{"id":9362,"date":"2026-02-05T08:10:34","date_gmt":"2026-02-05T14:10:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/?p=9362"},"modified":"2026-02-05T08:10:37","modified_gmt":"2026-02-05T14:10:37","slug":"from-gestures-to-jobs-learning-assistive-tech-that-actually-matters","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/?p=9362","title":{"rendered":"From Gestures to Jobs: Learning Assistive Tech That Actually Matters"},"content":{"rendered":"<!--powerpress_player--><div class=\"powerpress_player\" id=\"powerpress_player_3314\"><audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-9362-1\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/traffic.libsyn.com\/blindabilities\/TeachingWithCherylAndSree.mp3?_=1\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/traffic.libsyn.com\/blindabilities\/TeachingWithCherylAndSree.mp3\">https:\/\/traffic.libsyn.com\/blindabilities\/TeachingWithCherylAndSree.mp3<\/a><\/audio><\/div>\n<p>Learning assistive technology isn\u2019t just about memorizing shortcuts\u2014it\u2019s about building skills that open doors to school, work, and everyday life. In this episode, Cheryl McIntosh and Sree Roy share how mastering screen readers like JAWS, NVDA, and VoiceOver can turn frustration into confidence. They break down why fundamentals matter, how learning why something works makes skills transferable, and why patience and practice are the real superpowers. From sending that first text message to managing spreadsheets for scholarships or work, these tools connect students to the world in real ways. The conversation also highlights free and low-cost resources like BITS, iBUG Today, libraries, and training programs that help students learn alongside supportive communities. If you\u2019re in high school, heading to college, or just starting your tech journey, this episode shows how assistive technology isn\u2019t limiting\u2014it\u2019s empowering, practical, and absolutely worth exploring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Useful links from this episode:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Cheryl on the Blind Abilities podcast:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/?p=9202\">From Screen Readers to Self-Reliance: Cheryl\u2019s Journey to Becoming a Certified Assistive Technology Instructional Specialist<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Sree Roy on the Blind Abilities podcast:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/?p=7166\"><strong>Taking on Blindness, Stepping Back and Stepping Up \u2013 Meet Sree Roy: Assistive Volunteer Extraordinaire<\/strong><\/a><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/bits-acb.org\/\">BITS &#8211; Blind Information Technology Solutions<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>BITS on the Blind Abilities Podcast:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/?p=9241\">BITS Has the Solutions: Empowering Blind Tech Users Through Community, Training, and Opportunity<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/ibugtoday.org\/\">iBUG&nbsp;&nbsp;Today &#8211; i Blind Users Group<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>iBUG Today on the Blind Abilities podcast:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/?p=6624\"><strong>iBUG \u2013 the iBlind Users Group for Beginners and Proficient Assistive Tech Users. Join iBUGToday \u2013 it\u2019s Abuzz!<\/strong><\/a><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wsblind.org\/career-training-programs\">WSB &#8211; World Services for the blind Career Training Programs<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dclibrary.org\/plan-visit\/martin-luther-king-jr-memorial-library\/center-accessibility\">DC Public Library &#8211; Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Accessibility<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/vispero.com\/jaws-screen-reader-software\/\">JAWS Screen Reader Software<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nvaccess.org\/download\/\">NVDA &#8211; Non Visual Desktop Access Screen Reader software<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/support.apple.com\/guide\/iphone\/turn-on-and-practice-voiceover-iph3e2e415f\/ios\">Apple&#8217;s VoiceOver Screen Reader Support<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/?page_id=9359\">Full Transcript<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Thanks for listening!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<!--powerpress_player--><div class=\"powerpress_player\" id=\"powerpress_player_3316\"><audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-9362-3\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/traffic.libsyn.com\/blindabilities\/TeachingWithCherylAndSree.mp3?_=3\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/traffic.libsyn.com\/blindabilities\/TeachingWithCherylAndSree.mp3\">https:\/\/traffic.libsyn.com\/blindabilities\/TeachingWithCherylAndSree.mp3<\/a><\/audio><\/div><p>https:\/\/traffic.libsyn.com\/blindabilities\/TeachingWithCherylAndSree.mp3 Learning assistive technology isn\u2019t just about memorizing shortcuts\u2014it\u2019s about building skills that open doors to school, work, and everyday life. In this episode, Cheryl McIntosh and Sree Roy share how mastering screen readers like JAWS, NVDA, and VoiceOver can turn frustration into confidence. They break down why fundamentals matter, how learning why something works [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":9311,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"audio","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_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}},"categories":[17,467],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9362","post","type-post","status-publish","format-audio","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-bapresents","category-technology","post_format-post-format-audio"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_0035.png","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p6rcRg-2r0","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":5776,"url":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/?p=5776","url_meta":{"origin":9362,"position":0},"title":"Online with Simon Bonenfant: Meet Becca Weber &#8211; Transitioning to the Workplace, Volunteering with the National Homework Hotline  and Online Learning for School","author":"Blind Abilities Team","date":"April 10, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Full Transcript Show Summary: Becca Weber joins Simon in the Blind Abilities Studio to talk about her educational journey, her online learning, her assistive technology and her volunteer work with the National Homework Hotline. Becca gives some great advice about having a well-rounded knowledge of assistive technology. The need to\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Career&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Career","link":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/?cat=373"},"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":5748,"url":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/?p=5748","url_meta":{"origin":9362,"position":1},"title":"Apps and Resources for Students and a Perspective from a Parent of a Blind Teen Now Schooling from Home","author":"Blind Abilities Team","date":"March 27, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Full Transcript Show Summary: Maria Ceferatti joins Jeff in the Blind Abilities Virtual Studio via Zoom Cloud Meetings, Maria using her iPhone with the Zoom App and Jeff back at the Blind Abilities Studio on his Mac with the Zoom Pro Account up and running. Jeff uses the Zoom recording\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":8522,"url":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/?p=8522","url_meta":{"origin":9362,"position":2},"title":"The Future of Accessibility: Tools for Success in Education and Beyond: Insights from Jesse Anderson","author":"Blind Abilities Team","date":"December 16, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Full Transcript Podcast Summary: Jesse Anderson, Assistive Technology Specialist at State Services for the Blind of Minnesota, discusses the latest advancements in assistive technology for high school and college students. He highlights tools like Aira's AccessAI, BeMyAI, JAWS, and smart glasses, emphasizing the importance of learning both mobile and computer-based\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":4949,"url":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/?p=4949","url_meta":{"origin":9362,"position":3},"title":"Career Expo: Switching Her College Major Landed Her in Court! Meet Official Court Reporter Kayde Rieken","author":"Blind Abilities Team","date":"May 9, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"Full Transcript Show Summary: State Services for the Blind hosted a Career Expo for high school and college students who are blind, low vision, or DeafBlind. The event took place on Saturday, April 27. Throughout the Expo students had the opportunity to: Connect with adults with a vision loss from\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Career&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Career","link":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/?cat=373"},"img":{"alt_text":"Image of man with cane and woman with service dog and City Skyline with Job Insights in bold letters.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/jobinsights.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/jobinsights.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/jobinsights.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/jobinsights.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/jobinsights.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/jobinsights.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":9202,"url":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/?p=9202","url_meta":{"origin":9362,"position":4},"title":"From Screen Readers to Self-Reliance: Cheryl\u2019s Journey to Becoming a Certified Assistive Technology Instructional Specialist","author":"Blind Abilities Team","date":"October 11, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Podcast Summary: In this Blind Abilities conversation, Cheryl McIntosh shares her journey toward becoming a Certified Assistive Technology Instructional Specialist, or CATIS, and how she empowers others to build independence through technology. Cheryl teaches screen reader users\u2014primarily JAWS and VoiceOver\u2014through personalized virtual training. She explains that success starts with fundamentals\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":4969,"url":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/?p=4969","url_meta":{"origin":9362,"position":5},"title":"Career Expo: Self Advocacy and Self Determination Led Matt To His Current Job, and a Big Skill He Added Was Saying, \u201cOk, I Need Help with This\u201d","author":"Blind Abilities Team","date":"May 11, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"Full Transcript Show Summary: State Services for the Blind hosted a Career Expo for high school and college students who are blind, low vision, or DeafBlind. The event took place on Saturday, April 27. Throughout the Expo students had the opportunity to: Connect with adults with a vision loss from\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Career&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Career","link":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/?cat=373"},"img":{"alt_text":"Image of man with cane and woman with service dog and City Skyline with Job Insights in bold letters.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/jobinsights.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/jobinsights.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/jobinsights.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/jobinsights.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/jobinsights.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/jobinsights.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\/9362","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=9362"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9362\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9364,"href":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9362\/revisions\/9364"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/9311"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=9362"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=9362"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=9362"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}