New Vision Newsletter
May 2022
Welcome to your May New Vision Newsletter. New Vision at Goodwill seeks to promote independence and equality for people who are blind and visually impaired. We educate, inform, and provide resources, so people with visual impairments can live their fullest lives. We hope you find this newsletter useful, and we would love your feedback through the link shared at the end of this newsletter.
New Vision Echo Tips Podcast
New Echo Tips Podcast episodes are released every Wednesday morning. Available on your Echo or computer, the podcast features New Vision's Tech Center instructor, David Ward. These episodes contain contain micro-sized, roughly 5-minute tutorials on various Amazon Echo features. The newest episodes are available below.
Latest Episodes
Episode 191 Alexa Reminders Via Text Message
Episode 192 Pollen Count and Air Quality
Episode 193 Occupancy Detection
Episode 194 Creepy Person in Front of My Door
So how can I get it on my Echo? You can ask your Echo the following:
- Alexa, play Echo Tips Podcast.
- Alexa, play next episode or Alexa, skip.
This will play the previous episode since the podcast is sorted from newest to oldest.
If you have an Apple device such as an iPhone or iPad, you can also ask Siri to play the most recent episode. Simply say: "Siri, play the Echo Tips Podcast."
Alternatively, you can play the podcast via the website below, which is screen reader compatible. You can navigate the episode title via heading number 2. Simply press the space bar or otherwise activate the link to start that episode.
https://tunein.com/podcasts/Education-Podcasts/Echo-Tips-p1118403/
Local Event - Lions on the Lake
Save the date! Lions on the Lake is Saturday, June 18, 2022 at Claytor Lake State Park from 11 am – 2 pm. Boat rides, picnic, games, and tons of fun! Sponsored by the Blacksburg Breakfast Lions Club. If you don’t have transportation, contact Suzanne Ament for transportation the New River Valley, and contact David Ward for transportation in the Roanoke Valley. New Vision at Goodwill is helping with transportation from Roanoke, and it will be first come, first served. Each person is limited to two seats for the blind individual and a friend or family member. There is no charge for this event, and the park also grants free access.
For any questions on the event & New River Valley transporation contact:
Suzanne Ament
Email: seament@radford.edu
Phone: (540) 381.0963
For transportation from Roanoke contact:
David Ward
Email: dward@goodwillvalleys.com
Phone: (540) 985.8900
Please RSVP, an accurate tally helps in preparing adequate food and having plenty of supplies.
Podcasts
In this episode of Blind Guy Talks Tech, hear Shaun and Steven talk about Microsofts new announcements at this years Ability Summit. Check out the link below.
https://episodes.castos.com/60637cbdcd8b06-67081744/a2601d4e-21ec-45cd-b116-7f3260f3d46d-BGTT-10th-Ability-Summit-Update.mp3
In this episode of AT Frequently Asked Questions the group discusses digital literacy for seniors, AT programs in various states, and handheld video magnifiers. Listen at the link below.
https://traffic.libsyn.com/atfaq/ATFAQ163.mp3
Learn as the Blind guys, Steven and Shaun, talk about the all-new Voice Dream Reader for Mac. Also you'll hear an indepth review of an accessible washing machine in this episode. Listen to this episode of the Blind Guy Talks Tech show at the link below.
https://episodes.castos.com/60637cbdcd8b06-67081744/803f76fb-478b-4225-b570-8fe8f7718b01-BGTT-5th-April-Aira-on-Desktop.mp3
iPhone & iPad Apps
Here's the AppleVis' Unlimited Newsletter for April 2022. As a reminder, AppleVis is a premier website for reviewing Apple-related devices and Apps from a visual impairment perspective. In this month's edition learn about Voice Dream Reader coming to the Mac, a mud flinging game for youths, and other notable app updates.
https://www.applevis.com/blog/applevis-unlimited-whats-new-noteworthy-april-2022
Echo Things to Try
Here are a few things to try with your Echo. Some practical, some just fun.
- Alexa, open Trivia Hero.
- Alexa, open Knight Manager.
- Alexa, enable Feel the Pressure.
- Alexa, play a good podcast everywhere.
- Alexa, open Song Blast.
- Alexa, find breakfast recipes.
- Alexa, where should I go to brunch?
For more about what's new with Alexa check out the official blog by clicking the following link: Alexa Blog.
Your Thoughts
If you have any thoughts about what could be mentioned in an upcoming newsletter or comments on this newsletter feel free to reply or fill out the following form. See the following link: New Vision Feedback Form.
Newsletter Sign Up
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Contact Info
Goodwill Industries of the Valleys, Attention: New Vision
2502 Melrose Avenue, NW, Suite B, Roanoke, VA 24017
(540) 985.8900 | info@goodwillvalleys.com
