Top Tech Tidbits for Thursday, August 16, 2018 – Volume 671

The Week’s News in Access Technology

A Flying Blind, LLC Publication
http://www.flying-blind.com/

This Week’s Featured Advertisement

JAWS Inspect – Your Visual Resource for Accessibility Testing

JAWS Inspect Logo. JAWS Inspect vastly simplifies accessibility and JAWS compatibility testing. Without the distraction of speech or the complex feature set of the end-user product, Inspect uses transcripts of JAWS output to quickly diagnose issues and share them easily across quality control and compliance systems.

If you are employed by, or lead an Organization committed to providing manual, accessibility test services for web content using the JAWS screenreader, but your testing and developer teams have individuals who are not JAWS users, then the newly released JAWS Inspect Solution is your missing ingredient for optimizing your test processes while maximizing your accessibility efforts.

This one of a kind testing tool vastly simplifies accessibility and JAWS compatibility testing, while removing complex feature sets of the end-user.

With its newly released “say all” feature and “speech viewer”, this tool now offers visual functionality beyond the scope of web testing!

Imagine being able to view what JAWS is speaking to the end user across countless applications?

JAWS Inspect uses transcripts of JAWS output to quickly diagnose issues and share them easily across quality control and compliance systems, providing a visual representation of the user experience to the sighted developer.

Benefits include, but are not limited to:

Simplified JAWS use for testers
Text transcript of JAWS output for use in bug tracking and compliance programs
Real-time identification of issues
Rapid rollout with limited training required
Demonstrates impact of the deployment of inaccessible content
And assists in eliminating risks that the deployment of inaccessible content presents to your organization and its stakeholders

For more information, or to schedule a demonstration for you and your organization, please email accessibility@flying-blind.com 📧️ or call +1 (216) 381-8107 📱️ today. We’re standing by to assist you in simplifying your web accessibility test process.
http://bit.ly/2AV7lg1

Greetings,

News

1.) Computers for the Blind Discount for SSI and SSDI Recipients

The Freedom Scientific Blog tells us about a discount program where blind SSI and SSDI recipients can get desktops with JAWS and ZoomText installed through Computers for the Blind for $70. Computers for the Blind’s customer support is available in English and Spanish:
http://blog.freedomscientific.com/cftb2/

2.) Cisco Academy for the Visually Impaired May Offer Courses Again

It appears that the Cisco Academy for the Visually Impaired, (CAVI) may begin to offer courses once again. They seek opinions as to whether people would prefer their IT Essentials course or their Network Essentials course. Whichever one is offered will be free of charge:
https://www.facebook.com/ciscovision/posts/1910402349020814

3.) Envision App Now Available for Android

The Envision app is now available for Android in addition to iOS. Their announcement also discusses why they roll out app features as they do:
https://medium.com/letsenvision/introducing-envision-for-android-862613696dc3

4.) The 6 by 6 Android App from India

Of particular use to people in India is the 6 by 6 Android app which offers currency recognition (of rupees) a light detector and a magnifier:
http://www.barrierbreak.com/6by6/

5.) August 2018 AccessWorld

The August 2018 issue of AccessWorld contains reviews of the Microsoft Soundscape app and OrCam MyEye 2.0, a discussion of the new standard for Braille display connectivity, and Informed Delivery, a way to know via email what paper mail the Post Office has delivered. Also included are summaries of the US Conventions of the Blind and changes coming to AccessWorld:
http://www.afb.org/afbpress/pubnew.asp?DocID=aw1908toc

6.) This page is entitled “Social Media and Your Job Search:”

https://choosework.ssa.gov/blog/2018-05-14-social-media-and-your-job-search

7.) Assistive Technology Act Programs in Each State

The Assistive Technology Act, AKA Tech Act, provides for Assistive Technology Act Programs (ATAP) within each state to offer demonstrations of assistive technology, loaners, recycle and reuse programs, some training, and even low-cost loans for funding in some cases. To find your states ATA program, call ATAP at (217) 522-7985 📱️ or search the database on the ATAP website:
https://www.ataporg.org/programs

8.) Learn Tech Tutorials from the American Foundation for the Blind

The American Foundation for the Blind recently launched Learn Tech, an access initiative that features free online tutorials to help people who are blind or visually impaired improve computer and technology skills. The newest examples: Tutorials on Google Docs and Google Drive:
http://www.afb.org/learntech

9.) Audio Description on Amazon Video

Audio Description has arrived on Amazon Video. The feature is available on Fire TV, Fire Tablets, iOS devices, and Android devices. View titles with audio descriptions by going to:
http://www.amazon.com/video/audiodescription

10.) Tutorials on Piloting a Flight Simulator as a Blind Person

Here is the first in a series of tutorials on piloting a flight simulator as a blind person:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&v=808quhs_go0

11.) APH Seeks Beta Testers for Word Puzzles

APH seeks beta testers for a new game, Word Puzzles, for solving crossword puzzles independently. Unlike some of their testing opportunities, testers need not be in an educational environment:
http://www.fredshead.info/2018/08/word-puzzles-call-out-for-beta-testers.html

12.) Using Aira in an Airport

This story from a Tampa TV station talks about the experience of using Aira in an airport:
https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/new-app-helps-blind-navigate-through-airport/67-581799873

13A.) An App to Find Stars and Planets

An enterprising blind software engineer and astronomy buff is developing an app to enable those with visual impairments to find the exact position of stars, planets, asteroids, and fragments, and to learn about them. A video about this is forthcoming, but in the meantime, here is an informal audio demo (MP3):
https://www.dropbox.com/s/yj184tgvzr481p8/Input%20Device%20Recording%2020180812%200638.mp3?dl=0

13B.) iOS users who want to test the app can probe here

https://www.oseyeris.com/contacts

14.) 2019 Low Vision Weekly Planner and Calendar

The 2019 edition of the unique Low Vision Weekly Planner / Calendar is now available for purchase:
https://ez2seeproducts.com/

15.) Using Skype 8.25 with JAWS and NVDA on Tek Talk

“Using Skype 8.25 with JAWS and NVDA” will be the subject of Tek Talk for GMT Tuesday, 21 August 2018 at 00:00:
http://conference321.com/masteradmin/room.asp?id=rsc9613dc89eb2

19.) The World in Words Podcast on Braille

In this episode of the Public Radio International podcast the World in Words offers a multifaceted discussion of Braille:
https://www.pri.org/stories/2018-08-08/will-blind-people-use-braille-future

20.) Submit a Presentation to Inclusive Design 24

Inclusive Design 24 returns on October 11, 2018! If you’ve got something to say about inclusive design, and want to be part of this event, you have until Sunday August 19, 2018 to submit a presentation:
https://inclusivedesign24.org

21.) Worksite Accessibility Specialist Vacancy in Columbus

Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) has posted a vacancy announcement for a full-time Worksite Accessibility Specialist – VRPA position, headquartered in Columbus:
https://dasstateoh.taleo.net/careersection/oh_ext

22.) Free Course on Basics of Inclusive Design for Online Education

This recent course, “Basics of Inclusive Design for Online Education”, is free and available to those who teach and want to make their classwork available to those of all abilities:
https://www.coursera.org/learn/inclusive-design

23.) ADA Videos for Employers from South Dakota

The South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation recently released three videos that employers can use to educate about the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The first provides an overview of the ADA and disability etiquette and may be beneficial to use as part of new employee orientation. The second addresses pre-employment matters, such as application and interview processes, and the third focuses on considerations once someone is on the job, including accommodations and advancement; both may be beneficial for use with supervisors and hiring managers. Access the videos here:
https://dlr.sd.gov/workforce_services/businesses/disability_resources.aspx#ada_videos

24.) Why Facebook Made Accessibility a Priority

This blog post concerns why and how Facebook has made accessibility a priority:
http://www.peatworks.org/blog/2018/jul/peat-talks-recap-facebook-and-accessible-workplace

25.) A User-Friendly Run-Down of WCAG

Read a user-friendly run-down of WCAG, the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, and what it means in this article:
https://brailleworks.com/why-i-love-wcag-and-you-should-too/

26.) WCAG is being updated

https://knowbility.org/blog/2018/WCAG21-intro/?utm_content=75116632&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter

27.) This is a listing of paid and free courses on web accessibility

https://github.com/mgifford/a11y-courses/

28.) MDN offers a series of pages on creating accessible web content

https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/Accessibility

29.) There is a need to test the Gutenberg Editor for WordPress

https://make.wordpress.org/accessibility/gutenberg-testing/

30.) Dusk Mini-Games for iOS

Dusk is a new iOS app featuring a collection of mini-games designed for the blind but playable by everyone. Each game uses a combination of movement sensors, vibration, sound and other technologies. More at:
https://www.applevis.com/apps/ios/games/dusk

1.) JAWS Inspect – Your Visual Resource for Accessibility Testing – Flying Blind, LLC Online Store

http://bit.ly/2AV7lg1
If you are employed by, or lead an Organization committed to providing manual, accessibility test services for web content using the JAWS screenreader, but your testing and developer teams have individuals who are not JAWS users, then the newly released JAWS Inspect Solution is your missing ingredient for optimizing your test processes while maximizing your accessibility efforts …

2.) Introducing TPG Tutor – Your eLearning, One Stop Shop for Accessibility Training – Flying Blind, LLC Online Store

http://bit.ly/2JB9EnA
Have you been directed to make a website or mobile app ‘accessible’, but have no idea where to begin? Or perhaps you know a bit about accessibility and really want to immerse yourself in the field, but you can’t afford to have you or your …

3.) Introducing ARC, Your Agile and Affordable Path to Accessibility – Flying Blind, LLC Online Store

http://bit.ly/2ueyjtk
Whether you are a novice to accessibility or a seasoned pro, sometimes your best start to accessibility is to let technology do some of the heavy lifting. Designers, developers and testers dealing with an accessibility project or program are looking …

4.) Welcome to OWAC! Operating Within A Cloud! ‘OWAC: Where The Sky’s The Limit!’ – Flying Blind, LLC Online Store

OWAC Onsite = $1,000.00 USD + Pre-approved travel expenses. | OWAC Remote = $500.00 USD
http://bit.ly/OWAC-HTML
The OWAC Professional Development Workshop marries decades of assistive technology know-how with the fast-paced expectations of a predominantly sighted world. Are you serving students …

5.) ‘iOS in the Classroom: A Guide for Teaching Students with Visual Impairments, iOS 9 Edition’ Authored By Larry L. Lewis, Jr., President, Flying Blind LLC, and Published by AFB Press – AFB Online Store

Paperback: $29.95 | Online: $17.95 | ePUB: $20.95 | Kindle: $20.95
http://bit.ly/iOS9-ITC-AFB-FBLLC
This book represents a ‘must have’ for any direct service provider working with vision impaired consumers who are using iOS technology within their educational or pre-vocational settings …

6.) Silver Indoor Outdoor Talking Thermometer for $16.95 USD – Flying Blind, LLC Online Store

http://bit.ly/1HHaM7I
Indoor and outdoor temperature spoken at the touch of a button, Fahrenheit or Celsius, volume control and on/off switch. LCD visual display can show either indoor or outdoor temperature …

7.) Large Print Address Book for $16.00 USD – Flying Blind, LLC Online Store

http://bit.ly/1Q1LZxC
Spiral bound book. Holds up to 500 address listings. Three address listings per page. Includes 20/20 pen. Durable covers with inside front and back pockets. Alphabetical tabs and ample room …

8.) Large Print Check Register for $8.75 USD – Flying Blind, LLC Online Store

http://bit.ly/1TmcA6r
Spiral bound register helps keep better control of check recording. Contains spaces for 14 entries per full page. Size: 5″ x 9″ …

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QUESTIONS

Tidbits are intentionally concise. As a result we know that some readers may not always understand all of the items listed because little explanation is given. If a particular Tidbit brings up a question in your mind, feel free to ask, and we will try to answer as time and knowledge permit.

CONTENT CONTRIBUTORS

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