ACB Focus: Technology

~~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 … Read more

Microsoft Soundscape: Opening the Door to New Experiences   Recorded during the 2021 ACB National Convention on July 16

~~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 … Read more

~~BITS What’s New at Amazon: Existing products, new products, updates, all things new at Amazon, how drones would deliver Amazon packages and more! Presenters: ♣ Peter Korn, Director of Accessibility, Amazon Lab 126, Seattle, WA ♣Joshua Miele, Principal Accessibility; Researcher, Amazon Lab126, Sunnyvale, CA ♣ Elodie Fichet, PhD, Sr. Accessibility Program Manager, Seattle, WA  Recorded … Read more

The Sento Showdown Team Presented An overview of Console and Video Game Accessibility: Have you wondered what it would be like to experience video games using elements of assistive technology? Ever considered pursuing your own experience playing video games? Attendees joined the team of organizers that hosted The Showdown during the Summer 2020, the first … Read more

~~CCLVI Vendor Showcase: Attendees saw the latest technology in low vision devices. What devices will help you stay independent and how much do they cost? Recorded during the 2021 ACB National Convention on July 18~~

~~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 … Read more

~~Podcasting for Beginners: This session is for those who are interested in, and nervous about, creating podcasts. We discussed needed and basic techniques. Presenter: Derek Lane, Instructor, IC Music, LLC, Owner, Lane’s Audio, Morganton, NC Co-sponsored by: ACB Next Generation, BPI, FIA and IVIE Recorded during the 2021 ACB National Convention on July 20~~

~~BITS: Make Your House a Smart Home: Use Smart Plugs, Lights, Door Locks, and Other Smart Devices. Attendees learned about all of the things that you can do to make your house a smart home. Presenters: ♣ Peter Korn, Director of Accessibility, Amazon Lab 126, Seattle, WA ♣ Joshua Miele, Principal Accessibility Researcher, Amazon Lab126, … Read more

~~Google – What’s New in Google Accessibility: Google is developing a tool that will substantially speed the development of audio description. This tool will use Google’s new Neural Text-to-Speech technology to make speech sound more natural and human. Recorded during the 2021 ACB National Convention on July 22~~