[Trainer-talk] [visionrehabtherapist] Re: Apps I recommend

Wed Aug 19 15:53:55 UTC 2015

There are a few GPS applications that allow you to use blind square alongside it for use with turn by turn. Blind square does not yet have that feature.

Matt Dierckens
Certified Assistive technology specialist
Macintosh trainer
Canadian phone: 5199629140
U.S. Phone: 5734011018
Sent from my iPhone

> On Aug 19, 2015, at 11:52, Julie A Adkins <assistivetechtrainer at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> So what does that mean, supports blind square root planning?
> 
> Julie Adkins
> Assistive Technology Trainer
> 
> 
> 
>> On Aug 19, 2015, at 9:51 AM, Matthew Dierckens <matt.dierckens at me.com> wrote:
>> 
>> Hello all,
>> Blind square in conjunction with Google maps, motion X GPS Drive, or any other GPS application that supports blind square root planning is a great tool for navigation.
>> 
>> Matt Dierckens
>> Certified Assistive technology specialist
>> Macintosh trainer
>> Canadian phone: 5199629140
>> U.S. Phone: 5734011018
>> Sent from my iPhone
>> 
>>> On Aug 19, 2015, at 09:41, Julie A Adkins via Trainer-talk <trainer-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>> 
>>> Oh yes, I understand blind square is an app to use in addition. Or let me say I have the impression that it is used in addition to a regular gps app. But I'm not sure if people HAVE  to use things like Navigon, Ariadne, Sendero LookAround, Seeing Eye, or other paid GPS apps. I've always wanted to ask so I can intelligently make some type of recommendation to my clients. I am not a mobility instructor, so I don't teach mobility apps. I know that you can ask the built in Maps app to give you walking directions. But I never see anyone on a listserv saying they use the Maps app. So it sounds like you are saying that yes, you could just use the built in Maps app? I mean would that be good enough? 
>>> 
>>> I guess I don't think of navigation in the built in Maps app as being complicated because I just use it with Siri, except for changing on occasion to the view where I can see the directions in a list (as opposed to letting it just tell me turn by turn where to go). 
>>> 
>>> Julie Adkins
>>> Assistive Technology Trainer
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>>> On Aug 19, 2015, at 8:20 AM, Randy Reed <randy.reed at lighthouseofmanasota.org> wrote:
>>>> 
>>>> Hello Julie,
>>>> 
>>>> There are a couple reasons someone might want to use Blindsquare instead of just the Apple Maps app.
>>>> First, the Blindsquare app is a very simple layout. It doesn't require a lot of switching between tabs, and many VoiceOver users including myself find that much easier to use. Additionally, many commands can be executed by using a Bluetooth keyboard or Braille display, simply by typing the command, and this reduces the amount of effort it takes to use the app.
>>>> 
>>>> Second, Blindsquare can be controlled using a Bluetooth headset. If the user pushes the play/pause button when the app is in use, they get a cycling list of menu options, and they can press the button again to select an option when they hear it. This allows for minimal hands-on interaction, and that makes for a safer user experience while traveling.
>>>> 
>>>> Neither of these are reasons you can't just use the native Maps app. They're just features that enhance the traveling experience.
>>>> 
>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>> From: visionrehabtherapist-bounce at freelists.org [mailto:visionrehabtherapist-bounce at freelists.org] On Behalf Of Julie A Adkins
>>>> Sent: Tuesday, August 18, 2015 4:44 PM
>>>> To: List for teachers and trainers of adaptive technology; VRT Listserv
>>>> Subject: [visionrehabtherapist] Apps I recommend
>>>> 
>>>> A couple of people have asked in recent months for app recommendations. I'm sorry, I cannot recall who it was that was working on a list. Maureen McDuffy, maybe??  
>>>> 
>>>> Overall, I refer consumers to the Apple Vis website as the "big daddy" resource for information on apps. Nothing else seems to stay updated.  I also advise them to subscribe to an email listserv so they can find out for themselves from other consumers what apps are popular. I follow the idevice listserv. But here is my list of recommended apps:
>>>> 
>>>> No color detector apps are really any good that I know of.  The AppleVis website reviews several, but I have tried many of them to no avail.  
>>>> 
>>>> TextGrabber for OCR.
>>>> 
>>>> KNFB Reader app only if someone is completely blind. And really I still would try TextGrabber with a phone stand.  It is so much easier to use. 
>>>> 
>>>> BARD of course, and other ones if they apply, such as Read2Go and NFB Newsline. 
>>>> 
>>>> Readability is great if people read on multiple devices. They can reformat text and pick up reading anywhere. I like to have it on their PC so they can reformat articles like Safari Reader on the iPhone or iPad.  
>>>> 
>>>> Pocket is a reading app also (you send your articles to it to read them in there), and it has a great “reader” built into it that is like a combination of using the Reader in Safari and also the Speak Screen feature, so it would be great for iPad (low vision) users. 
>>>> 
>>>> YouVersion Bible app for bible readers.
>>>> 
>>>> Pandora for music (though I see that people on listservs use Ootunes a lot and several other ones). I just happen to be familiar with Pandora and I know it totally works with VoiceOver. 
>>>> 
>>>> Dropbox for anyone with major file management needs. 
>>>> 
>>>> Sometimes I teach Word (again, only for someone with major file management needs).
>>>> 
>>>> AccessNote app for anyone working or going to college. 
>>>> 
>>>> Netflix (since they have audio description). 
>>>> 
>>>> Tap Tap See
>>>> 
>>>> Be My Eyes
>>>> 
>>>> RedLaser is still the best barcode/QR code reader I have found
>>>> 
>>>> Downcast for podcasts. Consumers like this one because you can speed up the audio. 
>>>> 
>>>> iBlink Radio for learning more about the iPhone
>>>> 
>>>> AFB AccessWorld 
>>>> 
>>>> Vision Connect 
>>>> 
>>>> iDevices connects up to a grill thermometer and some other stuff. This is for super techy people. 
>>>> 
>>>> Blind Bargains
>>>> 
>>>> EyeNote for identifying money (if the person doesn't use Tap Tap See). 
>>>> 
>>>> Amazon for general online shopping
>>>> 
>>>> I love the Time Warner Cable app and the PBS app for iPad users.  Any TV provider has an app where you can see the Guide, change channels right there, control your DVR, watch TV on the iPad, etc. TV channels have apps, too, like HBO, Showtime, etc.  (I had to work with a guy who was majorly into TV, can you tell??).
>>>> 
>>>> MagLightPro for anyone with low vision.   Also Brighter Bigger for some folks. 
>>>> 
>>>> Voice Dream Reader, Voice Dream Writer, Voice Dream Mail (these are more for non Voice Over users or people who use both VO and vision). 
>>>> 
>>>> Voice Dream Reader is excellent for low vision iPad users.  You can customize it so much and block out all but one line of text like using a typoscope.    
>>>> 
>>>> Look for apps for your local transportation system (bus, paratransit, light rail, etc.). The Uber app is completely accessible with VoiceOver. 
>>>> 
>>>> On listservs I see people use Blindsquare a lot.  Sounds like people use a combination of a few main mobility apps.  Since I am not blind, I am not sure why one would not just use the built in Maps app. 
>>>> 
>>>> I just have a basic app on my phone that I show people called AroundMe that shows banks, gas stations, restaurants, hospitals, and so on that are nearby. 
>>>> 
>>>> Hopefully that helps. 
>>>> 
>>>> Julie Adkins
>>>> Assistive Technology Trainer
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
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>>>> 
>>>> 
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>>> 
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