On Aug 13, 2016, at 8:12 AM, Vic Pereira <vic.pereira@virn.ca> wrote:
Greetings

 

Below is the note I just posted to VIRN’s iDevice Users distribution group. For those of you who are Shaw subscribers and using an Apple device with VoiceOver you might be interested in trying Shaw’s Free Range TV app.

 

From: Vic Pereira [mailto:vic.pereira@virn.ca] 

Sent: 13-Aug-16 10:10 AM

To: ‘*iDevice Users’ <ideviceusers@virn.ca>

Subject: Shaw Free Range TV

 

Good day everyone

 

If you use VoiceOver with your Apple Device, I found that Shaw’s Free Range TV app works very nicely. In settings it is possible to enable audio description. This way when a program has the audio description track it will play.

 

With VoiceOver I was able to search for programs and sur the channels. This was a pleasant surprise after my less than positive experience with the Showmi free trial.

 

Vic

I am excited that the Orbit braille reader is now on the CNIB web store for pre-order.
Go to
http://www.shopcnib.ca
You will need to give them a $50 deposit.
The full price will be $499 for a 20 cell braille display that pairs with IOS and android by Bluetooth.
It has and SD card slot which can be loaded with text or BRF books.
It has a very rudimentary braille note taking feature.
There are no cursor routing keys but the braille display feels beautiful and reading using IOs or on the SD card has worked beautifully.
It is light and compact and feels durable.
I tested it once in the winter and saw it again very recently.
We will be talking about it on our next GTT national conference call on Wednesday August 17.
If you pre-order the orbit, you will receive and e-mail when the first shipment comes in in late October asking if you want to pay the balance or want your money returned.
I am so excited that someone has brought the cost of refreshable braille down.
Hopefully this is the start of an avalanche of more affordable braille technology for all.

If anyone has questions, please contact me at
(613) 567-0311
1-877-304-0968
gttprogram@gmail.com
Posted by Kim Kilpatrick

Our next national GTT conference call will take place on Wednesday august 17 at 7 PM eastern.Note this is a change just for August.

More to follow.

Here is the link to download the MS Word version of the below text.
resource list – aebc – word version

FREE OR INEXPENSIVE ACCESSIBILITY SOLUTIONS AND RESOURCES: PC, IPHONE, MAC & ANDROID

During the 2016 AEBC National conference, the Access to Information and Copyright committee held a panel presentation about free and inexpensive accessibility software and built-in accessibility solutions based on universal design.

Below, you will find a list of compiled resources that may be of interest to those who would like to learn more about the solutions that were discussed. This is by no means an exhaustive or complete list, but we thank all those who submitted resources and hope that this list is helpful.

Note: Jaws and Window-Eyes users can quickly navigate to each section of this document by turning on “quick key navigation” (by pressing insert + Z) and using the letter H to navigate to each section heading. Shift H will allow you to navigate to previous headings. Once done, turn quick key navigation mode off by pressing Insert + Z again.

PC

NVDA Screen Reader
http://www.nvaccess.org/

Outlook 2010 with Jaws, Window-Eyes, and System Access
Compiled by: Anna Dresner
http://www.nbp.org/ic/nbp/OUTLOOK2010KC.html?id=qE66SWnH

Windows 10 Keystroke Compendium
by: Dean Martineau
http://www.nbp.org/ic/nbp/WIN10-REF.html?id=qE66SWnH

iPhone/iOS:

Website: VoiceOver Made Easy (lessons)
http://www.voiceover-easy.net/default.aspx#Top

Website: Apple Vis – Empowering Blind and Low Vision Apple Users
http://www.applevis.com/

Website: Hadley Institute for the Blind and Visually Impaired – iFocus: Tips on Using the Vision Accessibility Features in iOS
http://www.hadley.edu/InstructionalVideos.asp

iFeelaGrams: Tactile Screenshots for iPad and iOS8
by: Tom Dekker
http://www.nbp.org/ic/nbp/IFEEL-IPAD-8.html

Getting Started with the iPhone and iOS 9 (IPHONE-IOS9)
By: Anna Dresner
http://www.nbp.org/ic/nbp/IPHONE-IOS9.html

iOS 9 Reference Card
by: Anna Dresner
http://www.nbp.org/ic/nbp/IOS9-REF.html

iOS 9 Without the Eye
by: Jonathan Mosen
http://www.nbp.org/ic/nbp/IOS9-EYE.html

Anyone Can Play: Accessible Games for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch
edited by Judith Dixon
http://www.nbp.org/ic/nbp/APPSGAMES.html

Out and About: Our Favorite iOS Travel Apps
by: Judy Dixon and Doug Wakefield
http://www.nbp.org/ic/nbp/APPSOUT.html

Get the Picture! Viewing the World with the iPhone Camera
by: Judith Dixon
http://www.nbp.org/ic/nbp/GETPIC.html

Twenty-two Useful Apps for Blind iPhone Users (Second Edition: 2013)
by: Peter Cantisani
http://www.nbp.org/ic/nbp/APPS.html

‘iOS in the Classroom: A Guide for Teaching Students with Visual Impairments, iOS 9 Edition’
By: Larry L. Lewis
http://www.afb.org/store/Pages/ShoppingCart/ProductDetails.aspx?ProductId=978-0-89128-735-3&ruling=Yes

iOS Access for All: Your Comprehensive Guide to Accessibility for iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch (iOS 9 Edition)
by: Shelly Brisbin
http://www.iosaccessbook.com/

website: Fedora Outlier LLC
http://www.fedoraoutlier.com

Apple TV

Stream It! Music, Movies, and More with Apple TV and VoiceOver
By: Jonathan Mosen
http://www.nbp.org/ic/nbp/APPLETV.html

MAC:

Website: Apple Vis – Empowering Blind and Low Vision Apple Users
http://www.applevis.com/

VoiceOver with the Brailliant Braille Display
by: April Brown
https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1127958260

Everything You Need to Know to Use the Mac with El Capitan and VoiceOver
By: Janet Ingber
http://www.nbp.org/ic/nbp/MAC-CAPITAN.html

Mac Reference Guide
By: Janet Ingber
http://www.nbp.org/ic/nbp/MAC-REF.html

Everything You Need to Know to Use the Mac with Yosemite and VoiceOver
By: Janet Ingber
http://www.nbp.org/ic/nbp/MAC-YOSEMITE.html

Mastering the Macintosh with VoiceOver
By: Tim Sniffen
http://www.applevis.com/forum/os-x-mac-app-discussion/free-ibook-mastering-macintosh-voiceover

Website: Fedora Outlier LLC
http://www.fedoraoutlier.com

Audio Performance Series (learning how to use software such as Logic Pro, Garage Band, etc) – for purchase:
http://www.audioperformanceseries.com

Android:

Website: Inclusive Android
http://inclusiveandroid.com

Website Post: List of App Recommendations for Blind and Partially Sighted Android Users
By: Jeffrey Stark
http://blog.blackspheretech.com/?p=306

Website: AccessWorld® Newsletter – February 2016 – Best Android Apps for People with Low Vision
By: Shelly Brisbin
https://www.afb.org/afbpress/pub.asp?DocID=aw170208

Online session Notes on Android and Android Accessibility by Jeffrey Stark:
http://blog.blackspheretech.com/?p=330

GTT Vancouver Summary Notes
June 15, 2016

Sponsored by the Canadian Council of the Blind in partnership with Blind Beginnings

Web Searches

Present: 12 Members: Presenters Monty Lilburn and Matthew Alvernaz, and summary notes by Clement Chou.

-What searching is

– search engines and search tools have replaced libraries, and web browsers have become the equivalent of library cards to grant access
– a search engine is an indexed database of information which is broken down into sections

-different types of searching

– there are search engines which are more general such as google and others
– There are also more specialized search engines built into websites and applications EG: amazon, translink, etc
– any time there is a place to enter text and hitting a search button, it is essentially using a search engine

-tools used in searching
– bing
– wolfram alpha
– yahoo
– wikipedia
– siri
– social media; facebook, twitter

-search engines (how they work, why they exist, advertising ETC)
– two types of search engines: open source or free, developed by scientists for information gathering, or more specific search engines developed by companies for profit
– search engines exist to gather information on individuals in order to make money off advertising
– search engines acquire information by going through IP addresses in sequential numbers, and indexes all the data from every single link on every website
– on average, google pulls new information on a weekly basis, or in the case of more popular websites, more often
– google builds individual profiles by using digital information called a cookie
– deleting this information can make it hard to be tracked by search engines, but also may make it less convenient in areas such as logging into websites, clearing visitted links, etc
– if you remove cookies, search engines will attempt to track the same information using your IP address instead
– most search engines also have mobile versions of websites with less clutter for easier use with screen readers
– however these mobile websites may disappear due to Google’s mandate for all websites to be optomized for mobile devices
– screen reader users should make use of quick nav commands EG: h for headings in google search results, e for edit boxes, v for visited links, etc
– google will try and automatically complete your search for you, but it can be turned off by clicking on a link at the top of the page

-covering specific engines: (E.G Google, Bing, Translink ETC)
– google will try and automatically complete your search for you, but it can be turned off by clicking on a link at the top of the page
– imageidentify.com, a subsection of wolfram alpha will attempt to identify visual images using computer scanning

-General search engine tips/tricks
– using google operators EG: quotes around a specific phrase, a – dash or minus to exclude a result, * or star as a wild card in case you are unsure of spelling
– not all operators work on all websites
– in modern browsers, you can also search from the same area where you would typically enter a web address
– you can search for information either from a website directly, or use the operator site: followed by the site address with a space, followed by your search terms

Search Engines and Fun
– you can use wolfram alpha to figure out fun things such as scrabble word point values, or how many marbles fit in a 747
– if you put hash tags with a topic, similar to facebook and twitter, they will also work

Live Search Examples
– if performing a google search, you can exclude smaller words such as a, the, or, only keywords are important
–

A good resource on Google searching operaters is:

https://support.google.com/websearch/answer/2466433?hl=en

During the July meeting we will have a presentation by Steve Barclay, COO of Aroga Technologies. He will demonstrate both low vision and blindness products that are new on the market, as well as several items we’ve come to know and use.

The next meeting is on the 3rd Wednesday, July 20, 2016 from 10:00 AM until 12:00 PM at the Blind Beginnings office.

*Note:Neither Kim Kilpatrick or I have tested this device. If any of you have experienced it please let Kim or I know so we can have you present during a GTT National Conference Call.

Wearable Device to Guide People With Vision Disabilities

“It is better than any cane or guide dogs”. That is how a user describes a new assistive device in the market for people with vision disabilities. Another 20-yr-old B.Com student says, “I feel liberated. There is a sense of freedom. I am very, very happy.”

http://globalaccessibilitynews.com/2016/06/13/wearable-device-to-guide-people-with-vision-disabilities/

Global Accessibility News, June 13, 2016

Blind Cane UserRelegating the traditional blind man’s walking stick to the past, a recently developed wearable device in the form of a ring seeks to change the way the people with vision disabilities can move around.

This mobility device can help a person with vision disability navigate his way by sending haptic feedback or vibrations through the sense of touch.

The founder of Live Braille, Abhinav Verma, describes the product as “the only fully wearable ETA (Electronic Travel Aid) that allows you to simply swipe your hand in the air to know your environment in an instant, spot obstacles and walk much faster.”

The ring like device has two ultrasonic range finders that can detect the distance and speed of an object it is pointed towards. What is more, it can also detect whether the object is a wall, a book or a human being in the range of up to 3.5 metres. This is achieved through at least ten different kinds of signals that the device can send through a combination of amplitude and intensity of vibrations.

“Live Braille is 100 times better than the best mobility device widely available across the globe,” claims the 21-year-old Verma. Comparing the device with UltraCane, another popular electronic mobility aiding gadget used worldwide, Abhinav says, ” Live Braille is much more precise in terms of its feedback which takes 1/50th of a second thus allowing a person to move around faster.”

The weight of the product at 30 gms and its battery life give it an edge over other similar aids, according to Verma.

Live Braille is available in two versions Mini and Mini E (Education) for $299 and $700 respectively. In India though Mini is available at a subsidised price of Rs 6999 and has to be procured through an NGO.

While a Mini takes 45 minutes to recharge, a Mini E takes 60 minutes but has double the battery life.

Mini E can also record and store audio books and be used to listen to them, besides playing FM radio.

It comes with a no-questions-asked return policy to boot.

The young entrepreneur based in Chandigarh is a graduate from a university in Punjab and got the idea during an inter-college level competition on developing devices for people with vision disabilities.

He says, “I wanted to eliminate the whole concept of a cane.”

At the age of 18, Abhinav Verma developed a prototype of Live Braille and got it patented. Finally, in March this year the product was launched and within a span of three months it is already being sold in 16 countries. He refuses to disclose the number of customers but says the figure is “competitive” and that the Royal National Institute of Blind People and American Federation for the Blind are amongst his clients.

Calling Live Braille a “freedom device”, Verma hopes to make his company ‘Embryo S’ an equivalent of Apple for people with vision disabilities, and aims at developing assistive products for all kinds of disabilities.

Canadian Council of the Blind

Get Together with Technology (GTT) Nanaimo Meeting
Summary Notes
June 2, 2016

The meeting took place at the 710 Club from 1:00 until 3:00 PM at 285 Prideaux Street.

Albert opened with welcome followed by roll call. In attendance were Hugh M, Donna H, Albert R, Henk P, Debbie H, Shauna S and John O. John was welcomed as a visitor from the GTT Vancouver group.
Steve Barclay from Aroga Technologies was introduced and made welcome. We then had our usual opening session, providing the opportunity for networking and to bring up questions for the group.

First, we had a brief discussion that resulted in a decision not to have meetings in July and August. The next meeting will be in the usual location on Thursday, September 1, 2016. Albert pointed out that even without meetings over the summer, people can have time to think and let us know about topics for meetings once we resume in September.

With no further items for the general discussion, we moved on to Steve’s NuEyes presentation. Steve explained that NuEyes is the First ever lightweight, wireless, head worn, voice activated device for the visually impaired. NuEyes Easy is a very simple product to use and can be either operated with a wireless controller included with the product or using simple voice commands. The feature list includes:
• Read and write using NuEyes
• Watch TV and Movies
• See the faces of loved ones
• Continue hobbies such as reading music and playing cards
• Regain visual independence
• Variable Magnification from 1x-12x
• Various contrast and color changes
• Voice Activated
• Wireless
• Lightweight Design
• Operates on the Android platform
• 2 Year Warranty

For more information, visit the Aroga website at http://www.aroga.com/nueyes-easy-glasses/.

Steve also described the features of, and demonstrated the BrailleNote Touch from Humanware. This is the latest Braille Note Taker to come on the market and promises to make a valuable contribution to the independence of blind students, employees and people who need access to a variety of sources of information. This device also runs on the Android platform so offers many Google Play Store apps beyond the traditional Note Taker suite of apps.

And finally, Steve showed us the portable and productivity features of the Humanware Prodigi Connect. This portable video magnification device has many other benefits, like the ability to scan and read documents, scan and enlarge photos and other graphics/hand writing, connect to large monitors and allow the user to access the full suite of Android apps available on the Google Play Store.

To learn more visit the web site, or contact Steve Barclay, COO of Aroga Technologies at:
http://www.Aroga.com
1-800-561-6222
Steve@Aroga.com

After Steve’s presentation, the meeting was adjourned so people could check out the various products.

Respectfully submitted,

Albert Ruel, GTT Coordinator, Western Canada

Canadian Council of the Blind

Get Together with Technology (GTT) Victoria Meeting
Summary Notes
June 1, 2016

The meeting took place in the Community Room in the Public Library at 735 Broughton Street.

Albert opened with welcome followed by roll call. There were at least 25 people in attendance, four or five of whom were sighted guides, spouses, or library staff. He then introduced our guest, Steve Barclay from Aroga Technologies. We then had our usual opening session, providing the opportunity for networking and to bring up questions for the group.

First, we had a brief discussion that resulted in a decision not to have meetings in July and August. The next meeting will be in the usual location on Wednesday, September 7.

Tom pointed out that even without meetings over the summer, people can have time to think and let us know about topics for meetings once we resume in September. We are also continuing with the finalization of the briefing note regarding BC Transit’s use of the Trekker Breeze as its stop announcement system.

We’re also exploring the possibilities of launching a pilot project in Victoria, using iBeacons for indoor navigation at the library, City Hall, or even a centrally located commercial facility such as the Bay Centre. This would allow people with mobile devices to locate specific stores or offices. It would also provide descriptions of washroom layouts before entering, or on-demand description of advertising – any info that the iBeacon owner wishes to make available. We are still at the initial research and inquiry stage, but we know that this is already being done successfully in some locations.

There was some discussion around the systems that provide audio description in museums, at art exhibits, etc., but these are provided via dedicated systems that use infrared or other technologies. This would include the FM systems used to provide descriptive action in theatre productions such as the ones at the Belfry theatre.

Several members said how much they enjoyed the recent Monday Movie presentation at Eric Martin, where the description was played through the sound system along with the movie soundtrack. A few sighted patrons found it distracting but most felt that it was an interesting experience. The Movie Monday organizers said that they were definitely interested in exploring further video description possibilities, including an FM system for those who want to hear the description.

We also reminded participants that more and more video description is becoming available through the SAP (Special Audio Programming) channel of their cable TV provider. Also, Netflix is getting more descriptive video, and the iOS Netflix app is seeing lots of accessibility improvement.

We ended this segment of the meeting by thanking Steve Barclay for Aroga’s sponsorship of several described plays at the Belfry last season.

Linda Bartram informed us that the Pacific Training Centre will be opening at the DRC in September but that they already have two accessible computers there, available for public use. Those who wish orientation to the computers should contact Sky Mundell.

With no further items for the general discussion, we moved on to Steve’s NuEyes presentation. Steve explained that NuEyes is the First ever lightweight, wireless, head worn, voice activated device for the visually impaired. NuEyes Easy is a very simple product to use and can be either operated with a wireless controller included with the product or using simple voice commands. The feature list includes:
• Read and write using NuEyes
• Watch TV and Movies
• See the faces of loved ones
• Continue hobbies such as reading music and playing cards
• Regain visual independence
• Variable Magnification from 1x-12x
• Various contrast and color changes
• Voice Activated
• Wireless
• Lightweight Design
• Operates on the Android platform
• 2 Year Warranty

For more information, visit the Aroga website at http://www.aroga.com/nueyes-easy-glasses/.

Steve also described the features of, and demonstrated the BrailleNote Touch from Humanware. This is the latest Braille Note Taker to come on the market and promises to make a valuable contribution to the independence of blind students, employees and people who need access to a variety of sources of information. This device also runs on the Android platform so offers many Google Play Store apps beyond the traditional Note Taker suite of apps.

And finally, Steve showed us the portable and productivity features of the Humanware Prodigi Connect. This video magnification device has many other benefits, like the ability to scan and read documents, scan and enlarge photos and other graphics/hand writing, connect to large monitors and allow the user to access the full suite of Android apps available on the Google Play Store.

To learn more visit the web site, or contact Steve Barclay, COO of Aroga Technologies at:
http://www.Aroga.com
1-800-561-6222
Steve@Aroga.com

After Steve’s presentation, the meeting was adjourned so people could check out the various products.

Respectfully submitted,

Tom Dekker, GTT Victoria Coordinator

NEWS RELEASE

VIRN Announces Addition of NNELS to Voice Dream Reader App for Android and iOS

Monday, June 13, 2016

The Vision Impaired Resource Network (VIRN) is pleased to announce that NNELS, the National Network for Equitable Library Service, is now available as a default content source in Voice Dream Reader.

Voice Dream Reader is an accessible reading app for iOS and Android devices that reads books in digital text or audio formats. Using this app, eligible public library cardholders can download books directly from the NNELS website (
https://nnels.ca)
and listen to them immediately.

This addition of NNELS to the Voice Dream App is an initiative by VIRN, whose community includes many regular readers. Public library user and VIRN Board Chair Vic Pereira wanted NNELS to be easy to find on his phone, and brought the idea of adding NNELS to the app to VIRN members who acted on the idea by contacting the Voice Dream developer.

“What we appreciate most about NNELS is that it makes everyone part of mainstream library service,” says Doris Koop, Executive Director of VIRN.

“NNELS means that people with print disabilities – any vision, mobility, or cognitive impairment that prevents them from being able to read a print book – can get books from the library,” says Vic Pereira, “Our personal information is private and protected, as it should be for everyone, and our book requests are taken seriously, as they are by all librarians when they’re asked to purchase specific books for the library’s shelves.”

NNELS is a provincially and territorially funded online public library available at no charge to eligible residents of Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Saskatchewan, and Yukon. The service provider for NNELS is the BC Libraries Cooperative, a national co-op providing libraries and related organizations with the services, cost savings, and support they need to do great work in Canadian communities.

How to add NNELS to Voice Dream Reader? Open the app and tap on either the Add link (a plus symbol) or the Settings option (a gear symbol). Then, under Content Sources choose “Add website” and select NNELS from the list of options. If you are not already registered with NNELS, please contact your local public library or visit the website at:
https://nnels.ca.

NNELS is available directly to individuals, or with downloading assistance from their local public libraries.

VIRN is a non-profit organization that delivers programs and activities focused on providing the positive experiences and information that help people who are vision impaired lead fully inclusive and productive lives. VIRN offers a number of successful programs focused on peer support, public education, active living, and training. Current projects include a Braille embossing service, consulting services, and a ten-year popular Tech-Ease Drop-In program where people can share what they know about technology, and ongoing recreational activities, training, networking, and mentorship.

For more information visit our website:
http://www.virn.ca
Email:
info@virn.ca
Phone: 1-888-851-VIRN (8476) or 204-975-9340

-30-

Summary Notes
GTT Edmonton Meeting June 13, 2016

The most recent meeting of the Get Together With Technology (GTT) Edmonton Chapter was held June 13at 7pm at Ascension Lutheran Church 8405 83 Street in Edmonton.
25 people attended.

June Feature Topic – Aroga and Android Tablets

We were joined by Steve Barclay, co-owner of Aroga, Canada’s premiere assistive technology retailer. Steve demonstrated two new products the NuEyes electronic eyeglasses and HumanWare’s new BrailleNote Touch.

What are NuEyes Electronic Eyeglasses?
• The system consists of lightweight wearable electronic eyeglasses that let people with vision loss see better. There is a camera in the centre of the unit that streams a live image of what you are looking at to two colored screens embedded within the eyeglasses.
• NuEyes is an offshoot of virtual reality technology developed for the U.S. military.
• The user can look at both near objects such as desktop material and immediately look up to see distant objects such as someone entering the room or a white board at the front of the room or activity outside the window etc.
• Watch TV and Movies.
• See the faces of loved ones.
• Continue hobbies such as reading music and playing cards.
• Variable Magnification from 1x-12x.
• Various contrast and color changes.
• Wireless control unit or Voice Activated. For example, you may voice commands like “make bigger”, “make smaller”.
• Removable ear horns and nose bridge.
• Coming soon – OCR.
• Coming soon – stream TV or movies directly to the eyeglasses.
• NuEyes is a fully functional Android based computer.
• 3GB RAM, 64GB storage, wifi, Bluetooth, GPS, accelerometer, gyroscope, user and external microphone, dual haptic feedback in temples, USB.
• The system is not meant to be used as a mobility device.
• Cost: $7995 Cdn
• For more Information:
http://www.aroga.com/nueyes-easy-glasses/

You may email Steve Barclay at:
steve@aroga.com
• You may telephone Aroga at:
1-800-561-6222

New BrailleNote Touch from HumanWare
• First Google certified Android tablet providing braille input/output and access to the Google Play Store.
• Input in braille by typing directly on the touch sensitive screen of the tablet.
• Alternatively, use the physical braille keypad built into the carrying case.
• 32 cell braille display.
• Supports perfect braille translation in contracted or uncontracted braille, including UEB and multiple languages.
• Frequent automatic updates.
• Combines the benefits of the familiar BrailleNote KeySoft interface with the power of a modern Android tablet.
• Simple menu-driven interface.
• First letter navigation.
• Familiar BrailleNote keyboard shortcuts to efficiently accomplish tasks.
• Provides general navigation help, speech and braille in all-accessible third party apps.
• Offers the efficiency of a note taker to third party apps.
• Contextual help to provide assistance anytime.
• Can be connected as a braille display to computers.
• Includes GPS, SD, USB, wifi, Bluetooth.
• Cost: $6895 Cdn
• For more information:
http://www.aroga.com/braillenote-touch-32-cell-notetaker/
• For BrailleNote Touch audio tutorials, user guide, or suggested apps visit:
http://support.humanware.com/en-canada/support/braillenote_touch

Russell and Lorne discussed Android tablets with those interested.
• Android tablets use a screen reader called TalkBack similar to VoiceOver on iOS tablets.
• 3rd party apps from Google Store may or may not be accessible via TalkBack. Depends on the app developer.
• Braille input/output not integrated like on iOS but development to improve braille is underway through a project called BrailleBack.
• Unlike iOS which is a closed operating system from Apple for only apple iDevices, Android is an open source operating system from Google available to modify by developers and available for many different devices.

Next Meeting (Monday September 12 at 7pm)
• No topic defined yet. Have a good summer. See you in September.
• As always, for help with other technology bring your devices and/or questions to the meeting.
• Send your meeting topic ideas to GTT.Edmonton@gmail.com.

Meeting Location and Logistics
• Ascension Lutheran Church 8405 – 83 Street NW, Edmonton.
• We meet in the basement hall. There is elevator access.
• Enter the church from the back door. There is parking at the back and drop off space for taxis, DATS.
• Meetings are every second Monday of the month at 7pm.
• If you have someone helping you your assistant is welcome to remain for the meeting.

GTT Edmonton Team
• Carrie Anton is visually impaired and is the accessibility specialist for Athabasca University.
carrie.anton@hotmail.com
• Gerry Chevalier is blind. He is retired from HumanWare where he worked as the Product Manager for the Victor Reader line of talking book players.
GTT.Edmonton@gmail.com
• Heather MacDonald is a career and employment specialist with extensive experience helping blind and visually impaired people find employment.
• Russell Solowoniuk is blind and works with alternative formats and assistive technology at Grant MacEwan University.
rsolowoniuk@gmail.com
• Lorne Webber is blind and is the accessibility specialist for Norquest College.
lorne.webber@gmail.com

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 meeting will present a feature technology topic and general question and answer about any other technology.
• Small groups or one on one assistance is possible at the meetings.
• Participants are encouraged to come to each meeting even if they are not interested in the feature topic because questions on any technology are welcome. The more participants the better able we will be equipped with the talent and experience to help each other.
• There are GTT groups in Ottawa, Toronto, Kingston, Northern Ontario, Pembroke, Halifax, Sydney, Edmonton, Grande Prairie, Victoria, Nanaimo, Vancouver, and more to come.
• There is also a national GTT monthly toll free teleconference. You may subscribe to the National GTT blog to get email notices of teleconferences and notes from other GTT chapters. Visit:
http://www.gttprogram.wordpress.com/
There is a form at the bottom of that web page to enter your email.
[End of Document]

GTT Vancouver Summary Notes
May 18, 2016

Sponsored by the Canadian Council of the Blind in partnership with Blind Beginnings

Facebook

Present: 13 Members

Monty Lilburn described social Media and how that relates to Facebook.
Social Media is generally an exchange of information – transmitting and/or receiving.
Users can consume info from a news source or they can transmit/re-post/send social media to a specific person, group, or to everybody.
Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, Focker, Instagram, YouTube are all social media outlets.

Facebook has been around since 2005 and is now starting to plateau.
Facebook becomes a more powerful tool the more popular it gets.
You join a social network when you sign up with Facebook.
Once you add your contacts as friends you can read what your friends have to say and you can post information that your friends can read.
There are ways to read public posts, or to send public posts where the world can access your offerings

When you register/join Facebook it wil ask for certain personal information.
It is up to you how much information you give them.
Some people give them fake information, like birth dates, cities of residence etc, or they post fake profile or cover photos, or avatars rather than their own pictures.
There are privacy settings where you can choose to keep certain information confidential.

What are some of the benefits of Facebook;
– Support network
– Place to vent some of your frustrations to a network of people who may understand what you are going through.
– A way to find out about events that might be of interest.
– Opportunity to join groups that are a specific interest to you.

How do you access Facebook
– http://www.facebook.com
– Mobile Facebook page
– Facebook app on your I device

Facebook changes their interface all the time.
If you are using a screen reader go to http://www.m.facebook.com
This is a mobile page you can access on your computer but it takes away many of the images and graphics.
It brings up a condensed version of the FB Web-site. You have your search bar to look up people, groups, events, etc.
It shows links to your Facebook Inbox to access Facebook Messages.
Some browsers will speak the shortcut key to access some of the links. You can also arrow to the link you want and press enter to select.
Your Newsfeed is where all your Facebook friends will post their updates, photos, events.
It’s like an interactive newspaper.
It shows you the Friends with whom you have been most active.
Clicking on the See more stories Link will get you to the next page of newsfeeds.
It can be hard to get back to the top because Facebook is always updating every time somebody posts something new.
Your Status update is you posting on your own wall and a post could be on somebody elses wall.
Your newsfeed is where you see other people’s stuff.
Your Timeline is where you see what other people have posted or what you have posted on your timeline
Your Profile – your timeline shows up first and then you will see About, friends, photos, likes, activity log, and timeline.
Under likes on your Profile it will list all the businesses/organizations you have Liked.
You can choose who to share your post with.
You can unfollow somebody so that you only see some of their posts.

Using Facebook on your iPhone or iPad;
There are 5 tabs on the bottom of the app, Newsfeed, Requests, Messenger, Notifications, and More
Notifications will show you what action has happened on your timeline.
You can react with more than just a Like on the phone by double tapping with two fingers or swiping up or down with one finger.
The react feature is not available on the mobile Facebook.
Under Status update you can access live recording or start a live broadcast using the iPhone’s camera.

During the June meeting we will discuss the following:
How to optimize your Web Searches.
Which Search engines to use, and how to find things of interest.
What types of things can you search for.
How do you search on the iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch.
What are the advantages of browsers like Firefox verses google Chrome, verses Internet Explorer, verses Safari.

Next meeting is on the 3rd Wednesday, June 15

CCB National Newsletter for June 2016Please find attached to this Blog Post a link to the June 2016 CCB National Newsletter for your reading pleasure. If you wish to receive this monthly publication directly contact Mike Potvin and ask to be added to the distribution list. Mike can be reached at:

MPotvin@CCBNational.net

Thx, Albert

Summary Notes
GTT Edmonton Meeting May 9, 2016

The most recent meeting of the Get Together With Technology (GTT) Edmonton Chapter was held May 9 at 7pm at Ascension Lutheran Church 8405 83 Street in Edmonton.
22 people attended.

Note: Members requested an email contact for our GTT technical team. Their emails have been added to the GTT Team section below.

May Feature Topic – ESight Glasses

Shaun Gratton demonstrated the ESight EyeWear electronic eyeglasses system.

What is the ESight EyeWear?
• The system consists of wearable electronic eyeglasses that let people with vision loss see better.
• The eyeglasses frame has a central mounted video camera that captures what the user is looking at. The live video is enhanced by a computer/control unit that is carried in a side pouch. The enhanced image is streamed two a pair of LED color displays immediately in front of the eyeglasses.
• If the user has prescription eyeglasses then those corrective lenses can be installed in the ESight eyeglasses frame to further optimize the displayed image.
• All video is captured and processed in real time so there is minimal lag in what you look at and what is displayed on the screens.
• The control unit allows adjustment of contrast, color, brightness, and up to 14x magnification.
• The user can look at both near objects such as desktop material and immediately look up to see distant objects such as someone entering the room or a white board at the front of the room or activity outside the window etc.
• The system is not meant to be used as a mobility device.
• An orbit worn around the head can be adjusted to reduce the weight of the camera and video screens attached to the eyeglasses frame.
• The system costs $15,000 USD but the company offers to help find funding for those who cannot afford it.

For More Information
• The ESight EyeWear home page is at:
http://www.esighteyewear.com/
• For an explanation of how it works visit:
http://www.esighteyewear.com/learn-more/how-does-esight-work
• For Frequently Asked Questions visit:
http://www.esighteyewear.com/frequently-asked-questions
• You may telephone the company at:
1-855-837-4448

Next Meeting (Monday June 13 at 7pm)
• At this meeting we will be joined by Steve Barclay, the Chief Operating Officer of Aroga, Canada’s premiere assistive technology retailer. Steve will have some product samples with him and be able to answer questions about all the blind and low vision products carried by Aroga.
http://www.aroga.com/
• We will also show and discuss the accessibility of Android tablets.
As always, for help with other technology bring your devices and/or questions to the meeting.
• Send your meeting topic ideas to GTT.Edmonton@gmail.com.

Meeting Location and Logistics
• Ascension Lutheran Church 8405 – 83 Street NW, Edmonton.
• We meet in the basement hall. There is elevator access.
• Enter the church from the back door. There is parking at the back and drop off space for taxis, DATS.
• Meetings are every second Monday of the month at 7pm.
• If you have someone helping you your assistant is welcome to remain for the meeting.

GTT Edmonton Team
• Carrie Anton is visually impaired and is the accessibility specialist for Athabasca University.
carrie.anton@hotmail.com
• Gerry Chevalier is blind. He is retired from HumanWare where he worked as the Product Manager for the Victor Reader line of talking book players.
GTT.Edmonton@gmail.com
• Heather MacDonald is a career and employment specialist with extensive experience helping blind and visually impaired people find employment.
• Russell Solowoniuk is blind and works with alternative formats and assistive technology at Grant MacEwan University.
rsolowoniuk@gmail.com
• Lorne Webber is blind and is the accessibility specialist for Norquest College.
lorne.webber@gmail.com

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 meeting will present a feature technology topic and general question and answer about any other technology.
• Small groups or one on one assistance is possible at the meetings.
• Participants are encouraged to come to each meeting even if they are not interested in the feature topic because questions on any technology are welcome. The more participants the better able we will be equipped with the talent and experience to help each other.
• There are GTT groups in Ottawa, Toronto, Kingston, Northern Ontario, Pembroke, Halifax, Sydney, Edmonton, Grande Prairie, Victoria, Nanaimo, Vancouver, and more to come.
• There is also a national GTT monthly toll free teleconference. You may subscribe to the National GTT blog to get email notices of teleconferences and notes from other GTT chapters. Visit:
http://www.gttprogram.wordpress.com/
There is a form at the bottom of that web page to enter your email.
[End of Document]

GTT Vancouver Summary Notes

NVDA

April 20, 2016

Present: John, Pat, Louise, Fay, Peg, Victor, Sean, Shawn, Monty, Carol, Mary

Note: Clement and Matthew were both unavailable to attend at the last minute so Monty gave the presentation on NVDA

NVDA is Open Source – so anybody who knows how to program you can make NVDA do anything that the computer will support.
Works on XP or above
Doesn’t work with Microsoft Edge but either does Jaws

The idea of Open Source is that anybody can use it but they hope they will donate.

Why might you want to switch:
– It is free but when you install it may work and it may not depending on the machine.
– If the system has high security it might not allow you to bring NVDA or Jaws on a USB and install. For example University campuses.
– Works with most versions of Windows
Can it replace Jaws by allowing you to access most things that most users will use?
– Probably yes
– Works with IE Firefox, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, etc.
– Won’t work with Web-sites that Jaws won’t work with.
– Some Web-sites work better with NVDA and some work better with Jaws so many people have both on their computer and will switch screen readers depending on their needs.
Assistive Technology Specialists may suggest Jaws because it’s officially sanctioned and it’s the screen reader they have been using and are familiar with and are better able to teach others to use it.
When you pay for Jaws you pay for support.
There is a larger community of Jaws users on the Internet which is also a source of support
NVDA released a User Guide for about $30 that you can purchase
NVDA has been around for 10 years
What does it sound like:
– Very robotic
– This voice is used because it is also Open Source
There are 3rd party voices and text to speech available
For $85 you can buy an add on to make the eloquence voice available and they package some vocalizer voices
It is licensed to work on three machines
Codefactory.es is where you can download this voice package.

How is it for reading fonts, colours, underlining?
– Yes, it works well in Word and similar applications
– It does not use the same commands as Jaws
– Some people have remapped the keys
– If you are a Jaws user and you switch to NVDA the learning curve isn’t too big.
– It has a screen review cursor and an invisible cursor instead of the Jaws cursor
– There is a lot of informal support for NVDA including YouTube videos
– Jaws can support remote desktop so you can access your Jaws from another computer.
– NVDA will now do this too.
To slow down the speech look under Preferences, Insert N.

Had some discussion about Window Eyes
To purchase cables cheaply visit http://www.monoprice.com
Amazon Basics is a brand that makes very good iPhone cables that don’t break.

Date of next meeting May 18 from 10 AM until Noon
CNIB Tech Trade Show from Noon until 4 PM
Next GTT topic will be Facebook

Finally, an affordable braille display!
Image of the Orbit Braille Reader

http://www.cnib.ca/en/about/Publications/newsletters/Insight/Pages/2016mar.aspx

Refreshable braille displays are amazing devices that can revolutionize reading and writing for people who are blind. But they’re definitely not cheap. Most braille displays cost around $3,000, and that puts them out of financial reach for a lot of people not only here in Canada – but in developing countries worldwide.
That’s why CNIB was so thrilled to help officially launch a new affordable braille display, called the Orbit braille reader, last week at the Annual International Technology & Persons with Disabilities Conference in San Diego, California.
At a price point of under $400, the Orbit is the most inexpensive product of its kind on the market.
“In some countries there is little to no level of braille access,” says Diane Bergeron, Executive Director of Strategic Relations and Engagement at CNIB. “Several international organizations for the blind, including CNIB, understood the real need for a braille display at a reduced cost. So we worked together to develop a device for a fraction of the cost of current models.”

CNIB is one of ten organizations worldwide who were involved in creating the new technology, along with the RNIB (Royal National Institute for the Blind) in England, NFB (National Federation of the Blind) in the United States, American Printing House for the Blind, New Zealand’s Blind Foundation, Perkins, the Norwegian Association of the Blind and Partially Sighted, Association Valentin HauY (AVH), Sightsavers, and Vision Australia. CNIB provided research and development funding, expertise and testing.
The Orbit reader has the potential to make a tremendous impact in developing countries, where access to braille can be severely limited due to cost. It will also provide an affordable option for people right here at home, including students who are learning braille. And with 32 gigs of memory, students will be able to upload all their textbooks onto this one portable device.
The Orbit reader isn’t available for purchase yet, but it will be soon! The product will be sold in Canada through Shop CNIB. Stay tuned to find out when it’ll arrive in a Shop CNIB store near you.

Orbit Research website:
http://eab.li/s .