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.

#Blind #ScreenReader

Honk honk! Make way for Lottie, the potentially self-driving marvel of the future! We've seen cars go from four wheels and a honk, to smart machines that know how to navigate the autobahn without a coffee break. Meanwhile, I'm over here, tapping away with my trusty ‘stick' or relying on an adorable canine companion who, bless, hasn't the slightest clue about Google Maps.

1. A Tale of Two Navigators:
• The Traditionalists: Here's to the good old cane and the furry, four-legged GPS units. They don't come with Bluetooth, but they have heart.
• The Techies: Self-driving cars are now the talk of the town, boasting their shiny sensors and making parallel parking look like a piece of cake.
2. Tech Envy: Where's My Update?:
• The world is obsessed with updates, from software to wardrobe choices. But when it comes to personal mobility tech for the visually impaired, we're still waiting for the 'Version 2.0' that lets me walk around without the need for eyeballs!
3. Promise Not to Run Over Your Toes!:
• I assure you, the day I become self-driving Lottie, I'll navigate with the grace of a ballerina – toes will be safe, and so will the neighbourhood cats.
4. The Fantasy of Autonomy:
• Imagine a world where I could waltz down to the local café, guided by nothing but my own savvy suit or smart shoes. I could order a latte without playing a game of human pinball!
5. The Humble Requests to Tech Wizards:
• Dear Tech Wizards, it's 2024! Can we get a wearable that’s a bit more "Iron Man" and a little less "Iron Age"?

While I wait for the tech gurus to catch up, I'll keep tootling along with my 'stick' and might even recruit a furry friend. But let it be known that 'Self-driving Lottie' is ready for an upgrade. I'm all set for the day when I can zoom past you, fully automated and with a built-in espresso machine, perhaps? Until then, I'll rely on my wits, my companions, and the kind people who don't mind a tap on the ankle from my cane, the precursor to my self-driving debut. Keep your sensors peeled for me!
And remember, dear readers, whether you're a tech tycoon or just someone who loves a good toot, keep dreaming of that hands-free future. It's bound to come, and when it does, I'll be first in line — no driving test required! #Accessibility #AI #AIsoftheBlind #Blind

My wife’s friend has difficulty seeing. I know many unsighted/partially sighted folk use Mastodon. What open source tools are available for turning text into speech & for rendering text on screen in extra large font? Where do I start to learn about this?

Some of you know that I refurbish old donated Windows machines with Linux for kids & adults that need them. I thought I could build one specifically for her use.

A boost might help visibility of this request - thanks. #accessibilityr #blind

A common tip I see given to people with #ADHD is to keep things within line of sight, such as placing produce on the shelves of a fridge rather than in a drawer. My understanding is that to be visible is to be less easily forgotten about.

I often struggle with following through on small tasks that (theoretically) are easier when someone can see that something is out of place: a cabinet left open while putting away dishes, a cooking ingredient left on the counter, a plant in need of watering, etc. Do #blind or #VisuallyImpaired people have any tricks you use to help with this sort of thing?

These are just some random little examples, but hopefully my general point is clear. I know that being able to see something does not automatically equate to it being easier, but since line of sight is so common within ADHD advice spaces, I figured I'd ask if there are any blindness specific tips and tricks. 😊

Content warning: Accessibility question, audio conferencing Click to open/close

Trying to figure out how to put this into bug report language. So, on the Mac, I use the Mail app for doing email. I get lots of email, from mailing lists and Github repos. So, when I use my arrow keys, I hear a lot of info. For example,

3 message conversation collapsed unread Jen-Chieh Shen [open-webui/open-webui] refac: Dockerfile (PR #1165) 4:07 AM Ready to be merged? — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub, or unsubscribe. You are receiving this because you are subscribed to this thread.Message ID: <open-webui/open-webui/pull/1165/c2040704935@github.com> Inbox - Google

So yeah, that’s a lot of words. I just want to hear the subject of the messages when I arrow down. So, before, I could just interact with the message in the message list, then VOICEOVER-Right arrow until I hear the subject, then arrow down, delete, whatever I needed to do. But now, it just goes back to reading the whole row of information when I arrow down again.

Does anyone else use Mail like this?

#accessibility #apple #VoBugs #blind

As a legally blind person touchscreens or touch buttons on every device are the bane of my existence.

The iPhone is very accessible, Android phones are reasonably accessible to the blind. But hardly anyone makes the touch screen on an appliance screen reader accessible.(apart from very expensive products made especially for the blind).

Why does the espresso machine at work need touch sensitive buttons? I've learned that I need the second button from the top. But since I can't touch the top of the machine to feel where the buttons are without instantly activating any other button on the way I find it very difficult to make a cup of coffee .

Touch screens are worse. and when some company does make them accessible for legal reasons (ATMs for example), they do such a shitty job you may as well ask for sighted assistance anyway.

#accessibility #blind

So here is where you come in, lovely people.

I do not actually know many parents of visually impaired children in the UK. So, I would be very appreciative if one of you kind souls would point me in the right direction to find someone who could make use of it.

The device usually retails for £1400, not including VAT and import fees, all of which shall be paid for.

If you do not know anyone, then boosts for reach would also be appreciated.
Thank you all for your assistance with keeping our young visually impaired children learning Braille.
#blind #fedi #mastodon #UK #disabled #donation #AT
2/

so, to the #UK #Disabled and #Blind communities on Fedi.

I ordered a device called a BT Speak about a week ago. It is a PDA-like device, with an 8-dot Perkins style Braille keyboard and speech output for the visually impaired.

When I got the device, it did not boot, and I contacted the company about it.

I was able to get the device working again by myself rather quickly, however here in lies the reason for my post.

The company were so quick to respond that a replacement unit is already on the way.

After some discussion, what has been decided is that I will be donating the replacement device, brand new, to a visually impaired child who may not be able to procure assistive technology via other means.
1/

From the blog post[1]:

"You can also subscribe by opening the app, going to the Settings menu in the top left corner, and tapping the blue banner on the bottom of the menu."

They do realise many users of this app are #blind, right? I need an accessible name of a control, not visual directions to a coloured banner. Either way, there is nothing in my app's Settings menu relating to this, and I find the incompetence more annoying than the price changes themselves.

[1] https://www.voicedream.com/subscription-pricing-update/

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: https://lnkd.in/e7ct_C8B

#Windows #Jaws #NVDA #Narrator #blind

Content warning: AI, accessibility Click to open/close

hey y'all. what apps would you suggest for Windows with NVDA for listening to podcasts?

#blind #nvda #windows #accessibility

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

https://glidance.io

#accessibility #blind #a11y #mobility

Glidance | Glide your way to independence

A new era of independence for the visually impaired Glide is the first self-guided mobility aid designed to help individuals with sight loss navigate the

^Glidance

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)

To see if any of the widgets can be customized, flick up on each widget to see if edit is one of the choices.

E. if you choose the wrong widget or change your mind about a widget, to delete it, just flick up on the widget, and choose remove from the list.

F. Once you get all of the widgets you want and your all done, just go back up to that add button by the cancel button and double tap it.

6. Now it will put you back in the original place where you first started and hit the add button. The Widget screen you just created should be first in the list, but it will tell you what widgets are included, so just listen to the description to make sure. Just double tap it to add it as your current lock screen.

I hope these instructions has been helpful.

#iphone #tip #LockScreen #Widgets #Create #blind #accessible (2/2)

Hello. hope this is working correctly. First time posting with Tweezecake on my new Windows desktop. Super excited. Using NVDA here.

#blind #accessibility #windows #nvda #tweezecake