Subscribe to Access On wherever you get podcasts, or download the audio for this week’s episode at: https://pinecast.com/listen/6917ef26-30cd-4599-8085-4b07bc33d28a.mp3

Episode 100 of Access On, is on.
This week, we mark our 100th episode with reflections on the journey so far and a song to celebrate. National Federation of the Blind President Mark Riccobono speaks with Sid Gaitonde, Vispero’s recently appointed CEO. We also share a cautionary tale about being completely locked out of your own Apple Account.

With growing privacy concerns surrounding smart glasses, should they be protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) as a personal accommodation for blind people? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Listen to "Smart Glasses: Why They Should Not Be Banned": https://buff.ly/P7aIHyE

We are grateful for everyone who invests in the future of blind people. A planned gift through your will, IRA, retirement account, or life insurance policy can extend that commitment for generations.

Learn more: https://buff.ly/feKa71K

We are offering our Election Day hotline again this year! Call 1-888-219-8868.

Blind voters and their families can call this hotline to learn about our rights as blind voters, troubleshoot problems, and more.

The number will be open Tuesday, November 3, 2026 from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. EST.

We have been receiving an increasing number of reports of a significant #accessibility regression with the Windows Start Menu. Yesterday, on behalf of those blind people affected, we raised this as a matter of urgency with Microsoft. Microsoft has just confirmed to us that they have rolled out a fix that has already reached 10% of users. It may take some time to reach everyone, but the fix is server-side and no new build is necessary.

La agenda de #NFBTX26 ya está disponible para descargar en español: https://nfbtx.org/sites/nfbtx.org/files/2026-10/Spanish%202026%20NFBTX%20Convention%20Agenda.docx

Save the date for our Uber Town Hall on Tuesday, November 17 at 8:00 p.m. EST!

Join us on Zoom to hear directly from Uber representatives about self-identification options, pickup preferences, and Uber’s 2027 accessibility plans. Details to follow.

Join us tonight at 8:00 p.m. EST for our next Where the Blind Work Webinar, featuring members of the National Employment Committee!

Learn about different career paths, gain practical insights, and discover how these leaders are making a lasting impact on the broader blind community.

Register at https://buff.ly/OzuxoSK

The #NFBTX26 agenda is now available to download in English. Spanish to follow soon. https://nfbtx.org/sites/nfbtx.org/files/2026-10/English%202026%20NFBTX%20Convention%20Agenda.docx

Subscribe to Access On wherever you get podcasts, or download the audio of this episode at: https://pinecast.com/listen/ab0f4488-5f68-46ff-9bbb-ab35e1d91e97.mp3

Episode 99 of Access On, is on. This week, a comprehensive review and demonstration of the BT Braille from Blazie Technologies. The company has built a Braille note-taker and a full computer with a Blazie heart and a Linux brain. It comes from a family whose names meant note-takers to blind people for almost 40 years. So does the BT Braille live up to that Blazie name? Listen to find out.

San Antonio Chapter has kindly provided us with a restaurants guide for #NFBTX26! Click here to download: https://nfbtx.org/sites/nfbtx.org/files/2026-10/San_Antonio_Restaraunt_and_Night%20Life_Guide_Final_Completed.docx

What is the difference between navigating with a guide dog and a white cane? Hear from Federationist, Danielle McCann.

Participate in our Coast-to-Coast Movement Challenge! Learn more at nfb.org/movers.

https://youtube.com/shorts/UWoNo_O5-to?feature=share

Arrived in Louisville for activities surrounding the American Printing House for the Blind annual meeting. In the last decade, this "for the blind" has been remodeling its house to be more in partnership with, inclusive of, and an amplifier for the voices of blind people. I anticipate a great week with committed professionals to the field.

There's still time to register for one of our most requested Access On webinars, a look at AI-assisted coding. Panelists include @FreakyFwoof, @technocounselor, and others. We'll cover how to get started, how to be successful, and the work the Federation is doing to make input and output more #accessible.
Join us on October 27 at 2 Pm Eastern. We'll send the full recording to registrants. https://nfb.org/programs-services/center-excellence-nonvisual-access/trainings/accessibility-webinar-registration

"We had a real bad January where there were ice storms, so that was good to look at the report on NFB-NEWSLINE to how the storm was traveling and what we could be expecting," said Todd Stephens from Kentucky.

NFB-NEWSLINE, our free Braille and audio service, provides features like weather alerts and forecasts as well as hundreds of newspapers and magazines.  

If you are interested in learning about this free service, comment “Interested.” 

Subscribe to Access On wherever you get podcasts, or download the audio for this week’s episode at:
https://pinecast.com/listen/e6ab6284-27b9-469b-bfa9-8b055c4e76a5.mp3

Episode 98 of Access On, is on. This week, we speak with Jack Mendez about NFB Newsline®, which offers a huge selection of newspapers, magazines, and other information in accessible formats.
Jack describes what the service does, the many ways you can engage with it, recent improvements, and how you can gain access to NFB Newsline if you haven't yet signed up.

Are you an education or rehabilitation professional who works with blind or low vision transition-aged students or adults?

Join Dare to Be Remarkable, a three-day training conference that provides expert-led workshops, empowering keynote presentations, practical, hands-on learning experiences, and opportunities to connect with colleagues from across the country.

You can attend in-person or virtually.

Register today: https://buff.ly/kTm1Cod