VisitAble Certification

Before braille, there was night writing. Originally developed for military communication in France for situations where things had to be read without the ability to see it during the early 19th century. Night writing later became used by people with visual disabilities.

Braille was developed about a decade after night writing. Louis Braille used night writing as the inspiration for his now popularized system of reading for the visually disabled community.

Night writing was a bit more complicated than braille in the way that the characters or “letters” consisted of more dots than braille does. While not initially created for accessibility, night writing was the inspiration for one of the most effective accessibility systems we have.

Image Description: A shadowed image of braille is the background. In yellow letters, writing reads “What is night writing?” and “read caption.”

Colorado Springs has expanded its TrackChair Program, so people with mobility disabilities can reserve free all-terrain chairs and explore more places that were once out of reach.

Each battery powered chair has wide rubber treads for traction and stability, a simple joystick for speed and direction, and adjustable seating with safety features and attendant control. These features make it easier for people with disabilities to enjoy fall trails and take in the season’s scenery.

This model should not stop in Colorado. Cities, counties, and state parks across the country can adopt and scale the same approach by offering free reservations, reliable guided time slots, multiple locations with different terrains, and trained volunteers who know the equipment. Doing so treats disabled residents and visitors with equal value, gives families real choices for outdoor time, and turns more trails into shared community spaces!

To learn more, click this link: https://coloradosprings.gov/trackchair

Image Description: A square graphic shows a black all-terrain trackchair with rubber treads centered on a light green path. A bold headline across the middle reads “Trackchair Expansion in Colorado Springs,” with a smaller line that says, “Reserve an all-terrain chair and explore city trails!” “Photography Credit: Trackchair builder” appears in the bottom right.

Friendly Reminder! We’re still looking for individuals with disabilities in the DC, Richmond, and surrounding areas to join us this summer for VisitAble training filming.

As we update our accessibility training, participants with lived experience will be featured in photo and video content used in training and promotional materials.

This is a paid opportunity ($30/hour), and we’ll work with each person to ensure filming locations and accommodations are accessible and comfortable.

The deadline is this Friday, June 5 at 5 PM ET.

Know someone who may be interested? Please share! Apply using link below:

Job Description Link - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1p33_tjke7KQxjOcOxsa4z3_MyLBachUt1yS-Ppisbqg/edit?tab=t.0

Application Link - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/16UmEYCZSR1ziYZghA8S_HG-OhUDfs-iM5d23nm_O9R8/edit

Thank you for your continued support!

Image Description: Blue graphic featuring a “Last Chance!” banner in the top left corner. Three circular images of individuals within the disability community are shown below: a man using a wheelchair, a man communicating through sign language, and a woman with a white cane. Text reads: “Link in Bio. Video Actor/Photo Model Opportunity. $30/hour. Apply by June 5 at 5pm. Filming in DC and Richmond.” VisitAble logo, website, and email shown at the bottom.

For the first time, students who are blind or have low vision participated in an adapted Space Camp experience, designed to make astronaut training accessible and engaging.

Held at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama, the weeklong program gave students the chance to try real space simulations, flight missions, and even microgravity training. With tactile maps, braille labels, voice-guided technology, and support from trained staff, every activity was hands-on, inclusive, and fun.

By using sound cues, touch-based learning, and teamwork, the program showed that accessibility can expand opportunities for everyone.

Programs like this remind us that designing for access doesn’t lower the bar, it raises the standard for all learners.

Learn more by clicking this link: https://yellowhammernews.com/alabama-gives-140-blind-children-a-new-mission-during-hands-on-space-camp-week/?

Image Description: A graphic reads “Astronaut Training is Now Accessible” over a glowing galaxy sky. A cartoon astronaut sits on a reddish-orange planet pointing to the stars, while another stands near a teal rocket ship on a bright yellow planet. The purple and navy background is filled with stars, sparkles, and a blue-and-gold cosmic border.

Want to learn some more ASL? Here are some personal descriptors. Words like these are crucial sentence starters. Even if you don’t know any other ASL, these are great words that can make communicating a bit easier.

Practice these words today to grow your sign language vocabulary. Stay tuned for more simple ASL lessons!

Image Descriptions:
Slide 1: Black text on a cream background reads, “learn sign language,” “Personal Descriptors,” and “swipe to learn.” There is also an image of a person signing “love” with text next to her stating “this movement means ‘love.’”

Slide 2: On a cream colored background, images of people are shown saying “your,” “mine,” “me,” and “we” in sign language with their text definition written in black underneath each photo.

The Richmond City Sheriff's Office has renewed its VisitAble Advocate certification for another year, strengthening their commitment to disability inclusion, and we are thrilled to share their accomplishment!

The Richmond City Sheriff's Office serves the residents of Richmond, managing jail and court operations along with restorative programs that promote safety and reentry into the community. Their work reinforces the importance of Sheriff’s Offices being trained in accessibility and inclusion across law enforcement, court, and corrections settings, ensuring that they are equipped to effectively serve individuals of all abilities.

It was a great privilege to work with the Richmond Sheriff’s Office staff again, and we are grateful for their continued partnership and ongoing dedication towards accessibility. We have been impressed by their commitment to make this training a top priority!

If you’d like to support ongoing efforts that strengthen accessibility and disability inclusion in public service, click on this link: https://www.rva.gov/sheriff

Image Description: The background is an image outside in front of a large sign that says “Richmond,” with 2 Sheriff’s Office cars on either side of the sign. In the center top of the image, the logo for the Richmond City Sheriff's Office. The VisitAble certification badge is in the center bottom of the image, valid until April 2027.

What does it mean to receive Advocate Certification from VisitAble? Advocate Certification is a respected, groundbreaking recognition that your organization, department, or establishment is actively committed to creating a more accessible and welcoming world for people with disabilities.

Organizations that earn this certification ensure their employees are prepared to serve, welcome, and accommodate disabled visitors, employees, and stakeholders with respect and understanding.

Learn more about having your organization become certified at this link: https://www.visitable.io/our-certification

Image Description: On an yellow-to-orange gradient background, the VisitAble Advocate Certification graphic, featuring a shield with a checkmark, above the text: “What does it mean to be certified?”

This past March, we conducted focus group research to better understand the disability community’s wants and needs. Two groups of eight participants were gathered to share their experiences based on guided questions relating to the hospitality industry.

The results indicate that staff attitude makes a huge impact on guest experience. This was the most commonly mentioned issue that was brought up. Being understanding and kind can truly change a visitor’s experience. Other important points include locations having an environment with proactive accessibility, and staff avoiding assumptions about disabilities.

The information gathered will continue to help us improve our videos and develop accessibility training with genuine representation, ensuring individuals with disabilities have their needs met. Thank you to all of our participants! ♿️ 🧡

Image Descriptions:
Slide 1: On a light yellow background, black text reads “focus group survey results are in” under the VisitAble logo. An image in the middle of the page holds a black outline of three people looking interestedly at a computer. The bottom of the page has an orange box reading “key takeaways: attitude matters most, proactive accessibility, avoiding assumptions.”

Slide 2: A yellow background has a chart in the middle with black text above reading, “16 individuals in the disabled community shared their experience in our focus groups.” Within the chart there are two sides, one reading “when guests feel comfortable" and containing check marks next to “visible accessibility, clear information, welcoming staff, consistency, addressing barriers.” The next column reads, “when guests feel uncomfortable” and has exes next to “fear of dismissal, past negative experiences, lack of accommodations, rushed communication, talking to companions.” At the bottom of the page there is VisitAble’s logo.

We’re looking for individuals with disabilities in the DC, Richmond, and surrounding areas this summer to join us for our new VisitAble training filming.

As we update our accessibility training, we’re inviting people with lived experience to take part in upcoming photo and video shoots that will be featured in our training and promotional materials.

This is a paid opportunity at $30/hour, and we’ll work with each person to make sure filming locations and accommodations are accessible and comfortable.

If this sounds like something you or someone in your network might be interested in, we’d love for you to apply or share it.

For the application link and job description, please click the links below:

Job Description - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1p33_tjke7KQxjOcOxsa4z3_MyLBachUt1yS-Ppisbqg/edit?tab=t.0

Job Application - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/16UmEYCZSR1ziYZghA8S_HG-OhUDfs-iM5d23nm_O9R8/edit?usp=drive_web&ouid=105932247595780120984

The application deadline is Friday, June 5th at 5 PM ET.

Thanks for helping us spread the word and support more inclusive storytelling!

Image Description: Blue graphic featuring three circular images of individuals within the disability community: a man using a wheelchair, a man communicating through sign language, and a woman with a white cane. Text reads: “Link in Bio. Video Actor/Photo Model Opportunity. $30/hour. Apply by June 5 at 5pm. Filming in DC and Richmond.” VisitAble logo, website, and email shown at the bottom.

Computer science courses should be accessible to students who are blind or have low vision. A new framework from researchers shows how accessibility can be built into classes from the start with hands-on tools and dedicated teaching.

The framework focuses on practical strategies universities can use, including tactile materials, hands-on learning kits, shared course resources, dedicated support, and inclusive classroom practices. Together, these approaches help students participate more fully in Intro to Computer Science courses.

This work highlights how thoughtful planning and universal design can expand access to STEM and create more inclusive learning environments.

Click the link to read more on this topic: https://sloanreview.mit.edu/sponsors-content/turning-title-ii-into-meaningful-change-a-framework-for-lms-accessibility/

Image Description: A graphic displays the VisitAble logo in the top left and circuit-style designs in the upper right. The headline reads “Education Meets Innovation: Supporting Blind and Low-Vision Learners” on a white background. Below, a dark brick wall features a glowing blue accessibility icon and the word “Accessibility” in neon-style lettering, with a small green digital label reading “Granted.”