New Vision Newsletter
January 2022
Welcome to your January 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 168 Two-Minute Football Drill
Episode 169 Move My Music to the Kitchen
Episode 170 Echo Show Screensaver Skills
Episode 171 Wi-Fi Connectivity Troubleshooter
Episode 172 Refill My Medication
Episode 173 Alexa Together for Seniors and Caregivers
So how can I get it on my Echo? At present, 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/
Podcasts
Here's some podcast highlights from 2021, enjoy!
In this episode of the Echo Show Podcast hear Shaun and Robin talk about a Submarine Adventure game, some Trivia skills, and more. See the link below for a listen.
https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9waW5lY2FzdC5jb20vZmVlZC90aGVlY2hvc2hvdw/episode/aHR0cHM6Ly9waW5lY2FzdC5jb20vZ3VpZC84MWJlNDViZS0xNzI2LTRmYjItYTA0YS00ZDcwMzQ5ZGRmZDE?sa=X&ved=0CAUQkfYCahcKEwjg0cuc1-zuAhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQDg&hl=en
On this episode of the RNIB's Tech Talk podcast hear New Vision's instructor, David Ward, interviewed by Steven Scott about smart speakers and a whole lot more. See the link below.
https://audioboom.com/posts/7794595-smart-speakers-with-david-ward-and-more-from-the-email-inbox
In this episode of Maccessibility the knights of the roundtable discuss the various Apple announcments at the Worldwide Developer Conference (WWWDC). Listen via the link below.
http://maccessibility.net/podcast/maccessibility_rt218.mp3
On this episode of Tech Talk the team discusses the new features announced at Apple's WWDC event. Steven even highlights features he's tried using VoiceOver on his iPad and iPhone. Have a listen via the link below.
https://embeds.audioboom.com/posts/7882649/embed/v4
Steven Scott is a well known figure in the assistive technology arena. He's the host of Double Tap Canada and the RNIB's Teach Talk podcast and radio show. In this episode of Blind Bargains hear him interviewed. See the link below.
https://www.blindbargains.com/a/22107
iPhone & iPad Apps
Here's the AppleVis' Unlimited Newsletter for November 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 escape the room game, crime fighting game, and other notable app updates.
https://www.applevis.com/blog/applevis-unlimited-whats-new-noteworthy-november-2021
Echo Things to Try
Here are a few things to try with your Echo. Some practical, some just fun.
- Alexa, change your voice
- Alexa, change your wake word
- Alexa, talk faster
- Alexa, talk slower
- Alexa, what can I ask Jason Aldean?
- Alexa, open Washington Post
- Alexa, turn on Alexa Captions
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
