Author: The Tech Doctor

  • Virtually In Australia with the Piano-Man, Scott Erichsen

    In this Tech Doctor podcast, Robert makes a virtual trip to Australia where he catches up with the professional musician and access technology specialist, Scott Erichsen.

    Scott tells us about his formal training as a jazz pianist. He describes how having perfect pitch has helped him to quickly reproduce the music that he hears. Scott talks about the importance of braille in writing music and the necessity to have really excellent teachers.

    Robert and Scott then move in to a discussion of access technology describing how blind people in Australia go about acquiring and utilizing access technology. Scott talks about his work as a tester, evaluator and trainer. They discuss mainstream versus specialized technology and explore some ways of bridging the two.

    The podcast concludes with a discussion of Scott’s current music, a pending trip to the U.S. and Scott’s two currently available albums. Finally, Robert finishes the podcast by playing one of Scott’s recordings called “Places.”

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  • CSUN 2012 with Jessica Rathwell

    This podcast is all about the 27th Annual International Technology and Persons with Disabilities Conference commonly referred to as CSUN. Robert speaks with Jessica Rathwell who offers a fascinating perspective on what attending this conference is like for an independent woman who is blind.

    In addition to discussing some most interesting presentations and products, Robert and Jessi talk about the importance of social networking and some of the challenges faced by people who are blind trying to connect with others at a mega conference like this one.

    The idea of people with disabilities reaching out to the mainstream community was explored in some detail. You will find Jessi’s perspective insightful and refreshing. Her enthusiasm inspired me to make a personal commitment to attend CSUN in the very near future.

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  • Talking Tech with Amy Ruell

    In this Tech Doctor podcast, Robert talks accessible technology with Amy Ruell.

    Amy tells us about her work as president of
    VIBUG
    which is a computer users group for visually impaired and blind people in Massachusetts. Amy and her group are engaged in some very interesting collaboration with MIT. The VIBUG website is a wonderful resource for blind and visually impaired people throughout the world.

    Robert and Amy engage in a comprehensive discussion about mainstream versus specialized technology concluding with the idea that there may be ways to build a bridge between the two.

    Finally, Robert and Amy talk about some of the complexities of being an access technology trainer in today’s ever-changing technical world.

    I am confident that there is something in this podcast for everybody. Sit back and enjoy this discussion.

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  • Screenless Audio Editing With Sound Studio

    In this brief Tech Doctor podcast, Robert demonstrates how he uses an audio editor called
    Sound Studio
    to edit the Tech doctor podcast.

    Thanks to Allison Mervis for giving me permission to use her wonderful voice in this episode.

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  • On The Bleeding Edge

    In this version of The Tech Doctor podcast, Robert talks with the most knowledgeable and enthusiastic Allison Mervis of California.

    Allison and Robert begin with a discussion of mainstream versus specialized access technology. Allison suspects that we are starting to see a marriage between the two. Robert discusses his idea that it is ideal for specialized braille note taking equipment to also operate as braille displays for iOS devices. He particularly likes the BrailleSense OnHand from Hims Inc. You can learn more about the BrailleSense at
    the Hims website

    Allison and Robert next discuss Allison’s experience with an Android tablet that she purchased with the hope of making it accessible with one of the Android screen readers. You can learn more about Android accessibility at
    the Android accessibility website
    Another excellent Android resource is a podcast produced by the Serotalk Podcast Network called
    That Android Show

    Finally, Robert and Allison explore Allison’s experiences with jailbreaking her iPhone 4s. Allison recently published an excellent article all about jailbreaking. Check it out here.
    Jailbreaking Not As Scary As It Sounds

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  • Blindfolded

    In this Tech Doctor podcast, Robert spends an hour with one of the most prolific, creative and popular mainstream Apple podcasters.

    Her name is Allison Sheridan. She is the creator and host of the “NOSILLA Cast” podcast. This informative, entertaining fast paced show appears weekly and can be found over at
    podfeet.com

    Allison is a tremendous advocate for people who are blind and she recently gave a presentation at the annual Macworld | iWorld conference under a blindfold showing how iOS devices and the Mac can be used by a blind person. Allison does a fabulous job describing her presentation. I am confident that you will find our discussion informative and interesting.

    Thanks, Allison, you are awesome.

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  • Alena Roberts Interview

    In this Edition of the Tech Doctor podcast, I had the pleasure of interviewing Alena Roberts. Alena is a feature writer at the
    Matilda Ziegler Magazine
    She provides braille instruction to a second grader and she is the social media consultant for the
    Sendero Group

    Recently, Alena has become one of the host of the new
    Triple Click Home podcast
    where she gets to discuss all things Apple.

    I experienced Alena as articulate, warm, personable and very knowledgeable. We discussed a range of personal and technical topics. I am confident that you will find this interview engaging and informative.

    To learn even more about Alena, check out her blog at
    blindgal.com

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  • iOS5 and Braille

    In this information rich podcast, Robert Carter and Deb Lewis thoroughly examine what it is like to use Braille with an iOS5 device. There is special emphasis on how to select and get started with a braille display.

    For more about working with braille and iOS5, click the following link.
    Apple Devices And Braille

    For general information about the accessibility of Apple products, click here.
    Apple Accessibility

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  • iOS5 Pushes the Accessibility Envelope Part Two

    In this podcast, Robert Carter and Kevin Chao complete their discussion of iOS5. They explore the Newsstand, demonstrate and discuss Siri and finish up with a significant list of changes, bug fixes and enhancements to Apple’s most sophisticated mobile operating system to date.

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  • iOS5 Pushes the Accessibility Envelope Part One

    In this Tech Doctor podcast, Robert Carter and Kevin Chao explore the major accessibility enhancements in Apple’s iOS5 mobile operating system.

    For more information about the accessibility of apple products, go to
    Apple Accessibility

    Play