Afleveringen
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In this episode, Evan and Marty discuss the latest advancements in assistive technology, reflecting on their experiences at the CSUN conference. They share insights on the affordability and functionality of new devices, a memorable encounter with Stevie Wonder, and the importance of networking and planning for future events. The conversation emphasizes the balance between work and enjoyment at conferences, highlighting the need for effective time management and the value of building connections.
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In this episode of Blind Level Tech, Evan Starnes and Kelvin Crosby dive into the world of accessible mobile gaming. They discuss the evolution of accessible games, differences between iOS and Android gaming experiences, and highlight some of their favorite games. Evan shares his top five mobile games for blind and low-vision players, covering everything from dice-based games to text adventures and high-intensity 3D audio experiences. The hosts also debate microtransactions, accessibility features, and whether or not Kelvin can be convinced to try more mobile games.
Chapter Markers
📌 00:15 - Welcome to Blind Level Tech: Tech on a whole new level
📌 00:32 - Meet the hosts: Evan returns refreshed (or not so much)
📌 02:54 - Baseball, football, and the accessibility of sports
📌 05:18 - Introducing today’s topic: Mobile gaming for the blind
📌 07:43 - Game Highlight: Dice World (Classic dice games with voiceover)
📌 10:05 - The accessibility of dice games and how they work
📌 12:31 - Game Highlight: War Shovel (Idle RPG with PVP elements)
📌 14:32 - Exploring risk and strategy in accessible games
📌 16:46 - What is 3D Audio in gaming?
📌 19:01 - Game Highlight: Audio Game Hub (Tetris for the blind and casino games)
📌 21:36 - The world of Choice of Games (Text-based adventures)
📌 23:59 - Game Highlight: Blind Drive (Fast-paced audio-based driving)
📌 26:12 - The rise of accessible gaming on Android
📌 28:34 - Sandwich of the week: Snarf’s vs. Chick-fil-A’s new spicy grilled sandwich
📌 30:56 - Closing thoughts: Will Kelvin become a mobile gamer?
Key Takeaways from the Episode
✔ Accessible mobile games have evolved—there are now more options on both iOS and Android.
✔ 3D audio creates immersive gaming experiences—games like Blind Drive simulate movement using positional sound.
✔ Not all games require visual elements—text-based adventures like Choice of Games allow players to shape their own narratives.
✔ Microtransactions in accessible games are a mixed bag—some are fair, while others push excessive in-app purchases.
✔ Gaming is a great way to improve tech skills—accessible mobile games can help blind users get comfortable with their devices.
Calls to Action
🎮 What accessible mobile games have you played and enjoyed? Send us your thoughts!
📧 Email: [email protected]
📞 Voicemail: (720) 712-8856
Tune in next time for a follow-up episode on accessible computer games! -
Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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On this special BLT Bite, we take a listen to some of the recordings from the CSUN 2025 conference.
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Blind Level Tech, or BLT, is a fun new show dedicated to the use of technology for those who are blind and have visual impairments. We will walk you through the latest and greatest tech from Apple to Microsoft and TVs to kitchen appliances. We will even throw in some good ole dad and tech jokes for good measure. Being blind is hard enough. Your tech experience should not be.
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This week, we're back with Josh Miele to discuss the concept of assistive tech for blind students, and why tech like good old fashioned braille is still verry much important, and asential to academic.
Check out Josh's new book Connecting Dots, A Blind Life, which is availible on Audible, Amazon Kindle, and sune on NLS Bard. -
In this episode of Blind Level Tech, hosts Evan Starnes and Kelvin Crosby sit down with Josh Miele, a renowned adaptive technology researcher and designer. Josh shares insights into his extensive journey in accessible technology, from early experimentation with radio components and programming to designing groundbreaking accessibility tools.
Josh details his early contributions, including the development of Outspoken, one of the first Macintosh screen readers, and T-Map, a tool for creating tactile street maps. He also discusses his work at Amazon, including contributions to the Echo Show’s Show and Tell feature, and his open-source accessibility advocacy.
Josh also introduces his upcoming memoir, Connecting Dots: A Blind Life, set to release on March 4, 2025, and discusses his new nonprofit initiative, the Center for Accessibility and Open Source.
Chapter Markers
00:15 – Welcome to Blind Level Tech
00:33 – Host and co-host introductions
02:54 – Introducing guest Josh Miele
05:07 – Josh’s early fascination with technology
07:28 – Navigating early computing as a blind person
09:52 – The evolution of accessibility in tech
12:09 – Developing Outspoken: The first Macintosh screen reader
14:34 – Breaking barriers with assistive tech
16:58 – The creation of T-Map: Tactile maps for blind users
19:24 – Spatial vs. visual mapping
21:46 – The importance of blind designers in tech development
24:10 – Josh’s transition to Amazon and work on Show and Tell
26:37 – The need for blind professionals in tech innovation
31:04 – Designing accessibility from a blind perspective
33:27 – Creating UDescribe: Open-source community-driven audio description
40:30 – The future of accessibility and open-source tech
42:31 – Josh’s upcoming memoir Connecting Dots: A Blind Life
44:52 – The Sandwich of the Week segment
47:13 – Where to find Josh’s work and closing remarks
Key Takeaways
🔹 Early Tech Exploration – Josh’s interest in technology started with taking apart radios and experimenting with components.
🔹 Pioneering Accessible Tech – Josh played a crucial role in developing Outspoken, a Macintosh screen reader before VoiceOver existed.
🔹 Innovative Mapping Solutions – T-Map helps blind users navigate by generating tactile street maps.
🔹 Amazon’s Accessibility – Josh contributed to Show and Tell on the Echo Show, improving product identification for blind users.
🔹 Community-Driven Audio Description – UDescribe allows volunteers to add audio descriptions to YouTube videos.
🔹 New Memoir Release – Connecting Dots: A Blind Life details Josh’s journey and advocacy for accessibility.
Social Media & Contact Information
📌 Josh Miele’s Website: mealylab.com
📌 Follow Josh on: BlueSky (BerkeleyBlink) | LinkedIn | Instagram
📌 Pre-Order Connecting Dots: A Blind Life (Available in print, Kindle, Audible, NLS, and Bookshare)
📌 Contact Blind Level Tech:
✉️ Email: [email protected]
📞 Voicemail: (720) 712-8856 -
Episode Summary In this episode of Blind Level Tech, hosts Evan Starnes and Kelvin Crosby discuss the importance of audio description for blind and low-vision audiences. They share their experiences with accessible media, explain how to enable audio description on platforms like Netflix and Disney Plus, and explore free resources such as AudioVault.net for obtaining audio-described movies.
The episode also teases an upcoming guest, Josh Miele, who developed the YouDescribe app, allowing volunteers to provide audio descriptions for YouTube videos. The conversation takes a humorous turn as the hosts discuss past experiences with accessibility, from early VHS tapes to modern-day streaming services. They also introduce their Sandwich of the Week segment, debating the perfect movie-watching sandwich.
The episode wraps up with a call to action: listeners are encouraged to try audio description, introduce it to sighted friends and family, and share their first experience with described media by emailing [email protected] or calling (720) 712-8856.
Chapter Markers
00:15 – Introduction and Friday Vibes
02:30 – Debunking the Myth: Can Blind People Watch TV?
04:55 – Enabling Audio Description on Netflix & Disney Plus
07:22 – The Evolution of Audio Description: SAP and Language Tracks
09:45 – AudioVault.net: A Free Resource for Audio-Described Movies
12:14 – The Origins of Audio Description: A Blind Powerlifter’s Contribution
14:15 – Throwback: VHS, DVDs, and Early Accessible Media
16:36 – The Blind Level Tech Sandwich of the Week
18:57 – Final Thoughts & Encouragement to Try Audio Description -
This week on BLT, we share our thoughts on some of the tech that came out of CES, or the consumer electronics show.
From mind reading recorders to toaster shaped robo taxies, we discuss how this tech might impact the blind and low vision community. -
Recently, Microsoft's Seeing A I App got a nice fresh cote of paint, and on this weeks BLT Bite, we show how to access specific features, including the slightly revamped document reader, and the new scene describtion mode.
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This week on BLT, we discuss the different tipes of fishing atacks and scams running rampent in our world.
If you or someone you know has fallen victem to a scam, we strongly encourage you to report it to the internet complaint center at www.ic3.gov. -
On this weeks episode, we conclude our discussion on AI immage and video describtion, and share our thoughts on the recent Chat GPT live video feature.
We discuss some personal experiences with Chat GPT live video, and share our hopes for the future and implementation of live AI video describtion in day to day life. -
In this episode of Blind Level Tech, hosts Evan Starnes and Kelvin Crosby dive deep into the groundbreaking Meta Ray-Ban glasses. They discuss their features, implications for the blind and low vision community, and the challenges of living near wildfire zones. They also share insights on emergency preparedness and lighter moments like the Sandwich of the Week.
Chapter Markers
00:15 - Introduction by Jonathan Price: The purpose of Blind Level Tech.
01:30 - Wildfire Updates: Kelvin's experiences in California.
02:30 - Evan's Arizona Trip: Exploring Waymo taxis.
04:50 - Podcast Milestone: Blind Level Tech in the top 10% globally.
05:00 - Meta Glasses Overview: Cost, accessibility, and universal design.
07:05 - Practical Applications: Hands-free functionality and commands.
09:30 - Challenges for Deaf-Blind Users: Sound quality and hearing aids.
12:00 - Real-Life Uses: Identifying objects, matching clothing, and more.
19:10 - AI Responsiveness: Meta Glasses' camera speed and features.
24:00 - Future Updates: Real-time video and live translation features.
26:20 - Battery Life: Charging capabilities and limitations.
28:50 - Sandwich of the Week: Sausage croissant and the infamous beet sandwich.
30:45 - Final Thoughts: Emergency preparedness and feedback requests.
Key Takeaways
Meta Glasses Features:
Cost-effective at $299.
Hands-free accessibility with AI-powered commands.
Real-time feedback for object identification and reading.
Challenges and Recommendations:
Limitations for Deaf-Blind users due to speaker positioning.
Best suited for environments with good connectivity.
Community Engagement:
Feedback and suggestions are encouraged at [email protected] or 720-712-8856.
Emergency Preparedness Tips:
Always have essential documents and kits ready for evacuation. -
For this weeks BLT Bite, we give you a quick review on the Meta Ray Band smart glasses.
We show how to not only read text, but also how to get verry specific information like instuctions on a package, or the color of piece of clothing. -
This week on BLT, we outline the new direction in which we’d like to take the show.
Over the winter holidays, we put a lot of thought into the format and stile of BLT, and we’ve definitely taken listener feedback into account when considering any changes to the show.
We’re cleaning up the format of BLT, this means less banter, more tech news and coverage; but there will still be plenty of weekly sandwiches to feast upon.
BLT thrives on listener feedback, so as we dial in these new refinements, we want to hear your thoughts and suggestions.
Please email [email protected] or leave a voicemail at 720-712-8856 with any questions, suggestions, or comments. -
On this week’s episode, we’re back in full swing with Bebra Erickson, founder and executive Sheff of the Blind Kitchen.Deborah shares her experiences as a blind culinary student and her mission to provide accessible cooking solutions, emphasizing the need for quality and user-friendly products.The conversation emphasizes that culinary tools don’t necessarily need wi-fi and apps to be effective, and that culinary tools don’t necessarily need to be specially adapted for those with blindness or low vision.Learn more and explore Debra’s websight at theblindkitchen.com
Chapters
00:00Welcome and Tech Introductions03:02Deborah Erickson and The Blind Kitchen05:54Adaptive Cooking Tools and Their Importance09:11Evaluating Cooking Tools for Accessibility12:06The Role of Technology in Cooking14:52Innovations and Gaps in Cooking Tools18:10Simple Solutions for Cooking Challenges21:01Future Innovations23:57 Sandwitch of the Week and closing thoughts -
Happy newyear from Blind Level Tech and all of us at Aftersight.
We've got another Throwback this week, as we wanted to take a step back and look at where we were a year ago, in order to help us grow and improve more in 2025.
We'll be back to our regularly scheduled programming on January 8th, so stay tuned. -
This week, we bring you a fun throwback, one of Evans favorite episodes in fact.
This episode discusses cleaning techniques and devices that make home cleanning much easyer and more techy of course.
We also want to thank you immensely for helping us reach our Colorado Gives goal. -
On this weeks BLT Bite, we take a look at Open AI's new Chat GPT telephone service.
We ask it some fairly basic holiday questions, and get a nice eggnog recipe as well.
Try it your self by calling 1800-242-8478, no account is necessary. -
Happy holidays from BLT, and all of us at Aftersight.
This week, we're back with Ted Taquechi to talk about how travel might be different during the holidays.
Ted shares his experiences traveling with United Airlines, highlighting their improvements in accessibility and customer service.
Needless to say, when traveling during the holidays when times are busy, patience is defenitly a virtue.
If you'd like a comprehencive list of travel tips, resources, and new places to go, be sure to check out Ted's websight at www.blindtravels.com -
In this festive episode of Blind Level Tech, hosts Evan Starnes and Kelvin Crosby explore creative, accessible ways to enhance holiday décor with their guest, Michael Sisneros, an outreach specialist and holiday décor enthusiast. Michael shares innovative tips for making holiday decorations inclusive for individuals with low vision or blindness, incorporating textures, scents, and sound-based elements. The episode also features discussions on their favorite holiday tech, quirky traditions, and how to find joy during the holidays.
Thank you to everyone who gave to Colorado Gives Day and Aftersight. It was a huge success, and we couldn't have done it without you!
Chapter Markers:
00:01 – Recording in progress, introductions by Evan and Kelvin.
00:59 – Hosts discuss holiday energy and whimsical octopus metaphors.
02:39 – Tech Picks of the Week: Kelvin’s alarm clock and Evan’s smart plug.
06:58 – Guest introduction: Michael Sisneros, holiday décor expert.
08:06 – Michael’s favorite décor piece: A yearly redesigned Christmas tree.
10:45 – Accessible décor: Lights, textures, and music for everyone.
15:27 – Tips for interactive decorations: Motion sensors, sound effects, and smart tech.
17:18 – DIY holiday crafts: Applesauce and cinnamon ornaments.
22:00 – Inclusivity in holiday décor: Creating textured and scented spaces.
27:35 – Kelvin’s final thoughts: Finding joy during challenging times.
29:45 – Closing remarks and sneak peek at upcoming guests and topics. - Laat meer zien
