COOL BLIND TECH

YOUR SOURCE FOR THE BEST ASSISTIVE TECH NEWS, REVIEWS AND INTERVIEWS FROM TOP BLIND AND LOW VISION EXPERTS. AN ENTERTAINING AND TRUSTWORTHY DISCUSSION ON EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES

Nelson Régo

Apple Accessibility In OS X Mavericks.

In this Episode we continue with WWDC coverage. Leveraging the industry-leading support for accessibility in
OS X Mavericks
can let you reach new markets. Hear about exciting new products, new API additions and improved security for both accessibility hosts and clients; all designed to help applications reach wider audiences and provide unparalleled access for users with disabilities. Learn techniques to make even the most custom UI accessible.

Apple Accessibility In iOS 7.

In this Episode we learn as
iOS 7
offers unmatched accessibility support that you can use to reach a wider audience. Hear about the latest changes in GuidedAccess and VoiceOver and how you can take advantage of these technologies to help people with disabilities stay on task and get more value out of your app.

Google Sessions On ChromeVox.

In this Episode, Charles Chen, David Tseng and Volker Sorge from Google demonstrate the latest version of
ChromeVox.
This screen reader offers advanced navigation facilities for complex content such as tables and mathematical formulas as well as support for Braille and new HTML5 UI controls such as date/time, and media controls. ChromeVox
is specifically built to handle modern web content in all its richness and is Javascript based making it easy for developers to create cutting-edge accessible web applications.

Siberians and Labradors and Canes, Oh My!

In our final instalment from the CSUN13 convention floor, CBT could not forget about canes and guide dogs. There was Gordon from
AmbuTech
featuring canes such as a prototype telescopic fibreglass cane that locks by twisting at the top of the handle, a rigid folding cane with an American made oak wood handle with a natural finish. We also meet a gentleman and his guide dogs, a 3 year old Siberian husky and 11 year old labrador.

PLEXTALK Product Line.

In this episode we get an overview of the products from
PLEXTALK,
offering better reading environments to people with visual impairments or print disability in the world by supplying accessible digital talking book players or recorders that comply with DAISY(*) standard.

Pico Pen – Enabling Drawing For The Blind.

In this episode which is unedited coverage from CSUN13. As we were leaving the convention floor, we came across an amazing pen for the blind before it was packed away and returned to Japan.
Nippon Telesoft,
makers of the Seika braille displays were showcasing tactile artwork drawn by blind Japanese students, using a pen-shaped device called the Pico which transfers balls of wax into raised lines.

Orion Webbox & Iris Webradio.

In this episode we get a glimpse of the
Orion Webbox and Iris webradio
from Solutions – Radio. As blind and visually impaired are dependent on audible information. For the VI community, contribution and distribution of sound or audio is essential to be in touch with the outside world. The Orion Webbox and Iris webradio on the other hand is a user friendly, stand-alone device, which when connected to the Internet allows you to listen to it without the use of a PC! The Webradio is ideal for the blind or visually impaired as it has a simple user interface. To operate the unit press only the on/off button. Within seconds a pre-selected station can be heard. Pre-selects can be programmed to meet the demand of the individual listener. The scroll button enables you to choose from your personalized selection. This could be the daily newspaper, a book, or any other special program. A future feature will be a text-to-speech version of the Webradio.

Orion TI-84 Plus Graphing Calculator – Coming To A School Near You.

In this episode Ken from APH introduces the
Orion TI-84 Plus,
Which consists of a compact accessory that is attached to the top of the TI-84 Plus enabling a user who is visually impaired to interact with the TI-84 Plus using speech, audio, and haptic (vibration) feedback? All textual and symbolic information on the screen, as well as each key-press is spoken using high-quality synthesized speech. Most importantly, graphs can be explored using either spoken announcements or the SonoGraph™ audio and haptic feedback. The user can also review the contents of the screen at any time, including all text and graphical information, without affecting the calculation. The unit is fully expandable with hardware accessories through a USB port and can also print or emboss graphs when connected to a printer or braille embosser.

Skip to content