WEBVTT 1 00:00:00.365 --> 00:00:02.948 (gentle music) 2 00:00:04.110 --> 00:00:06.360 Welcome to "Hadley Presents." 3 00:00:06.360 --> 00:00:10.290 I'm your host, Ricky Enger, inviting you to sit back, 4 00:00:10.290 --> 00:00:14.250 relax, and enjoy a conversation with the experts. 5 00:00:14.250 --> 00:00:17.640 In this episode, we discuss using an alternative 6 00:00:17.640 --> 00:00:19.860 to a touchscreen smartphone. 7 00:00:19.860 --> 00:00:23.820 And our guests are Bari Azman and Diane Ducharme 8 00:00:23.820 --> 00:00:25.500 from BlindShell USA. 9 00:00:25.500 --> 00:00:27.523 Welcome to the show, both of you. 10 00:00:27.523 --> 00:00:28.356 Thank you. 11 00:00:28.356 --> 00:00:29.739 Thank you so much, Ricky. 12 00:00:29.739 --> 00:00:31.200 It's great to be here. 13 00:00:31.200 --> 00:00:34.230 It is fantastic to have you both, 14 00:00:34.230 --> 00:00:37.830 and we're going to have a lot of fun exploring 15 00:00:37.830 --> 00:00:41.580 some information about just some alternatives 16 00:00:41.580 --> 00:00:43.890 to the traditional smartphone. 17 00:00:43.890 --> 00:00:46.740 And of course, because you're both from BlindShell, 18 00:00:46.740 --> 00:00:49.890 we'll get to learn about that phone specifically. 19 00:00:49.890 --> 00:00:54.150 But before we do any of that, why don't we get a bit of info 20 00:00:54.150 --> 00:00:55.380 about each of you? 21 00:00:55.380 --> 00:00:57.120 So Bari, we'll start with you. 22 00:00:57.120 --> 00:00:58.410 Sure. Thank you so much, Ricky. 23 00:00:58.410 --> 00:01:00.870 So it's great to be here today. 24 00:01:00.870 --> 00:01:05.870 And I got involved in the low-vision/blind community 25 00:01:07.500 --> 00:01:10.110 just under nine years ago. 26 00:01:10.110 --> 00:01:12.990 My father, who is a low-vision specialist, 27 00:01:12.990 --> 00:01:15.690 was the catalyst for me to get involved, 28 00:01:15.690 --> 00:01:18.300 and that's where I started my chapter 29 00:01:18.300 --> 00:01:21.570 as far as within the sight loss community by starting off 30 00:01:21.570 --> 00:01:23.460 in the low-vision practice, 31 00:01:23.460 --> 00:01:28.460 learning so much that I never even knew about, understood, 32 00:01:28.830 --> 00:01:30.480 when it comes to sight loss. 33 00:01:30.480 --> 00:01:32.850 You know, because growing up in an eyecare family, 34 00:01:32.850 --> 00:01:33.960 you think you know everything. 35 00:01:33.960 --> 00:01:37.590 And then when you get put into this low-vision practice, 36 00:01:37.590 --> 00:01:40.860 which I never even knew about, things really changed. 37 00:01:40.860 --> 00:01:44.100 And so here we are almost nine years later. 38 00:01:44.100 --> 00:01:47.550 I've been fortunate to be involved in numerous 39 00:01:47.550 --> 00:01:51.393 technology within, supporting the sight loss community. 40 00:01:51.393 --> 00:01:56.393 BlindShell USA was established in 2022, 41 00:01:57.570 --> 00:02:00.360 and we've been super excited as far as all the progress 42 00:02:00.360 --> 00:02:03.990 we've been able to make and to be able to provide 43 00:02:03.990 --> 00:02:06.360 communication options for individuals 44 00:02:06.360 --> 00:02:08.430 who are looking for an alternate option. 45 00:02:08.430 --> 00:02:10.710 So it's exciting times. 46 00:02:10.710 --> 00:02:12.930 Love it, and it's always super cool to hear 47 00:02:12.930 --> 00:02:15.660 how people came to do what they do. 48 00:02:15.660 --> 00:02:17.700 I'm always fascinated by that. 49 00:02:17.700 --> 00:02:20.466 Diane, how about you? Tell us a bit about yourself. 50 00:02:20.466 --> 00:02:23.040 I have always been visually impaired. 51 00:02:23.040 --> 00:02:27.718 I have retinoblastoma, so I've always been legally blind. 52 00:02:27.718 --> 00:02:31.140 It's a roundabout way how I got here 53 00:02:31.140 --> 00:02:34.350 because growing up I was the only blind person 54 00:02:34.350 --> 00:02:35.730 that I ever knew. 55 00:02:35.730 --> 00:02:38.970 As I grew up, went to college, I met some other blind people 56 00:02:38.970 --> 00:02:41.790 and I'm like, "Wow, these people are really cool, 57 00:02:41.790 --> 00:02:44.430 really innovative, fascinating." 58 00:02:44.430 --> 00:02:47.970 And things went on, went to college, graduated, 59 00:02:47.970 --> 00:02:50.430 got my master's degree in counseling, 60 00:02:50.430 --> 00:02:54.780 ended up being a case manager for people who are blind 61 00:02:54.780 --> 00:02:58.530 and low vision, then transitioned into voc rehab, 62 00:02:58.530 --> 00:03:03.530 went into outreach for a telecommunications company, 63 00:03:03.630 --> 00:03:06.180 and ended up at BlindShell USA. 64 00:03:06.180 --> 00:03:08.880 And the best decision that I ever made, 65 00:03:08.880 --> 00:03:10.830 working with people who are blind and low vision, 66 00:03:10.830 --> 00:03:14.550 'cause I love the energy and the enthusiasm. 67 00:03:14.550 --> 00:03:18.630 And it's just a great population to work with. 68 00:03:18.630 --> 00:03:21.030 Fantastic. I can relate. 69 00:03:21.030 --> 00:03:25.620 It really does feel good to work within a group 70 00:03:25.620 --> 00:03:27.870 that you personally identify with, 71 00:03:27.870 --> 00:03:30.240 and you learn from each other. 72 00:03:30.240 --> 00:03:33.240 I think we all do that as a community. 73 00:03:33.240 --> 00:03:34.860 I'm learning new things every day, 74 00:03:34.860 --> 00:03:37.920 and hopefully I'm teaching new things as well. 75 00:03:37.920 --> 00:03:42.920 So we think of smartphones as this little piece of glass, 76 00:03:44.970 --> 00:03:49.970 has our entire life in it, or there are apps coming out 77 00:03:50.190 --> 00:03:53.640 every day, and it seems like the smartphone 78 00:03:53.640 --> 00:03:56.520 is touted as the best thing since sliced bread. 79 00:03:56.520 --> 00:04:01.520 But not everyone uses a smartphone and not everyone should. 80 00:04:02.010 --> 00:04:06.000 So I'm just curious, whoever wants to take this one, 81 00:04:06.000 --> 00:04:10.770 what are some reasons that people might be either 82 00:04:10.770 --> 00:04:13.860 unable to use a traditional smartphone 83 00:04:13.860 --> 00:04:15.780 or maybe they just don't want to? 84 00:04:15.780 --> 00:04:19.830 So what we find is that there's a couple different 85 00:04:19.830 --> 00:04:24.090 categories of people who choose not to use a smartphone. 86 00:04:24.090 --> 00:04:25.770 And the one is because, as you said, 87 00:04:25.770 --> 00:04:28.170 it's a flat piece of glass. 88 00:04:28.170 --> 00:04:30.960 There's nothing tactile about it. 89 00:04:30.960 --> 00:04:34.050 And as blind people, we do like our buttons. 90 00:04:34.050 --> 00:04:37.447 So handing a flat piece of glass and saying, 91 00:04:37.447 --> 00:04:40.890 "Swipe this, tap that, make your hand into a rotary 92 00:04:40.890 --> 00:04:42.997 and spin this," and they're like, 93 00:04:42.997 --> 00:04:46.740 "It's a flat piece of glass, I don't get it." 94 00:04:46.740 --> 00:04:49.980 And that's perfectly understandable. 95 00:04:49.980 --> 00:04:51.870 Then you have another group who, 96 00:04:51.870 --> 00:04:54.660 for dexterity reasons, can't do it. 97 00:04:54.660 --> 00:04:57.660 They try to double tap and they end up tapping it 98 00:04:57.660 --> 00:05:01.830 three or four times because they don't have the ability 99 00:05:01.830 --> 00:05:04.920 to control maybe tremors in their hands. 100 00:05:04.920 --> 00:05:09.920 So we also have people who just have never been involved 101 00:05:11.370 --> 00:05:16.370 in any kind of technology, and you hand them this flat phone 102 00:05:16.710 --> 00:05:19.140 and they just don't know what to do with it 103 00:05:19.140 --> 00:05:24.140 because they've either lost their sight later in life 104 00:05:24.600 --> 00:05:27.690 but they've always had a flip phone, 105 00:05:27.690 --> 00:05:30.150 a landline, stuff with buttons. 106 00:05:30.150 --> 00:05:33.540 And now, not only can they not see, 107 00:05:33.540 --> 00:05:38.010 which is a whole other kettle of fish in their life, 108 00:05:38.010 --> 00:05:40.770 now you're going to give them this flat piece of glass 109 00:05:40.770 --> 00:05:42.870 and say, "Okay, make a phone call." 110 00:05:42.870 --> 00:05:46.740 So they prefer a phone with buttons as well. 111 00:05:46.740 --> 00:05:49.656 That's a great point, and it's actually a 112 00:05:49.656 --> 00:05:50.490 nice lead 113 00:05:50.490 --> 00:05:55.490 into my next question because we do have a lot of people 114 00:05:55.680 --> 00:05:59.430 who are in that very situation, 115 00:05:59.430 --> 00:06:01.500 so they're losing their vision, 116 00:06:01.500 --> 00:06:06.500 and they're not accustomed to technology. 117 00:06:06.600 --> 00:06:10.110 So if you're in a position where your whole life 118 00:06:10.110 --> 00:06:13.530 you've used a landline phone, and those tend to be 119 00:06:13.530 --> 00:06:17.790 a little bigger, they're nice, large buttons 120 00:06:17.790 --> 00:06:20.160 that are easy to see, there might be some spacing 121 00:06:20.160 --> 00:06:23.100 between the buttons that make it easier to just navigate 122 00:06:23.100 --> 00:06:26.730 that keypad, and then there's the whole thing of 123 00:06:26.730 --> 00:06:29.490 those don't tend to talk a lot. 124 00:06:29.490 --> 00:06:34.490 You might get a caller ID, but other than that, 125 00:06:34.500 --> 00:06:36.300 it's not really going to talk to you. 126 00:06:36.300 --> 00:06:40.123 So do you have some tips for somebody who's getting used 127 00:06:40.123 --> 00:06:44.850 to, number one, "Okay, gosh, I've got to use technology 128 00:06:44.850 --> 00:06:47.970 beyond this landline. 129 00:06:47.970 --> 00:06:49.920 How do I get accustomed to this, 130 00:06:49.920 --> 00:06:53.880 and how do I get accustomed to this talking to me?" 131 00:06:53.880 --> 00:06:57.270 What's the easiest way to transition 132 00:06:57.270 --> 00:07:02.270 into a phone like a cellphone from a landline? 133 00:07:03.000 --> 00:07:05.580 Take some time. Just sit there and explore stuff. 134 00:07:05.580 --> 00:07:08.730 And that's with every device that you have, 135 00:07:08.730 --> 00:07:11.940 any new piece of technology as a blind person, 136 00:07:11.940 --> 00:07:14.520 just take time when you're not pressured, 137 00:07:14.520 --> 00:07:16.440 when you don't say, "Oh, I have this report, 138 00:07:16.440 --> 00:07:18.480 I have to get it done in a half an hour." 139 00:07:18.480 --> 00:07:21.390 That's not when you want to learn your technology. 140 00:07:21.390 --> 00:07:22.830 Take your time. 141 00:07:22.830 --> 00:07:25.920 If you have an hour when there's nothing going on, 142 00:07:25.920 --> 00:07:27.510 just play. 143 00:07:27.510 --> 00:07:30.000 Yeah, I think that's great advice, as you said, 144 00:07:30.000 --> 00:07:32.370 for any piece of technology. 145 00:07:32.370 --> 00:07:35.400 So I mentioned earlier in the episode, 146 00:07:35.400 --> 00:07:40.400 I think, that BlindShell is not the only option out there 147 00:07:41.790 --> 00:07:45.570 when it comes to alternatives to smartphones, 148 00:07:45.570 --> 00:07:48.450 but it is a fantastic option, and it happens to be 149 00:07:48.450 --> 00:07:51.930 the one that the two of you are really qualified 150 00:07:51.930 --> 00:07:52.800 to talk about. 151 00:07:52.800 --> 00:07:56.130 So I think we should dive into some specifics 152 00:07:56.130 --> 00:07:59.790 about the BlindShell for people that are curious about it 153 00:07:59.790 --> 00:08:02.670 and thinking, "I don't want that piece of glass, 154 00:08:02.670 --> 00:08:07.290 but I honestly do need something beyond my landline 155 00:08:07.290 --> 00:08:10.860 or beyond my tiny flip phone that doesn't talk 156 00:08:10.860 --> 00:08:13.440 and that I really have a hard time with anyway." 157 00:08:13.440 --> 00:08:18.090 So why don't we just start with a description 158 00:08:18.090 --> 00:08:19.593 of the BlindShell itself? 159 00:08:20.460 --> 00:08:24.690 The BlindShell, it does have that piece of glass, 160 00:08:24.690 --> 00:08:27.480 but it's for display only. 161 00:08:27.480 --> 00:08:31.590 So touching it is not going to affect what's on the screen. 162 00:08:31.590 --> 00:08:34.650 You can't mess it up if you picked up the phone 163 00:08:34.650 --> 00:08:38.640 and accidentally touch that display piece of glass. 164 00:08:38.640 --> 00:08:41.280 And then under that you have navigation buttons, 165 00:08:41.280 --> 00:08:44.070 and then under that you have your standard keypad 166 00:08:44.070 --> 00:08:47.340 with a very pronounced dot on the number five. 167 00:08:47.340 --> 00:08:51.330 Now, BlindShell also has a standard headphone jack, 168 00:08:51.330 --> 00:08:52.680 and it has a flashlight, 169 00:08:52.680 --> 00:08:54.480 and these are on the top of the phone. 170 00:08:54.480 --> 00:08:57.000 On the bottom of the phone is your charging port. 171 00:08:57.000 --> 00:08:59.070 On the back of the phone you have a camera, 172 00:08:59.070 --> 00:09:02.460 and you also have a designated SOS button 173 00:09:02.460 --> 00:09:06.270 that you can program for 911 or a family member. 174 00:09:06.270 --> 00:09:10.050 So the phone itself is about a little over five inches tall, 175 00:09:10.050 --> 00:09:11.820 about two and a half inches across, 176 00:09:11.820 --> 00:09:14.880 and a little less than half of an inch thick. 177 00:09:14.880 --> 00:09:19.650 It comes in Midnight Black and Cardinal Red. 178 00:09:19.650 --> 00:09:23.040 And the phone will speak everything. 179 00:09:23.040 --> 00:09:26.040 Underneath the screen and above the keypad, 180 00:09:26.040 --> 00:09:30.240 you'll find buttons that allow you to navigate 181 00:09:30.240 --> 00:09:33.720 through the menus, and it's all menu driven. 182 00:09:33.720 --> 00:09:36.060 There are two bars, I call it an equal sign. 183 00:09:36.060 --> 00:09:37.830 One will take you up, one will take you down 184 00:09:37.830 --> 00:09:38.970 through the menus. 185 00:09:38.970 --> 00:09:41.790 You select OK, which is a tactile button 186 00:09:41.790 --> 00:09:45.390 above the number one when you want to go into a menu. 187 00:09:45.390 --> 00:09:48.450 And you hit the backslash button, 188 00:09:48.450 --> 00:09:51.000 which is above the number three, to get out of it. 189 00:09:51.000 --> 00:09:54.300 And that's the same way you answer and hang up a phone call. 190 00:09:54.300 --> 00:09:57.630 You hit that tactile button above the number one 191 00:09:57.630 --> 00:10:00.540 to answer it and the slash to hang it up, 192 00:10:00.540 --> 00:10:04.230 which for me, that is the hardest thing with a smartphone, 193 00:10:04.230 --> 00:10:06.210 is hanging up a phone call. (chuckles) 194 00:10:06.210 --> 00:10:10.200 So it's so nice to have an actual tactile button 195 00:10:10.200 --> 00:10:11.700 that allows you to do that. 196 00:10:11.700 --> 00:10:15.570 Now, you can also dictate with the BlindShell Classic 2. 197 00:10:15.570 --> 00:10:20.430 So if I wanted to, I can dictate opening up an application, 198 00:10:20.430 --> 00:10:24.870 I can dictate a text message, and I can dictate an email 199 00:10:24.870 --> 00:10:25.703 if I wanted to. 200 00:10:25.703 --> 00:10:30.030 Anywhere there's a text box that will open, I can dictate. 201 00:10:30.030 --> 00:10:31.500 And that's a really nice feature 202 00:10:31.500 --> 00:10:35.520 because I think that's one thing that all of us 203 00:10:35.520 --> 00:10:40.470 have some issue with, is whether you're typing on a phone 204 00:10:40.470 --> 00:10:42.780 that's a flat piece of glass or whether you're trying 205 00:10:42.780 --> 00:10:46.920 to press buttons and do texting that way, 206 00:10:46.920 --> 00:10:50.280 it can feel really laborious. 207 00:10:50.280 --> 00:10:54.060 But I think we're getting a little ahead of ourselves, 208 00:10:54.060 --> 00:10:56.520 so I'm going to back up just a little bit. 209 00:10:56.520 --> 00:11:01.520 If somebody is saying, "Okay, I'm going to take this dive 210 00:11:01.830 --> 00:11:06.270 into a cellphone, and what I really want to do 211 00:11:06.270 --> 00:11:08.280 is use the phone as a phone. 212 00:11:08.280 --> 00:11:13.280 Can I make and receive phone calls? Can I text people? 213 00:11:13.770 --> 00:11:15.480 And really that's about it." 214 00:11:15.480 --> 00:11:20.480 So how long is it going to take a person generally 215 00:11:20.610 --> 00:11:25.230 to get up and running with those very basic things? 216 00:11:25.230 --> 00:11:28.320 This is one of my favorite questions. 217 00:11:28.320 --> 00:11:32.670 I would say within half an hour somebody will have it down, 218 00:11:32.670 --> 00:11:36.390 how to make a phone call and how to do a text message. 219 00:11:36.390 --> 00:11:38.167 However, I get that a lot. 220 00:11:38.167 --> 00:11:41.310 "I just want this phone so I can make a phone call, 221 00:11:41.310 --> 00:11:43.170 or I can send a text message." 222 00:11:43.170 --> 00:11:47.010 Great, okay. So teach them how to do that. 223 00:11:47.010 --> 00:11:51.270 Next thing you know, within a couple of weeks to a month, 224 00:11:51.270 --> 00:11:55.080 I'm getting emails from people with YouTube link attachments 225 00:11:55.080 --> 00:11:58.320 and podcasts that they found. 226 00:11:58.320 --> 00:12:01.050 They take the phone, they make their phone calls, 227 00:12:01.050 --> 00:12:04.447 they do their texting, they sit down and they're like, 228 00:12:04.447 --> 00:12:07.620 "Oh my gosh, I can go on YouTube? 229 00:12:07.620 --> 00:12:10.860 Holy cow, I can listen to this podcast. 230 00:12:10.860 --> 00:12:13.050 I can put a described movie on my phone. 231 00:12:13.050 --> 00:12:15.450 I can listen to my BARD books?" 232 00:12:15.450 --> 00:12:17.310 And the world just opens up for them, 233 00:12:17.310 --> 00:12:19.560 and they love to share that with us. 234 00:12:19.560 --> 00:12:22.537 So they're always communicating with us saying, 235 00:12:22.537 --> 00:12:24.090 "I did this, and I did that." 236 00:12:24.090 --> 00:12:26.760 And I just love that whole eureka moment 237 00:12:26.760 --> 00:12:28.230 that they discovered. 238 00:12:28.230 --> 00:12:31.255 Yeah, that is amazing because you start out in 239 00:12:31.255 --> 00:12:32.088 one place 240 00:12:32.088 --> 00:12:33.990 and think, "This is where I want to be, 241 00:12:33.990 --> 00:12:37.290 and I have no interest in going any further." 242 00:12:37.290 --> 00:12:42.030 But it sounds like it is easy enough to then branch out 243 00:12:42.030 --> 00:12:45.990 into those things like doing a web search on Google, 244 00:12:45.990 --> 00:12:50.100 or learning to use email on the phone. 245 00:12:50.100 --> 00:12:53.250 So for people who do want to do that, 246 00:12:53.250 --> 00:12:56.790 the texting and the phone calls just isn't quite enough, 247 00:12:56.790 --> 00:13:01.470 are there resources for learning how to do that, 248 00:13:01.470 --> 00:13:04.770 or do people just make their way around the phone 249 00:13:04.770 --> 00:13:06.810 and it's intuitive enough to pick up, 250 00:13:06.810 --> 00:13:08.760 or maybe a little bit of both? 251 00:13:08.760 --> 00:13:12.885 So it is intuitive, however, there are 252 00:13:12.885 --> 00:13:14.220 multiple ways 253 00:13:14.220 --> 00:13:17.520 that people can learn how to use their BlindShell. 254 00:13:17.520 --> 00:13:22.520 There are many YouTube tutorials, there's podcasts. 255 00:13:23.460 --> 00:13:26.220 That's one way that somebody can learn how to use the phone. 256 00:13:26.220 --> 00:13:29.280 Second is there's a built-in manual into the phone. 257 00:13:29.280 --> 00:13:32.280 There's also manuals that you can download. 258 00:13:32.280 --> 00:13:37.280 There's also Listservs out there designated specifically 259 00:13:37.410 --> 00:13:40.890 for the BlindShell where people will ask questions 260 00:13:40.890 --> 00:13:43.080 and then they'll get 50 different responses 261 00:13:43.080 --> 00:13:47.430 from other BlindShell users explaining how to do something. 262 00:13:47.430 --> 00:13:51.330 And then we also provide customer service and training. 263 00:13:51.330 --> 00:13:52.950 So somebody gets their BlindShell, 264 00:13:52.950 --> 00:13:55.410 they take it out of the box, they have no idea 265 00:13:55.410 --> 00:13:57.480 what to do with it, they can call us, 266 00:13:57.480 --> 00:13:59.370 and we'll walk them through. 267 00:13:59.370 --> 00:14:00.270 Awesome. 268 00:14:00.270 --> 00:14:03.180 It's great to know that the manual's right there 269 00:14:03.180 --> 00:14:06.240 on the device if you don't want to branch out from there 270 00:14:06.240 --> 00:14:08.610 or you're not ready or able to do that. 271 00:14:08.610 --> 00:14:10.950 And the fact that there's a human on the other end 272 00:14:10.950 --> 00:14:13.620 of the phone ready to answer your questions 273 00:14:13.620 --> 00:14:17.190 is a really nice point in your favor. 274 00:14:17.190 --> 00:14:22.190 So as we wrap up here, I do have one last question. 275 00:14:23.040 --> 00:14:28.040 And this is something that actually makes BlindShell unique 276 00:14:28.680 --> 00:14:31.140 among smartphone alternatives, 277 00:14:31.140 --> 00:14:35.070 and that is you are adding things to it all the time. 278 00:14:35.070 --> 00:14:36.780 So when I think about a smartphone, 279 00:14:36.780 --> 00:14:39.090 I think of something that has a lot of apps 280 00:14:39.090 --> 00:14:42.000 and you can install new ones when you think about it. 281 00:14:42.000 --> 00:14:45.000 And when I think about other phones that aren't smartphones, 282 00:14:45.000 --> 00:14:47.340 that doesn't tend to jump to mind. 283 00:14:47.340 --> 00:14:49.410 I'm like, "You get what you get." 284 00:14:49.410 --> 00:14:52.980 That's not the case with the BlindShell. 285 00:14:52.980 --> 00:14:55.200 So Bari, I bet you're really excited 286 00:14:55.200 --> 00:14:58.290 to talk about this part of things. 287 00:14:58.290 --> 00:15:02.850 What things are you most excited about 288 00:15:02.850 --> 00:15:06.690 that you've recently added or even some that are coming up? 289 00:15:06.690 --> 00:15:10.500 What features have become available 290 00:15:10.500 --> 00:15:13.530 on the phone that are most exciting? 291 00:15:13.530 --> 00:15:14.363 Thank you, Ricky. 292 00:15:14.363 --> 00:15:15.510 Yeah, I'm definitely excited to talk 293 00:15:15.510 --> 00:15:17.760 about this specific topic. 294 00:15:17.760 --> 00:15:22.560 And I think it's important to say that, at BlindShell USA, 295 00:15:22.560 --> 00:15:26.070 there is no such thing as status quo. 296 00:15:26.070 --> 00:15:29.010 And I think at the end of the day also is that 297 00:15:29.010 --> 00:15:34.010 there are pretty much an infinite amount of apps 298 00:15:34.500 --> 00:15:35.790 available today, right? 299 00:15:35.790 --> 00:15:40.790 So our focus is to work with, collaborate, 300 00:15:41.190 --> 00:15:45.030 and partner with applications that can really enhance 301 00:15:45.030 --> 00:15:50.030 independence, quality of life, and be able to give end users 302 00:15:51.240 --> 00:15:53.730 the best capabilities when it comes 303 00:15:53.730 --> 00:15:55.860 to forms of communication. 304 00:15:55.860 --> 00:15:59.520 For example, we partnered with Aira to bring the Aira app 305 00:15:59.520 --> 00:16:01.200 to the BlindShell Classic 2. 306 00:16:01.200 --> 00:16:03.630 That was an incredible accomplishment, 307 00:16:03.630 --> 00:16:06.960 being able to provide that added benefit. 308 00:16:06.960 --> 00:16:10.380 Right, and if people don't know Aira, 309 00:16:10.380 --> 00:16:14.520 you can use your phone and the camera in your phone 310 00:16:14.520 --> 00:16:18.480 to get visual information from a human. 311 00:16:18.480 --> 00:16:21.120 So they'll be able to see what you're looking at, 312 00:16:21.120 --> 00:16:24.007 and you can ask specific questions, whether it's, 313 00:16:24.007 --> 00:16:26.040 "What temperature is my oven at?" 314 00:16:26.040 --> 00:16:28.687 or even doing a little bit of navigation, 315 00:16:28.687 --> 00:16:30.570 "I'm looking for this particular building." 316 00:16:30.570 --> 00:16:33.870 So yeah, very cool to have that on the BlindShell. 317 00:16:33.870 --> 00:16:36.120 Absolutely, going back to the applications, 318 00:16:36.120 --> 00:16:39.120 we want to be able to provide greater independence, 319 00:16:39.120 --> 00:16:40.200 and that's what it's all about. 320 00:16:40.200 --> 00:16:43.470 So being able to bring applications like BARD 321 00:16:43.470 --> 00:16:45.300 to the BlindShell Classic 2 322 00:16:45.300 --> 00:16:48.180 where people can download their audiobooks, 323 00:16:48.180 --> 00:16:52.560 people can listen to other content. 324 00:16:52.560 --> 00:16:55.890 And we launched that earlier in 2023 325 00:16:55.890 --> 00:16:59.280 because we realize how vital it was 326 00:16:59.280 --> 00:17:01.170 to the sight loss community. 327 00:17:01.170 --> 00:17:04.710 And so bringing on additional applications, 328 00:17:04.710 --> 00:17:09.150 you know, we have Alexa, which is another fantastic app 329 00:17:09.150 --> 00:17:13.596 where you can do so many things beyond your wildest dreams. 330 00:17:13.596 --> 00:17:16.830 For example, Diane and I were on a recent flight, 331 00:17:16.830 --> 00:17:20.520 we connected the BlindShell Classic 2 inflight, 332 00:17:20.520 --> 00:17:22.920 and Diane was able to bring up, through Alexa, 333 00:17:22.920 --> 00:17:24.510 her music playlist. 334 00:17:24.510 --> 00:17:27.630 There are so many things that you have with Alexa, 335 00:17:27.630 --> 00:17:30.180 that, when you pair up, for example, 336 00:17:30.180 --> 00:17:31.890 someone who happens to live in Florida, 337 00:17:31.890 --> 00:17:35.130 they're a Chicago Cubs baseball fan, 338 00:17:35.130 --> 00:17:38.160 they have the MLB audio subscription, 339 00:17:38.160 --> 00:17:39.480 they paired it up with Alexa, 340 00:17:39.480 --> 00:17:42.330 and now they can listen to their Cubs game 341 00:17:42.330 --> 00:17:43.830 on the BlindShell Classic 2. 342 00:17:43.830 --> 00:17:46.890 I mean, there's so many things out there that you can do. 343 00:17:46.890 --> 00:17:50.430 So the list goes on as far as what the phone offers today, 344 00:17:50.430 --> 00:17:51.750 very powerful. 345 00:17:51.750 --> 00:17:56.430 And we see the device as an all-in-one communication device, 346 00:17:56.430 --> 00:17:59.700 whether it's talk, text, stream and so much more. 347 00:17:59.700 --> 00:18:03.870 And our focus is to continue to bring more applications 348 00:18:03.870 --> 00:18:05.220 to the platform. 349 00:18:05.220 --> 00:18:08.280 We are working with the rideshare folks, 350 00:18:08.280 --> 00:18:11.880 that is something, it is also very, very popular 351 00:18:11.880 --> 00:18:13.380 as far from the request. 352 00:18:13.380 --> 00:18:17.190 We are focused on bringing some healthcare applications 353 00:18:17.190 --> 00:18:18.360 to the phone as well. 354 00:18:18.360 --> 00:18:20.190 Think about glucose monitoring. 355 00:18:20.190 --> 00:18:22.320 Hearing aids is a common request. 356 00:18:22.320 --> 00:18:27.240 And so we're now compiling a list of compatible hearing aids 357 00:18:27.240 --> 00:18:29.130 for the BlindShell Classic 2. 358 00:18:29.130 --> 00:18:32.070 It's truly exciting to know that we are at the forefront, 359 00:18:32.070 --> 00:18:35.310 we are on the front lines of providing communication 360 00:18:35.310 --> 00:18:38.010 to the sight loss community, being able to allow people 361 00:18:38.010 --> 00:18:40.860 to choose how they want to communicate. 362 00:18:40.860 --> 00:18:44.040 Again, some people are going to pick things up faster, 363 00:18:44.040 --> 00:18:45.420 sometimes gonna go a little slower. 364 00:18:45.420 --> 00:18:48.900 But at the end of the day, this device can provide 365 00:18:48.900 --> 00:18:52.230 someone with basic functionality all the way up to 366 00:18:52.230 --> 00:18:54.390 a lot more sophisticated capability. 367 00:18:54.390 --> 00:18:57.030 So there really are no limits 368 00:18:57.030 --> 00:18:59.400 as far as what someone can accomplish and use 369 00:18:59.400 --> 00:19:01.260 with the BlindShell Classic 2. 370 00:19:01.260 --> 00:19:03.000 Wow, love it. 371 00:19:03.000 --> 00:19:06.630 This really goes back to when I think of smartphones, 372 00:19:06.630 --> 00:19:08.490 I think of exactly that. 373 00:19:08.490 --> 00:19:10.050 The possibilities are endless. 374 00:19:10.050 --> 00:19:14.310 And when I think of a phone that doesn't have that moniker, 375 00:19:14.310 --> 00:19:16.860 you know, this is not a "smartphone", 376 00:19:16.860 --> 00:19:19.080 then I always think the capabilities 377 00:19:19.080 --> 00:19:21.150 are not quite there yet. 378 00:19:21.150 --> 00:19:25.800 It sounds like the BlindShell really blurs those lines 379 00:19:25.800 --> 00:19:29.100 between what is a smartphone and what is a phone 380 00:19:29.100 --> 00:19:31.170 that wouldn't be classified as that. 381 00:19:31.170 --> 00:19:33.450 I think this is, again, a great blend 382 00:19:33.450 --> 00:19:38.450 of those tactile buttons that are easy to feel, easy to use, 383 00:19:39.270 --> 00:19:42.720 a consistent menu system and new functionality 384 00:19:42.720 --> 00:19:45.390 coming all the time, which is awesome. 385 00:19:45.390 --> 00:19:48.690 So for people who are listening and they're on the edge 386 00:19:48.690 --> 00:19:51.330 of their seats now and going, "I want one of these, 387 00:19:51.330 --> 00:19:55.620 I need one now," what is the best way 388 00:19:55.620 --> 00:19:57.900 they can get more information 389 00:19:57.900 --> 00:20:00.660 and start the purchase process? 390 00:20:00.660 --> 00:20:03.900 Absolutely, so you can visit BlindShell USA, 391 00:20:03.900 --> 00:20:08.900 that's B-L-I-N-D-S-H-E-L-L-U-S-A.com, 392 00:20:08.970 --> 00:20:11.520 where you can learn more about the phone, 393 00:20:11.520 --> 00:20:15.540 its capabilities, and the latest applications as well. 394 00:20:15.540 --> 00:20:16.800 If you are looking to purchase, 395 00:20:16.800 --> 00:20:21.510 you can purchase directly through blindshellusa.com as well. 396 00:20:21.510 --> 00:20:24.840 Furthermore, if you're using the desktop version 397 00:20:24.840 --> 00:20:27.240 on our site, you can, first, 398 00:20:27.240 --> 00:20:29.831 scroll down on our homepage. 399 00:20:29.831 --> 00:20:34.800 There are links as well to our livestreams 400 00:20:34.800 --> 00:20:37.830 that are weekly and bimonthly. 401 00:20:37.830 --> 00:20:39.810 They are complementary, we have "Talking Points" 402 00:20:39.810 --> 00:20:43.290 and "BlindShell 101," both great places if you are 403 00:20:43.290 --> 00:20:44.790 on the fence and you want just to hear more 404 00:20:44.790 --> 00:20:46.500 from what the community is saying. 405 00:20:46.500 --> 00:20:50.340 Under the About section, there is a link there, 406 00:20:50.340 --> 00:20:52.002 where it says Where to Buy BlindShell. 407 00:20:52.002 --> 00:20:56.070 You can find all of our certified, 408 00:20:56.070 --> 00:20:58.980 find retailers and organizations throughout the country. 409 00:20:58.980 --> 00:21:02.760 All that information, again, blindshellusa.com. 410 00:21:02.760 --> 00:21:04.326 Fantastic, and what if somebody just wants to 411 00:21:04.326 --> 00:21:05.159 speak 412 00:21:05.159 --> 00:21:08.160 to a human, so that lovely customer service, 413 00:21:08.160 --> 00:21:11.280 how can they get in touch with you in that regard? 414 00:21:11.280 --> 00:21:15.960 You can reach us at info@blindshellusa.com. 415 00:21:15.960 --> 00:21:19.140 That is one way for a person to connect. 416 00:21:19.140 --> 00:21:22.380 And then we also have a toll-free number 417 00:21:22.380 --> 00:21:24.750 where someone can give us a call. 418 00:21:24.750 --> 00:21:29.750 That's 833-972-2020. 419 00:21:29.850 --> 00:21:33.270 I just want to add also, if there are any veterans 420 00:21:33.270 --> 00:21:35.577 who are listening, I do want to say that 421 00:21:35.577 --> 00:21:38.910 the BlindShell Classic 2 is readily available 422 00:21:38.910 --> 00:21:42.240 and quite popular through the VA clinics 423 00:21:42.240 --> 00:21:43.959 throughout the country. 424 00:21:43.959 --> 00:21:47.520 So don't hesitate to speak with your local VA 425 00:21:47.520 --> 00:21:50.340 if this is something that you are interested in. 426 00:21:50.340 --> 00:21:52.560 Excellent, thank you for that. 427 00:21:52.560 --> 00:21:55.260 I just want to thank you both for stopping by. 428 00:21:55.260 --> 00:21:59.010 It's clear that both of you really love what you do, 429 00:21:59.010 --> 00:22:01.050 and that's always a good sign. 430 00:22:01.050 --> 00:22:04.020 And I've really enjoyed hearing more 431 00:22:04.020 --> 00:22:06.390 about the BlindShell phone. 432 00:22:06.390 --> 00:22:09.810 We'll have info on this in our show notes 433 00:22:09.810 --> 00:22:11.700 if you want to check that out. 434 00:22:11.700 --> 00:22:16.050 And once again, thanks to both of you for stopping by. 435 00:22:16.050 --> 00:22:17.884 Awesome. Thank you so much. 436 00:22:17.884 --> 00:22:18.717 (gentle music) 437 00:22:18.717 --> 00:22:20.158 Got something to say? 438 00:22:20.158 --> 00:22:23.220 Share your thoughts about this episode of "Hadley Presents," 439 00:22:23.220 --> 00:22:25.800 or make suggestions for future episodes. 440 00:22:25.800 --> 00:22:27.450 We'd love to hear from you. 441 00:22:27.450 --> 00:22:31.710 Send us an email at podcast@hadley.edu. 442 00:22:31.710 --> 00:22:36.710 That's P-O-D-C-A-S-T @hadley.edu. 443 00:22:36.960 --> 00:22:39.967 Or leave us a message at 847-784-2870. 444 00:22:43.350 --> 00:22:44.493 Thanks for listening.