[Electronics-Talk] The Week's News in Adaptive Technology

[Top Tech Tidbits]

Top Tech Tidbits for Thursday, August 10, 2023 - Volume 923 Top Tech Tidbits for Thursday, August 10, 2023 - Volume 923 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. Web Version: Read this volume of Top Tech Tidbits online at: https://toptechtidbits.com/tidbits2023/08102023/. Share: Share this volume of Top Tech Tidbits on Facebook: http://bit.ly/sharetidbits923. Spam Filter: You have received this email from Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd. because you are subscribed to receive the Top Tech Tidbits email newsletter. To ensure that you continue to receive each issue of Top Tech Tidbits as it is released please be sure to add the following email address to your Address Book, Email Contact List, Trusted Sender's List, and/or Safe Sender's List today: enews at toptechtidbits.com. Subscribers: 10,948 Opt-In Subscribers were sent this issue via email. 180 Premium Subscribers were sent this issue via email. This Week's Featured Advertisement: Wordvoyance — Crosswords For Everyone Website: https://www.themisgames.com/wordvoyance/ 🌐 About: Wordvoyance is a multiplayer crossword-building game similar to Scrabble and Words With Friends. It has been carefully crafted to be playable by everyone, and it includes multiple accessibility features for people with blindness and other disabilities. For players with unhindered sight, the game will play exactly as you expect. You can drag and drop tiles to form words on the board and rack up points. For everyone else, the game is fully compatible with popular screen readers and can be played with a number of different input methods including keyboards, assistive technology, and even game controllers. Play Game (Web Browser): https://www.themisgames.com/wordvoyance/menu Play Game (iOS App Store): https://apps.apple.com/us/app/wordvoyance/id1672135719 Play Game (Google Play Store): https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.exceptionullgames.wordvoyance Play Game (Other): For iOS users outside of our soft launch regions you can download the app via Apple's TestFlight Store at: https://testflight.apple.com/join/UsNLOulZ Game Manual: https://www.themisgames.com/wordvoyance/manual Ongoing Weekly Distribution Made Possible By Support From: A.T. Guys, GuideLights And Gadgets, LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired Adaptations Online Store, HumanWare, Freedom Scientific, Pneuma Solutions, Carroll Center for the Blind, HIMS, Inc., Double Tap TV, Clusiv, Fable, Aira, WayAround, The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc., Sterling Adaptives, LLC, AYES.ai, Echobatix, Glidance, The Accessibility Guy and Wordvoyance. Dear Rolando, Submit a Tidbit for free, with timing and placement determined by our editors, here: https://toptechtidbits.com/submit-tidbit. Submit a Sponsored Tidbit, with timing and placement determined by you, here: https://toptechtidbits.com/submit-sponsored-tidbit. 1) Top 5 Most Clicked Tidbits From Last Week 🎙 Listen to the podcast. A.) JAWS with Microsoft Office Power Tip: How To Check Spelling in Microsoft Word Using JAWS Quick Keys | Freedom Scientific Use Quick Keys in Word to navigate through your spelling errors. These are the JAWS commands: https://www.toptechtidbits.com/182.html B.) AI Luggage For People With Visual Impairments Nets Rave Reviews Japanese researchers and companies have joined forces to develop an innovative guidance robot called the AI Suitcase to help blind or partially sighted travelers navigate their surroundings with ease. The groundbreaking assistive technology recently underwent its first overseas public trial, garnering significant interest and sparking discussions about its future practical applications: https://www.japantimes.co.jp/business/2023/07/30/ai-travel-bag C.) RAZ Mobility Launches Accessible and Innovative Smartphone for People Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired | Business Wire RAZ Mobility has announced the launch of the SmartVision 3. This Google certified smartphone, manufactured by Kapsys, is designed specifically for individuals who are blind or visually impaired: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230801427258/en/RAZ-Mobility-Launches-Accessible-and-Innovative-Smartphone-for-People-Who-Are-Blind-or-Visually-Impaired D.) Japanese Researchers and Companies Develop Innovative AI Suitcase for Blind and Partially Sighted Travelers Japanese researchers and companies have collaborated to create a revolutionary guidance robot known as the AI Suitcase, designed to assist blind and partially sighted travelers in navigating their surroundings effortlessly. Recently, the groundbreaking technology underwent its maiden overseas public trial, attracting considerable attention and generating discussions regarding its potential practical uses: https://fagenwasanni.com/news/japanese-researchers-and-companies-develop-innovative-ai-suitcase-for-blind-and-partially-sighted-travelers/95121/ E.) A Comprehensive Guide To The Most Vital Windows 11 Keyboard Shortcuts You Need To Know In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the world of Windows 11 keyboard shortcuts, unveiling a plethora of timesaving and productivity-boosting techniques that will elevate your computing experience. With our expertly curated list of keyboard shortcuts, you will unlock a new level of efficiency and convenience in navigating your Windows 11 or even your Windows 10 system: https://www.onmsft.com/how-to/a-comprehensive-guide-to-the-most-vital-windows-11-keyboard-shortcuts-you-need-to-know/ 2) Top Tech Tidbits Welcomes The Accessibility Guy Please join us in giving a warm Tidbits welcome to The Accessibility Guy, also known as Shawn Jordison, who has so very graciously agreed to support the Top Tech Tidbits Publication via Sponsorship. On behalf of all of us here at Top Tech Tidbits, readers included, we thank you for your ongoing support. If you enjoy reading Tidbits every week, it is sponsors like The Accessibility Guy that make it possible. Please be sure to check out what he does. Shawn loves helping others to learn the ins and outs of digital accessibility. He has made over 100 thousand documents accessible, provided hundreds of trainings in the areas of accessibility and document remediation, and reviewed many websites and mobile applications for accessibility. He has developed and reviewed VPATs, LMS courses, and other pieces of training. Learn more today at: https://theaccessibilityguy.com/ 3) Top Tech Tidbits Welcomes Wordvoyance Please join us in giving a warm Tidbits welcome to Wordvoyance, a popular game that has so very graciously agreed to support the Top Tech Tidbits Publication via Sponsorship. On behalf of all of us here at Top Tech Tidbits, readers included, we thank you for your ongoing support. If you enjoy reading Tidbits every week, it is sponsors like Wordvoyance that make it possible. Please be sure to check them out. Wordvoyance is a multiplayer crossword-building game similar to Scrabble and Words With Friends. It has been carefully crafted to be playable by everyone, and includes multiple accessibility features for people with blindness and other disabilities. For players with unhindered sight, the game will play exactly as you expect. You can drag and drop tiles to form words on the board and rack up points. For everyone else, the game is fully compatible with popular screen readers and can be played with a number of different input methods including keyboards, assistive technology, and even game controllers. Learn more today at: https://www.themisgames.com/wordvoyance/ 4) Top Tech Tidbits Partners With Accessible Android Accessible Android first started out in Turkey as Erisilebilir Android (literally Accessible Android), and then re-branded internationally as Accessible Android. They now post device reviews, tips, tricks, tutorials, apps and helpful developer resources about Android and accessibility in English. And we're all incredibly happy to partner with them to help them grow their audience. Learn more today at: https://accessibleandroid.com/ 5) Sponsorship Package Updates Availability: There are 4 Top Tech Tidbits Sponsorship Packages currently available. Join industry leaders and begin reaching over 10,000 access technology professionals, educators and enthusiasts, all over the world, each week. All while supporting the ongoing distribution of Top Tech Tidbits for those very same readers. Only $100 USD Per Month. While Packages Last. Please consider joining us today: https://www.toptechtidbits.com/sponsorship-information.html#purchase 6) Premium Subscriber Updates Next Issue: Premium Subscribers will receive their 6th issue of the 60 Most Clicked Tidbits for April, May and June 2023 on Monday, October 2, 2023. Back Issues: There are currently 5 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. Please 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 7) Sponsored Tidbits Now Available Use Sponsored Tidbits to reach the access community when you need to. Whether you are a current Sponsor or not. Drive traffic to your access product and service announcements, events, updates or fundraisers using this incredibly cost-effective and easy-to-use advertisement tool. Learn more today at: https://www.toptechtidbits.com/sponsored-tidbits.html. 8) Follow Top Tech Tidbits On Your Preferred Channel In addition to receiving Top Tech Tidbits via email every Thursday morning at 4:00 AM ET you can also pick up the newsletter and its trending articles on any of the following channels: Email: https://toptechtidbits.com/subscribe Facebook: https://toptechtidbits.com/facebook LinkedIn: https://toptechtidbits.com/linkedin Mastodon: https://toptechtidbits.com/mastodon Podcast: https://toptechtidbits.com/podcast RSS: https://toptechtidbits.com/rss Threads: https://toptechtidbits.com/threads X (Formerly Twitter): https://toptechtidbits.com/x YouTube: https://toptechtidbits.com/youtube 9) AI Updates Skip this Tidbit to skip all updates on AI. A) Introducing Summarize.Tech: AI-Powered Video Summaries This new resource comes to us by way of long time Top Tech Tidbits reader and Contributor Lena H. Thank you Lena. If you have access to a ChatGPT Plus Plan, I wrote an article on July 13, 2023 titled "How To Extract Insights From Any PDF or Video Using The ChatGPT Plug-Ins 'Chat With PDF' and 'Video Insights." If you do not have access to a ChatGPT Plus Plan, this new, currently free, independent resource will allow you to tap into AI functionality that has heretofore been reserved for paying customers of ChatGPT, and even then only via Plug-Ins: https://www.summarize.tech/ B) I Must Have Been The Only Person Looking Forward To AI, Until I Met Dr Whittle | The Age Publisher (Di Blasi): What's your view on the future of AI? Humanity's new best friend? Or the end of life as we know it? Whichever side you lean toward history has shown us time and again that the answer is often a blend of the top two choices. So perhaps before AI ends all life as we know it, it will indeed become our new best friend. Who says it has to be one or the other? The Age: Knowledge workers fear AI might make them obsolete, but I thought, if AI can save humans from the soul-sapping work of producing the infinite clutter of formulaic professional documents that seem to be written by machines anyway, leaving the human as an editor rather than a generator of words, that can't be a terrible thing. And why should writers be spared from the grand project of efficiency and scientific management that has taken factory and manual jobs for the past 250 years? https://www.theage.com.au/technology/i-must-have-been-the-only-person-looking-forward-to-ai-until-i-met-dr-whittle-20230802-p5dtc3.html C) Criminals Have Created Their Own ChatGPT Clones | Wired: Subscription Required Cybercriminals are touting large language models that could help them with phishing or creating malware. But the AI chatbots could just be their own kind of scam: https://www.wired.com/story/chatgpt-scams-fraudgpt-wormgpt-crime/ D) The Midjourney Cheat Sheet (V5.2) | Medium: Subscription Required Publisher (Di Blasi): While this article is a bit technical, with actual code included, it offers some incredible insights into how Midjourney processes and translates your prompts. Tristan Wolf: The latest Midjourney update shows that the project keeps coming up with exciting new feature implementations. This not only continuously expands our toolbox for AI images, but also sometimes makes it a bit difficult to keep track of all the functions and parameters you could actually use. That's why I created the "Midjourney Cheat Sheet", a handy overview that covers all the basic settings and prompt parameters, and even points out some advanced concepts: https://bootcamp.uxdesign.cc/the-midjourney-cheat-sheet-v5-2-34b65cb90ea3 E) Meet The Hackers Who Are Trying To Make Ai Go Rogue | The Washington Post: Subscription Required Chatbots can be biased, deceptive or even dangerous. Hackers are competing to figure out exactly how: https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2023/08/08/ai-red-team-defcon/ 10) Apple Updates Skip this Tidbit to skip all updates on Apple. A) Apple Won A Patent For Advanced Controls Related To Their Vision Pro Headset That Includes Eye Gaze, Siri, Touch & More | Patently Apple This week the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office officially granted Apple a patent that revealed what was coming to Apple's future headset in terms of user interfaces that would use a combination of eye gaze and touch controls along with hand and body gestures and even Siri. Prior to Apple introducing their Vision Pro, this was one of the most descriptive patents on this subject matter to date: https://www.patentlyapple.com/2023/08/apple-won-a-patent-for-advanced-controls-related-to-their-vision-pro-headset-that-includes-eye-gaze-siri-touch-more.html 11) JAWS Power Tip: How To Use Selection Mode On A Web Page To Select A Table You can use F8 on a web page to select elements like entire tables. This enables you to quickly select and copy information. To do this: https://www.toptechtidbits.com/183.html 12) Using AirPods As A Hearing Aid | Daring Fireball | John Gruber Apple can't bill them as hearing aids for regulatory reasons, but I keep seeing reports from people who are hard of hearing who find AirPods Pro to be remarkable as audio accessibility devices: https://daringfireball.net/linked/2023/07/24/airpods-as-hear-aids 13) 10 Smart Tips and Features for Effective Zoom Calls Many of us have used Zoom, but few know about its most effective features. With these tips, you can create the best Zoom experience for everyone: https://www.makeuseof.com/smart-tips-features-effective-zoom-calls/ 14) How To Create An Embedded Chart in an Excel Spreadsheet | Sharon's Shortcuts You can create a chart in the same place as your data. Here's how: https://sharons-shortcuts.ie/create-an-embedded-chart-in-an-excel-spreadsheet/ 15) 3 Essential Windows Tools For Troubleshooting (And How To Use Them) | ZDNet If your PC is misbehaving, there's a good chance that one of these free tools can help you figure out why. And they're all included with every Windows installation: https://www.zdnet.com/article/3-essential-windows-tools-for-troubleshooting-and-how-to-use-them/ 16) Introducing: Be My AI | Be My Eyes Be My Eyes' Virtual Volunteer, powered by GPT-4, gets a new name and will soon be open to beta testing by hundreds of iOS users worldwide. Be My AI Beta Testing for iOS will expand starting August 14, 2023. Be My AI is currently in a closed beta and is being tested by nearly 200 beta testers worldwide. To date, we have received feedback on over 10,000 sessions. Thanks to the tremendous work of those initial testers and the team at Be My Eyes, we are expanding the beta test for Be My AI starting next week! On August 14, we will begin inviting Be My Eyes / iOS users who have already signed up on our wait list to join our current beta testers. We will start with the earliest registrants and work our way forward, so those that have waited the longest will have the first chance to experience Be My AI. Beta testing for the Android version of Be My AI will start later this year: https://www.bemyeyes.com/blog/introducing-be-my-ai 17) NVDA 2023.2Beta2 Available For Testing https://www.nvaccess.org/post/nvda-2023-2beta2/ 18) Google Search Can Now Check Your Grammar — Here's How To Activate | 9to5Google Google Search has a number of built-in tools from its dictionary to a metronome and multi-sided die, with the most recent addition letting you check grammar on mobile and desktop: https://9to5google.com/2023/08/06/google-search-grammar-check/ 19) Learn The Braille Alphabet For Free With Braille Concept Learn the braille alphabet for free with Braille Concept, from the creators of Wordvoyance. Blind and sighted players alike can master their ABCs in this short and funny tale of computerized love, loss, and braille-related handsomeness. Braille Concept is appropriate for all ages and playable in your web browser on any phone, tablet, or computer: https://www.themisgames.com/braille-concept/ 20) Matrix, Open-Source Federated Chat Platform Being Evaluated As A Replacement For Slack | Test Results | Joe Dolson In the Accessibility chat for Friday, August 4th, the team ran the entire meeting within Matrix, using a variety of different clients, to assess the current state of the environment for users with disabilities. If you're not already familiar with Matrix, it's an open-source federated chat platform that is being evaluated as a possible replacement for Slack. Right now, it is possible to use Matrix or Slack clients to interact in a Slack meeting, so while we held our meeting using Matrix, it was recorded in the Slack accessibility channel. Review the conversation in Slack: https://make.wordpress.org/accessibility/2023/08/07/matrix-test-results/ 21) The Curious Case of "iff" and Overriding Screenreader Pronunciations | Ben Myers I recently responded to a call for accessibility guidance on Mastodon. The author, a logician, frequently includes the abbreviation iff — short for "if and only if" — in his writing. He'd recently tested his content with a screenreader and found that iff sounded exactly like "if," and he wanted some help making sure iff sounded distinct: https://benmyers.dev/blog/overriding-screenreader-pronunciations/ 22) Mastodon Post: Audio File Containing an Unboxing of the Envision Glasses | Jesse I took some time to record an unboxing for my Envision Glasses and I walk through the setup process with the glasses, along with the tutorial. No specific demos of features but I'm happy to do that upon request. I hope you get something useful out of it: https://mindly.social/@JesseF8693/110837834184920288 23) Announcing Release Date of Victor Reader Stream 3 Free Audio Tutorial and Complimentary Webinar | Mystic Access This announcement is for those of you who are interested in learning more about the Victor Reader Stream 3 and the audio documentation we've created in partnership with HumanWare to accompany it: https://mysticaccess.com/news/announcing-release-date-of-victor-reader-stream-3-free-audio-tutorial-and-complimentary-webinar/ 24) Stomp Brings A Fully Functional Mastodon App To Your Apple Watch | TechCrunch Another former Twitter app developer has turned their attention to Mastodon in the wake of Elon Musk's Twitter takeover, which put an end to third-party clients. Launching today, a new app from the developer of the Twitter app Chirp is bringing Mastodon's social network to your Apple Watch. Stomp, as the new app is called, offers a full Mastodon experience for the watch's small screen, including the ability to view your timeline, check trends, access your lists, search, send messages and more: https://techcrunch.com/2023/08/04/stomp-brings-a-fully-functional-mastodon-app-to-your-apple-watch/?guccounter=1 25) Please Don't Rain — An Accessible and Unique Weather Experience The Please Don't Rain app is a unique weather app with a refreshing approach — no location access needed to fetch your forecast. Say goodbye to battery-drain. With its sleek simplicity, Please Don't Rain proves that less is truly more: https://overhereconsulting.net/2023/07/31/please-dont-rain-an-accessible-and-unique-weather-experience/ 26) 8 Common Heading Questions | PopeTech Most of the time, an accessible heading structure follows the typical guidelines of starting with an h1, only one h1 on a page, and no skipped headings. But, when we develop websites, it isn't always that straightforward. In this article, we'll tackle some common heading-use questions and how using headings in different ways could affect accessibility: https://blog.pope.tech/2023/07/31/8-common-heading-questions/ 27) Meet SmartVision 3, The Android With A T9 Keypad For The Visually Impaired | Indian Express The average Android phone now offers tons of options within its Accessibility settings, particularly for the visually impaired, but using a button-less phone can still be difficult. Sure, there are still a few options like Blackberry available to purchase from certain platforms, but considering the last phone from the brand released back in 2018, those models may now be out of date. For blind and visually impaired consumers, Raz Mobility's SmartVision 3 may therefore be a better option. The phone, which carries the look of a souped-up 12-button phone, is actually powered by Android, complete with a dedicated hardware key for summoning Google Assistant: https://indianexpress.com/article/technology/tech-news-technology/smartvision-3-android-phone-t9-keypad-visually-impaired-8874511/ 28) OrCam Read 3 Reading Device Upgrade To "Revolutionize" How People With Vision Loss Interact With Pictures And Text OrCam Read 3 is now available in the UK and is the latest generation of the OrCam Read device. It hopes to revolutionise the way people with vision loss interact with visual content including pictures and text. OrCam Read 3 combines a handheld voice-activated reading companion, next-generation magnifier, and a stationary reader stand in one device. All of the features are supported by an intuitive AI assistant that provides instant summarisation of text, from a few sentences to an entire page: https://attoday.co.uk/reading-device-upgrade-to-revolutionise-how-people-with-vision-loss-interact-with-pictures-and-text/ 29) Microsoft Deprecates The Windows Cortana App If you are one of the few Windows users who is using the Cortana standalone application for Windows, you will soon no longer be able to do so: https://www.ghacks.net/2023/08/04/microsoft-deprecates-the-windows-cortana-app/ 30) Mastodon Course From Hartgen Consultancy Now Available for Purchase For five hours, you will learn that using Mastodon with Windows is not as difficult as you perhaps suppose. Undoubtedly, when considering the various social media platforms, Mastodon is by far the most accessible. So it's important to encourage as many people as possible to be part of it. Moreover, new features and ways of doing things are being discovered all the time. There is a myth that it is not especially easy to sign up to Mastodon. If you think that, or you've been told that, don't worry. If you don't have a Mastodon account. We'll help you set one up. We will begin with some theory before getting to the practical. In addition to demonstrating the Mastodon procedures, the central concepts are thoroughly explained in each case. The topics covered are as follows: https://www.hartgen.org/mastodon 31) Where to Take Advantage of Discounts for Teachers | Wired: Subscription Required Ace the school year with special, teachers-only perks — like cheap software, phone plans, and classroom supplies: https://www.wired.com/story/best-teacher-discounts/ 32) Hey Students, You Can Get Discounts With Your College Email. Here's How | Wired: Subscription Required That .edu email is your ticket to exclusive savings on laptops, streaming services, software, and more: https://www.wired.com/story/best-student-discounts/ 33) What's New in the August Builds of JAWS and Fusion https://support.freedomscientific.com/Downloads/Fusion/FusionWhatsNew#enhancements 34) Zoom Launches An Asynchronous Video Tool For The Meeting-Averse | TechCrunch In its continued attempt to diversify its product offerings, Zoom today launched a new asynchronous video tool, Zoom Clips, that lets users record, edit and share video clips without having to hop on a meeting. Zoom Clips, available in public beta, provides a dedicated content library where users can manage, share, rename, search for, download or delete clips. Accessible from the desktop Zoom app, the Zoom web portal or the Mac menu bar and Windows system tray, Clips can capture both a screen and webcam feed — optionally with a virtual background — or only a portion of a user's desktop: https://techcrunch.com/2023/08/07/zoom-launches-an-asynchronous-video-tool-for-the-meeting-averse/ 35) Macbook Pro Keyboard Audio Can Tell An Attacker What You Are Typing | 9to5Mac Security researchers have demonstrated that MacBook Pro keyboard audio can reveal what you are typing, with an accuracy of between 92% and 95%. They say the attack is a practical one on things like Zoom calls: https://9to5mac.com/2023/08/07/macbook-pro-keyboard-audio/ 36) Blind Gamer Wins Applause at Evolution Championship Series (EVO) 2023 A blind gamer made waves at the Evolution Championship Series (EVO) 2023, the biggest fighting game tournament of the year. The tournament concluded on August 4, 2023 at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, with a record-breaking 9,182 players competing in various games, including Dragon Ball FighterZ, Guilty Gear Strive, Tekken 7, and Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3. However, it was Street Fighter 6, developed Capcom, that stole the show with its debut at EVO, attracting 7,061 participants. Among the players, Sven “BlindWarriorSven” Van de Wege stood out. BlindWarriorSven, a Twitch and YouTube streamer, lost his eyesight at the age of six due to cancer but went on to become a skilled E. Honda and Ken player. Equipped with audio cues for character movement and a blindfold across his eyes, BlindWarriorSven faced off against Luke player EternalPancake in a thrilling match that showcased his remarkable skill and determination: https://dtgreviews.com/uncategorised/blind-street-fighter-6-player-steals-fighting-game-tournaments-hearts/136716/ 37) A Quick Look Back At The Radio Shack TRS-80 PC On Its 46th Anniversary | August 3, 2023 | Neowin Publisher (Di Blasi): Please forgive the strong personal connection here. This was my first PC. I purchased it from a Radio Shack at the mall when I was 12 years old in 1985 and used it to learn my very first programming language, BASIC, which stood for "Beginner's All Purpose Symbolic Instruction Code". What a long way we've come. Neowin: It may be hard to believe now, but back in 1977, the company that owned the Radio Shack retail store business helped begin the personal computer revolution. Along with the Apple II, which we talked about earlier this year, and the Commodore PET, the Radio Shack TRS-80 PC launched in the same time period. Indeed, today is the 46th anniversary of the TRS-80's official announcement on August 3, 1977: https://www.neowin.net/news/a-quick-look-back-at-the-radio-shack-trs-80-pc-on-its-46th-anniversary/ 38) TPGi Newsletter For August 7, 2023 https://email.tpgi.com/july-accessibility-newsletter-from-tpgi-2 ➜ Featured Surveys Submit your access-related survey for consideration within this section using this form: https://toptechtidbits.com/submit-survey. Closing: Ongoing | Surveys From APH Surveys help inform APH of the greatest needs in the community so they can gear their efforts toward making sure those needs are met. Ongoing APH surveys can be found here: https://www.aph.org/rd/get-involved/surveys/ Closing: August 11, 2023 | Invitation to Participate in Research on Accessibility and Usability of Digital Libraries in the Mobile Environment | Universal Accessibility and Usability of Digital Libraries in the Mobile Environment (IRB: 23. 191) A research team comprising blind and sighted scholars at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee is investigating the accessibility and usability of digital libraries for users who are blind and visually impaired. The goal is to create digital library design guidelines to improve digital library design in the mobile environment, supporting blind and visually impaired people to effectively search for information online via mobile devices: https://groups.io/g/tech-vi/message/4686 Closing: August 11, 2023 | Seeking Blind And Low-Vision Adults With Diabetes For Diabetes Self-Management Study Do you have diabetes and low vision or blindness? Insulin pens and pumps, continuous glucose monitoring systems, medications and other diabetes treatments are available for diabetes management. However, many of these devices were not designed for users with low vision or blindness and have serious accessibility problems. We want to support these users by learning more about how low vision/blind individuals manage their diabetes. Are you interested in participating in this study? Participation in this research involves completing a survey about diabetes management. Participation will last approximately 20 minutes. Participants will receive a $10 tango gift card for their time and effort. How can you find out more? Go directly to: https://ohio.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_b119QA0WOpWpWcu | You can also call and leave a message, or email: Dr. Allyson Hughes | Phone: (740) 593-0465 ☎ | Email: ashughes at ohio.edu ✉ | IRB # 22-E-195 Closing August 15, 2023 | Educause IT Accessibility Community Group Quick Poll Dear Colleagues: We will be distributing a 'Quick Poll' in the next week about Digital Accessibility at Higher Education institutions. We would appreciate your assistance in helping us distribute it widely to get a broad representation of participants. It is designed to be short, taking approx 5 minutes to complete. The intended audience(s) includes: 1. Those working in technology accessibility or accommodations offices on campuses. 2. Anyone working in technology in higher ed - so share widely with others on your campuses too. When: August 12-15, 2023. The survey is a 'Quick Poll' so it will not be open long. It will close the afternoon of Tue Aug 15 (Eastern Time). Where: Link distributed via Educause and I can provide a follow up note with the link when it's available, I expect to have it by Friday Aug 11. Results: Results of the survey will be shared widely. Early results will be distributed by Educause a week after the survey closes. Webinars and sessions at upcoming accessibility-focused conferences are in the works. Contact: Further questions or inquiries? Contact the Co-Chairs of the Educause IT Accessibility Community Group who are coordinating this effort. Kyle Shachmut - Director, Digital Accessibility at Harvard University (kyle_shachmut at harvard.edu ✉). Eudora Struble - Director , Technology Accessibility at Wake Forest University (strublej at wfu.edu ✉) Thank you so much for your participation, distribution and support. ➜ Featured Podcast Episodes Submit your access-related Podcast Episode for consideration within this section using this form: https://toptechtidbits.com/submit-podcast-episode. August 5, 2023 | Blind Android Users Podcast 2023 3rd Quarter App Bonanza This week, its all about discovering new apps. Austin Pinto demonstrates the recently release ChatGPT from OpenAI, (this is the real ChatGPT App for Android). Salih Kundus from our Turkish sister site, Accessible Android demonstrates “Note To Self,” this is a note keeping app that helps you keep notes. Next, Warren Carr demonstrates “ReadEra” an e-reader supporting many electronic formats. Those of you who like other launchers other than the one that comes with your phone, would like the “Ruthless Launcher“ as demonstrated by John Dyer. Lena Joy demos VizLing an app intended Designed to make multimodal media, like comics, maps, and art, accessible for blind and low-vision readers. Joshua Shrum demos Zedge Ringtone: https://www.youtube.com/blindandroidusers/videos August 6, 2023 | Listeners Share Their Smart TV Recommendations, Remembering Discontinued iOS Apps, And The New Activator Braille Display From Help Tech https://www.livingblindfully.com/episode-242listeners-share-their-smart-tv-recommendations-remembering-discontinued-ios-apps-and-the-new-activator-braille-display-from-help-tech/ August 9, 2023 | Eyes on Success Episode 2332: Cracking the Code of Darkness Zach Tidwell was a marine who lost all of his sight in an instant during a period of deep depression. Despite all odds, he quickly adapted to blindness and taught himself to code. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Zach about his incredible journey, the Zanagrams app he created, and his plans to develop future accessible apps for iOS devices: http://www.eyesonsuccess.net/show_notes_2332.htm August 10, 2023 | Top Tech Tidbits Podcast for Thursday, August 10, 2023 Tune in each week as we announce the Top 5 Most Clicked Tidbits of the week. These 5 news items represent the most popular news and trends in adaptive technology today, as voted on by Top Tech Tidbits readers: https://apple.co/3ODv8oV ➜ Featured Webinars, Training Courses and Events Submit your access-related Webinar, Training Course or Event for consideration within this section using this form: https://toptechtidbits.com/submit-webinar-training-course. August 10, 2023 | RUBY 10: Beyond the Basics | Vispero 9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT Vispero Presenters: Bill Kilroy and Shelly Klure. Summary: Want to learn how to turn on "Help Text" and have menu options read aloud? Do you know the three main uses for the full-page (swing out) camera? Join us for a step-by-step webinar on how to get the most from the RUBY 10 by Freedom Scientific. Don't miss out on this educational hour as we demonstrate live and answer your questions in real-time! Objectives: Adjust font size for "Help Text." Turn on the voice for menu options. Use the Full-page (swing out) camera for reading, writing, and scanning. Registration: Register for this webinar on Zoom. ACVREP Credits. ACVREP credits will be available for those who attend the live webinar: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_IlcMUrtRSg-AdSpzfI9TbA?utm_campaign=LV_Webinars&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=268623519&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9oeVGBRTdrLIaC2O3Xx9wg5cvJWcZwRBm0lVZLVD5xCM92inozJAMIkRXA9jKsiGu0STqd0Ce3VDmnCFIoM2VnljnJYA&utm_content=268623519&utm_source=hs_email#/registration August 12, 2023 | YouTube | Technology User Group 7AM PT, 8AM MT, 9AM CT, 10AM ET, 2PM GMT On Saturday, August 12, the Technology User Group (TUG) will profile the YouTube website and the YouTube app. Learn how to use both applications effectively: managing play controls, subscribing, skipping ads and saving. Finding premium content will also be discussed. You do not have to RSVP for this event. The presentation will begin at 10 AM and last about 60 minutes. Call in Number: (319) 527-4994 ☎. Webcast: https://join.freeconferencecall.com/mdlbpd August 14, 2023 | SensePlayer Version 2.0 | HIMS, Inc. 2PM PT, 3PM MT, 4PM CT, 5PM ET, 9PM GMT HIMS Inc. is excited to announce that the highly anticipated, new SensePlayer firmware version 2.0 is now available! Please save the date Monday, August 14, 2023 to participate in a live and interactive webinar with HIMS staff when we will demonstrate and discuss what some are calling the “Swiss Army Knife” of portable accessible book readers and multimedia recorders, followed by a live Q &A. This update brings fixes and enhancements that are sure to delight users of the popular accessible multimedia powerhouse such as: The inclusion of the new mobile screen reader that now allows for easy installation of relevant Android apps known to work well with the SensePlayer such as Apple Music, NLS BARD, Audible and more. Improvements to the unique Smart Connect function that allows you to control your smart phone with the use of physical buttons. Improved Bluetooth functionality. New features in the media player, podcast player, and web radio. Updates to the document reader: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_g703vtjzTcapGyo4fiVcCg August 14, 2023 through August 18, 2023 | 22nd Audio Description Institute | Audio Description Associates, LLC | Audio Description Project of the American Council of the Blind 10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT The American Council of the Blind's Audio Description Project announces its twenty-second Audio Description Institute, August 14-18, 2023 (Monday through Friday) from 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM Eastern each day. All Virtual. Audio Description (AD) makes visual images accessible for people who are blind or have low vision. Using words that are succinct, vivid, and imaginative, media describers convey the visual image from television and film that is not fully accessible to a significant segment of the population (more than 32 million Americans experience significant vision loss). The interactive sessions are designed to provide immediate feedback and "give and take," allowing for adaptation according to a sense of participants' grasp of the material. In addition, experienced users of description are a part of the Institute's faculty, providing an important perspective throughout the sessions: https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E144393&id=86 August 16, 2023 | JAWS: Getting Help & Accessing Training Materials (Assistive Technology Webinar) | Access Ingenuity 10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT Get to know the various tools, help menu options, and free training materials that already exist with JAWS. Join Ian Ramos and Marisa Church from Access Ingenuity to discover ways to get assistance with concepts, commands, exercises, additional web resources, and more. Learning Outcomes: Help tools of JAWS, including Keyboard Help and Screen Sensitive Help. Additional help from the help menu includes the manual, web resources, and free training. Free training web resources include the Freedom Scientific Training YouTube channel, Free Webinars Training page, Surf's Up Training website, etc: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86019597044?pwd=aFdFUzhQWWFDTkRMOTdCUXRGRVZJQT09&mc_cid=1c5c3cbecd&mc_eid=90429c1885 August 17, 2023 | Manage Google Calendar with JAWS | Freedom Scientific 9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT Software Webinar: Manage Google Calendar with JAWS. We'll provide an overview of navigating Google Calendar with JAWS, plus show you how to create events, access settings, and change views. Zoom conferencing platform. Register for this webinar, which offers ACVREP credits to those who attend the live webinar. Registration link: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_PPfT8CpnRf-PxRGoPbpL7w August 22, 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group 11AM PT, 12PM MT, 1PM CT, 2PM ET, 6PM GMT 4th Tuesday of every month at 7:00 PM CT. Learn a few tips about everyday technology from a technology expert, ask your questions, and share your experiences. https://hadley.edu/discussion-groups/tech-it-out August 22, 2023 | The Current State of Accessibility: An ARC Evaluation of the Top Websites | TPGi 9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT This webinar reports on the most common accessibility errors, providing insight into the current makeup of web content and, more than that, how websites are built today. Gain the next-level ability to understand your site's web accessibility in the context of the larger web. The results are stratified across industries and by estimated web traffic, business size, and more. Backed by real data, attendees gain the ability to report on their website's accessibility in a new way — by rank rather than in purely technical terms. Most importantly, this systemic accessibility evaluation provides a picture of the current user experience for people with disabilities in the online world. Join us to learn where your website ranks in this evaluation. Together, we consider the question: what is a "good" accessibility score? This webinar is 30 minutes. Stay after the call for our 30-minute Q and A: https://www.tpgi.com/webinar-august-22-current-state-of-accessibility-arc-evaluation/ August 23, 2023 | How to Create Accessible Videos (Digital Accessibility Webinar) | Access Ingenuity 10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT Do you create videos for YouTube or other platforms? This presentation will review the components of accessible videos and how to make them. Join Michael Parker from Access Ingenuity to learn about creating accessible videos, including captions, audio descriptions, and descriptive text transcripts. Learning Outcomes: Learn the main elements of an accessible video to comply with WCAG 2.1 Guidelines. Learn how to edit captions on YouTube. Learn how to design videos so that they meet audio description requirements. Learn the basics of creating descriptive text transcripts: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85965137306?pwd=R3dDeUJZaEp3Q2xJbmpmRkxUVTNKUT09&mc_cid=1c5c3cbecd&mc_eid=90429c1885#success August 29, 2023 — August 30, 2023 | Web Accessibility in Mind Conference The second annual Web Accessibility in Mind Conference is presented by WebAIM in partnership with Pope Tech. This virtual conference will provide conference participants with content that will help them mature their practice in digital accessibility. Our goals include: Provide a diverse range of perspectives from a diverse group of speakers. Share solutions to accessibility challenges. Give advice and guidance that helps our participants to actively contribute to providing more accessible digital spaces. Bring together a cross section of public and private sector technology professionals from organizations large and small. The Web Accessibility in Mind Conference will be held online on August 29-30, 2023 from 12pm-5:10pm US Eastern Time (with a one-hour break at 2:10pm) each day. Register: https://conference.webaim.org/register August 30, 2023 | JAWS: Testing for Website Accessibility (Assistive Technology Webinar) | Access Ingenuity 10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT An essential part of ensuring that a website is accessible is to test the site with a screen reader. Join Michael Parker (Web Accessibility Specialist and DHS Trusted Tester) and Marisa Church (Assistive Technology Specialist and Expert Screen Reader) as they demonstrate how to test a website with the JAWS screen reader. Learning Outcomes: Understand the importance of testing websites with a screen reader. Learn how to test a website with a screen reader. Learn the difference between using the Say All command and Tab to navigate a webpage. Learn about basic JAWS settings required for testing. How to use the Virtual HTML Features and Text Viewer in JAWS for quicker testing: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88477062027?pwd=c0lPNVdYSmtJakxLUUVpekZjZzd6UT09&mc_cid=1c5c3cbecd&mc_eid=90429c1885 September 21, 2023 | Inclusive Design 24 Inclusive Design 24 (#id24) is a free 24-hour online event for the global community. It celebrates inclusive design and shares knowledge and ideas from analogue to digital, from design to development, from planners to practitioners, and everything and everyone in between: https://inclusivedesign24.org/2023/ September 26, 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group 5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 12AM GMT Next Day 4th Tuesday of every month at 7:00 PM CT. Learn a few tips about everyday technology from a technology expert, ask your questions, and share your experiences. https://hadley.edu/discussion-groups/tech-it-out September 29, 2023 | Blindness and Mental Health Webinar | Accessible Pharmacy 9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT Please join us as we discuss mental health in the blind and low vision community. Expert presenters will discuss: Psychology and therapy for the blind community. Medications and genomic testing. Peer and community support resources. 988 Mental Health Hotline information: https://accessiblepharmacy.com/blindness-and-mental-health-webinar/ October 4, 2023 | FEMA Nationwide EAS Test 11:20AM PT, 12:20PM MT, 1:20PM CT, 2:20PM ET, 6:20PM GMT FEMA, in coordination with the FCC, will conduct a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) this fall. The national test will consist of two portions, testing WEA and EAS capabilities. Both tests are scheduled to begin at 2:20pm ET on Wednesday, October 4. The EAS portion of the test will be sent to radios and televisions. This will be the seventh nationwide EAS test: https://news.radio-online.com/cgi-bin/rol.exe/headline_id=b17534 October 13, 2023 | Blindness and Clinical Trials Webinar | Accessible Pharmacy 9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT Please join us as we discuss clinical trials for the blind and low vision community with these expert presenters: Ben Shaberman, VP Science Communications Foundation Fighting Blindness. Marin Allen, former Deputy Director of Communications, National Institute of Health. Maggie Cashion, Clinical Research Manager, Prism Vision Group: https://accessiblepharmacy.com/blindness-and-clinical-trials-webinar/ October 24, 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group 5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 12AM GMT Next Day 4th Tuesday of every month at 7:00 PM CT. Learn a few tips about everyday technology from a technology expert, ask your questions, and share your experiences. https://hadley.edu/discussion-groups/tech-it-out November 6, 2023 through November 10, 2023 | Accessing Higher Ground | Association on Higher Education And Disability (AHEAD) Accessible Media, Web and Technology Conference. Hilton Denver City Center, Denver, Colorado: https://accessinghigherground.org/ November 28, 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group 5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 11PM GMT 4th Tuesday of every month at 7:00 PM CT. Learn a few tips about everyday technology from a technology expert, ask your questions, and share your experiences. https://hadley.edu/discussion-groups/tech-it-out December 1, 2023 and December 2, 2023 | Blind Health Expo 2023 | Exhibitor and Attendee Registration Now Open The Blind Health Expo is the largest virtual event of healthcare information, products, services, and medication for individuals in the blind, low vision, and disability communities. Exhibitors can: Register for free. Interact with thousands of attendees. Showcase their products and services: https://accessiblepharmacy.com/blind-health-expo-2023/ December 26, 2023 | Tech It Out | Monthly Hadley Discussion Group 5PM PT, 6PM MT, 7PM CT, 8PM ET, 11PM GMT 4th Tuesday of every month at 7:00 PM CT. Learn a few tips about everyday technology from a technology expert, ask your questions, and share your experiences. https://hadley.edu/discussion-groups/tech-it-out ➜ Directories 1) Top Tech Tidbits Blind And Visually Impaired App Directory https://toptechtidbits.com/blind-and-visually-impaired-technology-app-directory.html 2) Top Tech Tidbits Blind And Visually Impaired Game Directory https://toptechtidbits.com/blind-and-visually-impaired-technology-game-directory.html 3) Top Tech Tidbits Blind And Visually Impaired Listserv Directory https://toptechtidbits.com/blind-and-visually-impaired-technology-listserv-directory.html 4) Top Tech Tidbits Blind And Visually Impaired Podcast Directory https://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 USD by filling out this short form: https://toptechtidbits.com/submit-buy-sell-trade. 1) FOR SALE: One Buy, Sell or Trade Classified Ad (Just like this one.) Price: $5.00 USD | Description: List your new, gently-used or refurbished item in FOUR (4) consecutive issues of Top Tech Tidbits for just $5 USD. | Buy an Ad: Fill out this short form to secure your Buy, Sell or Trade Classified Advertisement today. | Learn more at: https://www.toptechtidbits.com/buy-sell-trade.html. ➜ Sponsor Classified Ads Sponsors may submit or update their Classified Advertisement at any time by submitting this short form: https://toptechtidbits.com/submit-sponsor-classified. Sponsor: Glidance Sponsor Since: July 20th 2023 Website: https://glidance.io/ 🌐 About: Fun and easy, you'll just love going out. You walk with confidence, and Glide will simply guide you where you want to go. Just Grab Your Glide And Walk With Confidence Glide will guide you to your destination or just keep you to a safe path and leave it to you to steer the way, giving you full autonomy and independence. Portable, Light And Versatile Glide uses advanced technology to help you safely and smoothly weave your way among obstacles and people, and make your way to a near by door, steps or a park bench. Easy To Use Smart technology for effortless mobility. Affordable No fancy back flips, just what you need to get back out there. Quick To Learn Our friendly design means you'll be up and running in no time. Feel Confident Without hesitation, anxiety, or getting lost. Get started with Glide today at: https://glidance.io/. Sponsor: Echobatix Sponsor Since: July 20th 2023 Website: https://echobatix.com/ 🌐 App: Download the Echobatix App from the Apple App Store here. About: Echobatix develops accessibility products and indoor navigation systems for the blind, the DeafBlind, and those with low vision. Our technology complements the use of a cane or guide dog and your existing Orientation and Mobility (O&M) skills. Our first app is an accessibility tool for printed text, touch screens, kiosks, and signage. Read what's at the end of your finger. Speak to search for a word. Sponsor: Ayes.ai ➜ Classified Advertisement: Every Traffic Light Accessible With The OKO Application AYES is happy to announce the launch of our new application OKO. OKO uses artificial intelligence and the back camera to recognize the pedestrian traffic light and inform the user of the walk, don't walk and the countdown state. We bring this state back to the user with three types of feedback, visual overlay, vibrations and audio feedback. The application does not rely on any adaptations to the traffic light and runs locally on the smartphone, this means that it works at every intersection. We always recommend to hold the phone at chest level with the camera pointing towards the direction that you want to cross. You can then rotate your chest between 10 to 15 degrees to locate the pedestrian traffic light. The moment we see that light the software immediately reacts. This helps to orient in the right direction and also stops you from veering off into traffic because the moment you veer off the feedback stops, you reorient and receive feedback to continue in the right direction. https://apps.apple.com/be/app/oko-by-ayes/id1583614988 Sponsor Since: March 16th 2023 Website: https://ayes.ai/ 🌐 App: Download the OKO App from the Apple App Store here. Email: hello at ayes.ai ✉ About: AYES was founded by three experienced AI engineers that are defining autonomous navigation for blind and visually impaired people. AYES.ai is the creator of the OKO App. Simply point the back camera of the phone towards the intersection that you want to cross and the OKO application will instantly detect the traffic light and inform the user through audio and haptic feedback. The OKO application can provide multiple services for your company, city or your country, all independent of physical infrastructure. This can increase your accessibility to 100%, overnight. OKO provides an accessible traffic light at every intersection. And, best of all, all OKO data is completely anonymized, ensuring your personal privacy at all times. The OKO app is fully independent from infrastructure and does not require a Wi-Fi or Cellular connection to operate at full capacity. The algorithm runs locally on your device, meaning that it works consistently and reliably every single time. The application has been trained on more than 150,000 images and continues to improve. Download the app today. Sponsor: Sterling Adaptives, LLC ➜ Classified Advertisement: Limited Time Introductory Pricing On The New Victor Reader Stream 3! With the NEW Victor Reader Stream 3, it's so easy to take your books, music, and more wherever you go. Imagine being able to listen to the latest novels, magazines, or your favorite music, podcasts, and your own voice recordings, all in the palm of your hand. With its sleek, compact design and easy-to-grip edges, the digital media player gives you hours of listening wherever you are and a superior text-to-speech experience in multiple languages. Take advantage of our introductory pricing on the NEW Victor Reader Stream 3! Order today or call (415) 878-2922 ☎. Use promo code TOPTECH for Free Shipping! https://sterlingadaptives.com/products/humanware-victor-reader-stream-3rd-generation Sponsor Since: March 9th 2023 Website: https://sterlingadaptives.com/ 🌐 Shop: https://sterlingadaptives.com/collections/vision-products Phone: (415) 878-2922 ☎ Email: info at sterlingadaptives.com ✉ Hours: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday, Pacific Standard Time Social: Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Instagram About: Based in California, Sterling Adaptives supplies the most technologically advanced equipment and software currently available. We serve those who are blind or have visual impairment and also others with disabilities. We have a showroom in Santa Rosa and can also meet in the comfort of your home. We supply a full range of computer hardware, software, peripherals, and assistive technology products. We are able to provide demonstrations, installations, troubleshooting, and ongoing product training. We work with private individuals, non-profit agencies, private organizations, educational establishments, and commercial enterprises. We help our customers fully realize their potential. We are known for providing you and your clients with the standards of service that you demand and that result in the right product at the right time and with the right backup service. We look forward to hearing from you and being afforded the opportunity to show you just how Sterling our service is! Sponsor: The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. Sponsor Since: December 29th 2022 Website: https://lhblind.org/ 🌐 Phone: (800) 914-7307 ☎ Fax: (206) 329-3397 ░ Contact Us: https://lhblind.org/contact-us/ About: The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. is a private, not-for-profit social enterprise providing employment, support, and training opportunities for people who are blind, deafblind, and blind with other disabilities. The Lighthouse has provided employment and support to people who are blind in our community since 1918. The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. is a successful manufacturing organization with over 60 years of experience in precision machining. We produce an array of machined parts and plastic injection molding for various aerospace manufacturers, as well as a host of office products and hydration equipment sold to the Federal Government and the U.S. Military. We also own and operate stores on military bases along the West Coast. Our products and services include: • Manufacturing: We are a successful manufacturing organization committed to making jobs accessible to individuals who are blind. Our manufacturing operations center on making quality products for the Federal Government under the AbilityOne Program and producing parts for aerospace manufacturers. • Managed Services: The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. offers a variety of services to our commercial, federal, and military customers. These include Contract Management Support (CMS) services for government contracting offices. • Base Supply Centers: We operate 12 AbilityOne Base Supply Centers (BSCs) that offer easy customer access to Lighthouse products, direct feedback and communication with customers, and employment opportunities for individuals who are blind in geographic areas not served by larger nonprofit agencies. Sponsor: WayAround ➜ Classified Advertisement: HURRY — Stock Up on WayTags Before Prices Increase on June 1! WayAround is the best way to label things if you're blind or have low vision. You just need the free mobile app and some WayTags® to label items in the kitchen, garden, closet, office & more. Prices on WayTags will increase on June 1, so stock up today on your favorite tags. https://www.wayaround.com/shop/?utm_source=AssistiveTech&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=AccessInfoNewsSponsorAd Sponsor Since: January 5, 2023 Website: https://www.wayaround.com/ 🌐 General Sales & Support: (888) 898-4465 ☎ Business Sales & Support: (888) 898-4465 ☎ Email: connect at wayaround.com ✉ About: WayAround is the app for your smart device that provides on-demand details about everyday things. The simple tag-and-scan approach lets you quickly and easily identify things around you. It also provides extra details, like how something works or when it expires. The result? Doing more of the things you want, with more confidence and more independence. All the information you want with just a tap of your phone. No more waiting around to ask someone. You need just two things to get started: The free mobile app for iOS or Android and some of our smart WayTags®. Accessible labels for the blind, deafblind, and anyone with vision loss. Your biggest problem isn't poor eyesight. It's that so much of the information in the world is visual. But you shouldn't have to wait around for someone else to get the information you need. Or carry around a bulky, outdated device. There is a better way to get accurate and complete information every time. So you can reduce stress and gain independence. Download The App (Apple): https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/wayaround-tag-and-scan/id1294361140?mt=8 Download The App (Android): https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.wayaround.wayaround Sponsor: Aira 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 at 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. Sponsor: Fable ➜ Classified Advertisement: Learn Management Skills For Free. Get The Job You Want. Everyone deserves equal access to the internet which is why Fable works with people with disabilities who use assistive technologies like switch controls to improve the accessibility of websites and apps. Fable Pathways, a free, accessible, and on-demand skill-building program, is an extension of Fable's mission. Fable Pathways provides new opportunities for people with disabilities to gain the skills they need, from experts like Judy Heumann and Kelly Ford, to contribute to improving digital accessibility. https://tinyurl.com/3x7d7t3v Sponsor Since: June 30th 2022 Website: https://fablepathways.com/ 🌐 Email: community at 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/. Sponsor: Clusiv ➜ Classified Advertisement: 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: As there are many challenges people in the blind community face in employment and education, Clusiv has built the world's first e-learning platform designed for the blind to provide the training, tools, and resources needed to remove barriers to the modern workforce. Our courses teach you occupational and technology skills you need towards employment. Plus, we are working to connect our graduates to internship and job opportunities. Our courses are remote, self-paced, and we provide support throughout your whole journey through our student success team, and even provide lifetime access to our courses so you can keep up to date as technology evolves. You can request Clusiv training through your vocational rehabilitation counselor and fill out the form in the link below on our website. If you are a counselor wanting to learn more about Clusiv for your clients, or an employer looking to hire Clusiv graduates, click the respective link below and fill out a form to get more info. ➜ Person Looking To Enroll In Clusiv Courses ➜ Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Looking To Learn More About Clusiv For Their Clients ➜ Employer Looking To Hire Clusiv Graduates Sponsor: Double Tap TV ➜ Classified Advertisement: 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 at doubletap.online ✉. Phone: +1 (844) 971-1999 ☎ https://bit.ly/3BQmUTl Sponsor Since: December 23rd 2021 Email: feedback at doubletap.online ✉ Apple Podcasts: 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. Sponsor: HIMS, Inc. ➜ Classified Advertisement: 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 at hims-inc.com ✉ Support Email: support at hims-inc.com ✉ About: HIMS, Inc. is a global manufacturer and distributor that has provided braille, magnification and accessible healthcare devices since 1999. Sponsor: Carroll Center for the Blind ➜ Classified Advertisement: Attend the Screen Reader User Tester Training Program at the Carroll Center for the Blind Launch your career in the digital accessibility field! The Carroll Center for the Blind's new 7-week intensive Screen Reader User Tester Training program allows participants to learn and grow their ability to professionally explore, test, and report findings regarding the accessibility of websites, mobile applications, and digital document files using screen readers. Want to learn more? Start your journey to becoming a Screen Reader User Tester by visiting: https://carroll.org/screen-reader-user-tester-training-program/ Sponsor Since: August 5th 2021 Website: https://carroll.org/ 🌐 Phone: (617) 969-6200 ☎ Fax: (617) 969-6204 ░ Shop: https://carroll.org/store/ 🛒 Donate: https://carroll.org/donate ❤ Social: Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | LinkedIn | Instagram About: The Carroll Center for the Blind is the foremost leader in vision rehabilitation services for individuals confronted by the challenges of vision loss. Our mission is to empower those who are blind or visually impaired to achieve independence and to lead a fulfilling life. Established in 1936, the renowned Carroll Center for the Blind has been serving those with vision impairment for over eight decades; we are known nationally as a premier Vision Rehabilitation Center. Located just outside of Boston on a sprawling campus in Newton, Massachusetts, we proudly serve ALL ages and ALL stages of vision loss. With the ongoing promise of improving the lives of people with vision-related problems, The Carroll Center for the Blind has pioneered many innovative services allowing people who are blind or have low vision to learn the skills to be independent in their homes, in class settings, and in their work places. Our services include vision rehabilitation, vocational and transition programs, assistive technology training, educational support, and recreation opportunities for individuals who are visually impaired of all ages. For over 80 years, the expertise of Carroll Center staff has provided help for thousands of blind and visually impaired persons with diverse opportunities for success and independent living. Sponsor: Pneuma Solutions ➜ Classified Advertisement: Only $60/Year! BlindShell Classic 2 Now Integrates Sero for Accessible Audio Content & More For just $60 a year until September 30th, 2023, users of the BlindShell Classic 2 phone can now leverage the robust Sero platform, creating an accessible, user-friendly experience for the visually impaired. Sero provides streaming radio, thousands of hours of audio content, news, forums, podcasts, and voice chat rooms, fostering an empowered community. Use the BlindShell's famous t9-driven interface, or ditch the keypad entirely and leverage Alexa on the BlindShell for hands-free access to your Sero content! This collaboration between BlindShell and Pneuma Solutions, Sero's developers, unlocks productivity features and entertainment options that enhance digital lifestyles. The future of accessible tech is here! Integrate the feature-rich Sero platform into your BlindShell device phone for only $60 a year! https://pneumasolutions.com/blindshell Sponsor Since: June 3rd 2021 Website: https://pneumasolutions.com/ 🌐 Email Newsletter: Click here to receive periodic news via email concerning Pneuma Solutions products for business, consumers and education. Sales: (866) 202-0520 ☎ Support: (650) 249-1000 ☎ About: Backed by two decades of creating award-winning accessible cloud technologies for people with visual impairments, Pneuma Solutions is the global leader in accessible cloud-based solutions. Pneuma Solutions was founded by long-time accessibility developers Mike Calvo and Matt Campbell. For more information on their individual profiles, click on their respective bio pages. We're proud to be the first company to develop cloud-based accessibility at the network level. Our tools provide organizations, like yours, a way to deliver secure, accessible information right from your network or from our secure servers. You can provide your print disabled consumers, students, employees, and citizens with a multitude of accessible options. Additionally, we offer a suite of cloud-based applications to blind and print disabled consumers directly from our website. Our consumer products are designed to make the day-to-day lives of blind and print disabled individuals more accessible and simpler to manage. Access to information is not a privilege, it's a right. It's also your right to obtain affordable, accessible cloud solutions to serve your end user. When organizations like yours implement our tools, together we help make it a more inclusive world for people with disabilities. Want to know more about how we can help you become more inclusive? Contact us here. We'll be happy to discuss how our tools can help with your accessibility needs. Sponsor: Freedom Scientific ➜ Classified Advertisement: Freedom Scientific Focus Blue 5th Generation Refreshable Braille Displays Our world-class refreshable Braille displays deliver efficient Braille input and outstanding output for your PC or mobile device. The robust Bluetooth® connectivity provides seamless use with Windows®, Mac®, iPhones®, iPads®, and Android TM smartphones and tablets. Ergonomic navigation features allow quick, natural hand movements for greater productivity. When used with JAWS® screen reading software, they support our popular Braille Study Mode, an interactive tool for teaching and learning Braille. Learn more today: https://www.freedomscientific.com/products/blindness/focus-blue-family/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=Top%20Tech%20Tidbit Sponsor Since: April 15th 2021 Website: https://www.freedomscientific.com/ 🌐 Email: info at vispero.com ✉ Phone: (800) 444-4443 ☎ Facebook | Twitter | YouTube (Training) About: Freedom Scientific, a Vispero brand, is a leading worldwide brand of assistive technology products for those with vision impairments. We offer products designed to promote independence, allowing blind and low vision individuals the same access to information as their sighted peers. World-renowned JAWS (Job Access With Speech) screen reading software and ZoomText screen magnification software provide users the independence and ability to seek education and obtain or maintain a career after vision loss. Our expansive product line includes both low vision and blindness technology for all aspects of daily living. The wide range of RUBY, TOPAZ, and ONYX desktop and portable video magnifiers are designed for their ease of use and assist with daily activities. Our impressive line of blindness hardware products include refreshable Braille displays and scanning and reading devices, offering many options tailored to fit individual needs. Sponsor: Humanware ➜ Classified Advertisement: 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. Sponsor: LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired Adaptations Online Store ➜ Classified Advertisement: LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired Adaptations Online Store Featured Products Revolution Cane Tip: Standard Roller Tip: $14.50 | Locator Dots: Small Pack of 6 (Clear or Orange): $2.00 | NFB Metal Cane Tip: $3.00 | TMAP - On Demand Tactile Street | Map (set of two maps): $25.00 | Ambutech Aluminum Folding Cane: $35.00 | NFB Chris Park Telescoping Cane: $45.00 | BoldWriter 20 Pen (Individual or 6-pack): $2.00 | Bump Dots: Mixed (50 count): $7.00 | Braille Apple Catalina VoiceOver Guide OSX 10.15 (3 volumes) - Latest Manual: $52.00 | SpeedDots iPhone Tactile Screen Protector, Phone Layout: $12.00 | NFB Chris Park 7-Piece Folding Cane: $50.00 | Visit https://adaptations.org/ to learn more today! Sponsor Since: October 1, 2020 Website: https://adaptations.org/ 🌐 Toll Free: (888) 400-8933 ☎ Local: (415) 694-7301 ☎ About: Founded in 1902, San Francisco's LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired promotes the independence, equality and self-reliance of people who are blind or have low vision. Adaptations is your online go-to for tools, technology, and accessible solutions for blind and visually impaired people. Sponsor: GuideLights and Gadgets ➜ Classified Advertisement: July Convention Specials New Watches! Announcing our partnership with Auguste Reymond of Switzerland, maker of the best Braille watches in the world. Their prestige line for both ladies and men, in gold and silver, have CZs as Braille dots, with 4 o'clock stem openings. GRAB BAGS. We have collected a lot of useful items that for one reason or another were never sold or are the last remaining from a popular item. We have $25 $50 and $100 bags, Each will have at least 4 items with twice the bag retail value. Our 60 inch locking titanium telescopic cane is on sale for $60. we also now can supply ball and teardrop rolling tips. We have new custom leather cases at a fraction of the cost of competitors for the Stream 3, Stream 2, SensePlayer, and the Blind shell phone. Purchase an Orbit Braille display and get one of our leather cases for free. If you are at ACB, come visit Barry and Lisa at Booths 25 and 26. Director, http://www.GuideLightsAndGadgets.us Sponsor Since: June 25th 2020 Website: http://www.guidelightsandgadgets.us/ 🌐 For Gadgets and Leather Contact Barry at: Phone: (617) 969-7500 ☎ Email: bscheur.gadgetsandtech at gmail.com ✉ For All Things Dog Contact Kae at: Phone: (781) 286-1696 ☎ Email: guidelightdogs at 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! Sponsor: A. T. Guys ➜ Classified Advertisement: 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 at atguys.com ✉ Skype: atguys ✆ X (Formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/atguys (@atguys) ✍ Facebook: https://facebook.com/atguys ✍ About: ATGuys.com. Your access technology experts, home for cool gadgets, accessories, and more. Our products are all tested to work great for blind and visually impaired users but also work just as well for anyone. If there's an item you're looking for, or if you have a question, please don't hesitate to send us a message or call (269) 216-4798 ☎. Sponsor: The Accessibility Guy ➜ Classified Advertisement: Expert Document Accessibility Remediation: Compliant, Multilingual, & Inclusive Unlock the power of inclusivity with our specialized document accessibility remediation services. With over 100,000 documents transformed and compliant with standards such as Section 508, WCAG 2.1 AA, HHS, AODA, and PDF/UA, we are your go-to accessibility experts. No document is too complex! What To Expect: Screen Reader Testing: We test all documents with industry-leading tools like JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, CommonLook Validator, and PAC3. Turnaround Time: Our standard time is 5 business days. Expedited options are available. Forms Handling: We specialize in making static PDFs accessible to screen readers. Languages Supported: Offering remediation in over 50 languages. File Types Supported: Word, PDF, PowerPoint. Custom Reports: Available for an additional fee. Learn More: https://theaccessibilityguy.com/document-remediation/ Sponsor Since: August 3, 2023 Website: https://theaccessibilityguy.com/ 🌐 YouTube: https://youtube.com/@TheAccessibilityGuy 📹 About: My name is Shawn Jordison and I love helping others learn the ins and outs of digital accessibility. I have made over 100 thousand documents accessible, provided hundreds of trainings in the areas of accessibility and document remediation, and reviewed many websites and mobile applications for accessibility. I have developed and reviewed VPATs, LMS courses, and other pieces of training. I am the accessibility swiss army knife. Let me be your personal accessibility expert. ➜ Over 13 years of experience in the field of accessibility. ➜ Passionate about providing equal access to information for everyone. ➜ Wide range of project experience, including document accessibility, training, and more. ➜ Expertise in captioning, assistive technology, and accessibility best practices. I'm here to help you create a more accessible world. The Blog: This blog covers topics like making Word, PDF & PowerPoint files accessible, Closed Captioning, assistive technology, and other important accessibility topics. Training and Consulting: Offering customized training and consulting for implementing accessibility best practices. Accessible Document Service: Providing top-tier document remediation services for all types of files, ensuring compliance with WCAG, 508, and PDF UA standards. Sponsor: Wordvoyance ➜ Classified Advertisement: FREE: Wordvoyance: A Scrabble Game For Screen Readers Introducing: The first and only scrabble app that blind and sighted players can play together! Completely ad-free and based on the classic board game, Wordvoyance is the perfect choice for everyone from schools and young families to grizzled word game veterans. Play against the single-player CPU or challenge your friends online. The game can be played in any web browser, even on your phone, with Android and iOS apps available in select regions: https://www.themisgames.com/wordvoyance/ Sponsor Since: August 3, 2023 Website: https://www.themisgames.com/wordvoyance/ 🌐 About: Wordvoyance is a multiplayer crossword-building game similar to Scrabble and Words With Friends. It has been carefully crafted to be playable by everyone, and it includes multiple accessibility features for people with blindness and other disabilities. For players with unhindered sight, the game will play exactly as you expect. You can drag and drop tiles to form words on the board and rack up points. For everyone else, the game is fully compatible with popular screen readers and can be played with a number of different input methods including keyboards, assistive technology, and even game controllers. Play Game (Web Browser): https://www.themisgames.com/wordvoyance/menu Play Game (iOS App Store): https://apps.apple.com/us/app/wordvoyance/id1672135719 Play Game (Google Play Store): https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.exceptionullgames.wordvoyance Play Game (Other): For iOS users outside of our soft launch regions you can download the app via Apple's TestFlight Store at: https://testflight.apple.com/join/UsNLOulZ Game Manual: https://www.themisgames.com/wordvoyance/manual Your Name Here 0 of 18 Sponsorship Packages currently available. Top Tech Tidbits is the world's leading adaptive technology publication that reaches over 10,000 adaptive technology professionals, educators and enthusiasts, all over the world, each week. Top Tech Tidbits offers a total of 24 Sponsorship Packages which are used to support the ongoing distribution of the publication. There are currently  0  of  18  Sponsorship Packages available. If you would like to become a Top Tech Tidbits Sponsor, but there are no sponsorship packages currently available, we encourage you to join our waiting list by sending an email to: sponsorships at toptechtidbits.com ✉. Once you have joined our waiting list we will notify you the next time a current sponsor decides not to renew. You will then have 72 hours to secure your sponsorship before it is offered to the next sponsor on the list. When available you can secure one of these packages for just $325.00 USD for the next 3 months, or save $100.00 USD and join us for the year. All Sponsorship Packages are offered on a first-come, first serve basis. Please help us to support the ongoing distribution of this publication. Consider showing your support for the world's #1 online resource for current news and trends in adaptive technology while enjoying these incredible benefits. Learn more today at: https://www.toptechtidbits.com/sponsorship-information.html. ➜ Top Tech Tidbits Supporters We couldn't do it without you! Thank you for your support! Why: Top Tech Tidbits Supporters donate an amount of their choosing either one time or annually in order to assist with the ongoing distribution of the Top Tech Tidbits publication. Benefits: All Top Tech Tidbits Supporters receive a listing within the "Our Supporters" section of each weekly newsletter, as well as a listing within the "Our Supporters" section of the Top Tech Tidbits website. In addition, all Top Tech Tidbits Supporters automatically become Premium Subscribers as well, and therefore enjoy all of the benefits that a Premium Subscription has to offer. One Time Donation: If you would like to become a Top Tech Tidbits Supporter by making a one time donation in an amount of your choosing to assist with the ongoing distribution of the Top Tech Tidbits publication, you may utilize this donate link, or scan the QR code to the right. Annual Donation: If you would like to become a Top Tech Tidbits Supporter by making a small annual donation to assist with the ongoing distribution of the Top Tech Tidbits publication, we also offer the following options, all with our sincerest thanks, and most heartfelt gratitude for your ongoing support. Support: In tandem with Our Sponsors, these are the people that make the ongoing distribution of Top Tech Tidbits possible. Platinum Supporters: Become a Top Tech Tidbits Platinum Supporter today. 1.) Gary Lee Platinum Supporter since June 25, 2020 2.) Anonymous Donation Platinum Supporter since July 9, 2020 3.) Pshon Barrett Platinum Supporter since January 28, 2021 4.) Robin Millar Platinum Supporter since April 6, 2023 Gold Supporters: Become a Top Tech Tidbits Gold Supporter today. 1.) Howard Goldstein Gold Supporter since June 4, 2020 2.) David Goldstein Gold Supporter since June 12, 2020 3.) Katherine Crohan Gold Supporter since January 14, 2021 4.) Neil Jarvis Gold Supporter since April 28, 2022 Silver Supporters: Become a Top Tech Tidbits Silver Supporter today. 1.) Timothy Gorbold Silver Supporter since July 19, 2023 Bronze Supporters: Become a Top Tech Tidbits Bronze Supporter today. 1.) Steven Wettlaufer Bronze Supporter since July 16, 2020 ➜ Top Tech Tidbits News Team Publisher: Aaron Di Blasi (Volunteer) Volunteer Publisher Since: June 4th 2020 Location: Mayfield Heights, Ohio Time Zone: Eastern Standard Time (EST/EDT) (GMT-5/GMT-4) In addition to serving as Publisher for Top Tech Tidbits Aaron also serves as Publisher for the Access Information News Publication and is also the President and Senior Project Management Professional for Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd. As Publisher Aaron oversees the weekly distribution of Top Tech Tidbits as a not-for-profit project on behalf of Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd. Aaron also serves as a Volunteer Editor to Top Tech Tidbits. Aaron Di Blasi, PMP Publisher (2020-Present) Top Tech Tidbits The Week's News in Adaptive Technology https://toptechtidbits.com 🌐 Publisher (2022-Present) Access Information News The Week's News in Access Information https://accessinformationnews.com 🌐 Sr. Project Management Professional (2006 - Present) Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd. Innovative ideas. Solutions that perform. https://mvsltd.com 🌐 Email: publisher at toptechtidbits.com ✉ Subscribe: https://toptechtidbits.com/subscribe Facebook: https://toptechtidbits.com/facebook X (Formerly Twitter): https://toptechtidbits.com/x LinkedIn: https://toptechtidbits.com/linkedin RSS Feed: https://toptechtidbits.com/rss Donate: https://toptechtidbits.com/donate Sponsorship Information: https://toptechtidbits.com/sponsor Archive Search: https://toptechtidbits.com/search A Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd. Publication: https://mvsltd.com Editorial Contributor: John Hanlin (Volunteer) Volunteer Editor Since: June 4th 2020 Location: Boulder, Colorado Time Zone: Mountain Standard Time (MST/MDT) (GMT-7/GMT-6) In addition to serving as an Editor to Top Tech Tidbits, John also serves as an Editor to the Access Information News Publication and is also an attorney-at-law specializing in long-term disability claims for blind and visually impaired persons. John is also a long-time contractor and member of the Board of Trustees at Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd. John Hanlin, Esq. Editor (2020-Present) Top Tech Tidbits The Week's News in Adaptive Technology https://toptechtidbits.com 🌐 Editor (2022-Present) Access Information News The Week's News in Access Information https://accessinformationnews.com 🌐 Board of Trustees (2006 - Present) Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd. Innovative ideas. Solutions that perform. https://mvsltd.com 🌐 Email: editors at toptechtidbits.com ✉ Subscribe: https://toptechtidbits.com/subscribe Facebook: https://toptechtidbits.com/facebook X (Formerly Twitter): https://toptechtidbits.com/x LinkedIn: https://toptechtidbits.com/linkedin RSS Feed: https://toptechtidbits.com/rss Donate: https://toptechtidbits.com/donate Sponsorship Information: https://toptechtidbits.com/sponsor Archive Search: https://toptechtidbits.com/search A Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd. Publication: https://mvsltd.com Editorial Contributor: Jenna Lang (Volunteer) Volunteer Editor Since: June 4th 2020 Location: Des Moines, Iowa Time Zone: Central Standard Time (CST/CDT) (GMT-6/GMT-5) In addition to serving as an Editor to Top Tech Tidbits, Jenna also serves as an Editor to the Access Information News Publication and runs her own Digital Marketing Firm. Jenna also serves as a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) for Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd. Jenna's son was born blind and she is always seeking new and innovative ways to empower him through technology. Jenna Lang, PMP Editor (2020-Present) Top Tech Tidbits The Week's News in Adaptive Technology https://toptechtidbits.com 🌐 Editor (2022-Present) Access Information News The Week's News in Access Information https://accessinformationnews.com 🌐 Project Management Professional (2022 - Present) Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd. Innovative ideas. Solutions that perform. https://mvsltd.com 🌐 Email: editors at toptechtidbits.com ✉ Subscribe: https://toptechtidbits.com/subscribe Facebook: https://toptechtidbits.com/facebook X (Formerly Twitter): https://toptechtidbits.com/x LinkedIn: https://toptechtidbits.com/linkedin RSS Feed: https://toptechtidbits.com/rss Donate: https://toptechtidbits.com/donate Sponsorship Information: https://toptechtidbits.com/sponsor Archive Search: https://toptechtidbits.com/search A Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd. Publication: https://mvsltd.com Editorial Contributor: Stephen (Alex) Marositz (Volunteer) Editor Since: October 7th 2021 Location: Los Angeles, California Time Zone: Pacific Standard Time (PST/PDT) (GMT-6/GMT-7) In addition to serving as an Editor to Top Tech Tidbits, Alex is also an Accessible Technology Coordinator for California State University, Dominguez Hills. He has worked in accessibility in higher education since 2005, is certified by the International Association of Accessibility Professionals, and in his spare time plays for the San Gabriel Valley Panthers Beep Baseball Team. He can be reached on twitter at: @samarositz. Stephen (Alex) Marositz Editor (2021-Present) Top Tech Tidbits The Week's News in Adaptive Technology https://toptechtidbits.com 🌐 Accessible Technology Coordinator California State University, Dominguez Hills https://csudh.edu 🌐 Email: editors at toptechtidbits.com ✉ Subscribe: https://toptechtidbits.com/subscribe Facebook: https://toptechtidbits.com/facebook X (Formerly Twitter): https://toptechtidbits.com/x LinkedIn: https://toptechtidbits.com/linkedin RSS Feed: https://toptechtidbits.com/rss Donate: https://toptechtidbits.com/donate Sponsorship Information: https://toptechtidbits.com/sponsor Archive Search: https://toptechtidbits.com/search A Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd. Publication: https://mvsltd.com Editorial Contributor: Ben Moxey (Volunteer) Editor Since: January 1st 2022 Location: Newcastle, Australia Time Zone: Australia Eastern Standard Time (AEST/AEDT) (GMT+10) In addition to serving as an Editor to Top Tech Tidbits, Ben is also an Access and Technology Advisor for Guide Dogs, New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory (NSW/ACT). Hi, Tidbits readers, my name's Ben Moxey and I'm based in Newcastle, Australia. I'm really happy to be part of the Tidbits Team and look forward to supporting this valuable publication. A bit about me and how I came to work in the BVI area. I grew up with very low vision in one eye due to retinal issues and relied on magnification and speech throughout school. They also tried to teach me Braille, but let's just say that I wasn't the best student! I was determined to use my remaining vision, no matter how impractical it was becoming. When I was 20, the other retina came off and I've now been totally blind for about 21 years. This is when my love for assistive technology, and technology in general, really kicked in. I'll be honest, I was a bit of a computer nerd anyway, but I could quickly see how technology was my key to enhanced independence and lifestyle. I embraced screen readers, early smart phones and mobility aids. I even finally realised the huge value of Braille and finished off the course, though I'm still pretty slow! Long story short (not one of my strong points), I've worked in the BVI area for 12 years with much of that spent reviewing, recommending and teaching assistive technology that suits the individual. I'm currently a proud employee of Guide Dogs NSW/ACT where I was the Practice Lead for the assistive technology service, and I've now moved into an Access and Technology Advisor role. Basically, this involves a strong focus on accessibility and technology innovation. Feel free to look me up on LinkedIn, but I'll warn you in advance that I haven't given my profile the recommended attention! All the best and happy reading! Ben Moxey Editor (2022-Present) Top Tech Tidbits The Week's News in Adaptive Technology https://toptechtidbits.com 🌐 Access and Technology Advisor Guide Dogs, New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory (NSW/ACT) https://nsw.guidedogs.com.au 🌐 Email: editors at toptechtidbits.com ✉ Subscribe: https://toptechtidbits.com/subscribe Facebook: https://toptechtidbits.com/facebook X (Formerly Twitter): https://toptechtidbits.com/x LinkedIn: https://toptechtidbits.com/linkedin RSS Feed: https://toptechtidbits.com/rss Donate: https://toptechtidbits.com/donate Sponsorship Information: https://toptechtidbits.com/sponsor Archive Search: https://toptechtidbits.com/search A Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd. Publication: https://mvsltd.com Editorial Contributor: David Woodbridge (Volunteer) Volunteer Editorial Contributor Since: February 6, 2023 Location: Central Coast, New South Wales, Australia Time Zone: Australia Eastern Standard Time (AEST/AEDT) (GMT+10) In addition to serving as an Editor to Top Tech Tidbits, David also serves as an Editor to the Access Information News Publication and is also the National Commercial Assistive Technology Advisor for Vision Australia where he has worked since 1990. Over this time he has assisted people who are blind or vision impaired in their home, education, and work settings to take advantage of the benefits of using assistive and main stream technology. In the last seventeen years, he has also been involved with evaluating technology for use by people who are blind or vision impaired covering both low and high tech equipment (including Microsoft, Samsung, Google, Amazon, and Apple). David is also one of the key spokespersons for Vision Australia relating to technology. He has been an Apple Ambassador for Apple Australia since 2009 with a group of other Ambassadors / Apple Distinguished Educators (ADE)'s covering the range of Apple's Accessibility solutions throughout Australia. David produces a range of podcasts (since 2011) covering Apple and other technologies which are distributed on his own podcast (http://davidwoodbr.podbean.com). In addition, he also has a regular Talking Tech program (since 2013) which can be heard every Tuesday at 4:30 Eastern Summer Time on Vision Australia Radio Melbourne (available online) or via https://omny.fm/shows/talking-tech-vision-australia-radio David also runs a weekly Tech Monday where people can chat about assistive and main stream technology, share information, and any tips and tricks. David lost his sight when he was 8 years old and had to learn Braille. Since then, he completed high school, went to Sydney University receiving a Social Work degree, spent 4 years drug and alcohol counselling, and then moved into his current job. As a person who is blind, David believes that as a user of the technology that he recommends to others, that he is well situated to look at the strengths and shortcomings of the assistive technology that he comes across in both his professional and personal life, in particular, mainstream technology that is accessible. X (Formerly Twitter): @dwoodbridge Mastodon: woody at dragonscave.space iSee Podcast: https://davidwoodbr.podbean.com Vision Australia Radio Talking Tech: https://omny.fm/shows/talking-tech-vision-australia-radio In addition to his weekly contributions to Top Tech Tidbits and Access Information News, David's regularly occurring activities are his weekly tech radio show, bi-monthly exploring tech webinars for Vision Australia, his iSee podcast when something of note grabs his attention, and the weekly Tech Monday chat sessions. David Woodbridge Editorial Contributor (2023-Present) Top Tech Tidbits The Week's News in Adaptive Technology https://toptechtidbits.com 🌐 Editorial Contributor (2023-Present) Access Information News The Week's News in Access Information https://accessinformationnews.com 🌐 National Commercial Assistive Technology Advisor (1990 - Present) Vision Australia Live the life you choose. We're here to support all Australians who are blind or have low vision. https://www.visionaustralia.org/ 🌐 Email: editor at toptechtidbits.com ✉ Subscribe: https://toptechtidbits.com/subscribe Facebook: https://toptechtidbits.com/facebook X (Formerly Twitter): https://toptechtidbits.com/x LinkedIn: https://toptechtidbits.com/linkedin RSS Feed: https://toptechtidbits.com/rss Donate: https://toptechtidbits.com/donate Sponsorship Information: https://toptechtidbits.com/sponsor Archive Search: https://toptechtidbits.com/search A Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd. Publication: https://toptechtidbits.com ➜ Subscription Information ABOUT: Founded in 2004, Top Tech Tidbits is a leading Adaptive Technology publication that reaches over 10,000 assistive technology professionals, educators and enthusiasts each week. Sign up here. Review the archive here. Adaptive Technology refers to items that are specifically designed for people with disabilities. Adaptive Technology is a subset of Assistive Technology. Adaptive Technology often refers specifically to electronic and information technology access. Top Tech Tidbits is a Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd. Publication. Publisher: Aaron Di Blasi. Contributing Editors: John Hanlin, Jenna Lang, Stephen (Alex) Marositz, Ben Moxey, and David Woodbridge. Top Tech Tidbits is a sponsor and reader supported publication. RELEASE SCHEDULE: Top Tech Tidbits is released every Thursday morning at 4:00 AM ET. SUBSCRIBE: Do you, a friend, or colleague wish to receive the Top Tech Tidbits Newsletter? If so, please use or pass along our CAPTCHA-free sign-up link, which is: https://toptechtidbits.com/subscribe. You can also subscribe to receive the Top Tech Tidbits Newsletter on the Top Tech Tidbits Website at: https://www.toptechtidbits.com. Either of these methods will provide you with an accessibly friendly and secure medium through which you can subscribe to our mailing list. Just enter your email address, click send, and begin receiving the Top Tech Tidbits Newsletter. It's that easy. PREMIUM SUBSCRIBER: Top Tech Tidbits Premium Subscribers receive additional benefits throughout the year, in addition to supporting upgrades to the Top Tech Tidbits Publication. Please consider joining us today! Premium Subscribers make new feature requests possible. SPONSOR: If you would like to become 1 of only 18 Top Tech Tidbits Sponsors whose annual support makes the distribution of Top Tech Tidbits possible, we offer you the following benefits, with our sincerest thanks, and most heartfelt gratitude for your ongoing support: https://toptechtidbits.com/sponsor. SUPPORT: If you would like to become a Tidbits Supporter by making a small annual donation to assist with the ongoing distribution of the Top Tech Tidbits publication, we offer the following options, with our sincerest thanks, and most heartfelt gratitude for your ongoing support: https://toptechtidbits.com/donate. WEBSITE: Visit the Top Tech Tidbits website online at https://www.toptechtidbits.com. PODCAST: Listen to the Top Tech Tidbits Podcast each week at: https://toptechtidbits.com/podcast. FACEBOOK: Are you on Facebook? Stop by and "Like" Top Tech Tidbits to begin receiving current news and trends in Adaptive Technology as part of your Facebook News Feed: https://toptechtidbits.com/facebook. X (FORMERLY TWITTER): Are you on X? Follow Top Tech Tidbits to begin receiving current news and trends in Adaptive Technology as part of your X News Feed: https://toptechtidbits.com/x. MASTODON: Are you on Mastodon? Follow Top Tech Tidbits to begin receiving current news and trends in Adaptive Technology as part of your Mastodon News Feed by visiting https://mastodon.toptechtidbits.com/@news or searching for @news at mastodon.toptechtidbits.com on your server today. LINKEDIN: Are you on LinkedIn? Follow Top Tech Tidbits to begin receiving current news and trends in Adaptive Technology as part of your LinkedIn News Feed: https://toptechtidbits.com/linkedin. YOUTUBE: Are you on YouTube? Follow Top Tech Tidbits to begin receiving current news and trends in Adaptive Technology as part of your YouTube Video Feed: https://toptechtidbits.com/youtube. RSS: Do you prefer RSS? Follow Top Tech Tidbits via RSS today to begin receiving current news and trends in Adaptive Technology using your choice of news aggregator: https://toptechtidbits.com/rss. QUESTIONS: Tidbits are intentionally concise. As a result we know that some readers may not always understand all of the items listed because little explanation is given. If a particular Tidbit brings up a question in your mind, feel free to ask, and we will try to answer as time and knowledge permit. ARCHIVE Visit the Top Tech Tidbits Archive at: https://toptechtidbits.com/archive where you can grab back issues. CONTENT CONTRIBUTORS: Any information for future issues of Top Tech Tidbits may be submitted online via our Top Tech Tidbit Submission Form at: https://toptechtidbits.com/submit-tidbit or directed to our Editors at: editors at toptechtidbits.com. Information provided by: Top Tech Tidbits A Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd. Publication https://www.toptechtidbits.com/  🌐 1284 SOM Center Road, PMB 194 Mayfield Heights, Ohio 44124   (855) 578-6660 ☎ Top Tech Tidbits | 1284 SOM Center Road, PMB 194, Mayfield Heights, OH 44124 Unsubscribe electronics-talk at nfbnet.org Update Profile | Our Privacy Policy | Constant Contact Data Notice Sent by enews at toptechtidbits.com