The Innovative Impact Newsletter By Dr. Kirk Adams for Monday, October 5, 2026 – Issue 119

Brailled It On Tour: Artifact Studios’ Braille Challenge Documentary Hits Theaters, Streams Free, And Joins Maryland LBPD And NLS For A National Discussion

Here, Dr. Kirk Adams brings word that Brailled It, Artifact Studios’ documentary about the Braille Challenge, is on tour from October 7 through November 8, 2026. The Braille Challenge brings the top under-18 braille readers and writers in the English-speaking world to Los Angeles each year, and Brailled It hands them the cameras so they document it themselves. Audio description and binaural sound are built into the film’s core, and braille readers can follow along in real time with the All4Access app. From October 7 through 13, the Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled (LBPD), the Friends of Maryland LBPD and the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS) stream the film free at home, and on Tuesday, October 13, at 7:00 PM Eastern, they join Hadley and Artifact Studios for a live national discussion with filmmakers David Grabias and Christopher Morgan and Impact Producer Dr. Conchita Hernandez Legorreta. Christopher, who is blind, competed in the Braille Challenge 12 years running and won it 10 times.

In person, audiences can meet the filmmakers and hear the film in full surround sound: on Wednesday, October 7 at the Chagrin Documentary Film Festival in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, with a Monarch braille demo from nine-year-old local competitor Owen Schoff; on Thursday, October 8 at the Broadway Theater in Salt Lake City, Utah; on Sunday, October 25 at FilmNorth in Saint Paul, Minnesota, where a filmmaking workshop for blind and low-vision students ages 16 to 25 comes first; and on Sunday, November 8 at The Cary Theater in Cary, North Carolina, with tickets coming soon. The free stream, the national discussion and the first three screenings are all listed, with their links, in this issue’s Featured Events. The film has been covered by The New York Times, The Guardian and Book and Film Globe, and a new fiscal sponsorship with the International Documentary Association (IDA) makes donations tax-deductible, funding a nationwide theatrical tour, filmmaking workshops for blind and low-vision students and hundreds of local community events. Learn more about Brailled It.

Help Shape the Future of Healthcare: Join Rare Patient Voice Through Dr. Kirk Adams

If you’re a patient or caregiver who wants to make a difference, I invite you to join Rare Patient Voice through my personal referral link: https://rarepatientvoice.com/rp/DrKirk.

Rare Patient Voice connects individuals living with rare and non-rare conditions to paid research opportunities where your voice directly shapes new treatments, products, and policies. Participants are typically compensated $120 per hour for surveys, interviews, and focus groups. It’s a powerful way to ensure your lived experience helps improve care for others, and you’ll be compensated for your time.

By signing up through my link, you’re also supporting our shared mission of making healthcare more inclusive and patient-driven.

Dr. Kirk Adams, Ph.D.
Advocate, Leader and Keynote Speaker on Disability Inclusion & Leadership
Leading the Way to Accessible Innovation

Institute for Sustainable Diversity and Inclusion (ISDI)
Executive Director
Strengthening individual and organizational capability for creating diverse, inclusive and equitable workplaces.

Innovative Impact, LLC Consulting
Managing Director
Impactful Workforce Inclusion Starts Here

American Foundation for the Blind
Immediate Past President & CEO
To create a world of no limits for people who are blind or visually impaired.

1.) Podcasts by Dr. Kirk Adams: Interview With Zhou Fang, Founder and Principal Practitioner, Intersectional Group | DrKirkAdams.com | October 1, 2026

Dr. Kirk Adams interviews Zhou Fang, founder and principal practitioner at Intersectional Group, on using intersectionality to strengthen leadership communication through a “yes, and” approach. Fang describes an abundance practice centered on reclaiming time, rest, space and the ability to imagine alternatives, shaped by her recovery from illness.

2.) What Do Disability Rights Mean to You? | DisabilityDebrief.org | September 30, 2026

Disability Debrief has opened a global writing call, “Writing Disability Rights,” inviting up to 500-word submissions by 2 November and paying GBP 100 for each published entry. Editor Peter Torres Fremlin frames the project around the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities’ 20th anniversary and personal accounts of how rights have, or have not, changed daily life.

3.) From Isolation to Connection: Building a Community Where We Can Connect, Learn, and Act Together | DrKirkAdams.com | September 24, 2026

Dr. Kirk Adams frames Relational-Cultural Theory as a practical lens for disability inclusion, arguing that connection, mutuality, shared power, and accessibility must shape organizational life. He links “condemned isolation” to barriers such as inaccessible workplaces and calls for institutions to repair exclusion and build collective agency through the Community Coalition for Sustainable Diversity and Inclusion.

4.) Podcasts by Dr. Kirk Adams: Interview With Stephanie D. Sanders, Owner and CEO, Walk In Thought Productions, LLC | DrKirkAdams.com | September 17, 2026

Dr. Kirk Adams interviews Stephanie D. Sanders, a Lakeland, Florida-based motivational speaker and performer who has been legally blind in one eye since birth. Sanders traces her path from sports and broadcast work to entertainment, music and speaking, while the pair address disability disclosure, intersectionality, resilience and community-building.

5.) Podcasts by Dr. Kirk Adams: Interview With Jeff Wissel, Vice-President, Accessibility, Aira | DrKirkAdams.com | September 16, 2026

Jeff Wissel, Aira’s new Vice President of Accessibility, traces his path from managing retinitis pigmentosa during 28 years at Fidelity Investments to leading disability-accessibility work. He says Aira is expanding visual interpretation and ASL services through employer and venue partnerships, while using opt-in, anonymized Explorer interactions to help train AI models.

6.) Podcasts by Dr. Kirk Adams: Interview With Rachel Antoine, Senior Director of International Operations, Braille Institute | DrKirkAdams.com | September 15, 2026

Braille Institute’s Rachel Antoine says Braille Challenge has expanded from a single Southern California regional in 2000 to more than 80 worldwide, serving about 2,200 students annually. The program launched its first African regional in Kenya in 2026, drawing more than 1,000 students; three Kenyan competitors are slated for the 2027 finals.

7.) What We Inherit – and What We Must Build Next | DrKirkAdams.com | September 14, 2026

Dr. Kirk Adams says the Community Coalition for Sustainable Diversity and Inclusion, launched September 1, will connect and mentor leaders across race, disability, gender, generation, and lived experience. Using Dolly Parton, Wendell Berry, and Gloria Steinem as examples, he calls for organizations to share power, fund emerging leaders, and build durable infrastructure for collective action.

October 5, 2026 | Connect with Vispero at the 2026 M-Enabling Summit | Vispero

The M-Enabling Summit runs October 5 through 7, 2026 at the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington, Virginia, and Vispero takes the stage for three sessions: a kickoff leadership conversation between Matt Ater and Consumer Technology Association president Kinsey Fabrizio, a fireside chat on designing AI agent interfaces with Ryan Jones alongside Salesforce and Georgia Tech’s CIDI, and a review of United States digital accessibility lawsuit data from chief accessibility officer David Sloan with Ashley S. Jenkins of Seyfarth Shaw. The landing page carries the full session descriptions, summit registration, and a form to book a meeting with the Vispero team.

October 6, 2026 | Lighting Tips for Everyday Life | Vision Support America

11:00 AM PT, 12:00 PM MT, 1:00 PM CT, 2:00 PM ET, 6:00 PM GMT
In this free session, Vision Support America covers practical ways to make a home easier to see and move through, using contrast, better lighting and reduced glare. It is aimed at people with low or changing vision.

October 6, 2026 | Make Your iPhone Work for You | Vision Support America

1:00 PM PT, 2:00 PM MT, 3:00 PM CT, 4:00 PM ET, 8:00 PM GMT
Vision Support America walks step by step through the ways an iPhone can be adjusted to work better for changing eyesight, at a pace built to feel comfortable and doable. The session is free.

October 6, 2026 | Happy Hour at the 2026 M-Enabling Summit | Vispero, Aira and Everway

4:00 PM PT, 5:00 PM MT, 6:00 PM CT, 7:00 PM ET, 11:00 PM GMT
Vispero is co-hosting an evening happy hour with Aira and Everway during the 2026 M-Enabling Summit in Arlington, Virginia – a relaxed chance to meet other accessibility professionals, compare notes, and build relationships with the people driving change in the field. Space is limited and advance RSVP is required; the location is shared with registrants after they RSVP.

October 6, 2026 | Teaching and Typing Math | BITS

5:00 PM PT, 6:00 PM MT, 7:00 PM CT, 8:00 PM ET, 12:00 AM GMT
The BITS Education Team presents Teaching and Typing Math, a Tuesday evening course led by Professor Betsey Doane with Rebecca Skipper for assistive technology instructors and others who work with math. It covers navigating math in Word and on the web, Nemeth braille in the JAWS Braille Math Editor, math input by speech, and graphing with Desmos, and registrants must check each course date when signing up.

October 7, 2026 | Brailled It at the Chagrin Documentary Film Festival | Chagrin Documentary Film Festival

8:30 AM PT, 9:30 AM MT, 10:30 AM CT, 11:30 AM ET, 3:30 PM GMT
The Chagrin Documentary Film Festival screens Brailled It, the 73-minute documentary filmed by blind and low-vision competitors at the Braille Challenge, at the Chagrin Valley Little Theatre in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. After the film, nine-year-old local competitor Owen Schoff talks about his experiences and demonstrates the new Monarch braille device, joined by his teacher Sheree Ricketts. The screening is sponsored by Think Media Studios, and the film is also part of the festival’s On Demand program from October 12 through 18. Ticketed in-person event.

October 7, 2026 | Part 1 – Web Accessibility Testing Basics: Manual Testing – Color Contrast, Keyboard Access, and Reflow | Access Ingenuity

10:00 AM PT, 11:00 AM MT, 12:00 PM CT, 1:00 PM ET, 5:00 PM GMT
Michael Parker from Access Ingenuity opens a two-part series on manual web accessibility testing, covering the checks automated tools miss. Attendees learn to evaluate color contrast against WCAG 2.2 Level AA, navigate a site by keyboard alone to find focus and tab order problems, and test reflow at 400% zoom, along with how to document what they find.

October 7, 2026 | Brailled It: Free At-Home Movie Viewing | Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled

The Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled, the Friends of Maryland LBPD and Artifact Studios offer free at-home viewing of Brailled It, the documentary in which blind and low-vision competitors at the Braille Challenge film the event themselves. The film is designed with audio description at its core, and viewers can follow it in real time in braille through the All4Access app. Viewing runs October 7 through 13, ahead of the national filmmaker discussion on October 13. Free; registration opens October 7 and is required.

October 8, 2026 | Keep Reading Alive | Vision Support America

1:00 PM PT, 2:00 PM MT, 3:00 PM CT, 4:00 PM ET, 8:00 PM GMT
Vision Support America explores the different ways of keeping reading in your life as vision changes, in whatever format works best now. The session is free and open to anyone adjusting to vision loss.

October 8, 2026 | Many Faces of BARD: Advanced Navigation on BARD Mobile | NLS BARD

4:00 PM PT, 5:00 PM MT, 6:00 PM CT, 7:00 PM ET, 11:00 PM GMT
The National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled’s Many Faces of BARD program covers advanced navigation in BARD Mobile, followed by an open question-and-answer session on all things BARD. The one-hour session on ZoomGov will be recorded.

October 8, 2026 | Brailled It at the Broadway Theater | Salt Lake Film Society

6:00 PM PT, 7:00 PM MT, 8:00 PM CT, 9:00 PM ET, 1:00 AM GMT
The Salt Lake Film Society screens Brailled It at the Broadway Theater in Salt Lake City, Utah. The documentary puts the cameras in the hands of blind and low-vision students competing at the Braille Challenge in Los Angeles, and it was designed with audio description and binaural sound at its core. Ticketed in-person event.

October 9, 2026 | EnAble Learning Office Hours | National Organization on Disability

10:00 AM PT, 11:00 AM MT, 12:00 PM CT, 1:00 PM ET, 5:00 PM GMT
In this free session, the National Organization on Disability walks employers through its EnAble Learning on-demand training and fields questions on building disability confidence, improving retention, and creating more inclusive, productive teams.

October 9, 2026 | Home Organization and Labeling | Vision Support America

10:00 AM PT, 11:00 AM MT, 12:00 PM CT, 1:00 PM ET, 5:00 PM GMT
Vision Support America hosts a supportive conversation on simple ways to organize and label a home so that it feels easier, calmer and more predictable to move around. The session is free and aimed at people adjusting to changing vision.

October 12, 2026 | Make Your Android Work for You | Vision Support America

10:30 AM PT, 11:30 AM MT, 12:30 PM CT, 1:30 PM ET, 5:30 PM GMT
In this free session, Vision Support America introduces the accessibility settings built into Android phones, working through small changes that build confidence one step at a time. It is aimed at people with low or changing vision who want their phone to be easier to use.

October 13, 2026 | Patron Corner: Celebrating 20 Years of BARD, Part Two | NLS

4:00 PM PT, 5:00 PM MT, 6:00 PM CT, 7:00 PM ET, 11:00 PM GMT
The NLS Patron Engagement Section hosts a Patron Corner on Zoom featuring NLS staff and patrons who took part in the 2006 BARD beta test and were among its first users, with time for audience members to share what BARD has meant to them. The session will be recorded.

October 13, 2026 | Brailled It: National Discussion | Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled

4:00 PM PT, 5:00 PM MT, 6:00 PM CT, 7:00 PM ET, 11:00 PM GMT
The Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled hosts a live, moderated national discussion of Brailled It with the Friends of Maryland LBPD, the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS), Hadley and Artifact Studios. Filmmakers David Grabias and Christopher Morgan and Impact Producer Conchita Hernandez Legorreta explore the film’s themes, the importance of braille literacy and the impact of programs like the Braille Challenge. Online; registration is required, and the event link is sent by email.

October 13, 2026 | Teaching and Typing Math | BITS

5:00 PM PT, 6:00 PM MT, 7:00 PM CT, 8:00 PM ET, 12:00 AM GMT
The BITS Education Team presents Teaching and Typing Math, a Tuesday evening course led by Professor Betsey Doane with Rebecca Skipper for assistive technology instructors and others who work with math. It covers navigating math in Word and on the web, Nemeth braille in the JAWS Braille Math Editor, math input by speech, and graphing with Desmos, and registrants must check each course date when signing up.

October 14, 2026 | ONYX Family of Magnifiers: Finding the Right Fit for Work, School, and Home | Access Ingenuity

10:00 AM PT, 11:00 AM MT, 12:00 PM CT, 1:00 PM ET, 5:00 PM GMT
Ian Ramos from Access Ingenuity and Joe McDaniel from Vispero walk through the three ONYX video magnifiers, including the ONYX Deskset and ONYX OCR, and help attendees work out which model fits their needs at school, work, or home. Everyone is welcome, and ACVREP continuing education credit is approved for teachers of the visually impaired.

October 14, 2026 | 6th Annual National Disability Employment Awareness Month Webinar | Helen Keller National Center and Helen Keller Services for the Blind

11:00 AM PT, 12:00 PM MT, 1:00 PM CT, 2:00 PM ET, 6:00 PM GMT
Helen Keller National Center and Helen Keller Services for the Blind mark National Disability Employment Awareness Month under the Department of Labor’s 2026 theme, Celebrating Value and Talent, with a new format built on spotlight conversations – focused 10 to 15 minute sessions with each panelist covering their professional story, the current state of employment for people with disabilities, and where the field is headed. Panelists are Dina Grilo, deputy head of the Office of Disability Affairs at JPMorganChase; Kirk Adams, executive director of the Institute for Sustainable Diversity and Inclusion; Kathy West-Evans of Abilities United Consulting; and Michael MacKillop, executive director of the Washington State Department of Services for the Blind. The webinar closes with live audience Q&A. Free; ASL interpretation, spoken English interpretation, live captions, audio description, accessible presentation materials and transcripts are provided, with additional accommodation requests to Jennifer Falls at jfalls@helenkeller.org by October 1, 2026.

October 14, 2026 | Cooking Tips for Changing Vision | Vision Support America

1:00 PM PT, 2:00 PM MT, 3:00 PM CT, 4:00 PM ET, 8:00 PM GMT
This free Vision Support America session is a supportive conversation about working in the kitchen with changing vision, taking small practical steps toward feeling confident there again.

October 15, 2026 | Preventing Falls and Using Stairs Safely | Vision Support America

10:00 AM PT, 11:00 AM MT, 12:00 PM CT, 1:00 PM ET, 5:00 PM GMT
This free Vision Support America session covers simple techniques for moving safely and confidently around the home and beyond, with particular attention to stairs and to preventing falls. It is aimed at people with low or changing vision.

October 15, 2026 | Confident Movement and Open Conversations | Vision Support America

1:00 PM PT, 2:00 PM MT, 3:00 PM CT, 4:00 PM ET, 8:00 PM GMT
Vision Support America looks at moving through the world safely and confidently with changing vision, and at how to ask for help in ways that feel comfortable and respectful. The session is free and open to anyone adjusting to vision loss.

October 19, 2026 | Virtual Birding With the Birdability Community on Instagram Live | Birdability

7:00 AM PT, 8:00 AM MT, 9:00 AM CT, 10:00 AM ET, 2:00 PM GMT
Birdability goes live on Instagram at @birdability every morning of Birdability Week, through October 25, for virtual birding from backyards, parks and favorite accessible birding spots around the country. The week opens with Tammah Watts and her Mindfulness Mondays, and later stops include backyard birding in North Carolina, Central Park with That Quirky Bird Girl, a field trip with ASL, Jenn Lodi-Smith of The Spark Bird Project, and Everybody Birding Club in Ohio. Stay for the whole program or drop in for a minute or two. Free.

October 19, 2026 | Birdability Week 2026: Bird Where You Are | Birdability

Birdability Week returns October 19 through 25, 2026, with the theme Bird Where You Are – an invitation to notice birds in whatever way works best for you, whether that is from a window, a wheelchair, a car, a hospital room, a kayak or a favorite park bench. The week is a celebration of birders with disabilities and other health concerns, and includes a full schedule of free virtual events, the Offbeat Photo and Video Contest, and accessible outings hosted around the country. All virtual events include captions and ASL interpretation.

October 19, 2026 | Finding Balance: Self-Care While Birding – A Birdability Week 2026 Discussion | Birdability

4:00 PM PT, 5:00 PM MT, 6:00 PM CT, 7:00 PM ET
Birdability Captains Eric Clow and Jayme Boucher co-facilitate an open community roundtable on the many ways disabled birders care for themselves while spending time with birds – from birding while floating in a pool, to adaptive equipment that reduces fatigue, to choosing places where birds can be enjoyed without walking. Bring your own tips and hear practical ideas from others. Free. Virtual (Zoom). Captions and ASL interpretation provided; note additional access requests in your registration.

October 20, 2026 | Lighting Tips for Everyday Life | Vision Support America

11:00 AM PT, 12:00 PM MT, 1:00 PM CT, 2:00 PM ET, 6:00 PM GMT
In this free session, Vision Support America covers practical ways to make a home easier to see and move through, using contrast, better lighting and reduced glare. It is aimed at people with low or changing vision.

October 20, 2026 | Navigating Performance Discussions and the Accommodation Process Effectively | Accessibility Online

11:00 AM PT, 12:00 PM MT, 1:00 PM CT, 2:00 PM ET, 6:00 PM GMT
This Job Accommodation Network training gives supervisors and managers practical strategies for handling performance conversations and for responding when a disability disclosure leads to a request for reasonable accommodation. It covers what to say and how to explore accommodation solutions collaboratively when performance is part of the picture. Real-time captioning is provided.

October 20, 2026 | Make Your iPhone Work for You | Vision Support America

1:00 PM PT, 2:00 PM MT, 3:00 PM CT, 4:00 PM ET, 8:00 PM GMT
Vision Support America walks step by step through the ways an iPhone can be adjusted to work better for changing eyesight, at a pace built to feel comfortable and doable. The session is free.

October 20, 2026 | Birding While d/Deaf or Hard of Hearing Panel | Birdability

4:00 PM PT, 5:00 PM MT, 6:00 PM CT, 7:00 PM ET
Birdability Captains, community members and past Accessible Birding Interns who identify as Deaf, deaf, hard of hearing and late-deafened share their birding journeys, the barriers they have encountered and the accommodations that have helped. The panel explores the distinction between Deaf as a cultural and linguistic identity and deaf as a term for hearing loss, the many ways people connect with birds beyond sound, and practical ideas for making bird walks, clubs and festivals more welcoming. Free. Virtual (Zoom). Captions and ASL interpretation provided; note additional access requests in your registration.

October 20, 2026 | Teaching and Typing Math | BITS

5:00 PM PT, 6:00 PM MT, 7:00 PM CT, 8:00 PM ET, 12:00 AM GMT
The BITS Education Team presents Teaching and Typing Math, a Tuesday evening course led by Professor Betsey Doane with Rebecca Skipper for assistive technology instructors and others who work with math. It covers navigating math in Word and on the web, Nemeth braille in the JAWS Braille Math Editor, math input by speech, and graphing with Desmos, and registrants must check each course date when signing up.

October 21, 2026 | Inclusive Nature Panel | Birdability

10:00 AM PT, 11:00 AM MT, 12:00 PM CT, 1:00 PM ET
Author and editor Lauren Pharr moderates a conversation with contributors to the upcoming book Inclusive Nature about creating outdoor spaces, conservation organizations and birding communities where more people truly belong. Drawing on lived experience and professional work, panelists explore how race, disability, gender and culture have shaped who has had access to nature, and identify actions individuals and organizations can take. Free. Virtual (Zoom). Captions and ASL interpretation provided; note additional access requests in your registration.

October 21, 2026 | Part 2 – Web Accessibility Basics: Manual Screen Reader Testing | Access Ingenuity

10:00 AM PT, 11:00 AM MT, 12:00 PM CT, 1:00 PM ET, 5:00 PM GMT
Michael Parker from Access Ingenuity completes his two-part series with a session on manual screen reader testing of websites using JAWS. Attendees learn to spot missing or incorrect landmarks, poorly labeled controls, inaccessible dynamic content, and weak alt text, and to document findings against specific WCAG criteria.

October 21, 2026 | Community Coalition In-Person Launch & Celebration | Institute for Sustainable Diversity and Inclusion

5:30 PM PT, 6:30 PM MT, 7:30 PM CT, 8:30 PM ET, 12:30 AM GMT
The Institute for Sustainable Diversity and Inclusion marks the launch of its Community Coalition for Sustainable Diversity and Inclusion with an in-person evening at the Parkview Event Space at Seattle Unity, 200 8th Avenue North, Seattle. Attendees see a live demonstration of the Coalition’s new online home on Circle, with Apple and Android apps, meet local DEI practitioners, have new books by three ISDI leaders signed, and share a light meal with music. Founding Member sign-up at reduced, locked-in rates is open at the event and runs through December 31, 2026. Tickets are $75, $35 or a contribution of the buyer’s choosing; the venue offers accessible garage parking, a van-accessible loading zone, elevator access and wheelchair-accessible restrooms, and accommodation requests are due by October 1.

October 22, 2026 | Disability Innovation Forum | Enable Ventures & SmartJob

6:00 AM PT, 7:00 AM MT, 8:00 AM CT, 9:00 AM ET, 1:00 PM GMT
Enable Ventures and SmartJob host a full-day, in-person conference at the Grand Hyatt Washington in Washington, DC, on disability-led innovation in work, learning, design and investing. Sessions include a showcase of ten early-stage companies, a keynote from bionic pop artist Viktoria Modesta, a fireside chat with Axios co-founder Roy Schwartz, and eight panels.

October 22, 2026 | Keep Reading Alive | Vision Support America

1:00 PM PT, 2:00 PM MT, 3:00 PM CT, 4:00 PM ET, 8:00 PM GMT
Vision Support America explores the different ways of keeping reading in your life as vision changes, in whatever format works best now. The session is free and open to anyone adjusting to vision loss.

October 22, 2026 | Birding at the Intersections | Birdability

4:00 PM PT, 5:00 PM MT, 6:00 PM CT, 7:00 PM ET
Birdability Captains and community members with intersecting identities discuss how race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, culture and neurodivergence shape people’s experiences of birding and time in nature. Panelists explore how barriers to participation overlap and reinforce one another, and how belonging is created when communities recognize the whole person rather than a single aspect of identity. Free. Virtual (Zoom). Captions and ASL interpretation provided; note additional access requests in your registration.

October 23, 2026 | Home Organization and Labeling | Vision Support America

10:00 AM PT, 11:00 AM MT, 12:00 PM CT, 1:00 PM ET, 5:00 PM GMT
Vision Support America hosts a supportive conversation on simple ways to organize and label a home so that it feels easier, calmer and more predictable to move around. The session is free and aimed at people adjusting to changing vision.

October 23, 2026 | Birding With an Energy-Limiting Condition Panel | Birdability

4:00 PM PT, 5:00 PM MT, 6:00 PM CT, 7:00 PM ET
Many birders live with conditions that affect energy, stamina, pain, fatigue or post-exertional recovery. Birdability Captains share how they have adapted their birding to fit changing bodies and lives – birding closer to home, pacing themselves, and embracing rest, mobility aids and technology. They talk honestly about the emotional side of adjusting expectations and letting go of the idea that there is only one right way to be a birder. Free. Virtual (Zoom). Captions and ASL interpretation provided; note additional access requests in your registration.

October 24, 2026 | Birds and Brains: A Keynote Conversation About Traumatic Brain Injury and Healing With Birds | Birdability

1:00 PM PT, 2:00 PM MT, 3:00 PM CT, 4:00 PM ET
Birdability Week keynote speaker Day Scott (@TheWildernessGoddess) and Birdability Captain Emily Nichols talk about living with and recovering from traumatic brain injury, and the unexpected ways birds became part of the healing process. Drawing on lived experience and emerging science about the brain’s capacity to adapt and change, they reflect on how paying attention to birds can support healing, emotional well-being and a renewed sense of possibility. Free. Virtual (Zoom). Captions and ASL interpretation provided; note additional access requests in your registration.

October 25, 2026 | Birdability Week Wrap-Up Social and Photo and Video Contest Winners Announced | Birdability

1:00 PM PT, 2:00 PM MT, 3:00 PM CT, 4:00 PM ET
Birdability Week 2026 closes with a community celebration and the announcement of the winners of the 2026 Offbeat Photo and Video Contest. See this year’s finalist photos and videos, hear the stories behind them, celebrate the photographers and videographers, and share your own favorite Birdability Week memory. Free. Virtual (Zoom). Captions and ASL interpretation provided; note additional access requests in your registration.

October 25, 2026 | FilmNorth and Artifact Studios Present Brailled It | FilmNorth

3:00 PM PT, 4:00 PM MT, 5:00 PM CT, 6:00 PM ET, 10:00 PM GMT
FilmNorth and Artifact Studios present Brailled It at FilmNorth, 2441 University Avenue West in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The evening opens with a filmmaking workshop for blind and low-vision students ages 16 to 25, followed at 6:30 PM Central by a screening of the film and a Q&A. Free; RSVP required.

October 26, 2026 | Make Your Android Work for You | Vision Support America

10:30 AM PT, 11:30 AM MT, 12:30 PM CT, 1:30 PM ET, 5:30 PM GMT
In this free session, Vision Support America introduces the accessibility settings built into Android phones, working through small changes that build confidence one step at a time. It is aimed at people with low or changing vision who want their phone to be easier to use.

October 27, 2026 | Tech It Out | Hadley

11:00 AM PT, 12:00 PM MT, 1:00 PM CT, 2:00 PM ET, 6:00 PM GMT
Learn a few tips about everyday technology from a technology expert, ask your questions, and share your experiences.

October 28, 2026 | JAWS Essentials: Navigating PowerPoint with JAWS | Access Ingenuity

10:00 AM PT, 11:00 AM MT, 12:00 PM CT, 1:00 PM ET, 5:00 PM GMT
Marisa Church from Access Ingenuity covers the core JAWS commands for PowerPoint, including moving between slides, reading slide content and speaker notes, and working with images, charts, and tables. The session also explains how a presentation’s structure affects what JAWS reads, in both editing mode and slideshow view.

October 28, 2026 | Cooking Tips for Changing Vision | Vision Support America

1:00 PM PT, 2:00 PM MT, 3:00 PM CT, 4:00 PM ET, 8:00 PM GMT
This free Vision Support America session is a supportive conversation about working in the kitchen with changing vision, taking small practical steps toward feeling confident there again.

October 29, 2026 | Preventing Falls and Using Stairs Safely | Vision Support America

10:00 AM PT, 11:00 AM MT, 12:00 PM CT, 1:00 PM ET, 5:00 PM GMT
This free Vision Support America session covers simple techniques for moving safely and confidently around the home and beyond, with particular attention to stairs and to preventing falls. It is aimed at people with low or changing vision.

October 29, 2026 | Confident Movement and Open Conversations | Vision Support America

1:00 PM PT, 2:00 PM MT, 3:00 PM CT, 4:00 PM ET, 8:00 PM GMT
Vision Support America looks at moving through the world safely and confidently with changing vision, and at how to ask for help in ways that feel comfortable and respectful. The session is free and open to anyone adjusting to vision loss.

November 8, 2026 | 18th Annual Dining In The Dark Fundraiser To Benefit The Blind | Florida Outreach Center For The Blind

1:00 PM PT, 2:00 PM MT, 3:00 PM CT, 4:00 PM ET, 9:00 PM GMT
Experience an unforgettable evening at the 18th Annual Dining in the Dark, where guests enjoy a three-course meal served in complete darkness by the PBSO SWAT Team using night-vision goggles. The night also features live entertainment, an inspiring guest speaker, and a silent auction supporting programs for the blind community in Palm Beach County.

November 17, 2026 | Carter Kits: Supporting Positive Interactions for Neurodivergent Patients During Emergency Encounters | Accessibility Online

11:00 AM PT, 12:00 PM MT, 1:00 PM CT, 2:00 PM ET, 7:00 PM GMT
Carter Kits co-founder Justin Severs and training and grants manager Andie describe the sensory bags their organization supplies to first responders, emergency department staff and community partners for encounters with autistic and neurodivergent patients, where a lack of tools and training still produces worse health outcomes. Dr. Sam Wrobleski of the Michigan EMS for Children Program also explains how that partnership works and how others might build one in their own state. Real-time captioning is provided.

November 18, 2026 | Birdability Book Club: Birdsong by the Seasons by Donald Kroodsma | Birdability

4:00 PM PT, 5:00 PM MT, 6:00 PM CT, 7:00 PM ET
The Birdability Book Club closes out 2026 with Birdsong by the Seasons: A Year of Listening to Birds by Donald Kroodsma, a lyrical guide to a year of sound. The book was chosen so readers could follow along month by month through the year and then gather in November to share reflections from twelve months of attentive listening. Free; registration required.

November 19, 2026 | Member-Only Event: Practices for Accessible Virtual Meetings | National Organization on Disability

10:00 AM PT, 11:00 AM MT, 12:00 PM CT, 1:00 PM ET
A 25-minute virtual session for NOD Leadership Council members focused on practical, hands-on strategies for making virtual meetings more inclusive and accessible to all participants. The full briefing is restricted to Council members; non-members can join the Leadership Council to attend this and similar exclusive members-only sessions.

November 24, 2026 | Tech It Out | Hadley

11:00 AM PT, 12:00 PM MT, 1:00 PM CT, 2:00 PM ET, 7:00 PM GMT
Learn a few tips about everyday technology from a technology expert, ask your questions, and share your experiences.

December 17, 2026 | CEO Office Hours: Looking Back/Looking Forward | National Organization on Disability

10:00 AM PT, 11:00 AM MT, 12:00 PM CT, 1:00 PM ET, 6:00 PM GMT
In a free, year-end CEO Office Hours led by Beth Sirull, the National Organization on Disability reflects on milestones in disability inclusion and looks ahead to the strategies that will shape the coming year.

December 22, 2026 | Tech It Out | Hadley

11:00 AM PT, 12:00 PM MT, 1:00 PM CT, 2:00 PM ET, 7:00 PM GMT
Learn a few tips about everyday technology from a technology expert, ask your questions, and share your experiences.

---

Distribution: Dr. Kirk Adams

---

Distribution Since: 2025

As of April 7, 2025 the distribution of the Innovative Impact Newsletter By Dr. Kirk Adams is made possible by Dr. Kirk Adams, a leading disability inclusion advocate, workforce accessibility expert and business strategist dedicated to fostering inclusive workplaces and leadership development worldwide.

Any time the Innovative Impact Newsletter By Dr. Kirk Adams Newsletter carries less than its Sponsor limit, Dr. Kirk Adams donates the remaining dollars necessary to keep the publication running.

---

Publisher: Dr. Kirk Adams

---

Publisher Since: April 7, 2025

Location: Seattle, Washington

Time Zone: Pacific Standard Time (PST/PDT) (GMT-8/GMT-7)

In addition to serving as Publisher for the Innovative Impact Newsletter, Dr. Kirk Adams also serves as the Managing Director for Innovative Impact, LLC, an award-winning firm where he leads strategic consulting, workforce inclusion initiatives, and leadership development programs focused on creating accessible, equitable, and high-performing workplaces. Through his consultation work with https://innovativeimpact.consulting to his speaking engagements and direct marketing initiatives via https://drkirkadams.com, Dr. Adams advises and assists Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations on advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) initiatives to drive meaningful, systemic change.

As Publisher, Dr. Adams oversees the monthly distribution of the Innovative Impact Newsletter By Dr. Kirk Adams on behalf of Dr. Kirk Adams.

Dr. Kirk Adams, Ph.D.
Advocate, Leader and Keynote Speaker on Disability Inclusion & Leadership
Leading the Way to Accessible Innovation

” Inclusion isn’t just the right thing to do — it’s a strategic advantage. “

Institute for Sustainable Diversity and Inclusion (ISDI)
Executive Director
Strengthening individual and organizational capability for creating diverse, inclusive and equitable workplaces.

Innovative Impact, LLC Consulting
Managing Director
Impactful Workforce Inclusion Starts Here

American Foundation for the Blind
Immediate Past President & CEO
To create a world of no limits for people who are blind or visually impaired.

Connect With Me:

🌍 Website: https://drkirkadams.com
📕 Book: https://drkirkadams.com/the-disability-dividend
📧 Email: kirkadams@drkirkadams.com
📞 Phone: +1 (206) 660-1363
📃 Dissertation: https://drkirkadams.com/dissertation
🎙️ Podcasts: https://drkirkadams.com/podcasts
🎙️ Apple Podcasts: https://drkirkadams.com/podcasts-apple
🎙️ Amazon Music: https://drkirkadams.com/podcasts-amazon
🎙️ Spotify: https://drkirkadams.com/podcasts-spotify
🎙️ iHeart Radio: https://drkirkadams.com/podcasts-iheart-radio
📧 Subscribe: https://drkirkadams.com/subscribe
💬 Facebook: https://drkirkadams.com/facebook
💬 LinkedIn (Individual): https://drkirkadams.com/linkedin
💬 LinkedIn (Company): https://drkirkadams.com/linkedinpage
💬 Mastodon: https://drkirkadams.com/mastodon
✏️ Medium: https://drkirkadams.com/medium
🛜 RSS: https://drkirkadams.com/feed
💬 X (Formerly Twitter): https://drkirkadams.com/x
📽️ YouTube: https://drkirkadams.com/youtube
📍 Address: 140 Lakeside Avenue, Suite A, Seattle, Washington 98122-6538