ARCHIVE / 2022:

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.

➜ VisionAware Resources Including the Information and Referral Line?

APH ConnectCenter 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 call the Information and Referral Line with your questions about resources and 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.

➜ 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/123020211100-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.

➜ 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.

➜ Combine Learning And Gaming For A Fun Braille Adventure With Polly!

APH and Thinkerbell Labs are excited to introduce Polly, complete with customizable UEB lessons, songs, games, and stories! Join our waiting list to know when Polly is available:
https://www.aph.org/polly-wait-list/

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.

➜ End Of Year Sale — Shipping Included

60" locking telescopic cane: $75. Talking Infrared Thermometer: $50. Talking Oximeter: $35. RFID leather Waistpack w/cane holster; heavy duty; $45. 3 choices of phone (fits BlindShell,) neck & cross-body pouches/orcases; support camera use: $30 - $45. Rain/Snow Protection Coats for Dogs; light weight $25; medium weight $30. BathRobes for Dogs - light weight microfiber $25; heavyweight terry; $30. Winter Coats for Dogs (to 60lb) - $35. Light Strips for harness handles, collars, leash, etc. Attaches w/Velcro - $20. Valid thru 1/1/23. For more information or to order call either Barry (617) 969-7500 ☎ or Kae (781) 286-1696 ☎ or email barry.scheur@gmail.com ✉.

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, affordable, and, whenever possible, fun! Our inventory is constantly changing, so a visit to us is never the same experience twice!

➜ 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 ☎.

➜ That Real Blind Tech Show Episode 96: We Got More Resolutions, ACB Style!

It's a fully packed That Real Blind Tech show lair. Join us as we recap this year's ACB Resolutions. We chime in with all of our opinions about this year's resolutions, and as usual some hilarity ensues. You will not want to miss both AirPods issues that take place on this episode. We are adding do not listen to That Real Blind Tech show on the bus as we are not responsible for the stares you will receive when laughing or cackling like a lunatic!
https://thatrealblindtechshow.libsyn.com/episode-96-we-got-more-resolutions-acb-style

Sponsor Since: August 11th 2022

Website: https://blindtechshow.com/ 🌐

Email: ThatRealBlindTechShow@gmail.com ✉

Social: Facebook Page | Facebook Group | Twitter

Listen: Apple Podcasts | Audible | Google Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube

Hosts: Brian Fischler | Ed Plumacher | Allison Meloy | Jenine Stanley

Goals: We want to educate you on the latest tech for the blindness community. You'll learn what is worth keeping and what you need to return. Our goals are: To inform, inspire and educate our audience. Feature guests and products that bring you value. Continuously improve and deliver the best content.

About: A podcast discussing the good & bad of assistive technology for the low vision & totally blind. No longer focused on just Apple VoiceOver technology. That Real Blind Tech show covers all the fantastic talking tech and gadgets out there for the low vision and blindness community. Common topics include Apple's VoiceOver, JAWS, Microsoft Narrator, NVDA, Amazon Alexa and VoiceView, Google Assistant and Android. Basically, if a device can talk to you, we are going to be talking about it. That Real Blind Tech Show will not only educate you, but it will also make you laugh. Listeners are encouraged to not use treadmills or drink hot coffee while listening to our show, or accidents can and have occurred. Dishes have been broken while listening to That Real Blind Tech Show, and while we are responsible for the laughs, we are in no way responsible for the injuries or bills that pile up. Remember to keep it Real and also don't believe anything you hear on That Real Blind Tech Show.

Home | Episodes | Blog | Contact | Subscribe

➜ Webinar: Discovering Aira and Content Creation | October 25th 2022 at 2:00 PM ET

Creating content for the ever-expanding media world is a growing profession. During #NDEAM2022 we want to spotlight how blind and low vision people are working in this space. Whether for income or personal brand, these creators integrate visual interpreting into their processes. We'll also get advice from Aira Agents on how to make the most of visual interpreting when creating your content. Join us Tuesday, October 25th 2022 at 2:00pm Eastern time. Register at:
https://aira.zoom.us/webinar/register/9116639399059/WN_g9O7k3RaR7mYYT1ODnm0cA

Sponsor Since: August 4th 2022

Website: https://aira.io/ 🌐

Download the App: Apple App Store | Google Play Store

Plans and Pricing: https://aira.io/pricing/

Phone: NA: +1.800.835.1934 ☎ | AU: +1.800.765.096 ☎ | UK: +0.800.046.5668 ☎ | NZ: +1.800.425.451 ☎

Text Message: NA: +1.858.242.4457 📲 | AU: +61.488.839.767 📲 | UK: +44.149.320.2474 📲

Email: support@aira.io ✉

Social: Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn | YouTube | Instagram

About: Aira's mission is to remove barriers and make the world more accessible with visual interpreting.

We provide a live, human-to-human professional assistance service, an accommodation or productivity tool, that enhances independence by delivering on-demand, skilled and reliable visual interpreting for just about any task. Using the powerful combination of a camera and the Aira app on someone's device of 'choice', a professionally-trained agent will assist by visually interpreting what is in the camera's view or on screen, from describing to reading, from explaining to navigating - just about anything, safely and securely. Aira supports a growing range of devices including smart and tactile button phones, desktop computers and soon, wearables.

Whether you are involved in the work of business, the work of school or the work of life, Aira enhances everyday efficiency, engagement, and independence. Used by employees and customers of hundreds of organizations including airports, banks, the largest software companies, financial firms, retailers and universities, we invite you to join the community, access the Aira app today and try it for free.
https://aira.io/download-and-try-it/

Step One: Subscribe and Download. Pick the plan that lets you explore on your terms and on your time, sign up in a few minutes, and download the Aira app to your smartphone. Plans shown are for the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. Add or cancel at any time.

Step Two: Connect with an Aira Agent. On the first call, connect with one of our certified, specially-trained Agents and learn how everything works.

Step Three: Real-time Assistance. At the touch of a button, Aira delivers instant access to visual information, when and where you want it.

➜ Blind in Mind, The Braille Superstore: Touch Tomorrow in Today's Products

Serving blind people since 1999, we're a family-owned, forward-thinking company offering both tried-and-true and exciting new products for blind and low vision consumers. We design and carry self-voicing educational software, Braille supplies, talking gadgets, adapted household items, tactile card and board games, audible toys and gift ideas. Passionate about innovation, we've also created dozens of products from scratch when a suitable solution did not exist. Shop online at http://www.braillebookstore.com/ and enjoy fast, free shipping.

Sponsor Since: June 30th 2022

Website: http://www.braillebookstore.com/ 🌐

Phone (Toll Free): (800) 987-1231 ☎

Fax (Toll Free): (800) 985-1231 ░

Email: Sales@BrailleBookstore.com ✉

Hours: 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Monday through Friday, Pacific Standard Time.

About: Welcome to Blind in Mind, The Braille Superstore. We have been supplying products to blind people and their families since 1999. We offer thousands of Braille books, toys, games, kitchen aids, and talking products. We have unbeatable prices, fast, free shipping, and great customer service! We have tons of Braille books and cool products to choose from; so grab a cup of coffee, relax, and we'll give you a quick tour:

Products:

➜ Timekeeping
➜ Housewares
➜ On The Go
➜ Low Vision Products
➜ Toys and Games
➜ Gift Shop
➜ Braille Workshop
➜ Braille Bookstore
➜ Greeting Cards
➜ Copy Center
➜ Computer Lab
➜ Popular Products
➜ New Products

If you need some fresh ideas or have questions, you can also check out our Shopping Guides.

➜ Tired Of Paying For Inaccessible Learning Apps?

We get it. Focus on the content that matters to you and spend less time trying to navigate online learning with your assistive technology. Verified by a community of accessibility testers, Fable Pathways offers free, assistive-technology-friendly online learning, compatible with devices like screen readers, screen magnifiers, voice navigation, and switch controls. Sign up today for your free, accessible, membership at:
https://www.fablepathways.com

Sponsor Since: June 30th 2022

Website: https://fablepathways.com/ 🌐

Email: community@makeitfable.com ✉

Phone: (888) 212-3532 ☎ Extension 810

About: Just like curb cuts help everyone get on and off sidewalks, designing digital products with accessibility in mind helps make the internet more accessible for everyone. Fable is an accessibility platform powered by people with disabilities. Fable connects people with disabilities to accessibility managers, user researchers, designers, and developers to build incredible and accessible user experiences.

Opportunities:

➜ Fable Pathways: Fable Pathways is a free skill development program for people with disabilities interested in working in the tech sector. Sign up to take your career to the next level. Courses include "Getting started in web development" taught by Kelly Ford, a screen reader user, and Senior Program Manager at Microsoft, and "Becoming a manager" taught by Fable's Head of Accessibility Innovation, Kate Kalcevich. Instructors are subject matter experts in their fields and have lived experience with disability. Pathways courses are free, self-paced and assistive-technology-friendly. Sign up now at https://fablepathways.com/.

➜ Fable's Community of Accessibility Testers: Work from home to contribute to real changes in digital accessibility and make the internet a more accessible place for everyone. Ever leave a website because it was too hard to navigate? Because it was missing button labels? Because it didn't respond to voice commands? Us too. Our community of testers who use assistive technologies work from home and contribute to real changes in digital accessibility with recognizable brands. Earn money to share your feedback on websites and apps of your favorite brands and work with companies that care. No experience required and no resume required. Fable is looking for assistive technology users in the USA and Canada to work the hours that they want, from the comfort of their own homes. Learn more at https://fablepathways.com/community/.

➜ Dolphin Friends Program

If you work for a non-profit, charity or society that provides services to people with visual impairments, we invite you to take part in our Dolphin Friends Program. Dolphin will outfit your center with assistive technology solutions that can benefit your clients who need to remain independent, are trying to sharpen their technology skills for employment and more. Learn more about becoming a Dolphin Friend:
https://info.yourdolphin.com/join-dolphin-friends

Sponsor Since: June 9th 2022

Website: https://yourdolphin.com/ 🌐

Support: https://yourdolphin.com/contact/support

Locate a Dolphin Dealer: https://yourdolphin.com/contact/dealer/locate

About: Dolphin designs and builds software that empowers people who are blind or partially sighted to read, work and communicate.

We are committed to creating assistive technology that makes workplaces, classrooms and the home accessible and usable for people with visual impairments.

Dolphin assistive technology products are designed to improve accessibility and independence on computers, for people with a wide range of vision impairments. This includes screen readers for people who are blind, magnification and audio products for people who have partial sight and low vision.

Dolphin also develops technology to assist a neurodiverse range of readers. Accessible reading technology from Dolphin is used by book lovers and students with dyslexia, ADHD and autism, in addition to other print impairments. It provides a way to access books from accessible libraries around the world.

Dolphin Products

Dolphin Computer Access designs and develops software that enables users to read and access information at home, at work and throughout their education.

Each Dolphin product empowers users with visual impairments to use computers independently, in ways that suit their sight and experience with technology.

➜ Looking For Blind Job-Seekers Wanting To Advance Their Salaries, Careers And Digital Accessibility For The Blind

Are you interested in learning new tech skills and working remotely while earning a competitive salary? At Clusiv.io we have created the world's first digitally accessible e-Learning platform built by the blind, and built for the blind. Visit the link provided and request Clusiv through your Vocational Rehab counselor for lifetime access to our e-Learning platform with courses such as Business Applications, JAWS, and more:
https://clusiv.io/

Sponsor Since: June 9th 2022

Website: https://clusiv.io/ 🌐

About: We are Clusiv. We are the world's first e-learning platform built for and by blind and partially sighted people. We are a resource to vocational rehabilitation organizations. We are a training platform for individuals with visual impairments who have faced barriers to access and equity in the modern workforce. We are engineering the future of work for accessibility. Learn more by selecting the user path that best describes you:

➜ Discover. I want to learn more about Clusiv.
➜ Potential Student. I want to train with Clusiv.
➜ VR Agency / Counselor. I want to help the people I serve with Clusiv.
➜ Inclusive Employer. I want to hire Clusiv graduates.

➜ Subscribe to the Double Tap Podcast

Double Tap is the show where blind people talk tech! If you're blind or partially sighted and have an interest in technology, this is the show for you. Everyone is welcome no matter how old you are or how much or how little experience you have with technology. Each week the team will help you better understand how technology can help your everyday life, even if you have little or no sight. Join the conversation and add your voice to the show either by calling in, sending an email or leaving us a voicemail! Email: feedback@doubletap.online ✉. Phone: +1 (844) 971-1999 ☎
https://bit.ly/3BQmUTl

Sponsor Since: December 23rd 2021

Email: feedback@doubletap.online ✉

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3BQmUTl

About: Double Tap TV is a weekly tech show on AMI-tv, (also available on CBC Gem in Canada and YouTube). Each week join hosts Steven Scott (@blindguytech) and Marc Aflalo (@marcaflalo) as they help viewers better understand how technology can assist in everyday life. Its tech from an accessible point of view! The show features interviews with some of the biggest names in consumer tech and features up and coming companies and services.

➜ Order Now! Get The Most Powerful Android Notetaker Available, the BrailleSense 6 From HIMS. It's Simply The Best.

The time is now to get your all-new BrailleSense 6 notetaker, the most powerful and user-friendly notetaker on the market. Running Android 10, with 128 GB of Storage, 6 GB of Memory, and an 8-Core CPU, the BrailleSense 6 is the ultimate braille notetaker. Learn more today at:
https://hims-inc.com/product/braillesense-6/

Sponsor Since: September 30th 2021

Website: https://hims-inc.com/ 🌐

Shop All Products: https://hims-inc.com/shop-all-products/ 🛒

Phone: (512) 837-2000 ☎

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5R9NjA1nfWo

Sales Email: sales@hims-inc.com ✉
Support Email: support@hims-inc.com ✉

About: HIMS, Inc. is a global manufacturer and distributor that has provided braille, magnification and accessible healthcare devices since 1999.

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Top Tech Tidbits is the world's leading, not-for-profit adaptive technology publication that reaches over 8,000 adaptive technology professionals, educators and enthusiasts, all over the world, each week.

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Top Tech Tidbits for Thursday, December 22, 2022 - Volume 890

The Week's News in Adaptive 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 adaptive technology.

Subscribers: 7,169 Opt-In Subscribers were sent this issue via email. 158 Premium Subscribers were sent this issue via email.

This Week's Featured Advertisement: No Sponsorship Packages Currently Available. Please Consider Joining Our Waiting List Today! This Issue Made Possible By Support From The Following Sponsors:

This issue made possible by sponsorship support from: A.T. Guys, GuideLights And Gadgets, American Printing House, LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired Adaptations Online Store, HumanWare, APH ConnectCenter, Freedom Scientific, Pneuma Solutions, Carroll Center for the Blind, Blind Mice Mega Mall, HIMS, Inc., Double Tap TV, Clusiv, Dolphin Computer Access, Fable, Blind in Mind, The Braille Superstore, Aira and That Real Blind Tech Show.

Dear Tidbits Subscriber,

✍ Submit your adaptive technology-related Tidbit for consideration within this section using this form: https://www.toptechtidbits.com/submit-tidbit or locate "Tidbit Submission Form" within the main menu of the Top Tech Tidbits website.

1) Top 5 Most Clicked Tidbits From Last Week

A.) iOS 16.2 Will Leave you Speechless — 7 More Changes | Nikhil Vemu (8.8% of all clicks.)
I can never stop singing its praises:
https://medium.com/macoclock/ios-16-2-will-leave-you-speechless-7-more-changes-a973ecc418a8

B.) Apple Releases iOS 16.2 and iPadOS 16.2; Bringing Bug Fixes for VoiceOver and Braille Users | AppleVis (7.5% of all clicks.)
Apple has released iOS 16.2 and iPadOS 16.2 to the public. Our experience is that the following accessibility bugs have been resolved or significantly addressed in iOS 16.2 and iPadOS 16.2:
https://www.applevis.com/blog/apple-releases-ios-162-ipados-162-bringing-bug-fixes-voiceover-braille-users

C.) Your iPhone Has 26 New Accessibility Tools You Shouldn't Ignore (4.2% of all clicks.)
This is a handy rundown of the latest accessibility features on iOS devices:
https://ios.gadgethacks.com/how-to/your-iphone-has-26-new-accessibility-tools-you-shouldnt-ignore-0385071/

D.) Here Are My Favorite Windows 11 Keyboard Shortcuts | Kevin Okemwa (4.1% of all clicks.)
Keyboard shortcuts are an invaluable tool that can help you save time and effort when using your computer. However, there are many different keyboard shortcuts available, and it can be hard to keep track of them all, especially after Microsoft began rolling out the Windows 11 2022 Update. In this article, we'll go over some of the top keyboard shortcuts for Windows 11 and how you can use them to improve your productivity:
https://www.onmsft.com/feature/keyboard-shortcuts-windows-11

E.) Voiceover On The iPhone Was A Miracle For People Who Can't See, And It Keeps Getting Better (3.8% of all clicks.)
Back in 2009, Apple's Phil Schiller stood onstage and unveiled the iPhone 3GS with a brief and somewhat surprising aside: the buttonless, glass-fronted device would work even if you couldn't see it. Schiller was referring to Apple's not-yet-announced plan to bring VoiceOver, the assistive tool known as a "screen reader," to the iPhone, a move that over the next decade would become the industry standard for non-visual interaction with a smartphone:
https://techcrunch.com/2022/12/07/voiceover-on-the-iphone-was-a-miracle-for-people-who-cant-see-and-it-keeps-getting-better-learn-how-at-sight-tech-global/

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3) Premium Subscriber Updates

Next Issue: Premium Subscribers will receive their 3rd Volume of the 60 Most Clicked Tidbits for October, November and December 2022 on Monday, January 2nd 2023. Back Issues: There are currently 2 back issues available. Premium Subscribers are entitled to all back issues, anytime they sign up. All available back issues will be sent to you via email within 24 hours of purchasing your subscription. Join Us: If you would like to receive a perfectly formatted and searchable Word Document with each of the 60 Most Clicked Tidbits of the last 3 months listed neatly within it, please consider joining us today for just $1 a month:
https://www.toptechtidbits.com/premium-subscribers.html

4) What Is Twitter Blue, Exactly?

The relaunch of Twitter's subscription service is pretty confusing. Here's what users get for their money:
https://www.wired.com/story/what-is-twitter-blue/

5) Ask Alexa

A.) Use Alexa to improve your knowledge of history and trivia.
Just say, "Alexa, who was born on this day?"

B.) Use Alexa to inform your food choices.
Just say, "Alexa, how much protein is in four ounces of chicken?"

C.) Use Alexa for entertainment.
Just say, "Alexa, beat box for me."
Or, "Alexa, use the Force."
Or, "Alexa, entertain me."

D.) Use Alexa to improve your spelling.
Just say, "Alexa, test my spelling."

E.) Use Alexa to track and remind.
Just say, "Alexa, remind me to take out the recycling."

6) The Top New Features in Apple's iOS and iPadOS 16

The latest versions for iPhones and iPads are now available, complete with a revamped lock screen, Freeform, and Safety Check:
https://www.wired.com/story/apple-iphone-ios-16-ipados-16-new-features/

7) Addressing The Accessibility Of Forms In Documents | University of Washington

Publisher (Di Blasi): This fantastic and simple resource comes to us from a recent discussion on the ATHEN (Access Technology Higher Education Network) Listserv related to document form accessibility. This is a great general primer for anyone starting out in document form accessibility and/or remediation. | University of Washington: Online forms must be coded properly in order to be accessible. There a wide variety of issues that must be considered, and the form must be created with care:
https://www.washington.edu/accessibility/documents/forms/

8) Fun With Alexa: Interactive Adventure And Escape Games | APH

In need of some entertainment during the holiday season? Use Amazon Alexa ^TM to access a plethora of accessible, entertaining strategy games perfect for your child or teen who is blind or visually impaired or the whole family! We tested out and put together this list of Alexa games to bring some cheer to your child's winter vacation. Simply say, "Alexa open" and the name of the game to start playing:"
https://www.aph.org/fun-with-alexa-interactive-adventure-and-escape-games/

9) Skype Can Now Translate Your Own Voice Into Different Languages With AI

Translated voices within Skype can now sound more like the original speaker:
https://www.windowscentral.com/software-apps/skype-can-now-translate-your-own-voice-into-different-languages-with-ai

10) Digital Eternity Is Just Around the Corner

These past few years have been visceral reminders of our mortality. But new technologies can offer a way for us and our loved ones to live on:
https://www.wired.com/story/death-technology-memory/

11) Why Do Most Digital Voice Assistants Have Female Voices & Names? | Sarah Magliocco

Sarah Magliocco explores why nearly all digital voice assistants are programmed with female voices and names, and what this says about gender bias:
https://www.rte.ie/lifestyle/living/2022/1215/1342069-why-do-most-digital-voice-assistants-have-female-voices-names/

12) December 2022 Quality Update Brings Functionalities Of New Quick Assist App To Its Original Version

Quick Assist is an incredibly helpful Microsoft Windows feature allowing a user to remotely view or control a Windows computer over a network. However, the software giant's recent move to make it an app for the Microsoft Store and abandon the old built-in version was terrible news to the IT community as it meant inconvenience. IT professionals aired their disappointment with the decision, citing concerns regarding local admin permission requirements during installations and inconvenient per-user installation. In May, Microsoft explained that it was pushed to resort to such actions due to the need for faster security updates push and the "underlying functionality" of Quick Assist. It also stressed that "sometime in mid-May the old version will no longer be usable." However, these things should no longer be a concern after Microsoft announced the December 2022 quality update:
https://mspoweruser.com/quick-assist-december-2022-quality-update/

13) Review: Sony C10 Self-Fitting Hearing Aids | Wired

Americans no longer need a medical exam to start using hearing aids. This new over-the-counter offering is affordable and excellent:
https://www.wired.com/review/sony-c10-self-fitting-hearing-aids/

14) Linux Desktop, Blind Edition: Chapter 1

I switched to daily driving Linux desktop almost a month ago and in that time, I have learned a lot, so I decided to write this series of articles to detail my adventure for anyone else who might want to try. Not everything in these articles will be the perfect solution, or use the best methods. They are just what work for me, and they may or may not work for you:
https://fireborn.mataroa.blog/blog/linux-desktop-blind-edition-ch1/

15) What's New in Fusion 2023

A new early adopter program, a freeze view update and changes in smart Glance highlights are among some of the changes:
https://support.freedomscientific.com/Downloads/Fusion/FusionWhatsNew

16) Communication Made Easier

Project Relate is an Android beta app created to help people with non-standard speech make their voices heard:
https://sites.research.google/relate/

17) 18 Google Scholar Tips All Students Should Know

Here is a great article on tips for getting started with Google Scholar:
https://blog.google/products/search/tips-google-scholar-expert/

18) AVSpeechSynthesisProviderAudioUnit

AVSpeechSynthesisProviderAudioUnit is an object that generates speech from text. More text-to-speech voices are coming to Apple's iOS operating system. Here is the developer's guide on how to get started:
https://developer.apple.com/documentation/avfaudio/avspeechsynthesisprovideraudiounit

19) Direct To Consumer Audio And E-Books Launched By Princeton University Press

In partnership with Glassboxx, Princeton University Press (PUP) has launched a direct-to-consumer audio book and e-books. Readers will be able to access and buy e-books and audio books through PUP's website, which is supported by a new, reader-facing app, for reading, browsing and listening. Glassboxx aims to enable publishers, authors, and retailers the ability to offer their audio and e-books in a more streamlined way to readers:
https://goodereader.com/blog/electronic-readers/direct-to-consumer-audio-and-e-books-launched-by-princeton-university-press

20) Amazon To Stop Textbook Rentals, Reorganizes Magazine And Newspaper Subscriptions

Amazon announced it is in the process of winding down their print textbook rental program along with magazine and newspaper subscriptions, both print and digital, Publishers Weekly reported. The print textbook rental program which was established more than a decade ago will be phased out by the Spring semester. Amazon however said it will continue to support its digital textbook rental program which will continue to function as usual. The sale of print textbooks, both new and old will also continue unabated. As it is, the retailer hosts more than two million textbooks that are available for outright purchase or for rent:
https://goodereader.com/blog/digital-magazine-news/amazon-to-stop-textbook-rentals-reorganizes-magazine-and-newspaper-subscriptions

21) Blind Android Users Survey For Best OCR Award of 2022

This is your opportunity to vote for the Blind Android Users Best OCR of 2022. Survey closes on December 30th 2022 at 12:00 AM PT:
https://forms.gle/9dYq2VV2bnx7Ns3H6

22) Everything Apple Announced And Released In 2022 | Gizmodo

Apple had a pretty big year in 2022 for product announcements, from iPhones to iPads to new operating systems. Here's everything the company announced and released this year, including links to our reviews:
https://www.gizmodo.com.au/2022/12/everything-apple-announced-in-2022/

➜ Surveys

✍ Submit your adaptive technology-related survey for consideration within this section using this form: https://www.toptechtidbits.com/submit-survey or locate "Survey Submission Form" within the main menu of the Top Tech Tidbits website.

1) Surveys | APH

2) Survey | Blind Android Users Survey For Best OCR Award of 2022

Closes: December 30th 2022 This is your opportunity to vote for the Blind Android Users Best OCR of 2022. Survey closes on December 30th 2022 at 12:00 AM PT:
https://forms.gle/9dYq2VV2bnx7Ns3H6

➜ Featured Podcast Episodes

✍ Submit your adaptive technology-related Podcast Episode for consideration within this section using this form: https://www.toptechtidbits.com/submit-podcast-episode or locate "Podcast Episode Submission Form" within the main menu of the Top Tech Tidbits website.

1) Outdoors With Lawrence Gunther Episode 66: Hibernating Bears and Montreal's Biodome

December 11th 2022 | Episode 66 of the Accessible Media show Outdoors with Lawrence Gunther starts with Lilly conducting a Black bear bed check. Then Lawrence and Lilly are off to Montreal for the first of several visits to the Biodome. Lawrence has tips for keeping your guide dog happy and their paws safe on ice, and a few reflections on when is ice actually safe to go on. That's right, lakes are starting to freeze over!
https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/episode-66-hibernating-bears-and-montreals-biodome/id1530444764?i=1000589770616

2) Braille Monitor: National Federation Of The Blind

December 14th 2022
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/national-federation-of-the-blind-braille-monitor/id818515069?i=1000590212548

3) Employment Insights with the NRTC

December 15th 2022 | The NRTC on Blindness and Low Vision is committed to enhancing employment outcomes for people with vision loss. In this episode, our guest, Pat, joins us to talk about her eye condition that developed later in her career, her challenges, and her advice for others in a similar situation:
https://www.ntac.blind.msstate.edu/consumers/webinars-podcasts

4) I Came Full Circle | Insights and Sound Bites Podcast | Hadley

December 15th 2022 | Annie shares with us the steps she took to work through her depression by seeking help from a mental health professional:
https://hadley.edu/podcasts/insights-sound-bites/i-came-full-circle

5) Mosen at Large Episode 211: There's An All Too Common Problem With Some Lenovo ThinkPads, Unboxing An Apple Watch Ultra, And The Audio Game Evidence 111

6) Blind Android Users Episode 106: Blind Android Users Celebrates Its 2nd Year Anniversary

December 17th 2022 | We first announce that we near the 800 subscription mark on our YouTube channel. We then announce the best OCR poll that is running as of now. Our listeners that joined us for the celebration discussed what they like and dislike about Android. We had a listener vote on what according to them is the best ocr but actual vote will count after filling the survey. This episode can be found at:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5iI0uwraRqr5gtf5JLgXjt0X8nj-BLe9

7) Blind Abilities Episode 920: New Sing Feature In Apple Music Is Like... Karaoke On Your iPhone, iPad, Apple TV

December 17th 2022 | Apple introduced a new feature called Sing when iOS 16.2 was released. You can now drop the volume level of the vocals in a song on Apple Music so you can take over the vocals of millions of songs. Apple has created some Sing playlist in many categories and genres so you can find plenty of songs to sing along with. The one caveat is that you have to be a subscriber to Apple Music, and have one of the latest Apple devices. We would love to hear from you! Send us an email at: info@blindabilities.com ✉ or give us a call and leave us some feedback at (612) 367-6093 ☎:
https://blindabilities.com/?p=7758

8) Blind Abilities Episode 921: The Kevin Chao Experience: A Blindness Perspective Of Sight Tech Global 2022 — Tactile Graphics, Digital Tactile Display, Autonomy, Ara From Strap, Pixar Audio Description And More

December 19th 2022 | Held the 3rd Annual Sight Tech Global 2022, virtual and in-person event. Kevin Chao attended virtually for the first 2 days and being just 20 minutes away, Kevin attended the first in-person event put on by the Vista Center and documented his experience. It was a pleasure to have Kevin back in the Blind Abilities Studio to tell us all about the Sight Tech Global 2022. From his hands-on demonstrations to his conversations with attendees, you will learn what caught Kevin's attention and how meeting the technology pioneers rounded out his virtual and in-person conference experience:
https://blindabilities.com/?p=7760

9) Unmute Presents | MP3

December 20th 2022 | This is a replay of the Unmute Presents call hosted live on Tuesday, December 20, 2022. In this call we answer listener questions and learn more about about tools and tips you can use to export contacts and so much more. Tune in to this replay, and remember to join us live every Tuesday. Visit: https://acb.org/acb-community-events to get the call in information:
https://pinecast.com/listen/74aae45f-dc84-4f85-871a-71bef4075b8d.mp3

➜ Featured Webinars, Training Courses and Events

✍ Submit your adaptive technology-related Webinar, Training Course or Event for consideration within this section using this form: https://www.toptechtidbits.com/submit-webinar-training-course or locate "Webinar / Training Course Submission Form" within the main menu of the Top Tech Tidbits website.

1) Ask The Advocate | APH ConnectCenter

2) Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 4: Braille Around the World | APH

3) Braille Technology Throughout the Ages: A Special Event for World Braille Day | The Braillists Foundation

January 4th 2023 | 11AM PT, 12PM MT, 1PM CT, 2PM ET, 7PM GMT | In addition to our collaboration with Sight and Sound Technology, we are pleased to present an evening panel discussion for World Braille Day focussing on braille technology: its past, present and future. We will be joined by historians, people working in the braille technology industry today and developers of the next generation of braille hardware and software. The event will take place on Wednesday 4 January at 7:00 PM, and you will need to register in advance. This is a separate registration link to both our regular Masterclasses and the event with Sight and Sound. Please email help@braillists.org ✉ if you have difficulties completing the form:
https://www.braillists.org/uncategorised/braille-technology-throughout-the-ages-a-special-event-for-world-braille-day/

4) 2023 Consumer Electronics Show (CES)

5) Maryland Technology Assistance Program | Technology User Group | Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled (LBPD)

6) Special Needs Trusts: Planning For Your Future

7) Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 5: School Aged Numeracy | APH

8) Maryland Accessible Telecommunications | Technology User Group | Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled (LBPD)

9) Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 6: Daily Living Activities | APH

10) Using Garage Band App to Create a Song | Technology User Group | Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled (LBPD)

11) 2023 38th Annual CSUN Assistive Technology Conference

12) 2023 3rd Annual Axe-Con | Building Accessible Experiences | The World's Largest Digital Accessibility Conference

13) Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 7: Music | APH

14) How To Upgrade To Windows 11 | Technology User Group | Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled (LBPD)

15) Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 8: STEM | APH

16) Travel Tools and Apps | Technology User Group | Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled (LBPD)

17) Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 9: Orientation & Mobility | APH

➜ Directories

1) Access Information Email Newsletter Directory

https://www.accessinformationnews.com/email-newsletter-directory.html

2) Top Tech Tidbits Blind And Visually Impaired App Directory

https://www.toptechtidbits.com/blind-and-visually-impaired-technology-app-directory.html

3) Top Tech Tidbits Blind And Visually Impaired Game Directory

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4) Top Tech Tidbits Blind And Visually Impaired Listserv Directory

https://www.toptechtidbits.com/blind-and-visually-impaired-technology-listserv-directory.html

5) Top Tech Tidbits Blind And Visually Impaired Podcast Directory

https://www.toptechtidbits.com/blind-and-visually-impaired-technology-podcast-directory.html

➜ Buy, Sell or Trade

✍ List your new, gently-used or refurbished item in FOUR (4) consecutive issues of Top Tech Tidbits for just $5.00 USD. Fill out this short form to secure your Buy, Sell or Trade Classified Advertisement today: https://www.toptechtidbits.com/submit-buy-sell-trade or learn more on the Top Tech Tidbits website.

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

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Double Tap TV is a weekly tech show on AMI-tv, (also available on CBC Gem in Canada and YouTube). Each week join hosts Steven Scott (@blindguytech) and Marc Aflalo (@marcaflalo) as they help viewers better understand how technology can assist in everyday life. Its tech from an accessible point of view! The show features interviews with some of the biggest names in consumer tech and features up and coming companies and services. Subscribe to the Double Tap TV YouTube Channel today at:
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Blind Mice Swap Shop: Sell, Swap, and Buy. The Mice receive calls every day asking if we buy or sell used or unwanted items. The Mice don't sell used products but to help our members, we created the Blind Mice Swap Shop! The Blind Mice Swap Shop is the place for Sellers, Traders, & Buyers to find each other! Do you ... have something you don't want anymore... Post it for sale on the Blind Mice Swap Shop. Got something you just don't use... Post it for sale on the Blind Mice Swap Shop. Got something new to sell... Post it for sale on the Blind Mice Swap Shop. Provide a service that might be helpful to other Blind and Visually Impaired folks... Post it to the Blind Mice Swap Shop. Have an announcement about an upcoming event beneficial to the Blind & Visually Impaired Community... Post it to the Blind Mice Swap Shop. Joining the Blind Mice Swap Shop is free and as easy as sending an email to: BlindMiceSwapShop+Subscribe@Groups.io ✉

About: Welcome to Blind Mice Mega Mall! The Mall with the Blind In Mind! Blind Mice Mega Mall is designed for use with a screen reader and low vision software for visually impaired shoppers. Each store is an independent business owned / managed by a member of the Blind / Low Vision Community. Please browse & shop the merchants at Blind Mice Mega Mall. You will find great items and unique offerings from our merchants. You help the Blind Community every time you make a purchase from any of the merchants at Blind Mice Mega Mall. Every purchase made at Blind Mice Mega Mall gives back to the Blind and Visually Impaired Community. Proceeds from sales fund the MouseHole Scholarship Program, the Cooking In The Dark Show and The Movie Vault. Blind Mice Mega Mall accepts American Express, Discover, Mastercard, Visa, PayPal, Checks, and Money Orders. Purchase Orders From State Agencies are also welcome.

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Top Tech Tidbits for Thursday, December 15, 2022 - Volume 889

The Week's News in Adaptive Technology
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✍ Submit your adaptive technology-related Tidbit for consideration within this section using this form: https://www.toptechtidbits.com/submit-tidbit or locate "Tidbit Submission Form" within the main menu of the Top Tech Tidbits website.

1) Top 5 Most Clicked Tidbits From Last Week

A.) Checking Out The New C.Crane CC Skywave SSB 2 Radio | Jock Elliott | KB2GOM (5.3% of all clicks.)
Folks who are regular readers of my posts here have already figured out that I am a big fan of the C.Crane Skywave SSB. It is easily the most versatile radio I own, receiving AM (medium wave), FM, shortwave, HF single sideband, NOAA weather stations with alert, and scannable civilian VHF frequencies, and I have written enthusiastically about it here on multiple occasions. I think of the Skywave SSB as my "anti-boredom machine." It's small enough to slide into a shirt or jacket pocket or tuck into any pack. Get stuck waiting in line, whip out the Skywave SSB, plug in a pair of ear buds, and listen to whatever is available:
https://swling.com/blog/2022/11/checking-out-the-new-c-crane-cc-skywave-ssb-2/

B.) Your iPhone Has 26 New Accessibility Tools You Shouldn't Ignore (4.6% of all clicks.)
This is a handy rundown of the latest accessibility features on iOS devices:
https://ios.gadgethacks.com/how-to/your-iphone-has-26-new-accessibility-tools-you-shouldnt-ignore-0385071/

C.) Microsoft Neural Voices on Speech Central (4.4% of all clicks.)
Speech Central has added support for Microsoft Neural Voices in the latest version. Those are the high quality voices provided online through Microsoft's servers:
https://www.applevis.com/forum/ios-ipados/microsoft-neural-voices-speech-central

D.) Version 1.1 Of StellarTrek: A Major Update Of Our Orientation And Mobility Digital Assistant | HumanWare (4.0% of all clicks.)
The StellarTrek has been out for a few months now. Still hesitating to buy one? These updates might change your mind:
https://groups.io/g/tech-vi/message/3079

E.) The 7 Best AI Voice Generators (3.8% of all clicks.)
AI voice-generation technology is more sophisticated than it's ever been. Give these voice generators a try and see for yourself:
https://www.makeuseof.com/best-ai-voice-generators/

2) Sponsorship Package Updates

Availability: There are no Top Tech Tidbits Sponsorship Packages currently available. Waiting List: If you would like to support Top Tech Tidbits by becoming a Sponsor in the future please add your name to our waiting list today. We will add your name to the list, let you know what position you currently hold within it, and then notify you the moment a package becomes available. Waiting List Position: There are currently four future Sponsors on the waiting list. List Addition: Just send an email to our Publisher at:
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3) Premium Subscriber Updates

Next Issue: Premium Subscribers will receive their 3rd Volume of the 60 Most Clicked Tidbits for October, November and December 2022 on Monday, January 2nd 2023. Back Issues: There are currently 2 back issues available. Premium Subscribers are entitled to all back issues, anytime they sign up. All available back issues will be sent to you via email within 24 hours of purchasing your subscription. Join Us: If you would like to receive a perfectly formatted and searchable Word Document with each of the 60 Most Clicked Tidbits of the last 3 months listed neatly within it, please consider joining us today for just $1 a month:
https://www.toptechtidbits.com/premium-subscribers.html

4) Access Information News Launches First-Of-Its-Kind Email Newsletter Directory Dedicated To Access Information

Publisher (Di Blasi): Do you regularly send out access information via an email newsletter? I am very excited to announce that on Monday, December 12th 2022, Access Information News launched a first-of-its-kind Email Newsletter Directory dedicated to access information. This new Directory was created at the request of both readers and access information email newsletter providers who were looking for more optimal ways to locate each other. Learn all about the new Directory here:
https://www.accessinformationnews.com/3.html

5) Apple Releases iOS 16.2 and iPadOS 16.2; Bringing Bug Fixes for VoiceOver and Braille Users | AppleVis

Apple has released iOS 16.2 and iPadOS 16.2 to the public. Our experience is that the following accessibility bugs have been resolved or significantly addressed in iOS 16.2 and iPadOS 16.2:
https://www.applevis.com/blog/apple-releases-ios-162-ipados-162-bringing-bug-fixes-voiceover-braille-users

6) Apple Releases MacOS Ventura 13.1, WatchOS 9.2, TvOS 16.2, and HomePod Software Version 16.2 | AppleVis

Apple has released macOS Ventura 13.1, watchOS 9.2, tvOS 16.2, and HomePod software version 16.2 to the public. The macOS Ventura 13.1 release notes say that it “introduces Freeform, a new app that offers a great place to brainstorm and bring your ideas to life. This release also includes Advanced Data Protection for iCloud and other features and bug fixes for your Mac:"
https://www.applevis.com/blog/apple-releases-macos-ventura-131-watchos-92-tvos-162-homepod-software-version-162

7) Report: Apple Plans To Support Side Loading And Third-Party App Stores By 2024

This may mean 3rd party screen readers and other assistive technologies may become available on iOS devices in the future:
https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2022/12/report-apple-engineers-are-working-on-third-party-app-store-support-in-ios/

8) Exploring Everyday Possibilities in Markdown | A Review of iA Writer | Jisell Howe

It has been over a month since I purchased a license of iA Writer. Regrettably, I have not spent time exploring this fantastic tool as much as I should have as I was busy with personal projects: one of which involving a migration of my website from WordPress to Quarto/GitHub Pages. Before I get into a review of iA Writer, I want to provide more context that led to the decision in purchasing a license in the first place.
https://www.jisellhowe.com/posts/exploring-everyday-possibilities-in-markdown/

9) How to Use Google Alerts in Your Job Search

Using Google Alerts you can keep track of new job openings and keep up with the latest news. It's easy to set up, and free. Here's how to use it:
https://www.makeuseof.com/use-google-alerts-in-job-search/

10) ChatGPT's Most Charming Trick Is Also Its Biggest Flaw

The articulate new chatbot has won over the internet and shown how engaging conversational AI can be — even when it makes stuff up:
https://www.wired.com/story/openai-chatgpts-most-charming-trick-hides-its-biggest-flaw/?bxid=5bd66e062ddf9c6194383112&cndid=21712889

11) ChatGPT, Galactica, and the Progress Trap

When large language models fall short, the consequences can be serious. Why is it so hard to acknowledge that?
https://www.wired.com/story/large-language-models-critique/

12) ChatGPT's Fluent BS Is Compelling Because Everything Is Fluent BS

The AI chatbot was trained on text created by humans. Of course its writing is superficially impressive and lacking in substance:
https://www.wired.com/story/chatgpt-fluent-bs/

13) Making A Good Thing Better: The C.Crane CC Skywave SSB 2 Portable Shortwave Radio | The Swing Post

The CC Skywave SSB is my choice travel and EDC radio. I prefer it over any other portable I own (and I do have quite a lot) because it's so insanely useful, efficient, lightweight, compact, and durable:
https://swling.com/blog/2022/12/making-a-good-thing-better-the-c-crane-cc-skywave-ssb-2/

14) What's New in The EasyReader App — Version 10.03 Released December 13th 2022 | Dolphin

We are delighted to inform you that there has been an update to the EasyReader App to bring new features to EasyReader Premium subscribers. EasyReader Premium subscriptions are available for individuals and for educational organizations. As always, the EasyReader App remains free to download and use and continues to provide accessible ways to read for people with visual impairments, dyslexia and other print impairments:
https://yourdolphin.com/en-gb/news?id=527

15) TWBlue Updates

TWBlue has been updated with Mastodon support, and some other fixes related to opening and running the program:
https://twblue.es/downloads/

16) Microsoft Is Rolling Out The Redesigned OneDrive App For Windows 11

Look-and-feel and notification management are among the enhancements:
https://www.neowin.net/news/microsoft-is-rolling-out-the-redesigned-onedrive-app-for-windows-11/

17) Use Live Captions In A Teams Meeting | Microsoft Support

Teams can detect what's said in a meeting and present real-time captions. And, if you've turned on the new meeting experience, your captions will include speaker attribution — so you'll see not only what's being said, but who's saying it:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/use-live-captions-in-a-teams-meeting-4be2d304-f675-4b57-8347-cbd000a21260?WT.mc_id=eml_CXM_en-us_M365Comm_Usage_M365NewsletterEdition3_0_V00_EM_Pro_1134350_ENUS_FY23

18) Voiceover On The iPhone Was A Miracle For People Who Can't See, And It Keeps Getting Better

Back in 2009, Apple's Phil Schiller stood onstage and unveiled the iPhone 3GS with a brief and somewhat surprising aside: the buttonless, glass-fronted device would work even if you couldn't see it. Schiller was referring to Apple's not-yet-announced plan to bring VoiceOver, the assistive tool known as a "screen reader," to the iPhone, a move that over the next decade would become the industry standard for non-visual interaction with a smartphone:
https://techcrunch.com/2022/12/07/voiceover-on-the-iphone-was-a-miracle-for-people-who-cant-see-and-it-keeps-getting-better-learn-how-at-sight-tech-global/

19) iOS 16.2 Will Leave you Speechless — 7 More Changes | Nikhil Vemu

I can never stop singing its praises:https://medium.com/macoclock/ios-16-2-will-leave-you-speechless-7-more-changes-a973ecc418a8

20) "Spring for Twitter" Creator Announces New iOS App "Mona For Mastodon"

I'm excited to announce my new app: Mona for Mastodon, a Mastodon client for iPhone, iPad and Mac, powered by the same amazing features of “Spring for Twitter.” A preview version of Mona will be available to Spring customers soon. You can follow me on Twitter at:
https://twitter.com/theSpringApp

21) Electronic Second Skins Are the Wearables of the Future

Flexible e-skins could be used to measure wearers' blood pressure, temperature, and oxygen levels in real time, assisting with diagnoses and health care:
https://www.wired.com/story/electronic-second-skins/

22) Here Are My Favorite Windows 11 Keyboard Shortcuts | Kevin Okemwa

Keyboard shortcuts are an invaluable tool that can help you save time and effort when using your computer. However, there are many different keyboard shortcuts available, and it can be hard to keep track of them all, especially after Microsoft began rolling out the Windows 11 2022 Update. In this article, we'll go over some of the top keyboard shortcuts for Windows 11 and how you can use them to improve your productivity:
https://www.onmsft.com/feature/keyboard-shortcuts-windows-11

23) Video: New Android Mode Helps People Who Are Blind Or Low Vision Customize Display Options

As part of a raft of new Android features, Google has released Reading mode on Android devices to assist people who have vision impairments or are dyslexic. The new mode enables people who are blind, dyslexic, or have vision impairments personalize their display options. Android users can now customize options like contrast, font type, and size, as well as activate a text-to-speech function to help with speed control:
https://attoday.co.uk/video-new-android-mode-helps-people-who-are-blind-or-low-vision-customise-display-options/

24) Microsoft to Discontinue Its Soundscape App and Make the Code Available as Open-Source Software

Microsoft has announced that as of January 3, 2023, its Soundscape app will not be available for download and that existing installations will cease to work after the end of June 2023:
https://www.applevis.com/blog/microsoft-discontinue-its-soundscape-app-make-code-available-open-source-software

25) Microsoft Soundscape — New Horizons with a Community-Driven Approach

For more than six years, Microsoft Research has been honored to develop the Soundscape research project, which was designed to deliver information about a person's location and points of interest and has guided individuals to desired places and in unfamiliar spaces using augmented-reality and three-dimensional audio. While not a traditional turn-by-turn navigation mobile app, the Soundscape research project allowed us to explore ways that audio can enhance mobility and expand navigation experiences without the need to follow directions on a small display. Beginning January 3, 2023, the Soundscape code will be available as open-source software, so that anyone can continue to build on, and find new ways to leverage, this novel feature set for the growing navigation opportunities in today's world. As Microsoft Research continues to expand into new accessibility innovation areas, we hope the open-source software release of the Soundscape code supports the community in further developing confidence and utility of spatial audio navigation experiences:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/research/blog/microsoft-soundscape-new-horizons-with-a-community-driven-approach/

26) OneNote Gets "Speech To Text" Transcribe

The Transcribe option is coming to OneNote for Windows to let you get a "speech to text" written transcript of either a live recording or an already saved audio file. It's an extension of the existing Transcribe feature in Word on the web (in a browser) and works the same way. That's not entirely a good thing because Microsoft has done nothing to fix annoyances in the current Transcribe:
https://office-watch.com/2022/onenote-gets-speech-to-text-transcribe/

27) How to Search All Streaming Services At Once: 9 Options

We've all had those moments when we wanted to find which streaming service has a specific film or show. Whether you realized you hadn't seen a classic show after hearing your friends discuss it, or you want to see if your favorite movie is streaming, you can save time by searching multiple streaming services to find what you want to watch:
https://www.makeuseof.com/how-to-search-all-streaming-services/

28) The AppleVis Community Names Envision AI and Evidence 111 Its Golden Apples of 2022

We are pleased to announce that the winners of the Eleventh Annual AppleVis Golden Apple Awards are Envision AI and Evidence 111:
https://www.applevis.com/blog/applevis-community-names-envision-ai-evidence-111-its-golden-apples-2022

29) For Users Of The Duxbury Braille Translator: Using Tags In Refreshable Braille To Control Print Output | Caryn Navy | Duxbury Systems, Inc.

Do you sometimes wish you could control just about every aspect of a printed document, from headings to footnotes, by writing on your refreshable braille display? If so, you might be interested in testing a new tool. My coworker David Holladay at Duxbury Systems has been working on a program to turn a system of HTML-like tags in refreshable braille files into styles and codes in a Duxbury DBT file to control the format and structure of printed documents. The aim is to start with a refreshable braille file and use this new tool and DBT to create a Word document controlled by the tags in your refreshable braille. If you use DBT, you can use the link below to check out this tool and consider testing it:
https://www.duxburysystems.org/samples/brlhtm.htm

30) NV Access In-Process For December 14th 2022

31) Top 5 Free Websites To Download Sound Effects For Windows | Shaant Minhas

A varied sound effect system is essential to a fulfilling user experience for most of us. And that's precisely why Microsoft comes packed with various sound effects; they make casual use way richer than it would've been otherwise. However, if you're the curious tinkerer like most people reading this, we're confident you'd want to try out something new. In this article, we've rounded up some cool sites for you, so you don't have to scroll through endless search results and Reddit posts; you can safely try out new sounds from these hand-picked sources:
https://www.onmsft.com/feature/download-windows-sound-effects

32) Learn Braille With Taptilo 4.0

Taptilo is a smart braille device that makes it "fun and easy" to learn braille. Braille beginners can learn braille patterns with the interactive braille display and audio feedback. According to the device's website, "Learning braille with Taptilo significantly reduces the average learning period. The average learning period decreases a half, compared to the traditional method." Additionally, the learning dropout rate is decreased by 20%:
https://www.eastersealstech.com/2022/12/07/learn-braille-with-taptilo-4-0/

33) Android 13 For TV Now Available With Improvements To Accessibility

Android 13 is now available for Android TV, Google's Smart TV platform. This update brings with it a number of new features and improvements, including support for user controls for preferred resolution and refresh rate on supported HDMI source devices, and better ways to deliver high-quality experiences to users on different device types:
https://sdtimes.com/software-development/android-13-for-tv-now-available-with-improvements-to-accessibility/

34) Comcast's New Remote Control Was Designed For — And With — Disabled Users

Bigger, brighter, with a wristband and an audio instruction manual, the new large-button remote aims to improve TV watching for people with disabilities:
https://www.fastcompany.com/90814402/comcasts-new-remote-control-was-designed-with-and-for-disabled-users

35) Amazon's Echo Show Adds More Accessibility Features, Including 'Gestures' And Text-To-Speech

Amazon has announced a handful of new features for its digital assistant Alexa that aim to make the device more accessible. The company is launching two new ways to interact with Alexa without speaking, including support for Gestures on Echo Show devices that will allow users to interact with the device by raising their hand — something that can also come in handy for anyone using Echo while cooking who want to quickly dismiss a timer without having to speak. In addition, Amazon is rolling out text-to-speech options and a way to turn on all closed captioning features at once across devices:
https://techcrunch.com/2022/12/13/amazons-echo-show-adds-more-accessibility-features-including-gestures-and-text-to-speech/

36) 3 New Alexa Features To Try Out On Your Echo Show

Raise your hand to dismiss timers, type out phrases and have them spoken out loud, and enable three different types of "captions with one click," are among the accessibility improvements:
https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/devices/echo-show-new-alexa-features

37) Sight Tech Global 2022 Day Two - Main Stage | YouTube Playlist

These are the video sessions from the main stage of Sight Tech Global Day Two December 8, 2022:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzaPe49p32aaHK2KE_rElfPihWR8Uw7bs

38) Time to Run (or Walk): How to Get Moving With Apple Fitness+ Audio Workouts

Apple's Fitness+ subscription service offers guided running and walking programs. Here's how to get started with Audio Workouts from your Apple Watch or iPhone:
https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/time-to-run-walk-get-moving-with-apple-fitness-plus-audio-workouts

39) Chromecast With Google TV's Added Audio Cues For Navigation And Casting Are An Accessibility Win | Michael Perrigo

I'm not really sure when this became a thing, but what I do know is that it didn't exist the last time I browsed Google TV in my living room. Upon turning the TV on this week, I noticed that new audio cues accompanied my button presses as I navigated the UI to look for shows and movies:
https://chromeunboxed.com/chromecast-google-tv-audio-cues

40) PSA: Windows 8.1's End-Of-Support Date Is Only 30 Days Away

If your computers are still running Windows 8.1 this is a friendly reminder that the operating system (OS) officially has only 30 days to live before it reaches its end-of-support date:
https://www.neowin.net/news/psa-windows-81s-end-of-support-date-is-only-30-days-away/

41) Office 2021 vs Microsoft 365: Which Should You Buy?

Can't decide between Microsoft 365 or Office 2021? This guide will help you pick the best option for you:
https://www.windowscentral.com/office-2019-or-office-365-which-one-you-should-get

42) Internet Radio App Broadcasts Has a Fresh New Look, Improved Search, Shazam Integration, and More

Version 3 of Broadcasts, Steve Troughton-Smith's Internet radio app and a Club MacStories Recommends pick, is out with an updated design, improved search, Shazam integration, and a URL scheme that makes sharing stations simple. Together, the changes look fantastic and make enjoying Internet radio with the app easier and better than ever:
https://www.macstories.net/reviews/internet-radio-app-broadcasts-has-a-fresh-new-look-improved-search-shazam-integration-and-more/

43) The Great 78 Project: A Community Project For The Preservation, Research And Discovery Of 78rpm Records

The Great 78 Project is a community project for the preservation, research and discovery of 78rpm records. From about 1898 to the 1950s, an estimated 3 million sides (~3 minute recordings) have been made on 78rpm discs. While the commercially viable recordings will have been restored or remastered onto LP's or CD, there is still research value in the artifacts and usage evidence in the often rare 78rpm discs and recordings. Already, over 20 collections have been selected by the Internet Archive for physical and digital preservation and access. Started by many volunteer collectors, these new collections have been selected, digitized and preserved by the Internet Archive, George Blood LP, and the Archive of Contemporary Music:
https://great78.archive.org/

44) Seeking Persons Who Viewed The Three Most Recent Live Events On NBC — The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Special, And The People's Choice Awards | Kim Charlson | Perkins School for the Blind

We are looking for people who viewed the three most recent live events on NBC — The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Special, and the People's Choice Awards. If you tuned into any or all of these three programs, and would be willing to provide some feedback or participate in a focus group, please email me directly and let me know your name, email address, cell phone, and which programs you had the opportunity to watch. Thanks so much for your willingness to assist with this request:
kim.charlson@perkins.org ✉

45) TPGi Newsletter | The Insider News on Accessibility — Straight From The Experts

Updates include: Include Accessibility Testing Through Continuous Integration | Spotlight On: Accessible Escape Room | Spotlight On: ARC User Flows | Using the "Text" Role:
https://email.tpgi.com/december-accessibility-newsletter-from-tpgi

➜ Surveys

✍ Submit your adaptive technology-related survey for consideration within this section using this form: https://www.toptechtidbits.com/submit-survey or locate "Survey Submission Form" within the main menu of the Top Tech Tidbits website.

1) Surveys | APH

➜ Featured Podcast Episodes

✍ Submit your adaptive technology-related Podcast Episode for consideration within this section using this form: https://www.toptechtidbits.com/submit-podcast-episode or locate "Podcast Episode Submission Form" within the main menu of the Top Tech Tidbits website.

1) Managing Social Gatherings with Vision Loss | Hadley Presents: A Conversation with the Experts

December 8th 2022 | Join us as we chat with author Hannah Fairbairn about the tips and tricks she has learned to take some of the stress out of holiday get-togethers, no matter your vision:
https://hadley.edu/podcasts/hadley-presents-conversation-experts/managing-social-gatherings-vision-loss

2) Mosen at Large Episode 210: Your Very Last Chance To Vote For Your Top 10 Holiday Songs, BlindShell USA, And Those Annoying Realtek Windows Drivers Again

December 10th 2022https://mosenatlarge.pinecast.co/episode/b84cc3f2/your-very-last-chance-to-vote-for-your-top-10-holiday-songs-blindshell-usa-and-those-annoying-realtek-windows-drivers-again

3) Blind Android Users Episode 105: Android 13QPR1 Exits Beta, CSR, And More

December 10th 2022 | We now have a Facebook group which is at: https://bit.ly/3FOtzQm. This week, we look at Android 13 QPR1 feature drop for Pixel phones and explain what has been added in this quarterly platform release. In our CSR section, we show shortcut keys, schedule tasks and loading functions. In our app of the week section, we show you how to disable app tracking in DuckDuckGo browser:
https://blindandroidusers.com/

4) Blind Abilities Episode 917: Tech Abilities The December Grind: Aira Announces New Plans, Air Pods And Ear Wax, Audible Goes Alexa, Perkins Career Launch Suites And Workspace, And More Tech Tidbits

December 10th 2022 | Serina is back with Callie and Jeff in the Blind Abilities Studio bringing you this lushes Tech Abilities show. Seyoon is hard at the December Grind of College so we let him be and flipped on the microphones and hit the "On the Air" light outside the studio door. Here are just some of the planned items and topics however, in between the Tidbits are little nuggets of priceless wisdom and jewels placed within just for your discovery. Hope you enjoy! Belkin launches AirPods Cleaning Kit, claims to remove earwax plus restore acoustic performance. Microsoft Really Is Selling a Cozy Hoodie for Your Shivering Xbox Controller. Google Docs and Sheets on iPad. Aira: Laying the Groundwork for a Strong 2023. Ring App Accessibility Broken. Apple Music Launches New Replay Experience. Audible on iOS gets hands-free listening and more thanks to Alexa voice commands. Taylor Swift tickets. Audio description. Serina's Holiday songs from Bob:
https://blindabilities.com/?p=7750

5) Blind Abilities Episode 918: The All-Terrain Cane (ATC) From AwareWolf Gear: Meet Founder, Creator, Entrepreneur And Outdoorsman, Dave Epstein

December 11th 2022 | Our guest today is Dave Epstein, founder of AwareWolf Gear, the home of the All-Terrain Cane. Dave shares the origin of the ATC including all of the steps he took to create the cane, from borrowing tools and pieces from the local hiking store, to adding parts from other traditional canes, through developing three completed prototypes, finally landing on the final version of the All-Terrain Cane that we see Dave present to us today. This cane is currently being manufactured and is ready to be ordered from Dave's website at https://awarewolfgear.com/. Listen here:
https://blindabilities.com/?p=7752

6) Unmute Presents — Education Series — Taking Pictures

December 13th 2022 | In this first ever Unmute Presents education series Michael Doise joins the unmute presents team to share about taking pictures with a visual impairment. We answered your questions, and will be bringing Michael back the last week of the year. We review information about the camera lenses on iPhones, some tips and tricks for taking photos, and ideas that you can use to improve your picture taking abilities. Pacific time, 1 PM Eastern, dedicated to solving your technology problems. Please join us on these weekly:
https://pnc.st/s/unmute-presents-on-acb-communi/82b61bab/unmute-presents-education-series-taking-pictures-on-december-13-2022

7) Eyes on Success Episode 2250: Flight for Sight

December 14th 2022 | Blind people are capable of doing almost anything they want these days. But would you expect a blind person to be piloting a plane? Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Kaiya Armstrong, a blind college student, who learned to fly a plane and then flew herself cross country thanks to a program sponsored by the Foundation for Blind Children:
http://www.eyesonsuccess.net/show_notes_2250.htm

➜ Featured Webinars, Training Courses and Events

✍ Submit your adaptive technology-related Webinar, Training Course or Event for consideration within this section using this form: https://www.toptechtidbits.com/submit-webinar-training-course or locate "Webinar / Training Course Submission Form" within the main menu of the Top Tech Tidbits website.

1) Career Conversations with Joe Strechay | APH ConnectCenter

December 15th 2022 | 4PM PT, 5PM MT, 6PM CT, 7PM ET, 12AM on 12/16 GMT | Join us and meet Joe Strechay, a blind Film and Television Producer. No stranger to CareerConnect, Joe is back with us sharing his breakthrough into Television and film. Listen in and hear how as a blind professional, Joe works directly on set with actors and actresses who themselves are blind. From television and film sets both domestic and international, we will spend the hour engaging on this fascinating career:
https://aph.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_m0H5e0hpTeOLEeCIl-SH3g

2) Clear the Clutter: Personalize Your Web Experience with JAWS | Freedom Scientific

December 15th 2022 | 9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 5PM GMT | Are you looking for ways to quickly locate information on web pages? Want to learn about JAWS features that will help you navigate more efficiently? Join us for a live webinar, "Clear the Clutter: Personalize Your Web Experience with JAWS." Objectives: We'll discuss different types of web content and show you how to: Use Flexible Web to quickly find or hide content. Hide/ignore inline frames. Use the Skim Reading tool to review page content. Navigate tables, forms, and web-based applications with Smart Navigation. Freedom Scientific Presenters: Elizabeth Whitaker, Cathy Johnson, and Rachel Buchanan. ACVREP Credits: ACVREP credits will be available for those who attend the live webinar. Help Us Spread the Word: Please feel free to share this with someone you think might benefit from attending. Register:
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_S6hSiWGeRc-KLWIHjPK-rg

3) ZoomText, JAWS & Fusion: Latest Features (Assistive Technology Webinar) | Access Ingenuity

December 21st 2022 | 10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 6PM GMT | It's that time again. Not only is it the holidays but also the time when there are important updates for ZoomText, JAWS, and Fusion. Join Ian Ramos and Zhi Huang from Access Ingenuity to explore what's new in the 2023 updates and some features within the past few years. Learning Outcomes: Briefly explain the differences between ZoomText, JAWS, and Fusion. Compare the different licenses and how you can find out if you are eligible for the latest updates. Explore new 2023 features such as Tethered View, Smart Glance, Notification History improvements, New Tables Only option for Smart Navigation, etc. Review recent features, including Docking the Quick Access Bar, Voice Assistant, Sound Splitter, New Vocalizer Expressive Voices and Languages, and more. Meeting ID: 827 9977 1867 | Passcode: 853407 | One tap mobile: +16699009128,,82799771867#,,,,*853407# US (San Jose) | Dial by your location: +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose) | Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82799771867?pwd=VVNHeWhjVVVLc1JDUUtSMlllMnlQZz09#success

4) Ask The Advocate | APH ConnectCenter

5) Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 4: Braille Around the World | APH

6) Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 5: School Aged Numeracy | APH

7) Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 6: Daily Living Activities | APH

8) 2023 3rd Annual Axe-Con | Building Accessible Experiences | The World's Largest Digital Accessibility Conference

March 15th 2022 and March 16th 2023 | Deque Systems, the trusted leader in digital accessibility, has announced the third annual axe-con conference will return on March 15-16th, 2023. With the success of axe-con over the past two years, Deque will continue to host the conference as a free virtual event again next year. Axe-con is an open and inclusive digital accessibility conference that welcomes developers, designers, business users, and accessibility professionals of all experience levels to a new kind of accessibility conference focused on building, testing, and maintaining accessible digital experiences:
https://www.deque.com/blog/save-the-date-for-axe-con-2023/

9) Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 7: Music | APH

10) Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 8: STEM | APH

11) Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 9: Orientation & Mobility | APH

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Top Tech Tidbits for Thursday, December 8, 2022 - Volume 888

The Week's News in Adaptive Technology
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This Week's Featured Advertisement: Announcing New Monthly Webinar Series From The Lighthouse For The Blind, Inc.

What's roasting over that open fire, and what's nipping at my nose? There's an app for that.

December 14th 2022 | 4PM PT, 5PM MT, 6PM CT, 7PM ET, 12AM GMT on 12/15 | Come explore SuperSense and Seeing AI, two leading apps that leverage artificial intelligence to describe the world around you. We'll compare these apps in real world scenarios, learn to maximize their functionality, and help you decide which app might best meet your needs in this fun, interactive and informative webinar from the Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. Register in advance at:
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Dear Tidbits Subscriber,

✍ Submit your adaptive technology-related Tidbit for consideration within this section using this form: https://www.toptechtidbits.com/submit-tidbit or locate "Tidbit Submission Form" within the main menu of the Top Tech Tidbits website.

1) Top 5 Most Clicked Tidbits From Last Week

A.) Check Out This Library Of Obsolete Sounds, Including Plenty Of Clips Of Old Tech (9.0% of all clicks.)
Obsolete Sounds is a new project that its creator Cities and Memory claims is "the world's biggest collection of obsolete and disappearing sounds."" It consists of over 150 sounds that are increasingly rare, ranging from sounds used in retro video games, recordings of old-fashioned transport, and plenty of mechanical sounds from outdated hardware:
https://www.theverge.com/2022/11/28/23481711/obsolete-sounds-project-cities-and-memory-modem

B.) Wonderful YouTube Video Containing Samples Of Many Old And Modern Text To Speech Engines/Humor | David Goldfield | Tech-VI List (8.6% of all clicks.)
The individual who produced this video either has too much time on their hands, too many text to speech engines or a combination of the two. This is a wonderful and light video to end the year and I personally found parts of it to be hilarious. Warning: some voices may be unexpectedly loud:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsJS7SZdkAI

C.) Neuralink Co-Founder Unveils Cyborg Eye Prosthesis To Cure Blindness (8.2% of all clicks.)
The co-founder of Elon Musk's brain chip startup Neuralink has unveiled a visual prosthesis for blind patients as part of a new project. The Science Eye aims to target two forms of serious blindness that currently have no cure, before eventually serving as a brain-computer interface (BCI) by transmitting information through a wearer's optic nerve:
https://www.independent.co.uk/tech/neuralink-science-eye-brain-computer-interface-b2231585.html

D.) Use Gmail With A Screen Reader (7.4% of all clicks.)
We understand that this how-to article has recently been updated:
https://support.google.com/mail/answer/90559?hl=en

E.) Your iPhone Has 26 New Accessibility Tools You Shouldn't Ignore (6.3% of all clicks.)
This is a handy rundown of the latest accessibility features on iOS devices:
https://ios.gadgethacks.com/how-to/your-iphone-has-26-new-accessibility-tools-you-shouldnt-ignore-0385071/

2) Sponsorship Package Updates

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3) Premium Subscriber Updates

Premium Subscribers are entitled to all back issues, anytime they sign up. All available back issues will be sent to you via email within 24 hours of purchasing your subscription. Premium Subscribers will receive their 3rd Volume of the 60 Most Clicked Tidbits for October, November and December 2022 on Monday, January 2nd 2023. If you would like to receive a perfectly formatted and searchable Word Document with each of the 60 Most Clicked Tidbits of the last 3 months listed neatly within it, please consider joining us today for just $1 a month:
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4) Apple Highlights Accessibility Features on iPhone, Mac, and More in New Ad

On November 30th 2022 Apple shared a new ad titled "The Greatest" that highlights accessibility features available on the iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch. Namely, the ad demonstrates the Door Detection, Sound Recognition, and Voice Control features on these devices:
https://www.macrumors.com/2022/11/30/apple-the-greatest-accessibility-ad/

5) Apple Music Sing Brings Karaoke Mode to Subscribers

The Spotify rival's new feature includes separate lyrics for backup vocals and duets:
https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/apple-music-sing-karaoke-mode-lets-you-unleash-your-inner-rock-star/#ftag=CAD590a51e

6) iOS 16 Accessibility: How To Use Live Captions and Accessibility Shortcuts | Meryl Evans

I finally got a sign it was time to upgrade from an iPhone 7 Plus. Of course, I like to use the latest technologies. But I also like to stretch my dollars. So, I drive cars (2008) and use technologies for as long as possible. What was the sign? Two words: Live Captions (beta). The catch? Live Captions would only be available for iPhone 11 and later. No way was I going to miss out on Live Captions. Here are the models that support Live Captions:
https://equalentry.com/ios-live-captions-accessibility/

7) ChatGPT: Optimizing Language Models for Dialogue | OpenAI

Publisher (Di Blasi): Would you like to text back and forth with the current state of artificial intelligence? Here at Tidbits we encourage you to give it a try. Not because the technology is amazing, because it is, but because you will immediately begin to understand, as a user of adaptive technology, just how transformative this technology might become. You will need to create a free account with OpenAI in order to use ChatGPT, or any of the other models that are currently open for exploration.
OpenAI: We've trained a model called ChatGPT which interacts in a conversational way. The dialogue format makes it possible for ChatGPT to answer follow-up questions, admit its mistakes, challenge incorrect premises, and reject inappropriate requests. ChatGPT is a sibling model to InstructGPT, which is trained to follow an instruction in a prompt and provide a detailed response:
https://openai.com/blog/chatgpt/

8) Why Everyone's Talking About ChatGPT, a Mindblowing AI Chatbot

This artificial intelligence bot is an impressive writer, but you should still be careful how much you trust its answers:
https://www.cnet.com/tech/computing/why-everyones-obsessed-with-chatgpt-a-mindblowing-ai-chatbot/#ftag=CAD590a51e

9) Introducing OpenAI's ChatGPT Chat Bot Generating Detailed Human-like Responses | David Goldfield | Tech-VI List

This is an experimental chat bot which provides detailed responses to a variety of questions and challenges. It seems to be all the rage of those who I follow on Mastodon and it's easy to understand why. You'll need to create an OpenAI account to use it. Before I post OpenAI's announcement about the bot I will provide a few examples of some of ChatGPT's responses. These responses are from questions which I typed into the chatbot's edit field. The questions or challenges go from serious to extremely silly. I have not edited any of the bot's responses:
https://groups.io/g/tech-vi/message/3109

10) Add ChatGPT Answers To Google Search

ChatGPT is a new product by OpenAI that has been optimized for dialogs. You communicate with the artificial intelligence, for instance, by asking a question, and getting an answer. Several browser extensions have been created in the past days that integrate the functionality on Google Search. The main idea behind these is to add an independent response to a user's query on Google Search. Depending on the query in question, it may work better than Google Search, or not:
https://www.ghacks.net/2022/12/07/add-chatgpt-answers-to-google-search/

11) Google's Reading Mode App Helps Visually Impaired People Read Long-Form Content

Google has launched a new app called Reading Mode. It helps people with visual imparities and dyslexia read the content on the screen — especially articles. The newly released app works on any device running Android 9.0 or above. Once you install it on your phone, you will have to turn on the toggle for the app under the Accessibility settings. This allows the app to have a floating button on the screen all the time, so you can turn any app or webpage into a more accessible version:
https://techcrunch.com/2022/12/01/googles-reading-mode-app-helps-visually-impaired-people-read-long-form-content/

12) Indie Game Studio 'Play By Ears' Publishes Their First Audio Game: Evidence 11

Publisher (Di Blasi): This information comes to us directly from the 'Play By Ears' studio.
Studio: We recently published our very first audio game by the name of Evidence 111. It is a detective story for mobile phones and you can influence how the story ends by your choices. The game is mixed in binaural audio so it gives you a very strong sense of presence when you play it. We also use our own accessibility system, so you don't have to rely on voiceover. So far we have had a very good reception from players. We offer a free demo version. If you like the game you can buy the full version for just $4.99:
Game Trailer: https://youtu.be/EfbgBDg6k3E
Apple App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/evidence-111/id1550652340
Google Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.PlayByEars.Evidence111

13) Indie Game Studio 'Play By Ears' Launches English Version of Audio Game: Evidence 11

We are happy to announce that we have just launched the English version of the game. Evidence 111 is now available on Android and iOS and features some of the most highly-renowned voice actors, including Zoe Robins, Emmy Award winner Rosamund Pike and Kenny Blyth:
Press Release: https://www.toptechtidbits.com/documents/2.pdf
Game Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xynpM1aCkfg
Apple App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/evidence-111/id1550652340
Google Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.PlayByEars.Evidence111

14) Microsoft Neural Voices on Speech Central

Speech Central has added support for Microsoft Neural Voices in the latest version. Those are the high quality voices provided online through Microsoft's servers:
https://www.applevis.com/forum/ios-ipados/microsoft-neural-voices-speech-central

15) An Oversimplified Guide To Setting Up Mastodon | Sarah Higley

This is a guide for anyone who, like me, is casting about for alternatives to Twitter and would like an absolute minimum, bare-bones walkthrough for getting started with Mastodon. No evangelizing or attempted explanations of the "fediverse" will be involved:
https://sarahmhigley.com/writing/mastodon/

16) Third-Party Twitter App Makers Turn Their Attention To Mastodon

Open source Twitter alternative Mastodon has gained a bit of attention in the wake of Elon Musk's Twitter acquisition. Now, it's gaining interest from third-party Twitter app developers, as well. The makers of popular Twitter clients, including Aviary and Tweetbot, have recently set their sights on building similar clients for the growing Mastodon user base:
https://techcrunch.com/2022/12/05/third-party-twitter-app-makers-turn-their-attention-to-mastodon/?guccounter=1

17) Learning MetaText and Mastodon with AnonyMouse: Part 1 | AppleVis

In the first episode of a two part miniseries, Thomas Domville gives us an in-depth look at Mastodon and the MetaText app for iOS:
https://www.applevis.com/podcasts/learning-metatext-mastodon-anonymouse-part-1

18) Project Aims to Convey Big Data With Sound and Touch

From functioning effectively at work to keeping up with the news, modern society increasingly expects people to not only be data-literate, but also data-savvy. Charts and infographics that can make a sea of numbers tangible often present a barrier for blind users, and existing accessibility tools like screen readers cannot yet provide an overview of large data sets or charts, let alone in-depth searches. Supported by $433,000 from the National Science Foundation, two University of Maryland researchers are turning to sound and touch to help people analyze large-scale data:
https://today.umd.edu/project-aims-to-convey-big-data-with-sound-and-touch

19) Technology Guides for Blind Users | Holiday Gift Ideas For Adaptive Technology Learners | National Braille Press

Most Recent Technology Books: The Power of PowerPoint: Using a Screen Reader to Create Attention-Grabbing Presentations , by Judy Dixon, $14.00. | Microsoft Windows 11 Keystroke Compendium, $10.00 and up. | An Introduction to Chromebooks: Big Productivity in a Small Package, by Kim Nova and Chris Nova, $14.00. | Designing Documents for Appearance: Using a Screen Reader to Create Eye-Catching Newsletters, Flyers, Certificates, and More, by Judy Dixon, $14.00. | Emoji Tactile Graphics: Names, Meanings, and Tactile Graphics of 97 Face Emoji, $28.00. Computer Basics for the Newly Blind User: An Introduction to Windows-Related Assistive Technology, by Kim Nova and Chris Nova, $14.00 and up:
https://www.nbp.org/ic/nbp/publications/technology.html

20) AppleVis Unlimited: What's New and Noteworthy for November 2022

21) Cast Your Votes Now for the AppleVis Golden Apples of 2022

AppleVis has announced nominees and is now seeking your votes for the best apps of the year in several categories. "Launched in 2012, the AppleVis Golden Apples is an opportunity for blind and low vision users of Apple products to recognize and acknowledge the hard work and dedication which developers have put into making and maintaining great and accessible applications during the given year:"
https://www.applevis.com/blog/cast-your-votes-now-applevis-golden-apples-2022

22) Microsoft Teams Launches New Accessibility Feature

In a Microsoft blog post, Accessibility Architect Chris Sano announced the creation of a "best-in-class experience for the deaf and hard of hearing (D/HH) community" on Teams:
https://coolblindtech.com/microsoft-teams-launches-new-accessibility-feature/

23) All of Microsoft's PowerToys for Windows 10 and 11, Explained

Microsoft's PowerToys come installed with Windows and aim to help users get the most out of their operating system. There are many in the lineup, so we decided to take a closer look at them. This article gives an overview of Microsoft's PowerToys for Windows 10 and 11:
https://www.ghacks.net/microsofts-powertoys-windows-10-11

24) Blind Abilities Podcast Interview With Menus4All Vice President of Marketing Stephanie Jones | YouTube

Menus4All Vice president of Marketing, Stephanie Jones, returns to the blind Abilities studio to announce the launch of their new app, Menus4All. The largest and most accessible menu for the Blind and Visually Impaired. With over 750,000 unique menus from United States and Canada, this well organized and accessible app is the cat's meow. From the voiceover accessibility, headings, near me list population and ease of use, this is the best thing since slice bread. And yes, you can search for bread or any other menu item or zip code or many other options that will suit your needs:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8b-F2WJhOfk

25) Recording: NRTC Webinar: Linking Up with LinkedIn From November 30th 2022

With great interest in this webinar, we know many of you could not attend, or you may have attended but want to share this information with others. This webinar is now available to view on our Webinars and Podcasts page at:
https://www.ntac.blind.msstate.edu/consumers/webinars-podcasts

26) Upcoming Training Course From Hartgen Consultancy: Brave Words: Harnessing the Power of the Brave Browser With JAWS For Windows

Considering that most of us increasingly rely on the web browser to get things done, the search for the perfect web browser will never stop. Learning the facilities of an alternative browser to the one you currently use is always preferable so you can make the right choice. Discover how to gain the most from Brave in an accessible way and enter a brave new world:
https://www.hartgen.org/bravewords

27) NV Access | In-Process 2nd December 2022

https://www.nvaccess.org/post/in-process-2nd-december-2022/

28) New Features Have Arrived For The Pixel Family

VPN by Google, enhanced call quality, and call transcription with speaker labels are coming to Google phones:
https://blog.google/products/pixel/feature-drop-december-2022/

29) Giphy Is Adding Alt Text To Make Gifs More Accessible

Human professionals will add alternative text, not AI:
https://www.engadget.com/giphy-alt-text-gifs-screen-readers-accessibility-scribely-184931525.html

30) Apple Advances User Security With Powerful New Data Protections

Apple has expanded the types of data on its services that is encrypted end-to-end. Support for hardware security keys is also coming, both in 2023:
https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2022/12/apple-advances-user-security-with-powerful-new-data-protections/

31) Libre Office Getting Started Guide 7.4 and Impress Guide 7.4 Available for Download

The Impress Guide 7.4 was coordinated by Peter Schofield and revised by Kees Kriek. The guide is available in PDF as well as in ODF formats. An online version is available in the bookshelf website:
https://blog.documentfoundation.org/blog/2022/12/01/getting-started-guide-7-4-and-impress-guide-7-4-available-for-download/

32) Version 1.1 Of StellarTrek: A Major Update Of Our Orientation And Mobility Digital Assistant | Humanware

The StellarTrek has been out for a few months now. Still hesitating to buy one? These updates might change your mind:
https://groups.io/g/tech-vi/message/3079

33) Announcing BrailleBlaster 2.0.42-stable

https://www.freelists.org/post/aphbrailleblaster-announce/Announcing-BrailleBlaster-2042stable

34) Explore Accessibility Via Amazon Alexa At Sight Tech Global 2022

A little-appreciated fact about Amazon's Alexa is where the voice service's public debut took place before it became widely available to customers. The venue was CSUN, the longstanding conference dedicated to assistive technology for people with disabilities, notably vision loss. No one had more to gain from a machine that could provide quick replies to spoken questions, and no group could provide more incisive feedback:
https://techcrunch.com/2022/12/01/explore-accessibility-via-amazon-alexa-at-sight-tech-global-2022/

35) The Challenge of Finding a Usable Table on the Web | The Idea Place | Kelly Ford

Publisher (Di Blasi): I, Aaron Di Blasi, Publisher for Access Information News, am also a web developer that specializes in using HTML and CSS to create custom user interfaces, and I would like to note here that the struggle involving accessible tables is real. Even to this day. I'm honestly not sure if it's gotten better, or if it's gotten worse. Why you ask? If tables can be coded in such a way as to make them fully accessible then what's the problem? Why are there still so many tables on the internet today that are still absolutely terrible to navigate with a screen reader? Because accessibility is not built in. It has to be coded for, specifically. And more often than not this specific accessibility coding is not done at the time the table is built. So it must be done after. Maybe after this table has already scaled to thousands of users. Or more. And that kind of scale can make such a task highly difficult to achieve. Or altogether cost-prohibitive. And so, we are left with inaccessible, or barely accessible tables, everywhere.
Kelly Ford: Several months ago, I started a podcast with a nephew of mine. In a quest to feed what I lovingly call the monster because the podcast always needs content, I was researching some NFL statistics and it was a poignant reminder of what a challenge it is to find consistently usable tables on the web:
https://theideaplace.net/the-challenge-of-finding-a-usable-table-on-the-web/

36) Potential Accessibility Concern: Microsoft Forms Are About To Get A Lot More Powerful | David Goldfield | Tech-VI List

As a regular user of Microsoft Forms I have a concern that the inclusion of this feature could result in data which will be inaccessible to screen reader users. Essentially, this feature will permit users to insert images as an answer or response in a form:
https://www.windowscentral.com/software-apps/microsoft-forms-will-support-inserting-images-in-quizzes-and-forms-by-the-end-of-this-year

37) With The Releasee Of iOS 16, Apple Brought Eloquence, And Now eSpeak Has Popped Up On The iOS App Store

The eSpeak NG is a compact open source software text-to-speech synthesizer. It supports more than 100 languages and accents. It is based on the eSpeak engine created by Jonathan Duddington. This app adds a compatibility layer between eSpeak NG library and Apple VoiceOver. eSpeak is here, on iOS, and macOS as well. You will need at least iOS 16.1.1 or macOS 13.0.1 or later for this to work:
AppleVis For More Info: https://www.applevis.com/apps/ios/utilities/espeak-ng
Apple App Store to Download App: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/espeak-ng/id6444089174

38) Rocket Switch — Accessibility Done With Elegance

This is an accessibility-enabling controller, a USB HID device which interfaces to a wide variety of headphone-jack-connectable switches. With this device, someone unable to use a computer mouse can use two tactile buttons to control their computer, either by imitating mouse clicks or by sending keypresses into accessibility software equipped a control flow for such two-switch arrangements:
https://hackaday.com/2022/12/04/rocket-switch-accessibility-done-with-elegance/

39) What's New in JAWS 2023 Screen Reading Software | Freedom Scientific

https://support.freedomscientific.com/downloads/jaws/JAWSWhatsNew

40) From Hartgen Consultancy: JAWS Scripts For The Vocaster Hub Have Been Updated | Hartgen Consultancy

Scripts for the Vocaster Hub are updated. The following changes have been made since the previous version:
https://tweesecake.social/@hartgenconsult/109443614992188868

41) How We're Making Firefox Accessible And Delightful For Everyone | Jamie Teh

This International Day of Persons with Disabilities, I want to take a moment to share how we're working to make Firefox not just accessible. We want to make sure the browser is also delightful, efficient and easy to use for everyone, including the more than 1 billion people around the world who live with disabilities:
https://blog.mozilla.org/en/products/firefox/firefox-news/firefox-accessibility-text-recognition-screen-readers/

42) The 7 Best AI Voice Generators

AI voice-generation technology is more sophisticated than it's ever been. Give these voice generators a try and see for yourself:
https://www.makeuseof.com/best-ai-voice-generators/

43) Google Nest Thermostat vs. Nest Learning Thermostat: Which One Is Best for You?

Looking to invest in a smart thermostat but can't decide which one? This comparison between the Nest Learning and Nest Thermostat should help:
https://www.makeuseof.com/nest-thermostat-vs-nest-learning-thermostat/

44) Checking Out The New C.Crane CC Skywave SSB 2 Radio | Jock Elliott | KB2GOM

Folks who are regular readers of my posts here have already figured out that I am a big fan of the C.Crane Skywave SSB. It is easily the most versatile radio I own, receiving AM (medium wave), FM, shortwave, HF single sideband, NOAA weather stations with alert, and scannable civilian VHF frequencies, and I have written enthusiastically about it here on multiple occasions. I think of the Skywave SSB as my "anti-boredom machine." It's small enough to slide into a shirt or jacket pocket or tuck into any pack. Get stuck waiting in line, whip out the Skywave SSB, plug in a pair of ear buds, and listen to whatever is available:
https://swling.com/blog/2022/11/checking-out-the-new-c-crane-cc-skywave-ssb-2/

➜ Surveys

✍ Submit your adaptive technology-related survey for consideration within this section using this form: https://www.toptechtidbits.com/submit-survey or locate "Survey Submission Form" within the main menu of the Top Tech Tidbits website.

1) Surveys | APH

➜ Featured Podcast Episodes

✍ Submit your adaptive technology-related Podcast Episode for consideration within this section using this form: https://www.toptechtidbits.com/submit-podcast-episode or locate "Podcast Episode Submission Form" within the main menu of the Top Tech Tidbits website.

1) Hadley Insights and Sound Bites Podcast: You Can't Do This Alone

December 1st 2022 | Sharon shares with us how she worked through the isolation and found people just like her to get the support she needed:
https://hadley.edu/podcasts/insights-sound-bites/you-cant-do-alone

2) Mosen at Large Episode 209: Aira To Increase Prices And Make Free Offers Less Generous, Mastodon Adoption Increases Rapidly, And Be Sure To Vote For Your Top 10 Holiday Songs

December 3rd 2022https://mosenatlarge.pinecast.co/episode/f88a11cc/aira-to-increase-prices-and-make-free-offers-less-generous-mastodon-adoption-increases-rapidly-and-be-sure-to-vote-for-your-top-10-holiday-songs

3) Blind Android Users Podcast Episode 104: Looking At The Google Autofill Settings

December 3rd 2022 | One plus has announced that from 2023, its flagships will get four years of Android updates and five years of security updates. Be careful of the password managers you use. LastPass recently suffered further security difficulties. This week, we look at the Autofill-related aspects of the Passwords and Accounts section of the Settings app. App of the week. We demo the recently released reading mode. Tip of the week. We show you how to find out more about the Wi-Fi network and band you are connected to. This episode can be found and downloaded from our website and on this playlist:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5iI0uwraRqo7ZIVx0y5IesM0eVWGxaZ6

4) Blind Abilities Episode 913: Menus4All App is Now in the App Store! Stephanie Jones Returns to Give Us All the Details and More

December 4th 2022 | Menus4All Vice president of Marketing, Stephanie Jones, returns to the blind Abilities studio to announce the launch of their new app, Menus4All. The largest and most accessible menu for the Blind and Visually Impaired. With over 750,000 unique menus from United States and Canada, this well organized and accessible app is the cat's meow. From the voiceover accessibility, headings, near me list population and ease of use, this is the best thing since slice bread. And yes, you can search for bread or any other menu item or zip code or many other options that will suit your needs. Co-hosting with Jeff Thompson in the studio is Serena Olsen, aka @BlindBroad from the Facebook Live show, The Blind Grind. Stephanie, Serena and Jeff share some experiences, laughs and a lot of information about the development, the usability and the multiple ways a user can buy, subscribe and utilize the Menus4All App:
https://blindabilities.com/?p=7730

5) Blind Abilities Episode 914: Tech Bootcamps For Microsoft Suite And Google Workspace By Career Launch @ Perkins — Job Training And Career Services For Blind Adults

December 5th 2022 | Program Director, Alicia Smith and Training and Program Specialist, Brian Switzer, join Jeff Thompson in the Blind Abilities studio to talk about the latest offerings at Perkins Career Launch at Perkins is currently offering week-long Tech Bootcamp sessions to help adults use access technology to work effectively and efficiently with the tools most commonly used in the workplace: Google Workspace and Microsoft Suite. Each week-long, virtual session costs $250 and includes 20 hours of coursework, including live classes taught via Zoom, independent assignments submitted via email as well as assessments before and after the session. Microsoft Session 1: January 23rd-27th. Google Session 1: January 30th -February 3rd. Microsoft Session 2: February 13th- 17th. Google Session 2: February 20th-24th:
https://blindabilities.com/?p=7732

6) Eyes on Success Episode 2249: Without Sight

December 7th 2022 | As many of our listeners know, despite being born blind, co-host of Eyes On Success Peter Torpey enjoyed math and science as a youth and went on to obtain a Ph.D. in Engineering Physics and work as a research scientist at Xerox Corporation. This week Marie Sina of Deutsche Welle talks to Peter about his educational and work experiences in science:
http://www.eyesonsuccess.net/show_notes_2249.htm

7) Blind Abilities, 416, ABLR Works: BVI Training Program for Digital Accessibility Testers — Meet CEO, Disability Awareness Speaker and Author, John Samuel

December 7th 2022 | When speaking to businesses ,adding Accessibility to Diversity Equity and Inclusion, an IDEA worth Spreading.is what John Samuel is all about. As CEO of ABLR Works, John talks about a new program that they have developed to teach Blind and Visually Impaired students to become Digital Accessibility Testers. ABLR Works has teamed up with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services' Division of Services for the Blind (DSB) to kick off the statewide initiative this month. With this model, John hopes the programs at ABLR Works will spread across the States. John talks about his Blindness journey and embracing his disability/authentic self and the release of his new book, "Don't Ask the Blind guy for Directions: A 30,000-Mile Journey for Love, Confidence, and a Sense of belonging:"
https://blindabilities.com/?p=7739

➜ Featured Webinars, Training Courses and Events

✍ Submit your adaptive technology-related Webinar, Training Course or Event for consideration within this section using this form: https://www.toptechtidbits.com/submit-webinar-training-course or locate "Webinar / Training Course Submission Form" within the main menu of the Top Tech Tidbits website.

1) Gifts & Gab: A Holiday Gift Guide | Vispero

December 8th 2022 | 9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 5PM GMT | Vispero Presenters: Mike Wood and Michelle Williams. Summary: Michelle and Mike will share the gift of gab as they cover popular low-vision products. They will share how each can be used around the holiday season and why they make such meaningful gifts! Bring your questions — this will be a very interactive session! Objectives: Attendees will learn the benefits of traveling with a video magnifier—determining proper storage and care while you travel with a screened product. Attendees will learn how to shop and look at price tags and vital information with a smaller screen magnifier. We will discuss the difference between sleep mode and turning the unit on and off. Learn how important proper lighting is while doing holiday tasks. ACVREP Credits: ACVREP credits will be available for those who attend the live webinar. Register for this webinar on Zoom:
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_OT_SYdp_Qc-TelUVIyHoDA

2) 2022 Digital Accessibility Legal Update with Lainey Feingold | Free Webinar

December 8th 2022 | 11AM PT, 12PM MT, 1PM CT, 2PM ET, 7PM GMT | What We'll Cover: A lot has happened in the digital accessibility legal space this year — have you kept up? Most recently, a new digital accessibility law was introduced in the United States Congress. If the law passes as written, it will result in digital accessibility regulations for both websites and software applications. Commercial providers who design, develop, and modify certain websites or applications are part of the proposed legislation. Speaker: Lainey Feingold. Lainey Feingold is a disability rights lawyer who has worked in the digital accessibility space since 1995. She is also an author and international speaker. Lainey, along with her blind clients and co-counsel, helped negotiate the first web accessibility agreement in the United States more than twenty years ago. She has worked with dozens of companies on their accessibility initiatives since that time. Lainey is the author of Structured Negotiation: A Winning Alternative to Lawsuits. Her book shares stories and strategies from twenty-five years of collaborations and relationship-building to help create an inclusive digital world. Register here:
https://go.3playmedia.com/wbnr-12-08-2022-lainey

3) TTS: Elevating Art Over compliance

December 9th 2022 | 4PM PT, 5PM MT, 6PM CT, 7PM ET, 12AM GMT on 12/10 | This is an audio event. TTS (text to speech) Audio Description has mixed reception from AD users, though the majority think it's awful. Despite this, TTS is growing in popularity among providers because it's cheaper than human narration and helps companies reach baseline legal compliance. If Audio Description is intended to bring communities together, inform and entertain, and be a respected art form and professional field, then the AD community (both audiences and professionals) must come together to influence companies to stop cutting costs by cutting corners on quality. Let's discuss the state of the industry, how we can reach streaming channels, filmmakers, and providers, and support a flourishing Audio Description field where art is elevated over compliance:
https://www.linkedin.com/events/tts-elevatingartovercompliance7004569396740317184/about/

4) 20 Websites to Bookmark for 2023 | Technology User Group, Maryland State Library

December 10th 2022 | 7AM PT, 8AM MT, 9AM CT, 10AM ET, 3PM GMT | Technology keeps changing and so do the websites that are useful in our everyday lives. Find out why these 20 websites are so important for 2023. All events are currently being held via teleconference until further notice. No programs will be held in person. Please dial (319) 527-4994 ☎ at 10 AM ET:
https://www.marylandlibraries.org/Pages/Technology%20User%20Group.aspx

5) Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 3: Creative Manual Activities for Christmas | APH

December 12th 2022 | 8AM PT, 9AM MT, 10AM CT, 11AM ET, 4PM GMT | Christmas is a great time to create crafts. Let's share amazing and fun tactile ideas adapted to visually impaired children:
https://www.aph.org/lego-braille-bricks-live-sessions/

6) Basics of Accessibility Testing | TPGi

December 13th 2022 | 9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 5PM GMT | Presenter: Aaron Farber, Senior Accessibility Platform Consultant. Accessibility testing is a critical step in delivering a modern online experience. This webinar goes beyond testing checklists to answer the fundamental questions people have when they start testing for web accessibility. For accessibility testing to be effective, organizations must understand what makes a digital experience equal. We'll cover web accessibility, the role and structure of Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), and how to quantify the risk associated with a guideline. Additionally, we'll discuss the following: How to set the scope for accessibility testing and feel confident you are covering the "right parts" of a website/web application. We'll document mouse-only, keyboard-only, and assistive technology testing plans. We'll delve into how web pages expose "semantics" and the tools to understand if your site is properly conveying its meaning to assistive technology. How to get expert support beyond your team to be sure that your accessibility testing results are accurate and more! Learn how to use the tools, access resources, and receive clear steps to perform a full-scale WCAG audit. Register:
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-december-13-at-12pm-et-basics-of-accessibility-testing/

7) Partner Showcase: Audiojack's Newest O+M Experience | APH ConnectCenter

December 13th 2022 | 1PM PT, 2PM MT, 3PM CT, 4PM ET, 8PM GMT | The APH Partner Showcase for December features Audiojack and its creator David Tobin. Listen live to the latest O&M Audiojack in the Life category, located in the mobile app and on the website. Then, engage with other Audience members and David as you discuss the newest Audiojack. The APH Partner Showcase is part of Access Academy, but does not offer ACVREP credits. The Showcase is strictly informational/promotional, and highlights some of APH's partner vendors in the field, and their product(s):
https://aph.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_GnG1mrKsT0SX60sz1MDs4g

8) Explore SuperSense and Seeing AI Webinar | Lighthouse For The Blind, Inc.

9) Creating Accessible Promotional Materials (Digital Accessibility Webinar) | Access Ingenuity

December 14th 2022 | 10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 6PM GMT | As a document author, learn about choosing colors, selecting images, and laying out your brochure, poster, or flyer in an engaging yet accessible way. Join Rachel Reeves in reviewing the most accessible way to create PDF Promotional Material. Learning Outcomes: Review color contrast requirements. Address mistakes commonly made in the Layout/Reading Order of one-page posters or flyers. Understand obstacles commonly encountered if using authoring tools such as Canva or Illustrator. Analyze poor templates that have images and fonts that make PDF remediation difficult. Meeting ID: 865 1628 1737 | Passcode: 967492 | One tap mobile: +16699009128,,86516281737#,,,,*967492# US (San Jose) | Dial by your location: +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose) | Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86516281737?pwd=NTZDdzRmZUdieFBTWnRiMzFsQVhHdz09#success

10) Training Course: Catching Up with JAWS Chapter 4 for JAWS 2022 and 2023 | Hartgen Consultancy

December 14th 2022 | 11AM PT, 12PM MT, 1PM CT, 2PM ET, 7PM GMT | Catching Up with JAWS is priced £35 which is approximately 40 American dollars. Now is your chance to get some high quality training on some of the latest features within the screen-reader JAWS for Windows which have been introduced over the past two years. This follows on from our previous popular training courses on this subject. These training courses are still popular and people are purchasing the older volumes in the series even today:
https://www.hartgen.org/catchup4

11) Career Conversations with Joe Strechay | APH ConnectCenter

12) Clear the Clutter: Personalize Your Web Experience with JAWS | Freedom Scientific

13) ZoomText, JAWS & Fusion: Latest Features (Assistive Technology Webinar) | Access Ingenuity

14) Ask The Advocate | APH ConnectCenter

15) Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 4: Braille Around the World | APH

16) Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 5: School Aged Numeracy | APH

17) Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 6: Daily Living Activities | APH

18) 2023 3rd Annual Axe-Con | Building Accessible Experiences | The World's Largest Digital Accessibility Conference

19) Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 7: Music | APH

20) Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 8: STEM | APH

21) Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 9: Orientation & Mobility | APH

➜ Directories

1) Top Tech Tidbits Blind And Visually Impaired App Directory

https://www.toptechtidbits.com/blind-and-visually-impaired-technology-app-directory.html

2) Top Tech Tidbits Blind And Visually Impaired Game Directory

https://www.toptechtidbits.com/blind-and-visually-impaired-technology-game-directory.html

3) Top Tech Tidbits Blind And Visually Impaired Listserv Directory

https://www.toptechtidbits.com/blind-and-visually-impaired-technology-listserv-directory.html

4) Top Tech Tidbits Blind And Visually Impaired Podcast Directory

https://www.toptechtidbits.com/blind-and-visually-impaired-technology-podcast-directory.html

➜ Buy, Sell or Trade

✍ List your new, gently-used or refurbished item in FOUR (4) consecutive issues of Top Tech Tidbits for just $5.00 USD. Fill out this short form to secure your Buy, Sell or Trade Classified Advertisement today: https://www.toptechtidbits.com/submit-buy-sell-trade or learn more on the Top Tech Tidbits website.

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

➜ Freedom Scientific Focus Blue 5th Generation Refreshable Braille Displays

Sponsor Since: April 15th 2021

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

Email: info@vispero.com ✉

Phone: (800) 444-4443 ☎

➜ VisionAware Resources Including the Information and Referral Line?

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

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

Sponsor Since: February 4th 2021

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

Sponsor Since: October 1, 2020

Website: https://adaptations.org/ 🌐

Toll Free: (888) 400-8933 ☎

Local: (415) 694-7301 ☎

➜ Combine Learning And Gaming For A Fun Braille Adventure With Polly!

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/ 📱

➜ We're Insane To Do This, But It's The Holidays!

Sponsor Since: June 25th 2020

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

For Gadgets and Leather Contact Barry at:
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➜ Pluggable USB-C 7-in-1 Hub

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➜ That Real Blind Tech Show Episode 96: We Got More Resolutions, ACB Style!

Sponsor Since: August 11th 2022

Website: https://blindtechshow.com/ 🌐

Email: ThatRealBlindTechShow@gmail.com ✉

Social: Facebook Page | Facebook Group | Twitter

Listen: Apple Podcasts | Audible | Google Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube

Hosts: Brian Fischler | Ed Plumacher | Allison Meloy | Jenine Stanley

Home | Episodes | Blog | Contact | Subscribe

➜ Webinar: Discovering Aira and Content Creation | October 25th 2022 at 2:00 PM ET

Sponsor Since: August 4th 2022

Website: https://aira.io/ 🌐

Download the App: Apple App Store | Google Play Store

Plans and Pricing: https://aira.io/pricing/

Phone: NA: +1.800.835.1934 ☎ | AU: +1.800.765.096 ☎ | UK: +0.800.046.5668 ☎ | NZ: +1.800.425.451 ☎

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Email: support@aira.io ✉

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About: Aira's mission is to remove barriers and make the world more accessible with visual interpreting.

Step Two: Connect with an Aira Agent. On the first call, connect with one of our certified, specially-trained Agents and learn how everything works.

Step Three: Real-time Assistance. At the touch of a button, Aira delivers instant access to visual information, when and where you want it.

➜ Blind in Mind, The Braille Superstore: Touch Tomorrow in Today's Products

Sponsor Since: June 30th 2022

Website: http://www.braillebookstore.com/ 🌐

Phone (Toll Free): (800) 987-1231 ☎

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Hours: 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Monday through Friday, Pacific Standard Time.

Products:

If you need some fresh ideas or have questions, you can also check out our Shopping Guides.

➜ Free and Accessible Training for the Tech Sector

Fable Pathways helps you gain the skills that you need to work in the tech sector with a free, accessible, and on-demand program. Learn from industry leaders with disabilities to take your career to the next level, like Kelly Ford, Senior Program Manager at Microsoft, who introduces GitHub and VS Code using a screen reader. Spend less time and energy trying to access courses with your assistive technology and focus on the content that matters to you, with Fable Pathways' accessible platform. Sign up today!
https://www.fablepathways.com/

Sponsor Since: June 30th 2022

Website: https://fablepathways.com/ 🌐

Email: community@makeitfable.com ✉

Phone: (888) 212-3532 ☎ Extension 810

Opportunities:

➜ Dolphin Friends Program

Sponsor Since: June 9th 2022

Website: https://yourdolphin.com/ 🌐

Support: https://yourdolphin.com/contact/support

Locate a Dolphin Dealer: https://yourdolphin.com/contact/dealer/locate

About: Dolphin designs and builds software that empowers people who are blind or partially sighted to read, work and communicate.

We are committed to creating assistive technology that makes workplaces, classrooms and the home accessible and usable for people with visual impairments.

Dolphin Products

Dolphin Computer Access designs and develops software that enables users to read and access information at home, at work and throughout their education.

Each Dolphin product empowers users with visual impairments to use computers independently, in ways that suit their sight and experience with technology.

➜ Looking For Blind Job-Seekers Wanting To Advance Their Salaries, Careers And Digital Accessibility For The Blind

Sponsor Since: June 9th 2022

Website: https://clusiv.io/ 🌐

➜ Subscribe to the Double Tap TV YouTube Channel

Sponsor Since: December 23rd 2021

Email: feedback@doubletap.online ✉

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➜ Order Now! Get The Most Powerful Android Notetaker Available, the BrailleSense 6 From HIMS. It's Simply The Best.

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Sales Email: sales@hims-inc.com ✉
Support Email: support@hims-inc.com ✉

About: HIMS, Inc. is a global manufacturer and distributor that has provided braille, magnification and accessible healthcare devices since 1999.

➜ VIP-3000 Talking Thermostat Now $199.99 from BlindMiceMegaMall.com

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Blind Mice Order Center Phone: (866) 922-8877 ☎

Blind Mice Order Center Hours: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM CST/CDT (GMT-5) Monday through Friday

Mall Directory of Stores: https://www.blindmicemegamall.com/bmm/shop/Directory 🛒

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

Sponsor Since: August 5th 2021

Website: https://carroll.org/ 🌐

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Donate: https://carroll.org/donate ❤

Social: Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | LinkedIn | Instagram

➜ The Next Generation in Accessibility

Sponsor Since: June 3rd 2021

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Top Tech Tidbits for Thursday, December 1, 2022 - Volume 887

The Week's News in Adaptive 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 adaptive technology.

Subscribers: 7,136 Opt-In Subscribers were sent this issue via email. 148 Premium Subscribers were sent this issue via email.

This Week's Featured Advertisement: The Clusiv Mobile App Is Finally Here And It's Free! Learn The Skills You Need From The Palm Of Your Hand, Learn More Below

Clusiv is excited to announce the first E-learning Mobile App built for and by people who are blind!

With the Clusiv mobile app, you can learn how to master email platforms with JAWS through free access to select modules from our full paid course, Professional Skills for the Modern Workforce with JAWS. These modules will make learning technology skills simple, understandable, and even fun so that you can be more equipped in your career or employment journey.

Become part of the Clusiv community today and download for free by searching Clusiv on the app store or click here to download on your iPhone.

Want to learn more about our full courses, E-learning platform and how we are helping remove barriers to employment for the blind community? Visit our website at clusiv.io or download the app for iPhone at:
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/clusiv/id6443922292.

Dear Tidbits Subscriber,

✍ Submit your adaptive technology-related Tidbit for consideration within this section using this form: https://www.toptechtidbits.com/submit-tidbit or locate "Tidbit Submission Form" within the main menu of the Top Tech Tidbits website.

1) Top 5 Most Clicked Tidbits From Last Week

A.) Your iPhone Has 26 New Accessibility Tools You Shouldn't Ignore (18.8% of all clicks.)
This is a handy rundown of the latest accessibility features on iOS devices:
https://ios.gadgethacks.com/how-to/your-iphone-has-26-new-accessibility-tools-you-shouldnt-ignore-0385071/

B.) 'Moonwalkers': These Strap-On Shoes Can Make You Walk Three Times Faster (7.8% of all clicks.)
Imagine being able to make a quick grocery run or walk your dog as fast as if you were on a moving walkway. An American start-up, Shift Robotics, has invented a device designed to be strapped onto your own shoes to boost your walking speed by up to 250 percent. That's right, you could be walking at up to 11 km/h, about three times faster than you normally would. The "Moonwalkers" look like skates, but they're not freewheeling — so that you don't lose your balance. Thanks to machine learning algorithms, they only move when you do: they can stop when you want, be locked to go up or down stairs, and automatically regulate their speed when you're going downhill:
https://www.euronews.com/next/2022/11/18/moonwalkers-these-strap-on-shoes-can-make-you-walk-three-times-faster

C.) Introducing The New Menus4ALL App Providing 750,000 Accessible Restaurant Menus | Stephanie Jones (4.5% of all clicks.)
Publisher: Menus4ALL is a founding sponsor of the new Access Information News publication and a long time Top Tech Tidbits supporter. They've been working on this solution for some time and we are all so very happy to finally see it come to fruition. | Stephanie Jones: My name is Stephanie Jones and I am co-founder of an accessibility solutions company, Menus4ALL. Our mission is to provide folks accessible restaurant menus. Previously we offered 50,000 US accessible menus on our website for 3 years. This Fall we beta tested with the BVI community an iPhone app, available now in the App Store. The Menus4ALL iPhone app features 750,000 fully accessible restaurant menus. 500,000 menus in the U.S. and 250,000 menus in Canada. It supports Apple's dynamic type, VoiceOver, Voice Control and common Braille displays. And it's affordable for all at $2.99 a month, with a onetime 14-day trial:
https://www.applevis.com/forum/ios-ipados/introducing-new-menus4all-app-providing-750000-accessible-restaurant-menus

D.) Reading Recipes With Siri Or Apple Watch | Jamie Teh (3.6% of all clicks.)
I'm finally learning to cook some decent food, so I need to be able to read recipes. For a while, I was reading them out of SimpleNote on my iPhone. However, I encountered several frustrations with this approach (and this applies to any notes or text app really):
https://www.jantrid.net/2021/08/24/reading-recipes-with-siri-or-apple-watch/

E.) Google Just Launched A Slew Of Helpful Search Features (3.6% of all clicks.)
Google has announced a bevy of new search features to make searching easier and more helpful. The new features center around Google Maps, Search, Lens, and Shopping. Most of the features launched November 17th 2022, except one for Google Lens and another for Google Maps. Read more here:
https://www.androidauthority.com/google-search-features-3236058/

2) Sponsorship Package Updates

3) Premium Subscriber Updates

4) Ask Alexa

A.) Browse curated selections of gifts to find picks everyone on your list is sure to love.
Just say, "Alexa, give me holiday gift ideas."

B.) Keep up with the latest scores and standings from the world of soccer.
Just say, "Alexa, what's the soccer scores?"

C.) Who's going to win the soccer championship? Cast your vote and then see which teams are predicted to win.
Just say, "Alexa, open the polls."

D.) Stay up to date with soccer's big moment in Qatar when you enable a daily routine to get tournament scores, news, and more from Alexa:
Just say, "Alexa, enable the Soccer Update routine."

E.) Easily reorder the items you purchase frequently — and need to get through the season.
Just say, "Alexa, reorder coffee."

5) Fusion Power Tip: Saving Your Settings by Default

Courtesy of Freedom Scientific:
https://www.toptechtidbits.com/67.html

6) Reader Review: Magnetic Kitchen Clips

Courtesy of Award Winning Sight Loss Coach, Advocate and Author Donna Jodhan:
https://www.toptechtidbits.com/134.html

7) Recording: Hosting a Zoom Meeting with JAWS: Sharing a File in the Chat | Freedom Scientific | YouTube

Want to learn how to navigate the Zoom interface more efficiently with JAWS when scheduling meetings and other events? Listen to our series, "Hosting a Zoom meeting with JAWS:"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=suG5-o6zBCM

8) From Hartgen Consultancy: Leasey Version 8 | Brian Hartgen | Tech-VI List

As a company we would like to thank those of you who have already purchased Leasey version 8 as a special offer to be released in the new year. It's good that you have faith in us. I'm going to let you in on two of the features which are almost complete. There are others which are being worked on now, but the beta testers have not seen those so it's not particularly fair to divulge what they are:
https://groups.io/g/tech-vi/message/3046

9) Upcoming Mastodon Training Course By Hartgen Consultancy Cancelled | Brian Hartgen

We have made a decision to cancel our training course on Mastodon for next week. There is simply not enough interest in this at the moment. All our other training courses are always well attended, but as of the time of writing, people are not interested in this particular one. For various reasons this can be well understood. Should the situation change in the future, perhaps early next year, we will consider delivering the training. Naturally, the small number of people who did purchase the training course will have their money refunded on November 30th 2022:
https://www.hartgen.org/node/597

10) Launch Your Podcast Website In Minutes | No Coding Required

Publisher: This online service, called podcastpage.io, has no free plans, but comes to us by way of Blind Android Users, who wanted to let readers know that it is a great accessible solution for Podcasters / YouTubers that want a website but don't know WordPress or other website builders. You can try it free for 14 days:
https://podcastpage.io/

11) Announcing Emacspeak 57.0 — Tilden!

Emacspeak has announced immediate worldwide availability of Emacspeak 57.0 (Tilden) — a powerful audio desktop that leverages today's evolving Data, Social and Assistant-Oriented Internet cloud to enable working efficiently and effectively from anywhere:
https://emacspeak.blogspot.com/2022/11/announcing-emacspeak-570-tilden.html

12) For Users Of Joseph Lee's NVDA Add-Ons: Important: Version 22.12 Add-On Releases From Joseph Lee Will Be The Last Releases To Support Old NVDA And Windows Releases | Tech-VI List

13) JAWS Scripts From Drew Weber: Don't Have An Applications Key On Your Keyboard? Want To Open #Notepad With A Simple Keystroke From Anywhere In The Windows OS? #JAWS Scripts To Make Life Simpler

There are a couple things that I would like to do easier. For one, I don't have an applications key on my keyboard, and you have to hold the FN key along with Shift+F10 to bring one up. It's so much easier to just hit control+shift+a. Also, you never know when you will need to take a quick note, to be able to launch Notepad from anywhere in Windows without having to go to run and type in Notepad would be amazing! With these scripts, use control+shift+/ (slash). These scripts allow you to do both of these things:
https://drewsound.com/2022/11/24/dont-have-an-applications-key-on-your-keyboard-want-to-open-notepad-with-a-simple-keystroke-from-anywhere-in-the-windows-os-jas-scripts-to-make-life-simpler/

14) How to Make Autocorrect Work the Way You Want | Wired

Even when it's wrong, it's hilarious — but you still have options:
https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-improve-autocorrect-iphone-android/

15) New Paste Keyboard Shortcut For Excel

There's a new paste keyboard shortcut coming to Excel that will be very handy when pasting into a cell, but perhaps also a little confusing:
https://office-watch.com/2022/excel-new-paste-keyboard-shortcut/

16) The Let's Go Shopping 7 Audio For Holiday 2022 Is Here! | Accessible Insights Blog

If you're reluctant to leave home this holiday weekend, thanks to a resurgence of the latest Covid variants, the crazed crowds Black Friday bargain-hunting, or the general lethargy brought about by consuming 18,000 calories on Thanksgiving, I've got a great alternative for you. Shop 'til you drop, and do it from the comfort of your couch. Below, check out the complete recordings from the recent Let's Go Shopping event, held on November 4th and 5th 2022:
https://accessibleinsights.info/blog/2022/11/23/the-lets-go-shopping-7-audio-for-holiday-2022-is-here/

17) You Can Run Mac OS on the Nintendo Wii and Turn it Into the Ultimate Gaming and Productivity Machine

With over 100 million units sold since its debut in 2006, there's no denying the popularity of the Wii, but two Nintendo consoles later, people are still finding clever ways to expand the capabilities of the console. This hack focuses more on productivity than gaming, however, by turning the Wii into a Mac:
https://gizmodo.com/you-can-run-mac-os-on-the-nintendo-wii-and-turn-it-into-1849820408

18) Check Out This Library Of Obsolete Sounds, Including Plenty Of Clips Of Old Tech

Obsolete Sounds is a new project that its creator Cities and Memory claims is “the world's biggest collection of obsolete and disappearing sounds.” It consists of over 150 sounds that are increasingly rare, ranging from sounds used in retro video games, recordings of old-fashioned transport, and plenty of mechanical sounds from outdated hardware:
https://www.theverge.com/2022/11/28/23481711/obsolete-sounds-project-cities-and-memory-modem

19) Use Gmail With A Screen Reader

We understand that this how-to article has recently been updated:
https://support.google.com/mail/answer/90559?hl=en

20) Hands-Free Listening Comes to the Audible App - Just Ask Alexa

This update allows users to access Alexa services from within the iOS Audible app:
https://www.audible.com/about/newsroom/hands-free-listening-comes-to-the-audible-app-just-ask-alexa

21) Neuralink Co-Founder Unveils Cyborg Eye Prosthesis To Cure Blindness

The co-founder of Elon Musk's brain chip startup Neuralink has unveiled a visual prosthesis for blind patients as part of a new project. The Science Eye aims to target two forms of serious blindness that currently have no cure, before eventually serving as a brain-computer interface (BCI) by transmitting information through a wearer's optic nerve:
https://www.independent.co.uk/tech/neuralink-science-eye-brain-computer-interface-b2231585.html

22) Backup Software Macrium Reflect Free Is Being Retired

The free for non-commercial use version is being retired by parent company Paramount Software UK Limited on January 1, 2024:
https://www.ghacks.net/2022/11/27/backup-software-macrium-reflect-free-is-being-retired/

23) Thunderbird Android Update: K-9 Mail 6.400 Adds Customizable Swipe Actions

In what feels like the blink of an eye, four months have passed since announcing our plans for bringing Thunderbird to Android. The path to bringing you a great email experience on Android devices begins with K-9 Mail, which joined the Thunderbird product family earlier this Summer:
https://blog.thunderbird.net/2022/11/thunderbird-android-update-k-9-mail-6-400-adds-customizable-swipe-actions/

24) Introducing The Tactile Times 2022 Accessible Online Advent Calendar!

The Tactile Times, the world's first newspaper by young braillists, for young braillists is pleased to announce that its 2022 online advent calendar is now open for business! With a festive, braille-themed surprise waiting behind every door and an interactive countdown to the 25th, it's set to be the perfect way for young braille enthusiasts all around the world to celebrate the build-up to the big day:
https://www.braillists.org/uncategorised/introducing-the-tactile-times-2022-accessible-online-advent-calendar/

25) Wonderful YouTube Video Containing Samples Of Many Old And Modern Text To Speech Engines/Humor | David Goldfield | Tech-VI List

The individual who produced this video either has too much time on their hands, too many text to speech engines or a combination of the two. This is a wonderful and light video to end the year and I personally found parts of it to be hilarious. Warning: some voices may be unexpectedly loud:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsJS7SZdkAI

26) Hadley Headlines Newsletter For November 2022

http://bit.ly/3gCH7EA

27) Be My Eyes Newsletter for November 2022

http://bit.ly/3U8RyxF

➜ Surveys

✍ Submit your adaptive technology-related survey for consideration within this section using this form: https://www.toptechtidbits.com/submit-survey or locate "Survey Submission Form" within the main menu of the Top Tech Tidbits website.

1) Surveys | APH

➜ Featured Podcast Episodes

✍ Submit your adaptive technology-related Podcast Episode for consideration within this section using this form: https://www.toptechtidbits.com/submit-podcast-episode or locate "Podcast Episode Submission Form" within the main menu of the Top Tech Tidbits website.

1) Blind Abilities Episode 910: Tech Abilities: Gratitude — Guide Dogs For The Blind K9 Buddy Program, Braille Readers Are Leaders, Netflix Kick Off, Twitter Yawn, And More Tech Tidbits From A Blindness Perspective

November 22nd 2022 | The crew minus one is back again and filled with gratitude and news from around the community, industry and all parts involved. Callie, Seyoon and Jeff take a dive into the latest news and tech tidbits and give a lot of their personal experience with everything mentioned. We hope you enjoy. Topics include: Registration has opened for the annual Braille Readers Are Leaders contest! Guide Dogs for the Blind's K9 Buddy Program Expands to Include the Entire United States and Adults of Any Age K9 Buddy Program. Emergency SOS by Satellite is activated. Netflix lets you kick freeloading users off your streaming account. Elon Musk puts Twitter's Blue Verified relaunch on hold. It's already too late to order iPhone 14 Pro in time for Christmas. Apple Reveals Black Friday Deals for 2022. Gratitude. Thanks for Listening:
https://blindabilities.com/?p=7719

2) Blind Abilities Episode 911: Wellness Wednesday: Gratitude — The Little Things Matter Too! Ways To Think About And Express Gratitude With Beth Gustin And Robin Ennis

November 23rd 2022 | In this eighth episode of Wellness Wednesday, Beth Gustin, LPC and Robin Ennis, LCSW, CPC, explore how they think about gratitude and ways to express gratitude. It's not just the big things, the little things matter, too. Show Hosts: Robin Ennis on the web at http://www.robinennislcsw.com/, Beth Gustin, LPC, NCC, EMDRIA Approved Consultant, CAGCS, PLGS at: https://transitioningthroughchange.com/. You can message Beth and Robin by calling (612) 367-6093 ☎. They look forward to hearing from you:
https://blindabilities.com/?p=7723

3) The Blind Life: Tips on Technology and Low Vision | Hadley Presents: A Conversation with the Experts

November 24th 2022 | We're joined by the creator of The Blind Life YouTube channel, Sam Seavey. Sam shares his personal journey with vision loss and advice he has for people who are newer to vision loss:
https://hadley.edu/podcasts/hadley-presents-conversation-experts/blind-life-tips-technology-and-low-vision

4) Mosen at Large Episode 208: Why Mushroom FM Had Gone All In On Mastodon, Dan Clarke From Focusrite Talks About Their Accessibility Initiatives, And A Demo Of The Updated Vocaster Hub

November 26th 2022https://mosenatlarge.pinecast.co/episode/3829da8a/why-mushroom-fm-had-gone-all-in-on-mastodon-dan-clarke-from-focusrite-talks-about-their-accessibility-initiatives-and-a-demo-of-the-updated-vocaster-hub

5) Blind Android Users Podcast Episode 103: Blind Android Users Podcast Episode 103 Autofill Service, CSR And More

November 26th 2022 | We first announce our partnership with Podcastpage.io and the redesign of our website. We then talk about autofill services, what it is, who needs it and advantages. Then we have a new CSR episode in which we talk about notifications, blacklist and whitelist. This episode can be found on our website at https://blindandroidusers.com/ or on YouTube at:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5iI0uwraRqqll_f1sjZwTfcan607KNbW

6) Eyes on Success Episode 2248: Hello Darkness, My Old Friend

November 30th 2022 | "Hello Darkness, My Old Friend" is the story of a young man who, after losing his eyesight to disease, finds the power to break through the darkness and fulfill his vision for a life of distinguished public service. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with author Sanford Greenberg about his journey and how enduring friendships made a difference in his life.:
http://www.eyesonsuccess.net/show_notes_2248.htm

➜ Featured Webinars, Training Courses and Events

✍ Submit your adaptive technology-related Webinar, Training Course or Event for consideration within this section using this form: https://www.toptechtidbits.com/submit-webinar-training-course or locate "Webinar / Training Course Submission Form" within the main menu of the Top Tech Tidbits website.

1) Using JAWS Inspect and JAWS Connect for Testing | TPGi

December 1st 2022 | 9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 5PM GMT | Presenter: Charlie Pike, Platform Success Lead Using transcripts of JAWS speech, you can quickly pinpoint accessibility and usability issues. This demonstration will walk you through some simple tests using both JAWS Inspect and JAWS Connect, explaining how these tools can be integrated into your test processes. Register today:.
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-december-1-at-12pm-et-using-jaws-inspect-and-jaws-connect-for-testing/

2) Blind Health Expo | The Accessible Pharmacy

December 2nd 2022 | 7AM PT, 8AM MT, 9AM CT, 10AM ET, 3PM GMT | The Accessible Pharmacy Blind Health Expo will be the largest virtual expo of healthcare information, products, services, and medication for individuals who are blind, deafblind, or have low vision. Join thousands of other attendees and register now for free!
https://www.accessiblepharmacy.com/blind-health-expo/

3) Microsoft Accessibility for Nonprofits Webinar

December 6th 2022 | 9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 5PM GMT | If you are part of a disability nonprofit organization, please join us for our Microsoft Accessibility for Nonprofits Webinar on Tuesday, December 6th. In this introductory session, you will learn about: Accessibility Nonprofit Tech Accelerator 2023 grant program that provides selected organizations with technology grants and dedicated specialist staff to support your mission. Access to Microsoft Philanthropies grants and discounts across our nonprofit cloud products including Azure, Dynamics 365, and Microsoft 365 for all registered 501 c3 organizations. Microsoft Accessibility team will share our commitment to disability nonprofit partners, our work on AI for Accessibility & Innovation. Register today for the Microsoft Accessibility for Nonprofit Webinar:
https://learning.eventbuilder.com/event/67484

4) The Current Legal Landscape for Digital Assets Accessibility Risks and How to Provide an Accessible Experience for Retail Customers

December 6th 2022 | 8AM PT, 9AM MT, 10AM CT, 11AM ET, 4PM GMT | Presenter: Matt Ater, Lori Sommerfield, and Kim Phan Join Matt Ater of Vispero, along with Lori Sommerfield & Kim Phan, partners at Troutman Pepper, for a discussion concerning the current state of legal risks for accessibility non-compliance and practical tips for making your retail business digital assets accessible for people with disabilities. We will discuss the current state of website and mobile application accessibility litigation, as well as the increasing threat of enforcement of the Americans with Disabilities Act for digital assets by the U.S. Department of Justice under the Biden administration. Learn how to mitigate legal risks by meeting digital accessibility requirements and creating a usable and accessible retail experience. Register today:
https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-december-6-at-11am-et-the-current-legal-landscape-for-digital-assets-accessibility-risks-and-how-to-provide-an-accessible-experience-for-retail-customers/

5) What's New With JAWS, ZoomText And Fusion In 2023 | APH ConnectCenter

December 6th 2022 | 10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT | JAWS, ZoomText, and Fusion 2023 contain several new features and enhancements that increase productivity at school, work, and play. Join us for a live webinar to learn about these features and see some of them in action:
https://aph.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f36877787e431c3edc0020ff5&id=ee03fc7f7f&e=55c3c23403

6) ONYX Family of Magnifiers: Portable & Powerful (ACVREP CE Approved, Assistive Technology Webinar) | Access Ingenuity

December 7th 2022 | 10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 6PM GMT | The ONYX family of video magnifiers combines ease of use with powerful yet portable features to help people retain their independent lifestyle - reading, writing, viewing photographs, and engaging in hobbies. Did you know there are three different ONYX models? The ONYX Deskset and ONYX OCR offer larger screens and can adapt to multiple environments and tasks for productivity at school, work, and home. Modern camera technology and HD displays provide a clear, crisp picture with a wide range of magnification and color-coded controls. The ONYX Pro takes portability to the next level by combining it with the Surface 7 tablet to provide the ultimate tool for mobile magnification and reading tasks. During this webinar, we discuss the features and benefits all the ONYX models can give in specific situations. Join Ian Ramos and Joe McDaniel from Vispero as they dive deep into these powerful tools to help those challenged by vision loss. Note that everybody is welcome and can benefit from this presentation. If you are a teacher of the visually impaired (TVI), this presentation is approved for ACVREP continuing education credit. Learning Outcomes: Features of all ONYX models. How to determine which model fits your needs best. How adding speech capability can take you further. Benefits of portable, powerful visual tools. Meeting ID: 821 2886 0126 | Passcode: 792304 | One tap mobile: +16699009128,,82128860126#,,,,*792304# US (San Jose) | Dial by your location: +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose). Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82128860126?pwd=UHBhYXBzTHVGb0tCaktXZVc1anQ0dz09#success

7) 2022 Sight Tech Global — Shaping New Technologies to Create a More Accessible World for People with Blindness and Visual Impairments

December 7th 2022 and December 8th 2022 | Sponsored by Google, APH, Amazon, Humanware, Microsoft, Fable, LinkedIn, and Waymo, 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. Register for free:
https://sighttechglobal.com/

8) 2022 Digital Accessibility Legal Update with Lainey Feingold | Free Webinar

9) 20 Websites to Bookmark for 2023 | Technology User Group, Maryland State Library

10) Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 3: Creative Manual Activities for Christmas | APH

11) Basics of Accessibility Testing | TPGi

12) Partner Showcase: Audiojack's Newest O+M Experience | APH ConnectCenter

13) Creating Accessible Promotional Materials (Digital Accessibility Webinar) | Access Ingenuity

14) Training Course: Catching Up with JAWS Chapter 4 for JAWS 2022 and 2023 | Hartgen Consultancy

15) Career Conversations with Joe Strechay | APH ConnectCenter

16) ZoomText, JAWS & Fusion: Latest Features (Assistive Technology Webinar) | Access Ingenuity

17) Ask The Advocate | APH ConnectCenter

18) Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 4: Braille Around the World | APH

19) Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 5: School Aged Numeracy | APH

20) Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 6: Daily Living Activities | APH

21) 2023 3rd Annual Axe-Con | Building Accessible Experiences | The World's Largest Digital Accessibility Conference

22) Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 7: Music | APH

23) Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 8: STEM | APH

24) Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 9: Orientation & Mobility | APH

➜ Directories

1) Top Tech Tidbits Blind And Visually Impaired App Directory

https://www.toptechtidbits.com/blind-and-visually-impaired-technology-app-directory.html

2) Top Tech Tidbits Blind And Visually Impaired Game Directory

https://www.toptechtidbits.com/blind-and-visually-impaired-technology-game-directory.html

3) Top Tech Tidbits Blind And Visually Impaired Listserv Directory

https://www.toptechtidbits.com/blind-and-visually-impaired-technology-listserv-directory.html

4) Top Tech Tidbits Blind And Visually Impaired Podcast Directory

https://www.toptechtidbits.com/blind-and-visually-impaired-technology-podcast-directory.html

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Top Tech Tidbits for Thursday, November 24, 2022 - Volume 886

The Week's News in Adaptive 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 adaptive technology.

Subscribers: 7,128 Opt-In Subscribers were sent this issue via email. 148 Premium Subscribers were sent this issue via email.

This Week's Featured Advertisement: Find All Your Talking, Braille and Tactile Gifts at Blind in Mind, The Braille Superstore

Christmas Eve is just one month away. Yikes! Not to worry; the Braille Superstore's crew of friendly elves is here with loads of holiday cheer. We have dozens of new products, gadgets and gifts for all the blind and low vision people on your list. Recording greeting cards, vibrating clocks, Braille pocket watches, audio Bibles, talking thermometers, Braille jewelry, wooden plaques, adapted card and board games ... The list goes on and on.

Our selection of Holiday Highlights presents our bestselling gift ideas, fun and practical stocking-stuffers, and favorite Christmas books for kids and adults.

Parents and teachers - check out our Teachers Corner for tactile craft supplies, innovative Braille learning and writing gear, educational games and boredom busters.

Visit our Gifts for Grandparents showcase for thoughtful, practical or useful gifts for those seniors in your life.

Order soon to enjoy free delivery by December 24th. Our online store is fully accessible - and just plain fun!
http://www.braillebookstore.com/

Dear Tidbits Subscriber,

✍ Submit your adaptive technology-related Tidbit for consideration within this section using this form: https://www.toptechtidbits.com/submit-tidbit or locate "Tidbit Submission Form" within the main menu of the Top Tech Tidbits website.

1) Top 5 Most Clicked Tidbits From Last Week

A.) Your iPhone Has 26 New Accessibility Tools You Shouldn't Ignore (16.4% of all clicks.)
This is a handy rundown of the latest accessibility features on iOS devices:
https://ios.gadgethacks.com/how-to/your-iphone-has-26-new-accessibility-tools-you-shouldnt-ignore-0385071/

B.) JAWS with Microsoft Office Power Tip: Don't Forget About the F6 Key (10.5% of all clicks.)
Courtesy of Freedom Scientific:
https://www.toptechtidbits.com/133.html

C.) Overview Of The 6dot Braille Label Maker | Easterseals Crossroads (5.5% of all clicks.)
If you're looking for an easy-to-use Braille label maker, check out the 6dot Braille Label Maker from Logan Tech. This portable Braille label maker has a built-in Braille keyboard that supports all grades of Braille in "virtually every language:"
https://www.eastersealstech.com/2022/10/27/6dot-braille-label-maker/

D.) The 6 Best Speech-to-Text Apps for Note-Taking (4.7% of all clicks.)
Speech-to-text apps are the best way to take notes on the go. They can also save you time. Here are some of the best ones to use:
https://www.makeuseof.com/best-speech-to-text-apps/

E.) A Beginner's Guide To Mastodon, The Open Source Twitter Alternative (4.3% of all clicks.)
As Twitter users fret over the direction that new owner Elon Musk is taking the company, masses of users have hopped over to Mastodon, an open source Twitter alternative. Since October 27, when the SpaceX and Tesla CEO formalized his Twitter takeover, Mastodon has gained nearly 500,000 new users, effectively doubling its user base. But what is Mastodon, and should we all be getting our accounts set up?:
https://techcrunch.com/2022/11/08/what-is-mastodon/

2) Sponsorship Package Updates

3) Premium Subscriber Updates

4) The Fediverse Is Happening. Here's How To Take Part. A Guide To Getting Started With Mastodon | Ben Werdmuller

I've been trying to explain what the fediverse actually is in a few different contexts. One thing that's revealed to me is that there's a whole generation of internet users whose entire model of how things work is based on the centralized, VC-funded service model. For them, a service is tied to a domain name and run by a company, and that's it — even though they likely use email every day. It's a surprising (to me) way that the prevailing business models for the web have changed the conversation:
https://benwerd.medium.com/the-fediverse-is-happening-heres-how-to-take-part-11c42f5ebefd

5) We Joined Mastodon. Here's What We Learned About Privacy and Security | The Markup

As Elon Musk sends Twitter into chaos, we're sharing what we picked up about Mastodon as we selected a server:
https://themarkup.org/the-breakdown/2022/11/21/we-joined-mastodon-heres-what-we-learned-about-privacy-and-security

6) New Mastodon Instance For Professionals and Consumers Interested in Audio Description

Editor: Scott Blanks has launched a Mastodon subscription instance for audio description. This is a space where professionals and fans can come together to learn, advocate, and work together towards the goal of quality AD in all environs. | Welcome to everyone with a connection to Audio Description. This server is a place to learn, advocate, network, and strive for great AD everywhere:
https://adforward.org/explore

7) Introducing The New Menus4ALL App Providing 750,000 Accessible Restaurant Menus | Stephanie Jones

Publisher: Menus4ALL is a founding sponsor of the new Access Information News publication and a long time Top Tech Tidbits supporter. They've been working on this solution for some time and we are all so very happy to finally see it come to fruition. | Stephanie Jones: My name is Stephanie Jones and I am co-founder of an accessibility solutions company, Menus4ALL. Our mission is to provide folks accessible restaurant menus. Previously we offered 50,000 US accessible menus on our website for 3 years. This Fall we beta tested with the BVI community an iPhone app, available now in the App Store. The Menus4ALL iPhone app features 750,000 fully accessible restaurant menus. 500,000 menus in the U.S. and 250,000 menus in Canada. It supports Apple's dynamic type, VoiceOver, Voice Control and common Braille displays. And it's affordable for all at $2.99 a month, with a onetime 14-day trial:
https://www.applevis.com/forum/ios-ipados/introducing-new-menus4all-app-providing-750000-accessible-restaurant-menus

8) Introducing Sign Language View for Teams Meetings | Microsoft

Today we are pleased to announce sign language view, a new meeting experience in Microsoft Teams that helps signers — people who are Deaf/hard of hearing, interpreters, and others who use sign language — keep one another prioritized on center stage, in a consistent location, throughout every meeting:
https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/microsoft-teams-blog/introducing-sign-language-view-for-teams-meetings/ba-p/3671257

9) 'Moonwalkers': These Strap-On Shoes Can Make You Walk Three Times Faster

Imagine being able to make a quick grocery run or walk your dog as fast as if you were on a moving walkway. An American start-up, Shift Robotics, has invented a device designed to be strapped onto your own shoes to boost your walking speed by up to 250 percent. That's right, you could be walking at up to 11 km/h, about three times faster than you normally would. The "Moonwalkers" look like skates, but they're not freewheeling — so that you don't lose your balance. Thanks to machine learning algorithms, they only move when you do: they can stop when you want, be locked to go up or down stairs, and automatically regulate their speed when you're going downhill:
https://www.euronews.com/next/2022/11/18/moonwalkers-these-strap-on-shoes-can-make-you-walk-three-times-faster

10) This App Gives Your Screenshots Superpowers. That's Just The Beginning | Wired

Publisher: While this technology is still under development, and is not, strictly speaking, directly related to accessibility right now, I believe that all Tidbits readers will immediately recognize the power that this technology could bring to the blind and vision impaired community. | Wired: What if screenshots were linkable, or portals to the playlist, the mapped location, the shopping page you wanted to share? That's the reality Alex Mahedy has been trying to create for the past few years. The twentysomething New York City — based entrepreneur has even convinced some noteworthy venture capitalists to fund the idea. He just launched a new app for sharing link-enabled screenshots, called Pager. Here's how Pager works, and this may be its biggest barrier at the start: It's a separate mobile app that's currently only available through TestFlight, an Apple-owned app testing platform. This also means it's only available on iOS right now. The app first collates the existing screenshots in your camera roll. (It actually asks for permission to access all photos, a request that typically makes privacy advocates cringe, but Pager claims it's touching only your screenshots. And iOS now lets people select which photos they want to share with other apps:)
https://www.wired.com/story/pager-link-screenshots/

11) The Windows Subsystem For Linux In The Microsoft Store Is Now Generally Available

This will make updating Windows Subsystem for Linux much easier. It also brings GUI app support to Windows 10:
https://devblogs.microsoft.com/commandline/the-windows-subsystem-for-linux-in-the-microsoft-store-is-now-generally-available-on-windows-10-and-11/

12) Opening Windows — Learning to Use the Tools Built Into The Windows Operating System

Staying with the Windows theme, Brian Hartgen has completed his course on using tools built into the Windows operating system. The archive is now available for purchase. All topics are displayed here:
https://www.hartgen.org/openingwindows

13) TechVision Seeking Individuals Skilled at Visual Studio and Coding | Dr. Denise M. Robinson

Our company is looking to add more instructors, specifically those using Visual Studio and general coding. If anyone is interested in a position with us, please let us know and we will get an interview setup with you. Schedule is flexible and you work from home using Zoom to connect to students. Pay is also very competitive. Call (425) 220-6935 ☎ or visit:
https://yourtechvision.com/

14) Microsoft Windows 11 Keystroke Compendium | National Braille Press | $10 - $12.50

Comprehensive collection of keystrokes available in Windows 11, containing keystrokes which are either available anywhere in Windows or are used in many different apps, as well as application-specific keystrokes:
https://www.nbp.org/ic/nbp/WIN11-REF.html

15) Updated JAWS Scripts for Unigram by Doug Lee

16) Audible Now Works Independently On Apple Watch With Streaming And One-Tap Downloads

Amazon's Audible has delivered a valuable update for Apple Watch users. Shifting away from the reliance on a connection with your iPhone, the popular audiobook app now works independently on Apple Watch for both streaming and downloading content:
https://9to5mac.com/2022/11/17/audible-apple-watch-streaming/

17) For Those Interested In The Mac: Mac4TheBlind Tutorial Videos Available On The SturItUp YouTube Channel

Publisher: Just a quick reminder that John Panarese was one of the founding sponsors of the Top Tech Tidbits Publication, and is an incredibly knowledgeable and sought-after accessibility instructor. | SturItUp: Hello. John Panarese from Mac4TheBlind has graciously allowed me to post his free audio tutorials on the SturItUp YouTube page. It has its own playlist, and nothing but free audio Tutorials from John Panarese and Mac4TheBlind will be found on this play list. Find it here and save it to your favorites, sign up for alerts for it, however it works on YouTube. Currently, only 3 tutorials are there, but as John and I gather the ones he wants posted, they will be there. Enjoy. They can be found here:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOefEEZcxAG8VxmDYMkETHV1X7sXN64qo

18) NV Access In-Process For November 19th 2022

https://www.nvaccess.org/post/in-process-19th-november/

19) ARX Vision Headset — Intro And Hardware First Impressions | YouTube | David Nason

The ARX Vision headset is a wearable device aimed at helping blind and visually impaired people to interact with the visual world around them using a camera and AI. This video gives a quick intro and takes a first look at the hardware. If you have any questions please comment. This is a review unit which has been loaned to me by ARX:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcjAFo0Kbqo

20) How To Use Emergency SOS Via Satellite Service On iPhone 14

Apple has launched its Emergency SOS via satellite service for iPhone 14 users in the US and Canada, with the feature coming to France, Germany, Ireland, and the UK in December 2022:
https://coolblindtech.com/how-to-use-emergency-sos-via-satellite-service-on-iphone-14/

21) Your Google Searches Are Quietly Evolving. Here's What's Next | Wired

We went behind the scenes to make sense of Shopping, Ads, and the changes that will shape your internet searches:
https://www.wired.com/story/google-search-shopping-ads-malware-trends/

22) Google Just Launched A Slew Of Helpful Search Features

Google has announced a bevy of new search features to make searching easier and more helpful. The new features center around Google Maps, Search, Lens, and Shopping. Most of the features launched November 17th 2022, except one for Google Lens and another for Google Maps. Read more here:
https://www.androidauthority.com/google-search-features-3236058/

23) Your iPhone Has 26 New Accessibility Tools You Shouldn't Ignore | Gadget Hacks

While it's not usually the first thing everyone looks at after installing a new iOS software update, I'd give the new accessibility features on your iPhone priority attention because there are some highly valuable tools that even users without disabilities can enjoy:
https://ios.gadgethacks.com/how-to/your-iphone-has-26-new-accessibility-tools-you-shouldnt-ignore-0385071/

24) 5 Anti-Spam Software For Microsoft Outlook That'll Protect Your Inbox

Microsoft is losing the war to spam. If your Outlook inbox is under spam siege, check out the top anti-spam tools for Outlook:
https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/anti-spam-filters-microsoft-outlook/

25) GetBraille.com Offers Customizable Braille Holiday Messages | Mark Cadigan | GetBraille.com

This Holiday season GetBraille.com is offering customizable braille holiday messages. We offer both clear plastic braille overlays that can be cut to size and adhered to traditional commercial holiday greeting cards and personalized holiday letters/notes embossed on standard 8.5 by 11 braille paper. For braille overlays: Email us the greeting card language plus any personal note, provide the card dimensions, and specify what part of the card the text corresponds to E.G. text on the front or text inside the card. We will mail the completed overlays to you in UEB grade 1 or 2 depending on your preference. For personalized holiday letters/notes: Email us the text and specify if you want it in UEB Grade 1 or 2. Each overlay or card will cost $10. We offer second business day turn around if your order is placed by noon Eastern. We can ship via free matter for the blind or with tracking for an additional $5. We accept all major credit cards. Reach out to us via email at: mark@getbraille.com ✉ for all your braille needs or visit us online at:
https://getbraille.com/

26) Spotify Wants To Make Your Podcast Sound Better With New One-Tap Feature For Anchor

Spotify has pushed more and more into podcasting in recent years, including its acquisition of the podcast creation platform Anchor in 2019. Now, Spotify is rolling out an update to the dedicated Anchor app on iPhone with a new feature it says can drastically improve the audio of your podcast with just one click:
https://9to5mac.com/2022/11/21/anchor-podcast-audio-feature-spotify/

27) Reading Recipes With Siri Or Apple Watch | Jamie Teh

I'm finally learning to cook some decent food, so I need to be able to read recipes. For a while, I was reading them out of SimpleNote on my iPhone. However, I encountered several frustrations with this approach (and this applies to any notes or text app really):
https://www.jantrid.net/2021/08/24/reading-recipes-with-siri-or-apple-watch/

28) 100 Days Of SwiftUI, My Foray Into Understanding A Bit More About How iOS Works | The Thoughts and Ramblings of Steve

Ever since I was able to accessibly use an iOS device, an iPhone 3GS, I've imagined how awesome it would be to be able to develop my own applications. That excitement was very short lived though as I soon became aware of just how complicated developing an application really is. It's a very involved process — or so it seemed to me — and for someone who hasn't written any code since C ++ was the talk of the town, it seemed like an impossibility. I wrongly assumed this was especially true for iOS because apps are often very visual and interactive and I just couldn't imagine how I'd tackle that without vision. And so I quickly decided that iOS app development was just not for me. Fast-forward quite a few years and Apple releases Swift and SwiftUI which, at the risk of over simplifying things quite a bit, is a more powerful and natural programming language for application development:
https://steves.life/2022/11/22/100-days-of-swiftui-my-foray-into-understanding-a-bit-more-about-how-ios-works/

➜ Surveys

✍ Submit your adaptive technology-related survey for consideration within this section using this form: https://www.toptechtidbits.com/submit-survey or locate "Survey Submission Form" within the main menu of the Top Tech Tidbits website.

1) Surveys | APH

2) Survey | PDF User Survey

Closes: November 30th 2022 Equidox Software Company provides PDF accessibility software and services and is conducting a survey of blind and low-vision adults who are assistive technology users. The goal is to gain information about the real experience of people who use assistive technology to access PDF documents. Tammy Albee, who created this survey, worked at the NFB national office for four years with Scott White, Director of NFB-NEWSLINE. Ms. Albee now works for Equidox and hopes to submit the results of this survey to the Journal of Blindness Innovation. The information will also be used to advocate for accessibility in government, education, and private enterprise organizations, presented at conferences, and made available on the Equidox website. The survey has 15 questions and will take about 10-15 minutes to complete. All responses and emails will be kept completely anonymous. If you have questions about this survey, please contact Tammy@equidox.co. The deadline for participation is November 30, 2022. To learn more about Equidox, please visit https://equidox.co/. You may complete the survey here:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/nfbaffiliate

3) Survey | Tennessee Specialized Services Survey

Closes: November 30th 2022 If you are or were a vocational rehabilitation client in the state of Tennessee, please complete this survey for Blind Citizens of Tennessee. Those who have tried to get basic licensing, assistive technology, orientation and mobility, and braille skills in Tennessee know that our state is a desert of services. This survey will assist the Blind Citizens of Tennessee in their research to determine the need for a standalone training facility for the blind in Tennessee:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd3lOO_LLUTFEZtqb1mrW0LfOiO2ZQwVuw5JwJLpeTE_TZ9tg/viewform?usp=sf_link

➜ Featured Podcast Episodes

✍ Submit your adaptive technology-related Podcast Episode for consideration within this section using this form: https://www.toptechtidbits.com/submit-podcast-episode or locate "Podcast Episode Submission Form" within the main menu of the Top Tech Tidbits website.

1) LBPD TUG: Technology User Group | Maryland State Library Agency | 13th Annual Look At Assistive Technology Gifts for the Holidays

November 5th 2022 | On Saturday, November 5th 2022 the Technology User Group presented our 13th Annual Look At Assistive Technology Gifts for the Holidays! Gadgets, gizmos and exciting products for the home, office and play. Most items profiled cost less than $100. Many vendors also profiled their wares in this special two-hour event:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/maryland-state-library-agency/id1633488438?i=1000586151653

2) Tek Talk Features Stocking Stuffers Part 1 With Barry Scheur Of Guidelights And Gadgets And Krystle Zamudio Of Scentsy

November 7th 2022 | Barry will present in the first half hour from 8 to 8:30pm Eastern and Krystle will present in the second half hour from 8:30 to 9pm Eastern:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tek-talk/id1500954706?i=1000586203245

3) Tek Talk features Stocking Stuffers Part 2 with Denise Russell of Speak To Me Catalog and Barry Carver of Mountain Crafted

November 14th 2022 | Tek Talk features Stocking Stuffers Part 2 with Denise Russell of Speak To Me Catalog and Barry Carver of Mountain Crafted. Denise will present in the first half hour from 8 to 8:30pm Eastern and Barry will present in the second half hour from 8:30 to 9pm Eastern:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tek-talk/id1500954706?i=1000587023947

4) Eyes on Success Episode 2247: Training Low Vision Rehabilitation Optometrists

November 23rd 2022 | People with newly diagnosed vision problems may not get directed to low vision optometrists who can help them adapt to their vision changes. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Richard Jamara and Sarah Hinkley, two editors of a training guide for low vision optometrists, who hope to train more of them and increase awareness of their specialty:
http://www.eyesonsuccess.net/show_notes_2247.htm

5) National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina Podcast | Presentation From Oran McAllister With NaviLens

November 16th 2022 | The Computer Science & Technology Division (CSTD) of the NFB of SC had a presentation from Oran McAllister with NaviLens to tell us all about NaviLens. We have permission to share the recording of Oran's presentation to others who were not able to attend! You will be able to find the recording for the NaviLens presentation at the below links on the National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina's podcast. If you have any suggestions for future Technology Presentations, please send them to Steve Cook at cookcafe@sc.rr.com ✉: .
Part 1: https://anchor.fm/national-federation-of-the-blind-of-south-carolina/episodes/NaviLens-Part-1-e1qsqsn
Part 2: https://anchor.fm/national-federation-of-the-blind-of-south-carolina/episodes/NaviLens-Part-2-e1qstip

6) Mosen at Large Episode 207: The Windows Start Menu Verbosity Saga, Mastodon Continues To Gain Traction, And The Need To Make Data Journalism Accessible

November 19th 2022https://mosenatlarge.pinecast.co/episode/97ff31c5/the-windows-start-menu-verbosity-saga-mastodon-continues-to-gain-traction-and-the-need-to-make-data-journalism-accessible

7) Blind Android Users Podcast Episode 102: Passwords And Accounts Saved Passwords, Autofill and Settings

November 19th 2022 | This week, we look at the password manager-related aspects of the Passwords and Accounts section of the Settings app. Tip of the week: John shows us how to find out what song is playing using the Google Assistant, regardless of the Android phone you have. We have a guide on how to register for discord on google chrome using this link: https://blindandroidusers.com/guide-to-registering-for-discord-on-chrome-browser/. This episode can be found at:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5iI0uwraRqrQdcSCN6NTaqKf9kZv3D5y

➜ Featured Webinars, Training Courses and Events

✍ Submit your adaptive technology-related Webinar, Training Course or Event for consideration within this section using this form: https://www.toptechtidbits.com/submit-webinar-training-course or locate "Webinar / Training Course Submission Form" within the main menu of the Top Tech Tidbits website.

1) ACB's 2022 Audio Description Awards Gala

November 29 2022 | The American Council of the Blind (ACB) proudly announces the second annual Audio Description Awards Gala on November 29, 2022. The Gala will once again celebrate outstanding achievements in audio description in media and expand awareness of its benefits. In recent years there has been enormous success in expanding audio description for audiences who are blind, low vision, or have other sensory disabilities that create barriers to full inclusion in visual media. "The Audio Description Awards Gala will celebrate the best of the best within the art and science of inclusive audio-described media," said Eric Bridges, ACB's Executive Director. "Together we will work to expand awareness of the transformative value that audio description brings to the lives of people with disabilities:"
https://acb.org/save-the-date-2022-AD-Awards

2) Linking Up with LinkedIn to Increase Employment Opportunities For Blind or Low Vision Users | Mississippi State University National Technical Assistance Center on Blindness & Low Vision

November 30th 2022 | 11AM PT, 12PM MT, 1PM CT, 2PM ET, 7PM GMT | We are having our final webinar of the year, and you are invited! Brief Summary: The NRTC will partner with NSITE to discuss how people with vision loss can increase employment opportunities by using LinkedIn. Registration: Visit the Webinars & Podcasts page to learn more about this webinar, and register today:
https://www.ntac.blind.msstate.edu/consumers/webinars-podcasts

3) PDF Accessibility Training for Organizations | Access Ingenuity

November 30th 2022 | 10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 6PM GMT | Creating accessible PDF documents is essential for most organizations' digital accessibility process. However, organizations often struggle to get their staff trained and efficient at creating accessible PDFs and other accessible digital content. The first step is identifying document creators within the organization and the types of documents they're developing. Depending on the findings, standard and advanced PDF accessibility training may be required. Join Michael Parker from Access Ingenuity to review lessons we learned from creating digital accessibility training and how to apply them to your organization. Learning Outcomes: Understand the components of a comprehensive PDF accessibility training program. Understand the importance of creating accessible templates and using accessible color palettes. Breaking the training down into manageable chunks - from beginners to advanced users. Meeting ID: 883 8806 6414 | Passcode: 878053 | One tap mobile: +16699009128,,88388066414#,,,,*878053# US (San Jose) | Dial by your location: +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose). Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88388066414?pwd=RU9tQU02ZDlRVjZzWlpwZHVGZjBSUT09

4) Using JAWS Inspect and JAWS Connect for Testing | TPGi

5) Blind Health Expo | The Accessible Pharmacy

6) Microsoft Accessibility for Nonprofits Webinar

7) The Current Legal Landscape for Digital Assets Accessibility Risks and How to Provide an Accessible Experience for Retail Customers

8) ONYX Family of Magnifiers: Portable & Powerful (ACVREP CE Approved, Assistive Technology Webinar) | Access Ingenuity

9) 2022 Sight Tech Global — Shaping New Technologies to Create a More Accessible World for People with Blindness and Visual Impairments

10) 2022 Digital Accessibility Legal Update with Lainey Feingold | Free Webinar

11) 20 Websites to Bookmark for 2023 | Technology User Group, Maryland State Library

12) Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 3: Creative Manual Activities for Christmas | APH

13) Basics of Accessibility Testing | TPGi

14) Creating Accessible Promotional Materials (Digital Accessibility Webinar) | Access Ingenuity

15) Training Course: Catching Up with JAWS Chapter 4 for JAWS 2022 and 2023 | Hartgen Consultancy

16) ZoomText, JAWS & Fusion: Latest Features (Assistive Technology Webinar) | Access Ingenuity

17) Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 4: Braille Around the World | APH

18) Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 5: School Aged Numeracy | APH

19) Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 6: Daily Living Activities | APH

20) 2023 3rd Annual Axe-Con | Building Accessible Experiences | The World's Largest Digital Accessibility Conference

21) Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 7: Music | APH

22) Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 8: STEM | APH

23) Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 9: Orientation & Mobility | APH

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Top Tech Tidbits for Thursday, November 17, 2022 - Volume 885

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

A Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd. Publication
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Top Tech Tidbits. The world's #1 online resource for current news and trends in adaptive technology.

Subscribers: 7,121 Opt-In Subscribers were sent this issue via email. 148 Premium Subscribers were sent this issue via email.

This Week's Featured Advertisement: Tech the Halls with A. T. Guys: Holiday Deals, Free Shipping, and More Available Now

Our biggest sale of the year is now live, & we have the tech toys to fill those stockings. Plus, use coupon tidbits for free shipping on orders of $79 or more through November 30.

The BlindShell 2 just keeps getting better. Now with support for AIRA & Be My Eyes as well as many more apps, but still simple to use with spoken menus, tactile buttons, & a loud speaker. Get a free beep item locator when you purchase a BlindShell 2 while supplies last.

Save $5 on our new portable light detector, or grab our accessible power bank to charge your devices on the go. We have the Versa full-size & mini paperless slates, & new FlyBuds with a transparency mode for hearing the outside world. Check out the Shokz OpenComm headset, great when paired with your phone to take calls, Or our new 90-watt Bluetooth speaker, the Stormbox Blast. Save 10% on WayAround stickers, buttons, magnets, & clips.

Visit http://atguys.com/tidbits for all of our deals, & don't forget that coupon. Free shipping for U.S. customers.

Dear Tidbits Subscriber,

✍ Submit your adaptive technology-related Tidbit for consideration within this section using this form: https://www.toptechtidbits.com/submit-tidbit or locate "Tidbit Submission Form" within the main menu of the Top Tech Tidbits website.

1) Top 5 Most Clicked Tidbits From Last Week

A.) iOS 16.2 To Introduce 'Custom Accessibility Mode' With Streamlined Experience For iPhone And iPad (9.6% of all clicks.)
This update to the iOS interface, now in beta, seeks to simplify the user experience for users:
https://9to5mac.com/2022/11/08/ios-16-2-custom-accessibility-mode/

B.) JAWS Power Tip: Using Smart Glance (9.5% of all clicks.)
Courtesy of Freedom Scientific:
https://www.toptechtidbits.com/130.html

C.) The 6 Best Speech-to-Text Apps for Note-Taking (8.7% of all clicks.)
Speech-to-text apps are the best way to take notes on the go. They can also save you time. Here are some of the best ones to use:
https://www.makeuseof.com/best-speech-to-text-apps/

D.) Reader Review: azzCardfile Personal Information Manager (PIM) (6.6% of all clicks.)
Dear Tidbits Readers. One of the applications that I always loved during these past 15 to 20 years is the azzCardfile Personal Information Manager (PIM) database. Basically its a simple freeform database that can be used for many different things / ideas. For example I have a personal telephone directory. I also have a database file with a lot of tips and tricks that I learned during my life about computers and if you like you can use it as a picture album because it supports the insertion of pictures directly into the cards:
https://www.toptechtidbits.com/131.html

E.) The 27 Best Mac Apps That Will Make Your Life Easier | Wired (6.2% of all clicks.)
MacOS may be the apple of your eye, but some of its stock apps are a little rotten. Take a bite of these third-party apps instead:
https://www.wired.com/story/best-mac-apps/

2) Sponsorship Package Updates

3) Premium Subscriber Updates

4) JAWS with Microsoft Office Power Tip: Don't Forget About the F6 Key

Courtesy of Freedom Scientific:
https://www.toptechtidbits.com/133.html

5) A Beginner's Guide To Mastodon, The Open Source Twitter Alternative | TechCrunch

Publisher: We begin this week by riding the elephant. | As Twitter users fret over the direction that new owner Elon Musk is taking the company, masses of users have hopped over to Mastodon, an open source Twitter alternative. Since October 27, when the SpaceX and Tesla CEO formalized his Twitter takeover, Mastodon has gained nearly 500,000 new users, effectively doubling its user base. But what is Mastodon, and should we all be getting our accounts set up?
https://techcrunch.com/2022/11/08/what-is-mastodon/?guccounter=1

6) Additional Links For Those Interested in Using Mastodon | David Goldfield | Tech-VI List

Here are some links regarding Mastodon as it relates to disabilities and accessibility. First, Mastodon servers are very accessible. Four servers that may be of interest to some in this community are:
https://groups.io/g/tech-vi/message/2953

7) Mastodon 4.0 Released | David Goldfield | Tech-VI List

This is not a piece of software that most users will be downloading and installing unless they are running their own Mastodon server or, as it's often called, an instance. However, these changes should hopefully be making their way to the various Mastodon servers which are available. This new version includes 43 added features, 30 changes and 72 fixes:
https://github.com/mastodon/mastodon/releases/tag/v4.0.0

8) New Training Course From Hartgen Consultancy: Masto-Done; Riding the Elephant!

In the wake of the noisy takeover of Twitter, people have been looking for alternatives to the microblogging social media platform. Many of those fleeing or hedging their bets have turned to Mastodon, which has attracted hundreds of thousands of new users since Twitter's acquisition. Like Twitter, Mastodon allows users to post, follow people and organizations, and like and repost others' posts. But while Mastodon supports many of the same social networking features as Twitter, it is not a single platform:
https://www.hartgen.org/mastodone

9) A n00b's Guide To Mastodon | Jeremy Littau

With Twitter flailing, I spent a week trying to level up my experience on the major social network people are fleeing to. It has a learning curve, but that's why you've got me to help:
https://jeremylittau.medium.com/a-n00bs-guide-to-mastodon-806d1b367f2d

10) NVDA 2022.3.2 Released

11) How to Find Your Twitter Friends on Mastodon | Wired

If you're pondering a move to the decentralized social network, here's how to find the people you know and want to talk to:
https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-find-twitter-friends-on-mastodon/

12) Microsoft Accessibility Nonprofit Tech Accelerator Launches To Supply Technology And Funding Support To Disability Nonprofit Organizations Around The World

"The Accessibility NTA is a program that supports disability-focused nonprofit organizations with access to enterprise technology and grants to best serve the disability community." If you are an organization who is interested in applying, there is an online seminar on December 6th 2022 with more information:
https://blogs.microsoft.com/accessibility/microsoft-accessibility-nonprofit-tech-accelerator/

13) About Us, The Unwritten

This publication pays disabled writers for their contributions:
https://www.theunwritten.co.uk/about-us/

14) Introducing Our New Interactive Audio Game — Evidence 111 | Applevis

My name is Kamila and I am writing on behalf of a Czech indie game development studio Play By Ears. I would like to inform you about the release of our fully-accessible audio game called Evidence 111, launching November 15th 2022 on iOS and Android:
https://www.applevis.com/forum/ios-ipados-gaming/introducing-our-new-interactive-audio-game-evidence-111

15) This Modder Sells an Ingenious One-Handed Nintendo Switch Adapter | ReviewGeek

After building one-handed adapters for the Xbox and PS5, Akaki Kuumeri now sells a similar attachment for the Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons. The 3D-printed, fully mechanical adapter allows gamers to access the full range of Joy-Con controls using just one hand:
https://www.reviewgeek.com/127506/this-modder-sells-an-ingenious-one-handed-nintendo-switch-adapter/

16) Github Is Experimenting With A New Way To Let Programmers Create Code With Their Voice Inside Copilot

This system, now available in VS (Visual Studio) Code, will make it possible to control an IDE (Integrated Development Environment) with your voice. It has accessibility benefits for coders:
https://www.theverge.com/2022/11/9/23449175/hey-github-voice-copilot-code-programming-system

17) GitHub's Copilot Takes the Keyboard Out of Coding

It seems that Microsoft's love for accessibility is trickling down to GitHub. In a surprise announcement, GitHub says that it's testing a hands-free coding feature for its Copilot software. In time, a simple "Hey, GitHub" voice command will let you write, edit, and navigate code without a keyboard:
https://www.reviewgeek.com/136042/githubs-copilot-takes-the-keyboard-out-of-coding/

18) Hartgen Consultancy Holiday Sale | David Goldfield | Tech-VI List

While I personally can't and don't endorse all of the products that get mentioned on the Tech-VI list there are some products that I don't hesitate to endorse and recommend. The products from Hartgen Consultancy definitely fall into that category. I've been a user of Leasey since 2018 and I would not want to use JAWS without Leasey installed. I've also used his scripts for Zoom as well as for Teams and they have definitely enhanced and improved the user experience. I have purchased many of his training courses and I feel that he's one of the finest trainers we have in this industry. I have not been asked to make this recommendation and I have never received any discounts for the products which I have purchased beyond the sales he has offered for all of his customers:
https://www.hartgen.org/holiday2022

19) Significant Improvements for Screen Readers Now in Nightly Firefox

The nightly builds of Firefox have improvements for screen reader users. If all goes well, they will be in the stable release soon:
https://blog.mozilla.org/accessibility/significant-improvements-for-screen-readers-now-in-nightly-firefox/

20) Overview Of The 6dot Braille Label Maker | Easterseals Crossroads

If you're looking for an easy-to-use Braille label maker, check out the 6dot Braille Label Maker from Logan Tech. This portable Braille label maker has a built-in Braille keyboard that supports all grades of Braille in "virtually every language:"
https://www.eastersealstech.com/2022/10/27/6dot-braille-label-maker/

21) Sight Tech Global 2022 Agenda Announced | December 7th & 8th 2022

The third annual Sight Tech Global conference, a virtual, free and highly accessible event on December 7 and 8 convenes some of the world's top experts working on assistive tech, especially AI, for people who are blind or visually impaired. If you don't follow this topic, maybe you should, because a lot of cutting-edge tech over the years — think OCR and NLP — was developed at the outset with blind people in mind, and went from there to more mainstream uses. Register today:
https://techcrunch.com/2022/11/11/sight-tech-global-2022-agenda-announced/

22) New Quick Assist App Will Soon Be Integrated Into Windows

Microsoft announced the retiring of the integrated Quick Assist application of the Windows operating system in May 2022. Quick Assist is a remote assistance application, which may be used to get or give assistance. It is commonly used by technicians to provide remote assistance to an organization's workforce:
https://www.ghacks.net/2022/11/13/new-quick-assist-app-will-soon-be-integrated-into-windows/

23) Microsoft Office Is Getting an Updated Look On iPhone

The Microsoft Office apps have been around on iPhone, iPad, and Android for years, and every once in a while, they receive a significant update. Now another change is rolling out to the iPhone apps:
https://www.howtogeek.com/848116/microsoft-office-is-getting-an-updated-look-on-iphone/

24) Braille on Android | Devin Prater

In this article, I'll overview Android's past support for Braille, and talk about how it's current support works. I'll also compare it to Apple's implementation. Then, I'll discuss how things could be better on both systems:
https://write.as/devinprater/braille-on-android

25) Blind Android Users Launches New Discord Server

Discord is a free communications app that lets you share voice, video, and text chat with friends and colleagues. It has hundreds of millions of users, making it one of the most popular ways to connect with people online. Join the new Blind Android Users Discord server at:
https://discord.gg/GuNVWWGTxx

26) How To Have Your Android Phone's Google Assistant Read Articles Out Loud To You

The tool is called "Read it," and it works within Chrome, the Google app, or the Google News app. If you have an Android phone and a web article is pulled up on your browser, you can say, "Hey Google, read it," or "Hey Google, read this page," and it will immediately read the content of the web page as if it was a podcast:
https://chromeunboxed.com/how-to-android-read-it-assistant

27) Your iPhone Has 26 New Accessibility Tools You Shouldn't Ignore

This is a handy rundown of the latest accessibility features on iOS devices:
https://ios.gadgethacks.com/how-to/your-iphone-has-26-new-accessibility-tools-you-shouldnt-ignore-0385071/

28) The Best Apple Watch for 2022 | PC Mag

Can't decide between the Apple Watch Series 8, SE, Ultra, or an older model that's still on sale? We're here to help you figure out which Apple Watch is best for you:
https://www.pcmag.com/picks/the-best-apple-watch?taid=636ed3fd61b9590001775547

29) This Bluetooth Chessboard Rekindled My Love of Chess | Wired

Publisher: We currently have no information regarding the accessibility of this product but we would be more than happy to publish any that readers might wish to provide. | The Square Off Pro is an internet-connected board you can roll up to take anywhere — and to play with opponents around the world:
https://www.wired.com/story/square-off-pro-chessboard-rave/

30) Thunderbird Supernova Preview: The New Calendar Design

In 2023, Thunderbird will reinvent itself with the "Supernova" release, featuring a modernized interface and brand new features like Firefox Sync. One of the major improvements you can look forward to is an overhaul to our calendar UI (user interface). Today we're excited to give you a preview of what it looks like:
https://blog.thunderbird.net/2022/11/thunderbird-supernova-preview-the-new-calendar-design/

31) Latest Accessibility Features That Make Amazon Devices Disable Friendly | Sovan Mandal | Good eReader

It has been a constant endeavor at Amazon to offer devices and services that has the widest appeal and application in society. That includes reaching out to those with different forms of disabilities so that they too are able to make the most of the latest Amazon devices. With around a billion people living throughout the world with different forms of disabilities, it makes a lot of business sense as well reaching out to them with the right kind of devices and features, besides of course making things easier for them as well. I discuss here four ways Amazon has made Alexa or its devices more accessible instead of the usual voice commands, something that can be a boon for the disabled and help them be "connected, entertained, and independent:"
https://goodereader.com/blog/kindle/latest-accessibility-features-that-make-amazon-devices-disable-friendly

➜ Surveys

✍ Submit your adaptive technology-related survey for consideration within this section using this form: https://www.toptechtidbits.com/submit-survey or locate "Survey Submission Form" within the main menu of the Top Tech Tidbits website.

1) Surveys | APH

2) Survey | Programming Workspace Accessibility for Blind Individuals

Closes: November 17th 2022 A research team composed of blind and sighted scholars at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is conducting exploratory research on blind individuals' interactions with accessible programming workspaces and their approach towards comprehending and navigating code. In this context, an individual's level of visual impairment is based on The U.S. legal definition of blindness: visual acuity of not greater than 20/200 in the better eye with correction or a field not subtending an angle greater than 20 degrees. The expected value of this study is that we will get a better sense of the following topics based on blind programmers; experiences, which will in turn scientifically highlight the existing accessibility of programming workspaces and the opportunities to improve them to support blind programmers: The common accessibility issues of blind programmers. The patterns of interaction between blind programmers and the accessibility tools used to code. The level of navigability, glanceability, alertability, and discoverability the popular accessible programming workspaces have. Participants' personal information and data such as name, email, age, etc. collected from the interview will be systematically removed from the final results used to conduct analysis in order to make sure researchers will not disclose any of your personal information without your permission as well as skew the analysis. The research team would like to invite blind individuals to participate in an online interview consisting of two sections: a questionnaire regarding past coding experience and an interactive coding session. This will allow researchers to further investigate how blind programmers code and interact with technologies and tools. Participants will receive a $20 Amazon gift card upon completing the one-hour interview and coding activity. Eligible participants for the online interview are those: self-identifying themselves as an individual who is blind; age 18 or older; having any level of programming experience; having familiarity with Python, Java, C++ or C programming languages; having experience with screen readers such as JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, ORCA, etc. If you are interested in participating, or have a question, please contact our research team at:rshah257@illinois.edu ✉

3) Survey | The Byte Size Training Tech Website Feedback Survey

Closes: November 18th 2022 This survey is where individuals with disabilities can provide feedback relating to the Byte Size Training Tech website and suggest improvements. Here is a link to the Byte Size Training Tech website at https://bytesizetrainingtech.com:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeJ1gqw4KFOduexJc5HY-nyGrybfODQhGLpJBP9gQ9wVL8swg/viewform?usp=sf_link

4) Survey | PDF User Survey

5) Survey | Tennessee Specialized Services Survey

➜ Featured Podcast Episodes

✍ Submit your adaptive technology-related Podcast Episode for consideration within this section using this form: https://www.toptechtidbits.com/submit-podcast-episode or locate "Podcast Episode Submission Form" within the main menu of the Top Tech Tidbits website.

1) Blind Abilities Podcast Episode 905: Tech Abilities - Education and Learning, Twitter Accessibility Team is Laid Off, Traveling Blind, BARD Update, and Resources for Learning and Knowledge with Blindness in Mind

November 6th 2022 | A Big salute to the entire Accessibility Experience Team formally at Twitter. As part of the takeover at Twitter and all the layoffs, the entire Accessibility Experience Team at Twitter has been laid off. Accessibility Experience Team Manager, Gerard Koen, released a twitter thread acknowledging the members of the Accessibility Experience Team, the work they did and is looking forward to working on accessibility for future companies. We play a voice over rendition of his Twitter thread he posted. In this episode of Tech Abilities the team, and no, Serina has not been laid off, comes together in the Blind Abilities Studio to talk about resources for general knowledge and learning on an everyday basis along with the latest news and tech tidbits from a Blindness perspective. Here are the topics and some links from the show: Wow, Twitter, Hmm. Learning - Where do we get our knowledge? Resources: Freedom Scientific Training Events. Hadley. Perkins. APH Educational R:
https://blindabilities.com/?p=7688

2) Reading After Vision Loss: Hadley Presents: A Conversation with the Experts

November 11th 2022 | Whether you like to read for enjoyment or need to check your mail, reading is an essential part of your day. We're sharing tips and tricks for how to continue reading, the best low-tech and high-tech gadgets, and the benefits of learning braille:
https://hadley.edu/podcasts/hadley-presents-conversation-experts/reading-after-vision-loss

3) Mosen at Large Episode 206: Mastering Mastodon, How Do You Get Started With Ham Radio, And A Fix For The Eset Issues Plaguing Screen Reader Users

November 12th 2022https://mosenatlarge.pinecast.co/episode/bd3f4f1e/mastering-mastodon-how-do-you-get-started-with-ham-radio-and-a-fix-for-the-eset-issues-plaguing-screen-reader-users

4) Blind Android Users Podcast Episode 101: BAU Podcast Crew Reflects On The Discussions Held In Episode 100

November 12th 2022 | In episode 101 we first thank our YouTube subscribers for taking us over the milestone of 775 subscribers. Our channel handle is @BlindAndroidUsers. Our YouTube channel can also be found at this link: https://www.youtube.com/@BlindAndroidUsers. First, we show you how to diagnose problems and device care available on Samsung phones. Then the podcast crew reflects on topics that were discussed on our 100-episode celebration in which our listeners had joined us. Topics include: Seeing move assistant and guided frames on Pixel and Samsung cameras. Warren demos it on Pixel 7 phone. Android marriage with Windows. Watch my demo of how to link any Android device to a PC running Windows 10 or 11. The demo is available on YouTube at: https://youtu.be/9Brg2H3ND1A. All about TTS in which we went down memory lane discussing the piko TTS available back in android 2.3.6 days and how some of the TTS may not work after Android 14 rolls out as it will be 64 bit only. And the most important of all, phone speakers and audio. in which we discuss beets audio, the best sounding phone and much more. To listen to this episode, you can visit:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5iI0uwraRqo9W1sv_ISoOUheGSRlvUDf

5) That Real Blind Tech Show, Episode 103: Twitter, The Technological Hindenburg

November 12th 2022 | The entire That Real Blind Tech Show team gets together to discuss the latest goings on at Twitter, Facebook, and Amazon. We discuss the upcoming Sight Tech Global, as Brian will be this year's Host. We also discuss the good and bad from our experiences running Mac OS Ventura:
https://thatrealblindtechshow.libsyn.com/episode-103-twitter-the-technological-hindenburg

6) Eyes on Success Episode 2246: Over Every Hurdle

November 16th 2022 | "Over Every Hurdle" is the third book in a series whose protagonist suddenly loses her sight and adapts to life as a blind person. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with best-selling author Barbara Hinske and with Julie Rock, Manager, Adult and Transition Services at Foundation for Blind Children about how they interacted to make the series possible:
http://www.eyesonsuccess.net/show_notes_2246.htm

➜ Featured Webinars, Training Courses and Events

✍ Submit your adaptive technology-related Webinar, Training Course or Event for consideration within this section using this form: https://www.toptechtidbits.com/submit-webinar-training-course or locate "Webinar / Training Course Submission Form" within the main menu of the Top Tech Tidbits website.

1) New features in JAWS, ZoomText, and Fusion 2023 | Freedom Scientific

November 17th 2022 | 9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 5PM GMT | Vispero Presenters: Elizabeth Whitaker, Cathy Johnson, and Rachel Buchanan. Summary: We will provide an overview of Fusion Suite 2023, plus discuss and demonstrate new features. Participants will learn how to: Access the What's New pages for JAWS, ZoomText, and Fusion 2023. Get started using new features. Download and install the software. ACVREP credits will be available for those who attend the live webinar. Register for this webinar on Zoom:
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_I8M3DYvBT0CQ-T-xGXOl4Q

2) Live and Virtual Technology Fair | Carroll Center for the Blind

November 22nd 2022 | The Carroll Center for the Blind's in person Technology Fair is back! Attend exciting and informative presentations, visit with assistive technology exhibitors in breakout rooms, and find the products and services you need to live as independently as possible. Don't miss this opportunity to explore the latest products for individuals who are visually impaired. The Technology Fair is free and open to consumers, families, friends, and professionals:
https://carroll.org/events/live-and-virtual-technology-fair/

3) ACB's 2022 Audio Description Awards Gala

4) PDF Accessibility Training for Organizations | Access Ingenuity

5) Using JAWS Inspect and JAWS Connect for Testing | TPGi

6) Blind Health Expo | The Accessible Pharmacy

7) Microsoft Accessibility for Nonprofits Webinar

8) The Current Legal Landscape for Digital Assets Accessibility Risks and How to Provide an Accessible Experience for Retail Customers

9) 2022 Sight Tech Global — Shaping New Technologies to Create a More Accessible World for People with Blindness and Visual Impairments

10) 20 Websites to Bookmark for 2023 | Technology User Group, Maryland State Library

11) Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 3: Creative Manual Activities for Christmas | APH

12) Basics of Accessibility Testing | TPGi

13) Training Course: Catching Up with JAWS Chapter 4 for JAWS 2022 and 2023 | Hartgen Consultancy

14) Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 4: Braille Around the World | APH

15) Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 5: School Aged Numeracy | APH

16) Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 6: Daily Living Activities | APH

17) 2023 3rd Annual Axe-Con | Building Accessible Experiences | The World's Largest Digital Accessibility Conference

18) Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 7: Music | APH

19) Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 8: STEM | APH

20) Lego Braille Bricks Live Session 9: Orientation & Mobility | APH

➜ Directories

1) Top Tech Tidbits Blind And Visually Impaired App Directory

https://www.toptechtidbits.com/blind-and-visually-impaired-technology-app-directory.html

2) Top Tech Tidbits Blind And Visually Impaired Game Directory

https://www.toptechtidbits.com/blind-and-visually-impaired-technology-game-directory.html

3) Top Tech Tidbits Blind And Visually Impaired Listserv Directory

https://www.toptechtidbits.com/blind-and-visually-impaired-technology-listserv-directory.html

4) Top Tech Tidbits Blind And Visually Impaired Podcast Directory

https://www.toptechtidbits.com/blind-and-visually-impaired-technology-podcast-directory.html

➜ Buy, Sell or Trade

✍ List your new, gently-used or refurbished item in FOUR (4) consecutive issues of Top Tech Tidbits for just $5.00 USD. Fill out this short form to secure your Buy, Sell or Trade Classified Advertisement today: https://www.toptechtidbits.com/submit-buy-sell-trade or learn more on the Top Tech Tidbits website.

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

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

Sponsor Since: October 1, 2020

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