Dan's Ease of Access Blog : Fun Stuff

Wii hack brings Headtracker to gaming!

danhub — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 00:04:00 GMT

Check this out! This is the coolest Nintendo Wii Hack I have seen yet. The link has a video demo of how headtracking is used for a virtual reality interaction with the Wii. Think of all of the games that could be possible for a person with a mobility impairment using something like this. Headtracking is not new but I am glad to see the technology finally finding it's way into more mainstream concepts like this.

Vocal Joystick demo

danhub — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 02:05:00 GMT

Check out Vocal Joystick. This is pretty darn cool and comes to us from the folks at University of Washington. Watch the video to see how it works.

New Keyboard for Gamers. Potential for Accessibility Market?

danhub — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 22:58:00 GMT

Belkin has introduced the N52te keyboard for gamers. But is this really a super cool alternative input device in gamers clothing? The features include 15 programmable keys with 3 keymap states, backlit display, programmable 8 way thumb pad, and the ability to set up multiple user profiles. All of the marketing literature is geared for gamers but I think this has some serious "cool" potential on the accessibility market. And with an MSRP of $69.99 is one of the most reasonably priced devices on the market.

Why is Twitter inaccessible?

danhub — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 08:56:00 GMT

I was sent an email mail about the registration process for Twitter.by someone who uses a screenreader to use the computer. It turns out Twitter uses a standard visual CAPTCHA during registration. Unfortunately they seem to not offer any other type of verification like audio CAPTCHA. This means they have no way to register to follow my Twitter posts. So I will try to recap all of my activity on this blog once a day so that folks who are unable to register can follow the activity at CSUN.

In the meantime, I have sent a few mails around to hopefully get to the folks at Twitter to address the issue.

-dan

(edited for content 3/21)

Assistive Technology Vendors highlighted

danhub — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 02:47:00 GMT

A recent Seattle Times article highlights some of Microsoft's Assistive Technology vendor program members. I think all of these companies are super cool and on the right track technology wise. I think the mobile platform is one area where AT can help everyone. The physical form and changing environment of most mobile devices make it extremely hard most people to be as productive with thier device as they could be. AT can play a big part in making the experience of using a device easier. Ever try to read the screen of your phone in broad daylight? The glare can make it impossible. But what if you had a feature that would read the screen to you when it sensed it was too bright outside to see the screen? Suddenly people who are blind arent the only users of screenreading software. As i mentioned in my previous post, Dolphin, who is highlighted in the article, will be releasing Smart Hal, a screenreader for smartphones, in the near future. I can't wait to try it.

Coming soon...Smart Hal

danhub — Mon, 19 Mar 2007 07:21:00 GMT

Dave Williams from one of our partner companies, Dolphin Computer Access, has a Blog where he is counting down to the release of Smart Hal. Smart Hal is a screenreader for Windows Mobile based Smartphones. In his most recent post he talks about why Dolphin chose to develop for Windows Mobile.

I can't wait to try this out on my Cingular 3125 Smartphone. Hopefully Dave will hook me up when I see him next week. Dolphin will be at the CSUN conference next week and has a session where they will be demoing Smart Hal. I hate to admit it but I could see using this while I am commuting. Imagine having access to your cell phone without having to look at it! What I am wondering is, will Smart Hal read the traffic report from SmartPhlow.

Twittering from CSUN

danhub — Mon, 19 Mar 2007 05:27:00 GMT

Have you seen Twitter? I just started with it yesterday but can already tell i'm going to be addicted. You can go to my Twitter page and add yourself as a friend if you want updates from CSUN (Technology & Persons with Disabilities Conference). I wanted to post regular Blog updates but not that I have found Twitter I'll be using that.

Twitter is what is being called a micro-blogging service. I send a text message to an address and it posts to my twitter page for everyone to see. You can even have Twitter relay the text message to your own phone if you like via SMS. Imagine setting up a network with your friends that when you send one message it relays that message to everyone who has subscribed. No need to enter all of those addresses from your phone and the recipient has complete control of who and when they want to get messages. Services like these make using a cell phone feature like text messaging more powerful in my opinion. I hope we can see more creative services like this.

-dan

Copyright Exemptions to DMCA for E-books

danhub — Thu, 23 Nov 2006 21:54:00 GMT

The copyright office has extended exemptions that allow the cracking of copyright features to allow the use of screenreaders with e-books.

Read the full article from TechDirt

Interview on CRIS radio

danhub — Tue, 07 Nov 2006 22:21:00 GMT

Last week I was interviewed by Jeremy Curry from GW Micro for the monthly 'On the Move' radio show that he hosts. It is being broadcast later today. You can find more information at AOL Ability. Or go directly to the Chicago Lighthouse website.

Jeremy and I discuss the upcoming releases of Microsoft Office and Windows Vista, and how changes with these new versions will make it easier for blind and low vision users to work with the computer.

If you have any questions regarding the program please send me email.

-dan