Episode 38 – Chromecast TV

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-5s5gn-e92172
Cheap and effective way to share a screen . This is about a project in a rural area using technology to help their clients

Students

Here are links to useful resources you might like to look into:-

For students requiring DSA

https://www.bataonline.org.uk/news/how-make-most-disabled-students-allowances-university

For looking after the planet:-

https://www.pcliquidations.com/sustainability-living-college

Would like your feedback?

I wondered if you mind completing this survey. It will take a few minutes of your time.

Here is the survey link. It will be anonymous so your privacy is protected.

Episode 37 – Grammarly

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-m9kkr-e804ba
Free version to help with the writing process. Spots those annoying grammar errors as well as citing websites for products

UK APL Survey

This is a WHO initiative with the help of the British Assistive Technology Association to survey what products that are classed as Assistive are being used. This comprises from walking aids to high tech prosthetics and eye gaze systems. There are also groups you can sign up to which focus on specific areas of interest such as vision, hearing, communication, environment, mobility, cognition.

If you are a supplier or a charity or an interested professional do go across to:-

https://www.bataonline.org.uk/articles/your-input-needed-bata-launches-whos-uk-survey-assistive-products

The survey is being supported by the following organisations:-

https://www.bataonline.org.uk/articles/uk-sector-welcomes-essential-assistive-products-list-survey

Episode 36 UK APL survey

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-k773u-e731c8
The first of its kind done in the UK ! This will provide a comprehensive list of aids encompassing all parts of the AT industry

Grammarly

Grammarly is a useful assistive technology app for supporting students and pupils. It helps by suggesting better grammar, checking additional spaces between words, correct spellings, and the bit I love being able to suggest links for adding to your blogs and documents. I find it good that you can be looking for a particular app or hardware and Grammarly will find that item. It sits on the sidelines waiting to be used.

It’s also a good learning tool. I did struggle with plurals on nouns eg batas online groups. It can also score how well you are writing. It works on a principle I love which is you learn by what you write and this supportive software not only helps, advise it teaches as well!

Websites, Domains and Email

In the past I have set up websites for people. Making them is relatively straight forward but hard work nevertheless. The tricky bit is the hosting of it. You enter the world of SSL Certificates, Domain Names and Renewal. It’s hard to know what you are paying for. Often there is a deal on offer and then after the specified time it changes. Beware of the on costs you migtht incur.

So how much does this all cost? For a certificated site with email and domain name it can cost £100 a least, £1,000’s if you employ a website designer. There are so many aspects to consider :

  • Website designing & building costs – self built or web designer
  • Domain name purchase – unique name, often more than one to ensure your brand is protected
  • Email service to the site – so you can be contacted directly usually info@ ………
  • Domain Certificate – added protection from people taking your web domain name
  • SSL Certificate – google security to protect the site and make it bonafide
  • …and so it goes including SEO’s for pushing your site up the search list

The language is technical and full of jargon so it is wise to talk to a web designer or someone familiar with doing this to ensure you get the right set up for you. If you consider building the website yourself you will save a considerable amount of money. But seek advice on it. All I will say is website developers know what they are doing and can ensure everything works smoothly and properly after your launch. It’s a service worth paying for to have exactly what you want.

Episode 35 – Google Keep

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-crafx-e60fef
Wonderful app for dyslexia. Now with dark mode for those with visual impairments

Amazon Echo Dot (3rd Generation)

One of my clients wanted to upgrade from 2nd Generation to 3rd Generation device. It seemed to work at first and then we discovered a problem with Amazon music. She has the single device package at £3.99 which means you have to attach the subscription to a single Echo Dot. Obvioulsy we had it set to the previous device. I looked at the app first and then the online account – although I did find the Amazon Music settings on the account via amazon.co.uk I could not finda way to change the device.

Amazon Echo Dot (3rd Generation) louder and better sound quality

The Solution

The solution was to ring this number +353 (800) 4961 081 for Amazon Customer Services. They answered the phone straight away and a helpful guy called Josh helped solve the problem which needed several attempts before getting it right. It seems you can’t do this yourself – I tried to find a solution and failed_ so the answer is to ring them.

In Conclusion

The client and I discussed that this would not be problem for music unlimited users or prime users as the devices don’t need to be “attached” electronically this way. Only the single users would have difficulty.