Collaborative Technology Solutions LLC

07/15/2025

"How I Use Apple's Visual Intelligence to Quickly Identify Objects With My iPhone," written by Lance Whitney at PC Mag, explores the use of Apple's Visual Intelligence feature on iPhones, enabling users to quickly identify objects, landmarks, and text just by pointing their camera. It highlights practical applications, such as learning about art, animals, and even simplifying the creation of calendar events. Click the link to read the full article:

Available on certain iPhone models, Visual Intelligence lets you research and ask questions about items you spot through the camera. Here’s how I use it.

07/02/2025

Collaborative Technology Solutions had such a memorable time at the 2025 IHD/AzTAP Evidence for Success Disability Conference. Our amazing colleague Tori Pinski presented on the benefits of hybrid assistive technology services for vocational rehabilitation clients, and we attended as exhibitors showcasing the services we have to offer and examples of assistive technology. Thank you to the Arizona Technology Access Program and to NAU's Institute for Human Development for putting on such an informative conference!

06/09/2025

Michael Taylor shares his personal journey navigating the digital world as a blind screen reader user. He reflects on the challenges posed by inaccessible technology and the importance of digital accessibility for inclusion in social, educational, and shopping experiences. Read his blog, UsableNet, here:

A screen reader user reflects on 25 years of digital accessibility, sharing personal experiences and highlighting the need for inclusive tech solutions.

05/30/2025

Double Tap's duo Steven Scott and Shaun Preece highlight a major collaboration between Be My Eyes and InnoSearch, aimed at transforming the shopping experience for blind and low vision users. Be My Eyes CEO Mike Buckley and InnerSearch founder Patrick Long unveil their cashback initiative, user-driven improvements, and plans for deeper integration—including phone-based AI shopping for offline users. The episode explores how accessibility and startup agility can create tools that genuinely meet the community’s needs. Watch the video here:

We highlight a major collaboration between Be My Eyes and InnerSearch, aimed at transforming the shopping experience for blind and low vision users. Be My Ey...

05/12/2025

Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, developed in collaboration with Meta, offer visually impaired users enhanced independence through features like object recognition, text reading, and real-time assistance via the integrated Be My Eyes app. Read Blind Ambition's article here: https://www.blindambition.co.uk/ray-ban-meta-smart-glasses-a-new-frontier-for-blind-and-partially-sighted-people/

04/28/2025

The Accessibility Guy provides an in-depth analysis of Google Docs' latest accessibility features, including AI tools, headings, tables, and screen reader support, evaluating their effectiveness and identifying areas for improvement. https://theaccessibilityguy.com/google-docs-accessibility-a-comprehensive-review/

04/25/2025

Jaws Power Tip from Freedom Scientific: You can now ask questions in FSCompanion using your voice!
1.) Press INSERT+SPACEBAR, F1 to launch FSCompanion.
2.) Press ALT+SHIFT+D to activate the Dictate Button.
3.) Speak your question.
4.) Press ALT+SHIFT+D again to stop dictation. The dictated text will be displayed in the input edit box for review.
5.) Press TAB to locate the Send Message button and press ENTER to submit your question.

04/22/2025

Get the latest info and hear from your local leaders about state and federal updates that affect lives of Arizonans with all kinds of disabilities. Arizona's Disability Community Virtual Town Hall is on Friday, April 25 1:00 p.m - 3:00 p.m. - with all the quick actions taking place, this is your chance to hear the most recent news.
The following will be covered:
-The latest Medicaid updates from Congress
-The latest info about funding shortfalls at the Arizona Division of Developmental Disabilities, including the Parents as Paid Caregivers program
-Status of student civil rights with changes to the U.S. Department of Education
-Question and Answer session

This virtual town hall will feature a live captioner. Click on this link to register!

Get the latest info and hear from your local leaders about state and federal updates that affect lives of Arizonans with all kinds of disabilities.

04/14/2025

Hi ESA family! If your learner is in need of Assistive Technology, Collaborative Technology Solutions is a registered ESA vendor! We provide Assistive Technology Assessments and Training Services. If interested, please contact [email protected], or visit our website at collabtechsolutions.com

03/24/2025

Even Grounds provides ten essential tips for making meetings inclusive for blind participants, including offering clear directions to the venue, providing electronic materials in advance, sending accessible agendas beforehand, ensuring digital materials are accessible, describing visual content, and identifying speakers during discussions. To read the full article, click https://evengrounds.com/10-essential-tips-to-make-your-meetings-inclusive-for-blind-participants/

03/13/2025

The World Health Organization (WHO) has formed a Technical Advisory Group to explore how digital technologies can enhance access to assistive products. This initiative aims to leverage digital solutions to improve health, education, and social participation for over 2.5 billion people in need of assistive technology worldwide. To read the article, click https://www.who.int/news-room/articles-detail/public-notice-and-comments-on-the-WHO-TAG-on-the-use-of-digital-technologies-to-enhance-access-to-assistive-technology

02/28/2025

The Accessibility Guy walks users through NotebookLM, an AI-powered research and note-taking tool designed to help consolidate and organize digital research. Key features include AI-driven document interaction and the ability to generate study materials such as quizzes, FAQs, and structured notes. To watch his video, click

This video walks users through how to use NotebookLM, an AI-powered research and note-taking tool designed to help users consolidate and organize digital res...