[SC-CSTD] FW: V I Labs Tech On Tap Newsletter Edition 215

Sat Aug 3 19:57:36 UTC 2024

From: V I Labs <content at vi.ie> 
Sent: Friday, August 2, 2024 9:01 AM
To: floza58 at bellsouth.net
Subject: V I Labs Tech On Tap Newsletter Edition 215

 <https://mailchi.mp/2cd6ad996ea5/v-i-labs-tech-on-tap-newsletter-edition-215?e=bcd617a5bc> View this email in your browser 

Featured Articles:

*	AppleVis is set to close
*	Orbit Optima Braille Laptop upcoming  release
*	What Can I try On my Smart speaker
*	The Rabbit r1 YouTube Short
*	Upcoming Training Courses & Events
*	The Clear our Paths Campaign

The sad closure of AppleVis, and why it needs to be archived

With Apple Vis announcing its closure, David takes a look at the websites legacy and why it needs to be archived. Will someone step in? 

 <https://ncbi.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0075302c481fdf615a1e2037f&id=49de46221c&e=bcd617a5bc> Read the Full Article 

Orbit Optima Braille Laptop upcoming release!

Braille devices are constantly getting better. With Orbit announcing their new braille laptop, Peter tells us about the product and why it’s an exciting step forward for braille technology. 

 <https://ncbi.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0075302c481fdf615a1e2037f&id=084fdf83e0&e=bcd617a5bc> Read the Full Article 

What can I try on my smart speaker?

Recently we announced that Vision Ireland have Launched the BookShare Ireland skill on Alexa powered devices. We will discuss some useful voice commands with the book share skill below.

But first note the following:

To use the Book share Ireland Alexa skill, you must have both an Amazon and a book share account. Make sure your Alexa device language is set to English (United Kingdom).

Say, “Alexa, open book share Ireland or enable Book share Ireland.”

If it is your first time enabling the skill with your voice with the voice command “Alexa Enable book share Ireland” The book share skill will send a link to your Alexa app on your smart phone making it easy to link your account.

Once you are linked with the book share skill, try saying some of the following commands: 

*	Alexa Open book share Ireland
*	Alexa List my books: Then The skill goes onto list the books,
*	Alexa play number 1, or you can try using the book title
*	Alexa Pause
*	Alexa Resume
*	Alexa Next
*	Alexa Back
*	Alexa Close

As you can see there is a few basic commands, and it is designed to be  easy to use.

Please note some books are designed differently so the next and back commands do not always work as you expect.

Another good thing is when you are ready to go back to reading a book you  were reading earlier Alexa will resume from where you left off. 

Could the Rabbit r1 help blind people?

The Rabbit r1 is an AI device that has the capability to read documents and could be a useful tool for people with sight loss. However, the device has lots of issues, and currently doesn’t have a screen reader.

Will Rabbit be accessible one day? What do you think? 

 <https://ncbi.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0075302c481fdf615a1e2037f&id=3b8f0ea905&e=bcd617a5bc> Watch YouTube Short 

Hable One Virtual Course – 3 Sessions

Learn about the Hable One Braille device, how it can interact with and control your mobile phone and act as an input device.  Some topics covered include sending a text, making/answering calls, using Siri, checking your notifications and checking the battery status.  Grade 1 braille is essential for this course.  

Start Date:  Friday 13th September
Time: 12:00pm – 1.00pm.
Email :  <mailto:training at vi.ie?subject=Hable%20One%20Training%20Course> Training at vi.ie  

Uncontracted Braille Course - Sign Up Today!

Have you ever thought about learning Braille? This 4-week virtual course is the perfect starting point. You will learn the alphabet and by the end of the course be able to read words and sentences.

Start Date:  Friday 6th September
Time: 10am – 11am.

Email :  <mailto:Training at vi.ie> Training at vi.ie 

Clear Our Paths Campaign

The Vision Ireland Clear Our Paths campaign will run from 19th to 23rd August this year with the aim of creating a safer environment on our footpaths for people who are blind or vision impaired to get around independently. 

During the campaign, we hope to raise awareness of temporary obstacles that can hinder people who are living with sight loss when out and about on footpaths. The intention is to encourage people to be proactive and ensure our footpaths are clear and safe.
Examples of obstacles we will be highlighting include: 

*	Cars parked on footpaths
*	Dog fouling
*	Wheelie bins and Street furniture
*	Overhanging branches
*	Cycles and e-scooters

During last years’ campaign we circulated a survey to gather information about injuries that people who are blind or vision impaired have sustained as a result of temporary obstacles. This was hugely successful and we are therefore looking for your support to complete a similar survey this year. It will only take a few minutes to complete but will provide us with powerful information to use as  part of this campaign. The closing date for completion is 26th July. 

Talking Technology with V I Labs

Our Technology Podcasts cover a wide variety of subjects relating to all sorts of technologies that might be of interest to someone with sight loss. All shows are recorded and made available on YouTube and podcast platforms for you to listen to or watch back afterward.

To listen back to previous shows please select the button below. 

 <https://ncbi.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0075302c481fdf615a1e2037f&id=e8476d7fb2&e=bcd617a5bc> Talking Technology YouTube Playlist 

 <https://ncbi.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0075302c481fdf615a1e2037f&id=757fc4074a&e=bcd617a5bc> Listen to the podcast here 

Subscribe to V I Labs Podcasts  

V I Labs Podcasts are hosted on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and TuneIn. Please subscribe to the following and give us a listen on your favourite device.

 <https://ncbi.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0075302c481fdf615a1e2037f&id=9a38f10e25&e=bcd617a5bc> Apple Podcasts 

 <https://ncbi.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0075302c481fdf615a1e2037f&id=5a1a6e1b28&e=bcd617a5bc> Google Podcasts 

 <https://ncbi.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0075302c481fdf615a1e2037f&id=e8837fd019&e=bcd617a5bc> Spotify 

 <https://ncbi.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0075302c481fdf615a1e2037f&id=aa20fc9443&e=bcd617a5bc> TuneIn 

Technology Support Line 

We offer a dedicated support line and email address for technical support related to assistive and mainstream technology. 

The service is free for people with sight loss and their families. We also offer technical advice on assistive technology to schools and employers. 

The Technology Support Helpdesk is operated between 09:00 to 17:00 Monday to Friday. 

Contact V I Labs nationwide on 1800 911 110.

Support Vision Ireland

Your continued support for Vision Ireland's work to help people with sight loss is hugely appreciated. Please click the link below for more information on how you can help. 

 <https://ncbi.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0075302c481fdf615a1e2037f&id=ffca96194b&e=bcd617a5bc> Support Vision Ireland 

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