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Artwork for iSee - Using various technologies from a blind persons perspective.
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iSee - Using various technologies from a blind persons perspective.

David Woodbridge

Interesting tech stuff that I find useful

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  • 20 episodes
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  • #430
    May 4 · 23 min

    Braille Note Evolve demo 4 - a quick review of Quick Settings, and then handy KeySoft, NVDA, and Window commands

    Along with mentioning the KeySoft Options menu, KeySoft Control Centre, and the NvDA categories screen (also accessed via the Options menu), before getting on to the handy keyboard commands, I give you a quick run through of the Quick Settings screen. handy keyboard commands Stop speech BackSpace Enter great if modifier keys disabled or Control. If in computer Braille: add space to commands. Backspace: Backspace (key 7. Enter: Enter (key 8). Escape: Escape key. Delete: delete key. Move cursor to item on Braille display: auto cursor buttons. Arrow keys: Left, Right, Up, and Down. Thumb keys (left to right: Previous, Pan previous, Home, Pan next, Next. Keyboard help: BackSpace+Space+K. Numbers: FN+computer braille numbers 1 to 0. Function keys: FN+letters a to l. Time: NVDA+FN+l or Enteer+t. Date: NVDA+FN+l (twice). Power: Enter+p. Window title: NVDA+t. Read all controls in window: NVDA+b. Read continuously: NVDA+a. Toggle Braille: BackSpace+Space+g. Toggle speech: NVDA+s. Braille keyboard input navigation Previous/next character: Space+3-6. Previous/next word; Space+2-5. Previous line: Space+1-4. Quit app: Alt+F4: Space-E or FN+Alt+d. Context menu: Space+M or FN+Shift+j. Previous/Next tab: Space+12-45. Home/End: Enter+13-46. Top/bottom: 123-456. Keyboard input Previous/next character: Left-Right arrow. Previous/next word: Control+Left-Right arrow. Previous/next line: UpDdown arrow. NVDA NVDA: NVDA+n. Quit NVDA: NVDA+q. FN+t: Standard/Perkins keyboard toggle. Windows Keys: Desktop: Win+d. Minimise to desktop: Win+m. Task bar: Win+t. System tray: Win+b. Settings: Win+i. Run: Win+r. Explorer: Win+e. Narrator: Control+Win+Enter. FN+t: toggle between standard and Perkins keyboard.

  • #426
    Dec 11, 2025 · 6 min

    A physical description of the Braille Note Evolve

    The Braille Note Evolve has been described on a number of podcasts and on the web, but I thought I'd make a place holder here for you to refer back to moving forward.And yes, it is most certainly a Windows 11 Pro laptop (with a Braille display).

  • #424
    Oct 2, 2025 · 15 min

    Using Braille Access via Voiceover on the Mac, continuation of last podcast re Braille Access on iOS with VoiceOver

    In this demo, I mainly point out how to access the Braille Access settings within VoiceOver Utility, point out one difference between iOS/Mac Braille Access, correct my statement aoubt UEB not being on the Mac/Braille Access (which it is), and my my finding of a nifty short-cut for working with BRF files on the Mac inside in the Braille Access menu. For a good review of Braille Access, listen to my last podcast. Woody

  • #419
    Aug 31, 2025 · 9 min

    15 tips for getting the most out of your Monarch: batch one (more tocome).

    This is the first post of many many smile tips on getting the most out of your/my Monarch. This is the first batch with 15 tips. When you are reading through a document with the PageUp or Page Down keys, note that you are only moving the Braille cursor, not the system cursor. If you were to press the DPad navigation cross for Left, Right, Up or Down, focus would jump back to the system cursor and move it in the direction you chose. No where near the Braille cursor. You need to route the system cursor to the Braille cursor. Press the Action button between key 1 and 4) once (this turns on touch/pointer mode denoted by one vibration). Find where you would like to put the system cursor (where you are viewing in Braille on the current display), i.e. put your finger on the spot, then 1 finger double tap on the display. This will move your system cursor to the area where you have been reading with the Braille cursor. Cursor pointer is dots 78 underneath a current character for example. Of course, if you were just navigating/reading with the DPad, you are already moving the system cursor. This tip comes in handy when you are reading a document, and you may need to make changes ETC. If you want to turn Point/Touch off, press the Action button (two vibrations) to denote its off. Monarch tip 2 When you are in a document, if you want to place the line containing your system cursor to the top of the current display (first line), press Enter (key 8) plus F (dots 124). The line containing the cursor will now be at the top of the current display. Note - reason why I say current display, I don't want folks getting confused with jumping to the first line in the document which is a completely different thing. Monarch tip 3 When you are using the Monarch and the Braille on the display seems a bit odd, perhaps dots missing (after all there are 3840 of the things), hold down the Action button (between key 1 and 4) for about a second, and this will refresh the display. Woody #a11y #Braille #Monarch Monarch tip 3 When you are using the Monarch and the Braille on the display seems a bit odd, perhaps docts missing (afterall there are 3840 of the things), hold down the Action button (between key 1 and 4) for about a second, and this will refresh the display. Monarch tip 4 Remember that the Zoom Out (Minus) and the Zoom In (plus) buttons on the left and right just below the display, have two main functions. One In the main menu or anywhere else say in a document, Pressing Plus will increase the line spacing, and Minus will decrease the line spacing. Default is 10 lines funny enough, and the maximum is 6 lines (if you have speech turned on, each time you press Plus or Minus it will tell you how many lines). Of course, this makes both reading Braille easier, and also for beginning folks to find the cursor on the display. Two When you are viewing a tactile image, Plus zooms in and Minus Zooms out. Note on a PDF image, you can only Zoom in once, but on a JPG, you can Zoom in a lot more. Monarch Tip 5 This one is odd, but it caught me out sigh smile. So when you are using the Monarch in the case, and you feel a rectangular cut out on the left top side of the case towards the front (just in line with the Minus button), its not an indented button, but lights for sighted folks to denote the status of the Monarch. O'well, anyone makes mistakes grin. Monarch tip 6 When you are connecting your Monarch to your Windows PC from USB on your PC to the USBC port on the Monarch, make sure you do the following, otherwise it won't won't won't work. With the Monarch turned on and sitting at the main menu, plug it in to your PC (which is turned on). I get a message that my Monarch is being charge. Now go to: All files, Settings, Connected devices, USB charging this device, and under where it says, USB Controlled by, check the checkbox that says File Transfer. Huge Note - if you are not properly connected to your Windows PC, you won't even see under Connected Devices, the USB charging this device at all. You have been warned smile. Now if you go to your Windows PC, bring up File Explorer, you'll see the Monarch as an external storage device, and you can copy/paste ETC to your hearts content. Monarch tip 7 If you are like me and your wanting to use your Monarch on the bus, train or aircraft, we all know that there is not much space between you and the seat in front of you. Rather than having the case when its folded underneath the Monarch and poking out in front and stabbing (smile) you in the stomach, just take off the case and pop it in your bag and then you can use the Monarch naked as it were in the wild. Much much more comfortable, and it takes up less room. Like the iPhone, no one says you have to use it in a case. Monarch tip 8 As the Monarch is not a single line Braille display, it does not have any auto cursor buttons to move the system cursor focus to a particular point on the display.. I like to use the new method of moving the system cursor anywhere on the display that came in with V1.3 of the Monarch, and reminds me of using VoiceOver on the iPhone/Ipad. Press the Action button (between keys 1 and 4) once (you'll feel one vibration): i.e. its turned on for point and click (well sort of). Now move one finger anywhere on the display to where you want to move the system cursor to, then take your finger up, then 1 finger double tap)sound familiar. You'll here the system cursor move to the new spot if you have speech turned on, and of course, you can feel the new position on the display. Monarch tip 9 This one reminds me when I started to do all my iPhone 3GS audio/podcasts back in the day, it wasn't until demo 27 or so, that I did a demo on actually using the iPhone as a phone. This is not quite as bad as that, but I've just realised I've not identified the keys/buttons/ports on the Monarch. So here is a very quick list. Left hand side front to back: USBA, on/off, and USBC. Right hand side front to back: HDMI, 3.5mm, and volume up/down. front edge left to right: Back, Home, and Recent. Most of top face: display. In front of display: Perkins style Braille input 8 key keyboard, Action button (in-between key 1 and 4), and a nice big Space Bar. Left next to display front to back: Minus, DPad, and PageUp. Right next to display front to back: Plus PageDown, and DPad. Note - I tend to use PageUp or PageDown rather than panning up or Panning Down as for me it seems to confuse some folks because they are so used to using a single line Braille display. Monarch tip 10 If you need to close down an app, yes like any computer it does happen, press the Recents button (square button to the right of the Home button at the front of the Monarch), , you'll get a list of apps, use the DPad to move to the app you want to close, press Space Plus M for the Context menu (which you can use everywhere), you'll get a short menu containing the Close app item, and Close All apps item. If you don't want to do anything, just press Space Plus E to exit. Another sneaky tip, if you press the Recents button button, it'll cycle between the two last used apps. Monarch tip 11 When you are setting up your Monarch for the first time, plug in a USB QWERTY keyboard. This comes in handy when you have to enter your WiFi password, email details, logging in to the various online library's you have access to on the Monarch ETC. Otherwise, you will have to know your computer Braille code. Once things are setup, you can do away with the QWERTY keyboard if you like, and then, perhaps learn a bit of the computer Braille code. If you were like me, I just wanted to start using the Monarch, and not having to relearn my computer braille code before I could play. Monarch tip 12 Yes, you can indeed plug in a HDMi cable to the Monarch, and have all of its output sent to a HDMI Monitor including audio output. Just plug in a HDMI cable to the port on the right hand side at the front of the Monarch, other end in to your TV, select the correct HDMI channel, and off you go. Monarch tip 13 You'll hear folks talk about the Toast dialog. This pops up at various times and is more or less a pop up dialog, hence the term “toast”. When this dialog pops up, you'll feel a straight line of dots going across the whole display like a row of dashes. The info will be above this line for you to read. The pop up dialog will then go way based on the number of seconds you have your Messages set to on the Monarch. If you want to give this a go, try the commands for Time, Date, and Power. Space Plus Enter (key 8) plus T, D or P. Monarch tip 14 If you want to Toggle/switch between computer Braille (one to one print/Braille), ), and Literary Braille, use: BackSpace Plus Space Plus g (dots 1245) to toggle from literary to computer Braille and back. Monarch tip 15 and the final one in this initial tip post series If you have ever used any of the Braille devices from Humanware, then you know how to use the Monarch overall. This is because the Monarch, like all other Braille devices in the main from Humanware are or were all based on KeySoft which has been around since 1990. As with all Braille devices from HW, you will find the User Guide on the device. In the Monarch, and depending on how you have your main menu customised, you will either find the User Guide on the Main Menu or under All Applications.

  • #417
    Jun 2, 2025 · 54 min

    Simplifying tactile images with TactileView

    Simplifying tactile graphics with TactileView from HumanWare Andrew and Peter showcase how to use TactileView with the menu-driven design and a screen reader. The webinar also shows how to build tactile graphics using some of the built-in portals, such as the catalog. Demo available from https://www.humanware.com

  • #416
    May 27, 2025 · 32 min

    WWW or Talking Tech for May 27 2025

    In this Talking Tech show for this week, I give you a run down of a talk I gave at the Round Table in Melbourne this week on things to think about when choosing a smart Braille display, Braille Note taker, Braille embosser or a Multi line Braille display.

  • #415
    May 20, 2025 · 22 min

    Tripple W or Talking Tech for May 20 2025

    Plaud AI Pin If you have ever felt a FitBit, this is the size of the Plaud AI pin. As I said in the episode, app mainly works ok, device is ok to use. https://www.amazon.com.au/PLAUD-Notetaker-Transcribe-Summarize-Languages/dp/B0DZWQ9WWJ/ref=sxin_15_sbv_search_btf?content-id=amzn1.sym.e97d0f60-983b-4a36-b35e-ccbffb80a35f%3Aamzn1.sym.e97d0f60-983b-4a36-b35e-ccbffb80a35f&crid=160HN41YPT0FW&cv_ct_cx=plaid%2Bai%2Bpin&keywords=plaid%2Bai%2Bpin&pd_rd_i=B0DZWQ9WWJ&pd_rd_r=3ce26411-cd20-43ec-b14c-f98f6112cdf7&pd_rd_w=CexLI&pd_rd_wg=9vz75&pf_rd_p=e97d0f60-983b-4a36-b35e-ccbffb80a35f&pf_rd_r=CW43KGFNDR5JNMXD0C4K&qid=1747716672&sbo=RZvfv%2F%2FHxDF%2BO5021pAnSA%3D%3D&sprefix=plaud%2Bai%2Bpin%2Caps%2C260&sr=1-1-0a53d72a-e58c-4324-b739-134d51de9f78&th=1 The Speaker I talked About for $13 Au Small speaker that did USB, 3.5, and Bt plus had FM radio. Volume was good, FM good, connectivity via Bluetooth poor, and making sure it was charged was almost useless via the micro USB. Attracted me because of the FM chip and the volume was great. If you search for Bt speaker with UsB, 3.5, and FM radio that is really really cheap at $13 that will probably be it. Ray Ban Meta Glasses on the Vision Store As I said in the episode, lots of places to purchase this, not NDIS funded, main demos probably at major VA sites, and two corrections to VA Store promo: you can hear the audio from the glasses via the person next to you, and its not a good idea to Bt connect them to any thing else as you will have issues reconnecting them to your phone again with the Meta AI app. https://shop.visionaustralia.org Apple Accessibility Sneak Peak from GAAD 2025 Looks very interesting , especially the Braille Note taker, and using continuity iPhone camera as a portable VM on your Mac. API opening up for camera based assistive apps on the Vision Pro looks interesting as well, but quite happy with my Ray Bans. https://www.apple.com/au/newsroom/2025/05/apple-unveils-powerful-accessibility-features-coming-later-this-year/ As I sign Off this week Testing JAWS sneak build that works with the Monarch, Tactile View Beta tactile images with the Monarch, and Wing It app all demos coming from me in August when this should all be released fully. Of course, I will be doing demos when I get my hands on the development builds of IOS etc once WWDC is happening. Catch me on social media or davidwoodbr@gmail.com

  • #414
    May 11, 2025 · 24 min

    WWW/Talking Tech for May 11 2025 - an early celebration for GAAD - talking all about NVDA.

    Helpful links from today’s program on NvDA. Download the current stable version of NVDA at https://www.nvaccess.org/download/ We mentioned it a little bit, but we are currently in the Beta period for NVDA 2025.1. Some of the key updates in NVDA 2025.1 - NVDA Remote built in - Speech responsiveness and other features for, SAPI4, SAPI5, and OneCore - Improvements to add-on store auto updates - New commands to manually refresh ocr - Native selection in Chromium and Edge (Press NVDA+shift+F10 then copy as normal to copy text with formatting) - Default input & output braille tables based on language - Added a general setting to prevent the display turning off during say all or reading with braille. This option is enabled by default, but may result in increased battery depletion. - Braille works with say all config profiles Add-ons: Braille Extender, developed by André-Abush Clause and contributors https://github.com/aaclause/BrailleExtender Many features including Switching between displays or tables with shortcuts, and additional commands and support for a range of features. PC Keyboard Braille Input NVDA Spanish team (Available from the NVDA Add-on store) Type Braille using six keyboard keys as on a perkins Still on Braille, we published a lot of recent and upcoming features in a special edition of our In-Process blog back in October: https://www.nvaccess.org/post/in-process-23rd-october-2024/#datavalidation And you can subscribe to that blog, and to all our announcements, updates, releases etc, via email at: https://eepurl.com/iuVyjo Our training material is all available from our shop: https://www.nvaccess.org/shop/ We recommend starting with Basic Training for NVDA, which you can get as: - Electronic text (Word, Text, ePub and HTML formats) for $35: https://www.nvaccess.org/product/basic-training-for-nvda-ebook/ Human-read MP3 audio for $52: https://www.nvaccess.org/product/basic-training-for-nvda-downloadable-audio/ UEB Braille for $71: https://www.nvaccess.org/product/basic-training-for-nvda-braille-hard-copy/ Community links: NVDA user group: https://nvda.groups.io/g/nvda Add-ons group: https://nvda-addons.groups.io/g/nvda-addons/ NVDA Developer Guide: https://download.nvaccess.org/documentation/developerGuide.html Contact us: Web: https://www.nvaccess.org/ Email: Info@nvaccess.org Social Media - most of our users are on Fosstodon: https://fosstodon.org/@NVAccess

  • #413
    Mar 26, 2025 · 52 min

    Monarch Tactile Display V1.2 software update (webinar from HumanWare

    In this webinar, Andrew and Peter from HumanWare discuss and demonstrate the latest enhancements to the Monarch software and a few other points including: the new Email app, Web browsing with Ecosia, eBraille version of Treasure Island, and a demo of the Wing It app to allow drawing on the Monarch tactile display from the iPhone. Contact monarch@humanware.com for more information, Andrew or Peter or myself in Australia David Woodbridge at HumanWare Australia.

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