iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Haben Girma @habengirma.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Grow your accessibility skills with this new book. Digital Accessibility Ethics: Disability Inclusion in All Things Tech, edited by Lainey Feingold @lflegal.bsky.social , Reginé Gilbert, and Chancey Fleet @chanceyfleet.bsky.social. #DigitalAccessibilityEthics #a11y youtube.com/shorts/8gu60...

youtube.com

39 Experts in One Book — Digital Accessibility Ethics: Disability Inclusion in All Things Tech

YouTube video by Haben Girma

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Haben Girma @habengirma.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Why did I, a Deafblind person, ask for a print copy of Timnit Gebru's Book? @timnitgebru.blacksky.app I read an early accessible copy and loved it! The signed book will impress my parents — we’re all big fans of Timnit! Preorder your copy of #DeepUnlearning. simonandschuster.com/books/Deep-U...

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Haben Girma @habengirma.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

The Obama Presidential Center has an impressive array of tactile exhibits! Exploring the Chicago campus fills me with hope. May more cultural centers offer touch tours for blind visitors and all of us who learn through our hands. www.youtube.com/watch?v=dt81...

youtube.com

Touch Democracy at the Obama Presidential Center

YouTube video by Haben Girma

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Haben Girma @habengirma.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

If it helps one person, build it. One day those specialized devices may benefit millions. This is an excerpt from a talk I delivered at the Parsons School of Design. Full Video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEOc... Descriptive Transcript: habengirma.com/2026/09/01/t...

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Haben Girma @habengirma.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

Humpback whales often swim solo, but they form groups for bubble netting because collaboration leads to more food. While learning about whales captivated me, my pizza captivated Mylo. youtube.com/shorts/RX8HG...

youtube.com

Why humpback whales team up in Alaska

YouTube video by Haben Girma

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Haben Girma @habengirma.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

A blind student became a hero of the French Resistance. Jacques Lusseyran’s story also shows how Braille is a tool of freedom. This video is an excerpt. The full version is on YouTube under the name, “France made me a Knight and my mission is Braille.” www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4m4...

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Haben Girma @habengirma.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

France made me a Knight, and I made France a promise. I may have a guide dog instead of a horse and a keyboard instead of a sword, but I pledge to champion Braille across the globe. Descriptive Transcript and full-length video: habengirma.com/2026/07/13/f...

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Haben Girma @habengirma.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

How do you teach hearing people about audism in a way that invites conversation rather than defensiveness? One strategy is humor, and Rachel Zemach does this beautifully in her memoir The Butterfly Cage. Descriptive Transcript: habengirma.com/2026/07/01/i...

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Haben Girma @habengirma.bsky.social · 11/06/2026

How do you hide a secret message in public? First, create enormous dots. Second, place them on the roof of the Oslo Opera House in #Norway. Third, repeatedly insist it’s absolutely not #Braille. Video & Descriptive Transcript: youtu.be/uQVlH64L20Q

youtu.be

Norway’s Oslo Opera House has a secret you can touch

YouTube video by Haben Girma

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Haben Girma @habengirma.bsky.social · 09/04/2026

Iconic paintings and photographs become touchable sculptures through the work of artist Gabrielle Sauvillers. Blind people should have access to art, no matter how complex or controversial. We met in France during the Braille Bicentennial. Descriptive Transcript: habengirma.com/2026/04/09/t...

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Reposted by Haben Girma

Gaelynn Lea @gaelynnlea.bsky.social · 28/03/2026

Thank you so much to @habengirma.bsky.social for reading Gaelynn’s new book in advance and providing this wonderful quote! You can pre-order your copy here: linktr.ee/gaelynnlea - Apply this 20% discount code if you purchase the book from Hachette’s U.S. website: PERFECT

ID: a graphic with a black background and images of orange and pink swirls above and below the quote. The quote reads: "Gaelynn Lea shows readers how #AccesslsLove again and again... Her book is a gift for the world." -Haben Girma, disability rights activist and author of Haben: The Deafblind Woman Who Conquered Harvard Law ALGONQUIN'

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Haben Girma @habengirma.bsky.social · 25/03/2026

Apple celebrated its fiftieth anniversary yesterday, and I was honored to serve as a speaker. The first phone designed to empower Deafblind people like myself to stay connected on the go was the iPhone. 1/3 #Apple50 #A11y #Accessibility

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Haben Girma @habengirma.bsky.social · 25/02/2026

Stepping into the home of Louis Braille in #Coupvray France felt like a literary pilgrimage. Exploring his inventions to help blind people read and write filled me with admiration. I recommend visiting this museum. Transcript: habengirma.com/2026/02/24/v... youtu.be/zDlRsbfoI1c

youtu.be

Visiting the Louis Braille Museum: a touch tour AND smell tour!

YouTube video by Haben Girma

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Haben Girma @habengirma.bsky.social · 17/02/2026

Join us at Axe-Con, a free, global, and virtual conference on all things digital accessibility. Learn about making your social media, websites, and all digital spaces more accessible on Feb 24 and 25. Captioning and ASL will be provided. Register: www.deque.com/axe-con/regi... #AxeCon

I’m exuberantly raising my arms in the air, palms forward, smiling in a meadow with purple flowers peaking out of the fog. A breeze blows the grass and my long dark hair to the left. My navy blue shirt features a turquoise outline of an inverted triangle framing a stylized sun, and large, white letters over the shirt say, “digital equality is my jam.”

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Haben Girma @habengirma.bsky.social · 01/02/2026

Share this job opening with lawyers interested in advocating for the blind community: remote, full-time, and with a great team at the American Council of the Blind. Deadline to apply is Feb 10. www.acb.org/jobs

acb.org

ACB Job Connection | American Council of the Blind

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Haben Girma @habengirma.bsky.social · 22/01/2026

A delightful new book shares disability wisdom while introducing readers to disabled leaders like Dr. Sami Schalk, Alice Wong, Miso Kwak, and Emily Nott. You can order a copy in print or in Braille. youtu.be/LeZ_LG4C1EA?...

youtu.be

CripWisdoms: a coloring book for blind and sighted people

YouTube video by Haben Girma

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Haben Girma @habengirma.bsky.social · 31/12/2025

Kitcha fitfit, a dish from Eritrea and Ethiopia, is one of my favorite breakfasts. Chef Azeb creates tender bites seasoned with delightful berbere spice. If you love kitcha fitfit or are curious, visit Yosi’s Cafe in Oakland, CA. Transcript: habengirma.com/2025/12/30/c...

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Haben Girma @habengirma.bsky.social · 29/12/2025

Mylo gave it five stars! If you haven’t read it yet, the ebook and audiobook are on a limited-time promotional price on Apple Books, Kobo, and Libro.fm through January 6. habengirma.com/book/

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Haben Girma @habengirma.bsky.social · 16/12/2025

No one wanted to hire me when I was a Deafblind student. As my understanding of ableism grew, I learned how to transform that painful job hunt into stories that deliver wisdom, build connection, and even spark laughter. youtu.be/UGWIq92eGEA?...

youtu.be

They wouldn’t hire me—Now I teach employers about ableism. SHRM Linkage Institute Keynote Excerpt.

YouTube video by Haben Girma

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Haben Girma @habengirma.bsky.social · 12/11/2025

Blind people can’t see the royal crown, so we should be allowed to touch it, right? Edinburgh Castle wanted to increase accessibility while managing the security concerns posed by large crowds. What do you think of their creative solution? Transcript: habengirma.com/2025/11/12/w...

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Haben Girma @habengirma.bsky.social · 16/10/2025

I’m excited to deliver a keynote for Foothill College’s Disability Awareness Month celebrations! Join us on Tuesday October 21 in Los Altos Hills, located near San Jose. The event is open to all, free, and captioning + ASL interpretation will be provided.

On the left is the book cover for Haben: The Deafblind Woman Who Conquered Harvard Law. On the right is text: “San Francisco Bay Area, October 21, 11:00 AM, Foothill College, Appreciation Hall, 12345 El Monte Rd., Los Altos Hills, CA.”

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Reposted by Haben Girma

Deque Systems @deque.com · 02/10/2025

Axe-con is back! Join us on February 24-26, 2026, to come together with the global digital accessibility community. Plus, we’re thrilled to announce this year’s stellar keynotes: @habengirma.bsky.social and @ranaelkaliouby.bsky.social! www.deque.com/axe-con/ #a11y

axe-con 2026: Accelerating digital accessibility. Virtual conference: February 24 through 25, 2026.

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Haben Girma @habengirma.bsky.social · 25/09/2025

Raise a glass to Braille! The only blindness organization with its own winery in France, Voir Ensemble crafted this red Bordeaux for the Braille Bicentennial. youtube.com/shorts/pDHYz...

youtube.com

Taste a rare French wine crafted by the blind community

YouTube video by Haben Girma

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Haben Girma @habengirma.bsky.social · 17/09/2025

In France, Braille may refer to the tactile reading system, the surname of its inventor, or the call of a strange and gorgeous bird! Descriptive Transcript: habengirma.com/2025/09/17/b...

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Haben Girma @habengirma.bsky.social · 10/09/2025

Reading Braille out loud over the radio, a young blind woman assists the Allies in the Netflix series “All the Light We Cannot See.” The show inspired me to visit Saint-Malo on my journey through France for the Braille Bicentennial. Descriptive Transcript: habengirma.com/2025/09/10/b...

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Haben Girma @habengirma.bsky.social · 21/08/2025

Having a seat at the table doesn’t always mean being included. Deaf and Deafblind people often face dinner table syndrome — missing out because communication barriers build walls. Watch Haben Girma and Rachel Kolb break it down and share solutions. Transcript: habengirma.com/2025/08/21/w...

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Haben Girma @habengirma.bsky.social · 19/08/2025

Join us in celebrating 200 years of Braille at the Coupvray castle park on September 20, 2025. Visit Coupvray’s website for more information about the Braille Bicentennial: www.coupvray.fr/evenement/sa... Descriptive Transcript: habengirma.com/2025/08/19/d...

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Haben Girma @habengirma.bsky.social · 28/07/2025

The Lighthouse plans to cut more programs, despite having millions of dollars. #Blind people, #Deafblind people & allies are calling for the leadership team behind these brutal decisions to step down. www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/arti...

sfchronicle.com

Influential San Francisco nonprofit faces uncertain financial future

LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired has served people in San Francisco for over 122 years. Now, community members fear for the nonprofit institution’s future.

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Haben Girma @habengirma.bsky.social · 22/07/2025

The San Francisco Lighthouse for the Blind recently cut programs and terminated over forty people. If you want to know why blind people and allies are calling for the Lighthouse’s leadership to step down, read this investigative report by the San Francisco Standard. sfstandard.com/2025/07/17/l...

sfstandard.com

SF nonprofit went from $125M gift to fight for survival

A mysterious $125M gift transformed the San Francisco LightHouse for the Blind and Visually impaired. A decade later, layoffs, protests, and financial losses leave the nonprofit fighting to survive.

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Haben Girma @habengirma.bsky.social · 15/07/2025

I broke my ankle, and let me tell you: using a wheelchair while Deafblind is an experience for the next book! In honor of #DisabilityPrideMonth here are my favorite things about using a chair. Shoutout to my friend Dr. H’Sien Hayward @drhsienhayward.bsky.social! youtu.be/i2RIaNIUnZQ

youtu.be

I broke my ankle and now have 3 disabilities! My top 3 perks of using a wheelchair.

YouTube video by Haben Girma

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Haben Girma @habengirma.bsky.social · 11/07/2025

The first time I experienced a Braille map of a garden was in Seattle. While most gardens focus on sight, this one celebrates six senses! Descriptive Transcript: habengirma.com/2025/07/10/m...

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Haben Girma @habengirma.bsky.social · 26/06/2025

Imagine a future where blind people building planes, flying planes, and shaping aviation policy is so common it ceases to be remarkable. Seattle’s Museum of Flight has a selection of planes both blind and sighted people are encouraged to touch. Descriptive Transcript: habengirma.com/2025/06/25/t...

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Haben Girma @habengirma.bsky.social · 17/06/2025

For many disabled people, showing up at a protest requires planning. Will there be an ASL interpreter or will you need to find a volunteer? Will the space be wheelchair accessible? For me, as a Deafblind person, I need a seat or table for my Braille computer and keyboard. 1/5

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Haben Girma @habengirma.bsky.social · 30/04/2025

It’s #InternationalGuideDogDay! Please share this video and encourage people to support The Seeing Eye. You can volunteer to help raise Seeing Eye puppies or make a donation by going to SeeingEye.org. Descriptive Transcript: habengirma.com/2025/04/30/l...

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Haben Girma @habengirma.bsky.social · 23/04/2025

Thousands of bikes parked on sidewalks in Amsterdam force pedestrians into streets where they face even more bikes. Seeing Eye dog Mylo rose to the challenge! It’s my hope city planners around the world design obstruction-free pedestrian pathways, and implement policies so they stay barrier-free.

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Haben Girma @habengirma.bsky.social · 16/04/2025

Blind people and allies advocated for years to get cities to install accessible pedestrian signals. #Accessibility

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Haben Girma @habengirma.bsky.social · 27/03/2025

I am excited to deliver a keynote at the University of Hartford on April 9th! The university has generously opened up this event to all, and captioning & ASL interpretation will be provided. Free registration: www.hartford.edu/unotes/2025/...

On the left is the book cover for Haben: The Deafblind Woman Who Conquered Harvard Law. On the right is text: Connecticut, University of Hartford, Wednesday April 9th, 5 pm.

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Haben Girma @habengirma.bsky.social · 08/03/2025

Fighting discrimination from coast to coast, Deepa Goraya is a disability rights attorney. We met when she was a law student and I was in college wondering if I, too, could go to law school. Deepa generously answered my questions about law school as a blind student, sparking a wonderful friendship.

Two women of color stand together smiling. Deepa wears a gold necklace over a gray top, dark yellow trousers, sunglasses, and holds her cane and iPhone in her left hand. Haben wears a denim jacket over a colorful dress and holds the leash of her Seeing Eye dog in her right hand. Behind them is a glass door reflecting the trees in front of the building.

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Haben Girma @habengirma.bsky.social · 05/03/2025

While blind people use tech, the creativity is ours. Daniela Rubio Trujillo is an accessibility expert based in Barcelona who intentionally combines high tech and low tech elements in her engaging presentations. Descriptive Transcript: habengirma.com/2025/03/05/w...

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Haben Girma @habengirma.bsky.social · 04/03/2025

Disability Rights California is hiring for a Senior Public Policy Advocate - Mental Health. The role is based in Sacramento/Hybrid. Share the job application with all the great advocates you know! recruiting.paylocity.com/Recruiting/J...

recruiting.paylocity.com

Disability Rights California - Senior Public Policy Advocate – Mental Health

Equitable and Inclusive Hiring at Disability Rights California (DRC)At Disability Rights California (DRC), we are committed to creating an equitable, accessible, and inclusive experience for all appli...

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Haben Girma @habengirma.bsky.social · 26/02/2025

Mental health and disability are connected. Thank you to the Berkeley Public Library for hosting this conversation between Haben Girma and Mychal Threets. Video and Transcript on YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Il0...

youtube.com

Haben Girma and Mychal Threets: The Mental Health and Disability Connection

YouTube video by Haben Girma

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Haben Girma @habengirma.bsky.social · 08/02/2025

Deafblind people and allies protested outside the San Francisco Lighthouse for the Blind today. #Deafblind people explain what’s wrong with the Lighthouse in this new video, which includes ASL, audio, captions & a descriptive transcript. #DecertifyLighthouseNow youtu.be/kDM0i7qOjnM

youtu.be

DeafBlind Testimonies

YouTube video by Decertify LightHouse Now

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Haben Girma @habengirma.bsky.social · 05/02/2025

Disabled people bring innovative thinking to organizations, and disabled-owned businesses spark unforgettable experiences. Ziryab hires Deaf and hearing employees, and one of the owners is Deaf. It’s an extremely popular restaurant in Barcelona. Why do you think that is? youtu.be/McOmVZEqNrY

youtu.be

Eating at Ziryab, a Deaf-owned restaurant in Barcelona

YouTube video by Haben Girma

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Haben Girma @habengirma.bsky.social · 04/02/2025

Want to learn more about accessible technology? Do you live near the Bay Area? West Valley College invites you to their Assistive Technology Fair, and I’m thrilled to be their keynote speaker! Join us on Wednesday February 12, and the link to RSVP is below. www.westvalley.edu/calendar/eve...

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Haben Girma @habengirma.bsky.social · 21/01/2025

Dreaming of a garden oasis? Allow me to share my experiences visiting the Garden for the Blind in Ireland, and a sensory garden in Sweden. They have different #accessibility features communities can add to create beautiful, multisensory gardens youtu.be/HdlYiBbsZ38?...

youtu.be

Sensory Gardens: Ireland Versus Sweden

YouTube video by Haben Girma

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Haben Girma @habengirma.bsky.social · 14/01/2025

Increase your accessibility skills through the Teach Access Student Academy, a free virtual workshop on February 20 and 21. Registration & video description: habengirma.com/2025/01/14/l...

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