There used to be a remote like this but you had to watch for lights to guide you through training.  I doubt you'll have to actually train this one perhaps but i imagine it'll have some sort of display that won't talk.

On Jan 16, 2010, at 4:46 PM, Harry Brown wrote:


Hi all,
This from an nfb web page, a blog about technology.
enjoy!
Harry
One of the central pieces of a home theater system is the universal remote.  Basic universal remotes can be accessible to blind users if the buttons have
differing shapes, spacing, and are grouped logically.  One remote that I discovered has these features, but also  contains voice recognition.  It is manufactured
by RCA, and will be available in the spring.  The remote allows you to issue commands by voice.  You can also set up macros, in which you speak one command
to perform multiple tasks.  For example, "Watch DVD" might power on your DVD unit and switch your TV to the proper video input.  The RCA representative
stated that all functions should be available by voice, including remote setup.  The manual will be available online, including a list of product codes
used to program the remote.  Its suggested retail price is $39, and it will be available from 
www.rcaaccessories.com.
An Accessible Set Top Box
1/8/2010
This week, I am attending the 
International Consumer Electronics
 show in Las Vegas, NV.  One of the technologies blind consumers have been wishing for is an accessible digital TV set top box.  Through the work of a firm
called Ocean Blue Software, such a device may soon be a reality.  
Ocean Blue,
along with 
ST Micro Electronics,
makers of chipsets for digital boxes, is exhibiting here in Vegas.  The group of us attending CES on the NFB’s behalf were able to see a private demo.
Using pre-recorded BBC content, the box seemed to work well.  As channels were changed, the box read out the new program to which it was being tuned.  The
speech was clear and human sounding.  Information about the program’s duration, and special attributes like subtitles or audio description were also announced. 
If one wished, one could enter the set top box’s configuration menus to change preferences like toggling the DVS track on and off.  The electronic programming
guide (epg) was also able to be read.
I am intrigued and fascinated by Ocean Blue’s work on this set top box.  You can see a demo at 
http://www.oceanbluesoftware.co.uk/talkingtv-video-form.shtml
 The company hopes to roll the software out in the US once they find a broadcast partner to include it in their set top box.  We in the NFB are working
with the firm to help this become a reality.
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