Unmute Podcast Network

Show Notes: Community Unmuted – May 3, 2025 In this lively edition of Community Unmuted , Michael and Marty field tech questions, share helpful tips, and have a little fun along the way. Liz kicks things off with the question of the day: Do you edit your dictations before or after you send them—or at all? Listener responses range from careful proofreaders to those who just hit send and move on. Hi...

In this episode: Hazel Workflow for Mac : Michael walks through setting up a rule in Hazel to automatically delete .flac files from a Dropbox folder if they're older than one day. It’s a hands-on demo using VoiceOver and shows how powerful Hazel is for keeping folders tidy with minimal effort. Apple BRF Files for Braille Users : Chris shares a great resource—Apple’s Braille-ready user guides for n...

In this relaxed May edition of At Your Fingertips: Braille Then and Now , we explore fun, low- to mid-tech tools that bring joy and progress to Braille learners. From Braille keychains and swing cells to the increasingly popular Braille Doodle and LEGO Braille sets, discover how fidget-friendly tools can reinforce literacy in a hands-on way. We also take a deeper look at input devices like the NLS...

Show Notes: Join Driza on this Shell Phone Show as he walks you step-by-step through using Zoom on your BlindShell Classic 2 or 3. Learn how to: Install and access Zoom on both BlindShell Classic 2 and 3 Adjust meeting settings to always show controls Enter your name, meeting ID, and passcode effortlessly Use essential Zoom features like mute/unmute, video toggling, and raising your hand Manage sp...

In this Digital Bytes, Michael dives into LaunchBar’s powerful Clipboard History feature on the Mac, offering tips for customizing it to boost your productivity. Marty shares a quick and accessible way to selectively share contact information without the hassle. Then, Chris introduces the Patreon app, explaining how to support your favorite creators while highlighting its accessibility and easy na...

This was originally published to the Technically Working podcast. See the notes below: TW107: Mute Buttons, Mishaps, and Mental Replays In this episode, Damashe uncovers a hidden switch that finally makes his mute button work the way he wants—after months of assuming he needed to rewire it. Meanwhile, Michael shares a chaotic behind-the-scenes story from an in-person board meeting, complete with m...

In this episode, Michael, Liz, and Chris welcome callers to share their favorite tech tips and tackle real-world tech questions. From quick productivity shortcuts to tricky screen reader behavior, it's all on the table in this lively community conversation. Tech Tips Shared: Windows Tip : Use Control + L in File Explorer to jump straight to folders like "Downloads" or even open a website in your b...

Summary: Chris and Michael catch up on the latest macOS Sequoia 15.4 update, sharing what’s working better—and what still needs a workaround. From new Braille fixes to ditching Apple’s Mail categories, they cover practical improvements for VoiceOver users. Michael walks through how LaunchBar has become his go-to for blazing-fast app launching and file actions, and Chris breaks down tips for custom...

Adrian, aka Driza, is back with a quick and practical demo using the internet browser on the BlindShell Classic 3—with the touchscreen turned off. In this episode, you’ll learn how to: Bookmark a webpage for easy access later Save it to your Favorites list so it’s always one button away Share a link by text or email, straight from the browser Using A Werewolf Gear as the example, Driza walks throu...

In this extended edition of Digital Bytes , Michael shares a full replay of audio demos used during a recent ACB Community training session all about Todoist —his favorite (and sometimes frustrating) task management app. First, Michael walks through how to: Set up and navigate Todoist on Windows Use helpful keyboard shortcuts Add, complete, and manage tasks with ease Then, he explores Todoist on i...

On this April 5th edition of Community Unmuted , Liz and Michael team up to tackle your toughest tech questions—from syncing struggles to unexpected iPhone quirks. Highlights in this episode: 🛠️ CSUN Recap – Michael shares updates from the CSUN Assistive Tech Conference, including a tactile labeling favorite. 🔄 iCloud Message Sync Issues – Tips for troubleshooting stuck syncs and where to check y...

Forget to turn off Do Not Disturb? Marty shares a built-in iOS Shortcut— DND Until I Leave —that silences your phone only while you're at a set location, then automatically reactivates notifications when you leave. Missing delivery? Chris used Aira to track down a misdelivered Amazon package and offers tips for using other tools like JAWS Picture Smart or Remote Incident Manager to get visual assi...

In this episode of At Your Fingertips: Braille Then and Now, Chris shares practical strategies for increasing your Braille reading speed. Drawing from research by the American Foundation for the Blind and insights from Judy Dixon, the discussion covers why finger positioning matters, how a light touch can improve accuracy, and how bottom-dot recognition may slow some readers down. Chris explains t...

In this episode, Adrian—aka Driza —shows you how to turn off the touchscreen on the BlindShell Classic 3. While the phone is primarily button-based like the Classic 2, third-party apps from the Aurora Store can activate touchscreen functionality. Adrian walks you through using the touchscreen in Be My Eyes, then demonstrates how to disable it entirely by using the pound (#) key.  You’ll also learn...

In this episode of Digital Bytes, we’re diving into quick ways to stay productive with your tech—from smarter navigation in Microsoft Word to decluttering websites in Safari, and even turning a recorded call into a clean training handout using ChatGPT. • Hear Styles Automatically in JAWS   Michael shares a practical JAWS tip for Word users: have JAWS announce styles like “Heading 2” or “Normal” as...

Yes, it’s a day late—but this JAWS Tip is worth it. In this episode, I walk through how I’ve been handling document styling in Microsoft Word using JAWS, especially for large print formatting. Whether you're customizing heading sizes, applying hyperlink colors, or just switching text back to normal, these tips will help you clean up your documents and save time. Topics covered: Using Control + Shi...

📝 Show Notes: Lucy is back for another round of fun in this month’s All Things Lady A ! In Part 2 of her word game series, she demos three more accessible games you can play with your Lady A device: Five Letters – Like Wordle, but with a twist (and Lucy just barely squeaks by!). Puzzle of the Day – Themed word guessing fun, and yes, she should’ve trusted her gut on that last answer. Puzzler – A m...

In this episode of Digital Bytes : Michael kicks things off with a deep dive into using the File Explorer address bar in Windows to speed up navigation. Learn how typing folder names like "Downloads," "Desktop," or custom Dropbox paths directly into the address bar can make your workflow faster and more efficient. Chris shares a practical iOS tip—how to translate text messages using the built-in T...

In this episode of Mac Chat , Marty and Chris return from the CSUN Assistive Technology Conference and share highlights from the event, including reconnecting with the community and joining the Double Tap team for a live wrap-up on the vendor floor. They dive into Apple’s new MacBook Air with the M4 chip , weighing the pros and cons of upgrading. Is it worth moving up from an M1 or M2? Marty share...

In this episode, Adrian walks through how to turn speakerphone on and off manually on the BlindShell Classic 2 and 3 . Learn the simple steps to activate speakerphone during a call and how to exit the menu to access the keypad for entering numbers. Got questions? Reach out to driza17@att.net . For more tips and exclusive content, visit unmute.show . Thanks to Andre Louis for the music! Send us you...

In this episode of Digital Bytes , Michael shares his experience using GoodMaps at CSUN, a navigation app designed for indoor locations. He explains how it provides real-time feedback, helps locate rooms, and offers independence in large spaces. Chris then walks us through a chat support experience with Apple Card , discussing how Apple’s built-in messaging system made resolving pending transactio...

In this episode of Digital Bytes , Michael takes us on an adventure with his new smart washer and dryer setup . He shares how the appliance’s app control features make it accessible, the workaround for enabling remote start , and why the fully accessible manual makes a big difference. Plus, hear what the washer and dryer completion tones sound like! Next, Marty walks through the Action Button on t...

At Your Fingertips: Creative Braille, Birthday Surprises, and the VersaSlate In this episode, we explore creative ways to make Braille, from edible treats like M&Ms and marshmallows to unique methods like puff paint. Hear about a heartfelt birthday surprise, where a friend crafted a Braille birthday card, and a humorous college memory involving a cake with backwards Braille. We also dive into...

In this episode of Digital Bytes , we dive into some lesser-known but incredibly useful iOS features that can improve your daily experience. Announce Calls on iPhone : Michael helps us Learn how to enable Announce Calls in iOS settings, allowing your iPhone to speak the name or number of an incoming caller—whether using VoiceOver or Siri . Customize it to always announce, work with headphones and...

JAWS Tips: Virtualizing Windows In this episode, I share a JAWS tip to grab text from tricky screens and provide feedback to developers. JAWS+Alt+W virtualizes the current window, pulling text into a virtual viewer for easy reading and copying. While you can’t click or activate items , you can navigate and extract information. I break down how this works, when to use it, and why it’s an essential...