Kelley Vision and Technology Services

05/25/2026

To celebrate Memorial Day, we honor all blind veterans. Thank you for your service. Whether you went blind while serving, or later in life, we are here to empower you to achieve your goals and to live life on your terms.
Check out the Blinded Veterans Association for more resources.
https://bva.org/

05/23/2026

In honor of Global Accessibility Awareness Day, which we celebrated on Thursday, each of us here at Kelley VTS are sharing what accessibility means to us. Here are Justin's thoughts.
To me, accessibility means having access to the tools and places I need to live the life I want.
It means the ability to navigate accessible websites and apps with a screen reader.
It means having household appliances which I can label in ways that make sense to me according to how I use them.
It means having access to my medications and knowing which medicine I'm taking.
It means living in places designed for pedestrians, cities and neighborhoods created with solid urban design principles, and with access to public transportation and rideshare services.
Accessibility means the ability to use and charge my hearing aids, and the ability to control the different mic settings and filters to optimize them for my environment.
It means creating a structured environment so that I can accomplish my daily tasks.
It means the ability to accommodate my sensory needs when I'm overstimulated.
It means access to books in audio and braille formats.
Accessibility means the ability to watch tv shows and movies with audio description.
Above all, accessibility means the ability to participate in life in ways that make sense to me, according to my limitations, strengths, and desires.

05/22/2026

In honor of Global Accessibility Awareness Day, which we celebrated yesterday, we want to continue sharing thoughts about what accessibility means to each of us here at Kelley VTS. Here are Dan's thoughts.
Accessibility is not simply a convenience in my life; it is the foundation that allows me to live independently, support my family, contribute to my profession, and actively participate in society. As a totally blind professional serving individuals across Ohio, accessibility and assistive technology are woven into every aspect of my daily routines and responsibilities.
I work as a Teacher of the Visually Impaired and Assistive Technology Specialist, serving individuals from age five through older adulthood across all 88 counties of Ohio. I use the JAWS screen reader, braille displays, and VoiceOver on my iPhone to create materials, write reports, conduct meetings, and provide training to students, families, and professionals statewide.
Accessible email, messaging, and video conferencing tools allow me to maintain professional relationships while staying connected with friends and loved ones. At home, accessible banking apps, shopping platforms, and financial services allow me to manage money and support my household independently. Adaptive tools like talking tape measures and labeling systems allow me to complete repairs and projects on my own.
Travel has also been transformed through GPS applications, accessible mapping tools, and artificial intelligence, helping me navigate unfamiliar environments and engage more fully in my community and profession.
I strongly believe accessibility must be considered from the very beginning of planning and design. When built in from the start, everyone benefits. It is not about limitations; it is about creating environments where everyone has equal access to information, participation, and success.

05/21/2026

Happy Global Accessibility Awareness Day! For the enxt three days, we'll be sharing what accessibility means to each of us here at KVTS. Check out Marie's thoughts below!

In my day-to-day life, accessibility is a vital framework that allows me to sustain my health, manage my energy, and run my business effectively. Living with a chronic illness and mental health disorders means navigating fluctuating energy levels and symptom flare-ups, making a flexible work schedule absolutely essential. I have to intentionally schedule time to rest into my daily routine, right alongside work tasks and family commitments. Physical management looks like wearing compression socks to aid circulation, prioritizing consistent hydration, monitoring my activity levels with a Visible band in order to avoid over-exertion, and maintaining access to non-inflammatory foods that keep my body fueled without triggering systemic inflammation.
Equally critical is the scaffolding required for my mental health, specifically managing anxiety, depression, and CPTSD. This accessibility relies heavily on a structured digital routine, including twice-daily reminders that ensure I never miss my medication. True accessibility also extends outward to systemic needs, such as reliable access to affordable healthcare and prescriptions, alongside continuous engagement with robust coping skills and psychological strategies. When these physical, digital, and systemic supports are firmly in place, I am able to manage my conditions rather than just react to them, allowing me to show up fully for my clients, my business, and my family.

05/21/2026

Forbes’ Accessibility List highlights the biggest innovators and impact-makers at the forefront of accessibility for people with disabilities. See who made the list.

05/20/2026

Assistive technology is vital for people with disabilities.
Assistive technology refers to any device, software, or tool that helps people with disabilities perform tasks that might otherwise be difficult or impossible. In honor of Global Accessibility Awareness Day on May 21st, we are highlighting a few examples of how assistive technology changes lives.
Refreshable braille displays allow blind people to read braille on electronic devices. They can connect to phones and computers and display text in braille on the device. They can also be used as an external keyboard, meaning that users can write in braille instead of needing a QWERTY keyboard. Many come with internal software that includes an offline notepad and document reader, without needing to be connected to another device.
Screen readers use text to speech software to read aloud text that appears on computers and phones. They also allow users to navigate using keystrokes so they can use a computer without a mouse, and they modify touchscreen gestures so that blind people are able to use smartphones.
Apps like Voice Dream and Speechify allow people with disabilities to read content using text to speech, sometimes in the form of AI voices. These apps allow users to enlarge text, read along with the audio, and connect with other services like Kindle and Bookshare to provide access to more books.
These are but a few examples of the different ways assistive technology changes the lives of people with disabilities.
What is your favorite piece of assistive technology that you use? Let us know in the comments!

05/19/2026

Device accessibility is just as important as digital accessibility.
Many electronic devices and appliances are not accessible by default. This includes appliances for the home and medical devices. Many blind people are forced to use alternative techniques to use these devices. For example, some blind people put dots on their microwaves, washers, and dryers to mark the specific buttons they plan to use. However, new stoves are coming with touchscreen dials instead of physical ones. Washers and dryers are coming with complex digital interfaces with multiple menus that make accessible labeling near impossible. Many blind people are forced to use older models.
Fortunately, some manufacturers are beginning to take this into account. One important but often overlooked category is medical devices. Blind people may also have diabetes and other medical conditions which require daily management. It is important that at home medical devices be usable for them. This prevents continual visits to hospitals and doctors just to take care of themselves, when sighted people are able to monitor their medical needs at home. For blind people, traveling means extra costs in rideshare services, or it may take four times as long to use public transportation options. CVS has developed a talking blood pressure cuff which will announce the results out loud. Other companies sell talking thermometers and insulin pumps, though often they are more expensive than common versions.
Several advocacy groups are lobbying for legislation to improve the accessibility of medical devices. The Medical Device Nonvisual Accessibility Act (H.R.1328) and (S.3621) would help Americans with disabilities gain more control over their healthcare. To learn more about this bill, visit the link below.
https://www.acb.org/medical-device-nonvisual-accessibility-act
What are examples of accessible devices or appliances you use in your home? Let us know in the comments!

05/19/2026

This is going to be a great session. If you have children with disabilities, future planning is crucial. Register and listen in!

=📣 Join us TONIGHT for our last Family University Monthly Session of the 2025–2026 academic year!

🗓️ Planning for the Future Virtual Session
🕡 May 19 at 6:30 PM

Join us for an important virtual program focused on planning for the future of your loved one with a disability. Topics include:
• Guardianship
• Supported Decision Making
• Special Needs Trusts
• STABLE Accounts
• Waivers & Benefits

Presented by Attorney Derek Graham.

Register here 👉🏼 https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/LEz613RkQKihHpC47seNrg

Questions? Contact Dan Kelley at [email protected]

05/16/2026

What is physical accessibility?
Physical accessibility means that buildings, facilities, and public spaces are navigable for people with disabilities.
For people with physical disabilities, this may include ramps, elevators, and braille signs. For people with hearing loss, some facilities install T-Coil loops -- wires that create a magnetic field, transmitting sound directly to hearing aids and cochlear implants equipped with a telecoil setting. Alternatively, many venues offer assistive listening devices.
Have you ever noticed those small bumps on a curb cut or right before a ledge? Those are called truncated domes, and they help many white cane users identify intersections and, in some cases, where to stand to board a train.
There are no excuses for inaccessible buildings. The ADA has existed for over thirty years, giving building owners plenty of time to understand the requirements. If you encounter barriers, do not hesitate to advocate for yourself.
Have you ever been somewhere and been pleasantly surprised by how accessible it was? Tell us your story in the comments!

05/15/2026

What is digital accessibility?
Digital accessibility means that websites and apps are usable for people with disabilities.
This can look like screen reader compatibility, adjustable fonts and text sizes, and color contrast settings. Videos should include captions, plain text transcripts, and audio descriptions. If a full audio description is not feasible, developers can link to a page describing the visual content or include those descriptions in the transcript.
When a digital signature is required, developers should provide alternatives to handwriting. These may include a text box where a user can type their full name, or the option to use an online account or pin number to serve as a signature upon submission.
Digital accessibility is not a niche concern. It is a core part of how people with disabilities navigate the modern world online. For more guidance on digital accessibility standards, visit section508.gov.
What accessibility features do you use or find most helpful? Let us know in the comments!

05/13/2026

What does accessibility mean?
You've probably heard the term "accessibility" before. Websites, buildings, and services should all be accessible. But what does that actually mean?
To us, accessibility means equitable access for all. It means giving people the same opportunities to use products, participate in programs, and navigate physical spaces in a way that suits their needs. Wide doorways let wheelchair users move through easily and make it easier for anyone to move large items in and out. Assistive listening devices allow hard of hearing individuals to hear the same content as their non-disabled peers.
Accessibility is a broad topic with many layers, and over the next two weeks leading up to Global Accessibility Awareness Day on May 21st, we'll be exploring many of them.
Stay tuned! 👁️