> Windows or Mac? Mac or iPad? Android versus iOS? JAWS versus VoiceOver? These > debates are everywhere—and the opinions are often loud, conflicting, and > confusing. You have likely heard claims that professionals cannot use Macs, > iPads are not productive, or Windows systems crash constantly. But what is > the truth, and which technology is right for you? > Join us for The Ultimate Technology Showdown, a special live, debate-style > event where four respected assistive technology experts go head-to-head to > make their case for their preferred platforms. This two-hour event is > designed to inform, challenge assumptions, and entertain—bringing high-energy > discussion to a live audience. > The showdown will be streamed live on Zoom > <https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84416485669?pwd=o1uH1WA8s22n8oG8SmZ8ulAc5UN0qj.1>, > YouTube <https://www.youtube.com/@SturItUpStudios>, and TwitchTV > <https://twitch.tv/sturitupstudio>, giving you multiple ways to watch and > engage. > Make the popcorn, grab your favorite snacks, and join us live for this > one-of-a-kind technology faceoff. > > Event Details > Date: Wednesday, January 28, 2026 > Time: 8:00 PM Eastern Time > Where? Live on Zoom > <https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84416485669?pwd=o1uH1WA8s22n8oG8SmZ8ulAc5UN0qj.1>, > with simultaneous streaming on YouTube > <https://www.youtube.com/@SturItUpStudios> and TwitchTV > <https://twitch.tv/sturitupstudio> > > What to Expect > Before there can be a showdown, there must be questions—and that is where you > come in. Audience-submitted questions will shape the debate, with final > selections made by the moderation team. Moderators may also introduce > questions of their own. Time permitting, there may be a live Q&A at the end, > though this is not guaranteed, so submitting questions in advance is strongly > encouraged. > The event will follow a classic debate format. Each panelist will have three > minutes for opening statements. Questions will be directed to individual > panelists, with opportunities for others to respond. Each participant will > also have five minutes for closing statements. Panelists will not see > questions in advance and will hear them for the first time when asked live. > > How to Submit Questions > Please read the following guidelines carefully before submitting your > questions: > All questions must be submitted by email > Send questions to: [email protected] > <mailto:[email protected]> > Subject line: “Questions for Tech Showdown” > Limit three questions per person > No follow-up emails with additional questions > Questions must be on topic and may include hardware, software, operating > systems, apps, and screen readers > This is not a tech support session > Questions must be concise (maximum three sentences each) > No profanity, personal stories, opinions, or commentary > No derogatory or hostile language toward panelists > Do not attempt to answer questions on behalf of others > Off-topic submissions will not be considered > Not all questions will be used. The moderation team reserves the right to > modify or exclude questions at their sole discretion. > Submission deadline: > Friday, January 23, 2026 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time > > About the Panelists > David Goldfield: > David Goldfield has been working in the assistive technology field for nearly > 35 years. This includes providing technical support, technology training for > blind children and adults, writing product documentation and working with > Comcast’s accessibility team as a product manager. Currently, he is the > marketing director for Blazie Technologies. When he’s not working, you’ll > find him chatting on Facebook and Mastodon, running the Tech-VI announcement > list or engaged with Doctor Who books, TV episodes or novels. > You can visit his personal Web site at > www.DavidGoldfield.com <http://www.davidgoldfield.com/>. > > Kevin Ratliff: > Kevin Ratliff is a dedicated Assistive Technology Instructor with over 25 > years of experience empowering individuals through digital accessibility. For > the past 13 years, he has served at the Criss Cole Rehabilitation Center > (CCRC) in Austin, Texas, where he specializes in helping students master the > tools necessary for independence and employment. > Kevin possesses deep technical expertise across multiple ecosystems, > including Windows, Chrome OS, and Android. He is highly proficient in the > native and third-party screen readers for each operating system, ensuring his > students can navigate any interface with confidence. His instructional > background also includes extensive experience with both the Microsoft Office > Suite and Google Suite, bridging the gap between assistive tools and > essential workplace productivity software. > > Kliphton Miller Sr.: > Kliph Miller Sr. is a highly respected assistive technology specialist, > educator, and the founder of SturItUp, a service dedicated to providing > personalized, results-driven technology training. With more than 30 years of > experience in technology and over 15 years focused specifically on assistive > technology instruction, Kliph brings a depth of knowledge and practical > insight that few in the field can match. > Kliph is known for his extensive expertise within the Apple ecosystem, > including macOS, iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, and tvOS, with a strong emphasis on > accessibility features such as VoiceOver and system-level customization. His > work centers on helping individuals build confidence, independence, and > efficiency through technology that is tailored to their daily lives and > professional goals. > As an educator, Kliph takes a highly individualized approach to instruction. > He focuses on strengthening real-world skills, eliminating unnecessary > repetition, and ensuring that learners understand not just how to use their > devices, but why specific workflows and features matter. His training style > is practical, detailed, and rooted in troubleshooting, adaptability, and > long-term skill development. > Through SturItUp, Kliph delivers one-on-one and small-group training that > meets clients where they are, sharpening their abilities while helping them > stay current as technology continues to evolve. His commitment to clarity, > efficiency, and accessibility has made him a trusted resource for students, > professionals, and organizations alike. > In addition to his training work, Kliph is active in media and content > creation, using podcasts and digital platforms to engage audiences in > meaningful conversations around technology and accessibility. His work > reflects a deep commitment to empowering users to take control of their > technology and use it as a tool for independence and success. Kliph Miller > Sr. and SturItUp represent a practical, forward-thinking approach to > assistive technology—focused on real skills, real outcomes, and real impact. > > Matthew G. Vollbrecht: > Matthew Vollbrecht is a certified Apple Instructor and the owner of TTJ Tech > Services. He has nearly three decades of experience providing technology > setup, support, training, and consulting for individuals, educators, and > organizations. His work has included computer maintenance, accessibility > testing, documentation, and user training for both sighted and blind users. > He has extensive experience working with assistive technologies, particularly > screen readers and accessibility features for people who are blind or > visually impaired. > Since 2009, Matthew has focused exclusively on Apple products, after > recognizing Apple’s industry-leading commitment to built-in accessibility. He > is an Apple Teacher and Apple-Certified Associate with deep expertise in > macOS, iOS, iPadOS, tvOS, watchOS, and related apps and services. He is also > a long-time advocate and educator in the accessibility community, creating > tutorial content and contributing to widely used Apple accessibility support > resources. > Through TTJ Tech Services, Matthew provides personalized training, > demonstrations, purchasing guidance, setup, and ongoing support for Apple > devices and related technologies. His training and support services also > extend to digital content creation, web design, home automation, security > systems, streaming TV services, home theater, A/V, and music technology. He > works with individuals, families, educators, and schools to help integrate > technology in meaningful and practical ways. In addition to offering > technology training and support locally and online, Matthew is a faith > preachor. He is married with two children and enjoys spending time with his > family and friends. > > Event Support and Moderation > This event is supported by Sarah Potok of the TTJ Instructor Team, who will > serve as moderator, and David DeNotarisof Sky’s the Limit!, serving as sound > stage coordinator. Additional supporting moderators may be added. > > Join the Showdown > Watch live on Zoom > <https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84416485669?pwd=o1uH1WA8s22n8oG8SmZ8ulAc5UN0qj.1>, > YouTube <https://www.youtube.com/@SturItUpStudios>, or TwitchTV > <https://twitch.tv/sturitupstudio>. > Zoom Join Link: > https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84416485669?pwd=o1uH1WA8s22n8oG8SmZ8ulAc5UN0qj.1 > Mark your calendars for Wednesday, January 28 at 8:00 PM Eastern, 7:00PM > Central Time. We look forward to seeing you there. >
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