Top Tech Tidbits for Thursday, August 19, 2021 - Volume 820

The Week's News in Adaptive Technology
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A Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd. Publication
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Dear Tidbits Subscriber,

1) Top 5 Most Clicked Tidbits From Last Week

A.) Why Siri, Alexa, & Every Other AI Voice Has Been Feminine: (5.8% of all clicks.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBlPxpaum6U
B.) How I Think Smart Watches Are Way More Useful Than You May Think: (5.6% of all clicks.)
https://accessibility-insights.com/2016/11/01/how-i-think-watches-are-way-more-useful-than-many-think/
C.) How To Access Images Without Alt Text | Recognizing Images With Seeing AI: (XX% of all clicks.)
https://veroniiiica.com/2021/08/02/how-to-access-images-without-alt-text/
D.) Use JAWS Find in Word and Outlook: (4.9% of all clicks.)
http://www.hartgen.org/tips
E.) An Overview of Microsoft OneNote for Windows 10: (3.4% of all clicks.)
https://www.blindbargains.com/bargains.php?m=22112

2) Top Tech Tidbits "Most Clicked Tidbit" Weekly Contest | $250 USD Annual Cash Prize | Week #33 of 52

Number of Votes Last Week: 13 | Number of Winners Last Week: 1 | Winner Names: Paul Ferrara | Current Overall Winner: Maya with 2 of 52 points. | Current 2nd Place Winners: 16 Players with 1 of 52 points each. | How well do you know adaptive technology? Do you think that you could consistently identify adaptive technology trends if given the opportunity? Well here's your chance. You can now cast your vote each week for the one Tidbit that you believe will receive the most clicks. Get it right more than anyone else each week and you win a $250.00 USD cash prize at the end of the year (December 31st 2021). In addition, there may be opportunities for winners to join our editorial team. The premise is simple and voting is easy. Can you pick the one Tidbit out of each issue that will get the most clicks? If you think you can, or at least would like to try, learn everything there is to know about the contest here and start casting your vote today:
Learn More:https://www.toptechtidbits.com/36.html
Vote Now:https://www.toptechtidbits.com/vote
Leaderboard: https://www.toptechtidbits.com/most-clicked-tidbit-contest-hall-of-fame.html

3) One Top Tech Tidbits Sponsorship Package Currrently Available

Please join us in supporting the ongoing distribution of this publication. Join 11 other industry leaders and begin reaching over 6,700 assistive technology professionals, educators and enthusiasts each week. All while enjoying some really incredible marketing benefits. If this sounds like you, please reach out to our publisher today at: publisher@toptechtidbits.com ✉. Or learn more at:
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4) Chromebook Accessibility Part 2: Browsing with Chromevox | Nimer Tech and Outdoor Adventures YouTube Channel

Nimer demonstrates web browsing with Chromevox screen readers, and makes comparisons to other screen readers on the market. Happy Chinese Valentine's Day, and happy birthday to my friend Robert from Zimbabwe:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5c_A3iR6WK0

5) What Is Google's Auditorial Experiment?

Auditorial is an experiment in storytelling that's redesigning the internet for those with visual disabilities. Here's everything you need to know:
https://www.makeuseof.com/what-is-auditorial/

6) Social Media Accessibility Tips & Tricks: Facebook

Whether sharing a new photo, commenting on current affairs, uploading a funny video, or promoting your business's newest venture, social media remains relevant because people want to make connections. However, these connections aren't always possible if social media platforms aren't accessible. The Where It's AT Blog team has put together some of the latest accessibility features social media platforms have been producing to make their communities more accessible to all. Using these Facebook accessibility tips and tricks, you can feel confident in your ability to connect with your community:
https://abilitytools.org/blog/social-media-accessibility-tips-tricks-facebook/

7) FlickType Discontinuing Its iPhone Keyboard App Due to App Store Hurdles

FlickType has announced it's discontinuing its iPhone keyboard app for blind users after Apple didn't approve its latest update and failed to reply back to the developer:
https://9to5mac.com/2021/08/16/flicktype-discontinuing-iphone-keyboard-app-due-to-app-store-hurdles/

8) How to Get AR Walking Directions in iOS 15

In iOS 15, Apple's Maps app benefits from a range of new features and improvements, including the ability to use augmented reality walking directions in big cities:
https://coolblindtech.com/how-to-get-ar-walking-directions-in-ios-15/

9) Freedom Scientific Announces ONYX^® PRO

Freedom Scientific announces its newest member of the ONYX^® Family of products. The ONYX PRO is a camera system with OCR and is designed to be used with the Microsoft^® Surface Pro 7 (Microsoft Surface Pro 7 not included). It features a dual camera design for flexibility, one camera allows you to easily go from near magnification to distance viewing. The other camera is dedicated to OCR (Optical Character Recognition) mode that scans printed text and reads it back to you in a clear and natural voice:
https://www.freedomscientific.com/products/lowvision/onyx-pro/

10) New Website Resource "Screenless Allies"

This reader writes in to tell us, "This website aims to bring articles on many kinds of how-to's on things like assistive technology and basic life skills for the blind. These are all written from a blindness perspective. Think of this as the "How-to-Geek" for the blind, due to the variety and style of articles we have. I, Jose, and another friend of mine are the two runners of this website. I also have a podcast named "Teachavision," where we cover the teaching aspect of blindness. That is, I talk to teachers of the visually impaired, and plan to branch out to other disabilities in the future. Please feel free to reply with any questions you may have, and I'll be happy to answer them. Sincerely, Jose Briseno. Check out the site at:
https://screenlessallies.com/

11) Word Advanced Find - All The Special Codes

Word's Advanced Find has many special codes to help locate or replace hidden or unusual things in a Word document. Here's a complete and searchable list of all the ^ codes and what they are for:
https://office-watch.com/2021/word-advanced-find-all-the-special-codes/

12) Netflix Now Rolling Out Spatial Audio Support on iPhone and iPad

This is a boon for Airpods Pro and Airpods Max users:
https://9to5mac.com/2021/08/18/netflix-spatial-audio-support-roll-out/

13) Braille Screen Input, Any pointers?

A good compendium of knowledge about this valuable iOS feature in this forum post:
https://www.applevis.com/forum/braille-apple-products/braille-screen-input-any-pointers

14) Windows Update Breaks Alt+Tab

Alt+Tab isn't the best way to switch among open programs, but it is the most commmonly used among blind users, and this update has broken it. Fortunately, the fix isn't too difficult:
https://www.windowslatest.com/2021/08/17/windows-10-kb5005033-is-causing-new-issues-for-some-users/

15) Parallel #57: Web Accessibility Testing on Mobile

How to use mobile tools to test the accessibility of Websites in iOS:
https://www.relay.fm/parallel/57

16) Microsoft Edge Gets a New Accessibility Page in Settings

The Accessibility section in Microsoft Edge Canary lets you adjust the page zoom, enable or disable mini menus, turn on navigation with the keyboard, find a link to accessibility settings in Windows, etc. As it often happens, Microsoft uses the new section to promote its own services; for example, some users report seeing prompts to set Bing as the default search engine:
https://winaero.com/microsoft-edge-gets-a-new-accessibility-page-in-settings/

17) Thunderbird 91 Released

A new version of the popular Thunderbird app is available for download. The open source mail and RSS reader has reached version 91, aligning the release number to Firefox. The new version comes with a bunch of changes. There are an Improved Set-Up Wizard, Better Calendar Support, and multi-process implementation that could result in performance improvements:
https://www.thunderbird.net/en-US/

18) Google Testing Accessibility Feature That Will Allow Disabled Users To Control Android Phone Features With Smiles, Raised Eyebrows And Other Facial Gestures

Google is testing a new accessibility feature on Android phones that allows users to control functions by using facial gestures instead of touching its screen:
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-9898219/Google-testing-accessibility-feature-let-Android-users-control-features-smile.html

19) Are Your Emojis Accessible?

Did you know that Emoticons are not Emojis? And that you should avoid emoticons, whenever possible? When a screen reader encounters an emoticon, it has difficulty understanding and conveying the meaning behind the series of text characters. Rather, use emojis, as when a screen reader encounters an emoji, it reads the assigned meaning of the emoji to the person using the screen reader:
https://at3centerblog.com/2021/08/04/are-your-emojis-accessible/

➜ Press Releases and Other News

1) Augmented Reality Is Coming for Your Ears, Too

New software applications are cleverly mapping audio to transport users to another space:
https://www.wired.com/story/augmented-reality-already-arrived-in-our-ears/

2) Pioneering Program for Visually Impaired Babies Turns 40

When it comes to working with visually impaired infants and their parents, few are as experienced, skillful and knowledgeable as Elizabeth Dennison:
https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/utah/articles/2021-08-15/pioneering-program-for-visually-impaired-babies-turns-40

3) California Attorney General Issues Consumer Alert on Hearing Aids Sold Online or Over-the-Counter

California Attorney General Rob Bonta has issued a consumer alert warning Californians to exercise caution when purchasing direct-to-consumer hearing products, such as hearing aids, over-the-counter or online:
https://hearinghealthmatters.org/hearingnewswatch/2021/consumer-warning-otc-hearing-aids-california/

4) Bose Launches Direct to Consumer Hearing Aids Nationwide

Bose announced this week that it is expanding availability of its SoundControl^TM hearing aids across the United States. Until now, the devices had only been available to residents in a limited number of states: Massachusetts, Montana, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Texas. The devices will come with a 90-day, risk-free trial, dedicated product support, and will be sold directly from Bose for $849.95 a pair:
https://hearinghealthmatters.org/hearingnewswatch/2021/bose-launches-hearing-aids-nationally/

➜ Featured Podcast Episodes

1) Outdoors with Lawrence Gunther Episode 31: Climbing Mountains Blind One Finger at a Time (Part 1 of 2)

August 6th 2021 | Outdoors with Lawrence Gunther is pleased to have Erik Weihenmayer as our featured guest. In the first of this two-part interview, Erik shares with us the many challenges he's experienced in his pursuit of summitting the tallest mountains in the world blind. His strategies and use of basic technologies provide valuable lessons that can be applied in most any challenging situation. So strap on your cleats and let's learn what it takes to climb Everest one finger at a time:
https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/episode-31-climbing-mountains-blind-one-finger-at-a/id1530444764?i=1000531221950

2) Blind Android Users 36 | Getting To Your Destination with a GPS App and SunuBand to Help Detect Obstacles

August 14th 2021 | In this episode we talk about, Samsung Unpack 2021 event, our thoughts. What is new in Android 12 Beta 4. In the must have apps segment we talk about our used GPS apps. For spotlight segment we have interview with CEO of Sunu. For app of the week, we demo Audible Vision OCR app. In our talkback tip of the week, we explore talkback on a device with multi finger gesture support vs on a device without multi finger gesture support:
https://tinyurl.com/hcwjpa5w

3) Mosen At Large 143

August 14th 2021 Thoughts on what it means to be blind, calendar apps for iPhone and has Apple lost its moral authority on privacy?:
https://mosenatlarge.pinecast.co/episode/a6ab4eef/thoughts-on-what-it-means-to-be-blind-calendar-apps-for-iphone-and-has-apple-lost-its-moral-authority-on-privacy-

4) Eyes on Success 2134 Navigating Indoors with the Clew App

August 18th 2021
Most navigation apps rely on GPS and work well outdoors. Unfortunately, such apps are not suitable for indoor use. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Paul Ruvolo about the Clew app he developed which overcomes this limitation by making use of Apple's AR Kit and the phone's camera in order to guide users from point to point indoors:
https://www.eyesonsuccess.net/show%20notes/show%20notes%202134.htm

5) That Real Blind Tech Show 48 | Getting To Know Underdog Fantasy and Best BallIt's the Rage With All the Kids These Days

August 18th 2021
Demo Month continues as Brian walks you through another fully accessible Fantasy Football game. This time he is doing a demo of the fantastic fully new accessible Underdog Fantasy. Underdog Fantasy offers Best Ball contests along with weekly one day daily contests where you can draft a new team each week:
https://thatrealblindtechshow.libsyn.com/episode-48-getting-to-know-underdog-fantasy-and-best-ballits-the-rage-with-all-the-kids-these-days

➜ Featured Webinars and Training Courses

1) Updated Braille Blaster from APH

August 20th 2021 | 10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT | Register here:
https://aph.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_nLoRNn-WSR-6pgDgGhhuVQ

2) Tech for Teens Club: LEGO Stop-Motion Videos from PACER

August 21st 2021 | 8AM PT, 9AM MT, 10AM CT, 11AM ET, XXX GMT | Using just a mobile phone and LEGO brand toys, we'll be learning how to create stop-motion style videos that you can share with your family and friends. Learn the techniques to create smooth animation using the Stop Motion Studio app (iPhone & Android). Then create your own stories and bring your characters to life!
https://www.pacer.org/workshops/

3) Speech recognition for communication impairments from CallScotland

August 25th 2021 | 8AM PT, 9AM MT, 10AM CT, 11AM ET, 3PM GMT | Project Euphonia is a Google Research initiative focused on helping people with atypical speech be better understood. The approach is centred on analysing speech recordings to better train speech recognition models. The aim is for people living with dysarthria or other speech difficulties to be better understood by speech recognition technology such as Google Assistant. In this webinar, Richard will discuss the Euphonia project and how people living with speech impairment can participate. With the forecast being that by 2024, there will be more devices that can interact with voice than the global population, it is vitally important that everyone is included in the development of the technology behind speech recognition:
https://www.callscotland.org.uk/professional-learning/webinars/WEB194/

4) iBUG Introductory Mac Training Course

September 7th 2021 This 12-week course is free, and you are expected to work, attend and participate. It starts Tuesday, September 7th 2021. Email by August 27th 2021 to see the requirements you have to adhere to, and provide the model or year of your Mac:
chanellem.allen@gmail.com ✉

5) 2021 M-Enabling Summit - Promoting Accessible Technologies and Environments

October 4th - 6th 2021 | The M-Enabling Summit Conference and Showcase is dedicated to promoting digital environments and assistive technologies for senior citizens and users of all abilities. It is an annual meeting place for all who implement digital inclusion strategies or develop assistive solutions and accessible digital contents and services for workplaces, learning environments or consumer markets:
https://m-enabling.com/

6) Sense-Ability. Using the BrailleSense 6! | Paid Course | Hartgen Consulting

October 6th 2021 | 11AM PT, 12PM MT, 1PM CT, 2PM ET, 6 GMT | While the BrailleSense 6 is a relatively new product, largely due to previous devices offered by its manufacturers it has already established itself as a power house for work and entertainment. Find out how it works in a way which makes Braille Sense!
http://hartgen.org/braillesense

7) Accessing Higher Ground Accessible Media, Web and Technology Conference by Association on Higher Education And Disability (AHEAD)

November 15th - 19th 2021 | Presented and hosted by AHEAD, Accessing Higher Ground is conducted in collaboration with ATHEN:
https://accessinghigherground.org/

8) 2nd Annual Sight Tech Global 2021

December 1st & 2nd 2021 | 100% free. 100% virtual. Sight Tech Global is the first global, virtual conference dedicated to fostering discussion among technology pioneers on how rapid advances in AI and related technologies will fundamentally alter the landscape of assistive technology and accessibility. Registration is now open:
https://sighttechglobal.com/

➜ Directories

➜ Buy, Sell or Trade

1) FOR SALE: One Focus 14 Braille Display

Listing Date: 8/19/2021 | Price: $850.00 USD | Condition: Gently Used. | Description: This Braille display was only used during a couple of training sessions. Carrying case and all adaptors/charger included. | Contact: Email jflower418@gmail.com ✉ or call Jane at (415) 858-8436 ☎. |

2) FOR SALE: Mathcaster for Amazon Alexa. Just Say "Alexa, Open Mathcaster"

Listing Date: 8/19/2021 | Price: $1.00 USD | Condition: New. | Description: Mathcaster is suitable for ages between 8-12 and is free to play. This Alexa Skill is a perfect resource to help children improve and develop their math skills. Learn more at: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B094NDXMKF?ref&ref=cm_sw_tw_r_as_dp_KypaG8Iu9kJBy. | Contact: Email nicksawka@wanderword.net ✉ or call Nicholas at (724) 466-2087 ☎. |

3) FOR SALE: Escape from 63rd & Wallace. Just say "Alexa, Open Escape 63rd"

Listing Date: 8/19/2021 | Price: $4.00 USD | Condition: New. | Description: Escape from 63rd is an horror audio adventure that takes the listener on a journey to Chicago in 1893, following Charlene, a young woman searching for her sister. Learn more at: https://poptale.com/releases/escape-from-63rd-and-wallace/. | Contact: Email nicksawka@wanderword.net ✉ or call Nicholas at (724) 466-2087 ☎. |

4) FOR SALE: The Cursed Painting Audio RPG. Just say "Alexa, open the Cursed Painting"

Listing Date: 8/19/2021 | Price: $1.00 USD | Condition: New. | Description: Explore ancient ruins in order to uncover the secret of the Cursed Painting, and stop the undead curse plaguing the kingdom in this Interactive Fantasy Adventure Game, inspired by classic tabletop RPG's. Learn more at: https://poptale.com/releases/the-cursed-painting/. | Contact: Email nicksawka@wanderword.net ✉ or call Nicholas at (724) 466-2087 ☎. |

5) FOR SALE: One BrailleSense Polaris Mini

Listing Date: 8/5/2021 | Price: $2,000.00 USD | Condition: Gently Used. | Description: This 20-cell Android notetaker is in mint condition and needs a new forever home. Has new mother board, all original packaging, accessories and documentation including braille quick start guide along with an Executive Products case. | Contact: Email dave@speedyturtle.net ✉ or call Dave at (918) 527-0688 ☎. |

2) FOR SALE: One Buy, Sell or Trade Classified Ad (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 Classified Advertisement today. | Learn more at: https://www.toptechtidbits.com/buy-sell-trade.html 🌐 |

Top Tech Tidbits Sponsor Classified Ads:

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:
(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

➜ 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/081920211100-BrailliantBIX-Launch-US.htm

Sponsor Since: February 4th 2021

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: 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):
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

➜ 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: Barry Scheur

➜ GuideLights And Gadgets: August Specials

(1) New 5 pocket cowhide neck pouch for hands free phone use and access to the camera; easily carry your essentials for the day; $45.00 incl. shipping. (2) Our new 7 section aluminum telescopic non-collapsing canes in 59 or 48 inch lengths; $55 incl. shipping. (3) New 17x12 inch leather rucksack backpack made of heavy duty cowhide that will last many years. Fold over flap with cord for closing with 3 additional pockets; $90 incl. shipping. (4) Ultimate 20 cell Braille display protection; re-purposed leather concealed weapons case is the best to safely use and carry your display; $75.00 incl. shipping. New Catalog: https://www.guidelightsandgadgets.us/Gadgets.html. Call Barry (617) 969-7500 ☎ or email bscheur.gadgetsandtech@gmail.com ✉.

Director, http://www.GuideLightsAndGadgets.us

Sponsor Since: June 25th 2020

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

➜ 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 ✆

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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: Dean Martineau

➜ 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

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

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

Sponsor: Carroll Center for the Blind

➜ Screen Reader User Tester Training Program at the Carroll Center for the Blind

Want to break into the digital accessibility field as a screen reader user tester? Through the Carroll Center for the Blind's all new 6-week intensive Screen Reader User Tester Training program, participants can learn and grow their ability to professionally explore, test, and report findings regarding the accessibility of websites, mobile applications, and digital document files using screen readers. To learn more about the User Tester program, visit:
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Sponsor Since: August 5th 2021

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Social: Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | LinkedIn | Instagram

About: The Carroll Center for the Blind is the foremost leader in vision rehabilitation services for individuals confronted by the challenges of vision loss. Our mission is to empower those who are blind or visually impaired to achieve independence and to lead a fulfilling life. Established in 1936, the renowned Carroll Center for the Blind has been serving those with vision impairment for over eight decades; we are known nationally as a premier Vision Rehabilitation Center. Located just outside of Boston on a sprawling campus in Newton, Massachusetts, we proudly serve ALL ages and ALL stages of vision loss. With the ongoing promise of improving the lives of people with vision-related problems, The Carroll Center for the Blind has pioneered many innovative services allowing people who are blind or have low vision to learn the skills to be independent in their homes, in class settings, and in their work places. Our services include vision rehabilitation, vocational and transition programs, assistive technology training, educational support, and recreation opportunities for individuals who are visually impaired of all ages. For over 80 years, the expertise of Carroll Center staff has provided help for thousands of blind and visually impaired persons with diverse opportunities for success and independent living.

Sponsor: Pneuma Solutions

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Sponsor Since: June 3rd 2021

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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?

Sponsor: Freedom Scientific

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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 Android^TM 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:
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Sponsor Since: April 15th 2021

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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.

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Top Tech Tidbits for Thursday, August 19, 2021 - Volume 820

This Week's Featured Advertisement: One Top Tech Tidbits Sponsorship Package Available! Please Join Us In Supporting The Ongoing Distribution of this Publication. Join These 11 Industry Leaders and Begin Reaching Over 6,700 Assistive Technology Professionals, Educators and Enthusiasts Each Week!

Dear Tidbits Subscriber,

1) Top 5 Most Clicked Tidbits From Last Week

2) Top Tech Tidbits "Most Clicked Tidbit" Weekly Contest | $250 USD Annual Cash Prize | Week #33 of 52

3) One Top Tech Tidbits Sponsorship Package Currrently Available

4) Chromebook Accessibility Part 2: Browsing with Chromevox | Nimer Tech and Outdoor Adventures YouTube Channel

5) What Is Google's Auditorial Experiment?

6) Social Media Accessibility Tips & Tricks: Facebook

7) FlickType Discontinuing Its iPhone Keyboard App Due to App Store Hurdles

8) How to Get AR Walking Directions in iOS 15

9) Freedom Scientific Announces ONYX® PRO

10) New Website Resource "Screenless Allies"

11) Word Advanced Find - All The Special Codes

12) Netflix Now Rolling Out Spatial Audio Support on iPhone and iPad

13) Braille Screen Input, Any pointers?

14) Windows Update Breaks Alt+Tab

15) Parallel #57: Web Accessibility Testing on Mobile

16) Microsoft Edge Gets a New Accessibility Page in Settings

17) Thunderbird 91 Released

18) Google Testing Accessibility Feature That Will Allow Disabled Users To Control Android Phone Features With Smiles, Raised Eyebrows And Other Facial Gestures

19) Are Your Emojis Accessible?

➜ Press Releases and Other News

1) Augmented Reality Is Coming for Your Ears, Too

2) Pioneering Program for Visually Impaired Babies Turns 40

3) California Attorney General Issues Consumer Alert on Hearing Aids Sold Online or Over-the-Counter

4) Bose Launches Direct to Consumer Hearing Aids Nationwide

➜ Featured Podcast Episodes

1) Outdoors with Lawrence Gunther Episode 31: Climbing Mountains Blind One Finger at a Time (Part 1 of 2)

2) Blind Android Users 36 | Getting To Your Destination with a GPS App and SunuBand to Help Detect Obstacles

3) Mosen At Large 143

4) Eyes on Success 2134 Navigating Indoors with the Clew App

5) That Real Blind Tech Show 48 | Getting To Know Underdog Fantasy and Best BallIt's the Rage With All the Kids These Days

➜ Featured Webinars and Training Courses

1) Updated Braille Blaster from APH

2) Tech for Teens Club: LEGO Stop-Motion Videos from PACER

3) Speech recognition for communication impairments from CallScotland

4) iBUG Introductory Mac Training Course

5) 2021 M-Enabling Summit - Promoting Accessible Technologies and Environments

6) Sense-Ability. Using the BrailleSense 6! | Paid Course | Hartgen Consulting

7) Accessing Higher Ground Accessible Media, Web and Technology Conference by Association on Higher Education And Disability (AHEAD)

8) 2nd Annual Sight Tech Global 2021

➜ Directories

1) Top Tech Tidbits Blind And Visually Impaired Listserv Directory

2) Top Tech Tidbits Blind And Visually Impaired Podcast Directory

3) Top Tech Tidbits Blind And Visually Impaired Game Directory

➜ Buy, Sell or Trade

1) FOR SALE: One Focus 14 Braille Display

2) FOR SALE: Mathcaster for Amazon Alexa. Just Say "Alexa, Open Mathcaster"

3) FOR SALE: Escape from 63rd & Wallace. Just say "Alexa, Open Escape 63rd"

4) FOR SALE: The Cursed Painting Audio RPG. Just say "Alexa, open the Cursed Painting"

5) FOR SALE: One BrailleSense Polaris Mini

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

Top Tech Tidbits Sponsor Classified Ads:

➜ VisionAware Resources Including the Directory of Services

➜ BRAILLIANT Renewed! The NEW Brailliant BI X Series is here!

➜ Accessible Pharmacy Joins Be My Eyes

➜ LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired Adaptations Online Store Featured Products

➜ 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!

➜ GuideLights And Gadgets: August Specials

➜ Pluggable USB-C 7-in-1 Hub

➜ Voice Training

➜ Screen Reader User Tester Training Program at the Carroll Center for the Blind

➜ 3 Easy Steps To Accessible Shared Content For Your Remote Presentations: Rid Digital Darkness For Blind Attendee's Forever!

➜ Freedom Scientific Focus Blue 5th Generation Refreshable Braille Displays

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9) Freedom Scientific Announces ONYX^® PRO

➜ 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!