Editor's Page: Three years of a refactored AccessWorld

Dear AccessWorld readers,

Welcome to the Summer 2026 issue of AccessWorld. This issue marks three full years since we reworked AccessWorld into our new quarterly format. It's amazing how quickly time flies.

Before we jump into the issue, I wanted to share some information with you. The American Printing House for the Blind (APH) is looking for feedback on its low vision technology. See its message and accompanying links below for surveys where you can offer your feedback.

Each year, APH selects a research focus to guide new product development. This year's focus is low vision technology, and we want to hear from you about what works, what's missing, and what needs improvement!

Take a Survey

• Vision Professionals Survey – for teachers and professionals who support individuals with low vision
• Adult Consumers / Parents & Guardians Survey – for adults with low vision and parents of children with low vision

Become a Tester of APH Products

In This Issue

To open this issue, we have a guest post kindly provided to us by Rabih Dow. Rabih has over 30 years of experience in vision rehabilitation and is also a competitive fencer and coach. In this piece, he explains how rehabilitative fencing could benefit people who are new to vision loss by helping them regain confidence in movement, as well as its applications for orientation and mobility.

Next, Steven Kelley brings us a review of the Optaro XL, a device that turns a standard iPad into a full-featured video magnifier.

Following this, Janet Ingber reports on the accessibility of the Paramount+ app for iOS. Paramount+ is a streaming service with original programming and live events that also provides access to older television shows and movies.

Janet also brings us a quick update on recently released Apple hardware, as well as information on new accessibility features coming to iOS later this year.

Finally, inspired by the piece on rehabilitative fencing, I wrote an article detailing the potential for accessible gaming to teach real-world navigation skills.

As always, I'd like to thank the authors for their contributions. They're an invaluable part of what makes AccessWorld what it is. I'd also like to thank you for being an AccessWorld reader, and I hope you enjoy this issue.

Sincerely,

Aaron Preece

Editor in Chief, AccessWorld

American Foundation for the Blind