Rocco's Basilica
Tech SingerThis is a weird request, but I figure the worst I can get for it is silence. I'm totally #blind and have very bad hearing. To set up a device through its inaccessible software, I'm in need of a sighted person for about an hour and a half to two hours who can access a computer remotely, speaks and reads English, and can describe images and graphs. The person needs to be quite patient with follow-up questions, needs to be willing to repeat if needed, as well as be able to click on items and describe what happens on the screen. The person needs to be fairly detail oriented because some of the images appear to have arrows and other ways to expand them, according to the manual. Though I'm happy to be reasonable, I have no clue how much to offer as payment, this is my first request of this kind. I'm posting it because I know we have some blind people here who may be able to point me towards someone who has done this before and may be willing to do it for such a short period. Boosts welcome, indeed, they're appreciated. #hearingimpaired #software #A11Y #accessibility #remote
Seb@techsinger I have no experience but I would be willing to help if I can. I am on UK time so I don’t know if that is compatible with you. Anyway, if you don’t find somebody more experienced, please get in touch. Regards, Seb
@seb321 Thanks very much, I will definitely do that.
Who by avalanche who by powder@techsinger I think 75-100 USD is reasonable, but there are folks who will do it for the mutual aid. It also depends on where you are, how many such are nearby. (If you're in the Netherlands, hit me up and I'll be glad to help.)
John Caveney woke is me🛠️@techsinger I’d love to help but my diction is so poor I fear I’d be useless, I hope you find someone to help. I have boosted.
@jaycee Thanks very much for the boost, I've been a bit stunned by the number of people who have offered and really appreciate the boosts which have prompted them.
helplessduckI won’t have any direct experience with the software you’ll want me to describe most likely, but I do this fairly frequently for my almost completely blind grandmother.
@helplessduck Thanks very much for the offer, as to the experience, it's Phonak's hearing aid software, I don't know of anyone who has experience with it. If you're still interested, and if I may ask, what is your timezone? Also, how much would you like for the two hours and do you happen to have paypal?
Sure! I'm GMT-4, Eastern US, but I keep odd hours. If that works for you, I'll DM you my email address so we can work out the rest of the details.
sanfierro@techsinger I boosted your post, so hopefully someone can help you. Me myself, I would like to help you, just that I'm unsure about myself. I have never helped blind people with anything in my life, and I'm not sure about my English, so maybe I'll just waste your time instead of actually helping. For those reasons, I'd like to try to help you for free, and other reasons are that I live in Russia, don't use things like PayPal and stuff, don't have cryptocurrency wallet. So, it's gonna be for free, but with no guarantees whatsoever from me. So, do you wanna try that?
@sanfierro Thanks very much for the boost, I've been a bit stunned by the number of people who have offered and really appreciate the boosts which have prompted them.
Nile 🐉@techsinger What's your timezone?
@nilederg I'm in US eastern, UTC-4 at the moment, I think. Sorry, I should have mentioned that originally, though it wouldn't, of course, be a big deal to do it when it's convenient for the person helping me with it.
europlus 
@techsinger What Timezone are you in? What times do you prefer (local to you)? And when do you need it done by? I may be able to slot in.
@europlus I'm in UTC-4, time is very flexible. I'm not in any great hurry, if I can find a person to put up with this, two or three weeks wouldn't be a problem, perhaps even longer. I just need a plan of the software which I have a feeling I'm going to be using for quite a few years, so speed isn't as important as finding a person who is okay with doing it.
@techsinger ok, sounds doable - I’m currently UTC+10. I’ve done a lot of phone support in the past where I’m saying what is or should be on screen. I’ve done a lot of remote screen control work. I’m tech savvy. I’m used to talking to all levels of tech ability and describing screen elements. I reckon we’ll be a good match. I’m baching it this weekend. I’ll DM suggested times. #LetsDoThis
Geo@techsinger It's not weird at all. Unfortunately, my technology skills are lacking in that area, but I'm sure someone here will be able to help you. #Accessibility #visuallyImpaired #hearingimpaired
@Geo Thanks very much for the boost, I've been a bit stunned by the number of people who have offered and really appreciate the boosts which have prompted them.
@techsinger I'm glad to hear you got so many offers.
WylieCoyoteUK 
You don't say where you are in the world. In the UK, Abiltynet may be of help. https://www.abilitynet.org.uk/
Blippy the Wonder Slug (MOVED)@techsinger
Where are you?
I would not be adverse to do this, provided I don't have to go further than Mainz, Bingen, or Wiesbaden. Frankfurt , maybe.
Mobility issues, ya know.
Nebby@techsinger
I just heard about an app called Be My Eyes that seems to be made for this type of thing. Sorry I can't help out with it myself.
I just heard about an app called Be My Eyes that seems to be made for this type of thing. Sorry I can't help out with it myself.
@nebby Thanks for the suggestion. #BeMyEyes is great, it's an excellent app for short and specific questions and very good for slightly longer and more general questions. What it's not great for is for very long, comparatively at least, and more specific things like this one, partly for reasons of the volunteer (I'm hearing impaired and need you for at least an hour is not a great way to start a call), and partly for physical reasons (holding a phone in hand and typing with another isn't as easy as it might be, and I haven't yet seen a reasonable pouch/tripod for reading from the computer screen). Thanks again for the suggestion, it really is a great app for so many things. #blind
Sundew@techsinger A word of caution - do be careful who you let access your computer!
This is essentially a classic telephone support scam in reverse! :)
The last thing anyone needs is to be dealing with scammers or identity thieves.
@sundew LOL at the classic tech support scam in reverse, I didn't think of it that way but do, of course, see the risks. I only do this because this is odd software (Phonak's target), and I have nobody here who is able to look at it and it's difficult to find someone through organizations. I plan to try to avoid the risks by, first, running the software on a VM (VMWare 17), secondly, having that VM on a host which is not connected to anything else, that is, the only network connection will be from the VM via hardware adapter to outside firewall where none of my other machines are, thirdly, having the machine running the host contain nothing interesting to anyone, fourthly, killing the connection if the screen reader goes silent or if the assistant leaves the Phonak Target window for a significant time and, finally, having the VM itself have nothing but Windows, the screen reader, and Target. The VM will be deleted after we're done. I mention all this just in case I'm missing something, if you have a second to think about this with me and see if I'm missing a hole, I would be deeply grateful. Thanks again for mentioning it.
@techsinger This sounds pretty robust!
I'm sure VM guest escapes are technically possible, but it sounds like you even intend to ring-fence the host. Great!
A couple of questions:
1. Would you be remoting to the guest VM the same way that your assistant is, or would you be connected to the host machine and monitoring to the guest using VMware?
2. If you are intending to remote in yourself, and given that this is all temporary, would you consider cloud hosting for it instead?
@sundew You know, if someone ever asks me why one should have several eyes on a setup, I'll just point them to this thread without any comment. Of course I ought to have considered putting it on a VPS and of course I didn't. I was planning to be at the machine myself and have it use the machine's soundcard for the screen reader with an air-gapped host (desktop, no Wifi, no BT, ethernet disconnected), but obviously a cloud setup is better. The difficulty is going to be in finding one with the desktop versions of Windows, I'm not sure if the program will install/run on Windows server which is all the VPS providers seem to want to let me use. If you know of someone, besides Microsoft's 365, who lets you use standard Win10/11 pro, I would really appreciate hearing of it. Thanks again for the hint, I have no idea why it was needed. Talk about lack of thought, it didn't even come to mind.
Mal 甄/kalessin/Peri@techsinger I have not done this work for blind people but I have done it for elderly people (who can have vision, hearing, and sometimes cognition issues) and would be willing to give it a try.
I am very technically experienced, have experience in technical consulting, customer support, engineering, teaching, etc., and am patient and communicative and collaborative.
Given my relative inexperience I would be happy to do it pro bono as a one off. My normal rate is USD$120/hr to $240/hr sliding scale, for work in technical or activist/advocacy fields, but given the social support nature of this work, I would be willing to reduce the lower end to $60/hr if for some reason pro bono were not acceptable.
I can provide personal and professional references if needed.
Ate@techsinger If you accept this pro bono offer, please edit your original post to state that you found a satisfactory answer and no more ask people to #boost it.
Nona Rose@techsinger there’s an app called “Be My Eyes” (I know it’s available on apple, not sure about other platforms) where sighted people can describe things for people who have sight impairment. I don’t use it so not sure if it’s exactly what you’re looking for but it’s the only thing I can think of that might be even close to what you want.
@nona80_swanette Thanks for the suggestion. #BeMyEyes is great and is available, so far as I know, for Apple and Android devices. It's an excellent app for short and specific questions and very good for slightly longer and more general questions. What it's not great for is for very long, comparatively at least, and more specific things like this one, partly for reasons of the volunteer (I'm hearing impaired and need you for at least an hour is not a great way to start a call), and partly for physical reasons (holding a phone in hand and typing with another isn't as easy as it might be, and I haven't yet seen a reasonable pouch/tripod for reading from the computer screen). Thanks again for the suggestion, it really is a great app for so many things. #blind
@techsinger no worries. Hope you find someone to help you.
Now -> #BeMyEyes! It's a free app you can download and is for this kind of situation. (I'm a volunteer.)
Usually it is for something quick (reading a tin label, confirming a temperature, etc.), but I've helped people for up to 45 minutes at a time (all I could spare).
There is no charge; it's just one person helping another.
There is a contact form on the website for specialised help & I'm including the link here.
https://www.bemyeyes.com/specialized-help#contact
Best wishes! 🙏
@Her_Doing Thanks for the suggestion. #BeMyEyes is great, it's an excellent app for short and specific questions and very good for slightly longer and more general questions. What it's not great for is for very long, comparatively at least, and more specific things like this one, partly for reasons of the volunteer (I'm hearing impaired and need you for at least an hour is not a great way to start a call), and partly for physical reasons (holding a phone in hand and typing with another isn't as easy as it might be, and I haven't yet seen a reasonable pouch/tripod for reading from the computer screen). Thanks again for the suggestion, it really is a great app for so many things. #blind
You are so very welcome!
I knew generally speaking it wouldn't be appropriate for your situation, which was why I sent the contact link for special services - I figured this would definitely qualify! (Or they might be able to give you a lead on someone.)
I'm glad you knew about them already and even if they can't help, I hope you are able to find someone who can.
All best wishes to you!
Wayne@techsinger what software is it and on what operating system is it. I can get most things running on Windows. I'm on GMT+2
@Weanerdog It's Phonak Target, a hearing aid fitting application. I should say I don't need to get the software running, it runs fine, I just want to know what the screens look like and what can be done in the software with my particular aids.
@techsinger I don't have any knowledge of the product but I could see if I can find a tutorial and then talk you through it.
Craig Mcgee@techsinger have you thought of either be my eyes, or aira? be my eyes is free, and uses volunteers, as this is a long task if you call a volunteer through be my eyes, you'd be best letting them know its a long task in case they don't have the time. if you have jaws on your computer, aira gives I think it's 30 minutes free. not sure how long you have to wait before you can call back again though
Kimberley@techsinger I don’t know where in the world you are, but on the off chance it’s UK, the charity AbilityNet will help with this for free https://abilitynet.org.uk/free-tech-support-and-info
Alison (she/her)@techsinger sorry that I can’t help. I’ve boosted instead. All the best
@AliHea Thanks very much for the boost, I've been a bit stunned by the number of people who have offered and really appreciate the boosts which have prompted them.
Agathe bleibt daheimSorry for only being able to boost, but my computer skills are not good enough.
The rest would be okay!
I hope you'll find someone who supports you and I keep my fingers crossed!
@AgatheBleibtDaheim Thanks very much for the boost, I've been a bit stunned by the number of people who have offered and really appreciate the boosts which have prompted them.
Tony Kennick@techsinger Hi, while I haven't done professional technical support in over a decade I still work in computing and my current field is based effective communication.
With the usual caveats about lining up diaries and timezones I am happy to help.
With the usual caveats about lining up diaries and timezones I am happy to help.
Lena@techsinger I'm in the US on the east coast and would be willing to help for free. I train people on using certain software as my job, and as part of that, do alt text descriptions of computer screenshots when I'm writing up documentation.
RD1054@techsinger Wish I could help! But my advice to you would be to get a reputable company to help you. What you are inviting is some pretty horrible criminals to gain total access to your computer which will result in hacking and theft in the not too distant future.
@RD1054 Thanks for the warning, I appreciate it. One other person on here described it, both correctly and humorously, as "the classic tech support scam in reverse". I only do this because this is odd software (Phonak's target), and I have nobody here who is able to look at it and it's difficult to find someone through organizations. I plan to try to avoid the risks by, first, running the software on a VM, secondly, having that VM on a host which is not connected to anything else, that is, the only network connection will be from the VM via hardware adapter to outside firewall where none of my other machines are, thirdly, having the machine running the host contain nothing interesting to anyone, fourthly, killing the connection if the screen reader goes silent or if the assistant leaves the Phonak Target window for a significant time and, finally, having the VM itself have nothing but Windows, the screen reader, and Target. The VM will be deleted after we're done. I mention all this just in case I'm missing something, if you have a second to think about this with me and see if I'm missing a hole, I would be deeply grateful. Thanks again for mentioning it.
2¢@techsinger I'm east coast US. I've never done this before and I don't know how it is typically done. But I'll help if I can. Where do I start?
Kancept@techsinger In the US, you may be able to reach out to your local library. When I worked in IT at a library, we would go out to assist users with exactly this issue, as we had an A11Y lab in the library and understood how bad the software was to setup.
Exandra@techsinger this sounds up my street, I'll dm you.
moss poss@techsinger Hello, I would be happy to assist if you are still seeking help. I work in tech and have flexible hours. No compensation needed.
@techsinger I’d venture it depends on the mean wages of the city/country you live in. It sounds similar to a customer service job, or tutoring. By the hour, like a piano teacher of sorts
John Burns
@JohnJBurnsIII Thanks for the suggestion. #BeMyEyes is great, it's an excellent app for short and specific questions and very good for slightly longer and more general questions. What it's not great for is for very long, comparatively at least, and more specific things like this one, partly for reasons of the volunteer (I'm hearing impaired and need you for at least an hour is not a great way to start a call), and partly for "physical reasons (holding a phone in hand and typing with another isn't as easy as it might be, and I haven't yet seen a reasonable pouch/tripod for reading from the computer screen). Thanks again for the suggestion, it really is a great app for so many things. #blind
Jim Love@techsinger I haven't tried it for your use case, but there is a way to hook up ChatGPT so that it can take voice prompts and respond to you. I will check it out and post it on our site itworldcanada.com
Our site will read articles to you already.
evilstevie@techsinger not done this before for sight-impaired users, but can give it a go. timezone - UK.
@techsinger Phonak Target looks like a hearing-aid adjustment thing. How the heck did they manage to make *that* into an accessibility problem? :'(
Makes more sense on the graphs and pointers bit now.
Makes more sense on the graphs and pointers bit now.
@evilstevie Oh, it's really easy. None of the buttons are labelled at all. The tabs have labels like "Sonova.Chinook.Application.UserInterface.Controls.HomeScreenItemControl Header: Content", and there are seven of them with exactly the same label. You can distinguish them because the screen reader does "1 of 7" "2 of 7", and so on. That doesn't help too much but is a start. Believe me, I wouldn't be annoying people if this could be done with the reader :) To be fair, their argument is it's for hearing aid fitters and I know of one blind guy doing that over the past thirty years. Having said that, would it have hurt them to use standard controls?