Just a friendly heads up: The studio is now open, and our Techstravaganza workshop is starting in exactly 15 minutes from now! It will run from 1:00 PM until 3:00 PM Eastern. We invite you to come on in and have a seat!
Please be advised that this is an ongoing weekly workshop. All workshops are recorded and posted immediately afterwards for your reference. They are also podcasted, so you can follow and listen on your podcasting platform of choice. we recommend that you please join in 15 minutes prior to the workshop, in order to ensure that your setup is working correctly. If you are running into any difficulties, i.e. finding the link, joining the workshop, setting up your microphone etc., please reach out to us 10 to 15 minutes prior to the start time, in order to allow us the time we need to troubleshoot before the workshop begins. Also, please be advised that the Zoom studio is setup so that everyone is muted upon entry, in order to prevent background noise when coming into the studio.
Join the workshop!
In order to join in tomorrow’s workshop, please use the conference information below:
One tap mobile +17789072071,,87541152813#,,,,751106# Canada +17806660144,,87541152813#,,,,751106# Canada
coming Up
On this week’s Techstravaganza, We will have a tutorial on Android TalkBack navigation basics, brought to you by Samantha Ash. I myself am particularly excited for this tutorial, as I have recently started using Android in a lot of my day to day use as well as work use.
If you have any questions or topic suggestions, comments or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to the team.
This is a friendly reminder of today’s Techstravaganza which will take place in exactly one hour! It will run from 1:00 PM until 3:00 PM Eastern.
Please be advised that this is an ongoing weekly workshop. All workshops are recorded and posted immediately afterwards for your reference. They are also podcasted, so you can follow and listen on your podcasting platform of choice. we recommend that you please join in 15 minutes prior to the workshop, in order to ensure that your setup is working correctly. If you are running into any difficulties, i.e. finding the link, joining the workshop, setting up your microphone etc., please reach out to us 10 to 15 minutes prior to the start time, in order to allow us the time we need to troubleshoot before the workshop begins. Also, please be advised that the Zoom studio is setup so that everyone is muted upon entry, in order to prevent background noise when coming into the studio.
Join the workshop!
In order to join in tomorrow’s workshop, please use the conference information below:
One tap mobile +17789072071,,87541152813#,,,,751106# Canada +17806660144,,87541152813#,,,,751106# Canada
coming Up
On this week’s Techstravaganza, We will have a tutorial on Android TalkBack navigation basics, brought to you by Samantha Ash. I myself am particularly excited for this tutorial, as I have recently started using Android in a lot of my day to day use as well as work use.
If you have any questions or topic suggestions, comments or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to the team.
This is a friendly reminder of our upcoming Techstravaganza which will take place tomorrow afternoon (Wednesday, May 27, 2026) from 1:00 to 3:00 PM Eastern.
Please be advised that this is an ongoing weekly workshop. All workshops are recorded and posted immediately afterwards for your reference. They are also podcasted, so you can follow and listen on your podcasting platform of choice. we recommend that you please join in 15 minutes prior to the workshop, in order to ensure that your setup is working correctly. If you are running into any difficulties, i.e. finding the link, joining the workshop, setting up your microphone etc., please reach out to us 10 to 15 minutes prior to the start time, in order to allow us the time we need to troubleshoot before the workshop begins. Also, please be advised that the Zoom studio is setup so that everyone is muted upon entry, in order to prevent background noise when coming into the studio.
Join the workshop!
In order to join in tomorrow’s workshop, please use the conference information below:
One tap mobile +17789072071,,87541152813#,,,,751106# Canada +17806660144,,87541152813#,,,,751106# Canada
coming Up
On this week’s Techstravaganza, We will have a tutorial on Android TalkBack navigation basics, brought to you by Samantha Ash. I myself am particularly excited for this tutorial, as I have recently started using Android in a lot of my day to day use as well as work use.
If you have any questions or topic suggestions, comments or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to the team.
VoiceOver Touch Gesture Customization — Overview and Reset
Ali demonstrated how to access VoiceOver touch gesture settings and reset all commands to defaults before reassigning them.
Details
Ali: Navigated to Settings > Accessibility > VoiceOver > Commands > Touch Gestures on an iPhone.
Ali: Reviewed existing custom commands before resetting, noting that some commands (shown as dimmed) cannot be changed.
Ali: Activated the “Reset VoiceOver Commands” button, which restores all touch gestures, keyboard shortcuts, and braille shortcuts to their defaults.
Ali: Explained that resetting is useful as a clean starting point before customizing.
Conclusion
VoiceOver commands can be reset via Settings > Accessibility > VoiceOver > Commands > Reset VoiceOver Commands.
Dimmed commands are system-locked and cannot be reassigned.
VoiceOver Touch Gesture Customization — Assigning Specific Commands
Ali walked through reassigning specific touch gestures to preferred system functions, demonstrating the process live.
Details
Ali: Assigned one-finger triple tap to “Home” (previously “Perform Long Press”).
Ali: Assigned one-finger quadruple tap to “App Switcher” (previously “Secondary Activate”).
Ali: Assigned two-finger triple tap to “Notification Center” (previously “Show Item Chooser”).
Ali: Assigned two-finger quadruple tap to “Control Center” (previously “Open Quick Settings”).
Ali: Removed the two-finger double tap on far edges (Braille Screen Input) and two-finger triple tap on far edges (Braille Screen Input Command Mode) as they were not personally used.
Ali: Assigned four-finger triple tap to “Escape” (previously “Live Recognition”), after confirming with Siena that Live Recognition was not essential for his workflow.
Ali: Assigned four-finger quadruple tap to “Perform Long Press.”
Ali: Noted that when a gesture conflict arises, an alert appears offering the option to reassign or cancel.
Ali: Highlighted the usefulness of the search field within the commands menu to locate specific commands quickly, rather than flicking through the entire list.
Conclusion
Touch gestures can be customized to suit individual workflows via Settings > Accessibility > VoiceOver > Commands > Touch Gestures.
When a gesture is already assigned, users are prompted to reassign or cancel.
The search field within the commands menu significantly speeds up navigation.
Q&A: Navigating to VoiceOver Command Settings (Liz)
Liz asked for a recap of how to access the VoiceOver gesture settings.
Details
Liz: Asked how to navigate to the VoiceOver default gesture settings, having missed the initial explanation.
Ali: Directed her to Settings > Accessibility > VoiceOver > Commands > Touch Gestures, or to use the Settings search box and type “voiceover.”
Liz: Confirmed understanding that dimmed items cannot be changed.
Using the Settings search box is a recommended shortcut.
Q&A: One-Finger Triple Tap vs. Long Press for Home (Jeroo)
Jeroo asked about the original function of the one-finger triple tap and whether braille commands could be repurposed for the Home function.
Details
Jeroo: Asked which command was originally assigned to one-finger triple tap (it was “Perform Long Press”).
Jeroo: Inquired whether braille commands could be reassigned to Home for easier access.
Ali: Explained that braille screen input commands require placing a finger on a specific part of the screen, making them less convenient than a simple tap gesture.
Ali: Clarified that one-finger triple tap for Home is easier because it does not require being in a specific screen location.
Siena: Added that the two-finger double tap on far edges (Braille Screen Input on/off) and two-finger triple tap on far edges (Braille Screen Input Command Mode) can be reassigned if not in use, and offered one-on-one assistance.
Conclusion
One-finger triple tap for Home is more accessible than braille edge commands, which require precise finger placement.
Unused braille screen input commands can be reassigned to other functions.
Q&A: Memory Patterns for Gesture Commands (Liz)
Liz asked whether there is a logical pattern to help remember the 16 possible gesture combinations.
Details
Liz: Noted there are 16 possible combinations (1–4 fingers × single/double/triple/quadruple tap) and asked if there is a rule of thumb.
Siena: Explained her personal pattern — one-finger triple tap for Home, one-finger quadruple tap for App Switcher, two-finger triple tap for Notification Center, two-finger quadruple tap for Control Center — chosen for ease of recall.
Siena: Demonstrated VoiceOver Help (four-finger double tap) as a practice area where performing a gesture announces its assigned command.
Siena: Suggested customizing gestures in a personally meaningful pattern and practicing daily until memorized.
Ali: Confirmed he uses the same gesture assignments as Siena.
Conclusion
There is no universal rule of thumb; users should customize gestures in a personally logical pattern.
VoiceOver Help (four-finger double tap) can be used to verify what each gesture is assigned to.
Regular practice is recommended to build muscle memory.
Q&A: Rotor Customization and Braille Screen Input Activation (Lily)
Lily raised a question about activating Braille Screen Input, finding the rotor method cumbersome.
Details
Lily: Found it difficult to activate Braille Screen Input via the rotor due to the number of options.
Siena: Explained the gesture to activate Braille Screen Input: hold the phone in landscape mode (charging port to the right) and double tap the top and bottom edges simultaneously, typically using ring fingers.
Siena: Confirmed the gesture works regardless of whether orientation lock is on or off, and regardless of Braille Screen Input orientation settings.
Conclusion
Braille Screen Input can be activated by double tapping the top and bottom edges of the screen simultaneously while holding the phone in landscape mode.
This works with orientation lock enabled or disabled.
Double Tap and Hold (Long Press) as a Navigation Shortcut
Ali demonstrated using a double tap and hold to access a back-navigation context menu, and discussed assigning it to a gesture command.
Details
Ali: Demonstrated that a one-finger double tap and hold reveals a context menu showing the navigation hierarchy (e.g., Commands > VoiceOver > Accessibility > Settings), allowing quick return to a higher-level screen.
Ali: Noted that the double tap and hold motion can be imprecise and suggested assigning “Perform Long Press” to the four-finger quadruple tap for easier access.
Siena: Confirmed that double tap and hold is equivalent to a long press.
Conclusion
Double tap and hold activates a context menu for quick back-navigation through screen hierarchy.
Assigning “Perform Long Press” to a tap gesture (e.g., four-finger quadruple tap) provides a more reliable alternative.
Using the Settings Search Box as a Navigation Shortcut
Ali highlighted the Settings search box as a time-saving tool for locating VoiceOver settings.
Details
Ali: Demonstrated typing “commands” into the Settings search box to directly navigate to VoiceOver Commands, rather than manually flicking through Settings > Accessibility > VoiceOver > Commands.
Ali: Noted the search results include multiple entries with “commands” in the name, with the VoiceOver Commands option appearing prominently.
Conclusion
Using the Settings search box is the recommended method for quickly locating VoiceOver command settings.
VoiceOver Keyboard Shortcut Customization
Ali demonstrated customizing VoiceOver keyboard shortcuts using a Matthias wireless keyboard paired to the iPhone.
Details
Ali: Explained that many users are unaware VoiceOver supports keyboard commands on iPhone, and that he uses a full-size Matthias wireless keyboard paired across Mac, PC, iPad, and iPhone.
Ali: Reassigned the Control Center keyboard shortcut from Ctrl+Option+Page Down to Ctrl+Option+I, first deleting the existing “Show Item Chooser” assignment for the letter I.
Ali: Reassigned the Notification Center keyboard shortcut from Ctrl+Option+Page Up to Ctrl+Option+N, first deleting the existing “Toggle Announcement History” assignment for the letter N.
Ali: Noted that when entering a new keyboard shortcut, the Done button must be activated via the touchscreen, as continuing to type on the keyboard will alter the command being assigned.
Jeroo: Asked whether two-character combinations (e.g., CC) could be used for commands; Ali confirmed this is not possible due to the single-key structure of VoiceOver keyboard commands.
Lily: Asked whether punctuation characters could be used; Ali clarified that all keyboard commands use the Ctrl+Option modifier plus a single key, so punctuation is not a separate input layer.
Ali: Reflected that Ctrl+Option+C for Control Center and Ctrl+Option+N for Notification Center would be a logical and memorable pairing.
Conclusion
VoiceOver keyboard shortcuts can be customized via Settings > Accessibility > VoiceOver > Commands > Keyboard Shortcuts.
When reassigning a key already in use, the existing assignment must be deleted first.
The Done button after entering a new shortcut must be activated via touchscreen, not keyboard.
Only single-key combinations with the Ctrl+Option modifier are supported.
Screen Curtain: Usage and Privacy
Liz asked about Ali’s use of the screen curtain feature.
Details
Liz: Asked whether Ali uses the screen curtain on or off.
Ali: Stated he keeps the screen curtain on by default for privacy, turning it off only when demonstrating the screen to others.
Siena: Added that keeping the screen curtain on also conserves battery.
Liz: Mentioned that another instructor removes the screen curtain command from their teaching setup because students accidentally activate it and panic, thinking their phone has died.
Ali: Acknowledged different teaching approaches without commenting on others’ methods.
Conclusion
Screen curtain is a personal preference; keeping it on provides privacy and saves battery.
Some instructors choose to remove the command to prevent accidental activation by new users.
Back Tap Gestures
Hans raised the topic of back tap gestures as an additional customization option.
Details
Hans: Asked whether back tap gestures (tapping the back of the iPhone) can be customized, noting he had seen the option in settings but had not used it.
Ali: Confirmed he believes back tap gestures can be customized but has not personally used them and would need to research further.
Ali: Raised a concern that placing the phone face-down might accidentally trigger back tap commands.
Hans: Noted that back tap may be available from iPhone X and later models, and that it could be useful for complex gestures.
Yvonne: Shared that she uses back tap frequently to toggle VoiceOver on and off, finding it very convenient, particularly when VoiceOver is off and she needs to navigate the phone more easily.
Yvonne: Acknowledged that accidental activation can occur but is easy to correct.
Conclusion
Back tap gestures are available on iPhone X and later and can be used to toggle VoiceOver on/off, among other functions.
Ali will research back tap customization for a future session.
Q&A: Gesture Sync Across Devices (Liz)
Liz asked whether customized gestures on iPhone automatically sync to iPad.
Details
Liz: Asked if changes made on iPhone automatically apply to iPad.
Ali: Confirmed that gesture customizations do not sync between devices and must be set up separately on each device.
Conclusion
VoiceOver gesture customizations are device-specific and must be configured individually on each device.
Upcoming Session Announcement
The session concluded with an announcement of the next Techstravaganza topic.
Details
Siena: Announced that the next session will cover Android TalkBack settings.
Ali and participants expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming topic.
Jackie: Noted she still has an Android device.
Conclusion
Next Techstravaganza session: Android TalkBack settings.
I’m so pumped for our upcoming Techstravaganza workshop starting up in exactly 15 minutes from now! It will run from 1:00 until 3:00 PM Eastern. The studio is now open, so feel free to come on in and have a seat! We recommend that you please come in 10 minutes minimum to 15 minutes maximum prior to the start of the workshop to ensure that your setup is working properly. If you are having any difficulties, i.e. unable to find the link, join the workshop or setup your microphone, please reach out 10 to 15 minutes prior to the workshop. This way, it will be easier for us to help you troubleshoot before the workshop begins.
Please be advised that this is an ongoing weekly workshop. All workshops are recorded and posted immediately after the workshop for your reference. They are also podcasted, so you can follow and listen on your podcasting platform of choice. we recommend that you please join in 15 minutes prior to the workshop, in order to ensure that your setup is working correctly. Also, please be advised that the Zoom studio is setup so that everyone is muted upon entry, in order to prevent background noise when coming into the studio.
Join the workshop!
In order to join in the workshop, please use the conference information below:
One tap mobile +17789072071,,87541152813#,,,,751106# Canada +17806660144,,87541152813#,,,,751106# Canada
coming Up
On this week’s Techstravaganza, as a follow-up to Ali’s excellent tutorial on VoiceOver basics, we will take a look at customizing VoiceOver commands, both gestures and keyboard commands.
If you have any questions or topic suggestions, comments or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to the team.
This is a friendly reminder of our upcoming exciting Techstravaganza which will begin in exactly one hour from now! It will run from 1:00 until 3:00 PM Eastern.
Please be advised that this is an ongoing weekly workshop. All workshops are recorded and posted immediately after the workshop for your reference. They are also podcasted, so you can follow and listen on your podcasting platform of choice. We recommend that you please come in 10 minutes maximum to 15 minutes minimum prior to the start of the workshop to ensure that your setup is working properly. If you are having any difficulties, i.e. unable to find the link, join the workshop or setup your microphone, please reach out 10 to 15 minutes prior to the workshop. This way, it will be easier for us to help you troubleshoot before the workshop begins. Also, please be advised that the Zoom studio is setup so that everyone is muted upon entry, in order to prevent background noise when coming into the studio.
Join the workshop!
In order to join in the workshop, please use the conference information below:
One tap mobile +17789072071,,87541152813#,,,,751106# Canada +17806660144,,87541152813#,,,,751106# Canada
coming Up
On this week’s Techstravaganza, as a follow-up to Ali’s excellent tutorial on VoiceOver basics, we will take a look at customizing VoiceOver commands, both gestures and keyboard commands.
If you have any questions or topic suggestions, comments or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to the team.
This is a friendly reminder of our upcoming Techstravaganza which will take place tomorrow afternoon (Wednesday, May 20, 2026) from 1:00 to 3:00 PM Eastern.
Please be advised that this is an ongoing weekly workshop. All workshops are recorded and posted immediately after the workshop for your reference. They are also podcasted, so you can follow and listen on your podcasting platform of choice. we recommend that you please join in 15 minutes prior to the workshop, in order to ensure that your setup is working correctly. Also, please be advised that the Zoom studio is setup so that everyone is muted upon entry, in order to prevent background noise when coming into the studio.
Join the workshop!
In order to join in tomorrow’s workshop, please use the conference information below:
One tap mobile +17789072071,,87541152813#,,,,751106# Canada +17806660144,,87541152813#,,,,751106# Canada
coming Up
On this week’s Techstravaganza, as a follow-up to Ali’s excellent tutorial on VoiceOver basics, we will take a look at customizing VoiceOver commands, both gestures and keyboard commands.
If you have any questions or topic suggestions, comments or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to the team.
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.
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.
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.
This is a friendly heads up that this evening’s Techstravaganza 2.0 workshop will begin in exactly 15 minutes from now! That’s right everyone, only 15 minutes to go, and I’m super pumped for tonight’s workshop! It will start promptly at 7:00 PM Eastern and will run until 9:00 PM Eastern!
Please note that Techstravaganza 2.0 is an ongoing monthly workshop. All workshops are recorded and posted immediately after the workshop for your reference. They are also podcasted, so you can listen to them on your favourite podcast player of choice. we recommend that you please join in 15 minutes prior to the workshop, in order to ensure that your setup is working correctly. Also, please be advised that the Zoom studio is setup so that everyone is muted upon entry, in order to prevent background noise when coming into the studio.
In order to join in the workshop, please use the following conference information:
This is a friendly heads up that this evening’s Techstravaganza 2.0 workshop will begin in exactly one hour from now! It will start promptly at 7:00 PM Eastern and will run until 9:00 PM Eastern!
Please note that Techstravaganza 2.0 is an ongoing monthly workshop. All workshops are recorded and posted immediately after the workshop for your reference. They are also podcasted, so you can listen to them on your favourite podcast player of choice. we recommend that you please join in 15 minutes prior to the workshop, in order to ensure that your setup is working correctly. Also, please be advised that the Zoom studio is setup so that everyone is muted upon entry, in order to prevent background noise when coming into the studio.
In order to join in the workshop, please use the following conference information:
Techstravaganza 