Freedom Scientific FSCast

The official podcast of Freedom Scientific, leaders in assistive technology for blind people and those with low vision. Hosted by Glen Gordon, FSCast features news, interviews, and product demonstrations relating to Freedom Scientific products such as JAWS and ZoomText. FSCast is a great way to make the most of the products you have as well as learning about what's new and what's around the corner.

FSCast #260. Convention Special, And a Bit Of AI

·       Why do blind people in the US attend annual conventions? ·       How can AI make web browsing more enjoyable? ·       What does it take to succeed in today’s world? ·       What new learning opportunities are being offered by Vispero? The convention vibe continues on this special episode, as we hear from Ryan Jones, Glen Gordon, Mohammed Laachir, and Elizabeth Whitaker.

07-30
59:49

FSCast #259. Multiline Braille; visual tables; and a cruise in Antarctica

On FSCast this month: •    Elisabeth Whitaker introduces Vispero’s plans and events for the upcoming Summer conventions. •    Joseph LaFauci contributes a JAWS power tip of the month. •    Peter Tucic, Sile O'Modhrain and Matthew Horspool take us into the world of multiline Braille and visual tables. •    And Isabel Holdsworth shares her impressions from a cruise in Antarctica.

06-25
52:06

FSCast #258: Product News and Updates; A Quick Look at a Talking Kiosk; and a Visit with Nolan Crabb

On FSCast this month, we catch up with Ryan Jones, our VP of Software and Product Management , to find out some of what’s new with Vispero products. At the Optelec stand, our colleague Rene Ludwig shows us a self-service kiosk running JAWS. And we visit with Nolan Crabb, Director of Assistive Technology at Ohio State University, to hear about his life and work experience. On FSCast this month, we catch up with Ryan Jones, our VP of Software and Product Management , to find out some of what’s new with Vispero products. At the Optelec stand, our colleague Rene Ludwig shows us a self-service kiosk running JAWS. And we visit with Nolan Crabb, Director of Assistive Technology at Ohio State University, to hear about his life and work experience.

05-28
49:31

FSCast #257. Taming JAWS On the Web, an introduction to Innosearch, and more stories and memories from Ted Henter

This month, we explore the use of Web verbosity settings to tame excessive speech on some Web site with JAWS. Then, Bryan Vuong introduces us to Innosearch, an innovative approach to shopping. And finally, we enjoy more fun stories and memories in Part 2 of our interview with Ted Henter.

04-30
50:30

FSCast #256. CSUN 2025 impressions, and a visit with Ted Henter

JAWS 30th anniversary celebration is in full swing. So this month on FSCast, we visit with Ted Henter to hear some JAWS stories, as well as to get some helpful tips on starting your own business. We also get the scoop on Vispero’s announcements and special events at this year’s CSUN Assistive Technology Conference from Ryan Jones, Roxana Fischer and Elizabeth Whitaker. And we hear from Marinela Ortiz about her personal experience with JAWS and Braille.

03-26
49:51

FSCast #255. Talking Web Accessibility And Usability, And a Story Of a Young Blind Entrepreneur

This month on FSCast: ·        Find out about Vispero’s CSUN and upcoming webinar schedule; ·        Learn about various facets of Web accessibility and usability from Brett Lewis and TJ Squires; ·        Meet Zülal Tannur, a blind entrepreneur and AI enthusiast from Turkey.

02-26
56:37

FSCast #253. Product updates, trainer tips from the pro, and TPGI partnership with AIRA

On this episode, Elizabeth Whitaker and Oleg Shevkun introduce some of the new features in our December product updates. Then, we hear from Dan Clark about his path from a pizza store manager to access technology trainer. And finally, Everette Bacon is here to talk about what's new at Aira, including the latest partnership with TPGI. 

12-23
53:55

FSCast #252: The Next Big Thing 2024 Final

On this special episode, we relive the Next Big Thing 2024 final. We get to know the finalists and their feature ideas. We hear from the judges and show hosts. And, of course, we find out who the winner is!

12-05
42:52

FSCast #251. Highlights of FSOpenLine For November 2024

If you missed our most recent FSOpenLine, then it’s time to review the highlights of this lively discussion. Topics include Smart Screen Review, accessing shared presentations in Zoom, support for both classic and new Outlook, braille-related issues, product tips and tricks, and a lot more.

11-27
01:01:48

FSCast 249. Product updates, private Betas and a visit with Eric Damery

Find out about some of the new features in JAWS, ZoomText and Fusion 2024 updates. Get introduced to Roxana Fischer. Hear about our 2025 Public Beta from Mohammed Laachir. And finally, after two years, re-visit with Eric Damery.  

09-25
48:52

FSCast 248, Back to School: Prizes, Math And More

On this “back-to-school” issue: Rachel Buchanan, our director of user education and technical support, introduces Sharkvember and The Next Big Thing contest. Dr. Denise Robinson, the founder of Your Tech Vision, discusses technology, education and math. And finally, Olga Espinola, our test engineer and a highly experienced technology user,  explains the new math-related features in JAWS.

08-28
56:31

FSCast 247, An Interview With Oleg Shevkun, and Mohammed Laachir Discusses Our New AI Features

On this episode, Glen Gordon interviews Oleg Shevkun, our new FSCast host, and passes on the baton. Then, we hear from Mohammed Laachir, a product owner at Vispero, on some exciting AI-related developments in JAWS and Fusion.

07-31
52:44

FSCast246, a visit with Dr. Tim Cordes, plus Crystal Jones talks about Microsoft's Disability Answer Desk

On FSCast 246, we’ll meet psychiatrist Dr. Tim Cordes.  He’s been working in addiction medicine for nearly 20 years, and back in 2005 was the second totally blind person to graduate from medical school.  Then all about Microsoft’s Disability Answer Desk that can help solve problems related to Microsoft software.  Crystal Jones will be here with all the details.

06-26
01:01:34

FSCast 245, a demo of PictureSmart chat, all about NLS, and a visit with Gordon Legge

On FSCast 245, a demo of how PictureSmart just got smarter thanks to the new chat feature.  Then Alice O’Reilly, Chief of the Collections Division, and Tamara Rorie, head of Patron Engagement at NLS, talk about the array of free services and devices available to people living in the United States.  Plus, we’ll get to know Gordon Legge, Distinguished Professor and Director of the Minnesota Laboratory for Low-Vision Research.

05-29
01:02:32

FSCast 244, a visit with Ana González Arean, plus Nicky Gillies and Cathy Miller from the Louisiana DeafBlind project

On FSCast 244, we’ll meet Ana Gonzalez Arean.  She’ll talk about growing up in Venezuela and becoming a language professor at two universities, but then needing to move to Spain to start a new life for herself.  Then, Cathy Miller and Nicky Gillies from the Louisiana DeafBlind project discuss some of the challenges of identifying deafblind kids young and helping them to achieve their potential.

04-24
52:17

FSCast 243, archive of the March 2024 FSOpenLine

On the archive of the March FSOpenLine, people share their favorite things to do with PictureSmart AI, including how to use it with FaceInView to describe what’s in the background. And of course questions on a variety of other topics including why JAWS place markers sometimes lose their place, why Thunderbird speaks incoming email notifications multiple times, and  how to quickly find out who has hands raised in Zoom.

04-10
47:57

FSCast 242, a demo of PictureSmart AI, and a visit with Anil Lewis

On FSCast 242, we’ll put the newly released Picture Smart AI through its paces, and you’ll hear the detailed descriptions it can generate for everything from a bar chart to a frame from a YouTube video. Then, a visit with longtime blindness advocate Anil Lewis, Executive Director of Blindness Initiatives of the National Federation of the Blind. Transcript available at blog.FreedomScientific.com

03-27
46:49

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