Author: The Tech Doctor

In this episode of the Tech Doctor podcast, Robert plays a recording of a presentation that he made at an access technology conference for the Veterans Administration.

The speech was presented on August 9, 2012 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The purpose of the conference was to provide training for VA employees who teach access technology to blind and visually impaired veterans.

The Tech Doctor was honored to have been invited to speak at this excellent conference. It was exciting to have had three days devoted to this most worthwhile topic.

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In this Tech Doctor podcast, Robert and David Woodbridge explore the work that David does with
Vision Australia
including how David goes about recommending technology to people who call the help desk.

David describes his work as an apple ambassador and has an editor on the popular
Applevis
web site.

David tells us about his podcasts and radio show. He explains his enthusiasm about Apple accessibility and how he has integrated Apple equipment in to his household.

Finally, Robert and David engage in a discussion of what the new Mountain Lion operating system has to offer.

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In this podcast, the Tech Doctor spends time with freelance writer, editor and poet Deborah Kendrick. During her thirty years as a freelance writer, Deborah has published hundreds of articles in newspapers and magazines around the world. Even though Deborah is well-known in the blindness community, as a writer about and advocate for disability concerns, she began her career as a poet and a writer on topics that had nothing to do with disability.

At present, Deborah is the “Senior Features Editor” at
AccessWorld
which is a monthly technology magazine published by The American Foundation for the Blind.

Prior to coming to AccessWorld, Deborah started and edited the first braille magazine devoted to access technology, called Tactic. First published in 1985, long before the internet, Tactic was the primary way that blind people learned about and kept up with accessible technology.

In addition to writing about technology, Deborah writes a bi-weekly newspaper column for the Columbus Dispatch. At the time of this podcast, Deborah’s current column was entitled
Progress, yes, but there’s work ahead

Deborah is currently writing the biography of
Abraham Nemeth
an inventor and the developer of the braille code for mathematics and scientific notation.

In the podcast, Deborah jokingly describes herself as the “accidental techie.” This is a story that you don’t want to miss.

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With its crisp 32 cell braille display, silent keyboard, 32 gigs of flash storage, 1GHZ processor, internal GPS receiver, vibration motor and suite of state-of-the-art applications, the Braille Sense U2 moves to the head of the class.

The Tech Doctor does a detailed examination the U2 providing you with both the data and live demonstrations that you need to really understand this product.

Thinking of the Braille Sense U2 as just a note taker is like believing that the iPhone is just a phone. It has the hardware specs of a typical high-end mobile device and Hims is making good progress on the getting the software to take full advantage of the new processor, additional ram and increased storage capacity.

Using refreshable braille to word process, surf the net, work with email, navigate with GPS and participate in social networking is what the U2 is all about. There is of course synthetic speech and improved audio capabilities built-in as well.

Clearly, the Tech Doctor feels that the Braille Sense U2 is a big step forward. At the same time, he acknowledges that no product is perfect and offers some suggestions for improvement.

If you are interested in having the ability to work easily and efficiently in electronic braille, the Braille Sense U2 is worthy of serious consideration.

For more information, check out the
Hims
website.

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In this podcast, the Tech Doctor visits with a most charming and fascinating man from Puerto Rico named Ricky Gonzalez

You will get to know Ricky and hear the wonderful and relaxing sounds of the Caribbean.

As we talk, you will get an idea of what life is like for people who are blind and living on the island. You will definitely enjoy Ricky telling us about what it was like for him to discover that the iPhone is accessible and what this technology means to him.

Ricky’s warmth and generous spirit is infectious. This is a podcast that just might stick with you for a while.

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In this podcast, Robert visits with Katie Floyd, the co-host of the excellent
Mac Power Users podcast

Robert and Katie compare and contrast the capabilities and features of the 2012 line of Apple MacBook laptops. They provide the information that you will need when selecting the computer that is right for you. You may be surprised by some of their recommendations.

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In this Tech Doctor episode, Robert Carter and Jessica Rathwell explain and demonstrate an innovative new app which uses pattern recognition to allow a blind person to type faster and more easily on an iOS touch screen.

The app is called “Fleksy” and at the time of this podcast is currently under development.

For more information, go to the
Fleksy
website.

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In this podcast, I have the pleasure of talking with Shane Jackson. Shane tells us all about getting a job and working as an Apple Specialist in an Apple retail store.

As we talk, it becomes obvious that Shane’s warmth, persistence, willingness to take risks, and excellent communications skills are at the heart of his success at Apple. I wish Shane all the best as he follows his dream and begins law school in the near future.

To learn more about Shane, check out his excellent
podcast

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In this podcast, Robert talks with Anna Dresner the author of “Getting Started with the iPhone and iOS 5 for Blind Users.”

Robert considers this book a must have for anyone interested in understanding how to get the most out of the iPhone as a VoiceOver user. Anna talks about the writing process and gives some good suggestions on how to most efficiently use the book.

The book is available for $22 from the National Braille Press. It can be purchased either in hardcopy braille or as a download with several formats to choose from. To see the table of contents and learn more about the book, go to
Getting Started with the iPhone

Thanks Anna for Talking with us about this excellent book.

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During this hour, Robert has a fascinating conversation with, Jolie Mason, the founder and program director of the Los Angeles Radio Reading Service. The LA Reading Service can be heard world wide on an iOS app called
iBlink Radio
In addition to her radio reading service work, Jolie hosts a radio show on a Los Angeles radio station
KPFK
The show is called “Access Unlimited” and can be heard online by going to the KPFK site.

Jolie is an enthusiastic iPhone user but did express some frustration with the fact that VoiceOver users are required to use different gestures than those that are used by sighted iPhone users. Robert mentions a new book that teaches iPhone VoiceOver users everything they need to know. The book is available from the National Braille Press and is called
Getting Started with the IPhone and iOS 5 for Blind Users

Jolie and Robert discuss an excellent website filled with information about Apple accessibility. The site is called
Applevis

There is a new iOS, Android and PC app that allows people to voice chat with other users of the app throughout the world. It has become very popular with blind people. The app is called
Zello
One thing that can quickly become a problem is finding a particular app on your iPhone. This problem occurs once you have dozens of apps. Jolie describes her excellent system for organizing and categorizing all of her apps.

Finally, Jolie and Robert discuss some of their favorite apps for learning about birds and for using the iPhone in the kitchen. Here are the links to some really great birding apps.
BirdTunes
Handheld Birds
Chirp Bird Songs USA +
iBird Explorer Pro
Here are the links to the cooking and shopping apps that Jolie described.
Grocery Smart
ShopShop
List Recorder
Crock-Pot Virtual Cooking Timer
Cooking
FastMall

My visit with Jolie was delightful. I only hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

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