The Varsity Network

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App Name

The Varsity Network

App Version

1.0.25

Platform

iOS/iPadOS

Category

Sports and Activities

Description

The Varsity Network is your audio home for live and on-demand college sports broadcasts. Hear live play-by-play and keep up with your favorite college sports audio broadcast. Download The Varsity Network App today and never miss a minute of action no matter where you are listening.

Free or Paid

Free

Devices you’ve tested on

iPhone 11 SE, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 8

Accessibility Rating

4 – Mostly Accessible

Accessibility Comments

This app is mostly accessible.

Screen Reader Performance

Screen reader performance can be less than ideal in in areas of long lists of games.

Button Labeling

There are a few buttons that are unclear but it is possible to work through problem areas.

Usability

This app is mostly useable.

Other Comments

This is a great way to catch college sports action for free. This app does not include the broadcasts for all colleges as some have different broadcast partners.
Recent years have carried all NCAA Tournament and college football bowl games, in addition to most all regular season contests.

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/the-varsity-network/id1574519982

App Store Links

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/the-varsity-network/id1574519982

Developer Website

https://thevarsitynetwork.com/feed

VoiceVista

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App Name

VoiceVista

App Version

1.6.1

Platform

iOS/iPadOS

Category

Navigation

Description

VoiceVista is a critical application for the blind and low vision users’ community. It is built upon Microsoft’s discontinued and open-source project Soundscape (https://aka.ms/ossblog) and is licensed under the MIT License (https://github.com/microsoft/soundscape/blob/main/LICENSE.txt).

The app leverages advanced iOS audio technology and precise location services to empower individuals in developing a heightened sense of their environment. It offers reassurance in unfamiliar settings, assisting users in forming mental maps and confidently navigating their desired routes.

For more information on how the app works and how your data is used and protected, please review the service terms and privacy policy:

Service terms: https://drwjf.github.io/vvt/terms.html

Privacy policy: https://drwjf.github.io/vvt/privacy.html

Free or Paid

Free

Devices you’ve tested on

iPhone 11 SE, iPhone 15 Pro

Accessibility Rating

5 – Fully Accessible

Accessibility Comments

This app is fully accessible.

Screen Reader Performance

Screen reader performance is excellent.

Button Labeling

All buttons are clearly labeled.

Usability

This app is designed for screen reader users to be used while navigating.

Other Comments

An amazing experience. Be sure to wear headphones.
It can be used even while travelling in a vehicle to get an idea of surrounding POIs.

App Store Links

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/voicevista/id6450388413

Developer Website

https://drwjf.github.io/vvt/index.html

Just Press Record

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App Name

Just Press Record

App Version

48.1

Platform

iOS/iPadOS

Category

Utilities

Description

Just Press Record is the ultimate audio recorder bringing one tap recording, transcription and iCloud syncing to all your devices. You can edit your audio and transcriptions right inside the app and even start a new recording completely hands-free with Siri!

Life is full of moments we would rather not forget – like your child’s first words, an important meeting or spontaneous idea. Capture these moments effortlessly on iPhone, iPad, Mac or for ultimate convenience, Apple Watch.

RECORD

• One tap to start, stop, pause and resume recording.

• Start recording from Shortcuts, Siri, the Dock icon, the Widget or via the URL scheme.

• Unlimited recording time.

• Select a fixed sample rate, such as 44.1 kHz, or use your Mac’s current audio settings.

• Record to WAV, AIF or standard iTunes M4A (ACC).

PLAY

• Seek backwards and forwards during playback.

• Adjustable playback speed.

TRANSCRIBE

• Turn speech into searchable text.

• Support for over 30 languages, independent of your device’s language setting.

• Synchronized text highlighting and audio playback.

• Format as you record with punctuation command recognition.

EDIT

• Audio – visualise your audio in the waveform view and cut out the parts you don’t need.

• Text – make corrections and add new text to your transcriptions.

SHARE

• Share audio and text to other apps.

• Share easily to social media as a video clip.

• Print a hard copy of your transcripts.

• Import audio files.

ORGANISATION

• View recent recordings or browse your library by date and time.

• Search by filename or transcription content.

• Rename recordings.

• Add a badge to the app icon showing the number of unplayed recordings.

STORAGE

• Choose to store recordings in iCloud Drive or in the Documents folder on your Mac.

• Recordings stored in iCloud Drive automatically sync across all your devices.

• Transcriptions are stored within the audio file.

ACCESSIBILITY

• VoiceOver support throughout the app.

IMPORTANT:

• Just Press Record does not record calls or audio from other apps.

• Transcription requires a good, clean audio signal. Avoid recording in noisy environments and ensure the microphone is positioned close to the source.

• URL scheme implemented by Just Press Record can be found on our FAQ page.

Free or Paid

Paid

Price

$4.99

Devices you’ve tested on

iPhone 11 SE, iPhone 15 Pro

Accessibility Rating

5 – Fully Accessible

Accessibility Comments

This app is fully accessible.

Screen Reader Performance

Screen reader performance is excellent in this app.

Button Labeling

All buttons are clearly labeled and identified.

Usability

This app is very useable by screen reader users and the developer is very aware of of this.

Other Comments

This app works great in conjunction with n Apple watch for easy ways to make recordings on the go.

App Store Links

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/just-press-record/id1033342465

Developer Website

https://www.openplanetsoftware.com/just-press-record/

Dawncaster

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App Name

Dawncaster

App Version

1.14.04

Platform

iOS/iPadOS

Category

Games

Description

Dive into Dawncaster— discover over 900 handcrafted cards, pure strategy, endless variations and no microtransactions. Start your epic journey today!

Embark on an epic quest in Dawncaster, a deck-building game with over 900 hand-illustrated cards. Choose your path as a stealthy rogue, a formidable warrior, or an enigmatic Seeker,or any of the other classes. Unearth the dark secrets of Aethos and face a strategic challenge that reshapes the mobile card game experience.

STRATEGICALLY CHALLENGING

Every step of your heroic journey offers new tactical choices to improve your deck. Collect cards that match your playstyle, navigate challenging events and develop your strategy before the forces of evil overwhelm you.

UNIQUE TAKE ON CARD GAMES

Dawncaster redefines the card game genre with novel mechanics that will intrigue even the most seasoned players. Forge your unique blend of class-specific mechanics, wield powerful weapons, play permanent enchantments and harness a fresh energy system that lifts all restrictions found in traditional deckbuilders.

VENTURE INTO DARKNESS

Discover the mystery of the ‘Dawnbringer’, a hero of legend who has been lost in the corrupted realm of Umbris. Slay monsters and explore the darkest depths of a desperate world through handcrafted illustrations, dialogue and shape its future through your choices.

ACCESS TO ALL CARDS

Dawncaster is offered as a complete deck builder cardgame. You get access to all cards and classes with your purchase. No need to buy packs, tokens, or waste time on timers or ads. Additional levels and battles are available per expansion to add extra depth to your game.

ROGUELITE GAMEPLAY

Prepare for an ever-changing adventure. With randomised encounters, unique classes, choices and battles, no run is the same. Unlock new starting cards, portraits and more and increase the difficulty to push the limits of your strategic insight.

JOIN OUR COMMUNITY

Connect with fellow adventurers and the creators on our Discord server. Share your insights, receive updates, and be a part of Dawncaster’s evolving story. We value your voice and invite you to help shape the future of the game.

Discord: https://discord.com/invite/pfeMG9c

Website: https://dawncaster.wanderlost.games

Free or Paid

Paid

Price

$1.99

Devices you’ve tested on

iPhone 11 SE, iPhone 15 Pro

Accessibility Rating

4 – Mostly Accessible

Accessibility Comments

This app is accessible in the sense that you can accomplish the main goals but there is a sense that lots of game ambiance is missing.

Screen Reader Performance

Screen reader performance can be less than ideal even on current year iPhones.

Button Labeling

Everything that VoiceOver interacts with is laveled.

Usability

This app is useable if one is willing to tolerate a linear existence.

Other Comments

This app using the direct touch approach to accessibility in that it turns the screen into a direct touch area and forces a rather linear exploration. Most of the time, attempting to manually move the focus does not work. That being said, it is still a fun and addictive game, with daily rewards for opening the app and significant carrots to encourage additional gameplay.
These thoughts come from someone who is not typically interested in this card deck type of game. I still like it a lot.

App Store Links

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/dawncaster-deckbuilding-rpg/id1555459868

Developer Website

https://dawncaster.wanderlost.games/

Envision AI

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App Name

Envision AI

App Version

3.4.0:

Platform

iOS/iPadOS

Category

Productivity

Description

Envision is the fastest, most reliable and award-winning OCR app that speaks out the visual world, helping people who are blind or have low vision lead more independent lives.

Envision is developed for and together with the blind and low vision community. The app is simple, gets things done and brings the best assistive experience to blind and low vision users.

Simply use your phone camera to scan any piece of text, your surroundings, objects, people or products and everything will be read out to you thanks to Envision’s smart artificial intelligence (AI) and Optical Character Recognition (OCR).

What Envision users say about the app:

“Easy going text recognition. Text recognition is outstanding. Good for independence. Ease of use is immaculate” – Noahis from Australia

“Amazing. I love it. I’m blind and I love how easy it is to use. Amazing job!!!!” – Matt from Canada

With full talkback support, Envision enables you to:

Read all kinds of text:

• Instantly read any piece of text in over 60 different languages.

• Easily scan your paper documents (single or multiple pages) with the help of audio-guided edge detection. All content is spoken back to you and is ready for export and edit.

• Import PDFs and images to get a description of the image and recognition of all the text within it.

• Quickly read handwritten postcards, letters, lists and other paperwork.

Know what’s around you:

• Effortlessly describe visual scenes around you.

• Detect colour on your clothes, walls, books, you name it.

• Swiftly scan barcodes to get extensive information about the products.

Find what you’re looking for:

• Find people around you; the names of your family and friends are spoken out whenever they are in the frame.

• Find objects around you; selecting common objects from the in-app list to find them.

Share:

• Share images or documents from your phone or other apps like Twitter or WhatsApp by selecting Envision from the share sheet. Envision can then read and describe those images for you.

Feedback, questions or feature requests?

We welcome everyone to provide their feedback about the Envision app, as we’re constantly improving.

Please email us at support@LetsEnvision.com.

Please read our Terms of Use & Privacy Policy: https://www.LetsEnvision.com/terms

If you’re still reading all the way down here, we’d like to thank you for your diligence, attention to detail and general commitment to finishing something that you started. Just like all the team working at Envision!

Free or Paid

Free

Devices you’ve tested on

iPhone 11 SE, iPhone 15 Pro, iPad Mini 5th generation

Accessibility Rating

5 – Fully Accessible

Accessibility Comments

This app is fully accessible.

Screen Reader Performance

Screen reader performance is optimized and ideal for this app.

Button Labeling

All buttons are clearly labeled and identified.

Usability

This app is extremely useable for VoiceOver users.

Other Comments

This app is similar to Seeing AI and is a nice backup in that it is free and just as easy to use.
There are a set of companion glasses that can be purchased to leverage AI features hands free and give users the ability to connect using video via the camera.

App Store Links

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/envision-ai/id1268632314

Developer Website

https://www.letsenvision.com/

The Athletic

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App Name

The Athletic

App Version

13.57.0

Platform

iOS/iPadOS

Category

Travel

Description

The Athletic delivers powerful stories and smart analysis that bring sports fans closer to the heart of the game. From breaking news and live commentary, to deeply-reported long reads and exclusive interviews, get all the sports stories that matter with The Athletic app.

The Athletic’s newsroom of 400+ full-time staff delivers in-depth coverage of hundreds of professional and college teams across more than 47 North American markets. The Athletic has every major league covered by award-winning talent, spanning the NFL, NBA, WNBA, NHL, MLB, MLS, NWSL, PGA, F1, NCAA Football, NCAA Men’s College Basketball, NCAA Women’s College Basketball, EPL, Champions League and much more.

Catch up, go deep, and join the conversation with exclusive articles, podcasts, newsletters, live Q&As and more. Subscribers get unlimited access to all of The Athletic’s exclusive content for just $5.99/month billed annually.

Download the app today and get started with a 7-day free trial.

At the end of the free trial period, the full price of the subscription will be charged thereafter. Payment will be charged to your iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase and your subscription will automatically renew unless turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current billing period. Auto-renewal

Free or Paid

Paid

Price

$5.99/mo. billed annually

Devices you’ve tested on

iPhone 11 SE, iPhone 15 Pro, IPad Mini 5th generation

Accessibility Rating

5 – Fully Accessible

Accessibility Comments

This app is accessible.

Screen Reader Performance

Screen reader performance can vary with this app as it often contains a lot of material for VoiceOver to handle. It performs well on current year iPhone models.

Button Labeling

All buttons appear to be clearly labeled and I’ve not encountered anything unlabeled so far.

Usability

This app is mostly useable keeping in mind that the app often acts as a newspaper web page, with ads and clutter that prevent seamless reading of written articles.

Other Comments

This is a great way to follow sports on a national level and I’ve come to rely on the scores section to get all my event scores. Most teams have individual pages with schedules and you can follow individual teams and sports for better access to interested information.

App Store Links

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/the-athletic-sports-news/id1135216317

Developer Website

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/

Spotlight: Perspective AI Vision – Early Beta

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A pair of white glasses on a blue gradient background.

The iAccessibility Report has showcased many apps over the years, but it is important to continue this trend. Taylor Arndt has been working on an app that uses on device AI models to recognize text, objects. She is also planning to support face detection as well.

The interesting thing about this app is that it is all on device, and no data is stored, or sent to the cloud. This does mean that the app is limited to what is included with the built in models, but it is much faster at getting responses.

Taylor has created a public beta, and we wanted to share this with everyone so she can get feedback on the app. We encourage other developers to submit a report with their betas as well, so that the iAccessibility community can provide feedback as well.

App Name

Perspective AI Vision

TestFlight Link

https://testflight.apple.com/join/GqLbLyS5

Feedback Email

taylor@techopolis.online

GoodMaps Outdoors

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App Name

GoodMaps Outdoors

App Version

5.1.2

Platform

iOS/iPadOS

Category

Navigation

Description

GoodMaps Outdoors is a fully accessible turn-by-turn GPS app for iPhone. It has all the outdoor navigation features you expect plus unique offerings you cannot get anywhere else, including extra verbosity for blind users.

Features

• Four main tabs are easy to access at the bottom of the screen: Routes, Location (Default), POIs and Settings.

• A unique GoodMaps Outdoors feature: Record a route using breadcrumbs, called Waypoints. No other accessible app has this. You can add these waypoints with the add button or you can shake the phone to create a Waypoint. It also automatically records a point after you have gone a certain distance. These Waypoint routes can be saved for future use.

• The Lookaround Wand in the top right tells you what is around.

• The More Info button gives the altitude and speed.

• Create your own POIs and share your POIs with others or keep them private with a shortcut on the Location page or from the POIs page.

• POI categories are announced with search results and make finding your destination easier.

• Audio tones and vibrations give feedback throughout the app, letting you know about upcoming turns, critical intersection information, and when search is loading.

• A robust route menu includes multiple methods of choosing a destination, from starting with a POI, an address from your contact list, your route history, and many more!

• Settings include many customization options like: vibrations, vision contrast, color settings, and distance units.

• There are announcement options like right, left, clockface or both.

Free or Paid

Free

Devices you’ve tested on

iPhone 11 SE, iPhone 15 Pro

Accessibility Rating

5 – Fully Accessible

Accessibility Comments

This app is fully accessible.

Screen Reader Performance

Screen reader performance is excellent in this app.

Button Labeling

All buttons are clearly labelled.

Usability

This app is designed for screen reader usage and is highly useable.

Other Comments

An amazing free outdoor mapping an navigation app that provides turn by turn navigation along with the ability to add your own points of interest that can act as beacons.

App Store Links

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/goodmaps-outdoors/id945756779

Developer Website

https://goodmaps.com/the-app/

ScripTalk

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App Name

ScripTalk

App Version

4.32.0

Platform

iOS/iPadOS

Category

Medical

Description

ScripTalk Mobile by En-Vision America, Inc., allows ios devices with Near Field Communication (NFC) capability to read ScripTalk Talking Labels. These special labels are adhesive RFID tags attached to medication containers by pharmacies participating in the ScriptAbility accessibility program. The patented ScripTalk system uses text-to-speech technology to provide the visually and reading-impaired with audible prescription information. Currently, there are many people that have difficulty reading or understanding the contents and instructions of their prescription medications. The small print and look-alike packaging of medicine vials can lead to confusion, non-compliance, and mistakes. En-Vision America has created a solution to this serious issue with ScripTalk

Free or Paid

Free

Devices you’ve tested on

iPhone 11 SE, iPhone 15 Pro

Accessibility Rating

5 – Fully Accessible

Accessibility Comments

This app is fully accessible.

Screen Reader Performance

Screen reader performance is excellent in this app.

Button Labeling

All buttons are clearly labelled.

Usability

This app has a clean and easy to use interface and allows for quick and accurate identification of medications in bottles with the ScripTalk stickers.

Other Comments

Using this app has allowed me to become completely independent with my 15+ medications and feel safe in their management.
Many pharmacies already have the capacities to use ScripTalk stickers, and Envision America will asist in trying to get your pharmacy to utilize this systemmedication management .

App Store Links

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/scriptalk-mobile/id1317698388

Developer Website

https://www.envisionamerica.com/scriptalk-station-for-patients

Overcast

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App Name

Overcast

App Version

2024.8.1

Platform

iOS/iPadOS

Category

News

Description

Overcast is a modern, fully featured audio podcast app with many useful features in a simple, intuitive interface:

– Smart Speed saves time without distorting the audio or sounding unnatural.

– Voice Boost makes every podcast the same volume with a broadcast-quality remastering engine.

– Download podcasts for playing anytime, even offline.

– Search and browse for new podcasts, plus get personalized recommendations.

– Create custom Playlists with smart filters and per-podcast priorities, and rearrange the list whenever you want.

– Receive optional notifications when new episodes arrive.

– Subscribe to a podcast, or just add an episode: try new shows without committing.

– Sleep timer automatically stops playback after any time interval you set.

– Apple Watch app with standalone playback and cellular streaming.

– CarPlay support.

And Overcast has world-class privacy, with no third-party analytics, ad services, or tracking code.

Overcast is funded by ads that promote other podcasts. If you choose to purchase Overcast Premium to hide these ads, payment will be charged to your iTunes account, and your account will be charged for renewal 24 hours prior to the end of the current period. Auto-renewal may be turned off at any time by going

Free or Paid

Free

Devices you’ve tested on

iPhone 11 SE, iPhone 15 Pro, iPad Mini 5th generation

Accessibility Rating

4 – Mostly Accessible [Score Edited by staff]

Accessibility Comments

This app is mostly accessible.

Screen Reader Performance

Screen reader performance is responsive on an iPhone 11 SE

Button Labeling

Most buttons are labeled.

Usability

This app is very useable. There is an issue where VoiceOver may read incorrect episode information when an episode is deleted under all episodes.

Other Comments

This app was rewritten in 2024 to keep up with tech advances.
The developer is known to work well with the screen reader community.
I have not verified the annoyance of ads in the free version and be aware that this app carries a $10 per year subscription.

This app may also have other issues with VoiceOver that have not been reported.

[Entry edited by staff]

App Store Links

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/overcast/id888422857

Developer Website

https://overcast.fm/

Talking Typer

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App Name

Talking Typer

App Version

1.96

Platform

iOS/iPadOS

Category

Education

Description

Talking Typer finally makes its way to iOS. Help students make typing progress with this fun-to-use self-voicing app!

Talking Typer

An accessible typing and computer keyboard tutorial app with a keyboard game to help increase speed and accuracy in a fun environment!

Learn to type or improve your skills with drills, practice lessons, keyboard explorer, and an entertaining game. It is designed for blind and visually impaired students, but can be used by sighted students too. This makes it a great tool for the whole class.

35 Built-in Lessons

Talking TyperTM for iOS devices comes with 35 built-in lessons at levels 1-10. Teachers and parents can create new lessons, edit lessons, and assign lessons to individual students or groups. Speed, accuracy, and typing level can also be set for individual students or groups. The app saves the results of each drill allowing students, teachers, and parents to monitor improvement.

Hurry Scurry Game

The app also includes the exciting game Hurry Scurry, where students earn points by typing letters before the ball drops. It’s fun for all ages and skill levels!

Self-Voicing and Apple® VoiceOver Accessible

The app is both self-voicing and accessible with Apple’s VoiceOver. The onboard keyboard of your device can be used with Talking Typer, but an external keyboard is recommended.

The app can also be used with a refreshable braille display, like APH’s Refreshabraille 18TM Bluetooth®-enabled device, making it accessible for students who are deafblind as well.

Recommended ages: All.

Free or Paid

Free

Devices you’ve tested on

iPhone 11 SE, 15 Pro, iPad Mini 5th generation

Accessibility Rating

5 – Fully Accessible

Accessibility Comments

This app is fully accessible and designed d for optimal use with a Bluetooth keyboard.

Screen Reader Performance

Excellent

Button Labeling

All buttons are clearly labeled.

Usability

This app is designed specifically for screen reader usage and is very useable.

Other Comments

This app used to be $5 and now appears to be free. This is amazing work done by the American Printing House of the Blind, located in Louisville, Kentucky.

App Store Links

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/talking-typer/id992103463

Developer Website

https://www.aph.org/shop/

Roadmap

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There has been a lot of changes that have happened here at iAccessibility this month, and there will be many more to come. In this post, I want to discuss where we’ve been, and where we’re going as iAccessibility so that we are all on the same page.

The Past of iAccessibility.

iAccessibility started in 2010 as a blog to review apps called the iAccessibility Report. I, Michael Doise, reviewed apps with VoiceOver on this blog to determine what worked with VoiceOver. The blog then started to have other content regarding technology, and we started a podcast in 2015 called the iACast. In 2016, we started our WhatsApp Community and TeamTalk Server, which later became a Discord community server instead. iAccessibility has also had the chance to work with some amazing podcasters like Unmute Presents and many others.

Where We Are Going

iAccessibility has been a part of my life for the past 14 years, and the goal has always been to build a thriving community of technology users who help each other in the efforts of learning and using technology. The below items describe where we are, and where iAccessibility is going.

  • iAccessibility has built an app directory so that blind and low vision technology users can find out if an app is accessible, or at least usable. This app directory covers Apple platforms, but also includes Windows and Android devices as well. We will have a similar layout to what may expect, but we will also have features like AI based search and more.
  • The iACast will continue, and we will be improving it with more conversations, and interactive experiences. These may include town halls, and interactive calls on Zoom and Clubhouse
  • iAccessibility has created a new forums system using Discourse. We plan to work with Discourse to increase the accessibility of these forums, so that other forum communities can benefit from these accessibility changes.
  • Bug Tracking is very important, and we plan to start tracking bugs with Apple platforms. We are considering a plan to create a bug tracker with BugZilla for users to submit bugs through, and these will be reflected through a blog post on the iAccessibility website.
  • We will also be opening up opportunities for users to contribute. Right now, users can contribute to the App Directory, but we will soon allow users to submit posts to the Report blog. or to submit podcast content. All posts will need to be approved, but this allows the site to be ran and driven by the community.
  • iAccessibility can’t be ran by one person and one person should not run a site as big as iAccessibility. Therefore, the team has decided to create a nonprofit organization ro run and manage iAccessibility. The board has been named, and documentation will be filed to form the nonprofit in the coming weeks. This will allow the team and community to make decisions to drive the forward progress of the website, forums, and other services provided by iAccessibility.

Conclusion

iAccessibility has always been a place to help people to connect with each other, and learn to use technology. It is my hope that this roadmap will help everyone know where we’ve been, and to help you all know where we are going in the future. We have been around for 14 years, and I think the next 14 will be even more amazing with all of you building what iAccessibility is going to be. Thank you for reading this, and please feel free to reach out and ask us any questions you have have either on Mastodon at https://iaccessibility.social/@iaccessibility, on X as @iaccessibility1 We are still working on emails, but you can email mikedoise@icloud.com until everything is set up. Thank you again, and I look forward to speaking with everyone in the community.

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