SITE Scotland - Supported, Integration, Training and Employment

SITE Bites Podcast No. 25 - Mix Cloud Jen takes us through Mix Cloud an app that connects radio content to listeners more effectively. Podcast Archive Link

SITE Bites Podcast No. 24 - BBC Weather App An overview of the recent BBC Weather app Podcast Archive Link

SITE Bites Podcast No. 23 - Cinema Times UK App Jen takes us through this app which provides details of where your local cinemas are located and also tells you what is on. Podcast Archive Link

SITE Bites Podcast No. 22 - Victor Reader Stream New Generation HumanWare has introduced a new version of the Victor Reader Stream media player for people who are blind or visually impaired. It’s now smaller, smarter and wireless. Check out our podcast to see if the new Stream hits the mark! Podcast Archive Link

SITE Bites Podcast No. 21 - Scottish Braille Press We speak to Brian Philip, Scottish Braille Press to find out what they provide from their premises in Edinburgh. Podcast Archive Link

SITE Bites Podcast No. 20 - Rosie McLaughlin, Scottish War Blinded This podcast features Rosie McLaughlin, Scottish War Blinded at the recent Association of Talking Newspapers Conference. Podcast Archive Link

SITE Bites Podcast No. 19 - Aileen McGlynn OBE This podcast features SITE patron Aileen McGlynn who recently spoke with us shortly after her triumph at the London 2012 Paralympic Games. Podcast Archive Link

SITE Bites Podcast No. 18 - WhatsApp Messenger In our latest podcast Jenn takes you through WhatsApp Messenger - a cross-platform mobile messaging app which allows you to exchange messages without having to pay for SMS. WhatsApp Messenger is available for iPhone, BlackBerry, Android, Windows Phone and Nokia and yes, those phones can all message each other! Because WhatsApp Messenger uses the same internet data plan that you use for email and web browsing, there is no cost to message and stay in touch with your friends. In addition to basic messaging WhatsApp users can create groups, send each other unlimited images, video and audio media messages. Podcast Archive Link

SITE Bites Podcast No. 17 - Overview of the TuneIn Radio App Jenn Worrall takes us through the accessible TuneIn Radio app which provides access to over 50,000 radio stations covering music, sports and current affairs. Podcast Archive Link

SITE Bites Podcast No. 16 Dennis Robertson MSP Denis Robertson is the member for: Aberdeenshire West in the Scottish Parliament. In addition to serving on a number of Committees he is also Deputy Convenor of the Cross-Party Group on Visual Impairment. In his first year as a MSP Dennis tells us about his role as the first blind Member of the Scottish Parliament, including his love of audiobooks and his interests outside Holyrood. Podcast Archive Link

SITE Bites Podcast No. 15 Trekker Breeze In this latest podcast we take a look at the Trekker Breeze from Humanware by road testing this orientation and GPS navigation aid. Podcast Archive Link Additional Review by Iain Macmillan; "Within the blind and VI community one will find that mobility is one of the highest priorities. this is why we are all granted the use of the long white cane and for some, a guide dog. with the correct training and practice with these aids one can consider themselves mobile , but only to an extent . the trekker breeze from Humanware is a GPS device that can apparently increase the ease of ones mobility and even stretch its range to the far corners of britain and ireland. the trekker breeze is without a doubt an excellent piece of kit for the independent blind traveller, fully utilising the nine keys on the device. i was pleasantly surprised to learn the breeze functions most effectively with the use of both built in and customised landmarks . of course the preset landmarks differ according to your location,ie the greater th e town the more comprehensive and greater in numbers the landmarks become . these landmarks can be anything from your local newsagent to public amenities or even tourist destinations. by selecting any of these presets the breeze will guide you through the route , very much like a conventional satellite navigation system . if your favourite pub or eatery is not included, however , one can easily create one by standing at the entrance of said destination , pressing the record key and stating 'cross keys bar' , 'greasy spoon cafe' , or whatever , and thus becoming a destination with the others. this feature can be used to make notes or reminders while on route. for example to inform you on the high kerb you always trip over. the use of this feature os seemingly endless based on ones imagination to implement it. unfortunately the record button can become an annoyance as i found that it can often be triggered in your top pocket while walking since it hasn't a key lock function. i find this to be a minor criticism against a gadget which holds huge potential the trekker breeze also allows one to create customised routes . the model itself iss a good size and shape, like a cross between an in car GPS and a traditional mobile phone , its a device that will comfortably fit in your hand but is bulky and has enough weight to make it somehow reassuring. the breezes carry case was sadly the biggest letdown of the package . though aesthetically pleasing the case is just far too flimsy for such a high end product, while walking with the instrument i had absolutely no confidence in the cases ability to withstand any form of wear and tear . so as a result id urge humanware to produce a more rigid and substantial protective case for their trekker breeze. saying that the other items offered in the package are more than satisfactory ; as well as the varied instruction manuals, text, audio and digital text, one will receive power cable , usb connector , lapel loudspeaker, and shoulder and wrist straps for extra security and a billet in SD memory card. overall the humanware trekker breeze is a fine gadget, the GPS function is miles better than any smart phone application, the nine button design fully implement the devices capabilities which take no time to learn and get used to. despite the problems with the carry case the trekker breeze would be an excellent addition to any blind travellers arsenal."

SITE STRIKES GOLD! We are delighted to announce that Aileen McGlynn OBE - Paralympian has graciously agreed to be SITE's patron. Aileen, who is a Triple Olympic gold medal winner, is a cyclist who has represented Great Britain at two Paralympic Games – Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008. In between her Paralympic successes, Aileen won gold in the World Championships in Aigle, Switzerland in 2006, and 2 gold medals at the World Championships in Bordeaux, France in 2007. She also won double gold in the Paralympic World Cup in Manchester in May 2008, successfully defending both titles at the 2009 Paralympic World Cup. Aileen was awarded an MBE for services to disability cycling after Athens 2004 and then an OBE in the 2009 New Year Honours List. Robert Mooney, Chairman of SITE said 'We are grateful to Aileen for agreeing to become our first patron. She is a tremendous role model and has achieved so much despite her visual impairment.' Robert added 'I am sure that all of Scotland will be behind her as she prepares for the London Olympics and the 2014 `Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.' Check out the podcast page where Aileen talks with Ruby Shah about her cycling success and what the future holds for her.

SITE Bites Podcast No. 13 Peter Osbourne, RNIB In our latest podcast Ruby Shah talks with Peter Osbourne, Head of International Development and Partnership at the RNIB about his eBook experiences using the Kindle, iPad and iPhone. Podcast Archive Link