[SC-CSTD] FW: V I Labs Tech On Tap Newsletter Edition 251

Fri May 2 16:55:17 UTC 2025

From: V I Labs <content at vi.ie> 
Sent: Friday, May 2, 2025 9:00 AM
To: floza58 at bellsouth.net
Subject: V I Labs Tech On Tap Newsletter Edition 251

 <https://mailchi.mp/70c0daf1116b/v-i-labs-tech-on-tap-newsletter-edition-251?e=bcd617a5bc> View this email in your browser 

Featured articles:

*	Good news and bad news from Be My Eyes 
*	Manufacturers need to make smart home appliances easier to set up 
*	Getting support with quick assist as a screen reader user 

The Talking Technology Big Question

It’s time to have your say on the issues of the day. Send us a WhatsApp Voice note answering our big question and we might discuss your thoughts in a future episode of our Talking Technology podcast.

This weeks question is…

The VoiceOver screen reader from Apple turns 20 this week. Has VoiceOver changed your life?

Send us a Voicenote now to 
086 199 00 11

Remember, a voice note is not a call.  To send a voice note, use the voice note button on the bottom right of the WhatsApp chat interface.  

 <https://ncbi.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0075302c481fdf615a1e2037f&id=91d54fd5a9&e=bcd617a5bc> Send WhatsApp Voicenote 

Good news and bad news from Be My Eyes

Be My Eyes has introduced limits to the Be My AI image description service after what the company is calling unscrupulous use of their product by a ‘bad actor’. What are these limits, are they reasonable, and why would anyone abuse an app for assisting blind people? 

 <https://ncbi.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0075302c481fdf615a1e2037f&id=ed6b0f9388&e=bcd617a5bc> Be My Eyes article 

Manufacturers need to make smart home appliances easier to set up

Smart home tech can be a game changer for those with sight loss, but despite this, the setup process for much of this technology can still be a struggle. With Samsung working on a new partnership with Sullivan+, Joe asks if more can be done? 

 <https://ncbi.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0075302c481fdf615a1e2037f&id=cb86569ebf&e=bcd617a5bc> Smart home article 

Getting support with quick assist as a screen reader user

We all need a hand from time to time. When tech issues arise, it can be useful to have a friend, family member, or support worker connect to your computer to help you troubleshoot. In this article, Dorian explains how you can use the quick assist tool as a screen reader user. 

 <https://ncbi.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0075302c481fdf615a1e2037f&id=fbb0b4e96c&e=bcd617a5bc> Quick assist article 

Talking Technology with V I Labs Episode 82 – Fire TV Sticks with VoiceView, and Asking a Talking Tree for Directions

In this episode of Talking Technology, Joe shows us accessible streaming devices, including the Apple TV 4K and Amazon Fire Stick. We hear about an Irish tech company aiming to help those suffering with dry eyes, and would you ask a Talking Tree for directions? 

 <https://ncbi.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0075302c481fdf615a1e2037f&id=ac9638245a&e=bcd617a5bc> Listen online 

 <https://ncbi.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0075302c481fdf615a1e2037f&id=c32ce00dfa&e=bcd617a5bc> Watch on YouTube 

Want to learn more about Technology? Why not try a V I Labs Training course

V I Labs offer a variety of courses to help you improve your technology proficiency. To sign up or get more details on any of these courses, send an email to training at vi.ie  

List of upcoming courses  

*	Bite Size Training

Delivery: Virtual – MS Teams (Group)
Byte Size Topics
3:00pm How to Download an app on your iPhone or iPad
3:20pm How to save a webpage on your laptop
3:40pm How to customise Display settings on your Android Device
4:00pm How to read a document using the Seeing AI App
Get tech tips in just 15 minutes! Byte size Tech offers short, focused online training sessions designed to enhance your digital skills.
Sign up today by emailing training at vi.ie
Please indicate which session you would like to attend.
When: 07th May
Time: 3pm - 4.20pm 

*	Contracted braille

We at Vision Ireland are inviting you to start a contracted grade 2 braille training course.
Come join us and together we will embark upon a journey of great learning that will lead you to having one of the more empowering skills  of sight loss.
The course will take place over an eight week period, one hour a week and will be conducted online through Microsoft teams.
 <https://ncbi.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0075302c481fdf615a1e2037f&id=2079237fad&e=bcd617a5bc> Contracted braille course details 

*	Seeing AI Overview

Seeing AI is an app developed by Microsoft to assist people who are blind or visually impaired. By leveraging advanced artificial intelligence, it uses a smartphone's camera to provide real-time descriptions of the world around the user. During this talk we will give an overview of its features and capabilities. 
 <https://ncbi.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0075302c481fdf615a1e2037f&id=759e0ebfaa&e=bcd617a5bc> Seeing AI Overview course details 

*	Choosing the Right Assistive Technology

Choosing the right assistive technology (AT) is an essential step toward enhancing accessibility and independence for individuals with disabilities. Whether you are seeking tools to support mobility, communication, learning, or daily tasks, the process of selecting the right technology can greatly improve the quality of life. This is a talk to help you make an informed decision.
 <https://ncbi.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0075302c481fdf615a1e2037f&id=29dd8a8967&e=bcd617a5bc> Choosing the Right Assistive Technology course details 

*	Social Media and Accessibility Overview

Understand the basics of popular social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc.) and how to access them with assistive technologies like screen readers and voice recognition tools.
Learn about accessibility features that are built into social media platforms, such as alt text, voice commands, and keyboard shortcuts.
 <https://ncbi.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0075302c481fdf615a1e2037f&id=7633cc9f53&e=bcd617a5bc> Social Media and Accessibility Overview course details 

*	Entertainment Apps - Overview

Entertainment apps provide an exciting way to enjoy music, movies, books, games, and much more, and with the advancement of accessible technology, visually impaired users can fully engage with these platforms. This course is designed to introduce visually impaired individuals to a range of entertainment apps that are both accessible and fun. You’ll learn how to use these apps effectively to enrich your entertainment experience, from listening to audiobooks to enjoying podcasts, movies, and games.
 <https://ncbi.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0075302c481fdf615a1e2037f&id=c95f67395e&e=bcd617a5bc> Entertainment Apps - Overview - course details 

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=e3fe43ab8e&e=bcd617a5bc> Talking Technology YouTube Playlist 

 <https://ncbi.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0075302c481fdf615a1e2037f&id=08431426ec&e=bcd617a5bc> Listen to Talking Technology with Audio 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=fb8c186deb&e=bcd617a5bc> Apple Podcasts 

 <https://ncbi.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0075302c481fdf615a1e2037f&id=b414c36581&e=bcd617a5bc> Spotify 

 <https://ncbi.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0075302c481fdf615a1e2037f&id=830938b447&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=74e0a5c0b5&e=bcd617a5bc> Support Vision Ireland 

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