Double Tap

In this episode of Double Tap Weekend, Steven Scott spotlights the 41st CSUN Assistive Technology Conference in Anaheim, with exclusive interviews from our reporters on the ground, Shelley and Scott. Julia Santiago explains the origins and mission of CSUN, highlighting its role as a global forum for accessibility and inclusive technology. Scott explores the BlindShell Classic 3 phone, featuring proprietary apps like Observo for image recognition, Luna for AI-powered assistance, and Tandem for remote support and video calls. We also meet Beacon Street Innovations, who are revolutionising Braille displays with compact, multi-line, and cost-effective designs aimed at improving employment opportunities for blind adults. Additionally, RightHear introduces its talking signage system, combining beacons and visual markers to enhance orientation and independence in public spaces, while Hans from Be My Eyes celebrates an incredible milestone of 1 million blind users and 10 million volunteers worldwide. Relevant Links CSUN Assistive Technology Conference: https://www.csun.edu/cod/conference BlindShell USA: https://www.blindshell.com/us Beacon Street Innovations: https://www.beaconstreetinnovations.com RightHear: https://www.right-hear.com Be My Eyes: https://www.bemyeyes.com

Steven Scott and Shaun Preece bring another lively episode of Double Tap packed with listener feedback. Hear tales of crow ambushes and magpie mischief, and how birds have traumatised blind pedestrians. We explore the complications of paratransit in the US, including booking delays and accessibility frustrations, balanced with gratitude from those who rely on it. Listeners share ingenious solutions for navigating gyms, including Navilens QR codes for finding exercise machines, plus a tip on using the “pencil grip” cane technique to avoid face-level collisions. We also discuss Audible’s library vs. ownership model, Braille writer repair resources, and the quirks of setting up a Surface Laptop with NVDA.

Steven and Shaun let loose with a full-on rant about Apple’s recent updates. iOS 26.4 introduces mandatory age verification in certain countries, but the process is confusing, inconsistent, and often impossible without a credit card or driving licence. Shaun shares his experience of being unable to verify his age, highlighting the lack of clarity on what features may be restricted. The conversation then shifts to the bigger picture: Apple Intelligence. Despite Apple’s claims of advanced on-device AI, the hosts vent their frustrations about Siri’s shortcomings, unreliable shortcuts, and the inability to surface basic personal data in meaningful ways. With WWDC on the horizon, both are sceptical about whether Apple can deliver the AI experience users are expecting. Aira’s Jenine Stanley joins the guys later in the episode to discuss big updates to the app, including their integration into Meta’s smart AI glasses.

In this CSUN 2026 special of Double Tap, the team dives into the world of assistive technology for blind and partially sighted users. Scott the Kayaker joins us to share his first-hand experiences navigating the busy convention halls and testing the Glidance Glide, a pioneering mobility device designed to guide users around obstacles with AI-powered steering and haptic feedback. There’s also plenty of conversation from the floor of the convention hall, including: - HapWare presents the Al-Eye wristband, delivering tactile social cues like smiles, nods, and gestures in real time using Meta’s smart glasses. - Stephanie from Oorion discusses the app’s evolution from locating lost keys to seamless Meta glasses integration, enabling hands-free object detection and scene description. - New Haptics reveals the Codex, a multi-line braille display with touchscreen gestures and built-in audio capabilities for reading, games, and even audio editing. From real-world demos to the future of AI-driven accessibility, this episode captures the innovations helping blind users gain freedom and confidence in mobility, social interaction, and daily tasks. Relevant Links Orion App: https://www.oorion.fr/en HapWare: https://www.hapware.com Glidance: https://www.glidance.io New Haptics Codex: https://www.newhaptics.com

Steven Scott and Shaun Preece dive into the ongoing challenges surrounding blind employment, sparked by the launch of Be My Eyes Workplace. Listener Mike Calvo offers a candid critique about cultural biases and the limits of tech in moving the employment needle, while others share excitement about new tools that can ease daily work tasks. The episode also covers sound recognition accuracy, whether NVDA can replace JAWS for some roles, the sustainability of community add-ons in the era of AI coding, and real-life frustrations like iPad display failures. Insightful listener messages highlight both optimism and scepticism about technology’s ability to create meaningful change in employment for blind and visually impaired professionals. Support the conversation by sharing your thoughts! Email [email protected], leave a voicemail at 1‑877‑803‑4567, or send an audio/video message via WhatsApp to 1‑613‑481‑0144. Subscribe to Double Tap on your favourite podcast app or find us on YouTube for more discussions that matter. Relevant Links Be My Eyes: https://www.bemyeyes.com NV Access (NVDA): https://www.nvaccess.org