CCB Tech Articles: Donna’s Low Tech Tips, Talking Alarm Clock, June 4, 2018

June 04 2018

Meet the talking alarm clock

Hi there! It’s Donna and thank you for allowing me to come into your inbox.

Today, I’d like to talk about the talking alarm clock.

Of course, there are several places where you can buy one of these and I would prefer not to endorse any one in particular but here is the picture.

I am always excited whenever someone comes along and improves on an existing product and this is what I have seen in the case of the talking alarm clock.

Just imagine! Now you can find a clock that accepts voice commands! No more having to press the button to hear the time! No more having to set the time with buttons! You now have the best of both worlds!

You can either choose to set and hear the time with the press of a button or you can do this through voice commands. Most of these alarm clocks come with extra nice to have add-ons. Timers, thermometers, date, and more. You can even choose which voice you want to have announce the time and so on and many of these voices are extremely clear and easy to understand.

No more having to depend on sighted assistance to set the time or alarm for me. No more having to ask someone for the time.

So go out there and make friends with the talking alarm clock.

Here are a few places for you to contact if you are interested to learn more.

CNIB – toll free = 1800 563 2642

Frontier Computing – toll free = 1-888-480-0000

Or visit http://www.futureaids.ca

You can also call them at 1-800-987-1231

There is also no harm in checking out http://www.independentlivingaids.com and

http://www.maxiaids.com

If you would like to become a member of my CCB Mysteries chapter you can do so for the price of $10 annually and in return you will receive unlimited access to either of the following libraries.

Recipes –

http://www.donnajodhan.com/library-recipes.html

Audio mysteries for all ages –

http://www.donnajodhan.com/library-audio-mysteries.html

Or you can subscribe to both for the price of $20 annually.

To contact me, send me an email at info@sterlingcreations.ca and I’d be happy to respond.

Have yourselves a great day and see you next week.

Donna

CCB Tech Articles: Donna’s Low Tech Tips, Medications, May 28, 2018

May 28 2018

Medications

Hi there! It’s Donna and thank you for allowing me to come into your inbox.

Today, I’d like to talk about how we deal with medications.

If you are taking medication, you may wish to take advantage of the many pill organizers available at drug stores. Some have one section for each day; others are larger and have two or more sections for each day.

These are especially useful for people who take several kinds of pills in the morning, at lunch, at dinner, and at bedtime.

Organize medication according to frequency of use, in alphabetical order, or in categories used.

Large print or braille labels may be placed on medicine bottles to easily identify them. Any personal marking (for example, a piece of tape) will do the trick as long as it is understandable by you.

When refilling medications, simply transfer the new medicine to the old bottle or ask your pharmacist to use the same container. If your label will fit on the lid of the bottle, you only need to transfer the lid.

“Bubble Packing” service is available from drug stores. The system consists of a weekly supply of medication per card. “Days of the week” are located along the left side of the card and the “time of day” is located across the top of the card. The upper side of the card consists of a series of clear moulded elastic bubbles, containing the pills; the under side is foil. By pushing down on the bubble, and breaking the foil, medications are easily removed into your hand or small glass. Since the bubble is crushed by this procedure, it is always easy for a blind or visually impaired person to tactually check to ensure medications have been taken.

I hope that these tips are helpful to you.

If you would like to become a member of my CCB Mysteries chapter you can do so for the price of $10 annually and in return you will receive unlimited access to either of the following libraries.

Recipes –

http://www.donnajodhan.com/library-recipes.html

Audio mysteries for all ages –

http://www.donnajodhan.com/library-audio-mysteries.html

Or you can subscribe to both for the price of $20 annually.

To contact me, send me an email at info@sterlingcreations.ca and I’d be happy to respond.

Have yourselves a great day and see you next week.

Donna

Ford Develops Smart Window Prototype For Blind Passengers — Feel The View, DriveSpark.com

Ford Develops Smart Window Prototype For Blind Passengers — Feel The View!

By Rahul Nagaraj

May 7, 2018, 12:49 [IST]

Ford has developed a prototype smart window, allowing blind passengers to feel the passing landscape outside.

The ‘Feel The View’ technology was created by an Italian startup, Aedo in collaboration with Ford. The prototype uses vibrations to give a blind or partially-sighted passenger a sense of the scenery outside.

The technology takes pictures of the passing scenery from the outer side of the window. The images captured are then converted into high-contrast black and white pictures.

These monochrome images are then reproduced on the glass using special LEDs. On touching the images, the various shades of grey vibrate at different intensities up to the range of 255. These vibrations allow the blind passengers to touch the scene and rebuild the landscape in their mind.

As the finger moves over the different parts of the image, different intensities of vibrations provide haptic feedback to the person using the technology.

The smart window technology also has an AI voice assistant, which uses the car’s audio system to give the passengers a context of what they are feeling.

A Ford spokesperson stated, “We seek to make people’s lives better and this was a fantastic opportunity to help blind passengers experience a great aspect of driving. The technology is advanced, but the concept is simple – and could turn mundane journeys into truly memorable ones.”

This technology of the Smart Windows is part of Ford’s Advanced Research. The company has no plans of introducing it in the market anytime soon. This might be part of Ford’s autonomous vehicle program to research how a vehicle will interact with its passengers when travelling.

https://www.drivespark.com/four-wheelers/2018/ford-smart-window-prototype-blind-passengers-feel-the-view-025618.html

CCB Tech Articles: Donna’s Low Tech Tips, The Talking Watch, May 21, 2018

May 21 2018

Meet the talking watch

Hi there! It’s Donna and thank you for allowing me to come into your inbox.

Today, I’d like to talk about the talking watch.

I am a great advocate of the talking watch and it may not be for everyone but for those who do not know Braille and would prefer to hear the time announced out loud; then this is the perfect product for you.

The talking watch comes in all sizes and styles. Several manufacturers have put out their own version of the talking watch. There are talking watches for the man, talking watches for the lady, and talking watches for the sporty one and even more.

The talking watch is what I call a sort of backup device for you to tell the time. It is portable of course and most talking watches have an alarm set on them. You would be amazed to learn how this nifty little device can help you to keep up with your schedule. Sure! The Apple watch is now here but there is absolutely no reason to ignore the talking watch.

So go out there and make friends with the talking watch.

Here are a few places for you to contact if you are interested to learn more.

CNIB – toll free = 1800 563 2642

Frontier Computing – toll free = 1-888-480-0000

Or visit http://www.futureaids.ca

You can also call them at 1-800-987-1231

If you would like to become a member of my CCB Mysteries chapter you can do so for the price of $10 annually and in return you will receive unlimited access to either of the following libraries.

Recipes –

http://www.donnajodhan.com/library-recipes.html

Audio mysteries for all ages –

http://www.donnajodhan.com/library-audio-mysteries.html

Or you can subscribe to both for the price of $20 annually.

To contact me, send me an email at info@sterlingcreations.ca and I’d be happy to respond.

Have yourselves a great day and see you next week.

Donna

May 21 2018

Meet the talking watch

Hi there! It’s Donna and thank you for allowing me to come into your inbox.

Today, I’d like to talk about the talking watch.

So go out there and make friends with the talking watch.

Here are a few places for you to contact if you are interested to learn more.

CNIB – toll free = 1800 563 2642

Frontier Computing – toll free = 1-888-480-0000

Or visit http://www.futureaids.ca

You can also call them at 1-800-987-1231

If you would like to become a member of my CCB Mysteries chapter you can do so for the price of $10 annually and in return you will receive unlimited access to either of the following libraries.

Recipes –

http://www.donnajodhan.com/library-recipes.html

Audio mysteries for all ages –

http://www.donnajodhan.com/library-audio-mysteries.html

Or you can subscribe to both for the price of $20 annually.

To contact me, send me an email at info@sterlingcreations.ca and I’d be happy to respond.

Have yourselves a great day and see you next week.

Donna

CCB Tech Articles: Donna’s Low Tech Tips, Bathroom Tips, May 14, 2018

May 14 2018

In the bathroom

Hi there! It’s Donna and thank you for allowing me to come into your inbox.

Today, I’d like to touch on the subject of in the bathroom.

If you have a white or light- colored bathtub, buy dark colored contrasting soaps. They are easier to locate than white soap, especially if they float.

Use soap on a rope or liquid soap dispensers. They are easy to locate and you avoid the slippery soap problem.

A shower caddy (available in department stores and at hardware stores) is useful to hang over your shower head and to hold personal care items such as shampoo and soap.

A clear plastic shower curtain allows more light into the shower area than an opaque or solid one.

Use your index finger to guide a small amount of toothpaste onto your toothbrush. If you have your own personal tube of toothpaste, squeeze a small amount directly onto your finger or directly into your mouth. It’s much easier and less messy.

I hope that these tips are helpful to you.

If you would like to become a member of my CCB Mysteries chapter you can do so for the price of $10 annually and in return you will receive unlimited access to either of the following libraries.

Recipes –

http://www.donnajodhan.com/library-recipes.html

Audio mysteries for all ages –

http://www.donnajodhan.com/library-audio-mysteries.html

Or you can subscribe to both for the price of $20 annually.

To contact me, send me an email at info@sterlingcreations.ca and I’d be happy to respond.

Have yourselves a great day and see you next week.

Donna

CCB Tech Articles: Donna’s Low Tech Tips, Tactile Measuring Tape, May 7, 2018

May 07 2018

Meet the tactile measuring tape

Hi there! It’s Donna and thank you for allowing me to come into your inbox once more. Today I’d like you to meet the tactile measuring tape and it’s all in keeping with my low tech tips.

This nifty little thing as I will call it is neither a gadget or device. It is truly below the realms of technology and is simply a measuring tape with tactile dots to mark off the half and whole inches.

Whoever developed the tactile measuring tape simply used common sense to do it. I have the 60 inch version. It is made out of very sturdy material and the half and whole inch indicators are clearly marked off with dots and holes with dots representing the half inch and the holes representing the whole.

I bought the tactile measuring tape when I started learning how to knit. It is a God send to me and now I use it for so many other things. One just needs to be careful when placing it on a surface such as a table or counter. Just ensure that both ends are securely held down so that the tape itself does not slip and run away on you.

Here are a few places for you to contact if you are interested to learn more.

CNIB – toll free = 1800 563 2642

Frontier Computing – toll free = 1-888-480-0000

Or visit http://www.futureaids.ca

You can also call them at 1-800-987-1231

If you would like to become a member of my CCB Mysteries chapter you can do so for the price of $10 annually and in return you will receive unlimited access to either of the following libraries.

Recipes –

http://www.donnajodhan.com/library-recipes.html

Audio mysteries for all ages –

http://www.donnajodhan.com/library-audio-mysteries.html

Or you can subscribe to both for the price of $20 annually.

Have yourselves a great day and see you next week.

Donna

throwback Thursday, American foundation for the blind,

Throw Back Thursday: The Portable Plus

Our object this week is the last Talking Book phonograph from APH, the Portable Plus. The machine was designed and entirely assembled at the American Printing House for the Blind under an agreement with the Variable Speed Corporation. It was introduced in 1990, but APH had already stopped making rigid vinyl records for the National Library Service, and flexible records used for magazines would be phased out a few years later.

It is a lesson about how long it takes to bring a product from the drawing board to production. Sometimes it is obsolete even before you start making it. The Portable Plus only lasted a few years before it was discontinued. But while available it was a marvel. The tone arm was spring loaded and would play a record even when the machine was tipped on its side! And it had an internal rechargeable battery, so you could take it anywhere.

Micheal Hudson

APH Museum Director

Photo Caption: The Portable Plus was about 13 inches square, with a gray plastic case and a speaker in the lid.

CCB Tech Articles: Donna’s Low Tech Tips, April 30, 2018

April 30 2018

Jewellery

Hi there! It’s Donna and thank you for allowing me to come into your inbox.

Today, I’d like to touch on the subject of jewellery.

Small boxes are useful to keep items separated. In addition, everything from socks to jewellery to cassette tapes may be stored this way.

Picking through many pieces of jewellery in order to find a particular set which matches can be frustrating. Use jewellery boxes divided into a large number of sections and/or earring trees in order to keep jewellery separated.

To avoid tangled chains and necklaces, you can screw cup hooks to the inside of your closet door in order to create tangle-free hanging.

A variety of plastic trays, (for example an ice cube tray) and adjustable drawer dividers can also help when storing jewellery.

So there you go and I hope that these tips are helpful

If you would like to become a member of my CCB Mysteries chapter you can do so for the price of $10 annually and in return you

will receive unlimited access to either of the following libraries.

Recipes –

http://www.donnajodhan.com/library-recipes.html

Audio mysteries for all ages –

http://www.donnajodhan.com/library-audio-mysteries.html

Or you can subscribe to both for the price of $20 annually.

If you would like to become a member of my CCB Mysteries chapter you can do so for the price of $10 annually and in return you

will receive unlimited access to either of the following libraries.

Recipes –

http://www.donnajodhan.com/library-recipes.html

Audio mysteries for all ages –

http://www.donnajodhan.com/library-audio-mysteries.html

Or you can subscribe to both for the price of $20 annually.

Have a super day and see you next week.

CCB Tech Articles: Donna’s Low Tech Tips, Loc Dots, April 23, 2018

April 23, 2018

Meet loc dots

Hi there! It’s Donna and thank you for allowing me to come into your inbox once more. Today I’d like you to meet loc dots.

Talk about the lower levels of technology and you can easily say that loc dots is not even classified as technology. I would say that it is more like someone’s creative thinking, ingenuity, and a way to bridge the gap.

The good thing about loc dots is that it can be used by so many people. From the one who has no vision to the one who has high partial vision and those in between.

So what exactly is loc dots? They come in packages and they come in various shapes, sizes, and colors.

You can use loc dots to mark almost anything. From screens and panels to file folders, CD cases, and so on. I would recommend however that you use them to mark spots on your screens. You can use something more appropriate to mark your CD cases and I’ll talk about this in another blog.

Loc dots really do make great indicators. You peal off the back of the dot and then place it on the spot that you wish to mark.

For those with enough vision to see colors, you can definitely use the colored dots to further help you distinguish spots. However, if you are unable to use various colors then there are the various shapes or even the sizes.

I bought my packages of loc dots a few years ago and I have been having a great time using them.

So why not go out there and purchase a package of loc dots just to try them out? They are economically priced.

Here are a few places for you to contact if you are interested to learn more.

CNIB – toll free = 1800 563 2642

Frontier Computing – toll free = 1-888-480-0000

Or visit http://www.futureaids.ca

You can also call them at 1-800-987-1231

If you would like to become a member of my CCB Mysteries chapter you can do so for the price of $10 annually and in return you

will receive unlimited access to either of the following libraries.

Recipes –

http://www.donnajodhan.com/library-recipes.html

Audio mysteries for all ages –

http://www.donnajodhan.com/library-audio-mysteries.html

Or you can subscribe to both for the price of $20 annually.

If you would like to become a member of my CCB Mysteries chapter you can do so for the price of $10 annually and in return you

will receive unlimited access to either of the following libraries.

Recipes –

http://www.donnajodhan.com/library-recipes.html

Audio mysteries for all ages –

http://www.donnajodhan.com/library-audio-mysteries.html

Or you can subscribe to both for the price of $20 annually.

Have a super day and see you next week.

CCB Technology Buy, Sell and Trade Email List is up and running

Hi all. For those of you who have previously enjoyed assistive tech to donate or sell, or if there are things you seek please subscribe to this new group and hopefully you will find the perfect device, or a new home for those items no longer needed.

To register please send an email message to:

CCB-Tech-BuySellTrade+subscribe@groups.io

Tell all your friends about it as well so we can capture a large number of donors, sellers, buyers and traders. Not that we want the political type of traders, but we’ll welcome the assistive tech traders and users.

Companies may only advertise special sales and donations of used equipment, not their new offerings.

A full set of rules will be released soon, so stay tuned. Of course it stands to reason that the CCB will not assume any responsibility for the quality or value of the equipment/software exchanged on this list, and anyone offering or requesting illegal items will be removed.

Now, let’ss start trading!

Thx, Albert

***

Albert A. Ruel, GTT Coordinator

Canadian Council of the Blind (CCB)

Get Together with Technology Program (GTT)

Toll Free: 1-877-304-0968 Ext. 550

iPhone: 250-240-2343

Email: albert.GTT@CCBNational.net

GTT Blog: https://gttprogram.wordpress.com/

URL: http://ccbnational.net/fresco/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ccbnational

Facebook Group: https://m.facebook.com/groups/414313508657159?refid=27

Twitter: @GTTWest @GTTProgram @CCBNational

From an Island in the Pacific

Parksville BC Canada

“If you think you can or if you think you can’t, you’re right”.

Henry Ford

CCB Tech Articles: Donna’s Low Tech Tips, Clothing, April 16, 2018

April 16 2018

Clothing

Hi there! It’s Donna and thank you for allowing me to come into your inbox.

Today, I’d like to touch on the subject of clothing.

Clothing in a closet is easier to find when it is organized. For example, garments may be separated by color, or casual clothes may be placed at one end of your closet and formal clothing placed at the opposite end.

Place matching outfits (for example a suit jacket, shirt, tie and slacks) on one hanger or several hangers tied together.

A variety of closet organizers and shelf units are available in hardware or department stores.

To identify clothing color, cut a geometric shape (from cardboard or plastic) to place over the hanger.

Put a large print and/or braille label on the geometric shape.

In order to distinguish one clothing item from another, look for differences in texture, style, type of buttons, collars, hems, etc.

If you have two pieces of clothing which are identical except for color, attach a small safety pin to the tag or label of one garment; sew one button or several buttons on the inside of a hem or a seam to identify colors. (Small, flat buttons work best.) Similarly, small braille clothing tags or an embroidery stitch can be placed on the underside of a garment to indicate color on similar designs of clothing.

That’s it from me for today and I hope that my tips are helpful.

If you would like to become a member of my CCB Mysteries chapter you can do so for the price of $10 annually and in return you will receive unlimited access to either of the following libraries.

Recipes –

http://www.donnajodhan.com/library-recipes.html

Audio mysteries for all ages –

http://www.donnajodhan.com/library-audio-mysteries.html

Or you can subscribe to both for the price of $20 annually.

Have a super day and see you next week.

Alexa Is a Revelation for the Blind – The Atlantic

Legally blind since age 18, my father missed out on the first digital revolution.
— Read on www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2018/05/what-alexa-taught-my-father/556874/

CCB Tech Articles, Donna’s Low Tech Tips, Talking Timer, April 9, 2018

April 09 2018

Meet the talking timer

Hi there! It’s Donna and thank you for allowing me to come into your inbox. As mentioned previously, I would like to concentrate on the lower levels of technology and today I’d like you to meet the talking timer.

Ah yes! The talking timer and over the years this precious commodity has both shrunk in size and cost. There was a time when the talking timer was not very portable and it was also extremely clumsy and clunky in shape. Today however, the talking timer has shrunk in both size and cost and it is even now possible for you to stuff one in your pocket or purse.

The cost of a talking timer has also dropped dramatically and you can now buy one for less than $20. The nice thing about the talking timer is that there is a variety of styles and sizes for you to choose from. Some talking timers come with a talking clock add on while others do not. I have both.

You can get a talking timer for your kitchen or have one that clips on to your belt. I have a talking timer/clock that gives me the option of choosing different sounds for when the timer goes off and I also have one that does not give me the option. They are both very portable and I can clip them onto my belt.

You’ll have to find the one that best suits you. Just make sure that the one you want is the one you end up with. The talking timer is a very nifty little gadget to have. Use it to time your cooking and baking. Use it when you wish to time yourself while you are pedaling away on your exercising equipment or use it for anything else. The ones that I have work with triple A batteries.

Of course, the talking timer is now competing with other types of talking timers that can be found on your i device and on your appliances.

Here are a few places for you to contact if you are interested to learn more.

CNIB – toll free = 1800 563 2642

Frontier Computing – toll free = 1-888-480-0000

Or visit http://www.futureaids.ca

You can also call them at 1-800-987-1231

So have fun now with your talking timer and see you next week.

If you would like to become a member of my CCB Mysteries chapter you can do so for the price of $10 annually and in return you will receive unlimited access to either of the following libraries.

Recipes –

http://www.donnajodhan.com/library-recipes.html

Audio mysteries for all ages –

http://www.donnajodhan.com/library-audio-mysteries.html

Or you can subscribe to both for the price of $20 annually.

Resource: How to Read Text Using Headings with a Screen Reader

How to Use Headings

Taken from:

http://www.washington.edu/accessibility/documents/word/

Using good heading structure helps people without eyesight to understand how the document is organized. Screen reader and Braille users can also jump between headings, which makes navigation much more efficient than if there are no headings.

Making text larger and bold does not make it a heading. In order to convert text to a heading in Microsoft Word, you must use the built-in Heading styles like “Heading 1” and “Heading 2”, available under Styles in the Home tab of the Ribbon in Office versions 2010 and higher.

Headings should form an outline, using the “Heading 1” style for the main heading, and “Heading 2” for sub-headings. If there are additional levels of headings within the document’s outline, using “Heading 3”, “Heading 4”, etc.

End of quoted text.

Instructions Written by Albert Ruel:

To create section headings in your documents, do the following:

Highlight the text you wish to turn into a Heading. Note, the entire paragraph will be turned into a Heading if the text you wish to use isn’t on its own line. For example: The Contacts Section of a document might be created as follows;

For more information contact:

Sally, Sue, Bill or Jack at 1-888-555-1234.

If the names of the individuals were left on the same line as the Heading, it too would have been marked as a Level 1 Heading. For screen reader users it is cumbersome to hear an entire paragraph read as a Heading, so keep those bits of text short.

To create a level 1 Heading with the selected text, hold down the Alt and Control keys and press the number 1 on the number row. Conversely, levels 2 and 3 can be created as above, and Levels 4, 5 and 6 Headings can only be created by accessing the Styles Sheet in the Ribbons.

To access Headings when reading text with a screen reader:

To list all the Headings in a document or email message, hold down the Insert key while pressing the F6 key.
Arrow through the list to read each Heading, or use First Letter command to locate a specific Heading. Note, your screen reader will announce after each Heading the corresponding number of the Heading.
Press the Enter key on the Heading you wish to access and your cursor will be placed at that location within the document, web page or email message.

Using the letter H for accessing Headings in MS Word:

Hold down the Insert key while pressing the letter Z to turn Quick Keys on. This action takes you out of edit mode and allows you to press the letter H to move from one Heading to the next, or Shift H to move backward from Heading to Heading.
Once you have located the desired Heading and want to return to edit mode you will hold down the Insert key while pressing the letter Z again to turn Quick Keys off.

*Note: pressing the letter H will navigate all the Headings in a document in the order they appear, and using Shift H will have you accessing them in reverse order.

An additional means of accessing Headings:

To access the Level 1 Headings, press the number 1 on the number row. This will take you to the first occurrence of a Level 1 Heading, and pressing it again will take you to the next occurrence. Shift number 1 will move the cursor backward through the Level 1 Headings.
Once a Level 1 Heading is located, pressing the number 2 on the number row will have the cursor landing on the first Level 2 Heading found below that Level 1 Heading.
Once the desired section of a Web Page, MS Word document or Email message is found, you can press your down arrow keys to read the text found below that Heading.
If the desired Heading is also marked as a Link, pressing the Enter key will activate the Link.

*Note: Don’t forget to hold down the Insert key while pressing the letter Z to turn Quick Keys off and return to edit mode. Quick Keys is only needed in MS Word or when creating an Outlook email message. It is not needed on the web or when reading an email message because edit mode is not turned on when doing those functions.

Instructions for Subscribing to the CCB Podcast Feed with Victor Reader Stream, by Gerry Chevalier

Subscribe to CCB Podcast Feed with Victor Reader Stream

By Gerry Chevalier, GTT Edmonton

To subscribe to the Canadian Council of the Blind’s podcast feed with your Victor Reader Stream new generation, follow these steps.

Press the Online button above key 2 to reach the online bookshelves.
If your Stream announces that airplane mode is on then press and hold the Online button to turn off airplane mode.
Press key 1 multiple times to reach the Podcast bookshelf.
Press the Go To key above key 1 multiple times to find the option to add a podcast feed and then press the Confirm key to the right of key 0.
Press keys 2 or 8 to reach the Title search option and then press the Confirm key.
The Stream is now in text entry mode, so you can enter the title of the feed you wish to add. Type “Canadian Council” on the number pad keys. For example, to enter “c”, press key 2 three times, to enter “a”, press key 2 once, to enter “n” press key 6 twice and so on. Don’t worry about entering uppercase. If you make a mistake, press the Rewind key once to erase the previous letter. Enter the space between words by pressing key 0. If you wish help press the Sleep key to enable a key describer feature where you can press any key to hear which letters are mapped to that key. Press the Sleep key again to return to text entry mode.
When you finish typing the title, press the Fast Forward button to the right of the PLAY key to verify what you have typed.
When the title search string is correct, press the Confirm key to the right of key 0 to start the search.
The search results will appear. Press key 6 to move through the results until you find “The Canadian Council of the Blind Podcast, CCB Program Staff”. Then press the Confirm key to subscribe to this feed.
Press the Cancel key to the left of key 0 three times to exit the search function and return to the bookshelf. Press the Confirm key to open the new CCB podcast feed.
IF you have not modified your Stream’s default podcast settings, then the 3 most recent episodes of the podcast will start to download. IF your Stream is set for manual download you will need to press Confirm to activate the option to get more episodes, then use keys 4 or 6 to find an episode, and press Confirm to download the episode.

To listen to an episode:

Press key 1 multiple times to reach the Podcast bookshelf.
Press key 4 or 6 multiple times to reach the Canadian Council of the Blind feed. Then press Confirm to open the feed.
Press keys 4 or 6 multiple times to find the episode you wish to listen to. You may press key 5 to hear a description of an episode. When you find the episode you wish to listen to, press the Play key.
To delete an episode, press key 3 followed by the Confirm key. You will be asked to press the Confirm key again to confirm deletion.
If you want to find new episodes press key 4 until you reach the option to Get More Episodes and press Confirm.
The list of episodes that are available for download will appear. Press keys 4 or 6 multiple times to find a desired episode and press Confirm to download it.
When you are finished looking for new episodes to download, press key 4 multiple times to find the option to show downloaded episodes and press the Confirm key.

[End]

Tech Article: Apps That Assist Beginners With Learning Voice Over Gestures

Here are some recommendations for apps that might help new iPhone users learn the iPhone gestures.

These are four apps I think are helpful in learning the VoiceOver gestures of the iPhone. They are all free, I think.

The Blindfold Bop one is free, however limited in how many times you can use it, so I purchased it for about $6 which allows me unlimited use of the app.

Below I have provided a link to the entire list of iFocus MP3 files in my Dropbox folder. It is a Zipped file that you can download to your computer.

VO Starter, is an app that is text based and explains the VO gestures well in a well organized fashion. It’s a great manual for learning what’s possible.
Blindfold Bop, is a game based tutorial that gets you to practice gestures with ever increasing speeds and complexity.
VO Tutorial, is an app that works the user through several games requiring that gestures be performed in order to work through the game. It’s great for beginners.
VO Lab, I found this one less helpful as it gets the user to turn off VO and use a self-voicing voice. It might be too confusing for beginners. I don’t like it, and it’s possible that others will learn from it so I included it.

Of course, VO Calendar is a great way to use the Calendar with an accessible and usable overlay on the native on board Calendar app.

iFocus MP3 Zipped File (nearly 3GB):

https://www.dropbox.com/s/nytxnwzs544p4on/ifocus%20MP3%20Files.zip?dl=1

Thx, Albert

Get Together with Technology (GTT) on Twitter and Facebook

GTT on Twitter and Facebook

Get Together with Technology (GTT)

Sponsored by the Canadian Council of the Blind (CCB)

GTT is an exciting initiative of the Canadian Council of the Blind, founded in 2011 by Kim Kilpatrick and Ellen Goodman. GTT aims to help people who are blind or have low vision in their exploration of low vision and blindness related access technology. Through involvement with GTT participants can learn from and discuss assistive technology with others walking the same path of discovery.

GTT is made up of blindness related assistive technology users, and those who have an interest in using assistive technology designed to help blind and vision impaired people level the playing field. GTT groups interact through social media, and periodically meet in-person or by teleconference to share their passions for assistive technology and to learn what others can offer from their individual perspectives.

To follow, and join in on the discussions undertaken my members of the Get Together with Technology initiative of the Canadian Council of the Blind, please find us on Twitter and Facebook.

GTT Program on Twitter:

To stay in touch with GTT on Twitter please follow the three Twitter Feeds listed below:

@GTTProgram @GTTWest @CCBNational

GTTProgram on Facebook:

To follow GTT on Facebook like and share the following FB Pages:

CCBNational GTTProgram

Or join the General and Youth GTTProgram Facebook Groups;

Join the GTTProgram Group for blindness related assistive technology discussions. This group welcomes participants of all ages. For more information contact Kim or Albert at GTTProgram@Gmail.com or Albert.GTT@CCBNational.net.

Join the GTTYouth for lively discussion on matters related to blindness assistive technology. Canadian Youth aged 18 to 25 are encouraged to join this group. For more information contact Rebecca.GTT@CCBNational.net.

For more information please contact your GTT Coordinators:

Albert Ruel or Kim Kilpatrick

1-877-304-0968,550 1-877-304-0968,513

albert.GTT@CCBNational.net GTTProgram@Gmail.com

CCB Backgrounder:

The CCB was founded in 1944 by a coalition of blind war veterans, schools of the blind and local chapters to create a national self-governing organization. The CCB was incorporated by Letters Patent on May 10, 1950 and is a registered charity under the provisions of the Income Tax Act (Canada).

The purpose of the CCB is to give people with vision loss a distinctive and unique perspective before governments. CCB deals with the ongoing effects of vision loss by encouraging active living and rehabilitation through peer support and social and recreational activities.

CCB promotes measures to conserve sight, create a close relationship with the sighted community and provide employment opportunities.

The CCB recognizes that vision loss has no boundaries with respect to gender, income, ethnicity, culture, other disabilities or age.

The CCB understands in many instances vision loss is preventable and sometimes is symptomatic of other health issues. For the 21st century, the CCB is committed to an integrated proactive health approach for early detection to improve the quality of life for all Canadians.

As the largest membership organization of the blind and partially sighted in Canada the CCB is the “Voice of the Blind™”.

CCB National Office

100-20 James Street Ottawa ON K2P 0T6

Toll Free: 1-877-304-0968

Email: info@ccbnational.net URL: www.ccbnational.net

Guest Post: AbleTech Collects Assistive Technology Donations for Fiji School for the Blind

AbleTech Collects Assistive Technology Donations for Fiji School for the Blind

AbleTech has chosen the Fiji School for the Blind as the recipient of many low vision and blindness related products that have been generously donated

by clients and manufacturers. These items are collected and once a year AbleTech makes arrangements to ship the items to Fiji.

“These items are a god send and change lives for people who normally could not afford them” says Amit Ram, community liaison with the school.

If you have gently used and working technology that you are no longer using and are looking for a good home for it, please contact AbleTech at 604-532-8030

toll free at 1-866-374-6776 or via email at info@abletech.ca

Your generosity will make a difference!

Thank you.

Richard Robinson

President

AbleTech Assistive Technologies Inc.

AbleTech – Working to bring assistive technologies to people with disabilities since 1999

http://abletech.ca/news/

Used Assistive Technology Market Places

If you are holding on to previously enjoyed blindness related assistive tech and would like to find a new home for it, here are two opportunities.

For those items you wish to give away, please contact Albert Ruel through the CCB’s GTT program and I will attempt to connect you with someone who needs your generous donation. I can be reached at 250-240-2343 or Albert.GTT@CCBNational.net.

If you want to sell your previously enjoyed assistive tech, Canadian Assistive Technology are offering an opportunity for people who have left-over blindness related assistive tech that you’d like to sell. People just need to let Steve know how much they want for their stuff and he’ll post it. For more info contact Steve directly.

Gently Used Equipment Marketplace

http://www.canasstech.com

Phone: 1-604-367-9480

Toll Free: 1-844-795-8324

Steve@CanAssTech.com

GTT Re-Purposing Initiative: Used Assistive Devices Wanted

Used Assistive Devices Wanted!

Do you, or someone you know have a used VR Stream, a talking blood glucose monitor or a magnifier you’re no longer using, and if so are you willing to make it available for others to enjoy going forward? The above are simply examples of devices that might do well to be recycled.

Some GTT members across the country are seeking donations of such devices, or at least a very low price for the re-purposing of your previously enjoyed assistive tech, so please let us know what is gathering dust in a drawer somewhere, and we’ll help you put it back into circulation.

If you have some devices available for this re-purposing initiative please let Albert Ruel know, along with the condition of said equipment and how you wish to see it re-enter circulation. I will endeavour to put donors and recipients together for such an exchange, or facilitate the exchange as might best suit the participants.

If you have something you wish to make available, if you’re in need of something, or if you merely want to know more please contact Albert at 250-240-2343 or by email at:

Albert.GTT@CCBNational.net

Thx, Albert

Albert A. Ruel, GTT Coordinator

Canadian Council of the Blind (CCB)

Get Together with Technology Program (GTT)

Toll Free: 1-877-304-0968 Ext. 550

iPhone: 250-240-2343

Email: albert.GTT@CCBNational.net

GTT Blog: https://gttprogram.wordpress.com/

URL: http://ccbnational.net/fresco/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ccbnational

Facebook Group: https://m.facebook.com/groups/414313508657159?refid=27