This unabashed fundraiser post is halfway in memory of RantMom. RantMom ran licensed home day cares both in CO and for a shorter time in MT. RantWoman is just posting the fundraiser link rather than try anything fancy with visuals because RantWoman does not want technical imperfections to get in the way of the story.
The San Luis valley is east of where RantMom grew up and east of where the Rant Family lived, there are a couple family road trips to Alamosa to hang out with a music professor colleague of RantDad's. There used to be a zoo that had at least one resident camel. RantWoman remembers visiting during snowy weather and thinking about all the harsh climates where camels work.
There. Just check out the fundraiser and do it before May 1 if possible.
RantWoman has decided several times not to go to law school, but RantWoman has, in the comment rant below the video, RantWoman would like to propose a project for a fresh aspiring lawyer.
Time to test the #SCOTUS concept of "official acts?"
What is the emergency???
Has the local #StableGenius violated so many laws, architectural and construction standards, procedures, constrains on bribery... that SOMEONE can make a case that immunity does not apply?
I assume there is no chance the current DoJ would do it, but who might have standing to sue????
If President #StableGenius did not like the White House, why did he run for re-election??? Surely he can afford to live somewhere else and build his own dang ballroom.
Besides, what's one more civil judgment for the #StableGenius to ignore??? When he finally slouches off this mortal coil, probate for his estate could be SO much fun....
RantWoman means to research and fact check a couple points but enough of the story rings true to RantWoman based on educational background and experience that this is a powerful story.
The bias / discrimination angle also rings true.
"I SPEAK 9 LANGUAGES" — Said the Young Black Woman... The Judge Laughed,...
The way the story is told definitely lacks that US English dialect usually called legalese. I assume what actually happened in court as reflected in a transcript would be closer to standard courtroom argot with presentation of credentials by all the professionals serving as witnesses Since specific companies are mentioned, it should be easy to fact check. It would also be interesting to see how the court record reflects the demonstrations of different languages, says someone who has done some legal interpreting.
The story mentions specific companies and legal cases that can probably be easily researched. It also uses language I as someone familiar with dialect issues in different widely spoken languages recognize in professional terms. The way this story is told does not reflect legalese probably used in court proceedings so anyone who doubts the general thrust is free to research further.
RantWoman is playing crash test dummy checking out the process to apply for taxi scrip as administered by Metro. RantWoman recently learned that, although her income has been looking tup, she probably qualifies for Taxi scrip for those transportation moments when the bus won't do and travel is needed within King County.
Understand, RantWoman REALLY likes the bus for being easy to get on and off, for leg room, and for some level of adventure if, for instance, RantWoman is venturing to a part of the county she does not know well, and of course for modest physical exercise. RantWoman does like the idea of taxi scrip not expiring so RantWoman can have some on hand if needed and not have to worry about it expiring.
1. a search string for the Google or copilot, RantWoman does not remember which
King County Metro taxi scrip
RantWoman has in mind a nice path to an application even though RantWoman did not specify that in her search string. Instead RantWoman got a whole paragraph full of information she already knows. RantWoman lives in King County. RantWoman is definitely over 18. RantWoman qualifies according to the household income table she found a couple steps down.
2. Because of a recent software update on the computer RantWoman is using, some stupid message asking me which ads RantWoman finds most annoying--besides the stupid question when RantWoman is on a mission.
3. Redo the search adding "application form" to the search string
Noodle around with a bunch of "people also asked" suggestions and god knows what, especially since RantWoman tends to try bad eyes first and then remember to tab around and / or do a links list.
4. Behold: a bare minimum form to apply. Form requests RantWoman's name and contact info. Form does not ask whether RantWoman already has a Regional Reduced fare permit though RantWoman does. The form just asks for contact info and promises a response.
5. RantWoman notices a list of cab companies that will accept taxi scrip. RantWoman will come back to the list depending on a couple aspects of experience. RantWoman does not expect to use taxi scrip very often. RantWoman also notes that taxi scrip comes as paper that works like money except that cab drivers have to submit the paper for payment. RantWoman has heard that cab drivers are sometimes reluctant to deal with taxi scrip because of the processing time.
Here RantWoman is going to acknowledge that paying cash for paper probably is really important for some riders. HOWEVER, RantWoman also fantasizes about either an app, maybe like the app that allows RantWoman to pay for laundry or a refillable debit card, perhaps like RantWoman's ORCA card. The card would need to work for drivers who accept credit / Debit cards and Rant Woman would like to know her taxi scrip balance. Okay, it;s a fantasy...
Elapsed time to step through the hoops and write a blog post, plus or minus a couple distractions 45 minutes but the task would get easier if done regularly.
RantWoman definitely does not look at entire videos in full detail. RantWoman tends to listen and only occasionally invest enough eye focus to see detail.
So the channel is fascinating because it spells out a LOT of things that are happening visually. Sometimes it feels like reason 320 zillion why blind people and sighted people miscommunicate, although RantWoman could be vaguely interested in seeing how much of the same info could be picked up by voice.
First, this video points out lots of visual specifics in Erika's speech at Charlie Kirk's funeral.
What Changed With Erika Kirk? Body Language Analyst Reacts to funeral
YouTube is full of opinions about whether Erika Kirk is grieving appropriately. RantWoman would just leave the poor woman alone. RantWoman's experience with grief is that it comes and goes unpredictably for a long time.
As far as the state of national dialog about Charlie's death:
--RantWoman was part of a conversation where one participant made the fascinating point that it doesn't matter that lots of Charlie's detractors are disgusted by #MAGA comparisons between Charlie Kirk and MLK. What matters is that is how Kirk's followers see him.
--In that conversation, RantWoman pointed out that MLK never helped raise millions of dollars to help elect a corrupt pedophile as President. It will take some maneuvering to keep the gravy train running but the other question is what messaging will remind people that their presence in the national conversation is valuable as they HOPEFULLY come to grips with some disagreeable realities.
--Apparently #SecDef Pete Hegseth is terribly shaken by Kirk's assassination.
Somewhere in this line of thinking MIGHT be some threads Erika Kirk is thinking about.
RantWoman does not share Erika's theological certainty about what happens after death. RantWoman has enough faith not to worry about that until she gets there. RantWoman remembers one family hiccup after RantDad passed away about cremation. RantDad's younger sister was worried that if RantDad were cremated, he would somehow miss out on the Rapture. RantWoman's view: any deity that can pull off the Rapture can give people whatever corporeal presence they need for the situation.
RantWoman is interested in one moment in particular, the clip in the post here right at the beginning of her speech when the President summons her to the stage.
The way the President summoned Erika creeped RantWoman out a little bit because of something about the President's voice. Erika strode out like someone used to the kind of summons that bothered RantWoman Erika won Miss Arizona in a beauty pageant run by the not-yet-President and perhaps is used to the kind of kiss on two cheeks that Spidey called out.
Something in the second video, from a different angle made RantWoman wonder about a really gross possibility. RantWoman just naturally assumes the President is a pervy lech who will grab every chance he gets to paw at beautiful women. Watching the President Embrace, RantWoman wondered whether there was some over-the-line pawing going on. Even worse, RantWoman found herself wondering whether the President tried to kiss Erika on the lips rather than on the cheeks. RantWoman can't really tell, but the question adds a possible interpretation. Did Erika pull away a little and bury her face in the President's shoulder far away from his lips.
All of this gets RantWoman to another #TPUSA irony: TPUSA preaches "tradwife" values about women's relationships with their husbands. But Erika has now become the head of the entire #TPUSA empire.
This also harkens back to CO Congresswoman Lauren Boebert's appearances at TPUSA events. Lauren in her spiky heels and scary red lipstick pranced around talking about Biblical values in marriage while she was busy divorcing her husband. So THANGS are not always what they seem, and there is probably room for LOTS of people to think carefully about what matters to Gen Z.
The Washington Council of the Blind (WCB) on behalf of its member, fully supports the following statement from the Washington State Rehabilitation Council for the Blind:
The Washington State Rehabilitation Council for the Blind (SRCB) is an advisory group of volunteers, appointed by the Governor, who provide counsel and guidance to Department of the Services for the Blind (DSB). The committee reviews, evaluates, and recommends plans, policies, and activities to ensure that blind or visually disabled people in our state receive the most effective and efficient rehabilitation services possible.
We are sending you this letter regarding our concerns about the effect of the current Vocational Rehab (VR) funding cuts and how those cuts will affect Washington state residents who are served and supported by the DSB.
While the proposal includes $4.5 billion in mandatory funding for the Vocational Rehabilitation State Grants Program, the proposal also includes a Change in Mandatory Program (CHIMP) to reduce the post-sequester funding to $3.7 billion, aligning it with the FY 2024 enacted level. This would result in a significant cut to vocational rehabilitation grant programs.
Washington state will not have adequate state resources to make up for any lost federal funds. Our analysis of the impacts of this funding reduction is that we will have to place some or all applicants for vocational rehabilitation services on a waitlist to avoid overspending the budget.
In addition, the Department of Education budget proposal provides no funding for the following programs in FY 2026, and indicates that these services can be funded out of the already reduced Vocational Rehabilitation grant:
• Client Assistance State Grants
• Supported Employment State Grants
• Training Program
• Demonstration and Training Programs
• Protection and Advocacy of Individual Rights Program
Because of the proposed budget cuts, the DSB will need to implement a waitlist. This is a devastating decrease in support and services especially since applications to DSB for services have increased by 20% in the past year.
Having to wait for Vocational Rehab services can truly be detrimental to those who are ready for training. The programs listed above as being affected by funding cuts are truly essential to someone who needs a complete rehabilitation experience.
The bottom line is that these programs need to be fully funded. Blind and low-vision residents of Washington state deserve these services to continue to be independent, fully functioning employed citizens.
Respectfully,
Andy Arvidson SRCB Chair and Washington Council of the Blind President
Above is the gentle version. Please allow RantWoman to weigh in.
1. Need for Rehabilitation services is BIPARTISAN.and the big supposedly wonderful bill passed very narrowly but Congress still has to finalize the FY 2026 budget. So Congressional representatives need to hear from the public NOW. It might or might not make a difference, but speaking up still matters. Speaking up any way one can matters especially for representatives who are avoiding town meetings and creating lots of burdens in order to contact them electronically.
2. Full disclosure: RantWoman definitely benefited from vocational rehabilitation services decades ago when midlife DNA lotto hit. RantWoman can tell from others accounts of their rehabilitation experience, that vocational rehabilitation services make enormouse contributions to blind people's ability to thrive in the US economy and to help others thrive.
1. MAYBE if you are thoughtful, protestors detained in the recent protests at the UW Interdisciplinary Engineering Building MAY be able to negotiate some way to stay off campus and still finish classes. RantWoman has no opinion beyond that, or rather RantWoman has opinions that probably everyone is going to find problematic. More on that shortly.
2. Some or all of you are likely to face criminal charges. RantWman is not a lawyer and is not going to comment about that beyond the observation that there are plenty of voices demanding criminal consequences.
3. It is never a bad day to condemn the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. There have been abundant opportunities to do that for decades, since long before October7. Again, more on RantWoman's thinking, the role of the academy, job hunting, conscience and more separately..
Now back up a few steps.
Y'all have again aroused eruptions from Protest Curmudgeon. Protest Curmudgeon, aka RantWoman is old enough to be your mother and probably in some cases your grandmother. RantWoman is not up on every detail of student movements at protests at the University of WA, but back in the mists of last century, RantWoman graduated from college on disciplinary probation because of a protest about South Africa. RantWoman is probably taking some risks by putting together all of the comments below; RantWoman hopes the risks are worthwhile.
Say it loud. Say it again.Any day would be an excellent day to keep speaking out loudly and clearly about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. A really clear ask, needed for decades. A clear ask of whoever might make a difference is It's not just that 2 million people starving to death under Israeli watch seems to RantWoman VERY unlikely to lessen the level of anti-semitism in the world. RantWoman also does not understand how chasing campus anti-semitism is supposed to help when the ones braying most loudly are also sitting down to dinner with holocaust deniers and avowed white separatists. RantWoman can though agree that lots of people on many sides of Middle East conflicts are making piles of money in the arms business.
Next, we take massive property damage at a building called the "Interdisciplinary Engineering Building." As someone who spends a lot of time reminding engineers why humanities classes are good for everyone and redefining the scope of projects, the very idea of an Interdisciplinary Engineering Building sounds awesom to RantWoman. In fact, RantWoman has contributed as a community member to a number of different computer-science and transportation related projects at the UW I school. So RantWoman, is definitely not charmbed by the scale of property damage seriously.and definitely does not think the current presidential administration is likely to offer anything good for what RantWoman considers extremely valuable and constructive projects.
RantWoman can imagine--but has NO INTENTION of penning--a manifesto about "Look at this mess! Does it remind you of any place, like say GAZA? Do you want to live in Gaza? Do you want to turn the whole campus into Gaza? How about we find a way to talk and do better?"
RantWoman is NOT volunteering to write any manifesto, butwhat to do? In the current humanitarian crisis, people are likely to starve to death in Gaza long before either Boeing or the U of WA respond to absolutist demands. But people can and should demand an end to the two-month total humanitarian blockade of Gaza. So, say it loud. Say it whenever and whereever you can, End the Total humanitarian blockade of Gaza.
Next, we have numbers. To some extent, RantWoman empathizes with people who just want to study and get a good job." But in the case of the college sit-in RantWoman knows best two things matter. The sit-in happened against a background of more than half the entire campus, undergrads and graduate students signing a petition calling on the university to divest from companies doing business in South Africa. The sit-in RantWoman's senior year was one of several from previous years.
The sit-in RantWoman's senior year was not exactly because of something new about South Africa. The sit-in happened because, after the umpteenth divestment resolution was turned down in the Board of Trustees, the President of the University said something in the campus paper about closing discussion. The campaign asked the President to find a way to restate whatever he meant to say. He said he was misquoted and would not correct that quote out of fear that in the future people go after him about anything that he said that got printed in the campus paper..
Before RantWoman's college sit-in one person involved in the campus campaign called RantWoman to say he supported the demonstration but did not feel able to participate out of concern not to endanger his commissioning due from his ROTC scholarship. That person has probably long retired. If he hadn't, he is the "wrong" color and at risk of being insultingly labelled "#DEIHire,"by a graduate of the same institution now working beyond his depth in the current administration.
The actual demonstration took place during finals week, at the best-known administration building, an edifice that briefly served as the nation's capital. The plan was just to blockade all the doors and not let anyone in until the university divested of its holdings in companies that do business in South Africa.. RantWoman imagines there may have been some chalk art but no other property damage. Also, little impediment to people needing to get around most of the campus.
The university did not of course immediately divest. Instead, 89 students, 49 seniors, out of a total campus of 4800 plus or minus were detained by campus police, delivered to the local police station, processed and sent home facing two charges. RantWoman had a final the afternoon of the sit-in and considers herself VERY fortunate to have gotten processed in time to go home, have lunch and then go to her final.
The sit-in got a lot of publicity including interest from lawyers who offered both legal help and suggestions. One lawyer suggested just having everyone plead guilty. RantWoman was part of the not guilty caucus who thought it was dishonest to plead guilty if one does not feel guilty. That stance let to a group conversation with a local firm. By that time, the protestors had already asked the university to drop charges against anyone who might have visa problems. The firm suggested that protestors could ask that for everyone. That team also noted that no one had any intention of suing the university, that the protest was about South Africa.
Happy ending sort of.
All criminal charges were dropped in fairly short order. At the next Board of Trustees meeting, there was an announcement of a divestment of a small holding which may just not have been doing well.
RantWoman's bottom lines:
The humanitarian crisis in #Gaza is NOW. Address that. End the humanitarian blockade. Peace in the Middle East is going to take longer, so buckle up.
Universities are vital spaces where people can come together and learn. That role must remain even when conversations get difficult.
Actions have consequences. Deal with them. Don't expect consequences to go away just because of more earnest pleas.
"It's not a handout. It's an investment" referring to the Jeanette Rankin foundation scholarships for women over 35 getting their first associates or college degree.
Full Disclosure: anything that says Jeanette Rankin is guaranteed to get RantWoman's attention--eve if a mailer from the Jeannette Rankin Foundation had inspiring pictures and narrative but NO WAY to connect electronically.
RantWoman read lots of inspiring text. RantWoman did not watch every cool sounding video. At a certain point, Ranchwomen was more than ready to Click the "Give Now!" button.
One Problem: the Give Now button did not work. RantWoman imagines there is some problem related to her screen reader. Maybe RantWoman will come back and troubleshoot. Maybe RantWoman will reach out by email. In the meantime, RantWoman enthusiastically recommends that anyone not vexed by screen reader issues support the Jeanette Rankin Foundation's unrestricted grants for women in need.!
DSB Spring Town Hall Meeting A virtual event to provide agency updates and answer community questions.
The Department of Services
for the Blind (DSB)
announces the Spring Virtual
Town Hall is scheduled for
Tuesday, May 20, 2025,
6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
DSB Town Halls are held
virtually to allow input from
citizens across the State of
Washington and offer the opportunity for members of the public to hear directly from the agency, ask questions and raise concerns, and share what’s important to them.
DSB will provide brief updates on:
• Current State of the Agency
• Community Input/Perspective on VR Services
• Streamlining VR Services to Increase Rehab
Outcomes
The remainder of the event is dedicated to taking questions and comments from the audience members.
Everyone is welcome to log into this virtual town hall! This event is free, but participants need to register in advance. Zoom meeting invitations will be provided to registered individuals a week prior to the meeting.
Closed captioning and ASL interpretation will be provided. For additional assistance with accommodation, please contact Yvonne.Verbraak@dsb.wa.gov.
Washington State Department of Services for the Blind
Today in festive celebration of Nagasaki Day, the 79th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Nagasaki, and in FESTIVE celebration of the 50th anniversary of the resignation of Richard Milhous Nixon, $DonSnoreleone, the former President and current GOP aspirant visited...MONTANA.
Kidding (?) about the anniversary observances, the day was sufficient unto itself in terms of notable moments. RantWoman may or may not get every reference linked, but please consider each comment here as its own minefield in terms of US life as a democracy.
much mention of military experience and failures lreated to event security.
Blatant lies blaming Biden
exhorting people to get out and vote.
Actual issues though through a Trumpling lens
Endless "immigrants streaming across our border" is a tiresome narrative that has no positive vision of what immigrants bring and no context about what dynamics drive people to come to the US.
Short version: in 2018 after Dr. Ronnie Jackson was demoted to captain and retired from his gig running basically a pill mill at the White House, #CadetBone Spurs wanted to make CAPT. Jackson Secretary of Veterans Affairs, a position he was probably even less qualified to hold than White House physician. Sen. Tester as head of the Senate Veterans Affairs committee quashed the nomination, and #FelonDon is on the next leg of his revenge tour.
MT is NOT a swing state but #DonTheCon and his fraudster fam are in the state panhandling, er fundraising for down-ballot Republicans. Interesting PERHAPS that a campaign built on complaining about coastal liberals is bring in East Coast fraudsters looking for handouts. Maybe they could also pay off some old bills, on account of paying bills and preferably on time is a pretty MT value.
Events the Day Of
As crowd gathers, video of someone in the far background playing "Send in the Clowns."
Trump plane diverted to Billings because of a hydraulic problem
chatter on X about poor maintenance practices and preferences about which company to buy jet fuel from.
Someone had a loaner plane available.
At the rally #DonOld played Celine Dion performing the theme from Titanic. RantWoman is unclear whether the campaign actually secured rights to use the song. More to the point, RantWoman is sort of geographically fixated about MT geological history: there may have been ice tens of thousands of years ago and an inland ocean a million or so years ago. But for a guy who doesn't believe in #ClimateChange, somehow the thematic choice seems way to prehistoric even as counter to the other party and #WeWontGoBack.
First read this article about the Census Bureau proposal to change both the way data about disability is collected on the American Community Survey and accompanying recommendations about how to use the data.
If you read the article before December 19 and you have strong opinions, please use the link to comment.
--Imposing data discontinuities and interpretations meant to minimize who gets counted as disabled is NOT the way to either optimize use of resources OR to reduce fiscal considerations about disability claims. Social Security and Medicare can both be made solvent and sustainable by modest adjustments: index the cap on income subject to tax with inflation. Make more income such as capital gains subject to these two taxes. RantWoman knows perfectly well these suggestions terrify many people. Oh well.
--Some valued members of our families and our communities truly cannot work. But there are millions more who are willing and able to work if barriers due to discrimination and accessibility challenges can be solved. These barriers cannot be solved if people pretend differences don't exist and then don't collect data to inform decisions about how best to work with these realities.
--Adopting both the proposed change in data collection and the interpretation recommended by the Census Bureau will worsen the undercounting of many categories of disabilities. The proposed interpretation will also subject millions of people to the "bureaucratic miracle cure," worsening of funding and resources available to deal with disabilities in general and to deal with the specific and highly variable needs of people who have widely varying levels of functionality related to specific disabilities, age of onset, educational opportunity, and living situation.
--Imperfect as the current 6 questions on the American Community Survey are, RantWoman wishes they were more widely used on many surveys just as a small step toward comparability between different data sets. RantWoman would recommend keeping the six questions just to assist with comparability over time.
--At the same time, RantWoman thinks it would be FINE to add say 10 questions about functionality with say a 1-5 scale from low impact to severe. Use these questions as many places as possible and encourage people doing other data collection to use the same questions. RantWoman knows there is a cost to collecting more data. RantWoman believes it is worthwhile.
--RantWoman strongly urges the Census Bureau to promote better collection of data and NOT make any recommend any specific interpretation. Instead let people designing programs decide how to use the data that is collected.
--Collecting MORE data is never bad. We live in an age of cheap data storage and temptation to run generative AI in all kinds of ways that put RantWoman in mind of "Garbage in Garbage out." If AI is going to be everywhere at least collect data better to feed into the models.
The Bureaucratic Miracle Cure is already more than enough of a thing:
--Social Security somehow loses record that someone has been legally blind for decades.
--A paratransit agency gets a new CEO. New CEO makes a couple who have both been blind since birth go to a doctor and bring back a paper reassuring the newcomer that, unsurprisingly, the couple are still blind.
RantWoman is pretty sure she would have no trouble collecting many such Bureaucratic Miracle Cure stories, but it's the holidays and RantWoman is trying VERY hard to stay somewhere within the same galaxy of holiday spirit. RantWoman strongly urges the Census Bureau to do better than just Bureaucratic Miracle Cure.
Accessibility note: These two websites behave well enough for RantWoman and her tools, for screen readers. The catalog includes links to many academic institutions so mileage may vary.
Shoutout about online coursework especially for everyone for whom #WeekWithoutDriving lasts all year.
RantWoman wishes she had had such a clear simple intro when she first got her Pixel phone.
On the other hand, RantWoman is the sort of technology cowboy who tends to think instructions are for sissies; just put the device in my hand and I will figure it out or Google directions on some other device or...
Unfortunately, sometimes this means RantWoman has too much vision and half-learns accessibility tools that would make her life MUCH easier if she knew them better.
Anyway, watch the video and then try it and then read RantWoman's comments below.
Two things catch RantWoman's ear:
"granularity?" anyone want to guess or have one's techno-novice mother / grandmother or one's grade schooler guess what is meant by "granularity" here?
Interestingly, RantWoman thinks a novice user COULD figure out in context what "granularity" means if only the instructions were not being demoed by a sighted person.
WHY does RantWoman think these instructions are being demoed by a sighted person?
It's the same issue as when RantWoman is riding a bus and wants to know not only the stop she needs but also a few stops ahead as cues to stop whatever she might be doing, gather her belongings, and get ready to get off the bus.
In this case, some but not all the contents of menus and menu trees are not demonstrated. It will take a couple rounds of trial and error to get both the swipe patterns and the general layout of menus sorted out, but RantWoman WILL try some of the tips she has learned.
RantWoman offers the following invitation. RantWoman herself, after many years of JAWS use and not enough time listening even to Freedon Scientific podcasts.
Freedom Scientific Blog - Thursday, August 31, 2023 at 5:01 PM
Join Us for Our September 2023 Training Events
The Freedom Scientific training team offers ongoing opportunities for you to join us in live training sessions and advance your skills. We’re excited to announce our jam-packed September training schedule, where you’re sure to find something that will help you at work, school, or play.
If you have questions or need assistance with registration, email training@vispero.com. We also welcome your suggestions for future training events.
Schedule
When
What
About
Where
Thurs, Sept 7 3:00 PM ET
ACB Community Event: Manage Downloads in Chrome and Edge with JAWS
We’ll show you how to manage downloads in the Chrome and Edge web browsers with JAWS. Learn how to specify a default download folder, access your download history, and remove files from the downloads list.
American Council of the Blind To request an invitation, email community@acb.org.
Learn the ins and outs of the new Message Center in JAWS, ZoomText, and Fusion, including how to access and navigate messages, as well as specify message settings.
Zoom conferencing platform and Clubhouse Join via Zoom or download the Clubhouse app from the iOS App Store or Google Play to participate on your mobile device.
Thurs, Sept 14 3:00 PM ET
ACB Community Event: Access Quick Settings in Windows 11 with JAWS
We’ll show you how to access Quick Settings and Notifications in Windows 11 with JAWS. Learn how to quickly change Wi-Fi settings, access Bluetooth devices, manage notifications, and use the Focus feature to minimize distractions.
American Council of the Blind To request an invitation, email community@acb.org.
Thurs, Sept 21 Noon ET
Software Webinar: An Introduction to Google Slides with JAWS
We’ll provide an overview of navigating Google Slides with JAWS, plus show you how to turn on accessibility settings, navigate an existing presentation, create a new presentation, and access valuable keyboard commands.
Freedom Scientific Register for this webinar on Zoom, which offers ACVREP credits to those who attend the live webinar.
Thurs, Sept 21 3:00 PM ET
ACB Community Event: Manage Multiple Email Accounts in Outlook with JAWS
We’ll provide five tips for adding, managing, and navigating multiple accounts in Outlook 365 with JAWS.
American Council of the Blind To request an invitation, email community@acb.org.
Tues, Sept 26 Noon ET
Ask Sharky: Five JAWS Power Tips for Online Shopping
We’ll discuss common challenges of shopping online, plus offer five power tips for overcoming them.
Zoom conferencing platform and Clubhouse Join via Zoom or download the Clubhouse app from iOS App Store or Google Play to participate on your mobile device.
Thurs, Sept 28 3:00 PM ET
ACB Community Event: Use the Microsoft Editor to Check Spelling and Grammar in Word with JAWS
We’ll provide an overview of the Microsoft Editor in Office 365, plus show you how to access document statistics and check for spelling and grammatical errors.
American Council of the Blind To request an invitation, email community@acb.org.
The thing about connectivity: the word can tempt one into events that start impossibly early for one's time zone. RantWoman wonders whether any #Localization tweeps still read this blog and might be interested and more able to bound onto the internet at what, to RantWoman, is an impossibly early hour.
Fun Fact for users of Freedom Scientific's screen reader program JAWS: Freedom Scientific has a podcast called FSCast. RantWoman is sure there is some notification setting she needs to find in order not to have the podcast announcement seize control of whatever RantWoman is trying to do and demand that RantWoman either listen to the podcast or make a couple other choices.
Most of the time RantWoman just bangs the down arrow to Remind Me Later.
Recently, though RantWoman had time in her schedule and gave FS Cast 230 a listen.
(Note to self: check whether listening to a different podcast channel comes with the option to speed up the replay.)
There are a couple cool tech tips at the beginning. RantWoman is going to let Major Scotty Smiley (Ret.) tell his own story; RantWoman is also happy to let readers digest the latest reporting from NRTC about use of technology in the workplace on their own.
On the whole, going forward this podcast is useful enough that RantWoman is probably sometimes actually going to listen when some work activity is suspended while RantWoman waits for JAWS to present the announcement.
One really important point: this narrative makes RantWoman want to screem "No. No. NO!: about one fun fact. Major Smiley may be the first blind person in quite awhile to return to active duty after losing vision. But he is not the first person ever.
After WWII many men returned home from the front blinded in the war. RantWoman went looking on the American Printing House Hall of Fame for reference to, RantWoman believes, either a colonel or a general who ordered his blinded troops to remain on active duty so that they could get rehabilitated and learn skills of blindness. The other way to search about this is to look up the history of white cane usage, but that also is more historical diligence than RantWoman is going to attempt tonight.
RantWoman has one more bit of unsolicited advice for anyone in or connected to the military who is doing blindness related vocational rehabilitation: blindness happens lots of ways. RantWoman imagines that military-related groups on almost any social media platform can help people make connections.
The 2023 Barriers to Digital Inclusion Survey is Now Available
In 2023, there is a website or app for just about any task, and these digital platforms offer convenience, cost savings, and efficiency. Yet, digital platforms have not been designed for everyone. Researchers at AFB conducted the Barriers to Digital Inclusion Survey (BDIS) to learn about the prevalence and impacts of digital inclusion barriers faced by individuals who are blind, have low vision, or are deafblind.
Full disclosure: RantWoman pretty much reflexively fills out any American Foundation for the Blind AFB survey that comes her way so RantWoman probably contributed to the results.
RantWoman especially recommends reading the final 2-3 sections. RantWoman has more to say and will say it in a separate blog post.
When it comes to deploying what RantWoman considers valuable info, RantWoman is an equal opportunity blogger. RantWoman also knows from experience that when she copies and pastes from email sometimes the results are visually challenging but read fine with screen readers.
We Invite You to the Upcoming Event: Where the Blind Work Webinar
Thursday, April 20, 2023 at 8:00 p.m. Eastern via Zoom | Register Now
Investigate what it is like to be a blind journalist. Join the National Federation of the Blind panel discussion with blind professionals who will share about performing job duties and managing successful careers. Where the Blind Work is a webinar series to highlight employment options and experiences that inspire and inform our community that blind people are living the lives they want. And, you can too.
Panelists
Beyond writing, journalism involves interviewing, research, and sometimes, extensive travel. Our panel will include the following successful blind journalists who will cover several discussion topics:
Elizabeth Campbell, The Star Telegram
Gary O’Donoghue, BBC Correspondent
Michelle Hackman, The Wall Street Journal
Discussion Topics
Hear about their typical day—how they manage traveling, interviewing, etc.
Discover skills that prepare for career success
Education, training, life experience
Hear how attitudinal and accessibility barriers are overcome at work
Learn about alternative techniques and strategies used for aspects of these jobs—Braille, tactile methods, access technology
About National Federation of the Blind Employment Initiatives
With opportunities to compete in the workplace in terms of equality, blind people can achieve careers based on their dreams, talents, and abilities. The National Federation of the Blind connects working-age blind people with opportunities and resources to compete in the workplace on terms of equality. For more information, contact Maurice Peret, Coordinator of Career Mentoring & Employment Programs at mperet@nfb.org or 410-659-9314, extension 2350.
Interests: Digital Inclusion, Languages and language access, walkability, accessibility, disaster preparedness.
When in doubt, laugh about something!
http://rantwoman.blogspot.com
PLEASE NOTE: I use both screen reading and screen enlargement. I would love to say Blogger is screen-reader friendly, but I am in no position to comment!
