20 CCB-GTT Open Chat, Typio Online Typing Tutorial Session, May 8, 2020

Get Together with Technology (GTT)

Sponsored by the Canadian Council of the Blind (CCB)

Show Notes:

May 8, 2020

Theme: Typio Accessible Typing Tutor

Presenter: Steve Barclay

Steve@canasstech.com

In this CCB GTT Zoom open chat session, Steve Barclay demonstrated the Typio Accessible Typing Tutor software sold for $135 by Steve’s company, Canadian Assistive Technology. Steve began by giving information about Accessibyte, the company that makes Typio. He commented about other software for visually impaired people Accessibyte produces such as Arcade (games pack), Card (flash card system), and Power Pack which includes a notepad, calculator, talking dictionary, To Do List and more. These apps are designed by teachers of the visually impaired for use by visually impaired students. The apps run on Windows computers and are also available to use online for an annual subscription of $100. As an offering during Covid-19 sheltering, the online versions of all their apps are available free of charge until the end of June 2020. The advantage of the online versions is they can be used from any type of computer or device with Internet access. Steve demonstrated the Windows 10 version of Typio. It is self-voicing, so no screen reader is needed. It can be  configured with different background/foreground colors and fonts for ease of use by low vision learners. For blind students, there are choices for voices and rate of speech. It teaches all the keys of a Windows computer including the numpad with self-paced lessons and skill building quizzes and progress reports. The demo was offered as a response to GTT participant’s who are facing gradual vision loss and need to learn touch typing to transition from sighted computer use to using only the keyboard to operate their computer.

For more information please contact your GTT Coordinators:

Albert Ruel                   or                       Kim Kilpatrick

1-877-304-0968,550                               1-877-304-0968,513

albert.GTT@CCBNational.net                GTTProgram@Gmail.com

CCB-GTT Backgrounder:

GTT is an exciting initiative of the Canadian Council of the Blind, founded in Ottawa in 2011 by Kim Kilpatrick and Ellen Goodman.  GTT aims to help people who are blind or have low vision in their exploration of low vision and blindness related access technology.  Through involvement with GTT participants can learn from and discuss assistive technology with others walking the same path of discovery. 

GTT is made up of blindness related assistive technology users, and those who have an interest in using assistive technology designed to help blind and vision impaired people level the playing field.  GTT groups interact through social media, and periodically meet in-person or by teleconference to share their passions for assistive technology and to learn what others can offer from their individual perspectives. 

The CCB was founded in 1944 by a coalition of blind war veterans, schools of the blind and local chapters to create a national self-governing organization. The CCB was incorporated by Letters Patent on May 10, 1950 and is a registered charity under the provisions of the Income Tax Act (Canada).

The purpose of the CCB is to give people with vision loss a distinctive and unique perspective before governments.  CCB deals with the ongoing effects of vision loss by encouraging active living and rehabilitation through peer support and social and recreational activities.  

CCB promotes measures to conserve sight, create a close relationship with the sighted community and provide employment opportunities.

The CCB recognizes that vision loss has no boundaries with respect to gender, income, ethnicity, culture, other disabilities or age. 

The CCB understands in many instances vision loss is preventable and sometimes is symptomatic of other health issues.  For the 21st century, the CCB is committed to an integrated proactive health approach for early detection to improve the quality of life for all Canadians.

As the largest membership organization of the blind and partially sighted in Canada the CCB is the "Voice of the Blind™". 

CCB National Office

100-20 James Street Ottawa ON  K2P 0T6

Toll Free: 1-877-304-0968 Email: info@ccbnational.net URL: www.ccbnational.net