Useful resource for everyone all about labelling on the GTT national call last week.

All about labeling, and identification. 

November 11, 2015. 

There were 20 participants on this very lively and useful conference call.

I am always amazed and really enjoy all of these calls with all of the wonderful information that comes to us from all across the country.

Sometimes the blind/low vision community seems small and scattered but it feels larger and much more unified when we all Get Together.

I want to thank everyone for all of your participation and ideas.

Wherever you have a GTT, (Whether in person or on a call) thank you for all you give and share with others.

A huge thank you to Lorne from the Edmonton GTT group.

He provided me with many e-mail resources on this call which I include in the notes below.

Lorne Weber is blind. He is the accessibility specialist for Norquest College and a volunteer on the GTT Edmonton team.

Also Donna Jodhan sent along a blog post about locator dots which I have incorporated into these notes as well as it is very relevant to this topic.

Once again, thank you all for your sharing and generosity.

 

 

Albert talk about the Orcam. 

OrCam optical character recognition, face recognition head mounted device. 

The web site is 

www.OrCAm.com

Camera is on the right arm of the glasses.  Behind it is a bone conducting speaker. Just around your right ear. There is a processing unit 6 inches long, a inch wide. 4 hours of continuous use.  One trigger button, up and down volume and power. 

Can set up menus with trigger plus volume. 

Face recognition.  Pretty accurate with face recognition. It was tested with the same person wearing and then not wearing glasses and it still picked them up.

It cannot pick people up from a distance. 

It is Light dependent and people have to be within 5 or 6 feet of the person in order for it to recognize them.  It cannot recognize them as they come into a room or across the room and your face/orcam would need to be pointing directly at them.

  If there is a certain  product you want to identify regularly,  take picture of it and every time that product is there, it will identify it. You can hold a book or piece of paper in front of you and it reads. Albert did a demonstration.  Can read books.  Cannot save the file and read later.  If want to read part of a sheet, hold your finger near your face point it at the sheet it will hopefully read.  

It was able to Read text of buttons  on a washing machine. 

Can it pick up text on a screen. Yes it does and on the iphone screen.  

Does KNFB reader work on a screen? Yes. 

how does the weight feel?  The weight is not heavy but the cable coming off the back is bothersome. 

There was talk about Google glass and possible similar products.

Google glass was banned for privacy reasons because people did not like others taking pictures of them without their knowing it.

It is interesting to think about this in relation to people who are blind and needing to take pictures of things in order to identify them.

 

Google glass has a head phone jack. 

We talked about how expensive iphones are and talked about people being able to now use ipod touches for almost everything.

The new ipod touch which came out in the summer has a camera which is as good as the iphone 6.  Also the processor is as good as the iphone 6 as well.

This means that for much less cost, you can now use an ipod touch for almost everything and you don’t need to incur the monthly fees of a cell phone.

Wherever there is a wifi connection you can use the ipod touch.

Use it for everything except making calls or GPS.

Fongo gives you a phone number for Ipod touch.

It is voice over internet calling service.

You can make free calls as long as you are within range of your wifi.

You can also use it for text messaging if you pay a small fee.

You can have a voicemail box too and it gives you a phone number.

Note: Kim signed up for fongo.  The app itself is accessible but the sign up process is not very accessible.  There are captias that are not accessible and also a few check boxes that were not readable with voiceover on the I device.

Kim is contacting the company to point this out to them.

The new ipod touch also reads well with KNFB reader but KNFB reader costs over 100 dollars.

 

Voice is a free alternative to KNFB reader. 

fopydo provides a fairly inexpensive stand to use with your phone or device for scanning pages and products.

http://fopydo.com 

My fitness pal app for iphone is not necessarily designed to read bar codes but it does a good job for bar code reading.

Crowdvis is a new IOS app that is similar to bemyeyes in that it puts you in touch with people who can give you descriptions of things.

It is an app that is similar to a facetime or skype call in that you  are using your video camera and hearing audio of the other person who is helping you.

 

Pen friend is used for many purposes by many people on the call.

They include:

 

Labeling Seed packets and also labeling the markers for what is growing in your garden.

Use pen friend also for labelling food items.

Put a label on the top of a spice jar and keep the lid each time you replace the spice.

PUt Put the label on a card before putting it on something in your freezer.

Put a label on a magnet before sticking on a can.

For clothes Can buy water proof ones last up to 70 washes. 

Pen friend labeller can also label chords, label cd’s, and anything around the house, also labelling medications.

Possibly use double sided tape to stick braille labels on plastic bottles such as medications.

 

We talked about locator dots.

Futureaids has a pack of locator dots that come in all different shapes and sizes.

Donna Jodhan told us that she has used them for many purposes.

CNIB sells them.

www.cnib.ca and look for the shop.

Futureaids has them very inexpensively and seems to have more variety.

http://www.futureaids.ca

 What do people  use the different shaped ones for?

One option is for marking stoves or appliances where there are arrows.

Use the triangular ones to mark the up and down arrows.

If you are at the gym or other place where you would regularly need to place locator dots on a machine that others use, (examples washers/dryers in  an apartment building, equipment at a fitness facility, etc, you might be able to create or have someone with sight create a sheet of plastic built with locator dots  so that you could put it over the panel. 

We talked about colour identifyers and colour identification apps.

The Colorino Color identeifyer unit has also a light detector and some said it is very good and easy to use and has lasted a long time.

Another person had the Colour reader by cobalt. 

There are a few apps that can work well but are not fool proof.

Aid colors is the one Kim uses.

She also uses the app called light detector for determining whether or not lights are on.

We talked about labelling clothes as colour identifier apps and systems do not always work well.

One good way of labelling clothes is to use Brass safety pins. They have to be Good quality. 

We talked about labelling stove tops and how some of the flat stove tops are not as accessible.

Someone suggested using a template to put over the stove top.

Solid state stove top is easier to feel. 

WE talked about the speed dots screen protectors for I devices.  No one on the call was using these.  Some people like them and others not so much.

Here are the excellent resources from Lorne Weber.

Additional Resources

GTT National Conference Call

November 11, 2015

 

iPhone technology that will puff out tactile buttons on the screen of your phone and then will flatten out again once the keyboard disappears is from a company called Tactus Technology,

they’re offering it in the form of a case you put your phone into (currently sold out), and it’s called Phorm (spelled with the PH). you can find out more

information if you go to the following website and go to the 4th heading down from the top where they have a frequently asked questions section:

http://www.getphorm.com/

 

A free app you can get that will give you a free local inbound and outbound Canadian phone number + voicemail, and will let you make unlimited long

distance calls across Canada is called Fongo, you can download the app here:

https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/fongo-free-calls-+-free-texts/id473770452?mt=8&ct=fongo_web

 

However be warned, if you sign up using the app on the phone there is a CAPTCHA. if you opt to sign up for the free pc or Mac option, then you can fill

out all the information on your computer using Jaws, etc., so you could use Firefox and the Web Vism plugin for solving CAPTCHAS.

https://www.freephoneline.ca/accountRegistrationStepOne

 

Another app I suggested as a free alternative to the KNFB Reader app is called Voice – Take Pictures & Have Them Read/Spoken In Many

Languages with Fast OCR, and it can be found here:

https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/voice-take-pictures-have-them/id903772588?mt=8

 

and here is Applevis’s excellent page describing it:

http://www.applevis.com/apps/ios/productivity/voice-take-pictures-have-them-readspoken-many-languages-fast-ocr

 

and there is even a demonstration of it from Applevis:

http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/take-picture-anything-has-text-it-and-have-text-read-you-within-few-seconds-voice

 

We discussed the Six Dot Braille Labeller, a  new cheaper alternative to a full Braille Embosser for making braille labels, this is it:

http://www.aroga.com/6dot-braille-labeller/

 

it seems the PenFriend Labeller is quite popular with GTT groups.  CNIB is selling it for $199 here:

https://shop.cnib.ca/ProductDetail/liv0513210002_penfriend2-talking-labeller

 

And here are some demos of it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePE0-U73Ajc

and:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXqBZvLfiLY

 

During the call we tried to remember the name of the cheaper alternative to the PenFriend labeller that Aroga sells. It’s called the AnyBook Reader, made by Franklin

Electronics, for $40, more info is here:

http://www.aroga.com/anybook-reader-15-hour/

GTT Edmonton Summary Notes November 9, 2015

Summary Notes
GTT Edmonton Meeting November 9, 2015

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

November Feature Topic – Direct to Player Books
• Gerry demonstrated obtaining a Direct to Player book from CELA/CNIB Library on Victor Reader Stratus and Victor Reader Stream new generation players.
• Russell demonstrated listening to Direct to Player books using the iPhone popular Voice Dream Reader app.
• Lorne demonstrated the CNIB iPhone Direct to Player app which is free from the iTunes app store.
• Our guest, Mike Mcwilliams, demonstrated a new device called After Sight. It is a sensory substitution device. It consists of a web cam mounted on eye
glasses, a pocket-size computer processing unit, and headphones to listen to a generated soundscape. The camera takes pictures once per second and generates
positional sounds of varying tones in the headphones as an interpretation of the camera image. In addition to the sonification of images, the unit also
vibrates if there is an obstacle in front of you. The closer the object the more intense the vibration. It can detect obstacles up to 5 metres. Mike has
a limited number of devices available at no charge for testing or units can be purchased for $300. Testers are welcome. Mike’s contact information is in
the Resource section below. We thank Mike for his demonstration.

Direct to Player Books from CELA/CNIB
• Direct to Player compatible book players include Victor Reader Stream new generation, Victor Reader Stratus12M or Stratus4M, Plextalk PTX1, and Plextalk
Linio Pocket.
• The CNIB/CELA Direct to Player bookshelf resides on the cloud i.e., on the Internet. If you have a compatible Direct to Player device and it is connected
to the Internet then it will periodically check this cloud bookshelf and download books from it until it fills the memory of the player. When you finish
listening to the book simply press the “Return Book” key to free up memory on the player to download additional books.
• To place a book on the cloud bookshelf you can use a computer to find the book or simply have the CELA/CNIB Library computer choose books for you and
place them on the cloud bookshelf at specified times for example, 1 book per week. You can set up this automatic book selection by contacting CNIB/CELA
customer service.
• The process of converting from CDs to Direct to Player books is simple. Once you have a compatible player contact CNIB or CELA with the SSID and password
of your Wi-Fi router and your 6 digit library account number. The library will then create a setup file to configure your player and send you that file
via email attachment or SD card. Simply insert the SD card with the setup file to your player and it will be configured to receive books through the Internet.
No more CDs!

Resources
• The CELA Library web site is
http://www.celalibrary.ca/

• CELA toll free customer service number is 1-855-655-2273
• CNIB Library customer service is still available for existing CNIB Library clients. The toll free number is 1-800-268-8818
• You can learn more about Direct to Player service at:
CELA-CNIB Direct to Player

• For more information about the demonstrated sensory substitution device contact:
Mike Mcwilliams
Cell:403-488-1247
Email:
mike.mcwilliams@after-sight.com
Web:
http://www.after-sight.com

Next Meeting Agenda (Monday December 14, 7pm)
• We are pleased that
Aroga Technologies
has accepted our invitation to bring an exhibit of various assistive technologies to our December meeting. Aroga is Canada’s premiere assistive technology
retailer with 28 years of experience. In accordance with the holiday season, Aroga will also treat us with pizza! We hope to see you all in December to
learn about the latest in technology, meet the folks from Aroga, and enjoy the pizza. More information will be provided in the meeting agenda in early
December.
• In breakout groups we can discuss any other topic you wish. Please bring your technology, your questions and answers.

Meeting Location and Logistics
• Ascension Lutheran Church 8405 – 83 Street NW, Edmonton.
• We meet in the basement hall.
• Please enter the church from the back door only. There is parking at the back and drop off space for taxis, DATS.
• Meetings are typically every second Monday of the month at 7pm.
Try to arrive between 6:45pm and 7:15pm after which the door will be locked. If you arrive late there is a door bell to the right of the outside door.
• If you have someone helping you your assistant is welcome to remain for the meeting.

GTT Edmonton Team
• 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.
• Heather MacDonald is the specialist for CNIB career and employment services. She has a wealth of experience helping blind and visually impaired people
with the challenges of finding employment.
• Carrie Anton is visually impaired and is the accessibility specialist for Athabasca University.
• Russell Solowoniuk is blind and works with alternative formats and assistive technology at Grant MacEwan University.
• Lorne Weber is blind and is the accessibility specialist for Norquest College.

GTT Edmonton Overview
• GTT is sponsored by the Canadian Council of the Blind (CCB).
• There are GTT groups in Ottawa, Toronto, Kingston, Sydney, Edmonton, Victoria, Nanaimo, Vancouver, , and more to come.
• There is also a national GTT monthly toll free teleconference.
• 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 even 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.

GTT national Teleconference call all about labeling, identifying things in your house, and OCR

I know this is an ambitious topic but I think all of these things are connected.

the next GTT national teleconference call will take place on WEdnesday November 11 at 7 PM eastern 4 pacific.

Our topic will be an open discussion about labeling things. How do you label and identify food items, shampoo and other bottles, medications, etc.

Do you use bar code readers or scanning apps or devices to tell what things are?

Come and join the discussion.

 

The call in info is 

1-866-740-1260

The passcode is 5670311

The Buzz clip: a new navigation tool for people who are blind.

Hello everyone.

I just returned from the Braille conference in Toronto.

It was great to attend workshops, move around the exhibit space, and talk with people who are as passionate about braille and access technology as I am.

Thank you to Leona Emberson for presenting with me about GTT.  

While there, I tried this new product below.

I think it has a lot of promise.

I really liked the way it worked.

See below for more information and ordering instructions.

The BuzzClip is a small and discreet wearable device thats helps the blind and partially sighted navigate the world around them.
It uses ultrasound to detect any obstacle that may lie directly in one’s path and then notifies the wearer of these obstacles through intuitive vibrations.
The BuzzClip can be easily attached to many forms of clothing making it a highly versatile and useful device. It addresses a core issue of being able to detect upper body and head level obstacles that are often missed by a cane or a guide dog. For example, overhanging signs, tree branches, open cabinet doors etc.

The device has already been tested by blind and partially sighted communities in India, Canada and the United States. The feedback and response from these communities have been really encouraging and positive. Thus we are currently taking pre-orders for the BuzzClip through a crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo.
Our campaign also includes a global initiative that allow our backers to support blind communities in the developing world. For more information, here’s the link to the Indiegogo page: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-buzzclip-wearable-ultrasound-for-the-blind/x/11673979#/
 
The BuzzClip is available for pre-order until November 22nd at $129 USD (includes HST and shipping for Canadians) Here is the direct link for an Early Bird BuzzClip:

Contact Information:

Phone – +1 (647)-919-9269
Twitter – @imerciv

Follow up to an item at the  Otawa evening GTT meeting in October.  CRTC hearings on accessibiity.  

The note below is provided  by Wayne  and if anyone wants to be in touch  with him about this please contact me at 

gttprogram@gmail.com and I will put you in touch with him. 

Hi everyone. I am just following up on he item I mentioned at our last GTT Ottawa evening meeting.
I am a member of the Telecommunications (CRTC) Committee. This committee is composed of the following members; Leo Bissonette, John Rae, and me from AEBC and Lui Greco from CNIB. The committee has been very active in making several submissions to the CRTC on a variety of issues concerning the delivery of telecom services including cell service and television. If you are interested in joining this committee, please contact me or Leo Bisonette. We would welcome any new members who have an interest in these issues.
This committee will be making a presentation to the CRTC on November 4th on the process for making complaints related to accessibility concerns with respect to the delivery of telecommunications services. It will focus on the Commissioner for Complaints for Telecommunications Services (CCTS), which is the vehicle used by the CRTC to handle most complaints. You may visit the following link to read this committee’s submission to the CRTC on this issue.
Submission by AEBC and CNIB – CRTC 2015-239: Commissioner for Complaints for Telecommunications Services
In order to support the Committee’s presentation, you are encouraged to attend the hearing. While only Committee members will be able to speak at the hearing, your presence will help support the importance of this issue for blind and partially-sighted Canadians. 
In order to facilitate the transportation and other logistics for people wishing to attend, Lui Greco has reserved a room at the CNIB Office for November 3rd from 2:00 to 3:00 PM to discuss the arrangements for getting to the meeting. If you cannot attend this meeting in person, you can dial in at the following number: 1 (866) 783-7393 participant code 16975769. The tentative plan is to have transportation arranged from the CNIB Office to the CRTC Hearings at 7:30 AM on November 4th and returning to the CNIB at 4:00. However, once our presentation has been confirmed by the CRTC, I will share this information and you are more than welcome to proceed directly to the CRTC hearings in Gatineau. The address is: 
Conference Centre

Phase IV

Outaouais Room

140 Promenade du Portage

Gatineau, Quebec.

If you are planning on proceeding there directly, pleas let Lui Greco or Christine Robins know. Lui can be reached at hiss cell number; 403) 629-3522. Lui and Christine will be at the entrance at 8:30 AM to help people navigate the maze to the conference room. I will share the hearing time once it is confirmed. If you plan on arriving later, please let Lui know.
Business attire is recommended for attendees.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to let me know.

Thanks.

Resource: 26 Actually Useful Things You Can Do with Siri

26 Actually Useful Things You Can Do with Siri

http://www.howtogeek.com/229308/26-actually-useful-things-you-can-do-with-siri/

Siri is best known as Apple’s so-called digital personal assistant available on iOS devices like iPhone and iPad.

Some might think Siri is only good for looking stuff up, but it can actually do a great deal more. The thing about Siri is that can be hard to get used to, but once you do, it is incredibly useful. You can do a fairly wide array of tasks on your iOS device beyond simply looking something up. For example, you can have Siri create reminders, take notes, and set alarms. It can even make changes to system settings. Siri will also adapt to your personal language use and as you use it more and more, will tailor results individually to you.

Siri can easily be activated by holding down the home button on your iOS device until it beeps and the Siri interface appears. On iOS 9, Siri can also now be activated by saying “Hey Siri”, which is invaluable when you’re eating or driving or your iPhone is simply out of reach.

In this article, we want to go through and highlight some of the things that Siri can do. You might be surprised at how versatile and useful it is.

Searching for Things
We’ll just get it out of the way because we don’t want to be anti-climatic. Obviously, you can use Siri to search, and in fact that’s one of the things it does very well. That said, Siri will also use a variety of web services to pull data from other sources, so results are more useful than a simple list of websites you can visit.

As you’ll see in the following examples, if you want to find movie times, or know sport scores, then what you’ll see direct results rather than being shown websites you could visit to get more information.

Create Reminders
We all need to remember things, and Siri really shines when setting reminders. Simply say “remind me to …” and Siri will instantly add it to the Reminders app on your device.

If you have other iOS devices or a Mac, your reminders will be replicated to those as well, so no matter what Apple device you’re using, you can always access your reminders. Further, you can have Siri give you more specific timely reminders, for example, “Hey Siri, remind me to go to the gym at 3 PM.”

Additionally you can ask Siri to read you your to-do list, as well as location-oriented reminders like reminding you to perform an action when you leave the house, when you return home, or arrive at a certain place. If you have specific lists, you can tell Siri to add items to it like “add apples to my grocery list” or “add change oil to my to-do list.”

Create Events
Need to add something to your calendar? Siri can do that for you. Just tell Siri to create an event titled “such and such” at this time on this day and she’ll enter all that into your calendar for you.

Once Siri has the details nailed down, she’ll ask you to confirm or cancel. Once confirmed, the event will be replicated across all your devices so you don’t to repeat the effort on your Mac or iPad.

Want to do more? You can, such as moving meetings, rescheduling appointments, adding people to your meetings, and you can also ask about events, like what the rest of your day looks like, when you’re meeting with someone, and when your next appointment occurs.

Set Alarms
Setting alarms is really useful, particularly when you can use it in conjunction with “Hey Siri”.

Simply say something like “set an alarm for 8 AM” or “Hey Siri, wake me up at 6:30 AM” and it will turn the alarm on for that appointed time. You can also change alarms such as “change my 6:30 AM alarm to 7h:00 AM,” turn off all your alarms, or have Siri set an alarm to wake you after a certain duration, i.e. “wake me up in 45 minutes.”

Call People
This one is very useful when trying to operate your device hands-free. You can use Siri to call people by simply telling it who to call.

You can even have it call a person on speaker so you don’t have to look at the phone to turn it on. That way, if you are driving, your eyes never leave the road.

You can also call specific numbers, get your call history, see if you have any missed calls, redial the last number, check your voicemail, and much more.

FaceTime with Your Friends
No need to open FaceTime if you want to chat face-to-face with friends and family, simply ask Siri to do it for you.

You can specify whether you want to make a regular FaceTime call (with video) or a FaceTime call with only audio.

Turn on a Timer
Simple but effective, and also pretty cool when you’re trying to operate hands-free. Use Siri to create a timer so that if you’re cooking something and washing your hands, you don’t need to touch the phone.

Setting timers in this way is actually a lot easier than using the Clock app in our opinion. You can also have Siri stop, pause, resume, and so forth.

Find out What Time it is
You can ask Siri what time it is, either where you live, or somewhere more distant.

Sadly, you can only ask for the time one place at a time. If you try to ask what time it is in several places at once, it will only return a result for the first place you ask about.

Tell You What Song is Playing
While it’s true there are specific apps out there that can do this, simply being able to tell Siri to listen and identify a song is a pretty neat trick.

Results are provided by SHAZAM but Siri will make it a seamless experience.

Play Songs from Your Favorite Artist
You can ask Siri to play songs from your favorite musical artist, or to play songs similar to your favorite artist, or a specific song from your favorite artist, and so on.

If you don’t have any music from them on your iPhone or iPad, then Siri will offer to queue them up on an Apple Music station.

There’s quite a few other things you can have Siri do for you when it comes to music. You can ask it to play music by genre, play specific albums, and basic controls like play, pause, and skip, among many other things.

Make Reservations
If you want to make a reservation at your favorite restaurant, Siri can connect to OpenTable and do that for you.

Once Siri finds out if there’s any available reservations, you’ll be able to tap the time you want and reserve a table. Make sure that if your party includes more than two people that you specify how large it is.

Launch Applications
Hey, we get it, apps are awesome and you probably have a bazillion on your iPhone by now, but don’t you get tired of flipping through your screens to fine that one you only use occasionally?

No problem, just tell Siri to “open Dropbox” or “launch YouTube” and you’ll never have to scroll through your home screens again (unless you really want to).

You can also have Siri go and fetch apps from the app store, such as “download Twitter” or even have it search the app store for new apps, such as if you’re looking for a cooking or some other app.

Find and Read Emails
Don’t want to hunt for a particular email? Simply have Siri find it. You can have it search for email by subject, sender, date, and so forth.

Thereafter, once Siri finds the emails, you can have it read them to you, or you can just tap the one you want to open it in the Mail application.

Beyond this, you can ask Siri to perform other email-related tasks, such as asking it to check your email, replying to an email, and of course, sending new emails.

Perform Calculations
Why use a calculator when you can just ask Siri?

Of course, you don’t have to perform as complicated calculations as pictured above, but it’s nice to know you could if needed.

Perform Quick Conversions
Want to quickly know how many cups are in a gallon or miles per hour to kilometers per hour? Siri can perform quick conversions for you so you don’t have to look it up.

Next time you’re struggling mightily to convert tablespoons to teaspoons, remember Siri can help you out with that.

Check Dates
Siri can do a lot of cool stuff with dates as well, such as telling you what day of the week something is, how many days have elapsed between two dates, what day next Friday will be, and more.

You can play around with this and get a lot of useful information, but if you don’t want a shock, it might be better not to ask Siri how many days ago
you were born!

Change Settings
This one is very useful because changing settings can sometimes be a little tedious. With Siri, you can just ask it to turn off something like Wi-Fi, or turn on Bluetooth.

It’s a great little extra perk, and we’re glad that Apple finally added this to iOS.

Access App Settings
If you have an app open on your iPhone or iPad, you can quickly access that app’s settings by opening Siri and saying “Settings”.

We like this particular trick because it’s so much faster than accessing an app’s settings the traditional way. Also, you don’t have to have the actual app open, you can ask Siri to open that app’s settings by saying “open [app] settings”.

Mapping
Mapping things is one of the most useful things a smartphone can do and luckily Siri makes it even more useful. You can ask Siri to show you how to get from point A to point B, or simply how far away a destination is.

You can do much more of course; you can ask Siri to give you directions home, ask what your ETA is, find the nearest gas station, show you landmarks, and tons of other stuff.

Because Apple Maps has gotten progressively better since it’s haphazard launch several years ago, you may not even need Google, meaning that you can have Siri route you around the country to your heart’s content.

Take Notes
Got a winning idea for the next great American novel, or something occurred to you that you really want to remember? Don’t leave it to your memory, have Siri note it for you.

It’s simple just to ask Siri to take a note, and like reminders and events, it will be synced to iCloud so it will be available across all your devices.

Send Text Messages
Siri really shows her personal assistant chops when it comes to text messages. Ask Siri to “send a text message” to so-and-so, and it will ask you what you want it to say.

Once, Siri has your message ready, you can tell it to send it to the recipient or just cancel.

If you simply want to dictate a message to send, you can just tell Siri to text someone with the message content. For example, “text Mom and tell her I’ll be home for Christmas” or “reply to Kirk that’s fantastic news.”

Read Text Messages
Texting and driving is a huge no-no, which is why you should just have Siri help you out with that. For example, in addition to being able to dictate and send text messages, you can also have it read them to you.

Of course, if someone sends you something personal, it’s probably best not to have Siri read it aloud in front of others, but if you’re in the car driving, and someone sends you a message, you won’t have to pull over to read it, instead you can have it read to you.

Once Siri has read you your new text message, you can have it reply or simply call the sender.

Follow Sports
For those of you who love and follow sports, you can have Siri keep you abreast of what is going on with your favorite (or not so favorite) teams.

You can ask when a team is playing, who they play, or what the score was. Siri can also give you other information such as standings and information about specific teams, as well as what games are on, what channel your favorite team is on, and much, much more.

See Where and When Movies are Playing
Want to go see the latest Hollywood blockbuster but don’t want to play movie roulette? Ask Siri to show you where something is playing nearby.

Being able to just ask Siri where a movie is playing will prove to be a terrific timesaver. Furthermore, the fun doesn’t end there, you can also ask Siri about who starred in a movie, find out which types of movies are playing, what’s playing at a specific theater, and so on.

Give Yourself a Nickname
If you don’t want Siri to refer to you by your name, you can tell it to call you by another.

Of course, if you don’t like the new nickname, or you want a different one, you can change it at anytime by simply asking Siri to call you something else.

Just Ask About What You Can Ask About
If you want to know more, and dig further into all of Siri’s powers, simply activate it say, “what can I ask you?”

Siri will give you a long list of categories, and when you tap on each one, it will give you further examples of all the things you can do with it.

Say Goodbye
Finally, when you’re finished using Siri, you can make it go away by saying something dismissive like “bye” or “see you later.”

Being able to do so much with Siri means that it’s far more likely to become a more routinely used feature instead of an occasional tool for looking stuff up. The ability to set reminders or read text messages gives you powers that you might never thought available to you.

Beyond this, if you want to change Siri’s gender or accent, or have it respond to your voice, then you can do that too.

GTT Victoria Summary Notes, October 7, 2015

Summary Notes
GTT Victoria October 7 meeting

The GTT Victoria CCB Chapter met on Wednesday, October 7, 1:00 to 3:30 PM in the community room of Victoria Central Public Library at 735 Broughton Street. There were about a dozen people in attendance, some arrived late, or during the break, so the exact number was not determined.

1. Technology@Work
The first presentation was given by Wendy Cox from the BC Technology@Work program, in conjunction with the Neil Squire Society and Victoria Disability Resource Centre.

Wendy explained that this program is similar to the EATI program with which many are familiar. The differences are: it is tighter in terms of eligibility; there is a cost share requested of employers as well as participants. In addition, there is no income reporting requirement for eligibility.

Basic eligibility requirements are:
• To be 16 years of age or older;
• Must have a disability;
• Must be either working, be verifiably going to work, or starting a verifiable volunteer position within the next few months; and,
• Equipment provided must remove a workplace-related barrier or barrier with work-related safe travel.

Provincial and Federal Government employees are not eligible.

Another priority of Technology@Work is to raise awareness and create opportunity around employment possibilities for people with disabilities. It also works individually with participants to help them develop a whole range of job readiness skills.

The website is http://www.neilsquire.ca/bctechatwork/
You can sign up by completing a paper form, available from the Victoria Disability Resource Centre at 817 Fort Street, or an online version available from the above website link. If you have trouble, you can request assistance by phone at 250-595-0044, or check http://www.drcvictoria.com

2. GTT Update
Albert Ruel, GTT Coordinator for Western Canada, provided an update on GTT activities being carried out around the country. He started by letting us know that the Victoria chapter now has 12 paid members, with three more added at this meeting, and that memberships for 2016 are due in December. He then explained that this GTT group has become a chapter of the Canadian Council of the Blind. GTT originally started in Ottawa, providing blind and visually impaired people with the opportunity to form peer support groups where members could inform each other about training and technology-related experiences.

GTT is trying to diversify itself around the country in ways that match the interests of its members – curling clubs, book clubs, etc. The most recent group formed on September 23, in conjunction with the Blind Beginnings group in Vancouver, as a continuation for young people who have now finished with the Blind Beginnings program. There were 15 people in attendance, and it was a very good session. See the GTT program blog https://gttprogram.wordpress.com for more details, including information about GTT startups in Edmonton, Toronto, Kingston and Sydney, Nova Scotia.

There is a monthly national GTT teleconference in which anyone may participate. Each month features a technology-related presentation and discussion.

Albert also wanted everyone to know about the next Vocal Eye presentation to take place for the 2pm matinee at the Belfry Theater on November 8, entitled “The Leonard Cohen Story”.

3. BC Transit
Trekker Breezes installed on BC Transit buses announce cross-streets and not bus stops. The BC Transit Facebook page contains a number of postings from sighted people complaining about this inadequacy.

Tom clarified that GTT should remain focused on peer support related to effective use of technology, and that the political process to improve the transit situation should be managed by an organization such as Alliance for Equality of Blind Canadians (AEBC). Anyone interested in re-establishing an AEBC chapter in Victoria may contact Tom Dekker or Susan Gallagher.

4. Technology – Podcasts
The technology feature for this meeting was a presentation and discussion about podcasts. What is a podcast, why podcasts are important, and how one accesses them. Tom explained that a podcast is essentially an audio recording that can be made available via the internet. Many blind people now produce instructional podcasts about all kinds of assistive technology and can thus be a great source of peer support.

In regard to accessing podcasts, Tom demonstrated a Windows podcast management program called Q-Cast, produced by Accessible Apps, a company owned and operated by two blind programmers. Traditionally, Windows-based podcast management apps have not been particularly screen-reader friendly, but this one is very easy to use, while still offering all features related to podcast management. If you can find the arrow keys, the alt, tab, and enter keys, you can easily learn any app produced by this company. The help documentation is also fully accessible and very clearly written.

The company also produces an excellent app for reading documents and E-books called Q-Read, a news reader called Q-Feed and a Twitter client called Chicken Nugget. Free 30-day trials are available. Find out more at http://www.q-continuum.net

Two sources of great peer support podcast producers include:
CoolBlindTech – http://www.coolblindtech.com and
AppleVis – http://www.applevis.com

Of course, there are thousands of podcasts on all kinds of topics, but Q-Cast makes it very easy to search for and subscribe to podcasts of interest. Almost any informational radio programs are now available as podcasts, especially from networks like CBC, BBC and NPR. Contact us if you wish to have more information.

The next meeting of the GTT Victoria group will be on Wednesday, November 4, 2015 at the Greater Victoria Public Library in the community room, 735 Broughton Street from 1:00 to 3:30 PM.

Submitted on October 23, 2015 by:
Tom Dekker, GTT Victoria Coordinator
T: 250-661-9799
E: Me@TomDekker.ca

GTT Edmonton Summary Notes, October 19, 2015

Summary Notes
GTT Edmonton Meeting October 19, 2015

The most recent meeting of the Get Together With Technology (GTT) Edmonton group was held October 19 at 7pm at Ascension Lutheran Church 8405 83 Street in Edmonton.
11 people attended.

October Feature Topic – Talking Books
• Gerry summarized the various kinds of talking books available such as DAISY, EPUB, e-text and the sources where you can find them, CELA/CNIB, Bookshare, Audible.com, Amazon Kindle, and Apple iBooks being among the most popular.
• Gerry also commented on how the new national nonprofit organization called CELA started operating in April 2014. CELA is run by public libraries. There are over 600 member libraries across Canada including all Alberta public libraries.
• CELA Mission: To support public libraries in the provision of accessible collections for Canadians with print disabilities and to champion the fundamental right of Canadians with print disabilities to access media and reading materials in the format of their choice, including audio, braille, e-text and described video.
• CELA has contracted CNIB Library to provide books in the form of audio and braille.
• This means you can now access your library books from your local Alberta library just like any other Albertan and that access includes the entire CNIB collection plus any other accessible materials provided by the public library.
• The CELA library search and download pages are identical to the CNIB Library web site and your login credentials for CELA are the same as CNIB.
• Existing CNIB Library clients can continue to use CNIB Library web site if they wish.
• New users who want access to CNIB talking books or braille books will now register through their local public library.
• As a CELA or CNIB Library client you are entitled to download the e-text DAISY books from Bookshare.org. Visit the CELA/CNIB web site or ask your library customer service to sign you up for Bookshare.
• Bob Logue demonstrated the Edmonton Public Library and Overdrive iPhone apps. These apps allow access to recorded books and e-text books that are separate and apart from the CELA public library books. Bob commented and demonstrated that navigating these apps is rather complex and has accessibility challenges when compared with the fully accessible web site interface to the CELA/CNIB library service.
• Lorne circulated various talking book players including Victor Reader Stream, Plextalk Pocket, Plextalk Linio, and HIMS Booksense.

Direct to Player Books from CELA/CNIB
• The CELA Library or (CNIB library for existing clients) Direct to Player service was explained.
• If you have a talking book player capable of playing Direct to Player books then you no longer need to wait for CDs to be delivered in the mail. If you have a wireless Internet connection in your home and configure your DAISY player to connect to your home Internet then your CELA/CNIB library books will be delivered directly to your talking book player without the need to use a computer.
• The process of converting from CDs to Direct to Player books is simple. Once you have a compatible player contact CNIB or CELA with the SSID and password of your Wi-Fi router. The library will then create a setup file to configure your player and send you that file via email attachment or SD card. Simply insert the SD card with the setup file to your player and it will be configured to receive books. No more CDs!
• Direct to Player compatible devices include Victor Reader Stream new generation, Victor Reader Stratus12M or Stratus4M, Plextalk PTX1, and Plextalk Linio Pocket.

Resources
• The CELA Library web site is
http://www.celalibrary.ca/

• CELA toll free customer service number is 1-855-655-2273
• CNIB Library customer service is still available for existing CNIB Library clients. The toll free number is 1-800-268-8818
• You can learn more about registering for Bookshare at:
Get Access to Bookshare From CELA

• You can learn more about Direct to Player service at:
CELA-CNIB Direct to Player

Next Meeting Agenda (Monday November 9, 7pm)
• We will focus on talking book players including Victor Reader Stream/Stratus, Plextalk Linio Pocket, and the iPhone Direct to Player app provided by CELA.
• Bring your DAISY player to learn how to better use it.
• If time permits we will show how to search for books on the CELA/CNIB web site and send these books directly to your player.
• In breakout groups we can discuss any other topic you wish. Please bring your technology, your questions and answers.

Meeting Location and Logistics
• Ascension Lutheran Church 8405 – 83 Street NW, Edmonton.
• We meet in the basement hall.
• Please enter the church from the back door only. There is parking at the back and drop off space for taxis, DATS.
• Meetings are typically every second Monday of the month at 7pm.
Try to arrive between 6:45pm and 7:15pm after which the door will be locked. If you arrive late there is a door bell to the right of the outside door.
• If you have someone helping you your assistant is welcome to remain for the meeting.
GTT Edmonton Team
• 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.
• Heather MacDonald is the specialist for CNIB career and employment services. She has a wealth of experience helping blind and visually impaired people with the challenges of finding employment.
• Carrie Anton is visually impaired and is the accessibility specialist for Athabasca University.
• Russell Solowoniuk is blind and works with alternative formats and assistive technology at Grant MacEwan University.
• Lorne Weber is blind and is the accessibility specialist for Norquest College.

GTT Edmonton Overview
• GTT is sponsored by the Canadian Council of the Blind (CCB).
• CCB now has GTT chapters in Ottawa, Victoria, Nanaimo, Edmonton, Vancouver, Toronto, and more to come.
• There is also a national GTT monthly teleconference.
• 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 even 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.
• Participants decide what the feature topic will be for the next meeting.

[End of Document]

Updated link for the Huffington Post article on facebook shortcuts. 

Hello everyone. 

I had several emails letting me know that you could not open the link on the post about facebook shortcuts.  I have looked up the article again. 

In case some of you are not able to open the link I will paste below, if you go to the Huffington post web site and search for  technology articles, you should find it there. 

Here is another link, hope it works. 

Glad you are all reading and following the  blog. 

http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/562692e4e4b0bce347028bd2

Useful resource of shortcut keys for facebook. 

Many of our GTT groups have talked about facebook. We have also discussed it during a national GTT conference call. 

I did not know about any of these. I have not 

tried any of them yet but would be happy to hear any thoughts from anyone who does.  
http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/562692e4e4b0bce347028b

GTT Ottawa meeting notes September 21 2015.

GTT Ottawa Meeting

Date: Monday Sept 20 2015
This meeting was live-streamed
Location:  CCB office 20 James Street
The meeting was also attended by vendors who were in town in order to attend the annual CNIB Tech Fair taking place in Ottawa on Tuesday September 21. The vendors all described their products, and told us what was new.

Bram Caron:  Aroga Technologies

–Canada-wide ; hi and low  tech products for people with disabilities including communication, mobility and vision.  Aroga also distributes Ambutech canes.
–The canes are available in any colour you want
–Classic white canes are also available.
–For every cane you choose, there are also lots of different kinds of tips.
–Canes available in white with coloured handles, joints and tips.
— Canes with a red base are still available
–Colours include; royal blue, purple, gold, red, and many more. 
–The solid coloured cane is available
–The hybrid cane is a little less durable than the standard mobility cane but is very light weight and easy to carry around.  Many guide dog users carry them around to have a cane when needed. between mobility and identification  cane; these are good for the not-so-heavy cane users.  These are also called slim-line canes.
–Kiddie canes are also available.
— A question was asked about whether or not people who are blind traveling around with these types of canes confuse the public?    Aroga and ambutech have not noticed this.  These canes are becoming more popular and are causing some people (especially kids and youth who might not otherwise use a cane) to begin carrying one around. 

–You can usually tell that a person is blind, regardless of the colour cane he/she is using
–There are now different ways people use their canes to get around. There are tappers and swipers who use canes differently.  Cane choice is a personal preference — Society still recognizes them as canes for vision-impaired.
–Some canes have lights on them in Europe.  The lights are hard to replace, and the batteries are easily-broken  
–There are many cane handles to choose from although the hybrid (slim line)  canes come with cork handles only at the moment. 
The other canes can come with foam, cork, carved wood and like a golf-club.  Wood handles are heavy. As with cane preference,  handles also are a matter of preference.  It often amounts to what  transmits information best for each user.  
–There is quite a new cane tip called Dakota disc:  It feels like a mini-frisbee–good for grass, sand, gravel There are also tips that are roller-balls now have high-mileage. There are also marshmallow and pencil tips. 
Again tip preference varies for each cane user. 

–What’s the best cane/tip for snow?  There are  different kinds of snow and snow like conditions.   It would depend on where you are living and what kind of walking you do.
Something that glides over snow.  Dakota tips are good for gliding but heavier and possibly not as durable as roller or marshmallow tips. 
 There is a support cane that you use for support while walking.  It is not a mobility cane. 
Canes are used for support, mobility, identity.
–Aroga has 15 different kinds of canes
–Aroga has other products, including the vibrating glasses that warn the blind person about objects and obstacles that are above the waist and above the sweep of a cane.
–When a product breaks, Aroga tries to get it back to the customer as soon as possible.
Their web site is 
www.aroga.com
–Their phone number is  1-800-561-6222

David Greenich: Canadialog

–The  company has  been around for 5 years
–They have products from Freedom Scientific, JAWS, Magic, and focus Braille Displays.
–You can try before you buy for about a week before you make the commitment.
–This company is nationwide with offices throughout Canada.
–David demonstrated a portable CCTV that weighs less than 5 lbs and can be connected to a laptop.
The book goes under the camera like a CCTV There is also a bigger model of CCTV, weighing about 8 lbs.
–Another product they sell is the Topaz, costing $2,700.00.  This may qualify for ADP funding  
–They also sell the Ruby magnifier–hand held.
–Reminder Rosie–a talking alarm clock that saves up to 25 reminders is a new product they  are starting to sell.  They will be selling other household products too. 

— Clients are looking for more the low tech products such as clocks, microwaves etc.Their web site is 
www.canadialog.com 

Stephen Ricci: Frontier Computing

–He has also been a customer, having used the products himself.
— This company was founded by someone who is blind.
–They sell products for people with other kinds of disabilities; It is a one-stop shop for high  and low-tech as well as an ADP vendor; corporate, educational institutions, libraries, government and individuals, at home, work, play and school. Their products hope to level the playing field, and to help people feel independent, self-confident and successful.
–Some equipment is loaned.
–They represent all the manufacturers but don’t have a large supply of materials.  
–Frontier staff use the products.  
–if a product should break, they try to get it back to the customer as soon as possible. They also offer tech  support to customers.  
www.frontiercomputing.com
www.frontiercomputing.ca

–The Zoomtext keyboard is of better quality.  The letters are in large print and high-contrast and specialized keys that control some of the functions. This can be found on AISquared.  

Michel: Humanware

–A manufacturer of innovative solutions like the Braille Note Apex note taker and the Victor Readers Prodigy–video magnifier assistant that works on a tablet.
–Humanware does market surveys to find out what the consumer wants.
–The Trekker Breeze 2 has been revamped and more efficient, like a talking GPS–walking or riding public transportation.
–The Victor Reader Stream allows you to listen to radio shows over Wi-Fi.  It also allows you to download podcasts and download books from CNIB/CELA library and bookshare.

–Questions arose about transferring CDs onto the Stream.
–There are different options for braille displays to connect to computers and smart phones.  
The human ware line up includes the brailliant braille displays as well as the braille note family of note takers.  
There was a question about getting a braille display that had limited note taking capabilities. 

–We don’t need all the features as these are available on our phones.  
–Humanware can be contacted at 1-888-722-3393

www.humanware.com 

Claude Harris: Locus Engineering

–Developing an echolocation device
–Not everyone can echolocate
–The device consists of a small board sends out an ultrasonic pulse and makes tones. Each frequency represents a distance, with close objects making a high-frequency tone and getting lower the further away the object is from you
–It is meant to be an extension of a white cane–a succession of echoes that warn us about obstacles ahead.  
–Users can change the chirp rate. You can send a pulse out or have it set to automatic–there are 6 frequency bands. He is just in the process of developing this product.  He is very keen to have some of us test this product once he has developed it more. 
In a few months we can try it out.
–Can it be fitted onto a white cane? If not on the cane, it could be clipped on or worn.
–As a cane is angled, it may not be able to get a straight echo.
–What about people who are blind and also need to use walkers?  Could it be put onto the front of a mobility device like a walker or wheelchair?   
–Hand-guide; set to beep or vibrate
–Every 6 inches, users will hear a new musical tone.  You can hear things ahead of you.  You would aim the device like a flashlight as it has a very directional beam.  
— Claude’s website is www.Locusengineering.com

Issues discussed:

— CNIB ID cards question. If you are totally blind, you don’t need an eye assessment to get a new CNIB ID card.   This new practice was put into place because there have been so many changes and advancements in ophthalmology and optometry.  We will be required to show proof of legal blindness.  You can obtain an eye report through your optometrist or ophthalmologist just before your ID card is due.

We brainstormed topics  for  future meetings

–using braille displays with iphones
–comparing braille displays
–using hand-held magnifiers
–What is new in IOS 9?

— AODA; where to turn if you have a question or concern
–Ottawa Public Library now has 3-D printers–what do they do?  
–Will there be a workshop on 3d printing–is the software accessible?  
–all about spreadsheets How to use them. 
–A workshop on photography–using your camera and KNFB Reader and other barcode readers  to get information
–Useable, exchangeable and nice-to-have apps
–Household and kitchen items touchscreens and menus labelling and identifying
Comparison of screen readers

Next Meeting

Monday, October 26
CCB Office, 20 James Street
We will divide into two groups. 
Group 1. All about braille displays. 
Group 2. All about hand held magnifyers. 

GTT Toronto notes all about CNIB/Cela library October 15, 2015. 

This is a great set of notes from the GTT Toronto group.Anyone who is using CNIB library/CELA library service can get something out of these. 

 

 

October 15, 2015.

 

Jason Fayre opened the meeting. He introduced the evening’s guest speaker, Lindsay Tylor, Manager of member services for CELA, Centre for Equitable Library Access. She proposed discussing what CELA is, and how it interacts with the CNIB library, then library services in general. She did a check-in with the group: most people use the CNIB library, a handful use things like Bookshare, commercial services and the public library. The Centre for Equitable Library Access is a non-profit created in April 2014 by Canadian public libraries so that they can offer services for people with print disabilities. Its origin is in the idea that it isn’t just for some to require the use of charitable dollars to access library services. The main point is that public libraries are increasingly accessible. This means that all libraries in Ontario should be able to offer an equal level of access to people with print disabilities. This is especially impactful for people in small communities. CELA also means that anyone with a print disability can access the large collection owned by CNIB, not just people with vision loss. The functional difference with CELA for the user is merely that they will be accessing their material through the public library system. Anyone coming to the CNIB as a new client will interact directly with the public library, and existing clients will be enrolled by CNIB staff.

 

The first goal of CELA is to recognize that one size doesn’t fit all users; one format won’t work for everyone, and people have a range of technical skills. The goal is for pleasure reading and life-long learning, not really academic material. In the publishing world at large, very little is available in alternative format, and there’s a recognized goal of not duplicating material that is already accessible. There are three formats, audio, etext and Braille. For each one there are different delivery methods. Audio is by far the most popular. All of the audio through CELA is in daisy format. This means the books highly structured, and can be accessed by page, heading, and other fine organizational ways. It’s used worldwide. There are two ways of downloading daisy books. The first is daisy zip, which is a bunch of mp3 files with some data files that dictate the organization of the audio. These come in a zipped folder that can be downloaded, then transferred to a portable device. The process of unzipping a file is built into windows. Internet access is required. For those who don’t have internet, daisy books are made available on CD. Most users currently use CDs. You can play the files on the computer itself if you prefer. The second method, the newest, and most convenient, is the direct to player method. There are specialized players Victor Reader Stream and Plextalk are the two main portable daisy players. They come internet enabled, and you can configure them to your internet connection. The player will download books directly from the library site to your player without having to use CDs or zip files. It’s easy.

 

When you get a player, you need to sign up through the public library to access the service, or you call the CNIB or CELA help line and they will walk you through configuring your player with your library account. A technician can send you an SD card which will configure the device for you, or they can walk you through it over the phone. A long standing CNIB library user can call 1-800-268-8818. A CELA user can call 1-855-655-2273. Your local library should have this CELA number. The website is http://www.celalibrary.ca. Players sold in the last 2 years will connect to the internet; an older player may not.

 

Since the spring, aps for Apple and Android devices will do the same thing as downloading with a dedicated daisy player. This can be a cheaper option. Lindsay did a demonstration of the Apple ap. You can peruse the website yourself, or instruct the service to choose books from particular genres and download them. The ap is called Direct to Player, and is available in the Apple App store for Apple devices, and in the Google Play Store for Android. It’s easy to delete books if you’re sent books from your chosen genre that you decide you don’t want. There’s a generous lone period, but eventually the books may disappear from your device because of licensing agreements. You can simultaneously choose particular books, and receive books from your chosen genre. Lindsay demonstrated playing a title off of her phone. There are features for bookmarks, sleep timer etc.. The ap features work very much like those on a dedicated player. Lindsay was asked whether there’s a plan to put a search feature directly into the ap. Lindsay replied that this is one of the most common requests, and that she thinks it’s coming. The ap is free. You have the option to stream or download. At this stage the ap is strictly for audio, not Braille for a Braille display. The first time you open the ap you must enter your library number. The ap is used by both the CELA and CNIB systems.

 

Newspapers are one of the most popular services offered. It’s available online, and it’s simple. Sign into CNIB or CELA, go to the link called News Stand, and over 50 national and international newspapers are listed. Enter on the link, and plain text articles are offered. It’s electronic text. Newspaper specific sites can be difficult to navigate, but this service is much easier, and updated daily.

 

Bookshare is an American service, the world’s largest online library of its kind. 260,000 titles. They work closely with publishers, and have titles that aren’t always easy to find. They’re made available at the same time as the print editions. The books are all etext or synthetic speech, or electronic Braille. Not all titles are available to Canadians because of licensing agreements. Joining on your own is $75 the first year and $50 each subsequent year, but CNIB and CELA members have free access. At http://www.bookshare.org, you must go through a membership process. Scanning your CNIB id card and sending it will qualify as proof of disability. If you don’t have a card you need a signature by a professional. They have their own built in web reader, and Apple ap called read to go which you pay for. There’s an Android ap that’s free. The ap has options around font size for low vision readers. Voice Dream Reader was proposed as a better and cheaper ap option. The voices offered through Voice Dream are outstanding. Voice Dream also works with CNIB and CELA titles. Voice Dream is $13.20. Direct to Player and Read to go are similar. All titles appear on your bookshelf. In Read to Go, you can search Bookshare from within the ap. Lindsay demonstrated the Read to Go ap with its own synthetic voices. It allows you to control the speed of the voice or the size of the font.

 

The topic of DVS movies was raised. Some DVDs are produced with DVS, but many aren’t. CELA does buy DVDs they can find that have it. The CELA DVD collection is popular and well used.

 

It was proposed that links to books in the Digital Times e-newsletter should be made into direct download links. Lindsay agreed this would be very useful, but might be technically difficult to arrange.

It was also suggested that Braille downloads should be in zip files, not downloadable one volume at a time. Lindsay said she would bring this suggestion to others in her department.

In answer to a question on the topic, Lindsay explained that the library’s content comes from local production, international agreements with libraries around the world, and a growing relationship with commercial audio book producers, Particularly Recorded Books. She explained that patrons can request a book either through an online form on the CNIB library website, or by contacting the help line. She said that some priority is given to blind authors who’ve written on the topic of vision loss, but that there isn’t currently a focus on producing works by blind authors in other genres.

 

In closing, Ian White encouraged anyone who isn’t already on the mailing list, to email gtt.toronto@gmail.com in order to begin receiving communications from the GTT list. There are movements towards creating a Facebook page, and a voicemail line to disseminate information. He announced that the next meeting will be on November 19th, and that Brian Moore will be presenting on the topic of GPS solutions. 

Reminder first ever Northern Ontario GTT group meeting by teleconference tonight October 15 7 PM Eastern. 

Hello. 

This is just a reminder that our first ever northern Ontario GTT group will take place tonight at 7 PM Eastern time by teleconference.

We will  be brainstorming topics for future teleconferences, discussing what high and low tech solutions we use every day, and deciding how often to have our meetings.  

Please come and also share with anyone who would like to call in from Northern Ontario. 

The call in information is: 

1-866-740-1260 

Passcode 5670311

Reminder GTT national conference call tonight WEdnesday October 14 7 PM eastern. All about surfing the web.

Hello.

This is just a reminder about our national call tonight.

Gerry Chevalier will give a presentation on surfing the web with a screen reader.

Here is his description.

Gerry Chevalier will demonstrate and discuss techniques for efficiently
navigating web pages using a screen reader. Topics will include shortcut
navigation keys, navigating links, headings, tables, and filling in forms.
The demonstration will include two web sites:
1. CNIB/CELA Library book search which is familiar and used by many of us to
find our favorite books.
2. Freedom Scientific Surfs Up web site which is a valuable self paced
training tool that is provided free by Freedom Scientific to help you learn
how to navigate web sites.

Here is the call in information.

1-866-740-1260

The passcode is 

5670311


Resource:  talking timer. 

Hello. 

Below find another  blog post from Donna Jodhan. 

This post talks about timers. 

There are many ways to access timers. 

There have been braille timers. 

Also, there are some commercially available ones at kitchen stores that can work.  

Also, microwaves  usually have a timer feature. 

Of course, smart phones and I pod touches have this feature too.  You can even ask Siri to set a timer for you. 

Here is Donna’s post. 

Meet the talking timer

 

Hi there! It’s Donna and thank you for allowing me to come into your inbox. As mentioned in my previous blog, 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 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 about $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 0ortable 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 on your exercising equipment or use it for anything else. The ones that I have work with triple A batteries.

 

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 in two weeks.

Happy Thanksgiving to you.

 

If you like audio mysteries and are looking for some affordable ones then visit my online store at http://www.donnajodhan.com/store.html

Or maybe you would like to join my bullying campaign at http://www.jodhanmysterybook.club

 

Follow me on Twitter @accessibleworld and @author_jodhan

And like me on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/donnajodhan

and at http://www.facebook.com/authordonnajodhan

 

Have a super day

Donna

National GTT conference call October 14 2015: 7 PM Eastern, 4 Pacific. Topic: How to surf the web!

Hello everyone. 

Our next national GTT conference call will take place on Wednesday October 14 at 7 PM Eastern, 4 Pacific.  Gerry Chevalier will lead us through tips and tricks on how to browse the web if you use screen reading software.  I know this has been a topic of interest for quite some time. 

Here is the conference call information. 

1-866-740-1260 

Passcode 5670311 If you have questions, contact 

gttprogram@gmail.com

First ever GTT Northern Ontario teleconference call October 15 2015 7 PM. 

‘See the note below from Dorothy who is helping to start a northern ontario GTT group. 

I am very excited about this too and will be on the first call. 

Just a reminder that if anyone in any community is interested in starting a GTT group, get in touch. We can help you with ideas, logistics, suggestions and of course post your announcements, resources, and notes to the blog. 

Kim 

Hello everyone,
Here is information about our first CCB Northern Ontario Get Together with Technology (GTT) teleconference call. Everyone is welcome, so please share this information with anyone you know with vision loss.
It will be on Thursday, October 15 at 7 p.m. Eastern time.
The number to phone is 1-866-740-1260. The access code is 5670311.

It is pretty straightforward.  
Kim Kilpatrick from the CCB National office, who is in charge of the GTT program in the East will be co-facilitating with me.
The topic we’ve chosen for the first teleconference is “Adaptations we’ve made in daily living situations and technology that can help”. We will share ideas that range from simple, common sense ideas that work to low tech devices to high tech devices, including apps available for iPhones, iPads, and android phones and tablets. You may want to find out how others label items like cans in their cupboards, how to identify colours of clothing, how to keep track of appointments and other practical ideas. Kim has vast experience, as do some of the people in our CCB group who will be joining the call. 

We will also have time at the end of the meeting to talk about ideas for future workshops, as we want these GTT workshops to meet your needs.
Looking forward to this first teleconference and hope everyone can be involved.
Dorothy

GTT Vancouver Summary Notes, September 23, 2015

https://www.dropbox.com/s/c2ztm35gh7v37xt/gtt%20vancouver%20sept%2023rd%20session%20archive.mp3?dl=0GTT Vancouver Summary Notes

Sponsored by

The Canadian Council of the Blind and Blind Beginnings

September 23, 2015 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Hosted by Blind Beginnings at their offices, 227 6th Street in New Westminster

Present: Albert, Mary, John, Iris, Bruce, Linda, Donna, Geri, Betty, Tyler, Nita, Lovette, Shawn, Matthew and Clement. Bruce MacKenzie from Canadialog was in attendance and offered his support to the GTT Vancouver Group. They are the Canadian distributors of all things Freedom Scientific.

Clement and Mat started the introduction round, then asked all to introduce themselves with a brief description of what skills they can offer, and what they might wish to gain from involvement in GTT. From the introductions the following topics were discussed.

Here is a link to a recording of the proceedings:

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/3394499/gtt%20vancouver%20sept%2023rd%20session%20archive.MP3

Here are some of the discussions we had:

  • Why not upgrade to Windows 10: some have tried, and the consensus is that waiting until the bugs are worked out is a good idea for assistive tech users, unless one likes to play with new tools right out of the box.       Waiting until there’s a decimal after the version number before moving to it is a good idea.
  • When should I move to a new iOS version or iPhone. Apparently iOS 9 has fixed some of the slowness of earlier versions, and it seems to be working well on the iPhone 4S.
  • Triple tap the Home button to turn on and off the Voice Over App, or any other accessibility App. This has to be set up by going to the Settings App, General then Accessibility.       At the bottom of that page is an icon or button called Accessibility Shortcut that can be set to VO, Zoom or the other physical disability features. Once set-up you can turn VO on and off by merely triple tapping the Home button.
  • Two-finger double tap turns on and off audio playback, and it answers and hangs up phone calls.
  • The Audible App sometimes asks the user to connect to WI’FI. Check that the app is set to access books from the Device rather than the Cloud to ensure that no Data is being used when in transit.
  • GPS questions discussed were, Apple Maps, Google Maps, Blind Square and Sendero GPS. Different people use different ones and all of those are workable and accessible.
  • VO Calendar is an app designed to work with the native Calendar App in iOS and which renders it accessible and usable.
  • It was discussed that sometimes VO speaks a different thing than what is seen on the screen. We determined that the visual layout is different than the tab order, so one will be well served by learning the physical layout of the screen so that Back buttons, Send buttons and so on can be located very quickly.
  • When navigating the list of text and email messages the user can return to the top of the list by touching the top Heading, then swiping to the right and you’ll be back on the first message.
  • Exploring the screen while working with each App to learn where all the regular buttons are physically located is the quickest way to operate the phone/App. Swiping left or right as a means of exploring the screen is very time consuming, and it doesn’t allow us to know where the icon is actually located.
  • To read articles without the header info being spoken listen for the words “Reader is Available” as the web page is loading, then Find the word “Reader” at the top right corner of the screen. Double tap on it, then invoke the “Say All” command to begin reading the entire article. Once finished a 2-finger scrub will close the Reader.
  • There are two “Say All” commands – swipe down with two fingers will read from where your curser is positioned, and a 2-finger swipe up will send the curser to the top of the page and begin reading.
  • The Google app is a quick and easy way to search the web using SIRI to dictate the search string, or one may use the Text Edit field to type the info.
  • When Opening the Safari web browser it will be on the page you have set as your default, which can be Google if you choose.
  • The Pages icon at the Bottom right corner of the Safari browser screen shows the list of visited web pages. Double tap it, then double tap the private icon and all will be deleted after the done button is double tapped. Once done you should return to the Pages icon and double tap the Private icon again to unselect it.
  • At the bottom of the on-screen keyboard when you are typing a URL you will find the @ sign and period. Double tap and hold the period briefly and a list of .com.net or .org will show up. Double tap the one you want and it will be placed where your curser is situated.
  • One may close all Apps in the app switcher in order to save on resource usage. Press the Home button twice quickly in order to list the currently running Apps, then swipe left or right to access the ones you wish to close.       While on an App you wish to close you can swipe up or down with one finger to locate the Close button and double tap it. Repeat until all are closed and only the Home icon remains. Double tap it to return to your Home Screen.
  • If you don’t want Safari to save web pages you may set your default to private in the Pages icon at the bottom right corner of the safari screen.
  • Find my I-phone is a good App to have on iPhones, and to a lesser degree on iPads and iPods. Apps are also available for PC and Mac computers so that you can find that missing iPhone.
  • Some Apps for saving all your passwords are, LastPass, Password Keychain, Splash ID and One Password etc. Some are free, and others can be purchased if you wish to share them with family or on more than one device.
  • When in lists of messages you can one finger swipe up or down and you’ll get more options like delete. This is also the case in the Camera App when switching to video or picture modes. Note that Voice Over says the word “Adjustable” or “More Options” at the end. That’s your indication that a 1-finger swipe up or down will offer you additional options.
  • How to access your contacts list while talking on the phone.       The best way to do this is to use the ear bud headphones that come with your iPhone. That way you can keep the person on the phone while you scroll through the phone to find the desired number and still be able to deliver it to the person you’re talking with. The ear buds also have a switch that allows you to turn the volume up and down, as well as answer and hang up a call without having to take it out of your pocket/purse.
  • Podcast apps are Downcast, the native Podcast app, and Lier.       Others also exist, however these ones are accessible and are known by people in the room.
  • NVDA is a screen reader for the PC, and it has available some additional voices that Matt, Clement and Tyler can assist in setting up.
  • A demo was done showing how VO Calendar works, and a little on using SIRI to set-up appointments.

In the second hour we broke into smaller groups to talk about the following:

  • Betty worked with a group on strategies for editing text and VO Calendar.
  • Albert worked with Iris on how to use I-Phone earphones for answering and hanging up phone calls, pausing music and other audio players and how to move from video to picture mode on the iPhone Camera App.
  • Mat helped Mary regain the speech in Voice Over since having upgraded to iOS 9.
  • John led a group on how to use the built-in magnifier instead of Zoomtext.

The group was asked to email Shawn with their phone numbers and email addresses, as well as their preference for meeting topics, days of the week and time of day. Her email address is:

Shawn@BlindBeginnings.ca

Date of the next meeting was set for Wednesday, October 21, 2015 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM.

The topic for the next meeting’s first hour presentation is to be announced, and will have the second hour dedicated to using iTunes.

Clement offered the following resource, blindness and low vision resources for iPhone/iPad:

www.applevis.com

Great resource for iOS stuff related to the iPhone and iPad apps for the visually impaired.

GTT WordPress Blog, Facebook and Twitter Feeds:

If you wish to follow the GTT Groups now starting to gather all over Canada, you can do so by registering your email address as follows. Registering will have you receiving each announcement in your email inbox without any effort on your part.

Here’s how to register:

  1. Point your Web Browser to,

www.GTTProgram.WordPress.com

  1. Find the Edit Field near the bottom of the Web Page called “Follow GTT Program Blog and Resources” and type in your email address.
  2. Tab to the “Sign Me Up” Button and Press the Space Bar or Enter Key.
  3. Launch your Email Program and find an email message from the GTT Program Blog and open it. *Note: if it’s not in your Inbox check the Spam/Junk Folder.
  4. Scroll through the message to find the Confirm Link and Press the Enter Key.
  5. This will take you to the GTT Program Blog and should display a message confirming that you have been successfully registered to receive ongoing Blog Posts.

Congratulations! You’re part of the GTT Team.   Welcome aboard.

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

@GTTVanisle and @GTTProgram

To see what GTT is up to across Canada you can become a member of the Facebook Group at:

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

For more information please contact:

Albert Ruel on the West Coast:                  or          Kim Kilpatrick in Ottawa

Cell: 250-240-2343                                                                           Toll Free: 1-877-304-0968

Email: GTTWest2015@gmail.com                                             Email: gttprogram@gmail.com

Resourses: NNELS new Canadian Titles now Available 

The Scotiabank Giller Prize Shortlist Available in Accessible Formats
 NNELS logo Scotiabank Giller Prize logo           
Congratulations to the five shortlist finalists of the Scotiabank Giller Prize! Thanks to the support of The Scotiabank Giller Prize, we are excited to announce the shortlisted titles are available in accessible formats to readers with print disabilities through the National Network for Equitable Library Service (NNELS), on the same day that they are announced across the country.
“We are proud to support NNELS in their efforts to bring these outstanding authors to a wider audience, particularly those without access to traditional published books,” said Elana Rabinovitch, Executive Director of The Scotiabank Giller Prize. While approximately 10% of Canadians cannot read standard books due to print disabilities related to vision, mobility, or cognitive impairments, less than 5% of printed material is available in accessible formats. “We share a commitment to reading excellent Canadian writing, no matter the format,” said Ben Hyman, Executive Director of the BC Libraries Cooperative, on behalf of NNELS.
The shortlist titles appear below, and are also available through the NNELS Giller Prize 2015 collection. Can you predict which author will win this year’s prize? Find out on November 10th!
About the Scotiabank Giller Prize
The Scotiabank Giller Prize strives to highlight the very best in Canadian fiction year after year. The prize awards $100,000 annually to the author of the best Canadian novel or short story collection published in English and $10,000 to each of the finalists. The award is named in honour of the late literary journalist Doris Giller and was founded in 1994 by her husband, Toronto businessman Jack Rabinovitch. Visit us at http://www.scotiabankgillerprize.ca
About the National Network for Equitable Library Service (NNELS)
NNELS is a digital public library of downloadable titles for people in Canada with perceptual disabilities. It is also a growing network of provincial and territorial governments, readers, community and advocacy organizations, librarians, publishers, and accessible format producers from across the country, all working together to increase access to Canadian libraries’ collections of print material. NNELS is funded and supported by the provincial governments of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and Yukon. Please visit nnels.ca for more information.
Media Inquiries:
Michelle Kadarusman, Scotiabank Giller Prize

michelle@scotiabankgillerprize.ca

T – 647 897 6017
Ben Hyman, BC Libraries Cooperative (on behalf of NNELS)

Ben.hyman@bc.libraries.coop

T – 1 855 383 5761 Extension 1001
The Scotiabank Giller Prize Shortlist Titles, 2015
Arvida, by Samuel Archibald
Fifteen Dogs, by André Alexis 
Outline, by Rachel Cusk (Please note: this title is available commercially. Please check your local library’s collection for the audiobook or ebook. If you have any issues with getting this title in a format that is accessible to you, please contact support@nnels.ca)
Daydreams of Angels, by Heather O’Neill
Martin John: a Footnote to Malarky, by Anakana Schofield
 
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nnels.ca/ 

National Network for Equitable Library Service

Email: support@nnels.ca 

Phone: 1-888-848-9250 

c/o 605 Robson Street, Suite 850, 

Vancouver BC V6B 5J3
This email was created and delivered using Mailout

GTT Ontario Resource 

GTTWest2015@Gmail.comCNIB Ontario partners with BlindSquare and Tim Hortons
<http://blindsquare.com/&gt; BlindSquare – which is available through

<https://itunes.apple.com/app/blindsquare/id500557255&gt; Apple’s App

Store – has taken mainstream GPS navigation to a new level of

accessibility for people who are blind or partially sighted. It now

offers indoor navigation by pairing its technology with iBeacons,

devices that alert users to building features such as restrooms,

seating and counter locations for placing an order. As users move

through the building, the iBeacons work in conjunction with

BlindSquare to ensure important markers are announced. From now until

October 31st, BlindSquare and <http://www.cnib.ca/&gt; CNIB are

partnering with <http://www.timhortons.com/ca/en/index.php&gt; Tim

Hortons to launch a pilot project in the following locations across

Ontario:

* Brantford – 164 Colborne Street West

* Burlington – 434 Plains Road East

* Guelph – 304 Stone Road

* Hamilton – 65 Ottawa Street North & 30 Queenston Road

* London – 352 Wellington Road South

* Mississauga – 100 City Centre Drive (Square One)

* Toronto – 1840 Bayview Avenue & 939 Eglinton Avenue East & 85 Laird Drive

* Scarborough – 1 William Kitchen Road (Kennedy Commons Mall)

* St. Catharines – 212 Welland Avenue

* Waterloo – 94 Bridgeport Road East

As such, customers living with vision loss will be able to test the

iBeacons, sponsored by <http://kontakt.io/&gt; Kontakt.io, through

BlindSquare. Throughout the trial, individuals will have access to a

free version of the app,

<https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/blindsq-event/id635707709?mt=8&gt;

BlindSquare Event, within 250 kilometres of Toronto. Customers who are

blind or partially sighted are encouraged to

<https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RY3VQMD&gt; complete a survey to provide

valuable feedback. Survey respondents have an opportunity to have

their name entered into a weekly draw for one of five pairs of

<http://aftershokz.com/collections/all/products/bluez-2&gt; AfterShokz

Bluez 2 wireless bone conduction headphones.

Thanks,
Shannon
Bring your family and friends to CNIB Night Steps, a 5km fundraising

walk under the stars. Funds raised will help CNIB provide

life-changing support to community members who are blind or partially

sighted. Register at cnibnightsteps.ca!

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