{"id":7491,"date":"2022-07-30T21:27:58","date_gmt":"2022-07-31T02:27:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blindabilities.com\/?p=7491"},"modified":"2022-08-01T18:27:12","modified_gmt":"2022-08-01T23:27:12","slug":"the-blindshell-accessible-cell-phone-with-tactile-buttons-is-growing-to-meet-the-needs-of-the-blind-and-visually-impaired-yes-tactile-buttons-on-a-smart-phone-did-we-mention-aira-yup-a","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/?p=7491","title":{"rendered":"The BlindShell Accessible Cell Phone with Tactile Buttons is Growing to Meet the Needs of the Blind and Visually Impaired. Yes, Tactile Buttons on a Smart Phone!\u00a0\u00a0Did we mention Aira? Yup, Aira!"},"content":{"rendered":"<!--powerpress_player--><div class=\"powerpress_player\" id=\"powerpress_player_4052\"><audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-7491-1\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/traffic.libsyn.com\/secure\/blindabilities\/BlindShell2022.mp3?_=1\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/traffic.libsyn.com\/secure\/blindabilities\/BlindShell2022.mp3\">https:\/\/traffic.libsyn.com\/secure\/blindabilities\/BlindShell2022.mp3<\/a><\/audio><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Podcast Summary:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/?page_id=7506\">Full Transcript<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">our guests in this episode Come to us from BlindShell USA and are here to talk about the latest update to the BlindShell Accessible Cell Phone Classic 2. Bari Azman, President and CEO, and Diane Ducharme, Senior Program Director join Jeff and Pete to explore the latest iteration of this smart phone, the original of which intrigued many blind and visually impaired individuals due to its practical smart phone features, its tactile keypad and simple, accessible layout.&nbsp;<br><br>The BlindShell Classic 2 is available in two colors, Cardinal Red and Midnight Black, and there are numerous locations where the Classic 2 can be purchased, a list of which is available on the website,&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.blindshellusa.com\/\">www.BlindShellUSA.com<\/a>:<br><br>Join Jeff and Pete as they discuss a variety of topics with Bari and Diane, including the recent partnership with Aira to provide the Aira application on the BlindShell Classic 2 accessible Cell Phone, including those existing users, and is offering three months of free Aira service to new purchasers..&nbsp;<br>The BlindShell Classic 2 Accessible Phone is a hybrid blend of modern smart phone capabilities and tactile buttons, and could be an appealing alternative to a standard Apple or Android smart phone for both a newly blind and existing user who just isn\u2019t interested in the flat screen device. and it has a battery life of up to 96 hours.<br>Bari and Diane are not content with the status quo and intend to continually add new features to the BandShel Classic 2&nbsp;&nbsp;and it&#8217;s capabilities. So stay up to date as rumor has it that something great is just around the corner, but don&#8217;t say I told you so, just listen to this episode!<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can find out all about the Bandshell Classic 2 on the web at&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.blindshellusa.com\/\">www.BlindShellUSA.com<\/a><br>Subscribe to their newsletter and stay abreast of new features or updates by entering your email address and clicking subscribe at the bottom of their website:&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.blindshellusa.com\/\">www.BlindShellUSA.com<\/a>.<br><br>Thanks for listening!<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"contact-your-state-services\"><strong>Contact Your State Services<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you reside in Minnesota, and you would like to know more about Transition Services from State Services contact Pre-ETS Program and Transition Services Manager Sheila Koenig by&nbsp;<a>email<\/a>&nbsp;or contact her via phone at 651-539-2361.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"contact\"><strong>Contact:<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can follow us on Twitter&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.twitter.com\/blindabilities\">@BlindAbilities<\/a><br>On the web at&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/\">www.BlindAbilities.com<\/a><br>Send us an&nbsp;<a>email<\/a><br>Get the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/itunes.apple.com\/us\/app\/blind-abilities\/id1085849859?l=es&amp;mt=8\">Free Blind Abilities App&nbsp;on the App Store<\/a>and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/play.google.com\/store\/apps\/details?id=com.blindabilities.android.blind&amp;hl=en_US\">Google Play Store<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Give us a call and leave us some feedback at 612-367-6093 we would love to hear from you!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Check out the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/groups\/607027582712671\/\">Blind Abilities Community<\/a>&nbsp;on Facebook, the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/BlindAbilities\/\">Blind Abilities Page<\/a>, and the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/groups\/jobinsightsgroup\">Career Resources for the Blind and Visually Impaired<\/a>&nbsp;group<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<!--powerpress_player--><div class=\"powerpress_player\" id=\"powerpress_player_4054\"><audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-7491-3\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/traffic.libsyn.com\/secure\/blindabilities\/BlindShell2022.mp3?_=3\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/traffic.libsyn.com\/secure\/blindabilities\/BlindShell2022.mp3\">https:\/\/traffic.libsyn.com\/secure\/blindabilities\/BlindShell2022.mp3<\/a><\/audio><\/div><p>https:\/\/traffic.libsyn.com\/secure\/blindabilities\/BlindShell2022.mp3 Podcast Summary: Full Transcript our guests in this episode Come to us from BlindShell USA and are here to talk about the latest update to the BlindShell Accessible Cell Phone Classic 2. Bari Azman, President and CEO, and Diane Ducharme, Senior Program Director join Jeff and Pete to explore the latest iteration of this [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":8,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[17,467,514],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7491","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-bapresents","category-technology","category-transcribed"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/Blind-Abilities-Logo.jpg","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p6rcRg-1WP","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":7602,"url":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/?p=7602","url_meta":{"origin":7491,"position":0},"title":"\ufffcAira Explorer App Goes Live on the BlindShell Classic 2 Accessible Cell Phone. Jenine Stanley, Director of Customer Communications at Aira Brings Us the Breaking News!","author":"Blind Abilities Team","date":"August 29, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Podcast Summary: Jenine Stanley joins Pete and Jeff in the Blind Abilities Studio to break the news that the Aira Explorer App is now on the BlindShell Classic 2 accessible Cell Phone. Listen in as Jenine demonstrates the BlindShell navigation, the voice and of course Aira Explorer being right in\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;BlindAbilities Presents&quot;","block_context":{"text":"BlindAbilities Presents","link":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/?cat=17"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":7974,"url":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/?p=7974","url_meta":{"origin":7491,"position":1},"title":"BlindShellUSA And Envision America Announces ScripTalk Talking labels App is Now Part of the BlindShell Family of Apps on the BlindShell Classic 2 Accessible Cell Phone!","author":"Blind Abilities Team","date":"December 14, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Podcast Summary: our guests in this episode Come to us from\u00a0BlindShell USA\u00a0and\u00a0Envision America\u00a0and are here to talk about the latest addition to the BlindShell Accessible Cell Phone Classic 2 family of apps. BlindShell's President and CEO, Bari Azman, , and Diane Ducharme, Senior Program Director, and Jenna Reed Marketing Director\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Technology&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Technology","link":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/?cat=467"},"img":{"alt_text":"BlindAbilities Logo A black square with white initials, B A.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/Blind-Abilities-Logo.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/Blind-Abilities-Logo.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/Blind-Abilities-Logo.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/Blind-Abilities-Logo.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/Blind-Abilities-Logo.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/Blind-Abilities-Logo.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":8192,"url":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/?p=8192","url_meta":{"origin":7491,"position":2},"title":"BlindShell Partners with Envision\u00a0\u00a0to Integrate the Envision App on BlindShell Classic 2, Expanding Access to Assistive Technology","author":"Blind Abilities Team","date":"February 29, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Podcast Summary: our guests in this episode Come to us from\u00a0BlindShell USA\u00a0and\u00a0Envision.\u00a0 BlindShell USA's President and CEO, Bari Azman, , and Diane Ducharme, Senior Program Director, along with\u00a0\u00a0Envision's co-founder Karthik Kannan, announce the Envision AI app now available on the\u00a0blindShell Classic 2 Accessible Cell Phone. The BlindShell Classic 2 accessible\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;BlindAbilities Presents&quot;","block_context":{"text":"BlindAbilities Presents","link":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/?cat=17"},"img":{"alt_text":"BlindAbilities Logo A black square with white initials, B A.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/Blind-Abilities-Logo.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/Blind-Abilities-Logo.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/Blind-Abilities-Logo.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/Blind-Abilities-Logo.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/Blind-Abilities-Logo.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/Blind-Abilities-Logo.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":7448,"url":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/?p=7448","url_meta":{"origin":7491,"position":3},"title":"Breaking News: Aira Everywhere! Aira for the Desktop, Aira on the BlindShell Phone Classic 2, Aira on the ARX Headset and Aira on the Envision Glasses! Oh, the Possibilities are Coming!","author":"Blind Abilities Team","date":"July 4, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Podcast Summary: Aira Director of Communications, Jenine Stanley, joined Jeff Thompson in the Blind Abilities Studio and hits us up with some news breaking announcements. Aira Everywhere starts out with Aira for the Desktop. Now Aira will be available on the Mac, PC and on the iPad as a web\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;BlindAbilities Presents&quot;","block_context":{"text":"BlindAbilities Presents","link":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/?cat=17"},"img":{"alt_text":"BlindAbilities Logo A black square with white initials, B A.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/Blind-Abilities-Logo.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/Blind-Abilities-Logo.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/Blind-Abilities-Logo.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/Blind-Abilities-Logo.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/Blind-Abilities-Logo.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/Blind-Abilities-Logo.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":7848,"url":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/?p=7848","url_meta":{"origin":7491,"position":4},"title":"Talk, Text, Stream &amp; More &#8211; BlindShellUSA Introduces the BlindShell Mobile&#8217;s Affordable Connectivity Program &#8211; Yes, Free Wireless on the BlindShell Classic 2!","author":"Blind Abilities Team","date":"May 10, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Podcast Summary: Bari Azman and Diane Ducharme return to the Blind Abilities Studio with braking news and updates to the\u00a0BlindShell Classic 2 Accessible Cell Phone. With the new brand under the BlindShellUSA umbrella, the BlindShell Mobile is now open for everyone. This\u00a0Affordable Connectivity Program\u00a0is available and at\u00a0www.BlindShellUSA.com\/free\u00a0you can find out\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;BlindAbilities Presents&quot;","block_context":{"text":"BlindAbilities Presents","link":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/?cat=17"},"img":{"alt_text":"BlindAbilities Logo A black square with white initials, B A.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/Blind-Abilities-Logo.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/Blind-Abilities-Logo.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/Blind-Abilities-Logo.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/Blind-Abilities-Logo.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/Blind-Abilities-Logo.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/Blind-Abilities-Logo.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":7804,"url":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/?p=7804","url_meta":{"origin":7491,"position":5},"title":"The BlindShell Classic 2 Accessible Cell Phone Adds the BARD App to its Growing Library of Apps! Welcome Back, Bari Azman and Diane Ducharme from BlindShell USA","author":"Blind Abilities Team","date":"January 5, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Podcast Summary: Jeff Thompson and Pete Lane \u00a0once again welcome Bari Azman and Diane Ducharme, of the BlindShell USA company to the Blind Abilities studios to share an exciting announcement with our listeners! In this episode, Barry and Diane reveal a new app that has been recently added to the\u00a0BlindShell\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;BlindAbilities Presents&quot;","block_context":{"text":"BlindAbilities Presents","link":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/?cat=17"},"img":{"alt_text":"BlindAbilities Logo A black square with white initials, B A.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/Blind-Abilities-Logo.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/Blind-Abilities-Logo.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/Blind-Abilities-Logo.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/Blind-Abilities-Logo.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/Blind-Abilities-Logo.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/Blind-Abilities-Logo.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7491","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=7491"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7491\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7509,"href":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7491\/revisions\/7509"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/8"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=7491"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=7491"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=7491"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}