Today on the show, we continue celebrating the 200th anniversary of Braille, discussing its evolution, relevance, and the innovations in Braille technology.

Joining Steven today is Stuart Lawlor, an expert in assistive technology who works at the UK’s Sight and Sound Technology, and Gregory Hargraves from Paige Braille, who has created an innovative way to turn at Perkins braille machine into a keyboard that can be connected to a computer.

The guests both emphasize the importance of Braille literacy, the role of sighted allies in advocacy, and the challenges faced in developing affordable multi-line Braille displays.

They also explore the personal significance of Braille from each their blind and sighted perspectives, the debate surrounding Braille literacy, and the need for updated research on Braille usage in modern society.

The chat also delves into the multifaceted world of Braille technology, discussing the essential toolkit for visually impaired individuals, the challenges surrounding Braille technology and costs, and the impact of devices like the Hable One.

The speakers explore the barriers to learning Braille, the evolution of Braille devices, and the potential effects of tariffs on assistive technology.

Get in touch with Double Tap by emailing us feedback@doubletaponair.com or by call 1-877-803-4567 and leave us a voicemail. You can also now contact us via Whatsapp on 1-613-481-0144 or visit doubletaponair.com/whatsapp to connect. We are also across social media including X, Mastodon and Facebook. Double Tap is available daily on AMI-audio across Canada, on podcast worldwide and now on YouTube.

Chapter Markers:
00:00 Celebrating 200 Years of Braille Technology
01:54 The Evolution and Relevance of Braille
06:06 The Importance of Sighted Allies in Braille Advocacy
07:57 Challenges in Multi-Line Braille Displays
12:12 Braille and Literacy: A Personal Perspective
14:08 The Debate on Braille Literacy
17:55 Research and the Future of Braille
19:49 The Global Perspective on Braille Usage
30:29 Challenges in Braille Technology and Costs
31:57 Hable One: A Game Changer in Braille Technology
39:34 The Evolution of Braille Devices and Future Prospects
51:46 The Impact of Tariffs on Assistive Technology

In our third episode celebrating Braille at 200, Steven Scott explores the state of Braille education globally, focusing on the challenges and opportunities in teaching Braille to children with visual impairments with special guest Elizabeth McCann, a QTVI (Qualified Teacher of Visually Impaired Children) who works at the University of Edinburgh and has previously worked in Toronto.

The discussion highlights the importance of early education, the resurgence of interest in Braille, and the need for individualized approaches to learning. Elizabeth also addresses the resistance from parents and the misconceptions surrounding Braille usage, emphasizing the need for better awareness and advocacy.

This conversation explores the challenges and advancements in visual impairment education, focusing on the importance of Braille literacy, the impact of inclusion in mainstream education, and the varying international approaches to teaching Braille.

Elizabeth highlights the need for better support systems for teachers and students, the role of technology in enhancing Braille education, and the future of Braille in a rapidly changing educational landscape.

Get in touch with Double Tap by emailing us feedback@doubletaponair.com or by call 1-877-803-4567 and leave us a voicemail. You can also now contact us via Whatsapp on 1-613-481-0144 or visit doubletaponair.com/whatsapp to connect. We are also across social media including X, Mastodon and Facebook. Double Tap is available daily on AMI-audio across Canada, on podcast worldwide and now on YouTube.

In our second episode celebrating Braille at 200, Steven Scott discusses the significance of Braille education in the United States with blind QTVI (Qualified Teacher of Visually Impaired Children) Kate Crohan who works at Perkins School for the Blind.

The discussion highlights the challenges and opportunities in teaching Braille to visually impaired and low vision students, the importance of acceptance in learning Braille, and the balance between traditional Braille and modern technology. Kate Crohan talks about the need for Braille education to adapt to the needs of individual students, including those with low vision, and both Steven and Kate explore the ongoing debate between different input methods for Braille technology.

The conversation also explores the various applications of Braille beyond academics, such as in personal life and community engagement. Also, concerns about the future of Braille in the face of advancing technology and audio resources are addressed, with a hopeful outlook on the continued relevance of Braille.

Get in touch with Double Tap by emailing us feedback@doubletaponair.com or by call 1-877-803-4567 and leave us a voicemail. You can also now contact us via Whatsapp on 1-613-481-0144 or visit doubletaponair.com/whatsapp to connect. We are also across social media including X, Mastodon and Facebook. Double Tap is available daily on AMI-audio across Canada, on podcast worldwide and now on YouTube.

Chapter Markers:
00:00 Celebrating Braille Education
02:25 The Role of Braille in Education
10:33 Acceptance and Learning Braille
15:36 Braille vs. Technology: Finding Balance
19:00 The Importance of Braille for Low Vision Children
20:51 Navigating Braille Learning Levels
23:11 QWERTY vs. Perkins: The Braille Input Debate
28:28 The Importance of Braille Usage
32:16 Technology's Role in Braille Education
36:47 Braille Beyond Academics
46:47 Concerns for the Future of Braille

In our first of five special episodes this week, Double Tap celebrates the 200th anniversary of Braille, exploring its historical significance, the evolution of technology that supports Braille literacy, and the ongoing challenges and opportunities for adult learners.

The discussion highlights the life of Louis Braille, his legacy, and the importance of Braille in promoting literacy and employment for the visually impaired.

Steven and Shaun also address the modern approaches to learning Braille, emphasizing the need for accessible and relevant educational resources. This conversation delves into the evolving landscape of Braille technology, emphasizing its relevance in modern contexts, innovative devices like the Hable One and BT Speak Pro, and the future of multi-line Braille displays such as the Monarch from Humanware and APH.

The guys also address the critical issue of the cost of Braille technology and its implications for accessibility and education.

Get in touch with Double Tap by emailing us feedback@doubletaponair.com or by call 1-877-803-4567 and leave us a voicemail. You can also now contact us via Whatsapp on 1-613-481-0144 or visit doubletaponair.com/whatsapp to connect. We are also across social media including X, Mastodon and Facebook. Double Tap is available daily on AMI-audio across Canada, on podcast worldwide and now on YouTube.

Chapter Markers:
00:00 Celebrating 200 Years of Braille
05:17 The Life and Legacy of Louis Braille
10:22 Braille's Enduring Impact on Literacy and Employment
15:11 Challenges and Opportunities in Adult Braille Learning
18:32 Modern Approaches to Learning Braille With Hadley
28:05 The Relevance of Braille in Modern Contexts
32:19 Innovative Braille Technology: Hable One
39:13 Reviving Nostalgia: The BT Speak Pro
44:56 The Future of Braille: Multi-Line Displays and Accessibility
51:12 The Cost of Braille Technology: A Necessary Discussion

In this festive episode of Double Tap, hosts Steven and Shaun are joined by the stars of AMI, including Jacob Shymanski, Ramya Amuthan, and Kelly MacDonald, who come together to celebrate Christmas Day.

They share light-hearted banter about their holiday attire, discuss the changes at AMI-audio over the year, and delve into the evolution of shows like Kelly&Co and AMI Today.

The episode is filled with humor, camaraderie, and insightful discussions about media and literature. Amongst other topics, they explore the nuances of audiobooks and audio description, discussing the performance aspect of audiobooks, the accessibility they provide, and the interpretation of media. They delve into the value of audio description in enhancing the viewing experience for the visually impaired, while also touching on personal experiences with technology and Christmas traditions. Come join the party!

Get in touch with Double Tap by emailing us feedback@doubletaponair.com or by call 1-877-803-4567 and leave us a voicemail. You can also now contact us via Whatsapp on 1-613-481-0144 or visit doubletaponair.com/whatsapp to connect. We are also across social media including X, Mastodon and Facebook. Double Tap is available daily on AMI-audio across Canada, on podcast worldwide and now on YouTube.

Chapter Markers:
00:00 Festive Cheer
11:03 Changes at AMI and New Shows
19:25 The Role of Audiobooks in Literacy
27:10 Debating the Nature of Reading
28:35 The Performance of Audiobooks
32:46 Accessibility and Interpretation in Media
36:59 The Value of Audio Description
42:01 Tech Talk: Gadgets and Innovations
53:44 Christmas Traditions and Celebrations

In this festive episode, the hosts reflect on the year 2024, discussing major tech stories, including the revival of AppleVis, the anticipation surrounding the Glide device, and innovations showcased at CSUN.

They also delve into the evolving landscape of hearing technology and its implications for accessibility. They also discuss audio description, the rapid evolution of AI technology, and the future of assistive tech.

Steven also welcomes Brian Comiskey, the Futurist at the Consumer Technology Association, to discuss what’s coming up at CES 2025 and the expectations surrounding new tech developments.

Get in touch with Double Tap by emailing us feedback@doubletaponair.com or by call 1-877-803-4567 and leave us a voicemail. You can also now contact us via Whatsapp on 1-613-481-0144 or visit doubletaponair.com/whatsapp to connect. We are also across social media including X, Mastodon and Facebook. Double Tap is available daily on AMI-audio across Canada, on podcast worldwide and now on YouTube.

Chapter Markers:
00:00 Festive Greetings
04:57 Reflecting on 2024: Major Tech Stories
11:56 The Glide Device: Anticipation and Skepticism
18:05 Innovations from CSUN: Accessibility Tech
23:04 Hearing Technology: Bridging Gaps and Stigmas
28:52 Siri's Shortcomings and User Expectations
35:57 Exploring New Technologies Coming Up At CES 2025

In this festive episode of Double Tap, Shaun and Steven engage in a lively discussion filled with holiday cheer, listener emails, and reflections on technology accessibility.

They explore various topics, including smart thermostats, voice assistants, and the evolving landscape of audio description, all while sharing personal anecdotes and insights from their audience.

In this episode, the hosts discuss various themes surrounding accessibility, personal experiences with cochlear implants, and the complexities of navigating sight loss in society. They talk about the importance of community, identity, and the need for open conversations about disability.

Get in touch with Double Tap by emailing us feedback@doubletaponair.com or by call 1-877-803-4567 and leave us a voicemail. You can also now contact us via Whatsapp on 1-613-481-0144 or visit doubletaponair.com/whatsapp to connect. We are also across social media including X, Mastodon and Facebook. Double Tap is available daily on AMI-audio across Canada, on podcast worldwide and now on YouTube.

Chapter Markers:
00:00 Intro
05:56 Smart Thermostats: Accessibility and Functionality
12:02 Text-to-Speech in Audio Description
17:56 Getting Out To The Theatre and Audio Description
28:00 Reflections on Accessibility and Community
33:04 Cochlear Implants: A Personal Journey
49:31 Identity and Community: The Blind Experience
55:47 Gratitude and Looking Ahead to 2025

Today on the show Steven Scott and Shaun Preece discuss their holiday preparations, weekend plans, and the joys of a quiet Christmas. They share humorous anecdotes about cleaning their studios, ear cleaning mishaps, and the importance of slowing down expectations in daily life.

The conversation eventually shifts to technology, including the Be My Eyes app and the challenges of using camera glasses for reading. They also explore the recent news about a driverless bus service in Scotland and the future of autonomous vehicles.

Also, Steven shares his excitement about digitizing old cassette tapes, reflecting on the nostalgia of family memories.

Our featured conversation today discusses the Aira visual interpretation service, its functionality, and its new partnership with Walmart. Jenine Stanley from the company, along with Michael Babcock who has been out testing the service at Walmart, explore how Aira provides visual interpreting services for individuals who are blind, emphasizing its value in everyday situations, privacy concerns by users, and the importance of trust. The discussion also highlights the role of access partners like Walmart in enhancing accessibility for users while reducing costs overall.

Get in touch with Double Tap by emailing us feedback@doubletaponair.com or by call 1-877-803-4567 and leave us a voicemail. You can also now contact us via Whatsapp on 1-613-481-0144 or visit doubletaponair.com/whatsapp to connect. We are also across social media including X, Mastodon and Facebook. Double Tap is available daily on AMI-audio across Canada, on podcast worldwide and now on YouTube.

Chapter Markers:
00:00 Holiday Preparations and Weekend Plans
08:52 Be My Eyes Experience and Camera Challenges
15:08 Driverless Bus Service in Scotland Cancelled
25:06 Nostalgia and Digitizing Cassette Tapes
30:15 Introduction to Aira and Be My Eyes
33:03 Exploring Aira's Visual Interpreting Service
40:32 Aira's Partnership with Walmart
41:01 Aira in Action: A Walmart Experience
49:13 Access Partners and Their Importance
55:54 How to Sign Up for Aira

About Aira
At Aira, we believe access to information is a human right. Aira breaks down accessibility barriers by providing on-demand video remote interpreting for both the blind and low-vision community, and the Deaf Community. People can download the Aira Explorer app or the Aira ASL app, and be instantly connected to a professional interpreter. Available 24/7/365, interpreters work with callers to facilitate more efficient communication and accomplish tasks together. Aira is proud to lead the way in delivering secure, on-demand, inclusive services that transform lives and open doors to new opportunities for all. #OnMyTerms Learn more at www.aira.io (https://www.aira.io)
Download for iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/aira-explorer/id1590186766
Download for Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=io.aira.explorer&hl=en_CA