Access On
Access On
National Federation of the Blind
Hosted by Jonathan Mosen, Access On features breaking technology news , product demonstrations, reviews, comparisons, and interviews about the fast-changing world of technology. We also welcome contributions from our listeners. Follow Access On for news about computers, smartphones, AI, accessible appliances, blindness-specific devices including Braille displays, and more. Whether you’re a tech expert, or you’re trying to make sense of it all, Access On has something for you. Access On listeners benefit from the resources of the National Federation of the Blind, including our Center for Excellence in Nonvisual Accessibility, our extensive networks in the technology sector, and our many members with specialist knowledge of technology. When it comes to access technology, Access On breaks the news, and makes the news.
Summarize podcasts with Snipcast, getting a Waymo in Austin, and are people getting the screen reader that best meets their requirements?
This week on Access On: Getting a Waymo in Austin 0:00:00 Summarize and transcribe podcasts with Snipcast 0:02:46 Apple won't refund my subscription to an inaccessible app 0:27:56 Microsoft said to be dropping SMS authentication 0:30:15 More discussion on detecting deep fakes 0:35:57 WhatsApp for Windows accessibility regression 0:37:34 Giving consumers the best choice based on need, not price 0:38:53 Thoughts on WWDC 0:47:47 Comment on recent episodes and webinars 0:51:44 Number Pad Commander in MacOS 0:53:36 Accessibility developments at Microsoft 0:55:19 Tech Tip, use Gemini to recognize handwriting 0:57:45 Closing and contact info 1:00:04
Jul 1
1 hr 1 min
Looking ahead to #NFB26, and listener feedback
This week on Access On: Register for our Access On gaming webinar 0:00:00 Technology-related events at #NFB26 0:01:35 Brett Boyer, president of the NFB's Assistive Technology Trainers Division 0:16:25 BBC radio outside the UK 0:29:32 Saving recordings in Ootunes 0:30 Thoughts on AI 0:31:23 Comments on Speaky AI 0:33:16 Bose abandoning voice prompts 0:37:14 Is the increasing call for certification in access technology training locking out capable blind people? 0:38:46 Network attached storage devices 0:42:06 My new wonderful kitchen assistant 0:45:19 Putting an audio setup together for live NFB events 0:46:02 Comments on recent Microsoft and Apple announcements 0:51:46 Perplexity 0:53:44 The Tovala smart oven 0:54:57 Missing tones on Alexa devices 0:58:34
Jun 24
1 hr
The BrailleNote Evolve from HumanWare
This week's Access On features a comprehensive review and demonstration of BrailleNote Evolve, the latest generation of BrailleNote from HumanWare running Windows 11 Pro. here are the segments in the episode, which you can skip to using the chapter feature of your podcast player or app. Looking ahead to our gaming Access On webinar 0:00:00 What is BrailleNote Evolve 0:02:13 The evolution that led to BrailleNote Evolve 0:06:11 BrailleNote Evolve with JAWS 0:12:22 Hardware 0:15:25 Dimensions and portability 0:24:38 The keyboard 0:28:13 Setup 0:33:02 Starting, and the Main Menu 0:34:44 Testing the microphones 0:40:01 Word, BrailleNote Evolve, and NVDA 0:42:47 Options 0:58:18 Braille Editor 1:10:14 Victor Reader 1:11:54 File Manager 1:16:41 No Braille Terminal 1:18:16 Final thoughts 1:19:45 Andrew Flatres and Rachel Ramos from HumanWare 1:31:18 Closing and contact info 2:02:08
Jun 17
2 hr 3 min
A recap of Apple's WWDC keynote from a blindness perspective
This week on access On, Jonathan Mosen is joined by Judy Dixon, Heidi Taylor, and Michael Feir to discuss Apple's 2026 Worldwide Developers Conference keynote. We discuss the completely revamped Siri, other changes to Apple intelligence, and more.
Jun 8
1 hr 29 min
Tips for creating well formatted Microsoft Word documents
In this week's episode: Special Apple event coverage next week 0:00 We then move on to a look at creating great-looking word documents. topics include: Why good presentation and layout matter 2:13 Making lists 7:10 Bold text 23:03 Creating headings 29:12 tables of contents 39:14 Adding an image to a document 49:53 Adding links to a document 57:49 Adding page numbers 1:03:51 The power of Alt+Q 1:08:06 Detailed document proofing 1:10:26 Closing and contact info 1:23:37
Jun 3
1 hr 24 min
Announcements from Microsoft, Google, and Apple, and how to spot deep fakes
In this week's episode of Access On: Microsoft Ability Summit 0:00 Recap of Google IO 16:40 Apple previews some new accessibility features 34:48 Tips for spotting deep fakes 43:47 Possible Brava smart oven alternatives 47:32 Three utilities from Jamal Mazrui 51:39 Note that some of the links provided below are direct links to the installers. Microsoft Edge may warn taht the files are not commonly downloaded. 2HTM extCheck urlCheck Turning a print score into ABC notation 56:00 Closing and contact info 59:10
May 27
1 hr
create your own private secure network with Tailscale, a new smart scale from Renpho, and moving apps on the Windows taskbar
On this week's episode of Access On: Join us for an Access On webinar on outdoor wayfinding 0:00 Create your own secure private network with Tailscale 1:58 Apple memories, and making surround sound recordings 38:08 BBC domestic streams, and NFB Newsline with Alexa 42:27 The Renpho MorphoScan Nova smart scale 45:26 I just became an NFB member 51:31 DocuSign accessibility 52:43 New Windows-based Braille devices 53:47 John Ternus 55:33 Sonos blamed my blindness 56:18 Tech tip, moving apps on the taskbar using the keyboard 58:06 Closing and contact info 1:00:11
May 20
1 hr 1 min
New research on blind people and AI, and how to make iOS dictation more accurate
This week on Access On; New research on AI and blind people 0:00 Exporting Ootunes Recordings 44:42 BBC domestic streams outside the UK 47:51 Smart home automation 49:34 Substack accessibility 51:19 Tech tip, training iOS dictation 54:13 Closing and contact info 57:09
May 13
58 min
A look at some smartphone visual interpretation apps
This week's Access On presents highlights from our Access On Webinar covering some of the smartphone AI visual interpretation apps. Here's what is covered, and when. Introduction 0:00 Seeing AI 2:30 The Be My AI feature in Be My Eyes 13:51 Google Gemini 17:36 ChatGPT 23:58 ScribeMe 30:50 Ally from Envision 41:11 AI services from Aira 55:11 Closing and contact info 1:13:19
May 6
1 hr 14 min
John Ternus to become Apples nextCEO, and concluding our look at the smart home
This week on Access on: John Ternus to become Apple's CEO. What might it mean for accessibility 0:00 An examination of home audio options 14:45 Obtaining support for your smart home 39:55 Jonathan Mosen describes his smart home, and Josh.ai 40:44 Closing and contact info 1:00:37
Apr 29
1 hr 1 min
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