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                            THE BLIND NEWS DIGEST

                                 Issue # 1069

                           Monday, August 01, 1994

Today's Topics:


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                               Blind I/F to PC
                Re: Power Wheelchair for Totally Blind person
                     Re: what's wrong with this picture?
                           Arkenstone Map Projects
                     Re: Identify Dollars for the Blind
                              Braille Literacy
              Re: Looking for a VCR Programmer for Blind Person
                     Re: Identify Dollars for the Blind
                       Info on low vision aids needed
                            Re: Braille Literacy


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Subject: Blind I/F to PC
From: RBlack@Az76p02.space.honeywell.com (RHB)

I realize that this is probably old hat to most of you.  I apologize for
taking the bandwidth.  My mother-in-law has diabetes and is going blind.
She would like to use her PC compatible machine but says that she has a
hard time reading the screen.  Is there a speech program which would read
text files or, better yet, anything displayed on a PC screen.  I assume
that DOS or Windows would be equally acceptable.  Please respond by
E-Mail to RBlack@Az76p02.space.honeywell.com.  Thank you in advance.




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Subject: Re: Power Wheelchair for Totally Blind person
From: mikef@pacifier.com (Mike Freeman)
Organization: Pacifier BBS, Vancouver, Wa.  USA ((206) 693-0325)

In article <33116@handicap.news>, Kathy Seven Rush <kseven@delphi.com> wrote:
>Index Number: 33116
>
>I am a Rehabilitation Counselor Teacher (and I refues to play the
>politically correct game of words) The fact is I have come in
>contact with people who have no usable vision, and who are also
>restricted to mobility using a wheelchair. We have experimented
>with the various sonic devices (hand-held and chair mounted) as as
>well as with the sonic guide glasses (probably a trademark should
>be here).  The problems encountered have to do with side drop offs,
>and with irregular curb or sidewalk bumps. We have about decided
>the best option is to use a long White cane in combination with a
>power chair. But my agency cannot issue such a solution due to
>liability and lack of proven history of the method.
>
You have hit upon the method which my limited observations have
shown to work best.  IMHO liability shouldn't be a problem.  I
agree with Eric Bohlman here.
>
>Has anybody come up with a solution to this problem? Does anyone
>know where these folks might find help to get the equipment they
>seek? Please send Email to me at KSEVEN@delphi.com as well as here.
>


I contacted Steve Jacobson, a blind computer programmer for 3M Company
whose wife used to work for BLIND, Inc., a private rehab agency
in Minneapolis.  BLIND has dealt with several persons who were
blind and mobility-impaired and who used a cane in conjunction with
a power chair.  Here is Mr. Jacobson's response:

from: usmmmxbl@ibmmail.COM
To: mikef@pacifier.rain.com
subject: Power Wheelchairs and Blind Persons
FROM:  Steve Jacobson - IT Sales & Marketing Systems
       3M Company - 555-01-03    Phone: (612) 733-9780
       St. Paul, MN  55144       FAX:   (612) 736-6037

Mike,

As you requested, I have sent a response to Kathy Seven regarding the
use of the long white cane and power wheelchairs. Since you are more
familiar with USENET news groups and the like, I would appreciate it if
you would circulate my response as you feel is appropriate. Here is my
response:

===========================================================


Kathy:

Several persons in Minneapolis have been trained and use the long white
cane while using a power wheelchair. Although I am not the instructor, I
have walked extensively with two individuals who use this approach and
the technique works well. Both use this technique to travel inside and
outdoors for extended periods of time.

Since the successful use of a long white cane in conjunction with a
power wheelchair has already been demonstrated, I would think that the
liability issue for your agency is resolved. However, if it is
necessary, some supporting documentation can be generated.

Finally, it is important that the cane being used with a power
wheelchair is long enough to account for the breaking time of the chair
and the foot rest. The National Federation of the Blind (NFB) sells a
carbon fiber cane which is extremely light while being very rigid.
Because of its light weight and rigidity, it can easily be manipulated
even when its length is greater than that normally used. However, for
more specifics on instruction techniques and equipment, contact:

    Russel Anderson
    Blindness, Learning in New Dimensions (BLIND Inc)
    Phone: 612-872-0100
    100 East 22nd Street
    Minneapolis, MN 55404

If you call, you may need to leave him a message since he is often
teaching travel outside the building.

Regards,
Steve Jacobson
  INTERNET:  USMMMXBL@IBMMAIL.COM

--
Mike Freeman            |       Internet: mikef@pacifier.com
GEnie: M.FREEMAN11      |       Amateur Radio Callsign: K7UIJ
... Ask not for whom the <^G> tolls.



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Subject: Re: what's wrong with this picture?
From: poehlman@clark.net (David Poehlman)
Organization: Clark Internet Services, Inc., Ellicott City, MD USA

In article <33149@handicap.news>, Jude DaShiell <dashiell@nadc.navy.mil> wrote:
|Index Number: 33149
|
|I had already posted my opinion on the
|services available from Royal National Institute For The Blind earlier.
|To go over this one more time, when I was in college and needed
|better than what r.f.b. can provide
|specifically in statistics I borrowed books from r.n.i.b.
|They were not the current edition of what the
|rest of the class was using, but my stats professor helped
|me pick them out and he told me that
|those books were at least as good as everyone else was using.
|I believe I got a b and an a for those two semesters and
|I credit those marks to avoiding r.f.b.
|Isn't it wonderful?  Congress decides not to fully fund
|the production of braille to the level done in England.
|So it makes it necessary for those in the know about the institute to borrow
|books and for those that don't you either rely on r.f.b. and risk failing
|a course even if the book is available in time or going for one of those
|megabucks reading machines.  Naturally congress isn't going to fund reading
|machine purchases either so we get it from both the public and
|private sectors all at the same time.  That's why i love living in america
|so much.  Fortunately this type of activity doesn't cause aids.

reading machines are not necessarily an option that one can live with but
one can find good private braille production/other services here in this
country where as that might not be the case in europe.



--
Hands-on Technolog(eyes) Touching the internet.
Call for services:
1-(301) 949-7599





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Subject: Arkenstone Map Projects
From: kford@netcom.com (Kelly Ford)
Organization: NETCOM On-line Communication Services (408 261-4700 guest)

I wonder if anyone knows the current state of a couple projects
Arkenstone had under development that dealt with maps.  One was a
location system that used global positioning technology and the other was
some kind of map program that let you explore the layout of different cities.

--
Kelly

KFORD@NETCOM.COM




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Subject: Re: Identify Dollars for the Blind
From: lepage@server.uwindsor.ca (Louie/2)
Organization: University of Windsor, Ontario, Canada

>>
>A number of such devices do exist.  I have seen one; it worked
>quite well.  One opened up the device's lid, slipped the bill in and
>upon closing the lid, the device would announce the bill denomination.
>
>Having said this much, I must also tell you that such devices
>are rather expensive -- three or four hundred dollars -- and that
>most blind persons keep their bills straight by folding them
>in different ways, putting them in different parts of their
>wallets/purses or other such means.  Most of us don't figure
>the advantage of such an identifier is worth the expense.
>
>Now if someone produced one that worked reliably for $25 ...

        My sister has one of these devices, of which I have *inspected*.  They
use a simple bar scanning technique (for Canadian bills) which is rather
convenient and simple.  I really can't see the validity for such outragious
costs in buying seuch items.  Once again, it appears as though companies are
taking advantage of the physically disabled, assuming someone will *pay* any
price if the individual is not financially able.

        Being a graduating Electrical Engineer, I may look into developing a
*much* less expensive device.  As far as I could tell, the entire unit
consisted of simply 4 blue led emitter/detectors, and a small TTL circuit,
with voice output.  This is very inexpensive (approx. $20 worth of equipment,
for non-bulk rates).

        I am gaining an intrest in designing aides for the blind as a hobby,
please send me your ideas and intrests.  Thank you...

--
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Subject: Braille Literacy
From: danyaon@savvy.com
Organization: United States Information Corp.

In 1992 the ACCESS Foundation received a poll from 45 countries
concerning the estimated percentage of blind & visually impaired who
could read Braille.  We, like Kaari, had heard very low figures, too.

In fact, the average(s) were around 5% for those persons who could read
Braille.  It apprears the main reason for this is most blindness is a
result of aging or trauma.  Various reasons were given why the aging
blind could not read Braille, but one of the most frequently cited was
--> older persons didn't want to make the effort to learn!

Of the persons born with vision defects or blinded in early childhood,
nearly 85% read Braille (from 1st-world countries), but the average was
not increasing over any measurable time-span.  (No reason given)

The preferred method of reading by most persons was 1) machine; 2) CPU
software/visual enhance; 3) VOX.

ACCESS Foundation




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Subject: Re: Looking for a VCR Programmer for Blind Person
From: blackburn860@delphi.com (Kathy Blackburn)
Organization: Delphi (info@delphi.com email, 800-695-4005 voice)

At one time, Sharp made a VCR that talked.  I have heard that this product
has been discontinued.

You might contact your state library that serves people who are blind
or physically disabled to see if they know a resource.  At the time the
Sharp product came out, I thought I would wait for the price to come down.
If indeed the product was discontinued, I guess too many of us did that.
I have heard of no comprable products since.

Good luck.

Sincerely,
Kathy Blackburn
Austin, TX
Internet" Blackburn860@delphi.com




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Subject: Re: Identify Dollars for the Blind
From: blackburn860@delphi.com (Kathy Blackburn)
Organization: Delphi (info@delphi.com email, 800-695-4005 voice)

The device is called NoteTeller.  I believe it is available through several
catalogs, including Maxi-Aids, as someone else mentioned.

I too fold my bills differently for each denomination.

Good luck
Kathy Blackburn
Austin, TX
Internet: Blackburn860@delphi.com




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Subject: Info on low vision aids needed
From: Heatheray@aol.com


I am a newbie so I apologize for any faux pas I may be committing.  My Dad
just had krypton laser surgery for macular degeneration caused by choroidal
neovascular membrane.  I need information on low vision aids which could help
him be able to read, drive, and play golf again.  I will really appreciate
any help or info in this area. Thanks!





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Subject: Re: Braille Literacy
From: unidextr@nando.net (Unidexter)
Organization: NandO -- The News & Observer online service

In article <33248@handicap.news>,  <danyaon@savvy.com> wrote:
>Index Number: 33248
>
>It apprears the main reason for this is most blindness is a
>result of aging or trauma.  Various reasons were given why the aging
>blind could not read Braille, but one of the most frequently cited was
>--> older persons didn't want to make the effort to learn!
>

This reasoning bears some review - a significant number of the new blind
in this group suffer from diabetes and in addition to blindness this
disease also causes loss of sensory ability in the extrimeties that make
it IMPOSSIBLE for them to be able to read Braille, a significant reason
not to WANT to learn Braille! (How many of the subjects were literate
when they had their sight?)




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                 End of Issue # 1069 of the Blind News Digest

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