Blind Access Journal

In this approximately 13-minute podcast, take a short break from all the pandemic news and listen to us decorate our Christmas tree. We hope all of you are enjoying happy holidays this year! Please tell us how you and your family are handling social distancing, feeding yourselves and generally getting along, especially from a blind perspective, in the time of the Coronavirus. Please send an audio recording or a written message to darrell (at) blindaccessjournal (dot) com or tell us about it on our social media channels. Blind Access Journal, and the Hilliker family, must frequently rely on sighted assistance in order to get important, inaccessible tasks done. In most cases, we have chosen Aira as our visual interpreter. If you are ready to become an Aira Explorer, and you feel it in your heart to pass along a small gift to the journal or our family, we ask that you use our referral link. Your first month of Aira service will be free of charge, we will receive a discount on our bill and we will thank you

In this approximately 48-minute podcast, Allison Hilliker tries to avail herself of Maricopa County's almost-but-not-quite-accessible Braille ballot. We would like to learn about your voting experiences this year. If you haven't done so already, it is not too late! Please do everything you can to get out to the polls and vote on Election Day, Tuesday, November 3! If you encounter any trouble voting as a blind person on Election Day, please contact the National Federation of the Blind's hotline at 1-877-NFB-1940 ( 1-877-632-1940) from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern and Pacific standard time. Please check out the Federation's Voting Resources page for more information. Please tell us how you and your family are handling social distancing, feeding yourselves and generally getting along, especially from a blind perspective, in the time of the Coronavirus. Please send an audio recording or a written message to darrell (at) blindaccessjournal (dot) com or tell us about it on our social media channels. Blind Access J

In this approximately 37-minute podcast, Allison and Darrell Hilliker learn all about their new iRobot Roomba E5 vacuum cleaner. We would like to learn about your cleaning experiences. Do you use a robot vacuum? What techniques or technologies do you use to keep your house clean from a blindness perspective. Please tell us how you and your family are handling social distancing, feeding yourselves and generally getting along, especially from a blind perspective, in the time of the Coronavirus. Please send an audio recording or a written message to darrell (at) blindaccessjournal (dot) com or tell us about it on our social media channels. Blind Access Journal, and the Hilliker family, must frequently rely on sighted assistance in order to get important, inaccessible tasks done. In most cases, we have chosen Aira as our visual interpreter. If you are ready to become an Aira Explorer, and you feel it in your heart to pass along a small gift to the journal or our family, we ask that you use our referral link.

In this approximately 10-minute podcast, Darrell Hilliker demonstrates the use of the Teckin SP20 WiFi Smart Plug for managing the status of lights. <audio id="735577441" data-able-player data-speed-icons="animals" data-meta-type="selector"><source src="http://blindaccessjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Teckin_SP20_WiFi_Smart_Plugs.mp3" type="audio/mp3"></audio>Download: Lighting the World with the Teckin Wifi Smart Plug We hope the ability to turn lights on and off with our voices will draw attention, and toddler hands, away from cords and switches. This is, of course, our excuse for embracing the laziness that comes with smart home technology. Please tell us how you and your family are handling social distancing, feeding yourselves and generally getting along, especially from a blind perspective, in the time of the Coronavirus. Please send an audio recording or a written message to darrell (at) blindaccessjournal (dot) com or tell us about it on our social media channels. AccessiL

In this approximately 24-minute podcast, Allison, Allyssa, Arabella and Darrell Hilliker celebrate Easter in the time of the Coronavirus while putting together the Alex Active Monkey Kids Toddler Balance Board. <audio id="1424116029" data-able-player data-speed-icons="animals" data-meta-type="selector"><source src="http://blindaccessjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Easter_Coronavirus.mp3" type="audio/mp3"></audio>Download: Finding Balance: Easter in the Time of the Coronavirus Please tell us how you and your family are handling social distancing, feeding yourselves and generally getting along, especially from a blind perspective, in the time of the Coronavirus. Please send an audio recording or a written message to darrell (at) blindaccessjournal (dot) com or tell us about it on our social media channels. AccessiLife Consulting, Blind Access Journal, and the Hilliker family, must frequently rely on sighted assistance in order to get important, inaccessible tasks done. In most cases,

In this one-hour podcast, Darrell Hilliker unboxes and demonstrates the setup of a new Eero Whole Home WiFi system from a blind person’s perspective. <audio id="779980095" data-able-player data-speed-icons="animals" data-meta-type="selector"><source src="http://blindaccessjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Eero.mp3" type="audio/mp3"></audio>Download: Eero Setup Demo Although not perfectly accessible in all respects, the Eero WiFi system represents a painless way to easily deploy wireless Internet connectivity throughout your home. If you decide to try one after listening to this podcast, we hope you will purchase it from our Amazon link, where a small commission goes toward supporting our work. eero Home WiFi System (1 eero Pro + 2 eero Beacons) – Advanced Tri-Band Mesh WiFi System to Replace Traditional Routers and WiFi Range Extenders – Coverage: 2 to 4 Bedroom Home<img src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=accessilife0c-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B0713ZCT4N" width="1" height="1"

In this approximately 32-minute eighth episode in the Aira in the Real World podcast series, Allison, Allyssa, Arabella and Darrell Hilliker work with Aira agent Connor to construct a paper airplane. While sighted people have enjoyed the privilege of learning from YouTube videos for many years now, we blind people have been largely locked out of this opportunity due to a lack of useful description. Thanks to Aira, we explore the creation of a paper airplane using instructions from an otherwise inaccessible YouTube video titled How To Fold A Paper Airplane That Flies Far. Listen or Pause: Aira in the Real World: Paper AirplanesDownload: Aira in the Real World: Paper Airplanes In addition to the verbal descriptions heard in this podcast, Connor also supplied the following written instructions upon our request. Start with paper laying in landscape (hot dog style)Fold bottom to top and crease in the middle.Open paper back up.Fold top left corner down into the middle and crease.Repeat with bottom left corner.Uncr

In this approximately 15-minute seventh episode in the Aira in the Real World podcast series, Allyssa and Darrell Hilliker work with Aira agent Jacob to read a print copy of The Little Red Sled. While we always prefer Braille books, some relatives give our children print books, and it is nice to be able to enjoy them together. Listen or Pause: The Little Red SledDownload: The Little Red Sled We invite you to listen to our previous podcast, Exploring the World with Aira: A Candid Discussion with Suman Kanuganti, especially if you are learning about this new service for the first time. If you are ready to become an Aira Explorer, we ask that you use our referral link. Your first month of Aira service will be free of charge, we will receive a discount on our bill and we will thank you for supporting the important work we do here at Blind Access Journal. We love hearing from our listeners! Please feel free to talk with us in the comments. What do you like? How could we make the show better? What topics would y

In this approximately 6-minute podcast, Allison and Darrell Hilliker sing their take on the twelve days of Christmas. Listen or pause: The Twelve Inaccessibilities of ChristmasDownload: The Twelve Inaccessibilities of ChristmasThe Twelve Inaccessibilities of ChristmasOn the first day of Christmas, the developers gave to me: a mouse click only menu tree.On the second day of Christmas, the developers gave to me: two unlabeled buttons and a mouse click only menu tree.On the third day of Christmas, the developers gave to me: three image CAPTCHAs, two unlabeled buttons and a mouse click only menu tree.On the fourth day of Christmas, the developers gave to me: four carousels, three image CAPTCHAs, two unlabeled buttons and a mouse click only menu tree.On the fifth day of Christmas, the developers gave to me: five undescribed graphics, four carousels, three image CAPTCHAs, two unlabeled buttons and a mouse click only menu tree.On the sixth day of Christmas, the developers gave to me: six focus issues, five undescri

In this approximately 14-minute sixth episode in the Aira in the Real World podcast series, Allison, Darrell, Allyssa and Arabella Hilliker work with Aira agent Jordan to identify letters and numbers on baby bottle nipples to insure the correct flow level is selected. Listen or Pause: Check Out My NipplesDownload: Check Out My Nipples For best success with breast feeding, we recommend use of preemie bottle nipples as long as possible. These typically have the letter “P” or the number “0” shown visually on the inside of the nipple. They are challenging to locate, but Aira agent Jordan was able to get it done easily. If you use the Dr. Brown bottles, try Dr. Brown’s Original Nipple, Preemie (0m+), 6 count for best results. As always, your mileage may vary and we disclaim everything. Please seek advice from your child’s pediatrician, a certified lactation consultant or other professional when deciding how to feed your baby. We invite you to listen to our previous podcast, Exploring the World with Aira: A Can

In this approximately 35-minute fifth episode in the Aira in the Real World podcast series, Allison, Darrell, Allyssa and Arabella Hilliker unbox, describe and demonstrate the basic operation of Aira’s new Horizon system. Listen or Pause: Aira Horizon UnboxingDownload: Aira Horizon Unboxing We realized soon after the recording of this podcast that, since the included Samsung J7 is placed in an Otterbox case before shipment, the phone is not as bulky as we reported. We invite you to listen to our previous podcast, Exploring the World with Aira: A Candid Discussion with Suman Kanuganti, especially if you are learning about this new service for the first time. If you are ready to become an Aira Explorer, we ask that you use our referral link. Your first month of Aira service will be free of charge, we will receive a discount on our bill and we will thank you for supporting the important work we do here at Blind Access Journal. We love hearing from our listeners! Please feel free to talk with us in the commen

In this approximately 15-minute fourth episode in the Aira in the Real World podcast series, Allison, Darrell and Arabella Hilliker work with Aira agent Tai to review and label the sizes of several sets of bed sheets. Listen or Pause: Aira Bed Sheet Size DemoDownload: Aira Bed Sheet Size Demo We invite you to listen to our previous podcast, Exploring the World with Aira: A Candid Discussion with Suman Kanuganti, especially if you are learning about this new service for the first time. If you are ready to become an Aira Explorer, we ask that you use our referral link. Your first month of Aira service will be free of charge, we will receive a discount on our bill and we will thank you for supporting the important work we do here at Blind Access Journal. We love hearing from our listeners! Please feel free to talk with us in the comments. What do you like? How could we make the show better? What topics would you like us to cover on future shows? If you use Twitter, letâ€<img src="https://s.w.org/images/co

In this approximately 39-minute podcast, Allison, Darrell and Arabella Hilliker explore and demonstrate some of the accessibility features of the Element ELEFW195 19″ 720p 60Hz LED HDTV<img src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=accessilife-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B00NDWJKSU" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" />. Listen or pause: Element ELEFW195 Talking TV DemoDownload: Element ELEFW195 Talking TV Demo We thank Aira agent David for the descriptive labels and mapping of the accompanying remote below: Power, USBPicture Mode, Screen Mode, Sleep Timer, Aspect1, 2, 34, 5, 67, 8, 9– (minus), 0, Previous ChannelVolume up, Mute, Channel UpVolume down, source, Channel DownMTS (STEREO/MONO/SAP), Menu, FreezeInfo, up arrow on circle pad, Previous MenuLeft Arrow on Circle Pad, Ok Button, Right Arrow on Circle PadChannel List, Down Arrow on Circle Pad, ExitPlay/Pause, Stop, Previous Chapter, Next ChapterRepeat, Closed Captioning, V-ChipAuto, Add/Erase

In this 12-minute third episode in the Aira in the Real World podcast series, Darrell Hilliker tours a potential new assisted living home for his mother with the help of an Aira agent who provides descriptions of the home’s appearance and cleanliness. Listen or Pause: Assisted Living Home TourDownload: Assisted Living Home Tour We invite you to listen to our previous podcast, Exploring the World with Aira: A Candid Discussion with Suman Kanuganti, especially if you are learning about this new service for the first time. If you are ready to become an Aira Explorer, we ask that you use our referral link. Your second month of Aira service will be free of charge, our next month will be free and we will thank you for supporting the important work we do here at Blind Access Journal. We love hearing from our listeners! Please feel free to talk with us in the comments. What do you like? How could we make the show better? What topics would you like us to cover on future shows? If you use Twitter, letâ€<img src=

In this 27-minute second episode in their Aira in the Real World podcast series, Allison, Allyssa and Darrell Hilliker demonstrate working with an Aira agent to locate Allyssa’s cane and the restroom in their local public library. Listen or Pause: Finding Baby Canes and BathroomsDownload: Finding Baby Canes and Bathrooms We invite you to listen to our previous podcast, Exploring the World with Aira: A Candid Discussion with Suman Kanuganti, especially if you are learning about this new service for the first time. If you are ready to become an Aira Explorer, we ask that you use our referral link. Your second month of Aira service will be free of charge, our next month will be free and we will thank you for supporting the important work we do here at Blind Access Journal. We love hearing from our listeners! Please feel free to talk with us in the comments. What do you like? How could we make the show better? What topics would you like us to cover on future shows? If you use Twitter, letâ€<img src="https:

In this approximately 17-minute first episode in their Aira in the Real World podcast series, Allison and Darrell Hilliker share a recording of the fetal anatomy ultrasound of their upcoming baby with the help of description from an Aira agent. Listen or Pause: Ultrasound Description DemoDownload: Ultrasound Description Demo We invite you to listen to our previous podcast, Exploring the World with Aira: A Candid Discussion with Suman Kanuganti, especially if you are learning about this new service for the first time. If you are ready to become an Aira Explorer, we ask that you use our referral link. Your second month of Aira service will be free of charge, our next month will be free and we will thank you for supporting the important work we do here at Blind Access Journal. We love hearing from our listeners! Please feel free to talk with us in the comments. What do you like? How could we make the show better? What topics would you like us to cover on future shows? If you use Twitter, letâ€<img src="ht

In this approximately 45-minute podcast, Allison, Allyssa and Darrell Hilliker talk with Dr. Denise Robinson all about her company, TechVision and her thoughts about the education of blind children and adults. Listen or Pause: Denise RobinsonDownload: Denise RobinsonTechVisionLow-cost technology lessons for blind children and adults from a certified teacher of the visually impaired (TVI).YouTube ChannelWatch videos showcasing the educational possibilities for blind children and adults. We love hearing from our listeners! Please feel free to talk with us in the comments. What do you like? How could we make the show better? What topics would you like us to cover on future shows? If you use Twitter, letâ€<img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/12.0.0-1/72x72/2122.png" alt="™" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" />s get connected! Please follow Allison (@AlliTalk) and Darrell (@darrell).<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/BlindAccessJournal/~4/IsQXloHcKYw" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>

In this approximately 50-minute informal podcast, Allison, Allyssa and Darrell Hilliker talk with Aira CEO Suman Kanuganti at the 2017 National Federation of the Blind Convention about this promising, new disruptive service that aims to give blind people “instant access to information” through the use of augmented reality and wearable technology. Listen or Pause: Suman KanugantiDownload: Suman Kanuganti We love hearing from our listeners! Please feel free to talk with us in the comments. What do you like? How could we make the show better? What topics would you like us to cover on future shows? If you use Twitter, letâ€<img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/12.0.0-1/72x72/2122.png" alt="™" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" />s get connected! Please follow Allison (@AlliTalk) and Darrell (@darrell).<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/BlindAccessJournal/~4/RPY2CWRzEv4" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>

In this approximately 10-minute podcast, Darrell Hilliker demonstrates high-frequency (HF) amateur radio operation and thanks Gary (AC7R) and his crew for the chance to spend some time on the air during Field Day weekend. Listen or Pause: Field DayDownload: Field Day We love hearing from our listeners! Please feel free to talk with us in the comments. What do you like? How could we make the show better? What topics would you like us to cover on future shows? If you use Twitter, letâ€<img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/12.0.0-1/72x72/2122.png" alt="™" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" />s get connected! Please follow Allison (@AlliTalk) and Darrell (@darrell).<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/BlindAccessJournal/~4/OYaAe2Yq8mM" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>

This approximately one-hour podcast is an audio recording of a real-world demonstration for following a systematic plan that explores, evaluates and tests iOS apps for accessibility with Apple’s built-in VoiceOver screen reader for blind and low-vision users. The August 3, 2016 webinar was presented by Darrell Hilliker and hosted by the Arizona Technology Access Program. A video, including closed captioning, is also available. Listen or Pause: Teaching and Testing iOS App VoiceOver Accessibility WebinarDownload: Teaching and Testing iOS App VoiceOver Accessibility WebinarTeaching and Testing iOS App VoiceOver Accessibility Webinar NotesIntroduction Webinar Purpose: introduce and demonstrate a step-by-step plan that provides a straightforward way for advocates, developers, educators and others to quickly explore, learn and improve the accessibility of all apps in Apple’s iOS ecosystem. What is a Screen Reader? A form of assistive technologyA Software program that turns information shown on a screen of a comp