Summary Notes
GTT Edmonton Meeting October 13, 2020
The most recent meeting of the Get Together with Technology (GTT) Edmonton Chapter was held October 13 7pm as a Zoom virtual meeting.
12 people attended.
Reading Tip: These summary notes apply HTML headings to help navigate the document. With screen readers, you may press the H key to jump forward or Shift H to jump backward from heading to heading. Read the Additional Resources section following the meeting notes to learn about one on one telephone support, the National blog, CCB Podcast, Zoom meetings, and the support email list.
October Topic –CELA Library Update
CELA Update
Gerry led a discussion on changes and upgrades to the CELA Library service this year. These updates include:
- Access to eleven newspapers has been restored
- New search and delete options on Direct to Player Bookshelf
- Search preferences are now available
- Magazine subscriptions are now available
- You can now filter search results by human-narrated audio or human-transcribed braille
- More than 150 DAISY magazines are available
For a more complete description of recent CELA website updates including step by step instructions on their use, you may visit:
https://celalibrary.ca/website-updates
CCB Online Membership
CCB has opened an online form where you can register your 2021 membership and pay your $10 membership fee via credit card or PayPal. This is a secure form so it is safe to fill it out. CCB will not retain your credit card information. You may also indicate the local chapter you are supporting. In our case please indicate “GTT Edmonton” as the name of your chapter. Note that the birthdate field is optional. A link to the membership form is available on the home page or you can reach it from this direct link.
Please consider supporting CCB programs and advocacy work by joining as a GTT Edmonton Chapter member.
Vision Loss Rehab Alberta
We were joined by Stephannie Leach and Dave Winchester from Vision Loss Rehab Alberta. Dave helps clients obtain high tech devices such as CCTV readers, JAWS/Fusion/Zoomtext software, BrailleNote, Iris Vision and other technology. These devices are subsidized by the STEP program through Alberta Aids to Daily Living. Stephannie talked about low tech aids such as talking watches, talking book players, color detectors and other low tech devices that can also be purchased with support from the STEP program. You may contact either Stephanie or Dave for more information about acquiring technology through the STEP program at 780.488.4871.
Accessible Washer/Dryer
Russell let us know of a recent new LG WM3500CW washer/dryer pair that he and Sarah just purchased. Russell states:
It has WI-FI capability and you can interface with the settings through the LG ThinQ app. In the app you can choose cycles, temperature, extra spin and so forth. The app will send you push notifications when the load is done washing. The dryer also has WI-FI, but I haven’t connected it to WI-FI yet.
The set was quite expensive, $945 for the washer and the same for the dryer. This model was highly rated in Consumer Reports. We bought our set at Coast Appliances, but it’s available at various outlets.
Next Meeting (Monday November 9at 7pm)
- Topic TBA and will again be a virtual Zoom meeting. The meeting link will be included in the agenda which will be emailed in early November.
- As always, for help with technology bring your devices and/or questions to the meeting.
Additional Resources
Telephone Training and Support
Contact the CCB national office GTT coordinators to book one on one telephone training.
Kim: 877-304-0968 Ext. 513
Email: GTTProgram@Gmail.com
David Green 1-877-304-0968 Ext. 509
AccessibilityTraining7@Gmail.com
GTT Blog and Regular Zoom Meetings
CCB sponsors about 14 monthly Zoom meetings on technology, lifestyle, and open chat socialization. You may wish to read the GTT blog to find email notices of the Zoom meetings and other information such as the weekly Windows from the Keyboard Tips. If you would prefer to receive the blog posts in your email inbox, then you may activate the Follow link at the bottom of the blog web page to enter your email. IF you have difficulty contact Kim or David for assistance.
CCB Podcast
CCB sponsors a podcast feed. Use your favorite pod catcher app or the Victor Reader Stream book playing device to subscribe to the feed. Search for “CCB” (Canadian Council of the Blind). You will find episodes on technology as well as general interest topics such as CELA Library, NNELS Library, WBU, and more.
GTT Email Support List
CCB also sponsors a GTT email support list to provide help and support with technology for blind and low vision Canadians. To subscribe to the email list, send an empty email to:
GTTsupport+subscribe@groups.io
GTT Edmonton Overview
- GTT Edmonton is a chapter of the Canadian Council of the Blind (CCB).
- GTT Edmonton promotes a self-help learning experience by holding monthly meetings to assist participants with assistive technology.
- Each 2 hour meeting consists of a feature technology topic in the first hour and a general tech discussion in the second hour. If you know someone in the Edmonton area who would like to be a part of our group, simply ask them to email their full name and vision status (blind, low vision, sighted) to:
[End]
GTT Program blog and resources 