Accessible Computer Podcast

Access Tech VIP: A New Chapter in Our Journey Welcome to Access Tech VIP—where technology meets accessibility, and everyone gets the VIP treatment. We’re thrilled to share some exciting news with you: Accessible Computer has rebranded to Access Tech VIP. This new name reflects our mission more clearly—empowering the visually impaired community with technology, training, and resources that truly make a difference. This isn’t just about a new logo or a new name. It’s about growth, evolution, and making sure our identity reflects who we are and the value we bring to you. Why the Change? For more than two decades, we’ve been helping people unlock the power of technology. As we’ve expanded our services and looked ahead, we realized our name needed to evolve too. Access Tech VIP better captures what we stand for: Premium, accessible technology training. Resources designed to promote independence. A clear focus on the needs of visually impaired people and those who support them. While the brand has changed, our commitment hasn’t. You’ll still receive the same high-quality, innovative, and supportive services you’ve always trusted us for. What’s New? Our New Website – AccessTech.VIP We’re working on a refreshed website that will soon serve as the central hub for Access Tech VIP. Once complete, it will bring together our services, resources, and updates in one easy-to-navigate place. ScreenReader.Training We’re in the process of building a dedicated e-learning platform offering self-paced courses for visually impaired users, support workers, and educators. This platform will make it easier than ever to build skills and confidence with screen readers and other digital tools. ScreenReader.Space Our podcast home is also under development. Screen Reader Space will soon feature discussions, practical tips, and inspiring stories around accessibility and technology. Even better, we’ll also be publishing the full archive of the old Accessible Computer podcast on the new site—so whether you’re catching up on past episodes or tuning in for brand-new content, everything will be in one place. Social Media Updates As part of our rebrand, we’ll be: Closing our old Facebook page (AccessibleComputerTraining) Transitioning our Twitter handle to @AccessTechVIP This will make it easier for you to follow our updates in one consistent place. What Stays the Same? Some things won’t change: Our mission: Making technology accessible for the visually impaired. Our values: Innovation, accessibility, and customer satisfaction. Our contact: You can still reach us at +447788241125—we’re always here to help. Why This Matters Our rebranding isn’t just cosmetic—it’s about clarity. With Access Tech VIP, we’re sending a strong message: accessibility and empowerment come first, and every client gets the VIP treatment. We’re excited about this new chapter, and we’re grateful to have you with us as we continue building tools, training, and communities that change lives. Stay Connected 🌐 Visit our website: AccessTech.VIP 🎓 Explore courses (coming soon): ScreenReader.Training 🎙️ Listen to the podcast (and the full archive): ScreenReader.Space 🐦 Follow us on Twitter: @AccessTechVIP

It is summertime and holiday are still on for some of us. Why not then taking something to read with you. But when is about reading as a visually impaired person, things become a bit ambiguous, because we talk about accessibility and here are few things which comes in discussion. For me, one of the greatest challenge when I lost my sight was reading and accessibility of desired titles . I will mention here few things like: accessible books formats available where to get accessible books from devices able to play accessible content Apps and other way to consume text and audio books A list of previous podcast episodes about reading accessible. Formats Few formats are accessible for visually impaired, but probably the list will be more focused on the totally blind people, because unfortunately, for partially sighted, large print list of titles is not generous at all. Most of them will read regular books probably using magnification in some way, but they can enjoy listening to audio books along completely blind people, as example. Formats available are as follow: audio books e-books or textbooks Braille format, physical and digital daisy books tactile books large print Audio books When is about audio books they can be available online for streaming or they can be downloaded in various formats and devices for offline consumption. If we are online, we can listen books from websites, smart speakers and through apps on mobile devices as smart phones or tablets. Some of the books are available only online. They can't be downloaded as mp3, as example, in order to be listened in portable media players, and that because DRM restrictions. Some of the audio books are without any copyright protection in place, some are unlocked for short time for some groups like reading clubs for blind. This unprotected books can be manipulated like any other mp3 or audio files in your computer. You can copy files from a device to other, as example from your PC to a memory card or USB dongle in order to listen in a portable media player after. The offer is large, and more and more titles are converted in audio format, this format being very popular these days because even sighted people are enjoying listening to audio books, during driving, commute time or at the gym, for example. e-books or textbooks When is about this format, which is my preferable one, we can talk about regular text files as docx, PDF, or e-pub or other exotic formats, but not last, Kindle books which is an Amazon proprietary format. Talking about Kindle books we have to understand the way of consuming this book because they are delivered also in a kind of DRM protected way. Kindle books like formats mentioned above are accessible on the right devices and excepting Kindle and other protected books formats they are easy to use, navigate, and comparing with audio books does not require so much storage in portable device and band width, when is about to download them. Of course, along formats above we can't ignore other two major players in this industry, iBooks from Apple and Google Play store which also offer e-books for sale or sample of them. Textbooks can be opened in computers, smart phones, tablets but in dedicated devices able to play this book which speech like Victor Stream Reader or some models of Olympus voice recorders. Also, when we talk about Kindle format, they can be played with Alexa smart speaker as long that title is whisper enabled. When we talk about e-books in smart phones or tablets, we can't add in discussion some great apps which makes life easier for screen reader users at list. Apps like Voice Dream Reader in iPhone, Books, All Reader, Kindle app and many others helps us to organize our library and keep tracking what we read. Another aspect what is important when we talk about e-books is the match format for the right device, because just in an ideal world all devices will play all formats. Isn't it?

The inventor of Scripor alphabet is Tudor Scripor, a Romanian artist and inventor. Actually, he invented a code of colours known under the standardised name Scripor Alphabet. This code of colours helps blind people to mark and detect colours and nuances. If we think to the 6 dots coming from the Braille alphabet, which are to columns of 3 dots each , and we add a third column of dots we have the core of this new alphabet. Because this square of dots might cause confusion if is read from the wrong Conner, Tudor decided to have for each simbol an orientation point, which will be always above dot 4. Practically each base colour, out of this 10 basic colours has an representation in this code, and in case of two or more symbols , the colour's nuance and even the full range of colour's chromatic could be marked. In this episode I have an interviu with Tudor, taken for another technology for blind podcast which I maintain in Romanian language. I did a transcription and translation in text out of this interviu and the English translation of that text file was converted in audio MP3 and mixed with the original interviu. Hope to enjoy the half hour interviu which I had the opportunity to make with the inventor of this new thing . I think Scripor Alphabet will remove some of the barriers what blind community have when is about colours and their representation. For any question about Scripor Alphabet you can visit www.scriporalphabet.com or you can drop me an e-mail via contact form. Enjoy!

In this podcast episode David Griffith in his 4th instalment of podcast serie about Global Commands Extension talks about managing Windows applications with the help of this NVDA addon.

In this episode David Griffith talks about Global Commands Extension Addon for NVDA and how this software could hep with managing volumes. It is the 3rd instalment of the serie. More episodes are coming soon.

In this episode David Griffith takes the second part of his extensive demo of this usefull NVDA addon. It is all about copy and paste in various advanced way, and manage clipboard history in various ways. Enjoy your listening.

NVDA is the free Windows Screenreader for use by Blind or Partially Sighted Computer Users. In this series David Griffith demonstrates how the NVDA Global Commands Extension adds greatly expanded functionality, and ease of use, for NVDA users. Many of the features normally available in commercial screenreaders are provided for NVDA by this addon. Some features even commercial screenreaders will not currently match.

I had the ocasion to test for a while a new app called SuperLidar which is using one of the newest technologys built-in iPhones from Pro level. SuperLidar is able to detect obstacles due the Lidar sensor which is available in iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max but in 13 Pro and pro Max too. The feedback is given via haptic vibration but through a variable sound pitch as well. The app also have a unique feature which helps in this pandemic times: mask detection. In this podcast episode I have Shane Law as invitee from Supersence who will talk mainly about SuperLidar but also a little about Supersence which is available for all iOS devices but for Android too. Here’s what’s inside of the Supersense Premium Package: The Document Reader, which enables you to read any type of document.The Smart Scanner Mode that detects what you’re scanning instantly.The Multi-page Scanner Mode, which allows you to scan longer documents.The Barcode Reader along with the QR Code Reader.The Currency Reader.The Scene describer, which describes the scenery around you and allows you to capture high-quality images of it.The Explore mode that allows you to explore your environment and,The Find Mode, which can detect more than 600 individual objects! And we have updated Supersense’s Quick Read feature, which is now super accurate and reads in Non-Latin languages such as Chinese, Devanagari, Japanese, and Korean even when there’s no internet connection.  To unlock all these features, upgrade now and get 40% off of annual and 50% off of lifetime subscriptions.*  *Prices may vary by region.  Supersense for iOS: https://apps.apple.com/app/apple-store/id1484547836?mt=8Supersense for Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mediate.supersense The SuperLidar is free of charge but SuperSense have some features unlocked when a subscription is purchased. A 7 days trial period is available for new instalations when the app can be used in full. You can listen in this episode the most important things what you need to know about this product bundle such helpfull for blind: SuperSense and SuperLidar.#Enjoy your listening and good luck with the product trials.

In this episode I demonstrate how easy is to add a podcast episode in Buzzsprout as a screen reader user. I have used Safari browser on a Mac computer. Learn more about podcasting in Podcasting for blind Page

Libsyn is one of the podcast hosts which I use for a while. It wasn't screen reader friendly for a period but now is working reasonable I will say. Actually, the only thing which I need to do in Libsyn web interface is to upload an MP3 file which is tagged and ready to be published. I have to use an option called "file for download only" and after pressing publish or save Libsyn will generate a URL which is the direct full address of the mp3 file. This URL is placed in a read only edit field and the last thing to do before leaving Libsyn will be to select and copy it in clipboard. Using the PowerPress plugin in WordPress I can handle the rest of podcast episode's aspects til this is online. If you wish to hear a little demo made with Safari in Mac and using Voiceover screen reader, then you are welcome. I used keyboard and trackpad navigation combined to achieve this. As probably you know already, there is a podcasting course available for blind people interested to become podcasters. For more details go to the Podcast course's dedicated page Enjoy listening this little demo.

In this short podcast episode I demonstrate how an e-mail account could be added in Mail app in Mac computer. The demonstration is done by a blind user using Voiceover screen reader . For any question or comments fill free to use the form below or contact details displayed in site.

In this episode I will show how to use NVDA Remote addon as a NVDA screen reader user. It is a very simple installation like any other addon. You can download the addon from nvdaremote.com website. They have a version for NVDA 2019 or newer, and an older version for previous versions of NVDA screen reader. This service is very useful when you need to help another blind person with adjusting settings or to copy details or settings from a computer to other. I have used during the demonstration a feature called push clipboard which allow the initiator of the remote session to copy some text from his machine, and paste it into the controlled machine. Another scenario where this addon is very useful is when you can control a local server from distance. Asuming you have a computer 24/7 turned on, used like aFTP server or online radio station, you can control that station via NVDA Remote addon also. Excepting Jaws, which is featuring a similar service called Jaws tandem, is no other screen reader so friendly when is about remote control between computers of blind people. Third part programs for remote control are not always fully accessible, or some issues with screen readers in particular could make them challanging to be used. Hope to come back soon with a demonstration of Jaws Tandem as well. Enjoy your little tutorial from this podcast.

Today I am going to demonstrate Deliveroo, an iPhone app which gives you multiple options for take away, restaurants orders and grocery too. Using Voiceover screen reader in my iPhone 11 I will show you how to add to basket but also how to check out and pay. If you never worked with this app then start from this link to register and download your app. https://roo.it/adriant-8xu8 It is my referral link which will credit my account with a couple of pounds. It is no extra costs involved for your side if you start from here. Also you can go straight in App Store for download and sign up from there. Good luck with it.

In this episode I make a comparison between 4 microphones: 3 mics dynamics and one condenser. Which one is your pick for your podcast channel? Is no processing in this recording and the EQ is flat. All microphones are connected to same mixer and use the same cable at its turn. Sorry for various volume fluctuation but no way to demo a microphone for podcasting. Isn't it? Each microphone mentioned have a link below where you can go to check the product page for technical specifications. Note! When the comparison starts is a podcast chapter inserted for each portion starts. It is easy navigation in case of your device supports podcast chapter navigation. Sontronics Solo Behringer XM8500 Rode Podmic Rode NT1 condenser microphone Please let me know which one you think sounds better for your podcast? Tweet me @AccessibleCompu Enjoy your listening and have fun podcasting!

Today I will post an episode with my first atempt to create a Signal account using my iPhone 11. The audio demonstration is done from the downloding app stage up to sending first message with Signal, like an end user who never has used the service before. This recording shows the easyness of signing up with Signal as a blind user. I have used Alex voice in my Voiceover screen reader. I am looking for your opinion about the screen reader accessibility of this app. I've found being good and totaly usable by screen reader, users but here and there a gentil touch will make the app even more screen reader friendly.

In this episode I will show you how to learn the main shortkey combinations using keyboard help section but also how to manipulate text from an app to other using keyboard navigation shortkeys. All is done having Voiceover screen reader turned on, so completely accessible for blind. Enjoy.

Few days ago I have had the pleasure to interview Pramit Bhargava, the creator of Louie voice Assistant. You can listen this interview in order to learn more about him but also to find out some answers about this app and its future. But I will leave Pramit to talk about his background and how Louie came to life I'm Pramit, Founder of Louie Voice Control which allows the users to do each & everything within supported Apps with just voice commands. I would like to share with you why I started developing apps for the visually impaired. The side-effect of medicine that I took in 1999 impacted my Retina and my vision has been dramatically declining ever since. By 2012, I was not able to read anything. At that point, I felt completely miserable and did not know what to do next. This low-point was completely unexpected especially for someone who had graduated from India’s prestigious engineering and management institutions (IIT and IIM) and worked for global companies such as Unilever, Motorola, and Quest Diagnostics. I wasn't able to come to terms with this situation. However, as I look back now, I believe that this phase guided me towards a higher purpose in life rather than chasing traditional career goals and materialistic successes. I also got involved in spirituality, meditation during this challenging phase, and started understanding the true purpose of my life. One might say that my next phase was driven by a series of coincidences. But, I consider it as divine help that led me to a senior executive of a Top Venture Capital Company who encouraged me to work on Apps to solve the problems that I and other visually impaired individuals face across the world. With that one meeting, Louie was born. The aha moment for Louie Voice Control came when a sighted friend was booking a Uber ride for me. He kept asking me questions and then, he made the appropriate selections. In a matter of minutes, the booking was done! I wondered how empowering it would be especially for the visually impaired if the phone were to read out the menu options and then, accept my verbal responses as inputs and make the booking. Louie is all about being able to operate popular Apps and do everything within those Apps using voice commands. As of today, Louie supports YouTube, WhatsApp, Uber, Contacts & Phone Calling. More Apps are under development. Louie is an accessibility App and can be used by all voice-lovers including but not limited to visually impaired, blind, motor-disabled, elderly, people with limited manual dexterity and all hands-free lovers. Louie needs accessibility permissions to operate. None of the leading Voice Assistants or Personal Assistants (Alexa, Google, Siri) can do what Louie can: · Voice Assistants tend to be superficial & will allow you to do only 2-3 things within an App. Louie in comparison will fully voice control an App - each and every feature within the App. · Leading Voice Assistants or Personal Assistants have a nasty habit of going silent every now and then. Louie in comparison will do a two-way continuous interaction – just like a human interaction Watch Louie in action: https://youtu.be/Ujh4hYyKz1Q The app is in beta stage and free to install. My aim is to spread the word around so that more and more people use the app and benefit from it. The app is available for Android devices only but iOS version is coming soon. The Google Play link for Louie voice Assistant is here.

Learn in this podcast episode how to reset your Apple Watch, how to re-link it to your iPhone and how to set up your preferable face and complications. All demonstration is made with Voiceover turned on and no help was needed from a sighted person. Enjoy!

In this podcast episode I will show how to install Pontes Media Downloader for Mac, but also how to download a Youtube play list with its help. The program could be downloaded from Pontes website. When you try to install the program from application folder, as you do with any Mac OS app, a warning will come up saying the developer is unknown and Mac can't install this program. But instead of using command O to open the app use context menu pressing shift VO M and from the options list choose open. Press open and don't worry about the message saying the program will overwrite the privacy settings. Once the program will be opened properly ,it is another grant access which needs to be accorded, which helps Pontes Media downloader to work with short keys. You have to go in system preferences pressing the button open system preferences and navigate to unlock . Your account password will be required to be typed in in order to allow Pontes Media Downloader to be listed in the table with granted permits apps. Once you have done all mentioned above the program will work very similar with Windows version, if you are familiar with. I have been surprised to see the program being able to download a play list of 80 videos and even more, to convert them in mp3. Hope to help you in one way the audio tutorial. Any questions are welcome in comments section below.

You can learn in this short episode of podcast today how to make Jaws to read text from pictures or unaccessible documents or websites. Simply, just open that file or document, or maximise your browser window then press Insert and spacebar at the same time followed by O, then S to start the process. Jaws will say Jaws OCR has started. Shortly you hear OCR finished. A Jaws voice with a different pitch then the one used regular will read the result of OCR. OCR stands from Optical Character Recognition which is a technology used to detect automatically txt from pictures. Listen how I have done my demonstration with a little package card from a SIM to check what is written on it. If you wish to learn more about Jaws just go here.