Editor's Note: The author is the Manager, External Affairs, for the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association (CTIA). CTIA represents the US wireless communications industry. To learn more about the association's mission and advocacy, visit theCTIA website.

The advent of the cellphone has made our world more connected and accessible than ever. Now, at the touch of a button or the sound of your voice, you can connect to your friends and family, request a ride to the grocery store, find new information, and connect to a first responder in an emergency.

Today, thanks to a close partnership between the wireless industry and the accessibility community, there are a wide variety of wireless offerings that can make it even easier for people with visual impairments to tap into the power of wireless connectivity. Accessible devices and services range from cellphones with easy-to-see-and-feel large buttons, to smartphones with built-in voice assistant features, to apps that can assist with any task you can imagine, to smart technologies that can track your heart rate or order milk when you run out.

To navigate all the options available, the wireless industry created AccessWireless, a website devoted to sharing helpful resources with the accessibility community about US wireless products and services. In addition to the information available on the site, AccessWireless also connects to a database, called GARI, that provides detailed accessibility information about different devices, including feature phones (often called classic "flip phones"), tablets, and wearable technologies available on the market, as well as a searchable list of accessibility-focused mobile apps.

GARI can serve as a great first step when deciding on which mobile device you would want to use. With the Advanced Search tool, you can search for particular phone types such as clam shell or candy bar as well as search for the specific accessibility features important to you. Once you've narrowed your choices, it's important to do further research on any device you consider for purchase to be sure that its accessibility features will meet your needs. For example, even though some phones may report that voice output is available, that output may only be available for top-level menus but not function in other parts of the device. In addition, it's important to be sure that a device is current; some older devices may not function on today's cell networks due to changes in network architecture over the years.

AccessWireless is also a great place to learn more about accessibility features that may already be built into a wireless device or downloaded to make wireless products and services easier to use, including:

Text-to-speech. Text-to-speech (TTS), or voice output, features say aloud information about your device. Voice output enables you to use menus and sub-menus common on most mobile phones to do things like enter your contacts, set an alarm, use caller ID, and change ringtones. Voice output is generally found on select feature phones.

Screen readers. Screen readers are similar to voice output features. They use a speech synthesizer to provide a read-out of the text displayed on a digital screen. They are built into several smartphone operating systems and are available as downloadable apps. Apple VoiceOver, and Google TalkBack are examples of screen readers that are built directly into an operating system.

Virtual assistants. Many smartphones and smart technologies, including smart speakers, offer virtual assistants, allowing you to speak to and receive audible responses from your device about anything you can think of—the weather, directions, your email, etc.

Voice recognition. Voice recognition technologies use the power of your voice to perform tasks on your smartphone or with your smart device like dialing the phone, choosing a contact, entering calendar information, surfing the internet, and accessing applications. Normally these features are part of an operating system's voice assistant, but may be simpler on feature phones. In most cases, it is possible to use voice recognition to enter text into any given text field on a smartphone or tablet.

Account and device communications. The written communication related to your device, like product and billing information, is also available in braille, large print, and electronic (plain text or HTML) formats upon your request. Note that the availability of this information in the aforementioned formats may vary wildly between carriers so it is important to ask your carrier what is available directly. Accessible manuals should be available from your device manufacturer, often through the manufacturer's website.

Audio, visual, and vibrating features. You can assign specific audible, visual or vibrating alerts to different device functions including incoming calls or messages and calendar events.

Braille. Some smartphones support navigation and text input from a braille keyboard through built-in features or through apps that connect via Bluetooth to a braille device.

Screen contrast. Changing the screen contrast to sharpen the display or adjust the color scheme to emphasize certain colors can make text, symbols, or other information on your screen easier to see.

There are a variety of accessibility features available that can be used to improve one's mobile experience. And while today's wireless devices can help connect you to almost anyone, the next generation of wireless technology, commonly known as 5G, will help connect you to almost any thing. For example, home automation already makes it possible to control your home's thermostat, turn on the radio, and even check the locks, all through your voice or your device. The next generation of wireless will be up to 100x faster than 4G LTE, taking these voice-activated home automation possibilities to the next level.

From ride hailing services, to self-driving cars, to healthcare advances like remote patient monitoring, connected technologies will make life easier and even more accessible for people with visual impairments.

This article is made possible in part by generous funding from the James H. and Alice Teubert Charitable Trust, Huntington, West Virginia.

Comment on this article.

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Voice assistants have opened up a world of possibilities and convenience for millions of people. From hearing the latest news to playing music on demand, the Amazon Echo and Google Home voice assistants can offer a level of convenience not available from a smart phone or computer.

When it comes to many seniors however, using these assistants may not be as simple as plugging in a smart speaker and talking to it. A fair amount of set-up and tweaking may need to be done to make a voice assistant work optimally. In this article, we will talk about some of the considerations to think about when setting up and using a smart speaker, and how to optimize them for the best performance.

Whether you are a senior, a caregiver for a friend or family member, or someone looking for some new tips and tricks, I hope you find useful information here, whatever your comfort level with technology may be.

Choosing a Home Voice Assistant

Both the Amazon Echo and Google Home provide answers for millions of questions, offer thousands of skills or actions, and the ability to make phone calls. Jamie Pauls covered the Amazon Echo in the February 2018 issue of AccessWorld while I covered the Google Home in March of 2017. Many features have been added since these articles were published, but the pieces still provide a basic overview of the devices and their capabilities and differences, and should help you determine which is right for you. Of note, Amazon has released a 3^rd edition of the donut-sized Echo Dot, which is louder than its predecessors, while Google now offers the Google Home Mini, a smaller version of the Google Home. Both of these devices are available for under $50.

Before You Set Up Your Voice Assistant

It's important to consider how the assistant will be used and who will be responsible for controlling its features. Device settings will be linked to an email address, so if the owner does not have an email address currently, setting one up may be helpful. Otherwise, if you link a device to an existing email address or a Google account, which is also linked to another phone, you may see alerts and messages for the voice assistant which may become cumbersome. In addition, if the voice assistant supports a command history, the account associated with the assistant will be able to see this history which is something to keep in mind if someone else is setting up your voice assistant. Also, this probably goes without saying, but smart assistants operate using a Wi-Fi connection, so ensure one is available at the location where it will be set up. Furthermore, if you are planning on using the assistant as a form of emergency protection, you may consider setting up multiple devices in different rooms of the house. They'll be able to communicate with each other and work as a group. We'll talk more about emergencies below.

Setting up Your Amazon Echo or Google Home

To set up your assistant, download the Google Home or Amazon Alexa app, both available for iOS and Android devices. While a smartphone is not generally required for everyday use of your voice assistant, it is necessary for set-up. After plugging in your new device, these apps will guide you through the basic set-up steps.

Once you have completed the initial set-up process, there are several settings and options that you may want to adjust to improve your device's performance.

Alexa and Google both offer a way for the device to make a sound when it is listening. By default, the device will light up but many readers may prefer an audio cue. Alexa has buried this setting under Device Settings and then Sounds. You can choose to enable a sound for either the Start of Request, End of Request, or both. Google places similar options under accessibility settings for the device and you can similarly enable a tone for the beginning or end of a request, or both if you desire.

Another setting to look at is the device's location. The location is used for services such as weather forecasts and finding nearby businesses. It's much easier to ask, "What's the weather?" than it is to ask, "What's the weather for Topeka, Kansas?"

Talking to your Assistant

For some, learning how to talk to an assistant so it understands commands may take some practice. If necessary, start by using small set of commands, like "What's the news?" or "Play the Beatles." The assistants can sometimes be a bit finnicky when attempting to understand the intent of a command, especially if it contains a rare word or phrase, or if the person has trouble speaking. One possibility is to set up shortcuts or routines in the Alexa or Google Home apps, which can be used to turn longer phrases into shorter, more manageable ones. If you are having trouble with a particular command, it's also possible to check to see what the assistant heard to find out if it is hearing you correctly. Alexa includes this history in its app, while Google users can ask the assistant, "What did I say?" to have it repeat the last command it heard.

Setting Up Music and Radio Stations

Listening to music using your voice assistant works best when you link it to a music service. Depending on your assistant, third-party services like Spotify, Google Play Music, or Amazon Music can be connected to your account, which will then allow anyone to request a song by title or artist. Most music services cost about $10 a month, though family plans are also available for a few dollars more, which you may consider if several family members are going to be listening to music. Both assistants will play many radio stations out of the box via services such as TuneIn radio or Radio.com. If you have a favorite radio station, you may want to verify that it is available online before buying an assistant for this purpose. In addition, some content, such as local sports teams, can be blacked out on a radio station's Internet stream, meaning it will not be available on a smart speaker without an additional cost. Both assistants can also play other forms of audio content, such as audiobooks and podcasts. Amazon is integrated with audiobook giant Audible, which may be useful if you already have an Audible account.

Phone Calls and Communication

Alexa and Google devices both offer the ability to make phone calls. First, you will want to link your device to your contacts, which will allow for calling someone by saying their name instead of a phone number. This information can be linked to a specific voice if desired for added security. In addition, you will probably want to set up outgoing Caller ID for the device, so that the person receiving the call will know who it's from instead of seeing a restricted number message.

We should emphasize here that voice assistants can't be used to call 911 or other emergency numbers. There is a workaround that may be of interest to users who are seeking a form of emergency protection. Ask my Buddy is a service that can be used to send a text message, email, or phone call to a person or people of your choice. It requires an account on the Ask My Buddy website, which can then be linked to an Amazon or Google device. Once set up, you could say "Ask my buddy to tell Bob I'm OK" or the much shorter "Tell Bob I'm OK" to alert a friend or family member you are doing well. For infrequent users, the free plan includes a few notifications per month. If you wanted to set up a daily check-in, premium plans are available for $5 a month or less which provide plenty of notifications to go around.

Both assistants also include a broadcast feature, which can be used to play a voice message on all connected devices in a house, or to send a message to a house from a remote location. Just say "Broadcast" followed by your message to use the feature.

Amazon additionally includes a feature called Drop In, which can be used to listen in on a location and start a conversation. It may be a great feature for some seniors to use with their caregivers, though you should be very clear that you are setting this up before using it. If you wish for another user to be able to Drop In on you, this can be set up from the Alexa app. It is also possible to enable or disable Drop In by voice on an Echo device. Check out Bill Holton's article in this issue for more on privacy.

Setting Reminders

Your voice assistant can become an indispensable tool for speaking reminders, such as when to take medications. Reminders can be set up to repeat daily or on a regular basis and will give an audio alert when triggered. Reminders can be set up by voice with a command such as "Remind me to take my medication at 9 am." You can also use a command such as "set a reminder" and the assistant will talk you through the rest.

Getting the News

News is another area that may require a bit of set-up before using the feature to its full potential. Amazon calls its news feature the Flash Briefing, while Google simply calls it News. Either way, you will need to use the Alexa or Google Home app to set up the news sources that will play when you ask the assistant, "What's the latest news." As a bonus, Alexa includes content from many local news outlets so it can be used for both national and regional news.

Conclusion

The Google Home and Amazon Echo harness a lot of potential as useful tools for seniors. Given some care and effort, a voice assistant can become a highly versatile companion. Hopefully, the tips and tricks provided in this article will help ensure that your new smart assistant becomes a tool rather than a nuisance.

This article is made possible in part by generous funding from the James H. and Alice Teubert Charitable Trust, Huntington, West Virginia.

Comment on this article.

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Are you the only person in your family still using a flip phone? Maybe that phone has some text-to-speech capabilities built in that allow you to still use it even though your vision is deteriorating, or perhaps has gone altogether. Despite the urging of younger family members, you have resisted switching from the familiar interface of your old phone to a smartphone such as an iPhone. Maybe you received an iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad as a gift over the holidays and now you're wondering how on Earth you go about actually using this new-fangled gadget.

This article is by no means a tutorial on how to use the accessibility tools that are built-in to Apple's array of mobile devices, but it does provide some tips and, more importantly, resources for further exploration.

By now, you have most certainly noticed that there are few if any buttons on the surface of your new device. Older devices such as the iPhone 8 Plus, which I own, have a circular Home button at the bottom of the unit, and some buttons on the side. Apart from these, however, the glass surface of the phone is completely smooth. Newer phones such as the iPhone 10 do not have any buttons on their front surfaces. Phones such as the iPhone 8 Plus that still have a semblance of a Home button don't have an actual button at all. A vibration tells you that you have depressed the area where the button should be, giving the impression that you have clicked a physical button. A raised ring indicates the location of the home button on devices, such as the iPhone 8+, where this button is simulated making it little different from a physical button. For information on gestures that have changed due to the loss of the Home button on the iPhone X and newer phones, see this AccessWorld Article. Note that in most cases where the Home button is referenced, the Power button will perform the same function on the iPhone X and newer devices.

Unless otherwise stated, the concepts discussed below will center around the iPhone and should be easily adapted to other Apple devices.

Book Resources for Learning to Use an iPhone with a Visual Impairment or Blindness

So how does a person with a visual impairment navigate a smooth piece of glass without being able to see it? All of Apple's accessibility solutions are included with your new device, so you will not need to pay any extra money to use them.

Apple has developed screen magnification solutions for low-vision users. You can learn about these tools in AccessWorld contributing author Shelly Brisbin's book iOS Access for All. She keeps her book regularly updated to stay in line with the latest version of Apple's iOS operating system, which is what powers its line of smart devices including the iPhone.

If you are blind or prefer to use methods besides vision, you'll want to learn about Apple's VoiceOver screen reader. Anna Dresner's books on learning to use Apple's iOS devices as a blind person are great resources and can be obtained from National Braille Press.

The titles mentioned above are available in formats such as EPUB, DAISY, Word, and braille for easy reading by all.

Setting Up Your Device

The tricky thing about using a touchscreen with accessibility to set up your new device for the first time is that you have no experience actually using the thing to begin with, so how are you going to manage complex tasks such as entering your Wi-Fi password, setting up an iCloud account for syncing and backing up information, and getting your email up and running? One solution is to plug your iPhone into your computer and do the heavy lifting through iTunes. Another option is to connect a Bluetooth keyboard to the device at your earliest opportunity, and proceed that way. You could read this article and then dive in head first, or you could ask a sighted person to help you get up and running so you can begin exploring at your leisure.

Moving Around on the Home Screen and In Apps

Once the phone is up and running, you can enable VoiceOver. This can actually be done on a new device by pressing the Home button three times quickly, referred to as a triple-click, when the phone first starts. Once the phone has started, if VoiceOver hasn't already been turned on, you can press and hold the Home button until you hear a bell sound. At that point, you can ask Siri, Apple's voice assistant, to turn on VoiceOver. You can also ask Siri to take you into the phone's Settings menu, which includes accessibility and VoiceOver settings.

With VoiceOver enabled, you can touch anywhere on the screen and hear verbal feedback about what icon you have placed your finger on. Once you have found the desired icon, tap two times quickly with one finger anywhere on the screen to activate the icon in focus. You can move your finger around on the screen, find a desired icon, lift your finger, and then double-tap to activate. Once you get familiar with the layout of any screen on your device, exploring by touch is great. I can often place my finger exactly on the icon I want because I've done it so many times. If I'm not exactly where I want to be, I know what direction to slide my finger in to find my target. When I just want to explore a screen to learn what is there, exploring my touch is not nearly as helpful. A better option is to place your finger anywhere on the screen and then flick right or left to move icon by icon across the screen. Flicking works in other ways as well, but we'll talk about those later.

Some have compared this flicking gesture to flicking a piece of dust off of your screen. It doesn't have to be a hard gesture, and it will eventually become quite natural. I don't generally have difficulty flicking in a straight line, but you might practice by placing a ruler or piece of paper on a table or your phone if this is a problem for you. Also, SpeedDots sells tactile screen protectors that help orient you.

By now you may be wondering if flicking up and down accomplishes anything useful, and in fact it does. When you are flicking right and left to hear items on the screen of your phone, you might occasionally want to hear how something is spelled. If you place two fingers on the phone and rotate them as though you were turning a dial, you will launch what is known as the rotor control. The rotor offers options for what will happen when you flick up and down. You can opt to move by character, word, line, and other options. You can customize your rotor choices in the settings app. Options include changing the voice rate and volume of VoiceOver, just to name a couple items. If you set your rotor to move by character, flicking down will move the cursor one character at a time to the right, and flicking up will move left. This is also true if you set the rotor to move by word, except that rather than moving character by character across the screen, you will move word by word.

A two-finger flick up will read the entire screen without stopping, and a two-finger flick down will read from the cursor position to the bottom of the screen. A two-finger single tap will stop reading, and a two-finger double tap does many things including answering and hanging up phone calls and pausing and playing music. In fact, the two-finger double tap is so often used that it actually has a name. It is called the "magic tap."

Your phone or other device will lock after a minute or so of inactivity, so you will need to unlock it. Simply press the home button. If you have set up a passcode for your device, you will need to enter it. You can also use the fingerprint sensor (called touch ID) available on newer devices to perform many functions including unlocking your device. Note that face recognition has taken the place of the fingerprint censor on iPhone X models and newer devices. In addition, you can adjust how long you must be inactive before the phone will automatically lock in the Display and Brightness menu in the Settings app.

It is possible to switch the orientation of your phone from portrait to landscape mode by simply turning it from straight up to sideways in your hands. I discovered that I don't always hold the phone straight, and the device unexpectedly switches on me. You can lock your screen orientation into portrait mode by swiping up from the bottom of the screen with three fingers to open the Control Center and finding the icon for doing so. The phone will still switch to landscape mode for things such as movies, but it will stay in portrait the rest of the time.

Entering Text On Your iPhone Using VoiceOver

When I first started using an iPhone, I found that to type I needed to locate the desired letter, lift my finger, and then double-tap. This was much harder than I anticipated, and took a lot of practice. I like to use my thumbs when typing. I got good enough that I could find a letter with one thumb, hold it on that letter, and tap somewhere else on the screen with the other thumb. This is called a split tap, and speeds things up a bit. Turns out you can set VoiceOver to enter the desired character on the screen as soon as you lift your finger, meaning you don't have to double-tap or split-tap at all. There is another setting that allows a character to be entered as soon as you touch it, but I have never even attempted to use this feature. I suspect a person with some vision might find this more useful than a totally blind person would.

You can also use a Bluetooth keyboard to enter text if you'd like. Finally, Apple has recently introduced Braille Screen Input (BSI), which is what I use almost exclusively now. With the back of the phone facing me in landscape mode, I am able to place the index, middle, and ring finger of each hand on the screen to form the six-dot cells that make up braille. At first, I thought that Apple had lost its mind and that I would never be able to master this concept. They hadn't, and I have.

Putting It All Together

A wealth of knowledge and an exciting new adventure awaits you if you dare to try to learn to use your shiny new Apple device. Maybe you don't yet own one, but you are ready to dive head first into this new world. I offer you a few suggestions that will help you on your way.

1. Take small steps. There is no way that you will master all the concepts at once. You may never learn them all, but that's okay. Travel this road at your own pace.
2. Ask for help. Websites such as AppleVis provide podcasts and written guides for learning to use your mobile device, and there are forums where you can ask questions as well. There are also people who provide individualized training for learning to use the iPhone and other devices, usually for a fee. Ask around, and you will undoubtedly find someone willing to help. And don't forget that AccessWorld regularly covers accessibility for iPhones and other Apple devices.
3. Relax. This point seems overly simplistic, but I actually found it to be one of the best pieces of advice I ever received when I was first starting out on my Apple journey. Stress will cause you to make mistakes, thereby increasing your frustration. The never-ending cycle will cause you to throw up your hands in defeat.

Apple has shown a true commitment to including accessibility in all of its products, so don't be afraid to get your feet wet. There are many older devices that work quite well, so you don't necessarily need to purchase the latest and greatest model. After you get comfortable with using your device of choice, why not read this magazine each month right from your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch? While you're at it, practice your typing skills by leaving us some feedback.

This article is made possible in part by generous funding from the James H. and Alice Teubert Charitable Trust, Huntington, West Virginia.

Comment on this article.

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Dear AccessWorld Editor,

This message is in reference to Scott Davert's January 2019 article, A New Kind Of Braille Watch: A Review Of The Dot Watch 2.

I've been pondering an Apple Watch for a while to keep up with my activity level but the Dot sounded neat as well. Do you know if the Dot monitors any activity or simply does what's listed in the article?

Thanks

Nancy Irwin

Response from AccessWorld author, Scott Davert

Hello Nancy and thank you for your message.

Sadly, the Dot Watch will not track any kind of fitness activity.

Certainly, an Apple Watch would be fantastic for this, as long as you can understand the speech of VoiceOver. Though you can mainly control the Watch through the iOS app, there are a few functions that are not as usable without direct access to the watch itself.

Dear AccessWorld Editor,

This message is in reference to Deborah Kendrick's January 2019 article, The Bradley Timepiece: Is It Beautiful, Functional, and Inclusive?

Not sure if the Bradley folks came out with a second version of this watch, but the version I was gifted failed three times and ultimately led to the dealer returning my money and a 4th Bradley watch. It now rests comfortably in my dresser drawer as I'm afraid to break it again. Even though one of the earlier reviews states it's waterproof, in no way is this the case. The manufacturer even cautions owners from engaging in any form of vigorous activity while wearing the watch, which is what I discovered for myself with watches 2 and 3. I think the weakness relates to the plate behind the front facing ball. It has to be thin enough for the magnetic arm behind the plate to cause the ball to track in the raceway, but not so thin that a magnetic connection between the arm and the ball is made impossible. If you bump the front of the watch, the ball will damage the plate and cause the arm to fail and the "minute" ball to stop tracking. It can happen simply by bumping your watch on the frame of a doorway while carrying groceries into the house. Yup, innovative and attention grabbing, but inherently flawed.

Lawrence

Dear AccessWorld Editor,

This message is in reference to Scott Davert's January 2019 article, A New Kind Of Braille Watch: A Review Of The Dot Watch 2.

This is an excellent article. Are there distributors here in the US? I know that Independent Living Aids is supposed to have the watch. I called them yesterday and the customer service person said they didn't have the second-generation watch and didn't know when or if they would get it.

Dan

Response from AccessWorld Author, Scott Davert

Though there are re-sellers, it is likely best to stick to the company directly. I have no idea who is selling the current generation in the US, only that Dot Incorporated guarantees anywhere in the world within 4 business days on receipt of payment.

Dear AccessWorld Editor,

This message is in response to Janet Ingber's February 2019 article, New Operating Systems for the Mac, Apple Watch, and Apple TV.

I read this article with great interest as I am a Mac OS and iOS user.

FaceTime was mentioned and the ability to connect multiple participants in a FaceTime session, so I'm wondering if the author has actually managed to conduct a FaceTime session with multiple participants from either Mac OS or IOS?

It would appear to me that some aspects of setting up multiple participants in a FaceTime session with both iOS and OS operating systems isn't as accessible as it could be.

Any further comments would be very much appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

Dane

Response from AccessWorld author, Janet Ingber

Hello Dane,

Setting up a FaceTime call with multiple participants is accessible. There are two ways to do it.

Using the FaceTime App

1. Open the FaceTime app and select the Add button in the upper right corner.
2. Select the edit box for entering names with a one-finger double tap.
3. Type names the same way you would in a group text message.
4. After all the names are entered, flick right. There will be options for an audio call or a FaceTime call.
5. Select FaceTime.

Using the Messages App

1. In Messages, start a group conversation with everyone you want to call. Create the group and send a message.
2. Near the top of the screen, locate where it says the number of people in the conversation and double tap.
3. Flick right to find buttons for audio or FaceTime.

Personally, I like the first method better unless I'm already in a conversation.

When doing a multiple-participant FaceTime call, participants need an iPhone 6S or higher. The feature can be used on all phones running iOS 12.1, but older phones will only receive audio.

Everyone keeps telling you, "You have to get with the times and buy a computer and a smartphone." They want to stay in touch on Facebook, and send emails and receive them from you in return. You've finally agreed, and now you are getting an earful of advice from those same people telling you which model of what device you should buy.

Funny thing: the products they usually think you should buy just happen to be the same products they themselves already own. Only they have 20-20 vision and not require any accessibility features. You're left wondering, "Which computer or smartphone is right for me?"

To help, we offer this buying guide to help you shop for computers and touchscreen devices such as smartphones and tablets. We'll help you make sense of the gobbledygook of specifications and features, and focus on the very few things you really need to know in order to make a successful and accessible purchase.

Putting the "Personal" in Personal Computer

Let's begin this section by describing the major differences between models of personal computers.

Desktops vs. Notebooks

A desktop computer usually consists of several modular components—the CPU, which is a fancy way of saying the big box that connects to the monitor—speakers, keyboard, and a pointing device, usually either a touch pad or computer mouse, which sighted individuals rely on to issue commands and navigate their computer screens. If you still retain some useable sight you may be able to use one of these pointing devices after enlarging the screen text and images. However, most blind individuals prefer to use a screen reader, which requires a set of speakers. We will discuss both of these options below.

Some desktop computers come as a single, "all in one" unit, which can be a real space saver. If you want to save even more space, or wish to carry your computer to different locations, consider a notebook PC, a single unit that folds open and these days usually weighs in at less than five pounds. The display will be smaller, if that's a concern, however it is possible to purchase a larger monitor to connect to when you need more screen real estate to enlarge print, pictures, or watch videos.

Speech and Screen Magnification

There are two flavors of both desktops and notebook computers—Windows PCs, which are manufactured by any number of companies but which nearly always operate using the Microsoft Windows operating system, and Macs, which run on the Mac operating system and are manufactured solely by Apple. Note: a computer's operating system is the program that actually causes a computer to wake up when the power button is pressed and which hosts programs, such as a web browser, word processor, or email software.

Here's the good news. Both Windows and Mac computers come with a built-in screen reader and screen magnification software. You can try either of these accessibility features before you buy, assuming, of course, the unit on the store shelf is powered on.

A screen reader is special software that runs on top of your regular word processor or web browser and speaks the text and describes many of the graphics as you go. Screen readers also offer special keyboard commands to help users with visual impairments move about the screen and issue commands just as sighted users do with a mouse or touch pad.

Screen magnification software does just that—it enlarges the print and the images displayed on the screen up to several hundred percent. You can enlarge the entire screen, or just the portion that is currently most essential to the task at hand. You can also adjust the color contrast and even select an entirely new color palate.

You can try out these features right there at the computer store. Or with a friend's computer. For both Narrator and VoiceOver the first time you start the screen reader you will be offered a brief tutorial to demonstrate the fundamentals of using a computer screen reader. It's well worth the few minutes to complete.

Turning on the Windows Narrator Screen Reader

To summon the built-in screen reader, called Narrator, simply press the keyboard combination Control + Windows key + Enter. The Control key is usually at the extreme lower left of a standard keyboard, the Windows key to its immediate right. The Enter key is the large key on the right side of the keyboard, analogous to the Return key on a typewriter. Press the same key combination to toggle Narrator off. Alternatively, Press the Windows key and the letter "U" simultaneously to call up the Windows Ease of Access Menu, where you will find a number of accessibility features including screen magnification, personalized text and background color preferences, cursor size and color, and alternate voices for the Narrator screen reader.

Turning On the Mac VoiceOver Screen Reader

On a Mac computer: Press the Command key, usually located directly to the left of the spacebar, and the F5 key from the uppermost keyboard row together to call up the VoiceOver screen reader.

Press the Control + Option + F8 key combination to summon VoiceOver settings. The Option key is between the Command and Control keys. Press Control + Option + plus-sign (+) to "zoom in" on the screen, which is to say make the text and images larger, and Control + Option _+ minus-sign (−) to zoom back out. The macOS System Preferences offer more fine-grained magnification controls.

How Much Computing Power Do I Need?

These days you will find computers for sale from notebook computers at just over $100 to "gaming PCs" costing upwards of $2,000. What's the difference? Basically, it comes down to processing power, working memory, storage space, storage speed, and network connection.

High-end sound and graphics capabilities can also affect the price of a computer. High-end sound cards can play music and videos in surround sound, while high-end graphics cards can process complex game images faster. For most computer users with visual impairments, however, the basic, built-in sound and graphics capabilities will be sufficient.

Processor

A computer's processor chip does just that: it runs programs and processes data. There are two main chip makers, Intel and AMD, but since most computers these days come with Intel processors, we'll focus on those.

There are several generations of Intel processor chips, including i3, i5, i7 and the latest and greatest i9. For most users i9 chips would be overkill. Likewise i3 chips may be a bit underpowered. An i5 chip meets the sweet spot of performance vs. price, and if you have the cash, an i7 chip is perhaps an upgrade you will want to consider, after you determine how much RAM you want.

Random Access Memory

Random access memory, usually called RAM, stores programs and data temporarily while they wait to be processed or moved into long-term storage. Four gigabytes of RAM is more than adequate for browsing the Web, composing documents, and spreadsheets and sending and receiving emails. Eight gigabytes may offer a bit more speed, but over eight won't make much of a difference unless you are doing a lot of video editing or computer-aided design work. Recently, there has been an outpouring of low-end notebook computers featuring only two gigabytes of RAM. Avoid these if at all possible, as you may find yourself experiencing a lot of choppy screen reader speech or sluggish screen magnification and navigation.

Storage Space and Speed

Until recently, most computer data storage was performed using hard drives that use spinning platters to read and write data. The size of the drive was determined by how many platters were being used and how closely the rings of data could be written with the disks read/write head. The speed of data transfer was determined by how many revolutions per minute the disk spun. 5,400 and 7,200 revolutions per minute were typical speeds.

More recently, data storage has been transferred to actual memory chips, which are now configured to maintain data even when the power is turned off. Think photos on a digital camera, or music on an MP3 player. The transfer rate is decidedly faster, and there are no moving parts to break down.

The tradeoff is price. The same amount of storage is considerably more expensive using memory chips on a solid state drive (SSD) than traditional hard drives. So the compromise here is space. Usually, SSDs are much smaller than similarly priced hard drives. But that's OK, since these days much more of our information is being stored in the cloud.

If you go the SSD route, try to avoid any systems with only 8 or 16 gigabyte SSDs. Thirty-two gigabyte is the minimum, and if you can afford it or require more space for your music and video downloads, consider 64, 128, 500 gigabytes or more.

Network Connection

In order to connect to the Internet you will need to arrange for a broadband connection from your local cable or phone company. They will install a modem/router in your home, and will then use either a wired connection or a wireless one, known as Wi-Fi. Your new computer may come with both methods, but these days an increasing number of units ship with Wi-Fi only.

A wired connection links your computer to the router using a network cable with larger-than-usual telephone jack connectors. A Wi-Fi connection links your computer via radio waves. Wi-Fi also enables several devices to be connected at once. Your new computer will likely automatically detect your Wi-Fi signal. You will then need to select your network and enter your password, so make sure the service tech who does the installation tells you how to find these.

Purchasing a Windows vs. Mac Computer: Further Considerations for People with Visual Impairments

Since Windows PCs are manufactured by a number of companies, there is more competition and consequently, prices tend to be lower on Windows PCs than on Macs. If you're on a fixed budget and are struggling to find the funds, an organization called Computers for the Blind offers refurbished Windows computers preloaded with lots of accessible software for considerably less than a new computer, and they often feature grants that make their offerings even more budget friendly.

Another benefit of using a Windows PC is the simple fact that there is a much larger percentage of people with visual impairments using Windows. In fact, once you purchase your Windows PC you can try at least two third-party screen readers:

• NVDA is an open-source screen reader that is absolutely free to install and use. Download a copy at NVAccess.org.
• The JAWS screen reader and ZoomText screen magnifier are rich-feature software offered by Vispero. The cost of purchasing perpetual home licenses can be prohibitive, but each of these products can now be purchased via a yearly license costing $90 for JAWS and $80 for ZoomText.

Whether you wind up with a Windows or Mac computer, free accessibility support is available.

• Windows: The Microsoft Accessibility web portal is your first stop for information about screen readers and screen magnification. You can also receive personalized accessibility support by calling the Microsoft Answer Desk at 800-936-5900.
• Mac owners will want to check out Apple's accessibility portal. If you can't find your answer there, Apple also provides telephone accessibility support at 877-204-3930.

Touchscreen Phones and Tablets

Now that you've all but worn out the keypad on your trusty feature phone pecking out text messages to your kids and grandkids, maybe it's time to move on to a touchscreen device—a smartphone or touchscreen tablet. Here the shopping process is similar to buying a new computer, as there are two major hardware device categories, each running on one of two different software platforms.

First Question: Smartphone or Tablet?

A smartphone is usually palm-sized with at least one surface of touch-activated glass. A tablet usually offers a larger screen, although these days the difference in size between smartphones and tablets is shrinking.

A smartphone connects to a cellular network for making phone calls and connecting to the internet when you're not in range of your Wi-Fi. It also includes a GPS (global positioning system) chip for turn-by-turn directions and other location-based services.

Both smartphones and touchscreen tablets use Wi-Fi to connect to the internet and to run apps, which are small programs designed to run on a phone or tablet and which usually perform a specific task, such as web browsing, email, or uploading a photo to Facebook.

Second Question: Apple or Google?

Smartphones and tablets run one of two operating systems: Apple iOS or Google Android.

In the previous section we tended to recommend a Windows PC over a Mac, because more people with visual impairments use this platform and because it's possible to use more than one kind of screen access software on a Windows PC. In the smartphone and tablet arena it's Apple's iPhone and iPad that get the nod. An even larger percentage of people with visual impairments uses iPhones and iPads than Android devices. The iPhone was the first touchscreen device to offer an onboard screen reader, VoiceOver, and built-in low vision features, such as magnification and contrast controls. Other reasons the visually impaired community tends to prefer Apple devices include:

• Ease of updating. Apple's iOS mobile operating system is easier to update than Android. The software updates are sent directly from Apple to your device. Android updates are first shunted off to the various carriers, who may or may not choose to pass along the latest software version to your device in a timely fashion.
• First mover advantages. Since Apple offered the first accessible touchscreen devices, developers working on apps specifically tailored to the needs of those with visual impairments tend to release their offers first on iOS, then, if there is sufficient interest, on Android. Nearly every variety of access software, from the BARD Mobile app that allows you to play Talking Books on your device to blind-friendly navigation apps were released first on iOS.
• Security. Apple's App Store is curated considerably more strictly than Google's store, which is called Google Play. Malware and other security threats are far less common on Apple devices.
• A more consistent experience: Because of early agreements, carriers are not allowed to modify Apple devices before they are sold to their customers. Most carriers add their own, branded software programs and utilities to Android phones, and these modifications can be a nuisance to access users, at best, and can even reach deal-breaker status. If you are considering an Android smartphone, you will be best served with a phone running an unmodified version of Android, such as the Android One family of devices.
• Support. Apple offers the same telephone support for their mobile devices as they do for their computers. Google only offers email support here, though you may also be able to obtain limited accessibility support from your carrier.

Of course Android phones and tablets do have their advantages.

• Customization. Apple devices are spoken about as being inside a walled garden. This offers the user more security, since apps and other software must be tested and approved by Apple before they are made available to consumers. This can also lead to a limited ability to customize and personalize your device. For new accessible smartphone and tablet users, however, we consider this limitation a plus and not a minus.
• Cost. You can purchase an Android tablet for well under $100, and an Android smartphone for under $200. Even so, for the new touchscreen access user we recommend that your first device come from Apple. Then, if you wish to expand your access horizons, consider one of the budget-priced Android tablets, and go from there.

Getting Started with a Smartphone or Tablet

As with Windows PCs and Macs, both mobile device operating systems come with a built-in screen reader and low vision features. You can also purchase both phones and tablets with larger screens, which is handy for those with low vision.

Like computers, touchscreen devices come with varying processor types, quantities of random access memory, and storage capacities. Most new phones will perform fine, even with the extra load of a screen reader or low vision features. Hand-me-down or older devices may not be able to run the latest versions of the operating system and may be missing some of the latest and greatest bells and whistles.

Here's how to turn on the onboard screen reader for a mobile device:

• Apple iPhone or iPad: On a new device press the Home button, on older models, or the Power button, on newer models, three times in quick succession. Perform the same gesture to turn VoiceOver off. If the phone is already running, press and hold the Home or Power button until you hear a beep, then say, "Turn VoiceOver on." Say "Turn VoiceOver off" to toggle the screen reader off.
• Android: On a new Android phone or tablet place two fingers on the screen, then power on the device. TalkBack, the Android screen reader will automatically start. On an already running device, press and hold the Volume Up and Volume Down buttons simultaneously for three seconds.

Resources For Learning How to Use a Mobile Device

It is beyond the scope of this Buyers' Guide to teach you how to use your new iOS or Android device, but you or a family member will discover a wealth of information and tutorials on the internet to help you develop your mobile device skills. Consider starting with Apple's Accessibility portal or Google's Get Started on Android with TalkBack Android Accessibility Help Page.

We can also recommend a pair of e-Pub books to help you get started, both of which are either authored or coauthored by regular AccessWorld contributors: iOS Access for All: Your comprehensive guide to accessibility for iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch by Shelly Brisbin and Getting Started with TalkBack and Android by Ana Garza and JJ Meddaugh.

This article is made possible in part by generous funding from the James H. and Alice Teubert Charitable Trust, Huntington, West Virginia.

Comment on this article.

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• Smartphone Apps for People New to Vision Loss by Bill Holton
• The iPhone X for People with Visual Impairments: Face ID, New Gestures, and Useful Commands by Janet Ingber

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• Book Review: Getting Started with the iPhone and iOS 11, by Anna Dresner
• Looking Back on 20 Years of Assistive Technology: Where We've Been and How Far and Fast We've Come

Announcing the 2019 AFB Leadership Conference

February 28–March 1, Crystal Gateway Marriott

The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) is pleased to present the 2019 AFB Leadership Conference, which will cover the most pressing and relevant topics in the field of blindness and offer many opportunities to learn from the best and brightest minds in our field, make new connections, and reunite with old friends.

Held annually, AFBLC attracts established and emerging leaders in the blindness field. Conference attendees include technology experts, corporate representatives, university professors, and researchers. They come from diverse organizations and institutions spanning the public and private sectors.

The conference will have five primary areas of focus, including leadership, aging and visual impairment, education, technology, and employment. We are pleased that the National Rehabilitation and Training Center on blindness and Low Vision at Mississippi State University will hold its State-of-the-Science conference during AFBLC, presenting research findings on important aspects of employment and visual impairment. An exciting program is being finalized and will be released soon, so please check the AFBLC page for updates. The 2018 AFBLC attracted approximately 400 attendees from 40 states and four countries.

Attendees will receive a special group rate of $195/night at the Crystal Gateway Marriott. Reserve online through our dedicated reservations page. If you prefer to speak with a reservations specialist, please call 888-236-2427 and reference our conference to get the group rate.

If you are interested in sponsorship, advertising, or exhibiting opportunities, please contact Amanda Kolling directly.

The Lighthouse of San Francisco to Begin Accepting Applications for the Holman Prize

The Lighthouse of San Francisco's annual $25,000 prize for ambitious blind people, the Holman Prize, is accepting applications starting January 15.

The Holman Prize provides financial backing for three blind individuals pursuing a project of their own design over the course of a year. These proposals may involve travel, community organizing, athletics, creating art, and more. Since the Lighthouse launched the prize in 2017, they have funded six winners with diverse projects that span from African beekeeping and blind world travel resources, to physical feats like kayaking and extreme triathlons.

The process begins with a challenge: blind applicants must submit a first-round pitch, in the form of a 90-second YouTube video. It's not as daunting as it might sound. More information about the application process can be found on the Holman Prize website.

Please note that submissions for the 2019 Holman Prize close February 28th, 2019 at 12 pm Pacific. The Lighthouse encourages any and all eligible blind adults worldwide to apply, even if they have applied previously.

The American Foundation for the Blind Now Accepting Applications for its 2019 Scholarship Program

The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) administers 4 post-secondary education scholarships for up to 8 deserving students who are legally blind. The available scholarships for 2019 are detailed below.

The Rudolph Dillman Memorial Scholarship: Four scholarships of $2,500

Requirements:

• Full-time Undergraduate or Graduate student
• Studying rehabilitation or education of persons who are blind and/or visually impaired

The Paul and Ellen Ruckes Scholarship: Two scholarships of $2,000

Requirements:

• Full time Undergraduate or Graduate student
• Studying engineering or computer, physical, or life sciences

The R.L. Gillette, Gladys C. Anderson, and Karen D. Carsel Memorial Scholarship: One scholarship of $3,500

Requirements:

• Female undergraduate student
• Studying music

The Delta Gamma Foundation Florence Margaret Harvey Memorial Scholarship: One scholarship of $1,000

Requirements:

• Undergraduate or graduate student
• Studying rehabilitation or education of persons who are blind or visually impaired.

Visit the AFB scholarships website for further information and to complete an application.

Please direct all scholarship questions to:

Aaron Preece, Scholarship Coordinator, 304-710-3034, apreece@afb.net

Registration Now Open for the 2019 M-Enabling Summit

The M-Enabling Summit, the conference and showcase promoting accessible technology and environments for seniors and users of all abilities, will be held on June 17-19, 2019 at the Renaissance Arlington Capital View Hotel, in Washington, DC. It is the annual meeting place for all who create and contribute to accessible ICT products, services and consumer technologies.

With its 2019 theme of "Accessibility: Transforming Users' Experience," the 2019 M-Enabling Summit will provide a platform for empowering technologies and focus on next-generation innovations and breakthroughs for users of all abilities.

New accessible technologies are rapidly transforming the way users interact with digital interfaces. These technological advances are becoming an essential differentiator in gaining a competitive advantage. The M-Enabling program is designed to give participants the tools, knowledge, and networking opportunities to implement into their everyday lives in this rapidly expanding market of assistive and accessible technologies.

Bringing together professionals, corporations, service organizations, and thought leaders, the M-Enabling Summit is an all-inclusive conference and showcase featuring innovative technology, mobile applications, connected devices, and services for more than one-billion users worldwide.

Registration

The M-Enabling Summit offers a discounted early bird registration rate through April 27^th. Register today here.

Bosma Enterprises Earns 2018 Employment Growth Award from National Industries for the Blind

Award Honors Success in Sustaining and Increasing Employment For People Who Are Blind

Bosma Enterprises was honored by National Industries for the Blind (NIB), the nation's largest employment resource for people who are blind, with the 2018 Employment Growth Award. The award recognizes Bosma's efforts to increase employment retention, growth and upward mobility for people who are blind.

"We are proud to provide employment opportunities for Hoosiers who are blind," said Lou Moneymaker, president & CEO of Bosma Enterprises. "There is a 62 percent unemployment rate for people who are blind or visually impaired in Indiana. We know that employment is the foundation of independence making our mission critical to the success of the people we serve. The jobs we create not only bring a paycheck but also hope."

"Bosma Enterprises is doing an outstanding job of creating U.S.-based career opportunities for people who are blind," said NIB President and CEO Kevin Lynch. "This is a great example of the unlimited capabilities of people with vision loss working in Indianapolis and across the country."

Ted Kennedy Jr. Publishes OpEd in the New York Times regarding Benefits of Hiring Individuals with Disabilities

Ted Kennedy Jr., a civil rights advocate for those with disabilities and a Connecticut state senator, was recently published in the New York Times. His OpEd extolled the benefits of hiring those with disabilities as well as the steps certain companies are taking to include more employees with disabilities. Read the full article here.

Dear AccessWorld readers,

Last month AccessWorld celebrated the birthday and life's work of Louis Braille. I hope everyone had a chance to visit The Louis Braille Museum on the AFB website, and read The Reading Fingers, the full text of Jean Roblin's classic 1952 biography of Louis Braille, and Braille, the Magic Wand of the Blind, Helen Keller's essay on Louis Braille. If not, I encourage you to read these great works.

As we move from celebrating the achievements of Louis Braille to recognizing February as Low Vision Awareness Month, valid questions are "Who experiences low vision?" and "What exactly is low vision?" "Low vision" is a term commonly used to mean partial sight, or sight that isn't fully correctable with surgery, medications, contact lenses, or glasses. In the United States, the most common causes of low vision are age-related macular degeneration (AMD), glaucoma, cataracts, and diabetic retinopathy. Some people are born with conditions such as albinism or optic nerve damage that can result in low vision. People of all ages, from infants to seniors, can experience low vision, most often due to eye disease, but also due to eye injury.

The largest population of Americans who experience low vision is seniors over the age of 65. Therefore, for the month of February, AccessWorld is focusing, so to speak, on topics and technologies that may be especially relevant to seniors. At times, seniors may be hesitant to adopt the use of technology, especially access technology, and in this issue of AccessWorld, our intention is to break down barriers, remove the uncertainty of what technology and access technology can do, and demonstrate how access technology can help improve independence and daily life.

People with low vision can use magnification devices, electronic devices, computer-access software, and other access and mainstream technologies to maximize their remaining vision, or they can learn alternative ways of doing things, such as using their senses of touch and/or hearing. As our regular readers know, AccessWorld regularly reports on many technologies used by people with low vision. For additional information on living with low vision, please visit the VisionAware Low Vision resources page. There you will find additional information about low vision, as well as vision simulation photos, which help people who are fully sighted better understand how people with various eye conditions see the world.

We at AccessWorld are, once again, very pleased to be partnering with the National Research and Training Center on Blindness and Low Vision (NRTC) at Mississippi State University to bring you this special AccessWorld issue on aging. The NRTC received a grant from the Rehabilitation Services Administration to provide training and technical assistance to programs serving older adults with blindness and low vision. This aging issue is part of our joint emphasis to encourage and prepare service providers to introduce seniors to technology they can utilize in their everyday lives. We also intend for information in this issue to be useful to people who are themselves aging with vision loss.

In observance of Low Vision Awareness Month, I encourage everyone to have a complete eye exam from a licensed ophthalmologist or optometrist. Getting a yearly exam increases the chances of early detection and diagnosis of conditions that may lead to vision loss. If you or someone you know has experienced significant vision loss, I encourage you to have a low vision examination.

A low vision examination is quite different from the basic examination routinely performed by primary care optometrists and ophthalmologists. A low vision examination includes a review of your visual and medical history, and it places an emphasis on the vision needed to read, cook, work, study, travel, and perform and enjoy other common activities. The goals of a low vision exam include assessing the functional needs, capabilities, and limitations of your vision; assessing ocular and systemic diseases; and evaluating and prescribing low vision therapies. Education and counseling of family, providing an understanding of your visual functioning to aid educators, vocational counselors, and employers, directing further evaluations and treatments by other vision rehabilitation professionals, and making appropriate referrals for medical intervention are all part of a low vision evaluation.

The low vision examination takes much longer than a typical eye exam, but the information gained can be invaluable. No matter what your visual acuity, it is important to understand any diagnosis you may receive and to keep your eyes as healthy as you possibly can.

In addition to articles addressing technology for seniors, this issue also contains an article covering highlights from the recent Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA) conference. In the conference highlights article by J.J. Meddaugh, there are links to podcasts from Blind Bargains. By listening to the podcasts, you can hear interviews with product developers and dealers and learn where you can gain more in-depth information about the new technologies on display in the ATIA 2019 conference exhibit hall. For our readers who may be deaf or hard of hearing, these podcasts have been transcribed.

In closing, I would like to take this opportunity to remind readers of the "Comment on this article" link at the bottom of each article. This link allows you to provide direct feedback on an article to the author and me. We want to hear your thoughts, questions, comments, concerns, or suggestions. As a publication, being responsive to you, our readers, is our priority.

Sincerely,
Lee Huffman
AccessWorld Editor-in-Chief

As a senior coping with recent vision loss you have likely already learned that two of the most often asked questions among those with visual impairments are "What is it?" and "Where Did It go?" In the February 2017 special seniors issue of AccessWorld we tackled these vexing questions with several low-tech tricks and a number of high-tech solutions, including a pair of voice-labeling solutions: the Pen Friend 2 and talking labels from Envision Eli. In this article we'll introduce you to a third high tech solution: WayTags and the WayLink from a Plano, Texas startup called WayAround.

WayTags

WayTags are tiny Near Field Communication (NFC)-chip enabled stickers, buttons, magnets, and clips that transmit data to the WayAround smartphone app or the hand-held WayLink , discussed below. You can use WayTags to mark and identify everything from holiday gifts to condiment bottles to over-the-counter medications and prescriptions. Simply touch the top edge of your iPhone 7 or above or Android smartphone to the tag and your custom label will appear on your device's screen and be spoken aloud, assuming you are running the VoiceOver touch screen reader on your iPhone or TalkBack for Android devices. (Note, some Android smartphones place the NFC reader elsewhere on the device. Consult your owner's guide.) If your iPhone is an older model or you use an iPad or Android tablet, read on and we'll tell you how you can use WayTags, too.

WayTags are available for purchase at the WayAround e-store, which you can reach either via the company's homepage or through the Settings menu on the WayAround app discussed in the next section. The tags come in various shapes and sizes, from tiny magnets and adhesive-backed stickers to sew-on buttons and clips that can easily be removed and reattached. Most are round, but some are square, which identifies them as shielded so they can be used on metal surfaces.

Each WayTag can be programmed with up to 2,000 characters. The information can also be organized into fields, such as "Ingredients," "Preparation," and "Nutrition Information" for that new recipe you want to try attached to the butcher-paper wrapped salmon in your fridge. They can be edited with new information, or cleared and reused from scratch.

The WayAround App

The WayAround mobile app is available free from both the iOS App Store and Google Play. If you set up an account when you purchased your tags you will be asked to log in the first time you launch the app—otherwise simply enter your email address and a password of your choice to create a new WayAround account.

The apps are optimized to work with VoiceOver and TalkBack, and include either two or three controls, depending on whether you are using an iPhone or Android smartphone. The iOS app includes controls to Read, Edit, and Write WayTags. The Android version does not include a Read button, because the Android OS allows apps to place the device in continuous standby read mode, whereas Apple only allows third-party apps to read a single NFC chip with each press of an application control.

What this means is that once the Android WayAround app is open, all you need to do is touch the top of your phone to a chip until you feel a double click, and the app will voice the WayTag information automatically. A second tap to a second chipped item will announce that item in turn. iPhone users must press the Read button first, then position the phone for each item to be identified. Of course if this is your first time using WayAround you won't have any tags programmed yet.

Writing WayTags

Double tap the app's Create button and you will be prompted to begin entering the information you wish to associate with a particular WayTag. Type or dictate in any desired text, such as "Milk. Expiration date is April 12," or "Blue and white silk blouse."

Now, swipe down to the Detail type. Your choices are: none, clothing care, groceries, files, cleaning supplies, personal care, and custom. For that silk blouse you might wish to select clothing care and use the second edit box that appears to list the garment's washing instructions. You might then create a custom "Ensemble" category to list which slacks and skirts go well with this blouse.

WayTags can include as many category listings as you wish, so long as the total of categories and text is less than 2,000 characters. Creating a WayTag for your toolbox may seem unnecessary at first thought. After all, you know where your toolbox is and are not likely to mistake it for a rake or the hot water heater. But what about those six drawers? You could create a WayTag that reads "Toolbox," with six fields, one for each drawer, each of them listing the tools that are inside--or, more likely—that are supposed to be inside.

Once you have the identification just so, select a WayTag. A magnetic tag might be an excellent choice to attach to the side of your steel toolbox, while a WayTag button could either be sewn near the bottom or safety pinned to the label of the blouse. WayTag buttons can be put through the washer and drier with no ill effects.

Finally, return to the WayAround app and double tap the Write control. You will be prompted to touch the tag with the top edge of your phone. When you hear and feel the double click, your tag has been registered. Go ahead and use the Read button to confirm. You will likely find NFC tags easier to use than barcodes or QR codes. Each of those depends on either a smartphone camera or dedicated laser device, and aiming can problematic, especially if your hands are not rock steady. NFC chips, on the contrary, require nothing more than a simple tap—easy-peasy.

You can change the information on a WayTag at any time in two ways:

• Use the Edit control to add or delete specific information from a tag.
• Use the Create control to compose a new WayTag, then the Write control to erase the old information and replace it with the new. Caution: There is no prompt warning you will be overwriting previous information.

Each WayTag contains a unique identification code, which the WayAround app associates with the information you have provided. A copy of this information is kept on your device, so you can use WayTags even when you don't have an internet connection. A second copy is stored on WayAround servers, so if you need to replace your phone, the data can be downloaded. This also means a couple can both use the same WayTags by simply logging onto the same account. If your spouse changes, adds, or edits a WayTag the app will spot the difference the very next time you run the app and incorporate the changes into your phone's storage.

But My Device Doesn't Support NFC

As mentioned, for WayTags to work, your smartphone must be NFC enabled. This includes most Android phones and iPhones version 7 and above. You can still use WayTags with older phones and tablets, however, using a WayLink. WayLink is a fit-in-your-palm-sized add-on that reads NFC chips and then transmits the information to your WayAround app via Bluetooth. Enable and disable WayLink via the app's Settings menu. Optionally, you can enter the last six digits of your WayLink's serial number to link it to your WayAround account specifically. Now at one of the summer conventions your WayLink won't try to connect to someone else's smartphone.

Product Information

Manufacturer: WayAround,
833-857-7760, connect@wayaround.com
WayTag Round Stickers, 25 Pack, $22.99
WayTag Magnets 25 Pack, $27.99
Laundry Starter Pack, includes 25 WayTag two-hole buttons and a blind-friendly sewing kit, $39.99
WayLink Scanner, $99.99

This article is made possible in part by generous funding from the James H. and Alice Teubert Charitable Trust, Huntington, West Virginia.

Comment on this article.

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• An Evaluation of OrCam MyEye 2.0 by Jamie Pauls
• Letters, We Get Letters: Receiving Digital Scans of Your Mail Envelopes Using Informed Delivery by Bill Holton

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• Vision Tech: It's Complicated
• Navigating the Translational Valley in Vision Research

In any bookstore, online or brick and mortar, cookbooks, diet books, and self-help books are without doubt the three most popular categories. For cookbooks, the reason is obvious: we like to eat. For diet books, it's equally obvious: we like to eat…too much.

Self-help books cover a wide range of topics—everything from healing a broken heart to enjoying an active retirement. Self-help sales are strong. After all, millions of people suffer a broken heart every year, while millions more retire and ask themselves, "What's next?"

But what about vision loss? There is no The Joy of I Can't Read Print Anymore, or Low Vision for Dummies. There is, however, a brand new offering from Australia's Maribel Steel called Blindness for Beginners: A Renewed Vision of the Possible. Even though the book's pricing and formats have not yet been finalized, we at AccessWorld believe it is nonetheless worthy of inclusion in this seniors issue. You can view the book's Table of Contents, get pricing information, and hear about the upcoming audio version of the book at Maribel Steel's website.

Maribel Steel is an international educator and speaker who recently appeared at the 2018 AFB Leadership Conference. She is also the vision loss expert for the about.com network and an award-winning blogger at At the Gateway to Blindness and Touching Landscapes.

The author was diagnosed with RP as a teen, and the first section of her book describes her journey from full to partial sight and on to near complete blindness. Along the way she raised four children, worked at her family business and later became a certified aroma and massage therapist.

Describing her many years with partial sight, Steel shines a spotlight on her former denial, including her insistence that no one other than friends and family know that she had a vision problem; her teenage silent rebellion of resistance; the many tricks she used to hide her vision loss, and the various sticky situations she found herself in as a result. Sound familiar?

According to Steel, "Going blind is the second most feared prospect for people next to being diagnosed with a terminal illness. It's a true shock to the system, and can make you feel like you've been dealt the worst blow imaginable." Acceptance of a visual disability can be a slow and prolong process. Other times circumstances conspire to give you a nudge, as happened to Steel after a chance encounter in a bank pointed her toward acceptance.

Part Two of the book offers a series of suggestions and tips to guide the newly blind on his or her own journey from denial through fear and onto acceptance. She gently guides the reader step by step toward an understanding that your life's path is not ending, it is merely taking a detour down a different and unexpected road, much the same as if you had lost a job, ended a long-term relationship, or experienced some other dramatic life change. Again, autobiographical notes are interweaved into the narrative, such as how Steel has used journaling through the years to help clarify and overcome her own feelings of frustration, helplessness, and inadequacy.

Of course acceptance is but merely the first step in your new life journey, and Steel devotes the rest of this section to some concrete suggestions to help you along your way. She offers tips on how to improve your memory, since remembering things such as exactly where the coffee table is will become increasingly essential. She discusses how to seek and accept assistance while retaining a sense of dignity and independence.

At this point the book takes a dramatic turn toward the practical. According to Steel, for a blind person, "It is vital to maintain an organized way of living. Putting everything back in a specific place is not proof that a control freak is in residence, it's an efficient way of staying safe among shifting hazards."

Toward this goal Steel offers a series of problem solving strategies to help you organize your kitchen, bathroom and other rooms and spaces, and—equally essential—to enlist others to help keep it that way.

Steel enjoys cooking, and there is a lot of information the newly blind chef can use to help you get back in front of the frying pan. And though she does not specifically discuss laundry, cleaning, and other household tasks, there is much here that can be generalized and used in other rooms of your living and work environments.

It wouldn't be much of a life, however, if you were confined to your home. Steel devotes an entire chapter to getting out, with information about mobility training, shopping, and choosing between using a white cane and a guide dog—Steel has experience with both.

Blindness for Beginners delves only briefly into the ever-expanding world of adaptive equipment and high-tech gadgetry. This is probably a good thing, since by the time you have read Steel's book, the state of the art will likely have moved on and the information will be out of date. That's where AccessWorld can help. Every month we discuss and detail the very latest and greatest in accessible technology. So be sure to stop by here regularly.

If you are a family member or a friend to someone who has recently lost his or her sight, the third and final section of Blindness for Beginners will be of particular interest. Here Steel offers a number of strategies to help organize a shared living space so that everyone benefits. She also teaches sighted helpers some proper techniques to interact with a person with a visual impairment. For example, never grab a blind person by the elbow to "lead" them. Let him or her grip you by the arm or shoulder. Also, "a flight of stairs coming up," can mean a flight of stairs are approaching, and they are going up, or there are stairs approaching, and I have to guess if they are up or down stairs so I will probably guess wrong and trip and fall.

Blindness for Beginners is not a comprehensive guide to your new life as a person with a visual impairment. It's an introduction, an inspirational look at what is possible. As such, we highly recommend it for any newly blind individual or family member. But consider this book as the first step in your journey.

The author includes a resource guide at the conclusion of the book intended to offer readers more information, but since the author resides in Australia most of the listings are not generally available to US residents.

We suggest you continue your journey at Resources for Adults New to Vision Loss. Here you will find a state-by-state Guide to Local Services for the Blind, along with links to numerous other useful blindness guides from VisionAware, including The Roadmap to Living with Vision Loss, Getting Started Kit for People New to Vision Loss and A Guide to Vision Loss for Family and Friends.

This article is made possible in part by generous funding from the James H. and Alice Teubert Charitable Trust, Huntington, West Virginia.

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We all know about the 70 percent unemployment rate among those who are blind. Among the 30 percent who work, however, there have been blind people who not only succeed, but excel, who manage gigantic numbers of people and dollars, and who are as financially successful as those in the top five percent. And then, there are also blind people who seem to have one unfortunate event after another, who just seem to be magnets for misfortune and tragedy.

Barry Scheur, pronounced "Shoyer," blind since birth due to retinopathy of prematurity, is a man who represents both ends of that spectrum: he has been at the top of his game and he has been wiped out by fire, prison, and illness. And yet, at 67, when most people are retiring, he is co-owner of a fledgling, flourishing business — a business with a mission of putting useful, quality products at affordable prices into the hands of blind people.

Early Life

Barry Scheur was one of nine blind children in a public school resource classroom in Buffalo, NY. Time was divided between the "special" class and mainstream classes of sighted children. In high school, he joined the chess club and the debate team, but says he was pretty much an outsider, left out of much of the experience of high school life.

He knew from early on that he had a few blatant blessings. His parents could afford to buy pretty much anything he needed. He had a gift for making conversation with just about anyone anywhere. And people quickly recognized that he was smart.

As a freshman at Tufts University, he woke early one morning to the smell of smoke. In one of a dozen fires that plagued the university between 1969-1975, the dormitory where Barry Scheur was sleeping burned to the ground. Happily, he was fine, but his books and equipment (including the then essential Perkins braille writer) were gone. That may have been one of the first major life milestones at which Barry Scheur looked past adversity and began to build something new. At Tufts, the debate team was where he could shine — he was smart, quick to gather information, and had an amazing memory for facts. There had never been much of a debate presence on the Tufts campus, but Barry Scheur recruited the best and the brightest, organized them, and eventually led a team that was soon traveling all over the nation and bringing home the trophies.

After being accepted by half a dozen top law schools, he chose Yale (where there had not previously been a blind graduate) and was soon sending out letters and resumes as a licensed attorney. He had graduated at the top of his Yale class, but he was blind. 300 letters later, he set up his own practice.

At the Top of His Game

One thing Barry Scheur has been able to do all his life is talk to people, learn about them, and make deals. "Sometimes I try things," he says, "and sometimes I fail."

Fresh out of law school, he tried a variety of things, including setting up his own practice. One opportunity led to another. He was CEO of a major company at age 30, and he was fired, too. He was a partner in a firm in Baltimore, another in New York, and his network of people and connections just kept expanding. His specialty became health care and he fielded calls from state insurance commissioners, governors, and other powerful people all across America. With a wife and two sons to support, he was traveling most of the time, and supporting them with style. The balls were dancing in the air for close to 20 years, making million-dollar deals and consulting with such groups as the 1994 health care task force at the White House, but in 2002, misfortune came once again to call.

When competing with major US accounting and consulting firms, the best direction was to acquire other companies. His mistake, he says now, was in going to Louisiana and acquiring a company that turned out to be $75 million in debt. That turned his reign of success upside down.

Suddenly, a persona non grata in the health insurance industry, he simply did what Barry Scheur always seems to do—he tried something else. He launched a small company called Talking Solutions to develop products to help blind people. He used his skills in research and talking to people to find products or people who could make products. First, he sold an internet radio. Next, talking prescription bottles and talking thermometers. His biggest idea, a talking DVD player, was involved in yet another piece of bad luck, when an associate lost the million-dollar prototype by opting to check it as baggage on an airline.

As traumatic as that loss was, the worst was yet to come.

Devens Prison Camp

In 2008, Barry Scheur, successful lawyer and maker of deals, was convicted of wire fraud and mail fraud. On June 22, 2010, the man who had traveled worldwide and stayed in all manner of luxury hotels, checked in to a federal prison camp in Devens, MA. A man who had made deals involving millions was now often dependent on his mother to provide funding for his commissary purchases. Still, there were events for which he expresses gratitude. The judge who sentenced him determined that a blind person would be better off in a prison camp—a barracks-like facility, where 124 men share 3,000 square feet of space—than in a cell. Scheur's own niche in that living space was a single bed and a foot locker, close to the shared bathroom.

But when he was dropped off by his soon to be ex-wife, he was by no means greeted with compassion. A guard kicked him from behind, planting him on his face, and he spent his first ten days in solitary confinement. In that cell, he recalls, he just walked and walked and walked, knowing the activity would help maintain his sanity.

The same survival skills that had led him through the corporate world were at work again in prison. He wrote letters for people, using the prison's sole portable typewriter, and was consequently protected and assisted with basics like the food line and access to the barracks' only phone. Some inmates found it amusing to take the ribbon from the typewriter or to knock the blind guy on the head with a cruel "Guess who?" but others stuck by him and kept him safe.

Seeds of Hope

In 2009, while Scheur was still developing products for Talking Solutions, he met KaeAnn Rausch at a Boston area group for blind computer users. The two connected immediately and began having dinner once a week. During his 15 months in prison, he credits a handful of people for keeping him sane and connected to the outside world. At the top of that list was KaeAnn Rausch and her guide dog, Melanie, who made the trip (using buses, taxis, and plenty of walking) to visit their favorite inmate as often as possible. When he was finally released in September 2011, it was KaeAnn Rausch, and Scheur's son, David, who picked him up and took him to the halfway house where he would spend the next tortuous several weeks. It was KaeAnn Rausch who advocated for him there to keep him safe and KaeAnn Rausch who eventually welcomed him into her heart and home.

Scheur's first wife had served him with divorce papers while he was still inside, and had left him with absolutely nothing of the financial security that remained, but on the outside, blessings were coming his way once again.

First, of course, there was the love and support he received from KaeAnn, Then, on a more practical note, he was able to begin receiving Social Security Disability Income, the maximum amount due to the long years he had been gainfully employed.

He had lost all computing skills, but with the help of his mom, he acquired a state-of-the-art braille notetaker and began reconnecting with the world and technology.

He began buying, selling, and trading on eBay, and the seeds of a new idea began to take root.

KaeAnn loved her guide dog and was addicted to searching for and testing new products connected to her dog and the business of traveling with a dog. She called Melanie her "little GuideLight."

Barry was once again ferreting out interesting gadgets and products that would benefit blind people and was once again beginning to talk to people who could make new products to fill specific needs.

Another tough chapter cementing the couple's relationship was the spinal fusion surgery that led to a viral infection in Scheur's spine. Time in a rehabilitation center and time where his pulling through was questionable saw KaeAnn always there, always supporting and cheering him on. Finally, in 2013, a bright new chapter would begin.

GuideLights and Gadgets

An impulsive visit to Myrtle Beach, SC, prompted the couple to leave Massachusetts behind. They built a home and a new company. GuideLights and Gadgets brought together KaeAnn's love of dog products and Barry's affinity for gadgets. The company has been rapidly thriving and growing ever since.

In addition to operating as a mail order business, one or both of the company's proprietors are frequent exhibitors at conferences and technology events where blind and low vision people are in attendance. Leather products—backpacks, purses, pouches, and wallets—appear on a crowded table alongside electronics like bone conduction headsets, power banks, Bluetooth speakers and headsets, and more. An adjacent table holds leashes, dog toys, safety products, dog grooming tools, and more. It must be working. The smorgasbord collection attracts hundreds of insatiably curious minds and hands.

The motto guiding the couple in selection of products is simple: "If it's good for us and/or good for the dogs, it will be good for our customers."

Bright Future

Presently, GuideLights and Gadgets offers some 250 products, and Barry Scheur is in constant communication with new sources of products, becoming a wholesaler for one, buying out the remaining inventory of another, or persuading talented electronics guys to build something new. A new collaboration with Mystic Access, another popular business owned and operated by blind individuals, will lead to tutorials for some of the GuideLights and Gadgets products.

Initially, the popular talking power bank, iWalk, new bone conduction headphones, and a Plantronics Bluetooth headset will be the first to have Mystic Access tutorials associated with them, with more products to follow.

At 67, Barry Scheur is working again, doing something he loves and happy to be where he is.

"We need programs that will teach blind people how to be entrepreneurs," is his suggestion to improving the abysmal unemployment statistic. "Whatever we do as blind people, we need to learn to do it as well or better than anybody else."

He has found a way to do exactly that, in a brand-new line of work and always looking forward.

To find out more about GuideLights and Gadgets and product offerings, e-mail or call 617-969-7500.

This article is made possible in part by generous funding from the James H. and Alice Teubert Charitable Trust, Huntington, West Virginia.

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2019 looks to be a busy year for new products and innovations, as evidenced by the exhibit hall at the Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA) annual conference in Orlando. This year's event was held January 30 through February 2 at the Caribe Royale Hotel and Convention Center and featured an array of devices from transportable video magnifiers to tech toys for kids and seniors. I've recapped some of the major highlights below. AFB AccessWorld also sponsored exhibit hall coverage on Blind Bargains, and links are included to audio interviews with text transcripts where appropriate.

The BrailleNote Touch Gets Refreshed

Humanware's BrailleNote Touch has been a popular option for students and teachers since its release in 2016. But the hybrid touchscreen and braille keyboard device has been stuck on an outdated version of Android due to hardware limitations.

Humanware sought to modernize the notetaker with the announcement of the BrailleNote Touch Plus. It has basically the same shell and shape as its predecessor, but includes a faster processor, a USBC port for charging, and the Android 8.1 Oreo operating system. As Humanware's Andrew Flatters explains in this Blind Bargains interview, moving to a modern version of Android allows Humanware to take advantage of up-to-date features such as the Chrome Web browser and the Google Assistant for voice commands. The unit also includes 4GB of memory and 64GB of built-in storage as well as support for more modern wireless and Bluetooth protocols.

Orders can be placed now for the BrailleNote Touch Plus in either 18- or 32-cell configurations, at $4,195 and $5,695 respectively. Current BrailleNote Touch users can upgrade to the new model, which will transplant the existing braille cells to a new unit, for $1,295.

A Braille Display of a Different Kind

The cost of a 32- or 18-cell braille display is still prohibitive for many people, so a company called BraiBook is offering an alternative idea with a product of the same name. The mouse-sized device includes a single braille cell and can be loaded with books in several formats. Characters are displayed in contracted or uncontracted braille a cell at a time, and the speed can be controlled using a joystick. A headphone jack allows the user to plug in an external headset or speaker to hear words as they are displayed. The small size and weight of the unit is its major advantage. But reading braille one cell at a time can be either tediously slow or nearly impossible, depending on the speed of the unit, potentially requiring a sharp learning curve. Priced at around $450, it faces an uphill climb against the likes of the Orbit Reader and BrailleMe, two 20-cell units available for about the same price. Hear more with an interview with BraiBook CEO Sébastien Lefebvre.

Magnified Options for People with Low Vision Revealed

There was no shortage of new video magnifying options on display at the conference. This year's focus was on updates to what are often referred to as transportable video magnifiers, units that generally will sit on a desk but are light enough to be moved around if necessary.

Irie-AT is introducing the ReadEasy Evolve to the United States, a video magnifier that can capture an entire 11-by-17-inch sheet of paper in a single picture, useful for large items such as newspaper pages. Capturing is accomplished by moving the camera between two different mounting points. The lower camera hole is designed to read standard-sized paper, while the elevated slot is for larger documents. It was quick and painless to move the camera between the two slots. As for the actual reading of text, this was accomplished within about 4 seconds, though the company is working to make this even faster. Speech was clear using modern voices from the Vocalizer speech engine, and the optional keypad can be used for finer control. An optional monitor can be attached for users with low vision.

The 4-pound ReadEasy Evolve folds so it can be taken with you, and will run on an optional battery pack. The base unit is available from Irie-AT for about $2,000. You can listen to a demo with Irie-AT CEO Jeff Gardner who also talks about a new affordable braille embosser called the Braille Buddy.

Back over at the Humanware booth, two new and slightly heavier desktop magnifiers were announced, the Reveal 16 and Reveal 16I. Weighing in at a still transportable 13 pounds, Humanware is targeting these two models at two very different markets. The Reveal 16 is designed for seniors and elementary school students who desire a simple unit with basic controls. It features only four buttons: power, autofocus, zoom, and contrast. Images can be magnified from 1X to 45X and displayed in a variety of contrast modes. The camera can either point down at the base of the unit or be pointed outward for distance viewing.

Advanced users may prefer the Reveal 16I, which offers the same features as the basic model but adds a touchscreen, an OCR camera, and a fifth button, used for switching to an Android 7 tablet. Users of the Prodigi interface will be familiar with this mode, which can be used to read books aloud or run Android apps from Google Play.

Both models collapse and can be carried using an optional case. The Reveal 16 retails for $2,995 while the Reveal 16I sells for $3,995. Learn more with Humanware's Eric Beauchamp who talks everything low-vision in this podcast.

A New Kind of Wearable

There weren't as many wearables in the hall as in 2018, but Zoomax was showing a new take on the category. The Acesight is a lightweight headset that displays images using augmented reality. Individual screens are centered over each eye and display magnified images of what's in front of you. This approach allows you to focus on what's ahead of you while using your peripheral vision to see other items at the same time. Magnification is available in a variety of contrast modes from 1.1X to 15X. The Acesight will be available soon for $4,995. Learn more from Zoomax's David Bradburn in this podcast.

Teaching Braille and Code to Kids

The American Printing House for the Blind was showing two products designed to teach important concepts to children who are visually impaired. BrailleBuzz is a toy designed for kids ages 2-5 to teach braille letters. The bumblebee-shaped toy includes buttons for each braille letter that announce the letter or its sound when pressed. A 6-cell Perkins-style braille keyboard is positioned below and will speak the braille letter that is typed, or play a sound if something besides a braille letter is entered. The BrailleBuzz is designed in the style of other audio-based children's toys that teach basic letter and phonics concepts. It's available now for $99.

Older kids may love Code Jumper, an educational toy collaboration between APH and Microsoft for teaching basic coding concepts. More and more kids are learning how to write code for computers or mobile devices, and many systems have been created to teach early foundations and concepts at a young age. Code Jumper is one of the first of these systems to be fully accessible for people who are blind or visually impaired.

The brains of the device are housed in the Code Jumper Hub, a Bluetooth device that will play back sounds or music based on what it is connected to. You may not be familiar with programming concepts such as loops, constants, or if statements, but the hands-on approach to the connected pods illustrates these and more to the most novice student or teacher. APH also plans on developing lessons for both teachers and students to complement the system. You can sign up for a waiting list to be informed when the product is released, likely later this year.

A New Guide for Seniors

Dolphin has completely rewritten the software it designed to simplify the Internet for seniors. The new GuideConnect allows you to read and write emails, listen to radio stations, read books, and browse the Web using a simplified interface. The Windows 10 software runs on computers, tablets, and can even be displayed on a TV using a customized set-top box and a remote control, similar to a Roku. The product will be available from Irie-AT in the United States starting at around $800, depending on options. You can listen to Gareth Collins talk about the benefits of the new software and other Dolphin developments in this podcast.

Conclusion

The ATIA conference was busier than in past years, and several major products were announced over the four-day event. We will continue to follow many of these products as they are released, and review some of them in future issues of AccessWorld. The CSUN Assistive Technology Conference, our next big opportunity to learn about new technology, moves to Anaheim this year and will be March 11-15. If you can't make it, you can read about it right here.

This article is made possible in part by generous funding from the James H. and Alice Teubert Charitable Trust, Huntington, West Virginia.

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People with age-related vision loss today have witnessed three or four decades of technological advances that looked like fantasy or science fiction in their childhoods. Some have embraced that technology and kept pace with it, while others may be feeling as though technological anything is a language they can't decipher. For those who are on the outside of that technological divide, adding vision loss to the bewilderment can feel like the proverbial last straw.

While a computer outfitted with screen reading and/or magnification software plus a smartphone similarly configured can be great equalizers for many older adults with vision loss, these tools are simply too daunting for others.

The good news is that, along with our current exponential explosion of technology many products requiring very little tech savvy have also been developed. Here, then, is a roundup of low-cost (mostly under $100) items, both low-tech and no-tech, that can improve the quality of life for an older adult with vision loss.

Simple Technology, Plenty of Power

Built-in voice guidance and voice-activation are available on a number of products that are simple to use and offer copious assistance and voluminous content.

Amazon Echo Dot or Google Home Mini

There are several Amazon Echo products, but as an introduction, the Echo Dot (second or third generation), available through Amazon, is all you need. Priced anywhere from $29 to $49, depending on the particular promotion you access, the Echo Dot can provide entertainment and information for a senior with absolutely no technological skills. You can access the weather, the news, detailed information on any topic, get the TV line-up for this evening or the phone number for the nearest pharmacy or dry cleaner. Those with Amazon accounts can order items for delivery using only voice commands. Those with Audible or Kindle accounts can have books read aloud to them via the Amazon Echo, and, even with no account, Audible offers Echo users one book free of charge every month.

The Echo Dot can even serve as an emergency device, since you can use it to call a family member or friend simply by speaking the command.

Again, while there is more than one voice assistant, the other notable small and inexpensive example, the Google Home Mini, is a fabulous introduction to the power of technology for older adults with vision loss. By saying "OK Google" to get its attention, you can access news and weather, sports and movie information, and random data ranging from how to spell "toxicity" to the biography of Shirley Temple. Because they have access to that monumental search engine, Google, the Google Home and Google Home Mini have consistently ranked higher in comparison studies when it comes to smart speakers' abilities to deliver information. Like the Echo, the Google Home Mini is often combined with other products as an enticing promotion, but is easily found at or under $49. At this writing, the Mini was available for only $29 from Walmart, Best Buy, and a few other retailers.

Please be aware that a wireless internet connection is required at the location where you will be using the voice assistant and that a smartphone or tablet will be required for first time setup. for more in depth information on voice assistants, see Making Voice Assistants Smart for Seniors: Tips for Optimizing the Amazon Echo or Google Home, by J.J. Meddaugh, also published in this issue of AccessWorld.

Kindle Fire

There are a number of iOS and Android tablets with magnification and speech capabilities built in, but the least expensive way to test the water is with another Amazon product, a Kindle Fire tablet. Fire tablets 7 and above not only have an onboard screen reader, VoiceView, but have Alexa built in as well. As with the Echo Dot, you can ask your Fire tablet, via Alexa, for the time, temperature, news headlines, or an endless stream of facts and information. For seniors who are not yet ready for the commitment and learning curve of using a smart phone with VoiceOver or TalkBack, a Fire tablet can be an inexpensive introduction to using a touchscreen and voice commands. You can listen to books, not only from Kindle and Audible.com, but also from NLS BARD if you have a BARD account with the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. Although Fire tablets are, of course, available from Amazon, I recommend purchasing them from Accessible Electronics, a small Florida company, operated by a business owner who is blind. Prices range from $55 to $149, depending on the model and storage capacity of the tablet, and come with the added bonus of talking out of the box. With each Kindle Fire purchase, proprietor Laz Mesa turns on VoiceView, installs Google Play, and sends a detailed Getting Started email message. Contact the company by email, or call 727-498-0121.

Note Taking

One of the greatest challenges with vision loss for older adults is the inability to read one's own handwriting. A simple, handheld digital recorder makes it easy to take a phone number, address, recipe, or appointment reminder, or make a note to yourself. The Micro-Speak talking digital voice recorder from A T Guys is a perfect no-frills reliable device. Turn it on and immediately hear an onboard recorded user's guide. Six buttons, easily identified by sight or touch, make recording, pausing, and playing back messages a snap. Audible beeps confirm that the desired buttons have been pressed. Files are recorded in .wav format, but the device can play both .wav and mp3 files. Connect the device to a computer and it acts as a mass storage device, enabling you to store recordings you have made on your computer and load files from other sources onto the Micro-Speak. The rechargeable battery lasts up to 20 hours. A headphone jack allows for private listening, and the warning to adjust volume before playing through a headset is no joke. For those who also have hearing difficulties, the Micro-Speak has plenty of volume! Available for $59.95 from the A T Guys website or call 269-216-4798.

Increasing the Volume on Technology for Seniors with Visual Impairments

Speaking of combined vision and hearing disabilities, here are two products that can help seniors hear their technology.

Boost Audio Amplifier

A new device available from Guidelights and Gadgets will (almost literally) blast your socks off! The Boost Audio Amplifier is an amazing rectangular box, about 3 by 5 inches, which automatically doubles the volume of any device placed on top of it. No wires or high-tech connections to make. The box pulls the sound in, and amplifies it back through the original sound source. Your iPhone, Victor Stream, Micro-Speak, or any other handheld audio device can instantly deliver music, podcasts, or audiobooks at twice the original volume. Just place your device on top of the Boost audio amplifier and stand back! Even those with significant hearing loss can hear a book or song across the room. The battery powered (three AA batteries, not included) sells for $20. Contact GuideLights and Gadgets, Inc., phone 617-969-7500; or email Barry Scheur.

Bone Conduction Headphones

Another product of interest to seniors with combined vision and hearing loss, designed for private listening, is a new set of headphones also available from Guidelights and Gadgets.

These wired headphones allow selective tailoring and attenuation of frequency ranges to meet the specific listener's needs. Bone conduction headphones allow you to listen to your environment while the headphones transmit content through the bones of your face.

Available for an introductory price of $100 through March 31.

Rainbow Reader Color Identifier for Seniors with Visual Impairments

The Rainbow Reader Color Identifier is available for $95 from the San Francisco Lighthouse for the Blind's Adaptations Store. This handheld device can identify colors with the press of a button, which can take some of the angst out of looking your best. Smaller than some car key fobs, it can hang on your keychain and has only one button. Hold the lens again an object, press the button, and hear its color announced. Call 888-400-8933 to order.

EZ 2 See Calendars/Planners for Seniors with Visual Impairments

Designed by a person with low vision for people with low vision, these 8.5 by 11-inch spiral bound organizer calendars can help you keep track independently and without headaches. Print is ten times larger than newspaper print, and pages have black edges to prevent writing off the page. Priced at just $20.95, there's space for all your important dates and appointments, with additional blank pages at the back. Visit Blind Mice Mega Mall or call 713-893-7277.

No-Tech Aids and Appliances for Seniors with Visual Impairments

There are an uncountable number of no-tech products intended to increase your independence without requiring you to learn a complex digital interface.

The products mentioned below can all be purchased from specialty stores that sell products for those with vision loss. The largest stores are MaxiAids, Independent Living Aids, and LS&S Products. Blind Mice Mega Mall and A T Guys, linked in the sections above, also sell products for those with vision loss, while Magnifying Aids specializes in different sorts of magnifying glasses and devices for those with low vision. In most cases, you can browse items by category or search for specific products on a company's website. In addition, many of these companies will have a print catalog available that can be sent to you.

Cane, Slate, and Stylus—For Free!

The National Federation of the Blind will give a long white cane and a braille slate and stylus at no charge to any blind person who requests them. Visit them on the web or call 410-659-9314.

Bump Dots

Bump Dots, also called locator dots, are small adhesive-backed tactile markers that can be used to mark various items. Usually shaped as a small rounded dome, these are most commonly used to mark specific keys on appliances that lack tactile markers or to mark specific controls. Washers and dryers, ovens, dishwashers, microwaves, and more can be made readily accessible using these items. Bump Dots can be purchased in bright colors, for easy visibility for those with low vision, or clear, so that controls can still be seen beneath them. Quite affordable, these products usually sell for between $2-$5.

Talking Timepieces

Talking clocks and watches are widespread and come in many different forms and with various functions. That being said, they generally have some similar features. Most talking watches or clocks will contain a button for announcing the time on demand as well as the ability to announce the time at the top of each hour. In addition, most will include an alarm function with more advanced models having advanced features such as a timer and stopwatch. Aside from size, most functions are quite similar between talking clocks and talking watches. The devices range in price from $10 to upwards of $100 for the most advanced models.

Writing Guides

Writing guides are simple devices that are placed on top of a piece of paper to indicate where to write. They consist of a sheet of material, most commonly plastic or metal, with various openings, depending on the purpose of the guide. For example, signature guides can fit into a wallet, and larger check writing guides have openings spaced to align with the areas on the check you need to fill in. These products range in price from $1.25 to $30.

Tips on Staying Independent

The DVD "Staying in the Driver's Seat when you can no longer Drive," $30, might offer some concrete solutions for seniors new to vision loss. Available from The American Printing House for the Blind or call 800-223-1839

Writing and Braille

Of course, when it comes to written communication for people who cannot see well enough to manage print effectively, there is still absolutely no substitute for the power of braille. While someone who loses vision in their sixth or seventh decade may not become fluent enough to read novels or other lengthy tomes, braille can be learned at any age and can make the difference between independence and dependence.

There are several ways to begin, but one is with the Illinois Braille Series, now updated to contain UEB (Unified English Braille), and is available for $39 for the braille edition, $19 for the print, both from the American Printing House for the Blind.

Studying braille can also be done free of charge by enrolling in a course with Hadley Institute for the Blind and Visually Impaired.

Don't Forget to Have Fun

Figuring out that you are still the same person you have always been when vision loss occurs is a process that designs its own map for each individual traveler. While acquiring the tools and techniques for accomplishing tasks without benefit of vision, it's important to remember to have fun.

The Slide, Twist, and Solve puzzle, $18, will challenge the tactile and logistical skills of anyone ages 8 to 108. Having a little fun while learning to transfer the visual to tactile can only go in the plus column! Available from The American Printing House for the Blind or call 800-223-1839.

For those with Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, iTunes, or access to various cable networks, hundreds of popular TV series and movies are available with audio description. You don't need to see the screen so clearly if someone is telling you who's kissing whom or where the treasure is buried! For a list of described programs, visit the American Council of the Blind's Audio Description Project and be sure to choose at least one comedy!

This article is made possible in part by generous funding from the James H. and Alice Teubert Charitable Trust, Huntington, West Virginia.

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