Why is braille still undervalued in 2025? In this powerful conversation, Steven Scott welcomes accessibility leader Dave Williams to discuss his journey from RNIB to DOT, a company creating a new type of braille tech, and the cultural barriers still holding blind people back. From leadership gaps to breakthrough devices like the Dot Pad X, this episode offers deep insights into blind empowerment, inclusive design, and the state of accessible technology today.

Steven Scott is joined by longtime accessibility advocate and technologist Dave Williams for an in-depth discussion on braille literacy, blind leadership, and new innovations in tactile technology. Dave shares why he left RNIB after six years to focus on braille full-time with DOT, the South Korean company behind the Dot Pad—one of the most advanced multiline braille and tactile graphics displays available.

The episode dives deep into systemic issues affecting blind people, from infantilization to the lack of blind people in leadership roles. Dave argues that lived experience must be more than a buzzword—it should mean direct, daily experience of blindness. Together, they reflect on challenges within the charity sector, mentorship, and representation, and why blind people must be empowered to speak for themselves.
Later, the two geek out one the upcoming Dot Pad X, comparing it to Humanware's Monarch and evaluating trade-offs in price, compatibility, and design philosophy. Dave also previews his new podcast, Raising the Dots, focused on braille and tactile literacy.

Chapters
00:00 - Introduction
01:06 - Dave Williams from Dot joins the show!
01:50 - Dave talks about leaving RNIB
05:19 - Dave’s thoughts on RNIB’s position on braille
11:22 - Dave and Steven discuss the role of blind leadership
18:45 - The value of the blind community
25:29 - The challenge of getting stuck in our own little boxes
30:00 - Get in touch with the Double Tappers
30:23 - Dave talks about previously taking over RNIB Tech Talk
41:37 - Dave talks about the Dot Pad X

Find Double Tap online: YouTube, Double Tap Website

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About Double Tap

Hosted by the insightful duo, Steven Scott and Shaun Preece, Double Tap is a treasure trove of information for anyone who's blind or partially sighted and has a passion for tech. Steven and Shaun not only demystify tech, but they also regularly feature interviews and welcome guests from the community, fostering an interactive and engaging environment. Tune in every day of the week, and you'll discover how technology can seamlessly integrate into your life, enhancing daily tasks and experiences, even if your sight is limited.

"Double Tap" is a registered trademark of Double Tap Productions Inc.

Smart speaker recommendations, accessible audio interfaces, foldable keyboards, and ACB Media insights — this listener-driven Double Tap episode covers it all with practical tips and honest takes.

Thanks to Turtleback Low Vision for sponsoring this episode of Double Tap. As a thank you to the Double Tap community, Turtleback is offering 12% off your entire order with promo code DT12. Visit https://www.turtlebacklv.com to shop the full lineup!

Steven Scott and Michael Babcock dive into your questions about tech tools like the Amazon Echo, HomePod, and Google Nest. They compare LaunchBar, Raycast, and Spotlight for Mac users with accessibility needs, explore ad blockers that work well with screen readers, and break down the accessibility of audio interfaces like the Vocaster and Audient EVO.

Michael shares behind-the-scenes stories from the American Council of the Blind, including the ACB Convention, community Zoom events, daily TikTok/YouTube content, and the powerful role of ACB Media. They also talk accessible podcast editing with Reaper, voiceover numpad commander, and the Stream Deck accessibility beta.

Bonus: Listener Shannon gets recommendations for the best foldable keyboards and numpads — which might just lead to a Lenovo laptop purchase!
The episode dives into accessibility pros and cons of popular tech:
Smart speakers: Amazon Echo vs Apple HomePod vs Google Nest.
Ad blocking tips for screen reader users using browser reader modes and plugins.
LaunchBar vs Raycast vs Spotlight for Mac users with accessibility needs.
Accessible audio interfaces like Vocaster and Audient EVO.
Customizing Reaper and using numpad commander for one-handed audio editing.

Michael also hints that Stream Deck's beta software may finally be becoming accessible, and listener Shannon gets keyboard and number pad recommendations — possibly leading to a Lenovo laptop purchase instead!

Chapters
00:00 - Introduction
00:21 - Shaun’s still unwell but we have a special guest for the hour!
02:13 - Michael is now working for ACB
19:17 - Ask Michael Anything!
19:38 - Question from Lewis: What’s the best smart speaker?
25:33 - Question from Renee who wants to get hands on with assistive tech
29:55 - Sponsor: TurtleBack
30:41 - Get in touch with the Double Tappers
31:05 - Question from Doyle on what is the best way to remove ads on websites?
34:06 - Question from Jeanette on where to buy LaunchBar for Mac?
36:59 - Question from Joe on how Steven plays in his sound effects during the show?
41:10 - Question from Shannon on which portable keyboard to get?
49:25 - Question from someone, somewhere on the accessibility of audio interfaces
52:55 - Question from Kimberley on how to edit audio on Mac or Windows one-handed

Get in touch with us by email at feedback@doubletaponair.com or connect on WhatsApp at https://www.doubletaponair.com/whatsapp

Find Double Tap online: YouTube, Double Tap Website

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About Double Tap

Hosted by the insightful duo, Steven Scott and Shaun Preece, Double Tap is a treasure trove of information for anyone who's blind or partially sighted and has a passion for tech. Steven and Shaun not only demystify tech, but they also regularly feature interviews and welcome guests from the community, fostering an interactive and engaging environment. Tune in every day of the week, and you'll discover how technology can seamlessly integrate into your life, enhancing daily tasks and experiences, even if your sight is limited.

"Double Tap" is a registered trademark of Double Tap Productions Inc.

Can blind people solve the Rubik's Cube? Yes—and Paul Martz is proof. In this episode, Steven Scott interviews the author of Solve It, a fully accessible speedcubing guide for blind users. You'll also hear listener feedback on guide dog life, choosing the right headphones for Braille displays, and the complexities of blind navigation.

This episode is supported by Pneuma Solutions. Creators of accessible tools like Remote Incident Manager and Scribe. Get $20 off with code dt20 at https://pneumasolutions.com/ and enter to win a free subscription at doubletaponair.com/subscribe!

While Shaun Preece takes a short sick leave, Steven welcomes author and blind tech enthusiast Paul Martz to the show. Paul shares his journey with RP (Retinitis Pigmentosa), switching from programming to writing, and what led him to create the first screen reader- and Braille-friendly Rubik's Cube speed-solving guide: Solve It.

Paul explains why he believes blind users already have the memory and tactile skills needed to master the cube—and how his book is helping bring a new community of “tactile cubers” together. He also dives into Mac vs. Windows accessibility, screen reader comparisons, and why VoiceOver on macOS still frustrates many blind users.

The episode also features listener emails about guide dog experiences, challenges with canes and chronic pain, and how a simple coffee meeting can become a mental gymnastics routine for blind people. Steven also offers low-latency headphone recommendations for the Mantis Q40 Braille display.

Chapters
00:00 - Introduction
00:22 - Shaun’s off sick!!
02:41 - Listener Kevin asks what headphones to buy for the Mantis Q40
08:30 - Listener Frank on having a guide dog
15:55 - Listener Leannda on blind curiosity
18:32 - Sponsor: Pneuma Solutions
19:34 - Subscribe to the Double Tap newsletter
21:01 - Paul Martz talks Mac, Windows & Rubix Cubes

Get in touch with us by email at feedback@doubletaponair.com or connect on WhatsApp at https://www.doubletaponair.com/whatsapp

Find Double Tap online: YouTube, Double Tap Website

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About Double Tap

Hosted by the insightful duo, Steven Scott and Shaun Preece, Double Tap is a treasure trove of information for anyone who's blind or partially sighted and has a passion for tech. Steven and Shaun not only demystify tech, but they also regularly feature interviews and welcome guests from the community, fostering an interactive and engaging environment. Tune in every day of the week, and you'll discover how technology can seamlessly integrate into your life, enhancing daily tasks and experiences, even if your sight is limited.

"Double Tap" is a registered trademark of Double Tap Productions Inc.

In this episode of Double Tap, Steven Scott and Shaun Preece celebrate a small victory: Meta has fixed a major accessibility issue in the iOS version of WhatsApp. The long-standing bug affecting voice message recordings for VoiceOver users is resolved, with a new double-tap gesture that makes sending messages easier and more efficient. But not everything is fixed—especially on Windows.

The hosts and listeners sound off on the broader trend of apps moving toward inaccessible web wrappers. Steven voices frustration with Meta’s shift away from native apps and expresses concern that accessibility is often an afterthought in development. Listener feedback from Australia, Pakistan, and the US highlights global frustrations, beta tester burnout, and issues with Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses and Be My Eyes integration.

With real-world feedback, humorous personal stories, and sharp commentary, the episode is a passionate call for accessibility-first design—before it’s too late.

Chapters
00:00 - Introduction
00:52 - Meta fixes the WhatsApp iOS voice recording issue
12:56 - Listener Scott shares his thoughts on Meta’s recent week
26:04 - Listener Gordon praises Steven for his latest rant
31:54 - Get in touch with the Double Tappers
32:37 - Listener Shahzad shares his thoughts on upcoming WhatsApp changes
40:26 - Listener Nolan is fed up with Meta and Microsoft!
46:14 - Listener Jim has an issue with Voiceover talking all over his Be My Eyes calls
50:29 - Listener Awaz is looking for help with the Android keyboard
52:00 - Listener Gregory thanks Shaun for this recent gardening story

Find Double Tap online: YouTube, Double Tap Website

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About Double Tap

Hosted by the insightful duo, Steven Scott and Shaun Preece, Double Tap is a treasure trove of information for anyone who's blind or partially sighted and has a passion for tech. Steven and Shaun not only demystify tech, but they also regularly feature interviews and welcome guests from the community, fostering an interactive and engaging environment. Tune in every day of the week, and you'll discover how technology can seamlessly integrate into your life, enhancing daily tasks and experiences, even if your sight is limited.

"Double Tap" is a registered trademark of Double Tap Productions Inc.

In this emotionally charged episode, Steven and Shaun unpack a controversial move by Meta to retire WhatsApp's native Windows app and replace it with a less accessible web wrapper. Steven, increasingly exasperated by the constant erosion of usability in mainstream apps, argues that blind users are being left behind by development teams prioritizing aesthetics and feature expansion over accessibility. Shaun plays devil’s advocate, reminding listeners it's still in beta—but even he admits the accessibility track record isn’t reassuring.

The conversation widens to broader issues of planned obsolescence and consumer rights as Belkin announces the shutdown of its Wemo smart home devices. The guys debate whether legislation is needed to protect users when cloud-connected products suddenly stop working.
They also cover Tiflotecnia's rebranded Vocalizer voices for NVDA, compare narrator voices, laugh about robot vacuums that do a worse job than humans, and reflect on the emotional toll of constant tech change on blind users. Steven hints at an upcoming hands-on review of the WeWALK smart cane in response to listener feedback.

Chapters
00:00 - Introduction
01:36 - Steven rants about Meta’s upcoming WhatsApp changes
29:02 - Sponosr Double Tap!
29:51 - Get in touch with the Double Tappers
30:13 - Shaun talks about the demise of Belkin WeMo products
37:48 - Steven buys a new Belkin docking station
41:02 - Shaun buys new voices for NVDA
46:16 - Issues finding chapter markers on apps
49:46 - Shaun finds out what the Audio button was for in Facebook
52:17 - Shaun’s short review of the Eufy robot vacuum
55:57 - Steven updates us on WeWalk travels

Find Double Tap online: YouTube, Double Tap Website

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About Double Tap

Hosted by the insightful duo, Steven Scott and Shaun Preece, Double Tap is a treasure trove of information for anyone who's blind or partially sighted and has a passion for tech. Steven and Shaun not only demystify tech, but they also regularly feature interviews and welcome guests from the community, fostering an interactive and engaging environment. Tune in every day of the week, and you'll discover how technology can seamlessly integrate into your life, enhancing daily tasks and experiences, even if your sight is limited.

"Double Tap" is a registered trademark of Double Tap Productions Inc.

Discover a breakthrough iPhone keyboard designed for accessibility, plus the latest on the Orbit Player, and the now free Oko app. Steven and Shaun discuss their tech mishaps and speak with developer Jamie Wallace about J-Key—a $2 iOS keyboard tailored for users with physical or visual challenges.

In this episode of Double Tap, Steven and Shaun return with laughs, listener feedback, and game-changing tech updates. After a bit of health banter, they dive into big news about the Oko app, which now offers all features for free—though still not available in Quebec.
Next, they explore the new Orbit Player, now shipping globally after its initial India launch. Developed by Orbit Research, this tactile media device offers audio books, podcast streaming, and large storage—ideal for blind users who prefer buttons over screens.
The highlight is an interview with Jamie Wallace, creator of the J-Key keyboard for iOS. Living with low vision and cerebral palsy, Jamie built this innovative $2 app to cluster keys into accessible groups, add rotor gestures for key repeats, and simplify typing for users who struggle with touchscreen precision. The interview covers how it works, VoiceOver compatibility, and its powerful emoji and text snippet features.
The episode closes with hilarious listener stories, questions about Android updates and podcast chapter markers, and heartfelt messages from fans dealing with real-life challenges—all reminding us why tech (and humor) matter.

Chapters
00:00 - Introduction
00:30 - Is Shaun feeling better?
02:36 - Oko app suspends its subscription model making it free to all
05:53 - Orbit Player now shipping
16:28 - Cool Siri tip from Allison to change iPhone screen brightness
19:11 - JKey Keyboard app now available on iPhone - interview with Jamie Wallace who created it
33:50 - Get in touch with Double Tap
34:48 - Listener Negative Julian is confused!
39:47 - Listener Sharon isn’t getting the chapter markers in Overcast app
43:44 - Listener Eleanor gets back in touch!
50:15 - Listener Shane gives thanks to the Double Tap team

Relevant Links
J-Key Keyboard: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/jkey-accessible-keyboard/id6746700520?uo=2
Orbit Research: https://www.orbitresearch.com
Oko App: https://www.ayes.ai/

Find Double Tap online: YouTube, Double Tap Website

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About Double Tap

Hosted by the insightful duo, Steven Scott and Shaun Preece, Double Tap is a treasure trove of information for anyone who's blind or partially sighted and has a passion for tech. Steven and Shaun not only demystify tech, but they also regularly feature interviews and welcome guests from the community, fostering an interactive and engaging environment. Tune in every day of the week, and you'll discover how technology can seamlessly integrate into your life, enhancing daily tasks and experiences, even if your sight is limited.

"Double Tap" is a registered trademark of Double Tap Productions Inc.

What’s it really like to undergo eye removal surgery and live with prosthetic eyes? Jenine Stanley joins Steven and Shaun to talk about blindness, braille signage, and tech from the ACB convention — with honesty, humor, and a touch of sass.

Thanks to Turtleback Low Vision for sponsoring this episode of Double Tap. As a thank you to the Double Tap community, Turtleback is offering 12% off your entire order with promo code DT12. Visit https://www.turtlebacklv.com to shop the full lineup!

In this revealing and often hilarious episode, Jenine Stanley returns to Double Tap for a raw and personal conversation that spans eye surgeries, prosthetics, blindness representation, and accessible tech. Shaun shares he’s heading off for laser cataract treatment, sparking an honest exchange about vision loss and the value of light perception. Jenine dives deep into her own experiences with glaucoma, enucleation (eye removal), and prosthetic eyes, offering rare insights into the physical and emotional journey many never hear about.

The trio explores the emotional impact of losing sight, the concept of “the blind look,” and how people adapt to vision loss — including the psychological weight of maintaining eye contact or navigating social expectations while blind. The chat also touches on the portrayal of blindness in media, the value of braille signage, and the standards that make it effective in places like the U.S.

Later, the conversation turns to highlights from the American Council of the Blind (ACB) convention, including the new FeelDUM NaviPal pouch, smart glasses from AGGIGA, and blind-friendly sports like tennis and hockey. Jenine also discusses the political landscape around disability rights and why nonprofit organizations like ACB and NFB must tread carefully when it comes to advocacy and politics.

Chapters
00:00 - Introduction
01:01 - Shaun goes for cataract surgery
03:19 - Jenine Stanley rejoins the show!
06:01 - Removal of the eye and the replacement prosthetics
24:03 - Sponsor: Turtleback
24:51 - Get in touch with Double Tap
25:15 - Visiting the ACB 2025 Convention in Dallas, Texas
32:54 - The politics of non-profits in the USA
40:32 - What does Jenine think about braille signage?
45:17 - What tech finds did Jenine spot at ACB Convention?

Find Double Tap online: YouTube, Double Tap Website

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About Double Tap

Hosted by the insightful duo, Steven Scott and Shaun Preece, Double Tap is a treasure trove of information for anyone who's blind or partially sighted and has a passion for tech. Steven and Shaun not only demystify tech, but they also regularly feature interviews and welcome guests from the community, fostering an interactive and engaging environment. Tune in every day of the week, and you'll discover how technology can seamlessly integrate into your life, enhancing daily tasks and experiences, even if your sight is limited.

"Double Tap" is a registered trademark of Double Tap Productions Inc.

WhatsApp’s latest update caused a major accessibility glitch—but is the fix already here? Steven and Shaun dive into this bug affecting VoiceOver users, share hilarious tales of jingle backlash, and offer more early impressions of the WeWALK smart cane. Plus: why accessible TVs still frustrate blind users, and how a community member finds strength through her guide dog and Double Tap.

This episode is supported by Pneuma Solutions. Creators of accessible tools like Remote Incident Manager and Scribe. Get $20 off with code dt20 at https://pneumasolutions.com/ and enter to win a free subscription at doubletaponair.com/subscribe!

In this heartfelt and informative episode, Steven Scott and Shaun Preece kick off with a surprisingly passionate listener outcry over the missing email jingle. From there, they cover a wide range of accessibility topics, starting with Steven's discovery of a frustrating WhatsApp bug that made it nearly impossible to send voice messages with VoiceOver. They explain how Meta’s accessibility team responded—and why some feedback is still being overlooked.

Steven also shares his first impressions of the WeWALK smart cane, covering battery life, tactile feedback, and how it performs when the tech is off. Listener emails prompt a deeper discussion on cane ergonomics, obstacle detection, and the potential for future app integrations like Soundscape.

Later, listener Darren shares news of a new low-cost USB player from Synapptic that remembers track positions—something many other devices fail to do—and highlight the ongoing demand for simple, accessible media playback. The episode wraps with updates on smart TVs, why accessible interfaces still lag behind, and a moving listener email from Katie, who reflects on long COVID, the comfort of her guide dog Princess, and her love for the show.

Chapters
00:00 - Introduction
00:33 - Steven gets hate mail but why?
02:48 - Gossip about Mr F!
07:01 - Google to hold event on August 20th
09:44 - More WeWalk thoughts and user error
18:32 - Issues with WhatsApp on iOS
29:30 - Sponsor: Pneuma Solutions
30:54 - Subscribe to our newsletter
31:52 - Get in touch with Double Tap
33:57 - Listener Katie sends in a thoughtful and emotional message
40:56 - Listener Darren updates us on new Synapptic USB Book Player and more
46:49 - Listener Yusuf shares his thoughts on accessible TVs

Find Double Tap online: YouTube, Double Tap Website

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About Double Tap

Hosted by the insightful duo, Steven Scott and Shaun Preece, Double Tap is a treasure trove of information for anyone who's blind or partially sighted and has a passion for tech. Steven and Shaun not only demystify tech, but they also regularly feature interviews and welcome guests from the community, fostering an interactive and engaging environment. Tune in every day of the week, and you'll discover how technology can seamlessly integrate into your life, enhancing daily tasks and experiences, even if your sight is limited.

"Double Tap" is a registered trademark of Double Tap Productions Inc.