AT Banter Podcast

AT Banter Podcast Episode 145 - Nancy Thorogood

This week Rob and Ryan welcome Nancy Thorogood, Research Associate from the Rick Hansen Institute into the Guitar Dungeon to talk about the Institute and the work that they do on Spinal Cord Injury research, all the while trying not to ask stupid questions (and sometimes succeeding).
Show Notes
Rick Hansen Institute http://rickhanseninstitute.org/RHI and Stem Cell Researchhttp://rickhanseninstitute.org/resource/sci/stem-cell-researchAdditional Information on Spinal Cord Injurieshttps://scireproject.com/https://scireproject.com/community/Local Studies on SCI http://icord.org/research/participate-in-a-study/Apple Event 2019 Annoucementshttps://www.cnet.com/news/apple-event-2019-apple-card-tv-plus-news-plus-arcade-everything-just-announced/
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.

AT Banter Podcast Episode 144 - CSUN Wrap-Up

Assistive Technology geeks, rejoice! This week it’s all about gadgets and shiny objects as the boys are joined by Albert Ruel and Kim Kilpatrick from Get Together With Technology to talk about the recent CSUN Conference. Albert, Kim, and Steve tell us all about the highlights from the conference and the new technology that was on display as well as some of the Conference's surprises and standout experiences.   
Show Notes
Canute http://www.bristolbraille.co.ukTactPlus Tactile Printerhttps://www.tactplusprinter.comBrailleMehttp://innovisiontech.co/braillemeB2Ghttps://www.nbp.org/ic/nbp/technology/b2gQD Laserhttps://www.qdlaser.com/en/applications/eyewear.htmlTech4Freedom – UFOhttps://www.tech4freedom.net/ufoTech4Freedom – Box One4ALLhttps://www.tech4freedom.net/boxZoomax AceSighthttps://www.zoomax.com/low-vision-products/wearable-AceSight.htmlSony Wearable Neck Speakerhttps://www.japantrendshop.com/sony-wearable-neck-speaker-srsws1-p-4096.htmlNearby Explorerhttps://www.aph.org/pr/nearby-explorer-now-available-for-iosTap Keyboardhttps://www.tapwithus.comMarkido Inchttps://markido.comBuzzCliphttps://imerciv.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.

AT Banter Podcast Episode 143 - Richard Harlow

This week we’re visited by local visually impaired artist, advocate, motivational speaker and self-proclaimed Renaissance Man, Richard Harlow. Richard tells us how he was first diagnosed with the rare condition LHON, how it impacted his life, and how it eventually saw him begin a life of advocacy that resulted in the city of Nanaimo adopting a new Accessibility icon.
Show Notes
Delta Air Lines bans young puppies and kittens as support animalshttps://www.cnn.com/2018/12/12/us/delta-airlines-bans-support-animals-trnd/index.htmlA look at TTC accessibility through the eyes of a rider who uses two caneshttps://www.thestar.com/news/city_hall/2019/03/10/a-look-at-ttc-accessibility-through-the-eyes-of-a-rider-who-uses-two-canes.htmlRichard Harlow Interview from Times Colonisthttps://www.timescolonist.com/how-artist-richard-harlow-changed-his-style-after-going-blind-1.22756732
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.

AT Banter Podcast Episode 142 - Shawn Marsolais and Blind Beginnings

This week we’re excited to welcome back Shawn Marsolais, Founder and Executive Director of Blind Beginnings to the Guitar Dungeon. We catch up with what Blind Beginnings has been up to for the past year and discuss some of the issues that visually impaired people face on a day to day basis and what solutions and programs Blind Beginnings is actively working on.
Show Notes
Walmart Is Phasing Out 'Greeters' In U.S.https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2019/02/28/walmart-greeters_a_23680761/Dentists No Longer Permitted To Turn Away Patients Due To Disabilitieshttps://www.disabilityscoop.com/2019/02/28/dentists-turn-away-disabilities/26093/The writing of this AI is so human that its creators are scared to release ithttps://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/ai-writer-disinformation-1.5030305Blind Beginningshttps://www.blindbeginnings.ca/
For those in the Lower Mainland who want to help support Blind Beginnings and the work they do, get your tickets to the 9th Annual Gala Dinner and Online Auction, April 6th 6 – 10:30pm. Purchase tickets here: https://www.blindbeginnings.ca/donations/2019-gala-dinner-auction/
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.

AT Banter Podcast Episode 141 - Rebecca Blaevoet and Tactile Vision Graphics

Recently, a small Braille and Tactile Graphics company in Windsor, Ontario was awarded a licensing deal that allows them to produce a series of Braille and Tactile Graphic activity books for children. This week we’re joined by Rebecca Blaevoet, accountant and marketer for Tactile Vision Graphics, who gives us some insight on what it was like to be awarded this huge licensing deal, its implications for visually impaired children, and the importance of Braille Literacy.
Show Notes
Woman with disability banned from No Frills store after failing to pack groceries fast enoughhttps://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/disabled-woman-banned-from-no-frills-1.5028056Okanagan Parents Voice Concern Over New School District App Accessibilityhttps://globalnews.ca/news/4996759/accessibility-digital-age-okanagan-parent-voices-concern/Tactile Vision Graphicshttps://tactilevisiongraphics.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.

AT Banter Podcast Episode 140 - Accessibility Within Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality

Will there be Braille in the Matrix? Jonathan Avila, Chief Accessibility Officer of Level Access joins the Banter Boys this week to discuss accessibility within Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality platforms. We discuss the efforts to encourage developers of these platforms to ensure these new spaces are accessible as well as some of the potential these platforms hold for people with disabilities.
Show Notes
Gene therapy first to 'halt' most common cause of blindnesshttps://www.bbc.com/news/health-47226987Galleries From A to Z Sued Over Websites the Blind Can’t Usehttps://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/18/arts/design/blind-lawsuits-art-galleries.htmlLevel Accesshttps://www.levelaccess.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.

AT Banter Podcast Episode 139 - Fernando Albertorio - What's New with Sunu

We’re back after a week away!  Rob explains why, Ryan explains his new phone choice (brace yourself, this will shock you), and the boys catch up with a few pieces of news before welcoming Fernando Albertorio from Sunu to the show where he gives a full update on some of the Sunu Band mobility aid’s new firmware features.
Show Notes
Hockey Players with Assistive Devices Barred from Ont Tournamentshttps://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/hockey-players-with-assistive-devices-barred-from-ont-tournaments-1.4290238Barbie Unveils New Line of Inclusive Dolls With Disabilitieshttps://mynbc15.com/news/offbeat/barbie-unveils-line-of-inclusive-dolls-with-disabilitiesSunuhttps://www.sunu.io
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.

AT Banter Podcast Episode 138 - Louise Gillis and White Cane Week

It's White Cane Week and to help kick off celebrations, we welcome Louise Gillis, President of The Canadian Council of the Blind to talk to us about the organization, its history, mandate, and the support that it provides to the visually impaired community.
Show Notes
Bus Riders With Disabilities Should Have Access to Reserved Spaceshttps://www.therecord.com/opinion-story/9138967-bus-riders-with-disabilities-should-have-access-to-reserved-spaces/Haptic Baton Helps Visually Impaired Musicianshttps://www.bbc.com/news/av/stories-46994209/magic-baton-helps-blind-musicians-feel-conductorCanadian Council of the Blindhttp://ccbnational.net
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.

AT Banter Podcast Episode 137 - Ted Drake and Intuit Software

This week in the Guitar Dungeon, Rob, Ryan, and Steve cover a few pieces of news before they welcome Ted Drake, Accessibility Leader for Intuit Software where they discuss the accessibility efforts of the company and the state of assistive technology and how it’s evolved over the last 15 years.
Show Notes
92 Year Old Beaten On Transithttps://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/92-year-old-beaten-using-public-transit-for-elderly-1.4971728Windsor Company Contracted by Disney to Produce Activity Books for the Visually Impairedhttps://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/windsor/blind-visually-impaired-disney-blaevoet-tactile-vision-graphics-windsor-1.4974183Intuit Softwarehttps://www.intuit.com/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.chaostechnicalservices.com or call 778-847-6840.

AT Banter Podcast Episode 136 - Dr. Chad Andrews

This week in the Guitar Dungeon, Rob, Ryan, and Steve welcome Dr. Chad Andrews, Manager of Research and Education from the Foundation Fighting Blindness  to give them an update of some of the more recent advancements in the research surrounding the battle against visual impairments. But first they lose a few brain cells talking about a recent bird-brained online challenge and some of the more significant announcements from the recent Consumer Electronics Show.
Show Notes
BirdBox Challenge is Stupidhttps://www.theguardian.com/media/2019/jan/08/bird-box-challenge-why-blindfolding-yourself-and-walking-into-walls-is-even-more-stupid-than-it-soundsCES 2019 Annoucementshttps://www.androidauthority.com/ces/Foundation Fighting Blindnesswww.ffb.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.chaostechnicalservices.com or call 778-847-6840.