Your iPhone or Android phone already has powerful accessibility tools built in—you just have to know where to find them. These features can help with vision, hearing, mobility, and speech challenges. Best of all, they're free and ready to use right now. This guide walks you through exactly how to set up and use the most helpful ones. 

If you have a disability in California, you have legal rights. But rights only help if you know what they are and how to use them. Self-advocacy means speaking up for yourself—asking for what you need and knowing where to get help when things go wrong. 

Life can feel overwhelming, especially when you're managing a disability, health condition, or just juggling a lot at once. Your iPhone has built-in tools that can help you stay organized, calm down when you're stressed, and reduce the mental load of remembering everything. These aren't replacements for professional support, but they can make everyday life a little easier. 

Artificial intelligence isn't just a buzzword anymore—it's actually making life easier for people with disabilities. These AI-powered apps can describe what's in a photo, read handwritten notes, transcribe conversations, and help you understand confusing documents. Most of them are free or have solid free versions. Here's how to use the best ones. 

Every year on December 3, we recognize the United Nation’s International Day of Persons with Disabilities. This day reminds us of persons with disabilities’ continued barriers to good health. Around the world, 1.3 billion persons with disabilities often struggle to get the care and services they need. Many cannot afford high medical costs, and some services are not accessible or do not provide needed accommodations. 

If you’ve been part of the deaf or hard of hearing communities for a while, like I have, you’ve probably watched technology transform the way we connect - from typing on TTY machines to new innovations like real time captions, braille, and ASLizing through high-definition video calls. 

This is the story of that evolution—and how Californians today can access technology through California Connect, a statewide program ensuring anyone who has a need for accessible communication devices stays connected. 

The world of smart glasses has taken a revolutionary turn with Ray-Ban Meta AI glasses, offering unprecedented accessibility features for individuals with vision impairments. These stylish smart glasses are transforming how blind and visually impaired users navigate their daily lives, providing hands-free access to visual information in real-time.

For individuals who are blind or visually impaired, refreshable braille displays serve as a critical bridge to digital accessibility. The Freedom Scientific Focus 40 Blue 5th Generation stands out as one of the most advanced and durable braille displays available, offering unparalleled tactile access to computers and mobile devices.

Video Relay Service has revolutionized telephone communication for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals who use American Sign Language (ASL). This federally-mandated service provides real-time interpretation through skilled ASL interpreters, enabling natural, fluid conversations that were previously impossible with text-based relay services.

For individuals with speech disabilities, traditional telephone communication can be challenging when others cannot understand their speech patterns. Video-Assisted Speech-to-Speech (VA-STS) service enhances the traditional Speech-to-Speech relay by adding a crucial visual component that dramatically improves communication quality and understanding.