iPod Touch A Gateway Drug

In this podcast, Robert talks with Amy Mason, an access technology specialist at the International Braille and Technology Center for the Blind This extraordinary technology center is part of the Jernigan Institute located at the headquarters of the National Federation of the Blind in Baltimore, Maryland. Some of Amy’s job responsibilities include: answering questions about technology for visitors as well as people who telephone the technology center. Amy evaluates technology to determine its accessibility and she prepares internal documents and articles for publication describing her findings. Robert became aware of Amy after reading her January 2012 Braille monitor article regarding ebooks and the extent to which they are accessible on the major platforms. Amy recently reviewed Apple’s new Mountain Lion operating system on the International Braille and Technology Center’s blog. Amy and Robert engage in an interesting discussion about Amy’s former employment as a computer repair technician. They describe some tricks and techniques that a blind person might employ when disassembling and reassembling a repaired computer. Finally, Amy jokingly refers to her iPod Touch as a gateway drug which led to the purchase of an iPhone, iPad and MacBook Air. Robert confesses to having a similar addiction to Apple products. Grab your favorite beverage, relax and enjoy this stimulating conversation.