Register for the book launch of The Windows Screen Reader Primer: All the Basics and More

Kes: I just spent the past two weeks working with David Kingsbury, the author of this primer, and an extremely knowledgeable instructor at the Carroll Center for the Blind. Anyone who knows me knows what a Hermione I am, so they will not be surprised to discover that I had prepared a long list of things I wanted to learn, then added a bunch more, and not only did he teach them all to me, but he kept saying, "This is in my new book."

So this is my combination book launch announcement and book review: this is an invaluable book for any screen reader user or instructor, and I would also recommend it to any usability/web developer who wants to have insight into how screen readers work with the web and various programs. Note: there are also chapters on working with PDF documents and Excel sheets, and how to handle some basic problems you may run into.
Last but not least, David is going to tell you how to download the ebook for free!

Announcement:

Join author David Kingsbury at a Window of Opportunity, the virtual book launch for his newest book, The Windows Screen Reader Primer: All the Basics and More.

For people with visual impairments, screen reader software is crucial for living in today’s world. Screen reader software converts text and other digital elements into speech or braille so users can get information in a way that is accessible to them.

The Windows Screen Reader Primer: All the Basics and More is a new book written to help JAWS, NVDA, and Windows Narrator users to work more effectively with the most important PC applications—like Microsoft Office, email clients, and web browsers.

During this event, come enjoy a reading of short excerpts, get priority access to download the free book and ask the author questions.
Time
Feb 17, 2022 12:00 PM in Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Book Launch Zoom Webinar Registration Form
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Y_KcmX0xR7SR84jG0i4InQ?bblinkid=257734724&bbemailid=37795482&bbejrid=-2050942267

Does this webpage really contain a picture of me with Chip Delany at Readercon a few years ago?

I remember when someone took a picture of us with our heads bent together, each describing our love of the city of New Orleans, but I don't, myself, have a copy of that picture.
https://www.sallywienergrotta.com/category/appearances/?page_number_0=11&page_number_1=2
Added later: Please read in the comments for a picture description provided by teenybuffalo, and I also encourage everyone to read this brilliant interview with Chip, in which Chip describes growing up with undiagnosed dyslexia

Samuel R. Delany Paris Review - The Art of Fiction No. 210
Interviewed by Rachel Kaadzi Ghansah
https://www.theparisreview.org/interviews/6088/the-art-of-fiction-no-210-samuel-r-delany

More accessibility links

WebAIM: The crisis is real: Where are the web accessibility professionals?
Like everyone in the web accessibility field, WebAIM has a vested interest in a sufficiently-sized community comprised of skilled professionals. The shortage of qualified talent is felt by all of us. But from where will these individuals come, and how can we accelerate their availability?
https://webaim.org/blog/web-accessibility-professionals/

The Case For Describing Race In Alternative Text Attributes
This is an excellent article by Tolu Adegbite on why we need to get more descriptive in some alternative text descriptions
https://ux.shopify.com/the-case-for-describing-race-in-alternative-text-attributes-a093380634f2

Hitting The Books: The Decades-Long Fight To Bring Live Television To Deaf Audiences
Engadget has a write up on a new book by Harry G. Lang on the history of closed captioning in the United States
https://www.engadget.com/hitting-the-books-turn-on-the-words-harry-lang-gallaudet-university-press-163045001.html

A Blind Tech Consultant Finds His Calling
Legally blind from birth, Julian Vargas's old cell phone led him to a new career in training other blind people how to use technology
https://www.pcmag.com/news/a-blind-tech-consultant-finds-his-calling

These links were culled from this week's Top Tech Tidbits newsletter. You can view the entire newsletter, search the archive, or subscribe on the website
https://www.toptechtidbits.com/

This week: How the visually impaired can access info on the Affordable Connectivity Program

Two Special Events for All, but especially those people who are blind or have low vision and have little or no internet access. Please reach out to others and let them know that
the Council of Citizens With Low Vision International (CCLVI) and VISAbilities (Visually Impaired Seniors’ Abilities) will co-host a
one-hour presentation by the Federal Communications Commission on the new Affordable Connectivity Program. This program is meant to assist people with limited income or receiving government programs, such as SSI, get connected.
We are holding these two opportunities on Tuesday, February 8th,at 3:00 PM EST and Wednesday, February 9th, at 8:00 PM EST.
If you have any questions, please contact Terry Pacheco at VISAbilities50@gmail.com
These webinars will also be available to listen to on your Amazon device by saying “Alexa, Ask ACB Media to play 2.”
The zoom information is below for either call.

You are invited to a Zoom webinar.
When: Feb 8, 2022 03:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
or Feb 9, 2022 8:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Topic: Affordable Connectivity Program
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89405225341
Or One tap mobile :
+13017158592,,89405225341#
Or Telephone:
301-715-8592
Webinar ID: 894 0522 5341