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Top Tech Tidbits for Thursday, November 5, 2020 - Volume 780The Week's News in Access Technologyhttps://toptechtidbits.com/ A Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd. Publication Top Tech Tidbits. The world's #1 online resource for current news and trends in access technology. This Week's Featured Advertisement: APH Apps and Games (Mobile/Desktop Apps, Skills/Actions)
We use apps every day to check email, listen to music, play games, and connect with friends. During this time of distance learning and social isolation, it's more important than ever to have fun, to continue learning, and to remain connected with those around us. You and your loved ones can enjoy hours of fun and learning with American Printing House's variety of apps for desktop and mobile devices. These apps offer a little something for everyone: from crossword puzzles, brushing up on your math skills, and playing interactive games, to practicing key coding concepts and reinforcing orientation and mobility. Amazon Alexa® and Google AssistantTM users can also join the party by trying out our APH skills and actions. To learn more about APH apps and games, and to read our accessible Apps brochure, visit us at https://www.aph.org/free-apps-from-aph/. Dear Tidbits Subscriber,1) Readers Rejoice. Tidbits Welcomes Its 9th Sponsor. Only 3 Packages Remaining.We would like to open this week by extending a very big thank you and welcome aboard to our 9th Sponsor in the form of Be My Eyes at https://www.bemyeyes.com/. For anyone not familiar with them Be My Eyes is a free mobile app that connects blind or low-vision users to a global network of sighted volunteers. A service that is offered in more than 180 languages by over 1 million volunteers. With the addition of Be My Eyes we now have only 3 sponsorship packages remaining before the distribution of Tidbits will be fully supported. If you are reading this right now you are a part of that success, and we sincerely hope that you are every bit as proud of it as we are. Once the last 3 sponsorship packages have been secured, the only way to become a Tidbits Sponsor will be to wait until a current sponsor makes the decision not to renew. Please consider joining us. Support Tidbits while you still can and enjoy these incredible benefits:https://www.toptechtidbits.com/sponsorship-packages.html 2) How I Changed The Way I Charge My iPhone and Android Smartphones to Reduce Battery WearThis one comes to us courtesy of ZdNet:https://www.zdnet.com/article/how-i-changed-the-way-i-charge-my-iphone-and-android-smartphones-to-reduce-battery-wear/ 3) What Is RAM? Everything You Need to KnowThis one comes to us from How-to Geek:https://www.howtogeek.com/697659/what-is-ram-everything-you-need-to-know/ 4) Clarke and Smith Audio PlayerHere's a blast from the past for some, a video about the RNIB talking book player:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DiaMxU01Rrg&feature=share&fbclid=IwAR3I6699784VMAkhiabC9UCJGjgRYHyCO38ZVJVzBFRySULdJGDfRyB3nmA 5) Webinar on Updated Studio Recorder AppThis Windows program from American Printing House is designed for voice recording, and has been updated. The webinar takes place on GMT Friday, November 6th 2020 at 01:00. Register here:https://aph.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_qNSvAY1kRlS_RQd6gohb-w 6) The New NFB Newsline AppThis iOS app now includes the ability to scan print documents. Read about it in this article from The Braille Monitor:https://www.nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/bm/bm20/bm2010/bm201013.htm 7) AppleVis Unlimited: What's New and Noteworthy for October 2020Keep up with the latest Apple Accessibility news:https://www.applevis.com/blog/applevis-unlimited-whats-new-and-noteworthy-october-2020 8) Assistive Technology Gifts for the HolidaysThe first of this year's surveys of gift ideas comes from the Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled. This takes place on GMT Saturday, November 14th 2020 at 15:00:https://www.marylandlibraries.org/Pages/Technology%20User%20Group.aspx 9) What's New in JAWS 2021, from BITSThis edition of the Screen Reader Tips and Tricks series will take place on GMT Wednesday, November 11th 2020 at 01:00:https://zoom.us/j/781425635?pwd=cGhKMlZPQ1N6cmZyQ1BRSzV5QzFndz09#success 10) Voice Dream Reader and Files App on iBUGThe next 2-hour iBUG Cafe will feature these apps in depth. This Zoom gathering takes place on GMT Sunday, November 8th 2020 at 22:00:https://zoom.us/j/7428486329?pwd=M003RmZaa3pTbWRlZ00xbSs4YTlmUT09 11) Indoor Mapping on Tek TalkHear about emerging indoor mapping technology on Tek Talk on GMT Tuesday, November 10th 2020 at 01:00:https://us02web.zoom.us/j/839935813?pwd=eXFMRHpxNnhFZlRiMHAzRWNWYXM3Zz09 12) iPhone 12 Pro Uses LIDAR To Let People Who Are Blind 'See' Others Around ThemA new People Detection feature uses LIDAR to alert iPhone 12 Pro, 12 Pro Max and iPad Pro users how close other people are:https://www.cnet.com/news/iphone-12-pro-lets-people-who-are-blind-see-others-around-them/ 13) Gamers Forge Their Own Paths When It Comes to AccessibilityPlayers with disabilities and chronic illnesses haven't waited around for console manufacturers to look their way. Here's how far we've come - and how far we have to go.https://www.wired.com/story/accessibility-video-games-ablegamers/ 14) JAWS Power Tip: Is JAWS Not Speaking As You Move Your Cursor? Try Toggling Enhanced Edit SupportShould you encounter this issue, David Goldfield provides this useful insight:https://davidgoldfield.wordpress.com/2020/10/08/jaws-tip-is-jaws-not-speaking-as-you-move-your-cursor-try-toggling-enhanced-edit-support/ 15) Starkey And OrCam Partner To Provide Groundbreaking Assistive Technology To Hearing And Visually Impaired People"People who have both vision and hearing loss are often unable to find solutions that effectively address both of these limitations," said OrCam Technologies Co-founder and Co-CEO Professor Amnon Shashua. "OrCam's cooperation with Starkey represents an advantageous opportunity, demonstrating OrCam's ability to apply the advanced computer vision and machine learning methods we have developed to transmit the visual world through audio, in collaboration with Starkey's Livio Edge AI hearing aids, to deliver a true and total solution."https://aithority.com/assistive-technologies/starkey-and-orcam-partner-to-provide-groundbreaking-assistive-technology-to-hearing-and-visually-impaired-people/ 16) SoundWatch: New Smartwatch App Alerts deaf/Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing to Bird Song, Sirens and Other Desired SoundsUniversity of Washington researchers have developed SoundWatch, a smartwatch app for deaf, Deaf and hard-of-hearing people who want to be aware of nearby sounds. When the smartwatch picks up a sound the user is interested in SoundWatch will identify it and send the user a friendly buzz along with information about the sound:https://www.washington.edu/news/2020/10/28/soundwatch-alerts-ddeaf-and-hard-of-hearing-users-to-desired-sounds/ 17) Star Wars Inspired 'JediGlove' Aims to Assist the Visually Impaired Using SonarThe gloves are inspired by Star Wars' fictional use of 'The Force' and bats' echolocation abilities. "We have nicknamed the device the JediGlove because it lets someone who is visually impaired 'feel the force' of objects in their environment," explained Derek O'Keeffe, Professor of Medical Device Technology at NUI Galway, who worked on the project:https://interestingengineering.com/nui-galways-jediglove-assists-visually-impaired-with-sonar 18) 30 Scholarships for Students With DisabilitiesThis post comes to use from EduBirdie.com and is a great resource for students. Links, information, scholarship amounts and eligibility included:https://edubirdie.com/blog/scholarships-for-students-with-disabilities 19) Inclusive Design for Social Media: Tips for Creating Accessible ChannelsAt least one billion people, or 15% of the world's population, experience some form of disability. That figure increases significantly when it accounts for temporary and situational disabilities. Non-inclusive content and experiences push people away. And it's not always easy to pinpoint when that happens. Excluded web visitors often don't complain: 71% just leave. Marketers should view staying informed about these updates as a responsibility. While social media accessibility isn't technically required under WCAG's 2.1 compliance standards, it shouldn't need to be. Here's why:https://blog.hootsuite.com/inclusive-design-social-media/ 20) Tidbits Opinion Poll ResultsLast week we asked, "Are you an AT user who has made the decision to replace your cable television subscription with an internet-connected streaming device? If so, how would you rate the accessibility of the device you chose on a scale of 1 to 5?" Some of these responses included custom answers that you may wish to review yourself, but here is a breakdown. So far the winner is the Amazon Fire TV Stick and the runner-up is the Apple TV. Both are given a composite accessibility score of 4.2 on a scale of 1 (Inaccessible) to 5 (Completely Accessible.) Share your opinion with us on this and future AT-related polls on the Top Tech Tidbits website where you can weigh in and view results:Respond to the Poll: https://toptechtidbits.com/poll-2 Review / Share The Results: https://toptechtidbits.com/poll-results-2 21) New Tidbits Opinion PollThis week we turn our attention to gift giving and receiving. A reader asks, "What are the Top 5 Assistive Technology products on your wish list this holiday season?" Help us put together the ultimate AT wish list for 2020. Share your opinion with us on this and future AT-related polls on the Top Tech Tidbits website where you can weigh in and view results:Respond to the Poll: https://toptechtidbits.com/poll-3 Review / Share The Results: https://toptechtidbits.com/poll-results-3 22) Future Tidbits Opinion PollsDo you have an intriguing AT-related question that you'd like to see posed to the Tidbits community?Send your AT-related questions to: polls@toptechtidbits.com Answer past Poll questions you may have missed at: https://www.toptechtidbits.com/polls.html Top Tech Tidbits Sponsor Classified Ads:Sponsor: A. T. Guys➜ This Week's Classified Ad:If you're like me, you probably have more things to plug into your computer than available ports. That's why we've now added the Plugable USBC 7-in-1 Hub. Plug it into your laptop and you will get 3 USB ports, SD and Micro SD card slots, a USBC charging port, and an HDMI video port. It's available now for just $29.95:https://www.atguys.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=28&products_id=331
Sponsor Since: June 11th 2020 Website: https://www.atguys.com/ 🌐 Phone: (269) 216-4798 📱️ Email: support@atguys.com 📧️ Skype: atguys ✆ Twitter: https://twitter.com/atguys (@atguys) ✍ Facebook: https://facebook.com/atguys ✍ About: ATGuys.com. Your access technology experts, home for cool gadgets, accessories, and more. Our products are all tested to work great for blind and visually impaired users but also work just as well for anyone. If there's an item you're looking for, or if you have a question, please don't hesitate to send us a message or call (269) 216-4798 📱️. Sponsor: John Panarese➜ This Week's Classified Ad:MacForTheBlind.com Launches Gift-Giving Initiative. Donate course time to someone that needs it today. Mr. John Panarese, Director of MacForTheBlind.com, is a world-renowned Apple Trainer and Consultant who is committed to ensuring that each of his students receive the very best education possible through each of the online and one-on-one courses that he currently offers through MacForTheBlind.com. John is a well-known Assistive Technology Consultant with a history of excellence who holds both ACSP (Apple Certified Support Professional) and ACT (Apple Certified Trainer) certifications. The benefits of his offerings can be truly life-changing, so we would like to invite you to change a life today by donating course time to someone that needs it. You may choose the recipient of your donation, and they may choose any course topic they like, or you may allow the course time that you donate to be allocated to those who are unable to afford it themselves. Either way you will be giving the gift of accessibility to those blind and visually-impaired students that need it the most. Your support helps to keep them connected, healthy and part of our community. Please consider making your gift today at: https://donorbox.org/macfortheblind.
Director, https://www.MacForTheBlind.com Sponsor Since: June 4th 2020 Website: https://www.macfortheblind.com/ 🌐 Donate Course Time: https://donorbox.org/macfortheblind ❤ Email: john@macfortheblind.com 📧️ About: Macfortheblind.com is a place specifically for blind people who are either users or potential users of Macintosh computers or iOS devices, such as the iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, iPod Nano, Apple Watch and Apple TV. I am a blind individual who has used the Mac ever since VoiceOver became available in OS 10.4 Tiger, and I own an iMac, Mac Mini, Mac Book Pro laptop computer, an iPhone 6S, an iPad Air, an Apple Watch and an Apple TV 4th Generation. In addition, I am an Authorized Apple Business Affiliate, and as an Apple Certified Support Professional and an Apple Certified Trainer, I offer training and technical support for individuals, agencies and organizations on the mac and all iDevices, as well as offering assistive technology consulting. Sponsor: Donna Jodhan➜ This Week's Classified Ad:Author Donna invites you to support one of her many ongoing initiatives by making a small donation today. To say thank you, all supporters are given unlimited access to all 3 of Author Donna's Subscription Libraries. These include her Audio Mystery Library, her Recipe Library and her Home & Garden Library. Please consider giving the gift of accessibility to disabled children and their families today at https://donorbox.org/author-donna-jodhan. Your support makes the difference in keeping them connected, healthy and part of our community.
Author, Donna Jodhan Publications Sponsor Since: June 4th 2020 Website: https://donnajodhan.com/ 🌐 Donate: https://donorbox.org/author-donna-jodhan ❤ About: My name is Donna J. Jodhan and I have been blind all my life, but that has not prevented me from living independently as someone who takes care of my own home and garden, travels regularly for my job, and runs my own business. I am an entrepreneur, blogger, author, audio mystery writer, advocate, podcaster, and law student. I enjoy cooking, ice skating, playing chess, composing on my electronic keyboard, and communicating with nature. Sponsor: Dean Martineau➜ This Week's Classified Ad:Would you like to learn to control your computer with your voice, or to create documents using your voice rather than the keyboard? There are several tools to accomplish these objectives. I can provide training in their use. Write to me at topdot@gmail.com if interested.Editor, Top Tech Tidbits Newsletter
Sponsor Since: June 4th 2020 Website: https://www.toptechtidbits.com/ 🌐 About: Dean Martineau is the Founder and a Contributing Editor to the Top Tech Tidbits Newsletter. Sponsor: Be My Eyes
Sponsor Since: November 5th 2020 Website: https://www.bemyeyes.com/ 🌐 Download The App (IOS): Download The App (Android): If You are a Blind or Low-Vision User: Think of Be My Eyes as a tool to use whenever you need it. The app connects you to a global network of sighted volunteers, who are ready and willing to assist you at any time. As a blind or low-vision user, visual assistance is offered in more than 180 languages by over 1 million volunteers. Be My Eyes' services are free to use and only require an internet connection. You can call at any time of the day, as many times as you need; There is no limit to the length or the amount of calls. The massive size of the volunteer community means that most calls are answered within 30 seconds. About: Be My Eyes is a free mobile app with one main goal: to make the world more accessible for blind and low-vision people. The app connects blind and low-vision individuals with sighted volunteers and companies from all over the world through a live video call. Since we launched in January 2015, more than 4,000,000 volunteers have signed up to assist blind and low-vision users. Be My Eyes users can request assistance in over 180 languages making the app the biggest online community for blind and low-vision people as well as one of the largest micro-volunteering platforms in the world! Every day, volunteers sign onto Be My Eyes to lend their sight to blind and low-vision individuals to tackle challenges and solve problems together. Sponsor: Sprint IP Relay➜ This Week's Classified Ad:One challenge someone with a combined vision and hearing loss must address is accessing the phone system without adequate vision or hearing. Individuals with no hearing but vision can access the phone system using a videophone. Those with no vision, but who have hearing can use the phone as it was intended. How would someone with vision and hearing loss continue to call doctors, contact emergency services such as 911, arrange for medical appointments, contact businesses, or friends and family who do not text? One solution, for those living in the U.S. with a form of hearing loss, is Sprint IP Relay. Come learn more at our webinars, specialized for the DeafBlind community. 11/10 at 10 AM EST, 11/12 at 4:30 PM EST, 11/17 at 1:00 PM EST, or 11/19 at 1:00 PM EST. RSVP by November 6th 2020 to deafblind@sprint.com. CART and ASL interpretation will be provided.
Sponsor Since: October 22nd 2020 Website: https://www.sprintip.com/ 🌐 Email: scott.davert@t-mobile.com 📧️ Download The App (iOS): Download The App (Android): Accessibility Customer Care: (800) 676-3777 📱️ About: Sprint IP Relay allows people who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, DeafBlind or with a Speech Disability to make or receive phone calls using an internet connection, a computer, tablet or smartphone. Simply type what you want to say to the operator, the operator relays the message to the person you called and then types the caller's response back to you. This process is all done through text, so a user with a braille display, for example, would not need to see the screen or use their voice to communicate with the hearing caller. The Sprint IP Relay service is available at no charge for those who are eligible. Registration is required to verify an individual's identity and residency. If you are a person who is deaf, hard of hearing, DeafBlind or have a speech disability, you will qualify to register for the Sprint IP Relay Service. The user can call anyone at any time within the United States and its territories. Email scott.davert@t-mobile.com with any questions. Sponsor: LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired Adaptations Online Store➜ This Week's Classified Ad:Featured Products: Revolution Cane Tip: Standard Roller Tip: $14.50 | Locator Dots: Small Pack of 6 (Clear or Orange): $2.00 | NFB Metal Cane Tip: $3.00 | TMAP - On Demand Tactile Street | Map (set of two maps): $25.00 | Ambutech Aluminum Folding Cane: $35.00 | NFB Chris Park Telescoping Cane: $45.00 | BoldWriter 20 Pen (Individual or 6-pack): $2.00 | Bump Dots: Mixed (50 count): $7.00 | Braille Apple Catalina VoiceOver Guide OSX 10.15 (3 volumes) - Latest Manual: $52.00 | SpeedDots iPhone Tactile Screen Protector, Phone Layout: $12.00 | NFB Chris Park 7-Piece Folding Cane: $50.00 | Visit https://adaptations.org/ to learn more today!
Sponsor Since: October 1, 2020 Website: https://adaptations.org/ 🌐 Toll Free: (888) 400-8933 📱️ Local: (415) 694-7301 📱️ About: Founded in 1902, San Francisco's LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired promotes the independence, equality and self-reliance of people who are blind or have low vision. Adaptations is your online go-to for tools, technology, and accessible solutions for blind and visually impaired people. Sponsor: American Printing House (APH)➜ This Week's Classified Ad:APH's Braille Trail Reader LE refreshable braille display will start your students' braille journey with a positive technology experience that allows them to discover the joys of reading and writing. This 14-cell braille display features a Windows app for easy file transfer between teachers and students. Also perfect for the working adult: users can take notes, and create, edit and read text and braille files. Learn more at https://www.aph.org/product/braille-trail-reader-le/.
Website: https://www.aph.org/ 🌐 Toll Free and Customer Support: (800) 223-1839 📱️ Phone: (512) 895-2405 📱️ Fax: (512) 899-2284 ░ YouTube Video: https://youtu.be/WENRlCNDsxQ 🎥 Free Apps & Actions from APH: https://www.aph.org/free-apps-from-aph/ 📱 About: Since 1858, the American Printing House for the Blind has operated in Louisville, Kentucky as the world's largest nonprofit organization, creating accessible learning experiences through educational, workplace, and independent living products and services for people who are blind and visually impaired. APH believes that the future belongs to everyone. By offering innovative products and services, APH opens up a door of opportunities for lifelong independence and success. Sponsor: GuideLights and Gadgets➜ This Week's Classified Ad:GuideLights And Gadgets: Great Buys, Choices, Service! The Let's Go Shopping Holiday Gift Extravaganza is set for November 10 and 11, 2020, starting at 8AM Pacific Time. Shop from among the very best in holiday gifts. Explore 18 small businesses offering everything from food to fashion, skin care to stocking stuffers, technology to treasures for the entire family. New Orbit writer bundle, $140; our own leather case, neck pouch, and tutorial by Lisa Salinger. New Roomy leather "biker" chest pack with hands free phone holder for AIRA, etc., fits even a 20 cell display, $45. Non-contact Talking Thermometer: Best I've used in 15 years; $50 includes shipping. New Soundbox Stereo model: Listen on the go; No Wires; Great Sound; 4aa batteries, $45.00. Call Barry at (617) 969-7500 📱️.Director, http://www.GuideLightsAndGadgets.us
Sponsor Since: June 25th 2020 Website: http://www.guidelightsandgadgets.us/ 🌐 For Gadgets and Leather Contact Barry at: For All Things Dog Contact Kae at: About: Our Scope of Products: We specialize in 3 lines of products, all intended to assist in access to adaptive electronics, enhance experiences for guide dog teams, and offer practical solutions for organization and travel with a variety of leather bags, pouches, and backpacks. Then there are the random products that are included, just for fun! We enjoy working with our customers 1-on-1 to their money is well spent and not wasted on something they may not use. In thinking about our customers and whether we will carry a product our guiding motto is that it must be: practical, affordable, simple, tested, and accessible (the pasta principle) and it seems to work very well. What We Do: We bring our business either via zoom, phone, or to your conference or convention, to give each customer a chance for questions and where possible, "hands on" evaluation of the merchandise. Kae and I test and use each product as blind users before we put it in our catalog. In the case of products for guide and service dogs, our own three guides, Thor, Debra and Melody, are engaged in the process of evaluating the usefulness, durability, and/or fun of the product. We want each of our products to be useful, accessible, afforable, and, whenever possible, fun! Our inventory is constantly changing, so a visit to us is never the same experience twice! Your Name Here
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