Technology is awesome! I am writing a presentation I'm going to give at the macstock 10 conference coming up on July 12. I'm going to be talking about accessible ways to read including information about various reading challenges including cortical visual impairment, those with aging eyes, folks that have other physical and neurological challenges that prevent them from reading comfortably, etc. I'm going to include demos of apps for the iPhone and Mac, as well. I just asked ChatGPT to create an open door to a room full of books with the word accessibility prominently displayed. It created a very welcoming library type room with an armchair and some plants, along with shelves of books and the word accessibility prominently displayed. One of the images had a wheelchair accessibility sign which I did not need so I asked it to remove that. I was finding out how everything was described using Jaws picture smart. Of course, I will have #Aira help me ensure that the image is what I want it to be, but it is so awesome to be able to preview what I cannot see. Gotta love all these advances in technology that make me so much more independent.

I am reminded again today how much I appreciate apps like #BeMyEyes and #Aira. Today a fave artist posted some pics on their timeline. Previously, I'd just scroll past and miss out. Today, I enjoyed the precious pics they shared of their family enjoying the beach.

#Meta glasses have just worked with #Aira for me for the first time in over two weeks! Glad they started cooperating again. Has anyone else in our #Blind community had this issue lately?

Life has been a bit of an emotional rollercoaster for me lately. My mom recently passed away with cancer. I spent several days in Illinois where I am from originally and came back home to South Carolina with "the crud" (a really bad cold). In spite of the circumstances, I was blessed to reconnect with family and old friends. I also put the Meta glasses thru their paces with #Aira and was able to navigate two airports using just the visual interpretation of my agent. That was an absolute rush, as I hadn't flown for quite some time. The day after I returned home to SC, I learned that I have been accepted to the #Monarch Rise Project. I had learned that applications were being accepted as my family and I were dealing with Mom's illness and almost didn't take the time to apply. I'm so glad I did, and look forward to learning more about this lifechanging #Braille technology. Through all of my recent endings and beginnings of life chapters, it has been so refreshing to read my Mastodon feed, to keep up with tech news, laugh at some jokes or appreciate the descriptions of beautiful photography from around the world. I'm grateful for this community and, as always, look forward to staying in touch. Blessings, all.