Gregory J. Rosmaita
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oedipusnj.bsky.social
Gregory J. Rosmaita
@oedipusnj.bsky.social
750 followers 520 following 1.3K posts
Voice input/output user | Unintelligible at any speed

Accessibility is a human & civil right. Inaccessibility is a choice. YOUR choice.

#AlwaysAddALT #ALT4me #ALT4you

Girlbossed by #BCatPix, who appears in my avatar & banner.
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oedipusnj.bsky.social
Gregory J. Rosmaita @oedipusnj.bsky.social · Jun 24
A SIMPLE GUIDE TO PROVIDING USEFUL ALT ON BLUESKY

1/ ALT's sole function on Bluesky is to provide an autonomous & as fully equivalent an experience of an image as possible for the blind/VI & neurodivergent

If you can see it & read it, I should be able to feel or hear it without leaving Bluesky
Baby Cat, seated on her haunches on an unmade bed, her right forepaw resting on the back of her human's white skinned left hand. BC's gazing solemnly at her human with her enormous sage green eyes, a look of determination on her white milk muzzle. BC exudes quiet confidence, but she still wishes there was an Image Description reminder on Bluesky she could enable, so she couldn't possibly forget to add ALT before tweeting. Baby Cat is an adult deep chocolate colored tan-ticked tabby. All 4 of her legs are tiger striped, as is her tan chest & neck. The stripes on her neck & chest look like necklaces of varying widths & hues, from jet black to milk chocolate. BC has a tan face with black markings, white whiskers, a white milk muzzle & an irresistibly boopable dusty rose nose. Her back coat is a rich chocolate brown, dappled by golden specks. In a sign of great sincerity, BC's whiskers—like her lynx-tufted ears–are at full alert.
Reposted by Gregory J. Rosmaita
sblahov.bsky.social
I created an #AltTextPalestine toolkit with information on how to participate and combining practices I've used + learned from others on here. It's a work in progress so let me know if you have any tips or ideas to share!

docs.google.com/document/d/1...
#AltTextPalestine Toolkit
#AltTextPalestine Toolkit Created November 16, 2023 by Sarah Blahovec What is #AltTextPalestine? 1 Why does #AltTextPalestine matter? 2 How do I make a request in #AltTextPalestine? 2 What kind of c...
docs.google.com
November 17, 2023 at 6:41 PM
Reposted by Gregory J. Rosmaita
rebelwheelsnyc.bsky.social
#AltTextPalestine some photos from No Xmas As Usual In A Genocide event in NYC

The protest was not wheelchair accessible so I couldn't take too many photos but I did get some and two of the volunteers who approached me about it were very nice. Solidarity was given and awareness was raised.
a photo of myself taken by my PCA. I am in a motorized wheelchair black with some yellow accents. I am wearing a rainbow mohawk hat with a rainbow flower crown headband going across it. purple sunglasses round and medium sized, a yellow balaclava and under that a black mask because COVID is still a thing and it's cold today. I'm wearing a black winter coat, snow pants and winter boots. I am holding a red bag and my sign that reads "disabled anti-zionist jews say not in our name. ceasefire now. end the occupation" two religious (hadidic or othodox) jewish with men with black hats, and side curls (payot). one is looking to the right and one is looking down. they are among a line of religious protesters in solidarity with Palestine. . one signs reads torah demands all Palestine be returned to Palestinian sovereignty. the other sign reads freedom for gaza and all of palestine a photo at a NYC protest. the sky is cloudy it's winter. you can see a profile shot of a volunteer. neon yellow green vest. black underneath. they are wearing a keffiyehs. beyond the volunteer (who was very nice) you can see a lot of protesters gathered behind a larger banner as people were getting ready to eventually march.
December 23, 2023 at 8:19 PM
Reposted by Gregory J. Rosmaita
rebelwheelsnyc.bsky.social
(NYE in Columbus Circle, NYC) pt 1
#ShutItDown4Palestine #AltTextPalestine
photo is taken outside in Columbus Circle in New York City. I'm trying to keep my distance because of COVID, but you can see people are starting to gather at the protest and there's a golden metallic balloon that reads Free Palestine where it's spelled out puffy letter by letter An activist is sitting down before the rally starts and their white sign reads stop the genocide ceasefire now. It is written in marker in black red and green, and they have drawn watermelon symbols An activist is standing outside of a protest in Columbus circle in New York City. She's bundled up for the weather and her large sign which hangs around her neck reads cease fire now. Her arms are stretched out. She is an older woman and told me that she is a Jewish activist who is anti-Zionist an activist in a manual wheelchair carrying a good quantity of protest signs and they are holding them upside down as they make their way around the rally to see who needs to signs. The signs have pro Palestine messages on them like Ceasefire now!
December 31, 2023 at 10:26 PM
Reposted by Gregory J. Rosmaita
ashleemboyer.com
Most common examples of #Technoableism I see these days? Believing alt text is a "problem" to be solved by AI.

So many of you would benefit from developing a mutual aid mentality. Alt text is one form. Examples: #Alt4Me #Alt4You #AltTextPalestine.

The answer is community, not AI.
This site has been great in making me more aware of and using (not all the time - I still slip up) alt text. But it also strikes me as one of the more obvious uses of basic AI, ans auto populate alt text for us with a description of the image. Conspiracy theory: alt text is only there to improve AI image recognition models. Accessibility is a happy byproduct. AI doesn't understand why a single frame of Captain Picard resting his forehead on his hand has cultural relevance in a tweet about, say, sports. Alt text in a skeet adds context. Yeah, I want to be sympathetic to the idea behind alt text, but it's a pain to do, and often the post text itself already "describes" the image. Plus, like you said, why isn't AI doing this. This is an actual useful use case for AI tools. Also some people are obsessive about blog length alt text. My thinking on #AltText is evolving to be: rather than nagging individuals for behavioral change (for a relatively high-cost low-reward activity), which will never work, we should all pester @bsky.app product to build AI alt-tag drafting into the app / product. #UX
December 5, 2024 at 6:44 PM
Reposted by Gregory J. Rosmaita
sblahov.bsky.social
I suppose I should do an intro post: I'm Sarah, I'm a disability civic engagement expert by day.

I talk a lot about accessible organizing including #AltTextPalestine (because #FreePalestine) & otherwise talk about weaving, sewing, knitting, & my dog Oliver.
Oliver, white and tan small dog, lays on his back and stares at the camera.
November 13, 2024 at 5:55 AM
Reposted by Gregory J. Rosmaita
nickdenardis.com
Social visual alt text browser extension is now live on Firefox 🚀 addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefo...

This extension exposes the alt text (or lack of it) directly in the timeline instead of having to click the "alt" badge on an image.
December 8, 2024 at 12:01 PM
oedipusnj.bsky.social
In a Nancy comic dated December 24, 1945 the origins of "cat speak" are revealed.

And, in a Christmas miracle, my session with BME was successful & relatively pain-free

Have an accessible Christmas 🐱😎

#ImageDescription #ALT4You #ALT #Christmas

share.bemyeyes.com/chat/j7iQXG2...
Be My AI - Shared chat
A Be My Eyes user shared an image description by Be My AI
share.bemyeyes.com
December 25, 2024 at 7:39 PM
oedipusnj.bsky.social
"I cannot believe I just heard you ask for what I just heard you ask for!"

‪#BCatPix #TheArtOfALT #Cats #ChristmasCats #ChristmasEve‬ #MeowyChristmas
Baby Cat, seated on a light blue love seat next to a stuffed plush Santa Claus doll. Baby's looking directly at the camera disapprovingly with her large sage green eyes. She's not only disappointed in me, she's embarrassed for my entire family - not to mention my ancestors, going back twelve generations. Baby Cat is a predominantly brown, black, & tan tabby. The slanting rays of the late evening sun highlight baby's tan face with black markings, a white milk muzzle, white whiskers & a dusty rose nose. BC's chest & neck are also sunlit & tan, with tiger stripes that look necklaces of varying widths & hues. All four of BC's legs are also tiger striped. Her back coat is a rich chocolate brown, it's tan-ticking sparkling in the sun's fading light like flecks of gold.
December 25, 2024 at 1:27 AM
oedipusnj.bsky.social
Baby Cat discussing a few last minute additions to her list with Santa‪

#BCatPix #TheArtOfALT #Cats #ChristmasCats #ChristmasEve‬ #MeowyChristmas
Baby Cat, seated on a light blue love seat next to a stuffed plush Santa Claus doll. Baby's looking directly at Santa's face, listening raptly to every word he says. Her large, sage green eyes sparkle with excitement, as she patiently awaits her turn to speak. Baby is about to school Santa in the true Art of the Deal. This is one supremely confident cat, for she knows just how good she's been since last Christmas. Baby Cat is a predominantly brown, black, & tan tabby. The slanting rays of the late evening sun highlight baby's tan face with black markings, a white milk muzzle, white whiskers & a dusty rose nose. BC's chest & neck are also tan, with tiger stripes that look like draped necklaces. All four of BC's legs are tiger striped. Her back coat is a rich chocolate brown, it's tan-ticking sparkling in the sun's fading light like flecks of gold.
December 25, 2024 at 1:23 AM
oedipusnj.bsky.social
‪"Hey, everybody—LOOK!!!"‬

‪"Santa's here & the sun hasn't even set yet!"‬

‪"Must've been a lot fewer people on the 'nice list' again this year!"‬

‪#BCatPix #TheArtOfALT #Cats #ChristmasCats #ChristmasEve‬
Baby Cat, seated on a light blue love seat next to a stuffed plush Santa Claus doll. Baby's looking back at the camera, her mouth wide open, a look of absolute amazement on her tan face with black markings. She can hardly believe her large, sage green eyes which sparkle with excitement. The slanting rays of the late evening sun highlight her white milk muzzle, white whiskers & hot pink tongue. This is one supremely happy cat, for—despite everything the cats at the shelter told BC—there IS a Santa Claus! Baby Cat is a predominantly brown, black, & tan tabby. All four of her legs are tiger striped. Her back coat is a rich chocolate brown, it's tan-ticking sparkling in the sun's fading light like flecks of gold.
December 25, 2024 at 1:18 AM
oedipusnj.bsky.social
Music for Isolation - “Moçs Crăciun” (Santa Claus)

A carol by Romanian composer Ion V. Borgovan, arr. Gideon Juckes for tuba & baritone sax, performed live at "Christmas Past", Shomeido Ongaku Hall, December 13th 2024

youtu.be/5Sno82sM67g
MUSIC for ISOLATION "Santa Claus"
YouTube video by Music For Isolation
youtu.be
December 24, 2024 at 6:18 PM
oedipusnj.bsky.social
@pfrazee.com - where's the character counter for DM?

Where's the WAI-ARIA markup necessary for those of us using assistive technology to use the char counter when composing messages or ALT?

Where is your accessibility plan for BS outlining how you will make it accessible & work with PWD to do so?
December 22, 2024 at 5:39 PM
oedipusnj.bsky.social
The Altai Band: "Jingle Bells" (Mongolian version)

youtu.be/qJkiYNeDsw4?...
The Altai band - Jingle Bells (mongolian version)
YouTube video by musicagencymn
youtu.be
December 22, 2024 at 5:33 PM
Reposted by Gregory J. Rosmaita
taniel.bsky.social
Michigan passed reforms to stop imposing court fines & fees on children — often very young (someone quoted here was *11*!).

And the reforms applied retroactively this fall, relieving millions of dollars of debt that were weighing people down from young ages.

NEW: boltsmag.org/michigan-juv...
How Michigan Stopped Saddling Children with Millions in Court Debt
Last year, Michigan stopped imposing court fines and fees on kids, and relieved millions of dollars in past debt. Now, it may also ensure that kids get adequate representation in court.
boltsmag.org
December 18, 2024 at 3:13 PM
Reposted by Gregory J. Rosmaita
lukesteuber.com
Check out what I just got as change 😮 I haven’t seen one of these in probably twenty years
Two U.S. dollar coins are displayed side by side on a marble surface. The coin on the left shows an image of a woman kneeling while planting crops, surrounded by tall plants, with the text “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” along the rim and “$1” at the bottom. The coin on the right features a portrait of Sacagawea with her hair tied back, carrying a baby on her back, with the word “LIBERTY” at the top and “IN GOD WE TRUST” inscribed to the left of the portrait. Both coins have a golden color.
December 18, 2024 at 3:32 AM
oedipusnj.bsky.social
@pfrazee.com

Please circulate amongst colleagues. Please institutionalize its advice.

BS needs WAI-ARIA markup on its interactive widgets & counters to truly be usable by those who use assistive technology

There is - & there has never been - an excuse not to implement

www.w3.org/TR/html-aria/
ARIA in HTML
This specification defines the authoring rules (author conformance requirements) for the use of Accessible Rich Internet Applications (WAI-ARIA) 1.2 and Digital Publishing WAI-ARIA Module 1.0 ...
www.w3.org
December 18, 2024 at 3:12 PM
oedipusnj.bsky.social
In which I discuss the gross insufficiency of this application with the application itself & it tells me it cannot provide feedback to humans but it will take definitely take note of my feedback 🙄

Are you listening @bemyeyes.bsky.social ?

#ImageDescription #ALT

share.bemyeyes.com/chat/EhHPC7t...
Be My AI - Shared chat
A Be My Eyes user shared an image description by Be My AI
share.bemyeyes.com
December 18, 2024 at 1:13 AM
Reposted by Gregory J. Rosmaita
brucel.bsky.social
The Democratic Republic of Congo has filed criminal complaints against Apple subsidiaries in France and Belgium, accusing the tech firm of using conflict minerals in its supply chain. www.reuters.com/sustainabili...
Exclusive: Congo files criminal complaints against Apple in Europe over conflict minerals
The Democratic Republic of Congo has filed criminal complaints against Apple subsidiaries in France and Belgium, accusing the tech firm of using conflict minerals in its supply chain, lawyers for the Congolese government told Reuters.
www.reuters.com
December 17, 2024 at 9:27 AM
Reposted by Gregory J. Rosmaita
mcnees.bsky.social
Probably the best thing I ever posted on that other site, wish I could permanently transplant it to my timeline here.
A very popular tweet I posted in 2020 that says “Somehow I've lucked out and have an 8yo who thinks secretly reading under the covers past her bedtime is an act of rebellion, and it hasn't yet occurred to her that her flashlights never seem to run out of batteries.”
November 9, 2024 at 9:33 PM
Reposted by Gregory J. Rosmaita
mcnees.bsky.social
Émilie du Châtelet, who hypothesized conservation of energy, established kinetic energy as distinct from momentum and proportional to (speed)², and combined work by Newton and Leibniz with her own original ideas in "Institutions de Physique," was born #OTD in 1706. 🧪 👩‍🔬 ⚛️

Portrait: M. Q. de La Tour
Color portrait of Émilie du Châtelet. She has papers spread out before her and holds a compass to them with her right hand. Her left elbow rests on the table and her hand is propped against her cheek. She is wearing a green dress with a green bow at her neck, and white frilly sleeves.
December 17, 2024 at 3:41 PM
oedipusnj.bsky.social
A 2 minute video from Uganda "highlighting beats from our hearts as we play the Adungu, Engoma, Namunjjoloba & African shakers, sharing traditional sounds that unite us in love, joy & community, celebrating our heritage & the beauty of African culture"

youtu.be/poMQtrLLXzU
Rhythms Of Our Roots | A Celebration Of Culture Original Video
YouTube video by SADAM SEGUYA
youtu.be
December 17, 2024 at 2:47 PM
Reposted by Gregory J. Rosmaita
fionaswriting.bsky.social
Sorry in advance for the hostility, but fuck you if you're still saying shit like 'it's just social media, just switch off your computer and go outside, it's not that serious lol'.

Fuck you.

You can talk about a need for irl community and how no platform has your back without being that oblivious.
December 16, 2024 at 4:59 PM
Reposted by Gregory J. Rosmaita
kariizumi.bsky.social
#alt4you
[white text over black background] "For a President who considers Trump a fascist and has warned about the horrors of mass deportation, the atmosphere of Biden's White House has struck several people I spoke with as curiously sedate." Jonathan Blitzer New Yorker staff writer [Bottom right corner shows The New Yorker 's logo]
December 16, 2024 at 6:29 AM
oedipusnj.bsky.social
Unfortunately, too many people who add ALT to images neglect to do so for images of text

An image of text is not text. It's an image & must be accompanied by a full text transcript via ALT

This is especially important for those who are not visually impaired, but who rely on ALT, as well
newyorker.com The New Yorker @newyorker.com · Dec 5
In the period between now and Inauguration Day, on January 20th, the Biden Administration could still give immigrants additional layers of protection before Trump takes office. So far, he appears unwilling to do so. nyer.cm/Ic2teal
December 15, 2024 at 6:41 PM