AT Banter Episode 148 – Sam Seavey and The Blind Life

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This week we’re joined by Sam Seavey from the popular YouTube Channel The Blind Life.  We discuss the state of Assistive Technology, what kind of AT he uses in his daily life, and the trials and tribulations of being a YouTube Content Creator. 

Show Notes

The Blind Life YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNbzN3eHbLKPzltSB560DkA
Blind Shell Accessible Mobile Phone
https://www.blindshell.com/

AT Banter is brought to you by Canadian Assistive Technology, providing sales and training in Assistive Technology and Accessibility with over 30 years of knowledge and experience. Visit them online at www.canasstech.com or call toll-free 1-844-795-8324.

Need repairs on your device? Chaos Technical Services offers service and support on almost any piece of Assistive Technology, while also providing parts and batteries. Visit them online at www.chaostechnicalservices.com or call 778-847-6840.

AT Banter Episode 147 – Karthik Kannan and Envision AI

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This week Rob, Ryan and Steve welcome Karthik Kannan, co-Founder and Chief Engineer at Envision Technologies, into the Guitar Dungeon all the way from the Netherlands! We discuss the details of the Envision app, which assists blind or partially sighted users and the power of AI and machine learning that drives it.  

Show Notes

Envision AI
https://www.letsenvision.com/
Download Envision AI for Android
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.letsenvision.envisionai
Download Envision AI on iOS
https://itunes.apple.com/app/apple-store/id1268632314

Episode 146 – David Lepofsky and the Accessible Canada Act

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This week we’ve got a very important show – if you only listen to one episode of AT Banter this year, this is the one! Renowned disability advocate David Lepofsky joins us to talk all about C-81, the proposed Accessible Canada Act and details some of the shortcomings of the Act which he and many other disability advocates hope will be rectified before the Act passes into law. Listen in and find out what you can do to help and make your voices heard!

Show Notes

AODA Alliance Website
https://www.aodaalliance.org
EMAIL THE SENATE COMMITTEE!
soci@sen.parl.gc.ca
AODA Alliance on Twitter
@aodaalliance
Email the AODA Alliance
aodafeedback@gmail.com
Accessible Canada Act Is Too Weak to be Effective, Advocates Say (CTV News)
https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/accessible-canada-act-is-too-weak-to-be-effective-advocates-say-1.4224281

AT Banter Episode 145 – Nancy Thorogood

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This week Rob and Ryan welcome Nancy Thorogood, Research Associate from the Rick Hansen Institute, into the Guitar Dungeon to talk about the Institute and the work that they do on Spinal Cord Injury research, all the while trying not to ask stupid questions (and sometimes succeeding).

Show Notes

Rick Hansen Institute
http://rickhanseninstitute.org/
RHI and Stem Cell Research
http://rickhanseninstitute.org/resource/sci/stem-cell-research
Additional Information on Spinal Cord Injuries
https://scireproject.com/
https://scireproject.com/community/
Local Studies on SCI
http://icord.org/research/participate-in-a-study/
Apple Event 2019 Annoucements
https://www.cnet.com/news/apple-event-2019-apple-card-tv-plus-news-plus-arcade-everything-just-announced/

AT Banter Episode 144 – CSUN Wrap-Up

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Assistive Technology geeks, rejoice! This week it’s all about gadgets and shiny objects as the boys are joined by Albert Ruel and Kim Kilpatrick from Get Together With Technology to talk about the recent CSUN Conference. Albert, Kim, and Steve tell us all about the highlights from the conference and the new technology that was on display as well as some of the Conference’s surprises and standout experiences.

Show Notes

Canute
http://www.bristolbraille.co.uk
TactPlus Tactile Printer
https://www.tactplusprinter.com
BrailleMe
http://innovisiontech.co/brailleme
B2G
https://www.nbp.org/ic/nbp/technology/b2g
QD Laser
https://www.qdlaser.com/en/applications/eyewear.html
Tech4Freedom – UFO
https://www.tech4freedom.net/ufo
Tech4Freedom – Box One4ALL
https://www.tech4freedom.net/box
Zoomax AceSight
https://www.zoomax.com/low-vision-products/wearable-AceSight.html
Sony Wearable Neck Speaker
https://www.japantrendshop.com/sony-wearable-neck-speaker-srsws1-p-4096.html
Nearby Explorer
https://www.aph.org/pr/nearby-explorer-now-available-for-ios
Tap Keyboard
https://www.tapwithus.com
Markido Inc
https://markido.com
BuzzClip
https://imerciv.com

AT Banter Episode 143 – Richard Harlow

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This week we’re visited by local visually impaired artist, advocate, motivational speaker and self-proclaimed Renaissance Man, Richard Harlow. Richard tells us how he was first diagnosed with the rare condition LHON, how it impacted his life, and how it eventually saw him begin a life of advocacy that resulted in the city of Nanaimo adopting a new Accessibility icon.

Show Notes

Delta Air Lines bans young puppies and kittens as support animals
https://www.cnn.com/2018/12/12/us/delta-airlines-bans-support-animals-trnd/index.html
A look at TTC accessibility through the eyes of a rider who uses two canes
https://www.thestar.com/news/city_hall/2019/03/10/a-look-at-ttc-accessibility-through-the-eyes-of-a-rider-who-uses-two-canes.html
Richard Harlow Interview from Times Colonist
https://www.timescolonist.com/how-artist-richard-harlow-changed-his-style-after-going-blind-1.22756732

Episode 142 - Shawn Marsolais and Blind Beginnings

AT Banter Episode 142 – Shawn Marsolais and Blind Beginnings

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This week we’re excited to welcome back Shawn Marsolais, Founder and Executive Director of Blind Beginnings to the Guitar Dungeon. We catch up with what Blind Beginnings has been up to for the past year and discuss some of the issues that visually impaired people face on a day to day basis and what solutions and programs Blind Beginnings is actively working on.

Show Notes

Walmart Is Phasing Out ‘Greeters’ In U.S.
https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2019/02/28/walmart-greeters_a_23680761/
Dentists No Longer Permitted To Turn Away Patients Due To Disabilities
https://www.disabilityscoop.com/2019/02/28/dentists-turn-away-disabilities/26093/
The writing of this AI is so human that its creators are scared to release it
https://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/ai-writer-disinformation-1.5030305
Blind Beginnings
https://www.blindbeginnings.ca/

For those in the Lower Mainland who want to help support Blind Beginnings and the work they do, get your tickets to the 9th Annual Gala Dinner and Online Auction, April 6th 6 – 10:30pm. Purchase tickets here: https://www.blindbeginnings.ca/donations/2019-gala-dinner-auction/

AT Banter Episode 141 – Rebecca Blaevoet and Tactile Vision Graphics

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Recently, a small Braille and Tactile Graphics company in Windsor, Ontario was awarded a licensing deal that allows them to produce a series of Braille and Tactile Graphic activity books for children. This week we’re joined by Rebecca Blaevoet, accountant and marketer for Tactile Vision Graphics, who gives us some insight on what it was like to be awarded this huge licensing deal, its implications for visually impaired children, and the importance of Braille Literacy.

Show Notes

Woman with disability banned from No Frills store after failing to pack groceries fast enough
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/disabled-woman-banned-from-no-frills-1.5028056
Okanagan Parents Voice Concern Over New School District App Accessibility
https://globalnews.ca/news/4996759/accessibility-digital-age-okanagan-parent-voices-concern/
Tactile Vision Graphics
https://tactilevisiongraphics.com/

AT Banter Episode 140 – Accessibility Within Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality

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Will there be Braille in the Matrix? Jonathan Avila, Chief Accessibility Officer of Level Access joins the Banter Boys this week to discuss accessibility within Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality platforms. We discuss the efforts to encourage developers of these platforms to ensure these new spaces are accessible as well as some of the potential these platforms hold for people with disabilities.

Show Notes

Gene therapy first to ‘halt’ most common cause of blindness
https://www.bbc.com/news/health-47226987
Galleries From A to Z Sued Over Websites the Blind Can’t Use
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/18/arts/design/blind-lawsuits-art-galleries.html
Level Access
https://www.levelaccess.com/

AT Banter Episode 139 – Ferdando Albertorio – What’s New with Sunu

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We’re back after a week away!  Rob explains why, Ryan explains his new phone choice (brace yourself, this will shock you), and the boys catch up with a few pieces of news before welcoming Fernando Albertorio from Sunu to the show where he gives a full update on some of the Sunu Band mobility aid’s new firmware features.

Show Notes

Hockey Players with Assistive Devices Barred from Ont Tournaments
https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/hockey-players-with-assistive-devices-barred-from-ont-tournaments-1.4290238
Barbie Unveils New Line of Inclusive Dolls With Disabilities
https://mynbc15.com/news/offbeat/barbie-unveils-line-of-inclusive-dolls-with-disabilities
Sunu
https://www.sunu.io