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Vision
Webletters
August
2002
Vision
Webletter
a potpourri
of items of interest to everyone, so feel free to
share it with your colleagues or forward it to a
friend who can subscribe easily. See the
Distribution Note below for details.
In
This Issue
- Discovery:
The Low Vision Conference 2002 September
26-28
- Join
VWW in Celebrating National Vision
Rehabilitation Day: October 10,
2002
- Help
Support Passage of The Medicare Vision
Rehabilitatio Services Act
(S.1967/H.R.2484)
- RFB&D
Goes Digital!
- Talking
Government Forms Developed
- Federal
Job Opportunities for Individuals with
Disabilities
- Beware
of Phone Scams
- Accessible
Games & More From BSC
- Consumer
Training Opportunities in
Technology
- How
Does Vision Actually Work?
- Large
Print Low Vision Keyboard
- Telephone
Area Code Finder
- USPS
Zip + 4 Code Look-Up
- Talking
Yellow Pages
- Accessing
the Emergency E-Mail Network
- Your
Online Shopping Can Help
- Distribution
Notes
***************************************
1.
Discovery:
The Low Vision Conference 2002
September 26-28
Plan now to attend
the comprehensive perspective on low vision and
vision rehabilitation conference designed to bring
together people with vision impairment of all ages,
their families, educators, rehabilitation
professionals and vendors. Focus areas include:
Life Transitions; Access to Technology; Building
Partnerships, Empowerment, Education and
Employment; and What's New in Low Vision
Technology, Mobility, and Treatment.
The conference will
be held at The Congress Plaza Hotel, 520 S.
Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60605. For
reservations, call 800.635.1666. Be certain to
mention the Discovery Low Vision
Conference.
Questions? Call the
Deicke Center at 630.690.7115 and ask for Leah
Gerlach.
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2.
Join VWW in Celebrating National Vision
Rehabilitation Day: October 10,
2002
Vision World Wide
is gearing up with partners across the country for
the eighth annual celebration of National Vision
Rehabilitation Day (NVRD) on October 10, 2002. NVRD
was established to raise public awareness of both
the prevalence of vision impairment and the
benefits of vision rehabilitation services. You can
participate by spreading the word about the help
that is available through vision rehabilitation and
other resources and encouraging people with vision
loss in your own community to take charge of their
life so they can function safely and independently.
Note: October 10,
2002 is also World Sight Day!
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3.
Help Support Passage of The Medicare Vision
Rehabilitation Services Act
(S.1967/H.R.2484)
Thanks to strong
grassroots advocacy and the efforts of concerned
professionals in contacting their legislators at
home on summer "break" from business as usual in
Washington, DC, The Medicare Vision Rehabilitation
Services Act (S.1967/H.R.2484) now has the support
of more than 140 Senators and Representatives, both
Republicans and Democrats. When enacted, this
landmark legislation will establish Medicare
coverage across the country for vision
rehabilitation services, and will cover the
services of specialized vision rehabilitation
professionals under Medicare for the first time.
Older Americans who are blind or have severe vision
impairment need and deserve such services in their
own homes and in the community.
The forthcoming
weeks are a critical time for the bill, since
Congress will return to Washington after Labor Day
and begin to consider Medicare legislation. Please
urge your Representative and your two Senators to
sign on as cosponsors of S.1967/H.R.2484, and, most
important, to make sure that it is included in the
fall Medicare legislation. Send E-mail to your
Congressional delegation directly from
www.medicarenow.org.
Or call the US Capitol Switchboard toll free at
866.727.7726 and ask to be connected to your
Senators' and Representative's office. Let's make
our voices heard and get this bill
passed!
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4.
RFB&D Goes Digital!
September 3, 2002
will long be remembered by many visually impaired
and learning disabled students as the day that
Recording for the blind and Dyslexic (RFB&D)
released its inaugural collection of 6,000
digitally recorded educational titles, ranging from
Harry Potter to Systems of Psychotherapy: A
Transtheoretical Analysis. This collection will be
added to the 91,000 accessible textbooks already in
the RFB&D library. Without a doubt, this is the
largest collection of its kind in the
world.
This new collection
is different from other accessible reading
materials because they are recorded in human voice
by volunteers who are experts in the subject areas
they read. RFB&D's books are not scanned
digitally to be played back in synthetic speech,
which can often distort or mispronounce scientific,
foreign and complex terminologies.
To listen to
RFB&D's AudioPlus textbooks, students need a
portable CD player equipped to play RFB&D's
books or a standard multimedia computer equipped
with a CD-ROM drive and specialized software.
Playback hardware and software will be available
through RFB&D for nonprofit sale.
There are many
advantages to the RFB&D's digitally recorded
textbooks on CD. They allow instant access to any
page, chapter or subheading in a book with the
touch of a button - there is no need to
fast-forward through and count embedded beep tones
as is done with books recorded on analog cassette
tape. The CDs hold more than 40 hours of recorded
material. Therefore, the contents of a standard
textbook, which requires eight to 12 RFB&D
cassettes, will now fit onto a single CD.
Portability, ease of navigation and bookmarking
capabilities make digitally recorded textbooks from
RFB&D more effective study tools for students
with print disabilities.
Contact: RFB&D
by phone - 866-RFBD-585 (732-3585) or visit their
website - www.rfbd.org/ap.htm.
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5. Talking
Government Forms Developed
Many low vision and
blind individuals have found it increasingly
difficult to access government forms on the
Internet because most are available only in "PDF"
-- Portable Document Format. The screen reading
software finds it difficult to read PDF because it
views the screen as a picture rather than
words.
The software was
developed by Plexus Scientific Corp. in conjunction
with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), to meet
the accessibility requirement of Section 508 of the
Rehabilitation Act that became effective last year.
The project cost around $1 million, with much of
the funds contributed by Adobe Systems, Inc., the
makers of PDF.
The IRS is
demonstrating the "talking tax form" to other
agencies that are also grappling with the problem
of making their online services accessible to the
visually impaired. The IRS plans to post the new
forms next year on its website at www.IRS.gov.
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6. Federal Job
Opportunities for Individuals with Disabilities
According to a
recent announcement by President Bush, the U.S.
Office of Personnel Management has created a new
web site at www.opm.gov/disability/
for people with disabilities who seek federal
jobs.
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7. Beware of Phone
Scams
(Courtesy
of AT&T)
The more you know
about the various scams, the easier it is to
protect yourself. You are encouraged to go to the
AT&T Fraud Education website for complete
details but we'll include a brief description of a
couple scams here.
Placing
International Calls Without Realizing
It:
It's not always
easy to tell if you're dialing an international
telephone number. In most cases, you have to dial
"011' to begin a call to a foreign country. But
there are locations outside the U.S. whose
telephone numbers may look like domestic
long-distance calls, but they are actually
international calls and international rates apply.
For example, 809, 284 and 876 are area codes in the
Caribbean.
There are many
scams that deceive consumers into calling
international numbers. You may see an ad for a
service that directs you to call a specific number,
or you may receive a page, an e-mail message or an
'urgent" message on your answering machine. All
messages direct you to call a number for more
information - almost always an international
number.
Your Defense:
- Be cautious
about area codes you don't recognize. Check your
telephone directory or call the operator to
determine where the area code is before making
your call.
- Control access
to your telephone so unauthorized callers do not
use your phone to call these services. A block
on calls to "900" services will not stop calls
to "011" or "809" numbers. If you're sure you
won't need to make international calls, call
your long-distance carrier and ask them to put
an international block on your telephone
line.
Call Forwarding
Scam
You may receive an
automated message on your telephone that says you
have won a prize or money. The message directs you
to dial a 2-digit code preceded or followed by the
*(asterisk) or # (pound) key (such as *79 or 72#),
and then an 800 number to claim your prize. When
you dial the number, you are not connected to
anyone. What this procedure has done, though, is
program your telephone to forward your calls to a
long distance operator. Con artists can then call
your number, be forwarded to the long-distance
operator and place calls that are billed to your
home telephone number.
Your
Defense:
- If you receive
this type of call, simply hang up. If you
receive this message on your answering machine,
do not place this call. No legitimate
sweepstakes or contest would likely contact you
in this manner.
- Know the
numbers used for Call Forwarding from your local
telephone company.
Unfortunately,
there are more scams. Go to www.att.com/fraud/home.html#three
to learn more and protect yourself.
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8.
Accessible Games & More From BSC
blindsoftware.com
L.L.C. (BSC) has introduced some new games that
provide education and make it fun to
learn.
Word Strain Volume
1 provides a fun way to practice and increase your
vocabulary. It comes with two highly addictive word
games that will hold your interest for hours. Both
games have tens of thousands of words in their
libraries which mean it is virtually impossible for
two games to be the same.
Part A: Word Blast
is a game where you have to create words whose
letters come only from a word the computer gives
you.
Part B: Word Jitter
is a frantic race against the clock to shuffle the
given letters into place to form an actual
word.
If you're not
exactly into "words", you might want to look at 15
Numbers, a really cool and different puzzle
game.
BSC offers a number
of other types of useful software that is
accessible to those with all degrees of vision
loss. Its blind owner Justin Daubenmire guarantees
it.
Complete
information about all of the BSC software, the
demos that can be downloaded, pricing, and ordering
information can all be found on its website. While
payment cannot be made directly on the website,
toll-free telephone numbers are provided for credit
card purchases made in the USA, UK, and several
other countries. You can also subscribe to the free
newsletter so you will be kept informed of each new
product as it is released.
Contact:
blindsoftware.com LLC, c/o Justin Daubenmire, PO
Box 3716, Boardman, OH 44513. E-Mail:
sales@blindsoft.com. Web: www.blindsoftware.com
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9. Consumer Training
Opportunities in Technology
The new Carroll
Technology Center at the Carroll Center for the
Blind in Newton, Massachusetts and its satellite
centers in Holyoke and Worcester, MA offer the
latest in adaptive computer training for blind and
vision impaired persons through traditional
classroom instruction as well as through distance
learning courses.
Courses available
include: Computer Basics for Seniors, Computer
Basics with JAWS for Windows (JFW), Microsoft
Office with JFW, Assessment One, Keyboarding One,
Introduction to the Internet with JFW, Using
Outlook Express and Internet Explorer, Introduction
to Excel, Office Skills Training, and Using
ZoomText.
For specific
information regarding the dates, times, and
duration of these courses, contact Brian Charlson,
800.852.3131 Ext. 224 or by e-mail at
charlsonb@carroll.org.
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10. How
Does Vision Actually Work?
This question has
many answers and yet no definitive answer. It is
the question, though, that has brought about the
exhaustive new exhibition "Seeing" which officially
opened on June 29, 2002 at the world-renowned San
Francisco museum, the Exploratorium. This
eye-opening look at exactly how we see has been in
production for four years. The ingenious project
designers have built displays that are equal parts
entertainment and education, bordering on the
profound. It is believed that anyone who walks
through the more than 70 exhibits that make up
"Seeing" will never look at seeing the same way
again.
"We don't see
things as they are; we see things as we are." This
quote suggests that what we see depends as much on
ourselves as it does on the world around us. We
know that:
Seeing is
subjective: Each of us sees the world differently.
Seeing is active:
Our eyes and brains construct the world we see.
Seeing is
interpreting light: Light carries information into
our eyes.
But, admittedly,
answers to many questions are still elusive. As the
spokesperson for the museum commented, "We're still
learning about this intricate yet incomplete way of
experiencing the world."
If you can visit
the actual Exploratorium exhibit, you will want to
do so. But, if you cannot, you will want to visit
their website where you will find information about
the collection, a selection of online exhibits
illustrating visual phenomena, a set of pages
exploring novel and thought-provoking ideas about
seeing, and many links to other sites where you can
find more information about the science and mystery
of how we see the world.
Contact: The
Exploratorium, 3601 Lyon Street, San Francisco, CA
94123. Tel: 415.561.0360. Web: www.exploratorium.edu/seeing/about/introduction.html.
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11. Large
Print Low Vision Keyboard
Large print
keyboards are designed to assist individuals who
suffer from macular degeneration, visual
impairments, or just have a hard time seeing the
existing commands on a normal keyboard. The
keyboard is standard size, but the keys have been
enlarged over 100% for better visibility.
Cost: $119.95 Code:
805392
Contact: Maxi-Aids,
Inc., 42 Executive Blvd., Farmingdale, NY 11735.
Tel: 800.522.6294 - (To Order). Tel: 631.752.0521 -
(For Information). Tel: 631.752.0738 - (TTY). Fax:
631.752.0689. Web: www.maxiaids.com/cgibin/miva?Merchant2/merchant.mv+Screen=PROD&Store_Code=MAXI&Product_Code=805392
12.
Telephone Area Code Finder
As the phone
systems expand, more and more familiar area codes
are becoming obsolete. Not only is this
frustrating, but phone calls to incorrect area
codes cost valuable time and money.
There is now an
online database that provides the latest
information. States, then cities, are listed
alphabetically. Just use your Find Command to
locate the city. The various area code(s) are
immediately at your fingertips.
Check it out at:
www.mmiworld.com/statelis.htm
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13. USPS Zip + 4 Code
Look-Up
The United States
Postal Service now has a speech-friendly website
that provides current zip code information. It is
located at www.usps.com/ncsc/lookups/lookup_zip+4.html.
All you need to do is fill in as much information
about the address that you have, press the Process
button, and the zip + 4 code will
appear.
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14.
Talking Yellow Pages
If you'd like to
look up names and phone numbers of businesses in
your area, try calling the nationwide yellow pages
at 888.654.1236. When asked, give the password code
1222. You can then search by town/city, name or zip
code. You either speak this information or use the
keypad to enter it. When the search is complete,
you will be given the name of the business, the
address, and the phone number will be repeated
three times.
Users report this
is significantly easier than asking the phone
company to find this information for
you.
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15.
Accessing the Emergency E-Mail
Network
To simplify access,
the Emergency Email Network can now be accessed at
the following web addresses:
1. If you want to
sign up to receive notifications, go to either
www.emergencyemail.ORG/
or from
a link on The U. S.
Federal Government Website at www.firstgov.gov/
- America Responds to Terrorism Link
Page.
2. If you are a
government agency wanting to become a network
member, go to www.emergencyemailnetwork.com/EMEPublicServices.htm.
3. If you are a
private sector firm wanting information about
Emergency Email & Wireless Network private
sector services for your corporation or
organization, go to www.emergencyemailnetwork.com/EMENCorporateServices.htm.
If you are not
already receiving free e-mail notifications of such
emergencies as current emergency news, tornado
& hurricane information, other severe weather
information, suspicious letter and package
information, and/or anthrax, other hazardous
material or disease information, we urge you to
sign up right away. The local, regional, or
national information can be requested for more than
one geographic area and is just another way of
ensuring homeland security - without the
establishment of a new government
department.
These services are
free to the public and the mailing lists are
completely confidential. This delivery process
ensures that you will get the information to
protect life and property in an
emergency.
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16. Your
Online Shopping Can Help!
Thanks to
wellspent.org you can support Vision World Wide,
Inc. simply by shopping online. wellspent.org
is an online store where every purchase generates a
donation for the non-profit cause of the buyer's
choice. Next time you feel the urge to go shopping,
act on it! You'll be helping Vision World Wide,
Inc. in the process.
Amazon.com also
gives VWW a small commission on all your purchases.
And now, just in time for the holidays, purchases
of $25 or more qualify for FREE shipping.
17.
Distribution Note
You are encouraged
to share this Webletter with anyone on your mailing
list that you think would find it useful. It is
free. Readers wishing to receive their own
Webletter should just send an e-mail message to:
or subscribe
directly at <http://www.visionww.org/journal.htm>.
As this is just a
mini sampling of the information contained in our
comprehensive quarterly journal, Vision
Enhancement,, you are invited to become a
subscriber. More information and prior issues are
available at www.visionww.org/journal.htm.
Vision World Wide,
Inc. * 5707 Brockton Drive - #302 * Indianapolis,
IN 46220-5481 * Tel: 317.254.1332 / 800.431.1739 *
Fax: 317.251.6588
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