In this episode, Ryan Jones introduces some of the exciting new features in our JAWS, ZoomText, and Fusion 2026 updates. Elizabeth Whitaker walks you through creating your Vispero account so you can get the most out of our products, and she also shares a preview of upcoming Vispero training opportunities. Plus, Colleen Wunderlich from the Chicago Lighthouse tells us about a contest that could be your chance to turn your business idea into reality.
Oct 30, 2025•55 min•Ep. 263
This month on FSCast, we show you how to quickly enhance website accessibility using the latest tools in JAWS. Then, we chat with Kristina Misiunaite, a tax policy officer from the Netherlands, to discover why tax law is about more than just money. And finally, Elizabeth Whitaker joins us to preview upcoming webinars from our Training Department.
Sep 30, 2025•49 min•Ep. 262
Aug 27, 2025•51 min•Ep. 261
· Why do blind people in the US attend annual conventions? · How can AI make web browsing more enjoyable? · What does it take to succeed in today's world? · What new learning opportunities are being offered by Vispero? The convention vibe continues on this special episode, as we hear from Ryan Jones, Glen Gordon, Mohammed Laachir, and Elizabeth Whitaker.
Jul 30, 2025•1 hr•Ep. 260
On FSCast this month: • Elisabeth Whitaker introduces Vispero's plans and events for the upcoming Summer conventions. • Joseph LaFauci contributes a JAWS power tip of the month. • Peter Tucic, Sile O'Modhrain and Matthew Horspool take us into the world of multiline Braille and visual tables. • And Isabel Holdsworth shares her impressions from a cruise in Antarctica.
Jun 25, 2025•52 min•Ep. 259
On FSCast this month, we catch up with Ryan Jones, our VP of Software and Product Management , to find out some of what's new with Vispero products. At the Optelec stand, our colleague Rene Ludwig shows us a self-service kiosk running JAWS. And we visit with Nolan Crabb, Director of Assistive Technology at Ohio State University, to hear about his life and work experience. On FSCast this month, we catch up with Ryan Jones, our VP of Software and Product Management , to find out some of what's new...
May 28, 2025•50 min•Ep. 258
This month, we explore the use of Web verbosity settings to tame excessive speech on some Web site with JAWS. Then, Bryan Vuong introduces us to Innosearch, an innovative approach to shopping. And finally, we enjoy more fun stories and memories in Part 2 of our interview with Ted Henter.
Apr 30, 2025•51 min•Ep. 257
JAWS 30th anniversary celebration is in full swing. So this month on FSCast, we visit with Ted Henter to hear some JAWS stories, as well as to get some helpful tips on starting your own business. We also get the scoop on Vispero's announcements and special events at this year's CSUN Assistive Technology Conference from Ryan Jones, Roxana Fischer and Elizabeth Whitaker. And we hear from Marinela Ortiz about her personal experience with JAWS and Braille.
Mar 26, 2025•50 min•Ep. 256
This month on FSCast: · Find out about Vispero's CSUN and upcoming webinar schedule; · Learn about various facets of Web accessibility and usability from Brett Lewis and TJ Squires; · Meet Zülal Tannur, a blind entrepreneur and AI enthusiast from Turkey.
Feb 26, 2025•57 min•Ep. 255
Jan 29, 2025•50 min•Ep. 254
On this episode, Elizabeth Whitaker and Oleg Shevkun introduce some of the new features in our December product updates. Then, we hear from Dan Clark about his path from a pizza store manager to access technology trainer. And finally, Everette Bacon is here to talk about what's new at Aira, including the latest partnership with TPGI.
Dec 23, 2024•54 min•Ep. 253
On this special episode, we relive the Next Big Thing 2024 final. We get to know the finalists and their feature ideas. We hear from the judges and show hosts. And, of course, we find out who the winner is!
Dec 05, 2024•43 min•Ep. 252
If you missed our most recent FSOpenLine, then it's time to review the highlights of this lively discussion. Topics include Smart Screen Review, accessing shared presentations in Zoom, support for both classic and new Outlook, braille-related issues, product tips and tricks, and a lot more.
Nov 27, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 251
Oct 30, 2024•56 min•Ep. 250
Find out about some of the new features in JAWS, ZoomText and Fusion 2024 updates. Get introduced to Roxana Fischer. Hear about our 2025 Public Beta from Mohammed Laachir. And finally, after two years, re-visit with Eric Damery.
Sep 25, 2024•49 min•Ep. 249
On this "back-to-school" issue: Rachel Buchanan, our director of user education and technical support, introduces Sharkvember and The Next Big Thing contest. Dr. Denise Robinson, the founder of Your Tech Vision, discusses technology, education and math. And finally, Olga Espinola, our test engineer and a highly experienced technology user, explains the new math-related features in JAWS.
Aug 28, 2024•57 min•Ep. 248
On this episode, Glen Gordon interviews Oleg Shevkun, our new FSCast host, and passes on the baton. Then, we hear from Mohammed Laachir, a product owner at Vispero, on some exciting AI-related developments in JAWS and Fusion.
Jul 31, 2024•53 min•Ep. 247
On FSCast 246, we'll meet psychiatrist Dr. Tim Cordes. He's been working in addiction medicine for nearly 20 years, and back in 2005 was the second totally blind person to graduate from medical school. Then all about Microsoft's Disability Answer Desk that can help solve problems related to Microsoft software. Crystal Jones will be here with all the details.
Jun 26, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 246
On FSCast 245, a demo of how PictureSmart just got smarter thanks to the new chat feature. Then Alice O'Reilly, Chief of the Collections Division, and Tamara Rorie, head of Patron Engagement at NLS, talk about the array of free services and devices available to people living in the United States. Plus, we'll get to know Gordon Legge, Distinguished Professor and Director of the Minnesota Laboratory for Low-Vision Research.
May 29, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 245
On FSCast 244, we'll meet Ana Gonzalez Arean. She'll talk about growing up in Venezuela and becoming a language professor at two universities, but then needing to move to Spain to start a new life for herself. Then, Cathy Miller and Nicky Gillies from the Louisiana DeafBlind project discuss some of the challenges of identifying deafblind kids young and helping them to achieve their potential.
Apr 24, 2024•52 min•Ep. 244
On the archive of the March FSOpenLine, people share their favorite things to do with PictureSmart AI, including how to use it with FaceInView to describe what's in the background. And of course questions on a variety of other topics including why JAWS place markers sometimes lose their place, why Thunderbird speaks incoming email notifications multiple times, and how to quickly find out who has hands raised in Zoom.
Apr 10, 2024•48 min•Ep. 243
On FSCast 242, we'll put the newly released Picture Smart AI through its paces, and you'll hear the detailed descriptions it can generate for everything from a bar chart to a frame from a YouTube video. Then, a visit with longtime blindness advocate Anil Lewis, Executive Director of Blindness Initiatives of the National Federation of the Blind. Transcript available at blog.FreedomScientific.com
Mar 27, 2024•47 min•Ep. 242
On FSCast 241, guest host Mohammed Laachir introduces us to the world of accessible gaming. He'll visit with Jesse Anderson, who runs the IllegallySighted YouTube channel, to talk about some of the games that you can play if you're blind or low vision. Then Mohammed talks with NightBlade, who runs an annual Game Jam to get sighted developers excited about accessibility. Links and transcript available at blog.FreedomScientific.com/FSCast.
Feb 28, 2024•46 min•Ep. 241
On FSCast 240, we're joined by screen reading pioneer Doug Geoffray. We'll hear about the development of Vocal-Eyes, Window-Eyes, and Doug's eventual transition to Microsoft, where he helps ensure that their new products are accessible. Then, a deep dive into password managers, two-factor authentication, and a demo of using the Bitwarden password manager with JAWS. Transcript available at blog.FreedomScientific.com/FSCast
Jan 31, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 240
On the archive of FSOpenLine from November 2023, some Freedom Scientific developers and testers offer an inside look at our process for developing and refining new features. We also take your calls on a variety of topics including: the accessibility of the new Outlook interface and how to enable or disable it, how to use the Quick Access bar to get to frequently used commands in Microsoft Office apps, regressions with JAWS access to the Game Bar in Windows 11, and a request to be able to automat...
Dec 27, 2023•54 min•Ep. 239
On FSCast 238, the finals of our November 14 Next Big Thing contest. You'll hear a presentation of the top three ideas, questions from our panel of four judges, some great entertainment, and of course, the person selected as the winner. Transcript at blog.FreedomScientific.com
Nov 29, 2023•57 min•Ep. 238
On FSCast 237, a visit with Pete Torpey. You probably know him as the co-host of the Eyes on Success podcast, but prior to that, he had a distinguished career as a research fellow at Xerox. Then, Space Camp for interested visually impaired students. We'll get all the details from Group Coordinator Dan Oates and Space Camp Vice President Robin Soprano. Transcript available at blog.FreedomScientific.com/FSCast.
Oct 26, 2023•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 237
On FSCast 236, we're joined by Catherine Getchell, Director of Disability Resources at Carnegie Mellon University. We'll hear about her path to the job at CMU and what motivates her to do this kind of work. Then, to celebrate October as Disability Employment Awareness Month, Lori Scharff and Richard Rueda from the American Printing House for the Blind's CareerConnect program.
Sep 27, 2023•48 min•Ep. 236
On the archive of the August FSOpenLine, news about Sharkvember and our Next Big Thing contest, features you can now try in our 2024 product betas, and of course your calls on a variety of topics. Transcript available at blog.FreedomScientific.com/FSCast.
Sep 13, 2023•51 min•Ep. 235
On FSCast 234, guest host Brett Lewis offers up a preview of what's coming in the public betas of JAWS, Fusion, and ZoomText. He'll also do a demonstration of the new JAWS Face in View feature, and visit with Billy Henry, the President and CEO of the Northwest Association for Blind Athletes. Transcript available at blog.freedomscientific.com.
Aug 30, 2023•32 min•Ep. 234
