Zoom and Discord resources for screen reader users

[kestrell]

Zoom resources for screen reader users
First of all, it is recommended that you
download
https://zoom.us/download#client_4meeting
and install
https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/207373866-Zoom-Installers
the free Zoom app onto whatever device you are going to use, such as your Windows PC, Mac, iPhone, Android, etc. This will not only give you access to additional features, but make joining meetings easier.

If you are comfortable exploring Zoom on your own, you can find the list of
Zoom Hot keys and keyboard shortcuts here
https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/205683899-Hot-Keys-and-Keyboard-Shortcuts-for-Zoom

Two of the most useful keyboard shortcutsare:
F6, which navigates between Zoom panes/popup windows, and
Control+Alt+Shift, which moves the focus to Zoom's meeting controls.
These two shortcuts are useful for the most common question for blind users, which is "Which window am I in?".

Whether you are an expert user or a novice, however, I recommend that you download and listen to the following audiobook, which is being made freely available by the author.
Jonathan Mosen audiobook _Meet Me Accessibly: A Guide to Zoom Cloud Meetings from a Blindness Perspective_
https://mosen.org/zoom/
Once you unzip the downloaded file, you will find a list of MP3s, each of which describes an individual topic in Zoom. This means that you can listen to the "Introduction" and "Attending Your First Meeting" MP3s first, and then come back later to the more complicated sections such as configuring the client windows for Windows, iOS, or the online website. The audiobook also explains about sharing your screen, and recording meetings.
Note that you can record meetings and also get automatic transcripts. Read more
Zoom Accessibility FAQ
https://zoom.us/accessibility/faq

Another resource for learning to download, install, and get started with Zoom is
Perkins School for the Blind Zoom 101
https://www.perkinselearning.org/technology/blog/zoom-101-basic-steps-using-zoom

There is a second book available on Zoom for visually impaired user, but this one is not free.
_Getting Started with Zoom Meetings: A Guide for Jaws, NVDA, and iPhone Voiceover Users_
by Heather Thomas, Accessibility Services Associate at the Carroll Center
Price: $18
This is a step-by-step text-based guide for screen reader users.
Topics covered include: Initial setup on the PC and iPhone; the basics of participating in meetings; scheduling meetings and inviting participants; strategies for hosting meetings and managing participants; and other useful features like sharing your screen, chatting, and making recordings. A list of important keyboard shortcuts is also included.
Read more at
https://carroll.org/product/getting-started-with-zoom-meetings/?bblinkid=220991595&bbemailid=21485714&bbejrid=1483340570

Here are a couple more guides to help get you started, produced by WebFriendlyHelp.com:
Joining Zoom Meetings
https://webfriendlyhelp.com/joining-zoom-meetings/#content

How to Host Your Zoom Meeting
https://webfriendlyhelp.com/how-to-host-your-zoom-meeting/

Double Tap has this podcast which demonstrates how to send a Zoom meeting invite on an iPhone and then join the meeting on a PC.
A Quick Guide To Using Zoom Cloud Meetings
https://doubletap.online/zoom-cloud-meetings


And, finally, Zoom has a feature called Zoom Backgrounds, which can be used to provide a fun look to your video, or it can be used to hide the room or people behind you.
Explore Zoom backgrounds
https://zoommeetingbackgrounds.com/

Discord resources for screen reader users

the official list of Discord keyboard shortcuts.
https://support.discord.com/hc/en-us/articles/225977308--Windows-Discord-Hotkeys

Accessibility for blind users
https://support.discord.com/hc/en-us/community/posts/360032435152-Discord-Accessibility-for-blind-users

Discord with NVDA
https://forum.audiogames.net/topic/29729/tutorial-how-to-use-discord-with-nvda-on-windows/

Changeling’s Guide to Discord for Screen Reader Users: Servers and Channels
https://www.starshipchangeling.net/changelings-guide-to-discord-for-screen-reader-users-servers-and-channels/

This is the third in a series of posts that explains how to use the Discord service if you are also a screen reader user. If you are unsure of what Discord is, whether or not you wish to use the service, or both, please see
the dedicated page for this guide
https://www.starshipchangeling.net/discord/
for more information.

A WisCon Guide to Discord
https://wiscon.net/a-wiscon-guide-to-discord/

Finally, if you are comfortable installing and using scripts, Doug Lee has created scripts that work with Jaws to improve accessibility
https://www.dlee.org/discord/

Comments

drawbacks To Zoom backgrounds

[jesse_the_k]

While the concept is cool, and using a background does permit you to procrastinate further on cleaning up your office, there are down sides.

Zoom uses clever algorithms to isolate your outline from what your camera captures, but the algorithms often fail for fragile (and fractal) edges, like hair or hands. This means every movement captured on camera includes Zoom struggling to adjust the algorithm, which can result in your head/hands simply disappearing, or sparkling, or frank flashing.

I find the result distracting and unpleasant to watch -- for some it may trigger photosensitive vertigo (PSV) or headache.

Additionally, some of the available backgrounds include so much detail that it overwhelms your image, negating any of the interpersonal benefit which may obtain to using video at all.

Better to join through phone!

Re: drawbacks To Zoom backgrounds

[kestrell]

I just finished an hour-long Zoom phone call. I'm getting more used to that format, but I like the Zoom online interface because I can increase the volume higher than I can with my iPhone. I have my iPhone volume maxed, but I would still like it louder. I'm looking into earphones that will allow me to increase the volume.

Fo my birthday next week, I went wild and bought three new kinds of eaphones to try. I was using a pair of wooden ones, which provide a lot of clarity, but are a bit big for my ear, and are creating a sore spot on one ear.

The first new pair I tried, I tried with my new Book Port Plus, but the volume nly went loud when I kept the button on the control pressed down. I finally got out the electrical tape and taped it down permanently.

Kestrell's Rule No. 4: You can never have too many kinds of tape.

Re: drawbacks To Zoom backgrounds

[jesse_the_k]

Wooden headphones /searches WOW! That is totally a thing now.

(At some point it might be cheaper to upgrade to bluetooth able hearings aids!)

We have an entire kitchen drawer just for tape.

• Painter's
• Masking
• Duct
• Electrical
• Cloth handlebar wrap
• Foam tool wrap
• Vetrap bandaging tape

Re: drawbacks To Zoom backgrounds

[kestrell]

Nice! I think you left out ordinary Scotch tape. I have the duct tape in tie-dyed colors.
Also: foam insulating tape, because I live in an attic room and it fills the gaps around window and doorframes (costuming trick: you can also use it to line the inside crown of hats that are a little too large).
I also have copper tape, which I think is for some sort of electrical purpose, but I got it for some sort of steampunk project that never worked out.
Now let's talk scissors...all-purpose scissors, pinking shears, fabric shears, medical scissors, folding pocket scissors, Victorian snips, and, somewhere in my room, my favorite pair of Ginger [sp?] embroidery scissors.

Also: thank you for putting up with my typos.

Re: drawbacks To Zoom backgrounds

[jesse_the_k]

Happy to put up with your typos because they're generally surrounded by interesting ideas.

Those nifty crane-form scissors are https://gingher.com -- are they exceptionally sharp?

MyGuy's mom passed along many excellent textile scissors (she was an expert sewist! Ah, I'm so sad I outgrew the soft blue wool coat she made me 30 years ago).

We also have two pairs of practically-free-from-Harbor-Freight utility scissors, which simplify opening bags and packages.

For stringing beads I use a wonderful fused polyester cord called Wildfire as well as twisted nylon-coated steel cable. The only thing that cuts these cleanly are Lindstrom side cutter pliers.

MyGuy always has a tiny pocket knife that folds into a key on his keychain. He got me an excellent multitool which has scissors large enough to use, as well as a nail file, screwdrivers, and a wee ruler. That hangs from my right armrest.

I've still got the X-Acto knife I wielded when I worked in a printshop pasting up newsletters back in the 1980s, as well as lots of spare blades. But that technology has been superseded by the wonderful snap-off knife, a pencil-length sleeve of plastic that holds a length of steel that's been scored into 13 little blades. Once dull I just snap off and push up.

Re: drawbacks To Zoom backgrounds

[kestrell]

I'm not sure which of the Gingher thread snips I have/had, as I didn't buy them from Amazon, and they are the ones lost in my room, so I can't get Alexx to look at the plastic cover they're in.

They were in the basic shape, though, not the fancy shape.

But yes, they are *extremely* pointy and sharp, as in, they would be the weapon of choise if I ever needed to defend myself against an intruder.

And I know they are in my room *somewhere*, because they never leave my room, but I haven't been able to find them all summer.

I Do have a fancy-shaped cheap pair of snips I bought to use until those resurface though.
BIHRTC Vintage European Style Scissors for Embroidery...
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01M8GJBKH/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I also have a cheap pair of folding snips.

And I have a small pair of folding scissors on the mini-Leatherman tool that is on my keychain, which really impressed a friend when we were wandering around Salem and found Edgar Allan Poe temporary tattos whichwe decided to apply, and we needed scissors to cut them out of the sheet.

Re: drawbacks To Zoom backgrounds

[jesse_the_k]

Nothing compares to the satisfaction of being able to produce scissors on demand. My locker room buddies have appreciated it several times!