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Winter 2026 Edition.
A service of the Technology User Group at the Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled. Feel free to share this newsletter.
Page Explorer is an AI-powered feature in the JAWS screen reader (integrated with FS Companion) that gives users an instant, summarized overview of any web page, helping them understand its structure, find key links, and learn efficient navigation tips without reading everything. Page Explorer makes it much easier to quickly navigate complex sites.
We will learn how to use Page Explorer and discuss other exciting changes in the Fusion 2026 upgrade in our February Technology User Group (TUG) meeting. Join us on February 7th as Elizabeth Whitaker from Vispero takes us on this software journey. See more details in the Events Section of this newsletter.
Whether you are a novice iPhone user or an old pro, there may be times when it’s important to prevent your phone from locking up on you. Trying to recall a gesture or simply typing in information can lead to frustration when your machine sleeps. Fortunately, there is a remedy! Just use the following steps:
- Tell Siri to open Settings.
- Swipe with one finger to the right until you hear Display and Brightness.
- Double tap with one finger to open Display and Brightness.
- Swipe with one finger to the right until you hear Auto-Lock.
- Double tap with one finger to open Auto-Lock.
- Swipe to the right with one finger to find the lock setting that works best for you.
- Double tap with one finger to select that option.
Auto-Lock is important because there will likely be times when you will forget to press the Lock Button to secure your phone. We recommend that you keep this in mind as you choose a time option for the lock feature.
- Apple Accessibility: 877-204-3930
- BlindShell Customer Support: 520-605-3569
- Freedom Scientific Technical Support: 727-803-8600
- Google Accessibility: 650-417-9257
- HumanWare Customer Service and Tech Support: 800-722-3393
- Microsoft Customer Support for People with Disabilities: 800-936-5900
- Selvas BLV (Blind and Low Vision): 888-520-4467
- Verizon Support for People with Disabilities: 888-262-1999
Pluto TV, a free video streaming app, has recently added audio description to some of its on-demand content. To turn on audio description for Pluto TV, follow these steps:
- Open Pluto TV.
You can ask Siri to open Pluto TV.
- Go to the On-Demand tab.
Tabs for Pluto TV are located at the bottom of the screen. Swipe with one finger to find the On-Demand tab, then double tap with one finger in the middle of the screen to browse through On-Demand programming.
- Swipe right until you find a movie or show you wish to watch.
Double tap with one finger to select the movie.
Videos usually play in landscape mode.
- Select the Audio & Subtitles Menu button to open the Audio & Subtitles menu.
This menu usually appears at the beginning of a movie. If it disappears, double tap with one finger to bring the options back into display.
- Under the “Audio” heading, select the “English [Audio Description]” option.
If audio description is available, it will play at this point.
Hable One is a tactile, braille-inspired device for smartphones and tablets. It is designed for people who are blind, visually impaired, or who have motor difficulties. Hable One makes navigation and typing easier by using physical buttons for functions like VoiceOver/TalkBack, text input (braille or dictation), and app control. This makes technology more accessible without needing to use complex screen gestures. The Hable One is a small, handheld gadget with buttons that mimic braille cells, and it connects wirelessly to your device to simplify using apps and to help you stay connected. Learn about this device’s features and options and ask questions as we present the Hable One on Saturday, March 14th. This TUG presentation will also cover the Hable Easy, a non-braille device for smartphones and tablets. Find more details in the Events Section of this newsletter.
All Technology User Group (TUG) meetings can be joined via Zoom:
https://marylandlibraries.zoom.us/j/6562037293
Meeting ID: 656 203 7293
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Upcoming TUG Topics:
- January 10: BlindShell Classic 3 with AI, Plus The Image Center
- February 7: JAWS and ZoomText Updates
- March 14: Hable One and Hable Easy Smartphone Remote Controllers
- April 11: Steven Scott, Creator and Host of Double Tap
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