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Top Tech Tidbits. The Week's News in Access Technology. Masthead logo includes title as well as five photos, a blind man with a white cane wearing dark sunglasses talking and listening to his mobile phone, a woman with sandy brown to blonde hair wearing a hearing aid, finger tips feeling braille dots on a refreshable braille display, a man making the sign for 'family' in American Sign Language (ASL), and a woman reading text from a tablet using magnification software.

Top Tech Tidbits for Thursday, March 11, 2021 - Volume 798

The Week's News in Access Technology
https://toptechtidbits.com/

A Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd. Publication
https://mvsltd.com/

Top Tech Tidbits. The world's #1 online resource for current news and trends in access technology.

This Week's Featured Advertisement: APH ConnectCenter: Your One-Stop Hub for Resources About Thriving with Blindness or Low Vision

Thriving with Vision Loss! Check out APH ConnectCenter's resources - aphconnectcenter.org appears over a banner that reads: ConnectCenter: Connecting people with useful information and resources - followed by the APH Logo.

APH ConnectCenter's suite of websites: VisionAware, APH CareerConnect, and FamilyConnect are chock-full of information about thriving with blindness and low vision at all ages and stages of life. If you're new to life with vision loss - check out the Reader's Digest Getting Started Guide available on the VisionAware website. If you have blindness related questions call our I&R Line at (800) 232-5463 📱️. If you're looking for inspiring success stories from people thriving with blindness, informational webinars, blogs, resources for living with vision loss, and our blindness community calendar check out VisionAware, APH CareerConnect, and FamilyConnect at:
https://aphconnectcenter.org/


Dear Tidbits Subscriber,


1) Top 5 Most Clicked Tidbits From Last Week

A.) The 10 Breakthrough Technologies of 2021: (8.5% of all clicks.)
https://www.technologyreview.com/2021/02/24/1014369/10-breakthrough-technologies-2021/
B.) 6 Clever Ways to Use the Windows Command Prompt: (8.3% of all clicks.)
https://www.wired.com/story/6-windows-command-prompt-clever-tips/?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_brand=wired&mbid=social_twitter&utm_social-type=owned
D.) Alexa Skills That Are Actually Fun and Useful: (7.2% of all clicks.)
https://www.wired.com/story/alexa-skills-that-are-actually-fun-and-useful/
C.) 12 Things You Didn't Know You Could Do in Google Chrome: (7.1% of all clicks.)
https://gizmodo.com/12-things-you-didnt-know-you-could-do-in-google-chrome-1846373120
E.) JAWS Power Tip: Create Row and Column Headers for Ranges that Read Automatically for JAWS Users: (5.0% of all clicks.)
https://doccenter.freedomscientific.com/doccenter/doccenter/rs25c51746a0cc/2013-09-25_ExcelAndWordHeaders/02_HeadersInExcel.htm

2) HIMS Announces The BrailleSense 6: 32-Cell Android Device Running Android 10

It has been rare in recent years to see exciting new product announcements at CSUN, but we have one this year. This YouTube link brings the announcement:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2I1642cdvto
And you can visit the BrailleSense 6 Page here:
https://hims-inc.com/bs6/

3) JAWS Power Tip: Using Voice Schemes

https://www.toptechtidbits.com/15.html

4) Top Tech Tidbits Launches Listserv Directory:

If your list has been mentioned in Top Tech Tidbits in the past you should now find it listed within this new free directory. If you are the administrator of a Listserv dedicated to the discussion of Assistive Technology, and would like to have your Listserv included in this free directory, please visit:
https://www.toptechtidbits.com/listserv-directory.html

5) JAWS with Microsoft Teams Power Tip: Opening a File Using the Files Section of Microsoft Teams

https://www.toptechtidbits.com/14.html

6) Accessibility Overlay Controversy

There has been a lot of social media discussion about "web accessibility" companies, one in particular, providing web accessibility overlays that make web sites less usable than they would otherwise be. Jonathan Mosen is carrying out an investigation on the subject on the Mosen At Large podcast to be recorded on Saturday, 13 March at 19:00 GmT, and people are welcome to join the live recording or listen to the podcast version:
https://mosen.org/mosenatlarge/

7) ZoomText Power Tip: Seeing Two Places at One Time

https://www.toptechtidbits.com/12.html

8) New 'Say My Meme" Podcast Describes Memes for People Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired

Episodes air every week. 6 episodes available so far. "I really, deeply believe that memes are important, and that blind people should be able to enjoy them and use them to enhance their social and cultural credibility," says Will Butler, VP of community at Be My Eyes. "This is how people communicate." To that end, Butler has started a new podcast, Say My Meme, which literally describes some of the internet's most famous memes for a blind audience. On the show, his cohost, Caroline Desrosiers, describes them to Butler, who is legally blind, meaning he gets the same experience as the audience in hearing about many of them for the first time. "Millions and millions of blind people and people with low vision are just not participating in this whole cultural expression," Butler says. "So, when she describes it to me, I feel like I'm being let in on a whole new slice of culture." He says that, just a few weeks into the show, he's been able to have more dynamic conversations with friends because he can now reference memes:
https://www.fastcompany.com/90611875/this-delightful-new-podcast-describes-memes-for-blind-and-visually-impaired-people

9) CSUN 2021 | Booth Schedule for Google

There are still two days left, and visiting exhibitors' booths is free. You can drop in to discuss the topics that interest you according to the schedule:
https://sites.google.com/view/csun2021/booth-schedule?authuser=0

10) NLS BARD Confirms That BARD No Longer Supports Any Version of iOS Earlier Than 11.0

NLS staff worked hard to find a way around this situation, but after an exhaustive search, we have found none. We realize that, especially in these difficult times, this poses a very real hardship for some of you, since the only solution for continuing to use BARD Mobile is to purchase a newer device:
https://agenparl.eu/nls-bard-support-bard-and-older-ios-devices/

11) Microsoft's New 'Group Transcribe' iPhone App Offers Free Real-Time Transcription and Translation

Microsoft recently released a new iPhone app that's aiming to improve in-person meetings and conversations with a new take on smart transcription. The Group Transcribe iOS app is now available and boasts features like highly accurate real-time transcription, translation, speaker attribution, and more:
https://9to5mac.com/2021/03/03/microsofts-group-transcribe-iphone-app-free-transcription-translation/

12) Sounding out Your Story with Audiojack from APH

Audiojack is a fully accessible iOS and Android app complete with sound-based movies and activities that prompt you to tell a story based on what you hear. An "Audiojack" is an audio-based movie comprised only of sound designs that, together, tell a story for your imagination. The Audiojack web and mobile app contain a library of Audiojacks and related activities appropriate for young students to older adults at all levels of experience:
https://www.aph.org/sounding-out-your-story-with-audiojack-from-aph/

13) Recent BrailleCast Podcasts

The latest episodes of this braillecentric podcast include coverage of using braille for notetaking and public speaking:
https://braillecast.com

14) Windows 10's Most Annoying Problems and How to Troubleshoot Them

This comes to us from CNET:
https://www.cnet.com/how-to/windows-10s-most-annoying-problems-and-how-to-troubleshoot-them/

15) 15 Best Tips and Tricks for DuckDuckGo Search Users

Brought to us by MashTips:
https://mashtips.com/duckduckgo-search-tips-tricks/

16) Vocalizer SAPI Voices for Any Screen Reader Now with 148 Voices

This $115 package includes voices for a lot of languages:
https://www.atguys.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=60_20&products_id=242

17) Apple-Friendly Debugger Helps Make Apps and Websites Accessible

At a time when accessibility in apps and websites matters more than ever, Evinced is a new debugging tool that helps developers achieve just that:
https://www.computerworld.com/article/3610333/apple-friendly-debugger-helps-make-apps-and-websites-accessible.html

➜ Podcasts

1) Braillecast | Notetaking: Taking Notes for Yourself

March 2nd 2021 | Led by Holly Scott-Gardner, this session looked at how to take effective notes in braille for your own personal use. We covered increasing your speed when note taking, ways to organise your notes and the tools that you may wish to use:
https://www.braillecast.com/podcast/

2) Damashe and Michael, Just Talking Tech 67 | Surge Protection ++

March 2nd 2021
https://yourownpay.com/dm67/

3) Hadley Presents | Low Vision Support Groups

March 5th 2021 | Support groups can be a great way to connect with others who "get it." Listen in as we chat with low vision support group leaders Lynndah Lahey and Judy Davis describe how their groups are run and what their members get out of them:
https://hadley.edu/podcasts/hadley-presents-conversation-experts/low-vision-support-groups?utm_source=Learners&utm_campaign=c77cac07ee-hadleypresents-ep28-sf_03-05-2021&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_d1babd3418-c77cac07ee-52499638&mc_cid=c77cac07ee&mc_eid=8997daa19d

4) Outdoors with Lawrence Gunther 20 | Let's Go Skating - Blind!

March 5th 2021 | Ms Lilly has some schooling for us on when ice first took hold on planet earth, and how often our big beautiful blue planet freezes up and becomes a snowball. Lilly also found great examples of blind ice skaters who compete in dance, and I reach out to my friend Kevin Frost, the world's fastest blind speed skater, for his tips on speed skating blind and deaf. To wrap things up, I offer up some tips of my own on skating blind:
https://www.stitcher.com/show/outdoors-with-lawrence-gunther/episode/episode-20-ice-and-skating-blind-82163772

5) That Real Blind Tech Show 22 | A Conversation with Dr. Bryan Wolynski, Your Not Just A Giant Eye!

March 6th 2021 | Brian and Ed welcome in Dr. Bryan Wolynski, a good friend of theirs to discuss his career, their experiences at CSUN 2020, and what they are expecting from the all virtual CSUN 2021 starting on March 6, 2021. Bryan goes in to detail about all of the Orcam devices, and the differences between them. We have a frank discussion about how doctors approach giving a patient a life altering visual diagnosis, the state of technology for the blind and visually impaired in 2021 and eye doctors knowledge of available technology:
https://thatrealblindtechshow.libsyn.com/episode-22-a-conversation-with-dr-bryan-wolynski-your-not-just-a-giant-eye

6) Blind Android Users 13 | Every Android Phone Has A Launcher

March 7th 2021 | This episode includes an iInterview with the developer of shortcut maker, an android app that lets you add a shortcut of what ever you want to your home screen. Discussion about the home screen and launchers demo of pixel launcher and Hyperion launcher. A guide/ demo on how to uninstall Samsung talkback and install Google TalkBack on any Samsung phone running 1 ui 3.0 and higher:
https://blindandroidusers.com

7) Say My Meme 6 | Celebrity Memes

March 8th 2021 | From Beyonce to Snoop Dogg, celebrities capture our imagination and serve as relatable avatars for our own emotional journey. To put it simply: they make funny faces and do funny things to make us laugh. That's why celebrity memes are some of the most shared, most recycled genre of meme out there. This week we start with some of the most notable celebrities you might see crop up in memes: Snoop Dogg, Beyonce, Leo DiCaprio and more..
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/say-my-meme/id1554583264

8) Eyes on Success 2111 | Using Tech Skills for Work and Pleasure

March 10th 2021 | In a previous episode, hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talked with Pranav Lal about the vOICe system that he has been using that enables the blind to "see" the environment around them by using sound. This week they talk with him about his career as a cybersecurity consultant and how he continues to make use of the vOICe system in daily life:
https://www.eyesonsuccess.net/show%20notes/show%20notes%202111.htm

9) Blind Tech Guys 76 | TalkBack 9.1 Tips And Tricks

On this week's episode of the pod, Nimer delves further into Talkback 9.1, providing many helpful tips and tricks, Nimer also demonstrates Network Manager Pro and Kirt shows off a great new voice feature using Talkback 9.1:
March 10th 2021
https://www.blindtechguys.com/76

➜ Webinars and Training Courses (Upcoming)

1) ACB Community Call: Vispero Presentation | Discussing the Scratchpad Feature of The Focus Braille Displays

March 11th 2021 | 12PM PT, 1PM MT, 2PM CT, 3PM ET, 8PM GMT | Join Ron Miller to discuss the Focus Scratch Pad, Where, How, and Why? Sponsored by Vispero https://www.freedomscientific.com/. | One tap mobile: +13126266799,,88275409010# | Phone: (312) 626-6799 📱️ | Webinar ID: 882 7540 9010 | Passcode: 974968 | Join the webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88275409010?pwd=dlZ1VFozQWlEcHZtSXBBZ25EQzRZdz09

2) ACB Community Call: Apple Presentation - What About The Mac?

March 12th 2021 | 12PM PT, 1PM MT, 2PM CT, 3PM ET, 8PM GMT | With all this talk about how awesome Apple products really are, should I consider a Mac? Join Apple Teacher Matt Vollbrecht and his team as they attempt to answer this question, by exploring situations in which you might need a Mac, and situations where you definitely won't. Also, learn about the various Mac models available today. Sponsored by The Tech Juggernaut at https://ttjtech.net/. | One tap mobile: +13126266799,,84439933345# | Phone: (312) 626-6799 📱️ | Webinar ID: 844 3993 3345 | Join the webinar:
https://acb-org.zoom.us/j/84439933345

3) Wayaround App on Maryland Technology Group Call

March 13th 2021 | 7AM PT, 8AM MT, 9AM CT, 10AM ET, 3PM GMT | The Wayaround App. Makes labeling with a smartphone easy. To hear about this app, dial into the program by calling (319) 527-4994 📱️:
https://www.marylandlibraries.org/Pages/Technology%20User%20Group.aspx

4) Free iPad Course for VoiceOver Geared Toward Middle School / High School Students

March 16th 2021 | This six-session course invites students to come and play games using their iPad with VoiceOver. Through game-based learning, students will learn and reinforce VoiceOver specific skills and explore apps helpful to the VoiceOver user. Through scavenger hunts, murder mysteries, and escape rooms, students will make friendships and connect with peers who are also VoiceOver users. Learn more about this and other California School for the Blind Short Courses here:
https://www.csb-cde.ca.gov/outreach/shortcourses/index.aspx

5) Microsoft Outlook with JAWS in Conjunction with a PC, Focus Braille Display, and the ElBraille

March 17th 2021 | 9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 5PM GMT | From Access Ingenuity. Here is the Zoom link to attend:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85689955338?pwd=TlU1NTBhdUNFUlZCNGZnMDVscXM4dz09

6) Free Training Course from Humanware and the California School for the Blind (CSB) | BrailleNote Touch Plus Notetaker for Teachers and Professionals

March 17th 2021 | 3:30 PM PT, 4:30 PM MT, 5:30 PM CT, 6:30 PM ET, 11:30 PM GMT | Presented by: Rachel Feinberg, West Coast Blindness Product Specialist on behalf of HumanWare Technologies. The very full agenda will cover: Introduction and orientation to the BrailleNote Touch Plus. Who benefits from use of the BrailleNote. Skills needed to prepare for BrailleNote use. Efficiency of the BrailleNote with built-in keyboard short-cuts as a "braille first" product. Use of BrailleNote vs. iPad with braille display. Overview of Google Drive/Google Docs. How to upload files to Google Drive/download files from Google Drive for editing in KeyWord. Explore EasyReader+. Download books from Bookshare and navigate contents. Web browsing using Chrome . Discussion of remote viewing of the BrailleNote screen including TeamViewer as well as other screen-sharing options. Overview of KeyMath. Q and A throughout training. Register here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc2LZDZ1PQVsGVFyP9G-CI_icKbizjOvzok-Vis9lGlZgOmqQ/viewform

7) Envision App Webinar Q&A

March 17th 2021 | 8AM PT, 9AM MT, 10AM CT, 11AM ET, 4PM GMT | Register at:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_HyLgTVMgRHiKaVDqFDryRQ?timezone_id=Europe%2FLondon

8) Training Course from Hartgen Consultancy | Winning Teams! Using Microsoft Teams with JAWS for Windows

March 17th 2021 | 11AM PT, 12PM MT, 1PM CT, 2PM ET, 7PM GMT | Cost: £150.00 / $205.00 USD | Four training sessions starting on Wednesday, March 17th 2021 and then weekly each Wednesday thereafter. If you cannot make a live session, you will have access to the recording of it shortly after. Requirements, registration and what you will receive available here:
http://www.hartgen.org/teams

9) Guidelights and Gadgets Product Demonstrations for The Florida Outreach Center for the Blind

March 18th 2021 | 8AM PT, 9AM MT, 10AM CT, 11AM ET, 4PM GMT | Zoom meeting. | This workshop is committed to describing and demonstrating unique products within three categories: gadgets and electronics, leather bags and pouches of all types and "all things dog" for handlers and their companions. One tap mobile: +13126266799,,#,# | Direct Dial: +1 (312) 626-6799 📱️ | Meeting ID: 561 642 0005 | If the system prompts you to enter a participant code just press the pound key. Join at:
https://zoom.us/j/5616420005

10) Free Training Course from Humanware and the California School for the Blind (CSB) | BrailleNote Touch Plus Notetaker for Students, Teachers and Families.

March 31st 2021 | 3:30 PM PT, 4:30 PM MT, 5:30 PM CT, 6:30 PM ET, 11:30 PM GMT | Presented by: Rachel Feinberg, West Coast Blindness Product Specialist on behalf of HumanWare Technologies. The format of the training will be primarily question and answer.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdzzuwVaRWiWtgsBmN_XPYsihhJ8b_vXAc8eYCV19CJrwNfcQ/viewform

11) TravelAbility Launches the World's First Pitchfest Featuring Adaptive Technology + Products from 9 Countries

April 1st 2021 | 8AM PT, 9AM MT, 10AM CT, 11AM ET, 4PM GMT | TravelAbility LaunchPad will be the first of four TravelAbility events in 2021. TravelAbility is sponsored by Google, Expedia, AccessiBe and Design Sensory. Think "Shark Tank" at the intersection of travel and disability. LaunchPad will be promoted internationally to provide exposure to prospective investors, grant funders and travel industry professionals that may become possible distribution partners. Registration is $195. Check out the agenda and register here:
http://travelability.net/agenda/

12) Microsoft 2021 Ability Summit

May 5th & 6th 2021 | The Microsoft Ability Summit is a two-day, free digital event experience that brings together people with disabilities, allies, and accessibility professionals to Imagine, Build, Include, and Empower the future of disability inclusion and accessibility. We encourage all to join and spread the word. Registration will open in March. In the meantime, learn more and check out the Ability Summit 2021 announcement video here:
https://sway.office.com/Dbr2Uz14PIn31Dq8

13) National Federation of the Blind 2021 National Convention

July 6th 2021 through July 10th 2021 | Register for free to attend the largest gathering of blind people and take advantage of the opportunity to network with thousands of blind role models, connect with leaders in the field of blindness, attend presentations on a variety of empowering topics, and learn about the latest in technology and innovation. Learn more and register here:
https://www.nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention

➜ Job Announcements

1) Virtual Career Fair For People With Disabilities

March 23rd 2021 | Are you a person with a disability, looking for a career opportunity or internship? This Virtual Career Fair is free for career seekers with disabilities to attend. Experienced professionals, recent college graduates and college students with disabilities meet online with employers across the nation to discuss competitive career opportunities. Candidates are invited to interact with employers via chat sessions. Learn more and register here:
https://www.careereco.com/Fair/EventDetails?fairId=6a058ac1-e837-4b18-a883-ac4e0161fe77

➜ Press Releases and Other News

1) Overwatch Community Rallies Around Blind Player After Stunning Highlight

For many players the Overwatch community has become their family. After a legally blind player saved their team from defeat, Overwatch fandom has rallied behind them:
https://www.dexerto.com/overwatch/overwatch-community-rallies-around-blind-player-after-stunning-highlight-1525220/

2) How YouTube's New Audio Feature is Helping Ubisoft Make its Trailers More Accessible

YouTube's new audio track feature offers companies a new option for making their videos more accessible to the visually impaired. The feature is still in beta, and only available to a small number of channels, but it allows for multiple audio tracks to be added to a video:
https://www.techradar.com/news/how-youtubes-new-audio-feature-is-helping-ubisoft-make-its-trailers-more-accessible

3) Building the Bionic Eye... With Car Tech?

Dr. Michael Beyeler and his team at UC Santa Barbara are prepping a smart prosthesis that provides cues to the visually impaired, much like a computer vision system talks to a self-driving car:
https://uk.pcmag.com/news/131896/building-the-bionic-eyewith-car-tech

➜ Buy, Sell or Trade

1) FOR SALE: Brailiant BI 14 Portable Braille Display

Listing Date: 2/25/2021 | Price: $375.00 USD | Condition: Gently used. | Description: This display has a new main board , and a new battery. Comes with Executive Products Carrying Case. I will ship with in the Continental US. | Contact: jimoneill1@verizon.net 📧️ or (215) 317-9877 📱️ |

2) FOR SALE: One Buy, Sell or Trade Advertisement (Just like this one.)

Price: $5.00 USD | Description: List your new, gently-used or refurbished item in FOUR (4) consecutive issues of Top Tech Tidbits for just $5.00 USD. | Buy an Ad: Fill out this short 10-step form ✔ to secure your Buy, Sell or Trade Advertisement today. | Learn more at: https://www.toptechtidbits.com/buy-sell-trade.html 🌐 |


Top Tech Tidbits Sponsor Classified Ads:


Sponsor: APH ConnectCenter

➜ This Week's Classified Ad:

VisionAware Resources: The Reader's Digest Getting Started Guide to Vision Loss
APHConnectCenter has resources to help blind and low vision people thrive. Share the Reader's Digest Getting Started with Vision Loss Guide with people who need to know about living with vision loss.
https://visionaware.org/

APH ConnectCenter logo.

Sponsor Since: March 4th 2021 Calendar icon.

Website: https://aphconnectcenter.org/ 🌐

Email: connectcenter@aph.org 📧️

APH ConnectCenter Information and Referral Line:
(800) 232-5463 📱️

Hours: Monday - Friday from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM ET

Facebook (CareerConnect) | Facebook (FamilyConnect) | Facebook (VisionAware) | Twitter | YouTube

About: The APH ConnectCenter offers curated advice and resources to assist children, parents, adults, and job seekers who are blind or visually impaired, and their associated professionals, leading to greater independence and success in their lives.


Sponsor: Humanware

➜ This Week's Classified Ad:

BRAILLIANT Renewed! The NEW Brailliant BI X Series is here!
The wait is over! A redefined family of Brailliant refreshable Braille displays has arrived! The NEW Brailliant BI X Series will help you stay connected, download books from many participating online libraries and share information easily with your peers. You will enjoy the intuitive, seamless user experience of KeySoft Lite, the HumanWare flagship accessibility suite designed to make you more productive. Including the Brailliant BI 40X and the Brailliant BI 20X, this is the Brailliant idea you need!
http://www.humanware.ca/web/en/newsletter/070120211100-BrailliantBIX-Launch-US.htm

Humanware logo.

Sponsor Since: February 4th 2021 Calendar icon.

Website: http://humanware.com/ 🌐

Phone (Asia): +61 2 9686 2600 📱️
Phone (Australia): +61 2 9686 2600 📱️
Phone (Canada): +1 888 723-7273 📱️
Phone (Europe): +44 1933 415 800 📱️
Phone (International): +44 1933 415 800 📱️
Phone (Ireland): +01 8307033 📱️
Phone (New Zealand): +027 700 1674 📱️
Phone (United Kingdom): +01933 415800 📱️
Phone (United States): +1 800 722-3393 📱️

YouTube Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRWVYiggn-w 🎥

About: HumanWare is the global leader in assistive technology for people who are blind or have low vision. HumanWare offers a wide range of innovative products, including the BrailleNote Touch, first Google certified braille tablet, the iOS compatible Brailliant braille displays, Victor Reader®, the world's leading family of digital audiobook players, the unique Prodigi® family of desktop and portable vision and reading systems, and the ultra-portable explore line of electronic handheld magnifier.


Sponsor: Dolphin Computer Access

➜ This Week's Classified Ad:

Introducing SuperNova Kiosks
Deliver a positive experience to all of your customers by making your self-service stations accessible for all levels of sight. Choose SuperNova Kiosks and empower people with partial sight to explore the screen in comfort and provide complete access for people who are blind. Learn more about SuprNova Kiosks at:
https://yourdolphin.com/en-gb/supernova-kiosks

Dolphin logo.

Sponsor Since: January 28th 2021 Calendar icon.

Website: https://yourdolphin.com/ 🌐

Phone (USA & Canada): +1 (866) 797-5921 📱️

Phone (UK, Europe & Asia): +44 01905 754577 📱️

Phone (Nordic & Baltic Contries): +46 0515 82175 📱️

Download a FREE 30-Day Trial of GuideConnect
GuideConnect Trial

Download a FREE 30-Day Trial of SuperNova
SuperNova Trial

About: Dolphin Computer Access offers a wide array of solutions for students, people in the workforce, and at home who are blind, visually impaired or have dyslexia. Each product is purposefully designed to help users, with varying levels of technology experience, do everyday things EASILY on computers and tablets. Founded in 1986 and located in Worcester England, Dolphin has grown to become a global market leader worldwide.


Sponsor: Vorail

➜ This Week's Classified Ad:

The true beauty of a person lies within and if you hear our voices, you'll quickly understand.
24-hour peer-to-peer tech support in voice, and much more. Get answers to just about anything you need to know, whether it is blindness related or not, and make incredible friends. Follow who you like, mute those you don't. We're not alone in this blindness thing. Ask-alls range from "How to do X from an accessibility standpoint?" to "What do you keep in your bed other than yourself?" to "What word would you use to describe 2020? to "What word to describe your hopes for 2021?". Vorail is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
https://vorail.com/toptechtidbits

Vorail logo.

Sponsor Since: January 21st 2021 Calendar icon.

Website: https://www.vorail.com/toptechtidbits/ 🌐

Download The App (iOS):
Vorail for iOS - From the Apple App Store 📱

Download The App (Android):
Vorail for Android - From the Google Play Store 📱

Mission: Vorail is the only platform in the world for the low vision and blind community where everybody can join conversations by voice on equal footing. Every day members of the Vorail community create ask-alls (questions) about life (news, health, technology, religion, sports and more) that allow us to see the world differently, and connect in a way that is deeper than 'liking' a photo. Vorail is an audio-only experience, voice is the window into a human soul. It does not matter if you are tall, short, wide, thin, white, or black when nobody sees your picture. Without the visuals, what counts is who you are, the person inside. That is the mission of Vorail, to create an extended family where we are judged for who we are, not what we look like.


Sponsor: Be My Eyes

➜ This Week's Classified Ad:

Accessible Pharmacy Joins Be My Eyes
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

Be My Eyes logo.

Sponsor Since: November 5th 2020 Calendar icon.

Website: https://www.bemyeyes.com/ 🌐

Download The App (iOS):
Be My Eyes for iOS - From the Apple App Store 📱

Download The App (Android):
Be My Eyes for Android - From the Google Play Store 📱

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: LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired Adaptations Online Store

➜ This Week's Classified Ad:

LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired Adaptations Online Store 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!

LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired Adaptations Online Store logo.

Sponsor Since: October 1, 2020 Calendar icon.

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:

Get Coding with Code JumperTM
Code JumperTM is a fully accessible and inclusive computer coding innovation, originally designed by Microsoft® and developed by APH (for Windows, Chromebook, and Android devices)! With Code Jumper, students across the vision spectrum can learn the basics of computer programming and computational thinking by tactually creating computer code that can tell stories and make music. Learn more at:
https://www.aph.org/product/code-jumper/.

American Printing House (APH) logo.

Sponsor Since: July 2nd 2020 Calendar icon.

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
Our new Non-Contact Infrared Talking Thermometer is by far the most consistent and accurate one available; and also new BP meter; demos http://www.guidelightsandgadgets.us/ $50 each. New Evo 10 Media and Daisy Players back in stock, no BARD, but lots more, even an audio editor, Ivona voices, $230.00 w/tutorial. New adjustable leather phone case, and many other bag specials! | Join us for a presentation: Florida Outreach Center March 18, 2021 at 11:00 AM EST | https://zoom.us/j/5616420005 | Or call: +1 312 626 6799 📱️ | Meeting ID: 5616420005 | Then press pound key. | Call Barry: (617) 969-7500 📱️; bscheur@scheur.com 📧️

Director, http://www.GuideLightsAndGadgets.us

GuideLights And Gadgets logo. The silhouette of a man with a cane in one hand and the harness of a trained guide dog in the other walk together through the grass at sunrise. GuideLights And Gadgets. Personal. Affordable. Responsive. Trusted.

Sponsor Since: June 25th 2020 Calendar icon.

Website: http://www.guidelightsandgadgets.us/ 🌐

For Gadgets and Leather Contact Barry at:
Phone: (617) 969-7500 📱️
Email: bscheur.gadgetsandtech@gmail.com 📧️

For All Things Dog Contact Kae at:
Phone: (781) 286-1696 📱️
Email: guidelightdogs@gmail.com 📧️

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:

Pluggable USB-C 7-in-1 Hub
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 Pluggable USB-C 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

A. T. Guys logo.

Sponsor Since: June 11th 2020 Calendar icon.

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:

Mac For The Blind Tutorials and Courses
John Panarese, world-renowned Apple Trainer and Consultant is at it again! He is offering new and exciting courses for the Spring! Not too late to register and cash in on the Winter offerings as well! Visit https://www.macfortheblind.com for more information.

MacForTheBlind.com logo.

Director, https://www.MacForTheBlind.com
Authorized Apple Business Affiliate
Apple Certified Support Professional
Apple Certified Trainer
Assistive Technology Consultant

Sponsor Since: June 4th 2020 Calendar icon.

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:

Sight loss coach and high profile trainer Donna Jodhan! Donna offers you a chance to put your sight loss behind you and enrich your lives with positiveness! Donna will help you to overcome challenges in the home, garden, socially, technically, and show you how to overcome much more! Visit Donna at: https://donnajodhan.com/.

Author Donna Jodhan logo.

Author, Donna Jodhan Publications
President, Sterling Creations
President, Barrier Free Canada / Canada sans Barrieres

Sponsor Since: June 4th 2020 Calendar icon.

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:

Voice Training
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 if interested at:
topdot@gmail.com

Editor, Top Tech Tidbits Newsletter

Top Tech Tidbits logo.

Sponsor Since: June 4th 2020 Calendar icon.

Website: https://www.toptechtidbits.com/ 🌐

About: Dean Martineau is the Founder and a Contributing Editor to the Top Tech Tidbits Newsletter.


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