June
PEG News As Cable Fades in Popularity, Public Access TV Stations Suffer Originally published by John Moritz March 9, 2022 Connecticut Post Facing constraints as more residents drop traditional cable, public access television stations operators called for the passage of legislation Tuesday that would expand fees currently paid by cable customers to include all internet or video streaming services. The rise in so-called cord cutters — customers who have switched from traditional paid TV plans to online streaming platforms — has decimated revenues to local public, educational and government access stations, which rely on fees levied on cable subscriptions to fund their stations, operators said. Without an expansion of those fees, station operators told lawmakers Tuesday that they may be forced to shut their doors. “We’re done,” warned Joanie Walker, the executive director of Nutmeg TV in Farmington. “I can have the best equipment here, but the lights won’t be on and the doors will be locked because we’re bleeding.”
IN THIS ISSUE PEG Access In Trouble??.............................1 Meanwhile, In Michigan................................2
ACM Events Calendar..................................3
Apple Becomes More Accessible.................3 Top 5 Podcasts.............................................5
A bill before the legislature’s Energy and Technology Committee would task the state’s Public Utilities Regulatory Authority with establishing a new fee on cable, internet and video streaming services to ensure continued funding for public-access television. Yet, despite the showing of support for public-access TV during a hearing on Tuesday, the legislation has drawn the opposition of a host of industry groups representing cable and internet companies, satellite providers and streaming platforms, who said those fees would simply be passed on to their customers. In testimony submitted to the committee, those groups argued that even a $5 annual fee to fund public-access TV could quickly pile up for customers who subscribe to multiple streaming services like Netflix, Disney+ or Hulu. They argued that there is no effective way to limit the fee to a single charge per household, as the companies do not share their customer lists with each other. “This bill is overreaching and imposes duplicative taxes on your constituents who may subscribe to video streaming services, especially the many state residents who are already paying a fee toward community access programming through their cable television subscription.” said Angela Miele, a lobbyist for the Motion Picture Association. View the entire article at:
https://www.ctinsider.com/news/article/We-re-done-Public-access-TV-stations-in-16987233.php
Meanwhile, in Michigan... MCWT Names Julie Spiller its 2022 ‘Woman of the Year Originally published on May 11, 2022 Announced at the 9th annual Executive Connection Summit SOUTHFIELD, May 11, 2022 – The Michigan Council of Women in Technology Foundation named Julie Spiller its “Woman of the Year in Technology.” Spiller is senior vice president at Ascend Technologies. The annual MCWT award recognizes women in Michigan leading or driving change for other women in technology careers or fields of study. MCWT Foundation President and Senior Director of Industry Solutions and Strategy, Automotive for Salesforce, Rajani Sinha presented the honor at the nonprofit’s 9th annual Executive Connection Summit on May 5 at the Suburban Showplace in Novi. The hybrid event, sponsored by Stellantis, Ford Motor Company and General Motors, enabled opportunities for more than 400 participants to connect, learn and engage with leaders in the technology community. “Julie’s pay-it-forward actions are a reflection of our mission in action – consistently inspiring and growing women in tech,” said Chris Rydzewski, MCWT Executive Director. “She leads by example as a longtime volunteer of MCWT and contributor to other like minded industry groups. She continually uses her skills to empower others to pursue fulfilling tech careers where they can make a positive impact.” In her role at Ascend Technologies, Spiller is responsible for revenue growth and client satisfaction of the Ascend portfolio including Cloud, Infrastructure, Service Desk, and Cybersecurity. She is also the managing director of the Women’s Security Alliance, responsible for assisting with strategy and community engagement. She is also founder and Steering Committee member of the Michigan Women’s Leadership Network, bringing together female leaders in Michigan to provide career advancement support and professional development. She has launched other initiatives to help women in tech, has been a supporter of MCWT for many years, is a natural mentor, and regularly makes introductions for women to help their careers. “My attitude toward life is to help others in any way I can,” said Spiller. “It has always come back to me tenfold. Being a woman leader in the tech industry has provided me with countless ways to help other women.” View the entire article at:
https://tinyurl.com/MichWOTYSpiller
in Technology’ The following women were nominated and recognized for their significant contributions: Jillian Blackwell, Sr. Business Development Manager, Well-Architected, Amazon Web Services Megan Crespi, Executive Vice President, Chief Enterprise Technology and Operations Services Officer, Comerica Bank Keli Christopher, Founder and Executive Director, STEM Greenhouse Kimberly (Kim) Gordon, Senior Vice President, Information Services Applications, Spectrum Health, West Michigan Katie Horvath, Chief Marketing Officer, Aunalytic Bridget Kravchenko, Chief Information Security Officer, Meritor Stacy Lynett, Vice President - (DBT) Digital Business Team Technology, General Motors Rebecca (Beckie) Riss, Principal Enterprise Architect and DevSecOps Lead, Ford Motor Company Sara Schmidt, Chief Information Security Officer, Farmers Insurance Nicole Scheffler, Solutions Director, Palo Alto Networks Jane Sydlowski, Owner and CEO, AMI Strategies Sucheta Walimbe, Director Infrastructure, Enterprise Technology and Operations, Ford Motor Company
MEDIA AND TECHNOLOGY UPDATES
PEG Stuff Alliance for Community Media Live and Virtual Events June - August 2022 ACM LEADERSHIP WEBINAR MAY 18, 2022 at 3 PM CT / 4 PM ET
Have you been thinking about leadership in the ACM? As a generation of ACM leaders retire, it’s time for a new generation to step forward. VIRTUAL MEETUP May 19, 2022 at 1PM PST/ 4PM ET JUNE PUBLIC POLICY CALL JUNE 2, 2022 at 3 PM CT / 4 PM ET
Join in on this monthly phone call with ACM President and CEO Mike Wassenaar, discussing current State and Federal issues affecting PEG Access TV, and what actions the individuals in community media can make in support of our industry. VIRTUAL MEETUP June 16, 2022 at 1PM PST/ 4PM ET ACM 2022 ANNUAL CONFERENCE Chicago, IL
June 28-June 30, 2022
ACM 2022 ANNUAL MEETING JUNE 30, 2022 at 8AM (Virtual Attendance Available) JULY PUBLIC POLICY CALL JULY 7, 2022 3 pm CT/4 pm ET
Join in on this monthly phone call with ACM President and CEO Mike Wassenaar, discussing current State and Federal issues affecting PEG Access TV, and what actions the individuals in community media can make in support of our industry. VIRTUAL MEETUP July 21, 2022 at 1PM PST/ 4PM ET AUGUST PUBLIC POLICY BRIEFING AUGUST 4, 2022 3 pm CT/4 pm ET
Join in on this monthly phone call with ACM President and CEO Mike Wassenaar, discussing current State and Federal issues affecting PEG Access TV, and what actions the individuals in community media can make in support of our industry. The full shedule of ACM events thru Dec 2022 is available at:
https://www.allcommunitymedia.org/ACM/Events/ Event_calendar/ACM/Calendar/Calendar.aspx?hkey=0dba68f9-c5e8-4668-934a-07741e7c900a
Apple previews innovative accessibility features combining the power of hardware, software, and machine learning. PRESS RELEASE - May 17, 2022 CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA - Apple today previewed innovative software features that introduce new ways for users with disabilities to navigate, connect, and get the most out of Apple products. These powerful updates combine the company’s latest technologies to deliver unique and customizable tools for users, and build on Apple’s long-standing commitment to making products that work for everyone. (continued on next page)
Apple
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Using advancements across hardware, software, and machine learning, people who are blind or low vision can use their iPhone and iPad to navigate the last few feet to their destination with Door Detection; users with physical and motor disabilities who may rely on assistive features like Voice Control and Switch Control can fully control Apple Watch from their iPhone with Apple Watch Mirroring; and the Deaf and hard of hearing community can follow Live Captions on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Apple is also expanding support for its industry leading screen reader VoiceOver with over 20 new languages and locales. These features will be available later this year with software updates across Apple platforms. “Apple embeds accessibility into every aspect of our work, and we are committed to designing the best products and services for everyone,” said Sarah Herrlinger, Apple’s senior director of Accessibility Policy and Initiatives. “We’re excited to introduce these new features, which combine innovation and creativity from teams across Apple to give users more options to use our products in ways that best suit their needs and lives.” Door Detection for Users Who Are Blind or Low Vision Apple is introducing Door Detection, a cutting-edge navigation feature for users who are blind or low vision. Door Detection can help users locate a door upon arriving at a new destination, understand how far they are from it, and describe door attributes — including if it is open or closed, and when it’s closed, whether it can be opened by pushing, turning a knob, or pulling a handle. Door Detection can also read signs and symbols around the door, like the room number at an office, or the presence of an accessible entrance symbol. This new feature combines the power of LiDAR, camera, and on-device machine learning, and will be available on iPhone and iPad models with the LiDAR Scanner. Door Detection will be available in a new Detection Mode within Magnifier, Apple’s built-in app supporting blind and low vision users. Door Detection, along with People Detection and Image Descriptions, can each be used alone or simultaneously in Detection Mode, offering users with vision disabilities a go-to place with customizable tools to help navigate and access rich descriptions of their surroundings. In addition to navigation tools within Magnifier, Apple Maps will offer sound and haptics feedback for VoiceOver users to identify the starting point for walking directions. Advancing Physical and Motor Accessibility for Apple Watch
Apple Watch becomes more accessible than ever for people with physical and motor disabilities with Apple Watch Mirroring, which helps users control Apple Watch remotely from their paired iPhone. With Apple Watch Mirroring, users can control Apple Watch using iPhone’s assistive features like Voice Control and Switch Control, and use inputs including voice commands, sound actions, head tracking, or external Made for iPhone switches as alternatives to tapping the Apple Watch display. Apple Watch Mirroring uses hardware and software integration, including advances built on AirPlay, to help ensure users who rely on these mobility features can benefit from unique Apple Watch apps like Blood Oxygen, Heart Rate, Mindfulness, and more. View the entire press release at: https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2022/05/apple-previews-innovative-accessibility-features/
Podcasts David Tennant Does a Podcast With...… David Tennant, star of Doctor Who, Good Omens and Broadchurch, gets talking with the biggest names from TV, movies, comedy and elsewhere.
Available on Acast: https://play.acast.com/s/davidtennant The Daily What the news should sound like. The biggest stories of our time, told by the best journalists in the world. Hosted by Michael Barbaro. Twenty minutes a day, five days a week, ready by 6 a.m. Listen to it online at: https://www.stitcher.com/show/the-daily-10 LeVar Burton Reads In every episode, host LeVar Burton (Roots, Reading Rainbow, Star Trek) invites you to take a break from your daily life, and dive into a great story. LeVar’s narration blends with gorgeous soundscapes to bring stories to life. To listen visit:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/levar-burton-reads/id1244649384
Sway An interview show hosted by Kara Swisher, “Silicon Valley’s most feared and well liked journalist.” Now taking on Washington, Hollywood and the world, Kara investigates power: who has it, who’s been denied it, and who dares to defy it. Every Monday and Thursday, from New York Times Opinion Audio. Find it on Spotify, at: https://open.spotify.com/show/44fllCS2FTFr2x2kjP9xeT This Is Only A Test (staff recommended) This podcast brings you the week’s technology and science news, with hosts Will Smith (no, not that one), Norman Chan, and Jeremy Williams. There’s no jargon here, just solid explanations of the week’s news--and plenty of wacky tangents. Make sure you stick around after the outro for fake outtakes! Available on Podbay at: https://podbay.fm/p/this-is-only-a-test