Jonathan Abro was the guest speaker at our AGM held on Saturday 14th August. Jonathan discussed his life in IT with RP. A copy of his presentation is available on our Youtube channel https://youtu.be/REOdyXPHXE8.

SCREEN MAGNIFICATION AND COLOUR INVERSION Best to start with the built-in magnifier and colour manipulation in Windows, Mac and Chromebooks or, when needing more features, ZoomText is a good package to try. There are others and a quick search will list options available.

SCREEN READERS Windows, Mac and Chromebooks all have built-in screen readers so, again, a good place to start. For Windows, you need to try and practice.

NVDA This is a free screen reader and a good next step in using screen readers – see https://www.nvaccess.org/

JAWS This screen reader can also be used in conjunction with ZoomText as a product called Fusion and is the screen reader of choice in many work environments, at t home and school as well – see https://www.freedomscientific.com/products/software/

LEARN TO TYPE WITH A VARIETY OF TUTOR SOFTWARE:
BBC Kids – https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/skillswise/typing/zjqm92p
Mavis Beacon free – https://www.mavisbeaconfree.com
Azabat – http://www.azabat.co.uk/typing.html

APPS FOR SMARTPHONES
Seeing AI for iPhones
Google Lookout for Android phones
Envision AI is a pay app for both iPhone and Android
Be My Eyes
Mobility and getting about

APPLE MAPS OR GOOGLE MAPS
SOUNSCAPE FOR IPHONE
LAZARILLO FOR IPHONE AND ANDROID VO Starter for learning VoiceOver on iPhone
GOOD RESOURCES FOR HELP:
Apple products – https://www.applevis.com/
Android – https://support.google.com/android/?hl=en-GB#topic=7313011

BONE-CONDUCTION HEADPHONES – aftershokz –https://aftershokz.co.uk/pages/brands
SMART DEVICES
Including Amazon Alexa, Google Home and Smart TV
LOW TECH
Liquid Level Indicator – https://shop.rnib.org.uk/rnib-liquid-level-indicator-audible-vibratory
Pen friend – https://www.rnib.org.uk/rnibconnect/technology/penfriend-3-audio-labeller

[Editor’s note – most of the smartphone apps are free but do check prices before downloading. Sophisticated screen readers are expensive but will increase your productivity. Approach your employer to purchase for you under the “reasonable accommodation” provision in the Employment Equity Act.]