Category: Audio Demonstration

Setting up an Amazon Echo Dot 3rd gen as a blind user

It is not a secret for anyone how popular and useful is an Amazon Echo device today.
Just talking with this intelligent device you can find out more about lots of things, you can do shopping, organise your calendar and much much more.
I will show today in the podcast episode how to set up an Echo Dot 3rd gen as a blind user without any sighted help.
I have used for this my iPhone X where the Alexa app was installed before, and the process was simple.
When the device was added to my devices list I have had to organise it in terms of where it is placed. In my case, the new device is seating in my bedroom.
Also, I have renamed this new device and I have activated the sound for start and end requests.
This little beep help blind people to know if Alexa heard your request and also when the answer is following.
Enjoy the audio demonstration and do not hesitate to contact us for any help if you encounter problems during set up as a blind user.
Do you have a particular task what Alexa helps you with? Which one? Do you recommend any skill?
Please leave your comments below.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Transferring files between Mac and iPhone via Airdrop

I will demonstrate today how to send a file via Airdrop between your Mac and your iPhone.
The process is quite simple.
You must have your Bluetooth connection turned on for each device. Both devices must be in range.

Sending from Mac to iPhone

I have selected my file on my Mac mini using Finder.
On the file prepared for transfer I have pressed VO shift M, which is the shortkey for contextual menu.
VO is the Voiceover key, or ctrl and option pressed together.
All this demonstration was made for screen reader users.
Blind and visually impaired people know Voiceover, and possible are familiar with this short key mentioned above. It is a Finder short key, not necessary a Voiceover command.
When shift VO M is pressed a list of options are displayed, but we need to go down to share.
There is another list displayed for share, where one of the options is Airdrop.
Press VO spacebar on Airdrop and wait a moment.
It is very possible to hear a notification saying:
“Not found the contact what you are looking for?”
When this screen appears do not press escape or cancel button, but navigate with tab until hear a table displayed.
If that table do not appear check your iPhone to not be locked.
For some reasons when the iPhone is password locked the connection is not possible to be completed.
When the iPhone is unlocked, just go around with tab on your Mac, until the table where the devices are listed appear. Some time Voiceover will read a username, or an iCloud account, or a name of devices found. Also. If the contact has a picture attached, you can see that picture, in case of any sight rest is left.
Press VO spacebar on that result displayed in table, and wait for the ding notification on your iPhone. Also, a little dialog come up to ask if you wish to accept or decline the file.

When file is accepted an option called “open with” will be displayed.
This window allows you to choose an app or place where that file will be saved.
Job done.

Sending from iPhone to Mac

For sending files from iPhone to Mac the procedure is quite similar.
Go to that file what you wish to transfer to your Mac and double tap on it.
Depending where that file is a share button must be present.
Choose Airdrop from the share list and wait to see a list of
recipients displayed.
When the username or name of the device appear double tap on it and leave your iPhone aside.
A notification will come up on your Mac asking to decline or accept the file.
If file is accepted, you can choose a place where that file will be saved or opened.

Check this thing in case of transfer failure:

Check if all devices involved in transfer have the Bluetooth turned on.
Perhaps you can use Siri to turn Bluetooth on.
Check Settings in your iPhone to see what kind of receiving files settings you have.
For this, go to settings/general/airdrop and double check what is selected there.
You can choose 1 of 3 options:
1. Off
2. Contact only
3. everyone.

Just in case of first option is selected, you need to alter this setting, other way leave as it is.
Warning! If everyone is selected, you can receive files from any Apple device found in range. Use this option only when desired contacts are not found, but do not forget to change after to option number 2 which is the default one.
For any other issue, check share settings in Mac, under your System Preferences.
Keep in mind, if your iPhone and Mac are registered under same iCloud account probably is worth using iCloud for easier sharing.
But for family members or sharing with friends the Airdrop sharing is probably the best and easiest way.

Listen an audio demonstration step by step in the podcast episode below.
For any questions or comments about this, leave a comment, or contact us.
Don’t forget about our training offer, if you wish to learn one to one about Voiceover in Mac and iPhone as a screen reader user!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

How tu update your Apple Watch OS as a blind person

In this podcast episode I will show how to update your Apple Watch OS as a blind person.
I am my self a blind user of Apple Watch and iPhone, and the whole process was recorded just to show you how to perform this task.
In order to update your Apple Watch you need the following:
• Your Apple Watch must sit on its charger
• Your Watch’s battery level must be at list 50%.
• Your Apple Watch and your iPhone must be in range and connected to same wireless network.
The update process must be started from Watch app on your iPhone.
Ask Siri to open Watch app and swipe right until all watch faces are past, then continue until general. Double tap on general and go to the right until software update. If a new version of Watch OS is available Voiceover will mention that.
If yes, proceed to update.
Will be 3 rounds of waiting time required: one for download, second for preparation and third for installing.
The whole process will take about 15 minutes, depending by your internet connection speed.
Two things are very important:
1. Do not remove your Apple Watch from its charger until the update is complete.
2. . Do not take your iPhone out of range of your watch and wi-fi network.
A short time, during the installation, your Watch will not speak.

Hope the audio demonstration below will help you to understand how simple is to update your Watch OS when a new version is available.
For any question or comment around Apple Watch and iPhone fill free to write us, using the comments form below, or the contact form.
Finally, I wish only to remind you, Accessible Computer offer training courses for blind people, one to one, face to face or at distance, in topics like iPhone and Apple Watch, but other as well.

Check out here the all list of available training courses.

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Borrow Box app accessibility for Voiceover users

Borrow Box app is an app used by local libraries in UK for e-books and e-audio-bookx.
In this audio demonstration I will show you how to borrow a book from Poole and Cristchurch Library.
Also, an overview of the main tabs in the menu will inform you what you can do in this app, as a blind user.
The app is 100% accessible with Voiceover screen reader in iPhone.
Eventually, the only step where a problem may aquire is the signup process. There is a barcode which must be scanned from your library card and a pin code required.
I remember, this first step, for me at list, has been done by a library emploee. I can’t remember if is possible to pair manually the app with your library card, avoiding that barcode scann.

Appearance

The first page when you open the app is My Loans, where you can see an overview of your borrowed/reserved books.
In the app you can borrow books, but also to rezerv books, if they are not available at the visit time. Some of the titles are limited in terms of licences offered to your local libraries. When that maximum is reached you have to wait in the queue untill that title is returned by others. The returns are made manually, or automaticaly, when the borrow term expire.
The second tab is e-audio-books where you can see a list of available books . A filter is available is well, if you wish to sort books after category, age target, etc.
Each title is followed by a date when is available for download, in case of all copyed owned by the local library are taken. If the title does not display any availability date, that mean that title is available for download straight on.

When a double tap with one finger is performed on book title you open the book details.
In this page are buttons available for preview, borrow, or rezerv.

The third tab is search.
With search box I was unsuccessful, probably because my search term was unusual. Probably if you search for a book title about you know for sure is available , the results are relevant.
For my trials the results were not relevant.
I have inserted the terms “learn social media” and “Living forward” which is a book title.
Also, the little popup with suggestions under the search box always suggested funny terms.
The forth tab is settings where you can adjust some details like downloading books on wi-fi only, account details with personal data, and few others.
All together I am pleased about Borrow Box accessibility for screen reader users.
Do you have a similar experience?
Let me know if you checked this app in Android or iPad.

Listen the audio demonstration in the podcast episode below.
For any questions leave a comment or drop me an e-mail using the contact form.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Installing WordPress manually as a screen reader user

A while ago I have recorded a podcast episode about WordPress installation via Softaculous, but at this time I have decided to show you how to install a WP website on your server manually.
Why manually? Because is coming with some advantages.
You can create a DB name as you like, and you can upload, straight on, the WordPress package with the desired plugins and themes.
Also, you can manage separate the files from FTP, and Database file, in case of a crush.
When Softaculous is used if you decide to remove the installation the DB also is removed.
I have encountered a couple of situations when, in hurry, I have deleted accidentally the wrong website because the check box ticked was related with the website below the one wanted to be removed.
Anyway, it is a double warning there asking you if you really wish to remove that installation because is not possible to undo the task.
My fault, of course, to not pay attention to second warning, but good for me to know how to repair everything here.
Another thing for a manual installation is the possibility to name the database as you like. A meaningful name helps me to identify the DB for each domain easily when I must deal with DB management.
Softaculous tends to name the DB/username randomly and similar which is not always good.
Enough with pros and cons, but not before saying Softaculous is a very good option for commodity or new blog developers.
If you wish to install manually a WordPress website, you need to meet some requirements:
1. To have a hosting account somewhere preferable with LAMP. LAMP stands from Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP.
2. A domain names
3. A copy of WordPress downloaded from www.wordpress.org.
4. An FTP client like FileZilla
5. A text editor like Notepad.
6. A program for unzip like 7zip or WinRAR.
7. Internet connection.
If you wish to have the same hosting service and interface like me just contact me.
A domain name could be purchased together with hosting. In this way the domain price is cheaper.
The FTP client FileZilla can be downloaded from here.

Download 7zip from here.

Let’s start the job now!
You have to do 4 steps as following:

  1. Create a MySQL database in your cPanel
  2. Modify your config file from the downloaded WordPress package
  3. Upload the modified WordPress folder content to your server using FileZilla client
  4. Run the instalation wizzard accessing your domain name in browser

Creating MySQL database

Go to your cPanel and login.
Assuming you have a domain and hosting purchased, you must type in your browser the name of your domain followed by slash cPanel and press enter. Use credentials provided by your hosting provider and login.
Under MySQL data base wizard create a new DB and a new user.
Tick the box “all privileges” and press next.
Make a note of the DB details like name/user/password.
Keep in mind, in cPanel with LAMP the database name will be like your cPanel username underline Database name.
AE: If my cPanel user name is Adrian and the new created DB is named ice-cream the final name will be Adrian_icecream and the user will be Adrian_DBusername where DBusername will be the user for DB.
Password and DB name/user are case sensitive.
Create an e-mail for the domain where WordPress will be installed in case of you haven’t yet. You can use also a personal e-mail like gmail or Hotmail, but I not recommend because spam filters of this e-mail providers which may cause problems with sending/receiving e-mails.
Close the cPanel and go to next step.

Prepare your WordPress package for upload

Navigate to downloads folder and unzip your WordPress copy what you have just downloaded from WordPress.org.
A folder called WordPress will be created. In this folder are other 3 folders and a bunch of files.
The file what we need to edit is called WP-config-sample.php.
Press F2 on it in order to rename it and change the name in WP-config.php.
Open this renamed file in Notepad and arrow down until Jaws reads first line starting with “Define”.
Several lines are above, majority of them starting with star.
All this line are comments and explanation but ignore them.
First line starting with the word “Define” is the one where we must insert the dB name.
You must read word by word that line and in between apostrophes you can read ‘database_name_here’. Delete all in between apostrophes and type the DB name what you have just created in cPanel.
Continue to arrow down and search for “Define DB username”.
Like above, go word by word and delete what is in between apostrophes when you find ‘database_username_here’. In between apostrophes right the DB username exactly as you have created in the DB wizard in cPanel. Don’t forget the right format.
Arrow down again until next line starting with “Define” and their search for ‘database password’ and delete what is in between apostrophes. Type the DB password as created in cPanel.
Press alt f4 and save the changes.
Any wrong character or extra space in between apostrophes will cause installation fail.
When this change is made properly it is the time to upload the modified pack to FTP.

Upload your WordPress to server via FTP

Open FileZilla and type your credential like hostname, username and password.
This detail is provided by your host. In most cases are similar with the cPanel credentials.
FileZilla will display two screens; one for your local machine and one for your FtP server.
Tab around until the tree view related with your local machine point to the WordPress folder with the modified WP-config.php file and then tab until pass remote site slash. That tab marks the server screen half and in that tree view you must point to the root folder of the domain where WordPress is following to be installed.
Turn back using tab key to your local machine screen and just a tab below the tree view is the content of WordPress folder. There press CTRL A to select all, then application key, or shift F10. Select upload and press enter. You can check up the upload progress with insert page down.
A notification will appear when the upload is finished.

Run the installation wizzard

Assuming you have uploaded the content of WordPress folder up to the right folder in FTP, and the data modified in WP-config.php is correct, the installing wizard will appear in your browser when you type the name of the domain where you install WordPress.
In this wizard you must put a name for your site, a username for admin, an e-mail address and a password.
Presuming you have created before an e-mail under that domain, where WP installation runs, type that address.
Leave the tick box marked in case of wish to leave Google to index your blog.
If you plan to put the content later is good to tick that box until content is posted.
Press tab key until install button and press enter.
A success installation message will come up, displaying your chosen username and a link to login in your blog dashboard.
Job done. It is the time to start blogging and customise your site.

Conclusion

Keep in mind, to install a blog is not a big deal, but posting quality content regular is the path to a successful blogger.
I have performed all this using a Windows 10 machine, Jaws 2018 and Google Chrome as browser.

Stil need help?

In case of any information is not clear enough, please listen the podcast episode below, where I have recorded all steps from scratch, down to the moment of having the brand-new blog installed.
For any questions about blogging as blind don’t hesitate to contact me.
Also, Accessible Computer provides training courses one to one for blind people interested to learn blogging with screen readers.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

How to set up your Apple Watch serie 4 for swimming poole

I am wandering to show today how to set up your Apple Watch 3rd or 4th generation, for that time when you go to swimming pool.
I am going, when weather allow me, to swim in the sea here at Bournemouth. It is a wonderful beach here and summer time is coming now. I am looking forward for that hot time of the year.
If you are blind, and your watch is operated using Voiceover, then this is the guide for you.
I will have below the article a short podcast episode to show you how to activate/diactivate water lock.
First, I wish to warn you to not get into a swimming pool with Apple Watch if they are older than 3rd generation. They are OK with splash water, when you wash your hands or with heavy rain, but not cope at all with keeping watch under water.
First rule then, is> Double check if your watch model is capable of be taken in swimming pool.
Check your user manual for this.
Second rule is do not jump in any pool before being 100% sure your watch is properly activated with the water protection.
To turn water lock on, follow two steps which takes only few seconds to perform.
1. Triple tap with two fingers in order to disactivate crown navigation. You must hear crown navigation off when the gesture is done properly. Is important to do this because turning water lock off require working with the digital crown.
2. Navigate to control centre and double tap on it. Flick right until hear water lock off. Double tap with one finger to turn it on.
If the water lock is turned on properly no other information will be present on the screen excepting time. The voice will report only the time when you touch the screen.
Note: after a time spent in water the voice can be dimpt because the little speaker is wet. But when you turn water lock off the water will be ejected, and the voice tone will come to normal.
To turn the water lock off just press once on the digital crown, the little round button, and then turn it a bit. A little tone and some vibrations will be generated in order to dry out the speaker.
When the water lock is set off properly, the regular screen will come up like before .
I hafve been many times now to my local swimming pool and used my watch in water, and no issues.
Why should I take the watch with me?
Because you can measure various things during your swimming time, like calories spent, heart bit, workout time, etc.
Find out below the promised audio demonstra

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Twitterrific for iPhone, demonstration for Voiceover users

I have received a request to provide information about working with Twitterrific in Iphone, and few questions came up about.
But before answering I have to make some mentions.
Let’s say first of all the interface of this app displays a sidebar on top, an area called central stage and few options in between.
They are Home, compose and search button. At the bottom screen is a similar menu containing:
1. Home
2. Mentions
3. Likes
4. Messeges
5. My Tweets
Please note, this below menu is not reachable as a regular tab menu but you have to touch four fingers at the bottom of screen in order to go to the last tweet in list.
Just after that one you can access that menu.
I think the role of each menu is quite self explanatory.
Home menu displays the whole list of tweets from your timeline
The Mentions menu displays your tweets which are mentioned by others.
Messeges displays a list of direct messages and Likes the list of your liked tweets.
My Tweets display a list of my tweets.
Touching with four fingers on top of the screen move the focus straight to sidebar which normaly is closed.
Once the sidebar is opened some other options are displayed.

Do I have to customize Twitterrific for VoiceOver?

No, when Twitterrific is installed all what you need is set as default. Of course, if you have some extra requirements you can check settings and alter from there various aspects.

How to follow and unfollow someone?

I do like this on my iPhone in order to follow/unfollow someone.
I will browse my timeline to find the user what I want to follow or unfollow.
Flick up or down on screen when you are positioned on that tweet containing the username and stop on that option when the username is reported. As an example, if I want to follow an user called @AccessibleCompu I will navigate at that tweet and then flicking up or down I will go untill VoiceOver will say @AccessibleCompu and then double tap. Some options related with that user will be opened, like name and website, how many followers/followed that user have and also a button reporting if you follow him or not. Also, one of the lines will report if that user already follow you.
Tap on the switch button follow and job done. also, same button must be switched off in case of you wish to not follow that user any more.

How to search for some one or company

In sidebar is a button called search button.
You can tipe a general term, a company name or a person name. Also, for a direct result the best way is to search using the @username format.
If no result is returned under cancel button nothing is displayed.

How to tweet to someone or company

The simple way is to tap on compose button on top sidebar and write your tweet. If no destination is mentioned you send the message to all your followers.
Also, you can use reply flicking up on the tweet where the user what you want to tweet is present.
If you choose one user only to tweet, that is a direct message.
Also, you can use Messages tab from the bottom menu.

Where to see my followers?

On sidebar navigate to profile and double tap one finger.
Slide left to right untill hear how many people you follow and double tap. A list of all your followed will be displayed.

Where to find those following me?

At the same place like above, one line below.
Again, do double tap on the number of people following you.

How to view tweets sent by an individual or company?

Go on your timeline and find a tweet sent by the individual or company what you wish to see tweets.
Flick up till you hear the username of that user and double tap. A overview of that user will appear. Here you can see a list of latest tweets sent by that user.
Also, you can go via sidebar in order to find the user or even to use search button. Once you found that user double tapp on it, to see that overview what I have mentioned above.

VoiceOver gestures in Twitterrific

At iFactory Support page is displayed a good list of Voiceover gestures for Twitterrific for iOS.

What VoiceOver gestures can I use in Twitterrific?

Twitterrific supports gestures for use with VoiceOver the audio accessibility feature built into iOS for the hard of seeing. The following is a list of VoiceOver gestures available in Twitterrific 5:

Anywhere

• Two-finger Z gesture – Dismiss any currently-displayed popup

views

Timeline

• Three-finger swipe down while at the top of the timeline – refreshes the timeline content

• Three-finger swipe up/down – scroll the timeline by pages

• Swipe left or right – move through your timeline tweet by tweet

• Double tap on a tweet – Quickly open the discussion view for that tweet

• Double tap, hold, and swipe left on a tweet – Quickly open the discussion view for that tweet

• Double tap, hold, and swipe right on a tweet – Quickly start a reply for that tweet

• Swipe up or down, then double tap – Select and execute an action for that tweet

Sidebar

• Double tap and hold on the sidebar button – Quickly bring up the Accounts screen

Photo Viewer

• Double tap – Dismiss the photo viewer • Double tap and hold – Bring up an action menu for the displayed photo

• Double tap on the character counter, then swipe left and double tap on the reset tweet button – Clear the text in the compose view • Double tap and hold on the location button – set location attachment always on by default

In-App Browser

• Double tap and hold on the mobilizer button – set mobilizer view always on by default

Clearing the Timeline Cache or Deleting An Account

• Double tap & hold on the sidebar button to bring up the Accounts screen. Next, navigate to the account you want to clear the cache or delete. Double tap on the account itself to activate it. Finally, swipe down to the option you want (Clear cache or delete account) and double tap again.
For an audio demonstration listen the podcast episode below.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Dealing with attachments in Outlook using Jaws

As a screen reader user, we do things a little different in Outlook when is about saving or insert an attachment.

Saving attachments in Outlook

In Windows 10 with Jaws 2018 and Outlook 2016 we can do like this in order to save attachments:

  • Open Outlook and press control Y to go at the mail folder
  • Arrow down and then right to the inbox folder
  • Open an e-mal containing an attachment. Jaws announces which one contain one.
  • Press insert A in order to jump to attachment list.
  • Arrow left or right between attached files if they are more than one.
  • Press shift F10 or application key and select save all attachments or save as.
  • From the window opened tab around to choose the folder where the attachment file will be saved
  • Press enter or spacebar

You can choose to save selectively what file to save or to select all for this.
Also, explore other options available for the attachments in the context menu.

Insert an attachment in a new composed e-mail

In order to add an attachment into an e-mail you can use one of this 2 methods:
1. Select and copy a file using regular Windows Explorer commands and paste into the message body.
2. In the em-ail body press alt key and arrow right to insert tab, then down arrow to attach button. Press enter and then using tab go to browse this PC button. Please note, when press enter on attach button a list of recent opened files is opened, but keep pressing tab you can find browse this PC button.
This button open a regular browse file window which allow you to choose what file to open in order to attach it.
Remember, attachment files needs to not exceed the limit mentioned by your e-mail service. Also, not any kind of file could be uploaded as an attachment.
A good practice for programs or big files is to archive them before paste in attachments.

For a step by step example of saving and insert an attachment listen the podcast episode below.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

How to import your bookmarks from IE into Google Chrome browser

In the podcast episode today I am going to demonstrate how to import bookmarks and favourites from Internet Explorer in Google Chrome browser, as a screen reader user.
The process is simple and needs only few steps.
1. Open Chrome then press tab in order to move away from search field.
2. Press alt F to open the menu
3. Navigate to bookmarks submenu using arrow keys
4. Choose import bookmarks and select Internet Explorer from the combobox
5. Press tab few times until import button and press enter.

As you probably notice along your bookmarks the import wizzard is able to move your browser history and saved passwords.
If you have any difficulties or wish to know more about managing bookmarks, please listen the audio demonstration and then use the comments form below.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download