When it comes to stock photography, one thing that bugs us is the lack of authentic images of people with disabilities in action, living their everyday lives. And if you're anything like us, you probably find it a tad irritating, too. Well, here's your chance to be that change you want to see in the world.
We want to feature photos of real people on our website, across our social media channels, and in other publications we use to advocate for better policies that promote accessibility and ensure equality and opportunity for people who are blind and low vision including those with multiple disabilities and deafblindness, creating a culture of inclusion at work, at school, and in our communities. In short, we want you!
Of immediate concern, we are anxious to share our research findings from two recent surveys, Flatten Inaccessibility and Access and Engagement to Education. The Flatten Inaccessibility survey focused on adults with visual impairments and their access to healthcare, education, online work environments, transportation, food and other supplies, and voting, while the Access and Engagement to Education survey investigated the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the education of children and youth with visual impairments, including those with multiple disabilities and deafblindness.
The following list includes some photo scenarios and settings we commonly need to portray in our communication efforts. But don't limit yourself to just these ideas. If we missed some of the activities you regularly do, send us a shot of you in action.
- A family with a child using remote conference software (like Zoom) with a teacher of students with visual impairments (TVI) or orientation and mobility (O&M) specialist on the other end demonstrating something to the family.
- For TVIs and O&M specialists, show us how you are doing your job virtually (e.g., your set up for online instruction, preparing materials, where you're storing things)
- A student using technology as they connect with a professional online.
- A family out in the neighborhood with the adult pointing a phone at the child as he/she crosses a street, for example, using a cane. (Everyone wearing masks, please!)
- A family of a young child who is blind and/or with additional disabilities doing hand-under-hand with the child as a professional is logged in, talking or demonstrating.
- A child with an augmentative communication device or braille recipe in the kitchen preparing a dish. Even better if it includes a braille measuring cup, long oven mitt, or other assistive device in use by the child.
- A TVI online demonstrating something “math like” (e.g., abacus, tactile graphic) and the student having the same thing, following along.
- A person using any type of technology (smartphone, iPad) with something like a shopping app or a COVID map open.
- A person walking with a cane, entering or exiting a house or building. Again, wearing a mask, please.
- A person sitting on the porch with someone else, both wearing a mask, six feet apart.
- A person gardening, reading a book, or doing something else recreational in nature.
- A person carrying a food box into a home or placing a food box in a trunk.
- A person talking on the phone.
(Note: If you'd like to discuss photo ideas please feel free to email Dr. L. Penny Rosenblum, Director of Research. Dr. Rosenblum is the lead author on both the Flatten Inaccessibility and Access and Engagement reports.)
To help represent real people with disabilities in real-world settings, send your pictures, along with a photo release form linked below, to our Community Engagement Team. Our target date for families, students, and professionals is September 28, though we will gladly take submissions beyond that date.
All photographers will be entered into a drawing for a $25 Amazon gift card. The winner will be notified on September 29.
Please note that we cannot use your photos, no matter how fantastic they may be, unless you sign and send a photo release form for every person in your submission.
AFB Photo Release Form (PDF)
AFB Photo Release Form (Word)
Formulario de Autorización de AFB
Formulario de Autorización de AFB en PDF
