Lawrence has always been interested in music, but he started seriously playing in high school. From there he went to university, and he’s now a full-time musician. Find out how he did it. Check out some of Lawrence’s music: The Vitruvian Project and EEP on Bandcamp You can subscribe to Working Blind on Spotify, Apple…
Author: Connor Scott-Gardner
Sharing Posts for Blindness Awareness Month Might Make You Feel Good, But Where is the Meaningful Change?
October is blindness awareness month, or so countless posts over on Facebook tell me. I forget about it for the most part, until I’m reminded by organisations who want me to support their campaigns, and friends and family who ask me to share their posts. I have come to the conclusion, after years of sharing…
I’m not sure any of us are ok, maybe all we can do is say it out loud
I keep a journal. Sometimes I write in it multiple times a day for weeks on end and then I don’t write at all for a month. But I keep it in some form. I’m sharing some of what I wrote in my journal today because even though it’s not happy or reassuring, maybe somehow…
How Artificial Intelligence is Describing Adult Content to the Blind
In recent years, several companies have developed apps or implemented technology which uses artificial intelligence to describe photos to blind people. In 2016 Facebook released a feature which auto-generates alt text for photos uploaded to the social network. A year later, Microsoft released Seeing AI, an app with multiple features, one of which is analysing…
The Student Loans Company Refuses to Comply with Discrimination Legislation. Their Unwillingness could Cost me my Education.
On July the 18th I published a blog post entitled Despite Covid19, Student Finance England Continues Discriminatory Application Process in which I outlined ongoing problems I was having obtaining a Disabled Students Allowance (DSA) application form in an accessible format. I’m a blind user of assistive technology and I required the form in a format…
Despite Covid19, Student Finance England Continues Discriminatory Application Process
As a disabled student, I rely on Disabled Students Allowance (DSA), in order to receive the support I need at university. Administered by the government through Student Finance England, DSA funds equipment and human support that disabled students require in order to receive an equal education. The application process however is far from equal. Whereas…
A Dating App would Match Couples using their Genetic Profile: the Idea Worries me
A Harvard geneticist, George Church, is developing an app that would prevent couples who carry the same recessive gene from ever meeting. The goal: to eliminate hereditary genetic diseases. Critics of the app have raised concerns that this is 21st century eugenics, but Church claims that it isn’t, and that he values diversity. The app,…
Working Blind Episode 7- Martin Ralfe, Technology Services and Skills Lead
Martin works for the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association UK leading their technology service. Although initially a reluctant technology user himself he ended up working in the field and wants to ensure that blind people who receive Guide Dogs services can also receive support with technology that will enable them to become more independent….
Working Blind Episode 6 – Justin Yarbrough, Digital Accessibility Specialist
Justin works at a university ensuring that classes are accessible to disabled students. As a blind person he knows first hand why accessibility matters, and it is his goal to ensure that all students can access the class materials. You can subscribe to Working Blind on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and TuneIn. If you like the…
Finding a Family at the Colorado Center for the Blind
On Wednesday I will start cooking a meal for 60 people. My final project at CCB, a celebration of how far I’ve come over the last six months. I know this last week is going to rush by before I know what’s happened. On the one hand it’s hard to believe that I’ve been in…