Credit: @GuideDogAva on Instagram

Global Accessibility Awareness Day is tomorrow! Thanks for your patience on this new issue of the SEE DIFFERENT today newsletter! We’ll have another one Friday as well to make up for it. When starting new projects like this, no matter how passionate, it’s important to remember priorities, the last couple weeks we’ve been attending to family, mental health, and other obligations.

-@Dil & @James

Meta AI in Ray-Bans Smart Glasses finally gain much anticipated vision feature 🕶️

Meta Ray-Bans Smart Glasses have a light indicating when the camera is in use.

James here, I've been using the newly updated Meta Ray-Ban glasses, and they’re not just for looks, especially for someone with my visual needs. Priced around $299, these glasses integrate cutting-edge AI capabilities that significantly enhance how I interact with my environment.

Here’s what these AI-enhanced specs offer:

• Multimodal AI: Using the camera, Meta AI can see and process context of your view and answer follow up questions. This includes reading real-world text. Optical Character Recognition (OCR): This feature reads text from the environment in real-time, such as menus and street signs.

• Voice-activated messaging: You can message through Facebook, WhatsApp, and your phone’s text messaging app. This include starting voice calls as well as sharing your view on Facebook video calls.

• Real-time data: Tapping into Bing, Meta AI can provide real-time up-to-date information.

• Practical for Content Creation: The camera shoots a square aspect ratio and can take photos and videos up to 60 seconds. Through the Meta View app, you can enable live-streaming to Instagram to go live from a first-person POV.

While the AI isn't flawless and can occasionally misread data, the overall functionality provides substantial independence. It’s crucial to remember that any tech has its limitations, but the pros here far outweigh the cons.

Beyond the tech specs, what’s truly revolutionary about these Ray-Bans is how they normalize accessibility within everyday fashion and mass market products. Much like how smartphones have integrated accessibility features, these glasses blend seamlessly into daily life while offering significant assistive capabilities. This approach not only democratizes access to assistive technologies but also challenges the traditional market, where niche assistive tech often comes with a high price tag and less polished design. By embedding advanced accessibility features into widely appealing products, Meta is helping to promote the concept of universal design — making tools that assist everyone available to everyone.

These smart glasses are without their faults. Battery life is hit or miss at 4 hours with moderate usage but the charging case provides the glasses with an overall 32 hours from the case. I find myself satisfied overall by the battery performance but the glasses have overheated from time to time after recording numerous videos in succession. This requires them to cool down temporarily. Although I’ve signed up for beta features, I have run into simple connectivity problems which required an app-reinstall to solve the issue.

Even with their few faults, Meta Ray-Bans remain to be an impressive consumer product. They're a significant step towards more inclusive technology. At $299, they're an example of how mainstream products can include features that support diverse needs, transforming everyday challenges into more manageable experiences for a broader audience.

Disney World updates accommodations policy for disabled guests; advocate + content creator, Natasha Caudill, chimes in.

Natasha Caudill discussed Disney’s new park policies on TikTok

Natasha Caudill, a legally blind TikTok creator, has voiced her dissatisfaction with Disney World's updated Disability Access Service policy. Caudill, who has a rare eye disorder that significantly limits her vision resulting in color blindness too, expressed concerns that the new guidelines have made her feel unwelcome at the park—a place she once considered a haven of joy and accessibility.

• Change in Policy: Disney World has revised its Disability Access Service (DAS), altering how visitors with disabilities can access rides​ (WDW News Today)​.

• Personal Impact: Natasha Caudill reported that these changes have made it difficult for her to enjoy the park as she previously did.

• Community Reaction: Caudill's experience has sparked discussions within the disability community about the inclusiveness of such policy changes.

The changes, set to take effect on May 20, 2024, at Walt Disney World and on June 18, 2024, at Disneyland, include a shift to pre-arrival registration, adjustments to service validity, and limitations on party sizes. Specifically, the service will now require guests to confirm their eligibility through a virtual pre-registration process and is designed to cater primarily to guests with developmental disabilities like autism, who cannot wait in conventional queues​ (Disney Tourist Blog)​​ (MickeyBlog.com)​​ (WDW Magazine)​.

Natasha Caudill's situation highlights a broader issue faced by many in the disabled community when accessibility policies are altered without apparent consideration of their impact. Disney World, known for its commitment to providing an inclusive environment, seems to have taken a step back in this regard, according to Caudill and her supporters. The influencer's story has resonated with many, underscoring the ongoing challenges that people with disabilities encounter in public and recreational spaces.

The discourse around these changes at Disney World serves as a critical reminder of the importance of inclusive policy-making. Advocates and members of the disability community are calling for more thoughtful consideration and engagement with disabled guests to ensure that changes enhance, rather than hinder, accessibility. As this story unfolds, it will hopefully lead to a more inclusive dialogue between major entertainment entities like Disney and the communities they serve, ensuring that the magic of these places remains accessible to all.

What is an Access Pass?

In my latest short-form video, I share how this pass grants myself and guests entry into over 2,000 U.S. Parks and Federal reserves. Watch to see how to qualify and additional perks.

Learn more about the Access Pass on the USGS website here.

Service Dog of the Week!

Meet, Dixie!

Dixie working and alert.

Meet Dixie, the exceptional guide dog of seven-plus years to Ross Minor, an accessibility consultant and advocate. Dixie was trained by The Seeing Eye, a guide school that has been around for ninety-five years.

Ross Minor and guide dog Dixie.

When Dixie isn’t on harness, assisting Ross on his journeys, she enjoys leisurely walks and lively games of fetch. If you want to witness the magical moment of Ross and Dixie meeting for the first time, tap here!

Dixie loves playing after a day of work!

Be sure to follow Ross Minor’s content with occasional appearances with Dixie!

Ross’s website with links!

Stories and content worth a look 👀

• Guide dog, Marli, celebrates her birthday in this IG Reel!

• Global Accessibility Awareness Day (#GAAD) website and resources!

• OpenAI shares a thread on Twitter with a series of videos demoing the latest updates rolling out to ChatGPT with human-like tones and better understanding of context including sarcasm.

• Paul Castle, illustrator and blind content creator shares a recent story of being denied entry into a food establishment because he was accompanied by his Guide Dog.

SEE DIFFERENT Store is live!

Dancing Eye Polo Shirts

If you’d like to support this project and my YouTube channel, please consider checking out the newly launched SEE DIFFERENT Store. Most apparel now offered embroidered designs for a higher quality and tactile feel. A refreshed Dancing Eye mug has be released, along with new polo shirts, and a Dancing Eye Zip-Up hoodie.

Stay tuned and visit the SEE DIFFERENT Store!

If you have any tips or stories you’d like us to feature or discuss, please send them our way via Twitter or Instagram.

SEE DIFFERENT Store

James Rath on YouTube

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Credit: @GuideDogAva on Instagram

Today is international Guide Dog Day, and that also marks the start of our ‘Service Dog of the Week’ segment. James attended CSUN Assistive Technology conference last month in Anaheim, California and shares eye-catching innovations and innovators featured at the event.

-@Dil & @James

CSUN AT Conference - Niche attendance, wide impact!

Sam of ‘TheBlindLife’ and James Rath smile for a photo in the exhibit hall.

The 2024 CSUN assistive technology conference is a key event for professionals in accessibility and inclusive technologies. This conference has taken place for the last 39 years and provides a platform for companies both big and small, researchers and educators to share knowledge and innovations that aid in the advancement of assistive technology. The conference covers technology for a wide spectrum of disability but it would be hard to miss all the white canes and guide dogs as the attendees tend sway towards low vision individuals. Some of the notable exhibitors on the show floor include 

AYES Inc.’s booth demoing oko app to an attendee.

• Amazon had a large booth showing off a variety of accessibility features within their products including their Kindle e-readers, Echo mart home speakers, and Amazon Fire TV. James demoed the assistive vision features within the Fire TV’s operating system including a screen-reader called VoiceView to help blind users navigate with verbal descriptions, a screen magnifier to zoom into any app, and Text Banner to make reading any text consistent with its size and font. They also showed off a new experimental feature called High Contrast Text that automatically changes the colors of every menu on screen to black or white with a high contrast colored border surrounding it to make reading easier with low vision.

• Oko from Ayes inc - A free app on IOS that uses AI technology to assist blind and low vision individuals at crosswalks by reading signals and using haptic and auditory feedback  to help them cross streets safely. (Disclosure: James Rath is a Content Manager at AYES Inc.)

• Dot Pad by Dot Inc. is the world's first smart tactile graphics display, transforming visual information into touchable braille and shapes for the visually impaired. It uses 2,400 movable pins to convey images, texts, and graphics in a tactile format.

With a focus on advancing assistive technology, this even provides a vital platform for sharing knowledge and fostering collaboration. An exhibitor we want to especially highlight in more detail is ReBokeh started by a CEO with low vision, Rebecca Rose Rosenberg.

Continue reading to learn how Rebecca wanted a more intuitive app as someone with visual access needs while in college and ultimately made one herself…

Born with Low Vision, she couldn’t find the right app, so she made it herself

Rebecca Rosenberg, founder of ReBokeh

Rebecca Rose Rosenberg, the innovative founder and CEO of ReBokeh, is reshaping the world of assistive technology. Born with a uncorrectable visual condition due to albinism, Rebecca has used her personal experiences to fuel her mission: creating tools that enhance visual independence. James had time to sit down with Rebecca at CSUN to learn more about her journey and app.

About Rebecca and ReBokeh:

• Origins: Founded ReBokeh at 21 from her college dorm room.

• Mission: Empower individuals with low vision to navigate the world with greater independence.

• ReBokeh’s flagship product, the ReBokeh app, uses smartphone cameras to enhance existing vision. It provides features such as adjustable contrast, exposure control, and color enhancement. This app stands out by offering a free basic version that is now used by individuals in about 100 countries, demonstrating its global impact and accessibility.

ReBokeh app

Expanding beyond the digital app, Rebecca has initiated collaborations with public spaces like museums and airports. These partnerships aim to offer Rebokeh’s full capabilities on-site, providing an inclusive experience for all visitors free of charge, sponsored by the collaborating organization.

Rebecca is also an active voice in the community, contributing to discussions on accessibility and technology. She writes about topics ranging from the everyday challenges faced by people with low vision to the potential of emerging technologies like the Apple Vision Pro. Her articles help educate the public and advocate for greater understanding and support of the low vision community.

As ReBokeh continues to grow, Rebecca remains at the forefront, ensuring that the conversation around low vision is both informed and progressive. You can follow her latest thoughts on Medium under the handle @RealRebeccaRose and explore ReBokeh’s innovations at www.rebokeh.com.

Sony focusing in on digital photography for blind and low vision hobbyists

I, James, partnered with Sony Electronics to join them at their booth and on their panel at the CSUN conference to talk about their accessibility developments in their digital cameras.

Sony is incorporating text-to-speech and magnification features in higher end cameras via software updates but they’ve also made hardware innovations. The HX99 Retina Projection Viewfinder kit is available for $599, a price tag that Sony has said costs them money. The low frequency laser projects the camera’s user-interface and viewfinder video feed directly onto the user’s retina, bypassing potential filters in low vision.

Personally this viewfinder works significantly well for myself with my visual impairments, I’m able to see the projection viewfinder clearly making photography and videography more accessible but it may not work for every individual.

Disclaimer, Sony sponsored my latest long-form video where I take their HX99 camera with the QDLaser laser projection viewfinder kit to a zoo and photograph the animals that I couldn’t see growing up as a kid. It was quite the eye-opening experience! Individuals can visit service centers where they can try the camera kit for themselves or receive a loaner to test at home.

Service Dog of the Week!

It’s International Guide Dog Day!

@GuideDogAva on Instagram and Twitter

Today we celebrate International Guide Dog Day, a special occasion to honor the essential services guide dogs provide to their blind and low vision partners worldwide. It's a day filled with appreciation for these canine heroes and an opportunity to increase awareness of the challenges they face and the ongoing support they need.

Meet Ava (@GuideDogAva), the "Professional Good Girl" who guides Dr. Amy Kavanagh (@BlondeHistorian), a well-known disability rights activist and historian, through the bustling streets of London. Ava is not just a guide dog; she's a lover of carrots, a fan of busy places, and a nap aficionado—when she's not busy being a 100% diva, of course.

With Ava's steadfast companionship, Dr. Kavanagh navigates daily life with greater confidence and independence. Ava’s role extends beyond navigation; she’s also a key player in Dr. Kavanagh’s journey into parenthood, highlighting the transformative impact guide dogs can have.

Twitter tweet

Through playful tweets and heartfelt posts, Dr. Kavanagh shares their adventures, spotlighting the significant ways Ava enhances her quality of life. These posts also address the serious work of guide dogs and the distractions they often face from the public.

As we mark International Guide Dog Day, let's celebrate the incredible contributions of guide dogs like Ava and the advocacy efforts of their handlers like Dr. Kavanagh. Their stories remind us of the invaluable companionship and improved life quality these dogs provide to their blind and low vision partners.

Stories and content worth a look 👀

• Natasha Caudill, colorblind content creator, is featured in PEOPLE ‘Disney Fan with Eye Disorder Says She No Longer Feels 'Welcomed' at Park After Disability Guidelines Change’

• Steve Saylor, a content creator with blindness started a Dungeons and Dragons play series ‘Dungeons and Disableds’ with fellow disabled creators while fundraising for charitable causes.

• Meta releases updates to the Meta Ray-Ban smartglasses to enable Meta AI with Vision that allows the AI assistant to tap into the camera and provide context to what the user is looking towards a benefit especially for low vision and blind users. (Next week, James will provide his impressions on this feature in a write up and short video.)

• @Oceannec_, content creator with albinism, shares her preferences when it comes to reading for #WorldBookDay.

SEE DIFFERENT Store is live!

Dancing Eye Polo Shirts

If you’d like to support this project and my YouTube channel, please consider checking out the newly launched SEE DIFFERENT Store. Most apparel now offered embroidered designs for a higher quality and tactile feel. A refreshed Dancing Eye mug has be released, along with new polo shirts, and a Dancing Eye Zip-Up hoodie.

Personally, I’m very excited to launch the Warm Light Sunglasses design based on my very own prescription sunglasses. The sunglasses feature welcoming smiling eyes and are available on a new T-shirt and cap.

We’ll even be giving away a few new refreshed SEE DIFFERENT mug over the course of the next few weeks with upcoming newsletters, stay tuned and visit the SEE DIFFERENT Store!

Editor’s notes: Hey it’s James, thanks for reading the launch issue and second newsletter for SEE DIFFERENT today! I know it was very vision/blind focus and although that’s a personally where the SEE DIFFERENT community stems from, I want to ensure moving forward there is more diverse experiences within the space of accessibility. If you have any tips or stories to share please share them my way via Twitter or Instagram.

SEE DIFFERENT Store

James Rath on YouTube

James Rath on TikTok

James Rath on Instagram

James Rath on Twitter

Curiosity Original, BLINDSPOTS - James Rath vlogs while holding a white cane.

SEE DIFFERENT Today is a newsletter that aims to add something different to your inbox, amplifying new perspectives, stories, and media from individuals who value accessibility.

Hi, I’m James Rath 👋🏻

I am a content creator, filmmaker, TV show host, and an advocate for accessibility. Born with blindness, I've always experienced the world in a unique way – quite literally 'seeing different.' My true understanding of what it means to 'see different,' however, emerged from engaging with my community, which includes individuals in the blind, disabled, and accessibility communities.

In my work, whether it’s through documentaries or comedic entertainment videos, my goal is to leave audiences with a new perspective and a deeper empathy for our fellow human beings. 'SEE DIFFERENT' is an initiative aimed at building and engaging with a community. This is achieved through this newsletter, insightful conversations on the 'SEE DIFFERENT Show,' and by sharing helpful tips and snippets about accessible living in short-form videos.

James interviews a man indoors surrounded by cameras and production equipment.

BLINDSPOTS made its debut on CuriosityStream on October 26th, 2023, and I am immensely proud of what our production team has achieved. This 10-episode documentary series is now available for streaming, complete with audio descriptions on the CuriosityStream app and website, offering an enriched narrated auditory experience.

Many of you have reached out with questions about my travels and experiences while producing the show. Over the next few weeks, I plan to share some behind-the-scenes glimpses and dive deeper into my journey in creating this travel documentary series. So, stay tuned for those insights. Meanwhile, I’d love for you to check out BLINDSPOTS on CuriosityStream.

“When everyone can play, we all win” 🎮

Forza Motorsport for Xbox and PC.

Forza Motorsport took center stage at The Game Awards 2023, securing a well-deserved victory that extended beyond its stunning visuals and immersive gameplay to highlight its notable strides in accessibility. The racing title demonstrated a commitment to inclusivity, implementing features that welcomed a broader range of players and eliminates barriers from traditional game design. The game's accessibility options, such as customizable controls, visual aids, and diverse difficulty settings, contributed to its recognition in a category that celebrated innovation in making gaming experiences more accessible to everyone.

The Game Awards, Innovation in Accessibility Nominees.

In an unexpected twist, The Game Awards 2023 put the spotlight on "Innovation in Accessibility" during the pre-show, a move that caught many by surprise and raised eyebrows within the gaming community. The decision to relegate such a crucial and impactful theme to the pre-show, traditionally seen as a precursor to the main event, sparked discussions and some disappointment among viewers.

Twitter tweet

YouTuber, iJustine, challenges herself to experience iPhone in an eye-opening way.

In a two-part series of short-form videos, I, James Rath, guide Justine Ezarik through a unique experience where she simulates my legally blind vision. In the first episode, Justine explores the world of enhanced visibility, utilizing an iPhone's magnification features to bring images into focus. The second episode offers a shift in perspective as Justine relies solely on auditory cues. Here, the iPhone’s screen reader, VoiceOver, transforms the user interface into an auditory experience. This includes a fascinating exploration of the camera app, where AI technology verbalizes visual descriptions of our captured scenes.

Some members of the disabled community have voiced concerns about simulations, noting their limitations in fully conveying the lived experience of disabilities to non-disabled participants. While I acknowledge that not all simulations achieve their intended empathetic goals, I believe they can still offer valuable insights into our world. This is especially true when they are led effectively and complemented by demonstrations of accessible task alternatives.

In my collaboration with Justine, I emphasized that while the simulation would mimic some aspects of my vision, like overexposure and blurriness, it couldn't replicate all aspects, such as the involuntary eye movements caused by Nystagmus. I made it clear to her that this experience was not intended to provide a complete understanding but rather a glimpse. It's crucial to differentiate between experiencing temporary low vision through goggles and the everyday realities of living with blindness. This includes the constant challenges like locating misplaced items, navigating commuting options, and facing frequent accessibility barriers.

iJustine and James Rath

My decision to share a glimpse of my daily life with Justine was driven by her compassionate demeanor and her openness to understanding and accommodating different experiences. In 2022, Justine went through a life-altering event that temporarily impaired her, leading her to rely on the accessibility features of her iPhone to aid her mobility. She candidly discusses this challenging period during our conversation in the first episode of my travel documentary series, BLINDSPOTS, available on CuriosityStream. You can watch this insightful episode here.

‘From Pixels to Peaks’ achieving a childhood dream. 🏔️

While in Japan wrapping up filming of my documentary, I had anticipated visiting the tallest mountain in the country, Mt. Fuji-san. Although the mountain is off-limits outside of the Summer season, I still had the desire to climb it even in the harsher weather conditions.

James on Mt. Fuji during the off-season.

My aspiration to climb Mt. Fuji traces back to my childhood days playing the classic Pokémon Gold and Silver on the GameBoy. These adventurous RPGs, set in a region mirroring real-world places like Kyoto, Osaka, and Tokyo, ignited my sense of adventure and love for travel. Discovering at the age of 11 that I was journeying through virtual versions of actual locations was a revelation, especially learning that Mt. Fuji inspired the games' final dungeon, Mt. Silver.

While in Japan, I decided to rekindle this nostalgia by replaying Pokémon Gold Version. I documented this unique blend of travel and gaming in a vlog, visiting real-world locations that paralleled those in the game. My goal was to craft a story that was accessible and relatable to all, providing just enough context for even those unfamiliar with the franchise, like my Mom, to enjoy.

The vlog features an unconventional Pokémon team, each with their own story arc, unfolding over an hour. The climax of this journey coincided with my real-life ascent of Mt. Fuji amidst snowy conditions, GameBoy in hand. I paralleled this with battling the game's final boss deep within Mt. Silver, symbolically linking my physical location on Mt. Fuji. Experience this unique adventure yourself by watching the full vlog here or in the link below.

I owe a huge thank you to Quinlan of the YouTube Channel, GoNorthJapan. As I shared in my video, his guidance was the reason I manage to get as far as I did. He created a video from his experience guiding myself, a blind person, up Fuji in the conditions we faced. You can watch his video here.

Stories and content worth a look 👀

• Natasha Caudill, colorblind content creator, highlights Lego Braille Bricks in a new short video.

• Christina Mallon, award winning inclusive designer discusses disability representation with Forbes 30 under 30 recipient, Keely Cat-Wells.

• Rikki Poynter, notable Deaf YouTuber and advocate, launches a new book-discussion YouTube channel, Rikki Reads, providing the space with more disability representation.

• YouTuber, Michael Fisher [Mr. Mobile] launches preorders for a new keyboard case for iPhone providing users with a tactile typing input, system shortcuts, and more screen real-estate.

• Exploring AI and Emerging Technologies: Enhancing Accessibility for the Blind

SEE DIFFERENT Store is live!

If you’d like to support this project and my YouTube channel, please consider checking out the newly launched SEE DIFFERENT Store. Most apparel now offered embroidered designs for a higher quality and tactile feel. A refreshed Dancing Eye mug has be released, along with new polo shirts, and a Dancing Eye Zip-Up hoodie.

Personally, I’m very excited to launch the Warm Light Sunglasses design based on my very own prescription sunglasses. The sunglasses feature welcoming smiling eyes and are available on a new T-shirt and cap.

We’ll even be giving away a few new refreshed SEE DIFFERENT mug over the course of the next few weeks with upcoming newsletters, stay tuned and visit the SEE DIFFERENT Store!

SEE DIFFERENT Store

James Rath on YouTube

James Rath on TikTok

James Rath on Instagram

James Rath on Twitter