A display of an Oculus headset in a store. The Where it's AT logo is situated above the text. Text reads: The Quest for Accessible VR - My experience with an Oculus Quest 2 - AbilityTools.org/blog

The Quest for Accessible VR

While at an Independent Living Center Leadership meeting, Larry Grable, Executive Director of Service Center for Independent Life (SCIL) in Claremont, shared about his and his staff’s experiences using his Oculus Quest 2. He brought his Oculus in to see how some of his staff with low-vision would interact with it, and talked enthusiastically about…

Text: The Perspective from Jeff's World By Jeff Thom. Series of photos: white man wearing a necktie reading Braille; a white woman's hand holding a book reader; Jeff Thom smiling; a man using a white cane.

The Perspective from Jeff’s World

By Jeff Thom In many cultures, the elders of the community are respected for their experience and wisdom. In a culture that often clings to youth, Where It’s AT is highlighting the contribution of our seniors in the Disability community. In honor of May as Older Americans Month, Jeff Thom graciously agreed to provide a…

Graphic of old Ability Tools Weekly logo next to new "Where It's AT: The Ability Tools Blog" logo

WHERE IT’S AT: The New Name for the Ability Tools Blog

The Ability Tools team at the California Foundation for Independent Living (CFILC) opted to let our assistive technology (AT) advocates and the general public vote online for a new blog name. With over 50% of the votes, Where It’s AT won! When you think of an assistive technology (AT) blog – Ability Tools is Where…

A black background with a photo of the author at Pride. There is the YO! Disabled and Proud logo. The text reads "Showing off my Independence on Independence Day By: Tiffany Youth Advisory Councilmember". Beneath this are rainbow stars and the Ability Tools Logo.

Showing off my Independence on Independence Day

Written By: Tiffany Taylor, YO! YAC Member & Halten Center for the Blind Who is Tiffany Taylor? I am a teacher of Braille, Assistive Technology, Independent Living Skills and Financial Management at the Hatlen Center for the Blind. I also happen to be a graduate of the program who is visually impaired. What does Independence…

A dark blue background. Large white text reads "Free Telecommunication Solutions, Anyone?". Beaneath this is a photo of two adapted phones and a senior woman using the phone. The bottom has the Ability Tools Logo and the California Phones logo.

Free Telecommunication Solutions, Anyone?

Written By: Ability Tools Staff Did you know that California has a state program that provides FREE phone to individuals with various disabilities? These phones are provided by the Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program (DDTP) at no charge to eligible Californians. DDTP distributes telecommunications equipment and services that improve communication for all Californians. A program of the…

olli bus self drives through a campus with people sitting inside

Meet Olli! A self driving bus that speaks sign language & provides other accommodations

A new self driving bus, named Olli, is in the works that does a lot more than taking people places. An accessible version of the bus, called “Accessible Olli” will be using IBM’s artificial intelligence powered Watson technology to communicate with passengers since there will be no driver or staff on it. For example, when…

A pair of hands are shown reading a book in Braille

World Braille Day

Written By: Tatum Tricarico, Point Loma Nazarene University Student & Author Two hundred years ago, someone decided that what the world had to offer him and his disability wasn’t enough. So after putting in a lot of work, Louis Braille changed the world for all blind people. That is why today, and each year on…

Women standing on the beach while wearing dark sunglasses

Dreaming and Seeing in Color

Written by: Madeline Cowdell, News Producer ​“Red brick is actually red!” I exclaimed, when I walked out of a San Francisco Bay Area optometrist’s office, while trying on a pair of Enchroma sunglasses.  That day was the first time I saw many colors and shades I had never seen before.  To me, red brick was…