Latest news with #BeMyEyes
Chicago Tribune
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Blind models work the runway at fashion show for the visually impaired
Brenda Nicholson waited in the Nordstrom fitting room, listening intently as the staff described the colors, textures and cut of the outfits hanging on a rack. She typically gravitates toward clothing with pops of color, but this time Nicholson selected a gold, mesh-embroidered dress that cut down to her ankles. She chose the outfit based on the staff's vivid description and the way it felt when she touched the material. When a partially blind model's eyes can't help, she must rely on her other senses — touch and hearing, in this case — to help ready her for the runway. Nicholson was one of 10 visually impaired models who walked in the Beautiful Lives Fashion Show earlier this month at the CD Peacock Mansion in Oak Brook. The inaugural event celebrated the idea that everyone can enjoy clothing — even if they experience it in a different way than most. 'Good fashion feels like the textures that send tingling sensations through your fingers,' said Beautiful Lives Project co-founder Bryce Weiler, who has been blind since birth. 'Textures mean something.' The show's models were students at the Chicago-based Illinois Center of Rehabilitation and Education-Wood, which offers vocational and life skills training for blind and visually impaired adults. Students can receive instruction on everything from cooking and computers to reading braille and crossing eight-lane streets. The event gave many participants their first exposure to modeling — something several said they had never considered. 'Is the runway ready for me?' model Monty Rogers, who lost his sight more than three years ago, asked his fellow models. Rogers said he has always had a sense of style. Prior to selecting his runway outfit, he wore a patterned kilt with 'pride colors' and knee-high socks. A former telephone engineer and photographer, Rogers motioned to his outfit: 'I still have aesthetics,' he said. Rogers, who feels almost all his clothes before buying, selected jeans and a striped, navy blue sweater with a soft jacket. The sweater's collar, lifted and distinct from the sweater's main material, framed his neck, which was accessorized with a thin chain. 'I'm blind as hell and I'm still a fashionista,' he said. In a 'vacation vibe' salmon shirt with khaki pants, Lawrence Lacy made his runway debut alongside experienced model Jennifer Cruz, the reigning Mrs. Illinois International 2025. Moments before walking, Lacy, who's blind, gave Cruz tips on one aspect of runway modeling that she had never encountered: how to be his guide. On a daily basis, Lacy said he uses the application 'Be My Eyes,' to assist in planning outfits. The app helps users who are blind or have low vision by providing visual descriptions of daily tasks such as navigating unfamiliar surroundings and explaining the color of an object. From his clothing needs, Lacy uses the 'Be My Eyes' to match outfits to a hanger, including specifics, 'like the color (patches) on his socks,' he said. Prior to the show, runway walkers filled out surveys, describing the styles, textures, feelings and colors they wanted to showcase most. The show's organizer, 16–year-old Aria Holtzman, then worked with the Nordstrom staff to select outfits that matched the model's personal style. 'A lot of models wanted patterns,' Holtzman said. Holtzman also accessorized the outfits with shoes and jewelry, borrowed from CD Peacock, to complete the looks. The Hinsdale teen, who is beginning her junior year at Culver Academies in Indiana, came up with the idea for the show after attending a summer camp at Vogue's New York office. She came home inspired to make fashion accessible for everyone regardless of their abilities or medical conditions. With the support of her father — CD Peacock Chairman Steven Holtzman — she teamed up with Weiler and the Beautiful Lives Project. Along with Beautiful Lives Project co-founders Weiler and Michael Gudino, Holtzman worked with CD Peacock interior designers to make sure the event space resembled a runway and was clear of obstacles that could prove difficult for models and spectators as they moved around the mansion's first floor. She also ensured the 6-foot-wide runway was wide enough for both the models and their escorts. With just 39 days to put on the show, Holtzman wrote the script and served as the evening's emcee. She also encouraged the models to make their own personalized introductions before they headed down the runway. After Holtzman introduced Lacy, he took the microphone and offered a short message of appreciation. He thanked the ICRE-W program and the Beautiful Lives Project for 'transforming me into the person you see before you.' 'Just know that anything that you love, that gets a little help, you can be a part of,' he told the audience. Rogers, during his runway walk, sang a rendition of 'Feeling Good' to the spectators' delight. 'Monty lives his life knowing that the only thing he can't do is see, ' Holtzman told the audience. But Roger wasn't the only model with a talent to display. Nicholson, who lives in downstate Bellview, was the night's last model, concluding her walk with a dance to Rebirth Brass Band's 'Do Whatcha Wanna.' Before her stepping onto the runway, organizers reminded her of the song's six-minute duration, 'I can do it,' she said without hesitation. Nicholson substituted her white cane for a translucent umbrella as the music played. The audience rhythmically clapped to keep the beat. Although the music was cut off by applause before the full song could end, Nicholson said she 'was born dancing to this.' She could do it in her sleep, she said. The models kept their Nordstrom clothing, which had been purchased for them by the Holtzman family. Although this is the first fashion show the Beautiful Lives Project participated in, Weiler said he hopes for other opportunities like it. 'We are surrounded by people who want to help (others) live out their dreams,' he said. 'To help you to find employment, and to say that there are no barriers that can hold someone back with a disability.'
The Verge
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Verge
AI smart glasses are a game-changer for the blind and low-vision community.
Posted Jul 15, 2025 at 8:40 PM UTC AI smart glasses are a game-changer for the blind and low-vision community. Don't take my word for it — I interviewed Jason Valley, a visually impaired Verge reader, for this week's Vergecast . Jason tells me how he uses the Ray-Ban Meta glasses as a visual interpreter, and how the Live AI feature has helped him live a more independent life after losing much of his sight. I also chat with Be My Eyes CEO Mike Buckley about why accessible design is universal design. Watch the full episode here.
The Verge
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Verge
How the low-vision community embraced AI smart glasses
It's easy to scoff at AI and ask, 'Who is actually asking for this?' You might also think that smart glasses 'aren't worth it yet.' But to the blind and low-vision community, the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses and their AI features have been an absolute life-altering game-changer. And we need to talk about it. On this episode of The Vergecast, we're going to dive deep into why accessible design is universal design. First, guest host Victoria Song will chat with Jason Valley, a visually impaired Verge reader. Jason initially reached out to Victoria after her Live AI hands-on, challenging the notion that the feature was a 'solution looking for a problem to solve.' Jason shares how the tech has helped him live a more independent life, what he's hoping to see improve, and how the blind and low-vision community has enthusiastically embraced the technology. Subscribe: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Overcast | Pocket Casts | More After that, Victoria sits down with Be My Eyes CEO Mike Buckley. Be My Eyes is an app that pairs blind and low-vision users with sighted volunteers to help them go about their day. Buckley gives his thoughts about how accessible tech design benefits everyone, why smart glasses and AI are a natural combo, and what challenges and opportunities in this space remain. And finally, we have features reporter Mia Sato on to answer a spicy question about smart glasses from the Vergecast Hotline (call 866-VERGE11 or email vergecast@ Specifically, do smart glasses belong in the bedroom? Want to learn more about everything in this episode? Here's some links for further reading — and a cute pic of Jason's guide dog Noel!
Time of India
12-07-2025
- Time of India
School presents smartphones to disabled students clearing SSLC
Mysuru: Ranga Rao Memorial School for Differently Abled on Saturday presented smartphones to 12 girl students who cleared the SSLC exam. The smartphones were distributed by district minister HC Mahadevappa. Over the past five years, recognising the rapid pace of technological advancement and the in-built accessibility of mobile devices, the school began distributing smartphones to students clearing the board exams. These devices, gifted to the students, come equipped with disabled-friendly tools like Optical Character Recognition (OCR), NVDA screen reader integration, and accessible apps like InstaReader and Be My Eyes. These tools allow students to read printed material, navigate independently, and access real-time assistance with confidence and ease. Mahadevappa praised the initiative and said, "It is inspiring to see institutions working toward an inclusive environment. Their determination and resilience reflect the future we're striving toward—a future where inclusion is not an exception but a norm. When technology meets compassion, extraordinary change is possible, and this initiative is a shining example of how we can bridge gaps with purposeful action. " Chairman of NR Foundation, which runs the school, R Guru, said, "This initiative is more than just about distributing smartphones—it's about opening doors to opportunity. Technology should be an equaliser, and at the school, we strive to ensure that every child is equipped to overcome challenges and thrive."
Forbes
27-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
The Accessibility 100 -- The Top Innovators and Impact-Makers
getty Accessibility is about far more than wheelchair ramps or live captioning. The field has emerged as a bustling innovation hub, an educational imperative and—unapologetically—a business sector waiting to explode. 'This isn't charity. This isn't just 'doing the right thing,'' says Mike Buckley, CEO of Be My Eyes, whose software in Ray-Ban/Meta sunglasses connects blind and low-vision people to live, seeing volunteers who help them navigate the world. 'It's about seeing a market, innovating, scaling and ultimately ROI. Venture capital is getting more and more involved every day.' The Accessibility 100—a new Forbes list, launching June 17—will unveil the 100 biggest innovators and impact-makers in the field of accessibility for people with disabilities. The list will include the top global forces in accessibility-related fields ranging from consumer products and software to education, AI-driven robotics, sports and recreation, travel, the workplace and the arts, among others. Some will be juggernaut tech companies leveraging their reach and resources to embed their products with crucial accessibility features; others will be smaller entrepreneurs whose innovations are poised to change the world. The Accessibility 100 will be launched on alongside a live panel discussion at the Cannes Lions Festival in France. For the purpose of this list, the disability categories that listees are impacting include the following: For the purposes of this list, 'Accessibility' is defined as software, devices and services that allow people with disabilities to have access to information, content, public spaces and experiences. Examples include: The Accessibility 100 was compiled through interviews with more than 400 experts, along with an expert advisory panel. Emphasis was placed on breadth of true impact across the widest landscape. The final selections will feature companies and individuals from more than 15 countries. — As with all Forbes lists, there was no fee for any company or person to be considered for the Accessibility 100. For questions about the list, please email Alan Schwarz at aschwarz [at] Forbes
