Reid My Mind

Check out this press release about the Bureau’s plan for a digital release of the new $5.

“From Bangkok to Boston, we want those who rely on our paper money around the globe – whether they are central banks, businesses or consumers – to have the information they need to verify the money they receive is genuine and to ensure a smooth introduction of new designs into commerce.” – Rose Pianalto, Assistant to the Board of Governors of

The Federal Reserve

Oh really! Maybe she should have ended that with “as long as they are sighted.”

 A must read article from Mother Jones about the Judge Rotenberg Educational Center, where children with mental challenges are being trained to modify their behavior using shock treatments.

It’s hard to believe that parents would support this school. (And I use the term school very loosely!)

Like Public Enemy said, “Shut ‘em Down!”

 No, not him…

ICE (In Case of Emergency), is a campaign started by a paramedic to have individuals update their cell phone with the contact name ICE. This would allow a paramedic in an emergency, to contact the appropriate party using the individual’s cell phone.

This is a really good idea especially if paramedics are being trained to look for such a contact name.

While this campaign is not new, reading about it again reminded me to pass the info along.

Word to your Mother!(Sorry, but the Vanilla Ice reference made me do it!)

Many may say this is not a worth while business venture; the business of television is made up of advertising dollars. Judging by the numbers quoted by the new People With Disabilities Broadcasting Company (PWDBC), this could prove to be not only profitable but even more importantly a vehicle for bringing change to society’s view of people with physical challenges.

 I came across this blog post today and immediately wondered if my wife was asked the same questions. I will have to ask her to create her own top ten list. Although, if I remember correctly one question she has been asked would make this an R rated blog. I’ll see if she is willing to put a list together anyway – it could be fun!

Coincidentally, “The Planet of the Blind” is the first book about blindness that I read after losing my sight. It was a part of me realizing everything would be ok! The blog is published by the author.

 The Coalition of Organizations for Accessible Technology has raised the issue that the Digital television transition may reduce television accessibility to both the hearing/visually impaired and blind communities.

Sounds to me like an opportunity to not only assure that closed caption and video description technologies aren’t left behind, but also use this as a way to increase accessibility to on screen guides; which are totally inaccessible for the blind.

Read more here…

And while on the subject of descriptive television check out another article  where the coalition responds to a call for more closed caption by asking all not to forget video description.

Read more…

 I had the pleasure of meeting Sheila Drummond, the golfer who just happens to be blind, earlier this spring. She spoke at a conference I was partly responsible for producing.

Nice job Sheila! 

Check out the story here…