Nostr notes by Jonathan Mosen

Some big news from me today. Back in September, the National ...

2024-11-08T01:35:57Z

Some big news from me today.
Back in September, the National Federation of the Blind announced that they had begun working with me as a consultant on a range of projects. Some are public facing and you'll see those coming to fruition in the next little while. Others you may not know as much about, but are improving technology behind the scenes.
This week, the US Government has given me the right to live and work in the United States. That means I am now at liberty to say how proud I am to have accepted the role of Executive Director for Accessibility Excellence at the National Federation of the Blind. The position is based at the Jernigan Institute in Baltimore Maryland, so we have begun the huge task of preparing to relocate.
The nearly three months that I have been consulting for the NFB have been the happiest of my professional life. Members and staff have been so welcoming, and I feel like everything in my career has been leading up to using my skills in a way that can substantially improve the lives of blind people. The dedication and professionalism of the NFB team is unparalleled.
While obtaining an O1 US visa for people with extraordinary ability is tough due to the high bar that is set, it has also been a special process. I received seven references from well-known people in the blindness field in support of my visa application, and what they wrote was generous and touching. Think of it a bit like attending your own funeral without going through the hassle of actually dying. It taught me a lesson, that we often don't tell people how much we appreciate them while they are still around to hear it. I don't often stop to think about my legacy or anything grand like that, so seeing these very heart-warming references is something I will cherish.
The law firm I've been engaging with, Optimum Law, have been incredible and I can't recommend them enough if you need US immigration advice and you are in NZ.
Thanks to my four wonderful adult children and their significant others, who have been so encouraging and willing to spend weekends helping to whip the house into shape as I clear out priceless treasures, like old chargers I no longer have a device for.
And a very special thanks to my fellow adventurer, my wonderful wife Bonnie Mosen, who unreservedly supports me on this journey. Bonnie is making a positive difference in her own role at Wellington City Council, and the city will be the poorer for losing her.
Sure, it's a big deal to relocate, but I'll be among people who think about blindness the way I do, and who make good change every day. So actually, it feels like I'm coming home, and I look forward to building new friendships among my fellow blind change makers throughout the United States. Plus, home is wherever my beautiful Bonnie is.
So, see you later New Zealand. Be good, and always strive fervently to make New Zealand a place where disabled people can thrive.

This is a detailed story on our #RightToRide. Protesters Say Uber ...

2024-10-21T02:01:27Z

This is a detailed story on our #RightToRide. Protesters Say Uber and Lyft Are Still Failing Their Blind Passengers | WIRED https://www.wired.com/story/protestors-say-uber-and-lyft-are-still-failing-their-blind-passengers/

It's great to see a few people joining our little Cane And ...

2024-09-29T21:30:03Z

It's great to see a few people joining our little Cane And Able community here on mastodon. I’m so glad that we have Lynette (npub1cf5…5gmt) as our Community Manager. I couldn’t think of anyone better suited. I don’t mind paying the bills, but I’m glad she’s looking after it.
A reminder that many Mastodon apps allow you to view the local timeline, so you can view the posts of other members of this instance, even if you’re not following them.

It’s very rarely that I am left shaking after reading ...

2024-09-28T09:44:33Z

It’s very rarely that I am left shaking after reading something. This article outraged and frightened me, and it’s a striking example of why so many blind people will be outside the HQ of Uber and Lyft in October.
We have every right to expect that we can go about our business without fear, and that the law will be enforced.
https://nfb.org//images/nfb/publications/bm/bm24/bm2409/bm240904.htm

A week ago, I published a detailed 2.5-hour overview of what’s ...

2024-09-15T05:21:28Z

A week ago, I published a detailed 2.5-hour overview of what’s new in iOS 18. In preparation for recording that podcast, I took detailed notes. I uploaded those notes to Google’s new Notebook LM artificial intelligence service. The idea here is that you can upload material from a range of sources and ask questions or have summaries prepared.
I asked Notebook LM to produce an FAQ, and a deep dive audio summary. First, here’s the FAQ it produced.
iOS 18 Accessibility FAQ
What's new in iOS 18 for Braille users?
iOS 18 introduces major improvements for Braille users, including:
• Separate Input & Output Braille Tables: Configure different Braille tables for input and output, allowing you to type in uncontracted Braille while reading in contracted Braille, for example.
• Enhanced Braille Screen Input: This feature now boasts an item chooser for navigating to specific screen elements by typing their name in Braille.
• Command Mode: Activate command mode to control your device using standard Braille display commands without needing a physical display connected.
• Direct Braille Screen Input Access: Invoke Braille screen input from anywhere on your device using a simple double-tap gesture with fingers at the top and bottom of the screen.
• Automatic Braille Screen Input Activation: Enable automatic activation for Braille screen input to be ready whenever an editing field appears.
Can I customize VoiceOver voices in iOS 18?
Yes! iOS 18 offers extensive VoiceOver voice customization options:
• Expanded Voice Rotor: Add multiple voices to the rotor for quick switching.
• Personal Voice Integration: Use your personalized voice created with the Personal Voice feature as your VoiceOver voice.
• Fine-tuned Voice Control: Adjust rate, pitch, and even access a comprehensive equalizer to tailor each voice to your preference or hearing needs.
• Siri Voice Styles: Customize Siri voices with various speaking styles like "narration" or "faster pace" for different situations.
What are Vocal Shortcuts, and how do they work?
Vocal Shortcuts let you trigger actions on your device using personalized voice commands. You can:
• Create Custom Phrases: Record a phrase like "Hey, Focus Mode" to activate a specific Focus mode.
• Assign System Functions: Trigger actions like turning the flashlight on/off, taking a screenshot, or even invoking Siri.
• Control Accessibility Features: Activate features like Zoom, Voice Control, or specific Accessibility Shortcuts.
What are Music Haptics, and who are they for?
Music Haptics are designed to make music more accessible for the deaf-blind community. When enabled, your iPhone will translate music into vibrations and pulses, attempting to represent the audio rhythmically. This feature is currently limited to Apple Music and Apple Classical apps.
Can I personalize Control Center in iOS 18?
iOS 18 provides significantly more control over Control Center customization:
• Extensive Control Options: Add controls for accessibility features, audio settings, screen mirroring, and more.
• Organized by Headings: Navigate numerous controls easily as they are now grouped by headings for better organization.
• Futureproof Design: With third-party app integration on the horizon, the new Control Center is designed to handle increasing customization options.
Are there any new features for Voice Memos?
iOS 18 introduces powerful enhancements to the Voice Memos app, including:
• Automatic Transcription: Voice Memos can now automatically transcribe your recordings, making them searchable and accessible.
• Customizable Folders: Organize your recordings into folders for easier management and retrieval.
• Enhanced Privacy: Control how long deleted recordings are stored on your device, from 30 days to never.
How has the Notes app improved in iOS 18?
Notable improvements in the Notes app include:
• Rich Note Creation: Add audio recordings with transcriptions directly into your notes for a multimedia experience.
• Simplified File Attachments: Attach files from various sources, including audio recordings, directly to your notes.
• Inline Calculations: Perform calculations directly within your notes using natural language and the equals sign.
What significant changes are there in the Messages app?
iOS 18 brings valuable new features to the Messages app:
• Scheduled Messages: Schedule messages up to 14 days in advance for birthdays, reminders, or future communications.
• Expanded Tapback Reactions: Customize your tapback reactions with any emoji, adding a personal touch to your replies.
• Enhanced Sharing: Create and manage shared password groups within the app for easier and secure password sharing among family and friends.

Next, I went into the Chat mode of Notebook LM and started asking it questions. Here is a short extract from my conversation with it.
Q. How do you switch Braille screen input from input mode to command mode?
A. To switch between input mode and command mode in Braille screen input on iOS 18, you would use a 3-finger flick gesture on the screen. It does not matter if you flick left or right, as both directions will switch between the modes
Q. Thanks, another question for you. If I don’t like my input and output tables in Braille being separate, can I change it back to the way it used to be?
A. You can change the input and output tables for Braille back to the way they were before iOS 18. In iOS 18, you can have different input and output tables, but if you do not want this, you can switch it off.

To change this setting, first go to Braille settings in VoiceOver. Then, find the "Match Input and Output Tables" switch button. By default, this setting is off. If you double-tap the button to turn it on, the input and output tables will change together. Once you make this change, there will be only one rotor item for the Braille table.
Q. Thanks that’s helpful. Final question for you. You mentioned vocal shortcuts and they sound cool, but how do you find vocal shortcuts and how do you set them up?
A. Here is how to find and set up vocal shortcuts on iOS 18:
Finding Vocal Shortcuts in Settings
The sources explain that you can find the vocal shortcuts by going to Accessibility Settings under Speech and then flicking through the options until you find "Vocal Shortcuts".
Setting up Vocal Shortcuts
To set up vocal shortcuts, you first need to double-tap the "Vocal Shortcuts" button, which will be turned off by default. Then, you double-tap the "Set up vocal shortcuts" button. You will then be able to choose what actions you want to assign vocal shortcuts to. The actions are organised by the headings "Siri," "Shortcuts," "System," and "Accessibility".
The source gives an example of setting up a vocal shortcut to activate the shortcut "Hey GP". To set up this particular shortcut, the user first double-taps the "Shortcuts" heading and then double-taps the "Hey GP" button. Then, to tell iOS 18 what the command for this shortcut will be, the user types the command, which in this case is "Hey GP," into the "Custom phrase" text field and presses enter. Finally, the user says the phrase "Hey GP" three times, and the vocal shortcut is ready.

That is ever so slightly wrong but mostly correct.
Finally, and most remarkably, I had Google LM produce an audio summary of the data I had supplied. I should stress here, this is not a script I wrote. This is what the AI came up with just based on the raw data. It’s impressive, and it’s sort of delicious to hear a couple of Google AI characters being so effusive in their praise of iOS.
https://caneandable.social/system/media_attachments/files/113/139/886/960/612/241/original/95ef04159a232c67.mp3

It's disappointing that this YouTube clip is completely ...

2024-09-13T21:30:25Z

In reply to nevent1q…a4d7
_________________________

It's disappointing that this YouTube clip is completely inaccessible to blind people like me. It's just music. No narration, no description. Not really in keeping with the inclusivity we've been trying to build here on the Fediverse.

If you have a few bucks to spare, please consider helping a ...

2024-09-10T01:31:11Z

If you have a few bucks to spare, please consider helping a generous and selfless member of our community. By helping him, you also help the blind community.
Mike Feir has been known to many of us for a couple of decades. He is someone who has consistently given a lot of assistance to others while asking nothing in return.
Most recently, Mike has become known for publishing two editions of an incredibly detailed resource, “Personal Power”. This teaches blind people how to use an iPhone, starting with getting it set up and moving on to learning the gestures, working with the built-in apps, finding accessible third-party apps and a guide to other resources.
Mike gives this large, detailed book away. He has never charged for it, nor does he seek donations to support his work, even though each edition takes him years of careful research, writing and editing.
He hasn’t let this project stagnate. He’s now working on the third edition of his book, which we recently discussed briefly on my podcast, Living Blindfully. During that discussion, he mentioned that he will be covering Apple Intelligence, a significant new feature in iOS 18 that requires a newer iPhone. In passing, he mentioned that he would not be able to write about it from direct experience, because he is not in a position to purchase a new iPhone. But he would do all he could to cover it comprehensively. I would like to help to get him an iPhone 16 Pro. Not only will that assist him to write about Apple Intelligence, he can also then write from direct experience about some of the blindness-specific features that are available only on Pro models.
Purchasing an iPhone 16 Pro for Mike should also ensure he is well-placed to make his outstanding, valuable contribution for some time to come.
If enough of us chip in, we can show our support for a resource that unlocks the power of the iPhone. This is a sound investment in a treasured, useful resource. Please give what you can so I can purchase an iPhone 16 Pro for Mike. Many blind people will benefit from the knowledge he will acquire.
Heidi and I have set up a page on Give A Little, which is a New Zealand fund raising site. You can make a credit card donation. When considering how much to give, please be mindful that donations are in New Zealand dollars, and that one New Zealand dollar is currently worth about 60 American cents. So, if you were to give $50 New Zealand dollars and you are in the United States, that only translates to about $30 US dollars.
To donate, you can visit https://GiveALittle.co.nz/cause/PersonalPower

Thanks for giving this some consideration, and thanks to Mike for his dedication and community spirit. I’m sure we can raise enough so that we can help Mike be of help to us all.