A belated happy easter to all our listeners. We hope you had a lovely easter break. We begin on the topic of travel: Jan is off to Madrid later this month for work purposes so we ask ourselves the question, should travel for work or leisure be a thing of the past? What is your view? Also, share your thoughts on the current state of easter egg chocolate - do you think the quality has diminished in the last few years? Jan is just back from his easter egg hunt, and Sjef (his guide dog) has been a bit of a naughty doggy - chasing rabbits instead of easter eggs.

This week Stuart is preparing to lose all that easter bunny chocolate weight by weighing himself with his brand spanking new ‘Qardio weighing scales’ …he broke the last one! We hear about the handy app you can use with this device. He also tells us about the smart blood pressure device he is going to purchase. Who knew Stuart was this health conscious? Certainly not Jan or Óran…

Do you intermittent fast? Óran and Clodagh have started down this road and would love to hear from anyone doing the same.

Clodagh is here with emails but first she tells the Blind Guys about her new Samsung smart washing machine called Wallace the Washing Machine. It’s fierce fancy: Samsung Series 5+ WW90T534DAN/S1 with Auto Dose & Ecobubble Washing Machine 9kg 1400rpm – it has braille and everything! Unfortunately, the app for this device doesn’t work on Óran’s phone, or at least that is what he told Clodagh… (chancer!)

We have an email from Saleem who writes in with info on the Trusted Platform Module. Here is a link he sent with more details: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/information-protection/tpm/trusted-platform-module-overview

Blind Gordon tells us about the accessible online census in Scotland, spoiler alert, Missus Blind Gordon has already filled it out, so we don’t know if it was accessible or not. And we wish Gary from South Africa all the best as he heads off to do his TV music competition.

So Blind Guys Chatters - strap in and get ready for the most insightful, informative, and immensely entertaining podcast that has ever existed in the world, ever: Blind Guys Chat: the reason why chocolate tastes so good.

Don’t forget: • Please rate and review us on your chosen podcasting platform. • We'd love to know what you'd like us to talk about in upcoming shows; send us your suggestions by email: [email protected] • You can send us your Blindie Tips and other thoughts by email also on [email protected] • If you’d like to support the podcast, you can treat the Blind Guys to a coffee by clicking the link below.

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Welcome to this week’s episode. We kick off this show with Jan just back from his travels . How many holidays does this man need! It is census time here in Ireland and Stuart has a bee in his bonnet about the lack of an accessible version of the census form. But surely, he just gets one of the staff to fill it out? No? (Why are there always so many bees and so many bonnets here at Blind Guys Chat?!) Clodagh has audio messages from Dave & Derry, and the guys can’t believe that they are both mentioning “Formula 1: Drive to Survive”. Is the audio description good or bad? You’ll just have to judge for yourself. So, strap in and get ready for the most insightful, informative, and immensely entertaining podcast that has ever existed in the world, ever: Blind Guys Chat: the reason rabbits come out of their burrows.

Don’t forget: • Please rate and review us on your chosen podcasting platform. • We'd love to know what you'd like us to talk about in upcoming shows; send us your suggestions by email: [email protected] • Don't forget you can send us your Blindie Tips and other thoughts by email also on [email protected] • If you’d like to support the podcast, you can treat the Blind Guys to a coffee by clicking the link below.

Support Blind Guys Chat by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/blind-guys-chat

Check out our podcast host, Pinecast. Start your own podcast for free with no credit card required. If you decide to upgrade, use coupon code r-6f08ef for 40% off for 4 months, and support Blind Guys Chat.

On the show this week we are talking to Nasreen Bhutta ([email protected]) the executive director of the Sourcing foundation (www.sourcingfoundation.org). The foundation was set up to help marginalised communities become human resource specialists. Nasreen takes us through the learning process and Jan and Óran need to decide if Stuart should go on the course. Stuart just upgraded his iPhone to 15.4 and we hear about 2 new cool features related to COVID. You can now add your COVID cert to the Wallet app and Face ID can recognise your face even when wearing a mask. If you want to read about all the new features, MacRumors.com has a good article. LINK: https://www.macrumors.com/guide/everything-new-in-ios-15-4/ Stuart also seems to have had a change of heart when it comes to his Western digital drive, especially when he is travelling on a train. Clodagh has emails from Gary Hough (like cough) - does Gary really have dolphins in his swimming pool? And newbie Debbie asks about the guys blinging up their Svarovski canes (www.Svarovski.cz)?? Do you know about What 3 words? Have a look here: www.What3words.com - it might just save your life if you get lost in the attic. Clodagh told us of a documentary she worked on many years ago about the Chernobyl nuclear disaster. It’s called Black Wind, White Land. If you would like to have a look it’s available to watch at these two links (there’s no audio description, sadly, but she’d be interested to know what you think): • Part 1: https://vimeo.com/29158846 • Part 2: https://vimeo.com/29161233 So, strap yourself in and get ready for the most Insightful, Informative, and immensely entertaining podcast that has ever existed in the world, ever. Blind Guys Chat: 8 out of 10 polar bears prefer it to the cold. Don’t forget: •             Please rate and review us on your chosen podcasting platform. •             We'd love to know what you'd like us to talk about in upcoming shows; send us your suggestions by email: [email protected] •             Don't forget you can send us your Blindie Tips and other thoughts by email also on [email protected]

•             If you’d like to support the podcast, you can treat the Blind Guys to a coffee by clicking the link below.

Notes go here

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It’s another fun-filled show this week: We begin with an update from Óran on the Apple Air Pod switching between iPhone and Apple Watch, spoiler alert: there is no real update! The Blind Guys are concerned about the conflict in Ukraine. We don’t normally get serious, but we have a quick chat about this awful situation. Jan is full of good cheer because he has just returned from his holiday in the Dutch Caribbean, ahem, or maybe not? Stuart has an update on his install of Windows 11. Is it good or bad? He tells us what he thinks. Do you agree? Give us your views. Our guest this week is Marco Zehe. Marco is an accessibility tester and developer and is well known for his work developing JAWS BrailleIn, and also his work on Mozilla. He is here to tell us about his life growing up in Hamburg, in 2 different schools, one school for the Blind and one for fully sighted students, and all about his podcast https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/barrierefreiheit/episode-6-braille-in-den-B3JhTi9mK6t/ We have some thoughts on Western Digital My Cloud Home drives and why to think twice about purchasing. In TV corner, we have some recommendations to share: ‘Man up Stuart’ ahem… I mean “Man Up” on Amazon Prime, “The Good Place” (an oldie but a goodie), and “Pieces of Her”, both on Netflix. We’ve got emails from Pete and Blind Gordon, an audio message from Derry, and a new make-up lady. So, forget about the dramatic rise in living costs, stop stressing about your backups, and give Blind Guys Chat some lovin’ --- because we’re worth it! Don’t forget: •       Please rate and review us on your chosen podcasting platform. •       We'd love to know what you'd like us to talk about in upcoming shows; send us your suggestions by email: [email protected] •       Don't forget you can send us your Blindie Tips and other thoughts by email also on [email protected] •       If you want to support the podcast, you can treat the Blind Guys to a coffee by clicking the link below! Thank you! 

Support Blind Guys Chat by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/blind-guys-chat

On our last podcast, Óran and Stuart were having a moan about how inaccessible LinkedIN is, well… their opinion might be about to change as we have Aaron Linson who joins us from Kentucky with plenty of tips and tricks you can use with LinkedIN. Aaron is a recruiter, and hosts his own podcast ‘AbilityCast’ which you can find here: https://anchor.fm/abilitycast. Not only that, but he is also a fantastic musician. Óran has news on how to spend 2 hours of your life. He recently logged an AirPod issue with Apple. During the 2 hour conversation, he managed to get the accessibility desk assistant a promotion. What…? Of course the Blind Guys are talking about the weather as usual, and Jan is telling us how bad the recent storms damaged in his part of the world. Spoiler alert, does anyone need some roof tiles? In TV Corner, Stuart tells us about The Tinder Swindler - isn’t that Stuart’s favourite app? Clodagh has emails from Derry, Dave & Saleem. The latter two have some views on LinkedIN, Revolut and also why your COVID cert's QR code can’t be scanned in Apple Wallet. Also Erica has a question about the Bradley Watch https://www.eone-time.com/ Guess who has one? Óran, of course. So, brush those fallen branches off the couch. Let your dog chew away on those new pair of Manolo Blahniks, sit back and listen to the most root'n toot'n, handy dandy podcast in the world: Blind Guys Chat. Don’t forget: •             Please rate and review us on your chosen podcasting platform. •             We'd love to know what you'd like us to talk about in upcoming shows; send us your suggestions by email: [email protected] •             Don't forget you can send us your Blindie Tips and other thoughts by email also on [email protected] (bonus points for voice messages!) •             If you want to support the podcast, you can treat the Blind Guys to a coffee by clicking the link below!

Support Blind Guys Chat by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/blind-guys-chat

It’s a packed Blind Guys Chat this week as the guys are talking everything from glaciers to tech.

We begin with a sad story, spoiler alert, it’s not really too sad. Jan, has had to cancel his winter skiing trip in Germany because the Germans won’t let him into the country until he has had 3 vaccinations. But there is good news for Jan’s guide dog Geoff, as he is getting to spend time with his bitch next door while the wooden floors are installed at home.

Stuart and Óran are mystified as to why ‘LinkedIN’ is clunky and quite inaccessible to screen readers given that it is owned by Microsoft. Have you got any suggestions for the guys when using the ‘LinkedIN’ application?

Stuart regresses to his childhood when we give a demo of the ‘Walkie Talkie’ app on Apple Watch. It’s really cool. But Jan prefers his beautiful Tissot Silent watch which indicates time via vibrations. You can pick one up here if you’re loaded like Jan: weirandsons.ie/gents-tissot-silent-alarm-watch.html

Meanwhile, Óran wants to know why anyone would choose to set up a Revolut bank account. Is it just a fad? Let us know your thoughts.

Finally, Clodagh has an email from Claire Page about AD and Derry is giving us a quick demo of the Alexa app for desktop.

So, throw that Antigen test into your neighbour’s garden, turn off the spin cycle on the washing machine, pour yourself a nice fruity beer and enjoy the number one podcast as voted by garden gnomes … Blind Guys Chat!

Don’t forget: • Please rate and review us on your chosen podcasting platform. • We'd love to know what you'd like us to talk about in upcoming shows; send us your suggestions by email: [email protected] • Don't forget you can send us your Blindie Tips and other thoughts by email also on [email protected] • If you want support the podcast, you can treat the Blind Guys to a coffee by clicking the link below!

Over and out, Rubber Duckie!

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As we begin to head out of winter the Blind Guys Chat office is on fire. This episode could almost be called a ‘Rant Special’. After eventually receiving his Apple Airpods, Stuart was raging because not only were the earbuds too big for his little tiny ears, but the left one was not charging correctly. What was Stuart to do? Spoiler alert, he returned them. But that’s not the end of the story. Meanwhile, Óran has received his new iPhone 11. What does he think of ‘Face ID’? Can he survive without a home button? And what is Rose Gold? Kieran Lynch is here to talk about an audio description research project he is working on. Do you want to help? Well click here to fill out the survey questions. It will only take about 10 minutes. https://forms.office.com/r/fkJ5U6tKWi Óran is continuing his rant about bad audio description and he has some examples for the guys to listen to. Will you agree with his observations? Clodagh’s here with emails. What is your feeling on asking for help? Let us know [email protected]. So, strip off those thermal vests, shake your fist at winter, and say hello to spring with the number 1 podcast on Venus… … Blind Guys Chat! Don’t forget: •             Please rate and review us on your chosen podcasting platform. •             We'd love to know what you'd like us to talk about in upcoming shows; send us your suggestions by email: [email protected]. •             Don't forget you can send us your Blindie Tips and other thoughts by email also: [email protected]. •             If you want, you can treat the Blind Guys to a coffee by clicking the link below!

Support Blind Guys Chat by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/blind-guys-chat

It’s our first show of 2022 and the Blind Guys are raring to go. Stuart’s facelift (to his apartment) is done and dusted, and Jan’s kids are happy kicking football against their walls until the concrete is fully dried out.

You know how we can't shut up about the weather? Well, this week the Blind Guys are talking to Professor John Sweeney about all things climate. Prof. Sweeney is an expert in the field of climatology and is here to dispel the myth that the Dolphins are responsible for climate change, although Óran is not convinced. John tells us how each individual can help fight climate change for the benefit of all of humanity.

Stuart & Óran give us their views on the Apple Airpods generation 3 - spoiler alert: Santa is in trouble with Óran. And TV Corner is back with some good recommendations of movies and television series with audio description (AD).

We got an email from Derry which ignites the fuse on a sensitive topic for Óran - the AD on the TV programme ‘Succession’. Yes, Óran is on his high-horse again and this time he ain’t coming off it no matter how hard the Guys pull!

So, stop worrying about that impending credit card bill, chuck the Christmas tree into next door's garden, polish off the Christmas pudding while chilling out with Blind Guys Chat. It’s more fun than you can shake a stick at!

• We welcome your views on the podcast - please rate and review us on your chosen podcasting platform. • We'd love to know what you'd like us to talk about in upcoming shows; send us your suggestions by email: [email protected]. • Don't forget you can send us your Blindie Tips and other thoughts by email also: [email protected]. • If you want, you can treat the Blind Guys to a coffee!

Support Blind Guys Chat by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/blind-guys-chat

It’s our last Blind Guys Chat episode for the year and what better way to finish 2021 than having some of our listeners and guests all on the show. We’ve got representation from the US of A, Scotland, South Africa and even County Mayo this week. The Blind Guys have cooked up what they consider to be The Best Christmas Quiz in the Galaxy, which includes questions on London buses, and ham & cheese toasties. And our very special guest tells us which Blind Guys Chat jingle he prefers, spoiler alert, it’s not Stuart’s! Yes, Santa says hello to all the boys and girls (especially Stuart’s son Adam and Jan’s kids Rosalie and Tycho). Santa tells us about what he has been up to all year, and asks Tycho to help him get the reindeer up to speed for the big night. So, step out of the kitchen for a while, let that turkey prepare its own stuffing, pull up an Elf reclining chair and prepare to get snuggly & warm with the most awesome, Chris-tastic Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious podcast in this parallel universe. Blind Guys Chat. PS: Happy hoo-ha!

It’s almost our last episode of 2021 and what a year it has been. 2 of the Blind Guys once again have drama in their lives as both Stuart and Jan have the builders in, renovating their very plush and velvety residences. Jan’s ground floor is now so level you could play snooker on it but unfortunately Stuart’s place still needs painting and tiling before he can take a shower.

We are talking with Ken Brandt author of ‘Positive Vision: Enjoying the Adventures and Advantages of Poor Eyesight’ (https://www.amazon.com/Positive-Vision-Enjoying-Adventures-Advantages/dp/0648762505). Hold onto your seats, folks, this guy likes to dive bomb when flying an aircraft.

The Blind Guys are wondering if they should go to Africa and help distribute vaccinations, and will Stuart bring the Ham & Cheese sambos?

Gary from South Africa has sent a message on why he is worried about getting the vaccination, and another listener wants to know if Stuart is a priest? Huh!! Spoiler alert: he’s not!

Now, to the hottest ticket in town: We’d love to invite you to come along to our Christmas party on December 18 at 8pm GMT. It’s a virtual get-together and we’re planning to have the usual mad banter and laughs. It’s a BYOG gig - bring your own gargle. Can you email [email protected] to confirm you’re attending, and use this link to join: tinyurl.com/BlindGuysParty. You never know who might show up… Ho Ho Ho.

So, hike your trousers up good and tight, ladies and gentlemen, we don’t want any builders arse crack exposed. Pour yourself a glass of egg nog and settle down by the fire to listen to this week’s episode of Blind Guys Chat.