Blind Abilities

Blind Abilities presents the next installment in its series on Aira. Pete Lane continues his interview with Amy Bernal, Director of Aira Agents, and Patrick Lane, Aira Agent analyst. Hear their thoughts on Aira agent training, their views on customer service and the continuing evolution of the agent position. Aira has grown from eight contract agents at the time of the interview, to twenty-three, and they continue to hire. If you are a sighted listener, check the web site at Aira.IO for details, or contact Erin@Aira.IO for information on becoming an agent. Hear how Aira is piloting extended hours of availability until 10p.m. Pacific Time, 1a.m. Eastern.    Blind Abilities offers a detailed look into Aira: the product, its users, agents and the company itself – a perspective that cannot be found anywhere else in the podcast arena. stay tuned for future podcasts as Jeff and Pete interview Erich Manser, employed by IBM Accessibility and a blind runner who recently completed the Boston Marathon with Aira as part of his visual guide. Keep it tuned right here for more podcasts with a blindness perspective! You can follow us on Twitter @BlindAbilities On the web at www.BlindAbilities.com Send us an email Get the Free Blind Abilities App on the App Store.

David Raistrick, Vice president/CEO of Envision America introduces us to the ID Mate Galaxy and Script Talk. Both accessible products talk and give us access to labels and much much more. The ID mate Galaxy not only reads bar codes the ID Mate gives instructions, Nutritional Values, detailed product information and will conduct price checks with national retailers such as Walmart and Amazon. You can make your own identification for labels by recording your own voice to pre-printed labels. The Script Talk product allows a pharmacist to put labels on the medication bottles that can be read by a blind/visually impaired person just by holding the label over the talking reader. No more guessing and no more taking chances. There are large print and Braille options with Script View and David gives us a full overview of all these Envision America products. You can find Envision America on the web. You can contact David Raistrick by email or call Direct: 941-702-6607 Mobile: 309-287-8968 Thank you for listening. You can follow us on Twitter @BlindAbilities On the web at www.BlindAbilities.com Send us an email Get the Free Blind Abilities App on the App Store.

Here is a quick overview of the new Office Lens App from Microsoft.This is a Free app that captures text and enables one to utilize the image/text in a variety of ways. From OCR to PowerPoint this new app seems to do it all especially when exported to a word processing app such as Microsoft Word itself. Here is what Microsoft says about Office lens: Office Lens trims, enhances and makes pictures of whiteboards and documents readable. Office Lens can convert images to editable Word and PowerPoint files too. Office Lens is like having a scanner in your pocket. Like magic, it will digitize notes on whiteboards or blackboards. Always find important documents or business cards. Sketch your ideas and snap a picture for later. Don’t lose receipts or stray sticky notes again! Scenarios: – Capture and crop a picture of a whiteboard or blackboard and share your meeting notes with co-workers. – Make digital copies of your printed documents, business cards or posters and trim them precisely. – Printed and handwritten text will be automatically recognized (using OCR), so you can search for words in images and then copy and edit them. Features: – With Whiteboard mode, Office Lens trims and cleans up glare and shadows. – With Document mode, Office Lens trims and colors images perfectly. – Pictures can be saved to OneNote, OneDrive or other cloud storage. – Business Card mode can extract contact information and save it into your address book and OneNote. This feature works best with the following business cards: English, German, Spanish and Simplified Chinese. Support for more languages is coming soon. Choose to convert images to Word (.docx), PowerPoint (.pptx) or PDF (.pdf) files that are automatically saved to OneDrive. Thank you for listening. You can follow us on Twitter @BlindAbilities On the web at www.BlindAbilities.com Send us an email Get the Free Blind Abilities App on the App Store.

Peggy Chong has been in many places and many states and it has been a while since she has been in Minnesota so it was nice to meet up with her and talk about her work and passions. Peggy is known as, “The Blind history Lady,” as her work over the years has brought about her books and articles about people in history who were blind and nearly lost until Peggy dug up the articles and stories from relatives and schools to breathe some life into the lives they lived. Peggy has a series called, “The Blind History lady presents” on the web. The Blind history lady Presents A look back at the blind men and women of the United States in the 1800s through the early 1900s who worked hard to lead a normal life. What they did, the resources they had or did not have and the techniques they used to become teachers, plumbers, politicians, newspaper editors, boat builders, barbers, piano tuners, chemists and so much more. Be sure to check out her latest stories and support her initiative. Thank you for listening. You can follow us on Twitter @BlindAbilities On the web at www.BlindAbilities.com Send us an email Get the Free Blind Abilities App on the App Store.

Blind Abilities presents another installment in its series: iPhone 101. In this segment Pete Lane introduces us to the most basic of the Voiceover gestures. While there are many gestures, these are the most basic gestures that will be needed to get acquainted with your iPhone as a new user. Pete not only explains the gestures, but he demonstrates them using his iPhone 6 to fully illustrate how they are used in real-life situations. The gestures covered in this installment are: 1. The “Touch and Slide” gesture: touch the screen lightly with one finger. Whatever is touched will be read by Voiceover. Slide a single around the screen to explore the screen’s contents. 2. A flick to the right: a light flick with a single finger, usually your index finger, as if you’re flicking a bug. 3. A flick to the left: this is the same as number 2, except it is done in the opposite direction: from right to left. 4. A single-finger double-tap: using a single finger, usually your index finger, lightly tap an item quickly to activate a button or open an app. Stay tuned for more installments in the series, including How to set up a new iPhone, and a review of all of the other Voiceover gestures. Thank you for listening. You can follow us on Twitter @BlindAbilities On the web at www.BlindAbilities.com Send us an email Get the Free Blind Abilities App on the App Store.

Jamie Principato is a Physics Major at the University of Colorado at Boulder and is working on a Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) program for transition age B/VI students. Jamie talks about how she got interested in the sciences as a young child during conversations with her father. Her desire to become a Physics Major did not happen until she found the beauty in Mathematics and the determination to seek the field she desired and not to settle for less. Jamie has transitioned from high school to home school and to college. She shares her experiences and encourages others not to settle for less than what they really want. Join Jamie Principato as she sits down with Jeff Thompson of Blind Abilities and chats about her journey, her goals and some of the challenges she faced along the way. You can follow Jamie on Twitter @BlackByrdFly Thank you CheeChau for your beautiful LaLa Tune. @LCheeChau Thank you for listening. You can follow us on Twitter @BlindAbilities On the web at www.BlindAbilities.com Send us an email Get the Free Blind Abilities App on the App Store.

Blind Abilities presents this in depth interview with David New. David is many things, not the least of which is his activism in the Miami Beach area of South Florida around blindness initiatives. David is President of two organizations: Access Now and Power Access which are having a substantial impact in the areas of blindness advocacy. Join Jeff and Pete as they explore David’s many talents, and discuss the hugely successful South Beach Jazz Festival of December 2016. Enjoy this fascinating 30-minute interview with the usual entertaining music and audio production you’ve grown to expect from Blind Abilities. You can find David New on the web here Thank you for listening. You can follow us on Twitter @BlindAbilities On the web at www.BlindAbilities.com Send us an email Get the Free Blind Abilities App on the App Store.

The Blind Abilities Teen Cast Team member Alec Olson gives a brief introduction to the Voice Dream Reader App. The Teen Cast is part of Blind Abilities and focuses on students transitioning from high school to college and to the workplace.Alec is presently in high school and has used the Voice Dream reader app for quite some time and shares this overview with us so one can get a taste of what this app can do for you and just may be another Tool for your Toolbox for Success. so if you are curious about Voice Dream Reader and want to know more about how Alec uses this tool, check it out and we hope you enjoy. Thank you for listening. You can follow us on Twitter @BlindAbilities On the web at www.BlindAbilities.com Send us an email Get the Free Blind Abilities App on the App Store.

Jeff Bazer of HIMS, Inc. gives us an overview of all of the HIMS Low Vision and Braille Devices. This includes the versatile GoVision, perfect for the visually impaired employee. Featuring OCR and Near, Distance and Self View operations the GoVision will go with you and even connect to your smart phone, computer or tablet. Jeff also reviews the newest membe r of the HIMS BrailleSense family, the traditionally innovative BrailleSense Polaris. This device bridges a huge gap in mainstream technology verses the tried and true notetaker. The Polaris will allow you access to Google Docs, Google Slides and more AND it gives you endless options from the Google Play Store since it is built on the Android Lollipop platform. You can contact Jeff Bazer via email at jeff@HIMS-Inc.com and follow HIMS-Inc on the web Thank you for listening. You can follow us on Twitter @BlindAbilities On the web at www.BlindAbilities.com Send us an email Get the Free Blind Abilities App on the App Store.

Richard Tapping gives our listeners an overview of the ElBraille and the ONYX OCR devices from VFO. These new devices are shipping soon and Richard covers each along with pricing packages from VFO. Descriptions from the VFO web site are posted below and Richard gives a great overview in this podcast. Join Richard Tapping and check out the new products from VFO. You can contact Richard Tapping 800-444-4443 or 727-803-8000 Sales: Info@vfogroup.com Thank you for listening. You can follow us on Twitter @BlindAbilities On the web at www.BlindAbilities.com Send us an email Get the Free Blind Abilities App on the App Store. The ElBraille A cutting-edge, extremely portable Braille computer The ElBraille is a portable device designed for users who are blind or deaf-blind and want to stay connected at school, work, or home as well as on the go. The twenty-first century, take anywhere replacement for the dedicated notetaker, ElBraille combines the power and flexibility of a modern mainstream computer running the Windows® 10 operating system with JAWS® and a Braille display with a full Braille keyboard to offer a fully accessible compact computer. JAWS provides the best screen reader experience with either Eloquence speech output or the highly responsive and life-like Vocalizer Expressive Compact voices as well as full Braille output. Type text into documents or perform JAWS and Windows® commands right from the Braille display’s keyboard using the JAWS BrailleIn® feature. Run any Windows application such as Microsoft Word®, Excel®, PowerPoint®, or Outlook®. Use FSReader to read DAISY books from sources such as Bookshare.org or browse the internet with Microsoft Internet Explorer® or Mozilla® Firefox. ElBraille also includes a set of specially designed apps for performing popular actions such as the creation of voice or text notes, listening to audio content, and more. The ElNotes application developed by Elita Group is designed to create, store, and manage text and voice notes on the ElBraille Notetaker. ElNotes allows a user to quickly create text and voice notes using a set of special keystrokes and then export them to TXT or MP3 files respectively, if needed. These files are saved to a user-specified folder and then are available to be read and listened to using other ElBraille applications. Save by upgrading your current investment – Compatible with your existing Focus 14 Blue or Focus 40 Blue Braille Display and your existing JAWS license. Features • Runs Microsoft Windows® 10 ◦ Latest JAWS version with Eloquence comes preinstalled • Braille display: 14 or 40 refreshable Braille cells, an 8-dot Perkins-style Braille keyboard • Microprocessor: Intel® Atom™ x5-Z8300, Quad-Core 1.84 GHZ CPU • 160 GB of internal memory, 2 GB RAM • 2 stereo speakers • Built-in Microphone • An additional system speaker with sound and vibration feedback • Wireless WLAN802.11 A/B/G/N/AC networks support (2.4 and 5 GHz) • Bluetooth V4.2 • A built-in 4G LTE modem supporting 7 cell networking standards: TDD-LTE, FDD-LTE, TD-SCDMA, WCDMA, CDMA1X/EVDO, GSM/GPRS/EDGE. Download speed up to 150 Mbps, upload speed up to 50 Mbps • GPS 1/8″ (3.5 mm) headphone jack • Memory card slot supporting SD, SDHC, SDXC up to 256 GB • USB 3.0 port • Mini HDMI port • Rechargeable 10,400 mAh battery • Approximately 17 to 20 hours on battery,

Chris Danielsen, Director of Public Relations for the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) explains the recent Supreme Court decision that strengthens the Individuals with disabilities Education Act. No longer can educators simply reinforce low expectations by not challenging students with disabilities, a meaningful education steps up the definition of appropriate public education which is the key language for the IDEA. Join Chris Danielsen and Jeff Thompson as they walk through what the unanimous Supreme Court decision means for the Blind and Disabled communities. You can contact Chris Danielsen Director of Public Relations National Federation of the Blind by E-mail: Thank you for listening. You can follow us on Twitter @BlindAbilities On the web at www.BlindAbilities.com Send us an email Get the Free Blind Abilities App on the App Store.

While attending the Minnesota ACB convention, Jeff Thompson of the Blind Abilities Team talked to Aliza Olenick from Orcam. A new camera device that attaches to glasses and reads print, does object recognition, facial recognition and much more. Aliza demos the orca in action and gives us a great feel for such an innovative product. You can contact Orcam on the web at www.orcam.com You can get a hold of Aliza Olenick on email Thank you for listening. You can follow us on Twitter @BlindAbilities On the web at www.BlindAbilities.com Send us an email Get the Free Blind Abilities App on the App Store.

Blind Abilities presents another in its iPhone 101 series, in the Resources section. In this short audio clip, Pete Lane shows us some prices and specifications for iPhone models 6S, 7 and 7 Plus available through the iOS app, called “The Apple Store.” Pete illustrates how this app works and some of the other features offered in the app, such as the Certified refurbished Program and the iPhone Upgrade Program. Pete then takes us over to the Amazon store via the IOS Amazon app, where he searches for some other models which may be available for cheaper prices. Join Pete for this quick trip around the iPhone sales arena in this installment in the iPhone 101 series. Thank you for listening. You can follow us on Twitter @BlindAbilities On the web at www.BlindAbilities.com Send us an email Get the Free Blind Abilities App on the App Store.

Blind Abilities presents Part 3 in their series on Aira, Visual Interpreter for the Blind. Pete chats with Amy Bernal, Director of Aira Agent Services, and Patrick Lane, Aira Agent Analyst about a myriad of fascinating topics. Listen as they share their insight into the duties of Aira Agents; their thoughts about user safety, agents sharing opinions about fashion, a detailed description of the Aira glasses, the official price plans, and what’s in store for the future. Join Pete and his guests for this in depth look into the world of Aira, a product that’s taking the blindness community by storm! You can find out more about Aira on the web at www.Aira.io Thank you for listening. You can follow us on Twitter @BlindAbilities On the web at www.BlindAbilities.com Send us an email Get the Free Blind Abilities App on the App Store.

See Transcript Below. Molly Wezel-Peterson shares her journey, her story, her coping while sitting down one on one with Jeff Thompson of Blind Abilities. From her earliest days, through high school and graduating college Molly tells us what it is like accepting Usher Syndrome and staying positive about her future. I hope you enjoy this look inside of Molly’s life and what she faces every day with Usher Syndrome. I know I did and I learned a lot about DeafBlind from someone who is a true advocate for those facing the challenges which they cannot control but they can rise above the limited expectations. Thank you for listening. You can follow us on Twitter @BlindAbilities On the web at www.BlindAbilities.com Send us an email Get the Free Blind Abilities App on the App Store. Transcript: Molly: You know, knowing I’m going to become blind, I would say at this point in my life, I, I do accept it. Um, it was difficult and it took a long time. Of course, I started out crying and it was very upsetting but I’ve since spent a lot of time learning how to cope as a deaf/blind person, and also educating my family. I do need to, to, to prepare. I do need to get ready, I mean I can still see but I want to be completely prepared when I do lose my sight, when I do become legally blind. I am taking advantage of the sight that I have now to be able to learn how to live as a person that won’t have sight potentially in the future. SSB is fantastic as a support for deaf/blind and there is other organizations outside of Minnesota that are very supportive. Deaf, blind, hearing, whatever your disability is, you can do it. You will be afraid, you will want to isolate yourself, but don’t go that route. Take advantage of all the wonderful opportunities that are out there to help you achieve what you want to achieve. Jeff Thompson: Welcome to Blind Abilities. I am Jeff Thompson. I would like to introduce you to Molly Wezel-Peterson. She is someone who happens to be deaf/blind, college graduate, hard worker, an advocate, and who wants to share her story about living with Usher Syndrome. From her past to present to her future, Molly shares her thoughts, her emotions, how she copes, and most of all, she is sharing her story with you all. And if you want to find more podcasts with the blindness perspective, check us out on the web at blindabilities.com, on Twitter at blindabilities, and download the free Blind Abilities app from the app store, that is blind abilities, two words. So without further ado, please welcome Molly Wezel-Peterson. Molly: Was I born deaf, nobody really knows. I don’t know if I was born hearing or born deaf, it was just never identified but, um, they found out that I was deaf probably when I was around 2, they kinda assumed I was deaf. I was adopted and there was really very, no communication so my parents put me in a special education school, and, I learned sign language with a tutor, and I went to a mainstreamed school so, itís called the Gideon Pond. It was a school for mostly hearing children but as a deaf student, as a deaf person I went there to Gideon Pond and I had a teacher that was there in the Special Ed classroom that taught me and used sign language. And so I learned sign language in school plus my parents learned sign language as well. And really both, my parents have since divorced and they weren’t sure where I should go to school at that point so I, that’s when I ended up going to MSAD in Faribault. I had actually first went to a, first I went to a summer program in Fairbault just to see what I thought of it and I had not yet been identified as having Usher Syndrome so deaf/blind,