Everything on rollye.net and rollyestream.net is designed to be totally accessible to the blind or visually impaired. But since I can see the pages, I may have screwed up a graphic or link or worse, so please let me know when anything is confusing or difficult. And if you'd like me to pass along any tips you might have, feel free to tell me anytime by emailing me at rollye@rollye.net. Thanks!
Let me warn you about the Amazon link on the homepage. It's not labeled. They supply the html code and I can't vary it one iota without invalidating it (as far as I know). But the good news is you can shop at amazon, in an accessible way, and I'll still get the credit. Click here! Thanks!!
I am on facebook and twitter, but nothing I'll put there will do anything more than point to my websites, so you really don't need to be there on my account. But if you decide to go, Kimberly's got some tips. She's also got great advice, inclucing step by step instructions, on how to listen.
From Kimberly:
Utilizing the full version of Facebook can be daunting when listening, rather than viewing, links. Heck, Facebook can drive even a sighted person crazy!!! Here's a great work-around that will greatly cut down on all the clutter: m.facebook.com. That's it; no http:// Just m.facebook.com. Facebook Mobile works perfectly well with standard PC's and laptops--not just on cellular phones. There is also an accessible twitter client: http://www.easychirp.com.
If you're using an Apple device, Apple has a specific telephone number for people with disabilities who are need accessibility technical support. It is: 877-204-3930. There is also a wonderful listserv, to which I am subscribed, that is designed specifically for blind and visually impaired Apple users to ask questions and submit comments about accessible Apple devices. To subscribe, log on to: http://maccessibility.net/2009/06/15/email-listserv-for-visually-impaired-users-of-the-iphone/
PODCAST TIPS for BLIND Users
For Apple product users (iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, Mac):
Go to the iTunes Store. In the edit box in the iTunes Store search field, type in the name Rollye James. Hit the search button. You will see various episodes of Rollye's show. You only want to select the episode called The Rollye James Show. You will be presented with the option to subscribe to the podcast. The most accessible podcast client to use is the "podcasts" app that comes with your unit. The other very accessible podcast client, which can be purchased from the iTunes App Store, is "Downcast". This client allows you to easily subscribe to and delete podcast feeds or individual podcasts.
If you are a Windows user working with a screen reader, there are two very accessible podcast clients. The "Juice" podcatcher can be downloaded free of charge. Use the aplications key, located on most desktop computers as the second key to the right of the space bar, to read menu options that include subscribing to podcasts. You will see an edit field, in which you can cut and paste the URL to Rollye's podcast, as listed on her site at the following link http://rollyestream.net/feed.
The most accessible podcast client, both for Mac and Windows computers, is iTunes. You can install the iTunes program by logging onto www.itunes.com. Note that you may need sighted assistance to install iTunes, depending on your own expertise and the capability of your screen reader. In iTunes, check the radio button that says "podcasts", by hitting the space bar on the word "podcasts". Now use your tab keys to add a podcast. If you don't easily locate the item you're looking for, use your altogether keys to read the context meus and your applications key to read additional options. In the two most popular screen rccders, JAWS and NVDA, press the space bar to check mark a radio button. Tab through iTunes to view the various listings available. Also use up and down arrows to read additional options.
Buddy wrote a few years ago, so this might be out of date, but here's what he adds:
Use your arrow keys (or page up/page down, or even tab) to navigate through the page until you find the link for the show you want. Instead of pressing enter, press the applications key on your keyboard. On most keyboards, this key is directly to the left of the right control key, although some laptop keyboards may have it somewhere else, such as instead of a right control key. You can then use the arrow keys to find the "Save target as" link as outlined in the posted instructions and continue as before. If your keyboard doesn't have an applications key (say, you've salvaged your old clicky IBM keyboard, which has no extra Windows keys), shift-F10 should do the same thing (this is a Windows keyboard shortcut and is screen reader neutral). BTW, did I mention that while I have at least one computer with Windows on it (and a Windows screen reader) that I vastly prefer my Mac with VoiceOver for most things? Yes, contrary to what the entrenched blindness technology establishment will tell you, the Mac is very usable with Voiceover. As well, there are cheap and free alternatives emerging for Windows, and let's not even mention Linux (also emerging). The traditional and expensive screen reader guys had better stay on their toes to stay relevant, because these changes are coming, lower-cost alternatives are here (and getting better), and the government gravy train for the traditional players in the field are numbered. Just my not terribly scientific view on the thing as a user of this tech for a really long time.
This page should have opened as another page in your browser, but in case it didn't:
To go back to the homepage of rollye.net, click here. To go back to the homepage of rollyestream.net (where the audio files are located), click here.