Top Tech Tidbits for Thursday, July 1, 2021 - Volume 813The Week's News in Access Technology 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: Welcome to Convention Season; Orbit Reader, New Products, Deals, and MoreIt's convention season at A. T. Guys, and we're celebrating with deals, new products, and more. Whether you're attending the NFB or ACB virtual conventions, or just looking for a deal, visit us for the latest info, as more deals will be added throughout the month. We have a few Orbit Reader 40 units in stock and ready to ship. Plus, we're including a free 32GB memory card with all Orbit Reader 40 orders. Check out the brand new Versa Slate, the paperless, braille slate for taking quick notes or practicing braille. Or how about our folding Bluetooth keyboard or our travel wall charger, or our ever-expanding line of Bluetooth headsets to wear on the go. Check out our loudest Bluetooth speaker yet, the 40-watt Stormbox Pro, or pair two of them together to make your party twice as nice. Plus, use coupon "ttt21" to get free shipping on orders of $79 or more through July 10 for U.S. customers. Visit https://www.atguys.com/tidbits or call (269) 216-4798 📱️. Or Email support@atguys.com 📧️ with questions. Dear Tidbits Subscriber,1) Top 5 Most Clicked Tidbits From Last WeekA.) All The Best New iOS 15 Features That Apple Didn't Reveal at WWDC: (8.5% of all clicks.)https://bgr.com/tech/ios-15-update-features-tips-tricks-maps-text-selection-drag-drop-5931648/ B.) F6 Is Your Friend: (8.1% of all clicks.) https://blindaccessjournal.com/2021/06/f6-is-your-friend/ C.) Progress in JAWS Voice Assistant: (3.7% of all clicks.) https://support.freedomscientific.com/downloads/jaws/JAWSWhatsNew D.) How to Convert a Word Document to a PowerPoint Presentation: (3.5% of all clicks.) https://www.howtogeek.com/729133/how-to-convert-a-word-document-to-a-powerpoint-presentation/ E.) 9 Ways to Open a Word Document Without Word: (3.5% of all clicks.) https://helpdeskgeek.com/office-tips/9-ways-to-open-a-word-document-without-word/ 2) Game On | 4 New Endorsements | Top Tech Tidbits BVI Technology Game DirectoryTidbits readers need your help. They want to know what games they should be playing. And not just for accessibility, but for pure enjoyment. If you are a blind or visually impaired gamer and you play a game that you would like to tell other blind or visually impaired gamers about, please submit your game to the Top Tech Tidbits BVI Technology Game Directory today. And remember, if you come across a game in the Directory that you agree is awesome, be sure to endorse it by submitting it yourself so that it moves up the list where more people will notice it:https://www.toptechtidbits.com/game-directory.html 3) Western Digital Drives Being Remotely Wiped: What Experts Say To Do NowOwners of some Western Digital external hard drives should disconnect them from the internet and probably turn them off completely, as reports of remotely wiped data continue. The drive-maker confirmed last week that some owners had seen their network-connected storage accessed unofficially and a complete reset triggered, though details on just how much people should be concerned continue to emerge:https://www.slashgear.com/western-digital-drives-remotely-wiped-what-experts-say-to-do-now-26680074/ 4) Windows 11: Release Date, Price, and Everything You Need To KnowIt turns out Windows 10 wasn't the last version of Windows after all, but that's okay, because Windows 11 will be free for all Windows 10 users, and includes a whole bunch of new features and improvements over the current version of Windows. This is everything you need to know:https://www.windowscentral.com/windows-11 5) What Are the Minimum System Requirements to Run Windows 11?With Windows 11 arriving at the end of 2021, Microsoft has announced the minimum system specifications required to run the new operating system:https://www.howtogeek.com/737029/what-are-the-minimum-system-requirements-to-run-windows-11/ 6) How to Check if Your Windows 10 PC Can Run Windows 11Windows 11 was officially announced as the latest version of Microsoft's operating system on June 24th 2021. Naturally, you most likely want to know if your Windows 10 computer will be able to run the new update. Microsoft has a handy tool to help you check:https://www.howtogeek.com/737021/how-to-check-if-your-windows-10-pc-can-run-windows-11/ 7) The Most Important New Features in Windows 11https://www.wired.com/story/most-important-things-microsoft-announcement-windows-11-android-apps/8) June 2020 AccessWorldIn the June 2020 AccessWorld, we find "Apple TV+: A Very Accessible Service," "Battle of the Trackers: Tile vs AirTag," "A Never-Ending Convention on your Phone: A Guide to the Clubhouse Audio App," "Audio Description Isn't Just for Video," "Book Review: Audio Description: What It Is, Where to Find It, and How to Use It, by Judy Dixon," and "Book Review: Basics for the Beginning User: Mac OS 11 Big Sur Update, by Janet Ingber:"https://www.afb.org/aw/22/6 9) Learn Eleventy From ScratchIn this 31-lesson written course, we go from a completely empty directory to a full-blown marketing site for a design agency, and along the way, we dive really deep into Eleventy and front-end development best practices:https://piccalil.li/course/learn-eleventy-from-scratch/ 10) WebAIM: Screen Reader User Survey #9 ResultsAlways fascinating to see what the survey respondents say this year:https://webaim.org/projects/screenreadersurvey9/ 11) Senior Accessibility Software Development Engineer at Microsoft Offers ResourcesThis article contains references to a number of Windows desktop accessibility-related resources for software solution builders:https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/reflections-twenty-years-exploration-guy-barker 12) Current List of Audio Files from The Braillists FoundationLots of material here on using and learning Braille, with more produced each week:https://www.braillists.org/media/ 13) Tech Auction from MichiganThe NFB of Michigan is hosting the Summer of Tech online auction, with items including accessible TV's, an iPad, a Victor Trek, a smart air fryer and more. Auction ends July 11th 2021 at 01:00 GMT:https://www.nfbmi.org/auction 14) Google TalkBack Has Almost Caught up with iOS VoiceOverThis tech instructor was pleased with the development of TalkBack:https://technologyisawesome.com/2021/06/25/google-talkback-almost-caught-up-with-ios-voiceover/ 15) Using Your Amazon Echo Alexa to Join Zoom MeetingsThis information brought to us by the Inclusive Ability Initiative:https://iabilityi.com/using-your-amazon-echo-alexa-to-join-zoom-meetings/uncategorized/ 16) Webinar Recordings From TPGiJune 9th 2021 | Transitioning from WCAG 2.0-2.1https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-june-9-transitioning-from-wcag-2-0-2-1/ June 29th 2021 | Undertaking JAWS Screen Reader Compatibility Testing in Real Life https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-june-29-undertaking-jaws-screen-reader-compatibility-testing-in-real-life/ 17) Three New Voice Features for Outlook Mobile — Now on iOS, and Coming Soon to AndroidMicrosoft recently announced new enhanced voice capabilities in Outlook mobile for iOS (and coming soon to Android) that make using voice to schedule meetings and compose emails simpler for everyone. These new AI-enhanced voice capabilities quickly contextualize your voice requests and provide a rapid response, making it more easy and natural to work on the go:https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/blog/2021/06/08/three-new-voice-features-for-outlook-mobile-now-on-ios-and-coming-soon-to-android/ 18) Quinter, A Simple Yet Efficient and Powerful Twitter Client for Windows and Mac OSThis is a new client, but is being developed quickly and has received some positive reviews from blind users:http://masonasons.me/pages/quinter.php ➜ Press Releases and Other News1) Another Big Win in the Domino's Pizza Accessibility SagaThis is an article about a judge's decision in the Domino's Pizza web access case. The judge ruled that Domino's violated the Americans with Disabilities Act. It violated the law because its website was not fully accessible to a blind customer. The judge ordered Domino's to fix the site. Domino's also must pay $4,000.00 to the blind person who filed the lawsuit. The judge also ruled that Domino's mobile app was covered by the ADA. But the judge did not have enough facts to decide who won that part of the case. This order is the next step after the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in 2019 not to hear the case:https://www.lflegal.com/2021/06/dominos-june-2021/ 2) Largest U.S. Blind Advocacy Group Bans Web Accessibility Overlay Giant AccessiBeThe National Federation of the Blind, America's most powerful civil rights and advocacy group for the visually impaired has launched a scathing attack on web accessibility overlay market leader accessiBe, accusing the company of engaging in "harmful" practices:https://www.forbes.com/sites/gusalexiou/2021/06/26/largest-us-blind-advocacy-group-bans-web-accessibility-overlay-giant-accessibe/?sh=3fa7f2db5a15 3) How to Borrow eBooks from a Library on a Kindle for FreeWe cannot currently vouch for the accessibility of this process. If anyone else in the community can please reach out to us. You might think that the only way to get ebooks on your Kindle is to buy them from Amazon. But the truth is that you have access to a literal library of free books. All you need is a library card:https://www.howtogeek.com/735643/how-to-borrow-ebooks-from-a-library-on-a-kindle-for-free/ 4) Keep Your Ear On The Ball: Beep Ball Engages Sight-Impaired AthletesIn Beep Baseball — a coed game adapted for visually impaired athletes — it's either a run or an out. There are 32 sanctioned teams in the United States playing the sport. Countries such as Taiwan, Canada, France and the Dominican Republic also have programs. The World Series will be played July 25th 2021 - August 1st in Wichita, Kansas:https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2021/06/26/keep-your-ear-on-the-ball-beep-ball-engages-sight-impaired-athletes/ 5) Text-to-Speech App Aims to Help People with Disabilities to ReadHonored as one of 12 winners worldwide in Apple's Design Awards, a text-to-speech app created by Arlington-based Voice Dream aims to provide an idealistic solution for users who are blind, visually-impaired or face learning disabilities to read:https://www.bizjournals.com/boston/inno/stories/from-the-community/2021/06/24/text-to-speech-app-aims-to-help-people-with-disabi.html 6) Bedford Biotech Restores "Meaningful Vision" in Blind Patients With Gene Therapy — and May Soon Go PublicNanoscope Therapeutics successfully treated 11 patients blinded by advanced retinitis pigmentosa (RP). A single intravitreal injection produced positive results that persisted through one year. The startup plans a Phase 2b trial this summer and plans to develop gene therapies to treat more common retinal diseases — like dry age-related macular degeneration:https://dallasinnovates.com/bedford-biotech-restores-meaningful-vision-in-blind-patients-with-gene-therapy-and-may-soon-go-public/ 7) 'Smart Cane' Brings Tech Advances to Visually ImpairedWhite sticks used by the visually impaired to help them get about have had a hi-tech makeover, with a "smart cane" that doesn't just detect obstacles but can also give users information about the shops and restaurants they are passing:https://www.reuters.com/technology/smart-cane-brings-tech-advances-visually-impaired-2021-06-29/ 8) Business Accommodations for Employees with Hearing Impairments, Vision Impairments, Or Other DisabilitiesIf your business has 15 or more employees, it's required to provide reasonable accommodations per the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you have fewer employees, accommodations might still be mandated, depending on state or local laws. Regardless of the legalities, it's smart for any business to offer accommodations that don't impose an undue hardship. The changes usually are simple and free. At the same time, they widen applicant pools, enhance morale, and foster an atmosphere of inclusion:https://www.business.com/legal/business-accommodations-guide-employees/ 9) The MiniVision2: A Solid Basic Cell PhoneA review from Karl Belanger:https://nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/bm/bm21/bm2105/bm210519.htm 10) Kellogg's Launches New Cereal Boxes That Are More Accessible for Blind PeopleKellogg's is rolling out new packaging which lets a smartphone easily detect an on-pack code and play back labelling information to shoppers. Users can download an app and point their phone at a coloured square label on a black background on the box:https://www.thesun.co.uk/money/15440475/kelloggs-cereal-boxes-that-accessible-blind-people/ 11) Samsung's Smart TVs Get Another Certification for Their Accessibility FeaturesThe company has announced that its smart TVs have received the ATECH certification from ONCE Foundation in Spain. The certificate has been awarded to multiple TVs in Samsung's lineup: Neo QLED TV, 4K QLED TV, 8K QLED TV, The Frame, The Serif, The Sero, and The Terrace. It means that the company's TVs are more accessible and easier to use for people who are completely blind or those who have limited vision or color blindness:https://www.sammobile.com/news/samsung-smart-tvs-accessibility-features-certification/ 12) How An Easy-to-Use Razor Helped a Shave Brand Lead The Way in Social Media AccessibilityFor anyone living with visual impairment, routine tasks that might pose a challenge can be made easier with the right tools, making daily life less stressful and allowing everyone to live their lives to the fullest. Digital Content Creator Molly Burke, a YouTuber, motivational speaker, author, and commercial model who is blind, partnered with Schick Intuition to help get the word out about using more accessible and inclusive approaches to social media content:https://warwickonline.com/stories/how-an-easy-to-use-razor-helped-a-shave-brand-lead-the-way-in-social-media-accessibility,163026? 13) A Century Ago, the Optophone Allowed Blind People to Hear the Printed WordThe optophone turned letters into tones and was the proof of concept for optical character recognition:https://spectrum.ieee.org/tech-history/dawn-of-electronics/a-century-ago-the-optophone-allowed-blind-people-to-hear-the-printed-word ➜ Featured Podcast Episodes1) Audio Described National Parks | Hadley Presents: A Conversation with the ExpertsJune 25th 2021Audio Describe the World! That's the mantra of UniDescription: a free smartphone app that provides audio descriptions and navigation tips for US National Parks and other public places: https://hadley.edu/podcasts/hadley-presents-conversation-experts/audio-described-national-parks 2) Blind Android Users 29 | Battle of the OCR Packages and Interview with Lookout Team MembersJune 26th 2021 | In this episode we demo many popular OCR packages like Lookout by Google, Supersense, Speak! Sullivan+, KNFB Reader and Legere Scanner, to see who is the King of OCR. We then have a chat with Scot Adams and Zoe Ortiz from the Google Lookout OCR team. In our My Android Journey, John Dyer tells us how he got started with Android:https://blindandroidusers.com/ 3) Outdoors with Lawrence Gunther 28 | Dragon Boat Competitions and the BlindJune 26th 2021Dragon boats may be over 2,500 years old, but blind and vision impaired athletes love them. ON this episode of AMI Audio's podcast, "Outdoors with Lawrence Gunther", it's all about what it takes to become a competitive dragon boat paddler. Ms Lilly explores their origins, and we speak with Albert McDonald, a dragon boat coach for the Dartmouth Dragon Boat vision impaired team. Lawrence, a competitive dragon boat paddler himself, shares his tips and insights on what it takes to be a competitive paddler and winning team: https://www.bemyeyes.com/podcasts/when-everybodys-watching 4) Mosen At Large 135June 26th 2021 Windows 11 comments, inaccessible financial data, have we gone soft on blindness advocacy and more:https://mosenatlarge.pinecast.co/episode/955471c4/windows-11-comments-inaccessible-financial-data-have-we-gone-soft-on-blindness-advocacy-and-more 5) That Real Blind Tech Show 41 | Grumpy Old ChoicesJune 26th 2021We start off discussing a recent petition started in England demanding that all content aired and streamed provide audio description. You can sign the petition here. We then discuss a bill being drafted before the U.S. Congress to make: https://thatrealblindtechshow.libsyn.com/episode-41-grumpy-old-choices 6) Say My Meme | Beach MemesJune 29th 2021It's hotter than ever, and so this week we decided to pull some memes that everyone can relate to: What happens at the beach. Whether it's that weirdo with the metal detector or the bizarre sunburn you came home with, this is your jumping off point for summer: https://www.bemyeyes.com/podcasts/beach-memes 7) Eyes on Success 2127 | Missy Mouse BooksJune 30th 2021Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey speak with Mike May, the subject of "Crashing Through", a bestselling book about his experiences regaining partial vision through a stem cell transfer and corneal transplant. Having lost his vision initially at age 3, his visual cortex was only partially developed. He had to learn some things he never knew and how to use what new vision he got: https://www.eyesonsuccess.net/show%20notes/show%20notes%201227.htm ➜ Featured Webinars, Training Courses and Events1) Envision's First Town Hall EventJuly 1st 2021 | 9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT | You can join this event via Clubhouse, Twitter Spaces or Zoom on Thursday, July 1st 2021 at 12:00 PM ET. Here is the Zoom registration link:https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_qqahQGQPS0GwIdRqpEy9Qw?_x_zm_rtaid=SJ6AB7nUSP-tqxcUziSeQQ.1624440625547.23cd4d8f0693d7f7aa06ef54bf914c4c&_x_zm_rhtaid=900 And here is the Clubhouse link: https://www.clubhouse.com/join/envisioners/V3rITPe6/PQRWqq2n 2) National Association of Guide Dog Users 2021 Annual SeminarJuly 6th 2021 | 10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT | The seminar committee has been working hard to ensure that our seminar will be filled with great information, and of course our traditional door prizes. This year's theme is "Celebrating Puppy Raisers Everywhere." In addition, the seminar will feature a veterinary piece, updates from guide dog training programs and our advocacy component will prepare everyone for this year's resolutions. The NAGDU annual business meeting will take place on Thursday, July 8th 2021, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM ET. During the business meeting we will hold our annual elections, hear from our legal department, and learn about all the things NAGDU has been up to over the past year. Please use the below link to register. Registration will close at midnight Eastern July 6. Remember, to be eligible for door prizes, you must register. We are looking forward to seeing everyone in July:https://bit.ly/2T5FWBI 3) National Federation of the Blind 2021 National ConventionJuly 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 4) How To Fully Utilize Clubhouse, Facebook and Zoom | Technology User GroupJuly 10th 2021 | 7AM PT, 8AM MT, 9AM CT, 10AM ET, 2PM GMT | On Saturday, July 10th 2021, the Technology User Group prepares you to fully utilize Clubhouse Facebook and Zoom. Whether you attend Zoom meetings or pursue other avenues of socialization, we all want to share and enjoy the benefits that Zoom, Clubhouse and Facebook can bring. Unmuting a microphone at the wrong time or posting in the wrong edit field can be a humbling experience. Please join us as we help you to avoid mistakes and transform you into a master of your social universe. The presentation will be virtual and may be joined by calling (319) 527-4994 📱️. You do not have to RSVP for this event. The presentation will begin at 10:00 AM ET and last about 90 minutes. We look forward to meeting with you virtually on Saturday, July 10th, and hope that you will join us for other exciting events we have planned for 20215) Important Aspects of PDF Remediation | TPGiJuly 14th 2021 | 9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT | PDFs and other electronic documents are essential elements for online communication. As we strive to create an accessible digital experience for all users, we must not neglect the electronic documents hosted on websites. Ensuring such documents are accessible is a critical aspect of a comprehensive, accessible experience. Our introductory webinar will provide a high-level overview of how to remediate electronic documents (specifically PDFs) for accessibility. We will review the fundamental concepts of PDF remediation and techniques that you can implement in your documents upon completion of the webinar. A live Q & A will follow the presentation:https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-july-14-important-aspects-of-pdf-remediation/ 6) Moving Forward: Access to Inclusive Fitness Equipment | United States Access BoardJuly 14th 2021 | 10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT | The U.S. Access Board invites the public to a virtual meeting on advancing access to fitness equipment on July 14th 2021 from 1:00 PM - 3:15 PM ET. The event, "Moving Forward: Access to Inclusive Fitness Equipment," will feature panel presentations on the need for access to fitness equipment, initiatives to address equipment accessibility, and implementation of inclusive fitness equipment. Scheduled panelists include representatives from the National Center on Health, Physical Activity and Disability, the American Council for the Blind, Mobility Fitness, the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America, ASTM International, Universal Fitness Innovation & Transformation, Ability 360, I Design Access, and equipment manufacturers. They will discuss the importance of access to exercise equipment, resources and initiatives to promote inclusive design of equipment, and examples of inclusive equipment and fitness centers. The event is free, but registration is required. The event will include video remote interpreting (VRI) and real-time captioning. For further information, visit the Board's website. Direct questions to Rose Marie Bunales at events@access-board.gov 📧️. Registration (Free):https://www.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_ZMxz1SE1SOKF60tEi_2smg 7) 2021 ACB Virtual Conference and Convention | Registration Information and Browse Conference and Convention SessionsJuly 16th 2021 through July 23rd 2021 Registration is now open. If you wish, you can now browse the seminars, workshops, meetings, programs, and social events that are scheduled before you actually register. Registration will remain open to June 28, 2021, but before you register, there is an important task each of you must undertake if you plan on registering. ACB is moving ever closer to a singular login and password that will apply to all ACB websites and web-based functions. If you intend on registering for the convention this year, please go to https://members.acb.org/ to create your ACB account. Select "CREATE AN ACCOUNT" and complete the profile information requested. You will need to create a new username and password (if you wish, you can use the same username and password you used for past conventions when creating this new account). There is one exception: If you registered for the ACB Holiday Auction in December 2020, you have already created an account and you do not have to do so again. If you have problems or questions regarding this process, please call the Minnesota Finance Office at (612) 332-3242 📱️. You will use this new username and password when you register on or after May 20, 2021. To make sure you receive the most up to date information, subscribe to our convention announce list by sending a blank email to acbconvention+subscribe@acblists.org 📧️ or contact Janet Dickelman, convention coordinator at janet.dickelman@gmail.com 📧️ or by phone at (651) 428-5059 📱️.https://acbconvention.org/?p=61 8) Accessibility Features to Consider & Avoid When Developing an Accessible Kiosk | TPGiJuly 20th 2021 | 7PM PT, 8PM MT, 9PM CT, 10PM ET, 2AM GMT on 7/21 | In this webinar, the TPGi team will interview Peter Jarvis, Senior Executive Vice President and founding Director of Storm Interface. Peter Jarvis will answer questions about what accessibility features should be considered when developing an accessible kiosk, mistakes to avoid, and at which point in your project you should be thinking about the proper assistive technology components:https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-july-20-accessibility-feature-consider-developing-accessible-kiosk/ ➜ Surveys1) PolyPad Braille Display Needs AssessmentClose Date: July 1st 2021 | Participants must be 18 years or older to participate and able to read braille. We hope that our research will lead to a high quality multi-lined braille display that can be used with a smartphone. Researchers will investigate the quality and usefulness of the product and use the information to improve the development of the device:https://calstatela.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_2fPVm4hlLE5hQhg 2) Access Technology in the WorkplaceClose Date: July 1st 2021 | Open Date: Now Open | Survey Information: a. The NRTC is recruiting people with blindness or low vision (age 21+) who are working or interested in working to be part of a 5-year study about access technology (AT) use, particularly in the workplace. Some questions we will seek answers to are: i. What AT do you most commonly use? ii. How do you decide whether to use a specific AT? iii. What are your AT challenges? iv. What AT do you need that isn't currently available? b. We want to know YOUR thoughts and experiences! Participation will involve completing multiple surveys to help us determine how AT use is changing over time. Fill out the online pre-screening survey to see if you qualify! 5. Survey Rewards Offered: a. if selected from this pre-screening survey, you'll receive a small gift card after completing each survey. Additionally, the NRTC will share study results with participants:https://msstatecoe.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8i98Qap5V441mdg?source=27 3) Blind and Low-Vision Adults Needed for Survey of User Experiences with Food Delivery AppsClose Date: July 15th 2021 | Calling all blind and low-vision volunteers age 18 and older. Do you often encounter difficulties when ordering takeout food through food delivery apps and having the food delivered? Would you like to describe your challenges with these apps and food delivery and provide suggestions to improve your experience? Come to tell us about your experience. We are researchers from the Rochester Institute of Technology and currently we are conducting a survey to investigate the user experience, challenges, and workarounds of food delivery apps, like UberEats, DoorDash, and GrubHub by people with low-vision or blindness. In the survey, you will be asked your user experience with food delivery apps, and some questions about your background. The survey will take about 5-10 minutes:https://rit.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8ArN1YFP1HAvMeW 4) Paid Opportunity to Participate in a Research Study: Studying Tools to Manage and Share PicturesClose Date: July 16th 2021 | We are a group of researchers at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. We are conducting research to help blind people and people with visual impairments (BVI people) share pictures to social media free of private and sensitive information. We have designed a mobile App to let BVI users screen private and sensitive information of their about-to-share pictures using artificial intelligence (AI) and human effort. Participants must be 18 years of age or older to participate in this research study. Those who complete the study will receive a $20 compensation and $10 for exit interview. Learn more here:https://ischoolillinois.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0vVmhfJViHruycS ➜ Directories1) Top Tech Tidbits Blind And Visually Impaired Listserv Directoryhttps://www.toptechtidbits.com/listserv-directory.html2) Top Tech Tidbits Blind And Visually Impaired Podcast Directoryhttps://www.toptechtidbits.com/podcast-directory.html3) Top Tech Tidbits Blind And Visually Impaired Game Directoryhttps://www.toptechtidbits.com/game-directory.html➜ Buy, Sell or Trade1) FOR SALE: One Focus 14 Blue 5th Gen Braille DisplayListing Date: 6/17/2021 | Price: $600.00 USD | Condition: Gently Used. | Description: One gently used 14-Cell Bluetooth Braille Display in excellent condition. | Contact: larry.lewis@flying-blind.com 📧️ |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: Dean Martineau➜ Voice Training
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It's as easy as 1-2-3. Upload content... Copy a link... and paste the link in chat. Attendees never wonder what's shared on screen during online presentations. Upload slides within 5 minutes of presenting. Attendees can download content in multiple formats to view later. Eliminate digital darkness at your next online event with Scribe for Meetings. Get in on our, "Accessible Meetings and webinars for Life," introductory offer. Reseller opportunities available to expand your businesses accessibility offerings.
https://scribeformeetings.com/ Sponsor Since: June 3rd 2021 Website: https://pneumasolutions.com/ 🌐 Email Newsletter: Click here to receive periodic news via email concerning Pneuma Solutions products for business, consumers and education. Sales: (866) 202-0520 📱️ Support: (650) 249-1000 📱️ About: Backed by two decades of creating award-winning accessible cloud technologies for people with visual impairments, Pneuma Solutions is the global leader in accessible cloud-based solutions. Pneuma Solutions was founded by long-time accessibility developers Mike Calvo and Matt Campbell. For more information on their individual profiles, click on their respective bio pages. We're proud to be the first company to develop cloud-based accessibility at the network level. Our tools provide organizations, like yours, a way to deliver secure, accessible information right from your network or from our secure servers. You can provide your print disabled consumers, students, employees, and citizens with a multitude of accessible options. Additionally, we offer a suite of cloud-based applications to blind and print disabled consumers directly from our website. Our consumer products are designed to make the day-to-day lives of blind and print disabled individuals more accessible and simpler to manage. Access to information is not a privilege, it's a right. It's also your right to obtain affordable, accessible cloud solutions to serve your end user. When organizations like yours implement our tools, together we help make it a more inclusive world for people with disabilities. Want to know more about how we can help you become more inclusive? Contact us here. We'll be happy to discuss how our tools can help with your accessibility needs. Sponsor: Commtech USA➜ Training to Fit Your Needs
Do you have a device you just don't understand? Do you want to advance your skills on a certain platform? Let Commtech help you out! From phones to note takers to computers and everything in between, let Commtech give you the skills you need to succeed. For more information, call (833) 345-8324 📱️ EXT 700 or visit our website:
https://commtechusa.net/store Sponsor Since: April 22nd 2021 Website: https://commtechusa.net/ 🌐 Phone: (833) 345-8324 📱️ About: Commtech USA, a division of Commtech LLC is a Phoenix based national assistive technology company, with locations in Bakersfield CA. We deliver unmatched information technology and assistive technology consultations, training and support. Founded in 2005 as a government vendor fulfilling a vast range of technology needs of federal and state government clients, Commtech USA has expanded to meet the needs of businesses as well as individuals, with office locations across the nation. No issue is too large or too small for our staff, Commtech USA is the on call technology staff you call when you have tried the rest but need the best! Book an appointment with Commtech. Meet the Commtech USA Staff in this YouTube video. Download The App (iOS): Download The App (Android): Sponsor: Freedom Scientific➜ Freedom Scientific Focus Blue 5th Generation Refreshable Braille Displays
Our world-class refreshable Braille displays deliver efficient Braille input and outstanding output for your PC or mobile device. The robust Bluetooth® connectivity provides seamless use with Windows®, Mac®, iPhones®, iPads®, and AndroidTM smartphones and tablets. Ergonomic navigation features allow quick, natural hand movements for greater productivity. When used with JAWS® screen reading software, they support our popular Braille Study Mode, an interactive tool for teaching and learning Braille. Learn more today:
https://www.freedomscientific.com/products/blindness/focus-blue-family/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=Top%20Tech%20Tidbit Sponsor Since: April 15th 2021 Website: https://www.freedomscientific.com/ 🌐 Email: info@vispero.com 📧️ Phone: (800) 444-4443 📱️ Facebook | Twitter | YouTube (Training) About: Freedom Scientific, a Vispero brand, is a leading worldwide brand of assistive technology products for those with vision impairments. We offer products designed to promote independence, allowing blind and low vision individuals the same access to information as their sighted peers. World-renowned JAWS (Job Access With Speech) screen reading software and ZoomText screen magnification software provide users the independence and ability to seek education and obtain or maintain a career after vision loss. Our expansive product line includes both low vision and blindness technology for all aspects of daily living. The wide range of RUBY, TOPAZ, and ONYX desktop and portable video magnifiers are designed for their ease of use and assist with daily activities. Our impressive line of blindness hardware products include refreshable Braille displays and scanning and reading devices, offering many options tailored to fit individual needs. Sponsor: APH ConnectCenter➜ VisionAware Resources Including the Directory of Services
APHConnectCenter has resources to help blind and low vision people thrive. In addition to the Reader's Digest Getting Started with Vision Loss Guide You can also check out the Directory of Services to locate resources in your community for living with blindness and low vision. https://visionaware.org/
Sponsor Since: March 4th 2021 Website: https://aphconnectcenter.org/ 🌐 Email: connectcenter@aph.org 📧️ APH ConnectCenter Information and Referral Line: 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➜ 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 Sponsor Since: February 4th 2021 Website: http://humanware.com/ 🌐 Phone (Asia): +61 2 9686 2600 📱️ 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➜ How to Use Hot Keys to Work Across Multiple Monitors in SuperNova
Listen to or watch this short video that demonstrates how to enhance your workspace by using multiple monitors. You can multi-task by using separate screens for separate documents and programs. Duplicate your magnified view to work with colleagues or when viewing PowerPoint presentations. Use a doc cam to read, interact and take notes from printed documents. Or, just give yourself extra screen space by stretching your desktop across screens.
https://yourdolphin.com/en-gb/support/videos/playlist?id=14&vid=1073 Sponsor Since: January 28th 2021 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 Download a FREE 30-Day Trial of SuperNova 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: Be My Eyes➜ 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 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: LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired Adaptations Online Store➜ 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!
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)➜ Build A Foundational Understanding Of Construction And Electronics With BRIC: Structures® Access Kit From APH - An Adapted Version Of An Educational Elenco® Product For Students Who Are Blind And Visually Impaired!
The BRIC: Structures® Access Kit combines ordinary building bricks with Snap Circuits® to create 26 projects, such as circuits and real-world structures, that run on electricity. Visit https://www.aph.org/product/bric-structures-access-kit/ to learn more.
Sponsor Since: July 2nd 2020 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➜ GuideLights and Gadgets: Exciting Convention Specials, More Next Week
(1) "Love My Braille" Display Case; heavy duty leather folio zipper case; 2 middle compartments; size and feel of a hardcover book, 8x10x4 inches, concealed weapons case has a new job, $70, including shipping. (2) 2 Quality telescopic non-collapsing cane; Aluminum seven sections; use at any length; hard rubber grip with 2 mushroom push tips; 59 and 48 inches; not for support; after trying it, folks buy two, No returns. $55, including shipping. (3) Larger New neck pouch/gadget bag for hands free phone use with camera exposed; and a lot more; 5 pockets; heavy duty cowhide 7.5x4.5x3x, dis45.00 including shipping. Call Barry: (617) 969-7500 📱️ / bscheur.gadgetsandtech@gmail.com 📧️ or visit: https://www.guidelightsandgadgets.us/.
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➜ 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 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 📱️. Your Name Here
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