Eyes On Success with hosts Peter and Nancy Torpey

1717 Encore of 1308 Progress in Speech Synthesis (Apr. 19, 2017) Show Notes Much adaptive technology relies on speech synthesis, which has evolved from humble beginnings to nearly human sounding speech. Hosts Nancy Goodman Torpey and Peter Torpey talk with Andrew Breen, director of innovation for text to speech at Nuance Communications, about the history, … Continue reading 1717 Encore of 1308 Progress in Speech Synthesis (Apr. 19, 2017) →

1716 When You Have a Story to Tell (Apr. 12, 2017) Show Notes Even as a child, Jo Elizabeth Pinto enjoyed writing. Now, what started as a few chapters in high school, has grown into her debut novel, “The Bright Side of Darkness.” Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with her about the experiences that … Continue reading 1716 When You Have a Story to Tell (Apr. 12, 2017) →

1715 Audio Book Narrator (Apr. 5, 2017) Show Notes You’ve probably heard her voice on a Talking Book from the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. Martha Harmon Pardee has narrated over 3,000 books for the NLS. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with her about the process of recording audio books, … Continue reading 1715 Audio Book Narrator (Apr. 5, 2017) →

1714 Blind Software Engineer (Mar. 29, 2017) Show Notes Computers are very accessible to the visually impaired these days. There are also many attractive employment opportunities for those with computer-related skills, particularly if they know how to program. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Tom Shults, a blind engineer, about his career and how … Continue reading 1714 Blind Software Engineer (Mar. 29, 2017) →

1713 Ultra Sports Challenges (Mar. 22, 2017) Show Notes Erik Weihenmayer, the first blind person to summit Mount Everest, has released a new book called “No Barriers: A Blind Man’s Journey to Kayak the Grand Canyon”. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with him about his adventures and about “No Barriers”, an organization he co-founded … Continue reading 1713 Ultra Sports Challenges (Mar. 22, 2017) →

1712 Data Visualization Updates from SAS (Mar. 15, 2017) Show Notes The SAS Graphics Accelerator makes graphical data accessible to the visually impaired by dynamically producing alternative presentations in the form of verbal description, sonification, and tabular data. Ed Summers, a blind engineer and head of the accessibility team at SAS, demos the tools and … Continue reading 1712 Data Visualization Updates from SAS (Mar. 15, 2017) →

1711 Teaching Blind Children (Mar. 8, 2017) Show Notes Carol Puchalski has worked for over 30 years as a developmental psychology consultant at the Anchor Center for Blind Children in Colorado. She recently returned from a trip to Uganda where she volunteered to assist a school for the blind. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk … Continue reading 1711 Teaching Blind Children (Mar. 8, 2017) →

1710 Graphiti Refreshable Tactile Graphics Display (Mar. 1, 2017) Show Notes Graphiti is a dynamic multi-level tactile touch display designed to give the blind access to graphical and pictorial information at an affordable price. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Venkatesh Chari, President and CTO at Orbit Research, and Ken Perry, project manager at … Continue reading 1710 Graphiti Refreshable Tactile Graphics Display (Mar. 1, 2017) →

1709 Low Vision Products from VFO (Feb. 22, 2017) Show Notes A wide variety of low vision aids are available to assist people with limited vision. They range in size, magnification capability, and function. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Ivar Illing, Vice President of Product Management at VFO / Optelec, about the various … Continue reading 1709 Low Vision Products from VFO (Feb. 22, 2017) →

1708 DictationBridge (Feb. 15, 2016) Show Notes Microsoft Windows now comes with built in speech recognition. Unfortunately, on its own, it is difficult to use with a screen reader. DictationBridge is a free program that solves this problem using most popular screen readers. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey speak with Lucy Greco, a member of … Continue reading 1708 DictationBridge (Feb. 15, 2016) →

1707 Acting Blind (Feb. 8, 2017) Show Notes Pursuing a career in the performing arts as a professional actor comes with a number of challenges whether one is blind or not. Even for the blind, however, these barriers are not insurmountable. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with George Ashiotis about his career and experiences … Continue reading 1707 Acting Blind (Feb. 8, 2017) →

1706 Theater Breaking Through Barriers (Feb. 1, 2017) Show Notes Theater Breaking Through Barriers is an Off-Broadway theater and one of several professional theaters in the country dedicated to advancing actors and writers with disabilities and changing the image of people with disabilities from dependence to independence. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Nicholas … Continue reading 1706 Theater Breaking Through Barriers (Feb. 1, 2017) →

1705 Guide to Accessibility of iOS Devices (Jan 25, 2017) Show Notes Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Shelly Brisbin, author of the book “iOS Access for All: The Comprehensive Guide to Accessibility for iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch”. The book is an excellent reference guide to accessibility features in iOS devices and also … Continue reading 1705 Guide to Accessibility of iOS Devices (Jan 25, 2017) →

1704 Employment Opportunities at NASA (Jan. 18, 2017) Show Notes The U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration is a leader in technology and dedicated to disability hiring and inclusion. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Kenneth Silberman and Dr. Evelina Felicite-Mauric from the education department of NASA about internships, fellowships and other employment opportunities … Continue reading 1704 Employment Opportunities at NASA (Jan. 18, 2017) →

1703 Blind Driver Challenge (Jan. 11, 2017) Show Notes Attitudes about what the blind can and cannot do have been challenged by the work of the National Federation of the Blind’s Jernigan Institute and their efforts to create a car that the blind can drive independently. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Mark Riccobono, … Continue reading 1703 Blind Driver Challenge (Jan. 11, 2017) →