Top Tech Tidbits for Thursday, July 26, 2018 - Volume 668
The Week's News in Access Technology
A Flying Blind, LLC Publication
http://www.flying-blind.com/
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Greetings,
1)
We open with a link correction for Tidbit #16 from last week's issue Volume 667 in which we announced that David Woodbridge has recorded a 30-minute demonstration of the newest features in Microsoft Narrator (MP3). Here is the corrected link:
https://davidwoodbr.podbean.com/e/demo-of-the-windows-insider-build-for-the-new-narrator-quick-start-guide-july-15-2018/
2)
This post gives some basic information about three automated accessibility checking tools:
https://medium.com/myplanet-musings/comparing-3-top-automated-accessibility-testing-tools-wave-tenon-io-and-google-lighthouse-d3897d7bb311
3A)
Aira seems to be a frequent topic for discussion and news these days. This page details some of the creative ways in which Aira 'Explorers' make use of the service:
https://aira.freshdesk.com/support/solutions/folders/19000159531
3B)
Among other topics, the Blind Side Podcast #96 discusses some new Aira initiatives [MP3]:
http://traffic.libsyn.com/theblindside/TheBlindSide96.mp3
4)
This lady traveled to three Middle Eastern countries to assess their level of accessibility:
https://students.wlu.ca/academics/global-engagement-and-exchanges/news/2018/summer/seeking-accessibility-in-the-middle-east.html
5)
Looking for resources on how to make mobile apps accessible? Interested in developing your own app for disability rights advocacy? Read the full article and related resources on the RightsNow! Website:
https://www.globaldisabilityrightsnow.org/tools/vietnam/using-mobile-applications-advocacy
6)
Good design and smart technology should fuel inclusivity. These TED Talks show how tech and design can empower:
https://www.ted.com/playlists/372/designing_for_disability
7)
Barry Scheur will discuss the offerings of his company, Guidelines and Gadgets, on Tek Talk on GMT Tuesday, 31 July 2018 at 00:00:
http://conference321.com/masteradmin/room.asp?id=rsc9613dc89eb2
8)
This webinar, 'Hiring & Retaining Employees with Disabilities,' will take place Friday, 27 July 2018 at 17:00 GMT:
https://zoom.us/webinar/register/3515324321695/WN_nS8JGW4LQfG54zHxi5_Z1g
9)
This post lists the winners of the Tech4Good Awards for this year, among them, the Be My Eyes app:
http://www.headstar.com/eablive/?p=1662
10)
The Microsoft Seeing AI app for iOS is up to version 2.3, now with the ability to browse and describe pictures on the phone, and now available in 18 more countries:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/seeing-ai-talking-camera-for-the-blind/id999062298
11)
Here are some JAWS scripts for YouTube, which make the use of YouTube easier and also eliminate conflicts between native YouTube keystrokes and JAWS:
http://www.dlee.org/youtube/
12)
Microsoft is retiring Skype 7.4. This Freedom Scientific blog post contains important information for JAWS users:
http://blog.freedomscientific.com/skype8/
13)
WxPython will be the development environment for NVDA moving forward, as the move to Python 3.7 continues. Those interested in such things can read about them here:
https://nvda.groups.io/g/nvda/topic/important_milestone_reached/23643882?p=,,,20,0,0,0::recentpostdate%2Fsticky,,,20,2,0,23643882
14A)
David Woodbridge has posted demonstrations of the OrCam II:
https://davidwoodbr.podbean.com/e/demo-of-the-orcam-ii/
14B)
And of the FlickType typing system for iOS:
https://davidwoodbr.podbean.com/e/demo-of-the-flicktype-pattern-recognition-keyboard-and-app-as-of-june-21-2018-flexy-keyboard-raises-again/
15)
This video shows how frustrating and ultimately impossible it can be to use an app when accessibility is not built in:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6xcCU6KfjA&feature=youtu.be&a`r
16A)
You can read about recent updates to ZoomText and Fusion here:
https://www.zoomtext.com/help/product-downloads/
16B)
And listen to information about software releases and other discussion in FSCast #155:
http://traffic.libsyn.com/fscast/FSCast155_-_Isaac_Lidsky.mp3?dest-id=699950
17)
This podcast reveals the origins, present and future of the EnVision app for iOS:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-acQ5UxVv8&feature=youtu.be
18)
'Downloading Files: From Distressed to Delighted' is the title of this Mystic Access free class for July 2018, and it is the first in a two-part series on file management. This event takes place on Thursday, 26 July 2018 at 00:00 GMT, though recordings will be made available:
https://zoom.us/j/598746709?pwd=&status=success
19)
HumanWare is now the exclusive distributor and service provider for the Index line of Braille embossers:
http://www.humanware.com/en-usa/home
20)
The Microsoft Narrator User Guide is now available in a stand-alone Microsoft Word or PDF document:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/22798/windows-10-narrator-get-started
21)
Some people find MarkDown a handy format for composing in plain text and transferring Word and other documents across platforms. This is an online Word to MarkDown converter:
https://word-to-markdown.herokuapp.com/
22)
The Medium iOS app, which supports independent writers and allows others to read their work in text or audio, has undergone accessibility enhancements. Images have alt-text, the duration of the piece is announced and more, with more changes promised:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/medium/id828256236?mt=8
23)
We recently mentioned the Helen Keller archive, and you can learn more about it in Eyes on Success #1830:
http://eyesonsuccess.net
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1.)
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2.)
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5.)
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