Since Ricky steadfastly refused to rejoin the podcast until we could demonstrate to her that the mailbag had returned, Jamie, Buddy and Joe were forced to forge ahead like the good soldiers they are. Thus was born another SeroTalk GuyCast. We fully expect Ricky to take things in hand again next week. In the meantime, here’s what the guys discussed on this week’s podcast:

Window-Eyes 8.3 is Now Available!

HIMS Inc. Releases Update to Popular Braille Display

The Braille Edge: new firmware, new case, almost like having a new device

Connecting the Community Open House

New Generation Victor Reader Stream upgrade now available

Version 6.0 for the Plextalk Pocket now available.

FSCast Episode 81: What’s New in Jaws 15

Sprint Launches Kyocera Kona — Industry First Feature Phone with Verbal Translation of Internet Browsing

National Federation of the Blind Survey September 2013

The Tech Doctor’s Favorite Podcasts

Described documentary: Four More Feet

In Blockbuster Deal, Microsoft to Buy Nokia

Surface Pro 2 Details Emerge

Microsoft responds to pressure over canceled TechNet subscriptions

PayPal Updates iOS And Android Apps With The Ability To Order Ahead, Pay Restaurant Bills, Access Bill Me Later And More

Chrome Apps Are Going Native

Sony’s SmartWatch 2 is better than the first one, but still far too expensive

Apple to hold rare event in Beijing, suggesting imminent iPhone launch in China

The one thing that hasn’t leaked about the next iPhone is the only thing that matters

Apple begins training support staff on iOS 7 & iTunes Radio, preparing for customer surprise

Android KitKat is the next version of Google’s mobile operating system

oogle Nexus 5 leak in KitKat video

Verizon bundles Samsung Note 3 and Galaxy Gear for $599

Balky carriers and slow OEMs step aside: Google is defragging Android

Roundabout

Nymi bracelet uses your heartbeat as a password

The Inspiring Story of a Voiceover Artist Who Overcame Blindness

‘Simpsons’ creator finds funny in his cancer fight

Do you enjoy our SPN Podcasts? You can help us out a whole lot by taking this very short survey.

SPN is pleased again to bring you audio from the National Federation of the blind Assistive Technology Trainers Division Meeting. This year’s guests pack a 1-2 punch. From Windows 8 to the mac, this event was full of information for those out there who train us on the tech we use daily. We hope you enjoy the event and will join the Division for even more lively discussions in Orlando 2014!

If you have questions, or if you would like to reach the guests directly, you can contact them at:

CathyAnne Murtha Director Access Technology Institute Email: Website: www.blindtraining.com Twitter: www.twitter.com/AccessTechInst Facebook: www.facebook.com/blindtraining

John D. Panarese Director Mac for the Blind Tel, (631) 724-4479 Email: Website:

And if you are interested in joining the A.T. Trainers Division, be sure to contact:

Assistive Technology Trainers Division of the NFB President: Michael Barber E-mail: Mailing List:

SPN would like to thank president Barber, and his guests, for allowing this portion of the event to be distributed to the public. Also, we would like to thank HIMS Inc. for their sponsorship of SPN’s 2013 Convention Coverage. To learn more about HIMS and their products visit their website.

The NFB13 agenda is now available online! Start planning your convention schedule now

Screen Readers at a Crossroads

Huawei Vision with Ray

There has been a significant update to TapTapSee

Introducing the new Socializer from Serotek

A brief tour of the Samnet Socializer

Developer suspects Facebook app is behind iPhone battery drain

Why you should always read the small print from Facebook

Fired Zynga Staff Hits Reddit to Talk Life Before the Massacre

WWDC 2013 Rumor Roundup: iOS 7, OS X 10.9, iRadio, and New Macs

New iRadio Ad Details Surface Ahead of Expected Launch Next Week

Eight changes I want to see in iOS 7 | iPhone

Apple vs. Samsung: It’s Thermonuclear War

HTC bleeding continues: Operations chief reportedly steps down

Microsoft goes public with Windows 8.1 upgrade policies

Amazon plans big expansion of online grocery business

Bose Reveals SoundLink Mini Bluetooth Speaker And QuietComfort 20 In-Ear Headphones With “Aware Mode”

White House defends snooping of Verizon phone records | Security & Privacy

Mailbag

Thanks guys for the shout out. Here’s some info from the guide dog training perspective on taking your dog to an amusement park.

First off, the parks aren’t obligated to watch your dog while you go on the rougher rides so if you want to ride things like roller coasters, you may want to take along a person to serve as the dog holder while you ride. Know your dog before you go is really the key to going to any type of tourist attraction. If you’re going with people who can do sighted guide or if you want to ride a lot of rides and so do the rest of your party, making use of the amusement park kennels is a really sound alternative. Most kennels will require a health certificate which you can get from your vet at home prior to your trip.

So, what rides are safe for dogs? This really depends on your dog and if there’s anything that bothers him or her. Simple rides that just involve a sort of train car moving through things may be fine but there may be loud noises, deep booms, things flying around over your head, virtually or in reality, that can set some dogs off.

As dogs get older they tend to get more sensitized to loud noises and may shake, pant or even try to escape.

Of course any ride you need to wear a restraint on isn’t one that’s safe for your dog. Most general amusement park rides like trains, monorails, trams and such are fine and don’t require seatbelts. They have enough floor space for the dogs to lie down comfortably. This was certainly the case with the Disney World Frontier Land train, the Monorail, the boats on It’s A Small World and the tram on the energy Ride.

Some of the other rides like the dinosaur ride in Animal Kingdom might be a little rough for some dogs as the car simulates movement but again, that’s an individual dog decision.

I was told that if we did visit Animal Kingdom and did the Safari train, the dogs must be lying down and could not sit up and watch the animals. That’s fair as these animals might be distracted by the dogs.

One of my dogs hated anything that looked or smelled like a horse and would go into a barking, growling jag upon seeing one. I didn’t test it but suspected that it went for things like elephants and hippos too.

Back to the park trip, you want to make sure your dog is well hydrated. We found many water stations for people and dogs in Disney.

Then there’s the relief issue. Disney has set places for service animals to relieve. They are scattered throughout the parks and any cast member can tell you where the nearest one is. We found several with no problems at all. We also found misting stations for people that sprayed a fine mist of water. We let the dogs walk under these as well and it helped to keep them both cool.

Finally, remember that your dog is going to be working very hard if guiding you through an amusement park. There are people going every direction, most of whom are oblivious to your presence. The dog will be doing a lot of weaving, dodging and stopping. Be sure to praise a lot during the day.

If you’re at a park for multiple days, give your dog a break in the kennels for a half day or so to keep from exhausting him or her.

We were worried about burnt paws too but whatever they pave the Disney grounds with stayed fairly cool. Then of course it rained and that was a moot point. Check your dog’s feet throughout the day to make sure they haven’t gotten burned while standing in line. Now there’s a good excuse to take the short line route.

If you don’t know about the accommodations for a particular park, ask. Most major parks and park chains do have information about service animals and kenneling. Your guide dog school will also most likely have some information or know who to call to get it. If you have questions about your particular dog’s abilities to handle things in an amusement park environment, by all means call your school and talk with the training staff.

I’ve had my dogs in a number of parks and other tourist venues over the years, including a jeep ride in sedona, Arizona that rivaled some roller coasters. Looking back, I might not have taken my then older dog on that one but he faired well, better then me actually.

Just use common sense, don’t get so caught up in the experience that you forget the other living being with you, your dog, and have fun!

Jenine Stanley

Roundabout

Domino’s Pizza testing pizza-delivering drones

Pepsi vending machine takes Facebook love, not money

Do you enjoy our SPN Podcasts? You can help us out a whole lot by taking this very short survey.

Replay the Accessible Event archive of This Month in Tech for June

Liam Erven is best known for the computer games he produces for blind users. Games are released via his company LWorks His latest endeavor, Audio Archery, is now free for Android and iOS. Follow Liam or LWorks on Twitter for the latest updates.

Cara Quinn embraces a wide variety of artistic and technical interests. She enjoys a successful modeling career which allows her to express herself in print and promotional venues.
She teaches guitar, performs, and composes in a variety of genres with a focus on loop-based music, and enjoys mixing elements of rock, pop, jazz, and progressive styles. She has also created compositions for plays, documentaries and short films and has engineered and produced projects for musicians who sought rich and progressive sounds for their music.
Cara manages two very busy mailing lists: VIPhones and MacVisionaries. She is also involved in various podcasting endeavors and develops software for Looktel and Draconis Entertainment Contact Cara via Twitter or email.

Windows 8.1 given first official outing, and yes, the Start button is back

Microsoft confirms public preview of Windows 8 in late June

Screen readers “see” websites differently than sighted people do. Why links should have real text

NVDA 2013.1 has been released, with support for PowerPoint, an improved laptop keyboard layout and some enhanced Braille support

Captcha Fail Leaves Blind People Unable To Sign ‘We The People’ Petition To Help The Blind

The Top 5 Announcements From Google I/O

Tablets devastate laptop market

Google’s virtual assistant invades Siri’s turf

Audio Archery has been released for iOS

And Android

New Podcast: Audio Archery: Use Your Ears and Reflexes to Hit the Target with this New iOS Game

Twitter API v 1 retirement date extended to June 11

Cross the streams with Facebook, Twitter, Google, Skype messaging and more with Socializer. Accessibility Anywhere.

Do you enjoy our SPN Podcasts? You can help us out a whole lot by taking this very short survey.

Join Jamie Pauls, Ricky Enger and Joe Steinkamp as they discuss the top news stories of the week which include:

What Tim Cook’s cryptic comments at D11 can tell us about iOS 7

Apple unveils new 16GB iPod touch

Gmail is changing! Say hello to tabs

Google Likely to Replace Android with Chrome

Google plans ‘wireless balloons’ to spread the Internet

Face recognition API for Google Glass to be released this week

Google and Facebook reportedly in talks to buy Waze for about $1 billion

Facebook announces verified profiles and pages

Windows 8.1 given first official outing, and yes, the Start button is back

#NewYork City adopts new #International Symbol of Accessibility

Screen readers “see” websites differently than sighted people do. Why links should have real text

Regulators issue sweeping new rules to help disabled use television technology

Captcha Fail Leaves Blind People Unable To Sign ‘We The People’ Petition To Help The Blind

Blind sixth-grader from Muskogee OK headed to ScrippsBee with her family by her side!

New Podcast: Audio Archery: Use Your Ears and Reflexes to Hit the Target with this New iOS Game

Mailbag

From Jenine Stanley: Perk or service? Here’s a theory about why people might see some things like being able to bypass Disney lines if you have a disability, or being able to have your service animal with you, as perks and hence something to desire enough to fake disability over.

I think people see us going about our business in particular with our guide and service dogs and hey, we look pretty normal, whatever that means. We’re at Disney or somewhere else doing what everyone else is doing. So why do we get special things like the ability to jump lines?

People seem to have forgotten the limitations that we have as the reason for these things, i.e., needing my dog to guide me versus just bringing it along as a fun thing to do with my pet; or, not being able to stand for long in the heat, or not be able to tell when lines are moving and stay in the flow as a reason to get me out of that stream and into something I can better manage.

This is probably not making a lot of sense, but I think many of us are in this sort of parallel universe of being capable, regular people, until we’re not.

We’ve been having a lot of home improvement work done lately and the contractors have learned quickly that though I can’t see anything, describing it even marginally usually gets the point across. Then they forget that oh yeah, they really should move the pile of stuff on the driveway that I wasn’t expecting to be there and tripped over.

The one that still gets me the worst though are those people who say things like “It must be nice to take your dog everywhere.”

My response is swiftly becoming “It would be better to have working eyes and a car. Wanna trade?”

Or:

“I wish I could take my dog everywhere.” Usually said by a 20 to 30 Something.

My response: “Well, I wish I had your eyes and your car. Again, wanna trade?” Jenine Stanley

From Jenine Stanley: More On Disney I, my partially sighted husband and our two guide dogs went to Disney world, particularly EPCOT, for the day on May 19 with two sighted friends. It was honestly a mix of getting pulled out of line and not. The first ride we went on in EPCOT was the Energy Adventure or something like that, commonly known as the Dinosaur ride. We didn’t register with Guest Services or anything special because we just weren’t going to be there that long. I wish I’d gotten one of the receivers but given how hard it rained, good thing I didn’t.

Pulling us aside was fine in this case because it allowed the people on the tram portion of the ride to explain the car layout and such. Our friends got to come with us.

Then I wanted to ride Mission Space, the fast version, so one of our friends and I left my dog with the other two and started the “line adventure”! Yep, because I had no cane and was doing sighted guide, they probably had little to no idea I was totally blind until we had to stand in specific places and do specific things. My friend did a great job of letting me know where to look and what to do. I then teased her that they wouldn’t realize I was blind and just think we were really, really good friends.

Next we did the walk through the different lands and I have to say, the restaurant staff in China was outstanding at describing menu choices and such.

By the time we finished lunch and headed for the monorail to the Magic Kingdom, it was pouring rain. Fine, no big deal as everyone was wet. We took the Frontier Railroad and were immediately shepherded over to the front of the train to wait with a little guy and his mom. He had CP and used a wheelchair. He was getting to drive the train which was way cool. My husband was ready to go help him as he loves trains. Granted, I hadn’t heard your show yet at that point of course and it was just a little weird to be there under those circumstances but frankly, cramming into a train car with large wet retrievers is really best done with friends only so this worked out OK.

Finally we decided to ride It’ S a Small World. Here we were sent into a shorter line but I think it wasn’t special at all, just the shorter of 2 lines for groups who wanted to stay together.

Regardless of how much or how little assistance we got, I am still completely amazed at how Disney has developed this science of moving people. Even when we waited in the longest line, it moved steadily. I stopped hanging onto my friend at times and had to pay attention.

Joe’s point is a good one about having the service of skipping the line for folks who aren’t used to doing lines yet as a blind or partially sighted person. Lighting was probably a huge variable too in some of these lines, making it even harder to stay with the flow.

What I found most disconcerting though at Disney was the total oblivion of my fellow park visitors. My poor dog worked his furry bum off dodging people, strollers, packages and stuff. It was harder than his annual Fifth Avenue walk at Christmas in NYC.

I was body slammed by several people who were looking around at all the sights, recording video, doing who knows what. Most of them never acknowledged that they even ran into me or my dog. They were in the Disney stupor. It was scary.

That said, the dogs did a masterful job and I never would try it with a cane, though it could be done I’m sure. I’d find myself, especially in the lands in EPCOT, drifting into that Disney stupor as we passed through the different music, smells and such. Usually that’s when someone would plow into us though.

All in all, It didn’t feel as if we were being singled out for anything and it was nice when people actually knew the rules about the dogs and such. In the scheme of moving that many people, maybe it is just efficacious to have such special services. I’d be curious to see the Disney data on such things as you know they have to be keeping such data on line times and things to improve service. Jenine Stanley

From RJ Edwards: Comment on the Disney disabled persons scam Good Day,

 I have been to Disney a number of times with friends and family. I have used the disabled line a few and I have not. I do think it is a great service. However I think it is important to note and mention that there is a similar service offered to the non-disabled community called Fast trip. This service is at a cost where the service for the disabled is free. Therefore I believe that if your gonna pay for the service then you should then pay for the fast pass and leave the line for disabled individuals alone. The more people that attempt this scam the longer the lines for us disabled folks becomes and therefore renders the line pointless. I do see Ricky's point about hiding the visibility of the disabled community. However, I do also think it might be also a liability issue for the parks as well. Some of the main entrances to these attractions are rather tricky to navigate. especially for someone who has a walking disability. I myself have taken a tumble or two on some of the rides. However does that go into they should designed a better entrance or let them use the disabled access. All things to ponder. Thank you for your time.

From Beth For “SeroTalk podcast 154”: Mailbag: Address correction Hi, on the podcast, you gave the Kindle feedback address without saying “Hyphen” or “dash” and I went to the show notes and found the address written correctly, you may want to correct it in a future podcast.
Here is the address:

kindle-feedback@amazon.com

Thanks. Beth

From Beth For “SeroTalk Podcast”, mailbag: All-in-one accessory for desktop Macs and PCs and for smart phones Hey, guys, I’ve been wondering and researching: Is there a Bluetooth or what I call long distance USB device with a full-sized keyboard, mouse, medium-sized monitor and good speakers? That way, you could control your desktop or phone from a distance, you also wouldn’t have to buy a laptop Mac or PC unless you wanted to. Keep up the great work! Beth

From Catherine Turner: No queuing for disabled people Hi,

I was interested in your item about some parents paying for their children to avoid queuing at Disney World by going with disabled people. I find this sad, not only from the view that people with money to spend can’t bear for their precious children to stand in a queue for a while, but also the poor impression the policy as a whole gives the public of disabled people. Of course there are sometimes impairment-related reasons why queuing for a length of time would be difficult for some people (fatigue, pain) but this doesn’t apply to all disabled people. I’m not saying they policy of allowing disabled people to skip queues is wrong, but it should be flexible enough so that someone can choose to queue if they want to and from your discussion it doesn’t seem that this is the case. I expect a lot of people will choose to skip the queue, but people certainly shouldn’t be pulled out of the queue – apart from anything else, what about people with invisible impairments? Give people the choice an let them decide. It might seem a small thing to get concerned about but in a world where most of us are unemployed and I, for example, (as a blind wheelchair user using a power chair and a cane at the same time) can’t go down the street without someone either complaining about my existence or, at the other extreme, congratulating me for (it seems) getting out of bed in the morning, small impressions matter. I feel that true equality means taking an equal share of the bad, unpleasant or tedious things in life and queuing at Disney World should be no exception – unless the person has an impairment-related reason why queuing is a problem for them.

Thanks for the show, I only recently subscribed and am glad I discovered it – great podcast.

Catherine (Colchester, UK)

From Wayne Mills: Cues Hello Ricky, Jamie and Jo,

I thought I’d just chip in to the debate on disability and queuing re: preferential treatment.

For me, I’m afraid I have to line up with Ricky. There are some quite subtle implications surrounding perception of blind and visually impaired persons in society today. We have the greatest opportunities as a community given the solutions offered through assistive technology whilst at the same time seeing no improvement in the employment statistics of blind persons.

There are interesting social tensions even within our own community re:what is the social identity of the blind community? I am a chap with RP who could see well as a younger man / teenager but have become blind in my mid-late 40’s. As my vision worsened, I built skills that maintained my independent travel and have made full use of the various technology available to maintain my independence. I believe I have achieved a well balanced view of my own life and abilities (although I might need to ask my wife what she things?)

However, social amenities such as theatres and cinema still want to treat me in a charitable way. For example, I am married and when we go to our local Theatre, they want to allow my wife free admission because they see her as my carer. I say my wife is not my carer, we are having a night out together and I am taking my wife out for a lovely evening meal and Play. I insist on paying for us. Naturally in a very pleasant and amenable manner (smile)

I am employed and so do not require a discount – as Ricky said, if I were unemployed, I would accept a reduction on the basis of low income and not on the basis of being blind. By the way, the theatre does offer live audio description and does allow me to go on stage before the show to touch all the props and locations. That is actually helpful to knowing what costumes are being worn re: texture etc.

However, we also have a community with variable abilities. Some in transition because of acquiring blindness and others who have fully transitioned from loss of sight to either maintaining independence or greater dependency. I believe this is often informed by what message we have internalized as sighted persons becoming blind re: I can and will maintain my lifestyle and preferences or I have lost the ability to do this activity or that activity. There are also the challenges of accepting resources such as a white cane or braille re: psychological adjustment to the public presentation of being blind.

In some ways, we are continuing to see a form of disability apartheid. Women and black people needed to assert their rights as equal human beings in recent decades and with this, expectations and social readjustment re: social roles and beliefs changed. As a community, we do need to take responsibility for the personal message we project and reinforce to a sighted community that wants to be empathic with our challenges but also needs to recognise our strengths and abilities.

Of course, I do want to be sensitive to those who are experiencing changes to their vision. with the associated emotional impact of this. However, the emotional and psychological impact of sight loss can inform the decisions a person makes in engaging with their challenges. Not an easy thing.if a person believes loss of sight equals loss of dignity and personal freedom when trying to understand their experience, then we enter that cyclical reinforcement of wider social beliefs that the blind community needs help rather than empowerment..

Thanks for the chit chat everyone . One Nil to Ricky (soccer reference). Big smile

Roundabout

Spelling Confessions: Words We Still Can’t Spell

Start your to-do list with what you’ve already accomplished and trick your brain into getting things done

Coffee vs. beer: which drink makes you more creative?

South Florida man reaches rare milestone: He’s donated 100 gallons of blood

The Decline of Eye Contact

In Podcast 140, Ricky Enger, Lisa Salinger and Joe Steinkamp discuss the top news stories of the week. Topics covered include:

BlackBerry Z10 review: a new life, or life support?

U.S. Carriers Rally Around BlackBerry 10

Ticketmaster dumps ‘hated’ Captcha verification system

Microsoft Office 2013 review: Designed for tablets, but great for everyone

Windows Weekly 297 discussing Office 2013

Is Windows 8 a bad OS for tablets? It’s time to decide…

Microsoft Surface Pro 64GB comes with only 23GB of available storage space

Apple iPad jumps to 128GB, starting at $799

Apple releases iOS 6.1 with more LTE carrier support, Siri/Fandango movie ticket purchasing, iTunes Match song downloading

★ AppleTV 5.2 Update Brings Accessibility Changes

Barnes & Noble Plans to Eliminate 30% of Stores Over Next 10 Years

Serotek has a shiny new Web site

Triple-click Home Episode 14: “Now Peter”

SPN Special: 2012 Outtakes

New BookShare Tools Announced at ATIA 2013

Announcing the release of BookSense 3.0.

Braille Sense U2 and U2 QWERTY are available at a promotional price of $5,595 (plus $45 shipping) through June 30th.

HumanWare – The all new Victor Reader Stream

AFB’s AccessNote for iOS has been released.

BrailleTouch has been released

Facebook Accessibility is now on Twitter

White House Announces Audio Descriptions for Public Tours

Detailed image descriptions now available

Mailbag

From Mike Arrigo:

I’m not sure how many consumers actually attempt to unlock their phones. Most people do not know what an unlocked phone is when I mention it. People should do their research more, as I have mentioned previously, the benefits of unlocked phones are many. I think making unlocking cell phones other than through your carrier gives carriers too much power. There are no laws that require carriers to unlock their phones, so if they decide they don’t want to do this, you are stuck.

All the more reason to purchase unlocked phones in the first place.

Many countries have laws requiring carriers to unlock your phone once your contract is complete, unfortunately the United States is not one of them.

I agree with Ricky about Google’s NFC thing. I don’t like the idea of replacing my passwords with some kind of chip.

Blog comment from Sue:

Hello. Love the podcasts as usual. Jamie, you mentioned that you have a drawer filled with floppy disks, and so do I, Well a few months back I got a windows7 computer and love it. Well I do have a lot of stuff on floppy disk about 40 of them. I needed an external one and I got one on Amazon the HDE external floppy disk drive was I think around 10 dollars or so. I just installed it and it is quite easy to use. It comes with a small disk and some paper instructions, but for me I plugged it in to one of the usb ports on the computer and it just works. So thought I would recommend it it for anyone who still has a bunch of floppy disks around and still use them.

Roundabout

Kids See Through the Challenges of Blindness

The Experiences of a Guide Dog owner and his dog on their first cruise

Staying in touch with the home front: Technology in the midst of war

Here is a link to the Blinded Veterans Association Web site

Here is a Wikipedia article on Paradigm Shift

Please take this screen reader user survey and help spread the word about System Access.

Replay the Accessible Event archive of the show

It took three hours and seven people putting their heads together, but we succeeded in counting down the top ten stories of 2012 as compiled by the Blind Bargains team. We even managed to throw in a few extra stories along the way. Here’s how we did it:

The Panel

Joe Steinkamp is cohost of the SeroTalk Podcast

Follow him on Twitter

Jason Meddaugh is a cofounder of BlindBargains.com,

one of the most popular deals and news websites for the blind and visually impaired. He also manages A T Guys,

                        a website featuring low-cost tech gadgets and accessories. He is also a cohost on That Android Show.

Follow him on Twitter

Pratik Patel

is the President and CEO of EZFire, a firm dedicated to promoting usability and accessibility to devices, web sites, software, and other electronic material. He is the current chair of the Information Access committee for the American Council of the Blind

and serves as the President of ACB’s New York affiliate. His background includes legislation, access to assistive technologies, accessible books and other instructional material as well as many different forms of new devices. His Recent efforts include the implementation of the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act, which includes accessibility to videos, interfaces to televisions, DVR’s, and other mobile software and devices.

Jamie Pauls

Producer and host of the SeroTalk Podcast

plays keyboard professionally, and has shared the stage several times with current X Factor winner Tate Stevens. He is a music therapist who has worked with both the elderly and children, and teaches a music Appreciation class one evening a week at a community college. In the current setting, he is best known for his work as Content Director for Serotek

and the SeroTalk Podcast Network.

Steve Sawczyn

is host of SeroSpectives

Léonie Watson is Director of Accessibility at Nomensa, and Chair of the British Computer Association of the Blind. She works with companies around the world to create and implement digital inclusion strategies, and she’s a W3C invited expert working on HTML5 accessibility. Léonie is one quarter of the AccessTalk podcast

 (which is really just a good excuse to get together and chat about technology). According to her Twitter profile she’s also a screen reader user, book addict and tequila drinker, although you know what they say about things you read on the internet! Follow her on Twitter,

visit her website,

or send her E-mail.

Wade Wingler

is the Director of Assistive Technology with the INDATA Project at Easter Seals Crossroads

in Indiana, and was instrumental in starting Assistive Technology Radio.

The Stories

10. 10 Windows Phone still with No Access

Win Super Site

Link to SeroTalk 129 where we discuss how a Microsoft Surface Phone would fix the issue of Windows Phone 8

9. Amazon Adds Accessibility to some Kindle Models, but falls short

Amazon home page

Link to SeroTalk 135 where we revisit this issue on the week that NFB protests amazon.

8. iPad Refreshed Twice, iPad Mini Added

iPad home page

Link to SPN Mobile Special where we talk about the iPad Mini and iPad 4 in depth.

7. Focus 14 Braille Display Released, Focus 40 Refreshed

Focus page

Link to our interview with Freedom Scientific on the Focus 14, and more, from our coverage of the blinded Veterans Association National Convention

6. GWConnect Updated, causes debate with ad-supported model

GW Micro page

Accessible Event

System Access with Windows 8

Accessibility Anywhere

5. Panasonic Announces Line of 30 UK Televisions with Text-to-speech Capabilities

4. NVDA Releases Several major Updates

NVDA Home Page

3. iPhone 5 released

iPhone home page

Link to SPN’s Triple Click Home for news on all things Apple

2. Nexus 7 and Android 4.1 include major accessibility changes

Link to That Android Show on the Nexus 7

Exoskeletons for people with spinal cord injuries:

iOS Guided Access

Livescribe Smartpen

National Association of the Deaf vs Netflix

Robots for kids with autism

1. Fleksy Blends Assistive Tech and Mainstream Simplicity

After a bit of an absence, Jamie, Ricky and Joe are back with another podcast. Did you miss us? We decided to let the rest of the Serotek team have their say with our 2012 SPN holiday review special. In addition to our holiday review special, Ricky Enger, Mike Calvo and Joe Steinkamp sat down to discuss the current state of mobile accessibility in our latest SPN Mobile special: Scratching the Surface with Mike Calvo.

In SeroTalk Podcast 133, we discuss the top news of the week. Then, Jamie Pauls sits down with Dennis of Aftershokz to discuss the company’s latest generation of bone conduction headphones. And now, it’s time for the news!

Syria suffers Internet ‘blackout’; cut off from the outside world

Apple releases iTunes 11 with “dramatically simplified user interface”

Analyst: Apple’s iPad 4 is not selling well. Why? Blame the Mini

iPod Creator: Scott Forstall ‘Got What He Deserved’

Apple SVP Eddy Cue Fires Richard Williamson For Botching Apple Maps

Report: Apple bumps Android from top spot in U.S. smartphone market on strength of iPhone 5

Apple Sold 11 iPads Per Hour On Black Friday While Microsoft Sold Zero Surface Tablets

Windows 8 off to a slow start with consumers in month one, says NPD

Pricing for Microsoft’s Surface Pro Revealed; $899 for 64GB, $999 for 128GB

RIM’s Stock Up 55% in Past 30 Days on BlackBerry 10 Optimism

AT&T is the worst-rated wireless carrier for the third year in a row, according to Consumer Reports

Google+ chief: Facebook is the social network of the past

Like it or not, nonreplaceable CPUs may be the future of desktops

Every computer term you’ve ever wanted to know, explained in our tech dictionary:

Barnes And Noble’s Nook App Gets VoiceOver And Zoom Accessibility

Everything you ever wanted to know about iMessage – in a braille booklet

New Podcast: YouPlayer: Not Just Another YouTube App for iOS … it’s one that Claims Full VoiceOverSupport!

Navigating the Windows8 Start screen with the Keyboard

Mailbag

Blog comment from Jim

Roundabout

Smart specs may replace guide dogs

the voice behind Siri (interview with Kerin Jacobson)

In our latest SPN Mobile special, Ricky Enger, Mike Calvo and Joe Steinkamp discuss the current state of mobile accessibility. We encourage you to follow the links below to learn more about the products mentioned in this podcast.

Surface by Microsoft, Buy the New Windows Tablet

Logitech Rechargeable Touchpad T650 with Windows 8 Multi-Touch Navigation

Google Nexus

iPad Mini

Replay the accessible Event archive of the presentation

Welcome to our SPN special discussing all things Windows 8. Here are the links to all the stories covered in the show.

Paul Thurrott’s Super Site for Windows

Windows 8 – first look – RNIB

SPN Special: a Discussion of Windows 8 by Jeremy Curry

Using your feedback to make Narrator work better with touch

Windows 8 Keyboard Shortcuts

How to use Windows 8’s new interface

How to log in directly to the classic desktop in Windows 8

Using the Updated Windows 8 Task Manager

How to change default programs in Windows 8

How to boot into safe mode in Windows 8

50 Windows 8 tips

How to start developing apps for Windows 8

Windows 8 on This Week in Tech

For Further Reading: Windows 8 titles on Bookshare:

There is plenty for Jamie, Ricky and Joe to talk about on this week’s episode of the podcast including lots of assistive technology news and your feedback which is always welcome. Stories covered in this show include the following:

Flexible Web revisited

Like watching TV? A new PSA describes how more shows are becoming accessible to viewers with vision loss

Nokia Screen Reader now available to all modern Symbian devices

Nokia and accessibility: making phones for everyone

SAMVIBE – Powerful cloud Internet radio broadcasting – now accessible to the visually impaired

Future Aids – Tiny Tunes MP3 Player

Health Information Survey

GW Micro Announces ReadEasy Move

Office for iOS and Android reportedly confirmed by Microsoft product manager, due March 2013

Samsung exec confirms Galaxy S3 ‘mini’ is on the way

Google And Samsung Expected To Develop A 10-Inch Nexus Tablet

Twitter Considers Building Own Video Service [REPORT]

Developers: We warned Apple about iOS maps quality

Apple’s Lightning to 30-Pin Adapter Begins Shipping

Apple’s Lightning authentication allegedly broken by Chinese manufacturers

Pick up the phone: US airlines rethinking on-board cell phone service

PC shipments to decline for first time since dot-com bust

Mailbag

Blog comment

1. Bob Kanish says:

count me as somebody who loves flexible web. There are plenty of features in plenty of software programs that, if used incorrectly by the end user, can cause adverse results, but that is not a reason to not develop those features if they also have positive applications which flexible web absolutely does. Flexible web is simply another tool in a JAWS user’s arsenal to make reading certain web pages more manageable. If the user doesn’t use the tool correctly, that’s the user’s fault, not the fault of JAWS. Not to mention, I can’t help wondering if any of the opinions expressed in this Podcast would be different if Serotek had developed flexible web rather than FS. I detected a bit of sour grapes on the part of the gentleman who mentioned how system Access works during an Amazon search.

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Hi All,

I really enjoyed this last Pod-cast.  I remember the first CD I bought was by a gospel singer John Kee called “Can’t No Body Do Me.”

It wasn’t the same with out you Ricky.  So when are we going to have another ladies addition?  Just kick the guys out Lol.  Seriously, you guys do an awesome job with the pod-cast.  it’s one of the highlights of my week.  Also, listeners be ware, you never know when someone from Serotek will show up at an event.  It was nice meeting you Joe at the American Counsel of the Blind of Texas state conference .

Kindest Regards,

Eva Bergara

***

Hi, guys and thanks for such a stimulating topic, about which I have much to comment on.  First, after about the fourth grade, hanging out was not something I wanted to do, since I built my life almost entirely around academics, thanks to my parents’ high standards, which would have been the same if I had been sighted.  Other kids did not seek me out either, I was just another kid in the classroom.  Monday through Thursday, I came directly home from school and, after a quick snack, I spent about 4 hours transcribing class notes I had taped and, after dinner, I spent about 4 more hours on homework.  Fridays were spent practicing for my weekly Saturday piano lesson, Saturdays were spent with my parents doing various activities and Sunday afternoons were spent transcribing notes and doing homework not done on Friday.  I did not go to school to find friends, join clubs, play sports or do anything besides learn.  We Americans gripe about our kids being way behind in science and math as compared to kids in many other nations but what are we doing about it when we constantly spotlight social matters?  Being around kids and adults in the classroom was enough for me to gain knowledge of and ability to deal with people.  Regarding the “blind people are so amazing” discussion point:  I would tell people who say that:  Yes, we are, just as sighted people are amazing.  Did you ever think of the brain computing power it takes anyone to do the simplest tasks?  We have not yet come to the point of being able to fully replicate that with computer technology.  I would also say:  Yes, it is great to have music but I would then quietly state that I do other things also, such as PC stuff, et cetera.  I have had people think that I could not walk around in a certain environment but I did it out of necessity and without fanfare and that is no longer an issue.

Regarding the “what does he want” behavior from restaurant servers: 

The first time it happened, my parents called my name and I happily stated my food choice and, after that, I would speak up without prompting when the situation recurred, which did not happen often.  Did you ever feel acutely uncomfortable in a situation, say, going to the funeral home when someone died in an accident, thinking you didn’t know what to say?  Well, can you understand that some sighted people are acutely uncomfortable around blind people who cannot give visual feedback?  I am not an ambassador for the blind, I am little old Snow Bunny, living her life the best way she can.  Now on to the heightening of senses when you have lost one or more:  There seems to be scientific evidence for this, see the 2 links below.  Thanks again for this super topic and keep ’em comin’!  Beth

http://io9.com/5925126/deaf-people-use-the-hearing-parts-of-their-brain-to-sense-touch

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091118143259.htm

***

Hi folks,

I hope someone within your group can help me. I am excited, yet truly afraid of Android & its accessibility. I have heard Jellybean has made progress, through Mike Calvo in your mobile devices event.

I am in Kansas City Mo. We along with Kansas City Kansas are the launch cities for the google fiber network. It is said to provide a gig both upload & download speeds along with crystal clear HD tv. I happpened to be in one of the initial “fiberhoods” that made the grade for initial installation. Within my installation, along with various hardware, I will be given a Nexus 7 tablet supposedly to use as a tv remote. I have no clue as to whether jellybean accessibility will be good enough to allow me to use the tablet for what they designed. I am also totally in the dark when it comes to having ever seen any kind of Android & will be handed this thing & expected to use it. Please help!!!!! Though my installation date is down the road a ways, I don’t want to sign a contract, yet not be able to take advantage of the service I am paying for with the equipment I am given.

Pam Francis

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Roundabout

The Cloud Will Expand Human Brain Capacity

Scientists identify why the sound of nails scraping down a blackboard is so unpleasant