Dear AccessWorld Editor,
I work with a blind student as an Instructional Assistant. I have struggled along with her in the area of math. Reading the article The Future of Braille Technology: Perspectives and Implications, by Deborah Kendrick, I feel a multi-line braille display would be very helpful. I look forward to the day it becomes available.
Sincerely,
Flora Barcenas
Dear AccessWorld Editor,
Thank you Janet for your excellent coverage in the article Focus on the Hospitality Industry, Part I: A Guide to Online Reservations for Marriott and Hyatt Hotels, by Janet Ingber. This is been a long time issue when I wish to explore hotel sites for traveling. I look forward to the follow up articles. Awesome job!
Thanks,
Dan Thompson
Dear AccessWorld Editor,
After reading A Review of the Odin VI: An Accessible Feature Phone from Odin Mobile, by Bill Holton, I called the representative of Odin to get a few more details. Answers led me to the conclusion to stick with Samsung's Gusto II. I was told that the Haven is no longer in production. Unless I misunderstood the Odin rep, it can only hold 5 pre-set numbers, does not have voice commands and, while not a deal breaker, I would have to reenter my entire contact list.
Kind regards,
Arthur Krause
Dear AccessWorld Editor,
Bill Holton's Mobile Phone Technical and Access Support: A Look at AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and Sprint gave excellent resources! Just what I need.
Thanks,
Barb
Dear AccessWorld Editor,
Thank you so much for this review, A Review of the Be My Eyes Remote Sighted Helper App for Apple iOS, by Bill Holton. I had seen this app, got excited, and sent it to an e-mail group for TVIs and other colleagues in the field.
Within two hours I had an irate colleague, who is blind, saying the app gives the impression blind people are helpless, and was put off by it. I replied that it might not be his need, but for someone else, it would be.
An hour later a TVI replied that she would not support this app, and would never recommend this to anyone. I have felt both irritated and embarrassed at their reaction.
Tools are tools. Some sit in the tool box a long time but boy is it great to have them when you need it. Your examples are perfect…why struggle in the kitchen cabinet trying to find the decaf teabag, or call a family member and then perhaps have to have a long conversation… but I digress.
I am so glad you like the app. I thought it was neat, too.
Best,
Maureen Murphy Lewicki
Dear AccessWorld Editor,
I have just read A Review of the Be My Eyes Remote Sighted Helper App for Apple iOS, by Bill Holton, on the new phone app and am keen to see how this app develops in popularity for people like myself who are visually impaired.
I do have one problem, however, no one seems to mention how difficult Siri can be. "She" became SO frustrating to use when I tried to convert from my old Nokia to iPhone in misunderstanding my text messages and even argued with me rather than follow a command, I had to abandon using an iPhone for now.
Do you know if there is work being done at present to improve Siri as a workable application? My experience was so frustrating, having a voice tell me "I'm doing the best I can" rather than read me the text I had dictated is not really being helpful at all.
Other terms in her dialogue included "Okie-dokie, artichokie" and "Off to the cloud it goes" after perhaps the seventh attempt to get my message correct from voice to print version.
But, I am pleased to read about the new app and hope, one day, I will leave my Nokia phone and try Siri again and we can both go off to the clouds together!
Kind regards,
Maribel Steel
Dear AccessWorld Editor,
I really enjoy the AccessWorld app on my iPhone but I have a feature request that I think will make it even better.
I like having access to past issues, which are shown by year, but these archives would be much more useful if the app had a way to search them for keywords. Hopefully I can do such a search on the website.
I just wanted to make this feature request in hopes I might see it in a later update.
Take care,
Alan Lemly
