People of Inspiration - Part I

A few years ago I started an internship at a non-profit organization that advocates for people with disabilities. It was probably the best time of my adult life. I met some great people through this experience, but there was one person that I'll never forget.

For the sake of her privacy, I'll refer to her as Katherine. Well into her adult life, she started losing her eyesight, and that one day she would lose it completely. Upon learning this, she went to a school for the blind and learned everything she needed to prepare. She then started to work for this non-profit organization to help others.

Now, let's pause for a moment and think about the gravity of what Katherine went through. She was not born with a disability. She lived through much of her life in a "normal" way. She went through school. She learned how to drive a car. She got married and raised a family. Then one day, out of the blue, life as she knew it was irrevocably changed. She had to learn how to move around with a cane. She could no longer drive and had to figure out other means of transportation. She had to learn about the assistive technologies available that would allow her to use a computer. She learned how to read and write in braille. Most people in her situation would have been afraid. Most people would have given up, but she embraced the opportunity to learn and help others - including myself - along the way. Katherine taught me that I shouldn't be ashamed to speak up for myself and embrace my disability. She taught me about the Americans with Disabilities Act and how much of an accomplishment it was for the advocacy of people with disabilities. When there is any discussion in regards to the rights of people with disabilities, she will always be on the front lines, and her voice will always resonate to being among the loudest in the room.

She taught me many things, but the one thing I can never forget was her strength - the one thing that I have to learn by her example. I'm not nearly as strong as she is. I'm still learning and growing. Whenever I feel that I have developed the strength to make through the hardships I'm working on right now, I hope she's around so I will be able to thank her for being a part of my life.

Smartphones, Accessibility, and Android Devices

In the last few years, the usage of smartphones has become mainstream in the US. Most young adults are using smartphones as long as they're able to afford the luxury. Still, when it comes to people who are blind or have low-vision, smartphone use can be a bit daunting.

For years, we've relied on simple flip phones where we've been able to easily adjust font size and rely on the tactile feedback of a simple button set, but these phones, while still manufactured, are becoming obsolete in a world that is centered around internet, social media, and cloud storage. Phone and text messaging capabilities just don't seem to be enough anymore, and there's no reason to limit ourselves from that on behalf of our disability.

Since 2010, I switched to using smartphones. I have had extensive use of Blackberry, iOS, and Android devices. Figuring out my way around a touch screen and a QWERTY keyboard has been difficult, but the results have been quite rewarding. At times I have missed my old flip phone and its simple interface, but I have never looked back.

At the moment I have chosen to stick with Android phones. In the past, Android hasn't had much success when it comes to accessibility. Google created their own app suite with Soundback, Kickback, and Talkback for the blind community, but for years it did not compare to the accessibility of iOS devices. I have had to root my phone and install custom ROMs to find a nice high-contrast layout with options for larger font sizes. I have had to install different apps just to be able to read through my Facebook newsfeed without reading glasses. I've had a difficult time, but once I was able to find the right ROM with the right apps I've really enjoyed the user experience.

Recently, with Google's release of Android 4.1 JellyBean, they have finally started to take accessibility seriously. Their screenreader app - Soundback - is much improved and now includes screenreading in the browser and other apps. There is a "Gesture Mode" that will use a combination of swipe gestures and speech output. They have released a new app called BrailleBack. There is even a screen magnifier now. It might not be as usable as iOS's magnifier, but it's a step in the right direction.

In the future, there are some features that I would love to see on a stock Android phone - namely the ability to invert colors, high contrast themes, and more user-friendly accessibility apps. Of course, until then I suppose I'll continue to figure it out myself.