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 + Shift + Alt + S to access and modify styles Setting styles like Heading 2 (22pt), Heading 3 (20pt), and...
Mar 29, 2025•8 min
📝 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 mini crossword challenge that can stump even the pros. Lucy also shares updates on Alexa’s upcoming A...
Mar 27, 2025•21 min
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 Translate feature in the Messages app. Perfect for connecting with bilingual friends or students, thi...
Mar 24, 2025•10 min
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 shares what’s changed—like the bump to 16GB RAM as the new baseline , a lower starting price , and a subt...
Mar 21, 2025•36 min
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 your feedback online: https://pinecast.com/feedback/unmute-presents-on-acb-communi/47f0fa9f-6db6-4716-8...
Mar 20, 2025•5 min
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 transactions easier (despite some chatbot hurdles). Marty wraps up with a review of the Rolls Mic Switch , a s...
Mar 16, 2025•15 min
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 the iPhone 15 and 16, explaining where it’s located and how to customize it for tasks like launching ...
Mar 09, 2025•10 min
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 the versatility of slates and styluses—both classic and modern—discussing their continued importance...
Mar 07, 2025•18 min
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 CarPlay, or turn it off completely. Accessing the Hidden Share Sheet in Mail : Marty uncovers a buri...
Mar 02, 2025•10 min
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 tool for smoother navigation. 🔗 More JAWS tips: unmute.show <h4> Chapters: </h4> 0:08 –...
Mar 01, 2025•2 min
In this episode of Digital Bytes, Chris takes a fresh look at Apple’s Tips app, Michael shares a powerful JAWS customization , and Marty explores the iPhone Action Button . Tips on Tips: Chris revisits Apple’s Tips app and discovers how it can help clean up your Photos library by hiding unwanted screenshots . JAWS Dictionary Manager: Michael walks through a JAWS customization that lets you simplify what it announces while navigating, making it easier to focus on what matters. iPhone Action Butto...
Feb 23, 2025•14 min
Summary: In this episode of Mac Chat, Marty and Chris explore the powerful text utility Drafts , showing how it integrates with apps like CardHop for seamless contact management. They also dive into VoiceOver command customization in macOS Sequoia , referencing a helpful walkthrough from AppleVis ( link ). Plus, they share their thoughts on Apple Intelligence , troubleshooting a tricky VoiceOver language bug , and discuss the Rode Interview Mic —a promising tool for CSUN recordings. Tune in for ...
Feb 20, 2025•41 min
In this episode of The ShellPhone Show , Drizza walks through how to navigate YouTube on the BlindShell Classic 2 —with no ads! Learn how to: ✅ Search for videos & channels ✅ Play, pause, and navigate through videos ✅ Save favorites for quick access ✅ Share video links via text or email ✅ Use voice dictation for hands-free searching With easy navigation and no interruptions, YouTube on the BlindShell Classic 2 is a smooth experience for visually impaired users. 🔗 Get more helpful content li...
Feb 19, 2025•8 min
Community Unmuted – February 15, 2025 🎙️ Hosted by Marty, Michael, and Liz This episode of Community Unmuted covers a wide range of tech-related questions, insights, and discussions from the community. We kicked things off with the Question of the Day : 💬 What would you like to see in the rumored new iPhone SE? What features do you hope it includes (or doesn't remove)? 🔹 Listener Questions Covered in This Episode: 📸 Photo Backup Options : How to transfer photos off an iPhone when iCloud isn'...
Feb 18, 2025•53 min
In this episode of Digital Bytes , Michael shares a hands-on review of the DJI Wireless 2 microphone set, covering key features like smart noise cancellation, built-in recording, and connectivity options . Learn how this compact wireless mic system can enhance your audio setup. Next, get a deep dive into Safari tab management on iOS, including context menu tricks, pinning tabs, and quickly reopening closed tabs —a must-know feature for efficient browsing! Marty wraps things up with a look at the...
Feb 16, 2025•10 min
In this episode of All Things Lady A , Lucy brings the fun with a collection of word games you can play on your Amazon Echo. From reversing words to trivia challenges, anagrams, and even word tennis, she dives into some of the best (and trickiest) games available for your Lady A device. She also shares a few important tips—like watching out for games that require subscriptions after a trial period and keeping in mind that some skills may stop working over time. Want to play along? Try these game...
Feb 14, 2025•19 min
Episode Overview: In this episode, Michael walks you through adjusting the verbosity settings on the BlindShell Classic 2 to make navigation more efficient. If you’re tired of hearing menu position hints like “5 of 7,” this quick guide will show you how to disable them. What You’ll Learn: How to access Settings on your BlindShell Navigating to Sounds > Announcements > Menu Position Indication Turning off menu position announcements for a less verbose experience Resources & Links: Get t...
Feb 13, 2025•4 min
This episode explores Apple’s latest features, including contact photos in Mail, Siri Shortcuts with Seeing AI, and a Todoist installation tutorial for Windows to boost productivity. Read transcript
Feb 09, 2025•10 min
Show Notes: Before jumping into your next Zoom, Teams, or video call, ensure your camera is positioned correctly with JAWS’ Face in View feature. This powerful tool provides real-time feedback on whether your face is centered, lighting conditions, and any unexpected objects in your frame. Learn how to activate Face in View, use additional commands like brightness checks , PictureSmart descriptions , and camera selection , and make sure you’re visually prepared before going live. 📌 Shortcut : JA...
Feb 08, 2025•8 min
At Your Fingertips: Braille Then and Now – The Braille Doodle In this episode, Chris takes a look at the Braille Doodle , a tool designed for both Braille learning and tactile drawing. This device has been a valuable addition to teaching and makes it easier to practice Braille while also exploring visual concepts. What is the Braille Doodle? The Braille Doodle is a tablet-sized device with two surfaces: Braille Practice Side – Designed for practicing the Braille alphabet, words, and sentences. D...
Feb 07, 2025•16 min
Community Unmuted – February 1, 2025 Episode Summary In this lively episode of Community Unmuted , we kick things off with a fun question: What’s your favorite podcast right now? The team and community members share their top picks, from tech-focused shows to history deep dives. We also dive into some common tech challenges, including navigating the new Keyboard Commander settings in macOS Sequoia , managing Do Not Disturb on iPhone and BlindShell Classic 2 , and dealing with email and notificat...
Feb 04, 2025•52 min
🎙 Digital Bytes: Microphone Finds, Focus Mode Tips, and Scheduling Posts with Buffer In this week’s Digital Bytes , we explore a budget-friendly microphone, dive into Focus Mode settings on iOS, and break down how to schedule social media posts using Buffer. 🔹 Microphone Spotlight: Chris reviews the Audio-Technica ATR2100X , a versatile dynamic cardioid microphone with USB and XLR connectivity. Find out why this budget-friendly mic is a great choice for podcasting, Zoom calls, and more. 🔹 Foc...
Feb 02, 2025•8 min
Welcome to Jaws Tips: Navigating the Message Center! In this episode, Michael takes you through the essential steps to access and use the message center in JAWS. Learn how to activate the feature with a simple key combination, navigate your messages using arrow keys, and manage your notifications with ease. Whether you're at work or at home, these tips will help you become more efficient and in control of your JAWS experience. For even more insights and techniques, be sure to check out the At Yo...
Feb 01, 2025•2 min
In this episode of Digital Bytes , we’re diving into tools and tricks that can make your tech life easier and more productive. Here’s what we cover: <h4>1. Bee Pioneer: A Wearable That Listens </h4> A closer look at the Bee Pioneer device available at bee.computer . Key Features: Works as a companion to your Apple Watch or standalone. Summarizes your day by processing conversations and emails. Accessibility insights: Mostly VoiceOver-friendly, but some unlabeled buttons. Downsides in...
Jan 27, 2025•12 min
In this episode of Unmute Presents , Pete shares a practical JAWS tip for checking the time using a Braille display. Whether you're in a meeting, giving a presentation, or simply want a discreet way to check the time, Pete walks you through the steps to enable this feature on your Braille display. Key Highlights: Voice Assistant for Time Checks : Use the "Hey Sharky" command or JAWS Key + Alt + Space to ask JAWS for the time. Keyboard Shortcut : Quickly check the time using JAWS Key + F12. Time ...
Jan 26, 2025•6 min
Episode Title: Cross-Platform Messaging: FaceTime on Android, WhatsApp, Signal, and More Show Notes: In this episode of Android Unmuted , we explore cross-platform messaging apps that connect iOS and Android users effortlessly. From initiating FaceTime calls on Android to secure messaging options, here's what we cover: <h4>Topics Discussed:</h4> FaceTime on Android : Learn how to join a FaceTime video chat from an Android device using a link created on iOS. We dive into the setup pro...
Jan 23, 2025•12 min
In this episode of The Shellphone Show , Adrian (aka Drizza) walks us through using the Amazon Alexa app, affectionately called Lady A, on the BlindShell Classic 2. Discover how to: Download and Set Up the App : Navigate the app catalog to install Lady A and link it to your Amazon account. Interact with Lady A : Learn various methods to trigger Lady A, whether using voice commands, the OK button, or favorites. Useful Features : Ask questions, set timers, check the weather, and more, just like yo...
Jan 22, 2025•8 min
This week’s Community Unmuted was all about you and your questions! We tackled a wide range of topics and shared solutions to help you get the most out of your tech. Here’s a sneak peek at some of the questions we addressed: JAWS : How can I fix issues with auto-populating email addresses? Are there easier ways to control sliders with JAWS? iPhone Troubleshooting : Why does my phone keep announcing the call timer when I move it away from my ear? How can I create and manage a recovery code for my...
Jan 20, 2025•55 min
This episode of Digital Bytes dives into practical tech tools and tips, featuring accessible solutions for remote support, cooking, and managing your device storage. Remote Incident Manager (RIM): Michael introduces this tool from Numa Solutions, allowing blind users to control any computer remotely—whether Mac or Windows. With 30 minutes of free daily access and a VOIP feature for communication, RIM is perfect for IT professionals and tech-savvy family members. Instalink Recipe App: Chris highl...
Jan 19, 2025•15 min
Show Notes In this episode of Unmute Presents , we dive into two powerful JAWS features that can enhance your navigation and productivity. First, learn how to leverage the Navigation Quick Key Manager to assign a shortcut for sliders, making it easier to skip through long videos or adjust volume on websites. Next, we explore Voice Assistant, a hands-free way to interact with JAWS using simple voice commands like "restart JAWS," "check battery," or "list system tray." Whether you're looking to sp...
Jan 18, 2025•8 min
