New Vision Newsletter
January 2023
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.
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.
Latest Episodes
Episode 222 Follow-Up Mode for Reminders and More Goodness
Episode 223 New Voices or Accents for your Echo
Episode 224 The Dragon and Owl Voice for Kids
Episode 225 Amazon Kids Plus. Story Time, News, Games, and Literacy
Episode 226 Star Wars Sound Journeys and Marvel's Project Mind for Kids Review
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.
https://tunein.com/podcasts/Education-Podcasts/Echo-Tips-p1118403/
Podcasts
Aira the ever-popular sighted assistance service, for the visually impaired, is changing its prices. Learn more in this episode of Double Tap with Seven and Shaun. Check out the link below.
https://chrt.fm/track/A26365/locator.simplecastcdn.com/d838244c-2029-41b5-aa66-d28628ab36fa/9ca562dd-29c9-4caa-8afe-43590b724071.mp3?aid=rss_feed&feed=MhX_XZQZ
In this episode of Tech Abilities, the team talks about a new BookShare App, new Text-To-Speech Voices, and a whole lot more. Listen at the link below.
https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/blindabilities/TASnowBomb.mp3?dest-id=254899
In this episode of Talking Tech, with Vision Australia's David Woodbridge, you'll hear about 3rd Party Twitter Apps breaking, ARX Smart Glasses support for the BlindShell phone, and a lot more. Check out the link below.
https://www.podbean.com/ew/dir-swxt4-1640e1bd
iPhone & iPad Apps
Here's the AppleVis' Unlimited Newsletter for December 2022. 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 choose your own adventure games, an App that teaches you to play Chess, and other notable app updates.
https://www.applevis.com/blog/applevis-unlimited-whats-new-noteworthy-december-2022
Echo Things to Try
Here are a few things to try with your Echo. Some practical, some just fun.
- Alexa, tell me an animal tale.
- Alexa, give me a bad poem.
- Alexa, what’s free from Audible?
- Alexa, recommend a new movie podcast.
- Alexa, play news from People TV.
- Alexa, start brain workout.
- Alexa, what can I make with chicken and spinach?
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.
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Contact Info
Assistive Technology Instructor,
New Vision at Goodwill Industries of the Valleys
dward@goodwillvalleys.com