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                            THE BLIND NEWS DIGEST

                                 Issue # 1079

                        Wednesday, September 14, 1994

Today's Topics:


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                               blind educators
                    Getting employed with my disabilities
                   Audio Baseball Cards for Sight-Impaired
                       Outreach digest for librarians
                                inLARGE info
                               outSPOKEN info
                         outSPOKEN for Windows info
                    Intel Pentium Donation to Arkenstone
                          Response to Scott Hooker


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To subscribe to the Blind News Digest mailing list or have your
thoughts in the next issue, please send electronic mail to
Bill McGarry at any of the following addresses:


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                              Bill McGarry (Moderator)
                              (203) 926-6187



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Subject: blind educators
From: dperez@eis.calstate.edu (David)
Organization: California Technology Project of The Calif State Univ

Hi folks,
     I'm interested in finding some information on the National
Asociation of Blind Educators. I have recently {_compleeted my teaching
credencial in California and I want to join some professional
organizations particularly this one since I would like to network with
people whomight share some of the same frustrations. Please e-mail me if
you have any information.
Thanks
Rusty


--
I refuse to disclaim anything!
Anything and everything I say is a product of  everything and everyone I
have ever been  associated with
David (Rusty) Perez (dperez@ctp.org)
"If there's no bottom in your eyes, they hold more."
--Hazel Motes



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Subject: Getting employed with my disabilities
From: 71022.2317@CompuServe.COM (HowardMiller)
Organization: CompuServe

Hi!

I am a deaf-blind man with a physical handicap.  I use a braille display
and a 486 computer.  I'm interested in finding employment that uses my
skills or something I can train for.

Any ideas?  I really don't know how to go about this.  I'm from New York.

Thanks.
--
Howard Miller



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Subject: Audio Baseball Cards for Sight-Impaired
From: megacards2@aol.com (Megacards2)
Organization: America Online, Inc. (1-800-827-6364)

Megacards, Inc. produces "Conlon Collection(TM)" audio baseball cards:

* The non-profit nature of this project, and our limited resources make it
necessary for us to keep production costs as low as possible, but if you
know of an individual with sight-impairment who would enjoy the tape,
please send us the name and address and we will do our best to get a copy
out to them.

 * The audio baseball cards project will provide blind and low-vision
people with an opportunity to enjoy one of America's favorite pastimes,
baseball card collecting. It will be completed around 10/1/94.

* Megacards will produce this cassette tape as our "Beating the Odds"
genre project for 1994. In 1995 we go back to producing a card subset as
our service to people with disabilities. If you have not seen the "Beating
the Odds" subset from 1993, or if you need more information on those
cards, email us at Megacards2@aol.com.

* The audio tape is based on The Sporting News Conlon Collection, with a
special emphasis on our "Beating the Odds" subset.

* Approximate length is 60 minutes, about 30 minutes per side. Script by
Lynna Howard, Director of Writing Projects, Megacards, Inc.

* Side one tells the story of photographer, Charles Martin Conlon and
features 8 to 12 baseball cards based on his photos. Most of these cards
are from the "Great Stories" subset.

* Side two consists of an audio description, followed by a reading of the
back of each of the 14 baseball cards that make up the "Beating the Odds"
subset from the 1993 Conlon Collection. Uniforms, faces, batting stances,
etc. are all described.

* Quantity is 1000 cassette tapes

* Distribution to blind and low-vision persons, via Dr. Peter Blanck, a
senior fellow of The Annenberg Washington Program and professor of law at
the University of Iowa. Dr. Blanck is a nationally recognized expert on
the A.D.A. Distribution to other legitimate organizations that deal with
vision-impaired individuals may be arranged via email to
Megacards2@aol.com.

* This product will not be sold. Megacards is producing the tapes as a
public service, and to demonstrate our continued support for the Americans
with Disabilities Act.






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Subject: Outreach digest for librarians
From: lbell@darkstar.rsa.lib.il.us (Lori Bell)


"Outreach-digest" is a new listserv for outreach librarians.  Topics for
discussion could include but are not limited to:  bookmobiles, Talking
Books, homebound services,books-by-mail,multicultural services, and
more!  To subscribe,send a message to: majordomo@darkstar.rsa.lib.il.us.
In the message text section, type: subscribe outreach-digest. On the next
line type: end. If you have problems or questions, call Lori Bell at
309-353-4110 or Eileen Sheppard at 217-224-6619 or send email to Lori at:
lbell@darkstar.rsa.lib.il.us or Eileen at:eshepard@darkstar.rsa.lib.il.us.
Hope to hear from you!




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Subject: inLARGE info
From: marc@berksys.com (Marc Sutton)





Well, at last I have cleaned up our brochures and made them more up to
date. Here are our 3 brochure files for the Internet world.  The outSPOKEN
Windows brochure will change soon, but for now, here goes. Thanks much for
doing the upload.
--Marc Sutton

p.s. Looks like I have to send 3 messages to get the attachments. So here
is inLARGE info.




inLARGE 2. 0
The Software Magnifying Glass

inLARGE 2.0 is software for the Macintosh that gives people
with low vision full access to all mainstream software.
Without requiring additional equipment, inLARGE magnifies
everything on the screen. As the user types or moves the
mouse, the view follows the cursor. Features include:

NEW! System 7 compatibility

NEW! Ability to choose among screen motion options

NEW! Compatible with the full range of current Macintosh
technology-including PowerBooks and color monitors

NEW! Improved scanning mode

NEW! Ability to control features from a control panel
interface as well as the keyboard

2 to 16 times magnification

Reverse video for users who prefer white letters on a black
background

Large, customizable crosshair indicator of cursor location

Ability to independently set amount of horizontal and
vertical magnification

"Magnifying glass" for defining portion of screen that shows
magnification

  Ability to blank out unmagnified portion of screen


for details on these and other features of inLARGE 2.0,
please see the rest of this brochure.


FEATURES

-Macintosh Compatibility: inLARGE now works smoothly with
System 7, and with color and black/white Macintosh monitors.
Screen Motion Options: Users can now choose from "push" mode
(magnified area only changes when cursor is moved to an edge
of the screen), "continuous" mode (magnified area changes
whenever cursor is moved), and "centered" mode (cursor stays
fixed at the center of the screen).
-Scanning: In scanning mode, users can have text scanned
automatically. Speed, direction, and line height can be
customized from the keyboard.
-Control Panel Interface: inLARGE can now be accessed
through a control panel document. All commands can also be
performed from the keyboard.
-Magnification: inLARGE magnifies from 2 to 16 times. The
user can easily adjust the rate of magnification.
-Reverse Video: Screen inversion (white letters appearing
on a black background) now works independently of
magnification. On color monitors, colors remain true when
inversion mode is invoked.
-Crosshair Cursor: The crosshair cursor, for people who
prefer to see the cursor as an intersection of two full-
screen lines, now has customizable width.
-Horizontal and Vertical Magnification: For people who
find wide letters or tall letters easier to read, inLARGE
permits the horizontal and vertical rates of magnification to
be defined independently.
-Magnifying Glass and Blanking: The size of the
"magnifying glass" can be defined by the user, from a small
portion of the screen up to the full screen. Unmagnified
portions can be blanked out, so that only the magnified area
is shown.

Minimum System Requirements: Macintosh Plus or better with1
MB of RAM, running System 6.05 or later. inLARGE requires
100K of floppy disk or hard disk space.

Note: As of the date of this brochure (September 8, 1994--
Version 2.0A) inLARGE is not recommended for use on any Power
Mac.  This is subject to change at any time as compatibility
upgrades are planned.

Cost: $195.00 per single copy. Contact us for information on
discounts for multiple copies, educational institutions, and
dealers.


Berkeley Systems, Inc.
2095 Rose St.
Berkeley, CA, 94709
Voice: (510) 540-5535
FAX: (510) 849-9426
TTY: (510) 540-0709
Internet: access@berksys.com or inlarge@berksys.com
AppleLink: D0346
America Online: BrklySystms
CompuServe: 75300,1376



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Subject: outSPOKEN info
From: marc@berksys.com (Marc Sutton)




outSPOKEN 1.7
The Talking Macintosh Interface

outSPOKEN is an award-winning* software program that opens
the Macintosh to blind, visually impaired and learning
disabled persons. For people who cannot see or interpret
information on the screen, outSPOKEN is the only solution
that allows full use of the Macintosh.  In fact, outSPOKEN is
the first product of its kind to work on any computer with a
pixel based display and a graphic interface.  Its use of the
Macintosh's built in speech synthesizer makes it a unique
software-only solution that is both inexpensive and portable.

Features include:

- Easy-to-access commands

- Flexible screen review

- Full mouse emulation

- Full access to graphic user interface

- Easy to control

- Compatible with standard application programs

For details on these and other features of outSPOKEN 1.7,
please see the remainder of this brochure.

* "When graphic interfaces began to be popular...it was
thought that blind users would be left out of this
technological advance.  Berkeley Systems...has created a
software program that adds speech to standard applications.
It also provides an effective system for controlling a mouse
pointer and navigating through the information displayed on a
computer screen."
-Citation for 1990 Computerworld Smithsonian Award, Business
and Related Services Category, presented to Berkeley Systems
for outSPOKEN

FEATURES

Macintosh compatibility--ouSPOKEN works smoothly with System
7, and with all Macintosh models, including the portable
Powerbooks.  One exception is that outSPOKEN does not work
with the Centris or Quadra AV machines, but it does now work
with the new Power Macintoshes.

Easy-to-Access Commands--Single keystroke commands permit
movement between windows, control of speed, pitch, and volume
of speech output,  a word dictionary for user-defined
pronunciation,  a graphics dictionary for  identifying common
signs and graphic symbols, and a large selection of settings
for customizing outSPOKEN.

Flexible Review--Text can be reviewed by letter, word, or
line.  With outSPOKEN, a blind user can effectively work with
text based programs such as word processors, spreadsheets and
databases.  A learning disabled user can read and spell
individual words or listen to the flow of sentences and
paragraphs.    There is no need to change modes-review
capabilities are always accessible.

Full Mouse Emulation--Anything done with the mouse can be done
effectively via keypad functions. These commands are used to
move sequentially through information on the screen.  Keypad
commands may also be issued via the keyboard.

Full Access to Graphic User Interface--Keypad commands also
navigate the Macintosh's graphic interface - menus, windows,
dialog boxes, and scroll bars.  Small graphic elements like
icons or ruler marks can be identified and spoken.  outSPOKEN
communicates the structure and content of the entire display,
including information on type size, style, and font.   Mark
and Go to commands permit users to "mark" areas of the screen
and return to them easily.

Easy to Control-- When you issue keypad commands, type, or
move the mouse, outSPOKEN stops talking and immediately
follows your actions.

Compatible with Standard Application Programs--outSPOKEN works
well with text-based programs, including word processors,
spreadsheets, databases, telecommunications, and desktop
publishing programs.  The outSPOKEN owner has access to the
same mainstream programs used by colleagues at school or
work.

outSPOKEN runs on a Macintosh Plus or better and costs $495.
The outSPOKEN disk contains the outSPOKEN program and an
electronic copy of the manual.  Also included are print and
tone-indexed tape copies of the manual, a Braille quick
reference sheet, and tactile sheets representing typical Mac
screens.  A Braille manual is available on request at no
extra charge.

Note: outSPOKEN will not run on the Quadra AV or the Centris
AV machines.  It will, however, run on all the Power Mac
machines including the AV Power Macs.

Berkeley Systems offers a full line of Macintosh access
software, including inLARGE screen magnification software.
Contact Berkeley Systems for further information.

Berkeley Systems Inc.
2095 Rose St.
Berkeley, CA 94709
Voice: (510) 540-5535
FAX: (510) 849-9426
TTY: (510) 540-0709
Internet: access@berksys.com
AppleLink: D0346
America Online: BrklySystms
CompuServe: 75300,1376






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Subject: outSPOKEN for Windows info
From: marc@berksys.com (Marc Sutton)


COMING SOON!
outSPOKEN for Windows

The Windows screen reader from Berkeley Systems, Inc.
Makers of outSPOKEN-the Talking Macintosh Interface


Berkeley Systems is proud to announce the forthcoming release
of outSPOKEN for Windows. This new screen reader converts the
visual interface of Windows into an auditory interface
accessible to blind users. outSPOKEN's keyboard commands
allow easy navigation of the Windows environment, and speech
output presents all the text and graphics on the screen.

outSPOKEN for Windows is rich in features, yet easy to learn
and use.
Listed below are some of the features that will be included.

-Compatibility with over thirty speech synthesizers.
-Works with all DOS screen readers.
-Keyboard control of mouse for quick, easy access to any
screen location.
-Support of all built-in Windows commands in addition to
outSPOKEN's enhanced navigation features.
-Complete access to windows, menus and dialog boxes.
-The ability to rename graphics with multiple graphics
dictionaries which can be easily shared among users.
-Font, size, and style information available for all text
in any video mode.
-Commands for finding text, graphics, or attributes
within the current window.
-User-controlled levels of outSPOKEN feedback including
punctuation, keyboard echo and graphics.
-Distinctive voices for text, graphics, system messages
and other information.
-Identification of graphical controls such as buttons,
check boxes, sliders and scroll bars.

Please contact us for more information about outSPOKEN for
Windows or any of our other access products.

Berkeley Systems, Inc.
2095 Rose Street
Berkeley, CA 94709
Voice: (510) 540-5535
FAX: (510) 849-9426
TTY: (510) 540-0709
Internet: access@berksys.com
AppleLink: D0346
America Online: BrklySystms
CompuServe: 75300,1376





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Subject: Intel Pentium Donation to Arkenstone
From: jim@ARKEN.ARKENSTONE.ORG (Jim Fruchterman)


Intel Corporation
2200 Mission College Blvd.
Santa Clara, Ca  95052-8119

(408) 765-8080



                       MEDIA ALERT

  INTEL TO DONATE $1 MILLION IN PENTIUM MICROPROCESSOR
           CHIPS TO BENEFIT VISUALLY IMPAIRED

WHAT:          Intel Corporation will present a $1
               million gift of Pentium (tm)
               microprocessors on Wednesday, September 7,
               to Arkenstone, a Sunnyvale nonprofit
               dedicated to providing accessibility
               technology for people with visual
               impairments.  Individuals who use
               Arkenstone technology to overcome
               obstacles created by their disabilities
               will demonstrate the technology at 1:30
               p.m. in the Arkenstone warehouse, where
               all of the chips are being delivered.

WHO:                Vin Dham, Intel's vice president and
               general manager, Intel
               Microprocessor Products Group; Jim
               Fruchterman, president of Arkenstone; and
               Barbara Rhodes, president of the Silicon
               Valley Council of the Blind, and an avid
               user of Arkenstone products, will
               demonstrate how the Pentium(tm)-powered
               technology will make a difference in
               people's lives.

WHEN:          Wednesday, September 7 at 1:30 p.m.

WHERE:         Arkenstone, 1390 Borregas Avenue,
               Sunnyvale.  Arkenstone, a
               nonprofit corporation, is the premier
               provider of reading machines for
               individuals with disabilities
               internationally.  Intel is the world's
               largest chipmaker and also the leading
               manufacturer of personal computer,
               networking and communications products.

FOR MORE
INFORMATION
CONTACT:       info@arkenstone.org

                           ###

Contact:    info@arkenstone.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


               Arkenstone, Intel Partner,
     Provide Reading Machines for Visually Impaired
       Intel Donates $1 Million in Pentium(tm) Chips


Sunnyvale, CA, September 8, 1994.  Arkenstone, Inc., the
nonprofit leading provider of reading systems to people
with disabilities, today announced the availability of An
Open Book, Premium Edition, a complete reading machine
based on Intel's Pentium(tm) microprocessor.  This state-of-
the-art reading machine is available due to Intel's
donation of Pentium(tm) chips valued at more than $1
million.

"Intel's generous donation makes this product possible
and permits Arkenstone to provide this product to
individuals who would otherwise not be able to afford
this type of technology," said Jim Fruchterman,
Arkenstone president.  He continued, "The power and speed
of the Pentium(tm) processor brings Arkenstone closer to its
goal of making the reading of printed information as easy
and fast for blind and visually impaired people as for
sighted people."

Today, more than 7,000 visually impaired people have
benefited from these systems that scan in printed
information and read the words out loud.  "They make a
major difference in lives of individuals," said
Fruchterman.  For example:

-    a San Jose woman with a degenerative eye disease has
  become an activist for the visually impaired;

                        - MORE -

-  a San Francisco resident, once dependent upon government
  assistance, is now employed as a senior
  programmer/analyst at a major financial institution;
  and

-    dozens of people in Santa Cruz who are using the
newly-installed system at the local library.

The Pentium(tm) chips are being incorporated into two new
systems: An Open Book, Premium Edition, a complete
reading machine; and the ArkenClone, Pentium(tm) Model, a
personal computer that, when combined with Arkenstone's
Open Book Unbound software, a scanner, speech synthesizer
and screen access program, becomes a fully functioning
talking PC.


Price and Availability

An Open Book, Premium Edition, the complete reading
machine, will be priced at $5495.  The ArkenClone,
Pentium(tm) Model, is priced at $1,695.  These prices
represent a 20% savings to customers.  The products will
be shipping by the end of September.  Due to the nature
of the donation and Arkenstone's nonprofit charter, these
systems are only available to individuals with
disabilities, or institutions directly serving them.


Background

Arkenstone is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization
dedicated to developing and distributing adaptive
technology to people with visual impairments.  Products
are distributed in the U.S. and abroad by a network of
more than 100 dealers who are experienced in providing
computers and adaptive equipment.  Arkenstone also
provides information and technical support directly to
people with disabilities through its 800 number which
supports all of the U.S. and Canada.  Arkenstone, Inc.,
is located at 1390 Borregas Ave., Sunnyvale, CA 94089;
Phone: (800) 444-4443, (408) 752-2200; Fax: (408) 745-
6739; TDD (800) 833-2753. Internet: info@arkenstone.org.

                  -- 30 -- 30 -- 30 --



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Subject: Response to Scott Hooker
From: HUDSON@msu.edu (Michael.Hudson)

Scott,

You recently asked about a solution for producing Braille while reducing the
time required to do so.  This is a simple but effective response.  "Get as
many documents as possible on computer diskette."  Having electronic versions
of material will negate the time spent on scanning and Brailling.  If the
reports come out frequently, this suggests that they are already in electronic
format.

Regards,
Michael Hudson



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                 End of Issue # 1079 of the Blind News Digest

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