BARD Update From NLS

 

BARD Updates from NLS

Contributed by Don Olson, Customer Service Specialist at NLS

A number of patrons and libraries have recently reported that certain BARD account-holders are either no longer able to log into BARD Mobile or can no longer see their Wish Lists from within BARD Mobile on their iOS devices. We have determined that these problems are related to the older versions of iOS devices that these patrons are using.

 

The current version of BARD Mobile for iOS, version 1.4.1, is supported by devices running iOS 11 and above. A list of all devices capable of running iOS 11 is available from Apple at https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT209574. We encourage patrons using devices on that list but not yet running iOS 11 to upgrade their operating systems.

 

We understand that very old devices may not be able to upgrade to iOS 11 and regret the difficulty this may cause for some patrons, but an unfortunate reality is that all equipment eventually becomes obsolete. NLS is not able to support BARD Mobile on devices running iOS 10.0 or below. We do not know of an option that would allow patrons to download and install any version of BARD Mobile prior to 1.4.1.

Technology User Group Meeting

 Technology User Group Meeting

Contributed by Jerry Price, Assistive Technology Specialist

On Saturday, March 13th, the Technology User Group has an exciting program for you!

First, we will look at the Wayaround app.  How useful is it?  How does it compare to other labeling systems?  How easy are the app and labels for the average smartphone user?  Then we will look at how to add a flash drive to your iPhone.  Finally, we will take a quick look at the Voice Assistant feature in Freedom Scientific’s Fusion application.

 

The presentation will be virtual and may be joined by calling 319-527-4994.  You do not have to RSVP for this event.

 

The presentation will begin at 10 AM and last about 90 minutes.

We look forward to meeting with you virtually on Saturday, March 13th, and hope you will join us for other exciting events we have planned for 2021.

If you would like to listen to previous TUG recordings, please click here:

https://www.marylandlibraries.org/Pages/Technology%20User%20Group.aspx

Upcoming TUG Programs:

• Saturday, April 10, 10 AM, Voice Dream Suite
• Saturday, May 8, 10 AM, Cooking Gadgets & Resources.

 

Follow the Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled (LBPD) on: 

• Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/MDLBPD/
• On Twitter at https://twitter.com/MDLBPD
• On our blog at https://mdlbpd.blogspot.com/
• And our website at www.lbph.maryland.gov

For more information about the Technology User Group, please contact Jerry Price at (410) 230-2446 or via email at jerry.price1@maryland.gov.

 Tech Tips: Voice OCR Document Reader

Contributed by Jerry Price, Assistive Technology Coordinator 

There are many OCR (Optical Character Recognition) scanning apps. This particular app is a little different than the others because not only can you manipulate it with Voiceover gestures, but you can also

opt to use your voice.  Other highlights include automatic light adjustment, the customization of voices such as Wonder Woman, Sonic the Hedgehog, and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, the ability to work with

many different languages, and an option to easily share documents. The free version of the app offers 150 scans a month.  The paid version offers unlimited scans.  Voice OCR is only available for iOS

devices.  If you are a novice iPhone user, you will need assistance setting up the app, but chances are you would also need help setting up the other OCR apps.  These apps include Seeing AI, Voice Dream

Scanner and KNFB Reader.

Marylandia Collection: Update

 

Marylandia Collection: Update

Contributed by Jordan Farinelli, Collection Development Librarian

February 2021

In honor of Black History Month, check out this title that covers the story of African Americans from Maryland’s own Eastern Shore.

U.S. History

DBC 12457 – The Road to Jim Crow: the African American Struggle on Maryland's Eastern Shore, 1860-1915, by C. Christopher Brown

Narrated by Khetia Washington

Making extensive use of primary sources, C. Christopher Brown has broken new ground and filled a long overlooked gap in Maryland history. Here is the story of African Americans on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, from the promise-filled days following the end of slavery to the rise of lynch law, segregation, and systematic efforts at disenfranchisement. Resisting attempts to render them, second-class citizens, Black communities rallied to their churches and fought determinedly to properly educate their children and gain a measure of political power. Brown’s vivid stories make the record of cross-racial democracy at once shameful, revealing, inspirational, and all too contemporary. A masterful blend of scholarship and insightful analysis that is at once engrossing and informative.

 Tech Tips: Four Finger Swipe

Contributed by Jerry Price, Assistive Technology Education Coordinator 

If you have no apps open, this gesture will do nothing, but if two or more apps are open on your iOS device, you can move amongst them by using the four-finger swipe either to the right or to the left.

Swiping up or down with four fingers does nothing.  You can also move among your open apps with the app switcher; however, this is a bit more cumbersome.

 Tech Tips: Locast is Accessible

Contributed by Jerry Price, Assistive Technology Specialist

Locast is a streaming app that allows individuals in metropolitan areas to watch local channels on their smart devices or computers. Not only do you receive your hometown affiliates such as ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX and CW, but you will also be able to view any digital channels carried on their signals.  In Maryland, this app will only work if you are in the Baltimore-Washington, D.C. corridor.  The service is free but you will be asked (often) to donate since there are expenses associated with the transmission process.  Five dollars per month will make the donation request disappear.  To sign up for the service, you will need to use your email address.  You will also

have to supply a password and confirm the email address. Locast is available in 26 markets: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Denver, Houston, Indianapolis, Los Angeles, Madison, Miami, Minneapolis, New York, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Puerto Rico, Rapid City, San Francisco, Seattle, Sioux City, Sioux Falls, Tampa Bay, Washington DC., West Palm Beach, and Wilkesboro.  For more information, visit www.locast.org.