TYWI - New Text-to-Speech Software

A new software, TYWI, that can instantly convert text to speech and vice versa in 78 languages, has been released. We applaud Translate Your World’s efforts to make communication more inclusive and affordable.

“Now everyone can communicate in any language, whether they can hear or not, and whether they can see or not.”

Read article here

Seeing Stars with Aphakia

Just when he thought his dreams of star-gazing had been dashed, Tim Doucette soon realized that his eye condition enabled him to see stars more clearly instead.

Tim has aphakia - a condition where the lens in his eyes are absent. Based on US Census data, an estimated 9.5 million Americans above 40 years old will live with aphakia by the year 2020.   

Here's how Tim uses this 'gift' to live his dream and benefit others.

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Blindness in the Elderly - Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

For a brief overview of AMD and how it affects daily living, watch this short video:

Watch video here

Increasing Awareness of Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a condition involving the loss of a person’s central field of vision that occurs. It is the 3^rd cause of blindness in the world, after cataract and glaucoma. At present, only treatments that slow down its progress are available, with no definitive cure in sight.

 We are glad that The Macula Vision Research Foundation has entered a partnership with Optelec, a manufacturer of assistive technologies, to increase awareness and knowledge of various aspects of AMD - prevention, treatment and accessibility.

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Our Daily Commute with Technology

Technology has definitely changed the way we live and how we spend our free time.

What do you think is the greatest impact that smartphones have on the blind community? Let us know!

Read article here

Making Theatre Accessible to the Blind

Have you heard? Now the blind can watch theatre with their ears.

Read on to find out: Read article here

Making Science Accessible to the Blind

As we strive to enrich the daily lives of the blind – both young and old, Cary Supalo who is blind himself, has created devices that make learning science and engineering more accessible to students like him.
 

Read on to learn about the motivation behind the founder of Independence Science and Purdue alumnus, who is due to receive AFB’s Access Award this year. Read article here

Do you have a great example of the blind helping the blind? Let us know in the comments below!