[NFB-Seniors-Discussion] Nebraska Senior Division June Meeting - Learn about Android phones and more! - Guest are Welcome

Tue Jun 8 16:54:51 UTC 2021

Sent from my iPhone

> On Jun 7, 2021, at 12:33 PM, RobertLeslie Newman via NFB-Seniors-Discussion <nfb-seniors-discussion at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> 
> First section of this message:
> Hi You All
> RE: Our June Meeting is One week away from today; Monday the 14th
> Non-Members are WELCOME
>  
> Contents of this message:
> *Topic of the meeting
> *When and how to get on the call
> *Agenda
>  *The NFB Pledge
> *The second section of this message; topic background
>  
> *#1 -Topic: An exciting opportunity to learn about the Android platform of devices. Presented by fellow blind folks who use these products everyday. (Read the  second half of this message for background material about this call! See what you can bring to make this event the best it can be.) 
>  
> *#2 When and how to get on the call:
> Date: June 14th
> Time: 7:00 CT
>  
> Join Zoom Meeting:
> https://zoom.us/j/97431318555?pwd=NmVpT2VhTEl4ZlczVElyZDYycDNGQT09
> One tap mobile:
> +13462487799,,97431318555#,,,,*637552# US (Houston)
> +14086380968,,97431318555#,,,,*637552# US (San Jose)
> Dial by your location:
>         +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
>         +1 408 638 0968 US (San Jose)
> Meeting ID: 974 3131 8555
> Passcode: 637552
>  
> *#3 Agenda:
> -First- Come to order, handle introductions, and present our NFB Pledge
>  
> -Second- Our two special presenters will interact with our membership and any additional guests who are also interested in learning more about Android products.
>  
> -Third-Business Meeting:
> -Secretary and Treasurers Reports
>  
> --OLD BUSINESS:
> -Membership- Do make calls to past members who have not joined us during recent meetings. And/or think of someone new to call and invite to join us for this or next month’s meeting.
> -Any other old business you may bring
>  
> --NEW BUSINESS:
> -Update on affiliate and national news.
> -Anything you may bring
>  
> --Finally- Brags and Drags
>  
> *#4 Our NFB Pledge:
> I pledge to participate actively in the efforts of the National Federation of the Blind to achieve equality, opportunity, and security for the blind; to support the policies and programs of the Federation; and to abide by its constitution.
>  
> *Second section: How did this call come about?
> How did this call come about? First, the topic of Android phones verses iPhones is not a new one. Note, the purpose of this call is that we are looking to learn about,” how both phones work for some common smart phone functions. The reality is blind users of both phones find their choice of platform to be a viable option for the blind consumer. Below is a brief synopsis of my email exchange with a pair of prod and very capable Android users, who happen to be blind. Read for our intent and come to the call with an open mind.
>  
> First, I, Robert wrote Judy Jones. She lives in Washington, and I know she is a strong user of blindness tech, from Windows PCs, screen readers, Braille displays, notetakers, Android phones, and some about the iPhone.
>  
> Robert to Judy:
>  
> Judy, you and I previously talked about you coming on to one of the Nebraska Seniors Division’s calls and introduce us to how the Android phone works. Well, our Senior division membership is interested in learning about Android phones and generally more about the Android platform. Most of our membership do have cell phones, Apple. And hey, in regard to Android, most all of us are willing to admit our ignorance, and the possibility of being misinformed about the world of Android. But for real, we are to learn about any potential blindness tool to make our lives richer.
>  
> Note: We are not looking to make this anything like a “battle of iPhone verses the Android!”
>  
> Respectfully, Robert
>  
> *Judy responded:
>  
> Robert, I would be happy to help out in the Android presentation for NFB of Nebraska.
> though I want to do this, I feel it is responsible of me to first encourage you to contact Warren Carr, who is much more competent in this area. I have known Warren for a long time, and, if he is available, he will give you fair and balanced coverage of both platforms.
>  
> The last iPhone I had was the iPhone 4S, which has been quite some time ago.
>  
> I appreciate your idea this call isn’t to argue over the platforms, but to let blind citizens know there are choices out there, choices being the operative word, and many times, these choices are not presented to blind folks, either because of the lack of knowledge from people and rehabilitation instructors, or simply due to lack of available information all-around.
>  
> I believe I see this slowly changing.
>  
> Another area I believe should be covered is those phones that aren’t fully Android, or those on the KaiOS platform, or phones, such as Blind Shell.
>  
> All of this depends on what one wants to do with their phone.
>  
> My husband uses a Kyocera DuraXE flip phone, deprecated Android version, but not fully functional in that he cannot download or use the browser.  But, since he is one that only wants to talk and text on his phone, he is perfectly happy.  He does his browsing and downloading via PC or on his Polaris. Again, these phones which are outside the box of “smart,” aren’t given enough coverage in the blind community.
>  
> Respectfully, Judy
>  
> *Robert to Warren Carr:
>  
> I am a friend of Judy Jones. As the President of the NFB of Nebraska Senior division, I am seeking your participation as a special guest on our June Zoom meeting. We are interested in learning about Android phones and generally more about the Android platform. Most of our membership do have cell phones, Apple. And hey, all of us find that we are ignorant, and possibly misinformed about the world of Android.
>  
> Judy says she’ll do this call but tells me, that You not only know a lot about Android, but also know more about the iPhone, than her. Consequentially, would be able to better give some comparison type of dialog. Note: We are not looking for an account of the blindness accessibility battle between these two products but want to be better informed and so to not overlook Android as a viable option.
>  
> Respectfully, Robert
>  
> *Warren to Robert:
>  
> Thank you for the invite.
>  
> Now, I must be honest that even though I started with the iPhone 3GS and the first iPad and then got the 4, 4S through the 8SPlus, I seldom use it and the one reason why I kept these devices (I now only have the 7SPlus and the 8SPlus), is owed to the fact that I have a friend in Iowa who struggles with his iPhone and my sole reason for getting these last two that I have even after I stopped using the iPhone a long time ago, is just to be able to help him.
> Thus, I am not all that good with the iPhone.
>  
> For this call, what could make this work best, is if we have someone telling folks about what the iPhone does and then we can see how that is done on the android; thus, letting blind folks who otherwise think that android doesn’t do those things come to the knowledge that this is also available and doable on android.
>  
> Inasmuch as I am an android guy through and through, if there’s something that isn’t working right on android or doesn’t work on android, I am not ashamed in pointing that out and that probably has to do with the lack of a good braille support.
>  
> So, if you don’t mind that my iOS usage and knowledge isn’t up to par, and that I could still come and primarily, like Judy, talk about Android, then I think we’re good.
>  
> Appreciate what you folks are doing!
>  
> Respectfully, Warren Carr
>  
> *Note from, Robert: Check out the below text, it is what you find at the bottom of all Warren’s emails-
>  
> As both an "Android Evangelist and Enthusiast," I beg you in the name of Google, to quit spreading false information among blind people that says Android is Not Accessible!
> Ask, and you will be enlightened!
> Help empower the disabled, but don't compartmentalize them!
>  
> Listen to our podcast by visiting:
> https://blindandroidusers.com
> Follow us on Twitter a:
> @BlindDroidUsers
> and to subscribe to our mailing list where you will engage blind Android users from across the globe, simply send a "join request" to:
> mailto:blindandroidusers+subscribe at groups.io
> Join our Telegram group at:
> https://t.me/ANATAD
>  
>  
> Warren
>  
>  
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> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfb-seniors-discussion_nfbnet.org/bernienfb75%40gmail.com good afternoon.

You might also want to check with Karl Belanger, Who is one of our access technology staff at the NFB headquarters office. Don’t remember his extension, there. But, the general number is 410 Dash 659–9314. He has also been an android user. Not sure if he is currently. But, he is extremely familiar with android.

Bernadette Jacobs

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