kestrell | Entries tagged with accessible iphone

From the Blind Abilities podcast, this is one episode in their valuable series on job skills:
https://blindabilities.com/?p=7677

And I also wnat to recommend their brilliant iPhone 101 series of podcasts, which range from longer in-depth subjects to brief bites, such as this recent one, which allowed me to finally get rid of that annoying ticking sound:
iPhone101 QuickByte: Safari Ticking Be Gone! You Won’t Miss It!
https://blindabilities.com/?p=7639

From https://www.csd.org/stories/asl-now-launches-new-mobile-app/

Connect Direct Launches ASL Now Mobile App – the world’s first mobile app that connects Deaf Consumers with Deaf Call Center Agents, no interpreters or captions needed.

Connect Direct has launched its new ASL Now app! This is the first-of-its-kind, free mobile app that with the touch of a button connects American Sign Language (ASL) users with trained customer service agents who are fluent in ASL – no interpreters or captions required.

ASL Now redefines customer service, providing equal communication for Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, hard-of-hearing, and late-deafened people whose daily lives are impacted by communication barriers. ASL Now gives consumers the freedom to find information and customer support from businesses without wasting hours on interpreting relay services or frustrating captioning services.

The ASL Now mobile app provides users with a directory of companies offering customer support directly in ASL. A user scrolls through the list of companies, finds the one they need to call, and clicks to connect with a trained Deaf customer service agent over video. Companies included in the directory now include Google, Xfinity Comcast, the Minnesota Health Department, Cox Communications, and the State of California.

ASL Now is supported by nearly 50 years of experience serving and supporting the Deaf community. The service is engineered by Communication Service for the Deaf (CSD), the world’s largest social impact organization dedicated to the Deaf community.

“CSD has always sought to create equitable communication and employment opportunities for the Deaf community. This app does that,” said CSD CEO Chris Soukup. “ASL Now makes it easy for Deaf consumers to get the same customer service that a hearing person would get, with no third parties or added communication barriers in their daily lives.”

With the ASL Now App, equal communication is at your fingertips.

Download the free ASL Now App!
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/asl-now/id1619493402

Kes: I recently bought a variety pack of different styles of hooks and skins to fit over my AirPods to make them more secure, but I'm still finding the fact that most of these varieties have to be removed in order to charge your AirPods kind of an annoyance, but mileage may vary.

https://www.howtogeek.com/751445/airpods-dont-fit-try-these-fixes/

I attended the first Sight Tech Global Virtual Conference last December, and I learned so much! Topics not only included technology, but disability rights and how AI bias affects visually impaired people. I encourage anyone who wants to learn about the newest technologies for visually impaired people to register for this conference, especially since it's free!

Posted to TechCrunch
https://techcrunch.com/2021/07/15/announcing-sight-tech-global-2021/

Shortly after the first Sight Tech Global event, in December last year, Apple and Microsoft announced remarkable new features for mobile phones. Anyone could point the phone camera at a scene and request a "scene description." In a flash, a cloud-based, computer vision AI determined what was in the scene and a machine-voice read the information.

Learning that "a room contains three chairs and a table" might not seem like a big advance for the sighted, but for blind or visually impaired people, the new feature was a notable milestone for accessibility technology: An affordable, portable and nearly universal device could now "see" on behalf of just about anyone.

Technologies like scene description will be on the agenda at the second annual Sight Tech Global event, December 1-2, 2021. The free, sponsor-supported, virtual and global event will convene many of the world's top technologists, researchers, advocates and founders to discuss how rapid advances in technology, many centered on AI, are altering — both improving and complicating — accessibility for people with sight loss.

Register today — it's free.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfberR7NW3F74cBNleiOVauGQ8wrSV0FcZqf1HH5X60mUrS6Q/viewform?fbzx=4093129549110261409

If you miss the Carroll Center virtual tech fair on Nov. 24,
You can access content from the fair, including an archived recording of the entire event as well as resources from the informational workshops.
Through the links on the
Virtual Technology Fair event page
https://bit.ly/VirtualTechFair

I was linking my Bookshare account to the Alexa skill through the Alexa app on my iPhone, and VoiceOver read out the invocation and Alexa immediately did her bidding. This never happened before I gave VoiceOver the British accent.

Recognizing Text, Currency, Screenshots and More with Seeing AI
Saturday November 21, 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM Eastern

Description

Learn about this versatile computer vision tool for iOS. We'll explore channels for recognizing short text like envelopes and kitchen items, full documents, handwriting, scenes, color, light level and more. We'll also explore how to use Seeing AI to get visual descriptions for photos on your phone and on social media.

For many Seeing AI beginners, it can be a challenge to get accurate results when working with the iPhone's camera. We'll go over some strategies and techniques for making sure your camera is stable and the object you want to see is fully in view.

Anyone is welcome! Our remote tech and culture programs are an evolution of the in -person and hybrid workshops hosted at the Andrew Heiskell Braille and Talking Book Library. Whether you're blind, sighted, or somewhere in between, in New York City or on the other side of the world, we welcome you for fellowship, learning and dialog.
so we know how many people to expect.
To join our technology and Braille team's event announcement list, just email heiskelltech+subscribe@googlegroups.com - we'll let you know about all the other remote programming we offer.

To learn more about us or suggest a workshop, or to volunteer your time, contact our tech coordinator: chanceyfleet@nypl.org

To support open discussion and patron privacy, our workshops are never recorded.

Time
Nov 21, 2020 02:00 PM in Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Register at
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMldu6uqzgqHtwyzQrucNhPJmzSk50HDq9Z

3 ways to find out what's new in The 2021 versions of Freedom Scientific software
1. This article from Web Friendly Help:
https://webfriendlyhelp.com/new-features-in-jaws-zoomtext-and-fusion-3/
2. Vispero presentation on ACB Community Call, on Thursday, November 19th 2020 at 17:00 GMT:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88275409010?pwd=dlZ1VFozQWlEcHZtSXBBZ25EQzRZdz09
3. The FSOpen Line talk show, on Friday, November 20th 2020 at 01:00 GMT:
https://blog.freedomscientific.com/join-us-for-fsopenline-3/

What Is Android Accessibility Suite?
https://helpdeskgeek.com/free-tools-review/what-is-android-accessibility-suite-a-review/

Looking for daily deliveries about technology-related resources for blind and visually impaired users? Check out
David Goldfield's website
https://davidgoldfield.wordpress.com/home/
or subscribe to his high-volume mailing list by send an email to
tech-vi +key subscribe@io

Researchers Use New Techniques to Make Films More Accessible to Visually Impaired Audiences
The project used enhanced sound techniques, first person narration and spatial audio, to produce an alternative to traditional audio description (AD), which relies on third-person narration.
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-10-techniques-accessible-visually-impaired-audiences.html
( continued below cut )

How to Add Siri Shortcuts to iPhone Home Screen
https://mashtips.com/add-siri-shortcuts-to-iphone-home-screen/

How to Add a Text Caption Directly in a Photo in iOS 14
https://ttjtech.net/2020/11/02/how-to-add-a-text-caption-directly-in-a-photo-in-ios-14/

32 Ways to Record Your Screen
This guide focuses on how to record your screen on Windows, Mac, iPhone/iPad, Android with 32 different screen recorders
https://www.videoproc.com/download-record-video/how-to-record-your-screen.htm

Google Home Audio Tutorial From Mystic Access
This is a 6-hour, $39 audio tutorial that covers all aspects of the Google Home personal assistant from a blindness perspective.
https://www.mysticaccess.com/product/audio-tutorial-for-google-home/

Virtual Technology Fair, The Carroll Center for the Blind
( continued below cut )

Another visually impaired user had this problem after updating to iOS 14.1, and I suggested telling Siri to “Send a text to myself," rather than using the user's name, which previously worked.
It didn't work for me, but it did work for the other user, both for sending herself a text message and also for email. Siri even prompted the user asking if she wanted to send it to her work or home email. Both the message and the email went thru.

Jedi Glove Assists Visually Impaired with Sonar
https://interestingengineering.com/nui-galways-jediglove-assists-visually-impaired-with-sonar

Meet the blindness consultant ensuring Apple TV Plus show See respects accessibility
Joe Strechay has a unique role in entertainment: blindness consultant for Apple's new series, "See," starring Jason Momoa
https://www.cnet.com/news/meet-the-blindness-consultant-ensuring-apple-tv-plus-show-see-respects-accessibility/

iPhone 12 Pro's People Perception features lets blind users detect people around them
https://www.cnet.com/news/iphone-12-pro-lets-people-who-are-blind-see-others-around-them/
Lidar is a type of depth sensor
https://blog.halide.cam/lidar-peek-into-the-future-with-ipad-pro-11d38910e9f8
that helps with augmented reality apps and serves as the eyes of self-driving cars. Now, Apple is applying it to accessibility in an effort to help people who have vision problems better navigate the world around them.

Inclusive Design for Social Media: Tips for Creating Accessible Channels
At least one billion people, or 15% of the world's population, experience some form of disability. That figure increases significantly when it accounts for temporary and situational disabilities.
Non-inclusive content and experiences push people away. And it's not always easy to pinpoint when that happens.
Excluded web visitors often don't complain:
71% just leave.
Marketers should view staying informed about these updates as a responsibility. While social media accessibility isn't technically required under WCAG's 2.1 compliance standards, it shouldn't need to be. Here's why:
https://blog.hootsuite.com/inclusive-design-social-media/

Indoor Mapping on Tek Talk
Hear about emerging indoor mapping technology on Tek Talk on
GMT Tuesday, November 10th 2020 at 01:00
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/839935813?pwd=eXFMRHpxNnhFZlRiMHAzRWNWYXM3Zz09

iBug will feature Voice Dream Reader and Files App on the next 2-hour iBUG Cafe
to take place on GMT Sunday, November 8th 2020 at 22:00
https://zoom.us/j/7428486329?pwd=M003RmZaa3pTbWRlZ00xbSs4YTlmUT09

Wired: Gamers Forge Their Own Paths When It Comes to Accessibility
WHEN MARK BARLET realized there weren’t many gaming resources available for a friend with multiple sclerosis, he and Steven Spohn helmed a solution that would change countless lives. They created AbleGamers and turned a personal mission into a global vision of video game accessibility for all.
https://www.wired.com/story/accessibility-video-games-ablegamers/

Kes: Take a look around this next resource: it also has upcoming Zoom meetings on other accessible tech, along with archived previous shows
Accessible Gifts for the Holidays - Saturday, November 14
How to add smart devices to your Alexa device or Google Nest - Saturday, December 12
https://www.marylandlibraries.org/Pages/Technology%20User%20Group.aspx

These links have been selected from the Top Tech Tidbits weekly newsletter: you can read the entire newsletter and/or subscribe at
https://www.toptechtidbits.com/

I haven't had a problem with Alexa being activated by VoiceOver, the built-in screen reader on my iPhone, since the first week I got my iPhone, but i recently switched VoiceOver to a British accented voice, and now Alexa is really anxious to fulfill my iPhone's every whim.

I thought Alexa was supposed to be *my* familiar...

On a related note, I've spent the past hour attempting to set up Spotify on Alexa...

Words Matter, And It’s Time To Explore The Meaning Of “Ableism.” (Forbes)
https://www.forbes.com/sites/andrewpulrang/2020/10/25/words-matter-and-its-time-to-explore-the-meaning-of-ableism/?bblinkid=244561817&bbemailid=25356467&bbejrid=1701543866#337181887162

Plain Language Writing: An Essential Part Of Accessibility
Recently, the book _Disability Visibility: First Person Stories From The Twenty-First Century_, edited by Alice Wong. was also offered in a new accessible format: The Plain Language version. This version was written by freelance journalist Sara Luterman, who was hired by Wong specifically to produce a version of the anthology that is more cognitively accessible.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/andrewpulrang/2020/10/22/plain-language-writing---an-essential-part-of-accessibility/#36c76f557935

How to Enhance iPhone voice memo recordings in iOS 14
https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-enhance-iphone-voice-memo-recordings

How to use the Alt+Tab shortcut after Windows 20H2 update
When using the Alt+Tab shortcut after installing Windows 20H2, you might see too many tabs.
That's because Edge has been integrated into it, but there's a little trick to change that.
https://windowsreport.com/change-alt-tab-shortcut-windows-10/

Blind and low-vision video gamers are asked to fill out a 45 question survey that seeks to understand on what devices you play such games, any challenges that you encounter while playing, and if you play with other people. Those that complete the survey will be entered into a drawing for a $300 Amazon electronic gift card:
https://clemson.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3fT5C7k95wvHz0h

Accessible-gaming advocate and consultant Brandon Cole points to "The Last of Us 2" as a shining example of blind accessibility, but expresses the need for there to be more choice and more games that consider the needs of blind or low vision players:
https://www.gamesradar.com/how-audio-description-within-games-could-make-them-more-accessible-for-blind-and-low-vision-players/

Freedom Scientific Tips for Transitioning to Microsoft Edge
https://www.freedomscientific.com/SurfsUp/MicrosoftEdge/Transitioning_to_Edge_Chromium.htm

Kes: I just took the webinar version of this course, and it was really excellent, especially in the explanations of the new image recognition features.
Brian Hartgen has just released "Catching Up With JAWS: Chapter 3," an audio course that describes and demonstrates the newest features of JAWS 2020 and 2021.
The price is 35-pounds (about $47).
http://www.hartgen.org/catchup3
NVDA news, including
NVDACon coming up in December
https://www.nvaccess.org/post/in-process-23rd-october-2020/
NVDACon 2020 will be held December 5 and 6 on the NVAccess TeamTalk server.
https://www.nvdacon.org/
( continued below cut )

I think I have finally mastered the rotor gesture, which I can also use with my Kindle Fire tablet.

The secret is: there is no secret, you just need to do it over and over a few dozen times.

Here's how I finally came to think of it: hold your fingers about an inch apart, as if you are making the "this much" gesture. You can hold them either on the vertical or horizontal plane: for me, the best starting position is to make the "this much" gesture and then twist my hand to the left as much as as comfortable.
Note: you should get your hand into position before you touch the screen.
Once you have your fingers in this position, lightly touch the screen. Now switch the position of your fingers without moving your hand: it's a lot like a finger snap, but without having the fingers touch.

While I was practicing this, I imagined my thumb and forefinger as two dancers in an old-fashioned dance: they begin positioned opposite each other, then switch sides, passing each other without touching.

Another way I imagined this was to place my thumb lightly on the screen, and then have my forefinger move around it in an arc. Think of those old-fashioned protractors we used to get with pencil sets. Put your thumb in the center of the bottom's straight edge, then move your forefinger along the arc over it. This doesn't work as consistently as the dancers/fingersnap version, but it got me started in being able to picture the gesture in my head.

The benefit of the latter gesture is that, if you have reduced agility in your hands, you can put one finger down on the screen in that center position, and then take your other hand and make the arc around it with the forefinger.

While this was what I consider my big success for the week, the Tech Juggernaut Voiceover course is giving us *huge* amounts of information. The other big challenges for this week was learning to use Webex with Jaws (because I'm not adept enough at using my iPhone to manage all the emails and Webex links), and learning to use Google Classroom, plus its (kind of crappy). I'm also trying to figure out how to move files and recordings from Google Classroom to Google Drive. viewer for videos.

Also, yesterday afternoon I got to help beta test the new Bookshare skill for Alexa. The voice is very nice, but there is a still some functionality that needs to be added. Still, this Alexa skill is going to be really awesome when its finished.

I did take the opportunity to voice my disappointment that Maria Dahvana Headley's Beowulf is still not available on either Bookshare or NLS.

For both sighted and nonsighted users, the Tech Juggernaut blog has two articles up so far and promises more to come
https://ttjtech.net/blog/

Yesterday during a meeting the question came up of how to find out which urgent care options are near you, as an alternative to using the E/R, which my insurance company is making an active effort to discourage.

Aside from my pointing out various reasons why this is a much more complex issue than the insurance company thought, it occurred to me to wonder how well Alexa and Siri could provide answers to the question of where I could go for urgent care.

Alexa gave three answers, all more than a mile away, and prompted me to respond whether I wanted more information about any of them.

Siri, however, really blew Alexa out of the water on this one: Siri gave three options, and two were much closer, including the Codman Square Health Clinic which is only a few blocks away, and my actual PCP. Siri's farthest away option was the same as Alexa's closest option.

Siri also prompted me to respond whether I wanted to call any of these options.

This got me thinking about my default search habits, and how I should be experimenting more. Also, I want to investigate what Siri is using for searches.

Well, lately my Internet wishes keep coming true, so this morning there was an email update from MakeUseOf listing 12 alternatives to Google. The second link with a similar title showed up in my search engine (still Google at this point) while I was trying to find out the direct link to the MakeUseOf article.

12 Search Engines that Find What Google Can't from MakeUseOf
https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/13-alternative-search-engines-that-find-what-google-cant/

12 Google Alternatives: Best Search Engines to Use in 2020
https://fossbytes.com/google-alternative-best-search-engine/

19 new accessibility features in iOS 14 that everyone can take advantage of
https://ios.gadgethacks.com/how-to/19-new-accessibility-features-ios-14-everyone-can-take-advantage-0323436/

Kes: As someone who has a hearing impairment, that headphone accommodation feature that boosts sounds is the feature I am really excited about, so I was worried that iOS 14 might not work with my first gen iPhone SE, but it turns out
iOS 14 is compatible with all devices able to run iOS 13
https://www.macrumors.com/roundup/ios-14/#:~:text=iOS%2014%20is%20compatible%20with,able%20to%20run%20iOS%2013.
and here is Apple's list of specific iPhones
https://www.apple.com/ios/ios-14-preview/

Can a smartphone replace the accessible book reader? And, if so, what is the best accessible book reader? As someone who just obtained a Book Port Plus after years of searching (they're no longer being produced), I found this debate interesting
https://doubletap.online/the-perfect-book-reader

On Thursday, August 6, from 7-8:30 p.m. Eastern time, the Dimensions Project at the New York Public Library will be conducting this online event about how to create DIY tactile graphics from things found around the home.
Details and registration here
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScbgfxuJwtjIOgHoodKZP-prYL_lcNZoqGqM7aOJSS_Ztmgjw/viewform
Note that you can subscribe to their tech newsletter so you get updates on their events.

The Tech Juggernaut is offering free online classes for various Apple products. Read more at
https://ttjtech.net/2020/07/30/ttj-announces-2020-21-free-course-offerings-our-most-incredible-season-yet/
Note: When I tried the "subscribe to the blog link on that page, I received a DNS error so, if you get that error, you can subscribe from the blog page at
https://ttjtech.net/blog/page/2/

I subscribed to Office 365 just last month, and am still trying to absorb a lot of its features. Here's an article that explains about it.
What is Microsoft Office 365?
https://ttjtech.net/blog/page/2/
and here's an article that explains the differences between
Office 2019 Vs. Office 365
https://www.windowscentral.com/office-2019-or-office-365-which-one-you-should-get

These links were culled from this week's Top Tech Tidbits. You can read the entire newsletter or subscribe at
https://www.toptechtidbits.com/

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

by Jon Porter
https://www.theverge.com/21302891/ios-14-accessibility-improvements-disabilities-hearing-blindness-motor-control

Excerpts:
Apple’s new operating systems — like iOS 14 and tvOS 14, which are due to be released later this year — include numerous features that should make them easier to use by people with disabilities. Apple announced the new features as part of its Worldwide Developers Conference this week, and
Forbes
https://www.forbes.com/sites/stevenaquino/2020/06/24/heres-an-overview-of-whats-new-in-accessibility-from-apple-in-2020/#568ac6f22cb7
and CNET
https://www.cnet.com/news/apple-packs-new-accessibility-features-ios-14-airpod-pro-audio-tweaks-back-tap/
have rounded many of them up.
These improvements range from new features like sound recognition to improvements to Apple’s existing accessibility features like its VoiceOver screen reader. It’s a substantial list that should make Apple’s products easier to use by those with hearing, sight, motor disabilities, or others.
Sound recognition
https://www.theverge.com/21300261/ios-14-update-smoke-alarm-sound-detection-accessbility
in iOS 14, for example, will let you tell your phone to constantly listen out for 14 different sounds, including doorbells, sirens, smoke detector alarms, or a crying baby. It’s a feature that could be helpful for people who are hard of hearing or deaf by making them aware of critical sounds earlier than they might have done otherwise. (Apple warns against relying on the feature in “high-risk or emergency situations,” however.)

....There’s a trend running throughout many of these features, which is although they’re designed to make devices easier to use for people with disabilities, they can also have benefits for everyone else. People with disabilities should always be the focus when designing accessibility features, but their benefits can be much wider-ranging.

Next up, FaceTime, which will now be able to
detect when someone is using sign language,
https://www.apple.com/ios/ios-14-preview/features/#main:~:text=Sign%20language%20prominence,prominent%20in%20a%20Group%20FaceTime%20call.
and automatically make that person the focus, making their signing easier to see....

Bookshare has compiled a collection of books on anti-racism for readers of all ages
https://www.bookshare.org/browse/collection/377670?limit=100

Intro to NFB Newsline Zoom webinar to be hosted on GMT Thursday, June 18, at 23:00
https://bit.ly/3e3KZrC

NFB Newsline is a free audio news service for anyone who is blind, low-vision, deaflind, or otherwise. It provides access to major newspapers, some magazines, and much more, including breaking news about Covid-19. You can access it on the web, on Alexa, on your smartphone, or through old-school phones with number pads. Find out more at
https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/nfb-newsline#main-content
Note: The new NFB-Newsline 3.0 beta includes a free basic KNFB Reader. Learn more by going to the NFB Newsline web site and searching for
"How to access NFB-NEWSLINE 3.0 Beta with the KNFB Reader Basic"

This post on WebFriendlyHelp.com describes Windows 10's most recent improvements to Narrator, Windows built-in screen reader, along with improvements to the text cursor and magnifier.
https://webfriendlyhelp.com/windows-10-gets-text-cursor-magnifier-and-screen-reader-improvements/#content

and Illegally Sighted offers this Youtube video on the same subject
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45kNG4mXiHo
( much more below the cut )