Aira once again offers a feature presentation: A Conversation with John Herzog. John is an Accessibility Solutions Engineer with AT&T. He sits down with the Blind Abilities Team to share an in depth look at his life as a blind man: his youth, education and his time at law school. John also shares his thoughts on a variety of issues, including blindness, social interactions and Aira, the visual interpreter for the blind.

 

 

Explore your world 

like never before

From exploring new neighborhoods and restaurants in the city, to traveling the globe - Aira empowers the blind to experience their world and surroundings like never before.

Accessible devices

Aira's platform works on wearable devices such as Google Glass and Vuzix that can be paired with your smartphones.

Real-time request

The tiny camera mounted on your wearable device provides instant feedback so Aira Agents can safely guide you with any activity.

Certified agents

Our network of trained Aira Agents, who could even be one of your family or friends, are able to assist you whenever and wherever.

 

You can find out more about Aira on the web and follow Aira on Twitter @Airaio

 

Thank you for listening.

You can follow us on Twitter @BlindAbilities

On the web at www.BlindAbilities.com

Send us an email

Get the Free Blind Abilities App on the App Store.

Aira once again offers a feature presentation: A Conversation with John Herzog. John is an Accessibility Solutions Engineer with AT&T. He sits down with the Blind Abilities Team to share an in depth look at his life as a blind man: his youth, education and his time at law school. John also shares his thoughts on a variety of issues, including blindness, social interactions and Aira, the visual interpreter for the blind.

Explore your world

like never before

From exploring new neighborhoods and restaurants in the city, to traveling the globe – Aira empowers the blind to experience their world and surroundings like never before.

Accessible devices

Aira’s platform works on wearable devices such as Google Glass and Vuzix that can be paired with your smartphones.

Real-time request

The tiny camera mounted on your wearable device provides instant feedback so Aira Agents can safely guide you with any activity.

Certified agents

Our network of trained Aira Agents, who could even be one of your family or friends, are able to assist you whenever and wherever.

You can find out more about Aira on the web and follow Aira on Twitter @Airaio

Thank you for listening!

You can follow us on Twitter @BlindAbilities

On the web at www.BlindAbilities.com

Send us an email

Get the Free Blind Abilities App on the App Store.

The Hooke Verse, records binaural  recordings to an iPhone or Android phone without having to tether a microphone or headphone cord. Leaving you free to record in stereo as naturally as you would listen because the microphones are in the earphones!

Join Pete Lane on the convention floor as he talks to the Hooke Audio Team and learn more about this innovated and one of a kind device from Hooke Audio.

You can find out more about Hooke Audio on the web.

 

Hooke Verse is a pair of Bluetooth headphones that incorporate binaural microphones designed to capture 3D audio. Specially placed mics allow you to capture sound like you actually hear it. Once captured, Hooke Verse’s 3D audio can be experienced on any pair of headphones or two channel system, no special speakers or algorithms required. Your listeners will feel like they’re there.

With the free Hooke Audio mobile app, you can capture 3D audio wirelessly to your iOS or Android device using Hooke’s proprietary bluetooth recording codec. With the Hooke Audio recording cable, you can capture 3D audio to any device, even if they don’t have Bluetooth.

With the Hooke Verse, your videos and recordings can have professional binaural 3D audio.

 

Explore your world 

like never before

From exploring new neighborhoods and restaurants in the city, to traveling the globe - Aira empowers the blind to experience their world and surroundings like never before.

Accessible devices

Aira's platform works on wearable devices such as Google Glass and Vuzix that can be paired with your smartphones.

Real-time request

The tiny camera mounted on your wearable device provides instant feedback so Aira Agents can safely guide you with any activity.

Certified agents

Our network of trained Aira Agents, who could even be one of your family or friends, are able to assist you whenever and wherever.

 

 Find out more about Aira on the web and follow Aira on Twitter @Airaio

 

Thank you for listening.

You can follow us on Twitter @BlindAbilities

On the web at www.BlindAbilities.com

Send us an email

Get the Free Blind Abilities App on the App Store.

The Harbolt Company is a supplier of not only devices and accessible ones at that, Brent Harbolt educates and demonstrates the products he makes available to the Blindness community. From obscure items to gadgets that just work and are accessible, Brent gives audio descriptions and demos so you can get a good idea of the products available on the HarboltCompany.com web site.

Be sure to check out all the many products available on-line and all the deals available on the highly accessible HarboltCompany.com site.

 

Explore your world 

like never before

From exploring new neighborhoods and restaurants in the city, to traveling the globe - Aira empowers the blind to experience their world and surroundings like never before.

Accessible devices

Aira's platform works on wearable devices such as Google Glass and Vuzix that can be paired with your smartphones.

Real-time request

The tiny camera mounted on your wearable device provides instant feedback so Aira Agents can safely guide you with any activity.

Certified agents

Our network of trained Aira Agents, who could even be one of your family or friends, are able to assist you whenever and wherever.

 

Find out more about Aira on the web and follow Aira on Twitter @Airaio

 

Thank you for listening.

You can follow us on Twitter @BlindAbilities

On the web at www.BlindAbilities.com

Send us an email

Get the Free Blind Abilities App on the App Store.

Michael Hingson talks about his employment journey and how everything he has done in his past has led him to Aira. And that is what Michael brings to his new Strategic Sales position at Aira. He is not new to Aira as he has been involved for over 2 and a half years and understands completely how Aira brings instant access to information. 

Michael is well known for his Best Selling book titled, Thunder Dog. Telling the story about his experience surrounding the escape from Tower 1 during the September 11th terrorist attacks.

Join Michael Hingson at the National Federation of the Blind convention in Orlando Florida and hear about what led him to the 74th floor of Tower 1 and his journey to Aira.

You can read more about Michael Hingson on his web site and join his newsletter as well as find links for his books and news releases.

You can find out more about Aira on the web and follow Aira on Twitter @Airaio

 

Explore your world 

like never before

From exploring new neighborhoods and restaurants in the city, to traveling the globe - Aira empowers the blind to experience their world and surroundings like never before.

 

Full Transcript

Accessible devices

Aira's platform works on wearable devices such as Google Glass and Vuzix that can be paired with your smartphones.

Real-time request

The tiny camera mounted on your wearable device provides instant feedback so Aira Agents can safely guide you with any activity.

Certified agents

Our network of trained Aira Agents, who could even be one of your family or friends, are able to assist you whenever and wherever.

 

Thank you for listening.

You can follow us on Twitter @BlindAbilities

On the web at www.BlindAbilities.com

Send us an email

Get the Free Blind Abilities App on the App Store.

Welcome to That Blind Tech Show presented to you by the Blind Abilities Team. We want to hear from you whether you have a question about a new tech product or app, or some advice for the blindness community. We hope this will be an interactive show that will educate, inform, and make you laugh. Write us in at [email protected] and make sure to follow us on Twitter at @BlindTechShow.

 

And now on to the show.

Up first is an intro to what That Blind Tech Show will be. Next you won’t want to miss our discussion about the exciting new iPhone app from Microsoft, Microsoft Seeing AI. 

Then it is on to NFB 17 convention coverage where Jeff Thompson was recording live.

 

The biggest attraction and conversation at this years convention is Aira, The Virtual Navigator for the Blind giving you instant access to information. Tune in to hear about what went down in the Aira Lounge!

HumanWare had two new devices for the attendees to consider. The not yet released, Victor Stream Trek. Combining the popular book reader with GPS.

The new Brilliant 14 iPhone Companion is a quick note taker that has refreshable braille and comes in at $995.

Orcam releases version 2.0 and Microsoft, Amazon, sprint all showed up strutting their Accessibility Help Desks. 

AT&T was right next to Aira and that was no surprise as they provide the MiFi hook-up for the Aira.

The Harbolt Company brings a new one-of-a-kind accessible charger with audible and vibration feedback.

APH brought their new affordable Orbit 20 and out the door they went. 20 units sold out well before noon.

We also talk about 3D Photo Works and hands on with the Mona Lisa.

Then it is on to iOS 11 news with a conversation about Notes and scanning documents, Why does Siri hate Brian so much, and Type to Siri. Next is a discussion about our favorite topic Described Video and the latest update from Congress It’s about time! 

 

Then we share a very sad story about what Cablevision thinks makes a good screen reader. Some companies just never will get it.

And finally, a little chit chat between Brian and Jeff about this new venture That Blind Tech Show. Enjoy, Listen, learn, and laugh!

You can find out more about That Blind Tech Show by email and on Twitter @BlindTechShow

 

Thank you for listening.

You can follow us on Twitter @BlindAbilities

On the web at www.BlindAbilities.com

Send us an email

Get the Free Blind Abilities App on the App Store.

Michael Hingson talks about his employment journey and how everything he has done in his past has led him to Aira. And that is what Michael brings to his new Strategic Sales position at Aira. He is not new to Aira as he has been involved for over 2 and a half years and understands completely how Aira brings instant access to information.

Michael is well known for his Best Selling book titled, Thunder Dog. Telling the story about his experience surrounding the escape from Tower 1 during the September 11th terrorist attacks.

Join Michael Hingson at the National Federation of the Blind convention in Orlando Florida and hear about what led him to the 74th floor of Tower 1 and his journey to Aira.

You can read more about Michael Hingson on his web site and join his newsletter as well as find links for his books and news releases.

You can find out more about Aira on the web and follow Aira on Twitter @Airaio

See Complete transcription below.

Thank you for listening!

You can follow us on Twitter @BlindAbilities

On the web at www.BlindAbilities.com

Send us an email

Get the Free Blind Abilities App on the App Store.

Transcription:

Michael Hingson – Bringing the Thunder to Aira

[Music]

Michael:

Everyone just turned and ran as we heard this rumble that became this deafening roar in like about a half a second, which was tower to collapsing, about a hundred yards away from our position.

Oh my God Mike, there’s no World Trade Center anymore, and again I asked him what he saw, and he said “All I see are fingers of fire, and flame hundreds of feet tall, and pillars of smoke, the towers are gone.

The airplane hit 18 floors above us on the other side of the building, we had no clue what had happened.

When people talk about diversity, you very rarely ever hear disabilities mentioned, so I have a speech that’s entitled “Moving from Diversity to Inclusion.”

But people are gonna say “Oh now blind people can see, or now blind people can do this, blind people come do that.”

And yeah, there are gonna be a lot of things that blind people can do that we couldn’t do before, and it isn’t that we couldn’t do them, is that we didn’t have the information to do them.

What AIRA will give us, is a means to get that information.

AIRA, instant access to information presents Michael Hingson, his journey to AIRA, bringing the Thunder to AIRA.

A Blind Abilities production.

Michael:

With AIRA I can just go into the store with a trained AIRA agent who describes, I’m able to quickly go find the things that I want, it’s so much more efficient.

And I use the word see very comfortably because the dictionary defines in part, to see is to perceive, it doesn’t necessarily have to be with your eyes.

[Music]

Michael:

‘m Michael Hingson, H I N G S O N.

So I want to kind of start by going backwards a little bit, actually I want to start by by just talking about now and then, then jump back.

I was recently hired by AIRA after being involved with the company for about two and a quarter years.

I am now the director of strategic sales and my job is really an exciting one because I get to go find corporations and others that we can establish relationships with to try to get them to buy into AIRA, both for employees, but also for users.

So take a grocery store chain, typically today a blind person goes into a store and I do this a...

NFB17 One Big Family Reunion - What Does the Convention Mean to You?

The NFB Convention is held each year and will be returning next year to Orlando Florida. People come from around the world to attend the National Federation of the Blind convention and the Blind Abilities Team took great note of the community and sharing of information that happens when nearly 3,000 attendees converge upon the #1 hotel, Rosen Shingle Creek, located in the heart of Disney and major attractions. However, the biggest attraction is found right in the heart of the community of the National Federation of the Blind.

Here are just some of the wonderful attendees of NFB17 touching base on what the convention means to them.

 

Explore your world 

like never before

From exploring new neighborhoods and restaurants in the city, to traveling the globe - Aira empowers the blind to experience their world and surroundings like never before.

Accessible devices

Aira's platform works on wearable devices such as Google Glass and Vuzix that can be paired with your smartphones.

Real-time request

The tiny camera mounted on your wearable device provides instant feedback so Aira Agents can safely guide you with any activity.

Certified agents

Our network of trained Aira Agents, who could even be one of your family or friends, are able to assist you whenever and wherever.

 

You can find out more about Aira on the web at www.Aira.io

On Twitter @airaio

 

Thank you for listening.

You can follow us on Twitter @BlindAbilities

On the web at www.BlindAbilities.com

Send us an email

Get the Free Blind Abilities App on the App Store.

NFB17 Dick Davis on Creating Employment Opportunities, Prep Programs and More at Blind, Inc

Dick Davis talks about Employment and the Opportunities that Adjustment To Blindness Training at Blind,Inc in Minneapolis, MN is growing and creating jobs. Dick talks about the Prep Program for transition students that are heading or already attending college.

Join Dick Davis for this very informational talk on employment opportunities and getting prepped for college.

 

Explore your world 

like never before

From exploring new neighborhoods and restaurants in the city, to traveling the globe - Aira empowers the blind to experience their world and surroundings like never before.

Accessible devices

Aira's platform works on wearable devices such as Google Glass and Vuzix that can be paired with your smartphones.

Real-time request

The tiny camera mounted on your wearable device provides instant feedback so Aira Agents can safely guide you with any activity.

Certified agents

Our network of trained Aira Agents, who could even be one of your family or friends, are able to assist you whenever and wherever.

 

You can find out more about Aira on the web at www.Aira.io

On Twitter @airaio

 

Thank you for listening.

You can follow us on Twitter @BlindAbilities

On the web at www.BlindAbilities.com

Send us an email

Get the Free Blind Abilities App on the App Store.

Sharon Watson was the 1st Aira Explorer and is still as excited as the day she first learned about Aira and it’s solution to instant access to information. Sharon talks about how she uses her Aira glasses and how the playing field has been leveled for her. From large events to small details Sharon enjoys having instant access to information and the independence Aira has allowed her to access.

Joe talks about Blind Abilities and the iPhone101 series and how he has enjoyed learning the gestures and tips and tricks PeteNick and I have published on the BlindAbilities.com web site.

 

Explore your world 

like never before

From exploring new neighborhoods and restaurants in the city, to traveling the globe - Aira empowers the blind to experience their world and surroundings like never before.

Accessible devices

Aira's platform works on wearable devices such as Google Glass and Vuzix that can be paired with your smartphones.

Real-time request

The tiny camera mounted on your wearable device provides instant feedback so Aira Agents can safely guide you with any activity.

Certified agents

Our network of trained Aira Agents, who could even be one of your family or friends, are able to assist you whenever and wherever.

 

You can find out more about Aira on the web at www.Aira.io

On Twitter @airaio

 

Thank you for listening!

You can follow us on Twitter @BlindAbilities

On the web at www.BlindAbilities.com

Send us an email

Get the Free Blind Abilities App on the App Store.