The Lotus Ring Shines Bright at the Ignite Accessibility Event Presented By the Vista Center

Podcast Summary: In this Blind Abilities episode, CEO Dhaval Patel introduces the innovative Lotus Ring, featured at the Vista Center’s Ignite Accessibility Entrepreneur Pitch Competition. The Lotus Ring, an accessible infrared-operated home control system, enables users to point and manage appliances, lights, and switches without internet or apps. With magnetic attachable switch covers, it simplifies home automation, offering...

Aira Unveils Meta Ray-Ban Integration, Walmart Partnership, and More

Podcast Summary: Jenine Stanley, Director of Customer Success and Engagement at Aira, joins Jeff Thompson on Blind Abilities to share exciting updates. Aira can now be used with Meta Ray-Ban glasses, available in public beta for all users. This innovation expands Aira’s accessible technology offerings, along with other developments like a custom call feature, navigation-certified visual interpreters, and partnerships with Walmart and Vispero....

Historic Partnership: Be My Eyes and Hilton Transform Customer Service

Podcast Summary: Be My Eyes CEO Mike Buckley joins Jeff Thompson in the Blind Abilities Studio to reveal an exciting new partnership with Hilton Hotels. Blind and low-vision individuals in North America can now access Hilton’s customer service directly through the Be My Eyes app. Mike shares how this groundbreaking collaboration opens new doors for accessibility and hints at even more innovations on the horizon. Dive into the app today and...

The Future of Accessible Tech at Vista Center’s Ignite Accessibility Entrepreneurs Pitch Competition with Kevin Chao

In this episode of Blind Abilities, Kevin Chao discusses the Vista Center Ignite Accessibility Entrepreneur Pitch Competition, an exclusive event showcasing groundbreaking accessible technologies. Entrepreneurs presented innovations such as  Get Lotus, a ring-operated switch control system,  Lighthouse Tech, an  obstacle-detecting smart glasses, Oorion is an object, text detection app. Other highlights...

New Name and New Updates. Hymns Inc. Rebrands to Selvas BLV. Meet Antonio Guimaraes and Earl Harrison from Selvas BLV

Podcast Summary: Since 1999, Hymns Inc. has been providing high-quality products and services to the blind and visually impaired community around the globe. Join Blind Abilities podcast host Simon Bonenfant, live from the 2024 National Federation of the Blind National Convention, as he speaks with Antonio and Earl about the rebranding to Selvas BLV and all that they’ve been working on.  With a new name comes new updates, and Selvas BLV...

Scanning Solutions in a Portable Package. Introducing PROCER  3 from PROCER Technologies.

Podcast Summary: Often times, blind and visually impaired users need to perform many functions to access printed text. The PROCER 3 aims to simplify these activities by offering one device that can do many functions. Join Blind Abilities podcast host Simon Bonenfant, live from the 2024 NFB National Convention, as he chats with Mariano Lescano, C.T.O, as well as Manuel Diaz Ferreio, CEO at PROCER Technologies.  Using a camera accessory...

Solar Grove Solutions: Increasing Access to Technology for all with affordable, customizable audio players – Meet Allen Decker from Solar Grove Solutions.

Podcast Summary: For much of the world’s population, many technological devices are out of reach due to factors such as cost and electricity constraints. Solar Grove Solutions seeks to close this technology gap so that everyone has access to the content that matters most to them. The Vine C product line offers a durable, portable, solar powered solution for storing audio books as well as many other file formats in a simple compact design....

Touch the Power of Knowledge and Information: Storm Interfaces Breaks Down Barriers of Inaccessible Touch Screen Technology through Tactile and Screen Reader Accessible Kiosks – Meet Nicky Shaw.

Podcast Summary: In the age of digital technology, companies are increasingly turning to self-service touch screen kiosks. Partnering with screen reading manufacturers such as TPGI and the Jaws screen reader, Storm Interfaces designs tactile keypads that are accessible for everyone. Join Blind Abilities podcast host Simon Bonenfant, live from the 2024 NFB National Convention in Orlando Florida, as he speaks with Nicky Shaw about solutions for...

Unleash your Freedom with New AI Features from Freedom Scientific and the Jaws Screen Reader – Meet Jeff Bazer, Regional Director of Sales at Vispero Inc

Podcast Summary: Join Blind Abilities podcast host Simon Bonenfant, live from the 2024 NFB National Convention in Orlando Florida, as he chats with Jeff Bazer, Regional Director of Sales at Vispero, about their current product offerings, as well as many exciting AI enhancements to the Jaws screen reader.  One of the most notable updates in Jaws 2024 is a new set of features complementing the Picture Smart function. Using two Chat bot...

Aira Announces New Beta Release of Access AI! A Brand New AI Image Chat Feature Within the Aira App. Check out this Demo of the Access AI feature.

Podcast Summary: Aira is excited to announce the beta release of Access AI, a brand new AI image chat feature within the Aira app. Access AI allows explorers to take a photo, share from their photo gallery, mobile device, or computer, get a detailed description, ask follow up questions, and receive validation of AI responses from a visual interpreter! Jeff Thompson gives us a demonstration of the new Access AI feature, and we think you will...