Dear AccessWorld Editor,
In response to The Accessible Kitchen: Using the Instant Pot Smart Bluetooth-Enabled Multifunctional Pressure Cooker by Bill Holton:
This sounds like an interesting device. Does Bill come with the device to show you in person what to do? Otherwise, I must first learn an iPhone and find that often elusive "sighted help."
Bill says: "The approximately 6-inch by 4-inch digital touchpad could be marked with raised dots, or a Braille overlay could have been created, but why bother when there is an accessible app for that?"
I say, bother because not everyone has an iPhone. We aren't all pros at touch and swipe yet. I'm not sure I want my life run from an iPhone. What fun a hacker could have.
Regards,
David
Dear AccessWorld Editor,
In response to Described Video via Blindy TV: "Taking the Vision out of Television" by Bill Holton:
Frankly, I would rather see market and consumer demand spur cable companies and streaming services to act rather than government regulation alone, since government regulations can be overturned.
I am hopeful blind consumers will purchase audio described content when available to show distributors that we are a market worth catering to.
As the population ages, disabilities will become more prevalent, and making content accessible is just the right thing to do!
Dear AccessWorld Editor,
Thank you for your article, The Accessible Kitchen: Using the Instant Pot Smart Bluetooth-Enabled Multifunctional Pressure Cooker by Bill Holton
I was so intrigued I went online to buy one for myself, when I found out that some versions of the product sold before June first of last year are under recall, according to the manufacturer. I feel readers need to know this if they decide to purchase one.
See the recall at http://instantpot.com/instant-pot-smart-recall/
Thanks for the great work.
Zuhair
Dear AccessWorld Editor,
Great review of the glasses in the article, A Review of Sonar Glasses from G-Technology Group by Janet Ingber.
I'm actually very seriously thinking about getting a pair, so I checked out their web site. Couple of points although I know it's too late to get the word out:
The price for basic glasses is now $299.
They say the range is adjustable but now it doesn't look like there are two model options.
It also looks like the only feedback is vibration, there is no mention of tonal feedback.
That's all I have for now, but if interested, I can write more if/when I go through the process of actually buying a pair.
Thanks,
Pete De Vasto
Dear AccessWorld Editor,
Described Video via Blindy TV: "Taking the Vision out of Television" by Bill Holton is a good article on Blindy TV. I would add a couple things. The Victor Reader Stream new edition and the HIMS Braille Sense will capture and play all the Blindy channels. May I also recommend the satirical commercials played at the ends of the hour. The content can be a little rough, but they are funny. Audio Description is minimal, nonexistent for some programs.
Mike Cole from Berkeley
Dear AccessWorld Editor,
Thank you very much, Bill Holton, for bringing Blindy TV to our attention in the August issue of AccessWorld. It is heartwarming to learn that in our highly business-driven and profit-orientated world, there are still individuals and organizations whose intentions are purely altruistic. Bravo, Blindy TV!
Reading about Blindy TV has incentivized me to write to AccessWorld about my own "project of love: — Karablind. (www.karablind.com)
I was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa and am now totally blind. In my part of the world (Hong Kong), karaoke is still very much a part of the cultural make-up and people still love popping in to the nearest karaoke bar to do a bit of crooning; although with the proliferation of karaoke aps in the cyber world, people are channeling their inner Adele at home, much to the consternation of neighbors. I have always liked doing a spot of karaoke myself but with the loss of my eyesight, am unable to read the words to the songs on the screen. Hence, the creation of Karablind.
I described Karablind as a project of love because the person who read and recorded each and every single word to the almost 250 songs in my personal library of song lyrics, and who put together the Karablind website so that we may share our end-product with all visually-impaired people all over the world, is the kindest and gentlest man I have the honor of calling my husband.
Most of the songs featured in the Karablind website are in Cantonese or Mandarin, but there are a few English ones too. Please take a moment to read the "About Karablind" section. I know that the majority of AccessWorld's subscribers are not interested in Canto or Mando-pop, but, hey, it's never too late to learn something new! Who knows, we may be able to start up a challenge, rather like the Ice Bucket Challenge, and get a non-Chinese speaking person to learn a Canto or Mando-pop song featured on Karablind, do it live on YouTube and then get people to donate to their favorite blind charities or research. Just a thought!
Best regards,
Karen
Dear AccessWorld Editor,
I have recently been reading some of the back issues of Access World, in particular, the articles about the Trekker Breeze GPS device.
I use this device and have watched it develop over the years. The reason I am writing is because I feel you should write a more up to date review of the device as some of the information in the reviews is no longer the case. One such fact that was published was that the device takes up to three minutes to pick up the GPS signal. However, with the recent upgrade which Humanware call the Trekker Breeze +, the device is now able to get a signal in as little as ten seconds.
I enjoy reading Access world, as I am from the UK and it is interesting to hear about some of the technology that is available in the US that is not available here.
With kind regards
Craig Slater UK
Dear AccessWorld Editor,
In response to The Accessible Kitchen: Using the Instant Pot Smart Bluetooth-Enabled Multifunctional Pressure Cooker by Bill Holton:
I wanted to let you know — that I have created smart scripts for many of the pressure cooker recipes on my website which you can download into the smart app. You can find all of the scripts here:
http://www.hippressurecooking.com/category/smartcooker/
Very nice write-up on the Instant Pot SMART!
Ciao,
Laura D.A. Pazzaglia
Dear AccessWorld Editor,
We are looking for a voice medication reminder + voice responds when asking for time. We saw the ROSIE REMINDER on a web site. Any advice or recommendations from someone with your experience would be greatly appreciated.
Thank You,
John Hanifin
Response from AccessWorld Associate, Aaron Preece:
Thank you for contacting the American Foundation for the Blind. The following is the site that sells the talking medication alarm system you referenced in your message. The device can be programmed with 25 alarms per day and users can ask for time and date and it will be reported. The site sells other talking alarm systems that have less features, but are less expensive also. The site is: epill.com/talk. In a recent issue of our AccessWorld magazine, we included an article that discussed various different technologies that are useful for daily life for people with vision loss. The article includes a section regarding talking medication systems. The article is A Day in the Life: Technology that Assists a Visually Impaired Person through the Day by Bill Holton
You may also find the talking clock/alarm systems from LS&S useful; they can be found here: lssproducts.com.
