New Vision Newsletter
March 2024
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.
Echo Tips Podcast
New Echo Tips Podcast episodes are released every Wednesday. They are available on your Echo or computer. The podcast features New Vision's instructor, David Ward. These episodes contain micro-sized 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 287 Alexa's Voice Makeover, When and What to Expect?
Episode 288 New Echo Hub Smart Panel But Not a Smart Buy!
Episode 289 Amazon Let Little Johnny Down!
Episode 290 Tigers, Dragons, Bears, and Owls Oh My! Voices for Amazon Kits Plus
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/
Next Gen Access Podcast
Step into the digital frontier with “Next Gen Access,” the groundbreaking podcast that illuminates the path toward a more inclusive technological landscape. Hosted by the insightful David Ward, Assistive Technology Instructor for New Vision at Goodwill. This series invites you to explore the cutting edge of accessible technologies for the Blind and Vision Impaired.
In each episode, David engages with industry luminaries—those revered pundits who've navigated these barriers and advocate at an international level. Together, they delve into the uncharted territories of screen readers, low-vision software, and Operating Systems. What innovations lie ahead? How can we empower users with seamless experiences? Tune in as we decode the future, one byte at a time.
Whether you’re a tech enthusiast, an advocate, or simply curious about the intersection of innovation and accessibility, “Next Gen Access” promises riveting conversations that transcend boundaries. Join us on this auditory expedition—it’s time to redefine what’s possible.
In the pilot episode of Next Gen Access. We discuss Apple's iOS, iPas-OS, and a bit of Mac. Guests on this episode include Shelly Brisbin, Robin Chrstopherson, and Holly Anderson. Also, a special thanks to the Virginia Board for the Blind and Vision Impaired for their sponsorship.
https://pinecast.com/listen/4bdb5b80-bed1-482c-b5ef-76823c56ea37.mp3?source=rss&ext=asset.mp3/
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, FaceTime, and in-person by appointment. Please contact us to find out more.
Lions on the Lake Event
Save the date! Lions on the Lake is June 29, 2024 at Claytor Lake State Park from 11 am – 2 pm. There will be boat rides, a picnic, games, and tons of fun! The event is sponsored by the Blacksburg Breakfast Lions Club. New this year! 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 count helps in preparing adequate food, life-jackets, and having plenty of supplies. Contact David or Susan with any questions.
Podcasts
In a past episode of the Double Tap podcast, hosts Steven Scott and Shaun Preece kicked things off with their usual banter, discussing everything from breakfast choices to the peculiar habit of eating fruit with stickers still on them. The major news of the day, however, came from Be My Eyes CEO Mike Buckley, who joined the hosts to discuss the launch of the Service Directory in the Be My Eyes app. This new feature aimed to dramatically expand the number of companies that people who are blind and partially sighted could connect to for customer service. Starting with approximately 600 companies, the directory eventually included the top 10,000 B2C companies worldwide, providing a seamless, easy repository for customer service needs. This initiative was not only a step towards better accessibility but also served as a marketing and sales funnel for Be My Eyes, encouraging companies to establish deeper relationships and offer video customer service calls or AI-assisted calls. Check out the link below.
https://chrt.fm/track/A26365/locator.simplecastcdn.com/d838244c-2029-41b5-aa66-d28628ab36fa/bace1ac5-293c-4ada-9054-467bf2e651ca.mp3?aid=rss_feed&feed=MhX_XZQZ
In the latest episode of Double Tap, Steven Scott and Shaun Preece delved into the world of accessible technology with their usual banter. They discussed the news from Google that the Pixel 8 smartphone wouldn't be able to run their latest Gemini AI, while Wear OS 4 received a new text-to-speech voice. Additionally, rumors circulated about Apple's upcoming accessibility features in iOS 18 and Mac OS 15. The main story centered around JAWS, the screen reader developed by Vispero. The company's Vice President of Software and Product Development joined Steven and Shaun to explore the new AI image recognition feature, which is now available via their Early Adopters Program. Michael Babcock also chimed in, sharing his initial impressions and providing a brief demo of the new feature in action. Listen at the link below.
https://chrt.fm/track/A26365/locator.simplecastcdn.com/d838244c-2029-41b5-aa66-d28628ab36fa/1fb4ce17-3c57-4f85-8763-6182d4801c92.mp3?aid=rss_feed&feed=MhX_XZQZ
iPhone & iPad Apps
Here's the AppleVis' Unlimited Newsletter for February 2024. AppleVis is a premier website for reviewing Apple-related devices and Apps from a visual impairment perspective. This edition topics include the all-new Apple Sports App, a new object recognition App, and noteable updates for BARD Mobile, and other apps. Check out the newsletter for more information on these and other exciting updates from the AppleVis community!
https://www.applevis.com/blog/applevis-unlimited-whats-new-noteworthy-february-2024
Echo Things to Try
Here are a few things to try with your Echo. Some practical, some just fun.
- Alexa, let's party.
- Alexa, tell me about Reading Sidekick.
- Alexa, tell me a classic poem.
- Alexa, play news from CBS.
- Alexa, what time is sunrise on Wednesday?
- Alexa, open Queen Trivia Challenge.
- Alexa, open game called Starfinder.
- Alexa, play the music I heard yesterday.
- Alexa, make it so.
- Alexa, let's play a game.
- Alexa, how can I create my own skill?
- Alexa, recommend a new movie podcast.
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
Email: dward@goodwillvalleys.com
Phone: 540.985.8900
Office: 3601 Thirlane Rd. NW, Suite 5,
Roanoke, VA 24019