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Disability No Barrier to Science

Published

11 years ago

December 23, 2015

By Sarah Hillenbrand, Lawrence Hall of Science News

When Josh Miele was growing up, he wanted to be a physicist. But a family friend said, “He can’t be a physicist because physicists write on blackboards.”

Miele, who is blind, earned a bachelor’s degree in physics. He then interned at NASA, sending probes into space. To do his research, he found himself constantly having to engineer new software, new devices, and new ways of communicating his results.

He found himself increasingly pulled toward developing auditory and tactile technologies to enable universal access to information, going on to earn a PhD in psychoacoustics from UC – Berkeley. He now runs his own research lab at the Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute.

One of Miele’s many ongoing projects, called YouDescribe, uses audio narration to make the educational and entertaining content in videos available to blind people.

Earlier this year, Miele helped welcome a crowd of about 50 students with both visible and invisible disabilities to the Lawrence Hall of Science (the Hall) as a panelist at the Hall’s STEM Career Showcase for Students with Disabilities.

The event was spearheaded by Sherry Hsi, Research Director at the Hall, and was modeled on a similar event held recently at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences. It opened with a keynote address from genetic counselor Ronit Mazzoni and panel discussion. Afterwards, students moved on to the Carousel of Science and Engineering Activities.

In one room, students met new amphibian, reptilian, and mammalian friends. In the next, tactile math puzzles from around the world clattered and clicked. In the next, representatives from organizations including Google, Microsoft, MaKey MaKey, and the California Autism Foundation were on-hand to chat.

Miele told students that the resources and technologies available to people with disabilities are greater than ever before, thanks to local organizations like the Ed Roberts Campus, LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired, and the Hatlen Center for the Blind, which brought a large contingent of students to the event. “It’s a lot of extra work to be a disabled student.

But the Bay Area is like the Disneyland of disability,” he said. “Anything you need is just a Google and a BART ride away.” Too often, people with disabilities are consigned to low socioeconomic status due to the lack of access to educational and employment opportunities.

Miele hopes to change that by offering encouragement, inspiring creative solutions, and most importantly, helping to connect students with resources and a community of supportive people. “Rather than thinking it can’t be done, now they know that there are people out there fighting the same fight, dealing with the same issues, trying to achieve the same things, and they can reach out to them for support,” he said.

Sarah Levin is a new student at Berkeley City College with an interest in bioengineering. Levin, who is legally blind, heard about the event through a mailing list. She left feeling inspired.

“Coming to college, it’s time to actually realize my dream,” she said. “I’m asking myself a lot whether it’s reasonable, whether can do it. Hearing stories from people who have set a path and are determined, I’m thinking it is possible, and that’s something that I’m going to hold onto.”

Ronit Mazzoni, the event’s keynote speaker, told one such story. In high school biology class, she became fascinated by genetics and decided to pursue a career in genetic counseling.

Mazzoni, who is blind, said that the biggest obstacle turned out to be simply convincing others she was capable. She heard things like, “I just don’t know how you’re going to know if someone’s upset or crying.”

Mazzoni now works as a genetic counselor at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, where she advises clients on prenatal, pediatric, and cancer-related issues. And she can tell when someone is crying, by the way.

“Determination and creativity have gotten me through many challenges,” Mazzoni said. “And hanging around supportive people.” By joining mailing lists, asking questions, and seeking out other people with disabilities in related fields, she made it work. These days, she explains genetic mutations and chromosomal abnormalities by moving beads around on pipe cleaners attached to a magnet board.

Oakland Post

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New Protections for Ticket Buyers: Gov. Newsom Signs Assemblymember Isaac Bryan’s Bill

OAKLAND POST — Assembly Bill 1349 expands state regulation of original ticket sellers, resellers and online resale marketplaces. The law targets deceptive sales practices, ticket-buying software and speculative listings — tickets advertised for sale by sellers who do not possess them or have authorization to sell them.

Published

6 days ago

October 4, 2026

Post News Group

Assemblymember Isaac Bryan (D-Ladera Heights). File photo.

By California Black Media Staff

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation on Sept. 27 authored by Assemblymember Isaac Bryan (D-Ladera Heights) that strengthens consumer protections for Californians purchasing tickets to concerts, sporting events and other live entertainment.

Assembly Bill 1349 expands state regulation of original ticket sellers, resellers and online resale marketplaces. The law targets deceptive sales practices, ticket-buying software and speculative listings — tickets advertised for sale by sellers who do not possess them or have authorization to sell them.

“Buying a ticket shouldn’t come with hidden risks or unfair practices,” Newsom wrote on social media after signing the measure.

Under AB 1349, ticket sellers are prohibited from listing tickets before they have been officially released unless they have authorization or a legally enforceable right to receive them. Online marketplaces must also take reasonable steps to prevent speculative ticket sales on their platforms.

The law prohibits sellers from using bots, multiple accounts, email addresses or internet protocol addresses to circumvent ticket limits, presale restrictions, electronic queues and other controls. It also bans websites and advertisements designed to mislead buyers into believing they are purchasing tickets from an authorized seller, venue or event organizer.

Sellers who violate certain provisions and fail to provide a promised ticket may be held liable for twice the ticket’s contracted price. Buyers may also recover nonrefundable expenses incurred while attempting to attend an event, along with reasonable attorney’s fees and court costs.

Pastor Tecoy Porter Sr., president of the National Action Network’s Sacramento chapter, said the law establishes needed accountability.

“Buying a ticket to a concert or show shouldn’t mean entering a marketplace where the rules are stacked against you. This year, we worked with a coalition of consumers, civil rights advocates, community groups, and businesses to make AB 1349 stronger. Consumers deserve enforceable rules that protect them. We thank Assemblymember Bryan for his leadership, and we will keep working to make ticketing fair for every Californian.”

Jose L. Barrera, national vice president for the Far West Region of the League of United Latin American Citizens, also praised the measure.

“Californian families deserve certain protections when they buy tickets. Assemblymember Bryan listened to communities across California and delivered a bill that puts fans first. We thank him and Governor Newsom for making it law.”

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Zakiya Jendayi Arrested, Locked Out of Home by Sheriff’s Deputies

OALAND POST — On Tuesday, deputies followed Jendayi as she left her residence of 13 years to file documents in her case at the Appellate Court. Deputies arrested her upon arrival and transported her to Santa Rita Jail.

Published

6 days ago

October 4, 2026

Post News Group

By Tanya Dennis

Yesterday, more than 10 Alameda County Sheriff’s deputies arrived to take possession of Zakiya Jendayi’s home on behalf of a court-appointed administrator. Jendayi was arrested at the courthouse and transported to Santa Rita Jail around the same time.

Jendayi, who has been embroiled in a probate court battle to retain the inheritance bestowed on her by a longtime friend and colleague who passed away in 2013, had received a notice of eviction last month.

With help from neighbors, friends and clergy, she was able to fend off the eviction from 3614 Randolph Ave. in Oakland and even obtained a reprieve when her bid to file bankruptcy was approved by a county court.

But Philip Campbell, the court-appointed administrator, had already placed Jendayi’s home in his name in October 2025.

On Tuesday, deputies followed Jendayi when she left her residence of 13 years to go to the Appellate Court to file documents in her case. Deputies arrested her upon arrival and transported her to Santa Rita jail.

Undersheriff April Luckett-Fahini said Jendayi was arrested for “safety reasons.” At this time, it is unknown what charges were used for the arrest.

In Jendayi’s absence, Campbell came to her residence accompanied by deputies, had the property taped off with yellow crime tape, and had the locks changed.

Afterward, Campbell requested a police escort to his car amid several angry neighbors who had been advocating that officials pause the eviction pending Jendayi’s appeal.

“Zakiya Jendayi is a respected Black elder in our community,” said Alameda County Supervisor Nikki Fortunato Bas, who has been working with Jendayi to prevent her eviction. “It’s outrageous that she was arrested. There needs to be more justice and equity in our probate system.”

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Ask California: Golden State Releases New AI Chatbot

Gov. Gavin Newsom introduced the prototype as part of the state’s broader effort to use artificial intelligence to make government services easier to access. The launch follows his March 2026 executive order directing state agencies to responsibly implement generative AI while protecting privacy, security and civil liberties.

Published

3 weeks ago

September 22, 2026

Post News Group

By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

California has launched AskCA, a new artificial intelligence-powered chatbot designed to help residents find and navigate state and local government services through a single online platform.

Developed by the state’s Office of Data and Innovation, AskCA is designed around major life events rather than individual government agencies. Californians can use the tool to find information about finding a job, starting a business, accessing family services and recovering from disasters.

“When a Californian needs help, they shouldn’t have to become an expert in government to find it,” said Newsom. “We’re using the best technology California has to offer to make the government more efficient, effective, and more engaged.”

The state is now seeking Californians age 18 and older to participate in the pilot and help test and refine AskCA’s responses. Officials said subject matter experts across state governments are helping inform the chatbot’s answers, which are designed to draw from verified government sources and provide actionable information.

The prototype grew out of California’s response to the January 2025 Los Angeles wildfires. Early testing included more than 140 fire recovery leaders and Altadena wildfire survivors, a dozen job seekers and more than 100 general users.

Jeffery Marino, director of the Office of Data and Innovation, said the tool is intended to remove the need for residents to understand how government agencies are organized before they can get help.

“Californians should not have to understand how the government is organized just to get basic help,” Marino said.

AskCA’s technology will also be used in a new job-skills matching feature that the California Department of Human Resources plans to launch Sept. 30 on CalCareers. Job seekers will be able to upload a resume and receive potential matches to state job classifications.

The state said the CalCareers pilot will not store personal information or require users to have a CalCareers account. California plans to continue testing AskCA as officials evaluate its accuracy, performance and usefulness before expanding the system.