At Banter Podcast

This week sees us chatting with Marco Trujillo, CEO and Founder of Sunu, makers of the new haptic mobility aid, the Sunu Band. We discuss the Sunu Band's origins, the signifigance of using Sonar, and the importance of the Visually Impaired community in its development. We also wake Steve up long enough to talk about Microsoft's announced Accessibility changes to Windows 10 and his upcoming trip to CSUN.   Show Notes Sunu Band Website http://www.sunu.io Sunu on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/sunu.io/ Upcoming Windows 10 Accessibilty Changes https://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2018/03/19/windows-10-accessibility-what-to-expect-in-the-year-ahead   AT Banter is brought to you by Canadian Assistive Technology, providing sales and training in Assistive Technology and Accessibility with over 30 years of knowledge and experience. Visit them online at www.canasstech.com or call toll-free 1-844-795-8324.   Need repairs on your device? Chaos Technical Services offers service and support on almost any

This week we jump over the pond to the UK and welcome Dave Williams from The Braillists Foundation into the Guitar Dungeon to talk all about the Canute, Bristol Braille's new multi-line E-Reader that is poised to be released this year. We discuss the development of the project, what seperates the Canute from other similar electronic Braille products on the market, and the importance of Braille Literacy. Show Notes Bristol Braille http://www.bristolbraille.co.uk/ Bristol Braille Technology: Canute Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMCpxgTZgnM Liberals Cut CNIB Funding ... Just Kidding! https://globalnews.ca/news/4075364/trudeau-liberals-cut-funding-cnib-accessible-books/ https://globalnews.ca/news/4076050/liberals-vow-renew-funding-books-for-blind/ AT Banter is brought to you by Canadian Assistive Technology, providing sales and training in Assistive Technology and Accessibility with over 30 years of knowledge and experience. Visit them online at www.canasstech.com or call toll-free 1-844-795-8324. Ne

For the first time ever, we welcome two guests onto the show: Anita Hofer from Accessible Housing, a non-profit organization from Calgary that builds accessible and affordable housing and Mike Dummer, owner of Digital Lifestyles the company that was responsible for installing and maintaining the automation and accessibility features of AH's new Inclusio Development. Show Notes Microsoft Soundscape https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/research/product/soundscape/ Accessible Housing http://accessiblehousing.ca/ Digital Lifestyles http://digilife.ca AT Banter is brought to you by Canadian Assistive Technology, providing sales and training in Assistive Technology and Accessibility with over 30 years of knowledge and experience. Visit them online at www.canasstech.com or call toll-free 1-844-795-8324. Need repairs on your device? Chaos Technical Services offers service and support on almost any piece of Assistive Technology, while also providing parts and batteries. Visit them online at www.chaosstechnicalservice

This week Steve's out with a bug and long time listener of the show Ali Moussa steps in to help us talk about some Accessibility related news items from the last few weeks! Show Notes Man Seeks New Copy of Windows 7 After Forced Windows 10 Upgrade https://yro.slashdot.org/story/18/02/19/1550230/man-seeking-new-copy-of-windows-7-after-forced-windows-10-upgrade-sues-microsoft?utm_source=slashdot&utm_medium=twitter Blindfold Games Now Offers Braille Support https://blindfoldgames.org/2018/02/19/blindfold-games-with-braille-displays/ It's Illegal in Norway to Have An Inaccessible Website https://medium.com/confrere/its-illegal-to-have-an-inaccessible-website-in-norway-and-that-s-good-news-for-all-of-us-b59a9e929d54 NeuroNode http://www.eastersealstech.com/2018/02/20/neuronode-emg-assistive-technology-device/?utm_content=buffer98716&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer Google Assistant Firmaware Updates https://9to5google.com/2018/02/23/google-assistant-2018-multilingual-

This week David MacDonald, president of CanAdapt and long-time WCAG and web accessibility guru, calls in to make the Banter Boys an offer they can’t refuse – namely making the online world a more accessible space! Show Notes University Teams Up To Develop Smart Paint to Help the Visually Impaired Navigate https://coolblindtech.com/university-teams-up-to-develop-smart-paint-to-help-the-visually-impaired-navigate/ CanAdapt WCAG Training and Audits http://www.davidmacd.com/ AT Banter is brought to you by Canadian Assistive Technology, providing sales and training in Assistive Technology and Accessibility with over 30 years of knowledge and experience. Visit them online at www.canasstech.com or call toll-free 1-844-795-8324. Need repairs on your device? Chaos Technical Services offers service and support on almost any piece of Assistive Technology, while also providing parts and batteries. Visit them online at www.chaosstechnicalservices.com or call 778-847-6840.

This week we talk to Keith Lang, owner and operator of Music Works Talent about what it's like to be a visually impaired business owner and how technology and the disability community has impacted his own life and business practices.  Show Notes Intel Smart Glasses https://www.theverge.com/2018/2/5/16966530/intel-vaunt-smart-glasses-announced-ar-video Flame thrower Boring Company https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/feb/01/elon-musk-sells-out-boring-company-flamethrowers-fire Fake service animals https://www.thestar.com/news/world/2018/01/23/fur-and-fury-in-the-skies-as-more-people-bring-emotional-support-animals-on-planes.html Truth About Tech Campaign http://money.cnn.com/2018/02/05/technology/truth-about-tech-campaign/index.html Music Works http://www.musicworkstalent.com/ AT Banter is brought to you by Canadian Assistive Technology, providing sales and training in Assistive Technology and Accessibility with over 30 years of knowledge and experience. Visit them online at www.canasstech.com or c

This week we welcome in our 2nd in-Dungeon guest -- Shawn Marsolais from Blind Beginnings, a local non-profit organization that provides services and support for children who are visually impaired and their families. She fills us in on what Blind Beginnings has been up to over the past year, including their 'Do the Grind Blind' event that garnered a lot of media attention last summer. Show Notes Blind Beginnings https://www.blindbeginnings.ca Blind Beginnings YouTube Page https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZA268_YOccpPaVddujAAKQ Do The Grind Blind Documentary https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRuCTf7vBeI AT Banter is brought to you by Canadian Assistive Technology, providing sales and training in Assistive Technology and Accessibility with over 30 years of knowledge and experience. Visit them online at www.canasstech.com or call toll-free 1-844-795-8324. Need repairs on your device? Chaos Technical Services offers service and support on almost any piece of Assistive Technology, while also providing parts and

This week Ryan, Steve, Rob, and Mr Cowbell sleepily enter the Guitar Dungeon and tackle a few news stories including some local Accessibility news, how the first wave of HomePod reviews have looked, and the acquisition of Enhanced Vision by VFO.  Show Notes Blind B.C. woman's access to audiobooks threatened by political flap http://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/blind-b-c-womans-access-to-audio-books-threatened-by-political-flap TransLink unveils accessible fare-gate program for SkyTrain, SeaBus http://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/translink-to-unveil-accessible-transit-fare-gate-program-for-skytrain Apple’s HomePod delivers on brilliant sound, but Siri still has room to grow https://www.digitaltrends.com/smart-home-reviews/apple-homepod-review/ Enhanced Vision and VFO, with the Freedom Scientific and Optelec Brands are Joining Forces in Assistive Technology Merger https://www.freedomscientific.com/About/News/Article/192 AT Banter is brought to you by Canadian Assistive Technology, providing sales

It's a very special episode as Ryan, Rob, and Steve welcome the first ever in-person guest to the Guitar Dungeon. Jon Dibble, Marketing Manager from Enhanced Vision braves the harsh Vancouver climate in exchange for beer in order to talk to us about what Enhanced Vision does, how the Low Vision industry has changed over the years and where it might go in the future.   Show Notes   Enhanced Vision  www.enhancedvision.com   AT Banter is brought to you by Canadian Assistive Technology, providing sales and training in Assistive Technology and Accessibility with over 30 years of knowledge and experience. Visit them online at www.canasstech.com or call toll-free 1-844-795-8324. Need repairs on your device? Chaos Technical Services offers service and support on almost any piece of Assistive Technology, while also providing parts and batteries. Visit them online at www.chaosstechnicalservices.com or call 778-847-6840.

This week Rob and Ryan are joined by Ryan Sturgeon, Rick Hansen Foundation Ambassador and Community Mental Health Worker. We discuss the challenges people within the Disability community who also deal with mental illness face and the ways in which everyone can improve their mental health. Show Notes Mental Health and Mindfullness for People With Disabilities http://www.rickhansen.com/Blog/ArtMID/13094/ArticleID/159/Mental-health-and-mindfulness-for-people-with-disabilities Brandon Wheelchair Sports http://www.brandonwheelchairsports.ca AT Banter is brought to you by Canadian Assistive Technology, providing sales and training in Assistive Technology and Accessibility with over 30 years of knowledge and experience. Visit them online at www.canasstech.com or call toll-free 1-844-795-8324. Need repairs on your device? Chaos Technical Services offers service and support on almost any piece of Assistive Technology, while also providing parts and batteries. Visit them online at www.chaosstechnicalservices.com o

Rob, Ryan, and Mr. Cowbell (Steve is away this week) discuss Smart Phones and their impact on the human condition before turning the microphones at Shawn Kirkpatrick, developer of the long standing accessible GPS app, Loadstone. Show Notes Your Smartphone is Making You Stupid https://www.theglobeandmail.com/technology/your-smartphone-is-making-you-stupid/article37511900/ Google Home Holiday Sales Figures https://www.theverge.com/2018/1/5/16855982/google-home-sales-figures-holidays-2017 Loadstone GPS for the Blind http://www.loadstone-gps.com/ AT Banter is brought to you by Canadian Assistive Technology, providing sales and training in Assistive Technology and Accessibility with over 30 years of knowledge and experience. Visit them online at www.canasstech.com or call toll-free 1-844-795-8324. Need repairs on your device? Chaos Technical Services offers service and support on almost any piece of Assistive Technology, while also providing parts and batteries. Visit them online at www.chaostechnicalserv

First show of 2018! We ring in the New Year (literally) as Steve brings a new addition to the Guitar Dungeon and we talk with Universal Design advocate Luis Perez about the concept and the impact that emerging technologies are having on the ongoing conversation about UD. Show Notes https://luisperezonline.com AT Banter is brought to you by Canadian Assistive Technology, providing sales and training in Assistive Technology and Accessibility with over 30 years of knowledge and experience. Visit them online at www.canasstech.com or call toll-free 1-844-795-8324. Need repairs on your device? Chaos Technical Services offers service and support on almost any piece of Assistive Technology, while also providing parts and batteries. Visit them online at www.chaosstechnicalservices.com or call 778-847-6840.  

Merry Christmas and a very Haptic New Year! This week as we ease into 2018, we’re talking with Keith Kirkland from WearWorks, a company that is working on a haptic wearable navigation aid for the visually impaired. Show Notes WearWorks http://www.wear.works/ AT Banter is brought to you by Canadian Assistive Technology, providing sales and training in Assistive Technology and Accessibility with over 30 years of knowledge and experience. Visit them online at www.canasstech.com or call toll-free 1-844-795-8324. Need repairs on your device? Chaos Technical Services offers service and support on almost any piece of Assistive Technology, while also providing parts and batteries. Visit them online at www.chaosstechnicalservices.com or call 778-847-6840.

Happy Holidays! It’s time once again for our Christmas tradition at AT Banter where we take a break from our regular subjects and tackle all things Christmas! Rick, Rob, Steve and Ryan share some Holiday memories while finding a little time to chat about Seeing Ai’s new updates as well as some opinions on the Net Neutrality decision. Show Notes Seeing AI Gets Major Update https://coolblindtech.com/microsofts-seeing-ai-app-gets-major-update-and-is-now-available-in-35-countries/ Google Duo https://duo.google.com/ AT Banter is brought to you by Canadian Assistive Technology, providing sales and training in Assistive Technology and Accessibility with over 30 years of knowledge and experience. Visit them online at www.canasstech.com or call toll-free 1-844-795-8324. Need repairs on your device? Chaos Technical Services offers service and support on almost any piece of Assistive Technology, while also providing parts and batteries. Visit them online at www.chaosstechnicalservices.com or call 778-847-6840.

This week Rick Chant from Chaos Technical Services sits in while we welcome David Nason, contributor to the the Apple-centric Assistive Technology website AppleVis into the Guitar Dungeon. We discuss all things Apple, talk a lot about the new iPhone X, and dive into some of the past and present accessibility features within Apple products. Show Notes AppleVis Website https://www.applevis.com/   AT Banter is brought to you by Canadian Assistive Technology, providing sales and training in Assistive Technology and Accessibility with over 30 years of knowledge and experience. Visit them online at www.canasstech.com or call toll-free 1-844-795-8324. Need repairs on your device? Chaos Technical Services offers service and support on almost any piece of Assistive Technology, while also providing parts and batteries. Visit them online at www.chaosstechnicalservices.com or call 778-847-6840.

This week we welcome Brad Turner, VP of Education at Benetech into the Guitar Dungeon where we discuss the company’s ongoing mandate of providing positive social change utilizing technology. Also, we discuss some big news for Steve’s company, Canadian Assistive Technology. Show Notes Benetech https://benetech.org

It’s everybody’s favorite time of the month – and yes, we’re referring to our Monthly News Show! Rick Chant from Chaos Technical Services joins us to banter about some of the past few weeks’ most interesting news stories. Show Notes Apple delays HomePod launch until 'early 2018 http://appleinsider.com/articles/17/11/17/apple-pushes-homepod-launch-into-early-2018 Report: 6 million iPhone X units sold over Black Friday weekend, buyers favor more expensive 256 GB model https://9to5mac.com/2017/11/28/black-friday-iphone-x-sales/ Hulu sued for not offering audio service for blind customers https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/technology/hulu-sued-for-not-offering-audio-service-for-blind-customers/2017/11/21/726a646a-cef6-11e7-a87b-47f14b73162a_story.html?tid=ss_tw-bottom&utm_term=.4d3650f41748 Uber service animal policy under fire for 'doctor’s or cleric’s letter' exemption http://www.owensoundsuntimes.com/2017/11/20/uber-service-animal-policy-under-fire-for-doctors-or-clerics-letter-exemption 3D pr

This week we invite Shawn Smith of ‘Don’t Dis My Ability’ into the Guitar Dungeon where we talk all about invisible disabilities and the burgeoning field of Neurodiversity. Show Notes Don’t-Dis-My-Ability http://ddmacs.ca/ Mindview Mind Mapping Software https://www.matchware.com/mind-mapping-software

This week we welcome Kiki MacDonald to the Guitar Dungeon, co-founder of Euan's Guide which is an accessibility review website based in Edinburgh, Scotland. Show Notes Euan's Guide Website https://www.euansguide.com/ Euan's Guide Twitter @EuansGuide  

This week we open the Guitar Dungeon to fellow podcaster Jeff Thompson, from Blind Abilities and talk about all manner of things related to Blindness and the transition into the work force – as well as a bit of general silliness regarding the proper form of the past tense of ‘tweet’. Show Notes Blind Abilities https://blindabilities.com/ Blind Abilities App on iTunes https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/blind-abilities/