Gary wants to know if there's a way to change the closed captioning from being displayed where it does. Leo says that sometimes, TVs use different positioning for CC1, CC2, etc. Some systems allow you to modify the style of the captions for background, size, outlined, etc. Depends on the provider you use. Check out this article from the NY Times.
Claire would like to know if there's a mechanism for her brother in law that will enable him to communicate with noises he can make. He's very limited. Leo says that Google has done a lot of work on voice recognition through its Google Assistants. But it may be very customized. Leo recommends going to the local Center for Independent Living and consult with an accessibility expert. They would know what can be done with a custom solution.
Sometimes we get older and our fingers become less mobile, causing our fingertips to stay on the same key for more than a split second. If your keyboard is repeating letters against your intentions, there are ways in Windows to prevent that from happening. An accessibility feature will disable key repeats and can be accessed in the Control Panel to switch on. Or you can try this... From tollie in the chatroom: Hold "RIGHT SHIFT" for eight seconds to turn on FILTER KEYS
John wants to know how good the accessibility features are in a Chromebook. Leo says that many Chromebooks have Google Assistant, enabling you to dictate. There's even a button on the keyboard that can enable it. But the screenreaders may not be very good. John is also looking for an affordable mobile service. Leo recommends Mint Mobile. You can pay as you go.
Julian has a great page for the vision impaired called TechJV.com. He's also created a page to give vision-impaired information on the COVID-19 outbreak.
Mark's mother in law has failing eyesight and still wants to use her email. Is there a program for that? Leo says that Windows has a text to speech option. Look in the accessibility settings for it. But the easiest for Gmail is an extension for Gmail called READ ALOUD.
Tom is having issues using Last Pass with a screen reader. Leo says that he's heard that more than once, and Last Pass really needs to work on accessibility. In iOS .... go to settings, passwords and accounts, iCloud Keychain, enable autofill passwords.
Check out TechJV.Com, he may be able to help you figure it out.
Julian is an accessibility expert and he likes the Be My Eyes app. The EyeRa app is the paid version. It's also available on Android. He says that apps like these are a game-changer for blind people who need help using their phones to see the world around them. Check out Julian's website TechJV.com. He also says that being in contact with the American Foundation for the Blind can put people in touch with accessibility experts who can help.
Ed has an iPhone 7. He's blind and he relies on Siri to do everything he needs. Leo says that the iPhone is a great phone for the blind because of its accessibility features. Ed finds, though, that the battery isn't as strong as it used to be and it dies while he's using it all the time. Leo says that the lithium-ion batteries are rated for 500 charge/discharge cycles, which is about a two-year window. But the good news is, that Apple will replace the battery for $49. Are there alternatives?
Dana is blind and uses a screen reader. But it won't work with iDrive backup. Leo says that any Windows program should be readable. But it may be that the software uses a picture based text that can't be read by screen readers. It's certainly something that all computer companies should be made aware of.
