This App Enhances Your Remaining Vision

TOOLS & TECH

Rebokeh: The App That Enhances Your Remaining Vision

Rebecca Rosenberg was just a few months old when she was diagnosed with oculocutaneous albinism.

Growing up, she was offered assistive tech—but none of it really fit. Even with usable vision, the tools pushed her toward audio instead of helping her use what she still had.

At 17, she walked into a “technology meeting” at a Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired.

Her options?A massive, $5,000 camera magnifier the size of an overhead projector… or an audio recorder.

That moment stuck with her.The tech wasn’t just outdated—it was missing the point.

So she built something better.

ReBokeh is an iPhone app designed to enhance vision—not replace it:

📱 Works on iOS using the camera you already have

🔍 Real-time zoom with strong image stabilization

🎨 Adjust contrast, brightness, and colors instantly

🔄 Inversion filters for different visual needs

👁️ Built specifically for people with low vision

​The result: a simple, modern tool that helps users make the most of their functional vision in everyday life.

You can try ReBokeh for free, with expanded access available through select partner locations.

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TOOLS & TECH

Why Accessible Content Must Start from the Beginning

When it comes to accessible content, retrofitting later isn’t enough.

In this short video, Michelle Motil-Lehner of the OCALI Outreach Center for Deafness and Blindness explains why accessibility needs to be built in from the start—not added as an afterthought.

The key idea: design for everyone from day one.

• Websites should be usable for all abilities
• Documents should be readable and navigable
• Newsletters should consider visual and cognitive needs
• Accessibility isn’t a feature—it’s the foundation

Whether you’re creating content for work, school, or your community, starting with accessibility leads to better experiences for everyone.

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ADAPTIVE LIFESTYLE

Find Autism-Friendly Travel You Can Trust

Planning a family trip is hard enough. Finding places that truly understand autism and sensory needs makes it even harder.

Autism Travel was created to solve that.

The platform connects families with destinations, hotels, and attractions that are trained and certified in autism and sensory awareness—so you can plan with confidence instead of uncertainty.

What makes it useful:

• Access to certified autism-friendly destinations and attractions
• Listings focused on sensory awareness and accommodations
• Easier trip planning for families with specific needs
• Greater confidence in how places will handle real-world situations

Instead of guessing or hoping for the best, Autism Travel helps families find places that are prepared, trained, and ready to provide a better experience.

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YOU ASKED: QUESTION OF THE WEEK

AI Assistance for People with Disabilities

Q: I don’t know much about computers or AI, but I’m looking for help finding programs for people with disabilities—especially for food, housing, or rent assistance. Can AI help me find these programs and apply for them?

A: Yes—AI can be a helpful tool for people with disabilities to find support programs, understand what they qualify for, and navigate the application process.

It can search based on your situation, explain eligibility in plain language, and walk you through next steps. You’ll still need to apply through official websites or local agencies, but AI can make the process much easier to understand.

Start with these national resources:

• Benefits.gov
  Helps you find disability-related benefits, including SSI, SSDI, SNAP, and housing programs
  ​https://www.benefits.gov/​
• Social Security Administration
  Information and applications for SSI and SSDI disability benefits
  ​https://www.ssa.gov/​
• USA.gov
  Guides to disability benefits, housing help, and food assistance
  https://www.usa.gov/disability-benefits
• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
  Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8), public housing, and disability housing resources
  ​https://www.hud.gov/topics/information_for_disabled_persons​
• Feeding America
  Find accessible food banks and meal programs in your area
  ​https://www.feedingamerica.org/​
• 211
  Call 2-1-1 or search online to find local disability-friendly services for food, housing, and utilities
  ​https://www.211.org/​

What to look for in your state:

Many disability programs are managed locally. Try searching for:

• Your state’s Department of Social Services / Human Services (for SNAP, Medicaid, disability support)
• A state disability services agency or Office of Disability Services
• A state housing authority or housing finance agency with disability programs
• Local Centers for Independent Living (CILs), which help people with disabilities access services
• Community Action Agencies that offer rent and utility assistance

How AI can help you:

• Find programs specifically for people with disabilities in your area
• Explain benefits like SSI, SSDI, SNAP, and housing assistance
• Help you understand eligibility requirements
• Guide you step-by-step through applications
• Help you prepare documents or answers

Helpful prompts you can use with AI:

• “What disability benefits and housing assistance programs do I qualify for?”
• “Find food and rent assistance programs for people with disabilities near me.”
• “Explain how to apply for SSI, SNAP, and housing assistance step by step.”
• “What documents do I need to apply for disability benefits and housing help?”
• “Help me understand this disability benefits application and what to do next.”

If you share more about your situation, AI can give more personalized guidance and help you focus on the programs most likely to help.

CAREGIVER CORNER

Simple Interfaces Matter More Than Smart Features

Technology for caregiving is evolving fast—but there’s a problem.

A lot of it is simply too hard to use.

Even the most promising tools can fall short if the person you’re caring for can’t navigate the interface. And let’s be honest—many platforms are confusing even for tech-savvy users.

That’s where things break down.

When evaluating in-home technology, usability should come first:

• Can your loved one use it without constant help?
• Is the interface clear, simple, and easy to navigate?
• Does it reduce stress—or add to it?

A powerful tool that no one can use is worthless.

As more caregiving technology enters the market, the real differentiator won’t just be features—it will be simplicity.

Before you commit to any solution, make sure the interface actually works for the person who needs it most.

NEW TECH

On Our Radar

​Autonomous Smart Wheelchair: Researchers are developing wheelchairs that can navigate independently, helping users avoid obstacles and move more safely through complex environments with less manual control.

​Sonar in Smartwatches Enables Hand Tracking Breakthrough: A new system uses sonar built into everyday smartwatches to track hand movements with surprising accuracy—opening the door to more accessible gesture-based controls.

​Audio Wayfinding Is the New Standard for Inclusive Design: Beyond basic ADA compliance, audio wayfinding technology is emerging as a powerful way to help people with visual impairments navigate spaces more independently.

FEATURED GUIDE

Adaptive Gaming Controllers

Adaptive gaming controllers offer unique features that allow people with disabilities to enjoy video games on just about any platform, from PlayStation and Xbox consoles to Nintendo and PC systems.

Here are 25 adaptive gaming controller options to consider – plus resources to help you find the best adaptive gaming controllers for you (or your loved ones).

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