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Top Tech Tidbits for Thursday, December 10, 2020 - Volume 785The 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: Give The Gift Of Accessibility To Families With Parents And Or Kids With Disabilities
Believe it or not there is still time for you to give a very unique gift to some very special families! And John Panarese world renowned Apple trainer and consultant has some great gift ideas for you to do just that! You see, John knows how it feels when persons with a disability are either left out, forgotten, or simply ignored at this time of the year. So he wants to help bring some holiday cheer to these very special families and he is counting on your help. John works all year round to ensure that families with parents and kids with disabilities are able to afford to take advantage of rapidly evolving technology and for this holiday season he as come up with a very unique way for them to receive some very exciting gifts. Yes! Very affordable gift certificates that you can purchase and then give as gifts to parents and kids with disabilities. To a friend, associate, or anyone you know who has a disability. John guarantees that these gift certificates will be most cherished by anyone receiving them. Moreover, you too will be most glad that you are able to give others in need opportunities to become more familiar and masters of Apple technology! So why not help to put smiles on the faces of those who receive these wonderful gift certificates? Just imagine! The surprises of those who you send them to! Visit https://donorbox.org/macfortheblind. Dear Tidbits Subscriber,1) Last Week's Most Clicked Tidbit (15.9% of all clicks.)Use Voice Control on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch:https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT210417?cid=tw_sc_Accessibility_113020 2) Educational Webinars from Austin LighthouseAustin Lighthouse has produced some eight webinars covering smart speakers, iOS, Android, Windows and more:https://austinlighthouse.org/training-and-employment-services/webinars/ 3) Magnifixer is a Freeware Screen Magnification Tool with Many Zoom Levels, a Color Picker and MoreThis freeware Windows Magnifier has more capability than the built-in Windows utility:https://www.ghacks.net/2020/12/04/magnifixer-is-a-freeware-screen-magnification-tool-with-many-zoom-levels-a-color-picker-and-more/ 4) Windows Narrator on Tek TalkLearn what's new in Narrator on Tek Talk on GMT Tuesday, 15 December 2020 at 01:00:https://zoom.us/j/839935813 5) Be My Eyes Recommends Hands-Free Accessories and WearablesHere we find many gadgets enabling using a phone without holding it in order to get assistance conveniently:https://www.bemyeyes.com/blog/hands-free-eyes-free-be-my-eyes-recommend-accessories-and-wearables-2020 6) How iPhone 12's Lidar and AI Help Me navigate the Street as a Blind PersonThis video comes from BBC News:https://www.bbc.com/news/av/technology-55178066 7) JAWS Scripts for Discord Updated:This update adds accessibility to the November 7th 2020 update to Discord:https://dlee.org/discord/ 8) 14 Essential Siri Time-Savers You May Have OverlookedWe'll try a couple of these out:https://www.fastcompany.com/90580887/best-siri-commands 9) Code Jumper YouTube VideosFor those fortunate enough to have access to this tool for teaching coding, here is a growing collection of nineteen videos to learn to use it:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUj6DcM1nN3G5yzcOpISLGxtJ5m54KteA 10) FSCast #192This is a replay of FS Open Line from November:https://hwcdn.libsyn.com/p/a/6/9/a69afba6bc8e60da/FSOpenLine-November2020.mp3?c_id=90160754&cs_id=90160754&destination_id=699950&expiration=1607570829&hwt=49a461f23920e59e31501d20214e8285 11) Apple Accessibility Website Gets Major Revamp: 'Make Something Wonderful'The Apple Accessibility website has been given a major revamp in a move that has been said 'captures their institutional love for accessibility as a thing'. The page itself uses large, high-contrast copy to describe the accessibility features in Apple products:https://9to5mac.com/2020/12/03/apple-accessibility-website-revamp/ 12) Updated NFB-Newsline App for iOS on Eyes on SuccessThis is episode 2050:http://eyesonsuccess.net 13) Course on Using Studio Recorder from APHBrian Hartgen is offering a $62 course on using this very accessible $200 audio editor. The course will start on 27 January 2021:http://www.hartgen.org/studiorecorder 14) VIBE: A Group For Blind and Partially Sighted Musicians and Anyone Interested in Accessible Music and Audio TechnologyThe easiest way to get more information is join the list, organized in the UK, but open worldwide, which covers topics such as performance, visual presentation, online promotion, tips for playing different instruments, and access to music and audio software and equipment:vibe-request@freelists.org 📧️ 15) Windows 10: You Can Now Use Cortana To Find Files on a PCWindows Insiders can now use Cortana on their PCs to find and open files:https://blogs.windows.com/windows-insider/2020/12/03/announcing-windows-10-insider-preview-build-20270/ 16) Audio-Describing Diversity, or Addressing the Elephant in the RoomIn this article from Jonathan Penny, who leads ITV's in-house Audio Description Department, he opens up the discussion around how their Audio Description service (AD) conveys race and other visible diversity cues to blind and visually impaired audiences. He posits that, 'Blind and visually impaired users can't appreciate progress in onscreen diversity if it's not mentioned in the Audio Description:'https://jonathan-penny.medium.com/audio-describing-diversity-or-addressing-the-elephant-in-the-room-5d731c0ea8d3 17) iOS Engineers Detail Apple's Approach to Improving Accessibility with iOS 14A new interview with Apple's accessibility and AI/ML engineers goes into more detail on the company's approach to improving accessibility with iOS 14:https://9to5mac.com/2020/12/03/ios-engineer-details-apples-approach-to-improving-accessibility-with-ios-14/ 18) Voiceitt Makes Alexa Accessible To People With Speech ImpairmentsVoiceitt has announced that people with speech impairments will now be able to use the Voiceitt mobile app to access and interact with Amazon's Alexa:https://www.prnewswire.com/il/news-releases/voiceitt-makes-alexa-accessible-for-people-with-disabilities-301185816.html 19) How Autonomous Vehicles are Changing the Future of AccessibilityIn this Sight Tech Global conference interview TechCrunch spoke with Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired about how self-driving cars are going to be impacting accessibility. Take a listen:https://finance.yahoo.com/video/autonomous-vehicles-changing-future-accessibility-203421252.html?guccounter=1 20) Top Tech Tidbits Buy, Sell or TradeWe have four products for sale this week. Review them below or on the Tidbits website at:https://www.toptechtidbits.com/buy-sell-trade.html#listings Top Tech Tidbits Sponsor Classified Ads:Sponsor: Be My Eyes➜ This Week's Classified Ad:Accessible Pharmacy, the new, home delivery pharmacy with a blind founder, is bringing its full range of support and services to Be My Eyes. Users of the Be My Eyes app can now call Accessible Pharmacy directly to get support with medication, medical devices, and even home delivery COVID testing. With a fully trained and discreet pharmacy staff on call from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM Pacific, Accessible Pharmacy is the new way for blind and low vision consumers to get an easy, frictionless pharmacy experience. Call today — and you'll never have to take an Uber to the drugstore again. https://www.bemyeyes.com/blog/accessible-pharmacy-joins-be-my-eyes.Lead Contact: Will Butler, VP of Community
Sponsor Since: November 5th 2020 Website: https://www.bemyeyes.com/ 🌐 Download The App (iOS): Download The App (Android): About: Be My Eyes is a free mobile app that allows anyone who needs video support to get assistance from a dynamic range of volunteers and company customer support professionals from around the world. With more than 4 million volunteers and dozens of companies offering on-demand visual interpretation and support, Be My Eyes is a free, unlimited way to bridge gaps and get access to whatever information you need — 24 hours a day, seven days a week, in any language. Download the app today from the Apple App Store or Google Play. 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 and Service! Mystery Gadget and Doggie bags. Through December 31, we will double the value of your choice of either our $25 or $50 gadgets-leather or "all-things-dog" grab bags. New! Evo 10 Portable Daisy Player with Internet Radio, Podcatcher, timer, lots more; Ivona Joey and Sally voices, Mystic Access tutorial, SD card; $225; Available Now. Leather Orbit Writer case; Braille on the go; $30.00, also part of bundle. Orbit Writer Bundle with hands free pouch, tutorial, case; $150 incl. shipping. Non-Contact Talking Infrared Thermometer; Best one in 15 years; $55 w/shipping. For info, Call Barry: (617) 969-7500 📱️; bscheur@scheur.com 📧️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! 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:The gift certificate guaranteed to be a favourite of the family! World renowned Apple trainer and consultant John Panarese is offering some very special gift certificates! To help families of parents and kids to enjoy access to courses and tutorials! Visit 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:This holiday season, give a gift of love to a family with parents and children with a disability! We need to help them cope with Covid challenges! Donna Jodhan is a high profile podcast commentator and she shares recipes and virtual meals with families in need! Cowboy Beef Stew guaranteed to bring huge smiles to families! Visit Donna at https://donorbox.org/author-donna-jodhan. Your donations will be used to create complete virtual meals for families with parents and kids with disabilities.
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. Your Name Here
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