Blind Level Tech

This week on BLT, we're joined by Tyler Kottmann, Studio Director at the Colorado Talking Book Library. We explore the intricacies of audiobook production for the National Library Service, the role of volunteers as readers and reviewers, and the equipment used for producing talking books. Visit the Colorado Talking Book Libraries website at https://myctbl.cde.state.co.us

This week on BLT, we speak with Lorrie Spoering, a dedicated reader advisor at the Talking Book Library. From her early days as a volunteer to her current role, Lorrie shares her passion for making reading accessible to all. If you're not a Patren of the Talking Book Library, head over to myctbl.org to sign up.

This week on BLT, we’re back with Gable Mead to talk aboutan exciting part of the blind/low vision gameing community. Gable shares the inception and growth of the Sento Showdown tournaments, highlighting the passion and dedication that fuels these events. We explore the impact of accessible gaming on community building and the exciting collaborations that have emerged. If you’d like to learn more about the Sento Showdown, please check out the official website at https://www.thesentoshowdown.com/

In this episode of Blind Level Tech, we sit down with Gable Meade, a passionate gamer and advocate for accessibility in gaming. We dive into Gable's personal journey, exploring how he navigated the challenges of vision loss while maintaining his love for video games. From his early days with Nintendo to mastering fighting games like Mortal Kombat, Gable shares insights into the evolving landscape of accessible gaming. Join us as we discuss how games were adapted or axedently accessible, and how developers are implementing accessibility features into there games.

Evan Starnes sits down with Alex Russomanno, CEO of New Haptics, to unpack the Codex—a 4‑line x 32‑cell, multi‑line braille display powered by pneumatic actuation, a full‑surface touch interface (double‑tap to route the cursor), and mechanical Perkins keys built for daily work. They trace the journey from the early “Holy Braille” research to a desktop‑class device with an external pump, Linux under the hood, and a growing software layer. We cover emerging screen‑reader integrations (JAWS/NVDA/Narrator; VoiceOver expected later), onboard apps (including a Wordle‑style game), durability testing aimed at 5–7 years of heavy use, and a target price...

In this solo episode of Blind Level Tech, host Evan Starnes dives deep into a head-to-head comparison of two leading smart glasses in the accessibility space: the Echo Vision glasses and the Meta Ray-Bans. Evan explores each product’s features, usability, price point, and overall practicality for the blind and low-vision community.

With insights from hands-on use and demo reviews, Evan breaks down key differences like:
Live AI and OCR capabilities
Discreet button-based control vs. voice control
Battery life and the power of USB-C
Face recognition, integration with Be My Eyes and Aira, and mo...

In this inspiring and insightful episode of Blind Level Tech, host Evan Starnes sits down with podcasting legends Peter and Nancy Torpey, the creators of Eyes on Success. With over 700 episodes and 15 years of audio storytelling, the Torpeys share the origin story of their groundbreaking podcast, their journey from physicists at Xerox to accessibility advocates, and the philosophy behind creating meaningful content for the blind and low-vision community.
They discuss everything from their accessible audio setup—including the Scarlett 4th Gen interface, Shure SM58s, Reaper, Audacity, and the Zoom H4 Essential recorder—to their experiences mentoring blind professionals worl...

It's been a while, but we're finally back with more BLT Bites. On this Bite, we demonstrate how Uber Eats allows you to paste your entire shopping list, or inport it from a file, making shopping online a little easyer.

This week on BLT, we dive even deeper into the weeds with Pall Martz. We discuss Palls technical history, from working at HP to volunteering at Aftersight in the old days, and of course some fun sandwitches as well. If you'd like to get your hands on Palls book, or check out some tactile Rubik'sCubes, check out the links below. Book title: Solve It! The Only Speedsolving Guide for Blind Cubers Buy it: https://books2read.com/u/3JY87Q Get if from Bookshare: https://www.bookshare.org/browse/book/6610881 Paul Martz author website: PaulMartz.com Book companion website: TactileCuber...

In this jam-packed episode, Evan sits down with Paul Martz—software developer, Rubik’s Cube enthusiast, and longtime accessibility advocate—to talk about growing up with vision loss, early adventures in computing, and adapting tech like JAWS, VoiceOver, and even 3D-printed Rubik’s Cubes. Want to get your hands on Pall's book? Check out Solve It! The Only Speedsolving Guide for Blind Cubers by visiting https://books2read.com/u/3JY87Q If you have a Bookshare membership, find this book at https://www.bookshare.org/browse/book/6610881 Learn more about Pall by visiting PaulMartz.com.

This week on BLT, we have a nice throwback, going way back to May 2023, when Evan was still finding his footing as a podcaster, and even predating the sandwitch of the week. For this throwback, Alfred Poor joins Jonathan and Evan to talk about cool technology from rental implants to orcam and so many other things. Visit Alfre'ds website at https://alfredpoor.com or email him at alfred@alfredpoor.com

This week on BLT, host Evan Starnes is joined by guest co-host Marty Sobo to break down WWDC 2025 and the sweeping changes coming with iOS 26 and Apple’s broader ecosystem updates. Together, they dive into the new naming conventions—Apple is unifying all operating systems under the “OS 26” banner—and unpack what that means for device users. They also talk about some of the new accessibility features, including the new note taking feature, and how the new Liquid Glass design could affect blind or low-vision users.

In this forward-thinking episode of Blind Level Tech, host Evan Starnes chats with John Romano, executive director of Disaster Central and creator of the Be Ready app. John shares his unique journey from professional pilot to nonprofit leader, revealing how the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy inspired him to create tools that simplify disaster response. Evan and John also explore the broader vision behind Dare to Prepare, a training program designed to accompany app use and reinforce the preparedness mindset. Learn more at www.disastercentral.org

In this episode, host Evan Starnes welcomes back David Redmond, tech enthusiast and accessibility advocate from Vision Ireland, for a rich and insightful part two. This time, they shift from Apple's iOS 19 to David’s personal journey with vision loss and his professional story in broadcasting and assistive tech, as well as his work at Vision Ireland.

In this episode of Blind Level Tech, host Evan Starnes discusses the latest accessibility improvements in iOS 19 with guest David Redmond from Vision Ireland. They explore new features such as the Accessibility Reader, enhancements for Mac users, new Braille access features, and the introduction of accessibility labels in the App Store. bb

This week on BLT, we're back with Neva Fairchild to talk about the different uses for WayAround in public spaces. Weather it's making a selection on a vending machine or trying to figure out where the doctor’s office is, there are a lot of possibilities with WayAround in public. If you'd like to learn more about WayAround, visit them at www.wayaround.com

In this episode of Blind Level Tech, host Evan Starnes welcomes Neva Fairchild from WayAround to discuss innovative solutions for accessibility. Neva shares her personal journey with vission loss and her extensive background in rehabilitation counseling. The conversation delves into the features of WayAround's home use version, including various tagging solutions that enhance everyday tasks. Neva highlights real-life applications of the technology, compatibility with different devices, and a pretty unique usecase for WayAround tags. If you'd like to get your hands on some tags, go to https://www.wayaround.com Stay tuned for part two, where we discuss how WayAround...

Summary In this episode of Blind Level Tech, host Evan Starnes introduces a mini-series focused on the National Library Service and its importance to the blind and low vision community. He discusses the evolution of Talking Book players, highlighting the new DA2 model, which features significant upgrades such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and text-to-speech capabilities. If you want to learn more about the new talking book player, go to https://www.loc.gov/nls/services-and-resources/equipment-for-nls-materials/#nls-digital-advanced-da2-player Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the National Library Service 07:05 Introducing the New DA2 Talking Book Player 12:05 Features and Upgrades of the DA2 Player 18:08 Personal Anecdotes...

In this episode of Blind Level Tech, host Evan Starnes discusses the intricacies of taking a podcast on the road. He shares insights on planning, conducting interviews, choosing the right recording space, and essential audio gear. Evan emphasizes the importance of having a clear plan, knowing how to engage potential interviewees, and the logistics of recording and editing audio while on the go.

On this weeks episode, we take a look at the three big players in the game console world, and the accessibility features of each one. We talk about visuall aids like the ability to zoom the entire screen, and how to enable screen reading functionality on each console. To learn more, visitthe accessibility pages for each console. Microsoft XBox: https://www.xbox.com/en-US/community/for-everyone/accessibility Sony Playstation: https://www.playstation.com/en-us/accessibility/ Nentendo: https://www.nintendo.com/us/gaming-systems/switch-2/accessibility/

This week on BLT, we treat you to a clasic episode with Jonathan and Evan, and we discuss the various options for getting mental health support.

In this exciting episode of Blind Level Tech, host Evan Starnes reunites with inventor and accessibility trailblazer Kelvin Crosby, the mind behind the See Me Cane. Fresh off CSUN, they dive into the upgraded features of the CME Cane R1—a brighter, smarter, safer cane designed to improve mobility and independence for blind users. From vibration feedback and waterproof USB-C charging to removable handles and epilepsy-safe light modes, this new version has something for everyone. They also talk about accessibility in venture capital, Kelvin’s new podcasts, and Evan’s not-so-gourmet sandwich of the week. If you’re into accessibility tech, ca...

This week on BLT, we bring you a quick followup to our first audio gaming episode, and take a look at three fun computer games. If you would like to try any of these games your self, go to the links below. To play Quentin C's Playroom go to https://www.qcsalon.net/en/ To download the windows version of Ball Boucer go to https://files.sooslandia.ru/BallBouncer/ To download Crazy Party go to http://pragmapragma.free.fr/crazy-party/en/ Happy gaming!

In this episode, Evan and Marty discuss the latest advancements in assistive technology, reflecting on their experiences at the CSUN conference. They share insights on the affordability and functionality of new devices, a memorable encounter with Stevie Wonder, and the importance of networking and planning for future events. The conversation emphasizes the balance between work and enjoyment at conferences, highlighting the need for effective time management and the value of building connections.

In this episode of Blind Level Tech, Evan Starnes and Kelvin Crosby dive into the world of accessible mobile gaming. They discuss the evolution of accessible games, differences between iOS and Android gaming experiences, and highlight some of their favorite games. Evan shares his top five mobile games for blind and low-vision players, covering everything from dice-based games to text adventures and high-intensity 3D audio experiences. The hosts also debate microtransactions, accessibility features, and whether or not Kelvin can be convinced to try more mobile games.

Chapter Markers
📌 00:15 - Welcome to Blind Level Tech: Tech on a who...

On this special BLT Bite, we take a listen to some of the recordings from the CSUN 2025 conference.

Blind Level Tech, or BLT, is a fun new show dedicated to the use of technology for those who are blind and have visual impairments. We will walk you through the latest and greatest tech from Apple to Microsoft and TVs to kitchen appliances. We will even throw in some good ole dad and tech jokes for good measure. Being blind is hard enough. Your tech experience should not be.

This week, we're back with Josh Miele to discuss the concept of assistive tech for blind students, and why tech like good old fashioned braille is still verry much important, and asential to academic. Check out Josh's new book Connecting Dots, A Blind Life, which is availible on Audible, Amazon Kindle, and sune on NLS Bard.

In this episode of Blind Level Tech, hosts Evan Starnes and Kelvin Crosby sit down with Josh Miele, a renowned adaptive technology researcher and designer. Josh shares insights into his extensive journey in accessible technology, from early experimentation with radio components and programming to designing groundbreaking accessibility tools.
Josh details his early contributions, including the development of Outspoken, one of the first Macintosh screen readers, and T-Map, a tool for creating tactile street maps. He also discusses his work at Amazon, including contributions to the Echo Show’s Show and Tell feature, and his open-source accessibility advocacy.
Josh al...

Episode Summary In this episode of Blind Level Tech, hosts Evan Starnes and Kelvin Crosby discuss the importance of audio description for blind and low-vision audiences. They share their experiences with accessible media, explain how to enable audio description on platforms like Netflix and Disney Plus, and explore free resources such as AudioVault.net for obtaining audio-described movies.
The episode also teases an upcoming guest, Josh Miele, who developed the YouDescribe app, allowing volunteers to provide audio descriptions for YouTube videos. The conversation takes a humorous turn as the hosts discuss past experiences with accessibility, from early VHS tapes...

This week on BLT, we share our thoughts on some of the tech that came out of CES, or the consumer electronics show. From mind reading recorders to toaster shaped robo taxies, we discuss how this tech might impact the blind and low vision community.

Recently, Microsoft's Seeing A I App got a nice fresh cote of paint, and on this weeks BLT Bite, we show how to access specific features, including the slightly revamped document reader, and the new scene describtion mode.

This week on BLT, we discuss the different tipes of fishing atacks and scams running rampent in our world. If you or someone you know has fallen victem to a scam, we strongly encourage you to report it to the internet complaint center at www.ic3.gov.

On this weeks episode, we conclude our discussion on AI immage and video describtion, and share our thoughts on the recent Chat GPT live video feature. We discuss some personal experiences with Chat GPT live video, and share our hopes for the future and implementation of live AI video describtion in day to day life.

In this episode of Blind Level Tech, hosts Evan Starnes and Kelvin Crosby dive deep into the groundbreaking Meta Ray-Ban glasses. They discuss their features, implications for the blind and low vision community, and the challenges of living near wildfire zones. They also share insights on emergency preparedness and lighter moments like the Sandwich of the Week.

Chapter Markers
00:15 - Introduction by Jonathan Price: The purpose of Blind Level Tech.
01:30 - Wildfire Updates: Kelvin's experiences in California.
02:30 - Evan's Arizona Trip: Exploring Waymo taxis.
04:50 - Podcast Milestone: Blind Level Tech in the top 10% globally.<...

For this weeks BLT Bite, we give you a quick review on the Meta Ray Band smart glasses. We show how to not only read text, but also how to get verry specific information like instuctions on a package, or the color of piece of clothing.

This week on BLT, we outline the new direction in which we’d like to take the show. Over the winter holidays, we put a lot of thought into the format and stile of BLT, and we’ve definitely taken listener feedback into account when considering any changes to the show. We’re cleaning up the format of BLT, this means less banter, more tech news and coverage; but there will still be plenty of weekly sandwiches to feast upon. BLT thrives on listener feedback, so as we dial in these new refinements, we want to hear your thoughts and sugges...

On this week’s episode, we’re back in full swing with Bebra Erickson, founder and executive Sheff of the Blind Kitchen. Deborah shares her experiences as a blind culinary student and her mission to provide accessible cooking solutions, emphasizing the need for quality and user-friendly products. The conversation emphasizes that culinary tools don’t necessarily need wi-fi and apps to be effective, and that culinary tools don’t necessarily need to be specially adapted for those with blindness or low vision. Learn more and explore Debra’s websight at theblindkitchen.com
Chapters
00:00Welcome and Tech Introductions 03:02Deborah Erickson a...

Happy newyear from Blind Level Tech and all of us at Aftersight. We've got another Throwback this week, as we wanted to take a step back and look at where we were a year ago, in order to help us grow and improve more in 2025. We'll be back to our regularly scheduled programming on January 8th, so stay tuned.

This week, we bring you a fun throwback, one of Evans favorite episodes in fact. This episode discusses cleaning techniques and devices that make home cleanning much easyer and more techy of course. We also want to thank you immensely for helping us reach our Colorado Gives goal.