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Items tagged with: Blind


Sonos is considered a recommended speaker brand in the blind community.

Both because many blind people are audiophiles, and because their app is screen reader accessible.

However, Sonos is about to release a new version of their app and at the moment it looks like it will be practically unusable for the blind.

Screen reader users that will not prevent their devices from updating will lose access to the expensive hardware they have purchased.

mosen.org/sonos2024/

#accessibility #blind #sonos #IOS #android


Editted to fix link. Please boost for reach if this kind of stuff interests you. Will post more on this later.

Once upon a time, there was a cool emulator frontend called Retroarch. This emulator wasn't accessible until I and a few other gamers went to them and asked about adding accessibility. An amazing person known as BarryR made it happen. Now, if you turn on accessibility mode in settings, or pass the "--accessibility" (or something like that) flag on the command line, you get spoken menus, including the emulator's pause menu, good for saving states and such. Then, using PIL and other image processing Python utilities, running a server and hooking into Retroarch, the script allowed players to move around the map, battle, talk to NPC's, ETC. The only problem was, no one wanted to test it. The blind gaming community pretty much spoke, saying that we want new games. We want cool new, easy accessibility. So that's what we have no, follow the beacon or get sighted help in the case of diablo and such. It's sad, but meh. It's what we wanted I guess. No Zelda for us. So, this is about as far as he got:

To expand on what devinprater was saying: I am working on an accessibility pack/service for Final Fantasy 1 for the NES (this was what was shown in the latest RetroArch update). The idea is similar to how Pokemon Crystal access works, but it's using the RetroArch AI Service interface to do so.
Right now, the FF1 access service is mostly done, but I need more testers to try it out and give me feedback on how it's working. Right now, you can get up to the point where you get the ship, but there's no code to deal with how the ship moves, so that still needs to be done. Likewise with the airship later on.
The service works the latest version of RetroArch, on linux and mac, but not windows. This is due to how nvda reads out the text and until the next major update to nvda (which will have a feature to fix this), it'll have to wait. If you have those, I (or maybe devinprater) can help you set it up on mac/linux to test out. The package itself is available at: (new link cause old one broke yesterday): dropbox.com/scl/fi/ggffl769fx6…
#accessibility #finalFantasy #RetroArch #blind #emulator #emulation #Python #ai #ML #MachineLearning


Top Tech Tidbits for Thursday, May 2, 2024 - Volume 961
toptechtidbits.com/tidbits2024…

The Week's News in Access Technology
A Mind Vault Solutions, Ltd. Publication
#news #technology #accessibility #a11y #disability #blind #deaf #deafblind #toptechtidbits

Top Tech Tidbits. The world's #1 online resource for current news and trends in access technology.

Subscribers: 17,060 Opt-In Subscribers were sent this issue via email. 170 Premium Subscribers were sent this issue via email.


Thank you to everyone who have boosted, and thank you to the people who have taken the time to 💟the feature requests.

Before the hearts were still in the single digits, and now its closer to 20. This is good, but it's not enough for it to get attention.

Please boost this post, and please 💟 the #obsidian feature requests for #screenreader support, essential for #blind and #partiallysighted users.

forum.obsidian.md/t/accessibil…

forum.obsidian.md/t/accessibil…

#accessibility #pleaseboost


The Stardew Access docs have finally been updated with fabulous new guides and config references. There's now a guide for constructing farm buildings with the updated tile viewer. No more buildsel command! Also character customization has been greatly improved. It's looking really good for the next release, but you can load the beta right now if you can't wait to play Stardew 1.6.
github.com/khanshoaib3/stardew…
#stardew_valley #smapi #blind #accessibility #a11y @mastoblind


So ...let's face it. A LOT of folks in tech circles are somewhat amazed a fully #blind person can even find the power button on a computer, let alone operate it professionally. I am such a person, and I'd like to bust that myth.
It's also true that many #hacking tools, platforms, courses etc. could use some help in the #accessibility department. It's a neverending vicious circle.
Enter my new twitch channel, IC_null. On this channel, I will be streaming #programming and #hacking content including THM, HTB and who knows what else, from the perspective of a #screenReader user.
What I need, is an audience. If this is something you reckon you or anybody you know might be interested in, drop the channel a follow or share this post. Gimme that #infoSec Mastodon sense of comradery and help me out to make this idea an actual thing :) twitch.tv/ic_null #tryHackMe #streamer #selfPromo


If you're #blind, #VisuallyImpaired, or otherwise rely on #AssistiveTecnhologies and #AltText, your thoughts on this proposal to temporarily disable images across the fediverse to highlight the importance of well-written image descriptions would be very much appreciated.

social.coop/@dynamic/112349215…

Please boost the original post for reach!

#accessibility #a11y


Please Help Make #PKM and #obsidian accessible to #blind and #partiallysighted users!

If you haven't already, please #boost this post and 💟 these feature requests:
- forum.obsidian.md/t/accessibil…
- forum.obsidian.md/t/accessibil…

#accessibility #pleaseboost


I really appreciate the boosts regarding this important #accessibility issue within the #pkm community.

If you use #ObsidianMD please 💟 these feature requests and make #obsidian usable for #blind and #partiallysighted users.

- forum.obsidian.md/t/accessibil…
-forum.obsidian.md/t/accessibil…

You might have your sight now, but what if you lost it one day? How would you cope without screen reader support?

#boost #pleaseboost



On Tech Talk this week, I had a great conversation with Troy Otilio from @AiraVI about their new Access AI feature, which has recently been released as a beta in the Aira Explorer app. We spoke about where this feature came from, the impact the use of AI has on privacy, and so much more about AI and Aira in general. Have a listen here or wherever you get your podcasts

podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/…

@rnib #aira #AccessAI #AI #chatGPT #gemini #blind #accessibility #podcast


does anyone have any recommendations for screen readers that run on Linux? I want to start testing webapps I code (and other people's sites) to make sure they are accessible to people using a screen reader but I'm not sure where to start.

:boosts_ok_gay: #Blind #ScreenReader


The third edition of David Kingsbury’s popular free digital book, “The Windows Screen Reader Primer: All the Basics and More,” is coming soon! Author David Kingsbury, an Assistive Technology Instructor here at the Carroll Center, wrote this comprehensive resource to help JAWS, NVDA, and Windows Narrator users work more effectively with the most important PC applications—like Microsoft Office, email clients, and web browsers.

Join author David Kingsbury via Zoom on Thursday, April 4 at 7:30 pm ET to find out what’s new in this edition, hear a few tips and tricks, and ask your questions. Save your seat here: lnkd.in/e7ct_C8B

#Windows #Jaws #NVDA #Narrator #blind



NLS BARD Express. You can now listen to NLS Audio Books and Magazine's right on your Windows computer using the BARD Express software. So now you can do everything right from BARD Express; search and find the books you want, add them to your wish list or download them, and now play and listen to them! The Tek Talk podcast had two gentlemen from NLS to talk about and demostrate the new BARD Express software. You can check it out and give it a listen here... accessibleworld.org/podcast/te… #TekTalk #NLS #BARD #BardExpress #Windows #AudioBooks #Blind


For my #blind friends, I'm curious about your experiences with reading #PDFs through #OCR software. Specifically, beyond the use of Envision AI, which tools have you found to be the most accurate and reliable for this purpose? I'm always on the lookout for better alternatives. Feedback on both desktop and mobile platforms would be greatly appreciated, particularly in terms of accuracy of text recognition. accuracy (and obviously usability, but accuracy) are all I care about.
Feel free to boost for reach :)


Continuing this thread about Glidance/Glide.

Based on the demo on their site + FAQs + the recent interview, here are some questions that seem to have been answered.

1. The design takes into account rainy weather. It will work on rainy streets. No answer about snow yet.

2. The timeline is longer than I anticipated. Beta tests are happening this year and release will happen in 2025.

3. Preorders wil start this year to gage demand and satisfy funders.

#accessibility #blind #a11y


The more I learn about Glidance, a system that purports to replace the cane, the more it seems to have taken all the criticisms of "smart canes" into account. It might be the first genuine high-tech navigation aid that could be beneficial, replacing the cane in most circumstances. I'm usually highly skeptical about these things because people just havent thought through the implications including ergonomics, weather conditions, etc

glidance.io

#accessibility #blind #a11y #mobility


If you need a blind accessible smart scale in the EU, Lidl's Silver Crest SBF75 body analyser is a pretty good choice for 18 euros. The only inaccessible bit is when it asks for a 6 digit code during bluetooth pairing.

Everything else works beautifully, the Health for You app is completely accessible via VoiceOver (not sure about Android), including the measurements history, weight, water intakes, calories data, etc.

The scale also supports up to 8 people based on a reference measurement during your profile setup, which can be done on the phone through the app as well. All in all, this is a fantastic experience compared to a lot of other, way more expensive bluetooth smart scales. #a11y #blind


People who use #ScreenReaders, imagine a feature on your instance where you can automatically hide any post that contains images/videos without alt text.

If you reply with an opinion and YOU PERSONALLY don't need alt text for accessibility reasons, I will probably block you.

#poll #ScreenReader #accessibility #a11y #blind

  • It's a great idea (32%, 16 votes)
  • No strong feelings (6%, 3 votes)
  • It's a bad idea (6%, 3 votes)
  • I don't use a screen reader (56%, 28 votes)
50 voters. Poll end: 1 year ago


Hi there everyone, please boost. I've been sending this around in different places to indevidual people, but I figure, now that the book has been out for a while, its about time I put it up publicly. My dad wrote a book some time ago that is essentially a resource guide that helps people with disabilities find jobs or look to find resources to maximize there benefits. It is a step by step guide on what to do, how to find jobs, how to maximize your SSI/SSDi benefits, and how to get on the job market. its completely free and available for anyone to use. If you follow this guide, I am confident that you will be able to find what you seek job-wise. I know I am a little bit biased because my dad wrote it, but I feel like its worth putting out there anyway. There is no advertising whatsoever, we aren't looking for any sort of things in return, in fact, my dad even put his own personal number in the book for those who follow the steps and read the book to call him so he can help you find a job as well because he's helped many many people find jobs who have disabilities, his most recent success being a person with a High School Diploma and nothing more going from making less than $30000 to now making just over $100000 at his job. here it is:
respectability.org/people-with… If you read the book, please feel free to reach out to me so I can also get you in contact as he's in Pacific time whereas I am not and its better if I text him first to let him know someone will call him, because he usually doesn't answer random calls especially with his job and his other stuff going on. #Blind #disability #Accessibility #Jobs #Employment #SSI



So excited to announce that I am one of five honorees to be granted the 2024 SXSW Community Service Award! This was something I simply wasn't expecting and I'm absolutely floored to be recognized for my work in accessibility :). If you're attending and would like to meet up, please let me know and maybe we can figure something out! More info and link below:

sxsw.com/news/2024/community-s…

#SXSW #Accessibility #Blind


TIL: #Wayland breaks most screen readers, as they are not not intended by design. (they need to interact with other apps)

Wayland is now the default in pretty much all gnome distros.

Orca has workarounds, but they are not merged and not fully working. (And a blind user can't built it without a working screen reader)

I'm not entirely sure if I got this correct, but it seems to me like the #Linux community once again booted the #blind.
wiki.gnome.org/Accessibility/W…
wayland-devel.freedesktop.nark…



I missed almost the entire Superbowl, (for very good reason), but I do have a favorite commercial: an ad from Google highlighting an #Accessibility feature on the Pixel 8, featuring #Blind talent both in front of and behind the camera, and open #AudioDescription More media like this please! youtu.be/o4a92FmcWMM?si=YCsEsN…



Lynn Hanson of Lynnovation Introducing a voice synthesizer that provides enhanced #accessibility to both the CTR2-Micro and your #radio. This what happens when a talented sighted developer and #HamRadio operator catches the accessibility bug and runs with it!
youtube.com/watch?v=2I1ABL9jfF…
#blind #AmateurRadio


I find myself reaching out for #MutualAid once again. I thought I had 11 days to renew my phone number for the month, but I only have 9. I have to pay £9.49 by January 26th. Please support me with whatever you can!

Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/seedythreesixty
Patreon: patreon.com/seedy360
PayPal: seedy360@hotmail.com

#blind #disabled #neurodivergent @mutualaid



Oh, this is really cool. The National Library Service is now making indefinite loans of print-on-demand braille books! Up to 5 per month per person.

wapo.st/41I2uaE #GiftArticle #Blind #Braille


Artificial Divide: a word from one of the editors, Robert Kingett - with ASL interpretation


Robert Kingett explains what Artificial Divide is all about.

About the book:
Step into a world of rogue screen readers, Braille in fantasy worlds, a friend meeting an acquaintance after several years, and more.

This #OwnVoices anthology features fiction by Blind and visually impaired authors showing readers how they thrive, hurt, get revenge, outsmart bullies, or go on epic adventures. Artificial Divide is an own-voices story collection that captures the many layers of Blindness and, for once, puts visually impaired protagonists in the driver's seat, letting us glimpse their lives.

When we think about it, we're not really divided.

With stories by: Eunice Cooper-Matchett - Anita Haas - Rebecca Blaevoet - Tessa Soderberg - Laurie Alice Eakes - Melissa Yuan-Innes - Jamieson Wolf - Ben Fulton - Felix Imonti - Niki White - M. Leona Godin - Ann Chiappetta - Lawrence Gunther - Heather Meares - Fabiyas M V - Jameyanne Fuller

Pre-order now:
Amazon.ca: tinyurl.com/535k8fme
Kobo, Indigo/Chapters, Apple, and others: books2read.com/u/b5v0pk
Renaissance (ebook and audiobook): tinyurl.com/rj8umtpz
Renaissance (paperback): tinyurl.com/79vanr8r

ASL interpretation by probonoasl.com/


Artificial Divide - Trailer


Step into a world of rogue screen readers, Braille in fantasy worlds, a friend meeting an acquaintance after several years, and more.

This #OwnVoices anthology features fiction by Blind and visually impaired authors showing readers how they thrive, hurt, get revenge, outsmart bullies, or go on epic adventures. Artificial Divide is an own-voices story collection that captures the many layers of Blindness and, for once, puts visually impaired protagonists in the driver's seat, letting us glimpse their lives.

When we think about it, we're not really divided.

With stories by: Eunice Cooper-Matchett - Anita Haas - Rebecca Blaevoet - Tessa Soderberg - Laurie Alice Eakes - Melissa Yuan-Innes - Jamieson Wolf - Ben Fulton - Felix Imonti - Niki White - M. Leona Godin - Ann Chiappetta - Lawrence Gunther - Heather Meares - Fabiyas M V - Jameyanne Fuller

Pre-order now:
Amazon.ca: tinyurl.com/535k8fme
Kobo, Indigo/Chapters, Apple, and others: books2read.com/u/b5v0pk
Renaissance (ebook and audiobook): tinyurl.com/rj8umtpz
Renaissance (paperback): tinyurl.com/79vanr8r


The universe has cried and Kostyantin, the dev behind Whatsapp+ and Unigram+ NVDA addons, has delivered: Github-Release-Downloader, a NVDA addon that will happily download the latest release of any Github repo you throw at it. It's quite rudimentary at the moment i.e. we need to enter the URL manually, it can't handle multiple asset files etc. but I was just able to download some NVDA addons just fine. It's definitely a start.
dropbox.com/scl/fi/n7xn2fsv70c…
If you like this one and would like to support the dev, all the info you need is at t.me/unigramplus. Thanks, Kostya, and greetings to Ukraine! #NVDASR #Accessibility #Blind


Edit2: Solved! Thanks everyone!
#Blind #Microsoft #excel users and others who, for whatever reason, only use the keyboard, NOT THE MOUSE: How the hell do I tell Excell to continue a pattern in a column without selecting it and clicking on the bottom left side of the screen or whatever?
Let's say I have a column with 1 in A1, 2 in A2, 3 in A3, so forth, and want that to go on for 150 cells or so. How the hell do I do it? Because I know I used to know, but I cannot find it.
It's not control+d. That just fills the whole column with 1's. It's not copy-paste; that does adjust properly for formulas, but for this, it doesn't. There is surely an option somewhere in the menus, but I cannot find it.
Alternatively, I'd also be happy to learn of ways to do this in #OpenOffice #Calc, so long as they are keyboard-only and accessible. LibreOffice doesn't work all that well here, at least Writer doesn't, but I could double-check if that extends to other programs.
#AskFedi #AskMastodon #ScreemReader

Edit: a couple folks suggested using formulas for this, adding so the first cell would be 1, the second A1 +1, etc. That works quite well for most use cases! It would mean the order of the numbers would stay the same when reordering the table though, so if I was using this to autocomplete a list of years, then sold by the comumn Income ... bam, the income of each year's not right anymore.
Also suggested was Home>Fill>Series. I do not see a Series option in the Fill menu at all, Bewilderingly. I'll try to switch my language to English to see if that's the issue, but I pressed all the things, so pretty sure it's not there for me in Office 365. Could someone with that version check whether it works for them?
Edit2: I figured out how to get to the series option! Turns out it was there, I just didn't realise I had to select the right type of series. :ms_facepalm: For those curious, for the Slovenian version, that's Alt +N, FI, V, Enter.


So I wrote a blog post for the first time in 5 years, warning about hcaptcha's accessibility account. Long story short, they banned me from the accessibility account because I'm not blind. I am blind, but well, they seem to think not. Please boost, share, etc since this seriously affects me, and it's not ok at all. You can read the full blog post here: 4mt.me/hcaptchastory

#blind #hcaptcha #a11y #accessibility #boost


Congratulations to Gene, recipient of this year's RNZFB Chair's Award. It is wonderful to see your hard work & advocacy over many years acknowledged with this prestigious award. Gene has long advocated for NVDA & been a great friend to us in New Zealand. We're excited to see him honoured.

Read more at: blindlowvision.org.nz/news/cha…

#Blindness #Blind #Advocacy #RNZFB #BlindLowVision #A11y #Accessibility #NVDA #NVDAsr #ScreenReader