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                            THE BLIND NEWS DIGEST

                                 Issue # 1104

                         Thursday, December 22, 1994

Today's Topics:


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                      help me find a place to advertise
                             on-line newspapers
                                 blind music
               Looking for catalog of gifts for blind children
                          toys/puzzles for toddlers
                            information about ADA
                               working mother
                              Braille for music
                        Finding used braille displays
                         Speaking Terminal Emulators
                Sidewalk construction warning for the blind?
                                 Job Posting


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thoughts in the next issue, please send electronic mail to
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            (300 - 28,800 baud, 24 hours)

                              Bill McGarry (Moderator)
                              (203) 926-6187



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Subject: help me find a place to advertise
From: speedy@halcyon.com (Julie Clark)
Organization: Northwest Nexus Inc.

I have an Epson Real Voice for sell for $2600.00 or best offer (new
cost $3295.00). The voice is female.You type in what you want to
say and the machine speaks it. The machine is six years old and in
excellent condition. You can program many phase or a sentence.
Please e-mall me if you're interest and Ican give you  more about
Epson Real Voice at speedy@halcyon.com.  If you know when I can
advertise my Epson Real Voice please let me know.




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Subject: on-line newspapers
From: da0011@epfl2.epflbalto.org (DAVID ANDREWS)


> From: hyde_david@oslmac.osl.or.gov (HYDE David)
>
> In response the the quiry about how to get in touch with themn, fot ehe
> Los Angeles paper, call 916-424-2226.  I do not have the numbers for
> the papers in Miniapolis or Albuquerqueque.  There is also U.S. News
> and World Report in Washington D.C. and Baltimore.  You can get in
> touch with them by calling the National Center for the Blind at
> 415-659-9314.
>
Actually, your info is a little mixed up.
The California number is in Sacramento, and is for the
NFB of California, who runs NEWSLINE for the Blind
In that state.  They do the Sacramento paper and the Los Angeles
Times, and have 800 service in California at night and on the week end.

The number you gave for the National Center for the Blind is wrong.
The number is 410-659-9314, not 415.  That is where I work.
We do USA Today.
There is a regular dial-up in Washington, that does the
Washington Post.  They are actually located in
Silver Spring MD, and are run by the Washington Ear.
David Andrews, Director
International Braille and Technology Center
for the Blind
National Federation of the Blind




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Subject: blind music
From: Hans.Opstaele@rug.ac.be (Hans Opstaele)

 I am a student who speak in the name of a (non-profit)-
organisation.  They make music for blind people, but
they do it all by hand.  They are looking  for a program
that can speed up things.
 I don't know if you have such a file.  The
organisation may also be interested in other associated
files.

 Thanx,

Opstaele Hans, E-MAIL: Hans.Opstaele@rug.ac.be





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Subject: Looking for catalog of gifts for blind children
From: flax@Waisman.Wisc.Edu (Marshall Flax)


>From: richman@reepicheep.gcn.uoknor.edu (Mike Richman)
>
>Anyone know of a catalog for gifts for blind children?
>
>

Mike-
AFB and the American Toy Institute put out a catalog on this subject.  A
free (print) copy is available by calling 800-851-9955.

The following companies also put out catalogs and they do include toys:

The Lighthouse Inc, 800-829-0500
LS&S Group, 800-468-4789
Ann Morris Enterprises, 516-292-9232
Independent Living Aids, 800-537-2118
Maxi-aids,800--522-6294
REB Magnetics 206-636-4693

I offer these as resources and without endorsement.  I/we have no financial
interestes in any of these companies/agencies.  this is not a complete list.

Marshall


On the information superhighway my exit is Flax@Waisman.Wisc.Edu

Otherwise, you can reach me at:
Wisconsin Council of the Blind
354 West Main Street
Madison, WI  53703-3115
USA
1-608-255-6178
FAX: 1-608-255-3301




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Subject: toys/puzzles for toddlers
From: Js3@aol.com

Can anybody help me find toys or puzzles for my 18 month old toddler. He
isn't blind but his vision is limited to whatever is very close to him.


                                                thanks,
                                                  joe strafach
                                                 js3@aol.com



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Subject: information about ADA
From: cltrar@login.dknet.dk \  (Claus Th\
Organization: DKnet / EUnet Denmark - Login Tjenesten


I am 25 years and studying political science at Aarhus University in
Denmark. I am writing on a paper about "Center for equal opportunities
for disabled people" a center set up, in 1992 and partly inspired by The
Americans with Disability Act. I would like to compaire the Danish
Center and the ADA, but I cannot get information about the effects of
the ADA. If anyone has information I would be happy to get it, possibly
through e-mail. My e-mail address is: cltrar@login.dknet.dk.





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Subject: working mother
From: pbracke@welchlink.welch.jhu.edu (PATRICIA A. BRACKEN)

Hi all,

I am writing for help, information and/or advice.  Are there any
resources for women with low vision to help them find employment?  I know
a woman who, unfortunately, believes her disability makes it impossible
for her to compete for a regular job and be a good mother.  She is a
single mother of a three year old.  She went to a very good college and
has an MBA.  Before she had her daughter she had a 40K a year job.  She
can function with large print and knows several computer sorftware
packages. She is very capable and is confident in every area except her
employability.  I would like to show her that other legally blind mothers
can get good jobs and still be good parents.  Any leads or information on
this would help.

Thanks in advance.

Pat

As I don't get the ADA mail very regularly please answer directly to:

pbracke@welchlink.welch.jhu.edu




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Subject: Braille for music
From: Hans.Opstaele@rug.ac.be (Hans Opstaele)
Organization: University of Ghent, Belgium

 I speak in the name of a non-profit organisation, who make music for
blind people.  They do it all by hand, but they are interested in
a computer program that can do it for them.
 Information about braille-printer-drivers and braille-music-notation
is also welcom, I study computer science and maybe I can develop
the program myself.

 Help would very appeciated.


thanx,

Opstaele Hans (Belgium), E-MAIL: Hans.Opstaele@rug.ac.be









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Subject: Finding used braille displays
From: ferland@CAM.ORG (Pierre Ferland)
Organization: Communications Accessibles Montreal, Quebec Canada

Hi!

I'm a new blind internet user.  I use a tactile screen Navigator from
TSI.

I'm interested in yout newsgroup cause it talks about blingness and
related subject.  I'm working on a training project with the war disabled
persons in el Salvador.  I hope to have them to produce their own books
in order to access education.  Those blind poeple are yong and jull of
willpower.

Up to now, only the europeans have provided monatary help to the project
wich will be starting on the 6th of february 1995.  Now, I would like to
be in touch with someone that could help me faind used braille displays
such as Navigators or VersaBraille II with integrated diskdrive.  Of
course, the project doesn't have that much money, but it will pay a
reasonable price for any good condition used device.

Give me an answer, please.
Pierre Ferland

E-mail: ferland@CAM.ORG




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Subject: Speaking Terminal Emulators
From: brisbin@macuser.ziff.com (Shelly Brisbin)

A friend of mine has a old IBM AT and an IRMA speech board. He would now
like to use the computer to connect to the Internet. Does anyone know of
shareware or freeware speech software which works well with terminal
emulators? And while we're at it, can you recommend a good PC terminal
emulator?

-shelly
(I'm a Mac person, so please forgive my ignorance)

Shelly Brisbin, Associate Editor             brisbin@macuser.ziff.com
MacUser Magazine                                72511,373: CompuServe
                                                        SBRISBIN, MCI





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Subject: Sidewalk construction warning for the blind?
From: jciccare@adobe.com
Organization: Adobe Systems Incorporated


The City of Mountain View California Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory
Committee would like to hear about any devices or barriers for
warning blind pedestrians about sidewalk obstacles and construction
zones, and guiding them in the proper direction for navigating around
the obstacle.  We are considering a vertical plywood barrier about
1 foot high, angled so that the surface recedes in the direction of safe
passage.  This is detectable at sidewalk level by a cane, unlike
"safety" tape or sawhorses.  I would also like to hear about any
standards for such warning devices.

Please reply directly to me at PractiBike@aol.com.

Thanks,
John Ciccarelli
email: PractiBike@aol.com



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Subject: Job Posting
From: lazzaro@world.std.com (joe j lazzaro)
Organization: The World Public Access UNIX, Brookline, MA

             MASSACHUSETTS COMMISSION FOR THE BLIND
                      VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT


Any person interested in the following position should send an
application or resume to the Affirmative Action Director,
Massachusetts Commission for the Blind, 88 Kingston Street,
Boston, MA 02111.  To ensure consideration, an application
must be received by 5:00 p.m. on the deadline date.

AUTHORIZED TITLE: Electronic Computer Operator I  FTE: 1.0
FUNCTIONAL TITLE: Technology Assistant  POS. #: 4110-3021 #09187
LOCATION: Central Office (Technology for the Blind Program)
SALARY: $431.59  TITLECODE: 14-V07   BARGAINING UNIT: 01
INTERVIEWER(S): Joe Lazzaro, Mike Dziokonski
REFERRAL DATES: 12/05/94 to 12/16/94  (DEADLINE DATE)

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES:  Adapt personal computers with
speech, large print and/or braille output devices to render them
accessible to blind clients; ensure efficient and effective
operation of adapted electronic computer equipment.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:  General supervision from a person of
higher grade (EDP Operations Coordinator).

SUPERVISION EXERCISED:  None

EXAMPLE OF DUTIES:
 1. Conducts on behalf of blind clients of MCB job site
assessments that require personal computer adaptations.
 2. Performs adaptive hardware and software installations
utilizing a variety of adaptive hardware and software including
speech synthesis systems, screen magnification software, braille
printers and displays, and optical character readers.
 3. Provides training to blind clients and employer supervisory
staff, when required, in the operation and maintenance of job
modifications and/or devices.
                               -2-

 4. Provides training to clients in mainstream software
applications.
 5. Provides, when necessary, telephone support to clients and
their employers in the utilization and maintenance of adaptive
devices or software.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED AT HIRE (List knowledges, skills,
abilities)
 1. Knowledge of DOS and Windows operating systems.
 2. Knowledge of hardware troubleshooting and integration.
 3. Demonstrable skills with integrating third-party hardware
and software packages.
 4. Ability to consult with internal and external professionals
regarding specialized issues of the blind and adaptive
technology.
 6. Ability to keep accurate and professional client records.

QUALIFICATIONS ACQUIRED ON JOB (List knowledges, skills,
abilities)
1.  Advanced knowledge of adaptive large print, braille and
speech output devices.
2.  Advanced knowledge of vocational rehabilitation processes
and techniques.
3.  Advanced knowledge of job site evaluation techniques and
processes.

ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Applicant must have at least (A) one year of full- or equivalent
part-time experience in electronic data processing with
demonstrated experience or expertise in system hardware or
software, or any equivalent combination or (B) any equivalent
combination of the required experience and the substitutions
below:
                               -3-

SUBSTITUTIONS:
1.  An Associate's or higher degree with a major in the field of
electronic data processing or adaptive technology may be
substituted for the required experience.*

* Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis
of the proportion of the requirements actually completed.
--


Joseph J. Lazzaro
Author:



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                 End of Issue # 1104 of the Blind News Digest

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