Where It's AT – Assistive Technology Blog

Descriptive Link Text

Difficulty: Beginner

Category:

• Content
• Presentation

Screen reader users often navigate a page by reading only the links. The link text (typically blue, underlined text) is read. The function of the link should be available from the link text itself. Ambiguous links, such as “click here”, “more”, etc. do not provide useful information to these users. The user must navigate or read the link’s surrounding context to determine what they link does or where it goes. These ambiguous links should be avoided and can almost always be made clearer.

Example:
Change “To perform a search, click here” to “Perform a search“.

HIMS Chat is a free deaf-blind communication app available on the iPad, iPod and iPhone.

What is “HIMS Chat”?

HIMS Chat is an application that allows a Deaf-Blind person and a sighted person to communicate using an iPhone, iPod, or iPad and a HIMS Braille product(Braille Sense U2, Braille Sense U2 QWERTY, Braille Sense OnHand or Braille EDGE 40).

Main features include:

-Face-to-Face Communication tool.
-Built-in, configurable greeting for sighted person with instruction for beginning conversation.
-Save 100 commonly used phrases for quick entry.
-Receive vibration alerts from Braille Sense U2.

Movin’ On – Don’t let vision loss slow you down

Try out the latest technology and equipment, learn tips to stay active and increase independence, and take home information on local community resources. Attendees will also have the opportunity to purchase products at this event.

When: Thursday, May 23^rd, 9:00am- 2:30pm

Where: National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute, 200 E. Wells St, Jernigan Place, Baltimore, MD

How: Register online at www.nfbmd.org or complete the attached registration form. Attendees can also register the day of the event. *DORS consumers should contact their DORS counselor for registration.

$20.00 Includes lunch and a goody bag

For questions, directions, or transportation requests, please call Melissa Riccobono at (410) 235-3073 or e-mail president@nfbmd.org.

AT in the news from the past two weeks (since we didn’t get last Friday’s post out) – 4/8 thru 4/19

A Prosthetic Arm, Controlled By Your Thoughts

Paralympic experience offers activity, support for visually impaired

FCC issues new rules to make TV emergency info more accessible to blind and visually impaired people

Lighter Exoskeleton will allow disabled to more independent

Accessibility Upgrade: The Library’s Role Making Ebooks More Accessible

iPhone app used to control Touch Bionics prosthetic hand

Rule your computer with a head-mounted laser beam

Children of Blind Mothers Learn New Modes of Communication

Charlotte’s loving a chance to dance

Living life, one letter at a time

Telecommuting: More than a “perk” for disabled workers

Mind-controlled devices reveal future possibilities

Adaptive cycling lets everyone enjoy riding

The NFB & two blind taxpayers filed suit today against HRBlock due to its inaccessible websites & online services

How Accessible Technology Can Help Close Looming Worldwide STEM Gap

Prisons’ Outdated Technology Prevents Those with Disabilities from Communicating with Their Loved Ones

US Justice Department May Revise Web Accessibility Rules For Shopping Sites

Access sought to special toys for disabled children

The Real Sounds Of Hearing Loss

Listen Up To Smarter, Smaller Hearing Aids

Do you have a disability and need a cell phone? Have an elderly parent that needs a cell phone without too many bells and whistles? Access Wireless is a website designed solely to help people with disabilities identify the best accessible cell phones on the market and provide guidance on choosing a cell phone plan. Search for phones by type of disability, read the helpful “how-to” guides, and more at the Access Wireless website.