin, the U.S. Access Board will be presenting preliminary findings on “the risks and benefits of AI for people with disabilities.” This presentation will take place on January 15, 2025 from 2 to 3:30 pm ET, re-scheduled from its original December date. It is part of the Access Board’s “Developing Artificial Intelligence (AI) Equity, Access and Inclusion for AI Series.” To access the presentation, no pre-registration is required. Learn more at the link above or by visiting the webpage for the U.S. Access Board Presents Preliminary Findings on Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Disability Community and AI Practitioners.

“Virtual America InSight: Verbal Description Tour:” January 16, 2025

The Smithsonian American Art Museum (SAAM) provides docent-led virtual tours for participants who are blind or have low vision. Docents provide highlights from the Museum collection “through rich verbal descriptions that invoke a multisensory experience.” The next tour will take place on January 16, 2025 at 5:30 pm ET. For additional details, visit the SAAM webpage for Virtual America InSight: Verbal Description Tours and get free tickets here.

“Let’s Get Smart: Accessibility:” A Webinar on January 17, 2025

As smart devices become more prevalent in our daily lives, accessibility is an important consideration when addressing an individual’s independent living needs. On January 17, 2025 at 2 pm Central Time (3 pm ET), the OIB-TAC (Older Individuals with Blindness Technical Assistance Center) will present a webinar entitled “Let’s Get Smart: Accessibility in the Home.” Dr. Stephanie Welch-Grenier, CVRT/COMS/TVI will speak about currently available smart devices and smart home options, along with how to determine the suitability of incorporating smart devices into the home. For more information and a registration link, visit the webpage for Let’s Get Smart: Accessibility in the Home.

“Poetic Resilience & The Art of Bouncing Back:” A Virtual Poetry Program on January 21, 2025

This program, the second of JBI’s three-part poetry series on personal and collective resilience, will take place on January 21, 2025 at 4:30 pm ET. Featured speakers and long-time friends, Jessica Greenbaum and Daniel Meltz will read their work in conversation with each other and in relation to the event’s theme. An audience Q&A session will follow their presentation. A program booklet with their poems is available upon request in large print, braille, audio, and standard print upon registration. To request a mailed program booklet, register by January 7, 2025. Live captioning and ASL interpretation will be provided. Find out more and register by visiting the webpage on the JBI Poetry Series Part Two: Poetic Resilience and the Art of Bouncing Back.