Uncategorized

Shownotes

I respond to recent reader feedback, telling it how it is with respect to the “no blind people allowed” signs in the process.

Download and Listen

During the past six years, the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS) has been providing thousands of the books and magazines from its collection in the form of immediately downloadable Grade II Braille files by way of its Web-Braille service. We are extremely disturbed and saddened to report that this service has been suddenly taken offline indefinitely and without explanation. The materials remain available in hard copy form through the cooperating Talking Book library.

Today’s latest update to the JAWS 7.1 Public Beta solves the problems with the Windows Logon screen and a number of other issues. It is highly recommended for those of you already testing JAWS 7.1. Keep those bug reports coming to Freedom Scientific.

Shownotes

Listen as I take a short walk down to the nearest bus stop to see how the construction work is proceeding while testing the new Sound Professionals BMC-3 binaural microphones. Enjoy.

Download and Listen

I have just received word that, due to increased spam, the visual verification has been reinstated on the CastBlaster Forums without an accessible alternative, thus effectively barring blind users from registering for access. Stay tuned for further developments on this unfortunate turn of events.

Article from Virginian Pilot, VA on 5/6/2006
by JOHN HOPKINS, The Virginian-Pilot
Submitted by BlindNews Mailing List
[BlindNews: News About Blindness]

I am concerned about the specific mention of blindness as a critical factor in this lawsuit. If the proper safety gear was not used, fine, there may be a good case. But blindness, in and of itself, is no reason to award damages. Doing so would send the incorrect and improper message that it is unsafe to allow blind people to scate! It might encourage undue discrimination against the blind.

Jeff Bishop reminds us that there is a work around for the Windows logon problem. When the logon screen appears, simply press Control+Alt+Delete twice to bring up the classic Windows NT / 2000 logon screen where the username and password may be typed.

If you are running Windows XP and you have multiple profiles configured on your computer, are connected to a Windows Active Directory or Domain or otherwise rely on the Windows Logon screen in order to gain access to your system, I would strongly recommend that you not complete today’s update from Build 332 to Build 340 of the JAWS 7.1 public beta. After completing this update, I am no longer able to fully access the Windows Logon screen. Pressing the tab key enables access to only the “turn off” option. It is necessary to use the JAWS cursor to navigate this screen now, and only one of my accounts is available in this manner. This issue has been promptly reported to Freedom Scientific!

Shownotes

Did you all miss me? I’m back! Here’s what I talked about on the show:

• Google opens its doors to us by finally making an audio CAPTCHA available on all properties, including Blogger. What shall we do with the petition?
• Karen and I will be married in exactly one month from today!
• Karen’s guide dog, Douglas, has been having a hard time lately.
• I’m listening to Scott Sigler’s latest podcast novel, Infection. We’re up to episode 8 and things are really hopping. This book is pretty morbid, so I would not consider it family safe. I wish Scott would work on the accessibility of his web site just a little…
• I played Good Day by Natives of the New Dawn from the Podsafe Music Network.

That’s all my friends. Don’t forget to tell us what you think. Thanks.

Download and Listen

Google has rounded out its implementation of audio CAPTCHA by adding it to their Blogger property today, May 1. Blind Blogger readers may now post comments to their favorite blogs even when the authors have implemented word verification to protect against spam. Read more about this excellent news on Blogger Buzz and check out the LAFD blog to experience an example of Google’s audio alternative to visual verification.