Maria Reyes

37 Followers
43 Following
101 Posts
A dragon roaring through life 🐉
I roast inaccessible design for lunch.
Budding programmer building with AI.
Accessibility-first tools.
AI nerd, bookworm, and food lover.
Author of accessinterrupted.substack.com
I’m blind. For years, building anything visual meant asking someone else:
“Can you check if this looks okay?” This time, I didn’t ask a person. I sent AI. It tested my app with large text, high contrast, dark mode, and reduced motion, the way real users experience it. It didn’t replace humans. It replaced waiting.
It replaced dependency.
It replaced the quiet friction disabled creators live with every day. I didn’t gain vision. I gained leverage.
Read what happened here:
https://accessinterrupted.substack.com/p/im-blind-i-just-ran-a-visual-audit
#Accessibility #A11y #BlindTech #DisabledInTech #AI #IndieDev
I'm Blind. I Just Ran a Visual Audit of My Own App.

What Happens When a Blind Builder Sends an AI to Do Visual QA

Access Interrupted
Social media for the blind:
Bluesky, hardly any Alt Text. To understand an image, you must open the post, tap on the image and hope your screen reader can describe it, or spend a minute or so scanning it.
X, hardly any image descriptions. The built-in AI will try to describe the images which is a major improvement, but you need to wait until the screen reader finishes reading all the info about the post.
Mastodon, loads of image descriptions. What a pleasure it is to browse my timeline here.
New book just released available on BookShare and Kindle: I've been looking forward to reading this book by David Pogue, Apple: the First 50 Years. It is available on BookShare. Now, the silly question is: do I pay about $20 to read it on my Dot Pad multi line Braille display with Kindle, or, do I read it for free on BookShare with one single line? A very, very first world problem. :-) I have just downloaded it on BookShare but I'm having an argument with myself as to whether I want to read it on the Dot Pad for 20 bucks. This price is according to ChatGPT. Oh wait: another option is to download it on my iPhone with the Voice Dream reader app and hopefully it will read well with the Dot Pad that way for free. So many options! That's what's so awesome!
@danestange I have not tried OpenClaw yet. I'm not very good with the terminal at all and don't enven know how to get OpenClaw up and running.
@JonathanMosen @technocounselor ok thank you, that's good to know.
@JonathanMosen @technocounselor Hi Jonathan, I am highly considering purchasing the Plaud Note Pro, however with all the research I've been doing, I gather that the app has a bunch of accessibility issues? I was hoping to get this recorder for lectures or even meetings and then make flashcards out of them.

A powerful partnership. A shared mission. An incredible opportunity.
We are proud to announce that BrailleNote evolve is evolving into something even greater.
HumanWare and Vispero have joined forces in a powerful partnership, united by a mission to empower individuals who are blind or visually impaired, opening doors to learning, awareness, and opportunities that help them thrive.
As part of this collaboration, we are delighted to offer a FREE 6-month JAWS subscription with every BrailleNote evolve. HumanWare also confirmed it will manage the global distribution of JAWS for BrailleNote, further expanding access to powerful screen reading technology for BrailleNote users worldwide.
This exceptional offering reflects the strong alignment between our two organisations. Together, we are committed to empowering users with the tools and skills they need to succeed, in education, rehabilitation and the workplace.
BrailleNote evolve is far more than a notetaker. It is the lightest and most portable braille computer of its kind, seamlessly combining Windows with the familiar KeySoft environment and a customised NVDA experience, all within one integrated device that puts braille at your fingertips. Now, with JAWS alongside it, BrailleNote evolve becomes an even more powerful gateway to independence, confidence and professional success.
Designed with everyone in mind, whether you are starting your learning journey with braille, studying in education, building confidence through rehabilitation, or advancing in the workplace, BrailleNote evolve adapts to your needs. Users can comfortably operate a full Windows computer through the accessible and familiar KeySoft interface, gradually developing essential screen reader skills at their own pace before fully moving to the JAWS experience.

“At HumanWare, although we do not develop our own screen reader, we have always encouraged users to build strong screen reading skills” says Andrew Flatres, Senior Product Manager at HumanWare. “For those who are just beginning, the learning curve can feel overwhelming. BrailleNote evolve provides a supportive bridge, enabling users to build these critical skills within a familiar environment and, when they are ready, transition seamlessly to the world’s leading screen reader, JAWS — all on the same device.”
“This partnership demonstrates the power of collaboration. By bringing together our expertise, we can create even greater opportunities for the blind and low vision community. Including six months of JAWS with BrailleNote evolve allows users to build confidence and develop essential screen reader skills, with the option to continue their subscription at a preferential rate through HumanWare.”
— Matt Ater, Senior Vice President, Vispero… (1/2)

@pixelate I'd love FairEmail on iOS! it's a great client.

Parallels confirms MacBook Neo can run Windows in a virtual machine

Link: https://www.macrumors.com/2026/03/13/macbook-neo-runs-windows-11-vm/
Discussion: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47364729

Parallels Confirms MacBook Neo Can Run Windows in a Virtual Machine

Parallels Desktop virtualization software is compatible with the new MacBook Neo, according to an update from the company – but Windows VM...

MacRumors

Interesting nvda add-on from Tony Gebhard, Interactive NVDA screen reader training add-on — guided, hands-on lessons built into NVDA
Submitted for addon store review, you can check out the Github repo here,
https://github.com/tonygeb23/nvdaCoach-
Thrilled to share something I've been building: NVDA Coach is now available —

a free, interactive training add-on for the NVDA screen reader. 🎉

As an assistive technology instructor, I've worked with a lot of people who are

just starting out with screen readers. The hardest part isn't finding the right

resource — it's the gap between reading about a command and actually using it.

NVDA Coach closes that gap.

Instead of reading a manual, students practice real NVDA commands step by step,

inside NVDA itself, with spoken instructions and instant feedback.

📚 Version 1.0.0 includes 24 lessons across three chapters:

→ Getting Started — the 10 essential commands every beginner needs

→ Reading and Moving Through Text — character, word, line, and selection navigation

→ Browse Mode and Web Navigation — heading, link, form, and landmark navigation

What makes it different:

✅ Everything happens inside NVDA — no PDFs, no videos, no switching context

✅ Live practice forms for hands-on Tab and control navigation

✅ Practice text embedded directly in the lesson window for reading drills

✅ A practice web page auto-opens for browse mode lessons

✅ Completely free. No account. No internet required after install.

✅ Built for beginners, usable independently or with an instructor

If you work with people who are learning NVDA, or if you're learning yourself,

I'd love for you to try it and share it with anyone who might benefit.

This is a beta release with plenty of room for feedback, comments, and suggestions. Please feel free to flood my email inbox. :)

🔗 Learn more: tonygebhard.me/NVDACoach

📧 Questions or feedback: [email protected]

#NVDA #ScreenReader #AssistiveTechnology #Accessibility #AT #BlindTech

#DigitalInclusion #AccessibilityTools #A11y #AssistiveTech