At Banter Podcast

Can you believe it’s been two years and over 100 episodes? We take a break from our regular format and invite friend of the show and owner of Chaos Technical Services Rick Chant into the Guitar Dungeon where we reminisce and engage in some free form conversations. We talk about everything from the state of AI Assistants to the idea of disability as loss and everything in between, including Gibraltar monkeys. Yes, you read that right – you’ll just have to listen to see how that happens. So, break out the tequila shots and join us for this Birthday episode! Show Notes Sneaky Weasel Beer https://www.balderdashbeer.com Ford’s New Smart Window https://interestingengineering.com/this-car-window-from-ford-allows-blind-passengers-to-feel-the-outside-view 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 r

It’s that time of the month again! Yup, time to compile a bunch of AT-related news stories and babble somewhat coherently about them. Helping out us out this month is local Grind-Blinder and TedTalker Harjinder Saran who also gives us some background on what it was like doing a TedTalk and climbing Vancouver’s most treacherous hiking trail before lending her voice to the news. Show Notes Pinterest Accessibility Update https://mashable.com/2018/04/25/pinterest-accessibility-update.amp?__twitter_impression=true Windows 10 Update This Week https://blogs-windows-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2018/04/27/make-the-most-of-your-time-with-the-new-windows-10-update/amp/ More Talk About Robot Dogs https://www.nbcnews.com/mach/amp/ncna869266?__twitter_impression=true Tech Firms Increasing Accessibility for Disabled Users https://venturebeat.com/2018/03/16/how-tech-firms-are-increasing-accessibility-for-disabled-users/ Microsoft Experimenting with Caption Crawler https://www.micr

This week we’re thrilled to be talking with Jarnail Chudge and Amos Miller, two team members from Microsoft’s new Soundscape App for the visually impaired. They join us in the Guitar Dungeon to discuss the app’s origins, how it works, and the impact it has had on mobility experiences so far. Show Notes Soundscape https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/research/product/soundscape/ Soundscape on the App Store https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/microsoft-soundscape/id1240320677?ls=1&mt=8 ELIA Font http://www.theeliaidea.com/eliahome 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.chaostechnicalservices.com or call 778-8

Sharpen your skates and get your gear on -- it's time to hit the ice! This week we're talking to Mark Bentz from Canadian Blind Hockey about the organization and their efforts to grow the sport on both sides of the border into an official Paralympic Event. Sports! Show Notes Canadian Blind Hockey http://blindicehockey.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.chaostechnicalservices.com or call 778-847-6840.

The Guitar Dungeon is awash with excitement this week as we welcome in Daniel Kish, President of World Access for the Blind and well-known teacher of echo location. We talk to Daniel about what echo location is and what it means for the people who use it as well as its potential impact on the visually impaired community. You don’t want to miss this one (not that you’d want to miss ANY episodes, of course…) Show Notes World Access for the Blind http://waftb.net/ Visioneers.org http://visioneers.org/ Daniel Kish Keynote Speech at ZeroCon18 https://business.facebook.com/zeroproject.org/videos/1823082754398043/ Excerpt from the textbook, ‘Echolocation and Flash Sonar’ https://visioneers.org/media/flashsonar-textbook/ 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 Technic

We are all over the map, literally, this week as welcome Aimee Cayer from the non-profit organization ‘Autism on the Seas’ into the Guitar Dungeon. She gives an overview of the invaluable services the organization provide vacationing families with Special Needs family members and its origins before leaving the boys to talk about a host of off-topic bits, including hockey, Las Vegas, and a crazy story involving seagulls. Show Notes Study Reveals Blind People Imagine the Future Differently Than Sighted People https://coolblindtech.com/study-reveals-blind-people-imagine-the-future-differently-than-sighted-people/ Autism on the Seas https://autismontheseas.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 pie

It’s the last show of the month and it’s time for us to round up March with a show dedicated to some of the most recent AT-related news of the past few weeks. We talk about everything from Steve’s misadventures getting to CSUN to Apple’s new proposed Disability Inclusive Emojis and everything in between! Show Notes Uber Self Driving Car Death Should Have Been Able to Be Avoided http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-5535969/Uber-self-driving-car-death-avoided.html Americans Less Likely to Trust Facebook https://www.reuters.com/article/us-facebook-cambridge-analytica-apology/americans-less-likely-to-trust-facebook-than-rivals-on-personal-data-idUSKBN1H10AF HIMS Announces New Polaris Mini https://blindbargains.com/bargains.php?m=18641 Gradutate Student Creating Smartphone App for Deaf Blind https://coolblindtech.com/graduate-student-creating-smartphone-app-for-deaf-blind-users/ Apple Proposes Adding Disability-Inclusive Emojis to the Unicode Consortium https://themighty.com/2018/03/apple-proposes-n

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.