Category: Assistive Technology

Rokid Style Smart Glasses Review After a Real-World Blind Travel Test

Key Podcast Moments Ziggy’s lymphoma treatments hit a major complication after swallowing a corn cob. I tested the Rokid Style smart glasses during a trip to Baltimore. The Rokid glasses struggled at times with voice commands in loud environments. Ray-Ban Meta glasses still outperform Rokid for my day-to-day use. Navigation and AI guidance remain the […]

Rokid Style Delays and Choosing Ziggy Over Vegas

Rokid Style delays, Ray-Ban Meta comparisons, and the hard decision to skip Vegas when Ziggy’s lymphoma reminded me what really matters.

Testing Ray-Ban Meta Display Smart Glasses at Meta Labs NYC

In episode 293 of iCantCU, I take you along for a cold—but memorable—day trip to New York City with Jane, where holiday chaos, quality time, and cutting-edge tech collide. The highlight was our visit to Meta Labs, where I spent hands-on time testing the new Ray-Ban Meta Display Smart Glasses to see what they might […]

From Hershey to NYC: Rideshares, Roadblocks, and Resilience

October was nonstop. I was in Hershey, Pittsburgh, and New York twice, and on every single trip, there was a transportation curveball. SEPTA canceled trains, Amtrak was late, ride shares were pricey or didn’t show, and I even had to cross a four-lane road in Pittsburgh with no traffic light. I still made it to Dancing in the Dark, the PATTAN Tech Adventures event, the Blind Travel Foundation fundraiser, and Laugh for Sight, picking up ideas for our NFB of PA state convention along the way. I talk about why I lean toward Lyft, how arthritis makes travel trickier, and why sponsors need to jump in now. Plus, Ziggy got drenched in the rain and I still recorded from Studio B this week.

Ally Solos Smartglasses vs. Ray-Ban Meta Smartglasses

In this episode of iCantCU, I’m finally back after a month and diving into the Ally Solos—new smart glasses from Envision designed specifically for blind and low-vision users. Unlike Ray-Ban or Oakley Metas, these aren’t built for social media first. They won’t shoot video at launch, but they’ll capture photos and focus on accessibility features […]

Annual Advocacy Adventure in DC

  In this episode of iCantCU, I recount my journey to Washington, D.C., for the annual National Federation of the Blind (NFB) Washington Seminar. I share insights into the event’s purpose—advocating for policies that support blind Americans—and my meetings with congressional representatives and senators. I detail the structured meetings, including conversations with Senator McCormack and […]

Web Accessibility Matters at PA Governor’s Mansion

The highlight of this episode is my visit to the Pennsylvania Governor’s Mansion for “Lori Listens,” hosted by PA First Lady Lori Shapiro. I, along with other members of the NFB of PA, got to talk about web accessibility issues with folks from the state. We gave feedback on a Commonwealth website and were surprised […]

Pittsburgh with a Purpose

In this episode of iCantCU (#272), I dive into a whirlwind, last-minute trip to Pittsburgh.  It was a bit of an adventure, starting with a long train ride and a stay at a very questionable hotel. I mean, the smell alone deserves its own segment! But despite the less-than-ideal accommodations, I made the most of […]

Tech Tests and Taxi Terror: My Latest NYC Adventure

In episode 268 of iCantCU, I take you along on my latest trip to New York City, where I tested the accessibility of a new version of a financial app. The trip had its moments, from battling some equipment issues to a chaotic cab ride that had me questioning my life choices.  I also finally […]

Tech Trials and Travel Tales

In episode 265 of iCantCU, I recount two memorable rail journeys. First, I went to Harrisburg overnight to engage with the Lions Club at their state convention. Navigating the busy, labyrinthine hotel presented challenges, but connecting with new people and sharing about the NFB was rewarding.  The second trip took me to New York City, […]

Blind Justice? TV’s Vision of Blindness

In this episode of iCantCU, I share a mix of personal anecdotes and reflections on technology, media representation, and community engagement.  My weekend outing with Liz to Brio, a restaurant in the Christiana Mall, turned into an exploration of assistive technology. I intended to pick up my Mac mini. Still, I delved into the capabilities […]

Talent, Tech, and Tantalizing Tastes

In this episode of iCantCU, I explore three intriguing topics. First, we touch on the joys and challenges of preparing and enjoying food, a universal experience close to our hearts. Then, I discuss the “Believe You Can! Talent Show,” shedding light on an exciting event presented by the Keystone Chapter. Lastly, I dive into the […]

iCantCU x That Real Blind Tech Show: Adventures in Houston

This iCantCU episode is a cross-over with Brian Fischler and Ed Plumacher from That Real Blind Tech Show. We discuss our time together at #NFB23 in Houston. We talk about going to the Astros game on July 4th and the Listen device that gets the radio broadcast in real-time. Ed tells me the difference between […]

JAWS and Windows: A New Learning Curve

In this episode of iCantCU, I talk more about relearning JAWS and remembering how different Windows is from MacOS. Remembering is the keyword here. I also discuss episode 069 of White Canes Connect with Mike Walsh from Flight for Sight. They are giving away three $10,000 travel grants to blind and visually impaired people. You’ll […]

I Won $8.5 Million (Here’s How)

In this episode of iCantCU, I talk about returning to CBVI for JAWS training. I discuss a couple of funny moments from our Keystone Chapter meeting. One during the meeting and one at our post-meeting lunch at New Deck Tavern. I have a two-part Just Listen. The first is a clip from the Piano Bar […]

Blind Boss Aaron Spelker From Mobile Accessible Games

https://pdcn.co/e/traffic.libsyn.com/secure/icantcu/icantcu-podcast-220-post.mp3   In this premiere episode of Blind Bosses, I learn about Mobile Accessible Games from Aaron Spelker. Aaron tells us about the freak accident that left him blind about three years ago. He talks about how a conversation with a blind man on a commuter train years before he went blind helped him get […]

Blind Ambition: Navigating Washington for Accessibility Rights

  In this episode of iCantCU, I talk about traveling to Washington to lobby congress as part of the NFB’s annual Washington Seminar. In a first for me, I finally had a meeting with a congressman, not just their staff. It was a very productive couple of days in DC. While I didn’t get a […]