Dear AccessWorld Editor,
This letter is in response to Aaron Preece's December 2018 article, The Insignia Smart TV, Fire TV Edition: an Exploration and Review.
Thanks so much for including the mention of magnification and the list of TV models, sizes, and prices.
If AccessWorld is still doing its series on TV and entertainment, please consider reviewing the Fire TV Recast, our over-the-air DVR that ties into Fire TV (though you can also use your Echo Show or iOS/Android device to set it up and use it) and will record scores of hours of broadcast TV (including, of course, audio described broadcast TV). It comes in two models — one with 500GB of storage and two tuners, and another with 1 TB of storage and four tuners, so you can record 2 or 4 shows simultaneously! You can connect it to your network via Ethernet or WIFI, and then stream recorded shows over your internal network or over the Internet (to watch something you recorded when you aren't at home). Prices start at $229.99 (though currently on sale starting at $189.99).
Moving to the kitchen, Amazon recently released the AmazonBasics Microwave oven, expressly designed to work with Alexa. While it doesn't include a microphone or speaker, this $59.99 microwave has a dedicated, raised Alexa button on the front panel. Pair it with an Echo in your home, and you can then use Alexa to cook. Amazon staff has really enjoyed reading the customer reviews from our blind customers. I think AccessWorld readers would love to learn about this product.
Regards,
Peter Korn, Director, Accessibility, Amazon Lab126
Dear AccessWorld Editor,
This letter is in response to Bill Holton's December 2018 article, A New Way to Obtain JAWS and ZoomText.
Looks like Narrator from Windows X works. If the new Narrator was considered […] a joke by Freedom Scientific, the prices would not come down so drastically. From more than $1,000 to less than $100 for three licenses… I have not used the new Narrator yet, but this approach for Freedom Scientific says a lot.
Regards,
José Antonio
Dear AccessWorld Editor,
This letter is in response to Deborah Kendrick's December 2018 article, How ABLE Accounts Can Benefit Eligible People with Visual Impairments.
It sounds like a great program, and it seems the author did a superb job at implementing advice and suggestions for individuals to subscribe to this program.
I have a few questions regarding the program that maybe the author or anyone in the AccessWorld community can answer. Does anyone considering joining the program have to be a US Citizen to subscribe? Does a person who is wanting to be eligible for the program have to have a doctor certifying the person with the disability? Can a school, or through an I.E.P., [certify a person to enter the program]? How can I get information on whether the state I reside in will implement this program in the future?
Thank you so very much, and I look forward to seeing more information about the ABLE program.
Sincerely,
Avila Humberto
Dear AccessWorld Editor,
Thank you for Deborah Kendrick's December 2018 article, How ABLE Accounts Can Benefit Eligible People with Visual Impairments.
The article referred to this type of account as a "tax-advantaged" account, but never really defined what that meant. This may lead the reader to think that, like an IRA, one can deduct the money they put into this account from their Federal taxes, which is as far as I know not the case. The tax advantage comes from the fact that no taxes are paid on money earned from the investments the money goes into. Some states also allow you to deduct a certain amount of what you put into the account, but this is not always the case.
It would be great if this information is verified and further explained to the reader for the sake of clarity.
Happy holidays and keep up the good work.
Sincerely,
Zuhair Mahmoud
