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These articles are from prior issues of our journal. For links to more manufacturers and providers of assistive technology, see our LINKS PAGE.
At the CSUN Conference on Technology and Persons with Disabilities in March 2003, VisuAide lived up to its corporate slogan "Driving the Digital Talking Book Revolution" by announcing Victor Reader Vibe, the latest Digital Talking Book Player in its growing product line of DAISY playback devices. Victor Reader Vibe is one of the smallest and most affordable DAISY player in the industry but offers full navigation and advanced features found in the most powerful DAISY players at a fraction of the price.
The Victor Reader Vibe is a portable CD player designed for students and professionals that is well suited for both the visually impaired and print disabled. Users can navigate faster and more efficiently through reference works and complex textbooks. In addition to basic navigation features, it lets the user skip straight to a specific page, insert bookmarks to return to a specific section or mark important passages. Its compact size and rechargeable batteries makes it easy to take and use anywhere.
The Victor Reader Vibe can play regular Audio and MP3 CDs. The player includes earphones, a power adapter, a carrying case and rechargeable batteries that can be recharged directly in the unit. Its tactile markings and controls are grouped in easy recognizable zones make it exceptionally accessible.
Price: $219 USD; $329 CND. These prices are for North America only.
Contact: VisuAide. E-Mail: info@visuaide.com. Web: www.visuaide.com.
Telex Communications has introduced a new digital talking book player designed to give blind and dyslexic users greater access to published material. The Scholar Talking Book Player is a small DAISY CD Player that will accept and automatically select standard CDs and MP3 CDs. Its primary controls are easily identified by their larger size and tactile rubber construction. Secondary controls are smaller and feature a chrome finish. The player will provide instant access to specific page numbers and chapters in the DAISY structure, and includes a full numeric keypad with bookmarking features. An LCD screen displays disc details for "at a glance" teacher monitoring.
Some additional features include:
Price: $249.
Contact: Telex Communications. V: 800.828.6107 Ext. 7498 or 952.887.7498. Web: www.telex.com/duplication/products.nsf/allpages/0313DC795FA04C8E86256BC2006F1EA6
November 7, 2001 - GW Micro, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, creator of Window-Eyes 4.11 and Window-Eyes Professional, is proud to announce support for the new Windows XP operating system from Microsoft Corp. Window-Eyes is a software screen reader for people who are blind. The combination of Window-Eyes Professional and Windows XP gives a person who is blind the power to carry out complicated tasks with the ease of use heretofore only enjoyed by the mouse user. Window-Eyes has long been known for its very friendly approach to Windows, and with the features added to Windows XP the end result is excellent accessibility.
Window-Eyes Professional also offers features such as Grade 2 Braille support for Braille displays, smart table mode allowing easier access to tables in Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0, enhanced support for America Online 7.x creating easier navigation, speech synthesizer command line parameters, support for a backup speech synthesizer, the ability to manually control the automatic "Read-To-End" feature, silent/un-spoken passwords for more secure network login prompts, support for applications that flash the taskbar to get attention, the ability to read the status of progress bars and scroll bar positions, and much more.
The combination of Internet Explorer 6.0, Windows XP and Window-Eyes Professional provides a smarter way to "surf" the web with enhanced support for forms, tables, JavaScript links, and more. GW Micro and Microsoft are dedicated to web accessibility standards and design. Providing access to pages that were once difficult to traverse has now become a daily routine for many people.
Clarence Whaley, Director of Sales and Marketing for GW Micro, stated, "The efforts of GW Micro and Microsoft are impacting the lives of those of us that are blind more than ever before. This strategic relationship truly allows more people who are blind to enter the workforce."
The Window-Eyes Professional software for Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows Me, Windows XP Home Edition, Windows XP Professional, and Windows 2000 will retail for $795.00, and will be available for purchase later this year. This one size fits all pricing makes Window-Eyes Professional the most affordable screen reader on the market.
"Microsoft is delighted to work so closely with GW Micro and to see Window-Eyes Professional working with such a broad range of Microsoft products," said Gary Moulton, Assistive Technology Vendor Relations Manager with Microsoft Corp. "Together we will continue to strive to offer assistive technology users the most up-to-date technology solutions available."
Gordon Smith, a private beta tester for GW Micro, says, "Windows XP and Window-Eyes offer the most stable environment to date. Crash, what's a crash? Window-Eyes gives the Windows XP user the most stable and flexible working environment available to users of adaptive accessibility products. In short, this is the way forward."
Founded in 1990, GW Micro, a Fort Wayne, Indiana based adaptive software company, is committed to producing the most reliable screen reader available for people who are blind. Window-Eyes Professional allows them to hear (with speech synthesis) and feel (via refreshable Braille displays) the Microsoft Windows 95 and 98 operating systems, Windows Me, Windows XP Home Edition and Windows XP Professional, and Windows 2000 operating systems.
For more information, contact:
Clarence Whaley
E-Mail: clarence@gwmicro.com
Tel: 615-383-6248
Web: www.gwmicro.com
or
Sonja K. Homan, Training and Sales Coordinator
GW Micro, Inc.
725 Airport N. Office Park
Fort Wayne, IN 46825
Tel: 260-489-3671
FAX: 260-489-2608
Email: Sonja@gwmicro.com
Web: www.gwmicro.com
Ai Squared will release ZoomText 7.1 in late November and 8.0 in early 2002 that will allow low-vision computer users to take full advantage of Microsoft's new operating system, Windows XP. ZoomText is software that magnifies and speaks the contents of the screen. Using new magnification technology, the new releases will provide dramatic improvements in the enlargement of text. At all magnification levels, characters are clearer, contrast is sharper and navigation is easier to follow. The ZoomText 8.0 screen reader provides full narration of program activity and user input, comprehensive reading commands, complete configurability and ease of use. Specialized support for Internet Explorer and Microsoft Office will allow users to easily navigate and read web pages and documents - always in the correct reading order. ZoomText 8.0 also features CompatibilityOne, providing support for Windows XP, Windows ME (Millennium Edition), Windows 2000, NT 4.0 and Windows 98.
Low-cost upgrades to ZoomText 7.1 and ZoomText 8.0 will be offered to all registered users. Alternatively, a new annual subscription plan can be purchased, which includes all upgrades and maintenance releases during the subscription period. For more information, contact:.
Ai Squared, Inc.
P. O. Box 669
Manchester Center, VT 05255
Tel: 802-362-3612
Fax: 802-362-1670
E-Mail: sales@aisquared.com
Web: www.aisquared.com
As voice recognition technology rapidly advanced, a host of products arrived on the market aimed at making life easier for the blind and partially sighted. Latest in line, is a PDA that looks as attractive to the general market as to its target group.
A few years ago, Engineer Henri Seydoux created in Paris, France, a speech recognition organizer called Parrot, from the name of his company. Although the Parrot was not originally designed for use by the blind, it proved to have a unique appeal to them.
Feedback from the vision impaired community resulted in a newer, improved version, the Parrot Plus. Now, the third generation of voice recognition organizers from Parrot : has been introduced - the Voice Mate, that uses the latest Digital Signal Processor and memory technology and has a new microprocessor.
If one can talk, hear and has the use of his/her hands, this new unit is a "Mate" that gives access to the intimate and outside world through five major utilities: a talking phone book, a voice note pad, a talking appointment book, a talking alarm clock and a talking calculator. Every one of these utilities is completely accessible non-visually or by the low-vision individual. Users comment that it gives a visually impaired person a way to accomplish lots of activities with only one unit. In short, the Voice Mate talks to you right out of the box and is small enough to be kept comfortably in a pocket or purse.
The Unit In Brief:
The Telephone Book:
To record a name:
- You press and hold the "CLIC" and say the name, "John" for example.
- You open the lid. Voice Mate asks if you want to memorize "John". You press "YES".
- Voice Mate asks you to repeat "John". You press the side "CLIC" and repeat "John" again.
- Voice Mate asks you to enter the phone number and press "YES". Numbers are spoken as you type them. If you enter a digit by mistake, use the "DELETE" key.
- Press "YES" when it's done. Voice Mate confirms "John has been deleted".
300 to 600 names can be stored and each name can be associated with 6 different numbers and an address.
The Voice Note Pad:
- With this utility you can record aural messages in the Voice Mate.
- Each message is numbered and stored with the time and date it was recorded.
- When replaying messages, you can choose whether or not to hear this information.
- Voice Mate provides a rich set of editing functions for insertion and/or removal of individual messages or information.
The Appointment Book:
- It allows you to record an appointment that will take place at a specific date and time.
- The Voice Mate can then be instructed to trigger a notification beep at the date and time of the event. If the event is likely to occur more than once--as in a birthday or weekly meeting--the Voice Mate can be set to trigger a reminder beep. For example, you can instruct the Voice Mate to trigger an alarm at 7:30 a.m. every day to remind you that you'd better be ready to go to school or to your office. Or, you can set up a reminder that will go off on April 1st of every year to tell you that "Today is April Fool's Day". Whether a notification beep or a reminder, the Voice Mate will trigger the alarm even if you have turned it completely off.
- Another handy feature is the ability to associate aural key words with an event. You can enter a birthday, for example, and record a key word like "Mom's birthday". Then to locate Mom's birthday, you press a key and say "Mom's birthday". The Voice Mate finds the appropriate entry in the appointment book.
- Last but not least, there is the ability to look at your appointment schedule for a specific date. This is handy if you want to avoid double-booking meetings.
The Talking Alarm Clock:
The Voice Mate's talking alarm clock is fairly straightforward. This is where you set the current date and time. The alarm has its own independent volume control. You can set the clock to run using standard a.m. - p.m. notification or a twenty-four-hour mode (military time). The date can be entered in either European or American format.
The Talking Calculator:
- This is a calculator that can perform the four basic arithmetic operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, plus a percent feature.
- Up to twelve digits can be displayed.
- It has the ability to store and retrieve a single number from memory.
- It has a European currency conversion function.
- You can set the calculator to display from 2 to 8 decimal places.
- When the display is read, numbers are pronounced in full words (e.g., 123 would be pronounced "one hundred and twenty-three").
And, There Is More!
The Voice Mate is truly a voice recognition organizer that a visually impaired or blind person can use easily. Its compact design, long battery life, and diverse functionality make it extremely useful for the active person, whether sighted or vision impaired. In one unit, users enjoy an autonomy and freedom not experienced with similar types of devices.
Cost:
Order From:
Parrot S.A.
174 Quai de Jemmapes
75010 Paris, France
Tel: + 33 1 48 03 60 60
Fax: + 33 1 48 03 06 66
Direct Tel: + 33 1 48 03 60 64
Web: http://www.voice-assistant.com
E-Mail Sales: Christiane Bazin christiane.bazin@parrot.fr
E-Mail Tech Support: Phil Scovell phil@redwhiteandblue.org
E-Mail Communication: Arlette Kotchounian arlette.kotchounian@parrot.fr
Millennium Compliance Corporation of Southington, Ct. has launched a new product designed specifically to help people take their medications correctly. Created by a pharmacist, the Talking Rx attaches to the bottom of a standard prescription bottle and has an audio chip inside. Simply touch the only button (red) on the outside of the unit and listen to the instructions. The Talking Rx is a self-contained, easy-to-use device requiring no up-front investment in software, readers or other hardware. It is only 1-• inches high and retails for $39.95.
This product is ideal for the vision-impaired, seniors and for those whom English is a second language. Users simply push the red button, listen and follow the pharmacist or physician's instructions. The instructions (up to sixty seconds) cover what the medication is for, when to take it, how to take it and possible side effects. The sound quality of the device is clear and audible with playback at 80-85 decibels. It should be held at least 3 inches from the ear. Instructions can also be given in an individual's native language, thereby minimizing confusion and misuse of medications. After a prescription is finished, the same Talking Rx device can be used for a different prescription.
The improper use of medications (non-compliance) accounts for $76.6 billion a year of expenses and unnecessary hospital admissions. It is a huge problem in the United States and the Talking Rx was designed specifically to help. John Dobbins, a licensed pharmacist for over 20 years, thought of the idea after listening to talking greeting cards. He had a Spanish-speaking customer who couldn't understand how to take his medications the Talking Rx was the solution.
Elderly consumers taking multiple medications represent the largest group of people that can benefit from the Talking Rx. The elderly not only use 1/3 of all prescription medications, but at least 40% of all over-the-counter medications used annually. The potential for drug-related adverse events based on the number alone is further in creased by changes in pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. 98,000 die in hospital a year as a result of medication mistakes in taking medications. That is more that auto accidents, breast cancer and AIDs. The Talking Rx is particularly useful for consumers taking medications such as Coumadin, an anticoagulant medication that requires strict adherence to instructions. Coumadin and other "Narrow Therapeutic Index Medications" can cause adverse drug events if not taken properly.
"One of the greatest problems seen in elderly self-care, often leading to the need for their hospitalization, can be traced to an individual's inability to comply with the prescribed medication regimen. Over and under self-medication are common problems that often lead to dire consequences. The Taking Rx offers an accurate and easy-to-use solution to this serious problem." David McKinnon, RN, Supervisor of Total Quality Improvement, Visiting Nurse Assoc. of Central Conn., Inc.
The patented and portable Talking Rx uses 3 readily available watch batteries, is water-resistant and is ultrasonically welded for security. The message can be changed at the point of service, rather than through the mail, which means caregivers in the home can even change the message.
Millennium Compliance Corporation has four founding partners with wealth of business expertise: President and Inventor John C. Dobbins, a 20 years pharmacist, Secretary Dr. John Dagianis, an ophthalmologist, eye surgeon and founder of Nashua Eye Assoc., Paul J. Dobbins, Chairman of the Board and mechanical engineer and VP of Operations, Gary Smith, a biotech engineer. For more information about the Talking Rx, contact:
John Dobbins
Millennium Compliance Corporation P.O. Box 649
Southington, CT 06489
Tel: 860-426- 0542.
Web: <www.talkingrx.com >
People with severe vision impairment caused by macular degeneration and other retinal diseases require high levels of magnification to accomplish the tasks of everyday living, such as reading mail, writing checks and checking prescription bottles. In the early stages of such disease, hand held optical magnifiers can be adequate, but difficult to use. Electronic magnifiers, also known as CCTVs, provide a degree of magnification and ease of use not possible with ordinary hand-held optical magnifiers, but their cost has been prohibitive to many potential users.
The PRIMER is an entry-level electronic magnifier that works with any television set to provide magnification beyond that possible with hand held optical magnifiers, up to 15 times using a 20 inch television set. At a cost of $295 the device is well below the $1000 plus cost of devices previously available. The PRIMER provides clear black and white images of printed materials of any kind, including newspapers, telephone books, food cans and packages of all types, and photographs. The PRIMER also can display images in both enhanced black on white, and enhanced white on black to further improve readability.
The PRIMER is available directly from Innoventions, or through many Doctor's vision practices or organizations serving the visually impaired.
Primer Literature is available at: <http://magnicam.com/primer.html>
Photographs ready for printing are available for download at <http://magnicam.com/primer/>
or by contacting:
Thomas J. Winter
Innoventions, Inc.
5921 S. Middlefield Road - Suite 102
Littleton, CO 80123
Toll Free: 800-854-6554
Fax: 303-727-4940
E-Mail: <magnicam@magnicam.com>
Microwave Science and the microwave oven manufacturer LG Electronics recently introduced the True Cook Plus+ Microwave Food and Oven Operating System at the 2001 International Housewares Show in Chicago.
Today's food products are often as good as you'll find in many restaurants, but you'd never know it, not by the way microwave ovens get used today. With the new technology introduced by Microwave Science and LGE, we'll soon have a much better way of cooking, so easy and so good that anyone can achieve test kitchen quality every time.
The process is truly automatic. Just place your favorite food with the TrueCookPlus code on it into the new LGE microwave, punch in the simple TCP+ number printed in Braille and 24 point type provided on the food package; i.e. "1 2 3", "6 3", or "3 4 2 1," etc., on the accessible control panel and then press the Start key. Your food is then cooked to perfection exactly the way you want it every time, without agonizing, checking, waiting or using your finger as a temperature probe.
Currently, True Cook Plus+ supports an unlimited number of frozen, refrigerated, and shelf stable food products: Today, tomorrow, and on into the future -- because, unlike present-day microwave ovens, there are no TCP+ codes stored in the oven. TCP+ codes are created in major food company test kitchens using Codemaker -- the TCP+ compiler. Codemaker compiles information about food composition, starting state, package geometry, package characteristics, mass, power levels and exact cook times so that the food gets cooked right every time, in any size microwave.
Once you punch in a simple True Cook Plus code into the oven, the TCP+ operating system interprets the TCP+ code you've entered, transforms the cooking instructions contained within the code into exact instructions tailored specially for your particular oven, adjusts for elevation, adjusts for whether you microwave is cold, warm, or hot, commences cooking, manages the voltage, power levels and cook times throughout the cooking process, and thus delivers the food to you cooked just right.
It is anticipated that the TCP+ ovens will be ready for shipment in June 2001. Although the exact price has not yet been determined, they should sell somewhere in the middle price range. The TCP+ food products will be available at the same time starting with Betty Crocker and Pop Weaver.
To find out more, contact:
Bob Thompson, Microwave Science.
Tel: 770-967-1234
E-Mail: <BobThompson@TrueCookPlus.com>
Web: <www.TrueCookPlus.com>
Editor's Note: The next generation of this oven will be more automatic as it will not be necessary for the user to enter the code. Instead, the oven will "read" and interpret the code that has been placed on the food itself - not on the outer package.
We all are aware of the eyestrain that can result from long hours of computer use or how hard it is to get the small items on the computer screen into focus as age-related presbyopia sets in. Finally, someone has addressed these problems with a new computer screen magnification tool.
Ai Squared, makers of the popular ZoomText® low-vision screen magnification software, recently introduced the BIGSHOT® Screen Magnifier utility. Screen magnification products currently on the market such as ZoomText, Magnum 95®, and LP-Windows® are intended for users with severe vision problems. They provide magnification levels from 2x up to 16x or 32x. (Suffice it to say that 16x magnification is really big!) The BIGSHOT Screen Magnifier, on the other hand, offers magnification levels between 100% and 200% (1x to 2x) in increments of 5 percent. Ai Squared calls this incremental magnification technology vMag™.
The BIGSHOT software is directed at computer users with mild vision degradation (e.g., aging baby boomers) and those who experience eyestrain after long hours in front of a PC monitor or a laptop computer. After using the product for 30 days, I can say that BIGSHOT meets its target objective of easing eyestrain. What follows are some user impressions to help you decide if the product is for you.
Installation went smoothly on a Pentium III computer with 128MB of DRAM running Windows 98SE. I would anticipate no problems on any computer with the Windows 9x or Windows Me operating system and a name brand video card. Ai Squared indicates that a product for Windows 2000 and Windows NT4 is scheduled for release in the near future. I regret that currently there is no word on a BIGSHOT version for Macintosh users. Additionally, the user will need to be able to set a color depth of at least 16-bits (high color.) The program does not unreasonably tie up memory or system resources.
After installation, you are left with a small toolbar on your desktop. The toolbar is simplicity itself. There are only four control buttons, an options button, and an exit button. The toolbar controls are illustrated below:
The magnification level is adjustable in increments of five percent between 100 and 200 percent with button 1. The user can temporarily disable magnification with the enable/disable toggle (button 2). The user can select between full screen and active window zooming (buttons 3 & 4). When active window zoom is selected, the software uses Microsoft Active Accessibility (MSAA) features to track the active window and magnify only that application in a pop-up window, while leaving the rest of the screen at normal level. Button 5 accesses the program options and button 6 closes the program. The toolbar functions in the always on top mode, so it continually is available to the user. The toolbar can be minimized to the Taskbar System Tray if the user needs a clean desktop. A nice feature is the ability to use the mouse scroll wheel, in conjunction with the Alt or Ctrl key, to adjust magnification level. Additionally, most program functions are assignable to hotkey combinations for quick execution.
I found BIGSHOT fit into my situation best when used on an "as needed" basis. I enable magnification when I need extra help seeing something and disable it to maneuver around on the desktop. It is easy to use in this mode. Others may find that keeping BIGSHOT active all the time is best for them. The active window option is particularly useful since normally you do not need the entire screen magnified to see something in a specific application. The software is unobtrusive and is there when you need it.
Most targeted users will find the 2x magnification maximum to be sufficient for them. I have a 19-inch monitor, which minimizes the scrolling necessary to see the contents of an entire text page or program window at higher magnification levels. You scroll by moving the mouse cursor against an edge of the magnification window or by using the scroll wheel. If you have a 15-inch monitor you will have to do a bit of scrolling. I would recommend an external mouse for laptop users; otherwise your finger will get very tired scrolling while using most integrated laptop pointing devices. It should be noted that the BIGSHOT magnification window is an "active" window and not just a viewing area. You have full control of program functions just as if you were on the desktop
Computer users accustomed to seeing the very smooth edge magnification of text when using the zoom feature of a word processor application will notice a difference when using BIGSHOT. At the higher magnification levels, the user will notice some pixelation (jagged edges) on curved text letters. Smoothing techniques incorporated into BIGSHOT minimize the effect and text remains easily readable at 200 percent.
Ai Squared has priced the BIGSHOT Screen Magnifier 2.0 at $99.00. I can highly recommend BIGSHOT for anyone who experiences problems seeing small screen items or who notices eyestrain after long periods of computer use. With this type of software, it always is best to try it in your particular situation before buying. For more information and to download a free 30-day trial version of BIGSHOT, visit the Web site at <http://www.bigshotmagnifier.com>
The Miniguide, a newly developed electronic mobility aid by GDP Research, is not much bigger than a box of matches (2.3 x 1.3 x 0.6 inches) and weighs only three-quarters of an ounce. The aid indicates the distance to the nearest object, via an audio tone. The higher the pitch of the tone, the closer the object. There is a small speaker on the aid and it is also supplied with earphones, which have an in-line volume control.
A single push button is used to turn the aid on or off, and also to select different modes. For example, there are four, two, one, and half meter/yard modes. There are also modes that indicate the distance to objects using a musical scale - the user can choose whichever mode they prefer. There are over 20 modes and options on the Miniguide. Modes are selected by holding down the button for two seconds or longer. The user releases the button after a certain number of beeps to select a mode. The aid remembers which mode was selected and will use that mode every time it is switched on.
There are also quick-select options that allow the user to swap between two or three different modes with a few simple button presses. For example, the user could swap between one-meter, two-meter and four meter modes with a few button presses. The user can choose any modes and in any order for these quick settings.
The battery used in the Miniguide is a small lithium coin cell - the CR2032. A battery will give over 100 hours of continuous use. As an example, if the aid is used for an hour a day, the battery will last for months. Cost: Approximately $235.
For more information, contact:
GDP Research
25 Fulham Park Dr.
Lockleys SA 5032
Australia
Web: <http://users.senet.com.au/~gphillip/ultra.htm>
The Aloud™ Audio Labeling System has been developed by the ASKO Corporation to assist the blind and visually impaired to identify medications and follow the medication regimen prescribed by their doctor or pharmacist. The system is also ideal for the elderly, for the illiterate, and in situations where language differences can cause confusion.
Its operation is quite simple. When the pharmacist dispenses the medication, an audio version of the printed prescription label (called an "Audio Label") is also produced and attached to the medication container. Then, when the Audio Label is placed into the Aloud™ Player unit, the Audio Label information recorded by the pharmacist is replayed out loud and the patient can hear the same information that a sighted person can see on the label. The message cannot be accidentally erased or altered by the patient or anyone else as the recording equipment is only available to qualified pharmacists. The recorded message is "durable" and can be played as many times as the patient wishes.
When it is time to refill the prescription, the Audio Label is returned to the pharmacy and removed from the medication container. The pharmacist records a new Audio message for the new prescription onto the Audio Label and attaches the Audio Label to the new medication container before it is given to the patient.
Only one Player unit is required since it will work with any Aloud Audio Label. As to the number of labels needed, one Audio Label is required for each medication.
The Aloud™ Model 100 Player unit offers the following features:
Additional information may be
obtained from: ASKO Corporation
2 South St.
Stamford, NY 12167
Tel: 877-732-9227 or 607-652-3315
Fax: 607-652-3653
E-Mail: <sales@askocorp.com>
Technical questions: <support@askocorp.com>
Web: <www.askocorp.com>
The Jordy™, named after the character, Jordy, from Star Trek who wears special eyewear to correct his blindness, was featured in September on Good Morning America and again on February 18, 2000 on the Dan Rather's Eye on America segment of the CBS Evening News.
According to some macular degeneration patients, the Jordy is a multipurpose aid that may be worn to watch TV or a movie, view a church service or wedding or monitor grandchildren playing. It has an amazing 44 degree field of view. Then the system may be slipped into a special stand connected to a television and it becomes a full color, white or black, and black on white CCTV (electronic magnifier).
Its Features Include:
* Light weight: under 10 oz.
* Wide field of view: 44°.
* Distance, Intermediate, and near viewing.
* Full color with auto-focus magnification.
* Magnification range 1X - 24X.
* Magnified TV viewing.
* Battery operated system (includes power supply and charger).
* Preset magnification.
* Portable, convenient, and easy to operate.
CCTV Features Include:
* CCTV capabilities with docking stand (sold separately).
* Full color with auto-focus magnification.
* Low-light requirements: requires no additional light, resulting in minimum glare.
* Magnification: up to 50 times depending on the size of the TV or monitor screen.
Richard L. Windsor, O.D., F.A.A.O., and 1999 National O.D. of the Year reports his practice was the first in the world to receive the Jordy system several months ago. He recently introduced the system to other doctors at the American Optometric Association annual meeting. For more information about the system, please contact him at: richw@eyeassociates.com and/or visit his website at www.eyeassociates.com
For the blind, equal access to computers and the Internet has been a rallying cry for years. But it has proven to be an elusive goal. PCs are, after all, a strongly visual tool, and most popular operating systems such as Microsoft Windows can provide only limited accessibility adjustments. So the mantra has been changing: Blind people now are demanding their own operating system capable of tapping the Net in a way perfectly suited to them.
At the March 2000 annual California State University at Northridge Assistive Technology Conference (CSUN), HumanWare Inc. previewed BrailleNote, its newest product that may give blind people what they've been looking for.
BrailleNote is a notetaker for the blind with a modern operating system built on Windows CE technology. For the first time ever, blind users will be able to send and receive e-mail attachments that can be opened in Microsoft Word, and then converted into text, digital voice, or Braille.
This marks a big step forward. The best products currently on the market today can reproduce computer documents in print, Braille, or convert text into digital voice but blind computer users can't send or receive accessible attachments via e-mail. The BrailleNote is believed to be the first system that will allow a blind user to use Windows technology just like a sighted person.
The device looks like an oversized Palm digital assistant. Although it's a bit bulky, you could carry it in your jacket pocket or in a purse. It has a specially designed keyboard along the sides and at the bottom. The first three keys on each side of the unit contain the Braille alphabet. Other keys direct where Braille dots should be placed or can serve as cursors. For example, a single dot represents the letter "a." A dot, followed by an "above" key command, followed by another dot, would produce a "b." Two dots in a row and a third dot placed below the second dot is "c." So with a little practice, a blind person can easily type any information into the computer.
Of special help to the blind user is the special 18- or 32-cell braille display screen along the bottom of the unit. By pressing an advance bar, words in Braille move along the display screen. This allows the user to read any material entered into the unit, including e-mail attachments. The BrailleNote interfaces with braille embossers so hard-copy Braille can be produced.. Additionally, it will read files back to the user in a clear, digital voice. It's truly a multifaceted device.
According to professionals in the technology field, BrailleNote isn't viewed as trying to replicate what the PC does as much it is trying to leap past existing technology to a new platform in which blind people will have the tools to be as productive as sighted people. This is the revolutionary part of BrailleNote. The blind user can open the attachment to an e-mail, edit it, save it, and reattach it to another outgoing e-mail. The receiver would never know the sender used a system different from Windows to do the work. The results are identical to what you would get from someone who isn't blind.
Needless to say, BrailleNote has generated enthusiastic interest among people with vision impairment. Expectations are high that it will give them the power to be at least as productive as their sighted peers. It certainly appears to have the potential to put the applications people require most often from a computer into an environment that is intuitive, yet powerful.
Technically speaking, BrailleNote has an internal modem, and infrared, serial, and parallel ports. By using these industry standards, the BrailleNote allows carefree interfacing with contemporary technology such as printers, embossers, PCs, or visual displays. Within seconds of turning BrailleNote on, users can read documents in the highest quality Grade 1 or Grade 2 Braille on the market. Forward and backward Braille translators give total flexibility in handling text and Braille documents. Tasks can be processed quickly, and the user can store hundreds of files and pages of Braille. Cost is expected to be approximately $3,500 for the 18-cell model and $5,000 for the 32-cell version. HumanWare expects to deliver the product to market by June 2000.
For more information, contact:
HumanWare, Inc.
6245 King Road
Loomis, CA 95650
Tel: 800-722-3393 or 916-652-7253.
Fax: 916-652-7296
E-Mail: <info@humanware.com>
Web: <www.humanware.com>
If you are tired of looking at that bland little mouse cursor or are using a laptop computer and the cursor is difficult to see, Meta-Mouse, a sophisticated mouse cursor enhancement product for Windows from Cylex, Inc., will make it more visible. Meta-Mouse 2.0 will make the cursor bigger, more colorful, animated, and entertaining, as well. Here are some of its features.
Written specifically for Windows 95, it takes full advantage of its capabilities. It provides over 40 cursors to choose from, including full-color and animated cursors. It allows monochrome cursors to be changed to any user selected color. For those who prefer a left-handed cursor, it provides mirror-imaging capability. It is capable of altering the arrow, hourglass, application-starting, I-beam, and sizing-arrow cursors. The cursor can be made to blink at a variety of rates. The "wobble" function provides an entertaining way to improve cursor visibility. Meta-Mouse has a "hide" capability that allows you to choose whether or not the program is visible in the task bar while running. Third party cursor files can also be imported for use with Meta-Mouse. Cost: Approximately $30.
An evaluation version can be downloaded from the company's Website. It will run for 40-45 minutes. When it stops, just restart Meta-Mouse. You will not need to reboot.
For additional information, contact:
Cylex, Inc.
Tel: 800-356-7047
Fax: 281-332-4730
Tech Support: 281-554-8833
E-Mail: <cylexinc@wt.net>
Web: <http://www.cylexinc.com>
Desktalk Training and Technical Consultants is a small business in Australia who have produced a series of computer reference manuals called Mouse To Keys. They are written specifically for blind and low vision computer users and are available in braille, tape and large print. Mouse To Keys not only identifies all the shortcut keys that are available but also attempts to unravel mouse driven instructions so that a blind user can then make sense of online help and other textbooks that are available off the shelf.
Mouse to Keys are currently available for Windows95, Word97, Excel97 and Access97. They will work with any screen reader or magnification and explain each feature of the software and how to access it via the keyboard.
The aim of the Mouse to Keys manuals is to introduce each topic and then provide links to relevant Help screens for easy reference. They introduce terminology used in Help screens so that an ongoing exploration of each topic is possible.
The Mouse to Keys series is the first of its kind in that they are the result of many years of experience teaching people how to use computers with a screen reader, braille device or large print. They are written with tape and braille production in mind so that the features are easy to look up and the language is direct. Unlike commercially produced manuals, they have no diagrams or irrelevant instructions.
The price of the Braille edition of the Mouse To Keys manual is slightly higher than that for the large print and tape.
For more information contact
Desktalk Training & Technical Consultants
27 Poplar Street
Caulfield South, 3162, Australia
Tel & Fax: +61-03-9532-4166
E-Mail: <desktalk@netspace.net.au>
Web: <http://www.netspace.net.au/~desktalk>
As a leading producer of Onscreen Keyboards, programmable macro buttons & panels, and pointing device enhancement utilities, Innovation Management Group, Inc. (IMG) has made available a screen magnifier at a price of just $29.95. Interestingly enough, The Magnifier is remarkably versatile, easy to operate, and will meet the needs of many low vision people. It is also ideal for people who need visual assistance, work with differing screen resolutions, and Graphic Artists.
It is extremely useful for all Windows Environments -- Windows 3.x, Windows 95, and Windows NT. The software supports 2 times through 10 times magnification, may be sized as needed or positioned anywhere on the screen, and has several features such as Auto-Position that make it a powerful and useful utility.
To use The Magnifier, you simply load it, position it, and reference it as needed -- it is just that EASY! There are several advanced configuration options, including Auto-Position, which when turned on automatically moves The Magnifier out of the way.
To see for yourself, download a Demo from the company's Website. You will be amazed at what this software will do.
To order or secure more information, contact:
IMG (Innovation Management Group, Inc.)
Sales & Administration, 21550 Oxnard Street - Suite 300
Woodland Hills, CA 91367
Tel: 800-889-0987 or 818-346-3581
Fax: 818-346-3973
E-Mail: <sales@IMGPresents.com>
Web: <http://www.IMGPresents.com>
International Contacts include: Ergosoft Australasia in Australia / New Zealand; Comp-Aid in Finland; Meinrad Kling Medienvertrieb in Germany; Handy Trading AS in Norway; E. O. Prim SA in Spain; and KCS Ltd. in the United Kingdom. (See Resource Directory for complete contact information.)
Have you ever wanted to mark a keyboard for yourself, a trainee, or an employee? The Hooleon Corporation makes it easy and inexpensive. This company manufacturers all types of keyboard enhancements. These include custom labels, templates, membrane graphics, computer keys and flexshields for a variety of keyboard functions. It can tailor its products for use with a user's specialty keyboard functions. It also manufactures conversion labels to convert an English keyboard to an additional language. However, listed here are just three of their products which are of particular interest to those with vision loss.
Large Print Labels
These easy-to-apply labels increase the size of the normal keyboard's labeling by at least 100%. Perfect for users whose vision capabilities are changing or in low light situations. These labels stay securely in place, until intentionally removed. The full keyboard sets contain all of the labels needed for a standard Windows 104-key IBM compatible keyboard. They are available in black letters on Ivory, Black Letters on yellow, and white letters on black. Price $19.95.
Braille/Large Print Combination Keyboard Label Kit
These durable, adhesive labels bring together both raised Braille characters and high-visibility, large print key faces on the same label. The Braille/Large Print Combination Keyboard Label Kit also helps employers meet the reasonable accommodation requirements of the Americans With Disabilities Act. By combining the familiar keyboard letters with the touch/feel of Braille characters over time, people with failing vision can be offered an efficient way to learn this critical new reading method. The full keyboard sets contain all of the labels needed for a standard Windows 104-key IBM compatible keyboard. These labels are available with white letters on black, black letters on ivory, or black letters on Yellow. Price $21.95.
Braille Keyboard Labels
For the totally blind, the Braille Keyboard Labels are transparent and feature raised braille characters. By being transparent, they provide recognition to the blind user and recognition of key legends by sighted users as well. Price: $19.95.
Home-Row Keyboard Indicators
Many touch typists find the Home-Row Key Indicator Labels extremely useful. They tell the user when s/he is back "home" instantly. These key indicators feature a transparent adhesive backed label which allows the original key legend to show through while providing a raised "bump" for tactile recognition of key locations. These are available in packages of 12 @ $3.95, 50 @ $14.95, and 100 @ $26.95.
For more information, contact
Hooleon Corporation
411 South 6th Street - Bldg B
Cottonwood, AZ 86326
Tel: 800-937-1337 / 520-634-7515
Fax: 520-634-4620
E-Mail: <sales@hooleon.com>
Web: <http://www.hooleon.com>
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