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We Have Solutions!

We Have Solutions!

By AT Help Desk

Hello and welcome to We Have Solutions! An A.T. Help Desk podcast brought to you by Neil Squire. We discuss assistive technology, disabilities, and breaking down barriers to accessibility through one-on-one interviews, news, reviews, and more. Neil Squire is a Canadian national not-for-profit organization that empowers Canadians with disabilities through advocacy, computer-based assistive technology, research and development, and various employment programs.
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Episode 11: Speech Loss, New Technology, and App Recommendations with Nakia Singh

We Have Solutions!Nov 30, 2022

00:00
01:08:03
Episode 24: NFC-Based Automation, Reading Tools for Teams, and Our New Favourite AI

Episode 24: NFC-Based Automation, Reading Tools for Teams, and Our New Favourite AI

On this episode we talk about NFC-based automation for persons with disabilities, the Reading Progress and Reaching Coach tools that are now available for Teams, and finally we look at another AI chatbot that just might be our new favorite.

Mar 29, 202401:18:09
Episode 23: ATIA 2024

Episode 23: ATIA 2024

On today’s episode: ATIA 2024. Fresh from their trip to Orlando, Erin and Todd are here with us today to talk about their experiences at the ATIA conference.

Mar 01, 202401:28:32
Episode 22: CES 2024, Natural Reader, and More

Episode 22: CES 2024, Natural Reader, and More

In this episode, we talk about the amazing new tech coming from CES 2024, the natural reader text-to-speech app, augmented reality glasses that are actually affordable, and more.

Jan 26, 202401:19:08
Episode 21: Best of 2023

Episode 21: Best of 2023

Today we are doing a special “best of 2023” podcast where we have compiled some of our favorite moments from the past year. So if you haven’t tuned in to our podcast yet, this episode should give you a good idea of what we typically talk about.

Nov 30, 202301:01:28
Episode 20: Apple Accessibility Update, App Reviews, more AI

Episode 20: Apple Accessibility Update, App Reviews, more AI

Today we are joined by my co-host Nakia Singh. Join us as we talk about Apple’s upcoming accessibility update, we also get into some app reviews, and, once again we touch on AI and how it is effecting assistive technology in 2023.

Oct 31, 202301:06:09
Episode 19: Apple Accessibility, AI as AT, and More!

Episode 19: Apple Accessibility, AI as AT, and More!

On today's episode we are joined once again by my co-host Nakia Singh. We talk about Apple’s new accessibility features, using AI as AT, advances in wearable technology, and more.

Sep 29, 202301:13:19
Episode 18: Back to School 2023

Episode 18: Back to School 2023

In this solo-cast, Seaver explores his top five apps for going back to school in 2023. After that, we take the time to review some best practices when it comes to using the internet, including tips for avoiding phishing and other scams.

Aug 30, 202347:36
Episode 17: From Diagnosis to Adoption, an AT Journey with Jonathan Beaumont

Episode 17: From Diagnosis to Adoption, an AT Journey with Jonathan Beaumont

On today's episode we are joined by our summer student, Jonathon Beaumont. Jonathon is a relatively new AT user who has been diagnosed with a rare neurological condition known as Friedreich's ataxia. We talk about what it’s like to be diagnosed with a neurological condition at age 13, which AT he uses and why, his experiences in university as an AT user, and much more.

Jul 31, 202301:00:14
Episode 16: Learning Disabilities with LDANB Executive Director Ainsley Congdon

Episode 16: Learning Disabilities with LDANB Executive Director Ainsley Congdon

Today we are joined by Ainsley Congdon. Ainsley has worked at the Learning Disabilities Association of New Brunswick in many capacities since 2017 and has been the executive director of the organization since 2019. Coming to LDANB as a former classroom teacher Ainsley brings with her a unique, hands-on perspective on learning disabilities in the classroom. We talk learning strategies, types of accommodations, psych-ed assessments and why it’s so difficult to get one in New Brunswick, and much more.


Jun 30, 202301:08:16
Episode 15: CSUN and AT Training with Erin LeBlanc

Episode 15: CSUN and AT Training with Erin LeBlanc

Today we are joined once again by digital literacy and assistive technology trainer Erin LeBlanc. We discussed her experiences at the CSUN assistive technology conference, the steps required to become accredited in AT, her experiences with her CSUN course, and much more. If you’ve ever thought about pursuing a degree or certificate in A.T., then you won’t want to miss this one.

May 30, 202301:11:59
Episode 14: Accessibility and AI with Nakia Singh

Episode 14: Accessibility and AI with Nakia Singh

On today's episode we are joined once again by our accessibility and tech guru, Nakia Singh. Join us as we talk about accessibility hacks for persons with visual impairments, dive into the implications of AI as an accessibility tool, review some in-depth AT case studies, and much more!

Apr 28, 202301:15:12
Episode 13: Mainstream AT with Erin LeBlanc

Episode 13: Mainstream AT with Erin LeBlanc

Today we are joined by digital literacy and assistive technology trainer Erin LeBlanc. In this episode, we explore some of our favorite mainstream technologies and apps that can also function as AT. We talk UDL, barriers to bringing technology into the classroom, and more. 

Feb 24, 202301:05:23
Episode 12: Ergonomics and Occupational Therapy with Alain Desir

Episode 12: Ergonomics and Occupational Therapy with Alain Desir

On today's episode we are joined by Occupational Therapist Alain Desir. Alain brings with him years of experience in the field, and I thoroughly enjoyed sitting down with him and learning more about what he does. Tune in as we explore all things OT, including case studies, tips for good ergonomics, success stories, and more.

Jan 27, 202301:35:51
Episode 11: Speech Loss, New Technology, and App Recommendations with Nakia Singh

Episode 11: Speech Loss, New Technology, and App Recommendations with Nakia Singh

On today’s episode we are joined once again by Nakia Singh. We explore some interesting new assistive technology apps and devices including a solar powered keyboard, a distraction-free browser, a wearable metronome and more. We also explore a new case study involving an individual dealing with speech loss at an advanced age. 

Nov 30, 202201:08:03
Episode 10: Apps and Case Studies with Nakia Singh

Episode 10: Apps and Case Studies with Nakia Singh

In this episode, we are joined by Nakia Singh. We make app recommendations for persons with visual disabilities, then we explore some exciting new assistive technology devices and apps including the Transit app, Andronix, smart locks for persons with disabilities, and more. 

Oct 31, 202201:20:53
Episode 9: Exploring FASD with Alicia Munn

Episode 9: Exploring FASD with Alicia Munn

On today's episode we are joined by FASD advocate Alicia Munn. Alicia is an LPN, a mother, and the operations Manager/Coordinator for the Fredericton Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disabilities Support Group.

In this information-packed episode, we learn all about FASD and the struggles that these individuals and their families face. Then, we explore some real-life scenarios and make specific A.T. recommendations. So if you’ve been wondering about what apps to recommend to persons with FASD, you won’t want to miss this one!

Oct 03, 202201:29:34
Episode 8: Back to School with Nakia Singh

Episode 8: Back to School with Nakia Singh

Today we are joined once again by A.T. researcher and life-long assistive-technology user Nakia Singh. In this episode, we talk about some of our favorite back to school apps, making friends with A.I., apps for math, and, Seaver's recent experiences in joining the partially sighted community.



Sep 01, 202201:11:22
Episode 7: Video Games as Medicine with Nakia Singh

Episode 7: Video Games as Medicine with Nakia Singh

In today's episode we are once again joined by A.T. researcher and life-long assistive technology user Nakia Singh. We talk about video games as medicine (literally!), the Rogers internet outage and how it affected persons with disabilities, adaptive switch controllers, and more. 

Jul 29, 202201:20:51
Episode 6: Growing and Innovating with Chad Leaman

Episode 6: Growing and Innovating with Chad Leaman

On today’s episode, we are joined by Neil Squire’s director of Innovation Chad Leaman. We’re going to touch on a variety of subjects today, including the evolution of 3D printing and assistive technology, adaptive gaming, the evolution of communication technology during Covid, and, how he managed to broker a million-dollar deal with Google.

Jun 30, 202201:19:04
Episode 5: Pivoting for the Pandemic with Tracy Ryan

Episode 5: Pivoting for the Pandemic with Tracy Ryan

Today we are joined by our K-12 Coordinator for Assistive Technology Programs and Services, Tracy Ryan. Tracy brings with her decades of experience in the disabilities community, and almost 5 years serving as our K-12 coordinator here in New Brunswick.

On this episode, we talk about what it was like to provide services and training to schools during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the challenges, successes, and lessons that went with it.

May 31, 202201:05:56
Episode 4: Home Automation and Mac vs PC vs Linux

Episode 4: Home Automation and Mac vs PC vs Linux

Today, we are joined by my co-host Nakia Singh. Nakia brings with him decades of personal experience with A.T., computing, and much more. In this episode, we touch on home automation, transportation for the visually impaired, and PC vs Mac vs Linux. 

Apr 28, 202201:21:51
Episode 3: History of Neil Squire with Dr. Gary Birch

Episode 3: History of Neil Squire with Dr. Gary Birch

On today's episode we are joined by Order of Canada recipient and Neil Squire Executive Director Dr. Gary Birch.

Dr. Birch brings with him decades of experience in assistive technology, EEG signal processing, direct brain-computer interface, robotic control systems, environmental control systems, and more.

Dr. Birch has played many key roles in both the genesis and the persistence of Neil Squire, and in today's episode I had the opportunity to speak with Dr. Birch so that we could dive deeper into the history of the organization.

Mar 31, 202201:13:12
Episode 2: Makers Making Change
Feb 25, 202201:35:50
Episode 1: Living with Disabilities

Episode 1: Living with Disabilities

On today's episode we are joined by Nakia Singh. Nakia is an AT researcher, technician, and lifetime seeker of assistive technology solutions. We talk about living with disabilities, the A.T. Help Desk, International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Nakia's fascinating life story, and more.

Jan 10, 202201:51:19