Kestrell

Zoom advice, Freedom Scientific webinars, NVDA testers wanted

Thu, 02 Jul 2020 11:55:32 GMT

Here are more technology-related links from this week's Top Tech Tidbits. You can
subscribe and read the entire newsletter online at
https://www.toptechtidbits.com/tidbits2020/07022020/

Top Tech Tidbits is conducting a poll on their Facebook page asking their readers how many use more than one screen reader
https://www.facebook.com/toptechtidbits/app/126231547426086/?app_data=%7B%7D

TTT has a disclaimer regarding malfunctioning Zoom links from last week's newsletter, and offers the following advice:
you can circumvent this behavior currently, on any device, by opening up the Zoom Meeting App directly (or visiting https://zoom.us/join), pasting in the Zoom Meeting ID number, and then clicking the "Join" button. The Meeting ID number should always be the series of numbers immediately following the letter "j" within the Zoom Meeting link that you've been provided.
If you still have questions, this free one hour and twenty one minute course from LinkedIn Learning, which provides professional grade audio and video, as well as complete transcripts for each course, may provide answers:
https://www.linkedin.com/learning/learning-zoom/stay-connected-with-zoom-meetings

NV Access is looking for testers for the forthcoming NVDA version 2020.2 as they develop support for a new braille display, support for 1Password and improved performance with Windows OneCore voices
https://www.nvaccess.org/post/in-process-25th-june-2020/

WebFriendlyHelp has added accessibility directions to Dropbox's help on
Request fiels from anyone via Dropbox
https://webfriendlyhelp.com/request-files-from-anyone-via-dropbox/

Freedom Scientific has upcoming webinars which include a Q&A on low-vision devices, how to access FS training without using a computer, and an introduction to technology for teachers who are teaching blind and low-vision students.
https://www.freedomscientific.com/training/freewebinars/?utm_content=130235926&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&hss_channel=tw-2382446636

Blind Bargains Cast 211 has a plethora of links to more info about iOS accessibility features
https://blindbargains.com/bargains.php?m=21985

comments

Introducing 3- 8-year-olds to Voiceover on the iPad

Fri, 29 May 2020 18:19:46 GMT

Many years ago, a man with a blind toddler asked me when should he introduce her to computers, and I said, "Now." The next question is, how does a sighted parent begin familiarizing a young blind child to using a computer? The book,
_ABCs of iOS: A Voiceover Manual_,
https://www.perkinselearning.org/technology/blog/abcs-ios-voiceover-manual-toddlers-and-beyond
written by Diane Brauner and published by the CNIB, provides a great structure for the process.
Note: I had problems downloading the ebook fromt he website, but if you email them, the CNIB will send you a copy.

comments

Zoom, Narrator, free accessibility fundamentals course, and playing two audio sources in one headset

Thu, 28 May 2020 13:54:17 GMT

What Can You Do In a Zoom Meeting?
WebFriendlyHelp has posted two previous articles on Zoom accessibility, which I included in my
Zoom resources for visually impaired users post
https://kestrell.dreamwidth.org/319648.html
but here is a post which lists shortcuts for Windows, Mac, iOS, and even using the tones on the DTMF dial pad of a phone
https://webfriendlyhelp.com/what-can-you-do-in-a-zoom-meeting/

"Accessibility Fundamentals" is a free online course by Microsoft
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/paths/accessibility-fundamentals/
Narrator, May 2020 Edition
Microsoft's built-in screen reader has received many new enhancement: this complete guide teaches you how to use it.
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/22798/windows-10-complete-guide-to-narrator

Jonathan Mosen has released Mosen at Large Episode 38 of his podcast, and it is packed with all sorts of technology info, including what to do about the latest Apple bug and a discussion of the latest accessibility features in Android 11. After a trip down memory lane reminiscing about old-school talking clocks, there is an extended discussion of ways to have two separate sound sources feed into separate ears of a single set of earphones.
https://hwcdn.libsyn.com/p/f/a/4/fa47f5f807717845/malp0038_Some_are_being_locked_out_of_iOS_apps_Android_about_to_improve_significantly_for_blind_users_working_from_home_with_multiple_talking_devices_and_your_memories_of_talking_clocks_of_the_past.mp3?c_id=73731161&cs_id=73731161&destination_id=655755&expiration=1590678400&hwt=b58520f82cadc24549500b58912161bc

here is another answer to the playing two sound sources in separate ears question, but only if working with simultaneous Windows programs
Windows can play app audio on different speakers and headphones at once
https://www.reviewgeek.com/40791/icdk-windows-can-play-app-audio-on-different-speakers-and-headphones-at-once/

American Council of the Blind archives its past Zoom calls, many of which focus on accessible technology, but also include topics such as meditation and cooking.
http://www.acbradio.org/acb-events

Note: I find out about many of these resources from Top Tech Tidbits
https://www.toptechtidbits.com/
which is a weekly newsletter focusing on accessible technology for visually impaired people. You can subscribe to the newsletter on the page listed above.

comments