Join Shaun Preece as he explores the importance of learning Braille for blind or visually impaired individuals. Despite the advancements in technology, Shaun highlights the benefits of being able to read and write in Braille.

He shares his personal journey and regrets for not learning Braille earlier, and discusses its potential uses in education and employment.

Shaun also reviews four Braille learning apps: Braille Academy, Braille Decoded, Pocket Braille, and Bump Bump Braille Learn, providing valuable feedback on their accessibility and usability. Tune in to discover the power of Braille and learn about resources available from local sight loss organizations. 

Highlights:

• Show Open (00:00)
• National Braille Literacy Month & World Braille Day (00:24)
• Do I Really Need to Learn Braille? (01:23)
• Top Apps for Teaching Braille (03:29)
• Braille Academy (04:25)
• Braille Decoded (11:23)
• Pocket Braille (14:44)
• Bump Bump Braille Learn (18:05)
• Basic Braille Alphabet Quiz (23:34)
• Braille Apps Summary (25:02)
• Best Ways to Learn Braille (26:45)
• Show Close (28:38)

Links:

• Braille Academy 
• Braille Decoded 
• Pocket Braille
• Bump Bump Braille Learn

About Shaun of the Shed

Shaun of the Shed gives those new to the world of technology a helping hand with everything from using a screen reader or smart speakers to unboxing and starting up a new computer.

Host Shaun Preece is an audio producer from Manchester who has a real passion for technology. Despite being born with a visual impairment, Shaun's sight has worsened over the years and as such he has depended more on assistive technology.

You can also hear Shaun on AMI's Double Tap podcast, airing weekly at noon Eastern on AMI-audio or download it from your favourite podcast platform.

About AMI

AMI is a not-for-profit media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canadians who are blind or partially sighted. Operating three broadcast services, AMI-tv and AMI-audio in English and AMI-télé in French, AMI’s vision is to establish and support a voice for Canadians with disabilities, representing their interests, concerns and values through inclusion, representation, accessible media, reflection, representation and portrayal.

Learn more at AMI.ca

Connect on Twitter @AccessibleMedia

On Instagram @accessiblemediainc

On Facebook at @AccessibleMediaInc

Email feedback@ami.ca

On this episode of Shaun of the Shed, host Shaun Preece explores the hand gestures feature of the Apple Watch, a game-changer for users who are blind or partially sighted. Shaun guides listeners through setting up and using pinch and clench gestures for easy navigation without needing to touch the screen. His practical tips, combined with personal anecdotes from his travels, make this episode an engaging and informative guide on enhancing accessibility with Apple technology.

Highlights:

• Show Open (00:00)
• Using Apple Watch While Traveling (00:39)
• “New” Double Tap Feature (01:41)
• How to Use Hand Gestures on Apple Watch - Intro (02:34)
• How to Set Up Hand Gestures (02:58)
• Clench, Tap & Other Gestures (04:51)
• Activating Hand Gestures (06:16)
• Taptic Time & Magic Tap (07:35)
• Raise to Wake Feature (08:06)
• Hand Gestures Demo (09:45)
• Show Close (12:19)

In this episode of Shaun of the Shed I'll be showing you how we can use artificial intelligence to get amazingly detailed descriptions of any photos we take. Want to know exactly the colour and design of that T-shirt you're about to put on? Not a problem. Want to identify that mysterious can in your cupboard and get cooking instructions? Not a problem. You can even take multiple pictures of a menu and then ask questions such as “What are the vegetarian dishes?” etc.

Learn all about how the new artificial intelligence features in the apps “Be My Eyes” and “Seeing AI” are both very easy to use and a must have if you are blind or partially-sighted.

SUMMARY

In this episode of Shaun of the Shed, Shaun Preece discusses the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in apps for people who are blind or partially-sighted. He focuses on two popular apps, Be My Eyes and Microsoft's Seeing AI, which have recently added AI capabilities. Shaun explains that AI allows for more conversational and human-like interactions with technology. He demonstrates how Be My Eyes uses AI to provide detailed descriptions of images, including objects, people, and the atmosphere of the photo. He also shows how Seeing AI allows users to browse their photo gallery and get descriptions of images. Sean highlights the usefulness of AI in quickly obtaining information and the potential for further advancements in these apps.

Highlights:

All About Artificial Intelligence (00:34)

Benefits of AI for the Blind and Partially-Sighted (2:17)

Be My Eyes App (3:12)

How to use “Be My AI” (5:53)

Using “Be My AI” for Detailed Image Descriptions (7:47)

Reading a Multi-Page Menu with “Be My AI” (13:58)

Seeing AI App (15:55)

Using New “Scenes” Channel (17:57)

Be My Eyes vs. Seeing AI (20:16)

Final Thoughts (22:03)

Related Links:

Seeing AI

Be My Eyes / Be My AI

Shaun of the Shed - Episode 5 - Be My Eyes & Aira

About Shaun of the Shed

Shaun of the Shed gives those new to the world of technology a helping hand with everything from using a screen reader or smart speakers to unboxing and starting up a new computer.

Host Shaun Preece is an audio producer from Manchester who has a real passion for technology. Despite being born with a visual impairment, Shaun's sight has worsened over the years and as such he has depended more on assistive technology.

You can also hear Shaun on AMI's Double Tap podcast, airing weekly at noon Eastern on AMI-audio or download it from your favourite podcast platform.

About AMI

AMI is a not-for-profit media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canadians who are blind or partially sighted. Operating three broadcast services, AMI-tv and AMI-audio in English and AMI-télé in French, AMI’s vision is to establish and support a voice for Canadians with disabilities, representing their interests, concerns and values through inclusion, representation, accessible media, reflection, representation and portrayal.

Learn more at AMI.ca

Connect on Twitter @AccessibleMedia

On Instagram @accessiblemediainc

On Facebook at @AccessibleMediaInc

Email feedback@ami.ca