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                            THE BLIND NEWS DIGEST

                                 Issue # 1121

                         Thursday, February 16, 1995

Today's Topics:


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                          Talking Books in Russian
                                  brailling
                           Used Synthesizer Wanted
                               Job Opportunity
                        Gus! Multimedia Speech System
                           Accessible Information
                              I NEED YOUR HELP
                Help:Looking or real work from home:any ideas
                             Scanner To Donate!


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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: Talking Books in Russian
From: flax@Waisman.Wisc.Edu (Marshall Flax)

I am working with an 85 y.o. Russian emigree who has been losing her vision
to glaucoma.  Her ability to read print is very limited at this point and I
would like to help her find some recorded materials that she could listen to
.  She is a very intelligent woman who taught herself Englich since she came
to the US 5 years ago, but she cannot fully grasp all of the material
presented in Talking Books (in English) when they are read at a normal speed.

Other than LOC Talking Books, does anyone have information on taped
materials that are either in Russian or at "slow speed" English?

Thanks

Marshall
Happy Birthday Louis Braille! January 4, 1809

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: brailling
From: shackler@MBnet.MB.CA (Steve Hackler)
Organization: The University of Manitoba

Hi, I'm new to blindnws and the highway. I hope I am doing this right. I
currently have a kindergarden student that will have to learn braille
writing with the use of one hand. I hve taught a lot of braille students,
but never a one-handed writer. Any suggestions would be appreciated.



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Subject: Used Synthesizer Wanted
From: kevinnathan@delphi.com (Kevin Nathan)
Organization: Delphi Internet Services Corporation

Hello all.  I am looking for a used external synthesizer to use with my
notebook.  I have been using the Braille n' Speak but would like to find
something I can dedicate to just the computer leaving the BnS available for
notes and the like.  I want to keep costs at a minimum so am looking for
something in the used market.

My preference would be for something like a Lite Talk or Double Talk LT.  I
have tried the Echo and don't care for it and feel the high end units such
as the Accent SA, Transport or Dectalk Express are out of my range--even
used.

I thank you in advance for any responses I receive.
Kevin




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Subject: Job Opportunity
From: kevinnathan@delphi.com (Kevin Nathan)
Organization: Delphi Internet Services Corporation

Hello all.  I want to circulate news of the availability of the following
position at our agency throughout the blindness and disability communities.
There are actually two positions available, one in Lewiston as stated in the
announcement and one in Idaho Falls.  Please feel free to send me email if you
have any questions not answered by either the announcement below or after you
call the numbers posted at the end of this message.  Thank you.
Kevin Nathan

RELEASED: February 6, 1995
CLOSING DATE: March 3, 1995

PLEASE POST AN 95-09467-0055 OC

STATE OF IDAHO ANNOUNCES

COUNSELOR FOR THE BLIND

COMMISSION FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED

CURRENT OPENING - LEWISTON: Applicants must be willing to work in
Lewiston.
Salary Range: $983.20 - $1,445.60 every two weeks ($12.29 - $18.07
hourly)

When Competency is achieved and the incumbent meets the
department's standards, promotional opportunities to Counselor for
the Blind, Senior may be available.

DUTIES: To provide rehabilitation services for the blind; counsel
clients in adjusting to blindness; perform related work.
Rehabilitation services. Contacts doctors, public and private
agencies and other referral sources to locate potential clients;
contacts potential clients and explains services and interviews
them to determine eligibility for services and scope of services
needed; completes application for services; obtains medical and
psychiatric information on each client and reviews reports with
agency physicians; authorizes medical examinations or other testing
services; prepares rehabilitation plan outlining clients' career
plans, objectives, services needed, and evaluation criteria;
authorizes client services from vendors and other agencies;
monitors vendor services for timeliness and appropriateness of
service delivery; processes bills for services provided; monitors
and documents client progress with physical restoration, training,
and other areas of rehabilitation; contacts employers to develop
jobs and training opportunities; maintains records of client and
employer contacts. Counseling. Counsels clients and family members
regarding issues and problems related to blindness; advises clients
on rehabilitation and employment goals; may instruct clients in
areas such as Braille, cane travel, and alternative living skills;
assists clients obtain housing, transportation, financial and
employment services. Public relations. Responds to inquiries
concerning blindness and department services; maintains current
information regarding technology and equipment available for the
blind; represents the Commission at service organization meetings;
prepares and gives handicap-awareness presentations to community
and employer groups regarding blindness and available services;
presents in-service training to public organizations and service
providers to help them respond to the needs of blind persons. Daily
living skills training covers areas such as home economics, cane
travel, and Braille. This class can be used as an underfill for a
senior level counselor position until an incumbent gains the
knowledge and experience necessary to function competently at that
level.

APPLICATION: The application (PC-l) and announcement forms can be
obtained from your local Idaho Job Service office or the Idaho
Personnel Commission (IPC). Be sure to respond to the questions on
the back of the announcement. Telephone: (208) 334-2263. Toll free:
1-800-554-5627. Telecommunications Device for the Deaf: 1
-800-542-5738. Fax: (208) 334-3182. We will not verify receipt of
application. The State of Idaho encourages applications from
individuals who qualify with or without reasonable accommodation.
Applicants are encouraged to apply prior to the closing date. The
IPC does not accept late applications or assume responsibility for
delays in the mail or Fax machine transmissions. (Due to large
numbers of applicants faxing applications, you may not be able to
transmit the material.) Applications mailed or delivered in person
to IPC must be received by S p.m., Mountain time, on the closing
date. Faced applications must be received by 12 midnight, Mountain
time, on the closing date. Mail applications to:
Idaho Personnel Commission, P.O. Box 83720, Boise, Idaho 83720-0066

EXAMINATION: 100% Rating of education and experience. A minimum
score of 70 is required to place on the register.

COMPETITIVE BENEFIT PACKAGE AVAILABLE/EEO/AA Employer
PC-1.A- Qualifications Statement (TRAEX)
COUNSELOR FOR THE BLIND               Class Code: 09467

Examination Scoring Information

1. You must completely answer all of the following questions. A
resume will not substitute. Use a separate sheet of paper. Answer
each item. Be specific. To achieve your highest possible score,
describe fully all of you pertinent education and/or experience for
this position. Once your application has been scored, no additional
information will be accepted. Indicate dates, and name and phone
number of person(s) who can verify it. Items listed are minimum
qualifications. Retain a copy of your entire application. We will
not return it or make copies for you.

Some knowledge means a basic understanding of a subject area,
gained through training, education, or experience. Good knowledge
is that possessed by a well-trained person in a specific field of
work. Considerable knowledge would allow one to perform all but a
very limited number of job tasks that might arise. Comprehensive
knowledge would qualify a person as a recognized expert in the
field.

These positions work for the Blind Commission. Your clients will
have concerns related to blindness including: enhancing daily
living skills such as cane travel, home economics, and reading
Braille; understanding common etiologies, prognosis, and treatment
for various eye diseases; and current technology for the blind. You
should be very familiar with rehabilitation processes of disabled
clients, and be able to work with national, state, and local
resources for the blind. Typically, a vocational rehabilitation or
human service type college degree or an equivalent amount of
experience working with disabled individuals would qualify.

REHABILITATION

1. Describe how you gained a good knowledge of vocational
rehabilitation processes including plan development.

2. Describe how you gained some knowledge of federal and state laws
and regulations related to vocational rehabilitation.

COUNSELING

3. Describe how you gained good knowledge of how to counsel
individuals regarding the abilities of disabled individuals.

COMMUNICATION

4. How have you gained some knowledge of how to conduct
fact-finding interviews?

5. Describe your experience: a. preparing records and writing
reports; b. conducting oral presentations before groups. (Describe
the nature of the presentations and the size of the group.)

Please indicate any accommodation you request to satisfy the above
requirements or for testing.
For further information, call (208) 334-2263, or TDD
1-800-542-5738.




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Subject: Gus! Multimedia Speech System
From: gharris@Direct.CA (Gordon Harris)
Organization: Internet Direct Inc.

Gus! Multimedia Speech System for Windows
Converts any Windows compatible computer into a dynamic display AAC system.
Provides exceptional sound quality, simplicity and flexibility in a full
featured multimedia communication device.  Enjoy CD quality words,
sentences, sound effects and music.  Choose from 2 - 72 buttons for any
page, with unlimited layers, and never worry about outgrowing the system.
Includes digitized and synthetic speech with built-in speech synthesizer!
Choose male or female voices in English, French, German and Spanish
(Latin American).

Gus! Talking Keyboard for Windows
Combines an on-screen keyboard with word prediction, sentence prediction,
abbreviated expansion and speech output (speech synthesizer included!).
Choose any font style or size, save and retrieve text files,
echo letter/word/sentence, 1 and 2 switch scanning, learns new words
as you type, automatic capitalization.  The software only solution.
Choose male or female voices in English, French, German and
Spanish (Latin American).

Gus! Speak Clipboard for Windows
An extemely helpful program that provides easy access to speech output
from any Windows program as well as quick access to the Gus! Multimedia
Speech System and the Gus! Talking Keyboard programs. Gus! Speak Clipboard
is an always on top program that remains visible at all times.

Gus! Home Control for Windows
The Gus! Home Control  program, when combined with the X-10 Home Control
Interface, provides wireless access to standard X-10 modules that control
lights, appliances, televisions and more.  The X-10 Home Control Interface
and X-10 modules are available from most electronic stores including Radio
Shack.

Gus! Symbol Selector for Windows
The Gus! Symbol Selector provides a simple-to-use interface to preview
symbols/pictures and resize them to fit inside sound buttons in the Gus!
Multimedia Speech System or copy to any other Windows program.

Gus! Abbreviations for Windows
Gus! Abbreviations is a very powerful program that accelerates your typing
speed in any Windows program.  It runs in the background and monitors your
keystrokes in any Windows program.  If you type an abbreviation, it will
replace it with the expanded text, a word or sentence of any length, either
automatically or manually (hot key).  Furthermore, it will calculate any
numbers placed in parentheses.  Type (245 + 8483) and it will convert it
to 8728.

Gus! Mouse
A Windows compatible mouse and a PC switch interface (1 or 2 switches) in
a single unit! Does both jobs at the same time!  Eliminates problems
associated with computers having only one serial port.

For more information, contact Gordon Harris at:

Gus Communications Inc.
Phone: (604) 279-0110
FAX:   (604) 279-8474



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Subject: Accessible Information
From: kford@cts.com (Kelly Ford)

Over the past several months I've been talking to numerous
companies about complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act
(ADA) and sending me things like billing statements in accessible
formats.  Time and time again I hear from these companies that
they've never had this kind of request so it will take time for
them to figure out what to do.  I'm compiling a list of the
companies I've had positive results with in an attempt to let
others know what different companies are doing.  If you are a
customer of any of these companies and wish to receive accessible
information, I'd encourage you to contact the company and request
that you receive information in a format you can use.  I am by no
means encouraging people to contact the companies if you have no
desire for the information but if you do, you have every right to
it.  In addition, I am certain that if more people request
accessible information, these companies will take the requests more
seriously and find ways to automate the process.

The following list is by no means comprehensive but is a start at
listing companies that provide bills, statements and other
routinely distributed information in an accessible format.  If you
have changes or other information you wish added to this list
please send it to kford@cts.com.  I'd especially like to hear from
people who are already receiving accessible information from
companies not on this list.  I know some banks and phone companies
are doing braille and large print bills already.  I am more than
happy to collect and distribute this type of information but
regretably lack the resources to actively seek out all the
companies out there, and must limit my searches to those I have a
direct interest in.  Please share your experiences and knowledge.

                       Information Access

Banks

First Federal Savings Bank
(800) 657-4636
Service Area: Local branches in Madison and La Crosse, Wisconsin.
Format: Provides recorded versions of monthly statements.

Great Western Bank
(800) 492-7587
Service Area: Branches throughout California.
Format: Provides taped versions of monthly statements.
Comments: The bank has just started doing this so if your local
branch doesn't know about it, call Great Western's Quality
Assurance Department at (800) 225-5487.  Great Western is also
exploring ways of automating the production of these statements.

Credit Cards

CitiBank
(800) 843-0777
Service Area: Worldwide
Format: Will read entire statement on request when you call into
customer service.

Elan Financial Services
(800) 558-3424
Service Area: Worldwide
Format: Provides recorded version of monthly statement.
Comments: This is a new service for this company.  Call customer
service and ask to speak with Sue Torres if you have questions.

Investment Companies

Fidelity Investments
(800) 544-8888
Service Area: Worldwide
Format: Will read product information by phone on request
Comments: Ask to speak with a sales manager in the Salt Lake City
office, if possible Wayne McDoogal or Loren Kennedy.  The company's
exploring ways of automating the production of accessible
information.

Telephone Companies:

Pacific Bell
(800) 310-8899
Service Area: California
Format: Will read phone bill by phone on request.
Comments: The company's exploring ways of providing large print,
braille and ASCII bills.  Letters of support for these types of
bills should be sent to:
Susan Palmer
Deaf and Disabled Services
2150 Shattuck Ave., Rm. 202
Berkeley, CA  94704

Utilities

San Diego Gas and Electric
(619) 239-7511
Service Area: Greater San Diego County
Format: Will read monthly bill by phone on request.
Comments: Call collect.

If you have additions, changes, or suggestions for this list please
direct them to kford@cts.com.




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Subject: I NEED YOUR HELP
From: cbalthrop@aol.com (CBalthrop)
Organization: America Online, Inc. (1-800-827-6364)

If you could take a moment or two to answer the following question I would
be very greatfull.  I am doing a report on the technology that is
avialable to visually handicapped people and would like to know what you
use.  anyone can respond.  Just tell me some of the devices that you use
and services if any that you use,  also tell me any improvements that you
would like to see made in this field of technology.  Please respond before
Feb 28, 1995 at the following address:  CBalthrop@aol.com

Thank you

Chris



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Subject: Help:Looking or real work from home:any ideas
From: eahg278@rigel.oac.uci.edu (Christopher Noble)
Organization: University of California, Irvine

Hi.  I am a blind woman age 22 who lives in Orange County, CA.  I am married and
 was just cut off by social security cause I got married an my husband has too m
any assets-how can they count IRAs as assets!  Anyway, he only gets $1000 a mont
h on fellowship for graduate school.  We live in a very expensive area, so I
need to come up with some more money.  I have lmited vision in one eye.  I use
a sual tech machine, a Mac, a PC, etc.  I am looking for clerical type work
to do from home.  I do typing, word processing, faxing, mailing labels, mass
mailings, internet stuff, telephone correspondance, etc.  I have a business
degree and work experience in data entry, word processing, etc.
    I am looking for anyone who may need this kind of work done, or who may know
 of someone who does.  Do you know of any organizations that may be able to
help.  Rehab has done nothing.
    Thank you for any help you can give.

Sincerely,

Nobleimit



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Subject: Scanner To Donate!
From: tmeade@infi.net (Medical Services 2001)
Organization: InfiNet

Hi Everyone,

I have a Cannon flat bed scanner with auto/feed that I would like to donate
to a blind person in need.

The scanner comes with the TrueScan ICR recognition card, Calera software, and a
ll manuals.

The scanner does not have gray scale but can scan line art.  Is very accurate sc
anning plane text.  Can also scan sideways for spred sheets.

The paper feeder can hold up to 50 pages at a time.  The flat bed glass was
recently broken but can be replaced.  The paper feeder works fine.  Takes less
than a minute per page to scan after the first page.  The scanner teaches
itself as it goes.

Requires a computer running 25/Mhz or less with current software but software
can be upgraded at the cost of about $50.

The requirements to getting the scanner is as follows:

1. Pay for shipping to you.

2. Must be blind.

3. Send a note to tmeade@infi.net stating why you think you should receive
the scanner.

4. Send your name, phone, and Email address so I can reach you.

I will review all notes and decide on the winner with in a week or two.

Good Luck,

Tony Meade
Medical Services 2001
tmeade@infi.net



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                 End of Issue # 1121 of the Blind News Digest

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