New Vision Newsletter
April 2023
Welcome to your April 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 240 Alarm Jingles for Everything!
Episode 241 Forgetful Volume is No More and What did I say!
Episode 242 Set The Date a New Alarm Feature
Episode 243 Oracle of Light Advanced and other ChatGPT Skills
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.
tunein.com/podcasts/Education-Podcasts/Echo-Tips-p1118403/
Lions on the Lake Event
Save the date! Lions on the Lake is June 17, 2023 at Claytor Lake State Park from 11 am – 2 pm. There will be boat rides, picnic, games, and tons of fun! The event is sponsored by the Blacksburg Breakfast Lions Club. If you don’t have transportation and live in the New River Valley contact Suzanne Ament at seament@radford.edu or by phone 540-381-0963. Or if you live in the Roanoke area and don't have transportation contact David Ward at dward@goodwillvalleys.com or by phone 540-985-8900. Transportation will be first-come-first-served. Each person is limited to two seats for the blind individual and a friend or family member. As always there is no charge for this event and the park also grants free access.
Please RSVP, an accurate tally helps in preparing adequate food, life-jackets, and having plenty of supplies. Contact David or Susan with any questions.
Podcasts
In this episode of Double Tap, you'll hear a fantastic demo of the Seeing AI Apps new indoor navigation feature! Check out the link below.
https://chrt.fm/track/A26365/locator.simplecastcdn.com/d838244c-2029-41b5-aa66-d28628ab36fa/7b5634e7-afa2-4e16-b69f-f919ec497e24.mp3?aid=rss_feed&feed=MhX_XZQZ
In this episode of Blind Abilities you'll hear the gang talk to the fellas from Be My Eyes about the ground breaking Virtual Assistant, which is out now in limited beta. Listen at the link below.
https://chrt.fm/track/A26365/locator.simplecastcdn.com/d838244c-2029-41b5-aa66-d28628ab36fa/8a47cbfa-5fae-4ecd-93e1-b9e2bbff357d.mp3?aid=rss_feed&feed=MhX_XZQZ
In this episode of Double Tap, Shaun and Steven have Carrie, from Carrie On Accessibility, on to discuss her YouTube Channel and Android accessibility. Check out the link below.
https://chrt.fm/track/A26365/locator.simplecastcdn.com/d838244c-2029-41b5-aa66-d28628ab36fa/8f6b1840-6015-4d03-a4c3-dc7e2c1e5780.mp3?aid=rss_feed&feed=MhX_XZQZ
iPhone & iPad Apps
Here's the AppleVis' Unlimited Newsletter for March 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 fantasy and time-travel games, a new scene recognition App, and other notable app updates.
https://www.applevis.com/blog/applevis-unlimited-whats-new-noteworthy-march-2023
Echo Things to Try
Here are a few things to try with your Echo. Some practical, some just fun.
- Alexa, can you talk like Yoda?
- Alexa, what's your favorite sport.
- Alexa, do the hokey pokey.
- Alexa, play the Stuff You Should Know on iHeart Radio.
- Alexa, open Mastermind.
- Alexa, check my e-mail.
- Alexa, make me smart.
- Alexa, join my meeting.
- Alexa, what's the new federal tax brackets?
- Alexa, tell me three things to know.
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
To sign up and receive the New Vision Newsletter, complete this form.
Contact Info
Assistive Technology Instructor,
New Vision at Goodwill Industries of the Valleys
dward@goodwillvalleys.com