Podcasts about humanware

A special group of students and faculty members at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo are creating a unique device. The device is going to help blind and visually impaired marching band members stay in position. Joining us to talk about the device are Cal Poly faculty members and students Chandni Sharma, Professor Robert Crockett, music teacher Brent Boon, and Emma Merriman.               For more info related to this week's show, go to: https://speakingoutfortheblind.weebly.com/list-of-episodes-and-show-news/for-more-information-episode-364-marching-band Ways to Connect to Speaking Out for the Blind Amazon Alexa enabled device (RECOMMENDED) “Alexa, Ask ACB Media to play Media 1”. (1 = stream number).   PC / browser access (RECOMMENDED): Visit acbmedia.org at http://www.acbmedia.org/1 (1 = stream number). The site has a built-in media player and there is no need to install or use a media player on your device. Hit the play button and the stream will begin playing immediately. Smart device Access (RECOMMENDED): Download “ACB Link” from your app store. Find “Radio” along the bottom of the screen, then “Menu” in the top left corner. Select “Live Streams” and then choose “ACB Media 1 - Mainstream.” Double tap the play button. Victor Reader Stream Access: Navigate to “Internet radio library” in the “online bookshelf”. Locate the Humanware playlist. From the playlist, select ACB Media 1 (1 = stream number) and hit play.   Alternate Dial-In access Dial 1 (518) 906-1820. Listen to the menu prompts and press 1. IMPORTANT NOTE The ACB Radio Tuner is no longer supported. If you used the tuner in the past, you may access all ACB Media streams from acbmedia.org (see above) If you are using alternate ways to access ACB Media streams than those above (such as Tune In or Winamp using acbradio.org URL's, we kindly ask that you use one of the methods above.   Facebook page is at Speaking Out for the Blind and X (formerly Twitter) page is at SpeakOutfortheBlind (you may also access this at SpeakOutBlind).

This week, we're speaking to the team from Humanware about recent updates to the Stellar Trek GPS and OCR device and David Hogg hears about a video game that's been created to better understand the effectiveness of nystagmus treatments. You can listen to the show live in the UK every Tuesday at 1pm on Freeview Channel 730, online at RNIB Connect Radio | RNIB , or on your smart speaker. You'll hear new episodes of the Tech Talk Podcast every Tuesday afternoon, so make sure you're subscribed to never miss an episode. We'd love to hear your thoughts on accessible technology, drop us an email at techtalk@rnib.org.uk

We'll be talking to ACB's Florida affiliate: The Florida Council of the Blind (FCB). Joining us to speak out and talk about FCB will be Mikey Wiseman, the Florida Council of the Blind's President.   For more info related to this week's show, go to: https://speakingoutfortheblind.weebly.com/list-of-episodes-and-show-news/for-more-information-episode-363-fcb Ways to Connect to Speaking Out for the Blind Amazon Alexa enabled device (RECOMMENDED) “Alexa, Ask ACB Media to play Media 1”. (1 = stream number).   PC / browser access (RECOMMENDED): Visit acbmedia.org at http://www.acbmedia.org/1 (1 = stream number). The site has a built-in media player and there is no need to install or use a media player on your device. Hit the play button and the stream will begin playing immediately. Smart device Access (RECOMMENDED): Download “ACB Link” from your app store. Find “Radio” along the bottom of the screen, then “Menu” in the top left corner. Select “Live Streams” and then choose “ACB Media 1 - Mainstream.” Double tap the play button. Victor Reader Stream Access: Navigate to “Internet radio library” in the “online bookshelf”. Locate the Humanware playlist. From the playlist, select ACB Media 1 (1 = stream number) and hit play.   Alternate Dial-In access Dial 1 (518) 906-1820. Listen to the menu prompts and press 1. IMPORTANT NOTE The ACB Radio Tuner is no longer supported. If you used the tuner in the past, you may access all ACB Media streams from acbmedia.org (see above) If you are using alternate ways to access ACB Media streams than those above (such as Tune In or Winamp using acbradio.org URL's, we kindly ask that you use one of the methods above.   Facebook page is at Speaking Out for the Blind and X (formerly Twitter) page is at SpeakOutfortheBlind (you may also access this at SpeakOutBlind).

Today on Double Tap, Steven Scott and Shaun Preece open the listener inbox and tackle a wide range of accessible tech topics, real-world product experiences, and your feedback.We kick off with Steven's first impressions of the Stellar Trek GPS device from HumanWare, praising its high-quality speakers and intuitive voice selection interface. Then, we shift gears into a conversation about the Meta Ray-Ban glasses and updates from Meta's LlamaCon event, including the rebranding of the MetaView app to Meta AI.Chapter Markers:00:00 Introduction02:51 Meta Ray-Ban Glasses and AI Developments06:11 Google I.O. and Hardware Expectations09:03 AI Competition: Google vs. Meta vs. Apple15:04 Listener Feedback and Community Engagement17:54 Discussion on BT Speak Pro vs. Orbit Speak36:11 Comparing BT Speak Pro and OrbitSpeak39:30 Exploring Built-in Applications44:46 Community and Support for Users49:11 User Experience and Preferences52:35 Orbit Player OverviewNext, the discussion heats up around the future of smart glasses, speculating on Google's upcoming announcements at Google I/O and potential new hardware launches. We also touch on the evolving landscape of AI tools, the growth of Gemini, Copilot, and ChatGPT, and frustrations around poorly communicated app updates.From there, we dive into listener feedback, covering accessible glucose monitors, a surprising redemption for Samsung's Bixby assistant, frustrations with AI voice apps needing a “stop listening” command, and a call for better website access to Double Tap content.Special guest Lisa Salinger joins to deliver an in-depth, real-world comparison between the BT Speak Pro and the Orbit Speak. If you've been considering these devices, Lisa shares critical differences, user experiences, and practical advice to help you decide which one could best fit your needs.Get in touch with Double Tap by emailing us feedback@doubletaponair.com or by call 1-877-803-4567 and leave us a voicemail. You can also now contact us via Whatsapp on 1-613-481-0144 or visit doubletaponair.com/whatsapp to connect. We are also across social media including X, Mastodon and Facebook. Double Tap is available daily on AMI-audio across Canada, on podcast worldwide and now on YouTube. Find Double Tap online: YouTube, Double Tap WebsiteJoin the conversation and add your voice to the show either by calling in, sending an email or leaving us a voicemail!Email: feedback@doubletaponair.comPhone: 1-877-803-4567

Today on Double Tap, Steven Scott and Sean Preece react to Google's announcement that it will discontinue cloud support for the first- and second-generation Nest thermostats — a major accessibility blow for blind users. They discuss the implications for smart home reliability and urge companies to prioritize accessibility from the start.We also celebrate the 20th anniversary of Apple's VoiceOver, sharing personal reflections and hearing from Mike Shebanek, who helped bring built-in accessibility to Apple products.Finally, Aaron Linson joins Steven to give an in-depth user review of the Stellar Trek from Humanware. Learn how this standalone navigation device compares to smartphones, how it handles GPS directions, traffic signals, and even reads short texts and doors with its AI features. If you've ever wondered whether dedicated tech still has a place alongside smartphones, this conversation is for you.[Chapters]0:00 – Intro: Nest Thermostat Accessibility Outrage2:15 – How Smart Home Devices Risk Becoming Inaccessible5:40 – Why Accessible Design Must Be Baked In7:08 – Apple's VoiceOver Turns 209:23 – Mike Shebanek on VoiceOver's Origin at Apple14:06 – How the iPhone Changed Accessibility Forever18:32 – Accessibility Features in Early iPhones20:44 – Introducing the Stellar Trek22:45 – Why Apps Alone Aren't Enough for Navigation25:13 – How the Stellar Trek Works for Blind Travelers29:56 – Real World Navigation with Stellar Trek32:19 – How Stellar Trek Provides Richer Location Info36:58 – New AI Traffic Light and Bus Stop Detection39:21 – Should You Still Buy a Pro iPhone for LIDAR?44:05 – Affordability, Technology Reliance, and Spread the Load47:40 – Book Reader and Short Text Features on Stellar Trek50:01 – Why Dedicated Devices Still Matter54:33 – The Value of Environmental Awareness When Traveling56:58 – Wrapping Up: More Stellar Trek User Q&A to Come[Key Quotes]“Accessibility has to be in everybody's mind at all times.” — Steven Scott“If one update breaks accessibility, that's it — you're stuck.” — Aaron Linson“VoiceOver being built in changed everything — no extra cost, no extra software.” — Kelly MacDonald“The Stellar Trek lets me explore what's around me, not just navigate point-to-point.” — Aaron Linson[Relevant Links]Humanware Stellar Trek: https://www.humanware.com/en-usa/homeLearn more about Apple VoiceOver: https://www.apple.com/accessibility/vision/#DoubleTap #AccessibilityTech #BlindTechnology Find Double Tap online: YouTube, Double Tap WebsiteJoin the conversation and add your voice to the show either by calling in, sending an email or leaving us a voicemail!Email: feedback@doubletaponair.comPhone: 1-877-803-4567

One ACB affiliate establishes the right of low vision people to fully use their vision through available technology, servicers, and aids. This affiliate also provides a system for low vision individuals to express their own preferences, interests, and needs. And the special group educates low vision people, the public, and professionals about the needs, capabilities, and potential of low vision individuals. This ACB affiliate is called the Council of Citizens with Low Vision International, or CCLVI. CCLVI Public Relations Committee member Christine Chaikin and Board of Directors Second Vice-President Terry Pacheco are here to tell us about this exciting affiliate and how you can join.   For more info related to this week's show, go to: https://speakingoutfortheblind.weebly.com/list-of-episodes-and-show-news/for-more-information-episode-362-cclvi-in-2025 Ways to Connect to Speaking Out for the Blind Amazon Alexa enabled device (RECOMMENDED) “Alexa, Ask ACB Media to play Media 1”. (1 = stream number).   PC / browser access (RECOMMENDED): Visit acbmedia.org at http://www.acbmedia.org/1 (1 = stream number). The site has a built-in media player and there is no need to install or use a media player on your device. Hit the play button and the stream will begin playing immediately. Smart device Access (RECOMMENDED): Download “ACB Link” from your app store. Find “Radio” along the bottom of the screen, then “Menu” in the top left corner. Select “Live Streams” and then choose “ACB Media 1 - Mainstream.” Double tap the play button. Victor Reader Stream Access: Navigate to “Internet radio library” in the “online bookshelf”. Locate the Humanware playlist. From the playlist, select ACB Media 1 (1 = stream number) and hit play.   Alternate Dial-In access Dial 1 (518) 906-1820. Listen to the menu prompts and press 1. IMPORTANT NOTE The ACB Radio Tuner is no longer supported. If you used the tuner in the past, you may access all ACB Media streams from acbmedia.org (see above) If you are using alternate ways to access ACB Media streams than those above (such as Tune In or Winamp using acbradio.org URL's, we kindly ask that you use one of the methods above.   Facebook page is at Speaking Out for the Blind and X (formerly Twitter) page is at SpeakOutfortheBlind (you may also access this at SpeakOutBlind).

First up, Steven shares his frustrating but relatable journey setting up a flatbed scanner via a virtual machine on his Mac Studio to read medical documents privately. The hosts reflect on the pros and cons of returning to older, more reliable tech versus the convenience of modern scanning apps—and the risks to privacy they may pose.Then it's onto major tech headlines: Apple and Meta face significant EU fines under the Digital Markets Act. The duo explores what these penalties mean for users, developer freedom, and privacy, while questioning whether they truly change the playing field.Finally, the spotlight turns to HumanWare's Stellar Trek. A brand-new update introduces book library access, pedestrian traffic light detection, and text export features, making this powerful navigation tool even more valuable for blind users. Plus, Steven is getting hands-on with the device soon—with support this time!The show wraps up with listener feedback on EasyReader login issues, the RNIB reading service interface, and the personal benefits of learning Braille. As always, the community voices shine with insight and humor.Get in touch with Double Tap by emailing us feedback@doubletaponair.com or by call 1-877-803-4567 and leave us a voicemail. You can also now contact us via Whatsapp on 1-613-481-0144 or visit doubletaponair.com/whatsapp to connect. We are also across social media including X, Mastodon and Facebook. Double Tap is available daily on AMI-audio across Canada, on podcast worldwide and now on YouTube.Relevant Links:HumanWare Stellar TrekDigital Markets Act – European CommissionRNIB Reading ServicesEasyReader App by DolphinDescriptive Video WorksCBS Audio Description InformationChapter Markers:00:00 Introduction02:56 Exploring Meta Ray-Ban Glasses and Scanning Technology06:11 Virtual Machines and Tech Setup Challenges08:59 Navigating Medical Documents and Scanning Solutions15:00 Big Tech Fines: Apple and Meta's Legal Troubles17:47 Humanware's Stellar Trek: New Features and Innovations32:28 Listener Feedback: Challenges and Solutions35:43 Accessibility in Digital Services: A Critical Review51:37 The Importance of Braille: Personal Experiences and Insights Find Double Tap online: YouTube, Double Tap WebsiteJoin the conversation and add your voice to the show either by calling in, sending an email or leaving us a voicemail!Email: feedback@doubletaponair.comPhone: 1-877-803-4567

In this episode of Double Tap, Steven and Shaun explore the expanding world of AI-powered vision across devices and platforms. Steven shares his first hands-on experience using Google Gemini's live vision feature on the Samsung Galaxy S25, using it to identify blinking lights and navigate the menu on an inaccessible VoIP phone—saving himself an Aira call in the process.They dive deep into what this technology can do (and what it can't), including its potential for identifying objects like mugs, clothing, CDs, and reading text on the fly. While Gemini impresses in some use cases, its limitations in real-time accuracy reveal that we're still a few steps away from fully trusting AI for independent navigation or complex spatial tasks.Listeners also weigh in. Aaron shares a glowing review of the Stellar Trek and its breadcrumb navigation, color detection, and tactile buttons—offering a hands-free experience separate from his smartphone. Steven reflects on past struggles with the device and confirms plans to revisit it with Humanware's help for a more in-depth review.Other topics include: The strengths and weaknesses of the Envision smart glasses vs. Echo Vision by Agiga Meta Smart Glasses glitches and fixes The growing reliability of AI voices and TTS tools for audio production The future of smart glasses hardware amid global supply issues A hilarious and practical debate on using fingers vs. liquid level indicators for pouring teaWith firsthand insights, practical listener advice, and thoughtful reflections on what accessible AI could mean for blind users, this episode offers both inspiration and grounded realism.Get in touch with Double Tap by emailing us feedback@doubletaponair.com or by call 1-877-803-4567 and leave us a voicemail. You can also now contact us via Whatsapp on 1-613-481-0144 or visit doubletaponair.com/whatsapp to connect. We are also across social media including X, Mastodon and Facebook. Double Tap is available daily on AMI-audio across Canada, on podcast worldwide and now on YouTube.Chapter Markers:00:00 Introduction09:03 Exploring Practical Applications of AI18:18 The Evolution of AI and User Interaction22:10 Navigating with Technology: User Experiences28:11 Navigating New Technology: The Learning Curve30:01 Exploring the Stellar Trek: Potential and Expectations31:59 Audio Narration and TTS: Enhancements in Accessibility33:51 Editing with VoiceOver: Overcoming Challenges35:18 Smart Glasses: Innovations and User Experiences37:18 The Future of Assistive Tech: Anticipating New Developments39:12 The Impact of Market Changes on Technology41:09 User Preferences: Form Factor and Functionality43:08 Stockpiling Tech: Concerns and Considerations45:56 Community Questions: Seeking Solutions47:50 User Experiences with Smart Glasses49:41 Troubleshooting Tech: Common Issues and Fixes52:28 Liquid Level Indicators: Preferences and Alternatives55:18 Upcoming Innovations: AI and Accessibility Find Double Tap online: YouTube, Double Tap WebsiteJoin the conversation and add your voice to the show either by calling in, sending an email or leaving us a voicemail!Email: feedback@doubletaponair.comPhone: 1-877-803-4567

We're talking about one of ACB's finest state affiliates: The American Council of the Blind of Nebraska. Joining us to talk about ACBN will be Kristal Platt. She's the American Council of the Blind of Nebraska's President.   For more info related to this week's show, go to: https://speakingoutfortheblind.weebly.com/list-of-episodes-and-show-news/for-more-information-episode-361-acb-of-nebraskaacb-of-nebraska Ways to Connect to Speaking Out for the Blind Amazon Alexa enabled device (RECOMMENDED) “Alexa, Ask ACB Media to play Media 1”. (1 = stream number).   PC / browser access (RECOMMENDED): Visit acbmedia.org at http://www.acbmedia.org/1 (1 = stream number). The site has a built-in media player and there is no need to install or use a media player on your device. Hit the play button and the stream will begin playing immediately. Smart device Access (RECOMMENDED): Download “ACB Link” from your app store. Find “Radio” along the bottom of the screen, then “Menu” in the top left corner. Select “Live Streams” and then choose “ACB Media 1 - Mainstream.” Double tap the play button. Victor Reader Stream Access: Navigate to “Internet radio library” in the “online bookshelf”. Locate the Humanware playlist. From the playlist, select ACB Media 1 (1 = stream number) and hit play.   Alternate Dial-In access Dial 1 (518) 906-1820. Listen to the menu prompts and press 1. IMPORTANT NOTE The ACB Radio Tuner is no longer supported. If you used the tuner in the past, you may access all ACB Media streams from acbmedia.org (see above) If you are using alternate ways to access ACB Media streams than those above (such as Tune In or Winamp using acbradio.org URL's, we kindly ask that you use one of the methods above.   Facebook page is at Speaking Out for the Blind and X (formerly Twitter) page is at SpeakOutfortheBlind (you may also access this at SpeakOutBlind).

On this episode of Talking Technology, we try the Hark AI reading machine from Humanware. Is it worth its hefty price tag?The Nintendo Switch 2 is getting a screen reader, and what if your AirPods could see? All that and more in tech news. Daniel tells us about exciting updates for Android devices, and would you use Roy Keene as your screen reader voice?To provide feedback on the Consumer Protection Commission consultation discussed, check out the link below.https://www.ccpc.ie/business/research/consultations/consultation-on-microenterprise-guidelines-on-the-european-accessibility-act/Support the show

Monterey County Now reports that The Blind and Visually Impaired Center of Monterey County has opened a new low-vision clinic. The low-vision clinic is located in Salinas, California. We welcome back Steven Macias. Steven is the Executive Director of the Blind and Visually Impaired Center of Monterey County. He joins us to talk about the new low-vision clinic. For more info related to this week's show, go to: https://speakingoutfortheblind.weebly.com/list-of-episodes-and-show-news/for-more-information-episode-360-low-vision-clinic Ways to Connect to Speaking Out for the Blind Amazon Alexa enabled device (RECOMMENDED) “Alexa, Ask ACB Media to play Media 1”. (1 = stream number). PC / browser access (RECOMMENDED): Visit acbmedia.org at http://www.acbmedia.org/1 (1 = stream number). The site has a built-in media player and there is no need to install or use a media player on your device. Hit the play button and the stream will begin playing immediately. Smart device Access (RECOMMENDED): Download “ACB Link” from your app store. Find “Radio” along the bottom of the screen, then “Menu” in the top left corner. Select “Live Streams” and then choose “ACB Media 1 - Mainstream.” Double tap the play button. Victor Reader Stream Access: Navigate to “Internet radio library” in the “online bookshelf”. Locate the Humanware playlist. From the playlist, select ACB Media 1 (1 = stream number) and hit play. Alternate Dial-In access Dial 1 (518) 906-1820. Listen to the menu prompts and press 1. IMPORTANT NOTE The ACB Radio Tuner is no longer supported. If you used the tuner in the past, you may access all ACB Media streams from acbmedia.org (see above) If you are using alternate ways to access ACB Media streams than those above (such as Tune In or Winamp using acbradio.org URL's, we kindly ask that you use one of the methods above. Facebook page is at Speaking Out for the Blind and X (formerly Twitter) page is at SpeakOutfortheBlind (you may also access this at SpeakOutBlind).

Steven Scott, Shaun Preece and the Double Tap team are reporting from the 40th CSUN Assistive Technology Conference in California. In this episode, they speak with representatives from eSight, Envision, and Humanware, exploring the latest innovations in assistive technology.eSight – Wearable Vision TechGuests: • Roland Mattern (Director of Sales, eSight) • Cosmo Moore (eSight user & coach)Key Highlights: • What is eSight?A wearable assistive device for people with central vision loss. It functions as a wearable CCTV with cameras, software, and OLED displays to enhance vision. • Evolution of eSight:The latest eSight Go is the fifth-generation model, featuring a lighter build, longer battery life, and better optics. • Real-life Impact: • Cosmo shares how eSight helped him gain independence, from navigating a zoo to reading subtitles for the first time. • The newest model is less bulky and more discreet, making users feel more comfortable wearing it in public. • Cost: • Originally priced at $15,000, now down to $4,950. • eSight offers a coaching program, where every user gets a dedicated coach for onboarding and support.

This week while Damo attends the CSUN Assistive Technology conference in California, we mark International Women’s Day in conversation between Stephen and blind assistive technologist Ramona Mandy. Ramona recalls her time as an Adult Braille Training Instructor with Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind, her 24 years with Humanware and explains her current role with the Monash Assistive Technology Society centre. To access the program, presented each week by Stephen Jolley and Damo McMorrow you can go to varadio.org/talkingtech To write to the show use damo.mcmorrow@visionaustralia.orgSupport this Vision Australia Radio program: https://www.visionaustralia.org/donate?src=radio&type=0&_ga=2.182040610.46191917.1644183916-1718358749.1627963141See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

0:00 Start IBVI Industries 7:15 Setting Expectations for this year's CSUN, Livestreaming Tuesday and Wednesday 5pm Pacific 9:40 Quick Run Through of the full list of CSUN Vendors and Exhibitors 10: 00 Accessibyte w/ Joe Jorgenson featuring: Typio, School and Work Suite of software, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11Xy-XB6Jtc 11:20 Agiga w/ Hassan featuring: Hardware similar to Meta Glasses 12:45 Aira featuring: visual assistance connection app either on phone or on your computer, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHiIPrAja_k 14:00 AwareWolf w/ Dave featuring All Terrain Cane https://www.youtube.com/shorts/-6nAGz0xfyY 16:00 Be My Eyes featuring: assisted video call with a volunteer or using AI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5Lugpgj5JM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dCA4qWaXlQ 17:30 Blindshell accessible smart phone w/ Barry Azman https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pohUlMcaO3U 18:30 Brava Smart Oven, microwave sized accessible oven subdivided for differential cooking 21:00 Case for Vision featuring an iPhone case designed to turn it into a magnifier. Similar to the Optaro by Eschenbach https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fv-Byo_FGXM 22:22 Dot Incorporation featuring the Dot Pad multiline braille display, also Dot Watch 23:15 EMVI.AI featuring AI powered app for visual assistance 25:30 Glidance mobility aid w/ Amos Miller https://www.youtube.com/live/42KuD0uuZls 27:00 HumanWare featuring Prodigy Magnifier for Windows w/ Peter Tucic and Rachel Ramos https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZzDYV0MRLY 28:10 Maggie Vision VR style wearable using an iPhone, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-kfxFJP6fs 28:50 Morphic control panel for Windows, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-LqmxbRto8 30:00 NewHaptics Braille hardware designed for large area tactile "screen" display 32:15 Orbit Research and the Activator by Dream Vision Group for braille similar to dual monitors 34:00 Orcam, Reineeker and the Navis App by Touch Pulse handsfree personal navigation app, 36:20 TrySight's Mercury Vision wearable magnifier with speech 37:50 The Vispero Group: Freedom Scientific, Optelec, Enhanced Vision, 38:30 Voxiweb, sign up for a service designed for navigating the internet using a screen reader 39:00 WeWalk featuring GPS and phone connected smart cane, 40:15 Zoomax wearables, electronic magnifiers, 40:45 Wrap-Up, Sony PS5, Amazon, upcoming livestreams at 5pm Pacific on 11th, and 12th, 42:00 Post your questions and requested topics, comment and like the videos! 42:45 Closing Music Find out more at https://techconnectlive.pinecast.co This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

In today's episode, we explore two major topics in the world of accessible technology. First, we dive into Braille display support on Android 15, with expert insights from Matthew Horspool of the Braillists Foundation. What does the return of Bluetooth HID support mean for Braille users on Android, and will it finally solve long-standing compatibility issues?Then, we shift gears into the politics of accessibility, with guest Brian Deconinck, who shares his thoughts on the intersection of accessibility, technology, and government policy. With accessibility regulations evolving globally, we discuss whether companies can sustain accessibility efforts without strict regulations and how social media plays a role in advocacy.

We're very excited to welcome back American Council of the Blind's Cindy Hollis. Cindy is ACB's Manager of Membership Engagement. She's here to talk about ACB's Community Calls and how they've positively changed ACB and the blind community for the past five years.   For more information on this week's show, go to: https://speakingoutfortheblind.weebly.com/list-of-episodes-and-show-news/for-more-information-episode-359-acb-communitys-past-present-and-future Ways to Connect to Speaking Out for the Blind Amazon Alexa enabled device (RECOMMENDED) “Alexa, Ask ACB Media to play Media 1”. (1 = stream number).   PC / browser access (RECOMMENDED): Visit acbmedia.org at http://www.acbmedia.org/1 (1 = stream number). The site has a built-in media player and there is no need to install or use a media player on your device. Hit the play button and the stream will begin playing immediately. Smart device Access (RECOMMENDED): Download “ACB Link” from your app store. Find “Radio” along the bottom of the screen, then “Menu” in the top left corner. Select “Live Streams” and then choose “ACB Media 1 - Mainstream.” Double tap the play button. Victor Reader Stream Access: Navigate to “Internet radio library” in the “online bookshelf”. Locate the Humanware playlist. From the playlist, select ACB Media 1 (1 = stream number) and hit play.   Alternate Dial-In access Dial 1 (518) 906-1820. Listen to the menu prompts and press 1. IMPORTANT NOTE The ACB Radio Tuner is no longer supported. If you used the tuner in the past, you may access all ACB Media streams from acbmedia.org (see above) If you are using alternate ways to access ACB Media streams than those above (such as Tune In or Winamp using acbradio.org URL's, we kindly ask that you use one of the methods above.    Facebook page is at Speaking Out for the Blind and X (formerly Twitter) page is at SpeakOutfortheBlind (you may also access this at SpeakOutBlind).

Episode 220, shopping with innosearch AIAndroid basicsTalkback 15.2 has been released. Braille displays which use the HID protocol are now supported via Bluetooth, such as the most recent releases from Humanware.SpotlightWe are joined by Patrick Long from Innosearch AI, a shopping site which aims to make the experience of shopping from major retailers more accessible.App of the weekWarren brings us a demonstration of the game Project Dark.CommentaryKarene shows us the touch locking feature in Jieshuo.Staying in touchMake a donation via PayPal, Email us your Android journey stories, suggestions or comments, subscribe to our Email list, join our Telegram and Facebook groups, subscribe to our YouTube channel.Leave us a voice message via our suggestions, comments and questions phone number at: +1-307-202-9797. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode Notes 0:00 Start 6:45 Introducing Rachel Ramos from HumanWare, her story and her current role 10:15 HumanWare product overview of devices old and new 17:00 Victor Reader Stream, book reader, podcasts, internet radio, news and magazines, all audio 18:30 New features of Victor, organize your Voice Notes into folders, 20:45 Guided demonstration of navigating and creating named folders, 23:15 Demo of recording a new Voice Note, 24:15 Files are numbered sequentially by default, after deleting a file you can Consolidate to renumber files. 29:00 Brailliant and other Braille products, read books, take notes and 32:00 What is new? Tools like WIkipedia, Wiktionary and WordSet 35:00 Example use case of searching an unfamiliar word, 38:00 HumanWare Podcast w/ Rachel and Peter "See Things Differently with HumanWare" 43:00 Navigating with Brailliant and selecting words to look up 47:00 HumanWare Odyssey featuring AI powered scanned document questions, 49:00 Wrap Up with Rachel Ramos from HumanWare, upcoming topics and events 51:15 Ending with Music Find out more at https://techconnectlive.pinecast.co This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

The Santa Cruz Sentinel reports that many blind and visually impaired listen to a video without visuals and can't get the whole experience. That's the experience the blind and visually impaired have when using social media and watching video tutorials. University of California, UC Santa Cruz Computational Media Department and Baskin School of Engineering Professor Sri Kurniawan is trying to solve the problem. Professor Kurniawan and her colleagues are working with the blind community to find useful features for new auto-generated audio description programs. Professor Kurniawan is here to talk about her mission.        For more info related to this week's show, go to: https://speakingoutfortheblind.weebly.com/list-of-episodes-and-show-news/for-more-information-episode-358-quest-for-improved-audio-description Ways to Connect to Speaking Out for the Blind Amazon Alexa enabled device (RECOMMENDED) “Alexa, Ask ACB Media to play Media 1”. (1 = stream number).   PC / browser access (RECOMMENDED): Visit acbmedia.org at http://www.acbmedia.org/1 (1 = stream number). The site has a built-in media player and there is no need to install or use a media player on your device. Hit the play button and the stream will begin playing immediately. Smart device Access (RECOMMENDED): Download “ACB Link” from your app store. Find “Radio” along the bottom of the screen, then “Menu” in the top left corner. Select “Live Streams” and then choose “ACB Media 1 - Mainstream.” Double tap the play button. Victor Reader Stream Access: Navigate to “Internet radio library” in the “online bookshelf”. Locate the Humanware playlist. From the playlist, select ACB Media 1 (1 = stream number) and hit play.   Alternate Dial-In access Dial 1 (518) 906-1820. Listen to the menu prompts and press 1. IMPORTANT NOTE The ACB Radio Tuner is no longer supported. If you used the tuner in the past, you may access all ACB Media streams from acbmedia.org (see above) If you are using alternate ways to access ACB Media streams than those above (such as Tune In or Winamp using acbradio.org URL's, we kindly ask that you use one of the methods above.   Facebook page is at Speaking Out for the Blind and X (formerly Twitter) page is at SpeakOutfortheBlind (you may also access this at SpeakOutBlind).

This week we cover: Vision Australia’s Alexa Smart Home program enabling participants to gain skills with Amazon Alexa devices. Furtherr information can be found by emailing voiceassist@visionaustralia.org; Updates to the BT Speak from Blazie Technologies at blazietech.com and an associated podcast from Robert Carter (the Tech Doctor) athttps://www.dr-carter.com/?p=579; Updates to the Stella Trek GPS aid from Humanware with more info at humanware.com; Further updates to the Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses. To access the program, presented by Stephen Jolley and Damo McMorrow you can go to varadio.org/talkingtech To write to the show use damo.mcmorrow@visionaustralia.orgSupport this Vision Australia Radio program: https://www.visionaustralia.org/donate?src=radio&type=0&_ga=2.182040610.46191917.1644183916-1718358749.1627963141See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Texas Tech Now reports that two Texas Tech Clinical Psychology professors: Adam T. Schmidt and Sarah Victor are conducting a study on blind and visually impaired children. The study examines the kids' experiences around their families, peers, schools, and other settings. The professors earned an over $3,000,000 grant from the National Eye Institute for the study. Sarah and Adam join us to talk about the study.      For more info related to this week's show, go to: https://speakingoutfortheblind.weebly.com/list-of-episodes-and-show-news/for-more-information-episode-357-impacts-of-visual-impairments-on-children Ways to Connect to Speaking Out for the Blind Amazon Alexa enabled device (RECOMMENDED) “Alexa, Ask ACB Media to play Media 1”. (1 = stream number).   PC / browser access (RECOMMENDED): Visit acbmedia.org at http://www.acbmedia.org/1 (1 = stream number). The site has a built-in media player and there is no need to install or use a media player on your device. Hit the play button and the stream will begin playing immediately. Smart device Access (RECOMMENDED): Download “ACB Link” from your app store. Find “Radio” along the bottom of the screen, then “Menu” in the top left corner. Select “Live Streams” and then choose “ACB Media 1 - Mainstream.” Double tap the play button. Victor Reader Stream Access: Navigate to “Internet radio library” in the “online bookshelf”. Locate the Humanware playlist. From the playlist, select ACB Media 1 (1 = stream number) and hit play.   Alternate Dial-In access Dial 1 (518) 906-1820. Listen to the menu prompts and press 1. IMPORTANT NOTE The ACB Radio Tuner is no longer supported. If you used the tuner in the past, you may access all ACB Media streams from acbmedia.org (see above) If you are using alternate ways to access ACB Media streams than those above (such as Tune In or Winamp using acbradio.org URL's, we kindly ask that you use one of the methods above.   Facebook page is at Speaking Out for the Blind and X (formerly Twitter) page is at SpeakOutfortheBlind (you may also access this at SpeakOutBlind).

This week on Talking Technology we  caught up with Andrew Flatres from HumanWare to discuss the monarch, a new device capable of displaying braille and tactile graphics. Andrew tells us about the really cool new capability's of the device, and why they threw one down a metal staircase in Canada. Did we mention they cost £14,000?In tech news we discuss the impact of cuts to diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives at some of the world's biggest companies, and we look to the future at some of the innovations at this years CES. We've got accessibility companies getting in trouble, news on new Vision Ireland courses, and a BrailleSense 6 software update, so we really do have a packed Show.Send us your thoughts with a WhatsApp voice note now, 086 199 0021. Support the show

The Blind of Nevada in Las Vegas assists the blind and visually impaired in achieving their highest potential. How does the center do that? Blind Center of Nevada President Todd Imholte is here to tell us.   For more information on this week's show, go to: https://speakingoutfortheblind.weebly.com/list-of-episodes-and-show-news/for-more-information-episode-356-blind-center-of-nevada Ways to Connect to Speaking Out for the Blind Amazon Alexa enabled device (RECOMMENDED) “Alexa, Ask ACB Media to play Media 1”. (1 = stream number).   PC / browser access (RECOMMENDED): Visit acbmedia.org at http://www.acbmedia.org/1 (1 = stream number). The site has a built-in media player and there is no need to install or use a media player on your device. Hit the play button and the stream will begin playing immediately. Smart device Access (RECOMMENDED): Download “ACB Link” from your app store. Find “Radio” along the bottom of the screen, then “Menu” in the top left corner. Select “Live Streams” and then choose “ACB Media 1 - Mainstream.” Double tap the play button. Victor Reader Stream Access: Navigate to “Internet radio library” in the “online bookshelf”. Locate the Humanware playlist. From the playlist, select ACB Media 1 (1 = stream number) and hit play.   Alternate Dial-In access Dial 1 (518) 906-1820. Listen to the menu prompts and press 1. IMPORTANT NOTE The ACB Radio Tuner is no longer supported. If you used the tuner in the past, you may access all ACB Media streams from acbmedia.org (see above) If you are using alternate ways to access ACB Media streams than those above (such as Tune In or Winamp using acbradio.org URL's, we kindly ask that you use one of the methods above.    Facebook page is at Speaking Out for the Blind and X (formerly Twitter) page is at SpeakOutfortheBlind (you may also access this at SpeakOutBlind).

In our first of five special episodes this week, Double Tap celebrates the 200th anniversary of Braille, exploring its historical significance, the evolution of technology that supports Braille literacy, and the ongoing challenges and opportunities for adult learners. The discussion highlights the life of Louis Braille, his legacy, and the importance of Braille in promoting literacy and employment for the visually impaired. Steven and Shaun also address the modern approaches to learning Braille, emphasizing the need for accessible and relevant educational resources. This conversation delves into the evolving landscape of Braille technology, emphasizing its relevance in modern contexts, innovative devices like the Hable One and BT Speak Pro, and the future of multi-line Braille displays such as the Monarch from Humanware and APH. The guys also address the critical issue of the cost of Braille technology and its implications for accessibility and education.Get in touch with Double Tap by emailing us feedback@doubletaponair.com or by call 1-877-803-4567 and leave us a voicemail. You can also now contact us via Whatsapp on 1-613-481-0144 or visit doubletaponair.com/whatsapp to connect. We are also across social media including X, Mastodon and Facebook. Double Tap is available daily on AMI-audio across Canada, on podcast worldwide and now on YouTube.Chapter Markers:00:00 Celebrating 200 Years of Braille05:17 The Life and Legacy of Louis Braille10:22 Braille's Enduring Impact on Literacy and Employment15:11 Challenges and Opportunities in Adult Braille Learning18:32 Modern Approaches to Learning Braille With Hadley28:05 The Relevance of Braille in Modern Contexts32:19 Innovative Braille Technology: Hable One39:13 Reviving Nostalgia: The BT Speak Pro44:56 The Future of Braille: Multi-Line Displays and Accessibility51:12 The Cost of Braille Technology: A Necessary Discussion

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

En este nuevo episodio vemos juntos la última actualización a la versión 2.-4 que acaba de lanzar al mercado la empresa Humanware para sus líneas Braille Brailliant Bi x 20 y 40, Mantis y Chameleon, y entre las novedades, prestamos especial atención a la posibilidad de utilizar, mediante las líneas Braille el Wikcionario, la Wikipedia y el diccionario en inglés Wordnet.

KOLR-TV. In Springfield, Missouri is talking about the Southwest Kids in Action group. The group provides recreational opportunities for blind and visually impaired kids. One of the opportunities is learning boxing and self-defense. Southwest Kids in Action and 417 Brazilian Jiu Jitsu joined forces. They gave a boxing and self defense class. Glenn Cozzens, who helps run 417 Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and Lydia Regier, Program Coordinator for the St. Louis Lighthouse for the Blind, are here to talk about the class and special group.   For more info related to this week's show, go to: https://speakingoutfortheblind.weebly.com/list-of-episodes-and-show-news/for-more-information-episode-355-boxing-and-southwest-kids-in-action   Ways to Connect to Speaking Out for the Blind Amazon Alexa enabled device (RECOMMENDED) “Alexa, Ask ACB Media to play Media 1”. (1 = stream number).   PC / browser access (RECOMMENDED): Visit acbmedia.org at http://www.acbmedia.org/1 (1 = stream number). The site has a built-in media player and there is no need to install or use a media player on your device. Hit the play button and the stream will begin playing immediately. Smart device Access (RECOMMENDED): Download “ACB Link” from your app store. Find “Radio” along the bottom of the screen, then “Menu” in the top left corner. Select “Live Streams” and then choose “ACB Media 1 - Mainstream.” Double tap the play button. Victor Reader Stream Access: Navigate to “Internet radio library” in the “online bookshelf”. Locate the Humanware playlist. From the playlist, select ACB Media 1 (1 = stream number) and hit play.   Alternate Dial-In access Dial 1 (518) 906-1820. Listen to the menu prompts and press 1. IMPORTANT NOTE The ACB Radio Tuner is no longer supported. If you used the tuner in the past, you may access all ACB Media streams from acbmedia.org (see above) If you are using alternate ways to access ACB Media streams than those above (such as Tune In or Winamp using acbradio.org URL's, we kindly ask that you use one of the methods above.    Facebook page is at Speaking Out for the Blind and X (formerly Twitter) page is at SpeakOutfortheBlind (you may also access this at SpeakOutBlind).

Dans l'actu des nouvelles technologies et de l'accessibilité cette semaine : Rappel : allez jeter une oreille à notre sélection d'idées cadeaux accessibles pour Noël 2024 Suivez ce lien, c'est par ici que ça se passe. Du côté des applications et du web Enquête de NVDA à propos du braille. Le problème de glisser-déposer des applications sur l'écran d'accueil est résolu dans la dernière version bêta d'iOS 18.2.. Labelo - une application iPhone gratuite pour lire et écrire des balises NFC. Jeux vidéo, un MOD pour rendre accessible le jeu Minecraft sur PC. Le guide sur le site Games Access. Can I Play That ? Un site sur l'accessibilité des jeux vidéo, pour et par des handicapés (en anglais). Les cinémas UGC adoptent Greta. Le reste de l'actu La plage braille Mantis Q40 de Humanware teste le TTS via bluetooth. La société Touch2see cherche du monde pour le match de football féminin France -chinC qui déroulera le mardi 3 décembre 2024 à nice. Notre podcast Rencontre avec la société Touch2See, suivre des sports en temps réel par le toucher. Demande de testeurs pour une plateforme gouvernementale sur l'audiodescription des films au cinéma. email pour postuler au test : contact@audiodescription.beta.gouv.fr Remerciements Cette semaine, nous remercions Murielle,Tony et Ultra-son pour leurs infos ou leur dons. Si vous souhaitez vous aussi nous envoyer de l'info ou nous soutenir : Pour nous contactez ou nous envoyez des infos, passez par le formulaire de contact sur le site. Pour faire un don sur PayPal ou en cryptomonaie c'est à l'adresse : oxytude.org/don. Faites vos achats sur Amazon en passant par notre lien affilié oxytude.org/amazon., ça nous aide sans augmenter le prix de vos achats Pour animer cet épisode Fabrice, Jacques et Philippe.

Today on the show Steven and Shaun discuss a range of tech topics including the rise in popularity of a pedestrian navigation app, a new AI assistant that's just launched, and a major update to a popular QWERTY braille display.First up, the guys talk about the Oko app, which is an app to help blind people cross the road safely. They've just been announced as finalists in Apple's app of the year awards.Up next they chat about the new Envision Ally assistant and how it compares to other AI assistants out there. Ally is now available on Envision Glasses and we are keen to hear from you if you've tried it out.Our main story of the day features the news that the Mantis Q40 from Humanware and APH (American Printing House for the Blind) is getting a major update this winter, bringing text-to-speech to the popular QWERTY braille display. There's a special webinar being held on the 2nd of December with more details on all of the new features coming in version 2.4 of the software - sign up here - https://aph.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_9xhdtKLoTfipb6B3Zq2amQ#/registrationGet in touch with Double Tap by emailing us feedback@doubletaponair.com or by call 1-877-803-4567 and leave us a voicemail. You can also now contact us via Whatsapp on 1-613-481-0144 or visit doubletaponair.com/whatsapp to connect. We are also across social media including X, Mastodon and Facebook. Double Tap is available daily on AMI-audio across Canada, on podcast worldwide and now on YouTube.

Today on the show Steven and Shaun give us an update on their exciting weekends, while Shaun probes Steven on how good his new Mac Mini M4 is.The guys also chat about the Mantis Q40 from Humanware receiving some big updates this winter, and they talk about a new version on the VOCR addon for Voiceover users on the Mac. Watch and listen to blind musician Andre Louis talk to the developer of the app from his YouTube channel - https://youtu.be/_9EIYUPyXao?si=tCz-PPoDHlbusUu0. You can also download VOCR here - https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbVc4RFlUd0UxX2N1OXlxOVozd0VtLWV6OFU3d3xBQ3Jtc0trMFBiUGZxZUxtcW5rMGR1OWIyRlNYRlpqcGFVdW9XMUhHUl9CRUhCZWpEU2Rwd0dlRS1ROUJFcTIzTGQwZk05NGh1Q3Zxem9yN0pwQ05renRpZk5MMFBORnlIMTlPMVpjVnNtWWdaWGQ3Q0VGVEZlcw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fchigkim.github.io%2FVOCR%2F&v=_9EIYUPyXaoPlus we are joined by Ryan Jones from Vispero to talk about the Next Big Thing contest and we meet its winner for 2024 - Double Tap regular Robin Christopherson - who shares the inspiration behind his winning entry.And Steven thinks he might have found the best present for those chicken fans in your life!Get in touch with Double Tap by emailing us feedback@doubletaponair.com or by call 1-877-803-4567 and leave us a voicemail. You can also now contact us via Whatsapp on 1-613-481-0144 or visit doubletaponair.com/whatsapp to connect. We are also across social media including X, Mastodon and Facebook. Double Tap is available daily on AMI-audio across Canada, on podcast worldwide and now on YouTube.Chapter Markers:00:00 Intro08:53 Vispero's Next Big Thing Contest Overview17:51 Future of JAWS and ZoomText on ARM Devices28:08 Performance Improvements in ZoomText29:30 Celebrating 30 Years of JAWS30:24 Introducing the Winner of Next Big Thing

To mark 200 years since Louis Braille invented his six-dot tactile reading and writing system braille the RNIB is leading a year of celebrations with an event being held at The British Library on Tuesday 26 November 2024 for invited guests where a panel of distinguished braillists will delve into the rich history of braille and debate its promising future too.  RNIB Connect Radio's Toby Davey caught up with Andrew Flatres, Braille Product Manager at HumanWare who are one of the sponsors of the RNIB Braille 200: Championing tactile literacy event to find out why HumanWare wanted to get involved and be one of the sponsors of the event at the British Library, a look at the development of braille technology from the early 1980s to what the future might be and what Andrew would say to people to encourage them to start their journey on learning braille. To find out more about braille and how the RNIB is celebrating 200 years since Louis Braille invented braille by visiting the following link to the Braille 200 pages of the RNIB website - https://www.rnib.org.uk/about-us/braille-200 Image shows the Braille 200 logo with 'Braille 200' written at the top in white text on a pink background with a visual Braille representation of the same text below it. Across the bottom is written Powered by RNIB and EBU written in their respective logos.

USB, or Universal Serial Bus, has been a feature of braille displays for over twenty years. Originally a standard for connectivity, it has evolved over time to also provide power and charging capabilities. However, if USB is supposed to be Universal, why are some chargers faster than others, and why won't some chargers and cables work at all? On Tuesday 29 October 2024, we unravelled the answer to this far from straightforward question. Along the way, we covered: A brief history of USB Common USB connecters and how to tell the difference between them How and when the USB cable you use may impact performance What happens behind the scenes when you connect your braille display to a USB charger What to look for when buying replacement cables and chargers Whether or not a power bank is a viable solution for charging your braille display on the go Things to try if your braille display won't charge The session was presented by Mobeen Iqbal from Taira Technology, an independent provider of bespoke and specialist hardware, software and support solutions. Mo has over fifteen years' experience working with hardware of all shapes and sizes, from custom-built desktop and laptop computers to TV set top boxes and remote controls, and has a passion for improving the ease of use of technology for blind and partially sighted people. Links from Mo About Taira Technology Energrid Accessible Power Banks Comments in the Chat from Andrew Flatres There are trade offs with having replacements batteries. In addition most braille displays have to have a medical certification which also plays a big role on deciding a replacement battery. EU parliament has voted on a law that will require User replaceable batteries. I believe this should be in force by 2027. From a HumanWare perspective, we want to ensure products have a good life battery span and made light. An approach like the BI 20x where the battery is replaceable but held with two Phillips screw. We also have to consider battery collaboration. To respond to the medical certification, I will try and get a response from our team on this. This is a really good discussion.

This week we discuss: The BT Speak Braille input pocket computer from Blazie Technologies with more information at https://blazietech.com; The new Orcam Read Lite “point click and listen” reading device available from Quantum RLV via https://quantumrlv.com.au or Vision Australia via https://shop.visionaustralia.org; The Victor Reader Stream 3 from Humanware with firmware update containing further information at https://humanware.com; The release by Apple this week of software updates to many of its popular products; A look ahead to the release from Vispero later this week of is 2025 upgrades to Jaws, ZoomText and Fusion with more information and downloads from Https://freedomscientific.com.   For the podcast presented by Stephen Jolley and Damo McMorrow you can go to varadio.org/talkingtech To write to the show use damo.mcmorrow@visionaustralia.orgSupport this Vision Australia Radio program: https://www.visionaustralia.org/donate?src=radio&type=0&_ga=2.182040610.46191917.1644183916-1718358749.1627963141See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this Tech Doctor episode, David Woodbridge puts on his brand new HumanWare employee hat and teaches us all about the new Braille and graphics tablet from HumanWare and the American Printing House for the Blind. David describes the Monarch and walks us through its various features and options. After listening to the podcast, you […]

The Eisteddfod is Europe's largest cultural festival, a week-long celebration of Welsh language and culture. Hywel Davies has been there to catch up with events on the maes, including a clever piece of Welsh-language assistive technology. Image: The 'Hark AI' with a document resting on the plate, ready to be scanned. It sits on a table at the RNIB stand at the National Eisteddfod in Pontypridd.

Rob, Ryan, and Steve rise early once again in order to welcome Peter Tucic, Director of Strategic Partnerships for HumanWare to the show to talk about their innovative new multipurpose, multiline, tactile electronic Braille device, The Monarch. They discuss what makes The Monarch unique, the new technology that drives the device, and its potential to revolutionize the education space for students who are Braille users. Show Transcript https://atbanter.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/at-banter-podcast-episode-390-meet-the-monarch.pdf Show Notes HumanWare https://www.humanware.com/en-canada/home More Information on the Monarch https://www.humanware.com/en-canada/monarch AT Banter is brought to you by Canadian Assistive Technology, providing sales and training in Assistive Technology and Accessibility with over 30 years of knowledge and experience. Visit them online at www.canasstech.com or call toll-free 1-844-795-8324 or visit their Assistive Technology Showroom at 106 – 828 West 8th Avenue, Vancouver. Need repairs on your device? Chaos Technical Services offers service and support on almost any piece of Assistive Technology, while also providing parts and batteries. Visit them online at www.chaostechnicalservices.com or call 778-847-6840.

Hello our favourite A.I. bots! We hope you are well, and are looking forward to another fantastic episode of Blind Guys Chat. We begin this week's show with a health warning, or should that be a sandwich warning!?! Yes, it seems that Sjef was a bit of a bold doggy during the week, as he managed to get his mouth around a sandwich belonging to one of Jan's colleagues. However, it looks like Sjef won't be imprisoned any time soon as there was no evidence of a crime having been committed. Yes, Sjef is keeping his mouth shut on this mystery. Clever boy! Not even Sherlock Holmes could solve this one! Our guest this week is Jesse Wienholts. Jesse works for Royal Dutch Visio in the Netherlands. He brings the Guys up to speed on upcoming innovations for blind and vision impaired people. He has tested out many new products, including 'Glidance' a prototype guide dog; this one doesn't eat sandwiches apparently! He also talks about the multiline braille display 'Monarch', as well as the upcoming Envision Assistant and a new GPS app called 'Voice Vision'. He has also been playing a game called 'Top Speed' and we ask, are video games for blind players really just about pressing buttons with no real sense of immersion? It's a welcome return to our former co-host Mr Stuart Lawler who is back on the show fresh from his bed because he has been burning the candle at both ends due to the International Conference on English Braille being held in New Zealand. Thanks for staying up late Stuart, now give us the skinny on this year's ICEB. And for those of you looking for an assistive tech bargain - Humanware and Sight and Sound currently have a sale on. So, forget about the fact the longest day of the year is behind us. Forget that fact that you still don't have a holiday booked, and instead remember all you really need is to sit down with a cuppa joe and listen to the most informative podcast this side of a polar bear sliding down a glacier: Blind Guys Chat. 6 out of 10 robot guide dogs prefer it to eating electrodes! Links for this show: · Royal Dutch Visio: https://enviter.eu/members/royal-dutch-visio/ · Glidance: https://glidance.io/ · Monarch: https://www.humanware.com/en-usa/monarch · Envision Assistant: https://envision-assistant.com/ · Voice Vision in Apple Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/voicevista/id6450388413 · Top Speed: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tbegames.and.top_speed_racing&hl=en_IE&pli=1 · Humanware sale: https://store.humanware.com/heu/promotion Support Blind Guys Chat by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/blind-guys-chatRead transcript

2024 ACB Summer Auction Saturday, June 22 at 6:00pm ET Broadcast on ACB Media One Shipping Donors Thanks to the Bay State Council of the Blind ($250), Veterans of ACB ($150), California Council of the Blind ($100), Council of Citizens with Low Vision International ($100), ACB Families ($100), ACB Teachers ($100), Illinois Council of the Blind($100), North Dakota Association of the Blind ($100), VisAbilities Show ($100), Terry Pacheco )$100), Merrilee Hill-Kennedy ($100), Pat Tusing ($80) ACB Next Generation ($75), Natalie Couch ($50), Angelo Lanier ($50), David Trott ($50), Chris Bell ($50), and Agnes Ferris ($10) for their generous donations for shipping. Segment One - Cindy Hollis and Deb Cook Lewis 100 $50 Gift Card to The Southern Grill donated by ACB Board of Publications Director Cachet Wells The Southern Grill, a local restaurant, has been serving hearty home cooked southern meals in Jacksonville since 1998. Besides serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner with dishes such as BBQ, sandwiches/wraps, Greek platters, vegetarian options and more, along with beer and wine there is something for everyone in the family to enjoy. Located within 15 minutes and approximately 0.7 miles from the Hyatt Regency Hotel. The Southern Grill promotes local musicians that have become a favorite part of their dining experience with Open Jams and live band music several nights a week. 101 A Set of 5 Holiday Ornaments Handmade and donated by Jamaica Miller You will receive one ornament of each color: red, green, gold, blue and white. They are adorned with pins and beads in various bright colors, and each will have a tag of your choosing. You can have any combination of messages, or they can all be the same. The choices are: "Merry Christmas", "Happy Holidays", "Peace on Earth", or "Joy to the World". The tags feature Braille as well as printed text. The ornaments will be packaged in a decorative tin. 102A Two-pound Box of Ghirardelli dark chocolate Fudge donated by Marvelena Quesada You will receive a 2-pound box of Ghirardelli Dark Chocolate Fudge, made from San Francisco's own 100-year-old chocolatier's intense 72% Cacao Dark chocolate. She has crafted this rich, delicious fudge for family and friends for years. While it is especially wonderful around the holiday season, it works throughout the year for the chocolate lovers among us. Enjoy this delicacy with a morning cup of coffee or as an after-dinner treat. 102B Two-pound Box of Ghirardelli dark chocolate fudge donated by Marvelena Quezada You will receive a 2-pound box of rich Ghirardelli dark chocolate fudge, made from San Francisco's own 100-year-old chocolatier's intense 72% Cacao Dark chocolate. She has crafted this rich, delicious fudge for family and friends for years. While it is especially wonderful around the holiday season, it works throughout the year for the chocolate lovers among us. Enjoy this delicacy with a morning cup of coffee or as an after-dinner treat. 103 $50 Olive Garden Gift Card donated by ACB of Connecticut Do you ever get hungry for Italian food? Well, here's something just for you, a $50 gift card to Olive Garden. Hurry up and bid so you can get those wonderful bread sticks, salads, and delicious dinners. Braille menus available upon request. 104 Braille Read Necklace donated by Dorlyn Catron This necklace has a bright copper pendant with the word "read" written in contracted braille and features a tactile image of an open book. The pendant measures approximately 1.5 inches long by half an inch wide. Originally sold by National Braille Press, but there are no more left. Wow, this truly is an exquisite necklace to have either for yourself or someone special! 105 Snakeskin Printed Purse Created by Keri Bishop This purse had its start as a white, black, and gray pair of jeans in a rattlesnake skin printed design. Keri fell in love with this pair of jeans when she saw them at a local thrift shop. Soon the jeans were home and cut, sewn, and reconstructed into this lovely snakeskin printed purse. The words I (heart) ACB across the front in black glitter iron on vinyl. The medium sized purse makes use of the pockets in the jeans repurposed as the pockets for the purse. The shoulder strap is adjustable. 106 Amazon Echo Pop 5th Generation Speaker donated by Cheryl McNeil Fisher You will enjoy owning this ECHO POP compact smart speaker with Alexa. The speaker features full sound that's great for bedrooms and small spaces and is small enough to blend in and mighty enough to stand out. It controls music WITH YOUR VOICE, and you can Ask Alexa to play music, audiobooks, and podcasts from your favorite providers like Amazon Music, Apple Music, Spotify, Pandora, Sirius XM and more. Connect via Bluetooth to stream throughout your space. 107 Celebrate the State of Washington with Chukar Cherries donated by Washington Council of the Blind The recipient will enjoy the no-sugar-added Organic Rainier Cherries, a delicious variety of chocolate covered cherries, Cherry Apple Crisps, Pickled Asparagus, Smoked Salmon, and more. A great gift for anyone missing the Pacific Northwest—send a taste of our beautiful region to friends and loved ones. Arrives in a keepsake metal hamper with an oversized Seattle souvenir mug. What's inside this basket: Organic Rainier Cherries: This prized Northwest cherry is organically grown and picked fresh, then gently air dried with no added sugar or preservatives. Amaretto Rainiers: Honey-sweet, dried Rainier cherries are layered with luscious dark chocolate and almond essence. A unique treat from Washington State. Cherry Quartet: An assortment of four best-selling milk and dark confections, including Cabernet, Amaretto Rainiers, Cherry Bings, and Classic Milk. Cherry Apple Crisps: Healthy and addictive! Fresh Washington state apple slices are infused with cherry juice and cinnamon, then dehydrated to a delightfully crisp texture. Cherry Caramel Twists: Luscious caramels studded with dried cherry bits and almond essence. Gift box of individually wrapped pieces. Souvenir Mug: An oversized mug is adorned with famous Northwest landmarks. Lead safe. Dishwasher safe. Washington State Pickled Asparagus: Fresh Yakima Valley asparagus is pickled with garlic and red chilies for a zesty appetizer or cocktail garnish. Smoked Salmon: Tender, lightly flaked, boneless, skinless salmon in a Seattle-themed gift box. A choice gift for any salmon fan. 108 Two Hand-Crafted Pottery Chili Bowls donated by Mucie Allred Two hand-crafted pottery pieces shaped into unique “Chili” bowls. On each side of the bowl is a curved area to hold your crackers. A beautiful blue swirl color has been added. They are designed by Marcia Springston of Wake Robin Gallery. Don't restrict them to only chili because these one-of-a-kind bowls would be beautiful to display candy or nuts on your table as well. 109 West Virginia Gift Card Bundle donated by ACB Board Director Donna Brown Planning for your upcoming vacation has just gotten easier. This black and blue neck wallet is perfect to carry your necessities wherever you go. It is big enough for your cell phone, keys, credit cards, etc., but small enough to carry easily. Written on the neck wallet is: Wild and Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia. Plus, a $25 Texas Roadhouse and a $25 Cheesecake Factory gift card and they fit nicely in the wallet. What a fantastic gift for yourself or someone special. 110 Sweet and Savory Treats of North Carolina donated by North Carolina Council of the Blind Enjoy the following fine North Carolina goodies: Red Bird Hand-crafted Soft Puff Peppermint Candy from Lexington; Grammy's Gourmet Pretzels from Raleigh; Chad's Carolina Popcorn from Greensboro; Memaw's Country Cookies from Raleigh; Salem Baking Moravian Thin Cookies from Winston-Salem; Baker's Peanuts from Roxobel; Dark Chocolate/Pecan Toffee from Chapel Hill. You will savor these wonderful treats and treasure the North Carolina Ornament also included. 111 BITS- Blind Information Technology Specialists, full zip, black tote bag from Blind Girl Designs donated by Tricia Waechter on behalf of BITS. Blind Girl Designs has created a complete collection for BITS. We are proudly donating a 15 by 18-inch full-zip black tote bag on their behalf. The print is very circular. The center of the print is an image of the globe with the continents inverted vibrant green and the ocean in blue with North America facing front. Surrounding the globe on either side are hands holding the globe. The hands are created by drawing thin lines, all around the sides and the bottom of the globe. Overarching the globe and the hands in a half circle are the words “blind technology information specialists” with those words in braille underneath. There is a fold in the bottom of the bag to easily allow it to sit upright. It has a full zip across the top as well as a zippered inside pocket. It's a classic from Blind Girl Designs! 112 A Four Mini Loaves of Homemade Banana Bread donated by Kaila Allen You will enjoy four mini loaves of this mouthwatering banana bread made just the way you like it. Choose one of the following add ins: peanut butter chips, chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, walnuts, or pecans. What a fantastic treat to either have for yourself or share with friends! 112 B Four Mini Loaves of Homemade Banana Bread donated by Kaila Allen You will enjoy four mini loaves of this mouthwatering banana bread made just the way you like it. Choose one of the following add ins: peanut butter chips, chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, walnuts, or pecans. What a fantastic treat to either have for yourself or share with friends! 113 Movie Extravaganza Package donated by ACB Associate Director of Development Jo Lynn Bailey-Page Enjoy using this $50 Regal Cinemas gift card to watch the latest audio described movies with some friends or family. Plus, you will love adding some goodies to go along with your movie. 114 Ruby Heart Jewelry Set made and donated by Charlotte lang This lovely set features July's birthstone ruby in 1/2 inch puffed hearts. Each earring features a heart dangling from sterling silver hooks. The bracelet stretches easily on and off the wrist. The 20-inch necklace closes with a matching silver heart-shaped toggle clasp. The hearts on the necklace are separated by silver links. Wow, this would make a lovely gift for that someone special in your life! 115 Two Companion Framed Floral Collages donated by ACB Advocacy Director Claire Stanley The two decoupage style pieces include yellow, brown, and green flowers. The flowers have six petals each and overlap each other across the canvass. The pieces are finished with a gloss which gives off a shiny glare. The two canvasses have been framed in wooden, 10 by 10 picture frames. Wow, what a fantastic gift to have either for yourself or to give to someone special! 116 JBL Portable Bluetooth Speaker donated by Florida Council of Citizens with Low Vision This ultra-portable, waterproof Bluetooth speaker is small in size but with a surprisingly big sound. The JBL Clip 3 features a built-in rechargeable Li-ion battery with up to 10 hours of battery life plus a metal carabiner so you can easily hook it to your clothes, backpack, or belt loop. This portable speaker has noise cancelling and wireless streaming from your smartphone or tablet. Plus, take crystal-clear calls from your speaker with the touch of a button, thanks to the noise and echo-cancelling speakerphone. JBL Clip 3 is completely waterproof, and you can even immerse it in water. Plus, the improved, durable fabric material and rugged rubber housing protects it during all your outdoor adventures. 117 Kentucky Derby Pie donated by Kentucky Council of the Blind Kern's Kitchen Kentucky Derby Pie®! Kern's Kitchen crafts each pie, one at a time, according to a legendary secret recipe. Premium chocolate and choice walnuts are folded into a decadent filling, then baked in a delicate crust. Delicious when eaten at room temperature; incredibly heavenly when eaten all warm and gooey and topped with either whipped cream or ice cream. This 9-inch, 1-pound-4-oz. pie stays fresh for about 14 days. Ready to warm and serve or freeze for later use. Serves 8 to 10. 118 Enjoy A Game Night donated by Connie and Pete Jacomini and Lisa and Ron Brooks Be the host with the most! You have everything you need included in this package for a wonderful game night. All decks of cards are print/braille and dice are tactile. Card games include Classic Playing Cards, UNO, SKIP-PO, PINOCHLE, PHASE 10, ROOK, and MILLE BORNES. Lisa Brooks personally Brailed MILLE BORNES for this package. Also included are a pair of large tactile dice, LEFT RIGHT CENTER and LEFT RIGHT CENTER WILD dice games. You will also get a wood card holder and card shuffler. 119 $100 A T Guys Gift Certificate donated by Diane Scalzi A T Guys provides affordable technology solutions for consumers, businesses, and educational customers. Our product line includes mobile phone software and accessories, portable electronics, screen readers, braille translation software and accessible games. With over 30 years of combined technology experience, our trainers offer customized instruction both in-person or via phone or online voice chat on a wide array of assistive technologies including screen readers, braille displays, embossers, the iPhone and iPad, Android phones, and general accessibility consulting. 120 Welcome to Jacksonville donated by Florida Council of the Blind Are you coming to the ACB convention in Jacksonville? Enjoy one night at the hotel and a$50 Starbucks gift card and a $50 VISA gift card to use while you are at convention! 121 A Song from the Smitherman's donated by Michael and Alison Smitherman If you enjoy listening to country or Gospel music, for your summertime listening enjoyment, Michael and Alison would like to record a song for you. You choose the song from either of these genres, and we will sing it for you. The song will be sent to you in an mp3 file. What a treat for you or someone special to enjoy! 122 A Two Dozen Homemade Shortbread Cookies donated by Deb Trevino and Delaware Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired We are pleased to offer two dozen fresh-baked mouth-watering authentic shortbread cookies guaranteed to explode on your palate with luscious buttery goodness. These are great with milk, coffee, or your favorite tea. Next to Walker's, these are the best I've ever tasted. If you plan to give a tasty treat to someone you love, don't miss this opportunity! 122 B Two Dozen Homemade Shortbread Cookies donated by Deb Trevino and Delaware Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired We are pleased to offer two dozen fresh-baked mouth-watering authentic shortbread cookies guaranteed to explode on your palate with luscious buttery goodness. These are great with milk, coffee, or your favorite tea. Next to Walker's, these are the best I've ever tasted. If you plan to give a tasty treat to someone you love, don't miss this opportunity! 122 C Two Dozen Homemade Shortbread Cookies donated by Deb Trevino and Delaware Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired We are pleased to offer two dozen fresh-baked mouth-watering authentic shortbread cookies guaranteed to explode on your palate with luscious buttery goodness. These are great with milk, coffee, or your favorite tea. Next to Walker's, these are the best I've ever tasted. If you plan to give a tasty treat to someone you love, don't miss this opportunity! Segment Two- Dan Spoone and Kim Charlson 123 Holy Cow Baraboo Chocolate donated by ACB of Wisconsin Chocolaty goodness in every box! This yummy package includes: • 1-Milk Chocolate Cow Pie • 1-Dark Chocolate Cow Pie • 1-Milk Chocolate Peanut Butter Cow Pie • 1-Milk Chocolate Moo Chews • 1-Milk Chocolate Udderfingers • 1-Milk Chocolate Green Bay Puddles • 1-Milk Chocolate Horse Apples • 10-Individually Wrapped Chocolates including mini Cow Pies and assorted Homer's Meltys. plus TWO SURPRISE BONUS ITEMS. This item will ship in September or October once the weather permits. 124 Black Pearl Necklace and Bracelet Set donated by Cindy Hollis This lovely set features a 20-inch necklace and stretch bracelet in naturally shaped black pearls. They are 7 to 8 millimeter in size. The necklace is hand knotted between for added security and elegance. It closes with a lobster claw clasp. Wow, what a wonderful set to have either for yourself or someone special in your life! 125 Get Moving with Couch to Active donated by ACB President Deb Cook Lewis This online fitness program specializes in helping people who have chronic conditions or physical limitations that impact their ability to participate in standard fitness programs. More recently, they have expanded to make sure all their instructional resources and classes are accessible to people who are blind or have low vision. You may choose between: • The 6-pack: Six classes over the next year. This is ideal if you want to have instruction once a month or once a week. • All In! Up to nine sessions per week for one month. These include Pilates, yoga, strength, mobility/stability, dance /movement, and cardio. 126 Accessible Digital Portable Recorder donated by Kim Charlson You will love having this Zoom H1 essential Stereo Handy Recorder with 32-Bit Float, Accessibility, X/Y Microphones, Record to SD Card, USB Microphone, Portable, for Musicians, Podcasters, Filmmakers, & Content Creators. The hottest accessible digital portable recorder on the market. All menus talk, and it comes with accessible documentation. Stereo 32-bit float recording - perfect audio with no need to set gain, High-Quality X/Y Mics capture clean audio up to 120 dB SPL, Records up to 96kHZ sample rate to SD card, USB Microphone for PC, Mac, iOS, or Android using the USB-C Port, Accessibility - Audio guidance function for the visually impaired. 127 Megan's Famous Chocolate Chip Cookies donated by Megan Sullivan Enjoy sharing three dozen homemade Megan's chocolate chip cookies either with family or friends with that favorite beverage. These cookies will melt in your mouth. 128 Bradford Exchange Music Box donated by ACB LIONS We all admire the quality products from the Bradford Exchange. This limited-edition handcrafted heirloom porcelain egg-shaped music box features a hand-enameled red Cardinal on light pink flowers inside the open egg mounted on a base. It is inspired by Peter Carl Faberge's prized eggs and is adorned with 22K Gold accents. It is beautifully hand glazed in a soft blue hue with more than 80 hand-set jewels. It plays, “Always in My Heart.” The abundance of handcrafted details makes each egg a one-of-a-kind treasure. 129 $100 VISA Gift Card donated by Mississippi Council of The Blind Use this card anytime while dining or doing some shopping for yourself or someone special in your life! 130 Lunch with the ACB Board of Director Koni Sims donated by ACB Board Director Koni Sims Enjoy one-on-one time with ACB Bord of Director Koni Sims over lunch in Jacksonville, Florida in 2024 to be determined by the winner and Koni. 131 ACBDA Sugar Warriors Tote Bag from Blind Girl Designs donated by Tricia Waechter on behalf of ACBDA This ACBDA tote bag features on the front a 12 by 12-inch colorful print to celebrate ACBDA! Across the top reads "SUGAR WARRIORS" which is printed in a velvety 3-D puff ink in both letters and Braille. Both sets of letters are a deep orange color and are very tactile. Beneath the words is a drawing of a fist with prominent knuckles, which is holding a 12-inch white cane diagonally across the bag, smashing through cubes of sugar. The white sugar cubes are flying through the air, struck by the mighty force of the white cane. To further emphasize the force, the words, “pow” and “bam” are colorfully included in yellow and red. The bottom of the print is in deep orange, the words “KNUCKLING DOWN ON DIABETES!” fill the entire length of the print. On the back of this classic navy-blue zippered tote bag, there is a white print in the center of the bag reading “ACB Diabetics in Action.” This deep navy-blue canvas tote is 15 by 20-inch full zip, canvas bag with a folded bottom so it can sit upright and a zip pocket on the inside as well! It has a generous strap so you can swing it over your shoulder. 132 Enstrom Milk Chocolate Almond Toffee Two- Pound Box donated by ACB Media and IT Manager Rick Morin This all-natural traditional almond toffee is handcrafted. It is the perfect blend of almonds, butter, and pure cane sugar, covered in a generous layer of milk chocolate and sprinkled with crushed almonds, creates a buttery toffee with a delicate crunch. Enstrom's Almond Toffee is lovingly handcrafted in small batches with a family recipe passed down through four generations. Includes simple ingredients like fresh California almonds, sweet cream butter, pure cane sugar and 36% milk chocolate. Enstrom's Almond Toffee is certified gluten free, kosher dairy and 100% preservative free. We will contact the winner to arrange shipment to consider options to avoid heat damage during shipping. 133 $200 Target Gift Card donated by Beth Corley and Dan Dillon Here's a $200 Target gift card for you to use in store or online. Enjoy this either for yourself or someone special in your life! 134 Jade 14K Gold Earrings donated by The Literacy Project You will love having these authentic small Jade earrings with gold trim. The earrings are oval and are on posts. Wow, these will dress up any outfit for a romantic outing! 135 Honoring our Heroes Patriotic Package donated by the Georgia Council of the Blind, Marsha Farrow and Blind Girl Designs This package comes in a red Blind Girl Designs bag with white lettering of the Braille alphabet in the shape of a heart. The bag contains a yard flag depicting a red truck with three labradors (yellow, black, and chocolate) flying an American flag. This package also contains a Christmas ornament with an angel holding a folded American flag, a beverage cup with the words “Fear not” on the background of the outline of the American flag, and an American flag pillow. Finally, a paper Braille American flag tactile graphic measuring 7.5 inches by 9.5 inches from the American Braille Flag project completes this gift package. 136 Phoenix Braille Embosser donated by HumanWare The Phoenix is our ninth generation of braille embossing technology that combines our durable and legendary Romeo Braille dot with a proprietary 25 DPI tactile graphics embossing system. All-in-one embosser! There is no longer a need to settle for poor-quality braille text to achieve high-definition tactile graphics. Imagine the ability to scan your pictures, graphs, and charts into your computer and with a few clicks of the mouse, emboss those images in high-definition tactile graphics without compromising the quality of your braille text. Phoenix includes the capabilities to emboss single-sided braille text and high-resolution graphics up to 25 DPI, in a simple to use format. The newly designed Phoenix is smaller and lighter, with an auto-install feature to make setup even easier. The Firebird Software Suite, included with the Phoenix, is a comprehensive set of productivity tools that powers the Phoenix Embosser. The Firebird Software Suite includes the Firebird Graphics Editor that provides you with a list of automatic tools to effortlessly create tactile graphic images. Phoenix is also compatible with your existing braille translator. 137A Homemade Triple Play Oversized Cookies donated by Brian Charlson Here we go again; it's time for Brian's triple play oversized cookies. Those who have won this item in the past will attest to the flavor, size, and overall quality of this perennial auction favorite. This year Brian is offering 1 dozen classic chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin and lemon shortbread. They are packaged individually. Feel free to offer them up as additions to gift baskets or pop them in the freezer to savor them over a few months or weeks. 137B Homemade Triple Play Oversized Cookies donated by Brian Charlson Here we go again; it's time for Brian's triple play oversized cookies. Those who have won this item in the past will attest to the flavor, size, and overall quality of this perennial auction favorite. This year Brian is offering 1 dozen classic chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin and lemon shortbread. They are packaged individually. Feel free to offer them up as additions to gift baskets or pop them in the freezer to savor them over a few months or weeks. 137 C Homemade Triple Play Oversized Cookies donated by Brian Charlson Here we go again; it's time for Brian's triple play oversized cookies. Those who have won this item in the past will attest to the flavor, size, and overall quality of this perennial auction favorite. This year Brian is offering 1 dozen classic chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin and lemon shortbread. They are packaged individually. Feel free to offer them up as additions to gift baskets or pop them in the freezer to savor them over a few months or weeks. 138 IROBOT Roomba 677 robot vacuum donated by Connie Jacomini For effortlessly clean floors, the Roomba® 677 Series Robot Vacuum learns your cleaning habits to suggest personalized schedules that take care of daily dirt, dust, and debris. Effective cleaning is part of the 3-Stage Cleaning System's design. Dual Multi-Surface Brushes grab dirt from carpets and hard floors, while an Edge-Sweeping Brush takes care of corners and edges. 139 $500 Coupon to HumanWare donated by HumanWare Details for this Coupon: Coupon is valid until June 30, 2025, and may be applied to any HumanWare product sold by HumanWare USA Inc. 2. Coupon is transferrable. Winning auction bidder for this coupon need only send an email to David Bradburn, HumanWare's Vice President Global Sales at david.bradburn@humanware.com providing the name and contact information of the person who will be redeeming the coupon. The coupon has no cash value. 140 Fun in the Sun! A week at the Wyndham Ocean Walk Resort at Daytona Beach donated by Tim Paul Must be used August 18-August 25, 2024. This unit is a two bedroom, two bath, fully equipped kitchen, with washer/dryer, and all the amenities of home. The resort offers activities for family members of all ages: indoor and outdoor swimming pools, outdoor hot tub, beach, lazy river water, exercise equipment, bar and grill, live entertainment and more. 141 A Song with Kolby donated by ACB Development Officer Kolby Garrison Kolby will sing a song of your choice acapella. The file will be sent to you in mp3 format. What a treat to listen to with friends. 142 A Kermit's Key Lime Pie Duo Donated by Dan Spoone Direct from Kermit's Key Lime Shop, the winner will receive two 9-inch Key Lime Pies. The pies that started it all named “the best taste Key Lime Pie” by Food Network's Keith Famie's Adventures. Kermit's Key Lime Pie is baked fresh daily. True tart Key Lime flavor in a delicious graham cracker crust and topped with fluffy whipped cream. This Key West delicacy will arrive at your door just waiting to be shared with the people you love the most. 142 B Kermit's Key Lime Pie Duo donated by Dan Spoone Direct from Kermit's Key Lime Shop, the winner will receive two 9-inch Key Lime Pies. The pies that started it all named “the best taste Key Lime Pie” by Food Network's Keith Famie's Adventures. Kermit's Key Lime Pie is baked fresh daily. True tart Key Lime flavor in a delicious graham cracker crust and topped with fluffy whipped cream. This Key West delicacy will arrive at your door just waiting to be shared with the people you love the most. 143 $500 Gift Certificate to Jack Stack's BBQ donated by Melvin Smith Your Package Includes: Pulled Pork 2 Pounds. Pork Spareribs 1 Full Slab Beef Burnt Ends 1 Pound. Lamb Ribs 2 Racks Hickory Pit Beans 1 Quart Cheesy Corn Bake 1 Quart KC Original BBQ Sauce One 18.6 Ounce bottle KC Spicy BBQ Sauce One 18.6 Ounce bottle KC Hot BBQ Sauce One 18.6 Ounce bottle Pulled Pork – Pulled pork might be a Carolina staple, but Jack Stack's is deliciously unforgettable. Our BBQ Pulled Pork is perfect for sandwiches. Pork Spare Ribs – Our Pork Spare Ribs are expertly seasoned, slow-roasted to perfection over hickory logs, and a delicious choice. Beef Burnt Ends – When it comes to classic Kansas City barbecue, Jack Stack's Beef Burnt Ends are second to none. Meaty, juicy, and tender on the inside - with the smokey edges you could only get from double-smoking them over hickory. Hickory-Roasted Lamb Ribs – Tender, savory and hickory roasted, Denver-cut lamb ribs are a uniquely treasured culinary find. Hickory Pit Beans – Beans may be standard barbecue fare, but there is nothing typical about these Hickory Pit Beans. Thick, slow-cooked, and loaded with chunks of our hickory-smoked brisket. Cheesy Corn Bake – It doesn't get more craveable than this: Jack Stack's Cheesy Corn Bake is bubbly, velvety, and unforgettable. Four gourmet cheeses are blended with whole-kernel corn and slivers of our hickory-smoked ham. 144 Black Hills Gold Heart shaped Pendant necklace donated by South Dakota Association of the Blind Enjoy this beautiful and delicate 10KT yellow, Black Hills Gold heart shaped pendant with .02ct round brilliant diamond in the center. It has an 18-inch gold chain. This will dress up a casual outfit or look stunning in a formal setting. What a fantastic gift either for yourself or someone special in your life! 145 Aromatherapy Bundle donated by Seth and Koni Sims, ACB Board of Director This aromatherapy bundle will give you a variety of ways to take care of yourself and your best furry friend. You will find something to help sore achy muscles and joints and headaches. These products are by Wyndmere Naturals. Included in this bundle: Lava Bead Necklace – Aura, Lavender oil 10 ml bottle, Aches & Pains Cream 4 ounce, Detoxification Aide Bath Salts 24 ounce, Citrus Delight Body & Air Mist 4 fluid ounce, Sleepy Time inhalation Patch, Breathe Blend inhaler, Head Aide Roll on 8 ml, Less Stress Pet Mist 4 fluid ounce. Wow, you, and your pooch will really feel relaxed and pampered with all these wonderful items! 146 A DaVinci Pro CCTV donated by Kim Charlson DaVinci Pro is a high-performance desktop video magnifier, featuring a Full HD 1080p 3-in-1 camera and full-page Text-to-Speech (OCR). DaVinci Pro's OCR allows it to easily read your favorite article or book aloud. DaVinci Pro's 3-in-1 Full HD camera allows you to see near, far or a mirror image. It is great for applying make-up, shaving, reading, writing, viewing presentations and whiteboards and so much more! 24” high resolution HD LCD, Auto focus 3-in-1, Magnification up to 77x, Computer compatible, Save documents, pictures or books and export files to your PC. It is a higher end CCTV. 146 B DaVinci CCTV donated by Kim Charlson DaVinci Pro is a high-performance desktop video magnifier, featuring a Full HD 1080p 3-in-1 camera and full-page Text-to-Speech (OCR). DaVinci Pro's OCR allows it to easily read your favorite article or book aloud. DaVinci Pro's 3-in-1 Full HD camera allows you to see near, far or a mirror image. It is great for applying make-up, shaving, reading, writing, viewing presentations and whiteboards and so much more! 24” high resolution HD LCD, Auto focus 3-in-1, Magnification up to 77x, Computer compatible, Save documents, pictures or books and export files to your PC. It is a higher end CCTV. Segment Three- Michael Garrett and Zelda Gebhard 147 Power Tower Donated by ACB of Minnesota This multiple outlet power strip tower has twelve grounded 3-prong AC outlets spaced out to accommodate different size plugs. The five high speed USB charging ports will meet your electronic charging needs. Charge your iPhone, iPad, tablet, or other devices. The 16-foot heavy duty cord ensures high conductivity and safety. The 45dg low profile flat plug and the vertical design makes this tower more space-saving than a traditional power strip. 148 The Pocket Bible donated by Rev. Ray Raysor, President DC Council of the Blind The Pocket Bible is a self-contained digital device that contains the entire bible. It is about the size of the old cassette tapes and has navigation buttons that allow forward and backward movement by both book and chapter. It has no moving parts and is rugged and water resistant. The Pocket Bible has both an internal speaker and an earphone jack. Available in your choice of English Standard Version, King James Version, New King James Version, New American Standard Bible, New International Version NIV, New Living Translation ®. Audio Bibles in Spanish also are available. 149 The Bring it Home $300 Bundle donated by Arizona Council of the Blind Enjoy a $100 Gift Card to Door Dash, $100 Gift Card to Instacart and $100 Shipt gift card. You will welcome the handpicked groceries delivered from your favorite local stores along with your favorite fresh produce from the comfort of your own home. Enjoy On-Demand Delivery from Instacart. Order and have your favorite meals at your door in minutes with DoorDash. Like your avocados a little firm? Shoppers with Shipt go the extra mile to ensure you get the things you want, exactly how you like them. Local stores and national chains you know and love, delivered directly to you same day. Your shopper will keep you updated every step of the way. From special requests to last-minute changes, they are here to help. You will enjoy these three $100 gift cards to shop, shop and shop some more! 150 Lunch with the ACB President donated by ACB Enjoy one-on-one time with ACB President, Deb Cook Lewis, over lunch in Jacksonville, Florida in 2024 to be determined by the winner and Deb. 151 RSVA navy crewneck sweatshirt from Blind Girl Designs donated by Tricia Waechter on behalf of RSVA Come and support the Brenda Dillon Memorial Walk and the RSVA walk team! The print on this sweatshirt is 3-D tactile white puff ink mixed with red, slightly tactile ink. The words “at your service” are arched over the top of the print. Under the three-dimensional words there is matching three-dimensional braille. In the center of the print, there are three shields: a large center shield and smaller shields on either side. In the center of the big shield is a red checkmark and the side shields have red stars. At the bottom in 3-D tactile ink are the letters RSVA with braille underneath. Available in sizes small through five XL. You pick! The sweatshirt is cotton/poly blend and will not shrink. 152 Maker's Mark Bourbon Balls Donated by Greater Louisville Council of the Blind This is an elegant gift for family, friends, and business associates or a fantastic treat for yourself. Fine, handcrafted chocolates made from an old family recipe; laced with a generous touch of Maker's Mark Bourbon Whiskey. The one-pound gift box contains 32 delicious pieces. Shipped directly to the winning bidder. Shipping is not available to Hawaii or Alaska. 153 $150 Amazon Gift Card donated by ACB of Indiana It is time to treat yourself to something special and here's a gift card to help you do it. $150 in spending at Amazon! 154 Shell Hematite and Rose Quartz Jewelry Set made and donated by Keri Bishop The 21-inch necklace is made of alternating chips of hematite shell and rose quartz. The shell chips are spiral slices of shell. The bracelet is elastic with two row shell and hematite beads every six shells bead is double wide with two drilled holes going across both rows. This beautiful handmade jewelry set would make a fantastic gift for that someone special in your life! 155 Ferris wheel Music Box donated by Patty Slaby The Ferris Wheel carries bears as the music plays Night In the Sky, The key to wind it is on the motor. There are more bears standing in line at the bottom. The music box is 6 inches tall and about 4 inches wide. What a fantastic gift to have yourself or to give to someone special! 156 Explore 12 donated by HumanWare Explore is an easy-to-use, portable electronic magnifier that offers HD image quality for improved near and distance viewing. As the largest portable magnifier in our Explore series, its 12-inch touchscreen is perfect for anyone desiring a larger interface, plus it has the added benefit of a foldable stand enabling easy use for reading, writing, and other manual tasks. 157A Homemade Scotchies Cookies donated by CCLVI President Patti Cox These soft and chewy Oatmeal Scotchies are sweetened with brown sugar, packed with oats, and loaded with butterscotch chips. They have crisp edges and chewy centers. Every bite is buttery delicious and packed with flavor. What a delicious treat to enjoy yourself or share with friends! 157B Homemade Scotchies Cookies donated by CCLVI President Patti Cox These soft and chewy Oatmeal Scotchies are sweetened with brown sugar, packed with oats, and loaded with butterscotch chips. They have crisp edges and chewy centers. Every bite is buttery delicious and packed with flavor. What a delicious treat to enjoy yourself or share with friends! 158 Coffee, Coffee, and More Coffee donated by ACB of Minnesota If you have a Keurig coffee maker, this is a must bid for you. You can choose from a box of 100 pods of multiple flavors or of the same flavor. What a fantastic treat for you or the coffee lover in your life. 159 Big Texas Spending Bundle donated by ACB of Texas Enjoy lots of shopping or dining with these gift cards which include: a $50 certificate to the Berdoll Candy and Pecan farm, a $50 gift card to the Container Store, a $50 gift card to Sweet Taste of Texas, and a $50 VISA gift card and others to come! 160 Mantis ™ Q40 donated by American Printing House Keep braille at your fingertips anytime, anywhere, with the Mantis™ Q40: a Bluetooth® keyboard and 40-cell refreshable braille display. Users of the Mantis Q40 no longer need to choose between a keyboard or a braille device. A student or professional typing on the Mantis has a multimodal option of refreshable braille below the keyboard making it easier to participate in, and succeed at, school or work. Contains the following built-in applications: Basic editor to function as a user's pen and paper, book reader to download and read books in braille, calculator to perform basic mathematical calculations, clock to check the date and time, file manager to organize one's work, HumanWare signature thumb keys and home button, 15 hours of battery life with rechargeable, removable batteries and 16 GB of internal storage, SD card slot and USB host port for flash drives. 161 A Song with Lucy Arguijo donated by Lucy Arguijo Lucy will sing a song of your choice. The file will be sent to you in mp3 format. What a treat to listen to with friends. 162 Homemade Peanut Delights donated by Zelda Gebhard If you like salted nut rolls, you will love these! This delightfully delicious candy is all marshmallowy and nutty throughout. There are two pounds of individually wrapped pieces so there is plenty to enjoy and to share of this salty and sweet treat made by Zelda. 163 $150 Braille Superstore Gift Certificate donated by Braille Revival League “Come browse with us and shop to your hearts' content at the Braille Superstore. Check out their great selection of accessible games, toys, signature guides, braille and talking watches, braille card games, educational items for preschool and K-12 students, adapted timers and cooking instruments, tactile labeling items, talking calculators, thermometers, scales, MP3 players, audio Bibles, and braille books, just to wet your appetite.” 164 Purple Pearl Necklace donated by Cindy Hollis This lovely necklace features 7-to-8-millimeter naturally shaped purple pearls. They are hand knotted between for added security and elegance. The 20-inch necklace closes with a lobster claw clasp. This beautiful necklace will dress up any ensemble! 165 Summer Vacation Bundle donated by GDUI Yippee! Another GDUI Sweet Summer Vacation bundle! Rating: 4 paws! GDUI-branded harness pouch where you can store a roll of pick-up bags, keys, and cash/credit card; a gray collapsible bowl with carabiner clip which holds 36 ounces; a Nerf Collapsible 2-in-1 Agility Tunnel and Target Dog Game! Also included is a large, Invincible Triple Chain dog toy and a cute 29-inch plush carrot squeaky toy by Petlou; a package of five reusable Scrubby instant, waterless bath mitts; a large 56 by 28 inch pink microfiber dog bath towel with two white embroidered bones in one corner by Frisco; a blue Coleman roll-up 24 by 36 by 2 inch travel pet bed with a durable water-resistant nylon top, a waterproof PVC base and polyester fill. It folds in half lengthwise to roll up and fasten with two sturdy buckles. Machine wash and line dry. It's time to snuggle up and dream of another fun-filled, splendid sunny summer day tomorrow! (yawn) 166 Echo Show5th Generation donated by Library Users of America The latest and greatest Alexa Echo Show is now available for you to enjoy. The 5.5-inch screen can display the time, a calendar, the weather, photos, video calls, podcasts, read audio books, plus stream your favorite music, tv shows, and podcasts, all controlled with your voice. With the built-in camera, you may check in on children and pets, or drop in on your home when you are away. When not in use, you can set the background to a slideshow of your favorite photos. Prime members also get unlimited cloud storage. There are multiple layers of privacy controls including a mic/camera OFF button and encrypted Ring videos. The Echo Show now has 2 times the bass and a clearer sound for your enjoyment. 167 Joann's Fudge (6 slices) donated by Michigan Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired Joan and Frank Nephew opened the first Joann's Fudge Store on Mackinac (pronounced Mackinaw) Island. Today, Joann's Fudge is a third-generation family business that continues Joan and Frank's commitment to providing high quality products. Each slice is ½ pound for a total of three pounds. You can order six slices of one flavor or mix and match from the list below. Flavors: Butter Pecan, Chocolate, Chocolate Cherry, Chocolate Cookie Crunch, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Chocolate Pecan, Chocolate Toffee, Chocolate Turtle, Chocolate Walnut, Double Dark Chocolate, Double Dark Chocolate Cherry Walnut, Double Dark Chocolate Espresso, Double Dark Chocolate Mint, Double Dark Salted Caramel, German Chocolate, Maple Walnut, Peanut Butter, Pumpkin Pie, Raspberry Truffle, Rocky Road, and Vanilla Salted Caramel. 168 Braille American Wall Flag donated by Veterans of ACB This beautiful flag is designed from very durable polymer and is recommended for permanent indoor display only. The flag measures 15 by 19 inches and weighs approximately 5 lbs. It has a brass-colored frame, mounting hardware and instructions included at no additional cost. Be proud and display your patriotism with this attractive flag. Segment Four- Jeff Thom and Terri-Lynn Higashi 169 $250 Pet Package donated by Tim and Maria Stone of Scoop Masters You will enjoy splurging on your pet and yourself with all the wonderful gift cards included: A $100 Chewy gift card, a $75 Amazon gift card, a $50 Cheesecake Factory gift card and a $25 Starbucks gift card. 170 Lunch with the ACB Executive Director donated by ACB Enjoy one-on-one time with ACB Executive Director, Scott Thornhill, over lunch in Jacksonville, FL in 2024 to be determined by the winner and Scott. 171 Canvas Tote Bag from Blind Girl Designs donated by Tricia Waechter on behalf of AAVL Join us in celebrating the AAVL with this beautiful canvas 15 by18-inch full-zip tote bag. The 12 by 12-inch print explodes with color. The top of the print has the words CELEBRATE in teal, EXPERIENCE in pink AND WISDOM in orange. The words are in a graceful arch. Beneath the words in the center of the print is a dynamic colorful fireworks display. The bottom of the print in 3D yellow puff ink are the letters AAVL and below that are the letters in tactile, readable braille. There is a fold in the bottom of the bag so that the bag can sit upright. It has a full zip across the top as well as a zippered inside pocket. It's a Blind Girl Designs classic! 172 Delicious Homemade Cookies from Patty's Kitchen donated by Patty Slaby Let your imagination guide your taste buds selecting 3 dozen of the same choice or 3 dozen of three 1 dozen choices. Choices include: peanut butter, oatmeal, molasses-ginger, snickerdoodles, chocolate chip, or anything you can imagine, even lemon. Very popular! Yum, Yum! 173 $100 Honey-Baked Ham Gift Card donated by Leslie and Jeff Thom You will enjoy having this $100 gift card for Honey-Baked Ham plus scrumptious sides from the Honey-Baked Ham Store. Enjoy this delicious feist with family or friends anytime over the summer or during the holidays! 174 Touch of Hawaiian Beauty Earring and Necklace Set donated by Hawaii Association of The Blind You will dazzle in this pair of earrings that feature a shiny ball on the top with tiny white seashell hanging from the ball. The seashell has delicate lines within it. It comes with an 18-inch necklace and a basket charm. Within the basket there are 3 delicate white stones similar to the shiny balls of earrings. It also comes with some surprise treats such as chocolate, and coffee. 175 Two Bottles of Wine donated by the Oklahoma Council of the Blind 1 bottle of Sunset Bliss and 1 bottle of Sex-In-The-Vineyard Wines. Wakefield's Winery is in the rolling hills of central Oklahoma. They produce some of the best kept secrets of delicious award-winning wines in the state for the most discriminating tastes! "SUNSET BLISS", is a tropical fruit Riesling sweet white table wine with hints of kiwi, pineapple and mango is an Oklahoma State Fair Silver Medal winner. “SEX-IN-THE-VINEYARD” is a Black Cherry Pinot Noir. This sweet wine is an “Oklahoma State Fair Bronze Medal” winner and the “People's Choice Award” winner. If you like sexy wine, this is the wine for you! Wakefield's Winery does not ship to the following states: Alabama, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, New Jersey, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, and Virginia. 176 Explore 8 Magnifier donated by HumanWare Magnification up to 30X with HD stunning image quality, fully customizable functions, touchscreen to navigate easily through menus, twin Ultra HD cameras for desktop or distance viewing, large physical buttons to adjust magnification and contrast, can be connected easily to a large screen TV, battery life of 4.5 hours. 177 Two Pounds of Homemade Fudge donated by ACB Board Director Cecily Laney Nipper Indulge your sweet tooth. Enjoy two pounds of homemade fudge. Choose from flavors such as double chocolate, peanut butter, and coffee; with two pounds of the same flavor or one pound each of two different flavors. You will be contacted to customize this rich tasty treat. Enjoy yourself or share with friends or family! This will be shipped in September. 178 Fun Time in Hawaii donated by Hawaii Association of The Blind A porcelain Shaka wall hook by Hawaiian artist Jason Dow; Enamel mug with a design that says Hawaii in colorful letters below 3 pineapples; Hawaiian Harmony from Big Island Roasters 100% Kona coffee beans 7 ounces; Yellow Hau flower enamel key chain from Paradise Now Hawaii - made on Maui; Lucky Fortune Cat 3-D shaped sponge from Fred. Enamel flair pin shaped like a bowl of ramen noodle soup from Moxhi Kids; Vinyl sticker sheet with Hawaii's favorite smiling foods and 2 larger vinyl stickers shaped like spam musubi and Boba tea from Mochi Kids. These can be placed on water bottles, phone or iPad cases. Bid and enjoy all these fun items from Hawaii. 179 $100 Gift Card to Omaha Steaks donated by AAVIA Everyone loves a good steak! Omaha Steaks offers a wide selection of high-quality meats that are delivered to your doorstep. Yum, yum. 180 Handmade Story Book Quilt made and donated by Margarine Beaman You will love having this story book quilt with each page sporting a different color. The size of this quilt is 45 by 51-inches. This beautiful quilt is great for a young child to look at as they are going to bed. “My grandkids love to lay on top of their bed and look at the colors and animals.” Wow, what an entertaining quilt for that special person in your life! 181 “The Tom Kaufman Make Believe Hillbilly Band” Bundle donated by Tom Kaufman Come and bid on Tom Kaufman's choices from his Make Believe Hillbilly Band showcased during ACB Community Karaoke! You will be able to choose a song or some of Tom's exciting genres from Tom's Band. Tom will send you an mp3 file with your choices. Enjoy this amazing selection repeatedly by yourself or with some friends! 182 A Tony's Energy Bar and Banana Bread Delight donated by Anthony Akamine and Terri Lynn Higashi Akamine, members of Hawaii Association of the Blind Summer days are here again! Yummy for the tummy. Need some treats to kick your summer into high gear? Back by popular demand for the auction. One loaf of chocolate banana bread full of chocolate, bananas, and nuts. If you don't like bananas, we can do mangos. Also, Anthony is perfecting his mom's energy bar treats. Get a bag of these yummy treats packed with Rice Krispies, oatmeal, raisins, peanut butter, and nuts. If you don't like peanuts, we can throw out the nuts. Made by Anthony and his mom's creation. Perfect for those summer days. And the box may even come with a few extra goodies. 182 B Tony's Energy Bar and Banana Bread Delight donated by Anthony Akamine and Terri Lynn Higashi Akamine, members of Hawaii Association of the Blind Summer days are here again! Yummy for the tummy. Need some treats to kick your summer into high gear? Back by popular demand for the auction. One loaf of chocolate banana bread full of chocolate, bananas, and nuts. If you don't like bananas, we can do mangos. Also, Anthony is perfecting his mom's energy bar treats. Get a bag of these yummy treats packed with Rice Krispies, oatmeal, raisins, peanut butter, and nuts. If you don't like peanuts, we can throw out the nuts. Made by Anthony and his mom's creation. Perfect for those summer days. And the box may even come with a few extra goodies. 183 $100 Bloomin' Brands Gift Card donated by AAVL Bloomin' Brands gift cards are the freshest way to see for yourself how one card can offer so many appetizing choices from steak, seafood to classic Italian. Our card can be redeemed at any of the following restaurants: Outback Steakhouse, Carrabba's Italian Grill, Bonefish Grill and Fleming's Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar. What a wonderful way to enjoy a night out with family or friends! 184 Versa Slate Paperless Erasable Braille Slate and Stylus donated by Lucy Edmonds The Versa Slate is a braille slate that is paperless and erasable. It works just like a regular slate and stylus, but without paper. It features four rows of 20 cells each, and a magnetic stylus that is built into the side of the unit for easy storage. 185 Himalayan Salt Lamp donated by Jeff and Keri Bishop of Tucson, AZ You will love using this Himalayan Salt Lamp. It is 9 inches high, 4 inches wide with a 7W night light bulb inside. This lamp glows a lovely pink that shows all the different variations of color in the large salt crystal. It is a spectacular piece of decor that would look great on any mantel or end table. 186 Podcasting Bundle with Accessible Tools donated by BITS This package contains all you need to conduct the interview of your dreams! You will be able to record high quality music or just capture life as it happens. The Zoom H4essentials is an accessible digital voice recorder. The first thing you hear when you turn it on is it prompting you to enable speech and beeps providing independent navigation of most system options. The Zoom H4essentials has a built-in stereo microphone, with dual XLR connections available as well and it supports up to one terabyte micro SD card, and is powered by USB-C or AAA batteries, not included. The Samson Q2U microphone is a versatile handheld dynamic mic. This microphone allows you to connect via XLR into an audio interface, such as the Zoom H4essentials, or directly to your computer via an included USB cable. Great for rejecting off access noise, these microphones are ideal for interviewing individuals in an environment that might not be the most conducive for podcast interviews. Bid today on the great podcasting bundle including one Zoom H4essentials field recorder, 2 Samson Q2U mic's, 2 XLR cables, and 1 128 GB microSD card. 187 A Home Baked Cookies from Andrea Conner's Kitchen donated by Andrea Conner These delicious cookies melt in your mouth! The light, buttery goodness of a crescent formed into a ball, loaded with chopped pecans, flavored with a hint of vanilla, then dusted in powdered sugar. One dozen with almond flavor and one dozen cocoa flavor. They're sure to satisfy your cookie craving! Enjoy these scrumptious cookies yourself or share with friends or family. 187 B Home Baked Cookies from Andrea Conner's Kitchen donated by Andrea Conner These delicious cookies melt in your mouth! The light, buttery goodness of a crescent formed into a ball loaded with chopped pecans, flavored with a hint of vanilla, then dusted in powdered sugar. One dozen with almond flavor and one dozen cocoa flavor. They are sure to satisfy your cookie craving! Enjoy these scrumptious cookies yourself or share with friends or family. 188 One-on-One In-Person or Phone Conversation with Our Talking Book Narrator Donated by ACB Enjoy chatting with our talking book narrator, Mare Trevathan. Here's your chance for a one-on-one, behind the scenes conversation with a talking book narrator. The winner could either use this in person in Jacksonville or be contacted after the convention to make arrangements for a phone conversation. 189 $50 Amazon Gift Card donated by Delaware Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired It is time to treat yourself to something special and here's a gift card to help you do it. $50 in spending at Amazon! 190 One-hour Business Coaching Session and $25 Gift Card to Pete's Coffee donated by Ardis Bazyn Enjoy this one-hour business coaching session with Ardis Bazyn. Ardis coaches on positive image building, secrets for coping with challenges and change, creating a plan for professional/business success, speaking skills, writing skills, advocacy skills and inexpensive marketing/public relations initiatives. Also included is a $25 Pete's Coffee gift card to enjoy with some friends or family! Expiration Date: June 30, 2025. 191 Nebraska Black Tote Bag from Blind Girl Designs donated by Tricia Waechter on behalf of Nebraska The delightful Nebraska tote bag has white vinyl ink printed on a black canvas, full-zip 15 by 18-inch tote bag with an interior zipper pocket. The top of the 9 by 13-inch print starts boldly with the state name NEBRASKA and underneath it is spelled also in braille. Underneath the word NEBRASKA is the entire state outline of Nebraska exactly like a map. The only difference from a map is on the left side of the state there's a white cane instead of a straight line and on the northwestern border there is another white cane instead of a line. At the end of the strap of the white cane, the map continues along the river as it naturally would. The river continues all the way down to the southeast border of the state. In the middle of the west side of the state are the historic rolling sand hills, which are covered by prairie grasses. These sand hills are replicated by small wavy tactile hills as a nod to this critical and historic portion of the state, which supports the cattle industry. Starting in the middle to the right side of the print are three huge stalks of corn. There's a reason this is proudly called the Cornhusker state! 192 Berkey Creamery Bundle Package donated by Pennsylvania Council of The Blind One thing that most Pennsylvanians agree on is “Ice cream is good, and the Penn State Creamery makes some of the best.” We love ice cream, but we love the science behind it even more. By supporting the Berkey Creamery, you also are supporting food science, the dairy industry and agriculture across Pennsylvania and beyond. The PCB Package includes six pints of ice cream: Peachy Paterno; Cookies-n-Cream; Bittersweet Mint; Death by Chocolate; Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough and Vanilla Bean (BASED ON INGREDIENT AVAILABILITY). Enjoy this Penn State Creamery 100% cotton t-Shirt with color options of blue or white, sizes small up to 3XL. We've got some fashion for your sweet tooth! Simply stated, all roads lead to the Creamery! Also, enjoy the 21oz travel mug which is a stainless steel beverage container with the Penn State Berkey Creamery emblem on it. Segment Five- Kolby Garrison and Mary Haupt 193 $50 Amazon Gift Card donated by New Jersey Council of The Blind It is time to treat yourself to something special and here's a gift card to help you do it. $50 in spending at Amazon! 194 Doggie Gift Basket donated by Jeff and Keri Bishop This doggie gift bag comes with lots of goodies for your guide dog. This set includes: Two jumbo collapsible dog dishes for travel, A hard rubber giggle ball, a nylon dual length leash in bright safety green It's the same size and length as standard guide dog leashes, hillside farms chicken jerky for dogs, hillside farms jerky twist (dried chicken and sweet potato), a velour kennel blanket. A back seat cover or hammock (covers the entire seat and floor by putting 2 handles on the head rest in the back or a hammock by putting the second set of handles over the all 4 heads rest of the front and back), a dog safety seatbelt, a tug of war nylon bone, doggy poo bags, a grooming kit (has right and left grooming mittens, a comb and a grooming brush the straps around your hand. This gift set comes in a reusable shopping bag that has been sewn from a recycled dog food bag. 195 Disney 100 Years of Wonder Mickey Watch and Minnie Mouse Watch donated by Connie Jacomini You will love having these enchanting Mickey and Minnie Mouse watches that feature a detailed 3-layer dial with a laser-cut silhouette of your favorite character alongside the Disney 100 logo. Plus, it arrives beautifully packaged and ready for gift giving. Wow, what a fantastic gift either for yourself or someone special in your life! 196 Dry Aged Steaks for a Summertime Grill donated by ACB Development Director Bill Reeder Enjoy four luxury steakhouse prime grade ribeye steaks, dry aged for 45 days and hand cut two inches thick. Grill ready and perfect for a fancy summer BBQ. They are accompanied by two bottles of fine wine (red or white) and Kosmos famous BBQ steak rub. What a treat to have for a summer meal with friends or family! 197 Pat's Beef Jerky Gift Box donated by Kansas Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired This fantastic beef jerky is from A Land of Kansas Company. The box features four different flavors of beef jerky made from Kansas beef, and two packages of beef stick. Enjoy this delicious treat yourself or share with friends. 198 A Gift Box of Fragrance donated by Barry Carver of Mountain Crafted A box of sulfate-free fragrance available in Cactus Flower or Jade. You may request braille labels on all your items. This bundle includes: 8 ounces shampoo, 8 ounces hair conditioner, 8 ounces shower gel, 4 ounces moisturizing cream, 1 ounce body mist, 1 ounce room spray. A little dab goes a long way. 199 $100 VISA Gift Card donated by Mississippi Council of The Blind You can use this $100 VISA gift card any time for dining or doing some shopping for yourself or someone special! 200 a Maryland box of Goodies donated by ACB of Maryland Bid and enjoy this box of goodies from Maryland. It includes: Old Bay Fisher's Popcorn, Jeppi Nuts, Chocolate Crabs dusted with Old Bay, Hot Sauce, Crab Cake Mix, Old Bay Seasoning, and some Chesapeake Mouth Party Caramels! Special Add Ons: "Home is Where the Old Bay Is" 5 by 7 print, Bigs Old Bay Sunflower Seeds, Crab Towel, and an Old Bay Insulated Tumbler. 201 Hills of Purple Heather donated and performed by Jeanette Kutash The lucky winner will enjoy sharing this piano piece performed by Jeanette. As you hear this beautiful melody, imagine yourself walking through the hills with the purple heather, a beautiful flower which represents healing and quieting of the mind. The hills and the heather invite those who walk through them to revel in a feeling of confidence to pursue living life to the fullest with those you love. As the music increases and decreases in volume, we find gradual healing, calmness, and the feeling that we can get through all storms ahead with grace and tranquility. The piece culminates with a final chord which represents that feeling of being whole from the heather's qualities. 202 $100 Honey Baked Ham Gift Card donated by ACB Media Coordinator Larry Gassman Whether you're celebrating a loved one, marking a special occasion, or simply wanting to surprise a friend, show you care with a Honey Baked Ham. Enjoy this delicious treat with friends or family. 203 Baby Afghan in White, Yellow, and Green donated by Keri Bishop Enjoy this baby Afghan crocheted like a jumbo granny square or continuous granny square. The center is white bordered by a pastel green then white and trimmed in pastel yellow. Afghan measures 42 by 42 inches. Wow, what a beautiful Afghan to give as a gift for that someone special! 204 $100 Gift Card to Walmart Donated by Mary Haupt Fill your basket with treats for your family and friends. The $100 gift card offers a wonderful opportunity for you to treat yourself or to please and surprise others. 205 Four Bags of Healthy Dog Treats donated by ACB of Connecticut Here's something for the canines in your life. You will receive 4 bags of healthy dog treats baked, packed, and shipped by special needs students at Bellcate School in Vermont. They are freshly baked upon order and contain no preservatives. The flavors are Peanut Butter Pumpkin, Calming Chamomile and Honey Maple Mousse with the maple coming from the farm on the school property and Apple, Oatmeal and Cheese. They are truly making a difference for our dogs! 206 2012 Read Easy Move Scanning Device donated by Roberta McCall You can use this freestanding scanning device which will read out all printed text to users to assist you with everyday life. It includes headphones so you can hear what the scanner is reading to you. It has a custom carrying case, clear voices, Keypad Feature Pack For users requiring additional features such as multi-page documents, WIFI navigation control, saving, loading, importing, and exporting documents! Low Vision Pack that connects your Move to television or computer screen. Let's you view your documents in large print, (up to 2x newspaper headline size on a 22” screen), as well as listen to them. 207A Loaf of Homemade Pumpkin Bread Donated by Terri Nettles Perfect for breakfast, dessert, or a party, this bread will delight all who love pumpkin any time of day. Enjoy this pumpkin bread either plain or with chocolate chips yourself or share with friends or family. It is delicious. 207B Loaf of Homemade Pumpkin Bread Donated by Terri Nettles Perfect for breakfast, dessert, or a party, this bread will delight all who love pumpkin any time of day. Enjoy this pumpkin bread either plain or with chocolate chips yourself or share with friends or family. It is delicious! 208 Handmade Pottery Snack Tray and Butter Dish donated by Patty Fletcher You will enjoy this lovely snack tray which is a rectangular shaped plate with rounded edges. The edges and sides of this piece are textured. It is a marigold color with a glossy finish. Also enjoy the accompanying butter dish which is an oblong shaped plate. It is marigold with a glossy finish. These one-of-a-kind handmade pottery pieces are both useful and lovely. 209 $50 Amazon Gift Card donated by Friends in Art It is time to treat yourself to something special and here's a gift card to help you do it. $50 in spending at Amazon! 210 Four-piece Amalia Serving Set donated by Becky Gleason Enjoy having this four-piece set of elegant flatware. It will add sparkle to any table setting. Made from high-quality 18/10 Stainless Steel, each piece is beautiful, durable and dishwasher safe. The serving utensils feature a unique vine design and rope detail. This set includes a Serving Spoon, Slotted Spoon, Serving Fork, and Serving Spatula. Use this serving set yourself or make someone incredibly happy by making them the recipient of this useful and classy gift. 211 $50 Starbucks Gift Card donated by Merrilee Hill-Kennedy Everyone loves a good cup of coffee. It's even better with some friends or family members over some laughs! As an extra bonus, Starbucks also has goodies to eat. Bid so you can enjoy all the delicious choices from a great coffee establishment. 212 Two Dozen Homemade Cookies donated by Mary Cook of Outta Sight Sweets LLC Your choice of either snickerdoodle or triple chocolate chip cookies. The snickerdoodle is an old-fashioned d

Peter Tucic and Mathieu Paquette from HumanWare join us today to talk about the StellarTrek, the AI-powered GPS device from HumanWare. Since its launch in August 2022, the StellarTrek has seen many additions to its lineup of features, including a barcode reader, color detection, and most recently, crosswalk detection. Come hear about why the StellarTrek is the perfect companion for the blind traveler! Presenter Contact Info Peter's Email: peter.tucic@humanware.com Mathieu's Email: mathieu.paquette@humanware.com

From HumanWare, we have Peter Tucic, director of strategic partnerships, and Mathieu Paquette, product manager, to discover one of their newest products, the Odyssey. This easy-to-use desktop reader allows you to read documents, converting text into speech. And also, they may have some information on the version 1.3 software update for the Victor Reader Stream 3! Presenter Contact Info Peter's Email: peter.tucic@humanware.com Mathieu's Email: mathieu.paquette@humanware.com

Here are the topics covered in this episode, and the time in the file for each. Welcome to 280 0:00 Zoom improves accessibility of their H Essential Series 3:02 It appears Sonos accessibility is about to experience a significant regression 6:00 Mathieu Paquette from HumanWare talks Audible support for the Victor Reader Stream 3 and more new features 23:01 A demonstration of Perplexity 1:01:48 An Apple album purchase I can no longer play 1:21:41 Thoughts on Glide 1:29:26 NFB's DeafBlind Division is looking for volunteer special service support providers 1:47:54 Hetlioz and melatonin 1:51:04 In search of a powerful, portable laptop 1:53:34 Problems with the YouTube app are typical 1:56:59 Closing and contact info 1:59:01

Hello our little Galway girls and welcome to 'De Chat' as some of our listeners are calling it. We hope you are well, dry, and safe. This week it's a welcome back to Gordon Anthony aka Blind Gordon, who guest hosts again. Gordon has been a busy boy while not on the air - it seems he managed to break his arm from signing autographs on the way to see Dundee United lose another football match. But luckily, he had set up 'fall detection' on his Apple watch and the device proceeded to call the cops, ambulance service, his daughter, the pope, the prime minister of Japan and Dominos pizza. There was some good news from his accident however as Dundee United managed to win the game that day; in fact, they haven't lost a game since!! Sadly, Jan can't say the same for his local team "Ado Den Haag".   While Gordon was recuperating, he managed to find a new A.I. tool called “Pi” which apparently is very good and well worth a go.   Jan has been doing some research of his own and recently attended the Dutch version of ‘Sight Village' - does that make it “Ziezo Villagen”?

20240311 Using the NLS Humanware e-Reader Originally Broadcasted March 11, 2024, on ACB Media 5   Participants joined LUA, along with our presenter, Anna Dresner, to learn how the NLS e-reader works.   Sponsored by Library Users of America.

In this episode of Double Tap, Steven Scott and Shaun Preece dive into the world of accessible technology with their usual banter. Grace Scoffield joins them to discuss the latest in Double Tap News, with news on AI advancements from Microsoft's Ability Summit, and what's coming up at the California State University Assistive Technology Conference (CSUN), where attendees can expect to hear from a variety of speakers, including deaf-blind attorney Haben Girma. Plus, HumanWare's updates to their devices, including the Brailliant and Mantis Braille displays, are also covered. Plus the guys cover a range of topics in your emails. Keep in touch by emailing us at feedback@doubletaponair.com or calling 1-877-03-4567 and leaving us a voicemail. You can also find us on social media.

In this episode of Double Tap, hosts Steven Scott and Shaun Preece dive into a lively discussion covering a range of topics, including the latest on the MacBook Airs, updates from HumanWare on the Victor Reader Stream 3 and Mantis Q40, and their personal experiences with technology. The guys are also joined by Mathieu Piquette and Andrew Flatres from HumanWare to discuss updates across their range of products. In particular, we focus on an upcoming update for the Victor Reader Stream 3 and we get the answer to the eternal question: when will Audible books be able to be added to the device? Keep in touch by emailing us at feedback@doubletaponair.com or calling 1-877-03-4567 and leaving us a voicemail. You can also find us on social media.

Jerry shares his experience through decades of participating in positive change and mending his San Francisco community through the Vietnam War, saving housing from the clear cutting of the landscape to remodeling an Edwardian house, and being on the front row of watching technology grow and shift through time. He now mentors people through art and woodworking, and his walking tour business called Jose Can You See. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/stories-of-vision-loss--5626029/support.

Today on the show, Steven and Shaun discuss a range of topics, including the purchase of new gadgets and the upcoming Zero Project conference in Vienna.Steven begins by celebrating Taylor Swift as the ultimate winner of the Super Bowl, although it is quite clear they have no idea what the event is all about!They move on to discuss a major new find Steven has discovered within Apple VoiceOver accessibility called Window Spots. While it is not new, Steven thinks it has had a very quiet makeover meaning apps are more accessible on the Mac now than ever.Also, the guys discuss a duo of new gadgets Steven has been buying, including the new Meta Ray Ban Stories and the Mantis Q40 Braille display from HumanWare.Keep in touch with the Double Tappers by emailing feedback@doubletaponair.com or call 1-877-803-4567 and leave us a voicemail. You can also find us on social media and now on YouTube.

In our special episode, we're revisiting the tech highlights of 2023. The year began with Sony's PlayStation 5 controller launch and Microsoft's investment in OpenAI. Twitter made waves by banning third-party apps, sparking a discussion featured in a clip with Gedeon Maheux. February brought Google's AI plans with Bard and exciting tech news from Canada. HumanWare introduced the Victor Reader Stream 3rd gen. March featured Humanware's "Made for Surface" devices and the CSUN conference. April marked Amazon's support for cochlear implants and Seeing AI's indoor navigation feature. May was packed with innovations, including Braille Doodle and Final Cut's iPad debut, alongside an audio transcription demo using AIKO. Sadly, Microsoft bid farewell to Soundscape, but it returned via Open Scape beta, the Scottish Tech Army, and the NCBI. June showcased Apple's WWDC and Vision Pro, along with Reddit's significant API changes. July was Convention month, featuring Sight Village PamTrad, NFB Report by Damashe Thomas, and ACB-OKO. August turned the spotlight to smart glasses, including Seleste and Kapsys smartvision 3. In September, LEGO launched braille bricks for everyone, while WordPress Accessibility Day emphasized web inclusivity. October unveiled CES in Amsterdam, and November featured a talking air fryer, Be My Eyes at an Open AI event, JAWS news, and some Open AI chaos. Be My AI emerged as the first customer service AI. December concluded with Forza's success at the Game Awards, the Netflix drama "All The Light We Cannot See," and the Android debut of Seeing AI and Be My AI. Sight Tech Global was a must-attend event for tech enthusiasts. Get in touch with the Double Tappers and join the conversation: Email: feedback@doubletaponair.com Call: 1-877-803-4567 (Canada and USA) / 0204 571 3354 (UK) X (formerly Twitter): @BlindGuyTech / @ShaunShed Mastodon: @DoubleTap

Hey there! Welcome to Accessibility Minute, your weekly look at Assistive Technology, those clever tools and devices designed to help people who have difficulties with vision, mobility, hearing, or other special needs! Last week, we talked about the Victor Reader Stream 3 by Humanware which is a pocket-sized digital media audio player that allows users […] The post AM553 Brailliant BI 20X Braille Display first appeared on Assistive Technology at Easter Seals Crossroads.

Hey there! Welcome to Accessibility Minute, your weekly look at Assistive Technology, those clever tools and devices designed to help people who have difficulties with vision, mobility, hearing, or other special needs! In nearly 35 years, HumanWare has developed more than 50 “highly intuitive and intelligent” solutions that have changed the lives of people with […] The post AM552 Victor Reader Stream 3 first appeared on Assistive Technology at Easter Seals Crossroads.