
Top Tech Tidbits for Thursday, January 25, 2018 - Volume 646
The Week's News in Adaptive Technology
A Flying Blind, LLC Publication
http://www.flying-blind.com/
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Greetings,
1A) This is a good compendium of information for the new user of a Chromebook, with videos and links to more resources:
https://blindbites.wordpress.com/2017/11/19/my-first-chromebook-what-ive-learned/
1B) The same author explains the accessories he has found useful for his Chromebook:
https://blindbites.wordpress.com/2018/01/23/my-chromebook-accessories/
2) The January 2018 Issue of AccessWorld updates us on what's new in WatchOS 4, MacOS High Sierra, and TVOS 11, and provides reviews of the Braille Sense Polaris, the Orbit Reader, two Braille displays with iOS11, and the current state of Braille with Windows Narrator:
http://www.afb.org/afbpress/pubnew.asp?DocID=aw1901toc
3A) Some news in the audio description arena. The Audio Description Project's 'Master AD List' now includes TV Series with Audio Description from the nine FCC-mandated TV networks. It currently lists nearly 1,800 movies and TV Series with description:
http://acb.org/adp/masterad.html
3B) A lot of YouTube videos can benefit from audio description, and YouDescribe has several videos explaining how all can assist in making these videos accessible:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNJrbI_nyy9sjqZ-Wcn6sX868i9KtdNrT&disable_polymer=true&utm_content=buffer6ba41&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer
4A) Three items about web accessibility. This informative article from 24 Accessibility is entitled 'So You Want to Become an Accessibility Specialist':
https://www.24a11y.com/2017/want-become-accessibility-specialist/
4B) Perkins School invites you to assess 'How much do you know about Web Accessibility?'
http://www.perkins.org/solutions/access/accessibility-quiz
4C) And this post from Braille Works reminds us 'Why Web Accessibility Still Relies on Human Action:'
https://medium.com/@BrailleWorks/why-web-accessibility-still-relies-on-human-action-4e4d5c318dc5
5A) Perhaps you'll find a useful resource for acquiring books that you were unaware of: '50+ Ways To Get Free Books: For Educators, Clubs, And More:'
https://bookriot.com/?p=149092
5B) And this one might help you save some money on audio books, though it does come with an annoying auto-played video:
https://www.cnet.com/how-to/ways-to-save-money-on-audiobooks/
5C) Speaking of audio books, you can now get them in the Google Play store, and no monthly membership is required:
https://play.google.com/store/books/category/audiobooks
6A) Here is one writer's collection of 'VoicOver iPhone Tips,' along with suggestions for other learning resources:
https://www.thinkingoutloud-sassystyle.com/voiceoveriphone-tips/?utm_campaign=shareaholic&utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=socialnetwork
6B) Incidentally, there are now eight podcasts in the iPhone 101 series from Blind Abilities:
http://blindabilities.com/category/technology/iphone101/
7) The VFO Group has grown again with the acquisition of Enhanced Vision:
https://blindbargains.com/bargains.php?m=18356
8A) NCBI, the National Council of the Blind of Ireland, holds a Virtual Technology Club. Their first meeting is on the day of release of this newsletter (01/25/2018) at 19:00 GMT. They use the Zoom meeting platform, so access is possible from throughout the world. The link for the first meeting, if you get it in time, is:
https://zoom.us/j/995412665
8B) You can read the Virtual Technology Club User Guide here (DOCX):
http://www.ncbi.ie/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Virtual-technology-Club-User-Guide.docx
8C) And for more information about the schedule of upcoming meetings, write to:
stuart.lawler@ncbi.ie
9) Hear about eSight Eyewear, glasses which can enhance the functional vision of people with many eye problems, on Eyes on Success Issue #1804:
http://eyesonsuccess.net
10) Duxbury Systems has released DBT WIN 12.02 SR1, with some new Braille embosser support, improved math support, and other enhancements:
https://blindbargains.com/bargains.php?m=18346
11) That Blind Tech Show #11 features discussion about smart glasses, Facebook accessibility, and more:
http://blindabilities.com/uncategorized/that-blind-tech-show-11-rolling-back-skype-facebook-timeline-smart-glasses-is-apple-really-innovating/
12) Linson Productions offers a candid look at the Kindle Fire HD7:
http://www.linsonproductions.com/lppodcast/2018/1/22/the-fire-has-only-embers-left
13) The webinar 'Enhance Your Productivity with Free Assistive Technologies from Microsoft' will take place on Tuesday, 30 January 2018 at 20:00 GMT:
https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_2k9pkjPvRtaXL1EQPv3O_Q
14) We're still waiting for the Blind Bargains 2017 Year in Review Qast, which is near to release, but in the meantime, the Consumer Electronics show and other matters come up for discussion in Program #130:
http://blindbargains.com/b/18353
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Flying Blind, LLC Online Store Highlights:
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3.) 'iOS in the Classroom: A Guide for Teaching Students with Visual Impairments, iOS 9 Edition' Authored By Larry L. Lewis, Jr., President, Flying Blind LLC, and Published by AFB Press - AFB Online Store
Paperback: $29.95 | Online: $17.95 | ePUB: $20.95 | Kindle: $20.95
http://bit.ly/iOS9-ITC-AFB-FBLLC
This book represents a 'must have' for any direct service provider working with vision impaired consumers who are using iOS technology within their educational or pre-vocational settings ...
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Spiral bound book. Holds up to 500 address listings. Three address listings per page. Includes 20/20 pen. Durable covers with inside front and back pockets. Alphabetical tabs and ample room ...
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