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New Vision Newsletter
February 2023

Welcome to your February 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.

Virtual Training

Personal electronic devices can enhance the lives of people who are blind and visually impaired. New Vision offers free instruction on how to use the latest technology and devices to connect to the world and increase independence. Instruction can be provided, in many cases, virtually via telephone, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and FaceTime. Please contact us to find out more.

Echo Tips Podcast

New Echo Tips Podcast episodes are released every Wednesday morning. They are available on your Echo or computer. The podcast features New Vision's instructor, David Ward. These episodes contain micro-sized, roughly 5-minute, tutorials on various Amazon Echo features. The newest episodes are available below.

A special thank you to our sponsor, the Virginia Board for the Blind and Vision Impaired, for supporting New Vision's diverse programming!

Latest Episodes

Episode 227 Got a New Echo 3 Things to Setup First
Episode 228 Character Alarms for Amazon Kids Plus
Episode 229 Premium Alarms Fail But We Have a Hack
Episode 230 4th Gen vs 5th Gen, HVAC, Apple HomePod, and MATTER
Episode 231 Purple Porch Light, Smart Power Strip, and my Neon Sign
Episode 232 Adventure Island, Marvel Hero Training, and Star Wars Choose Your Destiny
Episode 233 Follow Updates Mode and Bonus
Episode 234 Talk to ChatGPT via Oracle of Light Skill
Episode 235 FREE Audible Short Stories

So how can I get it on my Echo? You can ask your Echo the following:

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.
tunein.com/podcasts/Education-Podcasts/Echo-Tips-p1118403/

Podcasts

Hear David Ward from New Vision and Robin Christopherson chat about all things Amazon Echo on this episode of the Echo Show. Check out the link below.
pinecast.com/listen/70d68668-9528-485d-a1fc-e83af7e1e05e.mp3?source=rss&s_id=9452bf56-d6a7-46c5-b3b3-f09cfafacfb4&ext=asset.mp3

Check out this demonstration by Sam from The Blind Life YouTube channel as he shows us a light-up rigid white cane. That's right, this cane is designed to light up at night so nobody can miss you walking around. Listen at the link below.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=73S5tcEr6Co

The new Victor Reader Stream, version 3, is here. Learn all about it from the great team at Double Tap. Check out the link below.
podcasts.apple.com/jo/podcast/victor-reader-stream-3rd-gen-details-from-humanware/id1309267346?i=1000597910405

iPhone & iPad Apps

Here's the AppleVis' Unlimited Newsletter for January 2023. AppleVis is a premier website for reviewing Apple-related devices and Apps from a visual impairment perspective. In this month's edition learn about new games, a new BookShare App, a new Mastodon client, and other notable app updates.
www.applevis.com/blog/applevis-unlimited-whats-new-noteworthy-january-2023

Echo Things to Try

Picture of Amazon Echo 1st Generation

Here are a few things to try with your Echo. Some practical, some just fun.

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

Picture of David Ward
David Ward
Assistive Technology Instructor,
New Vision at Goodwill Industries of the Valleys
dward@goodwillvalleys.com
New Vision at Goodwill