New Vision Newsletter
March 2022
Welcome to your March 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 179 Brief Mode
Episode 180 Olympics News and Info
Episode 181 Privacy, History, and Microphones Oh My!
Episode 182 Alexa Goes to Space! Watch out Hal 9000
Episode 183 My Privacy Settings and Voice ID
Episode 184 Alexa Answers vs. Snacking Texans
Episode 185 Echo Show 10 Motion Controls
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
In this episode of Blind Guy Talks Tech hear Robin unbox the brand new Echo Show 15. Unlike the previous Echo Shows this unit is designed to be wall-mounted and serve as a sort of smart home hub and bulletin board. Check out the link below.
https://episodes.castos.com/60637cbdcd8b06-67081744/ea9eb26c-1d34-4b4f-a6c4-e36e17f6fecd-BGTT-10th-Mar-Show-15-Demo.mp3
Did you tune into the Apple Peak Performance event? In this episode of the Maccessibility Roundtable Podcast here the team discusses the new iPhone SE, iPad, and more. Listen at the link below.
http://maccessibility.net/podcast/maccessibility_rt233.mp3
In this episode of Maccessibility the knights of the roundtable discuss the various Apple announcments at the Worldwide Developer Conference (WWWDC). Check out the link below.
http://maccessibility.net/podcast/maccessibility_rt218.mp3
How can businesses help improve accessibility? Listen as Robin Christopherson, of Ability.net, discusses his day job where he tackles those issues every day. Listen at the link below.
https://episodes.castos.com/60637cbdcd8b06-67081744/b2798786-b0c6-4b3f-bd09-2bb3f79aec23-BGTT-7th-March-Business-And-Accessibility.mp3
In this episode of Blind Guy Talks Tech, Steven talks with two assistive technology experts about the Apple Mac's accessibility strengths and failings. Some of its failings even led one of the experts to say he no longer recommends Apple's Mac to the visually impaired anymore as a suitable option. Listen at the link below.
https://episodes.castos.com/60637cbdcd8b06-67081744/a6c86224-8fc2-42b4-8d23-5727a12abdf5-bgtt-great-mac-debate.mp3
Large Print 2022 Calendars
Did you miss out on getting your large print calendar from New Vision this year? There are commercial products available that might fit your needs. These can also be ordered over the phone.
Jumbo 2022 Calendar from Independent Living Aids is the same wall size as the New Vision Calendar and similar font size. Call: 1-800-537-2118.
Jumbo 2022 Print Calendar from Maxiaids is the same wall size as the New Vision Calendar and similar font size. Call: 1-800-522-6294.
In addition, resources can be located on the Library of Congress website at the link below.
https://www.loc.gov/nls/braille-audio-reading-materials/calendars/
iPhone & iPad Apps
Here's the AppleVis' Unlimited Newsletter for February 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 a powerful fitness tracker app from Google, a game set in Robin Hood's Nottingham, and other notable app updates.
https://www.applevis.com/blog/applevis-unlimited-whats-new-noteworthy-february-2022
Echo Things to Try
Here are a few things to try with your Echo. Some practical, some just fun.
- Alexa, update my privacy settings.
- Alexa, edit my appointment.
- Alexa, remove 2 minutes from my timer.
- Alexa, find my keys.
- Alexa, give me a nutrition tip.
- Alexa, make a donation to support Ukraine.
- Alexa, shop women-owned small businesses.
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
