ACB Focus: Technology
American Council of the Blind, Inc.

20210717 - 411 from the IAC: Rehabilitation providing remote services

August 20, 2021

~~411 from the IAC – Part 2: Rehabilitation, providing remote services: Attendees heard from two rehabilitation professionals about what providing rehabilitation services virtually has been like. ♠ Megan Conway from the Helen Keller National Center ♠David Kingsbury from the Carroll Center for the Blind Discussed providing rehabilitation services virtually, what accessibility challenges they faced and how they worked through them to continue serving their clients. They then began a conversation about remote support-based services. Many continue to work from home and they gave some opinions on the leading products in this space and some tips and tricks when working with each of these products. They discussed Apple, Microsoft, AIRA and more during this part of the 411 presentations. In addition, Judy Dixon made a brief presentation about a new technology found on the latest iPhones. Is this truly the thing to have for your iPhone? Attendees learned how this technology can be put to use in your environment to help follow people in a line, learn about a new space, and locate large objects. Presenters: ♠ Megan A. Conway, PhD, Research and Accessibility Specialist, Helen Keller National Center, Healdsburg, CA ♠ David Kingsbury, Assistive Technology Instructor at the Carroll Center, Stoughton, MA ♠ Judy Dixon, Co-chair of the IAC, Arlington, VA ♠ Ray Campbell, Second Vice President of ACB, Glen Ellyn, IL Co-sponsored by: Information Access committee and Rehabilitation Issues Task Force

  • Recorded during the 2021 ACB National Convention on July 17~~

20210717 - 411 from the IAC: Braille notetaking devices versus mainstream products

August 20, 2021

~~411 from the IAC - Part 1: Braille Notetaking Devices Versus Mainstream Products: Can a blind person be as effective using a mainstream product like an iPhone or are braille notetakers still the way to go in this space? Peter Tucic from HumanWare and Greg Stilson, American Printing House for the Blind discussed the HumanWare BI line of products and the Mantis. This was a lively discussion with some tips and tricks for both types of users. Presenters: ♥ Peter Tucic, HumanWare, Brand Ambassador, Chicago, IL ♥ Greg Stilson, Head of Global Innovation, American Printing house for the Blind, Madison, WI

  • Recorded during the 2021 ACB National Convention on July 17~~

20210716 - Vispero interactive

August 20, 2021

Vispero Interactive Discussion - Software, Hardware, and Training: In this live, interactive session, Vispero covered new products, advances in online training, and attendees had the opportunity to have their questions answered by industry experts. Presenters: ☻ Eric Damery, Vice President of Software Product Management, Clearwater, FL ☻ Rachel Buchanan, Product Manager, User Education and Outreach, Clearwater, FL ☻ Mike Wood, Strategic Accounts Manager, Education, Clearwater, FL ☻ Michelle Williams, Sales Director, North Central US, Clearwater, FL ☻ Ron Miller, Blindness Technology Product Specialist, Clearwater, FL -

  • Recorded during the 2021 ACB National Convention on July 16

20210716 - Microsoft Wimdows Accessibility

August 20, 2021

~~Microsoft’s mission is to “empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more”: Windows is used by hundreds of millions of people throughout the world and is a critical component of Microsoft’s strategy to achieve its mission. Windows includes features designed to empower every person to achieve their full potential, including people with vision, hearing, mobility, cognitive and speech disabilities. During this session Microsoft covered a few of these Windows features.

  • Recorded during the 2021 ACB National Convention on July 16~~

20210716 - Humanware: Braille display product lines and updates for the Victor reader

August 20, 2021

~~HumanWare - Discover the new X Series braille displays and upcoming enhancements for the BrailleNote Touch Plus and Victor Reader! Attendees joined HumanWare to discuss all that is new and exciting with HumanWare’s wide range of blindness products. HumanWare discussed their new intelligent braille displays and attendees received an overview of all that is coming on the BrailleNote Touch Plus. Finally, attendees learned how to easily manage maps online and explore anywhere with the most recent Victor Reader Trek update. Presenter: Peter Tucic, Brand Ambassador of Blindness Products at HumanWare, Chicago, IL

  • Recorded during the 2021 ACB National Convention on July 16~~

20210720 - Content creators cafe

August 20, 2021

~~Content Creators Café: Attendees joined a diverse group ofcontent creator panelists to learn the ins and outs of content creation! The world of social media content is ever changing, and new trends come up virtually every day, so this was a do not miss event! The panelists delved into every aspect of the creation process from a blind and visually impaired perspective. Everything from the process of curating the content itself as well as the assistive and mainstream technology solutions utilized to get this content out into the world was covered! Presenters: ♠Steven Salas, Content Creator, Podcaster and Chair of the ACB Next Generation Public Relations Committee, Austin, TX ♠ Chris Peterson, Podcaster, Richfield, MN ♠ Amy Wilson, TikTok and Content Creator Co-sponsored by: ACB Next Gen, BITS, FIA and IVIE

  • Recorded during the 2021 ACB National Convention on July 20~~

20210720 - Space Camp for interested visually impaired students

August 20, 2021

~~Space Camp for Interested Visually Impaired Students (SCI-VIS): Three, two, one...blast-off! Attendees joined Dan Oates, SCI-VIS Coordinator, as he discussed the program, the adaptations and the experience of students going to space camp. SCI-VIS is a week-long camp that takes place in September at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, AL. Coordinated by teachers of the visually impaired, students can participate fully in the space camp experience. The Space Camp, Aviation Challenge and Robotics programs are adapted for the blind and visually impaired through which computers used by students have been adapted for speech and large print output. Materials and equipment (including simulators) used during missions are available in Braille and large print. Presenters: ♠ Dan Oates, SCIVIS Coordinator, Romney, WV ♠ Jim Allan, SCIVIS Texas Coordinator and Accessibility Contact, and Accessibility Coordinator at the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Austin, TX ♠ Trina Britcher, SCIVIS Material Coordinator and Adjunct Faculty at Marshall University, Bridgeport, WV Co-sponsored by: ACB Next Gen and AABT

  • Recorded during the 2021 ACB National Convention on July 20~~

20210719 - Smart homes: work smarter, not harder

August 20, 2021

~~Smart Home Devices - Work Smarter, Not Harder: ACB Next Gen and CCLVI want to help open your eyes to the exciting world of smart home devices beyond the basics. Did you know you can have your floors vacuumed and mopped while you're on a community call, stay in your comfy bed to turn on your ceiling fan in the middle of the night, or even be able to see who's ringing your doorbell if you can not see through the peephole? They discussed smart home devices to help you in the kitchen, keep your home clean, allow you to multitask even better than you are now, and even some to give you peace of mind and security. Presenters: ♦ Aaron Linson - Search Consultant at Talentric LLC and Advocate for all Blind/VI People - Louisville, KY ♦ Tim Schwartz, Host of Life After Blindness podcast and Co-host of the RNIB (Royal National Institute of Blind People) Tech Talk - Cincinnati, OH Co-sponsored by: ACB Next Gen and CCLVI 

  • Recorded during the 2021 ACB National Convention on July 19~~

20210717 - 3D Audio excursion

August 20, 2021

~~BPI: 3D Audio Excursion: Grab your headphones and come with us on a 3D audio experience! Let your headphones be your virtual reality goggles as we take you to places so real, you feel like you are actually there. Listen as your environment takes shape above, below and all around you. BPI members: ♦ Chris Snyder, Los Angeles, CA ♦ Byron Lee, Minneapolis, MN, hosted a Q&A session.

  • Recorded during the 2021 ACB National Convention on July 17~~

20210716 - Microsoft accessibility update

August 20, 2021

~~Accessibility at Microsoft: Attendees joined Microsoft and learned about accessibility, going beyond the basics to explore topics such as technology and mental health, AI and data representation, and how the blind community is shaping the future of product accessibility. Presenter: Megan Lawrence

  • Recorded during the 2021 ACB National Convention on July 16~~