Double Tap

By Steven Scott, Shaun Preece, Steven Scott, Shaun PreeceTechnology

Double Tap episodes

August 06Rui Fontes’ Legacy: The Voices That Shaped Accessibility
Discover the legacy of Rui Fontes, the creator of beloved screen reader voices, and hear how Adi Kushnir and Access Mind are keeping his work alive with new, high-quality voices for iPhone and beyond.
Steven Scott and Shaun Preece reflect on the remarkable impact of Rui Fontes, whose work on Vocalizer voices and Tiflotecnia quietly shaped the daily lives of blind and visually impaired tech users. They discuss the often-overlooked individuals behind assistive technology and how Rui’s contributions continue to resonate through the community.
Adi Kushner from Access Mind joins to explain how his team is honouring Rui’s legacy while introducing innovative new voices for iOS and other platforms. The hosts also dive into listener emails, covering topics like accessing hymn lyrics in Braille, using AI tools effectively, and the challenges of obtaining an accessible passport.
Plus, your emails lead to a candid conversation around blind subculture, community experiences, and the ongoing social issues like guide dog refusals.
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About Double Tap
Hosted by the insightful duo, Steven Scott and Shaun Preece, Double Tap is a treasure trove of information for anyone who's blind or partially sighted and has a passion for tech. Steven and Shaun not only demystify tech, but they also regularly feature interviews and welcome guests from the community, fostering an interactive and engaging environment. Tune in every day of the week, and you'll discover how technology can seamlessly integrate into your life, enhancing daily tasks and experiences, even if your sight is limited.
"Double Tap" is a registered trademark of Double Tap Productions Inc.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
56 min
August 05Smart Glasses Concerns, Audio Description Woes & The Reality of Accessible Tech
Steven Scott and Shaun Preece dive into smart glasses, Apple Watch woes, and the realities of audio description for blind users. From tech frustrations to social perceptions, this episode of Double Tap is both funny and insightful for anyone interested in accessible tech.
In this lively discussion, Steven and Shaun explore the quirks and frustrations of living with modern assistive tech. Steven shares the tale of bricking his Synapptic smartwatch and the trouble with downgrading an Apple Watch Ultra 3 from watchOS 27 beta. They discuss the rise of AI assistants, privacy trade-offs, and whether smartwatches genuinely add value for blind users.
The conversation shifts to the social aspects of blindness and technology—like fears of wearing smart glasses in public, misconceptions from sighted people, and the bubble of online discourse. Later, they touch on the art of audio description and how personal preferences can make or break the experience of watching films and TV. Listeners also chime in with thoughts about Orion, Meta smart glasses, and accessibility in daily life.
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About Double Tap
Hosted by the insightful duo, Steven Scott and Shaun Preece, Double Tap is a treasure trove of information for anyone who's blind or partially sighted and has a passion for tech. Steven and Shaun not only demystify tech, but they also regularly feature interviews and welcome guests from the community, fostering an interactive and engaging environment. Tune in every day of the week, and you'll discover how technology can seamlessly integrate into your life, enhancing daily tasks and experiences, even if your sight is limited.
"Double Tap" is a registered trademark of Double Tap Productions Inc.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
56 min
August 04From The Inbox: From Android Accessibility To AI Fatigue
Learn how blind tech users navigate treadmills, master touch typing, and explore the MacBook Neo and Android accessibility in this lively, feedback-packed episode of Double Tap.
Steven Scott and Shaun Preece dive into listener messages covering everything from MacBook Neo charging quirks to running safely on treadmills for blind users. They share personal stories about AI fatigue, touch typing challenges, and the growing complexity of local versus cloud-based AI. A first-time listener from Romania offers insights into Android accessibility apps like Gboard, Lazarello, Seeing AI, and TalkBack 17 features such as Magic Tap and Split Tap. The hosts also debate the future of Windows in an Apple Silicon-dominated world, how AI is driving up hardware costs, and the impact of empathy fatigue within the blind developer community. Practical advice includes using Asabat to learn touch typing, understanding USB-C charging requirements, and the realities of trying to jog on fold-up treadmills without side rails.
Relevant Links
Azabat Touch Typing for the Blind: http://www.azabat.co.uk
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About Double Tap
Hosted by the insightful duo, Steven Scott and Shaun Preece, Double Tap is a treasure trove of information for anyone who's blind or partially sighted and has a passion for tech. Steven and Shaun not only demystify tech, but they also regularly feature interviews and welcome guests from the community, fostering an interactive and engaging environment. Tune in every day of the week, and you'll discover how technology can seamlessly integrate into your life, enhancing daily tasks and experiences, even if your sight is limited.
"Double Tap" is a registered trademark of Double Tap Productions Inc.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
56 min
August 02Mainstream: Are Samsung’s Folding Phones Finally Worth It?
Explore the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold Ultra, Z Fold 8, and Z Flip in this deep-dive discussion with Steven Scott, Shaun Preece, and guest Marc Aflalo. Learn about real-world performance, folding form factors, and how these devices are reshaping mobile productivity and accessibility.
In this episode of Double Tap Mainstream, Steven, Shaun, and Marc Aflalo break down Samsung’s latest folding smartphones: the Galaxy Z Fold Ultra, Z Fold 8, and Z Flip. Marc shares hands-on impressions of the slimmer Z Fold Ultra, highlighting its near bezel-less front screen, impressive cameras, and tablet-like unfolded display.
The conversation covers key differences in form factor and usability, from the pocketable clamshell of the Z Flip to the productivity-friendly book-style Z Fold 8. The hosts explore battery life, display durability, and how Samsung has resolved early hinge and crease issues. They also discuss pricing, the potential impact on tablet sales, and whether folds are practical for blind and low-vision users.
From nostalgic clamshell memories to future-facing speculation about Apple’s foldable plans and voice-first computing, this episode provides a comprehensive look at the evolution of foldable smartphones.
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About Double Tap
Hosted by the insightful duo, Steven Scott and Shaun Preece, Double Tap is a treasure trove of information for anyone who's blind or partially sighted and has a passion for tech. Steven and Shaun not only demystify tech, but they also regularly feature interviews and welcome guests from the community, fostering an interactive and engaging environment. Tune in every day of the week, and you'll discover how technology can seamlessly integrate into your life, enhancing daily tasks and experiences, even if your sight is limited.
"Double Tap" is a registered trademark of Double Tap Productions Inc.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
28 min
August 01Weekend: The Blind Outdoorsman On Hiking, Tech, and Life with RP
Discover how The Blind Outdoorsman, Jeff Skoglund, navigates the wilderness with retinitis pigmentosa. From hiking and kayaking to content creation, Jeff shares honest insights about accessibility, technology, and rediscovering independence outdoors.
In this episode of Double Tap Weekend, Shaun Preece sits down with Jeff Skoglund—known online as The Blind Outdoorsman—to explore how he balances his love for the outdoors with vision loss. Jeff opens up about living with retinitis pigmentosa (RP), the challenges of mobility and navigation, and his journey towards safely hiking, kayaking, and camping.
He discusses the tools that help him—from guide dogs and white canes to rugged adaptive gear and iPads for content creation—and the steep learning curve of maintaining digital accessibility. Jeff also reflects on creating social media content that inspires others, the emotional hurdles of vision loss, and the importance of honesty in sharing both successes and struggles.
Relevant Links
The Blind Outdoorsman on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BlindOutdoorsman
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iHeadRadio: https://www.doubletaponair.com/iheart
About Double Tap
Hosted by the insightful duo, Steven Scott and Shaun Preece, Double Tap is a treasure trove of information for anyone who's blind or partially sighted and has a passion for tech. Steven and Shaun not only demystify tech, but they also regularly feature interviews and welcome guests from the community, fostering an interactive and engaging environment. Tune in every day of the week, and you'll discover how technology can seamlessly integrate into your life, enhancing daily tasks and experiences, even if your sight is limited.
"Double Tap" is a registered trademark of Double Tap Productions Inc.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
29 min
July 31ChromeVox on Chromebooks: Can It Replace Your Computer?
Discover how ChromeVox on Chromebooks is transforming accessible computing for blind users. With insights from Charmaine Cole of the Accessible Learning Lounge, Steven Scott and Shaun Preece explore whether Chromebooks can truly replace traditional PCs or Macs for everyday tasks.
In this episode of Double Tap, Steven and Shaun dive into the world of Chromebooks and Google’s built-in screen reader, ChromeVox. They’re joined by Charmaine Cole, who has recently expanded her Accessible Learning Lounge courses to include training for ChromeVox, NVDA, and VoiceOver. Together, they discuss how Chromebooks perform for blind users, the surprising accessibility improvements in ChromeVox, and how these affordable devices could meet daily computing needs like email, Google Docs, and cloud work.
Charmaine shares her journey of learning ChromeVox, the benefits of free screen reader tools, and the accessibility challenges still present in areas like Braille support and missing place markers. The conversation also touches on inconsistent hotel accessibility, the rising cost of tech, and why Chromebooks might be the budget-friendly solution for many users.
Like what you hear? Share your thoughts in the comments, subscribe for more accessible tech discussions, and check out Charmaine Cole’s courses for 10% off with code doubletap.
Relevant Links
Accessible Learning Lounge: https://accessiblelearning.gumroad.com
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About Double Tap
Hosted by the insightful duo, Steven Scott and Shaun Preece, Double Tap is a treasure trove of information for anyone who's blind or partially sighted and has a passion for tech. Steven and Shaun not only demystify tech, but they also regularly feature interviews and welcome guests from the community, fostering an interactive and engaging environment. Tune in every day of the week, and you'll discover how technology can seamlessly integrate into your life, enhancing daily tasks and experiences, even if your sight is limited.
"Double Tap" is a registered trademark of Double Tap Productions Inc.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
56 min
July 30Annie: The Device Helping Blind Children Read and Write
Discover how Thinkerbell Labs’ Annie, the world’s first self-learning Braille device, is revolutionising Braille literacy for blind children. Learn how gamified, voice-guided technology bridges the gap where Braille teachers are scarce.
Braille literacy has been declining worldwide due to a lack of qualified teachers. In this episode, Steven Scott and Shaun Preece speak with Sanskriti Dawle and Dilip Ramesh, co-founders of Thinkerbell Labs, creators of the Annie device. Annie empowers blind children to independently learn to read, write, and type Braille using a playful, gamified approach.
We explore the origins of Annie, its impact on education in India, partnerships expanding access across the US and UK, and the future of Braille learning—both for children and adults. The conversation also delves into cost-effectiveness, societal perceptions of blind education, and how AI and refreshable Braille displays like the upcoming Tactera could transform literacy and content access.
Relevant Links
Thinkerbell Labs: https://www.thinkerbelllabs.com
American Printing House for the Blind: https://www.aph.org
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About Double Tap
Hosted by the insightful duo, Steven Scott and Shaun Preece, Double Tap is a treasure trove of information for anyone who's blind or partially sighted and has a passion for tech. Steven and Shaun not only demystify tech, but they also regularly feature interviews and welcome guests from the community, fostering an interactive and engaging environment. Tune in every day of the week, and you'll discover how technology can seamlessly integrate into your life, enhancing daily tasks and experiences, even if your sight is limited.
"Double Tap" is a registered trademark of Double Tap Productions Inc.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
56 min
July 29Inbox Insights: Prosthetic Eyes, AI Music and Why Society Still Gets Disability Wrong
Discover how blind tech enthusiasts navigate listener emails, share hilarious real-life stories, and explore accessibility in healthcare, music, and multi-line braille technology like the Monarch.
In this engaging episode of Double Tap, Steven Scott and Shaun Preece dive into their inbox to discuss heartfelt and eclectic listener messages. From Pam’s unforgettable prosthetic eye and spaghetti dinner story to Gordon’s online shopping frustrations, each email sparks candid conversations about life, blindness, and technology.
Listeners share experiences with hospital fall-risk protocols, privacy concerns, and how societal perceptions of disability affect daily life. The hosts also explore multi-line braille reading with the HumanWare Monarch, Orion smart glasses, and the Suno app for AI-generated music. Packed with humour, reflection, and practical advice, this episode highlights the importance of accessibility, self-advocacy, and community in the blind tech world.
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Subscribe to the Podcast:
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About Double Tap
Hosted by the insightful duo, Steven Scott and Shaun Preece, Double Tap is a treasure trove of information for anyone who's blind or partially sighted and has a passion for tech. Steven and Shaun not only demystify tech, but they also regularly feature interviews and welcome guests from the community, fostering an interactive and engaging environment. Tune in every day of the week, and you'll discover how technology can seamlessly integrate into your life, enhancing daily tasks and experiences, even if your sight is limited.
"Double Tap" is a registered trademark of Double Tap Productions Inc.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
56 min
July 28Light Sword Cane: Safety and Style for Blind Travellers
Explore the innovative Light Sword Cane from Sideways Innovations, a foldable, illuminated mobility cane designed to improve blind pedestrian safety, visibility, and social interaction, with a nod to Star Wars fandom.
Steven Scott and Shaun Preece dive into a lively conversation with Steven and Scott from Sideways Innovations about the Light Sword Cane—a mobility cane that lights up in multiple colours for enhanced visibility and safety. Inspired by a near-miss with a car, this illuminated cane doubles as a conversation starter, helping blind users feel seen and engage with the public in a positive way.
The episode covers the cane’s durability, rechargeable design, interchangeable tips, and optional safety features like personal alarms and Bluetooth speakers. The team also discusses the growing ecosystem of blind-friendly tech apps, subscription models for accessibility tools, and the social impact of technology like Be My Eyes, ScribeMe, and Oorion on Meta smart glasses.
Relevant Links
Sideways Innovations: https://sidewaysinnovations.com
Blind Striker YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BlindStriker
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About Double Tap
Hosted by the insightful duo, Steven Scott and Shaun Preece, Double Tap is a treasure trove of information for anyone who's blind or partially sighted and has a passion for tech. Steven and Shaun not only demystify tech, but they also regularly feature interviews and welcome guests from the community, fostering an interactive and engaging environment. Tune in every day of the week, and you'll discover how technology can seamlessly integrate into your life, enhancing daily tasks and experiences, even if your sight is limited.
"Double Tap" is a registered trademark of Double Tap Productions Inc.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
56 min
July 27How Two Brothers Built an AI Assistant for Windows Accessibility
Discover Darvy, a voice-first AI assistant for Windows that empowers blind users to control their computer with plain English commands. Skip the steep screen reader learning curve and gain independence with faster, smarter accessibility.
Steven Scott and Shaun Preece sit down with brothers Ameen and Majd, the creators of Darvy, a new AI-powered tool for blind Windows users. Born from Majd’s experience losing sight as an adult and struggling with screen reader shortcuts, Darvy allows users to hold the right Alt key and speak commands like “Read my emails” or “Reply to that message at 3 o’clock.”
Unlike other AI tools, Darvy reads the Windows accessibility tree rather than relying on screenshots, making it faster, more stable, and less costly to run. It works alongside JAWS or NVDA but aims to eventually remove the need for complex screen reader memorisation altogether. The episode explores:
• The challenge of mastering traditional screen readers
• How AI can provide real independence for blind students and professionals
• Security, language support, and real-world use cases
• The cost of running AI-powered accessibility and the future of local models
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Subscribe to the Podcast:
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iHeadRadio: https://www.doubletaponair.com/iheart
About Double Tap
Hosted by the insightful duo, Steven Scott and Shaun Preece, Double Tap is a treasure trove of information for anyone who's blind or partially sighted and has a passion for tech. Steven and Shaun not only demystify tech, but they also regularly feature interviews and welcome guests from the community, fostering an interactive and engaging environment. Tune in every day of the week, and you'll discover how technology can seamlessly integrate into your life, enhancing daily tasks and experiences, even if your sight is limited.
"Double Tap" is a registered trademark of Double Tap Productions Inc.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
56 min

About Double Tap

From the publisher's feed

Double Tap is the show where blind people talk tech! If you’re blind or partially sighted and have an interest in technology, this is the show for you. Everyone is welcome no matter how old you are…