Access Granted

A Publication by Control Alt Access

Issue No. 3

September 2026

In This Issue

• Accessibility Tip: Look Before You Leap
• Resource Spotlight: AppleVis
• Editorial: Awareness or Display? A Look at White Cane Safety Day
• What’s Going On at Control Alt Access?

Welcome

Hello, constant readers and new subscribers, and welcome to Access Granted, the monthly newsletter from Control Alt Access. Thank you for all your feedback on the August issue.

This month, we’ll be talking about iOS 27, released on September 14. We’ll also look ahead to White Cane Safety Day on October 15. Many organizations will host events intended to raise awareness, but are they doing it in a way that helps the cause? Is your participation as a person with a disability educating the public, or is it promoting someone else’s agenda? Our editorial will offer some questions you can ask before deciding which events and organizations to support.

As you can tell, we have a lot of ground to cover, so let’s get to it.

Accessibility Tip: Look Before You Leap

On September 14, Apple released new versions of iOS, watchOS, macOS, and its other operating systems, along with some shiny new gadgets. As a technology instructor, one question I hear from multiple people is whether they should upgrade. I beta tested iOS 27, and while I found it to be the most stable iOS beta I’ve ever experienced, the fact of the matter is that upgrading is a personal choice.

Security enhancements aside, disabled users need to consider many factors before taking that leap. For example, I do not use a Braille display at the time of this writing, so Braille-related bugs would not affect my decision. Someone who uses and relies on a refreshable Braille display may wish to wait until those bugs are fixed. In other words, you, the individual user with a disability, need to do your research and determine whether the upgrade is right for you at this time.

“Where can I go to do my research?” you ask.

This month’s Resource Spotlight has an answer to that question. Let’s look at that now.

Resource Spotlight: AppleVis

You’re hearing about all the new features in iOS 27, and they sound amazing. The question is how to learn what those features will mean for you. AppleVis is a community-driven resource where blind and low-vision users of Apple products can find accessibility information based on real-world experience. Here are some of the things you’ll find:

• Getting-started guides
• Discussion forums where you can talk to other users and find possible solutions to problems you’re having with your device
• App reviews that focus on accessibility
• Breakdowns of accessibility bugs and fixes in releases of iOS, macOS, watchOS, and other Apple operating systems
• News, podcasts, and other helpful resources

Because much of the information comes from blind and low-vision users, you’ll hear about their actual experiences rather than just the latest press release from Apple. Other resources worth exploring include the Maccessibility Roundtable Podcast and the Double Tap podcast.

Editorial: Awareness or Display? A Look at White Cane Safety Day

October 15 is White Cane Safety Day. The day recognizes the white cane as a symbol of independence and reminds the public that blind and low-vision people have the right to travel safely in their communities.

In Florida, when a blind pedestrian using a guide dog or carrying a white cane in a raised or extended position is crossing or attempting to cross a public street or highway, approaching drivers are required to come to a full stop before reaching the crossing. You can read the specific requirements in section 316.1301 of the Florida Statutes.

White Cane Safety Day brings plenty of events intended to raise awareness. The question is whether those events promote healthy awareness or simply put disabled people on display to attract attention, publicity, or donations.

Here are some questions you can ask, whether you are disabled or nondisabled, to make informed choices about the events you attend and the organizations you support.

Are Disabled People Helping to Lead the Organization and Plan the Event?

An organization’s name does not tell you everything you need to know. Instead, look at who holds meaningful leadership positions, who makes decisions, and whether disabled people helped plan the event from the beginning. Being invited to attend after every important decision has already been made is not the same as having a voice.

Do the Activities Reflect the Purpose of White Cane Safety Day?

An event where white-cane and guide-dog users travel together to a public location can demonstrate independent travel and teach the community why drivers must respect pedestrian right-of-way. An event where blind people sit in the background while local dignitaries give speeches may raise the organization’s profile without teaching the public much about white-cane safety or independence.

Events do not all have to look the same. Socializing, crafts, speeches, and fellowship are not inherently bad. The important question is whether the event’s central message reflects the purpose of the day and whether blind participants are treated as active members of the community rather than decorations for someone else’s awareness campaign.

Who Gets to Speak for the Blind Community?

Pay attention to who tells the story. Are blind and low-vision people speaking about their own experiences, or are nondisabled professionals describing those experiences for them? Allies and service providers can play valuable roles, but they should not become the only voices the public hears.

Who Benefits From the Event?

Does the community leave with a better understanding of white canes, safe driving, and independent travel? Do blind participants gain useful connections, information, or opportunities? Or does the organization receive publicity and donations while the people placed at the center of its advertising receive little in return?

Is This a Message You Would Be Comfortable Sending About Yourself?

People who have little experience with blindness may assume that what they see at one event represents all blind and low-vision people. Since those assumptions form at a distance, you may not always have the opportunity to correct them. Your best option is to participate in events and support organizations that send a message you can stand behind.

White Cane Safety Day should spread accurate information about blind people, independent travel, and public safety. Whether you are blind, visually impaired, or an ally, you can help by making sure the events you support educate the public without reducing disabled people to props. Plenty of people designate themselves as authorities on blindness. They do so with their words, so find out from their actions.

What’s Going On at Control Alt Access?

Let’s Talk About Tech Club

This past month, we talked about the steps someone should take before updating a device’s software. While the presentation, iOS 27 Is Near, was Apple-centric, the advice can also be applied to other smartphone operating systems.

On October 3, we’ll take a look at some of the new accessibility and artificial-intelligence features in iOS 27, including:

• Intelligent image descriptions
• Siri AI’s new dedicated app, which supports natural, back-and-forth conversations in an interface similar to ChatGPT
• Other accessibility changes that may affect how you use your device

To sign up for Tech Club, please visit the Control Alt Access Tech Club page to register.

Thanks to everyone’s generous contributions to the tip jar, we will be returning to Zoom for our meetings.

White Cane Safety Day

On October 16, Control Alt Access will participate in the Manatee County Council of the Blind’s White Cane Safety Day event, starting at 1:00 p.m. Eastern. If you are interested in the event, please email [email protected]. There will be a ferry ride, walking with white canes, and fellowship.

Closing

Thank you for sticking with me through this issue of Access Granted. While this issue wasn’t as tech-centric as usual, I hope the information was useful to you. As Schoolhouse Rock told us, “Knowledge is power.” That is true for people with disabilities and allies alike.

Thank you again, and I hope you’ll stick with me for the October issue and many more.

Best wishes,

River