Category Archives: Uncategorized

2444 Encore of 1739 Running with a Remote Aira Guide (Oct. 30, 2024)


2444 Encore of 1739 Running with a Remote Aira Guide (Oct. 30, 2024)


Show Notes

Aira is a service developed to give the blind instant access to information using a smart phone, a video camera, and a remote sighted agent. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Erich Manser, a blind distance runner and triathlete, and Jess Jakeway, a sighted distance runner who served as Erich’s remote guide using Aira at the 2017 Boston Marathon.

2425 Bringing a New Dimension to Audio Description (Jun. 19, 2024)


2425 Bringing a New Dimension to Audio Description (Jun. 19, 2024)


Show Notes

The Miners Alley Performing Arts Center offers audio described performances with a twist: a tactile tour backstage before each described show! Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Executive Director Lisa DeCaro and Patron Services Manager Amy Arpan about their audio description service and get a tactile tour from Production Stage Manager Lexi Holtzer.

2421 Behind the Screen at NV Access (May 22, 2024)


2421 Behind the Screen at NV Access (May 22, 2024)


Show Notes

Development of the free and open source NVDA screen reader from NV Access began in 2006 and has served as a vital tool for blind people around the world. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Mick Curran, creator and co-developer, and Gerald Hartig, the newly announced CTO of NV Access, about how they plan to transition into the future.

2350 Uber – Making Movement Equal for All (Dec. 13, 2023)



2350 Uber – Making Movement Equal for All (Dec. 13, 2023)



Show Notes


Visually impaired people making use of a ride sharing service may have unique concerns such as the accessibility of the service, safety, accommodations for a guide dog, etc. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Briana Gilmore and Chris Yoon from Uber about how Uber addresses these concerns through its commitment to providing equal access to movement.

2347 iOS Access for All for iOS 17 (Nov. 22, 2023)


2347 iOS Access for All for iOS 17 (Nov. 22, 2023)


Show Notes

Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Shelly Brisbin, author of “iOS Access for All: Your Comprehensive Guide to Accessibility for iPhone and iPad”, about this valuable reference guide. Shelly discusses what can be found in the book and highlights features of interest including Point To Speak, customizing Voiceover voices, Personal Voice, and more.

2235 Pole Dancing for Fitness (Aug. 31, 2022)



2235 Pole Dancing for Fitness (Aug. 31, 2022)



Show Notes


Have you ever considered becoming a pole dancer? Surprisingly, the experience might not be what you would have expected. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Lauren Back, a blind pole dancer, who has enjoyed participating in several pole dancing groups and extols the virtues of pole dancing as a means of exercise and socializing with others.

2205 Taking Charge of Your Health (Feb. 2, 2022)


2205 Taking Charge of Your Health (Feb. 2, 2022)


Show Notes

As a result of being born prematurely, Jeff Bishop had to deal with a number of medical issues including becoming a diabetic. Hosts Nancy and Peter talk with Jeff about his journey to control his diabetes by making a series of lifestyle changes that included sticking to a healthy diet, regular exercise, and developing the drive to succeed.

1613 Blind Active Duty Police Officer – part 2 (Mar. 23, 2016)


1613 Blind Active Duty Police Officer – part 2 (Mar. 23, 2016)


Show Notes

Last week hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talked with Marlon Parieaho about losing his vision while working as a policeman. We heard how he successfully navigated this transition and how it affected his relationship with his colleagues. This week we’ll hear more about Marlon’s thoughts on blindness and why being blind doesn’t mean it is the end of the world.

1535 NVDA Open Source Screen Reader (Aug. 26 2015)


1535 NVDA Open Source Screen Reader (Aug. 26 2015)


Show Notes

NVDA is a free and open source screen reader for Windows. Over the years it has matured to be a viable alternative to commercial screen readers for personal, educational and professional use. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Jamie Teh, one of the founders and co-lead developers of NVDA about some of the new features of NVDA and what to expect in the future.

1430 Using the iPhone Camera for Access (Jul. 23, 2014)


1430 Using the iPhone Camera for Access (Jul. 23, 2014)


Show Notes

Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey speak with Judy Dixon, author of “Get the Picture: Viewing the World with the iPhone Camera”. The book provides information to help people who are blind use the camera on an iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad to perform many daily tasks such as identify currency, recognize objects, read text or even take photographs.