News – Partners for Sight

Having Trouble Reading Standard Print? Enjoy today’s bestsellers in easy-to-read large print: Select Editions Large Type Books

Enjoy the best in current fiction, romance, mystery, biography, adventure, and more. Reader’s Digest Select Editions Large Type features expertly edited best-selling books in

Enjoy the best in current fiction, romance, mystery, biography, adventure, and more. Reader’s Digest Select Editions Large Type features expertly edited best-selling books in every volume. You get a full year of exciting reading (five volumes in all), for the low nonprofit price of $25. Indulge your love of great reading in a format that is comfortable and pleasurable to read. A portion of the proceeds from each subscription supports Reader’s Digest Partners for Sight Foundation’s work and dedication to fostering the independence of people who are blind and visually impaired. Each subscriber also receives a large-print calendar free of charge. Subscribe to Reader’s Digest Select Editions Large Type today or give a gift subscription. To order your subscription by phone, call 1-800-877-5293. […]

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New Video Explores “The Rehabilitation Act at 50”

September 26, 2023 marked the 50th anniversary of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the first federal law to “address access and equity for people

September 26, 2023 marked the 50th anniversary of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the first federal law to “address access and equity for people with disabilities.” Several sections of the Act affect employment and career readiness. A new video explores these sections and their impact—then, now, and looking toward the future of individuals with disabilities. This video highlights key provisions of the landmark legislation, which protects those with disabilities from discrimination in employment within the federal government as well as with federal contractors. The Rehab Act prohibits employers from discriminating in considering job applicants and working with employees on the basis of disability, emphasizing that applicants be judged on the basis of abilities, experience, and qualifications in “building a more diverse and inclusive culture for all employees.” Its requirements extend beyond people in the workforce, protecting individuals preparing to work or enter into careers. This encompasses equity in public education and includes publicly funded workforce programs such as those provided by the “nationwide network of American job centers overseen by the Labor Department,” which offer employment and training assistance. The video also explains that the Act is flexible to meet changing needs, with additional provisions added requiring information and communication technology used by federal agencies to be accessible to people with disabilities to keep up with the rapid growth of information technology (IT). “If you’re a person able to navigate a government website using a screen reader…that’s the Rehab Act at work.” Many companies have also adopted some of the accessibility provisions. Check out the video on YouTube on the Rehabilitation Act at 50: Advancing Access & Equity for People with Disabilities—Then, Now & Next. Read more about the law and its implementation in the U.S. Department of Justice blog post announcing that the Justice Department Celebrates 50th Anniversary of the Rehabilitation Act. […]

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Celebrating White Cane Day: October 15, 2023

by B. E. Lewis, RDPFS Intern: For people who are blind, the white cane is an important tool for achieving a full and independent

by B. E. Lewis, RDPFS Intern: For people who are blind, the white cane is an important tool for achieving a full and independent life, recognized around the world as a means for identifying and empowering individuals who are blind and visually impaired. This year, celebrations for White Cane Day, recognized annually on October 15th, will be held in many communities across the country. This observance provides opportunities to celebrate the white cane, its benefits, different types of canes, and more. Activities such as marches, musical performances, exhibits, white cane walks, meetings, speeches, picnics, barbecues, and the distribution of promotional materials will highlight the day in communities across the nation. The celebration on October 15th each year can be traced to a joint resolution of the United States Congress in 1964 designating that day to be recognized as White Cane Safety Day. “White Cane Awareness Day is our way of emphasizing the critical role that this tool plays in living the lives we want and informing the public about its true significance,” says National Federation of the Blind (NFB) President Mark A. Riccobono. Through the years, state laws have reinforced the importance of the white cane, offering blind pedestrians protection and the right-of-way while carrying a white cane. “White Cane Laws” are in effect in each state in the U.S. and the District of Columbia. These laws require drivers to use every possible precaution when approaching a pedestrian with a white or metallic cane or using a guide dog. For more information about White Cane Awareness Day, including suggestions for activities to celebrate, visit the NFB webpage on White Cane Awareness Day. Details about laws protecting blind pedestrians across the nation are available from the American Council of the Blind (ACB)’s webpage on White Cane Laws for States. For a copy of the original Presidential recognition of the commemoration, visit the UC Santa Barbara’s webpage for The American Presidential Project to read the text for Proclamation 3622—White Cane Safety Day, 1964. […]

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“Love Your Eyes at Work” is Theme of World Sight Day: October 12, 2023

This year’s annual celebration of World Sight Day will highlight the “importance of eye care in the workplace.” The event provides the opportunity to

This year’s annual celebration of World Sight Day will highlight the “importance of eye care in the workplace.” The event provides the opportunity to focus the world’s attention on eye health as a global issue as well as a platform to influence decision makers to make eye health initiatives a priority, and to activate demand for eye health services globally. The International Agency for the Prevention or Blindness (IAPB), coordinator of this commemoration, urges employers to make eye health initiatives standard practice and to promote habits to foster eye health and benefit the well being, safety, and productivity of millions of employees. As a start, everyone is invited to make a pledge to #LoveYourEyes. Steps need to be taken by employers and others to “ensure that eye care is available, accessible and affordable to all.” To promote the message and help to achieve this goal, IAPB provides a toolkit, posters, workplace resources, graphics, and social media resources. Offerings include suggested media tips, press releases, talking points for CEOs and other spokespeople, how to plan a vision screening, a workplace checklist, and much more. World Sight Day is coordinated by IAPB and supported by almost 200 IAPB Member organizations in nations around the world. For more information, visit the IAPB webpage on World Sight Day 2023. […]

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At-Home COVID-19 Tests Available for People Who Are Blind or Have Low Vision

People who are blind or have low vision may now order Ellume COVID-19 Home Tests, “which are more accessible than other options,” at no

People who are blind or have low vision may now order Ellume COVID-19 Home Tests, “which are more accessible than other options,” at no cost. Tests detect currently circulating COVID variants and are intended for use until the end of 2023. They have been made available through a partnership between the HHS (Health and Human Service) Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response and the United States Postal Service. Supplies of these more accessible tests are limited. Therefore, people are asked to “order them only if they do not have a way to use the other types of tests, such as assistive technology or a trusted family member or friend who can assist…” The test works through use of a smartphone app to provide audio step-by-step instructions for administering it and audio test results. Users need to have a compatible, Bluetooth-enabled smartphone and download and install a free app from either the Apple App Store (for iOS) or Google Play Store (for Android). To order: – Via phone: For regular tests or more accessible tests: Call 1-800-232-0233 and follow the instructions provided; – Additional ways to order: By phone, via the Disability Information and Assistance Line (DIAL), at 888-677-1199; by visiting the DIAL website for chat and ASL services; or email [email protected]. Operators are available Monday through Friday 8 am to 9 pm ET; or – Online: People who are visually impaired can order tests through DIAL. For additional details, visit the ACL (Administration for Community Living) webpage on Free at-home COVID-19 tests: Ellume tests available for people who are blind or have low vision. […]

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Accessible Technology Conference to be Streamed Online

by B. E. Lewis, RDPFS Intern: The New York Public Library’s Accessible Technology Conference, being held October 21 to 22, 2023 in New York City,

by B. E. Lewis, RDPFS Intern: The New York Public Library’s Accessible Technology Conference, being held October 21 to 22, 2023 in New York City, will be available to attendees from anywhere, streamed virtually via Zoom. This free and inclusive event will focus on the impact, qualities, and evolution of accessible technologies used by people who are blind, have low vision, or are “print-disabled.” Although registration for in-person attendance is full, virtual participation remains open. The conference promises to “discuss technology in our daily lives and imagine a more equitable, sustainable, and inclusive future for accessible technology.” Sessions will focus on new and affordable technologies, hands-on learning, factors involved in adopting accessible technology, and the “maker/DIY(Do-It-Yourself) culture” of sharing skills. Among the topics to be covered are: “3D Printing Clubs at Schools for the Blind: What Has Worked and How We Are Collaborating to Create Solutions;” “How AI is Transforming Accessibility;” and “Design for the future of technology,” to name just a few. Those encouraged to attend include community members who are blind, have low vision, or multiple disabilities; technology instructors; service providers; beginner, intermediate, and advanced users of Accessible Technology devices; innovators and inventors; artists; disability justice advocates; educators, librarians; other professionals; and anyone interested in finding out more about Accessible Technology. For more details, and a registration link, visit The New York Public Library webpage entitled “You Are Invited! NYPL’s Accessible Technology Conference 2023 | The New York Public Library.” […]

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