When I was out talking to journalism classes at Arizona State this week, before presenting the NCDJ awards, I talked about finding stories and/or finding disability angles for stories. For example, I’ve seen no stories in mainstream news outlets about the disability angle on what a bad thing it would be to get rid of net neutrality. Those of us who can’t shop independently at a bookstore, for example, can shop online if the websites are screen reader friendly. Deaf people who rely on video relay services online need the Internet to be just as fast for this as for streaming of content from some big telecom company.

The more I thought about it, the more determined I became to see the disability angle covered. So I contacted libraries and other advocates for net neutrality and some media outlets in my state. So far all I’ve scored is an article in an online local paper http://cvpost.org/net-neutrality-principle-serves-libraries-disabled-population-democracy/ There’s about ten more days to fight the roll back—I’m not done yet!

On another visibility front, Just the Right Book Podcast’s independent authors poll is now live on their website at bookpodcast.com/poll

With the millions of books published every year, how can anyone learn what’s good? Unless one has the name recognition of John Grisham or the publicity budget of Bill Gates, one must rely on book reviewers and friends telling friends.

Here’s where you come in! If before December 15, you can give my Occupying Aging: Delights, Disabilities and Daily Life a vote, I’d appreciate it. If it wins, it’ll be reviewed by Just the Right Book podcast and more people might read it. Even if it doesn’t win, you now know about a good book review podcast and they’ve done independent writers a service by featuring one book not published by a major publisher. go to the website www.bookpodcast.com/poll to vote.

On a lighter note, I’ve volunteered to write letters from Santa in Braille for our public library and this is duly noted in their publicity. It’s stated as “letters in English, Braille or Spanish are accepted” implying Braille is a language, but at least it’s there.

Three cheers for those giving a boost to disability issues and stories and to those who listen!