Glide’s $4M Boost, NVDA Add-Ons, and the Future of Tactile Graphics

Chris Cooke joins Steven Scott and Shaun Preece to share her real-world experience with the Monarch multi-line braille display from APH and HumanWare. The hosts also discuss the future of tactile graphics, Glide’s $4M funding boost, and the growing ecosystem of NVDA add-ons.

This episode dives deep into the evolving world of tactile technology. Long-time listener and rehabilitation specialist Chris Cooke brings her hands-on perspective of the Monarch, exploring how multi-line braille and tactile graphics are reshaping accessibility in education, employment, and daily life.

The conversation highlights how tools like the Monarch open up new ways for blind users to understand spatial concepts, icons, music notation, and even perspectives like the scale of buildings. Chris shares her practical use cases—from teaching fractions to exploring the Eiffel Tower—illustrating how tactile graphics extend far beyond textbooks.

Steven and Shaun also react to Glide’s latest $4 million funding round, noting the impact of high-profile backers from OpenAI and SpaceX. They discuss the phased rollout of the mobility device, its beta testing, and the newly announced name “Rover.” The hosts also chat about NVDA add-ons, showing how tools like Audio Manager are giving blind users greater flexibility with audio and system control.

Chapters
0:00 – Intro
14:40 – Glide raises $4M and rollout plans
28:50 – NVDA add-ons and customization
37:10 – Chris Cooke joins the show
41:00 – The evolution of tactile graphics
52:15 – Real-world impact of the Monarch
1:05:30 – Multi-line braille and spreadsheets
1:15:00 – Accessibility, libraries, and the future

Relevant Links
American Printing House (APH) Monarch: https://www.aph.org
HumanWare: https://www.humanware.com
Glide Mobility: https://www.glide.ai
NVDA Add-ons: https://addons.nvda-project.org

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About Double Tap

Hosted by the insightful duo, Steven Scott and Shaun Preece, Double Tap is a treasure trove of information for anyone who's blind or partially sighted and has a passion for tech. Steven and Shaun not only demystify tech, but they also regularly feature interviews and welcome guests from the community, fostering an interactive and engaging environment. Tune in every day of the week, and you'll discover how technology can seamlessly integrate into your life, enhancing daily tasks and experiences, even if your sight is limited.

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