The Tech Doctor Blog and Podcast

In this podcast, Robert talks with Anna Dresner the author of “Getting Started with the iPhone and iOS 5 for Blind Users.” Robert considers this book a must have for anyone interested in understanding how to get the most out of the iPhone as a VoiceOver user. Anna talks about the writing process and gives some good suggestions on how to most efficiently use the book. The book is availa...

During this hour, Robert has a fascinating conversation with, Jolie Mason, the founder and program director of the Los Angeles Radio Reading Service. The LA Reading Service can be heard world wide on an iOS app called iBlink Radio In addition to her radio reading service work, Jolie hosts a radio show on a Los Angeles radio station KPFK The show is called “Access Unlimited” and can be...

In this Tech Doctor podcast, Robert makes a virtual trip to Australia where he catches up with the professional musician and access technology specialist, Scott Erichsen. Scott tells us about his formal training as a jazz pianist. He describes how having perfect pitch has helped him to quickly reproduce the music that he hears. Scott talks about the importance of braille in writing music and the n...

This podcast is all about the 27th Annual International Technology and Persons with Disabilities Conference commonly referred to as CSUN. Robert speaks with Jessica Rathwell who offers a fascinating perspective on what attending this conference is like for an independent woman who is blind. In addition to discussing some most interesting presentations and products, Robert and Jessi talk about the...

In this Tech Doctor podcast, Robert talks accessible technology with Amy Ruell. Amy tells us about her work as president of VIBUG which is a computer users group for visually impaired and blind people in Massachusetts. Amy and her group are engaged in some very interesting collaboration with MIT. The VIBUG website is a wonderful resource for blind and visually impaired people throughout the world....

In this brief Tech Doctor podcast, Robert demonstrates how he uses an audio editor called Sound Studio to edit the Tech doctor podcast. Thanks to Allison Mervis for giving me permission to use her wonderful voice in this episode.

In this version of The Tech Doctor podcast, Robert talks with the most knowledgeable and enthusiastic Allison Mervis of California. Allison and Robert begin with a discussion of mainstream versus specialized access technology. Allison suspects that we are starting to see a marriage between the two. Robert discusses his idea that it is ideal for specialized braille note taking equipment to also ope...

In this Tech Doctor podcast, Robert spends an hour with one of the most prolific, creative and popular mainstream Apple podcasters. Her name is Allison Sheridan. She is the creator and host of the “NOSILLA Cast” podcast. This informative, entertaining fast paced show appears weekly and can be found over at podfeet.com Allison is a tremendous advocate for people who are blind and she re...

In this Edition of the Tech Doctor podcast, I had the pleasure of interviewing Alena Roberts. Alena is a feature writer at the Matilda Ziegler Magazine She provides braille instruction to a second grader and she is the social media consultant for the Sendero Group Recently, Alena has become one of the host of the new Triple Click Home podcast where she gets to discuss all things Apple. I experienc...

In this information rich podcast, Robert Carter and Deb Lewis thoroughly examine what it is like to use Braille with an iOS5 device. There is special emphasis on how to select and get started with a braille display. For more about working with braille and iOS5, click the following link. Apple Devices And Braille For general information about the accessibility of Apple products, click here. Apple A...

In this podcast, Robert Carter and Kevin Chao complete their discussion of iOS5. They explore the Newsstand, demonstrate and discuss Siri and finish up with a significant list of changes, bug fixes and enhancements to Apple’s most sophisticated mobile operating system to date.

In this Tech Doctor podcast, Robert Carter and Kevin Chao explore the major accessibility enhancements in Apple’s iOS5 mobile operating system. For more information about the accessibility of apple products, go to Apple Accessibility

In this Tech Doctor podcast, Robert pays tribute to Steve Jobs.

In part two of BrailleSense Plus and BrailleNote Apex Lisa Salinger and Robert Carter use a combination of informed discussion and live demonstration to get to the bottom of what it is like to work with these devices.

In this episode, Robert Carter and Lisa Salinger examine the BrailleNote Apex and BrailleSense Plus They provide a detailed description of the hardware including the carrying cases for the units.   Stay tuned for part two of this series where Lisa and Robert will explore the software applications that run on the BrailleSense Plus and BrailleNote Apex.

In this episode, the Tech Doctor interviews Cory Ballard of the All With My iPhone podcast.   Cory uses his iPhone and VoiceOver to take subscribers on fifteen to twenty minute tours of popular apps. The podcasts are clear, concise and informative. Cory’s enthusiasm is infectious.   The All With My iPhone website is easy to use. It contains all of the shows as well as subscription and contac...

Examining the Past Present and Future of Accessible Technology is a daunting task for a 50 minute podcast. The Tech Doctor, however, has searched the world over and found the man that can do the job.   Larry Skutchan began his career thirty years ago by writing accessible word processing and telecommunications software for the Apple II. He went on to write an incredibly popular screen reader for M...

In a lively and informative discussion, Robert and three special guests explore some of the most important opportunities and challenges for women who work in technology.   Holly Anderson of The Screenless Switchers podcast, Ricky Enger from Serotek and the Tech Doctor’s own Jenny Axler conclude that women have a bright future in technology.   The three women agree that their blindness and no...

In this episode of The Tech Doctor podcast, Robert visits with Anna Dresner.   Anna is the author of numerous books and publications. Many are technology related and are available through The National Braille Press.   Anna is currently employed as a technical support specialist for the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped .   Robert and Anna discuss the new line of iPo...

In this Tech Doctor podcast, Robert Carter shares a presentation that he made to the Blind Information Technology Specialist (BITS) organization during the American Council of the Blind’s national convention in Phoenix, Arizona.   Robert explores the accessibility of products made by Apple. He expresses appreciation to some of the pioneers who developed hardware and software to make the Appl...

In this podcast, the Tech Doctors continue their Windows 7 and Mac OS X comparison series.   Jenny boots Windows 7 with no screen reader loaded and demonstrates what it is like to work with the built-in Microsoft screen reader called Narrator.   Robert powers up the Mac and explores getting started with VoiceOver.   Throughout the remainder of the podcast, Jenny uses a third party screen reader ca...

In this third episode, the Tech Doctors begin a series of podcasts where they will do a head to head comparison of Windows 7 and Mac OS X.   Robert begins by thanking folks who have emailed us. He discusses a few of the other podcasters who have been kind enough to mention us on their shows.   Check out Michael Lauf and Ricky Inger who do an excellent podcast for Serotek   Next Robert and Jenny th...

In this podcast, the Tech Doctors take their Apple iPad and Apple iPhone in to the Tech Doctor operating room and examine them side by side. Jenny and Robert approach the two devices from the perspective of VoiceOver users. They demo several apps and speculate about whether or not the larger iPad’s screen offers a significant advantage for people who are blind. Thank you for all of your feed...

In this first podcast, the Tech Doctors–Robert and Jenny–introduce themselves and examine two fully accessible state-of-the-art digital players/recorders. The PlexTalk Pocket and Book Port Plus share identical hardware. Through discussion and demonstration, the Tech Doctors explore important differences in the user interfaces. Just below this post, there are two links for listening to...