Blind Access Journal
30 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 3 years ago - ★★★ - 66 ratingsThis blog and podcast is about the blind and our quest for the greatest possible access to all the information and technology available in the world around us. A team
of advocates, assistive technology instructors and reporters explore accessibility
evangelism, demonstrate revolutionary new technologies for the blind, find out about the latest assistive technology happenings and much more.
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Episodes
Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree
December 05, 2020 15:50 - 12 minutes - 11.6 MBIn 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 i...
Voting the Almost Accessible Braille Ballot
October 30, 2020 23:59 - 48 minutes - 33.1 MBIn 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 ho...
Cleaning Up Our Act: Setting Up the iRobot Roomba E5 Vacuum
August 23, 2020 15:47 - 37 minutes - 34 MBIn 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 Coronavi...
Lighting the World with the Teckin SP20 Wifi Smart Plug
July 02, 2020 04:36 - 9 minutes - 13.2 MBIn 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 voi...
Finding Balance: Easter in the Time of the Coronavirus
April 13, 2020 05:23 - 24 minutes - 33.1 MBIn 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 P...
Connecting All the Things: Setting Up the Eero Whole Home WiFi System
September 17, 2019 19:50 - 1 hour - 83.8 MBIn 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 w...
Aira in the Real World: Paper Airplanes
June 13, 2019 08:34 - 32 minutes - 44 MBIn 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 otherw...
Aira in the Real World: The Little Red Sled
January 28, 2019 18:12 - 15 minutes - 20.9 MBIn 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 Sled Download: The Little Red Sled We invite you to listen to our previous podcast, Exploring the World with Aira: A Candid Discu...
The Twelve Inaccessibilities of Christmas
December 21, 2018 08:50 - 6 minutes - 8.46 MBIn 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 Christmas Download: The Twelve Inaccessibilities of Christmas The Twelve Inaccessibilities of Christmas On 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 d...
Aira in the Real World: Check Out My Nipples
October 13, 2018 03:21 - 14 minutes - 19.3 MBIn 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 Nipples Download: 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 ...
Aira in the Real World: Out of the Box with Horizon
September 10, 2018 22:44 - 35 minutes - 49.1 MBIn 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 Unboxing Download: 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...
Aira in the Real World: Sheet Happens
August 03, 2018 07:14 - 14 minutes - 20 MBIn 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 Demo Download: 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....
Power On: Exploring the Elements of a Talking TV
June 28, 2018 20:53 - 39 minutes - 54.5 MBIn 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 Demo Download: Element ELEFW195 Talking TV Demo We thank Aira agent David for ...
Random Accessibility Thoughts: We Blind People Need to Change the Path of Least Resistance
May 20, 2018 23:25When I was 13 years old, all the way back in 1986, I learned exactly how horrible some people were when I found out the principal of my local high school was not going to let me enroll because of my blindness. She wondered things like, “how would he use the bathroom” and thought I… Finish Reading Random Accessibility Thoughts: We Blind People Need to Change the Path of Least Resistance
Aira in the Real World: Assisted Living Home Tour
April 13, 2018 04:29 - 12 minutes - 17.1 MBIn 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 Tour Download: 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 ...
Redefining Access: Questions to Ponder in the Age of Remote Assistance
March 30, 2018 00:58Overview There is an area of assistive technology that has recently been gaining momentum, and I would like to explore what that means for us as blind people. We are seeing an emergence of platforms that allow individuals to virtually connect with sighted assistants. Users refer to this category of technology by different terms such… Finish Reading Redefining Access: Questions to Ponder in the Age of Remote Assistance
Aira in the Real World: Finding Baby Canes and Bathrooms
February 08, 2018 20:19 - 27 minutes - 37.2 MBIn 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 Bathrooms Download: 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 ne...
Aira in the Real World: Describing a Fetal Anatomy Ultrasound
February 06, 2018 21:00 - 17 minutes - 23.3 MBIn 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 Demo Download: 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 thi...
Apple Listens, Sometimes, and Advocacy Can Be Worth Doing
November 11, 2017 04:08When Apple released iOS 11 on Sept. 19, it dealt a nasty surprise in the email inboxes of those of us whom happen to be blind. A change in VoiceOver meant that, everytime we used a feature intended to help us increase our productivity, we ran the risk of deleting emails we wanted to keep.… Finish Reading Apple Listens, Sometimes, and Advocacy Can Be Worth Doing
Expand Your Independence and Work Around Inaccessibility: Join Aira for a Sept. 12 Conference Call
September 08, 2017 13:36Michael Hingson, Aira’s Director of Strategic Sales, has asked us to distribute the following announcement regarding a conference call for blind people who may be interested in expanding their independence using Aira. If you are looking for ways to deal with the inaccessible, real world, we hope you will take some time to attend the… Finish Reading Expand Your Independence and Work Around Inaccessibility: Join Aira for a Sept. 12 Conference Call
Never Say “No”: Expand Your TechVision with Dr. Denise Robinson
July 15, 2017 04:24 - 45 minutes - 41.5 MBIn 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 Robinson Download: Denise Robinson TechVision Low-cost technology lessons for blind children and adults from a certified teacher of the visually impaired (TVI). YouTube Channel Watch videos showcasing the educational possibilities for blind children and ...
Exploring the World with Aira: A Candid Discussion with Suman Kanuganti
July 13, 2017 17:28 - 51 minutes - 47.1 MBIn 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 Kanuganti Download: Suman Kanuganti We love hearing from our listeners! Please feel free to talk with us in the commen...
Amateur Radio Field Day 2017
June 29, 2017 12:41 - 10 minutes - 14.1 MBIn 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 Day Download: 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, let...
Apple Considering Accessible On-screen Text and Described Videos at Future Events
June 13, 2017 03:49After watching Apple’s June 5 WWDC keynote and listening to a summary of the event on Jonathan Mosen’s Blind Side Podcast, it dawned on me that we blind people are missing a lot of critical information! Many of the videos played at Apple’s events lack sufficient dialogue to be comprehensible by a blind person without… Finish Reading Apple Considering Accessible On-screen Text and Described Videos at Future Events
In a World Ravaged by Inaccessibility, Aira Brings New Hope to the Blind Community
May 28, 2017 15:50Do you cringe every time you think about that huge pile of print accumulating in your mail basket? Are you worried you might miss something important to your family or be forced to pay a late fee on a bill for the stupid reason that you missed the print notice that was mailed to you… Finish Reading In a World Ravaged by Inaccessibility, Aira Brings New Hope to the Blind Community
Teaching and Testing iOS App VoiceOver Accessibility Webinar
August 05, 2016 12:18 - 1 hour - 59.2 MBThis 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 Access...
Picture Imperfect: Our Family Explores Photo Management on iOS
August 02, 2016 10:54 - 1 hour - 100 MBIn this approximately one hour and 49 minute podcast, Allison, Darrell and baby daughter Allyssa go on an adventure through their photo library, experiencing fun and frustration with accessible and inaccessible iOS apps. Listen or Pause: Picture Imperfect Download: Picture Imperfect We found Moments by Facebook completely inaccessible with VoiceOver. Please submit feedback to Facebook’s accessibility team. We were looking for a good way to organize and store our family’s memories, p...
Inaccessibility in the Hospital: The Adventures of My Daughter’s Fourth Eye Surgery
May 20, 2016 11:27My four-month-old daughter is sleeping, so, in belated celebration of Global Accessibility Awareness Day, I thought I would describe our experience with her fourth Glaucoma surgery from an accessibility point of view. Before I get started, let me say that I think Phoenix Children’s Hospital always treats my daughter very well and provides her with… Finish Reading Inaccessibility in the Hospital: The Adventures of My Daughter’s Fourth Eye Surgery
Asked to Make Your iOS App Accessible to Blind People? There’s a Plan for that!
May 14, 2016 11:53Are you a developer who has been asked to make your iOS app accessible to blind people using Apple’s built-in VoiceOver screen reader? Are you uncertain how to respond, why you should care or where you can go to get started? I hope to demystify these questions and encourage you to create and improve your… Finish Reading Asked to Make Your iOS App Accessible to Blind People? There’s a Plan for that!
There Should be Compensation and Remediation for the Real Damages Inaccessibility Causes
February 20, 2016 00:34I just thought I would respond to Chris Hofstader’s excellent article Stop The ADA Trolls. While I certainly agree we shouldn’t be supporting these accessibility lawsuit trolls, I also do not feel we should be defending companies that have less-than-stellar accessibility records. If a company has consistently failed to acknowledge accessibility advocacy and act positively… Finish Reading There Should be Compensation and Remediation for the Real Damages Inaccessibility Causes