New Vision Newsletter
October 2021
Welcome to your October 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.
Large Print 2022 Calendars
Order your 2022 Large Print Calendar today! Please remember calendars are available for Virginia Residents only and each individual with visual impairments may receive one calendar only.
You may order a calendar by returning your card from last year's calendar, by calling (540) 985.8900, or by clicking here to reserve your 2022 calendar through our online form.
A special thank you our 2022 Large Print Calendar sponsor, the Virginia Board for the Blind and Vision Impaired, for making the calendars possible! Quantities are limited and so order your Large Print Calendar today!
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 160 Help With School
Episode 161 Bamboo Learning for Kids and Parents
Episode 162 Echo Learning Resources
Episode 163 Echos, Drones, and Robots Oh My!
So how can I get it on my Echo? At present, yhou 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/
Podcasts
This new podcast is an offshoot of Double Tap with Steven Scott called Shaun of the Shed. And it's amazingly well done. Listen as Shaun explains the utility of smart speakers and what they can do. Check out the link below.
https://cdn.simplecast.com/audio/5fa8ed9d-6497-4279-858b-9608456b830a/episodes/7f4834f9-094f-44a4-b4b3-de1c929be8ac/audio/5793077e-6bc1-4999-af62-b92e8713a93e/default_tc.mp3?aid=rss_feed&feed=4TeoH0qf
Interested in a simple cellphone for the blind and visually impaired? Learn more about the newly released BlindShell Classic 2. Sam, from The Blind Life Youtube channel, reviews this remarkable phone. Visit the link below.
https://youtu.be/5r9V_UsJ6ng
Here's another episode from Shaun of the Shed, all about smartphones. How does a blind person use a smartphone and what can it do that a traditional feature phone can't? Listen at the link below.
https://cdn.simplecast.com/audio/5fa8ed9d-6497-4279-858b-9608456b830a/episodes/1cc2dd9a-1caf-4d94-aaac-bedd10a93a93/audio/93fb44fd-0d19-4ffe-bb99-602993579846/default_tc.mp3?aid=rss_feed&feed=4TeoH0qf
In this episode of the Maccessibility Roundtable hear the gang talk about their new Apple purchases, iPhone Cases, and iOS 15. Listen at the link below.
http://maccessibility.net/podcast/maccessibility_rt224.mp3
iPhone & iPad Apps
Here's the AppleVis Unlimited Newsletter for September 2021. 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 a puzzle game app, fantasy role-playing game app, and other notable app updates. Visit the following link for more.
https://www.applevis.com/blog/applevis-unlimited-whats-new-and-noteworthy-september-2021
Echo Things to Try
Here are a few things to try with your Echo. Some practical, some just fun.
- Alexa, test my spelling.
- Alexa, play KEXP Radio.
- Alexa, what's free from Audible?
- Alexa, give me a mental health tip.
- Alexa, recommend a podcast.
- Alexa, how do you say 'love' in French?
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
