Talking Tech with David Ward: Echoes, AI, and Accessibility

1) Episode Summary

In this episode of Blind Level Tech, Evan Starnes welcomes David Ward, longtime assistive technology trainer, creator of Braille Sonar, and producer of the Echo Tips Podcast. David shares how his early love of computers, his experience with retinitis pigmentosa, and his work training blind and low-vision students led him into the world of accessible technology.

The conversation centers on the evolution of the Amazon Echo, “A-Lady,” and the major shift from traditional voice-command assistants to newer AI-powered experiences like A-Lady Plus. Evan and David talk through the early days of Echo devices, the accessibility breakthrough they created for blind and low-vision users, and why affordable voice-first technology mattered so much for seniors and people on fixed incomes.

David also shares his experience using A-Lady Plus, including voice shopping, deal alerts, smart home control, routines, and the biggest difference he notices: no longer having to speak in rigid “assistant language.” They also discuss the older skill store, where legacy commands still feel clunky compared to newer natural-language AI tools.

This episode is part tech history, part accessibility reflection, and part nerdy joyride through smart speakers, AI, old devices, and what might come next.

2) Contact Info

Guest: David Ward
Podcast: Echo Tips Podcast
Website / YouTube redirect: certdoctor.com/youtube
Braille Sonar: Mentioned by David as a revived free web app

Aftersight
Website: aftersight.org
Feedback Email: feedback@aftersight.org
Voicemail: (720) 712-8856

Producer: Jonathan Price, Podcast and Program Producer at Aftersight

3) Show Credits

Show: Blind Level Tech
Host: Evan Starnes
Guest: David Ward
Producer: Jonathan Price
Organization: Aftersight

4) Chapter Markers

00:05 — Welcome to Blind Level Tech
02:46 — Introducing David Ward and today’s A-Lady focus
03:30 — David’s early tech background and vision loss story
06:40 — Braille Sonar and becoming an assistive technology trainer
08:15 — Meeting students where they are
12:34 — What made A-Lady different from other access tech
14:15 — Echo devices as affordable accessibility tools
21:42 — How Echo Tips Podcast began
24:28 — 400 episodes and the ongoing life of Echo Tips
26:07 — David’s experience with A-Lady Plus
33:50 — Shopping, deal alerts, and voice-first purchasing
38:40 — Creating routines with natural speech
39:37 — No more “A-Lady speak”
43:26 — What still feels broken or unfinished
44:21 — Legacy skills and the need for a new skill ecosystem
50:14 — Extensions, services, and the future of smart assistants
57:14 — Wrapping part one and looking ahead to part two
59:50 — David’s contact information
1:00:51 — Aftersight feedback and closing credits

Видео Talking Tech with David Ward: Echoes, AI, and Accessibility канала Aftersight