Online shopping promises convenience. Browse. Add to cart. Pay. Done. But for many blind shoppers who depend on screen readers, the checkout stage is where the process breaks down completely. What should be a simple transaction turns into a frustrating dead end. True accessibility does not stop at product pages. A fully accessible checkout mustContinue reading “Why Blind Shoppers Can’t Complete Online Checkout”
Author Archives: CoolHappenings
How to Turn Off Gmail Smart Features with Screen Readers
Source: How to opt out and turn off all ‘smart’ AI features in Gmail Introduction Gmail enables several smart features by default. These include Smart Compose, Smart Reply, and other Google Workspace features that analyze your activity to offer suggestions. For many screen reader users these features can feel distracting unpredictable or unnecessary.Continue reading “How to Turn Off Gmail Smart Features with Screen Readers”
How to design great alt text: An introduction
A practical guide to writing meaningful alt text that goes beyond accessibility checklists. This post explains who alt text is for, when images need it, how context matters, and why thoughtful image descriptions lead to clearer design, better usability, and more inclusive digital experiences.
The Evolution of the Mac Finder Smiley Face Icon
As a blind Mac user who relies on VoiceOver every day, I may not see the Finder’s smiling face, but I know it as well as anyone who does. For those of us using a screen reader, the Finder is more than just an app or an icon. It is the gateway to everything onContinue reading “The Evolution of the Mac Finder Smiley Face Icon”
macOS Tahoe vs Windows 11: Deciding the Ultimate Desktop OS
Apple’s latest operating system, macOS 26 “Tahoe” , and Microsoft’s Windows 11 represent two different visions of the modern desktop. Both deliver polished experiences, but they excel in different ways depending on what you need from your computer. macOS Tahoe introduces a fresh Liquid Glass design , bringing translucency and depth across menus, sidebars, andContinue reading “macOS Tahoe vs Windows 11: Deciding the Ultimate Desktop OS”
Wellness Wednesday… on a Friday?
Beth and Jeff step up to the mics—without Robin this time—to explore whether the word wellness has lost some of its meaning. Is wellness about carefully balancing all the little pieces of life—mind, body, and spirit—or is it simply how you feel about yourself day to day? Together, Beth and Jeff unpack the buzz aroundContinue reading “Wellness Wednesday… on a Friday?”
You Don’t Have to Be Blind to Use a Screen Reader
Simon MinerAugust 18, 2025 A screen reader is a piece of assistive technology software that turns on-screen text and interface elements into speech or braille output. It works by sending information from the operating system, applications, and web browsers through an accessibility API, which the screen reader interprets and then reads aloud or displays on a refreshableContinue reading “You Don’t Have to Be Blind to Use a Screen Reader”
ChatGPT Glossary: 56 AI Terms Everyone Should Know
AI Glossary: 56 Key Terms Everyone Should Know Artificial intelligence is reshaping the world—from eliminating jobs and flooding the web with AI-generated content (“slop”) to transforming global economies, with McKinsey estimating its potential impact at $4.4 trillion annually . With tools like ChatGPT, Google Gemini, Microsoft Copilot, Claude, and Perplexity , AI is becoming central to daily life, search engines, and productivity apps.
To keep up, it’s important to understand the growing AI vocabulary . CNET’s AI glossary explains 56 must-know terms, covering everything from the basics of AI, algorithms, and chatbots to advanced concepts like AGI (artificial general intelligence), generative AI, diffusion models, multimodal AI, and neural networks . It also dives into ethical issues like bias, AI safety, alignment, and guardrails , plus industry slang such as slop , stochastic parrots , and the paperclip maximizer scenario .
Whether you’re a student, professional, or simply curious, this evolving glossary helps you navigate the AI landscape , understand cutting-edge terms, and sound knowledgeable in conversations or interviews.
👉 Full glossary: CNET – 56 AI Terms Everyone Should Know
A Guide for Windows Screen Reader Users Transitioning to Mac
Dr. Elijah Irwin, For many blind users, moving from a Windows system to a Mac can be both exciting and a bit daunting. One of the most common questions is about screen reader compatibility and how familiar Windows-based workflows translate to macOS. On Windows, screen readers like JAWS and NVDA allow for a more linearContinue reading “A Guide for Windows Screen Reader Users Transitioning to Mac”
Wellness Wednesday: Disaster Readiness: What’s Your Plan in an Emergency?
media This episode of Wellness Wednesday with hosts Beth Gustin, LPC, and Robin Ennis, LCSW, CPC, explores emergency preparedness for natural disasters, with a focus on considerations for blind and low vision individuals. With recent fires in California and extreme cold weather across the U.S., the hosts emphasize the importance of having a plan inContinue reading “Wellness Wednesday: Disaster Readiness: What’s Your Plan in an Emergency?”
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