The Amazing Voicedream Writer app

Voicedream Writer Is An Amazing App

Posted By Kim Kilpatrick
GTT Coordinator

I have had many issues selecting and editing text on I devices. I know that there are ways to select and de-select text using pinch gestures. I have not yet been able to work these gestures successfully. I have written the post for this blog using the amazing new app, voicedream writer. I was able to quickly select blocks of text, move them, copy them, and put them where they needed to be. It was fast and amazing. I also spell checked the document easily. I have not played with formatting yet but this app is so great. I can export and import documents into it and work on them. voicedream reader and writer apps are about 10 dollars each but are so worth the price. I’m sure I will use this app more and more.

Thanks again to the people at Blind Bargains, developing a full page braille display.

A full page braille display?

Is it really approaching?

Posted by Kim Kilpatrick

Thanks again to the people at Blind Bargains for this article.

Many of us (if we are lucky enough to be able to afford one) have used refreshable braille displays with our computers and smart phones.

These displays are wonderful.

They allow me to read in braille what is on my computer or device.

If anyone wants help learning to use their displays, I am able to provide training with the following displays and notetakers.

Braille note

Braille sense

Focus braille displays

braille edge

Although these displays are wonderful, they only display one line of braille at a time.

For some things, this works well.

However, for math, for times when you need to touch the whole page at once to feel the lay out, skim over a schedule, etc, having more than one line of braille would be wonderfully helpful.

The refreshable braille cells are extremely expensive.

See the article below for a possible new development in this field.

Austrian Researchers Tackling Full Page Braille Display Challenge with BLITAB

A team of researchers has recently raised over $10,000 to create an alpha prototype for BLITAB, a full-page braille display project which has been in development for three years. The claim on the project’s page as the “world’s first tablet for blind people” is perhaps a bit misleading, but the project itself has some lofty goals. The BLITAB would include braille translation features as well as a GPS and support for obtaining information from NFC tags.

The project’s Indiegogo crowdfunding page describes the technology like this:

BLITAB is a next curve Braille device for reading and writing that displays one whole page Braille text, without mechanical elements. It is like an e-book which instead of using a screen displays small physical bubbles. They rise and fall on demand, composing a whole page in Braille code without any mechanical elements.
The project has received support from some major corporations including T-Mobile, Volkswagen, and 3M. The full-page braille display is a challenge that many have tackled, but to this point, no devices are available for retail. Perhaps the BLITAB will be the one to buck the trend.

Source: BLITAB
Category: News

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http://www.blindbargains.com/b/12308

http://www.blindbargains.com/b/12308

 

Thanks to the people at Blind Bargains. New voices for NVDA screen reader.

New voices for NVDA screen reader

Posted by Kim Kilpatrick

I really love what the people at blind bargains are doing.

They have many interesting podcasts and interviews from technology exhibits for people who are blind and have low vision.

They also have a great app and very interesting articles.

Below is a great one I found from them about NVDa and some new voices you can get for it.

 

For those who don’t know NVDA, it is a free screen reader for windows computers.

Their web site is 

http://www.nvda.org

Here is the article.

Acapela Adds its Voice to the NVDA Screen Reader, Available Starting at 59 Euros

Acapela Adds its Voice to the NVDA Screen Reader, Available Starting at 59 Euros – Blind Bargains

Blind Bargains

Users of the free NVDA screen reader now have another option for obtaining enhanced voices. Acapela Group is now offering two voice packages, which both include a variety of voice styles and languages and work on up to three computers.

The basic package, which costs 59 Euros or about $67 in U.S. Dollars as of this post, includes what Acapela calls the Colibri voices, which are slightly more robotic but better at higher speech rates. Upgrading to the 99 Euro package ($112 USD) adds higher quality voices which may be more suited for reading books and longer passages.

The voices are available for a 15-day free trial and delivered as an NVDA ad-on.

Source: Acapela TTS Voices for NVDA
Category: News

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Copyright 2006-2015, A T Guys, LLC.

http://www.blindbargains.com/b/12311

http://www.blindbargains.com/b/12311

 Using Voiceover screen reader and braille display.
Sent from my iPhone

Very interesting device that is still in development.

Very interesting device being developed for bone conduction through sunglasses.

Posted by Kim Kilpatrick

 

This article came from a very useful list I am on called LV Ottawa (it is a blind and low vision list for people in Ottawa Canada)

The person who sent it got it from another list.

I paste below.

I can see many interesting ways this could be used by the blind and low vision community.

For people with low vision, they could put their lenses in and have bone conduction head phones and glasses all in one.

For those of us who have light sensitivity and need to wear sunglasses anyway, these would be great.

 

Enjoy.

Here’s an interesting piece that was on another list I’m on.  

Get this through your skull: Ditch the earbuds. That’s more or less the
message from a startup called Buhel, which is aiming to radically change the
way you take calls — from inside your head.



Sound a little crazy? Let me explain.



The company has concocted a pair of Bluetooth 4.0 sunglasses — aptly named
SoundGlasses SGO5 — that pump the sound of music and calls into your inner
ear through your cranium. It’s kind of a head trip.



Buhel says the intra-cranial aural magic happens through the wonders of bone
conduction technology. Small, soft speakers tucked into each lightweight,
polymer arm of the sunglasses (the parts that hug the sides of your head)
let users listen to calls, tunes, videos and more from connected iPhone,
Android and Windows mobile devices through their skulls, hands-free and
ear-free, too.



Without earbuds muffling surrounding sounds, SoundGlasses free users to hear
noises around them. In other words, taking and making phone calls while
driving, biking or running can be a lot easier and, more importantly, safer.
For ski bunnies, Buhel also offers similar ski goggles. They’re called
Speakgoggle G33 Intercoms and they allow you to talk through your nose
bones.



You can’t make this stuff up.



To chat on calls, SoundGlasses wearers need only speak. A bi-directional
noise-cancelling mic embedded in the nose bridge of the shades picks up and
transmits their voices. To place and end calls, Buhel says users simply push
a button on the glasses. The button also controls volume and activates
interaction with Siri and Cortana, Apple’s and Microsoft’s respective voice
assistants. 



If you have an eye for fancy lenses, Buhel has you covered. Depending on how
much you spend, you can choose from a variety of scratch-resistant lenses.
Or you can even add your own prescription lenses. The shades’ lithium-ion
battery juices approximately three hours of talk time and recharges via a
USB cable/wall charger combo.



Some obvious questions: How clear will the audio be when vibrated through
your inner ear? And, um, what about cloudy days? You don’t wear sunglasses
in the dark.



Buhel’s parent company Atellani recently launched the high-tech specs on
Kickstarter. The campaign is the company’s second stab on the crowdfunding
platform and has already exceeded its $80,000 funding goal, with 36 days to
go. A set of these bad boys will put you back a pledge of $160. Shipping is
slated to start in May.



http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/242589

Using Your Screen reader to Extend the functionality of the Windows Clipboard

David Goldfield's avatarThoughts from David Goldfield

Most computer users are familiar with using ctrl-C to copy selected text to the Windows clipboard for later pasting with ctrl-V. Under normal circumstances, pressing ctrl-C overwrites or erases text which was previously placed in the clipboard. Today, screen readers can take this capability and, to quote a popular chef on television, kick it up a notch.
First, let’s discuss JAWS from Freedom Scientific. JAWS includes a rather nifty feature known as the Freedom Clipboard, allowing you to append rather than copy text to the clipboard. Here is how it works.
Find some text you want to copy to the clipboard.
Select or highlight it the normal way, using the shift key along with appropriate navigation keys, such as shift-insert-right arrow to highlight the next word at the cursor.
Press ctrl-C to copy the text to the clipboard, as you usually do.
Now, move your cursor to another block of…

View original post 349 more words

Blind square intro.

An audio introduction to the GPS app blind square

Posted by Kim KIlpatrick

 

I have been enjoying this app for a few months now.

Thanks to one of our GTT Ottawa members who told me to get it.

This is a GPS app for I devices which costs 30 dollars.

It is well worth that.

Enjoy this audio introduction.

https://audioboom.com/boos/2859065-introduction-to-blindsquare

VarioUltra braille display review.

Thanks to the NFB and a review of the varioultra braille display. 

I read this review  great To Tech Tidbits newsletter.

Thanks to them for this.

Enjoy.

Posted by Kim Kilpatrick

https://nfb.org/blog/atblog/varioultra-overview

GTT conference call open to everyone nationally about CELA library services.

National conference call about library services CELA and more.

Posted by Kim Kilpatrick

GTT Coordinator

We will have a national conference call on Wednesday February 11 2015.

It will start at 7 Eastern time.

Here is some information about it.

Many GTT members have asked us about the CNIB library service and the new CELA service.

How does it work?

How are they different?

Are they different?

How can people access them?

So, we are  delighted to have Margaret McGrory, Vice President, Executive Director, CNIB Library and Lindsay Tyler, Manager, Centre for Equitable Library Access, joining us to answer your questions about the changes in library service..

Space will be limited so RSVP to Kim Kilpatrick to get the call in info.

If this is very popular, we will invite them to join us on another conference call.

 

To book a space, call Kim at (613) 567-0311

1-877-304-0968

Or e-mail 

gttprogram@gmail.com

Voicedream writer app has been updated.

Voice Dream Writer updated allowing you to use the voicedream reader voices in the writer app.
Posted by Kim Kilpatrick
GTT Coordinator
The Voicedream writer app has been updated to allow you to use the fabulous voices provided in voicedream reader when you are editing and composing your new documents.
I have not yet spent a lot of time with this app but it seems quite incredible.
It also has low vision settings.
You can proofread documents naturally or in detail.
You can also format documents.
You can spell check and look up words.
You can export them into other formats and to dropbox.
Perhaps the notetaker app which will allow people who are blind or have partial vision to do this task easily on an I device.
Very handy.
I have also been using the app access note which was developed by the American Foundation for the blind.
It used to be a paid app but has gone free.
I really like some of its features as well.
It is nice to know that taking notes and writing documents is becoming easier on I devices.
Just a question, will people be more inclined to use only their I device say paired with braille display or bluetooth keyboard and not use lap tops or specialized notetaking devices?
I’m not sure what will happen but it will be interesting to find out.

KNFB reader app for IOS reduced from $99 to $49.

Posted by Kim Kilpatrick

GTT Coordinator

I just heard that the very popular and well designed KNFB reader app for IOS devices has been reduced from $99 to $49.

I did not hear for how long this is taking place but if you are thinking of getting it, everyone I have met who has tried it is very impressed with it.

I admit that I personally have not spent a great deal of time with it but it was very carefully designed and does seem to work well.

You can also import PDF documents into it directly.

I also find voicedream reader does a good job of reading PDF’s on I devices.

bemyeyes

Be My Eyes a very interesting new app for IOS

Posted by Kim Kilpatrick

 

There has been a lot of talk about a new app which helps identify things for you through sighted volunteers.

I tried it out the other day and talked to some lovely people from Portugal who told me about the box of tea I was holding.

They were very excited to do it.

At first, they told me to zoom out and I wasn’t quite sure what that meant.

Here are a few links for podcasts and information on the app.

http://bemyeyes.org/

Here are four podcasts describing use of the app to solve everyday problems:

1B) http://blindaccessjournal.com/2015/01/who-will-be-your-eyeballs-today-exploring-remote-sighted-assistance-with-be-my-eyes-for-ios/

1C) http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/be-my-eyes-virtual-sighted-assistance-push-button

1D) https://audioboom.com/boos/2802188-a-review-of-the-be-my-eyes-app

1E) https://audioboom.com/boos/2814945-more-fun-with-bemyeyes

1F) And finally, here is a podcast interview with the creator of the non-profit:
http://www.applevis.com/podcast/episodes/applevis-extra-26-hans-wiberg-creator-be-my-eyes

Thanks to the top tech tidbits folks for these links.

The app is free.

Try it out.

 

New app just released called voicedream writer.

Posted by Kim Kilpatrick

When looking through my app updates, I noticed that one of my favourite apps: voicedream reader had an update.

They said they have released a new app called voicedream writer.

It is a paid app like voicedream reader.

It allows you to write and edit.

It is new but has anyone tried it?

Maybe we will try to get a promo code to try it or maybe I’ll just buy it because I love voicedream reader so much.

If anyone has tried it, please let me know at 

gttprogram@gmail.com

Voicedream reader could be a topic for a future national conference call if people would like that.

Useful video tutorials for those using zoomtext.

Useful Video Tutorial for those Using Zoomtext

Posted by Kim Kilpatrick

GTT Coordinator

Thanks to our great GTT supporter and contributor Leona Emberson, here are some useful tutorials for those who use the screen magnification software zoomtext.

http://www.aisquared.com/support/more/tutorial

Getting in touch with Kim. Change of e-mail address.

Posted by Kim Kilpatrick

GTT Coordinator

I want to apologize to anyone who has been trying to get in touch with me using the 

gttprogram@rogers.com

e-mail address.

I don’t seem to be getting all messages from that account.

If I do get them, they are delayed by hours.

I tried customer support and had a very bad experience.

So, I am using a gmail account instead.

Please can you change the e-mail address for GTT to 

gttprogram@gmail.com

Could you try sending a message there so I know you got it?

I will also be sending individual messages and I am sorry for cluttering people’s inboxes.

If I haven’t replied to you and you have sent me a message, please re-send to 

gttprogram@gmail.com

Thank you very much.

Kim

Victoria GTT Meeting Summary, Jan 7, 2015

On a cool cloudy day in early January the Victoria GTT group met once again at the Knox Presbyterian Church Lounge on Richmond Road. This gathering was for the purpose of hearing a presentation by Allan Carlson from the Ministry of Education, for which approximately 28 blind and partially sighted participants attended. His expertise is in the area of Public Library services, and he was asked to present specifically on the National Network for Equitable Library Service (NNELS) adopted by BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, North West Territories, Yukon and Nunavut.

Allan gave a brief overview of how NNELS came to be, and how print disabled Canadians can access it for the borrowing of the collections over 12,000 audio book titles. NNELS is a member of the BC Libraries Cooperative which has a budget to produce audio books. He further explained how users can request new titles if the book they’re seeking isn’t available, and that NNELS tries to provide those requests in approximately one week. NNELS has a limited budget with which to purchase new titles, however endeavours to add as many voice recorded titles as possible. New requests are mostly scanned and saved as synthesized speech DAISY or MP3 audio books. If the Library customer already owns the book it can quickly be scanned and converted free of charge.

Allan went on to indicate that Open Source software is used to store and deliver the collection via computer and other portable device internet downloads, and that if participants require assistance to search, download or burn to CD a book from the collection those services are, or soon will be available through local Libraries, or the NNELS Help Desk. After all, this service is entirely funded through your tax supported Provincial Public Library budgets, and as such are mandated to be delivered locally. If your Library isn’t currently a member you are urged to advocate to have them become involved.

He provided contact info for NNELS and briefly outlined how people can register even if their local Library hasn’t signed up yet. You will require a Library Card from your local Library in order to sign up for a temporary membership, then you can either request assistance or register online. Use the contact info found below.

National Network for Equitable Library Service
https://nnels.ca/
Email: support@nnels.ca
Phone: 1-855-383-5761, ext. 1017
Follow NNELS on Twitter: @NNELSca

During the second hour of the January 7 meeting a general discussion was undertaken around the use of iPhones verses Android smart phones, as well as a brief chat about accessible phones that might be just used to make phone calls. Some suggestions were offered, and people exchanged business cards in order to follow up after the meeting.

A question was asked about the use of free magnification on Apple and PC computers. Suggestions were offered, and people connected for ongoing support and strategies.

One participant asked whether he should make the move to the computer, or if he can find satisfaction with the DAISY player he currently owns. Albert will follow up to guide him in the exploration of his current device and ascertain his needs as they relate to his existing technology.

The high cost of assistive technology was also raised from the perspective of limited incomes with which to purchase/upgrade in order to keep up with ongoing improvements.

Due to the large number of Victoria residents currently battling the flu people were asked during this meeting to limit the amount of physical contact, however it seems that a couple of people came away with flues/colds regardless. Thanks to all who were so diligent in this regard.

The meeting ended at about 3:30 with several staying around to network and exchange contact info.

Respectfully Submitted on January 15, 2015

Albert A. Ruel, GTT Coordinator

Useful guide for those who use Siri on their I devices.

Posted by Kim Kilpatrick

 

I read this user guide this morning and did not know that you could dictate so much punctuation using siri and the dictate feature on your I device.

Thanks to the person who sent this to me as well.

For voiceover users, you use siri by pressing and holding the home button until you hear a beep.

I actually find it easier to use the dictate function as it lets you dictate at your leisure.

For voiceover users, any time you are in an edit field of any kind, (that could be in a text message, e-mail, note, Facebook or twitter post, ETC) do a two finger double tap and dictation is started.

Speak and when you are done, repeat the two finger double tap anywhere on your screen and dictation stops.

Remember, that the two finger double tap is an extremely useful gesture.

It starts and stops just about anything.

 

Music, Podcasts, dictation, answers or ends a call etc.

Here is the link to the dictation guide.

This web site also contains a very useful guide all about siri.

Enjoy and happy 2015.

http://www.siriuserguide.com/siri-dictation-guide/

To get in touch with me at any time, e-mail

gttprogram@rogers.com

Or call me at 

(613) 567-0311

Or 

1-877-304-0968 Toll-free


Blaze EZ Dec 17 Demo Summary Notes

Blaze EZ Dec 17 Demo Summary Notes:

The National GTT Conference Call Group were very appreciative to have Steve Barclay, COO of Aroga Technologies on December 17, 2014 lead us in the presentation of the “Direct to Player” audio book downloading, Podcast/Internet Radio Streaming, text to speech and OCR capabilities of the portable Blaze EZ DAISY player.

Steve started the presentation with a detailed explanation of the physical layout of the device and the workings of each button and feature. He then demonstrated the easy with which all aspects of the device can be used, as well as the two voices available in the English model.

The initial demonstration was followed by many questions about the cost, it’s availability through the Ontario ADP, and its size, weight and battery life. For further detailed information on the Blaze EZ please call Aroga at 1-800-561-6222, or info@Aroga.com.
http://www.aroga.com/blaze-ez-daisy-player/

The device appears to function as we’ve come to expect of talking book, OCR and text to speech devices, at a size and weight comparable to the other similar portable devices on the current market. I may have noticed that to scroll across the list of books/Podcasts on the Books Shelves one used the up and down arrow buttons, whereas other devices use left and right arrows. As well, the user accesses alphanumeric characters in a way similar to the Apple TV, which is to use the four arrow buttons to locate the desired character and the Enter Key to select it. The camera for the OCR function is a 5Megapixle unit like many other smart phones on the market. The device ships with a Quick-Start Guide in print and Braille, and it has 12 GB of internal storage.

Steve also indicated that it is being put forward to the Ministry for inclusion as an OCR device through the Ontario ADP, however that it’ll likely be 6 months or more before anything is known about those prospects. In the meantime, it might be possible to acquire the Blaze with the $450 credit allowed for talking book devices under the Ontario ADP.

If those of you who attended this meeting have other recollections, thoughts or ideas to convey regarding this device/presentation please do so in the comments section of this blog.

Respectfully submitted:
Albert A. Ruel
albertruel@gmail.com

KNFB reader app reduced in price from December 23 to 25.

Hello everyone.

I found out that the KNFB reader app is reduced in price from $99 to $74 from December 23 to 25.

So, go to the app store and search for it.

We had a demonstration of it last week in Ottawa.

It is a very good app for reading documents.

I

It can read business cards at times and read some boxes and cans but not as well..

Most blind people agree that this is an excellent app and also reads pdf’s well.

Happy holidays.

Kim

Have a wonderful holiday season.

It has been quite the year for GTT.
I am amazed sometimes when I think about it.
I am enjoying coordinating GTT so very much.
My thanks to all who have collaborated and contributed to GTT.
For those who volunteer their time to teach others about technology, assist with tea and coffee, help people find the right place, drive ETC, thanks to you all.
For those who participate and bring their great ideas, thank you!
to those who have provided grants, including the community foundation of Ottawa and the crabtree foundation, thanks.
For those who have partnered with GTT, thank you.
This includes: CKCU radio, CNIB front line staff, CCB who is taking the lead in funding and supporting GTT.
Thanks to you all for your dedication and enthusiasm and may 2015 be the best GTT year ever!
Posted by Kim Kilpatrick
Coordinator GTT Program

GTT Ottawa Meeting Notes December 15 2014.

We once again had a very lively and entertaining GTT meeting in Ottawa on December 15.

Our topic was entertainment.

We first enjoyed pizza and thanks to Heather and Wayne for the drinks and Mary for the lovely shortbread.

We welcomed Louise Gillis (CCB National President) to our meeting.

 

We talked about the rapid growth of GTt in other parts of Canada and how exciting that is.

We reviewed the past GTT conference calls that were held nationally and upcoming calls.

If anyone has topic ideas for conference calls, please let Kim know at

gttprogram@rogers.com

(613) 567-0311

1-877-304-0968

We updated people on local programs coming in the new year.

These are yoga, dance, radio workshops, and more.

Find posts about them on the GTT blog at

https://gttprogram.wordpress.com

 

An app for Iphone for CNIB library is coming soon.

This will allow you to download books directly to your phone from your direct to player bookshelf.

An android app is expected soon too.

We found out about Itunes University.

It is called Itunes U as well.

There are hundreds of courses you can access for free.

They also have some paid courses.

When you sign up, you can listen to audio recordings of lectures and also download power point notes.

The courses are very accessible.

There is an app for itunes U.

You can also access it on itunes itself.

Someone is looking for Beginner’s spanish courses to download.

Some people found them on audible.com

If anyone knows how to find pimsleur language courses, they are supposed to be excellent.

There are also podcasts that are 15 minutes long for learning languages.

The one that has been tried is called “coffee break french”

We discussed apps including songza, acuradio, tune in radio, ootunes, and more for accessing music.

Someone reminded us that there is a special phone number at OC Transpo to call if you are blind and want very specific directions.

The people answering that phone are wonderful and provide directions in great detail.

The number is (613) 842-3627

Lorne showed off apple tv which is totally accessible with voiceover.

It has a small box and a tactile remote.

Several people in the room use it to stream music and podcasts from their devices, to watch movies from netflix and other services.

You cannot watch traditional TV channels with it.

There is also an accessible app to control apple TV from your I device.

One member called apple and they plan to have more audio described programming available through Itunes.

We had a discussion about how to get more audio described programming in movie theatres and on TV.

Here is a link to a list of accessible movies with DVS.

http://acb.org/adp/dvdsalpha.html#b

 

Someone also mentioned finding the DVS audio tracks at 

blindytv.net

Serotek also has audio tracks of described movies.

AMI has an accessible player on their web site at 

http://www.ami.ca

You can only watch what is on live.

They also have a youtube channel with small local clips and stories.

Someone suggested we lobby for public libraries to have at least one copy of each movie they lend that is audio described.

Some movie theatres have descriptive video but we need more of these.

We also discussed live description at theatres and other events.

This is not too common although the Stratford Festival has some of this.

We will talk to the local theatre companies to try to get some live described theatre here.

The pick up and drop off movie service Red Box has some DVS movies.

How do we find all of the DVS titles available on the CNIB Library site?

Someone demonstrated the KNFB reader app for the iphone.

This allows you to take pictures and read print with your phone.

The app costs $100 but those who have it think it is well worth the price.

One person was able to scan and read a description from a pop can.

Jaws 16 has much improved voices in languages other than english.

We were told of two apps in Germany that allow you to go into a movie theatre and bring up the DVS track on your I device.

Our next meeting is on January 19.

We will have presentations about facebook and twitter.

This may lead to workshops in how to set up your accounts.

We are also going to talk about any accessible income tax software that is available.

Thank you to everyone who participates so enthusiastically in GTT.

Have a wonderful holiday season.