The Big Catchup

Catch up on two weeks of missed tech news from NFB 2026 in Austin, including major updates in AI accessibility, screen readers, and Braille technology. Steven Scott and Shaun Preece break down the latest innovations, from JAWS Agentic AI to Be My Eyes for Mac and the upcoming Optima note taker.

After a short hiatus, Steven and Shaun return to cover all the highlights from the National Federation of the Blind 2026 convention. The episode dives into the evolution of AI in accessibility, including Vispero’s JAWS AI Agent capable of performing multi-step tasks, Be My Eyes’ new Mac desktop app, and agentic calls that can take action on your computer.

The hosts also explore new Braille technology—Humanware’s BrailleNote Evolve, APH’s Monarch, and Orbits’ Optima—while discussing market trends, user expectations, and the challenges of accessibility in mainstream AI tools like Claude and ChatGPT. A lively conversation follows on the ethical debates around AI, the future of USB-C power delivery, and the practical frustrations of daily accessible tech.

Relevant Links

Be My Eyes: https://www.bemyeyes.com

Vispero JAWS: https://www.freedomscientific.com

NFB 2026: https://nfb.org

Orbit Research: https://www.orbitresearch.com

APH Monarch: https://www.aph.org/product/monarch