The Talking Laundry Module is a box that plugs into existing and many new General Electric washers and dryers. The device mounts on the side of the washer or dryer by way of magnets that are on the back of the box. One module can work with both the washer and dryer. When adjusting the dials on your washer and dryer, the device will give spoken feedback that lets you know which cycle you are on. Once you press start on the washer or dryer, the module will let you know how much time remains in the cycle. The module has a volume nob to control the level of the spoken feedback, and it has a button that you can press anytime to find out how much time is remaining in the washer or dryer’s cycle.
GE developed this device in cooperation with the Kentucky School for the Blind and the American Printing House for the Blind. You can purchase it here for $99.
Path Guide from Microsoft has Great Potential: If It Were Made Accessible.
Microsoft has developed a new indoor navigation system that does not rely on GPS positioning, Wi-Fi signals, or Bluetooth beacons. The app, available for Android devices, allows anyone to record a path from one point to another point and then upload it to the cloud. Other Path Guide users can then access that information and follow the path to reach their location. The app also allows the users to attach text, audio, and photos to the original path. For example, a person can show how to get from an entrance to an office. They can also include text instructions, audio instructions, and photos that can help identify points of interest. This information can also be posted on websites and sent by email.
Hands Free Typing: Dictate Speech Recognition for Microsoft Office.
Dictate is an Office add-in that allows the user to convert speech to text while working in Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook. Unlike Microsoft’s Speech Recognition software, Dictate uses Cortana’s powerful speech recognition engine to carry out nearly flawless dictation.
You can download the add-in here. Once installed, open Word, PowerPoint, or Outlook. Next, press alt+D and then the letter S to start dictation. You can say “Stop Dictation”, to end the session.
You do have the option of dictating punctuation yourself, or letting Dictation do it for you. While in the Dictation tab on the Ribbon, choose either manual or automatic punctuation levels.
I have been waiting for this addition to Microsoft Office for a while. Cortana has amazing speech recognition, and I have always wanted the ability to have that type of recognition while dictating in Microsoft Office. I took it for a trial run in Microsoft Word, and it performed perfectly.
VIP: Drawing the Short Straw
In this informative VIP, James, Jessica, and Nelson bring us some of the top stories from the CBT website. They also give us their Cool Picks for the week, and answer some fan feedback.
Aira for Android: is it Accessible?
Aira has developed a system that allows the user to connect to a live agent with a pair of smart glasses and an app on your phone. The agent then relays what is seen through the camera on the glasses, and relays it to the user through the headset or phone speaker via the Aira app. I recently recorded a podcast that shows how to set up the glasses and use the app on an iPhone, but some are wondering if it is accessible on an Android device.
Unboxing and Setting up the Aira Glasses for the Visually Impaired
In this episode, James Oates takes us through an unboxing of the Aira glasses. He describes everything that come with the glasses. He also shows us how to set them up and make a call using the Aira app on an iPhone.
Accessibility Settings in iOS 11 Beta
In this podcast, James Oates takes a look at the new accessibility settings in iOS 11 Beta. Join us as he uncovers some exciting new features for VoiceOver and braille users.
IBM’s Buddy for the Blind Solution Helps the Blind Swim.
If you are visually impaired, you know what a challenge it can be to swim freely without any assistance. First point, the wall is not your friend. If your swimming at top speed, and you can’t see that you are approaching the wall, it isn’t going to turnout well for you. Also, it can be a challenge to stay in your swimming lane and out of the way of other swimmers.
IBM took on this challenge by developing a system of Bluetooth beacons and haptic devices to help the blind swimmers. Sense Bluetooth doesn’t work under water, they placed Bluetooth beacons on a steel wire that runs 4 to 5 feet above the water along the center of the lane. The swimmers ware a device on their heads beneath their swimming caps that vibrate more intensely as they stay centered. So far, the tests have yielded very positive results, and the blinds swimmers feel a sense of freedom that they haven’t felt before.
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Spotlight with Stephen Ewell: Executive Director of the CTA Foundation
In this Spotlight Interview, James Oates sits down with Stephen Ewell, the executive director of the Consumer Technology Association Foundation. The CTA Foundation, a public, national foundation affiliated with the Consumer Technology Association (CTA)™, was launched in 2012 with the mission to link seniors and people with disabilities with technologies to enhance their lives.
The foundation strategically supports programs that affect these communities and facilitates dialog between industry, consumers, government, advocacy groups and other key stakeholders.
Steve talks about the foundation’s role in featuring accessible products at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, the foundation’s role in producing the first fully accessible self-driving vehicle, and his trips to CSUN and South by Southwest.
You can follow Stephen Ewell on Twitter here, and you can follow the CTA Foundation on Twitter here.
Workplace Accommodation Case Management App Is Bridging the Gap
IBM and West Virginia’s University’s Center for Disability Inclusion have developed a Mobile workplace accommodation case management app. The Mobile Accommodation Solution is designed to help employers create a more inclusive workplace environment for employees with disabilities. As of March 2017, only 20.4% of people with disabilities were employed, while 68.7% of people without a disability were employed. There are many reasons for this disparity, but one of the reasons is that employer’s do not know what accommodations are necessary for a person with a disability, and they also don’t know how to request those accommodation’s. Employees also often don’t know how to request accommodations. The app provides an accessible environment on iOS or Android for employers and employees to fill out the appropriate forms and get them to the correct people to handle the requests. The MAS app will also leverage the deep knowledge and tools of the Job Accommodation Network, a leading source of free and expert guidance on workplace accommodations and disability employment issues. Even if an employer has met the accommodation needs of an employee, things change over time. An employee who has never needed workplace accommodations, or a different employee who has had accommodation need met, may later find that they need additional or different workplace accommodations. This app intends to tackle those issues as well.
The iOS version of the app is expected later this year, and the Android version will be available in 2018.
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