Category: Tutorials

Workshop Name Changes

Ali and Siena announced upcoming rebranding of the Textravaganza workshop series.

• Details
  • Siena: Confirmed the “Textravaganza” name will be retained as the overarching brand.
  • Siena: The Wednesday workshop will be renamed “Textravaganza Afternoons.”
  • Siena: The monthly Thursday evening workshop will be renamed “Textravaganza Evenings.”
  • Ali: Confirmed the schedule and format remain the same.
• Conclusion
  • “Textravaganza Afternoons” = Wednesday sessions.
  • “Textravaganza Evenings” = monthly second-Thursday sessions.

Uber Eats Accessibility Tutorial (Main Session Content)

Siena conducted a live, screen-shared VoiceOver demonstration of the Uber Eats ordering experience within the main Uber app on iPhone. The tutorial walked through the full ordering flow from browsing to checkout.

• Details
  • Siena: Explained that Uber Eats exists both as a standalone app and as a tab within the main Uber app; demonstrated using the integrated Uber app.
  • Palmer: Asked whether Uber and Uber Eats are one app or two — Siena clarified both options exist and recommended the standalone app for users who only use Uber Eats.
  • Siena: Demonstrated navigating the app’s bottom tabs: Uber (rides), Eats, Courier, and Shops.
  • Siena: Used the Search Uber Eats field to search for “Swiss Chalet,” yielding 358 results.
  • Siena: Navigated the Swiss Chalet menu using VoiceOver heading navigation, covering sections: Picked For You, Beef is Back (limited time), Deals and Specials, Starters, Rotisserie Chicken, Barbecue Ribs, Handhelds, Wings and Tenders, Bowls and More, Kids Meals, Desserts, Extra Sides and Sauces, Drinks, and More to Explore.
  • Siena: Demonstrated adding items to the cart for tutorial participants, including a Deluxe Roast Beef on a Bun (for herself), a Chalet Chicken Soup Bowl (requested by Lily via chat), a Quarter Chicken Dinner with white meat and market vegetables (for Palmer), a Third Rack Barbecue Back Ribs with smoky barbecue sauce, Crispy Chicken Tenders with buffalo sauce and fries (for Ali), and a Ginger Ale.
  • Palmer: Noted that item descriptions are not shown in the list view and require a double-tap to access — Siena confirmed this.
  • Palmer: Observed that calorie counts were displayed for most items and sides, which was useful for making informed choices.
  • Siena: Demonstrated the cart view, showing a subtotal of $101.52 for the full order, with a final total of $123.19 including a $0.99 delivery fee and $20.68 in taxes.
  • Siena: Showed the checkout screen, including tip options (5%, 10%, 15%, or custom), noting that 100% of the tip goes to the courier/driver.
  • Palmer: Asked about UberCash — Siena explained it functions like a prepaid balance that can be used instead of a credit card on file.
  • Siena: Demonstrated removing items from the cart one by one using the VoiceOver Actions menu, adjusting quantity to zero and confirming removal.
  • Ivy: Suggested there might be a “cancel entire order” option; Siena noted she did not find one during exploration.
  • Geoff: Suggested the option might exist but be visually hidden or unlabeled for VoiceOver, referencing a similar experience with another app.
  • Siena: Noted one unlabeled button was encountered in the app but was not relevant to the core ordering flow.
  • Jackie: Commented that Uber Eats is easy to use but can be expensive.
• Conclusion
  • Uber Eats (within the Uber app) is highly accessible, using standard radio buttons and checkboxes that VoiceOver reads clearly.
  • Users should ensure their phone is unlocked before screen sharing.
  • No single “clear cart” button was found; items must be removed individually via the VoiceOver Actions menu.
  • A future session on the Uber “Shop” (grocery delivery) feature was proposed.

Proposed Future Tutorial: Uber Shop (Grocery Delivery)

Following the Uber Eats tutorial, the group discussed exploring the Uber Shop feature in a future session.

• Details
  • Siena: Proposed covering the Uber Shop section in a future Textravaganza Evenings session.
  • Lily: Expressed interest and hoped it would be more accessible than Instacart, which she found problematic.
  • Siena: Agreed, noting she had also encountered issues with Instacart previously.
  • Jackie: Confirmed interest in seeing how grocery shopping via Uber works.
• Conclusion
  • A future Textravaganza Evenings session will be dedicated to the Uber Shop (grocery delivery) feature.

ScribeMe App Removal from the App Store

Ali raised a report from the Blind Apples mailing list about ScribeMe being removed from the App Store.

• Details
  • Ali: Noted he saw a thread claiming ScribeMe had been removed from the App Store, though he expressed uncertainty about the reliability of the source.
  • Jackie: Said she was glad she had already downloaded it.
  • Ali: Pointed out that even existing users would not be able to re-download the app if it is no longer available on the App Store.
• Conclusion
  • The removal of ScribeMe from the App Store was flagged as unconfirmed but worth monitoring.

Technology Refresh Cycle for Accessibility Testing

Palmer raised a question about how frequently accessibility testers should update their equipment.

• Details
  • Palmer: Asked for a general recommendation on how often to replace devices used for accessibility consulting.
  • Ali: Suggested every 3 to 5 years as a reasonable cycle.
  • Siena: Agreed with 3 to 5 years, noting she has had her current Mac for about three years and it still functions well; also mentioned she is receiving new equipment through Ontario’s Assistive Devices Program (ADP).
  • Palmer: Noted his Mac is nearly 10 years old and that his grandmother is offering him a Windows 11 PC with 16 GB of RAM.
  • Lily: Said she typically waits until a device has major issues before upgrading, and does not do accessibility testing, so currency is less critical for her.
  • Ali: Suggested 3 to 5 years as a practical minimum for those doing accessibility work.
• Conclusion
  • A 3-to-5-year refresh cycle is recommended for devices used in accessibility testing.
  • Individual circumstances (device condition, program funding, type of work) may influence the actual timeline.

Google Workspace for Branding and Productivity

Ali discussed his use of Google Workspace for professional branding, storage, and workflow integration.

• Details
  • Ali: Explained that Google Workspace allows him to connect his WordPress.comwebsite domain and use a branded email address (e.g., alimusa@themusaslobodionetwork.ca).
  • Ali: Noted benefits include shared drives, Google Meet integration, additional storage, and AI-generated meeting summaries via Gemini.
  • Siena: Confirmed she is also a Google Workspace subscriber, using the email siena.trigiani@textravaganza.ca, and finds the familiar Google Drive/Docs environment more feature-rich under Workspace.
  • Siena: Also mentioned the support@textravaganza.ca address as a contact point for participants.
  • Palmer: Asked for clarification on how Workspace connects to a website — Ali clarified his site is on WordPress.com, and Workspace is used for domain email and productivity tools.
  • Lily: Asked whether Google Meet also generates AI summaries — Ali confirmed it does, via Gemini, and noted it produces more detailed notes with timestamps compared to Zoom’s AI summary.
  • Ali: Added that Google Meet stores recordings and meeting notes in a dedicated “Meet Recordings” folder in Google Drive, making them easy to locate.
  • Lily: Noted that timestamped transcripts are very useful for navigating long recordings, such as podcasts on YouTube.
  • Ali: Confirmed Google Meet also provides a full transcript.
• Conclusion
  • Google Workspace provides meaningful branding, storage, and productivity benefits for both Ali and Siena.
  • Google Meet’s Gemini-powered summaries and organized recording storage are seen as advantages over Zoom.

Zapier for Workflow Automation

Ali introduced Zapier as a tool he uses to automate recurring event-related email communications.

• Details
  • Ali: Described Zapier as a platform for automating repetitive tasks, not a calendar tool.
  • Ali: Explained he set up a “Zap” that monitors his Google Calendar for events tagged “Books Panel” and automatically sends reminder emails to all invited guests 24 hours and 1 hour before the event.
  • Ali: Noted this eliminates the need to manually schedule and send reminder emails each month.
  • Palmer: Summarized the workflow as writing the email once, scheduling it, and having Zapier execute it automatically — Ali confirmed.
  • Siena: Added that Zapier includes a Copilot (AI) feature that allows users to describe what they want in plain language, and Zapier builds the automation accordingly.
  • Ali: Confirmed he uses Copilot regularly as it makes building Zaps more efficient, especially for tricky field configurations.
  • Lily: Noted Copilot would be especially helpful for new users unfamiliar with the platform.
  • Ali: Highlighted that Zapier’s support team is highly responsive, often assigning a dedicated point of contact for continuity on open cases.
  • Palmer: Asked whether Zapier has an app — Ali and Siena confirmed it is web-only.
• Conclusion
  • Zapier is a web-based automation tool useful for reducing manual, repetitive communication tasks.
  • The Copilot feature lowers the barrier to entry for new users.
  • Zapier’s support team is considered reliable and helpful.

Books Panel Upcoming Event

Ali briefly mentioned the Books Panel event during the Zapier discussion.

• Details
  • Ali: Referenced the Books Panel as a recurring event held on the last Friday of each month, used as an example of a Zapier automation use case.
  • Siena: Noted the next Books Panel is on May 29th.
  • Palmer: Asked to be added to the invite list.
  • Ali: Agreed to add Palmer to the list.
• Conclusion
  • The next Books Panel is scheduled for May 29, 2026.
  • Palmer will be added to the Books Panel invite list.

Accessibility and Transportation Challenges in Rural Areas

A discussion emerged about the difficulties of using ride-sharing and delivery services when living in rural or semi-rural areas.

• Details
  • Lily: Noted that Skip the Dishes does not deliver to her home due to her rural location.
  • Palmer: Described reliance on parents for transportation, uncertainty about whether Uber would service his area, and challenges with no sidewalks and wind affecting hearing aids.
  • Lily: Agreed that proximity to a city significantly increases available options.
  • Palmer: Noted that even in semi-rural areas with nearby houses, the absence of sidewalks creates safety challenges for pedestrians with visual or hearing impairments.
• Conclusion
  • Rural residents face significant barriers to accessing ride-sharing and food delivery services.
  • Lack of sidewalks and transportation infrastructure compounds accessibility challenges for people with disabilities in non-urban areas.

Meta Glasses and the Orion Feature

Palmer briefly mentioned the Meta smart glasses and their Orion outdoor navigation feature.

• Details
  • Palmer: Referenced a Double Tap podcast segment where a co-host used the Orion feature outdoors, noting it provided useful environmental information despite not being officially recommended for outdoor use.
  • Palmer: Explained that using Orion requires the phone app, with the glasses connected to it, and switching back to the Meta AI app via the app switcher when done.
  • Siena: Expressed interest and suggested it could be a future tutorial topic.
• Conclusion
  • Meta glasses with the Orion feature may be a candidate for a future Textravaganza tutorial.

Subscriber Growth and Community Engagement

Ali and Siena encouraged listeners and participants to subscribe to the Textravaganza website newsletter.

• Details
  • Ali: Reported the subscriber list is currently at 79 and growing.
  • Ali: Encouraged podcast listeners and session participants to subscribe at the Textravaganza website.
  • Siena: Offered to manually subscribe anyone who has difficulty signing up.
  • Ali and Siena: Reminded participants of available communication channels: Textravaganza Friends group, WhatsApp workshop group, Messenger, and the support@textravaganza.ca email.
• Conclusion
  • The Textravaganza newsletter currently has 79 subscribers; growth is a shared priority.
  • Multiple contact channels are available for participants needing assistance.

Contact the team:

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Workshop Introduction and Housekeeping

Siena formally opened the session, outlined the day’s agenda, and reviewed meeting housekeeping guidelines.

• Details
  • Siena: Introduced the session as a VoiceOver basics workshop covering iPhone first, then Mac, with Ali as the tutorial host. Also announced the next day’s Textravaganza 2.0 on Uber Eats (7–9 p.m. Eastern).
  • Siena: Reviewed muting/unmuting shortcuts — Command-Shift-A (Mac), Alt-A (PC) — and hand-raise shortcuts — Alt-Y (PC), Option-Y (Mac), Star-6 and Star-9 for phone lines.
  • Palmer: Added that on iPhone with VoiceOver, a two-finger double-tap can mute/unmute in Zoom, though the first use may briefly drop audio before stabilizing.
  • Siena: Confirmed and elaborated on Palmer’s tip, noting the brief audio drop is a known glitch on first use.
• Conclusion
  • Participants were reminded to stay muted during tutorials and unmute with raised hands during Q&A.
  • The two-finger double-tap method for muting on iPhone with VoiceOver was confirmed as functional after the initial use.

VoiceOver iPhone Tutorial — Basic Navigation Gestures

Ali demonstrated core VoiceOver gestures on the iPhone, including navigating the home screen, activating apps, and understanding flick gestures.

• Details
  • Ali: Explained that a short flick left moves to the previous item and a short flick right moves to the next item; emphasized “short” to distinguish from a long swipe.
  • Ali: Demonstrated a one-finger double-tap to activate a focused item, opening the Entertainment folder and then YouTube as a live example.
  • Ali: Showed how to organize apps into folders (e.g., Entertainment, Social, Utilities) and noted his folder structure is preserved via iCloud backup across devices.
  • Ali: Clarified that folder structures and organization would be covered in a future tutorial.
• Conclusion
  • Core gestures covered: short flick left (previous item), short flick right (next item), one-finger double-tap (activate item).
  • Folder organization on the home screen is a planned future tutorial topic.

VoiceOver iPhone Tutorial — Accessing Home Screen and App Switcher (Devices Without Home Button)

Ali demonstrated how to return to the home screen and access the app switcher on Face ID iPhones using VoiceOver.

• Details
  • Ali: Instructed participants to touch the bottom middle of the screen; a blip sound indicates entry into the gesture mode. A quick flick up from that position navigates to the home screen; holding longer triggers “Lift for home” or “Lift for app switcher” prompts.
  • Liz: Asked whether going to the home screen closes the open app; Ali clarified it does not — the app moves to the background in the app switcher.
  • Liz: Mentioned she prefers closing apps to keep things tidy; Ali noted some apps must remain open in the background to function properly.
  • Siena: Added a practical use case — keeping two apps open simultaneously (e.g., Safari and Mail) facilitates copy-pasting between them via the app switcher.
  • Jeroo: Reported difficulty performing the gesture; Ali and Siena advised touching the bottom edge (not left or right corner) and performing a quick flick.
• Conclusion
  • The bottom-middle touch + quick flick up gesture is the standard method to access the home screen or app switcher on Face ID iPhones with VoiceOver.
  • Some apps require background operation; closing all apps is not always recommended.

VoiceOver iPhone Tutorial — Flick Up/Down and the Rotor

Liz raised a question about the function of flick up and flick down gestures, prompting a discussion on the VoiceOver rotor.

• Details
  • Liz: Asked what a flick up does in general, noting she had recently learned the flick down and found it very useful.
  • Ali: Explained that flick up and down interact with the rotor — for example, if the rotor is set to “Characters,” flicking up moves to the previous character and flicking down to the next.
  • Liz: Confirmed understanding and expressed appreciation for learning new gestures through the workshop.
• Conclusion
  • Flick up/down behavior depends on the current rotor setting; this enables granular navigation (e.g., by character, word, or line).

VoiceOver iPhone Tutorial — Notification Center

Ali demonstrated how to access and navigate Notification Center using VoiceOver.

• Details
  • Ali: Explained that touching the top middle of the screen and performing a quick flick down accesses Notification Center; a second flick down accesses Control Center.
  • Ali: Showed live notifications including grouped Gmail, Mona, Discord, YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, and sports news items.
  • Ali: Explained that notifications from apps with five or more items are grouped by app; this grouping behavior is configurable and will be covered in a future tutorial.
  • Ali: Recommended using Notification Center or the lock screen rather than asking Siri “Do I have any new messages?” for more reliable and accurate results.
  • Ali: Advised against using the mute switch to ask the voice assistant about messages, as this can cause missed notifications; instead, recommended setting up Focus modes with haptics and sounds enabled.
  • Jeroo: Asked for a repeat of the Notification Center access steps; Ali clarified the top-middle touch + flick down sequence.
  • Jackie: Asked if there is a way to prevent the phone from locking while reading notifications; Ali confirmed there is currently no way to change this behavior in iOS.
• Conclusion
  • Notification Center is accessed via top-middle touch + quick flick down; it is the recommended method for checking messages accurately.
  • Grouped notifications appear when five or more notifications exist from a single app.
  • Phone auto-locking during notification reading is a current iOS limitation with no known workaround.

Suppressing VoiceOver Passcode Announcement

Liz raised a privacy concern about VoiceOver announcing her passcode aloud in public.

• Details
  • Liz: Asked how to prevent VoiceOver from speaking her passcode when unlocking the phone in public, noting she is deaf and uses VoiceOver at high volume.
  • Siena: Suggested sharing the screen only after the phone is already unlocked, or using keyboard/braille screen input to enter the passcode silently.
  • Siena: Recommended using a three-finger double-tap to toggle speech off before entering the passcode, then toggling it back on afterward.
• Conclusion
  • A three-finger double-tap toggles VoiceOver speech on/off, allowing silent passcode entry in public settings.

VoiceOver iPhone Tutorial — Control Center

Ali navigated through Control Center, demonstrating its layout and available toggles.

• Details
  • Ali: Accessed Control Center via the top-middle touch + two flick downs; demonstrated three pages of controls including Airplane Mode, AirDrop, Wi-Fi, brightness, volume, screen lock rotation, and connectivity options (Bluetooth, cellular data, VPN, personal hotspot).
  • Ali: Noted his Braille display (Brilliant BI40X) appeared in the Bluetooth section and expressed appreciation for the device.
  • Liz: Asked about clearing a recurring Visa payment notification; Ali said he would address notification clearing shortly.
  • Liz: Asked about VPN and hotspot usage; Ali advised against leaving hotspot on due to data and battery drain, recommending Wi-Fi at home and cellular data only when needed.
  • Palmer: Added that using cellular data is acceptable when Wi-Fi quality is poor.
  • Lily: Suggested going into cellular data settings to disable data for high-consumption apps (e.g., video streaming, maps) while keeping it on for email and messages.
  • Ali: Confirmed he had done this and thanked Lily for the tip.
• Conclusion
  • Control Center provides quick access to key device toggles; accessed via top-middle touch + two flick downs.
  • Hotspot and VPN should be used sparingly due to data and battery impact.
  • Disabling cellular data for specific high-usage apps is a recommended data-saving strategy.

Background App Refresh

Jackie asked about the impact of Background App Refresh on battery life.

• Details
  • Jackie: Asked whether turning off Background App Refresh saves battery, having heard this recommendation online.
  • Ali: Recommended leaving Background App Refresh on, as some apps require it to update content while running in the background.
• Conclusion
  • Background App Refresh should remain enabled to ensure apps function correctly and stay updated.

Screen Share Audio Routing Issues and Loopback Workaround

Ali encountered persistent issues with Zoom screen sharing not transmitting VoiceOver audio, leading to a workaround using Loopback and QuickTime.

• Details
  • Ali: Attempted to share his iPhone screen via Zoom but VoiceOver audio was not coming through despite the screen being visible.
  • Ashlyn: Noted similar issues had occurred in previous sessions.
  • Ali: Decided to route VoiceOver audio through the call directly using Loopback (a Mac audio routing app) and QuickTime Player for audio capture.
  • Siena: Assisted with setup, advising Ali to select the Loopback device in QuickTime and set volume to 100%.
  • Ali: Encountered an echo after initial setup; resolved by switching the QuickTime input from the Loopback device back to Ali’s iPhone microphone directly.
  • Macara: Confirmed audio was working correctly after the fix; Ashlyn also confirmed.
  • Ali: Explained that Loopback allows routing of audio from sources that cannot natively come through a call, such as VoiceOver output.
• Conclusion
  • VoiceOver audio was successfully routed through the Zoom call using Loopback and QuickTime after screen sharing failed.
  • Loopback is a useful tool for routing non-native audio sources into calls.

VoiceOver Mac Tutorial — Dock Navigation

Ali transitioned to the Mac and demonstrated VoiceOver navigation of the Dock.

• Details
  • Ali: Used Command-Tab to switch to Finder, then Control-Option-D to navigate to the Dock.
  • Ali: Demonstrated Control-Option-Left Arrow (previous item) and Control-Option-Right Arrow (next item) to move through 53 Dock items, reading each aloud including Finder, Contacts, FaceTime, Mail, Messages, Safari, Zoom, Reaper, GoldWave, Loopback, Discord, and others.
  • Ali: Used Control-Option-Home to jump to the beginning of the Dock.
  • Ali: Noted that first-letter navigation also works in the Dock (e.g., pressing “G” to jump to Google Chrome).
• Conclusion
  • Mac VoiceOver Dock navigation uses Control-Option-Left/Right Arrow; Control-Option-Home jumps to the start.
  • First-letter navigation is also available in the Dock.

VoiceOver Mac Tutorial — Web Browsing on CELA

Ali demonstrated web browsing using VoiceOver on the Mac, navigating to the CELA library website to search for a book.

• Details
  • Ali: Opened Google Chrome using first-letter navigation (“G”) from the Dock and pressed Enter to launch it.
  • Ali: Used Command-L to access the address bar and navigated to the CELA website.
  • Ali: Used Control-Option-Command-J to access the accessibility jump menu and navigated to the search field using heading and list navigation.
  • Siena: Suggested searching for “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time” by Mark Haddon.
  • Ali: Encountered a search error on the first attempt due to a spelling issue; Lily suggested “nighttime” may be one word, which resolved the search.
  • Ali: Found multiple results and navigated through available formats: Braille (contracted), Electronic Braille, DAISY Audio (Direct to Player and Zip), DAISY Text, Word, and EPUB.
  • Ali: Selected EPUB Zip as his preferred format for the demonstration.
  • Ali: Explained that one-finger double-tap (on iPhone) and Control-Option-Space (on Mac) are used to activate items and expand menus.
• Conclusion
  • Web browsing with VoiceOver on Mac uses heading navigation, list navigation, and the accessibility jump menu (Control-Option-Command-J).
  • CELA offers multiple accessible formats; EPUB and DAISY Audio Zip are commonly preferred.

Accessible Book Formats — EPUB vs. DAISY Audio vs. Synthetic Audio

A discussion arose about the differences between accessible book formats available on CELA and how they work with Voice Dream Reader.

• Details
  • Lily: Asked whether EPUB files can be imported into e-book readers like Kindle; Ali confirmed they can and noted he uses Voice Dream Reader.
  • Makara: Asked whether EPUB and DAISY Audio Zip function similarly in Voice Dream Reader; Ali confirmed they do, noting EPUB provides the text copy and allows use of a preferred TTS voice.
  • Palmer: Asked about the difference between synthetic audio and DAISY Zip formats.
  • Ali: Explained that DAISY Zip is preferred when human-narrated audio is available, as it packages audio and text together for Voice Dream Reader. Synthetic audio uses a pre-rendered TTS voice and is less preferred.
  • Siena: Clarified that with synthetic audio, users are limited to the voice embedded in the format, whereas EPUB in Voice Dream Reader allows selection of any preferred voice.
  • Siena: Added that Voice Dream Reader also works with VoiceOver and Braille displays, enabling Braille reading of books.
  • Ali: Noted that CELA has reduced its human-narrated audio content over time; he prefers audio formats for consistent position tracking.
  • Lily: Pointed out that CELA does not prioritize human-narrated audio in search results but that filters at the bottom of the page allow users to filter out synthetic audio.
• Conclusion
  • EPUB and DAISY Audio Zip are both compatible with Voice Dream Reader; EPUB allows custom voice selection.
  • Synthetic audio is limited to the embedded voice and is generally less preferred.
  • CELA’s filter options can be used to show only human-narrated audio content.

Audiobook Platforms and Services

Participants discussed various audiobook platforms, their pros and cons, and accessibility considerations.

• Details
  • Ashlyn: Mentioned using Audible and Libby; noted Libby waitlists can be months long for popular titles, which is a key advantage of Audible.
  • Ali: Acknowledged he has an Audible monthly membership and a growing library; mentioned he used to monitor Audible Daily Deals but has stopped to avoid impulse purchases.
  • Lily: Noted her family accumulated 120–130 Audible titles over 10 years and retained them after cancelling membership.
  • Ali: Expressed interest in the Harry Potter Full Cast Edition on Audible.
  • Makara: Suggested a Libby tutorial for a future session.
  • Ashlyn: Mentioned Hoopla as another Hamilton library option.
  • Palmer: Mentioned using Cloud Library through his library board; noted some e-book navigation issues (e.g., large page chunks, getting stuck between pages).
  • Palmer: Confirmed Libby replaced OverDrive.
  • Jackie: Suggested Google Play Books as an option for purchasing individual audiobooks or e-books without a subscription.
  • Siena: Mentioned Apple Books as another potential source.
  • Palmer: Looked up the audiobooks app Liz mentioned; confirmed it is free to download but books are purchased individually.
  • Jackie: Noted she has Spotify Premium, which includes 15 hours of free audiobook listening per month; mentioned she used all 15 hours for the first time last month.
  • Ali: Noted 15 hours per month is insufficient for heavy readers.
  • Liz: Asked about a specific book — “Expert Tips for Travelers with Vision Loss” — not available on CELA; Ali suggested signing up for Audible for one month, using a credit to get the book, then cancelling.
  • Ashlyn: Confirmed she had to use an Audible credit for the same book.
  • Ali: Mentioned he had a 5-credit bundle offer from Audible for $35 but declined it.
  • Ashlyn: Highlighted that Audible offers full-cast productions and Great Courses content.
  • Siena: Mentioned she has done accessibility testing for Libby at her sister’s request and may pursue a library card to use it.
• Conclusion
  • Multiple audiobook platforms were discussed: Audible, Libby, Hoopla, Cloud Library, 

Future Tutorial Topics

Participants collectively proposed a range of future tutorial topics throughout the session.

• Details
  • Ali: Proposed a future tutorial on customizing VoiceOver commands (tentatively scheduled for June).
  • Ali: Proposed a tutorial on iPhone folder structures and home screen organization.
  • Makara: Suggested a Goodreads tutorial.
  • Makara and Ali: Agreed to do a Voice Dream Reader tutorial.
  • Ali: Suggested revisiting Audible in a future session.
  • Ashlyn: Requested more book app tutorials generally.
  • Lily: Expressed interest in a Voice Dream Reader tutorial.
  • Siena: Added a Libby tutorial to the reminder list.
  • Ashlyn: Mentioned Hoopla as a potential tutorial topic.
  • Ali: Noted the upcoming books panel and expressed enthusiasm for the overlap between book content and Textravaganza.
  • Siena: Mentioned the Musa Slobodia Network has a Textravaganza commercial; Ali noted a link to a recent episode featuring Becky Coles would be included in the Textravaganza posting.
• Conclusion
  • Confirmed upcoming topics include: customizing VoiceOver commands (June), Libby, Voice Dream Reader, Audible, Goodreads, folder organization, and book app tutorials.
  • Makara agreed to update the tutorial topic list.

Check out the updated topics list for Techstravaganza at the following link: https://techstravaganza.ca/2026/05/13/updated-as-of-may-13-2026-whats-coming-up-on-techstravaganza/

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Key Takeaways

• Cable organization strategies vary widely among participants, from minimalist setups to more complex arrangements with multiple devices
• NVDA (Non-Visual Desktop Access) is a free, open-source screen reader alternative to JAWS on Windows
• Browse mode and focus mode are essential concepts for web navigation with NVDA
• NVDA offers quick voice and speech rate adjustments using keyboard shortcuts
• Both JAWS and NVDA have distinct advantages depending on user needs and preferences

Listen to the Tutorial on Jaws Basics from Techstravaganza 2.0 if You Want to Know More About The Different Options on Windows, Find it at The Following Link

JAWS Basics, Thursday, Mar 12, 2026

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Key takeaways

• Comprehensive tutorial on iPhone Mail app covering navigation, mailbox management, message composition, deletion, and thread reading
• Demonstrated creating new mailboxes/folders within email accounts and reordering mailboxes using VoiceOver gestures
• Explained differences between categories view and list view for organizing emails
• Discussed limitations of mobile devices versus computers for certain tasks, particularly heavy-duty work in Google Workspace
• Gmail notifications in native Mail app are inconsistent due to fetch vs. push limitations; recommended using dedicated Gmail app for reliable notifications
• Next session scheduled for May 6th will cover cable management discussion and NVDA basics

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ScribeMe App Overview and Settings

Siena demonstrated the app’s interface, navigation, and customization options.

• Details
  • Siena: Showed five main tabs – Home, Snap and Scribe, Live Assist, Upgrade, and Profile
  • Settings include haptic feedback, processing sounds, dark mode, language options, and voice selection for Live Assist
  • Six voice options available: Anna, Sophia, Veena, Leo, Max, and Alex
  • Ali: Suggested Voice 4 (Leo) as a preference
  • Siena: Selected Sophia as the Live Assist voice after testing multiple options
• Conclusion
  • App is highly customizable with accessibility features
  • Voice selection is a matter of personal preference
  • Settings allow for language customization across different features

PDF Scanning and Reading Functionality

Siena demonstrated uploading and scanning a 300-page Roland EX50 keyboard manual.

• Details
  • Siena: Uploaded the manual from iCloud Drive, which took several minutes to process due to file size
  • Earl: Confirmed that larger files take longer to scan, even smaller 8-9 page files can take about a minute
  • The app extracted text, labeled headings and lists, generated detailed alt text for images, and allowed navigation by headings
  • Siena: Demonstrated asking AI questions about the document, such as locating specific buttons
  • The AI provided contextual answers based on the manual content but acknowledged limitations when diagrams weren’t detailed enough
• Conclusion
  • PDF scanning is highly effective for technical manuals and documents with images
  • Processing time varies with file size
  • AI question feature is useful but has limitations based on available information in the document
  • Paid subscription allows up to 400 pages per file; free version limited to 10 pages

PowerPoint File Demonstration

Siena created a PowerPoint summary of the Focus Blue braille display manual using ChatGPT, then scanned it with ScribeMe.

• Details
  • Siena: Used ChatGPT to generate a PowerPoint presentation summarizing the Focus Blue user manual
  • Demonstrated using the share sheet to open the PowerPoint file in ScribeMe
  • Earl: Explained that files can be shared directly from Dropbox or other cloud services to ScribeMe via the share sheet
  • Hans: Asked about accessing files from external sources like Dropbox or pCloud
  • The app successfully read the PowerPoint content including bullet points and headings
• Conclusion
  • ScribeMe can read PowerPoint files even without PowerPoint installed on the device
  • Share sheet integration provides flexible file access from various cloud storage services
  • Useful for accessing presentation content on mobile devices

Snap and Scribe Photo Feature

Siena demonstrated taking photos and receiving detailed descriptions.

• Details
  • Siena: Took a selfie which was described in detail including headset, room features, lighting, and facial expression
  • New facial recognition feature allows users to save photos of people for identification in future photos
  • Siena: Added her own photo to the recognition database
  • Hans: Noted that photos taken in portrait mode sometimes appear rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise
  • Earl: Confirmed orientation lock works fine for him
  • Liz: Asked about practical applications like identifying people at dinner tables or reading utility bills
• Conclusion
  • Photo descriptions are extremely detailed, including environmental context
  • Facial recognition feature requires permission and consent from individuals
  • Orientation issues may vary by device settings
  • Useful for scanning physical documents like bills or cooking instructions

Live Assist Real-Time Visual Assistance

Siena demonstrated the Live Assist feature with real-time AI-powered descriptions.

• Details
  • Siena: Used Live Assist to describe her workspace, including laptop, keyboards, and braille display
  • Demonstrated identifying buttons on the Roland EX50 keyboard with mixed accuracy
  • The AI voice (Sophia) provided conversational, real-time responses
  • Jackie: Impressed by how realistic the AI voice sounded, initially thought it was a human volunteer
  • Liz: Asked about using Live Assist while walking in a mall to identify stores
  • Hans: Clarified that free users get 10 minutes per day with a 24-hour reset period from time of use
  • Jackie: Expressed interest in using it for cooking instructions and thermostat adjustments
• Conclusion
  • Live Assist provides conversational, real-time visual assistance
  • AI voice quality is highly realistic and natural-sounding
  • Free version limitation of 10 minutes per day may be restrictive for complex tasks
  • Useful for navigation, object identification, and reading labels
  • Works with Meta glasses for hands-free operation

Subscription Costs and Value Discussion

Participants discussed the pricing and whether the subscription is worthwhile.

• Details
  • Siena: Confirmed the paid subscription costs $24 per month
  • Multiple participants: Expressed concern about having too many subscriptions
  • Ali: Mentioned cutting back on subscriptions
  • Earl: Acknowledged it’s a good product but questioned how many subscriptions one wants to pay for
  • Liz: Called it pricey but acknowledged value depends on individual needs
  • Jackie: Preferred to use the free version as much as possible to avoid extra costs
  • Hans: Noted the free version recently increased from 4 to 10 minutes of Live Assist per day
• Conclusion
  • Subscription cost is a significant consideration for many users
  • Value depends on frequency of use and specific needs
  • Free version provides enough functionality for occasional users
  • Recommendation to try free version before committing to paid subscription

Security and Privacy Concerns

Discussion about data security when scanning sensitive documents.

• Details
  • Liz: Raised concerns about security when scanning financial documents
  • Earl: Explained that ScribeMe processes content through the internet, not on-device
  • Earl: Recommended VDScan for on-device processing of sensitive documents
  • Ali: Asked about VDScan’s development status by Winston Chen
  • Earl: Confirmed VDScan hasn’t been updated recently but Voice Dream Reader (sold to Applause group) is actively maintained
• Conclusion
  • ScribeMe is not suitable for highly sensitive financial documents due to internet processing
  • VDScan offers on-device processing for security-conscious users
  • Users should consider security implications when choosing which app to use for different document types

Practical Use Cases and Limitations

Participants explored various applications and constraints of ScribeMe features.

• Details
  • Liz: Questioned advantages over VoiceOver’s built-in PDF reading
  • Siena: Explained ScribeMe excels at describing images, tables, and charts that lack alt text
  • Jackie: Interested in using for cooking instructions and thermostat adjustments
  • Liz: Asked about identifying people in social situations like church gatherings
  • Siena: Explained facial recognition works best in static situations like seated dinners, not mingling crowds
  • Jackie: Expressed frustration with taking photos due to focus and positioning challenges
  • Hans: Noted Snap and Scribe allows one photo at a time on free version, similar to Be My Eyes
• Conclusion
  • ScribeMe adds value beyond standard screen readers for image-heavy documents
  • Live Assist is more practical than photo-taking for real-time needs
  • Facial recognition has limitations in dynamic social situations
  • Free version restrictions are manageable for basic use cases
  • Live Assist sessions cannot be saved for later reference

File History and Session Recording

Discussion about saving and accessing previous scans and sessions.

• Details
  • Siena: Demonstrated accessing previously scanned files through Profile > File History
  • Jackie: Asked if Live Assist sessions can be saved
  • Hans and Siena: Confirmed Live Assist sessions cannot be saved
  • Siena: Explained file history only works for scanned PDFs, PowerPoints, and images, not Live Assist sessions
• Conclusion
  • Scanned documents are saved in file history for future access
  • Live Assist sessions are not recorded or saved
  • Users must complete tasks within their Live Assist time limit

Stay tuned for the updated topic schedule for the next couple months of workshops, coming very soon!

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DocuScan Plus Overview and Main Features

Siena introduced DocuScan Plus as the main topic of the workshop, explaining it is an application by Numa Solutions that allows users to scan documents and read PDFs with screen readers.

• Details
  • Siena: Explained that DocuScan Plus was formerly made by Serotech, the same company that created System Access To Go screen reader
  • Siena: Noted the software is compatible with JAWS, NVDA, Narrator on PC, and VoiceOver on Mac
  • Siena: Mentioned the software is priced in US dollars and may be expensive, but cheaper than Kurzweil
  • Siena: Stated she was unable to demonstrate the scanning feature due to driver installation issues with her Canon Lide 320 scanner
  • Siena: Confirmed the software does not currently work on iOS, Android, or iPad devices
• Conclusion
  • DocuScan Plus is a cross-platform accessible document reading and OCR solution
  • The software requires proper scanner drivers to be installed for scanning functionality
  • Mobile versions are not currently available

Mac Version Interface and Navigation

Siena demonstrated the Mac version of DocuScan Plus, showing the main interface options and navigation methods.

• Details
  • Siena: Showed the main window contains options for Scan a document, Read a document on this computer, Manage Documents, Download from Bookshare, Preferences, My Account, and Help
  • Siena: Explained that Command-Comma does not work to access preferences on Mac, users must click the Preferences button
  • Siena: Demonstrated that documents can be read using standard VoiceOver navigation commands including arrow keys for character-by-character reading and Option-arrow keys for word-by-word reading
  • Siena: Showed the Manage Documents section displays saved documents in a table format
• Conclusion
  • The Mac interface is VoiceOver accessible with standard navigation commands
  • Documents are stored locally or in the cloud through the Manage Documents feature
  • Keyboard shortcuts differ slightly from standard Mac conventions

Voice and Text-to-Speech Settings

Siena explored the extensive voice options available in DocuScan Plus on Mac, demonstrating various system voices.

• Details
  • Siena: Showed that users can select from all installed Mac voices including Alex, Nathan, Tom, Samantha, and many others
  • Siena: Demonstrated novelty voices like Bad News, Good News, Bells, Boing, Bubbles, Jester, and Zarvox
  • Siena: Explained that Eloquence voices (formerly only in JAWS) are now available on Mac including Eddie (formerly Glenn), Grandma, Grandpa, Reed, and Shelley
  • Siena: Noted that users can adjust speaking rate (faster/slower), pitch (higher/lower), and punctuation levels (none, some, most, all)
  • Rob: Asked about the difference between Jester on iPhone versus Mac, noting it was called Hysterical
  • Siena: Clarified that Apple updated the voice and changed the name
• Conclusion
  • DocuScan Plus supports all system-installed voices on Mac
  • Users can customize speech parameters extensively
  • Apple has made Eloquence voices available across all platforms

Document Language Support

Siena demonstrated the multiple language options available for OCR processing in DocuScan Plus.

• Details
  • Siena: Showed that DocuScan Plus supports 18 languages including English, French, Spanish, German, Italian, Portuguese (both European and Brazilian), Danish, Dutch, Finnish, Greek, Hungarian, Norwegian, Polish, Russian, Swedish, and Turkish
  • Siena: Mentioned she was pleased to see French support since she speaks and reads French
• Conclusion
  • DocuScan Plus provides extensive multilingual OCR support
  • Users can select the appropriate language for accurate text recognition

Braille Display Settings

Siena briefly reviewed the Braille preferences available in DocuScan Plus.

• Details
  • Siena: Showed options for various Braille translation tables including English US Grade 1, English US Grade 2, English UK Grade 1, English UK Grade 2, French Canada, and others
  • Siena: Demonstrated selecting English US Grade 2 as the preferred Braille translation table
• Conclusion
  • DocuScan Plus supports multiple Braille translation tables for different languages and grade levels
  • Users with Braille displays can customize their reading experience

Font and Color Preferences for Low Vision Users

Siena explored the visual customization options available for users with low vision.

• Details
  • Siena: Showed that the default font is Verdana at 18 points, with Times New Roman also available
  • Siena: Demonstrated font size options ranging from 12 point (smallest) to 64 point (largest)
  • Siena: Explained foreground color defaults to black and background color defaults to white, but can be customized
  • Siena: Showed options for unvisited link color (blue) and visited link color (navy)
  • Siena: Noted that users can choose to always use their preferred colors and fonts
• Conclusion
  • DocuScan Plus provides extensive visual customization for low vision users
  • Font sizes can be adjusted significantly to accommodate different vision needs
  • Color schemes can be customized including high contrast options

Reading a PDF Document on Mac

Siena demonstrated opening and reading a PDF document (Yamaha PSR-E473 keyboard manual) using DocuScan Plus on Mac.

• Details
  • Siena: Showed that documents can be opened through the Read a document on this computer button
  • Siena: Demonstrated that DocuScan Plus processes the PDF and extracts text using OCR
  • Siena: Explained that users can navigate using standard VoiceOver commands: left/right arrows for character navigation, Option-left/right arrows for word navigation, up/down arrows for line navigation
  • Siena: Showed the Switch to Extended Processing option which performs more thorough OCR analysis
  • Siena: Demonstrated that documents can be saved in multiple formats including RTF, Braille (BRF), HTML, and plain text
  • Siena: Showed options to create Daisy books and MP3 audio files from documents
• Conclusion
  • PDF documents are successfully processed and made accessible through OCR
  • Navigation follows standard screen reader conventions
  • Multiple export formats provide flexibility for different use cases

Document Management and Cloud Storage

Siena explained how DocuScan Plus manages and stores documents.

• Details
  • Siena: Showed that documents can be saved locally to the computer or stored in the DocuScan Plus cloud
  • Siena: Demonstrated that saved documents appear in the Manage Documents section
  • Siena: Explained that documents saved to the cloud can be accessed from other devices running DocuScan Plus
  • Siena: Showed that users can add bookmarks, set passwords, rename, and delete documents
• Conclusion
  • DocuScan Plus offers both local and cloud storage options
  • Document management features allow for organization and security
  • Cloud synchronization enables cross-device access

PC Version Features and Self-Voicing Mode

Siena demonstrated the Windows PC version of DocuScan Plus, highlighting unique features not available on Mac.

• Details
  • Siena: Showed that when opening DocuScan Plus on PC, users are prompted to choose between putting the screen reader to sleep and using self-voicing mode, or keeping the screen reader active
  • Siena: Demonstrated self-voicing mode using Microsoft David voice
  • Siena: Explained that the PC version can use different text-to-speech engines including Deck Talk, eSpeak, and Microsoft voices
  • Siena: Showed that documents saved to the cloud on Mac are accessible on the PC version
  • Siena: Demonstrated that keyboard shortcuts include Alt-B for Add Bookmark, Alt-G for Go to Bookmark, Alt-C for Email, and Alt-S for Save to this computer
• Conclusion
  • The PC version offers self-voicing mode as an alternative to screen reader use
  • Multiple text-to-speech engines provide flexibility on Windows
  • Cloud synchronization works seamlessly between Mac and PC versions

Opening Documents from File Explorer

Siena demonstrated an alternative method for opening documents in DocuScan Plus directly from Windows File Explorer.

• Details
  • Siena: Showed that users can navigate to a document in File Explorer (or Finder on Mac)
  • Siena: Demonstrated using Shift-F10 to open the context menu
  • Siena: Explained that users can select Open With and choose DocuScan Plus from the list
  • Siena: Noted this method bypasses the need to open DocuScan Plus first and navigate to Read a document on this computer
• Conclusion
  • Documents can be opened directly from the file system using context menus
  • This provides a faster workflow for users who already know the document location

Keyboard Shortcuts and Commands Discussion

Rob and Siena discussed differences between Mac and PC keyboard shortcuts.

• Details
  • Rob: Asked about the relationship between Alt key on PC and Command key on Mac
  • Siena: Explained that the Command key on Mac generally corresponds to the Alt key on PC for application shortcuts
  • Siena: Clarified that the Control key functions similarly on both platforms
  • Rob: Mentioned that different PC keyboards have Insert key in different locations, noting his experience with various keyboard layouts over the years
• Conclusion
  • Keyboard shortcuts differ between Mac and PC but follow general patterns
  • Users transitioning between platforms need to learn the equivalent key combinations

Voice Comparison and Preferences

Rob, Siena, and Jackie discussed various synthesized voices and their characteristics.

• Details
  • Rob: Noted that Eddie on Mac sounds like Glenn in JAWS
  • Siena: Confirmed that Eddie is the Mac name for the same Eloquence voice called Glenn in JAWS
  • Rob: Asked about British Eloquence voices on iPhone
  • Siena: Confirmed that British Eloquence voices are available on iPhone, with Nana being the British version of Grandma, and Jane and Justin being the British versions of Reed and Shelley
  • Rob: Mentioned that NVDA has a telephone voice for Reed
  • Jackie: Commented that some voices sound grumpy or whiny, particularly compact versions of Vocalizer voices
  • Jackie: Expressed preference for Alex on iPhone because he reads properly and takes breaths naturally
  • Siena: Agreed that Alex has unique breathing characteristics that make him sound more natural
• Conclusion
  • Voice preferences vary among users based on clarity, naturalness, and personal taste
  • Eloquence voices have different names across platforms but are the same underlying voices
  • Enhanced versions of voices generally sound clearer than compact versions

Bookshare Integration

Siena briefly mentioned the Bookshare integration feature in DocuScan Plus.

• Details
  • Siena: Showed the Download from Bookshare button in the main interface
  • Siena: Explained that CNIB clients can access Bookshare through CELA
  • Siena: Noted uncertainty about whether DocuScan Plus supports downloading from CELA directly
  • Siena: Mentioned planning to suggest CELA integration to Numa Solutions
• Conclusion
  • DocuScan Plus integrates with Bookshare for downloading accessible books
  • CELA integration is not currently confirmed but could be a valuable addition

Pricing and Availability

Rob and Siena discussed the cost and availability of DocuScan Plus.

• Details
  • Rob: Asked whether there is a free version of DocuScan, noting that Plus often indicates a premium version
  • Siena: Stated that to her knowledge, there is a trial period of approximately 7 to 14 days
  • Siena: Mentioned earlier that the software is priced in US dollars and is somewhat expensive but cheaper than Kurzweil
  • Siena: Noted uncertainty about whether the Assistive Devices Program in Ontario would cover the cost
• Conclusion
  • DocuScan Plus appears to be a paid application with a trial period
  • The Plus designation is part of the product name rather than indicating a premium tier
  • Funding assistance may be available through assistive technology programs

Find Out What’s Coming Up On Future Workshops at The Following Link

Updated as of Mar 10, 2026, What’s Coming Up on Techstravaganza

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1. Smart Lists Setup and Configuration

The session focused on creating and configuring smart lists in the Reminders app, demonstrating how filters automatically sort reminders.

• Details
  • Siena(She/Her): Created a smart list called “Things to do when I get home” with location-based filters
  • Siena(She/Her): Demonstrated setting up arriving home location filter with 100-meter radius
  • Siena(She/Her): Explained that smart lists automatically include reminders matching specified filters
  • Siena(She/Her): Showed how to customize list appearance with colors (indigo, purple) and icons (house icon)
  • Ali: Asked clarifying questions about the filter options and how they work
• Conclusion
  • Smart lists use filters to automatically organize reminders without manual sorting
  • Location filters can trigger reminders when arriving at or leaving specific locations
  • Multiple filter types can be combined including tags, date, time, location, flag, priority, and list

2. Creating Location-Based Reminders

Discussion covered setting up reminders that trigger based on geographic location using the arriving home feature.

• Details
  • Siena(She/Her): Created reminder “Start setting up the Mac for the song bank” with arriving home location
  • Siena(She/Her): Demonstrated setting reminder radius options (100 meters, 300 meters, 500 meters, etc.)
  • Siena(She/Her): Showed how location-based reminders automatically populate smart lists
  • Siena(She/Her): Attempted to create “Put clothes in the wash” reminder but encountered autocorrect issue changing “wash” to “Washington”
  • Ashlyn: Identified that the period after “wash” caused the autocorrect to interpret it as Washington abbreviation
• Conclusion
  • Location-based reminders trigger when within specified radius of saved location
  • Reminders with location filters automatically appear in corresponding smart lists
  • Autocorrect can misinterpret abbreviations when periods are used

3. List Organization and Reordering

Extensive discussion on moving and organizing lists within the Reminders app, highlighting differences between platforms.

• Details
  • Siena(She/Her): Demonstrated dragging lists to reorder them on iPhone
  • Siena(She/Her): Showed that iPhone only offers “move above” option, not “move below”
  • Siena(She/Her): Encountered VoiceOver crashes requiring app restart during reordering
  • Ali: Suggested using edit mode and reorder buttons as alternative method
  • Ali: Recommended flicking down on reorder button to access move up/move down actions
  • Siena(She/Her): Successfully reordered lists after closing and reopening the app
• Conclusion
  • List reordering on iPhone can be finicky and may require app restart
  • Edit mode provides reorder buttons with drag functionality
  • Mac version offers more straightforward list reordering compared to iPhone

4. Creating List Groups

Demonstration of grouping multiple lists together for better organization.

• Details
  • Siena(She/Her): Created “Birthdays and Anniversaries” group containing Family Birthdays, Friends Birthdays, and Anniversaries lists
  • Siena(She/Her): Showed that dropping one list onto another creates a group
  • Siena(She/Her): Demonstrated that groups can be expanded or collapsed
  • Siena(She/Her): Reordered lists within the group to desired sequence
• Conclusion
  • List groups help organize related lists together
  • Groups are created by dropping one list onto another
  • Lists within groups can be reordered independently

5. Alarm Notifications on Locked vs Unlocked Devices

Discussion about handling alarm notifications in different device states.

• Details
  • Ali: Asked how to turn off alarms when device is unlocked
  • Siena(She/Her): Explained that on unlocked device, stop button appears as banner at top right of screen
  • Siena(She/Her): Noted that on lock screen, users can flick right to find snooze or stop buttons
  • Ali: Asked if locking device would allow alarm to snooze automatically
  • Siena(She/Her): Confirmed alarm would return after snooze period if device is locked
  • Siena(She/Her): Mentioned exploring full-screen alarm option in Clock or Notification settings
• Conclusion
  • Unlocked device shows alarm banner at top right requiring touch navigation
  • Lock screen provides easier access to alarm controls through flicking
  • Full-screen alarm option may be available in settings for easier access

6. Shared Lists Feature

Comprehensive demonstration of sharing reminder lists between users for collaboration.

• Details
  • Siena(She/Her): Created “Textravaganza 2.0 test list” with purple computer icon
  • Siena(She/Her): Shared list via Messages to Textravaganza Friends group
  • Ali: Attempted to accept shared list on Mac but encountered issues with collaborate button not responding
  • Ali: Tried multiple methods including clicking collaborate button, reminders link, and unlabeled images
  • Ashlyn: Observed that Mac appeared to hang while phone handled the request
  • Ali: Successfully accepted shared list on iPhone by tapping “Open” button
  • Siena(She/Her): Confirmed shared list appeared in Ali’s reminders with proper permissions
• Conclusion
  • Shared lists enable collaboration between multiple users
  • iPhone provides more reliable interface for accepting shared lists than Mac
  • Mac collaborate button may not respond consistently, requiring iPhone as workaround
  • Shared lists appear in all participants’ Reminders apps with edit access

7. VoiceOver Navigation on Mac Messages App

Detailed walkthrough of using VoiceOver to navigate Messages and accept shared content on Mac.

• Details
  • Ali: Demonstrated using Control-Option-Shift-Home to navigate to toolbar
  • Ali: Explained interacting with collections using Control-Option-Shift-Down
  • Ali: Showed navigating to messages collection and finding specific message
  • Ali: Attempted multiple methods to activate collaborate button without success
  • Ali: Tried actions menu, spacebar, enter key, and various VoiceOver commands
  • Ali: Noted that grouped navigation on iPhone differs from interact functionality on Mac
• Conclusion
  • Mac VoiceOver requires interact commands to navigate nested elements
  • Messages app collaborate button does not respond reliably to VoiceOver activation
  • iPhone VoiceOver provides more streamlined experience for accepting shared content

8. Technical Setup and Screen Sharing

Discussion of technical aspects of presenting and sharing screens during the workshop.

• Details
  • Siena(She/Her): Shared iPhone screen via cable connection to demonstrate features
  • Siena(She/Her): Encountered audio sharing issue when switching from Mac to iPhone share
  • Ashlyn: Confirmed audio was coming through speaker instead of Zoom
  • Siena(She/Her): Resolved by re-enabling “Share Sound” option
  • Ali: Shared Mac screen to demonstrate VoiceOver navigation
  • Ali: Requested pausing recording during screen share setup
• Conclusion
  • Cable connection provides reliable iPhone screen sharing
  • Audio sharing requires explicit enabling when switching between devices
  • Screen sharing setup may require brief recording pauses

9. Reaper Software Updates

Brief discussion about updating Reaper audio software on Mac.

• Details
  • Siena(She/Her): Checked for Reaper updates and found version 7.68 available
  • Ali: Confirmed downloading macOS Universal version for Intel and ARM64
  • Siena(She/Her): Explained process of downloading, copying to Applications folder, and replacing old version
  • Ali: Encountered security prompt confirming no malicious software detected
  • Both: Successfully updated and verified Reaper version
• Conclusion
  • Reaper updates should be installed by closing app first, then replacing in Applications folder
  • macOS Universal version supports both Intel and ARM processors
  • Security prompts confirm software safety before opening

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FaceTime Overview and Basic Features

The session covered FaceTime’s core functionality as Apple’s video and voice calling application available on iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

• Details
  • Siena: Demonstrated FaceTime interface on iPhone 16, showing the edit button, filter options, and recent calls list
  • Siena: Explained that FaceTime allows both video and audio calls between Apple devices
  • Siena: Noted that non-Apple users can join via browser links sent by Apple device users, but cannot initiate calls themselves
  • Samantha: Mentioned using FaceTime on MacBook Air for singing lessons, noting it can be less stable than Google Meet
• Conclusion
  • FaceTime is primarily designed for Apple ecosystem users
  • Cross-platform participation is possible but limited to joining via links
  • The app provides separate options for audio-only and video calls

Live Voicemail Setup and Functionality

Discussion focused on activating and using the live voicemail feature in FaceTime.

• Details
  • Jeroo: Asked how to activate voicemail for FaceTime
  • Siena: Explained the path is Settings/Apps/Phone/Live Voicemail
  • Siena: Clarified that live voicemail is separate from carrier voicemail and has unlimited storage
  • Siena: Demonstrated that live voicemail intercepts both regular phone calls and FaceTime calls
  • Siena: Noted that users can answer calls even while the caller is leaving a voicemail message
  • Max: Asked about custom greetings for voicemail
  • Samantha: Explained that FaceTime uses the Siri voice selected on the device for standard greetings
• Conclusion
  • Live voicemail must be enabled in Phone settings, not FaceTime settings
  • It works for both FaceTime and regular calls
  • The feature uses the device’s Siri voice for greetings by default

Answering FaceTime Calls

Participants discussed methods for accepting incoming FaceTime calls.

• Details
  • Jackie: Expressed difficulty answering FaceTime calls, noting the accept button doesn’t always appear
  • Siena: Explained two methods: navigating to the Accept button and double-tapping, or using the two-finger double-tap magic tap gesture
  • Siena: Recommended enabling full-screen incoming calls in FaceTime settings for easier access
  • Jackie: Confirmed that full-screen mode is acceptable as long as VoiceOver isn’t disrupted
  • Siena: Clarified that the two-finger double-tap works anywhere on the screen for all call types including Messenger, WhatsApp, Discord, and regular phone calls
• Conclusion
  • Two-finger double-tap is the most reliable method for answering calls
  • Full-screen call notifications improve accessibility for VoiceOver users
  • The gesture works consistently across different calling applications

Adding Participants to FaceTime Calls

Extensive testing revealed significant bugs when attempting to add people to ongoing calls.

• Details
  • Jeroo: Asked how to add someone to an existing one-on-one FaceTime call
  • Samantha: Described the process of tapping on your name, finding Add People button, searching for contacts, but noted experiencing bugs where it wouldn’t work
  • Hans: Asked whether the person who receives the call can add others, or only the caller
  • Siena: Attempted multiple methods including the More button and Add People feature, but consistently encountered issues
  • Siena: Found that selecting a contact from Add People only opened the contact card without actually adding them to the call
  • Ali: Attempted to join an ongoing call between Siena and Samantha, but the system ended the first call instead of merging
  • Hans: Suggested that FaceTime video calls work better than audio calls for adding participants
  • Siena: Successfully demonstrated that using Siri voice command to initiate a group call works reliably
• Conclusion
  • The manual Add People feature has persistent bugs preventing proper functionality
  • Attempting to add someone often ends the existing call rather than merging
  • Using Siri to initiate group calls by saying “FaceTime audio [name] and [name]” is the most reliable method
  • FaceTime video calls may have better success rates than audio calls for group features

Creating and Sharing FaceTime Links

The session demonstrated how to create shareable FaceTime links for group calls.

• Details
  • Siena: Showed the Create Link button at the bottom of the new call screen
  • Siena: Demonstrated naming a link “test call” and sharing it via Messages to Ali
  • Siena: Explained that links remain active until deleted by the creator
  • Siena: Sent a link to Samantha via WhatsApp for her to join from Android device
  • Max: Asked for clarification about the link creation process
  • Siena: Explained that Apple users can join directly while non-Apple users join via browser
  • Samantha: Successfully joined the call from Android device via browser link
  • Siena: Noted that approving join requests required multiple taps due to interface bugs
  • Hans: Asked if custom groups can be saved like in Messenger or WhatsApp
  • Siena: Explained that link-based calls appear in recents and can be rejoined easily
• Conclusion
  • FaceTime links enable cross-platform participation
  • Links persist until manually deleted
  • The approval process for browser-based participants has usability issues
  • Link-based calls serve as persistent group call options through the recents list

SharePlay and Audio Sharing Issues

Testing revealed that SharePlay features for sharing audio and video content are unreliable.

• Details
  • Max: Asked how the SharePlay feature works
  • Samantha: Reported that when testing with Nick, she could hear music but Nick couldn’t
  • Siena: Recalled similar issues when attempting to watch Harry Potter together with Samantha
  • Samantha: Mentioned having to use a separate device instead
  • Siena: Tested SharePlay with YouTube during the call with Samantha
  • Samantha: Confirmed she could not hear the YouTube audio being played
  • Siena: Noted that the only successful method was using an external audio mixer with internal audio button enabled
  • Max: Shared ChatGPT information suggesting YouTube SharePlay requires premium subscription
  • Siena: Confirmed having YouTube Premium but still experiencing issues
• Conclusion
  • SharePlay feature for audio and video sharing is consistently buggy
  • Neither Spotify nor YouTube sharing worked reliably during testing
  • External audio equipment may provide a workaround but isn’t a standard solution
  • The feature requires further fixes from Apple

Audio Settings and Voice Quality

Brief discussion about audio quality settings in FaceTime.

• Details
  • Siena: Asked Samantha about wide spectrum and other audio settings
  • Samantha: Mentioned Google Meet has similar features like Studio Mode and stereo mode
  • Samantha: Noted that wide spectrum setting has moved from Control Center to microphone services in the status bar
  • Siena: Asked if settings can be changed before calls
  • Samantha: Clarified that audio settings must be adjusted during an active call
  • Hans: Observed that FaceTime video calls seem to have clearer audio than audio-only calls
• Conclusion
  • Audio quality settings are only accessible during active calls
  • Settings location has changed in recent iOS updates
  • Video calls may provide better audio quality than audio-only calls

Device Compatibility and Cross-Platform Usage

Participants discussed their device usage and compatibility experiences.

• Details
  • Jackie: Mentioned using both Android Samsung Galaxy A03s with Android 13 and iPhone
  • Samantha: Stated using Google Pixel 10 as primary device after selling iPhone
  • Samantha: Noted Google TTS experiencing bugs with voice quality on Pixel devices
  • Siena: Confirmed using both iPhone 16 as primary and Android device
  • Samantha: Discussed using iPad and MacBook Air for FaceTime calls
  • Ali: Mentioned preferring Google Meet for one-on-one calls but Zoom for conferencing
• Conclusion
  • Many participants use multiple devices across platforms
  • Android users can participate in FaceTime via browser links
  • Different platforms have varying strengths for different use cases

Find Out What’s Coming Up on Future Workshops at The Following Link

Updated as of Mar 10, 2026, What’s Coming Up on Techstravaganza

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Introduction to Zapier and AI-powered automation

Ali introduced Zapier as an automation tool that uses Microsoft Copilot integration to build automated workflows called “Zaps.”

• Details
  • Ali: Explained that Zapier allows users to automate tasks across various applications including Google Docs, Gmail, Zoom, and Discord
  • Ali: Noted that the tool only works on desktop computers, not mobile devices
  • Siena(She/Her): Highlighted that Zapier can automate workflows in social media and Google Workspace applications
• Conclusion
  • Zapier is a desktop-only tool that connects multiple applications for workflow automation
  • The Copilot integration allows users to describe desired automation in natural language

Building a Zap with Copilot integration

Ali demonstrated creating an automated workflow using Zapier’s Copilot feature to send email reminders for calendar events.

• Details
  • Ali: Attempted to create a Zap with Google Calendar as the trigger, set to activate 24 hours before events
  • Ali: Instructed Copilot to filter events containing “the Ali and Macara show” and send Gmail notifications to event attendees
  • Ali: Encountered repeated error messages stating “Copilot isn’t responding right now” and “Tool results are missing”
  • Ali: Noted this was the first time experiencing such errors with the platform
• Conclusion
  • The demonstration encountered technical difficulties with the Copilot integration
  • Ali planned to contact Zapier support with screenshots of the errors
  • Despite the errors, the concept of using natural language to build automation workflows was demonstrated

Real-world applications of Zapier automation

Discussion of how Zapier automation is currently being used for the Books Panel and Techstravaganza events.

• Details
  • Ali: Explained that the Books Panel uses Zapier to automatically send reminder emails 24 hours and 1 hour before events
  • Ali: Emphasized that automation eliminates time-consuming repetitive tasks
  • Siena(She/Her): Shared that scheduled email reminders allow her to be away from the computer while reminders are sent automatically
  • Ali: Mentioned being at an event on March 26th without worrying about sending reminders manually
• Conclusion
  • Automation significantly reduces manual workload for event management
  • Scheduled tasks can run without requiring the user to be present at the computer

ChatGPT for document and card creation

Siena demonstrated using ChatGPT to generate printable documents including invitations and birthday cards.

• Details
  • Siena(She/Her): Created a Good Friday dinner invitation by providing specific details including date, time, location, and RSVP information
  • Siena(She/Her): Requested a religious theme and RSVP line, which ChatGPT incorporated with a Bible verse from Isaiah 53:5
  • Siena(She/Her): Had ChatGPT format the invitation as a decorative printable card and generate a PDF version
  • Siena(She/Her): Created an 85th birthday card for Zia Lucia with specific decorations, custom messages, and a generated poem
  • Siena(She/Her): Verified that generated PDFs remained accessible and readable with screen readers
• Conclusion
  • ChatGPT can generate professional-looking printable documents without requiring design skills
  • Users can be as vague or specific as desired in their prompts
  • Generated PDFs maintain accessibility for screen reader users
  • The free version of ChatGPT has message limits for advanced features but resets after several hours

ChatGPT limitations and usage restrictions

Discussion of the limitations encountered when using ChatGPT’s free tier.

• Details
  • Siena(She/Her): Encountered a message stating “You’re out of messages with the most advanced free model”
  • Siena(She/Her): Explained that the free plan provides approximately 10-15 messages using the advanced model before switching to a less powerful model
  • Siena(She/Her): Noted the advanced model would reset at 7:05 PM, allowing continued use after waiting
• Conclusion
  • Free ChatGPT accounts have daily limits on advanced model usage
  • Users can wait for the reset or upgrade to ChatGPT Plus for unlimited access
  • For occasional use, waiting for the reset is a viable option

Customization capabilities of AI-generated content

Hans raised questions about the level of customization possible with AI-generated visual content.

• Details
  • Hans: Asked whether users can specify colors, patterns, and arrangements for elements like candles and balloons
  • Siena(She/Her): Confirmed that users can specify colors, designs, and patterns in their prompts
  • Hans: Inquired about language customization, such as creating content in German or Italian
  • Siena(She/Her): Confirmed that users can write custom messages in different languages and ChatGPT will incorporate them
• Conclusion
  • AI tools allow extensive customization of visual elements through detailed prompts
  • Users can create content in multiple languages with custom messages
  • Blind users can specify visual preferences even without seeing the final result

AI capabilities for audio and voice content

Hans inquired about AI’s ability to create audio content beyond text and images.

• Details
  • Hans: Asked whether AI could create promotional content with voices and sound effects
  • Hans: Mentioned Suno for song creation and wondered about creating radio promos
  • Siena(She/Her): Suggested Eleven Labs as an AI voice generator tool
  • Hans: Raised concerns about voice cloning technology being used by scammers
  • Siena(She/Her): Acknowledged the concerning aspect that only 3 seconds of voice recording is needed for cloning
• Conclusion
  • AI voice generation tools like Eleven Labs exist for creating audio content
  • Voice cloning technology raises security concerns due to potential misuse
  • Most advanced voice generation tools require paid subscriptions beyond trial periods

Comparison of different AI tools and their strengths

Discussion of how different AI platforms excel in different areas.

• Details
  • Siena(She/Her): Noted that ChatGPT shines in content creation tasks
  • Siena(She/Her): Mentioned that Perplexity excels more in research-oriented tasks
  • Siena(She/Her): Emphasized that AI tools can be mixed and matched based on specific needs
• Conclusion
  • Different AI platforms have different strengths and optimal use cases
  • Users should select AI tools based on their specific task requirements
  • Combining multiple AI tools can create a more effective workflow

Personal perspectives on AI adoption

Participants shared their experiences and hesitations regarding AI technology.

• Details
  • Hans: Expressed hesitation about trying AI, feeling it’s different from traditional computer interactions
  • Hans: Noted that AI represents a shift from one-word searches to conversational interactions
  • Siena(She/Her): Shared that she was initially hesitant due to concerns about AI replacing jobs
  • Siena(She/Her): Concluded that AI is valuable when used to complement and enhance workflow rather than replace human work
• Conclusion
  • AI represents a significant shift in how users interact with technology
  • Initial hesitation about AI adoption is common among users
  • AI is most beneficial when viewed as a tool to enhance productivity rather than a replacement for human work

Find Out What’s Coming Up On Techstravaganza At The Following Link

Updated as of Mar 10, 2026, What’s Coming Up on Techstravaganza

Contact the team:

Email: support@techstravaganza.ca

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Music to Ringtone app demonstration

Siena demonstrated the Music to Ringtone app for iPhone ringtone creation.

• Details
  • Siena: App available as free version with option to remove ads for approximately 1-2 dollars one-time purchase
  • Siena: Showed features including fade in/fade out duration controls, audio effects like echo and reverberation
  • Siena: Demonstrated selecting start position and duration for ringtone clips
  • Siena: Successfully created text tone from “Save the Last Dance For Me” by The Drifters
• Conclusion
  • Music to Ringtone app provides user-friendly interface for basic ringtone creation
  • App includes audio editing features beyond simple trimming

Screen sharing audio troubleshooting

Multiple attempts were needed to get screen sharing audio working properly in Zoom.

• Details
  • Ali: Initially could not hear VoiceOver through screen share
  • Siena: Discovered share sound checkbox appeared checked but wasn’t actually enabled
  • Ali: Identified that JAWS audio was balanced to left channel, preventing proper sharing
  • Palmer and Ashlyn: Confirmed when audio sharing was working correctly
• Conclusion
  • Share sound setting needed to be toggled to work properly
  • Audio balance settings can interfere with screen sharing

Downloading audio from YouTube using ezconv.cc

Siena demonstrated downloading full songs from YouTube for ringtone creation.

• Details
  • Siena: Used ezconv.cc website to download “Alvin’s Harmonica” song from YouTube
  • Siena: Emphasized the site is safe, has no pop-ups or ads, and won’t install viruses
  • Siena: Works across multiple browsers consistently
  • Jackie: Asked if full songs can be downloaded, confirmed yes
• Conclusion
  • ezconv.cc is a reliable and safe tool for downloading YouTube audio
  • Downloads full songs in MP3 format for further editing

Reaper audio editing for ringtone creation

Detailed demonstration of using Reaper for precise ringtone editing with multiple examples.

• Details
  • Siena: Created text tone by trimming “Alvin’s Harmonica” to just the harmonica playing section
  • Ali: Showed how to save default project settings including zoom level and render format
  • Siena: Demonstrated splitting items, deleting unwanted sections, and moving clips to project beginning
  • Ali: Recommended using FLAC format for archival copies to avoid quality loss from repeated MP3 compression
  • Siena: Set zoom level to 250 milliseconds per pixel for detailed editing
  • Palmer: Expressed interest in learning Reaper basics
• Conclusion
  • Reaper provides significantly more control than Music to Ringtone app
  • Saving default project settings streamlines workflow
  • FLAC format recommended for master files to preserve quality

Reaper accessibility and scripts

Discussion about accessibility tools for using Reaper with screen readers.

• Details
  • Palmer: Asked about JAWS scripts and accessibility setup
  • Ali: Uses both JAWS scripts from Snowman Radio and Osara extension together
  • Ali: Recommended Reapers Without Peepers mailing list as excellent resource for networking
  • Ali: Offered to demonstrate basic editing and project assembly in future tutorial
  • Palmer: Interested in basic functionality, not advanced features
• Conclusion
  • Multiple accessibility tools work together for Reaper access
  • Community resources available through Reapers Without Peepers list
  • Future Reaper tutorial planned for basic editing skills

Creating multiple ringtones from single song

Siena created three different ringtones from “Alvin’s Harmonica” song.

• Details
  • Siena: First created short text tone with just harmonica playing
  • Rob: Recognized the song and expressed enthusiasm for Hockey Night in Canada theme
  • Siena: Created full ringtone with Dave’s dialogue “Alvin, put that harmonica down”
  • Siena: Created third ringtone titled “It’s Not Supposed to Be a Cha-Cha-Cha” featuring the ending
  • Palmer: Suggested alternative naming conventions for ringtones
  • Max: Asked about bitrate settings, Siena estimated 128 kbps
• Conclusion
  • Single song can yield multiple creative ringtone variations
  • Ringtone length must stay under 29 seconds for iPhone compatibility
  • Creative naming helps organize custom ringtone library

Testing custom ringtones on iPhone

Live testing of newly created ringtones during the meeting.

• Details
  • Rob: Called Siena to test “Save the Last Dance” ringtone, successfully played
  • Ashlyn, Ali, and Maxwell: Sent test text messages to verify text tone
  • Siena: Discovered Do Not Disturb was accidentally enabled
  • Ali: Explained “notify anyway” option when Do Not Disturb is active
  • Siena: Set “Alvin’s Harmonica cha-cha-cha” as default ringtone
• Conclusion
  • Custom ringtones and text tones worked successfully on iPhone
  • Live testing confirmed proper installation and playback

Spotify downloading possibilities

Discussion emerged about downloading music from Spotify for ringtones.

• Details
  • Jeroo: Asked if downloading from Spotify is possible
  • Palmer: Found spotdownloader.com website that claims to download Spotify music as MP3
  • Siena: Had not explored Spotify downloading but willing to investigate
  • Jackie: Expressed strong interest as frequent Spotify user
  • Jeroo: Interested in offline listening capability
• Conclusion
  • spotdownloader.com identified as potential Spotify download tool
  • Feature requires further testing and verification
  • High interest from multiple participants for Spotify downloading tutorial

Future tutorial planning

Participants requested additional tutorials on related topics.

• Details
  • Siena: Proposed part 2 tutorial covering additional ringtone sources beyond YouTube
  • Jeroo: Requested tutorial specifically on spotdownloader.com for Spotify
  • Jackie: Strongly interested in Spotify downloading tutorial
  • Palmer: Interested in basic Reaper tutorial
  • Ali: Offered to demonstrate Reaper basics and potentially bring in Jack for advanced questions
• Conclusion
  • Part 2 ringtone tutorial planned covering alternative sources
  • Spotify downloading tutorial requested by multiple participants
  • Reaper basics tutorial to be scheduled

Find Out What’s Coming Up on Future Workshops At The Following Link

Updated as of Mar 10, 2026, What’s Coming Up on Techstravaganza

Contact the team:

Email: support@techstravaganza.ca

Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578990010675

Follow the Show:

Tunein: http://tun.in/pxXlj

On Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/techstravaganza/id1846930800

On Audible: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/techstravaganza/id1846930800

On iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-techstravaganza-301161434/

On Spotify: https://spotify.link/vVGru9nKBXb