Join BVA’s VetTech Team on Wednesday, October 25, at 2:00pm Eastern Time as the upcoming Weekly Wednesday Webinar features Mike Buckley, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Be My Eyes. Mike will explain this service, free of charge, that connects the blind and low vision with sighted volunteers and company representatives for the purpose of visual assistance through a live video call. 

During the webinar next week, Mike will add the important footnotes to successful use of a quick and simple service that includes downloading the Be My Eyes mobile application from the Apple Store or Google Play Store, opening the app, and then calling a volunteer. He will also relate how Be My Eyes leverages the power of Artificial Intelligence with “Be My AI” to receive detailed descriptions of photos, screenshots, and physical surroundings, going beyond simple recognition to the painting of a vivid picture for the user.

Do not miss this VetTech session! Attendees will receive:

• An overview of Be My Eyes.
• Information on how to call a volunteer.
• Instruction on how to use Be My AI (Artificial Intelligence).    

In a more informal setting and discussion format than the weekly webinar, VetTech Talk is held every Thursday at 2:00pm Eastern Time. The sessions most often consist of a recap, review, and additional discussion of the previous day’s webinar. This Thursday’s session (October 26) will adhere to the customary format: A recap of Mike’s explanation of Be My Eyes followed by additional discussion of what’s new in macOS Sonoma.

Not a BVA member? No problem! All VetTech webinars and talk sessions are currently open to everyone—blind and low vision veterans and nonveterans, family members, caregivers, blind rehabilitation specialists, and all other parties interested in assistive, adaptive, and accessible technology that can result in greater independence. Membership in BVA or attendance at previous sessions are not prerequisites to join the VetTech webinars or VetTech Talk sessions.

Did you miss the most recent virtual sessions for some reason? No problem! VetTech is now available as a podcast on major platforms. Interested parties can listen on demand to missed Weekly Wednesday Webinars as well as original content published solely on the podcast by asking their Smart speaker, Siri, or Alexa, to “play the latest episode of the Blinded Veterans Association VetTech Podcast.” They can also follow the channel via Apple Podcast, Google Play, and Amazon Music.

This past week, the VetTech Weekly Wednesday Webinar covered the Veterans Usability Project, an initiative that seeks to help VA develop future technology consistent with its use by veterans, their families, and caregivers. Perigean Technologies Founder and CEO Brian Moon explained his company’s role in spearheading the project and how veterans with sight loss can participate and earn a modest stipend. Thursday’s VetTech Talk consisted of a recap of the previous day’s Webinar and a discussion of digital assistants and Smart Home devices, including how Alexa, Siri, and Google are revolutionizing the way average people worldwide can interact with information in their own homes and at workplaces, places of worship, and centers of recreation and leisure.    

To enter either or both of next week’s VetTech sessions using the customary Zoom meeting credentials and link, click here. For additional information about the VetTech initiative, and its specific mission and purpose, click here.