Blind Guys Chat

In our last show before the summer break, we are talking with former Vice President of Product Development at Vispero, Eric Damery. Eric chats to the guys about retirement, holidays, golf, and the current and future state of assistive tech. We have news on the Tiera navigation app, and Clodagh has emails from Clare McLoughlin and Blind Gordon. So, strip down to your new night shorts, feel the wind gently blow through the bed sheets, and assume a horizontal position while you tune in to the number 1 podcast this side of a heatwave: Blind Guys Chat. 9 out of 10 swimming pools prefer it to being full of sweaty people! Links for this episode: · Meta Adventurer smart glasses: https://www.meta.com/ie/ai-glasses/meta-glasses/adventurer-tortoise-brown/ · Seen – Unseen live from Venice Biennale registration link: artistclaremclaughlin.org/seen-unseen-visit-to-the-irish-pavilion-at-la-biennale-venice-august-2026/ · Venice Biennale 2026 main website: https://www.labiennale.org/en · Venice Biennale 2026 accessibility: https://www.labiennale.org/en/art/2026/accessible-biennale Support Blind Guys Chat by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/blind-guys-chat Read transcript

On this show we are speaking to super-duper influencer, Jessie Anderson all about accessible gaming. Not even 'Skinny Pete' from the TV series Breaking Bad knows as much about video games and consoles as Jessie. A veteran of the ATARI 2600 and Apple 2, Jessie walks us through how a blind or partially sighted person can navigate the world of gaming. More importantly, he tells us how to play some of the most popular games out there at the moment, using screen readers and magnifiers. Yes folks, we're talking all the favourites here; Call of Duty, Mortal Combat, Card World, Doom, Quake, The Last of Us, Forza Motor Sport, and the MODs which are the modifications that some gamers have done to make other games accessible. Whether you have an X-Box, PlayStation 5, or a PC, we've got you covered! Don’t forget to email us on BlindGuysChat@gmail.com about what games you enjoy, and what your experience has been with accessible games. So, pop on your racing suit and helmet, keep a sharp eye/ear out for the secret loot stash, and press restart on the number one podcast game as recently voted by the zombies’ weekly newsletter: Blind Guys Chat. 16 out of 20 gamers prefer it to finger twitches! Links discussed in the show: · Jessie's website: https://www.illegallysighted.com/ · Jessie's channel: www.youtube.com/illegallysighted · Accessible MOD for Doom: https://alando1.itch.io/toby-accessibility-mod-v90-rc1 · The Last of Us part 2: https://www.playstation.com/en-us/games/the-last-of-us-part-ii/accessibility/ · Forza Motor Sport: https://support.forza.net/hc/en-us/articles/46524064744851-Forza-Motorsport-Accessibility-Support · Game info site: www.audiogames.net · Game info site 2: https://caniplaythat.com/ Support Blind Guys Chat by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/blind-guys-chat Read transcript

In honour of Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind celebrating 50 years in being, we've got a round table discussion on this show with 2 guide dog owners and a guide dog puppy raiser. Mo has news on the latest JAWS 2026 update, which includes the option to save your settings in the cloud. And Jan and Mo are about to fight it out as The Netherlands face-off with Morocco in the World Cup. Spoiler Alert; It's already happened guys! So, turn off the World Cup for a few minutes, prepare yourself a nice Gin and tonic, and give Blind Guys Chat a whirl. The official sponsor of the 2027 'Kitten chasing a ball of string', World Cup! Support Blind Guys Chat by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/blind-guys-chat Read transcript

As the world becomes more and more immersed in the FIFA 2026 World Cup, the Blind Guys assess FIFA’s audio description service for the games. Is it better than standard commentary or is it an own goal for FIFA? Jan and Mo have been on a second date, and as usual they had chaperones; this time in the guise of former 'Big Cheese' at Vispero, Eric Damery and his lovely wife Pauline. The guys accepted no guilt for ordering 2 lobster salads and then running for the hills before the bill arrived! Clodagh's got email questions about digital menus and QR codes, and a question about accessible gaming. If you’ve got big feelings (or small feelings) about accessible gaming, please get in touch – you might be included in a future episode about this topic! Email blindguyschat@gmail.com and tell us all. Finally, if you would like to hear and contribute to the next Audio Description Association VI User Group meeting, here are the details: The next ADA VI user group will see Óran O’Neill speaking with James Flanagan from FSE. Football Supporters Europe’s Disability & Inclusion Fan Network is helping to ensure that supporters with disabilities have a stronger voice in shaping the future of football. James will talk to us about the vital role of Audio Descriptive Commentary in making football more accessible for blind and partially sighted fans, both in stadiums and on television. Drawing on his experience in disability inclusion and supporter advocacy, James tells us how accessible commentary can enhance the matchday experience and help ensure that football is truly a game for everyone. Time: Jun 23, 2026 01:30 PM Dublin (GMT) Join Zoom Meeting: https://tinyurl.com/ADAviUserGroup Meeting ID: 873 1982 7571 So, strip down to your game jersey and shorts, run out into a field with painted white lines and prepare to listen to the best podcast this side of an overpriced subway train ticket: Blind Guys Chat - 18 out of 20 FIFA World Cup footballs prefer it to being kicked around! Links for this show: · FIFA ADC app for iPhone: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/fifa-audio-description/id6745691218 · FIFA ADC app for Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fifa.adc.app\&hl=en_IE Support Blind Guys Chat by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/blind-guys-chat Read transcript

In what can only be described as a robust conversation, this week's show has it all! The Blind Guys begin by talking about the weather and then we move smoothly into Jan telling us about this year’s Sight Village, from which he has just returned. The conversation then meanders along the road as the guys talk about the new Focus 46 and also the introduction of JAWS Kiosk as it rolls into Europe; it seems that there are some bumps along the way for this new accessibility feature at airports and other locations. The show tour bus then appears to take a sharp right and heads straight for a wall so thick, not even the US military could break through it. However, the Blind Guys, 2 in particular, manage to drive headfirst through this wall as if it is a knife cutting through butter! On the calmer side of the street, Clodagh has an email from Bence, who has a question about accessible coffee makers and Microwaves etcetera. So, we suggest you buckle up multiple times, if you can, and settle in for what we describe as the Grand Theft Auto of a nice sedate Sunday drive in the countryside: Blind Guys Chat - 8 out of 10 spineless, weak-minded wet towels prefer it to a men's smelly locker room! Links for this show: · Storm Keypad: https://www.storm-interface.com/ · LinkedIn post from Jan: https://tinyurl.com/JanLinkedInPost · RNIB website: https://tinyurl.com/RNIBshop · Light indicator: https://tinyurl.com/LightIdent · Accessible coffee machine, De'Longhi Magnifica S: https://tinyurl.com/AccessibleCoffee · Another one that’s voice activated but we haven’t tried it personally: https://www.lavazza.com/en/coffee-machines/a-modo-mio-voicy · RNIB talking microwave and induction hob: https://shop.rnib.org.uk/collections/microwaves-and-hobs Support Blind Guys Chat by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/blind-guys-chat Read transcript

On this show we are chatting to Martijn van der Spek, the developer of the very popular PiccyBot application. Martijn tells us how he got started creating accessible apps for the blind, and of course all about his latest creation PiccyBot. The BGC fellas have been using this app for a while and love it. Jan is just back from a bitterly cold camping trip, where he has a top tip: wear all your clothes at the same time for a good night's sleep! Clodagh's got an email from Máire from Kerry, asking about audio description for GAA football and hurling, and gets rather excited explaining these Irish games to the non-Irish lads! Finally, a reminder that Óran is hosting the next Audio Description Association (ADA) VI User Group event on Tuesday, May 26, when he will be speaking with Dr Lucía Pintado Gutiérrez from Dublin City University, about the ADESI (Audio Description in Ireland) project. This is a research project and report published in 2025 on “The challenges of audio description in Ireland: Bridging education, users and industry.” All are welcome. Details below: Date: May 26th Time 13:30pm - 14:30pm (GMT) Zoom Link: https://tinyurl.com/ADAviUserGroup So, stop trying to vote for your favourite song - the Eurovision Song Contest is over! And instead vote number 1 for the number 1 podcast this side of the Blue Danube: Blind Guys Chat. 112 out of 114 Minions prefer it to being despicable! Links for this show: · Piccybot: www.piccybot.com · GAA: https://www.gaa.ie/ · Croke Park audio description service: https://crokepark.ie/matchday/adc-commentary · Clodagh’s favourite song about Vienna (It’s a cover): https://tinyurl.com/ViennaSong Support Blind Guys Chat by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/blind-guys-chat Read transcript

We've got accessibility royalty this week as Glen Gordon joins us to chat all things retirement, AI, and Vispero. Glen's considerable legacy as a developer working for Vispero is not only in the software of JAWS itself, but also in the principles of accessibility, and the continuous improvement of assistive technology. He is continuing to push himself to new levels of development as he digs deep into AI and how it can improve accessibility. In other news, Clodagh has an email from Blind Gordon Anthony who gives us his views on the Oorion and PiccyBot apps. From AI: “Both OOrion (often referred to as Orion) and PiccyBot are specialised AI-powered applications designed to assist individuals who are blind or have low vision by providing detailed descriptions of their surroundings, images, and videos.” So, now that the world snooker championship is over, why not take some time to enjoy the finer things in life - Blind Guys Chat: for the most discerning of listeners. 10 out of 10 Vogue editors prefer it to mannequins with a limb difference! Links for this episode: · OOrion app: https://www.oorion.fr/en · PiccyBot app: https://www.piccybot.com/ Support Blind Guys Chat by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/blind-guys-chat Read transcript

Way-hey! The days are finally getting warmer, and Sjef and Larry (the respectable guide dogs) are out in their gardens, sunning themselves and listening to the wonderful birdsong. Have you tried the Merlin Bird ID app? It's an app that identifies which birdies are singing in the trees, and the 2 furry fellas think it's the business! META glasses are now available in the language of the land with no mountains! Yes, Dutch blindies can now interact with META Ray Bans in their own language... is that Double Dutch? Jan and Óran tell us how they are getting on with the OOrion and Tiera app. Have you tried them yet? Let us know: [blindguyschat@gmail.com]( mailto:blindguyschat@gmail.com " mailto:blindguyschat@gmail.com "). We also understand there is another rival app called PiccyBot or is it PiccyBum? Clodagh has an email from Petra asking about accessibility when attending outdoor concerts or other big events. Do you have any experiences or tips to help our listener? Óran has news about an upcoming Audio Description Association event on April 29th. Why don't you come along and tell us about cognitive overload. When is AD just too much? We want to hear from you. See details and link below. So, move your armchair out to the patio, bring the budgies with you, and listen to the soothing sounds of the most listened to podcast this side of a bacon sandwich: Blind Guys Chat: 9 out of 10 Blue Tits prefer it to being joked about! Links for this episode: · Merlin: https://merlin.allaboutbirds.org/ · Piccybot: https://www.piccybot.com/ · OOrion: https://www.oorion.fr/en · Tiera: https://www.touchpulse.nl/tiera · ADA event details: AD VI User Group - Cognitive Overload? with Roz Chalmers. When it comes to audio description, how much is too much? Do you wish you could take a breather when consuming audio described content? Join a discussion with renowned describer Roz Chalmers to hear a range of views. Time: Wed Apr 29, 2026 7.00 PM - 8.00 PM London Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87421523997?pwd=LMetMamMc8ICKgbyLd90VKqxBBBbtM.1 Support Blind Guys Chat by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/blind-guys-chat Read transcript

It's time to bring BGC favourite Kevin Sherwin back onto the show to discuss this year’s Eurovision Song Contest entries. Kevin is not pulling any punches this year and is betting His Holy Communion money on Latvia to win! And this year could be their year, as Saturn, Venus and Mount Fuji have decided not to take part in the competition. But what about all the other entries, don't they deserve a chance? What about Ireland, Spain, The Netherlands and 95-time contest winner and friend of the podcast Slovakia? And don't the Spice Girls get a say in any of this? Huh?! (Don’t forget to email Kevin’s mammy with your problems and questions! – ThingsGayPeopleLike@gmail.com .) Clodagh has emails from Clare McLoughlin, who has information on the April Seen/Unseen event, and Jose is asking a tech question about those pesky graphics on webpages. So, forget about the Artemis II mission wake up music for a moment, don't worry about that zero-gravity spoon smashing into the spaceship controls. And instead strap yourself in for the only podcast worth listening to while attempting re-entry: Blind Guys Chat. 3 out of 4 astronauts prefer it to fixing space toilets! Links for this episode: · ‘Things Gay People Like’ podcast: [ https://open.spotify.com/show/02N4vAlIPR6NWTrIM6iTAt ]( https://open.spotify.com/show/02N4vAlIPR6NWTrIM6iTAt " https://open.spotify.com/show/02N4vAlIPR6NWTrIM6iTAt" ) · Email Kevin’s mammy with your agony aunt questions at thingsgaypeoplelike@gmail.com · Doug Lee scripts for JAWS recommended by Mo: [ https://www.dlee.org/ ]( https://www.dlee.org/ " https://www.dlee.org/" ) · Clare McLoughlin Seen/Unseen April event details: https://artistclaremclaughlin.org/this-april-25th-seen-unseen-will-be-at-imma/ · Artimis II playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0WO94bzZeuUun777vv6UJu Support Blind Guys Chat by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/blind-guys-chat Read transcript

Our guest this week is Liam Geschwindt from Touchpulse. Liam is here to talk to us about Tiera, which is a new AI-powered navigation app designed specifically for blind and low-vision users. Teira offers real-time, highly precise audio guidance to help us move independently through complex environments. Built with input from the visually impaired community, it adapts to each user’s needs and uses features like voice assistance and smart routing to make everyday travel safer and more accessible. And the Blind Guys were delighted to hear that the app can also find a bargain, cos we're too cheap to pay full price for a coffee! Clodagh is back with emails and starts with an apology to our good friend Nora Nagle. It appears we didn't read out Nora's email when we got it in January. Sorry Nora, but it's not our fault; speak to the email boss aka our token sightie - we just do the yappin'! So, stop eating those easter eggs - it's not easter yet! Cuddle up on your couch instead, and listen to the number 1 podcast as recently voted by Brazilian sumo wrestlers: Blind Guys Chat - 7 out of 10 sumo wrestlers prefer it to wedgies! Links for this show: · Touchpulse: https://www.touchpulse.nl/ · Tiera App: https://www.touchpulse.nl/tiera · ADA VI User Group event registration page: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/2d-BX76kT0WFGChBjky0zQ Support Blind Guys Chat by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/blind-guys-chat Read transcript

Doctor Lucía Pintado Gutiérrez, is our guest this week. Dr Gutiérrez is the author of a new report on audio description (AD) in Ireland – ‘The ADESI Project’. Her research is not just confined to broadcast but rather covers audio description in all aspects of life including sports, film, theatre, museums, and education. Dr Gutiérrez, shares with us the reasons why she decided to do this research, what the media accessible landscape looks like in Ireland, and shares the results of her research with us. Jan has info on an app from UEFA where you can access AD commentaries for soccer matches and Óran has information on an Audio Description Association event coming up at the end of March. So, throw away your winter blues and woolly scarf; convince yourself that spring has sprung, and warmer weather is here at last even if it’s lashing rain; and listen to the number 1 podcast as recently voted by climatologists; Blind Guys Chat. 9 out of 10 audio describers prefer it to subtitles! Links for this episode: · The ADESI Project: · European Qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup: All you need to know · Live Audio Description for Football: Making the UEFA U21 Championships Accessible to All Fans: · The Audio Description Association (ADA) bulletin (downloadable Word doc): · ADA VI User Group event registration page: Support Blind Guys Chat by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/blind-guys-chat Read transcript

On this show we are speaking to Mohammed's brother Ihab Laachir, who is here to spill the beans about his older brother, apparently known as 'The Hacker' in his family. Who knew?! Ihab is currently studying political science at Amsterdam University and has some great insights into living with a disability while attending university. Is Ihab a future prime minister of The Netherlands? Well, he has our vote for sure. We have emails from Chloe in the UK about funniest blind bloopers - Mohammed has a funny one about meeting himself in his apartment. Huh? Mei Ling from Singapore is asking about AD. Jacob in Norway wants a raise for the 'token sightie' (AKA Clodagh) for having to put up with the 3 boys. Clodagh thinks she should get danger money! So, stick the toast on, fling open the windows, and listen to the dawn chorus while tuning in to the best podcast this side of a mushroom omelette: Blind Guys Chat - 18 out of 20 university students prefer it to lectures! Links for this show: Audio Description Association: https://www.audiodescription.co.uk/ Ihab’s links: o https://www.instagram.com/laatje12?igsh=NTgzanpubGdsNzV5 https://www.instagram.com/laatje12?igsh=NTgzanpubGdsNzV5 o https://www.linkedin.com/in/ihab-laachir-9129b522a https://www.linkedin.com/in/ihab-laachir-9129b522a o https://www.patreon.com/14232348/join?utm_id=38cd0de4-8833-494b-9bf1-eb34dfc4e947\&utm https://www.patreon.com/14232348/join?utm_id=38cd0de4-8833-494b-9bf1-eb34dfc4e947\&utm o https://www.instagram.com/reel/DVMOvIMjOa3/?igsh=dnliMG9oMml6ano1 Support Blind Guys Chat by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/blind-guys-chat Read transcript

#:140: Larry's favourite guest of all time Fresh from setting fire to the Italian Pavilion at COP 30, due to a lack of salty caramel gelato, this week we are devoting the whole show to Professor John Sweeney, leading climatologist at Maynooth University. Prof. John, who is Larry's favourite person, at least when there are sausages about, is here to put a bit of smacht (an Hiberno-English term – see more here ) on the whole weather situation going on at the moment. Over the last few weeks in Ireland, Spain, Portugal and even Morocco residents and business owners have been drenched with the unusual amount of rain. Is this a trend? Let's find out from Professor Sweeney. So, peel off your waterproofs that aren't actually waterproof, make some hot chocolate with just a drop of Baileys, and dry yourself in the cosy warmth of the best podcast this side of a damp piano: Blind Guys Chat - 7 out of 10 climatologists prefer it to the weather. Links for this episode: · “Smacht” and nine other lovely Hiberno-English words and phrases: https://stancarey.wordpress.com/2014/05/26/10-words-only-used-in-irish-english/#:~:text=1.,treasure%20in%20the%20vocative%20case . · NASA explain spring and neap tides very well at this link: https://science.nasa.gov/moon/tides/ · "Room for the river programme" in The Netherlands: https://www.dutchwatersector.com/news/room-for-the-river-programme · Ireland’s water level data: https://waterlevel.ie · The Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI): https://ccpi.org (The UK, Morocco, and the Netherlands are in the top 10 – congratulations! Ireland is languishing in 33rd place. We’re mortified!) Support Blind Guys Chat by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/blind-guys-chat Read transcript

As we celebrate 50 years of Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind we speak to Tom O'Neill, guide dog owner and founder of the Balbriggan branch of Irish Guide Dogs. Tom tells us how he came to own his first guide dog and how having dogs has made his day-to-day living much more independent. It's not quite ‘Planes, Trains and Automobiles’, but Jan comes fairly close. Recently he spent a day, yes that's right! One day! ...in the "The City by the Bay". Why only a day? Well... let him explain; we think there could be a movie in this story! Clodagh is back with a shout-out for new listener, Adrijana, along with emails from Clare McLoughlin, and Blind Gordon, who has been doing some DIY, god help Mrs Blind Gordon, a.k.a. Alaine. So, fasten your seatbelts, stop hitting that cabin crew call button, recline back and listen to the greatest podcast this side of a snowstorm: Blind Guys Chat! 9 out of 10 de-icers prefer it to the cold! Links for this show: · Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind: https://www.guidedogs.ie/ways-to-help/ways-to-donate · GiveVision headset: https://www.givevision.net/ Support Blind Guys Chat by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/blind-guys-chat Read transcript

Happy New Year to you all! This week we are devoting the whole show to Mr David Woodbridge, Product Specialist for Humanware Australia. David will take us through all things Humanware, including the new Evolve Windows Braille notetaker. We also chat about guide dogs, and of course our favourite topic: Braille. So, sit back, slap on the factor 2000, and settle in for a listen to the hottest podcast this side of a chess-playing koala bear; Blind Guys Chat. 8 out of 10 sandy beaches prefer it to salt water. Links for this show: · Humanware: https://www.humanware.com/en-international/ · Isee podcast: https://podcast.app/isee-using-various-technologies-from-a-blind-persons-perspective-p5394 Support Blind Guys Chat by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/blind-guys-chat Read transcript

This week, Jan is floating on cloud 9 as his local football team (that's soccer for those of you in the USA) seems to be doing very well. So well, in fact, that they are top of the 'kitchen' league ...better not to ask what that means! Our good friend Stuart Lawler gives us his own thoughts on the NewHaptics 'Codex' Braille display, which uses compressed air to raise its braille cells. It does this by hooking itself up to an aquarium-like pump. However, we are not sure if fish need to be present while the display is in operation. Once we find Nemo, we will ask him/her! Mohammed has at last received his Ally Solos smart glasses. What does he think? Well, tune in to find out whether you should spend your hard-earned cash or not. In addition to being a world-renowned lawyer and mathematician, Mohammed is now passing himself off as an orientation & mobility trainer, and has some views on how one should use a long cane. Do you agree? Let us know at blindguyschat@gmail.com . Clodagh has an email about screen readers from a listener in Poland. What's your preference, JAWS, NVDA or Narrator? Let us know. So, forget about cleaning out the poo from the aquarium. Slap on a pot of coffee and tune into the most radical podcast this side of a moaning Liverpool football player: Blind Guys Chat. 11 out of 13 guppies prefer it to pushing braille cells. Links for this show: · https://www.newhaptics.com/codex · https://www.ally.me/glasses Support Blind Guys Chat by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/blind-guys-chat Read transcript

This week we are talking to Adela Buliman from Vially here in Ireland. Adela is the Chief Accessibility Officer and what she doesn't know about the European Accessibility Act, isn't worth knowing about! So, roll up your sleeves, Mohammed, and get ready to rumble! Disclaimer: this chat is more of a girlie pillow fight than a "pistols at dawn" kinda thing, but we enjoyed it! Jan was home alone at Sight Village, London recently, and he has all the juicy tech news to share, including a new Braille note-taker from HumanWare. The biggest news this episode is that the guys have been working hard on a new email jingle for Clodagh – what do you think? Is it down with the kids? Send us your reviews to BlindGuysChat@gmail.com . Clodagh has an email from Nina in Canada, who wants to know about independent travel. Mohammed can answer this one as he is an expert solo traveller. So, pull out that list of all your inaccessible gadgets and settle in for the number 1 podcast this side of a 365-day-old Christmas tree: Blind Guys Chat. 16 out of 20 European Commission lawyers prefer it to laying down the law! Links mentioned in this show: HumanWare, Braille note Evolve: humanware.com/en-ireland/braillenote-evolve/ WeWalk cane: wewalk.io Vially: vially.io/ Competition and Consumer Protection Commission: ccpc.ie ICT regulation document EN 301 549: https://tinyurl.com/ITregDoc National Transport Authority: nationaltransport.ie Irish Aviation Authority: www.iaa.ie Support Blind Guys Chat by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/blind-guys-chat Read transcript

It's celebration time here in the BGC office as Óran has news! It seems he is now calling himself a scriptwriter because his very first script has just been produced. It is for the super-fun, excellent and wonderful children's animation TV series: ‘Maddie + Triggs’. You may remember we had the star of the show, Bonnie O'Meara on the podcast, together with Turnip + Duck founders: Colm Tobin and Aidan O'Donovan. Óran’s episode is #46 and is called 'Dogs with Jobs' which is about Lolo the guide dog. There are links to that interview, along with links to Óran’s episode at the bottom of the show notes. Disclaimer: any resemblance to Larry the guide dog is not fictional! If you are not in the UK or Ireland, Maddie + Triggs is available in these countries and broadcasters: YLE (Finland); SVT (Sweden); NRK (Norway); RTS (Switzerland); ABC (Australia); CRTVG (Spain); DR (Denmark); JY Ent (China); TFO (French-speaking Canada); Knowledge Network (English-speaking Canada); VME (US Hispanic); Côte Ouest (Sub-Saharan Africa); France TV; Minika (Turkey). Óran has a question about the European Accessibility Act (EAA), and while he does trust our designated BGC lawyer and senior council, Mr Mohammed Laachair, he would appreciate comments from the wider community: blindguyschat@gmail.com. Clodagh has a reminder that there’s a ‘Seen - Unseen goes Racing’ day out at The Races in a non-visual way, in collaboration with HRI at Fairyhouse Racecourse on Saturday November 29th. Participation is free of charge. Email Claire on claremclaughlinemail@gmail.com or send a voice note or text to 086 3091653. We also have a listener asking us to recommend TV content with good AD, see list below. • On Netflix: Arcane, Stranger Things, and The Diplomat. • On Apple TV: Slow Horses series 5. • On other streamers: Game of Thrones. And please email us on blindguyschat@gmail.com to let us know what shows you’ve been enjoying. We’re always looking for recommendations! So, shake off the damp November weather, tell winter to hold its horses, and settle in for the number 1 podcast as voted by readers of pre-school magazine 'Sleepy Times': Blind Guys Chat. 8 out of 10 dogs with jobs prefer it to having a job! Links mentioned in this show: • Dogs with Jobs news article: https://www.rte.ie/kids/2025/1106/1542541-larry-the-guide-dog-maddie-and-triggs-rte/ • BGC Episode 63 - Maddie and Triggs’: The Unbeatable Team: https://tinyurl.com/BGC063 • Link to Óran’s episode of ‘Maddie + Triggs’ on RTÉ: https://tinyurl.com/MaddieTriggsEp46DogsWithJobs • Link to Óran’s episode of ‘Maddie + Triggs’ on BBC: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m002ls4q/maddie-triggs-series-1-46-dogs-with-jobs • Link to Óran’s episode of ‘Maddie + Triggs’ on DailyMotion (muted by default): https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x9tlxfy • Seen, Unseen: Contact Claire on claremclaughlinemail@gmail.com or send a voice note or text to 086 3091653. • Dutch mountain song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpCUbmAsxwQ And don’t forget to email us on blindguyschat@gmail.com! Support Blind Guys Chat by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/blind-guys-chat Read transcript

This week we are chatting with Freek van Welsenis, the Director and CEO of Hable One. Freek is here to talk about the Hable One, a sleek Braille device that can be used to navigate your smart devices. He also tells us about the Hable Easy, a smartphone controller, and the Speechlabel, a handy device for labelling and subsequently identifying items around the house and in work. Mohammed and Jan's date to Jan's local football club didn't go so well. It appears that Mohammed was left to fend for himself at the ticket gate! Well, Chantal was also with him, so he wasn’t completely abandoned, and Mo is famous for being independent, so we don’t think he was in any danger, but we’re not sure Jan will get a second date! We have an email from Sarah from ‘down under’; she is wondering if smart speakers are useful, or are they really just small juke-boxes? What do you think? Do you still use your smart speaker for anything else but setting timers? email us: blindguyschat@gmail.com So, strip down to your #25 Juho Kilo jersey and start your warmup for the best podcast this side of a stroopwafel: Blind Guys Chat. 9 out of 11 football supporters prefer it to watching grown men cry! Links: · Hable One: https://www.iamhable.com/en-om/products/hable-one-keyboard · Hable Easy: https://www.iamhable.com/en-om/products/hable-easy · Hable Speechlabel: https://www.iamhable.com/en-om/pages/speechlabel · Juho Kilo: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juho_Kilo Support Blind Guys Chat by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/blind-guys-chat Read transcript

This week we find out that Mohammed is building his fan base. Yes, it appears that he has at least one! It's a lovely woman who lives in Maynooth, County Kildare. Apparently, she drives a car that looks like a frog. Let's hope her husband doesn't find out! About Mo, not the car! He knows about the car, in fairness! Óran has been having some issues with the WhatsApp desktop application for Windows, and also with WhatsApp video calling via his Meta Ray Ban smart glasses. It turns out a WhatsApp update is required for the video to work again on the Meta glasses. Bold boys WhatsApp! Professor Mohammed has advice on updating iOS apps and gives us a detailed answer on why he thinks there have been so many accessibility issues with the latest iOS 26 update for iPhone. Do you use a Freesat set-top box for your linear TV viewing? Óran would like to know if the latest Freesat boxes are accessible to blind users. Let us know via blindguyschat@gmail.com . Jan is taking Mohammed on a date. Seriously. They’re heading off to Jan's local football club to watch a live game, complete with live audio description. Will Jan get a second date, or will Mo make a hasty exit? Finally, we tell of Stuart Lawler's recent frustration when he was trying to cancel his SKY TV subscription. So, forget about hanging scary skeletons outside your house and instead cosy up to your device of choice, and listen to the number 1 podcast as recently voted by hibernating squirrels: Blind Guys Chat - 7 out of 10 iOS updates prefer it to being a bunch of code. Support Blind Guys Chat by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/blind-guys-chat Read transcript