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#assistivetechnology

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July is #DisabilityPrideMonth!

Disability Pride Month is a time to honor the history, achievements, and experiences of people with disabilities. It is also a time to spread awareness about disability rights, equity, and share resources, like this post!

Explore books about disabled experiences, such as those found in Bookshare's 2025 Disability Special Collection: ow.ly/ACj250Wrxty

Happy Disability Pride Month!

Another one of my posts. This one on the topic of AI tools as assistive technology, what's working, what isn't and why, all without the hype that too many people tend to lean into when discussing this technology:

When Independence Meets Uncertainty: My Journey with AI-Powered Vision
A blind user's candid assessment of the promises and pitfalls of current AI accessibility tools
open.substack.com/pub/kaylielf

Kaylie’s Substack · 🤖👁️ From thermostat success to dryer disasters: my honest take on AI vision tools that promise independence but deliver uncertainty. A must-read for anyone curious about the real state of AI accessibility.By Kaylie L. Fox

The Innovative Impact Newsletter By Dr. Kirk Adams for Monday, July 7, 2025 - Issue 104
drkirkadams.com/newsletter-07-

💡 Practical Strategies for Workplace Inclusion and Leadership
A Dr. Kirk Adams Publication
#InclusiveLeadership #WorkplaceInclusion #DisabilityEmployment #DiversityEquityInclusion #AccessibilityMatters #AssistiveTechnology #HRBestPractices #InclusiveWorkforce #LeadershipDevelopment #FutureOfWork

Subscribers: 3,237 🔢️ subscribers were sent this issue via email.

I just read this article. It describes GenieTalk (Generating Expression through Narrative in Everyday Talk), an input device for augmentative and alternative communication (AAC).

It sounds interesting, even for user who wouldn't need special assistance!

‘What I Think about When I Type about Talking’: Reflections on Text-Entry Acceleration Interfaces – Communications of the ACM
cacm.acm.org/research/what-i-t

I thought that some of you might find this interesting, since so many in the Fediverse genuinely care about accessibility.
Note: The description was taken from the Top Tech Tidbits newsletter. The second link is to the article itself.

toptechtidbits.com/tidbits2025

"This article provides an updated guide for enhancing the accessibility of social media posts, focusing on critical elements like alt text, fonts, hashtags, and content warnings. It emphasizes practical tips to create inclusive content that can be navigated by individuals using screen readers and other assistive technologies."

a2i.co.uk/blog/accessible-soci

Top Tech Tidbits - A Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd. PublicationTop Tech Tidbits for Thursday, June 19, 2025 - Volume 1020The Top Tech Tidbits newsletter. The world's #1 online resource for current news and trends in access technology.

Calling anyone with ears, England or Wales. There's a clinical trial of assistive technology, EarSwitch, that's running out of time to recruit enough volunteers.
(An ad was running today in my local surgery.)
You've got voluntary control of your ear muscles? Maybe take a look at helping out.
[EDIT they're looking for people with motor-neurological disability. H/t @kestral ]

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#AssistiveTechnology #rumbling

The Innovative Impact Newsletter By Dr. Kirk Adams for Monday, June 2, 2025 - Issue 103
drkirkadams.com/newsletter-06-

💡Practical Strategies for Workplace Inclusion and Leadership
A Dr. Kirk Adams Publication
#InclusiveLeadership #WorkplaceInclusion #DisabilityEmployment #DiversityEquityInclusion #AccessibilityMatters #AssistiveTechnology #HRBestPractices #InclusiveWorkforce #LeadershipDevelopment #FutureOfWork

Subscribers: 2,838 🔢️ subscribers were sent this issue via email.

The Innovative Impact Newsletter By Dr. Kirk Adams for Monday, May 5, 2025 - Issue 102 💡
drkirkadams.com/newsletter-05-

Practical Strategies for Workplace Inclusion and Leadership
A Dr. Kirk Adams Publication
#InclusiveLeadership #WorkplaceInclusion #DisabilityEmployment #DiversityEquityInclusion #AccessibilityMatters #AssistiveTechnology #HRBestPractices #InclusiveWorkforce #LeadershipDevelopment #FutureOfWork

Subscribers: 2,244 🔢️ subscribers were sent this issue via email.

Replied in thread

@mcc We already have a tragic example of law 3 in a recent SF movie: Disney's 2022 remake of Pinocchio. The puppet gets expelled on his first day of school because he is not human, after which he ends up on the street to get exploited by the fox and cat.

Not to mention that law 2 could unduly restrict power consumption of assistive devices for humans with disabilities.

Balancing Privacy and Assistive Technology: The Case for Large Language Models

In today’s digital world, the tension between privacy and technology is more pronounced than ever. I’m deeply concerned about the implications of surveillance capitalism—especially the spyware embedded in our devices, cars, and even our bodies. This pervasive technology can lead to a loss of autonomy and a feeling of being constantly monitored. Yet, amidst these concerns, assistive technology plays a critical role, particularly for those of us with neurological impairments.

I recently read a thought-provoking post by @serge that highlighted the importance of sharing perspectives on this issue.

<iframe src="babka.social/@serge/1137542699" width="400" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" sandbox="allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox allow-forms"></iframe>

With the rise of large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT, we’re seeing a shift toward more accessible and user-friendly technology. Local LLMs offer a viable alternative to big tech solutions, often running on specially laptops or even compact devices like Raspberry Pi. For many, including myself, LLMs are invaluable tools that enhance communication, summarize information, transcribe voice, facilitate learning, and help manage tasks that might otherwise feel overwhelming. They can help strike the right emotional tone in our writing and assist in understanding complex data—capabilities that are especially crucial for those of us facing neurological challenges.

While the goal of eliminating surveillance capitalism is commendable, banning technology outright isn’t the answer. We must recognize the significance of LLMs for individuals with disabilities. Calls to remove these technologies can overlook their profound impact on our lives. For many, LLMs are not just tools; they are lifelines that enable us to engage with the world more fully. Removing access to these resources would only isolate individuals who already face significant barriers. Instead, we should focus on utilizing local LLMs and other privacy-focused alternatives.

This situation underscores the need for a nuanced approach to the intersection of privacy and assistive technology. Open-source LLMs, like Piper, exemplify how we can create locally run voice models that are accessible to everyone, even on low-cost devices. Advocating for privacy must go hand in hand with considering the implications for those who rely on these technologies for daily functioning. Striking a balance between protecting individual privacy and ensuring access to vital assistive tools is not just necessary; it’s imperative.

In conclusion, LLMs represent a promising avenue for assisting individuals with neurological impairments. By embracing local and open-source solutions, we can protect our privacy while ensuring that everyone has access to the tools they need to thrive. The conversation around privacy and technology must continue, focusing on inclusivity and empowerment for all.

I use SpeechNotes installed locally all the time, and I’d love to hear how you use LLMs as assistive technology! Do you run your LLM locally? Share your experiences!

Hello, caneandable.social! I'm Lanie, a 33-year-old #Christian woman from Pipe Creek, TX. I'm #aroace, #TotallyBlind, #ActuallyAutistic, and living with multiple #ChronicIllnesses. I've just moved over from tweesecake.social, so I'm excited to meet new people and reconnect with familiar faces!

A bit about me:
- I live with my mom and stepdad, who are my caregivers
- I have a Miniature Pinscher named Squeaker
- Currently studying programming on freeCodeCamp.org and codecademy.com and Braille proofreading through the NFB
- I work as a usability tester and aspire to become an #accessibility consultant
- My goal is to create a nonprofit for people with multiple #disabilities

My interests include:
- #Gaming (especially accessible games like incremental/idle games, word games, puzzles, RPGs, roguelikes, and MUDs)
- #Technology and #Cybersecurity
- #RareDiseases and #DisabilityRights
- Reading (sci-fi, fantasy, thrillers, mysteries, and nonfiction)
- Swimming
- Gardening (planning to start soon!)

I'm passionate about #accessibility and creating a more inclusive digital world. I run online groups for people with multiple disabilities and am active in the #DisabilityCommunity.

Some of my #health conditions include occipital neuralgia, intracranial hypertension, Empty Sella Syndrome, fibromyalgia, hidradenitis suppurativa, GERD, gastroparesis, IBS, sleep apnea, migraines, and non-24-hour sleep-wake disorder.

I use various devices to navigate the digital world, including a Windows computer, iPhone, Android tablet, Fire TV, Echo Dot, Apple Watch, wireless headphones, and a Braille display. #AssistiveTechnology

I'm always eager to connect with others who share similar experiences or interests. Feel free to reach out, especially if you're into #AccessibleTech, #DisabilityAdvocacy, or if you just want to chat about books, games, or life with multiple disabilities!

discord.gg/YDuE3rh3 so I have decided to get back into discord. I already have a server on there that focuses on audio games, but I figured I’d create a second one to focus on assistive tech for iOS. Basically I’m gonna set this up so that we can come and talk about the good the favorite, the bad and the ugly about assistive technology for the iOS platform.#Accessibility #Discord #AssistiveTechnology #Fun #Entertainment#fediverse

DiscordJoin the iOS assistive technology Discord Server!Check out the iOS assistive technology community on Discord - hang out with 1 other members and enjoy free voice and text chat.