Access Collective Podcast Issue 1
This is the first podcast by the access collective. As we explain in the edition we are a group of middle aged men who should know better. But in a final attempt to recapture our lost youth, we've come together to share our thoughts, ideas and observations from the world of Access technology. Our focus is on how people with a disability use technology to reduce barriers in daily life. We will also explore issues around Universal Design and web accessibility offering a broad view linking together all aspects of accessibility for all.
In this first edition you will meet
David Banes - editor and general chat - mostly responsible for bad jokes and sarcasm
Barrie Ellis - Accessible Gaming
Steve Lee - Opensource Accessibility
and Neil Millikin - Mobile and Portable technologies
Other members of the collective - who you will meet in future editions are :-
Donal Rice - Web accessibility and new initiatives
John Liddle - Acceess and Inclusion in education
In the spirit of the collective we welcome new members - drop us a line if youd like to join this roving band. Although that sounds like we are folk singers - that can never be good.
In this first edition you will find
Barrie Ellis discussing computer gaming for the blind, Barrie talks about a range of free and commercial products that are available for people with a visual impairment, including handhelp games released in Japan. If you wnat to know more about the games, and even find the links to free games visit Barries website www.oneswitch.org.uk
Steve Lee reports on the activity around Linux accessibility and the Gnome Desktop from CSUN 2010. Steve tells us more about what is available and what is in development including the latest news on the Orca screen reader for Linux. If you wnat to know more you will find more information on the OSSwatch website
Neil Millikin introduces us to some of the ways in which disabled people are using Mobile and Portable devices to reduce barriers in their daily life and live more indpendently. Neil brings the insght from his own experience of Dyslexia and introduces the use of mobile phones as note takers, way finders and memory aids
Finally David Banes rounds up this first edition with a review of some of the access technology news of the last month. Access features on the new Apple iPad, research into full screen refreshable Braille Displays and a new web based screen reader for the blind are introduced alongside a plug for a great very low cost iPhone App Eye Glass which turns your Iphone into a portable hand held magnifier for people with low vision
To round the show off we offer a free slice of entertainment, very little to do with access - and everything to do with the spirit of the podcast
Enjoy
Links :-
Gaming - www.oneswitch.org.uk
OSSWatch - www.oss-watch.ac.uk/
Mobile Phones - www.mobileaccessibility.info/
News -
Enjoy
Great stuff, David, and long may it continue. By the way, I’m representing www.gamebase.info as well as www.oneswitch.org.uk for the accessible gaming slot (”the electronic soup podcast” bit). I’d better crack on with part 2 then!
Barrie Ellis said this on April 6th, 2010 at 1:49 am