The Blind Life Podcast

Episode 47: Accessibyte — Fun and Accessible Learning Tools for the Blind and Visually Impaired

Host: Sam Seavey
Guest: Joe Jorgensen, Creator of Accessibyte
Date: October 17, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, host Sam Seavey sits down with Joe Jorgensen, founder and creator of Accessibyte, to explore how Accessibyte’s suite of web and desktop apps help blind and visually impaired users learn, study, stay productive, and even have fun. The conversation covers the inspiration behind Accessibyte, hands-on demonstrations of key features, accessibility design choices, feedback from users, and plans for the future.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

What is Accessibyte? (01:07)

• Joe Jorgensen describes Accessibyte as both an online platform and a set of desktop applications.
  • The focus is on simplicity, built-in accessibility, and flexibility for a diverse user base (young, old, educators, students, and more).
  • “The main driving force of all the Access Byte apps is simplicity.” (01:22, Joe)
  • Apps are accessible wherever you log in, both via browser and desktop.
• Flagship and other apps:
  • Typio: Typing tutor, “super fun,” with features tailored for different age groups.
  • Quick Cards: Flashcard/study tool.
  • Propack: Suite including dictionary, encyclopedia, calculator, notes, to-do, reader.
  • Arcade: Collection of accessible games.
  • Brailleo: Braille typing tutor (supports both QWERTY keyboard and simulated braille).
  • Accessibyte Studio: Newly released Windows desktop app for general computing, designed for simplicity.

Origins and Motivation (02:56)

• Joe’s background in blind rehabilitation at the VA:
  • Noticed gaps in available assistive tech for clients.
  • Combined personal coding skills with professional experience to “fill in the gaps.”
  • Early user feedback drove product evolution: “I just started asking people what they wanted, what they needed out of this application.” (03:38, Joe)

Demonstration and Features of Typio (05:17)

• Accessible typing instruction with gamification:
  • Typio serves both children (Typing Pet) and adults (Typio Pro).
  • Users earn coins and unlock fun themes by practicing typing.
  • Sam praises the adaptive and engaging design:
    “I would have loved Typio when I was learning how to type… everything is spoken out loud to you…” (03:53, Sam)
  • Visual and audio feedback (high contrast, adjustable font sizes, spoken prompts).
• Memorable demonstration:
  • “Each letter will be highlighted and it’s spoken. I hit Space to go to the next word. I hear, ‘JJ’, you probably heard a chicken cluck…” (06:25, Joe)
  • Typio allows for personalized experience through themes and achievements.

Accessibility by Design (12:09)

• Accessibility is inherent to all apps.
  • Built-in voice output, works with or without screen readers (JAWS, VoiceOver).
  • Customizable for individual preferences.
  • “The included accessibility is a really good bridge to the other accessibility.” (12:37, Joe)
  • Users can transition from built-in simplified accessibility to more advanced tools, facilitating gradual tech skill development.

Cross-Platform Usability (10:07)

• Browser-based design:
  • Software works on any device, in any location.
  • Optimized for mobile and desktop.
  • Responsive controls: swipe, keys, touch, arrow navigation.
  • “You can do this at school, you can do this at home, you can do this at work, you could go on vacation and take your laptop and have it.” (10:07, Sam)

Quick Cards and Teacher Tools (11:21)

• Flashcard creation and testing:
  • Users and teachers can create their own decks and quizzes.
  • Teacher dashboard allows management of students, customization, and sharing.
• Accessibility features:
  • Adjustable text size, clean layout, touch and keyboard navigation.
  • Built-in quizzes from card decks.

Accessibyte Studio — A Simplified Computing Environment (13:37)

• Purpose: Provides a “friendly front end” to core computer functions for new or lower-skill users.

  • Can run as a desktop shell or alongside other programs.
  • Suite includes weather, news, to-dos, notes, internet, YouTube, podcasts, and more.
  • Features are continually expanding with feedback from the community.
  • “Access Byte Studio… is really aiming to simplify that process.” (13:37, Joe)

• YouTube Module Demo:

  • Search and play videos with a few keystrokes.
  • Simple navigation (first letter shortcut, arrow keys).
  • Planned future enhancements: subscribing, commenting.

• Customization:

  • Change color schemes system-wide or per app (system theme, dark/light, user colors).
  • “You can really customize this application. Even down to disabling certain apps so they don’t show up.” (18:14, Joe)

Feedback and User-Centered Development (16:37)

• Community suggestions are highly encouraged:
  “I wouldn’t be able to build them if they were built any other way. So I welcome it. Feedback, suggestions, what works, what doesn’t, all of it.” (16:49, Joe)
• Iterative model: New features and improvements added based on actual user needs.

Accessibyte Arcade — Fun as a Gateway to Skills (18:38)

• Games collection: Range from simple one-key games (e.g., Samurai) to multi-key “mental mapping” exercises.
• Educational by stealth:
  “You’re kind of learning about different things and you don’t even know it.” (19:55, Joe)
• Upcoming updates and new games teased.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “The main driving force of all the Access Byte apps is simplicity.”
  (01:22, Joe Jorgensen)

• “When you’re low vision and you have to get your face inches away from the keyboard in order to type… it’s not the best way.”
  (03:53, Sam Seavey)

• “I just started asking people what they wanted, what they needed out of this application. It just [came down to] taking all the ideas from teachers and students and users and trying to put it into a simplified package.”
  (03:38, Joe Jorgensen)

• “The typing pets are almost a problem because the kids have so much fun using them.”
  (08:59, Joe Jorgensen)

• “The included accessibility is a really good bridge to the other accessibility.”
  (12:37, Joe Jorgensen)

• “There’s always like this catch 22… you need some computer skills in order to learn your assistive tech, but you need assistive tech skills to learn the computer. And it’s a bit of a pickle sometimes.”
  (12:54, Joe Jorgensen)

• “What makes it into these apps is what people want.”
  (16:49, Joe Jorgensen)

• “Even when you’re playing and having a good time, you don’t realize it, but you’re learning, you’re building these skills that are going to be super useful later on.”
  (19:45, Sam Seavey)

Accessibyte Pricing & Trials (20:14)

• Online apps: Single-user licenses start at $69.95, with scaled pricing for schools and multi-user plans.
• Accessibyte Studio: Perpetual license (no subscription) for $495, includes a year of support and updates (SMA).
• Free trials: Available for nearly all products via the Accessibyte website.

“There’s free trials of basically everything on the website.” (21:23, Joe Jorgensen)

Website: accessibyte.com

Summary Table of Key Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | Highlights | |--------------------------------------|-----------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | What is Accessibyte & Origins | 01:07 | Joe’s intro, platform overview, inspiration, community feedback loop | | Typio Demonstration | 05:17 | Typing tutor features, gamification, accessibility, visual/auditory feedback | | Accessibility Design Philosophy | 12:09 | Built-in voice output, user preference, transition to advanced tools | | Cross-Platform and Mobile Usability | 10:07 | Works on any device, mobile-friendly, flexible controls | | Quick Cards & Teacher Tools | 11:21 | Flashcards, quizzes, teacher management, accessibility features | | Accessibyte Studio Overview | 13:37 | Desktop environment, suite of apps, customization, feedback-driven updates | | YouTube Module Demo | 15:01 | Simplified video search and playback, roadmap for new features | | Community Feedback & Customization | 16:37 | User feedback welcomed, iterative development, color and app settings | | Accessibyte Arcade | 18:38 | Educational games, skill-building through play, upcoming updates | | Pricing and Free Trials | 20:14 | Transparent pricing, perpetual license, free trials available |

Final Words

Joe shares how to get involved, try Accessibyte’s offerings, and contribute feedback for ongoing development.
For more information, listeners are encouraged to visit the Accessibyte website, with free trials available for individuals, educators, and organizations.

This episode spotlights not just an impressive suite of tools, but an ethos of usability, continuous improvement, and feedback-driven design for the blind and visually impaired community.