Close-up view on conceptual keyboard with a green 'Connect' key.

One issue people with disabilities often face (and, granted, this is sometimes self-imposed) is isolation. In the case of individuals who are blind or visually impaired, this could be related to mobility or transportation. The good news is, with technology, we have the opportunity to connect with others in so many different ways.

Stack of books and a shopping cart. The cart holds a pair of books.

We invite you to tour the newly redesigned AFB Bookstore and save 20% on all publications during AFB's Virtual Open House this Wednesday through Friday, March 27-29, using code AFBSTORE13.

Celebrating Helen During Women's History Month

[Editor's note: In light of Women's History Month, we will be running a series of interviews with Helen Keller experts on the AFB Blog. First up: Keller Johnson-Thompson, Helen's great-grandniece.]

Keller Johnson-Thompson standing beside a statue of Helen Keller.

Helen Keller in Martha Graham's dance studio with Martha and dancers.

Over the past couple of months, we at AFB have received a number of correspondences regarding the announcement and promotion of various Helen Keller-related projects. While we can't always honor every request, we have been impressed with what has crossed our desks.

An astronaut floats in space.

Neil Armstrong recently passed away, and the United States lost a great hero. I can't say that I saw his walk on the moon because I wasn't alive—but, I have seen the clips, and heard his immortal words. With Armstrong's passing, I started thinking about when we will see a person who is blind or visually impaired being launched into space.

People cross a busy city street. Image is blurred.

We at AFB have the unwavering belief in the capabilities of people with vision loss, and we hold the philosophy that blind and visually impaired people can and do live and work with dignity and success alongside their sighted peers. We believe that people with vision loss can contribute in so many ways to their communities, to their families, and to society as a whole.

A customer service agent yells angrily into his headset.

[Editor's note: the following post comes from Deborah Kendrick, Senior Features Editor for AccessWorld.]

It's the dreaded call we all have to make at some point: contacting technical support for a mainstream commercial company, where we know we'll talk to a technician who has no clue how people who or blind or have low vision use a computer.

Black wooden alphabetic letters set showing WEBSITE being set up by group of construction workers and machines

Earlier this week, we announced the launch of our new website (and if you're currently reading this blog post, perhaps you've noticed already).