In this Tech Doctor episode, Robert Carter and Jessica Rathwell explain and demonstrate an innovative new app which uses pattern recognition to allow a blind person to type faster and more easily on an iOS touch screen.
The app is called “Fleksy” and at the time of this podcast is currently under development.
For more information, go to the
Fleksy
website.
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In this podcast, I have the pleasure of talking with Shane Jackson. Shane tells us all about getting a job and working as an Apple Specialist in an Apple retail store.
As we talk, it becomes obvious that Shane’s warmth, persistence, willingness to take risks, and excellent communications skills are at the heart of his success at Apple. I wish Shane all the best as he follows his dream and begins law school in the near future.
To learn more about Shane, check out his excellent
podcast
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In this podcast, Robert talks with Anna Dresner the author of “Getting Started with the iPhone and iOS 5 for Blind Users.”
Robert considers this book a must have for anyone interested in understanding how to get the most out of the iPhone as a VoiceOver user. Anna talks about the writing process and gives some good suggestions on how to most efficiently use the book.
The book is available for $22 from the National Braille Press. It can be purchased either in hardcopy braille or as a download with several formats to choose from. To see the table of contents and learn more about the book, go to
Getting Started with the iPhone
Thanks Anna for Talking with us about this excellent book.
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During this hour, Robert has a fascinating conversation with, Jolie Mason, the founder and program director of the Los Angeles Radio Reading Service. The LA Reading Service can be heard world wide on an iOS app called
iBlink Radio
In addition to her radio reading service work, Jolie hosts a radio show on a Los Angeles radio station
KPFK
The show is called “Access Unlimited” and can be heard online by going to the KPFK site.
Jolie is an enthusiastic iPhone user but did express some frustration with the fact that VoiceOver users are required to use different gestures than those that are used by sighted iPhone users. Robert mentions a new book that teaches iPhone VoiceOver users everything they need to know. The book is available from the National Braille Press and is called
Getting Started with the IPhone and iOS 5 for Blind Users
Jolie and Robert discuss an excellent website filled with information about Apple accessibility. The site is called
Applevis
There is a new iOS, Android and PC app that allows people to voice chat with other users of the app throughout the world. It has become very popular with blind people. The app is called
Zello
One thing that can quickly become a problem is finding a particular app on your iPhone. This problem occurs once you have dozens of apps. Jolie describes her excellent system for organizing and categorizing all of her apps.
Finally, Jolie and Robert discuss some of their favorite apps for learning about birds and for using the iPhone in the kitchen. Here are the links to some really great birding apps.
BirdTunes
Handheld Birds
Chirp Bird Songs USA +
iBird Explorer Pro
Here are the links to the cooking and shopping apps that Jolie described.
Grocery Smart
ShopShop
List Recorder
Crock-Pot Virtual Cooking Timer
Cooking
FastMall
My visit with Jolie was delightful. I only hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
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In this Tech Doctor podcast, Robert makes a virtual trip to Australia where he catches up with the professional musician and access technology specialist, Scott Erichsen.
Scott tells us about his formal training as a jazz pianist. He describes how having perfect pitch has helped him to quickly reproduce the music that he hears. Scott talks about the importance of braille in writing music and the necessity to have really excellent teachers.
Robert and Scott then move in to a discussion of access technology describing how blind people in Australia go about acquiring and utilizing access technology. Scott talks about his work as a tester, evaluator and trainer. They discuss mainstream versus specialized technology and explore some ways of bridging the two.
The podcast concludes with a discussion of Scott’s current music, a pending trip to the U.S. and Scott’s two currently available albums. Finally, Robert finishes the podcast by playing one of Scott’s recordings called “Places.”
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This podcast is all about the 27th Annual International Technology and Persons with Disabilities Conference commonly referred to as CSUN. Robert speaks with Jessica Rathwell who offers a fascinating perspective on what attending this conference is like for an independent woman who is blind.
In addition to discussing some most interesting presentations and products, Robert and Jessi talk about the importance of social networking and some of the challenges faced by people who are blind trying to connect with others at a mega conference like this one.
The idea of people with disabilities reaching out to the mainstream community was explored in some detail. You will find Jessi’s perspective insightful and refreshing. Her enthusiasm inspired me to make a personal commitment to attend CSUN in the very near future.
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In this Tech Doctor podcast, Robert talks accessible technology with Amy Ruell.
Amy tells us about her work as president of
VIBUG
which is a computer users group for visually impaired and blind people in Massachusetts. Amy and her group are engaged in some very interesting collaboration with MIT. The VIBUG website is a wonderful resource for blind and visually impaired people throughout the world.
Robert and Amy engage in a comprehensive discussion about mainstream versus specialized technology concluding with the idea that there may be ways to build a bridge between the two.
Finally, Robert and Amy talk about some of the complexities of being an access technology trainer in today’s ever-changing technical world.
I am confident that there is something in this podcast for everybody. Sit back and enjoy this discussion.
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In this brief Tech Doctor podcast, Robert demonstrates how he uses an audio editor called
Sound Studio
to edit the Tech doctor podcast.
Thanks to Allison Mervis for giving me permission to use her wonderful voice in this episode.
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In this version of The Tech Doctor podcast, Robert talks with the most knowledgeable and enthusiastic Allison Mervis of California.
Allison and Robert begin with a discussion of mainstream versus specialized access technology. Allison suspects that we are starting to see a marriage between the two. Robert discusses his idea that it is ideal for specialized braille note taking equipment to also operate as braille displays for iOS devices. He particularly likes the BrailleSense OnHand from Hims Inc. You can learn more about the BrailleSense at
the Hims website
Allison and Robert next discuss Allison’s experience with an Android tablet that she purchased with the hope of making it accessible with one of the Android screen readers. You can learn more about Android accessibility at
the Android accessibility website
Another excellent Android resource is a podcast produced by the Serotalk Podcast Network called
That Android Show
Finally, Robert and Allison explore Allison’s experiences with jailbreaking her iPhone 4s. Allison recently published an excellent article all about jailbreaking. Check it out here.
Jailbreaking Not As Scary As It Sounds
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In this Tech Doctor podcast, Robert spends an hour with one of the most prolific, creative and popular mainstream Apple podcasters.
Her name is Allison Sheridan. She is the creator and host of the “NOSILLA Cast” podcast. This informative, entertaining fast paced show appears weekly and can be found over at
podfeet.com
Allison is a tremendous advocate for people who are blind and she recently gave a presentation at the annual Macworld | iWorld conference under a blindfold showing how iOS devices and the Mac can be used by a blind person. Allison does a fabulous job describing her presentation. I am confident that you will find our discussion informative and interesting.
Thanks, Allison, you are awesome.
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