Tek Talk

Presenter Contact Info Email: barry.scheur@gmail.com Product website: https://www.orbitresearch.com/product/orbit-player-global-version/?srsltid=AfmBOoq_ZKH96pxfgRvRWtKT3G9C8iRtuVoPb90MTJ1SAugslA36_pqD

Below is the AI overview of VoiceVista provided by Google: VoiceVista is an audio navigation app for visually impaired and blind users, built on the principles of Microsoft’s Soundscape project. It utilizes advanced iOS audio technology and location services to provide users with a heightened sense of their surroundings, offering reassurance and confidence in unfamiliar environments. VoiceVista assists users in developing mental maps, navigating routes, and understanding their environment through auditory cues. VoiceVista is an iOS navigation app designed specifically for blind and low vision users. It evolved from Microsoft's discontinued, open-source Soundscape project and is now available under the MIT License[1][2][7]. The app uses advanced iOS audio technology and precise location services to help users develop a mental map of their surroundings, making it easier to navigate unfamiliar environments and follow desired routes[1][2][7]. Key features include: – **3D Audio Navigation:** Announcements and cues come from the direction of landmarks, providing a realistic sense of space and improving orientation[1][6]. – **GPS Beacons:** Users can set audible beacons to guide them to specific points of interest (POIs), even if those points haven't been saved before[4][6]. – **Breadcrumb Mode:** Users can mark points along their path and automatically generate a reverse route for easy backtracking[6]. – **Customizable Monitoring:** Beacons can be set to activate only when a user is within a certain distance, reducing unnecessary interruptions[6]. – **Route Creation:** Users can create routes using Apple Maps, with beacons placed along the path for step-by-step navigation[6]. – **Accessibility:** The app is praised for its intuitive interface and effectiveness in helping users explore new areas and maintain awareness of their surroundings[1][6]. VoiceVista is considered a critical tool for the blind and low vision community, offering reassurance and independence in daily mobility[1][2][8]. Sources [1] VoiceVista on the App Store https://apps.apple.com/us/app/voicevista/id6450388413 [2] VoiceVista – AppleVis https://www.applevis.com/apps/ios/navigation/voicevista [3] Voice Vista App: The Soundscape resurrection … – YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47mwTnTrHRw [4] Why I Like Using the VoiceVista App to Help Me Get Around https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfxPFWWon44 [5] VoceVista – Software for Voice Analysis and Sound Visualization https://www.vocevista.com/en/ [6] My Favorite New VoiceVista app features : r/Blind – Reddit https://www.reddit.com/r/Blind/comments/1ghlo04/my_favorite_new_voicevista_app_features/ [7] BLT Bite: A quick look at Voice Vista navigation app – YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rq57KPI33QQ [8] VoiceVista for Leisure Activities – APH ConnectCenter https://aphconnectcenter.org/familyconnect/ideas-for-home-community/helpful-products/soundscape-for-leisure-activities/ Presenter Contact Info Email: bc4000llc@gmail.com VoiceVista App Store link: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/voicevista/id6450388413

Hello everyone. After over two years of work, the third edition of my free book for blind users of iPhones is available. Personal Power: Getting The Most From iOS as a Totally Blind User takes new users from setting up an iPhone through to mastering VoiceOver and using apps. Apple has added many useful things to iOS 18 including a helpful tutorial for VoiceOver among other changes. We’ll discuss what’s in the book, different formats that it’s available in, and my experiences using an iPhone as a replacement for a computer. People can obtain my free book at no cost by visiting: https://michaelfeir.blogspot.com/2025/05/the-third-edition-of-personal-power.html If people have any questions, they can reach me by email at: michael.feir@gmail.com Michael Feir Presenter Contact Info Email: michael.feir@gmail.com Michael's Blog: http://www.michaelfeir.blogspot.ca Mastodon: @mfeir@mstdn.social

Below is the information on the fourth edition of this great resource copied from this Carroll Center website: https://carroll.org/product/the-windows-screen-reader-primer-all-the-basics-and-more-digital-copy/ The fourth edition of The Windows Screen Reader Primer: All the Basics and More is now out. We are making it available to you for free in Word and ePub formats. It is authored by David Kingsbury, an Assistive Technology Instructor at the Carroll Center for the Blind. The book is meant to help beginning and intermediate JAWS, NVDA, and Windows Narrator users work more effectively with the most important PC applications. These applications include the Windows operating system, the four primary Office Suite applications (Word, Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint), popular Google applications, and the three most commonly used web browsers (Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and Mozilla Firefox). Cloud-based file-sharing programs such as Dropbox, OneDrive, and Google Drive are also covered. So too is Adobe Acrobat Reader for accessing PDF files. And participating in, scheduling, and hosting Zoom meetings. New topics in this edition include coverage of FS Companion, the New Outlook, using advanced Excel functions, and A substantially revised chapter on artificial intelligence (AI) reflecting some of the major changes that have occurred over the past year. Presenter Contact Info Email: david.kingsbury@carroll.org

Want to know about the 2025 ACB National Convention? Join Janet Dickelman, ACB convention coordinator, Saint Paul, MN to find out. Learn about the General Sessions, the Affiliate presentations, the exhibit hall, and the tours. If you can not be there in person, learn how you can listen as a part of The ACB Media Network. There will be time for questions. Presenter Contact Info Email: janet.dickelman@gmail.com Convention website: https://www.acbconvention.org/

Presenter Contact Info Email: peter.tucic@humanware.com Website: https://www.humanware.com/en-usa/monarch/

J.J. Meddaugh of A. T. Guys will present a demonstration of the new Hable Easy, an 8-button controler that allows you to control your iPhone or Android with physical buttons. Shortcuts for common actions like answering calls, moving between icons, and starting dictation are included. The device is great for those who prefer a simpler layout to the touchscreen or have challenges with touchscreens. The Hable Easy and Hable One braille keyboard will be compared, with plenty of time for questions about these or other related products. Presenter Contact Info Email: support@atguys.com Website: www.atguys.com Phone: 269-216-4798 About A. T. Guys: A. T. Guys offers Affordable access technology for experts and brand new users. Our products include Bluetooth speakers, keyboards, and headsets, the BlindShell talking cell phones, our accessible portable power banks, and much more. All with knowledgeable tech support from people who use these products every day.

J.J. Meddaugh of A. T. Guys will present a demonstration of the new Hable Easy, an 8-button controler that allows you to control your iPhone or Android with physical buttons. Shortcuts for common actions like answering calls, moving between icons, and starting dictation are included. The device is great for those who prefer a simpler layout to the touchscreen or have challenges with touchscreens. The Hable Easy and Hable One braille keyboard will be compared, with plenty of time for questions about these or other related products. Presenter Contact Info Email: support@atguys.com Website: www.atguys.com Phone: 269-216-4798 About A. T. Guys: A. T. Guys offers Affordable access technology for experts and brand new users. Our products include Bluetooth speakers, keyboards, and headsets, the BlindShell talking cell phones, our accessible portable power banks, and much more. All with knowledgeable tech support from people who use these products every day.

This week on Tek Talk, We will be discussing the devices that we, in our audience, are using and how we are using them.  High tech or low tech, it doesn't matter.  This will give us the opportunity to learn from each other and ask questions of actual users, rather then company representatives.

In this TekTalk presentation, Ron Miller will present some tips on reading electronic books with JAWS. Learn more about reading ePub books using Thorium Reader, Kindle electronic books using the Kindle App for PC, and DAISY books using FSReader. Presenter Contact Info Ron Miller is a trainer in Vispero's Training Department. Email: RMiller@Vispero.com Vispero Training Department's training pages: http://www.FreedomScientific.com/Training

Presenter Contact Info Don Olson and Zhi Huang from the Patron Engagement Section Email the Patron Engagement Section: nlspes@loc.gov

Panelists will include John and Larry Gassman and Steve Bauer. They will tell you about what they experienced during presentations and in the exhibit halls. If you went to CSUN and have comments about the technology you saw, please join us at 8 PM eastern in the Pat  Price Tek Talk Training room.

The TTJ Instructor Team of TTJ Tech Services will discuss the numerous free courses they offer each year, along with sharing their teaching philosophies and ways they help students learn to use Apple devices. Presenter Contact Info Website: www.ttjtech.biz Email: info@ttjtech.biz

Presenter Contact Info Lisa has been fascinated by technology since starting to use a Versabraille in 1984. She enjoys comparing, contrasting, and teaching technology to help others discover all that is available. Lisa has held several jobs in the public and private sectors, and is currently working at Hadley as their Access Technology Specialist. When not working, she provides some private instruction, sings in a local choir, takes piano lessons, reads voraciously, and spends time with her dog, who has no use for technology. Email: lisasalinger@comcast.net

Presenter Contact Info Email: michael@payown.media

Join us to hear highlights of the 2025 Consumer Electronics Show from Mike May, Gena Harper, and Bob Sweetman. Mike has been providing his summary of CES for over 20 years. They will touch on popular products, cool products, weird products and accessible products. Presenter contact info:

Dave Wilkinson is an endurance athlete who recently attempted to become the first blind tandem cyclist to complete Race Across America, a 3,000-mile race across the US that has to be completed in under 12 days. Dave and his support crew completed 1,200 miles in 4.5 days before various logistical difficulties forced him to withdraw. After initially being crushed at these results, Dave has re-focused his energies into another solo attempt in 2026 and plenty of cycling races and triathlons between then and now. Dave will discuss his Race Across America 2024 attempt, lessons he learned, and how he is re-channeling this disappointment into more rewarding outcomes in the future. Presenter Contact Info Bio: Dave is a Senior Digital Accessibility Analyst for Hilton, tireless advocate for braille, and an accomplished endurance athlete. Dave has completed over 30 marathons, 3 Ironman triathlons, and tons of other races of varying lengths and levels of difficulty. A good friend once described Dave as a good idea taken a step too far, which is now his life mantra.

Blazie Technologies presents, the BT Speak, a pocket computer for the Blind with a Braille keyboard and Speech output. Presenter Contact Info Website: www.blazietech.com

Presenter Contact Info Email: jeff@jeffbishop.com

Presenter Contact Info Email: RMiller@Vispero.com

Presenter Contact Info Email: jeff@jeffbishop.com

Presenter Contact Info Email: jeff@jeffbishop.com

Presenter Contact Info Email: jeff@jeffbishop.com

Join Mathieu Paquette and Peter Tucic from HumanWare to discuss all that is new with the Victor Reader Stream 1.4 update. This update introduced many enhancements including audio note categorization and improvements to Bluetooth connectivity. Mathieu and Peter will as always provide demonstrations and field questions, in addition to touching on key updates to other product lines where applicable. Presenter Contact Info Peter's Email: peter.tucic@humanware.com Mathieu's Email: mathieu.paquette@humanware.com

Due to confusion with an unrelated pharmaceutical company operating under the HIMS trademark name, earlier this year, HIMS Inc. began doing business as Selvas North America in alignment with its parent company name, Selvas Healthcare, for selling its assistive technology products. Presenter Contact Info Earle Harrison, National Account Manager Email: Earle@SelvasBLV.com Phone: 512-914-1925 Website: https://selvasblv.com/

Innosearch AI is an accessible shopping platform for both e-commerce stores and flights. You can easily discover and purchase exactly what you need, all at your fingertips. No complex information—just 500,000 retailers, over a billion products, and no unwanted ads or extraneous information. We provide key facts to help you make decisions quickly. We also have AI to assist you in understanding products and features in a conversational format. Never leave Innosearch—get help from our friendly customer service staff and never deal with annoying customer service reps again. We guarantee all purchases with free returns and free shipping. For TEKTALK listeners only: Get $10 off all orders of $30 or more with code TEKTALK10. That's Innosearch.ai for all your shopping needs! Presenter Contact Info Patrick Long: Co-founder / CEO of Innosearch AI Email: patrick@innosearch.ai Website: www.innosearch.ai Bryan Vuong: Co-founder, President & CTO of Innosearch AI Email: bryan@innosearch.ai Website: www.innosearch.ai

Chris and Kim will present in the first half hour from 8 to 8:30pm Eastern and Denise will present in the second half hour from 8:30 to 9pm Eastern. Mystic Access It’s the holiday season again, and we here at Mystic Access are excited to catch you up on our most recent audio offerings. For those unfamiliar with Mystic Access, we’re Chris and Kin Nova, a totally blind husband and wife duo who provide extensive, affordable, professionally-produced audio documentation on both blindness-specific and mainstream products. Some of our offerings include audio on the Amazon Echo, the Mac computer, the Google Chromebook, the Victor Reader Stream 3 (audio available at no cost), and much more. Join us for a look into these offerings and others during our Stocking Stuffers appearance. And stay tuned for an exclusive shiny gift code for Tek Talk listeners. We can’t wait to celebrate the season with you. Speak To Me Catalog Ready for some Christmas shopping? Well, don't mis this opportunity to shop from the comfort of your own home and review some of the greatest talking items in the world!!! The Speak To Me Catalog is a family owned, home base mail order business that specializes in products that talk, sing, play music, or record your own special message.   You can find a   unique practical talking item or a fun and wacky gift idea that adds that personal touch. Choose from our varieties of   talking clocks, watches, key chains, teddy bears, greeting cards, calculators, stuffed animals, kitchen aids, novelties, bibles, radios, games, toys, talking thermometers, and digital recorders.  Speak To Me has something for everyone, even those who are hard to shop for! Presenter Contact Info Mystic Access Phone: 716-543-3323 Email: info@mysticaccess.com Website: https://www.mysticaccess.com Bi-Weekly Podcast: https://www.mysticaccesspodcast.com Free Audio Downloads: https://www.mysticaccessdownloads.com Speak To Me Catalog Website: www.speaktomecatalog.com/ Email: customer.service@speaktomecatalog.com Phone: 800-248-9965

Mike Tindell will present in the first half hour from 8 to 8:30pm Eastern and Brent Harbolt will present in the second half hour from 8:30 to 9pm Eastern. Dream Vision Mike Tindell from Dream Vision will be presenting a great stocking stuffer idea. Come and learn about the latest hims player called the sense player. This device can do more than you ever imagined. Santa is being nice and offering great holiday promotions you don't want to miss. The Harbolt Company The Harbolt Company was started in July of 2014 by Brent Harbolt. The company was created out of a love for finding unique and interesting items. Whether it be high tech, low tech, or no tech, we have a little something for everyone. All items that we sell on our web site are guaranteed to be accessible to those who are visually impaired. If it is not accessible, we won’t sell it. We are very serious about accessibility and provide written, and audio detailed descriptions of every item that we sell. Our inventory is constantly changing, so you never know what you will find on our site. We strive to locate a variety of interesting and unique products to make your life a little easier. We ship everywhere in the United States, and to most countries worldwide. We accept all credit and debit cards, and many other payment options including Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, and we even offer installment payments where you have the option to buy now and pay later. We encourage everyone to sign up for our newsletter list so you can receive our new product announcements, daily deals, contests and promotions, and special events. Presenter Contact Info Dream Vision Phone: 512-662-1629 Email: info@dvg-llc.com Website : https://www.dvg-llc.com/ The Harbolt Company Website: www.harboltcompany.com Email: sales@harboltcompany.com Phone: 405-471-1200

Tricia Waechter will present in the first half hour from 8 to 8:30pm Eastern and Kae Ann Rausch will present in the second half hour from 8:30 to 9pm Eastern. Blind Girl Designs Blind Girl Designs is a blind centric apparel company. We proudly feature tactile inks on our T-shirts, sweatshirts and hoodies as well as tote bags. Our prints are filled with whimsical, white canes and tactile braille. We will be excited to audio describe our new holiday prints- wonderful for giftgiving! We now carry size youth small- large, adult small through five XL, and XL tall through 3XL Tall. Our prices start at $29 for T-shirts, 39 for sweatshirts , 49 for hoodies and , 59 for zip hoodies. We love taking phone orders at 862-448-1011, or visit us on our website at www.blindgirldesigns.com. Kae Ann Rausch Kae Ann Rausch offers a variety of products for Guide Dogs and pets. Presenter Contact Info Blind Girl Designs Email: tricia@blindgirldesigns.com Phone: 862-448-1011 Website: www.blindgirldesigns.com Kae Ann Rausch Not available

Braille Screen Input has been overhauled! iOS and iPad OS 18 include the biggest refresh of Braille Screen Input since the feature was first introduced in iOS 8. Although you can, for the most part, still use Braille Screen Input as you always have done, the new functionality in Apple’s latest flagship operating systems is a source of much excitement throughout the blind community and will almost certainly take your Braille Screen Input experience to the next level. Presenter Contact Info Email: matthew.horspool@braillists.org

My Talking Books skill allows NLS patrons with an active BARD account to search, browse, manage, and read BARD audio books on an Amazon smart speaker with voice commands. This product is currently in open beta, allowing up to 5000 users to sign up for an account and try this skill. To read more about this, go to the My Talking Books website: https://www.loc.gov/nls/how-to-enroll/sign-up-for-bard-and-bard-mobile/welcome-to-my-talking-books/ TO sign up, go to the My Talking Books Open Beta Registration Form.: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/mtb-open-beta Join Don Olson and Zhi Huang from NLS for information and a demonstration on using the My Talking Books skill on an Amazon smart speaker to read BARD audio books! Presenter Contact Info Don Olson and Zhi Huang from the Patron Engagement Section Email the Patron Engagement Section: nlspes@loc.gov

Ryan joins us this year as we prepare for the official new release of JAWS, ZoomText, and Fusion version 2025. We will do a review of the key features and hear all about the release schedule and what to expect. As always, there will be plenty of time to ask questions. Be sure to give the Release notes a review ahead of time and consider installing the Public Beta so you can try some of the new features as they are discussed. Presenter Contact Info Ryan Jones: Vispero | Vice President Software Product Management Email: RJones@vispero.com Phone: 859-333-8191 Website: www.vispero.com

Presenter Contact Info Thomas Domville Email: thomas.domville@outlook.com Marty Sobo Email: msobo@mac.com John Gassman Email: john1gassman@gmail.com

This will not be a session to give the audience specific technical support where we walk you through a problem with step-by-step instructions. We will only spend a maximum of two minutes on answering each question and the following are examples of the kind of questions we want: 1. How do I Braille an at sign on my Braille display in an e-mail address? 2. What is the keystroke, on my BrailleSense6, to give me the battery level? 3. On my iPhone, Where do I go to set up Braille Screen Input? 4. Is Youtube TV accessible for a blind person? 5. What is the address of the site for CoPilot? Presenter Contact Info Mike Tindell Email: mike.tindell@icloud.com Chris Nova Email: chris@mysticaccess.com Kim Nova Email: kim@mysticaccess.com

Quentin Christensen has been part of the NV Access team since 2015 after working as an adaptive technology trainer with a major blindness agency for over a decade. As the Training and Support Manager, Quentin is responsible for the NVDA training materials, certification program and coordinating telephone support. Quentin also writes the fortnightly “In-Process” blog, and is the NV Access presence on a range of social media platforms and email lists. Presenter Contact Info Email: quentin@nvaccess.org

Presenter Contact Info Email: jonathan@mosen.org

Introducing WeWALK Smart Cane 2. Our most advanced smart cane to date, packed with groundbreaking safety, navigation, and AI features. Driven by lived experiences and the voices of our Community, we crafted the Smart Cane 2 with the goal of creating the ultimate mobility tool for visually impaired people.  It is a smart mobility companion designed to provide sensory, and multi-modal feedback to people with visual impairment for a seamless orientation and mobility experience with wayfinding and other cutting edge technologies.  Experience mobility like never before with the Smart Cane 2! Presenter Contact Info Joe Alfonso – Growth Manager Email: joe@wewalk.io Kürşat Ceylan Email: kursat@wewalk.io Website: https://wewalk.io/en/ {sc name=”tekroom”}

As we all know, technology changes continuously with a multitude of new products and accessibility features available. Please bring your suggestions and requests for topics you want discussed in future Tek Talk programs. Presenter Contact Info Open forum

The four panelists discussing these glasses will be Jeff Bishop, Michael Babcock, Michael Doise, and Taylor Arndt. Presenter Contact Info Jeff Bishop Email: jeff@jeffbishop.com Michael Babcock Email: michael@payown.media Michael Doise Email: mikedoise@icloud.com Taylor Arndt Email: tayarndt@icloud.com

Access AI, our new image description tool, is now available to everyone. We'll give you some tips about how to use it. We'll also tell you about our Build AI project and how you can use Aira free and help construct the next generation of AI. That's not all though. There's a smart glasses testing pilot, RIM and pricing info plus contests. Learn more about Aira at https://aira.io or call our Customer Care team at 1-800-835-1934. Presenter Contact Info Everette Bacon, Aira VP of Blindness Initiatives Email: everette@aira.io Jenine Stanley, Aira Director of Customer Success and Engagement Email: jenine.stanley@aira.io Website: https://aira.io

Presenter Contact Info Email: barry.scheur@gmail.com Product website: http://www.orbitresearch.com/product/orbit-speak/

Tek Talk welcomes a panel discussing the ACB convention and those displaying at the Exhibit Hall. Presenter Contact Info None

Want to know about the 2024 ACB National Convention? Join Janet Dickelman, ACB convention coordinator, Saint Paul, MN to find out. Learn about the General Sessions, the Affiliate presentations, the exhibit hall, and the tours. If you can not be there in person, learn how you can listen as a part of The ACB Media Network. There will be time for questions. Presenter Contact Info Email: janet.dickelman@gmail.com Convention website: https://www.acbconvention.org/