becki zerr

Today on NOW with Dave Brown: accessibility consultant Joe Strechay tells you about Netflix's upcoming limited series “All the Light We Cannot See.” Meagan Gillmore breaks down the findings from the annual report on Medical Assistance in Dying. And Becki Zerr offers some suggestions to keeping your home clean and organized. This is the October 31, 2023, episode.

How do you keep things tidy and clean? Becki Zerr offers some suggestions for keeping your home clean and organized. From the October 31, 2023, episode.

Today on the show, Steven and Shaun share an exclusive story about the relaunch of the popular SoundScape app that was previously created by Microsoft. The tech giant made the decision to turn it into an open-source project late last year and developers have since started building their own versions, including Voice Vista and Open-Scape (which is still in beta at this time). But how sustainable are these individual apps without backing from major groups or organizations? That’s the question the Scottish Tech Army posed when considering bringing the application back to life. Today, we meet Kirsty McIntosh from the Scottish Tech Army to explain how their project got involved with SoundScape, and what they are doing to ensure the app returns to its former glory and is also sustainable in the longer term. Plus we get an instant reaction from long-time user of SoundScape, AMI-audio’s own Becki Zerr, who drops in to give her thoughts following her comments to Double Tap earlier this year after the news Microsoft was retiring the project. The app is available now and you can download it from the Apple App Store here: https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/soundscape/id6459021379 Get in touch with the Double Tappers and join the conversation: Email: feedback@doubletaponair.com Call: 1-877-803-4567 (Canada and USA) / 0204 571 3354 (UK) Twitter: @BlindGuyTech / @ShaunShed / @DoubleTapOnAir Mastodon: @DoubleTap YouTube: DoubleTapOnAir

Today on the show, Steven and Shaun discuss the big news from Meta, the parent company of Facebook, who have just announced their new Meta Quest 3 VR headset. Marc Aflalo from Double Tap TV joins the guys to fill us in on the announcement. Read more about the new Meta Quest 3 headset here: https://about.fb.com/news/2023/06/meta-quest-3-coming-this-fall/ There’s more discussion following our conversation with AMI host Becki Zerr about the end of Soundscape from Microsoft. Listener Paul sends in an email detailing the case for trying out BlindSquare as an alternative. Find out more about BlindSquare here: https://www.blind-square.com/ And, with Apple’s WorldWide Developer Conference around the corner, Patrick O’Rourke from MobileSyrup.com joins the guys to talk about what might appear, plus Steven quizzes Patrick on getting writers from the disability community into the room when it comes to tech coverage. Check out the Mobile Syrup website here: https://mobilesyrup.com/ Get in touch with the Double Tappers and join the conversation: Email: feedback@doubletaponair.com Call: 1-877-803-4567 (Canada and USA) / 0204 571 3354 (UK) Twitter: @BlindGuyTech / @ShaunShed / @DoubleTapOnAir Mastodon: @DoubleTap YouTube: DoubleTapOnAir

Today on the show, Steven and Shaun discuss the latest opinion from leaders in the field of artificial intelligence that it will, in fact, exterminate all of us at some point in the future. It’s a cheery subject and Steven wonders why the people who are creating the tech are seemingly so concerned about it, while Shaun doesn’t appear to care less. Read more about the story here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-65746524 Also, June marks the official end for Microsoft SoundScape as an app developed by them and will move to an open source model. AMI host and contributor Becki Zerr joins us to discuss her thoughts after only recently beginning to use it. Listen to Becki’s AMI-audio podcast, called Raising Kindness, here: https://www.ami.ca/Raising-Kindness/recent_episodes Get in touch with the Double Tappers and join the conversation: Email: feedback@doubletaponair.com Call: 1-877-803-4567 (Canada and USA) / 0204 571 3354 (UK) Twitter: @BlindGuyTech / @ShaunShed / @DoubleTapOnAir Mastodon: @DoubleTap YouTube: DoubleTapOnAir

Lulu is an amazing gift who has impacted my life in so many positive ways. Her kind heart, happy nature and innate intelligence are truly remarkable. Becki shares a glimpse into the positive impact that Lulu, Becki's guide dog, has made on her life. Listen to a touching conversation between Becki and Lulu’s puppy raiser, Jack Clarkson.

My life was changed with a single phone call. The excitement that came along with hearing I had been matched with my future guide dog was incredible. But, learning to walk the walk was definitely more complex than I had anticipated. Join Becki for an informative conversation with her amazing guide dog instructor, Karen Hanlon.

"Sometimes it is easier to try and ignore an issue rather than face it head on. That is, until you accidentally walk right into it. The decision to get a guide dog was something I considered for years. Join Becki as she talks about applying for a guide dog and, ultimately, taking the next big step. Becki is joined by her Orientation and Mobility Specialist, Lisa, for a conversation. "

Feeling like you have lost your voice and place in the world can be overwhelming. Trying to establish who you are once again can be a challenge. Join Becki as she talks about how she learns how important communicating and speaking up is. Becki is joined for a conversation with Andy Frank, who has become a mentor.

"Has your day ever started out heading in one direction and then, without any notice, it suddenly flips and leads you someplace totally unexpected? Listen in as Becki shares when this happened to her. What seemed like a scary transition ended up being a pivotal moment that introduced her to a new, key person in her life. Join Becki for a special conversation with Dr. Jeff Judelson, her cornea specialist."

How do you decide that today is the day to step forward and finally let go of the past? How do you make those big, permanent decisions that are intertwined with so many emotions? Becki talks about her thoughts, feelings and the decision-making process that allowed her to decide to have her unsighted right eye permanently removed. Join Becki for a conversation with her ocularis, Jon Koroscil.

Becki talks about the security she felt under the care of her long-term pediatric specialist. She also shares her experiences transitioning away from these familiar professionals and into an unfamiliar adult world. Becki is joined by her long-time pediatric rheumatologist Dr. Alan Rosenberg. Don’t miss this touching conversation.

From the moment we wake up each day, we make choices. Some are bigger than others, requiring more time and contemplation before stepping forward. Join Becki as she explores some of her choices that she has made during her vision loss journey. Becki is joined by her dad, Cal, to talk about some of his thoughts and experiences.

Becki considers returning to work as a Registered Nurse, but will it be possible? There is no easy way around it, there's a mountain of boxes that need to be checked, hours of learning and years of acceptance to be faced. Listen in while Becki considers all of her options. Also, meet Becki‘s teacher and friend, Calynda.

Becki shares moments that made her realize change was inevitable, including humorous moments that nudged her out of her comfort zone on the road to redefining herself. Meet Becki‘s friend, Ashley, as they discuss navigating life as blind/partially sighted women.

Friendships can truly be a valuable asset regardless of your life‘s circumstances. Join Becki as she talks about some special friends who have impacted her life. Meet Becki’s other best friend, Valene, as she joins the show to share some of her insights.

Parenting is hard. Parenting when you are blind or partially sighted is a whole other game. Becki shares personal moments as she was learning to be a partially sighted mom, and we meet Bennett, her 10-year-old son, who is her inspiration.

Fear and loneliness feel insurmountable until courage is found. Becki begins to explore what life is going to be like moving forward, and we meet Becki's best friend of 26 years, Erin. This episode may leave you reconsidering some of those old clothes you have kept over the years.

Becki's perseverance continues when she is once again faced with adversity. Join Becki as she experiences a pivotal moment in her vision loss journey and listen to heartfelt moments shared by Becki‘s mother-in-law, Jewel.