New Vision Newsletter
May 2024
Welcome to your May New Vision Newsletter. New Vision at Goodwill seeks to promote independence and equality for people who are blind and visually impaired. We educate, inform, and provide resources, so people with visual impairments can live their fullest lives. We hope you find this newsletter useful, and we would love your feedback through the link shared at the end of this newsletter.
Echo Tips Podcast
New Echo Tips Podcast episodes are released every Wednesday. They are available on your Echo or computer. The podcast features New Vision's instructor, David Ward. These episodes contain micro-sized tutorials on various Amazon Echo features. The newest episodes are available below.
A special thank you to our sponsor, the Virginia Board for the Blind and Vision Impaired, for supporting New Vision's diverse programming!
Latest Episodes
Episode 296: [From Our Archives] Waking Up to Music
Episode 297: Alexa AI Omnibus, Catch Up on All You Missed!
Episode 298: Omnibus Alarms Tutorial, Everything There is to Know!
So how can I get it on my Echo? You can ask your Echo the following:
- Alexa, play Echo Tips Podcast.
- Alexa, play next episode or Alexa, skip.
This will play the previous episode since the podcast is sorted from newest to oldest. If you have an Apple device such as an iPhone or iPad, you can also ask Siri to play the most recent episode. Simply say: "Siri, play the Echo Tips Podcast."
Alternatively, you can play the podcast via the website below, which is screen reader compatible. You can navigate the episode title via heading number 2. Simply press the space bar or otherwise activate the link to start that episode.
tunein.com/podcasts/Education-Podcasts/Echo-Tips-p1118403/
Next Gen Access Podcast
Jn this episode, our roundtable dives into what they'd like to see next in the screen reader NVDA, from NV Access. Topics include improving the Add-on store to make it more like an App Store, exploring ways for NV Access to generate revenue, simplifying the experience for brand new users, the potential benefits of Cloud Syncing for NVDA, and how AI can inform and enhance the future of NVDA. Tune in for these insightful discussions on the Next Gen Access Podcast!
https://pinecast.com/listen/bc7cd44d-cc4c-4673-bcfe-2d10e774e802.mp3?source=rss&ext=asset.mp3/
Virtual Training
Personal electronic devices can enhance the lives of people who are blind and visually impaired. New Vision offers free instruction on how to use the latest technology and devices to connect to the world and increase independence. Instruction can be provided, in many cases, virtually via telephone, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, FaceTime, and in-person by appointment. Please contact us to find out more.
Lions on the Lake Event
Save the date! Lions on the Lake is June 29, 2024 at Claytor Lake State Park from 11 am – 2 pm. There will be boat rides, a picnic, games, and tons of fun! The event is sponsored by the Blacksburg Breakfast Lions Club. New this year! If you don’t have transportation and live in the New River Valley contact Suzanne Ament at seament@radford.edu or by phone 540-381-0963. Or if you live in the Roanoke area and don't have transportation contact David Ward at dward@goodwillvalleys.com or by phone 540-985-8900. Transportation will be first-come-first-served. Each person is limited to two seats for the blind individual and a friend or family member. As always there is no charge for this event and the park also grants free access.
Please RSVP by June 23rd, an accurate count helps in preparing adequate food, life-jackets, and having plenty of supplies. Contact David or Susan with any questions.
Podcasts
In this episode of Double Tap, hosts Steven Scott and Shaun Preece explore two exciting tech developments in the world of accessible technology. First, they discuss the eagerly awaited Audible support on the Victor Reader Stream 3. This update not only brings Audible books to the device but also introduces quality-of-life improvements, such as sorting books alphabetically, faster SD card loading times, and a suspend mode for battery savings. The second big story is the UK launch of Meta AI, which has Steven sharing his firsthand experience with Meta Ray-Ban glasses. These glasses provide instant, accurate descriptions of surroundings, from identifying audio mixers to recognizing objects. They not only empower visually impaired users but also open up the possibility of video calls using the built-in camera. The hosts also touch on other tech updates, including enhanced accessibility features for Zoom recorders and the anticipation around the Kliks keyboard, promising a tactile typing experience reminiscent of BlackBerry keyboards.
https://chrt.fm/track/A26365/locator.simplecastcdn.com/d838244c-2029-41b5-aa66-d28628ab36fa/0719aa79-b391-4e0a-9596-181e005e16d7.mp3?aid=rss_feed&feed=MhX_XZQZ
Tune into this Living Blindfully episode 277, Voice Dream Reader is back on track, the potentially revolutionary Glide O&M device, and a difficult conversation about a topical issue. Jonathan Mosen hosts this informative and thought-provoking episode, covering a range of topics that impact the blind and low vision community. Tune in to stay informed and engaged!"
https://pinecast.com/listen/cde31382-a3fc-484e-b82a-435134af26f2.mp3?source=rss&ext=asset.mp3
iPhone & iPad Apps
The AppleVis Unlimited newsletter for March 2024 is a monthly digest of the latest and most notable content on the AppleVis website. AppleVis is a premier website for reviewing Apple-related devices and Apps from a visual impairment perspective. In this edition of AppleVis Unlimited, notable app entries include:
1. Agent Of Adventure (iOS/iPadOS): This abandoned RPG game allows players to develop a city using rewards earned by adventurers. You can hire adventurers at the tavern and equip them for their adventures. As you encounter various traps, caves, and monsters, adventurers come back with "money," "experience value," and "items." By building shops, temples, schools, and guilds, you can enhance your town and support your adventurers. The game focuses on learning various jobs rather than traditional character growth. The current version is 4.17.
2. Anytime Podcast Player (iOS/iPadOS): Anytime Podcast Player is a free and open-source podcast app designed for simplicity. It supports Podcasting 2.0 features and allows users to search from over 2 million free podcasts, follow favorite shows, stream or download episodes, adjust playback speed, and queue episodes. The latest version is 1.3.7.
3. Ax Roguelike (iOS/iPadOS): Ax Roguelike is a deck-building game where players can learn over 900 skills. The game features complex interactions and synergies based on the construction of your deck. Explore dungeons, build your character, and strategize to survive in this roguelike adventure. It's available for $3.99.
To learn more, check out the link below to this informative newsletter.
https://www.applevis.com/blog/applevis-unlimited-whats-new-noteworthy-march-2024
Echo Things to Try
Here are a few things to try with your Echo. Some practical, some just fun.
- Alexa, tell me an animal tale.
- Alexa, what's free from Audible?
- Alexa, play The Podium podcast.
- Alexa, ask PBS KIDS to wash and sing.
- Alexa, give me a prank.
- Alexa, where are my keys?
- Alexa, recommend a news podcast.
- Alexa, let's party.
- Alexa, sing a song about science.
- Alexa, tell me a classic poem.
- Alexa, set alarm volume to six.
For more about what's new with Alexa check out the official blog by clicking the following link: Alexa Blog.
Your Thoughts
If you have any thoughts about what could be mentioned in an upcoming newsletter or comments on this newsletter feel free to reply or fill out the following form. See the following link: New Vision Feedback Form.
Newsletter Sign Up
To sign up and receive the New Vision Newsletter, complete this form.
Contact Info
Assistive Technology Instructor, New Vision at Goodwill
Email: dward@goodwillvalleys.com
Phone: 540.985.8900
Office: 3601 Thirlane Rd. NW, Suite 5, Roanoke, VA 24019