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One of my favorite apps on my iPhone is TapTapSee. This app allows me to take pictures of objects, and have them identified. I can even identify what's in my pictures that I have on my camera roll. Yesterday, the makers of TapTapSee announced on twitter that their app is now compatible with Android as well as iOS. Features in the Android version are the same as they are in iOS.

If you are a new Android user, or if you are curious about all of the accessibility options that Android has to offer, you can now get the information you need by visiting the Android Accessibility Help Center. The website provides information about: general android accessibility, TalkBack, Accessibility features common to applications, BrailleBack, and Android updates.

Tax day is just around the corner. If you still haven't filed your taxes for this year, Turbo Tax can help you save some money with their helpful tips for blind tax payers. There are a number of deductions that apply if you are blind. It's great to have a resource that outlines these tips in one place. Happy filing.

Last October I wrote about a new company called 64 Ounce Games. They are a company dedicated to making board games accessible to the blind. Over the past six months they have been working on ways to modify board games tat you can already buy and they are developing their own board games. One of their goals is to use braille and QR codes to provide information that is on the cards in a game. In order to do this though, they need to purchase an embosser. For this, and to raise funding for their own games, 64 Ounce Games has launched a KickStarter campaign. The reception in the first three days has been overwhelming, and they have already reached their original $7,500 goal. The campaign is still going on however, and more money raised will enable them to reach stretch goals, including creating dice for some popular RPG games and making accessibility kits for additional titles. Those who contribute to the campaign can receive one of their original games called Yoink! or receive brailled sleeves for games like Coloretto or the Resistance. To learn more about 64 ounce games, and their mission to make board games accessible, visit my original post.

One of the features in the Apple Maps app that visually impaired users most appreciate is the ability to look at the map before they go on their route. This feature has just been added to the newest version of BlindSquare. In this short podcast from the developers, Sandra describes how to both access and use the integrated maps feature. She explains how to follow streets as well as how to change cardinal directions. To use this feature, be sure to upgrade to version 1.64.

Sendero is continuing to upgrade their Sendero GPS options for the BrailleNote and the BrailleSense. They have just released version 2014, and if you're upgrading from an older version, it will only cost $49. Also, if you're a new customer, they've dropped the price for Sendero GPS to $599. Another announcement, according to the Sendero press release, is the introduction of Key Maps. This feature is available for users on the BrailleNote. This virtual navigation option allows users to download maps directly to the BrailleNote using Wi/Fi, virtual navigation to a new destination, route recommendations to destinations, and easy to search contact information for businesses.

Currently, Pandora 1 subscribers pay $3.99 a month or $36 per year to listen to Pandora without ads. According to Lifehacker, they've just decided to raise the monthly charge to $4.99 per month starting in May and to eliminate the yearly subscription option. For current Pandora 1 subscribers, your monthly charge will not change. Also, if you have a yearly subscription, when you are up for renewal, you will be charged the old rate of $3.99 per month. Basically, if you're interested in locking in at the $3.99 per month rate, you'll need to start subscribing before May.

CVS Pharmacy announced today that it will be providing accessible prescription labels for their visually impaired customers. This announcement is a result of an agreement between CVS, the American Council of the Blind, the American Foundation for the Blind, and the California Council of the Blind. Customers who are interested in using the ScripTalk labels should call 888-227-3403. The press release is pasted below.

CVS/pharmacy Now Offers “Talking” Prescription Labels for Individuals with Vision Impairments Through its Online Pharmacy

New service on CVS.com is the result of a collaboration with state and national organizations for the blind

Woonsocket, Rhode Island (March 18, 2014) – CVS/pharmacy announced today that it now provides ScripTalk talking prescription labels for prescriptions ordered for home delivery through its online pharmacy, CVS.com. The ScripTalk labels provide a safe and convenient way to access information on prescription labels for individuals who cannot read standard print. The ScripTalk labels are free to CVS.com pharmacy customers who are blind or visually impaired. Customers can also obtain a free ScripTalk reader from Envision America that will enable them to listen to the information on the ScripTalk label.

We are pleased to offer the ScripTalk service to our online pharmacy customers who are visually impaired. Enhancing access to important information about prescriptions is in keeping with our purpose of helping people on their path to better health.Josh Flum, Senior Vice President of Retail Pharmacy at CVS Caremark

Today’s announcement is the result of collaboration between CVS/pharmacy, the American Foundation for the Blind, American Council of the Blind and California Council of the Blind. These groups applauded CVS/pharmacy’s actions.

“The lack of accessible labels on prescription drug containers puts people with vision loss at serious risk of medication mishaps,” said Paul Schroeder, Vice President of Programs & Policy at the American Foundation for the Blind. “We applaud CVS/pharmacy for taking steps to provide speech access to label information for customers with vision loss along with its willingness to evaluate methods to improve large print labels.”

“This agreement is a positive step that allows for a greater level of privacy, safety, and independence for blind and visually impaired Americans of all ages who take prescription medications,” said Kim Charlson, president of the American Council of the Blind.

“The California Council of the Blind applauds CVS’s willingness to offer access to the information on prescription medication labels. As a result of this initiative, persons who are blind or visually impaired who use CVS mail order to fill their prescription needs will have the same direct, and independent access to label information as do sighted customers,” stated Donna Pomerantz, President, California Council of the Blind.

About CVS/pharmacy

CVS/pharmacy, the retail division of CVS Caremark Corporation (NYSE: CVS), is America’s leading retail pharmacy with more than 7,600 CVS/pharmacy and Longs Drug stores. CVS/pharmacy is reinventing pharmacy to help people on their path to better health by providing the most accessible and personalized expertise, both in its stores and online at CVS.com. General information about CVS/pharmacy and CVS Caremark is available at http://info.cvscaremark.com.

About American Council of the Blind (ACB) and California Council of the Blind (CCB)

American Council of the Blind is a national consumer-based advocacy organization working on behalf of blind and visually impaired Americans throughout the country with members organized through seventy state and special interest affiliates. California Council of the Blind is the California affiliate of the ACB and is a statewide membership organization with 40 local chapters and statewide special interest associations. ACB and CCB are dedicated to improving the quality of life, equality of opportunity and independence of all people who have visual impairments. Their members and affiliated organizations have a long history of commitment to the advancement of policies and programs which will enhance independence for people who are blind and visually impaired. More information about ACB and CCB can be found by visiting www.acb.org and www.ccbnet.org.

About American Foundation for the Blind

The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) is a national nonprofit that expands possibilities for people with vision loss. AFB’s priorities include broadening access to technology; elevating the quality of information and tools for the professionals who serve people with vision loss; and promoting independent and healthy living for people with vision loss by providing them and their families with relevant and timely resources. AFB is also proud to house the Helen Keller Archives and honor the over forty years that Helen Keller worked tirelessly with AFB. For more information visit AFB online at www.afb.org.

CONTACTS

For CVS

Michael DeAngelis
CVS/pharmacy
Director, Public Relations
401.770.2645
Michael.DeAngelis@CVSCaremark.com

For the Blindness Organizations

Kim Charlson
President, American Council of the Blind
617-501-5853
kim.charlson@perkins.org

Adrianna Montague-Devaud
Chief Communications and Marketing Officer
American Foundation for the Blind (AFB)
Tel. (212) 502-7615
amontague@afb.net

Simplified Summary: CVS is now offering talking prescription labels to blind customers who order through cvs.com. People will be able to listen to important information about their prescriptions. CVS will use ScripTalk talking labels. If you are blind or visually impaired you can get a free device to read the labels. You can call the cvs.com pharmacy at 1-888-607-4287. To find out more about the free device you need to listen to the labels, call: 800-890-1180. Back to the Press Release

Filed under Accessible Prescription Information, Health Care Access, News and Articles, Settlement Agreement Press Releases, Talking Pill Bottle Press Releases on Mar 18th, 2014

Rose Waagon, who is best known for her blog Chicks Dig Macs, is working on a book to help the blind cook. Her survey is designed to find out what kinds of topics people are most interested in, and to find out what areas of cooking people feel like they need the most assistance in. The survey includes 21 questions.

Last week, Senators Warren of Massachusetts and Brown of Ohio introduced a bill that would make changes to Supplemental Security Income SSI. The bill is called the Supplemental Security Restoration Act of 2014. As it stands now, those who receive SSI benefits must not have more than 2,000 dollars in cash or assets or they will lose their benefits. According to Disability Scoop, one of the proposed changes in the bill would raise the maximum amount to $10,000. The bill would also eliminate the restriction on family and friends providing assistance such as housing or food to SSI beneficiaries and raise the income level that beneficiaries can receive before losing their benefits. . If you think this is an important bill, contact your senators and ask them to support the bill.

According to Samsung Mobile Press, Samsung is releasing three new accessories for the Galaxy Core Advanced. The goal of all of these accessories is to make the phone a more powerful tool for people with visual impairments. The ultrasonic case provides audible and tactile feedback to alert the user about objects that are within 2 meters of them. The optical stand scan provides the user with an optimal angle and distance to capture text and have it read aloud. Finally, the voice label tool allows users to label objects and addd a voice tag.

A team from the MIT media lab have created the first wearable technology that will help someone with a visual impairment navigate. The technology uses vibration in a shoe or insole to tell the user about left or right turns while they're navigating to a destination. The shoes/insoles pair with a GPS app on an Android, Windows, or iOS phone. According to entrepreneur.com, the technology is primarily designed for people in the developing world. However, the shoes/insoles could be helpful to anyone as a fitness tracker because the device is also designed to count steps and calories burned. This Ted talk highlights the journey for the creator of the Lechal shoe and shows how it works.

As of this week, the shoes or insoles can now be pre-ordered for $100 if you are sighted, and $50 for those who are visually impaired.

The 2014 Winter Paralympics started Friday in Sochi, Russia. Over the next 8 days, athletes will be competing in five different sports. This year’s U.S. team includes six visually impaired athletes, competing in alpine skiing, Nordic skiing, and the Biathlon. Let's take a moment to learn about the athletes representing the United States.

When renting a DVD, one of the most important things you might want to know is whether it includes a descriptive audio track. The Audio Description Project of the American Council of the Blind is keeping track of all DVDs that get released with descriptive audio, and now there's an alphabetical list. The list includes links to the movies where you can get more information about the film. This is a great resource for movie watchers. Just as a tip, the descriptive audio track can be accessed once the movie on the DVD has started playing by switching between the different audio tracks using the audio button on your DVD player remote.

The team at Hollywood Access Services announced today that they are deciding to shut down the company. The team, which was comprised of descriptive audio professionals has spent the past few years trying to expand descriptive audio and enter into new markets. Last year, they released a track for the movie Philomena on the MovieReading app for the iPhone. They also have done tracks for shows like Breaking Bad, The Wire, and The Walking Dead. According to the email to customers, the tracks they've already created will still be available for purchase from iTunes or Amazon for the next year. Visit the Solo-DX website to find ways to buy their tracks.

I reached out to the team at Solo-DX to learn more about why they are shutting down. This was their official response: "Thank you for your email and kind words. Unfortunately, our company was not getting enough business to cover expenses, and after stretching ourselves as far as we could, we had to make the hard decision to shut down. We truly wish we could have lasted to get MovieReading more on its feet, but we hope that the enthusiasm the app generated and the in-roads we made will help them continue on and get more content."

email.

A graduate student at San Francisco State University is studying the use and experience with audible pedestrian signals. Much of the research about audible signals has only focussed on traffic engineers and O and M instructors rather than the end users. The survey includes 29 questions and should take between 10 to 15 minutes to complete. If you don't feel comfortable taking the survey online, you can email apssurvey.sfsu@gmail.com to set up a time to complete the survey over the phone.

This year is HIMS 15th anniversary. In celebration, they are asking customers and those interested in HIMS products to fill out a short five question survey. Everyone that participates will be entered to win one of five $15 Starbucks gift cards. The questions cover: why you're interested in assistive technology, what disability related topics you're interested in, what products or services interest you, and what topics you would like to have a webinar discuss.

The Department of Computer Science at North Carolina State University is studying the use of magnification by people with visual impairments. The purpose of the study is to learn about the experience of those who use magnification. Improvements for usability and productivity can than be made based on the responses from participants. The survey includes 26 questions.

A team of researchers at MIT have just designed the first prototype OCR scanner that fits on your finger. The device, which is currently known as the finger meter, allows the user to scan over text with their hand and have the text read aloud. The video on the website demonstrates someone using this device to scan a document.

Beyond reading pages of printed text, this device could be a great option for reading labels on products, finding out the price of items, and so much more. It could also be a great benefit in the classroom for students who don't have access to a portable OCR solution.

On the website, there is an option to provide your email address if you want to stay informed about the progress of the project.

If you're a fan of the Papa Sangre games and the Knight Jar, consider donating to the KickStarter Campaign from Somethin Else. The team wants to release their newest game, but they need more funds in order to finish the project. Their newest offering is called Audio Arena: Zombie Defense. In the game, your job is to fight zombies as a blind warrior. According to the KickStarter page, what sets this game apart is the audio engine. Unlike other first person shooters, not only are there no visuals, the audio experience is like none other.