Tek Talk

Latest Episodes:

Tek Talk welcomes presenters from BlindShell USA to discuss the BlindShell Classic 2 Accessible Cell Phone. 08/08/2022 Aug 14, 2022

Show notes

The BlindShell Classic 2 is an accessible cell phone for people with any degree of sight loss. BlindShell has tactile buttons and is menu driven so there is no swiping and tapping like on a smart phone. The BlindShell platform continues to grow as we partner with major commercial brands and state of the art companies in the sight loss community. The BlindShell Classic 2 is loaded with customizable settings and Apps and our development team continues to improve the user experience. BlindShell Classic 2 is not only a communication device but has become a relevant piece of technology that promotes independence and enhances the quality of life for individuals with sight loss. Notable features include AIRA, Google Outlook, Internet Browser and podcast player.

Presenter Contact Info Bari Azman – President of BlindShell USA

Email: bari@blindshellusa.com

Diane Ducharme – Senior Program Director of BlindShell USA

Email: diane@blindshellusa.com

Tek Talk welcomes Jenine Stanley, Aira Director of Customer Communications, to discuss all the things going on at Aira right now. 08/01/2022 Aug 08, 2022

Show notes

Introducing Aira Everywhere.

Aira Desktop app

Aira Desktop app is a computer-centric application that provides the most convenient, secure and efficient way to access Aira’s visual interpreters in a friction free, fast time-to-task solution to overcome obstacles, and engage Agents on digital tasks directly from a computer. A limited function beta will be available at the end of July. As with any beta software, there are limitations to functionality and there may be accessibility issues. Please keep in mind, it is not production software. Indicate your interest using the form at https://aira.io/choice and we will provide instructions to access the beta when it is available.

ARxVision Headset

With the Aira app and ARxVision Headset, Explorers will enjoy the added efficiency and productivity that comes with low profile, high-quality hands-free video hardware. The ability to stream video and audio from the camera, and the integrated microphone and speaker on the ARxVision frame, make two-way visual interpreting possible. We are engaged in development and invite you to indicate your interest in staying informed, using the form at https://aira.io/choice. For more information about ARxVision, visit their site at https://arx.vision/.

BlindShell Phone

The Aira BlindShell Classic 2 app will provide anyone who prefers the simple, intuitive and tactile controls of the BlindShell phone, access to Aira’s visual interpreting service. Only BlindShell offers both a tactile keypad and a camera which is necessary to access Aira’s visual interpreting service. The companies are engaged in joint development and the Aira Blindshell app will roll out later in July. You can indicate your interest in staying informed about availability, using the form at https://aira.io/choice. For more information about BlindShell, visit their site at https://blindshellusa.com/.

Presenter Contact Info Email: jenine.stanley@aira.io

Website: https://aira.io/

Tek Talk welcomes Eric Damery, retiring Vice President of Vispero, to discuss the JAWS notification history feature. 07/25/2022 Aug 02, 2022

Show notes

Eric Damery will be with us to discuss How JAWS is giving us greater individual control over what Application and Windows messages we hear and a better way of reviewing them later. The JAWS Notification History will be the topic on Tek Talk on Monday July 25. This will be Eric’s last presentation on Tek Talk as Vispero Vice President of Software Products Management. Eric will be retiring from Vispero with over 28 years of service in the Assistive Technology field. Please be with us to learn about Notification history and to say thank you to Eric as we help send him off to a richly deserved retirement

Presenter Contact Info None available.

Tek Talk welcomes Michelle Malkin, Key Account Manager of Logickeyboard, to discuss their family of Assistive Technology keyboards. 07/18/2022 Aug 02, 2022

Show notes

Today we’ll introduce you to Logickeyboard, the company, as well as the Logickeyboard family of Assistive Technology keyboards. Whether you’re Low Vision and prefer a Large Print keyboard or Blind and a Braille user, we have something for everyone. While our keyboards have been known for and at the desks of video and audio editing professionals helping to create epic movies like The Revenant, The Godfather, Captain America, and Harry Potter, our decades of experience have led us to our Assistive Tech Line Up. Our goal is to provide technology that enhances Everyone’s everyday life and we look forward to our discussion introducing the very products that bring us closer to delivering on that commitment.

Presenter Contact Info Email: michelle.malkin@logickeyboard.com

Website: https://logickeyboard.com/shop/frontpage.html

Tek Talk welcomes Mike Tindell with Dream Vision Group to discuss the Lyriq OCR reading machine, the HandyTech Braille products with ATC technology, and the HIMS line of notetakers. 06/27/2022 Jul 26, 2022

Show notes

Presenter Contact Info Email: info@dvg-llc.com

Website: https://www.dvg-llc.com/

Telephone: 512 662-1629

Tek Talk welcomes a panel from the Tek Talk Planning Team to discuss the devices and apps used to read books. 06/20/2022 Jul 16, 2022

Show notes

As technology continues to evolve, we now have access to the greatest number of devices and apps with which to read books than ever before. With this access comes choices regarding which device and which app is most convenient depending on the particular content being read and the user doing the reading. Myrna Votta will discuss the apps Chirp and Audible and the various devices on which they can be read. Andrea DeKlotz will discuss the Fire Tablet and the apps available on it for reading books. Alan Lemly will discuss the iPhone and Amazon Echo and the apps he uses on them to read books.

Presenter Contact Info Myrna Votta Email: myrnavotta@gmail.com myrnavotta@gmail.com

Andrea DeKlotz Email: catmom3260@gmail.com

Alan Lemly Email: walemly@gmail.com

Tek Talk welcomes Michael Feir to discuss the second edition of his book Personal Power for iOS. 06/13/2022 Jun 21, 2022

Show notes

Presenter Contact Info Email: michael.feir@gmail.com

Michael’s Blog: https://michaelfeir.blogspot.com/2022/04/the-second-edition-of-personal-power.html?m=1

Tek Talk welcomes Barry Scheur of Guidelights and Gadgets demonstrating the new Evo 12 DAISY player and other gadgets and leather products. 06/02/2022 Jun 12, 2022

Show notes

GuideLights and Gadgets will be demonstrating its all new daisy player, the Evo 12, with lots of entertainment functions. For the first time, you can choose between Ivona, Nuance, and Acapela reading voices, or enjoy the fm radio with a retro built in antenna. But, the real excitement about this new model is its awesome sound with stereo speakers and its stereo recording capability.

In addition to demoing the player, I will also be describing several new leather bag offerings, a few new gadgets, and our summer convention specials. As a teaser, how about a heavy duty large leather waistpack with a cane holder for 25 dollars? And a really great price on our talking medical bundle with leather case? As always, we look forward to sharing all of this with the loyal TekTalk listeners.

Presenter Contact Info Email: barry.scheur@gmail.com

Website: https://www.guidelightsandgadgets.us/

Tek Talk welcomes Joshua Hendrickson who will take us on a tour of the Hable One Bluetooth keyboard. 05/16/2022 May 24, 2022

Show notes

The Hable One is a braille keyboard that can be paired with any smartphone using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE). It is purposely designed for a smartphone and therefore enjoys a more compact design, sized similar to an iPhone 6. The Hable One enables people to always be in control while using their smartphones in any situation.

Hable One is designed to assist your smartphone or tablet with a simple and intuitive interface. Contact your loved ones using your Hable One as a wireless keyboard or use it as a remote to control every function in your smartphone.

Thanks to the physical buttons and exclusive vibrations, you will be able to control it even having your smartphone inside of your pocket.

Hable One website: https://www.iamhable.com/

Presenter Contact Info Email: louvins@gmail.com

Tek Talk welcomes author Anna Dresner to discuss iOS 15 and her book What’s New in iOS 15: A Guide for Blind Users. This program was originally scheduled for April 25. 05/09/2022 May 13, 2022

Show notes

Anna has written extensively about products used by the blind community, including IOS 15.

This time, she will be focusing on a few iOS 15 features, and then will take questions about iOS 15 in general.

So please bring your questions.

Presenter Contact Info Email: wadresner@att.net

Anna’s book at nbp.org: https://www.nbp.org/ic/nbp/IOS15-NEW.html